The Phoenix Collegiate Newsletter Winter 2014 Edition No: 14 Phoenix joins Excellence Programme

Phoenix has been chosen to become a Centre enter adult life with the of Excellence in Financial Education as part of a skills, knowledge and ground-breaking partnership between the UK’s confidence they need to leading financial education charity pfeg (Personal manage money well”. Finance Education Group) and Santander. Tracey Bleakley, pfeg We are now working with pfeg’s educational Chief Executive specialists to create a detailed programme of financial education for our students. Santander is supporting Phoenix to enable us to IN THIS EDITION achieve the Centre of Excellence status this year, turning us into a beacon of best practice in teaching this is going to make an enormous difference to our Governors...... page 2 children and young people about money. students, both now and in the future”. Hubs news...... pages 2 - 10 “Everything we do at Phoenix Collegiate is aimed at Gary Hill, Head Teacher preparing young people for life. Key Stages news incl “We are delighted that Phoenix Collegiate has joined Duke of Edinburgh.pages...... pages 10 - 13 Managing money is one of those skills that we use our Centre of Excellence programme through our every day in one way or another - and we believe it is partnership with Santander. Pastoral news...... pages 13 - 14 crucial that we give our students the tools they need The work that staff will be doing with our educational to do this well. Priority School Building Programme...... page 15 specialists over the coming months will be of We are absolutely delighted to be joining the pfeg enormous benefit to students, with financial Sports update...... pages 15 - 16 Centres of Excellence programme to embed financial education set to be firmly embedded into the education into the school curriculum, and know that curriculum. Our aim is to ensure that all students

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 1 Additionally this announcement will be posted on the due to poor weather school website, www.aspirebelievesucceed.com (details will also be posted on the Local Authority conditions website following notification by the school to the LA). SchoolClosures due to poor weather conditionsClosure are very rare and will be avoided where possible. In some cases we may decide to open later than normal to allow time for the site to be made safe; again, this will be announced If the school is closed BEFORE the start of the on the radio and the school website. There is no need for parents to contact the school to check whether or not School Day - Please refer to the procedures the school is open. Unless announced on the radio and school website, the school will be open. outlined above. School Closure Procedures: If the school closes DURING the School Day - If the school is to be closed, there will be an announcement on the following radio stations to state this: Pupils will only be sent home if there are satisfactory arrangements for them to return safely. Should Radio WM any parent/carer wish to make any alternative Free Radio Birmingham (formerly BRMB) arrangements for their child, they should put these in Heart FM/Capital FM writing to the Head Teacher. Free Radio Black Country (formerly Beacon Radio)

Governors Important dates for Spring term 2015 Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th January 2015 School closed to pupils for Inset days (pupils return to school on 7/01/15) Sodhi Aujla Monday 12th January 2015 Year 10 parents’ evening 4.00-7.00pm Teaching staff governor Monday 26th January 2015 Year 8 parents’ evening 4.00-7.00pm Sodhi Aujla is the Phoenix Monday 2nd February 2015 Year 9 options evening 5.00-7.30pm Collegiate teaching staff governor, responsible for Monday 9th February 2015 KS5 parents’ evening 4.00-7.00pm bringing the views of the Monday 16th to Friday 20th February 2015 Half term holiday Phoenix staff to governors’ Monday 2nd March 2015 Year 9 parents’ evening 4.00-7.00pm meetings and inputting a staff perspective in to the Monday 30th March to Friday 10th April 2015 Easter break work of the governors in raising standards for all students. High School. Kelly lives in West Bromwich Born in the Punjab (North India), Sodhi immigrated and is familiar with the community. She has English to England with his family in the mid-1960s. He has genuine interests in adding value to good lived in North Birmingham ever since. quality education to all students regardless of their barrier and in raising aspirations. Kelly Having graduated from Hull University with a degree Year 8 Progress has strategic and project management skills, in Mathematics, Sodhi started teaching Mathematics knowledge of business, education & careers and in 1984 at Moreton School in Wolverhampton, Reward Trip work and personal experience which complement then worked in three Birmingham schools teaching the Governing Body. Several Year 8 students enjoyed an afternoon at The mathematics up to Advanced level, before coming to Blue Orange Theatre on Thursday 6th November. the Phoenix Collegiate in 2012. Her employment experience: Kelly was employed Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ was definitely a by Black Country Connexions as the Senior Passionate about teaching his beloved subject performance not to be missed and was fully enjoyed Service Deliver Leader. In that role she was of mathematics, he often supports students after by all the students who attended. Congratulations to responsible for reducing the number of young school, in the holidays and Saturday mornings with you all; we are very proud to be able to acknowledge people not in education, employment or training extra lessons in preparation for their examinations. your hard work. (NEETS) in Sandwell. She managed a team of Sodhi has three children; a son who is twenty five Personal Advisers who supported vulnerable and working in the family business, a daughter aged NEETs in Sandwell, such as the homeless, teenage twenty one studying Medicine at Leicester University parents, looked after children, young offenders and the youngest daughter in year 10 at Hamstead etc. Kelly is therefore aware of barriers to learning Hall school. In the past Sodhi served as a parent and processes and methods in motivating and governor for eight years at Hamstead Hall School. encouraging young people back in to education, Sodhi has been a keen philatelist (stamp collector) employment and training. since the age of 12 and now has millions of stamps Kelly is also an experienced Business Contracts in his collection, from various countries around the Manager which involved managing Business world. He also enjoys playing badminton and snooker Advisers to meet contract obligations to support regularly. people to become self-employed or in company/ business growth throughout the West Midlands. The trip was in recognition for Kelly Hurd Currently she is self-employed and has two their effort, attainment and positive attitude, which they have shown Parent governor quite varied businesses: a Business Consultancy business and a Fitness Academy. within their English lessons. Here Kelly has been appointed as in the English department we volunteer parent governor Her personal experience: Kelly was a teenage mum, encourage and recognise the hard and joined in May 2014. having her daughter at 15 years old. She therefore work that our students portray She has a daughter who has had a colourful background and education and and we have many more exciting attends Phoenix Collegiate has first-hand experience of overcoming barriers adventures for our students to be and another daughter who in achieving an education, gaining confidence and a part of. So come on, get yourself attended the school when ambition. recognised, and who knows… you it was known as Menzies could be off on our next adventure!

