Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the very best of health. This half term seems to have moved along at a blistering pace and this week has been no different with a number of visits, assessments and Drop Down Day 3 all taking place.
Sixth Form Update
We welcomed external applicants to our Academy on Wednesday evening for our Sixth Form Interview process. It was lovely to meet so many prospective students and showcase everything that our sixth form has to offer. As you would expect, the calibre of students was impressive with many of them confidently articulating their reasoning for choosing Derby Moor, their career aspirations and explaining their choices of post 16 courses. We look forward to seeing many of them back in August following results day. A big thank you to our Sixth Form Student Leaders for organising the tours around the building and answering questions last into the evening.
Our third Drop Down Day of the year took an academic focus for our Year 13 students with a series of specialist subject-focused interventions taking place to support their preparation for their upcoming exams. Students either spent time with subject experts in smaller than usual groups, with the aim to further consolidate and advance their knowledge base and application.
Year 12s were treated to sessions from a variety of outside agencies that will hopefully prepare them for post-18 life. We had representatives from HSBC in school to discuss independent money and finance decisions; members of Derbyshire emergency services delivered sessions related to driving awareness (Driver’s Speed and Peer Pressure; Accidents When Distracted; and Driving Under The Influence), pertinent for those who are starting to have their driving lessons; and representatives from the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University to discuss the benefits of Higher Education learning and living.
We hope the experience has helped our Sixth Formers become even more prepared to handle some of life’s challenges as they approach adulthood and start to make those all important decisions that will shape their futures.
Drop Down Day
Drop Down Day 3 took place on Tuesday this week with a multitude of visitors and employers onsite.
Year 11 were alerted to the dangers of Sexual Exploitation and Domestic Violence, how to avoid them and where to seek help. They also looked into choices around relationships, strategies ensure positive Well Being and they began to think seriously about preparing for Independent Living.
Year 10 were shown how to save lives through CPR and the use of AEDs, with the opportunity to test their skills on resuscitation dummies. Awareness was raised of how to check themselves for early signs of cancer alongside workshops on the choices that can be made in intimate relationships and the potentially damaging effect of Pornography on relationships.
Year 9 students gained valuable first-hand experiences to enhance either their History or Geography GCSE knowledge. The historians visited Tutbury Castle to see an Elizabeth 1 re-enactment, whilst the Geographers explored Twycross Zoo and completed Fieldwork.
Our Year 8 students discovered how sports can be adapted to enable people with disabilities to compete. They had fun trying out Tag Rugby or Sitting Volleyball whilst others learned to cycle for the first time. All students took part in sessions about the risks of using Social Media and how these can be minimized if you take sensible precautions. There were also additional sessions on Metacognition and the Derby Moor Award.
Year 7 looked into the dangers of County Lines and how to ensure they don’t become victims of this type of exploitation. They learned to understand Autism and be more supportive of people who are Autistic. Everyone was made aware of the risks of Substance Abuse and Vaping and had the chance to progress towards their Derby Moor Award.
All in all, another action packed Drop Down Day.
Computing Update
This week’s update from the Computing team details the risks associated with choosing to live stream with particular reference to YouTube’s ‘Go Live Together’ feature. You can read the guidance on this link.
Duke of Edinburgh
Good luck to the Bronze and Silver groups who are attending their first expedition weekend of the year. After a random hailstorm during lunchtime today, we are hoping that the weather forecast holds out for them and they see dry and bright conditions. ‘May the road rise up to meet you’.
Year 8 – EPIC Engineers STEM Workshop
On Thursday, 60 Year 8 pupils took part in an exciting two-hour workshop ran by HS2 Engineering. The students explored the essential skills that are needed to be successful in a STEM career through a series of hands-on design and team building challenges. The workshop provided an excellent insight into the engineering sector and also allowed students to assess and reflect on their employability skills.
Ramadan
With many of our community celebrating the holy month and beginning their period of fasting this week we have been making some adjustments to arrangements across the school. Predominantly this means a change to routine around lunchtime with students being offered a separate space away from the canteen and a larger room to read prayers. Our PE team will also make adjustments to the type of activities students will be taking part in to ensure they are less strenuous and have the opportunity for mini-breaks. All students will still be required to bring kit and partake as per our normal expectation around physical activity. Ramadan Mubarak to all who are celebrating.
Sports Update
Year 7 Football: On Monday, our Year 7 team took on Leesbrook in their first away league fixture. The team went 1-0 down but were resilient in their efforts to equalise soon afterwards. A brilliant cross and finish by IM put us level at HT. Unfortunately, Leesbrook came out strong in the second half, scoring 2 goals in quick succession to take the victory. Next week the team face Chellaston at home on Monday and then John Port away on Wednesday.
Sixth Form Football: After a tough season the Sixth Form team capped off a final performance with a strong 4-1 win over Landau Forte. A really pleasing result and a great way for many of our students to finish off their 7-year Derby Moor sporting careers.
Y11 Football; On Thursday, the Year 11 team competed in a football tournament hosted at John Port. With 1 loss, 2 draws and 3 wins, the team are rightly proud of their overall performance. This was a great team display could see them as tournament champions once the final standings are revealed.
Nottingham Panthers Trip: Students across KS3 attended an Ice Hockey Game in Nottingham on Wednesday evening to watch Nottingham Panthers v Dundee Stars. Students with the highest number of extra-curricular rewards points were invited to attend the trip, as a result of their dedication and commitment to extra-curricular PE. Our students were excellent ambassadors and thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of Ice Hockey. The PE department still have a number of extra-curricular clubs taking place and will have different sports on offer as we move into the summer term. They will, again, be running a rewards trip for those students with exceptional attendance to extra-curricular clubs next term.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Transport Planner’.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The next Derby Moor Dispatch will go out next Monday to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. However, attached is the last Dispatch which 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 student’s school email address so it is important that they check this regularly on a Monday.
Year 13 Virtual Mock Interviews: Thanks to our volunteers from Alstom; DBC Training and the University of Wolverhampton for giving up their time to support our Year 13 students with some more virtual mock interviews. The feedback from the employers was as always, really positive with comments such as: ‘It is a pleasure to support a lovely, local school whose students are so engaging’.
Higher Education Advice for Parents: There are a number of webinars coming up from the University of Portsmouth looking at the issues of student finance applications and picking a University and course. If you are interested in signing up to view these, please follow this link to their website.
That’s everything for this week. Next week we have a residential trip to Oxford University, a QUAD arts workshops, a Medical Science careers event and our DHL outward bound preparation day all alongside our usual rich and varied curriculum.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
