Samuel Ryder Academy
Issue: 43 Date: 6 Oct 2017

Dear Parents and Carers

We have had another busy week at SRA, with Open Morning Tours for parents of prospective students on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  We have welcomed over 50 families this week and it has been a real pleasure to show people in our local community how hard both the students and staff work and what a great school we have.

The Ryder Review, a club at school where students can learn advanced media skills, have been busy again.  The students are putting together another edition of the newspaper which will go out in November.  This week they interviewed Miss Morcrette for the Teacher feature, and many other articles are planned.

The Sports Tour to Loughborough for Year 8, 9 and 10 students leaves today and returns on Sunday.  The girls are playing netball matches and the boys are taking part in a rugby tournament.  Good Luck to all!

The Year 11 students have settled well this year and are preparing for the mock exam the week after half term.  Revision timetables have been planned and the students and staff are working hard.

May I remind parents and carers to park safely and considerately, when delivering and collecting children from school.  

Mr Bailey

Deputy Headteacher

 

Academy Cabinet

We are delighted to announce the new Academy Cabinet for this academic year. They will discuss matters such as helping the community, local charities and enhancing the student experience at SRA. 

 

 

School Volunteers

It is now an OFSTED requirement to have a reference for all volunteers on file. If you are currently on our records as being an active volunteer at Samuel Ryder with a current and valid DBS, you are required to complete and return a “SRA Volunteer Reference Form” and return by Friday 27th October, 2017. Please can you ensure that all referees have a valid email address, so that we can approach them in this manner. Thank you for your help and your continued support for our school.

 

 

Teacher Training

Samuel Ryder Academy is a member of the Alban Federation partnership in the area of teacher training. Each year the Federation trains a large number of adults (53 in 2017/18), either straight from University with their degrees, or people who are changing careers, and places them in a host school for the year to enable them to complete their training and gain Qualified Teacher Status. All applications are submitted through UCAS (the University Admission System) and this is scheduled to open on 26th October 2017, for courses starting in September 2018. Courses are available for both Primary and Secondary programmes, with salaries or bursaries available for suitably qualified candidates in many subjects.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher and would like to find out more about how to apply and what is involved, we are holding an Open Morning on Saturday 14th October 2017 in the Sixth Form Centre at Sandringham School in St Albans. It runs from 9.30am to midday and you are more than welcome to come along and meet current trainees and course tutors. Equally, if you know of anyone who is keen to train to teach, this will be a very useful event for them to attend.

Further details can be obtained from the school by contacting Nikki Ward (n.ward@samuelryderacademy.co.uk) or direct from Alban Federation team via afgtpenquiries@sandringham.herts.sch.uk

 

Samuel Ryder App

Please remember that we supply the ‘Samuel Ryder’ mobile app.  We use this for non-student specific communication, it also has a copy of the school calendar and the latest Samuel Ryder news.  This can be downloaded from your mobile device’s App store by simply searching ‘Samuel Ryder’. Click here for a guide on how to download.

We have recently created ‘All Primary’ and ‘All Secondary’ notification groups. We ask that you please select one or both of these options in your app settings in order to receive information about primary or secondary as a whole. This needs to be done in addition to your year group selection (please change this to your current year group as soon as possible). If there are any queries regarding this please don’t hesitate to contact App_Help@SamuelRyderAcademy.co.uk

 

 

Facebook and Twitter

To keep up to date with lots of exciting activities happening in school please like our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter!  Click here to visit our Facebook page, and follow us on twitter at @SRASecondary and @SRAPrimary. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts can also be accessed through the ‘contact’ section of the app. Simply click on the small Facebook or Twitter icons and you will be linked straight to our pages.

 

Technical Assistance

If you are having any issues regarding Parent Pay, the Samuel Ryder App, or Sims Log , please use the following email contacts for assistance:

 

Parent Pay Log in requests:

Finance@scholarseducationtrust.co.uk

 

School App

App_help@samuelryderacademy.co.uk

 

Sims Log in Technical Assistance

technicalassistance@samuelryderacademy.co.uk

 

Primary Phase News

Attendance so far

Congratulations to Year 1 who currently have the highest attendance the whole school.

Please remember that our attendance target for all children is 97%.

Year 1 - 99%

Year 2 – 98%

Year 3 – 96%

Year 4 – 97%

Year 5 – 97%

Snacks

Children in EYFS and KS1 are provided with daily healthy snacks in the form of fruit and vegetables. These are free of charge and provided by government initiatives.

Children in KS2 who would like to have snacks during their morning and afternoon breaks are welcome to bring their own healthy snacks into school with them. We must insist that this is always a healthy snack such as fruit or vegetables. These snacks can be eaten during morning or afternoon break. 

Newsletters

In previous years, all children have been given a year group newsletter on a weekly basis. In an effort to become a greener school and reduce our paper usage, this year, all of our communication will be provided via the whole school newsletter every Friday.Please remember that we also share acheivements and news via the Samuel Ryder app, via our Twitter @SRAPrimary and via our Facebook page. Please make sure that you are following these to ensure you remain up to date. 

