The Academy Magazine

July 2011 Issue 5

Academy Summer Fair – 18th June 2011 A fair effort by students and staff….. On Building) and Ms Saturday 18th June, we held our first summer Nicholson (Vice Principal) fair. So far we have raised over £1,000, with which was won by the final figure likely to be £1,500. This will be Charlotte Houghton from matched by Barclays Corporate, giving us a total Moorside Primary school. of £3,000 that will be donated to the Christie Charlotte has won a day Charity. trip out for her whole class. Students, staff and parents enjoyed a day which brought together local primary schools, business Ms Caroline Williams and the community. (event organiser) said: “I felt the day went The young people enjoyed a host of fun packed really well and I am activities including a bouncy castle, giant roller pleased with the balls, face painting, card making, tombola, amount raised.” Contents refreshments and many other stalls. The main reason for Page 2 Page 5 Academy Principal, Derek Davies said: “It was holding the judging Normandy Trip Madrid Trip lovely to see so many people and I am delighted of the Robot The newsletter ofwith Droylsden the amount of money raised to supportAcademy such Competition at the Project Learning Salford University a worthwhile charity.” summer fair was Long Vue Band of Debate Mate Cup due to the Academy the future May 2011 The event was working with the Student Political supported by Jennie local primary schools and by incorporating the Broadcasts Page 3 McAlpine, who plays judging into the fair, it helped to build positive Progress Through Year 10 Foundation Fizz in Coronation community relationships within Droylsden. Practice Learning Street. Jennie also Prefect Training helped to judge the Mr Richard Higgins (Director of Extended Where is Robot competition Schools) said: “It was great seeing the Academy Swietokrzyskie alongside, Mr Ryder working together with the primary schools, local Page 6 Careers Fair (Chair of Governors), businesses, community and Barclays Corporate in Enterprise Day Materials Science Mr McFarlane (Carillion support of The Christie Charity.” Day NHS Pathways Page 4 Performance Poetry Animal Magic Oxford University Visit BBC Calling In February, Mr Higgins and Mrs traditional dining hall with oak paneling Life Skills Year 11 Mock Bell took ten Year 11 students to and a vaulted ceiling! There was a lovely Work Experience Interviews Oxford University for the day. atmosphere and once again, there was the Year 9 news chance to chat with some of the students. High School The group was going specifically (The food was also great!) Challenge to visit Exeter College in Oxford. Foundation Learning Page 7 and 8 Initially they were given a short The afternoon was spent in a master class presentation on the University delivered by a post graduate student on the Life Skills Sports News in general; the benefits of language of the Ancient Greeks. This involved going to university, the doors it opens and learning to translate the Greek alphabet explanations of university life. The students and solving a murder mystery using the new A Quote for the future discovered that Oxford, along with a couple found knowledge of this ancient language. of other universities in are run in a Before leaving there was also time for a At the start of the Academic year, Year 11 had a visit from slightly different way to others, as they are Scavenger Hunt around the centre of Oxford. made up of various colleges and there is an Hyde Clardendon Sixth Form College. The students filled in Overall, students said they found the day a contacts form which included a “Quote” competition at emphasis on small group work with personal tutors that promote independent study. insightful and interesting, but most of all the end of it. motivating. Comments suggested they The students were given a tour of Exeter came away with raised aspirations and a The winner out of all the schools that Hyde had visited was College and its surroundings. Exeter College different view about Oxford University. one of our students. Suzanna Harper, is right in the heart of Oxford and was built The day certainly challenged some of the Yr11 won a £50 Trafford Centre voucher in 1314. “Tradition” shouted out from every stereotypes that surround studying at Oxford, for her quote. building and the undergraduates leading the in particular that it is not just a destination tour spoke with pride about their College. for public school students from wealthy “Small steps in the present go backgrounds. towards big things in the future.’’ After the tour - time for lunch! Not just any lunch, but lunch with Exeter students in their

