under the mTerm 6 Newsletter 2011 Issuecroscope Nine

03-07 Primary Phase • 08 Goodbye Message • 09-24 Secondary Phase

Busy End to Executive Principal Knighted For Services KSA’s Second Year To Education Science has shown just how New roles of responsibility have been created A busy and productive year was topped off far it has come in its second year with a busy in each House, with each student encouraged with the news that the Executive Principal of and productive final term. to play a part in shaping life at the Academy. the Brooke Weston Partnership was awarded a From ICU days and House celebration Other highlights this term include awards for knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. assemblies, to a creative arts exhibition and our anti-bullying initiatives and for our active Sir Peter Simpson, whose career in education an awards ceremony for students on our involvement in Aim Higher, a programme that spans 40 years, oversees Business Alternative Curriculum, the drive to create an promotes higher education to young people. Academy, and inclusive Academy where everyone can thrive Next year is the final year in the current Kettering Science Academy. has continued in earnest. Sir Peter said: “I have been very fortunate with Students have once again proved to be the building and with so much achieved already, the people I have worked with in the 40 years driving force behind much of what has been KSA is determined to keep the momentum I have been doing this job, from my first head achieved, including coming up with their own going ahead of the move into the new of department when I was a new teacher, right enterprising charity ideas and designing new building – the next step in a bright future for through to a succession of teachers from whom the Academy. products for the restaurant. I learnt a lot. “You look back on your career and realise that these people help you to become what you are. “I’m very determined to provide the best quality service for the young people in our schools and to extend that high-quality offer to as many young people as I can. “Brooke Weston and now the other partnership schools are an example of just how good state- funded education can be.”

Read more about the ICU day on pages 14 and 15 and see pictures from the art exhibition on page 17. There is also a touch of glitz and glam to this edition, with prom pictures on pages 13 and 22.

1 CONTENTS

Letters from the Principals 2 LETTERS FROM Primary Information 3 THE PRINCIPALS Nursery and Reception 4 Lower School News 5 Dear Families Upper School News 6 This year has been a year of seismic change in the college. This collaboration Secondary News 9 secondary phase of Kettering Science Academy. We with other education have introduced ICU days and these have been incredibly providers is beginning to House page 11 successful across all years - we will continue to build on filter down to years 10 the programme for next year. We have also introduced and 11, with 24 students The New Build 12 a very innovative curriculum where students now have taking Level 2 courses at choice of what they study in years 9, 10 and 11. The new Corby Training Centre in Core 16 curriculum really does allow for success across a number electrical installation and of subjects and areas. Students are not restricted to plumbing. This perhaps Creative, Expressive and making a choice in a vocational, creative or traditional more than anything 17 route but can choose a mixture of different pathways to shows KSA as a provider of achievement in many different Physical Studies ensure success. areas. Humanities and Business 18 We have also introduced, which was perhaps the most A year of incredible change but this would not have been profound change, a vertical tutoring system. This possible if it were not for the dedication and hard work Year 11 Prom has made us look closely at every aspect of reporting of the staff here at the KSA. Indeed, it is testament to the 22 to parents, tracking student progress, pastoral care talented staff that so much has been achieved in such a systems and procedures to see if they really are fit for short time. purpose. The vertical tutoring system is at the core of the It is also testament to the excellent student body who Academy and it contributes to helping build the ethos of have embraced the changes. Indeed, so much so that in ‘achievement, collaboration and leadership’. It has been a recent governors’ questionnaire, 82% said they thought a huge success and students are now beginning to be Kettering Science Academy was a ‘good Academy’. Consultation on proud of being part of a house system. Indeed, the house system has helped build links between the primary and It is an incredibly exciting time to be at KSA and this Proposals for a secondary phases with twinning assemblies and some time next year the secondary phase will be moving into lessons happening across both phases. the new build. This will present challenges but I am Five-Term Year absolutely convinced that the staff and students here will These changes have contributed to making this an rise to these and will ensure that we are ready to teach Families were asked for their thoughts on a extremely successful year and this is nowhere more and learn in September 2012 in a magnificent state of the proposal to introduce a five-term year to both evident than in applications to the Sixth Form. We have art 21st century learning environment. phases of Kettering Science Academy. had a record number of students wanting to stay on and A five-term model would consist of five eight- complete the next stage of the learning journey. Indeed, I wish you a safe summer and hope to see you at some of the events put on for families in the new academic year. week terms in a year. Each holiday is normally the Academy is now taking applicants from across the two weeks, with the summer holiday usually region and the collaboration with Tresham means that four weeks long. some students studying at KSA will be enrolled at the Martin Campbell – Principal – Secondary Phase

The advantages are: • The regular nature of the terms allows for a regular pattern of learning • Eight weeks provides enough time for a topic The end of the academic Academy to take up his headship in Milton Keynes. to be studied in depth, but is short enough year is always an Mr Talbot has given and learned (!) a tremendous amount for a brisk rate of progress. appropriate time to during his three and a half years in Kettering. We will express my thanks and all miss him but we wish him every success in this new • For students, the two week holidays provide a appreciation to various chapter of his career. real break from school, long enough for once groups and individuals I am pleased to advise you that Mrs Harley will join the homework or coursework is completed. who have supported your • For parents each two week break provides staff in September, teaching Year 6, while Mrs Green is children in their work and on maternity leave. Mrs Green’s baby is due in September. an opportunity for a family holiday. Those in play: the site staff, mid March and May fall outside the peak holiday day supervisors, admin I hope you enjoyed reading your children’s reports periods allowing considerable savings in price team, teaching assistants, recently; I always find them fascinating as each one without interrupting the student’s education. teaching staff and governors. On behalf of all at Kettering tells me your child’s academic story for the year. Please Science Academy, I say thank you for your commitment remember to complete and return the back page for our The disadvantages are: and dedication to every pupil who walks through the door records. • Many parents will have children at other at the start of each new day. The children have told us Next year, we need to work on improving attendance schools with a traditional holiday pattern, how they feel safe, welcomed and challenged; well done, and punctuality rates: we have very strong evidence that particularly primary schools, therefore co- thank you and enjoy the well earned break. link achievement with attendance. It stands to reason: if ordinating holidays and childcare is less easy. Congratulations to your children on their application to your child comes to school every day, standards go up. • Some teachers and other staff will have learning, their determination and the contributions they If applicable I urge you to make a new (academic) year’s partners or children working in, or attending, have made to the Primary Phase. Pupils’ reading skills resolution: to ensure your child adopts a positive routine schools with a traditional holiday pattern. continue to improve although we need to work even from day one and to attend school daily. This can cause difficulties with childcare and harder now on writing and some areas of calculation. Many congratulations to those pupils who achieved 100% in co-ordinating holidays. Please make sure your children continue to practise their success rate. • Teachers with partners or children working reading, writing and numeracy during the holidays. I hope you and your children have a wonderful summer in, or attending, schools with a traditional We say farewell to Mrs Ansell, one of our teaching holiday, relax and enjoy each other’s company. We all look holiday pattern may well not be attracted to assistants, at the end of term. We thank her for all the forward to seeing you again on Tuesday 6th September. apply for posts in a five term year school help she has provided for so many children, and we wish Best Wishes and staff recruitment could prove more her all the best for the future. difficult, as could retaining staff already Mr Talbot also takes his leave of Kettering Science Anne O’Neill – Principal – Primary Phase working at KSA.

