Attleborough academy times july 2015 final low res

Attleborough

Academy

TIMES.

Year 11 Leavers’ Day Pages 10 and 11

Summer 2015

AAN Dance Show Page 15

Community and Memorial Fete Pages 16 and 17

The Brilliant Club Pages 6 to 8 part of the

Ski Trip Review Pages 20 and 21

ATTLEBOROUGH ACADEMY NORFOLK

Welcome to Attleborough Academy Times

From the Principal Welcome to the latest edition of the Academy Times for Attleborough Academy Norfolk. As we come to the end of another academic year, it is time to take stock and reflect on our many successes this year.

Every academic year culminates for our Year 11 and Year 13/14 students in their ‘Prom’ and ‘Formal’ respectively. These are always events when we feel incredibly proud of how our students have grown into admirable young adults during their time at the Academy.

Thank you to those of you who supported our Year 11 Prom in June. This year it felt like the whole Attleborough community joined us in welcoming our Year 11 students on their ‘Promenade’ arrival to the front doors of the Academy. Our teaching staff welcomed all the attendees as they stepped out of an amazing variety of vehicles and onto the red carpet. I am sure all parents and carers will have felt enormously proud of our Year 11 just as we all did. Even though many will return to join our Sixth Form, it is always a very proud moment for those of us who have shared their educational journey with

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them as we reflect on how successful we have been as a community in partnership with parents and carers to have nurtured and developed such admirable, proud, caring and responsible students.

Similarly, most recently, we celebrated the Year 13 Formal at the Assembly Rooms in Norwich. Again, this was a splendid event with staff being quite emotional but whilst being sad at having to say goodbye to our wonderful students, we can be comforted with the satisfaction of knowing that we have prepared them well for the next steps in their lives. It was particularly moving to see Mr Hunt (ex-Head of Sixth Form) and Miss Harrison (ex-Sixth Form Tutor) who although are both now retired, attended the Formal to join us in wishing our Sixth Form leavers every success for their futures. This level of commitment is testament to the outstanding relationships that we develop here at AAN. Again, my thanks go to the parents and carers of Year 13 students for your continuing support for the Academy.

You will know that when considering to send your child to the Academy, I always tell parents and carers that “it takes a whole village to educate a child” and so thanks to you all, you have been a vital part in our partnership and a major part of the growth and development of our wonderful leavers. Our Lead Presidents, Josie Hindle and Jack Reynolds made really heart-

warming speeches to sum it all up with Jack reflecting, “Don’t be too sad that it (Sixth Form) is over, just be glad you experienced it and feel lucky you were a part of it”. Josie similarly enthused, “I have loved it all, why wouldn’t you?!”.

Staff who leave us this year are Mrs Arnott (English and Media), Miss Anderson (PE Maternity Cover), Mr Bonsra (SAFE Team), Miss Budds (English), Miss Cooper (English), Dr Ellen (English), Mrs Fenton (Health and Social), Mr Flory (EVC/Finance/ Cover Manager), Miss Goodwin (Head of Drama), Mr Martin (Maths), Miss Morley (Cover Supervisor), Mr Phillips (Maths) Mr Philpott (ICT) Mrs Townley (Art), Mrs Triggs (Assistant Principal) and Mr Wills (English).

We thank them all for all their work and appreciate their inputs. Some of these staff have covered for colleagues on maternity and long term absence and we thank them particularly for their contributions in filling in so admirably and flexibly, often at late notice. All staff leaving have been a valued member of our community and we wish them all every future success.

Our involvement with the Ugandan Orphanage continues and recently, it was good to welcome back Mrs Howard, ex-Headteacher of Attleborough Infants School, to give an Assembly to each House in which she made us aware that

part of the

our previous fund raising over the past few years has now paid for the building of a new boys’ dormitory in the Orphanage we are supporting in Bulabakula, Uganda. This is a real testimony to the charity of our current and previous students, parents and carers and it was really heartwarming to see the physical results of our past efforts with the building now standing proudly in the grounds of the Orphanage. Mrs Howard brought with her the hearty thanks of all the boys whose nights of having to sleep on the floors of the Orphanage school are now gladly over.

The Academy ‘Master Plan’, which will develop the size and the facilities of the site in response to the growth of housing in the town, continues to gather pace. I am sure you will remember from the media coverage that we were successful this year in securing a bid in the region of £3m from the Government’s Priority Schools Building Programme. The bid secured the first part in the Master Plan for the growth of the Academy.

We were one of only five ‘schools’ in the County to be successful in this bid and actually only one of 277 ‘schools’ nationwide. A big thank you must go to the bid writers from the TEN Group’s Campus Services department, which is headed up by Mr Stuart Mullineux, for their hard work and expertise in securing this bid. Mr Mullineux, together with Mr Lock, our Campus Services Co-ordinator, also oversaw the

successful completion of our re-roofing project, which was completed so professionally and without any fuss whilst we remained operational last term. We have also just completed the refurbishments on our Sixth Form study areas which has given our A Level students further dedicated space for quiet study. This gives our Sixth form further dedicated areas for quiet study. I would like to thank Mr Bujak who kindly sponsored this refurbishment and we will soon dedicate this area to Mr Bujak’s family, on his mother’s side, by naming the area ‘The Forster Study Centre’.

