Front Page News

September 2022

 

Dear Parents/Carers

 

I am writing to formally introduce myself as the new Achievement Team Leader (ATL), for your child in Year 10, from September 2022. I am absolutely delighted to be working with this year group, supporting each and every student as they aim to achieve their full potential.

 

As their ATL, it is my role to support, encourage and monitor your child to ensure progress is made. I expect them to maintain high standards of behaviour and enthusiasm for their learning as they move forward with new and exciting challenges. I will foster a positive atmosphere with my year group where all students feel valued and understand our joint responsibility for developing their academic, emotional and social skills; so they are able to fulfil their potential and go on to be successful young adults.

 

The tutor team is extremely positive about the attitude and behaviour of the group and I am excited to see what their time in Year 10 – 11 will bring. Our new tutor team will consist of the following staff:

 

10G	Mrs Emily Atkinson	[email protected]
10R	Mr Aminul Hassan	[email protected]
10E	Mr Darren Darcy	[email protected]
10A	Mrs Sarah Dodsworth	[email protected]
10T	Mr Eddie Wraith	[email protected]
10GREAT	Miss Charlotte Chelotti	[email protected]

 

Additional support staff in the Year 10 team:

Mrs Debbie Leadenham – SPL, 

Mrs Donna MacDonald – CPL English

Mrs Mel Woolnough – LTA, 

Mrs Joanne Holleworth – LTA, 

Mrs Joey Kock – Assistant Headteacher

 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the tutor or most relevant member of staff by email. I am looking forward to a successful year of positive, enthusiastic and diligent students who are beginning to prepare themselves for further education and the world of work.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Miss Sally Walker 

Achievement Team Leader Year 10

[email protected] 

Dear Parents/Carers

This year started with great uncertainty and thankfully finished feeling very much like the academy of old, full of trips, visits, experiences and events. Added to this a full and comprehensive exam series for Year 11.

During the last term we have said our farewells to Year 11 students, the Year 10 prefect team has been elected and we have embraced a series of events that have created new and varied opportunities. Our new Year 7 students for September, 2022, will start at the academy after a series of transition days and activities this summer on Tuesday 6th September. I am sure the students are excited about starting at the academy and that they will be a huge success, as our class of 2027!

We were oversubscribed again with over 20 families going to appeal to try to get a place with us. We are genuinely humbled by your desire to be with us and it does not go unnoticed. In September we will have our largest ever number of children at the academy, around 785 in total.

As we always welcome new students and say farewell to those who are leaving us, we also do the same with our staff. Leaving us at the end of this year will be:

• Petrina Longstaff – Curriculum & Standards Manager & Senior Leadership Team member. Petrina is retiring after spending 19 years with us. We wish her well.
• Liz Nikolaidis – After being with us for 7 years Liz and her whole family are relocating to Birmingham and we wish them well in the next chapter of their lives.
• Kerry Harrison – Another new venture for a staff member as Kerry is moving into a role of conservation after spending 4 years with us here. Good luck.
• Mathew Smith – Mathew is joining another school locally in the next stage of his professional journey. 

I am sure you join me in wishing these staff well and in thanking them for all the support and help they have given the students at the academy.

This is also a time to welcome and celebrate some fantastic staff joining us in September:

• Eddie Wraith joins us as a Maths teacher and we are hugely excited for what he will be able to offer us.
• Neelem Modaher will be joining us as a Science teacher

As a result of these appointments, we have been able to afford some leadership positions to some of our staff who have been with us over time.

• Michelle Hill will now become our second in charge of Science and we wish her well. An outstanding teacher and role model for our children.

Within the summer term we also made some new appointments in a variety of different areas. We extend our welcome and thanks to,

• Iulia Apostol who has accepted a job as our second MFL teacher
• Charlotte Chelotti who has begun her teaching career with us as an English teacher
• Rosie Fox-Connor started work as our Safeguarding Support Officer.

