Weekly Update - 24th September 2021
We are now half-way through our first half-term, which is hardly believable! Day to day learning throughout the academy continues to be purposeful, focused and engaging. Please do take a look at our social media sites and take a look at some of the activities that students are engaged in each and every day! (1) Ormiston Rivers Academy | Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/oat_ora/
This week, as well as their usual lessons, Year 8 and Sixth form students have enjoyed and experienced some valuable enrichment activities. On Monday, Year 8 students participated in a workshop exploring knife crime, delivered by the K1100 team, intended to raise awareness of this important issue in our society, following the recent installation of the “Knife Angel” sculpture in Chelmsford Central Park. Following this, they enjoyed a wonderful performance of “Romeo & Juliet”, performed by Chelmsford City Theatre.
On Tuesday, sixth form students participated in an “Elevate Education” event, designed to provide them with 10 steps to exam success. This was delivered via five workshops, which explored various ways in which students could enhance and improve their current techniques to maximise their eventual outcomes.
Both of these additional enrichment events were very well received, and we hope to be able to repeat them for future year groups, and in the case of the “Elevate Education” event, are looking to extend this to our year 10 and 11 students.
As mentioned in the email sent on 12th September 2021, we introduced our Covid outbreak management plan on Monday 13th September, and continue to review this. You will be aware that we have seen a rise in cases, like many schools nationally. We are carefully monitoring the situation and continue to take advice from Public Health England and Ormiston Academies Trust. We will, of course, update you should further changes be required. In the meantime, we will continue to implement our Covid-safe guidelines, including the requirement for students and staff to wear face-coverings throughout the school building, and to continue to use the hand-sanitisers widely available in the academy. However, it would be extremely helpful if you could complete the following Google form, to notify us if your child(ren) have had a positive PCR test. We very much appreciate your support during these difficult and unprecedented times.
https://forms.gle/w72iMVQwihUh3Gaf6
I do appreciate how difficult and worrying the current situation is, and the academy will provide whatever support we possibly can. However, I would also ask you to remember that this time of year is the prevalent season for the usual coughs and colds that inevitably accompany school life. I would, therefore, ask you to use your parental discretion in distinguishing between these differences. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of students’ strong attendance. It is a well-documented fact that those students who attend school regularly are also those who are likely to achieve most highly. Again, I appreciate your support in this regard.
We are also, now, at the end of our two-week trial of a single break and lunch time. As mentioned last week, I am really pleased to say that this has largely gone very well. Staff continue to be out and about, monitoring the corridors and various outlets, and, overall, feedback from students, staff and parents has been positive. The reduction in the number of “services” required has enabled our fabulous catering staff to provide better and better food provision. I can honestly say that in my many years in several schools, I have never witnessed better choice or quality than what is currently offered at Ormiston Rivers. Therefore, we will continue with the single break and lunch arrangement going forwards.
I am very keen to hold a “Parental introduction Evening”, to allow me to introduce myself, my educational philosophies and my expectations and hopes in this regard; followed by regular parent “surgeries”. Unfortunately, current circumstances have prohibited this. Nevertheless, I would like to reassure you that this is something that will be introduced going forwards. In the meantime, please do continue to contact the academy, via the appropriate routes, should you have any queries, worries or concerns. All staff contacts are available on our website: www.ormistonriversacademy.co.uk.
As ever, thank you for your support.
