On Your Marks... Get Set

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Issue 18 Newsletter February 2012 Latest News @ www.stockport-academy.org

Citizenship students embracing sport with Citizenship teacher Ms. Vale (right)

On your marks... get set... go! tockport Academy have been The academy will also receive around the Olympic Values of friend - recognised for their commit- tickets for the Games through the ship, excellence and respect and the Sment to Olympic and Para- London 2012 Ticketshare initiative, Paralympic Values of inspiration, lympic Values by being accepted which students will directly benefit courage, determination and equal - into the Get Set network, writes Cit- from. ity.” izenship teacher Ms. Vale. Sebastian Coe, chairman of The academy is planning a num - Year 13 Citizenship students have LOCOG, said: “When London won ber of Games related activities over the coming year, including a cross- undertaken a series of projects that the right to host the Olympic Games curricular project for KS3 and a feed into London 2012’s values of and Paralympic Games, we made a whole school form time-led project active citizenship, with this work clear promise to use the power of as part of the International Schools being formally recognised by the the 2012 Games to inspire young Award. London 2012 Organising Committee people. I am proud to welcome (LOCOG), who are to award the Stockport Academy in to the Get Set academy a plaque and certificate. network for their exciting work Stockport Academy - a member of the Get Set network

Principal’s Message elcome to the diverse and exciting enrichment programme, as first academy we look to build on the current numbers that see Wnewsletter of over half our students participating in at least 2012. one activity a week. Our target is 100%! The New Year is set to This term, our community will focus on the be an exciting one for all idea of ‘hope’. Working closely with the acad - of us. As well as the Lon - emy’s chaplain Rev. Sue Mayo, staff started the don Olympics being just year by looking at how we can inspire students months away, 2012 is a to achieve their best and contribute to a society crucial year for the acad - that is inclusive, supportive and welcoming of all. emy on its journey to be - This theme will be intrinsic within all learning coming the outstanding institution that students, over the coming weeks, reflecting the academy’s parents, staff and the local community can be ethos and values and its commitment to becom - proud of. ing a beacon of hope for students, staff and the Results for our November exams are looking local community. strong, with a number of students achieving top In early February, the academy will be gearing marks in English and Maths. This puts us in a up to deliver its first production in two years. We strong position for what we expect to be a year decided to stage Joseph and his Technicolor of high achievement for Stockport Academy. Dreamcoat and since returning from the Christ - Meanwhile, our Sixth Form continues to go mas break the academy has been a hive of activ - from strength to strength, as the benefits of being ity, with staff and students engaged in stage a small and selective Sixth Form are starting to management, costumes and rehearsals. Tickets become general knowledge within the Stockport have been selling fast and we look forward to community. We were delighted with the high welcoming parents and families to another suc - level of interest from prospective students and cessful event at the academy. parents shown at the recent 14-19 information Finally, I am holding a series of drop-in ses - event at Stockport Town Hall - we look forward sions over the coming weeks for parents to come to welcoming students from around the borough in and speak to me over any issues relating to the into our intake for 2012. academy. Please take a look at the back page of The months of January and February are an im - the newsletter for more information. I also look portant time for prospective new Year 7 parents forward to welcoming you all on Friday 24th Feb - as they reflect on their secondary school choices ruary for our Progress Review Day. for their children. Early indications show a healthy growth in Year 7 numbers, as the acad - I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter. emy raises its profile within the local community. We maintain an open door policy for all parents Kind regards wanting to understand what we have to offer - please contact us if you want to drop in and see some of the fantastic work we are doing with our students. Ben Dunne With the recent launch of the Duke of Edin - Principal burgh Award (DofE), we continue to widen our

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News Academy celebrates Eco Schools award

The academy’s Eco Council

tockport Academy have velopment of an action plan has had a tremendous impact been awarded the Eco that aims to make the academy on the academy, with its hard SSchools Bronze Award for more environmentally friendly work and dedication being its efforts into making the in the long term. recognised through receiving academy more environmentally In addition, the Eco Council is the Bronze Eco Schools Award.” aware. working with Science staff on “As well as promoting envi - The award comes after the the construction of the acad - ronmental awareness, the ulti - academy’s Eco Council success - emy’s own eco garden, with mate aim of the Eco Council is fully promoted ‘Switch Off Fort - structural work set to begin to help the academy achieve night’, which involved Eco shortly. Eco Schools’ flagship award, the Council members asking staff to Curriculum Area Leader for Green Flag. This will be done turn off equipment at the end of Science Ms. Crawshaw is de - through our work on the eco each academy day. lighted that the Eco Council’s garden, as well as working on The Eco Council have also hard work is beginning to pay other initiatives such as our helped conduct an environmen - off. anti-litter campaign.” tal survey and supported the de - She said: “The Eco Council

