Newsletter 9 February 2024
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Dear Parents/ Carers, Welcome to our third half termly Newsletter of this academic year. It has been a very short time since we returned on 8th January, but we’ve managed to cram a huge amount into the five weeks of this half term. It is great to see the darkness slowly receding as the days are getting longer again. It won’t be long before the field is back in bounds and we have multiple after-school outdoor fixtures each week again. Year 11 students don’t have long left now. We start their ‘Race to Success’ programme next half term as we look for the marginal gains that will make the summer exams go brilliantly for these students. We say goodbye to Mrs Harrold at the end of this half term. Mrs Harrold is going to take up a role with Dudley Local Authority. We thank her for her service, particularly within the pastoral team and wish her every success for the future. We have some new staff joining us after half term; we welcome Mrs Jones & Mr Neill, both new Heads of House. School Gates / Parking Can I remind you that there is no parent parking on the front of school off Water Street before and after school. Please arrange to drop off / pick up your child elsewhere. This is primarily for student safety. Can I also take this opportunity to remind you to please respect the local community when you are in your cars and park courteously outside peoples’ houses. We return to school on Monday 19th February for another very short 5 week half term before Easter. On the first day back we have a delayed start as explained the bulletin last week. All students will need to be on site on the 19th for 9.25am; the day will finish at the normal time. Have a pleasant half term break Best wishes,
Ian Moreton Headteacher Kingswinford Academy
Upcoming events● Return to school after Half term break - Monday 19th February (Delayed Start) ● Year 9 Options Evening - Wednesday 28th February
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Vacancy We are recruiting for a Catering Assistant to join our Catering Team.
We are looking for a caterer who is enthusiastic, committed, well-presented, has a polite and friendly manner and who enjoys interacting with students and staff. You must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, work under pressure and be able to organise yourself. For further information and how to apply, please contact Helen Knowles, PA to the Headteacher hknowles@kingswinford.windsoracademytrust.org.uk
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Year 10 Catering: Year 10 have been designing, preparing and making cake pops this week in Hospitality and Catering. A new and innovative spin on the Starbucks Cake Pop has given students the aspiration and creativity to produce tasty and beautifully presented products. Well done year 10.
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Year 11 Food and Nutrition: Hickory’s smokehouse have been to visit Kingswinford Academy to work with our Year 11 Food Preparation and Nutrition class. Year 11 students have had the opportunity to review ‘Brunch Dishes’, taste a variety of drinks, and hot sauces, discuss menus and interview chefs, managers and front of house staff. The students have engaged fully in this opportunity and really enjoyed the experience. They have been welcomed back into Hickory’s for a live smokehouse demonstration in the future. Thank you to the staff from Hickory’s and well done year 11!
Newsletter 9 February 2024
GCSE Science Dear parents,
As a Trust, we pride ourselves on our strong partnerships with you, and we do not underestimate the significant impact your involvement in your child’s learning has on their ability to reach their academic potential. Indeed, extensive research, such as the Education Endowment Foundation study, demonstrates a compelling correlation between parental engagement and improved GCSE outcomes. Even simple acts of communication, like dedicated weekly conversations about school, can significantly boost grades.
To support your engagement and hopefully your child's science progress and GCSE outcomes, the science team at Windsor Academy Trust has produced new revision resources for Paper 1 and Paper 2 content. This short video will walk you through how to use these resources effectively with your child.
By actively participating in your child's revision and utilising this resource, you equip your child with the confidence and motivation to excel in their GCSEs.
Together, let us ensure our young scientists reach their full potential.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs E Harper, Director of Science Windsor Academy Trust
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Maths UK Maths Trust Over the New Year, our Head Boy, Sam, was selected to attend a UKMT maths training camp in Budapest, Hungary, designed to select the UK team for the upcoming Romanian Master of Mathematics (RMM). Sam says, “21 of us met at Heathrow Airport on 27th December. Upon arriving in Budapest, we stayed at the Hotel Benczúr, in the attractive diplomatic quarter of the city, where we were treated to comfortable accommodation and delicious Hungarian food all week.” “We shared the training camp with the Hungarian team, who all spoke perfect English and with whom we all got on well, enjoying lots of maths chat and games during free time. The days were filled with maths workshops, lectures, and tests, which everyone enjoyed! In addition, we were treated to various trips around the city and the River Danube.” “We arrived back at Heathrow on 4th January, slightly tired, but very happy with the camp, making friends and enjoying maths.” Sam has since found out that he has been selected for the team of six representing the UK in the RMM in March!
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Art
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Physical Education Last week we were lucky enough to have Mel Clarke from the Youth Sport Trust visit us for the day. The whole day was brilliant, with one student in year 8 even commenting to Mel on how much of an inspiration she was to us. Students got to hold the 2012 Paralympic torch and also got the chance to see a number of Mel’s medals. Mel has competed at international level for GB for 12 years, after discovering archery from a beginners session with her local Girl Guide group. Just 18 months after taking up the sport, Mel was representing her local county, and was spotted by the GB Paralympic Team manager, which led to her competing and winning in her first international medal for GB in 2002. During her distinguished career, Mel has won Club, County, Regional, National, European and World Championships and holds many World Records. In 2008 Mel represented GB at the Paralympic Games, where she won a bronze medal, and equalled the Paralympic record in her discipline. At London 2012, Mel finished one better, adding a silver medal to her collection, which the students got to hold and pass around. A brilliant and inspirational day had by all. Miss S Holder
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Drama Club Our Drama club students have committed to many hours of rehearsals in preparation for their performance of Dickens' classic 'Oliver Twist'. The performance will take place on the 20th and 21st March at 7pm. Tickets will cost £4. If you would like to attend, you can book your tickets through ParentMail. Please come and support our students in what will be a fantastic performance!
