Weekly Bulletin
Module 6: Week 5 - 7th July 2023
Be Inquisitive - Be Resilient - Be Respectful - Be Kind
Principal's Message
Mr Jon Richardson - Principal
What an incredible summer term we’ve had at Strood Academy. From Year 11 and Year 13 external examinations, transition events, a large number of trips and visits and of course preparations for the new academic year in September.
The support from the community, parents/carers, pupils as well as the staff at the academy has been excellent to be part of. Over the summer terms we have been working to achieve the following objectives:
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 excellent pastoral care through revised structures
As you can read above one of our key objectives has been to create vision 2028. Below is our mission statement that all stakeholders have created to embark on the journey to excellence.
Mission Statement
Our collective mission through our small school model ensures our pupils receive a world class IB education which allows them to become highly ambitious, successful citizens who are well positioned to create a better world.
We set unapologetically high expectations, challenging our pupils to believe in their ability and have the choice in life they truly deserve. We ensure our pupils are at the forefront of tomorrow.
Our pupils believe in the value of their learning journey and are proud of their education.
Our parents believe in our mission and work in partnership to achieve excellence.
Our staff believe in the transformative power of education.
Throughout creating our Vision 2028 we have agreed upon 10 foundations, these will be the cornerstone of all that we say, think and do. We will use these to measure our progress and ensure we remain focused on providing an excellent education for our community of Strood.
Core Foundations
We hold the highest expectations and embed positive engagement as part of our curriculum
We teach an ambitious and knowledge rich curriculum
We inspire every individual to become an active global citizen
We are relentless in creating a better world
We develop strong, collaborative community relations
We take pride in our safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment
We lead with expertise
We care about our staff
We harness the power of technology
We promote social justice through excellent outcomes for all
We will be launching vision 2028 in August when we return for the new academic year, but the above provides you an insight into the direction of travel at Strood Academy over the next 5 years.
Regards
Jon Richardson
Staff Shoutout!
Our exams officer, JulieTowes, has been working tirelessly to ensure that all year 11, 12 and 13 examinations have run smoothly and then went straight into organising the year 10 mock examinations. Her commitment and hard work has allowed our pupils to have a extremely successful examination series.
A huge thank you to our data manager, Jan Henderson, working hard behind the scenes to make sure that the timetabling and curriculum is well prepared for the next academic year.
Results Evening
Once all examinations are completed and staff have moderated students' papers, we would like to invite you to our results evening on Monday 17th July from 17.00 - 18.00
This Results Evening is an important event where we will be sharing your child's recent examination results, discussing their academic progress, and providing valuable insights into their future academic journey. It is an opportunity for you to better understand your child's achievements, gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, and discuss any concerns you may have with teachers and school leaders.
What to expect:
17.00-17.05 - Introduction
17.05-17.15 - Strood 2028 - Our Journey to excellence
17.15-17.20 - Exam feedback from Science
17.20-17.25 - Exam feedback from Maths
17.25-17.30 - Exam feedback from English
17.30-18.00 - Collection of results and meet the other key leaders from across the academy. Discuss results and how to support your child over the next 12 months.
We strongly encourage both parents and child to attend this event to ensure a holistic understanding of your child's educational journey and to foster a strong partnership between home and school. By working together, we can provide the best support and guidance to help your child reach their full potential.
Key Stage 5
6th Form Induction Days
for year 11
Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th were the induction days for our new year 12s. It was lovely to see so many familiar, and new, faces join us for the two days. The students took part in numerous taster sessions where they got to discuss philosophical debates, literature, and global politics; some sessions were more practical with students dissecting a locust in Biology, and creating a mini film in Film Studies. Students also heard from Lloyds Banking Group about their numerous apprenticeships and the many careers on offer within this company. Lloyds were incredibly impressed with our students and said: 'I’m pleased the students found the chat useful and informative and continued to talk about what they heard. I definitely felt the energy increase when the question about salary was answered! Maybe in future, we should lead with that…Having Abigail and Philip there to share their apprenticeship journeys definitely helped the conversation. I have been in to academies before to talk about LBG careers and the attendance and participation didn’t compare to your academy. It was also great to have student questions ranging from flexible working, pay, locations and levels of apprenticeships. Always good to get questions because you know they’re engaged and listening.'
Greenwich university provided a mythbuster talk - dispelling the misconceptions and myths that some young people have about university. Again, the students showed great interest and asked questions ranging from how to get a PHD in Psychology to student loans.
It is not too late to apply for the Strood Academy 6th Form; if your child has already submitted an application, then they need to check their school email to accept the conditional offer. If your child has not completed the application form, then there is still time: 6th form application. For further details, or questions, please contact the school info@stroodacademy.org
We now look forward to seeing the students on GCSE results day, where they can enrol to the 6th form. Further information on this will be communicated to all parents.
KEY STAGE 3
Transition Day
We were delighted to open our academy to the New Year 7 students this week on Thursday 6th July. It was lovely to meet our new students and parents/carers as the start of their journey at Strood Academy.
Students took part in different activities that included competitive games in PE, identifying acids and alkalis in Science and making a frame in DT.
The students got the opportunity to be part of their new small school structure and meet staff and students who will be part of their secondary school journey.
Transition Day is key to allow us to give our new students a taster of what their new journey will be like. After moving from primary school to secondary school, students will encounter familiar subjects in new ways and in more depth. They’ll be expected to become more responsible for their own learning and take on greater independence, such as:
Travelling to school by themselves
Understanding a lesson timetable and navigating to the right room
Getting use to a larger building
Using a homework planner and completing homework on time
Remembering to take specific books and equipment to classes
We look forward to seeing you all at Summer school at the end of the month.