Our staffing can always be viewed by clicking on the link shared below and from here you can also make contact with staff via their email addresses.

https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/parents/key-staff-contacts/

GREAT Expectations

In addition to our 5 core values of Truth, Justice, Respect, Forgiveness and Generosity, we continue to promote and embed our 3 Academy GREAT Expectations for all our academy community.

• Be Ready – on time, correct equipment, uniform, attitude.
• Be Safe – being calm and thoughtful, keeping yourself and others safe.
• Be Respectful – this is an essential and core part of what we believe to be the basic expectation of all who are a part of the academy.

The St Lawrence Academy Uniform

It is essential that we maintain high standards of appearance and uniform. We have attached our Uniform Policy as a reminder about our expectations in relation to uniform. 

• Uniform can be purchased either online or in person with details below.

https://www.pbuniform-online.co.uk/stlawrenceacademy OR in person at

Shah’s uniform supplier on West Street, Scunthorpe. https://www.shahsuniform.co.uk/st-lawrence-academy (the NEW PE top & black hoodie can only be purchased from Shah’s)

• Long, painted or acrylic nails are not allowed at the academy
• Skirts must not be of a tight and stretchy material and all skirts must be appropriate in length. If Y7, Y8 or Y9 students choose to wear a skirt it must be the TSLA branded skirt available from Shah’s.
• Please do not allow your child to have a new piercing towards the end of the holidays as there are no exceptions to our rule on jewellery, which is a maximum of one stud in each or one ear lobe and a watch.
• Please ensure any extreme hairstyles/hair colours are reversed for the return to school in September.
• No jumpers, hoodies or jackets are permitted to be worn under blazers.

From September, the academy PE kit is ESSENTIAL. Students must have the correct PE kit.

Detentions

We run a detention system and this is a whole academy system and detentions will be held every day after school up to 45 minutes. These will be communicated to you and we will be expecting the support from our families in students attending these. Refusing to attend detentions will mean an increase in sanction.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones should not be seen in the academy; if they are seen or heard they will be confiscated. If a student brings one into the academy, and it is lost or stolen, we will not take any responsibility. If a student needs to contact home during the day they can use one of our telephones. The use of mobile phones is a distraction to learning and there are serious consequences for students who take photos or videos in the academy and then share them on social media.

Smoking

We would like to remind you that the academy is a smoke free zone anywhere on the premises. This also includes vapes, which may be confiscated if a student brings one on site or if caught smoking this may lead to further consequences. 

The Academy Day 

These can be seen below. The important thing to note here is the start of the day for all year groups is 8.30am. We encourage students to arrive into the building no later than 8.20am.

Students will be dismissed from the academy at the following times:

• Monday 3.45pm
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.45pm
• Friday: end of lessons 1.15pm, students can stay for lunch up to 1.30pm

GDPR/Data Protection Act

Throughout the year we encourage staff to take photographs of our students learning or when they are out on school trips. We like to put up displays around the academy to celebrate student achievements and we also want to continue developing our website/social media platforms.

You need to give your permission to display images for celebratory purposes of your child. We are regularly visited by the media to celebrate the talents of your children as we always try to promote their successes when we can. Please ensure you have completed or updated the consent form which we send to you, oir you can update your preference on the Arbor APP. 

Use of technologies

Can I please ask you all to monitor your child’s use of their phone/computer at home in relation to social media, as sometimes they may use it inappropriately or they may be sharing too much personal information.  It would be wise to check their privacy settings so that they are not sharing information too widely, as sometimes this can result in safeguarding concerns. 

TikTok in particular is an increasing point of concern. We have worked tirelessly nationally and with the Police this year and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate forms of action if social media use is abused.

Medical information

Our Student Services provide a basic first aid service for all students but they do not give specific medical advice.  If an illness or injury occurs outside of school hours it is your responsibility to follow this up, please do not rely on us to do so. Any medication, if sent into the academy, must always be in the original packaging and clearly labelled, and a consent form completed. Antibiotics must be managed at home, not in the academy. 

