3rd March 2023

Weekly letter 27.02.2023

WC: 27/02/23

Dear Parents/Carers,

At NUSA this week:

World Book Day was the highlight of our week this week. We were so proud of the way in which students participated in all of the events we put on across school. At NUSA, we adore reading! The ability to read fluently really changes lives and we are resolute in our determination that all students will leave us with the ability to read confidently and enjoy it!

This week our new Prefects and Head students in Y10 started their duties. They have been absolutely incredible so far and have shown strong leadership and organizational skills. They should all be really proud of themselves.

We have started to look at our policies for next academic year and have formed a group of students and staff who will meet in the next couple of weeks to discuss our current policy on jewellery. We are also proposing introducing a school skirt from September 2023. I will share further plans on this in the coming weeks with students and parents/carers.

Thank you for all of your support this week with the strike action. The next proposed strike days are Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March. I will be in touch regarding how this will impact NUSA next week.

Coming up at NUSA:

 ‘Is this good enough?’ Drama performance – Friday 10th March

SEND drop ins – Please contact reception for dates and times if you wish to discuss your child’s SEND needs

Pathways Evening for Year 9 – Wednesday 22nd March

Year 11’s last day is on Thursday 22nd June

Year 11 Prom is on Friday 30th June

Safeguarding corner:

The information below was sent to us by Nottingham City Council following two incidents in the County this week.

‘Please be aware of some concerning incidents which have occurred on Wednesday and Thursday last week in local county schools.

Four pupils from two different secondary schools have been hospitalised, following collapsing in school after vaping. The police are conducting forensic analysis of the vapes to see what they contain and we will be working with them and public health to understand more and support schools in due course.

We are aware of vapes containing refillable liquid, mixed with alternative substances being termed locally as ‘crack sticks’.

We work closely with our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Trading Standards to address any shops, retail outlet or residential premises selling vapes to young people. Please report any anecdotal evidence to trading.standards@nottscc.gov.uk

VAPES ARE AN EFFECTIVE QUIT AID FOR SMOKERS, AS THEY ARE LESS HARMFUL THAN TAR IN TOBACCO BUT VAPES ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR LONG TERM HEALTH IMPACTS ARE NOT YET KNOWN.

IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANY SALES OF E-CIGARETTES/VAPES TO ANYONE UNDER 18.

Please also be aware of help and support from:

For young people who want to get advice or support around their use of drugs or alcohol and for professionals to access specialist advice and support around these issues please contact the specialist substance misuse service as follows:

Nottinghamshire | Change Grow Live 0115 8960798 nottsyp.admin@cgl.org.uk

Have a lovely weekend,

Emma Howard