End of Week Newsletter
May 15th 2026
A Message from the Principal
It’s been great to see year 11 engaging so well with their exams.
The majority of the group have been exemplary and I am sure that, come results day, they will see the fruits of their labour. As a reminder, year 11 students are required to attend school up to their final exam and I am tweaking their timetables to make their lessons as relevant as possible.
I must remind all parents and carers that water pistols are not allowed in school. There seems to be a bit of a trend with mini water pistols coming into school. For clarity, if they are seen they will be confiscated and discarded. They will not be returned to the student. Please reinforce this message with your child(ren).
I must also remind parents and carers that squishy toys are not allowed in school. These are not appropriate fidget tools. I wrote to parents a short while ago outlining that any fidget tool must be agreed and small/discrete, such as a small piece of blue tac. If students are using squishy toys in class, students will be instructed to put them away. They will be confiscated from persistent offenders.
Contacting Us
As a reminder we have several email addresses that you are welcome to use that will help your query get to the right place quicker than using our generic info@ipswichacademy.org.uk address.
To report student absence or attendance related queries please use attendance@ipswichacademy.org.uk
For year team inquiries, please contact the year team on the relevant email address: year7team@ipswichacademy.org.uk
year8team@ipswichacademy.org.uk
year9team@ipswichacademy.org.uk
From the Magna Carta to Modern Law: Year 10 Visit London
On 7 May, a select group of our Year 10 students stepped into the heart of British legal history for an exclusive event hosted by the prestigious Bingham Centre.
The day began at the historic Temple Church, where students took part in an interactive workshop on the Magna Carta. Led by the Master of the Temple, the session offered a fascinating look at how this ancient document still serves as the foundation for justice and the Rule of Law today.
Insights and Careers at Jones Day
Following their time at the Temple, the group was hosted by the global law firm Jones Day. In addition to providing a lovely lunch, the firm led a series of engaging sessions focused on:
- Democracy and the UK Legal System: A deep dive into how our laws are shaped and upheld.
- Social Impact: Learning about the firm’s dedicated non-profit work and how law can be used as a force for good.
- Career Pathways: An inspiring look at the diverse roles available within the legal profession, from solicitors to policy experts.
Our students represented the school with fantastic curiosity and professionalism throughout the day. We hope this experience has sparked some legal ambitions for the future!
Upcoming Events
Activity Days in School July 2026
Do you have a stash of “junk” at home that’s destined for the blue bin? Before you toss it, the Science Department wants it! We are gearing up for the Activities Days in early July, and we need your clean recycling to make our engineering challenges a reality. Whether it’s protecting an egg from a massive fall or building a bridge that defies gravity, your household waste is our treasure.
What we are looking for:
We need clean, dry materials, specifically:
- Cardboard: Cereal boxes, shipping boxes, and corrugated sheets.
- Paper: Old newspapers, magazines, or scrap paper.
- Plastic: Empty bottles (with lids!) and containers.
- The Golden Prize: Egg boxes (we can never have too many).
Where do I take it?
You don’t have to wait! We are collecting materials from now until July. Please drop your donations off at the Science Lab/Office.
Why do we need it?
Our students will be putting their physics and engineering skills to the test with two classic challenges:
1. The Great Egg Drop: Can you build a craft out of a yogurt pot and some cardboard that keeps an egg intact from a two-story drop?
2. Bridge Building: Constructing sturdy structures out of nothing but recycled materials to see which design holds the most weight. Thank you for your support!
Get ready for the school discos in July!
We are excited to announce our upcoming school discos, and we want to see as many students there as possible!
To celebrate the hard work and dedication of our school community, we are offering a significant discount on ticket prices for students who consistently demonstrate excellence in their daily routines.
How to secure a discount
Students can qualify for a reduced ticket price by meeting the following criteria:
- Perfect attendance and punctuality: attending school every day and arriving at all lessons on time.
- Positive learning behaviour: consistently showing a great attitude and high engagement during lessons.
We want to reward those who show up and give their best effort every single day. Let’s make these events really memorable!
Useful Tips for Parents/Carers
Safeguarding
Notice Changes in Friendships:
If your teenager suddenly changes their friends or avoids socialising, they might be having problems with peers. Talk to them about their friendships and listen to their concerns. Inform the school so we can help them navigate these changes and we can monitor the impact of the changes.
Attendance
Encourage Positive Friendships:
Support your child in building healthy relationships with classmates. Children who feel socially connected are more likely to attend school regularly.
Reading/Literacy
Encourage Them to Read Aloud:
Ask your child to read aloud to you or a sibling. This practice builds their confidence, improves pronunciation, and helps them understand punctuation.
See you soon!
We are now closed for the holidays! We hope you enjoy your break and we look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday 1st June.