- Home
- News and Key Dates
- Announcements
- Principal’s Message for Week B, wb...
Principal’s Message for Week B, wb 5th October 2026
Back to AnnouncementsDear Parents and Carers,
Next week is Praise Week at MEA Central, one of our favourite weeks of the term.
We always hold Praise Week in the lead-up to Belonging Week (the penultimate week of every half term) because we believe that praise is an investment in belonging. When people feel recognised, valued and appreciated, they are more likely to feel connected to their school, their peers and their community.
Throughout the week, we will be encouraging students and staff to recognise the positive qualities, efforts and contributions of others. Sometimes a simple word of encouragement, a thank you or an acknowledgment of someone's effort can have a lasting impact.
As the psychologist William James observed:
"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."
At MEA Central, we want every young person to know that they are seen, valued and important. Praise Week is an opportunity to celebrate the kindness, effort, resilience, citizenship and achievement that make our school such a special place.
We would also like to invite parents and carers to join us in celebrating our exceptional staff. If there is a member of staff who has made a positive difference to your child or family, please consider sharing a message of appreciation. Whether they have provided support, encouragement, guidance or simply gone the extra mile, your feedback is greatly valued and helps us recognise the remarkable contribution our staff make every day.
Parent Praise - Praise Week – Fill out form
We look forward to sharing a week filled with positivity, recognition and appreciation as we prepare for Belonging Week and continue working together to ensure every member of our community feels that they truly belong.
Open Evening – 15th October 2026 from 3:30pm
Our annual community Open Evening will take place from 3.30pm on 15th October 2026. We welcome all families and prospective students to the evening!
Please note that school will close at 2pm on 15th October 2026. School will also start at a slightly later time 9am on 16th October 2026. Breakfast club will run from 8.30am - 9am.
Enrichment Spotlight – Outdoor Learning
Is your child green-fingered, curious about nature or keen to learn new outdoor skills? Our Outdoor Learning clubs are a fantastic opportunity to get outside, try something new, and learn practical skills.
Wednesday Bushcraft Club with Mr Roper and Mr Padley
Try your hand at den building, whittling, knot tying, outdoor survival skills and much more.
Friday Nature Club with Mr Allon and Mr Needham
Help make our school grounds more wildlife-friendly by creating eco bird feeders, bug hotels and other nature projects.
Regular attendance at our Outdoor Learning clubs will be rewarded with a special Creepy Critters Experience at the end of the Autumn Term with the chance to get up close to some fascinating creatures. Please sign up!
Enrichment Spotlight – Breakfast Club
Our free Breakfast Club is open to all students every morning from 7.30am, with no need to book. Students can enjoy a free, healthy breakfast while getting support with independent learning and preparing for the day ahead.
We would particularly love to welcome more KS4 students!
Staff are available to support with:
- Sparx and GCSEPod
- Homework and independent study
- Revision techniques
- Creating effective revision timetables
- Getting organised for the school day
Open from 7.30am | Last entry at 8.10am
Head Boy & Head Girl Elections
We're delighted to announce that the search for our new Head Boy and Head Girl is officially underway - the two most prestigious student leadership positions MEA Central has to offer. Whoever is elected will become the face of our school community: representing MEA Central at assemblies, open evenings and community events, welcoming visitors, and taking the lead on flagship occasions such as prom and Black History Month. They will also chair the Student Leadership Council, working alongside the Senior Leadership Team, staff and governors to help shape the future of our school.
Eight of our Senior Prefects have gone through to the next phase of the election campaign. They will now need to produce a formal video and speech. The video will be shown to students during form time to help inform their vote, whilst the speech will be presented in front of the Senior Leadership Team and staff. Bring on the next stage!
Attendance and Punctuality
Over the next few weeks, we will be launching some exciting rewards to recognise students who demonstrate excellent attendance and punctuality. Every Friday, students will have the chance to be rewarded for:
- 100% attendance
- Most improved attendance
- Excellent punctuality to school
- Excellent punctuality to lessons
Rewards will include extra CAPs and House points, skip-the-queue passes, sweet treats, vouchers and some mystery prizes still to be revealed.
Developing excellent routines and habits around attendance and punctuality is a whole school priority this year. Being in school, arriving on time and getting to every lesson promptly means students maximise their learning, start the day positively and develop the habits of reliability and responsibility that will support them in the future.
Parents and carers can help by establishing consistent morning and bedtime routines, encouraging children to prepare their uniform, bags and uniform the night before, planning journeys so they arrive in plenty of time, and reinforcing the importance of being on time, every day.
|
Year Group |
Attendance this week |
Best Form Attendance |
|---|---|---|
|
7 |
96.9% |
7Duffy |
|
8 |
93.2% |
8Morrison |
|
9 |
95.4% |
9Duffy |
|
10 |
95% |
10Armitage |
|
11 |
96.1% |
11Armitage |
Winter Bugs: Should my child still come to school?
As we move into the colder months, coughs, colds and other seasonal illnesses become more common. A minor illness does not always mean your child needs to miss school.
