Newsletter Issue 41 Newsletter May 2020
Awe inspiring scenery, diverse landscapes and the Aurora Borealis in Iceland awaited the Bourne Academy Geographers
Executive Headteacher’s Message
Dear students; parents / carers and staff,
As we continue in this period of extended lockdown, instead of the weekly update that I have become accustomed to issuing on a Friday afternoon, please have a good look through this bumper newsletter that shares many success from this academic year. I think this must be the biggest edition ever and I would like to thank everyone that has contributed and helped put this together.
In these unusual times, it is good to be reminded of some of the Bourne Academy events and achievements since September and to remind students of the general buzz of life at School that we can hopefully get back to as soon as safely possible.
I hope by sharing this issue of the newsletter it will help our students and our families feel more connected to the school, during this period of absence?
There are far too many great aspects of this publication for me to pull out as being ‘highlights’ and share with you, so I will let you find your own favourite story, report or image. However, a few stand out articles that I know will prompt fond memories include the Geography Department’s Iceland trip in February 2020 half term, this is always so popular and this year the staff and students were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, which has always been an ambition of mine.
Also, since September the PE department have yet again excelled in the sporting arena. This is such an important area of the curriculum for Bourne Academy and the PE department are always looking for new ways to inspire the students, such as for the Year 8-11 netball enthusiasts in particular, who had the fantastic opportunity to meet and participate in workshops run by Jade Clarke, the most capped England netball player of all time.
The school production week is always a busy and exciting time and this year I thought the production of Annie the Musical was certainly one of the best performances the school has ever seen! This event is so important, as it provides the important extra-curricular time for a cross section of students from all different year groups to come together and share their passion for performance, whether this be music, dance, drama or the vitally important production element of a show. The production this year was so good that I had to attend on multiple nights and I have to confess that I could be seen dancing at the back!
During this time of school closure we have seen many people engage in very charitable activities and our charity support work at Bourne Academy has always been very important to both students and staff. This year the Sports Relief programme of events raised £1620 and I am pleased to say that amount was raised despite the ‘dismal’ performance from the PE Department on the sports quiz … as they came fifth! When the school can return to ‘normal’, we will be looking to see what charities can be supported by our students in the next academic year.
Also, during this lockdown period, many of us have been inspired to be more creative, by painting, drawing or making things and the Art Department have put together an array of images for you to view, with the Lockdown Gallery starting on Page 13.
As well as these events and stories that have made it into this newsletter, I am continually sent photos, you tube links; success stories and thank you emails from our amazing young people, which are very well received by both myself and all the staff. I am always keen to share and celebrate the huge talent of our students, I felt so proud to be able to share the fantastic BTEC Music performance of ‘Stand By Me’ and I would also share another link to a music performance of two original songs by The Outsiders, a school band which includes Olly Chivers and Cameron Rosam-Goodwin in Year 9, both of whom study music at school and have done lots together in the last few years. They know that this time has been a challenge for everyone but that has not stopped them from writing songs and doing remote recording sessions and they have put these songs together that I wanted to share it with you … I hope that you enjoy listening as much as me!
https://youtu.be/BKGkfagSEb4 Continued on page three…...
2 Issue 41: May 2020 Executive Headteacher’s Message
I hope that seeing all these fantastic stories in the newsletter will remind our students of just how amazing Bourne Academy is … and this is a publication dedicated to all our students, put together to show them just how much we miss them all!
I know that all parents want to know when they can send children back to school as the continued school closures will have a detrimental impact on their individual progress. However, as the country progresses though Phase Two of the Government ‘road map’ for the UK, it is clear that any return to school will be gradual and I hope that during Term 6 we will start to hear news of when and how schools can start to plan for September. I feel very sad for the students that this has been their experience of education this year, but I am confident that we will be able to make the future at Bourne Academy for them a great one!
Finally, I would again thank all the staff for working so hard to ensure that work set is appropriate and there are the important feedback opportunities for students and I also give huge thanks to our wonderful parents for supporting all our learners so well from home. To work with young people is such a joy and a privilege, being a teacher is an amazing job and one that I have personally enjoyed every single day for the last 28 years. It may be that the experience of the last 8-9 weeks has convinced a few of our parents that a career in teaching is for them? If so, please contact the school and we can give you the best advice on how to explore this as a profession.
I hope that all our young people and our families are able to keep well and stay safe over the May half term break and I look forward to giving you a further weekly update at the start of Term 6.
Stay safe!
Lucy Conley Executive Head Teacher
3 Issue 41: May 2020 Top News
Bourne Academy Geography Trip to Iceland – February 2020
During February half term, 40 students and 5 staff members departed for their long awaited trip to Iceland with Discover the World Education. It had been almost two years in the planning, but once again Iceland did not fail to disappoint with its awe inspiring scenery and diverse landscapes.
From the moment we stepped off the plane, students were stunned by the beauty of the country. On day one we visited the famous ‘Bridge between the Continents’ – where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly moving apart. From here, we moved on to Gunnuhver mud pools and steam vents, where we could see (and smell!) the power of Iceland’s geothermal activity. The day was topped off with an evening visit to the much anticipated Blue Lagoon, where two hours were spent unwinding in naturally heated outdoor pools. Some students (and staff alike) tried the complimentary mud face masks, which certainly made for an interesting experience!
The following day, we moved away from the capital city area and into the countryside. The geographical landscapes we passed along the way were truly incredible. Visits included Thingvelir National Park, the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th-18th centuries, Geysir hot springs and the huge Gulfoss waterfall. Students certainly appreciated their thermal clothes and thick coats, as the weather turned from sunshine to thick blizzards in the space of hours. This all meant for good fun when we arrived at our next hotel however, as everyone was straight outside for a snowman building competition.
Luckily, the weather was back to glorious sunshine the following day, although it was still bitterly cold. One of the highlights this day was a visit to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon – a huge outlet glacier meeting the sea. Large chunks of ice were found on the beach, which made for a beautiful setting. We also walked to another glacier through a beautiful valley – everywhere we looked there were snowy peaks and packed ice.
One particularly fond memory of this trip (much to our surprise after another snowy downpour in the evening), was being lucky enough to see the Northern Lights. This involved staff making a very hasty sprint to student’s rooms after dinner one evening, to get everyone out quickly enough to see them. Seeing the Aurora Borealis was certainly worth standing outside in the cold for – they was absolutely stunning!
The next day, we were treated to visits to more incredible waterfalls, before a fantastic experience of hiking on a real glacier. Students were kitted out in safety harnesses and crampons, before setting off in groups across a beautiful glacial landscape. Students loved being able to trek over the ice whilst being given expert information about the formation and life of the glacier. A final visit this day was to the ‘Lava tube’ experience – which involved a walk into a cave system formed by lava flows from historic volcanic eruptions. The Geography we experienced on this trip was just outstanding.
Sadly our trip had to come to an end, but not before a morning’s sightseeing and souvenir shopping back in Reykjavik. Mrs collinson said ’ I would like to thank Mr McQueen, Mrs Lewis, Miss Sanderson and Mr Roffe for giving their time to support this trip. Most importantly however, my thanks goes to the students, who were absolutely impeccably behaved and got involved with all the activities on offer. It was a pleasure to take such a fantastic group of students away – they were superb representatives for Bourne Academy. ’
Please see the next page for photographs from the trip……….
4 Issue 41: May 2020 Top News
Bourne Academy Geography Trip to Iceland – February 2020
Glacier Hiking
Group Shot - Vik black sand beach
Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon Mighty Gulfoss waterfall
5 Issue 41: May 2020 Trips Visits and Events News
Trips Visits and Events News
Before the school was closed due to Covid-19 there were some Trips, Visits and Events that took place.
On Wednesday 11 March 2020 Bourne Academy held their second PSHE day, and what a fantastic day it was.
226 Year 7 students visited the Mosque on Gladstone Road in Peterborough and also visited Peterborough Cathedral. One student commented 'This was the best RE experience ever!' others stated the day as 'amazing' or 'best day ever'. Mrs Hirst said ‘Both places of worship commented that how polite and well mannered our students were.’
Year 8 had a range of workshops looking at jobs of the future and careers that are linked to the curriculum.
Year 9 took part in the ever popular Prison Me No Way! Students took part in a range of workshops that were run by ex-prison officers. Workshops included learning about First Aid, drugs, alcohol, knife crime, students had a talk from an ex-prisoner and visited the replica mobile prison cell. The Prison Me No Way! Organisers commented on how polite and engaged our students were, and added that Bourne Academy was one of their favourite schools to visit.
Year 10 also had a range of workshops learning the importance of the recovery position and how to provide CPR. They attended talks from the company 'Just Enough' about knife crime and the negative effects of social media. Students also had a further workshop on the effects of prescription drugs and alcohol.
Mrs Conley said ‘These days offer a lot of value to a student's social, moral and cultural values and for their future development. Students saw the importance of this and throughout the day were very well behaved and showed the highest standards to the visitors and on the trip.’
6 Issue 41: May 2020
6 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
England Netball Star comes to Bourne Academy.....
On Wednesday 12 February, 30 girls from Years 8 -11 took part in a specialist coaching session from Jade Clarke.
Jade is the most capped England player of all time and has just finished playing in the Nations Cup competition for the English Roses. Jade was also named as captain of England in 2011, and captained them to a first ever gold medal in the 2011 World Netball series. Jade was also a member of the gold medal winning England team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was selected in the 12-player squad for the Roses, at the 2019 Netball World Cup. She is currently playing for Wasps in the Vitality Netball Superleague and has just played for England at the Nations Cup, where they came 3rd.
The netball girls all really enjoyed the 2 hour session that Jade put on for them. They learned new skills and tactics, which they can use in their matches for the rest of the season. Miss Coles, Head of PE said “Jade definitely put them through their paces! They listened, watched, practised, learnt new skills and were very enthusiastic throughout the session. We thank Jade for sharing her expertise and time with the girls”
7 Issue 41: May 2020
7 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
PHSE Lockdown Challenge
During the lockdown the PSHE department has been setting daily challenges for students to do. The challenges range between 5 minutes and 2 hour tasks. The tasks include making someone a drink, making a recipe together to taking a virtual tour of a museum.
The aim is to help promote positivity and kindness in a period of uncertainty and to give students something to focus on each day. Ruby Clingo has completed the 30 day challenge and can been seen making a meal for her family.
Each student that completes the challenge gains a certificate and house points. The second 30 day challenge is currently on Show my homework. All entries should be emailed to Mrs Hirst.
Since writing the article for the Newsletter Ruby received a letter from Digby Court, one of the challenges was to make a card and send to a local care home. Ruby undertook this challenge with her usual enthusiasm and received letter and photo back from the care home’s Manager.
The letter thanked Ruby for her card and theylady that it was given to it made her day.
Mrs Hirst, PHSE Lead, said “Ruby’s card had brought happiness to the community and when she had read the email it had brought tears to her eyes” Ewell done Ruby!
Year 11—Practical Food Work
8 Issue 41: May 2020
8 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
Celebrating Performing Arts at Bourne Academy
At the beginning of March this year Bourne Academy proudly performed the musical ‘Annie’; the story of a red-headed orphan whose rags to riches narrative has captivated audiences for decades.
A combination of funny and slapstick humour combined with moments of sincerity that pulled at the heart strings, the outstanding acting, singing and dancing really enabled Bourne Academy’s youngest ever cast to showcase the amazing and diverse artistic talent that is growing through our school. All of this was supported by superb nightly performances from Bourne Academy’s Musical Band.
