End of Week Newsletter

A Message from the Principal

I recently sent out to parents a consultation regarding the timings of the school day.

I am now happy to confirm that the change to the timing of the school day has been agreed and from September we will move to a consistent finish of 3.10pm. This means that from September the school day will be 8.40am – 3.10pm, every day. Please note that we expect students on site by 8.37am so that they are in their base group for 8.40am. We continue to run until 4pm on a Wednesday for the rest of the academic year. This period 6 session remains a vital part of our students’ curriculum time.

Attendance matters!

I have noticed a dip in school attendance which is concerning as low attendance will place students at a disadvantage in terms of their outcomes. It’s important that students are in school every day, or as frequently as possible and they should be aiming for 97% attendance. I am aware that there will be some cases where this is not possible however please support me by talking to your child about the importance of attending school regularly.

Help AMR Research

The Health Protection Team at Suffolk County Council has invited schools to take part in a short quiz introducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to pupils, staff, and parents/carers.

AMR is a growing public health risk with direct relevance to schools. It affects pupil health, attendance, and long‑term outcomes and contributes to increasing pressure on health services. Schools play a vital role in building early understanding of appropriate antibiotic use, reinforcing infection prevention, and supporting parents to make informed healthcare decisions. Leadership engagement is key to ensuring consistent, evidence‑based messages reach the whole school community.

Parent/Carer quiz

Student quiz

The quiz provides instant feedback and is for pupils and parents/carers linked to Suffolk schools only. Results will help the HP Team understand baseline knowledge across the county and inform the planned inclusion of AMR in education in readiness of AMR Week in November. Thank you

Useful Tips for Parents/Carers

Safeguarding

Notice Mood Swings

If your teenager is more unhappy than usual or seems withdrawn, it might be a sign they’re struggling with something. Encourage them to talk openly about how they’re feeling. If it continues, speak to a GP and let the school know so we can support them too.

Attendance

Talk Openly About School

Encourage your child to share how they feel about school. Keeping the lines of communication open helps you address any concerns early on.

Reading/Literacy

Read Together:

Spend time reading aloud with your child, taking turns to read different parts. This helps improve their fluency and gives you the chance to discuss new words and ideas.