Newsletter 20/09/2024

Associate Principal’s Message

Dear families,

As we start to get back into the swing of things, I wanted to remind you of some key things we’re putting in place for scholars to help them get the best from their studies in school.

The first is reading: in school all Year 7 to Year 10 scholars have 20 minutes of reading time at the start of the day. We do this because research shows that regular reading helps improve memory, develop imagination, grow a greater understanding of the world around them and develop increased levels of concentration, all key to a child’s development as they grow. We choose a mixture of classic and modern texts that are challenging and help develop a broad understanding of culture and history. By the end of Y9, our scholars will have read 18 different texts, which will hopefully inspire an ongoing love of reading, as well as increase their vocabulary and communication skills, ready for the challenges of GCSE studies to come.

Secondly, our homework offer has begun to roll out across all year groups. From Sparx Reader, Sparx Maths and Sparx Science at Key Stage 3, through to Knowledge Quizzing and past paper practice (and more) in Key Stage 4, we want to offer scholars a range of opportunities to recall what they’ve learned and improve their fluency in testing their thinking and demonstrating understanding. If you have any questions about your child’s home learning, please contact their form tutor in the first instance.

This week has also seen the Y11 Geography fieldwork trip to Hornsea take place. This visit supports scholars to understand the collection, sampling and analysis of data to interpret changes in coastal geography. The behaviour of our scholars was exemplary throughout, staff and commented on the politeness, courtesy and concentration demonstrated by scholars over each of the three visits – well done Y11!

Finally, we’re all looking forward to welcoming families of Y6 children to our open evening on Wednesday 25^th October. Staff and scholars will be on hand to showcase our facilities, curriculum and support at Astrea Academy Dearne, and I want to thank those scholars who are supporting with the event and recognise their contribution to academy life – it really is appreciated.

Mr Arezoo

Associate Principal

Key Dates

Wednesday 25th September – Y6 Open Evening 4.30pm – 6.30pm
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

School Photographs

Tempest photographers will be in school on Thursday 26th September to take individual photographs of all scholars.

Free Hygiene Products

On Monday 23rd September, between 10am-2pm at the Thurnscoe Centre, and Monday 30th September, between 10am-2pm at the Goldthorpe Centre, Dearne and Northeast Public Health and Communities Directorate (Area Council Team) from BMBC will be holding an event in the waiting area space.

This is a project they are running to distribute free hygiene products.

Find your greatness

Do you know anyone who is interested in trying out for a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports?

UK Sport, Team GB and ParalympicsGB have launched a new athlete recruitment programme called Find Your Greatness, which is looking for sporty and active people aged 16-24.

If you know someone who is interested, they can apply at Find Your Greatness (website details below). The closing date for applications is Monday 14th October. Help them unleash their potential!

#FindYourGreatness | @UKSport | @TeamGB | @ParalympicsGB

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.

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)