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Normandy Trip Project Learning At the start of half term, 4 staff and 29 students from Droylsden Academy travelled to Normandy, located in the Ghosts of the sixteenth North West of France. On the Saturday afternoon, when we century visited Year 8 at arrived at the beautiful hotel, we were unpacking and getting Cryer St. Students in Project settled after going to the beach. The beach was right next to 8 have been immersing our hotel which was called Maison Familiale Bon Sejour. themselves in learning about On the Sunday, we all went visiting Mont St Michel, which was the lives of the Tudors, a genre of monastery built on a hill. Then, we went to a big their unusual diets and Aquarium in St Malo. It was amazing and fun! On the Monday, entertainment practices with we went making bread in a boulangerie; this was messy but very thrilling. We even ended up tasting our own bread, which much more to come. was delicious. Also, on that day, we went to a cider factory All this was experienced first hand where they make fresh cider from their own apples – of course with the visit of Lady Helena and we were not allowed to taste it. In the evening, we went her servant, Molly of Bramhall Hall, bowling. It was very funny and nice to spend some time with my Stockport. Students took advantage friends outside the hotel. of Lady’s Helena’s coach being in

need of repair by asking the two of On the Tuesday we all went to a goat farm and a lady showed them questions about their day to us how to cut the goats’ nails. She also showed us how she day lives, habits and relationships. makes wool and how long it takes. Then, we all went shopping.

Everyone did their own thing in groups of 4. Later we went to Project 7 have been showcasing the Bayeux Tapestry museum and afterwards, we drove to the their learning of the celebrated Bayeux cemetery which has thousands of tombs. and eccentric poet, William Blake and presenting their findings in an We stayed in Normandy for 5 days altogether and I have to say exciting and compelling range of that it was a fantastic trip and I enjoyed discovering a lovely ways such as mock quiz shows, news part of France. reports, spoofs of the TV programme Most Haunted, chat shows and Finally, we left our hotel on the Wednesday morning after podcasts to name but breakfast. The journey back was quite long and all I did a few. These learning was reminisce the great times I had in Normandy. experiences are part of the students’ study Yasmin of the novel Skellig by Martin, David Almond where a Year 8. young boy, Michael, finds a strange figure who appears to have lost the will to live, in his near collapsing garage. This is a novel in which, the work of William Blake is a repeated theme.

Quote: Penny Potts “I Debate Mate Cup May 2011 really enjoyed the day and was proud of how Four Year 10 students from Droylsden well our team did.” Academy attended the Debate Mate Cup at Quote: Miss The University of Manchester on 25th May - Brocklebank “The students were a credit Emma Bowker, Taylor Fisher, Penny Potts and to Droylsden Academy Michelle Saidi. and we will look forward to the growth The Debate Mate Cup consisted of two rounds. There was one pre- of the Academy’s debate team.” prepared motion which was ‘This house would allow the NHS to sell organs’ and an unseen motion which was ‘This house would ban Quote: Miss Whitehill “It is a real achievement that the students violent lyrics’. were able to demonstrate such a high level of skill, considering they had never debated before September 2010.” There were only 3 teams at of 15 who won all their debates, with Droylsden being one of them; this was a great achievement as the One of the lead judges commented it was one of the best school other Schools had well established debate teams. teams he has ever seen debate and that we could give some of the experienced London teams a run for their money. He said our team Taylor Fisher won the prize for most improved male speaker across would not look out of place at a University competition. He also the whole competition. commented that Emma’s speech was outstanding. Future politicians to look out for!

