December 2012 Edition No: 8

The Phoenix Collegiate Newsletter

Education Changes Lives at Phoenix Phoenix was privileged to host the Pearl of Africa children’s choir this term after securing the final date on their UK tour. The choir has been in the UK since September and returned to Uganda in early December. Whilst watching a group of hugely talented school children and hearing of the real hardship that their communities endure from day to day, I reflected JUMP TO IT on how in the UK we often take for granted the new portal provides even availability of clean water, a hot meal everyday and more information for of course, schooling. Beyond the essentials parents. of life, like food and water, the young Great news! We have up-dated the FROG Ugandan children recognised that a parental engagement portal and we will be good education was essential if they posting out your new access details early in were ever going to break the cycle of the New Year. Log on to the portal to examine depravation that they find themselves in. I am proud and delighted that the community of Phoenix was your child’s attendance, behaviour and able to help them, help themselves. (More on page 6) progress reports. In addition you will be able If you haven’t visited the school website lately, you’re in for a surprise! Miss Kapoor and Mr Sankey to share your opinions with us, access the have been burning the midnight oil to make sure that our Website is fit for purpose. You will find it more school calendar and up-date your personal informative, easier to navigate and up to date… It is from here that you can log on to the new parent contact information. portal. Have a look now, go to www.phoenixcollegiate.org add us to your favourites or why not make us your home page? Finally, can I remind you that ALL students return to school on Thursday 10th January 2013. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, Gary Hill Headteacher Phoenix Smartphone App on the way! Phoenix is pleased to introduce a new method of staying in touch with the school. The Phoenix smart phone app which will be available free of charge very soon, will be the first in to the best of our knowledge. The app contains term dates & calendar, news from the school, a link to the school website and other information. There will also be a chance to provide feedback to the school. What’s more you will be able to contact school directly to IN THIS EDITION notify us of your child’s absence from within the app using your phone’s School closure procedure…………….... page 2 native functionality. The app is free on I-Phone and Android and will be Our new Literacy centre………………... page 3 available later in the school year on Windows and Blackberries. You Charity events………………..……...... page 4 will find more details on the school website. We do hope you find this Performing Art and Music news….... pages 6 & 7 new development an extremely helpful way to stay in touch with the Foreign exchange students…………...... page 8 school and your child’s education. If there are additional features that Reforms to the examination system…...... page 9 you think could be incorporated into the app please get in touch! Sports update…………………….pages 11&12

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 1 SCHOOL CLOSURE due to poor weather conditions Closure due to poor weather conditions are very rare and will be avoided where possible. In some cases we may decide to open later than normal to allow time for the site to be made safe, again this will be announced on the radio and the school website. There is no need for parents to contact the school to check whether or not the school is open. Unless announced on the Radio and School Website, the school will be open.

School Closure Procedures: Additionally this announcement will be posted on the school website, www.phoenixcollegiate. org (details will also be posted on the LA website following notification by the school to the LA). If the school is to be closed, there will be an announcement on the following radio stations to If the school is closed BEFORE the start of School Day - Please refer to the procedures state this: outlined above. Radio WM If the school closes DURING the School Day - Pupils will only be sent home if there are FREE Radio (formerly BRMB) satisfactory arrangements for them to return safely. Should any parent/carer wish to make any Heart FM alternative arrangements for their child they should put these in writing to the Head teacher. Beacon Radio Developing Drawing Skills Through the Use of Trip to London New Technologies On second enrichment day, 52 students travelled by luxury coach to London. Year 12 and Year 13 students The Art curriculum now offers on IT, Media, Photography and Art courses documented the a new approach in developing eventful day in London, through the use of film, digital photography creative and artistic skills and sketching to complement their coursework. Students had a through the use of new flight on the London Eye with amazing views including a student technologies. Pupils are demonstration and visited The Tate Modern to experience art work provided with opportunities Using graphic tablet first hand, such as, Picasso and Dali. to develop drawing skills by using graphic tablets and Adobe Photoshop CS4 as part of their art education. Pupils create realistic and abstract drawings using the interactive pens and then enhance the outcomes by adding special effects and filters. Currently Year 7 pupils are producing realistic drawings of apples to gain understanding of tone and mark-making. Year 8 pupils are understanding face proportion as part of their Portraits project which allows them to draw on top of their face photos using a layering technique on Photoshop. Lastly, Year 10 pupils are producing digital artwork under the theme of Natural Forms linking to key assessment objectives as part of their art coursework. If any member of staff or pupil wish to develop creative skills through the use of new technologies please see Mrs R Kapoor. Alternatively you could attend the Digital Arts Club every Tuesday Week B at lunchtime, on south campus.

