Lockdown Edition, 22nd June 2020

Wixams Academy

Greetings from the Principal

Welcome to our Newsletter,

The ‘shape’ of the normal school year has been significantly

altered in 2020, but as we near the end of the summer

term we have plenty of postive news in the Academy and

many reasons to be optimistic about September.

In this issue I am very proud to introduce many of the new

members of staff joining the Academy in September. We

have been very fortunate again this year to be gaining so

many brilliant new staff members and to only be ‘losing’

one. This is evidence of the Academy’s popularity amongst

school staff, as well as students and families.

I am also pleased to see how many students have been

taking part in our ‘Live lessons’ over the past couple of

weeks. The introduction of Live lessons was intended to

supplement the ongoing Independent learning system we

already have in place. Feedback from students who have

taken part is overwhelmingly positive and I would

encourage all students to access some, if not all Live

opportunities each week.

Finally, we have had some positive news from the

Government this week, expressing a commitment that all

students will be back in school from September. This is

most welcome to hear and we look forward to returning to

as close to ‘normality’ as possible in September. Very few

details have been released yet as to what a secondary

school day will ‘look like’ in September. We will keep you

fully informed about our planning for September.

Paul Spyropoulos

Principal

Live Lessons

Students should check their Show My Homework and

also their Outlook Email and Calendars for new and

existing lesson invites. At the time of writing, the

following lessons were scheduled:

Day/Date Subject Year

group/Class Time

Monday 22nd

June Science Year 7 9-10am

Monday 22nd

June Science Year 8 10am-11am

Monday 22nd

June English 9CA 11am-12pm

Tuesday 23rd

June English 8ED & 8CA 10am - 11am

Tuesday 23rd

June English 8OX & 8IM 12pm- 1pm

Tuesday 23rd Science Year 9 Science 2pm- 3pm

Wednesday 24th

June Maths Year 7 Drop in 9.30 -10.00

Wednesday 24th

June Maths Year 9 Drop in 10.30 - 11.00

Wednesday 24th

June Maths Year 8 Drop in 11.30 -12.30

Wednesday 24th

June Maths

9CA (plus invited

students) 12.15 - 1.15

Wednesday 24th

June Dance

GCSE Dance

(9B& 9C) 2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 24th

June English

9Ox

9Im

9Ed

10am

11am

1pm

Thursday 25th

June Media GCSE Media 10am-11am

Thursday 25th

June French GCSE French

10am -

10.30am

Friday 26th June English 9WA 11am-

11.40am

Friday 26th June Spanish GCSE Spanish 2pm- 2.30pm

Friday 26th June Music GCSE Music 2.30pm -

3.30pm

Sports Day 2020 This year is not quite how we imagined the 2020 sports day to be but we couldn't miss one of the school’s biggest events! The week commencing the 6th July will be our first ever virtual sports week where students and teachers will be completing daily challenges to earn points for their house to win the house cup. We know that this week is going to be just as fun and competitive! Who is going to be house champion 2020? More information will be released in the following weeks so stay tuned! For a bit of motivation have a look at our first sports day promotion video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HcDmNRld9Q&t=2s

Here is the link for the second promo video for sports day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuyIQSbARYs

Mental Health is Important!

Even though the Academy is not open as normal, our

commitment to support all of our students and families

remains every day.

We are proud to remain open for our Keyworker families

and if you have any queries about this service, please

email us at wixamskeyworkers@wixamsacademy.co.uk

For general questions about your child’s education,

please email their tutor in the first instance.

For any concerns at all about your child’s wellbeing,

happiness, health, safety – please email their Head of

Year: amaddox@wixamsacademy.co.uk – Yr 9

cmountain@wixamsacademy.co.uk – Yr 8

hstack@wixamsacademy.co.uk – Yr 7

Finally – for any general enquiries, please email

info@wixamsacademy.co.uk or call the office between 9-

3pm on 01234 608950

Student Support

Kooth, the borough’s website for supporting young

people’s mental health aged 11-19 is www.kooth.com .

This has a live chat function, forums with other young

people, information and resources.

Sports Day 2020

We are saying goodbye to just one valued teacher this July. Mrs Muscroft has been our first Food Technology

teacher at the Academy and has done an amazing job of setting up the new department. Food is massively popular

at the Academy and this is in no small part down to Mrs Muscroft’s absolute unstinting enthusiasm, professionalism

and commitment to all students. I know she will be sorely missed by us all, but I know Mrs Muscroft will be happy

that the department is handing over to the extremely experienced and talented Mrs Couzens.

