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Newsletter - December 2023
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Isle Education Trust
CEO's message
As we rapidly head to the end of term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents, staff and students for their support this year. As a Trust we are working hard to make sure that all of our children, as well as engaging in excellent lessons and making great progress, also have opportunities to develop in the fullest sense. The festive season affords many such opportunities, from carol concerts, to hosting community parties for senior residents, and trips to the pantomime. I hope that your child has enjoyed making these special memories with us and will remember them for a long time to come. How ever you spend your time over this holiday period, I hope it includes making memories, carrying on existing traditions, and even starting new ones. We sometimes forget that memories will last longer than any gift we can give.
Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year
Sarah Sprack
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Principal's Update
South Axholme Academy
As we approach the holiday season, I want to express my gratitude for another incredible term at South Axholme Academy.
It has been amazing to see the exciting lessons and experiences our students are receiving within and beyond the curriculum. Once again, our termly newsletter provides a glimpse into some of the activities this term. I would like to thank all the staff at the academy for going above and beyond with their time and efforts in creating such great events and opportunities.
As we reflect on the Christmas season and our own unique family approaches and circumstances, I would ask that we all take a moment to think of members of our own community for whom Christmas will be very different this year. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community in giving to other students and families and would like to thank you for making a difference.
Wishing you all a festive Christmas and a New Year filled with promise of new beginnings and new opportunities in 2024.
Scott Barlow
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Expressive and Performing Arts Update - Mrs Brook, Subject Leader - EPA
I would like to update you on all the exciting events that have been happening in our Performing Arts department this term.
Firstly, our Drama Club showcased their Halloween inspired performances. The evening was filled with spooky ghosts, haunted houses, and even a shrinking potion! It was a weird and wonderful experience for everyone involved, and I'm proud to say that the ticket sales contributed to our production fund for future showcases and our annual school performance at the Halloween performance.
In terms of the curriculum, our Year 7 Drama classes have been exploring dramatic conventions through the captivating story of Theseus and the Minotaur, as well as writing advertisement scripts.
Year 8 students began their year by mastering conventions using a script, and they recently wrote, rehearsed, and performed their own pantomimes.
Year 9 students had the pleasure of studying the script 'Teechers' by local playwright John Godber.
Years 10 and 11 students had their 12-hour examination for components 1 & 2, with Year 10 documenting their learning of Grease the Musical and Year 11 performing their chosen pieces. Our students showcased their exceptional skills, with actors impressing us with their work on John Godber's Bouncers, and dancers presenting three different professional repertoire pieces: All That Jazz by Bob Fosse, Karis Charge by Andrew Wingheart, and Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson.
Furthermore, rehearsals for our annual whole-school production, Disney's High School Musical (Junior Edition), are well underway. The dedicated cast of forty-two students are working hard to bring this fantastic show to life. We have a talented group of performers, including Tom Harris as Troy Bolton, Raidan Gaskill as Zeke Baylor, Emily Green as Gabriella Montez, Poppy Brook as Taylor McKessie, Macie-Lou Davies as Sharpay Evans, and Archie Triandifillidis as Ryan Evans. Rehearsals take place every Monday after school, and we expect this show to be an unforgettable experience. Tickets will go on sale just before the February half-term.
To finish the term on a festive note, the Drama Club performed their own Christmas themed pieces at the EPA Christmas Showcase. We were thrilled to see so many family members in the audience supporting our talented students as they showcased their skills on stage. Special commendation goes to Kayden Anderton-Booth and Lilly-Beth Metson for their outstanding performance of a pantomime. It was truly delightful!
Once again, I want to extend my gratitude to all the students for their hard work and dedication this term. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in 2024.
(Pictures: - Halloween showcase, school productions, Christmas showcase)
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Dance Update - Mrs Needham, Dance Teacher
Year 7 students had the fabulous opportunity to visit CAST Theatre in Doncaster to watch the annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. It was a first-time theatre experience for many of them, and I'm glad that we could provide such a memorable outing.
Additionally, we have two more theatre trips planned for the New Year to Sheffield Lyceum Theatre where we will be seeing The Wizard of Oz and Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
I have seen many new faces attending our dance, cheer, and choreography club. These students have been working tirelessly to prepare for our upcoming dance showcase on Wednesday 7 February 2024. It is hoped to be a great event that showcases our students' talent and passion for dance.
