LAR  NEWSLETTER 

07/03/25 , Module 4

With lighter morning and evenings its been an uplifting start to module 4 as we work our way towards Easter! I enjoyed delivering assemblies to all our students last week on the theme of self regulation, speaking to them about how they can take leadership of their own home learning, assessment preparation and further development. An excellent example of this in practice is with our Year 10 cohort who returned to a week of languages speaking mocks. The vast majority of students have shown great resilience and preparation and I am proud of how they have approached and conducted themselves through these first mock speaking exams. 

I am also incredibly proud to share that the academy, its staff and students have received a number of nominations for different awards. We have had over 10 staff nominations for Kent Teacher of the Year Awards, and are waiting on tenterhooks to see if any are shortlisted for the finals! Bow from Angelou has been shortlisted for the 'Inspiring Youth' category of the 'Pride in Medway Awards' and has been invited to attend the awards evening on 4th April. The academy has also been shortlisted as finalists for the 'Inspiring Schools' category for the same awards ceremony as a result of the year 9 community projects our wonderful founding cohort first took part in last year. Lastly the academy has been shortlisted as finalists for the 'Business Education Awards', for outstanding progress and we will be attending this awards ceremony in London. We wish all our staff and students the best of luck for all the finals!

Mrs Cramlington

Principal

Reporting Absence

Please ensure if calling to report absence you only select the reporting absence (option 1) from the switch board and leave a voice message or send an absence email to attendance@leighacademyrainham.org.uk.

Due to parents trying to call through to reception or colleges, absence messages are sometimes missed which duplicates calling and workload for our attendance team. Any messages not sent through to them are not  guaranteed to be received in time for registration and will result in additional calls being required to confirm reasons for absence. 

We would like to make parents aware the Trust does not endorse the use of Studybugs to report absence, though we have had some parents using this platform. We are working to ensure we are removed from this system as we have been made aware we have been added to it without our permission. 

Driving in The Academy Car Park

Just a gentle reminder that if you are driving on the school premises the maximum speed limit is 5mph in order to keep all students safe.  

Well done to our Year 8's and 10's for achieving the highest Sparx Reader in the trust. Keep up the good work!

It's been a great start to World Book Day 2025 at Leigh Academy Rainham with staff and students dressed as their favourite characters.  All year groups have an hour off-timetable with our visiting author, Nick Arnold, who wrote the "Horrible Science" series as well as special book-themed lessons throughout the day.  We are so proud of our students for getting into the spirit of World Book Day and for all of the fantastic conversations that we have heard about books throughout the morning.

Our incredible TA team have been training in sensory circuits, one of the many interventions on offer for our children!

Diversity Club made pancakes this week. Students enjoying making pancakes together but the highlight was eating them! 

MedwayGo Easter activities are running from Monday 14th April – Thursday 17th April 2025.

Bookings open on Monday 17th March 2025 at 10am. Bookings going forward will be made through a new system called Eequ. Parents/carers can simply follow a link and book activities. Eligibility will be automatically checked and then the booking will be approved or rejected based on the eligibility criteria. Families can soon start to register interest here: https://eequ.org/medwaygo and book from 17th March.

MedwayGo provides holiday activities and food for school aged children. MedwayGo is free for children that are eligible for benefit related free school meals. We can also allow 15% of funding to be used for children classed as vulnerable, for example children with SEND, looked after children and military families. Once the 15% is taken up, bookings will be restricted to those who are eligible for benefit related FSM only. If families are not eligible for free places, they can access paid places. Many providers offer places at a reduced rate, so all children have access to the programme.

Eligible children will be able to book and attend 4 activities across the Easter programme. Whilst enjoying physical and enrichment activities, children will also receive a hot healthy meal. There are a range of activities on offer from sports, theatre workshops, outdoor pursuits, music and more.

Families can start to explore activities on offer from next week and book from Monday 17th March at 10am. More information will be shared on our Facebook page. Families can also find out more about how to make bookings through one of the many articles Eequ have created: https://help.eequ.org/en/articles/221041-how-do-i-make-a-booking.

The MedwayGo team are also holding 2 online Q&A sessions for families to ask questions about the new booking system. These will take place on:

Thursday 6th March 12pm – 1pm  Click here to join on the day: Join the meeting now

Thursday 13th March 7pm – 8pm  Click here to join on the day: Join the meeting now

 Families can also follow our Facebook page for live updates: www.facebook.com/MedwayGoHAF

Keeping Kids Safe Online: A Guide for Parents

In today’s digital world, children are spending more time online than ever before. While the internet offers great learning opportunities, it also comes with risks. As parents, it’s important to stay informed and take steps to ensure your child’s online safety. Here are some key tips to help protect your children in the digital space:

1. Open Communication is Key

Talk to your child about their online activities. Encourage them to share what websites, apps, and games they use. Establish an open and trusting environment where they feel comfortable discussing any online issues they encounter.

2. Set Rules and Boundaries

Create clear guidelines for internet use, including screen time limits and appropriate online behavior. Discuss what types of content are acceptable and remind them never to share personal information with strangers.

3. Use Parental Controls

Take advantage of built-in parental control settings on devices, browsers, and apps. These can help filter inappropriate content, limit screen time, and monitor online activity.

4. Teach Cybersecurity Basics

Educate your child on the importance of strong passwords, recognizing phishing scams, and avoiding suspicious links. Encourage them to report anything that seems unsafe or uncomfortable.

5. Monitor Social Media Use

Many children and teens use social media to connect with friends, but these platforms also expose them to potential risks like cyberbullying and online predators. Regularly review their privacy settings and discuss the importance of responsible online behavior.

6. Be a Role Model

Children often mimic their parents’ behavior. Demonstrate good digital habits by balancing screen time, being cautious about what you share online, and treating others with respect in digital spaces.

7. Stay Informed and Engaged

Technology is constantly evolving, and new risks emerge regularly. Stay updated on the latest trends and threats by reading online safety resources and engaging in discussions with other parents and educators.

By taking proactive steps, parents can help their children navigate the online world safely and responsibly. Let’s work together to create a safer digital environment for our kids!