I am pleased to introduce the following new members of staff:

Mr O’Rourke Miss Stacey Ms Keith

Assistant Principal, Pastoral Head of Year 7 Learning Support Assistant

Ms Phillips Ms Jenkins Mrs Couzens

Learning Support Assistant French Teacher Food Technology Teacher

Mrs Ladwig Dr Martin Mrs Mackay

Science Teacher Science Teacher Design Technology Teacher

New Academy Staff for September

Ms Parmar Ms Becker Ms Pereira

Humanities Teacher Maths Teacher Performing Arts Teacher

Ms Xue Ms Adesina Ms Baden

Maths Teacher Humanities Teacher English Teacher

Geographer of the year competition- Deadline coming up! Just a reminder that those of you taking part in the Geographer of the year competition that entries are due

June 30th. All the information is available on Padlet or you can message kmiles@wixamsacademy.co.uk

School Diversity Week is finally here - you're part of a phenomenal 1.8 million pupils, school staff and people from organisations across the UK signed up to celebrate the week. The Just Like Us team wishes you huge success for your plans this week, and for all your work on LGBT+ and diversity education. Anthony, Schools and Colleges Officer

What’s on?

Every day this week, broadcast from our Facebook page, we’ll have exciting masterclasses to view for a variety of ages!

In conversation with Lady Phyll Ages 14-16

12:00 - 12:30

Coronavirus - all your questions answered with Dr Ranj Ages 8-13 14:30 - 15:00

Sabah Choudrey on Gender diversity Ages 14-16

15:30 - 16:00

Getting the word out This is a great time to join our Facebook group for educators, follow the hashtag #SDW20 or like @JustLikeUsUK on social media platforms to see what other schools and colleges are doing - and share your own plans!

Shoutouts

Huddersfield New College (@huddnewcoll) is running a 'Digital Pride Week'! King's Leadership Academy, Warrington (@KingsWoolston) is getting involved with

Zoom lessons to over 700 pupils! The Roundhill Academy are all set for #RainbowFriday and have chosen red as their

colour!

Catch us if you can! There are lots of opportunities to see and hear from Just Like Us and our supporters today:

Catch the brilliant Divina De Campo on BBC Radio Manchester, Newcastle, Solent, Oxford and Leeds.

Our Chief Exec, Dominic, will also be appearing on Channel 5 news at 18:30

Year 7 Celebrations Hello Year 7! I hope you are all ok. I understand that some of you are really struggling with motivation at the moment but keep trying your best, you are doing really well. It is really important to keep your brain active! Please take the time to do something you enjoy, read a book, go for bike ride, listen to your favourite music and keep a look out for the exciting Sports Day activities that will be happening soon! This week Year 7 have 123 Golden Tickets in the draw. Those in the draw are:

Music- Olivia Vogliqi & Freya Raisborough

English- Zayne Corbin

Geog- Jack Welham, Archie Clynes, Daisy Bishenden, Josh Sproule, Jake Henson, Eleanor Robson, Caera Daly, Emma Chamberlain, Phoebe Brookes,

Computing- Luca Devlin, Isabella Barrington, Sumayyah Begum, Ethan Merricks

Spanish- Emma Chamberlain, Chloe Chamberlain, Emmy Cobrin, Callum Chan, Lili Gomes, Isabella Barrington, Ethan Hewitt, Caera Daly, Ruby Harpin Zayne Cobrin, Orla O’Halloran, Summayah Begum, Zoe Fatima, Brooke Harris, Caden Greenwood-Lloyd, Siella Newton, Norbert Lulek, Bastian Lulek

Maths- Nadia Jalil, Zaki Lahmari, Giordana Ziccardi, Amy Norman, Emma Chamberlain, Freya Raisborough, Sumayyah Begum, Alyssa Carthy, Emmy Cobrin, Luca Devlin, Lillie Hailes, Josh Henry, Freya Kells, Bastian Lulek, Emily Smith, Luciano Soave, Isla Baker, Callum Chan, Ashwin Chand, Caera Daly. Akram ElGabour, George Little, Caden G-Lloyd, Amber O’Driscoll, Rose Pudlik, Ishari Varma, Lewis Baker, Phoebe Brookes, Max Fowles, Daniel Greaves, Lottie J-Paulin, Paige Jupp, Naima Khanom, Andrew Law, Orla O’Halloran, Ewan Rae, Jack Welham, Violet Wilson, Amber O'Driscoll French- Jack Tilley, Niraj Ladher, Abigail Warner, Archie Clynes, Lily Eaton, Freya Hendricks, Amy Hook, Olivia Miziuk, Lexie Willis, Sumayyah Begum, Rose P, William Priano, Vanathy V, Freya Hendricks, Emma Chamberlain, Ubaid Shah, Thomas Price, Lillie Hailes, Zoe Fatima, Daisy Bishenden, Kobe, Kayleigh Gadsby, Amy Hook, Siella Newton, Mason Whelan, Joseph Newton, Oscar Sheppard, Phoebe Brooks, Jack Tilley, Olivia Mizuik, Lottie JP, Ishari Varma, Reda R, Archie Clynes, Lili Gomes, Abigail Warner, Leo YF, Ewan Rae, Mateusz, Jake S, Andrew Law, Daniel Greaves, Paige Jupp.

