Senior Leadership Team Update
Welcome back to a new term! We have loved welcoming our students back after the Easter break. We try to make it as easy as possible to be ‘good’ at KEVI so in assemblies and at roll calls we have taken the time to explain and overexplain our rules and routines. Everything we do can be traced back to our three golden rules: Be Safe; Be Ready; Be Respectful.
We’d also like to take a moment to remind everyone of our uniform expectations which are found here: King Edward VI Academy - Uniform
We know that our high standards are an important reason why many families trust us with the education of their children. We’d like to draw attention to four points:
- 1. Students are representing the school on their journey to and from school so our uniform expectations also apply at these times. The reputation of the school matters to all of us and if students are not following our rules when in public it brings the school into disrepute.
- 2. We introduced a new KEVI skirt in September 2022. The new KEVI skirt is pleated, falls below the knee and can only be purchased from Nationwide School Uniforms. To ensure that nobody was forced to purchase a new skirt we said that, as long as they fall within 5cm of the knee, students in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 can continue to be wear their old skirt until July 2023. Some students have skirts that no longer fall within 5cm of the knee and, therefore, it is time to either purchase a new KEVI skirt or trousers.
- 3. Hair is not permitted to be less than a grade two and is to be of a natural colour.
- 4. Any make-up worn is to be subtle and with a natural look.
We always aim for absolute consistency because the fairest way is to ensure the rules are always applied to everyone at all times. If we make exceptions, that means some students feel unfairly treated. Please play your part in this mission by supporting your child to meet our expectations.
Finally, we’d like to thank all staff and students who attended school over Easter to prepare for the examinations which start next month. Holiday time is precious but it was encouraging to see so many people making an investment of time to help secure the best results possible. Please do look at the Year 11 section to see the latest information about Saturday Schools.
Have a lovely weekend
Mrs S Jones - Executive Principal & Mr M Wilkinson - Acting Head of School
Strike Action: The next strike day is the 27th April 2023. Due to staffing levels the academy will be open for years 11 and 13 only.
You will have all heard in the media about teacher strike action. The strikes are happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government over teachers’ pay and not because of any local issues at our academy.
The Big Help Out
To mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation thousands of organisations across the country are getting together to give us all the chance to help out in our own local communities. Starting on Monday 8th May there will be opportunities for everyone to join in. No matter what you are good at, there’ll be something to suit helping hands of all shapes and sizes! From checking in on someone who’d like a bit of company or volunteering for a charity the more of us who join in, the bigger help we will be.
If you can spare an hour…fantastic. The day?…amazing. If it becomes a regular thing, so much the better. If we all do a bit, it will really help a lot.
From rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to joining some of the UK’s best-known national charities - Monday May 8th will be your chance to get involved. Many of our best-known charities are already signed up and we’re looking for thousands more to join, whether you’re national or just in one area. All you need to do is download the Big Help Out app and search for events in your local area The Big Help Out
Values: Courage
Here at KEVI we often talk about how we should do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. We should guard against being motivated to do the right thing to avoid negative consequences or to gain rewards. We do the right thing because it is the right thing.
Sometimes doing the right thing is easy, clear and simple. Sometimes, however, doing the right thing isn’t easy and it can require courage. This might be because it is unpopular with friends or because it requires us to change a habit.
Sometimes doing the right thing is not limited to what we are doing, but also what you are not doing. If you see someone getting bullied by other children, or being left out at school, should you walk away and ignore it? Or should you stand up for what is right and help those in need? It can be difficult to do the right thing, especially when it means standing up and saying no to friends or classmates. This requires courage.
Why we do what we do -Academy Rationale
Teaching and Learning
Principle 8 in our Why we teach the way we do series.
8. Provide scaffolding for difficult tasks
When introducing students to more complex material, Rosenshine suggests utilising scaffolding in lessons. Scaffolding is when teachers facilitate students’ gradual mastery of a concept or skill by gradually reducing teacher assistance. There is a shift of responsibility over the learning process from the teacher to the student. The temporary support it provides helps students reach higher levels of skill acquisition and comprehension that would have not been possible without assistance.
