Week 1 or 2

28th February – Week 1

7th March- Week 2

14th March – Week 1

Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

Principal’s update

It’s been a very busy few weeks and I know that all students and staff are looking forward to a well earned break next week!

Staff absence has continued to present major challenges for us and it was with regret that we had to ask Year 8 to work remotely at the start of February, but thankfully only for 4 days in total. As always, we know that our young people benefit most from face to face learning and that is always our priority.

This term, it has been fantastic to see how many students have been recognised and rewarded for their efforts with the additional Golden Tickets, weekly prize draws and the ‘Ways of Being’ Awards. Since the Golden tickets were introduced in December, more than 3000 have been issued to students across all year groups in recognition for exceptional effort, contributions and achievement! We’re also now using Class Charts to recognise students who attend extra curricular clubs, which we know is an important and enriching experience for those who participate. 

We hope that the smaller number of students who have not yet been rewarded in these ways will be inspired by their peers who have, and are able to see that praise and recognition comes in many different forms and not just for academic excellence. Of course, consistently good effort and attitudes to learning are what really lay the foundations for future success, and this should be the focus for all of our students.

Uniform and PE kits

From Monday 28th February, we will go back to the normal arrangements of all students wearing full school uniform every day and changing into PE kit for PE lessons only. We introduced the current arrangements to reduce the risk of Covid transmission in the changing rooms back in September 2020 and we have continued to this point as an on-going mitigation. We know that a lot of students enjoy wearing their PE kits for the full day, but whilst there are some benefits, there are many downsides. It has never been ideal that students participating in active sport then go on to wear the same kit all day (hygiene). There is also the daily challenge of students wearing kit on days they don’t have PE, wearing completely inappropriate kit or losing timetables kept in a blazer one day and not the next, to mention a few. Whilst there will be mixed views on this, which we have given real consideration to, now is the right time to go back to normal routines.

I want to remind all students, parents and carers that our principles for school uniform are that it:

• is fair and makes students feel equal to their peers in terms of appearance and reduces peer pressure to dress in ‘designer’ fashions
• is practical and smart
• identifies the students with the academy
• is regarded as suitable wear for school and good value for money by most parents/carers
• promotes a sense of pride in the academy
• promotes a sense of community and belonging towards the academy

It is essential that all pupils attend in full school uniform every day from Monday 28th February. Trainers must never be worn, other than for medical purposes. 

PE kits must always be brought to the academy on the days that students have PE. We realise that this means carrying a bit extra, but a PE kit does not take up much space and all students are able to use a locker, should they wish. It goes without saying that a proper bag (ideally a rucksack) is essential for school everyday and under no circumstances should any student attend school with a handbag or anything else that would not fit a pencil case and books.

If any students forget their PE kit for their lesson, we have a supply of new or freshly laundered kit, which students will be expected to wear, so that they do not miss out. It is essential that all students participate unless there is a medical exemption and just like with any other lesson, refusal to do so will result in sanctions.

I also want to acknowledge the students who have taken the time to write to me or engage me in conversation around this issue – it illustrates just how articulate and confident so many of our Walkden students really are. It makes me very proud of them. Of course sometimes, a decision has to be made which not everyone will like and regardless of individual views, I hope we can count on your support.

Face coverings

I can now confirm that face coverings will no longer be recommended for use at any time in the academy, following the half term break. Any students wishing to continue wearing them may do so without prejudice.

Maximising learning time

After the past two disrupted years, we are continuously reinforcing the message about every student making the most of every moment they have in the academy. It is important that we have robust measures in place to promote this and to ensure that all students prioritise their punctuality and attendance to all lessons throughout the day. The weekly prize draws in assemblies ensure that all students who do prioritise their attendance, punctuality and effort in lessons, are able to be recognised for their efforts.

We are a large academy and the design of the building means that we always operate some flexibility when marking registers at the start of lessons. A student arriving a couple of minutes late to a lesson on occasion can be accepted, but a regular pattern of lateness or significant lateness cannot. 

