Update from Abbie Thorrington
08 January 2021
Dear students, parents and carer,
I want to start this letter by saying a big well done to all students for their work online this week, you have made a great start and must now continue this way. Also, I would like to thank parents and carers for their support and patience with the process. We have loaned nearly 500 laptops this week and are urgently trying to seek additional devices for families requiring more.
Earlier in the week the Government announced that GCSE examinations were not going ahead this year. We share the disappointment for year 11 students following their incredible hard work over the past four years. Despite this, they have continued to engage with their learning this week and I encourage them to continue to ensure that they achieve the Centre Assessed Grade they deserve.
Google Classroom update:
As often the case when something is new, we have faced a few challenges around student appropriate use of live links. I am therefore asking parents and carers for their support in speaking with students.
Students are expected to join the live lesson at the allocated time in their timetable and they should leave the live lesson when the teacher ends it. There should be no misuse of the live lesson links in-between lessons. If students are found to be misusing the links, we will have to take further action or reduce the live teaching offer.
Students should also be following their timetable that has been sent to them. Students are in their teaching groups to ensure that the work set by teachers is appropriate for their ability level. Students should not be sharing live links with one-another and going into other lessons.
Contact home:
As well as monitoring students online work we will also be making regular phone calls home to speak with parents/carers and students to see how they are getting on and supporting them in any way possible. To make you aware, there may be occasions where you are called from a withheld number due to staff working off-site.
Change of times for the school day:
From Monday 11th January, all students in all year groups will be following the same timing of the day.
9.00-9.20- registration
9.20-10.20- lesson 1
10.20-11.20- lesson 2
11.20-11.35- break
11.35-12.35- lesson 3
12.35-13.15- lunch
13.15-14.15- lesson 4
14.15-15.15- lesson 5
Students will be sent their timetable which will reflect these times ready for Monday 11th January.
Free data:
Yesterday I communicated with you around the positive news around mobile phone companies offering additional data at no extra cost. Availability is limited, please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/v1ayD7EHhRnfpgTNA if you would like to access this.
Academy Council meeting:
On Wednesday 13th January I will be holding a virtual Academy Council meeting. Please click on the link, it would be great to see you all there. Please find the agenda below.
Thank you for your ongoing support, I wish you all a restful weekend.
Abbie Thorrington
Principal
Virtual Academy Council Meeting Agenda
Wednesday 13 January 2021
6:30 – 7:30pm
- Introduction and apologies for absence
- COVID Update: Risk Assessment in school
Online provision
Welfare calls home
- Hinterland offer – planned school trips
- Parental feedback: House system
Knowledge Organisers
Behaviour update/Road safety
- Agree date and time for next meeting and suggested agenda items
- AOB