Front Page News

April 2022

 Revision Workshops

Dear Parent/Carer

In order to give your child the opportunity to achieve their full potential, the academy is holding revision workshops out of term time for these subjects. 

Computer Science – Mrs Dualeh

Geography – Mrs Kock

Technology – Mr Cretney

These will be held as follows :

Monday 4th April at 9:00am until 2:00pm

Students will need to bring a drink and packed lunch with them on the day and arrive promptly at 09:00am. Students do not have to wear their school uniform.

We would be grateful if you would encourage your child to attend the sessions that apply to them. 

Please complete the consent form by clicking the link below and completing the attached form. 

Extra Revision Consent Form

We appreciate your support in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Ellerby
Deputy Headteacher
of Teaching & Learning

I watched the footage of Will Smith at the Oscars and thought immediately of the poor example he was setting to young people.

Here was a Hollywood icon using violence to resolve a disagreement.

Smith has, of course, subsequently apologised to comedian Chris Rock for the assault but the damage in terms of the message sent out had already been done.

It is the opposite of what we expect at this Academy, with education, restorative practice and learning from mistakes, key tools when dealing with disagreements.

We are accountable for our actions and take responsibility. It is all part of creating good citizens.

Just because we don’t like a comment, we still need to think about the right and proper way to respond.

It is the same online. We need to consider our digital footprint and what might be read in the present and in the future.

Relationships are the most important thing we try to get right – between pupils, between staff and pupils and between staff.

We encourage conversations and debates but we always have to ask ourselves before we answer, what damage could I do by saying or writing the wrong words?

Will Smith would do well to spend some time at this Academy.

Easter’s a good time for reflection.

As a Church of England school, we recognise it is an important period for Christians. We have had a great week of reflective assemblies around Easter and what it means.

We are also mindful Ramadan begins on Saturday, 2^nd April. It is a hugely important event to our Muslim community, who make up a significant proportion of our Academy.

Religion is important to a lot of people in our community. Central to whatever faith we practice are peace and respect.

I hope you enjoy the holidays and please remember we return on Thursday, 21^st April.

We face an extremely busy term and I wanted to flag up the key dates:

• Wednesday, 27th April – Options Evening for Year 9
• Thursday, 5th May – Year 11 Valediction
• Wednesday, 11th May – Community Cafe
• Thursday, 12th May – Year 10 Prefect Ceremony
• Wednesday, 18th May – Year 10 Parents’ Evening
• Friday, 24th June – Year 11 Leavers’ Event
• Monday, 27th June – Sports Day, Years 7-10
• Thursday, 30th June – Year 6 Induction Evening
• Monday, 18th, Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th July – Years 7/8/9 Celebration Evenings

Friday sees us say farewell to three members of staff.

Senior leader Mrs Newlands-Melvin is taking up a senior deputy position closer to where she lives; English teacher Miss Chajid is moving to Morocco; and PE technician Mr West begins officer training at Sandhurst.

On behalf of the Academy community, I would like to thank them for their efforts and wish them well in their future careers.

On the communications front, the Arbor app has been downloaded by 40% of parents.

There will be a big push next term to have a much higher proportion signed up to what is going to be the best way to check children’s progress and keep in touch with school.

If you are having difficulty setting it up or would like help with it, please don’t hesitate to email  [email protected]

The app also celebrates success and rewards – something the Academy in Los Angeles was trying to do on Sunday night.

It is the final countdown for our Year 11s – and we’re determined to give them all the support we can muster before exams start.

Everybody is gearing up for the first national GCSE on Monday, 16^th May (RE, paper one) and they come thick and fast after that.

We return from the Easter break on Thursday, 21^st April, which means, just three-and-a-half weeks later, Year 11s will be sitting in the exam hall.

That is not meant to panic anybody.

We appreciate it is never an easy time for students or their families / carers but this year takes on greater significance as we have not had full blown exams for two years.

But a series of plans and interventions are in place to support our young people because, what we do know, is they are all different.

Some are organised, plan well, give themselves time and remain calm. Some are interdependent and prefer to work in small friendships groups, motivating each other.

But there are also those who, despite the help, support and guidance offered, don’t plan effectively, run out of time and, ultimately, leave it to the last minute, causing themselves a great deal of anxiety.

The plans and interventions for Year 11 are:

• Over the Easter holidays, revision sessions will be sent out every day for each student for a select number of subjects via Google Classroom, used so effectively during the COVID lockdowns.
• A school-led tutoring programme will be run every Wednesday over the next six weeks. Those who have accessed it over the past 12 weeks have seen anticipated grades increase, so it works.
• Tutor times first thing each morning will be taken up with English, Maths and Science revision. Some will spend time with Heads of Department.
• Staff training time will be used on the first three Fridays after Easter between 1.15pm and 3pm to cover an array of subjects, taught in a different way.
• An after-school revision timetable is being put in place, changing every day up to the exams starting.

No stone will be left unturned as staff do everything in their powers to support and guide our students. A letter will be sent out to Year 11 next week with the details.