Congratulations to Patrick Kassaga who was selected as this year’s recipient of the J F Bujak Travel Bursary. Patrick had a dream to go to St Lucia to use his undoubted football skills to promote sports coaching on the island. Patrick has been busy this past year fundraising a substantial sum towards the cost of his trip and so we are pleased that through his own efforts and with Mr Bujak’s generosity, Patrick will now get the chance to live his dream this Summer. Chloe Painter and Holly McClaren also received bursaries this year for their recently completed History trip to Auswitchz in Poland.

We thank Mr Bujak for his continued sponsorship of this Bursary.

We look forward to welcoming our new staff after the Summer holidays, within which we will learn

of our GCSE and A Level results for this academic year. Barring any unexpected changes to grade boundaries, we are predicting record results for the Academy and so I would like to wish all of our Year 11 and Year 13 students every success, I truly hope you get the results you wish for and truly deserve. Thank you to all our staff for their dedication, their commitment and for their continued focus on improving the opportunities and outcomes for all of our students. Thank you to all of our students for their commitment to their studies and for their general excellent behaviour. This year has seen even less disruptions to lessons and attendance has shown even further improvement overall. I wish you all a restful Summer break.

Lastly, I would like to thank the whole of our community for their support in what has been a very emotional year. The loss of our much loved Vice Principal, David Bartram was particularly difficult to cope with and it is a tribute to the strength of our community that we all stuck together and helped each other through this dark and challenging time.

I am sure many of you will have attended our Summer Fete which we held in David’s memory. This was a wonderful community day raising money in David’s name for the charities chosen by his family; the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation. continued overleaf...

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The fete itself was the culmination of a huge operation with staff and students all earnestly committed to the preparations in order to fulfil their own ideas to pay a fitting tribute to David. It was the students themselves who voted for the balloon release and renaming of a building as well as the planting of spring bulbs around the ‘memorial’ tree. The staff suggested bringing it all together into a fete where we could raise money for the two charities and proposed that this fete would end our ‘Charities, Volunteering and Community’ Challenge Week organised by Mrs Triggs. Students spent some of this week preparing for the event, making artefacts and planning activities to raise money at the fete. Particular thanks must go to Mr Wills’ tutor group for making the promotional video which was shown on the AAN website.

Many members of the Attleborough Community, including local businesses, also kindly donated their time, equipment and resources in order to make the day a success. We are delighted to report that the day’s events raised a total of over £2,500 which will be split evenly between the two charities. Thank you to all of you who attended and gave so generously.

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Renaming the building where David taught all his History lessons is a fitting and lasting tribute to David’s commitment to the subject that was his passion. ‘The David Bartram Building’ will thus stand as a permanent reminder of his outstanding expertise and it is also fitting that David’s young sons, both bravely pulled the cord to unveil the new sign to resounding applause. David’s wife, children and family were then invited to be the first to enter the building named in his honour.

David would have been so proud of the commitment shown by our staff and students in preparing for the event and I know he would have been touched, if not a little embarrassed, by the enormous numbers who attended – a reflection of the high esteem he was held in.

This fete was part of our healing process as we continue to learn to live with David’s loss. Reflecting on its success and the strength of support from our community has given comfort to us all. There are too many people to thank individually but a special thank you must go to Mrs Fiona CampbellHorne, who was David’s PA, who tirelessly worked to ensure that the day was a success.

My sincere thanks goes to everyone involved in preparing and supporting the day. It is a real privilege to lead such a caring, strong, resilient and proud organisation but my thanks not only goes to the members of the Academy community, but also to the wider Attleborough community.It is a real privilege to lead such a caring, strong, resilient and proud organisation but my thanks go not just to members of the Academy community but to all the wider Attleborough community.

I am certain that Attleborough, as a whole community, did David proud.

Mr Neil McShane Principal

Chair of Governors interview questions Name Frances Harrod What is your occupation?

I am the Finance and Administration Manager at my local primary school actively participating in all aspects of the school.

How long have you been a school Governor?

Almost too long! I have been a Governor at both primary and secondary level, it all began back in June 1994 What made you want to be a school Governor?

I joined the Governing Body as an elected Parent Governor to enable me to have more knowledge of my children’s education, to use my skills and generally become involved in this most important part of a child’s life.

What does being a school Governor mean to you?

I take the position very seriously and devote much time to the role enabling me to gain as much knowledge as possible. A non professional opinion often provides valuable contribution. I believe in being as involved as much as possible.

How does your background help with your role as Governor?

It helps very much. My role as a parent of four and my employment in a school compliments my Governor duties.

As Chair of the Local Governing Body, what is the Board’s three main priorities for the next year?

To promote the Academy both within the Academy itself and throughout the wider local community, raising students’ self-esteem and awareness of the many good things happening at present.

To ensure that all students are fully supported in achieving their highest potential.

To ensure student progress and deliver good or outstanding lessons at all times.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about education in the UK, what would it be?

Less emphasis on targets and results tables and give school staff time to return to the joy of teaching and the joy of learning.

What is your message to the students at the Academy?

This is an amazing Academy with wonderful dedicated, knowledgeable and committed staff. Work hard and take every opportunity given to you, take pride in yourself and care for yourself and others.

