Principal's Update
This week started with a wonderful assembly given by Alex Green, one of DRET’s Sports Enrichment Managers and students who are part of the Table Tennis Academy. He celebrated our table tennis scholars and their recent successes but reminded all students and staff that our goals and targets usually aren’t reached without hard work and effort. He talked about the importance of resilience in sport and how we need to take the lessons learnt as a sportsman or women into our daily lives.
We are very proud of the hard work and commitment Mr Green, the table tennis coaches, and all the scholars all demonstrate on a weekly basis and wish Adam and Joe all the best for the Senior Schools International Championships. The event is taking place in Scotland at the end of June.
With only 12 days left to the first GCSE exam, once again we have been talking to year 11 about the importance of revising but equally about getting the balance right so they get some relaxation time. We do expect that students will be revising for two hours an evening now, this includes any homework they have as this will be focused on revision, supplementing this with more time at the weekend, but planning in time for relaxation and/or a hobby.
Students have received their exam timetable and we would appreciate you displaying it in a prominent place, so you are aware which exam is coming up, and are able to support your son/daughter with their planning and devising a new revision timetable.
Just a reminder that it is bank holiday on Monday so a four-day school week.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Mrs Jones - Principal
CRA Values
In whole school assembly this week we were very lucky to welcome Alex Green from DRET and some of our wonderful table tennis academy stars. Alex spoke about the successes and challenges our students face and the resilience they have to show not only in their daily training, but when facing tough competition. It was fantastic to see them play on stage and the confidence and courage they exude.
We are all very proud of them - Ben, Adam, Joseph and Vel. It was also great to hear about some of our alumni and their aspirations being realised, with ex-students playing now full time for international teams in Portugal, Germany and all over Europe
Homework
Students in Yr8-11 have all received their Summer Term prep homework packs which included knowledge organisers and timetables. On Wednesday Yr7 received theirs. Students in Yr10 and Yr11 may also be required to use their revision guides for Prep and/ or KS4 additional homework.
These packs remain with students so that they are easily accessible at home for students to use and should families wish to support their child. Additionally, the timetables and knowledge organisers are all available on the website.
Homework Club runs every lunchtime in G7 where students have access to laptops and a teacher for additional support. This is voluntary and students can bring their friends and eat their lunch. Homework Club is also used for those students who fall behind with homework and as such those who receive 3 or more Prep detentions in one week will attend Homework Club for 5 lunchtimes to get back on track.
We thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Cooper - Whole School Teaching & Learning Lead
Thinking Ahead – My Future, My Choice
Attention Year 8 & Year 9!
- What are your future plans & career possibilities?
- What plans to do you have after you have completed your GCSEs?
- Do you plan to go on to further/higher education? If so what courses might you study?
- What career ideas do you have for the future at the moment?
In year 7, 8 and 9 you will be learning new skills and knowledge that will give you the confidence to help you plan your next steps. This process starts with your careers education in school which will encourage you to think about your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. You will also start to make some important decisions that could influence your future career path as you will be choosing your subjects to study for GCSE. This process will begin for all Year 9 students early next year.
Each week we will show you examples of the various careers linked to the subject you are studying. This week’s career idea is ‘Jobs related to Science'
Mr Rees - Careers' Support
Attendance
This week we have been celebrating some excellent attendance at the Academy after the Easter break.
Terra are leading the attendance percentage overall this week, narrowly beating Caeli, well done Terra. Year 9 have had a good week, the highest year group attendance with 94.2%, closely followed by Year 10 with 93.8%.
Well done to all the tutor groups who have had 100% tutor group attendance this week, fantastic! We have hit the target 20 times this week across all tutor groups – amazing!!!
Look out for some attendance competitions and incentives, Mrs Coleman is keen to set targets and work with students who may struggle on certain days, currently Fridays are our highest % absence, let’s work together to recognise any patterns or avoidance to attend school.
Please do not hesitate to contact me on 01476 550333 ext 502 or kcoleman@charlesreadacademy.co.uk to discuss ways to support your child's attendance.
CRA - Lets work together to make every day count!
