Principal’s Statement – 12th November 2021

Mascalls Academy building

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope this update finds you and your families well. It has been a wonderful return to Mascalls following an equally wonderful half term break, the students needed that break and I’m sure the staff appreciated it too. They certainly have not disappointed on their return to us, picking up the same high standards as last term and continuing to build towards their futures.

Robotics at Mascalls

This week we have been fortunate enough to experience our first foray into the world of robotics where we had a demonstration from Shape Robotics using their Fable system. The students involved had all shown a particular interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) subjects and therefore helped to contribute to the activities which included live coding and a F1 style pit stop race against the clock. The importance of STEAM subjects serves an increasingly growing industry, one in which Mascalls intends to continue to invest and develop for all students.

Remembrance Day 2021

In addition, on the 100th anniversary of The Royal British Legion supporting our soldiers, Mascalls Academy students and staff joined together on mass to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts over the years. To see 1300 students, join together with staff for the two minute silence in a show of respect was simply overwhelming, they were faultless in their conduct.

Vaccine roll out for Secondary School-aged Children

Last term I informed parents/carers of our contact from the School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS) for Kent and Medway regarding the COVID vaccine and you would have received a letter and information pack from them via us. They will be in the academy offering both the flu and the COVID vaccine to students on the 19th and 22nd November, please read the information carefully and provide the consent where you need to. There is also an NHS contact on the letter for any queries, the academy itself will not be taking queries over the process or the vaccine, we are simply providing the venue as we do for any other vaccine. Please use the following link to consent your child:

NHS Child Consent Form

Please ensure the form is completed by the end of the day 15/11/21.

SAIS cannot accept late consents and therefore your child may not be vaccinated in school.

If your child is not aged 12 or over on the day of the session, please do not submit a consent as they are not eligible for the covid vaccine and will not be vaccinated.

Information leaflets explaining the COVID-19 vaccination programme can be found here:

John Downton Awards

We are delighted to announce that three Mascalls students have been shortlisted for the prestigious John Downton Awards, Liam Sands, Eva Wilson and Milli Hatfull.

This means their work will be shown in an online gallery and they will have a chance of being prize winners. We are incredibly proud of them and wish them the best of luck in the awards ceremony on 9th December.

Reminder, INSET Day

A polite reminder that Friday 26th November is an INSET day, so no students will be in the academy on that day. Contrary to the usual rumours from students that staff will be Black Friday shopping it is a vital training day to review our curriculum effectiveness and knowledge organiser strategy.

Finally, my thanks again go to the parents and carers of this magnificent community who have returned once more to this term in a position of strength, calm and consistency and whose combined efforts see our students continue to succeed even after two of the most challenging years. Have a great weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Mr W Monk
Principal