Remember the Academy core values, CARE: Commitment, Achievement, Respect, Excellence.

In February we saw the return of the PTFA Quiz Night. Over one hundred and fifty members of the public, students, parents, carers and staff attended, and they took part in another excellent quiz set by our returning Quizmasters; Mr Cole and Mr Wills.

With BBC’s Pointless and Only Connect both making an appearance, it was a really enjoyable evening with a challenging quiz that kept everyone entertained. Huge congratulations go to one of our staff teams who stole victory (by some margin) from the Academy Leadership Team!

Look out for details of the next PTFA Quiz (this time with chips!) in September.

Thank you to everyone who came along to take part, the event raised over £300!

If you would like to be part of our growing PTFA and help to continue the amazing work they do in raising money to support our Academy, please contact Jenny Savage at jsavage@attleboroughhigh.org.uk

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The Brilliant Club 2015 – The Scholars’ Programme The Brilliant Club 2015 ran from March through to May at Attleborough Academy Norfolk.

The Scholars’ Programme is run

by The Brilliant Club, an award winning charity that seeks to increase fair access to highly selective universities. The Brilliant Club is a national programme, and they currently work with over 5,000 pupils in 150 schools across the country. If you would like to find out more information about The Brilliant Club you can visit the website www.thebrilliantclub.org The Scholars’ Programme is designed to give students exposure to a genuine academic environment and to experience learning in the style of a university student.

Attleborough Academy Norfolk students worked closely with Dahlia Primrose Bond, a PhD Tutor, in a series of small group universitystyle tutorials. The students studied a ‘super-curricular’ course that explored topics they do not usually study in the Academy’s curriculum.

Their subject was the “History of the Scottish Chapbook”. During the tutorials, the students completed readings and assignments that stretched them to work above their current key stage level.

The final project included completing 1,500 word university-style final assignment.

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The Scholars’ Programme also involved trips to two different highlyselective universities. These trips gave the students the opportunity to meet current undergraduates, experience a tour of the university and receive information, advice and guidance about university from the university’s outreach staff.

The Launch Trip took place at the beginning of the programme, on the 03 March 2015. Students visited the University of East Anglia and this is where they were introduced to their PhD Tutor and experienced their first tutorial in the academic setting of the university.

At the end of the programme, all students who had submitted their final assignment (in Attleborough Academy’s case this was 100% of participating students) were invited to the Graduation trip at Trinity College which is part of the University of Cambridge. Students took part in a formal certification ceremony to celebrate the completion of the programme.

The following diagram shows what an individual Scholars’ Programme looked like for our participating students:

Asking the question what did the students enjoy the most?

They responded: • Independent research • University trips to Trinity Hall and the UEA • The tutorials • Learning and researching about something entirely new • Developing skill-set - perfecting the art of writing essays • A smaller class size where they felt challenged • Sharing their opinion • Feedback from assignments that they had written which enabled them to do better in their final assignment • The graduation ceremony • Finding out from an expert It is very positive that the students have been involved in this project. It has given them confidence in their ability to write structured essays of a high standard; in their belief that university is within their reach; gave them an opportunity to try a new style of learning; some felt privileged to have been invited to participate; and finally some feel they are more able to try something new.

It has helped the students with their learning in particular: • how to structure, plan and format a formal essay • how to write a final assignment • learning about a new topic (the Scottish Chapbook) • how to write a balanced argument • how to overcome challenges • how to effectively research • how to work within a time limit • how to create a bibliography

Out of the 12 students who participated, the following successes were achieved: Grade

No of students

Equates to

1st

4

Excellent achievement working at AS Level

2:1

2

Good achievement working at AS Level

2:2

2

Excellent achievement working at GCSE level

3rd

4

Good achievement working at GCSE level

Two students were also awarded Distinctions, Jacob McArthur for academic excellence and Terri Vessey for effort.

All students made amazing progress and achievement. Readers, I present to you the graduates of Brilliant Club 2015.

Representing Year 9 were Peter Arnold, Yik Chong, Noah Coates, Olivia Landreth, Rebecca Parsons and Terri Vessey.

Representing Year 10 were Jacob McArthur, Matthew Bint, Tamzin Masters, Iona Maxwell, Senna Watker and Alex Whitefield.

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The Brilliant Club 2015 – PROGRAMME FEEDBACK At the end of the programme, 91% of participating students stated: “I will be able to study at this university (Cambridge and/or UEA) when I am older if I work hard at school”

At the end of the programme, 92% of participating students stated: “I have a good general knowledge that goes beyond GCSE level” compared with 50% at the beginning.

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At the end of the programme, 58% of participating students stated “I can complete written work to the same standard as an A-Level student”

A statement from Hollie Brown, East of England Regional Director, The Brilliant Club: “It has been a pleasure to work with Attleborough Academy students. The commitment from the students has been incredibly impressive with 100% attendance and submission.

The student self-evaluation scores suggest that students may have found the programme challenging, but have gained increased academic subject knowledge and confidence, as well as knowledge about university. I would like to congratulate the students for their hard work and effort on the programme.”

Attleborough Bike Fest 2015...

Gearing up to be quite an exciting summer extravaganza!

