May Newsletter - Fir Vale School

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Academy Trust
News
MAY 2015
Supporting Anti-Litter
Students respond to the amount of litter in and
around the streets of Fir Vale.
The Student Voice group thought it was the final straw when
an article in the Sheffield Star highlighted that 50% of the
worst streets for litter were in and around Fir Vale.
The students along with Dr Rehman, an Associate
Headteacher at the school, engaged in meetings with the
Council’s "Love where you live” campaign to see what could
be done and came up with some great ideas. These included
educating the community and role modelling as a catalyst to
prevent litter problems in the future.
Assemblies in school to raise awareness and a Y7 anti-litter
picking day were organised. Working alongside the Council
litter campaigners they picked up a vast amount of rubbish
off the streets around Fir Vale with a very positive and
engaging outlook.
Two Fir Vale students, Omar and Ghaith commented,
“More money could be saved to help hospitals and schools in
Sheffield if we did not have to spend it picking up litter.
Since the event the school has had several positive calls from
the community to applaud and encourage the anti-litter
campaign.
Thanks to all parties involved and we hope to work together
in the future to continue our fight against littering across
Fir Vale and Sheffield.
Visit our website www.firvale.com
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Headstart
Breffni Martin, Headteacher
Education is always changing.
The last few years have seen really
significant change that affects lives
and also in the way teachers teach
their subjects in school.
One of the largest changes will affect
not only our current Y10 students but
all students as they progress through
KS3 and then choose their guidance
subjects in Y9.
We have heard for several years about
the Ebacc and the Department of
Education’s demand that as many
students as possible take a wide range
of subjects including English, Maths,
Science, a Humanities subject
(History/Geography) and a Language.
From next summer at Fir Vale and all
other schools across England, our Y11’s
who leave will be measured not by
how many A-C grades (including
English and Maths) they have but
instead they will be measured by
Progress 8 and Attainment 8. In other
words their Best 8 exam results
including the Ebacc subjects in both
the progress they make from their
starting point and how many higher
grades they achieve. The Ebacc
subjects are a major part of this.
We will be producing a booklet for all
parents to explain this in more detail
and this will be coming out shortly.
There will also be a presentation at
parent’s events in the summer term.
We recently met with staff from the
universities in Sheffield who confirmed
that they will be looking for all
applicants to college and university to
preferably have the Ebacc in their GCSE
results.
We are aware that some of our current
Y10 may not have chosen a language
in their options and so we will be
looking to put on extra after school
classes for those students who wish to
get that important Language GCSE.
Y11 have started their GCSE exams and
we wish them luck. They have been a
fantastic year group with the lowest
number of behaviour referrals ever and
a very positive attitude.
Well done Y11.
What A Performance...
What An Achievement...
The Y11’s had a fantastic experience
when Learning Performance arrived.
The interactive activity based
workshops empowered the students to
take control over their learning
strategies by equipping them with skills
such as:
Memory Techniques
A- Mapping
The Review Philosophy
Exam preparation
Facilitator Fiona said, “The students
were the
best I’ve
worked
with for a
very long
time. They
were very
mature
and really
focussed
on their
learning.”
The Y11 Achievement Awards
Ceremony is an amazing opportunity to
recognise and celebrate outstanding
student achievement.
The Achiever of the Year awards were
presented to Asma Sharif and
Haaris Hussain who really stood out from
the crowd and deserved the recognition.
Held at the University of Sheffield’s
Octagon Centre the recent evening
highlighted a wide range of skills needed
to achieve this prestigious award.
Both students received a special prize
and the opportunity to attend a short
work experience at Lloyds Banking Group
in July.
During Y10 and Y11 students need to
score a high percentage in attendance
and punctuality, attend a work
placement and participate in a career
planning session.
This fantastic experience will give them a
chance to build upon a range of skills for
their future.
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Dr Who?
Two Y10 students Ifsah Shazad
and Aqeel Hussain were given the
opportunity to spend two days at
Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire
Hospital.
Students in front of the River Don Steam Engine
at Kelham Island.
Full Steam Ahead!
