COVER IMAGE BY GRACE H, YEAR 11: CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF NATURE THROUGH FROZEN FLOWERS AND LIGHT, CREATING A VIBRANT, STUNNING IMAGE
DISCOVER OUR LATEST SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS, GET TO KNOW THE TEACHERS, ENJOY BOOK, FILM, AND TV REVIEWS, AND MUCH MORE!
FRONT COVER
out how to get your
THE TEACHERSMISS DAWSON AND MISS HEMSLEY
WOMEN’S DAY
Front cover image by Grace, a Year 11 student. Grace captured the delicate interplay of nature and light for our chosen front cover image. She froze flowers in water, preserving their intricate shapes, then placed them on a light stick, which illuminated the ice and enhanced the vibrant colours, creating a striking effect.
Meet the Team
JOURNALISTS AND DESIGNERS
MIA C.
Mia is one of our writers. Her favourite subject is English because she loves reading. Outside of school, Mia enjoys drawing and finds it really therapeutic.
AZAHEIR W.
Azaheir is our student designer and her favourite subject is science because it is fun and she enjoys learning new things. Azaheir enjoys going to the park and spending time with her little brother.
Muntaha B.
Muntaha is one of our writers. Her favourite subject is maths because she finds it fun. She enjoys playing Roblox and reading sometimes.
Chukwuamaka O.
Chukwuamaka is one of our writers. She enjoys reading and has an interest in astrological events such as Solar and Luna eclipses.
The Our People Magazine Team would like to wish the Newhouse Academy community a happy end to the Spring Term and a Happy Easter to everyone celebrating.
WANT your work TO FEATURE ON THE NEXT FRONT COVER?
Are you interested in art or photography? Would you like your work to be published on the front cover of the Our People Magazine and displayed on the school website?
Each term, the Our People Magazine team will be running a competition to decide which piece of artwork or photography should be featured on the front cover.
Entry Requirements:
Anyone from any year can enter. You can submit a drawing, painting, piece of digital artwork or photograph. The work must be your own. Collaborations between two or more students are allowed. You can only enter once per term.
How to Enter:
Submit your entry to Mrs Zebedee in BL10. Physical and email submissions are welcomed. Speak to Mrs Zebedee if you have any questions.
MAKING THE MAKING THE MOST MOST OF YOUR LEARNING
Be on Time:
The first step to achieving is arriving to school on time It means you can start your day positively and not miss out on any learning or notices which may be given during form time and lesson one. Evidence shows that students who are on time to school and have good attendance, perform better than those who are frequently late or absent We offer a free breakfast club to all students each morning before the start of the school day so you can start your day right.
Be Prepared:
Come to school each day equipped and ready to learn. Having the essentials such as a blue or black pen, pencil and a ruler will mean that your lessons and learning get off to the best possible start Having to ask teachers to borrow equipment delays both you and them in getting the lesson started and wastes precious time It’s also good practice for the working world where you may well be expected to bring things each day such as a lanyard and ID badge, company laptop if you sometimes work from home, or even your own stationery We know that the cost of living crisis can sometimes make money tight but if you speak to your form tutor they can arrange to get you the equipment you’ll need, however, it is your responsibility to look after it and ensure it isn’t broken, lost or forgotten.
Ask and Answer Questions:
In order to get the most out of your learning it’s important to be as engaged as possible One way you can do this is through questions both asking and answering In every lesson teachers will use questions to check for understanding; whether this be through whiteboards, asking you to raise your hand or selecting students in other ways It doesn’t matter if you get the answer wrong in fact, it’s helpful when you do, because it tells your teacher that you (and almost certainly others in the room) need a little bit more help with something. Asking questions, at appropriate times, can also be really beneficial to you, other students and your teacher and it shows that you want to know more and that you want to get involved in your own learning When it comes down to your GCSE exams you’ve only got yourself and your own knowledge to rely on so ask and answer as many questions as you can before then and take ownership of your knowledge and success.