The Google Classroom sessions give all our students a base offer every day over the holidays. We know many will do much more – and we hope they do – but every student has something to work on daily.

Thank you to staff responsible for putting this comprehensive revision programme together and led by my Deputy Headteacher Dan Ellerby.

It is an exciting time for Year 9. Their Options programme is about to be released, allowing them to choose subjects to study at GCSE over the next two years.

We give responsibility to those young people to prioritise the subjects they wish to continue. It’s a big decision.

They need to look out for the Options booklet and it is then important they talk to teachers and staff to enable them to make the right, informed choice.

In addition to the above, our Year 9’s are undertaking their first exams they have sat at the Academy next week. Monday 28th is English Literature, Tuesday 29th is Maths calculator, Wednesday 30th March is Science and Thursday 31st March is Maths non calculator. All are in the main exam hall.

Next Thursday, please don’t forget the Easter Community Café, which will replicate the successful formula from last term.

It is great to welcome the community for a cuppa, cake and chat and for them to see our young performers in a relaxed atmosphere the day before we break up.

Next Friday, on the last day of term, we will be hosting our first Year 7 house event between 12.15 and 1.45pm.

There will be competitions and activities for them to compete in and it will be a really nice way for that year group to end the term.

Finally, increasing numbers of students are arriving without a tie. They need to ensure they adhere to the uniform policy and have a tie on. If it’s lost, then a new one needs ordering from Shah’s Uniform on West Street, Scunthorpe.

They need to arrive at school ready to learn and the correct uniform sets the tone. Thank you.

21st March 2022

Year 11 Awards Evening and Valediction Ceremony

Dear Parents of Year 11 Students

The Awards Evening and Valediction Ceremony for our Year 11 students will take place on Thursday 5th May 2022 at 6.00pm prompt. On the occasion of the Valedictory Celebration, all Year 11 students are hereby invited to join together to celebrate their five years at The St Lawrence Academy. We know this will be a memorable and enjoyable event and we are able to offer two additional tickets, but only to students who are receiving prizes and who would like members of their family to attend.

The awards are mainly of an academic nature and are based on the final teacher assessment grades and completed modular examinations as well as the top achiever in each subject being awarded with a subject trophy.

Valediction Trophies presented on the evening will include:

• ATL Trophy: Prefectship. This is awarded to students who have demonstrated roles of Leadership.

• Headteacher’s Shield. This is given to the student for Leadership and Service, at the Headteacher’s discretion.

• Work Experience Award. For the student for whom we received a glowing report for Work Experience.

• Dux Scholar Award. For the student who is overall top achiever based on academic data.

• Outstanding Progress Award. For the student who has progressed the most over their 5 years in the academy.

• Service Above Self Award. For the student who has made a significant contribution to life in the academy beyond the call of duty. 

• Fortitude & Courage Award. For the student who has overcome obstacles and difficulties to be their best possible self.

• House Core Value Award. For the student who has best represented the values of the academy through the House system

I would like to wish all students the very best in their preparation for their examinations and believe that through hard work and support from parents/carers, all goals will be achieved.

Yours sincerely

Miss Sally Walker

Achievement Team Leader Year 11

I love the variety a week throws up: tonight, it’s a parents consultation evening, tomorrow our talent show returns, and Friday it’s Red Nose Day!

Yes, it is never dull at The St Lawrence Academy.  I’m so pleased we’re hosting such events and our young people are getting the rounded education they deserve.

It is the first consultation evening for Year 7 parents tonight between 4pm and 6.30pm, enabling them to talk to staff about their child’s progress.

If you have not done so already, please click here and confirm your attendance on a simple form.

The TLSA Talent Show returns tomorrow evening for the first time in three years. It will run in Westaby Hall between 4 and 5pm with tickets costing £1 (available via ParentPay) with money raised going to Comic Relief.

We have 11 wonderful acts, full of variety, and yours truly is one of the judges.

I know it is going to be humorous, entertaining and an event where the whole school community can come together to support and admire talents outside the classroom.

Good luck to all our star performers.

We follow that with more fundraising for Comic Relief on Friday, Red Nose Day. It is an exceptionally good cause and a fantastic chance to help others who are less fortunate.

Another event I’d like to highlight is our first Easter Community Café, taking place on Thursday, 31st March.

It is going to take the same format as the brilliant Christmas Community Café.

It will run between 3.15 and 4.15pm in the atrium and offers an opportunity for any member of the community to experience the Academy’s special atmosphere.

Visitors will be able to take part in Easter crafts, led by our students, and see some live performances by our singing group.

The cafe also offers a chance to pop along for a chat with our young people, the staff team and other visitors and enjoy light refreshments.

The event offers a really good opportunity to finish the term on a real high.

Time is passing by quickly and parents / carers have been in touch about next year’s term dates so they can look to book holidays. They have been published here.

Every parent / carer should have had an email with details to log on to the new Arbor communications app.

From next week, we will be pushing lots of event details through the app, including start and finish times and other information that will help parents / carers. It is a way they can message us directly.

Please don’t worry if you have not received the email about Arbor but do get in touch and we will sort it out.

