SLT Update
We had a wonderful start to the week with 10 acts performing to the whole school in our CRA Talent Show. It was so great to see the CRA courage and confidence displayed on the stage and the audience loved it.
On Friday we had our 3rd Character Day, focusing on sustainability and the planet. Art created some wonderful themed pieces using recycled products, Bushcraft focused on the importance of nature and biodiversity, linked to mental health and Drama debated climate change and developed sustainability superhero characters. It was so lovely to see our 3 houses come together as 1 community supporting each other and the planet.
Hope you all manage to stay cool over the weekend.
Miss King, Head of School
Important dates to remember
- 27th June 2025 - Character Day 3
- 27 June 2025 - Year 11 PROM night
- 1st July 2025 - Transition day and year 7 University of Nottingham trip.
- 3rd July 2025 - DRET Summer Cup Grantham
- 8th July 2025 - CRA Sports Day
- 9th July 2025 - Year 5 Open Evening
- 10th July-11th July 2025 - Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
- 14th July 2025 - House Championship reveal
- 15th July 2025 - House Championship rewards day
- 17th July 2025 - Behaviour and attendance rewards trip
- 18th July 2025 - Rewards Assembly
Your child outside of school
We are interested in what your child does outside of school - clubs, groups, achievements. Please take a minute to fill in this form.
Internal Exclusion
Please see below a letter with details of a new procedure that is being trialed from the 16 June 2025.
DofE Expedition
It’s an exciting time for our DofE candidates. We are on the build up to our expedition. tents are being dusted down rucksacks are being emptied of the 3-year-old chocolate bars and odd socks left by older siblings from their expeditions. Meals are being planned, just in case you are wondering, 4 Pot Noodles is not the answer to Lunch, evening meal and breakfast even if they are three different flavours! And No Sweet Chilli does not count as desert.
Our expedition this year is a confined space expedition which means that instead of the traditional long walk to the chosen camp site we will get to the woodland campsite early and then there will be a series of challenges set for the candidates throughout the two days.
After the expedition our candidates will share the photographs and diaries to show what an amazing time they have had. So if you are in year 8 and want to be part of an incredible organisation watch this space for more news on how you can sign up in year nine for a life changing adventure.
Table Talk
At times it is important we engage in self-reflection. In the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, it's easy to get swept up in doing - checking tasks off a list, meeting deadlines, and juggling responsibilities. But in the midst of all this motion, we often forget to pause and simply be. That’s where self-reflection comes in.
What Is Self-Reflection?
Self-reflection is the practice of intentionally looking inward to examine your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviours. It’s about asking yourself not just what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it—and whether it aligns with who you truly are or want to be.
Why It Matters
Taking time to reflect can lead to powerful outcomes:
- Clarity: It helps you see patterns, gain perspective, and make sense of your experiences.
- Growth: By identifying areas for improvement, you create space for learning and personal development
- Resilience: Reflection builds emotional intelligence and equips you to respond rather than react.
- Purpose: It reconnects you to your core values and long-term goals.
How to Reflect Effectively
Self-reflection doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your daily or weekly routine:
- Journaling: Spend a few minutes each day writing about your experiences, feelings, or lessons learned. Prompts like “What did I do well today?” or “What could I have done differently?” can be helpful.
- Mindful Pauses: Even a quiet walk or five minutes of deep breathing can give your mind the space it needs to think clearly.
- Asking Questions: Try reflecting on deeper questions, like: What am I avoiding? What brings me joy lately? Am I living according to my values?
Self-reflection isn’t self-criticism—it’s self-connection. It’s about being honest with yourself in a compassionate way. In that quiet space, you discover your strengths, understand your challenges, and make intentional choices about your future.
So, this week, try helping your children to self-reflect with a conversation stemming from some of questions above.
Why We Do What We Do
Summer Cup
The Summer Cup is one of the biggest sporting events of the year for us. Students from across all 36 DRET secondary and primary schools gather together for a competitive day of sport. This takes place at Grantham Meres stadium in Grantham. The range of sports that secondary schools experience includes traditional track and field events, boccia, table tennis, tennis and swimming. We have a number of elite athletes that support the event, engaging with our students and offering advice as well as comparing the event. This year it includes Colin Jackson and Alastair Brownlee. Each school has a student chaperone who spends the day with an elite athlete both Olympic and Paralympians. The students demonstrate great camaraderie and sportsmanship, cheering for one another and demonstrating pride in their school.