Academy- Ramone Edmunds and Vanathy Vasikaran for respecting the school by cleaning up and putting away the sports equipment without being asked.

History- Joseph Newton, Zakaria Lahmari, Natassya Simms, Abigail Warner, Leo Yamazaki This week’s winner is Phoebe Brooks! Congratulations- You will receive a £5 voucher once we return to school. Stay safe Miss Stack x

Year 8 Celebrations

Hi Year 8 I hope you have all been enjoying the live lessons this week it was really lovely to hear some of you participating in the lessons. There will be more live lessons each week so look out for the timetable. As the weeks of home school continue I know a lot of you are really struggling with motivation and I completely understand this. A few ideas that may help- Join the live lessons this is something different and will help you, take regular breaks, plan your work, try not to do any more than 2 hours of work a day, do some exercise or maybe set yourself a fun challenge. You may have also seen that Mr Dummett and Miss Goodwin are busy planning a virtual sports day for the week commencing 06th July, it really looks like it will be good fun so keep watch for more information on this and I hope you will all participate to earn points for your house! This week we have had an amazing 109 Golden Tickets in the draw. A big well done to the following students- Maths- Nicolas Jelensky, Isabel Buckley, Ella Parisi, Caitlin Hindness, Daisy Newton, Oliver Davy, Aaron Hawthorne, Yaniya Gharu, Lewis Francis, Lucy Fleming x 2, Alexander Lulek, Holly Moore, Danny Timoney-Ryan. English- Maddy Baker, Anisha Begum, Grace Bright, Jade Colucello, True Eastwick, Assia Lahmari, Jakub Mirowski, Moses Brown, Alex Edwards, Yaniya Ghuru, Kieran Kalyan, Jollie Acuyong, Kylah Andrews, Ashton Broome-Alexander, Susie Crisp, Oliver Davy, Aaron Hawthorne, Charlie Henson, Catie Hindess, Ophelia Miller Jones, Eddie Miners, Daisy Newton, Ella Parisi, Ryan Pay-An, Harry Teacher, Adria Wilson, Oliver Bartram, Arabella Quoreenton, Jack Townsend. Computing- Ramone Edmunds, James Pitchford, Aaron Hawthorne, Charlie Henson. Geography- Caitlin Hindess & Ella Parisi. Music- Caitlin Hindess, Arabella Quoreenton, Jasmin Alexe, Ashden Turnbull, Ella Parisi. Spanish- Holly Moore, Ella Parisi, Caitlin Hindess, Charlie Henson, Ophelia Miller Jones, James Pitchford, Klara Qabaha, Annie Houldey, Jollie Acuyong, Kyla Andrews, Nylah Bardell, Susie Crisp, Arabella Quoreenton, Moses Brown, Daisy Newton, Shannen Martin, Olivia Sutters, Oliver Bedford, Ryan Pay-Ann, Nargis Rezai, Daniel Cooper, Fletcher Roberio-Lambe. French- Joe Watson, Annie Houldey, Adria Wilson, Ashton Coluccino, Jollie Acuyong, Klara Qabaha, Maddy Baker, Nylah Bardell, Rosie Flint, Wiktor Nowak, Assia Lahmari, Caitlin Hindess, Charlie Henson, Ella Parisi, Ollie Davy, Ophelia Miller-Jones, Ben Heaney, Dan Cooper, Ellie Simpson, Fletcher Roberio-Lambe, Kalina Yordanova , Nick Jelensky, Alex Edwards, Harry Alexander, Harry Teacher, Josh Pestell, Ollie Bedford, Yaniya Gharu. Dance- Ella Parisi, Aaron Hawthorne, Caitlin Hindess, Ashden Turnbull. School Values- Ramone Edmunds The winner picked at random this week is Joe Watson for excellent future tense work in French. Well done Joe you will be awarded a £5 amazon voucher on your return to school. Stay safe everyone- Mrs Mountain