(An update from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group)

The Tour of Britain passes through Attleborough High Street on the 12 September 2015 with some of the world’s leading cyclists competing in the race. Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the occasion and it will give the town a great opportunity to celebrate in style.

On the starting line..

“The Attleborough Flower and Bike Trail”. Popping up all over the town, we will be creating displays with a common theme. These will start to appear from the beginning of August and a trail map will be available with a prize for all completed entries, thanks to Tim Cobb at The Bakery.

There will also be a prize draw to win a bike of your own, now that must be worth getting out of the armchair for!

Trail maps will be available from the following outlets from 05 August Tony Perkins Butchers, The Bakery, Myhills Electrical, The Cycle Shop, Burrows the Green Grocers and the Tourist Information Centre.

We are still welcoming entries for the flower display. Any business, organisation or individual who would like to enter please contact Faye on 01603 702374.

Please take time out to enjoy the trail and displays, it is a great opportunity to get the family out and about in the fresh air.

Moving up a gear...

On Monday 31 August 2015 (Bank Holiday weekend), the town will be having a family fun day to celebrate

the forthcoming tour. There will be music, entertainment, food, a beer and cider fest and much more in and around the Town Centre green.

Come along and celebrate with us, it will also give you a chance to catch up with the bike trail if you haven’t already completed it.

than driving adds to the benefit and is probably a more common sense approach than trying to drive in with so many visitors expected.

This is a real chance to enjoy, as a town, the Tour coming in September so on your bike!

More details of the day will be revealed on our Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan Facebook Page – so watch that space.

Crossing the finishing line...

On Saturday 12 September 2015, The Tour of Great Britain will be heading into town around lunchtime.

The town and the High Street shops will be decorated to welcome the world class field of riders and for the rest of the day there will be entertainment, music, local food and drink and lots more to entertain the thousands expected to descend on the town.

Again watch our Facebook page for regular updates. Car parking will be limited on the day so try and leave the car at home for the day.

The Army Cadets will be organising parking on the day for those that cannot walk in and donations will be accepted at the entrance for a couple of local charities.

Cycling usually means fresh air and exercise. There will be plenty of opportunity over the coming months to get outside and in town to enjoy more outdoor time. Walking in rather 9

Yearr 11 Leav vers’’ Day y 201 15

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On Thursday 21 May 2015, the Academy’s Year 11 students celebrated the end of their mainstream school careers with the annual Leavers’ Day. All of the year group came to the Academy in fancy dress and the corridors and playing fields were swamped with an array of cowboys, nurses, film stars and frogs – even a chicken!

The winners of the fancy dress competition were Jack Morter who came dressed as a Tardis from Dr Who (a costume designed by himself) and Aneta Bairamova who came dressed as a character from the film Avatar.

The students enjoyed an assembly where they reminisced over stories of their time at the Academy and were shown old pictures of themselves to

show how much they had changed since Year 7. The day finished with a parade on the Academy field and a barbecue run by Mr Keshavarz and Mr Reavey.

All the students had a wonderful day and they leave with the Academy’s very best wishes for the future.

Written by Mr Davies

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between the tears and laughter to project a couple of music videos from our highly creative students - special thanks to Lucy Noonan, Laura Kidd, Ansaya Hunt and Daniel Bunn. Proceedings were brought to a conclusion with a quiz for staff and students revealing several hidden truths and further predictions, before the commencement of the traditional Year 13 fancy dress rounders match which was officiated by Mrs Covington.

Yea ar 13 Dresss Up p Da ay The sun just about came out to warm the celebrations on Friday 22 May 2015, the final day that Year 13 students would spend at the academy.

dwellers, a pair of grape bunches, the entire cast of Jaws, a handful of senior citizens (not the staff!), special guest celebrities Novak and Audrey and many others.

As ever, the costumes were an eclectic range spanning the full gamut of possibilities including the philosophical, the chemical, the magical, the piratical and not forgetting the musical. Luckily, Wayne had escaped his World to participate, as had Pongo, Perdita and Patch, a vehicle-less Stig, a duo of Guantanamo escapees, some cave

The main proceedings commenced with the final assembly where I guided the leavers through the highlights of their incredible educational journey aided by images from throughout their school career, pausing occasionally to dwell on what the future might hold for them all as indicated by the mystical wonders of astrology. There was even time

For the rest of the afternoon the students indulged in a BBQ provided

by Mr Reavey and I. Many more staff were able to join the students, share memories and recount stories from the past seven years, sharing in a fitting celebration of the final day at school for this wonderful set of students. We wish them all every success in the future, and we look forward to finding out about their continued accomplishments in years to come.

Written by Mr Keshavarz, Head of the Sixth Form Centre

Smiles all round on the AS Level Geography Trip to Marlham Tarn Over a long weekend in mid-March, I travelled up to Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales with twelve AS Level Geography students to investigate the local area and undertake field work in preparation for the students’ upcoming exams.

changes in a river. The data collection was an exciting team effort although it was quite tough as the weather had turned against us, however, that didn’t slow the determined students - that was until James Lavall fell in the river!

On the way up we stopped off to explore Brimham Rocks; a geological playground for kids of all ages. Despite the snow warnings, we arrived safely at the Field Study Centre on the edge of Malham Tarn and were welcomed with an interactive quiz of the Dales.

