Dear parent/carer,
Welcome to this week’s update from Leigh Academy Minster with the key information relating to your child. It’s been a busy and productive second week, and we’re proud of how our students have settled in and embraced their studies. We’ve seen fantastic progress across all subjects, with students demonstrating curiosity and a strong commitment to their learning. This week’s letter highlights some of the key events and achievements from around the academy, and we hope you continue to find this letter a useful signpost of key information.
Student leadership
The Academy has this week announced its student leadership groups for the academic year with students in years 8 to 13 being appointed following successful applications at the end of the previous academic year. The quality of the applications was extremely high so all of the students who have been successful are very much deserving of their positions. All students who have been appointed to a leadership position will receive their badges next week, and we look forward to celebrating their appointments during assemblies in the near future.
College competition launch
The Academy has launched its inaugural annual college competition trophy for staff and students. Moving forward, there will be a variety of competitions taking place during each module ranging from academic to extra curricular, with colleges competing against one another throughout the course of the year. At the end of the academic year, one of our colleges will have their name engraved onto our college trophy and be the first winners in the history of the competition.
The Oracy Lab
Students in years 8, 9 and 10 will this year be taking part in a weekly tutor session titled “The oracy lab”. During this session students will be working on boosting their oracy skills by engaging in a discussion around a key question. Students will have the opportunity to discuss both sides of the argument with their peers and then an opportunity to vote for the option that they support. The weekly results of these sessions will be shared weekly for families to continue the discussions at home. Please find The oracy lab weekly results here.
SEN Needs
The academy is aware that during the summer holidays, there may have been changes to circumstances regarding the learning needs of your child.
To ensure we have all relevant information, can you please fill in this form if your child has any special educational needs that are diagnosed, to ensure we can cross reference all information on our system. This will ensure that your child can experience the best possible support in lessons and throughout the wider academy.
https://forms.gle/6Wt7hhAFKPEY2yN9A
Uniform
As we enter the autumn season, as per our uniform policy, students are not permitted to wear jumpers in the academy as part of their uniform. Students are able to wear a plain black or navy blue coat to and from the academy and when walking around the academy itself. All classrooms and social spaces are well heated and provide a positive environment for students.
Medical appointments
If your child has a medical appointment that falls within the academy day and cannot be changed, please can you provide the academy with any necessary medical documentation for this absence. Medical evidence can be an attached photo, screenshot or photocopy of:
- A letter from a medical professional
- An appointment card with student name date and time (in the form of a text, email or card)
- A copy of prescription note
- A copy of the prescribed medication sticker on the side of medicine packaging
Accessing the academy
All families are required to make an appointment should they wish to visit the academy site and to speak to members of staff. Any visitors who arrive without prior arrangement and wish to speak to a member of staff will be asked to return at an agreed time.
ParentPay
Please can we ask families to address any outstanding payments for purchases made this week by your child or top up ready for the week ahead.
Please note our onsite catering company, Cucina, does not allow any debt on children’s accounts, therefore if your child does not have any credit on their account, they will not be able to purchase food/drink. If your child is in receipt of FSM, then their FSM meal will not show on their account but any additional purchases will. This means that from Monday students will be only able to purchase food if their account is in a positive balance.
Yours faithfully
Mr. M. Stevens | Principal
