Inspiring the Next Generation of Tech Leaders

We were thrilled to welcome the illustrious Tracy Pound to our school for an enlightening session on careers in technology. Tracy is a true trailblazer in the world of IT and an advocate for gender diversity in the tech industry. She has earned numerous accolades, including being appointed to CompTIA’s Board of Directors and receiving the prestigious ‘Woman of the Year’ award from PCR in 2016. Moreover, she was recognised as one of the top 50 women in technology by PCR in 2014 and 2015.

Tracy is not only an accomplished professional but also a published author of IT industry standards and a well-known face on TV. In 2000, she founded Maximity Ltd and has since become an international speaker, collaborating with some of the world’s leading IT companies. Her mission is clear – to inspire and encourage girls and women to consider careers in technology and address the gender diversity gap in this field.

During her visit, Tracy captivated our pupils with her personal journey in the tech industry, which began as a programmer at the age of 18 and has culminated in her role as a company founder and member of a Board of Directors. She also took the time to challenge misconceptions surrounding the technology sector.

Mrs. D Lees, Head of the Computer Science and IT Department, expressed her thoughts on Tracy’s visit, saying, “Tracy’s presentation was nothing short of inspirational. She is not only a trailblazer in the technology world but also a passionate advocate for women in this field. Her tenacity and insights will undoubtedly impact our pupils positively.”

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Kindness Challenge: Spread Good Deeds & Earn Rewards!

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of kindness and promoting an anti-bullying environment, we are excited to introduce the Acts of Kindness Challenges!

Throughout this week, we invite our pupils to embrace kindness and spread positivity in a fun and rewarding way. Here’s how it works:

1. Kindness Challenge Cards: Pupils can pick up an ‘Act of Kindness’ Card from the Pizza Hub starting today. These cards will contain various acts of kindness that can be performed throughout this week. The acts could be something as simple as helping a fellow pupil, showing appreciation to a teacher, or making a new friend.

2. Collect Staff Signatures: After completing the act of kindness, pupils should approach a staff member to receive their signature on the card. This helps to acknowledge and celebrate their positive actions.

3. Earn Rewards: Each completed ‘Act of Kindness’ Card will be rewarded with a ‘Kindness Matters’ badge, and to make it even sweeter, a chocolate treat as a token of our appreciation.

Mr D Inman, our Assistant Headteacher, is thrilled about this initiative. He said, “Kindness is a powerful force that can make a significant impact on our school community. This challenge is not just about winning badges and treats; it’s about building connections and spreading positivity.”

#AtCTAKindnessistheNorm #RespecttheCTAWay

Join the Chase Terrace Academy School Lottery and Win…

Are you feeling lucky? Ready to support your local school and its community and possibly win amazing prizes? Look no further! The CTA lottery is the perfect opportunity, and it’s open to anyone 18 years and over, and not just staff and parents/carers with pupils in our school, but anyone in the community. Let’s tell you more about this exciting initiative:

For just a pound a week, you can participate in not one but TWO fantastic lottery draws! The first draw is all about our local community. We guarantee that someone right here in our Chase Terrace community will be a winner! The second draw has a nationwide reach and offers a grand prize of £25,000 Jackpot! The best part? If more than one person wins this fantastic sum, no need to split it – each winner takes home £25,000! And this draw takes place EVERY WEEK too!

As an extra bonus, we’ve got an exclusive prize for all the Harry Potter enthusiasts out there! You could win 1x family ticket to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios Tour and a £500 theatre tour. An adventure in the wizarding world awaits!

By participating in our school lottery, you’re not just giving yourself a chance to win big. You’re also supporting Chase Terrace Academy and helping to boost school funds, as a portion of the proceeds goes to our school to benefit our pupils.

So, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Join the Chase Terrace Academy Lottery and help make a difference in our community, while potentially winning exciting cash prizes.

