Newsletter trfwia july2013

July Newsletter

Principal’s Welcome

Contents • Principal’s welcome • Geography Field Visit to Weston-Super-Mare • German Fairytale Project • Wrong Trousers Day • Ridings’ Recordings New Release • Summer Activities Programme • World Sports Day • Bristol Schools Cricket • Gloucestershire Gymnastics Champions • New Build Update • Fast-Track Hairdressing Course • Yate International Academy News • Woodlands Primary Phase News • Woodlands Nursery News

End of term dates:

• The Academy will close

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for students at 1.20pm on Tuesday, 23rd July 2013. It will be a NonUniform Day with the students making a donation to their chosen charities.

Wednesday, 24th July 2013 is an INSET Day. The Academy will reopen for all students on Tuesday, 3rd September 2013 – this will be a Week 1

Welcome to the last Academy Newsletter of the academic year.

I would firstly like to confirm the arrangements for the end of Term 6 and the start of the new academic year in September 2013.

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Tuesday, 23rd July 2013: The Academy will close to students at 1.20pm.

This is a non-uniform day with students making a donation to their chosen charity. Buses will leave the Academy at 1.30pm.

Wednesday, 24th July 2013: INSET Day – The Academy will be closed to students.

Friday, 30th August 2013: Year 12 students enrol for their Sixth Form courses: o Students with surnames A-K – 10.00am-11.00am o Students with surnames L-Z – 11.30am-12.30pm Monday, 2nd September 2013: INSET Day – The Academy will be closed to students.

Tuesday, 3rd September 2013: The Academy will re-open to all students and the academic year will commence on a Week 1 Timetable.

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end of the academic year, we will bid farewell to the following members of Mrs J Bateman – Teacher of MFL Miss O Breese – Teacher of Technology Miss J Cooper – Teacher of Science Miss J Davis – Teacher of PE Dr K Ford – Teacher of Science Ms C Hanson – Teacher of Science Mrs G Lane – Teacher of Art Mrs K Langley – Teacher of Science Miss F Margerison – English Learning Area Administration Miss H Mothersill – Teacher of Drama Miss G Pullen – Head of Business Studies Mrs S Swift – Federation Head of International Miss J White – Teacher of Art

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the retirement of a long serving member of the teaching staff. Mrs Dorinda Clavey has made an exceptional contribution to both The Ridings High School and Winterbourne International Academy as a Teacher of English, Pastoral Leader and more recently as a member of the Senior Leadership Team as Director of Students. Mrs Clavey’s departure will leave an enormous gap to be filled as she moves onto a deserved retirement.

I am sure that you will join me in thanking the above staff for all their efforts during their time at Winterbourne and in wishing them every success for their future plans. The first newsletter of the new academic year will include details of the members of staff that will have joined us in September 2013.

I would like to remind you of some important forthcoming dates: •

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Years 7 and 8 Awards Evening

Years 9 and 10 Awards Evening

Year 11 Federation Presentation Evening Year 13 Federation Presentation Evening

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Monday, 8th July 2013 at 7.00pm Monday, 15th July 2013 at 7.00pm Thursday, 21st November 2013 Wednesday, 4th September 2013

Examination Results: •

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AS and A Level – 14th August 2013 – 8.00am GCSE – 22nd August 2013 – 9.30am Year 10 Modules – 22nd August 2013 – 11.00am

Also at this time of year, news of the University results of our past students start to filter through. I am delighted to offer our congratulations to Hannah Butcher who achieved a First Class Law Degree from the University of Nottingham and to her brother Mark who achieved a Mathematics Degree at the University of Warwick. If you are aware of any other former students’ results, please let me know as it gives the Academy enormous pleasure to learn of the successes of our alumni.

As we move towards the end of the academic year, I am please to inform you that there are now just 56 weeks to the completion of the new buildings. Following the handover, we will still have the demolition and landscaping to complete.

The programme is on schedule with the steel frame, precast planks, concrete floors and roof in place in large sections of the building. In fact, in some places, the brickwork and windows are fully in place.