Your child can usually attend school with:
- A minor cough or common cold
- A runny or blocked nose
- A mild sore throat
- A minor headache, if they otherwise feel well
Good habits help too: encourage regular handwashing, carrying tissues for coughs and sneezes, plenty of sleep and a healthy balanced diet. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough to attend, please contact your child's pastoral manager. We are always happy to discuss how we can support them to attend safely.
Further information and guidance can be found here:
Is my child too ill for school? - NHS
Lost Property
We currently have a huge amount of lost property in school, including blazers with personal belongings, expensive trainers, PE kits, and, in particular, lots of coats. Please encourage your child to check our lost property and collect anything that belongs to them. Lost property is open every morning from 7.30am–8.30am and can be accessed at break, lunch and after school.
We also ask parents and carers to clearly label all belongings with their child’s name, particularly blazers and coats. This makes it much easier for us to return lost items quickly.
Uniform
Our on-site Uniform Store is an important part of our commitment to belonging and ensuring that every student can feel smart, included and ready to learn, whatever the circumstances.
We are currently seeing a significant number of uniform items being borrowed but not returned, particularly blazers, ties, and school shoes. Please check at home and encourage your child to return any borrowed items as soon as possible so they are available for other students who need them. Student planners are stamped when uniform is borrowed and returned each day. Please review your child’s planner regularly and support us by ensuring that any borrowed items are returned to school.
A reminder that branded trainers are not permitted as school footwear. Students who arrive without the correct footwear will be asked to borrow school shoes. Where borrowed uniform is not returned, parents/carers will receive a charge through Arbor for the replacement cost of the item. If you are unable to purchase a uniform item or need additional support, please contact your child’s Pastoral Manager.
Communication
To improve communication and ensure queries reach the right people quickly, we have introduced dedicated email mailboxes for each Year Team. These mailboxes are monitored directly by the Head of Year, Pastoral Manager, and Senior Leadership Team, allowing us to respond more efficiently and provide coordinated support for your child. Please use the relevant Year Team mailbox as your first point of contact for any pastoral, attendance, behaviour, or wellbeing queries.
|
Year Group |
|
|---|---|
|
7 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
11 |
Young Carers
A young carer is a child or young person who regularly helps to care for a family member because of illness, disability, mental health difficulty or another support need. Sometimes, families may not realise that the support their child provides means they could be considered a young carer.
Does your child regularly:
- Help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, or other household tasks?
- Help a family member with medication, mobility, or personal care?
- Look after or supervise younger siblings including dropping off and collecting from school?
- Provide emotional support or reassurance to someone at home?
- Worry about or regularly check on the wellbeing of a family member?
- Take on responsibilities at home that may be more than would usually be expected for their age?
If you recognise your child in any of the above, please contact the school and ask to speak to Mrs. Tinsley. Identifying young carers helps us understand their responsibilities outside school and ensure that the right support, opportunities, and understanding are in place.
MEA Central Skyline Team
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's (MFT) Manchester Neurodevelopmental (ND) Service offers a range of FREE informational workshops, parent/carer groups, games sessions, etc to families of neurodivergent children and young people in Manchester. The sessions can be booked via the link below:
Manchester ND Service - Needs-led Offer by Manchester Parent Carer Forum | Eventbrite
Workshops include:
- Understanding Sensory Differences
- Understanding Communication Differences
- Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing
- Meet the Educational Psychologists
Head of Year Messages
Year 7 – Mr Guest
It has been another fantastic week for Year 7 at MEA Central. Our focus has continued to be on belonging, and students have engaged really well with conversations about what it means to truly feel part of our school community. We have been reminding students that positive friendships, taking part in enrichment clubs, arriving on time and wearing our uniform with pride are all important ways of showing that they belong and are proud to be part of MEA Central.
Year 7 have also thrown themselves into our litter-picking competition this week. Their enthusiasm has made a real difference, and the Year 7 play area has been looking fantastic as a result. It has been wonderful to see students taking responsibility for their environment and showing pride in their year group.
A reminder that any overtimes should be written in students' planners and will also be logged on Arbor. Overtimes take place after school in F20. Please encourage your child to check their planner and Arbor regularly so that they are aware of any upcoming overtimes.
Overall, Year 7 continue to work incredibly well and uphold our school values. We are really proud of the positive start they have made and want to continue building a year group where every student feels that they belong.
Mr Guest, Mx Eastwood
Year 8 – Ms Park
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we moved through another successful week in Year 8, our focus remained on our Autumn Term value of Citizenship. Students continued to explore the importance of making responsible choices, showing respect to others and contributing positively to our school community. Throughout lessons, social times and form periods, students were encouraged to demonstrate citizenship through their actions, communication and support for their peers.
During the week, Year 8 students completed their PASS (Pupil Attitudes to Self and School) Surveys. These surveys provided valuable opportunities for students to reflect on their experiences of school, learning and wellbeing. The responses will help us continue to provide effective support and ensure that every student can thrive throughout the academic year.
Students also had the opportunity to engage with National Poetry Day through a range of form-time activities. They explored the power of language and reflected upon the quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley:
"Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar."
These activities encouraged students to consider different perspectives and develop an appreciation for the role language plays in understanding the world around them.