Digital drawing

2 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Quite an achievement! Our Literacy Centre Since opening in October the centre has had a very busy but successful few weeks. The centre is now open from 8.00am until 3.30pm daily for pupils to come and do extra Lexia (reading software) or quiet reading on the comfy sofas and funky easy chairs. Congratulations to the following Year 7 and 8 pupils who have completed a whole level of Lexia and are now working towards their next level...

Year 7 Year 8 Anna Joppek Paige Bailey Anna Joppek Rabnawaz Hussain Leon Malinowski Abdul Karim Asia Mehmi Ivan Bledy Slavo Demeter Kirandip Mattu Elizabeth Walker Manraj Sidhu Barbora Dzugova Paulina Zawadzka Chloe J Morris Shamsher Singh Raj Amit Thomas Summers Sanjay Dahri Connor Harmison Jade Henn Brozi, Desjana Anthony Crawford Tapiwa Banza Jada Saltibus Brandon Twist Julia Rzechowska

Silver Achievement Congratulations to the following for achieving their Silver Achievement Certificate Singh Shamsher 8P2 Sandhu Ramandeep 8N1 Bunta Finn Fern 8H1 Sargent Courtney 8H2 Butler Chloe 9H1 Homer Eleanor 8H1 Kular Rajinder 8N2 Nicholson Joshua 10N1 Sehmar Tommy 8O1 Raj Amit 7P1

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 3 CHARITY EVENTS PAGE

In addition to this, being helpful for Public Services Children In Need national drive, this Students Carry out activity also helped for the Year 11’s coursework. This was an entirely student- Watch this Charitable Endeavours lead volunteering project, masterminded space for our Written by Sam Iddles 11H1 by Harandip Sidhu (11O2) who planned final total and organised this entire event, with some As a way of ‘giving back’ to society, our Year 11 occasional help with sales etc. from the rest of money Public Service class, launched a plan to make of our class, with particular help from: Chloe raised. money for the well known and popular charity, Thompson (11E1), Jamie Russell (11H1), Children In Need. Lexus Lawrence (11O2) and Sam Iddles The types of charitable events carried out were (11H1). “This project has aided us with aspects the staff and student raffle which parents had of our coursework such as, civic engagement, been informed of via text. This charity drive was self confidence, and many more.” also been supported by the sponsored silence So far, through the multitude of events and of pupils from Year 8 and Year 9, as well as the donations we have received, we have raised Year 12 Public Service students who did street more than £350 and would love your support canvassing. with raising more! Cupcake Pupils Adopt A Panda Coup Pupil from the ‘Pupil Support Unit’ at Phoenix have collected School small change and used the proceeds to sponsor Qinling’s Giant It would seem there is no stopping Panda’s via the WWF. Krishma Kaur, Lucy Bobek and Council This adoption is allowing pupils to take an active role in world Fahmida Yasmin of 10P2 once The new school council has been wide issues and encouraging them to analysis their own they set out to do something. elected, is in place and is already responsibilities within the world. This enterprising trio active via meetings. Key foci include The WWF sent a toy Panda as well as information about demonstrated a brilliant litter, toilets, Ofsted, school site and Panda’s which now have pride of place in the Phoenix Oasis work ethic during canteen issues. Sub committees nurture room on south campus. last Enrichment Day are working on anti bullying actions (21/11/12). After and converting school policies into conducting a health pupil speak versions to be displayed and safety risk assessment, around school. Members have also producing a promotional poster then been trained up by the Speakers presenting their proposals to Year 10 pupils, Trust committee to raise student the girls went on to prepare and bake 24 mouth confidence in public speaking and watering cupcakes. Not surprisingly, the mint choc also help address one of the school’s chip, double chocolate and, strawberry surprise Ofsted action points from the cakes were an instant hit, selling out within the January 2012 inspection. hour. An admirable £14.70 was raised for charity through their hard work. Well done to all! Fundraising event: Macmillan Coffee morning The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event. Year 11 students took part by holding an event on Friday 28 September 2012 on North campus and raised £32.30 for this very worthwhile cause. £315.00 was also raised by pupils and staff during lunch time on South campus. Hannah Garmston, all set up and ready to serve on North campus! Hannah Garmston, all set up and ready to serve on North campus