In the longer term, it will be where we post a child’s progress, including their reports.

Finally, the letters to September’s new Year 7 parents will be landing on doormats over the next day or two.

It is always great to have new people joining our Academy community. Parents / carers whose children left  years ago still read about what is happening here, offering help and advice.

It is something I welcome. It all adds to that variety.

March 2022

Dear Sir/Madam,

Please allow me to introduce myself as Mr Dalowsky, the Headteacher of The St Lawrence Academy who are part of the St Lawrence Academies Trust. I am writing to tell you how pleased and delighted we are that NAME has been offered a place with us, starting in September 2022. We were again over subscribed and have increased our number of admissions to 165 due to the demand from our local community. Placing your trust in us as community school is both humbling and deeply satisfying.

It is a very exciting time when your child starts secondary school. The schools are larger, the buildings are bigger and sometimes this can be quite daunting. Please try not to worry about this as we have wonderful transition events planned and led by our brilliant Achievement Team Leader (ATL) Mr Cretney and supported by my Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion & Achievement, Mrs West.

CHILD will be invited to attend our Year 6 induction days here at the academy on Thursday 30th June and Friday 1st July. On Thursday 30th June there will also be an evening event where you as parents, carers or guardians can also attend and meet the tutor and house team. Further details of this will be provided nearer the time.

Our uniform of which we are very proud is an expectation here at the academy. The uniform policy is attached for you to read and digest. The main items can be purchased at Shah’s on West Street and also online from Price & Buckland.

You will have so many questions I am sure. There are a number of ways in which you can read information about us and see the great work that we do. Please ensure you make yourselves familiar with our new website, our facebook and twitter sites whilst also making a note of the enquiries email and telephone number too. These can be found below.

Good luck to NAME for the rest of their Year 6 journey at their primary school. We will be making visits over the coming weeks and months but if you have any questions, or would like to speak to us about the transition process please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the transition team :

Mr Matt Cretney – Year 7 Achievement Team Leader – [email protected]

Mrs Helen West – Deputy Headteacher – [email protected]

Mrs Kate Williams – SENDCo – [email protected]

Mr Phill Dalowsky – Headteacher – [email protected]

Yours Sincerely

Phill Dalowsky

Headteacher

Click the Red Nose below to support

Letters went out to the parents / carers of September’s Year 7 intake this week – a massive welcome to those new to The St Lawrence Academy community.

Some families will have been disappointed not to have the offer of a place.

I am humbled – and delighted – we were oversubscribed again, with our maximum 165 places filled.

Those families will receive a welcome letter from me in the next few days.

It will explain key communication channels and contacts for any questions or concerns they may have and where to get additional advice on our curriculum and life as a student at this Academy.

We understand it can be a daunting time, but we are here to take a lot of the stress out of it, for parents / carers and their children.

The transition days will help further allay any concerns. They are planned for after Easter and we look forward to welcoming those current Year 6s to our Academy. They will be well looked after by the transition team.

Our main wish is the next five years are ones of success and aspiration.

Yesterday, International Women’s Day was promoted and celebrated in the Academy.

All Key Stage 3 lessons, for example, promoted inspirational women in that subject area.

A series of visual resources were created to mark the day, including students and staff taking selfies of inspirational women in their lives. For some, it was their mum, for others their grandma or a friend.

It was all about showing how important these women are in our lives.

Our five assemblies last week, each taken by a different house, promoted International Women’s Day. I saw a number and they were great.

I would like to quote the International Women’s Day website:

“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.”

When I read that I thought this is our Academy.

We strive for a place free of bias, where girls feel they can achieve the same things as boys. We celebrate diversity and condemn any form of discrimination.

We are inclusive, each student is valued and their efforts celebrated.

Outside the Academy, it is how we break the bias around women.

Inside, we have had a really important 10 days, inspiring our young females and showing them what they can make of their lives.

It has been very powerful.

Linked to that is an activity around National Careers Week, which is underway.

Our Year 8 ATL Mr Stainton deserves much credit and thanks for a terrific idea. Posters have gone up in the windows of each classroom, with the title “What does your career path look like?”

Members of staff have filled in the details. I’ve been reading them and the contents are really inspiring. Former shop assistants and pot washers have gone on to become skilled professionals.

We all start somewhere but then the ceiling is as high as we want to make it.

When you are older, skills can be refined but it is when you are young there are the opportunities to shape lives. Students have to make the most of these chances.

They don’t need to go to fancy websites or leave the Academy to get encouragement.

There are 85 people here happy to give students balanced advice and guidance. Those posters demonstrate that.

Most need someone to turn on the light blub. Inspiring stuff, Mr Stainton.

Comic Relief returns a week on Friday, a time when we raise money for those less fortunate.

Students can wear something red under their blazer, but they also need to be in their normal trousers, shirts and shoes.

Voluntary donations can be made via Parent Pay.

Finally, a thank you to those parents who have downloaded the new Arbor communications app.

Emails with log on details will be sent to the last two year groups this week.

If anybody has not received them by the end of the week, please contact the school as it’s important to get everyone on board.