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 3

Year 10 Foundation Learning Where is Swietokrzyskie? – Courtroom Museum Visit 17th June 2011 Who’s in charge of your Learning? The Foundation Learning Group visited the Victorian Courtroom Museum on Newton Street, Manchester, and had the opportunity to use the All teaching staff in the museum to be catapulted back to the 19th Century and witness the Academy know that the best sentences that were given to young people. way to get the very best in student attainment is to give Students cast as family members Students and staff were them the freedom to manage each given roles to play their own learning: students ranging from the court who know what they have to usher, matron, chair learn, and when they have to of court, prisoners and learn it by, are more efficient dock peeler to the police and better motivated learners. prosecutor. The Academy had a visit from the Director of the The Swietokrzyskie The sentences handed out Teacher Training Centre (Poland) during February. The visitors in Victorian courts were were impressed with the way teaching staff at Droylsden Academy often harsh and brutal for children; the emphasis was on punishment and punishment alone. managed students and the creative use of technology. They invited Mr Children of today are dealt with in a special youth court by trained Higgins and Mr Bruce to their international conference on the 1st and magistrates, where the emphasis is placed on rehabilitation and helping 2nd of June this year. The two members of staff presented a workshop the child to keep on the straight and narrow. about the role of new technology in teaching.

Everyone entered into the spirit of the plays, some taking their roles very The future for this international connection is for Droylsden Academy seriously, especially the Court Clerk (Ms Jenkinson), complete with wig to create a student exchange next year. Students who are interested and gown, she dominated the courtroom. Upon entry to the court room can leave their name with Mr Bruce and Mr Higgins. the Court Clerk took a pinch of snuff, looked around the room and asked the police prosecutor why the court was so full this morning, to which the police prosecutor replied “I think the weather may be inclement sir! They are cold and wet, the poor things.” Students with museum volunteer in the cells Enterprise Day at City Stadium The Court Clerk (addressing the audience) said: “As you can see On 7th April the City Manchester Stadium was host to Droylsden my prosecutor has a sense of Academy’s year 5 enterprise Day. 50 junior school students from humour, whereas I have none. Manchester Road, Fairfield Juniors, St Mary’s and Greenside got I have no objections to you together to practice their teamwork and presenting skills, to staying in this court providing compete to be Droylsden Academy enterprise champions. The you behave yourselves. This is not an inn, hostelry or bawdy mission for the teams of 6 was to produce a leaflet to give the house. If anyone of you, adult community a ‘flavour’ of the types of activities and services that will or child, misbehaves during be on offer when the new Academy building opens in January. this court sitting, you will find yourself being taken down to Year 10 students from the Academy were on hand to make sure the cells with the rest of the students combined their individual skills into a team effort to create rogues and vagabonds. Do I make myself clear?” images and text to advertise the fantastic facilities that will be available. During the visit students had a guided tour of the museum, the original cells and the charge desk by a museum volunteer who was a retired The students were inspired when they were given a briefing then police officer. It was an experience for students and staff! asked to work independently to design and make the finished product.

Winners on the day were a team from Greenside who used the Careers Fair at Droylsden Academy ‘Inspiring Minds’ theme to great effect to show off the facilities and services. Everyone who attended had great fun and Academy the teachers and students from the junior schools said they were looking forward to the next event. Around 300 Year 10 and 11 pupils enjoyed taking part in a Careers Fair at the Academy in March. Employers such as the Armed Services (Army, Navy and RAF), Balfour Beattie, British Telecom, Police, New Charter Housing, Youth Service, Fire Service and Carillion were present giving the opportunity for students to discuss careers in their industries. The fire service even provided an engine to be present for the students to look at and ask questions. Alongside these employers staff were on hand to talk to students about the new Sixth Form at Droylsden Academy and there were several stands from Hyde Clarendon Sixth Form College and covering areas from Travel and Tourism to Engineering. Students said they enjoyed the event because it allowed them to ask questions about potential career opportunities and find out more about the various colleges and the wide range of courses available to them from A Levels to Vocational Qualifications and Apprenticeships such as Construction, Motor Vehicle, Travel and Tourism, Hospitality and Catering, Engineering and Working in Care.

www.droylsdenacademy.com July 2011 Issue 5 4

Some Choice Foundation Learning Life Skills Course Poetry The course ran for a period of six weeks with five sessions at Hyde The Broken Bird by Danny Morris Year 9 Fire Station and the last session at Droylsden Water Park.