I would like to extend a big thank you to Lizzie Graham, Hannah Snell, Mary Skelton, Evie Fairbank, and Grace Walker who have been assisting the PE department in delivering dance sessions at our local primary schools as part of their 'Wake and Shake' programme. Their dedication and enthusiasm have made a positive impact on young dancers in our community.
In our regular lessons, Year 7 students have been exploring dance styles from around the world, including the popular "Waka Waka" routine. Year 8 students have been getting creative with prop dance and have been choreographing their own routines inspired by the group 'Diversity'. Year 9 students have been studying the works of choreographer Rosie Kay and have been creating their own captivating 'Army' themed routines. Lastly, I want to give a shout-out to our incredible Year 11 dancers who recently completed their 'component 2' exam. Well done to all of them for their hard work and dedication.
I hope you are as proud as I am of the achievements and progress made by our students in the dance department. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated dancers amongst us.
(Pictures: - Students at the CAST Theatre production and the Wake and Shake Leaders and students enjoying their extra-curricular dance lessons)
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Music Update - Mrs Sheppard, Music Teacher
Thank you to the parents/carers and friends of the academy who attended our fantastic Christmas concert on Wednesday 6 December 2023. Our talented students from the music department showcased their skills and brought the spirit of the season to life through their outstanding performances.
The evening was filled with various musical acts, including impressive solo performances and captivating ensemble pieces. Students displayed their talents on various instruments, including the tuba and guitar. I am thrilled to announce that three of our exceptional students, James Thompson (tuba), Jake Brough and Archie Triandafillidis (both on guitars), were awarded trophies for their musical excellence. Their achievements are testament to their talent and passion for music.
We are incredibly proud of all our musicians and the progress they have made throughout the year. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we are grateful for their commitment to the arts.
If you were not able to attend the concert, I encourage you to look out for further communications about future performances. I assure you that it will be a treat for the eyes and ears!
Thank you for your continued support of our music department. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful community that values and appreciates the arts.
(Pictures: - A selection of pictures from the Christmas Music Concert)
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Christmas Party
On the afternoon of Thursday 14 December 2023 the Year 10 Hospitality and Catering and GCSE Food students put their best efforts into preparing a Christmas feast for the guests who were attending the Senior Citizens Party. The students worked diligently to create a memorable experience, showcasing their culinary skills and spreading festive cheer.
To set the festive mood, our talented choir performed carols, adding to the ambience. The afternoon tea, served by the Year 10 students, was a perfect combination of delicious treats and warm conversation. Christmas cheer filled the room as our guests indulged in the delectable offerings.
In true Christmas spirit, we organised some enjoyable activities for everyone. The obligatory games of bingo brought smiles and friendly competition, followed by an exciting raffle that left everyone delighted.
We are very grateful to our students for their commitment to making this Christmas party a success.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to parents/carers/staff who donated raffle prizes for our wider community.
(Pictures:- Christmas party and Year 10 students preparing food)
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Warhammer and Dungeons and Dragons - Mr Woodland, History Teacher
Students who have been attending the Warhammer and Dungeons and Dragons club this term have shown great dedication and enthusiasm in learning how to paint their first Warhammer models and create their very own D&D characters. It has been a pleasure to watch their progress!
The club meets every Thursday from 12:50 to 13:30 in LV10. If your child is interested in joining the club or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We would be more than happy to provide more information about the club.
Thank you for supporting your child's interests and encouraging their participation in extracurricular activities. By engaging in these hobbies, students not only develop valuable skills but also foster a sense of camaraderie with their peers.
Pictures: - (Students participating in making their characters)
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IET Catering at South Axholme Academy
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Our catering team at South Axholme have provided students at the academy with an array of amazing and varied lunches this term. The menus provided have been nutritious and wholesome, and sometimes based on a theme depending on the time of year, which has been good fun.
In addition to the great food that we offer, our Catering Manager and Head of Food Operations have started a cooking food group on Thursdays, where students cook for pleasure - it is slightly competitive though, as each week someone is awarded 'Star Baker'.
(Pictures below of examples of the fantastic food our students have been making including two of our star bakers).
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Senior Student Leadership Team
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What have our Senior Student Leadership Team been doing?