Our staff use scaffolding effectively in the classroom by:
- Asking students questions to check for understanding
- Using prompts such as “why” and “how” to help with retrieval
- Breaking a big task into smaller sections
- Proving students with worked examples or checklists they can refer to
Year 11 Update
All of our Year 11 students were given a blank revision timetable this week so that they can plan the final preparations for the examinations which start next month. Please ask your child to see their revision timetable and support them to stick to it. Everyone should be doing a minimum of two hours revision every evening, with more at the weekend.
We are very pleased to be offering Saturday School again to support students to achieve the best results possible. This week, Saturday 22nd April, we are offering Performing Arts and DT at the earlier time of 9am – 11am. Please use the following link to sign up: LINK
We are currently planning the following sessions over the coming weeks:
House News
This term we have new exciting events to look forward to!
Charity Fundraising
Kicking the competitions off we have Charity Fundraising. As a house we need to decide what our house charity will be. Each tutor group must decide on a local charity they want the house to raise money for.
As a tutor group, students must create a PowerPoint presentation explaining why you want to raise money for this charity and what the charity does. Three or four students must present this presentation in their house assembly the week commencing the 8th of May. The presentations will be judged. The best presentation will win and house points will be awarded.
House Pursuit
We have House Pursuit which will be played on a Nintendo Switch. Each house will create a team to compete for the House Pursuit title. Teams will consist of one student from year 7, 8, 9 and 10. Students may come along to support their house.
Rounders
House Rounders begins in a few weeks time. Each house will play against the others in order to gains the house points available for Rounders. Nine students need to volunteer to be in the team. Fingers crossed for some warm sunny weather to enjoy the competition in.
House Sudoku
The Maths Department are excited to teach our students how to complete a Sudoku this term. Students will then be given a certain time to complete it. All the completed Sudoku will be collected checked and then the house with the highest amount completed wins!
Miss C Eyre - Games Master
Homework
Self-quizzing has restarted this week – the timetable is on the website in the homework section. There has been an issue in printing this term’s knowledge organisers so if your child has yet to receive Term Five’s please continue to use last term’s. If your child is in Year 10 or 11 they are welcome to use a revision guide if they are waiting for the new knowledge organisers.
Thank you for your continued support with this.
Mrs K Milligan - Assistant Principal
Cultural Experiences
Gabrieli Roar Residential: Friday 21st July - Wednesday 26th July
Our partnership with Gabrieli Roar and conductor Paul McCreesh has led to extraordinary performing opportunities for DRET students in recent years, including performing Mendelssohn's Elijah in Ely Cathedral last July, Haydn’s Creation in Ely Cathedral in November 2021, Praetorius’s Mass for Christmas morning in St John’s Smith Square in December 2019 (also recorded for worldwide distribution in December 2020), and – most memorably – a residential course, concert and recording of An English Coronation in Ely Cathedral in July 2018.
So many who took part in the courses last July, and in 2018, have described the experience as life-changing. We’re thrilled, therefore, that DRET students have been invited to go on a similar course this July, immediately after the end of the summer term, which will focus on a large-scale performance of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius in Ely Cathedral. The course will take place at New Hall School in Chelmsford, with accommodation and food provided.
To take part on this course as an individual would cost £250 (https://www.gabrieli.com/roar/angels-devils-2023/); however, going as part of DRET will cost £150 per person, which also includes coach transport to and from Chelmsford and Ely. Effectively, this is £25 per day. Should further subsidy be required, please let us know on the Google Form – we will make sure that every student who wants to take part can do so.
We have spaces for up to 45 DRET students and are looking for those students who enjoy singing and love new challenges to apply. I know that those who have taken part in previous Gabrieli Roar events will be very keen – with the added bonus that they will get another Gabrieli Roar T-shirt!
If you would like to take part, please could you complete the initial consent form here https://forms.gle/k1p5EnJRUhAxFfTT9 by Thursday 27th April at the latest? This is an expression of interest at this stage and is not binding; once we have received completed forms, we will be in touch with further information.
Mr S Toyne
DRET Executive Director of Music
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 ........
KEVI Careers Support
Attendance
Attendance was 91.2% which is a huge improvement on the same period last year as this was 89.4%. Keep up the good work!
Well done to Year 7 who are leading the way.
House Attendance
It’s a close race at the moment with Apollo and Minerva tied at 92% and Arete and Mercury tied at 91%.
If you would like to discuss your child’s attendance or need any support with attendance, then please contact Mrs Kwee or Mrs Ziller on 01790 753 260 or tkwee@kingedwardacademy.co.uk to discuss ways to support your child's attendance.