The first day in the field saw us investigating the downstream

On the second day we went out to four villages to compare settlements inside and outside of the National Park. Back at the centre we warmed up and analysed the data after a delicious filling dinner - and lots of cake! On the final day we walked down the Pennine Way and across the bizarre limestone pavement on the top of Malham Cove.

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Great fun was had by all, we celebrated three of the students’ birthdays during the trip and, in spite of some eventful moments, we all came back with smiles on our faces.

Year 10 students rise to the challenge at Senior Prefect Training Written by Josie Hindle, Attleborough Academy Sixth Form Centre’s Lead Female President

Attleborough Academy Book Week – Wish You Were Here Once again the Academy’s Library saw the arrival of Mrs Parker’s gazebo which was put to use to promote AAN Book Week with the theme of Wish You Were Here.

Throughout the week, students were able to participate in all things travel related by celebrating travel writing and getting ready for the summer holidays by considering all the fun and exciting free things they can get up to. During break and lunch times, the gazebo was packed with students having a go at building sand castles in the ‘mini beach’ (a sandpit!). For the more discerning students there was also the opportunity to fill in the ‘Where Have You Been’ map which, by the end of the week, showed us all of the places our students had visited.

Mrs Parker was impressed with how well travelled our staff and students are. Students have also been treated

to a small art installation created with contributions from members of staff.

During Library lessons, students from Years 7 to 9 had a go at travel writing inspired by Palin, Bryson and online travel bloggers. All students made a real effort to create some very interesting pieces of writing and staff were very impressed with the range of locations our students have chosen to write about. Students are eagerly waiting to see who has won the post card design competition, which will see the winning entry printed into postcards and distributed in the Library.

There have been some fantastic entries so it will be a tough decision.

Students have already been asking Mrs Parker what will feature in the gazebo next. All she will say is, ‘they will have to wait and see…’

In April, all the Year 10 students who had been nominated for a Senior Prefect position had an intensive training session for one morning in preparation for their role next academic year.

The day began with a series of team building activities run by guest presenters from City College Norwich.

The students were divided into their houses and, with the able assistance of their House Leaders, completed a number of challenges such as obstacle races which could only be successfully completed using teamwork.

The students then had training on the challenges of being a Senior Prefect which included them performing a series of role plays with a group of Year 8 students acting out potential scenarios for the Year 10 students to solve.

It was an extremely positive day with the year 10 students rising to the challenge and proving they will become an excellent Senior Prefect team next academic year.

Written by Mr Davies

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Drama Club students entertain audience with alternative fairy tale performances

Sixth h Forrm Centtre Updatte Over the past term at Attleborough Sixth Form, we have focused mainly on raising money.

With the successful Children in Need event last term that raised over £830 and a further £80 being raised on the final day before Christmas, we aimed high for a total of £1,000 for Red Nose Day this year. We decided on a similar format to the Children in Need event, opening up the Gym at lunch for games such as Red Nose Crazy Golf, Pin the Red Nose on the Teacher, Cupcake Decorating and Teacher Pictionary. After gathering all the money from the main Academy, Sixth Form and the money from the various events held on and around the day, we managed to surpass our target and raised an incredible £1,011.35 which when doubled by the government, gave us a grand total of £2,022.70.

After focussing on fundraising, the sixth form students returned to focus on revision and the final few days for the Year 13’s. Luckily, we managed to open a new Quiet Work Room in the Sixth Form block which is designed for students who wish to work in silence complete with laptops and plug sockets for those who wish to bring their own technology into the Academy. Noticeboards have also been put up and in the future they shall be used for Sixth Form notices.

During the term, the Presidents’ Team had some visitors in their meeting from the EDP to discuss the Election 2015 as many Sixth Formers are 18 and eligible to vote. We answered questions from reporter Annabel Dickson on both how we viewed the election as a whole, and then on whom our local candidates are.

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Following this, a couple of students were called to return for individual interviews on their opinions of the current situation of the election.

After various photos and footage had been taken, it was posted on the EDP website and in the paper.

Overall, it was an experience that we all enjoyed.

Regardless of the dreary weather, Year Book photos were taken as a lasting memory of the 2013 – 2015 class, including friendship groups, class groups and tutor groups. The leavers’ events continued on 22nd May, as the Year 13’s sat through their final day at Sixth Form, and marked the end of their school life.

We attended normal lessons before break and then moved in to the hall for our final leavers’ assembly which was filled with humorous stories and photos. After a game of rounders and a barbecue, we finished the day and prepared to go on study leave before our final exams. The Year 13 Formal 2015 was held at The Assembly House in Norwich which was an event that was enjoyed by all.

We are now waiting to pick up our results on A Level results day on Thursday 13th August.

With the Year 13’s leaving, the current Year 12’s have taken over the role of Midday Supervisors and will soon take over the role of the current Presidential Team. With the Presidential term coming to an end, we would just like to thank all of the students for participating and helping in our fundraising events. We would also like to thank the teachers for helping us achieve so much over the past year.

Each year the Attleborough Academy Drama Club put on a variety of fantastic performances and this year has been no exception.

