Greenacre Academy Newsletter: Volume 9 Issue 2

Greenacre Academy Newsletter

Dear Parent / Carer,

As we draw to the end of 2015, I am writing to inform you of the end of term 2 arrangements and some of the best highlights this term, and in order to get off to the very best start in 2016, a few reminders of our expectations and upcoming calendared items:

House reward Trip

Well done to Marlowe House who won the House point trip this term. The students who are the top house point earners have been ice skating on Wednesday 16 December. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students for their continued hard work and positive attitudes and I am sure they will enjoy themselves immensely.

Homework Expectations

Homework booklets were given out to Year 7, 8 and 9 students and parents during the academic day. If you were unable to attend please visit the website or alternatively contact us and we will send you a copy. Year 10 and 11 students have subject specific work for their GCSE’s. It is important that the amount of independent learning and revision of key topics that needs to take place is considerable if

students are going to succeed. We would encourage all year 11 students to attend the relevant intervention sessions allocated to them.

Uniform

Many of our students adhere to our uniform policy very well and we appreciate their efforts, however, unfortunately some students have failed to wear full school uniform this term and I would expect any areas of non-school uniform to be resolved over the holidays and all of our pupils in full school uniform at the start of next term.

Term 3

Term 3 starts at 8.30am on Monday 4th January 2016.

There will be a parents evening for year 7 on Tuesday 5 January 2016. By now year 7 parents should have received their letter of invite and responded with their availability. This is an excellent opportunity to meet each of your son/wards subject tutors and discuss his

progress. I would strongly encourage all parents of year 7 students to attend this important evening.

Good luck to those students heading up to Ullswater in January for the Trust Outward Bound residential trip, which has been sponsored by Scotia Gas Network. Undoubtedly students will have a fantastic time, taking part in a range of outdoor activities designed to develop their skills for life.

I am delighted to inform parents that from January we will be reintroducing Modern Foreign Languages back on to the curriculum. As I have written previously, it was a very difficult decision to suspend the teaching of MFL, but I am committed to ensuring that our students received the best possible teaching and have made it a priority to recruit outstanding members of staff. Our new MFL teachers come to us with a proven track record of success and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make to languages within Greenacre

Academy. Bon chance!

May I take this opportunity to thank all parents/carers for your continued support of the Academy and wishing you all a very Merry

Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you have any further questions on any of the issues raised, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Edge Head of School

This years Christmas Decoration winners with Mrs Edge and Mrs Butler (Chair of Governors)

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER— December 2015 Volume 9 Issue 2

SKILLS FOR LIFE

‘Skills for life’ is at the heart of all we do within Greenacre Academy; both within the curriculum and in extracurricular activities. We encourage all of our students to reach their full potential both in their academic and personal progress. Our skills for life (SFL) principles are: Public speaking/debating Presenting Tolerance Timekeeping Being courteous Eye contact/body image Resilience Communicating respect Manners Literacy Independence Creativity Participating effectively Use of email We build these ‘soft skills’ in to our curriculum and everyday life at Greenacre Academy and our students know that these are skills employers are looking for – we want Greenacre Academy students to be a first choice for employers of the future, safe in the knowledge that our students will be armed with these vital skills. We regularly welcome in external business to talk to our students – since September we have already welcomed in the businesses listed below.

Tommy Reynolds Photography Network Rail ISUZU The ARMY

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9 Issue 2

We always welcome any parents out there who would like to be involved in our SFL programme – this could be mentoring students or delivering an as-sembly! Do please get in touch with me if this is something you would be interested in brids009@medwaymail.org You will no doubt have noticed the fantastic SKILLS FOR LIFE logo. This was designed by two students across the trust and incorporates our values and shows the three schools currently within our trust. Well done to Anthony Abeydeera from Greenacre Academy and Codey Riley from Warren Wood Primary – real creativity shown! It has also been fantastic to see many of our students using their enterprise skills and we have seen fundraising happening across the Academy. The hor-ticultural club made £25 profit from their Christmas plant sale – Well done to all of the students involved! We have seen cake sales, car washes and spon-sored dodgeball games – where students have taken real ownership of the organisation of these events – I look forward to seeing the great minds of Greenacre Academy students coming up with new ideas for 2016! Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish our students and parents/carers a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

SKILLS FOR LIFE – it’s at the heart of everything we do!

Mrs S Bridger Deputy Head of School

CHAUCER HOUSE NEWS

As 2015 draws to a close I would like to say a massive well done to Chaucer students for their positive behaviour, fantastic

work ethic and achievements throughout the year. Some particular highlights this term have included the fantastic

contribution of students from form KB/EG and LC to their respective assemblies and Jack Lowe achieving a staggering 1355

house points at the time of writing.

