Newsletter 48

INA Secondary Newsletter

Rohan Gavin Visit Pg. 6

20 November 2015

Can you support INA?

We need more Work Experience placements!

Do you work in a career that would interest our students? If so please contact us: info@ isaacnewtonacademy.org Year 10 students will complete a work experience placement from Monday 20th June 2016 – Friday 24th June 2016 and we need your help!

If you feel you can offer a placement please read the placement guide below and contact Mr Crowther-Green by email: info@ isaacnewtonacademy.org with the title Work Experience.

Please provide a work address, brief details of the type of work, potential duties and include a contact name, telephone number and email.

Placement guide

• Employers must have a Health and Safety policy and Public Liability Insurance • Placements should be easily reachable from INA by public transport • Students should not be working in a confined space with a single employer (safeguarding reasons) • Employers offering placements will need to complete an agreement and send details of dress, days, times, tasks and any specific information • Students will complete a project which they will work through during their placement We welcome friends and family of INA students to offer placements to INA students. We want students to broaden their horizons and we want students to be completing a work experience that they could not easily organise themselves. Therefore students cannot complete work experience with family and friends. If you have an questions please contact Mr CrowtherGreen by email: info@isaacnewtonacademy.org.

Mr Crowther-Green 2 INA Newsletter

I

Dear Parents and Carers

t was great to see some of you at our Literacy Workshop for Parents last night.

If you were not able to attend, or if you would like a copy of the slides from the presentation, they can be found on the INA website under the community tab and ‘resources for parents’. Many thank to Ms Atkinson for running the session.

This week the Year 7 students got to meet the author of their summer read, Knightley and Son. He gave a really interesting talk and then met with some of the students who had engaged most impressively with the reading challenge before starting to INA. Read Mr Butler-Zanetti’s report for further details.

Thank you to those families who filled a shoe box for our charity appeal. We have been touched by the number of you who have donated.

As the end of term approaches, many of our students are busy preparing for the Winter Concert which will be held on Thursday 17th December. Please note the date in your diaries and it promises to be a spectacular show!

With best wishes,

Rachel Macfarlane Principal

INA Newsletter 3

INA School Disco

Friday 27th November 6—8pm £3 a ticket- includes a slice of pizza and a drink!

You are only able to purchase 1 ticket each.

If you lose your ticket then you will not be allowed in.

This event is for INA students only.

Tickets are on sale from Friday morning at student reception.

Please bring exact change!

Any questions: please ask Ms Alibhai-Watson

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Croydon Youth TEDX Event

oung people are truly amazing. I know, because I spent the day with six of them this Saturday, at Croydon Youth's third TEDx Event, hosted by the BRIT School in South East London.

But the last word goes to Keanna: 'I liked the woman whose talk was set to music best,' she told me, 'just because I liked what she was talking about: about how important it is not just to connect virtually, but to really connect.'

During the day, the students had the privilege of listening to thirteen equally amazing public speakers take to the stage to explore what the future holds for young people today. Publishers and poets, artists and entrepreneurs, dancers and musicians all wowed them with their different takes on this topic.

And she's right, that, more than anything, this event, which I for one thought would argue that the future for young people revolves around technology, revealed that what really matters to them is humanity. And what amazing human beings young people are.

'I loved the dance group,' Simran told me when I asked her what her highlights were, 'but I'm not saying I liked them best; they were all amazing.' she continued, and it's true: it did feel hard to pick.

Miss Rudd

'They were so inspiring.' I overheard Zaynah telling Nally on the train, whilst holding the enormous jar of jelly beans she'd won after tweeting her own inspirational message. 'The guy who'd lost his mum, that guy who had been stabbed, all of them; their life stories and what they said was just amazing.'

'It's true, Miss,' Nally told me. 'I had a really good day. Like, there are times where maybe I'd just say that to be polite, but I actually did.' Awais agreed: 'I had a lovely day.' he said at one point on the journey back, to no-one in particular. 'Really!' he added, when he saw we all suspected this was his umpteenth sarcastic comment of the day!

It may have taken us three hours to get to and from the event, and rained pretty much from start to finish, but the six students, who signed up for the trip to build on the work they're already doing within their Speak Out Challenge enrichment, more than looked on the bright side.

'Even the journey's been good.' Abdur-Rahman told me as we were heading home. 'I hardly read my book once!' which, from INA's resident bookaddict, is saying something!

