End of Term Message from our Head of School
After what has been a difficult year for everyone, and for some sadly a tragic one, I want to reflect on two themes before sharing information for the new term.
First, after the challenges of the pandemic I’d like to encourage all students to count their blessings. Now more than ever, I hope we can all value those around us, and especially the relationships that sustain us when things have been difficult. We are nothing without each other and I want to thank the whole Academy community for its patience and support.
Secondly, there has been much in the media about the long-term educational damage caused to children and young people. This may be true in some cases but the overwhelming majority of students, especially those in secondary education, will catch-up. Students will catch-up at different rates, but the lost learning will not define their whole life. Our students are resilient, and they should not waste energy on worrying but take each challenge as it comes, rest assured that we will give our very best to help them.
Every year staff move on to develop their careers and we thank them for their work at Q3 Academy Great Barr. This year we say goodbye to Mr Bell, Mr Hallam, Miss King, Mrs Kular, Mrs Rani, Mr Thomas, and Miss Tristram.
During the summer holidays, students have more free time and this can present more risks. The recent spell of good weather has tempted some people to swim in open water and sadly, young people lose their lives every year by misjudging the effect of cold water. Another possible concern is the misuse of social media. Not all hazards turn into actual problems; and if children never face any risks, they never learn how to deal with them. As an Academy, we fund eSafety courses for parents/carers to help keep children safe online; you can sign up to a range of courses and see regular webinars here.
In support of online safety, we do not allow students to use mobile phones in the Academy grounds. Any mobile phone seen on site will be confiscated for collection by a parent/carer. Please help remind students that mobile phones must be off and out of sight the moment they step through our gates.
Towards the end of the summer break, I know many of you will be buying new Business Dress. This can be purchased from Uniform Plus, Great Barr or The School Uniform Merchant, Tipton. Shoes should be black leather. Boots, trainers, ‘work trainers’, or canvas/suede shoes are not allowed. Girls’ dolly/ballet shoes are not suitable either. Our Sports Kit is provided by Macron and can be purchased here. I also want to highlight that students are not permitted to wear any jewellery other than one plain stud in each earlobe, that nails must be natural with no art or polish, and that hair must be an all-over natural colour (‘dip dying’ or highlights are not permitted). Haircuts must not be extreme, and must be a professional style. Our Business Dress policy is available on our website.
A reminder that detentions are issued for the same day, and these can be tracked on the ClassCharts app.
Please remember that adults must not come on to the Academy site without a pre-booked meeting. If you have any questions then all communication should be through your child’s Personal Tutor in the first instance.
To keep you well informed, we regularly add to the information available on our website. Please take the opportunity to visit at: www.q3academy.org.uk. We also have regular updates on Twitter (@q3academy) and on our Facebook page (Q3 Academy Great Barr). Do continue to use our online platforms to share any feedback you may have – your views are very important to us.
From September 2021, the Academy day for all students will start at 8:45am, and finish at 3:15pm. We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students on Monday 6th September, Years 11 and 12 on Tuesday 7th September, and Years 8, 9, 10, and 13 on Wednesday 8th September.
Please find below a summary of important dates, these are subject to change, so please do check our website ahead of making plans. Term dates can be found here.
Autumn Term 2021 Thursday 2nd September 2021 – Friday 10th December 2021
Voluntary COVID-19 testing from Thursday 2nd September.
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the government has directed all education settings to seek parent/carer permission to test every child twice before starting full time education. We will be in contact with you with details of your child’s appointment.
Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd October are InSET Days; the Academy is closed to students except if your child is attending for their COVID-19 test.
Formal education will begin as follows:
- Monday 6th September – Academy open to Year 7 only
- Tuesday 7th September – Academy open to Years 7, 11, and 12 only
- Wednesday 8th September – Academy open to all Year Groups
Half Term: Monday 25th October – Friday 29th October 2021
Christmas Holidays: Monday 13th December 2021 – Monday 3rd January 2022
Spring Term 2022 Tuesday 4th January 2022 – Friday 8th April 2022
Tuesday 4th January and Friday 8th April are InSET Days; the Academy is closed to students.
Half Term: Monday 21st February – Friday 25th February 2022
Easter Holidays: Monday 11th April – Friday 22nd April 2022
Summer Term 2022 Monday 25th April 2022 – Friday 29th July 2022
Friday 1st July is an InSET Day; the Academy is closed to students.
May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd May 2022
Half Term: Monday 30th May – Friday 3rd June 2022
Summer Holidays: Monday 1st August 2022 – TBC
Mr M Arnull
Head of School
This letter is available in pdf format, available here.