Well done to the following Chaucer students for reaching the top 10 list of house point performers:I would like to thank all

parents, students and staff for making my 6 years at Greenacre such a pleasurable experience. I wish you all

the very best for the future. I would like to finish by welcoming Miss Lockwood into the position as Chaucer

Head of House. She is an outstanding member of staff. Happy new year!

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

“A Christmas Carol” -

Thursday 10th December 2015

Today was the day when all of year 9 and 10

observed the brilliant production of “A Christmas Carol”.

In my opinion I would give this play a high rating of 4

out of 5 stars. “A Christmas Carol”

included some lovely imagery of how it was like in

Charles Dickens’ time period. Whilst using minimal

props in the production, the wonderful in the

production, the wonderful and talented actors painted a

clear image in the audience’s head of Victorian London

throughout the production. From the very beginning,

non-stop emotion and

dialogue was expressed. Fantastic!!

After speaking to a few of my friends and other people

and teachers, it was clear to see that they agreed with

me as well. They stated that the

production was spine tingling and enjoyable from the

very start to the great conclusion. We applaud the

actors for portraying multiple roles and characters in

the play, considering that there were only 3 actors on

the stage.

We especially loved the communication from the actors

towards the audience. It really made us feel that we

were on the journey with the actors through the cryptic

but fun life of Ebenezer Scrooge. Following on from this,

the script work was brilliant as it delivered exact

quotations and lines from the books and films earlier

produced. Throughout the production, there were some

funny parts, as well as some sad and emotive parts.

Both of these themes used in the

production caught my eye, as well as a few

others. All in all I (and many other people) believe that

it was a great production to watch and we would all

love to see them come back to the school in the near

future.

It was a great way to start the day. Honestly, I expect

that other reviews towards the play would be similar to

mine… full of praise! Well done for all the actors which

participated in the brilliant

production. We would definitely want to see it again.

A lot of people have enjoyed watching the films and

reading the books. So I am not

surprised that everyone wanted to give positive

feedback towards the actors and their production.

Fantastic! Ryan Edwards Year 9.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Key Stage 3

KS3 have had a very busy term, with year 7 focussing on a

novel and year 8 studying Of Mice and Men. Both year

groups have been challenged and introduced to new skills

necessary for their success in KS4.

KS3 intervention begun this term, with small groups of stu-

dents being invited to attend focussed intervention sessions

to help them to progress in areas that they have had some

difficulty.

Next term, both year 7 and 8 will be studying literature with

year 7 being introduced to the work of William Shakespeare,

whilst year 8 will be beginning the poetry unit of work.

Star Students

8-1: Clayton Selway - Clayton is always engaged in his

lessons and shows constant enthusiasm and eagerness to do

well. Clayton is also an excellent reader with fantastic ideas

about the texts that we are studying.

8-3: Freddie Lacey - Freddie completes the most

remarkable and beautiful homework. His work is always

produced with 100% effort and dedication.

8-3: Charlie Keeble - who is polite, helpful and always puts

in a lot of effort to complete work to the best of his ability

8-4: Joshua Wood - Josh continually completes class work

and homework to the best of his ability. He always puts

100% effort into his work and presentation - well done

Joshua!

8-4: Owen Brickhill - Owen has worked hard this term on

our novella - 'Of Mice and Men'. He puts 100% effort into his

work and has begun to show an understanding of tricky

concepts, such as: context and themes.

7-b: Jack Burnham - Jack has an excellent attitude

towards his work and has produced brilliant, detailed PEE

answers. He always tries his best and continues to build

upon his reading and writing skills every lesson.

7-3: Liam Fuller - a polite and helpful young man who

always works hard and tries his best in lessons.

8-2: Daniel Keeling - a polite young man who is a real

pleasure to teach, Daniel is focused and works hard. He

always wants to know how to improve and works inde-

pendently to achieve this.

8-2: Daniel Earl - a polite young man who is hard working

and eager to do well in class; Daniel always tries his best

in every lesson.

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December2015 Volume 9 Issue 2

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Key Stage 5

Year 12

The Year 12s are undertaking a course, which is being taught for the first time this year. They feel a

bit like guinea pigs. They certainly seem to be enjoying studying their novel and have responded

well to the complexity and adult themes of Ian McEwan’s Atonement. They are also enjoying using

their investigations into narrative technique to improve their own fiction writing.

