The Boston Witham Academies Federation Uniform Please remember that all of the Federation’s official Academy uniforms are available from the Oldrid’s in Boston Market Place. Basketball Success

The EWS team has contact with various outside agencies to It has been a highly successful end to the basketball season for the support parents/carers and is often able to signpost students to the Academy’s teams with no less than three championship trophies Attendance appropriate support to further resolve any issues that impedes good attendance. being won. The Boston Witham Academies Federation Parents and carers should be aware that the Government has The under 16 and 15 sides both won their respective South Lincs League titles and places great importance on the role of children introduced strict new regulations to ensure that pupils and students went on to represent the area in the overall County finals where again both teams receiving suitable, effective full time education do not take holidays during term time. Holidays can now only be through regular attendance at the Academies. authorised in exceptional circumstances and our Board of Directors finished the tournament as Champions. and Governors have been given a range of sanctions and fines to

Irregular attendance at school seriously affects the academic progress consider imposing on those parents and carers who take students and social development of students, therefore the Federation has and pupils on holiday during term time. Consequently we ask, in s a robust system of measures in place to ensure your child attends order for parents and carers not to fall foul of these new regulations, regularly and punctually. These measures involve first day absence that holidays are not taken during term time. Below are the term

telephone calls, text messages (in different languages), home visits, a dates for the next academic year, during which pupils and students range of attendance letters, late gate, attendance panels and referral are no longer allowed to take holiday leave unless the circumstances w to County Council’s legal panel for persistent absences are exceptional (for example recuperation or medical treatment

and persistent lateness. abroad). e

Lower down the school, the year 7 team played their first competitive fixtures and

complete evidence through the community and talent pathways. came out as the 3-on-3 Boston Area Champions and finished runners-up in the N

This is where they can demonstrate their contribution to the school Haven Pathways and wider community. It also allows the many talented students in South Lincs stage. We are already 6 months into our first year of Haven terms of Academia, Sport, Music, Drama and the Arts to showcase their commitment and ability. It is evidence in these pathways as

Pathway and I thought this was an opportune time to g update you on the progress being made. The success has well as being an expert learner that will give these students the been impressive with over 30% of students being awarded opportunities to become prefects and senior prefects in the future.

an Expert Learner badge at some point in this academic n With your support year. Haven High and the dedication i ACADEMY of all of the staff The first group of students were awarded their badges in November working alongside Haven Pathways r 2014 with the second group of students gaining the award in January the children we are 2015. 21% of students in January gained a two star badge which continuing to strive shows they have maintained the Expert Learner status throughout for an improved p the whole of the autumn term in 2014. Senior education for all Leader of the students To become an expert learner the children have to show at Haven High Leader S continuous outstanding levels of: Academy. 1. Attendance Expert Learner Talent Pathway 2. Behaviour Mr Jay 3. Completion of homework and to a high standard Deputy Head Advanced Learner 4. Punctuality Teaching and 5. Having the correct equipment Learning Established Learner

6. Respect Community Pathway Developing Learner The students also completed a survey in December 2014 where

65% of them said that Haven Pathways had improved their attitude The Boston Witham Academies Federation The Boston Witham towards learning. As well as maintaining the above students can Academies Federation

ATE PA G R

Y K Carlton Road Haven High W Wygate Park ACADEMY SIXTH FORM ACADEMY Issue 6 Executive Headteacher: Adrian Reed Administration Centre: Marian Campus, Haven High Academy, Marian Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 9HB Spring 2015 T: 01205 311979 F: 01205 362850 E: [email protected] W: www.bwaf.net