2 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope PRIMARY INFORMATION

Attendance and Punctuality: Some Important Issues WELCOME to Share with You TO THE At KSA Primary our expectations for children to attend school are very high. PRIMARY All children need to attend school every day to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Attendance is PHASE tracked daily and late marks will affect the overall attendance percentage. This can lead to prompt involvement from the Educational Welfare Officer who works closely with the school on attendance issues. This year, more than 90 pupils in the Primary Phase have less than 90% attendance. This means they are missing at least half a day a week of their learning. This amounts to 20 days across the academic year. Punctuality Similarly, it is really important that your child arrives in time for the start of the school day to ensure they are ready to learn. If any of the above applies please would you consider these points over the holiday and return in September with renewed energy. Children arriving on time ready to learn.

primary information Term Dates 2011-12

Term 1 Teacher Training Day Monday 5th September 2011 Re-Open to all Students Tuesday 6th September 2011 Last day of term Friday 21st October 2011

Term 2 Teacher Training Day Monday 31st October 2011 Read Write Inc Re-Open to Students Tuesday 1st November 2011 th The Primary Phase is introducing the Read Write Inc programme to Last day of term Friday 16 December 2011 help children progress further with their literacy. rd The phonic system helps children to hear and see the sounds of words Term 3 Teacher Training Day Tuesday 3 January 2012 to help them understand how words are built. Re-Open to Students Wednesday 4th January 2012 Children will work with others at their level across different year Last day of term Friday 10th February 2012 groups, except Year 5 and 6. Term 4 Training Day Monday 20th February 2012 Last day of term Friday 30th March 2012

Term 5 Teacher Training Day Monday 16th April 2012 Re-Open to Students Tuesday 17th April 2012 School closed May Day Monday 7th May 2012 Last day of term Friday 1st June 2012

Term 6 Re-Open to Students Monday 11th June 2012 Last Day of term Friday 20th July 2012 The 8 children who achieved 100% attendance this academic year (pictured) were awarded with a certificate, 20 K points and a trip to Gulliver’s Land.

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 3 NURSERY & RECEPTION

Nursery: Magical Holidays The Nursery children have been finding out where potatoes come from. We have grown some, weighed and counted them. We then washed and cooked all the potatoes and enjoyed eating them! We have been enjoying our ‘Treasure topic’ and had an exciting Pirate Day. We dressed up, sang songs, searched for treasure, walked the plank and ate fish fingers and beans! The Nursery children have also been finding out about holidays and what a travel agent is. They booked their holiday, went on holiday and then made some postcards!

Tracy Sheridan – Nursery Teacher

RECEPTION: Animal Magic This term, Reception was visited by parents for a literacy morning so children did some writing for them and a dance from Animal Boogie. Animals have been our topic this term so we had a trip to Hamerton Zoo and have been working outside in the garden.

Liz Blakeley and Lynsey Jones – Reception Teachers

4 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope LOWER SCHOOL NEWS

YEAR 1 Let’s Fly Away Year 1 have been looking at holidays – we booked our holiday, checked in at passport control and flew to Hawaii. We even had our own air hostesses and made our own travel brochures and souvenirs. We celebrated American Independence Day as the USA is our host country – we met George Washington (thanks to Mr Talbot!) and made cakes.

Claire Yarland – Year 1 Teacher

YEAR 2 Green Fingers Last term Year 2 took part in a gardening project, turning weed-filled flower beds into a colourful garden that we hope will attract lots of insects as well as brighten up the lower school playground. This term the group has visited the Secondary Phase to find out all about electricity.

Chris Woolhouse – Year 2 Teacher

YEAR 3 Sports Day As part of our Health and Fitness topic, Year 3 planned a sports day for Year 2. We came up with the rules, got the equipment and set it up in the playground. We had to keep track of all the teams. We also welcomed families in as part of the parents in classrooms programme.

James Bates – Year 3 Teacher

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 5 UPPER SCHOOL NEWS

YEAR 4 Survival Instincts In Year 4 part of our Survival topic consisted of a trip to Everdon where we learnt to start fires with Swedish fire steels, and about fire safety. We also learnt about shelters and animal habitats in the woods before toasting marshmallows over our fires.

Caroline Leeming – Year 4 Teacher

YEAR 5 Olympic Fever The topic for Year 5 this term was ‘Swifter, Higher, Stronger...together’. The unit is linked to the Olympic games. We have been working closely with Year 2 to produce an opening ceremony; the children displayed the torches they had made in a parade, they competed in some races in their respective house teams and then performed dances to each other. The Year 5 children performed a Greek dance to celebrate the opening of our new topic for their Year 2 friends. Throughout this topic the children’s learning focused on the Olympic games and they found out about the Ancient and Modern Olympics. As part of our transition week they have been learning about and comparing and contrasting the different versions of Alice in Wonderland. They then planned their own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party including table decorations, food and costumes.

Helen Green – Year 5 Teacher

Goodbye to Year 6 - See page 8

The Power of Touch: Benefits of the Massage Programme Children have been trying out massage techniques on each other at the start of lessons to help concentration and teach respect. The internationally-used Massage in Schools Programme has been introduced this term to Years 4 and 5 and is set to be rolled out across all years. The idea behind it is that it will help children to develop better motor skills, improve social skills and teach them to care for and respect themselves and others. Kelly Greaves, Inclusion Leader for KSA’s Primary Phase, said: “The children go through a routine of 15 strokes to the head, neck, back and shoulders. It’s a good way of helping them to get on with each other and they’ve all enjoyed it because they don’t have the same inhibitions as adults. “They have been going home and trying it on their parents and pets!”

6 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope PRIMARY NEWS Science in Action Making dragster cars and carrying out lab building and racing experiments are just some of the activities dragster cars powered pupils have taken part in through visits to the using a compressed air Secondary Phase. rocket launcher. Louise Oliver, Secondary’s Science Specialist Year 2 and 3 pupils have Project Manager, has been running a series of seen some static electricity projects with the Primary Phase this term. experiments, including the Van Each Tuesday, a different year group has visited der Graaf generator demonstration, while the labs to use resources not normally available Year 4 completed some acid and alkali testing Kyle McQueen added: “We learnt about what to primary school children. experiments. happens when you mix different ingredients Year 6 has been challenged with a dragster Jordan Miles said: “It was exciting because it’s with universal indicators.” racing project, where they have been designing, different to what we normally do.”

Secondary Phase Open Day Events

Families with children who will be moving across to KSA’s Secondary Phase in September 2012 are invited to a series of open day events next term. There will be tours twice a week from September 13th to October 27th, on Tuesdays at 9am and on Thursdays at 2pm. During the week of October 17th to 21st there will be two tours a day at 9am and 2pm. There will also be an open evening on October 13th from 6pm to 8pm – more details will be available on the Academy’s website nearer the time. The year group will be the first to start in the new building that is currently under construction.

Awards Ceremony Pupils in upper school received awards for progress, endeavour or contribution to the wider community. Members of the choir also received a certificate for winning the Kettering hymn singing competition earlier in the year.

