Welcome to Astrea Academy Sheffield Inspiring Beyond Measure
Key Dates
- 10th October - Y8 HPV Vaccines
- 13th October - Y5/6 Open Event
- 20th October - Last Day of Half Term
- 21st October - Staff Training Day
Principal's Invitation to Visit the School
Now we are settled into the term, I would like to take the opportunity to offer an open invitation to parents and carers to visit the academy and have a tour whilst lessons are taking place.
Each day when I tour lessons I am so impressed by the scholarship and responsibility shown by scholars and it is important this success is shared.
The tours will run daily between 9.00 and 10.00am, and will be limited to 5 people (adults and children) per session.
To attend a tour, please email info@astreasheffield.org and specify a couple of preferred dates. We will do our best to accommodate all visits, but they will be booked on a first come, first served basis.
I do hope that you find these weekly newsletters useful. We are always looking for ways that we can improve our communication to parents and carers and any feedback as to how we can achieve this is gratefully received. Please email info@astreasheffield.org marked for my attention, to share any thoughts or ideas you might have to enable us to achieve this.
I do hope you take the opportunity to visit us and look forward to welcoming you into the academy.
With very best wishes, Emma Glover
How to Contact the School
It is important that parents and carers know how to contact the at school. Here are the ways that you can contact us. We will always try our best to call or email back as soon as possible, but please allow up to 72 hours for a response. [If an urgent matter, please specify this in the communication].
Due to the nature of running a busy school, it is unlikely that meetings will be able to happen the same day if parents attend school without prior notice. Please use the channels below to arrange any phone calls or meetings with staff.
To contact our safeguarding team, please email safeguarding@astreasheffield.org or call 0114 553 9110 and ask to speak to one of the safeguarding team.
You can visit us in person by dropping into our Main Office, which is open from 7..30am until 5pm.
The Main Office can be called on 0114 553 9110. The lines are open from 7.30am until 5.00pm. During busy times (usually first thing in a morning, during lunch and at the end of the school day) the office staff may be supporting scholars and you may need to leave a message. Voice messages are listed to regularly.
A text message can be sent to 07581 976697 which will be picked up by the office team. This system is monitored regularly throughout the day. Please do not send urgent or confidential information through this service.
Emails can be sent to info@astreasheffield.org – the Principals PA, Chloe Wood, monitors this email account and will pass the email onto the relevant member of staff. Please do not send urgent messages through this service.
Using the Astrea App, parents can use the message system to send a free direct message. This will go to the main office. Please do not send urgent or confidential information through this service.
How the School will Contact Families
This weekly newsletter is the main form of communication – it includes a round up of all the activities across the academy and also key information about upcoming events.
It can be translated into multiple languages by pressing the orange ‘Translate Language’ button.
Class Charts is the main method of communication between school and home for tracking behaviour. All scholars have been sent home with a login code. Please ensure that you can login to access this key information. Contact the school using any of the above methods if you do not have the code.
Emails will be sent to the email address you have supplied. This is our preferred method of communication.
Text Messages will be sent from the number above (it will be different for attendance messages).
Any urgent matters will be communicated by a phone call – if we cannot get hold of you, after 3 attempts we will leave a voice message or send a text message.
School reports are sent 3 times per year to include a scholars latest academic results and/or latest attitude to learning grade.
Tutor Scholar Review Evenings are held in September. This is an opportunity for parents to come into school to meet with their childs form tutor to review progress, attendance and attitudes to learning.
Each year group has a dedicated Scholar Review Evening (Y11 have two evenings), which is where parents can meet with subject teachers for a allocated time. These are held using school cloud (online meetings) to ensure that as many parents can attend as possible.
Job Vacancies - Secondary Phase
We are always looking for exceptional people to join our team: people who are committed to making a lasting impact on the life chances of young people.
If you are interested in applying for any of the below roles please visit: Astrea Academy Trust. Please ensure you select ‘ Astrea Academy Sheffield’ on the home page.
- Behaviour Manager - Closing 9th October
- Exams Invigilator - Closing 16th October
Upcoming Word of the Week
Curiosity – The strong desire to know about something.
Remeber scholars will recieve Astras everytime they use the WOW in a sentence.
Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme
Ten Scholars took part in a fantastic Anti Bullying training day in York!
The Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme equips scholar’s with the tools needed to tackle bullying behaviour head on, transform our school’s approach to anti-bullying and create a safer, kinder school community. The scholar’s represented the academy well and made us extremely proud!
We look forward to seeing their campaigns around school this year!
Y10 Boys Football Team
Our year 10 Football team have now played 2 fixtures. Even though they have lost both games they are improving all the time. Demonstrating all our academy values. Responsibility and respect when representing the academy. Showing curiosity in every training session and scholarship in carrying their learning out on to the pitch. Most of all tenacity, their resilience to keep coming back and wanting to improve astounds me and makes me one proud coach. Well done boys! – Mr Wright
Next Year 10 fixture, Thursday 20th October at Hinde House.
Women's Wellness Group
We are extremely excited to announce we have a women’s wellness group starting on Thursday 10th November.
It is a free 5-week course about self-care and emotional well-being. Each week there will be a different focus. Topics covered will include: communication, stress, relaxation, learning and building self-estreem.
If you are interested in joing please email Miss McKenzie: natalie.mckenzie@astreasheffield.org
#resetrelationships listening groups
A random selection of Year 8/9/10 scholars have taken part in listening groups as part of the Academies response to OFSTED’s national report published in June 2021 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges/review-of-sexual-abuse-in-schools-and-colleges
As an Academy it is really important that we listen to what our scholars have to say about sexual harassment and what scholars think educating young people and the community should look like. Please look out for more information about the Academies response and what our scholars are doing to tackle this issue.
Cost of Living Support
Over the past few months, millions of people have experienced increases in the cost of living, including rises in petrol, food, and gas and electric charges. This has left many facing tough decisions about how to spend their money, and many others in need of advice and financial support to afford rent, fuel bills, and everyday items.
As a result, Sheffield have put the following information which shows the resources available across the city to support those in need of help.
If you are in need of additional support food bank vouchers are available on request. Never feel to proud or worried to ask for support. Please contact our Family Support Team (Miss Muna Digaali & Miss Natalie McKenzie) in School for advice and further support.
Holiday Activites - October 2022
The Academy will be running activities over 2 days for families and scholars to take part in. For any further information and/or ideas and projects you would like to see take place please email muna.digaali@astreasheffield.org – Watch this space!
Sparx Mathematics
Uniform Policy - Jewellery
As per the uniform policy (page 5) ‘Scholars are permitted to wear one pair of studded earrings and a wrist watch. All other items are not permitted.’
For clarity, the studded earrings should be less that 3mm in size and be plain metal (no jewels).
This means that the following items are not to be worn at all:
- Nose rings
- A second pair of earrings
- Rings
- Necklaces
- Bracelets
This list is non-exhaustive.
Internet Safety Update
The Computing department would like to share a weekly update regarding internet safety. It can also be easy to become overwhelmed with the different technology, the language that children use, the huge number of games and apps which are available and the potential risks. Each week therefore in the AAS newsletter the Computing Department will share information and guidance on one app or topic surrounding internet safety.
Talking regularly with your child is the greatest tool to help keep them safe online. Talking regularly and making it part of daily conversation, like you would about their day at school, will help your child feel relaxed. It also means when they do have any worries, they are more likely to come and speak to you.
Netflix
With over 5,052 TV shows, documentaries and movies currently on Netflix in the UK, there is a lot of great content that young people can use to learn from, engage with or to relax whilst watching. The sheer number of titles on Netflix does however mean that there is some content that is not appropriate for all users to watch, with some films and TV shows age rated as 15 or 18.
It is possible to set up specific Netflix profiles for various age groups. Profiles for example can be set to only show content suitable for under 12s, under 15s etc.
There is a parental checklist from the UK Safer internet charity regarding Netflix: https://tinyurl.com/ASSnetflix
Some popular TV shows currently on Netflix
- Stranger Things is rated TV-14
- Squid Game – Rated age 15.
- Entergalactic – Rated age 17 (despite being a cartoon it contains adult themes).
- Bridgerton – Rated age 17.
