Date Month Year

Newsletter

Cover: Details

#happynewyear 19th January 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

Staff and students have returned from the Winter break, well rested and with a renewed energy and focus for the start of 2020. I am pleased to report that there is an excellent atmosphere around the Academy during lessons and also during breaks and lunchtimes.

There have been some positive changes at Fowey River as we enter the new decade to promote an ethos of excellence. There is now a full programme of activities to educate and entertain at lunchtime and all year groups now have a common room if they want an indoor, supervised space to relax with friends. The training days at the start of term allowed staff to work together as teams to prepare lessons collaboratively so that challenging and creative tasks were developed for the rest of this year. We continue with our drive to ensure lessons are not disrupted and the staff are as one in calling out the small number of students who think that they have a right to interrupt learning and are being dealt with using clear behaviour protocols.

We have also welcomed six new highly qualified and experienced staff to boost the teaching team and they are already having impact due to their consistently high expectations. We have a new Head of Music and a Music and Drama technician arriving at the start of February as a demonstration of our commitment to the arts. We will also be joined by a new English teacher who is keen to support the sports teams as well as bring his expertise in literature to the Academy. The new staff are profiled later in the newsletter.

Year 11 are now on the home straight as they prepare for their GCSEs over the next few months. We will be setting up a full range of revision arrangements including bespoke revision folders, “Masterclasses” after school and a range of revision assemblies and digital apps to support independent learning. The combination of focused hard work and positive sleep and nutrition habits will promote success in the summer as well as support student well-being. Students who take control of their learning and create a clear plan of self-study will be the ones that get the results. We will be inviting Year 11 parents and their children to a GCSE Success evening in the next few weeks.

Finally, we have made a number of internal staff appointments last week. We have added to the Lower School staff team by appointing Mr Waters as the Head of Year 7 and Miss Renfree as the Head of Year 8 who will be supporting Miss Hick, the Head of Lower School, by enhancing still further the pastoral provision. The other new posts included an Outdoor Education Coordinator to ensure that all students have an entitlement to learning beyond the classroom including developing the Duke of Edinburgh Award still further. We also have a new REAL Project Coordinator where Mrs Moorcroft was appointed to ensure that “Rigorous, Engaging and Authentic Learning” is a feature of all the Humanities and Art lessons in the lower school.

The scene is set for a very positive 2020 and our focus for the first few weeks is the value of empathy. As a whole school community, we will do this by being active listeners, by being kind and also appreciating others views even if they differ from our own.

All the best

Sara Davey

CEO Report by Sara Davey

New Staff…

Mrs Rubio

Mrs Berry

Hola! I am Mrs Rubio, the new Spanish and French teacher. I am Spanish native speaker that loves languages and learning new cultures. I am very passionate about sports, cooking and travelling. I am already sharing this passion with my students and I would love that the kids enjoy my lessons like I do!

My name is Mrs Berry and I am the new Assistant Principal: English and Literacy. I have taught for seven years in the local area and I love my job. There is no greater feeling than getting to work with young adults and to help them reach their potential. I first realised I loved English, and that it was the subject for me, during my teenage years in an English classroom reading ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I haven’t looked back since and I hope the students in my class will develop the same passion that I did. It is my goal to make every FRA student a lifelong lover of literature.

I’ve been teaching for 5 years but been in education for 9 years in various roles, having started my educational journey at Fowey nine years ago, so it is exciting to be returning. My main sport is rugby and I love coaching and playing. I enjoy any sport, and will support any student in their interests in and out of school. I am fair, consistent, kind and patient but expect high standards from everyone. Outside of work I am also involved in Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service as a retained firefighter which is heavily linked to Fowey as a community.

