Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
I have written hundreds of letters to you all throughout my 18 years working at the school but this is without doubt the most difficult of them all. It is with great sadness that I will be leaving North Gosforth Academy at the end of this week.
I have had the most amazing experience at our school and I can say with complete honesty that the North Gosforth Academy students are the best I have ever had the privilege to work with. We have an amazing student body who are full of compassion, care for one another and are true to themselves. I have been blown away by the acts of kindness; the cards and the gifts that students and parents have given to me this week. It has made feel more than a little sad, but also extremely proud - I know that all of our students will go on to do great things in later life.
I have so many things to be grateful for: not many headteachers have the experience of working with such a wonderful staff team that they love working with; they make it a real joy to come into work every day and I will miss this extended family. I have also been blessed to work with such an amazingly strong, loyal leadership team who have supported me and backed my vision and whom I know will continue to support the school and students in my absence.
To the North Gosforth parents, I cannot thank you enough for supporting me since I became Principal. I feel that I have made some good, valued friends and I know that I will keep in touch with many of you. I have enjoyed being part of such a special community, participating in events and even turning out for the Seaton Burn cricket team many years ago!
I am particularly proud of how our whole school community has pulled together during this past year of lockdowns. We know that it was a difficult and worrying time for all our families and everyone in the community but the resilience and industry that was demonstrated during that period was superb. You are amazing. Well done!
So, this brings us to the end of my time here as Principal. I hope you have found that I have taken the time to listen and to support you - and hope that you feel that I have always given you my best. I know at times the journey that our school has taken has not been easy but I am hugely proud of where we are today. North Gosforth Academy is a growing, popular school on an upward trajectory and I am confident that you will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Although I am sad to be leaving, I am excited about the future, and the next chapter at Jesmond Park Academy. I wish the North Gosforth family all the best, I will miss you all.
Best wishes,
Steve Campbell
Principal
End of Term Messages
Covid reporting over Easter
As outlined in the government guidance, senior staff will be on call to deal with track and trace up to noon on Thursday 1st April. If your child tests positive for COVID-19 the usual processes apply with regards to the information we need and how to get in touch with us up until this time – please email us directly at admin@northgosforth.co.uk.
You should only get in touch with us if:
a) your child developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school and
b) they receive a positive test result up to noon on Thursday 1st April
In all other situations over the holidays, parents should get in touch directly with NHS Test and Trace.
If your son or daughter does receive a positive COVID-19 test in the first six days of the school holidays please contact the school immediately on admin@northgosforth.co.uk and provide the following information:
- Name of child
- Class/year group
- Date of the COVID-19 test
- Does the child have symptoms? Yes or No
- What date did the symptoms start?
- What date did the child last attend school?
- A contact phone number
It is very important that you provide this information so we can identify any close contacts that your son or daughter may have had in school during their infectious period. The school will then follow up close contacts and request that they isolate for 10 days to prevent further transmission of COVID-19. Please note that you should also report any close contacts that your child has had outside the school setting through NHS Test and Trace.
Home testing
Yesterday students were given another box of home test kits. Please make sure your child tests themselves twice a week at home, throughout the Easter school holidays. The last test during the holidays should be done before returning to school on the 12th April, either the night before or that morning, to find and isolate any positive cases before students return to school.
It is really important that results of home tests are reported online straight away, even if your child’s result is negative or void. It’s easy to do at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.
Results can also be reported via telephone by calling 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm.
It is important to keep a note of your child’s results and share with the school by emailing covidtestresult@northgosforth.co.uk.
As a reminder, this does not replace testing for those with symptoms. If you have symptoms you must self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.
Individuals who are members of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil who work/attend a primary or secondary school can also get twice-weekly rapid lateral flow tests if they are symptom free. In North Tyneside the collection points for this are at Parks Leisure Centre and Coronation Street. These can be collected between 2.30-8pm and no appointment is needed. You can find further information and collection points here https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site.
Uniform
The school wishes to maintain high standards and expectations, therefore, please remember that all students are required to attend school in full school uniform after the Easter holidays. We are grateful for parents/carers informing their child's Head of Year of any uniform issues since returning from lockdown, this has helped the pastoral team manage standards effectively.
Preparation for GCSE grade awards
Staff and students are working hard in preparing for and completing all the assessments needed for Year 11 (and some Year 10) grade awards. Students have been given a schedule of the assessments to take home. It is absolutely crucial that they are preparing for their upcoming assessments over the Easter break and that they continue to have full attendance after the holidays. There are a small number of support sessions during the Easter holidays (see below) and students have been notified if they should attend these.
We hope you have a lovely Easter break and look forward to welcoming students back on the 12th April.
