THE WORD The Word Summer 2016

The literacy garden Cenotaph Hall Poetry Together

This is a goo“d school

E R V E N N T T I O I N G N G I R Ofsted may 2015 Y O ” L L U

U P

B V

V

3

A

1

W

-

2 A

1 R 0 D 2

E

D G

N F I O Y R L L E U X B C E G L I N L E G N C E N E I N C H A L L THE WORD CONTENTS SUMMER 2016

4 Students Learn Resuscitation Welcome Moor Road, Wythenshawe, 4 Anna Chats Health , M23 9BP 5 Run For Life Mr D Owen Telephone: 0161 998 3992 Principal Fax: 0161 998 5144 5 War Memorial Listings Email: admin @manchesterhealthacademy.org.uk 6 Poetry Together ACADEMY SPONSOR 8 The Literacy Garden Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 9 Premier League Reading Stars CO-SPONSOR 10 Where are they Now? 10 Jodie’s Israel Adventure Welcome to the last edition of The Word for been our pleasure to join with local primary PARTNERS 11 Rocket Seeds Countdown this academic year! schools to raise funds to help with the re-build. Manchester United Foundation Button Lane Primary School 11 Students Learn to Fly High And what a brilliant year it has been so far! I love the innovative idea of using football as Northenden Community Primary School 11 Parents Forum Cooks I’m always amazed at just how much a theme to build literacy, the Premier Rack House Primary School our students have achieved and how League Reading Stars project has Sandilands Primary School 14 Sixth Form Football Victory many diverse projects they get been a great success and I’d like to involved with! I never thank Manchester United St Wilfrid’s Church of England Primary School Foundation for all their support 2 14 Students Meet United Stars cease to be 3 I was especially proud to learn “ with it. ACADEMY TRUST BOARD 16 Sport that a group of students have impressed by Chairman of Academy Trust – David Cain become the first in the North Manchester Health Academy West of England to successfully the generosity Sixth Form has an ethos of SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM apply for their local war memorial of our offering opportunity and to be added to the National broadening horizons, and Jodie Principal – Damian Owen Heritage List for England – what a students Holt’s visit to Israel is a great Vice Principal – Kevin Green fantastic demonstration of their example of this. It has been lovely to Strategic Director of Finance Dates for the Diary commitment to their local community ” see Jodie’s confidence grow during her and Corporate Services – Louise Staunton and interest in local history. As we go to time at the Academy and I wish her all the Assistant Principal – Julie Hawkins July press, we have just received the news that the best for University next year, I’m sure she will Assistant Principal – Peter Jones Wednesday 6th Prom Night Academy has been shortlisted for a shine there. Manchester Evening News Schools Award Assistant Principal – Dan Kiddier Thursday 7th Year 6 Transition Day and relating to this, which is fantastic. The work around our health specialism Assistant Principal – Lucy Neukom Open Evening (by invitation) Another project that I’ve found fascinating is continues, with Year 10 students all having the Associate Assistant Principal / Tuesday 12th Academy Performance Rocket Science, the International Space opportunity to learn life saving techniques with Director of Specialism – Helen Walker “Annie Jr” 7pm Station seeds scheme. From initially receiving colleagues from our sponsor Central Wednesday 13th Academy Performance the seeds and planting them, monitoring them Manchester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “Annie Jr” 7pm regularly and making a final report, the students It was great to see School Nurse Anna Davies have been engaged, enthusiastic and have being recognised for her work on the Friday 15th Sports Day really thought about the potential effects of ChatHealth project – the ability to access Wednesday 20th Academy Health Walk taking seeds into space. health advice at any time and anonymously is Thursday 21st Last Day of Term a great benefit to students, giving them I never cease to be impressed by the additional health-related support and guidance. August generosity of our students, families and staff Thursday 25th GCSE Results Day with their ongoing charity fundraising efforts. I I’m looking forward to the last half term, and was saddened to hear of the devastating fire at then to meeting our new Year 7 students in neighbouring Wythenshawe Hall, and it has September. Have a great summer break! September Monday 5th First Day of the New Academic Year Thursday 22nd Academy Open Evening 6pm – 8pm (including Sixth Form) THE WORD SUMMER 2016 STUDENTS LEARN WAR MEMORIAL Raising the Roof for RESUSCITATION LISTING FIRST Wythenshawe Hall Manchester Health Putting our Health Specialism into practice – all our Academy joined with other Year 10 students had the opportunity to be trained in Year 8 students have helped to list schools in Wythenshawe to resuscitation and first aid recently. present a cheque for over their local war memorial, the £6,000 to the Friends of Our sponsor, Central Manchester Hospitals NHS Northenden Cenotaph. Wythenshawe Hall in Foundation Trust developed the ORCS project lives that are free from the effects of heart and circulatory support of their work in disease. (Opportunities for Resuscitation and Citizen Safety), Manchester Health Academy is one of 200 schools around restoring the 16th Century providing health education project