A message from Mr Hoffmann
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the final edition of the Budmouth Newsletter.
It has been with genuine pride that I reflect on the past year, my first as the Principal of Budmouth Academy. The way that the students and staff have thrown themselves into the broader life of the academy has been superb and we have wasted no time in getting back to normal after COVID. I really have seen the emergence of a highly successful community this year at Budmouth. Teachers, teaching assistants and support staff have all played a key role in bolstering the student’s self-worth, and developing both a sense of their belonging and engagement in our young people; the guiding principles I wrote about in the first newsletter of the year are now starting to thoroughly embed.
I use the term ‘community’ because I have seen the students and staff working together much more cohesively this year. Being a young person is not easy. They live in an uncertain world where the impact of climate change, the influence of social media and the cost of living crisis is not without its perils. Likewise, I can never remember anyone saying they joined the teaching profession because it was ‘easy.’ Set against such a backdrop, it would be easy for pupils and teachers to give up, but together they show the resilience and determination to succeed. And they do this together.
This publication exemplifies the togetherness and positivity that I see everyday here at Budmouth; it is this that makes all of the trips, clubs, fixtures, competitions, performances and awards possible. One glance through this, our latest edition of the newsletter, or a quick scroll through our Facebook Page will tell you all you need to know about our students and our ethos. Life here at Budmouth is about so much more than just lessons and qualifications.
Please join us by ‘liking’ the Facebook page; it is by far the busiest school page in Dorset and we pride ourselves on having celebrated the success of hundreds of our students, every day and over the last 10 months.
Finally, I wish you all a relaxing and happy holiday and whether you are staying in the UK or perhaps venturing abroad for the first time in a few years, please stay safe and enjoy some time together with friends and family.
Regards,
Mike Hoffmann
Principal
The Aspirations Edge
At the Budmouth Academy we believe that there should be a clear and consistent focus on all students’ aspirations – their dreams, hopes, goals and their present efforts to reach those goals. Our core belief is that we should inspire all students to dream about the future and inspire them in the present to work towards those dreams. These efforts are fostered through the 3 Guiding Principles – Self-Worth, Engagement and Purpose – and the 8 Conditions that help drive each of the Guiding Principles.
The Aspirations Edge is a programme that we have designed to encourage all students to engage in activities that will help develop the 8 conditions, as well as developing key skills such as resilience, initiative and communication. For many students they will already be engaged in activities that are linked to the Guiding Principles, so this programme provides them with an opportunity to build their own digital portfolio. For many others they may well need more direction and the encouragement and support to engage in activities that will foster the 8 Conditions. The programme has four levels (Apprentice, Pioneer, Graduate and Master) and each student is able to work through the levels at their own speed and in their own time. Here are some examples of the activities completed by two students in Year 7 last term.
Students in Years 7-9 will receive an Aspirations Edge session once a week as part of their tutor programme and this might involve the opportunity to add activities to their digital profiles. Students in Years 10-11 do have access to the programme and are encouraged to speak to Mr David if they are interested in finding out more about it.
If you ever need any further information or support do not hesitate to contact Mr David at andydavid@aspirationsacademies.org
Mr David
Director of Student Leadership and Engagement
Sports Day
Sports Day was a fantastic morning of sporting extravaganza! We had the traditional sports day events mixed in with some other events to work on team building and having FUN! Every student in Year 7 and 8 took part in something this morning and had the opportunity to win points for their School.
Junior Prize Giving 2022
It was a wonderful feeling to welcome our fabulous Key Stage Three students to our 2022 Junior Prize Giving event. Parents and families packed the hall to see their children pickingup awards for Effort, Outstanding Achievement and Contributions to Academy and Community Life. Mr Hoffmann was delighted by the event and said "Well done to everyone and many thanks to the parents and staff who attended, it was a great night!"
Bath University Visit
Budmouth's budding athletes had an invitation to Bath University's Sport Development Village today for a taste of student life and professional sports pathways. They had taster sessions in world class facilities with top coaches and athletes. The students were a acredit to Budmouth in their attitude, commitment, effort and enthusiasm. A great day all round with more trips scheduled in the calendar for this fantastic facility.
Ten Tors 2022 Team
Mr Hoffmann was delighted to present certificates to the remarkable members of the 2022 Ten Tors Team. This year we took five teams which is incredible. Mr Hoffmann congratulated each student and praised the hard work and commitment of our staff and volunteers.
Sandy Park Trip
Just before the half-term Miss Gould organised a trip to Sandy Park, home to the Exeter Chiefs, for the girls rugby club. Miss Gould said 'it was an awesome opportunity to be trained by some of the Exeter Ladies Team and we all had the best time'. Budmouth were the only school among club teams which is testament to the growth of the sport and commimtment of our staff. After the training in the morning the girls got to relax and watch the Quarter Final of Exeter Chiefs vs. Saracens ladies.
Sports News
The Budmouth Academy Sport department orgainsed their first event to to celebrate the sporting success and sporting endeavours of its students. Although the department is proud of all the students that engage and work hard during lessons, the following have demonstrated real passion and have gone above and beyond in this subject area.
Additionally, a huge thank you to our guest speaker Ellie Aldrige (represents GBR in Formula Kite Racing) for her inspiring presentation on her journey to success.
It is also a great time to thank the Sport department who have worked tirelessly to provide over 350 fixtures and an enrichment programme that would be the envy of any school.
Sporting Engagement Award
Jack Birch
Danika Burt
Flynn Drummond
Esme Lamb
Sporting Purpose Award
Isaac Goodwin
Willow Charlton
Ben Cecil
Ashleigh Browne
Sporting Welf-worth Award
Rudy Randall
Emilia Mazur
Lewis Allen
Freya Cartwright
Outstanding Progress Award
Alex Lucking
Poppy Rogers
Charlie Barford
Olivia Numrych
Commitment to the Course Award
Martha White
Abi Pearson
Team of the Year - Mixed Hockey Team
Oli Clarke
Shannon Coughlan
Phoenix Derf-Wheeler
Becky Henman
Ava Hines
Sophie Loveridge
Owen Morris
Jacob Pearce
James Saunders
Icy Thomas-Day
Carter Wareham
Eva Woodward
Esme Carr
Dougie Middleton
Labeeb Ausaf
Team of the Year - Y11 Netball Team
Ashleigh Browne
Abi Pearson
Erin-Mae Foote
Katie Vallance
Laura Matthews
Katy Stone
Molly Allan
Olivia Evans
Holly Williams
Amelia Ryan
Yasmin Taylor
Riley Birch
Rihanna Nutman
Chenai Rance
Sportsman of the Year
Jack Pearson
Sam Melhuish
Sportswoman of the Year
Sadie Robinson
Sophie Harper
Pete Clarke Award & Sports Student of the Year
Ashleigh Browne
Word Count Competition Winners
Students in years 7 and 8 have been taking part in the Word Count Competition over the summer term. They have been reading and reviewing their books, once they have reviewed their book the number of words in that book is added to the class total.
This terms competition was very close but the winners were 70 and 8B, both classes read over 1 million words and were invited to the Resources Centre for a film and popcorn and where they were also presented with their award.
All scores are now set back to zero and the Word Count Competition begins again in September.