A Way with Words Alan Short, Chair of Governors, donated a prize for poetry - a beautiful trophy and some vouchers. Each year, pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 will be invited to Einstein were the proud winners write a poem and enter the competition. There was a of the K point award and Sports set theme for this year. The first pupil to win the prize day – pictured are the house and is Daria Marriott from Year 5, pictured here with Mr vice house captains Short. 2nd and 3rd prizes went to Chibundom Ike and Amarjot Singh Hayer respectively, also in Year 5.

The end of year Special Award Assembly for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 7 Goodbye to year 6

A Goodbye Message from Mrs Jackson and Mr Hollwey It’s been an enjoyable and challenging year, We had lots of children participating in sports We hope they keep in touch and let us know all one which we think the children have got a lot events and the school production, What Does about their achievements. out of. They have made some valuable progress Christmas Mean to Us? A lot of the children had Kate Jackson and Richard Hollwey and worked extremely hard in their SATs. They main roles so it was good to see them commit to – Year 6 Teachers put a lot of effort in and were very mature so that. We’ve also had House Captains who have hopefully they will get the results they deserve. taken responsibility for the twinning association It’s been nice to see the children’s characters with the Secondary Phase. and sense of humour develop over the year. We wish all the children every success and The residential trip to Govilon in September was happiness as they move into their new schools. particularly enjoyable – it gave us the chance to see the children as rounded characters and they got to see us in a different light too. It was a real ice-breaker and helped us all to get to know each other.

8 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope After 30 Years, Mr Dodman Says Goodbye He’s been known for his sense of humour, Both his children – Sara and Simon – attended entertaining assemblies and speeches and this school because, Mr Dodman said, “I wanted his quiet efficiency. to put my money where my mouth was. I felt this But after 30 years at Henry Gotch, Ise Community school was good enough for my own kids.” College and now Kettering Science Academy, Mr Mr Dodman’s last role was as Vice Principal on Dodman’s time here has come to end with his the senior management team and he said: “It’s retirement this term. been good to be involved with a group of people Staff and students are hugely sad to see him go who make things happen and change things for and he will certainly leave a big gap that will be the better. My ultimate satisfaction though is hard to fill. Mr Dodman first came to this school being with a group of students in a classroom so to take up the position of Head of Religious it’s always been important to me to keep my feet Studies and Social Religion. on the ground.” He said he fell into the role of an IT teacher, Mr Dodman will certainly be busy in his “Steve Dodman is a fantastic teacher who saying: “When they put a computer in the retirement with his allotment and the upcoming inspires students to perform their best. His staff room, I learnt how to touch type - I think weddings of both his children. He and his wife enthusiasm, sense of humour and exciting because people saw me hammering away they Priscilla, KSA’s exams officer who is also retiring, lessons keep students engaged with thought I was good with computers. So coupled are also considering spending time in Kenya, fantastic results. He is always supportive with the fact that I’m a bit of a computer geek where Mr Dodman grew up. and encouraging and he will be greatly missed” anyway, it just happened.” Testaments from Staff and Students: - Jane Watson Mr Dodman said when he first started teaching, Here’s what some of our Sixth Formers you stood or fell by your own communication “He does so much very quietly and efficiently skills. “You didn’t have any aids apart from a that he will be greatly missed. He is just there had to say about Mr Dodman: blackboard and a bit of chalk. Then, as now, a for everybody and gets things done. He’s been “Best teacher ever” - Lauren Watson the pillar of community here and he’s known for certain amount of a teacher’s success comes “He›s a legend” - Lewis Robinson from their own persona, whether that’s as a his great speeches and assemblies” - “Great stories about staplers - we will miss funny teacher, or a compassionate one,” he said. Jill Gummer him” - Lauren Webster Around 5,670 students have been taught by “When Steve first came here, he’d moved from Mr Dodman and he still hears from many of his Africa so he used to base a lot of his assemblies “Great duck pond for Harshil to make him feel at former students. on animals and fables – they were brilliant. home” - Luke Pomefrett Stand-out memories of his time here include “He’s one of those people who never blows his “He always cheers his students up. We will miss the fire that gutted the Humanities block about own trumpet but he is a very good teacher. He him” - Emma Ruffea 10 years ago and also seeing students meet or has the patience of a saint with staff and he’s “We love his singing especially Baby Love” - exceed their target grades. always got time to help you” - Jenny Brackwell Nikki Hammond

Exams Officer Priscilla Dodman is also retiring this term after 22 years. She started part-time in the library and went full time before taking on exams in 1998. Described as a ‘mother figure’ to students in the library, one of her more unusual memories was finding that someone had used a salami sausage as a bookmark. She said: “I shall miss being with the students – we don’t live too far away though so we shall still be able to see what’s going on.”

Term Dates for the Secondary Phase – 2011-12 More Goodbyes Teacher Training Day Monday 5th September 2011 Term 1 Re-open to all students Tuesday 6th September 2011 KSA has also said goodbye st to Vice Principal Tanya Last day of term Friday 21 October 2011 Harvey after 10 years. Teacher Training Day Monday 31st October 2011 Mrs Harvey, who was a Term 2 Re-open to students Tuesday 1st November 2011 geography teacher and Vice th Principal for Humanities, Last day of term Friday 16 December 2011 helped to set up the Teacher Training Day Tuesday 3rd January 2012 successful ICU programme Term 3 Re-open to students Wednesday 4th January 2012 at KSA and also oversaw the th Sixth Form. Last day of term Friday 10 February 2012 Assistant Vice Principal for Sixth Form Jane Watson Re-open to students Monday 20th February 2012 Term 4 said: “Tanya was totally professional and she was Last day of term Friday 30th March 2012 a fantastic teacher as well. She worked really hard th with her teams to bring about improvements.” Teacher Training Day Monday 16 April 2012 Sara Holmes, who worked with Mrs Harvey both at Re-open to students Tuesday 17th April 2012 Term 5 KSA and Lodge Park in Corby, said: “She was very School closed May Day Monday 7th May 2012 supportive and had a good relationship with her st students – she was firm but fair. She was well liked Last day of term Friday 1 June 2012 and respected.” Term 6 Re-open to students Monday 11th June 2012 Last day of term Friday 20th July 2012

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 9 Letters PAGE

This term Principal Martin Campbell has received a number of letters congratulating students on their (Letter sent following achievements and their conduct. We thought it was KSA’s trip to Sandringham important to share those letters with you. camp site as part of the ICU programme) My husband and I have Please express my thanks and congratulations to been staying on the everyone involved in the production of The Golden Ticket. camping and caravan club What a marvellous achievement! We thoroughly enjoyed site at Sandringham and it and look forward to the next show. Well done! were concerned when we Sarah and Nick Ryan (parents of Bronwyn and Ethan) arrived back on site to find Jim Ryan and Dianne Neale (grandparents) a horde of tents adjacent to our caravan. We had no idea how the youngsters would behave but I must say we were pleasantly surprised. They were orderly and very well behaved. They obviously paid attention to their teachers and even had a conversation with me on a couple of occasions; very polite and happy youngsters. I can only say they were a credit to your academy and commendable in their behaviour. A great representative of your academy. Linda and Pete Harris Rushden

Dear Mr Campbell, Just wanted to say I have seen the mural under I just wanted to drop you a note to say how much our family enjoyed the the bridge on Deeble Road and thought how “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory” show at the Masque Theatre. Grandpa lovely it was. Excellent work! Joe and Willy Wonka played their parts exceptionally well and Cameron was Karen White perfectly cast as Charlie. I might be a bit biased (my daughter was part of the production and played Violet) but they all performed so well and I know all the hard work that has gone into this. Hannah enjoyed it so much and can’t wait for I would like to congratulate each and everyone the next production to start! Please pass on our thanks to Mrs Panther-Howell. concerned in the production of The Golden Ticket. It was also lovely to see so many staff supporting and coming to watch I thoroughly enjoyed a very good performance. the performance. Susan Mehew (grandparent) Ulrika Winstone

If you would like to comment on an Academy event or achievement please email [email protected].

