April 2013 Edition No: 9

The Phoenix Collegiate Newsletter Our

Our aim is to be an outstanding school; a place for learning; a place ofAims inspiration; a place for broadening horizons and opening minds; achieved within an environment that promotes the spiritual, moral, educational and intellectual development of our students, whatever their background, capabilities, attributes and interests. Our Values PRIMARY We are a school that values; • honesty, integrity, equity and trust. LINKSgo from • a respect for each other, in our different beliefs, the friendships we hold and the courtesy we extend strength to strength to others within our community. We do not tolerate racism, bullying or a lack of self-discipline. There have been several exciting • the work of staff, parents and governors who in collaboration actively enable all children to realise projects going on recently between their full potential. Phoenix and local partner primary • TALKing schools. Teacher TALK Student TALK Parent TALK - see page 2 for full story. Teaching inspires and engages Taking part To be involved Achievement & progress is good Asking questions Always supportive Literacy, literature, literary Listening Learning environment Keen to improve Keen to discuss Knowing how to improve

Our EthosThe character and spirit of The Phoenix Collegiate is reflected in the importance we place upon learning within in a rich and diverse cultural community. We are a school committed to teaching that is rigorous, engaging, exciting and purposeful; that develops young people to become knowledgeable, active, independent learners; leaving school IN THIS intellectually and emotionally prepared for further/higher education and the world of work. At Phoenix we instinctively learn the values of courtesy and good manners; provide every student with EDITION the opportunity to achieve of their best in a supportive and challenging environment, that insists on Duke of Edinburgh Award ……………...... page 2 high moral standards. We encourage students to develop healthy, transferable interests and pursuits; Enrichment Day...... page 3 learn and practise the skills of friendship through participation in a wide range of activities and learn to Student guidance & Welfare...... page 4 value and make a positive contribution to the community. Literacy & Numeracy...... pages 6-7 Performing Arts & Music...... pages 8-9 At The Phoenix we believe that anything is possible. Business & Creative Technologies academy.....page 10 Sports update...... pages 11-12

