ACADEMY NEWS19th DECEMBER 2014

EXPLORE

Happy Christmas

BE YOURBEST

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Sara Davey

We are coming to the end of year and the spirit of Christmas is evident throughout the Academy. The annual Carol Concert at Madron Church on Tuesday was wonderful and the performances of so many students was sublime. The highlights of the event are available on the Academy website and the whole concert will be broadcast on Penwith Radio (96.5 & 97.2 FM and online) on Christmas Day at 3.10pm and repeated at 9pm on Boxing Day.

Principal’s Report

The students have been actively raising money for a range of charities. Coppers were collected for Crisis at Christmas. Nearly £700 was raised in our house competition for homeless people but we found it challenging to get any bank to agree to take the mountains of cash collected. Eventually we were able to hand in the money in Truro. We also had a Christmas Jumper day to raise money for the charity Save The Children and a cake sale for St Julia's Hospice.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the parents and students for their support over the last year. The term ends with parties and assemblies to learn about the meaning of Christmas.

We return for the Progress Review Day on 5th January where students are being invited to start the meeting by explaining to parents and tutors the reasons for their progress.

This week our assemblies have also showcased the work of our after school clubs including a wide range of great musicians. There is a variety of many types of musical styles including popular and more classical approaches. It is a source of great pride to see talent discovered and nurtured. I feel sure a number of the students will make a career in the music industry.

BEINSPIRED

Madron Church rang with festive music and readings on Tuesday evening at the annual Mounts Bay Carol Service. The service was conducted by the Reverend Tim Hawkins, who warmly welcomed the congregation to the church.

The Academy choir and Concert Band performed beautifully in the picturesque setting, which complimented their repertoire perfectly. Amongst the many, many delightful performances was a wonderful rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’ by the Academy instrumentalists, a great performance of the Rocking Carol by the string group and the Academy choir’s wonderful rendition of ‘Silent Night’, with a fabulous duet in the first verse by Rennae Caddy and Molly Hocking. The Staff Choir once more rose to the occasion singing ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’ and ‘I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas’.

The readings in between the musical numbers were delivered engagingly by the student readers, who all performed with great confidence and poise. ‘O Simplicatas‘ was read by Isaac Thompson, Kim Shail, Emma Eddy and Madeline Thomas in Year 8. ‘In the Town’ was read by Nina Micciche, Skylar Finch and Oscar Clive in Year 9. ‘The Birth’ (Luke chapter 2) was read by Tyler Tonkin, Dominic Willcox, Charlotte Blewett-Harris, Bridie Simons and Macauley Groves in Year 11. ‘If’ was read by Iris Rainbow, Luke Stoten, Mia Finch and Amber Sanders in Year 7 and ‘Three Kings Came Riding’ was read by Ananda Lee, Imogen Gray-Williams, Jacob Trudgeon and Samuel Lewis in Year 10.

A collection held during the service raised funds for both Madron Church and the RNLI, which is Mounts Bay’s chosen charity. Afterwards the performers and congregation enjoyed mince pies and hot drinks at St. Maddern's School.

Christmas Carol Service

You can hear the MBA Christmas Carol Concert, recorded live at Madron Church, on Penwith Radio (96.5 & 97.2 FM and online) on Christmas Day at 3.10pm and again on Boxing Day at 9pm.

Book Reviews

BECURIOUS

Geek Girl by Holly Smale is an amazing fun book for everyone. It’s about a geek, Harriet Manners, who has nothing better to do than homework. Her best friend Nat has always wanted to be a model but suddenly Harriet is offered a modelling job but her best friend Nat doesn’t know.

I would definitely recommend this book, there’s also the second one which is just as great. I’m also really excited to read the third one which is now in the Library.

By Eleanor Benstead

My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson is a gripping book written by Jacqueline Wilson. This fascinating book will have you gripped from the beginning; it will make you laugh and most definitely cry.