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Year 11 Prom - Venue Confirmed
The Senior Student Leadership Team agreed that the Garden Hilton Hotel in Doncaster would be the venue for the 2024 Year 11 Prom again next year.
The Prom will take place on Friday 21 June 2024. The 2023 Year 11 leavers enjoyed their prom at this venue and everyone agreed that it was the best choice.
Students are now working towards gaining 30 prom points each to receive an invite.
Prom Points Information
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Academy Update - Teaching and Learning
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Home Learning - Satchel One
At South Axholme Academy, home learning is an essential part of school life as it supports the curriculum, subject interests and develops core skills such as organisation and independent learning.
Research from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that ‘the impact of homework on learning is consistently positive leading to on average five months’ additional progress.’
To help support students, all home learning at South Axholme is set on a platform called Satchel One. We have been using this platform for a year, and it is proving to be very successful, allowing parents/carers to keep track of their child's homework. As we embrace an increasingly digital approach to work, this provides an up-to-date way of working for all of our community.
Please encourage your child to download the Satchel One app onto their devices. Students can also access Satchel One via any computer if they are unable to download the app.
If you have not yet got your parent information to enable you to access Satchel One to support your child at home, please contact the academy.
We thank parents and students for their cooperation with this.
Mrs Bullars - Vice Principal
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For a reminder about how parents and students can log into satchel one, please see the link to the website here.
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If your child is on the SEND register you will now have received their updated APDR Plan (support plan) for this academic year. There will be an opportunity to review this plan at your child's parents' evening. If you would like an additional review meeting, please contact our admin team who will be able to arrange this for you.
If you believe your child should be on the SEND register please also contact the admin team and we can arrange for the SEND team to contact you to discuss this further. You can do this using our dedicated email address send@southaxholme-iet.co.uk
We wish you all a fabulous Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Kind Regards
Mrs Marsh - Assistant Principal and SENDCo
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Celebrating Success - Year 11 Leavers Presentation Evening 2023
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On Wednesday 16 November 2023 we welcomed students back to the academy for our Year 11 Presentation Evening.
Awards evening is a key event in the South Axholme calendar. It allows staff and students to pause and reflect upon their successes from their five years at the academy.
It is more than an evening celebrating academic success, reflecting as it does the contributions made to life at the academy both inside and outside the classroom, showcasing our young people at their very best.
South Axholme has much to be proud of and we are privileged to work with such generous, talented and committed students.
Success is much more than a good set of examination results. Success at South Axholme is ensuring that all learners, regardless of background or ability progress on to appropriate next steps in order that ultimately they can contribute fully to society as well-rounded, successful and happy individuals.
Whatever aspirations you have and wherever you are studying now, we sincerely hope that the experiences and support you received at South Axholme have enabled you to be the person you want to be in the setting you wanted to be.
We wish each one of you continued success and good luck in all of your future endeavours.
(Photos: Trophy / awards winners)
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Termly Celebration Assemblies
December 2023
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At the end of every term we celebrate students' successes in our Celebration Assemblies. Students receive awards for: -
- 100% Attendance
- Top 10 Achievement Points
- Top 10 Attitude to Learning
- Zero Behaviour Points
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Also celebrated is the Form Group who have won the 'most achieved trophy'. Well done to all of those students who received a certificate.
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Online Library
We have relaunched the SAX online library. This is something that all students can access for FREE.
Students just need to download the app or go onto a computer and use their school login and password details.
For further details please use this link to the On Line Library Presentation
Happy reading!
Mrs Bullars - Vice Principal
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Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)
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We were delighted when Mr Brooks agreed to lead and take responsibility for the DofE Award Scheme at the academy this term, following the departure of Mr Dwyer.
Students have been continuing to learn about the skills they need to fulfil their DofE Bronze Award, by practising putting up tents.
Pictures: - (Students practising the art of putting up tents for their DofE, Bronze Award)
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Individual Student Achievements
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Sofia-Rose Beltran - 8N
We are always interested to hear from parents/carers about individual student achievements outside of the academy, especially when it takes up such alot of, time and students have to juggle their interests with their school work.
In this edition we wanted to share news with you regarding Sofia-Rose Beltran, who was selected to dance in the Nutcracker with Northern Ballet at Leeds Grand Theatre. What an incredible achievement for her!
