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E-NEWSLETTER  •  ISSUE 184

A Message from Principal, Mr Martin

As we approach the end of the school year, I am writing to you to share some of the events over this month and to say thank you to all our fantastic parents/carers, staff and students.
 

Oliver
Firstly, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in our recent production of the musical Oliver! The performances were truly outstanding and I was incredibly proud of all the students who took part. They demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, and the production was a credit to our school. A special thank you to all the staff who helped make this production such a success, including the Music, Drama, Dance, Art and Technical Support.

Duke of Edinburgh
I would also like to thank all the staff who supported our students on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver, and Gold expeditions. These expeditions are a challenging but rewarding experience, and I am proud of our students for their determination and resilience, through the sun, wind and rain.

Sports Days
A round of applause to the PE department for organising the Year 9 and 10 Sports Days last week. Despite the rain, the events were a great success, and I was impressed by the sportsmanship and enthusiasm of all the students who participated. This week we had the Year 12 Sports Day, and today we have the House Olympics, where the school comes together to compete for the House Cup, which is presented to the winning house by Charles Whitbread every year at the annual Awards Evening.

Careers Interviews
Thank you to the careers department and parents/carers for organising and taking part in such a successful set of Year 10 practice careers interviews last week. The students were initially anxious but left feeling positive and far more confident about how to conduct themselves in a formal interview.

Year 11 Prom
Congratulations to the Year 11 team for organising such a fantastic prom this year. It was a wonderful evening, and I know our students had a great time celebrating the end of Year 11 together. They have been an amazing year group and I wish them well whether they are off to college, an apprenticeship or staying on for the Sixth Form.  

Praise Trips and Non-Uniform Days
Well done to all the students who earned the most praise points this year and enjoyed an extra non-uniform day, as well as a trip out for bowling and crazy golf on Monday. Your hard work and dedication are commendable.

A Fond Farewell to Staff

We have a number of staff members leaving us for pastures new, including Mr Kurji and Mrs Minker, who are both retiring and together have given over 50 years of service to the school teaching maths to thousands of students in their time. However, Mr Goode has surpassed everyone with 44 years of service to Samuel Whitbread Academy, after starting here as an NQT in 1980. Mr Goode is not someone who likes to be made a fuss of, and he has insisted that we do not have any goodbye speeches. However, if you would like us to pass on any messages or memories to Mr Goode, including your time at SWA in his Science lessons, then we will ensure that they are passed on to him as he sails off into the distance for a well-earned retirement. 

Jonathan's Tribute
Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments and support following the tragic passing of Jonathan last week. The staff, CHUMS, and Samaritans have provided invaluable support to his friends during this difficult time. His friends are in the process of creating a beautiful tribute to Jonathan in our memory garden, which we will share with you in due course. 

Thank you for your continued support and I wish you a safe and relaxing time with friends and family.

Messages From Heads of Year 

Year 9, Mrs Godfrey

 

Firstly, I would like to say well done to all Year 9 students for their hard work and dedication this year. For some it has been a difficult year for various reasons. However, they have shown a huge amount of resilience, and they should be very proud of themselves. I was incredibly proud to see so many students participating in Sports Day this year, it was a great day and a lovely atmosphere. A massive well done to all the Year 9 students who were part of the Oliver production, it was a fantastic show and I look forward to seeing you all in more productions during your time at Samuel Whitbread Academy. 

Thinking ahead to September, we want to ensure that all students have a positive start to Year 10. To help this, please make sure that your child has the correct uniform and equipment for when we return. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact their form tutor who will be able to help. 

I wish everyone a great summer and look forward to welcoming the students back in September. 

Kind regards
Mrs Godfrey

Year 10, Mr Rich

 

I would like to congratulate the Year 10 cohort on an outstanding year, marked by incredible dedication and academic progress. Students' hard work and commitment to studies have been truly inspiring, and our success in extracurriculars cannot be understated. The strides made in your academic achievements are a testament to your perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and desire to excel. From a first-time experience sitting Mocks in the Spring to showing professionalism and courtesy in our recent Mock interviews, there is a lot to be proud of. We have seen growth in responsibility, reliability and resilience across the cohort, and personally, it has been a joy to see our students grow into their young adult selves. 

This year has brought its share of challenges, but the growing ability of our students to adapt and overcome these obstacles with a positive attitude has been exceptional. We have seen many students develop a deeper sense of community too, from performing and supporting the Panto and Musical and all the various showcases, all the way to starting new clubs and groups from their passions. Upon returning in September, we will host an information evening, alongside communication home of key dates and the pathways students will continue, but for now, let us enjoy the celebrations and success of the year.

The horizon of Year 11 is close, but it is a bright one, and we are so excited to see where this journey goes next.

Year 12, Mr Tonking

 

Year 12

We have had a brilliant end to the year, with students spending a week out on work experience. The feedback has been very positive from employers, with some eager to hire our students. I have loved hearing the stories from the students too, and I am sure the experience has been useful for them. This follows the IPEs which were sat for the last two weeks before that the students managed superbly. We ended the year with Year 12 Sports Day & House Olympics, which was an amazing end to a fantastic first year for our students in Sixth Form.

