03 November 2025
Dear parents and families,
Welcome back to the second term of this year. We hope you had a relaxing half-term break together and are feeling refreshed for a busy term ahead.
In this letter:
Key dates for the term ahead
Parents’ Evening booking reminders
School social media
New extra-curricular opportunities schedule
Wellbeing resources
Ski 2027
Uniform and phone reminders
Key dates for the term ahead
Our Autumn Concert is taking part this Thursday, the 6th of November, at 7pm. Tickets are still available from the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre for those wishing to attend.
The school will be marking Armistice Day on Tuesday 11 November, with a minute silence at 11.00am along with the rest of the nation. We also invite students who are members of the uniformed services (Scouts, Cadets, etc) to wear their uniform to school on this day.
It is Anti-Bullying Week next week, the week commencing 10 November 2025. Mr Draper and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have events planned, with activities to be completed in form time. The Anti-Bullying Alliance have given this week this year the theme ‘Power For Good’. As part of this event, we are inviting children to come to school on Monday 10 November wearing odd socks as a sign of participation and commitment.
Year 11 have Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 03 December. Ms Darley will be writing to Y11 families with details of how to make appointments, later this week.
The last day of this term is Friday 19 December, and we will be closing for students at 1:30pm. Further details of arrangements for the last day will follow a little nearer the time.
Parents’ evening booking reminders
All our parents’ evenings for the remainder of this year are in-person events at school. The Raising Standards Leader for each year group will write to their families ahead of their year group’s evening, with details. However, appointments will be made using the MCAS parent app so if you still have not downloaded the app (or loaded the web page on your pc) then please do so now, so that you are able to make appointments when the time comes.
School Social Media
Please do remember to follow the Monkton Wood Academy social media accounts, for updates, pictures and celebrating good news. We have a Facebook page, which is mainly aimed at our parents and families. Our Instagram page is primarily aimed at our older children (reminder: Instagram’s minimum age restriction is 13 years). We also have an X account, which is more targeted at the education sector and for our professional connections. Please do follow us if you are interested in this content or are part of our wider educational community.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
We have published today a new extra-curricular timetable for term 2. This is organised into sports and outdoor education activities, arts and crafts, music and performing arts, and science, games and social activities. Please do encourage your child to join in with the activities that are of interest to them.
Wellbeing resources
Many of you will be aware that Monkton Wood Academy is proud to be a partner school with the Mental Health Support Team. MHST have provided us with an excellent list of resources and organisations that work with children and young people, for a range of mental health, wellbeing and SEND needs. The list was shared on our Facebook page earlier in October and can be found by following this link.
Ski 2027
A reminder that forms expressing an interest in our ski trip in 2027 need to be returned by Thursday this week, please.
Uniform and phone reminders
Thank you to all families that have installed parental control apps which restrict your child’s use of a phone during the school day. We know that children really benefit from the reduction in distractions and in taking a break from the online world to fully participate in their learning and in their face-to-face interactions with their friends. If you need further support in installing and using an app, please contact your child’s tutor in the first instance.
As the colder weather settles in, please can we remind all families that hoodies are not allowed at MWA, and your child must be wearing their school jumper with a suitable outdoor coat. We have also seen a rise in the number of children wearing white socks over their black winter tights. White socks are not allowed; if your child feels the cold, or finds their shoes uncomfortable with just tights on, please ensure they are wearing the permitted black socks instead. As always, trainers are not allowed at MWA and we expect children not in the correct uniform to borrow items from student reception until families can provide their own.
With thanks for your continuing support, as always.
Mrs H. Jones
Principal
