Issue 23 Newsletter November 2017

December 2017
Issue 23
The Peak Academy
Newsletter
Inside this issue:
1. Reminder of Term Dates
2. Gloucester Farmers Market
3. Mini Marines
4. Design Technology
5. Match Report
6. Safeguarding Page
7. Uniform
8. Christmas Recipe
9. 2017/2018 Calendar
TERM 3:
TERM DATES 2017-2018
Tuesday 2nd January 2018—Inset day
Wednesday 3rd January 2018 —Pupils back in school
Friday 9th February 2018—Last day of term
TERM 4:
Monday 19th February 2018—Start of term
Thursday 29th March 2018—Last day of term
TERM 5:
Monday 16th April 2018—Start of term
Monday 7th May 2018—Bank Holiday
Friday 25th May 2018—Last day of term
TERM 6:
Tuesday 5th June 2018—Start of term
Wednesday 25th July 2018—Last day of term
Chocolate Making goes
MESSAGE FROM MR LEWIS, OUR PRINCIPAL
As always, reading the celebrations and progress your children are making fills me with pride. It’s been a lovely
term, culminating in our Christmas carol service and dinner.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those parents and carers that have
supported the school with transport, uniform expectations and attendance. A special
mention must go to Emma Bowd who made some outstanding cakes for Think Pink day and
Children in Need.
We continue to have high expectations for attendance, uniform and behaviour. Our whole
school attendance is 90.7%. The target for this year is at least 91%. Please make every effort
to support their education. If attendance is lower than 95% it has a damaging effect on the
possible outcomes at the end of year 11.
Uniform, please ensure that your son or daughter wears the full Peak uniform including the Peak school jacket.
Can I impress upon you the importance to ensure uniform is well kept and presentable. This will do them well in
the future. Smart school shoes are encouraged. Trainers look scruffy.
Lastly, thank you to all the wonderful taxi drivers who support the school. There are many brilliant drivers that
have worked closely with the school and their support is invaluable to your children’s progress.
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Richard Lewis
Principal

December 2017
Issue 23
The Peak Academy
Newsletter
Gloucester Farmers Market
After a couple of weeks planning, the stall was set on a cold
Friday morning in Gloucester for the weekly Gloucester
Farmers Market.
Harry, aka The Singing, Dancing Dabbing elf, was a big crowd
puller as people wanted his energy on the cold winters day,
unfortunately the crowd where not big spenders and left to go
about their daily business.
Stephen, Ashton, Callum, Tyler-Lee and Morgan replaced the
elf, and soon turned into young apprentices, which was similar
to a challenge set by Alan Sugar.
The experience the students have gained in this Enterprise Project will be carried on to 2018 when
another stall a different market will be planned, with the aim this time for a warmer day.
Chocolate Making goes
After a well deserved Christmas break, our young Marines will return
refreshed and ready for the challenges the new term has in store for
them.
Watch this space!
Mini Marines
Well what a wonderful end to the term for our young Peak
Marines, finishing with a fantastic lesson in camouflage. Our
budding military stars of the future have shown during this
term that they are a solid unit, and consistently keep
pushing themselves to raise the bar in all tasks assigned by
the visiting ex-Marines. Whether it's lying silently still in the
overgrowth or powering themselves and equipment up
Cam Peak, our young Marines have been able to overcome
every challenge.
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December 2017
Issue 23
The Peak Academy
Newsletter
Design Technology
KS3 and KS4 pupils have worked so hard on their DT and construction BTEC projects this
term with, as you can see, some amazing results.
Chocolate Making goes
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December 2017
Issue 23
The Peak Academy
Newsletter
Chocolate Making goes
The Peak vs New Horizons
We ended the year with an exciting 3 team football tournament on the MUGA with The Peak hosting New
Horizons school. This was for KS3 students and The Peak entered 2 teams one from Donard/Baystone/Skiddaw
and 1 from Everest/Serenity.
