LSA Latest News Updates | Friday, 13 December 2024

End-of-Module 2 Arrangements

As the final week of Module 2 approaches, parents and carers are reminded that the last day of the module, Friday, 20 December 2024, will be a half-day, with pupils finishing at 12:30 pm. Module 3 will begin on Tuesday, 7 January 2025, at 8:30 am. A full list of term dates is available here.

Reminder: Parent/Carer Webinar

Parents and carers are reminded to join the Parent/Carer Webinar on Monday, 16 December 2024, at 17:30, streamed live on YouTube. This is an excellent opportunity to hear directly from members of the academy’s leadership team about key updates and upcoming events.

Webinar Agenda Highlights:

• Highlights from Modules 1 and 2 – Mr Sparks, Principal
• Upcoming Extra-Curricular Clubs, Activities, and Trips – Mr Duran, Assistant Principal
• What’s Coming Up in PSHE – Mr Hill, Assistant Principal
• Year 11 Updates – Mr Flower, Vice Principal
• Year 13 Updates – Ms Collier, Vice Principal

…and much more!

The live webinar can be accessed via this YouTube Link. Parents and carers can also submit their questions in advance using this Google Form. For those unable to attend the live event, the recording will remain available on YouTube for convenient viewing.

Christmas Jumper Day: Spreading Festive Cheer for Save the Children

On Thursday, 12 December 2024, students and staff at Leigh Stationers’ Academy put on their Christmas jumpers in support of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. The academy was filled with colourful and creative jumpers—and in the case of the maths department, full Christmas suits—bringing festive cheer to every corner of the school.

Thanks to the generosity of parents, carers, staff and students, an impressive £1,175 was raised for Save the Children. “We are incredibly grateful to parents and carers for their support and generosity,” said Ms Collier, Vice Principal. “Their contributions have helped to make a real difference for children in need this holiday season. It’s wonderful to see everyone come together in such a meaningful way. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank you to all those who donated.”

Equiano College Christmas Assembly: A Festive Celebration

On Friday, 6 December 2024, Equiano College hosted its first Christmas Assembly, bringing together parents, pupils, and staff for a joyful and heartwarming celebration. Guests enjoyed coffee, cake, and mince pies while reflecting on the incredible learning and achievements across all subject areas this year.

A standout moment of the assembly was the pupils’ performances of This is Me, and I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday. These dances incorporated Makaton and creative props, showcasing inclusivity and artistic expression. A special thank you goes to Ms Pleckinger, Summer, and Grace for their dedication in bringing these performances to life.

The assembly also celebrated the achievements of several exceptional pupils:

• Romeo (Science): Recognised for his excellent understanding, curiosity, and participation in the KS4 class.
• Demetri (Maths): Commended for stepping out of his comfort zone and excelling in his new KS4 class.
• Rakan (English): Praised for his effort, neat presentation, and thoughtful answers this term.

Special awards were also presented:

• Ricky: Outstanding Effort Award
• L’Kai: Kindness Award
• Abigail: Equiano Award

“Congratulations to all the pupils for their achievements and for making this assembly such a memorable event,” said Ms Dooley, Deputy Principal. “It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the term and reflect on the incredible accomplishments of Equiano College.”

Mock Examination Update for Years 11 & 13

The mock examination series for Years 11 and 13 at Leigh Stationers’ Academy continues into its final week. Timetables for each year group can be accessed via the following links:

Year 11 Update

Next week, all Year 11 students will complete their Speaking and Listening Endorsement for English Language. Students have prepared speeches on the topic of ‘change’, which they will present in their English lessons to peers and teachers. These presentations will be marked by their classroom teachers and submitted to AQA.

“We are so proud of the resilience and rigour Year 11 students have shown during their mock examinations,” said Ms Edwards, Assistant Principal. “As we approach the final week of assessments, I encourage all students to stay focused, especially with their Speaking and Listening Endorsements.

Intervention sessions for Year 11 will resume in Module 3 after the holiday, with more information to follow.

Year 13 Update

The Year 13 mock examinations conclude next week with:

• A-Level Photography: Monday, 16 December and Tuesday, 17 December (all day)
• A-Level Art: Wednesday, 18 December and Thursday, 19 December (all day)

“We are incredibly proud of how the Year 13 students have approached their mocks,” said Ms Collier, Vice Principal. “Their focus, maturity, and resilience throughout this demanding process have been outstanding, and we look forward to celebrating their successes as they prepare for the next stage of their academic journey.”

