Autumn 2015 Newsletter - The Stockwood Park Academy

Academy News
A huge thank you to all parents and carers for your support this term. It
has been a very busy one for all of our students as you will see from the
items of news that we have collected together for you.
I continue to be impressed with the hard work and commitment shown
by so many of our students. A large number of our Year 11s sat their
first GCSE in November and the work ethic that they displayed up to this
was brilliant. Good luck to all for fantastic results on 19th January. The
next GCSE for some will be on 11th and 19th January. Again. I wish all
who are sitting this the very best of good luck.
Away from academic achievement, all of our students have been busy
preparing for Christmas by collecting food and clothing for hampers
which will go to the homeless charity, LAMP. I’m sure you will agree
from the photos, this is a wonderful collection of hampers, and a real
testament to the community spirit of our young people. All recipients of
the hampers will undoubtedly be delighted.
KEY DATES
Term 2 commences
Tuersday 5th January 2016
6th Form Open Evening
Wednesday 13th January 2016
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Year 8 Parents Evening
Wednesday 3rd February 2016
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Finally, as I informed you last week, we will be changing our name on
1st January to The Stockwood Park Academy. As part of The Shared
Learning Trust we will continue to grow and develop to be the best that
we can be.
I wish you a safe and restful festive period,
Mrs Barr
PRINCIPAL
Young Enterprise Programme
Our enterprising Year 11 and 6th Form Business students ventured
out into Bedford on the weekend to sell their products at Bedford
market as part of the Young Enterprise Programme.
Each group of students set up their own business and raised start-up
funds through activities such as bake sales. Next, they sourced and
produced a fantastic array of products for sale, competing against other
companies from across the county (including from our sister school West
“I’m proud of all of our teams”, said Head of Business
Ms Ilyas. “They’ve learned valuable lessons about
setting up a business and trading successfully.”
Academy) to be named the most outstanding business.
Four teams from South Academy joined the programme, including
Ya Habibi. Run by six Year 11 students, the company manufactured
and sold brilliant decorative candles. The team was honoured to
win ‘Best Trade Stand’.
One participant, Adam says, “I think we did well but I think my
selling style could improve, I learnt a lot and gained so many skills
from this experience and it has helped with my confidence. For
the next trade fair I will be more prepared and try different selling
approaches to help maximise sales for my business.”
Dancing at Disney
Year 10 and 11 Performing Arts students travelled to Paris
recently to build skills and knowledge for their Media and
Dance GCSEs.
Students took part in a professional dance workshop in Disney’s
Studio Park and learnt a section from Hercules, which encouraged
them to develop performance skills and expressive qualities.
Students also visited the centre of Paris and toured Le Grand
Rex Cinema – Europe’s largest cinema – where they learnt about
filmmaking processes and got the opportunity to perform on a
special effects stage and sound stage.
“It was great to see students engaged and keen to
learn about the various stages of film production.
Hopefully they can now draw upon this knowledge
and understanding back in the classroom”.
Mr Allen, Head of Performing Arts
To conclude the trip, a visit to Disneyland Park and Studio Park
on Friday allowed students to find out more about the Disney
filmmaking process and meet some famous Disney characters,
before witnessing the Christmas parade and firework display.
Year 9s Take to Two Wheels
On Friday 2nd of October, some of our lovely year 9 students went to Silverstone Race Track in
Northamptonshire for a VIP tour of the paddock and meet with some professional motor cyclists.
The boys were given a tour by race owner Steven Kinghorn, and were lucky enough to speak to his riders. They
also heard inspirational stories of how professional riders
got their start in the industry; in particular, they enjoyed
the change to meet True Heroes Racing team, comprised of
injured ex-service personnel. The main rider, Murray Hambro,
lost both legs due to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, and
is a double amputee, and nonetheless successfully races
motorcycles.
Accompanied by Director of English Mrs Blinkhorne-Mason
and Manager of Achievement Plus Jim Betts, the students had
an awe-inspiring experience.