Mr Chapman…

We are entering a new exciting phase of education; the national changes to curriculum provide the opportunity for innovation, growth and improvement. I am excited to be joining the Fowey River Academy team and look forward to developing the use of digital technology to raise the attainment and aspirations across the school. I am committed to, and passionate about, delivering excellent teaching and learning, and having worked in education for 12 years in a variety of roles, I have the skillset to ensure the best outcomes for all students. In addition, having changed careers from Journalism I also have an understanding of the world outside of education. I believe in instilling a lifelong love of learning through providing students with the right career, aspirational and co-curricular opportunities. In my spare time, having grown up in Cornwall, I am a keen surfer and enjoy spending time out in the water.

Hello! My name is Ms Hodgson. I have just moved from Canada to the Fowey area. I am really excited to be here and explore the Cornwall area. I am an artist and a teacher. In my own work I focus on sculpture and installation works and have experience with drawing, painting, printmaking, digital media and photography as well as sculpture. Before I came to the UK I had been teaching art in Hamilton, Ontario for two years. I love traveling, reading, and hiking. Feel free to drop by my classroom and introduce yourself!

New staff…

Ms Hodgson

Mr Stagg - MFL & HumanitiesI'm an MFL and Humanities Teacher from New Zealand, specialising in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese Language, History and Geography. Currently, I'm working with Fowey River Academy to cover lessons and provide support and tutoring across a variety of subjects. What makes me tick? Mostly caffeine, a cheerful smile, and my kiwi 'can-do' attitude.

Ms Stott - Assistant Head Teaching Excellence

The partnership with sailing social enterprise Morvargh took another exciting turn just after Christmas when the team at Morvargh announced they will be moving their 57ft sail training boat to Fowey on a permanent basis. Aside from the hugely exciting Yr 9 Aspire360 round Britain sailing challenge that we have launched, we will now be exploring ways in which all students at Fowey can benefit from this exciting partnership.

Community Update…

Morvargh Sailing Partnership

Young Peoples Partnership

We know that life is challenging for families…there are so many pressures facing us all in the rapidly evolving world that we are living in…so we have started working in partnership with a range of local, Fowey based, organisations to explore how we can support families and young people outside of school…it’s early days, but we are excited about how we can develop projects that support families during tough times. If you feel you have something to offer this partnership and live or work locally, please get in touch.

New Activities…

Reimagining Break-times…

We’ve decided break times are not good enough…students deserve better. So now, whatever the weather, whatever the day, we have a range of activities that are on offer at break times…and the list is growing all the time. The offer is student led and based on views from a focus group of students. Students were clear they wanted Common Rooms, somewhere to chill at lunchtimes, Yr 11 have the College, but now all year groups have a space to relax if they don’t want to participate in a club. This is in addition to the MIXX Programme of after school/lunchtime clubs…Early feedback is really positive.

THISHOUSE

BELIEVES...

Year Group Updates

Year 10 Exeter University Trip

We took 60 of our Year 10 students for a "university experience" day at Exeter University yesterday. For many students, this was the first time that they had spent time on a university campus. It was an opportunity to see and hear from current students what it is like to be at university and how very different from school it is.

Our students commented:

"It's a feel what life at university"

"It has changed my attitude"

"I now feel I know more about university"

"I'm coming here - its like a small village - like another world"

"I like the informal attitude"

"it is very diverse"

"It has changed my attitude; I feel more positive and more informed".

During the day, we had a sample lecture from a university lecturer, toured the campus with current Exeter students, did physics problem solving exercises with a physics lecturer, and discussed what it is like to be a student with current students.

Some of the key messages from the Exeter students were:

"Paying back the student loans isn't a concern - you don't start paying it back until you are earning a decent salary (at least £25,000 per year) and the amount that you pay back is manageable"

"The student loans puts everyone broadly in the same financial position - they all have broadly similar amounts of money to live on each term"

"Student life is what you make it - you are largely responsible for yourself and you get out what you put in".

We are planning to offer a similar trip to our Year 11 students after their mocks. If parents are interested in learning more about student finance, we can seek to organise an evening briefing from someone from Exeter University's finance team.