Year 13

The year 13s are still completing the old WJEC specification that requires them to study performance

texts. They have written as long essay on two plays: Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and

David Mamet’s Oleanna. They also have to produce two performance texts of their own in the form

of dramatic monologues and scripts. They have produced extremely funny depictions of God himself

to psychotic killers and mad scientists I even had a best man’s speech. That’s what I call being pre-

pared.

Key Stage 4

Year 11

Well done to all our year 11 students who took their English language iGCSE examination at the

beginning of this term. It was very pleasing to see such a dedicated and committed cohort of

students who attended intervention during half term, after school revision and behaved impeccably

throughout all of the walking-talking mocks in the lead up to the exam. Well done boys!

All students will now be moving on to literature, therefore please remember to purchase, or bring

into school, your own copies of ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’ so you can make your

own annotations.

Do you have Netflix? Remember that ‘Of Mice and Men’ is available to watch on here! Also, there are

many versions of ‘An Inspector Calls’ which you can watch on YouTube.

Year 10

Well done on completing your writers’ effect assessments! This is a very difficult exam, but you have

shown that you are dedicated to achieving well in this exam.

Over the next two terms you will be studying ‘An Inspector Calls’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’. Please

remember to purchase and bring in your own copies of ‘An Inspector Calls’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’

so you can make your own annotations inside your own text.

Do you have any spare time over the Christmas break? Please visit Netflix of YouTube to watch film

versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’!

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015Volume 9: Issue 2

Marlowe House Well done Marlowe House on yet another successful term! House

point winners again – wonderful! It has been a real delight to see

so many of you obtain an impressive number of house points and

to also see so many of you selected as ‘Student of the Term,’ a real

testament to just how many hard working and talented students

we have in Marlowe House!

Highlights this term include: our form assemblies – I was very

proud to see forms: CP and CEM write and perform their own

assemblies – we have some excellent public speakers in our midst!

Likewise, I was very proud of all Marlowe students who

participated in the recent Christmas concert – many impressive

talents were showcased during this evening.

I look forward to welcoming you all back in January – please be

sure to arrive in full school uniform, along with your basic

equipment, and your homework diary signed.

Finally, I’d like to wish all Marlowe students and form tutors a

wonderful holiday, and I thank you for all your hard work this

term.

Ms. Wall

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

The Horticultural Project has been very

successful this term. The students have

grown pumpkins and sold them to staff,

giving one to Mr Thompson who made an

amazing job of carving it for the front desk.

They have made winter hanging baskets

and more recently have planted pots at the

front of the school to brighten up the area.

Thanks to Mr Batty for making the planting

troughs.

HORTICULTURAL NEWS

TABLE TENNIS COACHING

Callum Abbs, Joe Ashdown, Leon Mitchell, Callum

McLaughlin, Louie Webb and Riley Winslow (Year

11's), also Jack Fitzgibbon (Year 8), have been

attending table tennis coaching sessions in school

since September. They have also been attending

Medway Towns Table Tennis Development League

sessions at the Howard School Table Tennis Centre

on Thursday evenings.

Congratulations to them all - they have greatly

improved over this period of time. It is hoped that

they can be entered in formal tournaments in future

and eventually play in the Medway Mens League.

Also thanks to Rob Staines, Development League

Organiser for his support.

Andy Eley (retired member of staff/coach)

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

Greenacre Academy Christmas Concert 2015

On Thursday 10th December, we saw the school hall completely transformed in to a sparkling, festive Christmas scene,

with 90 students eagerly waiting to take their turn on the stage. The hall itself was completely packed with family mem-

bers, friends and lots of staff , all waiting for what can only be described as pure brilliance!!

What an absolutely fantastic concert, with all of our performers giving 100% and entertaining the

audience all evening.

The variety of performances were superb this year and offered something for everyone; from angelic singing , hip hop

and contemporary dance and a variety of bands. Of course, not to forget the

amazing staff vocal performance where they really did ‘Let it Go!’

The Year 11 GCSE Performing Arts students performed a pantomime of ‘Peter Pan’ in 6 scenes which was performed in

between acts, bringing lots of laughter all around. An all boy cast which quite frankly was one of the funniest perfor-

mances we have seen from the boys. The boys helped to write the script and have been working on this throughout the

term as their performance was in fact their Mock Exam. They were all absolutely brilliant and thoroughly deserved all the

applause they got!! Peter Pan – Josh Orpin, Wendy – Max Hamer, Tinkerbell – Leon Mitchell,

Smee – Joe Goodisson, Sharkey – Jonathan Green, Michael – Christopher Burgess, The Crocodile- Damhmor Penny and

Robbie McGee Well done lads!

