THE LINK et cdme rs Newsletter Academies Trust Delta Events are back

ISSUE No. 15 - JUNE 2021 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Welcome Serlby Park: Mayor Holly Exemplary Serlby Park student Holly has been voted in as Bassetlaw Youth Mayor. She will hold the post a year and be an ambassador for children and Welcome to the latest young people. Holly will celebrate edition of The Link. their achievements, as well as be This edition gives us a taste of life an excellent role model. after lockdown and the prospect Throughout her term she will of getting back to normal. It also attend compulsory events like gives us a flavour of the exciting Remembrance Day, and chosen projects taking place across the events such as fitness and mental trust. While restrictions have health, as she feels strongly about remained, the last few weeks have both. felt more like normal, and we can Holly has been a member of plan with a little more confidence. the Bassetlaw Youth Council, One thing our staff and children organised by Bassetlaw Council, across the trust can look forward for three years and was nominated to, is visiting our fabulous for Mayor, which she won. Environmental Education Centre The Year 11 is studying 7 GCSEs at Dallowgill, in the heart of the with predicted grades of 9 in all Yorkshire Dales. We took another subjects. important step towards its opening last week when Trevor Holmes was She has a clear vision for her appointed as our centre manager. future and plans to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Geography Trevor already worked for the at A Level and hopes to study Trust and was based at Ryecroft medicine at Sheffield University. Academy. In between her studies and her I would like to thank the six pupils Bassetlaw Youth Mayor Holly mayoral duties, Holly runs and from England Lane - Lennox, Lexi, swims competitively. Lilly, Joshua, Mylie and Cole - who joined us for the interviews (see page 5). I was most impressed by the De Lacy: Team’s fighting talk professional manner in which they approached their task. They were Students from De Lacy Academy took on more than 40 private a credit to their Academy. I was also reassured that we made the and selective schools from across the world in an international right choice when the panel agreed with the student panel, it just took debating competition. us slightly longer to get there. The 5 Year 11s - Shane, I would like to thank staff involved Angela, Tyler, Stephanie and in Year 6 and Year 11 assessments. Maddison – gave up their The disappointing news that tests weekend to represent school and exams were again cancelled and country in the event was made bitter sweet after the hosted live from India by The hard work and efforts of students Rotary Club in New Delhi. and staff. After a loss on their first I’m confident that given the debate, the academy team professionalism of our teachers came out fighting and won and leaders, pupils and students their next one. will be awarded the qualifications Tyler was awarded the best that reflect their effort and ability. speaker award in that round. Once again, you have made a real While they did not make it to difference to the lives of children in the finals, all really enjoyed the our Trust and their communities. event and even made friends This will be our last issue before with some of the international “It was a great experience for our debate and their ability to keep the end of the academic year. May students. academy and our students,” they cool under pressure.” I take this opportunity to wish you Assistant Principals Nic said. A huge congratulations to Tyler an enjoyable and restful summer. Taberner and Rob Howell “We were really proud of how for his best speaker award. Paul Tarn organised De Lacy’s our students engaged with the Chief Executive Officer involvement.

2 DELTA CHARITY

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Serlby Park: Mayor Holly Willow Green: Wacky total Competitors in Willow Green Academy’s Race for Life raised an amazing £5,187.00 plus £988.50 gift aid. It was organised by Assistant Teigan, in Year 5, said: “I feel proud Principal Ash Duncan and the staff of the whole school. I cannot team. believe how much we’ve raised.” He said: “We initially set a target for And Addison, also in Year 5, went the school of £1,000 and thought on: “It was so much fun, I just want that it would be amazing if we got to do it again. anywhere near that. “It’s great that we can have fun and “To hit this total is incredible and help others at the same time.” just goes to show the support we A Year 3 parent fed back it was have here in the community for “great” to attend an event like this good causes.” again in school. Head of Academy Christopher “The organisation was superb and Parkinson said: “The children have even though we were having to really taken to this event and the follow the COVID rules it felt great challenge of raising money for to be back. The kids really enjoyed such a good cause. it.” “I have no doubt that it has been It was the first event since their efforts in raising the profile of lockdown where parents could be Race for Life that has led to such invited to watch children take part As is tradition with the Race for Life an unbelievable final total.” in an activity. events, the course began with a group warm up conducted to the Thanks to the organisation of the sound of music. Even some of the whole Willow Green team and the parents were seen dancing along. superb cooperation of the parents and carers, the event was a huge After completing the course, success. the children received an official Race for Life medal to mark their All of the children from Reception achievements. to Year 6 completed specially- designed obstacle courses while The money raised will make a being cheered on by parents and difference in the fight against carers. cancer and Willow Green pupils, parents and staff should be proud of their efforts.

De Lacy: Team’s fighting talk Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who donated.

