The Phoenix Collegiate Newsletter December 2010

That was the comment made by David Hyner of Stretch Development Ltd after he spent the day with our Year 11 pupils on our first Phoenix Day, Monday 22nd November!

It seems to sum up the remarkably positive feeling all those connected with our new school have had since we opened in September. As you will see from the content of this newsletter we have seen a wonderful term unfold with pupil and staff activity at the highest level. A recent visitor to the school described the feeling she got from her tour as “wall to wall smiles” and she added that she thought the children were amongst the smartest she had seen anywhere in the area!

So the new school is well underway, and this newsletter will help parents and friends of the school to see some of the excellent work and activities that have been witnessed this term. Our Open Days and Evenings back in late September were very well attended and

again the feedback from visitors and prospective future Phoenix parents was very positive. The initial shock and disappointment of the Government announcement not to build our new school has been replaced by a determination to make what we have as good as possible, and we remain absolutely confident that Michael Gove will make good his words in a recent letter to Mr Heavisides and recognise our need for substantial and immediate support to improve our facilities. We expect an announcement around this early in the spring term.

Our pupils are now well focused upon their learning and our attention inevitably turns on Year 11 to 13 as they prepare for external exams. A huge number of additional support systems have been put in place to support the pupils and we are confident that our exam results for this coming year will demonstrate the significant progress the school will have made in its’ first year. Pupils and school alike are indebted to

the remarkable extra work teaching and support staff have committed to, in an effort to ensure everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential.

Finally our new web site is gradually taking shape. Not every page is fully populated yet, but those that are help show some of the remarkable things that are going on at the school so please take time to visit the site and add it to your favourites bar.

On behalf of all of us at Phoenix Collegiate we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Successful New Year!

Brian HeavisidesExecutive Headteacher

...but KEEP DOING IT!”

“I am not sure what is going on at Phoenix...

www. phoenixcollegiate.co.uk

On Monday 22nd November 2010 we had our first Phoenix Day.

Some Year 11s benefitted from an intensive Maths intervention day whilst the majority of the year group enjoyed a day of very entertaining and really useful workshops provided by Stretch Education.

The day started with students considering their grades and targets and looking at how they rate themselves. We then went

to the hall where David Hyner from Stretch led the sessions. Pupils

learnt how to avoid being “milky milky” cows and learnt all about making sure that they had the determination and focus to become rhinos instead and working towards their own success.

Students got fully involved in the sessions and learnt all about Memory Stacking (fun/

scary/rude!), the Pyramid – Massive Goal Principle, Anchoring, Comfort Zones and so much more from David – an incredibly energetic and motivating speaker who spoke of his own decision to take charge and change his life.

We were also very privileged to have Nigel -a record breaking disabled mountaineer who gave an amazing and inspiring talk with some truly incredible photos about his experiences and his true story of survival, disability and mountaineering.

Our outside speakers were extremely impressed with our students and David made the following comments: “Thanks for the honour of working with your students today…. I am not sure what is

Phoenix Day: 6th FormThe first Phoenix Day of the year saw the Sixth Form coming together for the first time from both the North and South Sites at Bescot Stadium in Walsall.

As probably the biggest 6th Form in Sandwell, it was an amazing sight to see a 6th Form of just under 400 students all gathered together in the Stadium Suite to celebrate the start of the day with a theatre production from ImpAct Universal. This was followed by a series of workshops designed to engage students in teambuilding, motivational and learning skills sessions and to help them to address many issues surrounding being a 6th Form student.

Students also had the opportunity to ask questions of two Walsall and International Football players – Mick Kearns, former Ireland Goalkeeper and Jimmy Walker who is the current Walsall Goalie and former Premiership player. The day was in the words of the students ‘fun’, ‘worthwhile’, ‘good to mix with students from the other site’, an opportunity to meet up with friends not seen since Primary school’ and a ‘most enjoyable experience which is hoped we have more of’.

It was a successful day and we hope that more joint site activities will take place soon!