which provides the the country involved in Historic England’s Heritage Schools Hall, which was badly Mrs Walker arranged for the specially trained ORCS staff opportunity for health & education to work in partnership Programme which has been set up to encourage school damaged in an arson to come into the Academy to help students to put theory with young people (14 to 19 year olds), actively children to develop an understanding of their local heritage attack in March. encouraging them to live longer, happier, healthier lives: into practice with ORCS’ equipment. and its significance. They are the first school group in the North of England to have helped to place a local war memorial Chair of the Friends group Richard on the National Heritage List for England. Jackson said “After the fire we were devastated, but to see schools and children working so hard to raise funds for us The students first came across their local war memorial while has given us a huge lift.” they learnt about the experiences of local soldiers who fought The Bitter ANNA CHATS and died in the First World War. With help from Heritage Headteacher of Sandilands Primary School, Joan Grant, who Schools, they discovered that the memorial was not listed and organised the cross-schools efforts, commented “I was decided to apply to ensure its protection in future years. amazed at the response I had when I contacted other Side of Sweet schools, there was a real eagerness to take part.” HEALTH! Lead by Miss Morris, the students I’d like to ask parents and carers to help their children, and to A total of 19 schools raised funds. students to help themselves, to get the most out of their time at visited the memorial, took the Academy by cutting down on sugary drinks and sweets as photographs and made detailed Members of Friends of Wythenshawe Hall dressed in Tudor much as possible. notes on its setting and design, as well as researching its history. costume to welcome pupils and staff from the schools at the It is often in the news that eating too much sugar has wide-ranging Courtyard Café in Wythenshawe Park, before performing a negative impacts on our health and well-being, and here at the A student involved in the project specially written poem. MP Mike Kane thanked the schools on behalf of the community, taking time to greet each school 4 Academy we see the effects of too much sugar reflected in our said: “I walk past the memorial 5 students’ ability to learn. almost every day but I never really child and mention their school. Mike reminisced about gave it much thought. This learning to play cricket in front of the Hall during his schools Popular sugary foods and drinks, such as Lucozade and other energy project helped me to realise why days and said “I am talking to the Council about making the drinks, and sweets such as Skittles, give a quick burst of energy by monuments like that are so Hall a great place for today’s children and future generations.” causing a sharp increase in blood sugar, but when levels fall this can important – I’ve thought about the cause moods to dip. This cycle can make us feel irritable, anxious people listed on it and Vice Chair of the Friends group Paul Selby, who was one of and tired, affecting concentration and behaviour. None of these is researched when it was built and the first at the scene of the fire, said “It is fantastic that the good for a student’s learning. why. It made me respect it more.” schools and children have become involved – Here is a great app that can help you to make “sugar smart” choices After an anxious wait, the we do what we do for available as a free download – have a go, it’s a real eye-opener! We are delighted to announce that Anna Davies, students finally found out that their application had been them and the community www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/campaigns/sugar-smart/ our school nurse, won a prestigious Central successful on 10th May 2016. Northenden War Memorial and it gives me a great Manchester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust now features on the National Heritage List for England as a sense of pride to see The government recommends that free or added sugars shouldn’t “We’re proud of you” Award. their interest and love make up more than 5% of the energy (calories) you get from food Grade II Listed Structure. Members of the local Royal British Legion group are currently for the Hall.” and drink each day. That’s a maximum of 30g of added sugar a day This recognises staff for their hard work and for adults, which is roughly seven sugar cubes. As an example, a can dedication to providing exceptional care and working on improving the surrounding grounds and providing of cola can have as much as 9 cubes of added sugar support to their patients, colleagues and the disabled access. www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/sugars.aspx communities they serve. Anna has been recognised for the work she is currently undertaking around I was amazed to see just how much sugar is in some everyday foods “ChatHealth” – a new project which she is piloting and drinks and I’ll certainly be making some healthier at Manchester Health Academy around young choices in future! MEN people’s mental health. Congratulations Anna! Run For Mr Owen Launched in April, ChatHealth is a new way for Schools Award young people to get advice and support about health related issues direct from the School Nurse service. Your Life! Nomination

