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Wednesfield HighMay 2020
9th Edition
Specialist Engineering Academy
A Message From The Head of School
Y11 Media CourseworkDespite working from home, Y11 media students have produced some great magazine covers for their coursework. Mr Gough is really impressed with their design techniques.A huge well done for the hard work!
Dear Parents and Carers,Can I start by thanking all parents and carers for how you are supporting the learning of your child/ren at home with the work that staff at the academy are setting. None of us have ever experienced a pandemic which has shut off our way of life as we know it. If someone had told me six months ago that I would be leading Wednesfield sitting at my laptop from my dining room, whilst home schooling my 12 and 6-year-old and would be in lockdown, I would never have believed them. However, this has become the new norm for so many of us. On behalf of my staff ‘thank-you’ for your continuous and tremendous support; we do appreciate how difficult this is for so many families and we will do and are doing our very best to support your son or daughter.Staff have been amazed at how well students have settled into home learning. The attendance at our ‘live’ lessons has grown and the demand from students for staff from subjects outside of core subjects has been enlightening. We hope that students continue to enjoy these lessons as, I know from speaking with staff, that they are thoroughly enjoying engaging in learning with students in this way. Staff have also loved seeing the work that your son / daughter is doing at home, so please continue to encourage them to send it to their teachers.Parents of students in Years 10 and 12 will be aware of the government announcement for schools to provide some form of face to face provision after half-term. We are currently working with all published guidance and our Trust to plan for this to happen. I will contact parents of students in Years 10 and 12 directly with what this means for your child and to find out whether you want your child accessing the provision that we are able to put in place.We are using our social media and website platforms to keep you up to date with academy news, information and support available for both you and your child as well as exciting competitions that your child can take part in. Every week there is our assembly, which follows our academy values, led by myself and posted on YouTube. Every Friday we have the nominations from staff for all the students who have impressed them each week with their home learning – please ensure that you do follow us on social media.This term, we have seen the launch of our new Sixth Form, which is an exciting time for students who are joining us in September 2020. Mrs Jones is working with Year 6 students who will also be joining us in September to help them in what is an important transition within their education and one which will be significantly different this year. We have also had our Year 8 students viewing taster lessons and engaging in the process of choosing their options; again, another important milestone for these students.Despite the different way in which we are having to operate our academy, we are still aiming to maintain the high standards that we set ourselves. If you need to get in contact, please do so, using our main academy email.What is important is that you all stay safe and well at home as a family. We look forward to the time when we can safely welcome our academy back. Best wishesMrs Carpenter
Well done to all students for some great entries to the Easter wildlife photography competition. We are pleased to announce that the winner is Caitlin Jones, with this excellent photograph of a garden spider.
Home Learning in History
Lichfield Rd, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton WV11 3ESFollow our Social Media
Well done to Luke Mills for creating a PowerPoint on the ‘Titanic’, a topic he is interested in. Luke presented his work to his family who asked him questions about his presentation.An excellent example of home learning where Luke has used his research skills to produce an interesting and informative piece of work.
Photography Competition
NEWSREPORT
Daniel Fisher in Year 9 is the outstanding winner of the our recent Business Studies Project. Daniel, alongside his younger brother Matt, created their own company called SX-TR, with a catchy advert, interesting products and good prices.They worked out how much profit they would make from each product and how much it would cost them to make them. They even had plans to expand the business in the future as well!A huge well done to all who participated. It was fantastic to see how engaged students were to the project.
History Superstars
Well done to Year 8 History students, showing a passion for learning using their artistic skills to further support their learning about Native Americans. A combination of dreamcatchers and detailed illustrations were produced.
Examination Contingency 2020 Year 10 Visit EY Office
Business Studies Competition
Keeping Active With Joe Wicks
Home Learning in Science
The exams regulator Ofqual has been working on detailed procedures for the awarding of GCSE and A Level results in this unprecedented year. These include instructions to schools on how to determine a Centre Assessed Grade, and also Ofqual’s own processes for moderating those grades nationwide.
You can find Ofqual’s press release here:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/how-gcses-as-a-levels-will-be-awarded-in-summer-2020
We fully appreciate that this is an unsettling time and that extremely important decisions hang on the outcome of the awarding process. However, the Ofqual guidance states clearly that schools must not share with parents or students its Centre Assessed Grade or ranking at any point, and we respectfully request that you do not seek to influence those outcomes.Please be reassured that we will be acting in your best interests and within the guidance which has been issued. All the organisations involved in awarding grades this summer are doing so in a spirit of not disadvantaging students in your cohort.