3 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Garforth: Calm Ruby’s 999 drama with school and said she kept calm Premier actions from a Garforth Academy pupil which helped her by reminding herself that help was father, United’s matchday announcer, receive emergency on the way. Ruby said: “I had to keep an eye treatment have been praised. on how he was breathing to make Leigh Nicholson (42), suffering Ruby had had an online first aid “I had to lie down and managed sure it wasn’t getting any worse. I heart problems, had begun to lesson only two weeks before. to dial 999, said ambulance, then was told to try and keep him calm hyperventilate and managed to call Leigh said: “I felt like I couldn’t get that’s when I had to hand over the as well as try and keep myself and an ambulance, but was unable to a full breath into my lungs, I had a phone to Ruby and she handled it my brother calm. speak. really bad night. from there.” “It was a bit much at the time. I had His children, 12-year-old Ruby and “In the morning it started to get Ruby checked her dad’s breathing to ring my mum as well to make 10-year-old Jack, stepped in to worse and worse. My arms and while waiting for the first responder sure she knew what was going on, speak to the 999 operator, keeping legs started to feel numb, I started to arrive, all while keeping her dad and keep my Grandma updated their dad calm and liaising with to go really dizzy and my heart was and little brother calm. with everything. their mum - who was at work at racing - it felt like it was going to She had just received online “I just thought to myself - the first Leeds General Infirmary. burst out my chest. training on how to administer CPR responder is on their way. And I had just done a lesson on CPR a couple of weeks before this. I was preparing for the worst.” Leigh was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition which causes an irregular and often fast heartbeat. He was given medication to help his heart rate come down before being discharged later that day and will see a cardiology specialist to discuss how to manage the condition. Leigh, who is well known among Leeds United fans, shared his story on Twitter and was flooded with hundreds of messages. Ruby and Jack were praised for keeping level-headed and the brave pair even received the offer of an Amazon voucher as a well- done gift for their actions. “They deserve that and so much more”, Leigh said. “It makes me well up, I’m incredibly proud of how calm and level- headed Ruby was. It’s a situation that you never expect your children to be in.”

• Story and picture courtesy of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

A special story was unearthed when a Year 9 pupil studying the Windrush generation at Garforth went home to discuss the issue further with her family. Eve discovered her grandfather began weightlifting. shared her story with her class. had been one of those to arrive His career went from strength “He had been through a lot, from Jamaica and had gone on to to strength and, in Tokyo in good and bad, as I have recently be the first black Paralympian to 1964, he became the first black found out what those things were represent Great Britain. Paralympian to represent Great and I was surprised he had the After arriving, Ralph Rowe Britain. willpower to do all these sports (pictured right) had begun He came away from these games after,” Eve said. working in construction. with a bronze medal and improved “He was a complicated man, Unfortunately, his spine was this further with a silver from Tel personally. I remember going to permanently damaged in a Aviv in 1968. his funeral, and I saw pictures building accident, and he spent Finally, after dedicating his life of him training, and I could not “I guess that I wouldn’t be alive if the remainder of his life in a to the sport, he received a gold believe it. it weren’t for Britain shipping over wheelchair. medal in heavy weightlifting at the “I’d never seen him like that all those Jamaicans.” Despite the challenges faced, he Heidelberg Games in 1972. Eve before.

4 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter England Lane: Pupils’ starring role

Six pupils from England Lane Primary helped select the person to lead the Trust’s exciting environmental education centre at Dallowgill. The upper Key Stage 2 children reflections to the adults on the Chief Executive Officer Paul Pupils voted for their favourite were drafted in to represent panel. Tarn, who led the formal candidate and chose the one the opinions of children across “The day was the perfect interviews at Education House who was offered the role. Delta. opportunity for the children to in Knottlingley for Dallowgill’s It was brilliant to see that Head of Academy Helen Prout experience real life democracy Environmental Education Centre everyone agreed. Manager, was on a panel behind said: “The pupils posed a and gain an insight into the Gillian Wiles, Deputy CEO and series of challenging questions, employment world. the pupils when they asked their questions to each candidate. responsible for primaries, was all written by themselves, “They had a fantastic day and also impressed with the pupils that explored the values were thoroughly proud of their He was impressed with the and said they would make and characteristics of each contribution to the Trust, not pupils’ conduct and they had fantastic role models for the candidate to determine the to mention their delight at the a lot of input into the final entire Trust. best fit before providing their prospect of visiting Dallowgill!” decision. Craven: Lab rascals Exciting hands-on science activities to support and enhance the curriculum were led by visitors Lab Rascals across Key Stages 1 and 2 at Craven Primary Academy. Years 1 and 2 explored polymers was amazing, I loved using the dry and experimented with natural and ice and seeing the reactions. It was man-made materials. loads of fun.” Years 4 and 5 had some great fun Nina in Year 1 described the visit as with dry ice, along with other states “really good and fun”. of matter. “I learned how to make slime and Years 3 worked with dry about snails,” she said. “The snail ice volcanoes that simulate was huge, I couldn’t believe it!” earthquakes and Year 6 got hands Sarah thanked Lab Rascals for the on with DNA exploration. visit. The visit was organised by science “The children had some extremely lead Sarah Holmes and was memorable experiences and were popular with pupils. really able to enhance their science Year 3 have a ‘wow’ moment with their dry ice volcanoes. Alex, in Year 4, said: “The session knowledge,” she said.

5 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Manor Croft: Staff fast for Ramadan Staff took part in a fast to mark Ramadan and help celebrate diversity at Manor Croft Academy.

Assistant Principal Kellie Wilby receives her Iftar box Iftar boxes for staff who took part in the day – from teaching assistant Afifa Mayat and English HLTA containing homemade treats, including a date to open Rubina Raje. their fast with. PE teacher Zack Levers receives his Iftar box.

