As Christmas fast approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to look back on what a superb term it has been at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy.
Success for our new curriculum, teaching and approach to behaviour
Our new knowledge based curriculum has started to embed, with students and staff comfortable with and enjoying the increased rigour that comes with it. Knowledge organisers have been a particular hit and we have written to you this week to explain how these should be used at home to support learning. The new direct instruction teaching method has meant that far more content is covered every lesson – students have risen to the challenge, and have really impressed us with how well they have done that. Students are hungry for knowledge and success, and understand that calm classrooms with clear routines help us all to achieve the best outcomes.
I am delighted with how much we have achieved this term. This has been exemplified by the first year 7 university visit of the year, to the University of Nottingham. Several families attended to find out what a university education can offer and ensuring that our students know that it is absolutely an option for them (but one of many!).
It is not only teaching and learning that we have been working on; we know that we need to ensure that the academy feels safe for all students and that we need to encourage parents to trust us with their most precious belongings. We have worked extra hard to build that confidence and trust with parents and guardians – we might not always get everything right first time, but we will always listen and try again.
This week we were delighted to celebrate the many successes of our students at our termly rewards evening – it was pleasing to see over 450 students, parents, families and staff joining us to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our students this term, and we thank everyone who attended.
Parent Teacher Association
I would like to thank our wonderful PTA for raising almost £600 for the academy rewards budget through our recent Christmas Fayre. This far exceeds what we were expecting/hoping for and we are delighted that it was such a success. Thank you to everyone who came and supported.
Supporting our community this Christmas
Our academy has a responsibility to invest in and be a huge part of the community it serves, and we take this role seriously. This is why we support our local primary academies/schools, we engage with the church and we encourage opportunities for students to volunteer within their community and build important relationships. We are opening our doors on Boxing Day to invite our community in to eat with us, meet Santa and have fun together. As part of this fabulous community, we encourage our students to be proud of their academy and to embrace key values of charity, respect and supporting others. This is all part of that mission – to put the community and our children at the heart of everything we do.
If you would like to support us on Boxing Day with time, help and/or donations, please contact me via hbrothwell@queenelizabeths-ac.org.uk or if you would like to join our fabulous PTA ‘Friends of QEA’ please contact Mrs Dixon on kdixon@queenelizabeths-ac.org.uk.
Thanks for your support as ever,
Miss Brothwell
Principal