Year 9 Celebrations

Hi Year 9, I hope that you are all keeping well and have enjoyed taking part in the live lessons this week, I am very proud of the mature attitude that you have displayed when taking part in them and hope you have found them useful. I have had lots of great reports this week about the work you are all submitting in particular in History. I would also like to give a special mention to Olivia Pawloska, Raul Jaspar, Holly Lleshaj, Morganna Komolafe and Theo Mazrei-Farahani who have completed the Brilliant Club - Scholars Programme with amazing results and also to Tiah Goodship for her amazing piano piece and singing. Well done, you have all worked so hard! This week there were 79 entries in to the Year 9 Golden Ticket draw, well done to you all! The following golden tickets were awarded and put in to the draw: Maths - William Bown, Chloe Beard, Tiah Goodship, Dylan Cooke, Holly Lleshaj, William Bown, Ben Smith, Corey Ansah-Dallas, Khateeb Shah, Esther Kari, Max Sharpe x2 English - Oliver Gibson, Ben Smith, Aleksandra Czarna, Jada Spelman, Tatenda Kashiri, Caitie Crowe Science – Olivia Pawloska, Raul Jaspar, Holly Lleshaj, Morganna Komolafe, Theo Mazrei-Farahani French - Billy Collings, Oliver Gibson x2, Morganna K, Rihanna Potts, Jayden Denton, Hayley Mushonga, Olivia Saralli x2, Ellen Barber, Raul Jaspal, Charlotte Thompson x2, Shenai Gorski-Cush Spanish - Jaison Pal, Khateeb Shah, Tanaka Nyamanzi, Tiah Goodship, Holly Lleshaj, Renatta Barkteviciute, Oliver Garrad, Hayaa Butt, Morgana Komolafe, Faheem Mahmood, Jake Clark Geography - Aleksandra Czarna, Renata Barkteviciute, Ismail Butt, Billy Collings, Lucy Little, Liliana Meola Music – Tiah Goodship History - For consistently turning in outstanding work in History - Esther Kari, Zoe Hazzard, Megan Camino, Billy Collings History - Consistent effort in History - Phoebe Wharton, Jada Spelman Dance - Jada Spelman, Avani Chahal, Chloe Canavan Great work and Effort - Jada Spelman x 3, Caitie Crowe x 1, Ellen Barber x 1, Charlotte Thompson x 2, Anaia Goodman x 7 The winner of this week’s Golden Ticket is Oliver Garrad who will receive a £5 Amazon voucher as a reward on his return to school. Have a great week! Remember that I am here for you if you need any help or support with anything! Stay safe and keep smiling! Mrs Maddox

Reading List- Celebrating Diversity and Writers from the BAME Community

PLANET OMAR- ACCIDENTAL TROUBLE MAGNET

Welcome, readers, to the imaginative brain of Omar! You might not know me yet, but once you open the

pages of this book you'll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose.

LITTLE BADMAN AND THE INVASION OF THE KILLER AUNTIES

"You've probably heard of me, right? Little Badman. No? Oh. Well. . . Doesn't matter. You will do one day. I'm

gonna be big. I'm Humza Khan, the greatest eleven-year-old rapper Eggington has ever known;

soon everyone will know my name.”

A hilarious and fast-paced adventure from comedian Humza Arshad and screen writer Henry White, perfect

for fans of David Solomons and David Baddiel.

CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE

Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy

debut Children of Blood and Bone.

They killed my mother.

They took our magic.

They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

GHOST

Even though he has been running his whole life, Ghost has never thought of athletics as a sporting option –

basketball is his thing. But when Ghost challenges a sprinter to a race and wins, his life starts to change.

THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS

Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child's perspective on the refugee crisis,

highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense. There

used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's nine

years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not

even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!

But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a

War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the

more I want to help.

That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up

with a plan. . .

BLACKBERRY BLUE

Featuring wonderful new illustrations from Peter Bailey this beautiful fairytale is perfect for readers young

and old. Lila doesn't just want to be a Firework-Maker's daughter, she wants to be a Firework Maker herself.

But although she's learned a lot she still must get through the most difficult and dangerous part of her

apprenticeship - and her father won't tell her what it is. In search of this final Firework-Making secret, Lila

heads off alone on a journey. It is a journey filled with dangers beyond anything she could have imagined, a

journey on which she will learn so much more than the one secret she set out to find . . .

But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a

War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the

more I want to help.

That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up

with a plan. . .

AMAZING MUSLIMS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD

Do you think you know who first thought of the theory of evolution? Have you ever wondered who created

the oldest university in the world? Is Joan of Arc is the only rebel girl who led an army that you've heard of?

if so, then you need this stunningly illustrated treasure trove of iconic and hidden amazing Muslim heroes!

