In this newsletter:
- Message from our Principal
- Year 11 Leavers Assemblies
- Managing allergies in school
- Fundraising Continues
- Big Future National Survey
- Creative Writing Competition
- Community news
Message from our Principal
Thank you to all of those families who have already responded to our survey on moving to becoming a phone and smart watch free environment. Please see my letter for further details on this, and for the link to the survey to share your views. The Department for Education published their guidance on mobile phones in schools – that schools are ‘phone free by default’ – this year, and like all schools we are looking at the best way to enact this at St Ivo to begin in September.
A further update for families is that we are aiming to trial a single lunch break for the school. As you may have seen, numbers in primary schools have been falling in recent years, and this has had an impact on numbers moving into secondary schools. For example, our current Year 11 are a much larger cohort than our current Year 7, and our incoming Year 7 – and some of you may recognise this from your own child’s primary school.
We have researched our lunchtime queuing times in recent months, and owing to the smaller number of students using the canteen, we believe are at a point where we can have a single lunch break. This will allow us to run far more clubs – which staff are excited by – and student lunchtime will remain the same length, with new Year 7s have a slightly earlier start time to allow the newest members of the school to access the canteen first. The start and end of the school day will not change, but we will move the timings of afternoon lessons. We will aim to trial this from July until October half term, and I will provide you with further details on this when the phone survey closes next Friday, as this may adapt some of the timings.
Today was Year 11s final day in school and Mrs Nisbet and her team gave them a great send off. Year 11s tend to decorate their shirts with their names and dates, and then also ask friends and staff to sign their shirts too, and it is a lovely event with lots of emotional students (and staff!). Best of luck to all of our students in Year 11 and 13 this year – we are really proud of their hard work and determination during this exam period!
Have a lovely weekend.
Year 11 Leavers
Today we wished goodbye to our year 11 cohort and give them the send off they deserved! After their exam we had amazing afternoon with shirt signing, leavers hoodies and assembly lead by Ms Nisbet (Trigg).
“As we come to the end of this significant chapter, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible journey it has been with you all. As your Head of Year, I have had the absolute privilege of watching you grow, learn, and develop over the past year. I am genuinely proud of each and every one of you for the resilience, commitment, and enthusiasm you’ve shown, particularly as you prepared for your exams.
Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. The way you tackled your studies and supported one another through the highs and lows of this period has been nothing short of inspiring.
As you venture forward, take with you the values you’ve learned here—integrity, hard work, and compassion. Life may throw challenges your way, but I have every confidence that you are more than capable of rising to meet them.
Good luck in your exams and beyond! I look forward to hearing about all your successes in the near future. Always remember: You are worth so much more than a grade can ever show. Goodbye for now and may all your dreams come true!“
Mrs Nisbet/TRIGG!
Managing allergies in school
From September 2026, in line with the updated Department for Education guidance on the management of allergies in schools, we wanted to confirm updates to internal processes. The updates are designed to strengthen safety measures for children with allergies and ensure that rapid support is available should an emergency ever arise.
Emergency Adrenaline Auto‑Injectors (AAIs)
The academy continues to source and hold emergency Adrenaline Auto‑Injectors (AAIs) on site. There are two types of AAIs available in the UK, these are called Epi-Pen and Jext. They both contain the same type of medication called ‘adrenaline’ which is given by injection, into the outer midthigh muscle in response to a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Staff Training
In September, all staff will receive training on allergy awareness, recognising anaphylaxis and how to safely administer an AAI.
In addition, staff who work with food will receive additional in‑depth training covering the safe implementation of procedures to protect students with dietary or contact‑based allergies.
Individual Health Care Plans
For students with known severe allergies, an allergy management plan will be outlined in a document called an Individual Health Care Plan. This plan will be shared with the relevant staff in school to ensure awareness of risk and support required.
We understand that any change relating to children’s health can feel worrying, so please be reassured that these steps are being taken to enhance safety, confidence, and preparedness across the whole school community. Our priority is always the wellbeing of every child in our care.
Information on allergy support and management can be found here: https://www.allergyuk.org/
More information on the Department of Education and Department of Health’s guidance to schools here:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-protections-for-children-with-allergies-in-school
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-emergency-adrenaline-auto-injectors-in-schools
- AAI_HMR238_Clarification_Dr_P_Turner.pdf
Finally, It is vital that you share any updates regarding your child’s health with us, so we can support in school. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your child’s individual needs, please contact their Head of Year in the first instance and we will be happy to support you.
Where’s Wally, Books and Cake for fundraiser!
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the next event!
The Big Future – National Survey
The Children’s Commissioner for England is encouraging all young people to take part in The Big Future national survey. This is an opportunity for students to share their views, experiences and aspirations, helping to shape future government policy.
We would love to see as many of our pupils as possible take part so their voices are represented.
Take the survey here: The Big Future survey
Students’ success in creative writing competition
Earlier in the school year, many of the KS3 students entered a creative writing competition to write a 100 word story. One of the prizes was to be a published author. We are so proud to announce that 61 of our students have been chosen to be included in the Stranger Sagas book that should be published at the beginning of the summer holidays. Additionally, from the all the schools included in the book, the organisers will select the 5 best stories to win more prizes (including Amazon vouchers for the students). We’re all hoping for St Ivo students to be in the top 5.
Student example:
The Creature I used to Know.
I walked down the midnight streets when I heard someone call my name.
“Amber Woodfield.”
I stopped and looked around, but no one was there.
After a few steps, my mind told me to look back. A tall unnatural figure towered over me. I tried using my telekinetic powers, but I felt weak and defenceless.
The figure slowly opened its eyes, and everything just stopped. Suddenly, it felt really familiar. Then it clicked. It was my best friend from the lab. The only person that was like a human, not an experiment.
I whispered, “Liam is that you?”
By Mia (Y8)
Community News
Calling all ex-Eastfield and Westfield families!
On Thursday 18th June, 3.30 – 5.30pm, Eastfield and Westfield Schools are hosting our annual Summer Fair at Westfield Junior School. We would love to see some of our previous pupils, and maybe you’d even like to throw a sponge at a few teachers in the stocks! We’ll have live music from Si Dartford, games, activities and a burger van!
