Dear Parents and Carers,
It does not feel like long ago that I wrote to you to welcome everyone back to the new academic year at LAB. It has been an exciting and extremely busy return for all members of the community and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some highlights and updates with you all.
Students
Students across Year 8 and 9 have been working hard to be positive role models to our Year 7 students by supporting them to find their way around LAB and getting to know them at break time. Alongside many students from other year groups, they have been excellent tour guides at our open events and many visitors have commented on how well they represented the Academy. I would single out particularly the students from 9A and 9D who guided prospective parents and carers on the Wednesday open morning. Teaching and support staff have reported how well our two newest forms – 7A and 7D – have settled into LAB and their engagement in our LAB values. This is reflected in them having the most positive behaviour points across the whole academy for the module: 468 and 463 respectively.
We continue to be impressed by our Year 10 and 11 students, who have shown commitment and a mature approach to their GCSEs. It has been wonderful to see how positively students across both year groups have engaged with their studies. Year 12 students continue to be wonderful role models and support our younger students through their core work which is part of both IB programmes.
It is undeniably an important time for Year 11s and we would like to thank parents and carers for their ongoing support and attendance at key events, including the Year 11 consultation event, as well as ensuring their child is engaging with interventions. Please discuss with your child the GCSE revision sites for each subject. This will provide parents and students with a range of information and study techniques as we approach our 100 day countdown to the first GCSE exam. Though half term is a much needed break, it is also an opportunity for Year 11 students to catch up on coursework projects and create revision resources for later in the year.
Celebrations
Across the Academy, our Black History month celebrations continued throughout October: with a wide range of tutor time, and whole school activities, such as our poetry and art competitions. A particular moment of pride for the Fawcett staff team has been seeing our wonderful Fawcett Year 11 students delivering college assembly each week. Well done Hafsot, Cherubim, Jatou and Olivia for sharing and celebrating Black History and culture. Today, on our last day of term, we celebrate ‘LAB culture day! ’It has been great to see so many in cultural dress and/or wearing red today, to support Black History month celebrations and raise awareness for the charity Red Card to Racism.
Today we also hosted Fawcett ‘Pastries on the Plaza’ celebration for the following students, as they’ve received the most merits for this module:
- 11a – Maye S & Jamie M
- 11d – Oliver P & Yasmin HR
- 10a – Elliot B & Rosie D
- 10d – Reilly B & Kye G
- 9a – Charlie H & Najiah A
- 9d – Alex O & Lucas N
- 8a – Eliza A & Gabriel G
- 8d – Lois I & Zbigniev M
- 7a- Jai M & Xander N
- 7d – Zara I & Wendy R
Attendance
Attendance across Fawcett College at the start of Module 1 continues to be higher than national averages. We continue to aspire for all of our students to achieve over 95% at the end of the academic year.
A special mention to the following tutor groups that are already regularly over 95% attendance:
- 7D = 98%
- 8A = 96%
- 8D = 96%
- 9D = 97%
Uniform
We are pleased to communicate that the vast majority of our students arrive at the Academy looking smart and ready to learn in their full uniform every day,
However, as the weather changes and temperatures decrease, we felt it useful to remind you about our expectations relating to uniform and the need for a coat with the recent wet weather:
- Our navy blue blazer with academy crest;
- Steel grey classic trouser or pleated skirt;
- White button up shirt;
- Leigh Academy Blackheath college tie;
- Plain navy or grey socks;
- Black leather shoes with plain laces (coloured laces are not permitted).
Students are not permitted to wear make up, jewellery (including hooped earrings) or trainers. A reminder that, on those days when they are timetabled to have PE, students should come to school wearing their PE kit. On days where your child does not have PE, your child is expected to wear the following as per the guidance available on our website.
Mobile Phones and Digital Safety
As you are aware, mobile phones are not permitted to be used on site. If seen, they will be removed, and parents or carers will be called to collect. Should a child need to contact home during the day due to an emergency, they should speak to one of the SSMs (Student Service Managers).
Following our previous letter, we continue to stress the importance of students using social media appropriately. Social media platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram have had a big impact on the way in which we communicate and express thoughts and opinions. Students can sometimes find these platforms difficult to navigate and unfortunately, we have been made aware of some unkindness on year group Whatsapp and Snapchat groups by some students. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of families monitoring their child’s social media use. Whilst we are not directly responsible for your child’s interactions on social media, we are of course invested in their wellbeing. We would ask, therefore, that all parents/ carers continue to monitor their child’s use of social media and discourage any involvement in whatsapp groups. We would also remind parents and carers that, There is a reason why Snapchat, Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram have an age restriction of 13. As of 2018, the minimum age of use for WhatsApp in the UK is 16 years old.
For more information on how to monitor your child’s use of social media, please visit: www.nationalonlinesafety.com/hub. Please contact your child’s tutor if you have any concerns.
Finally, we would like to wish our Fawcett students and their families a safe and restful half term. We are looking forward to welcoming you back on Monday 6th November for the start of Module 2.
Yours faithfully,
Mr E Crawford | Vice Principal, Fawcett College & Ms C Joy | Assistant Principal, Fawcett College