Key Information

Please ensure you are contacting the Academy via email or text message to alert The Attendance Team if your child is going to be late or will not be attending the Academy that day. Also, please ensure you are advising the attendance team of any appointments your child may have so we can ensure students are in reception at the correct time, ready to be collected. Contact details are listed below:
- - - - Text - 07860054458
        Email and attached medical evidence where possible - attendance@stroodacademy.org
        Phone/ voicemail - 01634 716621
A reminder of uniform expectations shared with all students.
A reminder of Student Code of Conduct.

letters shared - whole school

End of Module Newsletter - Module 1 - shared 18/10/24
Important Uniform Reminder - shared 6/11/24
Chromebook Scheme Letter - shared 12/11/24

Academy Change of Name - shared 12/11/24
Scholastic Book Fair - shared 12/11/24

Whole school notices

Advent Attendance

This week, our students were introduced to our attendance incentive for this module.

There will be a KS3 and a KS4 draw and students have the chance to win a-

- £70 voucher for Chatham Bowl- family of 4

- £50 voucher for Scrapyard Golf- family of 4

- £30 Boots voucher

- £30 Bluewater voucher

- £20 Just Eat voucher

Best of luck to you all!

Book Fair

We are delighted to announce that on the 25th and 26th of November we will be hosting a book fair at Strood Academy- this will be in the library during lunch time. Please encourage your children to visit the library to browse the incredible range of books on offer.

Students will be given a "wish list" form to fill out and take home; payment will then be accepted via ParentPay. Please note that the deadline for payment is Wednesday 27th October. Students will be able to collect their purchased books from the library on Thursday 28th November during lunch time.

The benefits of reading for pleasure are well-documented and can have a profound impact on academic success. We strongly believe that helping students find books they enjoy can support their overall literacy, improve their reading ages, and ensure they are fully prepared for exams. Scholastic Book Fairs are designed to offer a variety of high-quality and age-appropriate books that spark curiosity and excitement for reading. We hope many students will take advantage of this opportunity to acquire a book they love.

Thank you for your support in encouraging reading at Strood Academy. We look forward to a fantastic Book Fair Week and hope to see our students discover books that inspire them!

Literacy Competition

This week's Literacy Spotlight is a competition announcement.

On Thursday 21st November at 16:00 Mrs Hoare will check the whole-school Sparx Reader leaderboard. The student with the highest ranking SRP (Sparx Reader Points) at this time will be awarded £10 worth of book vouchers to spend at our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair (running Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th November). How can you gain SRP? It's simple: log on to Sparx Reader and read. The longer you spend reading on the platform, the more points you will collect!

We also have three £5 vouchers available: in order to be in with a chance to win one of these vouchers, students will need to submit a book report to Mrs Hoare about their favourite book (fiction or nonfiction). The deadline for submissions is Thursday 21st November. Students can submit their report in person to Mrs Hoare, or hand their reports to their Literacy teachers. Names will be put into a random generator and 3 winners will be selected.

Good luck to all, and don't forget to visit the library on Monday and Tuesday (25th and 26th November) to join in the buzz of our book fair!

SAFEGUARDING

Recorded Parent/Carer Workshops

We are delighted to be able to share a new set of recorded sessions available on the Medway Child Health Parents YouTube Channel.

The Child Health Team conducted an online parent/carer survey to seek views on the current workshop offer and ways in which this offer can be improved. Parents and Carers requested recorded sessions on puberty and sexual health. We are pleased to say that those topics are now available for Medway parents and carers to view online.

The new sessions are on:

- Puberty and Growing Up

- Sexual Health

The sessions can be accessed via the Child Health Parents YouTube Channel.

As always the Strood Academy Safeguarding team are here to help. Please get in touch with us by using the below contact details:

Designated Safeguard Lead = Ms Lindsay

Deputy Safeguard Lead = Ms Barlow

College Safeguarding Officers and Contacts:

Victory = Mrs Hurley-Sherwood victory@stroodacademy.org

Hercules = Mrs Brice hercules@stroodacademy.org

Trafalgar = Mrs Phillips trafalgar@stroodacademy.org

Please note, Strood Academy has a Safeguarding email which is operating both during and outside of school hours- safeguarding@stroodacademy.org. Please reach out to us if there is anything we can do to support.

Transition to strood academy

Year 4, 5 and 6 Transition Events

At Strood Academy, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for Primary students who are currently in Years 4, 5 and 6 and we believe it is vital to maintain early relationships with both parents and students.