S. DavenportDirector of Sixth Form

going on at Phoenix but KEEP DOING IT ! The staff were helpful (some even came up to us afterwards and commented on the workshop and how it had blown away their previous

assumptions) and the students were ... a credit to themselves and to the school.

Please pass on my team’s best wishes to them for us... Also...... At lunchtime there were two lads who by their own confession were

not “angels” much of the time. They spent maybe 30 mins talking to Nigel and myself and took handouts and committed to taking action and also to raise money for a charity. We thought they were amazing !”

Lucy PrestonAchievement Coordinator for Year 11 South Site

Phoenix Day

BTEC Food DiplomaThis is a new course being introduced into Sixth Form. Very popular choice with pupils. Pupils who enrol onto the course will be able to wear the new uniforms so they look the part !

Baggeridge Country Park High Ropes Course

Gifted and Talented Trip to CambridgeOn Thursday November 4th a group of Year 10 students attended the G&T visit to GIRTON College, Cambridge. This visit was designed to give our students an insight into University and student life in general.

As well as being introduced to studying in higher education they were given a guided tour of the city and many of the other colleges. Some of which literally took the breath away

from our youngsters with their amazing history and architecture.

Apparently the favourite part of the day was the Natural History Museum but the fudge shop looked more popular with all.

More activities are planned for later in the year with other year groups and departments.

Look out for further details.

Music Department at The PublicStudents and staff from The Phoenix Collegiate were involved in the recent Black History Event at The Public. The trip was led by Mr Peddie and involved students taking part in learning activities and workshops. 6th Form music students also assisted with the running of the event and worked with organisers throughout the day. Many of our students impressed the organisers so much that were offered further voluntary opportunities.

In addition, a group of KS3 and 4 girls performed as 'Collective Soul' and were received with a standing ovation from the public audience.

Aim Higher Trip; October 2010. 11 Pupils from Year 9 who are studying BTEC Sport. This was a very challenging High ropes day. Pupils worked together gaining confidence, working as a team and encouraging each other to overcome their fears. It was a very enjoyable day.

National Anti Bullying WeekPhoenix has entered fully into the spirit of supporting the school, local and national anti bullying theme during the national campaign and of course - beyond. During the national campaign the anti bullying theme was delivered via assemblies to students by the students including a group of year 10 BTEC performing arts pupils. The anti bullying theme continued beyond assemblies throughout the week through subject areas and activities at break and at lunchtime. An online student questionnaire has been used to gauge initial feedback about the student view on bullying with a more thorough questionnaire planned via our new learning platform. Results from questionnaires will feed into the new Phoenix Collegiate Bullying Policy so that the policy is based on live data and real student voice. The agreed message at Phoenix is that bullying is not accepted, will be reported, will be resolved and will not be tolerated.

www. phoenixcollegiate.co.uk

Black Country Enterprise Challenge

Get Baking for BBC Children in Need

Rock SchoolThanks to funding from FRESCO, we have been able to host a 10 week rock school after school 3.30-5.30 for budding rock musicians. Thanks to additional funding, we can now continue this extra curricular activity after Christmas.

Here are some photographs of the students hard at work:

Phoenix entered 2 teams into the Sandwell heat of the Black Country Enterprise Challenge held at The Public in West Bromwich town centre. There were a record number of entries with 14 school taking part. The team from South Campus comprised of Aminur Rahman; Joshua Daniel; Connor Welch; Phoebe Brailsford; Katie Beasley; Amy Higginson; Lewis Richardson and Shaddy Ahmed. They were a very strong team who worked very well together and behaved impeccably. In any other year I am sure they would have won, in fact in my biased view I would say there were 6 teams who could have won and our 2 teams were among them. Well done to both our teams – just pipped at the post.

The Lets Get Cooking Club held a baking event to raise money for disadvantage children at home and abroad. The delicious smell of baking wafted along the corridors of the school. The club cooked a variety of shortbread biscuits shaped as Pudsey Bear and fairy cakes which were decorated with iced designs printed on edible rice paper. The club raised £202.00 for Children in Need.

