CTA pupils win the JTMAT Inter-school Science competition!

We would like to congratulate our pupils for emerging as the champions of the JTMAT Inter-school Science competition! With sheer dedication and determination, they clinched victory by a three-point lead. This achievement truly reflects their hard work and commitment.

Competing against formidable opponents from other schools within the Trust, CTA exemplified the spirit of teamwork, resilience, and academic excellence. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents who stood by our pupils, offering unwavering support throughout this journey.

Mr. G Mulvey, teacher of Science, said: “I am immensely proud of our pupils for showcasing exceptional tenacity and unity throughout the competition. This victory is a testament to their remarkable abilities and serves as a testament to what can be achieved through perseverance and teamwork.”

Congratulations again to our incredible pupils!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Terrace Talk

This week’s edition of Terrace Talk is now live! Terrace Talk is your go-to source for all whole-school notices, upcoming events, and important updates to keep you informed about the opportunities available for your child(ren) at our school.

To access Terrace Talk, simply head over to the ‘Announcements’ tab on the MyChildAtSchool App. If you haven’t already, make sure to download the app to stay connected with our school community.

Take a look at the image below for a quick guide on how to access Terrace Talk on the app.

Update regarding our toilet facilities

At our recent Parent Forum, we discussed the upcoming renovation of our toilet facilities. We’re thrilled to share that significant changes are underway concerning the main school building’s toilet provision.

This renovation project stands as our primary priority for premises development this academic year. Our aim is to provide pupils with the best possible facilities, inclusive of male, female, and gender-neutral toilet rooms. Moreover, the designs incorporate an open-plan layout to support improved supervision arrangements and safeguarding measures. Additionally, the cubicles will feature floor-to-ceiling cubicles to guarantee privacy and inclusivity for all.

We’ve already taken significant steps towards this goal by engaging with an architect and structural engineer to design and cost the refurbishment. Our aim is to have the works completed during the Summer break, pending a successful tender process and contractor appointment.

As part of this process, we have consulted with local schools, CTA pupils, staff and the Local Governing Body to inform layout and design stages and ensure that our plans align with the needs and preferences of our school community. We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from our pupils during week-long discussions. Their insights have been invaluable in shaping the future of our toilet facilities.

We are now in a position to finalise the layouts, including specifications for cubicle design, floor, wall, and ceiling finishes and look forward to proving an update of when works will start in due course.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we strive to provide our pupils with the best possible learning environment.

Forest School Update!

This week at Forest School, our pupils learned about knots and their many uses. Using the wood prepared in our last session, pupils collected four pieces and tied them together with green twine. Employing the clove hitch knot and square lashing techniques, our pupils crafted beautiful square picture frames. Each pupil discovered their unique approach, fostering individual creativity and problem-solving skills along the way.

Under the guidance of Mr. A Proverbs, Forest School Leader, pupils then collaborated on crafting a sign for the area they are working in.

Following this, pupils were tasked with creating bug hotels. With a little assistance, they filled these shelters with natural treasures found on the forest floor—pinecones, leaves, sticks, and grass—to create cosy habitats for insects to thrive.

To finish the session, pupils completed a bug hunt across the site.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Celebrating Excellence in Our Team!

We are thrilled to celebrate two remarkable members of our cleaning team, Mrs C Moore and Mrs D Smith!

Mrs. S Morgan, Business Manager, has nominated these outstanding staff members to Kindred, their employer, in recognition of their exceptional efforts that consistently go above and beyond.

As a token of appreciation, both have each been awarded a certificate of recognition along with a £30 voucher.

Their hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to our school community truly exemplify the spirit of excellence we strive for at CTA.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. C Moore and Mrs. D Smith on this well-deserved award!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

MyChildAtSchool Drop-in Clinics

As discussed in our recent Parent Forum, we understand that some parents/carers have encountered challenges with the MyChildAtSchool app.

