Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you in the best of health. Another action packed week has flown by here at the Academy with a host of visitors again coming to work with our young people and sample what it is that makes our school so unique and positive. Next week is a slightly shorter week but there are a number of events that I will update you about below.
INSET Day
A reminder to families that school will be closed to all students on Monday 28th November for staff training. A big part of this training involves around 30 business leaders coming in to school to work with our teams around developing specific projects in each subject that can develop and assess the employability skills that the most successful businesses locally are looking for. We know that a vital part of our offer is developing the portfolio of skills, attributes and experiences that our young people have, ready to take out into the world of work. As such, this innovative piece of work in developing projects with key employers is something we are particularly excited about.
BBC Share Your Story
We have guests from the BBC returning to Derby Moor on Tuesday next week as a follow up to the highly successful workshops earlier this term. They were so impressed by our students during the last visit that they are sending an additional group of ambassadors to share their inspirational stories with our students and inspire them through the power of storytelling.
Principal’s Coffee Morning
The first Coffee Morning of the year will take place on Friday 2nd December from 11.20am – 12.20pm. Families should report to reception before 11.20 and will be guided to the event. I can’t promise that we will have a barista or your favourite milk based coffee, but there will be an opportunity to hear a little about the academy and to ask questions about the school in general and plans going forwards
Awards Evening
We will be celebrating our Annual Awards Evening on Wednesday 7th December at Pride Park. This will be the first time we have hosted the event since the pandemic and we look forward to sharing some of the exceptional achievements of our students with you on the night. The event is by invitation only. Those who receive an invite have been nominated for at least one award on the evening. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Mr Scott.
Year 11 Parents Evening/Results Day
Year 11 parents’ evening is taking place on Wednesday 30th November from 16.20-19.00. We are holding a face to face event with bookings taking place on our SchoolCloud software. Each appointment will be 5 minutes long. Students will receive their mock examination grades on the same evening. Our intention is to replicate the ‘Results Day’ experience as closely as we can whilst providing some reflection time for our students to plan their next steps. Our year 11 students are in the process of applying for their Post 16 options so attending this evening will also support them in making the right choices about their next steps. Please support your child in making appointments and attending the evening. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Hrncic as identified on the letter inviting you to the evening.
Wave 2 intervention for Year 11 started on Monday 21st November 2022. Letters have been sent home to parents via email and a hard copy has been given to students in form time this week. Should you have any questions regarding it, please email Mrs. Hrncic.
Family Support Drop-in
A reminder from last week’s update about the ‘family support drop in’ for students with a Social Communication need and or Autism. This takes place on Wednesday 30th November with Mrs Steans.
Computing update
Our Computing Team are running support sessions for students in Years 8, 10 or 12 during lunchtime. If your child needs further support with computing, they should head to the Library on a Tuesday and Thursday during lunch where a member of the Computing team will be on hand to answer any questions, and provide assistance.
Duke of Edinburgh
Those students who have completed a level for DofE within the last 12 months and have not previously received their certificate are due to receive their award at our Awards Evening on the 7th December. Mrs Burrows can confirm with students at next week’s meeting if they are unsure.
Sports Update
Girls Football: It was a slightly drier this week at Lees Brook for the Y7 girls second set of fixtures. The team played three league games, against some tough opponents but came away with another two points to their league standings. In the first game of afternoon, Derby Moor took the lead though a lovely solo goal from IC, however Lees Brook managed to pile on some late pressure and grabbed an equaliser with a minute to go, finishing at 1-1. The second game of the afternoon again finished level, with debutant goalkeeper AA making a number of saves to keep the score 0-0 against Woodlands. In the final league match, Derby Moor lost to Chellaston 2-0 despite some valiant defensive work from EG, AT and AJ. The results leave Derby Moor in good standing as they head into the third and final set of fixtures in a few weeks time. Player of the Tournament was AB.
Y7 Girls Benchball: The girls took part in a one off tournament at Derby Cathedral this week, competing in 4 fixtures. They came away victorious in 3 out of 4 matches with incredible efforts from all those involved. Many of those involved are also part of the Y7 netball team who have fixtures scheduled for March.
Girls Cricket: This was our second week of girls cricket and the club is now starting to grow in numbers. Derbyshire County Cricket Club will continue to support next week so there is still time for anyone wanting to take part and try something new.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a ‘Biotechnologist’.
Year 11: On Wednesday we had another visit from JCB to talk to our interested Year 11 students about current level 2 and level 3 apprenticeship programmes and how to apply. The students had the opportunity to hear Neil Fowkes (Early Careers Manager at JCB) and 5 truly inspiring young apprentices who are all on level 2 and level 3 programmes with JCB at the moment. The apprentices talked about programmes in Welding; Quality Tech; Material Planning; Mechatronics and Purchasing. 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 students to apply. Please click on the link to see the range of apprenticeships on offer https://earlycareers.jcb.com/.
Year12: On Wednesday our Year 12 students had an assembly led by the Social Mobility Foundation. The Foundation offer fantastic opportunities for eligible students to apply for one of two programmes both of which provide tremendous careers support from a range of employers. Applications are now open and the closing date is December 16th. Here are some useful links and resources relating to SMF: Application form; Student Guidance Notes; Sector specific requirements; APP Law Insight Programmes – options and a link to a pre-recorded presentation.
Derby Moor Dispatch: Our Derby Moor Dispatch is attached to the email version of this update and has gone out to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. 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.
Our Year 11 students continue to meet with one of our Careers advisers Kat Garland, Jessica Townsend or Flavia Ojok from Luminate Careers either as part of a group workshop on college, apprenticeships or sixth form or a 1:1 session. Luminate also have an excellent website with a wealth of useful information. Please have a look at the link: https://luminatecareersandcoaching.co.uk/
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