If a student arrives after the close of the register a few minutes into any period, they will be marked as late, unless there is a specific reason, for which they will need a note from a member of staff. A pattern of lateness will initially result in the loss of social time for a student and this will be escalated to more serious sanctions if the problem is not resolved. 

If any student arrives more than 10 minutes late for any lesson, they will be classed as truanting, again, unless there is a known reason for their absence. Truancy is unacceptable for any student and will always result in a more serious sanction being issued, including for either internal exclusion or suspension. Thankfully, the vast majority of our students need not worry about this, however it is important that we are clear and transparent about our expectations with everyone. This will ensure that we can appropriately support and maximise learning time for all students in our community.

I want to finish by congratulating our students on a successful half term in the academy and wishing them, and you, a brilliant half term break. Most importantly I hope you are all able to stay safe, despite the stormy weather. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 28th February.

Best wishes

Matt Hacker

Head of Year 8 Message

It is lovely to see so many year 8 students attending the academy enrichment activities during social times and after school.  We have a fantastic range of clubs catering for a wide range of interests, from bike club to STEM club, Drama club to Geography club. 

Students can ask a member of staff for details of all of our extra-curricular activities and pick one to try.

Thank you to all parents and carers for your support when Year 8 found themselves remote learning once again.  Engagement was very encouraging and staff were delighted to have so many students keen to continue their learning at home.  However, we are delighted to have them back on site.

Please may you all check your Class Charts and MyEd logins are working so you do not miss any important information that we share.  If you are experiencing problems please do get in touch so we can help you.

If you have any concerns regarding any year 8 pupils, please do not hesitate to email me. 

Thank you, Mrs Hammond Head of Year 8.

Student Success

We have had some huge success over the past few weeks, and we though it was only fitting to show everyone how proud we are of all of our students who utilise their skills and talent! Here is some just to name a few:

  

Sophia and her team-mates, Marissa (Year 10) and Jasmine (Year 9) achieved a bronze team award on Saturday at The Northern Cross Country Championships in Pontefract. They showed true grit and determination in 50mph winds! 

Jasmine came in 6th position overall and together with her Salford teammates secured a team gold for Salford. Sophia and Marissa have also qualified for the event.

Following on from the cross country success at the Northern Cross Country Championship last weekend, Sophia has been selected to represent Co-op Academy Walkden at the English Schools Cross Country Championship on 19 March.

Jake in year 8 competed in the Northern XC Championships in Pontefract on Saturday 29th January, finishing in an amazing 13th position and securing team Bronze!

Praise and Rewards

Golden Ticket Week – One week in every half term students have the opportunity to raise their achievement points total by 5 points at a time.  Staff are encouraged to recognise as many pupils as possible, in lessons, on duty, in clubs etc for going above and beyond and doing what matters most.  The next Golden Ticket Week will take place week commencing 14th March 2022.

Assembly prize draws – we are still running the two prize draws in all five year group assemblies.  Names of students with zero lates to lessons and zero behaviour points are entered into a random name generator.  10 lucky pupils across the academy win a £5 Love to Shop voucher each. 

Class Charts – If you would like to see how many achievement points your son/daughter has please check Class Charts.  If you are unsure how to access Class Charts please contact the relevant Head of Year who can help you.

Competitions – We are currently running competitions in Science, MFL and English.  Please encourage your child to talk to staff about how they can get involved.  There are some fantastic prizes to be won. 

Extra curricular activities – Students now receive achievement points for getting involved in extra curricular activities so please encourage them to try one out if they do not already.  

Pride of Co-op awards – If your child is involved in something outside of school that makes you especially proud please send me an email.  We are looking at how we can recognise students who go above and beyond in our community.  Activities could involve voluntary work or caring responsibilities, etc.

