Tea, Talk, and Cake!

At Chase Terrace Academy, we believe that mental health matters. In honour of World Mental Health Day, we’re excited to announce our “Tea, Talk, and Cake” event!

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the mental health of our staff, we initiated ‘Tea, Talk, and Cake’ – an opportunity to foster open conversations, self-reflection, and unity.

We encourage all staff to wear green ribbon pins with pride and to share why they choose to do so. This small gesture carries a powerful message that we stand in solidarity, understanding, and compassion for those navigating the complexities of mental health.

In the photo, you can see our dedicated staff champions for mental health awareness. These wonderful individuals are leading the way in fostering a supportive and compassionate environment within our school. We appreciate their commitment and dedication to mental health awareness.

Ms N Mason, Headteacher, said: “Understanding and nurturing mental health is not only a personal journey but a collective responsibility. It is the foundation upon which we build a resilient, empathetic, and supportive community. By acknowledging our own well-being and supporting one another, we foster a school environment that values every individual’s mental health. Together, we can break the stigma and ensure that everyone’s well-being is a top priority. Thank you for being a part of this essential journey.”

Let’s continue to support one another and make mental health a priority every day. Together, we can create a more understanding and compassionate community!

#WorldMentalHealthDay #RespecttheCTAWay #Community

Congratulations to this week’s Thankful Thursday nominees!

This week’s Thankful Thursday celebrations are here and we are delighted to share the nominations with you!

Imogen C and Romeo M have been nominated by our dedicated Librarian, Mrs. J Dutton, in recognition of their excellent reading. Keep up the great work!

Mia C has been nominated for her outstanding reading skills in the Readers for Leaders sessions with Year 7. Your efforts in organising these sessions have not gone unnoticed. Well done!

James W has been nominated by Miss V Hobday for being a fantastic help this week. Your support is truly appreciated.

A special round of applause to Grace B, Gurjiv L, Elan T, and Jasmine A, pictured and nominated by Miss S. Cantwell. They’ve been recognised for their exceptional help in our CATCH Hub, with a special mention to Grace for her outstanding contributions. Keep making a positive impact!

We’re proud of all our nominees this week, and your efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you for making our school community a better place.

#ThankfulThursday#RespecttheCTAWay#Community#Tenacity

Tech4Families Laptop Scheme!

We have exciting news to share! Currys and the Digital Poverty Alliance have partnered to provide laptops to families in need. If you reside in Staffordshire and your child requires a laptop for their studies, you can now apply for this fantastic scheme.

To apply, please follow these steps:
– Visit the scheme’s official website at https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/tech4families/
– Complete the application form on the website.

Important eligibility details:
– Applications must be made by a parent or carer over the age of 18.
– Laptops are available for children between the ages of 4 and 16 at the time of application who do not have access to a suitable device.
– Each child can only have one application.

All application forms must be verified by a member of our staff. Our Associate Assistant Headteacher, Mrs R Cowley will be more than happy to help. Please use the following information on your application forms.

Verifier First Name: Rebecca
Verifier Last Name: Cowley
Organisation: Chase Terrace Academy
Relation to Child: Teacher/Associate Assistant Headteacher
Job Title: Associate Assistant Headteacher/Head of English
Verifier Email Address: R.cowley@chaseterraceacademy.co.uk

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure a laptop for your child’s educational needs. Apply now and help bridge the digital divide!

Also, if your child is not currently in receipt of free school meals and you would like to check if you are eligible, please complete the form found here:
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Education/Educational-awards-benefits/FreeSchoolMeals/Apply-online.aspx

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to us at office@chaseterraceacademy.co.uk. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the technology they need to succeed in their studies.

Burntwood Town Council Student Award – In Memory of…

We are excited to announce the opportunity for our talented young individuals to apply for the Burntwood Town Council Student Award in memory of our remarkable former pupil, Stephen Sutton MBE. This award, launched in 2015, aims to celebrate the life and achievements of Stephen Sutton and provide practical support to young people aged 11 – 19, encouraging them to reach even greater heights.

Two annual awards of £1000 each are available to empower and encourage young talents to achieve even greater heights. The award funds can be used for various projects, including but not limited to:

-Academia

-Arts (e.g., art, photography, film)

-Performing Arts (e.g., music, dance, theatre)

-Sport

-Other talents and pursuits

Burntwood Town Council warmly welcomes applications from all eligible young individuals, especially those who may face barriers to participation.