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Oliver! A Resounding Success

We are thrilled to share the wonderful news of the Performing Arts Department's triumphant production of Oliver! The musical. The talented performers delivered captivating performances, the dedicated tech crew worked tirelessly to create a visually and audibly stunning production, the orchestra provided a powerful and emotive musical backdrop, and the teachers' unwavering guidance and support were instrumental in the success of this exceptional show. Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and commitment, which resulted in an unforgettable theatrical experience!

       

Year 11 Prom: A Night to Remember

The Year 11 prom was an incredible success and a night to remember! Held at Barton Barns on Tuesday 9th July, the evening was filled with elegance, joy, and unforgettable moments.

The venue was transformed with beautiful decorations, an LED dancefloor and a red carpet entrance. As students arrived in their finest attire, the atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. It was amazing to see so many different modes of transport used to drop students off at the venue. Laughter and conversation filled the room as everyone relished the opportunity to relax and celebrate together.

After some food, the dance floor opened, and the fun began! A fantastic DJ kept the energy high with a perfect mix of music that had everyone on their feet. From classic hits to the latest chart-toppers, the dance floor was busy all night. 

In addition to the dancing and festivities, a 360-photo area provided endless entertainment. Students enjoyed taking fun and creative pictures with friends, capturing the joy and excitement of the night.

The Year 11 prom was a true celebration of the hard work and achievements of our students. It was a night filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories. A huge thank you to the prom committee, teachers, and staff who worked tirelessly to make this event possible. 

To our Year 11 students, congratulations on an amazing year and a prom night that will be remembered for years to come. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours and look forward to seeing the incredible things you will achieve.

 - Mr Nicholl

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Year 10 Afternoon Tea Project

Massive congratulations to the Year 10 Food Technology students for their outstanding performance at the Afternoon Tea assessments. The event was a resounding success, leaving both parents and teachers impressed by the students' culinary skills. This experience has provided invaluable practice for the upcoming three-hour cooking exam in Year 11, setting a high standard for future accomplishments. Well done to all the students!

Year 9 STEM Club Dragons Den

Throughout this school year, the Year 9 STEM club has been dedicated to meeting every Thursday after school to collaborate on their individual innovations. The students have devoted their time and effort to conducting thorough research, meticulously designing their projects, evaluating their progress, and continuously improving their ideas. Their hard work and dedication culminated in the opportunity to present their projects to the panel of four esteemed "Dragons" in the Dragon's Den with the objective of securing financial support for their research or product development. The students not only impressed all the Dragons with their innovative projects but also succeeded in securing offers of financial backing from each of the investors. Congratulations to the Year 9 STEM students for their remarkable achievement!

        

Year 9 Bake Sale

The Year 9 students, along with the help and support of their Year Team, organised a Bake Sale to raise funds for Jonathan's family during this difficult time. We are pleased to report that the bake sale raised just over £340. Thank you to all who contributed by baking delicious treats to sell and to everyone who helped and bought the bakes on the day. We are so proud of the strong sense of community and love here at Samuel Whitbread Academy.

Black Heritage Seminar 

On July 16th, 75 students from 5 local schools - Robert Bloomfield Academy, Henlow Academy, Pixbrook Academy, Etonbury Academy, and our students - took part in a workshop led by Sharon DeLeonardis. The workshop featured presentations from 6 students who had previously participated in a mentoring course led by Sharon earlier in the year. The workshop aimed to challenge traditional views of the history of black people, focusing on the positive role of black individuals in history. This was achieved by researching and highlighting the contributions of black men and women inventors and pioneers who are often not given due recognition. 

During the workshop, attendees created art pieces and informative written content to educate others about these inventors and pioneers. These will be compiled into a booklet and used to showcase the importance of celebrating black success stories. The booklet will also be shared as a resource for schools to utilise, particularly during this year’s Black History Month in October, which has the theme ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.

       

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Pro Contract for James Taylor

We are delighted to announce that our 1st XI Captain and goalkeeper, James Taylor, has secured a two-year professional contract with the Premier League team, Newcastle United Football Club.

Following his leadership of the England Schoolboys, he is now advancing to the next stage of his journey.
Congratulations James, we wish you the best of luck!

Sports Day 2024


The last two weeks of this term have featured the return of sports day for all years. There has been an incredible display of sportsmanship and determination across all years, combined with a huge amount of fun. 9G emerged victorious in the Year 9 Sports Day, with congratulations on their hard work and team skills. 10M also claimed victory in the Year 10 Sports Day — a massive well done to them for this amazing achievement. Year 12s Sports Day involved activities that were a little more unique than the usual relay race. Students created concepts for each game and participated in a carousel of events, including a Human Pyramid challenge, assault courses, and mini-golf. Ultimately, 12H emerged as the winners.

Congratulations and well done to all who participated! A huge thank you to the entire PE Department for dedicating their time and effort to ensure the success and enjoyment of each Sports Day.

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Samuel Whitbread Academy
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