Dear Parents/Carers
As I am sure you are aware, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is now upon us and we have a number of staff and students here at the Academy observing the holy month.
Ramadan is a period of fasting and reflection for Muslims. With approximately 25% of our students and staff observing Ramdan this year, I felt it was important to reshare our academy’s message of Generosity, Respect, Justice, Forgiveness and Truth that I feel aligns with the spiritual focus of Ramadan.
As the passage from the Quran suggests this is a month for muslims to feel closer to God and at the Academy we appreciate that we have many students and staff that belong to and practise a faith (over 65 % have said they belong to a faith group). This year, Ramadan again coincides with Easter so we have a real opportunity to celebrate our diversity as an Academy.
Ramadan 2025 starts on Saturday 29th February 2025. At the same time our Christian students and staff will begin their observance of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday 5th March.
At the Academy we celebrate and value our difference in faith and no faith! We have accommodated for our Muslim students by providing the following:
- Students will lead an assembly on Eid at the end of Ramadan.
- In our Central Atrium we have ‘Ramadan and Lent’ display information for those who would like to learn more about these observances.
- At lunchtimes additional rooms will be available as safe spaces for prayer and further information will be on the Reflections room door- the reflection room will not be suitable due to the number of students wanting to pray.
- Toilets will be open during both lunch times for students to make wudu (ablutions)
- Reflections for the week beginning Ramadan are around Ramadan allowing students and teachers to reflect and have conversations around why muslims fast.
- Students that are FSM are still able to use their allowance to purchase food ( e.g cakes, cookies) and then put in their bags to eat for their iftar meal in the evening.
On behalf of all our staff and students in our TSLA ‘family’ Academy to yours, Ramadan Kareem (Blessed Ramadan)!
Once again this year our local Interfaith group based at the UCNL in Scunthorpe are organising a sponsored fast and Iftar celebrating Ramadan and Lent. It has been advertised on our Reflections over the past few weeks and we are all invited to join in. Please see the attached link to the poster for more details.
Yours sincerely
Mr McCluskie
Headteacher
11th February 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
From Monday 24th February we are making some adjustments to our timetable. These changes are being introduced to ensure that we have a sharper and more focussed start to learning each day. There is a small change to our afternoon timetable which will finish 5 minutes later Monday to Thursday but our start time is unaffected by these changes. The academy day will be as follows:
8:15am- 8.25am Line up. Students will be met by their tutors and taken to their tutor
room to be registered. This process will take 10 minutes
8:25am – 9:25 am Period 1
9:25am – 10:25am Period 2
10:25am – 10:55am Tutor Time or Collective worship
10:55am – 11:10am Break
11:10am – 12:10pm Period 3
12:10am – 13:40pm Period 4 including lunch
13:40am – 14:40pm Period 5 – Students leave at 14:40pm on Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday
14:40pm – 15:40pm Period 6 – Students leave at 15:40pm on Monday
On a Friday students will still leave at 13:15pm.
As Period 1 now starts immediately after registration with Tutors it is vital that all students arrive on time for our 8:15am start. Students who arrive late will miss the beginning of lessons and this will have an impact on their learning and progress and it will cause unnecessary disruption to the learning of other students.
I also remind you that students who arrive at the academy after our registers close will be marked on our registers as having an unauthorised absence. This means that they are in effect truanting.
Unauthorised absence can result in parents and carers being issued with a fixed penalty notice (a fine) from North Lincolnshire Council. This will not apply to students who have a genuine reason for arriving after the registers close such as a medical appointment. If your child does have a genuine reason for arriving late I ask that you contact the academy by 8am so that we do not mark the absence as unauthorised.
If your child arrives after the registers close we will advise you, normally by text or phone call. For this reason can you please advise the academy if you have recently changed your phone number so that our contact details for you are up to date.