Year Group Updates…

This week during Creative Carousel, year 7 students have been exploring the local area and taking photographs to inspire the theme for this years Fowey Arts Festival ‘Spirit of Cornwall’ these photos will be used as inspiration for a drawing or painting that will be submitted for Fowey Young Artist of the year 2020.

Year 9 Outdoor Education

A huge well done to GCSE Drama students who were exceptional in the Secondary Drama Showcase at Falmouth University. We are all very proud of you!

GCSE Drama Showcase

Year Group Updates

Care in the community…by Ella

On Friday the 20th of December I had the opportunity to take part in a charity event with Cornwall Care. The event involved traveling to three different homes (Trevarna, Woodlands, St. Breock) with a group of therapy animals provided by the Chaos group and Positive People. This was to spread some Christmas cheer! I had initially wanted to take part in this event for the involvement with animals, mainly the miniature horses, as this is something I’ve been passionate about since I can remember. As the day went on, I started to realise why so many people go to the care industry for their careers. In my opinion, working in care can be such a fulfilling and rewarding career, especially in special moments, such as therapy animal visits. Just to be able to see the way the residents faces lit up as Smokey and Bandit (the horses) trotted in was such a magical experience. For me, the most thought-provoking home was Woodlands, as the residents were just thrilled to see the horses and they were engrossed with everything the animals did. Its impact on me was so powerful as it showed that nursing/residential homes are not just places where families abandon older relatives, but that they are homes for older people (not all with illnesses or special requirements) to spend the rest of their lives if they can no longer live alone, and to provide solace for them in as many ways as possible. After Friday, as I mentioned above, I now know why so many people go to the care industry for work, especially the younger generation. I would like to thank Andrea, Matthew and their team at Cornwall Care for allowing me to join them on Friday, along with Babs and her team at Chaos group and Positive people for allowing me to help with the animals. Thank you!

How to achieve great success…ENDURANCE There’s no

such thing as we can’t

CAN’TX

If we try and don’t succeed...

...we try again!

Accept feedback and build on it

ETHICAL

Respect ourselves, our community &

each other

Listening to others instead of talking over them

Improve with every thing we do

Revie

w

Do

Impro

ve

Face different ideas and beliefs with a open mindW

WWAlways focus on

What Went Well

Turn every setback into fuel to power forwards

EXCELLENCE

Become the best that we can be

Take pride in producing our best work at all times

Wear our uniform with

prideCome prepared to learn, with all the correct equipment

Leave excuses and poor behaviour

at the doorFollow instructions from staff

Allow others to learn without distraction or disruption

Keep our community litter free and tidy

Do not take things that belong to others

Look after our Academy,

using resources safely

and responsibly

It’s All About You…

At Fowey River Academy We…

The Fowey River Academy Way

EMPATHY

Attend every day on time and

ready to learn

Even Better If

For myself and others Treat others with kindness and respect

ECOLOGICAL

Reduce Re-use Recycle

Its our planet and our responsibility

Understand the difference

between

EQUITY

EVOLUTIO

N

Recognising that we are

all equal and and should

be treated as such

ENDURANCE There’s no

such thing as we can’t

CAN’TX

If we try and don’t succeed...

...we try again!

Accept feedback and build on it

ETHICAL

Respect ourselves, our community &

each other

Listening to others instead of talking over them

Improve with every thing we do

Revie

w

Do

Impro

ve

Face different ideas and beliefs with a open mindW

WWAlways focus on

What Went Well

Turn every setback into fuel to power forwards

EXCELLENCE

Become the best that we can be

Take pride in producing our best work at all times

Wear our uniform with

prideCome prepared to learn, with all the correct equipment

Leave excuses and poor behaviour

at the doorFollow instructions from staff

Allow others to learn without distraction or disruption

Keep our community litter free and tidy

Do not take things that belong to others

Look after our Academy,

using resources safely

and responsibly

It’s All About You…

At Fowey River Academy We…

The Fowey River Academy Way

EMPATHY

Attend every day on time and

ready to learn

Even Better If

For myself and others Treat others with kindness and respect

ECOLOGICAL

Reduce Re-use Recycle

Its our planet and our responsibility

Understand the difference

between

EQUITY

EVOLUTIO

N

Recognising that we are

all equal and and should

be treated as such

At Fowey River Academy we are committed to Values Based Education

We believe that We need to nurture the behaviour's and attitudes in our students for them to develop a strong set of personal virtues that prepares them for a successful future.

