| |
We're looking forward to a fantastic Sports Day this Friday! All students should arrive in their correct Sports Kit and can optionally wear accessories such as bucket hats, socks, and sweatbands to support their team colour (Red, Green, Blue, or Yellow). There will be scheduled morning sessions for competitors to take part in field events, and then all students will be out in the afternoon for the track events and relays. As the weather forecast is very warm, it is compulsory for all students to bring a water bottle, which they will be able to refill throughout the day. We also strongly recommend sun hats and factor 50+ sunscreen. Students with hay fever should remember to take their medication in the morning, and those with asthma must bring their inhaler. 
Please encourage your child to join in the fun – whether they're competing or cheering on their friends, every student plays an important part. Year 8 and 10 PhotographsThis coming Monday, our photographers will be in to take individual photos of all students in Years 8 and 10. The updated photos will appear on their new ID badges which we will issue in September. All students will be wearing Sports Kit that day for the warm weather, so please make sure that your child wears fully correct Sports Kit for their photograph. Centre Stage at Birmingham Symphony HallQ3 Academy Great Barr was honoured to be one of only four establishments invited to Birmingham Symphony Hall to perform in a concert open to the public. Senior Band took to the stage, performing an electric and eclectic set of challenging music. 
Alice, Edith, Archie, Jude, Jack, Liam, Manav, Seren, and Beckham are all members of the Academy's Senior Band and rehearsed tirelessly to perfect the difficult material which amazed audiences and drew some of the biggest applause of the evening. Eisha, Ned, and Miss Baines joined as featured performers that further enhanced the already impressive setlist. 
Since their performance, Senior Band have been showered with praise from both within the Academy and the wider community. Headteachers from West Bromwich Collegiate Academy and Shireland CBSO commented on how impressed they were at the level of musicianship. Staff from our Academy also came to support. Mr Gurung was amazed by the talent, Mr Pol and Mrs Schwald-Samuel noted how professional our students were in their performance, and Mrs Sayer and her family loved the performance! 
Well done to all of our Senior Band students who represented the Academy so well and showcased their talent in such a prestigious venue. Thank you to all families and staff who have supported the Music Department and our students leading up to this performance and at the performance itself! – Mr Sassons 
Stepping into the Academy: First AdventuresLast week, we were thrilled to welcome 210 excited (and slightly nervous!) Year 6 students into the Academy for their transition day. The morning began with fun and interactive "getting to know you" activities led by our dedicated tutor team, followed by guided tours to help students explore and familiarise themselves with their new environment. 
The afternoon brought sunshine and sport, as students took to the field for a lively session of quick cricket. There were some truly impressive performances, with plenty of enthusiasm and team spirit on display. A special shout-out goes to Mr Richards' Orange Team, who in his own words absolutely "smashed" the opposition! 
The excitement continued on Day 2, with students diving into a range of enriching activities. They participated in a wonderful music session led by Miss Baines and Mr Sassons, joined by talented musicians from Years 9 and 10. Together, they built beautiful harmonies, sang their hearts out, and got inspired by the musical opportunities awaiting them next year. 
Students also turned into budding scientists, donning goggles and lighting Bunsen burners for hands-on experiments and investigations with Mrs Schwald-Samuel and Mrs Spencer. Their curiosity and enthusiasm were truly infectious! 
Between singing and science sessions, students raced around the Academy on a treasure hunt, solving clues from their earlier tour. Finally, we held an interactive session with our Ethos Team, offering valuable advice and tips to support a smooth transition into the Academy. It was a fantastic couple of days, filled with laughter, learning, and friendships. We're incredibly proud of how well our future Year 7 students embraced the experience, and we can't wait to welcome them in September. – Mrs Rowe 
Exploring French Speaking Cities Around the WorldAs part of our French class, we completed an exciting project on French-Speaking Cities. This group work allowed us to discover the cultural, historical, and geographical richness of cities where French is spoken around the world. Presented by several students, this project highlighted our ability to work as a team, research information, and improve our spoken French skills. 
One of the winning groups chose Montreal and highlighted the city's bilingualism, where French and English coexist. They presented Montreal as a dynamic and multicultural city in Canada with a strong Francophone identity. They also talked about famous festivals, like the Jazz Festival, and typical neighbourhoods such as Old Montreal. This work helped better understand the diversity of the Francophonie worldwide. 
Cotonou, the capital of Benin, was presented as an African city where French is the official language. The group emphasized Cotonou's importance in West African culture and Francophonie. They talked about music, gastronomy, local traditions, and Cotonou's role in cooperation among French-speaking countries. – Mr Savadogo 
A Special Shabbat ExperienceThis week in Religious Studies, Year 8 students have been learning about Shabbat. Shabbat, also known as the Jewish Sabbath, is one of the most significant and ancient traditions in Judaism. It begins at sunset every Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday, marking a period of rest and spiritual rejuvenation that has been observed for thousands of years. 
During this lesson, students learnt several key facts, such as the things Jewish people can and cannot do during Shabbat. One thing Jewish people refrain from is using electricity! 
During the lesson, students did plenty of recall, watched a video, did quiz questions, and ended with a deliberate practice task. The main task required students to write a guide on how to observe Shabbat. – Miss Mahey 
Introducing Our New Sensory Room: A Calming Space for Student WellbeingWe are thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new Sensory Room, a thoughtfully designed space created to support students who may need a quiet, calming environment to help regulate their emotions and sensory input during the Academy day. The sensory room is equipped with a variety of tools and features including soft lighting, calming sounds, and comfortable seating that have been specifically chosen to help students manage stress, anxiety, overstimulation, or emotional overwhelm. 
Many students, especially those with sensory processing needs, ADHD, autism, or anxiety, can benefit from having access to a space where they can reset and return to learning with a clearer mind. The sensory room supports emotional regulation, promotes focus and readiness to learn, encourages independence, and fosters inclusion. Whether a student needs a few minutes to decompress or a quiet space to refocus, the sensory room offers a safe and supportive environment to do just that. 
Students can access the sensory room through a referral system managed by our staff. Each visit is guided by clear expectations and time limits to ensure the space is used effectively and respectfully. We are incredibly proud to offer this new resource and believe it will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many of our students. The sensory room is just one of the many ways we are working to create a more inclusive, compassionate, and responsive learning environment. – Miss Merchant 
Upcoming Events
|
|
