Lodge Park Academy's Newsletter – Spring Term, Week 4
In the spirit of National Storytelling Week, I am turning to one of our most successful and enduring novelists. Charles Dickens’ famous opening line to the novel A Tale of Two Cities raises a paradox that faces us all:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.
The possibilities ahead of us and the challenges we create if we make the wrong choices, are the very essence of our daily narrative in Lodge Park’s hallowed halls and corridors. We want all of our family to benefit from accessing and achieving the “best of times” every time. Thank you for supporting us in myriad of different ways – from homework checks to Parents’ evenings, through correct uniform dress with regular attendance, and a thousand other actions – to help our students strive for their “best”. Dickens continues to suggest that
“we (simultaneously) had everything before us, we had nothing before us”,
but he did not have access to the Lodge Park Academy calendar. New age curling gave way to basketball, which in turn has evolved into table-tennis for the House Winter Games. As many eyes turn to the snowy peaks of Northen Italy and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, our glistening orbs will be feasting on the loops, chops and blocks playing out in our gymnasium. We have assembly and tutor activities linked to World Cancer Day (Wednesday 4th February) and Time to Talk Day (Thursday 5th February), both of which have a profound significance for many of our Lodge Park family. The welfare of our students and wider community is of paramount importance to us. Unfortunately, some of our students are struggling to make the right choices and placing themselves – and others – in dangerous positions. Those using the sports centre car park to house their E-Scooters must ensure that the walk their vehicles carefully off site before riding them. Careless driving within the car park area has resulted in a spate of near misses. We can only achieve the “everything before us” if we are safely able to do so – please remember this when you are leaving the school site. To help foster a safer environment for all our stakeholders, can I ask parents/guardians to endeavour to park away from the zebra crossing area, avoid stopping on yellow lines and refrain from positioning themselves by the fence. In her essay The Fisherwoman's Daughter, Ursula Le Guin declared
“First sentence are doors to worlds”.
Help us to open these doors for every one of our learners, so they can access the “best”, avoid the “worst” and launch into the “everything”.
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Table Talk
There has been a lot in the media about social media this week so we thought table talk should focus on it. Teen Support Social Media: How to Look After Yourself Online Social media can be fun, inspiring, and a great way to stay connected. It’s where you share moments, discover new ideas, and keep up with friends. But it can also be overwhelming at times—and that’s completely normal. Looking after yourself online is just as important as looking after yourself offline. Remember What You See Isn’t the Full Story Most people only post their highlights—the best photos, funniest moments, and biggest wins. Behind the screen, everyone has bad days, insecurities, and struggles, even if it doesn’t look that way. Comparing your real life to someone else’s filtered feed can mess with your confidence, so try to remind yourself: social media is edited, real life isn’t. It’s Okay to Step Back If scrolling leaves you feeling stressed, annoyed, or low, that’s a sign to pause. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re missing out—it means you’re protecting your mental health. Logging off for a bit, muting certain accounts, or putting your phone down before bed can make a big difference. You Deserve Respect Online No one has the right to make you feel uncomfortable, pressured, or hurt online. If someone’s behaviour crosses a line, use the tools available—block, mute, or report. That’s not being dramatic; that’s setting boundaries. You deserve to feel safe in digital spaces. Talk to Someone You Trust If something online is bothering you—whether it’s drama, bullying, or pressure to look or act a certain way— don’t carry it alone. Talking to a friend, parent, teacher, or another trusted adult can help more than you might expect. Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Balance Matters: Social media is just one part of your life—not the whole thing. Spending time on hobbies, sports, music, gaming, art, or just hanging out in real life helps keep things in perspective. The best moments don’t always need to be posted to matter. Be Kind—to Others and to Yourself How you treat people online matters, but so does how you treat yourself. Give yourself permission to be imperfect, to grow, and to take breaks when you need them. You’re more than your likes, followers, or views—and always will be.