House NEWS Sanger A big bake-off helped Sanger to raise £111 during a very successful cake sale Sanger House has taken on the changes this year and is beginning to mould itself into an outstanding House. We have had some amazing pupils who have embraced the vertical tutoring system and who have been an asset to the Academy, showing maturity within their tutor groups. Where some have struggled with the changes, like a team, others have helped them through it. We have been settling into a routine and I feel that in September we will come back ready to face new challenges and again welcoming the new Year 7 pupils into our family. We will strive to raise more funds for our chosen charity, ensure that all pupils in Sanger House feel safe and part of a team and that we win all inter-House competitions! Ethan and Bronwyn Ryan designed a quiz Hannah Sambrook in their spare time to help raise funds for Sanger’s charity. – Acting Head of Sanger House

10 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope HOUSE PAGE

Da Vinci House was delighted to hand over £500 to Da Vinci its nominated charity, Kidsaid.

What an amazing first year of Da Vinci! I think right from the very first day when we established the facts of our House back in July, we have all played a part in building the ethos that is Da Vinci. One word that is regularly used to describe our House by others is ‘family’. I do genuinely feel we are a family, we have stroppy teenagers, young sometimes testing siblings, more mature older ones and of course a whole team of mother hens to keep everyone on the right track. It’s been a rollercoaster of a year and a quick learning curve for all in how to adjust to the new vertical tutoring system, but I think we’ve done well and firmly established that Da Vinci, who were ‘drawn together for the future’ are a winning combination in every sense. Da Vinci students came up with the Happy First Anniversary Da Vinci! idea of selling ice lollies to primary children and parents, to raise Hazel Dodd - Head of Da Vinci House money for their House charity

It has been a fantastic first year for all students and staff of Franklin House. Throughout the year students have worked hard to promote and adhere to our House ethos, CHAMPS (Collaboration, Harmony, Achievement, Managing, Progress and Success). They have done this through a variety of inter-form competitions such as the production of a giant-sized mind map FranklinFranklin and the creation of a House advert. In addition students have worked collaboratively to raise money for the House charity through organising a cake sale which raised £119, a Frisbee golf sponsored event (organised by Franklin 3) and a photo competition. All of the students in our House have achieved a lot this year and myself as Head of House and all of the Franklin Learning Mentors are very proud of each and everyone of them. Franklin 4, who won a competition to come up with the best ‘welcome’ video for new Year 7s We would however like to give a special mention to the I would also like to congratulate the following students for students who will receive the title of CHAMPS of the year for achieving posts of responsibility within the House for next year. their outstanding achievements this year: Franklin 1: Georgia Bishop Lewis Ashby – House Captain Franklin 2: Sophie Stokes Amber Chalmers – Vice Captain Franklin 3: Ashley Clarke Franklin 4: Jack Old Atlanta Cox – Sports Captain. Franklin 5: Liam Potts Franklin 6: Ben Essam I have really enjoyed working with all staff, parents and students Students competed Franklin 7: Amber Chalmers this year and wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable summer in a Frisbee golf Franklin 8: Josh Dawson competition holiday. HOUSE CHAMP Franklin Sixth Former Ahmed Abdulsamed Rosemary Reid – Head of Franklin

It has been an incredible year for Hawking House which has surpassed all our expectations. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we all assembled in the main hall to choose the coveted House name, colour and charity. How well we have all done. Hawking We have all come such a long way, from a group of individual Socrates tutors and students to a team and finally evolving into the Hawking family. Hawking has been blessed with terrific and talented students as well as a very strong array of Learning Mentors. Together, they And what a year it has been! Socrates House is still in its evolutionary have created a positive ethos and powerful identity stages but we have come so far from that first assembly where I within the House. announced the decisions that had been made on our House name, The response from the students has been overwhelming, colour, logo, motto and charity. I am proud of the Socrates team spirit thriving on the roles made available through the vertical and the way in which students have contributed to inter-House events. tutoring system; Form Captains representing the views of I have not got a blinkered view of things and I know it has not been their peers on the House council, House Sports Captain plain sailing all the way; changes are still being made. However, I managing the inter-House competitions, House Charity must say whole heartedly that for me personally this move to vertical Captains arranging events throughout the year, House tutoring has been a success. I am surrounded by a team of Learning Vice-Captains running the House council meetings and Mentors who are working hard to ensure that your children are looked finally the House Captain representing our House on the after in school and are progressing well. The students within the House school council. Megan Marshall organised look to the Learning Mentors and their peers for guidance and the And within Hawking form groups you will find students a bake sale to raise money relationships built between year groups are fantastic! who have good relationships with each other, who for one of the Hawking’s nominated charities. The I have a team of House representatives who have worked hard to respect each other and, most importantly, who support help develop this ethos and who will continue to do so. I hope that as each other. Hawking House really is a family. charity was set up by her mum Dawn Green who was students progress through school the competition to experience one So much has been done in such a short period of time diagnosed with a rare cancer, of these roles will continue and that the students themselves will take to enhance the school experience for so many of our pseudomyxoma peritonei, more responsibility for the direction that Socrates will take. We have students, and with our wonderful influx of new Year 7 three years ago. said goodbye to some wonderful Year 11s but with the influx of students, the future is very bright for Hawking House as new Year 7s, Socrates will (to quote our motto) continue to we continue our journey of ‘striving for success’. “Rise above the Rest!” Andrew Brown – Head of Hawking House Fran Allan – Head of Socrates House

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 11 new build update

First Glimpse Inside the New Build Kettering Science Academy’s new building has “This resource will impact not just on education showed the designs to students they said, rapidly been taking shape day by day, brick by brick. but clubs, societies and the whole area.” ‘We won’t get that, things like that don’t From an empty field just 10 months ago, students Last summer, the project was very nearly stopped happen to us’. Now they have seen it, they are are now beginning to see their new place of in its tracks when the government reviewed its starting to believe it. learning emerge before them. funding for school improvements. “There’s genuine enthusiasm about it when they Now into week 41, by the time students return in Luckily, KSA was given the green light to continue September, the windows will be in, the roofing will and everyone involved in the project breathed a look round. This won’t be an ordinary school.” be in place and there will be a lot more internal huge sigh of relief. Mr Isherwood said one of the keys aims is to work going on. Executive Principal of the Brooke Weston establish close links with community groups for As these pictures show, the main structural works Partnership, Sir Peter Simpson, said: “It’s not mutual benefit. For example, a drama group that have been finished and the date everyone is always been a certain path for this building but uses the Academy’s theatre could also work with working towards is June 16th when the building is I’m glad we’ve been able to keep the promises drama students to give real-life experience of due to be completed. we’ve made to staff and students.” staging a production, or even recruit them Principal Martin Campbell said: “This is a physical The new building is a combination of the best for their show. representation that we value our students and elements of KSA’s sister academies, Brooke Weston that we’re absolutely dedicated to raising the Academy and , including Mr Isherwood said: “We want to create aspirations of everyone who attends here. glass-fronted classrooms and the central courtyard. extra pathways to partner organisations “I’m very excited about what this will do for Matt Isherwood, who is the Project Manager for the so students can pursue their passions beyond this local community. Brooke Weston Partnership, said: “When we first Academy hours.”

