Dear Parent/Carer

Year 11 parents’ evening is to be held at the Academy on Thursday 23^rd January 2020.  The evening will provide the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress towards their summer examinations and discuss any concerns you may have.

You should book appointments to see staff using our online booking system.

Please follow the instructions below to make your appointments with staff you wish to see.  Appointment slots are available from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.  If you are unable to attend the evening during these times, or have difficulty with the booking system, please contact Mr Beckett who will be able to assist you.

The booking system will be open from 3.00pm on 8^th January 2020. Appointments can be cancelled or re-booked until 2.00pm on Thursday 23^rd January 2020.

Online booking system instructions:

1. Click here to view our online booking system
2. Enter your details and confirm your email address (This needs to be active as it will email you a confirmation of bookings).
3. Enter your child’s details (First, Last name and Date of birth), then click on ‘accept and continue’
4. Select the ‘Year 11 parents evening’.
5. Tick the teacher for your child.  Check the appropriate boxes for all children if you have more than one child to book appointments for.
6. Select the timeslot and click book.
7. Once booked please click ‘add appointment’ to accept.  You will then have the option, if required, to leave a message for the teacher to view in advance of the evening.
8. The booking is now complete.  You can close down your browser. You will receive an email confirming your bookings.

Yours faithfully

Mr A Landers

Principal

Mr Landers, Principal:  Last week we had the pleasure this week of welcoming our ex pupils back to the academy for our annual celebration of success evening. It was fantastic to hear all the positive comments about the colleges they are now going to and the courses they are studying. Feedback from Mrs Turton shows that all of last year’s learners have progressed into college or employment opportunities with training which is an amazing achievement. It was also pleasing to be able to tell our ex students that they had contributed to us becoming the second most improved school in Dudley in terms of their English and mathematics results. The challenge for our current year groups is to do even better.

As we approach Christmas, there is a buzz around the academy with all the exciting activities we have planned. This includes our Year 7 Pantomime trip to the Wolverhampton Grand, our Year 7 and 8 Reward Disco and Christmas Jumper Day. The term will finish with our Celebration Assembly on the 20th December.

This term we have been also having a real push on our use of social media particularly Facebook and Twitter.  This is a great way to stay up to date with academy events, good news stories and exceptional work by our students.  I urge you to download the relevant apps and like/follow us.

Once again thank you for your support this term.

Miss Griffiths, Assistant Principal:  Anti-bullying week took place 11th - 15th November.  The theme for 2019 was ‘Change Starts With Us’.  Odd Socks Day was designed to be fun. It was an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique!

Our learners and staff came to the Academy wearing odd socks to show their support. Thank you to learners and staff who took part.

Mrs Alam, L4L Lead:  Year 8 have been studying the 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' in their L4L lessons and as part of this modelled their learning of geography by building and erupting volcanoes. This demonstrated their team building skills as well as their geographical knowledge.

Mr Landers, Principal:  We start this half term on really positive news that when we compare our results in English and mathematics for 2019 with other Dudley schools we are the second most improved school in the authority with results higher than many of the other schools locally. This is validation that what we are doing here at the academy is beginning to show real impact although there is still much to do.

Myself and my team have been out and about around the academy celebrating success through our new ‘Applause on the Doors’ initiative.  It’s been a pleasure to acknowledge the work of our pupils including fantastic grades in GCSE practice assessments, year 7 solar system models and Year 8 volcano modelling. It’s also really pleasing to see so many students now beginning to use our after school homework club and Year 11 after school sessions.

We have also been working hard this term to improve our communication with parents through our use of social media. We urge you to follow/like us on both Twitter and Facebook to receive up to date news and to help us celebrate success and the fantastic things that are going on here at the academy. So far this year we have been able to tweet/post about recent careers events, charity work, Year 11 successes, Open evening, L4L homework tasks, sporting events and work within the arts just to name a few.

In order to continue to drive up standards in the Academy, we are placing a real focus on effort and uniform. These details have been shared with all learners by their form tutor which includes information about coats, jewellery, equipment and uniform. All information about this can be found in your child's planner or by clicking here.

May I take this opportunity to remind you that skirts worn should reach at least to the knee at all times, including when walking (it is not acceptable for the skirt to only be the right length if the learner has to pull it down). Also nose studs of any kind, including clear plastic ones, are not acceptable and as the weather gets colder hooded tops are not a replacement for a coat or blazer.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child's pastoral learning manager if you require any further information on 01384 253722

Year 7 - Miss Rawlings
Year 8 - Mrs Dennis
Year 9 - Miss Macefield
Year 10 - Mr Willis
Year 11 - Mr Beckett