Take Responsibility for your Actions:
Part of showing integrity means being able to hold yourself to account and admit when you’ve made a mistake or fallen below the expectations of our academy. We all get it wrong sometimes but it’s what we do afterwards that shows who we truly are The only person’s actions and behaviours you can control are your own and, as hard as it is sometimes, you have to be able to admit to your own faults and not try to turn the attention onto somebody else and what they have done or are doing. Taking responsibility for your actions, even when you know the consequences will be difficult, is also a life skill necessary to succeed in education, work and socially
Respect Others:
Respect is one our core values at Newhouse Academy and that’s because it’s fundamental to being successful in life Respecting your fellow students doesn’t just mean being kind and considerate, it also means respecting their right to learn and your teacher’s right to teach without distractions or disruptions. We talk a lot about leaving a legacy- make sure yours is one worth remembering for all the right reasons
Respect Our School:
We are privileged at Newhouse Academy to have some amazing facilities at our disposal However, to ensure that these can be used for many years to come, and to ensure you can get the most out of your time here, it’s important that these are maintained well and respected by every one who uses them. Sometimes it’s as simple as remembering to put the lid back on a whiteboard pen, highlighter or glue stick or following the rules around equipment use in Technology, PE and Computer Studies.
Meet the Meet the Teachers - TeachersMiss Dawson and Miss Dawson and Miss Hemsley Miss Hemsley
Every term, we ’ re going to be interviewing different members of staff in order to learn a little more about the person in front of the whiteboard. In this issue, we got to interview Miss Dawson and Miss Hemsley from the science department.
Q: What made you want to teach science?
Miss Dawson: I have always wanted to teach and Science was a subject I found really interesting at school but still quite difficult at times, so I wanted to be able to help others find their love for science
Miss Hemsley: I always thought Science was way too difficult for me until I had an amazing Chemistry teacher at school who really inspired me into thinking that Science was something I could achieve in! So it was all down to Mr Scrimshire who showed me that I could, and from Year 10 I decided I wanted to be like him.
Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching science?
Miss Dawson: I love seeing my students getting excited and passionate about Science. My favourite topic to teach is the atomic structure in Chemistry.
Miss Hemsley: Science is such a fascinating subject, we can explain so many amazing natural phenomena from the world around us thanks to Science My favourite topic is definitely Radioactivity in Physics I fell in love with Nuclear & Radiochemistry at University and even worked at an old nuclear power plant before I became a teacher!
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Newhouse Academy?
Miss Dawson: I enjoy working at Newhouse because all of the staff and students are very supportive Everyone says hello to everyone on the corridors and it is a really friendly atmosphere. I also love being able to go down to the dining room at break to get myself a bacon or sausage on toast!
Miss Hemsley: The best thing about working at Newhouse is our wonderful staff and students All my colleagues have been so supportive, especially when I first joined the school last year I was really nervous as I'd never moved school before as a teacher but everyone made me feel welcome.
Q: What university did you go to and why did you choose that university?
Miss Dawson: I went to Edge Hill University. I chose there because it has a beautiful campus, it was far enough from home that I could be independent, but not too far away so that I could still come home when I wanted to to work my part time job.
Miss Hemsley: I studied Chemistry at the University of Manchester. I chose Manchester as I had always wanted to move to a bigger city after spending most of my childhood in a small village in Leicestershire I was desperate to be somewhere with lots to do and lots of other people (and I was fed up of there only being one bus into the city every hour).
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in life?
Miss Dawson: My biggest inspiration is my mum, because she always pushes through difficult times and always makes sure that she has a smile on her face. She truly is my biggest role model in life and if I turn out like half the person she is, I will be very happy.
Miss Hemsley: My Nana is my biggest inspiration! She was the most compassionate and kind hearted woman on the planet I can only dream of having her strength and resilience throughout my life Plus she taught me how to bake- so that's got to count for something!
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Miss Dawson: ‘By changing nothing, nothing changes.’ This has always stuck with me and shown me that I need to change something if I want to see improvement
Miss Hemsley: Someone once told me ‘If it was easy, everyone would do it!’ and it’s definitely a piece of advice that has stuck with me.
Q: What’s your favourite genre to read and why?
Miss Dawson: I’m really enjoying reading fantasy at the moment, especially the ones popular on BookTok. I love the tension combined with the interesting relationships and the way that the fantasy genre is able to touch on themes such as racism, misogyny, friendship and love in ways I don’t always find in other books.
