NEW ENRICHMENT programme is launched

STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM THE CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY YEAR 11 PROM

It’s all about our students and their achievements

www.thomasclarksonacademy.org ISSUE 06 SUMMER TERM 2014 PRINCIPAL’S LETTER

Dear Parents/Carers and Students, As we draw towards the end of the academic year there is still little time to pause for breath. Years 11, 12 and 13 have all completed their public examinations which, thanks to the exams officer, were completed with hardly an issue emerging. It is an amazing feat to get the right exam paper before the right children and ensure that they are all present to sit the exam paper. Students have literally sat thousands of exam papers between them and none ever gets lost. This is testament to the work of our exams officer Jan Hutchinson who retires after many years of service at TCA. At the end of term we also say goodbye to Mrs Jill Nursey who is retiring as Head of Science as is Shirley Guerge in HR and Sue Beedham who teaches textiles within the DT department. Many congratulations to all these women who have devoted a lifetime of service to education. We wish them well and send our best wishes for a happy retirement. The new academic year began on 30th June and this enables all students to get several weeks’ worth of learning under their belts where at other schools they might be ‘winding down’. This is certainly not the case at TCA though alongside the academic learning there are a plethora of trips to a variety of interesting destinations. Children graduating from the Children’s University travelled to Wolfson College, Cambridge on 16th July and this was a very successful and inspiring event. At the time of writing we are about to embark on Session 6, the enrichment programme after school. From the outline of the sessions on offer I do think it will be a truly enriching experience for all those that take part. Please ensure you talk with your child about this programme and encourage them to take part. Employers tell me that they want to employ students who are creative, fast learners, resilient and can work in teams. We hope that students will learn many of these skills through the enrichment programme. Finally, can I thank you for your continued support. Students achieve their best “May I take this opportunity to when school and family work together. It is undoubtedly the case that the quality of wish you a happy summertime teaching and learning is steadily improving at TCA and with that will come increased and I hope that many of you levels of student progress. This is at the heart of everything we do at TCA. enjoy holidays and that all May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy summertime and I hope that many of important ‘downtime’ with you enjoy holidays and that all important ‘downtime’ with your children. your children.” Clare Claxton, Principal

ENRICHING LIVES AT TCA

At TCA we are committed to providing students with a broad and balanced curriculum. As well as lessons helping students to achieve academic excellence we are striving to provide extensive opportunities to widen students’ horizons and develop their skills. Starting in July this year, a new and exciting range of activities has been on offer to all of our students in the Session 6 enrichment programme. These Session 6 enrichment activities form an important part of the students’ day and will put them in a strong position for future education and employment. Students can choose from more than 100 activities per week, including Japanese, archery, jewellery making, horticulture, rugby, parkour, film club, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and creative writing, to name but a few. There is a huge range of sport on offer, as well as academic subjects and creative activities. With such a wide range available there is something for everyone. Vice principal Lisa Ling said: “We want to really open up the hearts and minds of our young people so that they develop a lifelong love of learning. Young people thrive on having opportunities to learn and develop different sorts of skills.” TCA’S TOPBAKER TAYLOR CROWNED and hygiene. each challengethey were judgedinthree areas –presentation, taste The competition was opentostudentsfrom Years 7to10andduring well asateam.” said: “Theyhavealldonebrilliantly. Theygetonverywellandwork TCA Restaurant Manager Maddy Austen, who ran the masterclasses, throughout thecompetition. Taylor waschosenasTCA’s winnerfor heroverallperformance panel ofindependentjudgesfrom thecatering industry. the competitiontocreate tea.Theywere anafternoon judgedbya duringthecourseof when theymadeeverythinghadlearned During thegrandfinaltheytookpartinawholedayofchallenges Trust academiesat CorbyBusinessAcademy. Brooke Weston bake-offagainstwinners from other Brooke Weston The top3bakerswentontotakepartinthegrandfinalofGr and ScottSimmons,Year 7. remained –Tristan Fines,Taylor Cordell, LivvyWilliams(allYear 9) Every fortnightonecontestantwaseliminateduntiljustfourfinalists scones, traybakes,cupcakes,pastryandbread. baking masterclasses andsixbakingchallenges,shortbread, Ten studentsstartedthe12-weekcompetitionandtookpartinsix bake-off. Taylor Cordell hasbeencrowned thewinnerofThomasClarkson IN THENEWS

