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Dear parents/carers,
It gives me great pleasure to send through this packed newsletter with the full range of activities, updates and celebrations. The term, as always, has been busy with students in every year experiencing great learning activities. The think I would most like to celebrate the noise level at Longfield Academy. A strange comment you may think, but for those of you that have visited the Academy during the day will know that it is a very quiet, business like, focussed atmosphere. We are immensely proud of this working environment for our students, but equally it has been so rewarding to see our young people engaging with each other at breaks and lunchtimes on a face to face basis instead of a phone screen. We have Uno groups, Chess Club, football and social conversations going on everywhere and it is this "noise" that I want to celebrate. As parents I would like to thank you for your support of us in this important change to Academy life.
I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter
and seeing the events that have
happened this term.
Mrs A O’Donnell
Principal
DIARY Monday 25th Feb
Start of term
Thursday 28th Feb
Year 8
Options/Consultation
Evening
Wednesday 6th March
Madrid trip
Wednesday 13th
March
INSET Day
Thursday 14th March
School Show
Friday 15th March
School Show
Wednesday 20th
March
Year 10 Parents
Consultation
Friday 22nd March
Year 9 Ypres Trip
2nd & 3rd April
Year 9 Booster jabs
Friday 5th April
End of term
Attendance
A reminder to any parents or carers of any children who are absent must notify the Academy
before 9am by calling 01474 700700 and choosing:
Option 1: Student absence. Please leave a message stating your child’s full name, year group,
reason for absence, nature of illness and expected return date.
You can also email:
or speak to the Attendance Team on 01474 700700 ext 511 or 510
Tutor groups with the highest
attendance in January are:
A10/JSP – 98.81%
G02/JRO – 96.46%
M03/YGO – 98.06%
S02/JMU – 97.14%
Mills Sarah
Penney Eloise
Pooley Joshua
Reeve Jacob
Sengupta Maya
Truder Scarlet
Williams Leia
Dyett Olivia
Ellis Leo
Fielder-Dyer Lani
Hossack Jimmy
King Joshua
Lee Zoe
Lynn Alfie
Nandra Maria
Nicholson Lia
Sands Adam
Titterrell Andrew
Chapman Ella
Cross Amelia
Cuddy Kailem
Armstrong Connor
Deligny-Smith Louis
Fasham Jake
Lelean Jack
Nelson Bethan
Ward Alfie-Lee
Dalton Callum
Fairfax Summer
Fielder-Dyer Teddy
Hall-Rogers Callum
Mills Amy
Todd Kayleigh
Ewart Miykael
Furniss Olivia
Latham Alara
Michel-Sims Elysia
Ryland Marni
Souten Trevordean
Wren Lilly
Cella Lucy
Greenwood Ben
Harbour Nathan
Jenner Alfie
Pain Callum
Yeates Heather
Dupuy Jamie
Francis Mae
Gegbe Rihanna
Gilham Aharon
Leeson Louie
Maltby Alex
Rayfield Josh
Robinson Emily
Sengupta Olivia
Simpson Vincent
Taylor Lewis
Whatley Max
Winter-Nolan Shannon
Burgess Caylum
Davidson Neve
Denton Matthew
Jam Damien
Plumridge Daniel
Lee Bradley
Zulu Thokozani
Brett Tia
Farrer Joshua
Loveridge George
Pascoe James
Anderson 100% Attenders Degnin Holly
Doherty Winch Adam
Eastman Lauren
Hards Lewis
Hill Joshua
Trebilcook Harry
Wake Samuel
Davenport Mia
McCarthy Sophie
McDermott Joseph Pires De Miranda Amelia
Quinn Tadey
Ripley Henry
Simpson Madeleine
Smith Bradley
White Michael
Blanchard-Gale Morgan
Butcher Gemma
Casey Claudia
Davis Callum
Donegan James
Kapsalis Thea
Mills Lauren
