October 2015

Principal

Mr Francis Galbraith

BSC (Hons), NPQH, MBA.

Newsletter

CHELLINGTON CENTRE

In order to help foster new relationships within the new Year 5 group, we organised an exciting opportunity for the pupils; an overnight stay at The Chellington Centre. Pupils completed a group walk around the local area, participated in getting-to-know-you activities, played some outdoor sports, and contributed to the cooking and preparing of the evening and morning meals. In addition, they participated in two workshops: a forestry skills session and an outdoor survival skills activity. Both activities helped to develop effective team-work and communication skills. Great fun was had by pupils and teachers alike!

Find out what else has been happening this term ...

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 2

We hope you enjoy the first newsletter of the year! As I write this, the school has just returned from our annual trip to the first world war battlefields. A full account of this trip will feature in the next edition. Chellington makes the front page of this issue. It was a delight to see our Year 5 students have such a super experience and a night away from home. What I particularly enjoyed about being able to put on this event was that it was accessible to all. We are very much looking forward to running this residential again next year. We are very excited about our proposed change to a 9-16 school. I’m certain that at Goldington we can continue to serve our community even better once this change has taken place. The Academy’s consultations on Age Range Change and Admission Arrangements for 2017 run from 1

st October to 19

th November 2015. We have enjoyed engaging with

many parents and other stakeholders who attended one of our consultation meetings over the past two weeks. Information on the consultations can be found on the school website at www.goldingtonacademy.org.uk We hope you will respond to the consultation by submitting your views using the Consultation Response Form. If you would like to receive a hard copy of this please contact the school office.

As always please continue to play an active part in your child’s learning. Any help that you can give at home is very gratefully received. For your child to achieve their maximum it really is a partnership between student, school and home. Look out for the half term homework! Here is some information that may be of use to you. Your child’s Class Teacher ….. The role of the Class Teacher is a critical one in making sure your child feels safe and secure. They are the teacher in the school who will come to know your child best. We therefore would ask that if you have any concerns about your child, you contact them in the first instance.

If they are unable to resolve your query, then either the Head of Year or a senior member of staff will endeavour to find a solution. Your support is appreciated... There are many ways in which we hope you will feel able to help with your child’s education. One key way is to encourage the right conditions to work at home - a quiet place and a measured amount of support will help your child keep up with, and consolidate, their learning. Another valuable form of support is to ensure your child is properly equipped and wearing the correct uniform.

Looking ready to work and being organised are important habits to get into. To this end, please ensure your children are dressed in full school uniform (including sturdy black shoes). We expect them to arrive and leave wearing their uniform with pride.

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In relation to being fully equipped for lessons, all children should have the following items: pens, pencils, ruler, rubber, reading book and pupil diary. These are minimum requirements regardless of the lesson they are going to. Lost Property..... We are conscious that clothing, including school uniform, is expensive and we would always make the plea that everything is clearly named. Lost or mislaid items can nearly always be traced and returned to the correct owner when this is the case. When belongings are not named, it can be far more difficult, leading to frustration both at home and at school. Already at this early stage of the year, we are holding a considerable amount of unnamed clothing. On a topic related to lost property, we would also wish to discourage children from bringing any unnecessary valuables or surplus amounts of money to school. Whilst we try very hard to encourage responsibility and respect for each other’s property, valuables can be either misplaced or accidentally damaged if they are brought to school. Mobile phones must be handed in at the small hall before the start of morning registration at 8.50 am. Change of address / telephone numbers / e-mail address / emergency contacts ….. It is important that these remain as up-to-date as possible. Should your address, or details of emergency telephone contacts, or e-mail address change during the year, we would be very grateful if the school office could be informed. It is important to inform the school office every day your child is absent from school. If a child is absent for more than a week, a doctor’s certificate is required. When a child is absent for a long time, work can be requested from the class teacher. Children who need to bring prescribed medicines to school must arrange to leave them at the school office for safe-keeping and complete a permission to administer medicine form. If a child needs to leave school during the daytime for any reason, prior permission needs to be obtained from the appropriate Head of Year. Children are not allowed to leave unaccompanied unless such permission has been obtained. and finally ….. The Autumn Term is traditionally very busy. We have many activities (Friends of Goldington Academy events, consultation evenings, visits, sports fixtures, clubs, concerts and productions) planned for the coming months. I look forward to seeing many of you on one or more of these occasions. Best wishes

