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The Link Academy Principal’s Letter Dear Parents, Carers and Learners, As we approach winter break The Link Newsletter Academy has been a hive of activity. Year 11 have completed their first set of PPE examinations and early signs show promise for improved outcomes next summer. Year 11 Update We are determined to become the most Article by Mrs Haggart improved school in Dudley for 2020 and our Year 11 learners really are rising to that Year 11 have had another busy half term. challenge. There is still more work to do Recently they completed their first set and we look forward to launching ‘Upgrade’ of Year 11 PPEs. Learners were focused on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and had clearly revised. It was a ‘learning 2.45 - 3.45pm starting after the Christmas curve’ for many, learning how to manage break. their time, especially when there was more than one exam per day! On Thursday 05 The launch of our ‘Commitments’ December, Year 11 finally picked up their PPE programme allows learners to access a results and many learners were overjoyed host of rewards for a range of additional with the progress they had made. Year 11 activities outside of their normal lessons. now need to remain focused and keep the We’ve seen basketball success for our Year momentum going - remember every mark 10 team against Beacon Hill Academy counts. However, it has not just been all hard School Show - Grease and Pegasus Academy, a little healthy work, many of our learners were given the Article by Mr Lewis competition across Dudley Academies opportunity to attend the Year 11 Rewards Trust! trip where they had the opportunity to go ice Over 60 learners auditioned to take a skating. lead role in The Link Academy’s musical When learners return in January there will performance of ‘Grease’. Rehearsals are be a significant reduction in single use 2020 will be an amazing year and will see the now up and running, with learners giving containers in the dining room to support whole of Year 11 start the next chapter of up to 3 nights each week to prepare for the our push on respecting each other and their learning journey. Upgrade sessions will performance, which will take place in March our world. Looking forward to next term, begin straight after Christmas and time will 2020. on Thursday 16 January we have Year 10 soon fly by. progress evening where parents and carers can find out about their child’s progress so Have a restful break Year 11, but be prepared far this academic year. to come back and work hard as you have the potential to be our best year group yet. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and to wish you all a happy and restful festive Student Leadership: period! Prevent Ambassador Kind regards Training Article by Mr Clarkson In November, we were offered the fantastic opportunity of some training to help some of our Year 9 and Year 10 student leaders broaden their skills in peer mentoring. The Mrs Edwards-Morgan focus of the training was Prevent (The Principal Government’s programme to stop children and young people from being drawn into extremism and radicalisation). We sent 11 of our ambassadors on the training and this is what they said about it: Christmas Lectures “I feel that this training has been really fun Article by Mrs Mooney and intriguing. I would like to carry on my training and work with Year 7 learners and On Tuesday 17 December the Science Primary Schools to help stop radicalisation Department were lucky enough to get tickets and extremism.” to one of the University of Birmingham Christmas Lectures. Mrs Mooney and Mr Huge congratulations to the learners Sullivan took 25 festive Year 7 and 8 scientists involved, they were given a special mention for a fun-filled day out learning about the by the leaders of the course for their maturity, ‘Physics of hot and cold’. Our lecturer was enthusiasm and levels of engagement. Professor Evans who works for CERN on Young people leading the way in this area of the Large Hadron Collider. Festive fun and safeguarding is really important. learning was had by all. www.thelinkacademy.org.uk www.facebook.com/thelinkacademydudley Aminah Haroon Saffron Winard 7BL 8KT Jessina Aktar 10KT Boitumelo Falak Hussain RE Debate Triumph Article by Mrs Slater Mokhele 7BL 7ML Learners have worked extremely hard this term meeting weekly at Debate Club to prepare to speak at the Religious Education Debate held annually at the Dudley Council Chambers. The group of learners from Year 7 to 10 wrote impressive, persuasive speeches. They spoke against learners from a variety of schools on the controversial issues of war and media bias and in both debates the motions were carried in our school’s favour. I have no Halima-Sadiya doubt that this success was due to the