Welcome
Dear Families
Students have been given the opportunity to demonstrate their positive character across a number of activities this week.
On Sunday a number of our students who are members of the CCF and the Cadets were out in force taking part in Armistice/Remembrance Day activities that were taking place both in Corby and in Rothwell. We are very proud of their commitment to these local groups and the transferrable life skills they are developing which will help them in their adult life.
On Monday we commemorated Remembrance Day with a service in the hall and in classrooms via. . It featured inputs from both Mr Kirby and Mrs Jones as well as an input from Reverend Pullinger. We then walked outside to the courts where the whole school gathered in silence for a parade display from the CCF, the last post and reveille. Next year we would like a piper so please let us know if you know anyone who might be willing to play for us. This occasion was impeccably observed with the upmost respect. We were pleased that our CEO of the David Ross Education Trust could join us. Please see below for more details.
On Tuesday we encouraged all members of the LPA family to engage in ‘Odd Sock’s Day’ to show our support for Anti Bullying week. This gesture serves as a reminder to all that diversity and difference is welcomed within our school community. This was followed on Wednesday by World Kindness Day where as a school we asked all to consider the work of those who they come into contact with on a daily basis and identify where others had gone above and beyond in the work that they do.
Our Year 11 students continued to show resilience and determination during the second week of their KPI/ mock examinations. The behaviour and attitude of the vast majority of our students has been excellent and they have maintained the high standards set.
All other students have engaged in their own KPI examinations which has provided an opportunity to demonstrate their ambition and aspiration to acquire the habits of successful learners. Staff have supported students in this process and they will gather vital information about students' knowledge and skill gaps and plan to close those gaps.
Throughout the week we have also raised our expectations regarding standards of uniform and attitudes towards lateness and have welcomed parental support in ensuring where some students have not made the best choices they have been able to rectify this. Please be aware that we are continuing to expect the very highest standards with regards to punctuality to school and lessons. With particular reference to lateness where students gain two late marks this will result in an after-school detention on a Wednesday or Friday evening. In order to support students we have added an extra late bell into all lessons to ensure that students are aware of when they should have arrived by. We hope that you will be able to support the school's policies, however if you feel you have any queries in relation to this please contact the academy.
We thank all our Lodge Park Academy families for supporting our high expectations.
Warm regards
The Senior Leadership Team
Save The Date - Year 10/12 Parents Engagement Evening (Thursday 21st November)
Please be aware that we are fast approaching our Year 10 and 12 Parent Engagement Evening for both Year 10 and Year 12.
Please can we strongly ask that you do all you can to attend and support the school in enabling your child to make the best possible start to the KS4/5 studies.
This event will run from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in the school Hall and Zone. Appointments can now been made via MCAS.
Mr McGeown – Vice Principal
Combined Cadet Force
The learning never stops when it comes to the academy's Combined Cadet force as they geared up in their greens during their half term break to spend two days at Stamford private school. During these two days our cadets, alongside Stamford's CCF, spent their time refreshing their knowledge of the Cadet GP rifle training. Our cadets passed their handling tests with flying colours. Between tests and lessons Stamford CCF staff were kind enough to allow Cadets to try out their Flight Simulators where after a quick lesson from 2nd Lieutenant Wilson, Cadets were soon taking off and landing smoothly and in true cadet spirit were challenging each other to landing competitions.
November has seen two of our most important days for the contingent. Our Cadet force joined the Remembrance parade in Rothwell with their Poppies worn proudly on their chests.
Acts of remembrance continued into Monday for the Academy's Parade on Armistice Day. The cadets, lead by Cpl Mullan, paraded in front of the whole school. While Cpl Mason and Cpl Booth immaculately performed the last post which led into the 2 minutes silence. These events also saw Cpl Mullan laying a wreath at the Rothwell war memorial and wreaths being laid at the Academy by LCpl Storey, Cdt Nayamowa, LCpl Vasillica and LCpl Kisekka.
Alfie Wilson
2nd Lieutenant LPA CCF
CCF and Remembrance Day in Rothwell – Sunday 10th November 2024
On Sunday 10th November 2024 a significant number of our academy students who are members of the CCF programme took part in the Remembrance Day Commemorations that took place in Rothwell.
This year our CCF is being led by Mr Joseph Smyth who also works in this role at Montsaye Academy and therefore on this occasion our students joined their peers in the small market town of Rothwell.
As part of the ceremony, they took part in a parade, attended the church service at the church in the centre of Rothwell before laying their wreath at the Cenotaph in the centre of the town before their two minutes of silence and the playing of ‘The Last Post.’
