Principal’s Message for Week B, wb 5th May 2025
Dear Families,
It has been a busy and exciting week here at MEA Central! With such a short half term, there’s truly not a moment to waste, and our scholars and staff have been making every second count (even in the warmer climate we have been experiencing!).
Highlights from This Week:
GCSE Exam Season Has Begun
Our Year 11 scholars are now fully immersed in their GCSE examinations. This week included several key assessments:
Eid ul-Adha and GCSE Examinations
We would like to make you aware that Eid ul-Adha is expected to fall on Thursday, 6th June, which coincides with two important GCSE examinations: English Language and Geography. We fully recognise the cultural and religious importance of Eid ul-Adha and the value of family celebrations. However, in accordance with national examination regulations, these exams cannot be rescheduled and must be taken on the scheduled date.
Your child must attend school and sit these exams. Missing these examinations will mean that they fail the qualification and this will impact their future opportunities.
House Oracy
This half term, students across all year groups are invited to take part in our House Oracy Competition: Say It Louder – Voices Against Intolerance.
As part of this powerful initiative, pupils will write and perform a two-minute persuasive speech on the theme of tolerance and inclusion, responding to one of three thought-provoking questions:
• Why is tolerance important in a diverse community?
• How can young people speak out against discrimination?
• What does it mean to create a school where everyone feels like they belong?
With support from form time and lunchtime workshops, as well as any help they can get from home, students will have the opportunity to develop their writing and public speaking skills while exploring the values that shape a kind and inclusive school culture.
Finalists from each House will perform at our Grand Final on Wednesday 21st May, and we can’t wait to hear the voices of our young people as they speak up for change.
Parents of finalists will be invited to attend this event. More information will be available over the coming weeks
|
Parent Coffee Mornings
We are delighted to announce a schedule of Parent Coffee Mornings which will take place during the summer term. There will be a theme for each coffee morning and space at either side to catch up with and chat to our school leaders! They start at 9.30am and conclude by 10.30am on the dates below:
|
|
|
Safeguarding Message
We have been made aware of repeated concerning behaviour involving an older male approaching younger girls in the Park Avenue / Windsor Road area of Levenshulme.
In response, the police have increased their patrols in the area. We are urging all students to follow good safety practices and to remain vigilant.
Please take time to speak with your children about personal safety and agree on a safety plan in case they ever feel uncomfortable or are approached by someone.
As a reminder, the school remains open until 5:00pm each evening. Students are always welcome to return to school if they feel unsafe—we will ensure that contact is made with home. When travelling, it is often safer to walk in pairs or groups and to use well-lit, busy routes whenever possible. |
Support for young people and parents
Following on from the information about social media and screen time last week, please find a useful poster around group chats.
A lot of issues can occur on group chats, which then can cause disruption within school. We always advise parents to regularly check their child’s mobile phone.
|
Head of Year Messages |
|
Year 7 – Ms. C Gates Year 7 have continued to have a great start to the summer term, and it’s been brilliant to see such a positive attitude across the year group. We’ve had a big push on uniform, and our scholars are looking incredibly smart—thank you for your continued support in upholding our high standards. As this is a short half term, we’re encouraging all students to really focus and show the value of achievement, especially as the second set of Big Tests will begin after the May half term.
A reminder again about the importance of monitoring social media usage. Most platforms have a minimum age of 13, and it’s crucial that students are using technology safely and responsibly. Please continue to have conversations at home about making good choices online and speak to us if you need any support. |
|
Year 8 – Ms. S Bryan
As we come to the end of Big Test Week, I want to take a moment to congratulate all our Year 8 pupils on their outstanding effort, focus, and resilience. Their scholarly habits throughout the week have been truly impressive, and we couldn’t be prouder of the mature and responsible attitude they have shown towards their learning. The Year 8 team have seen pupils revise with purpose, support one another, and take pride in demonstrating all they’ve learned. Well done to each and every one of them!
This term focus is Participation, and we are encouraging all pupils to get involved in a variety of opportunities on offer. One exciting way they can participate is through our House Competition, which is designed to support pupils in becoming more confident speakers and active members of the school community. Whether taking part directly or supporting their peers, we hope every student will find a way to engage and enjoy the experience.
We have also carried out a uniform reset this term to ensure our high standards are maintained throughout the summer. A polite reminder that jewellery, makeup, false eyelashes, and false nails are not permitted in school. Any missing items of uniform will be provided by the school, but please be aware this will come at a charge until the item is returned.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support in helping us maintain excellent uniform standards and a strong sense of pride across Year 8. We are looking forward to a positive and productive term ahead.
|
|
Year 9 – Mr C Blackburn Year 9 have had a fantastic reflexion week. During forms this week students have been self-reflecting and setting targets to improve their current grade. It has been fantastic to have so many positive conversations with students thrilled with their scores. Please look at the reports that students have taken home.
Please see below the students of the week for last week. A massive well done.
Students will be working in forms again to achieve a form lunch. The form with the best classroom behaviour will be the winners this half term. Currently in the lead is 9Naidu. Fantastic.
Thanks,
Mr Blackburn |
|
Year 10 – Mr J Roper This week has been a really busy week with Y10 continuing to maintain their high standards of living the school values within the school day. We have had a group of girls represent the school at a 'Girls in STEM' event at the University of Manchester and they all represented themselves and the school outstandingly well. Also, this week some pupils from the year group have been involved in the practical GCSE PE exam for Y11, their role in this was to take part in sporting activities so that the older pupils could be assessed - Well Done to all those who took part.
As we continue to look ahead to next year, my first assembly of the summer term was based around 'Being Y11 Ready' and over the next term we will continue to re-visit this theme with small intervention groups running to help pupils prepare and be ready to meet the demands of next year. To coincide with this work, we will also be running a Y10 competition which will celebrate the fantastic effort and achievement of the year group - this will be launched with the pupils next week and I will share all the details then with parents/carers.
Finally, as the weather changes (and finally it looks like Summer is here) please ensure that your child still attends school with their blazer (unless otherwise communicated) and has access to a drink throughout the day.
Many thanks,
Mr Rope & Ms Renshaw |
|
Year 11 – Mr J Rooza
A huge well done to all the students who completed their Spanish and French speaking exams this week. Your focus, effort and commitment to preparing thoroughly has not gone unnoticed. These assessments play an important role in developing confidence, and you should all be proud of how you approached them. With the main exam period just around the corner, now is the time to make every revision session count. Using tools like GCSEPod, Sparx Maths and the knowledge organisers will help reinforce key knowledge and build the skills needed for success. Planning a realistic revision schedule and sticking to it can make a real difference to outcomes. The first exam takes place next Thursday, and final timetables will be shared with students next week. Attendance and punctuality at every exam are absolutely vital, and we appreciate your support in ensuring students are fully prepared and present. I am incredibly proud of the maturity and determination shown so far. Keep going, you are capable of great things. Mr Rooza & Mrs Costello
|