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This week, we visit the Music department who share what they have been doing in their curriculum area. We also look at what students cover in 'Life Skills' and share with you a recent visit from the Navy who worked with our Year 9 students. In addition, we had our parent coffee meeting which parents found very informative and useful, specifically in regard to knowing more about mental health. Finally, with exams only a few months away, we would like to remind students and parents about intervention and encouraging all students, where applicable, to attend the opportunities on offer. The Stage is Set: Battle of the Bands Returns!Following the success of last year's inaugural 'Battle of the Bands Contest', preparations have begun for the second installment! Pictured here are Func Band who have welcomed over half a dozen new members this academic year. We are excited to have three new guest judges who will give feedback to our bands and choose our overall winner. 
Func Band are not the only group to have begun rehearsing for this year's competition. On a Thursday, a plethora of genres and styles can be heard coming from the Music Department as a number of student-led bands practice their entries. There are also whispers of a new staff band preparing to enter the competition! – Mr Sassons 
Preparation, dedication, application: Rising to the challenge of Summer examsWe are now into the crucial build up to the Summer exam weeks and as an Academy, we know that this is the time our students can start to feel the pressure of those exams creeping up. To support our Year 11 students, we have a full timetable of revision and NEA sessions running every day. 
Year 11 students have their next set of mock exams in the two weeks commencing Monday 26th February and we are thrilled to witness the surge of dedication among our students, who are not just preparing, but truly embracing their journey towards excellence, attending as many of the revision sessions as they can. 
All attendance to revision sessions is rewarded with Q-Points and there are rewards available to students and Tutor Groups who achieve the most. The full timetable of extra-curricular activities and revision lessons is available on the Academy website, please do encourage your child to attend and make the most of all the help on offer. – Mrs H Perry 
Cooking up a storm!Life Skills Club has focused on developing students' confidence and independence in the kitchen. Students began by familiarising themselves with kitchen equipment by making cups of tea and Pot Noodles before moving onto developing their knowledge of knife safety, whereby they practiced various cutting methods when making fruit salad. After students had built their confidence, we began to use the hob and ovens. 
In the theme of Halloween, students made chocolate covered apples with sprinkles – yum! In the lead up to Christmas we made hot chocolates and Christmas cookies! Students have spent time researching their own recipes and ingredients to make both a stir fry and spaghetti bolognese! While the cooking has been met with enthusiasm, the students are learning that every chef must also embrace the less glamorous task of cleaning up after... – Miss Reardon-Allen 
Nautical Engineering Fun: Navy Tower Challenge Hits the AcademyWe were thrilled to welcome the Navy back to the Academy. A challenge was set for Year 9 whereby students had to build a communications tower. This supports the students in developing their communication, imagination and problem solving, and team skills. Year 9 were very competitive. A big well done to the two winning teams pictured. 
The photo below shows the Navy with a team testing their tower. It passed the height challenge but the structure wasn't quite strong enough. 
This team won because they all worked well together, passing not only the height challenges but also the stability and the hurricane challenge. – Mrs Meredith 
Parent Coffee MorningParents and carers came to join our informative Parent Coffee Morning, led by our Education Mental Health Practitioners from Reflexions, part of the CAMHS team. They enjoyed learning more about how social media impacts our young people and its effects on their mental health They had the opportunity to chat with other parents and professionals whilst enjoying some refreshments and a tasty pastry for brunch. 
Join us for our next Parent Coffee morning which is focused on 'Helping support your child with anxiety'. This takes place on Tuesday 5th March 9am. Full details and a link to book a place can be found here. – Mrs A Kudryl Miss Sylla hosts Zog after ZAFTA win!Zog enjoyed a week back in French after Miss Sylla's commitment to quality lessons was rewarded with her first ZAFTA win. She received this commendation for her carefully crafted explanations and for giving her students plenty of opportunities for deliberate practice. – Mr Mills 
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