www.parkvaleacademy.org.uk

April 2019

Park LifeLast Thursday, we had our very first Park Vale Presentation Evening for our ex-Year 11 students. It was lovely to meet up with them all again and see all of those familiar faces. The main business of the proceedings was to present them all with their official GCSE certificates. However, we also gave individual subject awards to those students who had achieved the top mark in each subject or qualification. We also recognised those students with outstanding attendance over their 5 years at the academy followed by the climax to the event which was presenting the overall awards for best academic progress and best academic achievement (these went to Sam Jiji and Ashleigh Kerr-Williams respectively). Probably the best part of the evening was being able to chat with the students afterwards over refreshments in the dining hall and find out where they are at and what they are up to now. As I said to all of the guests on the night, I really believe it is important that the school maintains contact with its ex-students so that we can continue to support one another wherever possible and develop that culture of a community school.In other positive news, I am really pleased to be able to say that attendance in school – which has been a long-standing concern – has improved massively since September. Whereas last year the average for the school as a whole was 92.6%, we are currently sitting on a figure of 94.6%: a dramatic improvement and one which actually puts us above national average for the first time in a long time! More than the statistic itself, what really encourages me about this as Head Teacher is the simple fact that it means more young people are spending more time in school and therefore getting the vital education they need to be successful. So, as well as thanking all the staff who have been involved in this drive to raise expectations around attendance, can I also thank you as parents for supporting us on this issue and thereby supporting your own children to have better long-term prospects as a result.Before I sign off, I should also update you regarding the outstanding work which remains to be completed on our site. Sparing you the boring details around contractual details being agreed with the DFE, the indications at this stage are that we should hope to see the work re-start around the end of April, with a date of Monday 29th pencilled in for now. We are all hoping that everything falls into place and things finally get moving with the landscaping, fencing and other finishing touches which we have been waiting so long for. The building itself is already a fantastic environment in which to work and learn but when the full site is finally finished it should be truly amazing. Fingers crossed it won’t be long now!Mr Bowhay

CALLING ALL FORMER STUDENTS!If you’re a former student of Park Vale, we want to hear from you! Your experiences since leaving could help to motivate and inspire our current students to feel more confident in making decisions about their future. We’d love you to join our alumni network and stay connected with the school. We’ve partnered with the national education charity Future First, who specialise in helping schools like ours to stay connected with their former students. It doesn’t matter when you left us, whether you’re in further education or employment, whether you still live nearby or have moved further away, there are still ways you can help. In order to sign up, just follow this link and fill in the online form – we promise it will only take a couple of minutes. https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/signup/parkvale

Park Vale Academy Alumni

The Academy was pleased to welcome the Educations Roadshow in response to the Government’s acknowledgement that there is already a shortfall of ‘home grown’ scientists and engineers to meet the needs of the country. The aim was, by capturing the interest of young people aged 10 – 13, to hopefully increase the numbers that take STEM subjects and ultimately increase the pool of talent in years to come.

The roadshow focused on Communications and Data and was entitled “Are you talking to me?” It covered areas such as how mobile phones connect people around the World, how computers talk to each other and how we talk to our devices e.g. Bluetooth. The roadshow introduced students to the real life application of some of the most recent communication technologies within BAE Systems, the RAF and the Royal Navy. Students participated in some of the demonstrations and problem-solving games to demystify the subject and help embed learning that they will encounter in school.

RAF and Royal Navy Visit

The Academy’s Ex-Year 11 students, our class of 2018, returned to the Academy for their presentation evening. It was a lovely evening, set aside to recognise pupil achievements, many and varied. We celebrated the academic achievements and other broader achievements of our pupils, including social, personal and extra-curricular success. All students were presented with their GCSE examination certificates and congratulated on their achievements. Additional awards were also presented to celebrate the success of individual studentsThe following students achieved the best overall grade in a subject •Art - Millie West•Computing - Sam Jiji•Combined Science - Collins Okojie•Biology - Ashleigh Kerr-Williams•Chemistry - Ashleigh Kerr-Williams•Physics - Sam Jiji•Spanish - Jayden Hodgson•History - Caitlyn Saunders & Ashleigh Kerr-Williams•Geography - Collins Okojie•English Language - Eva Musta•English Literature - Collins Okojie•GCSE PE - Collins Okojie•Maths - Taylor Morley•Dance - Lucy Wilson•Sociology - Jessica Ruffell•IT User Skills - Connor Heane-Oldham•Engineering - Lanre Falade•Business & Enterprise - Callum Cook• Child Development & Care - Leighann Wright

Class of 2018 Presentation Evening - Thursday 28th March 2019

Attendance award winners for 100% across 5 years were awarded a certificate and trophy:• Ehireme Akhadia• Lanre Falade• Eva Musta• Emelia TurnerThe awards for contribution to school sport went to:• Collins Okojie• Eva MustaThe final and most prestigious awards presented by Mr Bowhay, Head Teacher, were:• Best Overall Academic Progress 2018 – Sam Jiji• Overall Best Performance 2018 – Ashleigh Kerr-Williams

At the beginning of the term, nearly 100 students from Year 11 and Year 10 went to see a National Theatre production of their GCSE set text ‘Macbeth’ at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal. Set in a post-apocalyptic world of anarchy and uncertainty, the students were presented with an alternative interpretation of ‘The Scottish Play’.

