The Academy Magazine

February 2010 Issue 1

An Introduction from the Principal Welcome to the first edition of Inspiring Minds – the magazine from Droylsden Academy.

As Principal, I know that school life is about many things; gaining qualifications, developing skills and experiences, knowing when and how to make the right choices. It’s also about the extra activities that enrich the whole Academy experience. I believe that at Droylsden Academy, we are very fortunate to have staff that still look to provide opportunities for studentsWelcome beyond the set curriculum.

Since September, the range of activities provided for students include: Field trips in Geography and History as part of GCSE coursework. Filming sessions at . Year 7 residential at Castleton in the Peak District. The whole of Year 8 visiting the Merseyside Maritime Museum as part of Slavery for Project 8. Year 9 visiting Eden Camp Museum and the Stockport Air Raid Shelters. Contents The newsletter ofStudents Droylsden continue to participate in theAcademy Duke of Edinburgh Award and have recently Page 2 completed a weekend expedition. Aim Higher Students continue to experience and enjoy • An Introduction from the Head many offsite activities. GCSE students have visited: the Royal Northern College of Music, Girl and Head Boy Clothes Show Live, University and Manchester Art Gallery. Students have been • Cryer Street Student Council rewarded throughout the year with trips to Hollywood Bowls, Cineworld and the Opera • Droylsden’s Got Talent House. This is a tremendous range of activities in just 6 months and I would like to thank all staff for such commitment and for the support they give to students. I know it is appreciated. Page 3 • Live Poetry! The Academy is now half way through its first year. Our determination is to become an • VIVO Las Vegas! outstanding centre of excellence. There is much to do as part of that journey; however, there have been several successes that need to be celebrated: Page 4 • A New ‘Fab Four’? • 35% of Year 11 students have already achieved an A*-C in Maths and English • Castleton • Charity donations since September have reached nearly £2000 • Teaching and Learning is 65% Good or better in the Academy Page 5 • The first Head Boy and Head Girl have been appointed • Project 8 Students • A Year 10 class are completing an AS critical thinking class • Hats for Haiti • A Year 11 class are completing an AS in ICT after school • It’s Behind You • Hats for Haiti day • DJ Droylsden • Yr 11 students gaining an additional two grade B GCSE’s through the Waypoint programme Page 6 • The wonderful Christmas Talent Shows • Student Attainment and Achievement celebrated in half-termly assemblies • Robots of the Future • Aim Higher activities to raise student aspiration • Teens and Tots • Attendance to revision classes • The Professional Touch • Student presentation on the Muslim faith Page 7 • Appointment of student curriculum leaders • ACE - Army Careers Exhibition • Yr 11 Mock results afternoon • Cryer Street Student Council • Dream Job for City Fan! • Year 7 Spelling Bee and Maths competition • CITC • Introduction of Stage not Age teaching at Cryer Street • Science and Enterprise Club Page 8 This magazine will give you a further flavour of the many other positive achievements of our • Student Reviews students. I am delighted to be the Principal of the new Academy and look forward to working together, with students, staff and parents, to achieving much more. • Weird But True • Sports Round-up Derek Davies, Principal

Manor Road, Droylsden, Manchester, M43 6QD Tel: 0161 301 7600 www.droylsdenacademy.com 2

An Introduction from the Droylsden’s Got Talent

Head Girl and Boy: Jade Droylsden Academy’s very first term ended in Scrivner and Saif Rehan a truly spectacular fashion with simultaneous, Live Aid style talent shows at Manor Road and As Head Girl and Boy Cryer Street. of Droylsden Academy we would like to welcome you Mr Davies managed to attend both shows by jetting across Droylsden in his helicopter (well, sort of), Phil Collins style. to the beginning of a new Students and teachers alike felt the show to be enjoyable, future: our future and the entertaining and heart-warming. Kicking things off at Cryer Street was year 7’s Adeela Sajawal with her lovely singing future of our successors. of ‘Get Me Out of Here’. This was followed by the talented We are very pleased to Daniel Taylor, also in year 7, singing ‘Rewind’ and an be the very first Head Girl energetic cheerleading act. Next came Cerys Rhodes’ tear-jerking rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’. and Boy and would like all Students to believe However, Laurie Cabbin’s fabulous dancing to ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Hit That’ soon cheered us up. Before the next they have a role making dance act, the stunning Jack Eaton busting some staggering the Academy a success. moves to ‘Get Low’, came Megan Simpson with ‘Because The Night Belongs to Us’. Following Jack, came a reminder We would like to create of another great dancer as Ellis Hesketh belted out Michael an image for the Academy: Jackon’s ‘Man in the Mirror. Making us wonder why Davina McCall doesn’t just relocate to Droylsden with the crew set a standard for all of ‘Got to Dance’. Sinead Livesey took a break from her students and inspire the energetic comparing to dance to pop favourite ‘Bad Boys’.