On Friday 25th September we had our annual Harvest Festival collection and assembly. The display of food in the main hall reflected the generosity of our pupils and others connected to the school. Tin after tin after tin was presented throughout the week and, on the day itself, Miss Donley was kept very busy creating the stunning display of gifts!

Thank you to everyone who made a food contribution. The gifts were donated to the Bedford Foodbank, who have distributed them between families/individuals in need

through-out Bedford. Miss Donley

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I enjoyed Chellington because it was a chance to make new friends and get to know people better. I really enjoyed the parachute games. Isabelle

I loved it! It was amazing and I had lots of fun. When we did the first lighting of the fire Zara lighted it and we had hot chocolate. Simran

We made a den and we made string out of stinging nettles. They don’t hurt. Sami

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 5

UCI World Amateur Road Cycling Championships in Aalborg, Denmark

On race day there was a northerly wind that blew off the Baltic Sea. At least it was sunny and dry; if the race had been held the previous day, non-stop rain and temperatures below 10 C would have turned a tough task into a brutal one. There was a chill in the air on race morning. Each age group waited in the start pens for their turn to start. They were each released at 10-minute intervals — a mass of riders in their national jerseys. With a twisty, windy, hilly course ahead, being at the front was crucial for anybody wanting to finish in the top 3, but obviously not everybody could be at the front end of the action . The opening few kilometres of the race were set in the narrow, cobbled streets of old Aalborg, so a 2km neutral zone was declared and a 30kph speed limit was set, but this was the world championships and with so much adrenalin flowing, many of the riders tore off at top speed, leaving some riders being dropped before the racing had officially started. At the front, gaps appeared as the riders negotiated the tight confines of a course made even more challenging with road furniture … welcome to racing in Europe! The hills ranged from short, steep ramps to longer, shallower drags, but the howling wind contributed to the rapid thinning of the lead bunches. Each 90 degree turn caused the wind to slam into the riders. When the course turned for home it was into the full power of the wind. The last few kilometres brought the racers back to the old section of Aalborg, where the big crowds were rewarded with a succession of thrilling finishes. Some of the 17 world champions crowned that day came from solo breakaways, while others triumphed in downhill sprints over the cobbles to the line. The 2016 Perth qualifier takes place on March 13, plenty of time to get training! Well done Mrs Bambury on gaining silver.

MRS BAMBURY …

OFFICE LADY BY

DAY …. UCI WORLD

AMATEUR SILVER

MEDALLIST BY

NIGHT!

As Halloween approaches, Bedfordshire Police are reminding parents and guardians to keep their children

safe.

If possible, parents and guardians should accompany their children when trick or treating, sticking to well-lit areas and only knocking on the doors of people they know. Some people may have 'No trick or treat' posters up at their doors. We

ask that these are respected.

Bedfordshire Police are also reminding children and parents to be mindful that some of the more vulnerable or elderly members of the community may feel intimidated by people calling at their doors and appeals to all

residents to look out for their neighbours who may feel frightened during this time.

Extra patrols will be on hand over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to

ensure that the evenings can be enjoyed safely.

Year 6 Key Stage 2

National Test Dates

Would parents of Year

6 pupils please note

that the dates for the

Key Stage 2 tests are:

We would be grateful

if you could avoid

arranging

appointments

during this period

9—12 May 2016

Term Dates 2015/16

Autumn Term 2015

School Closed - Staff Training Day (1) Thursday 3rd September

School Closed – Staff Training Day (2) Friday 4th September

Start of Term Monday 7th September

School Closed – Staff Training Day (3) Friday 23rd October

Half Term Monday 26th to Friday 30th October

Last day of term Friday 18th December

Spring Term 2016

School Closed - Staff Training Day (4) Monday 4th January

Start of Term Tuesday 5th January

Half Term Monday 15th to Friday 19th February

Last day of term Thursday 24th March

Summer Term 2016

School Closed - Staff Training Day (5) Monday 11th April

Start of Term Tuesday 12th April

School Closed – Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May

Half Term Monday 30th to Friday 3rd June

Last day of term Friday 22nd July

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Dear Parent/Carers As I'm sure you are all aware, this term has seen the unveiling of Goldington Academy’s exciting plans for the future. Ever since our school closure notice was revoked 5 years ago, the Governing Body has kept strategic direction high on its’ agenda. As much as we love being a successful middle school, pressure from others to become primary/secondary has made this increasingly more unsustainable. Governors, senior leaders and other stakeholders have been meeting regularly to discuss options and last term we employed the services of a professional educational consultant to give us guidance. An excellent report was given to us for discussion at our summer strategy day, and all were satisfied that the author was unbiased and well versed in the educational history and needs of Bedford Borough. Following a very successful discussion in July involving Governors and senior leaders, the potential options were brought to our staff, giving them the opportunity to comment and state their preferences. As I'm sure you will all appreciate, being in the middle has its challenges. We have sought to balance the needs of our students, parents and other stakeholders, respecting our feeder schools desire to become Primary. I have been overwhelmed with the amount of positive feedback already received from our community and look forward to reading through your consultation responses. Much hard work lies ahead, with the need for thoughtful planning and the highest level of financial management and control. That said, I am confident that as we evolve, with the skills, commitment and expertise of the Goldington team, we will have a school fit for purpose ready to serve the community in the professional and successful way it always has. Warmest regards Diane Field, Chair of Governors

THE FRIENDS OF GOLDINGTON ACADEMY

Fund raising from The Friends of Goldington got off to a flying start with the annual Fun Run on 25

th September and everyone really got into the spirit of the 60’s theme. An update will be

available of the total raised as soon as all the monies have been collected. A tuck shop was also provided and proved so popular we sold out! A total of £90.00 was raised, which was split between Friends and Macmillan. We have the first Disco of the school year on 3

rd December with some fantastic tombola prizes

to be won, plus a new line in glow products! Hope to see as many students as possible joining in. If you would like to be involved in fund raising for the Friends group, - even if only occasionally -please email maddy@cartersullivan.co.uk or Kerry.chaplin@ntlworld.com to be added to our contact list.

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 9

AUTUMN TERM DATES

STAFF TRAINING DAY—Friday 23 OCTOBER 2015

HALF TERM—MONDAY 26OCTOBER—FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2015

Wednesday 11 November Remembrance Day & ‘Shoe Box’ Appeal Assembly

Wednesday 11 November 10.30 am—12.30 pm Team from ARA working with Year 8 pupils to complete forces on an

aeroplane investigation

Wednesday 11 November 7.00 pm—8.30 pm Parents’ Forum

Thursday 12 November Year 6 Height & Weight Survey

Friday 13 November Children In Need—Mufti Day for pupils

Monday 16 November —

Friday 20 November

Anti-bullying Week

Monday 16 November Gothic Horror Performance (selected Year 7 & 8 pupils only) -

Bedford Modern School

Tuesday 17 November 7.00 pm—9.00 pm Open Evening for Prospective Year 5 Parents/Pupils

Monday 23 November—

Friday 27 November

Mock SATs Week

Friday 27 November 9.20 am—12.30 pm Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 Science Magic Shows

Tuesday 1 December 12.00 pm—3.00 pm Year 5 County Rugby Tournament

Wednesday 2 December 12.00 pm—3.00 pm Year 6 County Rugby Tournament

Thursday 3 December 6.00 pm—8.00 pm Whole School Disco & Friends of Goldington Academy Meeting

Tuesday 8 December Christmas Dinner

Tuesday 8 December 6.00 pm — 8.00 pm Year 8 Consultation Evening with Subject Teacher

Wednesday 9 December 4.00 pm—6.00 pm Year 8 Consultation Evening with Subject Teacher

