13th November 2015 TROOP 209: A MARCH TO REMEMBER On Sunday the 8th November, BDA’s cadet Bristol-George as well as other members of troop were marching with the Army Cadets. Troop 209 participate in the honorary event. It was very moving to see Bobbi Bergen, De It was an incredibly proud occasion for the Andre Dawkins, Travoy Williams, Warren troop who all remained silent and respectful Nunn, Hayley Gerard and Cheyanne for over an hour, From Nottingham Forest to England Footballing Star! On Wednesday we were privileged to have eventually representing his country. He also Jermaine Jenas an Ex- Professional Football shared stories from his childhood and how player in to speak to approximately 40 he overcame hard times at school. students, which included the Boys’ Achievement students and Sports Colours The speech was inspiring and motivational students. to all. Hopefully the students can take the words of encouragement and apply He spoke of his career as a football player themselves better in lessons. Turn to page 3 and the struggles he faced in becoming a as we get up, close and personal with the player that reached pivotal heights, football star. 1 Newsletter 13th November 2015 A BDA INTRODUCTION: STAGE BUSINESS When I first heard of the school introducing it became really useful and informative for the ‘Stage Business’ programme, I wanted to my own studies. be involved almost instantly. I’ve loved going to the Old Vic anyways, and to gain new But most importantly, the end of the day saw leadership skills was going to help me our BDA group discussing, constructing and immensely – and personally, I knew it would presenting our pitches on how to become look really good on my UCAS form for when I good leaders – in particular on how to be go to university. I, along with eight other great communicators. The Old Vic allowed students, who were also chosen to be a part us to gain inspiration from prominent figures of the programme, were nervous, excited and images to guide us, and this in itself I felt and we didn’t know what to expect. When I helped us tremendously. I already feel as entered the theatre, I saw about 30 other though my leadership skills and my students with the same anxiousness and confidence have improved and by April, I eagerness we all felt. would have had become a much better leader than I was before the programme. I Our BDA group were split up into groups of am enjoying the programme and it is very three and then were introduced to the other exciting that soon we will go back to students – I thought they were fairly local (like Waterloo and continue the experience. we were, seeing the Old Vic is in Waterloo). But some of the nice and equally timid By Tori Harris-Burton 13La people we met that day came from across the country; some from Swansea and others from Leeds. It was strange and interesting Ready… Steady… how diverse and large this programme was, Bake! and that I was a part of that shared experience. Throughout the day, I was learning brand new skills from professional writers, performers and directors; whether that was how to be prepared for the movements on the stage or how to adapt a scene to make it unique. My personal favourite workshop was led by a writer named Kenny, who taught us the useful techniques of story-telling and writing our own stories. I found this incredibly fascinating and since I am an English student, 2 Newsletter 13th November 2015 GET TO KNOW FOOTBALL STAR… JERMAINE JENAS On Wednesday, ex-England international footballer, Jermaine Jenas, visited the academy to talk with out Boys Achievement group. Here’s his 5-4-3-2-1.. 5 top highlights as a player • Winning ‘Young Player of the Year’ • Playing for England • Scoring for England • First England cup at aged 19 for England • Trophy for battering Arsenal to win the Carling League cup 4 of the best players you played with: • Gareth Bale • Luka Modrić • Alan Shearer • Paul Scholes 3 goals set and achieved: • Providing a better lifestyle for my mum • Playing the Premier League • Playing for my country 2 players you would have loved to play with: • John Barnes – coming over adversity at a time when racism was really bad in society and in football • Patrick Vieira – French international great battles, fantastic athlete and role model. Outstanding central midfielder 1 team you would like to play for: • Barcelona – style of play – a boy’s dream to play in a team with the class of the great Barcelona team of the 2000s 3 Newsletter 13th November 2015 MEET THE STUDENT… HARRY KELLY OF 9R 5 People you’d like to have over for dinner: •Peter Capaldi – because Doctor Who is my favourite TV show •Jenna Coleman – she is also in Doctor Who •Björn Ulvaeus – he made the biggest band in history (ABBA) and made a musical to remember •Sheridan Smith – she stars in serious TV dramas •Ingrid Oliver – she is incredibly funny and a good comedian 4 books and films you’ll never forget: •Shadow (by Michael Morpurgo) – an incredibly moving story •Spy – incredibly funny •The Breakfast Club – an infamous and funny film •The Witches (by Roald Dahl) – first story/film to actually scare the wit out of me as a child 3 foods you’d have for your last meal: •Toad in the Hole •Chicken pie •Lasagne 2 of your favourite teachers: •Ms Smith – Drama teacher and I love drama – it’s my passion •Ms Fisher – for the same reason above. 