Big Speak Week
This week we celebrated Big Speak Week at MEA Central with a whole school focus on building our students’ confidence and skill in speaking and listening. Throughout lessons and tutor time, students rose to the challenge brilliantly. They took part in debates, delivered presentations, asked thoughtful questions and supported each other to express their ideas clearly and respectfully.
Oracy, the ability to speak well, is a vital life skill and reflects our commitment to helping every child develop confidence, resilience and a strong future. We are proud of how our scholars embraced the opportunity to have their voices heard and to listen to others. Thank you for encouraging them at home as well. The progress they are making is a real team effort.
Student Prefect Teams
This week it was a real pleasure to work with our Senior Prefect Team and our brand-new Enrichment Prefect Team. The senior prefects showed impressive participation and insight during our session exploring the school’s context, vision and values. Meanwhile, the enrichment prefects prepared and delivered an excellent collaborative speech to all staff about the many benefits of extracurricular activities for our students.
Next week, they will be leading a positive campaign to improve our school environment through a litter picking drive, showing real pride in their community!
End-of-Year Celebration Trips – Tuesday 15th July 2025
We are looking forward to two end-of-year trips to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements:
These trips are a reward for all of our students who have consistently demonstrated our core values of Participation, Achievement, and Citizenship.
Key Information:
Students are expected to maintain excellent behaviour before and during the trip. Poor behaviour may result in removal from the trip or being returned to school on the day.
House Competitions- Summer Term Update
House Sports Day – 16th July
We are really excited for our Track and Field Day on Wednesday 16th July at Stockport Harriers Athletics Track. If your child is taking part, parents must have granted consent for their child to attend the event on Arbor. Students must arrive to school for 08:25. On this day, students are permitted to wear their PE shorts and hiuse coloured T shirts. We will return to school for 15:00. Please help your children prepare for the day by bringing a water bottle, medicine they may need (such as an inhaler) and a lunch for the day. Students who receive Free School Meals will be provided with a lunch bag on the day. Any concerns or queries regarding the day, please contact: a.jowitt@meacentral.org.uk
House Extravaganza Day – 18th July
We’ll be finishing the year in style with House Extravaganza Day on the final day of term. This whole-school celebration includes inflatables, table tennis, tug of war, festival-style games and classic sports day events. It will be a brilliant way to wrap up the academic year!
Free School Meal Vouchers for Summer Term
If your child is eligible for FSM, you will receive in your inbox an Asda voucher for £50.00 per eligible student on Monday 14th July 2025. Please check your emails. If you have any issues with accessing your voucher, please refer to the links below: -
Feedback
Please complete this form to help is improve PE at MEA central. Feedback is a gift!
If your child has additional needs, or is accessing an intervention in school, you will have received a link to complete a Microsoft Form requesting you to contribute to the update of their One Page Profile. One Page Profiles outline a student’s needs and how best to support them and are shared with all staff working with them.
There will be lots of opportunities to meet the team in the next academic year; we attend all key parent events, so please come and say hello!
Please contact the Skyline team directly if you have any questions, or would like to book a meeting with Ms. Earle, the SENCo: skylineadmin@meacentral.org.uk
If you require help and support for you child over the summer break, please access Manchester’s Local Offer website: Manchester Local Offer
The Local Offer is an information directory which outlines the support and services available to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in their local area. It features a range of activities that can be accessed for free over summer.
Internet Matters: Parent and Carer Resources
Internet Matters has released a range of resources to support parents and carers navigating online safety over the summer holidays.
Please see links to resources below:
Moving from Year 6 to Year 7 Parent and Carer Support
Screen Time Guide for 11–14-year-olds
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Support for young people and parents With an increase in temperature’s this week and throughout summer, please share these resources with your child. The information and resources this week relate to water safety. We have had some conversations with students this week around ensuring they are swimming in safe environments. We have also educated students on the dangers of swimming in risky waters.
Royal Lifesaving society
Respect the water This website offers educational resources. These are some of the campaigns available to explore.
