Summer 2015 - Attleborough Academy Norfolk

Attleborough
Academy
TIMES.
Year 11 Leavers’ Day
Pages 10 and 11
Summer 2015
AAN Dance Show
Page 15
Community and Memorial Fete
Pages 16 and 17
The Brilliant Club
Pages 6 to 8
part of the
Ski Trip Review
Pages 20 and 21
ATTLEBOROUGH
ACADEMY
NORFOLK
Welcome to
Attleborough Academy Times
From the
Principal
Welcome to the latest edition of the
Academy Times for Attleborough
Academy Norfolk. As we come to
the end of another academic year, it
is time to take stock and reflect on
our many successes this year.
Every academic year culminates
for our Year 11 and Year 13/14
students in their ‘Prom’ and ‘Formal’
respectively. These are always events
when we feel incredibly proud of
how our students have grown into
admirable young adults during their
time at the Academy.
Thank you to those of you who
supported our Year 11 Prom in
June. This year it felt like the whole
Attleborough community joined us in
welcoming our Year 11 students on
their ‘Promenade’ arrival to the front
doors of the Academy. Our teaching
staff welcomed all the attendees
as they stepped out of an amazing
variety of vehicles and onto the red
carpet. I am sure all parents and
carers will have felt enormously proud
of our Year 11 just as we all did. Even
though many will return to join our
Sixth Form, it is always a very proud
moment for those of us who have
shared their educational journey with
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them as we reflect on how successful
we have been as a community in
partnership with parents and carers
to have nurtured and developed
such admirable, proud, caring and
responsible students.
Similarly, most recently, we
celebrated the Year 13 Formal at the
Assembly Rooms in Norwich. Again,
this was a splendid event with staff
being quite emotional but whilst
being sad at having to say goodbye
to our wonderful students, we can
be comforted with the satisfaction
of knowing that we have prepared
them well for the next steps in their
lives. It was particularly moving to
see Mr Hunt (ex-Head of Sixth Form)
and Miss Harrison (ex-Sixth Form
Tutor) who although are both now
retired, attended the Formal to join
us in wishing our Sixth Form leavers
every success for their futures. This
level of commitment is testament to
the outstanding relationships that
we develop here at AAN. Again,
my thanks go to the parents and
carers of Year 13 students for your
continuing support for the Academy.
You will know that when considering
to send your child to the Academy,
I always tell parents and carers
that “it takes a whole village to
educate a child” and so thanks to
you all, you have been a vital part
in our partnership and a major part
of the growth and development of
our wonderful leavers. Our Lead
Presidents, Josie Hindle and
Jack Reynolds made really heart-
warming speeches to sum it all up
with Jack reflecting, “Don’t be too
sad that it (Sixth Form) is over, just be
glad you experienced it and feel lucky
you were a part of it”. Josie similarly
enthused, “I have loved it all, why
wouldn’t you?!”.
Staff who leave us this year are Mrs
Arnott (English and Media), Miss
Anderson (PE Maternity Cover), Mr
Bonsra (SAFE Team), Miss Budds
(English), Miss Cooper (English), Dr
Ellen (English), Mrs Fenton (Health
and Social), Mr Flory (EVC/Finance/
Cover Manager), Miss Goodwin
(Head of Drama), Mr Martin (Maths),
Miss Morley (Cover Supervisor), Mr
Phillips (Maths) Mr Philpott (ICT) Mrs
Townley (Art), Mrs Triggs (Assistant
Principal) and Mr Wills (English).
We thank them all for all their work
and appreciate their inputs. Some
of these staff have covered for
colleagues on maternity and long
term absence and we thank them
particularly for their contributions in
filling in so admirably and flexibly,
often at late notice. All staff leaving
have been a valued member of our
community and we wish them all
every future success.
Our involvement with the Ugandan
Orphanage continues and recently,
it was good to welcome back
Mrs Howard, ex-Headteacher of
Attleborough Infants School, to
give an Assembly to each House
in which she made us aware that
part of the
our previous fund raising over the
past few years has now paid for the
building of a new boys’ dormitory in
the Orphanage we are supporting in
Bulabakula, Uganda. This is a real
testimony to the charity of our current
and previous students, parents
and carers and it was really heartwarming to see the physical results of
our past efforts with the building now
standing proudly in the grounds of
the Orphanage. Mrs Howard brought
with her the hearty thanks of all the
boys whose nights of having to sleep
on the floors of the Orphanage school
are now gladly over.
The Academy ‘Master Plan’, which
will develop the size and the facilities
of the site in response to the growth
of housing in the town, continues
to gather pace. I am sure you will
remember from the media coverage
that we were successful this year
in securing a bid in the region of
£3m from the Government’s Priority
Schools Building Programme. The bid
secured the first part in the Master
Plan for the growth of the Academy.
We were one of only five ‘schools’
in the County to be successful in
this bid and actually only one of 277
‘schools’ nationwide. A big thank
you must go to the bid writers from
the TEN Group’s Campus Services
department, which is headed up by
Mr Stuart Mullineux, for their hard
work and expertise in securing this
bid. Mr Mullineux, together with
Mr Lock, our Campus Services
Co-ordinator, also oversaw the
successful completion of our
re-roofing project, which was
completed so professionally and
without any fuss whilst we remained
operational last term. We have also
just completed the refurbishments
on our Sixth Form study areas which
has given our A Level students further
dedicated space for quiet study. This
gives our Sixth form further dedicated
areas for quiet study. I would like to
thank Mr Bujak who kindly sponsored
this refurbishment and we will soon
dedicate this area to Mr Bujak’s
family, on his mother’s side, by
naming the area ‘The Forster
Study Centre’.
