Weekly Bulletin
Module 6: Week 1 - 10th June 2023
Be Inquisitive - Be Resilient - Be Respectful - Be Kind
Principal's Message
Mr Jon Richardson - Principal
Dear parents/carers,
A fantastic first week back. With Year 11 and Year 13 pupils continuing with their external examinations as well as Year 12 mocks taking place. As pupils settle back into the academy routine for module 6 we ensure that pupils are meeting our high expectations daily.
Throughout this term we will be completing end of year assessments for all pupils to get a thorough and detailed understanding of your child's attainment and achievement this academic year, this will then support our teaching staff in preparation lessons and curriculum plans for the new year.
This term we also have a number of trips and other opportunities for our pupils. We recognise that the summer term brings the closure of a school year but we must also ensure we are using each school day to stretch, challenge and expertly teach your child to enable further progress.
Our Year 11 parents will receive a daily update over the next week or so as examinations draw to a close, we will provide you with all the details required. Please ensure your child has a spare white shirt ready for signing when the time comes! We hope to be able to celebrate this achievement with all staff and Year 11 pupils. May I also take this opportunity to remind Year 11 pupils to donate and return any uniform that is no longer required. As you may be aware, we give many of our pupils spare uniforms that can be used again, many of our families are grateful for this. Please look out for further information each day.
May I wish you a restful weekend, I know our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils will be busy revising and preparing for furhter examinations next week but please do find the time to rest as well.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr J Richardson
Principal
1 week left till our Meet The SLT Event
We value the opinion of all our stakeholders and if you want your opinion heard please come in and meet the team.
At this meeting we will be discussing a range of key points, your input in each area will shape how the academy moves forwards and develops over time.
Agenda items for discussion
What is excellence at Strood Academy
Toilet areas within the academy
Communication - What does the parent want/need? How would they like to receive that information?
My Child at School app.
If you would like to join our next event please sign up using the link below.
Click here: Meet the SLT 20.06.23 (09.00-10.00)
Staff Shoutout!
A huge thank you to the PE Department this week. Staff have given up additional hours to ensure that external moderation was completed. Both Exam boards at year 13 and 11 have given the team a expectational report and expressed how impressive the pupil work has been.
Well done to the team, now on to Sports day!
Thorpe park - Year 7 Hercules students
Information for the 45 hercules pupils that are attending the Thorpe Park Trip.
The itinerary is as follows:
7:45am Meet at school
8:00am Depart from Strood Academy
10:00am (approx.) Arrival at Thorpe Park
10:30am TED Talk Workshop
11:00am Exploration of Park
1:00pm Meet for Lunch
5:00pm Departure from Thorpe Park
6:30pm (approx.) Arrival at Strood Academy
Students should arrive at Strood Academy by 7:30am and use the main reception and report to the Sports Hall. We are looking to leave promptly at 7:45am to avoid any congestion on the roads.
Students will have the opportunity to explore the different rides. They will be able to explore the park in small groups. A staff contact number will be distributed should any student become separated. We will be travelling by a coach to Thorpe Park and back.
What your child needs to wear and bring
Students must not wear school uniform.
Please ensure that your child is wearing clothes that you do not mind getting wet on the water rides. Students must wear solid flat trainers and appropriate activewear, ie, tracksuit or PE kit.
Please ensure that your child is provided with sun protection such as sun cream/spray if the weather requires. Please also ensure that your child has a raincoat if the weather on the day is wet or forecast to rain.
Please ensure that your child leaves valuables at home as the school will take no responsibility for these items if lost or damaged.
Please ensure that your child brings a packed lunch or the money to purchase food from the facilities at the park and plenty of water with them. A packed lunch will be provided for those children who receive a free school meal.
Students will only need money if they wish to purchase from the shops or food facilities at the park.
Year 11
Collection of Chromebooks Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th June
Collection Procedure: Students are required to bring in their Chromebooks and Chargers on Monday and Tuesday of next week. During period 3 and form time, the college teams will visit lessons to collect the Chromebooks.
Please note that it is important to return all components provided at the time of issuance, including the Chromebook, charger, and any accompanying accessories. In the event that any component is missing or damaged, appropriate charges will be applied to cover the cost of replacement or repair.
If your child is planning to continue their studies at our school in the coming academic year, they will be issued with a new Chromebook at the start of the term.
Finishing timetable
Click below to see the Finishing Timetable for the final week of exams
Year 11 Super Voucher Giveaway
When students are not in an exam or a revision session, they must attend their normal lessons. It is important that your child takes advantage of every opportunity afforded to them. Departments are working hard to ensure a targeted and bespoke revision programme to support and motivate year 11 as we continue to push them right to the end.
Year 11 students have been working hard following the Finishing Timetable over the last 3 weeks and have 1 more exams week to go.
