The Lister Weekly Update #8

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have launched Sparx Reader as homework in KS3 English classes. All students at Lister have to do a reading age assessment - this is to show teachers how well our students can access the reading they would be expected to do in class. Obviously, if one of our Lister students has a low reading age we need to do everything in our power to make sure they improve as a reader. This is where Sparx Reader comes in - as a regular homework to help students increase their reading age. There is nothing more important as a skill to develop than reading to help a student succeed at school.

Sparx Reader measures reading ages and provides a wide range of suitably challenging books for students to then read and improve their reading age. For every passage of a text they have read students have to answer a series of questions to prove that they have read the passage carefully.

If you would like to know more about this homework, follow this Sparx Reader link which provides a brief video introduction as to how Sparx Reader works.

Next week we will be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week at Lister with a series of events and activities. Throughout the week the library will be used as a hub for anti-bullying events and promotions. For example, on Tuesday we will be asking staff and willing students to wear odd socks in a national event when schools, workplaces and individuals join together to show that it's okay to be different and to stand up against bullying and discrimination. On the same day, in the library, students will be designing their own odd socks.

The library will not be available for usual events - apart from before school - so if you have a son or daughter who is keen to exchange their books - they need to arrive to school early!

Family Lives has produced a series of online parenting courses. If interested please follow the link below:

https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/online-parenting-courses

Family Lives offers a confidential and free* (from landlines and most mobiles) helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). They can be contacted on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their website is also a rich source of useful support and advice.

Many of you may want to research online tutors to support your child's academic progress. However, the title 'Tutor' is not protected and so anyone can claim to be a tutor. It is important that you thoroughly research tutors to ensure they have the correct accreditation. This link takes you to some information regarding online tutors and how to keep your children safe.

The Thought for the Week next week is focused on heroism. Please discuss the thought with your child who will be looking at the thought in assembly and discussing the idea with peers and the year team.