In fact, with over 100 pupils making up the cast, chorus, choreographers, stagehands, set designers, and technical crew this was a truly inclusive and collaborative event. A special thank you also goes to ex-student Lauren Willis, who runs her own dance school in Bourne - LDC, for choreographing, among others, the dance for ‘Hard Knock Life’.
Mr Wood, “As a new member of staff, I was blown away by the passion and dedication of the students at Bourne Academy. We have a lot of creative and imaginative pupils with a variety of talents that have the professionalism to hold themselves in a manner that would be applauded within the industry. Throughout the process they showed a willingness to learn, develop, and ultimately to excel.
Alongside a heartfelt thank you to our local community for their tremendous, continued support, I would like to thank all the staff and governors who supported this production. A huge thank you goes to the Performing Arts Faculty, but mostly I want to thank all the students involved for putting on such a superb production and making it an everlasting memory.”
World Book Day 5 March 2020
We had a lot of fun on World Book Day on the 5 March at Bourne Academy. All of KS3 had a chance to ‘Drop Everything and Read’ in our first cross-curricular DEAR event.
We had chosen two short stories with slightly nasty endings which certainly intrigued our students. Many have asked where they can read the rest of the story to find out what happens next… as they both had cliffhanger endings we will never know the answer! Some of the students in drama even acted the stories out and art brought reading into the lesson activities as well. It was fantastic to get everyone reading together, celebrating and sharing stories.
Some staff dressed up with a David Walliams theme: Mr Cepelak made an appearance as ‘The Boy in the Dress’, as did some very suspicious looking ‘Gangster Grannies’ aka Ms Howard and Mrs Alker! There were also a really wide range of ‘Reading Hero’ slides created by staff to share with their classes on the day, as well as a ‘Guess Who?’ reading competition for all form groups.
9 Issue 41: May 2020
9 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
Sports Relief Week - 9 - 13 March 2020
To celebrate and help raise money for Sport Relief at Bourne Academy we had a week full of different activities for all students (and staff) to get involved in.
DODGEBALL
We had Inter-House dodgeball Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime in aid of Sport Relief. It was really well attended, the Year 7 and 8’s had around 25 students and the Year 9 and 10’s had 70+!! Thank you to all the students the took part.
ROW-A-THON
The Row-a-thon was another great success this year, the atmosphere in the school hall when the year 7s and 8s were taking part was phenomenal! Across the 6 houses there were around 240 students that took part between periods 1 and 4. The overall winners were Green house, rowing 29,117m. Overall the houses rowed 157,801m, beating last year’s total by over 16,000m!!! This is a great achievement by all the students that took part.
NETBALL
There were two highly anticipated netball matches that went on during the week. The Sixth Form match on Wednesday during lunchtime saw the boys demolish the girls 14-4. The Year 8 match on Friday evening ended the other way, the girls absolutely thrashing the boys 21-5. Thank you to all those that got involved and for Miss Coles for giving up her time to umpire. Please see next page for the match write ups.
10 Issue 41: May 2020
10 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
Sports Relief Week - 9 - 13 March 2020
Battle of the Sexes Netball Challenge
Sixth Form
Tuesday 10 March saw the first Battle of the Sexes Netball match, with the 6th form boys challenging the 6th form girls.
Both teams played extremely well with a close 4-1 lead to the boys after the first quarter. The boys elevation and speed continued to develop throughout the game and they were the eventual winners 14-4. Well done to everyone who took part:
The Girls team: The Boys team: Roseanna Clark Ollie Marshall Lauren Ewles Henry Warren Amy Taylor Ethan Hunt Hannah Green Joe Revell Jess Pottle Nathan Bills Mia Barford Lewis Thorley Melissa Hampton Bryn Williams
Year 8
On Sports Relief Day, the Year 8 boys challenged the girls to a netball game. The boys team were raring to “show the girls, netball was easy” according to the boys.
The scene was set after school on Friday with the girls hoping to prove a point. This point came very quickly in the first quarter, when they took the lead 7 goals to 2. Some excellent attacking play from Tia Lees, Zara Johnson and Reese Miller meant the girls surged ahead again in the second quarter and were in the lead by 13 goals to 2. The boys then had a reshuffle and played very well in the third quarter, with some excellent play from Harry Sutherland, Charlie Simpson and Zion Serino-Jordan.
The third quarter score was 4-3 to the girls (a much tighter quarter). However, in the final quarter some outstanding interceptions from Emily Wells at GK meant the boys could not get the ball into the goal and the girls were the eventual winners by 21 goals to 5. Thus, restoring the gender balance in the battle of the sexes competition for 2020 (one game to the boys & one game to the girls). Thank you to all competitors:
The Girls team: The Boys team: Reese Miller Harry Sutherland Zara Johnson Charlie Brooks Cleo King Charlie Simpson Jazzy Bubbra Zion Serino-Jordan Tia Lees Charlie Butler Georgia Handley Emrys Connelly Kayleigh Clare Jack Boughen Evie Burgwine-Jones Fynn Seggie Emily King
11 Issue 41: May 2020
11 Issue 26: October 2017 Trips Visits and Events News
Sports Relief Week - 9 - 13 March 2020
STAFF QUIZ CHALLENGE
This year the PE Department challenged the other Departments around the school to a Sports Quiz. The quiz had 8 rounds, football, rugby, formula 1, cricket, athletics, cycling, tennis and golf.
Thank you to all those departments that made time to enter the quiz, with 9 entries it made it a decent competition. The results are below and as you can see the PE Department failed miserably! Well done to Geography for absolutely smashing it with a score of 65/72!! Hopefully they enjoyed their prize of Sport Relief themed cakes.
1st - Geography (65) 2nd - Site Team (63) 3rd - Careers (61) 4th - Food and Science 5th - PE (53) - Absolute shambles 6th - Front Office (52) 7th - Performing Arts (41) 8th - English (40)
FRIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA—THE INFLATABLES!
On Friday for Sport Relief we had the return of the inflatables, two 54ft obstacle courses. These were really popular throughout the day, lots of students using them during PE lessons and during lunchtime. The addition of music and lights added a real party atmosphere to the day, students and staff (mainly Miss Coles and the PE boys) joining in with renditions of the Macarena, Cha Cha Slide, YMCA and Sweet Caroline. The day could not have ended any better with Year 7 PE, it was like being at a party. It was a fantastic day and a great end to the week!!
After the final count the total raised was an amazing £1630!!
This really is a tremendous feat and something the whole school should be proud of. Thank you to all the students and staff that got involved in the activities and gave to the charity. Mr Leonard, Head of Green House and PE Teacher said “It was a fantastic week and showed how the power of sport and physical activity can help to raise money for worthy causes.”
12 Issue 41: May 2020
12 Issue 26: October 2017 Lockdown Gallery Art and Textiles
Elanor - Yr 7 ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Roman- Yr 9 - ‘Everyday I’ Robert - Yr 8 - ‘Wildlife’
Lucy - Yr 8 - ‘Extraordinary’ Skye - Yr 7 - ‘Pop Art’ Anne-Marie Yr 8 - ‘Extraordinary’
Sophia- Yr 9 - Charlie - Yr 7 - Sophie- Yr 9 - Tegan - Yr 8 - ‘Everyday I’ ‘Pop Art’ ‘Everyday I’ ‘Wildlife’
Cheyanna - Yr 8 - ‘Wildlife’ Paige - Yr 9 - ‘Everyday I’ Gwyneth- Yr 7 ‘Fantastic Beasts’
13 Issue 41: May 2020
13 Issue 26: October 2017 Lockdown Gallery Art and Textiles
Year 10 - ‘Wonderful World’ and ‘Natural Forms’
Ellie Monty
Josie Eloise Aleesha
Mary
Dominika
14 Issue 41: May 2020
14 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading Celebrating Creative Writing at Bourne Academy
Last term the Library, in conjunction with the English Department, launched its own 500 word creative writing competition for students in Years Seven and Eight. We were delighted with the participation and over a hundred entries were received.
Although limited in length students had an entirely free reign of subject matter and this resulted in an incredibly diverse range of stories. One of the judges, Mrs Howard, stated that it generated “a smorgasbord of amazing ideas and different approaches.” The freedom to write creatively about absolutely anything spawned narratives that were funny and light hearted as well as stories which included things that concerned or worried the students. Some were rooted in personal problems, and many gave insights into the different ways our students view the world. Some stories were told in flashback, some began with a momentous event, some were even told from the perspective of an animal. It just shows what creative imaginations our students have.
Judging the stories was extremely difficult and we commend all of our students for their effort, creativity and imagination. We have included here the three stories which were awarded first second and third place. Well done to Wren Vallance (1st place), Erin Stevens (2nd Place) and Lola Wilcockson (3rd place). We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we did.
THE ESCAPE
How to get out? I can’t answer. I couldn’t answer the day I was dumped here and; after hours of thinking, I still can’t now. We’ve been trapped here for months, years of manual labor, working tirelessly each day, our melancholy minds weighed down from the rumors and whispers that slither through our ears like serpents. The reeking scent of the mush they serve us; thinking they’ve starved us enough, still sticks to my nostrils; the taste of it still churns in my stomach. Today all that’s changing.
Perhaps I could smash one of the windows and make a run for it with my sack and treasures, the treasures from my past life- before I ended up in this detention center. Well, I’m not a kid anymore and my time-out is over. I’m going for it this time!
Bong!
The bell goes for yard time. BR3794T2005 (or Willow as our Block calls her) is waiting outside the laundry with a wad of damp paper and a stub of pencil, her crimson hair glinting like a dagger in the moonlight. Are we going or not? Yes. Let’s do it.
I’ve got pliers. We can get out through the Block G fence. No we couldn’t- Shepard is watching that area for runaways. Damn it! A jet of cold rushes through my brittle bones, the wind forcing my head to turn towards the Block D windows and peer inside where a clock is hanging off a jade-coloured nail on the grime-clad wall. 1:20. Not much time left. Wait. What’s that - above the clock? A creamy slab of plaster hanging loose from the ceiling. The tile could easily be yanked off and (with a leg up) even little Ratty from Block C could get up there.
Then I have it. Willow! What is it? Her eyes follow mine like a piece of string and then a slit of moon appears between her lips and she tosses me the rusty pliers. As I’m stronger, I whack the windows and the guards’ faces inside. Kneeling, the red-head cups her hands and I step into them, lurching upwards for the ceiling and just as my fingertips are about to grasp sweet freedom…
“GIRLS!”
Continued on the next page…………..
15 Issue 41: May 2020
15 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading Celebrating Creative Writing at Bourne Academy
I jump down quick-fast from the iron gate; my flushed face giving us away already. George’s face is throbbing, his nose slicked with scarlet. Well, it was his own fault – he didn’t have to play. I drop the branch that Willow found outside Mr. Ellis’ classroom where she’d also asked to borrow a sheet of paper and his leaky marking pen. No use - Miss Wolf has seen it already and the crooked shards of porcelain glued to her gums bare like an enraged pony. It would be too flattering to compare her hideous choppers to the majestic creature she’s named after.“ NO MORE SILLY GAMES! YOU’RE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR GOODNESS SAKE!” Willow’s coffee grain eyes slide towards mine and ’I m pretty sure we’re thinking the same thing-we should have played explorers.