The evening provided the opportunity for students to experience a live production at one of Nottingham’s most historic buildings. They were able to watch the play in performance listening out and recognising some of its most famous lines; indeed, hearing them accompany some of Lady Macbeth’s speeches was certainly one of the highlights of my night! It was also a chance for students to broaden their understanding and knowledge of one of their exam texts proving a valuable revision resource for those who attended. Their responses to the performance were very positive and we’ll certainly be looking to return to the theatre soon.

Miss Mugaseth

‘Macbeth’ at the Theatre Royal

Rufford House have had a very successful term: they are still top for attendance and are quickly chasing Newstead’s tail for house points.This term has seen over 100 students receive bronze certificates for house points, meaning they had received over 25 house points since September. We had an astronomical number of students receive silver certificates (41 in total) and we have also been able to award 8 students a gold certificate for receiving over 75 house points (see below). For the first time at this point in the year, Miss Lovett has been able to award students with gold house point certificates. A huge well done to these students!Gold certificates:

Chloe Widelska Rufford 1 75Declan Wilson Rufford 5 75Drew Blagden Rufford 3 77

Ruby Whittaker Rufford 6 80Joel Stainsby Rufford 2 82

Kai Fell Rufford 6 87Abigail Gardiner Rufford 6 87

Margarida Teixeira Rufford 5 88Diamond Certificates:

Tamika Whalley Rufford 6 104Mayaz Karim Rufford 6 105

Isabella Lowe Sheppard Rufford 6 111Amelia Newton Rufford 5 117Toby Widelski Rufford 5 122

House Points Rewards25 Bronze Certificate50 Silver Certificate75 Gold Certificate100 Diamond Certificate150 Platinum Certificate200 Special Prize Draw

Rufford House

The students listed below are in the top 10 for their attitude to learning so far this year. A huge well done!

Vilte BelousovaiteAshanti BroomRayven HarrisCodie Higgins

Ben HoyMayaz Karim

Faith McFarlaneKaitlen McGrane

Maiscee NeedhamRiley SmythJoel Stainsby

Margarida Teixeira The Rufford House captains have been very busy this half term and have organised a cake sale for Comic Relief as well as helping to raise money for the Rufford House charity, The Tom Maccabee Memorial Football Fund (Girls United). Inter Rufford competition has been heating up!

This half term, as we moved from Badminton to Board Games, R1 stole the lead. R6 currently stand in second place with R2, R7 and R9 all currently tied just behind. Go Team Rufford! The following students have been nominated as tutor superstars for all their hard work:

Mya Sarsfield Ashanti BroomHetal Acharya Alfie Shaw

Kaitlyn Campion Margarida TeixeiraQuinn Cooke Tamika WhalleyRayven Harris Faith Mcfarlane

Precious Warner Cole

Interhouse sportsLast half-term we won the KS3 badminton competition and finished second in the KS4. This half-term the inter-house sport will be football and we will have games on Tuesdays and Fridays for different year groups. For more information, find Mr Ribeiro or Mr Mohammed.

AttendanceBack in February, Thomas Eccles from W3 created a brand new attendance display for Wollaton with an Instagram theme. Make you sure you check your tutor group attendance weekly.

Charity workThis half-term our house will be doing some charity work to support “When you wish upon a Star”. This charity was founded in Nottingham and aims to grant the wishes of children living with a life threatening illness. We are planning to do a cake sale and some other events. If you want to get involved or find out more about the event speak to one of our charity ambassadors: Joshua Anthony, Jennifer Ayemwenre, Sophie Launder and Thomas Eccles.

Wollaton House

All Year 10 students will be out on work experience from 8-12th July 2019. We are still looking for a few places so if you are able to offer one of our students a placement please let the academy know. Thank you for your support.

Work Experience

Ahead of our Easter concert on 29th April, the Park Vale Ensemble and Choir are on another recruitment drive for new members. Players and singers of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in regardless of previous experience or skill level. Instruments required include voice, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, brass and anything else you can bang, pluck, blow or otherwise make a tune with! Members take part in a weekly lunch rehearsal and get to take part in school concerts, trips to performances and other events. See Mr Turner for further details ASAP.Next term we will be running a KS3 and 4 House-based Rap Battle competition.

Music News

The Performing Arts Showcase ‘No Business Like Show Business’ will take place on Tuesday 30th April at 7pm. Tickets are available from reception.

