Ark Alexandra Academy is celebrating its third Appreciation Week this academic year, held as part of this month’s worship theme of Kindness, reinforcing the school’s commitment to building a caring and supportive community.
Taking place once each term, Appreciation Week encourages both staff and students to recognise and celebrate one another through handwritten thank you cards, offering members of the school community the chance to voice gratitude and appreciation. These small acts are designed to have a powerful impact, strengthening relationships and promoting positivity across the academy.
During tutor time, students are engaging in discussions around the impact of kindness, reflecting on how their actions affect others and the wider school environment.
This theme is being further explored during student worship, which feature the school’s value of kindness and the Christian teaching of “Love God, Love Thy Neighbour” which is helping students understand how these values are deeply interconnected in everyday life. Worship throughout the week are being led by Rev Toby Lancaster at William Parker and Father David Hill at Helenswood, who are sharing this message of kindness and compassion with each year group, encouraging students to put these values into action.
The week also recognises the importance of staff wellbeing, particularly during a demanding period that includes mock marking and mid-year assessments. To support staff, after-school meetings have been paused, and colleagues are being treated to a staff breakfast on one day on each campus, offering a moment of rest, appreciation, and connection.
Ark Alexandra’s Appreciation Week serves as a powerful reminder that kindness, gratitude, and care are central to the school’s culture, for students and staff alike.