The New Build: A Taste of What’s In Store • Students will access the building using their swipe card, which will also act as an automatic register • The library will be two-storey with between 10-14,000 books. It will be similar to a university library with reference books and light, airy places to study • There will be a study terrace above the central courtyard with external seating • Each student will be allocated a locker that will be located in a public area, rather than being hidden away • There will be individual toilet cubicles accessed from the main area, to reduce the opportunities for bullying • As students walk in the main entrance, the glass throughout means they can see directly out the other side, onto what is now the The Canopy at main entrance lower playing field. The Theatre

The Library

The team behind the project- Mark Glanville, Martin Campbell, Matt Isherwood and Sir Peter Simpson Central Court Yard

12 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope sixth form prom Sixth Form Prom Year 13 went out in style with a prom that marked the end of their time at Kettering Science Academy. Sixth Formers partied at the Holiday Inn in Corby, with a barbeque and fun awards ceremony. Assistant Vice Principal for Sixth Form, Jane Watson, said: “They have been a really good year group and they have worked very hard – they deserve lots of success. “We wish them well in the future and we’d love to hear how they’re getting on.” Mrs Watson also congratulated the following ex-Sixth Formers for their recent success: Colin Noakes who achieved a First in his computing degree; David McVey who was awarded a First in his genetics degree and Gareth Davies who also achieved a First in his degree in maths.

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 13 ICU days ICU days There was another host of new experiences for Student Olli Hajdas said: “It was great – stereotyping, bullying, hate crime, peer students with the latest round of ICU days. he made me think about my future, to try pressure and gang culture. This term’s themes were Peer Relationships, harder in lessons and to not let other people Dance, Movement and New Sport gave students Sports Day, Staying Safe, and Dance, Movement bring me down. the chance to try an activity they wouldn’t and New Sport. “He made us feel like we can do well at what we normally do, including golf and street dance. Staying Safe saw students look at road safety, want to do.” Groups also re-enacted iconic dance scenes from internet safety, knives and crime, drugs and Sam Smith added: “He made me think about films such as Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction and alcohol and basic first aid. how much I want to succeed in what I do. He She’s All That. It included sessions with paramedics and staff was very strong in what he said and he made Students visited KLV for their Sports Day, which from Fire and Rescue Service. us realise that it’s not a joke - we have to be included traditional games like sack races, egg A highlight was motivational speaker Nathaniel serious about what we do.” and spoon races and welly wanging, as well as Peat. He told students about his childhood For the Peer Relationships activities, students long jump, shot put, discus and non-stop cricket. growing up around gangs and the death of his friend. Nathaniel, now a pilot, engineer and looked at what they can do to promote good Year 11 took part in a Sixth Form induction while entrepreneur, spoke to students about relationships within their friendship groups, Year 12 completed Open University modules. avoiding conflict, staying safe and ‘rising above’ school and the wider community. Older students also helped to run sessions for to succeed. They looked at issues linked to gender, racism, younger students.

SPORTS DAY

14 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope ICU days

Re-enacting famous dance scenes from films.

Tips on how to avoid conflict by a guest speaker. Lessons in first aid

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 15 Core

Maths 2011-2012 2010-11 has been a very successful year for the studying A Level Maths at KSA than we have ever Maths department. had before. This year has been the first year that In 2011-12 we will be looking to improve KSA students have been able to study A Level on this year’s successes in the UKMT Maths Further Maths. We are looking forward to seeing Challenges. The Senior and Junior Teams will even more students enjoying studying Maths at be competing with the best mathematicians in the highest level next year too. Northamptonshire and individuals will have their To help prepare students for studying Maths chance to compete too. During this year KSA in the Sixth Form we will be offering Year 11 students have achieved 3 Gold awards, 12 Silver students a taster of A Level Maths, while helping awards and 5 Bronze awards as well as competing them to improve their GCSE results too. We will in the European Maths Challenge, the Four be introducing the AQA Certificate in Further Nations Maths Challenge, the Coventry University Maths to Higher students in Year 11 who want Maths Challenges and the World Maths Day to extend their learning in Maths as part of the Two of the students who completed a Challenge. enrichment programme. GCSE in Digital Communication Years 7 and 8 have been making excellent We will also be introducing a programme of progress with their project based learning, Free Standing Maths Qualifications in Managing looking at the Maths in Toblerones, Pascal’s Money, Using Spatial Techniques and Using Update Triangle, designing bedrooms and code breaking Data for Year 10 and 11 students and the to name a few. opportunity to take the AQA Certificate in the on English Throughout next year Year 7 and 8 students will Use of Maths too. It has been an exciting year for English with be studying International Maths, Maths and Art, This is a very exciting time to be studying Maths the introduction of new GCSE courses, the Designing a School and the Maths in the Olympic at Kettering Science Academy and we are looking abolition of coursework and the onset of Games. Year 9 will be starting their GCSE Maths forward to a very productive and successful controlled assessments in their stead. Our course and taking part in a project investigating 2011-12. Year 10 students have been fantastically the design and build of the new school. supportive of the new courses and have The new school year will see more students Lorraine Taylor – Director of Mathematics worked with us as we’ve found our way through challenging new specifications and exam papers. Four groups in Year 9 have completed a pilot GCSE in Digital Communication looking at how film and e-media such as blogs, Ahmed websites and social networking sites are used in today’s society. We hope to be able Nominated for to offer this course to both Year 9 and Year Academy 10 students next year as an extra curricular opportunity. It will be especially useful for Excellence Awards any students hoping to pursue a career in A student who submitted an entry for the first the media. Academy Excellence Awards was shortlisted for the In collaboration with the library we mathematics prize. have launched the Accelerated Reader Ahmed Abdulsamed, who is in Year 12, completed programme to two groups in Year 7. This is the maths challenge in his spare time, writing an a programme aimed at improving reading essay on how a company could reduce its packaging, showing the maths behind it. and understanding. Following its success with Year 7 it will be offered out to more A panel of experts - Lord Robert Winston, Dan Snow, Susie Dent, Kate Bellingham and Matt students next year. Parker – judged the entries in each category and Ahmed was selected as one of the top five in the maths section. Katie Smith He was invited to the awards ceremony at the University of Nottingham on July 6th, where he – Director of Learning for English got involved in workshops on business and enterprise as part of the Inspiration Day.

Year 10 Gifted and Talented students took part in a ‘Target Mars’ event with peers from our sister academies. They represented the different nations Update on Science involved in the race to land on and colonise Mars.