The Phoenix Open Air Summer Concert 2010The first ever collective gathering of the students of Phoenix took place in the summer where south site, north site, year 6 students joining Phoenix and all teaching and non teaching staff attended a huge open air pop concert staged by Beacon Radio, West Midlands Police and featured 'Witness' as the main act who was supported by other local musical artists. The rain held off long enough for the 2 hour show with hundreds of professional photos of the spectacle being obtained by a professional photographer as well as the show being featured in the local press and on Central TV.

Thanks to the following:The Lions club – donating gardening toolsA & B Waste – Cement products and shedForge Mill - Flowers

Congratulations to:Bradley Abrahams (7H2) Amardeep Shergill (7P2)Who were awarded the Phoenix Humanities Award ( Sept -Oct 2010) for outstanding work in year 7 Humanities. They did a lot of extra research and written work on Flags and Florence Nightingale Well done ! Who will win the next terms award?

Frank ChapmanIn the last week of this term, yes the middle of winter!!! The Phoenix Collegiate is taking a group of KS3 pupils to the Frank Chapman centre in Bewdley. This is an excellent opportunity for North and South site students to really get to know each other. For those of you who visited the centre in your primary school you will be shocked at how much more ‘daring’ the activities are and how much more responsibility you will be given!

There are still some places left so if you are interested in going then please see your AC/Head of Year or Mrs Williams on South site.

Modern Medicine

Anti Bullying & Enterprise WeekPupils in Design and Technology used their creative skills to help raise awareness of anti bullying throughout school. A range of logos were created using a variety of computer packages. These designs were used to transfer their prints onto a variety of products, such as, keyrings, mousemats, coasters, biscuits and sponge cakes, which were decorated with printed rice paper. These designers became entrepreneurs for the week and decided to sell their products to celebrate Anti Bullying and Enterprise week. The department raised £100.00 for additional resources for future projects. These young designers were excited to see their designs come to life during this busy week.

Art and DesignStudents from the Art and Design Department were invited to take part in an art competition and exhibit their art work at the YMCA in West Bromwich to celebrate Black History Month. Schools across Sandwell took part in this event. All students who entered were shortlisted and Sadie Forrester-Hayles won first prize and Jody Lundy came third.

Music Department North Campus News

A-Level Biology students had the opportunity to take part in a 'Modern Medicine' taster session at Sandwell Hospital. The students used specialist techniques to learn how to stitch and open wound, take samples of blood and diagnose problems from X-rays. The students had a talk from Foundation Year 1 doctors that gave them an insight into life at Medical School. They also had an opportunity to meet Paediatric and Cardiology specialists.

'Afrikan Fusion - celebrating Black History MonthOn Monday 4th October, as part of the celebrations of Black History Month, Year 7 students experienced the sounds of Afrikan Fusion - a drumming, singing and dancing workshop. Students took part in one of four workshops and then performed in a finale to the rest of the year group in the main hall.

Some of the students said:"I was tired at the end of the day but it was great"

"I never played the African drums before but it was fun"

"I enjoyed the dancing and singing and having fun with me friends"

www. phoenixcollegiate.co.uk

Year 8 BuddiesMany year 8’s have applied to become buddy mentors for year 7 pupils. We will be announcing the successful candidates very soon. They will be given full training in how to be a good mentor and will become a valuable member of the year 7 support team. Good luck to all those who have applied.

Yr 11 Digital Photography

Phoenix Poetry Competition

Pupils visited the Black Country Living Museum. The day was very successful and students' were highly commended on their smart appearance and their manners when taking photographs around the Museum.

Students have taken part in a digital light workshop and explored portraiture at a visit to The Public in West Bromwich.

AS Digital Photography students were invited to the opening launch of Martin Parr's photographic exhibition of the Black Country, at The Public. Students were thrilled to meet the famous photographer.

Ten students at the Phoenix Collegiate have won the school’s first official poetry competition since it opened in September 2010.