The Computing department would recommend the following two websites to check the ratings of films and TV shows on streaming websites, such as Netflix:
BFFC’s website: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-classification
Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ where you can read reviews and ratings from other parents.
Accelerated Reader & Quiz Club
Accelerated Reader is back from Monday 3rd October, this is a really important way for us to monitor and reward scholars’ reading. All scholars will receive information about how to access Accelerated Reader on Monday. Click the link to quiz – Welcome to Renaissance Place (renlearn.co.uk)
Every day after school we will be holding a Quiz Club in the Library. This is an opportunity for scholars to use tablets in the library to complete an Accelerated Reader quiz. Staff will be on hand to help with accessing Accelerated Reader and choosing appropriate books to quiz on. We will also have a weekly book reading during Wednesday’s Quiz Club which scholars can come along to listen to and then quiz on.
Creative Writing Club
Library
The Library is ready to welcome scholars for what is anticipated will be another fantastic year of reading!
The Library is open for book borrowing and quiet study during break times and after school until 4pm. Mrs Dobrowolska and Miss Allen will be on hand to support scholars with their homework, revision and selecting reading books to enjoy. We have an extensive and comprehensive selection of library books that scholars are encourage to utilise for independent learning and reading for pleasure. Please see library staff for more information.
We would also like to issue a polite reminder to all scholars to return any library books they find at home. All books should be returned to the white post box on entry to the Library.
The City's Biggest Book Club
We are excited to launch our new communal reading scheme: Whole-Class Reading. We have curated a selection of inspiring classic and contemporary fiction and non-fiction books for all scholars to read with their tutors during their midday reading slots. We know that reading makes everyone happier and more successful, so we have protected 25 minutes of every school day for reading and invested in brilliant books. Every scholar in a year group will be reading the same book to enable us to discuss, explore and enjoy the texts together…it’ll be the city’s biggest book club.
Here are the books for this term:
Year 7 | Boy in the Tower |
Year 8 | Chinglish |
Year 9 | I am Malala |
Year 10 | Norse Mythology |
Year 11 | Ready Player One |
If you would like a copy of any of the books so that you can experience it alongside your child, please email info@astreasheffield.org.
Personal Development Curriculum
Personal Development Curriculum Delivery Health & well-being Half term 1 | |
Y7 | Transition & safety |
Y8 | Drugs & alcohol |
Y9 | Peer influence, substance use & gangs |
Y10 | Mental health |
Y11 | Building for the future |
Uniform Expectations
Scholars must be wearing the correct uniform which consists of grey skirts / trousers / black school shoes (no trainers)
A reminder to all our scholars that they must only wear their PE kit on days where they have a practical PE lesson or a sports elective.
Term Time Leave
YOUR SCHOLAR’S ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT.
Polite reminder to all parents / carers that a term time leave form must be completed and submitted to the Academy prior to leave being taken. Exceptional circumstances do not include family holidays or extended leave to visit family. Please be aware that any leave taken which is not authorised by the Academy may result in a fine or prosecution.
For a term time leave form please contact the Academy to speak to the Attendance Team – Mr Hussain or Mr S Boyd.
Homework Club
Homework club takes place in the library every day after school: 14:50-16:00 Monday to Thursday and 14:50-15:30 on Fridays. During this time scholars can access books and laptops to help facilitate their learning and staff will be on hand if they need any help.
Extracurricular Clubs
Please take some time looking at this sporting extra curricular that is on offer. We are so excited here at Astrea by the opportunities on offer for all scholars and hope as many of you as possible can make these. Those that attend training session and show respect and responsibility each week will also have the opportunity to represent the school in sporting fixtures. We hope to see as many of you as possible!
Revision Materials
To help our scholars with revision we have created a Revision Techniques display which is now up in the library.
This display is full of useful tips and trick to help our scholars make the most of their revision. It is extremely useful for any scholars who are struggling to find a way to revise that works for them or if they just want to try something new!
To go along with this, we have also made up some Revision Baskets for Y10 & Y11 scholars to use while they are in the library. These baskets are full of all the materials needed to carry out the techniques on the poster including: Note Cards, Flash Cards, Highlighters, Sticky Notes, Coloured Pens and Blank Timetables
Community Support Contact Information