More than 20 accepted the challenge to fast and vice versa, has had a positive impact in “I was watching the clock from 19:00 right for a day to mark the holy month in the Islamic our school community, allowing us to truly through to 20:31 when I knew my fast could be calendar. celebrate the diversity that we have at Manor broken. It was organised by Maha Mohsin, Associate Croft Academy.” “I was so proud of myself when the time came Assistant Principal and Head of Science, who Principal David Hewitt said: “The best part to break my fast and was so grateful for the treat launched it in an assembly. was the dialogue between students in all year box that I had been given to do this. Many Muslim students and staff fasted during groups about Ramadan.” “I savoured every mouthful and was so thankful Ramadan and students were taught why they Lead Maths Teacher and Deputy Subject Leader that, after a day where I struggled, I did have did so and what a typical day of fasting consists for Maths Kathryn Darwin had felt more in the opportunity to eat. It made me reflect that of. tune with colleagues and students celebrating others don’t.” Maha said: “While this is a challenge, many Ramadan. History teacher Carolyn Wheatley had been Muslims use this time as way to reflect on “The sense of community it encouraged was the “inspired by the assembly led by Miss Mohsin” themselves and consider their actions. best part for me,” she said. to take part in the fast. “A key thread throughout the month was the “Colleagues and students have been more “I was surprised that I did manage to avoid importance of kindness - all students were open in sharing their experiences and have eating throughout the school day, but the encouraged to be mindful of their own actions been willing to talk much more openly about challenge came when I got home,” she said. and to make an extra effort. Ramadan and their religion. “A big positive was being able to talk “At Manor Croft we fully appreciate the “The support we got from our Muslim colleagues openly with the students who were fasting challenges of fasting - PE staff adjusted lessons on our fast day was phenomenal. during Ramadan about their own experiences - to support, and quiet rooms were in place for “We were checked on throughout the day and so many students asked if I was taking part and reflection at lunchtimes. even got a beautiful Iftar box to break our fast. how I was finding it. “All staff were asked to consider challenging “I would 100% recommend it to anyone. “It was also special as I realised that I was themselves to fast for a day. Sharing the experience was a privilege and I will breaking the fast at the same moment as so “We had a massive turnout – over 20 staff certainly do it again.” many other people across the country. accepted the challenge, and every single one of Allyson Lay, HR Manager/Principal’s PA said “Taking part for just one day gave me a renewed them succeeded – fasting the full 17 hours. initially she had not really had much experience admiration for the students and staff at Manor “Most found that the lack of water was the or knowledge of the Muslim faith. Croft who fast throughout Ramadan and hardest, but persevered. continue to work and participate fully in school “This year has been different - having a life.” “Students were encouraged to donate money diverse team of staff here at Manor Croft, we and our student leaders chose the local charity, have taken Ramadan and launched it into the Adam Bin Yusuf, Regional Liaison Officer for the Ummah Welfare Trust. spotlight to join our Muslim colleagues and Ummah Welfare Trust, thanked the Academy. “We collected over £140 and decided to donate students. “We are very happy that you have shown this to the UK poverty project that the charity “My day started off very well, I did not miss the support to us and are delighted with your runs in the local community. food and water until probably about noon when fundraising initiative by students and teachers.” “The conversations between staff and students I really needed a drink.

6 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Lower Fields: Teacher inspires poetry An inter-school poetry competition was inspired by a Lower Fields Primary Academy teacher and her pupils.

One entry, from Petra in Year 4, was: My name is Petra and here are my rhymes, About Mr Ranton and Mrs Grimes, They are both great and kind and good, And taught us through lockdown the best that they could. They took it in turns to teach us on Zoom, From their own homes or in the classroom, Pupils who entered the competition Charlie, Darryl, William, Petra, Olivia, Aqsa, Dolly, Jeremy, Suzanne and Evie. They worked really hard to help us to learn, So we could stay smart until our schools return. The poet who organised awarded by Bradford Council to it said it offered an opportunity people working in the district’s I’d like to say thank you for all you have done, for children to appreciate their creative industry. You made learning in lockdown lots of fun. teachers through poetry. Many children created a poetry And to all of the teachers in our school, Parent Sharena Lee Satti had postcard under the theme ‘Heroes been inspired, in particular, by Are Teachers’. I think you are all so super cool. Deborah Crossland at Lower Children at Lower Fields wrote Fields and her pupils. poems in school or at home The project was selected as following a special assembly to part of the Response2 grants, introduce the competition. Pheasant Bank: Bell ends Tommy’s battle Rapturous applause greeted Pheasant Bank Academy pupil Tommy when he rang a bell to mark the end of three years of treatment for leukaemia. The Academy and his Nanna organised the ceremony for the Year 5 Pupil Head Teacher, which was concluded by ringing the bell in the hall. He was joined by classmates, family and staff and his chemotherapy nurse attended via Zoom. Tommy said: “It was exciting to ring the bell in front of my friends and family and an exhilarating afternoon.” Classmate Grace said: “It was a special occasion to show Tommy’s strength and resilience. “What an exciting and emotional afternoon.” His perseverance during this time The event also included readings is something everybody’s proud from his peers, pizza, music of and he continues to light up the and fun on the Academy’s new academy with his incredible smile. playground. Head of Academy Ryan Schofield Throughout his time at Pheasant said: “I would like to thank all staff Bank, Tommy has inspired so involved in the preparation for this many children and staff due to his event.” caring and happy nature.

