WIA Newsletter October 2014

October 2014 edition

KEY DATES

PARENT NEWSLETTER WINTERBOURNE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

2 OCT

Early Closure 1.25pm Lessons End 1.30pm Buses available

2 OCT

Open Evening for Year 6 parents 6.30pm-8pm

3 OCT INSET DAY

8 OCT

Friends of WIA Meeting 7.30pm-8.30pm

24 OCT End of Term 1

01454 252 000

office@trfwia.org.uk

Achieving success through Motivation, Knowledge and Skills

MESSAGE FROM ACADEMY PRINCIPAL, MR R C EVANS At the start of the new academic year it gives me great pleasure to welcome our new parents/carers to the Academy and, of course, a warm welcome back to those of you whose children have moved onto the next stage of their ‘Academy Career’.

Examination Results During the summer we were again delighted to celebrate the excellent examination results of our Year 11, 12 and 13 students in their GCSE, IBDP, Advanced Level and AS examinations. I am pleased to report that our headline figures all improved on 2013. Press releases regarding these results were extensively covered both in the press.

A Level Results At A Level there was a pass rate of over 98%, with 51% of all students obtaining the very highest grades of A*, A or B. Some 70% of students achieved at least an A*, A or B in Applied Business Studies, Economics, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Philosophy, Photography and Textiles.

Nineteen students achieved 9 or more grades at A*A: Joseph Barham, Tilly Brogan, Peter Brooks, Caitlin Buckley, Joy Carlin, Iona Clark, Charlotte Craig, Maggie Davies, Emma Davis, Joe Evans, Natalia Golebiowska, Anna Ley, Aanand Mistry, Charlotte Ross, Joe Saukuru, Xinyu Shen, Thomas Sussex, Bethany Ward, Lizzy Weber.

Amongst the excellent individual student performances was Year 11 student Ximyu Shen, 16, who took her A level Mathematics two years early and achieved the top A* grade. Other top performing students included Kapil Agarwal (A, A, A, A), Anya Appou (A*, A*, A*, A, B), Louis Chandler (A*, A, A), Zoe Johnson (A, A, A), Kim Grosvenor (A, A, A), Anastasia Oates (A, A, A), Philip Sequeiros-Peggs (A*, A*, A*, A), Yan Zhang (A*, A, A, B).

IBDP

GCSE Results Results at GCSE were again very good, above local, regional and national figures with 73% of students gaining 5 or more A*-C grades including English and Mathematics. In Mathematics, 79% of all grades were at A*-C whilst in English the figure was 82%.

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These results were received in early July and WIA achieved a 100% pass rate with an increased average points score per student. Amongst the highest points scores were Zac Cazes (40), Oscar Hatfield (39) and Rhiannon Buckley (38).

Congratulations to all our students on their results which reflects the work they have put in prior to the exams and thank you for the support given by parents/carers. Our best wishes go to students who have moved onto university, further education or employment. In addition, I would like to thank all the staff for their high level of professionalism in preparing the students for their public examinations.

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office@trfwia.org.uk

MESSAGE FROM ACADEMY PRINCIPAL CONTINUED...

New starters As usual at this time of year we have welcomed a number of teaching and operational staff to the Academy.

For a full list please visit www.trfwia.org.uk/news/new-staff

New build It was a delight to welcome our students into the new facilities on 2nd September 2014. The capital investment programme is now reaching its conclusion with the Phase 3 due for completion in late December/ early January. At long last, we have the facilities that our students and staff deserve.

The Ridings’ Federation Winterbourne International Academy Donation Fund An Academy enrichment fund has been established in order to invest in your child’s learning environment.

The money donated is held by a charity called “The Ridings’ Federation Winterbourne International Academy – Donation Fund”. Representatives will ensure it is used to enhance students’ experience by improving the environment and/or facilities of the Academy. Students will also have a say, through Student Voice, as to how the funds will be used.