Ready to get started? Visit our official lottery website for more information and to pick your lucky numbers: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/…/chase-terrace…

It’s time to be in it to win it! Good luck, and thank you for your support!

#YourSchoolLottery

#Community

Parents, we need you!

We have an exciting opportunity for you to make a significant impact on the future of our Year 10 and Year 12 pupils at CTA. Each year, we organise mock interviews for our pupils, providing them with valuable experience and insights into the world of work. These interviews are crucial in helping them prepare for their future careers, and we need your support to make them a success.

We are thankful to the parents who have generously volunteered their time in the past, and we’re calling on all parents to join us in this meaningful initiative. With approximately 350 pupils participating, we appreciate any support you can offer. Some parents have been able to take advantage of their employers’ corporate volunteering schemes, allowing them to participate during working hours.

You can contribute as little as one hour or up to 5 hours if your schedule allows.

The first date for mock-interviews will commence on 9-1pm, Monday, 20th November, with our Year 12 group. Our year 10 pupils will have the opportunity to put their interview skills to the test on Tuesday, 6th February 2024. We are flexible and welcome your availability at any time during these periods.

We will provide you with a set of interview questions to ask the pupils. Your role will be to share your feedback, advice, and tips with them, helping them understand how they performed and what areas they can improve upon.

If you’re interested in contributing your time and expertise, please get in touch with our Director of Careers, Mrs. Poppleton, at j.poppleton@chaseterraceacademy.co.uk.

Your involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of our pupils. We sincerely appreciate your support in preparing them for success in the world beyond the classroom.

Thank you for being a part of our school community.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community

CTA Anti-Bullying Week: At CTA, Kindness is the Norm!

Ahead of National Anti-bullying week in November, we are coming together to emphasise the power of kindness and the importance of an anti-bullying environment at Chase Terrace Academy. Our slogan, “At CTA, Kindness is the Norm,” reflects our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming school for all.

Our leadership team, including our Deputy Headteacher, Mr. M Newman, and Assistant Headteacher, Mr. D Inman, are dedicated to leading powerful assemblies with a strong anti-bullying message. At CTA, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. During the assembly, we’ll delve into the true meaning of kindness, which goes beyond being nice; it’s an intentional, voluntary act of goodwill. We’re also educating our pupils on the definition of bullying and reinforcing our behaviour policy towards bullying and the ramifications of it not being followed.

By focusing on the quote of “What hurts the victim the most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander” coined by Elie Wisel, Holocaust survivor, we encourage our pupils to challenge incidents of bullying and support their peers by being kind. We urge them to follow the National Bullying Week message: ‘Make a noise about bullying’ by speaking up, being supportive, and reporting bullying. We’re taking a mature approach to dealing with bullying and demonstrating the support available for those who feel they’re being bullied.

This message isn’t just from staff or pupils; it’s a collective voice from our entire community, declaring that bullying is not acceptable.

Throughout the week, we have a series of exciting activities and initiatives to raise awareness and promote kindness. Here’s what you can expect:

Monday: Awareness Campaign Kickoff

– Our Art and Computing departments have joined forces to launch an awareness campaign. Pupils are encouraged to design posters, videos, or presentations to educate their peers about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it.

– The top three entries will receive a fantastic prize of a £15 Amazon voucher!

Tuesday: Acts of Kindness

– Pupils will receive an “Act of Kindness” card and are encouraged to perform acts of kindness throughout the week.

– Pupils will collect staff signatures on their card after completing an act of kindness. Each completed card will earn them a “Kindness Matters” badge and a scrumptious chocolate treat!

Wednesday: Open Discussion Circles

– Our Student Support Officers will lead open discussion circles for each year group. These safe spaces will allow pupils to openly share their experiences and feelings related to bullying. Older pupils will provide guidance on tackling bullying issues.

Thursday: Peer Support Groups

– Sixth-form pupils can participate in peer-led support groups, providing a platform to discuss experiences and feelings related to bullying and how to handle such situations.