To reward their attendance, effort and resilience with their revision and exams, we are having a Super Voucher Giveaway!
In order to win a raffle ticket they need to:
Have 100% attendance to every exam and revision session over the next 3 weeks.
Be on time every day.
Not receive any negative points between now and the end of the Finishing Timetable.
Students receive negative points for obtaining sanctions. Infractions such as receiving suspensions, being removed from class, being late, having mobile phones and or AirPods visible at school etc.
Those who make it to the end of the Finishing Timetable and receive a raffle ticket will get the chance to win a variety of vouchers.
Prizes are below:
Mega Prize - £100 Voucher - 1 available
Second Prize - £50 Voucher - 2 available
Third Prize - £25 Voucher - 3 available
Fourth Prize - £10 Voucher - 5 available
Plus lots of other prizes to be won!
Apply for our 6th form here
Attendence
Attendance is really important for the well being and progress of all. It is imperative that all students attend school every day to give them the best opportunity to be successful. If students are feeling slightly unwell, please make the effort to attend school. When students attend school they normally find that they feel better, if students do not improve we will assess the student and if we feel there is a need we will call home.
If there is an absence please contact attenance@Stroodacademy.org and attach your medical evidence.
National data
The data shows that the attendance rate across the academic year to date was 92.6%. The absence rate was, therefore, 7.4% across all schools.
We are sitting slightly below this and require a big push in the final weeks of term to achieve the national attendance rate.
Holidays in term time You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time. You can only do this if:
you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
there are exceptional circumstances
It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.
Reminder You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.
Year 11
A special mention needs to go the year 11s who are attending their year 11 GCSE exam. Most students continue to attend revision clubs in the morning, before exams and after school keep up the good work and remember what you put in is what you get out.
Important Fact
90% attendance means that your child is absent from lessons for the equivalent of one half day every week. Over five years this is the equivalent of about one half of a school year.
Year 10 Mock Examinations
As we approach the end of the academic year, I would like to inform you that Year 10 students will undertake ‘Mock Exams’ across the curriculum subjects. The Mock Examinations will take place in Module 6 between the 20th & 30th June. The Mock Examinations will be conducted in the exam hall and are designed to further prepare all students for their GCSE examinations. Please take a moment to review the Mock Examination Timetable below. Students will be issued with their own versions closer to the Mock Examination Series.
Our students will experience examinations as close to the real experience as possible. Students will receive an assembly prior to the exams which will outline the expectations. Examination papers will then be marked, moderated and the scores collated. The Mock Results will then be shared with students and parents in our reports on the 14th July. The results will provide students with a clear indication of their examination grades. The mock data will then be used to set target grades and plan the Year 11 curriculum with opportunities to exceed these targets. The current grades can also be used to inform POST-16 decisions as students begin the application process for 6th Form, College courses and Apprenticeship placements.
Hercules
POINTS
513
Attendance
90.16%
Trafalgar
POINTS
298
Attendance
89.96%
Victory
POINTS
360
Victory let's be Victorious
Attendance
89.87%
Wading in to our local River
Students in Year 7 are starting a new topic associated with our local River Medway.
As part of introducing this topic our students waded in to the deep end by trying on the must-have fashion accessory of the season which also keeps your feet dry when needing to study.
Students are studying Rivers including the importance of our local River; its uses and some of the key landforms we can find.
Key dates
Week Beginning 12.06.23 - Thorpe Park Trips
20th June to 30th June 2023 - Year 10 Mock Examinations
20th June 2023 - Meet the SLT
Week Beginning 03.07.23 - Year 6 Transition
Week Beginning 03.07.23 - Geography Field Trip
Week Beginning 10.07.23 - LAT Sports Day
13th July 2023 - Strood Academy Sports Day
Strood Academy - Key Priorities
The academy have set the following key priorities for module 5 and 6. This is to allow a clear strategic planning and implementation on improvement throughout the academy. These key priorities will be used to measure the progress within the academy and allow all stakeholders to be aware of what is happening within the academy.
The key priorities are as follows;
To provide stability to all stakeholders during a transition in leadership
To enable Year 11 pupils and Year 13 students to achieve excellent examination results
For all stakeholders to be involved in creating a new 5 year vision for Strood Academy
Improve culture for learning throughout the Academy
To provide our pupils transitioning between key stages the support and experiences to succeed
To relaunch our College systems providing pupils pastoral care through revised structures
Module 6 Uniform
Our uniform expectations for module 6 have been adapted. Blazers are optional due to the increased temperatures forecasted for June. However please ensure that all other uniform expectations are adhered to as we continue with our high expectations (please see uniform expectations below)
Uniform expectations
Blazers are optional for term 6 only.