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News Students gain insight of WWI on Ypres trip

Year 9 and 10 students in one of Ypres battlefields with Mr. Asher, Ms. Vevers The gravestone of a fallen soldier and tour guide (centre) from one of Ypres’ war cemeteries

ear 9 and 10 students by laying a wreath during the At the end of the trip, some have visited the Belgian last post ceremony at the Menin Year 9 students were asked for Ycity of Ypres to gain an in- Gate. their highlights, with Megan sight into the First World War. After visiting Ypres, students Williams remembering the visit Students departed from Hull then crossed into France where to Tynecot Cemetery because via ferry to the Belgian port of they visited the famous Christ - she realised how many soldiers Zeebrugge - and battled strong mas markets of Lille. lost their lives. winds in the process - before ar - On the trip, Ms. Vevers said: Meanwhile, Zoe Beddard re - riving at the Menin Gate Hotel “The trip was a great success, counted her walk through the in Ypres. with students able to visualise trenches and Calvyn Rogers re - Students, accompanied by and further understand what membered the gravestone of a Humanities staff Ms. Vevers, Ms. soldiers went through during 15-year old boy soldier. Jones and Mr. Asher, then visited the First World War. Ypres’ war cemeteries and bat - “The last post ceremony was tlefields, including Essex Farm particularly poignant and will Trench and Yorkshire Trench. live long in our memories for Students also paid their respects years to come.” Issue 18 - Page 4 www.stockport-academy.org Newsletter Feb 2012_Layout 1 09/02/2012 11:20 Page 5

News County and the academy - a winning team!

Defender Joe Conner (left) and manager James Gannon (right) with two County supporting academy students

tockport County support- Livingstone kindly sponsoring He added: “Both the acad - ing students (and staff!) 100 free tickets for students to emy and County are especially Srecently got a welcome use for the home game against keen on improving community surprise when County manager Kidderminster - a game that cohesion and by joining to - James Gannon and defender saw County secure a crucial 2-1 gether we feel we will be able Joe Connor visited the academy. win. to achieve this and have a pos - The visit was organised with On the visit, PE teacher and itive impact on students, par - help from parent governor Alan new Director of Community En - ents and the community as a Livingstone, an avid County sup - gagement Mr. Cross - who was whole.” porter for over forty years and on County’s books in the mid- Meanwhile, the academy’s member of the ‘Your Town Your nineties as a youth player - said: Year 7 boys’ football team were Team’ supporters group that has “Seeing James and Joe visit the recently runners-up in the become heavily involved with academy was terrific, especially Greater Manchester 5-a-side the running of the club. when many of our students and football tournament at Walkden The visit provided the ideal staff can be seen at Edgeley High School in Salford - a very opportunity for County to foster Park and grounds across the well done to them! links with the academy, with Mr. country most weekends.”

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News Ground control to academy students...

Stacey Habergham from Liverpool John Moores University giving her space-themed lecture to students

cademy students have plants and space through two academy’s very own stargazing been treated to a range stimulating lectures, with more event, taking place on Thursday Aof eye-opening scientific lectures planned before the 1st March. activities - with much more still Easter holiday. The academy’s STEM Club to come. Meanwhile, the space theme are currently building Kepler Before Christmas, academy continued for Year 10 students and Newtonian telescopes in students and those from schools as they were treated to a visit to order to gaze at the Sea of Tran - around Stockport were invited the famous Jodrell Bank Obser - quility and Jupiter, which is to our first annual Christmas vatory. some 390 million miles away. lectures, which take inspiration Students were given a one- The support for the event from those hosted by the Royal hour teaching session where comes from Science Learning Society. they got to see the spectrum of Centre North West, which pro - Two university lecturers, Pro - light and experience the obser - vided funding for the telescopes fessor Colin Bielby from Man - vatory’s planetarium to learn and will lend three reflective tel - chester Metropolitan University about the formation of the uni - escopes of its own. and Stacey Habergham from verse. The stargazing event, includ - Liverpool John Moores Univer - And the inspiration of Jodrell ing an open air BBQ, will be free sity, explored the themes of Bank is set to filter into the and open to all.

