A note from the Headteacher

It seems incredible that we have already completed two thirds of the academic year. Much has been achieved during the last term, and together with your support, even more progress will happen next term. Please take the opportunity to read with your children wherever possible as this makes such a difference. We always welcome feedback from parents and carers, so if you would like to contribute in any way, please do get in touch. I am delighted to announce that Mr M Fargher has been elected as our new Parent Governor. He has a child in Year 7. Friars continues to have high standards for attitudes and behaviour and we will regularly work within the local community. Please could I ask that you continue to support us by ensuring that students arrive to school on time and in full Academy uniform including plain black footwear. Have a really good Easter break and we will see all the students back on Tuesday 23rd April. Mrs Ijewsky

No. 105 March 2019

Before February half term, all students in the academy took part in a class assembly about online safety. They either discussed the effects of grooming and how the consequences of this can be severe or they looked at the dangers of meeting someone they have met online. The purpose of this was to remind students that people can lie about themselves and might not be who they say they are. All students were responsive and sensible in their discussions and we are certain this had some impact.

On March 20th, our eSafety governor, Sarah Scarborough, visited the academy to talk to students about their views of online safety. The students were able to talk about the rules and what they do to keep themselves safe. It was an interesting and informative discussion. Well done to all the students that took part!

You will have received a letter about Online Safety and creating family agreements to help keep your child safe online. Thank you to all parents who have returned these so far. If you haven’t, please could you sign and return the form as soon as possible. We are educating your child at school about online safety and it is vital that this support continues at home.

We have added an Online Safety section to our Academy website displaying our Academy Rules and Guidance for staying safe online alongside some useful links to help support your child at home. Keep checking the section regularly as work from the students will be added very soon. Please take a moment to remind yourselves about current online safety issues using the links found on our academy website. Click on the link: https://www.friarsacademy.org/e-safety/

This term we have been reminding ourselves of the different forms of bullying and why it isn't ac-ceptable.

The members have been updating our Power Point to share with their class and with the

Year 6 pupils and parents on transition days in the summer.

Here are some examples of what the students have been working on:

February saw the launch of the Usborne Ready, Steady Read event at Friars academy. It is hoped this will be a fun and popular event that helps raise money for new books for the school library and gets everyone reading at school and home.

Students who took part in the Ready Steady Read Usborne sponsored reading challenge helped to raise £376 which will buy lots of fantastic new books for the school library. Well done and thank you to all who took part.

World Book Day on 7 March was a great success, with students from across the acade-my taking part in activities and lessons celebrating books and literature. Some classes went out of school to WH Smiths to take part in activities there and some classes had the pleasure to listen to local author and poet A.B.Wyze. There were some fantastic fan-cy dress outfits on show too!

The careers week was inspirational! Lessons for the week incorporated careers aspects.

So many employers, employees, former students and organisations gave their time to inform our young people about their jobs, what the employer expects and how the work place works.

Over the whole Academy students met with people from 21 different organisations either in the Academy or out on a visit.

We have made some great contacts and hope we can build even better relationships.

Our students were outstanding all week; their exceptional good manners and impeccable

behaviour were noted, giving our visitors a very positive insight to Friars Life.

A well done also goes to our aspirational staff for making it all work. Thank you Friars!

Latest update from the Eco-warriors.

This year our warriors have been coming up with new ways to improve our recycling at Friars.

Plastic bottles can now be put into the recycling bins located in classrooms. Warriors continue to remind us all about saving electricity by turning

lights, and computers off when not in use.

It is spring now and the Warriors are going to be planting a range of foods and flowers around the

Academy. Michael in year 11 won the logo

competition earlier this year. Well done Michael!

Introducing... The Friars Student Newsletter!

A select group of Friars students have been working hard since January to produce their very own newsletter, written for the students, by the students.

It is currently called 'Friars Academy News', or FANS' for short, but we are planning on running a competition to come up with a new name in time for the second issue.