Chris Pinner and Callum Thorpe gate crashed the Pantomime as the two ugly sisters looking

outrageous and a sight to behold, while the talents of our year 9 Performing Arts BTEC students

supported the year 11’s in some of the scenes.

We were also entertained by a thirty strong lower school vocal group who shone with confidence as well as some

touching solo singing within the carols. Euann Kemm year 7, is to be congratulated on his solo singing performance of

‘Somewhere Only We Know’ a new talent within music and perfroming arts and one to keep an eye out for.

As always the IMPULSE dance crew perfromed with confidence and excellence showing us just how good they are. They

should also be congratulated on their choreography within all the boy crews, which was all of their own work – well

done! and also introducing ‘Little Pulse’, with their performance of ‘The Sugar Plum Fairy’ ( hip- hop style) and

choreographed by Callum Thomas year 8. The Walderslade Girls added anice feminine touch to the performances with

their dance routines too.

The musicians demonstrated their versatility from a Clarinet solo by Kyle Diddams to the lower school and

upper school bands rocking out some great Christmas songs.

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

We were delighted to have the Year 6 students from Chantry Primary School singing ‘Christmas Time’ from the Polar

Express.

All in all it was a truly fantastic, festive evening full of cheer with a fabulous audience who seemed to thoroughly enjoy

themselves. Finally, I would like to thank all of the students for their hard work and commitment to the music and

performing Arts Department, without whom, we would not be able to put on such a great concert.

Well done to everyone involved. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us in the Music and

Performing Arts Department.

Skills For Life in Action Throughout this term, the Performing Arts Department have been represented by two sixth Form Students who have been

delivering dance workshops and teaching dance classes to the year 5 students at Warren Wood Primary School.

They have been absolutely fantastic and the Year 5’s are really enjoying their classes.

David Benson yr13 and Josh Waka yr12 are a real life example of how we are using Skills For Life within school. Well done

boys and keep up the good work.

Christmas Concert 2015

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

School Visit to Belgium

On November 20th a smaller than usual group of Year 9s

went on our regular trip to the battlefields surrounding

the city of Ypres, in Flanders. The trip had been

planned for several months but the recent terrorist

action in Paris put everything in jeaparday. Fortunately

the Foreign Office were in touch with trip organiser Mr

Moore, and told him that it was ok to travel through

France to Belgium, so the trip went ahead for those

that wanted to come.

The two days were highly successful and the boys had

opportunities to explore the trenches at Hill 62, the

cemeteries at Tyne Cot and Essex Farm and the German

Cemetry at Langemark as well as visiting the

Pashchendael Museum and the In Flanders Fields

museum.

The ceremony of the Last Post at the Menin Gate was a

highlight of the tour and it was good to see so many

people turn out on a cold November evening to

remember those who died in World War 1.

No trip to Ypres would be complete without a trip to

the chocolate shop, and this year as we had some spare

time we went twice!

I would like to thank all those that came on the trip this

year. Behaviour and manners were fantastic and we all

had a great time. I’m already looking forward to the

next time.

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

Greenacre Academy Speaks!

On Friday 20th November, William Heather, Michael Freeman, Jonathan

Green and Joshua Orpin bravely took on the challenge to represent

Greenacre Academy at the annual Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’ competition.

The competition, held at Walderslade Girls’ school, gave students from

across Medway the opportunity to talk about subjects that mattered to

them - be that the use of nuclear weapons, the recent tragedy in Paris or

the importance of Manchester United football club (a topic chosen by Mi-

chael Freeman!).

Being represented were a range of schools, including many of the local Grammar schools, therefore

competition to achieve first and second places in each of the categories (under 14s and over 14s) was

always going to be tough.

Despite the competition being extremely strong, the students of Greenacre Academy shone brightly

and blew the judges away with their delivery, development, diction and overall construction of their

speeches. All the Greenacre students involved spoke confidently, with ease and sophistication, making

the teachers that attended very proud of them.

Although none of our students achieved first or second place, they should take great pride in the fact

that they delivered such outstanding speeches, in front of a packed audience. Their speeches connect-

ed with the all of the audience members, with Jonathan Green making the audience laugh hysterically,

and Michael Freeman drawing tears from the crowd with his personal take on his topic.

Well done boys – participating in this competition has allowed you to develop many complex skills for

life; you should be extremely proud of yourself!

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

Christmas Quiz Questions 1 1. In which country was Boxing Day renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994?