We will be focusing on Endurance (working hard), Empathy (being kind) and Evolution(making a change and getting smarter) over the next 4 weeks.

Please watch this video clip from Neil Hawkes the founder of Values Based education

https://www.ted.com/talks/neil_hawkes_values_based_education_vbe_education_s_quiet_revolution

Active Leaders – We have trained a group of Year 9 students to be ‘Active Leaders’. These guys will help to organise activities at break and lunchtime and support teachers in lessons by taking on leadership roles. You will notice them because they will be wearing their smart new tops with the FRA logo on the front and ‘Active Leader’ on the back.

Sports update…

Active Leaders

We have started our Healthy Lifestyle programme and this week our leaders ran the introductory sessions for a group of Year 7 and 8 students that they would like to engage into physical activity and develop wellbeing and wider skills such as confidence. In a few weeks we will host our own festival and we will be joined by a PARALYMPIC athlete to help launch this!!

Healthy Lifestyle Champions

Sports Update…

Football Fixtures

Training starts on Wednesday 15th January for all year groups - 15.30 front field, meet in the changing rooms. We will be doing a warm-up, then conditioned games and team formation practice as the fixtures for the rest of this half term start next week. We will be looking to appoint leaders within the year group who will take on various roles of captain, vice-captain, team-management etc.

If you can't make training any week for a valid reason you must let me know. We will be adding to these fixtures as we are just waiting on Brannel and Tretherras to get back to us with a date for all years to play. In order to play you must have completed a fixture consent form - these were handed out at the start of the year, if you have completed one during rugby season you do not need to complete a new one.

Great training sessions this week with girls only training on a Monday after school and Tuesday lunch; All students training is on a Wednesday after school.

If you can’t make training for any reason then let Mr Horton know.

Our star of the week for sport is Naomi Jane who attended her first girls football session – but not just came along to one, came to both Monday and Tuesday’s session! Well done Naomi!

Sports update…

Girls Football

Please support Maddy Miller who is trying to raise funding for her girls football trip to Holland…Maddie is one of our rising football stars and would love your support to help develop girls football locally. Thank you.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-bodmin-girls-footballers?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

MIXX Programme…

MIXX Programme…

Fowey Sports Hub: Sports Hall

Fowey Sports Hub has an

amazing sports hall…big enough

for 5 aside football…basket ball

courts, badminton and all sorts

of other uses…

We regularly host Karate, soft-

play, football, parties and more.

It can be booked as a full hall or half-size.

Below is a photo from a rugby camp where the hall was used for elite fitness

testing.

To book the hall or enquire please

contact our manager Paul.

http://foweysportshub.co.uk/

St Austell Womens Refuge …

We are trying to reduce our impact on the environment…we know we can do much better…but every little helps...so we provide water coolers in the canteen for students to use…please remember to bring a reusable water bottle to refill during the day…because we don't provide plastic cups…thank you.

Small things make a big difference…

Don’t forget your bottle!

St Austell Womens Refuge …

CAN YOU HELP?St Austell Women’s Refuge is in urgent need of toiletries for its clients…did you get lots of toiletries at Christmas and you’re not sure what do do with them! Or perhaps you’ve over ordered on the Asda shop? Every little helps so if you do have some spare ladies toiletries, please drop them in to reception and we will collect them and deliver on your behalf. Thank you.

Small things make a big difference…

Coming up…

We Are

The Leading Edge Academy Partnership