Heartlines 11 by Heartlands Academy

Newsletter Newsletter of Heartlands Academy

Issue 11 Spring 2013

Heartlands Basketball Champions Two Years Running! Heartlands 24 - Shenley 4

aving won all their matches and finishing top of the league, the Year 9 Girls Basketball team were victorious winners of the play-off league final against Shenley Academy. The first quarter began well, with the Heartlands team making plenty of interception and good passes. However, nerves became apparent in the crucial scoring stages with Heartlands rushing many shots and missing many chances to score. They were only 2- 0 up at the quarter bell. After highlighting strength and weaknesses in the team talk, they returned to the match much stronger and more determined. There was some fantastic dribbling from Rebecca and Gona, incredible interceptions from Miar and Amina and powerful and accurate passing from all members of the team ensuring Heartlands kept most of the possession. At halfway Heartlands had increased their lead to 11-2. Heartlands dominated the final half with fantastic shooting and a strong defence that kept Shenley from coming anywhere near our basket. Despite Shenley’s best efforts Heartlands’ girls

were untouchable and the final result was 24-4. As their manager, I would like to congratulate all the players who have committed to the league matches, and for their continued positive attitude towards basketball both inside and outside of the academy. The difference in quality, determination and enthusiasm from last year to now is incredible. I cannot think of a group of players who deserve this title more, especially winning the league title twice in a row – you are all an inspiration to the other girls in the academy. Well done! Miss Morris

Mrs Jones’ Diary Spring 2013

Lord Hunt Talks About Politics

ecently Heartlands Academy was visited by a very important guest, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath. Formerly, he was Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords in 2010, but today he has the role of Shadow Spokesperson. We learnt many things during his visit such as why he had chosen to go into Politics and about his admiration for

March 2013 Discovered this lovely sign for sale while out shopping at the weekend. It’s such an appropriate sentiment for both staff and students at the academy. They will be appearing on our corridors to remind everyone how a few simple words, actions and a smile can make for a happy environment.

it. Students from both Year 11 and the Sixth Form had the privelege of attending his session where we were given a chance of gaining an insight into the world of Politics. Lord Hunt began his talk by telling us what he does and, to be honest, everyone that was there was very intrigued about what he had to say. It gave us the opportunity to understand what life is like beyond Heartlands walls. He went on to explain how the House

sed Although the recent weather has cau keep to tried e some disruption, I hav ible the academy open as much as poss nd behi fall ’t to ensure students don e’s with important work. Let’s hope ther for ther wea the some improvement in the Summer Term when our Year 11 students and the Sixth Form will be sitting their external exams. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. I would like to k wish everyone a Happy Spring brea on - we return for the Summer Term Monday 15th April. Mrs G Jones

of Lords and the House of Commons work and, following on from that, we discussed how a law is passed in Parliament. Speaking from my personal view, I think I have learnt that it isn’t difficult to succeed in life; if you admire something and you love it then go for it. That’s the motto Lord Hunt gave us by telling us that if we work hard then we can achieve anything. Nagib Mahfuz

DISCOVERY CENTRE Mathematics, Science, Health & Social Care.

Bowland Maths

his term the Maths Department was excited to welcome a group of renowned researchers from both the UK and Japan. The purpose of their visit was to observe the ‘lesson study’ research conducted by members of the department as it was put into practice. The Year 9 students involved took part in a Bowland Maths functional skills activity where they voted on their preferences for a day out trip before discussing how to use handling data to inform their decisions. Despite having eighteen adults in the room observing their every move, the students took on the task with relish, demonstrating excellent team work and mathematical communication skills. As the Japanese visitors were leaving they described the lesson as ‘fantastic’. They were impressed by the enthusiasm and maturity of

the students, and the high quality of the work produced. We are looking forward to welcoming the visitors back in June, having set the bar so high. We’re sure our outstanding students can rise to the challenge. Miss Javeheri

Crest Science Awards

n November 2012 three Year 9 students started an investigation into the recycling of water at Heartlands Academy. This involved working with the environmental consultancy company Mouchelle, who provided an employee with expertise in water and waste recycling to support the students every week on their project. The students’ investigation focused around the use of water that falls as rain onto the roof and immediate areas of the academy site. They gathered data from a site

survey and used this to estimate how much water could be used in recycling and investigated some of its possible uses including toilet flushing and cleaning equipment. The students also produced a scale model of the academy building showing the possible storage areas for a large water tank. The assessment part of the project involved a trip to RAF Cosford where students had to present their research and findings to a panel of assessors. The students have developed many skills from this project including the ability to work in a team and manage the project to a specific deadline. For their hard work and determination the following students achieved the silver Crest award and the Go4Set project award: Amina Mohamud Aisha Johnson Asheka Johnson. Mr Hare

exploration CENTRE History, Geography, Religious Education, Sociology and Psychology