Achievement + Boosts Results
Students in South Academy’s Achievement Plus
programme have started the year off tremendously by
producing some absolutely phenomenal GCSE English
coursework. With a laser-sharp focus on a short but
effective literacy skills boost, the Achievement Plus
staff have supported the students to achieve absolutely
brilliant results in just a few weeks!
“I feel that being in Achievement Plus has benefitted me
as my grades have improved and my attitude to learning
has improved too”, states Dylan Watkins, proudly showing
off 5 different drafts of his short story. “My confidence has
improved, thanks to the staff like Mr Betts and Mr Sterecki,”
says Tristan Hudson.
Jim Betts, Achievement Plus Manager, says “The students have
really worked hard to improve their skills. It’s excellent to see
them feeling positive about themselves and their education.”
Building Bridges to Success
“Being in here has helped me a lot
as I was finding school very hard.
The teachers in here are
very helpful and caring.”
- Lara Kean, Year 11
Students in the Bridge Builders programme made use of an incredible opportunity when they met high
profile people who’ve reached the top and were happy to share their experiences.
As part of the ‘Bridge Builders’ initiative, which offers boys mentoring and inspiration from business leaders,
a group of students went to St Thomas More College in London to take part in an event, chaired by Dame
Janet Trotter DBE, accompanied by Clive Lewis OBE. Each group was given 15 minute slots to talk about their
backgrounds, family, education and their experience so far on Bridge
Builders. The panel was so interested in what the students were talking
about, and so impressed with their manners, conduct and maturity, that
the 15 minute slots were extended to up to 40 minutes!
South Academy Principal, Cathy Barr, said: “I was incredibly proud of the
way our students came across – they were shining ambassadors for The
Shared Learning Trust and, most importantly, gained an invaluable insight
into the sorts of careers they want to pursue”.
13 year-old Brandon Buck said: “II told the panel that I wanted to join
the army, as there is a long family tradition of members of my family
joining the Armed Forces. I had the opportunity to speak to a retired High
Court Judge who was once in the British Army who shared with me his
experiences. It was so really useful and I am now more determined than
ever to work hard at school”.
It was such a good experience to have, as
it has got me thinking about my future and
about how I should improve my behaviour”.
-Isaac Mulumba, Year 9
A Warm Welcome
New Year 7 and 6th Form students began their learning journey
at South Academy in September, enjoying the chance to meet
each other and settle into our fantastic facilities.
Having been welcomed by Principal Mrs Barr, our Year 7s buzzed
with excitement as they participated in treasure hunts around
the building. The afternoon brought exciting team challenges in
faculties across the school, from Mathematics to Performing Arts.
Similarly, our new Year 12 students are acquiring study skills to
help them achieve their best in A Levels, and looking forward to
University and College applications.
We welcomed students new 6th Formers to the academy,
alongside our ‘homegrown’ students continuing from Key Stage 4.
Student Achievement
Earlier in the term we welcomed parents to Achievement Evenings for Year 7 to 11. Supportive parents
and carers heard from the Directors of Science, Maths and English about the best ways to support their
ambitious young people through the year.
Staff offered a range of advice on the best study guides, revision resources and the use of online tools such as
MyMaths, and some sage advice: a short period of practice every day will yield the best results.
Assistant Principal for Key Stage 4 Achievement Tahoora Urehman reminded the audience about the importance
of attendance to regular lessons, and taking advantage of intervention sessions to maximize learning
opportunities. Ms Urehman commended Year 11s for their positive, dedicated and mature start to the year.
Academy Values
Over the course of the term, students have been exploring a range of
values which help students to achieve success, in order to select a set
of Academy Values.
Students have voted on the values of Equality, Respect and Determination
as our Academy Values. Via House Councils and the Junior Leadership
Team, students are now developing an ‘academy culture’; how the values
look in practice around the academy and beyond. This will help us to
ensure that everything we do will help our students to achieve excellent results and develop skills to prepare
them for long and happy lives.
The Stockwood Park Academy
(formerly Barnfield South Academy)
Part of the Shared Learning Trust
Rotheram Avenue, Luton LU1 5PP • south.barnfield.ac.uk
Phone: 01582 722 333