As we end another academic year our students have demonstrated remarkable resilience, excellence, and respect in every aspect of their school life. These core values have not only shaped their character but also created a vibrant and supportive school community.
Throughout the year, our students have embraced numerous opportunities to learn, grow, and excel. From academic achievements to extracurricular successes, they have shown unwavering commitment and determination. Their resilience in overcoming challenges, their pursuit of excellence in all endeavours, and their respect for themselves, their peers, and their teachers have been truly inspiring.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the new academic year and the many opportunities it will bring. We are committed to continuing our mission of
SPORT SUCCESS COLCHESTER
ACADEMY
STUDENTS HAVE BEEN STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SCHOOL
It has been a fantastic year for sport at Colchester Academy. Our students have had success in athletics, basketball, netball, and even Taikwondo.
Rounders
Welcome to our latest newsletter, celebrating the achievements and participation of our amazing girls’ rounders teams across all year groups! We’re thrilled to share the success stories from recent tournaments and highlight the
fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment where every student can thrive and reach their full potential.
Please enjoy the articles in this newsletter and see the back of this newsletter for key dates for the new term.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Wishing you a restful and enjoyable summer break.
Mrs Betts
incredible levels of participation in our rounders program.
**Tournament Successes**
- Year 7 Team: Our Year 7 girls showcased their talent and teamwork in 3 separate rounders tournaments. Their dedication during practice sessions truly paid off, and we’re excited to see their potential grow. Player of the tournaments went to Leila Ablonskyte for her fantastic sportsmanship and true talent.
- Year 8 Team: The Year 8 team displayed remarkable resilience and skill. Their sportsmanship and strategic play were commendable throughout the tournament. The player of the tournament went to Jessica Coverdale for her outstanding leadership skills shown throughout the tournament.
- Year 9 Team: Demonstrating exceptional coordination and spirit. Their hard work and unity were key factors in their success. Player of the tournament went to Lexi-Rose Master for her incredible decision making throughout the tournament.
- Year 10 Team: The Year 10 girls had a fantastic final tournament. Their determination and tactical prowess have set a high standard for future competitions. Players of the tournament went to Elise Tallowin and Millie Cook for their incredible team combinations between backstop and first ensuring they gained outs for the other team.
This year, we saw a record number of participants in our rounders club. The enthusiasm and commitment of our girls have been inspiring. We are incredibly proud of all our girls for their hard work, dedication, and passion for rounders. Their achievements this term are a testament to their effort and the support of our fantastic staff. Let’s continue to build on this success and look forward to even more exciting moments in the future.
Thank you for your continued support!
Colchester Academy has demonstrated outstanding commitment to school football throughout the 2023/24 school year. The Academy has achieved excellent participation levels, with fully established football teams in every year group from Year 7 to Year 11. Each year group has its own dedicated team, allowing students to engage in regular competitive fixtures and develop their football skills.
Year Group Breakdown
Year 7 Team: The newest members of the academy football program, the Year 7 team showed remarkable enthusiasm and potential. With a strong emphasis on skill development and teamwork, the Year 7 team participated in numerous fixtures, gaining valuable experience.
Year 8 Team: Building on their initial year, the Year 8 team continued to show great improvement and cohesion. Their participation in fixtures was marked by significant progress in their gameplay and understanding of football tactics.
Year 9 Team: The Year 9 team displayed commendable performance, balancing competitive spirit with sportsmanship. Their fixtures were characterized by strategic play and a noticeable increase in physical and technical proficiency.
Year 10 Team: As one of the more senior teams, the Year 10 team exhibited advanced skills and strong leadership on the field. They were a formidable presence in their fixtures, often setting a high standard for younger year groups.
Year 11 Team: The most experienced team at the Academy, the Year 11 team showcased exceptional talent and tactical knowledge. Their participation in fixtures was a testament to their dedication and the culmination of years of training and teamwork.
Basketball Colchester Academy has made significant strides in its basketball program during the 2023/24 school year. With enthusiastic participation from various year groups, the academy has seen notable successes, particularly in the Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, and Year 11 teams.
Year Group Breakdown
Year 8 Team: The Year 8 team embarked on their first-ever basketball fixtures this year. Despite being newcomers, they displayed great enthusiasm and potential, laying a solid foundation for future success.
Year 9 Team: Also participating in their inaugural fixtures, the Year 9 team achieved a historic milestone by winning their first-ever game. This victory was a significant morale booster and highlighted the team’s dedication and hard work.
Year 10 Team: The Year 10 team showed remarkable improvement throughout the year. With extremely high attendance at basketball clubs, the team benefited from consistent practice and coaching, leading to better performance in their fixtures.
