notices

Yesterday, Redmoor students joined together with other secondary schools, Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and a primary choir to perform a brand new piece of music called the Scratch Space Symphony. Students had the chance to sit behind the orchestra and sing in an extended piece of music. They got to experience what its like for a composer to perform a newly commissioned piece and the rehearsal process leading up to this. A big thank you to Simon from Leicestershire Music for the support!

After the sadness we have all faced as a school community and losing much loved friends and colleagues, it has been incredible to support our team of dedicated staff who have taken on the monumental 3 Peaks Challenge to honour their memory. The team of staff who committed to the National 3 Peaks in 24 Hours challenge all had the same goal; to do it for Annie, Lorna and Louise (A.L.L.) and raise as much money as possible in their names for charities close to their hearts: Pancreatic Cancer, MacMillan & Diabetes UK. There have been months of weekly morning planning meetings and team training walks, including a final training session to Scafell Pike. Many other staff across school have also been involved in training walks, fundraising, planning, designing and it really has been an effort from ALL. The team have been fortunate to receive donations from Tesco Hinckley & Morrisons Hinckley to help them on the challenge along with their T-shirts each showing a different mountain design donated by our uniform supplier; Hole in the Wall, Hinckley. 

From the A.L.L Team: Travelling up the night before to Scotland we began the challenge at 4pm on Monday 27th May starting with Ben Nevis and we were a very nervous bunch all day. We set off full of energy to take on the largest of the 3 mountains. With conditions and visibility poor at the top and a good bit of snow, all made it to the top and down again within the cut off times. After changing and refuelling as the team finished we were then headed back to the Lake District in England to Scafell Pike. The walkers tried to get some rest, and the support/transport crew went into action. Sadly we hit 2 road closures in Scotland which were unavoidable and did cause us a delay but undeterred we continued to stick with our planned walking cut off times. 

Arriving in the early hours of Tuesday morning we swiftly got off the bus ready to tackle mountain number two. Whilst this was the shortest of the three mountains it certainly was the steepest and in some opinions the toughest. Many of us knew what was ahead from the training walk and some were better off with the mindset that ignorance was bliss! Again the team was incredible and made the cut off times despite energy beginning to dwindle for many of us. Again a refuel and change the journey to Wales and Snowdon was underway and whilst

Many of the team having climbed Snowdon before knew what to expect although tiredness was taking hold for most. All made the cut off time to the summit despite the conditions taking a massive turn with wind, rain and visibility was less than 20 metres. The decision to take a longer but safer route down was made and all completed the challenge in 27 hours. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t in the 24 hours it mattered that we had completed all three mountains, why we were doing it and the money we have raised.

All of this would not have been possible without our school community coming together to support the team of drivers, support crew and the incredible National 3 Peaks climbers. And for that I am incredibly proud. We have raised an overwhelming amount for the three charities MacMillan, Diabetes UK and Pancreatic Cancer and really hope we can make it to £10,000.

What our staff had to say:

“They were three incredible ladies and when the national 3 peaks in 24 hours challenge was mentioned I didn’t hesitate at signing up. The realisation set in about how difficult it really would be came afterwards! My personal thoughts were, if it were easy everyone would do it.”

Mrs Pickering

“After working at Redmoor for 18 years and when we sadly lost 3 incredible colleagues and friends I wanted to give something back. The challenge was tough. We all had to dig deep when exhaustion and tiredness kicked in. The conditions on all 3 mountains were challenging with low clouds and rain. With the memory of Annie, Lorna and Louise firmly in our thoughts, it was this that got us to the top of each mountain. This has been an incredible experience getting the Redmoor community together, the team work and support from the staff involved. The memories we’ve created will stay with us all for a very long time. “

Mrs Short

“I have always loved hiking and wanted a challenge that would push my boundaries. More importantly, the main reason to take part in the 3 Peaks was to raise money for three charities in memory of our colleagues and friends who sadly passed away last year. Scafell Pike was my hardest challenge as we had already conquered Ben Nevis, muscles aches and tiredness had kicked in.

Even though this has probably been the most difficult challenge both mentally and physically I have EVER done, I am so pleased and proud to be a part of an amazing team.”

Mrs Brooks

“I took part to bring together the Redmoor community to raise money for 3 amazing charities which were clearly close to the hearts of Annie, Lorna and Louise and their respected families

Ben Nevis was the nicest of the climbs albeit marathon like and absolutely freezing at the top. The travel after that was the expected time to sleep but hitting a road closure and being diverted up a single lane road for half an hour was not part of the plan! Scafell Pike is the lung buster, the shortest but steepest that does not give you any time to catch your breath. Physical and mental tiredness really kicked in on the way to Snowden but switching off and sleeping seemed an impossible task. The final preparations going into the final climb were the toughest when getting out of the bus seemed too much of a difficult challenge. The weather and tricky terrain along with poor visibility and no clear path at times made Snowden an extremely challenging climb. The determination not to let anyone down drove us on to complete the mountain and earn a well needed and deserved hot shower. What kept me going was the reason why we were doing the challenge. The togetherness and camaraderie of the group, motivating and encouraging each other. The food and drinks beig made for us by the drivers when we had completed a mountain. The words of encouragement from colleagues, friends, family and those who have donated and left us a message.”

