Friday 9th July 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
I’ve decided not to mention a certain event happening this weekend, although there will be elements associated with it in this Bulletin! I have to say I was personally more excited seeing the beautifully observed drawing by Leonardo da Vinci which was up for auction this week – it took my breath away! But that’s just me…. I am sure I’m outnumbered by people excited about the other event!!
The Roof and other Refurbishment
Work will start on the roof on 21st July and will run on for several months after we return to school in September. Parking near the school from that date will be severely restricted, so please do consider your child’s journey in September and, if arriving/collecting by car, please park away from school and ask your child(ren) walk the rest of the way.
Please also respect our neighbours by not blocking driveways, especially after school.
We also have plans to refurbish the main school Reception area to make it slightly smaller for visitors and to put a large Admin office in the current space, including Mr Moroney’s office. We were hoping to get this work done over the summer holidays but are awaiting planning permission. We expect this to start in September now and the Sixth Form Entrance will temporarily become the Main School entrance. Please look out for signage at the front of school once the work starts.
Coronavirus Update
This week we have had several positive cases identified, which resulted in a large number of students being sent home to self-isolate (please see details below). Thank you for all you support in collecting your child from school. Please can I ask that you remind your child that if they are self-isolating they must stay inside the house and NOT socialise with friends? I would also advise taking your child for a PCR test; then please inform school if the result of the PCR is positive as we may need to do further tracking and tracing.
As you know, testing has been playing a vital role in our response to the virus. It is helping to break chains of transmission by identifying asymptomatic positive cases quickly. With the increase in cases we are encouraged to continue regular testing in order to detect cases of coronavirus, stay ahead of the virus and keep Covid out of the classroom.
This means that regular lateral flow testing for all will continue, and it is recommended that staff and students who are in secondary school carry on testing at home, twice a week throughout the Summer holidays and before returning to school in the Autumn.
To support this, Lateral flow kits will be distributed to all staff and pupils prior to the end of term as follows:
|
Form time distribution |
Year 7 & 8 |
12th July |
|
Form time distribution |
Year 9 & 10 |
13th July |
|
Drop- In Collection |
Year 11 - Main Reception |
7th & 8th July |
|
6th Form distribution |
Year 12 - 6th Form Reception |
w/c 12th July |
|
Staff distribution |
Collect from Main Reception |
w/c 12th July & Inset Day |
We have been informed that Lateral Flow Testing will need to be completed twice for every student on their return in September. Our highly efficient and friendly testing centre in the old gym will be set up again to do this as soon as students return; however, we will need to stagger the return to school to facilitate this. A letter outlining the phased return will be sent to you shortly.
Covid Cases in School This Week
Year 7
2 Positive Cases - 33 x Y7 close contacts = TOTAL 33 close contacts
Year 8
2 Positive cases – no close contacts identified in school
2 Positive cases – 66 x Y8 + 3 x Y10 close contacts = TOTAL 69 close contacts
Year 9
2 Positive Cases – 49 x Y9 + 1x Y7 + 1 xY8 = TOTAL 51 close contacts
Overall Summary
8 x Positive cases since Monday 5th July 2021.
No staff positive cases
153 x close contacts, no staff close contacts
We currently have in total 196 students self-isolating with some due back next Monday.
Unfortunately, due to an increase in Covid cases and as a precaution, I have had to change my plans for an end of year whole school assembly; we will now be holding year group assemblies only across Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th July. These will still be fun occasions where certificates and awards will be presented, music groups will perform and our students celebrated for how wonderful they have been this year!
The School as a Community
It has been very difficult during the pandemic to create a whole school community ‘feel’ when year groups have not been allowed to mix for most of two whole academic years. I know that many Y7, Y8 and new external Y12 students will feel this the most because they have had little or no experience of the school as a whole during their time at AC. Whilst this situation is replicated across every secondary school the country, I hope that September will allow us to get that feeling back again.
RSPCA Photography Competition
Is your child a budding photographer? Do they love animals? If they’re18 years old or younger, the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards is for you!
https://young.rspca.org.uk/ypa/categories
Boost that mindfulness by getting down with Nature and spending time just observing the world we live in up close! Good for the soul!
Getting into the Swing of Things!
Our school canteen was decorated to the hilt today to celebrate Sunday’s historical game! Our Catering Team put on a specially themed menu, including “meaty footballs and pasta” and “Sweet Caroline Cupcakes”! They also dressed up in England t-shirts and colours whilst Mr Smith (IT Manager) played his own football music compilation on the loudspeakers! Everyone enjoyed lunchtime today!
Football Themes Continue!
This week we have welcomed into school footballer Alex Brooks, who made her first team debut for Manchester City on 13 July 2014. She had further occasional appearances for the next season and a half before a loan move to Everton for the duration of the 2016 season. The following year she left Manchester City for Sheffield United.
On 26 January 2019, Brooks moved back to the highest division of English football with a transfer to Birmingham City. I think, however, the highlight of her career was coming to Altrincham College earlier this week to run a masterclass!
And today we welcomed back former student of AC, Steven Crane, youth coach at Manchester United! Since leaving our school, Steven has played professional football in the UK and in the USA. Today he led masterclasses for some of our students. These two events have been organised by the staff in our PE department as a wonderful end to the year!
University Visits
It’s been wonderful to take students on trips again and this week our Y12 students visited two Universities as part of our Careers programme: UA92 and Edge Hill. These were great opportunities for our students to get a taste of University life! Please see our FB page for photos of the visits!
Student Star of the Week
The award this week goes to Kieran D in Y12! Kieran has been nominated by Mrs Brennan for his outstanding effort and determination which resulted in him achieving an A* in one of his end of year exams! These are great qualities to possess Kieran – congratulations from everyone in school!
Staff Star of the Week
The award for Staff Star of the Week this week goes to Mrs Jones our Second in Maths! She has been nominated by her team for working so hard but also offering so much help and support to her colleagues. Many congratulations Mrs Jones from everyone at AC!
Thank you for your continued support of our school!
Stop the spread! Stay safe!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kind regards
Ms. Earle
Headteacher