Congratulations to Patrick Kassaga
who was selected as this year’s
recipient of the J F Bujak Travel
Bursary. Patrick had a dream to go
to St Lucia to use his undoubted
football skills to promote sports
coaching on the island. Patrick has
been busy this past year fundraising
a substantial sum towards the cost
of his trip and so we are pleased that
through his own efforts and with
Mr Bujak’s generosity, Patrick will
now get the chance to live his dream
this Summer. Chloe Painter and Holly
McClaren also received bursaries
this year for their recently completed
History trip to Auswitchz in Poland.
We thank Mr Bujak for his continued
sponsorship of this Bursary.
We look forward to welcoming
our new staff after the Summer
holidays, within which we will learn
of our GCSE and A Level results
for this academic year. Barring
any unexpected changes to grade
boundaries, we are predicting record
results for the Academy and so I
would like to wish all of our Year 11
and Year 13 students every success,
I truly hope you get the results you
wish for and truly deserve. Thank you
to all our staff for their dedication,
their commitment and for their
continued focus on improving the
opportunities and outcomes for all of
our students. Thank you to all of our
students for their commitment to their
studies and for their general excellent
behaviour. This year has seen even
less disruptions to lessons and
attendance has shown even further
improvement overall. I wish you all a
restful Summer break.
Lastly, I would like to thank the whole
of our community for their support
in what has been a very emotional
year. The loss of our much loved
Vice Principal, David Bartram was
particularly difficult to cope with and
it is a tribute to the strength of our
community that we all stuck together
and helped each other through this
dark and challenging time.
I am sure many of you will have
attended our Summer Fete which
we held in David’s memory. This
was a wonderful community day
raising money in David’s name for
the charities chosen by his family;
the East Anglian Air Ambulance
and the British Heart Foundation.
continued overleaf...
3
The fete itself was the culmination
of a huge operation with staff and
students all earnestly committed to
the preparations in order to fulfil their
own ideas to pay a fitting tribute to
David. It was the students themselves
who voted for the balloon release and
renaming of a building as well as the
planting of spring bulbs around the
‘memorial’ tree. The staff suggested
bringing it all together into a fete where
we could raise money for the two
charities and proposed that this fete
would end our ‘Charities, Volunteering
and Community’ Challenge Week
organised by Mrs Triggs. Students
spent some of this week preparing
for the event, making artefacts and
planning activities to raise money at
the fete. Particular thanks must go to
Mr Wills’ tutor group for making the
promotional video which was shown
on the AAN website.
Many members of the Attleborough
Community, including local
businesses, also kindly donated their
time, equipment and resources in
order to make the day a success. We
are delighted to report that the day’s
events raised a total of over £2,500
which will be split evenly between the
two charities. Thank you to all of you
who attended and gave so generously.
4
Renaming the building where David
taught all his History lessons is a
fitting and lasting tribute to David’s
commitment to the subject that was
his passion. ‘The David Bartram
Building’ will thus stand as a
permanent reminder of his outstanding
expertise and it is also fitting that
David’s young sons, both bravely
pulled the cord to unveil the new sign
to resounding applause. David’s wife,
children and family were then invited to
be the first to enter the building named
in his honour.
David would have been so proud of the
commitment shown by our staff and
students in preparing for the event and
I know he would have been touched, if
not a little embarrassed, by the enormous
numbers who attended – a reflection of
the high esteem he was held in.
This fete was part of our healing
process as we continue to learn to
live with David’s loss. Reflecting on its
success and the strength of support
from our community has given comfort
to us all. There are too many people to
thank individually but a special thank
you must go to Mrs Fiona CampbellHorne, who was David’s PA, who
tirelessly worked to ensure that the
day was a success.
My sincere thanks goes to everyone
involved in preparing and supporting
the day. It is a real privilege to lead
such a caring, strong, resilient and
proud organisation but my thanks
not only goes to the members of the
Academy community, but also to the
wider Attleborough community.It is
a real privilege to lead such a caring,
strong, resilient and proud organisation
but my thanks go not just to members
of the Academy community but to all
the wider Attleborough community.
I am certain that Attleborough, as a
whole community, did David proud.
Mr Neil McShane
Principal
Chair of Governors
interview questions
Name
Frances Harrod
What is your occupation?
I am the Finance and Administration
Manager at my local primary school
actively participating in all aspects of
the school.
How long have you been
a school Governor?
Almost too long! I have been a
Governor at both primary and
secondary level, it all began back
in June 1994
What made you want to be
a school Governor?
I joined the Governing Body as
an elected Parent Governor to
enable me to have more knowledge
of my children’s education, to use
my skills and generally become
involved in this most important part
of a child’s life.
What does being a school
Governor mean to you?
I take the position very seriously
and devote much time to the role
enabling me to gain as much
knowledge as possible. A non
professional opinion often provides
valuable contribution. I believe in
being as involved as much
as possible.
How does your background help
with your role as Governor?
It helps very much. My role as a
parent of four and my employment
in a school compliments my
Governor duties.
As Chair of the Local Governing
Body, what is the Board’s three
main priorities for the next year?
To promote the Academy both within
the Academy itself and throughout
the wider local community,
raising students’ self-esteem and
awareness of the many good things
happening at present.
To ensure that all students are fully
supported in achieving their highest
potential.
To ensure student progress and
deliver good or outstanding lessons
at all times.
If you could wave a magic wand
and change one thing about
education in the UK, what
would it be?
Less emphasis on targets and
results tables and give school staff
time to return to the joy of teaching
and the joy of learning.
What is your message to the
students at the Academy?
This is an amazing Academy with
wonderful dedicated, knowledgeable
and committed staff. Work hard and
take every opportunity given to you,
take pride in yourself and care for
yourself and others.