Mr Roome

“I decided to take on the 3 peaks challenge  for 2 reasons, the first being to raise money for the charities of 3 incredible ladies who I had the pleasure to work with. The second was for a personal challenge, since having my daughter I hadn’t really done much for me, but taking on this challenge meant that I could do something for myself.

The challenge itself was tough, especially when you are being woken at 4am and told you need to climb another mountain. But the support from the whole team was amazing. Whether that be words of encouragement on the mountains, driving buses, making cups of tea or cheering us back when we completed each mountain. It shows how much of a special place Redmoor is.

The challenge was one of the best experiences I have experienced in my life. Being able to be a part of the team was a privilege and I now have memories that I won’t forget. Despite what my legs might say I would do it all over again! “

Mrs Dockerty

Exam Timetables

• An overview of all examination dates can be found here: Summer 2024 GCSE Exam Dates and Times 
• Individual exam timetables have been issued to each student today; please check these carefully – particularly the tiers of entry for Science, Maths and French
• Individual arrangements for rooming and seating will be shared with students after Easter
• All morning exams will start at 9.00am and afternoon exams start at 1pm
• Students should arrive in plenty of time (at least 15 minutes before), in full school uniform and with the correct equipment for each exam
• Early morning pre-exam breakfast and after school classes before an exam the next day will also be offered as an opportunity to settle nerves and answer last minute questions (details of these can be on the exam timetable found here as 8am or 3pm sessions)
• Before all exams, we will provide students with complimentary bottles of water, toast and/or fruit
• Regardless of the dates on students’ own exam timetables, ALL STUDENTS are expected to remain available until after the government’s exam contingency date of Wednesday 26th June 2024: this is the reserve date for any exams that have to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances

Revision

• Students should be revising independently every day. Exam information for each subject and revision guidance can be found here: Summer Exams 2024: Revision Guidance
• please use the following links for information about effective learning strategies as well as an editable study timetable to help students organise their time carefully
• Our Exam Support sessions are still taking place and your child’s teachers will be in touch personally should your child’s attendance be required after school for these small, targeted interventions
• Maths AIM drop-in continues on Tuesdays after school, as does English drop-in on Fridays
• There is a full programme of revision sessions being offered during the Easter holiday and details of this have already been shared with you (the programme for this can also be found here: Easter Revision Schedule)
• A separate booking form for the Easter Revision classes has been sent via Parentmail

Study Leave

• We know that being in lessons that are structured and focused on the precise needs of the exam and the students is the best preparation for GCSE exams
• However, we reach a point during the exam period when students have completed the majority of their exams and will therefore only need to attend for their remaining exams
• This point changes every year depending on the exam schedule and we are working this through currently
• We will inform you of the start date for study leave after the Easter break but it is likely to be towards the end of the first week in June

Supporting your child during their exams

• Take an interest: know when their exams are and what they have to do
• Provide a quiet working environment
• Help them plan: little and often rather than larger chunks of time revising is shown to be more effective
• Ensure students eat and drink before an exam
• Balance their time: too much study can be as negative as too little
• Don’t make plans that mean that students have little or no preparation time

Once again, thank you for your support and best of luck to Year 11 in their forthcoming exams.

In May, some of the fittest and bravest of our Redmoor Academy staff are taking on the 3 Peaks challenge as part of a range of memorial activities for former colleagues. During 2023, three members of our staff team sadly passed away; Annie Constable, Lorna Cassie and  Louise Rogerson (A.L.L.)

We miss them all dearly and in the near future will be raising funds towards a memorial garden in school that will provide a place of solace for A.L.L. staff and students when they need it.

More immediately, we have a team of staff who are training hard in preparation for the 3 Peaks challenge on Monday 27th May. After travelling to Scotland the day before, they will ascend Ben Nevis followed by Scafell Pike and then Snowdon – and A.L.L. within 24 hours!

A.L.L. money raised by this activity will be divided equally amongst the 3 charities nominated by the families of our former colleagues. These are;

• Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Lorna Cassie
• Diabetes UK in memory of Louise Rogerson
• Pancreatic Cancer Research in memory of Annie Constable

We need your support to raise as much money as possible to share between these three amazing charitable groups to support the fantastic work they do. 

Please donate whatever you can and please share this link amongst family and friends

https://gofund.me/9244c153

On behalf of all Redmoor Academy staff and students, thank you.