Our end of term Letter can be downloaded from this link or viewed below:

https://wbca.school/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Christmas-Letter-2024.pdf

 

December 2024

Dear Families

End of Autumn Term Letter

As we approach the end of term we would like to share a few highlights and some information for next term.

GCSE Presentation Evening Success

On 28^th November we were delighted to welcome back so many of our former Year 11 students to our first ever GCSE Presentation Evening which we held at the Bethel Convention Centre. We celebrated their achievements with a whole range of award and prizes and are so pleased to hear what they are progressing on to.

This is something for all year groups to look forward to and to aspire toward – the end point may seem a long way away now but time really does fly.

 

WBCA Annual Christmas Fayre

Thank you to everyone who attended this wonderful event.

Together, you helped us to raise £1106.15!

This money will be divided between a number of projects to benefit our students, including gifts for some of our students and families. We are always grateful for the generosity of our families and staff, and it is particularly valued at this time of year.

 

WBCA Christmas Charity Appeal

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the foodbank appeal during December. This charity event was led and managed by the Student Council. The generosity of WBCA students and families was overwhelming and we were able to deliver a large number of items to the local foodbank at Holy Trinity Church in Smethwick on the final day of the term.

 

WBCA Nativity Show and Summer Show Announcement

This week we have seen some star performances in our Christmas Show, WBCA’s version of the “Nativity”. Our Theatre Productions are growing year on year in terms of cast, talent and ambition and we are so proud of everyone who took part and performed.

The Performance Team were also excited to announce that our Summer Production is going to be “The Wizard of Oz”. Students need to look out for details of auditions; we are looking for this to be our biggest and best show yet.

 

Food Vouchers

To support families over the Christmas period, Sandwell Council have provided a £60 voucher – this should have been received by eligible families earlier this month. We know that sometimes, families experience unforeseen hardship and we always encourage you to contact our Safeguarding Team if you need any help or support.

 

Year 11 Mock Exams Results

Year 11 recently experienced a Mock Results Day where they experienced how they will feel when they open their real examination results in August 2025. Lots of students were pleased and happy, some were understandably disappointed. Following this, a number of students have been identified for additional support so that they have the tools to improve. All year 11 students should be completing homework and revising independently – at least two hours of work per night and building up to more before the next mock exams.

 

There is a three-way partnership here between the student, home and school, to ensure that all students achieve their potential. Please support us by talking to your child about homework and revision and ensuring they complete what is set.

We will be inviting a number of parents/carers and students in for a meeting in January to discuss the steps needed to lead to improvements in results.

 

Year 7, 8, 10 Progress Reports

Autumn Term progress data for Y7, 8 and 10 have been published on Arbor.

This is the first of 3 sets of data for these year groups that we report each year. Please review it carefully and discuss with your child. If you aren’t signed up to Arbor yet, please keep reading.

 

Arbor Parent Portal and App

Currently, 85% of our families have signed up to Arbor and are users – this is good but our target is to have 100% coverage.

If you sign up to Arbor we can communicate with you more easily via the app messaging system. It is free for us to message you in this way, whereas it costs around £50 for each whole school text that we send. Emails are free to send, but we would very much prefer to use the in-app message system as it is more convenient for you. You can also contact the school using the in-app message facility.

 

What can you see in Arbor?

• You can view homework assignments that are set on Arbor and monitor the completion rate of your child’s homework.
• School trips and clubs will be organised through Arbor.
• You can view academic reports and pastoral details regarding your child.
• You can give consent for different areas, and update your contact details straight through the app.

 

Arbor is going to be our main method of communication so please sign in or contact the school if you need any help.

Visit this link to view help and support with logging into Arbor as a parent or carer.

Alternatively, scan this QR code to access the help links.

 

Arbor Student Portal and App

Arbor has recently developed an app for students to use. Students will be emailed with details on how to download and log in to the app. This is something they can have on their phone to use outside of school, as phones are not permitted in school (unless they are switched off and in bags). They will be able to access their timetable, homework assignments and more using the app. We will launch this with students in the new year, but in the meantime, visit this link for information regarding the new Arbor Student App.

 

Arbor Competition

As an incentive to get on board with the app, we will be sending out messages via email and in-app message. The messages will contain a link that will give you a chance to win a voucher.

 

Y10 Work Experience: Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July 2025​

A reminder that Year 10 students should be looking for a work experience placement. The deadline for finding a placement and handing in the form to Mrs Evans (was Miss Adams) is Friday 11 April 2025. New forms can be collected from main reception or can be downloaded from the WBCA website.

 

Uniform

As always, please take time over the Christmas holidays to ensure that any uniform issues are corrected.

Details of our uniform can be found on our website.

Academy Uniform and Equipment – West Bromwich Collegiate Academy

 

Key points to note:

• Blazers must be worn at all times
• Trainers are not allowed – shoes must be smart, leather type and polishable.
• Hoodies and tracksuit tops are not allowed.
• The only jewellery permitted is one stud per ear, one nose stud. Other jewellery must be removed.

Our policy is that if a child is without correct uniform, including footwear, for any reason, we will provide them with school items to borrow, and we will work with you to put it right.

 

Reminder – We are a Nut Free Academy

We have a number of children with severe nut allergies.

Please do not give your child any snacks or lunch items that contain nuts.

Finally

It has been a long and busy term with some real successes to look back on, and lots to look forward to in the new year. There is a calendar on the next page for your reference, and we look forward to continuing to provide as many opportunities as possible for our young people.

From everyone at West Bromwich Collegiate Academy, we wish you and your families best wishes over the holidays, and a very Merry Christmas if you are celebrating.

Kind regards

Mr Faux                                                                     Mrs M Henderson
Executive Principal                                         Associate Principal

Director of Secondary Education

 

 

2024/25 Spring Half Term 1 – Calendar

Back to School: Monday 6 January 2025 at 8:40am for all students

Activity	Date
Y11: GCSE Art – Release of Exam Papers	Mon 6th January 2025
Y11: Creative iMedia Examination	Wed 8th January 2025
Y9: Theatre Company Performance of “A Christmas Carol”	Wed 8th January 2025
Y7: Theatre Company Performance of “A Christmas Carol”	Thu 9th January 2025
Careers – Construction Employer Workshop	Wed 15th January 2025
Y10 and Y11 Drama Students – Frantic Assembly Festival	Thu 16th January 2025
Y10 History Trip to Imperial War Museum, Manchester	Fri 17th January 2025
Y7 7.4 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (1)	Tue 28th January 2025
Y7 7.1 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (2)	Wed 29th January 2025
Y7 L4L Focus Day to include Visit to Holy Trinity Church	Thu 30st January 2025
Y9 KS4 Options Subject Taster Day	Thu 30st January 2025
Y9 Options Evening (for students and parents)	Thu 30st January 2025
Y7 7.5 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (3)	Fri 31st January 2025
Y7 7.3 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (4)	Mon 3rd February 2025
TBC – Y8 UK Parliament Assembly	Tue 4th February 2025
Y7 7.2 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (5)	Wed 5th February 2025
Focus Day: Y8 Performance and Design Y9 L4L Y10 Option B Y11 Study Skills and Revision to include Mock Interviews	Wed 5th February 2025
Y7 7.6 L4L Visit to Smethwick Gurdwara (6)	Fri 7th February 2025
Y11 Residential Weekend to Frank Chapman	Fri 7th – Sun 9th Feb 2025
Y11 Photographs	Wed 12th February 2025
Y11 Parents Evening – book appointments on Arbor	Thu 13th February 2025

Events may be subject to change and more may be added as the term goes on.