Welcome to the academies weekly newsletter, rounding up the events of the past week and keeping you informed of coming events and information to support you and your daughter in school and beyond.

This week we have:

• Information on Parents’ Evening and
• Y7 Settling in Evening
• a few notices about good attendance and punctuality
• A shout out to a successful Y6 Open Evening

We hope you enjoy reading this weeks news.

This Years Parent’s Evenings

• Year 9 – 19th November 2025 Year 11 – 3rd December 2025
• Year 13 – 28th January 2026
• Year 10 – 18th March 2026
• Year 8 – 29th April 2026
• Year 12 – 13th May 2026
• Year 7 – 17th June 2026

Parents will be contacted 3 weeks prior by email about the booking system opening. A separate email will be sent close to parents evening with details of which rooms the teachers will be in.

Dear Parents/Families,

I am pleased to invite you to our Year 7 Settling in Evening, which will take place on Wednesday 1st October from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. This evening offers a valuable opportunity for you to meet your daughter’s form tutor and discuss how she has settled into life at KEVI Handsworth Wood Girls Academy. Appointments can be booked via Arbor, so if you haven’t done so already, please log in to arrange a time that suits you. We look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards, Ms Hussain (Year 7 Pastoral Manager)

Dear Parent/Carer,

We are in our fourth week of the new academic year and a big thank you to the majority of parents who make sure their children attend school regularly, particularly during the current cost of living crisis impacting families. King Edward’s Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy continues to work in partnership with parents and the Local Authority to improve school attendance. Please see the attached leaflet for some important attendance information for parents and carers.

We are grateful for all of you who have supported your daughter in maintaining high standards of punctuality. We have sent your daughter a student guide (attached) with tips for being punctual. It would be fantastic if you would support her in this. Please let us know as early as possible if there are circumstances preventing your daughter from arriving on time for school. This can be done by either sending a message via the Arbor app or by calling the office direct.

It was a joy to welcome so many families and future students into our vibrant school community. The energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity from our visitors was truly inspiring — and our students shone as proud ambassadors of everything we stand for.

We’re excited to continue showcasing what makes our academy special. Open Morning dates will be announced shortly, so keep an eye out for updates — we’d love to welcome you back for a closer look during the school day.

Here’s to a future full of possibility, ambition, and achievement.

Absence disrupts the education of the individual pupil and the whole class. Are you aware those children who do not attend regularly:

• do not achieve well in exams
• find it difficult to maintain friendships
• are more likely to become involved in crime
• miss out on opportunities in further education and the world of work?

Please be advised that term-time holidays are very unlikely to be approved. If families ignore this the absence will be unauthorised and you will be at risk of receiving a £160 Fixed Penalty Notice per parent on your return.

Last term, 36 parents have received Penalty Notices for taking students on unauthorised leave in term time.

Please note that, Birmingham City Council strongly discourages pupil leave of absence during term time. The expectation is that such leave would only be authorised in the most exceptional circumstance.

Please ensure that leave is taken in the school holidays only.

Frequent absence can add up to a considerable amount of lost learning and can seriously disadvantage your child in adult life.

• 5 minutes late every day means around 3 ½ days of education are missed
• a score of 90% in a test would be a good result but 90% attendance means that a child
• will have missed around 100 lessons over a school year.

The majority of our students are on time to school every day. Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring that your daughter attends school on time every day. Lesson 1 begins promptly at 8:45am, which means that your daughter needs to be in her seat waiting for the register to be taken by 08:40am.

Students who are late, without a valid reason, will sit in a 30 minute after school detention on the same day.

The only method for reporting your child’s absence is now through the Arbor Parent Portal App.

Using the Arbor Parent Portal App is quick and easy, and it is now our preferred way for parents to communicate absence reasons to the school.

For step-by-step instructions on how to report an absence, please visit our online guide.

Benefits of the Arbor Parent Portal App:

• Update student/parent details
• Top up dinner money
• Sign up for trips and clubs
• Check your child’s attendance
• Access school reports
• and now reporting absences

Additionally, our new school app, KEVI Handsworth Wood Girls (via Reach More
Parents), will be our primary platform for sharing school-related updates and information.