Taylor Cordell ambitions tobecomePrimeMinisteroneday. Tom isenjoyinghiscareer inpoliticssomuch thathewantstogoallthewaytopwith “It’s togetchildren’s voicesandawiderangeofpeople’s ideasheard. Ithinkitworkswell.” in politicssomydadsuggestedIgaveitago. us whattheydidandaskedifanyoneelsewouldbeinterested indoingit.I’mveryinterested Tom said:“We hadanassemblyinschoolandmembersoftheFenlandYouth Counciltold they are aware oftheissuesaffectingyoungpeople. The councilmeetseverytwomonthsandworksalongsideothergroups inthearea toensure the community. each secondaryschoolinFenlanddedicatedtovoicingtheopinionofyoungpeople Tom, 13,hasbeenelectedtoFenlandYouth Councilwhichisagroup ofstudentsfrom student Tom settinghissightsonDowningStreet. Barnes Thomas ClarksonAcademycouldhaveafuture PrimeMinisterinitsranks,withYear 9 SIGHTS ONPM’S JOB TOM SETS HIS eat out andgrabthem. Ican’t waitfor thingstocomeme.” me realise there are alotmore opportunities outthere ifyoureach Fellow Hero SukninderSagoosaid: “Taking partinthishasmade their confidence.” students andadded:“Ilikeseeing theYear 6sdevelopandbuild school saidhehopedtobeagood role model totheyounger Joseph Moore, whoisoneofthestudentsrunning thesummer year groups tobecomeheroes.” developing themfurtherandbringing upmore studentsfrom other really proud oftheeffortstheyhavemadeandwelookforward to Sarah Loosemoore, Progress Leadersaid:“AsanAcademyweare communication skills. Their traininghastaughtthemproblem solvingandimproved their to becomerole modelsanddevelopintowell-rounded adults. expertise oftheYear 10s,theolderstudentshaveopportunity While theyoungerstudentsbenefitfrom theexperiencesand art andcooking. run workshopsbasedontheirowninterests, includingdodgeball, 45 studentsvolunteered tobetrainedbyHumanUtopiaandwill be runentirely bytheAcademy’s Year 11Heroes for thefirsttime. A summerschoolwillbeheldatTCAforYear 6studentsandwill AT TCA SUMMER WILL RUN YEAR 10HEROES

SCHOOL SCHOOL

www.thomasclarksonacademy.org 02/03 ACHIEVEMENT

TCA WRITERS SEE THEIR WORK IN PRINT Talented writers at TCA have had their work published after taking part in the Young Writers Association competition Poetry Games. Rachel Abu-Jaber, Carlie Knight and Molly-Mae Taylor from Year 11, Courtney Beckett from Year 10 and Oliver Betts and Jay Jarvis from Year 9 all had their poems on contemporary issues selected. Teacher Lisa-Marie Lockyer who entered their work into the competition said: “It was of a very high standard. We have some incredibly talented writers at TCA.” Students also took part in a writing competition run by the Rotary Club called “What a difference that has made to my life”. The winners were Jack Fowler and Bethany Ellerby who have just left after completing their exams, Molly-Mae Taylor, Year 11, and Annabelle Holmes, Year 9. They were invited to the opening day of The Light cinema in where they received free entry to the X-men screening.