Anna says “ChatHealth is a fantastic way for young Congratulations to Mr Dennis and Ms Cooper, who completed the Greater people to contact their school nurse and receive Manchester Marathon on 10th April, and managed to raise a whopping £751.14 Manchester Health help and support to address their health needs. for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital! Academy has been ChatHealth has been very successful in other areas shortlisted for the Active of the country and I am very excited about Despite suffering a broken arm prior to the event, Mr Dennis completed in 3 hours Community Award in the launching it in Manchester. It will enable us to 37 mins. Manchester Evening communicate in a young people friendly manner News Schools Awards and make a real difference to young people’s Ms Cooper had also been plagued by health issues throughout their training 2016. Fingers crossed access to healthcare”. period, but was delighted to have run every step of the way. for a win!” THE WORD SUMMER 2016 The Overwhelming POETRY TOGETHER darkness

Wythenshawe FM Presenter Roz Johnson joined With a flick of a wand, stories untold MHA students to write collaborative poems which memories lost, fortunes are sold. they entered in the new Poetry Together competition. Freedom Destinies written, he shall come the darkest of all.

Mysterious figures lurking around, cackling and whaling a treacherous sound, out of the shadows and into the light, a face so frightening like the night.

His cloak drags behind him like the souls he has taken. I can hear him coming, his presence has left me shaken.

As I pull out my wand and conjure a spell. High on a hill, my mind turns to music, My spirit animal, all great and powerful, Uplifting, serene the strings are playing sends this beast to hell. Giving life to my surroundings. journey of life Blues, yellows and greens flooding into my mind, Mrs Birch, Olivia Duncalf and Drew Macro This is the place to be! I am a new born baby, one source of a river waiting to begin, But now, I start my descent to the valley floor. Poetry Together is a cross-generational competition that I relate myself as a sponge, waiting to expand and grow, The rushing river gushes next to me. Ready for begin my journey into the unknown, invites children and young people to pair up with a The track changes. No experiences yet to weigh me down or shape me, parent, grandparent, carer, older sibling or friend, to Energetic, upbeat, the music fills my ears. I copy those who surround me, share their ideas and create brand new poetry. The aim The snapping of the sticks beneath my feet, and they follow me into danger, midnight of the competition is to bring people together creatively, The rushing river enters the forest, I am a toddler now, the beginning of the river, ebbing and flowing sallow downwards, 6 Moonlight shines, 7 while also raising awareness of the great work that the Darkening in the shade, slowly all the while. Slowly expanding now, discovering pain and pleasure, In the darkness. British Red Cross do to help tackle loneliness so that The track changes. Dew forms, as Confidence fills me, allowing me to walk closer to the still needing support and value and love, they can help the most vulnerable people. Reconnecting progressing meeting new people and going to different places everyday, Night time ends. river. generations and getting people talking; it’s poetry in the journey is beginning now, its speeding up, Inside, people sleep The sunlight begins to filter through the thinning trees, action! new experiences looming, within my group. Glowing streetlights, casting shadows. Reflecting off the water. Holding on to the rest of the darkness, As the music starts to slow, the water reaches Into the teenage years, a river, fast flowing now, deeper and wider, The moon fades. Students, along with Roz and staff members, created six openness maybe not independent yet, but able to explore and experience, poems in all, and it is planned for Roz to record them to Tranquil and free. boarding the rollercoaster, not sure where I’m going but I am ready for it, Lojska Jesson, Abbey Kay broadcast on Wythenshawe FM. maybe there is something waiting around the corner, and Mrs Birch By Roz Johnson, Lojska Jesson thriving on the challenge, the changes, the newness, and Abbey Kay the sponge is filling, growing, shaping, I’m now exceeding, flying high above my targets in life,