Internal partitions are also being constructed with M & E installation commencing.

The New Technology Block has now been used by students for four terms and it has been a welcome improvement to our facilities.

Excitement levels are certainly rising amongst the students as they see their new learning environment develop on a daily basis.

Our international links continue to flourish and I am pleased to update you that the Mexico Visit is proving worthwhile and enjoyable for all. Detailed updates on the students excellent work in Mocochá and their leisure time can be found on the blog www.ridingsblog.wordpress.com.

We also recently hosted Dr Sahoo, from SAI International School in Orissa, India. In October, there will be a reciprocal visit to this school by a group of our students and staff as outlined in the previous newsletter.

Congratulations to Jacob Spence and Emily Wright who have been selected to compete at this year’s English Schools Amateur Athletics Track and Field Championships on 5th and 6th July 2013.

I am pleased to inform parents/carers that we will have a full intake for Year 7 in September 2013. However, it is likely that a few places may be available in some of the other year groups. If you are aware of any families who may be interested in these places, please ask them to submit an application form which is available on the Academy’s website.

I would also like to formally thank via this newsletter the work and enormous commitment of the Friends Committee over the past year and would like to pass on my best wishes to Mrs Brogan and Mrs Hinsley who are stepping down from the Committee at the end of this year.

Finally, I hope that you have a pleasant summer break and that, for once, the weather is kind to us!

I look forward to welcoming you back in September.

Mr R C Evans Academy Principal

Geography Field Visit to Weston In the first two weeks of Term 6, all of the Year 10 Geography classes went on a visit to Weston to conduct fieldwork in order to complete their controlled assessment, worth 25% of their GCSE. Their task is to investigate the impacts of tourism on Weston, which required them to complete land-use surveys, environmental surveys and questionnaires to name. A great day was had by all, and even managed one day of glorious sunshine. Well done to the Year 10 geography students who were fantastic ambassadors for Winterbourne International Academy.

German Fairytale Project “Alles Märchen, oder was” was the title of this year's German Fairy Tale Project. In the bicentenary of the Brothers Grimm's work, students from WIA together with students from Bettina von Arnim Gesamtschule in Germany took part in this unique competition. The Brothers Grimm are the most well-known storytellers of German folk tales and it is thanks to them we know stories such as Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin and Little Red Riding Hood. Due to their popularity and fame it is not surprising that many students wanted to compete. They chose a fairy tale and had to change it in some way; how was totally up to them, so there was room for a lot of creativity! The result, and the range of the projects handed in, was amazing. From rewritten stories on pop-up books, animations to self-made videos – there was everything. On the 15th of May, the day of the presentation about twenty students came to watch or to receive their well-earned rewards. Everybody received a prize, some small ones, the eight best bigger ones. All of the prizes were related to the fairy tale topic and Germany. There were German books, audio-books, DVDs and games to be given out. The best projects were kept for a display, as well as the best ones from the German students. Both can be seen in the corridors of the Languages Department.

Wrong Trousers Day Wrong Trousers Day at Winterbourne was a huge success. In exchange for £1, students could wear an alternative pair of trousers to the normal Academy uniform.

All money raised will be going to various charities.

We have a new release on the Academy record label.

To listen to The Glitch by Year 8 students Muneeb Maaz, Ayman Bone and Dominic Dehaney, please visit: http://trfwia.bandcamp.com/track/the-glitch We have had three releases over the year, resulting in nearly 600 plays and downloads from the website. We have a number of students lined up for recording and we are hoping to have more releases before the summer holidays.

If you’d like to use the Academy record label to record your music then please contact Mr Blishen in the Music Department.

Summer Activities Programme We’ll be holding a large number of sporting activities this summer as part of our Summer Activities Programme. From swimming lessons to multi-sport days, we have a wider selection than ever of children’s and adults activities.