If you believe your child requires a specific Health Care Plan for school and this is not already in place, please contact student services to discuss.

We want to work in partnership with you to make sure that the academy can provide the best possible education for your children. We recognise how important it is to have the support of all the staff, parents, carers and students and we hope that our partnership with you will continue to grow over the coming years. Our mission statement reflects our vision: Transforming Lives and we are very optimistic about the future, especially after having had another very successful yet disrupted year. 

Operation Encompass

We are an Operation Encompass School. Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools. One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified. Mrs West, DSL, will be informed of all domestic instances that the police have attended.

Food Bank

We are a distributor of Food Bank Vouchers. Please contact us if you need this support.

ParentPay

The academy operates a cashless system in the diner and for all purchases. Cards are issued to all students to purchase items from the diner and to access any free school meal allowance daily.  The first card is issued free but you will need to purchase a new card if your child loses it.. Funds can be added to the card by purchasing school meals using your ParentPay account,  All payments for trips, visits and resources are also cashless and paid online.  If you need your Parentpay log on details please contact us.

Moving forwards

We have appointed some fantastic staff at the academy for the start of the new academic year who are very excited about their new roles and being part of The St Lawrence Academy. We believe we have an excellent team of staff who will inspire your children to do their best.

In September, students will need to be organised and plan in advance. They will need to:

• be on time for the start of the day and arrive in good time.
• have the correct uniform including shoes and not trainers.
• bring the correct equipment for learning (pen and pencil as a minimum expectation).
• bring their PE kit (The St Lawrence Academy PE kit only) on PE days.
• bring their student ID card every day. If misplaced they can be reordered on Parent Pay.
• be prepared to complete homework when it is set.

Communicating with us

If you need to get in touch with a staff member around either a subject or a year group matter then please see the Contact List where a list of staff contacts are supplied. Please go through these channels to speak with the relevant person or people. Below are the main contact details for us in terms of telephone number, email address, website and social media accounts. Please be advised our social media channels are not manned continually & messages not always responded to.

Our main areas of information on our website are listed below and you should use these to reference where to get the appropriate help or details from,

Meet our Senior Team & Key Contacts – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/about-us/staff/ 

Our Parent App (Arbor) – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/parents/arbor-parent-portal/ 

Our Prospectus – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/about-us/prospectus/

Curriculum – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/student-experience/curriculum/

Attendance/Absence – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/parents/attendance-absence/

Safeguarding – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/parents/safeguarding/

Headteachers Weekly Blog – https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/headteachers-blog-3/

Parent App through Arbor

For 2022/23 and onwards we will be a paperless academy. Reports, timetables and other documents will be viewed through our Arbor app. Please download this if you have not already done so.

A lot has changed since September, 2021, but we have returned to normal and realise that, in September, a good start needs to be the focus for our children’s futures moving forward.

A school community needs a community and a community needs a school that works hard together through times that are good and also tough. I thank you for your patience, trust and respect and look forward to working with you all during 2022-23.

I hope you have a safe and happy summer.  

Yours sincerely

Phill Dalowsky 

Headteacher

https://slatrust.co.uk/

21st July 2022

Dear Parents/Carers

I am sharing with you the plans for our September reopening for all students. When I wrote to you all at this point last year we were very much unsure as to what we were reopening to, when covid guidance was being updated and very much in the dark with regards to what might be permissible.

It is such a good feeling after two years of great uncertainty and at times guesswork to be able to write to you and be in control of what we are sharing going forwards.

In September we will have our usual staggered start to the year. This is even more important as we need to let our new Year 7 students settle into the building and gain confidence in their new surroundings as the class of 2027 begin their next step of their educational journey.

