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

Early Finish Friday 20th December - shared 22/11/24
The Dog Mentor - shared 25/11/24
Football Academy Training Kits & Tracksuits - shared 26/11/24

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!

Oracy Tasks

Literacy Spotlight! This week during the Communication Programme students looked at the very important topic: The impact of social media on teenagers. After watching educational videos on the topic, students were then grouped and given the opportunity to research and form their own point of view. This session was oracy based, which meant that communication skills such as team work, verbal reasoning and articulation were vital to the success of the presentations. Take a moment to have a conversation with your child at home about the topic- encouraging polite debates at home is an excellent way to support young people to find their voice and build confidence in speaking.

Digital Reading Trackers

Literacy Spotlight! We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the ways you can incorporate technology into your child's reading experience. Tracking reading is an excellent way to gamify reading for your child- they can set reading challenges, rate books, write reviews and even see personalised recommendations for what to read next. With all things to do with the internet, these recommended sites must be monitored during use to ensure children remain safe on the internet.

Mrs Hoare's favourite digital tracker for reading is Storygraph. This free app gives some brilliant statistics related to your reading trends, and even runs competitions to win free books. Audiobooks are another wonderful way to get children into reading- Mrs Hoare's personal favourite is Audible, but there are numerous apps available, with some free audiobooks available on Audrey and YouTube. If you are put off Audible due to the subscription, Xigxag is a great alternative.

The National Literacy Trust tells us that "listening to an audiobook requires the same cognitive skills as reading in print, and also supports the development of skills that children need to read including language comprehension and the ability to understand and retain information." Read more here: https://literacytrust.org.uk/news/we-release-research-review-benefits-audiobooks-literacy/

SAFEGUARDING

What Parents and Carers need to know about Snapchat

As one of the most popular messaging apps available, Snapchat sees an enormous amount of usage across the globe – with a significant number of those utilising the platform being under 18. For that reason, it’s important to understand the potential risks to younger users when spending time on this app.

Of course, it can be difficult to identify every hazard associated with the platform, let alone what can be done to mitigate these concerns. Our guide lays out the key online safety risks of Snapchat, as well as how to safeguard young people while they use the app.

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 have been making excellent progress this module, demonstrating a strong commitment to their learning across all subjects. Many students have shown remarkable growth in their skills, particularly in areas such as English, maths, and science. As we approach the end of term, we would like to remind you of the upcoming end-of-module assessments. These assessments will provide an opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far and identify areas for improvement. To ensure success, students should start revising key topics now and seek help if needed. Regular revision, organization, and focus will make a significant difference, so let's finish the module strong!

Year 8

Year 8 students have been excelling this module, showing strong dedication and progress in their studies across a wide range of subjects. Many have demonstrated impressive critical thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly in areas such as mathematics, humanities, and languages. As the end of the module approaches, we would like to remind you of the upcoming end-of-module assessments. These assessments will provide a chance to reflect on the hard work and knowledge gained this term. To perform well, students should start revising key topics now, review past work, and ask for support if needed. Staying organized and focused will be crucial in achieving the best possible results.

Year 9

Year 9 students have been making great strides this module, showing dedication and progress in all subjects. Many have excelled in areas such as science, English, and history, demonstrating a growing ability to think critically and apply their knowledge. As we approach the end of the module, we would like to remind you of the upcoming end-of-module assessments. These assessments will not only reflect the hard work of the module but also help in preparing for GCSE options choices, which are just around the corner. To ensure success, students should begin revising key topics, and considering their future choices carefully. Staying organized, seeking support when needed, and focusing on revision will help set a solid foundation for both their assessments and their GCSE decisions.
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

Year 1o

Year 10 students have been performing exceptionally well this module, demonstrating impressive progress and commitment to their studies. Many have shown strong analytical skills and a deepening understanding of key subjects such as maths, English, and science, setting a solid foundation for their GCSE courses. As the end of the module approaches,we would like to remind everyone that end-of-module assessments are just around the corner. These assessments will provide a valuable opportunity to gauge progress and identify areas for improvement. To prepare effectively, students should begin revising key topics, organizing their notes, and reviewing past content. Consistent revision and focused effort will be crucial in achieving the best possible results and staying on track for GCSE success.
Year 10 Report Letter - shared 20/11/24
Year 9 Work Experience Letter - shared 22/11/24

Year 11

Year 11 students have shown great resilience and determination following their mock exams, reflecting a strong commitment to their studies. Many have made noticeable improvements, demonstrating their ability to apply feedback and refine their skills in preparation for the real GCSEs. As we move forward, we would like to remind you of the upcoming Year 11 GCSE Mock Results Afternoon which will take place on Wednesday 11th December. This event will provide an opportunity to discuss mock exam results, reflect on progress, and plan for any necessary improvements in the lead-up to the final exams. Students should continue to focus on their revision and embed feedback to ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Year 11 Mock Results Afternoon Letter - shared 13/11/24
Year 11 Citizenship Letter - shared 28/11/24

Sixth form

Sixth form students have been performing exceptionally well this module, showing a high level of dedication and maturity in their studies. Year 13 students, in particular, have demonstrated resilience and focus following their mock exams, using the feedback as an opportunity to fine-tune their revision strategies and address any areas for improvement. We are sure their hard work will be reflected in their mock exam results! As we move forward, it's important to maintain this momentum, especially with the final A-level exams on the horizon. Both Year 12 and Year 13 students should continue to focus on effective revision and seek support when needed to ensure they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Attached is the KS5 dress code for your information, as well as Expectations which have been shared with year 12 and 13 students
Year 12 Work Experience Letter - shared 13/11/24
Year 12 and 13 Parents Evening Letter - shared 13/11/24
Year 12 Report Letter - shared 20/11/24