Newsletter 2018

this issue

The Academy celebrated its annual Awards Evening earlier this year, celebrating the achievements of talented students.

Inspirational guest speaker, Daniel Powell, presented over 60 awards to students who had shown either academic excellence or had contributed to Academy or community life. Daniel also presented winners of ‘Whole School’ prizes such as ‘Contribution to Academy Life’ and ‘Contribution to the Community’.

The evening concluded with one outstanding student being voted ‘Academy Student of the Year’. That honour went to Kiah-Lilley Massey.

As this academic year at The Samworth Church Academy draws to a close there is much to celebrate and many happy memories to reflect on since last September. I hope you will find this bumper edition of the newsletter entertaining and a bit of a walk down memory lane. This has, as always, been a busy year with a huge range of activities and experiences taking place outside the classroom as well as within it.

Start of Autumn Term 2018 Inset Day

Autumn Half Term

My personal highlights have been our Awards Evening, our recent Values Week, our very moving and respectful Remembrance Service, the Bugsy Malone musical and the Dance Showcase but all members of the academy community will have their personal favourites. Outside of these huge events there are also thousands of smaller, but equally important, personal achievements. For example, I have witnessed many efforts to find positivity in times of challenge and to reach beyond perceived limits, many tiny but significant examples of students and staff providing service and kindness to one another and repeated occasions when young people are willing to offer leadership in a wide variety of ways. It is these small but vital moments, alongside the huge spectacles that make this Academy a special place to learn.

Over the Summer, we will be working behind the scenes to get ready for the new academic year, particularly as we welcome two new Directors, Chris Vallance (from Outwood Newbold Academy) and David Broomhead (from Dixon’s Macmillan Academy in Leeds), to the Academy to take up senior roles and supporting and congratulating our outgoing students as they receive their results in August. I would like to wish you all the very best for your summer holidays and look forward to welcoming all of our students in September refreshed and ready for what will no doubt be another exciting and fulfilling academic year.

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Half Term

Easter Holiday

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Choose 'The Samworth Church Academy' as your school on the app. That's it! You’re up and running on the Schudio App! On the App you’ll be able to see News, Events and Announcements from The Samworth Church Academy.

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Samworth Church Academy's girls have been playing well for Mansfield Rugby Club since the start of the season.

Students represented Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire and Derbyshire in the recent county games against Leicestershire and North Midlands as well as playing regularly for the Mansfield Rugby Club. Well done girls!

After a 20 hour flight, students and staff arrived in Cape Town on Friday 29th September 2017 excited to attend the Round Square International Conference which was, this year, being hosted at St George’s Grammar School. Students experienced a wide variety of activities including Baraza debating

sessions, leadership lessons, helping out in local nursery and primary schools, enjoyed cultural evenings involving piano recitals and singing to traditional Indian dances.

Thursday brought the closure of the Conference and goodbyes said to new friends before embarking on our very long journey home via Dubai.

Owen Rick, started racing downhill events in January 2017 and won his first race at the Stile Cop - Racers Guild Winter Series.

In September 2017, students experienced their first golf lesson at Coxmoor Golf Club and all thoroughly enjoyed it! Ex student, Josh Quibell, was also there to help train and advise students.

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After seven years training, eleven year old Frankie Ulyatt passed her black belt and qualified for the World Championships which took place on Friday 3rdNovember 2017. Frankie got through to the finals in all six of her categories, winning one silver and five gold medals.

An amazing year for Frankie; performing at the Martial Arts Show, featured in the martial arts illustrated magazine and qualifying for the World Championships.

Congratulations and well done Frankie!

Samworth Church Academy Student, Harry Whiteley, attended a Boccia Cup Tournament at Heathcote on Sunday 12th November 2017. He played three matches and successfully won all three. Harry advanced to the next heat of semi -finals which he won and then played in the final.

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Harry lost the final by a very close 1 point. Boccia England invited Harry to attend The Royal Albert Hall in Nottingham on Friday 17th November to showcase Boccia.

Once submitted, the Data Team will respond by emailing you with your login details.

Well done Harry!

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Samworth Church Academy student Kasey Meakin, first started ballroom and latin dancing eight years ago. Kasey began competing six years ago and maintains the title for the U16s Ballroom Nationwide Medalist Of The Year.

Cadets selling Poppies on behalf of the Royal British Legion at Asda over the last two weekends leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

Kirsty managed to acquire three Supadance League wins, nine North East area titles and six places in nationwide finals during the last two years.