Performing Arts News

The inter-house Science Competition was a great success with participation from both Key Stages 3 and 4 and all four of the houses represented. The task was quite simple - each house had to produce a rocket to fly the greatest distance. However, with limited resources, innovation and creativity were required in order to produce an aerodynamic rocket. All the houses worked tirelessly to try and edge an advantage over the other, just like the “Space Race” that occurred in the 1960’s. The rockets were launched in the playground and in the end there could only be one winner, and that went to Rufford - a very credible mention to Reece Dobson who ran a solo team. Other credible mentions go to Kyan, Lily, and Jake who ran out in close second. Thank you to all those who attended and made it a great occasion.

Rocket designed by Arley, Kobe and Megan (Clumber)

Inter-House Science News

Attendance (Current leaders)The tutor group with the best attendance who were allowed a non-uniform day before Christmas was N3 (Miss Harris). They led the way with 96.9%. However, N6 (Mr Turner & Ms Marshall) are currently in the lead with only a whisker between them and N3. Who will be top by Easter?

House pointsCurrent leaders are N8 with 832 house points. However, N7 are only one point behind!Current leader board is:Stephanie Orogodo Amayo - 67 pointsLilliyah Cole - 65 pointsChelsi Evans - 64 pointsBrandon Towlson - 63 pointsJoana Da Costa Cambala - 60 pointsRiley Kellam - Tabreham - 59 pointsImogen Munton - 59 points

House points leaderboard:4th Wollaton 5372 points3rd Clumber 5428 points2nd Rufford 6636 points1st Newstead 6784 points.

Newstead House

MathsWatch is an online platform for mathematics learning and revision. Students in Years 10 and 11 are already using this comprehensive tool to support their progress and exam performance and the Maths Team are encouraging Years 7, 8 and 9 to get involved too.As the name suggests, MathsWatch is a video-based resource which also provides thousands of exam-style questions in online and printable form. All topics at Key Stages 3 and 4 are covered and Park Vale Academy has a site licence which allows every one of our students unlimited access. Students will have been given their login details by their teachers but please contact the Head of Maths, Mr Hay, if there are any problems getting up and running at home.We feel that with regular use, MathsWatch will improve our students’ confidence in mathematics, leading to further enjoyment and success in this core subject. As such, we will be including this as part of our homework expectations next term, so please encourage your child to familiarise themselves with the look and feel of the site and try out what it has to offer.

Maths

Here at Clumber we have had a busy term. After a fantastic turnout for the House Foodbank collection we moved to supporting MacMillan and Cancer Research this term. Congratulations to Sally Warsop Hook and Jack Warsop Hook who undertook a 5k Swimathon in support of these charities. We also had several pupils achieve their Silver House Points award. This is awarded to pupils who receive 50-99 House points and we are happy to say a big well done to the following pupils:

Theo Barnes Alfie Mollart-Kiddier Bhavisha DobbDylan Carlisle Taulant Musta Jaicee Graham

Cassie Matharu Eloise Allen Zak HicklingMegan Scrimshaw Savai Barker Christoff Watson

Ellie Rogers Chloe Bucknall Stocks Sophie PerkinsYeabsra Mengstu Tyra McDonald Lilly TurtonLatifa Suleman Julia Potapova Dylan HayderMiles Husbands William Cirpaciu Bryony MoranAisha Gassama Amelia Smith Tyrah Connie

Clumber House

Congratulations to the Y7 Girls Handball team, in their first ever competition in the sport they triumphed as City Champions! Well done to; Nevaeh Marsden (capt), Jasmine Daniel, Kaci Lunn, Chloe Widelska, Molly Hutcheson, Stephanie Orogodo Amayo, Christina Anderson, Amy Edwards, Mia Musson, Julia Pelczar, Charley Spencer and Deanna

Handball

The National Citizenship Service delivered an assembly to Year 11 students about their summer programme. NCS is a four-phase programme specifically designed to provide students with all sorts of new experiences. NCS is open to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England. It helps build skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and making new friends. It encourages personal and social development by working on skills like leadership, teamwork and communication.

Phase 1: AdventureIn the first week, students will live in an outdoor activity centre with a team of 12-15 people. During the week of adventure, you’ll enjoy some adrenaline-fuelled activities including rock-climbing, canoeing, hiking and archery.

Phase 2: DiscoveryIn week 2, students will be reunited with their group and stay in uni-style accommodation. Students learn how to cook for themselves (become a pro at making beans on toast!) and learn huge skills that make for a killer CV.

Phase 3: ActionThis week is dedicated to delivering a social action project. NCS offers the necessary tools to help achieve your goals and complete an incredible project. Get ready to plan, fundraise and make a difference!

Phase 4: GraduationAfter the programme, all the NCS grads are rewarded with a memorable celebration after doing inspirational work in their community.

National Citizenship Service Assembly – 19th March 2019

Unifrog is a one-stop-shop where students can easily explore their interests, then find and successfully apply for their next best step after school. Unifrog helps students to explore their key interests and career paths to reach their goals!Updated every 24 hours, use Unifrog to find an Apprenticeship. There are 3 levels of Apprenticeships available. Unifrog helps students to compare colleges and sixth form courses at different levels to find what’s suitable for them.Sign in at www.unifrog.org/student

Unifrog is launched at Park Vale Academy