Cardingmill Valley

he Year 12 students took their first steps into the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in March on their AS Geography residential. Their aim was to collect data for their Unit 2 exam this year. We shared our days with Bewdley Sixth Form, who proved to be a great school to work with. The school days were long, working from 9.00am to 8pm, but all students were eager

to learn and often participated. We studied rivers at Cardingmill Valley, population at Shrewsbury and development in surrounding villages. The two AS Geography girls got lost on the first day around Shrewsbury, which was a little embarrasing for them, but soon found their way back. The boys took the lead on the river studies day, taking all the river measurements in the freezing water.

We were also lucky enough to be transferred to the local travelodge for high class sleeping arrangements! and the students sampled the local Burger King on the last evening for their fine dining experience to match. The AS Geography students left Preston Montford having gained knowledge and having made new friends. A great trip! Miss Fleming

expression CENTRE

English, Modern Foreign Languages,

eartlands Academy was proud to host the final round of Debate Mateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prestigious Urban Debate League on Wednesday 13th March. Seven schools from the region took part and were welcomed by the Heartlands team who took a key role in organising and running the event. Debate Mateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Programme Director Dan Brown opened the evening in the theatre with an inspiring speech about the values and importance of debate in education and society. Teams were shown upstairs to the English Department where the first round took place, with Heartlands winning one match and losing another by just three points to an older and more

World Book Day

n other news, World Book Day was a huge success with many Key Stage 3 students having a session in the LRC with members of staff reading extracts from their favourite books. Mrs Salter read a gruesome guide on how to survive in the wild by Bear Gryhlls and Mr Lea read an extract from a Roald Dahl book and discussed how English has influenced him. Many other members of staff and some volunteers from the sixth form

experienced team. Refreshments were served in the Social Learning Zone, and teams met on the Learning Steps to hear more from Mr Brown who encouraged students to tweet their experiences to the hash tag #udl2013 to contribute to the national conversation. In round two, Heartlands suffered two defeats, yet judges were overheard exclaiming how talented our teams were at such young ages. We are all sharpening our skills and looking forward to the Deutsche Bank Debate Cup at Birmingham University in April. For more information on Debate Mate, visit the website www. debatemate.com. Debate Mate is held on Thursdays between 3.10pm and 4.30pm in room 345 with Mr Burns and Ms Mottet. Mr Burns also shared their favourite books and for reading and lots of new ideas for encouraged students to think of their over the Easter holiday. own. Later that day, every student in 11 Mr Everettt See the Tree on Page Key Stage 3 was given a leaf to help our Reading Tree blossom, on which they wrote the name of their favourite book, or one that they would like to read. The result was phenomenal and we hope that this has given our students an Students were treated to a fantastic beach scene in increased enthusiasm the LRC including sandcastles, fish and palm trees!

Y11

r e s i a r d Fun

Year 11 students Maria Maeila and Sally Badjie produced the year 11 fund raising concert on March 6th. Students from all year groups took part, with a wide variety of performing arts on display. Staff also took part with a choir and a memorable vocal performance from Mr Clarke and Mr Dunkley. Students rehearsed for many weeks to produce fantastic vocal performances, energetic street and bollywood dancing and several super instrumental ensembles. Congratulations to Maria, Sally and all performers for their hard work. Miss Brown

n Thursday 7th February, The KS3 girls and boys Basketball team competed in the citywide, Birmingham School Games. This was a competition involving many schools and academies taking part in various sporting activities with the overall aim of being crowned Birmingham Champions in their selected sport. Heartlands boys’ team took a little while to get going. Even though they won their first two games, the performances were not to the league standard we have been enjoying this year. (All the teams they have played against in the league, they have beaten comfortably by at least 50 points!). Finally they found their form and plotted

an easy route to the final. Unfortunately, they came up against a slightly stronger team. However, the margin of defeat was only small with an overall result of 9-6. Our players were understandably upset with the result, yet they should be proud of the progress they have made over the past 18 months. They started as a very young team who found playing basketball difficult with victories rare to come by, and have now grown into a formidable squad to be reckoned with, the 2nd best team in Birmingham (who I’m certain will be the 1st this time next year!) and I’m sure other schools do not enjoy playing against us. If you have the chance, then come and support the team and witness just how brilliant they really are!!! Mr Ewart

imagination CENTRE Art, Drama, Music

Year 8 Music Project

group of year 8 students from Heartlands Academy have been working with a group of their peers from Fox Hollies Special School in Moseley. The project is run jointly with the two schools and Birmingham University as part of a piece of research on how mainstream and special school students are able to work together in a creative setting. Staff from both schools have been

very impressed with the mature and sensitive manner in which Heartlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students have welcomed and worked with their peers from Fox Hollies Special School. On Friday 22nd March, students gave a performance of their work for staff and parents. There are plans to continue the relationship between the two schools, which has been mutually beneficial for all students and staff. Congratulations to all students fromYear 8 set 2. Mrs Hanson

