Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the end of a busy and successful Autumn term, I would like to thank you all for the very warm welcome that I have received during my first few weeks in West Cumbria. It is an honour and a privilege to have been welcomed into the Workington Academy and William Howard Trust family, where I have found a hardworking and ambitious community that is determined to do the very best for all students. We have made great progress this term and I look forward to continuing success in the new year.
Workington Academy is at the heart of the community and community is at the heart of what we do. In promoting our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, we encourage our staff and students to get involved and to actively support in-school activities, community work, charity work and other opportunities. It has been a pleasure to see so many students participate in a whole variety of different activities this term – at lunchtime, after school and also many trips and excursions. Academic success is important but we also recognise the value of the many character-building opportunities we offer at school to ensure that the talents and interests of all students are developed and supported.
This final week of term will be a busy one. Year 11 will complete the last of their trial examinations, rewards trips have taken place and rewards assemblies will take place this week. We look forward to our annual Carol Concert at St John’s Church in Workington, our Christmas lunch and the academy pantomime before we break for Christmas. We expect to see all our students in school every day until then.
Next term, we look forward to moving into our brand new, state-of-the-art building. It will take a lot of work to ensure a smooth transition from the old to the new building and staff are already busy planning what to take, what to leave and how to organise their new classrooms. We will keep our website and social media updated with developments as they arise and we are also planning a community open day so that everyone can see what we have to offer.
Important dates and some polite reminders are enclosed with this letter and I thank you in anticipation of your support for our high standards and expectations.
I wish you and your family a peaceful festive season, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
With very best wishes,
Colette Macklin
Interim Headteacher
Final week of term arrangements
Monday 12 December 2016
- Normal start and finish times for all students
- Rewards Assembly
Tuesday 13 December 2016
- Normal start and finish times for all students
- Rewards Assembly
- Christmas Carol Concert at St John’s Church, Workington from 6.30pm
Wednesday 14 December 2016
- Normal start and finish times for all students
- Rewards Assembly
- Christmas Lunch in the dining room. Other food choices are available
Thursday 15 December 2016
- Normal start and finish times for all students
- Rewards Assembly
Friday 16 December 2016
- Normal start time for all students
- It is our Christmas Jumper Day and we are collecting funds for the Save the Children charity. Suggested donation is £1 but we are grateful for any donations that you are able to contribute
- Combined break and early lunch from 11.00 to 11.25am. Lunch and break time food choices will be available
- The Academy Pantomime, involving students and staff, will be performed for all year groups on a rotation during the morning session. Students will be in classrooms when they are not in the audience
- 12:30pm finish, buses will be available to take students home
Reminders for Parents and Carers
- Attendance – good attendance and punctuality are important and we expect full attendance until we finish on our last day before Christmas. We thank you for your support with this.
- Uniform – We know that many students will receive new clothes and shoes as presents. If you intend for them to be worn in school, please ensure they meet our uniform standards and are suitable for winter weather. If you are not sure, please contact us to check.
- Piercings – Students are allowed one pair of small earrings. They will be required to remove additional piercings when they are in school. If students intend to have additional piercings, it is advisable to wait until the long summer break to enable them to heal properly.
Dates for your diary
- Wednesday 18th January 2017 – 6th Form Open Evening
There will be an opportunity to view the new building 6th Form facilities after we have moved in.
- Wednesday 1st February 2017 – Year 9 Options Evening
- Thursday 16 February 2017 – Closure Day for new build
The academy is closed to students and open for staff. However, we will offer some provision for students taking examinations in Summer 2017.
- Friday 17 February 2017 – INSET Day
The academy is closed to students for staff training.
- Monday 20 February 2017 to Friday 24 February 2017 – Half Term Holiday
Some provision will be available for students taking examinations in Summer 2017.
- Monday 27 February 2017 to Wednesday 1 March 2017 – Closure Days for new build
The academy is closed to students and open for staff. However, we will offer some provision for students taking examinations in Summer 2017.
christmas-letter-2016 (.pdf)