The Fund has supported projects such as The Sonic Arts Club where the funds helped towards equipment for student bands, under Mr Everson’s guidance and the provision of 30 ereaders for use with students as part of the Learning Resource Centre’s (Library) resources. Further details are available in the September Student Packs.

Friends of Winterbourne International Academy On 17th September 2014, The Friends of Winterbourne International Academy held their Annual General Meeting. The Friends’ work is greatly valued by all of the staff and students and this group have been able to fund enhanced facilities and resources which have made our students experiences more rewarding. Any parent/carer wishing to become actively involved should contact The Friends via www.trfwia.org.uk/friendsof-wia Achievements by students and ex-students • • •

Mia Botta – selected to represent Great Britain as a member of the skating team.

Matthew Baker, Jordan Gilbertson and Connor Groves – 3rd place at the National Finals of the British Schools’ Karting Championships.

David Haaz (First Class Honours in Computer Science – UWE); Nick Crane (First Class Honours in Business Studies – Worcester); Adam Shea (First Class Honours in English and Drama – Loughborough); Joe Payne (Masters in Engineering – First Class Honours – Southampton); James Harrison (Masters in Mathematics and Physics – First Class Honours – Southampton).

Sad news Miss Maureen Sedgwick, former Headteacher at The Ridings High School (1974-1995) passed away during the summer holidays. Miss Sedgwick will be remembered for her outstanding contribution to the development and success of The Ridings High School and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.

I would like to take this final opportunity to wish our staff, students and parents/carers the very best for the forthcoming academic year.

Mr R C Evans Academy Principal

01454 252 000

office@trfwia.org.uk

HIGHLIGHTS Due to so much going at Winterbourne International Academy and the incredible amount of student achievements last year we will use the newsletter for the Principal’s key message, date reminders, and important bulletins.

The website will be updated more regularly with student achievements and important news so you get this information quicker. The newsletter will summarise these and include links so you can easily access the stories you are most interested in.

Photos of the new build duing ‘moving in week Students at WIA may have had the luxury of an extra week of holiday this summer but it was all systems go for staff at the Academy as BAM Construction handed the keys over to the £19.3million new building. www.trfwia.org.uk/academies/photos-of-the-new-build-during-moving-in-week

Black Forest, German Trip - written by Y9/10 students Find out what Robert and Will Dewdney though of last years Germain visit http://www.trfwia.org.uk/blog/black-forest-german-trip-2014/

Bars and Melody reach Top 5 in Charts Winterbourne International Academy student Charlie Lenehan achieved a top 5 hit in the charts with Bars and Melody’s debut single, ‘Hopeful’. http://www.trfwia.org.uk/academies/bars-and-melody-ready-for-hit-single-inthis-weeks-charts/

Students celebrate A-Level Success At A-Level, 51% of all grades were at A*-B level, a rise on the 2013 figure and against the national downward trend. http://www.trfwia.org.uk/exam-results/students-celebrate-a-level-success

Our students excel again Of the total grades awarded 24% were A*/A and 78% were C or above. 19 students achieved at least 10 A*-A www.trfwia.org.uk/exam-results/our-students-excel-again-in-gcseexaminations/

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office@trfwia.org.uk

HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED...

Dinner money payments This term we have introduced a biometric system to pay for dinner money and access printers.Details to make payments can be found on the link below http://www.trfwia.org.uk/news/dinner-money-payments

National Schools Karting Championships WIA students achieve third place overall in the British National Schools Karting Championships Final at Whiton Mill http://www.trfwia.org.uk/academies/wia-students-finish-third-overall-in-thebritish-national-schools-karting-championships-final

Immunisation for 2014/15 The NHS has recommended that boys and girls aged 14 should be offered the meningitis C vaccination. Details online. http://www.trfwia.org.uk/news/immunisation-for-201415

