North Shore Academy

This morning students were taking part in assembly or tutor activites to share their beliefs about their online rights and responsibilities in support of Safer Internet Day. Students took part in the ‘Have your say’ Survey in October 2012.  Over 24,000 age 7-19 from across the UK have responded.  The result is the development of primary and secondary school charters of online rights and responsibilities, which are being presented to government today:
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2013/survey

Please support and spread the word about Safer Internet Day:
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk

Parent and Carers information on how to keep your children safe online:
http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

North Shore Academy Supporter of SID 2013:
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2013/supporters

Please check our Exam Dates page for the new North Shore Academy Summer Examinations timetable 2013.

Exam Dates

Please check the Academy’s updated uniform page (update on winter footwear).

Uniform Page

Christmas Break

I am writing to inform you that we will be breaking up for the Christmas holidays at 12.00noon on Friday 21 December 2012 and the buses have been arranged for this time.  On this day a meal will be available for students at break time including those on free school meals.

 New Year

Students need to return to the Academy in the New Year on Monday 7 January 2013 for an 8.30am start.  The Academy day will end at 2.35pm each day.  After school activities, clubs and interventions will continue throughout the week and you will be informed of these as they occur.

 Timetable

We have re-arranged our timetables to ensure more appropriate teaching groups and purposeful curriculum going forward into our new building in April 2013 and for September 2013.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the Academy to speak to myself, Mrs James (Vice Principal) or Mr Rodgers (Deputy Vice Principal).

 Uniform

We are currently selling the following Academy uniform (old logo) at discounted prices whilst stocks last:                       

Jumpers and Slipovers                         £5.00

 Waterproof Coats                               £10.00

 Ofsted

As you are no doubt aware we had our 2^nd Ofsted Monitoring Visit since being placed in Special Measures in January 2012.  This visit occurred on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 December 2012.  The feedback was extremely positive with progress in behaviour and attendance since the last visit as good e.g. the attendance of disabled students and those with special educational needs have seen a dramatic rise.  Other areas have made satisfactory progress with a quote from the report being, “There is no doubt that the overall quality of teaching is beginning to improve” also quoted “There remains a clear vision for improvement that is permeating deeper within the academy” and “The Governing body is already benefitting from the vast expertise of the new Chair”.

 Also “Staff and students believe that behaviour is continuing to improve” and “..are confident that incidents of bullying, such as cyber-bullying, are dealt with more swiftly and effectively than before”.

More detailed information will be communicated to you when we have received the formal written feedback letter.

GCSE Examinations

The January GCSE Examinations take place between Wednesday 9 January and Monday 28 January 2013 and selected Year 9, 10 and 11 students have been entered.  Those students involved have been issued with a timetable but a more detailed timetable will be distributed to your child next week indicating their seat number.  Please ensure that your child attends and is punctual for every examination as the times are set nationally.  If your child misses these external examinations they cannot take them again and the chance to attain their GCSE grade will have gone.  If your child has examinations and you do not see their timetable contact us and we will supply a copy.  Please stress to your child the importance of these examinations.

We continue to improve on a daily basis to ensure your child’s potential is maximised.  The support you have given us so far has been fantastic and I hope this continues in the future.

On behalf of the Governors, staff and students I would like to wish you a happy, enjoyable and safe Christmas and a successful New Year.

Yours sincerely

Bill Jordon CBE

Interim Executive Principal.

We are awaiting the official confirmation of the outcome of the second OFSTED monitoring visit.

I can report that the verbal feedback was very positive particularly in relation to student behaviour and attendance – the progress in these areas since the last visit is good.

OFSTED also reported progress in all other elements of our work in the Academy as a high satisfactory. They were pleased to see an upward trajectory of progress to indicate we are on track to successfully come out of Special Measures in the time scale allocated.

Further information will follow when we receive the written report.

W.E. Jordon C.B.E
Interim Executive Principal

Ten teams took part in the annual North Shore basketball cluster festival which took place on 5th December. Congratulations to the Crooksbarn Primary 1 and Tilery primary 1 teams, who won their leagues and will represent North Shore at the Basketball finals.

North Shore Academy Christmas Fayre – Saturday 8th December 2012. 11am – 3pm Free Entry.

Students ambassadors were invited to take part in the festival on Wednesday 7th November.  They offered Poppy crosses in memory of soldiers who lost their lives in war.

Y9 student Beth Riley read the poem entitled ‘A Poem for Remembrance Day’