NEWSLETTER www.cowesec.org info@cowesec.org
Friday 23rd November
Dear parents and carers, We have shared in a busy week again since I last wrote to you. On Monday we had a Year 13 mock Oxbridge interview trip and tomorrow students are coming in to the academy to continue this work. We have had a very positive visit from our Ormiston Academies Trust enrichment co-ordinator and she was both extremely impressed with our enrichment offer and the fantastic facilities we have here. We have also had a series of governor link visits which have all gone well and been very helpful support for our work. Every day this week form groups have had attendance breakfast celebrations with Mrs Harding, our Vice Principal, for top tutor group attendance for the last half term. Congratulations to all the forms with excellent attendance. Students who attend school every day are proven with research to achieve higher results. Year 11s are in the last stages of revision before the mock exams and we have launched an exciting revision app called ‘GCSE podcast’ with the year group recently. This has hundreds of podcasts and videos, all lasting between 3 and 5 minutes, to support revision. In form time, Year 11s have been writing flash cards and learning our 5 step approach to note taking. Research tells us that students who follow this method will use their revision time more effectively than those who don’t. This week students have also had some reminders on appropriate behaviours around the building. A series of assemblies planned for next week will remind students of expectations in the building; I would appreciate parents also discussing at home our high behaviour expectations. Our academy has a very positive feel to it and I know students feel proud to be a part of our community. It is important that we maintain this calm, happy and productive atmosphere at all times. Thank you to all the parents who have so far joined me for a parent surgery since September. A reminder that I hold them twice weekly on a Tuesday afternoon from 1pm – 2.30pm and from 3.30pm – 5.30pm to enable parents to get to know me and discuss the work of the school with me directly. Attendance is by pre-booked appointments only. Please either email dharrison@cowesec.org or phone the school on 01983 203103 asking for Donna Harrison to book in a slot in advance of each Tuesday. With best wishes, Rachel Kitley