Samuel Whitbread Academy Parent Portal

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E-NEWSLETTER • ISSUE 186

A Message from Principal, Mr Martin

As we approach the end of the term, it's a great time to reflect on the numerous activities, events and achievements that have taken place at our academy.

At our second Open Evening this month, we were delighted to welcome prospective students and their parents/carers to explore all that SWA has to offer. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our outstanding facilities, dedicated staff, and talented students.

We've also had the privilege of hosting workshops and events led by Sharon DeLeonardis, focused on celebrating cultural heritage with our students. It's been wonderful to witness students from the BEST Trust joining our activities, and we extend our gratitude to Sharon for her ongoing commitment to the Academy.

Preparations for the Alice in Wonderland Christmas Pantomime are well underway, with our Performing Arts students working tirelessly to deliver an exceptional show. Their collaboration with students from schools both within and outside of the BEST Trust is a testament to their dedication and teamwork.

Sports has seen some incredible success over the last few weeks. In football, our 1st XI successfully negotiated the 1st round of the national cup with a 5-3 victory at Roundwood Park. The U14 girls' Football team flew through their first fixture of the County Cup yesterday, winning 10-1 at home. Additionally, our Netball U16 A team won their first game of the season against Henlow Academy and are through to the next round of Sisters N Sport.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing determination and excellence throughout this term.

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Celebrating Cultural Heritage

This term, Samuel Whitbread Academy had the honour of hosting an enriching cultural heritage workshop with esteemed guests Sharon De Leonardis and Katrina Hyden. Students from various schools within the BEST Trust came together to engage in an immersive exploration of Egyptian culture. The highlight of the workshop was a hands-on activity where students created clay beads inspired by nature. This activity aimed to delve into the significance of physical objects such as jewellery in representing cultural heritage and fostering connections across different communities. A massive thank you to all the participants and organisers who made this experience possible.

Additionally, our Sixth Formers had a remarkable opportunity to attend a thought-provoking lecture and panel discussion on "Reclaiming Narratives: Hidden Black History and Celebrating the Contributions of Black Trailblazers." Year 13 student, Rudo, made us immensely proud by participating in the expert panel. The discussion delved into the profound impact of colonialism and shed light on the often-overlooked black British history, sparking meaningful conversations and reflections among our students.

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Sports Awards Evening 2024

This term, we had the privilege of celebrating the remarkable achievements of our students at the 2024 Sports Awards Evening. It was a lovely evening celebrating all the nominees and winners for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Witnessing such an abundance of talent in one room was truly inspiring.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Here's to another year filled with outstanding sports achievements!

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DNA Performance

On Friday 20th September, our fantastic SWA Drama Company performed Dennis Kelly’s "DNA", a darkly comic play about a group of teenagers whose bullying antics get completely out of hand. The ten students involved worked with great passion and commitment to create a performance of outstanding quality. To create a professional experience for our audience, the play was performed in our school theatre. The space was used to its best theatrical potential: huge backdrops were projected onto the screen and the atmospheric set, lighting and sound, constructed and operated skilfully by our tech crew, enhanced the students’ wonderful acting further. SWA Drama company will be expanding to include our new Year 9 students after Half-term and then work will begin on a new play!

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Network Rail Visit Sixth Form

Year 12 students had an informative and engaging session with Network Rail's Head of Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes today. They had the opportunity to learn about the diverse range of apprenticeships and graduate opportunities available at Network Rail.

The session also included details about an upcoming Network Rail careers fair and an assessment day trip, providing the students with valuable insights into potential future career paths. The students actively participated by asking insightful questions, demonstrating a strong interest in exploring these opportunities further.

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Art Stars Board

The Art Stars board highlights exceptional effort from students in Year 9 through A level. The displayed work will be updated regularly to showcase current coursework and homework.