Loading

CRA Newsletter 04.02.2022 Half Term 3 - February 4th 2022

Principal's Update

It has been a very busy week at CRA. As you will know we hosted two inspectors from Ofsted. The students were a credit to you and the school, and as a staff body we are very proud of them. Thank you for your many positive comments. As it was a section 8 inspection the outcome of the Ofsted inspection will come in the form of a letter not a report. As soon as it is published I will send you a copy and place it on the school’s website.

We are looking forward to Oliver next week. The performances are on Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th February and I would encourage you to buy your tickets as soon as possible. You can buy them on the door but it will help us if you have purchased them or reserved them in advance so we can organise refreshments.

Year 11 students need to be increasing their revision programme now. They need to have clearly thought about when they will be relaxing and when they will be revising over half-term in order to make sure they perform as well as possible in this last set of mock exams.

Have a good weekend,

Mrs Jones - Principal

Canteen Update

Menu

Please clcik on the link below to see the new menu that will commence after the February half term, with themed menus every third Friday.

Please see the latest bulletin update from Caterlink in the link below.

Canteen Charges

In recent weeks we have seen an increase in students attempting to obtain food without having the required amount of money on their Parent Pay account or cash to cover the cost.

This has lead to some students running up deficits.

With effect from Monday 17th January, if a student doesn't have the required amount of money on their account they will need to reduce their purchase.

Those students in receipt of Free School Meals should use their allowance for their main meal at lunch. If they use the allowance for snacks at break then they will have to pay for any food taken at lunch.

The Caterlink Team

Home Lateral Flow Testing

Vaccinations

Please click the link below to review the latest information we have received from the NHS regarding student vaccinations.

Routine weekly 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.

The academy no longer has stocks of test kits, therefore, families should order these directly from the NHS by completing the form below:

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

KS3 and Yr10 Prep homework will finish on Friday 11th February and recommence Monday 21st February. This means that Tutors will expect to see Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th homework during Roll Call on Monday 21st February. Yr10 Additional homework will also finish on Friday 11th February and recommence on Monday 21st February. Subject staff will give more instructions regarding the Yr10 Additional homework to students in lessons.

Yr11 Prep homework will finish on Friday 11th February and recommence Monday 14th March. This means that Tutors will expect to see Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th homework during Roll Call on Monday 14th March. The reason for this delayed start is so that students can prepare for their mock exams which begin on Monday 28th February for two weeks. Yr11 Additional homework may still take place during mocks and subject staff will give more instructions regarding Yr11 additional homework in lessons.

During assembly on Monday 7th February these dates and expectations will be shared with students.

Please find the instructional video below which demonstrates how to complete the Prep Homework and the expected standards in order to support your child at home.

Please click to review the Homework Policy as a reminder of the responsibilities from all parties.

Frequency of homework

Yr7-10 students should hand in their first Prep homework on Tuesday 11th January during Roll Call. Yr11 students are now revising for their Touchstone assessments and their first prep homework is expected on Monday 17th January during Roll Call.

The online homework table will be is now available and can be found below.

Responding to some feedback from parents/carers and students we will also be issuing all students with a printed version of the homework table alongside their packs.

Thank you for your continued support with the homework policy.

Mrs Cooper - Whole School Teaching & Learning Lead

CRA Values

In our whole school assembly and house assemblies this week, we have been focusing on our CRA value of RESPECT.

We have been discussing during assemblies how we show respect, how we earn respect, what respect looks like in relationships and in society and how we respect ourselves.

Our students and staff have been reflecting on this and discussing it further in our tutor sessions. We are a respectful community and that is something that all our visitors to the academy tell us.

We are proud of our community and we show this in the way we present the best version of ourselves everyday.

Parent Governor Vacancies

Charles Read Academy are now looking for two parent governors.

The role of parent governor is an important one. School governors play an important role in supporting the school. They can influence the strategic vision and direction and hold the senior leadership team to account.

Why become a school governor?

Benefits include:

  • Developing your professional skills and experience such as strategic planning, and team working, both of which are valued by employers and can assist your own career development
  • Building relationships and networks in your locality
  • Supporting children and young people in your community.

There is one meeting every half term. The meetings usually last approximately an hour and a half and can be accessed via Teams if coming into school is too difficult due to transport or child care issues.

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in this role by completing your declaration of interest in the Governor election procedure below:

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 Maths'

Mr Rees - Career's Support

Career's Corner

Independent career's meetings

At Charles Read Academy, career's entitlement is a journey that starts in Year 7 and continues through to Year 11. Students have access to a variety of materials and have the opportunity to meet employers. Students access a range of careers and enterprise activities organised by the Academy. This is to support students in making well informed decisions.