Coats are not allowed to be worn in the school building.
Hoodies are banned from the site and will also be confiscated from students if worn.
Students should only wear one pair of small gold or silver studded earrings to school, no facial piercings such as nose studs, bracelets or necklaces.
Extreme haircuts and body piercings are prohibited.
Fake tan is prohibited
False nails and painted nails are prohibited.
Girls have the option of wearing either a Strood Academy skirt and black tights, a Strood Academy skirt and black ankle socks or Strood Academy trousers.
Knee length socks are not permitted as part of the uniform policy.
We also do not allow any form of eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes as part of our uniform policy.
If you would like a more detailed reminder of the uniform expectations please view them on the academy website.
Failure to follow the schools’ uniform rules and hand over any infringing items will result in a 30 minute same day detention.
Behaviour expectations and relocation of the behaviour for learning room
"The Lodge"
At Strood Academy, we are focused on ensuring that all students have lessons that are free from disruption. We realise that creating a positive climate for learning is a responsibility shared by leaders, teachers, parents and pupils’. We have a consistent approach to managing disruptive students so that we as staff and you as parents can reinforce expectations successfully. It is imperative that all students have access to disruption free learning. Our behaviour protocols for managing behaviour are there for a very small minority of students who may cause disruption. We want to reiterate that the majority of our students do work extremely hard in lessons and want to be successful.
In striving towards excellence, we will be making some changes to our behaviour protocols in term 6. Below is an outline of these changes that will begin on Monday 5th June, straight after the half term break:
The behaviour for learning room(BFL), will be renamed the “Lodge” and is relocating to the house at the bottom of the school drive. In any further communication with parents/carers it will be called the Lodge provision. Therefore any student that is placed in the Lodge as a sanction to poor behaviour will attend this provision. If your child is issued with a Lodge sanction, they will attend from 8.15am to 4.00pm.
If your child receives a Lodge sanction, they will not be permitted in the academy building, for the duration of their sanction. They will be met at the front gate at 8.15am and will be escorted to the Lodge.
The Lodge provision will always be for a minimum duration of 1 day and other students will not be transferred in and out of this provision during the day.
If a student fails their time in the lodge then they will be sanctioned with an off site provision at another school or a suspension(dependent on the behaviours displayed) On their return they will be expected to complete a successful day in the Lodge before returning to mainstream lessons.
Removal from lessons (students are placed in the internal engagement room).
As you are aware we have the three R approach to behaviour in lessons: Remind, Reinforce and Remove. Students are given the opportunity to correct their behaviours before they are removed from the lesson. To continue with consistency and to ensure that all students are receiving the same sanction for a removal, we will be making a few changes :
Students will complete a full day within the internal engagement room if they are removed from a lesson e.g if students are transferred to the internal engagement room Period 4, they remain until lunchtime the following day and receive a 1 hour detention on the day of the removal.
If they are removed period 2 they remain until breaktime the following day, completing a 1 hour detention on the day of the removal.
A period 5 removal will mean that students will remain in the internal engagement room until the end of that lesson and complete a full day, the next day, including a 1 hour detention at the end of the day.
The only exit times from this room are at break, lunch, the end of the school day and at 4:20pm.
If your son / daughter is removed from a lesson you will receive an automatic text message informing you of the removal and the detention that day.
If your child is removed from period 5, the detention will be the following day.
Following the removal, the class teacher will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the reason for the removal and work with you to discuss the removal.
Thank you for your continued support.
Technology in school
All mobile phones and headphones must not been seen on school ground , these must remain out of sight and switched off. This decision was taken for a number of well-considered and well-researched reasons:
To improve our children’s health and wellbeing from the impact of social media
To protect them from the negative impact of cyber-bullying whilst they are in school
To protect our school community from phone cameras being used within the school environment
To improve educational standards by removing the constant distractions that mobile phones pose
To ensure that students are not distracted from key examinations that shape their future
We at the academy appreciate that communication with your child is important and therefore please be assured if you need to contact them urgently you can do so via the school main reception on 01634 717121 and the message will be passed through the pastoral team to your child.
Below are the key processes that have been shared with all pupils about the expectation and the consequences in relation to the use of technology in school.
Phones/Headphones MUST NOT be seen in school.
If Phones/Headphones are seen in school, they will be confiscated.
30 minute same day detention for mobile Phones/Headphones.
Collection of Phones/Headphones from reception (once 30 minute detention has been completed)
Phones/Headphones must not be used on school grounds.
If Headphones are being used, we will confiscate Headphones and the mobile phone that they are connected to.
Any student that refuses to hand over their Phones/Headphones will be placed in the behaviour for learning room and parents will be invited in to collect phones.
Phones/Headphones must be switched off and in bags or lockers.