To address any concerns and provide assistance, we are pleased to announce that we will be holding drop-in clinics on the following dates:

• Wednesday, April 10th – 09:00-10:00

• Thursday, April 11th – 14:00-15:00

• Wednesday, April 16th – 15:30-16:30

These clinics will provide you with an opportunity to ensure that your app is set up correctly. Our team will be on hand to guide you through the process and troubleshoot any issues you may be experiencing. Please access the drop-in clinics via the main reception.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that you can fully utilise the MyChildAtSchool app to stay up-to-date about your child(ren)’s education.

Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing support. We look forward to assisting you during the drop-in clinics.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

‘Easter Foodbank Drop-In

We extend our gratitude to everyone who has generously contributed to our ‘Eggs for Easter’ campaign!

As part of our ongoing efforts to support those in need, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting an ‘Easter Foodbank Drop-in’ event on Wednesday, 20th March, from 3-4pm. During this event, parents/carers will have the opportunity to collect a food parcel, ensuring that families in our community have the essentials they need during the holiday season. Additionally, we’ll be distributing some Easter treats to add a touch of joy to the festivities!

We’re still accepting donations of Easter eggs to further enhance this initiative. If you’re willing to contribute, you can drop off your donations at our school office between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Every donation, big or small, will go a long way in brightening someone’s Easter celebration.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Exciting Visit from The Lichfield Garrick and Burntwood Town…

This morning, we had the pleasure of hosting Johnny McClean from The Lichfield Garrick and Kat Horner from Burntwood Town Council! They came to our school to seek valuable feedback from our Pupil Leadership Team on how we can enhance creative arts in Burntwood.

During their visit, our pupils showcased their passion and creativity by sharing their current involvement in the arts and their aspirations for the future. Johnny and Kat were thoroughly impressed by the level of insight and honesty displayed by our pupils, commending them for their thoughtful responses.

Miss H Pickerill, Pupil Leadership Co-ordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for actively participating in shaping the future of creative arts in our community. Thank you, Johnny and Kat, for engaging with our pupils and valuing their input. Together, we look forward to exploring new opportunities and initiatives to further promote and support the arts in Burntwood.”

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Lichfield Garrick brings ‘Farm Boy’ production to CTA!

Recently, the talented team from Lichfield Garrick theatre transported our Year 8 pupils on an unforgettable journey through Michael Morpurgo’s captivating tale, “Farm Boy”

Our pupils were not only entertained but also enriched by the profound message woven into the narrative. “Farm Boy” beautifully illustrates the resilience and determination of a community rallying together, echoing timeless themes of perseverance and triumph over adversity.

Mrs D Maymand, Subject Lead for Performing Arts, said: “It’s so important for all pupils to experience the power of live theatre. Year 8 witnessed how two actors and one piece of set arriving in their hall, can transport 200 children to another time and place. Theatre is all about good storytelling and an actor’s talent colliding to create a truly magical experience for all. We are so thankful for the relationship we have with The Lichfield Garrick Theatre who provide so many enriching opportunities for our pupils at CTA”

Bestselling author, Chris Bradford, visits CTA!

Recently, we were honoured to host acclaimed author Chris Bradford, who captivated our Year 7 cohort with his wonderful presentation about his ‘Bodyguard’ book series.

Chris Bradford engaged pupils in an immersive experience, delving into the world of bodyguards and self-defence techniques. He even enlisted a team of pupils to step into the shoes of bodyguards, showcasing the dedication he puts into his writing as a ‘method-writer’. However, he emphasised throughout that these techniques are not to be used at school or home.

Following an engaging assembly, Chris led an insightful Q&A session where our pupils had the opportunity to ask any questions they had from the things they had heard and seen during the presentation. Additionally, a small group of pupils had the privilege of participating in a workshop focused on his ‘Young Samurai’ book series.

Mrs. J Dutton, our Librarian, shared her excitement: “I was thrilled to welcome Chris Bradford back to CTA, he previously visited 2 years ago. Pupils who saw him in 2022 still talk about it now! It was wonderful to see all of our pupils enjoy the show, especially those who are usually reluctant readers. They had lots of questions about Chris’ books. This has been a great way to round off our World Book Day celebrations.

Thank you, Chris Bradford, for inspiring our pupils and igniting their passion for reading and storytelling!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration