Dear parent
Welcome to our new Oasis Academy Magazine COAST which Celebrates Oasis Academy Sholing Teamwork! The team have worked hard to give a flavour of the quality student experience ranging from individual subjects to different year groups. Well done to the students mentioned throughout our magazine and it really is a pleasure to see the stunning examples of work. I am proud of both the students and staff who have contributed to the production of the magazine at the end of what seems to have been a very long half-term.
I know that you will agree from the quality, depth and content of our new magazine that we really are “Striving For Excellence”. Enjoy the half-term and thank you again for your continued support.
A special shout out to Mr Webb, Mrs Gale, Mr Dale and Mrs Hughdie for making this possible.
CONGRATULATIONS HOLLY!
Holly F (9VS), has won a certificate and prize for her entry to the Rotary Club Photography Competition. The photograph has been chosen as the 'Best in School/Highly Commended'.
The Rotary Club will be delivering a framed version of her photograph along with a certificate and voucher in the next few weeks. Well done Holly!
Freedom of the City
We are very proud to recognise the involvement of Freddie J in Year 7, who was heavily involved in a project to get local resident, Bert Warne, awarded freedom of the city. This project began over two years ago and Bert was awarded this great honour on Monday 24th January.
Bert, now 102, is an Far East Prisoner of War (FEPOW) veteran.
Below is Freddie's letter:
Dear Councillor Fitzhenry,
At the age of 101, Bert Warne has walked from his home in Bitterne to a memorial 1 mile away, every day since 2003. The memorial he visits and looks after, represents the many lives lost during the World War Two battle against Japan. These lives be-longed to many of Bert’s comrades but most importantly, they were his friends. He is known as custodian of the stone which he has looked after singlehandedly for the last 18 years. Of the 20 prisoners of war who attended the installation, only he remains alive today.
This dedication Bert shows, mirrors the dedication he showed during his time with the British army. From escaping the sinking SS Asia to becoming a World War Two prison-er of war, Bert faced the worst of times under the strict rules of the Japanese army – digging the railway embankments by hand. Weighing at just six and a half stone, it was here he fell ill and was taken to hospital for a total of nine months.
Shortly after he was released, Bert was given a job cleaning huts in the camp. It was here he suffered a bomb attack, but once again, luck was on his side and he survived another near miss.
There is much more to Bert’s story and I encourage you to find out more about this amazing man for yourselves.
To be given freedom of his city would be a privilege for Bert and show him that we are thankful for to him, not just for the extraordinary things he did for our country and for the privileges we have today but for the fact that he continues to look after his friends and those who did not come home for such a long time. He is a true example to all who live in the City, we are lucky and very proud to have this man associated to our school and strongly feel that the City has a duty to recognise this special Southampton resident with urgency.
Thank you for your time spent reading this letter. I very much look forward to hearing from you soon.
Freddie J (aged 10)
£75 raised for Hospital Charity
Our Year 8 EXTEND students love to push the boundaries and enjoy the challenge of being asked to take on leadership roles. Recently, our students decided they wanted to flex their philanthropic muscles and decided to hold a charity bake sale and ping pong tournament for Southampton General Hospital. The hospital was very grateful to receive a donation towards their priority appeal which helps to make a huge difference to the lives of not only patients but also the staff who work there. Thank you to all who contributed and helped them raise £75.00 for our local hospital who do so much for all of us.
Year 7
It was great to see so many parents attend our virtual parents evening back in January, and we had our highest turn out since we moved to online events. Year 7 continue to excel, with the best attendance and second most reward points in the Academy, a great start to their time here. We have had a huge number of students getting involved in extra curricular groups too, and it was lovely to pop into Board game club last week and see lots of competitive but happy faces. We have an exciting opportunity for some students to be a part of our Kidzania trip, coming up after half term, which will be run by our careers department. This will give students the opportunity to test out different jobs in a miniature city where they can try their hand at jobs as varied as working for a newspaper, being a fireman or making chocolate! We will also have a delegation of our students helping prepare welcome boxes for refugees after half term, as part of our work as a School of Sanctuary. More on this next time!
Celebrating success:
Stars of the week for this half-term
Congratulations to our students who are still on 100% attendance for Year 7, having not missed a single day:
Year 8
Returning after the Christmas break feels a very long time ago now and with the mornings getting lighter and longer evenings, Spring has definitely sprung.
The best part of my job is walking down the corridors and staff members stopping to tell me how brilliant Year 8 have been. Sometimes it is to commend particular students, sometimes it is about a whole class, but generally it is to share their pride in the work that they are producing, the attitude that they have to their learning and kindness that the students show to others. It is these comments to show that Year 8 understanding what it is to be a student at Oasis Academy Sholing.
These learning behaviours have led to Year 8 having a commanding lead over the other year groups in terms of reward points.
Students with the most reward points in each tutor group:
Although these are the top students, there are a lot of very similar points totals in these groups and top spot is fiercely fought in tutor groups. A shout out has to go to the whole of the tutor group of 8VS who lead the whole year group.
Looking at the current totals, it will be a delight at the Easter break to hand out lots of bronze and silver badges. There are a handful of students who might even make it to gold in this time.
Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
The Year 8 Anti-Bullying Ambassador team have been pivotal is suggesting and improving the current role. Through their experiences, we have worked together to create a plan to roll out to other year groups, to train ambassadors in each year team, to offer leadership opportunities to the older groups and to offer peer to peer support. I thank them for their hard work with their suggestions and ideas and it is fantastic that we are able to use their suggestions to better support the whole school community.
School role models
Approximately 40 year 8 students have been involved with student appointment panels for new staff joining the school. At Oasis Sholing, we believe that it is important to recruit staff that will have positive relationships with the students and the best way of identifying this is using groups of students for interviews. Some of the students have been involved with the student panel and others have been giving guided school tours. This is a great opportunity to showcase our school and what really makes us tick. Thank you for all of the students that have helped out so far and Mrs Ridge and Mrs Kirkham speak highly of you and the role you have been given.
Communication
I know that many of you are in direct contact with the tutors. Please remember that we also have a central year 8 email address (year8@oasissholing.org) which can be used if you need to get in contact with any other member of staff.
Year 9
We have now reached the halfway point in our year 9 student’s time at Oasis Sholing. When they joined in September 2019 I asked them to imagine where they wanted to be doing ten years on, so when they were 21. I challenged them to have suitably ambitious visions for themselves, to create a vision that was the best version of themselves that they could be. We have been supporting our students to reach these ambitious visions.
Key Stage 4 Options
Over the last two weeks students have been finding out about the options choices available to them and will have started to make their decisions about which subjects they would like to focus on in Key Stage 4. The options guide is available on our website here. We know that very few students know what they want to do in future so the choices are designed to ensure that all students continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum which will not restrict their education choices in future. Our helpful careers team are available to discuss options choices if your child would like some support. Please get in touch with your child’s tutor or email year9@oasissholing.org if you think they would benefit from this support.
Options forms will be given to students on Tuesday 1 March and are due on Friday 25 March.
Mental Health and Social Skills
Year 9 had a visit from Pop / Soul Duo Billy and Louie at the end of January who did a live performance and Q&A on mental health, body image and cyber bullying. This was thoroughly enjoyed by students and staff.
The LINX project are working with our students in single sex groups over the next few weeks discussing subjects including relationships, gender stereotypes and appropriate behaviours.
Congratulations!
Well done to 9AS who have achieved the highest number of house points in the year group, also to Ben D, Jenny K, Ian M, Kiaran S, Jakub N, Luke S, Elexie S and Keira W have managed 100% attendance since March last year. Well done!
Year 10
There was a fantastic atmosphere around the cohort in preparation for the very first GCSE Exam for PE Btec with a fantastic result and I quote “The best results we have ever achieved” Well done Year 10. I appreciate how nervous some of our students were however through resilience and de-termination they outshone themselves. A massive congratulations.
Year 10 Stars of the Half-term
Year 10 Scholars
Year 10 have had the exciting opportunity to be involved in the Scholar's programme in association with the Brilliant Club. The Scholar's programme enables students to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to progress to the most competitive universities. PhD tutors share their knowledge and passion for learning with small groups and in 7 tutorials challenge students to produce their dissertation which is then awarded university level grading. After a rigorous application process, Mrs Gale and Ms Evans were forced to shortlist the worthy candidates down to 12 lucky applicants. The students began their ambitious challenge last month and are currently on their third session with Dr LuTheryn from University College London. We cannot wait to follow their progress!
Our fellow Sholing Infant School needed a little help from their big friends here at Oasis Academy Sholing, so off we went and conducted a little clean up. They have even offered to do it again this time with the little ones helping them out.
Year 11
Year 11 students have once again had a positive half-term. They are managing the challenges and pressures of upcoming exams extremely well but also continue to engage really successfully with all aspects of school life. They have thrown themselves headlong into their extended learning provision in a real drive to prepare for the second evidence assessment exams which commenced on 11th February. Our Year 11 BTEC students have had a productive half-term, sitting a number of important ‘real’ exams that contribute towards their final grades. They should take real pride in their application and dedication towards this.
Upon reading this update, students will have completed 6 days of their mock assessment window. On the whole students have again approached these exams in a mature and focused manner and feedback after half term will stand them in good stead for their final push towards the final GCSE examinations in the summer.
In year 11 we only have 9 teaching weeks left until our GCSE exam window starts on the 16th May 2022. This term we launched our Prom Passport which supports students study and focuses them on their revision plan with the final goal of attending Prom in July at the Hilton Ageas Bowl. I am delighted with the response of our students to the challenge we laid down for them to get 200 points from attending revision sessions and being engaged in lessons.
At this time of Year 11 we are expecting all students to have applied to at least one college. If anyone needs help with their applications, they can come to the Careers Office during Tutor Time or they can email the Careers Team: clare.jesson@oasissholing.org. Even if your child would prefer to do an Apprenticeship, we would encourage them to apply to college as a back-up plan. Please note that some colleges have deadlines coming up: City College’s deadline is the end of March 2022.
More support will be available after half-term for those students applying for Apprenticeships. If your child would like to receive this support, please email the Careers Team (see above).
Our Year 11 Senior Prefect team have been in engaged with some important and challenging content planning for World Book Day. We are proud to report that our Senior Prefect team has continued to go from strength to strength, representing the voices of our student community.
I want to wish you all a very restful half term holiday. With best wishes, Mr Chikiwa Head of Year 11.
Academy Parliament
Student voice is very important to us at Oasis Academy Sholing, and this year we have set up an Academy Parliament who meet each half term to discuss key topics such as Rewards, Uniform and Anti Bullying. Each of our meetings have had over 40 students turn up to represent their peers. Members of the Academy parliament have also been working Southampton City Council, towards making Southampton more Child Friendly. This has included meeting with the John Hansard gallery to develop a competition which will be launched across all schools in the city, filming for a launch video, meeting with Sallie White from the Child Friendly Cities initiative and meeting with Chris Brown, the Violence Reduction Unit manager for Southampton. It has been great to see the students getting so engaged with both the running of the school and the local community, well done to all those involved. Next meeting will be Friday 11th March.
New Directions
A number of our Year 9 and 10 students have been taking part in the ‘New Directions’ project this year. This has included sessions delivered by SoCo Music, MAST Theatre, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre with their final session with Artful Scribe spoken word coming up after half term. This has allowed the students involved to develop their talents in a range of different art forms as well as building confidence, team work and resilience.
Cyber Ambassadors
Last week we had the Police and Crime Commissioners office in to deliver Pathfinder Cyber Ambassador training to a number of our Year 10 students. They have been trained up to lead their peers in understanding the dangers and risks that are posed online.
LGBTQ+ History month
At OAS we pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive academy, and have an extremely successful and well attended LGBTQ+ club, who throughout February have created tutor resources and an assembly for LGBTQ+ History month. Well done to all those students involved in putting this together.
Eco-School
This year the school embarked upon the journey of being an Eco-School. We have linked up with Keep Britain Tidy to follow their steps to get a Green Flag Award. So far the students have done 10 questionnaires to determine how eco-friendly our school is. Our next steps are to decide upon a course of action to improve. Sodexo, our food providers, and WWF have partnered with the Eco-Committee to pilot a new programme of plant based foods.
Prime Agency
In early Feb, we had Billy and Louie from the Prime Agency come in to deliver a musical workshop and performance for our Year 8 and 9 students, focusing on Mental health and wellbeing. The twins, who had previously appeared on BBC1’s Little Mix the search, performed a range of pop, soul and funk covers for our students, interspersed with a seminar on Mental Health. Student feedback was very positive, with lots of students staying afterwards to talk to the musicians involved.
Schools of Sanctuary
Last year we were recognised as a school of sanctuary, for our work in supporting refugees in the community. This year, once again we are involved in the creation of ‘Welcome boxes’, small packs with a few home comforts to help people who have suffered extreme hardship and left their home with nothing. Many schools throughout Southampton will take part and our donations will then go into a city wide project where each school provides a different thing to add to the pack (toilet rolls, toothbrushes, soap). If you would like to support this project, we would gladly welcome any donations of packets of teabags, which can be handed in to your child’s tutor. By Friday 4th March.
About You
A reminder as we approach half-term as previously mentioned Oasis Academy Sholing is one of the first schools to participate in the “About You” Programme and #EndPeriodPoverty campaign in association with Tampax, Gillette and Always.
The free educational resources and supplies have ensured that our students are able to access free sanitary pads and other products such as tights, underwear and shower gel.
Since 2018 we have been able to maintain these supplies and as a large comprehensive each year receive over 3,700 pads alone!
This has been supported through the National Schools Partnership programme and a reminder that as we supported families during lockdown we also have free period packs for families if required.
This section is written in the Open Dyslexic font which is used increasingly in school for those with visual stress or dyslexic tendencies.
Sensory Room: Work starts over half-term on our new room, after a successful grant application. This will provide a new intervention for some of our students to access as part of their timetabled provision at school and will enhance our offering to students with known sensory challenges.