As a reminder, results days this summer are as follows:A Levels – Thursday 13th August 2020GCSEs – Thursday 20th August 2020
A group of Year 10 students visited the EY (Ernst & Young) office in Birmingham to participate in a careers and employability morning delivered by the EY foundation. Students learned about key presentation and communication skills. They had the opportunity to meet employers from a wide variety of professions and discuss how these individuals had forged their career and the skills and qualities needed.
Wednesfield High staff and students kept active during the closure, working out with Joe Wicks! Join in every day at 9am for ‘PE with Joe’ on his YouTube channel.
Well done to Evan Jones who has made a fantastic model of a plant cell as part of his home learning in science. We’re very proud of the amazing work all of our students are producing whilst learning from home.
House Points to date 259 263 198 202
UWMAT VI - New Sixth Form Launching September 2020
The two Sixth Forms at Smestow School and Wednesfield High Specialist Engineering Academy are merging to become the newly established UWMAT VI (The University of Wolverhampton Multi Academy Trust Sixth Form).This Sixth Form will operate out of two campuses – Smestow and Wednesfield. It will be open to existing Year 11 students at both schools and new students who wish to join us from September 2020.As the two highest performing Sixth Forms in Wolverhampton for academic and vocational progress, the quality of provision we will be able to provide across the two sites will be second to none. Students will be provided with a wide offer of study and enrichment activities and opportunities, building upon the partnership between the two schools that has been in existence for the past few years. We have excellent teachers and facilities across both sites to ensure students continue to excel and to provide them the highest quality of Sixth Form provision. Our links to the University of Wolverhampton will make our Sixth Form provision unique and we have the ambition to be at the forefront of Sixth Form education in Wolverhampton as we move forwards.
Lichfield Rd, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton WV11 3ESFollow our Social Media
Preparing our new Year 12 students for life in the Sixth Form.Year 11 students across both Wednesfield High and Smestow School have already started preparing for their Sixth Form studies.A UWMAT VI induction preparation booklet has been sent to students with tasks to be completed now, ahead of the planned induction process which will take place at the end of June.
Students will be completing tasks and research for their chosen subjects that has been set by teachers. This will support the development of the vital independent study skills needed for Sixth Form and will ensure they are already a step ahead with their subject knowledge. The booklet also provides students with access to wider research opportunities and resources to plan ahead and look at potential career routes post 18.
Learners today, Leaders tomorrow
Sixth Form News and Information
Safeguarding During LockdownRemaining social media friendlyIn these times, it is essential that we take care of ourselves and others. As an academy we have been sending advice over our social media platforms on staying safe and the website has also been updated to signpost you to agencies that are there for you and your family. Please take some time to go through the new information and guidance available to support positive wellbeing.Social distancing from family and friends is challenging, but we can still communicate through making a phone call, social media, facetiming, to name a few. With the increased use of media, it is important that we remain socially safe, respect others online and think before sending a message. Follow these tips to remain socially safe:
• Is it true? • Is it helpful to someone? • Is it a positive message and kind to others and yourself?• Know how to block and report anything that you see posted that is unkind.• If in doubt, contact the safegaurding team through the new report referral form on the website (see below) or through emailing RASP through the following email address: [email protected]
Want to report a concern?If you have a concern or are concerned about a friend, you can make a report to the Academy Safeguarding Team through our new safeguarding section of the website.Follow these 4 easy steps:1. Go to the Wednesfield High Academy Website (www.wednesfieldacademy.co.uk)2. Select the Safeguarding tab. 3. To make a report, click on the Report a Concern button4. Fill in the information.(Please be aware that time in responding may differ if done in school holidays, evenings or weekends)
Other Agency SupportRemember, you are never alone. If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact other agencies as well as our safeguarding team.
Mrs J DickensDeputy Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)[email protected]
Mr I SmithStudent Service Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)[email protected]
Mrs J JonesSENDCO & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)[email protected]
Miss F TurnerEmotional Wellbeing & Deputy Safeguarding Officer (DSO)[email protected]
House Points to date 259 263 198 202
Faculty News
Lichfield Rd, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton WV11 3ESFollow our Social Media
Online Learning ResourcesWe are currently using a number of online resources to support home learning and they can be accessed on a range of devices.
The student portal is where the majority of the work is located and this can be accessed through the school website by clicking on learning resources. Some subjects are also delivering live lessons where students are taught by a teacher over the internet.
Below are some of the other websites we are using:• GCSE Pod - https://members.gcsepod.com/login• BBC Bitesize - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize• White Rose Maths - https://whiterosemaths.com/• Hegarty Maths - https://hegartymaths.com/• Seneca - https://app.senecalearning.com/login• Century - https://www.century.tech
Mr Hill’s Maths Pride!Mr Hill our Head of Commerce, wanted to share how proud he was of our students. Since the academy closed several weeks ago both staff and students have adapted exceptional quickly to online learning. The Maths department now run live lessons daily for all year groups and students are successfully engaging in HegartyMaths work on a regular basis. Since lock-down Wednesfield High students have spent a combined 1750 hours on the online learning platform, answered over 93,000 questions and teachers have delivered over 750 pieces of feedback. Y7-9 lessons take place at 1pm, Y10 lessons at 3pm and Y12 lessons are 2.30 - 4.30pm on Tuesday & Thursdays.
