Team Skills Day with Local Cadets

take part in a wide range of activities. This provides memorable and enjoy-able experiences, as well as broadening their knowledge and skills, giving each pupil the necessary foundations for a full and happy adult life whatever challenges the future may present.”

In February, Drapers‟ Academy pupils were put through their paces by the 42 detachment of the Scots Guards. The visit by the local Army Cadet Force saw pupils enjoying a variety of team based activities that challenged them physically, as well as teaching them to work as part of a team, an important life skill. Pr inc ipal , Matt hew Slat er , commented, “It is recognised that team exercises, like those today, can assist in building confidence of those participating as well as help them to communicate better. This co-curricular activity reflects the importance that Drapers‟ Academy places on encouraging pupils to

King of the Castles!

Pupils in year 7 have been exploring how castle design developed in England after the Norman

invasion by building their own model castles. Choosing between Motte and Bailey style, or Stone Keep castle, this homework project proved to be very

sucessful with some outstanding models produced. To recognise the high standard of work Mr Slater awarded prizes of an Easter egg to the best four designs.

The winner and Queen of the Castles was Sabrina Majeed, 2nd place was awarded to Sophie Ferrier, 3rd place was Aaron Carey and Runner Up was given to Jack Penson. Pupils are pictured with Principal, Mr Slater, and Humanities teachers Mrs Little and Miss Brennan.

Summer Term Dates

26th April - 20th July

Half Term Dates

30th May—3rd June

Bank Holidays

Friday 29th April Monday 2nd May

Other Dates for

your Diary

3rd May Year 10 Parents Evening

4 - 7pm

27th May Year 8 Visit to Drapers‟ Hall

17th June

Year 9 Visit to Drapers‟ Hall

21st June Prize Giving Evening

28th June

New Year 7 Induction Day

29th June Year 11 Prom

5.30pm—12am

7th July Sports Award Evening

12th July

Citizenship Day

12th & 13th July Summer Musical Evening

14th July

Sports Day Hornchurch Sports Stadium

Diary Dates

Academy Life

Drapers’ Academy Spring Term Newsletter 2011 Issue Two

Message from the Principal, Mr Slater

As I write to you, the optimism that spring brings is tangible. As the trees blossom and the flowers bud, our school is emerging from the hard winter. The sadness at the sight of the demolition of the North Block has been replaced by the vision of a new school building beginning to emerge from the ground. This optimism is replicated in the classroom, where pupils continue to learn and develop, led by our hard working band of teachers and staff. As we are approaching the final countdown for GCSE‟s I urge every year 11 pupil to take this opportunity to seize the moment and to revise, revise and revise. The long Easter break is an ideal time for revision, as well as to ensure that all coursework is completed. Finally, I would like to wish all members of this community and their families a peaceful and happy Easter holiday.

New Building Update

Tower crane arr ives on s i te as new

bui ld ing star ts t o emerge fr om

ground… see Academy websit e for

fu l l st ory .

Staff and pupils flexed their muscles in support of Red Nose Day this year as the P.E. faculty set up a challenge to cross the Himalayas, in a virtual way. Taking their inspiration from the Red Nose Day Great Desert Trek, pupils (and staff) were sponsored to step, row and skip their way the entire distance across the Himalayas.

Unlike the Himalayas, which is the highest mountain system on the planet, altitude sickness was not a problem, even though we are located on „the hill‟!

T h e y m a n a g e d t o c o v e r just under three quarters of the distance, a total of 1227KM, and raised a staggering £261.50. Well done to the P.E. faculty for organising the event and all the pupils and staff who took part.

Page 2

Red Nose Day

Multicultural Day

P u p i l s a t D r a p e r s ' A c a d e m y experienced a fusion of cultures as departments across the school adopted different nationalities for a truly multi-cultural day on March 25th. Lessons were themed to reflect the traditions and beliefs of those countries, so that with understanding we could develop respect for our cultural differences.

It was a really amazing day. Traditional African dance production group "ADANTA" performed during the lunch period, with four drummers and four dancers showcasing three different traditional African dances.