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Head of Year Messages |
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Year 7 – Ms. C Gates This week, Year 7 have shown excellent participation during Big Speak Week. They’ve taken part in a range of oracy-based activities, including presentations, discussions and collaborative tasks across subjects. It’s been brilliant to see their confidence and communication skills developing in such an engaging way. We’ve also started to prepare for the transition to Year 8 by practising lunch and break on the courtyard. Students have adapted brilliantly to lining up in their new positions and have taken this next step with maturity and enthusiasm. Another highlight of the week was the geography field trip to Fletcher Moss. Students represented MEA Central brilliantly and enjoyed applying their learning in a real-world setting. We’re all looking forward to next week’s exciting events, including our trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the House Extravaganza! Ms Gates |
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Year 8 – Ms. S Bryan
What a brilliant week it has been!
This week, Year 8 have taken centre stage as we celebrated Big Speak Week under the theme “Loud and Proud.” Our aim has been to empower every scholar to raise their voice with confidence, clarity, and pride and they’ve truly risen to the challenge.
Throughout the week, students have taken part in a range of engaging oracy activities during lessons, enhancing their communication skills and building the courage to express themselves. A real highlight was the inspiring workshop delivered by Young Identity, where scholars explored the power of spoken word and performance. We rounded off the week with a Showcase Celebration, where students were awarded for sharing their voices and creativity with peers and staff. It was a joy to witness their brilliance! As we head into the final week of the academic year, our focus remains firmly on participation and celebration. Here's what's coming up:
With just one week left, I want to take a moment to say how incredibly proud I am of every Year 8 scholar. They have grown so much, not only in their learning but in their maturity, kindness, and ambition. Watching them develop into thoughtful, capable young people has been the absolute highlight of my year.
I also have a personal update to share, from September, I will no longer be the Head of Year 8. I have accepted a promotion to the role of Assistant Vice Principal, where I will be supporting our new Year 7 cohort.
It’s been an honour to lead Year 8, and while I will no longer be their Head of Year, I’m delighted to share that Mx Umpierrez will be stepping into that role. Having also been promoted to Senior Pastoral Lead, Mx Umpierrez is thrilled to continue working with you and your children, and I know they will provide the care, leadership, and high expectations that this amazing year group deserves.
Rest assured, I will remain closely connected to the year group in my role as Senior Leader link, and I warmly encourage you to stay in touch. Thank you for your continued support and partnership this year.
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Year 9 – Mr C Blackburn Year 9: Final Week of Key Stage 3 As Year 9 approach the end of Key Stage 3, I am filled with optimism and excitement for the journey ahead into Key Stage 4. This week, students have truly excelled — particularly in their oracy skills. Across a range of lessons and projects, they have shown impressive confidence and clarity in their communication. Being able to speak clearly and express ideas effectively is a vital skill for future success, and it has been fantastic to see these qualities in action.
Next week marks the final week of KS3, and we have an exciting line-up of events to celebrate:
Tuesday 15th July – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Trip Students should arrive at The Armitage Centre by 7:45am for a prompt 8:00am departure.
Friday 18th July – House Extravaganza Students will take part in a variety of fun, on-site activities as part of this fantastic end-of-term celebration. It promises to be a great day full of teamwork, energy, and house spirit. We are looking forward to a memorable end to Year 9 and a strong, confident start to Key Stage 4.
Thank you for your continued support,
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Year 10 – Mr J Roper This week has seen the culmination of the College/Career opportunities for the year group with trips taking place to an active building site (to look at careers within a trade) and to Connell College, as with last week's visits the pupils have been represented themselves and the school fantastically well. In school this week we have been celebrating 'Big Speak Week' which has given the year group lots of opportunities to extend their Oracy skills within workshops and in lessons.
Next week is the final week of Y10 - with lots to look forward to and to celebrate all the pupil's handwork across the year. We have Trip Day (Tuesday) and the House Extravaganza (Friday) to bring the year to an end, also next week I will have the pleasure of presenting the last Celebration Assembly of the academic year.
With regards to the trip for Y10 to Alton Towers, please see below some basic reminders for the day:
Have a great weekend and enjoy the fantastic weather.
Mr Roper & Ms Renshaw |