the Evelyn Grace News Parent/Carer Newsletter April 2013 www.evelyngraceacademy.org Year 9 Leadership Day at prestigious King’s College London On Friday 8th March, 170 Year 9 students had the opportunity to take part in an inspirational Leadership Day at King’s College University, London. Powerful messages about the real meaning of education and the behaviours and attitudes that lead to successful living and learning were delivered in an entertaining, motivating session during the first part of the day. In the second part of the day students worked in small groups where they discussed common classroom scenarios and reflected thoughtfully on how they can individually and collectively take greater responsibility for successful learning in the Academy. A key part of the day was working together on an “INSTEAD” report, the student version of an Ofsted report. The plenary session with David and Bob presented an opportunity for students to say aloud what they learned dur- ing the day and commit to taking action to “Mind the Gap” when back in school. EGA Spelling Champions 9 EGA pupils beat off stiff competition from all of the other Ark schools to become Spelling Bee champions at Burlington Danes Academy on Wednesday 27th March. Hugo Williams (Year 7) and Rae Boyd-McKenzie (Year 8) won their rounds convincingly and both Kartei Gregory (Year 9) and Tamara Collins-Pascal (Year 9) came runners up in their rounds leading an impressive display by EGA. Amarachi Orie (Year 9), Nicole Martins, Zenn Landell (Year 8), Hassan Nur and Ayokunmi Odesanya (Year 7) were also part of the triumphant team who, upon returning to the Academy, celebrated their victory and were publicly presented with their shield and medals. Message From The Principal Dear Parents and Carers With Easter coming so early this year, we had a particularly fast and packed term both for staff and for students. The highlight of the past term, and perhaps of the year, was the Awards Evening, held in January. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the very best of EGA as scores of students from every Year Group came up to collect awards for excellence across every subject. We also celebrated those students who exemplify the Evelyn Grace values—these students are true role models for all in the academy. Year 11 continue to work exceptionally hard in this the most important of terms for them. As well as focusing in lessons on progressing onto the next level, they are attending a wide range of intervention sessions after school which are held on several days each week. Year 11 have been attending residential study weekends in subjects from Art to Mathematics and I am very grateful to staff who have volunteered to organise and attend these study sessions. Education is about more than passing examinations and I am very pleased that this has been another fantastic term of enrichment and extra-curricular activities. Year 9 excelled themselves in a recent Leadership Day where they spent the day at King’s College University of London, engaging in stimulating activities organised by the university. Students were a great credit to themselves and to the academy that day and were complimented by university staff throughout the day. In addition, our students have been attending classical concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, theatre and drama performances as well as the wide range of sporting and enrichment activities that go on every day after school. Please encourage your son or daughter to throw themselves into the life of the school by signing up to as many enrichment activities as they can. I was very proud to introduce Dr Komiyama, The Head of Mitsubishi Research Institute to our students towards the end of last term. This visit, by such a high profile academic demonstrates the very high profile that our academy is beginning to enjoy in the education world. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for your fantastic and ongoing support of all that we do at the academy. Devon Hanson Principal Welcome To New Staff We would like to extend a warm welcome to staff who have joined Evelyn Grace Academy since January: Laura Robinson Head of Performing Arts Graham Gayle Head of Art Kabu Charway Deputy Head of Maths Novellette Bennett Advanced Skills Teacher of Maths Marco Vieira IT Technician Our staff are more than happy to talk to parents and carers about any concerns or questions they might have re- garding their child. Should you wish to speak to any teacher or tutor group leader please contact Main Reception. Extra-Curricular Timetable Club Who Where When With Ms Owusu & Music All yrs Music 12.25-1.15pm Ms Frazer Ms Owusu & ICT Music Yrs 10&11 ICT 1.38 12.25-1.15pm Ms Frazer MONDAY Mandarin Yrs 7-9 3.54 3.15-4.10pm Ms Sun Yr 7 and 8 0.77 3.30-4.30pm Miss Parker & Drama Mr Mensah Year 10 and 11 1.10 Lunchtime Mr Bennett Ms Owusu & Music All yrs Music 12.25-1.15pm Ms Frazer Ms Owusu & TUESDAY ICT Music Yrs 10&11 ICT 1.38 12.25-1.15pm Ms Frazer Debating Yrs7-10 1.08 3.30-4pm Ms O’Mara Ms Owusu & Jazz Band All yrs Music 3.20-4.15pm WEDNESDAY Ms Frazer Ms Owusu & Music All yrs Music 12.25-1.15pm Ms Frazer Miss Walker & Science Club Yr 7 2.04 3.30-4.30pm THURSDAY Miss Shepherd Model UN Yrs 8-11 1.08 3.30-4.30pm Ms O’Mara Ms Owusu & Choir All yrs Music 3.20-4.15pm Ms Frazer Ms Owusu & ICT Music Yrs 10&11 ICT 1.38 12.25-1.15pm FRIDAY Ms Frazer Drama Year 10 and 11 1.10 Lunchtime Mr Bennett Sport FITNESS MUGA / DANCE Leagues / 3G SPORTS HALL CLASSROOM and PE SUITE TRACK STUDIO Competitions BOYS RUGBY GCSE PE FITNESS ALL YEARS INTERVENTION MONDAY MWI RUGBY MR RILEY All Years COACHES Option D FOOTBALL NETBALL TABLE TENNIS Netball League BASKETBALL FITNESS YEAR 10 + 11 MISS ALL YEAR MMC TUESDAY MR MENSAH GJE MR BUTT + MCCURDY GROUPS YEAR 7/8/9 All Years MR WEBB KS3+4 L.T.T.C. GCSE PE TUESDAY FOOTBALL BASKETBALL YEAR 7 + 8 Team Practice INTERVENTION Meetings MR ALIOWE + MR BARSBY+ MR BARSBY From MR MR WINGATE Option C 3.45 WILKINSON YEAR 10+11 Till 3.45 GIRLS TRAMPOLINING Year 9 FOOTBALL FITNESS MIXED THURS- MISS MCCURDY 5-aside Football ALL YEAR MWI MARTIAL ARTS YEAR 7/8/9 @ Ferndale DAY GROUPS All Years COACH JIDE 20 Places only MR WINGATE MISS MILHAM GCSE PE ATHLETICS FOOTBALL CHEERLEADING DANCE INTERVENTION COACH IVOR PRO TOUCH MISS MCCURDY MR MR BARSBY MR RILEY FRIDAY Year 9 + MISS FITZGERALD Option B ALL YEAR MR WINGATE WEBSTER ALL YEAR GROUPS ALL YEARS GROUPS (TRACK) SAM Learning EGA is fully signed up to SAM Learning, an innovative course of on-line revision and learning opportunities for all of our students. Every student has a log in that entitles them free access to additional teaching materials across all of their subjects. The statistics from a sample of 3 million students suggests that 10 hours of Sam Learning completed over an academic year can yield as much as a full grade higher in two subjects. Please encourage your son or daughter to use SAM learning at least once or twice a week. Making learning fun Students choose their own avatars and race their classmates round some of the world’s most famous cities by correctly answering questions and competing to achieve top marks. As they travel around SAM’s World and take in the sunrise, sunset and the climate in real-time, they increase confidence and consolidate learning – almost without realising – while the competitive element keeps them coming back for more and practising even more. And while the gameplay is simple, the questions are taxing enough, having been especially written by examiners and teachers. PTA & Parent Forum EGA has two parent groups: The PTA is made up of parents/carers and staff members who support the school by fundraising and organising social events and the Parent Forum gives parents/carers the opportunity to meet informally with members of the school's Senior Leadership Team to discuss key issues and ideas for the academy's development. Both groups meet once each half term and all parents/carers are welcome to join either or both. Next meetings are: Parent Forum - Wednesday 22nd May, 6.30pm. PTA - Wednesday 5th June, 6pm Attendance ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT! Acceptable reasons When leave may be given: for 97%+ Excellent absence : ◊ To attend college/ 92.7 - 97% Good job interviews 90 - 92.7% Needs Improving ◊ Illness ◊ To take part in approved Below 90% Serious Concern ◊ Religious Observance public performances Below 85% Referral to School ◊ Leave of absence ◊ To take part in special tuition, Statistics have proved that students with with school permission public examinations, sporting BELOW 95% attendance gain 75% fewer from the Principal events etc GCSE passes. Good attendance aids students in achieving good exam grades ◊ Study leave etc Subject Nominations for Outstanding Effort and Achievement Spring Term 2013 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 English Cristale Mishell Outstanding Egzona Munishi Callum Medaini Ryan Sheridan De’Abreu Carillo-Monge Effort English Sasha-Kaye Layla Rose Outstanding Hibo Yusuf Manal Elmarzak Muna Nur Francis Habarak Achievement Maths Margareth Manar Outstanding Jerome Graham Isabella Smith Gent Neziri Toscano Elmhassani Effort Maths Raquel Romario Outstanding Luke Duffy Marques- Jessica San Jewell Jones Williams Achievement Loureiro Science Samantha Alfie Allen/ Zenze Nebuwa/ Jehoida Ande/ Toby Wells/ Outstanding Garside/ Tanique Janai Phillips Eden Bernard Tahmid Khan Effort Chuckiel Simms Thompson Emily Abreu/ Science Luke Duffy/ Barin Rushaun Mateusz Daniella Wiles/ Outstanding Oluremi Bamgbose/ Francis/ Matczak Vel Reece Murphy