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News APS making huge contribution thanks to mentoring projects

apsgroup.co.uk Since 2011, APS Group have made a massive difference to the lives of academy students through their involvement in our mentoring projects. Literacy coordinator Ms. Akhtar and Some of the APS literacy mentors who have made a Gifted and Talented Coordinator Miss. considerable difference to the lives of our students Evans tell us more. Literacy Mentoring dents and staff, boosting liter - hours are needed in study, en - Ms. Akhtar acy’s profile within the academy richment and work experience. in the process. Less-able stu - During one interactive ses - e have been fortunate dents now recognise the impor - sion, students worked with APS in that APS Group tance of literacy, as well as the mentors to help 'map out' this Whave been involved in enjoyment that comes from philosophy on their own per - a valuable literacy mentoring reading. sonal timelines, planning how scheme at the academy. they get the most out of study, A group of their employees ‘10,000 Hours’ Project enrichment and work experi - attend a weekly reading session Miss. Evans ence opportunities in order to to listen to some of our Year 7 achieve their goals such as a and 8 students and help pro - ifted and Talented stu- university place or a successful mote the value of reading by dents at the academy career. providing a supportive environ - Ghave been involved in Subsequent sessions will see ment for less confident readers. the '10,000 Hours' mentoring students take part in practice Feedback from the students scheme with APS. university interviews, under - has been really positive and Ten students have attended a standing what skills are re - those chosen to take part tell us conference at Salford City Acad - quired in education and society that they enjoy this session, es - emy, where they participated in in order to succeed. In partner - pecially as some do not choose a range of activities related to ship with APS mentors, students to read for pleasure at home. It Malcolm Gladwell's '10,000 are planning to develop their has helped create a buzzing cul - Hours' philosophy, which states oracy skills further to help them ture of reading amongst stu - that to be successful, 10,000 on the path to future success. Stockport Academy thanks APS Group for their support and sponsorship. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to engage with local businesses in order to develop proactive partnerships for the benefit of our community. To find out more, please email our Business Manager Angela Sorby at [email protected] www.stockport-academy.org Issue 18 - Page 7 Newsletter Feb 2012_Layout 1 09/02/2012 11:20 Page 8

Enrichment News: Newspaper Club Takeover Newspaper Club get the presses rolling For this edition of the academy newsletter we have handed some control over to our Newspaper Club, which has been eager to show their writing skills and get their work in print.

The Newspaper Club editorial team with English teacher Ms. Sumner Why students should choose enrichment ■ By Liam Cordon, Rowan up and give us any help that we the opportunity of going to McEillvrey and Caleb Scott - might need. Alton Towers at the end of this Year 10s Ms. Gough, one of our French term: we can’t wait! teachers, thought that enrich - Also, there is Enrichment Enrichment offers the op- ment was “a very good idea, it Man, the enrichment mascot, portunity to take part in gives students great opportuni - who tells us all about which en - “activities they enjoy and ties to learn and have fun”. richment activities are available offers us the opportunity to try To try and get more students and why we should choose an something new. to come to enrichment clubs, enrichment activity. His cos - Some enrichment clubs are there is now a new rewards tume is funny but his message to help students succeed in their system called the Enrichment is clear: choose enrichment!” academy years such as home - Card. If you get 20 enrichment work groups that help us catch teacher signatures you will have

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Discover Manga: Fullmetal Alchemist ■ By Lucy Holland, Year 9

My favourite manga is Fullmetal Alchemist is quite Fullmetal Alchemist. It is good to read; I think that it is “about two boys, Edward interesting because it is very Elric and his younger brother, enjoyable and you get drawn Alphonse Elric, who are trying into it very quickly. to restore their bodies after It is also easy to read be - failed human transmutation. cause unlike a book which is During the transmutation, read from left to right, the Ed lost his leg and Al lost his manga is from right to left. Un - body, but Ed brought him back like a traditional novel, it also to life in a suit of armour. How - has lots of pictures with dia - ever, Ed lost his arm in the logue, so I think that if you process of bringing his brother don’t like reading you can still back. The story tracks the enjoy the story.” brothers looking for a Philoso - pher Stone to help gain back what they have lost. “My name is Alan Bradbury. I am a Year 8 student and I have The Daring always liked poetry because it helps you to express how you feel about things around you. Poetry also gives you a chance to explore new rhymes while writing a gripping tale. I would also like to write Robberies a story or two for your enjoyment.” The Daring Robberies The gaff diamonds we hope were a bluff Among the bravest of them all But by now we know it was all but rough Lies one who stands out oh, so tall In the London jewellers But in this genre there isn't any Gone stole £5million from those foolers Oh...so we'll have to say give us just a penny Hope it doesn't happen in school to us Mona Lisa was one so popular Though we know it’s out of our hands So who would want to take it off ya? All these mistakes, all these blunders The train hi-jack was another con We all hope it strikes the culprits with thunders But have we forgiven the ones who put us We can’t do anything, neither can anyone through no fun? Just hope we get saved from this con Is there any chances of redemption? I bet that money weighs a ton For the culprits who put us under this ascension That all those robbers took having some fun The answers to these questions From the trucks so run down and shuddery - Relies on you These are classic examples of Daring Robberies. Oh, Mr Prime Minister what can you do?