Special mention goes to Mr. Wilson for working alongside Mr Smyth in enabling our students to attend and play such a pivotal part in the occasion.
Mr McGeown – Vice Principal.
The Academy united in Remembrance on the 11th November 2024.
All learners were able to be a part of a ceremony that involved readings regarding the sufferance and plight of victims of conflict the world over. The ceremony also included the stories of Lance Corporal James Ashworth and Craftsman Alex Shaw, two former Lodge Park students who were killed in the line of duty for their country. Rev. Ian Pullinger also shared a poem with reflections.
The proceedings were concluded by a parade from our fantastic Combined Cadet Force, the sounding of the Last Post and two minutes of silence, perfectly observed.
Our learners conducted themselves with impeccable respect. I was really proud of how the whole Lodge Park family came together to honour our heroes and the memory of our fallen soldiers.
Mr Kirby - Principal
Goshawk House ‘Tie’ Champions
This term students at Lodge Park have received their brand new house ties. To celebrate the introduction of the new look house ties to the LPA school uniform we delivered a house themed tie competition across the week.
Eight representatives in each house took to the front of the main hall during house assemblies in the attempt to be the fastest student to successfully do their tie. Although it was a race against the clock to be successful students had to make sure they met the criteria of a perfect knot, pulled up to the top button, collar folded down neatly with the tie at ‘belly button length’.
It was an exciting way to introduce the new ties in the Academy with participants modelling the ‘perfect’ tie. After times were recorded in each of the house assemblies it was Goshawk house who came out on top with an extremely fast time of 11 seconds – well done Mason!
2nd Place went to Osprey followed by Kestrel and Red Kite in 3rd and 4th place respectively.
Red Kite lead Rowvember
Rowvember is well and truly underway and Red Kite have raced into the lead. Throughout November students and staff can contribute to overall house totals by completing a distance on a rowing machine. Every distance rowed will be added to the respective house totals with the house which has rowed the furthest at the end of November being crowned champions.
As of Wednesday 13th November the LPA community had covered just shy of 300km, with scores continuously being added, an amazing effort so far! Kestrel are the biggest movers and have overtaken Osprey in 3rd place – Can they keep their momentum and move up into the top 2 places by next week?
There are plenty of opportunities to take part and add distances to your house totals afterschool on a Monday and lunchtime on both Thursdays and Fridays.
More points will be available through Rowvember with a House Indoor Rowing competition on Thursday 21st November. The competition will involve a series of individual sprint and team relay races on the big screen in the main hall.
Flags of the World – House Quiz
Flags of the World house quiz took place today. Students and staff had the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test during either break or lunchtime by trying to correctly identify as many flags from the picture board.
Stayed tuned for next weeks newsletter for results!
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Meet the History Department at Lodge Park Academy
Hello, I’m Mrs Berry. I’m the Head of History here at LPA. I’ve been at the school for seven years now and this is definitely the school for me. My love for history began at a young age and I was lucky enough to sleep over, under a sarcophagus, in the British Museum and I will always take the opportunity to geek out over history. I don’t have a favourite time period, I find it all fascinating! Outside of school I am the captain of the new Stewarts & Lloyds Women's rugby team, I instruct people how to drive supercars around various tracks and I also race, most recently in an MG ZR as part of the Classic Sports Car Club and Christmas is my favourite time of year.
Hello, I'm Miss Davies and this is my second year of teaching History at Lodge Park Academy. In addition to teaching History, I am also the Red Kite House Champion, so also I work with students on their attendance and help with house competitions. I became a teacher to support students in achieving their dreams and this drives what I do every day. My favourite part of History has to be the Tudors (anyone who has seen the books in my classroom will already know this!) Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, baking, and visiting historical places.
Hello, I'm Miss Smith and I joined Lodge Park Academy in September. I have a particular interest in LGBTQ+ history, especially during the 1960s, which I studied at university. Outside of school, I am a competitive trampoline gymnast and have been for 16 years - yes, I can do a back flip. My family have seven cats, two horses and I don't know how many sheep, donkeys and even alpacas!
Hello, I'm Mrs Milligan and I joined Lodge Park Academy in November 2023. My primary role is as Vice Principal for Pastoral but I am also a history teacher. I have taught for 18 years in different areas of England. My favourite period of History to teach and learn more about is the Victorians, especially the British Empire. I am a passionate supporter of Lincoln City Football Club who I have supported since I was 10 years old. I still go to every home game with my dad! My other passion is reading and listening to audio books. I often struggle to get out of the car in the morning because I want to find out what happens next in the story! My favourite book is Pride and Prejudice - I secretly want to marry Mr Darcy!