– These discussions will take place in our Pizza Hub, ensuring access to safe spaces for open conversations.

Friday: Rewards and Campaign Leaders

– We’ll collect the “Acts of Kindness” cards and distribute rewards.

– Presentations created during Monday’s activities will be showcased, and the campaign leaders will be announced.

At Chase Terrace Academy, we value the voices of our entire community and are committed to continuous improvement. We appreciate your input and have initiated a feedback collection process through the MyChildatSchool app to ensure that we as a school are meeting your needs and expectations.

In addition, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Parents Forum event in early December. This event will provide a valuable opportunity for families to come together, share their insights, and engage in constructive discussions about supporting our school and reinforcing the important messages within our community.

Ms. N Mason, our Headteacher, emphasises our dedication to taking bullying seriously and focusing on community engagement. She says, “”Kindness is the foundation of our school community. We take bullying seriously and are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all.”

Let’s make this Anti-Bullying Week a resounding success and stand together to make “Kindness the Norm” at CTA. Your participation and support are immensely appreciated. It is through our collective effort that we can make Chase Terrace Academy an even better place for all our pupils and their families. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community

#CTAKindnessWeek#AntiBullying#RespecttheCTAWay#Community#Tenacity#Aspiration

Menopause Awareness Week

16^th to 20^th October 2023

To mark World Menopause Day on 18 October 2023, we are excited to announce the launch of Menopause Awareness Week at Chase Terrace Academy and all schools across the John Taylor MAT. This week is dedicated to raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding menopause, a topic that affects a significant portion of our staff body.

The campaign is led by our Trust HR Manager, Sian Carter, who is a certified menopause coach. Sian’s passion and expertise in this area make her the perfect leader for this important initiative.

Our primary objective during Menopause Awareness Week is to support all employees within CTA by increasing their awareness and understanding of menopause. We are committed to creating a robust menopause policy that ensures our staff feel fully supported during this key stage of their lives.

Working with the Trust, we will be creating “Menopause Champions” who will provide valuable assistance to our colleagues across JTMAT.

During this week we will be supporting staff with a series of Menopause Awareness sessions, including a dedicated session for line managers and a session focusing on menopause for men, which will give practical advice for our male colleagues about how to support the women in their life experiencing menopause.  We’ll also be discussing the male menopause!

We will close the week with a live Q&A session for staff to ask questions and ensure they have all the information they need to support themselves and their colleagues. 

HR Assistant at Chase Terrace Academy, Mrs H Phillips, said, “We believe that creating a more inclusive and informed workplace, where menopause is openly discussed and understood, is a crucial step in supporting our staff. Menopause Awareness Week is a significant milestone in achieving this goal.”

We are looking forward to a productive and enlightening Menopause Awareness Week and invite all employees to participate actively in the various sessions and discussions. Let’s work together to create a more supportive and understanding workplace for everyone in our community.

#Worldmenopauseday

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Singing the blues away!

As part of our school campaign during our celebrations for World Mental Health last week, we invited our pupils to join us in a fun-filled karaoke session at lunchtime on Friday.

It was fantastic to see so many brave pupils step up to the stage. Whether they were belting out power ballads or cheering on their peers, the support in the room was nothing short of incredible.

We’re proud of all the pupils who dedicated their time to entertain others. Your willingness to share your talents and create a positive atmosphere truly made a difference.

One standout moment was when our very own Alfie W took the stage to sing his favourite song. Alfie shared his experience, saying, “I was nervous to take part in karaoke, but I’m really glad that I did. Everyone was dancing and clapping to the beat, and I felt really happy. I got a big cheer at the end!”

This heart-warming response perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Mental Health Week – breaking down barriers, spreading joy, and promoting the importance of mental health and well-being. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the event a tremendous success!