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Rohan Gavin Visit

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ear 7 had a very special treat this week in the shape of Knightley & Son author Rohan Gavin! Students were thrilled to hear the author host an assembly to the entire year group. Twenty-three lucky students then enjoyed subjecting Rohan to some very incisive questions about his inspiration, his experiences as a screenwriter and tips on how to become better writers themselves.

All of this culminated with a tour of the school in which students showed off the beautiful summer projects Rohan’s book had inspired.

The author was astounded to see the high standard and level of creativity on display, and singled out Jasmine Joseph’s portrait of Tilly as particularly impressive. Many students were also excited to snap up a personally signed copy of latest Knightley & Son adventure, K-9. What a great day!

INA Community Party On Tuesday December 8th we will be hosting the INA Community Party.

Timings for the day will be as follows:

P1-P3 P4a 12:50-13:00 13:00-13:10

KS3 Normal school day Normal school day PM Registration Whole school dismissal

help and support!

Ms Alibhai-Watson 6 INA Newsletter

KS4 Normal school day Period 4b lesson PM Registration Whole school dismissal

Only students involved in supporting the event will be allowed on site after 13:00.

Should your child be eligible for free school meals we will have a packed lunch available to take away that day.

Many thanks in advance for your

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PE AT ISAAC NEWTON ACAD Fixtures and Results Year 8 Netball team The Year 8 netball team have maintained their tremendous winning streak by beating both Valentines and Mayfield in the last week. On Thursday 12th November, INA’s attack proved hard to handle for Valentines defence and consistently accurate shots from both Manisha and Kaiya kept us ahead in each quarter. INA’s defence worked equally as hard, dictating the pace of the match with well-timed interceptions and forward passes – end result: INA 12, Valentines 5. On Monday 16th November, INA proved they can also win games away when bringing home a 6-3 win against Mayfield.

In a tough game, the girls battled together as a team, showing amazing resilience in order to again dictate the pace of the game by pressuring a very strong defence. Outstanding movement and varied passing kept Mayfield on their back foot in the final 8 INA Newsletter

quarters, allowing INA to keep a strong lead. Another very well deserved win – well done girls!

Year 7 Indoor Athletics

Our Year 7 students got their first ever taste of Indoor Athletics in secondary school and represented INA excellently. With all students doing 2 field events and 2 track events, they had to show great adaptability to, in most cases, attempt something brand new to them. INA gained many points throughout all the events; the points are being counted and verified before being sent out to P.E teachers this week.

Stand out performers were Glory Mondua for her excellent technique in the jumping and great determination in the running, also Ramel Shakespeare for an outstanding triple jump and great addition to the relay team.

Upcoming fixtures 23rd November • Under 13’s boys handball tournament • Y 7 netball away v Palmer Academy 26th November • Year 8 2nd team football vs Loxford (away)

DEMY Our new 3G Pitch Students are really enjoying the new surface in PE lessons and in social time.

Please note that this floodlit all weather pitch is available for hire outside school hours. For enquiries, please contact the school via phone or email.

PE department extra-curricular and enrichment clubs

After school

Lunch time

DAY

CLUB

TEACHER

VENUE

Mon

Handball

DB

Sports Hall

Netball

EH

MUGA

Table Tennis

GW

Activity Studio

Tues

Judo Club

External

Sports Hall

Wed

Yr 9 S+C

BH

Sports Hall

Rugby Club

OT

Wed

Yr 10 Football

AT

Knox Field/ MUGA MUGA

Table Tennis

BW

Activity Studio

Thur

Thur

Fri

Yr 8 Basketball JL

Sports Hall

Seated MB Volleyball Football/ TB Cricket Yr 7 Badminton club External

Activity Studio

Girls’ Sports club Bike Club

AN

MUGA

EC, DH, BB

MUGA

Football/ Cricket Yr8

AG

Knox Field

MUGA Sports Hall

Day

1st Lunch (Year 10)

2nd Lunch (year 7,8 &9) Boys Handball (Year 8 &9) Basketball club (Year 8&9

Basketball club (BH)

Girls Handball Year 8 & 9 Year 7 Handball Boys and Girls Basketball (Year 7) Girls and Boys

Mon Tues

Fri

Handball Club (BH)

Improve your skills! Try something new!

Keep fit! Make new friends! Unleash your energy! Increase your chances of getting into a team!

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Well done to the following students who are this week’s Mathematicians of the Moment. Please collect a merit from Mr Dukes

This week’s Mathematicians of the Moment Elanah Summers (9A)

Sajjad Ali (7A)

Ekam Sehmbi (8S)

Kisanth Ravi (7I)

Israel Vallejo (9N)

7I 30

8I

9I

7S

8S 60

9S

7A 40

8A 170

9A 430

7C

8C 30

9C

7N 40

8N

9N 600

7E 70

8E

9E 160

7W 110

8W

9W 530

7T

8T

9T 560

Announcement!

