Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. I write to you at the end of another positive week at the academy. Our students have been a joy to be around this week and seem to be full of enthusiasm and positivity. I’ve had the pleasure of touring the school with visitors on a couple of occasions and its been great to hear our young people speak so confidently about their experiences at the school and their learning. It has also been lovely to hear feedback from new parents and those who have been part of our community for a little longer – thank you for taking the time to let us know how things are going. The acknowledgment of the efforts our staff put in means a lot to them.
Year 6 Open Evening – Thursday 5 October 2023
Our Year 6 Open Evening takes place on Thursday 5 October 2023. For current students it will be a chance to help out after school and showcase to visitors everything that makes our school such a special place to work and to learn. Please do look out for permission slips in your child’s bag or blazer as these will need to be returned in advance of the event if your child is to take part. For prospective students and families, the evening is a chance to see our facilities, meet our students and staff and get a feel for the aspiration and community spirit that our students bring to the building each day. The evening runs from 5 pm until 7.30 pm with tours from our student leaders each half hour. There will be presentations at 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm in the school hall. You can read more about this on our website.
Year 11 Update
Year 11 Intervention: As you will be aware our Year 11 students are now in the last year of compulsory academic studies here at Derby Moor. In order to support with preparation for the forthcoming mock examinations in November, we have devised a schedule of after school revision sessions.
Each session will be led by a subject specialist and will focus on developing the key knowledge and skills which are necessary to be successful in the assessments. We therefore ask that each student makes a commitment to regularly attend these sessions. All sessions will start at 3.05 pm until 4.05 pm; this programme will remain in place until the start of the first set of mock examinations, which are due to commence on 6 November 2023.
If students have not been selected for a revision session in a particular subject then it does not mean that they will not receive intervention at a later stage. We plan our revision sessions in waves and the next programme will commence after the results of the mock exams in November have been analysed.
Toyota Apprenticeships: On 28 September 2023, Toyota came to speak to our Year 11 students who are particularly interested in exploring an avenue in engineering. In this meeting they shared information on Production Apprenticeships, Maintenance Apprenticeships and the application process. The general discussion was based on qualification requirements for the apprenticeships and course contents. Students were also informed about nature of each job and what working at Toyota is like. The application process opens on 9 October 2023 and closes 4 December 2023. Students who did not attend this meeting will gain all the information needed through our class charts platform shortly.
Year 7 Update
Mrs Hrncic would like to thank you for your support with your child’s first few weeks at our school. Year 7 have had an amazing start to secondary school. They have now enjoyed a wonderful variety of lessons and experiences since the beginning of term and continue to grow and find their feet in our community. They have demonstrated excellent participation in many extra- curricular clubs. Whether they are a musician or a sportsperson, or even both, we have something for them, so encourage them to check the timetable and come along, get involved in our wider opportunities.
We understand that start of the secondary school can be daunting, logging to various apps and moving between different parts of the building each lesson so we appreciate your patience and encouragement as they continue to settle in.
A little note for your calendars: 8 November 2023 from 4.00 pm – 7.00 pm is our annual Year 7 settling in evening so please look out for the email/letter from us inviting you to book and appointment and come along, meet your child’s form tutor and find out who well they are getting on.
Year 8 Geography Trip
This week Year 8 students visited St Wilfred’s church as part of their rewards trips for outstanding conduct, effort and attainment in the Human Development faculty. The day started with a tour of the church, then students engaged in a fully interactive session with a barbaric Barber-Surgeon who revealed to the students the bloody, brutal and sometimes hilarious world of medieval medicine in this highly entertaining session. The students learnt about how the plague was treated through a whole range of weird and wonderful preventions and cures, and highlighted many battlefield injuries and how they were treated.
The afternoon saw the students split into two groups, where both learnt how to use a long bow and arrow, and then all took part in warrior training. Students learnt new skills, then put them to the test in a gauntlet style assault course. We then rounded up the day with an archery competition. The report from Miss Gooderham claims that she hit the target every time and brought her group home to victory.
