End of Week Newsletter
October 3rd 2025
A Message from the Principal
After another incredibly busy and productive week, I am once again immensely proud of the progress and commitment shown by our entire school community—students, staff, and you, our parents and carers. Every day, I witness our values in action, whether it’s the focused determination of our Year 11s preparing for their future, or the enthusiastic engagement of our Year 7s as they continue to master the secondary transition.
We believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom walls, and this edition celebrates some of the fantastic educational trips and key developments that have enriched our students’ experience. Thank you for your continued support; let’s celebrate these successes together!
SEU Progress
We believe strongly in inclusion at Ipswich Academy, and we are thrilled that the SEU will soon be a core part of our school community, enabling us to provide dedicated and expert support for students with complex needs.
You may have noticed the builders making significant progress on site over the past few weeks. We are pleased to confirm that the construction is proceeding well and is currently on track for handover in January.
This state-of-the-art facility will be a huge asset to our students and the wider community, and we look forward to sharing further details and perhaps a few photos as we get closer to the completion date!
Curriculum Enrichment: Trips and Visits
Recently we took a group of year 10 students on a sailing experience on Sailing Barge Victor as part of their King’s Trust course. Students became crew of SB Victor, working alongside the skipper and first mate. Activities included navigating the river and setting the sails which encouraged teamwork and communication. A big thank you to Ipswich Heritage Harbour Project for organising and funding the trip, the students will always remember this experience!
Upcoming Events
There are a couple of events coming up that will be of interest to some of our parents.
Tuesday 7th October – Year 11 Progress Evening
This evening is for year 11 students and parents and will serve as an ‘introduction to year 11’. It will also provide an opportunity for you all to discuss further education with a number of providers who will be attending the evening. A letter was sent out to year 11 parents with more information this week.
Thursday 9th October – Year 7 Meet the Teacher Evening
This evening is an informal evening for the parents of our year 7 students to meet their children’s teachers. We will shortly be writing to parents of year 7 to outline the arrangements for this evening.
Useful Tips for Parents/Carers
Safeguarding
Monitor Social Media Use
If your teen is spending too much time on social media, they might be feeling the pressure of online life. Encourage a balance between screen time and other activities. If things seem too much, speak to Kooth for advice and let the school know.
Attendance
Establish a Morning Routine
Set a clear morning routine that helps your child get ready on time. A predictable routine reduces the chances of being late or missing school.
Reading/Literacy
Build Vocabulary Through Conversation
Introduce new words into everyday conversations and explain their meanings. The more words your child is exposed to, the stronger their vocabulary will become.