Senior Leadership Team Update
With World Book Day being Thursday 7th March, in whole school assembly Monday, it was really interesting to hear from our staff about their favourite books. One of our teachers, Mr Aram, spoke about two books, one being 'Quiet' by Susan Cain. This book is about those of us who are naturally quiet and how important their voice is. At CRA, everyone's voice matters and we are always looking at ways of harnessing all our students' voices and opinions. Might be one to add to the reading list to try!
Important dates to remember
- 13th March 2024 - Year 9 Parents Evening
- 14th March 2024 - Friendship afternoon for year 7 intake 2024
- 19th/20th March 2024 - Matilda Performance
- 20th March 2024 - Year 7 trip to Nottingham university
- 26th March 2024 - SEN coffee morning
- 28th March 2024 - Break up for Easter holidays
- 15th April 2024 -All students return for term 5
- 18th April 2024 - London trip to Swan Lake
- 28th June 2024 - Year 11 Prom
- 2nd July 2024 - Transition day
- 10th July 2024 - Year 5 open evening
Feeling ill at school
To support our students not missing their valuable learning time, we have introduced a new system for monitoring a student if they feel unwell. This does not include if they are injured at school and require first aid.
If a student informs a teacher that they are not feeling well, their teacher will monitor them for 10 minutes and check they have had some water, eaten etc. After 10 minutes, if they are still feeling poorly, they will be sent to reception where their symptoms and details will be logged in our comfort book. At this point they can take some paracetamol if they have some in school. They will then be issued with a monitoring card and sent back to lessons. They will give this to their teacher who will continue to monitor them and sign the card at the end of the lesson. The student will then go to their next lesson and give their monitoring card to their next teacher. They will continue to be monitored and if there is no improvement throughout the day after a break and an opportunity to get some food and some fresh air, they will go to reception to check back in and a decision will be made by key staff including the attendance team and SLT, as to whether they need to be sent home. This will hopefully reduce students going home if they are just feeling a little under the weather and build their resilience, one of our CRA values that is so important for life beyond CRA as well.
Year 11
To celebrate the end of the GCSE examinations, we will be holding the year 11 Prom on the evening of the 28th June 2024. We hope that all year 11 students will come and enjoy themselves. Further information and ticket sales will follow soon.
In addition to Prom, we will be inviting students to purchase leavers hoodies and we will shortly be asking students for their order details and payments will only be accepted via MCAS. We will advise in due course when the payment amount has been agreed and set up for parents to view.
Year 11 Focus
Mock Exams
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Year 11's on how well they have performed so far during the mock examinations. Students' behaviour, attitude and organisation has been excellent.
We have now completed two weeks of the examination period, with just a few exams remaining next week. A reminder that this is the last opportunity for teachers to assess under exam conditions prior to the formal GCSEs beginning, please can I ask that parents support students with their continued revision at home over the weekend and throughout the remainder of exams.
Mock Exam Results Day
Following the mock examinations we will be running a mock results day, similar to the previous set of mock exams, where students will receive all of their grades at once to mirror how it will be in the Summer. This will take place on Tuesday 26th March during the Year 11 assembly. This is an opportunity to prepare students for that event but also to motivate them to achieve further success between now and the Summer exam series.
Why We Do What We Do
Over the next 6 weeks we will be sharing different aspects of our Houseopoly boards which feature in all our tutor rooms.
Week 4
The universities around the edge are all universities our staff have been to. At the top here you can see the Royal Academy of Art, the University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and Cardiff University. We are always aspirational for our students and like to regularly share the message that university is a possibility for many.
Duke Of Edinburgh
Duke Of Edinburgh award has now been launched to our year 9 students we have already had some students sign up and many more students interested. We have managed to obtain funding towards the enrollment fee, reducing the cost to £10. if your child is really interested in taking part in this amazing scheme and there is an issue with raising the funds for your child to take part please contact Mr Rollin, the DofE manager as there is funding available so everyone that is eligible can take part.
CRA Character
It was really lovely to celebrate Alfie in Year 11 this term and his hard work in changing his mindset, using one of the 7 C's of Resilience - choice not chance, to shape his future. Here is his interview:
Executive Principal’s Resilience Award Term 3
For demonstrating the 7 Cs of Resilience – Choice not Chance
What do you feel you have done to deserve this award?
Personally, I think how I have changed my behaviour has impacted on my resilience. I rarely get warns now, whereas in Year 8 and 9 I was always in IE or detention. I decided to make this change as my behaviour was getting in the way of my education and I was missing out. I want good grades so I can have a better future.
