It has been an outstanding start to the new academic year. Pupils have settled back into their routines quickly and their work ethic has been superb; they really have started as they mean to go on.

Year 7 have made a tremendous start too. Whilst they are still learning their way around our school site, staff have been so complimentary about their manners, diligence and aspiration to succeed. I have also been overwhelmed by the parental emails received providing feedback on new year 7’s, many of whom have returned home beaming about their experiences at school in the first week. Thank you all who have taken the time to email in with this great feedback. For ongoing updates of everything going on at DEC, please check our website regularly and follow us on social media: twitter @followdectc.

Well done to all pupils for such a strong start to the new school year and to all parents/ carers for supporting your children to be so ready to start back.

Parking Fines and Penalty Points

As parents you will also be settling into your new, or continued school run by car doing the daily pick up and drop off. Sadly, due to several instance of both illegal and dangerous parking at the end of the school day, I have had no choice but to involve West Midlands Police who will be running several ticketing visits over the coming weeks. Senior staff will also be at the front of school to take photographic evidence of illegal/ dangerous parking – all of which will be forwarded to West Midlands Police. Support from other parents is greatly appreciated and requested. If you see illegal or dangerous parking please forward any evidence from photographs or dash-cams directly to me via enquiry@decschool.co.uk. The children’s safety is our primary concern and anything which puts them at risk simply can’t and won’t be allowed.

As always we encourage the use of public transport, bicycles and walking to school. Small groups of local friends are a great way of setting up a coordinated ‘walk to school’ plan so youngsters are not walking to school alone.

We are all beaming with pride as Year 11 have collected their GCSE results. “Hard work beats talent” has become a reality for Year 11 who have surpassed all DEC records and achieved the best ever results in the school’s history, as well as national averages in so many areas. There have been countless tears of joy, disbelief and a raft of exceptionally proud families. We have also been touched by the number of thoughtful gifts brought in by parents and students to thank specific staff for their unrelenting effort, their exceptional teaching and their belief in children’s potential, such is The DEC Way!

We are delighted to share that Year 11 have achieved an outstanding rate of progress and have achieved exceptional results across their subjects. Many subjects have supported over 80% of children to achieve grades 9-4 across the board and we now look forward to welcoming a new, larger Year 12 cohort in September who begin their A-Level and BTEC journey in our 6^th form. I would like to thank every parent and member of staff for their unwavering support of every pupil, and I would also like to thank and congratulate every pupil… you have Respected, Aspired, Believed and Committed consistently throughout Year 11; you are now enjoying the fruits of your labour and the life chances these results will give you. We are all so, so proud.

Well done to everyone!

Students are expected to collect their exam results on the following days:

A-Level/Level 3 Examination Results

Thursday 15^th August 2019, 9.00am – 10.00am

GCSE Examination Results

Thursday 22^nd August 2019, 9.00am – 12.00pm

Last term saw the beginning of our new Parental Workshops. So far the workshops have focused upon anxiety and stress management. The idea of these workshops is to support parents and carers in developing the skills they need to support their young person.

Feedback has been positive, and we plan on continuing the workshops this term, and into the next academic year. Other forthcoming workshops will look at a variety of topics such as internet safety and positive money management, as well as a host of other interesting topics. Please keep an eye out for dates and invites, we would love to see lots of parents coming along.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Miss Morris (School Social Worker) through the usual communication routes.

As we begin the Summer term it is always good to reflect on the success of the student leadership team both as a cohort of students and some key individuals who have being successful in different areas across school so far this academic year during the Spring term.

New Prefect Cohort

As we move into the Summer term it is the time of year when prospective Year 9 & 10 students undergo the rigorous and robust prefect application process, so that they have the Summer term to be introduced to the role and develop the skills needed to be an outstanding prefect prior to going into Year 10 & 11.

The quality of the applications received this year were absolutely phenomenal and congratulations to the successful candidates.

Outstanding Prefects

On reflection from the Spring term the a group of prefects have been selected to attend a reward meal during the Summer term for their outstanding contribution to the Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School community ensuring that school remains a safe space for all students and that high standards and expectations around school are maintained.

Prefect Standards/Expectations

A reminder for all students who are interested in becoming a prefect in the future below is the expected criteria to maintained and met once becoming a prefect:

1. 97% attendance or above.
2. Less than 5 negatives in a term.
3. Less than 3 lates in a term.
4. Less than 2 missed duties.
5. Outstanding behaviour in lessons and unstructured time.

You can now access your Wisepay account from any mobile device for quicker and easier payments. Users can now checkout faster with our flexible payment options. Payment cards can be stored securely for repeat purchases, providing you with a One Click seamless transaction on the go.

When prompted, our unique code is 44365117

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School has a group of Anti-bullying Ambassadors.  This group are all trained students and they form a pivotal role in the anti-bullying work undertaken by the school.  They visit forms and speak to students, they hold regular meetings and have formed an excellent anti-bullying plan.  The school takes bullying seriously, and has a range of strategies to ensure the safety, happiness and well being of their students. 

Parents are consulted and the staff are trained to deal with friendship and bullying issues.  This school deserves this acknowledgement once again for their hard work, and have now achieved the BIG Award for their second year.  Well done to Ms Faulkner, all students and staff.

Val McFarlane, Director

Bullying Intervention Group.