Mathematician of the moment can now be found on fronter

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The Mathematics department would like to encourage all students to enter next week’s Mathematician of the Moment competition. Have a look at the problem below.

Answers to be written on a Maths postcard to be placed in the Maths post box no later than 4.10pm on Wednesday 11th November. Good luck and may the best form win!!!

YEAR 7 - PROBLEM OF THE WEEK Monday 16th November to Wednesday 25th November

How many triangles?

Answers on a postcard to be handed to Mr Dukes (G42) by Wednesday 4.10pm latest!

YEAR 8 - PROBLEM OF THE WEEK Monday 16th November to Wednesday 25th November

James was looking through the family photograph album, which has a photo of each of his parent, each of his grandparents, all the way up to each of his great-greatgreat-grandparents.

How many photos is that?

Answers on a postcard to be handed to Mr Dukes (G42) by Wednesday 4.10pm latest!

YEAR 9 - PROBLEM OF THE WEEK Monday 16th November to Wednesday 25th November

Using four straight lines join all nine dots together without letting your pencil leave the paper.

Answers on a postcard to be handed to Mr Dukes (G42) by Wednesday 4.10pm latest!

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A Warm Invite to INA’s Awards Assemblies – Friday 18th December 2015 On Friday 18th December we will be holding our first awards assemblies of the year. This is an opportunity for the staff, students, governors and parents/carers to formally celebrate our students’ achievements at the end of the autumn term. There will be a separate assembly for each year group. Please note the times as follows: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10

12.00-12.45pm 11.05-11.50am 12.00-12.45pm 11.05-11.50am

At the assemblies we will be presenting awards in recognition of students’ academic progress and attainment, personal progress and the development of their BRIDGES dispositions.

Excellent attendance and punctuality will also be celebrated. It is also a great opportunity for you to see some examples of the activities and events your child has been participated in this term.

We believe that it is important that every student is represented by a parent at the Awards assembly for their year group and would like to invite one parent to attend on behalf of the family. If you would like to attend, please ask your son/daughter to collect a ticket for the awards assembly from his/her form tutor. Please request your ticket by Friday 11th December.

Due to limited capacity in the viewing gallery, we are unable to accommodate very many additional family members. However, if you would like a second place, please notify the school office and we will do our best to allocate an additional ticket.

I look forward to seeing you on the 18th December.

Jo Spencer Vice Principal.

GCSE French and Spanish Controlled Assessments - Speaking Year 10 students will do their first Speaking controlled assessments during Friday 4th and Monday 7th December. This means that any student in Year 10 who is doing Spanish or French GCSE will be required to attend a 1:1 Speaking assessment with their language teacher for about 10 minutes. The controlled assessments will take place in formal exam conditions.

The focus of the controlled assessment is sports and leisure. Students are preparing for the controlled assessments during their French or Spanish lessons. Students should also spend time as part of their independent learning revising and practising key vocabulary and phrases to ensure that they fully prepared and can approach their assessment with confidence.

If you have any questions please contact your son/daughter’s MFL teacher.

Jo Spencer INA Newsletter 13

Community Languages GCSEs Does your son/daughter speak a language other than English at home e.g. Italian, German, Russian, Urdu, Bengali, Polish, Turkish, Mandarin, Arabic, Portuguese? Can he/she read and write the language to a good standard?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to these questions, your child may be able to take an early entry GCSE in the language at INA. Students will need to study independently for the exam. The school will supply past papers for students to practise and will pay the exam entry fees but we are unable to offer any tuition in the language. Students will need to make a commitment to studying independently for the exams.

What happens next?

Ms Spencer will be talking to students about the process in assemblies in the week beginning 17th November. Any students interested in finding out more should attend a meeting with Ms Spencer and Mr Crowther Green on Tuesday lunchtime. Ms Spencer will distribute a past paper GCSE paper and a mark scheme for the language for students to do at home. Parents will need to mark the paper and students should return it to Ms Spencer by Monday 23rd November. The school will then make a decision as to whether the student can be entered for the exams next summer. Mr Crowther-Green will contact parents directly to discuss the decision. Should a student not be deemed ready to take the exam, he/she may be able to take it the following year.

If you would like to would like more information or you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact Ms Spencer or Mr Crowther-Green.

