Principal's Letter, 4 December 2020

Year 7 Latin Club – the Twilight Curriculum
Latin classes will begin on Wednesday 9th December, and will run from 14.40 until 15.40 in LIB 1. There are still a few places on the course, so if you would like your child to join the Wednesday Latin group, please enrol them on https://forms.gle/SAsJGPyvYtmHYbEg6 no later than Tuesday 8th December. Please note the change of day to Wednesdays from the originally advertised Tuesdays.

OAT Challenges – Enrichment
A number of opportunities have been outlined to students during tutor time. Please encourage your child to get involved in this month’s OAT Challenges for a chance to win Amazon vouchers.

How can they get involved?
i. #iWill project: Students are invited to write a blog of no more than 500 words on a topic around mental health and well-being that relates to them or their peers. Entries should be submitted by email to Miss Hull on [email protected] by Monday 7 December 2020.
ii. Matholympics: Students who love solving puzzles and would enjoy competing against other OAT students to find the best maths brain will enjoy this competition. Students answer the three questions which are on Satchel One. Responses need to be sent directly to OAT via [email protected] by Friday 13th December. There are three further rounds in January, February and March 2021.

School fundraiser
A reminder of the raffle outlined in last week’s letter to raise funds for specialised Science and Mathematics equipment for our students. Raffle tickets are available on ParentPay at £1 each or £5 for a full strip. Tickets will also be sold in tutor time up to the draw on Tuesday 15th December.

Snow
Whilst I do not anticipate a fall of snow this side of Christmas, I believe it is always helpful to outline our emergency procedures for school closure particularly for our Year 7 parents.
It is the aim of the academy to remain open during all types of adverse weather conditions, providing this can be done in a safe manner.

In the event of extreme weather conditions, such as heavy snow, which can cause unsafe conditions, a decision regarding whether the academy can safely open can usually only be made on the morning. The safety of the site would be risk assessed and an update will be posted as early as possible on our website, communicated to parents and carers via email and posted on social media.

As the weather is getting colder, please ensure your child is sent to school wearing appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.

Stranger Danger
As the evenings are getting darker quicker and some of our children may be leaving home before light in the mornings, please remind your children of the importance of staying safe, to remain vigilant, stick to the same route and try not to walk alone. As a parent myself, I always tell my daughters not to take shortcuts and to always let me know where they are going and with whom.

Enrichment Update
We are delighted that following the end of Lockdown 2, a number of non-sport related enrichment activities are able to take place. Please see the Enrichment Calendar for further information.

Reverse Advent Calendar
Ormiston Six Villages Academy is committed to supporting the Trussell Trust by collecting non-perishable food donations and unwrapped Christmas gifts to donate and distribute through their food bank. Any donations would be gratefully received.

Last Day of Term – Friday 18th December
The last day of term will be a Mufty day and Christmas jumper day to raise funds for Save the Children. Millions of people every year wear a jumper for this great cause. To participate, the recommended donation of £1 needs to be paid please by ParentPay by Friday 11th December. In the words of Save the Children, “Together we’ll help this year not be so bad, and make the world better with a sweater.”

The last day of term will also be a blended day of rewards, and an enjoyable end to term. It is also a day when attendance is lawfully required. If your child tells you that they don’t need to come in, please be assured that they must come in, lessons will take place as normal for most of the day and work needing to be completed during the holiday will be set and explained.

Mr P Slaughter, Principal