Remember the Academy core
values, CARE: Commitment,
Achievement, Respect, Excellence.
In February we saw the
return of the PTFA Quiz
Night. Over one hundred and
fifty members of the public,
students, parents, carers
and staff attended, and they
took part in another excellent
quiz set by our returning
Quizmasters; Mr Cole and
Mr Wills.
With BBC’s Pointless and
Only Connect both making
an appearance, it was a
really enjoyable evening with
a challenging quiz that kept
everyone entertained. Huge
congratulations go to one
of our staff teams who stole
victory (by some margin) from
the Academy Leadership Team!
Look out for details of the
next PTFA Quiz (this time with
chips!) in September.
Thank you to everyone who
came along to take part, the
event raised over £300!
If you would like to be part of
our growing PTFA and help
to continue the amazing work
they do in raising money to
support our Academy,
please contact Jenny Savage at
[email protected]
5
The Brilliant Club 2015 –
The Scholars’ Programme
The Brilliant Club 2015 ran
from March through to May at
Attleborough Academy Norfolk.
The Scholars’ Programme is run
by The Brilliant Club, an award
winning charity that seeks to
increase fair access to highly
selective universities. The Brilliant
Club is a national programme,
and they currently work with over
5,000 pupils in 150 schools across
the country. If you would like to
find out more information about
The Brilliant Club you can visit the
website www.thebrilliantclub.org
The Scholars’ Programme is
designed to give students exposure
to a genuine academic environment
and to experience learning in the
style of a university student.
Attleborough Academy Norfolk
students worked closely with Dahlia
Primrose Bond, a PhD Tutor, in a
series of small group universitystyle tutorials. The students studied
a ‘super-curricular’ course that
explored topics they do not usually
study in the Academy’s curriculum.
Their subject was the “History of
the Scottish Chapbook”. During the
tutorials, the students completed
readings and assignments that
stretched them to work above
their current key stage level.
The final project included
completing 1,500 word
university-style final assignment.
6
The Scholars’ Programme also
involved trips to two different highlyselective universities. These trips
gave the students the opportunity
to meet current undergraduates,
experience a tour of the university
and receive information, advice
and guidance about university
from the university’s outreach staff.
The Launch Trip took place at the
beginning of the programme, on the
03 March 2015. Students visited the
University of East Anglia and this is
where they were introduced to their
PhD Tutor and experienced their first
tutorial in the academic setting of the
university.
At the end of the programme, all
students who had submitted their
final assignment (in Attleborough
Academy’s case this was 100%
of participating students) were
invited to the Graduation trip at
Trinity College which is part of the
University of Cambridge. Students
took part in a formal certification
ceremony to celebrate the
completion of the programme.
The following diagram shows
what an individual Scholars’
Programme looked like for
our participating students:
Asking the question what did the
students enjoy the most?
They responded:
• Independent research
• University trips to Trinity Hall and
the UEA
• The tutorials
• Learning and researching about
something entirely new
• Developing skill-set - perfecting the
art of writing essays
• A smaller class size where they felt
challenged
• Sharing their opinion
• Feedback from assignments that
they had written which enabled
them to do better in their final
assignment
• The graduation ceremony
• Finding out from an expert
It is very positive that the students
have been involved in this project. It
has given them confidence in their
ability to write structured essays of
a high standard; in their belief that
university is within their reach; gave
them an opportunity to try a new
style of learning; some felt privileged
to have been invited to participate;
and finally some feel they are more
able to try something new.
It has helped the students with their
learning in particular:
• how to structure, plan and format
a formal essay
• how to write a final assignment
• learning about a new topic
(the Scottish Chapbook)
• how to write a balanced argument
• how to overcome challenges
• how to effectively research
• how to work within a time limit
• how to create a bibliography
Out of the 12 students who participated, the following successes
were achieved:
Grade
No of
students
Equates to
1st
4
Excellent achievement working at AS Level
2:1
2
Good achievement working at AS Level
2:2
2
Excellent achievement working at GCSE level
3rd
4
Good achievement working at GCSE level
Two students were also awarded Distinctions, Jacob McArthur for academic
excellence and Terri Vessey for effort.
All students made amazing progress
and achievement. Readers, I present
to you the graduates of Brilliant Club
2015.
Representing Year 9 were Peter
Arnold, Yik Chong, Noah Coates,
Olivia Landreth, Rebecca Parsons
and Terri Vessey.
Representing Year 10 were Jacob
McArthur, Matthew Bint, Tamzin
Masters, Iona Maxwell, Senna
Watker and Alex Whitefield.
7
The Brilliant Club 2015 –
PROGRAMME FEEDBACK
At the end of the
programme, 91% of
participating students
stated: “I will be
able to study at this
university (Cambridge
and/or UEA) when I
am older if I work hard
at school”
At the end of the
programme, 92%
of participating
students stated:
“I have a good general
knowledge that goes
beyond GCSE level”
compared with 50%
at the beginning.
8
At the end of the
programme, 58% of
participating students stated
“I can complete written
work to the same standard
as an A-Level student”
A statement from Hollie Brown,
East of England Regional Director,
The Brilliant Club: “It has been a pleasure
to work with Attleborough Academy
students. The commitment from the
students has been incredibly impressive
with 100% attendance and submission.
The student self-evaluation scores
suggest that students may have found
the programme challenging, but have
gained increased academic subject
knowledge and confidence, as well as
knowledge about university. I would like
to congratulate the students for their
hard work and effort on the programme.”
Attleborough
Bike Fest 2015...
Gearing up to
be quite an
exciting summer
extravaganza!