Year 3 and 4 Curriculum Evening

This week our Year 3 and 4 teachers delivered a curriculum information evening for parents. All of the information that was provided on the evening is now available on the school website. If you were unable to attend either of these evenings, please have a good look through the information and feel free to catch teachers on the doors at the beginning or end of the day, if you have questions regarding the curriculum for Year 3 or 4. 

St Andrews Class Assembly

Last Friday, St Andrews class presented the first of our class assemblies. The children put on a fantastic display of the work that they have covered so far during the year. We were treated to tales and examples of what the children had learned about the Ancient Greeks, the scientific knowledge that they had gained about thermal insulators, new methods for multiplication and division, and heard some readings of some beautiful pieces of writing, including all of the new writing techniques that have been covered in the first few weeks of Year 5.

The children spoke exceptionally clearly and captivated their audience throughout. Well done to all of the children in St Andrews Class who performed so confidently. Another well done must go to Mrs Johnson and Miss Todd, who have put an enormous amount of effort into helping the children make such dramatic progress, in such a short time.Thanks to all of the St Andrews parents who were able to attend the class assembly. I know the children really appreciated it.

Fellowship Afloat – Year 3 Residential

We are delighted to announce that all children who have paid the deposit for the Year 3 residential trip, to Fellowship Afloat, have now secured themselves a place on the trip in May. We have confirmed that numbers are high enough to make the trip a possibility. Thanks to all of those parents who have made this trip happen.

York Class – 8th and 9th May

Bath Class – 10th and 11th May

Ingestre Hall – Year 5 Residential

After a slow start, I can confirm that the Year 5 residential trip to Ingestre Hall Arts Centre will go ahead in February as planned. Thanks to those parents who have made this trip possible, by providing the deposit by the dates that we supplied.

 

 

Samuel Ryder Primary Football team

Our Samuel Ryder Primary Football team have played a few games already this season and have been a source of great pride for Mr Barlow and our staff.We are particularly proud of the team as they are currently made up of our Year 4 and 5 children who play in a league of Year 6 teams. On Thursday, the children played well and showed commitment to the game. We are looking forward to their next game.

 

Autumn is here

As you may have noticed, the weather has recently changed and it is much colder. Children now need to be bringing a waterproof coat to school with them everyday.

It is also a good idea for all children to be wearing closed shoes throughout the next couple of seasons, to ensure their feet stay warm and dry.

 

Special Diet Menu

HCL offers specifically adapted menus in line with our mainstream offer for selected food allergies, intolerances and some cultural choices. We pride ourselves on having a rigorous process in place to provide a safe meal service to pupils with food allergies or intolerances. We have created a new, online application service that simplifies applying for a Special Diet Menu.  This is the required process for all new applications for special menus.

To ensure that food groups are not withdrawn from pupils’ diets without medical supervision and to also ensure that we have a full understanding of the medical implications, applications for special diets for medical reasons can only be made with supporting evidence from a GP, hospital consultant or dietitian. If you do not hold medical evidence there is a form that can be downloaded that can be taken to a GP for them to stamp and sign.

The application usually takes about ten minutes to complete and can be accessed using this link: https://hertscatering.co.uk/allergy-menu-application/

If your child requires a special menu, please can you apply online, as soon as possible, as, otherwise, we will be unable to provide lunch for children after half term and they will need to bring in a packed lunch instead. 

 

EYFS

We have had a busy week in EYFS this week. We went on an Autumn walk, as part of our literacy and also Mr. Finn came so show Reception children the effects of mixing dry ice with water and washing up liquid with exciting results!

 

Year 3

 

In History, we are looking at the Stone Age. This week we have been Archaeologists! We carefully brushed away sand to reveal objects and we then had to decide:

What we thought each object was?

What we thought it was made of?

What we think they were used for?

Do the objects look like anything we use today?

 

Football

 

Thu 2nd Nov - Aboyne Lodge, B team, HOME, 3.30PM KO

Thu 9th Nov - Garden Fields, A team, AWAY, 3.15pm KO

Mon 13th Nov – Oakwood, A team, AWAY, 3.15pm KO

Thu 16th Nov – Killigrew, B team, AWAY, 3.15pm KO

 

Our primary football teams are in full flow now and our new kit arrived this week too! Over the last two weeks, we have given nearly 30 different pupils experience of competitive league games. The A and B teams are not fixed; Mr Barlow and Mr Walker will often select players from either team to play. For example, if B team players impress in matches, they can be promoted to the A team. We also plan to hold another trial after Xmas and to select some new players for friendlies in the Spring Term, with a view to playing in the league from September, 2018. Our aim is to give lots of pupils positive experiences and then to become more competitive next year!

A special mention to Harry Miles in Year 4, who netted the school’s first ever goal against Bowmansgreen, on Thursday. There are many pupils who can be praised for their performance in our first few games, particularly defenders, such as, Erik Wiktor, Jacob Seabrook, Carys Griffiths, James Whittaker and Charlie Bignall.

Secondary Phase News

 

Sport

Basketball

The Year 10 Basketball team played Nicholas Breakspear last night, winning 38-22. After a tight first half, the boys’ fitness showed, and impressive performances from Louis Thompson, Marcus Cunnington and Manny Adegunju saw the host pull away. This is their second win, from 3 games played. Next week they face Sir John Lawes.