As the bird tries to fly across the dry land, The sessions included, team building, basis fire safety, arson reduction, commercial fire It glides off a rock and his wings expand, training, road traffic accidents including interaction with damaged vehicles and cutting It sets off slowly with nobody around equipment, first aid and general safety. Many different agencies were involved in the training Not a wind in the air, not even a sound. sessions including the British Red Cross, the Youth Service, Prison Service and Business His wing gets weak and crashes to the Solutions. ground, He needs some food and that’s for sure, Students enjoyed the hands on training The sun is beaming, he can’t take it any especially the water safety on the last more, session using kayaks on Droylsden Water So he gets up again and tries to fly, Park. He’s okay now, he’s up in the sky. At the end of the course all students were Homeless by Alice Middleton Year 9 presented with a certificate by Fire Officer Antony Hammond from the Tameside I am rapping about the people homeless Borough. No-one there for caring People in need, people phoneless The public anything but sharing.

The people begging only for money I just think it’s a shame It’s nothing good, it’s nothing funny, They’re not in it for the fame.

Some are young, some are old They’ve been waiting for a while Some are warm, some are cold Just wanting to crack a smile.

No food, just skin and bone Wanting to be free People nag, people moan We don’t see what they see.

BBC Calling High School Challenge On Thursday 24th March, 32 year 9 students took part in the This event is run by Hyde Clarendon College and 2 national BBC School Report News Day. The group had prepared for teams of 4 from the Academy went to participate. the day with a series of lessons in the preceding weeks, exploring the world of news reporting and receiving expert advice from the One team got through to the semi final against BBC. Mossley Hollins but unfortunately did not make the final. Good day overall and all 8 students did their This culminated in the News Day when the students gathered, wrote, edited and very best. broadcasted their own news stories covering events of the day. Working in news teams, and to the BBC’s strict deadline, the students covered stories on a local, national and international level and experienced the frenetic pace of live news reporting.

They then edited their news reports, interviews and videos together for the broadcast, Filming with the BBC presented by news anchors Monica Patel and April Chilton, with the stunning backdrop of the new Academy building - featured as a news item in its own right. 8 Media students were taken along to where the BBC was filming a new TV program called 32 Brinkburn The broadcast and a selection of the students’ written work were submitted to the Street. The students got to experience the various jobs BBC and are featured on the Academy website. involved in the production of just 2 scenes. They looked at lighting, sound, make-up, costume and they even got to watch on screen how the scene will look after some editing. It was a day of mixed emotions as they did Year 11 Mock Interviews not realise the hours that are put in just to film a couple of scenes. Year 11 had the opportunity to meet with employers and go through the Mock They also got to experience complications as some passers Interview process. This was to help build on their confidence and interview by decided to feed the geese and the noise from them was skills when applying for college or work. The turn out for the day was over 94% really loud so the crew had to chase them away which our attendance. students found quite amusing.

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 5

Madrid Trip Student Political Broadcasts

From the 26th - 30th As part of a unit of work on Democracy, April 2011, a residential each class in Year 8 had to create their own trip to Madrid was political party. The party had to decide on organised by Mr Ribot, policies and create a manifesto. Each class Curriculum Leader then had to elect a leader/spokesperson of Modern Foreign for their political party who would give a Languages. Twenty-nine speech at a rally, and each student took an year 8 and 9 students anonymous vote after listening to all the joined Miss Sanderson, speeches. Miss Hutchinson and Mr Ribot for a fantastic The winning group were called ‘Vote Unity’ fun 5 days in Madrid whose motto was ‘working together, moving forward’. Among the capital of Spain. The group went visiting thrilling museums, some of the jobs and policies they want to promote are: helping an exciting bull ring, the Bernabéu Stadium, the Royal Palace and out at the local soup kitchen; meeting local dignitaries; attending Warner Bros theme park. meetings; giving out rewards; recycling; teaching a local class and The residential raised students’ aspirations and motivation in using more local facilities like the library. MFL. Going to Spain made what students learn in class real, fun and engaging. The trip itself had a very positive impact on The students thoroughly enjoyed the democracy project and it strengthening the community cohesion between students and their seems there may be further future politicians and councillors in the peers and students and teachers. making.

