Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. I have a number of items to share with you in the update this week.
Covid Update
We have had a new confirmed case of C19 in school this week and have communicated with those families affected by this to alert them of possible contacts. This case is not related to last week’s and does not appear to be a transmission within school. I ask again for your vigilance in adhering to the measures that are in place and doing all we can to limit the spread and keep our community safe. The home testing on Sunday and Wednesday is key to this. If you could continue to encourage your child to complete the LFD tests and report any positives to school and NHS. Students must continue to bring face coverings with them to school and sanitise throughout the school day.
Duke of Edinburgh
You may have seen form our social media channels that a number of our students completed their Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition last weekend in the Peak District. It was a successful experience for all involved and has prepared them for the qualifying expedition next weekend. It is great to see trips starting up again and to have our students learning and growing outside of the classroom.
6th Form Induction week
The Sixth Form Induction week took place this week and it was wonderful to see so many Year 11 students engage with the courses they have chosen and have purposeful conversations with our staff about their career aspirations. Many left feeling inspired by the academic challenges that lie ahead.
All Year 11 students to continue with the Transition work that we have set, all of which can be accessed via our website. Those students who have been unable to attend some sessions this week will need to complete the work set before joining us in September as this is key preparatory work that they will need ahead of beginning their chosen courses.
Parents evenings
The Year 10 parents evening takes place on Wednesday 30th June online. Please contact your child’s Year Manager or Progress Leader if you are having any issues with access or need further guidance.
We will be hosting an additional evening on the 7th July for families of students in all year groups who were unable to see a member of staff on their designated evening due to oversubscription.
Evidence Leader in Education
We are pleased to congratulate our Head of Science, Mrs Barnett on becoming a designated Evidence Leader in Education (ELE). As an ELE she will support colleagues at Derby Moor but also across the region working with the Research School to improve Evidence Led Practice in secondary schools.
Wet lunch
Even on the cusp of July we have to be prepared for Wet Lunch/Break. Today we had to bring the children inside during 2nd lunch due to a particularly heavy downpour. Can I ask that you encourage your children to check the weather forecast ahead of setting off for school so they are prepared for rain showers at the start and end of the day, break and lunchtime.
National Tutoring Programme
Over the course of the last seven weeks, 81 students in Year 10 have been taking part in the National Tuition Programme. Next week, 21 of these students will complete their 15 hours of tuition in Maths. All of the students who have taken part in the tuition have represented the school impeccably and the feedback we have had from their tutors has been superb. Tuition sessions have run for two hours every night and the students have embraced this and engaged incredibly well. We are in talks to extend the programme into the next academic year and will look to involve more students in what has been a successful scheme for the academy.
Student Leadership
Our student leadership have been hard at work again, this time organising a staff football match to build the excitement ahead of sports day. Our staff team are apparently looking forward to showing off their skill set, I’m told they have ‘tekkers’ although I’m not exactly sure whether that is a good thing or another word for an injury.
We are opening applications next week for the new batch of Year 13 Student Principals and Year 11 Student Voice. Students will be invited to apply for roles and successful applicants will be chosen to interview for the final selection process. We are looking forward to building upon the foundations established by this year’s team and developing our student leadership further as we move into the next academic year.
New staff
On Tuesday 29th June we will be welcoming a number of our new members of staff to the school for their induction day. We will be asking students to look out for them touring the building and welcome them to our Derby Moor Community.
Parent Questionnaire
At Derby Moor Academy we know how important home / school communication is. As part of this process we are asking parents to share their thoughts and opinions about the school. If possible, could you please take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire by following the link below. We use the results of this questionnaire to reflect on current practice and to shape future developments, to further improve the school.
Thank you for your support with, can you please complete the survey by Friday 2nd July.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ay4igCE8vlfWWwxIwrsExj532Zde9NSHbn-Y0lG0ZKQ
Final thoughts
I’ll end this update with a good news story. We received a phone call to school yesterday to explain that two of our students had ‘been involved in an incident on the way to school.’ After listening further to the caller it transpired that a cyclist had knocked and elderly pedestrian to the ground whilst she was waiting at a bus stop. Having witnessed this, two of our students tended to her (one having been first aid trained) until a local shopkeeper arrived and called for an ambulance. The students were concerned about the lady throughout the school day and were pleased to hear that all was well in the end. This brings me to the topic of community and how important it is to our school. We are conscious that elements of dealing with the pandemic has meant that we see less of each other, there is less mixing of groups and perhaps the community spirit that we once had does not seem as loud a voice as it was pre-covid. We have big plans for this next year with a number of initiatives and events to bring our community together and celebrate the diversity and distinct character that can only be described as the Derby Moor Community. Together We Succeed.
Best Wishes,
Scott Doyle