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 1 of them achieving a level 6 in their upcoming SATS. We PRIMARY LINKS wish them all the best of luck in May. Phoenix Year 11 Enrichment day Students learnt memory go from strength to strength Since opening as Phoenix we have been developing Smartphone App techniques (they can In October we launched a story writing a 3D cinema in our Learning Centre. Several primary probably still recite the Remember: You can stay in touch with the school via I DECIDE! competition with 10 primary schools. All schools schools have been to use the facility and we have got story involving a man in our Phoenix smart phone app which is available free On Friday 25th January we were very fortunate to be able to welcome a blue shirt, a crab and a entered at least 1 story from year groups ranging a wide range of films to show, both educational and of charge. The app contains term dates & calendar, two exciting visitors to the school to work with Year 11. The first, haystack.....!?!), were shown from 3 to 6. The lucky winner was Angeli Dass entertaining! news from the school, George Bullard, joined us from British Exploring who talked to us about how to create a pyramid to turn from St Mary Magdalene Primary school. Pictures Over the past year, and going through to the end of a link to the school some amazing expeditions he has been on, as well as some incredible plans and dreams into reality and and a write up can be found in the Performing Arts term we regularly have Phoenix staff going out to local website and other opportunities for our Year 11s to experience similar. Since then, a heard how they really can find the section. primary schools and also have schools coming to our information. number of students have been in contact with British Exploring and determination to decide their own Over the past few weeks we have been hosting site to take part in a wide variety of lessons. Since our are investigating fundraising possibilities to be able to take part in an destiny. booster sessions for Gifted and Talented pupils last newsletter there have been Science lessons taking expedition, such as the 2013 trip to the Arctic. from 4 local primary schools. Our wonderful place at Harvills Hawthorn with Mr Bryan and St John Students really enjoyed the day and Unbelievably, our next visitor, David Hyner from Stretch Education actually Maths and English departments have been holding Bosco pupils have been to Phoenix for Science lessons were eager to find out more – David had then went on to say that he would give the first two students to raise £500 afterschool sessions for those pupils currently delivered through the use of our 3D cinema. quite a job leaving Phoenix as he had such a long queue of Year 11s towards their expedition the other £500 needed – astounding!!! David has working at level 5 in those subjects with the hope Watch this space – there’s more to come! wanting to talk to him at lunchtime and some have been in touch with worked with one of our previous Year 11 groups so I knew we were in for a him since his visit to get more information on how they can achieve The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award fantastic and thoroughly inspiring day. their goals. From September 2013 we are planning to enrol pupils for the Bronze Award There are three levels of programme, once pupils have completed their bronze they Year 7 Enrichment Day 4 Cathy Cassidy’s visit will be able to move on to the silver and gold Award. The main differences between Phoenix Collegiate hosted an event with bestselling author Cathy Cassidy them are the minimum length of time it takes to complete them, how challenging it is On Wednesday 20th March 2013 (World Book Day author, 2013) on Wednesday 13th March. Along with and the minimum age they can start. Phoenix Collegiate had student our own Year 7 pupils, several local primaries were also invited. Each award is divided into four sections, all of which have to be completed: enrichment day or as pupils call Cathy wrote her first picture book for her little brother when she was eight it, Phoenix day. Year 7 pupils had or nine and has been writing fabulous stories ever since. The Chocolate a day of learning how to work in a Box Girls is a sumptuous series starring sassy sisters, super-cool boys Skills categories (ten sections) Expedition • • team and how to tackle bullying. and one of Cathy’s biggest loves - chocolate. Creative arts, Performance arts, Care of animals, This will involve two or three overnight camps where pupils will show leadership skills, The team building exercise that After the event, Cathy’s books were available for pupils to buy and have Music, Life skills, Learning and collecting, Media and teamwork, cook for themselves – everything that they need they will carry in their rucksack pupils took part in was building signed and dedicated. communication, Natural world, Science and technology, (planning the expedition will take place at school one night a week) a tower out of spaghetti and Games and sports. They need to show regular activity and commitment during this time of marshmallows; the tactic was to work in a team to attempt to build the highest tower. There were 5 groups of 4 • Physical categories (eight sections) averaging at least an hour a week. They can’t achieve an Award in a short burst of in every tutor group and each group would get half a packet of spaghetti and 2 Team sports, Individual sports, Water sports, Racquet enthusiasm over one weekend! handfuls of marshmallows. They would have to show that they could work as a Pupils must do a minimum of 3 months activity for each of the Volunteering, Physical sports, Dance, Fitness, Extreme sports, Martial arts • team to build the tallest tower. The challenge was to work as a team and that they • Volunteering categories (five sections) and Skills sections. could use the Learning to Learn 5 “R”s of Resilience, Responsibility, Reasoning, Helping people , Community action and raising • They also have to spend an extra three months on one of the Volunteering, Physical or Resourcefulness and Reflection; at the end of the time they were given to build awareness , Coaching, teaching Skills sections. It’s their choice which one and, though they can change your mind later, their towers they had to face the daunting challenge of using teamwork to move and leadership. Working with they should decide which section they want to do for longer at the beginning. Knowing the tower to the side. This is where many teams showed how well they could the environment or animals , how long they’re going to do it for will help them to choose their activity and set their work in a group. Helping a charity or community goals for each section. After this team building exercise was finished there was a presentation at the end organisation • It will usually take them at least 6 months to complete your Bronze programme. of the day; here a group nominated from each tutor group would present a poster Chealsea is a star about what they have been learning (i.e. one tutor group would present a poster Chealsea joined Phoenix 6th Form in January 2012, about anti-bullying). After these presentations the winners of the tallest towers were awarded and the winners were…Cally, Xena and Bre; they each received an following an unsuccessful start at a hairdressing college. Sixth Form Debating Society Easter egg as a prize. The winners of the presentations were 7N2, 2nd place was She completed her level 2 CYPW qualification in June 2012, joined in September to do The Sixth Form Debating Society was established by several Sixth Form Students in December 2012. The society was 7O1 and 3rd place was 7X2. The team that put the most effort into their tower Level 3 which she has nearly created to offer students the opportunity to communicate their views on important matters that affect themselves and were also given a prize and this one went to Leeyah, Bradley, Jack and Pooja. completed. Kangaroo day the world in general. Students taking part are able to develop essential interpersonal and critical thinking skills, which By the end of the day every student in Y7 learnt a valuable life skill - Teamwork, nursery has now employed her can aid them in many aspects of their life, and are seen favourably upon by employers and UCAS when applying Resilience and Resourcefulness. They learnt that it is important to work in a team because she is so good. Well for University in Year 13. All participants involved receive a certificate, awarded to them at the end of the debate by and they have to listen to one another. Finally, it is fun to work in a team because done Chealsea! various Senior Leadership Team members, to show the development of their skills and our appreciation for taking you get the job done faster. This is all part of Learning to Learn, a lesson that is taught to students to voice their opinion and learn valuable life skills. Mrs part. So far, three debates have taken place, and many more appear to follow, as further students begin to show a keen Williams wanted to thank everyone that helped on that day especially the eight interest. Our most recent debate was on the motion, ‘Assisted Suicide: Should it be legalised in the UK?’ The event pupils from Year 8 who encouraged and supported the tower building challenge. alike with its predecessors was a great success, and we hope to continue this success for many years to come. Ashish Takyar - Year 13 Ramandeep Sandhu 8N1