Students were exemplary, and the organisers commented on how knowledgeable, polite and enthusiastic they were. Well done for being great ambassadors of the academy.
Kenya Trip 2025
On Tuesday 3 October 2023, students going on the Kenya trip are raising money by selling samosas at lunchtime. Samosas will be £1 and all money raised will go towards supporting schools in Kenya.
We still have some places available on the trip. If your child is interested, they should speak to Miss Lancaster in PA16 or visit the dedicated website.
Duke of Edinburgh
Our DofE sessions are now up and running again for the year. Students on Thursday’s in HO1 and we have lots of new Bronze participants signed up ready. If you are still interested in doing your award please come to one of the sessions on Thursdays or speak to Miss Lancaster in PA16 to get your journey started. This week we have started to think about the different activities students will do for their award for physical, skills and volunteering.
ParentPay is available to process payments for the welcome pack. If you are having issues with this, please contact the school’s finance office.
Inktober Drawing Competition Launch
The Art department are launching our first Inktober Drawing competition. Students in all years can take part, picking one word from the official prompt list and producing a drawing based upon it. They must use pen on paper only. The deadline is 6 November 2023 and we will collect drawings from tutors/ art teachers on this date. Click here to view our poster that includes a QR code which will take students to the instructions and official prompt list. There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize for students in Year 7 up to Year 13 as well as 3 staff winners.
Computing Update
Our computing team have provided a link today to give advice about using group chats in a positive way. Follow this link for more information.
Water Bottles
Metal water bottles made specifically for our new drinks machines are now available through parent pay at a cost of £1.49. We think this offers great value compared to local supermarkets and help to reduce our students’ carbon footprint.
School Forum and Principal’s Coffee Mornings
The School Forum and the Principal’s Coffee mornings provide an opportunity for parents to come and ask questions and discuss general topics to do with the school. The topics for each meeting will vary based upon feedback and demand.
Please see the dates and times for each meeting for the coming academic year:
Half Term 1 – Parents’ Forum – Wednesday 11 October 2023, 6.30 – 7.30 pm in HO08
Half Term 2 – Principals’ Coffee Morning – Wednesday 22 November 2023, 9.40 – 10.40 am in FLC
Half Term 3 – Parents’ Forum – Wednesday 24 January 2024, 6.30 – 7.30 pm in HO08
Half Term 4 – Principal’s Coffee Morning – Wednesday 20 March 2024, 9.40 – 10.40 am in FLC
Half Term 5 – Parents’ Forum – Wednesday 1 May 2024, 6.30 – 7.30 pm in HO08
Half Term 6 – Principal’s Coffee Morning – Wednesday 26 June 2024, 9.40 – 10.40 am in FLC
PTFA – School Uniform Shop
The PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) have a Uniform shop, that sells donated Uniform at a reduced price to Parents.
This year the Uniform Shop will be open at the following times:
Half Term 2 – Monday 6 November 2023, 3.15 – 4.00 pm in the main foyer
Half Term 3 – Monday 15 January 2024, 3.15 – 4.00 pm in the main foyer
Half Term 4 – Monday 26 February 2024, 3.15 – 4.00 pm in the main foyer
Half Term 4 – Wednesday 13 March 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm outside the Assembly Hall (Y9 Parents Evening)
Half Term 5 – Monday 15 April 2024, 3.15 – 4.00 pm in the main foyer
Half Term 5 – Wednesday 24 April 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm outside the Assembly Hall (Y8 Parents Evening)
Half Term 5 – Wednesday 8 May 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm outside the Assembly Hall (Y10 Parents Evening)
Half Term 6 – Monday 3 June 2024, 3.15 – 4.00 pm in the main foyer
Half Term 6 – Wednesday 12 June 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm outside the Assembly Hall (Y7 Parents Evening)
Half Term 6 – Wednesday 3 July 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm outside the Assembly Hall (Transition Evening)
In order to continue this Uniform Shop, we need Parents to donate uniform that their children may have grown out of. If you have any uniform in good condition that you can donate to the PTFA, there is a Blue Wheelie bin just by the side of reception where the donations can be placed. We would ask that the Uniform is clean and put in a Plastic bag before being donated.
