Newsletter 12/09/25
This weeks newsletter includes 70th anniversary, update on nut allergies, careers, year 11 information evening, club and activity timetable.
We have had a fantastic second week back and our new year 7 students are settling in and finding their way around. We thank all parents and carers for their continuous support regarding uniform and jewellery.
70th anniversary
70 Years of St Ivo!
From our beginnings in 1955 to today, St Ivo has always been more than just a school, it’s been at the heart of the community.
As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we’re looking back with pride and looking forward with purpose. Just like in the 1950s, we want to rebuild and strengthen our connection with the community we love.
We’d love to hear from you! Do you have memories, stories, or photos from your time at St Ivo? Share them in the comments below and help us celebrate 70 years of learning, friendship, and community.
You can keep up to date with our Community News on our website and can get in touch with us at community@astreastivo.org
Here’s to 70 years of learning, friendship, and community and to the many more ahead.
Equipment
Well done to everyone who returned in September fully equipped and ready to go. For those students missing a few things, here’s a reminder of what students are expected to bring with them every day:
- 30cm ruler
- Black pens (x2)
- Rubber
- Green pen
- Pencil
- Scientific calculator
- Protractor
- Highlighter
- Glue stick
- Large transparent 30cm pencil case*
- Knowledge organiser folder*
- A4 Equipment ziplock bag*
- Translucent reading ruler*
- Mini whiteboard*
- Whiteboard pen/ pencil*
The school provided students with items highlighted with an asterisk last academic year, or the start of this academic year for those who hadn’t previously been provided with them.
Reading rulers and mini whiteboards available on MCAS.
Nut Allergies
We have students in our school with serious nut allergies. For these young people, even a small trace of nuts can trigger a severe allergic reaction, which in some cases may be life-threatening.
To help us provide a safe environment for everyone, we are asking for your support:
- Please avoid sending nut products into school in packed lunches or snacks. This includes peanut butter, Nutella, cereal bars containing nuts, and mixed nut snacks, as well as foods where nuts may be an ingredient.
- Remind your child that they should not share food or drinks with others.
- Encourage them to wash their hands before and after eating.
- Our catering team are trained in allergen management and follow strict procedures to minimise risks. Staff are also trained to recognise symptoms and respond in an emergency, with individual healthcare plans in place for affected students.
We are not declaring the school “nut free”, as this can create a false sense of security and is very difficult to enforce in a secondary setting. Instead, we are asking for cooperation from all families in avoiding nut products wherever possible, and in supporting the safety and wellbeing of all students.
School meal prices
We wanted to inform you of a change in school meal price from November 2025. Due to the current rate of inflation, we have taken the difficult decision to increase the cost of the meal deal, from £2.75 to £2.88.
As a trust we bench mark our prices against schools in the region and we are confident we remain in the median range to ensure the cost to families is fair, whilst still being able to provide a first class service all our children.
This increase is helping us to ensure every student has access to a hot, fresh, and sustainable meal, for every day they are with us. The free school meal daily allowance will also increase to £2.88.
Clubs and activity timetable
Year 6 open evening
Thursday 18 September 2025
Join us for our year 6 open evening and discover everything St Ivo Academy has to offer! Your primary schools were given a handful of leaflets so if you would prefer a printed reminder of the event please ask at your child’s reception. The evening will consist of a welcome and introduction from Mr Meneaugh, Principal, an opportunity to meet subject teachers and explore the curriculum, visit departments and take a tour of the school, and time for parents/ carers and prospective students to ask specific questions.
If you have any questions regarding the event, please feel free to get in touch via reception@astreastivo.org.
Sixth form open evening
Join us on Thursday 2 October 2025 for our sixth form open evening. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet A-level and Level 3 course teachers, explore our wide range of subjects and enrichment activities, and experience first hand the vibrant environment you could be part of next year. We are proud to offer new facilities designed to enhance learning, and we want our students to benefit fully from them. Our aim is to provide a fresh and independent experience, right here locally, with excellent teaching to support your next steps.
Knowledge organisers
Knowledge organisers are an important part of our push to ensure all students build confidence and fluency around the core knowledge that underpins our curriculum. Years 7-11 will receive new inserts each term and have been given their folders with the autumn term set of knowledge today.
Careers
Introducing Unifrog – Helping every student find their best next step
We are delighted to let you know that we will shortly be introducing Unifrog to all students in years 7–13.
Unifrog is a one-stop online platform designed to support students at every stage of their journey through school:
- Years 7–9: Discover interests, explore different career areas, and build a record of activities and achievements.
- Years 10–11: Research post-16 options, from sixth forms and colleges to apprenticeships, and develop key skills for applications.
- Years 12–13: Compare university courses in the UK and abroad, search apprenticeships, build CVs, and access resources to prepare for life after school.
- Years 10 & 12: Research apply and streamline the work experience process.
Parents and carers will also be able to access Unifrog, helping you to explore opportunities together with your child and support their decision making.
More information on how to get started will be shared soon.
Year 11 Post-16 provider event – Thursday 9 October
As part of the year 11 careers and next steps programme, we are pleased to be hosting a post-16 provider event in school on Thursday 9 October.
- 3.00–4.00pm: Year 11 students only are invited to stay after school and meet a range of local post-16 providers including apprenticeship providers, colleges and sixth forms.
- 4.00–5.00pm: Parents and carers of Year 11 students only are warmly invited to join their child, attend and speak directly with providers about the opportunities available after year 11.
This is a valuable opportunity to gather information, ask questions, and begin planning the next stage of your child’s education and career. We encourage all year 11’s to attend.
Year 11 career guidance meetings
All year 11 students will have a one-to-one careers guidance meeting this term. This ensures every student has the chance to receive timely, personalised advice as they prepare for their next steps.
These are being organised by the careers adviser, but if your child would like to meet sooner, they can arrange an appointment directly by emailing helen.parks@asteastivo.org, visiting the careers office or speaking with their form tutor.
Key dates in St Ivo Academy careers calendar
- Whole-school careers fair, Tuesday 20 January
- Year 10 mock interviews, Wednesday 29 April
- Year 10 work experience Week, 29 June – 3 June
- Year 12 work experience Week, 6 – 10 July
See the College and Sixth form open evenings/days information pdf here
Parent app
Some year 7 families have queried the marking of homework as completed on MCAS and the Bromcom Student Portal. Please note that we do not use this facility as a matter of course. Students can mark their own homework as completed on the Student Portal if they wish to do so.
Year 11 information evening
Thank you to everyone who came to our year 11 information evening on Thursday. We hope you found the talks on core subjects, support and revision ideas helpful. Linked below is a copy of the PowerPoint for anyone who was unable to attend.
Find the powerpoint here for download.
