CLUB PROGRAMMES

A dazzling array of Colchester Academy’s talent was on show at our annual Spotlight Competition. This was an opportunity for our young performers to show their talent and dedication in front of a live audience from Years 7-9. In the past our performers have sung to the audience, but this time we were treated to guitarists, drummers, singers, a clarinetist, dancers, and even some onstage magic! Our students applied to get onstage through a rigorous audition process, before being shortlisted for the final. Once this list was decided, our students engaged in a frantic round of rehearsals and meetings to ensure that any performances were stage-ready. This culminated in a final show in the Theatre on the afternoon of Friday 26 November. Throughout the process, our students showed real ingenuity, dedication and creativity. Any type of performance involves an element of risk, and our performers took those risks and were rewarded with rapturous applause from an excellent audience. Our judges had a very difficult time picking an eventual winner, finally choosing Dylan Mane and Evan Bament (both in Year 9) for their magic trick. The illusion itself was impressive enough, but this was coupled with excellent stagecraft and attention to detail, resulting in a confounding illusion which our students are still trying to work out! Many thanks all our performers, audience members and staff who made our Spotlight event so special. Mr Searl Head of Performing Arts

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In October, selected members of staff completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) one-day training course. Staff on the In October, selected members of staff completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) one-day training course. Staff on the course are now Mental Health Champions and have gained knowledge to become mental health advocates for students. The training ensures staff have an Mental Health First Aid course are now Mental Health Champions and have gained knowledge to become mental health advocates for students. The training ensures staff have an understanding of common mental health issues and have the ability to spot the signs of mental health illness. The training was delivered by Emotional Health Practitioner Jo Morton-Brown. Jo has a You Tube channel aimed at promoting positive mental health in young people. Jo posts videos weekly which offer guidance to young people on a variety of mental health topics. Jo’s channel, Flourish, can be accessed here ttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFB1XwKcbymlIJCzyeo6eg This term Year 7 students have had ‘The Bookbuzz Experience’. Bookbuzz is part of the BookTrust – a charity which aims to encourage students to read by providing them with their own books to keep. Here’s what some of our students had to say. Jasmine 7O2 Switch-Up To start our Bookbuzz journey we watched a video containing a review of each of the books.I chose the book SwitchUp about two girls who board the same flight to London. It’s the beginning of the craziest plan ever. understanding of common mental health issues and have Mrs Wager the ability to spot the signs of mental health illness. Assistant PrincipalDamiola 7H1 Animals Up Close The training was delivered by Emotional Health Bookbuzz is a book company dedicated to getting books to Year 7 students for free. I think Bookbuzz is a fabulous charity as I was not a fan of Practitioner Jo Morton-Brown. Jo has a YouTube channel reading. In class we watched a 24 minute film about the books and the aimed at promoting positive mental health in young authors explained the stories. people. Tristan 7L2 Little Bad Man Jo posts videos weekly which offer guidance to young Bookbuzz has helped me a great deal. Instead of me having to pay for a people on a variety of mental health topics. book (reading is now one of my favourites) Bookbuzz put it in my hands for free. I could not thank Bookbuzz enough for putting such a brilliant book in my collection. Mrs Wager Marleigh-Rose 7L2 City of Ghosts Assistant Principal I’ve always enjoyed mystery books so when I saw City of Ghosts I knew I had to get it, almost like a connection.