2. Who served up figgy pudding in Charles Dickens’s 'A Christmas Carol'?

3. Father Christmas is known as Pai Natal in which European country?

4. Mummer's Day is an ancient midwinter celebration in which English county?

5. Which band had a Christmas number one in 2009 with 'Killing in the Name'?

6. Who is the servant of Cinderella's father and also Cinderella's friend?

7. Which mathematician was born on Boxing Day in 1791?

8. Which country traditionally gives London's Trafalgar Square Christmas tree?

9. Who had a Christmas hit with the song 'Skyscraper' in 2013?

10. In literature, which fictional character said it is 'always Winter, but never Christmas'?

Christmas Quiz Questions 2 1. The Christmas favourite of 'Piggies in Blankets' is chipolata sausages wrapped in what?

2. Which of Santa's reindeer shares its name with a mythical god of love?

3. In the Christmas carol, which town is known as Royal David's City?

4. At which of her homes does the Queen traditionally spend Christmas?

5. Which alcoholic ingredient is used in a Snowball cocktail?

6. In the rhyme Christmas is coming, who is getting fat?

7. Feliz Navidad is Happy Christmas in which language?

8. How many Lords-a-leaping are there in 'The 12 Days of Christmas'?

9. In cockney rhyming slang what are 'eyes' called?

10. What was Mr Bean searching for when he got his head stuck in a turkey?

Christmas Quiz Questions 3 1. To what country did Hong Kong surrender on Christmas Day, 1941?

2. What alcoholic beverage is used in the English Christmas game called 'Snapdragon'?

3. What Christmas item takes its name from the old French word estincelle, meaning spark?

4. In 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas', what were there eight of?

5. What are you eating if you are enjoying 'March Bread'?

6. Who was Scrooge's dead business partner in A Christmas Carol?

7. What animal is Snowball in George Orwell's Animal Farm?

8. : Which record was a Christmas number one in 1975 and 1991?

9. In Victorian England who were popularly called robins because of their red uniforms?

10. Which pantomime character marries Alice Fitzwarren?

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9: Issue 2

Answers Quiz 1

1. South Africa

2. Mrs Cratchit

3. Portugal

4. Cornwall

5. Rage Against The Machine

6. Buttons

7. Charles Babbage

8. Norway

9. Sam Bailey

10. Mr. Tumnus (The Lion, the

Witch and the Wardrobe)

Answers: Quiz 2

1. Bacon

2. Cupid

3. Bethlehem

4. Sandringham

5. Advocaat

6. The goose

7. Spanish

8. 10

9. Mince pies

10. His wrist watch

Answers: Quiz 3

1. Japan

2. Brandy

3. Tinsel

4. Maids-a-milking

5. Marzipan

6. Jacob Marley

7. Pig

8. Bohemian Rhapsody

9. Postmen

10. Dick Whittington

Christmas Decoration Winners (photo on front page)

Adam Holland - Pine Cone (Geography)

Cameron Hills - Star/Clapperboard (Media)

Aidan Smith - Star (Maths)

Dylan Long - Red Garland (Maths)

Dylan Long - Wood & Wool Christmas Tree (SEN)

Troy Terry - Snowman (Geography)

Ryan Cawley - Glittery Baubles (RE)

Luke Murphy-Williams - Fireplace (SEN)

Josh Taylor - Felt sewn decoration

Kyle Diddams

GREENACRE ACADEMY NEWSLETTER—December 2015 Volume 9 Issue 2

The Greenacre Code has had a major impact on the behaviour of all our students. Expectations have risen and the zero tolerance approach has been really effective. The help of parents has been much appreciated and we will continue to promote good behaviour for learning across the whole Academy.

Greenacre Code RESPECT - Ourselves, Students, Staff & Visitors

Uniform: Wear uniform correctly, with ties at the appropriate length.

Equipment: Be fully equipped with bag, Homework diary, pens, pencils, ruler, sharperner and eraser.

Talk at the appropriate times: Listen to teachers and students when they are speaking to the whole class.

Demonstrate good manners: Never use bad language, always be polite and consider others’ feelings.

RESPECT - Our Academy & Environment

In and Around the Academy: Walk quietly on the left, eat and drink in the designated ares, use the bins provided and leave rooms the way you hope to find them.

RESPECT - Our Community

To and from the Academy.

Academy Uniform 2015

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE WEARING YOUR FULL UNIFORM

CORRECTLY, WITH TIES DONE UP!

DO BRING ALL OF YOUR BASIC EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOL, EVERY DAY!

Represent Greenacre Academy with pride - You are the Academy