When Jodie,14, and her younger sister Pearl,10, are told they are moving away from home to live at Melchester boarding school what will they make of it? Will they make friends? Will they keep their close bond?

This book delves into the lives of two girls who like to have their own way and don't like being told what to do. Jodie is bold and brave whereas Pearl is quiet, shy and anxious but when it comes to making friends it is Pearl who struggles. One firework night a tragic event happens and Pearl realises that family is the most important thing and that she really needs Jodie.

Review by Elyn Calvely 7 Yellow

Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John is a heart warming novel about a young girl, Martine. Her friends take a thrilling school trip, but unfortunately it all goes wrong. They have to fight to stay alive on a mystery island.

I would definitely recommend this amazing book to all of you animal lovers and adventure seekers. It is definitely a book I will remember.

Also, be sure to read the rest of her brilliant books! Other books by Lauren St. John include White Giraffe, Last Leopard and Elephant Tale

By Isabelle Markham, 7 Yellow

BECREATIVE

We thought “this smacks of a house competition”, so, as the Year 7s were focussing on structures for their IMYC this semester, we gave it to them to organise. They only had seven school days to do it.

The Blue House modelled the Indian bridge, with hardboard, chipboard, plywood and and string. Their team comprised of Summer Swaby, Holly Connor, Louis Williams and Sarah Williamson and produced a very impressive model nearly 2m long.

Yellow House were just a ‘making powerhouse’, with Ellie Priest and Sam Potter in every lunchtime and some evenings as well. They took on the Brunel bridge and made a superb model from wood, card and laser cut MDF. They drafted in help from other Yellow House students too to get it finished. India Wright, Abby George, Eloise Wright, Lloyd Williams, Myha Maddern, Faye Read, Charlie Osborne and Ehrinn Little all did their bit to get the job done.

The Cornwall/India Bridge Comparison

We were invited to join in with Utpal Shanghvi School, our Indian Partner School, to compare two local bridges. Theirs, the Bandra-Wholi Sea link, is an ultra modern cable stay bridge, finished in 2010 with it’s longest span being 250m. We chose the Royal Albert Bridge over the Tamar, designed and built by the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel, completed in 1859 and spanning 139m in the main section. It is a ‘truss’ bridge and very different in construction, so makes an interesting comparison.

Purple House put on a modest show to produce a small bridge from Reanna Shorland, though she was too shy to have her picture taken.

For sheer complexity of design and minimal teacher input, Yellow House win, with Blue House a very close second and Purple in third. You had to be in it to win it, so no points for Red, Orange or Green!

If you are interested in bridge design and have a PC or Mac at home, download an excellent free program called “Westpoint Bridge Designer”. It is good fun, addictive and educational. You will be able to master tension and compression, it’s got to be better than Candy Crush!

Report by Mr Kilby

The winning bridge

We had read in the UK media that there was no snow in the European Alps but despite the panic we can assure you that there is plenty in Pila!

We have now had three brilliant days skiing and boarding and there are lots of smiling faces. All the students and staff are progressing well with their skills and thoroughly enjoying the adventure.

BECOMPETITIVE

Report by Mr Raggett

Ski Trip

The snow is good in the resort and there was a further 10cm of fresh powder snow on the high runs on Monday night making it not just incredibly picturesque, but great for skiing.

The students have been brilliant and all the resort staff have commented on their excellent conduct and the progress they have been making on the slopes.

BEADVENTUROUS

The National Navigation Award Scheme is a qualification that all Year 7s will be taught this year. They will take place in a one day intensive course where they learn how to read a map and then use these skills to navigate as a group, walking in open countryside. Most should achieve the Bronze award. So far 7 Orange have completed their training and assessment with great success.They have not only really enjoyed the experience but have acquired some really useful skills.

The scheme is a great start to the students outdoor education at Mounts Bay. Future opportunities offered by MBA include the John Muir Award in Year 8, Adventure Learning weeks in Year 9 and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which is offered in Years 10 and 11.