To achieve this, we are running a series of weekly sessions from our subject areas. These will run every Wednesday between 4pm and 5pm. For further information, including the timetable, please see the attached letter.

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Extra curricular clubs on offer

Year Group Updates

Year 7

Year 7 students are making notable progress as they move through Module 2 of the academic year. After the initial adjustments to secondary school routines and expectations in Module 1, many students are now settling in and gaining confidence in both academic and social aspects of school life. They're starting to build stronger study habits, participate more actively in class discussions, and work more independently on assignments. Overall, Year 7 are on track for a positive module, continuing to develop the skills and habits that will support them throughout the year.

Year 8

Year 8 students are demonstrating solid progress as they advance through Module 2 of this academic year. Building on the foundations set in Year 7, they are becoming more confident learners, with many showing increased independence and a stronger commitment to their studies. Teachers note that Year 8s are starting to take greater responsibility for their learning, setting goals, and seeking help when needed. Academically, students are deepening their skills in core subjects, and they are often more willing to tackle challenging material. As they continue to grow academically and personally, Year 8 students are on a positive trajectory, preparing for the greater challenges and responsibilities ahead.

Year 9

Year 9 students are making important strides as they progress through Module 2 of the academic year, navigating a critical stage in their school journey. Many students are showing a greater sense of maturity and are beginning to take ownership of their learning. Teachers observe that Year 9s are increasingly willing to engage in critical thinking, collaborate in group settings, and tackle more complex topics, especially in subjects where they are starting to explore potential areas of interest for future studies. As they approach the midpoint of secondary school, Year 9 students are laying the groundwork for a productive and rewarding academic path.
We encourage students to begin having conversations, both with teachers and parents and carers at home, regarding GCSE Option Choices and the route they would like to take, which best aligns with their future plans. We will soon be sharing more information regarding Year 9 Parents and Options Evening, where students are able to continue these conversations with their subject teachers.
Duke of Edinburgh Letter - shared 12/11/24
Safety Roadshow Letter - shared 12/11/24

Year 1o

Year 10 students are making solid progress through Module 2, adjusting well to the demands of their GCSE courses with increasing focus and determination. This module has seen many students deepen their engagement in their chosen subjects, showing a growing sense of purpose and responsibility for their learning. Teachers note that students are actively tackling more challenging content, developing key skills like critical analysis, extended writing, and problem-solving, all essential for exam success. As workload picks up, students are improving their time management and learning to prioritize their tasks, building habits that will support them throughout their studies. Overall, they are on a promising path, showing readiness to meet the academic and personal challenges of the GCSE journey ahead.

Year 11

Year 11 students are making strong progress through Module 2, showing determination and focus as they prepare for their GCSEs. With mock exams underway, they are experiencing the rigors of timed assessments, which are helping them gauge their strengths and identify areas for improvement. Teachers report that students are taking these mock exams seriously, using them as an opportunity to build exam techniques, time management, and resilience under pressure. Many Year 11s are dedicating more time to independent study and revision, often seeking additional support from teachers or attending intervention sessions and masterclasses to reinforce their understanding. The mock exams not only provide valuable practice but also give students a realistic sense of what to expect in their final exams, boosting their confidence and motivating them to refine their strategies. Overall, Year 11s are making steady strides, embracing the challenge of mocks as an important milestone on the path to their GCSEs.
Please see the letter attached for further information on this mock series, including the mock exam timetable.
Year 11 Mock Results Afternoon Letter - shared 13/11/24

Sixth form

Sixth form students are progressing well through Module 2, building momentum in their studies as they delve into more complex material. Year 12 students are becoming increasingly comfortable with the independent learning required at this level, honing their research, critical thinking, and time-management skills. Meanwhile, Year 13 students are deeply engaged in their final year content and balancing coursework, assignments, and revision for their mock exams. For Year 13s, mock exams are a key focus for this module, providing essential practice and helping them assess their strengths and areas to improve ahead of final exams. Teachers note that many Year 13s are using this experience to refine their exam techniques and boost their confidence, often seeking feedback to enhance their understanding. Overall, sixth formers are navigating this critical term with dedication, preparing themselves both academically and personally for the next stage of their education.
Attached is the KS5 dress code for your information, as well as Expectations which have been shared with year 12 and 13 students
Year 13 mock exams will soon be taking place. Please see the letter attached for further information on these.
Year 12 WEX Letter - shared 13/11/24
Year 12 and 13 Parents Evening Letter - shared 13/11/24