2 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 3 Year 7 trip to Kingswood Jerome Thomas Student guidance and welfare page This is the fourth year we have taken Year 7 to Kingswood in Staffordshire for a day with their tutors. We took 200 pupils this year as part of their induction Visits Phoenix and Phoenix Collegiate Anti Bullying Actions into Phoenix, to mix with, and get to know other pupils in rewards pupils with their form. Travel Plan 2013 at Phoenix – Information and update. It was a freezing cold day, but wrapped up warmly, the good attendance Centro Travel have appointed Albion star Jerome Thomas paid This year Phoenix again took part in the national and school bullying pupils had a thoroughly enjoyable time on the zip wire, consultants to work with a visit to The Phoenix Collegiate to meet with a awareness week involving lesson focus, assembly focus, whole school go-karting laser quest and snow balling with their tutors. schools in to look group of pupils who have excellent or improving questionnaire and anti bullying poster competition. The response was at travel options for students school attendance. The pupils were chosen by massive with the school council having a difficult job in selecting the prize and staff in the area. They pastoral managers for each year group and by winners for the poster completion from over 100 entries. Watch this space will allow schools involved in the Triple A coach based in school. Pupils from for winners being rewarded in assemblies. The first prize winner will have the project, access to grants Years 7 to 9 were involved and Jerome drew out their poster professionally produced and displayed across the school and that will be made available 8 lucky pupils to win free match tickets to WBA v perhaps – across Sandwell! Or beyond. to them in response to an Swansea. We continue to develop our systems related to bullying in response to This coincided nicely with the Triple A Attendance incidents, student voice and parental feedback through questionnaires, audit and questionnaires that will highlight the issues relating to travel to Cup. During the four weeks from 14th January – phone calls, direct conversations and meetings. and from school. The questionnaires were open to all students and staff 14th February, a total of 261 pupils in Year 9 at associated with Phoenix for two weeks and several meetings have taken We continue to ensure that students are fully aware of what is classed The Phoenix Collegiate took part in the Cup. We place between Centro, Mott MacDonald and Phoenix links. as actual bullying as opposed to other forms of unacceptable behaviour were competing against four other schools and The outcome will allow money to be spent on issues such as covered bike which of course also need to be resolved. Homework club The pupils support department operates by the end of the reporting period, The Phoenix racks, parking solutions and other incentives for leaving the car at home An argument or ‘fall out’ is not pleasant for a young person but may not a homework club every day for one hour Collegiate managed to overcome their rivals by and using public transport and bikes! be bullying as such. However, ALL incidents of unacceptable behaviour after school. The department can offer having a higher average attendance. As always Phoenix is ahead of the rest with the audit and questionnaires reported will be investigated, resolved and outcomes shared with carers. access to equipment resources and 111 pupils (42.5%) of Year 9’s managed to in place with final meetings and access to funding even closer. Your hard • Currently, a student can report suspected bullying via email on Frog, computers, as well as train support staff to achieve 100% attendance during this period working school council will be paramount in bringing your ideas to the directly to teaching and non teaching staff in school and other adults help pupils excel in their homework tasks. in comparison to 41%, for the same period table for action so – get your ideas to your reps as soon as possible. beyond school. The Frog email facility is checked regularly so students If you wish your child to attend this club last year. Phoenix Assembly Squad can be assured of swift action, back up and support. you will need to complete an out of hours • Average attendance for the year group was Pastoral staff check on incidents one week after the initial action taken as activity form available from pupil support. 93.1%, compared to 92% for the same time Police links Ambassadors a ‘health check’ to ensure the matter has been resolved and if not, the next last year. We have a new police This is a new student group stage of the school bullying policy is initiated. Well done to all Year 9 pupils!! officer school link via Art and Design Department 2013 selected in response to the A reminder to all students, carers and staff – school can only Therefore it was a fitting reward for a selection PC Manboard who We are currently involving the students in a wide range of school’s actions on school respond to genuine bullying if it is reported. So – make sure it is reported of Year 9 pupils to be presented the trophy by PC Manboard meets with key staff activities and getting them to think about important social improvement. The squad has – as surveys tell us once bullying is reported it is resolved by school. Jerome Thomas. each week on Mondays to discuss been trained up by the Speakers issues at the same time. For example A level students – have Together we will kick bullying into touch. The Head of Year 9 commented, updates, any new issues and also Trust committee to raise been exploring the theme ‘Street Life’, coming up with some “Thanks to Triple A for your efforts in ways of supporting school through confidence in public speaking very interesting and topical responses. GCSE art students are winning this cup for our school.” assemblies and curriculum areas. and to be used in delivering developing ideas on the theme of ‘Force’ and some students Phoenix has a school / police key foci and messages via the Wider Student Voice have chosen to investigate force of opinion rather than a link reputation being envied by more literal interpretation. KS3 have been creating multi assembly programme where With school council and assembly squad ambassadors firmly in place many schools within and beyond cultural masks and Yr 7 have been making ceramic sculptures students deliver alongside key for 2012 / 2013, the school will see ‘student voice’ helping to direct Sandwell which is something we inspired by conservation and endangered animals. staff. Watch this space . . . school improvement across each and every subject area resulting in a must be proud of. See a Police good proportion of the school student population being directly involved officerfeaturing in a lesson near you in providing their views, ideas and suggestions into the whole school soon! development plan. Hateley Heath Film A professional film company is making a film about Hateley Heath and the people who live and work in its community. This includes Phoenix as Phoenix Lunchtime Film Club a main player in impacting on the Hateley Heath community and Mr. Hill Thanks to Mrs. Cook we now have the Film Club set up and active in the volunteered Mr. Harris to be interviewed on camera by a film crew that school hall each and every lunchtime for students to come along and chill included current and previous Phoenix students. Watch this space for the out with their snacks and drinks while watching their favourite films. final production but let’s be fair – with Mr. Harris featuring as one of the stars – the film is bound to beat ‘Skyfall’ in the 2012 ratings.