The Triple Science GCSE is proving to be a students achieving a distinction star (equivalent to one minute. successful choice for many students; there are to two GCSE grade A*). These students were Science Club now 60 students following the course in Year 10 originally targeted GCSE grades D to F and so we continues to be and this represents a doubling in the numbers feel that this is a huge achievement for both the a success, with from last year. Next year even more students will students concerned and the department. students enjoying some spectacular be following this course. During the Easter holidays, 4 Year 10 students experiments and This year BTEC Applied Science was introduced who are identified as being gifted in science demonstrations. More recently the emphasis with great success. All Year 11 students that attended a 3-day residential event run by the has shifted towards student-led areas of have been entered have achieved either a pass Institute of Physics. The ‘Extreme Physics’ event interest, in particular astronomy. Next year we (equivalent to two GCSE passes at grade C) or a involved a variety of challenges which included hope to offer two different types of after-school merit (equivalent to two GCSE passes at grade building and racing dragsters, constructing their science enrichment sessions so that older B), with five students achieving a distinction own cloud chamber and designing and students in Key Stage 2 can also (equivalent to two GCSE grade A) and three building their own timer which was accurate be included.

16 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope First Glimpse Inside

CREATIVE, EXPRESSIVE & PHYSICAL STUDIES

Creative Arts Exhibition Proves To Be A Hit The creative talents of students were on display She said: “I enjoyed presenting it all and for all to see at the Academy’s first exhibition of everyone seeing your work. It also lets you the creative and visual arts. explain the work behind it instead of having From A Level photography to music just the pictures.” compositions and product design, the display Families who stopped by were fully supportive showcased the endeavours of students who of the exhibition and said it should be repeated. have been busy putting their work together Parent Brian Ewen was there to see his over the last year. daughter Rachel’s GCSE coursework. Textiles students made a dress out of recycled He said: “It’s a good idea because it gives Iceland bags and there was also a table topped the children a chance to show their work to with a chess board, mobile phone holders everyone. It’s also a good experience if this is and CD racks. something they’d like to do. Sixth Formers paid a visit to the exhibition on “I’m very impressed with the standard of work Friday night en route to their prom. – it shows the diversity in school.” The School Kealey Squires was exhibiting her AS photography work. That Rocked There were music lessons with a difference this term when KSA teamed up with Intersales Music Teaching to offer rock lessons. Rock School, which aimed to encourage more students to start playing an instrument, proved to be very popular. Tutors helped them with composition, technical ability and taught them how to play some of the world’s greatest rock songs. It culminated with a small show at the end of term.

Winner of the Poetry Competition A poetry competition organised by Head of Socrates House, Fran Allan, saw some excellent entries submitted. Principal Martin Campbell chose The Sea Dragon by Sacha Case as the winning entry – congratulations Sacha.

The sea is a fierce Dragon, Throwing its flame far in shore. The great blundering beast, Battering more and more. Jumping at the cliffs, Nearly onto land, But just a miss. Snagged on its hand. The grass grows, Where it can’t reach. Hiding back, Past the beach. Surfers come to see, The Dragon’s arch in the sea. They ride his ridge, Like a giant bridge. He crosses the sea. Desperate to flee. Faster and faster, Harder and harder. The sun goes from shining and beaming, Straight to the dark evening. Cooling down, Back to sleep. Don’t disturb him or he’ll drag you deep…

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 17 HUMANITIES and business Employers Impressed With Students On Work Experience Students who spent two weeks getting a taste with. He is a good communicator but is of the world of work made a good impression on also willing to listen and learn. A polite, the businesses and organisations they trustworthy young man. spent time with. P Brookes Plumbing - George Earley Year 10 students secured work experience Elliot was a pleasure to have with us. He placements in garages, schools, shops and was the best work experience student restaurants in the area. we have had, he was mature, confident, Here are just some of the glowing reports they open and eager. received: Kettering Borough Council I wish Lewis every success in the future and Environmental Health - Elliott Gillies hope he follows his aim to become a teacher. An excellent well presented young man. A pleasure Alex provided a good role model for the to have in the school. children to look up to. She was bubbly and approachable and the children St Thomas More Primary School - Lewis Ashby quickly grew fond of her. Alex was very April has demonstrated excellent attributes impressive on our school trip where throughout her placement. She is keen, she was firm but fair with the enthusiastic and has been a fantastic additional children. member to have in the classroom as part of out We hope to work with Alex over team. Come back soon April. the holidays where we hope to Kettering Park Infant School - April Blaxley continue developing her skills. George has been excellent. He is full of Castle Lane Day Nursery - Alex confidence and fun, he has been a joy to work Hudson-Jones

Battle Brought to Life Year 7s took on the roles of foot soldiers, archers and horsemen when they recreated the Battle of Hastings. Natasha Franklin’s group have been studying the key battle as part of their war and conflict unit. They looked at the different soldiers in each army and the build up to the battle, which played an important role in why the Saxons lost. The class then took their lesson outside where they recreated the battle on the slope next to the tennis courts. This gave them an idea of how hard it was to fire upwards for those soldiers at the base of the hill.

KSA Hosts Carnegie Shadowing Event Students from schools in Kettering and tells the story of two boys living in Zimbabwe LITERACY judged the best of children’s in the 1980s after Robert Mugabe has come to literature at a Carnegie shadowing event at KSA. power. Eager readers from , Librarian Juliet Walsh said: “It’s so good to , Montsaye Community hear pupils talking about books; it was a nice College, Southfield School for Girls and opportunity for them to meet like-minded pupils joined the KSA from other schools and to talk about things they Bookworms group. They decided among really enjoy. They came up with things that you themselves which of this year’s might not necessarily have seen. nominated books they thought “I think both pupils and staff had a really should be awarded the coveted productive morning. Carnegie Medal for an outstanding book for children and young “They couldn’t just say whether they liked a people. certain book; they had to explain why and give their reasons.” After a secret ballot, the students’ favourite was The Bookworms have been adding their reviews revealed as Out of Shadows by of the books to KSA’s webpage on the Carnegie Jason Wallace, a book which Shadowing website.

Staff who completed the Six Book Reading Challenge were invited to a small celebration in the library, where they received a certificate, vouchers and a free book.

18 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope Inclusion

Presentation For Students On Alternative Curriculum Certificates were handed out to a group of Year 9 – thanks to Willmott Dixon – and have looked at that made you want to come to school and learn.” students who have been taking part in different things like survival skills, bike maintenance and Student Haydn Hunt said: “I have learnt more this learning experiences. land-based studies. way and it’s helped me to express myself. The Alternative Curriculum was set up to offer Principal Martin Campbell told them: “This time last “It’s made me calmer and has given me more some students more practical, hands-on lessons to year we had a group of students for whom we felt confidence in speaking.” engage them in learning. Twice a week, the group we were not offering the right thing – we realised See more photos from the afternoon by visiting has worked to complete credits towards BTECs and we had to put in place something that was not just www.ketteringscienceacademy.org. to achieve a number of AQA unit awards. about qualifications, or having something to write They have been involved in construction projects on your CV. We wanted to give you an experience

Best Student Award For Josh

Joshua Linnell was awarded the Governors’ prize for Best Student after completing a vocational studies course at Moulton College. Though the School Link programme, students on the Foundation Learning Tier have undertaken a programme of activities at the college to help prepare them for the post-16 world. “I really enjoyed all the Since September, Josh has been working towards a work we did at Moulton BTEC in Vocational Studies, gaining skills in agriculture, College - I enjoyed it so horticulture, interior design, plumbing, estate skills much I applied for a place and animal care. His effort and good work in these lessons led to him on the Agriculture course receiving a £50 voucher, which was presented by the and I start in September.” Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton, Professor Nick Petford. Moulton College tutors report back on students’ progress and this is used in conjunction with school-based work to gains credits towards the BTEC Diploma in Vocational Studies Level 1.

