Parents’ Newsletter

Message From the Director of School and Curriculum It seems like only yesterday that I was welcoming the students and staff back to the Academy following the six week break last September. So much has happened throughout the year with students taking full advantage of opportunities being offered.

We have had students travelling far and wide; from trips abroad including France, Spain and Switzerland and trips closer to home, with London and the Lakes being a highlight. Students have been ambassadors for the school both when out at sporting fixtures, attending competitions or when hosting visitors in school. All who come into contact with our students during these events speak highly of our their exemplary behaviour, attitude and readiness to engage.

As we reach the end of another busy year for education, I cannot thank the staff enough for their hard work and dedication towards all the students in their care this year. They have, as always, gone above and beyond to ensure that each and every child gains the opportunities needed to excel.

I am excited to see what our students have achieved in August, where I hope the results demonstrate their hard work and I am looking towards our return in September, when we will welcome 325 new Year 7 students though the doors and watch how well they settle with the rest of the year groups. I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their continued support and I look forward to continuing our partnership over the coming academic year. I hope that, as we each take time to recharge our batteries, we enjoy some time with friends and family.

Mrs R Somerville

July 2018

The Academy re-opens on:

4th September for students in Year 7 & 12 All Year groups on 5th September 2018

**** EXAM RESULTS****

AS & A Level Results Thursday 16th August

Changes to the Consett Academy day: September 2018

Morning break will now be 15 minutes long. Second lunch will be at the earlier time of 13:05 (there is the same time gap between morning break

and lunch regardless of which break or lunch a student is on). Second lunch ((13:05) allows us to accommodate important assembly/information sharing time in the

Theatre for our growing Sixth Form. For students in Years 7 - 11, their tutor/assembly time will be at the end of the day. Essentially, this will

be the beginning of their extended school day where we would encourage students to stay until 4.30pm engaging in a range of activities (full details will be published in September). At this stage, it is still our intention for Year 7 and 8 to share first lunch.

The day will run as follows from September 2018:

Time First Lunch Time Second Lunch (a) Time Second Lunch (b)

08:30 Period 1 08:30 Period 1 08:30 Period 1

09:35 Break 09:35 Period 2 09:35 Period 2

09:50 Period 2 10:40 Break 10:40 Break

10:55 Period 3 10:55 Period 3 10:55 Period 3

12:00 LUNCH 12:00 Period 4 12:00 Period 4

12:30 Period 4 13:05 LUNCH 13:05 LUNCH

13:35 Period 5 13:35 Period 5 13:35 Tutor/ Assembly

14:40 Tutor/ Assembly 14:40 Tutor/ Assembly 13:55 Period 5

15:00 End of School 15:00 End of School 15:00 End of School

**** EXAM RESULTS****

GCSE Results Thursday 23rd August

We have welcomed our new students into Sixth Form with our bridging event. These current Year 11 students have had the opportunity to experience Sixth Form life by attending lessons, taking part in team building activities and meeting Sixth Form staff. We look forward to seeing all our new Sixth Form students for the start of the new academic year.

It has been another productive and enjoyable term in Sixth Form. Year 12 students have taken their examinations and are now looking forward to next year. Students attended the UCAS Convention at the Metro Arena and participated in workshops to help them to make decisions about their post 18 plans. They also presented their Extended Project Qualification to the Sixth Form tutor team, which was the final part of their project; this was a most

enjoyable experience with students showcasing some outstanding projects. As part of the Year 12 curriculum, students have taken part in a week of work experience, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Year 13 students have taken their final A Level examinations and said their farewells in a special leavers’ assembly in school. They also celebrated the end of seven years in secondary education with a meal and disco at The Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle. It was an excellent evening, thoroughly enjoyed by all. We wish them well in their chosen destinations and look forward to seeing their results in August.

Ms Jackson and Ms Jobling

Sixth Form

During the first week of July, Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition students carried out a mock of their 3 hour practical exam based on Italian foods. The results were exceptional. Students planned their menu, worked independently and produced Italian style food to be proud of. Well done Year 10!

Jay R received a prize at the NUSTEM School Physi-c i s t o f t h e Ye a r Awards, sponsored by the Ogden Trust. The 2018 edition took place at N o r t h u m b r i a University and saw 26 Year 10 students from 16 local

secondary schools being formally and publicly recognised for their excellence and efforts in physics. He received a £25 book voucher and, more importantly, will be invited to future events that the

Ogden Trust host.

Oscar G has been selected for the U17 British American Football team.