Please note that the absence reporting feature will no longer be available on other
platforms, and we will no longer monitor absences reported via Studybugs, even if you still have access to it.

Thank you for your cooperation.

• 1st October (4:30 – 6:30) – Settling in Evening – Years 7 & 12
• 17th October – Inset Day
• 20th October – Be the Light at HWGA to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Light – and Bandi Chor Divas
• 21st October – Chai and Chat from 15:30 – 16:30
• Half-term: Monday 27 October 2025 to Friday 31 October 2025
• Term ends: Friday 19 December 2025

• 8th October – GCSE Geography Trip to Cardingmill Valley
• 16th October – KS4 Careers Fair
• 20th October – Be the Light at HWGA to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Light – and Bandi Chor Divas
• 21st October – Chai and Chat from 15:30 – 16:30

Please see information about how young people and families can access support for mental health through Pause. There is also information about events and workshops that are available.

Here are some practical tips to help stay grounded and healthy for teens:

1. Prioritise Sleep   8–10 hours of sleep each night. A consistent bedtime and reduced screen time before bed can dramatically improve mood, focus, and energy.
2. Move Your Body   Regular physical activity—whether it’s dancing, walking, or team sports-releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress.
3. Eat Smart   A balanced diet rich in fruits, veggies, and Omega-3s supports brain function and emotional wellbeing. Skip the ultra-processed snacks when possible.
4. Talk It Out   Open communication with trusted adults or friends helps feel heard and supported. Listening without judgment is key.
5. Practice Mindfulness  Simple techniques like deep breathing, journaling, or yoga can help manage anxiety and build emotional resilience.
6. Build Positive Connections   Strong friendships and supportive relationships are vital. Join clubs or groups that align with your interests.
7. Manage Screen Time -Set boundaries that work for you-
   1. Create a daily screen schedule that includes breaks
   2. Use timers or app limits to avoid endless scrolling
   3. Keep screens out of bedrooms to protect sleep
8. Know When to Ask for Help   Mental health matters. If a you feel overwhelmed, support is available—whether through school counsellors, helplines, or trusted adult

Sleep Matters – Tips

• A consistent bedtime—even on weekends
• A wind-down routine (no phones 30 minutes before bed)
• A cool, quiet sleep environment

• Keep windows closed during high pollen days
• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors
• Use antihistamines as advised by a GP or pharmacist

• Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily
• Eat fibre-rich foods (whole grains, fruits, veg)
• Stay active to support gut health

• Practice breathing exercises or mindfulness
• Break tasks into manageable chunks
• Reach out to a trusted adult or school nurse

• Gentle cleansing twice daily
• Avoiding harsh scrubs or picking at skin
• Seeking medical advice for persistent or painful acne

• School nurses can advise on immunisation schedules
• Any health concerns can be raised with the school nurse/First Aid team.

Advice to Parents – School Age Immunisation Service has been published by the NHS to help you to understand the immunisations your daughter will be offered at school.

We know how challenging it can be to balance all the demands parents and carers have to cope with. That’s why NSPCC have put together some tips to help. All children need boundaries and discipline, and this guide helps you develop what works for you and your child.

If your family is in need of any support for any of the following issues –

• money advice,
• special educational needs,
• disability,
• food,
• housing,
• parenting groups,
• relationships,
• sexual health & family planning,
• under 5’s support,
• bereavement,
• mental health,
• leisure activities,
• physical health
• & much more.

Please see download the family action leaflet here.

Our Healthy Lifestyle Checklist:

• Exercise – 60 minutes a day
• Hydration – Drink 2 litres of water a day
• Nutrition – Eat a balanced Diet
• Sleep – 8-10 hours a night

Please find a range of helpful medical factsheets put together by the School’s First Aid Medical Lead.

If you would like to see these factsheets in an alternative language, please get in touch.