Salford University LONG in collaboration VUE with Key 103 Band of This event was arranged through Aim Higher and Media City. The the future students got to speak to students Our Year 9 band, studying various courses relating Long Vue, (Cameron to “Media” such as “Performing Hall, Ben Lomas, Arts”, “Journalism”, “Sound Jack Clare and Luke Engineering” and much more. Key Gallagher) have won a 103 ran a competition and 5 students competition to perform at the School Games competed on stage. One of our students Michelle Saidi was Opening Ceremony. The band had to submit a recording of an one of the participants and WON…!!!! Michelle won a bag full original song; and against a lot of competition have been selected of goodies including 4 tickets to see Snow White at the Opera to open the ceremony. They will perform to open the ceremony in House in Manchester that Mike Toolan from Key 103 starred in as July. Prince Charming.

Progress Through Practice

This event is run by TEBP (Tameside Education Business Partnership) and was held at the Britannia Country House Hotel in Didsbury.

The aim of the event is to provide various workshops for students to understand jobs more and what qualifications are needed to these jobs. Each student chose 4 taster sessions and they all got to experience what each chosen job entailed and ask questions. All the students seemed to enjoy themselves.

Prefect Training

All the Prefects in Years 9, 10 and 11 got to take part in Prefect Training run by TEBP.

They were split into teams of 4 and rotated throughout the morning to complete various team building tasks.

www.droylsdenacademy.com July 2011 Issue 5 6

Materials Science Day Animal Miss Williams and Mr. Fox took a group of Magic Year 9 boys along to MMU for a Materials 10 Year 9 students Science afternoon. were taken to Chester University where The students had to work in groups to construct a they had a talk about bridge out “Animal Flight” and of given “Animal Behaviour”. materials. They had to This was followed this be 45cm long up with an afternoon by 2.5cm visit to Chester Zoo thick and the and the students winning team engaged in a session was the team at the Zoo’s education centre. They also had an hour of free time to go with the lease around the Zoo. flexibility and weight. Key 103 Year 9 NHS Pathways Media Bus Choices Event Performance The Year 9 Aim Higher A group Year 9 Aim Higher cohort took place at students got to attend MMU The Pathways Performance team came in and 80 Year 9 creating a career podcast for the day experiencing students got to watch their exciting, emotional, serious on board the Key 103 various taster sessions of but funny performance based around careers within the NHS. They all got to join in at some point and all found it Media Bus. their choice – escorted by interesting as well as very entertaining. Angela Robinson.

Life Skills

Year 9 This was the first session of six to take place at Aim Higher Taster Day Hyde Fire Station. The students got to work Year 9 students had the opportunity to take part in a with the Youth Service Taster Day at ASFC where they had hands on experience and took part in various on a range of subjects – Forensic Science, Performing Arts, Law, Child care and History. challenges throughout the morning. The following sessions will consist of – a driving simulator, fire extinguisher training Year 9 and watching how the Fire Service assist an RTI (Road Traffic Incident). Aim Higher Roadshow The Roadshow was held at Hyde Clarendon Work Experience Work Experience College and the point of the day was to – House D – Einstein prepare students for FE, HE and Careers. – House C – King They attended a Gender Stereotype Week 1 went well with an Week 2 went that little bit workshop, watched a short DVD on HE overall 91.6% attendance. better with an overall 93.4% which included case studies and watched a attendance. performance on careers. There has been both positive and minor negative feedback Once again there has been from both student and both positive and minor employer but overall excellent negative feedback from both reports for all students who student and employer but participated. overall excellent reports for all students who participated.

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 7

Winners of the Tameside Sport at Crewe Campus 2011 KS3 Plate Hockey A group of Year 10 students got the opportunity to visit the sports facilities at the Crewe Campus. The aim of Tournament the day was to look at various courses within sport. The students were split into three groups and got to rotate The final of the Tameside 2011 KS3 around three different activities throughout the day.