There are career guidance sessions aimed at helping learners understand their strengths and weaknesses and then matching them with their skills and interests so that they can get the best suitable career choice.

Niki Tolhurst, an independent careers advisor has had individual career meetings with our year 11 students.

Niki helped year 11 students to explore various career options, and provided specific industry information about particular jobs where required. Particularly beneficial was the fact that students had the opportunity of a Face-to-face guidance with a qualified careers adviser to review their circumstances, abilities, interests and aspirations as they make decisions about their future education, training and work options.

For some of our young people it was an opportunity to get to know themselves better (self-awareness), as they engaged with their career hopes and aspirations, and received support in assessing realistic options and creating a meaningful future.

This also provided an opportunity to discuss transferable skills which students need to develop in the near future in order to be successful in their chosen careers. Students could develop these skills by talking up internships and work experience.

Students found these sessions very useful, and hopefully will use thoughtful analysis to make informed decisions.

Mr Otchere - Head of Science Faculty & Career's Lead

Attendance

Some fantastic attendance from Year 11 this week, really showing that commitment to their education with over 95% this week.

Please remember that every day counts!

Covid and Student Attendance

Please see the link below for up to date NHS guidance for COVID related illness and subsequent isolation procedures.

It has just been announced on the news that the self-isolation period for people with Covid has been reduced to a minimum of 5 full days from Monday.

This means that a negative LFT test would now be required on day 5 and day 6, with a return to school on day 6 instead of days 6 and 7.

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

Aqua ‘New Year Cup’ Champions

The first ever DRET New Year Cup has come to an end with Charles Read Academy accumulating a total distance of 1,562km throughout January. Students and staff represented their house teams and CRA by submitting their daily walks, runs or cycles.

Following a valiant effort from everyone who took part in was Aqua who contributed the furthest distance – 730km with Year 11 student and House Captain, Felix leading the way with an individual contribution of 450km.

Felix - Aqua House Captain

2nd place went to Caeli with a distance of 550km and Terra finished in 3rd place with a combined total of 282km. Well done to everyone who played their part, with over 250 entries throughout the month. Tthis was a fantastic effort and we await the final standings from across the trust to see where CRA finished in comparison to the other 32 academies in the DRET Network.

Master Chef – Next Week

On Tuesday next week 6 students will go head to head in the House MasterChef competition. Students have been tasked to create a themed takeaway dish which they will each cook and present, within a 1 hour time frame, for a panel of judges.

Students have been working hard to come up with a winning menu and are excited to showcase their final products. Results from this competition will be revealed in next week’s newsletter.

Rocket League coming to CRA soon…

The first ever ‘Gaming’ House Competition is coming to CRA next term as the Games Master prepares to host a Rocket League competition on both Xbox and PlayStation, worth 250 house points.

Find your duo partner now and get practicing! This is hugely popular competition creating lots of interest among students in all year groups, therefore if you are interested in representing your house then you must notify either the Games Master, your head of house or form tutor as soon as possible. Spaces are limited. More information to follow soon.

Please keep an eye on our social media platforms (Twitter and Instagram) - for updates @CRA_HouseChamp

Mr Webb - Games Master

SEN Department News

Bootcamp Activities

Our Bootcamp students have taken advantage of the Spring weather to clear and prepare our gardening plots for sowing, with wooden frames being constructed ready for broad beans.

Year 7 and 8 have been learning First Aid and Zach and Harrison have completed their knife skills module.

Woodcarving skills are improving week on week, with mallets, spoons and woodland gonks all being produced to high standards, showing our students growing confidence and resilience.

Elsewhere in the Department

Our Maths and Literacy Interventions continue to develop our students' key skills that transfer across the curriculum, enabling aspirations.

As always, if you have any questions about the SEN Deprtment, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Miss Canny - SENDCO

Art Department Update

Class - here is the WAGOLL for our double page spread this week on German Expressionism.

You have handouts - now complete the pages with good annotation and an expressionist drawing of your own devising.

Mr Parker - Teacher of Art

Humanities- Travel & Tourism

Yr11 Travel & Tourism students have their formal external exam at 9am on Wednesday 9th February. Students should be using their knowledge organisers, Component 2 class booklets and BBC Bitesize to revise.

Yr11 Prep homework will also support this revision.

Table Talk

As a family we would love you to talk around the dinner table about how you show respect in your house to each other.

How it is earned and how it is offered.

