Sport is a big part of my family life, and both of my children take part in a variety of different sports; swimming, karate, football, rugby and that's without the different extra curricula clubs they have signed up for. I, myself, play hockey on a weekend and I feel so much better both physically and mentally when I have played a game. Taking part in this type of activity help young people to become independent, build their self-esteem and help with their emotional well-being too. Sports clubs not only help in terms of increasing physical fitness but are also character-building, raise self-confidence and allow students to improve their leadership and time management. Below are the different extra curricula sports clubs available for Year 8 students. Please encourage your child to participate in the many clubs available, they can speak to their tutor for more details or just turn up. 

Attendance is a priority at Hessle Academy as we see the impact it can have on students both academically and socially and like you, we want the very best for our students. We need to work together to ensure your child gets the best from school and avoid any absences from school unless necessary. 

How does attendance affect outcomes for pupils/students?   

Being in school is important to your child’s achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. Evidence shows that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A Level results.  

Research has found that students who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well.   

The data also shows that in 2019, secondary school pupils/students who didn’t achieve grade 9 to 4 in English and maths missed on 10 more days on average over the key stage than those who achieved grade 9 to 5 in both English and maths.   

https://www.viat.org.uk/267/news/post/108/why-is-school-attendance-so-important-a-blog 

Thank you for your continued support and please do contact us with any questions or concerns; hoy8@hessleacademy.com 

Miss Pinkney

Head of Year 8

Miss Briggs

Assistant Head of Year 8

I will start my blog as I started my first assembly of the year by saying Welcome to Year 8 and I hope you have had a lovely summer. 

At the end of Year 7 I would usually write a final blog to the parents to wish them well and confirm who their child’s new Head of Year would be in Year 8. This year I am pleased to inform you that I will continue as your child’s Head of Year.  

One of the focusses during tutor time this week has been self-care and the students discussing the following: 

• Why is self-care important?  

• What might be the benefits of self-care? 

• What might make self-care difficult for some people? 

This got me thinking about the pressures on young people and how important it is for not only them to think about their self-care but also for us as adults in their lives to be aware of this and their mental health. 

There are many ways in which we can support children and give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. It is important that we encourage and guide them to think about their own mental health and wellbeing and pass on vital skills that we can teach them from an early age.  

• Be there to listen – Speaking to children about what they have been doing and how they are feeling and making them aware that you are always there to listen. 

• Support them through difficulties – Talk to them about difficulties and help them to work their way through them. 

• Stay involved in their life – Show an interest in their life and pay attention to what is important to them. 

• Encourage their interests – Support and encourage your child’s interest. 

• Take what they say seriously – Listen to and value what they say and help them to work through their emotions. 

• Build positives routines – Encourage clear structures and routines especially around exercise and healthy eating. 

Useful websites: 

Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health/ 

https://maudsleycharity.org/familiesunderpressure/ 

https://www.annafreud.org/schools-and-colleges/resources/7-ways-to-support-children-and-young-people-who-are-worried/ 

https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/children/relaxation-tips/ 

The students have had a great start to Year 8, showing a great attitude to learning and responding well to the new behaviour consequence system. We have also had an incredibly positive start with attendance; achieving 96% or above and I would like to thank parents for their continued support with this. As discussed in previous blogs attendance can have a significant impact on a child’s education and the better the attendance the more opportunity a child has to reach their academic potential. 

Thank you for your continued support, and please do contact us with any questions or concerns; hoy8@hessleacademy.com 

Miss Pinkney 

Head of Year 8

Miss Briggs 

Assistant Head of Year 8 

To view Year 8 Blogs from 2021/2022 please click here