Her hard work and dedication have paid off, and this is a fantastic opportunity for her to showcase her skill and passion for dance, and we wish her success throughout her journey.
(Pictures:- Nutcracker and Sofia-Rose)
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Lifestyle Youth Project
Lifestyle is a Humberside Police youth engagement project, where young people aged 10-18 spend their summer holidays completing a project to benefit their community.
Since 1989, tens of thousands of young people have registered and taken on challenges that have made a huge difference to communities across the Humberside Police area.
Students have completed some innovative and creative projects such as; lifestyle teams to renovate public spaces, raise awareness of medical campaigns, decorate children’s hospital wards, donate care packages to those in need and many other imaginative ventures.
On 28 November 2023, at the Humberside Police Lifestyle Project's award ceremony in Hull, four of our Year 7 students won one of the biggest prizes! They have been awarded a 5-day PGL holiday in Wales!
These students are Imogen Sheehan, Poppy Snell, Jacob Key, and Norah Davis. They are incredible individuals and a shining example of we can all help others.
These amazing individuals initiated and worked tirelessly on a community garden in Belton. Their green thumbs have brought forth a bountiful harvest of fruit and vegetables for the local community to enjoy. The positive feedback they have received from the locals has been overwhelming. Moreover, they spent valuable time at the Epworth food bank, learning about its importance and making meaningful contributions to support local families in need.
Once again, congratulations to Imogen, Poppy, Jacob, and Norah on their outstanding achievement!
(Pictures: - Students taking part in the lifestyle project)
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Miller Broom - 9N
Recently, Miller participated in the British Sports Sambo Championship held at the Olympic Wrestling Academy in Manchester. Despite only having a year of experience in Sambo and competing against opponents who were bigger and heavier, Miller displayed incredible determination and skill. We are delighted to announce that he came away with a silver medal!
Miller's dedication and hard work over the past year have truly paid off. He has consistently shown a passion for his art and remains committed to his training and studies.
Once again, congratulations to Miller on this fantastic achievement.
We look forward to sharing more updates and accomplishments from our students in the future.
Pictures: - (Miller taking part in the Sambo Championship)
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Hospitality Students Competition Success
On 5 December 2023, two of our Hospitality students participated in the Northern Regional heat of the Hospitality competition.
Edward Noonan, Year 10 and Elodie Maloigne, Year 11 showcased their outstanding skills and professionalism at the competition held at Sheffield College. Both students worked incredibly hard and impressed all three judges with their attitude, mindset, and culinary talent.
I am thrilled to announce that Edward Noonan was awarded first place in the competition! His extraordinary culinary skills and dedication have earned him a spot in the upcoming national final in London, which will take place in February. This is an incredible achievement, and we couldn't be more proud of Edward's success.
Both students have achieved their results through the hard work and the support received from our dedicated staff.
Once again, congratulations to both Edward and Elodie for their outstanding performance in the competition. We wish Edward the best of luck as he prepares for the national final in London. We know he will represent the academy and himself admirably.
Mr Bellamy - Subject Leader, Food Technology
Pictures: - Edward and Elodie at the Regional Finals and their end results)
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Tiarney Brownsell - 10E
Tiarney recently participated in the Yorkshire Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Zinc Individual Competition in Sheffield.
Tiarney displayed incredible talent and determination during the competition. Out of 28 gymnasts from across Yorkshire, she achieved remarkable results. She secured the gold medal on the beam, and she also placed third on the bars. These outstanding performances contributed to her overall success, earning her another bronze medal. What a fantastic achievement!
Tiarney's dedication and hard work have paid off, with only 0.36 points separating her from first place.
Once again, congratulations to Tiarney on this remarkable accomplishment. We look forward to witnessing her future achievements in gymnastics.
Picture: - (Tiarney Brownsell with her awards at the competition)
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Sports Award Evening
On Thursday 5 October 2023, we held our first ever Sports Presentation Evening. The evening was organised by the PE Department and made possible with the support of local businesses who generously sponsored various awards. It was a fantastic opportunity to formally recognise and celebrate the sporting achievements of our students from the previous academic year.
Guest Speaker, ex-student and professional footballer, Kyle Wootton was also invited to the event.
