Walsall Academy

In This Issue

Curriculum Focus

Session 3

“Feed Me Truth”

Academy’s Got

Talent

Outward Bound

Fundraising

Welcome to the Newsletter!

This term March to June is packed full of excellent work for our students. As the year progresses, they become

more confident in their studies and begin to show real talent in many areas. Year 11 see all of their

efforts come to fruition as they sit their final GCSE examinations this term. In this edition of the

newsletter, we shine a spotlight on particular curriculum areas that wish to share their practice in the

second term.

Elsewhere across the school

Performing Arts, STEM and Physical Education have so much going on that they deserve their own

newsletter. Please find the links to the more subject specific newsletters on the Walsall Academy

website, under the “Parents’ Information” heading, or alternatively, follow this link:

http://www.walsallacademy.com/parents-information/newsletters/

Termly Whole School Newsletter Issue 3: June 2018

2

Key Stage 4

At the beginning of June, Year 9 were visited by Bali Rai, the author

of titles such as Rani and Sukh and Anita and Me, among many

more. Both GCSE texts, until recent years, remain popular among

students and explore the challenges that young people often face

when struggling to belong to two different cultures.

Students found the session engaging and rewarding, with Rai’s

charismatic manner and sense of humour making the session a real

treat for Year 9 that will really add to their understanding of his novel

and the topics he wished to tackle in his writing.

Above: Bali Rai and some of his work

Curriculum Focus

English Upcoming in English...

Visiting the Theatre

Even the most

rational of minds can

play tricks in the

dark...

Later this month, students in Year 9 will be given the opportunity to experience theatre at its finest in a production of The Woman in Black. Adapted from the 1983 novel of the same name, the Gothic horror will be sure to have students on the edge of their seats!

By the pricking of my

thumbs, something

wicked this way

comes...

On Tuesday 10 July,

many of Year 10 will be

visiting Stafford Castle to

see Shakespeare’s

Macbeth performed live.

One of the Bard’s most

famous, ill fated plays;

the tragic tale of

murderous Macbeth and

his cunning wife will be

sure to delight and

disgust students in equal

measure!

3

Modern Foreign Languages Key Stage 3 Year 7 students are now getting the full MFL experience and

changing to their third and final language on the carousel. Year 7

German students have had the opportunity to create a fun project in

their sessions where they had to plan and write about a trip to

Germany or Austria. Students made a great effort and produced

some beautiful work and drawings of German monuments.

Moreover, Year 7 Spanish students were given the task of making a

calendar in Spanish. Eva, Nathan and Lauren made an exceptional

effort in their project, including information on Spanish festivals and

using high quality resources. All three students were then Star

Student of the Week. Well done Eva, Nathan and Lauren!

Key Stage 4 Year 10 Spanish students have started to prepare for their Madrid

trip, which will take place on 21 June. Students have been learning

useful phrases which will help them gain confidence for when they

are faced with real life Spanish speaking scenarios such as ordering

food, asking for directions, etc. A meeting was held on 16 May and

students were able to get the full itinerary of the trip, as well as

gathering all of the essential information.

Year 9 French students have been studying the topic of schools. As

part of their homework, students had to research a French school in

order to compare French schools to UK schools. Students then did a

presentation in front of their peers and wrote a comparison in

French.

Key Stage 5 Year 13 Spanish, German and French have completed their

speaking examinations which will count towards their final grade.

Students prepared their own individual research project on a topic

which relates to a country where their studied language is spoken.

Some examples chosen by our students include: the French

Revolution, Immigration in Austria and the Spanish Inquisition.

Primary Outreach

Year 13 Languages students participated in a Primary Outreach programme this year. French students visited the primary school during the Autumn term, followed by German students and, finally, our Spanish students have just finished their last Spanish sessions. Pupils at Lower Farm thoroughly enjoyed the language classes, with comments like:

“You have been fantastic at helping us to learn French. We all appreciate you so much.”

“I like languages club because I’m going to France next year and I want to speak French better.”