MALALA: MY STORY OF STANDING UP FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS

Raised in a changing Pakistan by an enlightened father from a poor background and a beautiful, illiterate mother, Malala was taught to stand up for her beliefs. When terrorists took control of her region and declared that girls were forbidden from going to school, Malala refused to sacrifice her education. And on 9 October 2012, she nearly paid the ultimate price for her courage when she was shot on her way home from school. The book follows Malala's incredible journey to recovery in the aftermath of the attack, from the life-saving surgery she receives in a Birmingham hospital to her reunion with her family and their eventual relocation to England. Today Malala is a global symbol of

peaceful protest and the youngest ever person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Her story of bravery and determination in the face of extremism is more timely now than ever.

But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a

War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the

more I want to help.

That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up

with a plan. . .

FACE

Martin, Matthew and Mark are the Gang of Three who roam their East London estate during the school

holidays looking for fun and checking out girls, but Martin is the undisputed leader - he's cool, funny, and

goes out with gorgeous aspiring model Natalie. He seems to have it all. However, one night after the Gang

leave a late night rap club, the notorious Apache and Pete, a Raider's Posse gang member, offer them a ride.

Matthew refuses to get in the car, but Martin and Mark fancy a lift round the corner. Too late, they realise

that the car is stolen, that there are drugs involved, and that the police are after them. What happens next is

to change Martin's life and looks, and show him the true meaning of strength, courage, discrimination and

friendship.

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

Sephy and Callum have been best friends since childhood, and now they are older and they realise they want more from each other. But the harsh realities of lives lived in a segregated society are beginning to take their toll: Callum is a nought--a second-class citizen in a world dominated by the Crosses--and Sephy is a Cross, and the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country. The barriers they would have to cross to be together at first seem little more than minor obstacles to the two idealistic teenagers, but soon those barriers threaten not only their friendship but their lives.

Noughts and Crosses is written with the passion of an author who has a personal message about the perception of the past, present and future, and Blackman has used the clever device of turning preconceived ideas of racial prejudice upside down to make sure that her point is well and truly made. Deeply disturbing and totally absorbing this novel is intriguing from the outset, with a shocking climax that packs an unforgettable punch.

CROSSOVER

'With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that

quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering' 12-year-old Josh and his twin Jordan have basketball in their

blood. They're kings of the court, star players for their school team. Their father used to be a

champion player and they each want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps. Both on and off

the court, there is conflict and hardship which will test Josh's bond with his brother. In this

heartfelt novel in verse, the boys find that life doesn't come with a play -book and it's not all about

winning.

ROSE, INTERRUPTED

Being a teenager is hard enough, but it's even harder in a world you've never known ... Eighteen months ago, 17-year-old Rose and 13-year-old Rudder escaped a strict religious sect with their mum. They are still trying to make sense of the world outside - no more rules about clothes and books, films and music, no more technology bans. But also no more friendship with the people they've known all their lives, no community and no certainty.

When Rudder accidently sets a devastating chain of events into actio n, Rose must decide whether to sacrifice everything and go back to the life she hates, in order to save the people she loves.

GANGSTA RAP

Ray has given up school. He sees no point in education and despises authority. And then he has no

choice about school as he is excluded. But Ray also has troubles at home, which means he has

nowhere to stay and ends up sleeping in the local record shop, owned by his friend Marga Man.

Ray and his friends attend a Social Exclusion Project which means they can develop their music

skills. Marga Man gets a record deal for them, and they become local heroes. But another rap band

takes a dislike to Ray's music and gang warfare is the result...Based on Benjamin's own troubled

experience of school and the music business, his passionate, immediate voice will appeal to all his

fans.

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

Featuring top Young Adult authors and introducing a host of exciting new voices, this anthology of stories and poetry from BAME writers on the theme of change is a long -overdue addition to the YA scene. Contributors include Tanya Byrne, Inua Ellams, Catherine Johnson, Patrice Lawrence, Ayisha Malik, Irfan Master, Musa Okwonga and Nikesh Shukla.

THE BOOK THEIF

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'

A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel - a black man falsely charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s.

The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man's struggle for justice. But the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

GHOST BOYS

A heart-breaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life history, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. ALIVE Twelve-year-old Jerome doesn't get into trouble. He goes to school. He does his homework. He takes care of his little sister. Then Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. DEAD. As a ghost, watching his family trying to cope with his death, Jerome begins to

notice other ghost boys. Each boy has a story and they all have something in common...Bit by bit, Jerome begins to understand what really happened - not just to him, but to all of the ghost boys.