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This past week we welcomed numerous visitors to the Academy, including a lycée from France, and an ex-student who is now a professional footballer! We also had some of our students visit Lapworth Museum, as well as a Year 9 Anti-Bullying Event. Lastly, as usual, we visit some of our clubs and departments to find out what exciting things they have been doing. As a reminder, the Academy is closed to students this Friday for staff training. Rewards Days 2024We are thrilled to launch the summer term with the exciting opportunities in store for our annual Rewards Days for students in Years 7-10 & 12! All of the information about Rewards Days 2024 along with a copy of the letter and booking form can be found on our website. Geology rocks – trip to Lapworth MuseumOur Year 9 Geographers had the fantastic opportunity to visit Lapworth Museum of Geology. The Museum captures the imagination as our Year 9 geographers explored life on earth over the past 4.6 billion years. 
Visiting the museum ties in with the "Hazardous World" topic which students explored at the start of Year 9. Here are a few of our female geologists posing with Rory the Allosaurus. We looked at Rory's bone structure to tell us a little about Rory's active life. Say "Hello Rory" ! 
We explored how fossils, rocks, and bones can be used to show how the flora, fauna, and features of planet Earth have changed through each period and era. Different animals and plants thrive in different climatic conditions, so the disappearance of a particular animal and plant is clear evidence of climate change. 
In our workshop our students explored the physical properties of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, which then led into a great discussion on how they are used in the real world – to build infrastructure and to add intrigue to the design in our houses. 
Students showcased their knowledge as they answered many questions during our workshop session. Their behaviour was impeccable and they were excellent ambassadors of the Academy! – Miss Perkins 
Albion Star Fenton Heard Inspires Students at Q3 Academy Great BarrAlbion footballer, Fenton Heard is a former student of Q3 Academy Great Barr and volunteered to visit the Academy to meet students and staff. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing work the Albion Foundation are doing for the Academy through outreach opportunities and mentoring of our students. We are very grateful to have a second player visit this academic year. 
Fenton has played for the foundation from the age of 7. He continued to train for WBA and at the same time attended Q3 Academy Great Barr, completing his GCSEs in 2020. He always demonstrated exemplary attitude to learning and achieved really well. As a footballing star, he has recently made his debut for the first XI at the Albion, appearing in the FA cup tie against Aldershot. We look forward to following his career further in the senior team. 
Fenton engaged enthusiastically with two Year 8 students, sharing his career journey and encouraging them to pursue their sporting dreams. Both Imarna and Cian have a keen interest in sport and represent teams at Q3 Academy Great Barr and outside of the Academy. They were very keen to hear how Fenton managed his demanding training schedule, whilst at the same time, keeping up with important Academy work and his GCSE studies. Fenton also spent time with Year 10 in their football session. – Mr Brocklebank 
Year 9 Anti-Bullying EventOn Tuesday 9th April the Ethos Team hosted their first event. The theme was Anti-bullying and the Ethos Team invited members of the 'Rites of Passage Production' to come and facilitate workshops. The workshops included a jam-packed presentation along with a resource pack which enabled students to be engaged. Year 9 were able to explore what bullying is, the difference between relational conflict and bullying, and how bullying can have long term effects on individuals. #SayNoToBullying! – Miss M Anderson A Cross-Channel Connection with Lycée Saint Jacques de CompostelleQ3 Academy Great Barr welcomed fifty-five students and their 8 teachers from Saint Jacques de Compostelle, which is a lycée based in Poitiers, west of France. It was lovely to meet them for this cultural visit. The students were able to join a variety of lessons and participate in some activities with our students. 
Our students enjoyed using their French with their peers from across the Channel! They discussed their Academy life differences and similarities as well as their studies and future aspirations. They were curious and asked each other interesting questions in both French and English. 
Our visitors were also able to go to other departments and to take part in other lessons. At the end of their visit, their staff and students were so positive and grateful to have been welcomed so warmly to our wonderful Academy. We hope it is only à bientôt for now as we look to strengthen this relationship in the future! – Mr Savadogo 
Celebrating the Dedication of Year 13 Study Club MembersIt is with great pride that we dedicate a section of this week's newsletter to celebrate the commitment and hard work of our Year 13 students who have been regular participants in the A Level Study Club. Since the beginning of the academic year, students including Umar, Jai, Farrah, Sriya, Aleesha, Kamrun and many others, have consistently given up their Wednesday afternoons to engage in extra directed study. Their perseverance and dedication to study is commendable. 
As we near the end of the Spring term, it is important to note that this will be the last term for our Year 13 students before they embark on their examinations and the next chapter of their lives. From Monday 13th May 2024, students will be expected to attend the Academy for their scheduled lessons and examinations only. After this date, students are welcome to undertake their private study from home. Our pastoral team remains committed to supporting our students during this crucial period. 
In due course, we will be sharing each student's examination timetable. It is imperative that students attend their lessons as usual up until their last A Level exam for each subject and carefully check the dates and times of their exams. We advise students to arrive at the Academy at least 30 minutes before the start of their exams. A provisional outline of the exam timetable is currently available on our website for your reference. – Miss Benning 
Year 7 celebrate a big win against Sandwell AcademyIn the last week before the Easter break, our Year 7 and 8 boys pitted their skills in football matches against Sandwell Academy. The Year 7 team triumphed with an impressive 8-3 victory, thanks to fantastic goals from Kishan, Amari, Damari, and Callum. Despite a strong start and an early lead by our Year 8 team, they faced a challenging game with a depleted squad, ultimately falling 7-1. Well done to everyone involved! Let's carry this energy forward into the upcoming cup games! – Mr Hard 
Paris is calling for Year 7 Students!Students in the current Year 7 have the amazing opportunity to visit Paris next academic year. There are a limited number of places available. Therefore, priority booking has been given to students with the highest Rewards Score (Q-Points minus behaviour points) to reward students who are consistently ready, respectful, and responsible. Bookings are being opened by staggered release, so keep an eye out for an email from ParentPay if the trip becomes available for your child. Students can keep track of their Rewards Score in the Rewards tab of the ClassCharts Student Portal. Vaccination ConsentConsent request for vaccinations is sent out electronically and managed through the Vaccination UK Immunisation Portal. It is important that when parents/carers are sent a link to the consent form, they complete it in a timely manner to either consent or decline an immunisation. If you do not complete the form, this does not mean that you have declined consent for the vaccination, and the Vaccination UK Team will still need to see your child on the day of the vaccination to establish consent. The Academy is unable to answer any questions about vaccinations, or manage consent on your behalf. Therefore, please contact Vaccination UK directly with any questions or to amend consent status even following the consent deadline. Many frequently asked questions and contact details for the Sandwell Vaccination UK Team can be found here. Do you have any Business Dress that your child has outgrown?Our Business Dress plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our Academy and setting an appropriate tone. At the forefront of our planning for the next academic year, we are determined to support families that might be experiencing financial difficulties made worse by the current cost of living crisis. To help all students meet our high standards when it comes to Business Dress, we need your help to keep our preloved stock topped up! Lots of Business Dress items end up in landfill when students outgrow them or when they leave us. The recycling scheme is part of the Academy's commitment to a sustainable future and will help to create a bank of items available for students who may require it. Any items of Business Dress that you have to donate will be gratefully received by Student Services. Upcoming Events
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