4 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve CHARITY EVENTS PAGE

necklaces and shamballa bracelets. Benjamin Zephaniah’s SEN Jewellery Club Any pupil wishing to attend the sessions visit: Mr Green and Miss Lal accompanied a Pupils support run Jewellery making sessions on should contact Ms Garbett in J block. group of Year 9 students to Wood Green Fridays after school. The activities not only allow where they met the famous writer Benjamin Zepha- the pupils to work on creativity and design skills, niah. Students had the opportunity to ask Benjamin but they also help pupils develop their social questions about his work and his life and were left skills. The range of jewellery produced includes feeling extremely inspired!

Open Evening English Department

A delightful Dickensian world awaited visitors to the English Department on Open Evening earlier this year. Room C.11 was transformed into a real ‘Old Curiosity Shop’ of Victorian street scenes, images and artefacts, replete with characters such as Fagin, Bill Sikes, Miss Havisham, The Ghost of Christmas Past and many more. Meanwhile, on the landing, student volunteers experienced ‘Hard Times’ indeed with a taster of what a Victorian schoolroom would have been like; many pupils found it nearly drove them ‘round the (Oliver) Twist’! All in all, the verdict was another enjoyable Open Evening event thanks to the characteristic good sportsmanship of English staff and students alike. Year 7 Book Quiz On Wednesday 5th December we held the quarter finals of the Year seven book quiz here at Phoenix. We had three teams taking part plus two reserves in case of illness. Each team had to read four books, which were Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan, Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Dear Olly by Michael Morpurgo and Point Blanc by Anthony Horrowitz, then answer questions on each book. Judith Bird from the school’s library service came into school to be quiz master and there were six rounds of questions including one round based on popu- lar children’s fiction. The winning team plus two reserves from the quarter finals went through to the semi finals which will take place after Christmas at one of our local libraries. All the participants received a certificate for taking part.

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 5 PerforminG Arts Year 11 physical theatre at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Physical Theatre Performance The Year 11 students had a fantastic opportunity to work with the professional Physical theatre company ‘Highly Sprung’. They took part in workshops, and then devised a piece of theatre that told the story of the Falkland’s war through dance and drama. After rehearsing the piece for several weeks, we then performed it at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry before a full audience. The feedback was fantastic, good job Year 11!

‘Bouncers Theatre Trip’ Nursery School The drama department arranged a trip to The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton in October to see John Godber’s ‘Bouncers’. This was a professional production, starring well known actors from Eastenders! Performance Year 11 have been rehearsing to present their own interpretation of the script. This was performed in December. Our Year 13 students have just completed a fantastic project at a local nursery school, ‘Kangaroo Pouch’. They were asked to make Primary School and perform in their own masks, and teaching Story Telling Yr 12 Musical the younger children the basics of mask ‘Up the GR80’s’ performance. This was a very challenging task Competition The Year 12’s presented their very first production for the students but one in which they really The drama department have been out and about demonstrated superb performance skills, this December. The story was set in the 1980’s launching an exciting ‘Storytelling’ competition and was a musical extravaganza with a selection teaching techniques and true professionalism. to all of our local feeder primary schools. The Well done Year 13! of familiar 80’s songs, that were played live by the children have the unique opportunity to write a music department band. This production was sure story, send it here to Phoenix, and our very own to have you dancing in the aisles! Students had sixth form Theatre Company ‘Phoenix Friends’ been rehearsing every day after school for several will perform the winner’s story in a glamorous months and it was worth the wait! ‘red carpet’ premier! ‘Pearl Of Africa’ Charity Evening The drama and music department organised a charity event on Friday 30th November to support the internationally acclaimed ‘Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir’. This was to raise much needed funds for improving the health, education and welfare of people suffering through disease, war and poverty in Uganda. The group was absolutely brilliant, and incorporated songs, drums, dance and drama with stacks of colour, energy and enthusiasm. The departments managed to raise £520, enough to feed sixty students for a month. Well done all!

