Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. You will be aware that our academy is in mourning and that our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Laila. As such it has been anything but normal this week as our whole community has attempted to come to terms with our loss. I thank you for the messages and offers of support. We have done what we can to help our students navigate this with both group and individual counselling sessions and will continue to support with additional services through into the new term.
I have some updates from both this week and last below.
End of Term Arrangements
Thursday the 22nd is the last day of the term with school ending at 12.45 for all students. Lessons will continue as normal that day and students will be given a chance to round off the term with their form groups before departing site. There will be an opportunity for students to purchase food during break-time.
Ofqual Update for Year 11 and 13
Ofqual and the Department for Education have confirmed the arrangements for subject content in GCSEs, AS and A levels and non-exam assessment in qualifications taking place this summer. You can find the details on this link.
Computing Update
Our computing team would like to draw your attention to the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA. This is an international award winning programme that helps students to develop and demonstrate digital, enterprise and employability skills for free. Through a series of online challenges, students can win badges, unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain industry-recognised Awards that help them to stand out from the crowd. If you are interested, please encourage your child to sign up using this link. Our computing team will support students with this during lunchtime clubs.
Christmas Dinner in the community
Derby Food 4 Thought and Padley are working together this Christmas to offer a free Christmas Dinner to those in the community who are in experiencing food poverty. If you know someone who would benefit from this support please ask them to call 01332 346 266 to book or you can do this on their behalf.
Carol Singing
Year 13 Health and Social Care Diploma students have been to spread some seasonal cheer at one of our local residential homes. A round of festive carols was performed to the delight of the residents, with residents joining in and the group sharing chocolates following the carols. They followed that up this week with a visit to a second home where they delivered some Secret Santa gifts for local residents.
Frozen Water
Given the recent news from Solihull and the persistent cold temperatures, I am highlighting a safety message from the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service. Please remind your children about the dangers of frozen water.
Sports Update
On Monday, 4 of our students took part in a badminton tournament held at Noel Baker. With the 2 student competing in singles and 2 in doubles, the boys competed against Murray Park, Bemrose and Derby Cathedral. The first game saw us narrowly lose 3-2 in games to Murray Park. Having changed orders and tactics, the boys went in to the next 2 games with resilience and determination, winning both matches 5-0. VS in Year 11 convincingly won every rank 1 and doubles match he played and will hope to continue this great form in to the next tournament in January. Well done to all 4 boys – AH, MR, SV and MH.
Cross Country – Five of our students have been selected to represent Derby City in the County Championships on Saturday 21st January at Tupton Hall School, Chesterfield, as a result of their performances in the City League and City Championships. This is a significant achievement to be chosen from all the students in the city. Congratulations to IC, JD and JG in Year 7, AL in Year 9 and JC in Year 10.
Careers Update
I will start the careers update by saying thank you to our Alumni who attended the awards evening, Resham Bindarh; Danielle Sodhi; Ria Dunajko; Balwinder Singh and Gavan Bassi. With have such strong links with our former students who are connecting with our school community in a variety of ways but with increasing regularity. The awards evening was a wonderful event at Pride Park in Derby. Hearing the stories of personal achievement and resilience shown in the last academic year by our students was humbling and made me proud to work with such inspirational young people. Additional thanks go out to Mr Scott and the Student Leadership Team for organising and hosting such a special event.
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Herbalist’.
Rolls Royce apprenticeships (Year 11, 12 &13): Last Wednesday we had a visit from Rolls Royce to tell our interested Year 11, 12 and 13 students about current level 2, level 3, level 4 and level 6 apprenticeship programmes and how to apply. The students had the opportunity to hear from current apprentices two of whom are former Derby Moor students. These are apprenticeships that will start next September where students will gain further qualifications whilst also working. Applications have now gone live and we would encourage interested students to apply. Please click on this link to see the range of apprenticeships on offer.
Derby College visit (Year 11): Yesterday we had another visit from Derby College to focus on providing information to our interested Year 11 students about the range of courses on offer and the application process. We will be following up with this support in the new year. For more information about the college and courses, you can visit their website here.
BBC Bitesize Careers (all years): There is a wealth of information and activities to be found at the BBC Bitesize Careers Website and we would encourage you and your child to take a look.
Derby Moor Dispatch (Year 11, 12 &13): Our Derby Moor Dispatch has gone out to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13 and will continue to go out every Monday. This 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. The Dispatch is emailed to the students school email address so it is important that they check this regularly on a Monday.
Final Thoughts
I have said on many occasions to students that resilience or grit is the biggest determining factor in the success of a person. This is their ability to respond to a challenge and continue forwards. I have also said again and again that our community here is unique and strong. This week it has also shown it’s resilience and it’s compassion. Following the devastating news of last weekend our whole community has pulled together, supported one another and grieved together. We have continued with our usual routines because we know that familiarity brings some comfort. We have shared stories, smiles and tears and will continue to do so as this calendar year comes to and end and we move into 2023. We will continue to think of and pray for Laila and her family and all those affected by grief at this time.
Best wishes,
Scott Doyle
Principal
