On Monday 2nd March, Year 7 pupils attended a powerful and thought-provoking performance from Saltmine Theatre Company.

The production, Switch Up, explored the complex and interconnected issues of knife crime, gang violence, county lines and joint enterprise, encouraging pupils to reflect on the serious consequences of carrying a knife and becoming involved in criminal activity.

Through a gripping live performance, pupils were challenged to think about choices, peer pressure and identity, and how the decisions young people make can have lasting impacts on their lives and the lives of others.

Following the performance, pupils took part in a workshop discussion with the actors, allowing them to explore the themes further and ask questions in a supportive environment.

Switch Up provides an important opportunity to raise awareness, encourage reflection and support pupils in making safe and positive choices.

We would like to thank Saltmine Theatre Company for delivering such an impactful and engaging session for our Year 7 pupils.

We are delighted to announce an exciting new initiative here at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury From Monday 9th March , we will be introducing a brand-new breakfast offer for all pupils.

We know that a healthy breakfast is the best way to start the school day, helping children to concentrate, learn, and perform their best in lessons. To support this, we will be offering a range of nutritious breakfast items to ensure every child has the opportunity to start the day with a good meal.

What is on offer?

The new breakfast menu will include a selection of healthy options such as [e.g., cereal, toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, and milk/juice] . The menu is attached to this letter.

When is it available?

The breakfast service will be available from 8:00 AM in the Canteen.

To allow your child to access this, please ensure you have arrangements in place to get them to school a little earlier than usual. Pupils can be let into the school building from 8:00 AM to take part.

Important information for parents of pupils eligible for Free School Meals
If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, they can use their daily allowance of 80p to purchase one of the new breakfast items. This is a great way to make the most of this benefit and ensure your child is well-fuelled for the morning ahead.

We are really looking forward to launching this service and believe it will make a positive difference to the school day. Thank you in advance for your support in making this a success.

If you have any questions about the new breakfast offer, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Our new 1% Club attendance incentive has launched this week and the response from pupils has been fantastic.

The challenge encourages pupils to attend school for 12 consecutive days, which can boost their overall attendance by 1% — a small change that can make a big difference across the year.

Just four days into the challenge, 132 pupils are already taking part, collecting daily stamps on their 1% Club cards. An impressive 117 pupils have achieved 100% attendance since the launch, showing a fantastic commitment to being in school every day.

Across all pupils taking part, the average attendance so far is 95.1%, highlighting the positive impact the initiative is already having.

There has been a real buzz around school each lunchtime as cards are stamped and pupils work towards completing the first round of the challenge. We look forward to celebrating the first pupils who successfully join The 1% Club.

From Monday 9th March, we will launch a new Form Tutor Attendance Mentoring programme to further support whole-school attendance and pupil wellbeing.

Pupils will take part in short, regular check-ins with a form tutor, usually lasting around 5–10 minutes. Tutors will review attendance, help pupils set small, achievable goals, identify any barriers to attending school and celebrate improvements.

As part of the programme, form tutors will mentor pupils from different houses, helping to build positive relationships across the school community.

These simple but consistent interactions help to:

• Build trust
• Strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging
• Increase accountability
• Prevent patterns of persistent absence

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, we know that strong relationships are key to engagement and success. When pupils feel known, supported and valued, they are more likely to attend school and thrive.

On Wednesday 25th February, our Year 7 pupils attended a powerful theatre performance from Loudmouth called “A Step Too Far.”

The production brought to life the real impact that bullying can have on young people, particularly its effect on mental wellbeing. Through drama and guided discussion, pupils explored a range of important topics including cyberbullying, sextortion, sexist and homophobic bullying, and the importance of respect in relationships. The session also highlighted that boys can be victims of teenage relationship abuse, helping to challenge stereotypes and encourage open conversations.

The performance supports the National Crime Agency’s alert to schools regarding the rise in sextortion, helping pupils to understand the risks online and how to seek help if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Following the performance, pupils took part in a discussion workshop where they were able to reflect on the themes, ask questions and consider how they can support each other and promote respectful behaviour both in school and online.

As part of the experience, pupils are able to sign off “Attend a PSHE talk with an external speaker” on their Pupil Pledge, recognising their engagement with important real-world learning.