4 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve 5 Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 5 Year 9 ttendance Leading Parent Partnership Award Numeracy Through Maths Leaders AThe school continues its progress this year with In the previous newsletter we launched the fact 90% of parents agreed with the comment ‘My Darts Club Mr Hewlitt has been working with a improving the attendance of all its pupils, we are that the school is working towards this National child feels safe at this school’ group of enthusiastic and hard working Mr Van Limbeek and Mr Hewlitt have set up a darts club to encourage now better than the National Average for those Award and over the last term there have been 87% of parents agreed with the comment ‘This students on Thursdays after school to students to develop and improve their maths skills in a sport that students who have an attendance greater than a large number of initiatives used to gain the school ensures my child is well looked after’ train them to become Maths Leaders. demands a high degree of mathematical knowledge coupled with 85%. This is due to the continued drive with the thoughts of parents, whether it was through the The students were invited to undertake There has been a 9% increase since November sporting prowess. So far the club has been open to students from Years ‘school wise up’ strategy for attendance where use of tablets at the recent parents’ evenings or the training in order to gain a nationally in parents agreeing with the comment ‘There is a 9 – 11. Darts is a fun way to sharpen up number skills as players have attendance is part of the rewards strategy of in discussions with a small group of parents. accredited award to promote and good standard of behaviour at this school’ as we to subtract large scores - often multiplied because of hitting “doubles” school but also its strong stance on absence. So By the time you read this newsletter we will support numeracy. So far the students continue to drive up all standards in the school or “trebles” - from a starting level of either 301 or 501 points. far this year, parents of Phoenix have been fined have held our first coffee morning to continue have learnt the importance of good Other areas related to working with parents: there A number of teachers have also attended as the competition between over £3000 for their child’s poor attendance and our drive in engaging parents to help improve communication and organisation skills, has been the opportunity for classes to support a number of parents are in court again shortly Phoenix further. Your thoughts and comments staff and students has intensified. There have already been a number of as well as how to deal with a range of parents learning and over £9000 has been spent with a real risk of a custodial sentence. are much appreciated and should you wish to be impressive performances with both Brandon Garbett and Ryan O’Connor situations they may find themselves on a community learning facility at the school Please help ensure your child is in school, by invited to our next parent event please contact notching 180! in. They have also learnt a range of and there are now classes available for parents not taking holidays in school time and making Mrs Whitehouse at the school to give us your starter activities and games. At the in IT, English as a second language, ‘step into dental and medical appointments outside the details. School is most effective for your child moment, the leaders are delivering a childcare’ and hopefully shortly Spanish. normal school day. Our minimum expected when there is a real partnership between school weekly times table challenge to Year standard on attendance is 95% as if they are in and home and we are working towards making But if there is one area we need to work on 7 students. In the summer term, it is at this level or better they will almost certainly this partnership outstanding and so value your which requires your support it would be family hoped they will be able to work with achieve our aspirational targets which have input. learning, where parents come into school and pupils from local primary schools. help support their child learning. We will look been set. Feedback from recent parents evening surveys to discuss how we can improve this further with showed us: Parent workshops your help in a near future parent forum. Numeracy Counts World Education ‘Triple A’ Want help and advice or simply wish to discuss ‘Beckham is a fantastic role model!’ This is headline Match Day Reward listen to them read, ask them questions about seen many times about one of ’s finest Games Day issues relating to your child? Then please see ‘Triple A’ once again offered pupils from our three Literacy items the content of the text and explain unfamiliar ambassadors and sporting icons, but on this Year 9 Maths Leaders below for a range of parent workshops which partner secondary schools of The Phoenix Collegiate, words. Last term, we will be contacting parents occasion I am talking about Victoria not David. Mr Hewlitt and Miss Powell organised for begin next term. Last term has seen the launch of the The ACE Academy and the with a range of opportunities for supporting Whilst trawling the newspapers last week, I was pupils from Year 7 and Year 9 to participate Renaissance Accelerated Reader Programme chance to watch West Bromwich Albion FC play Helping support your child with revision – students with reading and literacy. intrigued by a story where the headline read, ‘Victoria in the World Education Games. The World within school. This scheme is an exciting new at The Hawthorns, against recent Capital One Cup Mr Green - Tuesday 2 May, 4.30pm - 5.30pm Last term has also seen many students who Beckham’s tea, toast and times tables at breakfast.’ Education Games is an annual global way for students to develop their reading skills winners Swansea City FC. Helping to support your child with bullying – follow the Lexia programme in the Literacy I continued to read with great interest as Victoria online challenge to get all students (4-18 and improve their reading ages. Renaissance explained: “I’m just nibbling while giving the kids Each student who attended was selected by their Mr Harris - Tuesday 11 June, 4.30pm - 5.30pm Centre achieve some excellent successes. years of age) excited about learning, and will support students in selecting books allocated ‘Triple A’ coach based on improvements Three students who deserve particular mention all their breakfasts. And while that’s all happening, to give the top students in all schools an Helping your child with their homework – specifically suited to their reading age and they’ll have a spelling test or a times table test. We in attendance or excellent attendance so far this are Rian Qasim, who has completed levels opportunity to see how they measure up Mrs Jackson - Tuesday 10 September, the competitive element of the scheme will have times tables on Post-its all over the fridge. So academic year. one to four on Lexia, Deborah Kekpedou- against the best in the world. Last year, 4.30 – 5.30pm encourage students to read more in order to we’re quizzing each other in the morning, and we Before the game the group of 25 pupils were given a Blewoussi, who has increased her reading age over 5 million students were a part of what Helping support your child manage their targets beat themselves and others! Every Key Stage make it into a little bit of a game. Yes, at age 38, I’m tour of the Stadium and the chance to take plenty of by over five years, and Hawnez Mohamed, for is now the world’s largest online education – Mr Derbyshire - Tuesday 17 September 2013 Three student and three hundred selected still doing homework!” photos to keep as mementoes for the day. Also before demonstrating an exceptional commitment to event. Split over three days and focussing 4.30pm - 5.30pm students from across Key Stage Four have This attitude is one that I would love to see replicated the match the group competed against each other in learning. Congratulations to all these students on Literacy, Mathematics and Science, been enrolled onto the scheme and many by the parents and carers at Phoenix Collegiate. ‘A Question of Sport’ quiz at The Albion Foundation and the many others who are showing an Where possible, find the time to discuss an element the World Education Games is a hugely students have already started passing their first School on Brasshouse Lane. It was a fiercely extremely positive attitude to developing their of Maths with your children whether it be the most exciting and engaging way to promote quizzes, earning points towards certificates and contested competition however the winning school by literacy skills! cost effective mobile phone plan or the length of learning and education across the world. developing their reading skills! the finest of margins was Phoenix Collegiate! time spent on homework. I am particularly keen for Among the top performers were Alyson Platinum K. Powell Literacy co-ordinator The match proved to be great value with Albion Year Seven students have been visiting the students to have an excellent understanding of times Knott, Davia Walker, Chelsea Hickman, turning around a one-nil deficit to win 2-1. Achievement Literacy Centre for morning reading sessions, tables as it is impossible to progress beyond simple Becky Kenderdine, Kieran Etheridge and Jasdeep Uppal Year 7 pupil from Phoenix said “I Congratulations to the following for achieving where many have had the opportunity to spend addition and subtraction skills if times tables are India Chand. Every student who participated enjoyed going to The Albion Foundation School, in their Platinum Achievement Certificate! time reading with the Head teacher. These not learnt. The easiest multiplication and division received either a certificate of participation particular the Question of Sport activity” sessions are designed to help foster a love of sums are impossible to do if a child does not know or a certificate of distinction. Lowth Bailey 8O1 reading within our students and support them their tables. It is definitely a case of ‘practice makes permanent’ when pupils Singh Shamsher 8P2 in using a range of strategies to develop their comprehension skills. The students now need to are given the chance to Bunta Finn Fern 8H1 continue developing their skills by reading for practice. twenty minutes at home each day. A simple way R. Hewlitt – Sandhu Ramandeep 8N1 for parents and carers to support students is to Numeracy co-ordinator