Guest Speaker Mr Bryan Steel 6 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve PerforminG Arts MUSIC BAYC Autumn Ball - Birmingham, Sandwell Friday 26th October. Louis Dixon-Prince and Byron Hylton won the honour of performing to a highly distinguished Music Festival black tie audience including some local celebrities and Sandwell luminaries. They represented Phoenix Collegiate with the utmost professionalism and impressed the event organisers so much at that they were offered a recording session by one of the talent scouts. The Public Music students from Phoenix performed a great mix of crowd pleasing hits to a live audience. They demonstrated the skills they had learned during their music studies and took to the stage with huge energy. Elliott Bun, Amy Short, Jessica Worthington and Declan all put in their very best showmanship. All Time High For Music Sixth Form Results! Mr. Peddie wishes to give special congratulations to last year’s sixth form Music students who achieved an outstanding set of results in their BTEC Level 3 course. Head Boy, Adam Martin and Govind Chopra studied the Extended Diploma and achieved Distinction* overall heralding an amazing achievement even by national standards. Music Performance Album Launch On Friday 29th June, Clement Marfo and The Frontline band entertained Year 7s and 8s in the school. The roof was lifted off A block for 45 minutes with an exciting Party performance of contemporary rock and Staff and pupils from the Phoenix Collegiate attended the launch party for ‘Introductions’ - an original pop. Following this, band members signed album of student created songs. Mr. Peddie, Mrs. Down and Mr. Dawson led pupils through an evening autographs, postcards and t-shirts. of excellent performances which showcased Music and Drama students to a public audience. The album is still available to purchase on iTunes! Music Theory Exam Success Phoenix TV Congratulations to the following students for successfully passing their Music launched! Theory Exams: Jake Binnington - Merit - Grade 1 Pupils and staff at The Phoenix Collegiate will now Isis Collins - Merit - Grade 4 benefit from the highly informative and entertaining Matthew Guy - Merit - Grade 4 Phoenix TV. You can learn about current school news, important announcements and be reminded of useful Calum Richardson - Merit - Grade 4 hints and tips about managing your school work all in one go! The videos are available to watch on FROG and Well done to all. tutors will be showing the episodes as part of the morning registration routine. Check it out! If you want to get involved in future episodes then simply ask any of the Phoenix TV team: Mr. Green, Mr. Shafie, Mr. Peddie and Mr. Bhogal.