HOWEVER HARD I TRY
The tick-tick-ticking of a clock banged against my skull. I had always hated that clock. The only thing was that I couldn’t even see the clock. I could hear it. There might not have even been a clock. It could have just been my imagination. It felt like I had been there hours, but I knew it couldn’t possibly have been that long. It was just one of those days. The horrible, painful, irritating days that never seemed to end.
Their muffled voices surrounded me, caging me in to an imaginary box with barb wire and electric fences. That was the worst sort of box you could be in. Their sweat glazed faces felt threatening towards me. A loud, piercing laugh came from the front of the room. OUR LEADER. Every single other person laughed with her, except me. I wished I had joined them. But I knew, if I did, it would happen. I could not move nor speak. It restrained me. It held me back.
I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
At first, I tried shouting at the top of my voice. But, of course, no one could hear me. They never did, it was always manic in there. They were like a herd of elephants. They were the loudest things on planet earth. I was like a mouse compared to them. They would never be quiet and I always would be. However hard they tried, they just wouldn’t shut up.
After that attempt failed miserably, I tried another strategy. I tried waving my hands above my head for somebody to see me. But I was too small. Much too small. It is like an ant and a giraffe. In this matter I was the ant and they were the giraffes. It wasn’t the fact that I was really small, it was that I was at the back, away from most eyes. But they were, tall, taller than me anyway. It was pointless.
Then an idea struck me. Why don’t I just sneak out of the room? They couldn’t see me nor here me. It was worth a shot. But what if they did? They wouldn’t, I was sure of it. I repeated this back to myself again and again, then looked down at the floor. It was all manky and grim. I didn’t care though, I just wanted to be free, free from that stuffy room. I got down on my hands and knees. I took a cautious look around and began to crawl. Every time lifting up the palm of my hand revealing a string of chewed gum sprayed on the floor. When I had finally reached the open door, the whole room went silent!
A dark, feminine shadow loomed over me and a booming voice came from it “GET BACK TO YOUR SEAT, YOUNG MAN!” It said. I replied innocently.
“But miss, I just need To go To the LOO!”
16 Issue 41: May 2020
16 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading Celebrating Creative Writing at Bourne Academy
Darkness. Utter darkness. Then light. An explosion of colour, as far as the eye could see. Everything was alive and buzzing. I felt like I’d fallen through a rainbow and into an idyllic world: and what a delicious scent filled my nostrils!
“Hello” I span round, but no one was there.
“Down here” I looked down to see a Haribo gummy bear smiling up at me.
What on earth was happening? Where was I? Was this a dream? And then I realised. All the vibrant colour and smells surrounding me... sweets- everywhere!
It was as if Willy Wonka’s factory had come alive.
“Somebody pinch me”, I muttered under my breath. Sweets were walking, chatting, laughing. I thought I was dreaming. “Mnghh mghgggm?” came a voice.
“What?” I said, coming to my senses.
“I said... are you ok?” the bear responded.
I realised I had zoned out and the gummy bear had been trying to talk to me.
“Sorry”, I said.
“As I was saying, I’m Bingo” said the bear.
“Hhh hello, I’m Beth”, I stuttered.
“Hello Beth, welcome to Sweetopia!”, he said enthusiastically.
For a brief moment, I was fixated, in a trance, my eyes couldn’t quite believe this incredible scenery before me. “Wow, this is breathtaking!”, I exclaimed.
“It is isn’t it, how about a tour?” he said.
“Uh, yes, yes” I blurted out, still coming to terms with the glorious place. We started to make our way down a Curly Wurly path when I saw a multi-coloured hill ahead of us.
“Just over Licorice hill, ok?” said Bingo.
“Ok” I said.
After scrambling over the sticky licorice, we reached the top of the hill. At that moment, I stopped dead in my tracks. At the edge of the hill was a sheer drop. Bingo saw the fear creep across my face. “Don’t worry, we’re not going down that way” he said reassuringly, as he flumped onto a marshmallow cloud that was floating by. I flopped beside him and we drifted gently down, coming to land on something soft, which to my delight was candy floss. As I jumped off, I was astonished by the most marvelous sight. A river of flowing chocolate! I stood frozen, admiring it in awe, savouring the unbelievable aroma. As I looked around me, my jaw dropped. There were strawberry lace trees with flakes for trunks, actual flying saucers, bouncing jellybeans: every sweet you could ever imagine. All of a sudden, I heard a muffled scream. A jelly baby had fallen in the river and couldn’t swim, it was heading towards a waterfall. Without thinking, I dived into the river, grabbed the baby and then began struggling against the thick, sticky, chocolate, but it was too strong- we were being dragged down stream. Luckily, thinking fast, Bingo launched a fizzy belt out towards us which I grabbed, and he hauled us to safety. Safe and back on dry land, we stood on the riverbank, licking
17 Issue 41: May 2020
17 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading
Reading—Year Seven Book Review
“I am passionate about reading and have found it a great source of entertainment during lockdown. This quote, which I came across from novelist Matt Haig, really resonated with me, and made me think that although we are physically, geographically restricted at the moment, our minds and imaginations don’t have to be.
We have a wonderful culture of reading at Bourne Academy and this is supported with an exciting range of class readers used in the English Department. Some of our Year Seven students were in the middle of reading ‘The Bone Sparrow’ by Zana Fraillon when our country went into lockdown. Described as “a tragic, beautifully crafted and wonderful book whose chirpy, stoic hero shames us all,” ‘The Bone Sparrow’ tells the fictional story of a child refugee.
We continued reading the book and completing exploratory tasks during lockdown home learning and now that we have finished, some of the students have written reviews. Perhaps they will encourage you to read it too. Feel free to read a few of the reviews below.” Miss Double, Teacher of English.
The Bone Sparrow—by Zara Fraillon
The Story:
The Bone Sparrow is about a boy called Subhi, his sister and his mum. They live in an immigration detention centre as refugees. Subhi was born there and has never been anywhere else. He meets a girl called Jimmie who is from the outside world and they become very good friends. Jimmie can’t read yet so Subhi reads the story that her mum had written and used to read to her before she died.
Subhi’s best friend is Eli, he also lives in their part of the camp but gets moved to a different part of the camp for grown men with no family. Some of the men go on hunger strike as it is their only way to rebel. Before long half of the men are on hunger strike and the whole camp becomes angry and is no longer a very safe place to be.
Our Reviews:
I enjoyed reading The Bone Sparrow as it had a very moving and touching plot. At some points in the book - especially nearer the end – it was very sad. Though it isn’t a true story, things like this are happening in the real world and we do need these kind of books. Overall I think it was an amazing and interesting book and I am glad that I read it. Star rating– 5 Stars (Rosie Year 7)
o0o
There were places in this book where I was on the verge of crying and in other parts I was smiling and laughing. I think that (overall) this is a great book and it is definitely worth reading. I feel like this is a book that you can get pulled into very easily, you also feel connected to the characters and often when Subhi is doing something you feel like you are part of the action. Star rating– 5 Stars (Edward Year 7)
o0o
I have just finished reading this book. It really makes you think about the people out there like Subhi and the camp where no one is helping them. I would recommend this to people if they want a really gripping book.
Star rating– 5 Stars Lily (Year 7)
18 Issue 41: May 2020
18 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading Writing—Year 8 and 9 Write their Own Stories
Are you struggling to think of ways to keep entertained? Need a distraction from the unprecedented world we currently inhabit? If so, perhaps you would like to get away for a few minutes and engross yourself inside one of these fantastic short stories. Guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your seat, these brief passages are an excellent way to escape reality for a fleeting moment. Let yourself become engulfed in the twists and turns presented through these imaginative and stimulating pieces of writing, authored by the phenomenal Year 8 and Year 9 students of Bourne Academy.
Mrs Booth (Head of English)
Year 8— Gothic Dystopian Fiction and Creating Suspense
The man stepped into the hallway and scanned his surroundings, nothing but old cloaked furniture idling within every doorway. The silence provoked an eerie sense of death as a shadow of the pain and suffering that once lingered within the walls started to taunt him. He made his way through the overgrowth full of grime and creeping vines from where nature had taken over… Alex Bunce (Year 8)
Far away, in the unknown, a shining lamp was approaching young Joe as he stood looking out of his bedroom window. It was getting closer. The full moon was out, and torrential rain was pouring outside. So why would a person come to visit him in the dead of night, in this awful weather? Lightning strikes covered the village. An old woman, dressed oddly in black, stood below his window… staring at Joe. He thought this was extremely creepy. After all, it was the dead of night and the storm was like no other known to him. Finding his courage, Joe apprehensively went downstairs to see what the old lady was doing: what did she want? Before he opened the door, he took a deep breath. Danny Petherick (Year 8)
Crunch…crunch…SNAP! Alex’s whole body shivered as a chill curled down her spine like a Mexican wave in response to the loud, unexpected snap of a branch being stood on by her foot. The noise echoed throughout the forest which was located on either side of the dark, derelict pathway on which she was walking, surrounding her like a thick, uncomfortable blanket and blocking her view of anything that may be on the other side. She carried on gently, watching where she was going from now on. Suddenly, she was blindfolded by a dense new fog that came rolling in from the east, preventing her from being able to avoid stepping on another branch or from tripping over something else. The new company stayed near the ground, no higher than her knee and twisted its way around her feet as she continued to approach her destination. The package she was holding was unnoticeable now in her cold, numb fingers as she came closer and closer… Anne-Marie Green (Year 8)
There it stood. I had walked past it several times and yet I had never seen it. It terrorised me; the idea that someone could have lived in this very building. Vines crawled everywhere, snaking around the pipes. The walls encircled me as if I was the victim of an ambush. Something caught my immediate attention. The empty space where a window would have stood, where shattered, sharp remains of glass still laid, threatening me like somebody putting a knife to my throat.
The three upper windows glared down at me as I edged nearer to the decrepit ruins. One lonesome tree stood by the house; its elongated branches tickling the ground. Owls occasionally swooped overhead; their silhouettes casting cryptic shadows on the off-white, rendered walls. The air was numb and with every breath I drew, a misty, chilly exhale followed. It was hard to believe that there was life here in this desolate forest. With every howl of wind, I seemed to be getting closer to the front door. The door had been left ajar perhaps for many years, or maybe somebody had already beaten me here? Riana Mansfield (Year 8)
19 Issue 41: May 2020
19 Issue 26: October 2017 Literacy and Reading Writing—Year 8 and 9 Write their Own Stories
Year 8— Gothic Dystopian Fiction and Creating Suspense
It was huge. It had crusty legs the size of boulders and one devilish eye staring into my faith. Its teeth were like mouldy tree stumps and its many arms curled around itself gave me the creeps. It looked almost like it had been bought back from the dead two days ago. As I moved back slowly, I came barrelling towards me moving each limb in a messy fashion. I quickly moved to the side and tripped the creature over, I could not quite get my head around what to call it, it was a weird non-human “thing”. It had no skin just a dirty layer of raw flesh and a couple of scars around its body. Nothing could be compared this night and this moment I was terrified. Sofia Nunziata (Year 8)
The only distraction from the monster’s horrible beady cat eyes, was its ghastly yellow skin. As if independent from its body the mouth snarled like it had a mind of its own. Its black jaguar tail was like a whip, ready to hit anyone who came too close. Piercing green eyes looked at you as if they were staring into your soul. Like dis-coloured bones on a rotting corpse, its teeth protruded from its swollen and bruised lips. Its human ear, deprived from blood, hanging as if it was desperately trying to detach itself. Lola Wilcockson (Year 8)
Year 9—Stories with a twist…
She started to move away when she seemed to be pulled back by a mysterious force. Inch by inch she was pushed closer into the eerie room. Why was this happening? What was going on? Evie began to panic. Soon Evie was swallowed by the darkness as she heard footsteps behind her. A familiar voice taunted her from behind the imposing oak door. It couldn’t be, could it? The shrill laughter of her senile aunt echoed menacingly around her as the key in the lock started to turn… Jessica Glover (Year 9)
Heavy rain plummeted from the sky like bullets, splashing onto the cobbled pavement. Moonlight pierced through the grey fog hanging over the quiet town and cast shapes on the ground that looked like shattered glass. On the outskirts of town, the last train pulled up at the station. The automatic red doors folded away slowly to reveal the last passenger on board- Edward Black. He glanced around nervously before jumping down and making his way to the exit. He had never visited this strange town before; he couldn’t even recollect the name off the top of his head but strode into the town centre to find a place to rest so he was prepared for his business interview the following morning. After a few mistaken turns, he finally arrived in town. Blocks of flats towered above him and litter twirled and danced in the air. The screeching wind tugged at his umbrella firmly and the rain was puncturing the back of his neck. Edward ventured on, trudging down a desultory, narrow street adjacent to the high-rise flats. Silence.