(An update from the
Neighbourhood Plan
Steering Group)
The Tour of Britain passes through
Attleborough High Street on the 12
September 2015 with some of the
world’s leading cyclists competing
in the race. Thousands of people are
expected to turn out for the occasion
and it will give the town a great
opportunity to celebrate in style.
On the starting line..
“The Attleborough Flower and Bike
Trail”. Popping up all over the town,
we will be creating displays with a
common theme. These will start to
appear from the beginning of August
and a trail map will be available with
a prize for all completed entries,
thanks to Tim Cobb at The Bakery.
There will also be a prize draw to win
a bike of your own, now that must be
worth getting out of the armchair for!
Trail maps will be available from the
following outlets from 05 August Tony Perkins Butchers, The Bakery,
Myhills Electrical, The Cycle Shop,
Burrows the Green Grocers and the
Tourist Information Centre.
We are still welcoming entries for
the flower display. Any business,
organisation or individual who would
like to enter please contact Faye
on 01603 702374.
Please take time out to enjoy the
trail and displays, it is a great
opportunity to get the family out
and about in the fresh air.
Moving up a gear...
On Monday 31 August 2015 (Bank
Holiday weekend), the town will be
having a family fun day to celebrate
the forthcoming tour. There will be
music, entertainment, food, a beer
and cider fest and much more in
and around the Town Centre green.
Come along and celebrate with us, it
will also give you a chance to catch
up with the bike trail if you haven’t
already completed it.
than driving adds to the benefit and
is probably a more common sense
approach than trying to drive in with
so many visitors expected.
This is a real chance to enjoy, as a
town, the Tour coming in September
so on your bike!
More details of the day will be
revealed on our Attleborough
Neighbourhood Plan Facebook Page
– so watch that space.
Crossing the
finishing line...
On Saturday 12 September 2015,
The Tour of Great Britain will be
heading into town around lunchtime.
The town and the High Street shops
will be decorated to welcome the
world class field of riders and for
the rest of the day there will be
entertainment, music, local food and
drink and lots more to entertain the
thousands expected to descend on
the town.
Again watch our Facebook page
for regular updates. Car parking
will be limited on the day so try and
leave the car at home for the day.
The Army Cadets will be organising
parking on the day for those that
cannot walk in and donations will
be accepted at the entrance for a
couple of local charities.
Cycling usually means fresh air and
exercise. There will be plenty of
opportunity over the coming months
to get outside and in town to enjoy
more outdoor time. Walking in rather
9
Yearr 11 Leav
vers’’ Day
y 201
15
10
On Thursday 21 May 2015,
the Academy’s Year 11 students
celebrated the end of their
mainstream school careers
with the annual Leavers’ Day.
All of the year group came to the
Academy in fancy dress and the corridors
and playing fields were swamped with
an array of cowboys, nurses, film stars
and frogs – even a chicken!
The winners of the fancy dress
competition were Jack Morter who
came dressed as a Tardis from Dr Who
(a costume designed by himself) and
Aneta Bairamova who came dressed
as a character from the film Avatar.
The students enjoyed an assembly
where they reminisced over stories of
their time at the Academy and were
shown old pictures of themselves to
show how much they had changed
since Year 7. The day finished with a
parade on the Academy field and a
barbecue run by Mr Keshavarz and
Mr Reavey.
All the students had a wonderful day
and they leave with the Academy’s
very best wishes for the future.
Written by Mr Davies
11
between the tears and laughter to
project a couple of music videos
from our highly creative students
- special thanks to Lucy Noonan,
Laura Kidd, Ansaya Hunt and Daniel
Bunn. Proceedings were brought to
a conclusion with a quiz for staff and
students revealing several hidden
truths and further predictions, before
the commencement of the traditional
Year 13 fancy dress rounders
match which was officiated by Mrs
Covington.
Yea
ar 13 Dresss Up
p Da
ay
The sun just about came out
to warm the celebrations on
Friday 22 May 2015, the final day
that Year 13 students would
spend at the academy.
dwellers, a pair of grape bunches,
the entire cast of Jaws, a handful of
senior citizens (not the staff!), special
guest celebrities Novak and Audrey
and many others.
As ever, the costumes were an
eclectic range spanning the full
gamut of possibilities including
the philosophical, the chemical,
the magical, the piratical and not
forgetting the musical. Luckily,
Wayne had escaped his World to
participate, as had Pongo, Perdita
and Patch, a vehicle-less Stig, a duo
of Guantanamo escapees, some cave
The main proceedings commenced
with the final assembly where
I guided the leavers through
the highlights of their incredible
educational journey aided by images
from throughout their school career,
pausing occasionally to dwell on what
the future might hold for them all as
indicated by the mystical wonders
of astrology. There was even time
For the rest of the afternoon the
students indulged in a BBQ provided
by Mr Reavey and I. Many more
staff were able to join the students,
share memories and recount stories
from the past seven years, sharing
in a fitting celebration of the final
day at school for this wonderful set
of students. We wish them all every
success in the future, and we look
forward to finding out about their
continued accomplishments in years
to come.
Written by Mr Keshavarz,
Head of the Sixth Form Centre
Smiles all round on the AS Level
Geography Trip to Marlham Tarn
Over a long weekend in mid-March,
I travelled up to Malham Tarn in
the Yorkshire Dales with twelve
AS Level Geography students
to investigate the local area and
undertake field work in preparation
for the students’ upcoming exams.
changes in a river. The data
collection was an exciting team
effort although it was quite tough
as the weather had turned against
us, however, that didn’t slow the
determined students - that was until
James Lavall fell in the river!
