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A Message from Principal, Mr Martin
I hope you had a restful half term break and your property and gardens survived the storms.
On Monday of this week, we recorded zero student absences due to COVID19; the first time in over two years. Whilst this is a sign of improving times, we want to continue to adopt a cautious and sensible approach to the reduction of preventative measures. Following the Prime Minister’s recent announcements, we have communicated changes to our COVID19 guidance: confirmed positive cases should continue to self-isolate for 10 days or until they receive two negative LFD tests, 24 hours apart, from day five onwards. As per Public Health’s guidance, we continue to encourage face coverings when travelling around our buildings, on school transport and in communal areas.
It’s been an exciting two weeks for our sports teams. The U14 girls’ football team played in the England School Football Association (ESFA) Cup quarter-final on Friday, narrowly losing out to a very strong side from Manchester City. They went one goal down early on and went into half time at 3-1. But after a change in tactics, they took control in the second half, but unfortunately couldn't get that equaliser and finished the game 3-2. On Monday the U14 boys travelled to Beechen Clift, to play in their quarter-final of the ESFA cup. The boys also put in a sterling performance against a really good side, but unfortunately it wasn’t their day. To reach the final eight in the National Cup is an incredible achievement for two sides that have only started playing together in September, and I have no doubt that they will be back next year, even stronger. On Thursday, our U18s boys’ football team played in the semi-final of the Schools’ Football National Cup and despite a perfect start, taking a 2-0 lead, they lost 3-2 in extra time. This has definitely been our best ever year for football, with 6 teams reaching the last 32, 16, 8 and even 4 in the country, and next year I have no doubt that we will be back even stronger!
It is a busy half term with our Year 11 and 13 students starting their mock examinations this week. They have approached these exams with resilience and maturity and we wish them the best of luck. In addition, we have a number of key parental events over the next few weeks including the Year 9 options deadline and Year 10 and 12 virtual Parents’ Evening.
After the KS4 drama production ‘DNA’ last half term, it was the turn of KS5 this week, who performed the play ‘100’. Both productions were exceptional. We have some truly talented students and we look forward to the Spring Concert and Dance Production at the end of term.
Many of you will be shocked by the current situation in Ukraine and Mr Rowell wrote to you earlier this week about the assembly he delivered to our students. In situations like this it is often difficult to know how you can help, and many of our students have asked us if we can do something as a school to support those families who have been, and potentially will be, displaced from their homes. To that end, we have decided to support the Red Cross appeal, as this is a nationally recognised charity with an excellent reputation. If you would like to make a donation to the appeal through the school then please click here.
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Messages From Heads of Year
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As we begin the second half of the Spring term, the Year 9 team have been glad to welcome the lighter mornings and are looking forward to the warmer days! This term has already been full of exciting sports fixtures, extra-curricular activities and even some educational trips. The conduct of our Year 9 students continues to impress us and we are proud of the brilliant way in which they represent Samuel Whitbread.
We are fast approaching the options deadline on 18th March, so please make sure that your child has submitted their form online. Please click the link for the online form.
There is a wealth of information on our website, along with informative videos from the different departments. If you have any questions, please contact your child's tutor in the first instance.
Please continue to support your child by ensuring that their uniform meets our high expectations. As a reminder, we do not allow trainers and students must wear both their tie and their blazer.
Thank you for your continued support in relation to our new behaviour policy, equipment and uniform issues and general communication with the school. We are able to see a clear pattern of positive behaviour amongst the vast majority of the year group, with minor infringements in the behaviour policy being dealt with swiftly and monitored much more easily – it has led to some very positive conversations with several students and parents about how to improve their progress and behaviour in school.
My main concern with the year group is not their progress during lessons, which appears to be hugely positive for the vast majority, but with their use of time in social situations and interactions. We are seeing a number of instances of misuse of social media outside of school which affects their relationships in school. Can I please encourage you to speak to your children about using social media appropriately, and being respectful to each other online, which I am sure the majority are.
Finally, our next progress reports will be published on 10th March and our upcoming Parents Review Evening (PRE) is 17th March – please sign up to speak to your child’s subject teachers about their progress.
Year 11 have made an excellent start back after the half term. Mock exams have begun this week and it is clear the focus and commitment of the students has stepped up. Last week the final assessment for Food Tech took place, many parents/carers came in to sample their student’s work. The Year 11 team also had a sneaky taste of some of the dishes - they were great! The Sixth Form made their conditional offers to those that have applied, if you haven't already seen this they should be on Edulink.
Finally, thank you for your continued support to ensure that school uniform standards are high and that students are coming in fully equipped and ready for their lessons/exams.
Our Year 12 students are due their next prediction report on Thursday 17th March, as usual this will be emailed home. The report will reveal their predicted grade, working grade, attitude to learning and independent learning assessment. Following the reports, there will be an online parent’s review evening on Thursday 31st March.
In registration time this week, all students should be peer assessing the organisation of their course folders. We want to remind parents that Year 12 students should be in at 8:20am to attend registration. Students have been allowed to book four mornings off based on good attendance. We are finding some are not attending when they should, and appear to be telling parents they are not required to be in. We would appreciate parent/carer support from home in getting Year 12s in and punctual to registrations and lessons.
This morning we delivered the last of the three revision and study mini-assemblies to the year group, in anticipation of their upcoming IPEs (starting Monday 14th March). It is particularly important at this time of year that students are planning and using their time effectively, including study periods at school and at home. We will be running apprenticeship workshops on the 31st March for student needing support with applications, and we remind students that they can also book a careers appointment with our independent careers adviser (email jmcmillan@bestacademies.org.uk).
The external exam entry statements went home with students with their summer exam dates on, and students and parents are reminded that up to and including the 29th June must be kept available for exams. We have put the Prom deposit onto ParentMail and can confirm that Friday 8th July will be their leaver’s celebration. We are really excited that this year group which has missed out on so much will be able to celebrate their time at Samuel Whitbread.
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FOOD TECHNOLOGY EXAM
Well done to our Year 11 Food Technology students for completing their final practical assessment over the last two weeks.
Students were tasked to create a two-course meal focusing on either Italian cuisine, early year’s nutrition or cardiovascular health.
The professional preparation and presentation of the menu needed to be completed within three hours, which included the washing up.
The students did extremely well and displayed some excellent technical skills including fresh Tortellini, Focaccia, Gelato's and flatbreads. We will let the pictures speak for themselves but we have been extremely impressed with how they have approached and executed this project.
 