It was as if the street had been drained of life. Dirty cigarette butts had been stamped into the cracks of the cobbles and damaged advertisement posters adorned the mossy bricks of cramped houses. Street lamps flickered unnervingly, casting an orange glow that dimly lit up the gloomy street that stretched out ahead of Edward. After what seemed like many hours aimlessly wandering the eerie streets in search of shelter, a bright light shone in the near distance. Relief coursed through Edward as he dragged his reluctant feet towards the light. He pressed his face against the glass window, squinting to view what was inside. A tall, ochre armchair was positioned in front of a brick fireplace and beside it a glass cabinet displayed... eyes? Edward rubbed his eyes furiously. He slipped his numb hands into his pockets and ambled up to the front door. Sophia Fry (Year 9)
20 Issue 41: May 2020
20 Issue 26: October 2017 History News History Department—Sets Key Stage Three Students a Challenge
On the 8 May the nation came together to celebrate VE Day. The History Department set all KS3 classes a History Challenge in the build up to the day.
The students were allowed to pick which challenge interested them the most and for each challenge completed they gained stamps. Challenges ranged from making bunting, researching primary sources, watching veteran’s testimonies to baking WW2 recipes.
The History department was pleased to see a high level of involvement from the students. Many student made cakes and drinks for the VE day celebrations including WW2 lemonade and WW2 carrot scones.
There were students that also went the extra mile and completed multiple challenges including Zara Thiara Mahmood who created a newsreader video in which she had learnt the 1940s dances and Jacob Davidson who decided that his area would be missing the parade so decided to wear his cadet uniform to mark the day. Ruby Stokes made her own bunting using the sewing machine and baked scones and biscuits.
There were so many fantastic submissions that it is impossible to list all of them. We have included a few photographs to represent the achievements. The History department is very proud at the level of involvement of the students regarding VE Day and we hoped that they had a fantastic day.
21 Issue 41: May 2020
21 Issue 26: October 2017 Careers Corner
Welcome Mrs Barber is the Careers and Aspirations Lead here at Bourne Academy.
The Careers Office is based in F11 and students can come at any time to find resources to support them make choices about their future. Students can also speak to her for advice on UCAS, job applications, apprenticeships, option choices or career pathways.
If you have any questions then please contact Mrs Barber via email on [email protected]
PHSE Day 2—Careers
Year 8
PSHE Day 2 for Year 8 students was career focused. They spent the day completing the following sessions:
Who am I? The aim of the session was for students to start being able to recognise their own personal skills and qualities. They discussed amongst peers about how they perceived one another. They also discussed how skills and personal qualities related to career choices. Students where also asked to think about motivating factors and what is important to them e.g. money, helping peo- ple, solving problems etc.
Jobs of the future? This session looked at jobs which are being developed and what the future of the employment market could look like. Students discussed jobs that did not exists 5-10 years ago and what jobs could be created in the future. Students discussed how they felt about the possibility of robots taking over human jobs and which jobs robots are already deployed in.
Good work/ Bad work: Students talked about what makes a job good or bad and discussed the pros and cons of a variety of different job roles. They created their own ‘good work, bad work’ profiles and compared them with their peers.
Careers in the Curriculum: In this session, students spent time linking subjects to different job roles so they can make clear link between the sub- jects they study and the career paths they might like to follow as they grow up. This helped students to link the im- portance of school and education to their futures. Finally, students where asked to create a poster showing their dream job, this could be a job that already exists or one completely made up, to do this they had to think about everything they had learnt throughout the day. There were some fantastic creations!
Feedback was collected from all students at the end of the day, here is some of their comments; ‘I enjoyed the Careers Day and I now have a better understanding of what I want to be when I am older’ ‘I enjoyed the ‘Who am I?’ session, I learnt that I can do any job if I work hard’ ‘I really liked the ‘Careers in the Curriculum’ session and I learnt that school isn’t only about getting an education, its about learning skills for the future’ ‘In the ‘Jobs of the Future’ session, I learnt about how much robots do already and how much work they think they will do in the future. ‘I found the Careers Day to be really useful as it taught me in life you need to make decisions that are really important about your future’ ‘You need to develop and learn lots of new skills all the way through school’ ‘I realised that I have lots of skills and qualities I didn’t realise I had!’
22 Issue 41: May 2020
22 Issue 26: October 2017 Careers Corner
Year 12
Year 12 had a future career focused PSHE day and were given the opportunity to visit Lincoln University and/or The National Apprenticeship Show in Milton Keynes.
Lincoln University On the 28 February Year 12 students visited Lincoln University, the purpose of the visit is to give students an insight of what it is like to go to university, hopefully helping students in making their important Post 18 choices.
The day included a tour of the university including student accommodation, along with experiencing some lectures. The day gave everyone a real insight of life as a student at Lincoln University.
It was a very enjoyable day and gave the students a lot to think about , students are encouraged to visit many university prior to making their Post 18 choices as well as to consider apprenticeship opportunities. Given the current situation, many universities are running ‘virtual online open days’ which Year 12 students are strongly encouraged to enrol for.
The National Apprenticeship Show
In March we travelled to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes for the National Apprenticeship Show.
There were many exhibitors from all business sectors e.g. Armed Forces, construction, finance, travel, engineering to name but a few. All were promoting the apprenticeship opportunities they have to offer within their business. Our students had the opportunity to speak to many different employers about the different types of apprenticeships available. Students were able to gather incite about what it was like to work for certain companies and also to discuss the application process.
Many students said they were surprised to learn about the variety of opportunities that are available within the same company from front line staff , HR through to management.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and we look forward to taking the next Year 12 cohort.
23 Issue 41: May 2020
23 Issue 26: October 2017 Careers Corner
Year 12 Career Talks
To support Year 12 in making decisions about their Post 18 options, a series of career based talks were arranged. The aim of holding the talks is to give students as much information as possible to help them make informed decisions about their future. Students were given the opportunity to attend as many talks as they wished.
On 5 February, Sergeant Sharman from ACFO Peterborough came in to school to speak to our students about life in the Army and all the different job roles available, there are over 70 different job roles within the Army in the following sectors; combat, engineering , HR and Finance, communications, IT and intelligence, logistics and medical. Sergeant Sharman also explained the application process and fitness testing.
On 26 February, one of our alumni, Caitlin Hind, returned to school to discuss her experiences of studying Nursing at the University of East Anglia. Caitlin explained exactly how the course was structured and what students should expect with regards to work load and commitment. She discussed all her work placements in detail and the students found this very interesting. The students who attended this talk said ‘It was very useful and a real eye opener in to student life and nursing’.
On 4 March, District Judge Chaudhuri came to speak to Year 12 about life as a Judge, how to become a judge and the judiciary process. Many students attend the talk and they all found Judge Chaudhuri very interesting indeed.
Some of the students feedback was as follows:
‘Judge Chaudhuri was very interesting and easy to listen to, he was so intellectual’ ‘I now understand the different paths within law and have decided which is best for me’ ‘Judge Chaudhuri was very good at answering all of our questions and did so in depth’
Many Year 12 students really enjoyed attending these talks and we will be arranging some more once we return to school and it is safe to do so.
Labour Market Data
Throughout the school we share information regarding the labour market information in our local area. Giving students this information will help them to make informed decisions about their future career and education choices. The information reported by the National Careers service details the following:
Wages Working hours Gender balance Qualifications required Geographical locations
The following graphic shows the most up to date labour market information for our area.
24 Issue 41: May 2020
24 Issue 26: October 2017 Careers Corner
Job of the Week
As part of Careers education at Bourne Academy, usually once a week, we send out our ‘Job of the Week’ which form tutors share with student.
The main purpose of circulating the job of the week information is to raise awareness and increase the knowledge of our students with regards to the many varied different job roles which are available.
Despite ‘Job of the Week’ being an additional task to students main subject lessons, it has been most encouraging to see so many students engage with the task and request specific jobs for us to focus on. Some examples are; astro- physicist, film director, chef, sales manager, actor to name but a few.
A career profile is shared along with labour market information relating to that particular job and along with this information, we always include a list of useful websites which students can use to further their research into each career, this helps link careers education back to the school curriculum as students can research if they need to take specific subjects at GCSE and A Level in order to progress onto their chosen career path. For those students who do not know what they would like to do in the future, this gives them the ideal opportunity to carry out research and learn about jobs they have not yet encountered.
If you do have any requests, please email Mrs Barber, [email protected] and we will add your request to the list.
25 Issue 41: May 2020
25 Issue 26: October 2017 Careers Corner
26 Issue 41: May 2020
26 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Football
Year 7 Wednesday 26 February was a busy night for Year 7 football with a County Cup semi-final taking place at Carres Grammar School and a friendly held at home against Stamford Welland Academy which saw a total of 29 boys take part in the fixtures.
County Cup Semi-Final:
After an impressive -8 0 win in the quarter-final against Spalding Academy next up was an away trip to Carres Grammar School to contest a place in the final. The trip away gave the opportunity for the boys to play on a 3G pitch, something that was always going to be a positive based on the football they have played up until this point. As the game kicked off it was clear to see that the windy conditions were going to have an effect on the game, and Bourne Academy were first up to battle against a strong wind that blew towards their goal. These conditions made it very hard for their free flowing football to emerge and Carres Grammar looked to take advantage of the conditions, with a number of chances falling their way in the early stages. The conditions did not improve, but as the half wore on Bourne Academy started to get a grip on the game and almost took the lead through a powerful strike from Alex Glenn-Mitchell on the break. Carres continued to press looking to take a lead into the break and almost did with a well taken free kick, only to be denied by the reflexes of Alex Hopkins.
Half-time came and the game stood at 0-0. This gave Bourne Academy a massive boost and a positive half time team talk filled the boys with confidence going into the second half. Knowing how tricky the conditions were for the opposition Bourne Academy decided to mix their game up and become more direct in their play at the right time. The attacks from Bourne kept coming but the Carres defence stood firm, and they still posed a threat on the break. With the game in the balance Matthew Sewell picked up the ball in midfield, drove deep into Carres territory and unleashed a right footed rocket which the keeper had no answer for. From this point Bourne Academy didn’t look back and pressed to kill the game, which Sewell almost did with another strike which rattled the crossbar. Bourne continued to manage the game well and the final whistle came with the score at 1-0. Massive congratulations to the boys who progress to the final which was due to have been played on 31 March.
