End of Term Message from Mr Arnull
As we end the term I would like to thank our students and staff for their fantastic commitment, teamwork, and energy. I wish to thank the parents, carers, and members of the community for the outstanding support provided to the Academy.
This term we say farewell and wish good luck to Miss Delair, Miss Kaur, and Miss Williams who are leaving to develop their careers. We have also said goodbye to Mrs Lea, one of our Student Services’ Administrators. Thank you also to Miss Kainth and Miss Glasgow who have provided excellent long-term cover in Geography and Food since September who also finish at the end of term.
I have been especially pleased with our new Year 7 students who have settled into Academy life very well. Our Year 11 and 13 students are now focusing on approaching examinations and if they work steadily they can approach the Spring term with confidence, and they need not worry too much.
One event really seems to mark the beginning of Christmas at the Academy; the Performing Arts Pantomime ‘Dick Whittington’. This wonderful event shows that we are genuinely rooted in our community and that we are all the stronger for it. Continuing the festivities, staff and students will be supporting Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 9th December, where students are invited to wear a Christmas jumper or accessory over their Business Dress.
I am also really pleased that families are adding to our stock of pre-loved Business Dress. Many items that are outgrown are not worn out, and your child can hand in items of Business Dress or Sports Kit at Student Services.
With Business Dress, I particularly want to remind you that shoes should be black, preferably leather, and polishable. Trainers, ‘work-trainers’, boots, and suede shoes are not allowed. If you need any further clarification you will find our Business Dress policy on our website, where you will also find clear guidance on acceptable jewellery and hairstyles.
When a student forgets part of their Business Dress, we endeavour to loan out spare ties, cravats, ID badges, and other items where possible. If your child has borrowed an item and not yet returned it, please ensure it is brought back this week. Following a grace period this term, from January we will begin setting detentions for incorrect Business Dress, including missing ID badges, in line with our policy. As before, if a student is incorrectly dressed and we are unable to loan spare items, they will usually be kept out of circulation until they are wearing the correct Academy Business Dress.
We are experiencing an increasing number of students taking leave during term time without prior notice, this can cause safeguarding issues and affects our capacity to support other students and families. If you require leave for your child during term time, a leave of absence form must be collected from the Academy and returned at least 10 days prior to the leave being taken.
We require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for medical appointments during the Academy day to ensure smooth running of the day and to avoid an unnecessary wait for you when collecting your child. Where possible students should attend the Academy prior to and after their appointment, this will avoid negatively impacting attendance.
Your child’s Personal Tutor is your first point of contact for all enquiries, and we would ask that you contact them by email. Please only contact the Academy by telephone if reporting your child’s absence.
As a polite reminder, parents/carers visiting the Academy will only be seen where they have a pre-booked appointment with a member of staff. Please do not enter the Academy site if you do not have an appointment; we will be unable to accommodate meetings without notice.
The Academy will close for the Christmas holidays at 12:30pm on Friday 9th December and re-open for all students at 8.45am on Wednesday 4th January 2023.
A reminder that our Twitter and Facebook accounts are updated regularly with news stories and information from the Academy, including action to take during adverse weather conditions. Key upcoming dates are:
- Christmas Panto – Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th December 2022
- Christmas Jumper Day – Friday 9th December 2022
- Christmas Holidays – Monday 12th December 2022 – Wednesday 4th January 2023
- InSET Day – Tuesday 3rd January 2023 (Academy closed to all students)
- Parents’ Consultation Evening for Year 11 – Thursday 19th January 2023
- Parents’ Consultation Evening for Year 7 – Thursday 2nd February 2023
- Parents’ Consultation Evening for Year 8 – Thursday 9th February 2023
- Half Term – Monday 20th February – Friday 24th February 2023
- Disneyland Paris Science Trip – Tuesday 21st February – 24th February 2023
- Pathways and Parents’ Consultation Evening for Year 9 – Thursday 9th March 2023
- Year 12 Parents’ UCAS Evening – Thursday 9th March 2023
- Year 8 Paris Trip – Monday 27th March – Saturday 1st April 2023
- Parents’ Consultation Evening for Year 10 – Thursday 30th March 2023
- InSET DAY – Friday 31st March 2023 (Academy closed to all students)
- Easter Holidays – Monday 3rd April – Friday 14th April 2023
A reminder that our term dates can be found here.
With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!
Mr M Arnull
Headteacher
This letter is also available in PDF format here.
