LOCKDOWN WITH THE JONESES Week ending: 12th February 2021 Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly newsletter. Well done, you made it to the last week of term. It has been a week of snow fun and online learning, but now you have the chance to rest for a week. This week, after your online learning, I hope you all had an opportunity to get out and enjoy the extreme weather we have experienced. We have really enjoyed seeing your photographs of being snowmen and snow angels, that so many of you have posted on the Year Group Google Classroom stream. From 3pm today, it is time to turn off those laptops, put down your phones and do something to relax. If you find yourselfat a loose end, then take a look at the ideas your wonderful Year Care Team have come up with to stay safely entertained throughout half term break. Some ideas are in this newsletter, but the full selection can be found on your Year Group Google Classroom. Alternately, do you like poetry? If the answer is yes, than have a look at page 6 of this newsletter and enter the ‘Cecil Jones Academy Poetry Slam Competition’. Your winning entries will be published here, in our school newsletter, for all to see and read. The quality of work produced, even though we are into our sixth week of school closure is remarkable and so many of you should be very proud of your remarkable achievements. You have worked incredibly hard and now deserve a rest and we look forward to welcoming you back to online learning on Monday 22nd February. Please remember whatever you do this half term, follow the Government guidelines and stay safe. Have a restful break, Mr Micek This week, the prize for the best snowman goes to Year 11 who, during their lunchtimes on, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, decided to work together as a team and make a snowman that was even taller than Mr Micek. The competition between them and Year 10 was incredibly tight; however well done to Year 11 for their winning entry and for also ensuring they were back inside the building at the start of every period 5 to attend their lessons. Cecil Jones Academy, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea. Essex SS2 4BU Tel:01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net A selection of photographs of the students who were in school making the most of the snow at lunchtime. GCSE i-Media students have been at it again producing these outstanding banners, some of which are on display on the school’s website. Kiera Wilson Imagine that one day you had no choice but to hide away for a long time. Szymon Blasiak, Year 9, has written a 200-word diary entry about this day for English. Dear diary, It’s 1989, Autumn. I can't believe this is happening. The armies of 'The Tyrant' are approaching. I am afraid that I may not make it out of the city walls on time before they arrive. My family has not returned and I am left all alone. The Lord's advisor told us to not worry but our armies are not competent. The pike men are tired. The knights are starving. The archers have no arrows. This is a complete disaster. Unfortunately, I have no money as the taxes washed our gold away like a giant wave. I am not thinking properly and must pack. First, I pack my bow. Second, I must take my arrows. Now, my satchel with herbs, some gold, and letters. Uh! Where is it? Under the table? No. On the shelf… yes! What was that? I think I'm paranoid and hearing things. This can't be happening. My hometown will be destroyed and I will be all alone. I… I must move. I head out the door and pandemonium erupts as the watchmen yell. Those defences won't stand for long. I got on my horse (Ferdinand) and attempted to ride away, but I can't as there are crowds running around helplessly. Bang! A trebuchet threw tough stones which demolished the weak, stone, grey walls. Guard towers fainted to the ground as the barbaric mace men charged and ferociously hit against them. Like a cheetah, my bold stallion burst through the castle gates and rode fearlessly amongst the enemy troops. As I gaze in horror, my horse collapses to the ground as crossbow bolts pierce through his body. As arrows blazed with fire, chills ran down my spine; I stood paralysed amongst the enemy troops. As I get up I notice: a forest, a path and a river- I could use this as an advantage. Dear diary, I knew this day was coming - it has been on my mind ever since the news broke. It won’t stop pacing through my mind. It’s a crisp autumn morning and it's 5am. Mum said we have to be early so we don't get caught but this is so scary. Is this normal? It seems that way but deep down I know it's not, I'm only young. I have packed the essentials, which had to be very little unfortu- nately and slung my rucksack onto my back. I'm sweltering. Although it’s autumn, I am boiling. I have so many clothes on I really don’t want to go. I kind of understand why we don’t have to go but I don't fully; I don’t like asking too many questions. I just keep telling myself that everything will be okay and trying to keep clasp my last thread of hope but it's fading, quicker than I want it too and there's nothing I can do to stop it. We get inside the car and I sit in the back seat next to my sister; we are both keeping out cheery smiles up but we both know we are crying inside because we had the fear of the unknown and we are so worried about what is going on in this crazy world. It’s a 4-hour drive but it feels like a lifetime I have been in this car, and I already miss our family home to bits. We are just pulling in and it looks like a prison. It’s so spooky and eerie I already hate it and we’ve only just pulled in. It has jet black gates secluding you into the land with no escape except from the main tower like gates that are locked and you need a special code to enter. It is too scary for my liking. As you drive down the meandering road, there is a castle-like building that looks like it has been planted there for centuries, it’s very unpleasant to look at. A chill is running down my back and the hairs on my arms are standing up piercing my skin like knives as reality hits me; this is my new home. I am now entering the building or should I call it my new shared housing arrangements? I can’t bring myself to call it my home because technically it's not - it's just somewhere I need to stay for a little bit. I take my first glance: it’s a long black corridor that I can't see the end of. Sophia Parker This week in RE, Aaliyah Dolman, Year 7 has produced this outstanding poem. Always show respect for life Hindus believe that all living things are sacred, and we respect that I believe that you need to believe in any belief no matter what Many Hindus believe being non-violent means showing respect for all living things So many Hindus believe things are sacred because they are part of God Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence. Karma is the belief that all actions bring consequences All Hindus belief in reincarnation draws on the idea of karma Reincarnation is a big thing for Hindus Mainly if people do negative things in life, they may pay for these in their next reincarnation All Hindus know the law of karma is not limited to one lifetime but many Moksha is the release from the cycle of reincarnation and the end of all suffering Opportunities are made for people to have good karma or bad Killing people and many other bad deeds lead to bad karma So many Hindus believe that righteous action is an essential starting point in the quest for Moksha Hindus have different gods from other religions but don’t say others are fake All people have the right to believe what they want Year 11 into Post 16 and beyond This week has been the second week of telephone meetings taking place for students who have applied to Cecil Jones Sixth Form. They have been going extremely well with students demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills. So far this year, we have seen double the number of Sixth Form applications, which is fantastic and shows how students have rec- ognised the positive changes since joining the Loxford School Trust. The courses on offer have expanded to reflect the students’ interests and academic potential of our year 11 students, as well as the many enrichment opportunities we have available, raising the profile of the quality our Sixth Form offers. One of the questions asked during the telephone application meetings taking is, “where do you see yourself in three years’ time?” Career and aspirations advice are fundamental to our work and the values we share here at Cecil Jones Sixth Form and across the Loxford Trust Schools.