What a interesting and fun day Fir Vale Students spent at Kelham Island Industrial
Museum. Students participated in several events relating to World War 2 from being
inside an Anderson shelter to becoming a member of the Home Guard.
The highlight was when they took part in a wartime version of a classic story where
they made brilliant elves!
On the first day we learnt about
different types of journeys patients
can experience. We were taught
how to perform cardiopulmonary
resuscitation and this is a vital skill
which could save someone’s life.
The following day we took part in
scenarios based on real life
situations including a motorcyclist
who had been involved in a head
on collision.
One of our favourite things was
getting to ‘scrub in’ which is a term
used by doctors when preparing to
go into theatre.
Digging Deeper...
SportFX at
Fir Vale continues to
run in partnership
with the school, the
Police and the FA.
All sessions run between 6pm and 8pm
and are led by trained coaches and
instructors. All sessions are FREE!
Come on down to Fir Vale School for
Football on Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday evenings; the new Boxing
techniques session on Wednesdays or
Dance on Friday evening.
“The Duke of Edinburgh award
was a challenging experience.
We found ourselves digging
deeper that we have ever done
before, persevering through
adversity and getting out of our
comfort zone.
We made new friends who we will
keep with us forever and
memories that we’ll cherish.
DofE gave us the opportunity to
explore the countryside and to
disconnect from the worries of
everyday life.”
Thaiba Ayub, Dimple George and
Anjaly Joseph - Silver Group
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“A career in medicine would suit
me. This was an amazing and
enjoyable experience and I feel
very lucky to have been given this
opportunity.” said, Aqeel.
Ifsah said, “This experience has
allowed me, as an individual, to
learn how it is to work alongside
others and how important
teamwork is as it ensures patients
receive the best possible care.”
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Born Leaders...
Arches Activity
Afternoon at Fir Vale
School hosting 90
Primary School
students is always fun!
The students from
St Catherine's and
Owler Brook participated
in different activities
such as Desert Island,
The Arctic, The Jungle,
Space, Safari and
Change for Life.
“It was a fun packed
afternoon” said PE
Teacher, Miss Gill with
her Y11 student leaders
leading on the sessions
and working alongside
Arches staff.
Cue Zone
Part of the session
involved teaching the
youngsters about
healthy eating and
active lifestyles.
The excellent leadership
skills of the Y11 students
made the event very
successful - well done!
Following the start of the popular snooker
club run in school, five of our students took
part in a city wide tournament held at
The Park Academy in Sheffield.
Congratulation goes to Kashif Ali, who made
it to the semi finals of the single match
tournament.
The day was a big success with Akeel Khan
collecting his award of a £500 snooker cue
for his work with snooker in school
presented by former snooker champion
Steve Davis alongside John Parris maker of
the cue. Well done to all involved.
On CBE Day over 130 Y8 and Y9
Fir Vale students took over
Hollywood Bowl and ended the day
watching a film at the Vue Cinema
These are the students who made
excellent progress in their learning
and secured a place on a reward trip.
Throughout the day their behaviour
and attitude was fantastic.
By making excellent progress this is
the way you are rewarded!
Rewards and Awards
Do the right thing...
Building Bridges...
Y9 student Hani Burale was Fir Vale School’s sole
representative at a national Engineering Experience.
Hani worked with students from across the country
building sustainable bridges and electronically
controlled submarines.
‘It was quite a challenge going to Harper Adams
University without my school friends but I made
new friends, gained confidence and learnt new
team skills. I am very interested in Engineering
and think more girls should consider it as a
career. I learnt about engineering courses,
apprenticeships and had the chance to work
on projects with engineering companies.”
The experience was organised by the
Smallpeice Trust and the ECITB.
“The school is very proud of this
outstanding student’s personal
achivement,” said Dr Kemali Director of
Specialism and MITA.
Hani is an inspiration to all our students.
Dates for your diary
Monday 1 June
First Day of Half Term
Thursday 4 June
School Sports Day - KS3
Thursday 11 & Friday 12 June
Y7 Challenge & Resiliance Days
Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 July
Y6/Y7 Transition Days
Wednesday 8 July
Y6 Parents Meeting (15:30)