On 2nd July, over 60 Year 10 students attended a workshop held by Colin Wright, the Maths Juggler. In this workshop, he talked extensively about the Maths of Juggling and how it connects to pattern spotting and can be applied to, for example, shipping safety monitoring systems.

On 9th July, a further 10 Year 10 students, along with 2 Further Maths Year 13 students, attended the ‘Mathsplosion’ event at the Life centre. The students learned how to perform card tricks, exactly how big infinity is and how to cut a bagel without cutting into two parts. The highlight for everyone was the planetarium – and the free tickets!

Mr Dodd and Mrs Stokoe

Year 10

Go4SET Environmental Engineering project Over the past few weeks a team of six Year 8 students have being working on the STEM Go4SET project, which has given them a great insight into engineering careers.

The students designed an innovative solution to a real industrial problem – de-signing a proposal for an Eco-friendly Hotel.

Throughout the project students have worked extremely hard and produced a full written report, a visual display, a verbal presentation and a physical model representation of their hotel design. Con-sequently, they have developed and ben-efited from a wide range of key skills in-cluding independent learning, team com-munication, scientific report writing and design technology.

On Wednesday 4th July, at Teesside University, students showcased their work to a panel of Assessors and were awarded the runner up prize with ’High Commen-dation’ for their project.

AS & A Level results & Registrations,16th August 2018 Year 13 Sixth Form results can be collected from 9.30am.

Year 12 Sixth Form results and enrolment into Year 13 from 11.00am - 12 noon. There will be members of staff at the Academy entrance to direct students.

GCSE Results & Sixth Form Enrolment, 23rd August 2018 GCSE results can be collected from the main theatre on Thursday 23rd August from 9.30am.

If results are not collected, they will be posted out at the earliest opportunity. If students are unable to attend we will release data to parents/carers. It is essential that proof of identity is brought if parents/carers are collecting their son/daughter’s results and that we are advised of these arrangements prior to the date.

Following collection of GCSE results, students will be able to enrol onto their post 16 courses with a member of our Sixth Form team from 9.45am—12 noon & 12.30—2.30pm. On the morning of 23rd August, there will also be a member of staff from New College Durham available to offer advice and guidance for any student who may be uncertain on their post 16 options.

Staffing Update: We say farewell to the following teachers: Mr Wyllie, Dr Owen, Mrs Davinson, Mr Connolly and Ms Metcalfe.

We welcome the following staff in September: Mr Jennings, (History), Mr Mallam, ( Science), Mr Kelly, (English), Ms

Steel, (English), Ms Woollard ,( Social Science), Ms Robinson, ( Music), Mrs Ward, ( MFL), Mr Pearson, ( Science), Mr

Boarder, ( Humanities), Mr Weir, (Science), Mr Wood ,( Science), Mrs Wright, ( Finance Officer). Mrs Crawford

( Sport & Performance)

Exam Results

STEM events have featured strongly in the activities of Year 8 this half term. 45 students attended the Bloodhound SSC project at North Durham Academy and had the opportunity to see first-hand the world of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car. The car will be aiming to break the 1,000 mph barrier towards the end of this year. The event allowed students to explore STEM skills required to create the car. Students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and rose to the challenge of creating their own ‘turbo charged’ car. They left the event with raised aspirations of working in careers focused on STEM subjects.

STEM also featured in the Go4SET competition where 6 students from 8G1 worked extremely hard over a period of 6 weeks to put together an Eco-Hotel proposal. The proposal included a 36 page written report, detailed models and site plans (to scale), visual display and a verbal presentation. The project was extremely well received by judges and the display stand attracted a lot of attention from visitors.

Miss Wynn and I have been extremely proud of how well Year 8 have conducted themselves this year. We hope you all have a fantastic summer and look forward to seeing you all back in Year 9.

Mr Howell and Ms Wynn

It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago we were welcoming our new Year 7s into the Academy. The students have been fantastic and it’s brilliant to see them getting involved and grasping all opportunities presented to them.

This half term a group of 45 Year 7s were given the opportunity to visit North Durham Academy to take part in workshops with the Bloodhound racing team. It was a fantastic opportunity and students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Throughout the morning students learned all about the car and the engineering behind it as well as putting their new skills to the test in making their own.

The students have also been treated to taking part in the Wonderstruck Science Event where we saw teddy bears being blown up by rocket fuel and Mrs Hopper sledge-hammering the host while lying on a bed of nails. A fantastic opportunity and a great show!