7 DELTA REMOTE LEARNING

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Laurel language Language ambassadors from Sheffield University inspired Year 9 students at The . The virtual meeting offered a chance to link language learning to the world outside of the classroom, a priority of Eleasia Dennis, Head of Faculty, Modern Foreign Languages at the Academy. Year 9 students quizzed Adrian, Abigail and Rajpal from Sheffield University on topics such as: What other subject do you also get to study if you do a language? Katie, Jorja and Jessica. What are you planning on doing when you go abroad? The Laurel students also What is the biggest advantage of had a chance to hear Two students who took part in the virtual call Bailey (left) and Andrejs having a second language? about what university life is like in ‘normal’ times, as well as draw If I studied French at university, similarities between lockdown The experience had encouraged Bailey said: “It made me open to would I get the chance to study in learning experiences. Andrejs to do more research on thinking about studying languages France? Katie said: “It was good because what opportunities studying a like Mandarin.” What is university life like? we heard from younger and language can offer. In a positive, informative and fun older students. They all spoke exchange, students found out different languages and that was whatever language is studied interesting.” at school, in most cases they Jorja found out how many jobs use Don Valley: New can start one of their choices at languages. university, combine languages and computing, engineering and even “Even ones I didn’t think had reading strategy take a football module! anything to do with languages.” has devised a reading strategy this year to support De Lacy: Star students students with a consistent approach to reading. This led to a whole-school reading lesson, delivered at the same time to Key Stage 3 classes, where students tackled reading a challenging article from the New York Times. The article focused on social Two language media and the TikTok company, enthusiasts at De Lacy allowing students to explore how multi-national companies Academy have been use their products to target ranking in the world’s individuals as consumers. top 10 for an online Students discussed the article’s context, decoded challenging learning platform. vocabulary and meanings, Veda and Vidita, in Year 8, and annotated thoughts and Students have followed this up have been consistently in the responses to sections of the in English and made a social top 10 active students on article. media pledge regarding their use Languagenut since last year They also created a developed of social media, and tickets have and, at one point, they were written response to the outcome been designed by every student first and fifth. question: “Why do we need in Key Stage 3 to form a whole- Both have made an excellent to tread carefully with social school display. start during their first year at media?” De Lacy and excelled in many subjects, none more so than French. Congratulations to talented Don Valley Year 7 student A massive “well done” from Lillie who has gained a place at York Dance Scholars. Joshua Ellis who is super She auditioned via video and the next step in her dance career will proud of them. start in September 2021. The Academy’s extremely proud of Lillie and Keep up the hard work. her exciting achievement.

8 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Melior: Students graduate with honours Congratulations to Year 9 students at Melior Community Academy who graduated from the Scholars’ Programme. Organised by the Brilliant Club, It was arranged in school by it aims to achieve successful Lead Teacher, Associate SLT/ outcomes for students in Key SEN Coordinator Melanie Nixon, Stage 4, opening opportunities to supported by teaching assistant those who are disadvantaged. Allison Peden. This year, Melior Community Melanie said it had been “an Academy expanded it to feeder absolute privilege” to be the Lead primary schools, allowing Year 6 Teacher with the Brilliant Club. students the opportunity to study “Providing such unique the programme. opportunities for students to get a It gives students an experience of glimpse of university life, has not university learning to assist them only broadened their horizons but to make informed decisions about has provided them with a sense of Back row (right to left): Melanie Nixon, Chloe, Jodie (Year 9 students) and Allison Peden. their futures and helps them stand belief,” she said. Front Row: Nathan, Charley and Gracie (all Year 9s). out.

Charley Gracie Jodie Nathan Chloe

The Scholars’ Programme places “It is marvellous to watch their grit Jodie described the programme as “I worked hard and was very happy university researchers (PhD Tutors) and determination to succeed and “amazing”. with my grade.” in schools, to give students the see how their confidence builds “This experience has given me Allison said working with the experience of university-style throughout the journey. confidence in my writing and now I students on the programme had learning. “I would like to thank the students am confident that I can do anything demonstrated exceptional, hard- Tutorial groups of six study a for engaging and succeeding in I set my mind to. I would definitely working, and resilient individuals in supra-curricular topic designed to the programme and wish them do this again as it was a great the academy. stretch and challenge them. every success for their futures success.’ “I am immensely proud of all the At the end of the programme after moving on from secondary Chloe said: “By the end of the students who took part in the students complete a final education.” programme I learned to develop programme. assignment, which is marked in Student Nathan said the Scholars’ new skills and communicate with “They all developed new skills university style, with students Programme had given him a first people more. and worked hard to complete the receiving a 1st, 2.1, 2.2 etc look at university, which made him “By completing the course and course. Usually, students visit a well-known want to go even more. graduating it has made me feel a “I was honoured to be a part of UK university and attend there to “The experience was challenging lot more confident in my work. graduate. the graduation and to congratulate without overload and the tutor was “I think it has been an incredible them on their achievements.” This year, students have worked very supportive,” he said. experience for me and if I had particularly hard to access their The Academy’s looking forward to Gracie said: “I highly enjoyed the another chance like this, I would sessions online and motivate continuing its journey with Year 6 programme. definitely take it.” themselves to work from home. students and see them graduate Unfortunately, their university “It enhanced skills I never knew And Charley added: “Taking part this summer, as well as starting the visit and graduation took place at I had and proved to me I had in the Scholars’ Programme made programme next academic term Melior online in conjunction with potential and a strong drive. me feel lucky as I knew that I had with Key Stage 4. Cambridge University. “The programme was very been chosen to do it. The room was decorated out with challenging but that’s what pushed banners and balloons, a red carpet, me to complete it. It was definitely Champagne flutes and sparkles. worth it, and I would for sure do it Students wore cap and gowns and again.” were presented with a scroll and a framed certificate, to mark their graduation. 9 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Whitgift Wybers: award Words are winners Children had much fun on Vocab Day at Wybers Wood. This is to certify that John Whitgift Academy They could dress up as a word has been assessed and accredited as such as fragile, artistic, bubbly and “fully meeting all the accreditation criteria incorporating the Gatsby unique. Benchmarks” for the national quality award for its Throughout the day, each class did careers education, information, advice and guidance provision. something to do with vocabulary.

