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A Message from Principal, Mr Martin
January seems to have flown by, and luckily we seem to have escaped the worst of the winter weather so far.
As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced last week that face coverings are no longer required to be worn in lessons and from 27th January students would not have to wear them at all. Unfortunately, cases in Bedfordshire are on the rise and we have seen an increase in positive cases in school, for both students and staff, over the last two weeks. The Public Health England director for our Local Authority, has announced on Wednesday afternoon that students should continue to wear face coverings in corridors, communal areas and on school transport. They have informed us that this will be reviewed at half-term. I would like to commend all of our students on how they reacted to this announcement, and for how they have worked with us this term to try and control the number of cases in school.
We are hosting the second round of Covid vaccinations for 12 -15 year olds on 2nd February. You have been sent all the relevant information concerning timings and consent via EduLink.
We have two drama performances coming up soon. The first is ‘DNA’ and will be performed by the KS4 drama company. The second is ‘100’ and will be performed by the KS5 drama company. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to perform in front of a live audience and helps with their examined pieces for GCSE and A Level. Please see below for more information.
Sport has started on a high this year. With the boys’ hockey team narrowly losing 2-1 to Bedford Modern, to finish 2nd in the county for hockey. Netball had an impressive warm up tournament, it was fantastic to see all our teams playing at this level and holding their own against some of the best schools in the area. Girl’s rugby fixture returned, against Royal Latin last week, which they narrowly lost last time round, and I was delighted to hear they returned victorious this time. The success in football has continued this month with four teams remaining in the national cups: we have two teams in the last 16, one team in the last 8 and one team through to the semi-finals. This is an incredible achievement and I would like to congratulate all the students and staff involved in what must be our best year ever.
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As the spring term gains momentum, please continue to have meaningful conversations with your child about their options subjects. The options booklet outlining all available courses is now available on our website, click here. The options form for your child to submit their final options will be accessible from 7th February. There are a number of wonderful videos from subject leaders available on our website, together with more information about the selection process. If you have any questions, please contact your child's tutor in the first instance.
We have seen a real improvement in our Year 9 students being prepared for the cold weather. Thank you for supporting us with this. As you know, Covid safety procedures mean that classrooms must be ventilated and therefore students are permitted to wear coats during lessons. However, any sweaters, jumpers or hoodies that are not school uniform are not permitted.
Our Year 9 students have been covering lots of interesting content during their tutor times this term. It has been a pleasure to hear their ideas about how to improve the Year 9 community and their thoughts about the impact of good quality sleep and how they can ensure they are best prepared for the school day ahead. A reminder that tutor time begins promptly at 8.20am, so we expect all students to be on time in order for you maximise the quality pastoral time with their tutors.
Year 10s this week been taking an early look at life after GCSEs and exploring possible next steps into A-Level study. The Sixth Form team has helped prepare a series of activities that ask students to look at their current predicted grades, assess how much they are enjoying their various subjects whilst taking a look at possible courses to study and the grades required. Students then completed a mock application form to help them understand the process. Form tutors commented how engaged many students were in this activity and how useful it was to help them understand the importance of their Average Point Score (APS) and explore various options.
Year 11, Message from Sixth Form
The Sixth Form application deadline is Friday 28th January. If there are any students who have not applied and want to, please complete the online application form before 3pm on Monday 31st January. After that date the internal application form will be removed from the website. If any student’s wishes to apply after the deadline, please contact Miss Butler: swa-sixthformadmissions@bestacademies.org.uk
Conditional offer letters will be sent to all students and parents mid to late February and this will clearly state the courses that have been selected and the grades/APS that needs to be achieved in August 2022. If any student would like to change their course selection, please contact Miss Butler once again on the above email address.
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YEAR 10 DRAMA CLUB
Last year, Year 10 drama club (now Year 11) wrote and performed a drama production on the debate surrounding statue of Edward Colston in Bristol and whether they should be left to stand or be removed. The production is available to be used in the school and other BEST trust schools, for subjects like history and engaging minds. Click here to read more.
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YOU'RE HIRED
Today Year 9 students took part in an apprentice styled workshop day, in conjunction with a production company Project XIV who worked with companies such as Snapchat and celebrity Dua Lipa. Students were given a set brief and supplied with top range filming and editing equipment. The group were eager to start the brief, excited to see what they have produced.
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MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE (MFL)
In MFL we encourage and praise our students for their determination, effort and respect when learning the French and Hispanic cultures. Students show enthusiasm and ingenuity when asked to compare their lives with those living in France or Spain. Lately students have explored how individuals celebrate Christmas differently and what exciting events Spanish, Mexican, and French people celebrate that they don’t. These activities strengthen their empathy and integrity skills, so we are very proud of the work they produced. All their achievement and successes are celebrated in class, but also teachers take the time to send a very special card home as we think they have what it takes to study in modern foreign languages further. Well done to all our learners.
