HEART

MattersNews and Views from HEART Academies Trust Shackleton Primary

Cauldwell School Shortstown Primary

Bedford Academy Shackleton Primary Issue 02 | Autumn 2019 Cauldwell Primary Shortstown Primary www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk Welcome I am delighted to be welcoming you to the Second Edition of the HEART Academies Trust newsletter – HEART Matters. The aim of the newsletter is to provide an opportunity for children and families to find out more about the fantastic events and activities happening across all of the HEART Academies Trust schools, as well CONTENTS as bringing together the amazing work of the staff and pupils across HEART Academies Trust 2-3 the Trust. HEART Musical Launch Having come from a thriving Trust of eighteen schools in Coventry, Spotlight on Catering I am very excited to have joined such an active and committed community around the HEART Academies Trust. Since joining in April, 4-5 I have spent the majority of my time getting to know the schools and Student Voice meeting the staff and the children and I have been overwhelmed by Dance Flash-mob the positive welcome I have received. National Careers Excellence Awards My immediate priority is to Young Geographer of the Year Competition create a culture of positive Rising Stars collaboration that encourages our schools to work together, Shackleton Primary 6-7 to share best practice and to support each other in being Year 5 and Year 6 Rugby Tournament our very best so that we can Remembrance Day continue to be true to our Message from Andy George, Head Teacher Vision, ‘To create a family of Archaeology Workshop academies who are at the heart Harvest Celebration of their community, improving life chances for all, through Cauldwell School 8-9 challenge and support’. ‘I love Bedford’ Art Competition School Games Gold Award David Morris Summer Fair CEO of HEART Academies Trust Music Mark Award Learning Village Outdoor Learning Spooky Story Day HEART Musical Launch Shortstown Primary 10-11 Bedford Academy, Shackleton, Black History Month Cauldwell and Shortstown schools Parent Teacher’s Association Events will soon begin to audition and Helping the Community rehearse for our upcoming HEART Eco Warriors Academies Trust musical ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Online Safety Workshop Dreamcoat.’ The musical will take Year 6 Walk place at Bedford Academy in March 2020. This is the first time all HEART Introducing… 12 Academies Trust schools will come together to perform a musical. Look Bedford Academy’s Level 3 Sports Academy out for tickets over the next few months! Miss Corr, Bedford Academy

2 HEART Academies Trust | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | Autumn 2019 Spotlight on Catering The catering team at HEART Academies Trust consists of thirty members of staff working across all four schools. Leading that team is Russell Abbey, Head of Catering Services, who has worked for HEART Academies Trust for 2 years, previously working for Bedford Academy. RUSSELL ABBEY What’s your background and what and when there is a team of 30 working How do you decide on the meal led you to this position? in catering across the Trust you have to choices and how regularly do you My mum got me a job at the age of adapt to each individual. change them? 13 working in the restaurant she was What do you like most about We change them three times a year. I ask working in. I became a full time chef, working for HEART Academies the Kitchen Managers for their ideas and whilst studying in Sixth Form and Trust? we then test to see what is popular. I’m eventually worked my way up to kitchen People!! There are lots of great people constantly searching for new recipes and manager at the age of 22. working within my teams and the Trust checking to see what other schools are What does a typical working day and I wouldn’t be able to do this job doing. involve? without them. What are the most popular meal Replying to numerous emails, visiting the Are there any special considerations choices? kitchens, planning and updating menus, when you design the menu? allergy data, policies and any food safety CHIPS!!!! Only on Fridays! notices, improving the catering service. Trying to get the children to experience a variety of foods and flavours full of What’s your favourite food (it What’s the most challenging aspect nutritional value, all the while keeping doesn’t have to be on the menu)? of your role? Medium Rare Fillet Steak, doesn’t matter within the food standard guidelines for TRUST ACADEMIES HEART People!! No two people are the same school dinners. what with!!!!