Diwali Lunch As a celebration of Diwali, the “festival of light”, I’d like to thank Semo Benning, our Catering Assistant, who put together a well decorated dining hall for our Diwali day lunch.

There were saris decorating the balcony, great artwork placed around for everyone to see, and the story behind Diwali displayed, while the students waited in the queue. As a theme day, it was a resounding success. I would also like to thank every student for their great behaviour on this day. We look forward to the next theme day.

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Praise & Recognition

Merits

Year 7 T E C W S N I A

698 564 545 506 486 387 325 315

Year 8 C I N S A E T W

490 416 401 394 384 354 347 294

Year 9 T E N W C I S A

558 392 208 185 155 163 143 103

Year 10 W E S N A T I C

187 139 132 122 111 111 106 78

Ahmed Al-Khafaji Award (Peer Commendation Award) The fifth awards have been decided by the previous week’s winners.

Ahmed was well known for being kind, for helping others and for being extremely polite. He was also someone known for his hard work and absorption; the idea, therefore, is that the winner should be someone that encapsulated one of these qualities in that week.

Year 7: Aniqa Rahman 7A Year 8: Sisay Shah 8W Year 9: Hazna Haleem 9I Year 10: Avni Sehmi 10S

Good Deed Feed From Ms Field: I thought all of the students who were involved in or came to watch the music recital were really lovely in the way they were so supportive of all of the performers. Well done.

From Ms Hutson: Zahra Khan and Safa Hussain in 9I showed tremendous empathy and kindness when helping a new EAL student to find her way around the school.

From Ms Rudd: Perdeep Kalsi in 9E came to me with loads of great ideas about extra-curricular events that we could run in the future. It was great to see him engaging so positively in his learning and the life of the school.

Jennifer Byrne Year 9 Pastoral Leader, i/c Praise and Recognition

From Mr Woracker: Jaye Gohil: always opens the door for people going into the canteen.

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INA BRIDGES

16 INA Newsletter

Planning and Prioritising

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BRIDGES How we build learning power and develop character at Isaac Newton Academy “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” Isaac Newton The secondary BRIDGES programme commences on Monday 14th September. BRIDGES are habits of mind or learning characteristics that develop a student's character and learning power and enable them to grow into well rounded individuals and resilient learners.

On a two weekly cycle throughout the year, Year 7 and 8 students are introduced to one or two new habits of mind or learning characteristics that will permeate throughout the curriculum.

This will take place through a range of interactive activities. In addition, the students will experience BRIDGES learning objectives in each and every lesson throughout Isaac Newton Academy. Year 9 BRIDGES lessons will focus on strengthening certain BRIDGES learning characteristics through exploration of PHSE topics and themes.

Each fortnight you will find top tips in the newsletter of ways of supporting your child to develop the BRIDGES habits of mind and learning characteristics within the home.

ATTENDANCE Regular attendance is a crucial factor in students’ educational development and ability to achieve their full potential.

7W

100

8C

100

9C

94.9

10S

97.1

7C

98.3

8T

99.2

9A

94.5

10N

97

7S

97.8

8A

99.1

9I

94.5

10A

94.8

7E

97.5

8E

98

9T

94.2

10W

94.3

97.1

9E

92.8

10I

94.3

97

9S

92.6

10C

92.3

93.4

9N

90

10E

91.3

93

9W

87.8

10T

90.5

At Isaac Newton 7T 97.3 8N Academy every 7A 97.1 8W student is set the target of 100% 96.8 8I attendance. We know 7N that attendance has a 7I 95.5 8S direct link to progress, and would urge you to really consider if a day off school is necessary.

Year 7 97.6%

Well done to 7w and 8C for meeting Year 8 97.2% their 100% target!

It is still possible for any tutor group to take the lead, so keep giving your form the chance to win by being here every day!

Ms. Abbott-Jones Lead Pastoral Leader 18 INA Newsletter

Year 10 93.9%

Key Dates for the Autumn Term 2015: Secondary Wednesday 25th November Saturday 28th November Tuesday 1st December Tuesday 8th December Friday 11th December Saturday 12th December Thursday 17th December Friday 18th December

Staff Training: school closed to students Saturday Stretch: Psychology Year 9 Options Evening Community Party Christmas Lunch Saturday Stretch: Geography Winter Concert Awards Assemblies. Term ends at lunch time.

Spring Term Monday 4th January - Thursday 24th March Half Term 15th - 19th February INSET days: Monday 4th January and Friday 12th February Summer Term Monday 11th April - Wednesday 20th July Half Term 30th May - 3rd June INSET days: Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th June, Friday 8th July

INA Newsletter 19