Last half term the Drama Club performed their own versions of three well-known fairy tales: Hansel and Gretel, Snow White and The Three Little Pigs. Each of the tales had been updated and adapted to provide the audience with an alternative perspective on the stories which enabled them to empathise with villainous characters instead of the traditional ‘heroes’ and ‘heroines’.

The students’ first performance saw Hansel and Gretel escape from a Fat Camp and devour an entry into the gingerbread round of the Great Fairy Tale Bake Off. This was followed by an adaptation of the classic fairy tale Snow White who was portrayed as a spoilt brat who had run away from home in an attempt to avoid doing her fair share of the household chores and made the seven dwarves her slaves.

The final performance saw the Three Little Pigs fail to apply for planning permission for their houses and ignore correspondence from the Mr Wolff at the council which resulted in their houses being demolished in order to protect the great crested newt.

The students worked hard throughout the term to put on an entertaining show which was well received by their friends and family. The Drama Club also put on two short comedy performances for friends and family in July.

Huge well done to Drama Club students Alanna-Marie Wright, Joseph Rosales, Elise Townsend, Lasma Ciseiko, Ruth Turner, Charlotte Brett, Emily Keable, Chloe Patrick, Rachel Bickel, Maisie McKenna, Liliana Bas and Kelli Parratt.

Fifty Year 10 students visited the Norwich Theatre Royal on Wednesday 11 February 2015 to watch the award winning touring west end production of The Woman in Black.

The trip gave students the opportunity to watch the stage version of Susan Hill’s novel that they are working on for their GCSE English Literature with Miss Budd and Mr Wills.

Stude ents wow the cro owd ds at Attle eborough Acad dem my Dance e Sh how w Students from Attleborough cluster schools wowed the crowds with their stunning ‘through the ages’ themed performances at the Attleborough Academy Dance Show. The event took place in the academy’s main hall on Tuesday 24 and Thursday 26 March 2015.

demonstrating street dance at its best which included former Attleborough Academy Norfolk students who are now part of the Fusion Dance Senior Group. A spectacular compilation of street dance routines were also given

by Watton based The Star Dance Company.

Over 400 guests were treated to performances that reflected dance styles from the 1920s up to the present day with moves and sequences created by the School Sport Partnership’s Dance Coordinator, Emily Harper. These performances were given by students aged between 5 and 18 from Attleborough Academy Norfolk, Attleborough Infant School, Attleborough Junior School, Chapel Road School, Great Ellingham Primary School, Hingham Primary School and Rocklands Community Primary School.

Dean Rosembert, Teacher of Physical Education, Attleborough Academy Norfolk said: “The Attleborough Academy Dance Show allows students to be creative by expressing their emotions and skills through dance. These qualities will enable each student to further develop their understanding of creativity and transfer this into their normal, everyday school life.”

Described as the ‘most terrifying live theatre experience in the world’, the performance didn’t disappoint with many students admitting they would have trouble sleeping later that night. For many of the students, it was their first trip to the theatre (apart from the obligatory Christmas pantomime).

All Academy students were impeccably behaved and were suitably disgusted at the crisp packet rustling and popcorn throwing of students from other schools around us.

The Attleborough Academy Dance Show is available to buy on DVD for £10. To pick up your copy email Mr Rosembert at the following address: drosembert@attleboroughhigh.org.uk

In addition, local dance company Fusion Dance gave a master class

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Community,Volunteering, Community and The David Bartram Memorial Fete

This was in preparation for the Charity and Memorial Fete held on Saturday 27th June 2015 in memory of David Bartram, our much loved and respected History teacher and Vice-Principal, who died in October last year. The Charity and Memorial Fete was to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation. This event was planned, organised and co-ordinated

by Caroline Flaherty, Helen Triggs and Fiona Campbell-Horne (with many thanks).

Wednesday 24 June 2015 was ‘Charities Day’ for Years 7-9 where local and national charities were invited to join us to ‘promote themselves’ to the students. In form groups, students visited the Charities’ Fair in the Sports Hall where they were able to decide which charity they would like the Academy to support for the following academic year. Forms then spent the rest of the day planning a marketing campaign for their chosen charity. This then culminated in a “Dragons’ Den” style presentation by all forms, who needed to convince members of the Academy Leadership Team and House Leaders that their chosen charity was the most deserving of support.

prepare it for the public who would be visiting the Memorial Fete on the Saturday. Voluntary activities consisted of gardening, tidying the outside areas and any other areas that the public would be visiting, creation of products and craft items for sale, decoration of stands, designing of games etc.

Over 500 students, across all year groups (7 through to 14), were involved in the activities that took place over the four days culminating in the fete on Day 4.

Thursday 25 June 2015 was ‘Volunteering Day’ for Years 7-9.

Students demonstrated their resilience and pride in their Academy by volunteering around the site to

Saturday 27 June 2015 was the day of the Memorial Fete where former and current students, governors, parents, carers, local businesses, community members, staff and their

This year, the Enterprise Challenge Week was replaced with a ‘Charity, Voluntary and Community 3-day Challenge’ which took place on the 24, 25 and 26 June 2015.

