Update from Tay Warren, Principal

         1 6 January 2012

 Dear Parents & Carers      

 Wel    Welcome back and a very happy New Year to you all.

 Last term was an extremely busy one. If you did not receive a copy of our Autumn  Term Newsletter, please let us know and we will be happy to send you one, or log on to our website and have a look for yourself at just some of the events and activities our staff and students took part in.

 This term promises to be just as exciting! New Year’s Day 2012 was a landmark day for us at Cathedral as it was the day we officially became an academy. Becoming an academy means that we have greater freedoms and that our funding comes to us directly rather than through the Local Authority. This marks the beginning of a new and important journey for us at Cathedral Academy. Academy status will enable us to move forward in many ways, all of which are about achieving the best we can for our students and the community we serve.

 Initially, Cathedral Academy will probably appear to be exactly the same as Cathedral School. As the months pass, however, you will begin to see important and positive changes and developments. The look of the academy will be different. We will be having a new logo and new signs, a new website and some refurbishments to areas of the building. Leadership Team titles have changed from Headteacher, Deputy Headteachers and Assistant Headteachers to Principal, Vice Principals and Assistant Vice Principals. We have already started to invest more money in new technologies, books and resources and additional staffing. Also planned are a new look front of school with new office, chaplaincy and reception areas.

You may be aware that we have recently introduced a new House System at Cathedral Academy. Students, staff and governors all belong to either Phoenix, Unicorn, Pegasus or Dragon House. We are using the House System as a way of enhancing our ethos, promoting participation in the wider life of the academy and encouraging students to work with other students from all year groups. As part of the new House System, we are pleased to be working closely on a business venture this month with Claire Young. Claire reached the final of the “The Apprentice” with Sir Alan Sugar in 2008 and since then she has been actively working on several projects which are designed to empower and enable young people in enterprise. Claire will be working with a group of students from each house on a business and enterprise challenge, in which students will be given the opportunity to come up with their own ideas for a business venture within school. The winning team will be given funding to start up their business for real.

I am also pleased to be able to tell you that we have recently achieved the prestigious Youth Sports Trust Silver Award which will inspire learning and increase achievement through PE and sport.

As always, we will be working hard to improve student achievement, enjoyment and welfare. Please continue to support us by ensuring that your child attends school regularly (92% is the minimum expectation to ensure that a student achieves their potential) and that correct uniform is worn at all times. Please see the page below this letter for a reminder of expectations. Please note that extremes of hairstyle are not permitted and that hoodies are not part of school uniform. As the weather is sure to get colder, please ensure that your child has an appropriate coat to wear for the journey to and from school. In wet weather, school shoes must still be worn. Ugg boots and similar footwear are not acceptable. If your son or daughter wishes to wear alternative footwear to walk to school in, they must change into appropriate footwear on arrival.

Finally, please make a note of our new main school telephone number 01924 330640. Attendance also have a new fax/answer machine number 01924 369256.

With my very best wishes,

Tay Warren

Principal

Uniform Expectations

The following is clarification of our uniform expectations and what is and is not acceptable.

• Hoodies will not be permitted in school and will be confiscated on arrival. They are not part of school uniform. Outdoor coats are acceptable, but must be removed during lessons.

• All girls wearing skirts must wear black tights. Long black socks/stockings are not an acceptable alternative. Tube skirts will not be permitted as part of school uniform.

• Extremes of hairstyle and unusual or overly bright hair colours are not appropriate for school.

PE Kit Expectations - All PE kit can be purchased via Ann Mitton at the school.

      Our school polo shirts and sweat shirts are available to purchase, on-line at www.marksandspencer.com then select school uniform and click on local school uniform and select the Cathedral badge.

Warm weather – Black T-shirt, black shorts, black socks

Cold weather – Black tracksuit (top and bottom) these are not available from the school, black T-shirt, black shorts, black socks

 Lost Property

Can all parents please remember to put their child’s name in any item of clothing used for school. Please note that lost property will only be kept for a period of 4 weeks from being handed into lost property, unfortunately we do not have the storage to hold the items any longer in school. If your child has lost any clothing please report the loss as soon as possible to reception.

 Important Dates for your Diary

 Performance of “Our House” - 25-27 January

The next performance from our amazing Performing Arts team is ‘Our House’ 25-27 January please go on line and book your tickets via www.positickets.co.uk. Seats are going fast!