Yours sincerely
Mr M McCluskie
Headteacher
January 2025
Dear Parent/Carer
Year 7 Consultation Evening – Thursday 16th January 2025 4.00pm-6:30pm
On Thursday 16th January at 4pm you and your child are invited to our
Year 7 Consultation Evening, to meet all their subject teachers. This is your first opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in key stage 3. It will also allow you to identify what needs to be done to maximise their potential for achieving success in the future. We would appreciate your support and attendance for the evening. Please confirm your attendance using the attached link
Please sign in on arrival in the Westaby Hall where you will be issued your child’s progress report and then proceed directly to the classrooms of the subjects studied by your child, to meet with your child’s teachers. There is no individual subject appointment system so you are able to arrive at a time to suit you between 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Prefects will be outside classrooms to facilitate your time with the teacher. The evening will finish at 6.30pm.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Mr M Cretney
Head of Year 7
Mr D Ellerby
Deputy Headteacher for Improving Curriculum & Assessment
13th December 2024
Dear Parent / Carer
As we approach the end of term, we would like to inform you of a number of events taking place before the end of term.
Year 7 students will enjoy a rewards trip to the Vue cinema on Monday 16th December to meet at the cinema at 9am in full academy uniform, as detailed in the letter previously sent.
Christmas Services
As Christmas approaches each year group will be escorted to St Lawrence’s Church on Church Lane and the students will be dismissed directly from the church, except Year 7. If you would like to attend any of the Carol Services at St Lawrence’s Church with your child’s year group, you would be made very welcome. Some services may finish slightly earlier and students may wait in church to be collected if required.
Monday 16th December – Year 11 Christmas Service – 2.45pm – 3.35pm
Tuesday 17th December – Year 10 Christmas Service – 1.35pm – 2.35pm
Wednesday 18th December – Year 8 Christmas Service – 1.35pm – 2.35pm
Thursday 19th December – Year 7 Christmas Service – 11.35am – 12.20pm
Thursday 19th December – Year 9 Christmas Service – 2.00pm – 2.35pm
Wednesday 18th December – In addition there will be a community & CCF carol service at the church on Wednesday 18th December at 4pm. We would welcome as many parents/carers and families to join us at St Lawrence’s Church for this special occasion and celebration in the build up to Christmas. Refreshments will be available afterwards at our Community Cafe.
Last Day of Term Friday 20th December – The academy closes for the Christmas Holidays at 12.15pm on Friday 20th December and all students will be dismissed at 12.15pm, lunch will be available for students at break time
Uniform and Equipment
At the beginning of the new term (6th January 2025) students will not be permitted to carry water bottles, equipment or personal belongings in their outside blazer pockets. The reason for this is that blazers are becoming damaged when students do not bring their bags to school and attempt to pack everything into their blazer pockets. Water bottles leak into blazers causing them to be soaked and this results in our students being uncomfortable during the school day.
I ask that you ensure that your child arrives at school with a bag and that bottles, mobile phones and personal belongings are placed in the bag before entering the academy. Students who arrive with bottles etc in their pockets and without a school bag will be asked to hand these over during morning line and they will be able to collect these at the end of the school day.
Attendance
We are aware that some parents have difficulties in accessing attendance information on Arbor. We will be sending attendance information to you throughout the next term. If you would like a breakdown of your child’s attendance please do not hesitate to contact the academy and we will arrange for your child’s attendance certificate to be emailed to you.
It has been an incredibly busy term with lots of exciting developments taking place across the Academy. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first term as Headteacher at The St Lawrence Academy and wanted to thank staff, students and parents for making me feel so welcome. May I take this opportunity to wish those of you celebrating Christmas a wonderful festive break. We look forward to welcoming all of our students back on Monday 6th January at 8.15am prompt.
Yours sincerely
Mr M McCluskie
Headteacher
On Friday 13th December, John Leggott College are hosting our first ever Community Christmas Fair! The event is completely free and aims to offer local families a festive evening of fun. There will be also be over 40 small businesses who will have stall at the event, making it a great way to also support local businesses. Santa is now fully booked, but there will be an elf on the shelf who will be around to meet and greet!
The St Lawrence Academy was delighted to host Sir Nic Dakin MP who presented badges of office to the Year 8 President and Vice Presidents for the current academic year. After an exceptionally well natured, planned and delivered campaign, three candidates from a field of 12 were successful in securing these prized positions. All Year 8 students and staff were invited to vote and turnout was high. All 3 elected candidates are looking forward to a year of service to the Year 8 community.
Read the full article on Grimbsy Live Website