6 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 7 PerforminG Arts MUSIC

Lexy and Phoenix the Kill Podcast On Tuesday 5th Feb, some of our Year 7 and 8 Season 2! pupils were treated to an awesome performance The podcast team has returned with a brand new of rock and pop by Lexi and the Kill - who have season of episodes for your hearing pleasure! just been voted winner of ‘new band of the year’. Each episode is packed full of useful info and Students thoroughly enjoyed watching the band fun for you to listen to at home or on the go. If - it was certainly very loud and energetic. you would like to get involved in future podcasts then just talk to Mr. Peddie.

Primary School Star Awards Story writing competition Success! Talented music students from The Phoenix Year 12 Performing Arts students staged an excellent performance of ‘The Princess’ Escape’ as a culmination of their Collegiate attended the auditions for the annual ‘Theatre for Children’ unit. Angeli Dass from St. Mary Magdalene Primary school was the lucky winner who had the Star Awards at the Coneygre Center recently. opportunity to see her story brought to life on stage by our Phoenix Drama students. She was invited to bring her teachers, A rock band made up of Calum Richardson, classmates, friends and family to a VIP performance in the drama studio and everyone enjoyed the show and refreshments, Christopher Wilkes and Anthony Martin despite a snowy day!! We were also privileged to have Mr Marks in the audience on that day, although I think he was a little Phoenix Comic Relief called The Ravens were congratulated on their scared by our ‘ogre’ played by Katie Beasley. Great work in the community Year 12!! Show 2013 performance and managed to pass the audition with flying colours! We wish them luck on the became a reality. next phase of the competition. ‘Year 11 Teach Greek’ Students and staff have as always worked hard Members of support staff teams dressed up on charity events and absolutely excelled this ‘The Year 11 BTEC diploma students are transporting 50 Year 6 students back in time for the day and raised even more cash and year in raising money for ‘Comic Relief’. to Ancient Greece....through DRAMA! The students will have to teach the primary other staff supported all the above events Activities have included students staying Caucasian school children lots of facts about Greek lifestyle, culture and most importantly, by supervising queues, doors, students and silent all day, baking cakes and selling them at theatre. They have planned a really engaging workshop for the children that will allowing the events to run smoothly. The day Film Club lunchtime and doing the ‘Harlem Shake’ at break help them learn in an interesting and fun way. All the students will then work was a typical Phoenix real team effort. Calling all film buffs! Chalk Circle’ time. together (Year 11 and Year 6) to perform ‘Antigone’ which is an ancient Greek play The two acts that were unable to perform on the Film Club has come to The Phoenix Collegiate. The year 13 Performing Arts students The main event was the Phoenix Comic Relief written in 440 BC! Excellent work year 11! day due to time constraints will perform later Watch great movies in full HD and 3D after performed Brecht’s classical text ‘‘The talent show (an extravaganza of musical talent) at in the term – WATCH THIS school every Thursday. Admission is free and so Caucasian Chalk Circle’ this term to an lunchtime where the school hall was jam packed SPACE! is the popcorn! audience of peers, teachers and family. with audience members. The show featured A huge thanks to you To become a member of the Phoenix Film Club The students really faced a challenge to some excellent performances, even Mr. Harris Theatre trips! all and well done speak to Mr. Peddie. bring this masterpiece to the stage and Last term was a busy term in the department for trips and outings to see live theatre and got in on the action with his trademark Freddie for raising a Comic endeavoured to add a modern twist to the visit performance venues. We have been to see the brilliant ‘James and the Giant Peach’, Mercury impression! Relief 2013 total traditional story. This required imagination, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and on the 21st March the Year 9 Performance students attended Thanks to the Performance Academy staff while going to press group work and commitment. a guided tour of ‘The Public’ as part of their ‘Arts Award’. They were able to interact with and students the preparation and hard work of: £400!!! Well done Year 13 all the exhibits in the gallery and got lots of creative ideas to take back to school. Also beforehand and behind the scenes really paid for embracing the in the pipeline is a trip to Lancaster to see a rare production of an abstract play called off on the day and the show was a challenge and ‘Rhinoceros’ by Eugene Ioenesco. This play write will be studied by yr 12’s and another of massive success. delivering an his plays will be performed later in the year. It wasn’t until later in the day that excellent show. the noise of the coins hitting the plastic bucket thrown in by students coming into the talent show and supporting Comic Relief hit home for me where the extent of the Phoenix support for Red Nose Day