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 7 Alex and Cameron Senor SWAN LAKE TRIP Phoenix students went to watch a Performance Foreign of Swan Lake at the Wolverhampton grand thea- tre, the show was amazing and to top that, one of exchange our students Alicia Cox in Year 11 was perform- ing as one of the swans in the show. A big well done to her!!! students Alex and Cameron The 6th form has been a home-for-home to Sophie Bierhuizen, who is from the Netherlands, many overseas exchange students for many said: “My stay at Phoenix has been very nice years. This year we welcome four students: and a lot of people here have made me feel at twins, Cameron and Alexander Senor from the home. The lessons are very educational and the USA, Sophie Bierhuizen from the Netherlands teachers are willing to assist you as much as and Annalisa Angelini from Italy. they can. Phoenix is very welcoming and the lessons vary from a range of fun and interesting Cameron Senor is an 18-year-old foreign classes.” exchange student Wisconsin, USA. He said: “My state is located in the mid-west, near the Annalisa Angelini is 17 years old and from Great Lakes. It’s famous for making cheese and Genova, North-West Italy. She said: “At first drinking milk, our nick name is the cheeseheads. it was difficult at Phoenix, I felt like I was in a I am enjoying my time here in and often bubble because my English wasn’t that good and go out with friends at the weekends doing a wide I couldn’t understand what everyone was saying. range of activities and events that expose me to It is much better now and I feel the difference Leading Parent the English culture. Phoenix is a great school every day.” Partnership Award that offers a wide variety of subjects that help She explained that in Italy, high school is very students succeed not only with their education different to here. “We have specialist schools The school is working hard to ensure that we but also for their future careers.” for different subjects,” she said. “I go to an Art work as closely as we can with our parents, and Alexander Senor, also from Wisconsin, said: School and specialise in Art, Product Design, have introduced a number of initiatives recently “So far my stay in the United Kingdom has been Anatomy for Sculpture and Architecture.” to help consult and engage with parents. To brilliant. I have nothing to complain about. The Annalisa has really missed Italian food! “At ensure we are amongst the best at doing this we school and students are both excellent. Phoenix home we always eat every meal as a family and if are currently working to achieve this award early is a very welcoming school and they take you in my Dad is late home we wait for him to get back in the new year. To help improve our consulta- with open arms. The education you receive here before we eat. I found it really strange at first to tion and communication with parents we are is very good, the teachers are all very helpful eat on my own.” constantly looking for parents who would be and easy to get along with. I have no doubt happy to give a very small amount of time work Annalisa is hoping to continue her studies in that any student that has the will power and with the school on improving every area. If you England and, hopefully apply to a UK university. determination to apply themselves here will see are interested, please contact Mrs Whitehouse nothing but success in their future endeavours.” on South campus.

Annalisa

Sophie

8 www.phoenixcollegiate.org Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve Reforms to the examination system Phoenix As you may be aware, in September, the Secretary of Pupils Attendance continues to improve State for Education announced a number of reforms to the examination system at Key Stage Four. Attendance for us as a school is of great importance as without your child being at school At Phoenix, we very much believe in the importance of their academic chances can suffer considerably. Our school now has an attendance at working in partnership with parents and for this reason, National Average levels which is significantly up from two years ago, but we continue to I am writing to inform you of some of the key changes strive for at least 95% for all our pupils. which are to be introduced. These include: Whilst 90% in an exam may be an outstanding performance, an attendance of 90% • From September 2014, schools will be encouraged means that you child misses a morning or afternoon session each week, or over 20 days, to focus on GCSEs and a smaller range of high 4 weeks of school each year. quality vocational qualifications, including BTECs The school takes a strong stance against poor attendance including prosecution when it • A maximum of two qualifications per pupil that are is required. A phoenix parent earlier this term received a fine of £600 plus costs for poor not GCSEs will be counted and no qualification can attendance. be counted as more than one qualification • All GCSEs taken after summer 2013 will be linear with terminal assessment – this means that students You said We did will sit a final exam at the end of their course. Secured all entrances. All gates into • English Literature, Geography, History and Religious Safety concerns raised over the ease of access school are locked at 8.40 (start of the Studies will include marks for spelling, punctuation school day) and grammar for examinations taken after September for unknown visitors to South site 2012 Security gate at A block for all visitors • “Tightening up” Geography for first teaching in September 2012 (first certification in 2014) and History and English Literature for first teaching in We introduced a regular text message You wanted more positive communication September 2013 (first certification in 2015) alerts when pupils hit attendance and with home • Improving Maths papers from November 2012 achievement thresholds. Post 16 The government has also undertaken a major review of A We now send out termly letters to home levels and recommends that: with current attendance and target You wanted more regular updates on your • From June 2013, students must stay in full time attendance for next term. Attendance % child’s attendance education or training until the age of 17 and this will data also placed on progress checks be raised to 18 in 2015 reports which are sent home regularly • From 2013, students will no longer be able to sit A level exams in January • Although there are no restrictions to the number of times a student can re-sit a module or qualification, they will only be able to take them in the June exam series Parents courses/events • If a student has not achieved a C or above pass at GCSE in Maths and/or English at age 16, they must available at Phoenix: continue with this subject in their further study. • Step into Childcare course starting on 16th January 2013 (Level 1 City and Guilds If you require further details please visit the DfE website, qualification) or contact myself or any member of staff who will only be • Free ESOL classes available locally (not on the school premises) too pleased to provide additional information. Thank you • Free Healthy Walk takes place on Friday afternoons from 1.15-2.30 for parents/carers for your continued support. • Free English and Maths courses for parents after Easter 2013 Miss J.A. Baker • Holiday Play Scheme at February half term Curriculum Deputy For more information, please contact Michelle Hellend, Development Worker, at Phoenix Collegiate South Campus