Seyforth Elinor
Still Amy
Toyeme Seyon
Desforges Toby
Pease Harley
Frazier Charlotte
Hammond Harrison
Hills Frankie
Lane Molly
Noordally Noah
Smith Samuel
Donegan Samuel
Donovan Rose
Friend John
Lewis Alfie
Morgan Kate
Quinn Iwan
Seal Ava-Samantha
Sheehan Francis
Balogova Renee
Davenport Elise
Humphreys Sasha
King Morgan
Matisse 100% Attenders
Dodds Maxim
Down Aiden
Finch Kye
Finch Mea
Hawkes Kieran
Martin Brendan
Stasko Wiktor
Clark George
Guselli Alfie
Guselli Francesco
Hawkings Toby
Mackway-Jones Ryan
O'Brien James
Taylor Amelia
Bonner Harrison
Chandler Sophie
Fry Jack
Harman Riley
Henri-Woolley Louis
Jeffrey Euan
Leigh Daniel
Ottley Connor
Patterson Fraser
Smith Molly
Dyer Kelsey
Gordon Maizie
Sibthorpe Joshua
Stead Alex
Stein Taylor
Turner Luke
Wilkinson Thomas
Brown Charles
Knight Cameron
Love Tom
Norman Alfie
Shillitoe Thomas
Baker Ella
Britchfield Emma
Champion Isobelle
Constant Lucy
Dyer McKenzie
Hackworth Danielle
Kelly Amelia
Keogh Jessica
Lewis-Southcott Hermione
Stephenson Rebecca Chapman-Wheatley
James
Slorance Grace
Smith Imogen
Hodder Riley
Isitt Lance
Ling Bethany
Openshaw Lennon
Parker Thomas
Steer Louie
Wiszk Oliver
Aiby Patrick
Bainbridge Becky
Court Yasmin
Dalton Reece
Furlong Reece
Hanson Molly
Hoare Adam
Jones Dylan
Pigg Jemma
Raybould Meadow
Redding Jay
Shooter Owen
Smith Lily
Whiteaker Laura
Wilkinson Megan
York Lara
Coleman Dominic
Drayson Zachery
Glazebrook Daisy
Keogh Freya
Knowlson Jack
New Xander
Openshaw Lyla-
Rose
Patel Mahi
Shaw Harry
Wemyss Tia
Whiteaker Lucy
Williams Scarlett Ashwell-Hardie
Luca
Britchfield Karlee
Clark George
Bigg Alfie
Buckley Tommy
Challis Jay
Freeman Rozie
Glazebrook Lilly
Hutchings Troy
Ward Freddie
Farrier Ruby
Forster Callum
Jones Noah
Mordue Harry
Shaxted Sidney
Stanley Esmee
Stephens Liam
Woods Beth
Austin Billy
Buckley Ella
Filugelli Vito
Gilham-Chester Kaileah
Greenfield Nicholas
Jones Zachary
Lee Aiden
Lee Lillian
Mulla Sa'iyd
Munday Jake
Shrubb Chloe
Tooze Katie
Waterman Katie
Whetnall Nicole
Bradley Neve
Champion Fintan
Chandler Freddie
Dalmeida Alicia
Grubliauskas Erik
Kelly Eva
Riphagen Aidan
Gilham Tyler
Watts Phillip
Byrne Daniel
Usman Ahad
Dacey Samuel
Jenner Megan
Johnson Keira
Pakeerathan Vibishan
Pomar-Dossantos Cristina
Sebastian Anu
Sharpe Christopher
Toomey Ronnie
Clucas Roan
Creasey Patrick
Hemsley Abbie
Johnson Hannah
Little Abbie
Maher Shannen
Moran Jessica
Newnham Holly
Raffiquddeen Jassim
Reeves Kayla
Sooknanan Marcus
Sutton Isabella
Warren Leo
Wood Emma
Bevan Joshua
Candelin Dylan
Carpenter Megan
Chapman Harry
Davies George
Foxon Logan
Manwaring Max
Darby Brandon
Famuyiwa Mae
Hambrook Harry
Morgan Spencer
Murfin Georgina
Panton Bethany
Powell Harry
Spaul Connie
Woods Riley
Chandler Luke
Chinhoi Tanaka
Smith Lucy
Taylor Emily
Taylor Zara
Watson Kit
Banks Conor
Cribb Jasmin
Cribb Kiara
Durling Shania
Gorton Joshua
Green Charlie
Harris Isaac
Lee Billy
Lewis Alexandra
Bailey Tommy
Behr Sean
Brightwell Ryan
Chivers Chloe
Dawe Matthew
Dennis Ryan
Du'Bell Lucia
Harrison Isobel
Juby Leah
Prime Sophie
Wheatley Tara
Andreou Lenny
Boxall Jessica
Candelin Bradley
Dawes Amy
Gibson-Priest Freddie
Gregory Izaak
Hambleton Abigail
Levey Katelyn
Luck Amelia
Maher Jake
Newton Rachel
Porter Callum
Soper Owen
Walter Emma
Whittaker Aaron
Burnside Amy
Hancock Ashlie
Naish Reggie
Oakley Kye
Page Bonnie
Rowland Nathan
Salter Kelsey
Storey Aaron
Baker Austen