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ECO-COMMITTEE
The eco club meets Wednesday lunchtime week A in 115, all students are welcome to join. Plans for the fashion show are continuing at pace, and we should be in a position to publish the date of the event soon. In preparation, we need clothing donations for our fashion designers to create outfits – men / women large and small please. Please donate your clothes to reception! We also encourage any aspiring models to attend if they would like to take part.
The committee are also planning an event for after the GCSE and A level exam period. A ‘bring one take one’ book event where all students can bring course textbooks they no longer require and take any textbooks that have been donated. We will also include non-fiction books for swapping to encourage the reuse of books and link in with our literacy aspirations here at Samuel Whitbread Academy. If you don’t have any books to donate, you can still take books and there will be money donation box. All money raised will go towards planting trees in the next academic year. So please consider saving your textbooks and books for this summer event.
We hope you are having a green new year!
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BIOLOGY COMPETITION
Year 12 Biologists and Year 9 & 10 science students who are passionate about biology, the annual Biology competitions are forthcoming. If any students are interested in finding out more and getting involved please contact Mrs Ambrose, jambrose@bestacademies.org.uk
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DNA
KS4 company presents DNA, on the 3rd and 4th February at 7pm
We have limited tickets available.
Tickets can be purchase here.
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SWA FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Invites and registration information will be sent out for each session. If you have any questions about the programme, please speak to Thomas Rowell trowell@bestacademies.org.uk
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HIGH ATTAINERS
Here at SWA, we want all students to extend their thinking and to push themselves as far as possible. We recognise that students may find this hard and one strategy that we have implemented across the academy is LEVEL UP. In department areas, students will find displays showing ways to LEVEL UP their thinking and these displays are actively used in lessons. Those students who have been identified as high prior attainers will be challenged in lessons to review their work and, using guidance, LEVEL UP. These ‘interactive’ display boards provide ideas and opportunities to improve, including excellent exemplar work so students can clearly see what they are aiming to achieve with different types of exam question. The boards can also display revision tools, reminders of the key skills students have to show to achieve the higher level boundaries on mark schemes, and also ways to remember them. By reflecting on learning, as well as the quality of their work, also by recognising the level of knowledge AND skills that they need to show, students can push forward to achieve higher grades. Why not ask your child, "How did you LEVEL UP today?"
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FOOTBALL, NATIONAL CUP
U14 girls have progressed to the U14 ESFA National Cup quarter-finals, after 2-1 win away in Nottingham on Monday. Amazing goals from Rosa Ray-Smith and Annabel Rothwell-Trickett. Well done to Amelia Yardley who was awarded player of the match, as she played incredibly in the middle.
U14 boys, are in the final 16.
U15 boys, play today against Kingsdale Foundation school.
1st XI team, are in the final 4.
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HOCKEY
Congratulations to the U18 boys hockey team who finished second in the County school hockey tournament this week and go on to represent Bedfordshire in the regional finals at Cambridge University. Brilliant effort for the team after a two year gap in schools competition. Player of the match was Goal Keeper Radnor with gallant runs from St Leger, Moon and T Joannou.
Squad: Radnor, Page-Brown, B Williams, Barden, Moon, T Joannou, O Williams, Swift, O Joannou, St Leger, Skorupskas, Kalirai, Allen, Beal
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NETBALL
The U14A/U16A and U19A netball teams went to Bedford Girls School (BGS) to compete in their Regional Prep Tournament. With only the U19s heading to Regionals, the U14s and U16s were there to gain valuable experience playing against regional quality teams. The U14s played some hotly contested games winning one and having some narrow losses. The U16s won all their games except against the host team BGS who they lost to twice. The U19s had a tough day at the office. Managing a number of niggly injuries meant the team were hesitant to put their bodies on the line. Confidence grew as the games went on and the girls put together a number of goals against both BGS and Norwich. Grateful for more experience and knowing we are not far off the pace is pushing these girls this week in their final preparation for Regionals.
It is awesome to have all our teams invited to these tournaments, and to be the only state school competing goes to show the standard of netball at SWA. We are excited for more invites and competition in the future.
Jo Trip, Director of Netball
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28 Jan 2022
Aspiring journalist, Year 13 John Bragg has written and edited a brilliant match report on the U18 football quarter-final match against Beechen Cliff. To read please see below.
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Samuel Whitbread Academy E-Newsletter
You are receiving this because you are a Student,
Parent, Carer, Governor or Member of Staff at SWA.
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5QS
Tel: 01462 629900 • Fax: 01462 629901
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