It was also a great opportunity for our KS4 BTEC Sport students from Arnside to plan, organise and run the
tournament. The boys did very well with also refereeing the games.
The games were played in great spirit and all 7 games were very close with goals at a premium. The goalkeepers
on show did a superb job.
Players from both schools displayed excellent sportsmanship before and after games and the refs hardly had to
blow for any stoppages of play.
New Horizons came out on top but both Peak teams improved as the tournament progressed.
Well done all and look forwards to going to New Horizons for a return fixture.
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
Safeguarding
[Any issues on the information below contact Mrs Lewis on 07809330745]
ATTENDANCE
This is rolling at 90.4% – help us to make it to 95% and above:
NON- ATTENDANCE HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON YOUR CHILDS GRADES AND LEARNING PROGRESS
Try and make all medical appointments in the holidays or after 2pm on a Friday. If this is not possible, make your
appointment for early in the morning so your child can be brought into school afterwards or alternatively later on in the
afternoons and your child could finish school slightly earlier.
If your child is genuinely ill, call Mrs Lewis on 07809330745 or reception on 01453 542130 by 8am. If we have not heard
from you by 10am at the latest, agencies will be informed as we will have safeguarding concerns – [ Also, remember to
contact the taxi to let them know they do not have to collect your child if they are ill and not in school].
GLOSFAMILIES DIRECTORY
The Gloucestershire Family Information Service team
If you don't know who to ask... ask us!
There is a wide range of information, self help, support and services available for all aspects of family life ranging from free
universal support options or services, which everyone can access, to targeted support for times when specialist advice is
needed.
www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk
There is also a free and confidential helpline 0800 542 02 02. They will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Examples of things they can help you with:
Family Support & Advice
Childcare
Education
Young People
Things to do
Children and Families Teams.
Cheltenham Families First Team 01452 328160
Forest of Dean Families First Team 01452 328048
Gloucester Families First Team 01452 328076
Tewkesbury Families First Team 01452 328250
Cotswolds Families First Team 01452 328101
Stroud Families First Team 01452 328130
Email forestearlyhelp@gloucestershire.gov.uk
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
Safeguarding
[Any issues on the information below contact Mrs Lewis on 07809330745]
Child Sexual Exploitation
The Peak have just had another insightful play with ‘Chelsea’s Choice.
“AlterEgo’s ‘Chelsea's Choice’ is an innovative and powerful production highlighting the
very serious and emotional issue of child sexual exploitation. The production shows how
young people, boys and girls, are groomed by adults for the purposes of sexual
exploitation using various methods, ensnaring young people and eventually taking
complete control and dominating their whole lives. The audience will gain a better
understanding of the devastating impact that sexual exploitation has on a young person's
life. This is a very useful and innovative way of raising awareness of the issues relating to
sexual exploitation and reaching young people, giving them some skills and knowledge to
be able to
protect themselves from this form of abuse “
Raising awareness of child sexual exploitation with parents and carers and helping them to recognise the signs of sexual
exploitation and how to respond is key to protecting children at risk. According to a recent National survey, "78% of
parents can't identify all the key signs of child sexual exploitation." (YouGov 2013).
The GSCB are promoting a resource for parents developed by Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (PACE) in
partnership with the Safeguarding Children e-Academy, to produce this free resource, which assists parents in keeping
children safe by helping them to: Know more about child sexual exploitation.
Know the signs and indicators of when a child might be being exploited
Appreciate the impact child sexual exploitation can have on families
Know what to do if you suspect a child might be at risk of this abuse
E-learning course: PACE Child Sexual Exploitation e-Learning Training.
https://safeguardingchildren.vc-tms.co.uk/selfregistration
E-safety:
GSCB WEBSITE – CLICKING ON ‘I AM A PARENT/CARER’
CLICK ON E-SAFETY.
Guidance on the use of the internet, cyber bulling, social networking and mobile phones:
As a parent or carer you have a very important role in helping your child understand the risks of using the internet.