Attendance
Thank you to all parents and carers who have supported the school through making sure students are attending school every day and on time.
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 attendance@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. https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-attendance-in-schools
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.
Special Mentions
Highest attendance so far this year;
College- 1st Trafalgar, 2nd Hercules, 3rd Victory
Trafalgar has now overtaken Hercules by 0.14% still very close.
Highest Year group attendance per college- Hercules Year 10, Trafalgar Year 9, Trafalgar Year 8, Hercules Year 7
Trafalgar Year 8 have the highest attendance in the school, keep it up
Highest Tutor groups - 8H2, 8H3, 7T3
Congratulations to the below tutor groups who have not had any lateness to school or lessons this year 10H3, 9V2, 9H3, 8V2, 8H2, 8T1, 7V2, 7V3
Finally we have 35 students who are set to complete the year with 100% attendance
Victory 19 students
Hercules 16 students
Trafalgar 10 students
Important information
Reminder you can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.
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.
Hercules
POINTS
2698
Attendance
89%
Trafalgar
POINTS
2453
Attendance
88%
Victory
POINTS
2266
Victory let's be Victorious
Attendance
88%
Key dates
10th July 2023 - LAT Sports Day Year 7 and 8
11th July 2023 - LAT Sports Day Year 9 and 10
13th July 2023 - Strood Academy Sports Day
17th July 2023 - Year 10 Exam Results Evening 17.00 - 18.00
National Online Safety
Students in this current time are much more exposed to technology than previous generations, both inside of the classroom and outside of the classroom. The Leigh Academies Trust has subscribed to the National Online Safety platform in order to empower all members of the community with the knowledge to keep our children safe, including staff, students and parents and carers.
We would like to take this opportunity to let you know that all parents of students at the academy are welcome to create their own parent account and access a wide range of resources and information around supporting our young people with staying safe online.
Please go to https://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/strood-academy and register here.
I would particularly like to promote the two courses below (depending on the age of your child), however there is a wealth of information for you to engage with as you choose. Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 14-18 Annual Certificate in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 11-14 If you have any questions around this please do contact the academy and we will be happy to assist you.
School Uniform Shop
Summer ordering deadline for parents to receive their uniform order is fast approaching!
Please can we remind all parents to place their orders as soon as possible - the shop is expecting to be incredibly busy this summer and will not be able to facilitate any late orders. To avoid all disappoint please order quickly.
BRIGADE CLOTHING
PARENT DIRECT DEADLINE: 22ND JULY 2023 AT THE LATEST
DON’T DELAY – ORDER NOW TO ALLOW TIME TO TRY THE UNIFORM BEFORE SEPTEMBER
Click here to see Strood Academy Uniform
timings of the day 2023/2024
From September 2023 we will be introducing a new school day, the start and finish times will remain the same. Pupils will be expected to arrive at the academy by 8:30 and will be dismissed at 3:20 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and 2:00 on Wednesday. The timings of the day will be altered to maximise learning and embed stronger routines for our children. We have taken on feedback from our staff and pupils and agreed with the below timings. We will be moving to a whole academy lunch, to support this our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils will be dismissed earlier to ensure they can access the lunch in the Restaurant first. To support our longer lunch break we will be holding a number of enrichment clubs but also opening up a range of other facilities for pupils including our astro turf pitch. Our new academy day also enables us to teach a lesson of personal development for all pupils and year groups taking place on a Wednesday during period 5. You can also see below that we are replacing 'tutor time' with 'period 1' where we will be completing our morning line up and assemblies as well as other curriculum related aspects.
Line Ups - Routine 1 @ Strood Academy
As mentioned in last week's bulletin, we have introduced a morning college line up to support students in being prepared for their learning, making their time in school feel safe, calm and predictable. We thank parents for their continued support and pupils for their positive engagement. Our pupils have once again shown when we raise our expectations of them and what they can achieve they rise to the challenge each and every time.
It has been brilliant to see students beam with pride as they're celebrated and congratulated by their entire college as they collect their college badges for rewards achieved, fantastic attendance or general recognition/shout outs.
Below are some clear and concise reminders for parents and pupils to ensure you are prepared for school each and every day.
Uniform expectations
All pupils are required to wear a suitable school bag which can accommodate their chromebook and other A4 class books containing all essential items.
Coats are not allowed to be worn in the school building.
Hoodies are banned from the site and will also be confiscated from pupils if worn.
Pupils should only wear one pair of small gold or silver studded earrings to school, no facial piercings such as nose studs (including clear nose studs), bracelets or necklaces. Please see an example here of acceptable earrings.
Extreme haircuts (Principal’s discretion) and body piercings are prohibited.
Fake tan is prohibited.
False nails and painted nails are prohibited.
Female pupils have the option of wearing either:
a black pleated skirt and black tights,
or a black pleated skirt and black ankle socks,
or black trousers.
No skirts should be rolled up, and should be at a suitable length around the knee.
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.
Failure to adhere to the academy uniform expectations, pupil’s will be placed within the Internal Engagement Room for the duration of the academy day and dismissed at 4:20pm. Pupils will continue to receive their class work on their chromebook.
To support the warmer weather this module we have allowed pupils to leave blazers at home. The blazer isn’t a compulsory item of uniform for the duration of module 6. On the return to school in September as we commence module 1, all pupils will be required to wear a blazer at all times.
Have a great weekend.
Mr M Piggott
Vice Principal
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.
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.