Word of the Week

Poly: many (Greek word root)

  • Polygon a plane figure with at least three straight sides and angles, and typically five or more.
  • Polypeptide a linear organic polymer consisting of a large number of amino-acid residues bonded together in a chain, forming part of (or the whole of) a protein molecule.
  • Polytheism the belief in or worship of more than one god.

Miss Brealey - Head of English Faculty

Year 11 Focus

This week year 11 have embarked upon a new and redesigned intervention programme on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

During these 20 minute sessions students are working in small groups on bespoke sessions focusing on areas for development from the most recent touchstone assessments.

There is a greater range of subjects on offer during this time and group sizes have been reduces so that students can receive more bespoke and rapid feedback. These groups will change as misconceptions are overcome and progress is being made.

As the second mock examination season will begin shortly after half term students have begun to explore the effective use of revision timetables. They will be completing these in school in upcoming tutor session and will have a holiday schedule prepared to focus their studies over the February half term.

Mr Lovatt - Assistant Principal

Year 10 Work Experience Day

Time for all year 10 students to be finding and confirming a placement for their Work Experience Day coming up soon on the 25th March! A reminder that all reply slips need to be returned before half term (11th February) – less than a month away!

This is a great opportunity to taste the world of work, as well as give you an insight into a job/career you may be interested in following. When thinking about who to approach for work experience not only should you focus on your interests but aim to be practical, for instance what personal/family connections you can utilize to help find a suitable placement.

Work experience is also a time to impress potential employers with your enthusiasm, abilities and your responsible approach to work. Who knows where it may lead? Some students have previously found their work experience has translated into part-time work while at school, and even a future career.

Please do come and talk to the careers team for further information, or for instance you are finding difficulty in finding a placement.

Mr Otchere - Career's Lead

Teen Support

We recognise that some of our students struggle with coping with their feelings and do self-harm as a result.

This is a useful guide for parents and carers that we have found to support you with this at home.

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 7th February - 6 times table

Accelerated Reader

Week commencing 7th February during period 4

The Sporting Post

Fixtures

On Wednesday our Year 8 and Year 10 football teams took part in warm-up fixtures ahead of the DRET Winter Cup. Our Year 8 team played two small sided matches against Barnes Wallis Academy and Charnwood College, both part of the David Ross Education Trust.

Our Year 8 team was victorious against Barnes Wallis Academy, winning 3-1. Carl scored 2 goals on his debut for our academy and Harry also scored a great individual goal.

Our Year 10 team played brilliantly against Charnwood College, taking a couple of early goals and then building on their lead. After playing some great football and putting their all into the match, the team were delighted with their efforts, and celebrated an impressive 10-1 win!

DRET Cross Country Cup

On Thursday, 13 of our students attended the DRET Cross Country Cup at Holyoak Shooting Lodge, near Uppingham. Due to the pandemic, it has been a couple of years since this event has taken place, so we were looking forward to taking part again. We are delighted to announce we won a gold medal at the event.

Team CRA

Theo convincingly won the Year 10 boys race. He dominated the race from start to end. He certainly won in style! Ben in Year 8 also had a great race. He was happy to come home in 6th place.

Theo with his gold medal

Throughout the day our students showed a great sporting attitude. As competitors were nearing the end of their race they cheered them over the line. They were also quick to congratulate their teams mates too, once they had completed each race.

Afterschool Clubs

Our club timetable has changed. On Monday and Tuesday our students will be taking part in rugby, hockey and dance. On Wednesday and Thursday we have made some changes to the sports clubs we are offering.

On Wednesdays it is table tennis and rowing club. On Thursday it is football and netball. If students attend afterschool football or netball it will increase their chances of being selected to attend the DRET Winter Cup. If they 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

Dates for your diary

Please click on the parent calendar to see the full list of upcoming events and activities at CRA

Credits:

Created with images by congerdesign - "board slate blackboard" • Hans - "tables chairs sitting area" • KlausHausmann - "hand disinfection disinfection mouth guard" • ejlindstrom - "coffee school homework" • Peggy_Marco - "refugees economic refugees financial equalization" • ringsfoto - "stationery clip cooperation" • geralt - "bulletin board stickies post-it" • geralt - "business the next step next" • anncapictures - "pocket watch time sand" • Schwoaze - "tree spring park" • Pexels - "art watercolors arts and crafts" • mrpixel000 - "beach travel vacation" • sakulich - "light lamp warm" • Wild0ne - "typewriter vintage write" • josephredfield - "people friends together" • geralt - "skills can startup" • geralt - "integration volunteer hands" • geralt - "to learn a notice information sign" • guisdesouza - "rugby ball water" • tigerlily713 - "calendar date time"