Team: Alex Hopkins, Ben Decamp, Olly Symak, Lewis Smith, Dan Ellington, Matthew Sewell, Joe Staite, Ben Scott, Alex Glenn-Mitchell, Aaron Stubbs, Loui D’Angelo, Sam Sharpe
Friendly vs Stamford Welland Academy:
With so many Year 7 students football training we had planned a number of friendly games coming up for those who are yet to play. The first of these took place at home against Stamford Welland Academy. The fixture was due to be played on grass but the large volume of rain meant that we had to make use of the astro-turf facility at the school.
A large number of students were picked to play in the game to give all a taste of school football, and each and every student who played were a credit to the school with their attitude. The game was split into four quarters of 15 minutes and all the boys played at least 30 minutes of the game.
Bourne started well and looked to pass the ball around and progress forward, and eventually the pressured paid with Jake Pick opening the scoring. The whistle went for the end of the first quarter with Bourne still in the lead. At the break a large number of changes were made, but these changes did not alter the quality on show and Bourne continued to look strong. Stamford created a number of chances but could not do enough to break through the Bourne rear guard. The game continued in the same fashion with Bourne having the better of the chances but could not do enough to double their lead. The game finished 1-0 to Bourne. Congratulations to all involved in the performance and keep your eyes peeled for other upcoming matches.
Team: Harrison Scott, Jake Pick, Alfie Ball, Alex Moore, Zak Coles, Jake Wise, Connor Rosam-Lee, Reece Smith, David Yarnell, Lewis Britchford, Rejep Hadzaj, Joe Summers, Obi Baker, CJ Crofts, Euan Wyche, Goran Spasojevic, Josh Beekan
27 Issue 41: May 2020
27 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Football
Year 7 vs Spalding Grammar – 3/3/20
Another week saw another fixture for the Year 7 football team, this time away at Spalding Grammar school. With the excitement of reaching the cup final still evident the boys took to the field in an away game, but it appeared the bus trip to Spalding had completely changed the way the boys played football.
Spalding started the game up for the battle and began to string a number of moves together, only to be halted by the Bourne back line. As the half wore on improvements in the way in which Bourne began to play were positive but it looked like they would be heading into the break at 0-0 despite an effort hitting the post from Alex Glenn-Mitchell. With the half time team talk being prepared Ben Scott latched onto a through ball and broke the deadlock.
A frank team talk took place at half time and the Bourne Academy boys knew a improved performance in the second half was needed to secure the victory. The boys started the second half more brightly than the first, and began to dictate the play with the ball switching from one side of the pitch to the other. As Bourne began to increase the pressure Spalding adopted their approach and became more dangerous on the counter attack, which forced Alex Hopkins into action a number of times to come off his line to smother the Spalding attacks.
Despite the counter attack play from Spalding, Bourne were keen to extend their lead and started to create more chances. The chances came and went for Bourne which put pressure on the back line of Ben Decamp, Olly Hand and Ollie Symak to hold firm and ensure their clean sheet remained enacted. The final whistle arrived with the score line still 1-0 to Bourne who knew that they would need improve on this performance ahead of the County Cup Final which was due to be held on 31 March. Congratulations on another victory to the boys!
Team: Alex Hopkins, Ben Decamp, Olly Symak, Lewis Smith, Matthew Sewell, Olly Hand, Joe Staite, Ben Scott, Alex Glenn-Mitchell, Aaron Stubbs, Sam Sharpe
Year 7 Tournament – 11/03/20
We welcomed Barns Wallis Academy and Boston Grammar to Bourne Academy for a Year 7 6-a-side tournament on the astro-turf. This gave an opportunity for 17 boys to test themselves against some tough opposition. Each school had two teams in the competition with the opportunity for every team to make it to the semi-final through winning their group or progress through a play-off game.
Bourne Academy ‘A’ progressed through the group with two 0-0 draws which put them into a play-off game against Barnes Wallis Academy ‘B’. In the other group Bourne Academy ‘B’ progressed with two 1-1 draws meaning they faced Boston Grammar School ‘A’ in a play-off which finished 0-0. This took the game to penalties and Boston progressed through the shootout.
All the boys who were in the ‘B’ team stayed to support their peers in the semi-final and a sole goal from Harrison Scott with the last kick of the game saw off Barnes Wallis Academy ‘A’ in the semi-final. The opposition in the final came in the shape of Boston Grammar School ‘A’ who had previously knocked out our other team, this spurred Bourne on to gain revenge. In a tight final Bourne managed to find the winning goal and took away the trophy. Congratulations to all involved!
A Team: David Yarnell, Alfie Ball, Reece Smith, Josh Beekan, Goran Spasojevic, Harrison Scott, Connor Rosam-Lee, Rejep Hadzaj, Lewis Britchford
B Team: CJ Crofts, Obi Baker, Jake Wise, Jake Pick, Oliver Evans, Zak Coles, Euan Wyche
28 Issue 41: May 2020
28 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Football
Year 8
The year 8 team have had a good season, getting through to the Quarter Finals of the County Cup losing away to Carres Grammar in a well fought game. We hope these boys can have the belief and passion to bring some silverware back to the school over the coming years. We are still awaiting the final few results, but it looks as though the Year 8 squad will end up mid table however, close on points with the other teams.
Squad: Harvey Pimblett, Ted Ash, Josh Hunt, Eden Thomas, Charlie Simpson, Charlie Brookes, Dylan Harris, Jai Manzur, Lucas Robinson, Finn Seggie, Jothan Parker, Henry Moxley, Josh Coley, Lewis Smith(Yr7), Dan Ellington(Yr7) Alex Walton
Year 9 & 10
Unfortunately, the year 9 and 10 teams have been unable to complete their league fixtures. The Year 10’s last game saw them win 2-1 against Spalding Grammar which left them one victory away from potentially winning the league, dependant on Bourne Grammar’s final result. Let us hope going into their final year at school they can finally go on to win a trophy, narrowly missing out on the County Cup final in Year 9 and the League in Year 10!
Year 11
It has been a pleasure to manage this group of boys throughout their 5 years at Bourne Academy. It is such a shame that their final few games have not been managed to be completed, especially with one final fixture against Bourne Grammar!!
This team of lads have been sensational, both their quality of football they have shown over the 5 years but also their sportsmanship and overall fantastic personal qualities that have made us extremely proud to be their teachers and coaches. We really hope many of you continue to play football, it would be such a waste of talent if not. Good luck for the future.
Rugby
Year 8
The Year 8 took a 10-man squad to Stamford Welland Academy to contest a friendly fixture. On arrival the weather took a turn for the worse and the boys had to battle against the conditions to keep the ball in their hands.
Stamford fielded a strong team and it became clear that they had a number of players who play a lot of rugby. Their ability saw them race into a lead with two quick tries. Despite this Bourne responded well and Eden Compton went over the try line to reduce the deficit. This gave the boys confidence and they tried to move the ball through the hands to create openings. Stamford continued playing confident rugby and scored another 6 tries. Again Bourne responded and Zion Serino-Jordan burst through the line twice to take Bourne’s try tally to 3. Stamford responded with another try to take their tally to 9, but in the last play of the game Ivan Georgiev forced his way across the try line to bring the final score to 45-20 to Stamford. Well done to all involved.
Team: Thomas Brundell, Edan Compton, Ivan Geirgiev, Emrys Connelly, Rory Davidson, Jack Murray, Zion Serino-Jordan, Reece Stevenson, Jacob Davidson, Harvey Bartsch
29 Issue 41: May 2020
29 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Cross Country
Fenland League
The first race was held at Snowdon Fields Crowland, the second at Stanground College Peterborough and the final race at Burghley Park, Stamford. The Junior girls consisting of both Year 7 and 8 girls, saw large numbers of runners. The girls continued to race hard and gain experience and confidence and coming in respectable positions.
The Junior boys team again with a mixture of both Year 7 and 8 boys, also had large numbers of runners for all three races. In the first two races Ted Ash came in 4th but due to the National finals two days after the final race he withdrew but would have definitely won a medal this year. Other mentions are two Year 7 boys; Lloyd Barker and Alex Glenn- Mitchell, who came inside the top 20 runners in every race.
The Inter boys team consisted of Year 9’s and 10’s. In the first two races Ed Linsdell came 9th & 11th, but again due to competing in the National finals two days after the final race he also withdrew. Again, he also would have definitely won a medal this year. It also saw Sam Lister complete all three races inside the top 20. Well done to all runners!
National -X Country Championships
On Saturday 14 March the National Cross-Country Championships took place in Liverpool. Matt Colman (Senior Boys), Ed Linsdell and Ted Ash (Junior Boys) all qualified to represent Lincolnshire, at this prestigious event.
The course was pretty boggy on the pre-race walk but the day started off nice and fine for the runners. The boys took the whole experience in their stride and ran very well. Each race had 46 counties represented, with 8 runners in each county. Ted came 158th, Ed came 308th and Matt came 312th in each of their events. An excellent achievement by the boys. They were a real credit to the school and we are very proud of them – well done!
30 Issue 41: May 2020
30 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Netball
Year 7 Before Term 3 ended so abruptly the Year 7’s had a variety of matches both friendly and competitive, with more to play which were unfortunately cancelled! All A, B and C’s teams did get the chance to play though and all secured some excellent, well deserving wins.
The B team learnt from their close match against St Georges and managed to overcome Bourne Grammar, winning 4-3, special congratulations to Evie Hall who was named player of the match. The C team are now really starting to develop, winning 2 out of their last 3 matches with a very convincing 5-1 win against Charles Read, special congratulations to Ellie-Mae Woodcock who was selected as player of the match.
The A team were training hard in preparation for the Superzone Tournament. The squad included 9 players who have really impressed us this year in relation to their commitment, effort, teamwork and versatility. It was a tough evening, with 8 games being played consecutively and very little recovery in between. As always, the girls’ were an absolute credit to the academy not only in the way they played but their attitude towards opponents and officials. They went from strength to strength, winning game after game and not conceding a single goal in the first 7 matches which is an amazing achievement! It was an absolute pleasure seeing their confidence develop throughout. The outcome of the tournament came down to the final game, both us and Bourne Grammar remained unbeaten. It was a tight match with end to end play and chances for both teams, unfortunately BGS converted their chances and won the game. This meant we finished as incredibly respectful Runners Up, only losing one game to the eventual winners. The girls should be very proud of themselves, a massive well done to all - Evie Benson, Lily Thomas, Emily Carey, Millie Green, Ellie Ball, Freya Spriggs, Evie Hall, Kacey Tuohy and Eleanor Barber Cunnington. Special congratulations to Ellie Ball who was named player of the tournament and to Evie Hall who was named most improved player.
To conclude, we would like to say it has been an absolute pleasure coaching these enthusiastic groups of Netballers whether they are A, B or C team players and we look forward to next season when we hope things have returned to normal.
Year 8 The year 8 netball team did manage to take part in the Superzone Tournament on Thursday 27 February. They all played fantastically well throughout the whole tournament with Reese Miller and Zara Johnson having an excellent tournament, scoring nearly 50 goals between them.