Autumn 2019 | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | HEART Academies Trust 3 Bedford Academy

Student Voice The new academic year saw the launch through donations and a bake sale. BEDFORD ACADEMY BEDFORD of a new Student Voice Team at Bedford Student wellbeing is one of the three Dance Flash-mob! Academy. The team now has 22 themes that Student Voice, support the Students were greeted by a dance students actively involved from Years 7 to other two being the environment and flash mob at the end of last half term 13. On Thursday 10th November 2019, organised by our new Performing World Mental Heath Day, the Student charities. Arts teacher Mrs Atkinson. Voice team held its first fundraiser for Mrs Watson Young Minds. They raised £250.00 Assistant Headteacher, Community Dance club this year has had strong numbers for enrichment and to show off their skills and promote a love of dance, students performed in the atrium as the 3.10 bell rang on the last day before half term. The flash-mob was so good students performed it twice. This is showing some promising dance talents for events in the future!

National Careers Excellence Awards Bedford Academy is delighted to have won ‘Best School or College of the Year’ at the national Careers Excellence Awards 2019! This award recognises the outstanding careers provision that students receive at Bedford Academy through our dedicated careers team, Director of Aspirations Miss Green and Careers Advisor Mr Dawe. Every student receives tailored and specialist careers advice throughout their time at Bedford Academy and we continue to seek ways for our students to access outstanding and impartial careers advice that supports them on their own unique pathway.

4 HEART Academies Trust | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | Autumn 2019 Young Geographer of the Year Competition The Royal Geographical Society run an annual competition for the title of ‘Young Geographer of the Year.’ This year’s theme was looking at ‘where geography can take you’. All geography students entered the proud to announce that Naimah Bedford Academy competition so Begum in Year 10 was awarded they could research the importance ‘Highly Commended’ from the RGS of geography as a subject and look at team! Naimah attended the Royal where it can lead in terms of career. Geographical Awards ceremony in The following students won the internal in November to receive her competition: award! This just goes to show that Year 7 Leo Wu you have to be in it to win it, and to all those who didn’t think they could Year 8 Davina Bagha win…you can! Just like Naimah did! KS4 Charlie Racine Rooney I speak from all of us at Bedford BEDFORD ACADEMY BEDFORD Seven outstanding entries were entered Academy when I say how incredibly in the Royal Geographical Society proud I am of Naimah. National competition and I am incredibly Miss Potter

BA geography KS4 winner – Charlie Racine Rooney

BA geography Year 7 winner – Leo Wu

BA geography Year 8 winner – Davina Bagha Young Geographer of the Year competition Highly commended – Naimah Begum, Year 10

Our first Rising Stars event of 2019-20 took place in October and Rising Stars saw another great turnout of students from multiple schools. This project brings together the students with the most aspirational target grades in Year 7 and 8, along with those predicted to have the highest outcomes in Year 6 SATs from our local primary schools and get them working together on a half-termly challenge. These challenges are designed to build a magnitude of personal skills as well as providing diverse experiences for students to reflect upon. This term we saw our wonderful Arts and Sports teams come together to put on a team building assault course, an art session and a music session, all following a dance warm up. These sessions all tied into our theme for this year; Healthy Lifestyles. It is always such a pleasure to welcome students from other schools to Bedford Academy and the students always have such positive feedback for the sessions provided. Thank you to Shackleton, Shortstown, Kings Oak and Primary Schools for their involvement. Mr Marsham

Autumn 2019 | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | HEART Academies Trust 5 Year 5 & 6 Rugby Tournament On Friday 11 October, the Year 5/6 rugby squad played a tournament at . The girls’ team played 4 matches. They won 2, drew 1 and lost 1 (but it was a very close match!) The boys team played 5, won 4 and drew 1.

SHACKLETON PRIMARY SHACKLETON We did so well that we were approached by a scout from Northampton Saints, who will be inviting us to a competition after Christmas. Well done everyone!

