October Newsletter

Dear families,

I remain as honoured as ever to work with your children. There is much to celebrate on all fronts, and you will see just how proud your children are to represent their school. From the wide array of extra-curricular activities to reading challenges, to live music week, there is something for all to enjoy. The first part of the Autumn term draws to a close on what has been another packed out half term. It always flies by and I once again take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of our school.  I mention two key points for you all below that are especially relevant and I hope you enjoy our newsletter.

New Year 7

Ask them how many merits they won! Our youngest pupils have settled in well and their daily recitals of our school poem, Invictus, continues to be a highlight of my day. They finish the half term with a ‘meet and greet’ the form tutors evening combined with a mini production of Romeo and Juliet. A ‘play in a day’ style delivery sees our Yr 7s learn their lines over the course of the week to perform in front of families, showing just how confident they are. We look forward to seeing them take to the stage.

Review work / homework

I mention this for the benefit of new families and as a reminder to all, that our computer rooms are open every day at lunchtime for pupils to complete online work. Prefects and staff are also in the room to support. Work outside of the classroom really will help embed knowledge and develop independence whilst building excellent habits.

Please continue to support your children and check their planners weekly. Details can be found (including our knowledge booklets for Years 7,8,9) on our website via Cromer Academy Review / Homework. It informs you what your children are studying and will allow you to quiz them at home.

I wish you all a restful and enjoyable half term.

Very best wishes

Darren Hollingsworth

 

 

Readathon

Reading is life-changing: Children who read in their spare time are more likely to do well in school, have strong friendships, have better mental health, better paying jobs and happier lives!’ (Read for Good)

This is why we are giving our pupils in years 7 to 10 the opportunity to take part in Read for Good’s Readathon this autumn. The Readathon launch date is Monday 16^th October and pupils will have 4 weeks to read as many texts as possible. We would be grateful if you could encourage your children to collect sponsorships for their reading by using the direct link in the sponsorship form they have been given.

The money our pupils raise will support the charity Read for Good to provide books and storytellers for children in hospital. Additionally, the charity will provide the school with book vouchers to the value of 20% of the total sponsorship collected. Furthermore, the top readers in the school will receive merit points and book prizes.

We really hope our pupils enjoy taking part in this event!

https://readforgood.org/join-the-fun/

 

Any pupil who wants to be considered as a top reader, should hand their sponsorship card or list of books read to the library by 17^th November

 

Play in a day

This week, Ian Murchie from Whirlwind Drama has been in school, working with Year 7 to cast, rehearse and perform a version of Romeo and Juliet. Pupils had the chance to have either key parts or take part in the chorus and help to build their confidence and performance skills across the week.

On Thursday (19th) evening, pupils preformed their version of the Shakespeare classic to parents in the school canteen and impressed parents and staff alike with their theatrical talents.

 

Family Bingo- Friends of Cromer Academy fundraising event- Thursday 23^rd November

Following the success of the last family bingo event, the Friends of Cromer Academy are arranging another evening where all the family can come along for a fun, sociable evening and help raise funds for the school.

Ticket will go on sale on Monday 30^th October. Price includes a book of ten games

Adults £5.00

Children (U16) £2.50.

Tickets can be purchased via MCAS or cash.

 

Duke of Edinburgh at Cromer Academy

This new academic year has seen the launch of Duke of Edinburgh award to a new cohort of year 9 pupils. 57 year 9 pupils are full steam ahead with their bronze award. The pupils have begun work on their Skills, Physical and Volunteering sections to make a meaningful impact on themselves and the world around them. During enrichment sessions, on a Wednesday morning, we have been working on their map skills. Preparing to navigate themself across Norfolk countryside during their Expedition section of the award. 

The Silver award is also about to launch this week to the year 10s. This is an exciting opportunity for a group of year 10 pupils to push themselves even further than what they achieved in their bronze award. Alongside the Physical, Skills and Volunteering sections of the award, the silver students will be working toward their qualifying expedition section which will take place in the Peak District, Derbyshire. This is an incredible opportunity offered to our year 10 students where they can learn invaluable life skills and visit an amazing part of the UK. 

 

Parent Support Sessions

MCAS is our portal enabling parents to view your child’s academic performance in real-time via web browser. This facility allows exclusive access to your child’s attendance, assessment and behaviour whenever the parent wishes.  The portal is also used to share announcements and book trips.

