Newsletter 13/09/2024

Associate Principal’s Message

Dear Families,

This week, we have welcomed back the remaining scholars in Years 8, 9 and 10, and the school is now into full flow in terms of scholars in lessons and getting the most of their time with us. I’ve continued to be impressed by the conduct shown by all scholars during this time, with many coming to talk to me about how they’re enjoying being back, sharing their aspirations for the future and making me welcome as part of the school community.

I have met with all scholars during our morning meetings; the theme of my talk in each case has been ‘Life is a Competition’. Our scholars have as much right as any other to get qualifications and career choices that enable them to go on to the future they wish to lead. But a reality of life is that to get those, they must set themselves apart from others who crave the same opportunities. I shared what this requires of them – living our values of scholarship, curiosity, tenacity, respect, responsibility – but also in simple terms, working hard and being kind. Those things might be simple, but they go a long way in the world.

Our expectations, our core routines, our lessons and our morning meetings are designed to help scholars compete with other scholars not just in Barnsley, Rotherham or Doncaster, and we’ll continue to make sure they’re delivered day in, day out, so that when they leave us at the end of Y11, they can compete.

As always, do take the time to read the rest of this newsletter, and if you have any questions about any of the information, please do get in touch via info@astreadearne.org

Kind regards

Mr Amir Arezoo

Associate Principal

Key Dates

Monday 16th September, Tuesday 17th September and Wednesday 18th September – Geography Hornsea Trip
Wednesday 25th September – Y6 Open Evening
Thursday 26th September – School photographs for all scholars
Saturday 28th September – Dearne Arts Festival
Wednesday 16th October – Tutor Review Evening (All year groups)
Monday 21st October – Y11 Climbing the Mountain Event
Monday 28th October – Friday 1st November – Half term
Monday 4th November – INSET Day
Wednesday 20th November – Year 10 Subject Review Evening
Friday 6th December – INSET Day
Wednesday 18th December – Year 11 Subject Review Evening
Monday 23rd December – Friday 3rd January – Christmas break
Monday 6th January – INSET Day
Wednesday 29th January – Year 7 Subject Review Evening
Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February – Half term
Wednesday 5th March – Year 9 Subject Review Evening
Friday 21st March – INSET Day
Wednesday 26th March – Year 9 Options Event
Monday 7th April – Friday 18th April – Easter break
Monday 21st April – Easter Monday Bank Holiday (school closed)
Monday 5th May – May Day Bank Holiday (school closed)
Wednesday 21st May – Year 8 Subject Review Evening
Monday 25th May – Friday 30th May – Half term
Monday 23rd June – INSET Day
Wednesday 16th July and Thursday 17th July – Year 6 Transition
Friday 18th July – Last day of school
Monday 21st July – INSET Day
Tuesday 22nd July – INSET Day

Whatsapp Group

To ensure key information is at parents fingertips, we are trialling the use of a new WhatsApp Channel to share key whole school messages. Here is the link to the channel:

Astrea Dearne | WhatsApp Channel

Please follow and share with other families in the Astrea Dearne Community. Don’t forget to turn on notifications!

Year 6 Open Evening

Dearne Community Arts Festival

Term Dates

Term dates for the 2024/2025 academic year can be found here.

We do have spare paper copies in the academy reception if you would like to collect one.

MCAS

All payments for school are now made via the MyChildAtSchool App. You can top up lunch accounts using the dinner icon within the App. You will then be given the option to ‘add dinner money’.

Vaccinations

The school nursing team will be in school on the dates below for vaccinations:

13th December – Flu vaccinations (Year 7 to 11)

29th January – HPV (Year 8)

22nd and 23rd April – DTP/MenACWY (Year 9 only)

10th July – Catch up session for all year groups

Menus

Our catering menus have been updated for the Autumn term. Please see the link here for the new menu.

Pharmacy First

Parenting Courses

Please see attached newsletter with course details for any parents/carers of children and young people with social communication and interaction (SCI) needs, a diagnosis of Autism or those who are on the Autism pathway (ASDAT).

2024-25 SCI Course Parent Flyer PDF

Nut free school

Please note that our school is a nut free zone. We have scholars and members of staff in school who have serious nut allergies. Please do not send scholars into school with any products which may contain nuts.

Absence reminder

What should I do if my child is absent from school?

Students are legally required to attend school every day and should only be absent in real emergencies. If your child is not in school, they must have a justified reason.

If your child is absent from school, please contact school before 8.30am and leave a message clearly stating the reason for the absence.

Telephone our dedicated absence lines 01709 892211 (Option 2)

Send a message via the ‘My Child At School’ app

Year 7 Mrs Parkin – Clare.Parkin@astreadearne.org
Year 8 Mr Crew – Gary.Crew@astreadearne.org
Year 9 Mrs Wheatcroft – jocelyn.wheatcroft@astreadearne.org/Mrs Laycock – Lindsey.laycock@astreadearne.org
Year 10 Mrs Mason – Julie.Mason@astreadearne.org
Year 11 Mrs Dickinson – Keeley.Dickinson@astreadearne.org

Vacancies at Astrea Academy Dearne

We currently have vacancies to join our team at Astrea Academy Dearne. Please see below for a link to the My New Term recruitment site. Please contact school if you would like any further information.

Astrea Academy Dearne – MyNewTerm

Communications

You can contact us by calling reception on 01709 892211 or emailing info@astreadearne.org

We use the My Child At School (MCAS) to communicate with our parents and carers. MCAS is the online platform that allows us to share information live with you. It enables families to view live data including a student’s timetable, list of teachers, number of rewards and behaviour points and so on. If you have not yet registered for MCAS and would like some support to do so please contact school reception or you can follow this guide MCAS and Communication – Dearne Academy (astreadearne.org)