The brochure is now available online at www.trfa.org.uk If you would like to book an activity, please contact us on 0800 953 0059 or email bookings@trfa.org.uk

World Sports Day On 25th June the International department held the annual event of World Sports Day. Year 7 students were challenged to play some more obscure sports from around the world, engaging with new rules and strategies, while recognising the global themes of teamwork, competitive challenge and the spirit of fair play. One sport from each of the house continents was played:- Lacrosse from the Americas, Jukskei from Africa, Handball from Europe, Kabbadi from Asia and Ultimate Frisbee from Oceania.

The focus was not just on the scoreboard alone, more importantly students were marked according to the Olympic principles of courage, respect, friendship, inspiration, determination and excellence. All of these attributes were displayed in abundance as students embraced these new sports and truly worked together to compete to win the coveted World Sports Day trophy. A selection of Year 12 students really showed their ability to lead as they explained and refereed each sports session; not only contributing to their International Diploma, but also gaining essential life experience in showing initiative and taking on aspirational responsibilities.

Tutor group 7.6 triumphed with full marks for courage and determination, though 7.4 and 7.8 were close behind. The victors have the privilege of displaying the World Sports Day trophy in their tutor room until next year.

It was a fitting finale to an excellent day of sport, for which the weather for once was perfect!

Bristol Schools Cricket Cup On Wednesday 19th June the Year 10 cricket team competed in the Bristol Schools Cricket Cup final against Clifton College. The cup, despite its name, is open to all Public and State schools in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and B&NES with 22 schools entering.

Winning the toss Clifton College decided to bat and their openers set about scoring at a quick pace. At half way Clifton had moved to 79-1 but some sharp fielding and improved bowling saw the scoring rate slow, Clifton finished on 138-7 from their 20 overs. WIA had to start their innings quickly but found it hard against the Clifton attack, the run rate soon begun to rise sharply and WIA found themselves up against it. The pressure eventually told and WIA ended up 85 all out. Clifton College now progress to the regional rounds and are expected to go further in the national rounds.

Future Leaders in Cricket 9 students undertook a Cricket Young Leaders course at Winterbourne Cricket Club. Organised by the Gloucestershire Cricket Board the qualification puts young people on the first step of the coaching ladder and gives them the skills to take small cricket practices, lead games and help in cricket festivals. All of those that took part had a great day and showed a real talent for coaching and leading.

Well done to Brad Hardidge, James Bracey, Chris Shine, Aaron Blake, Lewis Ford, Jamie Dickinson, Emily Locke, Emily Wilkins and Tom Curnock.

Gloucestershire Gymnastics Champions Two students in the Academy have been successful at the Gloucestershire Women’s Floor and Vault Gymnastics Competition.

Georgina Bisp won gold in the competition which was held recently at Fromeside Gymnastics Club. Fellow Winterbourne student Lydia Hayden took silver and both girls did exceptionally well. Not only have they both been Southwest medallists but they have also performed in the National finals as members of the South West team.

Congratulations Georgina and Lydia.

Federation News LearnToday: 1 Year Fast-Track Hairdressing Qualification to be offered at Yate International Academy A fast-track qualification in hairdressing will be offered

by TRFYIA. The new course will be run on Saturdays at the Academy and lead to a Level 2 qualification in Hair Dressing. For more information, please email Paula Miles, Federation Vocational Manager: paula.miles@trfyia.org.uk

Woodlands Primary Phase Our annual Dads in School day was a huge hit! We had over 100 Dads in school all day doing fun activities with their children and their friends.

This year we had an international theme, which included banghra dancing, South African mask making, Japanese calligraphy, Thai food tasting and much more.

Not only do days like this teach the children lots about different cultures, but having their Dads in school has a really positive impact on their learning. The Dads always enjoy the days too as they have a great opportunity to see what we get up to at Woodlands!

Open Day Success The open day at Woodlands Nursery was a huge success with lots of parents and their children coming to visit throughout the day.

Places are now booking quickly so if you would like to reserve a space for your child in September, be sure to contact us soon. www.woodlandsnurseryyate.org.uk or email info@woodlandsnurseryyate.org.uk