minds of those who may aspire to our roles Taking one for the Indie side was Joe Holland with ‘Use in the future. Somebody’ but then pop fought back with ‘Bih Tafor’s beautiful ‘This is Me’. Next came the battle of the bands The selection process for the role was rigorous, like that of as the hugely talented Alick McGreskin, Kiellan McGreskin, any job. We were given a job description, had to apply and Callum Denny and Jake Carr with accompanying instruments be interviewed. We expect other students to respect our played ‘Fake Tales of San Fransico’. The original band Ten position, as they should staff and one another. In return, Minutes After Midnight – founder members Cameron Hall, we will guide and help, acting as leaders into a new, Callum Prewer, Luke Gallagher and Jack Clare amazed us all exciting and ambitious future! with ‘Eight Days a Week and ‘Twist and Shout’.

Our first challenge as Head Girl and Boy was to generate The show then came, sadly, to an end with Amy Wilson’s interest in Prefect roles. After a stringent selection process, stunning singing. We firmly agree with Mr Davies that this the following students have been selected: was a day of talent and enjoyment of which we should all be proud! Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Penny Potts Katie Lawton Kathryn Jones By Rebekah Palmer, Year 8 Michelle Saidi Bethany Lowe Alice Wells James Millington Victoria Hind Danielle Wilson Robson Smith Deanna Rhodes Humah Riaz Zainab Atunse Adele Burrows Bethany Micklethwaite Amiee Hollington Meera Mistry Jessica Carney Cryer Street Student Council Eleanor Micklethwaite Michael Connor Amy Wesley Ashna Patel Natasha Patel Samantha Coates At Cryer Street, prefects-in-waiting prepare for the role Abigail Harrison Jennifer Wright by playing a part in the Student Councils for Mandela Lily Houston Callum Monk and Parkhurst Houses. Hannah Marks Joshua Fraser Democratically elected representatives from each learning The senior prefects are Ikra Pervaiz and Jordan Jarvis. tutorial group have been selected and are beginning to be a voice for their constituents. So far, this has included the selection of logos for each house and organising fundraising events. Proceeds from these go to charities selected by the students.

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 3

Live Poetry! The Wings

On Monday 8th February, Year 7 were luckily They look like commas treated to live poetry readings and workshops But not black and hard with North-West ‘poet of the year’, Terry Caffrey. Feels like a baby chick They’re as white as snow Terry has worked in over 2,500 schools and with As beautiful as the sun his unique ability to make words and language fun They lift you as high as by speaking, shouting, singing, rapping, beating You have never been Lifted Before and moving to poetry, it is not difficult to see why he is so successful. They flap around like A bird trying to fly on Project 7 groups were Their first day enthused from the start, Flapping, floating, flowing when Terry commenced As gently as possible they with raucous readings of Are so beautiful when they fly a hilarious, eclectic and inspiring selection of his They disappear into work. Favourite verses The air wondering where covered topics as diverse To go next as teachers, football, They are wings. shrinking Grannies and a truly epic ode to ‘bums’! By Rebecca Best, Year 7 As you might imagine, the hall at Cryer Street rang with laughter all morning. Mystery On a more serious note, Terry’s fervour, zeal and firm encouragement to get words out ‘before they escape’ infused In the dark forest night the moon likes the students with a real passion for their own work and To shine its light the grass is green and Terry himself was impressed by the quality of the poetry they The birds sing but in the garage is a produced throughout the day. The afternoon ended with a short celebration and sharing of year 7’s achievements, some of Man with wings and skeleton and the which you can see in this magazine. Bones are right.

On Wednesday 10th, Terry valiantly returned to the Manor You can’t feel anything because of that Road site to inspire year 10. Many of year 7’s favourites gained Beam but don’t you just wish that you even heartier laughs from the older students. This time, Can heal? however, Terry managed to integrate a series of grittier themes with poignant messages to spellbind a plethora of tastes – even He is half human half bird but can you those with a ‘no poetry please’ attitude. Not only did the day Really see what I heard…? end with a celebration (with book and CD prizes going to and ) including freshly Anthony Scaife Kayleigh Chandler By Megan Murphy and Kelly Maguire, Year 7 penned rap, songs and poetry but now Year 10 will be able to put forward their artistic output for GCSE coursework.

