Principal's Update
We had a lovely remembrance service yesterday which started in school and finished at the memorial in Corby Glen. Staff and students worked together and participated in a range of ways.
Mrs Sharp, Mr Rags and myself performed an arrangement of Schindler’s List, for violin, flute and piano, written by John Williams as a way to start the service and give staff and students an opportunity to be reflective.
As a whole school we joined together to sing, ‘Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag’, singing it with enthusiasm and commitment representing our support for families who had lost loved ones. The song is a marching song that was used to boost soldier morale. This was referenced in the reading that the Head boy shared. In ‘For The Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon, there is a line that says, ‘They went with songs to the battle..’ and ‘There is music midst the desolation’.
A vocal group then sang a beautiful version of John McCrae’s poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’. They worked very hard and a number of staff commented on the poignancy of the performance.
Our site manager Mr Simmons who previously served in the Royal Air Force, spoke to us about the tomb of the unknown warrior and other elements of the armistice.
Our Head girl then read ‘Remember Me’ by Harry Riley which led nicely into a reflection on the importance of Remembrance by Reverend Buckman, who is the Reverend of St. John's church Corby Glen, and our Deputy Chair of governors. His words led many of us to reflect on the purpose of the day and the importance of remembrance throughout our lives.
Students and staff then walked down in silence to the memorial where we recited;
‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn them. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.’
The Last Post signalled the start of the two-minute silence and the reveille signalled the end of it. The students were extremely well behaved and demonstrated the CRA value of respect throughout the service.
I am sure many of you will be attending your own Remembrance services this Sunday. I hope you have a restful weekend.
Mrs Jones - Principal
Catering
In out first half term we hope your children have enjoyed the range of new dishes on offer in the newly branded canteen. The menu remains in place for the next half term and then renewed after Christmas. A link to the menu can be found below.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the catering service at the Academy please dont hesitate to contact us so we can discuss with Caterlink.
Parent Pay
If you need a Parent Pay login so your child can add monies to the payment facility, please contact the office for a username, then follow the notes in the attachment below
Mr Linforth - Academy Operations Manager
Coffee Morning/Meet and Greet the SEN department
Thursday 25th November at 9am
For all parents of children with SEN needs. We would like to invite you to meet with us face-to-face, at the academy, to discuss the various interventions that we offer and introduce you to our team.
The challenges of COVID have not afforded us this opportunity recently and we are keen to welcome you to CRA.
We hope you will leave having an overview of the department, the interventions offered and the ways of working in the classroom
Miss Canny - SENDCo
Home Lateral Flow Testing
When you complete lateral flow tests at home on a Sunday and Wednesday evening, please report the results via these links to both the NHS and also CRA.
If you require further kits, students can collect these from reception.
Did you know that parents and support bubbles of school children, as well as anyone who has to leave home to go to work, can now get rapid Covid-19 tests twice a week. Order yours now here.
Further guidance from the Government and Department of Education in respect of home testing can be found below:
A copy of the risk assessment and privacy policy relating to Lateral Flow Testing can be found on the CRA website.
Mr Linforth - Academy Operations Manager
Homework
Prep homework resumed for Yr7-10 on Monday 8th November. Prep and Additional Homework will resume on Thursday 18th November for Yr11. This means that Yr11 students will need to complete their homework beginning Wednesday 17th ready to show their Tutors during roll call on Thursday 18th November.
As a reminder 2 failed Prep and or Additional Homework in one week will result in detentions at lunch but also an MCAS home. 3 failed Prep and or Additional Homework in one week will also result in detentions at lunch and an MCAS home but also one day in IE.
To further support our students with their homework we now offer a lunch time club whereby students have access to a teacher and a quiet space where they can eat their lunch and concentrate on their Prep Homework and Hegarty Maths.
Homework club is commencing on Monday 7th November at lunch times for all students in G7. This is a 20min session where students can access support and a quiet space to complete their homework if they wish. Please encourage your child to attend if you feel this will support them.
Frequency of homework
On Monday staff will be checking that the homework from Friday, Saturday and Sunday has been completed.
A short video on homework expectations can be found on the CRA website or by clicking below:
Please talk to your child about this new approach to homework and the consequences if they don’t complete it or don’t complete it to a satisfactory standard.