Why We Do What We Do
House Assemblies bring a sense of belonging for our students, and our four Houses bring together one community at Lodge Park Academy. This week during our House assemblies we embedded the following so that all students are on the same page of understanding of Why We Do What We do: What do we mean when we talk about good character? Character is who YOU are. It is what makes you......you! It is what you believe in and how you choose to act with others and when on your own, It;s your values and your virtues. Why is perfect uniform important? Schools have uniform policies to foster equality, to promote a shared identity, school pride, and a feeling of community among students. This aligns students with the schools's ethos, reduce peer pressure, improve discipline, in order to create a sense of community. By minimising distractions, helping students focus on learning rather than fashion, it also helps streamlining mornings morning for parents. Why do we have whole school contextual lessons each term? Contextual PSHCE periods are included to ensure that we are tailoring Student learning to meet the specific needs, risks, and characteristics of our school's local community, our student population and local area. We analyse data such as local crime rates and feedback from students, staff and parents deliver lessons that address the most relevant, real-life challenges that students face.
Attendance Update
We would like to share our weekly Attendance milestones with our parents. Whilst sharing the milestones for House Tutor groups, we are proud to share with you the amazing students who have 100% attendance at the Academy, year to date. It is never too late to improve your child's attendance. If you have any questions regarding your child's attendance, please feel free to contact the Attendance Team at the Academy. attendance@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
Seneca - Spring Term Week 4
It has been another fantastic week of independent learning for our KS4 students with record amounts of study time being engaged with in a number of subjects including Science and History. LPA has had a 'ground breaking week' with the Academy breaching the 1,000,000 XP mark for the first time. This is the formula used to fairly distribute the amount of hours spent on Seneca divided by the size of school. LPA average 800,000 weekly. Therefore we can officially say that this week has been our hardest working EVER!
Once again it was pleasing to see the amount of work being put in by our wonderful Year 11 students. This is a really important and consistent approach as we enter the next round of Mock Exams.
Thanks to all for supporting our students to aim high.
Mr McGeown - Vice Principal, Quality of Education
Each week our students at LPA complete Maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answers additional questions, further increasing their mathematical knowledge. The Maths team would like to celebrate these students and recognise their dedicated work.
We have also included a parent/carer link to 'A Parent's guide to Sparx Maths', which may answer some questions that you might have about how to help your child if they need it. Help is just a click away - https://sparxmaths.com/parents/
Mrs S Irons - Director of Maths
A Choir in Every School
You may have seen on the national news that some schools do not have any form of singing in their school. At Lodge Park this is not the case! Singing happens in lessons and in co-curricular. In fact we have not one, but three singing groups: our main ensemble LPA Choir which is an all ages singing group who meet on Wednesdays after school in the hall, Year 7 & 8 Boys Sing group who meet every Thursday morning tutor time in G10, and Year 7 & 8 Girls Sing group who meet every Friday morning tutor in G10. All our groups are non-audition (just turn up and sing). We are beginning to rehearse pieces for the DRET Secondary Music Festival in March, so it's a great time to come along for the first time. At the SMF we will perform with other schools as one enormous choir, as well as perform our own piece to the other schools and listen to their performances. It will be a great celebration of music! Come along to one of our singing groups, or speak to any of our music teachers if you have any questions.
Mrs E Olner - Teacher of Music
LPA House Championship 2025/2026
House Winter Games 2026
Throughout term 3 and term 4 House teams will be battling it out in a bid to win as many Winter Games gold medals as possible. The first set of Medals have already been added to the Winter Games medal table following the Basketball competition this week. Goshawk ended the opening week of the Winter Games top of the medal table thanks to two gold and two silver medal finishes. More medals are available next week in the Table Tennis competition. Each gold medal is worth 5 points. Silver medals are worth 3 points and Bronze are worth 2 points. The House with the highest points total at the end of the games will be crowned LPA Winter Games champions.