Below are a number of links to resources that are designed to help you.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
South west grid for learning - staying safe
Childnet International
Childnet - know it all
Think u know - cyber café
NSPCC Share Aware Campaign
Maths Doctor - Keep your child safe
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
BEDTIME BLUES
We all remember begging our parents to let us stay up longer and the excitement when our
bedtime went back an hour. But you may be surprised to find there’s a chart telling you when a
child’s bedtime SHOULD be…
According to the chart, children of different ages should go to bed by a certain time… and it all
depends on when they woke up.
Covering ages 5 to 12, the chart shows that children aged 5 should go to bed from 6.45 pm to 8.15
pm depending on their wake-up time.
Meanwhile kids aged 12 should be asleep anytime from 8.15 pm to 9.45 pm.
If your 5 year old gets up at 6.30 am, they’ll be ready to go to sleep at 7.15 pm, but if they were up
at the slightly later 7 am, they’ll be ready to nod off at 7.30 in the evening.
And, while an 8 year old who gets up at 6.45 in the morning will be ready to go to sleep at 8.15
pm, the same aged child who woke later, at 7.30 am, won’t be ready for bed until 9 pm.
Sleep helps our body and brain develop and grow.
Children who consistently sleep fewer than ten hours a night before age 3 are three times more
likely to have hyperactivity and impulsivity problems by age 6. But the symptoms of sleepdeprivation
and ADHD, including impulsivity and distractibility, mirror each other almost exactly,
In other words, tired kids can be impulsive and distracted even though they don't have ADHD .
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
Uniform
The Peak Academy believes a safe and disciplined learning environment is the first
requirement of a high performing school. The implementation of school uniforms will help
minimise disruptive behaviour, promote respect for oneself and others, build school/
community spirit, and, more significantly, help to maintain high academic standards. The
Board also feels that wearing of uniforms by students will help lessen the impact of
socioeconomic differences. In addition, it allows for identification of intruders on site and
encourages students to concentrate on learning rather than on what they are wearing.
I require your support as we continue to drive the school forwards to achieve outstanding.
We have a number of pupils not currently wearing the correct school coat. There are two
options available; a quilted jacket and a lightweight jacket.
All are supplied with the school logo from
https:www.schooltrendsonline.com/uniform/ThePeakAcademyGL115HD
Also, for PE they should be wearing a green PE shirt (with logo) and plain black shorts.
Uniform should be clean and free from damage. If you require support with the uniform
policy, please contact the school and Miss Portland will be happy to assist you with any
ordering queries.
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
Christmas Recipe
Ingredients
3 large white marshmallows
icing pens, in black and orange
1 giant chocolate button
1 chocolate - a Rolo is perfect
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp Horlicks powder
handful mini white marshmallows
1 cookie (small enough to fit in a jam jar)
3 strawberries laces
You will also need
1 cocktail stick
1 large jam jar
ribbon and gift tag
1. First make the marshmallow snowman. Skewer the marshmallows together
with a cocktail stick - cut off any of the stick that protrudes from the top. Use a
little of the icing pen to stick a chocolate button and Rolo to the top of each
marshmallow stack, then draw on a face and 3 dots for buttons. Plait 3
strawberry laces and tie around the neck for a scarf. Stick the snowman to a
cookie with a little more icing, then set aside to dry for a few minutes.
2. Mix the cocoa and Horlicks together in the bottom of your jar. Put the
snowman on top, then scatter around the mini marshmallows. Screw on the lid,
tie with a ribbon and a gift tag with the following instructions: Warm 300ml milk
in a pan. Remove the snowman from the jar and add the milk. Stir until smooth
and chocolatey, then enjoy, with your marshmallow snowman for dunking.