Hanson Poppy
Phillips Paige
Whiting William
Wyld Andrew
Eason Hannah
Hambrook Lucy
Hamilton-Smith Jeremy
Hargreaves Jake
Lee Bradley
Norton Kiera
Sharrad Georgia
Simon Hiyab
Hinchey Jack
Juby Dyllan
Mann Charlotte
Monks Amber
Russell Lilly-Ann
Sherwood Kye
Thompson Joseph
Walker Ethan
Woods Cassidy-Jane
Clark Grace
Green Hollie
Hanley Stephen
Laws Lyla
Mason Holly
McGuire Josie
Barratt Ruby
Chapman Maddison
Durling John
Eastman Amy
Granados Kirsty
Galileo 100% Attenders
Mobile Phone Policy - Update February 2019
Firstly we would like to thank the students and parents for the support of our approach to mobiles. We have seen a significant improvement in the focus of students, and the way they are interacting with each other at social times. As parents you have been supportive of the policy and we hope you are seeing a difference in your child at home too! As the module draws to a close (following the launch of our new Mobile Phone Policy) we wanted to give you an update of where we are with it and to remind all parents and students about the rules regarding mobiles. On day one we confiscated 27 mobile phones across the Academy. By the end of the second week the daily average was 4 phones a day. This trend has continued and it is clear the vast majority of students have embraced the new expectation and we are so pleased with the overwhelming support we have received from parents when contact has been made. From a teacher's perspective the ban has had a positive impact in lessons as they are no longer facing disruption caused by mobile phones. The Academy at break times and lunchtimes is noisier (but for the right reasons) as students are now talking to each other and are more active as they do not have their mobile phone distracting them. Overall, we are pleased with the initial results. We will conduct a survey in Module 4 to gather the views of both students and staff to see whether our original goals have been met. Please do take this opportunity to familiarise yourself with the policy and most importantly some of the additions that we enforced within the first few weeks.
Middle Years Programme
The MYP focuses on developing 10
qualities (the IB learner profile) in our
students. These attributes are:
inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers,
communicators, principled, open-
minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced
and reflective. On the week beginning
7th January we ran an MYP passport
challenge where students were given a
mini passport, gathering evidence
illustrating each of the learner profile
attributes. Students gave some
excellent examples (both in and outside
of lessons) as evidence; these ranged
from assisting others with homework
(demonstrating the caring attribute) to
auditioning in front of peers
(demonstrating the risk-taker
attribute). We are very proud to see
our Year 7 students displaying a wide
range of behaviours successfully and
developing a better understading of
how these attributes can help them
become responsible members of the
society.
Work Experience
Just a reminder for Year 10s that the final date for
finding work placements is Monday 25th February.
The forms must be handed into Miss Sandford in
reception.
Work experience will take place on Monday 15th –
Friday 19th July 2019.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to
contact Mr Powell or Miss Sandford.