Tia Lees was outstanding at centre and linked very well with Cleo King and Jazzy Bubbra at WA. This coupled with an excellent defensive trio of Emily Wells, Evie Burgwine –Jones and Georgia Handley meant that most teams found it extremely hard to get the ball into the defensive circle and score. They played:
Spalding Academy W 10-1 Thomas Cowley W 11-0 UAH Winning W 12-0 Deeping winning W 9-2 Spalding High school W 4-2 Bourne Grammar school L 3-4
This meant they were the eventual runners-up of the tournament. Well done to all squad members: GK Emily Wells GD Evie Burgwine-Jones WD Georgia Handley C Tia Lees WA Cleo King WA Jazzy Bubbra GA Zara Johnson GS Reese Miller
31 Issue 41: May 2020
31 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Netball
Year 9
Unfortunately, not a lot to report for the Year 9s, only 3 matches played before Corona Virus caused cancellations and then school closure. These matches did include playing opportunities for both the A and B team though. The matches were very challenging, playing some of the strongest opposition in the area, Bourne Grammar, Spalding High and St Georges. Regardless of this, as always the girls rose to the occasion and battled hard even though the score line was not in their favour. Special congratulations to Jasmine Lane, Ceri Thomas and Molly Salter for being selected as player of the match.
As the season, although cut short has come to a close, we would to like to finish by saying what a lovely squad of players they are and what a pleasure it has been to coach them over the last two years. The progress has been remarkable and although we don’t always get the result we want, their attitude is outstanding, looking for the positives and evaluating how they can improve. We look forward to seeing everyone ready for the new season in September. In the meantime, check out Sasha Corbin solo skills on YouTube to keep developing those netball skills.
Year 10 The Year 10 had their Superzone tournament on the 4 March. The team has enjoyed successes here every year so the bar was set high. The girls felt the pressure to perform and finish on top for a 4th year in a row! Their toughest competition, Bourne Grammar School, was their first game, so little time to warm up. The game was tense going goal for goal in the first half, it looked like either team could clinch the win. Fortunately, by the second half, the Bourne Academy team had found their stride and managed to get a few goals ahead of BGS, leaving the final score at 9-6. The team had 4 remaining games against Deeping, UAH, Spalding High and Spalding Academy. Motivated from their first win, the team played hard in all areas of the court leading to wins all round!
Bourne Grammar school W 9 - 6 Spalding Academy W 7-2 UAH W 16-5 Deeping W 13-6 Spalding High school W 7-4
Another fantastic season with this team, we wish them luck as they go into Year 11 and hopefully finish their 5 year run with one more tournament win!
Team: Harriet Bavin, Grace Lawday, Amelia Ellis, Leona Fenwick, Edie Duncomb, Georgia Delplanque, Neave Warcup
Year 11
It has been a fun and enjoyable 5 years with this talented and committed team of players. It has been an absolute pleasure to train and lead such an enthusiastic groups of girls throughout their secondary school netballing journey!
Unfortunately, we have had the last part of the season cancelled and have not therefore managed to finish the league as we would have wished. The highlight for this team was qualifying for the county finals as U14’s and getting through to the county tournament in Skegness.
We hope many of the players continue to play for the school in year 12, and for their local clubs. It would be lovely to hear of you all playing for college or university teams!
Good luck to all of you for the future.
32 Issue 41: May 2020
32 Issue 26: October 2017 PE News
Sports Leaders
The Sports Leaders had their first taste of leading Primary School students at the SNAG Golf tournament held at Bourne Academy on Wednesday 3 March. There were 10 schools who entered, meaning the leaders were responsible for over 100 students.
Over the weeks running up to the event the Leaders had worked hard to put together the tournament, learning how to set up and run each of the stations with local golf pro Darren Game. Each of the leaders were responsible for running a station and the primary students worked on a carousel around each one and were scored on 2 elements, skill level and teamwork, eventually giving an overall winner.
It is an extremely competitive event as the winners qualify for the County Finals. The Leaders were fantastic, their organisational and communication skills meant the event ran very smoothly. The Leaders were a credit to themselves and the school, many of the primary school teachers expressing some excellent feedback about them.
Hockey This year the hockey club continued to expand, we were thrilled to have so many new players from a number of different year groups get involved, making sessions more competitive and diverse. We regularly had over 30 students in attendance!
Unfortunately, the season was cut a little short this year so we didn’t quite finish all fixtures but none the less, teams battled hard in matches and tournaments when it was still possible. The year 10 team in particular look like a well- oiled machine using some great attacking pieces and strong shots. The year 8 team have also had successes, winning several games and drawing against BGS. Finally, the year 9 team, the girls have really started to look strong this year, their confidence has grown and they are starting to show the variety of skills that they have developed in training sessions. This has led to strong attacking play and shots on target, resulting in 2 wins this season against Kirkstone House and Arthur Mellows.
Finally, this season we struggled to recruit as many year 7 students to join the club, we would really encourage any students who might be interested, even if they have never played the game before to come along, it is a very friendly and recreational club where we have players of all abilities are welcome. See you next year!
PE Students of the Term
Theory courses Year 13 CTEC = Cody Fordham Year 12 CNAT = Tara Grimwood Year 11 CNAT = Emily Horsted Year 10 CNAT = Edie Duncomb Year 9 CNAT = Emily Tidman
Core PE Girls Boys Year 10 Core Ashley Kirman Robert Stokes Year 9 Core Paige Leversidge Sam Henderson Year 8 Core Jess Bail-Bedford Alfie Rosam-Lee Year 7 Core Gwyneth Jones Cameron Glenn-Mitchell
33 Issue 41: May 2020
33 Issue 26: October 2017 Online Learning
Show My Homework
Thank you for all of your continued efforts with home schooling and assisting your children with their online studies. At the time of writing 6162 lessons have been set by the second week of May with the vast majority of students and parents engaging via the Show My Homework website. Your time, patience and goodwill is greatly appreciated.
Working remotely in isolation is a challenge for us all. The best advice to give is for students to focus on only the subjects they would normally have timetabled that day, to spend no more than an hour on a subject and then stop whatever. Students will not be sanctioned for not completing all the work but we would expect Year 10 and 12 students studying for future examinations, and those who need to catch up, to later continue and finish tasks set as they would normally do for homework. As best as you can plan a routine and structure for completing work including breaks and exercise, splitting tasks down into smaller chunks.
IT Issues
Inevitably there will be technical frustrations. If it is an issue with the work itself students can post questions to staff on Show My Homework or you can email Year Leads via the Year Lead tab on the school website. If it is an IT problem, please refer to the Show My Homework help guide found on the Bourne Academy website (click on the Show My Homework icon in the menu bar).
If further IT assistance is required contact either the Show My Homework helpline directly (contact details are found on their website) or the IT Department at School ([email protected] or call 01778 422365 and leave a message).
Often there are internet issues or problems with laptops, tablets, incompatible software and printers so please do ask your children to communicate this to their teachers who can accommodate such problems.
Additional Resources
You may have seen that there is now a myriad of resources available to support learning. For example, www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize and www.thenational.academy are offering live daily lessons. Another recommendation is the ‘Speakers for Schools - Virtual Talks Programme’ which covers a range of educational and careers based topics plus advice on how to deal with lockdown. This is an opportunity for students to join talks from today’s leading figures via specially designed Microsoft Teams talks and no logins are required. Students can view by following: www.speakersforschools.org/inspiration/vtalks/upcoming-vtalks.
Mr Hind and Mr Little
34 Issue 41: May 2020
34 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Mr Bryan— “from Painting to Backgammon”
I hope you and your families are all keeping safe and well, I know I and the Year Leads have been in contact through email or calls with lots of parents and students, who happily tell us that you are all safe. It is nice to know how many of you are missing school, as am I.
Personally I have been overwhelmed with not only how much schoolwork most of you have done, but also the amazing quality. Remember to keep a nice balance between the importance of your schoolwork, but also the importance of the time you spend with family and friends, including getting out and enjoying the fresh air.
I hope you are also finding the time to stay in touch with your friends and family via Social Media (I know that Zoom and House Party are great for this). I have learnt in my conversations so many new dog names, "Socks, Boris, Buster, Alfie and Charlie" to name a few. I know a lot of you have been taking part in the Joe Wickes fitness (as have I) and getting out running or on your bikes (as have I).
Have any of you painted yet, fences, sheds or around the house, guess what, yes I have (not through choice!). I know that we will have some wonderful new chefs, from what I have been told, when we return to school, the amount of cooking and baking you are doing.
I have been busy, either in work, or doing fitness, painting (everything, my wife seems to think if I am sat down, then I should be painting, and I am not !), learning to play Backgammon, family quizzes on Zoom every Saturday and gardening.
This is some of the amazing things that you fantastic students have done, whilst on lockdown
Learning to play a musical instrument Collecting Medicine for elderly neighbours Doorstep delivery for the vulnerable Writing letters to Grandparents Helping younger brothers and sisters with schoolwork Doing chores (really) Helping with family pets, dogs, horses, rabbits, chickens Helping out in Morrisons
I could go on, keep doing what you are doing, keep smiling and more importantly keep talking to family, friends and staff at school.
Take care of each other.
Pastoral Support
Did you know that you can contact our Year Leads by email?
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Not sure who to contact then drop an email to [email protected] and they will direct your email onto the right person. The Pastoral Team are here to support our students and their family during these unprecedented times.
35 Issue 41: May 2020
35 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Year 7 – Mrs Revell’s ‘Lockdown Journey’
As the Year 6-7 Transition Manager and Year 7 Lead, I would normally be entering my busiest and most exciting time of the academic school year. Having spent the past 7 months getting to know the lovely Year 7 students, I would now be planning and preparing for the next group of young people due to commence their journey at Bourne Academy, along with the very important input from my current students as ‘buddies’ to help support this exciting process.
Being placed into ‘lockdown’ at this time has presented some new and interesting challenges. I have been fortunate to be able to work from home and still contact my students, I have been doing this by sending weekly emails to them (which I hope they have been able to access!) and making phone calls home to families to offer my remote support as and when needed. As well as responding to emails that have come in to help resolve any concerns, be them technical or other. I have also been able to monitor student use on Show My Homework and can see how well and dedicated my cohort have been during these very unusual circumstances – to which I am very proud of, so well done to you all!
I have received some great messages from parents of how well students are coping at this time, including this lovely picture of Amelia busy completing her school work, with the help of her furry friend:
It has also enabled me to teach myself some new skills! Knowing how difficult this process must be for our young people, I am very conscientious that they will still need the best, smoothest transition possible – more so under these circumstances than ever. I have been able to keep in touch by sending a MailMerge to all our new Parents, to offer reassurance and guidance at this time.
I have also been in contact with the local Primary Schools, to gather information that will best help us support our new students. My mind is continuously thinking of different ways that we will be able to help our new students and parents at this time– so watch this space!
Finally, I have personally enjoyed keeping my husband and three children in check and on top of their own workloads at home, plus being able to spend more time cooking, reading, doing the odd 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle and going for walks in the sunshine. I have even picked up a cross stich that I actually started 18 years ago (lets hope I get it finished). I have kept in touch with family and friends via WhatsApp and Messenger chats, and we held a family ‘Zoom’ Party at the weekend to celebrate a 60th Birthday, with a guest appearance from the talented Dominic Brister to sing us all a few songs live.
Keep safe everyone and one day we will look back on this strange time as a distant memory, I very much look forward to seeing everyone back in School in due course.
Year 8 – Miss Mears ‘Keeping In Touch’
I have been dealing with student and parental emails on a daily basis, offering one to one advice and directing students to appropriate websites for information. I have also been offering help with "Show my homework" technical issues and directing students to the appropriate department.
