Honouring Service and Sacrifice

Today, our school community comes together to honour and remember the brave individuals who dedicated their lives to defending and protecting our nation’s democratic freedoms and way of life. The Royal British Legion’s Remembrance theme for 2023 focuses on ‘Service,’ acknowledging the sacrifices made by those who serve.

This year holds significant anniversaries tied to the theme of ‘Service.’ On the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, we pay tribute to the British and Commonwealth forces who faced unimaginable conditions. We also honour the generation that undertook National Service, commemorating 60 years since the last serviceman was demobbed (released from the Armed Forces).

Reflecting on the 75th anniversary of the arrival of Caribbean settlers on the Empire Windrush, we explore the connections between the Armed Forces and the Windrush Generation, recognising their service and their vital role in rebuilding post-war Britain.

Our commitment to remembering extends to personnel of Commonwealth heritage, with support for South Asian Heritage Month and Black History Month.

In a poignant moment, our staff and pupils belonging to military associations gathered in the Year 7 courtyard to pay their respects. The entire school observed a two-minute silence, initiated by our Deputy Head, Mr. J Cain, accompanied by the haunting melody of ‘The Last Post.’

As we remember those we’ve lost, we also extend our thoughts to those currently serving, ensuring our safety. During the two-minute silence, we collectively held space for gratitude and reflection on the sacrifices being made for our security.

Let us carry the spirit of remembrance forward, cherishing the lessons of history and the resilience of those who have served. Together, as a school community, we stand united in gratitude and respect.

#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #ServiceAndSacrifice

Celebrating Creativity and Compassion!

It is truly inspiring to witness the creative energy and passion our Year 8 pupils have poured into their designs for the St Giles Hospice 40th-anniversary art competition in collaboration with ‘Wild in Art. The artistic expressions not only showcase the immense talent within our school but also reflect the thoughtful consideration given to the profound meaning behind each piece.

The collaboration between the Art Department, the pupils, and the charity has been a fulfilling journey, emphasising the importance of art in promoting social causes. Mrs. H Van Daalen, Head of Art, commends the pupils for their fantastic outcomes by saying: “Our Year 8 pupils have truly embraced this opportunity, producing remarkable designs that delve into meaningful concepts. This project not only showcases their artistic skills but also sparks conversations about the deeper meanings behind their creations. No matter whether any pupils’ designs are chosen for this competition, I am proud of each and every one who participated for this fantastic cause.”

The St Giles Hospice 40th anniversary art competition provides a platform for our pupils to contribute to a meaningful cause while also honing their artistic skills. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to the positive impact these art pieces will have on raising awareness and funds for the hospice.

As we celebrate this milestone with ‘wild in art,’ we encourage everyone to appreciate the artistic endeavours of our Year 8 pupils and recognise the power of art in fostering connections and promoting social responsibility. Together, we can make a difference through creativity and compassion.

#RespecttheCTAWay

Contributing to the Community: Pupils Create Poppies for Armistice…

As part of our ongoing commitment to our community, our pupils from the Charity and Community Committee on our Pupil Leadership Team took the initiative to work with the Burntwood Action Group. Together, they set out to create plastic bottle poppies for the upcoming Armistice Day display in Prince’s Park, Burntwood.

Since the initial meeting, our dedicated pupils, with unwavering support from our incredible staff, have been tirelessly crafting, painting, and drilling poppies in preparation for the display. We’re thrilled to share that this heart-warming project was made possible thanks to the generous support from Burntwood Town Council, who provided funding for spray paint and wire to help bring our vision to life.

Our pupils demonstrated remarkable dedication and tenacity, sacrificing many lunchtimes and after-school hours to ensure the success of this project. But they weren’t alone in this endeavour – it was truly a team effort. The art department provided valuable support in the painting and finishing process, form tutors generously gave up their form time to create poppies, and even history lessons became a place for poppy-making. This collective effort not only reinforced the significance of community involvement but also underscored the importance of Armistice Day and the poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

Miss H Pickerill, our Pupil Leadership Coordinator, shared her thoughts: “This project is the largest undertaking our Pupil Leaders have embarked upon thus far, and we are immensely proud of the commitment shown by our dedicated pupils. What truly warms our hearts is how pupils and staff from all corners of the school rallied together to create a significant number of poppies. It was an incredibly gratifying experience to deliver over 8 bags of poppies to Mr. Chamberlin from the Burntwood Action Group. We are so proud of our school for its invaluable contribution to this project.”

