20 July 2010

Dear Parent/Carer

As another year draws to a close I am delighted to be able write to you and reflect on another year, perhaps the best year so far in our short existence! The years seem to go so quickly that it is often difficult to work out how we have crammed so much in. Across the whole Academy from Reception to the Sixth Form, students are provided with so many opportunities to extend and deepen their learning through visits, residential trips and access to a range of adults who come and support learning. It really is a rich education for all at St Mary Magdalene Academy.

It is difficult to pick out highlights because there have been so many but obviously the Ofsted report stands out as a real affirmation of what we are doing and how we are doing it. If you haven’t read it yet please do. It does give me one request of you. The only grade that was less than Good or Outstanding was Attendance. We scored satisfactory because we are exactly on the national average, we need your support to make this better and move to Outstanding overall.

The Year 6 end of Key Stage 2 results are the best we have had not just in the Academy but before as the Primary school. This is a testament to the work of the staff throughout the primary but particularly Miss Williamson and Lynn Woods.

Having just returned from the Sixth Form residential at Ratcliffe College I am hugely encouraged by the work they are doing and the progress they are making. Over the residential four Governors gave up their time to give key note presentations from their areas of expertise to support the very difficult area of study known as Theory of Knowledge. I believe both the students and the Governors gained a great deal from this experience.

If you, like me, where able to see the two end of year productions, Fame Idle from Year 6 and Jesus Christ Superstar in the secondary department, you will have recognised the huge talent we have in the Academy not just from the students but also from the staff and parents who contributed to the success of these productions. Each seems to get better each year and provides the Academy with the challenge, where next?

All these activities and many more have made this an unforgettable year for me but my real highlight was the intergenerational art project that Year 9 undertook with a charity called ‘Magic Me’ and the Sotheby Mews Day Centre. It was fantastic to have these elderly Islington residents working with our adolescents. To see them working together was a real joy, to see them smiling and laughing together a real tonic and to see the final product of their joint efforts an acknowledgement of real talent.

End of years are also sad times as it often marks the moving on of staff. We say farewell this term to two Teachers, Ms Murdoch and Mr Johnson: a Teaching Assistant, Ms Caldwell; a Pastoral Manager, Mr Bryant and the School Secretary Ms Klier. All have made a significant contribution to the life of the Academy and we wish them well in their new careers. We are also grateful to all those who have worked as supply teachers throughout the year and we also say farewell to Ms Martinez who has done a splendid job covering in Year 2.

A special mention goes to Mr Wynn who has been our Chaplain since we started. His contribution has been immense although more often than not in the background. He has been an integral part of the Academy’s pastoral team working with children who are vulnerable and having a difficult time. He also had the very visible role of leading the Academy’s worship through assemblies and services. Students and staff will miss his infectious enthusiasm for life and we wish him well as be goes off to pursue ministerial training in Bristol.

Finally a thank you to all of you for your support over the year and l would ask you to continue to keep the Academy and its work in your prayers. I hope you have an enjoyable break and I look forward to starting another exciting year with you in September.

Yours sincerely

Paul Hollingum
Principal

Start times on Monday 6 September 2010

Primary – 08.55, Lough Road Gate Entrance
Year 7 – 08.30, Liverpool Road Gate Entrance
Year 8 – 09.30, Liverpool Road Gate Entrance
Year 9 – 10.00, Liverpool Road Gate Entrance
Year 10 – 10.15, Liverpool Road Gate Entrance
Year 12 – 08.30, Liverpool Road Entrance
Year 13 – 09.30, Liverpool Road Entrance