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Headteacher’s Bulletin

Friday 17th December 2021

We have had a wonderful, fun last week in school! We can all say we are really in the festive mood, looking forward to the holiday and time with family and friends!

Like all other schools, we have suffered staff and student absence due to the pandemic, but we all pulled together to ensure our in-school celebrations this week continued as best they could! On Wednesday, festive dress was everywhere and we all sat and ate our delicious Christmas lunch together in the Hall – this was something we haven’t done for a long time. Students were impeccably behaved and enjoyed pulling crackers with their friends! Mrs Jobson and her Catering Team did a fantastic job!

On Thursday evening, our traditional Christmas Concert sprang back to life after two years, as students from all age groups performed in music, dance and drama! This was wonderful occasion and showcased the AC talent which exists all around us! It was Mr Madden’s first concert as Head of Music at AC and Miss Matthews’ debut as our Dance/Drama teacher. Mr Wilson and Mrs Mrozinski also did a fabulous job. We clapped and sang along to all the hits! Long live the Arts!! Money donated on the night is included in the sum raised below for Save the Children.

We will have another musical extravaganza in the New Year when our performers will take part in a Live Lounge event; please look out for further details next term.

And finally, today students celebrated the season in form period with games and treats and there was a surprise staff fancy dress! The theme was ‘At the Movies’.  I haven’t seen so many smiles and laughs on as many people’s faces in a long time!! All money raised was donated to the charity ‘Mind’.   

The Sixth Form Team were Busy Being Bees!

   

Our PSMs are always our Super Heroes :-)

 

   

 

 

 

 

Senior Leaders were ready to head off down the Yellow Brick Road!
Science staff were inspired by Breaking Bad!
Whilst our Visual Arts Dept were Angels (Charlie's Angels!)

         

 

        

             

 

Left to right: Scarecrow (#2), Cousin IT, Mrs Trunchbull and MIB
Mrs Mrozinski channelled her inner Audrey whilst Mrs McCarthy was a scary Handmaid!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

We had two Spideys to choose from!

 

 

 

ALL THE STAFF!
Our student leaders voted The Minions (Learning Support)
our "Best Dressed Team"
and Mrs Hardy (Maleficent) "Best Dressed"!

Other Charity Updates

Over the past few weeks our students have been very busy raising money for their year group charities and this will continue next term!

In KS3, each year group had a Bake Sale (always a winner!): Year 7 raised £180 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, Year 8 raised £189 for The Christie and Year 9 raised £203 for the Wellspring Homeless Charity.

The Sixth Form pyjama day raised £95 for Children In Need and our whole school ‘Dress Festively’ day, plus the Christmas Concert, raised a whopping £786.04 for Save the Children UK!

Truly amazing amounts thanks to the hard work of staff and students and the support of families. Thank you!

Please stand by for the next round because on the 14th January Year 11 will have an ‘Own Clothes Day’ to raise money for Cancer Research UK and on 21st January Year 10 will have an ‘Odd Socks Day’ for Macmillan Cancer Support. Special thanks to Mr Keegan and our pastoral teams for organising all of these events!

Covid Update

Testing kits have been available for collection in school throughout the pandemic and were also distributed in the Hall over the past two weeks. I hope your child/ward has brought some home. It is recommended that testing continues over the holiday period at least twice a week.

Please can I remind you that due to the need for whole school LFD testing on return to school, students will be phased back as follows:

  • Sixth Form students test themselves the day before return to school and if negative, start school as normal on Tuesday 4th Jan 2022
  • Tuesday 4th Jan: Y10 and 11 in school for testing and normal lessons and remain in school rest of week
  • Wednesday 5th Jan: Y8 and 9 come in for testing and normal timetable and remain in school rest of week
  • Thursday 6th Jan: Y7 come in for testing and normal timetable

All students will therefore be back in school by Thursday 6th January 2022.

Masks will still be required in communal spaces in school and on the school buses when we return. Please ensure your child brings these into school.

I would like to wish you and your families and friends a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year!

Thank you for your continued support of our school!

Ms K Earle  
Headteacher