An estuary now, maturing, I have knowledge of who I am, what fulfils me, Dead of night soaring across the open ocean becoming more independent, In the dead of night, It’s the start of the end. all my senses are stimulated, I can choose what I taste, smell, touch; variety is a absorbing all the light. People out harvesting, spice of life, Seasons Hunting for food, Colourful leaves falling, crunching underfoot. everyday experiencing new senses. It's a beginning. Orange fire crackling as we watch the colourful sky. Incredibly good, not to be seen, Tentative hope and rebirth Rockets fly, whizz, whizz, BANG! Independent now, flowing into the sea, I look back on life so far, hearing especially keen. Youthful nature draped in green, It’s time to settle in. my memory bank is growing, expanding, Majestic and strong, Early flowers show their heads. It’s the end. I can choose to review experiences; music defines my future, A Panther. Weak sunlight filtering through, Icy, cold, frosty, I have learnt that it can control my emotions, It’s time for new life. Families gather round open fires, all snuggly and warm. memories skating through my mind; the fair with the sweet aroma of candyfloss, As the sun begins to rise, The sharp air carries the Christmas scent, being in the hub of family and friends. It’s a continuation, Through the frosty window, bare trees create majestic woken to Jade eyes. Carefully stalking, Life begins to bloom. silhouettes And now I am evaporating, curiously pouncing, High in the sky the sun shines bright. It’s time to start a new! back to the sky, quietly invoking reactions. Relief from the heat, we seek the shade. I’ve aged to the point of cremation, Including you in territory protections. Happy Holidays! By Roz Johnson, Lojska Jesson the sponge is torn with the weight of the water, Active and affectionate, It’s time for relaxation. and Abbey Kay my experiences on this journey of life, A Cat. As I leave my children, I hope their life journey is full of love, Mrs Birch, Lojska Jesson as mine, has been. and Abbey Kay Mrs Lee, Jack Formstone and Jessica Hall THE WORD SUMMER 2016 THE LITERACY GARDEN Premier League TAKES SHAPE Reading Stars On 22nd April we had our first ever Scholastic Book Fair. Students were invited to come and purchase books, posters and stationary.

The Fair was extended for an extra week and it was a fantastic success. We sold over 30 books, lots of stationary and several posters.

Overall we made £303!! Which means we were given Students, along with their parents and other invited £150 towards new books for school for our Learning guests, enjoyed a celebration of their excellent Resource Centre. work with an awards ceremony in our Learning Resource Centre. As well as this, three students, Haroon Sadar, Owais The Literacy Garden is coming on leaps and bounds, Hussain and Sally Cox won a free book for with students’ hard work really making a difference! The students, who were members of the Premier themselves from the fair. 8 League Reading Stars Squad, have worked with Mrs 9 Students have been cooking up treats with the rhubarb with Richmond and Lee Caldwell, our Manchester United As this was a successful fair we are planning to invite Mrs Lee, the beds are coming along despite some serious Foundation Development Officer, on the ten week weeds and we have potatoes leaping up! Scholastic back in our Autumn Term. programme. We were delighted to have received our Level 2 RHS School Gardening Award this month too! Premier League Reading Stars scheme was developed by the Premier League in partnership with the National We have been very fortunate to have received help from the Literacy Trust. It is designed to develop an enthusiasm community and wish to thank: for reading through a series of football themed National The kind people at Wythenshawe Park Farm, who kindly workshops or ‘fixtures’. These fixtures are based donated manure recently, which has been spread over the around a range of fun activities. This included a trip Literacy raised beds to improve the soil. to to meet Tom Palmer and Alan Gibbons, two famous children’s authors. Real Food Wythenshawe, who came up trumps and brought us Trust Survey a trolley full of seed potatoes, all chitted and ready to plant. John Eades, Operations Director at Manchester United Foundation, came along to the celebration event to It was looking like a big job to get the third and final bed dug Towards the end of May term, each child