Weekly Bulletin
Module 6: Week 2 - 17th June 2023
Be Inquisitive - Be Resilient - Be Respectful - Be Kind
Principal's Message
Mr Jon Richardson - Principal
Dear parents/carers,
Another extremely busy week draws to a close within the academy, this week we have had a trip to Thorpe Park (more to follow), Year 12 mock examinations as well as the continuing extensive schedule of external examinations for our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils.
As our external examination programme starts to conclude, we must congratulate our pupils for their incredible work rate, resilience, determination and focus throughout. To have managed the pressures of multiple examinations in one day is extremely challenging, but also the endurance to remain focused for nearly 5 school weeks has been incredible. Some of the examinations are extremely long in time but our pupils have remained focused and worked so hard, they have been an absolute credit.
May I take this opportunity to thank you as parents/carers for your support with the examination process, we all know that working together in partnership enables our pupils to be successful. We must also pass our huge thanks onto the staff within the academy, from teaching staff to support staff, every staff member has played a pivotal role in ensuring pupils were able to complete their examinations in such a successful fashion.
This year we have implemented a 'special goodbye' for our Year 11 pupils, as they truly deserve it! As they finished their science examination this morning, they walked to the Restaurant and were congratulated by the whole school. Over 1000 pupils created a 'guard of honour' for our Year 11 pupils as they walked to the MUGA for shirt signing and an opportunity to say 'goodbye' and 'thank you'. An incredible atmosphere was created, with all pupils and staff enjoying the moments to share together before they departed, or for some back to geography revision before their examination this afternoon. A fantastic moment, and well deserved. We wish all of our Year 11 pupils all the very best, and hope to see many back within Year 12 in September.
Last week we welcomed Mr Piggott to the academy as Vice Principal and Head of College for Hercules. Mr Piggott joins from The Leigh Academy in Dartford and has a proven track record and strong experience within school leadership. Mr Piggott has settled in seamlessly to the academy after an extensive transitional period during module 6.
Next week we will implement a morning line up, a letter has been shared with parents/carers today with all the details. This is an excellent opportunity for all of our pupils to commence their day in such a positive light. Please see the letter for finer details.
Have an excellent weekend, fingers crossed that the good weather continues... and please ensure if you have a child in Year 10 they are set and ready for their mock examinations starting on Monday. Good luck to all!
Have a lovely weekend,
Mr J Richardson
Principal
Last Chance to meet the SLT!
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)
Your Opinion Matters
As an academy we value the feedback of our parents to help us understand what is working well and where we can make improvement. With this in mind as we start to consider our preparations for September, we need to reflect on the positives and areas for development across the academy. Parental engagement has a significant impact on the progress of pupils and the development of the academy as a whole and this survey will directly impact the Strood 2028 vision for excellence.
We would now like to invite you to take part in this module's parents’ survey. The Survey will be open until Friday 7th July.
We are using the sort of questions that Ofsted poses when it conducts inspections as well as a few specific questions that help us to understand your wider views about the school. From this feedback we can then review and reshape how we as an academy support the community that we serve.
We really value your feedback but we understand your time is precious so thank you in advance for participating.
Staff Shoutout!
Penny Monk and all the TAs supporting the examination process. Thanks to you all the exams ran efficiently and smoothly and our students along with their parents appreciated all your support.
Thorpe park - Year 7 Trafalgar students
Information for the Trafalgar 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.
District Athletics
The pe department are taking 36 boys and girls from all year groups to take park in the annual Medway District Athletics Tournament.
The event will take place at Medway Athletic Park on Thursday 22nd June and will host over 15 different schools. All school will be competing in a range of events.
We wish all our competitors good luck as they represent the academy.
Line Ups - Routine 1 @ Strood Academy
At Strood Academy we want to ensure we give all of our students the very best start to the day and the very best opportunity to be ready and prepared for their learning. As of Tuesday 20th June we are introducing college line ups from 8:30am each morning. Students need to be on site before 8:30am and congregate in their college areas ready for the first whistle. This is a great opportunity each and every day to ensure all of our students are dressed in full correct uniform, and ready for the day ahead. We will have college notices and updates to ensure students are fully aware of the day's events and recognition awards each morning to reward the positive engagement we witness on a daily basis from our students around the academy.