We use the High Performance Learning philosophy and framework in our school. This means that we believe that all the students can be high performers, and we teach with these expectations in mind.

Using the research-based High Performance Learning approach helps us to systematically build the cognitive competencies that lead a young person to thrive in school and in later life.

We embed the HPL philosophy throughout our school. We never tell our students they cannot achieve; it is just they are not doing it yet but with practice and persevere it will happen.

You can support your child with developing the High Performance Learning skills at home.

There are 30 skills which are broken down into the two categories of Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics (ACPs) and Values, Attitudes and Attributes (VAAs). These help students how to think, and how to behave.

HWGA will be sharing a some HPL key competencies (VAAS & ACPs) strategies with you weekly.

Using the HPL framework at home will help you to enhance your child’s academic
achievement and personal development.

Home Challenge:

• Quiz your child on the ACPs and VAAs. How may of each can they remember?
• Ask them to quiz you? Can you beat your child?
• Select 3 VAAs and ACPs at random. Can your child tell you what they mean?

Not there yet? Repeat the challenge – can you both beat your previous attempt?

✓ Model the belief that you ‘think big’.

✓ Talk about their learning in and out of school but specifically how it relates to the wider world e.g. we are learning about angles, and this could relate to the construction of a house.

✓ Start conversations with ….”What would happen if…..”

✓ Use the image of a ‘bird’s eye view’ to get them to think bigger than the moment that they are in.

✓ Produce a ‘what if/where do/how come’ style question that you want them to find out about – set them a challenge. So, where do snowflakes come from? What if the sky was always cloudy?

QUESTIONS:

• Do you have a concern that a student is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected?
• Has a child/young person made a disclosure to you?
• Are you concerned that a student could be living in a private fostering arrangement?

REMEMBER:

• Please do not ask the student leading questions
• You must report concerns relating to FGM,CSE, FM, HBV and Prevent
• Do not ask children to remove items of clothing and do not ask them to write anything down or sign anything you have written
• Allegations against staff MUST be referred directly to the Headteacher (or to the Chair of Governors if about the Head)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Safeguarding Team will gather all of the information, link with multiple agencies and the decision will be made whether a referral to Children’s Services or an Early Help Assessment (or other action) needs to be made. Any information the Safeguarding Team are able to share with you will be shared. If you have any questions or a ‘gut feeling’, then please do not hesitate to seek advice and support from the Safeguarding Team.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about: Youth Violence

Violence among young people is a growing concern – but we’re not powerless to act. Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide unpacks the causes and signs of youth violence, including when and where it’s most likely to happen. It also offers compassionate, practical advice for parents, carers and educators.

From peer pressure to online influences, there are many reasons why young people may engage in or fall victim to violence. This week’s guide shares expert insight from the Ben Kinsella Trust to help parents and educators spot the risks, start sensitive conversations, and help keep children safe.

• All students must wear jumpers.
• Skirts if worn should be black and pleated.
• Hoodies are not permitted in school.
• The school uniform consists of a jumper, a white revere blouse, and a black skirt or trousers.

Students are not permitted to wear trainers unless medically required to do so School shoes should be below the ankle.

Boots should only be worn in severe weather (snow).

Jackets/coats should be plain and Hoodies should not be worn in school.

• No nail polish/ false nails
• Make-up if worn should be natural looking
• False eyelashes are not permitted in schoo
• Pins are not allowed to be used for headscarves. Please use a safer style fastening to secure headscarves.

Jewellery:

• One stud in each ear
• One small nose stud – not a ring
• No rings,
• No bracelets – unless for religious purposes
• No necklaces.

We collect preloved but good quality uniform throughout the year. If you would like to donate preloved items, please bring them to the School reception.

if you would like to receive preloved items for your child, please contact the pastoral team at pastoralteam@hwga.org.uk

We are now using the Free School Meals Eligibility Checking Service in School. If you think that your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, please complete a ‘New Application’ on the following link: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/birmingham

Just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the School gets extra funding – register now to make sure we don’t miss out!

Get notifications on your phone by using the King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls App available in your phones app store to download today.

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