Latest message from Principal, Mrs Williams 24/06/21
National Thank a Teacher Day
Wednesday 23rd June was National Thank a Teacher Day. As parents, you have always been very generous with your kind words to our staff, especially over the last significant 16 months. I have put some details in the link below and would ask that if you have the time to reach out to any teacher that has had a significant impact on your son or daughter, please do- that personal email makes all the difference... Don't limit it to KAR, there may be a primary teacher that you remember or an instructor from a club who would love to hear from you.
https://thankateacher.co.uk/national-thankateacherday/
Rise in Covid Cases
There has been a significant rise in Covid cases this week and more specifically in young people. Some of my headteacher colleagues in other local schools are having to send groups of students home to isolate. We are not quite out of the woods yet. Can I please ask that those of you who are participating in twice weekly testing continue to do so with diligence. I believe it is making a real difference as to how we manage Covid and community safety in our school.
Enrichment Days
On Monday and Tuesday of next week we are participating in some off timetable activities both in and out of school. The places on our trips were limited and on a first come first served basis. There will always be disappointment when places are limited but we ourselves are limited by the venues, which venues are open and which venues have their own staffing issues. Thank you to all of you who have been so understanding - we are not back to normal yet and I am extremely grateful to all the staff, especially Mr Coultard, who have moved mountains to get our students back out on Covid friendly trips. Speaking of which...
Geography Department – Year 10 Field Trip
On Monday 21st June, we had our first school visit since March 2020. It was an absolute joy to see the students out and exploring the world around them once again and seeing Geographical processes and features with their own eyes. Students measured the sediment build up on either side of the groynes in Brighton and Saltdean in order to investigate whether coastal management is effective or not and what possible effects it might be having elsewhere along the coast. Despite the persistent rain and soggy workbooks, the students remained positive throughout and got stuck into their inquiry. In lessons we will now be presenting and analysing our data, as well as reaching conclusions overall.
We hope to organise another trip in the autumn term to investigate urban quality of life across Brighton. Ms Cardin, Subject Leader for Geography
Music Department
1. Yet Another Number One #8
Here's Episode 8 and welcome to our latest guest David Moffat. David is a member of the Science Department at Kings Academy Ringmer and is going to tell you about why this song has such a significance to him. I hope you enjoy hearing why he chose this song as much as I did!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8aDV5dtXxA
2. Instrumental and Vocal lessons at Kings Academy Ringmer
We have lots of students getting into small bands in class at the moment and they are making amazing progress! To make the most of this solid foundation, you could talk to your child about signing up for instrumental or singing lessons here at school ready for September.
The lessons are provided by our excellent team of specialist teachers and take place during the school day on a rota. If your child knows a friend they would like to be teamed up with in a group then get them to sign up at the same time. If you let me know once you have signed up I can liaise with the teachers to tell them about the groups.
https://www.eastsussexmusic.org/register-for-music-lessons
https://www.sussexdrumlessons.co.uk/
3. Musical Futures Online
This is now live and all students can access this at home. Lots of our KS3 bands are using this resource in lessons so can continue with their practice at home too. Students should go to their Google Classroom for Music to find the log in details then they can access the full resource bank of play alongs including chord charts, tab and keyboard diagrams. Plus lyrics for karaoke of course!
4. Virtual Summer Performance
Thank you so much for the videos I've had so far for the Virtual Summer Concert... keep them coming! The deadline for video submissions will be Friday 2nd July, so please encourage your child to get thinking about whether they'd like to submit a performance no matter how short!
Year 11 students - ParentPay refund of any outstanding lunch money, Prom 2021 and Thorpe Park visit
We have asked Chartwells, our catering provider to refund all outstanding balances to your ParentPay account. They have advised payments will be in your account this week.
To get the money refunded from ParentPay when you have logged in to your account you just click on the Parent Account at the top of the page (I have copied below for reference) and then click on the withdraw tab at the bottom of the page, it will show you any funds that you can request back from ParentPay.
Prom 2021 and Thorpe Park refunds have also been refunded via your ParentPay account you will be able to get the refund as per the details above. Kind regards, Debbie Duckworth - Business Services Manager
Free School Meal Vouchers
We have been asked to remind families that their May half-term voucher needs to be redeemed by 1am on Wednesday 30 June 2021. Families do not have to spend their voucher before 30 June, they only need to select the supermarket they wish to use. Further information about voucher expiry dates is available on the Huggg website.
Safeguarding Focus:
In a recent PSHE lesson with Year 10s I realised that despite our advertising of the new wellbeing website they did not know it existed. So we will be having a safeguarding and wellbeing focus week before the end of term. I will take that opportunity to share some of our relevant online resources in assembly and ask that you have a look at our new website this week, it is available for students, staff and parents.
https://sites.google.com/kingsacademies.uk/kingsacademyringmer-mhew/home?authuser=0
Kind regards
Sian Williams
Principal