Remembrance Day Service Shackleton Primary School held a service of commemoration on Monday 11th November at 11am. This marked the 101st anniversary of A collection was taken during the service the end of the First World War. The which raised £50 for Help for Heroes. service included songs, readings, the laying The money donated is enough to pay for of wreaths, a two-minute silence and a an outreach event that helps the charity gun salute. It was fantastic to see every to reach veterans in our community who member of the family join together to need support. remember this milestone in British History.

Message from Andy George, the new Head Teacher at Shackleton Primary School I am delighted to have joined the Shackleton Family! At Shackleton Primary School we believe our children will thrive in an environment where they feel happy, safe, valued and respected. We want our children to be motivated by learning and to be offered the best opportunities that we can provide. Shackleton aims to give children a happy education, where they can achieve well both academically and personally. We see our parents as partners in the education of their children and value their contribution to school life. I look forward to welcoming you personally to our family. Andy George, Head Teacher

6 HEART Academies Trust | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | Autumn 2019 SHACKLETON PRIMARY SHACKLETON

Archaeology Workshop The Year 3 children at Shackleton have been learning about archaeology and about how people lived in the Stone Age. They ground grain in a quern, extracted the fibres from nettle stems to make string and manufactured Neolithic style pottery. During an archaeological dig, they excavated a wide variety of artefacts. They classified and researched each artefact and then displayed them in their own museum display. Mr Litting

Harvest Celebration Thank you to everyone who attended our Harvest assemblies. We kicked off the morning with our Early Years children, with the highlights being fantastic performances of Mashed Potato and Dingle Dangle Scarecrow. Next up into the hall came Key Stage our Music Club ensembles. Our Harvest 1, who treated their audience to some celebrations then concluded with a impressive acrostic poems and songs rousing rendition of Harvest Samba. about big red combine harvesters and Huge thanks to everyone who fluffy cauliflowers. contributed to a great morning and Our final assembly of the morning was thank you again to the Shackleton family delivered by our Key Stage 2 children, for the incredibly generous donations of which included some fabulous readings, produce for the Bedford Foodbank. amusing poetry and performances from Mr King, Music Achievement Lead

Autumn 2019 | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | HEART Academies Trust 7 ‘I Love Bedford’ Art Competition Over the last couple of weeks, Cauldwell competition. All our hard work paid Well done and congratulations to have been busy creating stunning posters, off as we won a staggering 16 prizes everyone who took part (above).

CAULDWELL SCHOOL CAULDWELL interesting information leaflets and including first place which went to Elisha Miss Breslin, Art Lead wonderful poems for the ‘I Love Bedford’ in Year 2.

School Games Gold Award Another successful sports year at Cauldwell receiving the Gold School Games Award 2018/19. We are very pleased to receive this We have been fortunate to enter more recognising the continued success of than one team at competitions such as sport here at Cauldwell. Year 6 Sports Dodgeball, Table Tennis, Goalball, Boccia Crew continue to run House Challenges and many more. at lunchtime and whole school House Mrs Scoot, PE Lead activities.

Summer Fair Our Summer Fair was a wonderful success; from delicious cake and food stalls to a bouncy castle and game stalls – everyone had great fun! The school Choir even entertained everyone with a few songs. We raised nearly £900.00. Miss Durham, Family Support

Music Mark Award Cauldwell School has achieved the Music Mark Award in recognition of the high quality music opportunities we offer our pupils. A small group of staff and pupils joined the other 5 Bedford Borough Schools who have achieved this award for a lunch and presentation event, which included a super recital from GCSE music students, at . Mrs Gobindram, Music Lead

8 HEART Academies Trust | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | Autumn 2019 Learning Village We have started using an online learning resource for children who are new to English called Learning Village. This can be used in school and at home to support language development. It has 3 learning pathways - phonics, survival language and curriculum content; staff support children to access this in school. The program supports vocabulary development and can be used independently or as part of a structured group intervention. In the short time we have been using the Learning Village, we have seen an increase in engagement in classroom sessions and an improvement in confidence and willingness to speak. Mrs Gobindram, EAL Lead

