08 July 2024
Dear parents and families,
As we draw close to the end of this academic year, I have a few updates for you regarding arrangements for events between now and the end of term, as well as some good news to share. I will write again towards the end of this week to confirm arrangements for the start of the new term in September.
In this letter:
· Year 10 exams completed
· Year 11 leavers and Prom
· Arrangements for Sports day – rescheduled
· Mock election
· MWA in the news
· Parental satisfaction survey
Year 10 exams
We are incredibly proud of our students in year 10 who have recently completed their first series of ‘mock exams’. In school, we call these PPEs, which stands for pre-public exams. This distinguishes between these early assessments, which are shortened tests that do not cover the entire specification, and genuine mock exams which replicate the experience of final exams exactly. Our invigilation team have reported on the maturity, positive attitude and exemplary behaviour demonstrated by the year group during this period. Our teaching staff are currently marking and moderating the papers, and we will be sharing the results with families towards the end of this term.
Year 11 leavers and Prom
We were both sad and proud to say goodbye to our year 11s, at the end of last month. This year group worked so hard to prepare for their exams, and enjoyed a well-deserved celebratory Prom at Oak Manor Golf Club on 20 June. There are some lovely photos on the ‘Venue at Oake Manor’ Facebook page, if you haven’t already seen the pictures of our leavers in their glad rags. Our thanks to Miss Martin, Mr Cammish and the year 11 team for organising, as well as to all our families who came out to see the students arrive.
Sports Day
*News just in* We have decided to postpone our sports day, which was scheduled for this coming Friday until Friday 19 July, due to the adverse weather forecast for the remainder of this week. We understand that this means the students going on the Paris trip will not be able to compete, and for this we are sorry. However, the safety of our competitors is our first priority, and we cannot safely use a track that would be slippery from rain. Thank you for your understanding. On Friday 19 June, competitors should arrive in their PE kit, this should include a top in their house colour. Students not competing should arrive at the start of the day in full school uniform. Changing facilities will be made available before we all go out to watch the sprint and relay events in the afternoon. Spectators are encouraged to wear a top in their house colour, please bring this with you to change into. Please support your child to choose appropriately, and please also note that students wearing otherwise non-uniform items will be required to change back into their full uniform. For absolute clarity, Nike Pro shorts are not allowed under our uniform/PE kit policy. Last week’s assemblies were all about sports day, so your child should be well briefed on how the day will run. We are really looking forward to this much-loved event in our school calendar, and the chance to celebrate some of the best of Monkton Wood Academy.
Mock election
As the nation went to the polls last week, so too did the students of Monkton Wood Academy. Mr Wood, our head of PSHE, planned an excellent mock election process with exceptional attention to detail. We had constituencies, party candidate selection processes, hustings, ballot boxes and returning officers! All our candidates deserve recognition for putting themselves forward and standing in front of every House assembly to make their speeches; the future of our nation’s democracy is safe in their hands. Congratulations of course to our duly elected ‘prime minister’, Scott.
MWA in the news
If you missed the coverage of our mock election in the Somerset County Gazette, you can follow the links on our website in the ‘News and Updates’ section, which is also where these newsletters are uploaded. Please also remember to follow us on Facebook, where we post more of our good news and celebrate the achievements of our amazing young people.
We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete a parental satisfaction survey by following this link
With thanks for your continued support, as always.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Hannah Jones
Principal