The Learning Support team sported t-shirts with different flags which reflected the variety of languages spoken at the Academy with prizes being awarded to pupils who could correctly identify all of the countries. The maths faculty were Japanese for the day so utilised Sudoko and Kenken puzzles,and the art of origami in their lessons. Whilst the science faculty learnt about Russia's dominance in the space race by looking at different types of rockets, as well as practical ways that parachutes can land an egg!

Heart Felt

Fundraisers

Two pupils from year 8 , Jadie-Marie Schofield and Charlie Montgomery, delivered a very moving assembly about Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) this term and are raising funds for the British Heart Foundation through an Easter raffle, and as we go to print have raised nearly £100 so far.

The girls had decided to raise the awareness of this condition as Jade-Marie's cousin, who also attends the school, suffers from CHD.

Everyone is so proud and impressed by what a lovely thing that Jade-Marie, Charlie and their friends are doing.

Primary Assemblies Go

with a Bang!

Drapers‟ Academy pupils have been bringing science to life with a bang at local Primary Schools presenting special assemblies for year 5 and 6 chil-dren. By acting out scenes from the past, when scientists have made discoveries, as well as some quite explosive demonstrations, pupils and staff have been sharing some of the diverse skills taught at the Academy, in particular the specialisms of science and maths. A great job done by year 8 pupils William Williams, Nickey Selling, Ruth Mensah, Craig Bowerman, Jack Ostermeyer and Katie Jones.

Cafe Chill is a homework club held in the library where pupils have supervised access to computers and internet access. Cafe Chill provides a quiet and calm atmosphere, ideal for completing homework and coursework.

Monday—Friday

Page 3

Friendly Faces For

Friendship Scheme

An innovative peer mentoring scheme has been launched at Drapers‟ Academy where pupi ls have been specially trained in the a r t o f d y n a m i c c o m m u n i c a t i o n , providing them with valuable life skills in how to talk with their peers, build successful friend-ships, as well as better understand how to r e s o l v e c o n f l i c t situations. Pupils can now approach peer mentors, who are available every lunchtime in a designated class-room, where they can d i s c u s s a n y friendship concerns. Using their newly learnt skills the peer mentors are encouraged to “actively” listen to pupils and help them make good choices. The peer mentors are closely supported by teachers, pastoral managers, and s c h e m e o r g a n i s e r , Assistant Vice Principal, Mr Fanning. To take part in the scheme the year 9 pupils had to first complete an a p p l i c a t i o n f o r m , followed by a rigourous interview. Mr Fanning said, “This has been great practice for all the

children in applying for jobs and so helping them to one day realise future employment op p or tun i t ie s . The children taking part as peer mentors have also l e a r n t v a l u a b l e communication skills, and are sharing these with their peers. It also recognises that many children feel unable to discuss certain subjects with adults so this offers a safe and structured way for them to do so with discrete adult support.” Mr Slater said, “ The p r og r am a i m s to contribute to the ethos of respect and listening within the Academy. As well as giving each pupil t h e n e c e s s a r y foundations and skills for a full and happy life, whatever challenges the future may present.” Pictured are some of the year 9 peer mentors; Keisha David, Victoria Clayton, Honey Adebayo, Shai Hirst, Magdalene Asante, Tommy Wren, J a m e s M c C a r t n e y , Lauren Smith, Sean Philips, Jen Xue, Paige Smith, Abigail Jowett, Fie Goodfellow and Tara Mimms.

School Clubs Before School, After School & Lunchtime

Café Chill Monday - Friday 7.30 - 8.15am 3.30 - 4.45pm

Breakfast Club Monday - Friday from 7.30am

This pre-school club is exactly what it says. An opportunity to get breakfast at school and is provided in the Academy canteen every morning. The canteen is open from 7.30am with food being served from 8.00am.

Cooking Club Thursday 3.30 - 4.30pm

T h e T e c h n o l o g y Faculty run a cookery club for years 7 and 8.

Music Clubs

These are all in the music r o o m . F o r f u r t h e r information please speak with Mr Hayward, Teacher of Music.

