Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the very best of health. I write to you at the end of the first week of the summer term, hoping you have enjoyed some quality time off during the Easter break. For many of our students this is a busy and sometimes stressful time of the year as the examination period brings everything into a very fine focus with an intense few weeks ahead. In contrast to that the days are getting longer and, with the exception of today, the weather is turning a little brighter which always makes the journey to and from school less of a challenge for our students. We are hoping that a period of drier weather next week will make the ground somewhat firmer and allow us to open up the fields at break and lunch. We will let students know when this is the case.
Today was a very different day in school with a number of our students observing Eid al Fitr. I will take this opportunity to say Eid Mubarak to all of our families who are celebrating today. I wish you a blessed time celebrating with your family and friends. We will continue the celebrations on Monday and ask any students who will be wishing to purchase samosa at lunch time to bring cash in with them for this.
You may be aware from the media that there are two additional proposed days for industrial action this half term. They are scheduled for Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May. As with on the previous strike days we will remain open to Years 11, 12 and 13 only. All other students should remain at home with the exception of those previously registered on our vulnerable and critical worker registers. I must reiterate that the industrial action is part of a dispute between the National Education Union and the Department for Education and is unrelated to the school itself. We are doing what we can on these days to prioritise provision for students in the examination years at this critical time. Thank you for your continued understanding with this.
On Sunday 23rd April 2023 at 3.00 pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby. In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe. On Sunday your mobile phone or tablet may:
- make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
- vibrate
- read out the alert
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. If you receive a genuine alert in the future it will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information. You’ll get alerts based on your current location – not where you live or work and you do not need to turn on location services to receive them.
Year 8 Parents Evening is due to take place on Wednesday 3rd May 2023. All Year 8 families will have received an email containing details as to how to book their appointments for Parents Evening on School Cloud. Please contact the Year 8 team if you have any difficulty booking appointments.
Thank you to all parents who took time out to attend our Parents’ Forum on Wednesday evening. This is the first time we have been able to run the event in this format for some time. We will use the items raised this week to form the agenda of the next Forum which is due to take place during the final half term of the year. Mr Scott will confirm the exact time and date closer to the event.
As part of our support for Year 11 in the run up to the final GCSE examinations, we are planning a number of focussed study sessions for specific subjects. The first of these will take place on Thursday next week. Students will attend a revision skills session in English which will be led by external, expert examiners alongside our highly experienced staff. This will give them a further insight into the structure, knowledge and preparation needed to be successful in their English Language paper.
For the remaining part of the day, students will follow their usual timetable and again receive tailored support to help them build upon the progress they have made in their recent mock examinations. The usual Science intervention session will then take place at 3.05-4.05pm.
A big well done to the students who attended the Easter holiday revision sessions, we know they are pulling out all the stops in preparation for the summer and that you will continue to support them alongside us in these critical weeks ahead.
This week’s theme is getting outdoors – ideas for how you and your child can use IT in the great outdoors. Miss Akbar’s favourite is stargazing: On a clear-skied night, head out to the garden and take advantage of one of the many free star-watching apps. With easy-to-follow instructions, star watching apps will guide you through how to use the app plus your device’s location to find which stars and planets are visible right above you.
On Thursday 20th April 2023, Mrs Hiscock took a small group of Year 9 students to Derby University for the day. This was the first part of the Derby Scholar Programme for Year 9 which will include a visit to Oxford University on 4th May 2023. Students took part in a variety of activities aimed at introducing them to what university life is about and this included a tour of the university itself. Students were very impressed with the facilities – especially the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports and clubs. As well as an introduction to university, students were able to work on their communication and team building skills as they worked with other Year 9 students from Derby schools. It was good to see them all participating well in the activities and enjoying themselves in a very different educational environment. As ever, our students were excellent ambassadors and a credit to the Academy.
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Web Designer’.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The next Derby Moor Dispatch will go out on Monday to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. However, the latest version is available to view here which contains a wide range of opportunities for work experience, summer schools, careers related webinars and so on.
Go Teach Programme: We are excited to have been selected to take part in the Go Teach programme with DHL UK Foundation. Go Teach UK is a partnership between the DHL UK Foundation and DHL colleagues, working together to make a difference to the education and employability of young people across the UK. On Thursday, a group of Year 10 students took part in a CV writing and Interview Skills workshop, led by employees from DHL. One of these employees, Mark Hart said: ‘Another great day at Derby Moor, and after personally supporting the school for two academic years, today’s session on ‘CV Writing & Interview Skill’s was an absolute highlight. All of the pupils were highly engaged, and it’s a real pleasure to invest time in learning that will have such practical and future value for the pupils in attendance’. We are extremely grateful to all of the support we receive from DHL and they are back in again next week to deliver another session. Another upcoming highlight is the Outward Bound residential that will see 24 Year 10 students attend the Outward Bound centre in Aberdovy next month.
Toyota Apprenticeships: This week we received the wonderful news that five of our Year 11 students have been offered apprenticeships in Maintenance and Production to start this September. Following a visit to Derby Moor from Toyota last September, a number of students embarked on a rigorous application process involving an online application, online tests, an assessment centre and final interview. We are delighted that so many of our Year 11 students have gained experience of this process and I send my particular congratulations to the five successful students. Well done.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