SASS and RE:Minds: We are working closely with two local charities, SASS and Re:Minds, to facilitate support for families who have children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, are on the pathway to diagnosis, or who want to know more about their presenting needs. SASS are hosting online meetings, soon to be on the school site. From SASS: 'We also can help with communication with the school and try and help with any issues. We are an independent service, and we are led by parents. All our staff are Parents of Autistic children and have professional experience. So we can understand what the journey is like first-hand!'
More information can be found on the Oasis Sholing Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact: southamptonautismservce@gmail.com
A note from Re:Minds: Autism in School Project - Do you suspect your child has autism? Is your child on the autism assessment waiting list? Is your child diagnosed? This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, share your experience with others and drive change within school.
More information can be found on the Oasis Sholing Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact: yasminhersi@roseroad.org.uk
Music Therapy: Oasis Academy Sholing, in conjunction with the Virtual School Southampton and Nordoff Robbins, provide a programme of therapy for students at school who have been through, or are experiencing, life challenges and may have additional needs. The program supports a wide cross section of students in all age groups and has helped them find a means of expression through music.
Did you know? - Your child's iPad has lots of functionality built in that aid access and learning, such as Immersive Reader in Word documents, speech to text and coloured filters. Filters, along with the extensive use of coloured overlays and books in school, can help reduce visual stress and make reading on screen much easier for young users.
Year 7
This half term students learnt about the social and economic development of countries through the study of Laos, Bangladesh and Singapore. Students discovered why some countries are rich whilst others remain poor, and what we can do to help improve the development of some countries. Next term Year 7s are studying a Physical Geography module on Weather and Climate.
Year 8
Throughout the Spring term Year 8 have studied cold environments such as Antarctica and the formation of landforms in the Lake District, created by glaciation. Students have learnt the important fact that Penguins and Polar bears do not live in the same location (as shown on BBC The Apprentice). Next term students are learning about Global Superpowers and later in the year Coasts. Date for your diary Friday 27th May a Year 8 trip to Hengistbury Head – more details to follow.
Year 9
This year we have looked at global issues and the impact man is having on the Planet. Students learnt about coral bleaching, climate change and overpopulation. More recently students have studied Tropical rainforest learning how plants have adapted to this unique environment, and why humans are destroying them. Next term the focus is on deserts.
Year 10
Students have been learning about River processes, different landforms and flooding events. We discussed the recent flood-ing along Weston Shore and also how the River Itchen changes from source to mouth. Our next topic is Coasts which includes the compulsory Year 10 fieldwork visit to Highcliffe and Lyndhurst. These are scheduled for Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th May. More details to follow shortly.
Year 11
Students are revisiting all previous topics and practicing ex-am skills connected to their AQA GCSE Geography course. In March students will be given a Pre-lease booklet linked to Paper 3, where they will need to interpret information and make a decision regarding the topic of study. Year 11’s need to be using their key knowledge to quiz each other and focus on retrieving knowledge.
TOP GEOGRAPHERS
Year 7 Top Geographers are: Luke B and Thomas P for amazing geographical knowledge.
8 Top Geographers are: Harvey M and Sophie L for excellent detail in their work.
Year 9 Top Geographers are: Alfie O’T and Julia F for a great attitude to learning in lessons.
Year 10 Top Geographers are: Dea Miller and Jessica T-P. Excellent classwork and striving for excellence.
Year 11 Top Geographers: Rachel S who works incredibly hard in lessons, always striving to challenge herself. Keira T always challenges herself and asks how she can improve what she is doing.
Year 7 the class of 2021-2026 created a wall hanging about the Oasis 9 Habits and then personalised it for Oasis Academy Sholing with iconic images of Southampton.
We are looking forward to doing the Spirited Arts competition with Year 7 soon. Here are some of the winning entries from last year.
We also look forward to taking our GCSE Religious Studies students to Winchester Cathedral and the Vedic Hindu Temple in Southampton.
TOP RELIGIOUS STUDENTS
Our Religious Studies stars, who have an amazing attitude to learning and produce exceptional work are:
Year 7: Eve T and Layton W
Year 8: Bernard M and Olivia F
Year 9: Zuzanna L and Luke O
Year 10: Gisele F and Lewis M
Year 11: Oliver P and Charlotte L
Year 7
Students have been learning to play Shape of You on the Keyboard. This scheme introduces students to keyboard skills, learning the names of the notes and familiarity with how pitch works on a keyboard. The scheme deliberately teaches children to play by ear, with very simple notation, so that the focus is primarily on enjoying playing familiar parts quickly. This builds students’ confidence playing the piano and means that they are prepared for more challenging content that is covered later in the year. The Keyboard skills unit builds character through developing a sense of confidence in performing individually. Students will develop the skills and confidence required to be able to play a solo keyboard piece fluently and accurately. Alongside this, students will develop empathy and humility through listening to other performers in the class and giving constructive feedback. Students will also have the opportunity to work in pairs; developing team work skills. The Keyboard Skills project gives students a tangible and real-life skill – playing the keyboard – that they can use both in future OCL schemes and also as a skill for life. It also gives students the skills and confidence to become performers and they can develop this love of performance in future concerts and concert opportunities both within the academy and wider community. By the end of the unit students are able to Identify and define riffs, chords, bass lines and melodies. As well as play the riffs, chords, bass lines and melody from Shape of You by Ed Sheeran. Students understand principles of practice and how to improve instrumental skills, developing general musicianship, internal sense of pulse, understanding of pitch and confidence performing solo.
Shoutouts –Mylee Harris - Y7, Oliver Hayward Y7, Darcey Jenkins Y7, Jaden Affleck Y7, Bethany-Leigh Catlyn Y7
Year 8 and 9
Due to Covid year 8 and 9 are following the same unit as Year 9s were in Bubbles and were unable to use all the instruments available to them. Students have been learning how to play Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi and Crown by Stormzy as a whole class band. This scheme aims to give all students an experience of playing as part of a successful whole class ensemble, teaching the rehearsal skills and discipline required for this. It marks a significant turning point in the KS3 music curriculum. Up to this point, all students have played the same instruments, learning basic technique in drums, singing, guitar and keyboard. This scheme allows students to choose an instrument for the first time. Students remain on their instrument of choice for all following units that use these instruments, allowing each child to develop their musical identity and ensuring that they have as much time as possible to develop their skills on the instrument of their choice. Students develop empathy, awareness of their impact on others and resilience as they practice independently and together and experience the progress that is the result of hard work. Students grow a sense of pride as they rehearse and perform in a successful large ensemble and prepare for a concert for their community.
Shoutouts - Harley Hampton Y8, Lenny Howard Y8, Tiani Badham - Year 8, James Humby-Farmer Y8, Sophie Lee Y8, Heidi Barrett Y9, Freya Gale Y9, Miles Baker Y9, Kaleb Barnes Y9, Kornelia Bem Y9
Year 10
Students have been creating Genre PowerPoints, a detailed practical and theoretical look at different genres. They have been developing their understanding of different types of music product and the techniques used to create them, exploring how musical elements, technology and other resources are used in the performance, creation and production of music. They have practically explored the key features of different genres of music and music theory and applied their knowledge and understanding to develop their own creative work. So far students have looked at Rock (Queen – Fat Bottom Girls), Disco (Earth, Wind and Fire – September), Blues (B.B King), Indie Rock (The Killers – Mr Brightside), House (Frankie Knuckles – Your Love), Dubstep (Skrillex – Bangarang).