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 9

September 2012

We need your stories, memories and photographs of your time at MANOR HIGH SCHOOL in

Phoenix Collegiate High School Young Roots Press Release

Phoenix Collegiate High School wins Heritage Lottery Young Roots Grant to explore local history.

Today Phoenix Collegiate High School, Wednesbury, has received £15,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an exciting project, ‘Manor to Phoenix – The Story of A School’. Led by Phoenix Collegiate High School students with help from professionals the project will look at the whole life cycle of what started as Manor High School in the 1960s and is due to end it’s life as Phoenix Collegiate in the Summer of 2012.

One of the unique aspects of this project is that we will be able to access up to three generations of former pupils who still live on the Friar Park Estate. This will enable us to examine how life at school has changed over its 44 year life. What things have stayed the same? How has the curriculum changed? What influence has the school had over its lifetime.

Commenting on the award Gareth Kibby of Phoenix Collegiate High School said that, we are delighted that The Heritage Lottery Fund has given us the chance to carry out this project as it really is the last chance to preserve memories of the school before it closes down next year.

Reyahn King, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund , said: “This worthwhile project will conserve the memories of former pupils whose experiences cover the school’s entire existence. It will create both a personal memoir and a part of Wednesbury’s social history.”

Phoenix Collegiate High School prides itself in giving its students as many different opportunities as they possibly can. They have a committed staff and dedicated students who are up for any challenge. The great thing about this project is that it relates directly to the community and is something that can be shared.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 33,000 projects allocating £4.9 billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk

For further information, images, interview please contact Peter Ralley on 07792 075855 Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ManorToPhoenix Email – [email protected]

Year 11 team

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a-side KS4 Girls Badminton Sandwell 5 schools netball tournament tournament Phoenix south took a group of girls to participate in a badminton tournament against other schools on On Thursday 1st November, Phoenix went to The Phoenix U14 Football Team took place in Monday 26th November. Excellent and impressive compete in the Sandwell schools netball trials. a 5 a-side tournament held at Pulse Soccer play from Simrandeep Billing, Charlotte Aspland, Phoenix v Oldbury 3-7 loss Centre on Wednesday 21st November. Despite Simranjit Kaur, Aneesa Talib, securing Victories for Phoenix v Alex 5-1 win losing the three games that they played, the the school. They finished second and are through to Phoenix v 6-2 win performances improved throughout the duration the next round. Well done girls!!! of the tournament. The girls enjoyed their Phoenix v wood green 4-1 win first experience of competitive Football and Final results Phoenix v George salter 6-0 win really were a credit to the school. The Phoenix Wodensborough 133 Phoenix v St Micheals 5-1 win Phoenix south 111 Team played against Grace Academy, Sandwell By winning 5 out of the 6 matches means that 58 Academy A and A. the Phoenix Collegiate team came second and Woodgreen Academy 42 was through to represent Sandwell on Saturday the 17th November. Excellent standard from the girls in very difficult (cold) conditions. They were a credit to the school.