What does the award mean to you?
I was very surprised but it gave me hope as whilst I was trying to change I wasn’t sure if I was doing well at changing and this award shows that it has worked. It made me happy and showed me how much I have progressed.
What would you say to someone who struggles to be resilient?
I would say get rid of all the negatives in your life that you can physically change. Get the negative thoughts out and look at those closest to you and how they impact on you. Surround yourself with positive people who make you happy. A positive mindset and positive outlook means you are calm and peaceful and able to focus on what’s important to you.
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 commencing 11th March 2024 - 11
Accelerated Reading
Week commencing 11th March 2024 - Period 5
Teen Support..
If you are aged 11 to 25 and are experiencing domestic abuse at home or are in an unhealthy relationship there is support available for you via text, email, and chatbot:
Table Talk
International Women’s Day March 8th
It was International Women’s Day on March 8th. Why is International Women’s Day important today? We are so fortunate to live in a time and place where everyone can receive education, express their thoughts and opinions and work in any job they desire. However, even now, we still have work to do in the fight for gender equality and people still face gender stereotyping. Even though huge changes have been made, women are still the minority in leadership roles and make less money than men on the whole and stereotyping is still very present in our society today. You might have experienced this yourself or have been told that you can’t or shouldn’t do certain things because of your gender. Phrases like ‘man up’ or ‘boys don’t cry’ or ‘you throw like a girl’ are examples of stereotyping which you can challenge or educate others on why phrases like this can be harmful. Everyone can be athletic, strong or emotional and pursue any hobby or career regardless of their gender and it is important to carry on calling out gender inequality and stereotypical behaviour. So how could you celebrate women and their achievements? Who are the women in your life that inspire you or women role models that you might look up to? This International Women’s Day, the theme is #BreakTheBias. There might be a time where you have faced bias or discrimination yourself. Think about how this made you feel and what you wish would have been different. What could you do going forward to help #BreakTheBias? It could be simply calling out or educating others on gender equality or having discussions with friends and family members.
If your are able please take some time to discuss stereo typing with your son and daughter and ask them to think about how it could impact them and reflect on whether they use stereotypes.
Attendance..
Attendance – Term 4, Week 3
Year 7 have achieved 1st place with a top attendance score beating all the other year groups, well done Year 7, great effort.
The girls have had another great week beating the boys to 1st place by a fantastic 4%.
Caeli have finished first with the highest overall attendance this week, beating Terra and Aqua by a healthy 4%, well-done Caeli! Special mention for Terra 11 who have achieved 100%.
Monday has seen our highest percentage of absence this week, missing just one day can have an impact on students learning experiences and outcomes.
Well done to the following students how have shown great resilience with their attendance
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 kcoleman@charlesreadacademy.co.uk on 01476 550333 ext 515 or tsandison@charlesreadacademy.co.uk ext 502 to discuss ways to support your child's attendance.
CRA - Lets work together to make every day count!
Mrs Coleman - Attendance Manager
House News
Term 4 Mystery House Competition
We are extremely excited to reveal the term 4 mystery house competition. Due to popular demand, next we will be holding a house darts competition on the main stage.
The competition will be split across two days with a ‘Closest to the Bull’ competition on Thursday 14th March and a ‘Doubles Matchplay’ competition on Friday 15th March.
This is open to all students across each year group and staff.
125 house points are available for this competition.
House Photography Competition
This year’s house photography competition is underway. The theme this year is ‘Nature’ with the competition open to all students, staff and wider families.
We have received some excellent entries already.
Each person is able to send in a maximum of five photos.
Photos to be sent to housechampionship@charlesreadacademy.co.uk
The deadline for entries is Friday 12th April.
Term 4 Competitions
Term 4 offers an array of different house competitions to get involved in. 2000 points will be available throughout the term with competitions including Gardening, Photography, Table Tennis, Wii Sports and Bullseye Quiz. We will also be revealing this terms Mystery House Competition next week which promises to be popular. This terms academic competition, worth 500 points is the house most improved attitude to learning (ATL).
The Sporting Post
Please can all students be collected from the BACK of the school when being picked up from after school clubs and fixtures.
Sports Kit
Please can any borrowed sports kit be returned as soon as possible. We have trainers, hoodies, netball dresses and football kit (shirts, shorts and socks) that have not been returned. This means that students are unable to also borrow these items for fixtures and limits teams when wanting to wear a full, matching kit.
Term Dates
Please see the latest term dates for 2022-23.
A list of diary events can also be found on the CRA Website by clicking here