2 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Literacy Update Birmingham This term has seen the launch of our ‘Reading Mentor’ Programme, Repertory where Sixth Form students volunteer to read with year 9 students in order to accelerate their progress in improving their reading ages. This Theatre Trip year we have also extended the programme to twenty year 11 students, who will be supporting year 7 tutor groups. The Kite Runner - October 2014 The Renaissance Accelerated Reader scheme is also still helping This term pupils from Y11-Y13 had the opportunity students to develop their reading and comprehension skills, with many of our to experience a live evening performance of Khalid students successfully reading lots of books and passing Housseini’s The Kite Runner at the Birmingham Rep. multiple quizzes. We already have 3 students this year in our The New York company provided a mesmerising exclusive ‘Millionaire’s Club’, meaning they have read over 1 adaptation of this AS level set text. We were million words since September. Congratulations to Aadel Semmoudi transported back to a more peaceful time in (1,949,434 words), Bardia Dodangeh (1,249,649 words) and Arijus Afghanistan, then travelled on a journey that took us Danilevicius (1,237,510 words). to the more recent troubled past, and finished with a As Christmas draws closer, the English department have created a new future in America. list of unmissable reads, including The Bunker Diary (Kevin Brooks), We were spellbound throughout, all pupils expressing Solitaire (Alice Oseman), The Pointless Book (Alfie Deyes) and, for their appreciation of the storytelling skills of the fans of the Hunger Games series, The Maze Runner (James Dashner). actors. These are all great gift ideas which will support reading progress as well as being superbly entertaining! A truly memorable experience for all!

Year 9 story openings... “Homelessness” Oh, how I adored sunrises! The way the sky bleeds red as the sun creeps over the horizon, like a silent murderer; casting sunbeams in every direction while it illuminates this small town. I watched as it grew into a big ball of fire, changing from dark orange to dark yellow as it began to heat up the earth. It moved across the sky with grace as if to own it; accompanied by the clouds that move so lackadaisically, drifting along the sky, with nothing to care about except their next destination. The sun makes the sky more radiant as it climbs higher and higher into the sky as each minute passes by. A thrilling feeling of awe swept over me. The reason why I adored sunrises so much was because they were so fascinating, glorious, heart-stopping, magnificent, magical, hypnotic and resplendent. I could go on for hours.... Even a novel of description couldn’t suffice. It is a wonderful “Homelessness” aspect of nature and no-one takes the time to appreciate it, so it is always taken All around me foolish pedestrians are on cloud nine. But I feel as though I am for granted. sitting on a grim lookout tower, making me the only person who is not intoxicated That’s probably the only perk of having insomnia. I get to witness every single by dazed happiness. Sadly, I used to be one of them. Recently, I have learned breathtaking sunrise. to neglect the hunger to be successful once more. A dark cloud hangs over me, whispering my past in a degrading, masterly and overwhelming tone. “Look at Most people couldn’t care less about sunrises. I used to be like that. I never used them,” it whispered. “Don’t you wish you hadn’t thrown it all away?” Each person to give them a second thought. But it’s different now. Now I’m on the streets, it’s in my view is a partner in a never-ending dance. All going in unison like a herd changed; I have a different view on everything. I’m so used to being around dull, of cattle, leaving no room for me. The pure odour of me whips through my air hideous and unpleasant things, that the first beautiful thing that catches my eye passages like coursing venom. My head throbs from last night. It’s ironic really; I has me gazing at it until it disappears. It’s almost hypnotic. Maybe that is a bit can’t even stop my addiction when I have absolutely nothing. extreme, but I certainly feel like I’m stuck in a trance. The only thing I can do is watch helplessly as the sun drags me into a day that I’d desperately rather avoid. What a mess. But as enchanting as the sky is, I knew today would be tremendously awful.... What a complete waste. By Englandina Hoxha - Year 9 Presumably, it has almost been a year since I sat down on this kerb and left everything behind me. Yet in all of that time, there had only been one kind soul to actually look upon themselves to help me. I remember that day like the back of my hand.... It was a typical windy day on the streets; no-one gave me a second glance. Until I saw him. He strolled down the street quite arrogantly (in my personal opinion) wearing a black suit and tie; he really looked the part. As his perfectly-shined shoes stepped closer and closer, his eyes and his expression somehow grew kinder, until he stopped right in front of me and eventually said... “Don’t waste it.” Surprisingly, a crisp twenty pound note emerged from his bottomless pocket. “Th...thank you,” I stuttered. He flashed me a grin and swanned away triumphantly.... By Isabelle Pearce - Year 9 “Homelessness”

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 3 Spooky Story Library of Birmingham As part of the course for A level English Literature, Competition we had the chance to visit the Library of Birmingham on Tuesday 11th November 2014 in order to do During the month of October the Learning edition of the some wider reading. The trip was an exceptional Resource Centre ran its annual spooky story Scholastic one, as we got an amazing opportunity to explore competition, where pupils were invited to write a Book Club. the hundreds of thousands books offered, with the scary story. The two support of our teachers undoubtedly helping us with The story had to runners up our coursework. be based around a places went We also participated in the two minute silence for haunted house and its to Charlotte Remembrance Day, held at the city’s Hall of Memory characters which were Tayler and and the Centenary Square. It was a wonderful trip, displayed in the library Daisy Nock and thank you to the relevant staff who organised it. from 1st October until also both We hope to visit again soon! 31st October. year 8 pupils. The girls were both given £5 vouchers to spend. The Sapna Sandhu, on behalf of the sixth formers This year the lucky stories are all on display in the library for everyone who visited. winner was Deyal to read. Higgs, a year 8 pupil. Deyal was given a This year the competition was judged by Mr Raun voucher worth £10 Jones, SEN co-ordinator. to spend in the Teen

