Newsletter 24 January 2025

Dear Parents/ Carers

Quite a bumper edition this week of the newsletter, with lots of things happening as a result of the PAC meeting this week and the forthcoming mocks. In particular, from me, I’d like to highlight some updates to the website, the launch of the Year 9 into 10 preferences process and return of the daily ‘late bus’.

The rest of the newsletter covers exam invigilator vacancies, further information about the Year 10 Shaping Futures programme – in particular the option for students (with parent/ carer support) to still complete self-sourced work experience placements – information about the 2026 Ski Trip, this year’s school production and week 1 of the Year 11 mocks.

The final link in the newsletter provides a database of external support services, covering a range of need, that students, parents and carers may find helpful.

Website updates

Following the PAC meeting this week, we have updated the website to incorporate a dedicated PAC section to draw everything together, and we have created a feedback section for praise, suggestions and concerns. The latter provides a simplified version of the concerns and complaints policy and all now provide online forms for ease of access and submission.

   

Year 9 into 10 preferences

We are pleased to release the Year 9 into 10 subject preferences booklet, which details our curriculum offer for current Year 9 subjects going in to key stage 4 studies in September. We would encourage families to take the time to look through the booklet before Year 9 Parents’/ Carers’ evening on Thursday 13 February 2025. We will also be holding a curriculum evening for Year 9 families on Thursday 13 March 2025, starting at 6pm.

Late bus

As you may know we currently offer a ‘late bus’ on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday at 4.10pm, which was a reduction from last year. We have reviewed our available budget, and our spending priorities and I’m pleased to say that from 3 February the late bus will return to running every day to further support interventions and clubs, as well as detentions.

Yours faithfully

Tony Meneaugh
Principal

Exam invigilators

We are advertising for exam invigilators, please see link for details: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/137305/EDV-2025-SIA-94607

Year 10 shaping futures programme

We are thrilled to introduce our new initiative, Shaping Futures, designed to transform the way our students experience work readiness and professional development.  As part of our commitment to preparing students for their future careers, we have re-imagined traditional work experience to create a comprehensive programme that provides meaningful, hands-on opportunities for all students.

Shaping Futures is an innovate programme that empowers students to engage with the professional world in a dynamic and interactive way.  Throughout the program the students will have the chance to participate in

Real interviews: Students will practice their interview skills with experienced professionals, helping them build confidence and competence in presenting themselves effectively.

Assessment Centres: Our students will experience assessment centre activities that mimic real-world recruitment scenarios, allowing them to develop critical thinking and teamwork skills.

Projects: Engaging in real projects with businesses, students will work collaboratively to solve problems and gain practical insights into a variety of industries

Mentoring: Each student will have the opportunity to be mentored by business professionals, receiving guidance and advice on career paths and skill development.

Workplace visit: All students will have the opportunity to visit the workplace.  The visit will provide an opportunity for students to see different roles in action and gain insights into daily operations and workplace culture.

Showcase Event:  The programme will culminate in a showcase event where students can present their projects and experiences to peers, and industry representatives, celebrating their achievements and learning.

Why Shaping Futures?

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, it is essential for students to gain exposure to real-world experiences and develop skills that will set them apart.  Shaping Futures aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that our students are well-prepared to navigate their future careers with confidence.

We believe that every student should have access to these valuable experiences, regardless of their chosen career path.  Our goal is to equip them with the tools, skills and connections necessary to thrive in their future endeavours.

As we launch Shaping Futures, we want to emphasise the importance of your support in helping your child navigate the application process.  Participating in this initiative will not only enhance their skills but also give them a competitive edge in their future endeavours.

Next week all opportunities will go live on the Morrisby platform.  This is where would encourage parents/carers to support their children on this exciting journey.

Completing applications can be a daunting task for students.  Your guidance can help them effectively communicate their strengths, skills and aspirations.  Reflect on their interests and goals.  This will enable them to articulate their motivations and aspirations clearly.  Encourage them to research the business and industry they are applying for so they can express genuine interest and enthusiasm in their application.

Celebrate your child’s efforts, regardless of the outcome and encourage resilience and growth.  Your involvement can significantly enhance your child’s experience in Shaping Futures equipping them with skills and insights that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional journey.

The interviews will take place in school on Monday 3 March 2025. All other dates will be shared with you in a separate communication.

Self-sourced work experienced placements

To ensure a smooth introduction and phasing out of the traditional work experience we will accept self-sourced work experience placements if your child has already successfully arranged this.  This can proceed during the week of 7 July 2025.  However, to ensure that everything is in order we kindly ask that you submit all relevant forms and confirmation of this placement no later than Friday 21 February 2025.  This will allow us sufficient time to finalise arrangements and ensure that your child can participate in a traditional model of work experience whilst benefiting from some of the Shaping Futures activities available.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information.

Helen Parks
Careers Leader & Adviser
Helen.Parks@astreastivo.org

Ski trip 2026

We still have a few places remaining on our ski trip for February half term 2026, Saturday 14 to Saturday 21 February. We will be going to Austria, staying at the Jugendherberge Westendorf and skiing the SkiWelt, a large resort with over 200kms of slopes. The trip will cater to all ski abilities, from complete beginner to advanced.

The trip includes:

• Air travel and all coach transfers to and from airports
• Ski lessons with qualified instructors – 6 days, 5 hours per day
• Breakfast and dinner at the accommodation in Westendorf
• Packed lunches in the ski resort
• Evening activities
• Hire of ski equipment – skis, poles, boots and helmet

The cost per student for the visit is £1,930 (£1,550 if your child is in receipt of Free School Meals/Pupil Premium Funding). This visit is operating on a first come, first served basis. Please note that the trip will become unavailable as soon as the limit of 45 students is reached. Payments for the visit need to be made as follows (please note that all payments are only refundable for insurable reasons):

• First deposit of £200 due by Monday 3 February 2025.
• Second deposit of £200 due by Monday 3 March 2025.
• Final balance of £1,530 (£1,150 for Pupil Premium students) due by Monday 3 November 2025.

If paying the deposit for your child to join the ski trip, please also complete the form at https://forms.office.com/e/TrDLQ480C1

Year 10 target grades

In preparation for the Year 10 parents’ evening this week, target grades were published on Bromcom. Please be assured that these are targets and not predictions. They are based on the CAT4 standardised Cognitive Ability Tests that all students sat and are benchmarked against the top 20% of students nationally. Of course, some of our students will perform in the top 5% or top 1% of students nationally; these students will far exceed their target grade, as students at St Ivo do every year. For many students, these grades will be aspirational, but no child will be limited by their target. The target grades are not a reflection of recent assessments and parents/ carers will have progress reports (with predictions) at the end of the year following the summer mock exams.

Year 11 mocks week 1

We are looking forward to Year 11 completing their final mock examinations over the next three weeks. Student timetables are all available on Bromcom. Please ensure that students bring their equipment in clear pencil cases and that they bring their calculators. Students are reminded that no watches, phones or earphones are allowed in the exam hall.

Week 1 timetable

Week 1 “Just In Time”
We will also run “Just In Time” revision sessions in the canteen from 8am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday:

Year 11 Art and Technology afternoons
We will be utilising gaps in student exam timetables to provide additional time to support their coursework NEAs in subjects Art, Textiles, Food and Design Technology. Students have been given timetables for the week ahead today.

Student Support Services Booklet