We were also pleased to launch preparations for our upcoming Praise Week and Rewards Assemblies. Staff considered nominations for students who consistently demonstrated our school values through their character, attitude, effort and positive contribution to school life. Particular emphasis was placed on recognising students who embodied the value of Citizenship both inside and outside the classroom.
To conclude the week, a group of Year 8 students visited Manchester Central Library to meet the renowned author, Darren Shan. This was a fantastic opportunity to promote reading, literacy and aspiration, and students gained valuable insight into the world of writing and publishing.
Thank you for your continued support. By working together with kindness, consistency and high expectations, we continue to help our students achieve their best.
Mrs Karen Park, Miss Costello, Mr Chowdury
Year 9 – Mr Roper 
Year 9 have approached this week in a really mature and purposeful manner and we have once again been incredibly impressed by their attitude towards learning, revision and their application during the Big Test week. It has been particularly pleasing to see pupils arriving at line-up with revision cards and notes, as well as working collaboratively with friendship groups during social times to prepare for their assessments. This level of commitment and self-discipline is a real credit to the year group.
Uniform standards continue to be consistently strong and it was fantastic to come together for a live Year 9 assembly on Wednesday, led by Mr Grimes. The year group looked incredibly smart and were fully engaged throughout, demonstrating the pride they take in being part of the school community.
Following on from Big Test Week, pupils will now have the opportunity to reflect on their progress and identify their next steps. Developing the ability to evaluate their own learning is an integral part of their journey through Year 9 and will play an important role in preparing them for the challenges and expectations of Year 10. We are confident that the positive habits and determination shown this week will continue to support their success throughout the year.
Mr Roper & Ms Renshaw
Year 10 – Ms Bradbury
It has been another positive week for Year 10, and I am delighted to see students continuing to demonstrate the Grade 1 scholarly habits that underpin success at MEA Central. Across lessons, students have shown excellent focus, commitment and determination in their learning, taking pride in their work and making the most of every opportunity available to them. These habits are helping students build strong foundations for success as they progress through Key Stage 4, and I would like to thank parents and carers for their continued support in reinforcing these expectations at home.
Attendance across the year group also remains strong and continues to be a key factor in GCSE success. Every lesson matters, and regular attendance ensures that students can fully engage with new learning, benefit from expert teaching and keep pace with the demands of the curriculum. We are grateful for the support of our families in ensuring students attend school every day, on time and ready to learn.
Looking ahead, next week we will be sharing Year 10 GCSE Central Target grades. To support parents and carers in understanding the target-setting process, Ms Kilty will be holding a virtual information briefing on Tuesday 6th October from 4:15pm to 4:45pm. We would encourage parents and carers to attend this session, as it will provide valuable information about how targets are set, what they mean and how students can work towards achieving and exceeding them. In addition, Mr Grimes will be sharing information about upcoming careers opportunities and pathways available to students. The session will also be recorded and shared afterwards for any parents or carers who are unable to attend live.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I look forward to celebrating more successes with Year 10 in the weeks ahead as they continue to demonstrate the commitment, resilience and ambition expected of a true MEA Central Scholar.
Ms Bradbury, Mx Umpierrez
Year 11 – Mr Blackburn
Year 11 continue to make an excellent start to the year, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the year group on the positive attitude, maturity and focus they have shown so far.
Attendance – Everyday Matters
Attendance remains our number one priority, and I am delighted to share that Year 11 are currently sitting within the top 4% of Year 11 attendance nationally. This is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment shown by both students and families.
In Year 11, every lesson counts. Strong attendance gives students access to every piece of teaching, feedback, intervention and support available. Please continue to ensure your child attends school every day, as this gives them the very best chance of success in their GCSEs and beyond.
Participation & College Applications
As Head of Year, I have the privilege of teaching five Year 11 CAP classes, and I have been incredibly impressed with the focus and engagement students have shown in these lessons.
Over the coming weeks, students will continue exploring their post-16 options and developing their college applications. I am challenging every student to attend at least five college open days and apply to five colleges. It is so important to keep options open and make informed decisions about the future.
Alongside this, students are beginning work on their personal statements. These are a crucial part of the college application process and provide students with the opportunity to showcase their achievements, strengths, interests and aspirations. The effort students put into CAP lessons now will pay dividends later in the year.
The Key to Success in Year 11
One of the most important messages I have shared with students is that Year 11 is not about being busy and rushing around. Success comes from early preparation.
Being organised and planning ahead helps to reduce stress and anxiety. I would encourage all students to create a realistic timetable for evenings and weekends that they can stick to consistently. This timetable should include:
- Revision and independent study
- Exercise and physical activity
- Time with friends and family
- Opportunities to relax and recharge
Balance is essential. Small, consistent steps taken now will make a huge difference later in the year.
On the Horizon
A reminder that the deadline to secure a place on the Year 11 Residential is Friday 16th October. A £20 deposit is required to secure a place.
Mr Blackburn spoke about this exciting opportunity in assembly last week, and the entire staff team is looking forward to sharing this experience with the year group.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can ensure Year 11 has a successful, memorable and rewarding year.
Best wishes,
Mr Blackburn and Mrs Shahbaz