Academy News Wednesday 8th February 2012

www.burlingtondanes.org

A weekly snapshot of Burlington Danes Academy – a Church of England school.

Routine reminder half way through year

Forthcoming Diary Dates: check www.burlingtondanes.org for moreThursday 9th February: Study skills day for Years 10-13, all other students work from homeFriday 10th February: Day off for all students Monday 13th – 17th February: Half Term breakMonday 20th February: Staff training day, no students in school

Ms Coates: 2012 is well underway and at Burlington Danes we are fully focused on maximising success inthe GCSE and post-16 exams that will begin in May. When it comes to exams there is a fine line betweensuccess and failure so we must prepare thoroughly and give ourselves every chance of success.

In the middle of the year it is prudent to revisit our routines. May I remind you all that:

• The academy day begins at 0820am for students, all of whom ought to be in school at this time. Pleasemake allowances for traffic and delays; punctuality is a key life skill.• Uniform matters to us as it demonstrates both respect and purposefulness: please ensure your child isdressed appropriately. Please sign your child’s planner weekly.• Excessive make up, extreme hairstyles and excessive jewellery are not allowed.•Mobile phones and headphones etc are not permitted in the academy site.• Statistical evidence shows that 17 days absence is equal to a drop of one GCSE grade. Please ensurethat your child is not disadvantaged!

We are very proud of our position in the recently published School League Tables and our recognition asAcademy of the Year by Educational Investor magazine. We are one of the top performing academiesin the country. This is one of the reasons I was invited to Downing Street very recently to meet the PrimeMinister and explain to him the reasons why we are so successful.

Thank you, as ever, for your support

The Griffin is our biannual fulll colour newspaperdocumenting the highlights of the last sixthmonths at BDA. The spring 2012 edition is beingsent by post to all parents today so do look outfor it in the coming days.

Did you know that ‘biannual’ can mean both‘every six months’ AND ‘every two years’?! Thatmust make it the most confusing word in theEnglish language! Email any other confusingwords/phrases toacademy.news@burlingtondanes.org and we’llprint them next week.

Get ready for The Griffin

First ImpressionsMr Preston introduces this week’s brain teasers…

Meet the Teacher#58 They call Economics the dismal science, but Head of Economics Ms Rees starts every day with a smile

Who or what inspires you? My Auntie was a teacher in London and gave up her career to workvoluntarily in an orphanage in Albania for a number of years after witnessing the terrible conditions thatchildren were living in. After a few years of being back in the UK and teaching she gave up teachingagain to start fostering, since then she has adopted two beautiful little boys that she was fostering. Herlove for children has always inspired me and was the main reason I became a teacher.

Describe your perfect day .. My perfect day would be on a sunny day in Wales where I would start witha nice early morning walk, I would then spend the day with family and friends on the beach, engrossedin a book, and play with my niece and nephew in the sea and go fishing in the rock pools. Then in theevening it would be perfectly finished with a BBQ and glass of wine with my family.

What’s your favourite book and why? To Kill a Mockingbird was the book that was my transition frombooks aimed at children to more serious novels and my English teacher in Year 9 was fantastic atteaching it. I recently read The Help (another brilliant book) where the author had cited Harper Lee asone of her inspirations to become an author

One piece of advice? ‘Start every day with a smile’. One of my mother’s early advice to me anddefinitely think it can impact on your mood for the whole day and the mood of others

Last week’s answers: The Czech Republic; The Tempest; Uggie; Tinie Tempah; Year of the Dragon

1. Who is the new Energy Secretary replacing Chris Huhne?

2. In which country was Queen Elizabeth when she learnt of her accession to the throne?

3. Which famous British author was born 200 years ago this week?

4. Which make of car was sold for over £20 million?

5. Which American football team won this year’s Super Bowl?

What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher? My dream job would bea Pilot although I think that I was a little disappointed by the thought flyingcommercial planes and think this was more to do with my obsession with thefilm Top Gun when growing up. Also I don’t believe that my teacher’s rathersexist remark of ‘this isn’t a job for girls’ inspired me to follow this dream.