Finally, it has been amazing to see Year 7 handing over the baton of being the new students in the Academy by volunteering with sheer gusto and their typical enthusiasm in helping on the Year 6 transition days.

Have a fantastic summer Year 7 and we can’t wait to see you back in the Academy as Year 8s.

Ms Shorton and Mrs Hopper

Year 8

Year 7

Year 9

Year 9 have a had a busy year starting on their GCSE/BTEC courses and, in the main, have settled in very well. They have also been participating in a number of extra-curricular activities which they have embraced fully.

Year 9 Dance “For The World Cup Miss Pye got each group in dance to choose a country that was in the World Cup out of a hat. Then we had three weeks to choreograph 30 seconds of a song from the country for us to perform in front of the school. Our Year 9 group got England so we chose Wannabe by the Spice Girls.” The dancers in this piece were Lydia B, Faith C, Livvy E, Erin M, Lauren R, Amy W, Sophie S and Amy S.

Trip to Northumbria University “On the 3rd of July 2018, 12 Year 9 students went on a trip to Northumbria University. We arrived and were greeted by welcoming staff, then met our reps, (Niall and Lauren) who were both undergraduates. After a tour of the campus, which involved photographs of different locations on site, we then did a higher education focus planner where we developed our understanding of different university courses and pathways after GCSEs and A-Levels. We also got the chance to talk with our reps about the courses they had chosen and what they enjoyed about them.

After this session, we took part in a ‘build your own society’ competition in our groups. This gave us an insight into the extra-curricular activities available at university.”- Zoe B, Lydia P and Helena M.

The students enjoyed their day, and we are thankful for the opportunity given by Northumbria University.

Mr Elsender and Ms Parker

What’s happening next term

Loss of/Damage to Personal Property

Parents are reminded that any property students bring onto

Academy premises remains the responsibility of the child. The

Academy is not responsible/liable for any loss or damage to

students’ personal belongings or equipment.

Contact details for Year Managers from September

2018

Parents are able to contact all Year Managers directly on their mobile phones between 8.15am and 3.30pm.

Year 7 Mrs K Moncur - 07818532481

Year 8 Mrs K Hopper - 07866977228

Year 9 Ms K Wynn - 07818455756

Year 10 Ms M Parker - 07780431914

Year 11 Mrs C Stokoe - 07866977541

Date Event

06.09.2018 Y7 Photographer

20.09.2018 Sixth Form Open Evening

25.09.2018 Y6 Taster day and Open Evening (1 of 2)

26.09.2018 Y6 Taster day and Open Evening (2 of 2)

28.09.2018 HPV 1st Dose Y8 Girls only

02.10.2018 Duke of Edinburgh Parent Information Evening—Y9

17.10.2018 New Performers Consett

11.10.2018 Y7 & Y12 Progress Tutor meetings

We are still receiving requests from parents to take their children on holiday during term time. Parents are reminded that we are only able to authorise absences in ‘Exceptional Circumstances’. A holiday is not deemed an exceptional circumstance, this includes holidays arranged by family members or friends, as well as absences to attend family weddings.

Holidays in Term Time

Holiday Closing date Date re-open for

teaching purposes

Summer 2018 20.07.2018 04.09.2018 (Year 7 &12

only) 05.09.2018 (All years)

Autumn Half Term 2018 19.10.2018 29.10.2018

Additional Staff Training

Days 22.11.2018 27.11.2018

Christmas 2018 21.12.2018 07.01.2019

Spring Half Term 2019 15.02.2019 25.02.2019

Easter 2019 05.04.2019 23.04.2019

May Day 2019 03.05.2019 07.05.2019

Summer Half Term 2019 24.05.2019 03.06.2019

Summer 2019 19.07.2019 To be determined

Term Dates 2018-19

Pre-Owned Uniform

We would welcome any donations of good quality academy uniform that we can use to recycle. Parents are reminded that the Academy has a small selection of pre-owned uniform which can be purchased at a reduced price.

Parental Contact Details

For parents who have shared responsibility for children, we are able to accommodate any requests for duplicate student reports. Please contact the relevant Year Manager if you require this service.

Parents are reminded to please ensure that we have your most up to date contact details, including mobile numbers. This will help us to contact you in case of emergencies.

Uniform Reminder

We are continuing to enforce the Academy’s Uniform Policy and would like to remind parents to please send their children to school in the correct uniform. We appreciate your support in this matter.

Reminder - For any student absences Please email:

studentabsence@consettacademy.org.uk