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Duke of Edinburgh Award Our Bronze and Silver DofE students completed their expedition training on the 28/01/23. They spent the day learning about the kit needed for a successful expedition, how to navigate maps and set up equipment. They also spend time logging on to EDofE to plan out the additional activities they will be doing to achieve the award.
Newsletter 9 February 2024 School Uniform: As we look ahead to the New Year we want to remind you of our uniform regulations, in particular please ensure your child is wearing shoes (not trainers), if they wear a jumper under their blazer it must be black v neck (not round neck), if they wear trousers they must be tailored trousers which are not tight to the ankles (no leggings), false nails/nail varnish are not permitted. Please see this link for full details of what is permitted, including some helpful FAQs. Incorrect uniform will lead to sanctions being issued to students
Newsletter 9 February 2024 School Uniform:
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Reminder of PE kit and PE policies: Girls’ PE Kit - Compulsory Compulsory Unisex polo shirt Shorts or skirt (No ‘hotpants’) PE Jumper Long black football socks Trainers Football boots Optional: Active sports jacket Black thick leggings Black tracksuit trousers/joggers
Boys’ PE Kit - Compulsory Rugby shirt (reversible) Compulsory Unisex polo shirt Shorts Long black football socks Trainers Football boots Optional: Active sports jacket Black tracksuit trousers/joggers PE Jumper
Gum shield (for rugby) and shin pads (for football) are highly recommended
Our approved suppliers are: The Sports Shop, Kingswinford https://thesportsshopkingswinford.co.uk/collections/kingswinford-school
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Reminder of PE kit and PE policies (continued): Base Layers: With the colder months upon us, we appreciate students might want to wear additional base layers to keep warm. Students are allowed to wear a black long sleeve base top which can be worn under their polo shirt/rugby shirt.
Medical: If your child cannot participate in PE lessons for any reason we do require a note to be written explaining the reasons why and also how long your child will be out of action for. With regards to longer term injuries, if your child has been told they cannot participate in PE lessons for a period of more than 6 weeks we will require a medical note. Please also ensure that if your child suffers from any medical conditions, such as asthma that they are bringing their inhalers/other medical equipment to school daily and to their PE lessons.
Changing at the end of the school day: If students have PE lessons 5 and 6 students are required to get changed back in to their school uniform after their PE lesson before leaving the school site.
Newsletter 9 February 2024
ASPIRE to Excellence - Our Expectations Ready, Respectful, Safe We have our Ready, Respectful and Safe approach to everything we do in school fully operational in school. We have worked hard to embed our routines within all aspects of our school environment and the benefits can be seen, we would like to thank everyone for their continued effort and support. Students Missing from Lesson A small minority of students, at times, decide not to attend a lesson, or have not returned from being permitted to go to the toilet during a lesson, therefore being noted as “Missing from Lesson” on Class Charts. We treat truancy from lessons seriously, this is of great concern, as we are unable to account for your child's whereabouts during these episodes. We have worked with our community to ensure students are aware of the consequences should they truant from lessons. Students will be challenged in line with our behaviour policy, initially this will be time in the Refocus Room and if the issue persists. potential suspension from school. We trust we can reply upon you to speak to your child about the severity of the issue; students cannot achieve if they are not in lessons and therefore will not unlock their academic and personal potential. Toilet Permission We encourage students to access toilets before and after school, during social times and; where possible avoiding toilet use during lessons. You are able to track your child's toilet use during lessons by looking at Class Charts and “Toilet Permission”. We track the amount of time our students have accessed toilets during lessons and if every toilet visit is 5 minutes long, since September students lost a significant amount of lesson time. This has significantly dropped since October half term, which we are really pleased about - thank you for your support in discouraging in-lesson toilet use with your child. As I am sure you appreciate lost learning directly relates to student progress and we welcome your continued support in tracking your child's toilet use via Class Charts and encouraging your child to access the toilets away from lessons. Mobile Phones We have a “Gate to Gate” expectation with regard to mobile phones, students must ensure they are switched off and placed in their school bag, at the school gate before entering the school site. They must remain switched off and in their bags until they leave the school site and are outside of the school gate before using them; this also applies to all after-school activities. If you need to contact your child for any reason, this must be done via school reception.
Newsletter 9 February 2024 Absence from school equals lost learning; lost learning directly impacts what your child will achieve in their GCSE examinations, which will impact upon their future. It soon adds up and makes a difference. We need to work together to ensure our young people attend because it will ultimately affect their future success. As you are aware, we use ‘Studybugs’ to report absence. The app will send you NHS advice on whether your child should still come to school if they are feeling ill. Please check your child's Class Charts as Tutors are celebrating and supporting improved and perfect attendance with positive points. Our “Rewards Shop” will soon be available and your child will be able to exchange their points for rewards of their choice.
If you do need to report a child absence, do so using the Studybugs app. If it is an illness-related absence, you will also be sent NHS advice as to whether your child should still attend school (or you can check here)
Newsletter 9 February 2024
Innovative Learning Methods in Our Teacher Training Programme Could you be part of the future of education?: Our teacher training programme is at the forefront of educational innovation, blending the latest teaching methodologies with advanced technology. This programme equips you with unique skills, setting you apart as a modern educator. It's an ideal career shift for parents seeking to reinvent themselves in a dynamic field. Embrace the future of teaching with our innovative teacher training programme. If you are interested in becoming a teacher then visit our website to learn more about how we're redefining teacher training. https://www.windsoracademytrust.org.uk/our-people/professional-learning/teacher-training/ Or contact us directly at teachertraining@windsoracademytrust.org.uk
Newsletter 9 February 2024