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Friday 26 June 2015 was ‘Community Day’ where students continued to work in form groups (or pairs of form groups) to prepare for the Fete on Saturday. This included setting up stalls, creating displays, practicing for performances as well as marshal and usher training. They ‘worked as a community’ to ‘prepare for the community’.

families and David Bartram’s loved ones gathered at the Academy to watch as the Humanities Building was renamed ‘The David Bartram Building’. Balloons were released in Mr Bartram’s honour and visitors enjoyed a sun-filled day of stalls, music, dance, tombola, raffle, afternoon tea, barbecue and cake sale.

The event was an amazing success and raised over £2,500 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

During the four days, students consistently challenged themselves and showed a strong understanding of how they could constantly improve on their own skills development and become better citizens.

They worked individually with their form teams to help identify and agree on a charity, demonstrating high levels of negotiation and understanding a democratic approach to resolution. Students were able to collaborate to achieve a common goal by working well in teams in a very limited timeframe.

Some students took themselves out of their comfort zones by presenting, performing, creating, trying something different and new, overcoming inevitable issues with a “can do” attitude. What an amazing group of young people!

The Academy students, staff and governors would like to thank all (too many to mention) who supported this event for their time, prizes, vehicles, training, product design, food, etc – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Special thanks go to: T M Burrows (Greengrocers), Barkers Print & Design Ltd, Derrick Bint, Simon Long Removals & Storage and Lotus.

Charities involved in CVC Week: • The Lighthouse Charity • Gifted and Able • Mid-Norfolk Riders • Feline Care and Rescue • EACH • Nelsons Journey • Alzheimers Society • Christian Aid • The Dogs Trust

Our thoughts are with David’s family, who enabled us to share this special occasion with them.

Neil McShane, Principal, said: “David will be forever remembered and greatly missed. This fete was part of our on-going healing process as we came together as a community in his honour and paid tribute to him and all he meant to us.”

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The Academy’s focus on the Growth Mindset Throughout this academic year the Academy’s staff and students have been learning what it means to have a Growth Mindset.

The term was first developed by psychologist Carol Dweck to describe individuals that take a determined and resilient approach to learning. Growth Mindset learners believe that their intelligence and achievements can be grown through perseverance and hard work and that no achievement is beyond their capabilities if they work hard enough. They are also risk takers and recognise that failure is part of the learning curve to achievement.

Academy staff have spent the year focusing on celebrating these characteristics when demonstrated by students in lessons and praising effort and determination as the key attributes of a successful learner.

Students have also learnt more about the importance of a Growth Mindset through assemblies. As

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From left to right: Ms Edwards (Associate Principal), Lucy Carrick, Rebecca Bush, Sophie Chatfield, Danielle Matthews, Emily Keable, Chloe Patrick and Mr Snell (Associate Principal).

a culmination, several year 8 and 9 students have become our Growth Mindset Ambassadors.

Students had to take the bold move to apply for the role and secure two nominations from staff as part of the application process. Since taking on this role some of our Ambassadors have participated in assemblies, developed displays for the school corridor and TV screens on the importance of a Growth Mindset and taken part in peer to peer coaching training.

The coaching training session ran in the summer term and 11 students were trained in how to peer mentor other students to develop a Growth Mindset and overcome challenges at school.

The ambassadors learnt about techniques such as setting SMART targets and scaling as ways to support a peer when they are feeling daunted by the difficulties they may be facing in their learning. The ambassadors conducted role plays to explore and develop their skills to effectively support their peers.

Year 9 student Emily Keable commented: “It was a great experience as I learnt how to be more supportive and how to use strategies to make people feel confident about talking about their work and learning”.

‘The Year 9 Growth Mindset Ambassadors put their training into action by running the Main Academy Assembly programme w/c 08.07.15, launching ‘Developing Resilient Learners’.

The ambassadors now also support other students in lesson time and play a key role with their peers.

The Academy plans to continue to focus on developing a Growth Mindset in our students in 2015-16, we hope to utilise the ambassadors to coach their peers further and hopefully expand the team. Students will hear more about the importance of a Growth Mindset in assembly time and can be certain their teachers will continue to praise determination as a key learning skill.

Students thanked for fundraising efforts by Bulabakula Orphanage in Uganda In April and May, Attleborough Academy Norfolk welcomed a visiting speaker, Gill Howard, to assemblies for all houses where students were updated on recent building work that had been carried out at the Bulabakula Orphanage in Uganda.

Mrs Howard explained how she had become involved with the Orphanage after a visit 3 years ago.

She went on to explain how the boys desperately needed a dormitory, as previously they were sleeping on the mud floors of the classrooms and mud huts. It was hot, crowded, uncomfortable and smelly!

running out to feed the children so the project was put on hold until Attleborough Cluster schools started to raise money through various charity events. A total of £3,697 was raised through these events which paid for the building work to be completed as well as new beds, mattresses and bedding for the 100 boys who live at the Orphanage.

During Gill Howard’s assembly, Attleborough Academy Norfolk students were shown photographs taken of the new dormitory and were sent a big thank you from the delighted students who are now sleeping there.

Work began on starting to build a new dormitory but funds were

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Review of the Italy Ski Trip 2015

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The February half-term holiday played host to Attleborough Academy’s best ski trip to date!