in speak to the squad and make the presentations. He over, but six members of staff from Wythenshawe Housing Years 7, 8 and 9, took part in a nationwide Group very kindly came to the rescue, spending an afternoon gave a very inspiring speech about the importance of Literacy Survey called Read Manchester. and getting it all dug and planted with the potatoes, so a big reading and how it can help to achieve success in life. thank you to them too. The aim of the campaign is to promote reading and We are in the process of making some decorative boards for Coventry University have been asked by the National boost literacy throughout the city of Manchester. the garden this month when the Academy goes on tour to our Literacy Trust to carry out a review of Premier League Each child’s answers will be collated and put into a Partnership Primary School summer fairs. A big thank you to Reading Stars and they have invited Manchester report by the National Literacy Trust for school to Travis Perkins in Sharston who kindly donated plywood, and to Health Academy to take part. They will be coming into analyse and help us with our Get Caught Reading Wickes who donated paint and varnish for these! school over the next few weeks to speak to the squad project and promote reading for pleasure about how they enjoyed the programme. throughout the school. Thanks also to Mike Garry, Lemn Sissay and Alex Wheatle who have kindly agred to let us reproduce quotes on the boards. Learning Resource Manager Mrs Birch and the student Literacy If you are interested in getting involved Well done to all those who took part. Leaders have been busy building other local contacts and have Please contact Mrs Birch on 0161 998 3992 or lots of exciting ideas in the pipeline. e-mail [email protected]. THE WORD SUMMER 2016 Sixth form Head plays Rocket Seeds on Count Down! Students at Manchester Health Academy them sunlight and water. The plant could made scientific history as they embarked be affected by the radiation in space and hockey for England on a voyage of discovery by growing seeds they may not grow as big.” that had been into space. When Mr Maguire is not running the Academy’s Sixth Form he is The seeds were sent as part of Rocket a keen sportsman. He recently represented England in the 100 rocket seeds that spent several Science, an educational project Masters World Cup and travelled to Australia to play. He tells the months in zero gravity conditions on the launched by the RHS Campaign for story here: International Space Station were sewn, School Gardening and the UK Space alongside 100 that have remained on Agency and took approximately two I received an email in February to say that I had been selected for the Earth. The Year 9 Triple Science students months to grow. England Over-45’s Masters Hockey team to play in the Masters World monitored the seed’s growth before Cup in Canberra, Australia. This was a very proud moment and after submitting their data to be analysed by Manchester Health Academy is one of careful consideration I made the decision to take up this once in a professional biostatisticians. 10,000 UK schools to receive seeds. This missions in space and the difficulties lifetime opportunity. is the first time seeds have been sent into surrounding growing fresh food in Cameron Rahim predicted “I think the space and the effects on germination and challenging climates. On arrival in Canberra it was very clear to me that the Australians take seeds will grow but not like a normal seed. growth studied. their sport very seriously, the facilities, organisation and medical staff The anti-gravity might confuse the plant so Science Teacher Dr Rachel Martin said: for all athletes was second to none. it will grow upside down. The radiation The out-of-this-world, nationwide science “We are very excited to be taking part in could also affect the rocket so I think it experiment enabled the students to think Rocket Science. This experiment is a The tournament was brilliant and after some hard fought victories might mutate.” Nadia Williams held a more about how we could preserve human fantastic way of teaching our students to against New Zealand and Scotland we managed to make the final different hypothesis, “I think that they will life on another planet in the future, what think more scientifically and share their against Australia. be the same. All you have to do is give astronauts need to survive long-term findings nationally.”

