SLT Update
We are really proud to share with you the fantastic news that Charles Read Academy is no.1 secondary school in Lincolnshire according to the Fairer Schools Index and 55th nationally. This is an amazing achievement and one our whole school community has contributed to, including you as our families, supporting CRA and your child(ren) in being the best version of themselves and making the most out of their education, so thank you!
Please click this link for the full article.
Miss King, Head of School
CRA Character
This week our Year 9 students visited Anglia Ruskin University's Peterborough campus for a taster day of university study and student life. As well as demonstrating aspiration in abundance in their approach to the activities offered to them, the university staff and students remarked on what wonderful ambassadors for the Charles Read community our Year 9 students were on the day.
Why We Do What We Do
At CRA we run contextual drop down sessions where we respond to a need we have seen in the academy or that we have become aware of in the local area or a TikTok phenomenon for example that has affected our cohort. One of the areas that we have focused on is online safety and who to talk to if you have a problem or need someone to talk to. As part of this we also include our Teen Support article in the newsletter and Table Talk which may share information such as that below and encourage parents to discuss it with their students. We also buy in experts within the areas such as Sexual health as we believe that young people need the opportunity to have the knowledge, understanding and capacity to make informed, healthy decisions about their sexual health.
Every child will develop in their own way. During their teenage years most children will go through puberty, start to have sexual feelings, form different types of relationships and look for sexual experiences. As a parent, it can feel uncomfortable to think about this and to know how to help. Teens get information and ideas about sex and relationships from the media, social media and friends. Teens might find it too awkward or embarrassing to ask their parents questions and often go online to explore and express their sexual identities. The internet helps young people socialise, make friends and learn, but it also exposes them to risks. Teens can feel pressured to share sexual pictures online, receive explicit messages from strangers and peers, or have sexual interactions through live streaming platforms.
Things to think about
✓ Teenagers develop at different rates and typically continue to grow in maturity into young adulthood. Young people are still learning how their words and actions affect others.
✓ Girls in particular often experience sexual harassment or bullying, including at school, when socialising, or online from strangers or peers.
✓ Young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ might also be at higher risk of online and offline sexual harassment.
✓ Young people with disabilities are more likely to experience higher levels of sexual harassment and abuse, both online and offline.
✓ It is a parent’s role to support their children’s development, including sexual development, and to keep them safe from harm. Part of this is to notice and challenge any abusive behaviour and the unhelpful attitudes that lead to this, for example victim blaming.
Table Talk
At school we regularly talk about British values and individual liberty is a topic students enjoy discussing.
Individual liberty is one of the British values alongside democracy, the rule of law, , mutual respect, and tolerance. Individual Liberty: Supporting the freedom of individuals to enjoy their personal rights and freedoms without infringing on the rights of others. It would be great if you could engineer conversations with your children about having rights while respecting the rights of others. Even putting this to the test by engaging in conversations where typically different generations have different view points. Some topics might be;
✓ Value of social media
✓ How long should teenagers spend on line per day
✓ Should U16s have a smart phone
✓ What is a reasonable amount of pocket money per week.
Having one opinion while listening and accepting that someone has another opinion is a very mature attitude and will stand students in good stead for adulthood
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 - 20 January 2025 - Times table is 11
Accelerated Reading
Week beginning - 20 January 2025 - Period 2
Attendance
Attendance – Term 3, Week 3.
Year 8 have ended the week in first place for overall attendance, well done year 8. Year 9 finish in 5th place.
The boys have had another great week beating the girls to 1st place beating the girls by a very small %. Come on girls, lets see if we can pull it back next week!
Aqua have finished first with the highest overall attendance this week, beating Caeli by 1.3%, well-done Aqua! Special mention for Terra 8 who have achieved 99.4%, excellent effort.
Monday has seen our highest percentage of absence this week, please let me know if you begin to see a pattern in your child’s attendance. Missing just one day can have an impact on students learning experiences and outcomes.
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 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!
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.
Mrs Coleman - Attendance Manager
House News.
House Darts
Darts has been the topic of conversation in recent weeks following the of teenage sensation Luke Littler at the World Championship Darts. Due to the success of last years house darts competition and the increase in popularity we are excited to once again have included our very own house darts competitions which take place at break and lunchtime on Tuesday and Wednesday next week. On Tuesday students and staff will have the opportunity at the ‘closest to the bull’ competition followed by a ‘highest three dart throw’ competition on Wednesday. There is no sign up needed and it is open to all students and staff.
House Table Tennis Competition
House Table Tennis got underway this week at CRA with a number of excellent matches between all three house teams. KS3 kicked off the competition on Wednesday, however the KS4 competition has been rescheduled for Monday 20th January. Year 9, year 10 and year 11 students are still to play before being able to determine this years house table tennis champions.
CRA House New Year Cup – ‘Race Down Under’
The 2025 CRA House New Year Cup is well underway with entries flying in from students, staff and family members. We are looking forward to receiving lots more entries this weekend!
This year house teams are going head to head in a virtual ‘Race Down Under’ from Brisbane to Perth in Australia. Our challenge as a CRA community is to complete 4,949km this term, the equivalent distance of Brisbane to Perth via Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The house with the furthest distance (km) contribution will be crowned champions. The latest house distances will be revealed in whole school assembly on Monday.
The ‘Race Down Under’ will take place throughout this term with the deadline for entries on Friday 14th February. The competition is open to all students, staff and wider families (Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles & Cousins) who can all play their part and support your house in reaching the goal.
Each entrant can send in a maximum of one entry per day but must be supported with a screenshot of your distance from an app such as ‘Strava’. All we need is the distance in KM. Please note that this is not your full days total and must be one exercise.
We are accepting all entries backdated to January 1st 2025 emailed to – housechampionship@charlesreadacademy.co.uk
Swimarathan
We are excited to be taking part in the annual Rotary Club Swimarathon again this year. We have been allocated 1 lane at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre on Sunday 9th February at 8.30am.
We currently have 6-8 places available for CRA students to participate
If your child is interested, please complete the online form to register their interest and to confirm your child can swim no later than Wednesday 15th January - https://forms.gle/Tx2j2rgH51pA4rxn6
Numerous businesses and organisations across the local area have been organising teams to participate in this event and have been fundraising to support local businesses in the area.
As a team students will complete a 50-minute continuous relay style swim of the pool (25m length). It is not a race.
Once you have registered your interest and availability on the day, we will provide you with further information.
Please note that your child must be able to swim 25m unaided to be able to participate. A declaration will have to be signed by the parents before participation.
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 Kakabe - "A glowing digital padlock in a dark environment symbolizes cybersecurity and data protection ideal for illustrating IT security concepts, online safety, or encryption technology," • STOATPHOTO - "human rights Concept. Chart with keywords and icons. The meeting at the white office table" • PX Media - "Help, support, advice, guidance signpost." • MrPreecha - "Swimming in the pool." • 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"