Newsletter
Principal's note
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to the latest newsletter, which marks the end of an action packed half term at Co-op Academy Walkden. Here, you'll find snippets of some of the activity over the past few weeks, but for more regular updates, please do check out our social media channels, which are updated most days, celebrating success and providing key information.
We have made a huge transition over the past half term to the new management system - Arbor. We now have the majority of parents logged into Arbor and the initial feedback is that it's useful, albeit very different to Classcharts. By the end of January, we are aiming to switch off Classcharts entirely and I therefore urge all parents to log into Arbor, so that we can continue to switch features on and ensure that all communications go smoothly through this one platform.
I want to remind parents and carers about the Parent Governor nominations which are live and close on Friday 5th January 2024. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss this important role.
For now though, I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas break. We look forward to welcoming all pupils back into the academy at 8.30 sharp on Wednesday 3rd January, refreshed and raring to go for the new term ahead.
Mr Hacker
Important upcoming dates
Year 7 Drama Pantomime trip - 4th January
Year 10 Progress Review evening 4 - 7pm- 18th January
Year 11 full mock exams - 5th - 16th February
Year 7 Spelling Bee - 9th February
Year 10 visit to Manchester University - 15th February
Student success
Year 11 student, Jasmine, along with two ex-pupils from Co-op Academy Walkden Sophia and Marisa,
won silver in the U17 National Cross Country Road Relays in Mansfield last month. What an achievement. Well-done ladies.
GCSE Presentation Evening
In November, we held our GSCE presentation evening when we were able to invite our Class of 2023 back to school to receive their GCSE certificates and special awards. This was a wonderful evening of celebration.
Student Librarians
Our Student Librarians have been busy this term along with Miss Shannon. They have organised a number of competitions and initiatives.
You can read some of our Student book reviews Here
Year 7 Science Organ Competition
Congratulations to the winners of our Year 7 Science completion this term
Food Technology Cake Decorating
Our Food Technology department has been busy during the festive period decorating Christmas cakes. Some of the entries can be seen below.
Attendance Advent and Awards
Throughout December, we have been celebrating Attendance Advent Event. Every school day we have selected one winner from all students attending school on time that day. The students have been announced by Santa's little helpers daily to come and collect their prizes. We have had some incredible prizes on offer from Amazon Echo, Nando's vouchers, Chocolate Hamper, Amazon fire stick, cinema vouchers, football, stationery hamper. We are incredibly proud to see our students' attendance rates rising and to be able to reward this during the festive period has been lovely.
A message from Mrs Faulkner - Attendance Manager
We are so proud of all of our students and what they have achieved within this first half term. It really is a great feeling to be able to reward so many of our students for having excellent attendance, punctuality, and in turn, outstanding attitudes to learning.
Our school community has continued to thrive this year and it has been amazing to be recognised as one of the highest attending secondary schools within both Salford and the Co-op Academies Trust. This achievement is not accidental. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank both our fantastic students and their supportive parents and carers for Doing what matters most, Showing you care, Being yourself always, and Succeeding together.
At the end of this term we have celebrated over 300 of our students who have 100% attendance, we have run our first ever Attendance Christmas advent which has brought an element of surprise and excitement to our students who have been in school each day throughout December. We have distributed hundreds of badges, certificates and prizes to those who have achieved target attendance this term. As the year progresses, I can’t wait to see even more students being recognised for their achievements and excellent attendance.
We have seen the impact good attendance has on our Year 11 mock exam results, and also how good attendance has on the overall school experience for our young people. We have recognised those who have significantly improved their attendance this term and want to share how this has impacted students' overall perception of school. Our group of KS3 students have been continuing their work at the RHS Bridgewater this term which has involved growing some impressive produce alongside some fun Christmas crafts.
It has been lovely to meet so many parents this term and we can’t wait to see what our students continue to achieve next term, heading into Spring.
I hope that you all have a well deserved rest and a great Christmas break.
Emily Faulkner
Attendance Manager
Geography awareness week competition
Students were asked to create a poster to promote geography in school and increase awareness of geographical issues (climate change, recycling, deforestation etc) Students have been awarded 7 achievement points for every valid entry and grand prizes for the winners.
Events
Year 11 Post 16 careers evening
Our Year 11 students along with their parents/ carers were invited to meet with various colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and armed forces to discuss the next steps to take after GCSE's next year. We hope our Year 11's found this event inspiring and gave some insight into what their exciting future may hold.
Year 7 Residential
Our Year 7 students enjoyed a 3 day trip to The Conway Centre in Wales, where students made new friendships, achieved personal goals and were incredibly courageous in trying new activities. They enjoyed every minute of it!
Remembrance Day
In the week running up to Remembrance Sunday, Our Cadets Sophia and Noah delivered assemblies to all students reminding us why we have Armistice Day and Remembrance Day and also why we wear our Poppies with pride and honour. The Cadets also attended the Remembrance Day parade at Parr Fold Park.
Christmas Concert
On Thursday 14th December our music, drama and dance students performed a Christmas concert for their parents/carers. It was a brilliant evening full of dancing, singing, musical instruments and DJ Decks. Our audience really enjoyed the show. Thank you to all students and staff who were involved in such a successful evening.
Charity contributions
Hive Makers Market
Our Year 10 Pre-vocational students created some beautiful items to sell. We invited their parents/carers into the Academy to buy the hand-made gifts. The Hive raised a fantastic £214 which was used to buy and donate groceries to Age UK. We are incredibly proud of the donation we were able to make to such a worthy cause, especially at this time of year.
Christmas Jumper Day
This week we took part in Christmas Jumper Day and managed to raise an impressive £436 for Save the Children. Payments are still being collected, so if you would like to donate, you can add your donation to the Christmas Jumper payment on Parent Pay.
Food Collection - Little Hulton Community centre
It's a time for giving and that's exactly what we did at Co-op academy Walkden this festive period. Our generous students and staff have been bringing in hundreds of items for us to donate to Little Hulton Community centre. The food donations will help so many people this Christmas and we really are doing what matters most by being a part of this initiative.
Local festive activities
Christmas Carols at the Dam House Astley 5-7pm - Free for more info See here
Totally Christmas - Walkden Town Centre - see here for Tickets
RHS Bridgewater Glow Festival - See here for Tickets
If you think you have something to contribute to the next newsletter, please email us at walkden.info@coopacademies.co.uk
Have a wonderful Christmas break and we will see you all in the New year!