On the way up we stopped off
to explore Brimham Rocks; a
geological playground for kids of all
ages. Despite the snow warnings,
we arrived safely at the Field Study
Centre on the edge of Malham
Tarn and were welcomed with an
interactive quiz of the Dales.
The first day in the field saw us
investigating the downstream
On the second day we went out to
four villages to compare settlements
inside and outside of the National
Park. Back at the centre we warmed
up and analysed the data after a
delicious filling dinner - and lots of
cake! On the final day we walked
down the Pennine Way and across
the bizarre limestone pavement on
the top of Malham Cove.
12
Great fun was had by all, we
celebrated three of the students’
birthdays during the trip and, in spite
of some eventful moments, we all
came back with smiles on our faces.
Year 10
students
rise to the
challenge
at Senior
Prefect
Training
Written by Josie Hindle, Attleborough
Academy Sixth Form Centre’s Lead
Female President
Attleborough Academy
Book Week – Wish You Were Here
Once again the Academy’s Library
saw the arrival of Mrs Parker’s
gazebo which was put to use to
promote AAN Book Week with the
theme of Wish You Were Here.
Throughout the week, students
were able to participate in all things
travel related by celebrating travel
writing and getting ready for the
summer holidays by considering
all the fun and exciting free things
they can get up to. During break
and lunch times, the gazebo was
packed with students having a go
at building sand castles in the ‘mini
beach’ (a sandpit!). For the more
discerning students there was also
the opportunity to fill in the ‘Where
Have You Been’ map which, by the
end of the week, showed us all of
the places our students had visited.
Mrs Parker was impressed with how
well travelled our staff and students
are. Students have also been treated
to a small art installation created with
contributions from members of staff.
During Library lessons, students
from Years 7 to 9 had a go at travel
writing inspired by Palin, Bryson and
online travel bloggers. All students
made a real effort to create some
very interesting pieces of writing and
staff were very impressed with the
range of locations our students have
chosen to write about. Students
are eagerly waiting to see who
has won the post card design
competition, which will see the
winning entry printed into postcards
and distributed in the Library.
There have been some fantastic
entries so it will be a tough decision.
Students have already been asking
Mrs Parker what will feature in the
gazebo next. All she will say is,
‘they will have to wait and see…’
In April, all the Year 10
students who had been
nominated for a Senior
Prefect position had an
intensive training session
for one morning in
preparation for their role
next academic year.
The day began with a series
of team building activities
run by guest presenters
from City College Norwich.
The students were divided
into their houses and, with
the able assistance of their
House Leaders, completed
a number of challenges such
as obstacle races which
could only be successfully
completed using teamwork.
The students then had training
on the challenges of being a
Senior Prefect which included
them performing a series of
role plays with a group of Year
8 students acting out potential
scenarios for the Year 10
students to solve.
It was an extremely positive
day with the year 10 students
rising to the challenge and
proving they will become an
excellent Senior Prefect team
next academic year.
Written by Mr Davies
13
Drama Club students
entertain audience
with alternative fairy
tale performances
Sixth
h Forrm Centtre Updatte
Over the past term at Attleborough
Sixth Form, we have focused
mainly on raising money.
With the successful Children in Need
event last term that raised over £830
and a further £80 being raised on
the final day before Christmas, we
aimed high for a total of £1,000 for
Red Nose Day this year. We decided
on a similar format to the Children in
Need event, opening up the Gym at
lunch for games such as Red Nose
Crazy Golf, Pin the Red Nose on the
Teacher, Cupcake Decorating and
Teacher Pictionary. After gathering all
the money from the main Academy,
Sixth Form and the money from the
various events held on and around
the day, we managed to surpass
our target and raised an incredible
£1,011.35 which when doubled by
the government, gave us a grand total
of £2,022.70.
After focussing on fundraising, the
sixth form students returned to focus
on revision and the final few days for
the Year 13’s. Luckily, we managed
to open a new Quiet Work Room
in the Sixth Form block which is
designed for students who wish to
work in silence complete with laptops
and plug sockets for those who wish
to bring their own technology into the
Academy. Noticeboards have also
been put up and in the future they
shall be used for Sixth Form notices.
During the term, the Presidents’ Team
had some visitors in their meeting
from the EDP to discuss the Election
2015 as many Sixth Formers are 18
and eligible to vote. We answered
questions from reporter Annabel
Dickson on both how we viewed
the election as a whole, and then
on whom our local candidates are.
14
Following this, a couple of students
were called to return for individual
interviews on their opinions of the
current situation of the election.
After various photos and footage
had been taken, it was posted on the
EDP website and in the paper.
Overall, it was an experience that
we all enjoyed.
Regardless of the dreary weather,
Year Book photos were taken as a
lasting memory of the 2013 – 2015
class, including friendship groups,
class groups and tutor groups. The
leavers’ events continued on 22nd
May, as the Year 13’s sat through
their final day at Sixth Form, and
marked the end of their school life.
We attended normal lessons before
break and then moved in to the hall
for our final leavers’ assembly which
was filled with humorous stories and
photos. After a game of rounders and
a barbecue, we finished the day and
prepared to go on study leave before
our final exams. The Year 13 Formal
2015 was held at The Assembly
House in Norwich which was an
event that was enjoyed by all.
We are now waiting to pick up our
results on A Level results day on
Thursday 13th August.
With the Year 13’s leaving, the
current Year 12’s have taken over
the role of Midday Supervisors and
will soon take over the role of the
current Presidential Team. With the
Presidential term coming to an end,
we would just like to thank all of the
students for participating and helping
in our fundraising events. We would
also like to thank the teachers for
helping us achieve so much over
the past year.
Each year the Attleborough
Academy Drama Club put
on a variety of fantastic
performances and this year
has been no exception.