Year 11 Badminton tournament The following Year 11 boys played in a Badminton tournament at Wood Green on Thursday 22nd November: South site - Aleksander Rupental (ranked number 1), Matthew Roberts (ranked number 2) Nafis Hoque Choudhury, Huzaifah Rauf. Congratulations!Congratulations to Thomas Sutton (Year 10) who has been selected to North site - Liam Spiers (Ranked number 1), Alex Ogendenby (ranked number play football for the County representative team. This is a great honour 2), Ryan Greenhill and Bradley Follows. and something the school is very proud of. Well done Thomas as it is Some excellent games played and scores with a difference of only 1 point fully deserved. between winning and losing. Phoenix South came 3rd on 138 points, Phoenix North 4th on 124 points. Year 9 football All boys played showing excellent sportsmanship and fairplay, a credit to the school and themselves. The photo of the pupils below is the Year 9 team who played at Alex on Premier League for sports Badminton club started on Tuesday Thursday 4th October in . Despite a narrow loss, the team was 27th November, anyone welcome to attend- with level 2 coaches coaching. fantastic, managed by Mr. Markham they were a credit to the school, Venue is at Wood Green - open to all students from 11-18 years old in working hard for one another and showing a lot of focus in all that was Sandwell. Tuesdays 4-5pm. asked of them.

Teaching inspires and engages Achievement is good Literacy ; literate ; literary Knowing how to improve www.phoenixcollegiate.org 11 SPORTS update Dance show Phoenix’s first dance show took place in last August Phoenix Collegiate Year 8 Congratulations to all the pupils who took part. You did really well!! and thank you to all the teachers who took 5 aside Football Competition. time to help. On 27th June 2012 a 5 aside football competition was held which involved the Year 8 Students at the Pulse Fitness and Football Centre. There were 9 teams entered with some imaginative names including: The Sharpshooters, The Dream Team, Cheerios & R.A.D. (I never did find out what that stood for). After some hard fought football in the group stages The Dream Team, Vipershots, PFC and R.A.D progressed into the Semi finals with The Dream Team and Vipershots making it through to the finals. In an exciting final full of goals, The Dream Team were victorious beating Vipershots Netball county trials 3-0. Callum Westwood was chosen by the officials as the player of the tournament. After finishing 2nd at the Sandwell schools tournament The only down side of the day was the unfortunate injury to Rajan Vagree who injured his arm these students went on to participate in the county trials whist making a valiant save during one of the group stage matches. We wish him well and and compete against schools from Walsall, Dudley, hope he’ll be back to his heroic best at school soon. Wolverhampton and Sandwell. A big thank you goes out to Mr Shore whose help and first aid heroics were very much ap- They worked extremely hard and played exceptionally. preciated. Also to the match officials on the day Josh Sandhu, Sunil Dhap, Danny Wood, Lewis They represented the school excellently and deserve a Martin and Shaikul Islam. These Year 10 students organised the students and officiated the big well done. games so well that Mr Markham and Mr Beckford had very little to do, but to enjoy the football. If you see these students please congratulate them as the school is very proud of them.

Year 11 Football A group of Year 11 pupils recently played some friendly football matches over at the pulse pitches, Year 7 athletics champion the games played between three teams - one from Diavionne Lewis won the athletics champion award for North and two from South were very close with the Year 7 girls at the end of the summer term. For excellent North site team winning 3 out of their 4 games to participation in the Shot Put and Sprinting events. She take the honours on the night. All teams showed a won the award due to consistently winning her events. good level of fair play, teamwork and a great attitude. Well done Diavionne... It was a pleasure to be part of it and will soon be Keep it up!! repeated again. Indoor athletics league Staff volleyball Well done to all the athletes who have represented the school so far in the Indoor Congratulations to the athletics league, after two meets the school is sitting in 4th place out of 8 schools Phoenix staff volleyball and the year 9 girls team are currently 2nd in their competition. team who took one step The following pupils have also picked up individual certificates for excellent closer (and possibly two performances. steps further back!) to the Year 7 2016 Olympics after their Courtney Cooper win against Alexandra Year 8 High School staff in July (3 Shamsher Singh games to 2!). Those hours of training eventually paid off. Diavonne Lewis

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