Hello, I'm Mr McGeown and I am relatively new to Lodge Park joining the academy in June of this year. My primary role is as Vice Principal but I am also a proud and passionate teacher of History which I have taught for nearly 25 years across a number of schools and trusts. I have a real love of all historical periods but have a particular interest in German History having travelled to Germany on numerous occasions over a number of years. I am also a keen follower of sport with a particular interest in football and cricket. I often like to marry my love of history and sport by visiting Germany to watch Bundesliga football alongside engaging in the culture and history across the country.
SEND Coffee Afternoon - Wednesday 4th December 2024 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
We are very pleased to be able to invite you to our SEND Coffee Afternoon.
This will be a great opportunity for parents/carers and children who are supported for their educational needs and attend Lodge Park Academy. You will have the oportunity to meet one another, share experiences and ask questions. Our SEND team will be available to discuss support in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Refreshments will be available. Please confirm your attendance to: YDrabwell@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk, by Monday 2nd December 2024
We look forward to meeting you!
Forthcoming dates:
- Thursday 6th March 2025 2:30p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 11th June 2025 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Table Talk/Teen Support
We are keen to share topics with parents that are either particularly relevant at the time, they may have been raised by a parent or we have become aware of an issue from a parent or student survey or from student voice. We will aim to share topics once a month in the first instance and then gain feedback from you about their relevance and usefulness.
Talking to Girls (and boys) about their periods
Some parents find it difficult to discuss this topic with their daughter. Boys also need to know about periods. Please find some guidance below from the NHS website.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared.
Respond to questions or opportunities as they arise and do not be embarrassed. Periods are natural.
Talking about periods
Try to talk about periods as an ongoing process rather than a formal sit-down talk.
You can use TV ads for tampons, or buying period products at the supermarket, for example, to start the conversation about periods. Or simply ask your daughter what she already knows and go from there.
Use clear language, like "vagina". Emphasise that periods are completely normal and natural – they're part of growing up.
Boys also need to learn about periods. Talk to them in the same way as girls about the practicalities, mood changes that can come with periods, and the biological reason behind periods. It will keep them informed, as well as help them to understand about periods.
When a girl starts her periods it's a sign that her body is now able to have a baby. It's important that she also knows about getting pregnant and contraception.
The questions girls ask about periods
Here are some of the questions that you, as a parent, might get asked by girls about periods, with suggestions on how to answer them:
How will I know when my periods are going to start?
Signs that your period is on its way are if you've grown underarm and pubic hair. Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.
Why have my periods not started yet?
Your periods will start when your body is ready. This is usually between age 8 and 17, or 2 years after your first signs of puberty.
Possible reasons for delayed periods include being underweight, doing lots of exercise (including dance, gymnastics and athletics), stress and a hormone imbalance.
See a GP if your periods have not started by age 15 (or 13 if you do not have any other signs of puberty). Your GP may suggest a blood test to check your hormone levels.
You may be referred to a specialist (usually a gynaecologist – a specialist in women's health) to find out what's causing your delayed periods and discuss any treatments that might help.
How do I get ready for my first period?
Talk to your parent or another adult you trust about what you can expect before it actually happens.
It's a good idea to start carrying pads or tampons around with you in advance.
If you find yourself at school without a pad or tampon, ask a teacher or the school nurse for some.
How long will my first period last?
Your first period might not last very long, as it can take your body some months to get into a regular pattern. As a general rule, once they're settled, you'll have a period every 23 to 35 days and it will last 2 to 7 days.
How much blood will I lose?
It might seem a lot, but it's only about 20 to 90ml (about 1 to 5 tablespoons). It's not a sudden gush – you'll just see a reddish-brown stain on your pants or on your sheets when you wake up in the morning.
What if period blood leaks through my clothes?
There are ways of covering up stains until you're able to change your clothes, such as tying a sweatshirt around your waist. Keep a spare pair of pants and tights at school or in your bag.
Should I use pads, tampons, menstrual cups or period underwear?
This is up to you. Tampons, menstrual cups, disposable or reusable pads (towels) and period underwear are safe and suitable if you've just started your period. You might want to use pads for your very first period as tampons and cups can take some getting used to. It might be worth experimenting until you find the product that suits you best.
Can a tampon get lost inside me?
No, it can't. When you insert a tampon, it stays in your vagina. All tampons come with a string at one end that is designed to stay outside your body. You can remove the tampon at any time using this string.
What if I forget to remove my tampon?
If you forget to remove your tampon, it can turn sideways or become compressed at the top of your vagina. This can make it difficult for you to pull it out. If you think you've left a tampon in and you can't get it out, go to your GP or nearest sexual health clinic. They can remove it for you.