“It helped me improve on my French, Spanish and German when I went. I’ve definitely improved.”

“I think languages club is good because you learn different languages.”

“I think it is good because they are kind and they are always willing us to teach us languages and I think we should do different languages each week.”

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Year 7 have been enjoying their History and Geography rotation this term, discovering a range of

exciting topics such as life in Industrial Revolution; the difference between countries like India and

Ethiopia; and an insight into Medieval times. Key Stage 3 are completing some thoughtful,

detailed work on these topics, writing in a form that will be useful to them in all assessments they

will sit in coming years.

Year 8 have recently enjoyed a trip to

the Black Country Living Museum, a

visit that is always a hit with our

students. Gaining a wider

appreciation for our local cultural

history, visiting a Victorian style

classroom and seeing traditional

manufacturing techniques like

blacksmithing is very rewarding, but

perhaps even more so in the eyes of

Year 8 are the old fashioned

fairground and the sweet shop!

Thinking more globally, Year 9

History students went to Belgium to

gain a deeper, more nuanced

understanding of the lasting impact of

the First World War upon the cultural,

historical and geographical landscape of Europe. Students found the trip enlightening and

educational, and understood in a new way the profundity of the loss that was experienced in the

World Wars.

Soon, Year 7 are looking forward to an outing of their own to Warwick Castle, which has been a

significant historical location for nigh on a thousand years. Students will get to experience a range

of activities, including a bird of prey show, jousting, a working trebuchet and much more. They are

all very excited!

Humanities

Above: Mr. Pratt blows a kiss from the carousel as teachers and students both enjoy a trip to the Black Country Living Museum

5

Key Stage 3 This term in Art, Year 7 had a visit from the people of Children’s University, who came to see some of

the projects that are being undertaken in school that will lead to students getting diplomas. They

came and filmed some of our students as they were in the process of building monster desk tidies and

working with clay to create an engaging, aesthetically pleasing finished product.

Soon, Key Stage 3 Art Club will have a visit from a Sixth Form student. Steven is intending to run a

small art project in order to work towards his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. All of Art Club are very

much looking forward to this new, mutually rewarding experience.

Key Stage 4 GCSE moderation has been in full swing this term, with students ensuring that their coursework

portfolios are up to the exacting standards of the moderators. Year 11 have produced some stunning

work, with a superb range of tone and shade, with sophisticated skills in conveying emotion and depth

of feeling in their work, The talent of students speaks for itself, and Art is again expecting some

fantastic results in August.

Art

Above: Some work displayed for moderation by Joseph in Year 11

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Government and Politics Key Stage 5 Government and Politics students have been revising hard for their internal and external examinations

this term. They have undertaken a range of debates on various topics such as gun control, abortion

and the various ways of reforming the voting system. In addition to this, they have also assisted in the

preparation of an assembly to the entire school, considering the arguments for and against lowering

the voting age to sixteen, which was an idea they proposed themselves. After discussing the issue in

class, they felt that younger students would benefit from being exposed to these ideas and deserved

to have more information about the topic. They are now looking forward to a trip to the House of

Commons and a meeting with our local Member of Parliament. They also have a trip to meet the

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson lined up!

Travel and Tourism Key Stage 4 Year 11 students have been busy completing coursework in preparation for final moderation for much

of this term, and have now submitted their final coursework portfolios, gaining some pleasing results.

Year 10 students are soon to go on a trip to Alton

Towers, where they have had a lesson on how the

Merlin Group attracts customers and ensures that

their needs are met so that they return. This session

covers marketing, recruitment and training and

customer service which are all integral components

of the Travel and Tourism industry.

Key Stage 5 Sixth Form have mainly been preparing for their

examinations and completing coursework. However,

they did also attend a trip to Disneyland Paris,

where they were able to get a understanding of the operating of Europe’s biggest purpose built tourist

destinations. Year 12 students are now preparing for their work experience placements to begin so

that they can get a good understanding of the inner workings of the Travel and Tourism industry.