Maths

Up against a number of highly talented students, UKMT Challenge the team battled through three difficult rounds On Thursday 27th November, a team of to finish a respectable 24th. As it was their first Science mathematicians from the Sixth Form participated in experience of this level of competition, they should the annual UKMT Senior Maths Challenge at King feel incredibly proud of their achievement. Thanks Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys. to Mr Hewlitt and Mrs Bradley for accompanying the students to the competition. CSI Juniors The event was organised by The Further A group of year 6 pupils coming from several feeder Mathematics Support Programme in partnership primary schools became CSI’s for the day when they with the UK Mathematics Trust. In 2014-15 the visited the Phoenix Collegiate Science department. competition is sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc. The STMC is for students in years 11, 12 and 13, testing mathematical, communication and teamwork skills. Each team must consist of four Year 11, 12 or 13 (or equivalent) students with no more than two students from Year 13. This year Phoenix Collegiate was represented by Matthew Guy, Diana Mordi, Naheem Hussain, and Osahenomase Omoruyi.

Led by Mrs Haines, the budding forensic scientists attempted to solve “The Case of the Kidnapped Head Teacher” by using various forensic detective techniques to analyse the available evidence and compare to suspect profiles. Forensic techniques included identifying unknown chemicals by flame tests, chromatography to determine the pen that wrote the ransom note, extracting DNA and reviewing CCTV footage from the Head’s office. A great time was had by all involved and even a shock visit from Mr Baker (the prime suspect) did not deter the would-be detectives!

4 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Macmillan The Science Charity Challenge department During the summer holidays, Mr Baker, Leader of Science, along with two friends, attempted a hopes you have charity challenge to visit all 20 Premier League football clubs in under 24 hrs. had a wonderful The purpose was to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and help a dear friend who is fighting cancer raise the £10,000 she has After Burnley and Hull, the end was in sight. Christmas and targeted herself. To make things even more Arriving at Sunderland just after 5 pm, the journey difficult, the challenge was completed in a van across town to St James’ Park seemed an easy rather than a car! wish you a task in the time remaining... but this was rush hour in Newcastle! Crawling in traffic past the Angel of the North, Happy New Year! nerves were becoming frayed until finally the traffic subsided, the road ahead opened and the Newcastle stadium was in sight. The van pulled into St James Park at 5.47 pm, 23 hours and 47 minutes after they had left Southampton, 926 miles ago and with just 13 minutes to spare!!!

The mammoth journey began at 6 pm at Southampton, heading for the capital. The 6 London clubs were completed by midnight and they were at Swansea by 3 am, Albion and Villa were done by Being a scientist, data of times and mileages were 6am, then on to dutifully collected, and put into a table. There is Leicester, Stoke, the probably even a graph somewhere... 2 Liverpool and 2 Manchester clubs. Sponsor money is still being collected, with money raised so far well in excess of £1000.

F1 Physics Year 13 physicists delved into the hi-tech world of Formula 1 motorsport with a project based on how down force and tyre technology increase the acceleration of Formula 1 cars and allow cornering speeds that would have any other car spin off into the gravel! The project was delivered in the form of a highly professional presentation including facts, figures and calculation of the maximum theoretical cornering speeds for a given car on a given corner with various tyre combinations, even factoring in the effect of banked corners. It was all very technical stuff involving Newton’s laws, components of force, co-efficients of friction, angular velocity, and centripetal force. The next generation of motorsport engineers in the making...

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 5 Art & Design Hub Birmingham Visit Black County A Level art and photography students visited Poppy Appeal Birmingham on Tuesday 14th October. T - Shirt Competition Year 7 Textiles took part in a Black County Poppy Appeal T Shirt Competition by the Royal British Legion. The theme was Poppies. Nevaeh Leveridge was the winning entry to represent Phoenix Collegiate and the overall winner will be notified in January 2015. Students engaged The photographs displays the work of (from top left with to bottom right) Nevaeh Leveridge, Mahin Miah, historical and Amanpreet Dhillon and Shanice Piper. contemporary art work at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, National Big Draw Ikon gallery and the new library. Macmillan Students enjoyed the trip thoroughly and agreed Art Competition Students took part in the National Big Draw Art that the gallery was an interesting and inspiring OnCake Friday 26th Sale Competition organised by the National Campaign for visit, which would help them to develop their September, we held the Drawing. The theme was ‘Word Art’. An exhibition of coursework portfolio. first fund raiser of the finalists’ Word Art work is displayed in the Learning new school year. The Resource Centre. event was for cancer The work was judged by Ms Hill and Ms Hall. research. WW1 Mood The winners are: The new year 7 pupils played a big part in 1st Heidi Thornton raising funds by taking Boards part in the big bake off, making and selling Year 11 created mood boards in response to cakes in support of World War I. Macmillan coffee They responded through the use of old letters morning. and photographs from www. nationalarchives. gov.uk/first-world- war/ and with a limited colour scheme. The mood boards shown are by Jordan 2nd Kirsty Cadman Breeze and Natasha Brown.

The coffee morning was held in the school hall with a wide selection of cakes and drinks being sold by the year 13 hospitality students, the Duke of Edinburgh pupils and the year 7 representatives. 3rd Azra Hussain The event was well attended by both pupils and staff. The amount raised exceeded £700.00. The event was a great success.

