On the last day of the summer term students will be dismissed at 11.45am

This is the planned date of the whole school Sports Day which is held at Ridlins Stadium. Students are to go straight to the venue, not the school.

The date and details will be confirmed nearer to the day.

The school will be closed on Monday 17th April 2023 for staff training

Student’s in years 9-11 will be dismissed at 1.20pm and years 7, 8, 12 & 13 at 2.00pm to allow staff to prepare for parents evening.

CJN/SCK

29th September 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Year 10 & 11 GCSE Drama Trip - ‘The Woman in Black’ at The FortuneTheatre, London, on

Wednesday 7th December 2022 – Evening Performance

I have booked tickets for an evening performance of the play ‘The Woman in Black’ for all Year 10 and 11 Drama GCSE students on Wednesday 7th December 2022. Seeing live theatre is a mandatory part of the course as it is part of the written exam. Ideally students should see a wide range of theatre in order to enable them to fully prepare them for their exam so attending this performance will have a significant impact on our drama students’ ability to be successful in their GCSE exam.

The cost of the ticket, including transport to and from the theatre, will be £16.50. Payment may be made by WisePay, cash (exact money only please) or cheque (made payable to ‘The Thomas Alleyne Academy’).

Both payment and the completed online permission slip must be received by Wednesday 16th November 2022. Please complete the slip here.

Students should eat their evening meal before leaving for the trip. They may bring a small amount of money to purchase a programme.

Students need to be at school ready for departure by 4.45pm and we are hoping to be back by about midnight.

We will ensure the students send a message home giving a more precise return time when we are fifteen minutes away from Stevenage. Please note that students must be collected from the academy by a parent/carer promptly upon our return. Students do not need to wear school uniform, but smart attire should be worn (e.g. no ripped jeans, crop tops etc).

If you know your son/daughter needs any medication (e.g. inhalers, travel sickness medication etc) please ensure they bring this with them – it is imperative to indicate any medical details on the permission slip.

We are proud of our excellent record of exemplary behaviour on trips and visits. Students will be representing our academy and we expect all to behave and act responsibly. If staff have any concerns about your child’s conduct, their place on the visit will be reviewed and monies paid may not be refunded.

Should you wish to discuss any of the above please do not hesitate to contact me. We are looking forward to this enjoyable evening.

Yours faithfully

Ms C. Jackson

Head of Drama

As part of our careers and work-related learning programme, this year our Year 10’s go to work with a parent, relative or close family friend for one day, Thursday 14th July 2022.

Work shadowing enables our young people to spend a day in the workplace, discovering what happens during a typical day in the world of work. Students will be visitors to the workplace with the opportunity to observe, question and explore why and how people followed their particular career. In addition, they may perhaps participate in simple tasks in order to experience elements of a regular business day. We hope you will be able to negotiate the opportunity for your child to experience your place of work.

To facilitate arrangements with employers, I have enclosed a letter to hand them that outlines how and why this activity forms an essential part of your child’s careers and work-related learning programme. If for any reason you and your employer are unable to participate in this event, for example some work environments are not suitable, it is acceptable that your child shadows another family member or close friend. To comply fully with Health and Safety at Work legislation, I would like to stress that no student should be placed in a situation where there is danger. As this is work shadowing (students will be classed as visitors on the day) and not work experience, the school is not responsible for carrying out Health and Safety checks on placements: it is the responsibility of the parent and employer to be responsible for the safety and welfare of your son/daughter on the day. It is strongly advised therefore that you check the employer possesses Public Liability Insurance to cover any accidents that may occur in the workplace for visitors. Additionally, you should inform the employer of any special medical or dietary needs your child may have.

I hope that you will be able to support this exciting opportunity and provide your child with a valuable educational experience. A work shadowing placement will help prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life beyond the classroom and for future work experiences.