Please ensure you support your child to make the best start by being fully equipped for school including a school bag and all essential school items. Followed by a full school uniform.
Year 11
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!
Today was the last full cohort exam for our year 11 students. This marked an end of an era for the school and an important milestone for these young adults. To celebrate this momentous occasion with them the entire academy community waited outside the canteen forming a Guard of Honor for them. This surprise was well received with year 11 students being clapped all the way from the hall down to the tennis courts. Once in the tennis courts, students were able to take part in traditions such as shirt signing and staff came down to say goodbye.
We are so proud of our year 11 students. Not only for their hard work but also for the young people we have watched grow and know they will become.
Good Luck Year 11 - See you at Prom - Friday 7th July 2023 - Ticket entry only.
Please watch out for Parentmails about Prom
Year 11 Catering revision and Exam
Next Tuesday 20th June - PM revision session - GCSE Catering Students are invited in to attend a revision session during periods 4 and 5 on this day (13:20pm - 15:20pm). Students sign in and our via reception and attend the session in room 216.
Students need to be in Academy uniform.
6th Form Induction Days
for year 11
The 6th form team are looking forward to welcoming the current year 11 students to the induction days which are on Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th June. If your child has accepted a conditional offer from the 6th form then you will have received further correspondance this week, via email, with the specific timings of the day and the schedule. If you have yet to confirm your child's attendance to the induction days then please email info@stroodacademy.org and they will be added to the attendance list.
Key Stage 5
It is lovely to finally have some summer weather and we appreciate how warm the days have been. However, a polite reminder for the 6th form students to continue to adhere to the dress code. If students attend school in clothing which does not follow the dress code then they may be asked to go home to change and return to school. The dress code has been attached at the end of the key stage 5 messages.
Year 13s continue to impress the staff with their hard work and resilience towards their exams; the last exam is on Friday 23rd June and we continue to wish the students the best of luck. Once students have completed their final exam and coursework they need to hand in their chromebooks, with the charger, to Mr Moore or reception and inform Ms Hancock.
ATTENDANCE
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.
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 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.
Year 10 Mock Examinations
Next week year 10 will start the journey towards year 11, they will embark on 2 weeks of mock giving them an opportunity to experience examination condition.
To support you child we have put together a full intervention programme where pupils can have the support of their subject teacher prior to their exam. The sessions are aimed to support the pupils and give them the best opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Below is a full timetable of the 2 weeks.
Morning Master classes will run from 8.00 - 8.30 before pupils will be sent to College line up. The afternoon intervention classes will run from 3.20 to 4.00.
If you have any questions regarding mock examinations please contact the school.
Exam Routines
Students expectations
- ALL students have an exam timetable
- Seating numbers displayed in Dance/Drama corridor.
- Year 10 attend whole school line up
- Year 10 Line up IN SILENCE in courtyard (Hercules College Line up area)
- All Prohibited items removed (phones, smart watches, bottles with labels, any other electronic devices)
- Year 10 dismissed in silence to Exam Hall by College/Tutor Group
- Students bags & belongings put into Dance/Drama Changing rooms in silence
- Separate 'cloakroom' system available for Phones
- Year 10 enter exam hall/room in silence and make their way to seats and sit in silence
- Exam entry (Higher/Foundation) details checked, listen to exam instruction read out by staff before exam starts
Hercules
POINTS
1339
Attendance
90.06%
Trafalgar
POINTS
990
Attendance
89.94%
Victory
POINTS
1003
Victory let's be Victorious
Attendance
89.84%
Pride Week
This month is pride month! Here are the basics of how you can support your child with all things LGBTQ+
Year 7 Art
Students in Year 7 explored observational drawing techniques in Art to help boost their skills, confidence, and risk taking ability.
The students were challenged to complete a series of oyster shell drawings in pen, using their non-dominant hands, continuous line, and in a 3 minute time limit!
The students took the challenge in their stride and developed some excellent outcomes. Miss Walker is extremely proud of the class and their enthusiasm .
Well done, 7H1!
Key dates
19th 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
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
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.
