Dear Parents and Carers,

As we move into February, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and to share some important updates from Callerton Academy.

Reminder - Year 9 Parents and Carers Evening Tuesday 10th February

Parents and Carers evening for Year 9 is on Tuesday 10th February and will be run through our online portal, School Cloud. Please contact the school office on 0191 605 3835 or admin@callertonacademy.org.uk. 

Advanced Notice - Year 9 Options Evening Thursday 26th February

In the coming months, all of Year 9 will choose their option subjects for their Year 10 and 11 study. To aid these decisions, we have an Options Evening to showcase all our subjects. Miss Swain will send you a letter next week with more information about the evening.

Attendance - A Reminder

Strong school attendance is one of the most important factors in ensuring both academic progress and social development. We all share the same ambition, for our children to flourish and achieve their full potential.

Our Pastoral and Attendance team continue to work closely with families to support students in maintaining good attendance. We have noticed that some students find it more difficult to attend during periods of poor weather. Please speak to your child about the importance of attending school consistently and encourage them to come in, even when the weather is less favourable. If you require any support, contact your child's Pastoral Mentor, or the Attendance team.

Payments for Trips, Visits and School Meals

Payments for trips, visits and school meals are paid via the iPayimpact system. All parents and carers should have access to this system. If you have not got access to this or need help accessing it, please contact us on 0191 605 3835, or email admin@callertonacademy.org.uk . 

Sometimes families need support to pay for school activities or uniform, for example. This is no problem, we encourage families to ask for confidential financial help. If you need support, please contact your child's Pastoral Mentor listed below:

• Year 7 – Mrs Jacques
• Year 8 – Miss Scott
• Year 9 – Mrs Lau
• Year 10 – Mr McCall
• Year 11 – Miss Robson

Immunisations - Monday 27th April

NHS Nurses will be offering the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to all Year 8 pupils and for Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils who have not yet had it. Parents and carers will receive a separate letter and a consent form with full information about the vaccine, including how and when it will be given. Please complete and return the form to ensure your child can receive the vaccine.

Macbeth performance in School

On Wednesday, Year 10 and 11 pupils enjoyed a fantastic performance of Macbeth in school. The live theatre experience brought Shakespeare's play to life and gave students a memorable and engaging way to deepen their understanding of the text. 

Stargazing at Callerton Academy 

We recently enjoyed a wonderful stargazing evening at school in partnership with Kielder Observatory. Pupils and families had the opportunity to learn about the night sky, planets, and constellations, and to take part in hands-on activities led by the observatory team. The evening was both educational and inspiring, and it was fantastic for the children's enthusiasm and curiosity as they explored astronomy in such an engaging way. Astronomers brought inflatable planets and telescopes for students and families to look at. They also brought samples of Moon and Mars rock. Thank you to everyone who was able to come along.

Galafield Centre

The Galafield Centre is part of our community. The centre is reviewing their work and would like the users and visitors to have a say in what happens from now. There is a survey to complete below, to have your say.

Big Question Newcastle - Information from Newcastle City Council

One of the biggest engagement exercises Newcastle has ever carried out is now live, inviting people across the city to share what makes them proud of the Toon.

Newcastle's Big Conversation has started and will run for the next two months. Residents, partners and visitors will be encouraged to take part and share their thoughts on what they value about the city, what they would like to change and how they think Newcastle can continue to grow and thrive. The exercise aims to bring thousands of voices together to build a clearer picture of what matters most to the people who live, work and spend time here. The findings will help shape future priorities for the city and guide how the council focusses their work.

Survey for Adults

The easiest way for over 18’s to take part is to complete an online form by following this

link, https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/newcastles-big-conversation

Survey for Children and Young people

We also really want to hear the views of children and young people as part of Newcastle’s

Big Conversation. If you’re under 18 please use this Newcastle's Big Conversation Survey Questions – Fill in form

Free things to do this Half Term

Over the school holidays, it can be tricky to entertain the whole family without a big cost. Alongside all the free museums and green spaces in Newcastle, Mrs Nicholson has found the following links, which may be of interest to families. 

• Family Creative Workshop  at Live Theatre
• Time Travel Club: Steam Ships at Discovery Museum
• Chinese Lunar New Year at Stowell Street
• Viking Experience Day at Great North Museum: Hancock

Vouchers For Children on Free School Meals over the February Holidays

If your child is in receipt of Free School Meals at school, you will be receiving a voucher to cover the cost of a meal per day for the holidays. You will receive the £15 voucher via email, and you can select which supermarket to use it at, whichever is best for you. At Callerton Academy, we use a company called Wonde to provide these for parents and carers. Here is a Youtube video that walks you through what you should receive. The system is easy to use with clear instructions in the email.  

February Holidays

Terms ends on Friday 13^th February at 2:40pm and we will return to school Monday 23^rd February at 8:30am. 

Thank you for your continued support – the year is flying by at Callerton. I hope you have a rest and manage to spend some quality time with friends and family over the February holidays. 

Yours faithfully, 

Mrs Innes

Principal

Callerton Academy