MASTERY of MANDARIN: We’Ve Had a Flying Start to the Academic Year, Coming Back from the Summer Break with the Best GCSE Results in the Academy’S Recent History

November 2017

Dear Parents and Carers, MASTERY OF MANDARIN: We’ve had a flying start to the academic year, coming back from the summer break with the best GCSE results in the Academy’s recent history. New Congratulations to JieYing and JieHui Sexton, who grading systems for English and mathematics were both awarded an A level in Mandarin (a clearly did not deter our brightest students, with grade and b grade respectively). What makes this many proving that with commitment and belief, it achievement really impressive is that a qualifica- really is possible to achieve the highest grades tion usually completed at Key Stage 5 was studied here at AVA. Take Lubna Zada, for example, who by the girls whilst they were in year 9 and involved achieved the new grade 9s (in English Language, quite a lot of spare time working on coursework. English Literature and Mathematics) as well as 4 A* This is the latest in a string of mandarin qualifica- grades. The grade 9 has been billed as harder tions achieved by jiehui and jieying, who passed than an A* to achieve; national statistics suggest their GCSE in the subject during Year 7, both at A* that only 5% of all students sitting GCSEs in the grades! summer would achieve it in each subject. Lubna was one of our students to reach this exceptionally high benchmark in not just one subject, but three!

But it is not just the brightest who are flourishing at AVA. Schools are now measured on the amount of progress they get students making, regardless of their starting point. These new measures will play to our strengths and AVA is now on a path to support all students with their learning so that they achieve their best and improve their life chances for success and happiness in the future. I hope you will see further evidence of this in the latest issue of “Illuminate”. MR R BURMAN

Latest News

Sweet Music!

Congratulations to Coral Waters and Laetitia Raubo in Year 9 who have passed their Grade 1 violin exams with a Dis- tinction and Merit respectively! Well done girls!

Miss Kissick

A Good Deed That Saved A Life:

Aylesbury Vale Academy is incredibly proud of Louis Fitzgerald in Year 11 for assisting a severely injured member of the public outside the school last half term. Louis was presented with a voucher as a sign of our appreciation for his response. The man Louis helped was involved in a serious car accident that required the attention of paramedics. The ambulance crew confirmed that Louis’ ac- tions were vital in stabilising the man’s condition prior to their arrival.

Mrs Eastwood Year 11 Update

Year 11s have made a positive start to their studies. On Thursday 21st September we held our first ever Year 11 Welcome Evening. Par- ents and students were introduced to the different interventions throughout the year. Curriculum Leaders were also on hand to discuss revision requirements for their course.

If you missed the evening, all resources are available on the web- site. The next revision event is ‘Getting the Grade Evening’ on Thurs- day 9th November. A range of workshops will be available to help with different revision skills and techniques.

AVA’s Got Talent! turned, he was speechless. Eventually, he man- By Joseph Wright aged to explain that he “couldn’t believe how flexible [the gymnast] was.” He was still in awe about the performance he had seen at the end of th On Tuesday 26 September, auditions were held the remaining auditions. for AVA’s Talent Show. A range of talents were shown off, including singing, acting and those of A couple more Year 11 students took to the cen- a comedic variety. tre of the room to perform their songs, with Bru- no Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” and the very At 3:15pm, the auditions commenced with the challenging song, “Walking In Memphis.” four judges in the music room. After a strong performance of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your The afternoon was concluded with a comedy per- Man” by a superbly confident Year 11 student, formance from a group of three girls, which in- Miss Leathers was so impressed she announced, cluded a stellar performance of “A Thousand “you win” before anyone else had had a chance! Years”. As a finale, a Year 7 performed “A Team” by Ed Sheeran both on guitar and singing. The Fourteen acts performed over the afternoon, judges couldn’t “believe she is just 12 years old!” which concluded at 4:00pm. Those in attendance Miss Leathers summed up the performance per- also had the pleasure of watching a couple of fectly; “When you hear someone that’s that drummers performing, which were very loud. good, it makes you go wow!” That’s how I felt Even with a few mistakes on one part, they were too. able to continue on and finish with a powerful ending. “A very challenging” performance by another Year 11 student of My Fair Lady’s “I Could Have Danced All Night” followed, but all the judges were amazed how well it was performed. I was unable to watch the auditions for a gymnast and contortionist, as they were held in a different location, but once Mr Hallam had re-

Full Fixture Results for Autumn 1:

AVA SPORTS Girls Football: AVA v John Colet: Won 2-1

Year 7 Football: AVA v Highcrest County Cup: Won 1-0 / AVA v John Colet: Lost 2-1