Above: The trip to Disneyland Paris enabled students to gain an insight into large tourist destinations © Kevin Spencer

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Psychology Key Stage 5

Psychology Year 12 students have been

developing their understanding of further key

Psychology topics, including Psychopathology

and Attachment. They have also been working

towards their upcoming examinations, focusing

on their discussion skills and developing

sophisticated responses to exam questions. In

addition, Year 12 students also had the

opportunity to complete a research project with a 5th year medical student from Birmingham

University. Participation in the project was followed with a presentation and question and answer

session, enhancing their understanding of what studying a subject like Medicine or Psychology at

university will entail.

Year 13 students have learnt their final topics this term including Forensic Psychology and

Schizophrenia. They have completed a number of rigorous revision lessons focusing on language,

discussion skills, using evidence effectively and enhancing their understanding of application

questions. We wish this year’s cohort the best of luck for their results in the summer.

Hospitality and Catering Key Stage 3 Year 7 and 8 students have been preparing and cooking a range of savoury dishes, such as

traditional Italian pasta dishes, French bread pizza, chicken fajitas and heathy biscuits. All students

have been delighted with their creations and widening their culinary repertoires! But as preparation is

key in the kitchen, all students have also taken part in an induction before entering the kitchen, which

included health and safety; personal hygiene; healthy eating and menu planning.

Key Stage 4

Year 10 students have been exploring different aspects of the hospitality industry by looking at its

component parts. Year 11 students have been understanding the skills required for proficiency in

planning, preparing, cooking and finishing a range of food types. They have learned how to select,

prepare ingredients and plan a two-course meal. Students also learned about the tools and equipment

used to prepare, cook and finish food. Their assessment involved them cooking and presenting their

meal.

Above: Birmingham Medical School generously lent us one of its fifth-year students this term for a research project at UoB

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Key Stage 4

Year 10 Business Studies are currently completing preparation work for their upcoming visit to Alton

Towers with Travel and Tourism. On this trip, they will be considering the challenges that a large

business such as Alton Towers faces, and how these challenges compare to the smaller businesses

tat they have more recently been exploring in their classwork. The opportunity to sample a few

amusements will not be missed by any of the students while they are there!

Key Stage 5

New to the Business Studies curriculum this year

has been the addition of the AAT accountancy

course: the UK’s leading qualification for

accounting staff. Adding a more professional

based qualification has led to the Business faculty

being able to offer a much more comprehensive

suite of qualifications that many students are keen

to take, with the AAT course this year being in

incredibly high demand. Work placements with

accounting firms have been a real boon to the

students. This has been particularly true for one

Year 13 student for whom the AAT course has led to an apprenticeship with an accountancy firm,

demonstrating real potential and career possibilities stemming from the attainment of this qualification.

Business Studies

Above: The AAT accountancy course has proved incredibly popular this year

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Key Stage 3

Year 7 have been exploring Core Skills, Woodwork, Pewter Casting

and Textiles within Design and Technology. Product Analysis and

Computer Aided Design are implemented in each discipline along

with rendering skills. Year 8 Technology students have been

developing research, hand rendering, modelling and analysis skills

through an array of projects this Academic Year. Students have

explored these skills through projects such as Clocks, Charity Point

of Sale Displays and CD/Games Sleeves, Charity Badges and the

use of Solid Works (CAD).

Key Stage 4

Students have completed their manufacturing of final products for

their ‘Design and Make’ controlled assessments. Students have

worked incredibly hard to create a wide range of products, from

tables and lighting to dresses and children’s toys.

Key Stage 5

Year 13 students have completed their manufacturing of final

products for their controlled assessments as well. Students have

designed and made a range of products including children’s toys,

furniture and storage, accessories and an architectural model.

The exhibition for the GCSE and A-level products will take place on

Monday 25 June.

