The CCF (Combined Cadet Force) parade for Remembrance Day at school is a solemn ceremony where cadets, staff, and pupils gather to honour and remember those who have sacrificed their lives in conflicts. On Wednesday 6th November – In addition to the cadets, Year 6 joined us at the secondary site with Year 7 pupils also attend the parade as part of the school community, watching the proceedings and learning about the significance of Remembrance Day. This gives younger students an opportunity to observe the traditions of the event, develop a sense of respect for those who served in the armed forces, and understand the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during times of war. The ceremony serves as both a commemorative and educational experience for all involved. The parade included a moment of silence for reflection, and the laying of wreath which was made out of Poppies. Cadets perform military drills, including marching in formation, while others participate in readings. All pupils were exceptional and showed respect to all.

L.Williams (10T1), E. Roath-Moore (10B1), L.Davies (10W1), K.Green (10W1), S.Kelly (10W2) H.Shawl (10T1), P.Adefila (10T1) the girls played a match after school Monday night against Pool Hayes their effort and attitude was amazing they did the school proud. After the first 3rd the girls were up 12 1, they had a rocky middle third drawing 4 4 but pulled together in the final 3rd winning again 8 1. The final score was 24 – 6!!

Odd Socks Day is an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique. On Tuesday 12th November, staff and pupils wore their odd socks to celebrate this. It was fantastic to see so many varieties of socks and for people to celebrate the messages of kindness, unity and individuality. Well done to all. Anti-Bullying Alliance celebrate Odd Socks day in November each year. At Bloxwich Academy, we feel the message is an important one, to ensure we revisit kindness, acceptance and the support of others with pupils throughout the year.

This week, and beyond, Bloxwich Academy are promoting Anti Bullying Week. On Monday 11th November, pupils were given the exciting opportunity to have a performance by Loudmouth called “Bully 4 U”. The performance focused on the range of bullying types including physical, emotional, online, homophobic and sexual harassment.

During the performance, pupils were educated on the types of bullying and the impact it can have on a range of individuals. They were also provided with ways to report, and online support from The Mix, Childline and CEOP reporting. Pupils were educated on the need to report any signs of bullying to a member of staff or a trusted adult. This works alongside our school value of “We Are A Telling School”. Following the performance, pupils were reminded of the laws relating to sexual harassment and the sending and receiving of images. This was completed through a discussion workshop and a “hot seat” opportunity where pupils were able to ask questions to the characters from the performance.

This topic will be supported throughout PSHE lessons and Assemblies. Details of our RSHE Policy can be found on our website. This content is now statutory and forms a key part of our provision at school. Should you have any queries, please contact Miss Williamson in school. Bloxwich Academy would like to thank Loudmouth for the fantastic and informative production.

On Tuesday 22^nd October, two of our Y13 students took part in a visit to Auschwitz in Poland as part of their participation in an educational project organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust. A Cooper-Smith and R Myatt were accompanied by Miss Hearsey on their visit which allowed the group to appreciate the horrors of the Holocaust and deepen their understanding about the Nazi persecution of the Jews. The day centred around the quotation of ‘those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it’, it is important to remember the past and the horrible things that happened. As part of their involvement in the project, our students will be working on a follow-up activity which will benefit the entire school community.

Our Y11 Drama and Dance pupils had the opportunity to experience live theatre at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. The show was fantastic and we were all dancing and singing during the finale. We even made it to stage door to meet some of the cast!

A reminder that Year 11 mock exams begin next week on Monday, 21st October.

It is essential that all pupils attend school to complete these exams, as they play a vital role in preparing for the final GCSEs. We understand that this can be a challenging time, and the school is here to support any pupils who feel overwhelmed. If your child is struggling with exam stress, please encourage them to speak to us for guidance and assistance.

You can also visit this NHS resource for tips on managing exam stress: Help Your Child Beat Exam Stress.

Thank you for your continued support, and we wish your child every success in their exams.

We are becoming increasingly concerned with the number of unauthorised absences on Fridays, which has become our lowest attending day. Some pupils have missed 3 Fridays in a 6-week period, resulting in a significant impact on their learning.

Completing a full week of school is crucial for academic progress. Missing 4 Fridays in an 8-week term means a loss of over 20 hours of valuable learning time. This can quickly lead to gaps in your child’s education, making it harder for them to keep up.

Please be aware that pupils with repeated unauthorised absences on Fridays will be monitored closely to ensure their attendance improves.

We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

14/10/2024

We are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed at school, but we understand that sometimes barriers can affect regular attendance. To support our pupils and families, we offer a variety of services aimed at addressing and overcoming these challenges.

Attendance Officers and AHOH Meetings

Our Attendance Officers and Assistant Heads of House (AHOH) are available to meet with you to discuss any concerns regarding your child’s attendance. We aim to work together to find positive solutions and provide the support your child needs to return to school.

Home Visits

For families where no reason for absence has been provided, our home visits offer a supportive way to reach out and ensure everything is okay. These visits are designed to be collaborative, ensuring we understand any barriers to attendance and can help resolve them.

Pupil Mentoring for Persistent Absentees

Pupils who fall below 90% attendance and are classed as persistently absent will be offered one-on-one mentoring. This support aims to identify any underlying issues and help pupils re-engage with school.

Pupil Support Service

For pupils requiring further assistance, we have a referral service where they can access full-time counsellors, mental health practitioners, and school nurses. This process begins with a meeting to assess your child’s needs and ensure they are connected to the right services.

Support for Parents

We also encourage parents to seek advice and support through the NHS resource for children’s mental health. This website provides valuable information to help you support your child’s well-being: NHS Children’s Mental Health Support.

We hope these services provide reassurance and guidance, ensuring that your child has the best possible support in overcoming any barriers to their attendance. If you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s needs further, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education.

11/10/2024

We would like to remind you of the procedure for collecting pupils from school for appointments or if they are unwell. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated to ensure a smooth process and the safety of all pupils.

Appointments: If your child has an appointment during school hours, please inform the school as early as possible, providing the time and reason for their early departure. You may do this by calling the school office or sending an email to attendance@bloxwichacademy.co.uk . When you arrive to collect your child, you must sign them out at the main office.

Unwell Pupils: If your child becomes unwell during the school day and is authorised to go home, they must be collected by an adult. Please ensure that this person is listed as an authorised contact. For your child’s safety, we cannot allow them to leave school unaccompanied.

Thank you for your attention to these procedures and for providing as much notice as possible in both cases. This helps us manage student well-being and ensures an organised collection process

We know it can be tricky deciding whether to keep your child off school when they’re unwell. To help, there are government guidelines available to manage specific infectious diseases. You can check these guidelines on attached GOV.UK link for advice on when children should stay home and when they’re okay to attend. If you do keep your child at home, it’s important to inform the school on the first day. Please call and let us know your child won’t be attending and provide the reason. If your child is well enough to attend but has an infection that could be passed on, such as head lice or a cold sore, please let their teacher know. Thank you for helping us keep everyone healthy!

Is my child to ill for school?

26/09/2024 –

Well done to 7T1 for leading the way in the attendance tables since the start of the academic year. 11W1 are our biggest climbers from last week. Every day counts towards helping your form climb the table.