Thursday 17 December Christmas Parties

Monday 21 December —

Friday 31 December 2015

Christmas Holidays

Monday 4 January 2016 School Closed for Staff Training Day

Tuesday 5 January 2016 Spring Term 2015

AUTUMN AND WINTER WEATHER—OUTDOOR COATS

As the wet and cold winter months approach, it is really important that our pupils are prepared. Please help to reduce illness and absence by ensuring your child leaves for school dressed for the weather, with a warm coat, hat and scarf as and when the weather changes for the worse! Remember the attendance targets for this year are: KS2 — 97% KS3 — 96% Mr Atkinson

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 10

To mark the occasion of October being Black History Month, Year 8 pupils have been spending their lessons focusing on a number of issues: namely what are the origins of slavery, what it means to be "truly free" and what it is like to be living today in the UK in a modern multi-cultural society. We have been impressed by the mature opinions shared by our students and have had some great debates about equality, racism and modern day slavery with people trafficking. Miss Thompson has also created an opportunity for all pupils in all years to produce an extended piece of writing to celebrate the achievements of black people from different backgrounds. It is a chance to complete a project about someone the pupils admire. It can be a sports person, a singer, actor or inventor. It can be a person who changed History, for example Rosa Parks or Jesse Owens, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela. Mohammed Ali? Pele? Beyonce? Louis Armstrong? Usain Bolt? Denzel Washington? The list is endless! The project can be completed either on their own or with a friend, it can include film, writing, ICT, music. We can provide pupils with ideas/paper if you need it and the ICT room will be available for certain lunchtimes to work… pupils should watch the bulletin. Projects should be in the first week after half term. There will be a prize for the best project and, of course house points for all entered. I hope you might take the opportunity to discuss with your child what they have learnt and encourage them to participate in this project. Many thanks for your support. Mr Fehrenbach (Curriculum Co-ordinator for Humanities)

Goldington Academy’s Junior Handbells team are members of Handbell Ringers of

Great Britain. Our school hall was the venue for a handbell rally attended by over 100

members of the East Anglian Region on 3rd October.

We were celebrating the 15th anniversary of Ivel Ringers of Sandy and there was a celebratory tea

including a special Silver Anniversary cake. The hall was filled end to end with tables of handbells.

Every team performed their own solos and there were also 4 massed ringing pieces led by brave

conductors who valiantly tried to keep everyone together.

The Goldington handbell team was the only junior team and they had only had 3 rehearsals. Despite this,

they played extremely well, even managing to join in the massed ringing. Mrs Cheeseman received lots

of lovely comments about both their playing and their behaviour. They were a real credit to the school.

Team members: Poppy, Isaac (Year 5), Zoe (Year 6), Millie, Perry, Emily, Charlotte and Mahrukh

(Year 7). Mrs Cheeseman

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 11

PARENTS' FORUM

Parents' Forum occurs once every half term and is a chance to meet the Principal and other senior

members of staff. The evening begins with a short presentation on a possible topic of interest before

a question and answer session on aspects of your child’s life at Goldington.

All welcome. (Library 7.00pm start)

Parents’ Forum Dates: Wednesday 11

th November

Wednesday 13th January

Wednesday 2nd

March Wednesday 4

th May

Wednesday 8th June

Goldington’s Got Talons!

On Wednesday September 30th, Year 7 English groups, who are studying the

book ‘Skellig’ by David Almond, were treated to a visit from four owls normally

resident in the Birds of Prey Centre. The birds demonstrated their impressive

flying skills, the children asked lots of interesting questions and Simon C-owl

(Sorry!) was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Greenard

Individual Educational Needs Drop In Time

If you have a child with an Education Health and Care Plan or SEN Support and you wish to meet

to discuss an issue surrounding their work at school or any issue relating to their education I will be

available to see you without an appointment every Thursday between 4.00 and 5.00 pm. I understand

that as parents you may want a conversation more often than twice yearly at Parents’ Evenings. The

sort of issues you may want to discuss are:

Your child’s progress

A particular question about homework or class work

How your child’s individual needs are being met at school

Just come to the main office and ask to see me.