– Applications open: Monday 4th September 2023

– Application deadline: Midnight on Sunday 22nd October 2023

– Decision communication: End of November 2023

To be considered for the Student Award, applicants must:

– Be residents within the BTC boundaries (applications from non-residents, even if they attend a Burntwood school, will not be accepted).

– Be aged between 11 – 19 years within the academic year they are applying.

– Demonstrate a talent within the specified fields.

How to Apply

For more details and to access the application form, please visit the Burntwood Town Council website: https://shorturl.at/qvBU7. Alternatively, you can contact Kat Horner at kat.horner@burntwood-tc.gov.uk or call 01543 677166.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to honour Stephen Sutton’s legacy and further your own achievements. Apply today and make a positive impact on your educational journey and future endeavours.

#BTCStudentAward #StephenSuttonMBE #RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Celebrating Sophie Young’s Inspiring Career Talk on Women in…

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent careers talk featuring our accomplished ex-pupil, Sophie Young! Sophie’s visit to our school was a truly enlightening experience, as she shed light on the incredible opportunities in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for our current pupils.

After completing her A-Levels here at CTA, Sophie embarked on an extraordinary journey towards becoming an Electrical Engineer for PPControl and Automation. Her determination and hard work have been nothing short of remarkable, and her achievements speak volumes.

Sophie’s dedication and excellence in her field has not gone unnoticed. Last year, she earned the prestigious “Apprentice of the Year Award,” a recognition that extends beyond our local community. This award was a testament to the incredible strides she has made in such a short time, nominated by her peers at PPControl and Automation.

Most recently, Sophie was celebrated as a “Rising Star” in the engineering world, earning a coveted spot in the Manufacturer Top 100 Engineers list. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that with hard work, passion, and determination, one can truly reach for the stars.

During her visit, Sophie Young engaged with our pupils, sharing her personal journey and highlighting the various pathways available to those interested in pursuing careers in STEM. She stressed the essential qualifications required for success in this exciting field.

Mrs J Poppleton, Directors of Careers, who invited Sophie into school and is pictured with her, said: “It was wonderful for our pupils to meet with Sophie. She is passionate about young people, especially women, being involved in the STEM industry. Her dedication to encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sophie for her time, wisdom, and inspirational talk. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for our pupils, proving that they too can achieve greatness in the world of STEM.

Let’s continue to support and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators right here at CTA.

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

Year 13 Philosophy and Ethics pupils engage in exciting…

Our Year 13 pupils had an intellectually stimulating morning in Philosophy and Ethics today as they dove into an engaging Harkness discussion!

The Harkness method is all about collaborative learning, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding of a topic, critically evaluate key points, and make significant progress towards crafting their next thought-provoking essays.

Miss L Roach, Associate Assistant Headteacher and Head of RE, shared her thoughts on this enriching experience: “Today’s Harkness discussion exemplified our pupils’ dedication to meaningful dialogue and their commitment to academic excellence. It’s incredible to witness how this method empowers them to develop their analytical skills, fostering a deeper appreciation for Philosophy and Ethics. I am immensely proud of their tenacity and active participation in this thought-provoking learning experience.”

Well done to our Year 13 pupils for their active involvement and commitment to their studies! Keep up the fantastic work, everyone!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Tenacity

Reflecting on a Successful Year 10 Partnership Evening

On Thursday, October 5th, we had the pleasure of hosting our Year 10 pupils and their parents for our annual Partnership Evening. It was an evening filled with inspiration and valuable insights into the exciting journey that lies ahead for our pupils.

Miss J Devereux, Assistant Headteacher, and Mrs J Poppleton, Director of Careers, led thought-provoking discussions on the importance of considering future career paths and the countless of options available. Their message was clear: aim high and have ambitious aspirations.

The event featured informative talks from our English, Maths, and Humanities departments. These sessions provided practical advice on how our pupils can make the most out of the upcoming years. We believe that with the right guidance and motivation, our pupils can excel in their academic pursuits.

We were truly delighted to have the support of various providers from different sectors. Universities, Employers, and Apprenticeship Providers joined us, offering pupils and parents the chance to explore a wide range of technical, vocational, and academic career pathways. Networking opportunities like these are invaluable, as they empower our pupils to make informed decisions about their future.

Miss J Devereux, our Assistant Headteacher, summed it up perfectly: “Our Partnership Evenings are about inspiring our pupils to think carefully about their career choices and providing them with the information they need to get there. We aimed to strike the perfect balance between practical advice for their GCSEs and exposing our pupils to a wide array of future pathways, from Apprenticeships to Further and Higher Education providers. We hope that every pupil has taken away information they can use moving forward.”

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and supported this event. Your involvement is instrumental in shaping the bright futures of our Year 10 pupils.

#Year10PartnershipEvening #RespecttheCTAWay

Stepping back in time with Year 11!

Recently, our Year 11 historians took a fascinating journey through our gruesome medical past by visiting the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds. This trip was an invaluable experience for our pupils, as one of our GCSE topics delves into the intriguing history of medicine through time. It provided a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to refresh their memories of key knowledge they started learning in Year 10; helping them prepare for their upcoming exams!

Miss S Lindsey, our dedicated Trip Leader, had nothing but praise for our pupils: “The pupils conducted themselves incredibly well and acted as excellent ambassadors for Chase Terrace Academy. It was a pleasure for the History Department to take our pupils on this enlightening journey, and it’s definitely a trip we look forward to running again next year!

#RespecttheCTAWay #Community #Tenacity #Aspiration

World Mental Health Day at CTA – Let’s Celebrate…

This week, our school is abuzz with discussions and activities centred around World Mental Health Day, which falls today, October 10th. The theme for this year is ‘mental health is a universal human right,’ and we’ve been engaging our pupils in thoughtful conversations about what mental health means and the vital role of awareness in reducing the stigma surrounding it.

Throughout this week, our school assemblies have been focused on understanding the essence of mental health and the importance of awareness in combating the stigma surrounding it. We’re proud to share that at CTA, we have an array of resources in place to support the mental well-being of our pupils and staff. These include our dedicated Mental Health First Aiders, safe spaces, wellbeing ambassadors, weekly check-ins, and our pastoral and safeguarding team, who are always ready to assist pupils with their needs.

To mark this important occasion, we’ve organised various activities for our pupils and staff:

Thursday, October 12^th – Board Game Activities during lunchtime where pupils can have a ticket to attend with a friend to relax and unwind.

Friday, October 13^th – Karaoke during lunchtime for pupils to sing any worries away and enjoy a social activity with friends.

Furthermore, our first House Event of the year is here – the ‘Mental Health Acrostic Poem’ competition! We invite all pupils to showcase their creativity within their form groups and express their thoughts on mental health through poetry. All poems must include the words ‘Mental Health,’ words that portray mental health, and words that highlight how people can cope with mental health challenges. Winning forms (per year group) will earn 5 house points each, and the winning poems will be framed and proudly displayed in school.

Our staff members are also actively involved in promoting mental health awareness. They proudly wear green ribbon pin badges, symbolising their commitment to creating a safe space for discussions about mental health. As part of the #PinItForMentalHealth campaign, our staff members are encouraged to share why they wear their green ribbon pins.

To further our World Mental Health Day celebrations, all of our staff members are invited to come together for “Tea, Talk & Cake” on Wednesday, October 11^th. This gathering is an opportunity for all of our staff to share and support each other in recognising that ‘mental health is a universal human right’.

World Mental Health Day is an opportune moment to reflect on our own mental well-being. Did you know that, on average, adults say, “I’m fine” 14 times a week, but only 19% of them truly mean it? If you or someone you know is going through a tough time, please reach out to a friend, colleague or GP if you need support. Please remember, your mental health matters, and it’s a universal human right. Let’s continue to foster a supportive, stigma-free environment within our community.

#WorldMentalHealthDay #RespecttheCTAWay #Community

School Partnership Evening for Year 12 Pupils

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Partnership Evening for Year 12 pupils, which will take place on Thursday 12th October. This event will be focused on helping our pupils explore their aspirations for the future and understand the next steps beyond Sixth Form.

The event kicks off with a presentation by our Senior Leadership Team in Lees Hall, providing valuable information on how to make a successful transition through the Sixth Form. We anticipate the evening will conclude no later than 8:00pm.

Following the presentation, there will be a carousel of speakers for you to attend. We are fortunate to have representatives from Birmingham University who will offer practical advice on financing a degree. Representatives from Work Pays will also be present to discuss higher-level apprenticeships.

Additionally, we have a range of external providers from universities, employers, and higher apprenticeship opportunities. All are eager to meet our sixth formers and discuss the diverse options available for their future careers.

We want to extend a warm invitation not only to Year 12 pupils but also to any Year 13 pupils and parents/carers who would like to attend. Your presence and participation will be greatly appreciated.

If you are able to attend please click the link below so that we can confirm attendance: https://forms.office.com/e/q7qu03qcQx

We look forward to seeing you there!