Mrs Cooper - Whole School Teaching & Learning Lead
Humanities Update
Geography
Yr11 students may benefit from watching Tutor2U- Geography AQA sessions directly on their website or through their YouTube Channel. These sessions are broadcast live at 6:30pm on a Thursday but are also available recorded so students can catch up on previous sessions. The next three sessions would provide our Yr11 students with a great opportunity for pre-teaching as they cover the last topic we are about to begin after the mocks:
- Thursday 18th November- Development Gap
- Thursday 25th November- Transnational Corporations
- Thursday 2nd December- UK Post Industrial Economy
Yr7 and Yr8 students will be sitting their KPI1 assessments next week and should be revising from their Knowledge Organisers. Yr7 will then go on to study Natural Resources which will complement their science curriculum and provide the foundation for future topics in geography such as Rivers and Coasts.
Yr8 will go on to study Sustainability which is a huge concept in geography and brings a number of our topics together synoptically.
Finally Yr9 will go on to study Africa where we will hear from a range of black person voices and tackle the many misconceptions that circulate about this dynamic and diverse continent. All KS3 students will be issued with new Knowledge Organisers where appropriate.
Mrs Cooper - Head of Humanities
CRA Values
Respect was the CRA value we saw a lot of this Thursday during our Remembrance Day service. Our students represented both CRA and the services they are part of in their uniform and wore them with pride.
Our whole school community walked to the war memorial in silence, showing respect for the occasion and all those impacted by the war, using the walk as a period of reflection on their own lives as well as those of others. The Reverend Buckman, one of our school governors along with our Head Boy and Head Girl respectfully laid our CRA poppy wreath at the memorial.
Uniform expectations
It is vital that we ensure everyone is adhering to the Academy Uniform Policy - details of which can be found here.
Students without a medical note will go into IE for incorrect uniform.
Outdoor coats
Outdoor coats can be worn during breaks and before and after school, but should not be worn when walking inside the academy. May we also remind you that hoodies are not appropriate, and shouldn’t be worn as a replacement for an outdoor coat.
Face Masks
Masks are recommended to be worn on all school transport, during transitions between lessons and in communal indoor spaces. Please ensure you have a spare mask just in case it requires changing throughout the day. We appreciate that communication whilst wearing a mask can be tricky, so please see the poster below for tips on effective communication whilst wearing a mask.
Masks should be blue or black and plain and worn at all times whilst inside the school buildings.
Careers' Corner
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is all over the news at the moment, but what is it and why is everyone talking about it?
Join the webinar, using the link below, to learn more about sustainability, rewilding, and what steps you can take to help save the planet!
It will include career pathways for those students that are interested in this area. This webinar is aimed at students of all ages, but parents are welcome to attend.
Join the webinar on 7th December to find out!
Careers Fair – Thursday 2nd December
We are extremely excited to share with you, information about our annual Careers Fair, being held in school, on Thursday 2nd December.
The fair will run throughout the day, with opportunities for students to meet and discuss with employers, colleges, and apprenticeship providers on the range of options that are available to them.
Each exhibitor will have their own stand, which will contain videos, testimonials, job vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities.
Employers will be able to promote current vacancies, raise awareness of careers and training opportunities and talk directly to students and parents.
Parents and carers will be invited to attend from 3.15pm.
Mrs Dexter - Careers Support
Please visit the Careers' page on the CRA website for this weeks update and details of previous publications.
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 Design & Technology'
Mr Otchere - Career's Lead
Attendance
This week we have been celebrating some excellent attendance from some of our tutor groups. Year 9 have achieved 94.8% attendance this week followed closely by Year 11 at 93.0%.
However it is Caeli who are holding the lead for this weeks attendance so a big well done to all the Caeli students who have been present every day and maximising their learning and enrichment time. Remember our school target is 96%. Please ensure you have conversations at home about attendance.
This week we have seen an increase in the number of students off ill due to colds. We know during the winter months students are more likely to have a cold or a sniffle but please encourage your child to come to school so they are not missing out.
They can always complete a lateral flow test within school and we can manage medications to support your child’s recovery.
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 at
CRA - Lets work together to make every day count!