What were you like when you were at school? I was a brilliant student inprimary school but that all changed in secondary school when educationdidn’t seem to be my number one priority and I would mess about anddisrupt lessons, unless it was History or English which I worked very hard in as Iloved my teachers and the lessons were inspiring. My GCSE results shockedme into submission, as my results reflected my attitude to learning, and was acompletely different student during my A Levels.

BDA through the yearsMs Quinton – Year 7: Good afternoon Year 7 and well done on another great term. Aparticularly big well done to all those who STILL have had NO negative mentions in their Daybooks sinceSeptember. Well done to Leeban, Monice, Poppy, Shakib, Rayhan, Ryan H, Owen, Pramisha, Shannon,Azhar, Amira, Alice, Aanosh, Isabella, Israel, Reah, Retina, Dylan A, Fayez, Salwa, Nazia, Noor, Nicole, Sophie,Starsky, Alabama, Ayesha, Cherri, Gonjan, Loujaine, Harvey, Lucy, Milly, Ria, Ryan T and Yassin. This reflects acommitment to hard work and achievement in lessons. Well done and keep it up!

Mr Stephenson – Yr9: Well I must say what a brilliant and enthusiastic approach you haveall had towards your exams. I truly hope your confidence and preparation is rewarded with fantasticresults. The work is not finished yet, for in a month’s time you will be again doing assessments…the End ofKey Stage 3 exams, so be prepared! Parents the attitude that is being demonstrated within this examperiod has been humbling and signals hope that we are about to turn a corner. I would like us to maintainour vigilance and continue to encourage the pupils as I believe a joint effort will ensure that the pupils willstay fully focused. Year 9 have a restful week and come back ready to learn.

Ms Akingbule – Yr8: Good afternoon year eight. With your mid term examinations behindyou, use this opportunity to relax and enjoy your half term break. Year eight parents’ evening will takeplace on Thursday 23rd February 2012, it will be a great opportunity for both you and your parents to meetand discuss how well you are performing in lessons, attendance is compulsory. After your half term break,return to school on time, make sure you are well equipped and in full school uniform. The new motto for ouryear is ‘no excuses’.

Ms Aitken – Yr11: Good afternoon Year 11. We have been really busy this half term but it hasbeen a productive one and I am pleased with how your work ethic is turning around! I am looking forwardto seeing you all tomorrow for Study Skills day and I am positive you will get lots out of it. There are Mathsand Science sessions to help prepare you for the upcoming exams as well as English controlledassessment clinics. Make sure you know the days you are expected in over the half term and I lookforward to seeing you all again soon.

Mr Manandhar – Yr13: It’s the end of another half term and therefore another time toreflect upon your last year of school, and what is in store for you after Results Day. I hope that you alltook note of this week’s assembly theme of ‘adult responsibilities’ and you are ensuring that you aremaking the preparations towards life after Sixth Form: be it student life or the world of work. Rememberthat part of being an adult is being independent, organised & self-reliant, so it’s up to you to completeStudent Finance forms, update your CV or draft a covering letter for work. Have a restful half term.

Mr Bissoo – Yr10: Congratulations to 10L who are the new league of excellence champions!There is no substitute for being nice and working hard so you will have a treat in the first week back. Aspecial mention to Ladan and Monique in 10R who stepped in to stop a fight between younger studentsthis week, it’s never easy to step in when you see something wrong happening – well done you are a creditto us all!! Remember ‘Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase’(MLK) Sohave faith in your ability, work hard and have a wonderful break, I will be waiting for you on your return!!

Ms Megaw – Yr12: Well done to all the students involving themselves in house competitionsthis week such as the cook-off (well done Saphire and Nancy for volunteering) and the University Challengecompetition. As usual congratulations to the SOTW Vera, Roshni, Sahra, Nawid and the DOL SOTW Melak. Ihope you have all enjoyed the study skills day and gained some really useful pointers fromSOAS, Brunel, LBSF, science and medicine mentors and the personal statements workshops. I hope you willuse what you have learnt to inspire your UCAS process and get ahead of the crowd during half term!