The award is for a period of 3 years, There was a buzz around school expiring on______3rd December 2023 and the children had a lot of fun Signed: ______dressing up as a word. Michele Squire Careers Education Strategic Manager Prospects Education Resources We can’t wait to see the children Awarded on ______03/12/2020 by______as a Licensed Awarding Body for the national using all the amazing words in their Quality in Careers Standard writing now! A big thanks to Amy Littlewood High standards in careers (teacher) for organising the day. provision at John Whitgift Academy has been recognised with a top award. The National Quality in Careers Standard is awarded to schools and education providers who can demonstrate the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about life after school. It was achieved over a three- year period that started in 2017 and culminated last year, led by Paul Tuffnell, learning manager and operational lead for CEIAG, working in conjunction with CareersInc. The award stands for three years. Paul said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the national Quality in Careers Standard awarded by Prospects. “At John Whitgift Academy we recognise the important role school plays in helping It has been an amazing feeling to get after- students develop their knowledge, skills and school clubs up and running and to see the experience so they can go out into the world and achieve pupils enjoying their sports. personal success. “This award has provided a flexible framework that enabled us to audit our work on careers and ensure COVID meant a family bingo our students are receiving night could not happen – so advice, practical support Wybers Wood Academy had and experience so they are prepared for the next stage of One of those sports introduced The sessions are engaging, and classroom bingo instead. their education, employment, this term at Wybers Wood is girls drills are built on a high-reward Each child played five games of self-employment or training.” football. outcome. bingo and had the chance to win Paula Thompson, Careers At the start of the academic year, As well as giving the girls an a small egg for a full line or a larger Executive for CareersInc, the Academy pledged, with the opportunity after-school to play egg for a full house. said: “This is an outstanding support of the Football Association, with their friends, it is hoped to play As well as having lots of fun with achievement and John to provide opportunities for girls. some competitive fixtures against numbers, £678.50 was raised Whitgift should be extremely And it is proving a great success. other schools before the end of to help complete a new sensory proud as they are the first of term. #wearewybersgirlsfootball room. Every Monday, rain or shine, the our 64 academies to receive Thank you to Amy Littlewood for this accolade.” field is full of girls from Year 4, 5 and 6. the fun activity.

10 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter

Imaginative cooks at Wybers Wood Academy entered a national competition – Wybers: Words are winners and have ended up in the final. The children’s confidence and Finally, it was the artistic Key Stage love of cooking has grown this 1 pupils’ turn. term and it was decided to join They used their Year 1 class the Classroom Kitchen Cook Off reading book ‘The Tin Forest’ by competitions. Helen Ward to inspire their salad Each Key Stage assembled a dish named The Fun Fruit Forest. team of five aspiring chefs to Using the ‘bridge’ and ‘claw’ compete with other schools across methods, they safely chopped the country on Zoom from the colourful fruit and vegetables and Academy’s new food technology strategically displayed them to area. create birds, trees and insects. The Year 3 and 4 team decided Head of Academy Teresa Rouse on an underwater theme to match said some amazing staff supported ’s fishing heritage. the children brilliantly and made They created a variety of delicious sure they had everything they pizzas which consisted of blue needed, as well as arranging pizza dough, to represent the practice sessions after school. water, and scrumptious toppings Big thanks go to Miss Miriam Samy creatively shaped into fish and our DT lead, Mrs Samantha Taylor seaweed. (teaching assistant), Mrs Sally The fabulous team won through to Lancaster (teaching assistant) and the finals and is waiting for its next Miss Emily Wheatley (teaching challenge in hope of winning on assistant) for their technical 29th June. cooking advice, and Mr Thomas (teacher) for helping to Next to compete was the brilliant organise the event in school. Year 5 and 6 team who were tasked to create an Italian-themed James, the manager of Classroom main and side dish. Kitchen said of the Year 3 /4 team: “The group was fantastic. To cater for vegetarian friends, they made a pasta bolognaise called “I was really impressed and looking ‘vegenaise’ and Italian ‘zoom’ forward to the final.” bread. Teresa said: “We are extremely Staff were impressed with how proud of everyone who took the Year 5 and 6 team worked part and we admire the excellent together and encouraged each creativity, resilience and teamwork other with their positive attitude shown from all our chefs. and supportive words. “Go team Wybers!” Left: Kyle, Amily, Isabelle, India and Mason tasted success as they are through to the finals Right: the girls making their underwater pizza. Above: Gracie, Elsie, Dylan, Lottie and Evelyn created a wonderful Italian ambience.

A huge well done to Sienna at Wybers Wood who had her hair cut and donated it to The Princess Trust. A second ‘Wear a Hat’ day was The Academy also held held by Wybers Wood Academy a Down’s Syndrome in memory of local fundraiser Awareness Day to highlight the difficulties James Clifford Campling. Sienna faces but also A Trust named after him celebrate the amazing is run by his mum Diane colour and sparkle she Campling, sister Jessica, brings to the school and James’s friends. community. It topped up pupils’ Everybody in school fundraising to send wore whacky socks £1,000 to Brain Tumour especially for Sienna. Research. The Academy’s very Diane thanked Head of proud of her. Academy Teresa Rouse for holding the event.

11 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Grange Lane: Farewell to loyal duo A dedicated duo who have clocked up 60 years’ service at Grange Lane Infant Academy will retire at the end of the academic year.

Julie Beaumont Julie Mellor and Julie Beaumont “She is an amazing, kind, and endeared her to generations of are much-loved members of staff caring Nursery Nurse who will children. who will be missed. be missed so very much but we “Her first 1:1 describes her still as The former has been at Grange wish her the absolute best for her ‘always kind and helpful. Such a Lane since the age of 19. retirement.” lovely woman’. Reception teacher Rachel Meanwhile, Julie Beaumont “Another former pupil laughingly Bramhald said: “Julie (Mellor) is a has been at Grange Lane Infant told us how he enjoys meeting her brilliant nursery nurse who we have Academy for 26 years in total. in the local village ‘She still pulls my been very lucky to have. Her roles have included lunchtime leg about chewing all her pencils’.” “Julie took 10 years off to raise her supervisor, seven years as a Principal Louise Chappell joins own children and then came back classroom volunteer, first aid staff in wishing Mrs Mellor and Mrs as she loved it so much. She has lead, Teaching Assistant, and her Beaumont well in retirement and worked here for a total of 34 years! favourite SEN 1:1. thanks them for the many years of “She has worked in Nursery, HLTA Lynda Waterhouse said: service to the school but mainly to Reception, Year 1 and has even “Julie chose to specialise in hearing the children of the community. done a morning in Year 2 but the impairment and undertook training “I know so many families will Early Years is where her heart lies. to qualify in British sign language. have wonderful memories and “Julie has done many an amazing “Julie has worked in every year classroom stories to tell about display at Grange Lane and is often group within school, including the these dedicated ladies and I am tasked with big corridor displays two-year-old provision. sure they will be missed by all at and helping others. “Her kindness, skill with crafts Grange Lane Infant Academy,” she and love of sparkly objects have said. Julie Mellor