£1422.22 raised for Teenage Cancet Trust Staff at the Ridings’ Federation of Academies voted during the last academic year for a ‘Federation Charity of the Year’. http://www.trfwia.org.uk/news/1422-22-raised-for-teenage-cancer-trust

Student Annie Lewis wins two gold medals Well done to Y11 WIA runner Annie Lewis, 15 and Team Avon who took part in two big national competitions recently. www.trfwia.org.uk/news/student-wins-two-gold-medals-within-two-weeks

Rugby Fixtures for Term 1 Rugby Fixtures during term 1 are now published online and are listed on the website calendar. http://www.trfwia.org.uk/news/rugby-fixtures-for-term-1

01454 252 000

office@trfwia.org.uk

HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED...

Students in South Gloucestershire Wind Orchestra win national award The  South Gloucestershire Wind Orchestra, which includes 12 WIA students, has won an award thanks to their performance at the National Festival of Music For Youth! http://www.trfwia.org.uk/academies/south-gloucestershire-wind-orchestrawin-national-award/

WIA awarded the British Council International School Award We have been awarded the British Council International School Award, which recognises schools and academies which have excelled in international learning www.trfwia.org.uk/academies/wia-awarded-the-british-council-internationalschool-award

WIA Video Check out our latest advert http://www.vimeo.com/107016899

Dinner menu and tarriff Visit the website for the current dinner menu and prices http://www.trfwia.org.uk/dinner-menu/

Gabriel and Leo Lee achieve more martial arts success On 14th September students Gabriel and Leo, part of Elite Chung Do Kwan in Staple Hill, competed in a UK ITF regional Championship http://www.trfwia.org.uk/news/gabrielleo/

Interested in any adult learning or fitness classes?

We currently offer parents and the local community a range of adult learning courses and weekly fitness/dance classes. http://www.trfa.org.uk/leisureandlearning/

01454 252 000

office@trfwia.org.uk

IMPORTANT NOTICES Consideration to our neighbours

Cycling and walking to the Academy

Please could all parents/carers be especially considerate to the local community when dropping off and collecting students. In particular, parking has been an issue in the Flaxpits Lane/ Bradley Avenue area. Your co-operation of this matter would be much appreciated.

Could you please also express the importance to your children of safety and consideration if they cycle or walk to the academy. Some concerns have been raised by the local community.

COMMUNICATIONS

Our social media profiles will provide reminders and news that has been posted elsewhere. Visit www.Facebook.com/ WinterbourneInternationalAcademy or www.twitter.com/trfwia . We also have Sixth Form social media pages.

Hard copy letters will often be given to students to bring home. These are generally subject specific and/or require action (i.e. reply slips). Letters home are added to www.trfwia.org.uk/parent-newslettersand-letters-home

There are a range of communication channels we offer so you can stay in touch with general information about the Academy and specific information regarding your child Parent Newsletters are available online every month and will include important notices, messages, and student highlights. www.trfwia.org.uk is updated regularly with news, information, and links. Useful pages include the events calendar, letters home, latest news, links to the VLE and SIMS, and the Parent/Student Information page.

For any time sensitive/urgent information we will send you are text message. e.g. Academy closure, unexplained absence, music lesson info. If you have changed your mobile number please let us know!

Emails will be sent in order to provide you with useful links or more detailed information. For example, a link to this newsletter! Please check we have your email address if you do not get these alerts.

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Login to SIMS Learning Gateway for up to date information on your child, including attendance records and behaviour points The student planners provide important dates and details on what homework your child has to complete.

Important news and student success stories regularly appear in the media.

Sometimes we may call or request a face-to-face meeting if discussions require a more details or personal touch.

We will continue to improve our communication channels, so if you have any questions, comments or feedback then please contact me.

Many thanks, Rob Phillips Federation Head of Marketing and Communications Email: rob.phillips@trfa.org.uk

office@trfwia.org.uk

KEY DATES

01454 252 000

office@trfwia.org.uk