8 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 9 Business and Creative Technologies Academy Sports update Trip to Product Design Interiors For all those people who still persist in Year 12 Product Design students had calling it woodwork then please read climbing Trips the opportunity to visit the cutting edge on. In January, the Year 12 Product Rock Well done to the Year 11 students who attended Wolf Mountain as part of the GCSE PE assessment. Design students took part in a precious Interiors event at the NEC in January. They were a credit to the school and all worked extremely hard in order to gain a 9/10 or 10/10. Despite the arctic conditions the Year 12 metal clay workshop with the director product designers braved the journey of the PMC Studios Helen O’Neill. Ms which involved walking, two buses, four O’Neill introduced the students to this trains and a travelator. relatively new material which looks and feels like clay but when fired, solidifies into The visit provided inspiration for the 99% silver. Students had an enjoyable few hours creating bespoke jewellery pieces students’ AS interior design project and influenced by the Aztec culture. exhibits on the day included the world’s More recently the Year 12 students have been experimenting with another smart most comfortable chair, a hand crafted material, polymorph, in preparation for their AS exam. Polymorph is a plastic which chair for the queen and a state of the art can be heated with hot water and moulded by hand to create prototypes currently television stand priced at a mere £3000! outside the capacity of other materials. Not a wood splinter in sight! Manor to Phoenix Project 16-19 Bursary On Tuesday 19th March five Year 9 students visited Sandwell Archives to Payments research information about the former Manor High School in order to create a Funding has again been agreed in the new financial year to provide DVD/book before it closes to students later this year. Students are now looking Community discretionary payments to support students’ education and fund forward to interviewing past pupils, teachers and parents so that the memories of Sports essential resources. Manor can be shared. Information on how to claim is available from the Sixth Form staff. Leaders Phoenix Catering Charges Award Under 19’s Well done to the Year 12 students! They have Basketball - Sandwell Since Phoenix opened in 2010, the school has endeavoured to chosen this additional qualification which runs Rebels keep the meal prices as low as possible and in the last year, has every Wednesday afterschool and on each of the A group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students came been charging lower prices than the Local Authority indicated. Phoenix sites. They are preparing to coach at the together and created the dance group PHOENIX Basketball However, in the current economic climate, the school can no local primary schools. REBELS. They rehearsed and learnt a cho- longer sustain this level of support so unfortunately will be reographed dance routine based on rebelling. Champions for bringing the costs into line with the Local Authority from the They went onto enter the BAYC star awards and 2013! summer term. Sandwell performed with energy and enthusiasm. Well The new charges will be displayed in the dining hall for student’s done girls. Congratulations to the Phoenix Collegiate Under information. netball At the same competition India Chand performed 19’s Basketball team who became the Sandwell World Book Day a solo street dance to Taio Cruz Dynaminte Re- Basketball Champions for 2013! New prices will be: To celebrate World Book Day which was league mix and represented the school extremely well. The team were unbeaten throughout the tournament Full baguette: £1.54 on Thursday March 7th the LRC decided We are waiting for results but if we get selected with excellent performances against some very Phoenix entered the Sandwell netball league last Half Baguette: 77p to hold one of their popular quizzes. The we would then perform at West Bromwich difficult opposition, which included: Sandwell term and had some great matches and results vs Meal deal which includes pupils had to answer 25 questions on Albion. College, and Oldbury College main meal with veg and other schools and played with excellent conduct. popular children’s books and authors. The Congratulations ladies of Sport! The U16s came 2nd place and also the U14 pots and pudding of the day: £2.05 two winners were Zalaikha Bibi Year 7 and Well done for an exceptional victory! netball team came 5th place in the league. Pizza: 60p Ramandeep Sandhu Year 8. Ramandeep Jacket with one filling: £1.21 loves entering competitions and is always Chicken burger: 99p asking what we are doing next. He was a Puddings/cookies/cakes: 55p winner last year and is hoping to make it three times next year. Zalaikha was very Toast: 20p surprised to have won and knew more about Bacon bap: 60p books than she thought. Both pupils won Bottled drink: 60p a voucher for £6 to spend in the Scholastic Carton: 50p book leaflet. Well done to them both.