Green Lane: The beat goes on Maisie, in Year 6, reports from Green Lane Primary on a lesson with a difference.

Drumba is a combination of drumming and Following on, we did a song with just drumming. Zumba accompanied by loud music. Soon after, we combined our drumming skills When we walked in, we saw all of the drums with exercising, like marching on the spot and neatly laid out in rows of 8. lunging left to right and tapping the floor with They made us do a relay race on which row our sticks. could get all of their drum sticks first: it was Later, we did a few more songs but moving a really exciting! lot faster. Firstly, we started off with the basics: learning After that, we did some musical drums where all Upper Key Stage 2 got to to drum. the drums were laid out in a circle and we had experience a thrilling Drumba They taught us the single stroke drum roll, which to go around tapping them and when the music is banging the drum with one of the sticks. stopped we had to find a drum - they singled session from Anna and Kyle out two winners – I was lucky enough to be one After that, we learnt a double stroke roll which is of them – they even let me keep the drum sticks from ‘Drumba’. banging the drum with both sticks. as my winning prize. We played a lot of fun games like us having to I would definitely do this again. copy them and they try and catch all of us out until we had two winners.

12 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Willoughby: Hair today, gone tomorrow Willoughby Road Primary pupil Roman’s long locks raised more than £530 when he had them chopped for charity. The six-year-old decided to start growing his hair for The Little Princess Trust charity in September, 2019. Before and after. He said: “My mum explained to me some children Roman’s long hair lose their hair after having chemotherapy and raised more than The Little Princess Trust charity makes wigs for £530 for charity them. but left him almost “I decided to grow my hair for the Trust. I hope it unrecognisable. makes a little girl happy. time, and has been telling us it would be cut off “So far, I have received £531.77, which is one day for the Little Princess Trust. incredible. “He’s shown an enormous amount of dedication “The money goes into life-saving research into and raised a tremendous amount of money. childhood cancers. “We are all very proud of Roman and so is his “I am so happy I did this.” family. Elaine Jupp, Head of Academy at Willoughby, “The only problem for staff was recognising the said: “Roman’s been growing his hair a long new-look Roman!”

Hatfield: Debbie’s delight Whetley tango

Year 5 working on their Tango skills.

Winner Debbie with her first place award and her framed writing. Argentina was the focus of Whetley Academy’s latest A talented Year 6 writer from Hatfield Woodhouse Primary won a themed International Day. regional competition organised by the National Literacy Trust in It allows students to be immersed in collaboration with Doncaster Connecting Stories. a country’s culture and have a better understanding of what it is like to live in Entitled ‘Our Changing World’, children had to Rebecca Winks, Literacy Leader in school other parts of the world. write a text of their choice and Debbie’s non- who organised the entries and Debbie’s class fiction text won the prize. teacher, said they were “very proud of Debbie’s The focus is on Spanish-speaking achievement”. countries around the world, which links Children in Key Stage 2 entered the competition in well to foreign language lessons. from home during the last lockdown. “She is a fantastic writer. Organised by the Modern Foreign Debbie won a £50 voucher, her writing in a “Well done to everyone who entered - there Languages co-ordinators, Argentina frame and a visit from an illustrator to teach Year were some brilliant entries.” Day allowed students to learn Spanish, 5 and 6 how to draw book characters. Debbie said: “I really enjoy writing and I loved practise their Tango, research famous Her prizes will be officially awarded by Doncaster writing my piece for the competition. I’m so Argentinian sportsman and even have Rotary Club this month. happy to win.” a go at baking Alfajores!

13 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Craven: Heroes honoured Children dressed up as National Superhero Day was held to raise money superheroes from films and real- for Children’s Air Ambulance at Craven Primary. life heroes such as police officers, doctors, nurses and teachers. Lucas in Year 6 dressed up as a doctor. Children had a virtual whole school assembly about the Children’s Air Ambulance, exploring what they the difference these heroes make do and discussing why they are to society.” heroes and who else they thought Year 6 pupil Lucas said: “I dressed were heroes. up as a doctor because, during They then made masks COVID, doctors have been the true representing a range of heroes. superheroes. A total of £150.91 was raised “I really enjoyed being one. Who through children’s donations. knows, I might become one in the future.” Head of Academy James Phillips said: “It was so pleasing to see Emi, in Year 4, said they learnt that the children had such a great about the air ambulance and how understanding of real-life heroes. it needed donations to continue to save people’s lives. “We saw lots of doctors, nurses, policemen; some children even Year 4’s Ellisha said: “We showed came dressed up as their parents. our appreciation to all the heroes through the pandemic and thought “The children really showed about who the true heroes are.” appreciation for the great work that people, like Children’s Air In Year 6, London’s dad and step Ambulance, do and they recognise mum are paramedics. “I couldn’t see them much during the past year as they have been so busy dealing with COVID patients and I don’t live with them. “It was hard being separated from my dad as he is a hero to me because of everything he does to help people.” Assistant Principal Laura Hartmann said: “It was lovely to see the school come together for our virtual assembly about the Children’s Air Ambulance Service and to hear how much they appreciate real- life heroes, particularly those who