One of the aims of this event was to raise funds for extra-curricular transport and equipment costs, which have significantly increased over the past few years. To achieve this, we held a raffle with some amazing prizes.
The IET Catering Team provided the food for the evening, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of our students and the academy. Your contribution has been invaluable in helping us provide them with opportunities to excel in their chosen sports and activities.
Thank you once again for being a part of this special event. We look forward to your continued support in the future.
Pictures: - (A selection of prizes, winners and football and netball teams)
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Sports Teams at South Axholme Academy
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Our sports teams are very active at the academy and our PE staff continue to attend many sports and team games after school throughout the year competing against other schools.
Follow us on facebook and Instagram for the most up to date results.
Mr Spouncer, Subject Leader - PE
(Photos: SAX Sports Teams)
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SAX Mindset days play a key part in the personal development of Ready, Resilient and Responsible students. Throughout the academic year the days include spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development, understanding of fundamental British values, age-appropriate sex and relationship education alongside coverage of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education.
A very successful SAX Mindset Day was held on 12 December 2023, with the following themes
Year 7 - Building a Confident and Safe Me
Year 8 - Careers
Year 9 - Democracy and the Law
Year 10 - Realities of Becoming an Adult
Year 11 - Wellbeing and Mindfulness Day
Picture: - (Year 8 students taking part in the careers event, speed interviewing)
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Supporting Others
Thank you to all students who donated to our recent charity events.
Sponsored Walk
We would like to thank everyone who raised money for the Sponsored Walk that took place in September, where we raised over £5,000. A percentage of this money raised has been donated to MND. Students showed resilience and determination as they completed the 10km walk. We were grateful for the good walking conditions throughout the day.
Poppy Appeal
Our poppy appeal was also important once again - as we marked Remembrance Day. As this day took place over a weekend we reflected on this day as we played the Last Post over the tannoy and took a two-minutes silence.
Children in Need
Our Catering Team kindly made some cup cakes and biscuits for students to purchase, raising money for CIN.
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South Axholme Academy Trips and Visits
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Trips and Visits
We have seen a wide array of trips and visits this term, ranging from theatre trips to the ever popular football stadium visits. It is great to see the enthusiasm and excitement of our students on these trips, that play an important part of their learning and development.
In 2024 we have further theatre trips planned and various overseas visits.
Pictures: (Manchester United Stadium Workshop and Manchester City Game Trip, and Netball Trip, England vs South Africa)
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Student Lockers - A reminder that students can keep their personal items safe
We still have student lockers available to rent. Please follow the link to our website for further information about how to request one here.
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And in other news, we have been thinking about ..
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We are looking forward to welcoming staff and students back for the Spring Term on Monday 8 January 2024
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GCSE and A Level Certificates
Year 11 and Year 13 Leavers have been contacted and are now able to collect their GCSE or A Level certificates from the academy up to 22 December, between 8.00am and 5.00pm (2.00pm on Friday 22 December) and from Monday 8 January 2024.
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If you have any football boots that don't fit - bring them to us, and we will ensure that they are loved again on the right sized feet!
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Get organised and sort out your academy uniform! See our website (here) for full details.
Don’t forget if you have any old uniform / text books that you would like to donate, please bring them into the academy and leave at student reception. This will go a long way to support members of our community.
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Stay in Touch via facebook or instagram and remember that you can view our website for the following information:
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Uniform details
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Calendar dates
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Trips and visits
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Policies
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Curriculum
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Letters from the Principal
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Latest news
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Menu choices
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Contact Information and Permissions
During inclement weather or an emergency, should we have to make a decision to close the academy, we will email parents. Information will also be posted on our website (where possible). Please visit our Policies and Documents section for further details here. Also, ensure that you have ticked the 'consent' section in Arbor that you agree to your child's emergency plan should we need to send your child home.
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Arbor
We now have 80% of our parents/carers registered with the Arbor App.
Don't miss out!
If you have not activated your account, please contact the academy and we will send you the information that you will need to register.
This is an excellent way to view your child's dashboard which includes attendance data and achievements.
In addition, you can update your personal information without needing to contact the academy. Please see the link below to access your account.
https://login.arbor.sc/
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South Axholme Academy
Burnham Road
Epworth
Doncaster
DN9 1BY
admin@southaxholme-iet.co.uk
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