12 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News “Working in partnership to raise achievement for all”. Carlton Road ACADEMY Family Learning Parents from the Reception Classes were invited to attend ‘Family Learning’ classes focussing on Animal Topic interaction of story sacks and Phonics between parent and child delivered by Miss Hobart and Sara Martin. This term the Reception classes are learning about animals. They have been looking at On the first week they discussed sharing books with the children, how to deliver Phonics from the Letters and Sounds Program different animals - naming them, describing and looked at Story Sacks. Then the children and their parents played Phonics games together. them, discussing their habitats and what they eat. On the second week the parents observed their child’s class teacher deliver a Phonics Lesson and then looked at children engaging in Phonic activities inside. The learning is focussing on questioning and using the internet, computer software, asking experts and using non-fiction books The parents then went to look at our new outdoor to learn facts about different animals. provision and focussed how the children learnt literacy outdoors. The parents particularly liked First the pupils looked at our classroom pets: Elvis the African the Builder’s Yard Role-play and how the children Land Snail. The children woke up the African Land Snail from incorporated reading and writing into this and the hibernation he had buried himself in the soil and gone to sleep sandpit and water tray in the outdoor classroom and for the Winter. finding letter sound and words. They enjoyed the Story Area with the Storyteller’s Giant Chair and the They gave him a bath in warm water to wake him up and then toadstools to sit on. There is even an outdoor stage watched as the seal broke open and he slowly woke up and that the children practise their acting, singing and came out of his shell. dancing skills on. The children collected On the third week they focussed on sequencing soil from outside to clean stories and retelling them. The children shared a out his tank and then sequencing activity with their parent. The parents provided him with water at home then created a timeline of their child’s life to drink and different fruit by sequencing photographs from their birth to the and vegetables to eat. present day. Each day they On the fourth week we focussed on using ICT to learn Phonics. We looked at the fizz books that the children use in class and remembered to spray the showed the parents the Phonics Software we use in school. Then we looked on the I pads at age appropriate Phonics apps Snail with warm water and games on the internet that they could use with their child at home. On the final week the parents and children followed to keep him warm and instructions together to make a craft Santa’s sleigh and then melted marshmellows and butter and mixed them with rice crispies moist. We put different to make snowballs to go inside of Santa’s sleigh.Then we celebrated what they had learnt over the last few weeks. The parents fruit and veg in his bowl said they felt more confident in delivering Phonics and reading with their child at home and the parent and child received each day and filled in a certificates presented by Mrs Joyce. chart on the display wall of what food he likes and dislikes. Thank you to all the parents that attended the children and staff really enjoyed.

rope tarpaulin and large tree branches. Children created a tepee, Frieston Trip using the natural equipment they would find around them to hold it down and keep them safe. Earlier this month, the Researchers in year 5 went on a trip to Winter and Melting Environmental Centre. As part of their topic ‘Frozen Children were instructed that they all needed to fit inside and it The children have been learning about the Seasons and looking at Kingdom’, the children have been looking at explorers and people was tested under watery conditions! The wind certainly proved the changes in weather and what happens in Winter. They looked at who have been on expeditions to the Polar Regions. At Freiston, as a challenge. Finally, children were shown to use trangias the children learnt some survival skills, imagining that they were to heat up their water to animals that hibernate and what signs to look out for that show us voyagers in the frozen lands. make hot chocolates. This it is Winter. certainly helped warm They had to orienteer, looking for clues and facts about the below us up after a blustery The class made ice balloons by filling balloons with water and putting letters and arctic zero regions. Also, the children had to use natural resources to team building activity. animals inside and different food colouring and then putting them in the freezer. The knot and create a fishing rod that they could use to catch fish All the children in the children looked the next day and saw that the water had turned into ice and also looked in the Antarctic. The children all found the knot tying, not as Researchers class had an at water containers that they left outside overnight and saw they had also frozen. They easy as they thought. Later on, the children then were set the amazing day! then discussed how the ice might melt to get the objects out of the middle of the ice challenge of creating a shelter that they could use in the icy cold balloons. The children used warm water, deicer, salt and leaving them near the radiator. temperatures to keep them dry and warm. With bamboo canes, They also used different tools made of different materials to smash into the ice.

2 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News • 3 The Great Exhibition Reflector Shop

The Year 6 classes (Owls and Eagles) presented Sales at our annual Reflector shop were fantastic again this year. Our their Great Exhibition to parents during the Junior Road Safety Officers, Lacy and Lucy, have been busy selling last week of term in December. On display them at break time this week. were some of their fantastic models they had made during their topic work. Parents We still have some Monster reflectors and Snap-it bands for sale if you didn’t get chance and pupils also enjoyed taking part in some to purchase one. games and also bought the cakes and sweets that were on sale. Thank you for your support once again. We use the money to purchase more reflectors for next year. Another huge success - well done everyone.

A Sad Farewell Visit to Haven High Academy In December Staniland said a sad farewell to two long serving members of staff. A small group of Year 3 pupils from Leopards and Tigers went to Haven High Academy on Tuesday 9 December. They had been Mrs Hatfield has retired after working in the school office as an Admin Assistant for invited by Year 9 pupils at Haven as part of The Prince’s Trust 20 years. Mr Day has retired from his position as Site Manager after 11 years. Community Project they are involved in.