6 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Students Business Hub working with professional Currently, 30% of UK employers say that a lack of Business in the skills in the workforce makes it hard to fill entry-level artists vacancies. Schools and businesses participating in Community’s the Business in the Community programme report Gifted and Talented Art and Design students that it has improved students’ employability by 40%. have worked with Jamie Jackson and Stephen Business Class Whitehead, two professional artists, to create land art work, digital imagery and a film during Programme the summer holidays and after school. 2014/2015 will be the second year of a highly successful partnership that Phoenix has formed with Halifax.

Students will In 2013/2014 Halifax be involved in employees: an exhibition • Spent a full for Sandwell The partnership was set up as part of the Business in day with all of Museum services the Community’s Business Class Programme. our Sixth Form and Winterborne The programme is designed to help young people students developing their ability to perform House and in schools understand, in a very practical way, what well in all aspects of the recruitment and Gardens in opportunities exist in the world of work and what selection process. Birmingham qualifications and expertise they need to access them. - watch this • Halifax ‘Bright Sparks’ group worked with space for Phoenix’s student council to develop their details of the role and provide an effective channel exhibition and through which students views can be please visit the following web page for a look at expressed. the Litterwatch film project. • Phoenix hosted ‘The Big Lunch’ on 1st http://www.saltroad.org.uk/pages/ June 2014, where members of the local Current_projects.html community took part in fun lunchtime activities and raised £1,078.20 for Sandwell Parents for Disabled Children. Design Technology - SMSC Just before half term year 7 technology students enjoyed a visit from the education officer at the Dog’s Trust. Scott came to talk to the pupils about caring for your dog and the legislation which helps to prevent animal abuse. The group of regulars have pupils had a fun session which included a lively Code Club managed to write their ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ quiz in which own programs to display a everyone took part. This term, we started running a new after school “Welcome Home!” message Code Club. The school has purchased a few of the when the player returns to popular Raspberry Pi computers to help teach the base in Minecraft. students how to code. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be adding to our attendees’ Python skill sets, showing them how they can write increasingly complex algorithms (really important for their Computer Science studies), program flow control and even showing them how, by using a Raspberry Pi, a few basic electronics components and some clever Year 7 pupils have been given the task of Python code, they can make designing and making a novelty mirror frame At the club, we use the Python programming their programs interact with which will raise awareness of the issues language to write mods for Minecraft. This is a fun the physical world. surrounding animal cruelty and promote related way of helping students to learn a bit more Python charities. The visiting speaker gave them new (a popular programming language) or to brush up on Code Club runs every information and inspiration for slogans which the skills picked up in Computer Science lessons. Tuesday between 3pm and can be incorporated into their design ideas. Well 4pm in the CLC, and is open We’re only a few weeks in, but already our small done to all those who took part. to all Phoenix students.

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 7 GeoPost Decorating European Day of Languages at Phoenix Challenge On 26th September (European Day of Languages) The year 10 pupils were able to put into practice Language Leaders hosted a visit from All Saints once again their leadership and teaching skills Staff at GeoPost undertook their biggest Primary School for a morning of Spanish activities. learned during their successful completion of the decorating challenge to date at Phoenix whilst The year 6 pupils really enjoyed learning from the Language Leaders certificate. the school was closed for the summer break. older students about food, pets and colours. Students returned to discover the whole of B block completely redecorated thanks to the generous staff at GeoPost.

Over 80 GeoPost staff took part in the challenge A joint Business and MFL project which extended over a three week period. Head Teacher Gary Hill said “We really are very with Year 10 students grateful for the continued support of GeoPost A selected group of Year 10 students have been and its staff. They continue to support our chosen to take part in an online enterprise project drive for higher educational standards and are run by ‘Achievers International’. The project providing opportunities for our students which provides an opportunity for Year 10 Phoenix students are simply not available to students at other to actively engage in international trading whilst schools. We really are very lucky to have them developing their foreign language skills. as partners”.

Phoenix Wonka & the Students have formed a company under the guidance of Miss Duffy and Ms Francis and are Chocolate Factory planning to import and export goods with a partner The Computing Department took over 70 students school in Spain. to Cadbury’s World in Birmingham, as part of a The attached image is an image of students from our thematic project being undertaken by some of the new partner school COL. LA INMACULADA based in Year 9 students. Oviedo, Asturias, in Northern Spain.

Year 11 Trip to IKEA - Wednesbury As part of their GCSE qualifications in Applied Business, over 45 Year 11 students have been provided with an opportunity to visit IKEA They had to find out information about the history of Wednesbury and use the business as a basis of chocolate making and understand what technology investigation for their coursework. was used and how it has improved over the years. The students also needed to focus on the products Students were provided with an excellent standard of being manufactured as well as the different forms of hospitality during each visit. advertising that were used. The students immensely enjoyed their visit and at times stopped to take the odd photograph for their project. Their teamwork and communication skills were definitely used throughout the day and to also be able to test the products was a bonus for all! Well done to you all Year 9 and to the staff who supported you on Students have visited the business on two occasions the day; Mr Abbas, during November and have been able to carry out Mrs Kapoor, Mr Webb, an investigation of the company by listening to a Miss Kaur, Ms Foulkes presentation delivered by IKEA personnel and by and Miss Beard. Thank you to Nuzhad Chagan at IKEA for providing undertaking a guided tour of the store. this very valuable experience to our students.

8 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Humanities Hub Sports & The Arts Hub

Remembrance Afrikan Fusion Day Drumming Tuesday 11th November Workshop 2014 On Friday 3rd October, some of our Year 7 students A special service of were given a cultural flavour of African music making Remembrance to mark when Afrikan Fusion dropped in to deliver a series the centenary of the of African Drumming Workshops, as part of the start of WW1 was held celebration to mark Black History Month. in year groups throughout the school. Some comments included: This service took place in order to honour all those who “I’d never played the drums before, but it was great!” have served in the armed “That was a surprise... can we do that every week?” forces, and especially those who have given their lives in “I enjoyed learning about a different culture and all the Wars since 1914. playing the instruments from a different country”. A very moving occasion.