To maintain contact with my whole year group, I have been sending out positive weekly "In touches". In order to be well-prepared for the next academic year, I am now starting to think about strategies for my role from September onwards with the next Year 8 cohort.
To keep busy and active I am taking long ( and very isolated!) daily walks with our dog and am doing weekly shops for other family members.
36 Issue 41: May 2020
36 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Year 9 — Mrs Grant ‘A Remote Year Lead!’
Being a 'Remote Year Lead' has presented an interesting challenge! Not seeing all my students is the obvious difference; however, it makes me proud to see the motivation and commitment to learning demonstrated on Show My Homework.
On speaking with my students I hear similar frustrations to those I am experiencing with my own children...mainly adapting to a new routine which requires great self discipline and, naturally, missing friends and the face-to-face teaching. Speaking with parents/carers it is clear that the support is high but that some are wary of the mental health impacts at varying levels. It is great that we can offer online support forums and reassure both students and parents/ carers that they are experiencing the same emotions as just about everyone else!
I will continue to contact and be available for all my Year and urge them to contact me, even if just as a break and an opportunity to chat about how they're feeling. It is second nature for them to come and find me at school to seek advice or simply talk things through, so they should now too! I miss hearing how things are with you Year 9!
For me, this pandemic has certainly reiterated the importance of, and value that a pastoral team brings to a school. We are not here to teach, persa, but to support and encourage emotionally. At this time, our job is as key as it is when we are physically with the students, and I am just pleased that modern technology allows us to stay in touch and help our young people stay positive and strong!
Thankfully the weather has allowed us to make the most of our allocate one hour of exercise... although I managed to put my back out after the second week - unusual amounts of playing football with my children, cycling and gardening I suspect! Also both my son and I had 'lockdown birthdays' so it was BBQ's and cake. Even that did not go as planned because I managed to burn a hole in the table from the BBQ, whoops!
Year 10—Miss Marchant ‘Just keep baking or is it swimming?’
I don’t know about you all but I have been trying to make the most of this strange situation.
While I’ve been stuck indoors, working from home, my main focus has been on the wellbeing and mental health of others who I know will be finding this situation difficult. So alongside supporting my Year 10 students and their parents when needed with a range of different queries, I have also been using some of my spare time volunteering for a national mental health charity called Shout.
As well as this I’ve been attempting to brush up my baking skills, so far it turns out I won’t be the next Mary Berry anytime soon…. As many of you know especially my Year 10’s, my dog Rufus is definitely getting bored of being taken out by my family and I, multiple times a day so we all get our daily exercise.
Though it is important to spend time focussing on developing skills and spending time with your families (I am sure many of you have been taking part in the PE lessons with Joe Wicks), it is equally as important to make sure you keep on top of your work, this will make the transition easier when it comes to getting back into the school routine.
But most importantly, I hope you are all keeping well and as my new Disney+ friend Dory would say “Just keep swimming”
37 Issue 41: May 2020
37 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Year 11—Miss Lynas ‘Supporting our Incredible Year 11s’
When I joined Bourne Academy in September 2018 supporting young people was a passion of mine. I was incredibly lucky to have been given the job of looking after the Year 11. I can honestly say that I absolutely love my job so even through lockdown my students are aware that I am always at the other end of an email or telephone if they need support.
I have been emailing students at the start of each week with support i.e. exam concerns and prom and sharing links to relevant websites that might help them through the lockdown and the uncertainty they face over their exam results. I have also made weekly phone calls to some families.
The pastoral support plays such an important role in a young persons school years and even throughout lockdown. The following is an extract from an email I received from one student after we closed for lockdown.
I try to answer all the emails on the same day in between trying to help my own daughter with her school work, painting the fences, getting my exercise each day walking the dog or exploring the countryside around Morton on my bike.
Year 11’s we will say goodbye and celebrate your time here at Bourne Academy, whenever that may be. I am immensely proud of all your hard work and achievements.
Sixth Form— Mrs Pickering ”Tries her Hand at Dog Grooming”
As my last day in school came very suddenly, a couple of days before everyone else, I was very sad not to have had the chance to say a proper good bye to Year 13 which we would normally do in the form of a leavers’ assembly and, for the majority of students, at prom. Hopefully we will get to see them on results day in August and find out all their plans.
My Fitbit told me that I was doing a lot less steps than I usually do when in school. I do a workout at home each morning ordinarily, so I have been doing additional sections and making this longer each day. My dogs have been having much longer walks and are exhausted at the end of each day because they are not used to having someone at home all the time so are not sleeping during the day.
I have missed being able to see my family as they live in different parts of the UK, particularly my little granddaughter who is seven months old and has learnt to crawl and stand since we last saw her. Thank goodness for video calls to keep in touch!
Like everyone, unless they live with a hairdresser, my hair is getting very long and is desperate for a cut. My dogs are cockapoos and were getting hot as their coats were so long so I had to resort to DIY haircuts for them. After seeing the results my husband, who had been nagging me to cut his hair, changed his mind!
I am finding that the smallest things which I took for granted before are now giving me immense pleasure, for example seeing a mother duck with her seven ducklings, a heron and a barn owl while out walking, being able to get a Click and Collect shopping slot and growing seeds to hopefully provide some colour for the garden. If I was able to get hold of a bag of flour I would be in heaven!
Please stay safe and remember to continue with the social distancing and stay at home, even though we are all finding it incredibly tedious now.
38 Issue 41: May 2020
38 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Sixth Form— Miss Double “Trying to get her steps in!”
With the Year 13 leaving at such short notice, it was quite an emotional last few days at school in March, when we realised that the exams were cancelled and all the hard work and future plans for revision was – what felt like – meaningless!
Just the day before we were notified of the plans for the school to close, I had two 6th form students speaking to Year 11 students about revision techniques. How to prepare themselves for 6th form. I am hoping that the students are remembering what I said – these are not revision techniques just to do well in exams, but they will help with lifelong learning. Whatever your future holds, the skill of planning, knowing how to learn and having the dedication to spend time learning– will help in your future careers.
Since we have not been at school, initially, I found my day to be quite different. I am usually rushing from one part of the school to the other. But now, I found I was walking downstairs and switching on the computer, this was around 7.45, I then sat down! I remain seated, setting work, writing emails and letters, responding to emails, and supporting students. I looked at the clock and realised it was 2.00 pm and I had not moved!
So – I decided I needed to add a little more structure to my day. At school, l regularly complete 10,000 steps by lunch time, I was managing approximately 50! My first port of call was Joe Wicks and his morning live PE lesson! I now make sure I am up, and I have set the necessary school work, before I take a break and complete the daily PE lesson with Joe. This gets me ready for the day. I then continue – with emails, the odd ZOOM meeting, and planning for the future.
At the same time, I am trying to support and motivate my children – getting them out of bed at a reasonable time, so they can complete the required school work set on a daily basis. As with all teenage children, this can be a demanding job, trying to encourage without it ending up with one huge argument and everyone feeling angry and annoyed.
I have also been fortunate to find the time to do a little more baking – so I have jumped on the band wagon and made the all-important banana bread!
During the Easter break, I managed to make contact with many families, all of whom are in the same boat – trying to motivate older teenagers to get up and out of bed to complete the school work. Most of the Year 12 students are doing exceptionally well, completing all the work set and learning how to work independently with little teacher supervision. Meeting deadlines without constant nagging (from a teacher anyway!) New computer skills for some!
We have maintained communication with both Year 12 and Year 13 by preparing the students for their next steps. Year 13 have been kept up to date with the UCAS process, or if they are planning on gaining an apprenticeship or job, what they could be doing to prepare themselves for on-line interviews! The Year 12 students have been asked to complete a survey which asks the students if they are contemplating university, employment or apprenticeships. So, we can start preparing work to support the students with their future choices.
We have also communicated with the Year 11 students who are planning on coming to Bourne Academy 6th form – helping them to use their time preparing them for independent learning when they are in the 6th form. Further communication regarding subject choices and how to prepare for these subjects in 6th form will follow.
In the meantime, I will continue with Joe Wicks, and a walk in the evening – to make up for sitting in a chair for far too long! At least the weather is fantastic and allows us all to get outside!
39 Issue 41: May 2020
39 Issue 26: October 2017 Pastoral Update
Careers — Mrs Barber
Even though we are not at school I have been busy supporting sixth form students with their Post 18 choices, supporting students who have decided to make late university applications and helping those who are applying for jobs and apprenticeships.
Each week I have continued to set the ‘Job of the Week’ for all students, so they can research and see what different careers and job roles are out there. It has been fantastic to have many students engage with this and request specific jobs for me to focus on.
I have also been very busy improving the Careers section of the school website, making sure that it has all the most up to date information for students, parents/carers and employers.
In addition to my own schoolwork, I have been supporting my own children with their studies, sometimes it has been a challenge, but it has also given me an insight into what they study. I am really enjoying it. I have also been doing lots of baking which my family has enjoyed, although it is not good for my waist line!
During this period of lockdown, I celebrated my birthday. It was a very different day to my usual birthday celebrations, but my family made my day very special. My daughter made me a showstopper birthday cake which we all enjoyed. I had lovely gifts left on my doorstep and lots of Zoom calls from friends and family. The hardest part was not being able to give everyone a birthday hug!
Given the current situation with COVID-19 and seeing how hard the NHS and all the amazing doctors and nurses are working, I decided I wanted to help in some way. I joined the national campaign ‘For the Love of Scrubs’. This campaign has reached out to many people asking for their help in making scrubs, hats and wash bags for the doctors and nurses working in hospitals across the country. I was rather daunted to begin with as I had not done any sewing since I left school several years ago! I am now proud to say that to date I have made 20 wash bags, 10 hats and 7 sets of scrubs, all of which are being used by frontline NHS workers.
One of the most enjoyable parts of doing this good deed, is that I have taught my daughter how to sew and use a sewing machine, a very valuable life skill to have.
Here are some examples of scrubs I have made:
40 Issue 41: May 2020
40 Issue 26: October 2017 School Information
Bourne Academy Uniform Shop COVID-19 Update Please note at present our Opening Hours Uniform Shop is closed.
(including half term) Tuesdays 3.00pm – 6.00pm We will reopen when we have been advised it is safe to do so. Thursdays 8.00am – 11.30am Students in receipt of Free School Meals receive a 50% We will keep you updated. discount on items.
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) is a professional organisation that advances geography and supports geographers around the world. Each year they run a competition to find the Young Geographer of the Year. This year’s competition gives you the chance to explore the potential that geography holds. Although we might all be confined to our homes, the RGS is asking you to explore your wider geographical horizons by providing entries about:
What do I need to do? KS3 and KS4 students need to produce an A3 size poster that describes geographical ideas (at least 2 for KS3, at least 3 for KS4) and includes annotated images, diagrams, charts or maps. This can be hand-made (then sent in electronically via a scanned copy or photograph) or using PowerPoint, word, publisher or PDF, etc. KS5 students need to produce an Esri Story Map containing no more than 1,500 words.
Prizes A small prize will be awarded by school for the best entry in each Year and all entries will be submitted to the national competition. If you are lucky enough to win the national competition, you will be invited to London for the prize- giving!
If you are interested in entering please email Mrs Crooks ([email protected]) for more details – entries must be submitted through the school.
41 Issue 41: May 2020
41 Issue 26: October 2017 Emotional Support
Your Emotional Wellbeing
Just like your physical health, there are things you can do to look after your mental health and wellbeing, no matter who you are or how you're feeling.