Fifteen energetic students from all year groups, packed their bags and headed for the idyllic, snowy mountains of Passo de Tonale in Northern Italy. The journey was long but we were kept entertained by Connor Pettifer.

Once we were in our rooms it was time to put on the skis (or snowboard in Libby Wise’s case!) and get out on the powder! Everyone quickly settled into their skiing rhythm (even Will Fox). Once the clouds had cleared on the first few

days, it was sunshine and swooping down the pistes all the way.

The beginner group soon found their ski-legs (especially Lewis Savage) and were found on some tough ‘red’ runs by the end of the week.

Those that had skied before were straight onto the hardest runs and were ready to show off their skills.

Every student showed amazing determination to keep on going and have fun, no less than Daisy Rant who rallied herself together even when she was exhausted. Mr Bonsra will be happy to see that even Top Dog is having an amazing break – (seen pictured with Daisy Rant in the Cable Car).

In the evenings, we filled our bellies with delicious gelato and crepes (or as Kiwi Fitt calls them, ‘creepies’). We even managed to squeeze in a spot of sledging down the mountainside and a fancy dress disco where Ed ‘Hucks’ Proctor dressed up as a hot dog.

Well done to all of those who came on the trip, for making it so fun and enjoyable for all the staff. We can’t wait for next year!!

For more information on the next ski trip in 2016 please see Miss Billin ASAP. Written by Miss Billin, Head of Geography

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The Yearr 11 Prom m 2015

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The annual Year 11 Prom took place at the academy on Friday 19 June 2015 and, as always, there was an impressive range of different arrivals as the whole community turned out to watch.

As well as many vintage cars and limousines, there were camper vans, bikes and a horse drawn carriage which brought Rhiannon Harvey and Rebecca Copland-Fletcher to the Prom.

This year’s theme was James Bond and the Academy’s hall was

transformed into a casino style venue. All the students looked stunning in their suits and dresses.

After eating a meal the students were entertained by a magician and a disco run by DJ Needs. The students voted for their own Prom King and Queen which were Ben Chapman and Aneta Bairamova.

The whole evening was extremely enjoyable for all and many thanks to Ms. Parks and Mrs Cushing for organising it.

Written by Mr Davies

Prom Winners are: You can shed tears that he is gone - y Prom Queen: Aneta Bairamova Prom King: Benjamin Chapman Best Dressed Female: Charis Crossley Best Dressed Male: Alexander Sierp Most Likely to be Famous: Daniel Smith-Hughes Funniest Person: Robbie Evennett Biggest Transformation: Callum O’Brien Most Likely to be a WAG: Angel Kenzitt Cutest Arrival: Alice Pearce and her little brother Luca Cutest Couple: Sian Evans and Harrison Giles Winner of the Limbo Dancing Competition: Emmie Goss Most Original Arrival: Rhiannon Harvey and Rebecca Copland-Fletcher together with Shire Horses and carriage (pictured above)

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Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal During the month of March, Academy students and staff took part in raising money for the Marie Curie ‘Great Daffodil Appeal’.

From left to right: Mr Davies, Liam Kindred, Senna Watker, Iona Maxwell, Gemma Newell, Mr McShane, Nathan Burrows, Lilah Suazo, Kieran Fitt and James Newell.

The 2015-16 Academy Council Following a nail biting election process, the following has been announced: • Head Girl for 2015-16 is Lilah Suazo • Deputy Head Girl for 2015-16 is Iona Maxwell • Head Boy for 2015-16 is Nathan Burrows • Deputy Head Boy for 2015-16 is Liam Kindred

Sixth Form Presidents for 2015-16 The Sixth Form Presidents for 2015-16 were announced, details as follows: • Lead Presidents are Amber Miller and Jake Wiseman.

• Vice-Lead Presidents are Lauren McArdle and Gregor Peyrebrune.

• Presidents are Aaron Bradley, Joe Dean, Sophie Garner, Ellen Holmes, Holly Kennedy, Charlie Lock, Emma Longlands, Eve Mathews, Ella Maxwell, George Watts, Sam Winfield, Lauren Woods.

Thank you for reading Attleborough Academy Times

Members of 12CSH/LBU visited form rooms during registration each morning selling daffodil pins for a suggested donation of £1. Marie Curie provides free, end of life care for terminally ill patients (not just those with cancer) in their own home and £180 pays for a full shift for a Marie Curie nurse. We raised £223.54 which will help fund the 26 nurses working in Norfolk. Thank you to everyone that donated and proudly wore their daffodil pin.

For more information on Marie Curie and how they support those living with terminal illness please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

Show proves that Attleborough’s Got Talent!

On 5th February 2015 Sixth Form Presidents Becky Swift, Josie Hindle, Chelsea Secker, Jamie Hall, Tom Paine and Jack Reynolds hosted the Attleborough’s Got Talent show which saw students from across the Academy showcase their talents.

The parents, carers and friends of the performers were treated to a night of diverse talent in the drama studio which included singing, acting, gymnastics and a comedy sketch.

Mrs Cushing, Head of Art and Head of Creative Arts Faculty said: “The event was a huge success that celebrated the variety of talent of the brave students who volunteered to take part. We all agreed that the participants were all winners for having the confidence and courage to step up on stage and show us their talent.”

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