NEWSLETTER
THE GAINSBOROUGH ACADEMY - JULY 2023
The end of the academic year always brings a period of reflection and as I have sat in end of year awards assemblies this week it has made me really PROUD to see how our students have dreamt big and risen to the many challenges which we have given them. This year our students have had the opportunity to take part in the sponsored walk, first aid lessons, money matters, music activities, We Will Rock You, visits to to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and many more. These activities have supported both the academic and personal development of our students to allow them to leave our academy able and qualified.
During the last half term we have launched our new PROUD to be TGA initiative to enable students and the wider community to be able to discuss the many things they do which they should be PROUD of, whether this be an amazing piece of work, something they have done with a group such as cadets outside of school, or how they have helped a peer. As parents we would like you to be part of this and to encourage your child to tell us what they are PROUD of. Please let us know of anything they do over the summer which they, and you, are PROUD of.
I want to say a massive thank you to all our parents and wider community for their ongoing support this year. Please enjoy a safe and happy summer and I look forward to seeing you all in September.
Mrs Skelton,
Headteacher
SCHOOL NEWS
END OF YEAR AWARDS ASSEMBLIES
On Wednesday 19th July and Thursday 20th July, we celebrated the students academic achievements for this school year with their End of Year Awards Assemblies.
Students collected a variety of awards including Subject Awards, 100% Attendance, Students of the Year and more!
Again, we’d like to congratulate all students who won an award this year – your hard work and commitment certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.
Year 6 Transition Evening
On Monday 22nd May, over 80 families joined us at The Gainsborough Academy for our second Year 6 Transition Evening of the year.
Families were treated to a musical introduction from some of our talented Year 10 musicians, as well as a drama quiz and introduction from Mrs Skelton, Headteacher.
Led by our fantastic Student Council, families were then ushered to taster sessions of a variety of our Option and EBacc subjects including Languages, Design Technology, Geography and English.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to our new Year 6 families for making these events such a success, and we can't wait to welcome you all fully in September.
English and MFL Update
It has been an extremely busy term for both students and staff alike.Our Year 11 students have worked incredibly hard in the run up to their terminal examinations. Students benefited from the additional booster sessions and on the mornings of the English Literature examinations there was an air of camaraderie with students testing each other using flash cards etc. One group of close friends were photographed praying for ‘good questions’.
One hundred and twenty of our Year 10 and Year 11 students enjoyed a theatre visit to Sheffield to experience the live performance of An Inspector Calls. We were tremendously proud of our students. They behaved impeccably and thoroughly engaged with the performance.
A group of Year 7 students visited the Graves Art Gallery in order to broaden their understanding of our English Curriculum Drivers - Power, Relationships and Identity.
It has been a busy term in MFL - this is the first time that a full year group have done a GCSE in Spanish or French. Students worked hard for their speaking exams - all students produced a presentation in their chosen language and attempted all sections. Well done to our Polish students who did their speaking exams at King Edwards School in Sheffield, they really did give it their all. Students went into the exams well prepared and left feeling more confident about them, which was great to see.
GOODBYE YEAR 11
Exams
It has been a very busy term for Year 11 students who have completed their GCSE exams. We are extremely proud of the dedication and focus our students gave during this time and wish them every luck for their future as they leave us to pursue their next stage in education. Students are able to collect their GCSE results on Thursday 24th August from 9:30am.
Prom
On Thursday 6th July, our Y11 students came together at Thonock Park Golf Club for their Prom! It was a fantastic night of celebrating their achievements and time at The Gainsborough Academy.
Students, parents and staff were proud of their appearance – they looked amazing as they arrived in style in a range of transport!
We celebrated with (non-alcoholic!) drinks on arrival, a buffet, an awards ceremony, games, and plenty of dancing.
The students also had the option to have professional photos taken and printed with their friends!
Prom Breakfast
On Tuesday 11th July, our Y11s came back to school for their last leavers event – ‘Prom Breakfast’.
Students were able to sign shirts, collect leavers hoodies and books. They also all received a leavers license which included pictures from Y7 and Y11.
This was a great opportunity to say thank you to the staff who have supported them over the last five years, and to reflect on their time at school.
PRODUCTION UPDATE
Before half term we had over 40 of our talented students audition for our school production of The Addams Family. 20 students were successful in securing themselves a lead role and rehearsals are now well underway.
We are of course still welcoming others to join the cast as Addams Family ancestors and hope that you too will come and ‘join the family’ for our show nights in October.
SEND NEWS
Over the last month we have recruited 5 new teaching assistants to our SEND team. Our team is now growing and with it they’re bringing some amazing skills and strengths to the group.
We have introduced SEND coffee meetings this year and will be running these termly next year. As always we are improving our SEND department and are focusing on parent communication and support for our next academic year.
A big well done to all of our students who have worked hard throughout the year! We have seen a big increase in positive feedback from teachers and are proud of how hard the year 11s worked during their GCSEs.
National School Breakfast Programme
We’re excited to announce that we have secured funding through the Nation Schools Breakfast Programme which will enable us to offer free breakfast bagels for all students from September. Keep your eyes on our social media pages for more information over the summer break!
Staffing Update
Miss Hoggarth moves on to pastures new with our best wishes for the future. We are pleased to welcome Mr Knighton in Food technology and Miss Farrell, who is our new dance teacher. They will be starting with us from September.