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The Peak Academy Newsletter
SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS
2017/2018
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER
Mon 4 11 18 25 Mon 2 9 16 23 30 Mon 6 13 20 27
Tues 5 12 19 26 Tues 3 10 17 24 31 Tues 7 14 21 28
Wed 6 13 20 27 Wed 4 11 18 25 Wed 1 8 15 22 29
Thur 7 14 21 28 Thur 5 12 19 26 Thur 2 9 16 23 30
Fri 1 8 15 22 29 Fri 6 13 20 27 Fri 3 10 17 24
Sat 2 9 16 23 30 Sat 7 14 21 28 Sat 4 11 18 25
Sun 3 10 17 24 Sun 1 8 15 22 29 Sun 5 12 19 26
DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY
Mon 4 11 18 25 Mon 1 8 15 22 29 Mon 5 12 19 26
Tues 5 12 19 26 Tues 2
9 16 23 30 Tues 6 13 20 27
Wed 6 13 20 27 Wed 3 10 17 24 31 Wed 7 14 21 28
Thur 7 14 21 28 Thur 4 11 18 25 Thur 1 8 15 22
Fri 1 8 15
22 29 Fri 5 12 19 26 Fri 2 9 16 23
Sat 2 9 16 23 30 Sat 6 13 20 27 Sat 3 10 17 24
Sun 3 10 17 24 31 Sun 7 14 21 28 Sun 4 11 18 25
MARCH APRIL MAY
Mon 5 12 19 26 Mon 2 9 16 23 30 Mon 7 14 21 28
Tues 6 13 20 27 Tues 3 10 17 24 Tues 1 8 15 22 29
Wed 7 14 21 28 Wed 4 11 18 25 Wed 2 9 16 23 30
Thur 1 8 15 22 29 Thur 5 12 19 26 Thur 3 10 17 24 31
Fri 2 9 16 23 30 Fri 6 13 20 27 Fri 4 11 18 25
Sat 3 10 17 24 31 Sat 7 14 21 28 Sat 5 12 19 26
Sun 4 11 18 25 Sun 1 8 15 22 29 Sun 6 13 20 27
JUNE JULY AUGUST
Mon 4 11 18 25 Mon 2 9 16 23 30 Mon 6 13 20 27
Tues 5 12 19 26 Tues 3 10 17 24 31 Tues 7 14 21 28
Wed 6 13 20 27 Wed 4 11 18 25 Wed 1 8 15 22 29
Thur 7 14 21 28 Thur 5 12 19 26 Thur 2 9 16 23 30
Fri 1 8 15 22 29 Fri 6 13 20 27 Fri 3 10 17 24 31
Sat 2 9 16 23 30 Sat 7 14 21 28 Sat 4 11 18 25
Sun 3 10 17 24 Sun 1 8 15 22 29 Sun 5 12 19 26
Term 1: Tues 5 th Sept – Fri 20 th Oct 2017 32 days
INSET DAYS 4 th , 7 th & 8 th September 2017
Term 2: Mon 30 th Oct - Thurs 14 th Dec 2017 34 days
INSET DAY 15 th December 2017
Term 3: Tues 2 nd Jan - Fri 9 th Feb 2018
28 days
Term 4: Mon 19 th Feb - Thu 29 th Mar 2018 29 days
Term 5: Mon 16 th Apr - Fri 25 th May 2018 29 days
Term * 195 days 6: Mon are 4defined th Jun - as Wed “School 25 th Jul days”. 2018 In the school 38 year days 2017/18 pupils must attend
for 190 days. Schools may decide individually Total or collectively 195 days* which 5 days in the year
are INSET or non-contact days (days pupils do not need to attend).
Christmas Bank Holidays 25 th December 2017
26 th December 2017
New Year Bank Holiday 1 st January 2018
Good Friday 30 th March 2018
Easter Monday 2 nd April 2018
Early May Bank Holiday 7 th May 2018
Spring Bank Holiday 28 th May 2018
Summer Bank Holiday 27 th August 2018
Please note: Schools considering alternative term dates or considering changes to their school opening times may wish to
contact our Transport Team to discuss transport implications and contact local childcare providers to discuss what impact this
could have.
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