Many of the support organisations that are out there are offering support not only to children but also their parents/ carers. Childline says “It can be difficult to cope when there’s so much changing around us. You might be worried about schools closing, friends or relatives getting ill or what'll happen in the future………...The news can be scary, and it can be hard to know what’s true and whether you should be scared. Whatever you’re going through, Childline wants to help”.
Samaritans acknowledge that we will not have the social interaction that we are used to and for some this vital they state “It’s normal that this will affect your mood, and it’s something we’d really encourage you to talk about, however you can, via video messaging, over the phone, texting or over the garden fence. Whilst we are physically isolated, it’s more important than ever for us to feel socially connected, so try and reach out to people to talk, and try to be there to listen to others.”
Young Minds offers support for parents and carers stating “It’s normal for children and young people to feel worried or anxious at the moment. We’ve all experienced sudden changes in our lives and routines – and we’re living with lots of uncertainty about the coming weeks. For some young people, the coronavirus pandemic may also worsen or trigger anxi- eties they were already struggling with.” and gives five things parents/carers can do to support their children.
Every Mind Matters the NHS website is where everyone can make a start. There are simple actions and steps we can all take that can help us manage feelings of stress, anxiety, low mood or when we are struggling to get to sleep.
From tips on how to get more physical activity, to mindful breathing exercises and advice on how to reframe unhelpful thoughts, all the information and advice in Every Mind Matters has been developed with experts and approved by the NHS.
Every Mind Matters has a dedicated section on their website for coronavirus and they state “Taking care of your mind as well as your body is really important while staying at home because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You may feel bored, frus- trated or lonely. You may also be low, worried or anxious, or concerned about your finances, your health or those close to you.
It's important to remember that it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these feelings will pass. Staying at home may be difficult, but you are helping to protect yourself and others by doing it.”
They offer tips and advice on their site of things you can do now to help you keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with how you may feel while staying at home. They say “Make sure you get further support if you feel you need it.”
On the next page you will find links to various organisations if you need support.
42 Issue 41: May 2020
42 Issue 26: October 2017 Emotional Support
Looking after your mental health https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every
-mind-matters/
0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk (free 24 hour)
Online counselling service
(12pm-10pm Monday to Friday and www.kooth.com 6pm-10pm Saturday and Sunday)
Support for emotional wellbeing www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ewb and mental health
Mental health information and www.youngminds.org.uk guidance
PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK www.papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk/ 0800 068 41 41
Advice and help for young people www.cwmt.org.uk
Information, advice and counsel- www.youthaccess.org.uk ling for young people
Text 85258 Self-harm Suicidal thoughts www.giveusashout.org/get-help Bullying
Relationship problems
Free 24-hour listening support
116 123 www.samaritans.org Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you
43 Issue 41: May 2020
43 Issue 26: October 2017 House News
GALILEO:
Head of House: Mr Dennis House Captains: Louise Bridle, Owen Cox Charity Captains: Lydia Dean, Bethanie Cummins, Meredith Marsh, Phoebe Smith, Isla Delplanque, Holly Rutherford, Katie Burley, Thomas Anica, Rhiannon Hall, Holly Addams, Jak Heaton, Ethan Sharpe Chosen Local Charity: LIVES Chosen National Charity: Cancer Research UK
Recent Achievements: Friday 13th is thought to be unlucky for some but this was not the case for the Year 7 students who won the Year 7 The Big Row event, added to by a respectable 2nd place finish from the Year 8s saw Galileo finish in 4th position overall. This was part of a fantastic Sport Relief day which included the large inflatable obstacle course providing much entertainment for both students and staff alike! Well done to all who got involved in the day and raised a fantastic amount of money for charity.
Head of House Message: This is my first message to you as the new Head of Galileo House, in what are challenging times. Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Palmer for the fantastic foundations she put into place with Galileo House before the arrival of baby Palmer in February. We are currently in unprecedented times where our everyday activities, including regular school days, are not possible. So, I would like to take this opportunity to say I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during this strange time. I’m sure we all look forward to getting back to normality when it is safe to do so.
Best Wishes
Mr Dennis
HEREWARD:
Head of House: Mrs Lawson House Captains: Matthew Henderson, Lydia Ellis and Amy Taylor Charity Captains: Billie Marshall, Lucy Abbey, Lewis Jackson and Ryan Pell Chosen Local Charity: Sue Ryder Hospice Chosen National Charity: Guide Dogs
Head of House Message: Hello to all those in Hereward House. Congratulations to Ruby Clingo in R2 who completed the 30day challenge and received a super certificate in recognition of her achievements. I know many of you are doing great things and producing some fabulous work whilst in lock down. Also I bet you are making time for others in your home and helping in what ever way you can. How many of you have created a beautiful rainbow picture for your window in honour of those working through this pandemic to show your support? As an artist I have made a few pictures myself and find great comfort in being creative and I do hope you are finding creative ways to cope with the situation we find ourselves in. Unfortunately it looks like sports day is cancelled! Shame as I feel we certainly would have won it this year!!!! Well one and all.... onwards and upwards. Take care and stay safe until we can be together again...... misssing you all ....yes even you (blank) ......
Best Wishes Mrs Lawson One of Mrs Lawson’s Paintings
44 Issue 41: May 2020
44 Issue 26: October 2017 House News
WARWICK:
Head of House: Mr Cole House Captains: Jodie Cooke, Keelan Ozkan, Edward Linsdell, Charlie Walton, Romy Hawksworth Charity Captains: Oscar Kapolka, Caiden Peacher, Tegan Wyche, Cerys Walker, Erin Geddes, Lucy Cooper, George Barber Chosen Local Charity: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Chosen National Charity: NSPCC
Head of House Message : Well this is certainly more than a little different. Firstly I hope that you're all safe and well at this time and looking after one another. These are certainly unprecedented times and I have been blown away by the mature approach many of our students have shown during this time. Work that is being set is diligently being completed by students without complaining or moaning (to us at least!) and students seem to be taking all this in their stride. Well done! Blue house, and other students, we all miss seeing you in school and working alongside you. Keep safe, keep well and keep impressing us with your resilience and commitment to your education. See you soon.
Best Wishes
Mr Cole
KELLER:
Head of House: Mr Cepelak House Captains: Archie Hay, Roseanna Clarke, Reece Warren Charity Captains: Various amongst the Yellow House Forms Chosen Local Charity: Rainbow Schools Chosen National Charity: Duchenne UK
Head of House Message: I hope these words find you in good health, and that it won’t be long before we can once again communicate by slightly less formal means than a newsletter. These are difficult times for students and staff alike, and my most recent difficulty has been trying to find the words to describe a “lost” term. While pondering what to write about when I haven’t seen a single student in almost two months, I find myself reflecting on all the things I miss about school.
One of my favourite events in the school calendar is our fortnightly House Assembly, where I get to share thoughts and ideas about current affairs and the very nature of our co-existence. We recently had a joint assembly on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Rather than dwell on the immense suffering endured by so many, we celebrated the colossal efforts of a few people who made some huge differences to the plight of so many during the Second World War. People like Oscar Schindler, Leopold Socha, Kurt Gerstein, Wilhelm Hosenfeld and Nicholas Winton, to name but a few. These were people who refused to simply “stand by”. These huge efforts were necessary because often the masses were genuinely unaware of what was happening in their own countries, or even in their own “back yards”. In a world where you can now pick up your phone and find out what’s happening anywhere in the world, I wonder whether we’ll ever again be able to use the excuse “I didn’t know” for our inaction.
So, am I saying I miss House Assemblies? No... I miss a community of young people who I feel might be part of the generation that finally puts mass persecution to bed for good. Why? Because every day that I go to work, I see evidence of young people refusing to “stand by”. I see individuals standing up for themselves in the face of injustice, and very often standing up for others when they could have simply turned away. I have seen our young people giving up their free time to help others with their studies, 6th form students volunteering as mentors for some of our more vulnerable youngsters, and even (a few years ago) a student regularly helping a severely disabled friend and classmate with toilet visits. We often fall over ourselves to laud those people who have made a public (and admittedly big) contribution, but are so often blind to the small contributions being made every day by those around us. Those small, but very important, contributions are being made by you, our students (and by your children if you are a parent reading this). I believe that when everyone decent person in the world is prepared to “stand up” rather than “stand by”, the tyrants will have nowhere to turn, and we will no longer need to rely on the big contributions; and our school community is bursting at the seams with decent human beings! So every time I turn on the TV and see what a mess ‘my generation’ has made of the world we live in, I can’t wait to get back to school to be surrounded by the hope and potential that our younger, and more informed, generation holds; I really am looking forward to the return of normality.
From a purely Keller House perspective, I am aware of how much effort everyone has been putting into their studies, and have been asked to make a few special mentions: Ilka Spasojevic, Amye Halliday, Frankie Taylor, Joshua Lindley, Joseph Summers, Florence Allen, Ethan Byatt and Kayleigh Clare. Well done ladies and gents, and please don’t think that not being mentioned here is any reflection on your efforts. Every bit of work you are doing now is testament to your tenacity and indomitable spirit, and every bit of that work will pay dividends in the long run. Keep up the good work everyone! That’s it for now. Until next time... Take care of yourselves, and keep being awesome! Mr Cepelak
45 Issue 41: May 2020
45 Issue 26: October 2017 House News
TURNER Head of House: Mrs Dunn House Captains: Caitlin Roche Charity Captain: Jess Pottle Chosen Local Charity: Alzheimer’s Society Peterborough Chosen National Charity: Breast Cancer Now
Recent Achievements: I have been keeping up with everyone via the positive points allocated on Show my Homework. Well done to all of those who are managing to complete everything that is being set for you from your teachers. Keep up the good work.
Head of House Message: It seems like such a long time since being at Bourne Academy with the fantastic Turner students. I really hope you are all safe at home with your families and managing to find some structure in your days as well as perhaps trying a new hobby? Although a while ago now, back in March we had Sports Relief and I haven't had chance to thank the Turner students for their generosity and involvement in the week long activities that took place. I saw loads of students getting involved in the Interhouse Dodgeball tournaments as well as the inflatable assault course in PE lessons on the Friday. It felt like a fantastic atmosphere in there with so much money raised. Please continue to be safe and I really hope to see you back at Bourne Academy soon.
Best Wishes
Mrs Dunn
MAYS:
Head of House: Mr Leonard House Captains: Melissa Hudson, Mariusz Tomicki Charity Captain: Diana Zorilla and Stefania Oleksiewicz Chosen Local Charity: Counselling and Support for Young People Chosen National Charity: Cancer Research UK
Recent Achievements: From what seems like an eternity ago, on Friday 13th March the school raised money for Sport Relief. After what was a great week of physical activity and sport we managed to raise over £1600! This was an outstanding achievement so thank you to all students (and staff) that took part.
Head of House Message: During what is a surreal and extremely tough time for everyone to adapt to, I hope that all of our students and their families are keeping safe. Our school community is one that is close knit and extremely supportive so I am sure that being away from friends, colleagues and families for both students and staff alike has been something that has been difficult to contend with. Things will get better and something I have told Mays house students before is to remember that 'When it rains look for rainbows and when its dark look for stars'. I look forward to seeing all my amazing Mays House students again soon. Stay Safe.
Best Wishes
Mr Leonard
46 Issue 41: May 2020
46 Issue 26: October 2017