Miss Thompson

Individual Needs Co-ordinator

DYSLEXIA DROP IN

Pupils are welcome to drop in to the newly launched Dyslexia Drop In on Monday lunchtimes in Room 15 with Mrs Wilson.

THE PE DEPARTMENT

Rugby Rugby has continued in earnest at GA this term, with lots of old and new faces joining the different year teams. The Year 5 and 6 teams are working hard in their training in preparation for a County Tournament after the half term. The Year 7 and 8 teams have been taking part in District Leagues, with both sides being handed tough draws, but, as always, they have battled hard in all games, with new players (including 3 girls) slotting in brilliantly into the Year 7 Team. The Year 7 team also came fourth in the prestigious Bedford school tournament. Rugby will continue after half term, with even more fixtures. Thanks to all those who have attended training. It’s greatly appreciated.

Mr Llewellyn

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 12

School Games Kitemark Goldington Academy has been awarded the Silver School Games Kitemark by The Youth Sport Trust. This is a national award and is given in recognition of a school’s participation in high quality PE and School Sport. To achieve the Silver Kitemark, Goldington Academy was able to show that during 2014 – 2015, 45% of all pupils had participated in extra-curricular activities; we had taken part in competitive opportunities in 16 different sports both within school, often as house competitions and against other schools. Goldington Academy also had 100 pupils act as leaders to provide activities both within school and for local lower schools.

Netball Year 7 & 8 The Year 7 and 8 Netball club has been well attended and we have had A and B teams for both years. The A teams for both years have been competing successfully in the Bedford Schools A league. So far the Year 7 A team have won 2 matches and lost 1, and the Year 8 A team have won all of their matches. Well done girls for some great play. The B teams for both years have been competing successfully in the Bedford Schools C league. So far the Year 7 B team have won 1 match and the Year 8 A team have won 2 of their matches. Well done girls for some improving play.

Dance This half term Dance clubs have been running for Years 6, 7 & 8. They have been led by Mrs Chapman, Mrs Trewby and Mrs Mahoney. Over 80 girls have attended the dance clubs. Well done girls but come on boys, dance is for everyone!

Gymnastics Gymnastics club has started for all years with over 150 children, both boys and girls attending. This is an amazing amount of children and my thanks go to staff for running double clubs and the young leaders for supporting these clubs.

Girls Football The Year 5 & 6 Girls Football is led by Miss Simmons and club has been well attended. The girls are training for their league matches which start in November. Good Luck girls. Mrs Chapman

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 13

FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Registering for Free School Meals (FSM) could raise an extra £1,300 for the school to fund valuable support like extra tuition, additional teaching staff and after school activities. This additional money is available from central government for every child whose parent is receiving one of the welfare benefits listed below and who has registered for FSMs:

Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 The guarantee element of State Pension Credit Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no

more than £16,190 Working Tax Credit run-on Universal Credit

It is therefore important to sign up for FSMs, even if your child would prefer to have a packed lunch. To do this please contact the School Office to request an application form or apply online @ http://www.bedford.gov.uk/education_and_learning/education_grants/free_school_meals.aspx

THE PE DEPARTMENT continued …..

Football The Year 6 have been playing league fixtures in Football this half term. They have been unbeaten so far in the league and sit top of the table. Results so far are: Beauchamp 1 Goldington 6 Goldington 5 St Gregs 1 Lincroft B 0 Goldington 4 Goldington 3 Elstow 1 Westfield 1 Goldington 7 Goals for 25 Goals against 4

One more win in their last league fixture will put them through to the District Final. Well done boys.

Year 5, 7 & 8 have been practising in preparation for their leagues and it has been great to see so many boys attending.

Badminton Club for Year 6, 7 & 8 has been taking place on a Wednesday lunchtime in preparation for the league fixtures that begin after half term.

