HEAD TEACHER’S MESSAGE

Children often worry about the future, perhaps more than we realise. I am constantly impressed with how seriously our students approach concerns such as climate change or homelessness and I believe that we as teachers, parents and carers owe it to them to help create a safe and secure world for the future. Recently we welcomed the Careers Bus to school and marked World Mental Health Day, both of which we hope can help in some way to address some of our students’ concerns. The Careers Bus looked at future options: jobs, higher education and apprenticeships - showing students that there are no limits; an interesting world can open up to them if they know how to access it. World Mental Health Day gave us all pause for thought about what it means to feel happy and safe and how we can achieve that. Nationally, the Health Foundation issued a report that listed areas necessary for children’s future good health: a place to call home, potential for secure and rewarding work and supportive relationships with their friends, family and community. It concluded that it is vital that young people are consulted in decisions that affect their futures and this is something we embrace as a school. Read more: https://www.health.org.uk/news-and-comment/news/government-urged-to-overhaul-housing-transport-and-education Mrs J Veal

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Year 7: Alexis and Iris for Year 9: Nathan for showing Year 7: Harrison for being always trying their best dedication and determination kind and helpful and making and having a fantastic to achieve his black belt. excellent progress in DEAR. work ethic. Tommy for being a fantastic Alaia for having a positive Year 8: Evie and Jonny sports leader. work ethic and always trying for positive attitude and her best. fantastic work ethic.

Year 8: Leif for an excellent attitude in maths and DEAR Year 7: Max and Maisy Year 8: Evie for excellent Year 7: Tink and Alfie for time and showing new for continued excellent problem solving and having a outstanding home learning students around school. work ethic in school and positive attitude to learning. Leo in English and having a Ebony for great effort in with home learning. for positive attitude and fantastic fabulous work ethic. DEAR time and helping with effort during DEAR time the Year 7 hockey team. MENTAL WELLNESS

The School Nurse Team visited us to promote positive steps for students in order to look after their mental health. A school nurse is available each Tuesday lunchtime at their drop-in clinic for help and advice for positive well being. Well Being Wednesday is our own school group which runs each Wednesday lunchtime. Students made bunting for World Mental Health Day with their own ideas for maintaining a healthy outlook. https://www.thetauntonacademy.com/world-mental-health-day/ Ms Jones

DOF E TRIUMPH

We took 10 intrepid students out on the Mendips as the final element of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They were met by staff at the top of Burrington Combe, with their equipment for the weekend on their backs, having spent time planning their routes. Once everyone was together they set off into the wilds unaccompanied (although staff were around the route spotting them from a distance). We met them again on Saturday night, where they made camp and prepared their meals. The rain came but, as wet as it got, it didn’t dampen their spirits. The students bedded down and the following morning got up to repeat it all again. Their behaviour was exemplary and the assessor commented on how good it was to see them constantly smiling. This is the first cohort of students to complete DofE for many years at and long may it continue. https://www.thetauntonacademy.com/dofe-triumph/ Mr Evemy. CAREERS MOVE

Year 11 had an interesting time on the Next Steps South West careers bus. They explored A Level, BTEC and apprenticeship options and also had the opportunity to think about the kind of career they might like in the future. SPORTS NEWS

Our hockey teams have made a great start to the season. Years 9 and 10 have had several tough fixtures, but have scored goals and are training hard on a Wednesday after school on the astro at Taunton Vale. Year 7 had a great start with a victory over Castle School last week and on Tuesday night they secured two wins, a draw and one loss at the district central venue league tournament. Year 8 had a tough first fixture against Castle two weeks ago, but bounced back to beat Heathfield last week. We have had more girls committed to practices than we have had for many years which is very encouraging and with several victories under our belts already, the second part of the season should be very exciting. Well done girls! Mrs Ardren

Joe in Year 10 had an amazing experience competing in the For the Year 6 Invasion Festival, primary school students Army Cadet Forces National Championships in Liverpool on 12th competed in four sports officiated, managed and scored by October. Nine regions from across the country came together our brilliant young leaders. They all rose to the occasion and to compete and Joe, a corporal with the Bishops Hull Platoon, the morning was enjoyed by all, with lots of positive feedback was chosen to represent the south west in cross country and from all the schools. orienteering in the under 15 category. Jay was brilliant as chief organiser/trusty assistant. Lewis, In orienteering, a 4k race where you Cara, Emily and Anna were in charge of the scoreboard and need to use navigational skills using a organising the playing rota for each sport - a lot of responsibility map and compass to navigate from which they managed really well. one point to another in the quickest Mrs Ardren time, Joe completed the course in 38 minutes. The cross country was over a very challenging wet boggy 4k course, but as a result of Joe’s dedication and hard work he was the only participant to be awarded four medals on the day: Team gold for orienteering Team bronze for cross country Individual bronze for orienteering Individual bronze for cross country Well done Joe! https://www.thetauntonacademy.com/four-championship- medals-for-joe/

PHOTO GALLERY

Students collected their publications after exhibiting work made with local artists, at the Hestercombe Gallery last week. It follows studies they did in the summer inspired by the gardens. IMPRESSIVE Well done to our Year 8s who raised money for MacMillan HOMEWORK Coffee Morning at break time. Year 7 has been producing some impressive homework this term. A stunning piece of research on the Greek gods by Megan, tapping into her teacher’s obsession with Bake Off!

Megan also made a poster and wrote a poem for the Some lovely home learning from Chloe and Sam. Brunner creative writing competition on the topic of climate change.

Tink made a cake to A ‘stained glass’ window A poster on celebrate St George’s Day, of King Arthur by Ethan. Greek gods complete with a dragon and goddesses made of icing and edible by Emerson. green glitter. She also wrote an outstanding version of the story with a highly convincing narrative voice.

Photos from our art and photography visit to London, including a boat trip and visits to both the Tate and Tate Modern galleries. https://www.thetauntonacademy.com/two-tates-visit/

Year 9 has been experimenting with a range of story planning techniques, in preparation for their assessment on a GCSE language style writing task.

Alfie put together an amazing film on King Arthur, which can be viewed on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheTauntonAcademy/ videos/1172697216452226/ Understanding Teenagers Emotions

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Strategies and Tools to support parenting Teens

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Options of daytime or UNDERSTANDING evening sessions TEENS ____ Run in conjunction FREE PARENTING PROGRAMME RUN BY PARENT FAMILY SUPPORT ADVISORS AT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS. with The Taunton Academy, The Castle Understanding Teens is a free 6 week programme, aimed School, Bishops at helping you manage the many emotional challenges of Foxes and Heathfield living with teenagers. Community school Starting on Wednesday the 6th November; we will be running two sessions for 6 weeks:

10am – 12pm @ Heathfield Community School, School Road, Monkton Heathfield

4pm - 6pm @ The Taunton Academy, Cheddon Road, TAUNTON LEARNING Taunton. PARTNERSHIP

For further information or to book a place please email: Tauntonpfsa@educ.,gov.uk or call Lucy 07522237012 or Jen 07522237005.