Year 11 Team: The most experienced group, the Year 11 team, continued to participate in regular fixtures. Their experience and leadership on the court were evident, providing inspiration and guidance to the younger teams.
Fixtures and Achievements
Each year group participated in a series of fixtures, contributing to a vibrant and competitive basketball environment at the Academy. Key achievements and highlights of the season include:
Year 9 Victory: The Year 9 team’s first-ever game win was a standout moment of the season. This victory was not only a testament to their hard work but also a significant achievement for the academy’s basketball program.
Year 10 Improvement: The Year 10 team’s improvement was marked by better coordination, strategic play, and individual skill development. Their high attendance at clubs was instrumental in their progress, and their performance in fixtures reflected their commitment and growth.
Leadership and Experience: The
Year 11 team’s participation provided a wealth of experience and leadership for the program. Their fixtures were characterised by strong teamwork and tactical awareness, setting a high standard for the younger players.
Netball
This year, our secondary netball teams have achieved outstanding success on and off the court. With record-breaking participation numbers and impressive tournament performances. Our school has seen a remarkable 30% increase in students joining the netball program this year. This surge has seen a massive drive in student success and motivation to continue with the club up until the end of the term. Notable students who have shown true motivation and drive to succeed throughout the year are; Abbie Willis, Lexi-Rose Master, Esther Bolaji, Olivia Ibezim, Yuki Igierobo, Michelle Braimah, Oliwia Maslowska, Ella Moring, Temi Okoli, Milly Dale. We are excited to see an even greater participation rate next year and success in sporting performances.
BERLIN
History trip 2024
During the May half-term our historians visited Berlin for three days. The trip started with an early flight which landed in sunny Berlin with no delays. Students were keen to get straight into things so after dropping our bags off at the accommodation we travelled into the heart of the city. Andy, our tour guide, started things off at the Reichstag building which is a truly impressive building. Students were in awe of the architecture but also moved to hear about the last days of the war and the fierce battles that raged across Berlin. Bullet holes that had been filled stood out as a stark reminder that millions of people lost their lives in the war.
After a quick stop by the Brandenburg Gate we visited the Berlin Wall Memorial. Here students gained an insight into the numerous escape attempts by those in East Germany trying to get into
West Germany. After 20000 steps it was time to retire to the accommodation for dinner and rest.
Day two started early as there was a lot to see. After a delicious breakfast it was off to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. The camp was a humbling and moving experience. Students learned about the early days when political prisoners were sent to the camp to work right up to the end of the war where the camp saw the brutal deaths of hundreds of thousands of prisoners.
‘Tens of thousands of internees died in Sachsenhausen concentration camp as a result of hunger, disease, forced labour, medical experiments and mistreatment or were the victims of systematic extermination operations by the SS.’ (taken from https://www. sachsenhausen-sbg.de/en/history/1936-1945-sachsenhausen-concentration-camp/
Despite being late in the day we were keen to tick two more must see places off our list. First we took a train to Olympiastadion Berlin. Whilst this historic site was not open to the public it was still great to stand outside and soak up the history. We did try to blag our way in but the employees explained that the preparation was taking place for the Euros so there would be no way for us to gain access. Day three and it was off to CheckPoint Charlie, Berlin Cathedral, and a long walk along the East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall). We ended the day with a bit of shopping in a local mall, which the students thoroughly enjoyed. The trip was a fantastic experience.
Andy, our tour guide, was an awesome wealth of knowledge and good fun too. The weather stayed on our side for most of the trip with the only heavy rain falling when we visited Sachsenhausen, which seemed fitting.
Oliver Bennett:
In Berlin I really enjoyed the history of the trip.The tour guide was very passionate and help me to be able to imagine the great history of Berlin.My favourite part was the Berlin Wall because of all of the interesting history and art surrounding it.I like the art surrounding the Berlin Wall because it signified the importance that it had on the course of history.
Phoebe Keeling
I really liked Berlin, I learnt a lot and everything there was really cool, I would definitely go to Berlin again when I can because it was definitely one of my favourite trips I’ve been on, I especially liked the Berlin wall but the entire place was amazing. plus for my personal first time on a plane it was a good first time.
Cale Cotter, a year 10 student, said the trip to Berlin during the May half term of this year was a once in a lifetime experience full of helpful information that will prove useful during my year 11 history GCSE.
SCHOLARS PROGRAMME 2024
desire to achieve excellence.
All our scholars passed with 4 achieving a First Class for their essay. Students were treated to a graduation event at The University of Cambridge. They were also awarded Scholar badges in school so their achievement is recognised by all.
Well done to all and we look forward to the 2025 cohort.