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Sixth Form News Academy Sixth Form turning its students into leaders

The Duke of Edinburgh Award - which the academy has rolled out to Sixth Form students - allows participants to take part in expeditions and demonstrate teamwork

he Academy’s Sixth Form is look for in applicants. game as part of the Junior Foot - turning its students into DofE participants have to ball Organiser’s Award. Tfuture leaders with the complete at least three months Finally, all Sixth Form stu - launch of three prestigious pro- of volunteering, three months of dents will soon take part in the grammes. skills training which can relate Uexplore careers scheme. Firstly, the academy has en - to personal interests and a two- The scheme, which will be rolled its first group of Sixth day expedition. delivered during form time ses - Form students onto the Duke of Meanwhile, BTEC Sport stu - sions, is designed to help stu - Edinburgh (DofE) programme, dents are going to be trained by dents think about their career with students working towards UEFA qualified coaches as part aspirations. From there, students the bronze award. of a project with Stockport will look at the pathway they The DofE Award allows stu - Council. need to take in order to achieve dents to gain new experiences Students will work with un - their dream career. and be recognised for outstand - employed youngsters from As part of Uexplore, some ing efforts in teamwork, com - around the Stockport borough Sixth Form students will visit the mitment and leadership - all key and beyond by coaching foot - University of Bangor to get a skills universities and employers ball skills and the laws of the taste of university life.

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Student News and Notices Remember to SHINE Attendance and Behaviour Update Students have been asked why they feel attendance is important in order to progress and achieve. Here, Year 9’s Emily Dick and Katie Higginson-Tranter explain what they think.

Attendance is important school in Year 7 you end up Diary. The more you turn up to because by missing les- missing one full year out of five. school, the more enrichment “sons you will have less of Even if you are feeling un - you can do to earn the points a chance of doing well in your well, you should make the effort needed for Alton Towers. GCSEs and other exams. to turn up to school and if you Attendance plays an essen - You will also be more likely to are really ill you will be sent tial part in your school life; it is be accepted into college or uni - home. By having good atten - important that you start the versity with good attendance; it dance you are setting a good good habit now rather than is better to get into the habit example to others. later.” now. Good attendance will also If you miss one day a week of contribute to your Enrichment

Intergen provide positive role models for students ntergen have been providing older role models supporting students with reading, as well as with to take part in shared reading activities in the activities linked to particular books students have Iacademy’s library. read. Intergen, a charity seeking to promote com - It is hoped Intergen will get involved with munity cohesion between older and younger peo - more activities inside the academy over the com - ple and break down ageist stereotyping, has been ing weeks and months. working with the academy over recent months by

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Diary dates and group emails

Spring Term 2012 Parents’ Evenings Spring 2: Mon 20th Feb-Fri 30th Mar Year 10: Thursday 23rd February Easter Holiday: Mon 2nd-Fri 13th Apr Year 8: Wednesday 29th February

Summer Term 2012 Principal’s Drop-In Sessions Summer 1: Mon 16th Apr-Fri 1st June Thursday 21st February, 4.30pm-6pm Spring Bank Holiday: Mon 4th-Fri 8th June Tuesday 6th March, 4.30pm-6pm Summer 2: Mon 11th June-Thurs 19th July* Tuesday 20th March, 4.30pm-6pm * Lunchtime Close Forthcoming Events Inset Days OIBC Science Symposium Monday 16th April Friday 24th February - by invitation only

Progress Review Day Stargazing at the Academy Friday 24th February Thursday 1st March, Time TBC

Group emails Group emails - Faculty Addresses [email protected] Group emails allow you to get in touch with staff quickly. [email protected] Simply use the relevant email address and include the staff [email protected] member you wish to contact in the message. You will get a [email protected] response within 48 hours. (includes Geography, Health and Social Care, History, Law, Psychology, Sociology and Travel and Tourism) Progress Leaders [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (change number for relevant year group e.g. Year8@ etc) (includes Business Studies) For Sixth Form enquiries, please email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (French and Spanish) [email protected] (incl. BTEC Sport)

Contact Us Have your say... Post: Stockport Academy, Heathbank Road, Cheadle Heath, Stockport SK3 0UP Telephone: 0161 286 0330 What would you like to see in the newsletter? Is email: [email protected] there something you particularly like or dislike? Website: www.stockport-academy.org Please tell us by emailing newsletter@stockport- Newsletter Editor: David Meller academy.org © United Learning Trust 2012

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