Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and your family in the best of health. I have a number of updates for you below following another shortened week due the King’s Coronation Bank Holiday.
I’ve had a number of students ask me how my day has been this week. This is not an unusual occurrence but for whatever reason it seems to have been more frequent this week. My typical response is that ‘my days here are always good,’ and I mean it. With some of the older students this week they’ve probed a little further and I’ve explained that I genuinely enjoy coming to work every day. Whilst the job is not easy, and there are occasionally bumps in the road and challenges for us to overcome together, it is such a rewarding role. We have a tremendously dedicated staff team and our students bring such energy and life to the building that you can’t help but smile. Beyond that, we know that the work we do, for our young people and alongside our families, makes a difference, improves their chances of success in the future and, hopefully, continues to help drive social mobility one little step at a time.
Spencer Superstars
This week I’ve had the pleasure of passing on funding grants from the Spencer Superstars Charity to a number of our students. The aim of Spencer Superstars is to help young people from across our trust academies to fulfil their ambitions beyond the classroom by helping them with funding to cover the costs of their pursuits. We are so proud that the applications for so many of our students were accepted and that we have been able to help fund that extra opportunity to showcase their talents. Well done to Omair Arshed (Cricket), Joshua Etienne-Ralley (Karate), Mimi Millington (Football), Viktoria Rozwadowska (Football), Tanvir Tamber (Medical Innovations Project), Jakub Bubel (American Football) Kiara Etienne (Karate), Kamil Gorski (American Football), Katie Heald (Swimming), Akaylah Lobban (Athletics) and Simran Atwal (Tennis). I look forward to hearing about how their future successes.
Year 11 Update
Revision Schedule: Please click here to see the schedule for the additional revision sessions for Year 11 between now and half term. The sessions will replace timetabled lessons on some occasions, supporting our students in the final run up to their exams. Students have been given a paper copy of this timetable today.
May Half Term Intervention Sessions: Please click here to see the intervention timetable for May Half Term.
Computing Update
This half term’s theme is getting outdoors. As the weather gets brighter – ideas for how IT can be used in the great outdoors. This week the team are recommending BirdNET. This is a free app that identifies birds via sound. By simply opening the app and holding your phone up, the app records the song of nearby birds and then tells you what bird(s) they are. It’s a great way to connect with the nature that’s around you, whether you’re in the middle of a city or out in the countryside. As we are in the middle of May and bird breeding season has begun, it’s an especially lively and loud time of year to listen in. you can download the app here.
Keeping Children Safe Online
Continuing the online theme, please see here a parents’ guide to helping keep children stay safe online. It contains links to guidance about social media, gaming, live streaming and so on.
Art, Design and Technology Showcase
The ADT team are busy planning an exhibition to showcase the hard work by students in Art and Technology from the last two years. The event will be held in June, although the final date is still to be confirmed. The event will showcase work from subjects including Art, Textiles, Product Design and Catering and Hospitality. The team are running a competition for students to design a poster to advertise the event, with the winning entry receiving a £20 gift voucher and their design being printed across school and used on the invitations to the event. If your child would like more information about the competition, please speak to or email Miss Defoe.
Sports Update
On Wednesday, our U13 girls football team took on St Peters School, from Birmingham, in the 5th round of the English Schools Cup. The girls battled hard and adapted to the game but found themselves 2-0 down at half time. Despite getting a goal back in the second half, St Peters came out 4-1 winners. An amazing run in the cup for the girls and lots of experience to take forwards in to next year.
On Thursday the Y10 Boys went to Ecclesbourne in the playoff league game. A really competitive game and a full-blooded display from both teams unfortunately saw Ecclesbourne came out on top as 1-0 winners.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Carpet Fitter’.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The Derby Moor Dispatch goes out every Monday to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. The Dispatch contains a wide range of opportunities for work experience, summer schools, careers related webinars and so on. Please do have a look at the latest edition here.
DHL Aberdovey Trip: We have heard early snippets of information about the Aberdovey trip and we are aware that the students have had a great time at the Outward Bound activity centre. More to follow on their successes next week.
Speech for Employability: It’s been great to see the ‘Speech for Employability’ lessons taking place this week and listening to students practice their use of more challenging vocabulary. The aim is to develop key communication skills and the 4Rs, with the aim of equipping them to be effective communicators in the workplace.
That’s everything for this week. Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal
