Barbara Priestman Academy December Newsletter 2019 Message from the Head of Academy Inside the Issue Message from HOA 1 Safeguarding 2 Much Ado About Nothing 3 It has been very busy in the build up to Christmas this half- Ceramics Course 4 term, with Christmas jumper day, parties, cheeky elves, Safety Works 4 Book Fair 5 celebration assemblies, a festive sing-a-long event and a Winter Trick-or-Treating 5 Wonderland. In amongst the many festive events the school Jack - Darling Class 5 has been part of, there has been excellent learning taking 6th Form Residential 6 place. Derwent Hill 6 Reading through this newsletter I have been reminded of the MacMillan/St Benedict’s 7 many wonderful opportunities that students have been Duke of Edinburgh 7 involved in over the whole autumn term and feel enormously Children in Need 8 proud of the whole school community for both the Dramatic Enquiry 8 opportunities and the achievements. At Barbara Priestman we Climate Action 9 have developed a Curriculum that sparks students’ curiosity Challenge Partners 10 and interest to learn about the World around them and know Genesis School 10 how to make it a better place for themselves and others. I hope Communications App 10 Work Experience 11 that when you read through the newsletter you will see Café Ascent 11 many examples of how we do that. MKM Building Supplies 11 As we come to the end of the Autumn Term, I would 1 Dance 11 like to wish you a very peaceful and happy Christmas. Concert 12 Having worked hard all term, the students will be KS3 Christmas Party 12 ready for a break and the opportunity to recharge Christmas Jumper Day 13 their batteries in readiness for the New Year and we Winter Wonderland 13 look forward to welcoming students back to school What’s on! 13 on Tuesday 7th January. Attendance 14 - Rachel Hargreaves Medication 14 School Meals 14 Diary Dates 14 Contact Details 14 Safeguarding at Barbara Priestman Academy Barbara Priestman Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Safeguarding concerns are handled sensitively and professionally by appropriately trained, designated staff who are committed to supporting student well-being. The Safeguarding of our young people is of a paramount importance to us, particularly taking into consideration their ASD and additional needs. We recognise that although holidays are an opportunity for fun, rest and relaxation, this isn’t always the reality for all of our families. If you do need any additional support during the holidays and are unable to contact us at the academy, then please contact Children’s Services for support on (0191) 5205560. Our Safeguarding leads are: Rachel Rebecca Blyth Carolyn Bird Natalie Preece Hargreaves Designated Designated Designated Designated Safeguarding Safeguarding Safeguarding Safeguarding Lead Deputy Deputy Deputy On 5th November, thirty of our students performed ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at Northern Stage Much Ado Theatre, Newcastle, as part of Shakespeare Schools Festival. This is the biggest cast we have ever had with About students from all Key Stages representing each year Nothing group. The cast included veteran performers and some for whom it was their debut performance. Team work, determination and resilience were echoed throughout the experience of the play. This is an extract from our show appraisal written by Martin Leonard, Stage Director from Shakespeare Festival: “This company had a fantastic grasp of the language. They spoke loudly and clearly and ensured that every line was heard by the audience. I loved how they stressed certain words - ‘Benedick will NEVER fall in love’ - in order to emphasise the meaning. The cast also did well in using their physicality and body language to represent different characters and events. There were rigidly bumbling watchmen, pompous potential lovers and some scheming dastardly villains. I particularly enjoyed the energy and movement used in the final party scene - a fitting finale to a fantastic production. This was a fun and fast paced production of Much Ado About Nothing, performed with gusto by a talented cast.” A huge thank you to everyone involved for their support during the rehearsal process as well as on the evening of the performance. We could not do it without you. A huge well done to all of the cast, for your amazing team work and dedication. We’re so proud of each and every one of you. Ceramics Course During the autumn term students and families joined together on a Friday morning to enjoy creating together. It gave families and their children an opportunity to come and spend some quality time together and be creative. Families and students from all 3 Key Stages worked together in a relaxed atmosphere to make items from clay and enjoy social interaction. Thank you to Frances and Margret for running the course and thank you to those who took part. Safety Works 13 students from Year 8 visited the SafetyWorks facilities in Newcastle, where the students experienced a range of interactive safety scenarios in true-to- life settings, helping them learn how to prevent danger and live safely. The students visited purpose built replicas of a police station, a park set up for Bonfire Night and a kitchen area. The dangers of each area were lighted and the students were able to identify these for themselves and come up with solutions. In the police station they learnt how to call the police and what to say if they needed help. They saw the inside of a cell and tried on police uniform. The park had a mock bonfire and pretend fireworks and the students were given safety advice about Bonfire night. The students came up with sensible solutions to the problems presented, they were a credit to the school! We would like to thank all families for their support with the book fair. Thanks to you, we have reached our target and will receive at least £300 worth of free books for the school! Trick-or- Treating Darling class have been learning about the difference between how Halloween and Day of the Dead are celebrated. We looked at the similarities and differences between the two, then on 25th October we decided to go trick or treating around school as part of the Halloween celebrations. Jack has been doing really well with his swimming outside of school and was at a competition in November. He won a silver Jack - and gold medal. Jack attends Special Olympics Sunderland Darling under the supervision and instruction of Tom, his swimming Class coach. Tom has been coaching Jack for over a year now. Jack has reached a number of personal goals some of which were seen during the competition. His achievements highlighted how important it has been for Jack to develop not just as an athlete but as a child. Tom's coaching and invaluable lessons have enabled Jack to focus on becoming the best that he possibly be. Jack has also swum with Paralympian swimmer, Matt. We are offering an opportunity for Sixth Form students to go on a residential to the Scottish Highlands. This residential is open to all Sixth form students; however, this Sixth Form is particularly relevant for students who are wishing to Residential complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, as there is a requirement to complete a four night residential, therefore these students will get priority. Students would depart Barbara Priestman Academy on Monday 27th April and return to school on Friday 1st May. The cost of the residential is £235.00 and will include all meal and entry fees for attractions. This cost includes a non-refundable deposit of £75.00. Students will be staying in bunkhouse accommodation in Grantown-on- Spey. 14 students visited Derwent Hill in October as part of a multi outdoor activity week developing independence, Derwent resilience and team work. The highlights of the week were canoeing, hill walking, climbing, death swing, night walks Hill around Derwent Water and Castlerigg stone circle. The students were brilliant; their behaviour, manners, independence skills and can-do attitude were a credit to themselves, their families and BPA. We had mixed weather, however the staff at Derwent Hill commented on how positive and resilient our students are and that we as a school embrace the benefits of outdoor learning for our students’ health and well-being. Well done all! - Dave On 25th MacMillan/ September, St Benedict’s Sixth form students hosted Hospice their third coffee afternoon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and St Benedict’s Hospice. These are charities close to the hearts of many staff, students and families and thanks to those who attended and donated we managed to raise a total of £275.23! Yummy handmade cakes, biscuits and cuppa’s were enjoyed by all, as well as there being kindling, apples and badges on offer as donated by the employability groups. In addition to this was the spectacular dance performance, created and showcased by a group of extremely talented students for the entertainment of our guests. The students certainly excelled themselves and the weeks of preparation definitely paid off. Even better, this fundraising event will be counted as part of the volunteering section of Duke of Edinburgh for those striving for Bronze, Silver or Gold this year. The Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Award is a prestigious award for Sixth Form Edinburgh students. The award allows young people to develop a wide range of skills for life and work. It aims to help students develop life skills, emotional intelligence and resilience.