The competition invited students on both campuses to submit their poems on the subject of the phoenix. With a £10 prize on offer for each year group, a total of ninety-six students across the whole collegiate entered poetry on both the mythical phoenix and the new school itself.

Six students from South Campus won prizes and four students from North Campus

£10 each. The competition, which was supported by the AimHigher Project, was launched just three weeks after the Phoenix Collegiate came to life on September 1st 2010.

The school’s Executive Headteacher Mr. Brian Heavisides said, “Poetry can inspire the creative edge in our young people and the remarkable quality and enthusiasm we have seen through this competition reflects the high standards and engagement that Phoenix pupils have established this year. We were delighted with their efforts.”

Phoenix Poetry Competition Winners:From left to right, top: Bradley Knott, Mr. B. Heavisides, Michael Olaniyi, Matthew Guy and Ishmail Harris.From left to right, bottom: Tom Willetts, Chelsea Powell, Stefan Garman-Cooke, Lerah Barcenillla, Gemma Morgan and Tanya Lees.

Welcome Year 5 and 6Since September The Phoenix Collegiate has opened it’s doors to our partner primary schools Year 5 and 6 pupils.

All the sessions have been a huge success and we have plenty more visits in the pipeline. Thanks to all the staff and students hard work we have made these memorable days for these youngsters.

It is always wonderful to see such positivity coming form the pupils and nearly all that visit are excited about the prospect of joining The Phoenix Collegiate in the future!

Huge thanks to all involved.

BasketballThe U14 and U16 teams are entered into the Sandwell League, playing their first competitive game last week. The U14 won their game against Sandwell Academy 14- 12 while the U16 team were narrowly defeated but played some good basketball. Both teams showed good attitude and team work throughout the game, with some exceptional personal performances.

The girls basketball team train every Tuesday night 3- 4:15pm in the girls gym, all Yr 8-11 girls welcome

FootballYear 7 beat Stuart Bathurst 2-0,

Year 8 beat George Salters 4-3 and Wood Green 2-0,

Year 10 beat Sandwell Academy 5-1 and drew 2-2 with Wood Green.

6th form results Wood Green 2-0 and Stuart Bathurst 8-1.

Sports News ... Phoenix North site Netball resultsU14 Phoenix V Q3 . Phoenix won 11-10

U14 Phoenix V Alex. Phoenix won 12;2. U16 lost .

U14 Phoenix V S. Bathurst Phoenix won 13;3

U14 Phoenix V Wodo. Phoenix Lost 6-2. U16 Lost 22;0

U14 Phoenix V Wood Green Phoenix won 12;2 U16 lost 18;2

U16 Phoenix v South site Phoenix North won 11-0

September till December 2010 North CampusPhoenix North campus has got off to a very pleasing start on the sporting front. The boys have entered representative teams in Badminton, Cricket, Indoor Athletics, Football and Rugby. The performances and behaviour of all the pupils who participated in these fixtures were excellent throughout. The most pleasing aspect of these fixtures was seeing the pupils from both the North campus and the South campus shouting and cheering for each other during the Indoor Athletics events.

Our Sports Leaders have been busy leading sports activities this year. Our year 13 HSLA leaders (Karl Pace, Liam Griffiths, Ashley Harrison, Jade Simpson) have led the weekly football sessions for our year 7 and 8 boys as well as leading activity sessions at the recent Healthy Living Week at Tameside Primary School, proving themselves to be excellent role models.

One of the major successes of the term was the Primary Indoor Athletics tournament which was held in the Phoenix North Sports hall. The competition was won by Tameside who narrowly beat Priory by just one point in an eagerly contested event. The success of this competition was largely due to the hard work of the year 12 CSLA sports leader Danny Bohannan and Emma Edwards, Jodie Cadman, Chelsea Nock (all year 9) and Ashleigh Keirl (year 10) who organised and managed their mini events superbly.