75% of our parents have signed up to access their child’s data and receive communication from the school.

To support parents who have not yet signed up to MCAS, we are holding two parent support sessions in school on the following dates.

 

Monday 6^th November 2.45pm -4.30pm

Monday 27^th November 2.45pm -4.30pm

 

Staff will be on hand to guide any parents who are having issues or unsure how to sign up.

If you would like support with signing up to MCAS, please come along on either of the above dates.

 

 

Football Fixture Updates

Year 7

The Year 7 boys played their football County Cup 1^st round match against Ormiston Venture Academy. Unfortunately, they lost 2-0, however, the game was very evenly matched and had Cromer put away a couple of good chances they might have come away with a win. Well done to the year 7s who played their first game for the school. Notable performances from Dylan Bland and Rokas Kirksciunas.

Year 8

The Year 8s also lost their County Cup match 4-1 against a strong Langley prep school team. Having gone 1-0 up thanks to a calm finish from Louie Fuller, it looked as though Cromer would control the game, however, Langley went in at half time 2-1 up. Cromer battled well but Langley proved to be too strong on the day.

Year 9

The year 9s have had 3 fixtures this half term and have had a mixed bag of results. They were heavily beaten by Broadland in the County Cup. They then played two league games against Alderman Peel high school and Fakenham. The boys lost 1-0 to Alderman Peel in a very tight game that could have gone either way. They did manage to beat Fakenham 2-1, goals from Blake Branston-Tilley who pounced on a loose ball and well placed volley from Charlie Davies secured the three points. This sets up a final league game to decide the winner of the league against Sheringham next half term.

Year 11

The year 11s played 2 league games and have picked up 4 points. A hard-fought draw against a strong Alderman Peel side was a good way to start the league campaign. Kai Newman scored the goal to earn a point. In their second game the Year 11s manged to hold on to the win after a sublime finish from Alfie Smith early in the game. Alfie's goal was a chip from 40 yards out after noticing the keeper off his line, a goal worthy of winning any match. Both league games were fiercely contested with notable performances from Toby Rooke, William Gregory, Kai Newman and Zac Jordan. The Year 11s have set up their last league game nicely with a good chance of progressing through the round.

 

 

PGL weekend

On the weekend of the 6th of October 25 pupils and five staff travelled to East Sussex for the PGL netball residential. The focus was developing teamwork and improving tactical play ahead of the Inspiration Trust and Norfolk netball tournaments. Pupils were able to participate in a range of fun outdoor and adventurous activities between game play including super swing, zip wires, climbing, axe throwing, pistol shooting and high ropes. They competed extremely well against a variety of top state schools and private schools. Our year 8 team were the highest achieving team making the semifinals. Well done to all pupils involved.

 

 

Trust netball championships

Congratulations to our Cromer Academy netball squads who have had a very successful first round of the Inspiration Trust championship series. Year 8, 9 and 10 all achieved silver medals from the nine schools involved. Year 7 were joint fourth overall and already demonstrating superb potential after more match experience. Congratulations to year 8 pupil Nancy who was the year 8 passer of the championships.

 

 

Extra curricular

A reminder to all pupils to sign up to extra-curricular clubs- lots of fantastic opportunities to improve skill and fitness in activities. We have Soul Phoenix in on a Thursday as a touch rugby international player and coach, Cromer tennis Club coaches running our beginner's tennis and pickleball sessions, cheerleading, an off-site running club for couch to 5k and much more! We have already had over 300 pupils train and compete for Cromer Academy this academic year. The timetable is below and a weekly PE bulletin will be sent out with any changes due to fixtures etc.

