Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. I have a few updates for you this week ahead of the extended weekend.
School Closure
You will be aware from earlier communications that school will be closed to all students on Monday 19th September. This is in light of King Charles III announcing a bank holiday for the state funeral of the Late Queen Elizabeth II. There will be no access to school site on that day and out of hours facilities will remain closed until Tuesday. You may have noticed that we have paused our social media channels at this time as a mark of respect with only the most vital of messages being shared online.
Class Charts
Families have been sent a link to Class Charts, our online platform for communicating with you about how your child is getting along in school. We can see that the vast majority of families have logged in and are hopefully getting to grips with the system. If you are having difficulty, please contact school and ask for the Year Team who will be able to assist you. Our students have taken really well to the system – it has been lovely to recognise their contribution to the academy instantly with positive points. I’ve had so many conversations with students this week, recognising the little things they are doing each day to support others and explaining how they are demonstrating the attributes employers are looking for. As a parent you will be able to see a summary dashboard for each of your children with details about why they have accrued points throughout each day – this will hopefully facilitate those vital conversations with your child about their day which we know our children are not always forthcoming with at home.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The new Bronze group has now started. Students are reminded that meetings will take place on a Thursday in HO2, 3:05 to 4:05pm. Anyone who is interested in joining should see Mrs Burrows or Miss Lancaster. Alternatively, they can come to one of the Thursday night sessions and introduce themselves. Sixth formers are also very welcome to come along to sessions on a Thursday night to complete or begin their DofE journey. The Silver Group and established Bronzes meet on a Thursday in HO1, 3:05 to 4:05pm. The team send a polite reminder that the initial payment for the Welcome pack for Bronzes is needed via your ParentPay account.
Old or Spare Uniform
You may be aware that our Parent-Teacher-Friends Association (PTFA) asked for old or spare uniform items last year so they could set up a nearly-new stall to recycle them and sell at a reduced cost to families. If you do have any spare items that you are willing to donate, please do drop them off, laundered and in a bag/container to reception at the front of school. The nearly-new sale will then take place at major school events such as parents evenings and open evenings.
Phone system
Our entire phone network was upgraded over the summer to improve its overall reliability and capacity. We have, however, experienced a number of teething troubles and we are aware that families have, at times, not been able to make contact. Please accept our apologies for this. The issues have now been addressed and the lines are fully operational.
Sports Update
We have had a number of football fixtures this week and a hat-full of goals.
The Year 8 Boys: Derby Moor 5 – 0 Littleover. Manager, Mr Bayliss said this was “A hard fought 5-0 victory over Littleover, with three first half goals from EW, FC and EMW, followed up with two second half goals from LD and CJT. Player of the match was EMW.”
Year 9 Boys Football: Derby Moor 7 – 1 CODA – Mr Wilde wrote: An early goal for CODA came from a mix-up at the back for Derby Moor, which allowed their striker to squeeze one past our keeper from close range. Despite having only 10 players, Derby Moor hit back when RJ’s quick feet in the box found him in some space to slot home an equaliser and a way back into the game for Derby Moor. We quickly had a second when CA scored through a well-taken first time finish from the edge of the box. The second half saw Derby Moor dominate the vast majority of the possession, as well as limiting CODA to very few chances. 5 goals scored in the second half which saw us run out 7-1 winners. Second half goals from MH (x2), RM, CA and SH. Year 9 will be looking to build on their emphatic win when they welcome Da Vinci next week. Player of the match was CA.
6th Form Boys: Derby Moor 0 – 4 Woodlands. The Sixth Form boys tasted defeat in their first game together as a team. This was a hard fought match and gives them a platform to build upon for the season ahead.
The Cross Country calendar resumes today with a meetings at West Park tonight (Friday 16th). Good look to all our runners.
Next week’s fixtures:
Wednesday 21st
- Y7 Boys football tournament at John Port
- Y9 Boys football at home to Di Vinci
Thursday 22nd
- Y10 Boys football at home to West Park
- 6th Form Boys football away at Littleover
Friday 23rd
- Cross Country at Woodlands
Careers Update
It has been an unusually quiet week with regards to employer engagements this week although our usual programme of guidance and meetings have been taking place. We have been talking with colleagues from Derby and Wolverhampton University about becoming a pilot in a research project that looks into the links between teaching, vocational subjects and employability in young people. More to follow on this later in the term.
Final thoughts
We have enjoyed another really positive week at the academy with the school operating at full capacity and our students having now walked through a full week of lessons. They have started the new term superbly on the whole and have really adapted to the small changes we have put in place as a school over the summer. Your support with this is vital and having those conversations at home about their learning and employability skills will further embed the work we are doing in school to prepare our students to be the best in their field.
We have seen a range of responses this week to the news of the passing of the late Queen. This is not unusual with grief and other significant life events. However this has affected you or your family and whatever you do on Monday, we wish you the very best of health and our collective thoughts go out to the Royal Family and anyone who is grieving at this time.
Best wishes,
Scott Doyle
Principal