Sports Report

…

PE Department Fixtures Week Beginning 20.2.12

Sport Year Group Venue Date Opposition Staff StartNetball 7/8 Pimlico

Academy21/2/12 Finals Day Miss Aitken 4:30

Basketball 10/11 Sports Hall 21/2/12 Borough Tournament

Mr Jennings 4:00

Rugby 7 Northolt RFC 22/2/12 RFU London Tournament

Mr Jennings 10:00

Basketball 7/8 Heston 22/2/12 Heston CS Miss Butts 4:00

Gifted and Talented Coordinator Ms Clements: BDA schoolreporters, Yasmin Abubeker and Daniel Ayane had a fantasticopportunity on Tuesday to interview Blue Peter presenter, HelenSkelton, after her recent 500 mile trek across Antarctica to the SouthPole for Sport Relief. In their interview, Yasmin and Daniel asked awhole host of probing questions about Helen’s life at Blue Peter, herexciting adventures and her charity work. To listen to their interviewand for more news from our school reporters, visit our school websiteon BBC News School Report News Day on March 15th.

Student contributions are always welcome for this newsletter.Perhaps you want to write a review of a movie or book, orcomment on the latest global developments.

Speak to Mr Adcock or email academy.news@burlingtondanes.orgwith your suggestions.

Blue Peter visit for roving reporters

In other news

Last WordsMs Coates’ Commendation…My praise this week goes to the students in Year 12 whoare in India serving a school and community in Jodhpur.These students have given up their time and money toraise funds for the trip and are now in India making adifference to young people’s lives. Well done to all.

SpellingsIt’s never too soon to be thinking aboutyour ideal university course, but first youhave to be able to spell them. Checkyour spelling of the subjects belowl

1. Psychology2. Economics3. Sociology4. Geography5. Classical Civilisation

6. Archaeology7. Anthropology8. Politics9. Pharmacology10. Art

10 = A* Top of the class.8-9 = Practice your revision techniques.4-7 = Did you revise?1-3 = Oh dear. Try again next week.0 = Disastrous. Read at least one book a week for the rest of this year like everyone else.

Pupils find voice for speech comp

Follow BDA on TwitterStay in touch with one of England’s topacademies by following us on twitter.www.twitter.com/burlingtondanes

Mr Adcock: There are times inthis job when you feel incrediblyprivileged, and that’s been thecase every lunchtime this weekas I’ve been treated to somecompelling speeches deliveredwith confidence and charm.

Students in all year groups havebeen recording their speechesfor the Speech Makercompetition. You’ll find out whowon the trip to the House ofLords in the next edition ofAcademy News.

Next week is half term. We look forward to welcoming you back onTuesday 21st February.Monday20.02.12

Staff training, no students in school.

Tuesday21.02.12

All Data in CMISY12/13 Mentor Meetings8.30am: Year 7 SLT Assembly (RIB) Main Hall8.30am: Year 11 Assembly (AKN) Danes Atrium8.30am: Year 13 Assembly (MAN) Potter Theatre

Wednesday22.02.12

Y12/13 Mentor Meetings8.30am: Year 8 & 9 SLT Assembly (RIB) Main Hall8.30am: Year 10 Assembly (BIS) Danes Atrium8.30am: Year 12 Assembly (MEG) Potter Theatre4pm: Department Meetings

Thursday23.02.12

Y12/13 Mentor Meetings8.30am: Year 10 & 11 SLT Assembly (RIB) Main Hall 8.30am: Year 7 Assembly (QUI) Danes Atrium8.30am: Year 9 Assembly Potter Theatre (STE)ARK orchestra (SAFE) rehearsal (CKE)4.30 -7pm Y8 Parents' Evening (All)

Friday24.02.12

8.15am : Teaching and Learning Briefing led by XXX8.30am: Year 8 Assembly (AKE) Danes Atrium8.30am: Year 12&13 SLT Assembly (RIB) Potter Theatre Y12 Haworth trip (MRS)