We have come to the end of our first half term as a virtual school and, although I immensely proud of the work our staff and students have done to make this work, I am also sad that we have not seen the children at all.

I hope you that you and your families are safe and well? We are seeing big improvements in the numbers of students logging into the Virtual Academy and this is very encouraging. 

I hope you are well and that your families are safe and have not been affected by the virus. We have had staff members who have lost family and if you have experienced loss or illness, everyone at the Academy sends you our love.

I hope you and your family are all well and safe. I am aware that some of our families have had relatives and friends affected by the virus and everyone at Manchester Academy sends you our very best wishes.

This has been an exciting week for everyone at Manchester Academy as we began our formal, online Academy timetable. The number of students taking part in lessons has grown throughout the week and so many students have welcomed the return to a timetable and connecting with their teachers again. 

Firstly, can I pass on my thanks from across the community for the way our students have respected the lockdown and stayed at home, keeping safe and helping to save lives. This is really important at this key time for the country when we are seeing infections rise towards a peak.

It feels so different to be writing to you all after the first week of the country being on lockdown and I hope that you and your families are well and looking after each other? I am sure the students are also adapting to this new reality as we all try and adjust to a new routine.  

There are so many exciting things going on in Manchester Academy – work with the Universities, local Art Galleries, sporting triumphs and excellent academic work but I know that the Coronavirus situation is on everyone’s minds and is causing everyone concern. 

After a short break the MA weekly bulletins are back and as the mornings and evening become lighter, we welcome the arrival of Spring.

There are the beginnings of lighter mornings and evenings and the long month of January is nearly over. This means that we’re moving closer to the summer and the examination season and it was fantastic to see so many Y11 parents at last night’s parents’ evening: the turnout was fantastic, thank you for your support.