Shoutouts – Georgie Butler, Charlie Guy, Jay Hatton, Jaiden Lane, Erica Lee
Year 11
Students have been preparing for their final exam which is to turn an entire song into a different genre. This is in a similar vein to bands like Post-Modern Jukebox. They have been working to their strengths and interests and applying the skills that they have learned throughout their course in a practical way. They’ve focussed on one particular area of the music industry that excites and appeals to them by responding to a commercial music brief as a composer, performer or producer. Students have been learning how to explore different briefs and investigate possible responses and ideas to meet the demands of the brief. Students explore the target audience, commercial, collaborative and experimental aims and purposes of a brief. They then use relevant resources, skills and techniques they have learned to develop and refine musical material before presenting a final response. The last part of this exam is evaluating their own work through a written exam, this is something we have been practicing most recently.
Shoutouts – Shannon Lanaghan, Macey Witt, Caitlin Chappell, Harrison Day
DRAMA
Drama Club Christmas Show
With members spanning from Year 7 to Year 10, students showcased their commitment, dedication, creative flair and wonderful creation of characters in their production of A Modern Christmas Carol!
Well done to all involved! You put on a thoroughly creative, comic, and joyful show!
Theatre trip
In January Year 10 and Year 11 Drama students attended an evening performance of Everybody’s talking about Jamie at the Mayflower theatre Southampton.
The cast of Everybody’s talking about Jamie excelled in portraying the true life story of Jamie New and his journey to achieve his dreams. The performance has wowed audience members across the country, and has provided GCSE Drama students with outstanding moments of theatricality to analyse in their Live Theatre Review section of the exam paper.
Key stage 3 have honed their skills in devising from a stimulus this term, as well as turning their hand to realising their creative visions on stage in their scripted performances…
Year 7 : Students have explored characterisation through process drama and devising from a stimulus this term. Utilising techniques of hot seating, tableaux, thought track, direct audience address, audience interaction, and storyline chronology to bring to life their own devised performances with wonderful creativity!
Year 8 : From the comic adventures of the script The Perils of Pauline came high octane chase scenes, mistaken identities, no end of would be assassins, in this play packed with high jinx capers! Utilising techniques of soundscape and body as prop, students triumphed in whole class performances which showcased their creative adaptations of the crime comedy genre!
Year 9: With a focus on Directors creative vision, year 9 have excelled in creating original, creative, and highly imaginative performances this term. Whether devising original storylines from a stimulus, or exploring the staging possibilities for scripts - year 9 have demonstrated outstanding skills in collaboration, leadership, planning, and innovation, in bringing their performances to life with thoughtful consideration to the effects created for their audience.
Year 10: Students have been working fantastically on the GCSE Set Text Blood Brothers for Component 1. Delving into each characters development across the play, exploring key scenes, the historical context of the play and the social / political climate of Britain in the 1960s to the 1980s!
Year 11: Having completed their devised performances and 2500 word written logs for Component 2, students have launched their Scripted Performances for Component 3 – rehearsing and honing their acting skills ready for their assessed performances!
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Year 7: To shake off the winter blues this term the students have been busy preparing and cooking healthy snacks and main meals. They are becoming confident at chopping a variety of vegetables to make some nutritional dishes to enjoy. There has been a real buzz in the kitchens as they get creative, multitasking, and practicing their vegetable chopping. Our budding young chefs are super keen and are telling their food teachers that they are helping at home sharing their repertoire of recipes with their families.
Year 8: Multicultural cooking is the theme this term. Students have embraced new challenges as they prepare and cook a variety of dishes from around the world. All the dishes include fresh ingredients using seasonings, spices, and herbs to give them that extra kick.
It is great to see enthusiasm each week and their skills developing to ensure they are producing top quality work.
Year 9: It has been a great term so far; the students have been cooking up a storm during the cold weeks, but they have been toasty in the kitchen learning how to make their own “fakeaways”.
This has been so successful that our fantastic clever chefs are recreating these family favourites at home, saving money on the Saturday takeaways. These dishes are nutritional, low fat, no hidden sugars and salt, and packed with fresh ingredients.
Year 10: In the GCSE Food lessons this term, the year 10 students have been using their inquisitive minds. By conducting a range of Food Science experiments, they are finding out how and why ingredients work in a certain way. During their Food theory lessons they have explored the function and chemical reactions of ingredients.
They have used this knowledge to make a range of high skilled dishes.
Year 11: We would like to pass on our congratulations to our wonderful hard-working Year 11 Food students. We have been really impressed in the Food Department with the drive and determination from our students this year. They have almost completed their NEA 2 and demonstrated high skilled technical dishes. This time of year, is always a bit challenging for the students as they are trying to please all their subject teachers, completing their coursework, revising for the mocks. Well done, keep going you are almost there!
TOP FOODIE HEROES
YEAR 7: This terms Foodie Heroes are: Crystal Hibbert and Curtis Wilkinson.
YEAR 8: This terms Foodie Heroes are: Louisa Adams and Jake Curtis.
YEAR 9: This terms Foodie Heroes are: Samuel Gray and Mia Trudgeon.
YEAR 10: This terms Foodie Heroes are: Caitlin Dries and Jake Brice.
Year 11: This terms Foodie Heroes are: Megan Coady and Joe Abbess
We have really seen some of our students come a long way this year so far; their passion is exciting and we can see we are growing the next generation of Computer.
Robot Lego Club
In a joint venture between the Computer Science and Science departments, a core group of able year 7 students have been building robots and are now programming them to complete different obstacle courses. Hayden, Michael and Elliot are assisted by Iza (Y9) who is mentoring them.
TOP COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS
Y7 - Holly Bailey - eager and knowledgeable in class discussions.
Y7 - Rafael Goncalves Saboia – enthusiastic in lessons, eager to answer questions and contribute to class discussion, will always look to help the students around him.
Y8 - Caitlin O'Brien - helped a new student whose account had not been set up allowing her to take part in the lesson.
Y8 – Raul Peica – shown great dedication in both lessons and computing robotics club, great to see his enthusiasm at work.
Y9 – Finley Piolanti – great attitude in lesson and always works hard, pushing himself to complete difficult challenges.
Y10 - Lia Rose - consistently high quality iMedia work, always focused.
Y10 - Tony McGough – always works hard in lessons and is never afraid to ask for help.
Y11 - Callum Griffiths – is currently in the process of building his own computer after school.
Y11 - George Misselbrook – working hard to ensure he completes his work to the best of his ability and his great work ethic is evident in everything he does.
Game on Lead Programme: Our 12 Girl’s Football Activators have begun their Game On lead programme. This is a national programme that tasks our students with raising the profile and opportunities for girls to play football, with the mission being that all girls have equal opportunity to play football by 2024. Our Girl’s Football Activators have a journey ahead of them to research, plan and deliver an exciting girl’s football opportunity for our student’s at Sholing. They then present their findings and experience to a member of the FA where they will then receive their national Youth Sports Trust award.