2017 has been Kasey’s first year in the Under 21 category and to date has won, for the third consecutive time, the North East Area Championship. Kasey’s success continued in Blackpool recently, achieving a 3rd and 2nd place in her first U21 national competition.

Bookbuzz is a reading programme from BookTrust that aims to help schools inspire a love of reading in Year 7 and 8 students. Academy Year 7 students were given the opportunity to choose their own book to take home and keep from a list of 17 titles suitable for 11 to 13 year olds. They were all carefully selected by a panel of experts to ensure quality and suitability.

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Students from the Dance department took part in a professional Ariel Skills workshop at the DEDA Dance Centre in Derby.

Here the students took part in flexibility and strength conditioning, as well as learning new skills with a circus artist on the ariel apparatus, including the hoop, silk and trapeze.

Two Year 10 students attended the Round Square Conference at Felsted School in Essex.

The theme of the weekend was ‘Democracy Now’ which was packed full of thought-provoking discussions and interactive workshops.

Students listened to impressive speakers, such as Matthew Spacie, the founder of the Magic Bus project in India, Thomas Sparrow-Botero who is a Political and Security Correspondent in Germany.

The weekend finished with a tour of Cambridge. The students had a fabulous opportunity to make friends from France, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Romania and the UK.

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Charlotte has been doing Irish Dancing for the last ten years and has attended many competitions, both within the UK and across Europe.

Charlotte has entered six European Championships and eight World Championships which have taken place in Ireland and Germany.

This year Charlotte won 3rd place in the World Champions in Killarney, Ireland and recently won the title of British Open Champion 2017 at the world qualifiers. She is looking forward to entering the World Championships next year in Maastricht, Holland.

Eight Samworth students had a fantastic time in Denmark recently soaking up the Danish culture and playing some great basketball games against other Round Square Schools at Herlufsholm School.

Our very own Lucas Rigby was awarded the MVP trophy for his spectacular efforts, leadership and basketball skills. The boys got to experience life at a boarding school for a weekend and as a novice team gained the respect of their peers for their hardworking, perseverance and determination.

A winning victory of Samworth (14) Herlufsholm (12), left the coaches gobsmacked, the crowds cheering and our team overjoyed. What a fantastic way for the underdogs to show the power of true team spirit. Lucas was on fire, every shot put up, went in including the three pointers. The first half of the game was really a one man show with spectators chanting Lucas, Lucas, Lucas...... The teams' defence was exceptional against the towering Danish team. A tense last quarter saw The Samworth Church Academy team sneak into the lead with an amazing three pointer.

Our team wrestled for every single rebound and hassled the opposition off the ball. Herlufsholm’s coach could not believe what he was seeing. On the final buzzer players from the other Round Square schools came running on to the court to congratulate the Samworth Team. I just couldn’t believe how far they had come in two days - what a great way to end the tournament.

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As part of 'National Careers Week' students welcomed and enjoyed the many extra curricular activities provided with Year 11 workshops with employers from Lloyds Bank and Crown Aerosols, working on employability skills.

Year 12 and 13 students have been working alongside Simon Navin from JP Morgan who has been informing them about careers in Financial Services and apprenticeship opportunities.

As part of the Career Ready programme, Pendragon have also been providing training to Year 12 students.

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Year 9 student Benji Cornell, wanted to help fundraise for the 'Wish Upon A Star' charity.

The Dance Department had an exciting day in London at MOVEIT2018.

Benji helped raise ÂŁ130 by selling pin badges, bracelets and raffle tickets to win Easter eggs.

Well done Benji!

Five Year 10 students have been challenged to gain the courage to become active participants in the democratic process during their visit to the Round Square Conference in Herlufsholm.

Herlufsholm School welcomed our students to the country of HYGGE, the happiest people on earth! During the week, students have been challenged to explore their Bubbles – to think critically and to be open to trying new things. Students were invited to explore their own potential and discover where they are going!

TSCA students Finlay Holt, Eleanor Harding, Bailey Griffin, Laura Patterson and Adam Greasley were an absolute pleasure to travel with and to represent our school. They worked hard, were engaged with all the activities, made new friends and were amazed by how much their own confidence had grown throughout the week.

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The Samworth Church Academy

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Wednesday 19th September 2018

Year 13 Thursday 16th August from 8.30 am onwards in the hall.

Year 12 Thursday 16th August from 9.30 am onwards in the hall.

Year 11 Thursday 23rd August from 8.30am onwards in the hall.

Showcasing a large range of activities your child will have the opportunity to experience whilst attending this Academy.