Miss Hemsley: I’m not sure I have a favourite genre but my favourite book series is His Dark Materials which is a trilogy by Phillip Pullman. I first read these when I was in Year 8 and fell in love with them. I love the world building, the political/religious side of the books, and of course the characters.
Q: If you didn’t teach Science, what subject would you like to teach?
Miss Dawson: I think I’d teach History I find it really interesting to find out how the past, and what happened in it, has shaped and continues to shape our world and lives today.
Miss Hemsley: If I didn’t teach Science I think I would teach History or English. I studied Engli h Lit t d Hi t at A-L l d l d th b th!
Newhouse Academy Celebrates World Book Week!
In the week leading up to the 6th March, Newhouse Academy took part in a number of World Book Day activities. We held form time and library competitions including guess who’s behind the book and Where’s Wally and, on World Book Day itself, our English department shared some of their favourite books and their top recommendations with their classes including The Hit by Allen Zadoff, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Each student also received a book token to be exchanged for a book in a number of supermarkets and book sellers.
Why do Schools Celebrate World Book Day?
Reading for pleasure has been proven to improve life chances in young people and can even increase their life expectancy. Young people who read regularly outperform their peers who don’t in exams, go on to be more successful and earn more money. The World Book Day charity aims to champion reading for all children, regardless of background, and help to instil a life long love of reading across the UK and Ireland.
At Newhouse Academy we understand the importance of reading. That’s why it is an integral part of our day to day life; from reading during form time in the morning, to our ever-growing library which is open to all students and the extensive reading interventions on offer. We want Our People to love reading and to see the benefits of it If you haven’t found the right book for you, why not pay a visit to the library or ask a member of staff from your favourite subject to recommend a book to you?
IINTERNATIONAL NTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WOMEN’S DAY
On the 8th of March, Newhouse Academy, as well as many other schools around the world, celebrated International Women’s Day. All of our Key Stage Three classes spent an English lesson looking at the inspirational women who have had a lasting impact on history and society. Students learned more about figures such as Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart and Nellie Bly as well as having open and honest discussions around why International Women’s Day is important.
Why is International Women’s Day Celebrated?
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the achievements of women, both in the past and today; it is also a time to recognise that gender equality is still an issue around the world. It began in the early 20th century when groups such as the Suffragettes began campaigning for equality in voting rights for women and, in 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognised 8th March as International Women’s Day and, since then, it has grown into a global celebration and a call to action to end gender inequality.
MEET OUR CAREERS TEAM
It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to do after you leave Newhouse Academy. We spoke to our Careers Team to find out a little bit more about what they do and how they can help you get prepared for your future.
Q: Who works in our Careers Team?
A: Miss Jamieson is our Careers Administrator, Miss Jones is our Careers Coordinator, and Miss Pugh is our Careers Advisor.
Q: Why do you enjoy your roles?
A: We all enjoy helping students to access the right support and guidance for them, both in school and from external agencies We also provide opportunities outside of school such as work experience which gives students an invaluable insight into the working world in an industry of their choice.
Q: Why is it important to start thinking about careers early?
A: It is important to start thinking about careers early so you can see what options are out there once leaving school, you can meet people from the industry you are interested in and have the chance to ask questions. It's also important because it encourages students to broaden their horizons, set aspirations for themselves and aim high! The sooner you figure out what you're interested in the sooner you can start to work towards that goal and build the necessary skill set
Q: Where can students go to access Careers Support?
A: You can access career advice at anytime on reliable websites like BBC Bitesize Careers and GMCA. Students can speak to Miss Jamieson and Miss Jones at any time or email us to ask anything regarding careers. Miss Pugh our careers advisor is in school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, again students can email Miss Pugh and she is also based in the office on B floor next to BL12 to go and have a chat with.