Mrs T Kwee Attendance Manager
Table Talk
The theme of our house assembly next week is ambition and aspiration.
Heraclitus was an ancient Greek philosopher, however his words are just as true today. Perhaps over dinner you could discuss what your ambitions were as a youngster and maybe highlight the pitfalls and issues you had to overcome to achieve your ambitions. Also discuss with your children what their ambitions are and help them to develop a plan of achieving them.
Mr A Carrington - Vice Principal
Gino's Update
Price List – April 2023
Breakfast
- Bacon roll 95p
- Sausage bap (Wed only) 95p
- Large bacon roll £1.35
- Fruit – piece or small pot 40p
- Toasted teacake 50p
- Yogurt 45p
Break
- Bacon roll 95p
- Sausage bap 95p
- Large bacon roll £1.35
- Pizza slice 95p
- Toasted sandwich £1.35
- Cheese & ham bagel £1.35
- Toasted crumpet 40p
- Toasted teacake 50p
Break & Lunch
- Salad box £1.80
- Baguettes (small) £1.20
- Baguettes (large) £1.70
- Sandwiches £1.35
- Large roll £1.35
- Small roll 95p
- Tortilla wrap £1.60
- Crusty bread roll 30p
- Fruit – piece or small pot 40p
- Yogurt 45p
- Condiment sachet 10p
Lunch
- Main meal with 2 sides £2.10
- Vegetarian main meal with 2 sides £2.10
- Meal deal (meal, cake/dessert or small drink) £2.40
- Pasta pot £1.65
- Stir fry pots £1.65
- Curry, rice & naan bread pot £2.10
- Panini £1.40
- Pizza 95p
- Jacket potato with filling £1.70
- Cake/Cookie 60p
- Hot pudding 65p
Drinks (Breakfast, Break & Lunch)
- Fruit juice carton 65p
- Flavoured milk carton 65p
- Semi skimmed milk carton 65p
- Radnors fizz bottles 70p
- Large bottles water 80p
- Large bottles flavoured water 90p
- Yazoo milkshake £1.00
Angela Clark - Catering Manageress
Teen Support
About 7% of UK children have attempted suicide by age of 17
This is an alarming fact and one that we should all be concerned about. Our staff this week have received training on suicide ideation (the thought of suicide) as this problem increases year on year. The pandemic did not help the situation and hit many people including children hard in terms of mental health. On Wednesday all students received PSHCE support on self care to give them strategies to cope with issues around mental health
If you are a young person in the UK struggling with your mental health, advice and support is available on the YoungMinds website, including information about how to get help. For urgent support, contact the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger by texting YM to 85258. YoungMinds’ free helpline for parents is on 0808 802 5544 from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Another fantastic source of support is Papyrus. PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. We believe that suicide is preventable.
PAPYRUS was founded in 1997 by a group of bereaved parents, who had each lost children to suicide. Our founding parents shared core beliefs that suicide is preventable, and that those of us with lived experience of suicide have a valuable and unique contribution to make to the wider conversation around suicide. Papyrus
Times Tables
Years 7 and 8 will be reciting their times tables to help embed them in their long term memory.
At the end of each lesson, they will stand behind their chairs in silence, preparing for themselves for the next lesson and just before they leave the whole class will chant the timetables assigned for that week.
Week commencing 24/04/2023 - we will be chanting our 9 times table
Miss H Johnson - Head of Maths
Accelerated Reader
KEVI20 WC24.04.203 lesson 2
It was wonderful for English teachers to catch up with all students in Year 7, 8 and 9 to discuss the reading they did over the Easter holiday. There is generally huge enthusiasm for reading as more and more students complete books with increasing speed.
Please encourage your child to complete their reading book and to take a quiz on it, especially if they have not yet taken a book quiz. We will soon start celebrating the hundreds of thousands of words our students have read: some students are on their way to a million words read since January!
KEVI Library books are part of the 180,000 books which have Accelerated Reader quizzes linked to them. Should your child wish to read a book from home, you can check to see if it has an Accelerated Reader quiz linked to it by visiting www.arbookfind.co.uk.
The Library is open at 8:30am, breaktime and lunchtime every day.
Ms K Davis - Head of English Department
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