Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the very best of health. We are certainly back into the swing of things as week 3 draws to a close and the rhythm of the school week establishes itself amongst our community. Our newest students in Year 7 have really found their feet and are navigating the building well now. They are so positive and excited each day, it is a joy to watch. I have a few brief updates from this week for you and a notice about the Eruopean Day of Languages on Thursday.
Year 6 Open Evening – 3rd of Oct 2024, 5pm – 7.30pm
Our Year 6 Open Evening is just around the corner. This is a chance for families of Year 6 students to meet members of our student leadership team, subject staff, hear from the myself and to get a feeling for what makes our Academy such a unique and special community. For families of current students, please look out for permission slips if they have volunteered to help out as a student ambassador on the evening.
Foodbank Friday
Students in Years 7 and 8are collecting food each Friday on a rota basis to donate to a local food bank, Homeless Outreach — New Life Church Derby (newlifederby.org.uk). Students can bring in non-perishable goods like cereal, tinned foods and UHT milk or non-food items such as toiletries and hygiene products. Food banks use these donations to create food parcels that contain at least three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced meals for individuals and families. Thank you to 7RCH for the first collection. You are helping our local community. Together We Succeed.
Duke of Edinburgh
DofE started this week with those aiming to complete their Bronze Award attending the first session. Parent pay is now ready to accept the £28 joining fee for the welcome pack and log in. Next week, the Bronzes will look at getting ideas for their volunteering sections whilst Silvers are invited to join us in HO1 3:05-4:05pm on Thursday 26th September. Any questions please email Miss Lancaster.
Geography Trip
The geography team are running a rewards trip to Sherwood Forest on 11th October. Eligible students have been selected and letters have gone to parents. Those wishing to attend should return the reply slip to Miss Lancaster by 1st October and complete the payment on Parent Pay.
European Day of Languages
Thursday 26th of September is European Day of Languages. A day to celebrate and promote the importance of learning a foreign language. At Derby Moor we will be celebrating this day by carrying out a number of activities throughout the week to raise the profile of languages. At Derby Moor, we are privileged to have both students and staff who speak a vast array of world languages, and we feel it is important to recognise the benefits this brings to our school community.
Following on from this week, we will soon be looking for a selection of students to become Derby Moor Language Ambassadors. These students will be advocates for learning and speaking another language and will be taking part in a number of whole school events throughout the year. More information will be available from Mr Perks over the coming weeks.
Careers update
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Marine Biologist.’
Derby Moor Dispatch
The Derby Moor Dispatch goes out weekly to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. The Dispatch contains a wide range of opportunities for work experience, summer schools, careers related webinars and so on. Please do have a look at the latest edition. The Dispatch is emailed to the students’ school email address, so it is important that they check this regularly on a Monday. You can also view the Dispatch via the Careers page of the Derby Moor website. Please do take a look at the website as there is a wealth of useful information including a specific page for parents.
Luminate Careers
Kat Garland, Jessica Townsend and Marsha Johnson from Luminate will be in school on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year. As well as seeing students for 1:1 sessions or part of a group workshop, they are also available to support with completing application forms and checking CVs. Any student who wants some help simply needs to ask their tutor to make them an appointment or drop in and see one of the Luminate team in the Careers Room. Luminate have an excellent website with a wealth of useful information. They have also produced this video to help families talk to their children about careers choices.
Visit of ASK Apprenticeships
On Friday, we had a visit from ASK Apprenticeships as part of our ‘Next Steps’ programme for Year 11. The presentation included information about apprenticeships and what is involved as well as information about the different apprenticeship levels and length. They also covered the important issue of pay. Over the next few weeks students will have presentations about college, apprenticeships and traineeships as well as sixth form. It is important our Year 11 students are aware of all of the options available to them in order to make informed decisions. They will be receiving continuous support from our Careers Advisers from Luminate as well as their form tutors.
Final notes
That is everything for this week. Looking ahead, the weather is forecast to take a turn for the worst this weekend, and it is likely to be a wet start to next week. Students will need to be prepared for this with a waterproof jacket as many of them have a long journey. For those who travel by car or public transport, they should allow extra time in the mornings as journey times are likely to be extended due to rain and potential flooding.
Finally, a reminder to log on to your Class Charts parent account this week and discuss the day’s events with your child where possible. If you are having any difficulty in accessing or setting up Class Charts, please contact your child’s Year Team.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal