Associate Principal’s Message
Dear parents,
This week, I came across an incredible statistic that really struck me. Scholars who attend school 90% of the time or more – that’s at least 9 days out of every 10 – go on to earn, on average, £10,000 more per year than those whose attendance falls below 90%. Over a lifetime, that adds up to over half a million pounds!
Imagine being able to give your child the equivalent of £500,000, simply by ensuring they are in school every day. It’s astonishing when you think about what that really means: they’d be able to buy a three‑bed detached house, a family car, multiple holidays to the Maldives, and still have money left over.
But beyond the numbers, it’s the security, opportunities, and long‑term life chances this creates – not just for our children, but for future generations too. Daily attendance isn’t just about lessons; it’s about investing in their future in the most powerful way we can.
Whatever activities or engagements you have this weekend, stay warm and safe, and I look forward to seeing all scholars ready for school on Monday morning.
Kind regards
Mr Arezoo
Key Dates
- Tuesday 6th January – Friday 23rd January – Year 7,8,9 assessments
- Monday 2nd February – Wednesday 11th March – Year 11 mock exams
- Thursday 5th February – Year 8 HPV vaccinations
- 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
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
Talent Showcase Auditions
Barnsley Parent Power
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.
Barnsley College Junior Chefs
Year 10 University of Cambridge programme
Please see the poster below for details of an academic (online/afterschool) opportunity for Year 10s, delivered by the University of Cambridge.
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.
Vaccination clinics (All year groups)
HPV vaccinations (Year 8 only)
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.