The Samworth Church Academy Sherwood Hall Road Mansfield Nottinghamshire NG18 2DY www.samworthchurchacademy.co.uk enquiries@tscacademy.org.uk tel: 01623 663450

Ex Samworth Church Academy student, Keaton Ward, has signed his first professional contract with Mansfield Town Football Club as central midfielder and will now head into the U21 programme. The news follows an impressive two years for the 17-year-old as a scholar – with a number of consistent performances in U18 and reserve games.

Furthermore, the club has tied Keaton to a pro’ deal after interest from Championship clubs. Well done Keaton!

Year 12 (GCSE re-sits) Thursday 23rd August from 10.00am onwards in the hall.

Any results not collected on the day will be sent by first class post after 2.00 pm.

If any other persons, including family members, are collecting any results for a student they must have a signed letter of permission from the student whose results are being collected.

No results will be given out by telephone under any circumstances.

Results will only be sent to an email address personal to the student. A signed letter from the student, confirming the e-mail address, is required prior to results day. Members of staff will be available to discuss results with students on the day.

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This year, Sports Day was renamed 'Me in P.E. day' with the key concept of giving students more varied, inclusive opportunities.

For the first time ever the whole academy was active in at least one event, ranging from traditional athletics to boccia, high ropes and an obstacle course, there was something for everyone and it was a great success.

Year 8 student, Lewis Northridge, has built a bird nesting box single handed out of recycled pallets.

Supervised by Mr Freezer, Gardening Club Organiser and Supervisor, Lewis has hung the bird box in the copse at the bottom of the school field in a bid to attract more birds into the area. Lewis, along with Mr Freezer, will be checking the box regularly.

Lewis' next project is to design and build an owl nesting box to create a suitable owl habitat.

Well done Lewis and continue with the good work!

The Year 9 netball team played exceptionally well and successfully got placed second in the Central Venue League competition. Well done and congratulations girls!

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Lauren Greasley and Finn Hewitt passed the Cadet Instructor course with flying colours, both receiving a Highly Competent grade.

Lauren and Finn attended a seven day leadership/instructor course with the Army Training team over the Spring Half Term holiday. The Academy's Combined Cadet Force Leader, Mr Zak Needham, said " I have never seen a cadet get a 'Highly Competent HC grade before, never mind two".

Both students are now qualified to instruct Cadets in the Combined Cadet Force syllabus. This is an amazing achievement and shows how far both have come in their time at the Academy.

Finn has also qualified as a Cadet First Aid Instructor.

Congratulations Lauren and Finn!

Congratulations Georgina Tasker and Emily Bingley selected recently for the Loughborough Lightning U18s Girls Academy.

This is a great achievement for the two players who have worked extremely hard over the years developing into the players they are now.

TSCA Adventurers Climb Snowdonia On the 30th March a team of Samworth Adventurers set off to deepest, darkest Snowdonia to attempt to climb the height of Everest 8,848 m, on welsh mountains over the course of a week. We achieved more than we expected and climbed 8,850m in total - some of the mountains we climbed included Snowdon (twice), Glyder Fach, Glyder

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Fawr, Y Garn, Moel Ellio and Cnicht to name a few. The weather tried to defeat us sending snow, rain and hail storms but then on the last two days we were rewarded with glorious sunshine and fantastic views - which really lifted everyone’s spirits and gave us the push we needed to complete the challenge.

Outstanding Performance By Year 7 and 8 Netball Teams

Throughout the season our Year 7s and 8s have participated in the local Central Venue League over 4 different tournaments playing against teams in our area.

On 28th March 2017 we played in

Casa Cemento Beat The Competition At The Young Enterprise Awards Evening On 18th April 2018, The Samworth Church Academy Young Enterprise team, Casa Cemento, attended the Area Finals of the Young Enterprise competition at Vision West Nottinghamshire College. They were up against teams from all over Mansfield, Ashfield and Southwell.

The team have been working hard since October setting up and running their own business which hand makes and sells a range of concrete home accessories. They have previously attended a full day’s trade fair at the Four Seasons Centre in Mansfield where they sold their products to members of the public and judges from the Young Enterprise competition.

The team were asked to participate in various judged activities on the day of the Area Finals; including setting up a stall for inspection, submitting a business report, participating in a twenty minute interview with the judges and

performing a five minute presentation to a lecture hall full of people from other schools and the business community.

The team did a fantastic job and won the ‘Best Company Report’ award on the night as well as winning one of the coveted ‘Company of the Year’ overall winner trophies!