After half term new clubs will begin. Running Club starts on Mondays after school. Sportshall Athletics also begins on Mondays after school. Badminton fixtures are on Tuesday. Football club will continue for a few weeks after half term until the light comes in too much. Mr Lodder

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 14

Shaking Up Shakespeare by Anthony Glenn

Once again, Year 8 pupils had the opportunity to watch Anthony Glenn perform his one

-man version of Romeo and Juliet. Anthony’s skill is integrating Shakespeare’s

original language into a one-hour performance of the play, involving as many willing

pupils as he can along the

way. The afternoon, which

was both fun and

educational, helps the

pupils to cement their

understanding of the plot,

while bringing the written

word of Shakespeare to life

on the stage.

We look forward to

welcoming Anthony back

next year!

Thank you to those parents who came to school to find out how Goldington Academy uses Accelerated Reader to support our reading culture.

Even though we are only 6 weeks into school, we are already able to celebrate a number of pupils who are really leading from the front. David (year 8) has already reached the milestone of one million words. Well done David. The following pupils have all read over 500,000 words since coming back to school in September: Ella (year 6), Mark (year 8) and Otto (year 7).

Congratulations to all pupils involved.

If you would like to know more about Accelerated Reader, or how you can support your child at home, please contact your child’s English teacher or Mrs Ross.

rossj@goldington.bbvle.com

READING

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 15

Goldington Academy

receives much sought after Girls into STEM grant

Goldington Academy proudly announces that they have been selected to take part in the VEX Robotics and National Grid sponsored Girls into STEM program. The Goldington ‘Girlbots’ are now working hard in building their VEX Robotics creation so they can compete in the regional VEX Robotics Competition and follow their dreams of gaining a place in the National finals in March 2016 at The Big Bang Fair. VEX Robotics is the world’s fastest growing competitive robotics program for schools around the world, with more than 12,000 teams from 30 countries that participate in more than 1000 competitions worldwide. The competition season culminates each Spring, with the highly-anticipated VEX Robotics Competition World Championship presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation and the REC Foundation which unites top qualifying teams from all of the worldwide VEX Robotics Competitions. The winning teams competing in the UK Nationals will be given an amazing opportunity to attend the VEX Robotics World Championships 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky in April this year. Goldington Academy competed against hundreds of national schools and managed to impress the judges with their exciting and creative submission. As a grant recipient, the class has received everything needed to enter a team and compete in this year’s VEX Robotics Competition – Nothing But Net. This includes a Robotics Super Kit, programming software and two entries for the Silver CREST Award. In total the grant is worth over £1000. Pupils meet before school for an hour to learn how to program the robot and build the basic ‘claw bot’ before they introduce more complex features to their design.

Miss Camfield

S

T

E

M

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 16

Dear Parents/Guardians, We encourage walking (and where appropriate cycling) to school but acknowledge that vehicles will be used by some to provide transport to school. Complaints about illegally and inconsiderately parked vehicles around the school that coincide with school start and finish times are a constant occurrence. Parking illegally and/or inconsiderately not only causes inconvenience to local residents and undermines the schools efforts to be a good neighbour but creates road safety issues, including danger to pedestrians crossing roads. Please consider these issues when parking. This may mean parking a little further away from the school. In all cases please ensure that you obey the following, which form rule 243 of the Highway Code:- DO NOT stop or park

Near a school entrance Anywhere you would prevent access for emergency services At or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank Opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction except in an authorised

parking space Near the brow of a hill or hump back bridge Opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked

vehicle. Where a kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility

vehicles In front of an entrance to a property On a bend Where you would obstruct cyclists’ use of cycle facilities (except when forced to

do so by stationary traffic).

Under no circumstances should vehicles stop or park on the yellow school “keep clear” markings or on a pedestrian crossing. Regular visits by the Borough Councils ANPR equipped vehicles will be enforcing parking offences and penalty charge notices will be issued. By parking in a legal and considerate manner, congestion will be reduced and safety increased along with enjoying the benefits of easy access to the school and enhancing the relationship of the school with its neighbours.

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 17

Goldington Pupils shock Castle Lower with their amazing Science Lesson. On Wednesday 30th September, 3 groups of Goldington students went to teach Castle a Science lesson they won’t forget!

