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Our last full week in the Academy has been a busy one! While students are excited for their Rewards Days activities next week, they continue to work hard and we share the work they have been doing in English and Science. Over the past week, we have also had students in Year 8 taking part in our Construction Challenge, held a mock general election, organised a visit to a boxing gym as part of our Box Clever mentoring programme, and taken part in some amazing Personal Development and Careers sessions with our Ethos Team. We would like to wish everyone a restful and safe Summer, and we look forward to welcoming students and staff back refreshed and ready to go again in September! Sports Day and Rewards DaysThis Friday, all students should arrive in Q3 Academy Great Barr Sports Kit. The correct branded items must be worn as usual. We strongly encourage everyone to bring a water bottle and sunscreen, and to take hay fever medication in the morning if needed. We're looking forward to a great day of competition! Please also ensure that you have read all the information about Rewards Days which take place next week. Take particular note of the departure times, and please avoid parking in the drop-off zone as this space is needed for coaches. – Mr Price Start of Year ArrangementsThe first day of term for students moving into Years 7, 11, and 12 will be Wednesday 4th September. For all other Year Groups, the first day is Thursday 5th September. We look forward to welcoming students immaculately dressed, and fully equipped for the term ahead. Our term dates are available here on our website. – Mr Price Year 10 Students Gear Up for Inspiring SpeechesCurrently in English, our Year 10 students are diving into fascinating materials to gather information and spark inspiration for their upcoming speeches. 
This year, students must choose from two topics: AI and Social Media, both of which have a massive impact on young people's lives, and perform a speech that explores an aspect of their chosen topic. 
Students have already completed their planning sheets and are now independently crafting their speeches, gearing up to perform them before the end of the academic year. – Miss Russell 
Celebrating Maths Success This YearAs we approach the end of another academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the achievements and progress made within the Mathematics Department. It has been a truly rewarding year, filled with hard work, dedication, and numerous accomplishments. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all students and their families for your continued support and cooperation throughout the year. Your partnership is invaluable in helping us achieve our educational goals. 
Our Year 12 students have recently completed their mock exams, and I am pleased to report that they have shown remarkable resilience and commitment in their studies. The mock exams provided valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement, and I am confident that this experience will serve them well as they continue to prepare for their final exams next year. 
Our KS3 and KS4 students have finished their year by looking at constructions, demonstrating a solid understanding of this fundamental topic. Their enthusiasm and engagement in lessons have been commendable, and I am excited to see how they will build on this knowledge in the coming year. 
As we look forward to the next academic year, I am filled with optimism and anticipation. The Mathematics Department remains committed to providing a supportive and challenging learning environment that fosters growth and achievement for all our students. We have a range of exciting topics and activities planned, and I am confident that next year will be equally, if not more, successful. – Mr Machin 
Q3 Academy Great Barr Election Day!On Thursday 4th July, we held an in-house election during students' breaks and lunchtimes. Students were eligible to vote, and they could vote for five of the main parties based on their policies. 
The policies were shared thanks to an excellent assembly from Assistant Headteacher, Mr Mills. Students were encouraged to vote by staff who had dressed up for Culture Week as suffragettes. The results were as follows: 48% voting turnout, with a fantastic 67% of Year 7 voting! 
In first place was the Labour Party with 193 votes, in second place was Reform UK with 107 votes, in third place was Green Party with 75 votes. Liberal Democrats and Conservative Party were joint fourth place with 29 votes each. A big thank you to all the staff who helped out! – Mr Davies 
Year 8's Visionary Community DesignsYear 8 have been working over two weeks designing their ideal community. There was a brief to meet, and considering sustainability was a high priority. Students eagerly embraced the challenge, collaborating effectively in their Tutor Groups to design some truly impressive communities. 
Some of the plans included a solar pond, and VIP access around the community for more environmentally friendly vehicles. 
The winners had the confidence to share their plans with 220 students, which is no mean feat! This team proposed using only electric bikes and cars, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. Perhaps inspired by the Euros and Wimbledon, their community prominently featured a football stadium and tennis court. – Mrs Meredith 
Box Clever MentoringOver the course of the year, Box Clever has been supporting the Academy through mentoring and sports. Each term, students receive weekly mentoring with the opportunity to attend the gym at the end of the process. At the gym, they are put through an intense training session building on their physical and mental endurance. 
Students started with a warm up and then moved on to a number of competitive activities, including using the battle ropes, medicine balls, and punch bags. 
There was also opportunity to do some reflective work and mentoring, discussing some of the challenges young people may face in their everyday lives. 
At the end of the session, students received a medal upon completion of their mentoring programme. 
We are hoping to continue working with Box Clever in the new academic year. Well done to all students who have engaged with the programme this year! – Mr Kulyna 
Year 7 Resilience WorkshopsThe Ethos team has been busy this half term, hosting different events and workshops within the Academy. The first event was for Year 7, who had resilience workshops with the energetic and dynamic 'Chip K'. The year group had packed sessions which included music, games, challenges, and a presentation on the importance of resilience. They loved it! Well done to the winners of 'Human Bop It'. – Ms Anderson 
Year 12 Job Interview WorkshopThe Ethos team hosted the second half of 'The Journey To Employment' series for our Year 12 students. Vince Gordon, the Careers and Aspirations Specialist from Grace Foundation, came and facilitated the workshop. Students engaged in mock job interviews and gained new skills for having a successful job interview. It was a great workshop that helped prepare our students for the world of work. – Ms Anderson 
Year 10 BHR DayThe Ethos Team hosted a Year 10 event 'Building Healthy Relationships'. Over the course of the day, there were different workshops and a digital performance. Students had the opportunity to explore topics surrounding 'building healthy relationships'. The sessions were engaging, informative, and challenging for students. We had four different organisations come and share their knowledge and expertise about keeping safe online, where to go for support, and how to respect themselves. – Ms Anderson 
Attendance – Upcoming Changes to the National FrameworkThe local authority has shared a helpful guide to explaining the upcoming changes to the national framework for issuing penalty notices for students who fail to attend the Academy. This new national threshold will apply when students return to the Academy in September, an overview can be found here. – Mr Price Flu Immunisation: Help Keep Our Academy Community Safe!Vaccination UK will be offering the flu immunisation as a nasal spray or vaccine to all students next academic year. You can read about this scheme and provide eConsent by clicking here. We must have a completed eConsent form for every student. If you do not consent to the immunisation then you must complete the form to express that you do not want your child to be immunised in order to ensure that your wishes are respected. If you have any questions or queries about the flu immunisation or any other vaccination, please contact Sandwell Vaccination UK directly, the Academy are unable to answer any questions or provide advice on vaccinations. – Mr Price Upcoming Events
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