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ECO COMMITTEE
Save the date! We finally have a date for the eco fashion show. The show is going ahead on 22nd April. If you have any clothes that you no longer wear then please donate them to the school. Donations can be left at reception in a bag. This term the eco committee is planning on planting trees in order to reach their green flag.
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100, KS5 DRAMA COMPANY
Well done to the KS5 drama company who performed 100 last night. Amazing performances from all the students.
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MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Last half term, Year 9 students attempted to write from memory in their French and Spanish lessons. This was a fantastic experience for them and some students discovered a talent.
The Modern Foreign Language department was impressed with the quality of effort and determination displayed when the students completed the task and even more so when the students responded to feedback. Students were given a What Went Well (WWW) and Even Better If (EBI) for their written work. Students had to correct errors and improve the quality of their response in their MRI (my response is).
Some students have only just begun to learn learning Spanish in September, so we’re very proud of them! This activity shows great potential for any of our Year 9 students who are considering GCSE language as an option.
There are many careers available when studying a language; management, tourism, tour operator, journalism, media, business, transport (Eurostar, airline companies, ferry..), interpreter for the private and public sector, writer, teacher, sales manager, recruitment, copywriter. Any job that you are capable of doing, a language would enhance your salary and your skills. Imagine being whoever you want to be but travelling around the world!
We hope parents/carers and students are considering the importance of learning a language at any stage in their life.
 
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UKRAINE
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HAVE YOU MET THE QUEEN?
We have extended our deadline. Film and Media students are looking for volunteers to be part of a short film for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. If you have met the Queen and wish to take part, then could you please email a short description of when you met the Queen to swa-communications@bestacademies.org.uk
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GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP, DORSET
Geography fieldtrips have returned! The department and Year 12 students were excited to be able to return to outdoor learning and fieldwork skills before half term, visiting the beautiful Dorset coastline. This fieldtrip is our first in a few years, and came at the perfect time as Year 12 A Level geographers prepare for their NEA in the coming months.
Over the five-day period, with beautiful weather, the students were able to explore Swanage and the wider area has to offer from a geographical perspective. On day one, students arrived at Leeson House and were greeted by their incredibly talented tutors, who got to work straight away and took the students on a beach and coastal work to explore the impacts of erosion on the coastline. Later that evening, students spent time in classrooms focussing on coastal management fieldwork skills, and preparing for day two investigating sand dune succession and coastal processes. In the following days, students visited the beautiful tourist village of Corfe, where they investigated quality of life issues, as well as sampling some of the most delicious cakes and pastries!
The final two days were dedicated to students collecting their A Level fieldwork data – with students choosing investigations relating to carbon and climate change, quality of life issues, and coastal management strategies. Students excelled themselves and were a credit to the Samuel Whitbread Academy values.
A fantastic trip was had by all and we thank the Year 12 geographers, parents, staff and Leeson House for their amazing support.
Mr J Hatchell Head of Geography
 
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1st XV GIRLS RUBGY
Last Thursday our Girls Rugby 1st XV hosted Oundle school. Although a cold and windy day, it was great for the girls to have some game time after a handful of cancelled matches. Oundle's team were extremely physical in defence and made the breakdown difficult for us, but we managed to keep the ball for long periods of time and scored many great tries. We defended well and stopped Oundle from dominating the game and this led to us winning 42-10. Some outstanding performances from Sarah M, Lydia N and Chloe B, with a special mention to Matilda T who kept a 100% record off the tee. Our Player of the Match was given to Kizzy A because of her strength, speed and excellent running lines to break through the Oundle defence, she even scored a couple of tries. A brilliant performance and another step in the right direction as the girls prepare for important 7s competitions at end of the term.
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U14 BOYS RUGBY 7'S
On Monday, U14 7’s Rugby team travelled to Leicester, despite the conditions being against the stereotypical norm in which 7s is played, the SWA boys showed some real intent which highlighted the development of the boys. Being drawn in a difficult pool, it was evident that the squad had to be performing at their best to be competitive. It started strong, with the squad playing some tremendous rugby and scoring well worked team tries. The result, a strong 22-5 win against Culford School.
However, the real tough contest started against the famous Warwick School. Despite the boys losing, the better rugby was played by SWA, real positives can be taken from the fixture along with the next 2 losses against Leicester Grammar and Loughborough Grammar. A last-play try and a cool kick under pressure to secure the draw from Callum K saw the boys top off the difficult tournament against the big and athletic King's School Grantham.
Every player demonstrated real development and quality; however, SWA player of the tournament was Captain Sam T, who caught the eye of many referees and opposition coaches for his performances.
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Samuel Whitbread Academy E-Newsletter
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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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