JUNIOR LEADERSHIP PARADE FOR TCA’S YOUNG FIREFIGHTERS TEAM APPOINTED Academy has its own firefighters The Academy’s new Junior Leadership September for a Year 7 representative and a on board since Year 8 students Daniel Sexton, Dylan Team has been chosen and members were Year 12 deputy head boy and deputy head Ashman and Raven Cheek completed a course at presented with their badges by Principal girl to join the JLT. Wisbech Fire Station. Clare Claxton. Sally Wilcher, of Student Voice, said: “There They took part in an arson reduction scheme called The team consists of Marek Vasko, was a strong field of applicants for the Squad 14 for 12 weeks and took part in a passing out Charlotte Cameron, David Betts and positions and every student who applied parade at the fire station to mark their completion of the Ewan McConnachie and is led by Head was interviewed by the Head boy and Head course. Boy Akshay Kishor and Head Girl Hannah Girl before a very tough final decision was Wisbech Watch Commander Phil Pilbeam, who led Loughlin. made. We are looking forward to a very the programme for the fire service, said: “Participants Mrs Claxton said: “I am delighted to loud and positive student voice for the of Squad 14 have spent two hours each week with welcome you to the Junior Leadership Team forthcoming year.” firefighters from Wisbech taking part in cadet-style activities. Donned in full fire kit, they learned basic 2014 – 2015. We expect a lot of you but we Caption: From left Akshay Kishor, Marek drill techniques at the sessions, along with developing listen very carefully to you and we take your Vasko, David Betts, Charlotte Cameron and feedback very seriously.” team building and listening skills, and becoming self- Hannah Loughlin. Ewan McConnachie is disciplined. Most importantly, through the activities There will be applications and interviews in missing from the picture. they gained knowledge about how fires develop, the consequences of arson and the impact on the community. “They learned about our in-water rescue activities and THOUSANDS RAISED AT TCA practised a basic exercise at a local pool, which was of particular significance owing to the large number of Generous TCA students have raised £2,550 for a range of charities this year. waterways and dykes in the Fens. Linked in with this The money was raised in a number of ways, from non–uniform days and cake sales to a was raising their awareness of road traffic collisions and sponsored sky-dive and head shave, and the charities to benefit are listed here: dangers on the road.” Breast Cancer Awareness - £53.13 Squad 14 participants have passed out having gained Glenfield House residential care home - £1304.18 an Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Children In Need - £371.79 Network (ASDAN) qualification, first aid certificate and Sport Relief - £150.76 basic water rescue skills. Children Living With Leukaemia - £425.56 Daniel said: “We went to the Hudson Leisure Centre to Action for Children Charities - £79.50 learn how to save someone in a flood. We also learnt British Heart Foundation - £165.80 how to attach hoses and how to put out a fire safely.” Dylan said: “We learnt what to do before you enter a “Well done to everyone who took part and helped to fire and all the specialist equipment you need. I would really make a difference.” definitely recommend it.” PROGRESSION AND CAREERS 04/05 School of Gardening. A group of BUSINESS IS 10 students are due to complete BOOMING their RHS Level 1 Practical Award in Horticulture. This qualification is the FOR CEIAG most recognised in the industry, so the students are sowing more than Our new Careers Education just seeds! Information And Guidance (CEIAG) hub in Little Eden has had an Boome Hair and Beauty Club is incredibly busy first year. going from strength to strength with 3 rounds of students completing Since it was set up in September an afterschool programme in the 2013 the department has arranged basics of hairdressing and beauty a non-stop series of trips and therapy this year. events, developed partnerships with businesses and Higher Education In November, students from Years institutions and appointed student 10, 12 and 13 were invited to attend Mini-Ambassadors who support the the World Skills Show to learn about student body and CEIAG team. the different pathways available, including the vocational and This year saw the beginning apprenticeship routes, and to see of a brand new programme different skills in action. It was an in horticulture which is run at inspirational day and one we hope Delamore Young Plants in Wisbech to revisit next year. St Mary in partnership with Manea

MINI AMBASSADORS APPOINTED AT TCA Students with questions about their options or future career choices can go to one of the school’s 25 newly appointed Mini Ambassadors for help. The Year 10 students are there to act as mentors for younger students and to support the Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) team. They have been presented with new Mini Ambassador ties which they earned by helping with CEIAG events and supporting younger students in their form groups. The ambassadors were among a group of Year 10s who took part in an Employability Day last week at The Boathouse in Wisbech. They worked in partnership with local businesses and students from the Neale Wade school in March to look at job applications and practice interview skills. Hetty Cliss, CEIAG Ambassador, said: “They developed their work skills and communication skills and learnt about decision making and team work. They got an inside perspective on what employers are looking for and can take their new skills with them into the workplace in the future.”

NOT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GOING TO UNIVERSITY STUDENT UNI EVENT A group of Year 10 students spent a day in the life of a university student on a recent visit to Newnham College, Cambridge, and Anglia Ruskin University. A group of Year 12 students attended a ‘Not Going to Uni’ event They compared the two universities, looked at accommodation, budgeting and money, and spoke on the 26th June at the Boathouse, to student ambassadors. Wisbech. The students had to document their visit; taking pictures and making notes and spent the following The event was a collaboration day planning an assembly and working on their presentation skills. Following this, the students between Fenland Partnership then presented their visit, leading an assembly given to the whole of Year 9. schools and gave students an See more pictures from the Visit at insight into the various pathways into www.thomasclarksonacademy.org - careers that are alternatives to going click on ‘Photo Galleries’ under the ‘About Us’ tab to university upon finishing their A-Levels. Students had the opportunity to interact with representatives from a wide range of careers such as horticulture, medicine, setting up your own business and photography as well as receiving information about gap years and apprenticeships. IN THE NEWS

TCA STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY

On Wednesday 16th July, 91 TCA students from Years 7-9 graduated at Wolfson College, Cambridge as part of the Children’s University. The efforts of the 91 students were recognised by Professor David Frost in the prestigious awards ceremony held in the University of Cambridge college campus. Successful students had taken part in a range of sporting and arts activities to achieve the award. Speaking to the students during the ceremony, TCA Vice Principal Lisa Ling said: “I am so proud of each and every one of you for your achievements and also for the attitude you have towards embracing new and varied opportunities. For me, what happens outside of the classroom is See more pictures from the Visit at as important a learning journey as what happens www.thomasclarksonacademy.org - inside it. click on ‘Photo Galleries’ under the ‘About Us’ tab You are true ambassadors for this vision.”