Last half term the Drama Club
performed their own versions
of three well-known fairy tales:
Hansel and Gretel, Snow White
and The Three Little Pigs. Each
of the tales had been updated
and adapted to provide the
audience with an alternative
perspective on the stories which
enabled them to empathise with
villainous characters instead
of the traditional ‘heroes’ and
‘heroines’.
The students’ first performance
saw Hansel and Gretel escape
from a Fat Camp and devour
an entry into the gingerbread
round of the Great Fairy Tale
Bake Off. This was followed
by an adaptation of the classic
fairy tale Snow White who
was portrayed as a spoilt
brat who had run away from
home in an attempt to avoid
doing her fair share of the
household chores and made
the seven dwarves her slaves.
The final performance saw
the Three Little Pigs fail to
apply for planning permission
for their houses and ignore
correspondence from the Mr
Wolff at the council which
resulted in their houses being
demolished in order to protect
the great crested newt.
The students worked hard
throughout the term to put on
an entertaining show which
was well received by their
friends and family. The Drama
Club also put on two short
comedy performances for
friends and family in July.
Huge well done to Drama
Club students Alanna-Marie
Wright, Joseph Rosales, Elise
Townsend, Lasma Ciseiko, Ruth
Turner, Charlotte Brett, Emily
Keable, Chloe Patrick, Rachel
Bickel, Maisie McKenna, Liliana
Bas and Kelli Parratt.
Fifty Year 10 students visited
the Norwich Theatre Royal on
Wednesday 11 February 2015
to watch the award winning
touring west end production
of The Woman in Black.
The trip gave students the
opportunity to watch the stage
version of Susan Hill’s novel
that they are working on for
their GCSE English Literature
with Miss Budd and Mr Wills.
Stude
ents wow the cro
owd
ds at
Attle
eborough Acad
dem
my Dance
e Sh
how
w
Students from Attleborough
cluster schools wowed the crowds
with their stunning ‘through the
ages’ themed performances at
the Attleborough Academy Dance
Show. The event took place in the
academy’s main hall on Tuesday
24 and Thursday 26 March 2015.
demonstrating street dance at its best
which included former Attleborough
Academy Norfolk students who are
now part of the Fusion Dance Senior
Group. A spectacular compilation of
street dance routines were also given
by Watton based The Star Dance
Company.
Over 400 guests were treated
to performances that reflected
dance styles from the 1920s up
to the present day with moves
and sequences created by the
School Sport Partnership’s Dance
Coordinator, Emily Harper. These
performances were given by
students aged between 5 and
18 from Attleborough Academy
Norfolk, Attleborough Infant School,
Attleborough Junior School, Chapel
Road School, Great Ellingham
Primary School, Hingham Primary
School and Rocklands Community
Primary School.
Dean Rosembert, Teacher
of Physical Education,
Attleborough Academy Norfolk said:
“The Attleborough Academy Dance
Show allows students to be creative
by expressing their emotions and
skills through dance. These qualities
will enable each student to further
develop their understanding of
creativity and transfer this into their
normal, everyday school life.”
Described as the ‘most
terrifying live theatre experience
in the world’, the performance
didn’t disappoint with many
students admitting they would
have trouble sleeping later
that night. For many of the
students, it was their first
trip to the theatre (apart from
the obligatory Christmas
pantomime).
All Academy students were
impeccably behaved and were
suitably disgusted at the crisp
packet rustling and popcorn
throwing of students from other
schools around us.
The Attleborough Academy Dance
Show is available to buy on DVD for
£10. To pick up your copy email Mr
Rosembert at the following address:
[email protected]
In addition, local dance company
Fusion Dance gave a master class
15
Community,Volunteering, Community
and The David Bartram Memorial Fete
This was in preparation for the
Charity and Memorial Fete held on
Saturday 27th June 2015 in memory
of David Bartram, our much loved
and respected History teacher and
Vice-Principal, who died in October
last year. The Charity and Memorial
Fete was to raise money for the East
Anglian Air Ambulance and the British
Heart Foundation. This event was
planned, organised and co-ordinated
by Caroline Flaherty, Helen Triggs
and Fiona Campbell-Horne (with
many thanks).
Wednesday 24 June 2015 was
‘Charities Day’ for Years 7-9 where
local and national charities were
invited to join us to ‘promote
themselves’ to the students. In form
groups, students visited the Charities’
Fair in the Sports Hall where they
were able to decide which charity
they would like the Academy to
support for the following academic
year. Forms then spent the rest of the
day planning a marketing campaign
for their chosen charity. This then
culminated in a “Dragons’ Den”
style presentation by all forms, who
needed to convince members of the
Academy Leadership Team
and House Leaders that their
chosen charity was the most
deserving of support.
prepare it for the public who would
be visiting the Memorial Fete on
the Saturday. Voluntary activities
consisted of gardening, tidying the
outside areas and any other areas
that the public would be visiting,
creation of products and craft items
for sale, decoration of stands,
designing of games etc.
Over 500 students, across all year
groups (7 through to 14), were
involved in the activities that took
place over the four days culminating
in the fete on Day 4.
Thursday 25 June 2015 was
‘Volunteering Day’ for Years 7-9.
Students demonstrated their
resilience and pride in their Academy
by volunteering around the site to
Saturday 27 June 2015 was the day
of the Memorial Fete where former
and current students, governors,
parents, carers, local businesses,
community members, staff and their
This year, the Enterprise Challenge
Week was replaced with a ‘Charity,
Voluntary and Community 3-day
Challenge’ which took place on the
24, 25 and 26 June 2015.