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 19 Sports stars

Doing KSA Proud: Student Sports Stars This term we’ve been amazed by the number of students who have triumphed in sports. Here is just a selection of the talented young people who are proving to be excellent ambassadors for the Academy. We’ll feature more sports heroes in forthcoming editions of Under the Microscope – if you know someone who deserves a mention, email: [email protected].

KSA Wins Inter-Academy Sports Event Students faced their peers from KSA’s sister academies at the second inter-academy multi sports event. It was the second time students from the Brooke Weston Partnership have competed against each other. Held at Brooke Weston Academy, students from KSA, Corby Business Academy and Brooke Weston had a go at five different sports - cricket, golf extreme, tennis, volleyball and rugby. KSA won the overall competition, with outstanding performances from Chris Lampard, Cameron Thompson, Jess Firman, Victoria Firman, Erin McNamara and Ocean Golf Champ Davies-Dolman. One committed sportsman is making a name for himself on the golf course. Year 10 student Elliot Morgan has been playing for Wellingborough Golf Club for two years. When county scouts discovered he had a low handicap, they invited him to play for Northamptonshire’s under 16s team. He plays regularly and has travelled across the region for competitions. Morgan also plays for Kettering Generals football team and said he likes the contrast between playing team sports and as an individual. Elliot came second in the county schools under-15s championship golf tournament.

Hannah’s Success Sportsman In County Athletics Competition of the Year Award for Year 7 student Hannah Winstone came third Macauley in a 200m race at a competition at Atlanta Becoming a Macauley Beck plays for Ise Lodge Rockingham Triangle Hawks under-14s and at the team’s this term. Basketball Mentor presentation evening in June, he was awarded the Sportsman of the Hannah, who is a Not content with playing for an under-18s member of Kettering Year award. Northampton basketball team, Atlanta Cox It was the second time Macauley, Town Harriers, is has also started coaching younger players. normally a cross- who is in Year 9, has received the Atlanta used to play basketball in primary award for his determined attitude. country runner but she school but gave it up. When she returned to also excelled in the shorter, the sport a year ago, her talent was evident He said: “It gives me quicker run against pupils from and she is currently going for trials for the confidence to know across Northamptonshire. team. She has been a member of the Harriers She plays for Northampton Nets and also that my manager has for just over two years and runs 3k when coaches under-12s to adult players. She is trust in me and that I’m competing in long-distance running events. undertaking a leadership course in coaching, refereeing and tabling. part of the team.”

20 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope Sports stars

Student To Represent Northants In Athletics Championship A Year 9 student who came third in a pentathlon competition represented the county in a regional event. Lorna Milne was selected to represent KSA in the Northants Schools Combined Events Championships, which were held at School on May 16th. She competed against 17 other athletes from other schools in the 75m hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump and 800m. Lorna, who trains with Kettering Town Harriers three times a week, produced some outstanding results and beat her personal best in three events. She went on to represent Northamptonshire at the regional combined events held in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Footballers Two Help Their Team Rugby To Win The League Jordan Sets Long- Players To Represent Five Year 7 boys who play for Weekley Jump Record Rovers Barbarians Under 12s helped their East Northants team to win the Weetabix League. A student who took part in an athletics The talent of two promising rugby stars has George Peasnall, Jacob Amos, Liam competition broke a long-jump record on his been recognised after they were selected to Buckland, Troy Brown and Ethan Marlow first attempt. represent East Northants in junior rugby. (missing from photograph) played around Jordan Lovell, who is in Year 11, was taking Year 9 students Josh Clubley and Haydn nine other teams from Kettering, Rothwell part in a tournament at the Saffron Lane McCann have been playing for Kettering Rugby and Wellingborough. athletics stadium in Leicester. Club since they were just six-years-old. Their final match was a runaway win against He was there with his air cadet group and Recently, the pair took part in a 2-week trial Borough Lions, which ended 6-0 to the was competing against other squadrons from for East Northants, a club which has close ties Barbarians and helped them to win the first across the area. Jordan, who has only ever with the East Midlands team. division league by one point. done long jump on a few occasions in school They impressed the coaches during training George, a striker who has been playing for before, said: “I did my first jump and the lady sessions and a game and were then selected a football team for eight years, said: “It felt said I had set a new record.” for the under-14s team. great to win because we were one point The talented athlete also competed in the ahead of a really good team from 1,500 race and came first. .”

Harry Oldham Year 7 County Athletics Championships The Year 7s have had a fantastic season Two Wins For KSA as eight students were selected to represent Poppies Players the Kettering and Corby District in the County Lift Cup Final Trophy In Year 9 District Championships. The results were as follows: At MK Dons Stadium Athletics Luke Aridegbe - 100m - 4th Year 9 students excelled in a district Bailey Greetham - hurdles - 4th Five KSA students were part of the athletics competition this term. Harry Freeman - hurdles - 6th Kettering Town’s Under-12 girls’ team Students competed against other Harry Oldham - Discus - 1st (setting a new which won the recent MDH Midshires Championship record) schools in the area in a variety of events League Cup Final. Chris Lampard - Discus - 2nd at Corby Triangle. Victoria Firman, Jess Firman, Ocean Ryan Barritt - Long jump - 6th Head of PE Michael Oldershaw said: Gabe Smith - 1500m - injured Davies-Dolman, Megan Wilkinson and Hannah Winstone - 1500m - 1st “There were some fantastic individual Erin McNamara took part in the final performances. Lorna Milne won the Head of PE Michael Oldershaw said: against Corby Kingswood at the Don’s hurdles and Tyler Smart won the “All the athletes performed very well and ground and they were instrumental in discus. Both students have now been

were a credit to KSA.” the 6-4 victory. selected to represent the district team.”

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 21 Year 11 prom

Year 11 Prom and Leavers Assembly Our Year 11s got dressed up to the nines for the Each Head of House spoke about their memories and to be a true friend? much-anticipated end of year prom. of the last five years and what they have enjoyed “School doesn’t just teach you things to The dresses lived up to expectations and the about teaching the group. remember for exams; it teaches you how to boys did themselves proud too. Principal Martin Campbell also addressed them, live together and how to co-operate together It was held at the Kettering Park Hotel and the saying: “If I asked you what you had learned because all of society is in this room. Prom King and Queen were later revealed as in the last five years, I wonder what you’d “Reflect on how you have grown together Kaine Clinton and Chloe Murphy. say. Would you say you have learned about and the journey you have made – there’s Earlier that day, a special leavers’ assembly was friendship and how to be considerate and a whole world out there to have a massive held for the year group. charitable, and when to show compassion adventure in.”

