The Buzz Newsletter Summer 2019
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Dudley Academies Trust Summer Newsletter 2the buzz 019 I can hardly believe that another academic year has passed. What a year this has been for the Trust. I feel so proud of our learners and staff and I think this edition of The Buzz really does show the vast range of talent in our academies. I am delighted that learners in all year Please, take a look groups are certainly Dreaming Big and fully at the report, as embracing the opportunities presented to Ofsted have validated them. We have enjoyed so many amazing many of the Trust’s experiences with our young people; to initiatives that are name but a few: the DAT choir performance clearly making a real at University of Wolverhampton, a great difference to our quality team of young people who were trained of education. Well done by the Welsh National Opera, listening to all learners and staff at to Molly’s fantastic ‘Speak Out’ speech Pegasus. at the Speakers’ Trust regional final in Birmingham, and simply hearing about so So, our learners and staff are currently many learners receiving rewards throughout enjoying end of year celebrations by the year for their superb level of effort. participating in an action-packed activities week. I am working closely with Principals To cap it all, an and members of the central team to Ofsted inspection ensure that the Trust continues to improve team visited our academies at pace. We have exciting Pegasus Academy plans for our team of student leaders, we recently to have a ‘commitments’ programme ready undertake a to launch for all learners (a range of extra- full inspection, curricular opportunities and challenges) six months and we are launching our ‘mind to be earlier than we kind’ programme as part of our pledge to anticipated. In develop a culture of genuine care, support just 18 months, and kindness in all of our academies. the academy has moved from I am sure you will enjoy this edition of The inadequate Buzz. On behalf of everyone at Dudley to ‘requires Academies Trust, I wish all parents, carers improvement’, and learners a lovely summer holiday. a truly great achievement. Jo Higgins Chief Executive It’s time to discover more. E [email protected] W dudleyacademiestrust.org.uk Sponsored by BEACON HILL PEGASUS STJAMES THE LINK ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY ACADEMY Dudley College of Technology Sedgley Dudley Dudley Netherton 2Dudley Academies 019 Trust Summer Newsletter more... Dreaming BIG Speakers Trust Festival of Education (taster week) The DAT was very proud to host Nearly 700 of our Year 10 learners from across the Trust took part in the regional ‘Speak Out Challenge’ our Festival of Education, a taster week at our sponsor Dudley College final at St James Academy. ‘Speak of Technology. They were able to have a go at several A Level subjects Out’ is a programme designed to as well as 20 other areas such as Engineering, Graphic Design, Health & give school children the confidence Social Care, Catering, Construction Skills, Hairdressing and Computing. to speak in public, a skill that Learners were able to get a valuable insight into what to aim for when will be useful throughout their they leave school; they also did a session on the wide range of career routes lives. I would like to congratulate available in our region. Molly from Beacon Hill, who was runner-up on the day. Keith from St James was awarded a very close third place and Ashley from Pegasus spoke bravely about her experiences of Autism. Molly progressed to the West Midlands Grand Final, which took place at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham. Over 4,000 young people participated in the West Midlands ‘Speak Out Challenge’ this year and Molly was in the top twelve. Trust Rugby Blood Brothers The video of Molly’s speech from is available on YouTube Tournament performances (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=m8G0bdqSpHY or type The Trust and its sponsor, Learners from The Link Academy in: speak out challenge molly jarrot). Dudley College of Technology, took part in three wonderful A truly inspiring young lady, who have recently been working in performances of Blood Brothers, should speak in Parliament! partnership to introduce rugby into an award-winning musical written our schools. In May, learners from by Willy Russell. Parents and across the Trust took part in a Touch carers, learners, board members Rugby tournament on the College’s and central team staff all attended 3G pitches. The event followed the performances and fed back on a series of high quality training how magnificent they were. Well sessions led by our sponsor’s done to all the learners and staff Sports Department staff and involved in the performances and learners. It was a great afternoon thank you to The Link Academy filled with energy, skill, cheering learners Aaminah, Kiranpreet and fun. We hope to introduce more and