Technology

Above: Examples of student controlled assessment products

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Key Stage 4

Over the last term, Year 10 students have had the

opportunity to explore different roles and services within the

health and social care sector. Using case studies, they

have looked at barriers that people with varying needs may

face when accessing Health and Social Care services. In

response to this, they have suggested ways that these can

be overcome. Students have produced some fantastic

reports assessing services within the Walsall area.

Key Stage 5

Year 13 students have worked hard to complete their final

unit of coursework and have now sat their final exam. The

final exam allowed them to use their knowledge gained over

the course to answer questions related to a range of case

studies. Each case study was based on a different need,

such as ill health; learning disabilities and age related

needs. Students were able to show how people within the

case studies could be supported by the health and social

care sector and gained some pleasing results.

Trips

Over the past term our Year 12 students have taken part in

various visits. A group of students did a fantastic job

supporting a health awareness day in Walsall town centre

where they had to engage with members of the public to raise awareness of a health event that gave

individuals the opportunity to receive a free health check.

Students have also visited Wolverhampton University and New Cross Hospital where they have taken

part in an engaging Midwifery event, giving them an insight into the day to day role of a midwife.

Health and Social Care

Above: Wolverhampton University put on an excellent event on Midwifery at Wolverhampton University

11

This term, Mr Woodward’s Construction class have been learning a wide range of skills that will be

beneficial to them in the future. The project brief was to design a model house for a client; using

pioneering building techniques.

Pictured above are some example of the students’ model houses. In these designs, they try to explore

all of the new and future building techniques, such as solar panels; living grass roofs; use of

sustainable, locally sourced materials; and prefabricated building components. For this, they have to

study all these techniques and try to incorporate them in the design. Model making is a great way of

understanding how a house is put together and it enables students to visualise the incorporation of

modern building techniques in a hands-on manner, making it a very popular and successful part of the

construction course!

Vocational Course: Construction

Above: Building houses for the future: Students’ work demonstrates the understanding and application of future building techniques

12

Film Studies

In Film Studies this term, students have been

discovering and exploring new genres of film in

preparation for the Experimental Film section of

the exam. Year 12 have been exploring Vivre

sa vie by Jean-Luc Godard, a French New

Wave film from 1963. When they analyse this,

they will need to be considering the ways that

the film reflects either the aesthetic qualities or

cultural contexts associated with this particular

genre. Students are enjoying their studies and

finding lots to discuss.

In addition to this, students have also been

increasing their familiarity with the

Documentary form. In addition to broadening

students’ horizons, this medium is studied with

the intention of enabling students to respond to

critical debates in film studies, such as the

significance of digital technology in film, and the

realist and the expressive powers of cinema.

Many students have now completed their

coursework in Year 12, which was to either

write a short screenplay or storyboard and

create a short film of their own devising.

Students have been working hard to craft a convincing, compelling narrative and will all gain good

grades for their submissions.

Above: Vivre sa vie (1963)

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Session 3 uptake is still high with students as we progress through

into the final term of the year at Walsall Academy.

Virtual Babies

This term, a number of students have enjoyed playing at being

parents. Students had the opportunity to put their name down to

take a virtual baby home for a weekend, and many students took

this opportunity. Over the weekend, students learn how to meet the

basic needs of their baby. The virtual babies are programmed to

cry at different intervals indicating they need to be fed, burped,

rocked or changed and students must respond to these needs.

This has led to sleepless nights for some of our students!

Latinísimo

Year 8 students have been enjoying the Session 3 activity

Latinísimo which is run by Miss Lomba every Wednesday.

Latinísimo specialises in Latin dances, especially Salsa. Students

have really enjoyed listening to the salsa music and have even

purchased professional salsa dance costumes.

Cramming for exams!

Year 11 students have attended Session 3 across the school in

droves, in order to prepare themselves thoroughly for their exams.

It has been a delight to see so many students taking such an

independent, motivated approach to their learning, which can only

benefit them in the coming weeks as they sit their exams.

Student insight into… Virtual Babies

Courtney, Year 10

This year I took a virtual baby home to experience how a real baby acts.