 

Extra curricular clubs

 

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
After School clubs 3.45- 4.45pm	Pickleball club External club coach Girls club this term! Sports hall Coach	Year 7 and 8 football club Mr Davies and coach Astro	Mixed hockey External club coach All years Astro	Year 9-11 football club Mr Davies and coach Astro	Fencing club External club coach Sports hall (LHE)
		Basketball club- coming soon!	Year 9-11 netball club Sports hall Mrs Leavey	Volleyball Miss Renton Year 9-11 Gym
		Dance club Miss Balfour Open to all Gym	Cheerleading club (CBR) Miss Balfour Open to all Gym	Year 7-8 netball club External club coach Sports hall
		Weekly netball fixtures night Mrs Leavey	BTEC club Mr Davies C2 Invitation only	Rugby Mr Nicholson Both touch and contact rugby Year 7-9
			Cromer tennis Club tennis sessions. External club coach (sign up with NLE required)	Running club Mrs Leavey and Mr Woodrow Sign up required with Mrs Leavey
	Fitness suite All year groups (Everyone Active membership required)

You must bring your Cromer Academy PE kit for all after school clubs (shin pads/ gum shields for hockey please). With the exception of fitness and tennis, there is no need to sign up or pay, just turn up to the specified area at the correct time. You must ensure you have informed your parents or carers if you are participating and have arranged to walk home or to be collected at 4.30pm. If a club has to be cancelled for any reason a message will be sent home with as much notice as possible. Please see the relevant teacher if you have any questions regarding the after school programme. An Everyone Active membership is required for after school use of the fitness suite. Please see the Everyone Active website for the details.

 

 

Eco School 2023-24

Our Eco-committee have met to agree on the schools’ new three topics for 2023-24.

We are delighted to announce these will be;

 

Litter

Global Citizenship

Water

 

The committee will be agreeing on an action plan on how to improve the school and opportunities for pupils covering these new topics. Watch this space for more details!

 

MFL Reading Challenge

This year, the Modern Foreign Languages department is challenging pupils to read books and short stories in French or Spanish. We have a selection of Dual Language French with English and Spanish with English books available in the library.

Once pupils have read the book or short story, they can fill in a book report and list new vocabulary they have learned from reading the book. We will give them a Golden Ticket for each Dual Language book they read when they give us the book report.

Since the launch of this challenge on 3^rd October, our Dual Language books have been flying off the shelves, and we have already had several book reports given in! '

 

Year 7 –Live Music Week

On Thursday 12^th October our Year 7 pupils were treated to a performance by some of the Inspiration Trust Visiting Music Teachers as part of Live Music Week. During the performance they were introduced to a variety of instruments and listened to a selection of music from Mozart, through to ABBA and Imagine Dragons.

We currently have over 80 pupils having instrumental lessons in school. If you would like to register your child for lessons, please visit Music Lessons (google.com) .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pupil Achievements

Oscar Davies received a trophy at the Norfolk Youth Cricket dinner for his 5-wicket haul against Nottinghamshire for Norfolk under 11s in the summer. He also received his County Cap from Norfolk youth cricket for consistently good performances over the summer. Well done, Oscar!

Charlie Davies has once again been selected for the Norfolk youth Cricket Centre of Excellence for 2024. A programme for Players who have the potential to progress to the Emerging Players Programme and beyond in to First Class Cricket. He's one of 14 boys selected for the next 12 months. Well done, Charlie!

Jessica Bailey has been selected to represent Norwich City CSF in their upcoming U14/15 Development Centre fixtures. Jessica has been selected following feedback from coaches on her ability, application and attitude demonstrated this season. Well done, Jessica!

Jude Amies, along with his brother and two friends have formed a band called Whakkz. The band have been rehearsing and writing their own songs and had their first paid gig in Cromer during the summer. Well done to you all!

Archie Haughan-Zelos travelled to Loughborough University to play in the men’s netball England nationals. 30 teams competed in the competition, spread over the course of 3 days. The team met England internationals Kadeen Corbin and Olivia Tchine and had the opportunity to play against other England netball athletes. Well done, Archie, what an amazing experience and achievement!

 

 

Dates for Diaries

30^th & 31^st October – Year 8 Geography beach trip

2^nd & 3^rd November – Flu vaccinations- all years

6^th –17^th November – Year 11 mock exams

6^th November – MCAS Parent drop-in session 2.45pm -4.30pm

10^th November- KS3 Remembrance Service

15^th November- Bruges trip parent evening

17^th November- School photos (Yr 7 & Yr11)

23^rd November – Family Bingo Night –6.30pm

27^th November –MCAS Parent drop-in session 2.45pm -4.30pm

30^th Nov & 1^st Dec – Bruges trip

7^th December – Year 11 parent evening

11^th & 12^th December- Chocolate Tombola

13^th December- Xmas dinner and Xmas Jumper Day

14^th December – KS3 church service