Ark William Parker Academy newsletter MARCH 2017 : ISSUE 19 Premier league footballer returns to school Eucharist In this issue Sporting successes Duke of Edinburgh award The Bishop of Lewes Health grant A Groovy show! Enrichment Jerwood Gallery Student work Artist of the month End of term events and more... Aspire . Achieve . Suc - Welcome Dear Parents, carers and friends within our community. I am delighted to be writing to you at the end of a very busy and exciting term at William Parker where you are about to experience the successes and achievements of our pupils both in and outside the classroom. As you will see and read, we have welcomed a number of visitors, participated in a variety of workshops and represented the academy, all in order Bishop Richard of Lewes to give our pupils a wide variety of experiences that will support them in becoming well rounded citizens leads Easter Eucharist where they can make positive contributions to their communities. Some of these events were participating On the 29th March, we welcomed Bishop Richard of Lewes to lead the in training in order to prepare and revise for exams, Easter Eucharist at our academy. The Eucharist took place in the main attending alternative sports workshops at Brighton hall for years 7 and 8 during period 1 and years 9 and 10 during period University, representing the academy in a sporting 2. We also welcomed a number of the academy governors to the fixture, signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh award, Eucharist. This was the first formal Eucharist worship in the school in participating in the Eucharist assembly and many the last two years. many more! Previously, Eucharist has been an informal and smaller affair in the I am incredibly proud of the achievements of the boys school Chapel. However, as we near the Academy’s 400th anniversary during this past term, both academically and the decision has been taken to develop Eucharist in a larger capacity pastorally. They have demonstrated on several than before. occasions that they are respectful, hardworking and Rev. Luke Dean, incumbent chaplain, invited the Bishop to lead the resilient young men, and more recently this has been worship and opened an invitation for him to observe the academy in its commented on by visitors to the academy. The Parker teaching and learning. Manners are being owned by the pupils and they are At the start of each service, student John Zachariah led the procession demonstrating the importance of them as they carry into the hall. During the services, Milo Moody and Sam Tomlin shared themselves around the site. reading the gospel and reading the intercessions. All students were During the year we have focussed on improving our given the opportunity to take bread and (non-alcoholic) wine or receive independent advice and guidance for all of our pupils. a blessing from the Bishop; they also shook hands as a sign of peace. A This involved individual pupil and parent meetings special mention goes to sixth form student Yafet Okubet for his expert with Years 8 and 9 in order to support the boys with piano playing as students entered the hall. making their option choices, inviting in a host of external companies, trades and services in to develop aspiration and give advice and guidance about future recruitment and university places. The response from pupils has been excellent and the plans for the rest of the year are also exciting. We really enjoyed hosting Eucharist with the Bishop of Lewes. Years 7-10 were invited to take part in the service, which they took very seriously. The pictures demonstrate our boys either receiving a blessing or communion. It gave us time to reflect on the values that we hold dear as individuals and as an academy. We have been very busy preparing our boys and Year 13 pupils for their impending Public Examinations and the pupils have been amazing, showing great perseverance in order to make the strides in order to get the results that they so deserve in the Summer. I am sure that you will join me in wishing them the very best of luck for a good set of papers and questions. Our Summer academy term starts on Tuesday 18th April at the normal time. I wish you all a restful and peaceful break with enjoyable times with your family. Stephanie Newman Acting Principal Faith . Perseverance . Respect . Achievement Premier League player inspires our students Students at Ark William Parker Academy were thrilled when Premier League footballer and AFC Bournemouth star defender, Steve Cook, paid a surprise visit to the academy. Steve, a former Ark William Parker to playing against Liverpool in the League and inspired by Steve’s visit. They asked student, has been paying particular interest Cup. He talked about being on loan at him many questions, ranging from his in the Year 8 football team who reached several non-league clubs before being favourite pitch to play on to the best player the last 16 in this year’s ESFA National Cup. signed by Bournemouth and going on the he has ever come up against. They were Steve relived his memories of his very own journey through the leagues before particularly intrigued about his school National Cup winning memories from 2004. securing a premier league position. Steve football memories. He spoke to students from the sixth form spoke clearly about the ‘Perseverance’ he Steve said “It was fantastic coming back to Football Academy, the Year 8 football team had to show and the ‘Faith’ in his own school, seeing the boys and some of the old and Year 10 GCSE and BTEC students about ability to ultimately ‘Achieve’ what he has - staff. I had great memories of being at his own journey from nearly missing out on three key words from the schools ethos. Parker and I wish the current Year 8 team a scholarship at Brighton and Hove Albion, The Year 8 boys were particularly excited every bit of luck in the National Cup.” U13 team reach final 16 in the ESFA National Cup At the beginning of January, Ark William Parker’s U13 football team won through to the final 16 in the English Schools National Cup after beating George Abbot School in Guildford. The team played in the next round on 25th January and showed great perseverance in pursuit of a place in the final 8. The Year 8 team fought hard against strong opposition from All Hallow's Catholic School, Farnham but their search for a place in the Quarter Final of the National Cup ultimately ended in a 1-0 defeat in extra time. The first half was an even contest with both sides having strong penalty claims. Parker captain Benn Ward had the best of Parkers William Parker took the previous game to chances, drawing the All Hallows keeper penalties and the game was heading for a into a fine save from a free kick. All Hallows similar ending, however, the impressive All had a lively forward line and man of the Hallows striker managed to find the net match Jamal Palmer, alongside Harvey with a cross-come-shot with only three Mapstone, marshalled the defence well to minutes of extra time remaining. keep the All Hallows chance to a minimum. Spencer Winters and Freddie Legg also Coach Jimmy Elford said, “The Parker boys defended well against quick and skilful can hold their heads high and be proud of wingers. their achievements; they reached the last sixteen of a competition with over 700 The second half followed a similar pattern schools entered. The school and its staff are of play. All Hallows putting the Parker certainly proud of them.” defence under more scrutiny and just when they thought they had broken the deadlock visit our website for more Cody Craddock was on hand to produce a fine save to tip the ball onto the crossbar news and photos when a certain goal seemed inevitable. www.arkwilliamparker.org Faith . Perseverance . Respect . Achievement Year 8 Basketball win Ark William Parker hosted the Year 8 B League Basketball tournament with Hastings Academy, Bexhill Academy and Rye College in attendance. Our team started off drawing a close game against Bexhill Academy with overtime not being able to separate the teams. Victory against a more physically developed Hastings Academy 8-4 and Boys boldly support the annual against Rye College 18-0 ensured that we won the tournament. International Women’s Day Squad - Lewis Walker, Jamal Palmer, On 8th March, Year 8 students showed Ms Grimmer Head of Year 8 said, Harvey Mapstone, Reece Harrison, Eric support for International Women’s Day “International Women’s Day is a chance for Baily, Leon Harrison and Adam Thomas which celebrates the social, economic, us to connect women’s struggles in the UK cultural and political achievements of and across the world. It is vital that we Year 9 Basketball women. encourage boys and men to stand in During their assembly the boys heard how solidarity with women and girls to highlight AWPA travelled to Claverham to take so many women and girls across the world inequalities faced by females nationally and part in the Year 9 B League Basketball are still unable to reach their full potential; globally. Here at Ark William Parker it is tournament to take on Claverham, how they lack access to a proper education, imperative that our boys are made aware Robertsbridge and Bexhill Academy. family planning facilities, safe homes and of and encouraged to support such Despite a slow start the boys career opportunities. The students showed movements, helping them to develop into performance grew with each game but a real understanding of issues that prevent well informed young men with respect and unfortunately were unable to gain gender equality.