YOUNG INTERPRETERS When a new student arrives at Thomas Clarkson The scheme has been running since 2011 their skills and we are very proud of them. They Academy who doesn’t speak English as their and now has fifteen Young Interpreters who work so hard.” first language, a group of Young Interpreters is speak 5 languages – Russian, Latvian, Polish, Harry Smith, 13, who is in Year 8, was born in on hand to help them settle in to school life. Portuguese and Lithuanian. but raised in Portugal until moving to There are 322 students at TCA with English as Imogen Newell, Leader of EAL, said: “It is seen the UK last year, and is fluent in both languages. an Additional Language and they now have 15 as a job role within the school and the Young He said: “Sometimes people come up and ask Young Interpreters to help them. Interpreters treat it like that. They have to fill in questions, or I show them the school systems an application form and have an interview and The interpreters help to translate resources and the different communities. I like to help training. If they pass all 3 stages they receive in class and letters which are sent home to people and at the end of Year 11 you get a good their Young Interpreter badge. They are very parents, as well as helping at meetings with mark on your CV for doing it so it gives you an proud to be Young Interpreters and to be using parents and open evenings. extra boost.” SIXTH FORM AND APPRENTICESHIPS

THOMAS CLARKSON ACADEMY 06/07 TELLS FORMER STUDENTS “YOU’RE HIRED” The Apprentice has come to Thomas everywhere.” Thomas are assets to the school and great Clarkson Academy with three former Shanna Burns, 21, left the school in examples to our students, and we hope we students being signed up to start their 2009 and is now the school’s Catering are setting them on the path to successful careers at the school. apprentice, working towards a Catering and and rewarding careers.” For the first time apprenticeships in IT, Hospitality qualification. She is enjoying Catering and Administration have been set helping to prepare meals in the restaurant up and all of the successful candidates and said: “Apprenticeships are good if they who were chosen for these positions were are teaching you things and you can get a former students at the school. job at the end of it.” Amber Doyle, 19, left TCA last year after Thomas Thompson, 19, completed a completing her A-Levels and was set to go Computing and IT course before applying to university to study Business Management for his apprenticeship in Administration. but decided an apprenticeship was the way He is also a past student but said the to go for her. She is now the school’s IT school has changed so much it feels like apprentice. a completely different place. She said: “Apprenticeships are a good Business Manager Allison Baverstock way to get into employment. It’s good to said: “We are delighted to be able to learn on the job and no two days are the offer these apprenticeships and were same. Working in a school there is so much lucky to be able to choose from some you can learn. There are opportunities excellent candidates. Amber, Shanna and

THOMAS CLARKSON ACADEMY EXPLORERS HEADING TO THE JUNGLE An intrepid group of opportunity to take part in and to have a sense of Thomas Clarkson Academy this type of project but they achievement at the end students is preparing to each need to raise nearly of it.” head to the jungles of £4,000 to fund their trip. Ella Chadney, 14, said while Borneo on a life-changing They are taking part in a she was worried about 4 week trip next summer. range of fundraising events, the spiders she might The 5 students, who will from car washing and cake encounter while sleeping in be in Years 11 to 13 when sales to lawn mowing and a hammock in the jungle, they go, will be living as fence painting, but are also she was excited about the part of a rural community looking for sponsorship opportunity to travel and NEW HEAD GIRL in Borneo and could from local businesses. hoped it would help her in be building schools or her ambition to become a children’s homes, creating a Paul Musson, Head of Sixth teacher. APPOINTED Form, said: “We wanted to community garden or taking Joseph Moore, 15, is used widen their knowledge of Congratulations to Hannah Loughlin who part in forest regeneration. to the outdoor life, having the world and give them an has been appointed as TCA’s head girl for They will respond to completed a sponsored this year. whatever the locals require opportunity to experience climb up a mountain to help to improve their living another way of life and Hannah is in Year 12 and is studying raise money for the trip, and standards. other cultures. Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Geography is looking forward to the at A Level, and was Head Girl of Pankhurst This will be the first time “It is an amazing experience jungle walks and learning to Community in Year 11. our students have had the to work together as a team scuba dive. She said: “I feel very happy and overwhelmed. I am looking forward to HEAD GIRL WITH A FEAR OF HEIGHTS helping sixth formers get their voices heard.” Hannah will join Head Boy Akshay Kishor JUMPS OUT OF A PLANE FOR CHARITY who will remain in his role for another year. Former Thomas Clarkson Academy head girl The sisters are still counting their sponsor Sally Wilcher, head of Student Voice, said: Lizzie Baker parachuted out of a plane to money but raised at least £1,219.36, thanks “Akshay has had such a strong leadership raise money for a cancer charity. to the support of staff and students at TCA. www.thomasclarksonacademy.org of the Junior Leadership Team this year. We Lizzie, 18, took part in the jump with her sister During a non-uniform day students donated felt his expertise was so useful to take into Heather in aid of CLIC Sargent, a charity £792.06, while teachers, and customers in the following year and train the deputy head which supports children with cancer, and their the Jolly Fryer fish and chip shop where Lizzie boy and girl.” families. works, also sponsored her. YEAR 11 YEAR 11 LEAVERS’ ASSEMBLY

