15^th to 19^th July 2024

Week A

Friday 12^th July - Sports Day Cancelled

Due to the field being waterlogged, we have had to make the decision to cancel.

KS3 Rewards Day

This will be held on Tuesday. Boys will be notified shortly if they have qualified for this event, which will include inflatables on the field, computer games and other exciting activities.

Phone Free School from September 2024

In line with advice and guidance from the Department for Education and following consultations with our stakeholders, we have taken the decision to be a phone free school from September.  While mobile phones have many benefits, we strongly feel that the harmful effects of constant use and exposure to inappropriate content outweigh these benefits by some margin. You will be aware that this has been a prominent topic of discussion at a local, regional and national level.

We know, for example, that one in three pupils has suffered bullying on their phone over social media, the same number have had images or videos shared without consent and one in two has been exposed to inappropriate content.  We also know that phones are the root cause of the largest number of disciplinary issues in schools today.

We consider that phones, when used inappropriately, hinder broader social development, that they are a potential distraction throughout the day and that they have a negative overall impact on the lives of young people and on school performance.

We have a range of laptops, Chromebooks and iPads that are used in lessons across the curriculum. This will continue to ensure that learners do not miss opportunities for innovative practice and are equipped to succeed in a technologically advanced workplace.

We have researched this at length and visited a school within the area that uses the system we are switching to effectively.  What we have learnt is that in those schools that have implemented a ban on phones, there has been a striking improvement in learners’ social skills and engagement.

We acknowledge that our pupils will bring phones to and from school, and that many parents feel safer knowing that children can be contacted and tracked whilst travelling to and from school, and we are happy to support this. We also know that the addictive qualities that come with the use of this technology make it very difficult for children to have phones in their possession and not use them.  Rather than an outright ban, or taking on the liability of storing phones in a safe place during the day, we will adopt the use of secure lockable pouches such as those you would use at a concert or public event where recording is prohibited.  These are now commonplace.

We understand that for some, this will be a challenge, but there will be no exceptions to this rule.

Please see the attached letter for more information.

School closes for the summer break on Friday 19^th July at 12.40.

Arrangements for September are as follows:

Wednesday 4^th September

Y7 at 08.40

Y11 at 09.45

Y12 at 09.00 for enrolment only

Thursday 5^th September

Y7 & Y8 at 08.40

Y9 at 09.15

Y10 at 09.45

Y11 at 11.00

Years 7-11 enter via the KS3 yard.

Friday 6^th September

Years 7 to 11 at 08.40

Monday 9^th September

All years 7-13 at 08.40

Y7 Birkenhead Priory Trips

Sadly, we had to cancel the two trips that were due to run this week. Parents will be refunded via ParentPay. Any boys who paid cash can collect their refund from the school office. 

House Stars Recognised

Congratulations to all the Faraday, Ruskin and Grenfell students who were rewarded in assembly this week.  From perfect attendance to incredible improvement, mentoring, and being all-around stars, their dedication is inspiring. 

Y12 Geography Fieldwork

Last weekend, our Y12 geography students spent the weekend undertaking fieldwork on the spectacular Jurassic Coast in Dorset. They visited Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry's Rocks to learn about the geology of the coastline and the coastal processes that contributed to the formation of these landforms. Students completed some beach profiles at Lulworth Cove as part of their A-level coursework. Students then spent the evening trying their hand at axe throwing!

Railway Safety

Due to increasing incidents of trespass on the railway, please view the following video with your son/ward and talk to him about the importance of rail safety.
Over 21 million students, parents and teachers from across the UK have already watched this video, which has led to a significant decrease in the number of fatalities and injuries in their area.
 

The tragic death of Harrison in 2017, when he was in Year 7 at Guilsborough Academy, brought home to the community the importance of teaching our children about safety on the railways. Schools play a vital role in keeping our children safe.

Simon Frazer, Principal at Guilsborough Academy.
 

NEW Secondary school version: Age 11-16 https://learnliveuk.com/network-rail-secondary-school-safety-talk/

Online Safety

The sharing of intimate images online can be a dangerous avenue through which abusers seek to exploit children and young people, forcibly exposing them to explicit material, coercing them into sharing self-generated intimate images, and extorting them with the threat of sharing such images more widely. From reputational impact to potential blackmail or emotional distress, and even legal consequences, exposure to this harmful behaviour can have a severe impact.

It’s important to remember that the creation and distribution of explicit material featuring under-18s – even by the child themselves – is illegal under UK law. Our guide looks at the serious concerns associated with this behaviour, and lets parents and educators know how best to address these issues and protect young people.

Reporting an Absence 

Parents must telephone the school attendance line (0151 638 8131, option 1) on the first day of absence before 8.45am and on each subsequent day of absence. It is our duty to keep your child safe, so if you do not inform us, you will receive a truancy call. You will receive 6 further calls until you respond.  The number which will display as an incoming call is a Sheffield number, 0114 303 4042.