Manshead CE Academy PARENT BULLETIN 26th July, 2021 A Time to Reflect What a year! And we are finally at the end of it. So many things to be thankful for and so many things to ‘chalk up’ to experience. The autumn term brought us so many new experiences, as this was a time for the whole community to be back together (with many new student faces to welcome). Some would argue that we were all new faces as we tried to get used to identifying each other by peering over a mask. We embraced our new protective face coverings and some staff and students really rocked the look in their super coordinated must-have fashion item. We settled into bubbles and cleaning regimes that took the veneer off of tables and nail varnish. We came in to school through different gates and accommodated ‘one way in and “other way out please! “ The spring term took on a different identity, just as we were settling into our new ways of working and celebrating how good we were at adapting to so many new routines we were thrown the curve ball that was the Kent Variant. Christmas wasn’t Christmas. School couldn’t be school again. What followed was a race back to the sofa and huddling or squabbling over computers, ready for …’your host will let you in soon!’ Remote Learning! Online lessons, who’s zooming who? Microsoft Teams, quizzes and Oak Academy. It seems rude to put them all in the same sentence because they each took hours of navigating. Students not accessing the camera because of a bad hair day…week…term (and that was mainly the boys!) Easter was almost Easter…thank heavens for chocolate. Back in school and trying to figure out who the children were in year 7 as they now looked like entirely different people without masks. Trying to wear a mask when your hair has overtaken your ears and your beard is bursting out the side (and that was mainly the women!) Summer and the easing of restrictions and it felt like a time to be joyful, it’s just a pity that no one told the weather. We should be proud of how we have worked together to overcome so many challenges and we do have some great experiences to reflect back on. We can now enjoy a well- deserved break! We wish you a very happy summer and look forward to seeing you all in …Ping! sorry gotta go… Debbie Chivers-Shepherd Deputy Headteacher Thank you Thank you to all the Manshead staff, students and their families for the level of understanding, support and positivity this academic year. As the review by Mrs Chivers- Shepherd highlighted this has been an academic year like no other, decisions have been made using all the relevant data and prioritising the health and well-being of the Manshead Community. This has caused challenges for a few families, and I apologise for this. Manshead remains committed to providing the best possible education and support and we are all praying for a return to some kind of normality after the summer break. An overview of the academy development plan will be published in September, as we look to make even greater steps in the right direction, putting student achievement and well- being at the centre of what we do. Please have a safe summer, we look forward to welcoming the new Year 7, Year 12 and student joining us from Houghton Regis Academy in on Friday 3rd of September and all other students on Monday 6th September. Best wishes. Andy McBurnie Headteacher Leadership of Safeguarding at Manshead CE Academy is in safe hands The safeguarding Team at Manshead, consists of 11 highly trained members of staff. Across the academy there is a culture of vigilance providing the security and safety for all students and staff. Mrs Dumpleton has been a key member of this team, having an extensive knowledge of safeguarding and strong working relationships with outside agencies. In recognition of her attention to detail and commitment to keeping students safe she has been promoted to Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) from September 2021. She will continue to manage the Learning, Inclusion, Nurture and Care provision (LINC), increasing the integration of the two aspects of student support. The DSL will be a member of the Leadership Team, ensuring all safeguarding policies are current, staff training is effective with safeguarding being an agenda item on every Leadership meeting. Having been DSL for the past year, I am aware of the responsibility that rests with the safeguarding Team. I am now trained as a Designated Mental Health Lead and will be working with Mrs Wright to further develop the support for students with Mental Health concerns. Andy McBurnie Headteacher Message from the LINC The following email was sent out to all students during the last week of term: Dear Student, Another school year over! A year that has been quite challenging, hitting many hurdles but you have come through it and have adapted well to another year of COVID. It has been an extremely challenging time for you all and we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the year. As the school will be closed for the summer, you may feel that you need a little extra support. I have attached some useful numbers for you to use over the summer holiday should you need to. Please keep safe, stay well and enjoy a well-earned rest See you in September! The LINC Team LINC – support numbers over the holidays Samaritans – low mood, any support call 116 123 or email [email protected] Childline – counsellors available – 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk HOPEline UK – prevention of young suicide - text 07786209697 Young Minds – crisis line – text YM to 85258 free 24/7 BEAT – Eating disorders – www.beatingeatingdisorders.org.uk Aquarius – Drug information and support www.talktofrank.com 01234 344911 Kooth – free online counselling and advice – www.kooth.com Keep safe, have a great holiday The LINC Year 9 Ethics and Philosophy books Please could Year 9 retain their red Ethics and Philosophy books until September as they contain GCSE work. Please bring the book to your first Ethics and Philosophy lesson in September. Mrs Smith Head of Ethics and Philosophy Year 9 Enterprise snack shop The Year 9 Enterprise students managed to raise an impressive £98 for charity last week through their lunchtime snack shop. This has been split equally between their chosen charities of Keech Hospice and Appledown Rescue and Rehoming. Well done to everyone who took part. Miss Helling Head of Business and Economics Year 11 Celebration Breakfast Thursday 12th August 9am to 11am We will be having a celebration breakfast for our Year 11 students on their results day. It will be time for the students to celebrate their successes together after what has been a challenging year. We look forward to seeing them again. Mr Jeffs Head of Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Update for 2021-22 Obviously, this year's DofE has not been able to run as we would normally have done so I just wanted to let you know a provisional plan for next year. Silver DofE Assessed Expedition – 16th to the 18th September - Three days walking and two nights cooking meals. Walking locally each day and returning to school each night. Bronze Assessed Expeditions New Year 11 (Current Year 10) – Bronze Assessed Expedition – A suitable date Friday and Saturday in late June / Early July to be after GCSE exams. Two days walking and one night cooking meal and camping, subject to conditions. Training and planning to take place from September 2021 to avoid exams. New Year 10 (Current Year 9) – Bronze Assessed Expedition – A suitable date Friday and Saturday in late May / Early June to be confirmed. Two days walking and hopefully one night camping. Planning and training to take place from November 2021. We hope that everything will settle next school year, but we will keep you updated of any changes we need to make. Enjoy your summer and see you all in September. Thanks. Mr Jeffs and Mr Bishop Parents’ Consultation Evenings 2021-22 Thank you for your feedback on SchoolCloud. It was overwhelmingly positive, with most parents expressing a desire to never return to ‘the bun fight’ (I quote) in the Hall. There a few individual issues which we have reported to SchoolCloud. The other huge positive was the increase in attendance. Attendance was 85%. This is a 20% increase on face to face evenings. Therefore, we have decided to conduct all parents’ evenings next academic year over SchoolCloud. Jo Lynam School Performance Associate Key Dates for 2021-22 Parent Consultation Evenings: Year 12/13 02/11/21 22/03/22 Year 11 13/01/22 30/03/22 Year 10 24/11/21 21/04/22 Year 9 18/01/22 Year 8 24/02/22 Year 7 09/02/22 Form Tutor Evening: Year 7 and 8 28/09/21 Open Evening: Year 6 into 7 07/10/21 Year 11 into 12 11/11/21 Mrs J Lynam School Performance Associate Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Amazing Apprenticeships – The Parent Perspective Podcasts Parents and carers are one of the biggest influencers on a young person making their career decisions. Amazing Apprenticeships has created a series of 8 podcasts, enabling parents to feel more informed and confident in providing careers support and guidance to their child, so that they ultimately make the best decisions. This podcast will provide a space for listeners to: • Explore which careers are available today • Showcase the experiences of interesting and diverse role models • Provide real-time insights into how the world of work is changing …all through a parents’ perspective.