Fixtures

Yr10 Basketball League Match - Wed 8th October, SJL HOME, 4.00pm Tip Off

Yr9 Football County Cup - Tue 10th October, v Hemel School, AWAY, 3.30pm KO

Yr9 Rugby Friendly Tue 7th November v Marlborough School, AWAY, 4.00pm KO

 

French

 Year 7 (Bronte) have been very busy in French and using their own iPads in class for the first time!

 

Artwork of the Week

Our Artwork of the Week this week is by Callum Tillotson, of 3 York. We have been learning about Cave Art and Callum has produced a stunning chalk pastel drawing. He has used the page well and has demonstrated excellent drawing skills and has shown great attention to detail. What a brilliant piece of work Callum!

 

Austen House Sweet Sale

Next Friday, 13th October, Austen House will be holding a sweet sale in the canteen at break time, to raise money for Keech Hospice. Can Austen students please remember to bring in bags of sweets that can be sold?

Thank you.

 

PTA News

This week we are delighted to launch our new exciting fundraising initiative for this academic year. ‘Pitch in 4 Pitches’ is designed to raise funds for the new 3G Astro Turf Pitch planned for the Samuel Ryder Academy school field in conjunction with the Football Foundation.

We will be committing all of the funds raised from the Festive Fair and Summer Fair to this project and will run a programme of sporting events alongside side these two major events to boost the funds that we can contribute to this amazing project.

We would like to highlight that profits from all of the other events that we run each year such as the sausage sizzle, table top sale, music bingo, pantomime, disco, Odyssey etc. will go to other projects within the school brought to the PTA meetings by staff members on a monthly basis. 

PTA AGM

The PTA AGM will take place next Wednesday 11th October at 7.30pm in the Academy Library. This will be followed by our usual monthly PTA meeting. Agendas for both of these meetings will be published in due course on PTA Social. Everyone is welcome to come along and we look forward to seeing you there. You will be able to learn about the activities we have run over the past year as well as where our money was invested, officers will also be elected for the PTA committee.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Last weekend a group of amazing volunteers ran a fabulous sausage sizzle at Bunnings for us! We raised approximately £540, a fantastic amount of money which was only possible because of your help and support!

 

Thank you for donating cakes and pastries to sell, for the soft toys and sweets for the tombola, for sharing our posts and telling people about the event, for your kind words, for coming along to buy a sausage or cake, for sparing time out of your precious weekend to cook and sell and for the shopping and the chopping of 10kg of onions! It all counts and it is all appreciated!

 

Last but by no means least, a huge thank you to Leena Patel, for organising this event, you are a superstar! 

 

Table Top Sale – 14th October 2017 9am – 12pm in the School Hall

We will be holding our inaugural table top sale on 14th October we still have tables available for selling second hand goods, these are available for £10 each for Samuel Ryder families. Please hand in your forms as soon as you can to secure your slot, the letter can be accessed using this link.

 

Everyone is welcome to come along and browse for bargains so please let your friends know that it is happening, entrance will be £1 for adults and refreshments will be available.

 

We also need volunteers to help run the event, please follow this link to PTA social to sign up as a volunteer!

https://app.ptasocial.com/events/37561

Rock and Roll Bingo – Saturday 11th November 2017 8pm in the Academy Hall

We are very excited to announce that in November we will be having our first Rock and Roll Bingo Night! Primary parents will have received a letter this week with details on how to book your place; all forms should be returned by 16th October. This letter can also be found on the Academy website under the ‘letters home’ section for any secondary parents who would like to attend please download it here.

 

The evening will cost £10 per person which will give you 4 games of bingo; you listen to 20 seconds of some well-known tunes and mark off the name of the song and the artist on your card. The first one to get a line in each game wins a prize as does the person with the first house!

There will be a bar and snacks available to purchase on the evening. 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Event

Date

PTA AGM

Wednesday 11th October

Table Top Sale

Saturday 14th October

PTA Meeting

Wednesday 8th November

Music Bingo Night

Saturday 11th November

Bag2School

Friday 17th November

PTA Meeting

Wednesday 6th December

Festive Fair

Saturday 9th December

Aladdin at the Alban Arena

Wednesday 13th December

 

 

Term Dates Academic Year 2017-2018

Autumn Term

Half Term – Monday 23rd-Friday 27th October 2017

Friday 24th November (INSET) – School closed to Students

Finish - Friday 21st December 2017 – Autumn term ends for all Students, 12.30pm.

 

Spring Term

Start – Friday 5th January 2018 (INSET) - School closed to all Students

Monday 8th January 2018 – Spring Term starts for all Students

Half Term – Monday 12th-Friday 16th February 2019

Friday 23rd February 2018 (INSET) – School closed to all Students

Finish – Thursday 29th March 2018 – Spring Term ends for all Students, 12.30pm.

 

Summer Term

Start – Monday 16th April 2018 – Summer Term starts for all Students

Half Term – Monday 28th May – Friday 1st June

Finish – Friday 20th July 2018 – Summer Term ends for all Students, 12.30pm