A special assembly was held to mark the end of the year for our Year 11 students. It was an emotional occasion where we looked back through photographs and videos of their time at Thomas Clarkson Academy and celebrated their achievements during that time. Awards were also given out in a number of categories which had been voted for by students, including Most Likely to Become Prime Minister and Biggest Drama Queen!

See more pictures from the Visit at www.thomasclarksonacademy.org - click on ‘Photo Galleries’ under the ‘About Us’ tab PROM

www.thomasclarksonacademy.org 08/09 PERFORMING ARTS

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO TCA

Performers put on their red shoes and followed the yellow brick road to Thomas Clarkson Academy for an unforgettable retelling of the Wizard of Oz. Around 25 performers from all year groups were involved with the traditional show with a TCA twist, which was a great night out for all the family. Art and construction students made the set and other students were involved backstage. Mrs Wilcox, head of drama, said: “The students have worked really hard and I have been very impressed with their standard of commitment. They provided an unforgettable night of song, dance and drama.”

SATURDAY MUSIC THAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT! SCHOOL STUDENTS PERFORM PUNCH A Saturday music school AND JUDY LIVE will be held at TCA from The world’s best-known traditional puppet show has been brought to life by BTEC Performing Arts September giving local students at Thomas Clarkson Academy. musicians the opportunity The Year 12 and 13 students have created a living Punch and Judy show which they are performing to to extend and develop local primary schools. their talent. Julie Wilcox, Head of Drama, said: “We were approached by Marshland St James Primary School to see if we could provide a Punch and Judy show for them. We couldn’t as puppets are very expensive so we Students from our feeder schools will have offered to create a living Punch and Judy show for them instead.” the chance to participate in a children’s The students researched ‘commedia dellarte’ (which is a traditional performance style where actors wear community choir and we hope to take them half masks), then made their own masks and edited traditional scripts to create their performance. to perform at the Young Voices Concert at the 02 Arena in London in January. involved withpeople whoare alsopassionateaboutreading.” Molly-Mae Taylor said:“It’s agreat experience talkingandbeing this yearandI’m definitelydoingitnextyear.” wasfantastic Bunker Diarywasmyabsolutefavourite book.Carnegie Group memberElleGordon said:“Iwassopleasedwiththewinner. which hadnoresolution. could beacontroversial winnerowingtoviolentcontent andanending Bunker Diary. This wasapopularchoicewithourgroup butwefeltit The winnerthisyearwasKevinBrooks with hisYoung Adult novelThe to livestreaming oftheceremony whichwastakingplaceinLondon. and enjoyedquizzesfurtherdiscussionofthebookswhilelistening ShadowinggroupThe Carnegie assembledonthe announcementday had won. best metthejudgingcriteria,andwewere ready tohearwhichbook Three monthsofdiscussingthebooks,andanalysingwhichones Medal wasannouncednationallyon23rd June. and weonlyhadthree monthstoread thembefore thewinnerof their waythrough theshortlistedbooks.There were 8titlesaltogether In March akeengroup ofreaders atTCAassembledoncemore toread which isconsidered tohaveoutstandingliterarymerit. Medalis awardedEvery yeartheCarnegie toaworkofchildren’s fiction CARNEGIE MEDAL SHADOW THE KEEN READERS IN THENEWS CANCER PATIENTS HER HAIRTOYOUNG STUDENT DONATES She said:“Iwasthinkingaboutit when shelostherhair. knowing howinsecure shehadfelt her grandmothertocancerand take theboldstepafterlosing Gertruda saidshedecidedto through cancertreatment. Ireland thathavelosttheirownhair boys andgirlsacross theUKand real-hair wigs,free ofcharge, to The LittlePrincessTrust provides cancer patients. which makeswigsforyoung and hasdonatedittoacharity shoulder-length hairshavedoff Dambrauskaite hashadher Brave Year 10studentGertruda long hairagain. her grade3cutsoshecanhave Gertruda isnowplanningtogrow worthwhile.” children andthatmakesitall good toknowitishelpingyoung She said:“Itmakesmefeel she hasdone. short hairbutare proud ofwhat surprised toseeGertrudawith Family, friendsandteacherswere off there wassomuchhair!” it wasabouttime.Whencut were talkingaboutitandIdecided I coulddoit.Meandmyfriend for quiteawhilebutneverthought

