Good News from Duke’s – 19th January 2024

19th January 2024Mr J Rennalls

DJ Academy London – Start of a new partnership

On Tuesday 23rd January Duke’s began a new partnership with DJ Academy London. The local DJ Academy will be working with Duke’s students for 14 weeks in an after school programme focusing on DJ skills, lyric writing, composition and performance.

The local group have worked with some of our students before and currently have a recording studio on White Hart Lane. They came to Duke’s to launch the project and bought their DJ Car – a fully equipped car that meant students had a taste of some of the skills they will develop as part of the partnership.

Over 40 students have signed up to be a part of the DJ Academy programme and they’ll be mounting a showcase of student work in the summer term. It is great to have them with us!

 

TFL Workshops

On Friday 26th January our year 9 students took part in workshops with Transport for London and on behalf of the British Transport Police.

The workshops covered subjects of safety on the London travel network as well as harassment and consent – a big part of our staying safe curriculum and the wider student Personal Development Journey.

We’re very grateful to TFL and the British Transport Police for being able to deliver these fascinating and informative workshops.

 

URGENT – CONFIRMATION OF STRIKE ACTION – 16.01.2024

15th January 2024Mr J Rennalls

Dear Parents / Carers,

URGENT – CONFIRMATION OF STRIKE ACTION

I am writing to confirm that the planned strike at Duke’s Aldridge Academy will be going
ahead tomorrow Tuesday 16 January 2024.

We continue to try and reach a resolution, but given the strike action is now confirmed, we
ask you to implement your alternative arrangements to ensure the safety of your children
that are in year 7,8 or 9, as the school will not be open for them.

Year 10 and Year 11 students must attend school as normal.

We will of course ensure those students not in school tomorrow catch up on the planned
work they will miss, and will welcome Years 7, 8, and 9 back to school on Wednesday 17
January as normal.

Please contact me if you have any concerns regarding childcare.

Yours sincerely

 

Monica Duncan

 

Office letter can be read here

COMMS TO PARENTS – POTENTIAL STRIKE ACTION

14th January 2024Mr J Rennalls

Dear parent / carer,
I am writing to inform you that there is potential for strike action from some of our teaching staff. This is due to take place on Tuesday 16th January and will mean that school is closed for Years 7, 8 and 9. Year 10 and 11 will come to school as normal.
I apologise for the short notice; we are continuing to do all we can to reach agreement with our staff to prevent the strike from going ahead. We are still hopeful that a resolution will be found. If the strike is called off, we will update you as soon as we know via our website and text.  We are meeting with our staff on Monday afternoon and will let you know the outcome as soon as possible after this. If we are unable to prevent the strike, you will need to make suitable arrangements to ensure your child is safe and looked after on 16th January 2024.
As mentioned, we are working hard to reach an agreement to prevent the strike, and we will do all we can to minimise disruption to our students.
I will be in touch again as soon as possible with more information.
Monica Duncan
Principal

Good News from Duke’s – 12th January 2024

12th January 2024Mr J Rennalls

British Library Visit

We’ve firmly clicked into 2024 here at Duke’s and hit the ground running with a trip out to the British Library for some year 9 students. The group went to visit the ‘Power of Stories’, an exhibition on the works of Malorie Blackman and took part in a workshop. The group have been invited back to the British Library for a Q & A and meet and greet with Malorie Blackman herself!

The trip was a fabulous experience for all and the quote of the day came from Kaliyah who said “I love the way she turned her rage into writing”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duke’s Charitable Giving – December 2023 

Just before we broke up for the Christmas Break Duke’s students demonstrated charitable giving in a big way. Each year students and staff at Duke’s collect donations for hampers to donate to a local charity or cause. 2023 was no different and this time we decided to donate to a local church, the Calvary Church of God in Christ, on Northumberland Park, just 2 minutes walk from the school.

Students worked together to package up donations and make attractive hampers to donate to the local church community. The church leaders were bowled over by our school’s generosity and spirit of giving, we know that each and every person who received a hamper was delighted to receive it. Well done to everyone involved.