The following students will return on the following days

Tuesday 6th September at 8.20am for a prompt 8.30am start – Year 7 only

Wednesday 7th September at 8.20am for a prompt 8.30am start – All year groups

Thank you again for your support and understanding over recent months. I wish you a safe and happy summer. A more detailed letter will arrive to you all in August in preparation for September.

As always we will use our communication channels to keep you continually updated. Our website https://tsla.realsmartcloud.com/ is the best way to have access to all important information and contacts. Our Academy facebook and twitter accounts are also regularly updated. 

Yours sincerely

Phill Dalowsky 

Headteacher

https://slatrust.co.uk/

So that is it – we are all done and ready for a break.

The heat has topped us off, but we have made it and end the term on a positive note.

I would like to thank families for their overwhelmingly support over the past week or so.

The exceptional temperatures meant we made exceptional decisions on uniform and ways of working.

We felt it was important to communicate early and well and, as a result, our community has given us a lot of praise, which has been good to read.

It backs up the relationship we have with parents / carers and the trust you place in us to keep your children safe and cared for.

The 2021-22 academic year has finished as normally as it could in terms of the Academy being able to run its events, trips, and opportunities.

But if people cast their mind back to September, it was anything but normal.

We wondered what sort of year it would be and, for example, whether public exams would take place for Year 11.

Covid gave us significant bumps in the road with absence and persistent absence.

That Autumn term was challenging and that is easy to forget when it feels so far away.

If you are saying the year as a whole was not normal, you have to go back to 2018-19 for a disruption-free academic year. That is a long time.

We will attack September to ensure we have as a good a start to the next year as we have had finish to this one.

Our first Summer Fayre last Thursday was a perfect example of the positivity surrounding the Academy.

Hundreds of people turned out to support the event and it raised £501.93 for Lindsey Lodge Hospice, a terrific effort.

Through the diocese, we are looking at a new strategy called Time for Change and how school, church and household come together. This event illustrated really well what a tight unit between the three we already have here.

We had a wonderful turnout from our diverse community and it was a great celebration at the end of term. Thank you to all who came along and to those students and staff who organised and ran it.

Children have been given their end-of-year reports, showing their development and progress. Staff know where the support is needed to ensure this continues next year.

Talking of which, a reminder that the Academy reopens on Tuesday, 6^th September, to Year 7 only. All other year groups return on Wednesday, 7^th September.

I want to end by thanking everybody for their support, patience, trust and understanding.

We are not perfect and there are things we need to work on. We listen to feedback and that help improves what we do.

We are pleased the year has finished on a such a high and hope everybody has a restful summer and returns fully recharged.

But if students or staff do need support during the holiday, the Academy is not shutting down. There will be people here to pick up emails and phone messages. That is what we do.

Please enjoy the break.

 

 

 

17th July 2022

Dear Parent / Carer

Public Health have been communicating with schools within North Lincolnshire and a Level 3 Heatwave alert is in place for North Lincolnshire through until Tuesday 19th July, which means action has been encouraged to be taken by schools and early years settings to protect staff, children and young people. They have advised that this is particularly important as children are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures and are therefore more vulnerable during prolonged periods of hot weather.

Because of this and in addition to the things we put in place on Friday we have made a decision that we will be closing at 1.15pm on both Monday and Tuesday. We feel due to the temperatures being at their highest from 1pm onwards that your children will benefit from not having to sit in classrooms in exceptionally hot conditions.

Children will be able to get food at break times and at lunch time. Hot and cold food will be available but not main meals. This will allow children to grab and go and particularly at 1.15pm when we will close on both days.

PE kits are still encouraged, hats for outside, a water bottle a necessity, with sun cream also if possible.

Wednesday should see a return to more comfortable temperatures but PE kits can remain.

All three Celebration evenings, scheduled for this week have been postponed until the first week back in September as again we didn’t think it wise to have huge gatherings of people in a venue without appropriate ventilation/air conditioning.

We appreciate your continued support and if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Phill Dalowsky
Headteacher

15th July 2022

 

Dear Parent / Carer

 

In advance of next week we wanted to communicate with you our plans for dealing with the temperatures that are being predicted for Monday and Tuesday.