This year 14 year 10 students were selected to be scholars. The prestigious programme lasts for 12 weeks and is designed to give students a flavour of university life.
The focus this year was on geography, specifically, climate change. Whilst this was not the subject all our scholars want to study at university they still relished the opportunity to broaden their horizons. The year 10s were guided by a university lecturer who visited them once per week to deliver a seminar. Students completed their assignment alongside their school studies and homework which highlights their
Elizabeth Horwood
The scholars programme taught me about the different causes of climate change. However it’s main purpose was to give me a taster of what University is like and the style of teaching. It was alot of work outside of school and I had to do an essay every week for homework. In the end it was worth all that work because the graduation was alot of fun and I got to go and look at The University Of Cambridge. Everyone who completed it passed and many people got a first including myself.
CREATIVE WRITING
In the heart of London, on a crisp starry night, the city erupted into a symphony of light and colour. Vibrant red fireworks burst above the iconic silhouette of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The majestic clock struck 12 as it was adorned with twinkling lights, casting a warm glow over the surrounding landscape. Below, throngs of people gathered, their faces illuminated with awe and excitement as they watched the dazzling display against the backdrop of the historic landmarks.
Among the crowd a solitary figure stood apart, his silhouette outlined against the luminous display. Alone on New Years Eve he watched the fireworks with a mixture of wonder and sorrow, his thoughts drifting to a beloved relative no longer by his side. As the bursts of red illuminated the night sky, memories of past celebrations flooded his mind, the laughter, the warmth, the sense of togetherness now tingled with bittersweet longing. Yet amidst this longing there was a moment with the bustling city around him, a reminder that even in solitude, he could find a connection in the collective joy of a new beginning. And so, beneath the canopy of exploding colours, he whispered a silent farewell to his departed loved one, sending his wishes for peace and love into the night, carried on by the wingers of the soaring fireworks.
Our Year 10 are preparing themselves for their Spoken Language GCSE exam. Students have selected some excellent ideas and topics to present to their classes. Students have shown initiative with their research and the production of their speeches. Additionally, they have used the skills they gained through Jack Petchey in February in order to construct their speech.
On the 18th April, Victoria Nebedum in Year 10 completed in the Jack Petchey competition and was presented with the 3rd place prize out of 17 other students from other Essex schools. Additionally, there were over 1000 students who
took part in Jack Petchey across the county. With this in mind, Victoria has commented the following about how Jack Petchey has helped her with her Spoken Language exam.
“When I first heard about Jack Petchey and realised that I needed to stand in front of a group of people to deliver a long speech prepared by myself, I was absolutely horrified. I was shy and very scared of giving a public performance because I felt like people didn’t want to hear what I had to say. However, once I got to the competition, I realised I had something important to say in
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Student leadership is an integral part of life at Colchester Academy. All students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles throughout their time at the Academy.
Our student leaders support with duties as well as taking part in mentoring and helping during school events.
Dillan Sherman
Dillan, one of our head students, said ‘Being the head boy, I define leadership as leading by example in both
order to reach the hearts of many people. It has built my confidence and made my writing and ability to express myself much better in preparation for my spoken language exam. It is going to be a breeze!”
deeds and words, encouraging my friends to pursue greatness, and cultivating a respectful and cooperative environment. It entails paying attention to and respecting everyone’s viewpoints, reaching just and deliberate conclusions, and being dependable and respectable for my fellow classmates. Serving others, taking responsibility for myself, and making a commitment to have a positive impact on the school community are the true qualities of leadership.’
Amelia Philp
I wanted to be a head student because I thought it was a good opportunity to put myself out there and to be involved in more things inside and outside school. Some of the skills I’d like to leave Year 11 with are the abilities to speak and lead in a more authoritative manner, have improved communication skills and the ability to lead in a way that is functional and that satisfies everyone. I hope by being head student I can improve myself and the school overall by participating in events and running the prefect team and timetable smoothly.
SUCCESS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Macy Levy
Macy takes part in artistic roller skating locally and nationally. She competes at championships and next year will visit Croatia to take part in a competition which she is very excited about but also very nervous.
Macy has been artistic roller skating for 5 years. She first watched cousin and liked the look of it. She now trains 3-4 times per week. Macy is currently 11th in Britain in her age category and wants to compete internationally as an adult one day.
Lexi-Rose Master
Lexi has always had a keen interest in Netball and joined Shaikly netball club in Colchester in 2023
She attends weekly club training sessions and participates in the Colchester youth league matches on a weekly basis.
Lexi and her team won the 23/24 Colchester youth league season placing first with all ten games unbeaten.
Lexi enjoys playing goal attack for her team.