strong arguments Zahir 7CC presented with such skill by our learners. They showed great confidence in the Council Chamber, which was full of Christmas Card people. This is the first year that The Link Academy has had Competition 2019 two teams participate and I am very proud of our learners. Article by Miss Davis The group enjoyed engaging in democracy as they placed their votes for each debate held on the day. Well done to Well done to all learners who all of the learners involved; you are a credit to our school. entered the competition, and to the runners up. The winning card design was created by Khanyisile Mkhabela 7BS. Winning Design Learners and staff in the academy have also been collecting donations for our Christmas food bank, which were delivered to Albion Street, Brierley Hill on Thursday 12 December. We have been overwhelmed with the support that we have received so thank you to Emily Benbow Aseelah 8KS Mehak Khan 7CC Rehman 7BL everyone who has donated, especially Kinver house who contributed the most food. Over one thousand families will benefit from the donations this Christmas. Chloe 8ML Alfie Price Farrington 7BS Young Chef Competition from a range of other Dudley schools and all did exceptionally well, successfully making Article by Mrs Haywood two courses in two hours in a MasterChef style On Tuesday 19 November, four of our talented Year competition. Each of the learners produced some 10 Food learners entered the Dudley Young Chef top-quality dishes and did both themselves and Competition held at the Dormston School. the Link Academy very proud. Lily Arnold won the competition and will go through to the regional Holly Westwood, Owenie Yarbasi, Katie Smart finals in Stafford in February next year. Well done! and Lily Arnold all faced tough competition The Link Academy Newsletter - Christmas 2019 Let’s start with Belief: You need to believe enjoy it before, maybe this is your chance to Hegarty Maths that you CAN DO it. Learning maths is just like change your views of it and learn one of the Article by Miss Bagley learning anything. You need to practise and most rewarding disciplines. If you do enjoy it, We are delighted to announce that The Link always put in effort. When it gets difficult (and then this is a fantastic opportunity to master it. Academy has joined the Hegarty Maths it will…) you need to remember that millions platform this year and we are confident that of people will have had the same struggle you We will Support you: Hegarty Maths is totally if you put in hard work, you will be rewarded had, but they overcame it by not giving up. committed to helping learners improve at and improve at maths. Before you start maths. Whenever you are stuck, we hope that it’s important you understand our simple Now for Hard Work: Trying your best and we will be there to support you when you need philosophy: always putting in effort is crucial to the process. it most. You need to ensure you attempt all tasks and Belief + Hard work + Support = Success. work hard at maths. Who knows? If you didn’t Logging In: FAQs: 2 1 3 4 The Twelve Days of Christmas Article by Miss Davis Pupils from the Year 7, 8 and 9 Art Club worked together to produce three pieces of artwork that are on display in the windows of Himley Hall. The artwork is transferred onto window vinyls, this technique allows the lights from the hall to illuminate the pictures from within, making them visible to visitors inside the hall and those taking a stroll in the grounds. The artwork is on display at the hall until early January. www.thelinkacademy.org.uk www.facebook.com/thelinkacademydudley Involving Parents in our School Life Term Starts: Monday 06 January 2020 Article by Mrs Worsey Spring Half term: Monday 17 February 2020 Family Get Cooking Sessions Term Dates – Friday 21 February 2020 Families were invited and participated in two Term ends: Friday 03 April 2020 sessions this term ‘Winter Warmers’ on Wednesday 20 November and ‘Festive Treats’ on Wednesday 11 December 2019. Positive Parenting Courses Strengthening parenting skills and supporting the parent/child relationship. We continue to have parents attend Triple P, 8 sessions (2 hour Open to All Years weekly course). Group and one to one sessions are available. Next course starts Thursday 30 January 2020, 9.30-11.30am in the School House (opposite Sign up!!!! To enter a competition to reception). For more information on Triple P visit: compete against your peers to become www.triplep-parenting.uk.net Master Chef of the Link Academy 2020 The Link Academy 4th round begins next month Parents’ Group Sign up Date Master Chef Our group met on Monday 11 November at 6.00pm to discuss developing the group and supporting On door of C006 Practical date projects/events in school.
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