If you wish to get involved with our live hourly lessons please email Mr Hill directly at any time at:[email protected].
Year 8 OptionsThe Year 8 options selection process went live on Monday 11th May. After a virtual assembly delivered by Mr David, students were able to sample virtual taster sessions for all subjects that are on offer in Key Stage 4. The options booklet and selection form has been sent electronically to students school e-mail addresses.Following on from this, every parent/carer will be contacted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team to discuss potential choices of their son/daughter. Parents/Carers and students can also receive impartial careers guidance to support with the options process by contacting our independent careers advisor, Mrs Lawson via e-mail [email protected] submission deadline for all online options forms was 21st May 2020.Parents/carers and students will receive confirmation of options in July 2020.
Tips for Using GCSEpod• Watch online or offline! Download Pods to a mobile device before travelling. This way you can normally make wasted time into productive learning time. • Create Playlists! Use the My Playlist area to create bespoke playlists on topics that they may find challenging. This gives fast access to Pods that will help to fill in knowledge gaps. • Use memory cards! Watch the Pods and then together write key facts, dates, diagrams and quotes. Then test their knowledge to see how much they remember. Top Tip* Turn it into a competition and reward your child for correctly answered questions.Since the beginning of lockdown our students have watched over 23800 Pods. Our top student has watched over 1200 Pods! In just the few months we have been using GCSEPod we are already the second highest users in the regional competition.
Reading, Theatre and Literary Competitions in Lockdown
Reading, Theatre and Literary Competitions in LockdownLockdown hasn’t prevented us from engaging in literature and the arts. In fact we’ve provided students and their families a choice of reading activities every day, courtesy of Topsta. Check out their website https://toppsta.com/ for a wide range of book-based events. As well as fiction, we’ve encouraged students to keep up to date with current events by providing them with the free newspaper First News each week https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/. It’s specifically written for students and we’ve been impressed by the responses we’ve received to the tasks set each week, with our students producing articles of excellent journalistic quality. Theatre companies that have made their productions free to stream have been advertised through our social media posts. The Royal Shakespeare Company have made a selection of their plays available: https://www.rsc.org.uk/news/watch-rsc-shows-from-home and we would particularly encourage our Year 8 students to watch their production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which they will be studying soon. Key Stage 4 students should watch the RSC’s ‘Macbeth’ for revision and they could also watch the Globe Theatre’s version of ‘Macbeth’ as an alternative interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFwHmgA9nno.We’ve encouraged our students to enter literary competitions to show off and receive recognition for their skills. Our Key Stage 3 students have been invited to take part in Wolverhampton Library Service’s ‘Spring into Summer’ Poetry Competition and we are hoping for many creative entries. Our Year 11 students were encouraged to enter the English and Media Centre’s national writing competition and Luke Mills’ excellent and relevant poem, printed below, was chosen to represent our academy.
Students Love Our Live LessonsInitially led by Maths, we’ve now got a daily programme of Live Lessons in all core subjects that students in all Year Groups can join and we’re delighted with the ever-growing numbers who’ve joined us in English, Maths and Science. Accessed through a link emailed to them, students join the lesson on Microsoft Teams and are able to listen to their teachers deliver, see the resources used and ask and answer questions in the chat bar. It’s a great way of keeping in touch with teachers and classmates and getting that personal touch to learning that we all love in the classroom.Watch out for regular updates on social media about when lessons are scheduled and be sure to join as many as possible.
House Points to date 259 263 198 202
Lichfield Rd, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton WV11 3ESFollow our Social Media
“Stay at home!”By Luke Mills
Stay at home! Stay at home!We must all stay at home!
If we all stay at home, we will winThe battle against coronavirus
Do not go out. Do not meet up With anyone outside your household
Do not invite anyone overDo not visit anyone
Do not go to work unless necessaryWork from home if you can
To save lives and protect the NHSYou must stay at home!
Life seems pretty bleak at the momentBut if we all stay at home
And listen to the advice being givenWe will soon be back to normal
We will overcome thisOne day this virus will pass
And it will be behind us We just have to wait it out
There is light at the end of the tunnelWe will get to it eventually
Be it next week, next month, next yearWe will beat coronavirus
Stay at home
Thank you to all NHS and Key workers through this difficult time!