Heartlands Wind Band

growing number of students have been rehearsing every Friday evening as part of the Heartlands Wind Band, joined by a small group of students from St Matthews Primary School. Following the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut performance in the year 11 concert on 6th March, the band performed again at the Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham on March 21st as part of the Area Gala concerts organised by Birmingham Music Service. There is a great sense of committment and community within the band and they look set to go from strength to strength. Well done to all band members! Mrs Hanson

lk on Page 12 Jack and the Beansta

innovation CENTRE ICT, Business Studies, Design Technology, ASDAN DT Update

Resistant Materials

e have some of the best Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing software at Heartlands, and I am pleased to say that the students are making the most of using it. Key Stage 3 students have come up with some fantastic designs. They have used the laser cutter to produce a range of professional key rings and door plaques following the design process from start to finish. Year 8 have also produced some amazing treasure chest boxes using traditional wood-work techniques. By bringing the traditional and modern methods together, the students can appreciate the importance of designing and engineering products for the modern day consumer. Key stage 4 students have also shown their creativity. Year 11 GCSE students have shown their design skills by producing a range of lighting for their controlled assessment. The designs are based on the research they have undertaken about the French product designer, Phillip Stark. They have also been very busy researching and designing a range of educational children’s toys for their controlled assessment. These are the designers and engineers of the future!

Year 10 have taken to the new CAD/ CAM software like ducks to water and we have seen some of the most amazing CD racks being produced. (see picture above)

Textiles

Year 11 have produced some excellent design work. Sabreena Iqbal, demonstrated her designing talents, by producing a beautiful dress, that would grace any catwalk. Year 10 are showing their flair and creativity. The designs they have produced as toile protoypes, are making us all very excited about the actual dresses they will create. Do we have the next Dior in Heartlands?

Well done to all the Design and Technology teachers who are helping to create the future product designers and engineers, but most importantly well done to the students who never stop being the most creative people we know. Mrs D Salter

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

everal outstanding students who had either excelled in reading or who had done exceptionally well this term were invited down the ‘rabbit’s hole’ for an Alice in Wonderland, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the LRC. Nobody was late for this date because students were treated to several sweet and savoury delights from the DT department. A big thank you to all the students: Naa Adei Kotey, Abdi Abdulkadir, Salim Hussain, Fanta Kromah, Mohamed Usman , Salma Abdirahman, Yonis Ali, Atheeka Kausar, Filsan Mahamed, Umaimah Idris, Monwara Begum, Anood Tariq, Morgan Swapp, Ismaeel Khattak, Mohamed Mohamoud , Jordon Williams, Amos Akhtar, Shyan Philips, Khaleel Miah Mohammed Harry O’Shaughnessy and Taye Warner. Mrs Blackham

NEWS FROM THE SIXTH FORM Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ham University Visit

o celebrate World Book Day, Year 12 and 13 A Level Literature students visited Birmingham Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s library in order to conduct research for their coursework essays. They had already been taught by recent Birmingham graduates how to use the catalogue system to identify books that addressed their areas of interest. An exciting element of the visit was the train journey to and from the

University, particularly as for some it was their first experience of catching a train! Students walked through the campus, admiring its vast array of buildings and statues, before arriving at the impressive library itself. Staff from the library demonstrated how to use the facilities and then students were free to browse the vast collection and settle down for some study, working alongside the undergraduates. The focus and hardworking ethos the English group showed was particularly impressive and we look forward to seeing how they incorporate their research into their coursework essays. Mrs Smith