Lexi will continue to explore every opportunity with netball, she has travelled to London and had a training session coached by England netballers and is looking to attend regional trials when they become available, with the hope to play at regional level. Watch this space.
Tyler Perkins
Pool to me isn’t just a hobby to do on the weekends, it’s beginning to turn into a religion the way I dedicate myself to it. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are all spent playing the game I love, and I would not want it any other way.
Pool is an intricate sport which requires laser precision in order to win. Frames of pool can be won by millimetres, and trust me I have lost a few because of it. Although, even when I lose I still love the
Lila Gardner
I first started wanting to be an actor when I was 4, and it’s never gone away. At quite young I joined an acting school and I still go now. I do film, tv and musical theatre. I’ve always written plays but now I plan on turning a play in to a full production. I’m interested in going in to film and tv in the future, but I’m open and grateful to get in to any opportunity in the performing arts. Now I’ve got a west
SPORTS DAY 2024
Our annual Sports Day was a roaring success, with students from all years participating in a variety of athletic events. The day was filled with excitement, competition, and an incredible display of school spirit.The competitive spirit was palpable as students vied for top spots in various events.
Record-Breaking Performances
Several students outdid themselves, shattering previous school records and setting new ones. Notable achievements include:
- Maiya Summers (Year 7 ) broke the 200m sprint record with a time of 32.90 seconds.
- Leila Ablonskyte (Year 7) set a new record in the javelin, throwing an impressive 21.70 metres.
- George Gazzard (Year 8) surpassed the previous record by throwing the shot putt 8.71 metres.
- Benneth Emereonye (Year 9) smashed the long jump record by leaping a fantastic 5.38 metres.
- Alex Neagu (Year 9) shattered the triple jump record with 10.12 metres.
- Mirabirth Ohumende (Year 9) distinguished the javelin record with a throw of 25.00 metres.
- Noah Phillips (Year 10) broke the 800m record with a fantastic score of 2.26 minutes and seconds.
- Elise Tallowin (Year 10) set a new record time in the 1500m
with an outstanding 6.38 minutes and seconds.
A huge thank you goes out to our dedicated Physical Education staff, whose hard work and enthusiasm made this day possible. Their efforts in organising the events, coaching the students, and ensuring everything ran smoothly were invaluable. Their commitment to fostering a love for sports and physical activity in our students is evident, and we are grateful for their continued support.
Sports Day is not just about competition; it’s about coming together as a community, celebrating each other’s achievements, and pushing our limits. This year’s event was a testament to the incredible talent and determination of our students.
We look forward to seeing even more records broken and milestones achieved next year!
Maths competition
On Tuesday 12th of March Mrs Ivan and Miss Fosker took a group of 8 year 7 students to the North Essex Maths Olympiad (NEMO) held at St Helena School. There were many teams from schools in and around Colchester taking part.
Our two teams did really well and had a good time and. This proved to be a great learning experience for them.
We are very proud of our students who demonstrated resilience, teamwork and amazing Maths skills.
Year 11 - goodbye and good luck
Prom night was a truly fantastic evening at a marvelous venue. The vibrant energy of our incredible students, the decorations were dazzling, the music kept everyone on their feet, and the joy and camaraderie shared amongst the year group made it a night to remember. It was a fitting celebration for such a brilliant year group. As we reflect on this event, we also recognise this marks the end of an era, we will miss seeing our students in the corridors and unique contributions to our school community. However, we are equally excited to hear what the future holds for each of them as they embark on their next steps, whether it’s college, sixth form or an apprenticeship.
Best wishes on the journey ahead and we look forward to seeing the year group again on results day. Mr Brown
Our new Year 7s
On Thursday 27th June we welcomed our new cohort of students from 31 different primary schools. They had a fun packed day, experiencing a wide variety of subjects, but essentially getting a taste of life at secondary school.
We started off the day with a tutor period, then straight into lessons. Their day completely mirrored the school day, with the exception of an assembly at the end of the day, rather than the beginning.
This set up was crafted to ensure they got the best insight into a full school day, so there will be no surprises in September. What was lovely to see was how they emersed themselves into the lessons, adapted to different lessons and teachers each hour and got to know new friends. They really did enjoy their break times together and participated in different games and activities that built new bonds ready for September.
In the evening we welcomed our new parents; this was a lovely evening where we outlined our school ethos, what a typical day looks like, what children had been doing during the day and
our rules and expectations. Students tried on blazers, parents and students met their tutors and year team and any concerns or anxieties were ironed out.
It was really great to meet our new parents and we are really looking forward to helping develop our new cohort, to gain the best outcomes and build the brightest futures possible, for our graduation year group of 2029.