Both were presented with leaving gifts in our final assembly before the Christmas The pupils got to meet and feed the animals in the Haven garden which they holidays. enjoyed very much. They were entertained by Mr Langley and his pupils and took part in some Christmas games. A fun time was had by all. Everyone at wishes them both well in their retirement and we are sure we are going to miss them both very much.

Community Breakfast Week Staniland Academy has been running a very successful free Breakfast Club for a long time and over Champions 60 children attend each day. Parents were invited to come along and join their child for breakfast earlier Staniland Academy is very grateful to the this term and to see some of the recent competition Co-op for allowing us to be their Community entries which were on show. The competition Champions recently. We are very fortunate involved children being asked to choose one of the to receive a cheque for £360 which will be following activities. used on our next growing project in school. We are hoping to get some new planters, • Design a healthy breakfast – picture, collage or painting. equipment and development of a new • Create a poster promoting the importance of eating breakfast. growing area in the coming weeks. • Write a poem / rap / song all about breakfast.

Seen in the picture are two Y4 pupils from the Kangaroos We had a fantastic response to the competition and winners will be class, Don and Daria, along with Mrs Chester and Miss announced shortly. Sykes.

4 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News • 5 ATE PA G R

Y K W Wygate Park ACADEMY Fencing at Wygate Park! Countries Wow what a great term it’s been, we have had great The MCC Sports Coaching team have been into school this year to fun exploring where the children come from for the show us the skills in fencing! last 6 weeks, looking at the countries the children are from, including: Poland, Russian, Portugal, Lithuania, The coaches discussed the importance of warming up and risk assessing before Latvia and , and their traditions. taking part. The children were then taught the basic skills in fencing and all had the opportunity to have a go! The children thoroughly enjoyed it and we’d like to thank Parents have contributed greatly to the children’s learning by paying the MCC Sports coaches for coming. us a visit in school to tell us about their home countries, bringing in treats for the children to get a real taste of the traditional foods, teaching traditional dances, nursery rhymes and showing off their photos! All the staff and children would like to say a huge thank you to the parents who contributed to their learning for all their efforts, we really appreciate it. Potato Bus Earlier this year we had a visit from Billy Branston’s Potato Inspiring Sports bus! The children got the opportunity to go on the bus and experience lots of wonderful activities, ranging from growing Earlier in the term the school had the pleasure of Inspiring our own potatoes to experiencing the growth process they go Sports coming to school for a taster session. through. The children were very enthusiastic and really enjoyed the morning. They experienced sorting and selecting potatoes by measuring them with the potato sizers, weighing potatoes, exploring and smelling different seasonings, discussing and putting together ideas for healthy meals with potatoes and finally we were all given some wedges to taste! One little girl said: “They smell very tasty!”

All in all it was a very exciting opportunity for the children and we’d like to thank the Billy Branston Potato Bus and their team for paying us a visit!

World Book Day As it was World Book day this term all the children came to school dressed up as their favourite character from their favourite book and brought their favourite story to school. There were lots of Princess Elsas, Ironmen, Ninja Turtles & Little Red Riding Hoods in school that day! The day started with a sharing assembly, where all the teaching staff read their favourite books to the children. The afternoon was filled with yet more stories being read and revisiting our favourite story World Around Us! this half term The Three Billy Goat’s Gruff, acting out As part of Our World Around Us topic the children have been experimenting with melting ice and snow. The children were the story & completing a sequencing activity too! all very excited earlier in the term after the down pour of snow overnight and were very keen to get outside to play in the snow- and even brought some back inside the classroom to discover what happens when it warms up!

6 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News • 7 Planet Ice Young As part of the Study and Support scheme a total of around 100 Year 11 students were taken on the first trip to Planet Ice in Peterborough. Enterprise These students had attended the required The Academy’s Young Enterprise students had a successful number of Study and Support classes during the first term and the ice skating trip was a reward for day of sales when they took their products to Asda earlier their hard work. this term.