VIVO Las Vegas!

Forget the snow! The biggest story from last an extra-curricular activity, those who are always well-prepared, and those who are impeccably dressed, earn VIVOs from their month was the arrival of VIVO! This new online teachers. These can be ‘cashed in’ to buy products from the reward system rewards students for being online VIVO shop.

outstanding. The most popular ‘purchase’ is a £5 mobile phone top-up voucher, but students can select a from an extensive list of Excellent attendance, effort, classwork, and behaviour are products, including sporting equipment, electronic games, just some of the areas where students are awarded VIVOs. watches and beauty products. Students who represent the Academy in sport or take part in

www.droylsdenacademy.com February 2010 Issue 1 4

A New ‘Fab Four’?

The Academy’s Christmas talent show was of this, came a further blow to the group: Luke broke his wrist a fabulous opportunity for the four band in a tree climbing accident and it took a long time to heal. members of ‘10 Minutes Past Midnight’ to During the year the group practiced non-stop, developed showcase their talent. For a group of young better timing and communication with each other, just in time for Callum to discover “the musical genius of ‘The Beatles’.” lads to belt out Beatles tunes to an excited Luke suggested performing at a family party, to which all admit audience was a surprise for all concerned. excitement but also dread. But they finally had a chance to show off all the extensive practice they had been committed The story behind the group’s assembly has been less than to attending. It went exceptionally well. smooth. Founder members Cameron Hall and Callum Prewer were hoping that as a duo, they could make a name for So, with that experience of playing in front of an audience, themselves. However, realising the need for other band the Christmas Talent Show was next on their list. No nerves members proved to be both a struggle and a reward. were apparent and they grew in confidence on the stage pounding out a few Beatles songs, having both students and Word got around that the band required another guitarist staff on their feet singing and clapping along. The assembly and a drummer. Luke Gallagher offered his services, so too hall was electric. did Jack Clare. A band was formed. They got on well with each other and proved to be committed to performing. It It’s good to know that in a world of ‘wannabe celebs’ these seemed rehearsing was the problem: venues were mixed up; young men are putting in the hours, effort and hard work to equipment went awry; timings were confused and insufficient become a decent band of the future. Have the new ‘Fab Four’ time for practice was a regular feature. This led to cancelling a just been discovered? performance at a prearranged gig where the boys didn’t want to embarrass themselves and be a ‘flop’ on their debut. On top By Luke Gallagher

Castleton

In the vein of reality TV shows, 100 Year 7 students were driven to Castleton back in November for 24 jam-packed hours of team-building, challenges and bonding.

They participated in a diverse array of activities such as archery, navigation using GPS and, what proved to be the biggest test, a two and a half hour walk! All who went found it to be an exhilarating change for the usual timetable and invaluable in forging friendships and having fun.

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 5

Project 8 Hats for Haiti

Students Friday 29th January was rather awesome; I myself had a lot of fun Take a Duck with my amazingly awesome friends. Back In Time

Project 8 students spent the day in Liverpool as part of their studies on slavery, civil rights and freedom.

They went to the museum at Albert Dock. In the museum they learnt that slavery wasn’t just prison and death, that it was torture too! To finish the day off really well they settled for the duck tour, (we’re all sat in a yellow duck marine…) and listened to the drivers talk about Liverpool’s history and heritage - including The As an Academy we managed to raise in the region of £1000 pounds from both Beatle’s yaaay! sites. The point of the day was to have fun for a very serious reason. Many of us felt very strongly that we would like to help the people of Haiti after the terrible By Rebekah Palmer, Year 8 earthquake there. Mr Davies and the rest of the teachers felt the same. So, on the day, we all paid a pound for the privilege of looking silly for the day! Sombreros, monkeys, penguins, birthday cakes, pints of Guinness, cowboy hats and a huge array of colours and shapes were worn on staff and students’ heads all day. Students also baked for a cake stall and many people donated all the money they could. We DJ Droylsden hope our efforts will be helpful. By Jenna Mistry, Year 8 A trip to Key 103 radio, organized by Aim Higher gave year 9 and 10 students the opportunity to record their It’s Behind You! own podcast entitled ‘How to Achieve Your Dream Job’. Before Christmas some year 8 students were sent to see Aladdin and his Magic Lamp!

