This month, we are highlighting the incredible achievements and successes within the Black community, with a special focus on the remarkable contributions of Black women.

It's a time to honour the ambition, resilience, excellence, and leadership that have shaped our world for the better. Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Black history, filled with accomplishments, artistry, and brilliance.

Black History Month events, display and book recommendations from our wonderful Librarian Ms Griffiths.

#blackhistorymonth #BHM2023 #blackhistorymonth2023 #woolwichpolytechnic #woolwichpoly #polymat

The role of a parent ACM

As a parent ACM, you’ll work with the board to make sure it effectively carries out the duties referred to above. You’ll also play a vital role in bringing a parental perspective to the committee, but you’re not there to speak ‘on behalf’ of the parent body.

To be a parent ACM you should have:

• A strong commitment to the role and to improving outcomes for children
• Good interpersonal skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and develop new skills
• The specific skills required to make sure the committee delivers effective governance

The committee is keen for candidates to have skills in the following:

• Knowledge of/ can identify with the communities served by the school;
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion;
• Analyzing Data/ KPIs.

Expectations of governors

• The term of office for an ACM is 4 years, and ACMs are expected to commit to completing their full term, unless there are extenuating circumstances why they need to step down earlier;
• ACMs are required to attend 6 meetings per year, either online or in-person;
• ACMs are also required to attend 3 Deep Dive Forums per year, and the annual conference. These are all in-person;
• ACMs are required to undertake a monitoring visit to the school at least 3 times per year;
• ACMs may be required to become Link ACMs for a specific area, including visiting the school and writing a report. Full support will be given;
• ACMs must maintain confidentiality at all times with regard to matters discussed at meetings;
• The Trust expects that members will undertake appropriate induction training and regular additional training, for which we provide access to both the National Governors Association and The Key.

How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for the role, please complete the candidate form Parent ACM Application Form and Information and return to Mark Guest (mguest@polymat.co.uk) by Friday 17th November.

If we receive more applications than there are vacancies, a secret ballot will be carried out. We will inform you closer to the time if we have to do this.

If you have any queries about this process or would like to find out more about the role, please contact me.

Students from our Alternative Provision attend the Boats Afloat Programme at the AHOY Centre each week. The AHOY Centre is a watersports based charity changing lives and building life skills through sailing and rowing.

Selected students from Year 8, 9, 10 & 11 are undertaking a yearlong course that will enable them to gain a Level 2 Sailing Licence and a Level 2 Power Boat Licence. Students from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys have been working with the team at the Ahoy Centre for several years, now learning new skills and successfully achieving their sailing qualifications. Here are some photographs of the current group in one of their sessions.

Click here to find out more about the AHOY Centre Charity

We have just launched our brand-new GCSE Results Day 2023 video on our YouTube Channel – PolyMAT Schools!

We are so delighted to celebrate these GCSE examination results that make us all so proud.

These students have achieved truly great things by demonstrating resilience, ambition, and discipline.

Also, the gap between our disadvantaged students and the whole cohort was significantly below the national gap, proving that our Vision of "Success for Everyone" is at the heart of all we do.

A huge congratulations to our staff, many of whom have been part of the Poly for many years; they have worked incredibly hard and are delighted in seeing the students being rewarded with such success.

We start off this term with our first charity event that we support ‘Jeans for Genes day’, Friday 22^nd September. 

Jeans for Genes is held each year to raise money for children with genetic conditions, this affects around half a million children each year. We can make a difference just by wearing our jeans to school and donating £1.00 to the charity.

Students can wear jeans only in return for a small donation, no trainers, hats, hoodies, sweatshirts anything that is not school uniform.

For students, our year 13 ambassadors will be going around to tutor groups with a guess the number of sweets game, 20p per guess.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mrs Hawgood 

Receptionist