U16 Basketball: The U16 boys arrived at Hamble with a depleted squad but showed real character and determination to finish the first quarter with a lead. The second and third quarters passed by and the Hamble players had pulled the lead back to lead themselves. The final quarter was very close but a superb three pointer from Rodrgo Nunes gave Oasis Academy Sholing a much needed boost, and in the final minutes after this the team finished with a flurry off points to win comfortably 37-24. An excellent performance from the team which included debuts from Connor Balcomb and Kieron Brooks in addition to regulars Harry Cannon, Nicky Lin, Pierre Oakley, Bobby Cullum and Rodrigo Nunes.
U14 Basketball: The U14 boy's basketball team had some great encounters this half term, with a win against Chamberlayne and two tight losses to Bitterne Park and Swanmore, the top two teams in the division giving our students valuable experience.
Year 9 Weightlifting Club:
The Year 9 Weightlifting Club started two weeks ago, with an external coach coming in from Lakeside Weightlifting Club. Our students have been learning all about the techniques, safety, and knowledge of the sport.
U12 and U13 Netball:
Well done to the year 8 netball team who have made a brilliant start to their first set of fixtures this year. Every Tuesday the students representing this team have been committed to their league matches which are kindly being hosted by Redbridge School this term. Due to Covid this team have been unable to take part in matches outside of school since starting in year 7, so this has been a great opportunity for them all to put their hard work and efforts from training into practice, which the students have been patiently waiting and 'buzzing' for.
The team have demonstrated a great level of excitement, energy and team spirit during their matches against a number of other schools so far. Their toughest competition to date has been St. Annes School who are renowned for often winning the league. Despite this being the teams first loss they battled throughout the whole match, with the St. Annes teacher congratulating them for being 'their most challenging opponents so far'. It has been great to see the students developing as a team week by week, so we are all excited to see what happens in the remaining fixture.
Year 10 BTEC Sport:
Our Year 10 BTEC Sport exams generated our best ever results, with a few more to be processed we are excited to collate the official figures. Well done to the Year 10 students who have worked incredibly hard and had to deal with a postponement of the exam before Christmas, but still delivered fantastic results.
TOP SPORTING HEROES
Connor Baulcomb, Kieron Brooks, Harry Cannon, Nicky Lin, Pierre Oakley, Bobby Cullum and Rodrigo Nunes
Big Ideas Competition
On Friday 7th January we launched the ‘Big Ideas’ programme with the organisation 'Solutions for the Planets’. Students from year 8 were given the opportunity to explore some environmental and sustainability issues that are close to their hearts.
The representatives from Solutions for the Planet were so impressed with their hard work and amazing ideas that they have been invited to continue their explorations by turning them into workable prototypes. They have been given the chance to compete regionally against other schools in the area! If successful, they will move onto the national competition.
Our current competing teams: Team G.R.O.W.T.H with Grace, Phocea and Darcey who are working on a mental health mindfulness project. Team Calm are Annika, Laila, Chloe and Georgia working on a recycling and animal conversation project
Watch out for news of our third team coming soon and for further news and updates on these fantastic projects as they evolve.
TOP SCIENCE STUDENTS
We have a hardworking Science team who strive to always get the very best out of their students. This leads to an equally hard-working student body, some of whom we have shout outs for! Here are some of our ‘Science Superstars’:
Y7 – Layton Wardle – always asks such intricate questions and demonstrates such passion for science.
Y7 – Lillian Brindley - consistent hard work every science lesson.
Y7 - Frankie Smith - Frankie has grown not only in confidence with science but confidence to take part in the lesson, answer questions and work his hardest every lesson. I am very proud of him.
Y7 - Sofie Legg – amazing hard work.
Y8 - Meghan Read - Working really well, pushes herself to get to answers, always answers stretch and challenge questions.
Y8 - Mason Broadie - working consistently hard, always contributing in lessons and demonstrating his enthusiasm for science which is infectious to all those around him including me!
Y8 – Imogen May – positive attitude to learning, can-do attitude, hardworking, always supports her peers.
Y8 – Dylan Whicher – working extremely hard.
Y9 - Heidi Barratt - Heidi works consistently hard, displaying her book perfectly and with pride. Heidi is always contributing in lessons, finishing all the tasks I set and pushing herself to work her hardest every lesson.
Y9 – Lilly Wilson – always trying her hardest, actively engaged, on-task behaviour
Y9 - Julia Fairclough – Great progress, wonderful book, 100% focus through the lesson, homework always in and to a high standard.
Y10 - Alexander Crow – excellent focus, beautifully laid out work, great attention to detail.
Y10 - Dea Miller - Working incredibly hard, always happy to try and answer, even when she is unsure.
Y10 - Brook Spearing - incredible work ethic, trying really hard to improve, always try their best.
Y10 - Dominic Zygmaniak - Dominic has shown incredible scientific understanding and always tries his hardest. I am so proud of how hard he works every lesson and seeing him pushing himself to achieve his best has been amazing!
Y11 - George Buchanan - always works hard, joins in with class discussions, isn't afraid to have a go.
Y11 - Logan Cardigan - Logan started year 11 lacking confidence in their scientific ability and it has been my pleasure over the last few months to watch them grow into a hardworking, confident and enthusiastic scientist. They consistently work hard, answer questions, engage in the lessons while supporting those around them and I am very proud of them and what they have achieved.
Y11 - Dylan Hunt - Dylan has been working consistently hard, always contributing in lessons, finishing all the tasks I set and pushing himself to work his hardest every lesson.
Y11 - Mia Street – has been making amazing progress across the terms, work is to a high standard and a great attention to details.
In KS3, we have begun our ‘Shakespeare Season’ which means we have been exploring the history, culture, and literature of both the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. We find that students love studying these plays, bringing parts to life and having the opportunity to be creative as well as analytical.
At KS4, our students have been studying or revising our rigorous GCSE texts. Year 10 have just been introduced to Jekyll and Hyde and we have been continuing to build upon their thorough knowledge of the Victorian era. Good luck to our Year 11 students on their next round of assessments.
As a department, we have entered the Rotary’s Young Writer Competition for a number of years. This year, we have had another success as one of our Year 9 students has one the regional final of the competition and has been elevated to the district final level. This is a great accomplishment and really encourages our students to see that their work is acknowledged and appreciated beyond the classroom. Well done, Iza Kurowska!
Literacy
Reading Plus has been successfully launched across the school. This is a new piece of software that all students have access to and it will run alongside Accelerated Reader. It will enable them to access a vast range of new and exciting texts to boost their reading ages.
Each KS3 year group has a reading club that is run weekly by one of the members of the English department. This is a great opportunity for our students to read and discuss a challenging text to which they might not always have access.
Our librarian, Mrs Ridley, is leading a World Book Day competition and is creating an exciting opportunity for our students to feel enthused by books. Our Year 11 Senior Leadership Team are also lead-ing multiple events to create a buzz for World Book Day, including a raffle and competition.