Year 8 celebrating Year 11 Dance Divali Conference Year 8 students took part in the traditional Students visited London and way of celebrating the Divali story of Rama Birmingham to experience a and Sita in their Religious Education lessons. student dance conference They had to work in groups to produce a delivered by AQA on 21st and role play script which they acted out. Many 28th November. We saw lots brought or made their own props to use in their of interesting performances plays. Harmanpreet and really got to grips with the Students really did represent Phoenix, myself Jabbal brought her syllabus. and themselves well. Well done to all grandmothers gold involved! The trip was insightful and Sari, she said she thought provoking for all involved. Miss Radburn ‘enjoyed working in teams, it was a lot of fun and it helped us to remember the story’. Pearl of Africa Maram Ahmed as Sita For the third year in a row Phoenix played host to the Pearl of Africa children’s choir from Uganda.

Philosophy Essay Competition Jasbir Talwar year 13 who studies Philosophy The choir will be back next year so watch this space and Ethics at A Level was runner up in a for advertising!! prestigious Philosophy essay competition organised by the University of Gloucester. Jasbir had to write a 2500 word essay on “What is the proper role of religion in a modern, secular society?”. He was up against many philosophy The evening was another success with staff, pupils, students from independent schools, colleges parents, members of our local community and even and 6th form centres host families from the choir itself as an audience. across the country. He As a fundraising event the evening is always a received a commendation success but more than that the lust for life from the from the University for the children and helpers in the choir is infectious. quality of his essay and a prize voucher. Well done! We are still awaiting a final figure of monies raised on the night but we are expecting it to be in excess of £300 which is a massive achievement.

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 9 Performing Arts Extravaganza On Friday 24th October approximately 200 Year 4/5 and 6 pupils visited Phoenix to experience a performing arts extravaganza. Firstly, pupils were treated to a fantastic performance from the Sandwell Music & Arts Live Band which played a range of styles on different instruments. Following the showcase, pupils got to experience a taster of what life is like in performing arts lessons here at Phoenix and participated in two workshops from dance, drama and music. Comments from pupils included: “The dancing was tiring but I had fun.” “When can we come again?” “The performance was great because they played music that I liked.”

Vocational Hub Key Stages

their Silver Award within Hands-on Lessons in The Duke of the next few weeks. Health & Social Care Edinburgh Award Well done to Weronika Jaworek, Sasha Bowen, During this term, Year 10 Health and Social On Monday 10th November the first cohort of Chloe Millward-Moran, Care students have been learning about the key Phoenix DofE Students celebrated receiving their Masuma Payamon and features of the infancy and early childhood stages. Bronze certificates, presented by Gary Hill and Chair Joseph Hibbs. of Governors Leigh Pepper. They had a great opportunity to meet, observe, What an amazing hold and interact with a real life and a pretend There was a fantastic atmosphere as the now 6th achievement for our new born baby , a two year old and their mother formers proudly collected their awards in front of students. (Miss Arrowsmith) and a ‘cheeky’ 3 year old (Mrs family, friends and staff. The sense of achievement Fyffe’s son) whilst role playing the role of a health from these students was clearly evident. This first Onwards and visitor. Students had the opportunity to change group will be working with the DofE team to start upwards! nappies, carry out development checks and play games with these children to check their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. At the end the practical lesson, ‘Head, Heart and Bag’ questions were asked i.e. What have your learnt/thought about today’s lesson?, How do you feel about today’s lesson and one thing that you would take away from the lesson? Unanimous answer - “Amazing, I felt warm inside... OMG... awwwwww... I felt so privileged to hold the baby and interact with children and I Duke of Edinburgh - know the difference between fine and gross motor skills and what egocentric means.” Day Walk: Ironbridge Shropshire Wednesday 22nd October 2014 With the 60l rucksacks packed up with lunches and flasks of hot chocolate, the ‘Green Cohort’ were ready for action. In our water proofs and walking boots, we set out for our annual ‘Day Walk’. This year exceptional in their attitude and helped each other to we had a very enjoyable few hours, trudging through complete the 6k walk. All of these skills will help the and around the delights of Ironbridge, Shropshire in group to work towards obtaining their Bronze Award very mild conditions for the time of the year. in the next 12 months. The next section of Expedition training will take place in March 2015 with the final Following a very informative ‘mini tour’ of the locality, assessment being completed in May 2015. courtesy of Mr Jones, the group were ready for action. Using good communication and team work, If you are interested in joining the Phoenix DofE the group began to navigate around a route, using group, please see Miss Hancocks or Mr Jones for maps and key features to help. The students were more details.