Year 3 class teacher Tabitha Mellors with pupils Megan, Ellie-Mae and Nela, who dressed up as teachers. London (Year 6 pupil) dressed up as a paramedic. have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.” St Wilfrid’s: Mental health focus Students participated in A range of activities for swimming, yoga and fitness students and staff at activities as well as a range of form time sessions including St Wilfrid’s Academy meditation. promoted Mental Health These sessions complemented the regular emotional wellbeing Awareness Week. offer at St Wilfrid’s which includes mindful Mondays, animal therapy and Thrive activities. The Academy’s animal therapy is part of a pilot project in conjunction with Doncaster Council and Department for Education Opportunities Area which looks at the impact it can have supporting students showing challenging behaviour.

14 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Grange Lane: Dr Ranj surprises class Pupils at Grange Lane Infant Academy enjoyed a special surprise when their usual teachers were replaced with BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, Dr Ranj Singh. The NHS doctor hosted a special fantastic to top it all off with a biology class as part of Amazon’s special lesson from Dr Ranj.” “VIB – Very Important Breakfast - He focused on the brain, how it Clubs”. functions and what it needs to Co-hosted by Magic Breakfast - function properly. a charity which provides healthy Our children also found the breakfasts and wrap-around answers to the following questions support to tens of thousands of too: children in disadvantaged areas of the UK, the exclusive, celebrity surprise lesson was created • What’s the best/weirdest fact to mark the two millionth meal about the body? delivered by Amazon. • Why did you decide to be a Janice Murrell, Vice Principal at doctor? Grange Lane Infant Academy, said: • If you weren’t a doctor, what “The Amazon and Magic Breakfast would you be? partnership ensures that no pupil is • What’s your favourite part too hungry to learn. about being a doctor? “It offers every child in our school • Who’s the brainiest person you a selection of healthy breakfast know? options like cereals, porridge oats, bagels, juice and yoghurt drinks.” • How long can your brain remember things? During lockdown, Magic Breakfast and Amazon adapted their delivery schedule and school staff Dr Ranj commented: “No child a biology lesson but to highlight “We should strive to do all we can organised breakfast hampers to be should start their day on an empty the need for all children to have to make sure that every child gets collected by families, or in some stomach, so I’m taking part in these breakfast to kick start their day. the nutrition they need.” cases, delivered to their doors. Very Important Breakfast Clubs “The very lesson I’m teaching “The deliveries have been a great or “VIB Clubs” with Amazon and points out that brilliant brains need support for our families and it’s Magic Breakfast, not only to teach healthy food for fuel. Craven: Pizza project Visitors to Craven Primary Academy taught Year 4 about sustainable pork farming and inspired a Design and Technology project to plan and make pizzas. Ladies in Pigs is an organisation The children completed market that educates children about research surrounding the most processes used on pig farms. popular pizzas before planning and The children had the opportunity to making their own. do some baking, using a variety of This will now feed into an enterprise utensils and ingredients. project as the children will make They needed to use many of these and sell pizzas to their bubble. skills to complete their DT project, Year 4 teacher Sarah Holmes said: Making Pizzas. “The children thoroughly enjoyed their morning with Ladies in Pigs as they learnt a lot about where meat when making the dough, grating it was too thick it wouldn’t cook,” comes from and the processes and chopping the toppings and she said. taken behind the scenes. then forming their pizzas. The Oliver said: “The planning, creating “They then created bacon/cheese result was brilliant.” and baking of the pizzas taught me muffins and learnt baking skills Pupil Yadi said: “The kind visitors skills I didn’t have before.” alongside their peers. (Ladies in Pigs) helped us Head of Academy James Phillips “In class, as part of our DT understand more about where welcomed the visit’s impact. meat comes from.” project linking to Italy, we then “It was really pleasing to see our completed research in the form of Classmate Carmen thought the Year 4 children confidently using questionnaires before planning, hardest part was kneading the vocabulary like ‘knead’, ‘proof’, creating and baking pizzas. dough and making the base. ‘grate’ and the end results looked “The children did an amazing job “If it was too thin, it would burn. If tasty too,” he said.

14 15 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Elland explores Creative Key Stage 3 students at The Elland Academy turned their attention to print making. Observational and line drawings She said: “It was a great opportunity were turned into poly block for the students to explore and prints, with collage backgrounds experiment with materials and the enhancing the print finish. process of printing.” It followed the Academy’s Students’ work will be displayed thematic, half-term curriculum around the Academy and they which was ‘Animal, Vegetable, will move on to create large-scale Mineral’. paintings from their observational Art teacher Harriet Gavan-Duffy drawings. organised the work.

A family-run butchers has thanked The Elland Academy for its support during the pandemic. Many businesses around Leeds struggled during lockdown and were forced to close. Head of Academy Ed Staton decided to use high quality local businesses to supply students with packed lunches. Broxup Butchers, established in 1979, is less than a mile from the Academy. Peter Broxup was delighted with the regular trade and thanked Ed when he paid a visit.