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this project a resounding success!

#ArmisticeDay #Lestweforget #RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration #PupilLeadership

Safety First!

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news with our school community! Thanks to the generous support of Staffordshire County Council, we’ve received a special donation of reflective bag strips to bolster the safety of our pupils while they’re on the road.

Our pupils’ safety is our top priority, and these reflective bag strips will play a crucial role in making them more visible, especially during the darker months. We’re also taking this opportunity to remind all our pupils to wear a helmet when cycling to and from school. Safety is paramount!

Miss J Devereux, Assistant Headteacher, (pictured) emphasised the significance of road safety, saying, “The safety of our pupils is our foremost concern. These reflective bag strips will make a big difference in ensuring that our pupils are seen and protected on the roads.”

Reflective bag strips can be collected from the pastoral hub during break or lunchtimes. Let’s join forces to guarantee the safety and visibility of our pupils on their journeys to and from school! Together, we can make our school community even safer.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community

Sixth Form Open Evening – TOMORROW!

Join us at the Chase Terrace Academy Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, 9th November, from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm!

A reminder that this evening will provide an opportunity for you to find out more about life in the Sixth Form. There will be a brief presentation containing key information about the fantastic range of academic and applied general courses that we are offering for September 2024 and our entry requirements. The presentation will last for no longer than 20 minutes and will take place in the drama studio at 6.15pm, 6.45pm and 7.15pm. On arrival, you will be given a ticket to attend the presentation in one of the timed slots.

The evening is particularly important if your child has not yet made up their mind about their next steps into post-16 learning. Universities and Higher-Level Apprenticeship providers will also be represented, giving the chance for you to find out more about how our Sixth Form courses provide a gateway into the next stage of your child’s education.

Please enter the school via the main reception where ample parking is available on the main car park. We look forward to seeing you there!

#SixthFormOpenEvening #RespecttheCTAWay

Year 12 Photography pupils embrace the great outdoors!

During the half-term break, our Year 12 photography pupils embarked on an exciting adventure. They had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a skilled nature photographer at Bradgate Deer Park. This unique experience allowed them to explore the world of wildlife photography, which is quite different from what they practice in the controlled environment of our school’s photography studio.

Under the guidance of our talented guest photographer, our pupils learned how to handle wildlife lenses, capturing the stunning beauty of nature and the majestic creatures of Bradgate deer park. As you can see by this picture taken by the talented Bethan E, we are thrilled to report that the results of their endeavours were nothing short of amazing, with incredible shots of the park’s breath-taking waterfall and the graceful stags.

Mrs. H Van Daalen, our dedicated Head of Art and Photography, was delighted with the pupils’ achievements and the remarkable progress they made during this off-site photography workshop: “We are proud of our pupils commitment to honing their skills and grateful for the invaluable expertise shared by our guest photographer. A big thank you to all involved in making this memorable experience possible!”

#RespecttheCTAWay#Tenacity#Aspiration

Celebrating success in our School Lottery!

We’re thrilled to announce the lucky winner of this week’s School Lottery – a huge congratulations to Mrs. Sara Fryer, who took home a fantastic £39!

But the fun doesn’t stop here. Our School Lottery runs every week, and the next draw is set to take place every Saturday at 8 pm.

Here’s why you should get involved:

You too can have a chance to win cash prizes every week! There is a guarantee that one member from our community will win the prize each week. Plus, there’s a separate draw with an opportunity to win an impressive £25,000.

The lottery is open to the entire community, including parents, grandparents, staff, family, and friends (aged 18 and above). The more, the merrier!