LAUNCHED SYSTEM FOR LEARNING NEW BEHAVIOUR themselves withacademy life. Heroes from ourYear 11shelpedthestudentsto familiarise science, expressive artsanddesign technology. timetable andparticipatedinarange oflessonsincluding, highlight forallofouryoungvisitors! TheyfollowedtheTCA TCA dayincludingbreakfast andlunchin ourrestaurant; a July fortheir‘taster’sessions.All studentstookpartinatypical Students from ourpartnerprimaryschoolsvisited TCAduring DAYS TRANSITION YEAR 6 Zero Tolerance andencourage positivebehaviourforlearning. significantly. We willcontinuewithalloureffortsto promote much calmerplaceanddisruptioninlessonshasreduced in lessonsandaround theacademy. Theacademyisa about thepositiveimpactthatZero Tolerance ishaving It isveryencouragingtohearfrom staff,pupilsandparents clear, easytounderstandandputintoaction. comes amuchsimplerbehavioursystem,systemthatis changes andournewTCAexpectations.WithZero Tolerance to thisdateinformingthemaboutthe been donewithpupilsandstaffprior systematTCA.Muchworkhas learning Zero Tolerance, ournewbehaviourfor June 2nd2014sawthelaunchof “It makesmefeelgoodtoknow that makesit all worthwhile.” it ishelping youngchildren and

www.thomasclarksonacademy.org 10/11 IN THE NEWS

YOUNG TOUR GUIDES TELL ANNE FRANK’S STORY

A group of Year 9 students have programme peer guides enjoyed Following the exhibition, six of approach to what is a very been trained as tour guides to an increase in self-confidence, the guides completed the Anne harrowing tale, and have received spread the story of Anne Frank. improved literacy and presentation Frank Ambassador training positive comments from staff and 15 Year 9s volunteered to be skills, an opportunity to develop scheme at Nottingham Holocaust students about the tours they have trained by The Anne Frank Trust team working and leadership skills Memorial Centre and Peterborough provided.” UK to guide visitors around the and learnt more about themselves Cathedral. They will continue to Funded by the Big Lottery, the Anne exhibition Anne Frank: A History and their local community. spread the messages from Anne’s Frank Schools’ and Ambassadors’ for Today which took place at Vicky Coleman, Leader of RE, said: story to others in the school and Programme is part of Realising the Academy. This helped them “This was a fantastic opportunity feeder primary schools and help Ambition, a UK-wide programme to discover and discuss the for our students to get an in-depth to challenge prejudice and prevent investing £25million in outstanding Holocaust, and to explore Anne’s understanding of Anne Frank’s hate-related attitudes developing. projects that have a strong track message of hope in the face of story and the Holocaust and to History teacher Lois Russell said: record or have already been proven adversity. share that knowledge with the rest “The students have taken an to work in helping young people Through participation in this of the school.” extremely mature and sensitive fulfil their potential.

HOLOCAUST SCHOOL’S ANNE FRANK AMBASSADORS SURVIVOR SPEAKS VISIT HOLOCAUST CENTRE A group of Year 10 students who the Holocaust. TO TCA STUDENTS have been chosen to be Anne Frank Finally, they heard from a Holocaust Ambassadors visited The Nottingham survivor who was rescued from Germany History and RE students at TCA were privileged to be Holocaust Memorial Centre. on the Kindertransport after the Nazis given a lesson by Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke. The students were chosen as came into power. Eva was born in a concentration camp just before Ambassadors based on the work they The students also travelled to liberation and told the students her life story through had done with the Anne Frank Trust at Peterborough Cathedral to develop a photos of her family. TCA to spread Anne’s story. lesson for primary age children teaching RE co-ordinator Victoria Coleman said: “It was very They were given a tour of the museum them about Anne Frank’s story. interesting and the students were really engaged and which details the Jewish experience Humanities teacher Lois Russell said: asked a lot of questions. It really helped to bring history from pre-Nazi life all the way through to “The students embraced this experience to life and they learnt all the little details that you don’t liberation from the concentration camps, in an incredibly mature manner and were get in text books.” and explored the gardens where there a credit to the school.” are memorials to those who died during OUT AND ABOUT 12/13 TCA STUDENTS CATER FOR ROSE FAIR VISITORS Catering students from Thomas Clarkson Academy gained hands-on experience in the industry at the town’s annual Wisbech Rose Fair. A group of GCSE students from Year 9 spent 3 days at the event where they served sandwiches, teas and coffees and helped to prepare the Rose Fair’s popular strawberry teas. Others were on car park duty and handed out Rose Fair leaflets. Food technology teacher Jayne Thorpe said: “Most of them want to be chefs as a career. This was an opportunity for them to gain in confidence, improve their problem solving by dealing with customers and get experience of working with food outside of the classroom. “It was a great experience for them. They are all exemplary students and excellent cooks. The feedback was that they were the best students the school has ever sent. I am really proud of them.” The school’s Dr Who themed float came second place in the parade and was awarded a Highly Commended shield. 16 students were on board in fancy dress to tie in with the theme of TV From The Past.