The Young Enterprise Team progressed to the Nottinghamshire Finals held at Nottingham University on 25th April. They won the award for Best Environmental Impact which was well deserved because of their efforts to run their business in a sustainable way. They were sadly beaten to the overall prize by a team from West Bridgeford but represented the Academy in an outstanding manner and made a great impact on the organisers of the event who applauded their innovative product and confident presentation.

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the final leg with both the Year 7s and Year 8s playing with our competitive and supportive Samworth cheer.

The Year 8 team came second with noticeable performances coming from Olivia Curley who’s play was influential at both ends of the court, helping us to gain and keep possession. Georgia Ferguson who took on the GK position, made some crucial interceptions to help keep our goal difference low.

The Year 7 team came first in the competition and we saw noticeable performances from Kiera Short whose powerful play helped her command the court. Amber Clarkson, who on her debut for Year 7, showed her skills helping dominate within the game. Huge congratulations to everyone for their effort, commitment and determination throughout both leagues!

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Students were taken to The Health Skills Show at The Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham recently to hear about a wide range of health care

professions from cardiologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, speech and language therapists, operating theatre staff and others.

The operating theatre simulation centre was a real treat seeing part of an intubation process on a very life like and interactive dummy. All the students completed hands on activities and answered questions on their way around the various workshops to learn more about the careers involved in healthcare.

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Four students from the Academy entered the National Street Golf Competition at Beedles Lake Golf Club in Leicester on the 9th May. The framework consisted of teams of four players split into pairs aged between 11 and 17 years old. Students enjoyed the event. It was a challenging golf course but everyone played really well and put a lot of effort into the competition. Students worked fantastically in teams, supporting each other and improving their decision making skills as well as their golf.

Students worked incredibly hard to create a powerful and moving piece that explored the mining strikes of the 1980's. The Performing Arts team are so proud of the dedication and commitment to the arts of our young people.

The Samworth Church Academy performed their piece at various locations around the stunning Lake Garda and introduced Italian audiences to a powerful story of our history.

During the trip to Italy students visited Verona where

they ate pizza, sampled gelato, walked the ancient Arena di Verona and stood beneath Juliet's balcony. Students spent an afternoon at a water park, had a disco in the hotel with a graduation for Year 8 students and performed their final show at Lazise with students giving it all they had got. Crowds learned about our local history in our spectacular performance.

Some last minute shopping was done before students finally headed home with some amazing experiences to share.

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Having arrived at Nesscliff Training Camp, students enjoyed fun packed days climbing, kayaking, lazer tag, water sports and problem solving tasks.

A four man team took part in an electronic shooting competition.

Students gained the opportunity to participate in military training with low level tactics including how to use night vision equipment and radios in readiness for their two day field exercise. Cadets really got into the swing of things.

One of my favourite highlights of this year was being involved with and being given the opportunity to introduce a new facet to our Year 8 Graduation Celebrations, in the form of an informal Church service.

During the service I shared a couple of thoughts from the story of The Prodigal Son as found in Luke 15:11-32.

You may or may not be familiar with the story. It is the story of a man with two sons, one of whom is impatient and wants his share of the inheritance sooner rather than later. The story goes on to tell of a father who succumbs to the wish of his son and the ensuing, less than savory lifestyle soon takes its toll. When the impatient son eventually comes to his senses and heads home he is welcomed warmly by his father much to the disapproval of the son who had stayed at home. The father reminds the sensible son of everything that he has and that they are celebrating the fact that the once impatient son is still alive.

There are many lessons to be drawn from this short story, but I will just share a single thought. In many ways the father in this parable would have been well within his rights to turn his son away, maybe to teach him a life lesson or even out of anger for the wasteful nature of his offspring. Instead he welcomes him home, offers his finest clothes and throws him a huge party. What the father is showing is not some kind of begrudging forgiveness but a wholehearted welcome home and a clear sign of a restored relationship. The giving of rings was very important in the ancient world and was a sign of wealth and position.

When the father gave his boy a ring it signified much more than a simple gift.

This is the same relationship that God wants with all of his children.

Irrespective of background, experience, inheritance and anything else.

Like the father in the story, God is always ready to welcome his children home. As God is willing and able to forgive, we too must be willing to forgive those around us that may cause us harm or hurt and to celebrate when relationships are restored.

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Sherwood Hall Road Mansfield Notts NG18 2DY Phone: 01623 663450 Email: Enquiries@tscacademy.org.uk