House Winter Games – Basketball
The LPA House Winter Games got underway this week with five days of action-packed Basketball. House teams went head-to-head across the week in a bid to secure the first set of 'Gold Medals' to add to their House Winter Games medal tally. Goshawk got off to a flying start following victory in the Year 7 competition to win the first gold medal of the games. Kestrel responded quickly with a gold medal of their own, with victory in the Year 8 competition. Goshawk doubled their gold medal tally in the Year 9 competition to set up an exciting final two days. Another win for Goshawk in either of the final two competitions would secure them overall victory, however Red Kite came out on top in the Year 10 competition leave the event wide open going into the final day. The final day saw the Year 11's step on to court in what was an extremely competitive round of matches in which Osprey came out on top. Following the final match points earned from across the week were calculated and it was Goshawk who were crowned Winter Games Basketball champions, picking up two gold medals, one silver medal and a bronze medal!
House Winter Games - Table Tennis
The next event in the House Winter Games is Table Tennis. KS3 boys, KS4 boys and all girls will compete in their own competitions across the week. House teams require four players for each competition, with matches taking place in the gym during lunchtimes. If you are interested in competing in this event make sure you register your interest with your Tutor or Heads of House. Three more gold medals are on offer, presenting a great opportunity for House teams to build on their overall Winter Games points total.
Switch off Fortnite – Poster Competition (EXTENDED)
This competition has been extended. Switch Off Fortnight is a nationwide campaign that takes place every year to encourage schools to switch off lights and electrical appliances when not in use for two weeks. The goal for schools is to help them save energy and monitor the impact of changing user behaviour on the school’s energy use. Lodge Park Academy will be taking part in the initiative from Monday 2nd February to Friday 13th February. To support in our effort we are asking for students to create a poster to help promote and raise awareness around the campaign. We are looking for poster designs that are visually impactful, presents a clear message, and motivates everyone at LPA to take action. Entries can be submitted through a drawing or done digitally and emailed to housechampionship@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk Please hand in your designs to Student Reception by Wednesday 28th January. House points will be awarded to the winner.
LPA Sports Timetable - Term 3
Enrichment Timetable - Term 3
The academy would like to increase the attendance at the non-Sports Enrichment clubs and listen to Student voice on the clubs they wish to attend. Therefore, we will shortly be including some additional clubs and also introducing a Non sports Enrichment attendance card. When students attend 5 sessions of any non-Sports club and get their card signed by the Enrichment teacher they will hand this into Student Reception and they will go into a prize draw taking place at the end of term. We will also count up cards at the end of term and House points will be rewards (House in 1st place 25 points, 2nd place 15 points, 3rd place 10 points, 4th place 5 points)
Support for Parents & Community Events
LPA – Helpful contacts
MASH
Safeguarding concerns 0300 303 1965 Report a concern or request support | Northampton Children's Trust
Childline
Telephone Number: 0800 1111 Childline | Childline
Police (non emergency)
Telephone number: 101
Police (emergency)
Telephone Number: 999
NHS
Telephone number: 111
Young Minds
Mental Health Crisis Support Text: YM to 8528
Online Mental Wellbeing Community
Website: www.kooth.com
Youthworks Mental Health Support
www.youthworksnorthamptonshire.org.uk
Online Health Advice
NGAGE
A free and confidential service providing advice, information, education and structured support to young people in relation to drug and alcohol use https://aquarius.org.uk/our-services/young-peoples-services/northampton-yp/
NDAS
NDAS offer refuge, outreach and groupwork programmes to men and women impacted by domestic abuse. We also support children to recover from the trauma of witnessing the abuse. NDAS offer a 24 hour helpline as well as several drop in services throughout the county. https://www.ndas.co/
Housing Support
Free information and advice to anyone who is homeless or worried about becoming homeless https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/housing-options/housing-advice
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/docs/term_dates/2025_2026_Academic_Calendar_v1.pdf
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Friday 13th February 2026
Lodge Park Academy Re-Opens -Monday 23rd February 2026
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Thursday 2nd April 2026
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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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