A Victory Against John Colet Year 8 Football: AVA v John Colet: Lost 4-0 / AVA v John Hampdon Grammar County Cup: By Aimee Jackson, Year 11 Student and As- Lost 6-1 sistant Football Coach Year 9 Football: AVA v Highcrest: Won 6-4 The Girls football team recently played John Colet School. It was a fair game but did end 2-1 Year 10 Football: AVA V John Colet: Lost 6-1 / to AVA. We played a 3-3-1 system: Sofia was in AVA V Highcrest County Cup: Lost 0-5 goal; Adele, Sophie, Nicole were in defence; Congratulations to all the teams so far! It has Amilia, Catelin and Ola held in midfield and been fantastic to see so many students repre- Hollie and Macie went up front. senting the school and showing such great The two goals came from Hollie they were bril- sportsmanship and team spirit. liant goals to see! Sofia was on top form and even though she was out of position, she was getting compliments off of the other team’s PE PE Reminders: teacher as well. We will be continuing to provide two hours of PE All girls played well and it was a fairly even during curriculum time for all Key Stage 3 stu- game. It could have been 3-1 but a goal was dents, with Key stage 4 & 5 receiving at least 1 ruled offside but at least it was a win. Well done hour of core PE. We stress that all pupils should girls! Keep it up! be wearing the correct PE kit when participating in lessons and after school clubs. We had a great game and everyone got a turn on and off the pitch. A great way to start the Below is a reminder of those expectations: season off.  Navy sports polo with Aylesbury Vale Acad- emy logo.

 AVA navy tracksuit bottoms.

 AVA navy shorts.

 Suitable trainers.

 AVA rain jacket/jumper.

*Leggings and hoodies are not to be worn during any PE lessons.

Extra-Curricular Information

We have already had a very successful start to the year with Extra Curricular clubs, with over 400 students participating in a club since the start of the term! We are offering a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs to all year groups which can be seen below.

AVA Gym Now Open!

Since returning in September we have gained a new sporting facility which has been extensively used by students within lesson time and after school. The new state of the art gym consists of a variety of cardio machines, resistance machines and free weights. It has been a fantastic asset, especially when teaching elements of GCSE Physical Education.

Teacher Feature By Joseph Wright

With a large group of new staff members joining the Academy at the start of this school year, we have invaded their private lives and found out a little more about them.

For this edition, we spoke to Mr Cooper.

What’s your role here at AVA? I’m Assistant Principal and Head of English.

How do you spend your free time? I like to listen to music. I used to play in bands RIDE THE RIDE but I don’t get the time to do that anymore. I On 27th May 2017 Mrs Crumpton took part in also support Spurs, so I try to watch them play Ride The Night, an event that involves a 100km whenever I can. bicycle ride from Windsor race course to Bucking- ham Palace and back again! Over 300 women What made you choose to be a teacher? took part, all in aid of various cancer charities, I became inspired by my own English teacher so such as Women Vs Cancer. Mrs Crumpton re- decided to study Literature at university. I was ports that the ride started at 2100 with many of lucky enough to get a place at Cambridge, the major London roads still open to car traffic. which was a fantastic experience. Unfortunately, But, as you can see from the picture, she kept her I wasn’t able to fund doing further study so cool passing the London Eye, which was lit pink training to teach English to others was the next in support of the event. choice. I’m really pleased I did because I have The Ride is now in its fourth year and continues had a great career to date and worked with to grow in participation and amount of money some amazing people. raised. Well done to Mrs Crumpton from all at AVA! Who inspires you? To be honest, students inspire me everyday. I’m not really interested in celebrities. When you see young people learning new things and im- proving their own lives through education, that

is really motivational. I also find that interacting with young people helps me keep a positive and open mind.

What are your hopes for the future?

My wife and I have just had a baby girl, so all our energy will be focused on giving her a great start to life!

Anti-Bulling Week

Anti-bullying week will be marked by the Academy during the week commencing Monday 13th November with numerous events taking place to raise awareness and funds for the Anti- Bullying Alliance charity.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as:

“the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online.”

The theme for Anti-Bullying week this year is “All Different, All Equal”, a theme that fits well with the Academy values of respect and responsibility.

The Academy has set up a text number to support students who may be nervous to discuss their concerns regarding bullying face-to-face. This number is manned by two members of the Safeguarding Team and can be reached on: 07624811805

Key Dates

Wednesday 9th November — Year 11 Revision Evening

Thursday 23rd November — Year 9 Parents Evening

Thursday 30th November — Year 11 Options Evening

Monday 4th December — Year 11 Mock Examinations begin

Thursday 14th December — Awards Evening