Sneha who sent in their Trust sports events in the future. photographs of the performance. As noted in the Spring edition of Buzz, Dudley Academies Trust alongside other local schools had been working in collaboration with the Welsh National Opera. After a number of rehearsals when they learned operatic techniques, approximately 20 learners from across the Trust performed in ‘Freedom’, a production devised and performed by the young people themselves. Welsh National Everyone who attended the event in The Chancellor’s Hall at the University of Wolverhampton was impressed by the quality of the production and the Opera performance singing. The learners were exceptional and proudly represented the Trust. Keep up to date and follow us on Twitter @DudleyAcadTrust more... Rewarding effort... Trust wide merit competition Easter and Following a Trust wide competition, the below learners achieved the most merits, had 100% attendance and did not go into Supporting summer rewards Expectations between 25/03/19 - 10/04/19. Other learners who had no lines During assembly on 24th May, Hafash Ali from The Link Academy was from January to March didn’t miss rewarded with an Amazon Echo and certificate by the Chief Executive, Jo out, either. The Easter prize draw Higgins, for achieving the most merits across the Trust. saw a variety of rewards gifted for The other learners were given a Showcase cinema voucher and certificate excellent effort and achievements. for achieving the most merits in their academy. Well done to all the learners for Rewards included Intu Merry their excellent effort, there will be more competitions like this to come. Hill vouchers, Showcase cinema Learner vouchers, The Leap Trampoline Merits Year Academy name(s) Park experience for two, Easter 1st 162 Hafsah Ali 7 The Link Academy eggs and many more. We hope learners have enjoyed the rewards 2nd 72 Sydney Sawyers 9 St James Academy provided so far. There will be Beacon Hill 3rd 68 Reel Mohammed 8 a prize draw at the end of the Academy summer term which will include Jack Grabble & 4th 48 7 Pegasus Academy Callan Wagg lots more exciting rewards. Working with the Black Country Leading together Chamber of Commerce Business in a post Brexit Britain panel In May, learners from Pegasus Academy attended the Business in a post-Brexit Britain event, organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce at the University of Wolverhampton. The exclusive event saw representatives from Britain’s biggest business support organisations Young Chamber Committee discussing the implications of Brexit on businesses across the UK. Learners posed some important questions The Young Chamber Committee to the panel and were recognised for consists of representatives from their intelligent contribution. secondary schools and colleges across the Black Country who voice the opinions of their whole school body. We are delighted that learners from across the Trust are part of the committee and that the Student Vice-Chair of the committee is a Year 11 learner from Pegasus Academy, Ezha Jahangir. Keep up to date and follow us on Twitter @DudleyAcadTrust Dudley Academies Trust Summer Newsletter Respecting each other and our world Working with the West Midlands Police Funding for the Trust Knife arches The Trust has been working with Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) West Midlands Police to help keep We are pleased to confirm that the Trust has been successful in our schools and children safe. securing additional funding as part of the government’s Condition Police Officers visited Beacon Improvement Fund (CIF). Works due to be carried out include the Hill Academy and carried out safe following: searches using a knife arch. The Trust is committed to ensuring • Electrical improvements at St James Academy. our learners respect each other • Heating, window and roofing improvements at Pegasus Academy. and our world and understand the • Roofing improvements at The Link Academy. impact of knife crime. The West Midlands Police will be working Pegasus Academy has secured £1.6 million to upgrade school with our other academies in the buildings. Following on from last years’ improvements in A block, this future. Learners have also been new funding will be used to replace the heating and windows in B Block working with West Midlands which houses English and Mathematics. Alongside the renovation Police Cadets, gaining new skills of the humanities floor for our Year 8 Literacy for Life pupils, these and experience of how the police improvements will really make a much needed difference to the school operate. environment. Learning that inspires... Working with Employers – Careers strategy A lot of great work goes on in Thomas Dudley Ltd our academies to help learners explore the possible careers that As part of the Black are on offer to them. However, there Country Chamber of is very little government support Commerce Business for these vital activities.