Parent Digest, Half Term Two
As we end the first term at Co-op North Manchester, we would like to say thank you so much to you for making sure our school is a happy and safe one and a great place to work and learn.
So much around young people at the moment is negative - whether that be on social media, in the news or on TV etc but we are so proud that so many, if not all, our pupils have made a real difference to our school community.
They open doors, smile, greet adults and each other, look out for each other, regulate themselves, attend lessons on time, work hard, do their best to look out for each other and hopefully this Winter Digest will give you a flavour of just how successful our pupils have been this half term.
With my best wishes for a lovely winter break
Sharon Hands, Principal
Joining us in January!
Sarah Tomkow - Assistant Vice Principal for Teaching & Learning
Most of our parents and pupils will remember Mr Thompson who was our senior leader in charge of teaching. His replacement is Ms S Tomkow who we are delighted to welcome from January.
We asked her to introduce herself here…
I am an experienced Curriculum Leader, having spent the last nine years teaching Spanish and French in Ashton-under-Lyne and Chorlton. I am thrilled to embark on a new Leadership role at the Co-op Academy North Manchester, eager to further enhance the educational experience of all pupils.
Communications
In the last digest, we explained that the Trust is moving all its academies to a new data management system called Arbor. This means that Class Charts will eventually be phased out. It is no longer being used by the academy and instead, the parent communication module for Arbor will be launched. This is being rolled out across all Co-op schools, and we know that being able to check on your child is important.
The way we communicate positives and events such as detentions hasn’t changed and, although again, we will at some point move from ParentMail to the Arbor equivalent, we know that most parents are very used to using Class Charts.
Our brilliant parent governors have offered to trial the new parent module and hold drop-ins and sessions for the new parent communications app. Details to follow as we are yet to launch this but we will be doing this in the new year.
Parents and carers can continue to use the usual methods to contact the academy below:
| General enquiries | 0161 681 1592 opt 4 or email noma-enquries@coopacademies.co.uk |
| Attendance |
0161 681 1592 opt 1 noma-attendanceteam-m@coopacademies.co.uk *Pupil absence can be reported via ParentMail |
| Year Teams |
Year 7 noma-classof2028@coopacademies.co.uk Year 8 noma-classof2027@coopacademies.co.uk Year 9 noma-classof2026@coopacademies.co.uk |
| SEND team | noma-send@coopacademies.co.uk |
I hope the winter break provides a welcome break and some important time as families and members of the brilliant North Manchester community. As always, if you need anything - uniform or otherwise - please get in touch via our enquiries email.
Christmas Events
We are hosting our Winter Celebration charity concert on Wednesday 13th December.
Our rewards trips and discos are running from the 18th - 20th December.
Christmas Jumper day is on Thursday 21st December. As usual, we do not want to make life difficult for parents/carers financially, so we do not insist on pupils wearing a Christmas jumper , they can wear any festive item, and we use the money raised from voluntary donations to support our chosen charities.
This year we are supporting Barnado’s as the Co-op’s named charity as well as Save the Children.
Tickets now on sale click here to book!
Matilda The Musical JR
Sometimes You Have to Be a Little Bit Naughty if
You Want to Change Your Story
Highlights from this half-term
Robotics Extra-Curricular Club
The Robotics extra-curricular club is taking part in the First Tech Challenge. It is a prestigious robotics competition that challenges pupils to design, build, and program robots to complete specific tasks and solve complex problems. They attended a robotics scrimmage in Liverpool on Wednesday 6th December and the team were praised for how much they had accomplished in such a short time and how autonomous they were with the project.. watch this space for more updates!
Could you be a mentor?
Year 11 Mock Interview Event
On Thursday 9th November 2023, Year 11 pupils were invited to attend our annual ‘Mock Interview Day’ event supported by 13 local employers and further education providers.
Read the full story here
The Co-op Academy North Manchester Way
On Friday 1st December we launched the Co-op Academy North Manchester Way with Year 7. The theme was 'working together'.
Read the full story here
Manchester United Foundation Winter Giveaway
Thanks to the Manchester United Foundation for their donation of winter goods. Our pupils were invited to help themselves to a variety of hats, gloves, socks, coats and blankets helping them to keep cosy all winter long.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday 13th December 2023 |
Performing Arts Winter Celebration Concert |
| Monday 18th December 2023 | Cinema Trip Years 9-11 |
| Tuesday 19th December 2023 |
Year 8 Rewards Disco |
|
Wednesday 20th December |
Christmas Dinner Day Year 7 Rewards Disco |
|
Thursday 21st December 2023 |
Christmas Jumper Day Academy closes for winter break |
| Monday 8th January 2024 |
Pupils return from winter break Year 11 Mock Exams begin |
| Thursday 18th January 2024 |
Year 8 HPV/MMR Vaccination first dose Year 9 Progress Evening 4.00pm - 6.00pm |
| Friday 19th January 2024 | Year 8 HPV/MMR Vaccination first dose |
| Thursday 8th February 2024 | Year 9 Options Event 4.00pm - 6.30pm |
| Thursday 15th & Friday 16th February 2024 | Matilda the Musical JR. |
|
Friday 16th February 2024 |
Half term break |
|
Monday 26th February 2024 |
Pupils return from half term break |
Help for Parents and Carers
Winter Holidays -Things to do https://loadstodo.co.uk/ has lots of ideas and links for things to do over the winter holidays.
Ambition Manchester
Ambition Manchester is providing a bespoke service giving Manchester residents who are currently in paid work or self-employed, intensive support to increase their earnings and/or progress into ‘better’ paid work. Residents who sign up with Ambition Manchester can expect a tailored plan, personalised guidance, help with job applications, coaching, and access to free training. To access the program residents can email Ambition@Manchester.gov.uk who will then get in touch.
Cost of Living Support
The dark evenings and cold winter months are challenging for everyone, especially those struggling with the cost of living. Please share the following updated information with your employees, parents and carers so they can access support and advice if needed, and they in turn can help signpost other Manchester residents they know who may be in need.
- Manchester's FREE Cost of Living Advice Line: Support with benefits, help and advice about rent, debt, bills, food support and help to get online (support to access the internet, laptops, phones and data). The advice line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm on 0800 023 2692. You can also text on 07860 022 876 or visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice.
- Manchester's web page for help with the cost-of-living crisis: A comprehensive guide to the financial help and practical support available to Manchester residents.
- Manchester's web page for those in financial difficulty: Providing information on housing/council tax, FSM, fuel, travel and cash grants, furniture and white goods.
- Warm Welcome: You can find out more about Warm Welcome spaces near you by accessing the web pages and map at https://www.warmwelcome.uk/.
- Food Banks and Community Grocers: There are both referral and non-referral foodbanks across Manchester. You can find your nearest online at www.trusselltrust.org or www.greatertogethermanchester.org.
- Local help and support: Information about support and advice in your local area.
- Free SIMS/internet data for those eligible.
- Help with internet use, digital inclusion and use of computers in our libraries.
- Governments Help for Households campaign and web pages https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living for information and support with benefits, income, rent and bills, pension, subsidised travel, childcare and maternity costs.
- Social Tariffs: Low-cost broadband and phone service packages, for those on low incomes. Check the Ofcom website to see if you can switch to a social tariff.