Recharge Session - Fitter Stronger
On Tuesday 29th January 2019, 27 year 11 students completed a 'recharge session’ with Paula Kerr and her team at Fitter Stronger. These recharge days are designed to set achievable goals and offer coping strategies for stress, making students more effective in school and resilient against difficulties, whether these are physical, mental trauma from outside school or coping with exams and peer pressure. The students worked really hard and clearly enjoyed the sessions. They were truly inspired by what Paula and James were telling them. Amelia Kelly who attended the sessions said, "We found it very motivational and it was exactly what we needed after the stress of mocks and parents evening. We are all looking forward to any future sessions with them. We have learnt a lot about nutrition, keeping healthy and being active." We look forward to welcoming Paula and her team back in April.
Seneca Learning
All students and teachers at Longfield
Academy now have free access to Seneca –
a revision and homework platform making
studying more fun. Dr Flávia Schechtman
Belham, Chief Scientist at Seneca, visited
Longfield and worked with our teachers on
both how to use the platform and how to
use principles from cognitive neuroscience
to help students learn more effectively.
Seneca is an interactive way to learn official
course content. Their webapp covers 150+
exam board specific courses condensing
what students need to know for their
exams.
Most importantly the software is able to
identify gaps in learning; for instance, when
you get a question wrong, the platform will
repeat the topic in different formats and
their smart algorithm has proven to make
students remember topics 2x faster. Seneca
is totally free for students, teachers and
parents.
You can sign up via:
www.senecalearning.com
Longfield Rotary Young Chef
The Rotary Club of Darenth Valley held their annual young chef competition at Longfield Academy on 9th January. This
was an early heat of the Rotary International Competition, covering the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. The judges,
Rotarians Josie Morgan and Ricky Pristernik, were impressed by the high standard of the three course lunches (delivered
by two students). There could only be one winner… James from Longfield Academy was declared the winner. He then
went on to the Rotary District Finals in Orpington on the 26th January and unfortunately didn’t get through to the next
heat, but produced excellent dishes that impressed the judges.
Many congratulations James, and a well done to all the chefs that took part, it was a tough competition.
The Telescope Bistro
On Wednesday 6th February the Mayor and Mayoress of Dartford chose ‘The Telescope’, our in-house restaurant to host their annual charity event. Other dignitaries on the guest list included the Mayor and Mayoress of Medway, Sevenoaks and Thurrock. This special event is organised and facilitated by the students as part of their City and Guilds level 1, 2 or 3 qualification. These students are aiming to enter the hospitality and catering industry.
The team spirit was amazing on the evening, with senior
members of staff and younger students helping to ensure
the evening was a great success. The Mayor commented
in his speech on the standard of both food and service.
Thanking the students for their hard work, ending his
speech with the following quote, Longfield Academy, ‘the
diamond of Dartford’.
Legally Blonde The Musical On March 14th and 15th, Longfield Academy hosts the hallowed halls of Harvard Law School as the Performing Arts department put on their annual musical - Legally Blonde. The musical tells the story of Elle Woods, Californian Sorority girl who follows her ex boyfriend to Harvard Law in an attempt to convince him that she is “serious.” However, realising that she is far smarter than everyone first had her believe, she proves that first impressions don’t always count, and to always follow your heart. This production stars Sasha Humphreys as Elle (Deloris in Sister Act), Alfie Lewis (Prince Charming in Sleeping Beauty) as Warner, Shania Durling (Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act) as Elle’s love-lorn best friend Paulette, James Smith as Elle’s new mentor and “friend” Emmett, and a whole host of other performers from across all year groups. What has been particularly impressive to witness is the plethora of new faces that are in this show, as well as all the “old.” It is with regret that we say goodbye to two of our year 13s, for whom this will be their last show. Olivia Williams and Jade Thorne have been the backbone of our school productions since their first few years here, and they will be greatly missed by both the staff and the younger students who have admired them. Every rehearsal has been an absolute joy, and the show is set to be one of the best yet. The cast have been working exceptionally hard, on complex dances and singing, so the standard is extremely high. On behalf of the performing arts department, and all of the staff from across the academy who have helped with the production, we would like to invite you to watch Legally Blonde, a hilarious and uplifting story. The show will begin at 7pm on Thursday the 14th and Friday the 15th of March in our theatre. Refreshments will be provided.
