Year 8
‘Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.’
Now that our pupils settled in and successfully transitioned from year 7 to year 8, it is time to push them the extra mile and dedicate this year to discover new skills, passions and interests. Growing up in Abbs Cross Academy is exciting as each year is focused on different aspects of your child’s growth.
In year 8 we will aim to cultivate their extracurricular interests through clubs, school trips and interesting lessons which will also be more careers focused. We want our students to continue to develop their love of learning and to be inquisitive, empathetic and show resilience throughout their time with us. We appreciate that this is a time of great change for young people, and we are here to guide and support them as they move towards, and through their teenage years. Your child will be supported by their form tutor, their Year Care Team (YCT) Mrs Rogers, and myself as their Achievement Team Leader (ATL).
Your child will start and end each day at Abbs Cross with their form tutor who will ensure that they are prepared and ready to learn. At Abbs Cross we want the form tutors to be a reliable presence in your children’s lives, someone they can rely on and ask for help if needed. Form tutors will also keep track of their positive achievement points as well as discussing issues of negative achievement or behaviour with them.
As Achievement Team Leader for Year 8 I am responsible for the learning, achievement and academic progress of every child in the year group. This is monitored through checking on children in lessons, looking at their books looking at their progress throughout the school year and organising parent meetings to your children to be the best they can be.
At times children may be placed on report or asked to attend support groups, such as homework club or breakfast club if attendance shows they are persistently late in the morning or struggle with organisation. If it is felt that a child needs additional help to best access education, then referrals to the SEN department will be made and followed up.
Mrs Rogers is the Year 8 Care Team and is responsible for your child’s well-being and pastoral needs. Furthermore, she will monitor behaviour and help children and parents with any concerns they have. Mrs Rogers may also have children report to her to monitor a range of aspects such as uniform, behaviour, general organisation and respect of school rules. We know that parents are keen to be kept informed when issues arise, that’s why we consider fundamental that families play their part and check on equipment, planners and homework.
Abbs Cross Academy will ensure that students are provided with a happy and safe environment where they are able to develop both their academic and social skills. We believe that a good start in Year 8 will help students to build a positive attitude for the entire academic year. As in year 7 we want our students to settle in, make friends and become confident members of society, in year 8 we want them to thrive and take part in leadership roles and set the example for the younger years.
We also strongly believe that a fully rounded child must experience life outside the school environment, that is why everyone at Abbs Cross is very involved in organising trips linked to every subject’s curriculum to show the practical and fun aspects of what they study. Moreover, we believe that merit must be awarded and celebrated. That is why reward trips are also organised. To show our children that hard work pays off.
We keep believing that communication between parents and the school plays a large part in the development of our young people so key information will be displayed on the Abbs Cross Academy website. If there are any queries or concerns about your child’s progress, please feel free to contact your child’s form tutor, Mrs J Rogers (YCT), or myself Miss Raus (ATL).
Miss G Raus
Year 8 ATL
