Parental Update – 24th January 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
Face Coverings in School
Last Wednesday, the government announced some changes to covid requirements, including the ending of ‘Plan B’. For school, these changes are around the requirements to wear face coverings. As of Thursday 20th January, face coverings are no longer required in classrooms, and from Thursday 27th January they will not be needed in communal areas, such as corridors. However, I also want to make you aware that from a school perspective case numbers have never been as high as they are currently. Since returning after Christmas, there have been 108 students and 13 staff isolating due to positive cases. On this basis, it is clear that the pandemic is far from over, and we need to do all we can to ensure there is as little disruption to education as possible. We will support any students and staff that wish to continue to wear face coverings. This is particularly important for students in Years 11-13 who have public exams this year, and really can not afford any more disruption to school.
January Exams
Since our return after Christmas, Students in Years 11 to 13 have been sitting exams. For most students, these have been mocks, but some have had external exams which count towards their final grades. Given the disruption of the last 20 months, they have approached these exams with maturity and positivity. I would also like to extend my thanks to the staff for the support they have given and continue to give students as we prepare for the exams in the summer.
Uniform and PE kit
Students should be wearing correct school uniform to school, including a blazer. The only exception to this is that they must wear PE kit to school on days when they have PE lessons, but not at any other time. We continue to keep this under review and hope to move back to using the changing rooms once covid numbers have dropped significantly.
A reminder that no student should come to school with facial piercings of any kind.
Year 9 Options
Year 9 will already be aware that the process for selecting their option preferences for next year has started. Subject videos are now being shown in tutor periods and will also be available to view on the website in the next few days. Students will be able to select their choices using an online form, so keep an eye out for the emails regarding this, which will be sent out next week.
Headteacher Update
As many of you will know, we formed Bordesley Multi Academy Trust in 2019, with Holyoakes Field First School and Birchensale Middle School. Woodfield Academy should be joining in April this year. I have been undertaking a dual role, as Headteacher of Trinity and Chief Executive of the Trust, for the past 3 years. As the Trust expands further this is no longer possible and I will be moving to become full time Chief Executive from Easter. I am delighted that last week we were able to appoint Nigel Ford as the new headteacher of Trinity. Nigel has extensive experience as a school leader as both Assistant and Deputy Headteacher and I know he is going to be an excellent headteacher for our school.
Best wishes
Adrian Ward