Academy Careers Administrator - Miss Jamieson
Email: JamiesonL@newhouseacademy co uk
Careers Coordinator - Miss Jones
Email: JonesR@newhouseacademy.co.uk Positive Steps School’s Careers Adviser is Christine Pugh
Email: christinepugh@positive-steps org uk
Find out more by visiting newhouseacademy.co.uk/careers-guidance
WHERE TO GO FOR SUPPORT
Sometimes our life at school or at home isn’t always as easy as we’d like it to be. No matter what the situation is, it’s important to speak out and be honest if you feel like your emotions, home life or school life is being negatively impacted.
Every member of staff wants to see you happy, thriving and improving every day but we also know that we all need help and support sometimes.
Weallneedhelp andsupport sometimes
So who can you turn to for support?
We have a large safeguarding team including all of our Heads of Year, our Attendance Officer, Miss Keenan, our Family SupportWorker, Miss Hilton, and our Designated Safeguarding Leads Mrs Wilde and Mr Aspden.
You can also speak to your form tutor or any other member of staff about things that are concerning you. Our priority is always you and keeping you safe so sometimes it might be necessary for a staff member to talk to someone else about what you’ve talked about so that we can make sure you get the right support.
This will always be done with your best interests in mind. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength and it’s the first step in making sure you can succeed.
BOOK, FILM AND TV REVIEWS
The Hit
Allen Zadoff’s The Hit (also known as Boy Nobody) is a fast-paced thriller novel that follows a teenage assassin working for a secretive organization. His missions are simple: infiltrate, eliminate, and disappear until he’s assigned to take down the mayor of New York City and starts questioning everything he’s been trained to believe. This book is perfect for fans of Alex Rider.
Solitaire
Alice Oseman’s Solitaire is a fantastic novel about Tori Spring, a cynical teenager who prefers blogging and staying in her own world. When a mysterious group called "Solitaire" starts playing elaborate pranks at her school, Tori is drawn into a whirlwind of confusion, frustration, and selfdiscovery especially after meeting the endlessly optimistic Michael Holden.
Unlike typical young adult romances, Solitaire is an exploration of mental health, loneliness, and the struggles of growing up. Perfect for fans of the Heartstopper series by the same author.
Tom Gates: Super Good Skills (Almost)
Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates: Super Good Skills (Almost) was a book I really enjoyed as it is humorous and enjoyable with lots of fun, engaging illustrations. In this book, Tom Gates goes on holiday with his parents Rita and Frank, his sister Delia and Delia’s friend to Pine Tree Riviera. When he finds himself at the most boring campsite in the world he must find a way to entertain himself. This book is fantastic for those looking for an easy, fun read and is the tenth book in the hugely popular Tom Gates series. - Mia C.
Macbeth: Starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo
In this latest adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, David Tennant delivers a compelling portrayal of the ambitious Scottish general whose thirst for power leads to his tragic downfall. Tennant's performance captures Macbeth's internal struggle, making his descent into tyranny both believable and captivating.
Overall, this adaptation of Macbeth is a must-watch for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers, offering a gripping exploration of power and its consequences. This film is now showing at selected cinemas and on some streaming platforms.
Waterloo Road
Waterloo road is a drama series about the life of students and teachers in a high school. I like it because it shows the life of high school students in a realistic way. I think it highlights some important issues facing young people and can raise awareness of some of the difficulties teenagers may face. Waterloo Road is available on BBC iPlayer and you can stream every episode, including the original series which first aired in 2006!- Mia C.
The Hunger Games - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, takes us back 64 years before Katniss Everdeen, exploring the origins of the infamous President Snow. The film follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12, during the 10th Hunger Games. As their relationship deepens, Snow is forced to choose between power and love, shaping the ruthless leader he will become The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
What’s on at the Cinema?
Flow
When a flood of biblical proportions washes its home away, a solitary cat must seek refuge with a motley crew of animals, who gradually learn to get along in this endearing, Oscar-winning animation.
Snow White
Disney’s Snow White is a live-action musical reimagining of the classic 1937 film The magical music adventure journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.
A Minecraft Movie
A group of misfits are pulled through a portal to a mysterious world and embark on a magical quest to help save the land from the grips of an evil ruler and her army in this animated adventure, based on the Minecraft video game.
Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy
Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former love interest, Daniel Back to work and on the apps, she's pursued by a younger man and maybe - just maybe - her son's science teacher.