The New Year holds some exciting new opportunities for us. Firstly the new soccer centre will be open, allowing us to have our weekly soccer practices (year 7 to 9 and years 10 to 6th form) on this magnificent surface. We will also now be able to arrange floodlit 7-a-side fixtures against other schools. Secondly, we are in the process of developing a link with Wednesbury Boxing Academy. The first stage of this will involve a select group of 12 pupils participating in the joint Phoenix-Wednesbury Boxing Academy “Boxing Clever” scheme. This should then develop into a formal link between the two of us allowing more of our pupils who are interested in boxing to join the boxing club. Good luck to the 12 members of the scheme who start the 1st of their 8 sessions on Wednesday 12 January.

5-a-Side Football6th form pupils who represented the South Campus tonight at the Birmingham NIA in a 5 -a-side football tournament.

All pupils worked hard and were a credit to the school.

Backrow, Rawezh Mohammed, Joshua Mendez, Ashley Forbes

Front row Josh Breeze and Harry Poxon.

Well done to the South Campus, year 11 Girls Netball team Who have shown a great deal of effort and determination over the season, they have a great attitude and are a pleasure to work with.

BikeabilityYear 7’s on the North site are currently completing a Bikeability course Level 1 and 2. This is a 2 day course on bike skills, and road safety.

www. phoenixcollegiate.co.uk

The first photo is the of the South campus team that won the Sandwell KS3 Badminton tournament.

The pupils are Reece Patterson, Bradley Lovatt, Sam Belcher, Harinder Singh, Danny Martin, Raju Ahmed and Matthew Roberts.

The second photo is the girls KS4 Badminton team that represented their age group for the South Campus, Chloe-May Stanaway, Jessica Martin, Riana Jules-Dantzie, Nicola Dawes

The third photo is the boys KS4 Badminton South campus team that represented their age group for the South Campus, Ilirjan Sula, Samuel Choudhury, Dominic Wilkins and Buckley Thomik.

The fourth photo is South Campus year 9 football team who have beaten George Salters 5-0 and Stuart Bathurst 3-1.

The squad this year has included, Joshua Neville, Gage Whatemore, Lance Osbaldeston, Randane Larmond, Rico Mendez, Alex Herr, Tshibuabua Katanda, Kyle Whitehouse, Floyd Cruicshank, Oliver Richardson, Joel Peterkin, Daniel Wood, Ryan Cousins, Tashinga Mashingaidze, Karl Langford (captain), Shaikul Islam.

The 5th photo is of Lathanial Hadley playing for the year 10 South Campus football team in a comfortable victory over Sandwell Academy.

The 6th photo is the year 7,8 and 9 athletics team that represented the South Campus in the local indoor athletics championships, the pupils involved were as follows,

April Kydd, Jordan Mcdonald, Bethany Jevons, Ayana Bogle, Tanya Karda, Helene Kadima, William Nubiga. Shaquil Bogle, Luke Mainwood, Callum Broomes, Andrew Richardson, Rachelle Alexander, Aanisah Ralston-Baptiste, Mia Jules-Dantzie, Matthew Perry, Thomas Sutton, Reece Patterson, Imarn Williams, Connor Mckearney, Imogen Wallace, Juanita Smith, Nichole Keen, Chanel James, Barabara Boko Hyouyhat, Lance Osbaldeston, Lance Green, Jason Williams, Randane Larmond, Tshibuabua Katanda,

All pupils have shown a great attitude and effort this year and should be very proud of themselves.

Well done to all!

Sport News ... ... ... ...

BadmintonThe KS4 Phoenix North Girls Badminton team were unlucky at the Sandwell North Schools Finals. Having won the majority of their games they qualified for the semi-finals. They came up against a good Wodensborough side who prevented the Phoenix girls North team from reaching the finals. The girls team included; Demi Bennett, Rebecca Dunlavey, Ashlea Keirl and Sophie Pallin. The girls enjoyed the experience of playing competitive Badminton. Well done girls!

Well done to the KS3 Girls Badminton team; Chelsea Nock (Yr 9), Shona Griffin (Yr 9), Melissa Leach (Yr 8) and Zoe King (Yr 9). They Won the Sandwell schools competition and are through to try to get to the Black country finals.

www. phoenixcollegiate.co.uk