 

Due to the heatwave being discussed we will be adapting and changing our uniform again in order to make it as comfortable as possible for our young people and staff.

 

Students may attend the academy without both their blazer or their tie.  Alternatively they may attend in their full academy PE kit.  We must stress however, that it must be the academy PE top and shorts and normal trainers, no other sports kit will be permitted.  

 

Students may wear a hat whilst outside and during PE lessons and this will need to be removed when inside.  Please ensure your child applies sunscreen and brings a refillable water bottle.  Bottles can be refilled at the water fountains or at the diner after the food has been served.  

 

PE lessons are being adapted to ensure less exposure in the extreme heat. 

 

Students who wear a hijab may wear a white hijab if they prefer. 

 

Celebration evenings due to take place next week will be reviewed, so please check messages.

 

We are always responding to and looking at ways to improve the way in which we work. Thank you for your support and messages this week with regards to changes to our uniform. We value the relationships we have with you and the communications that we share.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Phill Dalowsky

Headteacher

We are prone in this country to things falling apart when a little common sense would avoid such outcomes.

One example is the weather. A bit of snow in the winter and the roads are gridlocked.

A new phenomenon causing great hysteria is the heat.

Quite late on Sunday evening, the Academy’s senior management team had a discussion around blazers. Should we expect our children to be wearing them when staff are in appropriate clothes for the summer?

The answer was ‘no’ and this was communicated to parents / carers through social media and emails. Children do not have to bring their blazers to school this week, let alone wear them.

The decision was supported by a great percentage of the academy community. I’d like to thank those parents who sent kind messages supporting our decision-making process and using common sense.

One parent stopped me while I was with our students doing a litter pick.

“If The St Lawrence Academy directs its children not to bring blazers into school it must be hot!” they said.

It is the first time in 14 years we have issued the instruction. It is hot and we have reflected on this.

The result has been a more pleasant teaching and learning environment.

The canteen staff have been brilliant in making sure extra water has been available for students and staff. I thank them for that and this has been a smooth process.

The sensible decision around blazers is another example of an open and honest conversation resulting in a supportive Academy community.

We will review to see whether we stick with the decision until the end of term. If we need to, we will.

Another initiative that has met with a positive response is every morning, during tutor time, Years 7, 8 and 9 have been collecting litter from the Academy grounds and close by.

Students are genuinely interested in looking after the environment and their efforts have been picked up by the Scunthorpe litter pickers’ group.

We are always looking for new ways to make a positive impact on our community.

A reminder that next Thursday (21^st) is the last day of the summer term and we will be finishing at 1.15pm. A text will be going out to parents today.

Year 9 students will be receiving their options this week on what they will be studying at GCSE over the next two years.

Our end-of-term celebration evenings take place next week. On Monday, it is Year 7; Tuesday, Year 8; and Wednesday, Year 9.

Students should have received invitations if they are receiving an award. Please ensure reply slips are returned to help with the planning and seating arrangements.

Finally, another plug for our first Summer Fayre, taking place tomorrow (Thursday) between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, with all proceeds going to Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

There will be lots of stalls and fun activities so please come long – and bring a friend or two – to support the students and staff who have put in an enormous amount of work to organise it.

The fayre will take place outside, including in front of the Academy.

At least we have no concerns about the weather, and I know everybody will be in sensible clothing.

 

The relationship with our parents is key to the success of our Academy – and it was terrific to see a packed hall for our Year 6 transition event.

We had a fabulous two days with September’s new intake.

Rather than whiz, pops and bangs, we decided to give them a relatively normal two days of life at the Academy, the kind they will experience in September. It worked really well.

There were no spare seats for the parents’ night, which demonstrated the importance they place on the relationship with us.

They stopped to speak to staff members at the end and it was an overwhelmingly positive night.