Outdoor Learning CAULDWELL SCHOOL CAULDWELL October half term saw the exciting to a world of campfire cookery, bush completion of our purpose built outdoor craft and woodland art skills. learning area. This will bring active Mrs Jellis, Forest School Lead learning alive and introduce our children

Spooky Story Day Children at Cauldwell School enjoyed ‘Spooky Story Day’ as it was an opportunity to listen to, read and write their own spooky stories. All the children and teachers were in fancy dress and made the day fun-filled. Children entered a ‘Spooky Story’ writing competition to gain points for their team house. We had nearly 100 entries so well done to the winners! Mrs Leonard, Deputy Head Teacher

Autumn 2019 | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | HEART Academies Trust 9 Black History Month We celebrated Black History Month by learning how to play the African drums and dancing. SHORTSTOWN PRIMARY SHORTSTOWN

PTA Events The PTA have run a number of well attended events, starting with a Halloween craft party and finishing with a film night. Their commitment to the school is appreciated and the money raised will go towards providing the little extras for all of the children. Thank you for your hard work.

10 HEART Academies Trust | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | Autumn 2019 Helping the Community Harvest Festival celebrations took place in October where the children sang traditional songs for the parents. A collection of food was donated to the Bedford Day Hospice. One of our teachers is running the London marathon, in March, for Bedford Hospital Charity, so Year 4 to Year 6 raised money to support her efforts. She needs to raise £1300. So far the children have raised £400. SHORTSTOWN PRIMARY SHORTSTOWN

Eco Warriors Online Safety Workshop Some of our Eco Warriors were out in our locality Year 4 participated in and performed a play linked to being safe picking up rubbish and caring for the environment. online. The workshop was a huge success.

Year 6 children made the walk to Bedford Academy, at the end of last half term. They had a great morning, starting with breakfast. They had a tour of the school and were able to visit some lessons. This gave them a good insight into .

Autumn 2019 | www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk | HEART Academies Trust 11 INTRODUCING… Bedford Academy’s Level 3 Sports Academy We are excited to introduce our new level 3 Sports Academy at Bedford Academy for September 2020! Offering basketball and football, the new Sports Academy will enable students to practice either of these sports whilst completing their level 3 studies.

Bedford Thunder Academy Your Sixth Form timetable will be generated to include 2 hours of basketball training a day. Sessions will be led by head coach Enrique Alonso. Training sessions may include skill development, strength and conditioning or performance analysis. You will be entered into a national league with game play incorporated on Saturdays or Sundays. Bedford Thunder Academy players will receive a full branded package which will include a kit bag, game kit, performance T-shirt, polo shirt, hoodie, towel and water bottle. You will be permitted to wear your kit around the Academy. If you are interested in applying for the Bedford Thunder Academy ensure you tick the box on your application form! You are likely to then be invited to trials.

The Football Education Academy TFEA are an alternative provision for Post 16 Education, providing pathways to impact and shape a young person’s future. We care about the personal development of each individual we work with, building a rapport to ensure you are supported throughout and beyond the two-year course. TFEA provides an individualised approach to supporting every student, developing key employability skills, along with essential life skills to prepare you for your next steps after year thirteen. You can combine a BTEC Diploma in Sport equivalent to A Levels, along with a full time football provision and match day fixtures in the ECFA College League. For more information and to see our success stories so far please visit www.thefootballeducationacademy.co.uk

OUR ACADEMIES www.heartacademiestrust.co.uk

Bedford Academy Cauldwell Primary Shackleton Primary Shortstown Primary Mile Road Edward Road Pearcey Road Beauvais Square Bedford Bedford Bedford Shortstown, Bedford MK42 9TR MK42 9DR MK42 9LZ MK42 0GS

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