10 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 11 Phoenix Sixth form Football in association with Team 19

This league runs every Thursday at Pulse Soccer & Fitness centre. There are 8 teams in the league which run as a premiership and conference divisions. 2 teams each week drop down and get relegated and the two top teams get promoted. It has been a close battle between ‘99 problems but my kick ain’t one of them’, ‘Bayern Neverlusen’ and ‘The Undateables’ with Team America slowly progressing to the top. Watch this space with the final match on Thursday 21st March. The winning team will represent Sandwell. The competition has been played in good spirit with some outstanding team and individual performances. Thank you to Mr Kibby for refereeing!

Team A Year 10 and Athletics finals 11 Handball On March 14th the school competed tournament in the finals at the indoor athletics Championships that is made up of 6 The following boys represented the school meets held once a month since October. on Tuesday 12th March in the Year 10 and 11 The event is broken up in to a variety of Handball tournament. competitions, in these Phoenix came 3rd Both teams played some pleasing handball Team B overall, both the boys and girls teams against other teams within Sandwell. Team came 3rd and the Year 9 boys team came 3rd. A came 3rd in their league and team B came This is a very pleasing set of results and something that fourth in their league. all pupils should be very proud of as they have raced once Well done to all involved, the games were a month since October to maintain their league position. played in the right spirit and their play Individual winners for the whole season were Shamsher improved throughout the competition. Singh, Helene Kadima, Diavonne Lewis and Ayana Bogle congratulations to these individuals and the team as a whole, we move forward now to the Summer ‘Sky Living Athletics.

for Sports Project’ On Wednesday 20th March Daniel Caines (400m runner) met some of our pupils as part of ‘Sky Living for Sports Project’- motivational speaker. He worked with a selected group of Year 11 young men from Well done to North site. They worked in teams to take all involved. part in various team challenges, ending in a race against Daniel! Sport messages: • Wheelchair Basketball is now available at The Phoenix Collegiate as a result of Sportivate funding. Open to all years. Further details can be obtained from Miss Ault. • Well done to the following students who gained the Sports leaders Level 1 Award. They coached Priory Primary School. Sylwia Antoniak, Alison Melia, Thomas Baggott, Navneet Kumar, Bethany Venables, Emma Bingham, Jason Eagles, Zac Green, Anthony Lloyd,Adam Nicholls, Kallum Rolfe and Sam Brookes.

12 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve