Front Page News

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.

It’s National School Sport Week – and the Academy’s going all out to celebrate it.

The week’s run by the Youth Sport Trust, an organisation that has benefitted this school in a partnership which extends more than 15 years.

The theme to the week is #belonging and that’s appropriate to much of what we do here.

The chaos on the rail network this week may, on the face of it, appear unrelated.

But it did get me thinking that individual students here are unaffected by the RMT’s industrial action.

We do not have the stories, as elsewhere, of students struggling to get to exams because their usual trains have been cancelled.

Some travel to school on bikes and a few dropped off from cars but, largely, our students walk here.

It is does offer another opportunity to celebrate healthy lifestyles and the benefits sport and being active can bring to a young person.

There is so much going on, sport-wise, this week. Students have chances to get involved in something they might not have heard of before. They can satisfy curiosity and have a go.

There is real depth to a brilliant programme, and I’d like to highlight the work of subject leader Lindsay Shutes and her team in pulling it all together.

She has gone that extra mile and worked so hard to give our young people access to an array of different opportunities. Thank you to Lindsay and the team.

Monday happens to be Sports Day and it will consist of two, half-day sessions.

Years 7 and 9 will go straight to Quibell Park for 8.30am, where registration will take place.

At 12.40pm, it is the turn of Years 8 and 10. They will be released from Quibell Park at the end of the day.

There is an area for parents / carers to watch and they will be signed in.

Missing from the sport action, of course, is Year 11.

A sense of belonging to the Academy ends on Friday afternoon when they leave us. A formal event will be attended by all staff.

They want to say their goodbyes and thank the students. I say ‘goodbye’, hopefully it’s more of a farewell and, going forward, those students build on what have been long-lasting relationships with staff and friends.

Games, activities, shirt and book signings, photographs, food and an ice cream van are all lined up.

It is our way of creating one last big memory of their time at the Academy and celebrating what they have achieved.

Hopefully, they will continue to feel connected to each other and with here.

We really want them to stay in touch, let us know what they are doing in the next chapter of their lives and beyond, and retain that sense of belonging.

Please see the letter below in relation for an increase in the Planned Admission Number (PAN) for the St Lawrence Academy

Consultation Letter PAN increase St Lawrence

Please click the link below to log your response to this proposal

Consultation response form

If you have any queries or require paper copies you can also contact via [email protected] or at

The St Lawrence Academy

Doncaster Road

Scunthorpe

North Lincolnshire

DN15 7DF

20th June 2022
                                                            SPORTS DAY 2022
Dear Parent /Carer,

As part of our commitment to provide access to sporting opportunities, The St Lawrence Academy will be holding Sports Day on Monday 27th June. This year, it will take place at Quibell Park Stadium, weather permitting. 

The day will go are as follows:

Years 7 and 9 …

Students will need to arrive at Quibell Park to register at 8:30am. After the events, at 12:15pm students will walk back to the academy, accompanied by academy staff to have their lunch. Students will then attend their afternoon lessons wearing their PE kit and finish the academy day at the normal time of 3.45pm.

Years 8 and 10…

Students will need to arrive at the academy and go to their tutor classroom to register at 8:30am , where registration will take place. They will then follow a timetable of morning lessons.  Lunch will take place at 11:45am – 12.10 pm.. After lunch students will walk to Quibell Park, accompanied by academy staff members. Upon arrival they will have their afternoon registration. Sports day is due to finish at the usual academy time of 3.45pm, upon completion of all events students will be dismissed from Quibell Park and will need to make their own plans to return home.  

All students will be expected to take an active part in what we anticipate to be an enjoyable day to celebrate the sporting abilities of all our students. The students have already been choosing their athletics events, and will be competing as part of the academy’s established House system. 

Your child is required to wear the correct St Lawrence PE kit all day, and they are advised to bring their St Lawrence outdoor jackets (plain black top)to keep them warm in between events. In addition suitable footwear should be worn for competing in athletics events. Students will also need to bring a bottle of water (and sunscreen/hat in hot weather). When students are not involved, they will be expected to support their fellow peers from the designated areas.

In the unfortunate event that there is unsuitable weather, students will be expected to attend school for normal timetabled lessons.

Parents and Carers are welcome to attend Sports Day. Upon arrival all visitors must sign in at the gate entrance and they will be directed to a designated viewing area. Visitors will not be allowed into the students area. 

If your child does not follow the academy expectation for Sports Day, they will be sent straight home immediately. 

If you have any queries about the arrangements for the day please contact the academy on 01724 842447 or email [email protected] in advance of Friday 24th June 2022.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Lindsay Shutes

Curriculum and Progress Leader of Physical Education

Sports Day Behaviour Policy 2022

• Students must be wearing the St Lawrence PE kit & House ribbons throughout the day. Nothing other than academy PE kit is allowed.

• When not competing, students will gather in their tutor groups.  Whilst in their designated group areas, students should remain in their own allocated sections.

• Students should refrain from dropping litter. No food will be permitted on the field. 

• Students should behave in a manner that is expected of them whilst on a normal academy day. This means respecting other staff and students, and creating a positive atmosphere throughout the day.

• Any students seen to be seriously disrupting the enjoyment of other staff or students will result in isolation for the day and subsequent removal from events and a loss of points for their House.

• When not competing, students should be encouraging others.  No footballs or other equipment should be brought by students and tutors will confiscate such items.

• At all times, students should behave in a manner that takes account of the health, safety and wellbeing of every member of the academy community and public. 

It is all happening here over the next 10 days – and there is plenty more to follow.

Trips, visits and opportunities continue to be lined up in this incredibly busy half term that helps give our young people the well-rounded education we so often talk about.

Year 10 are in week two of work experience. It was a really successful week one, with some brilliant feedback from some employers.

They described our young people as “naturals” and “suited to the workplace”. That’s testament to our programme at school of developing the whole child, not just the academic side.

Year 7 are having a different sort of experience this week, camping overnight.

One group had great fun Monday into Tuesday and the second group there tonight.

Like many things, it is the first time we have been able to run it in three years and, for a lot of our young people, will be their first experience of being away from home with friends on a school trip.

We have a group of children this week out at the Reading Stars Scheme run at Scunthorpe United FC. It illustrates why reading is so important and the doors it opens.

We have another group going to Hull City on Monday while RE leaders are sharing our good practice on diversity in Wintringham and Belton primary schools.

Years 9 and 10 will experience motivational workshops in a different element to the curriculum.

We are rewarding those children who have attended the most extra-curricular activities over the year by arranging a trip with the Allegro Gymnastic Academy in Bottesford for some specialised coaching.

The Academy is supporting the Adam Simms Memorial Cup by sending an athletics team to Quibell Park, to compete in a tournament named in tribute to a young man who attended Sir John Nelthorpe School in Brigg.

We have special relationships with a number of schools and supporting such a worthy cause in honour of such a talented young man is only appropriate.

Other students are going to a Stay Safe Conference at the Baths Hall.

These are the highlights of activities lined up for our young people over the next 10 days. They continue until the end of term.

It is a result of a massive amount of work, effort and commitment from the staff as we fit as many opportunities in the last six weeks of the academic year as possible. I would like to say thank you on behalf of the students.

It is a summer term that looks like a summer term should.

Meanwhile, the final reports for Years 7 to 10 are being populated, final assessments being analysed and data being collated. More on those next week.

For Year 11, they just need to keep going with exams – the end is on the horizon. It is important to note they are only attending subjects in the Academy where exams are still to be sat.

They are looking forward to their leaving event on Friday, 24^th June when they will be able to catch breath.

For the rest of the Academy, we will still be hurtling along at quite a rate.