The Australian team included four former Olympians, and in the 80 degree heat, they were the winners. We literally left everything on the pitch and were proud that we had given it our best shot, and I was lucky enough to get onto the score sheet. Students Learn to Fly High!

The experience has taught me so much, Manchester Health Academy was delighted to welcome Corporal Alex Worrall of but ultimately to push yourself - then you the Royal Air Force into Year 10 Assembly. will be rewarded. Experiencing a new culture and broadening horizons, for me, In an initiative co-ordinated by Stephen Wharton of the Manchester United Foundation, is an essential ingredient of life and one Corporal Worrall talked to students about opportunities for school leavers within the RAF. that I constantly talk to our Sixth Form 10 11 students about. I’m pleased that MHA Aircraft Engineer and Career Mentor Corporal Worrall said “It’s not about getting young Sixth Form offers so many opportunities - people into the armed forces, it’s about getting them good careers.” from hospital placements, expeditions and I’m looking forward to running our first Sixth Whilst the presentation focussed on opportunities within the RAF, it was the beginning of Form Ski Trip in Austria next February. a programme of workshops that will teach students about what opportunities there are in general for all school leavers, and the life skills needed to be successful .

Mr Wharton explained “This programme will raise awareness of the job opportunities out there and explore various pathways into careers. The RAF are our delivery partner, and will work with students around skills required, leadership, CVs, interviews and the life Jodie’s Israel Adventure skills that every school leaver will need, whatever path they choose.” Sixth Form BTEC Sport student Jodie promote the involvement of young Holt travelled to Tel Aviv in Israel people in their communities, discuss the earlier this year to participate in the potential barriers in society and Parent Forum European Football Development strategies to overcome these barriers. Network (EDFN) “Breaking Barriers Through Football” International Youth Each day a different team was Exchange. responsible for introducing the culture of she says “It was scary but I felt great Cooks Up A Feast their country in an interactive way, in afterwards when I’d done it.” Representing England as a Youth Leader, order to connect with each other and The final Academy Parent Forum event for this Parent Forum session, this was great fun and lovely Jodie spent the week with young people learn about different cultures. There were year was a great success, with 25 parents to meet everyone”. from Israel, and the Netherlands. This also sessions playing sports with Jodie is looking forward to going to Liverpool John Moores University in attending to cook up a healthy dish of Hungarian footbal-based youth exchange is a children with disabilities, and a visit to a Goulash with Herby Dumplings and Hawaii Eton Jane Roddy, Business and Marketing Manager, unique experience hosted by the Israeli Blind Restaurant, where diners sit in September to study Applied Sports Psychology. Over the summer, she will Mess lead by freelance nutritionists Ruth Morgan who runs the group said “It’s great to get parents football club Hapoel Tel Aviv that aims to complete darkness and are served by and Portia Ruzario who helped parents prepare involved in these events. Parent Forum provides a blind and partially sighted staff. Jodie be working with disabled children for the Manchester United Foundation. the meal and cook it to perfection. way for parents to give their views on various said “This was especially touching for aspects of the Academy. Parents are not expected me as my brother is blind. The trip The Parent Forum meets once every half term to to attend every session, we realise they have busy has helped me to gain confidence, discuss topics that are relevant to everyday life lives, its just great to see them when they can make experience and insights, and I within the Academy and provide staff with the it”. All Academy parents and carers are welcome to enjoyed meeting the other teams!” “Parent’s Voice”. One parent said “This was my first join the group. time at the group. It was lovely to meet other parents Since returning, Jodie has visited Old who were so friendly and accommodating”. Jane act information cont ipes, Trafford to present her experiences Foulkes, who has children at the Academy, came For more .org.uk. For the rec sterhealthacademy ite. to the board at Manchester United, with her mum. Jane commented “Another fantastic j.roddy@manche page on our webs demy Parent Forum please visit the Aca THE WORD summer 2016 Brooklands Library Free kfast Club Brea for Manchester Health Academy Students 7.45am - 8.15am every school day

We serve toast and crumpets, fruit and yoghurt, cereals, tea, Moor Road, Wythenshawe, M23 9BP coffee and hot chocolate. Telephone: 0161 245 7087 Email: [email protected] Relax and socialise, use the computers, play on the x-box, • Disabled Access • Parking listen to music or play table tennis! • Computer Access – get Safe, relaxing, fun environment rt! Monday: 10am-1pm 2-5pm your day off to a healthy sta Tuesday: 10am-1pm 2-5pm Wednesday: 10am-1pm 2-8pm Thursday: closed Kindly supported by Duerr s Jam Friday: 10am-1pm 2-5pm ’ 12 13 STAY & PLAY AT MHA Every Wednesday 9.15am - 11am in term time

Back on Wednesday 14th September 2016

Moor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9BP Telephone: 0161 998 3992 Email: admin @manchesterhealthacademy.org.uk THE WORD summer 2016 Where are they now? Dilon Ashton: BA (Hons) Exercise, Physical Activity and Health student at the University of Salford

Dilon joined us in Year 9, following living in Gran Canaria for four years. Always a keen sportsman, he went on to study BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport in the Academy’s Sixth Form.

Despite being challenged by dyslexia, Dilon excelled at his studies. He also found time to play semi-professional football for Ashton United, and qualified as a gym instructor. His years in Spain were a benefit too, as he was able to offer his services as translator for Sixth Manchester United players, such as Radamel Falcao. Form Girls Dilon has spent this year studying BA (Hons) Exercise, Physical Activity and Health at The University of Salford, passing his first year Football Victory with a First. Congratulations to the Sixth Form Dilon visited the Academy recently to tell Year 12 students about his Girls Football Team were once again experiences at University, saying “Work hard, you definitely can victorious as achieve university. I’ve worked really hard this year and it’s difficult Champions! They were a credit to with dyslexia but my efforts have paid off in the end.” He added “I Manchester Health Academy, can’t thank Manchester Health Academy staff enough in guiding me well done ladies. to what I hope will be a degree in two years’ time”. Students meet united first team 14 15 Year 9 students had a big surprise recently when they were taken to Manchester United’s training facility in Carrington for a “football tournament”.

Unbeknown to them the whole first team squad were waiting to meet them! The players enjoyed a kick about with the students and took part in a question and answer session about their own school days. The students had been individually selected by their Year Lead because they had each demonstrated commitment and willingness to learn and a great attitude.