E: [email protected] T: 01858 440770 W: www.robertsmyth.tgacademy.org.uk Dear Parent/Carer, As we approach longer days and a bit more brightness this seems a good time to reflect on the many positives that we have experienced at the start of 2020. The full breadth of the wider curriculum at our Academy has burst into life already this year. I am delighted to commend the brilliant work of the PE Faculty on an incredible ‘Lock In’ event which involved students from Year 10 through to 13 participating in a 24-hour team sports in aid of charity. This event was started by Erin and Ben Brant who launched the games with an inspirational introduction which many students have talked to me about personally. I would like to thank all members of the PE faculty for organising and leading this event for the students so that this fundraising could be made possible. I would also like to thank all members of our fantastic Science Faculty, supporting members of staff and student leaders for their contributions to the 11th Annual Primary Science Conference held in collaboration with The Ogden Trust. This conference engaged over 180 local primary-aged students in experiential science activities and projects and it was an incredible success. I have never seen so much dry ice in one venue, and I must confess that the sight of Bragg Hall disappearing into manufactured fog was a less calm moment, but the kids loved it! We have seen fantastic achievements made by students beyond the classroom and through the Performing Arts. These moments have included a terrific performance by the RSA Dance Company at The Curve in Leicester and Soul Patrol who have performed as part of Music for Youth. It has also been fantastic to see the way that our Year 12 students from the Rigby Quartet have visited local primary schools to engage younger children in musicality through their performances. The Academy is also privileged to be able to host an event held by The Arts Society Harborough later this month as a continuation of our contribution to the community. I must take a moment to reflect on the excellent progress that students in Year 10 have made toward their GCSE courses. There is now significant evidence that shows how well students in this year group have progressed through their programmes of study and I have been delighted by feedback from my colleagues about what this group have achieved. It has also been encouraging to see the progress that students in Year 9 have made as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the specialist pathways that they are now following. This week we have also enjoyed meeting students and parents in Year 8 who are now planning for their specialist curriculum pathways in the future. I am proud that we empower our students so that they can develop a love of learning that will take them further. I have been grateful for the partnerships with parents as we have conducted most parents’ evenings for the academic year. The feedback from these events reflects the support, commitment and care of our community for their children. We have also reflected on the feedback from students and parents regarding commendation letters. To promote more opportunities for recognition I will lead ’20 day challenge’ assemblies in the second week back (w/b: 2nd March) to explain how we will be offering special recognition and rewards to students who attend well, acquire fewer than 4 penalties and acquire no penalties for disruption to learning over a fixed period of time. I am delighted by the number of positive postcards, letters and stickers that students continue to achieve as a result of their preparation, character and diligence. They are a credit to their parents and our Academy. I would like to wish all members of our community a positive half term and I look forward to seeing you for brighter and (eventually) warmer days ahead! The week back after half term, a few practical notes: - All students will follow their timetable for WEEK B in the week beginning 24th February - Cycling spot checks will take place throughout the first week back with a focus on protective headwear - There are no main school assemblies in the first week back due to Year 11 trial examinations - Year 11 trial examinations begin on Monday 24th February with English Language after tutor time - Students will be expected to have their planner which must be brought into school every day as an essential part of their equipment. Failure to do so will result in a thirty-minute detention after school - Mobile phones are not permitted on site. If seen or heard they will be confiscated, a serious sanction will apply, and a parent will be required to collect the device from Main Reception Daniel Cleary Principal Dates for your Diary Monday 24th to Friday 28th February 2020, Year 11 Trial Exams Monday 24th to Friday 28th February 2020, Year 9 GCSE Geography & Business trip to Cornwall Saturday 8th February 2020, Soul Band performance at MFY Tuesday 3rd March 2020, Year 9 Immunisations Thursday 5th March 2020, Year 8 Parents’ Evening Friday 6th March 2020, Year 8 Option Deadline Friday 6th March 2020, Year 9/10 vocal workshop with Mark De Lisser Thursday 12th March 2020, Year 11 Achievement Evening Saturday 14th March 2020, Jazz band and Junior band performance at MFY Wednesday 25th March 2020, Year 9/10 vocal performance at the Morningside Arena Monday 30th to Tuesday 31st March 2020, German Partner School Visit Thursday 2nd April 2020, Dance Show Friday 4th April 2020, Ski Trip departs Lock in 2020 Well done to the 140 students, and staff, who participated in this year’s 24-Hour sponsored ‘Lock in’ event. This was the 13th year we have run the event and it was great to see the engagement and efforts of students once again. The event started with superb speeches from Erin Brant (Year 8) and Ben Brant (Year 11) who both spoke about this year’s chosen charities – Teenage Cancer Trust and CLIC Sargent. The attitude and behaviour of the students was superb throughout with students participating in over 14 different activities including volleyball, dodgeball, football, basketball, handball, TAG rugby and Sumo wrestling. All students paraded their banners and wore outfits at the start to represent their chosen Olympic country. After all the events and the talent contest the winners were ‘The God’s of Lock in’ (Greece) with ‘Kenya feel the love tonight’ in second place, the ‘Slumberjacks’ (Canada) third and ‘The Expandables’ (China) in fourth. We now look forward to collecting lots of money for the chosen charities! Football The U18 team kicked off their league campaign with an entertaining 7-4 win over Beauchamp College. Unfortunately the Year 8/9 girls’ team and the Year 10/11 girls lost their opening two league games but the Year 7 girls’ team remain unbeaten in league and national cup with 3 wins out of 3 so far. Rugby The weather has seen the cancellation and rearrangement of a number of fixtures although the Year 7s did secure an excellent recent win at Lutterworth High whilst the Year 8s scored 5 tries in a defeat. The Year 9s lost to Welland Park, with both Year 9 and 10 waiting to play their county cup semi-finals. There are a number of games and 7s tournaments after half term. Basketball Well done to the Year 10 basketball team who reached the area final following a comfortable win over Brockington College. The team are in action this week against Cedars in the County Cup. The Year 7 team continued their good season with two wins over John Ferneley College and Crown Hills Community College whilst both the Year 9 teams dropped out of the County Cup having qualified through the area group (the Year 9 boys being unbeaten in the local league). Year 7 Boys Cricket The U13 and U15 teams have competed in indoor competitions recently with both teams finishing in runners up position on both occasions to Leicester Grammar. The U13 team consisted largely of Year 7 students which bodes well for the summer season for the U12s as well as U13s. Year 7/8 Boys Trampolining We recently hosted the KS3 and KS4 area trampolining competition at RSA and were very pleased to come away with both area titles. Well done to Mr Grundy and all the students involved on both teams – a great reward for a number of weeks of preparation. Sports Leadership Well done to students who have been involved with the primary school basketball, cross country and boccia events this half term. Those on leadership courses should be completing their booklets for certification. More details about new Level 1 and 2 courses will come out after half term. There is also a TAG rugby leader’s course ahead of the annual festival. Cross Country The final race of the cross country season saw seven athletes perform at the secondary schools cross country championships at Ratcliffe College. Ruby Collins (Year 7) has had a fantastically consistent season and did not disappoint in the first race at the championships by coming 21st. The junior boys saw Xavier Pierrejean’s first race for the Academy finishing 5th with Finn Singer closely following behind in 7th. Will Ronald and Will Colman (junior boys) both put in very brave performances with Will Ronald 6th and an injured Will Colman 35th. The senior girls also saw Beth Wallis and Lizzie Clapp show strong performances in a talented field and both finishing in the top 10 with Beth 4th and automatic selection for Leicestershire in the English schools, and Lizzie 7th.