Dear Parent/Carer I hope this edition of the Academys Parent eBulletin finds you well-rested, and I trust you

enjoyed the Easter break. We are rapidly approaching the examinations season and I trust that the hard work your sons and daughters put in over the break will put them in good stead. Please encourage your child to attend all revision sessions after school, and if they require any additional support, please liaise with the relevant Family Leader for advice:

Abbey School Brabazon School Harty School Shurland School Sheerness School

Mr Andrew Fogg Mr Neil Barrett Mr Andrew Greenfield Mr David Meaning Mrs Karen Gray

AndrewFogg@oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org NeilBarrett@oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org AndrewGreenfield@oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org DavidMeaning@oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org KarenGray@oasisacademyisleofsheppey.org

If you attempted to make contact with the Academy over the Easter break, please let me apologise for any difficulties you experienced. Colleagues had limited access to email due to an upgrade in our ICT services and we encountered technical difficulties with our telephone lines which continued up to Wednesday. These problems have now been resolved. We had an exciting and rewarding start to term 5 with a Staff Development Day on Tuesday. This afforded staff the opportunity to revisit our mission, vision and values which underpin every decision we make and how we operate to ensure the best outcomes for your children, and to undertake workshops on various topics including Differentiation, Assessment for Learning, and Literacy; all under the theme of A Balanced Learning Diet. There was a real buzz to the day and this continued into Wednesday when we welcomed back students who were equally as pleased to be back. I was thrilled to see this positive start, a real sense of togetherness and family, and sincerely wish for this team-spirit to remain throughout the last two terms of the academic year and for the future. At present, we have an Academy Council (Governing Body equivalent) of 7 and are seeking Parent Representative Nominations to fill 2 vacancies. Your child will come home with letter giving further details on Monday and you can access these on our website. The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 6 May 2014 at 3:30pm. As you know, since joining the Academy in September 2013, I have been Executive Principal across two Oasis Academies: Isle of Sheppey and Coulsdon, Croydon. Conscious that there is still much to do at Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey to improve the learning diet the children receive, their learning environment and their overall life chances, and knowing that the Senior Team at Coulsdon is robust and well-established, I have made the necessary, heart-felt and right decision to permanently base myself at Sheppey from this term onwards. I leave Coulsdon knowing that it will continue to grow and develop, and join Sheppey full time, striving to make the Academy a truly outstanding school for our students and the community we serve. Best wishes

David Millar Executive Principal

Re: Article in Parent Bulletin 31 January 2014

Following an inspection in February 2014, we are pleased to report that both the East and West Site catering facilities have been awarded a five star compliance rating (the maximum rating that can be applied).
The Catering Department has worked hard to achieve this rating and will continue to do so to maintain the status. Brian Reddington Head of Catering & Events

Follow us on Twitter @oaios

Prom and Yearbook notices Students should by now have paid their deposits for their Prom Tickets and Yearbooks. Prom Tickets are 13. Yearbooks will be no more than 15, but final price will be announced soon, depending on the amounts raised on the last 3 fundraisers by the Celebrations Teams. NEW THIS YEAR!! Parents message pagewrite a personal message to your son/daughter to be printed in the Yearbook for just 5.

If you have any queries regarding this years Prom or Yearbook, please contact Lyn Baseley on 01795 873591 for a call back, or email at Lyn.Baseley@oasisisleofsheppey.org

Year 11 Prom: Saturday 5 July 2014, 7pm11pm

Tickets for this event can be purchased from Mrs Baseley on the East Site or directly with The Harmony Therapy Trust www.theharmonytherapytrust.org.uk

The Paul Trigwell Island Run Sunday 11 May 2014

2 Mile Run10:30 10 Mile Run10:00

10 Mile Walk08:30
10 Mile Relay 10:00

All proceeds go to underprivileged children on the Isle of Sheppey. Sponsor forms can be collected from East or West Site Receptions. More information can be found on the Paul Trigwell Island Run website www.ptir.org.uk

RECRE8 Workshops to commence soon

Pathways Evening for Year 8 & 9
Thursday 8 May 2014
The Year 8 & 9 Pathways evening will provide an opportunity for students, parents and carers to find out about the courses on offer next year. Heads of Department, teachers and the Academy Leadership Team will be available to provide advice and guidance on the types of courses available, and to update you on the exciting new changes we are making to our curriculum. We look forward to welcoming you. Further details and an invitation letter will be sent home shortly.

Make jewellery from computer parts and circuitry and gain an Arts Award Thursday Evenings at 6pm in the Technology Room, East Site
For more details contact Lyn Baseley 01795 873591 for a call back or email Lyn.Baseley@oasisisleofsheppey.org

Year 7 Parents Evening - West Site Thursday 1 May 2014

Oasis Academy in conjunction with Canterbury College, will be running a Computer and Online Basics course. The course takes 10 hours to complete and is spread over four weeks; one evening a week, 5:30-8:00pm. The course is free to anyone who is not currently in work, regardless of whether they receive benefits or not. Overview Computer and Online Basics is an accessible computer and internet qualification for absolute beginners. It stands out from the crowd with a straightforward workbook that learners love and which makes the lives of tutors and administrators so much easier. For learners who have never used a computer or been online, the paper workbook provides a friendly and familiar companion, always at their side, guiding them one easy step at a time through the exercises. Learners also appreciate the concern and quality in the workbook that encourages them to overcome fears and find out how much they can now do online. The course requires the learner to demonstrate basic knowledge of using a computer and display the skills needed to complete some basics or everyday tasks in a confident way. Course Content

Understand the basic computer parts and key input devices Understand common computer terminology Introduction to the Desktop Introduction to documents Browsing the Web and searching the Internet Using email to communicate

Entry requirements There are no entry requirements. How will I be assessed? Qualification comes with a workbook which the learner uses to record their progress. Once completed, the tutor signs the workbook off and it is submitted for certification. Learners can keep the workbook for reference once they have completed the qualification.

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Email Lettings Manager, EddyMcentire@oasisisleofsheppey.org for further information about this course or for any enquires on how to hire Academy facilities. You can also telephone 01795 873591 and ask for Eddy McEntire.