Sixth Formers Visit to Auschwitz ack in mid-February, myself and brushes to suitcases and even human

two sixth formers headed to Poland on a trip organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET). Amber Shamoon and Mohammed Hire were selected to be Heartlands Academy representatives with an aim to learn about the atrocities inflicted by the Nazis on the Jewish people during the 2nd World War. Our day started extremely early we were at Birmingham Airport for 5:30am. After a two hour flight, we found ourselves in a snow covered Poland on our way to visit a Jewish cemetery. Our tour guide explained the various details shown on the grave stones and the fact that whilst no bodies were buried at the site, the Jewish people took the place as a shrine to those who were killed. We then made our way to Auschwitz I, which has now taken on the form of a museum. Many artefacts were on display from this important moment in history; from glasses and

hair taken from the Jewish people upon their arrival. Auschwitz II, situated in a place called Birkenhau, was in total contrast to Auschwitz I. Prisoners were made to sleep in stables and work 14 hour days with very little protection from the elements. The eerily quiet surroundings were enhanced by the snowy weather, where it began to hit home just how much people suffered. The demolished gas chambers were also visited with our tour guide explaining to us how the Nazis tried to hide all evidence of the camps before it was liberated by the Red Army. Both Amber and Mohammed are now discussing ways in which they can pass on their experiences to other members of the academy. In doing so, they will become ambassadors for the HET and gain an Asdan qualification. Mr Ewart

Opening Times Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm NEW Late Opening for Sixth Form Students Mon - Thu until 7pm

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE favourite reads

r Lee from the Drama Department and the LRC hosted a Poetry Slam Competition. The first heat was to determine who will be put forward for the National Competition later in the year. Students who were brave enough created a poem or rhyme around the theme ‘The Truth About Youth’ and then performed it in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. Scores were given for both content and delivery. An outstanding performance was given from all students.

Our Emotions youth - the reality youth - modern society age doesn't make a difference why aren't young people's voices being heard?

Winners of the young writers competition. ell done to all the students who entered the National Young Writers competition ‘Around the World in 80 Words’. This was a national competition and hundreds of entries were sent in from pupils all over The West Midlands and Warwickshire. A big well done goes out to the following students for winning the competition: Rahimeen Abbas, Shaniah Da’Costa, Umera ASif, Sonia Begum, Armaan Nazir, Yousif Yehia, Bethany Tibbatts and Sania Tahsin. Their entries are to be published in the book ‘Around the World in 80 Words’ which will be available in May. Mrs Blackham

Come And See Our 7Ft World Book Day Reading Tree Display. Each leaf represents ks3 students' Favourite Book Titles. The three most borrowed books are:

1st the Bfg By Roald Dahl

2nd The Boy With The Biggest Head By Lincoln Peirce

3Rd Matilda By Roald Dahl

E Library Service

Heartlands Academy is offering all students and staff a new E Library service. No Fees, automatic returns and no lost books. See the LRC for more information or simply log in to the following website and start borrowing:

http://heartlandslrc.lib. overdrive.com/

Tea see also Mad Hatter’s 9. ge Pa Party on

Calendar 2012/13 Summer Term Term Starts Monday 15 April Mayday

Monday 6 May (academy closed)

Teacher Day Tuesday 7 May (closed to students) Year 11 Graduation Thursday 16 May (provisional) Half Term

Monday 27 May to Friday 31 May

Year 11 Prom Friday 21 June

Pantomime - Jack and the Beanstalk

eartlands Academy’s annual pantomime was ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. A small but talented cast staged the popular fairy tale at the end of January using the Academy’s amazing new theatre facilities. The cast: Idle Jack: Shaheen Lindo, Year 11 Princess Rose: Jasmine Hylton, Year 10 Dame Trott: Mr Henshaw Dozy Den: Tamiah Forbes, Year 10 Buttercup the cow: Mrs Hanson and Mrs Salter Fairy Beansprout: Mrs Ward Poison Ivy: Ayesiha Siniara, Year 10 The King: Naa Adei Kotey, Year 8 The Prime Minister: Salma Cali, Year 13 The Giant Blunderbore: Mr Lee The Giant’s Housekeeper: Cynthia Tafrey, Year 11 Chorus: Rachel Wadsworth, Year 9; Shyann Phillips, Year 8; Morgan Swapp, Year 7; Kia D’Souza, Year 8.

Year 10 Parents’ Evening Thursday 27 June Summer Concert Thursday 4 July Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 11 July

Term Ends for Students

Friday 19 July

Teacher Days Monday 22 + Tuesday 23 July

Autumn Term Teacher Days Monday 2 + Tuesday 3 September (closed to students) Term Starts Wednesday 3 September (for students) Half Term

Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November

Teacher day Thursday 14 November (closed to students) Term Ends Friday 20 December

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those involved for all their hard work in staging the production. Mr Henshaw

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS Parents are asked not to use the staff car park as a drop-off point for students at it causes dangerous congestion. Thank you

Transition Open Evening April 18th 2013 4:30pm-7:00pm

The Academy will be open on Transition Evening for Parents and Year 6 students, who are due to start in September 2013. This is an opportunity to meet the staff and see the new building. Mrs Jones, the Principal will be giving a welcome address at 5:00pm in the Main Hall. Light refreshments will be served throughout the evening.