10 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Parchment won the competition by designing an Year 11 pupils were very fortunate to spend the Student Enrichment Day imaginative and informative poster. day out at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) for the Career Skills Roadshow. Every pupil had the It was Student Enrichment Day (SED) on Thursday Year 9 pupils learnt about different aspects of the opportunity to speak to professionals from a range of 13th November 2014. For all pupils, the academic ‘World of Work’. They developed an understanding different organisations and to gain an understanding timetable was collapsed in order for pupils to take part of different job sectors and pathways leading to a of what qualifications, further education and university in activities that involved learning aspects of PSHE, range of specialisms. Pupils were also presented with degrees are needed for certain professions. Careers, Finance and Citizenship. a seminar from West Midlands Apprenticeships and Year 7 pupils learnt about ‘Personal Hygiene’ and gained knowledge on how taking up an apprenticeship Overall it was an informative experience for all Year 11 how this links with emotional health. The NHS Nurses can support with gaining a qualification as well as pupils which has made them aware of the importance delivered an interactive session where pupils were enabling you to earn money at the same time. of gaining their targets and perform well when it comes to the real exams in the summer term! Good luck! able to build their own imaginary characters and However, from the evaluation comments it was identify how the body changes linking to puberty. highlighted that all the pupils thoroughly enjoyed Lastly, Year 12 and 13 were given opportunities to Pupils also were challenged to create an informative ‘interviewing their tutor’. This session allowed pupils prepare their university applications and to understand poster for the school - and well done to Ria Gharu for to ask their form tutor a range of questions about their the importance of gaining their targets within their winning the poster campaign. career pathway in education which provided a real subject areas. They were very fortunate to have an Year 8 pupils learnt about Drugs & Alcohol. They were insight about the teaching profession. inspirational talk presented by one of the UK’s top motivational speakers, presented with a seminar by a representative from Year 10 pupils were made aware in more detail of the David Hyner. He inspired pupils DECCA (Drugs & Alcohol Education Service) where seriousness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). Pupils to find their inner strengths some pupils were provided opportunities to try beer were presented with an ‘eye-opener’ presentation and qualities and made them goggles. This session allowed pupils to understand delivered by Sandwell Women’s Aid. It featured the recognise that they can achieve how taking drugs and drinking alcohol has a negative risks and dangers of sexual exploitation through a any goal in life by ‘keep going’. effect on the body and mind and how it affects others series of video content and where to go to receive His inspirational phrase was: around them. Pupils were also challenged to create help and support. Although for some pupils it was a Drugs & Alcohol poster and the lucky winner Kellan a tear-jerker of a day, for all pupils in Year 10, it ‘See that rhino, be like that equipped them with the knowledge of how to stay safe rhino and charge straight and to recognise the risks of exploitation at an early ahead like a rhino! Go rhino!’ stage. Please remember, if you or you know someone Overall, it was an excellent day that provided all pupils that may be exploited in any way please speak to from Year 7 to Year 13 with the motivation to achieve Mr Smith (designated Deputy Head Teacher for Child their goals inspired by a range of speakers. We look Protection), or simply call Childline on 0800 1111. forward to our next enrichment day on Wednesday Remember, you can confidentially report abuse on our 21st January 2014. school website anytime 24/7.

Primary Links / Key Stage 3 Achievements Summer School Booster session for English & Maths Summer school was held two days a week throughout the summer holidays. It was well attended and lots We are hosting booster sessions for those pupils who the order to help improve the literacy of young learners within our of fun was to be had. Students accessed a range of local primary schools feel could be level 6 workers by the community. Phoenix Collegiate looks forward to welcoming different subjects from literacy, numeracy, arts and time the SATS exams come around for Year 6. Massive such fantastic students in Year 7 over the coming years.” crafts and performing arts plus many more. thanks to all the staff involved in preparation for the 11 week programme afterschool. If you’ve been around school over the past few Thursday evenings, you’ll have noticed visitors from some of our Halloween Disco local primaries working with Phoenix staff on some really Devils, witches, zombies challenging texts. and pirates had a ball at the Halloween Disco. The The students from Pennyhill, Ferndale and the Lyng are event was organised for amongst the best readers and writers in their schools and are Year 7 and 8 students picking up some top tips and techniques ready for their SATS The students visited the on 23rd October to raise exams in May. Science Museum on money for charity. a trip and the day was This exciting project has been a great success with students really successful and enjoyable for all Year 12 students Sanjna achieving beyond their current expectations and staff being involved where we found out lots of interesting facts Sandhu, Ifzaa Hussain, really impressed with the imagination and thoughtfulness of and got to explore modern day science experiments. Weronika Pawlowska, the students. Gurpreet Rehal, Laura Dell, Lauren James and Charlotte Mall worked really hard, selling tickets, making posters, baking Planned Events - Story cakes, decorating the hall and organising the Writing Competition music. In total they raised £214.68 for Water Aid. Weronika said, “It was great fun for us and Following on from the success over the last 2 years, the Year 7 and 8 the 6th Form Theatre company Phoenix Friends students. will yet again be holding a story writing competition amongst local primary schools. The winning child Mr Uppal, Assistant Head Teacher (English) at Phoenix Thanks to all the will see their story turned into live theatre and will Collegiate, said: “it is great to see Phoenix Collegiate teachers who helped be invited as a VIP to come and see the show. working in partnerships with our local Primary Schools in us run the event.”

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 11 Key Stage 4 Achievements Year 11 Achievement Evening - “Yes we can!” On 18th September, we held an important evening for Year 11 as they started on their road to successful results next summer. Presentations and study packs outlined how parents, carers, students and staff would be working together over the coming year to ensure that our Year 11 students receive as much support and guidance as possible and achieve their challenging goals. We even had video footage from the students themselves on what they need to revise successfully. Such was the level of commitment from all those involved with Year 11, that we struggled to fit everybody into our hall. Since the event, students have continued to make huge amounts of progress. Congratulations to all of them; keep up the hard work.

