Year 8

WELCOME TO YEAR 8

“Quitters never win and winners never quit.”

I am excited and honoured to continue as the Achievement Team Leader for pupils in Year 8 and I am looking forward to working closely with you and your children in the upcoming school year. Our aim is to inspire pupils to be the best version of themselves, both inside and outside the classroom.

My vision for Year 8 is built upon the "7 Rules of Life," starting with never ruining a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday and ending with a smile. As pupils progress into Year 8, they will learn the importance of staying calm, giving everything time, and recognising that their progress depends on their own efforts. The only person they should strive to surpass is the person they were yesterday.

As your child progresses into Year 8, we are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for their learning and personal growth. My role is to support your child through this journey, helping them adapt to the new challenges and opportunities this school year brings. We want to continue to maintain our ethos of high expectations and the importance of kindness and respect.

I am delighted to carry the Year 7 cohort into Year 8, they really have been an absolute pleasure to work with. I have been impressed by their enthusiasm and potential, but for me the most wonderful part of my role is getting to know them individually, their personalities, talents and interests. Our team of dedicated teachers will continue to encourage their curiosity and guide them in exploring the vast world of knowledge. The foundation your children lay here will be the building blocks for a bright and successful future.

Tabor Academy isn't just a school; it's a community where we encourage families to join us, our aim is to give them the tools to be successful in a world beyond of education. Remember, it's not solely about reaching the destination but how you navigate the path.

You can expect open lines of communication between home and school. Strong partnerships between parents and teachers are vital to a child's success. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to myself or Mr Heath.

We have exciting events and activities planned for Year 8 students, including a variety of extra-curricular activities within both academic subjects and sports teams. The extra-curricular timetable will be shared with the pupils and presented on the school website. Clubs will run both at lunchtime and after school.

The Accelerated Reader scheme will continue into Year 8, combining reading with rewards and setting milestones for the number of words read by a student. For instance, reaching half a million words earns your child a bronze bookworm badge, a million words gets them a silver, and 2 million words earns them the coveted gold bookworm badge.

We believe in rewarding positive behaviour at Tabor and here are some of the ways we recognise your child’s outstanding efforts:

• Achievement Points: Awarded in every lesson for excellent work, positive contributions, and demonstrating good manners and respect.
• Badges/Awards: Pupils can attain a range of badges and awards throughout the school year, including 100% attendance, achievement points, subject awards, and end-of-term rewards.
• Student of the Week: Each subject recognises a student who has excelled that week, celebrating their achievements during our weekly Year 8 assemblies.
• End of Term Awards: Certificates and prizes go to students who have consistently demonstrated excellence throughout the term, be it within a subject, tutor group, or year group.

As the Achievement Team Leader, I anticipate a group of learners who are polite, hardworking, engaged, and enthusiastic, making both the school and me immensely proud. Rest assured, I'll be here to support them every step of the way.

I am genuinely excited about the journey that lies ahead for your child and for our entire school community. I look forward to building on the hard work that began in Year 7 as we strive to ensure that this school year is filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Mr. Raby

Year 8 Achievement Team Leader