All of the students were very excited about The group, selling self-produced tie-dyed socks and tea towels, sold more the trip, especially those who had never been than £100 worth of stock to the general public during their day at the skating before. Two coaches took the group to town’s supermarket. The process started back in September when the Peterborough, where lots of laughter, falling group was formed and decided to sell the tie-dyed products. They first ran and fun was had by the Year 11s and staff alike. a car wash to raise money for their business insurance and then sold stock After a few hours skating, many of the students at the school tuck shop in December. enjoyed lunch in the café. Staff were very happy with the students’ excellent behaviour and how Business studies teacher Mrs Bird, who helps to guide the group, said: much they had enjoyed the trip. On the way “They have done marvellously well throughout and the day at Asda was home, the students all chatted excitedly about very impressive.” The group are currently writing their business report and the day and how they were looking forward to will be presenting it at the Young Enterprise Area Final on the 18th March. the next Study and Support reward trip.

for viewing on their brand new website which the boys are Student of the Week Difique! currently building. Two year 10 boys are taking their first steps to being the next Lord Sugar. Joe Bloom and George Bevan are currently awaiting Each week every Faculty votes for a Student of the 04/12/2014 Ryan Wonnacott 7I their first delivery of bespoke fashion t-shirts displaying their Week and from there a whole academy Student 11/12/2014 Jasmine Beck 10T brand name ‘Difique’. of the Week accolade is given out. The winners 18/12/2014 Luke Baxter 8H 09/01/2015 Albert Fienko 8L receive prioroty passes for the canteen as well as The boys have had an eye for fashion, following both having 16/01/2015 Larisa Hartagan 9F some previous modelling experience. Joe said: “We have been vouchers and prizes. 23/01/2015 Courtney Keal 11E into fashion and designing for a while and always wanted to 30/01/2015 Skye Hind 8S try and make some money. I study business studies so that 06/02/2015 Iago Cardoso 8N has helped me to get things started and get involved with something like this.”

Currently ‘Difique’ have a range of t-shirts but are hoping The School Council to enhance their stock in the future which will be available

The School Council, made up of representatives from each form group in the Academy, organised a range of events and raised an amazing £1003.85 for Children in Need. Each year group were responsible for an event with the year 7s putting teaches Performing Arts in detention for a lunchtime; year 8s plaiting hair; year 9s throwing wet sponges at teacher; the year 10s took on the teachers in a netball match while the year 11, 12 and 13 students all took part in a ‘onesie’ day. The Year 9 Performing Arts students performed their pantomime to more than 90 year 3 and 4 pupils at Park Primary. Leader of the school council Mrs Dorrian said she was “delighted” with the group’s hard work and desire to raise such a substantial amount for such a Performing Arts teacher Miss Green was delighted with the group’s performances: “The students have been working extremely worthwhile cause!!! hard on this performance and have only had this term to put it all together. It was a scripted performance which was 15min long! They were amazing and I was very proud.”

8 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News • 9 Haven High SIXTH FORM Iceland By Tori Bates

Year 13 Monologues Eight students studying Travel and Tourism went to Iceland over Earlier this term year 13 students had a fabulous the February half term, we had the opportuning to experience opportunity to perform their three monologues to some fantastic views and attractions. Kate Cumberland, who is a professional Stage Manager As soon as we landed it was snowing and we headed straight to the Blue Lagoon from Leicester. which is a spa. It was such a surreal feeling being outside in a pool whilst it was snowing! From the Blue Lagoon we went to check into the hostel where we were This performance was also used at part of the assessment process for staying, this took longer than anticipated as the roads were closed whilst we Unit 17 Developing The Voice For The Actor and Unit 18 Auditions For were travelling on them due to the amount of snow that had and was still falling. Actors. The second day was a tour around Reykjavik, where we all explored the different The students all relished opportunity. Michaela Marshall said: “It attractions including the President’s house. The third day was our final day and was a great experience performing my monologues to an audition we went on an eight hour Golden Circle Tour. We went to a Geysir where there panel because it allowed me to experience what an audition for a was a snow mountain which we all started to climb however only three of us and drama school would be like and this would be especially beneficial for Miss McQuade managed to get to the top!! someone going into the performing arts industry.” We also had the chance to walk over onto the North American tectonic plate And Megain Coleman said: “I really enjoyed having Kate Cumberland and we would be classed as in North America however all of the girls and Josh on the audition panel because the feedback she gave me matched decided to go on the bus as it was too cold and windy! Unfortunately we missed the feedback I was given by Miss Green and Mr Patman. This has out on seeing the Northern Lights as all the tours were cancelled due to the snow boosted my confidence because I now know that people outside of and we decided against eating their delicacies of Whale and Puffin! school think the same about my ability to perform.” The next day was an early start as we travelled to the airport to fly home, but I can speak on behalf of all the other students to say that we had the most amazing time in one of the prettiest places we have ever been too, even if it was colder than England!!

10 • The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News The Boston Witham Academies Federation - Winter News • 11