It involved all of the things that having a real baby involves, like feeding the baby, changing it, burping it, and lots of crying.

I liked the experience, because it was good to see how actually having a baby would feel, but I didn’t appreciate being woken up most of the night. It was a rewarding experience to have, but now that I’ve had it...I probably wouldn’t do it again!

Session 3

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Have you ever wondered where the food in your local supermarket comes from? At the Academy this

term, this is something we have been exploring with Year 7. Thanks to our school’s strong links with

Midcounties Co-operative, we were lucky enough to be visited by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, in

conjunction with Happerley’s ‘Feed Me Truth’ campaign. Happerley are an organisation that are

working across the entire UK food industry to ensure transparency and honesty in our food market.

The event was informative and educational, not only for our students, but for our entire school body.

Walsall Academy is the first secondary school in the country to publish the supply chain for the

businesses that we buy our food in school from, and we hope that many others will follow suit.

“Feed Me Truth”

Above: Year 7 get up close and personal with livestock in order to teach them the importance of food provenance

15

Academy’s Got Talent is always a fantastic time of year, where students get to show off the skills that

not everyone in school always gets to see. This year, we were proud to see musical and dance

performances from many of our students. An honourable mention goes to the following:

Sophie and Ryan, Year 12

Alexander, Year 11

Rio, Year 10

Trevion, Year 10

Genevieve, Year 8

Benjamin, Year 8

Torie, Year 8

Molly, Year 8

Delilah, Bettina and Erica, Year 8

Finally, congratulations goes to Deangelo in Year 7, who stunned the audience with an outstanding

medley of a variety of songs, from Jessie J to Nicki Minaj.

A big thank you also goes to our judges: Mr Clarke, Miss Milkamanavicius, and Mr Wood - who

surprised the audience with a carpool karaoke style performance of their own!

Academy’s Got Talent

Above: Mr. Clarke, Mr Wood and Miss Milkamanavicius flex their vocal chords for Academy’s Got Talent

16

The fantastic links that Walsall Academy has built with

The Outward Bound Trust continue to be used for the

benefit of our students this year. This term, both Year 8

and 9 have been on expeditions.

Year 8 went on a weekend expedition to Aberdovey,

accompanied by Mr Willett. On this trip, they managed

to improve upon a number of important life skills, such

as teamwork and communication. They worked together

to canoe and orienteer, and supported each other into

taking on the jetty jump, which is a remarkable feat of

bravery for anybody, let alone a Year 8 student!

Year 9, not to be

outdone, also went

on a weekend

expedition, but

instead they set off

for Ullswater.

Teamwork was a

key part of their expedition, as staff stepped back and allowed the

students to take the lead. They completed a series of challenges,

including the hair raising cliff jumping task, and successfully

completed an expedition of their own.

Both year groups had a fantastic time, and demonstrated the

skills that we are proud of instilling in students at Walsall

Academy: teamwork, dedication, resilience and drive to see thins

through to the end.

Outward Bound

Year 9 pose triumphantly post-expedition

Gevine steps out into the unknown!

Contact Us

Walsall Academy

Lichfield Road

Bloxwixh

WS3 3LX

(01922) 493 910

Visit us online at

www.walsallacademy.com

A very honourable mention this term goes to Humanities teacher,

Mr Wood, who has started raising money to support Shelter. This is

a charity that aims to alleviate the distress of poor housing and

homelessness across the UK; an incredibly worthy cause.

In May, Mr Wood cycled from London to Paris (over 180 miles!)

within a 24 hour time limit to raise money for Shelter. As if that

wasn’t impressive enough, he is not intending to stop there! He is

also taking part in the Prudential Ride London event on 29 July

2018: a 100 mile course that covers much of the route used in the

2012 London Olympic road race.

By the beginning of June, Mr Wood had already raised well over a

thousand pounds, and had more than doubled his £600 target. We

at Walsall Academy are incredibly proud of Mr Wood’s

achievements so far and wish him the very best for Ride London!

Fundraising