To confirm your participation in this event, please complete the online Parental Consent Form, together with the Placement Agreement forms which also needs to be completed and signed by the employer and returned to Miss Higgins, Year 10 Support Worker, no later than Friday 1st July 2022. Placement Agreement forms can be returned in person or email to admin@tas.herts.sch.uk If you are unable to support your child participating in this programme, please call the school to discuss the issues preventing participation in this important activity. Those students who do not organise a placement will be required to attend school and will be placed in to small working groups on that day. We look forward to receiving your completed consent form. Should you have any queries please call myself or Miss Higgins.

Yours sincerely, N Islam

Mr N Islam Head of Year 10

We are delighted to announce that our Annual Fun Run is back!

After 2 years of virtual fun run we would like to inform you of our 28th Annual Thomas Alleyne

Academy Fun Run will take place on Friday 27th May 2022.

The Fun Run is a fundraising event for the PE department and any funds raised will go

towards improving current facilities or buying new equipment. Fun Run money has paid for

the outdoor table tennis tables, new athletics vests, the bowling machine, trampolines,

refurbishing the weights room and more. It is with this purpose in mind that we are charging

students a £2 entry fee into the race which will cover their non-uniform for the day, as entry

into the best costume competition. Students have also been given sponsorship forms to try

and get friends or relatives to sponsor them in the run. We would appreciate your support in

this very much.

Students are advised to run/ jog in comfortable clothing and as in previous years a number

of students have participated in the fancy dress competition. However, please be advised

that it is essential to wear sensible footwear during the 3 1⁄2 mile run. The route will be

marshalled by staff and sixth form students from the academy. First Aid provision has also

been arranged. A drinks station will be in position on the route where students will be able to

have a cup of water. In addition, students may wish to take their own water, but these drinks

must be in a plastic bottle, not glass or cans.

The day will run as follows:

● Registration at 8.30am

● Period 1 and 2 as normal for all year groups

● Break time will be extended to a 30 minutes

● At 11.30am all students will report to their designated changing areas

● Starting times will be staggered for each year group, beginning at 11.55am

● The Fun Run, finishing at approximately 1pm

● Students will be dismissed from school at 1.30pm.

Could all parents ensure that students are prepared with the necessary sun tan lotion or

waterproofs to combat the ever changing British climate.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs N Hinch

Head of Girls’ Physical Education

The Geography Department has been working hard this year to give students opportunities to

explore careers in geography and earth sciences, and to promote the numerous different

pathways available to them post-16. As part of this, we have been offered the opportunity for a

small group of Year 10 students to visit Coventry University on Tuesday 24th May and take part in

a day of activities, including the use of the Department of Energy, Construction and

Environment’s labs and wave simulators. We hope the day will give students an opportunity to

experience life on campus and inspire them to pursue a career in the field.

Your child has been chosen as one of 12 students to join us on this visit as they have not only

expressed an interest in studying geography and earth sciences beyond GCSE, but have

demonstrated that they are a keen and able geographer.

We will leave school at 8.30am and travel via mini-bus to Coventry where we will participate in

several sessions lead by a team of lecturers and students. There will also be an opportunity for a

short campus tour. We will leave Coventry at 3pm and aim to be back at school no later than

5pm. There is no cost to students to attend.

If your child would like to take part in this visit, please complete the online consent form here by

Friday 6th May.

Please be advised that students will need to wear school uniform but can wear comfortable

footwear. They will also need to bring a packed lunch as there is limited opportunities to buy food

during the day. If your child receives free school meals, these will be provided in a packed lunch

for the trip.

If you know your child needs any medication (e.g. inhalers, travel sickness tablets) please ensure

they bring this with them on the day. It is imperative to indicate any medical details on the reply

slip.

We are proud of our excellent record of exemplary behaviour on trips and visits. Students will be

representing our academy and we expect all to behave and act responsibly. If staff have any

concerns about your child’s conduct, their place on the visit will be reviewed.

Yours faithfully

Ms D. Levett

Head of Geography

Students in Years 10 & 11 will watch a performance of Romeo and Juliet in school. This session is to support their understanding of the play prior to GCSE exams.