Associate Principal’s Message
Dear parents/carers,
It has been wonderful to see our whole‑school focus on Responsibility take off this week! Scholars’ enthusiasm for the Responsibility Card has been fantastic—they’ve embraced every opportunity to show responsibility, and the positive impact around school has been clear to see. One of the real highlights has been watching so many scholars, who quietly get it right every single day, being recognised and rewarded even more. They absolutely deserve it. We’ll be rolling out the big rewards over the next few days—and who knows, your child might even come home with a flatscreen TV!
I also want to take a moment to celebrate our Year 11 scholars, who have completed their first week of mock exams. Their conduct, focus, and effort have been excellent. We’re looking forward to seeing the results after half term, and to supporting them as we move toward the final exam season in the summer.
Whatever your plans are this weekend, stay warm, stay dry, and I look forward to seeing all scholars ready for learning at 8:30am on Monday.
Kind regards
Mr Arezoo
Amir Arezoo
Associate Principal
Key Dates
- Monday 2nd February – Wednesday 11th March – Year 11 mock exams
- Wednesday 11th February – Year 7 Scholar Review Evening
- Friday 13th February – INSET Day
- Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February – February half-term
- Wednesday 25th February – Talent Showcase
- Wednesday 4th March – Year 9 Scholar Review Evening
- Wednesday 11th March – Year 6 Welcome Evening
- Friday 20th March – INSET Day
- Wednesday 25th March – Year 9 Options Event
- Monday 30th March – Friday 10th April – Easter break
- Wednesday 29th April – Year 8 Scholar Review Evening
INSET Day
Please be aware that Friday 13th February is an INSET day and the academy is closed to scholars.
Lunch Menu
A Meal Deal consists of the following:
- A meal meal and either a pudding or water
- A sandwich and either a cookie or water
- A pasta pot and either a cookie or water
SEND Parental form
Please use the form here to report any SEND concerns/queries to the academy:
https://forms.office.com/e/P9Kp7F7h50
Free Bike Checks
Gender Space
If a trans young person or their carers asked you where they can get support, would you know where to signpost them to?
Gender Space is a service by Barnardo’s Positive Identities team which offers a therapeutic social model of support for trans and gender questioning young people, aged 13-18 in Yorkshire. They also support Parents and Carers of trans young people.
They recognise the importance of gender identity being validated and expressed in a safe space, which is what they seek to provide in this service. The provision is online and is a mixture of therapeutically informed one-to-one and group work support with youth workers and therapists.
Want to know more? They are holding some information sessions where they will chat more about Gender Space and you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions.
For Tuesday 24th February click here to register
For Wednesday 4th March click here to register
Goldthorpe Library Event
Shared Lives Carer Recruitment
Parent App
The Pause Parenting app, developed by experts at the University of Warwick with NHS trusts and local authorities, helps parents apply evidence-based techniques to improve children’s behaviour and reduce stress. It offers personalised support and interactive activities, acting as a “pocket” tool for managing challenging moments.
Key Features and Benefits of the Pause App:
· 🧠 Evidence-Based Tools: Provides techniques for anxiety, positive parenting, and behavioural issues based on 40 years of research.
· 🤝 Personalised Support: Offers in-the-moment advice tailored to specific family needs and situations.
· 💬 Peer Support: Connects parents and carers with other local parents to offer and receive peer support.
· 🛠️ Skill Implementation: Helps parents, particularly those in parenting programmes, apply skills learned in sessions to daily life.
· 📔 Reflection Journal: Features a tool for parents to track moods and behaviours to understand what triggers issues.
· 📱 Availability: Accessible on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
FREE to access for Barnsley parents/carers using the access code: BARNS. See the attached flyer for more info.
How does it work?
Parents and carers tell the app what their parenting challenge is. The AI feature gives parents information about what might be going on for their child and suggests a practical daily plan of actions to promote real change.
Want to know more about Pause?….
The Pause Parenting app, developed by experts at the University of Warwick with NHS trusts and local authorities, helps parents apply evidence-based techniques to improve children’s behaviour and reduce stress. It offers personalised support and interactive activities, acting as a “pocket” tool for managing challenging moments.
Key Features and Benefits of the Pause App:
· 🧠 Evidence-Based Tools: Provides techniques for anxiety, positive parenting, and behavioural issues based on 40 years of research.
· 🤝 Personalised Support: Offers in-the-moment advice tailored to specific family needs and situations.
· 💬 Peer Support: Connects parents and carers with other local parents to offer and receive peer support.
· 🛠️ Skill Implementation: Helps parents, particularly those in parenting programmes, apply skills learned in sessions to daily life.
· 📔 Reflection Journal: Features a tool for parents to track moods and behaviours to understand what triggers issues.
· 📱 Availability: Accessible on both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
FREE to access for Barnsley parents/carers using the access code: BARNS. See the attached flyer for more info.
Barnsley College Junior Chefs
Parenting groups
Nut free school
A reminder that Astrea Academy Dearne is a nut free zone. We have scholars and members of staff in school who have severe nut allergies. Please do not allow children to bring in any products containing nuts.
Vaccine Clinics
Booster Vaccinations (Year 9 only)
Family Hubs What’s On Guide
Please see the link below for the Family Hubs Spring Term Digital “What’s On” Guide. This is full of great activities and support for families in our communities across the Barnsley area.