Newsletter 24th May 2024

Key Dates

Monday 27th May – Friday 31st May – Half Term
Thursday 6th June – Y10 Shaping Futures trip to SMS Hoyland
Thursday 13th June – Y10 Shaping Futures Gliding trip
Monday 17th June – Friday 5th July – Year 10 mock examinations
Friday 21st June – Year 7 Magna trip
Monday 24th June – Year 7 Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 25th June – Go Further, Go Higher, University of Sheffield trip
Thursday 27th June – Dorothy Hyman Athletics Event
Friday 28th June – INSET Day
Monday 1st July – Barnsley Town Hall visit for Shaping Futures (Y10)
Wednesday 3rd July – Y11 Prom
Tuesday 9th July/Wednesday 10th July/Thursday 11th July – Geography Hornsea trip
Friday 12th July – Sports Day
Tuesday 16th July – Alton Towers Rewards Trip
Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th July – Year 6 Transition
Thursday 18th July – Y6 Transition Celebration Evening
Thursday 18th July – Year 7 University trip
Friday 19th July – Last day of term
Monday 22nd July – INSET Day
Tuesday 23rd July – 31st August – Summer Holiday
Thursday 22nd August – GCSE Results Day

Year 11 Update

A very well done to all our Year 11 scholars who are now all fully immersed in their final GCSE examinations. We have seen focus and commitment throughout the last three weeks; our scholars are now ready for a rest and recharge over half term. We do however, have three days of intervention on offer during half term to further support revision and preparation for those examinations when we return from our break. Food and drink will be available for scholars at no cost on the days school is open for the additional support. Please see below for days and timings that are on offer.

Finally we would like to thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring your children arrive in school, on time, ready to do their absolute best! We are really proud of them all.

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.

Exam Support

Are you still unsure how to support your child? Why not help them create an account on the Kooth well-being support page. This allows your child to complete mindful activities and also has a support chat by NHS qualified well- being staff.

https://www.kooth.com/

If your child is struggling with anxiety, you can help them with some calming breathing techniques. This week’s top tip is the 5-4-3-2-1 Coping Technique:

This technique is really good to manage acute stress and anxiety. The technique is good for both children and parents to use in every day life.

Mrs South has put together some exam stress packs for Year 11s. If you feel your child would benefit from one, please email her on sarah.south@astreadearne.org

Please see below this week’s useful tips to help and support your child/ young person around exam stress.

Revise – Make sure you set yourself time to revise and use revision cards to help support this.
My calm space – Sit in a quiet room/ space and picture somewhere quiet and where you would like to be. Please hold these thoughts for a couple of minutes, whilst exhaling and inhaling, slowly controlling your breathing.
Mindfulness- Take time for you – reading, mindful colouring, sewing and jigsaws are good for this.
Going for a walk and enjoy the surroundings and fresh air with friends and family.
Exercise – A fantastic way to clear the mind and realise them endorphins.
Rest – Please ensure you are getting enough sleep and rest ready for the exams ahead.
Most of all, smile and enjoy the half term! You are doing amazing and this time will pass where you will look back and realise you did your best!

Lastly, why not create and account on the calm website to help and support with sleep and meditation.

https://www.calm.com

Family advice

MCAS

As you are aware, we currently use ParentPay for our cashless payments in school. During the summer holiday, we will be moving over to MyChildAtSchool (MACS) payments. If you already have activated your MCAS account, there is no further action needed and any balance remaining on ParentPay will automatically transfer over. If you are yet to activate your MACS and need help in completing this, please contact info@astreadearne.org

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 Bann – Emma.Bann@astreadearne.org
Year 8 Mrs Wheatcroft – jocelyn.wheatcroft@astreadearne.org
Year -9 Mrs Mason – Julie.Mason@astreadearne.org
Year 10 – Mrs Dickinson – Keeley.Dickinson@astreadearne.org
Year 11 – Mr Crew – Gary.Crew@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)