The more participants we have, the larger the prizes and the more money we raise for the school, ultimately benefiting our pupils. Our goal is to reach a weekly prize of £100 or more, and with your participation, we can make this dream a reality.

In addition to the standard prizes, Your School Lottery is running a special autumn term prize draw. By supporting the lottery, you can win a fantastic prize of a PlayStation bundle consisting of a Limited-edition Spider-Man 2 PS5 console and a brand-new PlayStation VR2 Virtual Reality Headset!

Our new Super Draw gives you more flexibility. Instead of committing to weekly tickets, you can choose to buy tickets for the Super Draw week. Existing supporters can even choose to TOP-UP their tickets just for the big draw! Make sure to secure your tickets for the big draw on Saturday, November 25th.

To purchase your tickets, please visit https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/chase-terrace-academy. Enter your details, select your lucky numbers, and choose either a direct debit or pay-as-you-go payment option. A ticket costs just £1 per week.

Already a supporter of our School Lottery? Why not refer a friend? For every person that signs up using their unique referral link, they’ll BOTH get an entry into the exclusive £200 prize draw! Spread the word and increase your chances of winning big.

Don’t miss out on the excitement and the opportunity to support Chase Terrace Academy. Get your tickets now and be a part of our winning community!

#RespecttheCTAWay #SchoolLottery

Remembering and Respecting

This week, our school’s assembly focus is on Remembrance, led by Mr. M Newman, Deputy Headteacher. We come together to reflect on the school value of respect and its profound significance during Remembrance Day.

During the assembly, Mr. M Newman shared his personal experiences as a radio controller in the army, shedding light on the importance of remembering those who have served and continue to serve our country. He emphasised the power of respect in honouring their sacrifices and contributions.

Mr. M Newman passionately reminded us all, “It is our duty to remember, to honour, and to respect the brave individuals who have served and are still serving our nation. They are the embodiment of courage and sacrifice, and it is our responsibility to ensure their legacy lives on.”

To continue with our focus on Remembrance this week, we will also be having a two-minutes silence on Friday, 10th November at 11am.

Let us join together in paying our respects and expressing our gratitude to all those who have dedicated their lives to protect our freedom.

#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #RespecttheCTAWay

History Parental Engagement Evenings – Year 11 and Year…

A reminder that our History department is hosting Parental Engagement Evenings this week! These evenings will provide a valuable opportunity for parents/carers to meet with staff to discuss progress and learn about the support available as pupils approach their mock exams.

No pre-booking is necessary, so please feel free to drop in at any point during the two-hour window. Here are the details for each year group:

Year 11 Parental Engagement Evening

Tuesday 7th November, 15:30-17:30pm.

Year 13 Parental Engagement Evening

Wednesday 8th November, 15:30-17:30pm.

Our dedicated teachers, Mr. Lloyd, Mrs. Sehmar, Miss Lindsey, and Mrs. Mulligan, are looking forward to meeting you and addressing any questions or concerns you may have. Your involvement and support are crucial in your child’s educational journey, and we are eager to collaborate with you to ensure their success.

We hope to see you there and appreciate your active participation in your child’s education. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community.

Don’t forget our Sixth Form Open Evening!

Join us at the Chase Terrace Academy Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday, 9th November, from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm!

The evening will provide an opportunity for you to find out more about life in the Sixth Form. There will be a brief presentation containing key information about the fantastic range of academic and applied general courses that we are offering for September 2024 and our entry requirements. The presentation will last for no longer than 20 minutes and will take place in the drama studio at 6.15pm, 6.45pm and 7.15pm. On arrival, you will be given a ticket to attend the presentation in one of the timed slots.

The evening is particularly important if your child has not yet made up their mind about their next steps into post-16 learning. Universities and Higher-Level Apprenticeship providers will also be represented, giving the chance for you to find out more about how our Sixth Form courses provide a gateway into the next stage of your child’s education.

Please enter the school via the main reception where ample parking is available on the main car park. We look forward to seeing you there!

#SixthFormOpenEvening #RespecttheCTAWay