Have a safe and restful half term,

Mrs Hammond, Praise and Rewards Coordinator 

English competition winner!

The English and Literacy departments were so impressed and delighted with all of the entries for the Design your own Bookmark competition for this year’s World Book Day celebrations.

After much deliberation and discussion, it was decided that the top 3 entries were Will Jones (7JDE), Hannah Brookes, (7JDE) and Isla Chapman (7JDE).

The overall winner was Isla’s entry, as this was a superb representation of the power of reading. There will be a prize for everyone who takes part in our World Book Day celebrations- well done Isla! Thank you to everyone who took part!

Dance workshop

We had a taster session taken by The Centre for Advanced Dance Training. The students took part in a contemporary technique class and then a creative workshop where students were encouraged to choreograph and express their own ideas.

The students have taken away a lot from this workshop and received information on how to apply for the CATs scheme at the Lowry.

We love to see our students express themselves in which ever way they choose to. Seeing their interpretation of different movements and skills throughout the workshop really enlightened us to the minds of these young individuals, and it is truly great to see.

Maths pizza revision night!

We have recently held an afterschool revision pizza class for our students! We had around 60 students come and revise with us, which is amazing!

Thankyou to all the staff who helped with revision classes, to cooking the pizzas. Safe to say everyone enjoyed a slice…or two!

Year 11 are currently sitting their mocks in preparation for their exams further in the year. It is imperative that our students use every opportunity to revise and seek help where necessary, and maybe a few slices of pizza would not go a miss!

Competition- Win a bike!

We have 5 bikes up for grabs in our latest competition. We will pick one winner from each year group.

The best part of it is that all you have to do is purchase a meal deal at lunch! It is as easy as that, and every meal deal you do buy, counts as one entry.

Ready…Steady…Snack!

Good Luck!

Winners will be selected at random and notified on Friday 1st April 2022.

SEND Homework Club

I just want to say how super proud I am of all the students who participate in Homework Club. They are all dedicated learners who always work to the best of their abilities.

I want to do a special shout out to the Year 7’s who attend as this is the first time completing homework for many of them due to the disruptions to their learning during primary school.

Once again, well done

Miss Cunningham

Win Manchester United Vs. Everton Tickets!

We have a great competition running for everyone to join in with over the next few weeks!

Fancy winning a pair of tickets for the Women’s United vs. Everton Match on March 27th at Old Trafford?

There will be some great activities on throughout and around the stadium on game day, as it is the first game back at Old Trafford for the Women’s team.

For a chance to win all you have to do is go on to our social pages , either Twitter or Facebook (same as the image) and like the competition post

For a bonus entry, comment your favourite women’s player and why.

Good Luck!

Holocaust Memorial Event

One of our amazing students contributed at a memorial event that went out live on Tuesday 25th January to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day (Freddie in Year 11)

Here is what Salford City Council had to say:

“A big ‘thank you’ to the staff and children who contributed to our successful event last night!

Well done, the varied input from children and young people have received a special mention from senior leaders who attended.

If you missed the event and want to watch it, the whole event it’s here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-K5AdHlFYI

As you are aware, the event contains descriptions of violent historical events and so may be unsuitable for younger children.

We hope we can work together on future events to ensure that the amazing achievements of schools and young people are showcased to leadership and Salford communities.”

We are so proud that our students want to be a part of these projects and truly make a difference in educating, inspiring and spreading awareness of a range of different topics.

Lost Property

If you believe a student has lost some property, please contact reception. we try to hold these items for as long as possible for students to collect. If items are not claimed after a period of time, they will be donated.

Success

Has your child done something amazing inside or outside the Academy?

Why not get in touch and let us know about it?

We want to feature our students’ successes in the newsletter and let our community celebrate with you.

Email success stories and feedback to walkden.info@coopacademies.co.uk.

Got feedback about the newsletter? Let us know at the same address!

We always appreciate your feedback.

Have a great half term!