VISIT TO HOW MANY STUDENTS CAN YOU FIT IN A PETERBOROUGH MEDIEVAL TOILET? MOSQUE AND The Humanities department has been taking students to Castle Acre in Norfolk for 27 years. It is a great place for students CATHEDRAL to explore medieval history, monasticism and geographical concepts like settlements and rivers. 28 students visited Peterborough Mosque and the city’s Cathedral. www.thomasclarksonacademy.org Lucy-Beth Heighton, TCA’s co-ordinator of History, said: “The Students enjoyed learning first-hand about the religious traditions of highlight was trying to beat previous trips and getting fourteen the Islamic faith and the history of Peterborough Cathedral. students into the medieval toilet. The students had a fantastic day Teacher Miss Victoria Coleman said: “The students were a credit to and it’s with thanks to the humanities staff, past and present that the Academy.” the students still get to enjoy this wonderful opportunity.” SPORTS NEWS DISTRICT ATHLETICS 2014 ROLL OF HONOUR

Year 7 Louis Garner 3rd place in the High Jump with a height of 1.2m Ben Larner 3rd place in the 100m Sprint with a time of 14.2 sec Mantas Jonatis 3rd place in the Discus with a distance of 12.8m Klaudia Gnitecka 3rd place in the High jump with a height of 1.2m

Year 8 Abi Pittam 1st place in the Javelin with a distance of 24.29m Abi Pittam 1st place in the Shot Putt with a distance of 8.52m Chloe Clifford 1st place in the Shot Putt with a distance of 7.1m Harry Smith 2nd place in the Javelin with a distance of 21.21m Megan Sheldon 2nd place in the Long Jump with a distance of 3.5m David Betts 2nd place in the 800m with a time of 2 mins 40 sec Megan Sheldon 2nd place in the 200m with a time of 32.04 sec David Betts 2nd place in the Discus with a distance of 17.6m Harry Smith 2nd place in the 400m with a time of 67 sec

Year 9 Abi Pittam 1st place in the Javelin with a distance of 24.29m Abi Pittam 1st place in the Shot Putt with a distance of 8.52m Ashley Gosling 1st place in the Discus with a distance of 22.5m Mateusz Labus 1st place in 1500m with a time of 5 min 17 sec Susan Farg 1st place in the 300m with a time of 51.7 sec Arminas Kasperovicius 3rd place in the Shot Putt with a distance of 9.2m Mateusz Labus 2nd in the 400m with a time of 67 sec James Johnson 3rd in the 200m with a time of 27.36 sec

Year 10 Robert Breide 1st in the 400m with a time of 57.3 sec El Carr 1st in the Shot Putt with a distance of 7.25m Jordan Ashman 1st place in the Shot Putt with a distance of 9.79m CJ Baker 1st in the 800m with a time of 2 min 21 sec CJ Baker 1st in the 100m with a time of 11.2 sec Sam Land 1st in the 200m with a time of 25.57 sec Sam Land 1st in the High Jump with a height of 1.6m Roberts Breide 2nd place in the Long Jump with a distance of 5.25m El Carr 2nd in the 200m with a time of 30.66 sec Joe Wheatley 3rd in the 1500m with a time of 5 min 5 sec Jordan Ashman 3rd in the Javelin with a distance of 20.31m El Carr 2nd in the 300m with a time of 49.64 sec

SUCCESS AT COUNTY ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS TCA students represented El Carr finished 8th in the shot PB which is 11.5 - the qualifying at the County for the intermediate girls and time is 11.3. Athletics Championship in beat her PB to get a distance of Norwich for the first time in 8.08m. Sam Land equalled his PE teacher James Hooper said: three years and put in some PB of 1.6m to finish 3rd in the “All 3 have another year in this impressive performances. high jump and CJ Baker was 7th age group so will be competing in the 100m with a time of 11.7s. next year with a little more The 3 students did incredibly experience and all of them were well and still have another CJ is close to achieving an a credit to TCA.” year in their age group and are English Schools qualifying working hard to achieve the time and needs to shave just 2 English School qualification. hundredths of a second off his SPORTS NEWS 14/15