Finally, some of our students have begun a pen pal scheme with a school in Finland, so far they have exchanged their introductory letters. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to broaden their horizons, interact with people from other cultures and hopefully make new friends.
MEDIA
Year 10 have been making fantastic progress. They have just finished their study of magazine covers, paying particular attention to how meaning is embedded In the media language used and exploring representations of femininity and ethnicity. Their next set product focuses on daily newspapers and students will be analysing both The Sun and The Guardian newspaper in order to understand who are the audience, how the newspapers are regulated and funded.
Year 11 spent the first three months of the year producing their NEA which is worth 30% of the GCSE. Students have produced fantastic media products from music videos to magazine front covers and have currently been extremely busy preparing for their forthcoming mock examinations, which for this year group means revising their knowledge of crime dramas, music videos and online media.
TOP MEDIA STUDENTS
YEAR 10: PIERRE OAKLEY & RUTH PERRY
YEAR 11: NATE GRIFFIN & JOE ABBESS
Greetings from Mr Parsons, Mrs Jeffery, Mr Dale and Mrs Sydenham. We are all incredibly proud of our students and hope that this gives you a little flavour of what students have been learning.
Year 7
Year 7 students have proven to be great scholars of the 11th century. We began our journey through History in September by looking at the city of Constantinople through the eyes of Empress Zoe. Constantinople, the city that bridged Europe with Asia. The city that continued with Roman traditions long after the Roman Empire had collapsed. The city that had to deal with threats from the East, with Muslim incursions and threats from the Vikings and Normans from the West. Our scholars learnt that the Muslim world was rich in trade and promoted the love of science. Knowledge, goods and ideas spread through the extensive network of caravanserais. Students cheered the achievements of Abbas Ibn Firnas, the first man to fly and were left perplexed by the great hostilities the great cities of Cordoba and Baghdad showed to each other. Religion throughout Latin Christendom kept the western powers in check. We’ve learnt about the importance of relics and how the priests in Conques, a small town in the Pyrenees were prepared to spy, lie and subsequently steal the great relic of St Foy.
And then there was 1066! A turning point in English History. Anglo-Saxon England ended on the battlefield of Hastings. Replaced by the Normans. How quickly was England transformed. Castles were built, Romanesque churches were built, feudalism transformed society and possibly the greatest survey of them all, the Domesday Book was conducted. Were the English people better off? Not necessarily we concluded.
Which leaves the city of Jerusalem where our scholars will shortly be leaving the 11th century. In 1095, the Pope Urban II ordered a call of arms. The great city of Jerusalem had fallen and he wanted it back. Christian princes, knights and peasants alike all responded. A four-year trek through the city of Constantinople, Asia Minor and Antioch all followed before the eventual recapture of Jerusalem. How did the crusaders make it to Jerusalem is the question we are currently pondering?
The Mongols are next. Genghis Khan will change the world. We will be seeing how shortly. This followed by looking at the richest man to have ever lived, Mansa Mousa. Where was he from? Mali?
Year 8
We wanted to move away from the Tudors at the start of Year 8 but still remain firmly situated in the 16th Century. In which case, we concluded there was only one place to go. India and the Mughal empire! We saw how Babur, who could trace his ancestors back to the Mongol empire had ambitions of empire. What followed was a swift and decisive march into parts of India and Afghanistan. Babur swept past all that got in his way and before he knew it had created a dynasty that lasted until 1707. What really mattered to the Mughals was our enquiry question. Was it empire, family, wealth, culture or religion? Humayun replaced his father, Babur. Lost the empire only to regain it and the very end. Akbar went on to treble the Mughal empire in size but was followed by Jahangir who seemed more interested in parties than anything else. Shah Jahan amazed us by building the Taj Mahal and then annoyed us by seemingly neglecting to feed his own people. Then there was Aurangzeb who expanded the empire to its peak in size and population. What did we learn? Well, we learnt that empire was important to the Mughals, the Mughals fought amongst themselves but in the end wanted to keep power within the family. But, most importantly we learnt that Europe wasn’t the centre of the world and perhaps the more interesting stories to come out of the 16th and 17th centuries did not involve the Tudors and the Stuarts.
Eventually, we had to return to Europe and consider the impact of religious intolerance at the start of James I reign. Students learnt about how the Puritans were driven out of England to the Netherlands. How, the Puritans felt so isolated in the Netherlands that they decided to try to make it to the ‘New World’. A voyage back to England followed, passage on the Mayflower booked and a new life in America beckoned.
More recently students have studied the power struggle that occurred in the 17th century between parliament and the monarchy. Our enquiry on why did Charles I lose his head was followed by us studying the fluctuating power of the monarchy after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. How much power can the monarchy have if they were invited by Parliament to rule? Why did William III give much of the power of future monarchs away having signed the 1701 Acts of Settlement? History can be very confusing, yet strangely relevant. The 18th century beckons. Slavery, empire and the enlightenment.
‘Lets pick themes and teach them chronologically’, said Mr Dale. ‘Lets’, we all replied. What followed was a study of crime and punishments through the ages. Murdrum laws, Forest laws, treason, witchcraft, deportation, the bloody code, changing attitudes towards law and order, penal reforms were all open to discussion.
‘How do we follow that’, we enquired. ‘Easy’, replied Mr Dale. ‘Lets tackle democracy.’ ‘Democracy, what is that’, our students asked. Which of course is not an easy question to answer. Was there democracy in the Medieval period? Was the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 the start of democracy? Was democracy introduced in England after the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I? Did democracy spread to America after the colonists declared, ‘No taxation without representation’ and decided to pour millions of pounds worth of tea in Boston Harbour in 1773. Shortly followed by the American War of Independence. Students had to think hard and consider these questions and much, much more.
‘Lets tackle conflict next’, said Mr Dale. ‘Ok’, we replied. Why has the world been at war for nearly all of the last 100 years, Mr Dale asked, and this is what we are currently investigating. World War One, the inter war years, World War Two, the dropping of the atomic bombs and the Cold War. Beyond, we will be looking at the Vietnam war and the more recent war on terror all whilst wondering where Mr Dale’s great ideas are going to be leading us next. It’s going to be interesting.
Year 10
In 2002, the television programme ‘The Greatest Britons’ conducted a poll to find out who the nation believed was the greatest British person to have ever lived. Winston Churchill, won by a country mile but my favourite came seventh, and that was of course Elizabeth I. Our Year 10 students have only just recently stopped learning about this powerful woman who lived in a male dominated world and proved to be a rival of the great Philip II of Spain. Problems aplenty she had to overcome.
Religious division: Easy, let's produce a religious settlement with the aim to keep the Catholics, Protestants and Puritans happy.
Marriage: Who needs a husband! Mary Queen of Scots: Keep her locked up and out of sight.
Plots: William Cecil and Francis Walsingham to the rescue. Let's keep a close eye on the Catholics.
Spain: Francis Drake to the rescue, acts of privateering, raid on Cadiz, circumnavigation of the globe and the Spanish Armada. What a legend. And so much more.
