Thehallparkacademy Newsletter Issue 2 - December 2014
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
theHallParkAcademy newsletter Issue 2 - December 2014 This has been an exceptionally busy half term at Hall Park Academy. I am particularly pleased to report that our extra-curricular programme has really taken off this term. There is now an extensive range of activities for students to engage with including sport, performing arts, academic support and charity work to name a few. I would be surprised if students couldn’t find something of interest to them and I would like to encourage students to sign up for at least one activity, if they haven’t already done so. Obviously, these events wouldn’t take place without the hard work and commitment from staff and I would like to thank them for taking the time to enrich student’s experiences at this school. As we approach the Christmas break, expectations of our students in Year 11, 12 and 13 to keep focused on their studies remains constant. The mock exam period begins in earnest in January and it is important that students prepare fully for these if they are to achieve their best. Mrs. Miles leaves Hall Park Academy at the end of this term to start a new post in the English department at Rushcliffe School in West Bridgford. On behalf of the staff and students at Hall Park Academy, I wish her the very best of luck for the future. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mrs. Stephanie Dyce Headteacher www.hallparkacademy.org.uk www.twitter.com/hallparkacademy Message from the Chair of Governors It is always a pleasure to bring our parents, students and supporters up to date via our Newsletter. More so now as the last two years have brought much change at Hall Park Academy. So, firstly, thank you for supporting us during some pretty turbulent times. Changes are inevitable in education, but as a Governor here for the last ten years, I believe that the most important change in that time has seen Eastwood Comprehensive School become Hall Park Academy. A place of learning independent of Local Authority control, but in strong partnership with a highly respected Academy Trust: Redhill. Throughout this period of transformation, Governors’ priority has been to improve the standards of teaching and learning, the two critical activities of any school or academy. And I believe we have delivered on that priority and much more besides. Indeed, whilst ensuring that the changes had no negative effect on our students, the changes have brought much needed improvements. We need only look back to this year’s GCSE results. Most schools in our local area, and beyond, suffered a setback in results, achieving fewer higher grades than in previous years. Yet, our Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and staff helped students deliver a set of results in which we should all be proud. No deterioration in higher grade achievement as in other schools, but instead a consolidation, building on the improvements and achievements of last year. A further development in school saw the introduction of a new House system, giving students and staff alike a different sense of belonging and competition, as well as encouraging them to support, help and look out for each other. It is impossible in a short review of the year to pick out specific changes to celebrate when so much has happened, but a final change that brought a sense of real satisfaction and pleasure has been in the appearance of our school and our students. The launch of Hall Park as an Academy generated extra funding that enabled us to design and introduce a new uniform, one that has been commended by many local residents as well as those of us connected with Hall Park. The uniform also seems to have engendered a sense of pride amongst students as evidenced by the many favourable comments about improved standards of behaviour on our streets. And that same funding also enabled us to modernise much of our school’s physical fabric, e.g. Reception, the Library, and the external appearance of our main buildings. In closing, Governors wish you a Happy Christmas and hope that you enjoy the break that this brings. Year seven visit to Twickenham Ten year seven students found themselves on the world stage on Saturday 8th November as they performed a guard of honour for the England and New Zealand Rugby teams in front of a crowd of over 82,000 and millions worldwide. The students also competed in Rugby games on the Twickenham pitch before the game as well as being taken around the changing rooms and pitch on a tour. The school was picked for this opportunity by the RFU (Rugby Football Union) due to their excellent engagement in the ‘All Schools’ programme which aims to increase participation in Rugby in England. Rugby has taken off at Hall Park Academy with the students competing in tournaments at Ilkeston Rugby Club and numbers of sometimes 30 attending training every week. The school continues to build Rugby participation in school through continuing to deliver Rugby in lessons while also offering a range of extra-curricular opportunities for all students. Rugby in School Year Eight The team beat Bramcote School, Alderman White School and lost to Kirk Hallam school. Stand out performances came from Callum Harbon (strong ball carrying), Anthony Pulford (tackling machine), Callum Fletcher (all round tackling and ball carrying) and Jack Sanders (captain, organiser of attack and defence and skilful performance). Year Nine The team beat Alderman White and Bramcote, drew with St Johns and lost to a strong Kirk Hallam Side. Lewis Harbon and Rhys Maddock provided some muscle in attack and defence and Elliot Bott and Cory Wren provided a lot of pace and guile on the outside! Year Eleven Joe Griffiths was the standout attacking player for the team as he scored many of the teams tries. In defence the teams all worked together with some great hits by Joel Summerfield and Callum Burton.The lads lost to a strong Kirk Hallam side and drew with Bramcote school. Sport around school Year seven and eight girl’s football The year eight girl’s football team played their first game on Tuesday 25th November against Carlton le Willows Academy, a team renowned for being very strong. With only 10 players the girls held their own as best they could, coming in 6-0 down at half time. With a few tactical changes and morale boosting team talks, the girls upped their game but sadly lost 12-0. Our star performers were Abbie Staples (year seven) on the attack, who nearly scored on her debut in Hall Park colours and Ellie Smith in defence, who played in the ilk of Tony Adams and did her best to prevent the constant pressure. Leadership Academy Four pupils from year ten GCSE PE have been selected to represent the school at a Leadership Academy that encompasses a range of sports and activities that these Leaders can deliver to primary school pupils in the local area. Handball and multi- skills are the two activities to have been completed so far, both at George Spencer Academy, with Jack Bird and Hannah Crouch excelling at the quick feet/thinking tasks. PE Kit Information All pupils should be in shorts and t-shirts for indoor lessons. For outdoor lessons pupils can also wear the specified long sleeved rugby shirt. Pupils will be informed on the day of their PE lesson if they are able to wear plain black track suit trousers. This will be at the teachers discretion, therefore it is expected that the pupils bring shorts to all lessons avoiding incorrect kit being worn. Both the long sleeved top and track suit trousers can be purchased direct from the ‘Just Schoolwear” shop in Bulwell or via their website: http://www.just-schoolwear.co.uk/ Interhouse Football Tournament On a cold, wet autumn night, 79 pupils came and represented their house in what turned out to be the first epic inter house event. Boys and girls alike were all pumped up for the Football. We had goals galore in the KS3 boy’s tournament with Erewash winning by scoring only 1 goal more than Astle. The girl’s competition was as interesting as the boys - Collier girls put up good fights in the KS4 competition but the Erewash/Lawrence Team was crowned champions. The KS4 team for the boys was easily won by Team Astle playing some cracking football and finally the KS3 girls was also won by Collier. Please see the overall results below! Year 7/8/9 Boys Year 7/8/9 Girls Year 10/11 Boys Year 10/11 Girls Erewash 1st Erewash 1st Collier 1st Astle 1st Lawrence 2nd Astle 2nd Astle 2nd Collier 2nd Astle 3rd Collier 3rd 3rd Lawrence 3rd Collier 4th Lawrence 4th 4th 4th House Points Overall Position Astle 13 1st Collier 11 2nd Erewash 8 3rd Lawrence 7 4th Netball After a successful start to the year, Hall Park’s newly formed Netball team has gone from strength to strength. After some tough training in very cold conditions the girls have improved in all aspects of the game. Alice Pinnock and Abbie Staples are becoming a good team when shooting, Sarah Leonard and Millie Maccaulay are proving to be a tough defence. In centre court Courtney Wrenn, Kaylee Mountford and Hannah Lakritz are passing the ball really well down the court. We have had some more members join the team and matches have now been arranged for year seven, eight, nine and ten girls. In recent weeks we have played against Joseph Whittiker and Christ the King.