1 day at school you’ll never forget: •Performing Grease – 2014 school production 4 Newsletter 13th November 2015 BDA’S GENDER SOCIETY What is Gender Society? What will our campaign involve? Jade says “it is an opportunity to voice Bana says ”We will launch a poster thoughts on matters that are important campaign around the school to me and that relate to gender and highlighting some of the concerns we politics. Recently we have spoken have about homophobic about homophobic language and language. Watch out for them”. using the word gay as an insult”. Alima says “we will use pictures and key Jada says “we explore the portrayal of phrases to capture your attention”. women in the media facing some of the gender stereotypes we have in How can you get involved? society’’. Ms Patel says “come to F011 at Tuesday Ruchika says “it is a safe place to talk lunchtime to get involved with the about some of the things that I think is society”. more sensitive”. Thanks for your time, We will be creating a campaign to Jade Bompela (Year 13), Jada Kennedy raise awareness about homophobia in (Year 13), Bana Mustafa(Year 13), the next few weeks Why did we Ruchika McPherson (Year 13), Alima choose this? (Year 7) and Ms Patel Jade says “It can make the school a safer place to be and shows that BDA is an accepting school”. 5 Newsletter 13th November 2015 HOUSE EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED! The beginning of next week is sure to be the start of some really interesting and exciting events taking place at the academy. Monday will kick off with a House Penalty Shootout, followed by an intense House Obstacle Challenge the following week, as well as a House Tug of War competition. These are events you certainly do not want to miss out on, and an excellent opportunity to earn some house points, and more importantly, represent your school House! A PLAY WITH A TWIST: QUEEN LEAR I would like to say a big .Thank You’ to All of the rehearsal and extensive prop the staff and students for their support making was worth all of the effort, I was with the Shakespeare School’s festival extremely proud of the students who performance of Queen Lear. performed outstandingly! - Ms Smith 6 Newsletter 13th November 2015 BDA SPORTS TABLE TENNIS UPDATE: MORE STARS AT 4 STARS! Four BDA players took part last Saturday winner of the tournament. and Sunday in the 4 Stars Table Tennis Tournament at Cippenham Table Tennis Israel Awolaja played in the very strong Centre in Slough. NB: The 4 Stars Junior competition but unfortunately, lost tournaments are regarded as the highest out in the last 16. ranking tournaments comparable to the National Championships finals. Robel Berhanykun really good win against a player better ranked than himself. Robel is Yassmine Al-Amrie was the BDA star of the quit new to the 4 Stars tournaments so we weekend, beating England’s number 5 are sure that we will hear more from his cadet - Tiana Dennison 3-2! This was performances. definitely a highlight of the tournament, Please also note that 4 players out of the 10 Cacherel Mirjah-Mercer performed really Greenhouse players that participated in the well in the cadets’ competition, losing only tournament were from BDA. in the quarter finals 0-3 with the eventual Here’s what we’re tweeting… For more updates on sporting activities at the academy, visit our BDA sports twitter page: @BDASport 7 Newsletter 13th November 2015 BDA SPORTS NEXT WEEK’S SPORTS FIXTURES Year Date Sport Opposition Venue Staff Start Group 16/11/2015 Football 12/13 TBC Away Mr French 1130 Cardinal 16/11/2015 Rugby 9 Home Mr Lima 1600 Wiseman Rivers 17/11/2015 Rugby 8 Away Mr French 1400 Academy Girls QPR 19/11/2015 Football 7/8 Football Alperton Ms Forster 0800 competition Holland 19/11/2015 Netball 7 EPIC League Ms Paine 1600 Park Holland 19/11/2015 Netball 10 EPIC League Ms Paine 1600 Park Cardinal 19/11/2015 Rugby 8 Home Mr French 1600 Wiseman Mr Latymer Upper Wood 20/11/2015 Rugby 7 Jennings/Mr 1430 School Lane Fleming 8 Newsletter 13th November 2015 LIBRARY NEWS Book Review We are firmly back in the habit after half- Lifters by Joe Craig term now, all the lessons are getting really productive and we have some great Adaq and his sister, Maya are an expert students reading some really challenging team of pickpockets, but Adaq is starting to books! Particularly well done to Nuura Ali have doubts about the way they live.