Garforth: Pop-up praise A pop-up exhibition based on Year 12’s practical responses to the theme of Phobias was held at Garforth Academy. It prompted a wide range of approaches, and the results were on display for one day in an art room. Organised by Head of Art and Design Claire Hodgson, it prompted praise from staff. Sixth Form Learning Manager, Kelly Allen, said: “I went down to see the exhibition a little earlier and wow! – the Year 12s are so, so talented.” Associate assistant principal, Gary Reid, described the exhibition as interesting. “The diorama on Tsunamis, the dolls, mushrooms and Joe B’s polystyrene stood out,” he said. A golden ticket prize, an Sarah Wynn, head of history, said: “I managed to get to the art exhibition and was really impressed Echo Dot, is received for with the work. outstanding work this half “It is great to see kids being creative. I liked (was term at The Elland Academy, scared of) the doll one and I also liked the Night fear. presented by Assistant Thanks again.” Principal Linda Scott.

16 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Willows: Creature comfort Unusual creatures met children from Willows Academy when Zoolab Rainforest Animal Experience visited. The children learned about the different layers of a rainforest and the animals which live there. Willows Academy worked safely with Anya from Zoolab to ensure everyone was able to experience an amazing day during pandemic restrictions. All the children participated by holding most of the animals. These included a Giant African Land Snail, Giant African Train Millipede, Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, Royal Python, Tarantula and Tree Frog. The experience was so engaging the children retained lots of sticky knowledge.

It was used as an exciting hook Keaton and Charlie enjoyed engaging for the Academy’s writing topic with the smaller creatures. Savannah was very brave and held the Royal of recounts. Each year group Python. composed fantastic pieces of writing. Macaulay: Pupils pledge Personal Development Pledges to ensure children are equipped with life skills to progress through school and into adulthood were launched by Macaulay Primary Academy. Staff have made six pledges to the children committing themselves to providing high quality personal development opportunities for the students. In turn, the children will endeavour to complete pledges that will help develop their personal growth along with supporting other children in their class, peers in school and their local community. The six pledge focus areas are: People - Helping people in our community One of the Year 6 pledges, in the leadership focus area, is to apply for a leadership position by filling out an application form. Here are the successful House Captains of the four House Teams at Macaulay. They form part of the student leadership team. Leadership - Improving our confidence to lead our peers pledge, per focus area, where they Environment - Making sure that we have to take the lead on achieving take care of the environment further build their own personal development each academic year. the pledge themselves i.e. in year Dreams and goals - Looking to 6 ‘Apply for a leadership position’.” Each child is provided with one the future and making plans to Every child has a log book for each succeed pledge per focus area (see above) which can be achieved from academic year at Macaulay. Global citizen - Learning about following the curriculum i.e. in Year This provides a physical space other people and places around 2 ‘Learn how people around the where they can tick off their 12 the world world use the seaside’ which they pledges as the year progresses. Enrichment - Encouraging will achieve during their topic of If they tick off 6 pledges throughout Victorians. everyone to discover new skills the year, they will get a bronze Two Year 5 children earning their environment pledge “To and experiences Organised by Anna Herrick, she pledge award, 8 pledges – silver, improve our environment by planting trees and plants” Every child is provided with 12 said: “We then provide the children 10 pledges – gold and, if they opportunities to explore and with an opportunity to gain another complete all 12, diamond.

16 17 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter The Vale: Proud Thursday treats Students at The Vale Academy continue to produce great work on Proud Thursdays. This montage is from Year 11 students who completed a Ready Steady Cook challenge during their final food lesson.

Ash Hill: New build Students in ’s new build at Hatfield near Doncaster.

18 DELTA TRAVEL

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Elland: Wildlife wonders Endangered species were among the animals seen by students from The Elland Academy when they visited The Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

The day trip was organised as part of the Key Stage 3 half term They also had a fun session at the playground with challenges set to use theme of ‘Animal, Vegetable, Mineral’. the climbing equipment to travel like a monkey, a good way to understand the primate’s agility skills. Some students had never been to a zoo, so were amazed and astonished by the diverse and endangered species range of animals. Chris said, “I can’t wait to go back when the baby lions are due”. The party saw three beautiful, but sleepy, prides of lions, majestic giraffes, Kaitlin has decided: “I really want to come and work here when I leave playful tigers, hungry polar bears, cute lemurs and got up close to the school”. wallabies, many of whom had babies in their pouches. Olivia said: “This is a much better way to learn than being indoors”. Green Lane: Escape to country Sixty Year 4 children and six staff set off for a carefully-planned, three-day trip to Osmotherley - two days after school residentials could resume. Children had fun with their friends, taking part in outdoor, adventurous activities and learning new skills. The YHA staff and Tees Outdoors could not have been more welcoming or done more. The party was their first customer for more than a year. Members of the public commented on how lovely it was to see children enjoying themselves and laughing so much as well as saying how The group was dressed in waterproofs for two polite they were. days out of three but this did not detract from On day one, there was canoeing, raft building, the amazing time. axe throwing, archery, orienteering, nightline Many thanks to the children for their enthusiasm, and roasting marshmallows on a camp fire. the staff for their unstinting hard work and the Activities on day two included Murray, a “Roman parents for their confidence and support. Soldier,” visiting to link with our GLAM mission One said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you of “What have the Romans done for us?”. to all the staff involved in the Year 4 residential. The children explored artefacts, had a battle “Abi had the most amazing time. She didn’t stop (including making a turtle formation). They talking for about an hour after she got home, learned so much. telling us all about what she’d been up to. The next day saw a treasure hunt around “It sounds like they had so much fun and the village, a visit to the ice cream shop and we can’t thank you all enough. Memories for life playground before returning home. created.”

18 19 DELTA NEWS

Delta Academies Trust Newsletter Ryecroft

Pupils have fun in the recently-improved Forest School Area at Ryecroft Primary Academy. Head of Academy Helen Wrightson said they were “really proud” of the inspiring space.

This newsletter is produced by Delta Academies Trust. Contact it at Education House, Spawd Bone Lane, , WF 11 0EP. Telephone: 0345 1960033; email: [email protected]