Prom King and Queen

22 Issue Nine • Under the Microscope News Ashley Raises £650 A student who was inspired to do a 26-mile This term, Ashley handed over a cheque to bike after hearing a talk by a parent in school Dawn for the charity she has set up to raise raised £650. awareness of this little-known cancer. Ashley Easton completed the gruelling bike She said: “I want to thank Ashley for his ride at this year’s International Waendel Walk, outstanding efforts and I am absolutely despite suffering from curvature of the spine overwhelmed and humbled at the support and asthma. He decided to help after hearing a talk by Dawn that Ashley and his family have shown.” Green, who has two daughters at KSA and was Dawn’s charity is Hawking House’s nominated diagnosed in 2008 with a rare form of cancer, charity of the year - for more details visit pseudomyxoma peritonei. www.pseudomyxomasurvivor.co.uk.

Auditions for Students Invited To Apply For Talent Show Police A panel of Performing Arts students held auditions for a Kettering talent show. Community A group of Year 11s judged the acts hoping for a spot in the K-Factor, including Ross Chester (pictured). Scheme The students who got through were Jamie Docherty, Ryan Ollett, Darcy Dixon, Sharon Kawonga, Milly Thompson and Police officers visited KSA to encourage Arlette Brockway. students to apply for a place on a new Sharon, a dancer, also performed with Kim Chamberlain from youth project that is being launched to Kettering Buccleuch Academy and they won the competition. challenge negative perceptions of young people. Design Students Given Young people aged between 13 and 16 years who live in the town can apply for Real-Life Customers one of 15 places on the Jam in the Hood project, which starts in September. Year 9 students who designed pencil holders for children in KSA’s Primary Phase carried out some research to check the requirements. The real-life design project saw students visit Year 3 classes to Successful applicants will be involved measure children’s arms so they know how far they will need to reach across the table. in community activities alongside Safer They also measured the size of the children’s hands so they know how wide and how deep to make Community Teams and in some of the containers. Northamptonshire Police’s Operation The group had completed questionnaires with the children to find out what sort of product they would Guardian activities to crack down on like and then carried out an evaluation with them once their products were complete. incidents of burglary and car crime. DT teacher Dr Nicholas Guy said: “The idea is that they feel more The 12-week programme will offer involved and have a better understanding of the project and students the chance to visit specialised what’s needed. police departments such as the firearms, “Normally they are designing and making for themselves police dogs and helicopter units. but this time, it’s for someone else so they have to gather Sgt Ash Tuckley said: information about their ‘client’ first.” “The key to changing perceptions of young people is to get them involved in community events.”

Under the Microscope • Issue Nine 23 ACADEMY NEWS

A Letter from KSA’s Student Receives A Learner Of The Year Award Chair of Governors From Tresham College It was my pleasure to attend Elliott Gillies received an award for his ‘outstanding’ College 14-19 category and his another initiative that the attitude after completing the tutors had this to say about him: students and staff are taking first year of a BTEC Level 2 in construction at “Elliott is a pupil at Kettering Science Academy forward - one of anti-bullying. Tresham College. A number of members of and attends Tresham to study construction. staff and students, along He was invited to Tresham’s annual Learner of He is a pleasure to teach as he always applies with parents and governors, the Year awards presentation in May, which 100% effort in both his theory and practical attended an Action Against was attended by MP Philip Hollobone and assignments. His attention to detail is Bullying Group meeting and signed a Commitment local employers. outstanding, he thrives on challenges and only Agreement to regularly meet. The students are to Elliott, who is in Year 10, spends a day each learning settles for distinction grades. Elliott will do well be applauded for their continued hard work and the skills of bricklaying, painting and decorating. in whatever career he chooses as he tackles all his challenges with great interest commitment to this project which is done over He was recognised in the Tresham Vocational and above their normal school work. It is hoped and determination.” that your anti-bullying representatives are known to all members of the Academy family. It was a pleasurable event dealing with a hard subject. Dancer Making a Name for Himself By the time you read this letter, the news that Mr Street Dancer Luke Overson having to free-style for part of it. Peter Simpson has now become Sir Peter would was awarded two first Luke took up dancing because he have reached you. I and all of the governors offer places in a regional dance saw someone do a backflip on our congratulations to Sir Peter on the award. It is competition. television and wanted to learn how to a great honour for the Partnership to be associated Luke, who is a member do it himself. with this prestigious award. of Patchworks Theatre At the last governors’ meeting, we welcomed two Arts in Bath Road, took He specialises in street dance and is new members. Mr Ashwin and Mr Barton and said part in a competition in studying for a BTEC in dance. farewell to Ms Malsher. The governors discussed Wolverhampton a few Luke bottom left He said: “Dancing is like a beat in my policies and have decided to adopt the majority, weeks ago. head – I hear music and just start looking more in depth at Admissions policies. He came first in both the dancing and all this energy flows. You will have received a letter which will be sent to solo and pairs sections, competing against around “I’d like to be a backing dancer for singers the students, staff and parents advising them of a 15 other people in the individual category. because then you get to travel around consultation period for conversion to a five term year. He won despite forgetting some of his routine and the world.” Please reply to this letter as your comments are important. The governors also noted that the building work Award For Anti-Bullying Initiatives is going well and we appear to be on track for completion next year. Over the summer recess KSA has received the Anti-Bullying Foundation completed a survey of parents, teachers improvement work will be done to the Primary Phase Award from the Anti-Bullying Alliance thanks to and students to get a picture of the present to bring that up to a better standard. its focus on the issue. bullying issues. Special anti-bullying The governors would like to thank all members of Steps taken by the Academy assemblies were presented and cards staff for their dedication throughout the year and have been recognised by were handed out to all students, with wish all a happy and relaxing holiday. To all those the Northamptonshire details of who to contact if they had students moving on to further and higher education Anti-Bullying Accreditation any concerns. we wish you all the success in the world. I am Programme and now the An action plan was drawn up by looking forward to talking to you again in September Gold Award is in sight. the group of Heroes involved in the at the start of another exciting academic year at In recent months, KSA has forum, which include Year 10 pupils Kettering Science Academy. set up an Action Against Charley Wood, Bronwyn Ryan, Karis Bullying Forum, which is Millen, Kirsten Marshall and Brittany Alan Short – Chair of Governors made up of students, staff Whitham (pictured). The plan and Chair of Governors, Mr Alan Short, and the includes making sure all students are aware of the forum will monitor the Academy’s policies and forum meetings, holding after-school meetings for procedures on bullying. those who have been bullied and pairing them up To achieve the Foundation Award, the group with someone who they can talk to. Feedback We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Under the Award For Helping Microscope. To put this magazine together we rely on Students To Aim High information from students, staff, parents and carers so if you KSA has won an award for being the school most have anything that you would like to feature or have any engaged in the Aim Higher programme in the Kettering feedback then please email the editor at and Corby area. Aim Higher, which encourages young [email protected] / people to think about higher education, awarded the prize to KSA at a ceremony this term. 01536 532700

Kettering Science Academy Primary Phase Windmill Avenue, Kettering, NN15 7EA. Tel: 01536 513088 Kettering Science Academy Secondary Phase Deeble Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire. NN15 7AA. Tel: 01536 532700