16
Friday 26 June 2015 was ‘Community
Day’ where students continued to
work in form groups (or pairs of form
groups) to prepare for the Fete on
Saturday. This included setting up
stalls, creating displays, practicing
for performances as well as marshal
and usher training. They ‘worked as a
community’ to ‘prepare for
the community’.
families and David Bartram’s loved
ones gathered at the Academy to
watch as the Humanities Building
was renamed ‘The David Bartram
Building’. Balloons were released
in Mr Bartram’s honour and visitors
enjoyed a sun-filled day of stalls,
music, dance, tombola, raffle,
afternoon tea, barbecue and
cake sale.
The event was an amazing success
and raised over £2,500 for the East
Anglian Air Ambulance and the British
Heart Foundation.
During the four days, students
consistently challenged themselves
and showed a strong understanding
of how they could constantly improve
on their own skills development
and become better citizens.
They worked individually with their
form teams to help identify and
agree on a charity, demonstrating
high levels of negotiation and
understanding a democratic
approach to resolution. Students
were able to collaborate to achieve
a common goal by working well in
teams in a very limited timeframe.
Some students took themselves
out of their comfort zones by
presenting, performing, creating,
trying something different and new,
overcoming inevitable issues with a
“can do” attitude. What an amazing
group of young people!
The Academy students, staff and
governors would like to thank all (too
many to mention) who supported this
event for their time, prizes, vehicles,
training, product design, food, etc –
we couldn’t have done it without you!
Special thanks go to: T M Burrows
(Greengrocers), Barkers Print &
Design Ltd, Derrick Bint, Simon Long
Removals & Storage and Lotus.
Charities involved in CVC Week:
• The Lighthouse Charity
• Gifted and Able
• Mid-Norfolk Riders
• Feline Care and Rescue
• EACH
• Nelsons Journey
• Alzheimers Society
• Christian Aid
• The Dogs Trust
Our thoughts are with David’s family,
who enabled us to share this special
occasion with them.
Neil McShane, Principal, said:
“David will be forever remembered
and greatly missed. This fete was
part of our on-going healing process
as we came together as a community
in his honour and paid tribute to him
and all he meant to us.”
17
The Academy’s focus
on the Growth Mindset
Throughout this academic
year the Academy’s staff and
students have been learning
what it means to have a
Growth Mindset.
The term was first developed
by psychologist Carol Dweck
to describe individuals that
take a determined and resilient
approach to learning. Growth
Mindset learners believe that their
intelligence and achievements
can be grown through
perseverance and hard work and
that no achievement is beyond
their capabilities if they work
hard enough. They are also risk
takers and recognise that failure
is part of the learning curve to
achievement.
Academy staff have spent the
year focusing on celebrating
these characteristics when
demonstrated by students in
lessons and praising effort
and determination as the key
attributes of a successful learner.
Students have also learnt more
about the importance of a Growth
Mindset through assemblies. As
18
From left to right: Ms Edwards (Associate
Principal), Lucy Carrick, Rebecca Bush, Sophie
Chatfield, Danielle Matthews, Emily Keable,
Chloe Patrick and Mr Snell (Associate Principal).
a culmination, several year 8 and
9 students have become our
Growth Mindset Ambassadors.
Students had to take the bold
move to apply for the role and
secure two nominations from
staff as part of the application
process. Since taking on this
role some of our Ambassadors
have participated in assemblies,
developed displays for the school
corridor and TV screens on the
importance of a Growth Mindset
and taken part in peer to peer
coaching training.
The coaching training session
ran in the summer term and 11
students were trained in how to
peer mentor other students to
develop a Growth Mindset and
overcome challenges at school.
The ambassadors learnt about
techniques such as setting
SMART targets and scaling as
ways to support a peer when
they are feeling daunted by the
difficulties they may be facing in
their learning. The ambassadors
conducted role plays to explore
and develop their skills to
effectively support their peers.
Year 9 student Emily Keable
commented: “It was a great
experience as I learnt how to be
more supportive and how to use
strategies to make people feel
confident about talking about
their work and learning”.
‘The Year 9 Growth Mindset
Ambassadors put their training
into action by running the Main
Academy Assembly programme
w/c 08.07.15, launching
‘Developing Resilient Learners’.
The ambassadors now also
support other students in lesson
time and play a key role with
their peers.
The Academy plans to continue
to focus on developing a Growth
Mindset in our students in
2015-16, we hope to utilise the
ambassadors to coach their peers
further and hopefully expand the
team. Students will hear more
about the importance of a Growth
Mindset in assembly time and
can be certain their teachers will
continue to praise determination
as a key learning skill.
Students thanked for fundraising
efforts by Bulabakula Orphanage
in Uganda
In April and May, Attleborough
Academy Norfolk welcomed a
visiting speaker, Gill Howard, to
assemblies for all houses where
students were updated on recent
building work that had been carried
out at the Bulabakula Orphanage
in Uganda.
Mrs Howard explained how she
had become involved with the
Orphanage after a visit 3 years ago.
She went on to explain how the boys
desperately needed a dormitory, as
previously they were sleeping on
the mud floors of the classrooms
and mud huts. It was hot, crowded,
uncomfortable and smelly!
running out to feed the children so
the project was put on hold until
Attleborough Cluster schools started
to raise money through various
charity events. A total of £3,697
was raised through these events
which paid for the building work to
be completed as well as new beds,
mattresses and bedding for the
100 boys who live at the Orphanage.
During Gill Howard’s assembly,
Attleborough Academy Norfolk
students were shown photographs
taken of the new dormitory and
were sent a big thank you from the
delighted students who are now
sleeping there.
Work began on starting to build
a new dormitory but funds were
19
Review of the Italy Ski Trip 2015
20
The February half-term holiday
played host to Attleborough
Academy’s best ski trip to date!