Can you help out with props for the school show of Legally Blonde Jr? If you have any of the following items lying around at home (or would be willing to lend them to us for the duration of the show) we would love your help. Please label any items you drop off for Miss Wenham in the Art Department. All items needed by Friday 8th March:
Candles (lit - battery powered) Town and Country magazine Elle magazine Law books American flags Stylus and Electronic Signature pad Gavel Pink t-shirt with HARVARD on it US Justice banner (type found in courtrooms) Cheerleader pompoms Pink ribbons (the type used by rhythmic gymnastics) LSAT for Dummies book
Oxford University’s St Hugh’s College
On Tuesday 29th January 2019, eighteen students from Longfield, The Leigh and Wilmington Academies had the pleasure of participating in a visit of Oxford University’s St Hugh’s College. The purpose of this visit was to support students in creating a vision for themselves, by getting them to think about their future aspirations. Immersing students in the environment of one the UK’s top universities should hopefully initiate their ambitions to one day go to university. Founded in 1886, St Hugh’s is now one of the largest colleges in Oxford, with around 800 students. The College was first established to offer an Oxford education to women. Many of its alumni have been trailblazers for female achievement in their respective fields. Since its centenary in 1986, St Hugh’s has accepted men and women, and today the College welcomes students from every country and any kind of background. Since its centenary in 1986, St Hugh’s has accepted men and women, and today the college welcomes studetns from every country and any kind of background. The timetable for this event was as follows: 11:00am – Welcome, Lena Sorochina, Outreach Officer 11:30am – Tour of St Hugh’s College and Q&A with current students 12:00pm – Lunch 1:00pm – Oxford explained talk and discussion 2:00pm - End
Business Links for Languages at Longfield On Thursday 7th February, Longfield Academy were delighted to invite Sally Fagan from the Business Language Champions into school to talk to 90 year 8 pupils about continuing their study of languages to GCSE, prior to them choosing their options at the end of the month. Business Language Champions aims to promote modern foreign languages and cultural cohesion by demonstrating to young students the importance of language skills in the workplace.By bringing schools and international business people in the region together they aim to inspire more young students to continue with their language learning through to further education and then beyond into language related careers. Sally graduated in German and Russian from the University of Surrey and then spent 8 years in export sales. Sally later moved to Singapore, during which time she became a management trainer and took the opportunity to learn some Mandarin Chinese. Despite having no engineering knowledge, Sally applied for the position, informing the directors that it would be more beneficial for them to employ a linguist, and then teach them the engineering side, rather than taking on an engineering specialist and trying to teach them a language! Sally spoke about her experience in the workplace and how languages have helped her to travel the world. From the talk, the pupils took away that:
75% of the world's population speak no English at all The top 5 languages for international business are
English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin 65% of businesses look for linguists when interviewing
for a post You do not have to be fluent in the language. The
ability to communicate at basic level is sufficient for most businesses.
The session finished with Sally teaching the year 8’s to count in Japanese, which they all thoroughly enjoyed. It was a very interesting talk and we cannot wait to invite Sally and her team back to Longfield.
PSHE Lessons
Year 9 Monday 21st January year 9 had a PSHE workshop on sex and relationships, the main focus of this session was to look common misconceptions around the topic. The students were taught in college groups and all showed a positive and mature attitude towards the topics discussed. The students will have another PSHE session in March. Year 7 On the 6th February year 7 had their first PSHE session of the year, with the main focus being on psychological well being. The main aims of the session were looking at how students can change their mindset to think in a more positive manner about themselves and the challenges that they face in everyday life. Both of the external speakers who lead the sessions were very complimentary about the way that our students behaved and interacted with the sessions.
Alps Certificate
Longfield Academy are delighted to announce that they are
in the top 10% in the country for Progress in A Level. We are
hugely proud of both our students and our staff who
continue to strive for excellence every day.
