Welcome Back Letter - September 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
Arrangements for September 2024
I hope you have enjoyed a restful summer break.
A reminder that students will be returning to school as follows:
- Year 7: Tuesday 3rd September at 8.20am
- Year 12: Tuesday 3rd September at 10.15am
- Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13: Wednesday 4th September at 8.20am
Morning Arrangements
Students are to line up every morning promptly at 8.20am at the appropriate location where they will be greeted by their Form Tutor and accompanied into the building:
|
Year Group |
Location |
|
Year 7 |
Playground by the canteen |
|
Year 8 |
Paved area through the double gates |
|
Year 9 |
MUGA (front of school) |
|
Year 10 |
MUGA (front of school) |
|
Year 11 |
On the Astroturf |
|
Sixth Form |
Sixth Form centre |
Students will be allocated a locker in the new term upon receipt of a deposit of £10.00. Payments can be made via our online payment system, ParentPay. Login details will be sent to you in due course. Cash payments cannot be accepted.
General Information
Uniform
All students are expected to adhere to the school’s Uniform Policy; students who are not wearing appropriate uniform may be sanctioned. Here is a reminder of our expectations, along with a copy of our Uniform Policy:
- Black Grace Academy Blazer, with appropriate coloured year group flash* and Academy logo.
* Year 7 – yellow, Year 8 – blue, Year 9 – green, Year 10 – purple, Year 11 – red
- Plain white cotton shirt with a top button that must be fastened at all times.
- Purple Grace Academy tie with GA logo on display below the knot.
- Black full-length trousers which hang below the ankle.
- Black pleated skirt which must be knee length and worn with plain black tights. Skirts that are non-pleated will not be permitted.
- Piercings:
- A single pair f ear studs are the only piercings permitted. All ther piercings must be removed prior to arrival at the Academy.
- Clear inserts r plasters covering piercings are not permitted.
- Watches:
- A mechanical watch is permitted.
- Smart watches are nt permitted.
- No hoodies, denim or leather jackets are allowed. Students may wear a coat to and from school and during free time, but these will remain in form rooms or lockers during the day.
- Hair and/or braids should be of a natural colour and there should be no shaved tramlines in students’ hair or eyebrows. Students should not wear any non-essential hair accessories.
- No false eyelashes or false nails to be worn.
- Natural make-up only.
- Students will not be allowed to use mobile phones at all during the day and should not have airpods. Any phones or airpods seen during the school day will be confiscated.
From September, students will also be required to have “The Grace 5” with them throughout the school day which is a: bag, pencil case, reading book, water bottle and student planner. Form tutors will check students have these items with them during morning line-ups and should students not have the correct equipment they will be sanctioned.
Punctuality and Attendance
From September, Government legislation is changing so that any student arriving late to school (after 8.50am) will be given a U code, meaning those students will be marked as absent for 50% of their school day. This will therefore have a significant impact on their overall attendance figure. A reminder that students should have at least 97% attendance throughout the academic year. Students whose attendance falls below this threshold will be subject to intervention from the Local Authority and could also incur fines.
Key Dates
We would also like to share some key dates for September with you:
- School photos: Monday 23rd September
- Years 8-13 New Tutor introductory phone calls: week beginning Monday 16th September
- Year 7 Meet the Tutor evening: Thursday 3rd October: 5pm to 7pm
- Sixth Form Open Evening: Thursday 17th October: 5pm to 7pm
We are excited for the academic year ahead and for our students to return to an Academy where they can continue to flourish and develop, embodying our Grace values of Limitless Potential, Intentional Excellence, Genuine Integrity, Mutual Respect and Amazing Grace as we move forwards in our “Grace Way”.
May I also take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs N Whiles
Principal