Mrs Coleman - Attendance Manager
House News
Terra Top Totaliser
Following another action packed term of house competitions Terra were able to hold of valiant efforts from both Caeli and Aqua to maintain their 300 point gap at the top of the house championship leaderboard.
Despite a healthy advantage there are still over 3,000 house points to play for therefore the race is far from over. A strong term from either Caeli or Aqua would turn the tables.
Term 5 Competitions
Once again we have an exciting term of house competitions lined up with lots of opportunities to get involved. Competitions this term include a mixture of new and old favourites; Gardening, Portrait Artist, Rounders, Bottle Rockets and Deal or No Deal worth a total of 1,500 house points.
Additional house points will be awarded for Attitude to Learning, Attendance, Enrichment Projects with further bonus points awarded through the Houseopoly Boards. Competition details will be released in the lead up to the respective competitions. Ask your Heads of House, Tutor or Games Master for how to get involved.
Please keep an eye on our social media platforms (Twitter and Instagram) - for updates @CRA_HouseChamp
Mr Webb - Games Master
Table Talk
In assembly on Monday, Alex used this quote at the end.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”
Tim Nolke, a high school basketball coach in the USA, wrote this quote .
We would love you to discuss over the dinner table the difference between hard work and talent and what you think Tim Nolke was trying to say with this quote.
Year 11 Focus
Exam season is fast approaching, the first exam takes place on Tuesday the 17th of May. I hope that students are beginning to increase the amount of revision that they are doing at home, please can I ask that parents begin to encourage this more now, gains can still be made from now up until the start of the exams.
Students have been issued with a second exam timetable, they now have two copies. Parents should also have received a copy via MCAS, if you have not, please contact the school via the enquiries email of through reception and once will be sent out to you. Please take the time to sit down with you child and discuss the exam schedule and how they are going to factor in their revision.
Students have a wealth of revision materials at their disposal which has been provided through school, there are also a range of online platforms that students can access, including BBC Bitsize, Seneca Learn and Hegarty maths. Should they require anything else from any subjects please ask them to speak with teaching staff and they will provide more.
Mr Lovatt - Assistant Principal
Year 11 Work Experience Week
27th June until 30th June 2022
Finding a work experience placement can be challenging. Students were reminded before Easter to ask family and friends for ideas and advice. Making speculative enquiries in a professional manner to a business/organisation in person, or via social media, letter etc
It is important for students to have a clear idea (and confirmed by business/organisation) of where they intend to go for work experience very soon..
Mr Rees - Careers' Support
Caterlink Update
Welcome to the April edition of your marketing bulletin. we’re Caterlink, your school caterer. We want to let you know about the great offers, promotions, events and deals we have coming up this month - so, in April we have destination Jamaica, in season: carrot, world health day, and St George’s day! we have meal deals, loyalty cards and product promotions throughout the month.
New Menus
Please click on the link below to see the spring / summer menus for the new term from Caterlink.
What are Free School Meals (FSM) and how to apply
Please see the letter below explaining what FSM is and how to apply to see if you are eligible.
Online Safety
A Date with Dan - 18th May 6:30pm-7:30pm FREE Online Safety Question and Answer event
Online safety can be a bit of a minefield and many of us have lots of questions on how we can not only keep our children and young people safe but also let them enjoy the benefits the online world brings.
Join LCC's resident Online Safety Officer, Dan Hawbrook, on the 18th May 2022 for a special Question and Answer session for parents and carers which will cover whatever YOU want to know – whether it's game ratings, parental controls, bullying or strangers – we will let you ask us those burning questions.
Sign up will be required to access this session. A Date with Dan Tickets, Wed 18 May 2022 at 18:30 using the Eventbrite booking system below.
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 2nd May - 11 times table
Accelerated Reader
Week commencing 2nd May during period 3
The Sporting Post
After school clubs in term 5
Our after school activities have changed for this term...please see below for details.
If students wish to stay on a Wednesday or Thursday students must report to the PE department at 3.15pm and get changed into their kit. They must then be collected by parents/carers at 4.15pm.
Students also have the opportunity to take part in sport at lunchtimes.
Mr Addlesee - Sports Enrichment Officer
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