YEAR 8 GIRLS’ FOOTBALL SUCCESS Thomas Clarkson Academy’s Year 8 girls’ football team put in a fantastic performance and achieved second place in the district tournament. The team travelled to Witchford for the last of the cluster tournaments with the schools from the Isle of Ely where they played extremely well against the other schools, and came away undefeated. After the tournament the girls were drawing with Neale Wade in first place with both schools not losing a match. Unfortunately, Neale Wade scored 3 more goals over the course of the tournament and won, with TCA coming second. PE teacher Amy Anderson said: “We saw fantastic performances from all girls, lead very ably by captain Libby Albutt. Rachael Stimpson and Klaudia Gnitecka scored some very good goals, along with Chloe Clifford and Megan Sheldon. “Anna Ivaskevica saved some very good shots on goal from the Neale Wade girls and Weronika Czechowska placed extremely well throughout the tournament and had a ‘never- give-up’ attitude, which was brilliant to see. “I look forward to next season’s football tournaments and to taking that first tournament win for the Year 8 football team!”

GAME, SET AND MATCH RINGSIDE FOR TCA ACTION AT TCA More than 40 students have been improving their fitness and relieving STUDENTS stress in a Boxercise taster course during Enrichment sessions. Qualified and registered Boxercise instructors Miss Anderson and Miss TCA students rubbed shoulders with tennis royalty when they Smith have been teaching students from all years some of the different bumped into Andy Murray on a recent school trip to Wimbledon. punches, including jabs and hooks. Sports teachers Kirstie Smith, Amy Anderson and James Each session has been split into 3 sections, including a warm up, Hooper took 24 students on a sports-packed tour of the All technique improvement and the famous, ever-popular ‘beasting’! England Club and Twickenham. Miss Anderson said: “Effort has been amazing from all that have attended. After a brief stop for photos and autographs the group had They’ve not only picked up the correct technique, but have been able to tickets to Court 2 with an exciting line-up of tennis featuring Na coach and correct each other’s minor mistakes.” Li, David Ferrer and Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Some superstars of the ring (sports hall) so far have been Suki “The Miss Smith said: “The day was an unforgettable experience for Scintillating” Sagoo, Ryan “The Relativistic” Williams, Diana “The the students and teachers.” Determined” Rubene and Ben “The Baneful” Carr. Day 2 was spent on a tour of Twickenham Stadium, the home Boxercise is a new activity offered at TCA and is an option to Year 10 and of England Rugby. 11 girls during PE lessons as part of the new KS4 Girls’ PE Curriculum, and is offered to all students as a session 6 activity. The students were taken through the history of the stadium Boxercise is an excellent way to improve fitness, relieve stress and and visited the changing rooms and a box, before visiting the www.thomasclarksonacademy.org Twickenham museum. develop friendships, whilst having immense fun as well. Miss Smith added: “Overall the trip was a huge success, Any further information can be obtained from and that was mostly down to the impeccable behaviour from Miss Anderson ([email protected]) the students.” or Miss Smith ([email protected]). NEWS / DATES

TCA PERFORMERS AT WISBECH ARTS FESTIVAL Performers from TCA and the wider community took part in a Celebration of the Arts at the school as part of Wisbech Arts Festival. The event, A Celebration of the Arts Achievements of Young People in Fenland, took place in the theatre and was open to students as well as guests from outside the school. Around 50 students took part in a range of dance, drama and music pieces and there were also displays of art work and photography. GCSE Dance students were among those taking to the stage to perform a Lindy Hop dance. There were also performances from soloists, a harpist, guitarists and the Sixth Form Performing Arts students with their live Punch and Judy show. Lisa Tarsitano, Head of Expressive Arts, said: “We have some very talented performers at TCA and the Celebration of the Arts was a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills to the community.”

RESULTS A Level results day th Thursday 14 August GCSE results day DAYS Thursday 21st August On Results Day students can come in to collect their results from 9am to 11am. We would ask that they come in via the community reception area.

We hope you have enjoyed AUTUMN TERM 2014 reading this edition of News @ TCA. We are always keen Staff Training Day Wednesday 3rd September 2014 to hear your feedback or thoughts on content for future Term opens to students Thursday 4th September 2014 (Years 7, 11, 12 & 13 only) editions. Term opens to students Friday 5th September (All Years) Please email Helen Jackson at Last day before [email protected]. Friday 24th October 2014 Half-Term sch.uk if you would like to get in touch regarding News @ TCA.

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