We found the whole experience to be enjoyable and everyone who went remarked on this. Going to the theatre isn’t an experience we get very often and a pantomime is a good place to start. Even though we all know the story, this play gave some new twists that made it funny and original. However, it was age old line like ‘he’s behind you’ that created the atmosphere and had us all laughing for days!

Ross McCarthy and Joe Cooper-Burke, Year 8

They were able to experience a live radio studio and work with DJs there. The top 12 students will return in March to record live for the station!

www.droylsdenacademy.com February 2010 Issue 1 6

Robots of the Future

November saw a team building day for all of year 7 at Cryer Street. Their objective was to use the most basic of materials available to them and create a robot of the future with a message of ‘peace and harmony’.

Divided into groups of five or six, a scramble for resources was on and some literally dived into the heap and pulled out their chosen objects! The groups had to decide what their robot looked like, its name, its functions to help promote peace and harmony and to promote their product to the rest of the year group.

The ideas and creations were amazing and thought provoking, with a real sense of enjoyment and collaboration experienced by all. Awards were given for originality, creativity and presentation. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by students, staff and visitors alike and it was beneficial for further group work planned for Project 7.

pictures we took and edited. Teens and Tots The It took us students over two weeks to prepare for the Eight of our year 9 students have recently Professional photo shoot. Different areas were chosen: some chose completed the ‘Teens and Toddlers’ programme Touch modelling, use of flowers, and it has been very successful. teddy bears etc to take pictures of and use for their As GCSE Photography magazine cover. ‘Teens and Toddlers’ is an educational programme combining classroom instruction and work experience at a local nursery students, we were After the photo shoot was school. The programme covers topics of early childhood given the opportunity over, it took us two weeks development, parenting skills, child psychology, safety and to edit our pictures using other related topics. The work experience gained in the to develop our software called ‘Photoshop’ nursery allows students to practice what they are learning, photography work. which had a different as they will help take care of and teach the children range of edit styles and alongside the existing staff. We were given the techniques to help us adapt

chance to have a our pictures. When all edits Students experience first hand the demands of the were complete, we finalised parent-child relationship and understand the implications professional photo and evaluated our work and of becoming a parent for their future life. Additionally, shoot and take decided which photo was they earn a national award in Interpersonal Skills (NCFE), professional photos. going to be used for our which would have a significant impact on their educational final cover. attainment. Personal development is enhanced through Mrs Rayner kindly learning and practising interpersonal skills while mentoring arranged for Paul We really enjoyed the a small child and gaining valuable work experience. Thus project. Thanks to Mrs far, the year 9 students that have been involved have Devlin, a professional Rayner, who helped us and enjoyed the programme, especially as it is a real-life learning photographer, to visit arranged for us to have a experience outside of the classroom. A group of year 8 professional photo shoot. It students will now be participating too. with his professional was a great opportunity for equipment and camera. us to achieve higher levels for the project! These photos were used for our magazine cover project; Mahmoon Mohammed, the project was to create Year 11 a magazine cover using

The Droylsden Academy Magazine Inspiring Minds 7

ACE – Army Science and Dream Job for Careers Exhibition Enterprise Club City Fan!

Miss Williams bravely accompanied Science and Enterprise club When Manchester City fan Jack 50 year 10 students to this event in combines our interest in all Liverpool. Crolla in year 10 discovered the things scientific, with one of possibility of a Work Experience our Academy’s specialisms: placement at The City of Enterprise. Manchester Stadium he leapt at We meet on Thursdays after school the challenge to beat his peers to work towards a qualification in this specialism. Altogether, to the (goal) post! we are 15 Year 9’s who want to build on out scientific interests as well as take part in group and team-building activities. Much of what we do involves using the ‘six thinking hats’: Control, Optimistic, Facts, Creative, Negative and Feeling. These roles help us see things from different perspectives and develop our thinking skills.

The practical activities we have done include tower building competitions – with the added Jack had to write a letter explaining why challenge of being made of he should be picked, and it was his good newspaper and sellotape, a metre communication and people skills that high, wind resistant and they had landed him the up front position. When They were able to join in on various to hold a large weight! We have Monday arrived, our ‘Jack of all trades’ physical activities which they really also set eco agendas and we are began working with the maintenance enjoyed. To gain an insight into future going to attend a competitive day crew, fixing seats and mending toilets ambitions they spoke to a wide at Manchester Academy with other allegedly wrecked by United fans at the range of professionals about students doing the course. recent derby! careers in the armed forces such as Engineers, Catering, Music and the By Rob Ackers, Year 9 Jack says it was really interesting to Parachute regiment. see behind the scenes and quite eerie to experience such a wide open space usually occupied by a revel of sea blue supporters. He also says it has ‘given’ him a real insight into the significant CITC amount of work required to keep the stadium alive and kicking, going so far Upon completion of their Business and Enterprise qualification, Year 9 students as to suggest the maintenance team were rewarded with a free tour of The City of Manchester Stadium. should have a salary to match Tevez’s!

The next job was in the retail department, facing eager fans before retreating into the office. Jack is unable to decide which of two once in a life time experiences to call his best. The first: was getting involved with ‘City in the Community’, a scheme in which players and coaches visit schools to train young footballers; or second: interviewing City ace Nigel de Jong about his entrepreneurial sporting and business ventures. But, as they say, it’s all in a day’s work!

www.droylsdenacademy.com February 2010 Issue 1 8

Book Review: Hitch-Hikers’ Football Review: Owen Saves Student Guide to The Galaxy the Day Reviews by Douglas Adams It was derby day at Old Trafford there was a massive roar as the players walked It all starts when the earth gets Film Review: Avatar out of the tunnel onto the pitch. The destroyed. Arthur Dent is a typical earth whistle blew and the match was off. man but his friend isn’t. He’s an alien To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much United were playing left to right. Rooney Hitch-Hiker. When they meet the stark from this film at all. I had no interest had the ball and fizzed it to Darren raving mad president of the universe, in seeing it, but did because I had the Fletcher, then Fletcher played a one with three arms and two heads, who chance of seeing it in the Cineworld in two with Wayne Rooney. Rooney’s got has managed to kidnap himself in a Ashton. Well, the trailer certainly does through here but just gets tackled by brand new space craft, he is the only not do this film justice at all, and perhaps Micah Richards and has to settle for a other earth creature alive (apart from that is intentional as it doesn’t give corner. Nani takes the corner, it’s a high the dolphins - and a manically depressed much away. This created a lot of mystery one. Giggs picks up and crosses another. robot). Then they find the greatest planet and suspense as I watched the film and Rooney’s there and drags it across goal in the universe, or so they think... the story of the Avatar people and the into the net! GOAL by Manchester paradise world of Pandora unfolded. If united! The whistle is blown again, The Hitch-Hikers Guide is classic. Starting you have seen the film I don’t need to Tevez has the ball for City, Foster comes out as a radio series, there have been five say anymore, and if you haven’t I suggest to claim it and drops it. Tevez passes it further books in the inaccurately named you go and get completed shocked and to Barry and Barry scores. The whistle is trilogy, as well as a television series and a proven wrong like me! blown again and Owen has the ball and blockbuster film. SHOOOOTS it’s a goal by Michael Owen! Star Rating: Avatar truly deserves all the That is unbelievable. The last touch This book is good for all Sci-Fi fans who Oscar nominations it gets. of the game and Owen has scored! like a twist. Incredible! Fantastic! By Elle Sheppard, Year 8 By Harvey Stanhope, Year 7 By Daniel Barcz, Year 8

Weird But True... Sports Round Up Oscar the cat gained the nickname ‘Grim Reaper’ after predicting around 50 deaths in a nursing home. The cat curls Considering the Academy has existed for a mere up onto a residents lap just hours before they die. It is said six months, and has spent much of that time that Oscar senses an odour before the resident dies, one thing under a blanket of snow, the trophy cabinets are is for sure - you DON’T want a visit from the grim reaper cat! already showing firm signs of a fruitful season! Man shot by own dog! A duck hunter in California was We will keep you posted as the season matures picking up some decoy ducks when his Labrador stepped on his fully loaded shotgun and shot him! Luckily he was not too and the weather permits action! badly injured. • Katie Reynolds is competing in the Lizards in your pants! A man smuggled several geckos and Cross Country event after finishing first in the Tameside skinks (44 in total) in his underpants from New Zealand and race. In addition to this, Katie gained first place in the has been jailed for 14 months! Northern Athletics Junior Indoor Championships in the 800m as well as coming third in the Long Jump! By Jessica Greaves, Year 7 • Key Stage Four Boys came runners-up in the Dodgeball tournament at Alder: a great success.

• The brand new Badminton team have thus far visited St Thomas Moore, Copley and Two Trees and are progressing nicely in the league.

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