Next up, is the American West. The story of the United States of America, migration, settlement, repatriation of the Native Americans and the extermination of the buffalo. I can’t wait!
Year 11
Our Year 11 students have been busy studying the final unit of their course, Weimar and Nazi Germany. We began the course by looking at the situation in Germany immediately after the end of the First World War. The Weimar Republic was beset with many problems and it soon became apparent to us all that Germany wasn’t ready for democracy. The harsh realities of the Treaty of Versailles caused resentment and hardship. Many included Hitler tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic before Gustav Stresemann was able to bring about a period of economic and political stability to the country. All that success ended with the Wall Street Crash. The Great Depression led to people turning to alternative political parties including the Communists and the Nazi Party. By 1933 Hitler was able to become Chancellor and twenty months later a dictator with complete power.
After our students have sat their Spring mock examinations their attention will once again return to Germany. How did life change for ordinary people inside Nazi Germany will be our focus?
TOP HISTORIANS
History shout outs goes to: Megan Elton and Archie Thorne
History shout outs goes to: Taylan Hart and Hollie Lewis-Howes
History shout outs goes to: Matthew Lamprey and Gracie Hurst
History shout outs goes to: Ryan Trewin-Parker and Erica Lee
History shout outs goes to: Elizabeth Barnett and Evan Bartlett
Year 7
During Spring 1 Year 7 have focussed on key aspects of Geometry. They have looked at key angle facts and developed their reasoning skills by applying them to a variety of different contexts including parallel lines. As the half term has progressed they have been looking at different 2D shapes and exploring their properties including identifying different types of symmetry.
Year 8
This half term Year 8 have been looking at how we can represent real life examples on graphs, this included applying their knowledge on straight line graphs from last half term to contexts such as mobile phone bills. Later in the term they moved on to ratio, they reviewed their prior knowledge from Y7 of understanding what ratio is and simplifying moving on to how they can use the bar model to support their thinking to solve problems with ratio.
Year 9
Year 9 have been focusing on geometry in their mathematics lessons. They have looked at mathematical constructions using specialist equipment such as compasses and protractors, they went on to apply these skills by drawing different loci. Later in the term they moved onto looking at shape in a variety of contexts, applying the rules of congruency to triangles and using their understanding of similar shapes to enlarge.
Key Stage 3 Maths Club
This is open to all Key Stage 3 students (Y7-Y9), a member of the maths team is on hand each week to support students with their Hegarty Maths homework/revision but can also assist students who have found a concept difficult to grasp in lessons.
Year 10
Year 10 continue to work through the AQA GCSE Specification, this half term they focussed on fractions, decimals and percentages and their application to probability. When working on percentages they were able to see how they will use their future as they look to use different bank accounts and loans in the future. They have finished the half term by applying their knowledge of FDP to probability and Venn diagrams.
Year 11
This half term Year 11 have been taught the last parts of the GCSE specification, the focus of lessons is now on identifying gaps in knowledge and developing students resilience in applying their knowledge in a variety of different circumstances.
Following the recent release of the advanced information from the exam board recently, students will be receiving comprehensive lists of what will be in each paper for their final GCSE with links to Hegarty Maths to enable them to revise knowledge and practise applying it.
Y11 Maths revision runs every Tuesday after school down the maths corridor, this is open to all students who would like to attend.
TOP MATHEMATICIANS
Year 7 Maths Stars - Brooke Palmer, Ashley Matthews
Year 8 Maths Stars - Scarlett Young, Jack Lewis
Year 9 Maths Stars - Spencer White, Daisy Medley
Year 10 Maths Stars - Lauren Chambers, Travis Trodd
Year 11 Maths Stars - Holly Fielder, Evan Bartlett
Year 7 have been enjoying their new art project 'Under the Sea' exploring how plastics and pollution affect our sealife. This week we have been experimenting with texture using a mono printing technique. Students will develop their work this term and design a clay pot showing textures related to coral and plastics.
STARS: Stanley Shacklock and India Worrell
Year 8 have been listening to a range of music genres and responding through shape and line. This is in response to the first artist we analysed Kandinsky, an abstract artist. Students are currently developing compositions and responding to a second artist who uses typography and musical scores. After half term we will develop these ideas into a painting.
STARS: Zhaklin Ivanova and Libby Jones
Year 9 have been researching and responding to an illustrator Felipe Tomazelli who has completed work for Adidas and Vans advertising campaigns. Students have thoroughly enjoyed using the sketchbook app to produce digital art in the style of the illustrator. Some outstanding work produced.
STARS: Laci Eden and Doni Hojnyak
Year 10 Fine Art students have completed observational pieces for the project ‘Sweets and Treats’ some fantastic work from our hardworking students. They have been focusing on skills this term and moving onto artist research shortly. We have been impressed with the excellent use of skill showing a wide range of tone and details in coloured pencil and biro pen.
STARS: Ted Whiting and Alex Crow
Year 10 Textiles students have been busy creating responses in a variety of materials and techniques. Most recently students have been working hard on a free machine embroidery piece using dissolvable fabric. Our inspiration came from the textile artist Meredith Woolnough who creates natural world inspired embroidery.
STARS: Maggie Jezard and Evie Moreno-Zumaquero
Year 10 Photography have been working on building knowledge on composition, lightening, studio set up and camera operations. They have recently started their coursework based on ‘Horror’ ‘Whimsical’ and ‘Comedy’. Students have planned a portrait shoot and worked in teams to produce a contact sheet. Next, they will be completing photographer research to inspire the next shoot.
STARS: Teresa Bates and Jastina Subedi
Year 11 Graphics have been working on a personal project based on the themes ‘Games’ ‘Sports ‘Outdoors’. They have created their own brand including a logo and packaging.
STARS: Hadley Andrews and George Buchanan
Year 11 Fine Art have been working incredibly hard on their GCSE coursework. They started a new project in January in sketchbooks based on either ‘Fantastic and Strange’, ‘Natural Forms’ or ‘Social Issues’. Some interesting ideas so far. They have created responses to their artist research which includes taking photographs and creating their own art in the style of the artist. This could be based on the artists compositions, colours, techniques or themes. Some exciting printmaking, paintings and drawings being produced.
STARS: Salima Allen and Kerry Lee
En classe de Français
Year 7
This half-term Year 7 have been looking at introducing themselves in detail as well as introducing other members of their family. Year 7 have also been introduced to their first French literary character: Le Petit Nicolas, a young boy the same age as our Year 7.
Our French stars this half-term are: Megan Elton & Mylee Harris
Year 8
This half-term Year 8 have been recalling some of their knowledge from Year 7 when they studied colours and applying these to the topic of clothes. We have been very excited in Year 8 discovering how to form outstanding sentences using snazzy structures and expressing ourselves talking about what we would wear for different life events.
As part of our cultural awareness, we have discovered the world of Coco Chanel, who was arguably the most influential fashion designer of all time, revolutionising the way women wore clothes. A true fashion icon!