This event is a great example of the enriching opportunities available to our pupils — experiences that support their personal development, wellbeing and understanding of the world around them.

And, of course, it highlights an important message: you have to be in school to benefit from these opportunities.

On Monday 2nd March, we launched our first Year 7 & 9 Attendance Peer Mentoring session. The programme brings together Year 9 mentors and Year 7 mentees to build positive relationships and support strong attendance habits.

The first session focused on building rapport between mentors and mentees using the mentoring booklet as a guide. Pupils took part in icebreaker conversations to help mentors understand their mentee’s wellbeing, daily routines and experience of school. These discussions also explored any barriers to attendance in a supportive and non-judgemental way.

Pupils were also encouraged to begin thinking about personal goals and what they would like to gain from the mentoring sessions.

Moving forward, sessions will follow a simple structure:

• Recap on previous targets
• Discuss a focus for the session (for example returning to school after holidays or building routines)
• Set a small, realistic goal for the week ahead

The programme aims to strengthen pupils’ sense of belonging, build confidence and support every pupil to attend school regularly and succeed.

To continue celebrating and rewarding outstanding attendance, we’re launching a special Easter Attendance Incentive in the run-up to the holidays!

📅 Monday 16th – Friday 27th March
If pupils attend school every day and arrive on time during this period, they will:

✨ Receive an Easter treat on Friday 27th March
🎟️ Be entered into a raffle draw with the chance to win an Easter surprise (two winners from each year group!)
🎁 Plus — one lucky pupil/family will win our Grand Prize Easter Hamper!

Every day in school counts. Be here, be on time, and be in with a chance to win!

Let’s finish the term strong 💪

On Thursday 26th February, Dame Elizabeth Cadbury pupils attended Bloxwich Academy to take part in the annual Matrix Academy Trust Performing Arts Showcase, performing alongside pupils from the eight other Matrix schools.

Our pupils demonstrated the very best of DEC in both Music and Dance, and we are incredibly proud of the talent, confidence and professionalism they showed on stage.

Our Year 8 and Year 10 dancers — Imogen, Awa, Keira-May, Aila and Ashanti — performed a beautiful lyrical contemporary routine to Dandelions. 

Our DEC Band, School of Rock — Marcel, Lincoln, Will and Jacob — delivered fantastic performances of Holiday by Green Day and Iris, sung by Freya (Year 12).

It was a wonderful morning filled with exceptional talent from across the Matrix Academy Trust. Well done to all pupils involved for representing DEC so brilliantly!

On Friday 27th February, Year 10 pupils from our CNAT Sport and BTEC Performing Arts courses, alongside Sixth Form students studying BTEC Sport, attended the Careers in Sport Live Careers Fair at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

The event provided pupils with the opportunity to speak to exhibitors from a range of universities, further education providers and training organisations. This gave them a broader understanding of the different career pathways and job opportunities available within the sports sector.

It was a valuable experience that helped pupils explore their future options and consider the many routes into careers in sport.

On Wednesday 25th February, 40 of our students enjoyed an unforgettable visit to the Birmingham Hippodrome to see the electrifying stage production of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: The Musical.

The trip was organised as a special reading reward, celebrating students’ enthusiasm and commitment to reading. Having recently selected Percy Jackson as a ‘BookFlix’ pick - where students read the novel and explored its screen adaptation - the theatre visit was the perfect way to bring the story to life beyond the page.

From the moment the curtain rose, students were captivated. The high-energy musical numbers, dramatic special effects and witty script had everyone fully engaged. Many commented on how exciting it was to see familiar characters and scenes performed live on stage, and how the production added new depth and humour to a story they already loved.

Staff were particularly proud of the exemplary behaviour shown throughout the evening. Students represented the school brilliantly, demonstrating maturity, respect and enthusiasm from the coach journey to the final applause. Theatre staff even praised the group for their positive attitude and excellent conduct.

The trip was a wonderful celebration of reading, rewarding students for their hard work while reinforcing the joy of storytelling in all its forms. Following the success of this visit, plans are already underway for another reading theatre trip soon — something our students are already eagerly anticipating.

Well done to everyone who attended for making it such a memorable and successful evening!