Tameside Plate Hockey Tournament The sessions were: Biomechanics, Coaching and took place on the 30th March at Alder Physiology. Community College. The team played All sessions are an introduction to the subject area against three teams made up of one team and were delivered by the universities third year and from and two masters students. The sessions were all practical based teams from Alder Community College, the and the Year 10 pupils had the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the content delivered on the Droylsden team winning each game. undergraduate degree programs.

The winning team members supported by Miss Cherry and Ms Richards were:

Reece Horan Year 7 James Bancroft Year 7 Year 7 Quad Kids Sam Benson Year 7 Ashleigh Allcroft Year 7 Sam Benson, Liam McGann, Lewis Robson, Holleeann Walker Year 8 James Bancroft, Ashleigh AllCroft, Paige DJ Horan Year 9 Fenton, Madeline Longsden and Holly Aaishi Yaseen Year 9 Near-King took part in a year 7 quad kids Paige Phillips Year 9 competition where they competed in 100m, Well done! 800m, Howler Throw and Long Jump.

All competitors thoroughly enjoyed and competed to the best of their ability. A special ‘well done’ to Sam Benson, who came 6th out of 44 boys, and James Bancroft who Jack is a star! came 11th.

Jack Schofield, Year 7, attended the interleague football trials in June. Out of 60 Year 9 Handball boys, Jack made the last 16 and was selected to be in the Droylsden squad to play in Four students from the Academy recently participated in a Handball Leadership course which has gained them all France. a coaching qualification; in addition to vital experience that they will take back to the Academy to set up their This is a fantastic achievement representing his town and country in football. This could be the makings of a future own Change 4 Life Handball Club. football legend for the North-west.

Year 7/8 Tennis

Jamie Pollard, Daniel Taylor, James Furness, Hollee- Ann Walker and Ashleigh Allcroft took part in a tennis competition at Denton Community College and The Priory Tennis Centre. All pupils developed skills over the 2 weeks, and Jamie and James walked away with a prize from the session for winning a skill station.

www.droylsdenacademy.com July 2011 Issue 5 8

Girls Year 7/8 Orienteering

Active The 10 pupil orienteering team Day took part in an orienteering race challenge. Seven year 10’s took part in tag They had to find 17 controls and were rugby, cricket competing for the fastest time against 5 and street other schools at Astley High School. All pupils cheer. The girls thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, and were enjoyed the placed 3rd overall. day, gained lots of useful skills and drills and all gained Leadership a qualification which they are going to use within PE curriculum time, leading to current The leaders are continuing to shine, taking their own year 7 and 8 pupils. time to create and deliver sessions in numerous linked primary schools. Keep up the hard work!!

Boys Football Droylsden Academy Boys’ Football teams had a successful week of fixtures against Denton Community College.

The Year 8 team had a fantastic and epic game. After conceding an early goal, they battled through the entire game hitting every part of the woodwork, but failing to score. They were by far the better team, and with the last kick of the game, Adam Sandiford scored a perfectly weighted chip to beat the keeper, to gain a more-than-deserved draw.

The Year 9 and 10 teams both scored some goals of real quality and both pulled off 5-1 victories, so very well done.

Year 9 Badminton Swimming

Droylsden Academy is delighted and pleased to announce The 2011 swimming heats took that the Key Stage 3 girls Badminton team have been place at Denton pool. chosen to represent Tameside at the Greater Manchester School Games on Wednesday 6th July 2011. Many pupils took part, and on the whole the academy performed well. A special ‘well done’ to Laine Callaghan, James Bancroft, Oliver Sivins, Lucy The event is to be hosted at the Manchester Velodrome. The Miller, Sam Bailey and the relay teams for qualifying girls representing the Academy will be Aashi Yaseen, Paige for the finals at Copley High School. Good luck to Phillips, Zoe McGrath, Ellie Sutcliffe and Lana Kay. you all! Created by www.concept4.com (ref 3604 07/11), an ISO9001 Quality and ISO14001 Environmental accredited company. (ref 3604 07/11), Created by www.concept4.com

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