Monday Lunchtime Drum Practice (Yrs 7,8 & 9)

After-school School Rock Band (Yrs 7,8 & 9)

Tuesday Lunchtime Guitar Workshop (all years)

Thursday Lunchtime Keyboard Workshop (all years)

After-school Vocal Group (all years)

Friday Lunchtime Drum Practice (Upper School)

After-school Band Rehearsals (all years)

Maths ICT Club Thursday lunchtime Room 101

To improve your maths skills in ICT and support with maths homework.

Boys Club Wednesday lunchtime Mr Wilson‟s Science Room Boys wishing to make improvements on their school work. Using a mixture of games and one to one mentoring.

Dance Club Wednesday & Thursday lunchtimes in the gym

Great Hockey Defending

Drapers’ Academy Settle Road Harold Hill

RM3 9XR Phone: www.drapersacademy.com 01708 371331

score 1-0 - so it was

nearly an all Drapers'

Academy affair. Both

teams will now be

representing London

Schools in the Essex

Rally in April.

Year 8 Team; Tommy

La w r e n c e , T o mm y

Lickold, Muyiwa Gomez,

Stephen Stapleton (Cpt.),

William Williams, Emil

Wojciechowski (GK),

Prince Woni, Samuel

Balogun and Jay Byrne.

On March 8th Drapers'

Academy Year 8 boys

hockey team celebrated

becoming East London

Hockey Champions in

the London schools

hockey rally. Beating

Brampton Manor 2-0

decisively in the final

with both goals from

Prince Woni, who was

also voted player of the

tournament by his team

mates. The year 8 boys

had to beat our own year

7 boys in the semi final -

East London Hockey Champions

The year 7/8 Hockey girls team were knocked out of the East London Schools tournament despite only letting in one goal and losing just one game. Through a complicated scoring system the girls sadly did not win enough to qualify for the semi finals and came third in their group. As second best defenders in the tournament it was a great performance. Just

need more goals next time so keep practising.

The team was: Melissa Szczygiel, Lucy Mason, Karen Ohene, Kalisha Benton, Sana Arshad, Holley Shorey (Cpt.), Peace Mugambi (GK), Grace Taylor, Nickey S e l l i n g a n d Al e x Wallington.

Netballers

Looking Good

Looking fab in their new kit wasn't enough for the year 11 netball team on March 9th as they were knocked out of the Essex Plate quar-ter finals by 4 goals. Exiting what was an enjoyable competition the team were: Katy Fox (Cpt.), Jolene Orme, Paige Richardson, Pamela Sibanda, Sam Mossman, Georgie May Kirby and Emily Cooper.

Sam Mossman was named Player of the Match. We wish them better luck in future competitions.

Hosted by Drapers' Academy, the 2011 Borough hockey rally for year 8 pupils proved a suc-cess off the pitch. Our year 10 BTEC pupils provided refreshments for s t a f f , a s w e l l a s running the control facilties by keeping a record of the scores and time keeping.

Whilst year 9 pupils provided umpires for the rally, all of whom are either working towards or are qualified as Essex Young Umpires.

Extra Curricular

Sports Clubs

Monday

Lunchtime:

Badminton - all years Basketball - year 10 & 11 boy

Netball - year 7

After School: GCSE short course - year 9

Tuesday

Before School: Basketball shooting practice

Lunchtime: Netball - year 9

Gymnastics - all years Basketball - year 11 girls

After School: Girls Hockey Coaching

Wednesday

Before School:

Basketball shooting practice

Lunchtime: Trampolining - squad

After School: Hockey - all years

Football - year 11 boys Football - year 7 boys

Thursday

Lunchtime:

Indoor Cricket - year 9 boys Trampolining

Dance - all years

After School: Netball - all years

Football - year 9 boys Trampolining

Friday

Before School:

Basketball shooting practice

Lunchtime: Basketball - all year girls

Hockey - year 7 girls

Hosts to Borough

Hockey Rally

P.E. Ambassadors Congratulations to Year 7 pupils Lucy Mason and Jake Liman,

and Year 8 pupils Emil Wojciechowski and Charlotte Glassman, who take up this new role for the next term.