World Book Day In this age of unrelenting information, 24-hour news, social media, and COVID-based restrictions on On Tuesday 1 March, Colchester Academy held an our lives, it’s no surprise that many of us have recently, at times, felt overwhelmed. I can only interesting World Book Day. imagine how it must feel as a young person, trying to forge a path in the world. As a 30+ year old trainee Design Technology teacher I am forging a new path for myself, having worked in a completely Teachers dressed up as their favourite character different field for over 10 years. However, I’ve been welcomed by Colchester Academy’s students from one of their favourite books. Miss Moore was with open arms, and I’m excited to be taking our journeys together. Titania from “A Midnight’s Summer Dream”, and Mrs Lock the donkey, Nick Bottom, from the same By now, my students realise that I’ll do my utmost to help them navigate the landscape and ensure book. Miss Selfe was Wally from “Where’s Wally?” they can be the best they can be. And by “best”, I’m not referring exclusively to exam results. I chose and we can’t forget Miss Cozma as the genie from to work with Colchester Academy because they understand that success isn’t measured solely on the book Aladdin. this; they value kindness, compassion, and empathy. I’m not prepared to accept that any student can’t “make it”. I’m enjoying helping students identify their strengths, to unlock their potential. Competitions were held, for example, being caught reading in weird and wonderfull places such as the In teaching Design Technology, I have been afforded the opportunity to teach students skills that will trunk of your car. Students submitted photos for serve them this competiion to see if they would win. for the rest of their lives. My educational background is in Art & Design, but with Design Technology encompassing cooking, nutrition, catering, metals, plastics, woods, papers, and boards, I have almost as much to learn as my students! There iswas lots“Who to take in,reading but as Albert Another competition was that Einstein once remarked: book 25 years ago?”. This involved photos of “You never fail until youfrom stop 25 trying.” teachers reading books years ago and students having to guess who the teachers in the In between photos were.teaching and looking after my very demanding 5 year old daughter, you’ll often find me plotting my family tree, knitting, painting and creating in the kitchen, with varying levels of success! Layla Couzens Miss7Taylor Year Student Design Technology Teacher
Wembley Trip Women’s FA Cup Final – Sunday 5 December 2021 Colchester Academy were excited to invite 12 Year 11 students to the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley on Sunday 5 December, to watch the London derby, Chelsea v Arsenal (the final had been delayed from May, due to a backlog of fixtures caused by the pandemic). The trip was a reward to students who had made the most progress in Sports Science and BTEC Sport, and had also attended Period 6 sessions throughout the first term. We set off in the Academy minibus and after a quick stop at the Services, we arrived at Wembley, the golden arch illuminated in red and blue to represent the teams’ colours. Once through the security checks, we made our way to our seats, opposite the half way line. Despite the roof being open and the persistent rainfall, the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, heightened by the cauldron of noise being generated from each group of supporters. This was a very special occasion as it was the 50th anniversary for the FA Cup Final in the women’s game. We were privileged to have the two captains from the first final, Lesley Lloyd and Elsie Cook, This term Year 7 students have had ‘The Bookbuzz Experience’. Bookbuzz presented to the crowd before the game and both received an is part of the BookTrust – a charity which aims to encourage students to emotional welcome as they brought the FA Cup out onto the read by providing them with their own books to keep. Here’s what some of pitch.
our students had to say.
After a live performance by Ella Henderson, we then joined her Jasmine 7O2 Switch-Up and the band of the Coldstream Guards in singing the National Anthem. The build-up was finally over, as the 40,942 in To start our Bookbuzz journey we watched a video containing attendance a review of eagerly awaited the referee’s whistle to signal kick-off!
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. We were in for an exciting, if one sided, match which saw an early goal for Chelsea and although the first half was one-way traffic, Arsenal managed to hold on until half time. However, two second Damiola 7H1 Animals Up Close half goals from Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, including a sublime chip over the7advancing Bookbuzz is a book company dedicated to getting books to Year students goalkeeper, sealed Arsenal’s fate, preventing them for free. I think Bookbuzz is a fabulous charity as I was not a from fan ofwinning their 14th title.
reading. In class we watched a 24 minute film about the books and the Colchester Academy students have benefitted enormously from this organisation and the wonderful events theythe have to offer, After staying to watch the Chelsea team receive trophy and explained the stories. and weauthors will continue to support our students through offering everything Make it Happen has to provide, to ensure our students then walk the perimeter of the pitch celebrating their victory, we have bright futures. Below are links and information areas for youmade to explore. for any eventsour you wish to, they our way Please back tosign the up minibus to begin journey home to Tristan Bad Man are all there to7L2 helpLittle support our community, particularly through Colchester. what is a very challenging time.
Bookbuzz has helped me a greatthese deal. events, Insteadplease of me do having paystudents fortoa contact If you need any support in accessing not to hesitate us via general@colchesteracademy.org.uk. The and staff thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the book (reading is now one of my favourites) Bookbuzz put it in majority my hands offor them happy with the final score. Well done Year 11, I could notstep thank keep upbook the hard work and effort in all of your lessons. We are free. with you every ofBookbuzz the way. enough for putting such a brilliant in my collection. Mrs Ross Marleigh-Rose 7L2 City of Ghosts Assistant Principal and Raising Standards Lead
Miss Bull Trip Leader
I’ve always enjoyed mystery books so when I saw City of Ghosts I knew I