get to know Girlguiding UK each other and Sandwell Youth My name is Ruth Collett and I’m in year 11 at Phoenix coming up with Collegiate. Last June I was selected by Girlguiding UK our unit identity, Police & Crime to represent the West Mercia County at the 23rd World including Scout Jamboree at Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi City in coming up Japan next year. with a name, Commissioner designing our David Jameson, West Midlands Since my selection I have been fund raising to try and neckerchief Police and Crime Commissioner launched a scheme reach the total amount of £3,000 to cover the cost of and designing called ‘Youth Police and Crime Commissioners’ the trip. I will be going to Japan with a unit of 27 Scouts our unit badge. in February 2013 where there were twenty youth and 9 Guides from Solihull, Shropshire and across the commissioners who were chosen to work directly Midlands who will be joining together as one of the 75 When we arrive in Japan we start our visit with with him, police officers and key decision makers in units from the UK. Once in Japan our unit will join up a home hospitality stay. This will be an opportunity to the West Midlands area. with 30,000 Scouts from over 150 countries to what really experience the culture and customs of typical will be the experience of a lifetime. Japanese families. After this will be the Jamboree The role is to be the voice of young people through itself. The theme for the Jamboree this time around is actively engaging and consulting with other young To try and help reach the total of £3,000 that I need to people in their local community and ensuring their “WA - A Spirit of Unity” and while we are there we will pay for the trip I have been making and selling jewellery. concerns are used to influence future planning for be doing many different things which fall into seven I have been selling it at various places and it has proved West Midlands Police. The roles carried out by the categories including: City of Science, Community to be very successful. Youth Commissioners are voluntary. Services, Cross Road of Culture and Water Activities. I have also been doing other things such as bag packs Something that is surely going to be a highlight of the Year 10 student Jardell Miller was successfully and table top sales. My fundraising is going very well so trip will be a day trip to Hiroshima to learn about the elected to stand for this role in December 2014. events of 1945. After our ten days at the Jamboree, we far and I am well on the way to getting the full amount This is a good opportunity for you to will spend our last few days in Tokyo. that I need. have your say and speak about any As a unit we have had several meet ups to ensure that I am very excited and can’t wait to take part in this concerns you may have. we are well prepared and know each other very well experience of a lifetime. You can contact Jardell directly at: before we head off. The first weekend that we all spent Ruth Collett [email protected] together involved playing lots of icebreaker games to

Children in need Following on from Student Enrichment day on 13/11/14, two groups of students organised themselves to raise money for “Children in Need”. Onesies were the order of the day and Jayden Evans indulged in some very fetching face paint! The students from Year 10 raised over £283.08 and, together with the money raised on SED 1, this year group has raised well over £700 so far. Well done to all concerned!

12 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Key Stage Achievements A good time was had by all who attended and, as 5 always, David was on hand to work with students after the session and provide them with individual SED 1 links and support using his wealth of experience and David Hyner contacts across the globe. On SED 1 the RAF came into school to help the On Thursday 13th November 2014 Year 12 students, new Year 12 students improve their team work, as part of enrichment day, were treated to a morning communication and confidence. of entertainment and motivation with Stretch Raising more money Development’s “Rhino Man” David Hyner. for charity… Pearl of Africa Sixth Form performing arts students worked hard to market and fundraise for the Pearl of Africa event. The games and David provided students with a morning of activities forced the inspiration, fitting with the school ethos of “aspire, This was completed as part of students out of their believe, succeed”. their Level 3 Btec work. comfort zones and Students had the opportunity to engage with Some events held around made them think out techniques for goal setting, aspiration raising, school included a staff obstacle of the box to find solutions to the problems. revision techniques and memory techniques amongst course and sack race, a staff The Career Crowd also came into school to kick start the other topics. This event will support students with ice cream eating challenge and Sixth Formers year off with some useful tips on study target setting and revision skills in preparation for a Sixth Form FIFA tournament. skills and help them to focus on their future careers. mock exams and the rest of their AS level studies.

Pastoral

Uniform As the weather gets colder and wetter could you ensure that your child is appropriately dressed for the conditions. At Phoenix hoodies are not permitted on site without exception therefore please ensure your child wears the correct overcoat. Your help with this is much appreciated.

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 13 George and Thomas Unwell students Miscellaneous Henry Salter Trust At times, if a pupil becomes unwell during the We would like to thank the Trust for the fantastic school day, we may need to send them home. donation of £700 towards the Horticulture project Please be aware that if your child is unwell we which has helped us to purchase the tools required will require a responsible adult to be able to Charity to establish this new initiative this academic year. collect them as we would not send an unwell child home unaccompanied. collection The Trust helps people in need living in Sandwell as well as supporting students with their further and Please ensure the school has up-to-date contact This year the School Library and Pupil Support higher education ambitions. details at all times. department collected donations of food and toys for dogs. National Anti-Bullying Week 17th - 21st November 2014 Phoenix has made a focus on bullying in line with award so far in 2 years. the national campaign through assemblies, tutor The evidence to date and activities, tutor period slides, surveys and through the award itself will allow normal lessons and curriculum time. students, parents, staff and Ofsted to have a high The collection was presented This is of course a focus week but our campaign to level of confidence in our to Birmingham Dog’s Home, eradicate bullying at Phoenix is a daily campaign stance at Phoenix towards which is a self-funded dog across the whole school year. bullying. charity for abandoned and unwanted dogs. The occurrence of bullying at Phoenix is actually extremely rare based on the figures and feedback Thank you to all the staff and pupils for their from student surveys but we still take any report of donations of dog food, toys, bedding etc. They were bullying extremely seriously. gratefully accepted. Remember the student quote from last year - “if you report bullying at Phoenix it gets sorted.’’ We continue to gather more and more evidence for Exam Certificates the National Anti-Bullying Quality Mark - ABQM-UK Exam certificates from the 2014 examinations - with several of the criteria already passed. The are ready to collect. You will need these when you standards of this award are extremely high, with apply for Further Education and only 4 schools in the country being granted the Employment. Please bring photo ID with you to enable the Exam Anti-Bullying Quality Mark - UK Office to pass on your certificates to you. PHOENIX COLLEGIATE PEER MENTORING SQUAD 2014 / 2015 Have a sibling or friends that Jasmine Daffon (8O2) Shania Bennett (8P2) Courtney Cooper (9P1) attended Phoenix? We also have uncollected ex- Gloria Olaniyi (8P2) Shannon Weston (8O2) Megan Purcell (9O1) students’ certificates from 2010 to 2013. Sean Perks (8P2) Lewis Wyke (8P2) Jade Harvey (9O2) Shannon Handley (8P2) Samuel Jordan (9P2) Courtney Simcox (9O2) Old Park School link Ledeshia Caines-Beckford (8P2) Elizabeth Walker (9O1) Morgan Francis (10X1) Phoenix pupil support Leshay Caines-Beckford (8P2) Britney Ebanks (9P1) Sarah Hale (11H1) department attended a very Ikram Mohammed (8P2) Chloe Bayley (9P1) Oreoluwa Daodu (11 H1) special Christmas production at Old Park School in Dudley. Phoenix ABQM Steering Committee The school educates pupils aged ABQM SLT lead - Paul Harris School Council rep. - Pastoral PSM / Mentoring - 4 to 19 with severe, complex ABQM Governor link - Harmanpreet Jabbal (8) Jenny Powell and profound learning difficulties. Don Williams Senior Lunchtime Supervisor - Old Park pupils spectacularly performed ‘Frozen’ with all Teacher / Tutor - Michelle Cook pupils having an on stage role regardless of their needs. James Bryan Parent Rep. - Phoenix has been building ever stronger links with Old Tracey Butts Student - Kiara Pullen (11) Park School Dudley, and our pupils value the continually increasing friendship with the pupils of the school. The pupils also benefit from an increased understanding of learning needs and how they can support friends and family who have additional needs, whilst the teaching staff from both schools use the opportunity to share knowledge, skills and good practice. We look forward to hosting some pupils from Old Park School at Phoenix in the new year.