Maths Department
Each week, our students at CRA, complete maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answer additional questions, further increasing their mathematical knowledge. We do this as there are online resources to help and guide students if they are struggling with a question. You might like to ask them to show you what they typically do on a weekly basis.
This weeks Sparx Stars are
- Ethan J - Year 8
- Louie SS - Year 9
- Ryan P - Year 10
Times Tables
At the end of all lessons students stand behind their chairs in silence to prepare for themselves for the next lesson. From September, on a weekly rota, Years 7 and 8 will be reciting their timetables to help embed them in their long term memory.
Week beginning - 30 June 25 - Times table is 12
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning - 30 June 2025 - Period 1
Attendance.
Please may we remind you that absences for increment weather will not be authorised, unless the school is closed.
If your child is absent from school, please ensure you contact school daily either by email/MCAS or by telephoning the attendance line 01476 550333 ext 502. It is vital we are notified everyday of any absence for safeguarding reasons, unless previously authorised. A reason for illness will always be requested, this is to observe attendance patterns and outbreaks of illness amongst students.
Please do not hesitate to contact myself tsandison@charlesreadacademy.co.uk ext 502 to discuss ways to support your child's attendance.
CRA - Lets work together to make every day count!
Leave of absence request
A Principal can only authorise a leave of absence in exceptional circumstances. We will take into account the Government guidance when considering what the exceptional circumstances are- all applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. You may be able to take your child out of school in exceptional circumstances, providing an application is made in advance by the parent/carer, this request complies with Government guidance and the leave is deemed to be ‘exceptional’ by the Principal.
If you take a leave of absence without our permission or if your child fails to return by the agreed date if permission was granted, then this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence and noted in your child’s record. You might also be issued with a fixed penalty notice for this absence. If your child has not returned within 10 days of the expected date of return then, after consultation with the Local Authority, we may take your child off our school roll.
As examples, the following reasons are not considered to be exceptional circumstances:
- availability of cheap holidays
- periods overlapping with beginning or end of term
- visits to family
- renewing passports
Requests for leave of absence will only be considered if made in writing. Please ensure you use the leave of absence request form to do this.
To request a leave of absence, please use this form.
House News.
CRA’s Got Talent
12 acts took to the stage at CRA this week to perform in front of the school, in this years house Talent Show. Students and staff showcased a variety of different talents throughout the competition, from solo singing to comedy sketches to performing in a band. Each house submitted three performances to perform live in front of Mrs King and Mr Webb, who judged this years competition.
Well done to everyone who took part, showcasing amazing CRA Courage and CRA Confidence to get up and perform in front of a live audience. The full results will be revealed during the house champions reveal assembly on Monday 14th July.
CRA’s Sports Day 2025 – Tuesday 8th July
Sports Day this year will be taking place on Tuesday 8th July. House teams have been busy this week selecting students to represent them across the various events running throughout the day. Information has been sent home regarding lunch choices on the day, with the online form needing to be complete and submitted by Wednesday 2nd July.
If you wish to take part and represent your house in this years sports day, make sure you inform both your tutor and Head of House.
The Sporting Post.
PE kit reminder - 2024/2025
The standard PE kit is as follows:
- CRA House PE top (compulsory)
- CRA PE shorts or skorts (compulsory)
- CRA PE Hoodie (compulsory)
- Black socks. These can be purchased from any provider.
- PE track pants / leggings / skins - optional - must be plain navy or black. These can be worn under the CRA PE top, shorts or skorts. These items should have no logos/writing/labels. These can be purchased from any provider.
Sports trainers- These can be purchased from any provider. No fashion trainers.
Girls will take part in hockey and boys will take part in rugby during PE lessons. Gumshields and shinpads are recommended for their safety.
Shinpads will also be needed for girls' and boys' football.
Moulded football boots are also recommended as students can wear these on the 3G artificial surface and grass field.
Please can all students be collected from the BACK of the school when being picked up from after school clubs and fixtures.
Term Dates
Please see the latest term dates for 2024-25
A list of diary events can also be found on the CRA Website by clicking here
Credits:
Created with images by Zarya Maxim - "Sports equipment has fallen down in a heap" • Siamkeepsake - "Implementing business policies and procedures strategy" • Michael Möller - " 9. July 2025" • bablab - "Reflect word written with wood type blocks" • Riad Seif - jarma - "laufbahn sport eins bis sechs" • patpitchaya - "Mathematics" • Naypong Studio - "Sports Equipment on white background" • tatomm - "close up of calendar on the yellow table background, planning for business meeting or travel planning concept"