Fifteen energetic students from
all year groups, packed their bags
and headed for the idyllic, snowy
mountains of Passo de Tonale in
Northern Italy. The journey was long
but we were kept entertained by
Connor Pettifer.
Once we were in our rooms it
was time to put on the skis (or
snowboard in Libby Wise’s case!)
and get out on the powder! Everyone
quickly settled into their skiing
rhythm (even Will Fox). Once the
clouds had cleared on the first few
days, it was sunshine and swooping
down the pistes all the way.
The beginner group soon found their
ski-legs (especially Lewis Savage)
and were found on some tough
‘red’ runs by the end of the week.
Those that had skied before were
straight onto the hardest runs and
were ready to show off their skills.
Every student showed amazing
determination to keep on going and
have fun, no less than Daisy Rant
who rallied herself together even
when she was exhausted. Mr Bonsra
will be happy to see that even Top
Dog is having an amazing break –
(seen pictured with Daisy Rant in the
Cable Car).
In the evenings, we filled our bellies
with delicious gelato and crepes (or
as Kiwi Fitt calls them, ‘creepies’). We
even managed to squeeze in a spot of
sledging down the mountainside and
a fancy dress disco where Ed ‘Hucks’
Proctor dressed up as a hot dog.
Well done to all of those who came
on the trip, for making it so fun and
enjoyable for all the staff. We can’t
wait for next year!!
For more information on the next
ski trip in 2016 please see
Miss Billin ASAP.
Written by Miss Billin,
Head of Geography
21
The Yearr 11 Prom
m 2015
22
The annual Year 11 Prom took
place at the academy on Friday
19 June 2015 and, as always,
there was an impressive range
of different arrivals as the whole
community turned out to watch.
As well as many vintage cars and
limousines, there were camper vans,
bikes and a horse drawn carriage
which brought Rhiannon Harvey
and Rebecca Copland-Fletcher to
the Prom.
This year’s theme was James
Bond and the Academy’s hall was
transformed into a casino style
venue. All the students looked
stunning in their suits and dresses.
After eating a meal the students
were entertained by a magician
and a disco run by DJ Needs. The
students voted for their own Prom
King and Queen which were Ben
Chapman and Aneta Bairamova.
The whole evening was extremely
enjoyable for all and many thanks
to Ms. Parks and Mrs Cushing for
organising it.
Written by Mr Davies
Prom Winners are:
You can shed tears that he is gone - y
Prom Queen: Aneta Bairamova
Prom King: Benjamin Chapman
Best Dressed Female:
Charis Crossley
Best Dressed Male: Alexander Sierp
Most Likely to be Famous:
Daniel Smith-Hughes
Funniest Person: Robbie Evennett
Biggest Transformation:
Callum O’Brien
Most Likely to be a WAG:
Angel Kenzitt
Cutest Arrival: Alice Pearce
and her little brother Luca
Cutest Couple:
Sian Evans and Harrison Giles
Winner of the Limbo Dancing
Competition: Emmie Goss
Most Original Arrival:
Rhiannon Harvey and Rebecca
Copland-Fletcher together with
Shire Horses and carriage
(pictured above)
23
Marie
Curie
Daffodil
Appeal
During the month of March,
Academy students and staff took
part in raising money for the Marie
Curie ‘Great Daffodil Appeal’.
From left to right: Mr Davies, Liam Kindred, Senna Watker,
Iona Maxwell, Gemma Newell, Mr McShane, Nathan
Burrows, Lilah Suazo, Kieran Fitt and James Newell.
The 2015-16
Academy Council
Following a nail biting election process,
the following has been announced:
• Head Girl for 2015-16 is Lilah Suazo
• Deputy Head Girl for 2015-16 is Iona Maxwell
• Head Boy for 2015-16 is Nathan Burrows
• Deputy Head Boy for 2015-16 is Liam Kindred
Sixth Form Presidents
for 2015-16
The Sixth Form Presidents for 2015-16 were
announced, details as follows:
• Lead Presidents are Amber Miller and Jake Wiseman.
• Vice-Lead Presidents are Lauren McArdle and
Gregor Peyrebrune.
• Presidents are Aaron Bradley, Joe Dean, Sophie
Garner, Ellen Holmes, Holly Kennedy, Charlie Lock,
Emma Longlands, Eve Mathews, Ella Maxwell,
George Watts, Sam Winfield, Lauren Woods.
Thank you for reading
Attleborough Academy Times
Members of 12CSH/LBU visited
form rooms during registration each
morning selling daffodil pins for a
suggested donation of £1. Marie
Curie provides free, end of life care
for terminally ill patients (not just
those with cancer) in their own
home and £180 pays for a full shift
for a Marie Curie nurse. We raised
£223.54 which will help fund the 26
nurses working in Norfolk. Thank
you to everyone that donated and
proudly wore their daffodil pin.
For more information on Marie Curie
and how they support those living
with terminal illness please visit
www.mariecurie.org.uk
Show proves that
Attleborough’s
Got Talent!
On 5th February 2015 Sixth Form
Presidents Becky Swift, Josie
Hindle, Chelsea Secker, Jamie
Hall, Tom Paine and Jack Reynolds
hosted the Attleborough’s Got
Talent show which saw students
from across the Academy
showcase their talents.
The parents, carers and friends of
the performers were treated to a
night of diverse talent in the drama
studio which included singing,
acting, gymnastics and a
comedy sketch.
Mrs Cushing, Head of Art and Head
of Creative Arts Faculty said:
“The event was a huge success that
celebrated the variety of talent of
the brave students who volunteered
to take part. We all agreed that the
participants were all winners for
having the confidence and courage
to step up on stage and show us
their talent.”
24