14 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com Priority School Sports Update Building Programme update We are extremely delighted to announce that the Education Funding Agency has appointed Carillion Step into Sport as the contractor to build our new school as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme. This means Conference that we will have a new 3 storey super block which The following students attended the Step into will sit alongside the current L block. The sports Sport Conference at Wolf Mountain on Friday hall and L block will be completely refurbished. Year 10 21st November: Jorge Smith, Brad Abrahams, Following construction, the remaining blocks will be Jack Atkinson, George Williams and Jordan Herr. demolished. Football Over the next three months (January - March 2015) The year 10 team played their first game on Thursday detailed planning meetings will take place in order 2nd October away at Ace Academy; they lost 8-0 to a to build a school not only fit for 2017 but which much more physical team. will have a lasting legacy for the next 25-30 years. Consultation will commence after Christmas with Their behaviour both on and off the pitch was students, staff, parents and the local community in exceptional - even when provoked, they conducted order to gather the views of all concerned so that themselves well. these can be taken into consideration. Well and truly exciting times ahead. Finally our dream will become reality when diggers move in to start These students had been selected based on work next year. being Gifted and Talented in PE. They had inspiration from two local sportsmen in Daniel Caines and Dominic Vincent, the latter being an exceptional Young Climber aged SEN Coffee just 15. Morning Our ever increasing SEN parents’ coffee morning carries on being a big success with more parents attending every time. On the 6th October the coffee morning invited both the school governor Dominic finished 1st in the Youth Climbing responsible for Year 11 Football Series in 2013. Daniel Caines is one of Great SEN, Mr Williams, Below is a picture of the year 11 football team who Britain’s top runners over 400M. He is a World, and the Assistant lost narrowly to Ace Academy 4-3 on Tuesday 30th Commonwealth, European and Europa Cup Head responsible September. champion in the 400M and 4x400M relay having for our anti Bullying Excellent football and attitude was shown throughout, represented his country in two Olympic Games. policy, Mr Harris. well done! Both gave a small talk about their role before answering questions from the parents. The school and the parents present found the session useful and informative, allowing an increased level of partnership between school and the parents of SEN pupils. The next coffee morning is on Monday 2nd February from 10.30 till noon. The parents have this time invited the leaders of Maths and English to attend and help inform them about not only the departments in school but also to give advice on how parents can better support their children at home. All parents of SEN pupils are welcome; please phone the school’s pupil support department to confirm your attendance so we can order enough biscuits etc.

www.aspirebelievesucceed.com 15 Sports Update

KS4 Girls’ Badminton Team On Thursday 9th October our KS4 Girls team impressed with their determination and conduct at Under 16 Badminton Team Wood Green. The team performed exceptionally and between them This group of players represented the school at the did not lose a rubber. Under 16’s badminton tournament held at Wood Green in September. Individual performances: (singles) They qualified through to the next round of the Natalia Paluszek: 19-4, 22-5, 18-10 tournament with a fine display of singles and doubles Alyson Knott: 21-9, 21-4, 14-13 badminton. A special mention goes to Daniel Patel Doubles: who was unbeaten throughout the competition! 1&3: 16-5, 11-10, 15-8 2&4: 18-4, 18-4, 10-9 Team members: The team will now go on to represent Sandwell North Natalia Paluszek, Alyson Knott, Lynnel Masangkay, in the next stages. Well done girls and congratulations. Harman Singh, Moira Barcenilla, Oreoluwa Daodu

U14 Girls’ Badminton Competition The year 9 girls beat Wood Green and George Salters in October and are through to the final to hopefully Left to right: Daniel Patel (Y10), Jorge Smith (Y11), represent Sandwell. Bradley Abrahams (Y11), Shamsher Singh (Y10).

Key stage 3 and 4 David Hale - Basketball teams Year 7 They have played three fixtures to date. David Hale came third place in a karate competition The key stage 3 team have won all three games, against Perryfields, St Michaels and George Salter and and showed great control and determination. the key stage 4 team have beaten St Michaels and George Salter, but lost to Perryfields!

Sainsbury’s School Games Volleyball Competition The Sainsbury’s School Games Volleyball Competition took place at Q3 Academy on the 27th of November. Phoenix girls in years 9 & 10 have been successful in the competition under the direction of Volleyball coach Miss Legarska, winning against two other schools (Ormiston and Oldbury) and will progress to further Black Country School Games in June 2015! We think they’ll go all the way so let’s support them to see them win it! See you there in 2015!

16 www.aspirebelievesucceed.com