It is an important phase in their children’s life as they transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and I would like to thank them for their attendance, interest and feedback.

Our local uniform suppliers Shahs were also there. I know times are difficult, but I would encourage parents to purchase the correct uniform as soon as possible, while there is plenty of stock, rather than leaving it to the last minute.

I have been at the start of most of the Year 10 exams, currently taking place. Staff have been most impressed how relaxed, organised and well prepared our students have been.

I would like to thank our Year 10s. I have a really good feeling about this group. They have faced a lot of disruption and knockbacks to their learning but have taken it in their stride.

I know they are apprehensive about results, but I would ask them not to worry. The exams will give us clear evidence of where they are and where they need to be.

In September, we will use the results to ensure they have all the necessary support and assistance in an important year.

Attitude is everything. Year 10 have a wonderful attitude and, as staff, we can work with that positive mindset to help produce the outcomes they deserve.

Around 70 students represented the Academy at the first North Lincolnshire Schools’ Athletics Championships in three years at Quibell Park yesterday.

It is great to see that level of representation from Years 7 to 10 after such a long break from competition. Well done to all who competed.

The Academy will host its first summer fayre a week tomorrow (Thursday,14^th) from 4.30pm until 6.30pm.

House leaders Tom Massey and Ryan Oates, together with students, have put an enormous amount of work and effort into creating a special event with lots of activities and stalls.

I hope parents, grandparents, carers and friends will come out in their numbers to support it and those children who have helped with the organisation.

Hopefully, the weather will be kind.

Finally, reports are being finalised by staff and will be sent out via email on Monday, 18^th July. Please look out for them.

When they are produced, we all know the academic year is close to ending, and we can look forward to that fresh start and those new faces in September.

 

 

 

 

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Activities continue at a pace in the Academy – but we are also focused on the future.

A little bit of rain could not dampen the enthusiasm at our first sports day in three years at Quibell Park on Monday. It was a roaring success, following on the back of a terrific National School Sport Week.

Well done to all the competitors and thanks to the staff who organised and supported the event.

Internal building works, which I’ve mentioned before, are expected to take place in August.

We have worked hard over the last six months on planning the works and the changes.

A fully resourced library will be one result, as will increased capacity elsewhere in the Academy.

We have worked closely with the Local Authority on how it can help us support the students it needs us to provide an education for.

Demand for school places locally is huge and, for us as an Academy, the issue is as big as ever. But it is about working in partnership and supporting where we can.

It is interesting to note the catchment for the class of 2027 – those starting with us in September – spans a radius of only 1.048 miles.

We are fortunate in that respect and have an important place at the heart of our community.

Year 6s will be in school for two busy induction days on Thursday and Friday. We are really looking forward to welcoming them and I ask current parents / carers to share the blog on social media with our newcomers.

Parents / carers of the 166-strong cohort are invited to visit the Academy on Thursday at 5pm. They will have the chance to meet their child’s form tutor, learn about expectations, and have any questions answered.

While the long Year 11 exam period has come to an end, it is the turn of Year 10 to experience a two-week exam period.

For the first time, they will be given grades and feedback ahead of their big summer of exams next year.

They will also be given predicted GCSE grades to help them focus on where improvement can be made and highlight to teachers where support is needed.

Year 10 are having a day off exams today to take advantage of a taster day at North Lindsey College.

On Friday, 50 Year 9s are visiting the University of Hull.

Both days will help the year groups consider next steps after the Academy.

Ten Year 9s will be travelling to Rotherham next week to participate in The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme. Their training will help our efforts to create an even kinder school community.

Finally, another nod to the future. In September, the first preference for accessing school reports and other essential information, such as exam timetables, will be via the Arbor app.

The percentage of those using the communication tool is in the high 60s but that leaves a proportion who have not activated it. Could I urge you to do so please. If you have any issues, please contact [email protected]

Arbor is key in our efforts to reduce the amount of paper we use. That, too, is the future.