Mrs Coleman - Attendance Manager
House News
Community Litter Pick
CRA Does the Masked Reader
It's back… This time staff are putting on their masks to take part in a different version of the popular hit show the masked singer, The Masked Reader. Reading is a big part of the culture at CRA and next week there is a literacy focus across all subjects in the academy.
We thought it would be great to introduce The Masked Reader for staff to read a passage from one of their favourite books, hiding their identity before students try to guess who is behind the mask and even better, if they can identify the book being read.
There will be a video, of a different staff member, released each evening followed by a link to submit your guess – it couldn’t be easier to take part! Keep your eyes open for staff number one on Monday evening.
Flags of The World – House Quiz
Next week students across years 7 to 9 will take part in a flags of the world house quiz at the end of their Geography lesson.
Flags will link to areas within the subject that students have focused on so far within the curriculum as well as some challenging extras. 125 points are available for this competition.
Term 2 Competitions coming up…
House competitions will really start to heat up from next week as we look forward to the return of some big favourites. Coming soon - Indoor Rowing and Dodgeball, each worth 250 house points each, the return of Im a Teacher Get Me Out of Here which will see 9 staff complete a series of bush tucker trials.
The term will then finish with the House Christmas party in the last week of term where tutor groups will display their tutor Christmas trees for judging before sitting down for Christmas lunch and a host of party games.
Follow us on the House social media platforms, Twitter and Instagram, for all the latest news and results from each event including action shots from the competitions - @CRA_HouseChamp
Mr Webb - Games Master
Table Talk
As an academy we also ensure that students are reminded about why we recognise Remembrance Day as a school community. We had our remembrance service at school this Thursday and at the memorial in Corby Glen.
We would love you at home this weekend over the dinner table to reflect on those that are special in your life who are no longer with you and why it is important to celebrate their lives and achievements.
Word of the Week
Hemi, semi: half (Greek word root)
- Hemisphere a half of a sphere.
- A video about the effects of the hemisphere on water.
- Semiconscious only partially conscious.
- Semi-annual occurring twice a year.
Miss Brealey - Head of English Faculty
Year 11 Focus
Year 11 have been completing their first round of Mock Examinations this week, they have all shown an excellent attitude towards these so far. Students have arrived on time, known where they need to be and overall been incredibly organised. This is excellent to see and a very positive sign as we move towards their formal examinations in the summer. Should students have any worries or concerns about the examination process they should speak with the tutors in the first instance and then Miss Thorpe the school's exams officer. As students start to receive results staff will be providing feedback in lessons and working to correct any misconceptions that are evident and fill any gaps in knowledge.
You will all be aware by now that the Mytutor programme will be starting shortly after the mock process is over, this is again an excellent opportunity for students to focus on specific areas of course content which require development. The Academy is working closely with the tutoring company to ensure that the topics being covered are the ones which are most relevant to the individual students taking part to ensure maximum impact.
Next week I will continue to share with you revision strategies which can be used as we all continue to prepare for the GCSE examinations.
Mr Lovatt - Assistant Principal
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 15th November - 9 times table
Accelerated Reader
Week commencing 15th November during period 5
Admissions 2023-24 Consultation
Charles Read Academy is consulting on the Academy’s admission arrangements. These arrangements are for students who will be starting in September 2023.
The consultation is taking place for a period of six weeks, between Monday 1st November 2021 – Monday 13th December 2021.
Consultation will also be undertaken via Lincolnshire County Council’s (LCC) coordinated consultation process and will be on the LCC School Admissions Consultation website from the start of the consultation period.
Please see the consultation documents in the links below for further details.
Credits:
Created with images by stevepb - "school books apples" • Tumisu - "smileys customer satisfaction review" • dbreen - "vegetables fruits food" • Cozendo - "coffee break conference women" • distelAPPArath - "corona covid medicine" • Bru-nO - "time clock pointer" • ds_30 - "art bright color" • MabelAmber - "europe countries map" • Tumisu - "ethics right wrong" • geralt - "stairs stages feet" • geralt - "business the next step next" • Peggy_Marco - "thumb high thumbs up" • shameersrk - "hands soil plant" • Wokandapix - "keywords letters scrabble word" • geralt - "students board drawing" • sasint - "sunset men silhouettes" • Kranich17 - "a book pages read" • mohamed_hassan - "winning success achievement" • geralt - "background bokeh light" • tigerlily713 - "calendar date time"