We look forward to your ideas for a new name, and to getting feedback on what you enjoyed and more ideas about what Friars students want to read about.

We will be making it available to students electronically, and the

first edition is out soon, so 'watch this space.’

Red Nose Day was another successful event, the whole school wore something red to celebrate and we hosted a cake sale during break time to raise more money for this

amazing cause.

Thanks to your contributions for the mufti day and through the sale of the delicious cakes that were kindly donated we raised a fabulous:

£241.50

A massive thank you to all that donated.

Boccia Competition

On the 30th January 9 pupils, making up 3 teams, took part in the Wellingborough and East Northants Boccia Competition. Everyone involved played really well and one of our teams finished in 1st place meaning they qualified for the Northamptonshire School Games finals! The finals took place on the 12th March, our team tried really hard and worked well together and finished the competition in 5th place - well done Ashley, Amelia and Cameron L! Wheelchair Rugby Trip

On Friday 1st March 11 pupils went to watch the Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament in Leicester. We watched Great Britain vs Canada and then Japan vs France. In between the games pupils got autographs from the GB and Canadian players and one of our lucky pupils got to carry out the match ball for the second match! Students were selected based on their positive behaviour and attitude in PE lessons and after school clubs. New Age Kurling Leadership

On 6th March our Year 10 and 11 young leaders were invited to lead the Northamptonshire School Games New Age Kurling finals based on the excellent job they did in the Wellingborough and East Northants competition earlier this year. The 15 students involved enabled around 100 KS1 and KS2 pupils to participate in a competitive experience. Step into Sports Camp

On 13th March 5 students took part in a Step into Sport Camp celebration designed to celebrate their achievements in leadership since September. Former professional Tennis player Jade Windley delivered the event and 5 different special schools across the county took part. Student feedback from all involved said being a sports leader had improved their confidence, given them new opportunities and made them happy. American Football PE staff recently took part in some American Football training after receiving a grant from Sport England to develop the sport within Friars and Northamptonshire. Opportunities for students to be involved will be announced soon! Basketball Match The Friars Basketball team beat Isebrook 34-19 this term. A fantastic achievement, some real standout performances from some of our students too

Check out our PE Twitter account: @FriarsAcademyPE

After School Clubs

Sports clubs after school are back up and running on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm—4pm. If you haven't already signed up for one you can do so but completing your club request form and returning it to the school office, but hurry as some places are limited. Clubs are as follows: Monday - Archery

Tuesday - Football, Fitness and Hockey

Thursday - Sports Club and Girls Club

Friars JMs Netball Club

The netball team are always looking for new members to join. They train every Thursday evening during term time at the Redwell Leisure Centre between 4.45 and 5.30pm. Training costs £3.50 a session

For more information, or to sign up to this great team please speak to Mrs Rutter or Miss Turnbull.

Term 4 2019

School Opens Monday 25th February 2019

School Closes Friday 5th April 2019

Term 5 2019

School Opens Tuesday 23rd April School Closes Friday 24th May

Term 6 2019

School Opens Monday 3rd June

School Closes Friday 19th July

Year 11 Leavers day Friday 28th June

This can be presented each week for outstanding contribution to Academy Life.

Congratulations to: Charlie MB Post 16

Amy F Year 11

Malachy D Year 10

Friars Academy part of Friars Multi Academy Trust

Friars Close, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 2LA

Tel : 01933 304950 email : office@friars.northants.sch.uk

Website: www.friarsacademy.org

Follow us on twitter @academyfriars

Remember to keep reading and practising your maths skills this

holiday. Use the online resources at:

www.readingwise.com

www.mymaths.co.uk

www.oxfordowl.co.uk

Friars Friendly faces for all to see. Respect and kindness is the key. Imagination and creation, it’s a celebration. Awesome we are at achieving our education. Reminding ourselves of how good we are. School is the best we have come so far. By Ebony-Mae