Extra-Curricular Events
We have a wide range of Extra-Curricular events that are taking part before school; at break; at lunch and after school. The calendar is soon to be published on the school website but it can be viewed using this link. Our ambition is to have over 40% of all students involved in an Extra-curricular activity over the course of each week. If there is something that your child would want to do, that is not currently offered, then they can speak to their class rep, to student voice or come and speak to Mr Scott at Break or Lunch in the quad.
Sports Update
Derbyshire Girls Y10/11 Football Tournament: On Thursday our year 10 girls football team took part in a 12 team tournament at Derby County’s training ground, Moor farm. The girls played exceptionally well against teams who were predominantly made up of year 11 students and came away with two draws and one loss. The girls really enjoyed the experience playing at the training ground and played some lovely football during their 3 games. Player of the tournament – IW.
Year 8 Football: After a narrow loss the week before the boys and girls rallied back against Landau on Tuesday. The team came out strong against the wind in the first half and a great headed goal from EF saw the team go 1-0 up at HT. Second half saw the introduction and debut of ZM and it was a debut to remember! 4 goals from ZM in the second half cutting through the Landau defence put the game to bed. A rare goal from right back JD added to the scoreline, with a brilliant finish going in off the post. Final score 6-0. The team move on to face a strong Woodlands team on Tuesday.
Year 10 Football: On Monday, the Year 10 boys travelled to Noel Baker to play their first game of the season. Due to injuries and last-minute illnesses amongst the squad, they played the game with only 10 players. Having started really strongly and scoring early on through RM, the extra player of Noel Baker started to show and they eventually succumbed to defeat. The boys were very resilient given the circumstances and can all be proud of themselves for their grit and determination.
An even better display of resilience was seen on Thursday where the team played Landau and after being 2-0 down in the first 5 minutes, could have easily dropped their heads. The team fought back in the second half with 2 quick goals of their own from RM and MA leaving the game back nicely balanced. Last minute chances for both teams were squandered and the end of the result was a draw. Next week the team face Leesbrook away.
Year 11 Football: This week, the year 11 boys took on Chellaston in what I looked like a tightly poised fixture on paper. After a cagey first 10 minutes, the game started to open up and both teams had chances, Chellaston, taking theirs to put them 1-0 up. Despite playing well, and continuing to create openings Derby Moor went into halftime 2-0 down. In the second half, Chellaston were more dominant and scored 2 more goals inflicting the first defeat of the season on the team from DMSA. Player of the match – SL at Centre Back.
Cross Country: Last week we had our first inter-school fixture away at West Park in rather inclement weather. The students were tremendous, with many exceeding their own expectations and finding the stamina to complete the challenging course, securing some very promising results. The Year 7 Boys’ Team are currently in Silver Medal position in the League, with RS, HN and SR in the top 20. There were good individual results from JC in Year11 in 6th place individually and impressive performances from PK, JG and MG (Year 8) placing in the top 20. Our next inter-school race is at Derby Moor following the INSET day on Friday 6th October.
Careers Update
Job of the Week: This week’s job of the week is a ‘VFX Artist’.
Year 11 Next Steps: Please read this leaflet as it has useful information around next steps for our students in Year 11.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The Derby Moor Dispatch goes out every Monday 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.
Final Notes
Another action-packed week and more on the horizon with the Open Evening, Sports Fixtures, Cross Country and an Inset Day next week. As I was writing this update Mr Scott popped in to talk to me about rewards. Having looked at the Classcharts points for the term to date he noted that the vast majority of our students only have positive points so far. This is quite remarkable, given our high expectations and our system for logging which would create a negative point for having a shirt out for example. Thus, most of our students have not stepped a single foot (or shirt) out of line so far this year. I must thank you for your support with this and will do the same for our students. It is perhaps the clarity and collective buy in to our values that is fueling the positivity we are seeing throughout the site this term. Together We Succeed.
Best wishes,
Scott Doyle
Principal