Our French stars this half-term are: Andy Lin & Jake Curtis
Year 9
Through our cultural awareness topic linked with our current French studies, our Year 9 have discovered what life as a student in Senegal is like on a day-to-day basis compared to the one in Sholing, school rules and comparing school subjects studied. What a great eye opener on other French-speaking cultures.
Fact: on average a student will walk about 4miles to get to school in Senegal depending on where they are!
Our French stars this half-term are: Holly Farmer & Kornelia Bem
Year 10
Students have studied the topic of Family, Friends and Relationship this half-term which resulted in some great discussions about relationships and reasons why they like/dislike/get on or not get on with their loved ones. Some mature approaches to the topic resulting in students being able to argue their point of view in French to a great extend for some!
Our cultural adventure this half-term took us to Brittany where despite being a region of France have their own individuality and language.
Fact: Did you that Brittany was once its own kingdom before being united to the kingdom of France and is one of the 6 Celtic Nations (Wales, Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall)?
Our French stars this half-term are: Nicolas Lac & Sofia Meffen
Year 11
Our current Year 11 have been busy since Noël with the topic of Global issues. They have been also busy preparing for their second full set of French Mocks (Listening, Reading, Writing and their Speaking). It was lovely to finally be able to have a Speaking Mock after all this time.
Although finding it quite a challenge, our Year 11 have always loved SHINING through the use of a wide range of tenses, numerous grammatical points and WOW structures across various topics such as Holidays, Education & Work, Environment, Identity and Culture.
Since September, learning has been reinforced after school on Thursdays with the help of a few sugary delights to attract learners and our students have also received free access to EXAMPRO to deepen their linguistic skills.
Bonne chance pour vos révisions!
Our French stars this half-term are: Demi Rogers & Kiera Thorpe
In response to your feedback last half-term, we have made some changes to the way homework is communicated with your child to help them access and complete the homework simply.
- All homework will be set as an assignment in Microsoft Teams.
- Each homework will be labelled with 'week beginning', 'homework', and 'title' meaning your child can find specific subject homework easier.
- Every homework will have a link to the homework or a description of how to find the homework.
As parents, you can check your child's homework by looking at the assignment section in Teams with them. We have made some videos to show you and your child how to access their homework.
Once you have watched the videos we'd be grateful for your feedback. Please complete the survey.
In lessons, we emphasise practicing new knowledge to help transfer the new knowledge into your child's long-term memory. It is important that students complete their homework as it is a chance to practice retrieving what they have learnt. If students do not practice retrieving what they have learned, then the information is quickly forgotten.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support with homework and your child's learning.
Your child will be bringing home their 1 World Book Day token as part of this year’s World Book Day celebrations.
They can exchange their 1 World Book Day book token for a FREE book until Sunday 27 March 2022. You can help your child choose their 1 book by showing them the exciting ‘Look Insides’ at worldbookday.com/books.
Getting a free 1 book for your child is easy - simply take the book token to your nearest bookseller (which could be a supermarket) and swap it for a World Book Day 1 book OR get 1 off any book or audiobook costing 2.99 or more. You can find your nearest bookseller at booksaremybag.com
Visit worldbookday.com for lots of ideas and activities to enjoy all year round. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Children can meet the creative minds behind this year’s 1 books at the World Book Day digital events and Author & Illustrator Academy.
- Find competitions, book recommendations, free audiobooks and more in the World Book Day Family Hub.
- Check out the World Book Day Book Club and more on the World Book Day YouTube channel: youtube.com/WorldBookDayUK
- Help your child discover more great reads with the ultimate list of Reading Recommendations at worldbookday.com/reading-recommendations
Thank you for your support with World Book Day 2022.
E- safety is our ability to be safe when using things such as the internet, but it is not just limited to the internet. It extends also to other forms of internet that we use, especially those where we may communicate with other people.
But why is this important to our students? All of our students use multiple forms of internet connected technologies. It could be an iPad, game console, mobile phone, or even smart watch but these are all internet connected and therefore it is vital we understand how to ensure we are safe using it. Unfortunately the more connected we are the more common it is that we see people being exploited online either through scams, hacking, or online hate.
1 in 5 children (765,000) young people experienced online bullying in 2020.
There are around 3.8 million incidents of fraud every year with 68% of that coming online.
There are around 1 million incidents of computer misuses (hoax emails, scams, and file loss) every year.
It is important we not only know how to be safe online, but how to promote safe use online.
A small handful of Year 10 pupils took part in a day’s training to become our first ever Cyber Ambassadors. These Cyber Ambassadors spent the day with the Police and Crime commissioners team discussing issues like fake news, scams, online communication, and harmful online content.
It can often seem difficult to see what you can do to create a safer place online, as so many people use the internet and you’re just one person but if we all stand up and play our part we can start making the internet a much friendlier and less risky place. Here are some ideas of what you can do to play your part:
- Encourage your child to use their actions and words with care remembering that they are accountable for what they say or do online.
- Build healthy relationships online.
- Be and upstander when you see online abuse and encourage your child to do the same.
- Remind your child that the people we deal with online are real people with real feelings.
- Encourage your child to talk to a Cyber Ambassador to get some advice.
Remember it’s never too late for a student to talk to a trusted adult if they are experiencing something or have done something online that makes them uncomfortable.
If you need any more advice or support please contact -
EXTEND
In year 8, many of our able students are part of our EXTEND programme. This is a group of students who meet weekly and rise to a challenge given to them by the programme leader: Mrs Gale. Recently the group were given the task of fundraising for a local charity. The philanthropists chose Southampton General Hospital. They showed fantastic teamwork and leadership skills in organising a bake sale and ping pong championship for year 7 and 8 students and raised a fantastic 75.00 over just two days!
Debate Club
Our talented KS4 debate students have been honing their skills in preparation for a truly exciting challenge coming up next month! We will be entering a team to take part in a brand new Global Debate Competition hosted by Hartland International School; a British school located in the Middle East. We wish our team luck as they are in the preparatory stages for the first round of the debate: “The house believes that freedom of speech should not belong to everybody”.
The Scholar’s Programme
This year we have both or gifted year 9 and year 10 students working with the Brilliant Club to challenge and extend their knowledge. Filip in year 9 who has been really enjoying working with Dr LuTheryn said “I have never learned about bacteria in this much detail before, it’s really challenging… I would really recommend it to others because it pushes you”.
Credits:
Created with images by Unknown - "Gardens by the Bay, Singapore · Free Stock Photo" • Unknown - "Kostenlose Bild: Taufe, Christentum, Religion, Kreuz ..." • Unknown - "Microphone Sound · Free photo on Pixabay" • Unknown - "Theatre Going Out Cinema · Free photo on Pixabay" • Unknown - "Food on Table · Free Stock Photo" • Unknown - "Free stock photo of acer, computer science, keyboard" • Unknown - "HD wallpaper: Beakers For Science With Water Photo ..." • 5598375 - "literature a book school" • kconcha - "magazine colors media" • WikimediaImages - "swastikas flags berlin" • Wokandapix - "calculator math mathematics" • Pixapopz - "math blackboard education" • bodobe - "painting pencils paint" • PhotoMIX-Company - "homework student tablet" • Unknown - "Free stock photo of access, close-up, computer"