All three groups did exceptionally good jobs, supervised by the Head of Science at Goldington Academy, Miss Camfield. One of the children on the trip quoted, “Everything went perfectly to plan and in the end we gave them a better understanding of circuits.”

All the children were in awe of the lessons as they learnt

about electricity, their “current” topic. William

Today I was one of the lucky children to be picked for the Watchit Made trip in which we made watches at Cranfield University.

While we were there we learnt about laser drills and how to make small hands for the watch faces. The most enjoyable bit was designing my watch face and making the battery holder using a UV printer.

We made our watches as follows:

First we designed the picture for the face. Next we got a picture on the computer and added names if we wanted to. Then we went to the ring table where the outer rings were laid out for us to choose from. I chose a silver one as I thought it went best with my design. After that we gathered the pieces we needed for the back and the mechanism. Then I got the front of the watch and put it in the UV printer and it printed out my picture. After that I moved over to the laser drill and put the ring in the safety department. The drill, which was based on a diamond, span round and took the top off my aluminium/silver ring and made the surface shiny. It then went into a carving machine which carved my name into the back. From there I went to the assembly table where we put it together, added the glass and a watch strap.

I enjoyed chatting to the staff members about how each machine worked.

I also enjoyed finding out that Cranfield University provides NASA with equipment made by the students and the mini tour at the end where we were shown future newspapers including foldable screens. The eight

mirrors that reflected sunlight was caught in a tube and made reusable energy was also really interesting.

A cool mini fact was that each building on the site has been separate since WW2 so that the Germans wouldn’t know which building to bomb or know what they were doing.

This trip was brilliant and I would

advise everyone to go there. David

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 18

Fun Run

This year the Fun Run has also been included in the House Competitions with the battle to see which House could record the most laps; very close between Stott, Emms and Rogers.

Harvest Festival Vegetable Competition

All the children were set the task of carving a vegetable or fruit to look like an animal. Some great entries were received and all entrants received 1 house point. The winners received 5 house points and they were – Jack (Rogers ), Jacob (Pendleton), Isabella (Foster), Manisha (Frezza), Eleanor (Rogers) and Mrs Macintyre ( Pendleton).

Fun Run - House Competition

House Combined number of laps Position House points won

Stott 1044 1st 100

Emms 1025 2nd 80

Rogers 1008 3rd 60

Pendleton 942 4th 50

Foster 903 5th 40

Frezza 893 6th 30

Goldington Academy Newsletter Page 19

BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM

During July, Year 6 travelled to the Black Country Museum to support the teaching of The Victorians in History. It was a long trip to Dudley but well worth it.

The Black Country Museum is a living museum: a complete Victorian Village rebuilt brick by brick. During the visit we saw a Victorian Canal with barges , steel workers welding heavy chains, and a huge anchor which was a replica of the one made in Netherton for the ill-fated Titanic .

The pupils visited a Victorian School room where they had a traditional lesson including reciting timetables by rote and handwriting on slates. A couple of unlucky pupils felt first hand experience of Victorian sanctions!

There was a chemist shop with all sorts of potions and ointments, some of which are still used today, and a sweet shop with wonderful sweets that lucky Victorian children would have enjoyed.

There was also a Victorian fun fair with some traditional rides.

It was a great day!

Can you answer these two questions relating to the Black Country? First pupil to bring the answer to me gains a House Point.

How did the Black Country get its name?

How many shire horses did it take to pull the anchor for the Titanic from Netherton to

Dudley? Miss Thompson

I distinctly remember how we walked down the cobbled street to the

glorious sweet shop and bakery. The cakes and biscuits

enticed you inside. I also remember the sour taste of bitter lemon acid drops. Yum! William

I really enjoyed the

Black Country Museum.

It was so much fun when

we went to the old school

room. We had to act like

Victorian children. I

was so lucky to be able to

ring the bell at the end.

Aoibhinn

I enjoyed when we

went to the chemist

because we got to

learn about all the

old medicines they

used and that the

medicines they had

are still used today

Maryam