Navigation Award

BEA WINNER

Maths Quiz

This Week’s Puzzle:

The Twelfth Day of Christmas On the twelfth day of Christmas,my True Love sent to meTwelve drummers drumming,Eleven pipers piping,Ten lords a-leaping,Nine ladies dancing,Eight maids a-milking,Seven swans a-swimming,Six geese a-laying,Five golden rings,Four calling birds,Three French hens,Two turtle doves,And a partridge in a pear tree!

QuestionHow many presents were given to me by my True Love altogether?

Closing date for Entries: Thursday 12:00

Last week’s solution:

13 if only positive numbers are used.Infinite number of combinations if we include negative numbers.

House Competition

Orange: 11 PointsPurple: 10 Points

Red: 4 PointsYellow: 3 PointsGreen: 3 PointsBlue: 0 Points

Click here to submit your answer

This week’s word is: cacophony

Definition: a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds

Etymology: mid 17th century from the french cacophonie and the Greek kakaphonia. kakos meaning bad and phone meaning sound.

Click Here to enter the competition

BECHARITABLE

The Academy has raised a grand total of £671.33 for Crisis over the past few weeks. This has been raised though the kind donations of loose change collected in the House sweet jars in reception.

This money will help 36 homeless people to have access to a Christmas dinner and specialist support to get their lives back on track.

The campaign started as an idea in English classes to look at the design and language used by charity organisations. It seems that we have succeeded in raising awareness and a lot of money that has been donated to a worthwhile cause.

Green House were the most charitable group of students this year, followed by Purple and Orange, but overall it has been a great effort throughout MBA.

Many thanks to all those who have contributed during December, have a great Christmas and New Year.

Coppers For

Report by Mr Whiteman

Thank you!

BEINSPIREDBEINFORMED

What Happens At Progress Review Day

Please come to Reception with your child 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. A member of staff will welcome you and direct you to the correct room. Your appointment will last for 15 minutes.

Your appointment will start with your child reviewing their progress and the targets that were set at your last meeting (except Year 7). The Autumn semester report will already have been 'RAGGED' by your child's tutor. By ‘RAGGED’ we mean each subject will be coloured either Red (below 2 sublevels from the end of Year target), Amber (2 or 1 sublevels from the end of Year target) or Green (on or above the end of Year target).

You will then review subjects that your child has identified as areas of strength and others that need to be developed and an action plan will be made. You will also be checking that your child is ready for school in January and reviewing their planner and books.

Your child will already have carried out a self-assessment of their academic habits and this will also be discussed.

Finally, you can assess the credits that your child was awarded during the last semester.You will then be setting new targets, which will be reviewed through the coming semesters.You will be invited to complete forms giving compliments or raising concerns that need further consideration.

At this time we would also like to take this opportunity to hand out a questionnaire to find out your views and opinions on a number of questions. We would really appreciate it if these could be handed in at Reception before you leave. There will also be helpdesks in Reception where you can raise any issues that need to be dealt with urgently.

We still use National Curriculum levels at Mounts Bay Academy and most students are expected to make 2 sublevels progress each year. Each whole level is split into 3 sublevels for example level 6 is made up of 6a, 6b and 6c (6a being the highest). If students make 2 sublevels progress each year this would mean they would make more than 3 levels of progress whilst at MBA. In KS4 GCSE grades are used rather than numbers. Progress might not always be as smooth as illustrated on the graph.

We hope the experience of PRD is positive and helpful, and helps make sure all students achieve their full potential. Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Finch

BEINSPIREDBEINFORMED

BEINSPIREDBEINFORMED

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Mounts Bay, Boscathnoe Lane, Heamoor Penzance, Cornwall TR18 3JT

Principal Mrs S Davey B.Sc. M.Ed

T 01736 363240 | F 01736 352326 E enquiries@mountsbay.org

www.mounts-bay.cornwall.sch.uk

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www.mountsbay.org

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