Thank you to everyone who made World Mental Health Week memorable. Let’s continue to support each other and promote mental well-being every week, not just during this special celebration

#MentalHealthWeek#RespecttheCTAWay

Chase Terrace Academy are winners!

We are thrilled to announce that we are the proud winners of the ‘Lichfield Shining Light’ recognition at the Beacon Awards!

Last night, at the dazzling awards ceremony, our very own Mrs. J Poppleton, Director of Careers, had the honour of collecting this prestigious award. Her words truly reflect the essence of our school’s mission: “CTA is committed to placing community at the heart of everything we do. Alongside businesses, we ignite aspirations and empower individuals. Our Careers Education has played a significant role in helping pupils choose suitable pathways, pursue their dream careers, and sustain employability throughout their working lives.”

Being shortlisted for this award alone was an immense honour, and attending the high-profile event was an unforgettable experience. The location was absolutely beautiful, and the atmosphere was positively euphoric.

This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our entire school community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this recognition possible.

At Chase Terrace Academy, we will continue to put community at the forefront and empower our pupils to reach new heights. We are excited about the future and look forward to many more achievements and successes in the days to come.

#CTAWinners #BeaconAwards #RespecttheCTAWay #Community

Celebrating World Mental Health Day with Board Games

In honour of World Mental Health Day, we at Chase Terrace Academy gathered together to celebrate with a lunchtime filled with exciting boardgame fun.

Here’s a snapshot of the fun moment with some of our wonderful participants, Miss L Roach, Associate Assistant Headteacher, Mr Ray, Head of Geography, Will H and Tristen M.

This special occasion allowed our pupils to take a break, unwind, and enjoy some quality time playing board games.

At Chase Terrace Academy we are truly dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and fostering an environment that encourages well-being and happiness.

Thank you to everyone who participated in today’s event, and here’s to the importance of nurturing not only our minds but also our spirits!

#WorldMentalHealthDay #RespecttheCTAWay

Feel Good Friday Celebration!

We’re thrilled to highlight the outstanding efforts and achievements of our incredible pupils at Chase Terrace Academy on this Feel Good Friday.

Today, we have twenty-one pupils who have been nominated for their exceptional accomplishments using Sparx Maths. They met with Mr J Cain, Deputy Headteacher, to discuss their fantastic dedication to their favourite subject.

Let’s also give a big round of applause to Paddy C, who has been nominated for his excellent start to Year 9. Paddy met with Mr. M Newman, our Deputy Headteacher, to discuss his remarkable progress.

But that’s not all! We are immensely proud of Jayden S, who has been nominated to meet with our Headteacher, Ms. N Mason. Jayden’s achievements in the Scouts are truly remarkable. Over the summer, he was selected out of 150 Scouts to embark on a mission to South Korea, where he promoted peace and sustainability while representing the core scouting values.

During this three-week adventure, Jayden and his fellow Scouts visited the beautiful Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, and their experiences were even featured in the Korean press! Jayden’s favourite moments from the trip included camping and exploring a home-made cheese industry – a testament to his adventurous spirit and love for new experiences.

Moreover, we’re excited to share that Jayden is now a member of the youth team for Staffordshire County, which organizes incredible trips like the one to South Korea. He’s looking forward to an upcoming skiing trip and a country-wide camp experience.

Today is an extra special day for Jayden as he embarks on a new journey, traveling to London to attend a public speaking course as part of the Scouts SpeakUp programme.

Ms. N Mason, our Headteacher, expressed her pride in Jayden’s achievements and shared, “Jayden’s incredible journey embodies our school values of respect, community, tenacity, and aspiration. He has shown us what can be achieved through determination and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. We couldn’t be prouder of him and his remarkable journey. Jayden, you’re an inspiration to us all!”

Congratulations to all our pupils for their hard work and dedication. Have a fantastic Feel Good Friday, everyone!

#FeelGoodFriday#RespecttheCTAWAY#Community#Tenacity#Aspiration