Further reading for girls
• "Susan's Growing Up" is a picture book about periods that has been specially developed for people with learning disabilities. It's from the Books Beyond Words series from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• "The Period Book: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know)" by Karen Gravelle, and published by Piatkus, is a well-known book for any girl approaching puberty. It explains what to expect and how to cope with periods.
Uniform – Winter Coats and Hooded Tops
As the winter weather draws in, please can we ask that you do all you can to support the school in ensuring that we maintain the highest of standards with regard to uniform.
We are currently seeing an increase in the amount of students that are arriving to school in hooded tops or sporting jumpers which students then expect to be permitted to wear inside the school building. Hoodies are not permitted in school and coats are not to be worn in the building.
Please be aware that we expect all students to be in our designated LPA Uniform at all times; outdoor jackets are not permitted inside the school building. This is no different to the expectations in many schools up and down the country.
Where students are finding the weather to be cold, please be advised that we have an LPA jumper that can be worn above the shirt and tie and beneath the blazer. However, no other jumper will be permitted. Students may wear a plain white t-shirt under their school shirt as an extra layer if they feel the cold.
Thank you for your support with this.
The Senior Leadership Team.
Attendance
As many of you will be aware from publicity in the press, and letters we have sent out previously, the government have significantly toughened the law in relation to school attendance and have now published revised guidance which has become mandatory from September 2024.
From September 2024, schools have to consider a penalty notice if a pupil misses 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a rolling period of 10 school weeks. Half of a day (am or pm) is considered as a ‘session’. The threshold of 10 sessions can be met with any combination of unauthorised absence, for example, eight sessions of unauthorised holidays in term time and two sessions for other unauthorised reasons would trigger a penalty notice.
The ten school week period may span different terms or school years, for example: 2 sessions of unauthorised absence in the summer term and a further 8 in the autumn term.
National Framework for Attendance Penalty Notices (fines)
The new penalty notice regulations are:
- Each parent will be issued a separate penalty notice, for each child who is absent. For example, 2 parents and 3 children, each parent will receive 3 penalty notices for £160 each, with a family total of £960 in fines.
- The fine amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days, reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days.
- The first penalty notice will be considered your first offence.
- The next time an offence occurs, within 3 years of the date the first penalty notice is issued, the fine amount will be £160 per parent, per child paid within 28 days, with no reduction.
- The third time an offence occurs this will be presented to Magistrate’s court for prosecution.
Where a child is absent, and it is believed they are absent without valid reason, we will carry out a home visit and see the child on or before the third school day of absence. If the absence meets the thresholds explained above, you will be issued fixed penalty notices as detailed above.
Please review any holiday plans you have for term time this year to ensure you are not issued with a penalty fine or prosecuted in the Magistrates’ court.
The above rules also apply to punctuality as registers must close at the end of our tutor period. Arriving to school after this time will result in an unauthorised absence. To enable our morning registration (AM) to begin promptly, we require all students to be on site for 8.30 a.m. This is the time your child must be in school, ready to be marked into registers. Therefore, we ask that you ensure your child arrives at 8.30 a.m. and they are with their tutor by 8.40 a.m. at the latest.
Your child must register with their tutor and attend P1 to ensure their ‘present’ marks are captured within the AM registration period. Your child must attend afternoon registration and P5 to ensure their ‘present’ marks are captured within the PM registration period. Even if your child is on site they will not be registered unless they are in their tutor room and classrooms and an unauthorised mark will be given. Ten unauthorised sessions in a ten school week period will result in a fixed penalty notice.
Pupils who attend school regularly will achieve higher grades than those pupils who don’t. In the summer of 2024 pupils at Lodge Park who had above 90% attendance achieved half a grade higher than those who below this.
If you require any support or advice please get in touch via email us on attendance@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
Academy closes to students on Friday 20th December 2024
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Contact Us
Telephone: 01536 203817
Email: lpa-enquiries@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
Please be aware this mailbox is monitored by a number of individuals, please do not disclose any confidential information.
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Created with images by • Zerbor - Save the Date written on a calendar - November 21 • Peter Greenway - A cascade of ceramic poppies animating from the war memorial on The Hoe in Plymouth. • denis_333 - Poppies • Yury Zap - history word watch • TaibaHossain - A cup of coffee with a good afternoon written on it • undefined - Colorful clothes on hangers, Selective blur on high visibility safety coats and jackets, personal protective equipments, for sale outside, Ai generated image • undefined - Little school girl holding white plastic foam blocks with word: ATTENDANCE. Educational concept of back to school. Attendance management and analysis. Сontrol of attendance of schoolchildren. • undefined - Things you should know!