Year 11 Careers Information and Opportunities

Although the weekly careers slides were not shared with Year 11 students this week due to mock examinations, a range of valuable opportunities and resources were made available on the Year 11 Google Classroom for students to access independently.

• Job of the Week: Chief Diversity Officer – an engaging insight into this important and dynamic career path.
• Capel Manor Advice Evening: An opportunity for students and families to explore Capel Manor’s colleges and courses on Thursday, 16 January 2025, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Register for the event using this link.
• Careers Newsletter, Edition 13: This edition features virtual work experience opportunities through Springpod, information and links about Apprenticeships, and guidance on applying for jobs in the future.

Students can find additional career-related information and resources on the Year 11 Google Classroom, including:

• Weekly Careers Newsletter and Slides: Previous editions and slides are available on Google Classroom, offering further guidance and opportunities.
• Unifrog Access: Students are encouraged to explore career paths using Unifrog, which provides career and subject libraries, as well as practical tools for planning their next steps.

Year 11 students are reminded to take advantage of these resources to explore their interests, develop their skills, and prepare for future opportunities.

Brigade Uniform New Year Discount and Christmas Deadlines

Brigade is offering a special discount for parents and carers who order school uniforms online. To ensure delivery before the holiday break, direct orders must be placed by Sunday, 8 December 2024, for dispatch by Friday, 20 December 2024. Brigade will close for the Christmas holidays at 4:00 pm on Friday, 20 December 2024, and reopen at 8:00 am on Monday, 6 January 2025. Any communication or emails received during the shutdown period will be responded to upon reopening. For more information about the New Year discount and ordering process, visit Brigade’s website here. 

Year 7 Mark ‘Geography Awareness Week with Fieldwork’ 

To celebrate Geography Awareness Week, Year 7 students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy undertook a hands-on research project to assess the sustainability of the academy. The activity gave students the opportunity to develop their geographical skills while exploring ways to improve the school’s environmental impact.

The project focused on four key locations around the academy, where students measured various aspects of sustainability, including waste management, energy use, and the quality of green spaces. Using this data, they completed environmental quality surveys, identifying areas of improvement and highlighting where more progress can be made.

“This activity enabled students to develop key geographical skills while exploring practical ways to make the school more environmentally friendly,” said Ms D’Agostino, Teacher of Geography. “It was a fantastic opportunity for them to engage with real-world geography and reflect on how they can contribute to positive environmental changes within the academy.”

Year 12 Geography Students Bring Learning to Life in Brighton

Last week, A-Level Geography students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy visited Brighton for a day of hands-on fieldwork and exploration, enhancing their understanding of both coastal and urban geography.

The morning was spent investigating wave dynamics and their impact on the coast. Students explored processes such as erosion and longshore drift, gaining valuable insight into how these shape Brighton’s beach. They also conducted Blue Flag research, evaluating whether Brighton Beach meets the environmental and safety standards required for this prestigious award.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to urban geography. Students examined the effects of urban decline in the Pavilion Quarter, considering how socio-economic challenges have influenced this historic area. They also assessed the impact of gentrification in other parts of the city, debating whether these efforts effectively balance revitalisation with the needs of local residents.

“The trip was a resounding success, with students actively participating in all activities and demonstrating an impressive ability to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world observations,” said Mr Jusik, Director of Humanities. “Experiences like these are invaluable in deepening students’ understanding of geography, and it was fantastic to see their enthusiasm for the subject throughout the day.”

Knowledge Assessment Completion and Catch-Up

Knowledge Assessments for KS3 and many Year 10 classes were completed in lessons this week. Students who missed any assessment in a particular subject still have time to complete it; the deadline for submission is 4:00 pm on Monday, 16 December 2024.

Knowledge Assessments are available in the Google Classroom for each subject/class and can be completed and submitted from home. “Ensuring that all assessments are completed provides us with robust data, allowing the academy to gain valuable insights into the progress that individual students are making,” said Mr Flower, Vice Principal. “We encourage parents and carers to support their children in meeting this important deadline.”

Weekly Sports Fixtures

Year 9 Narrowly Beaten by Kingsdale in ESFA Cup

The Year 9 football team faced a tough challenge against Kingsdale Foundation School in the ESFA Cup, losing 5-4 in a closely fought match. Harry and Oluwakorede both scored twice, contributing to an exciting game filled with determined play and effort.

• Player of the Match: Frankie R was recognised by Mr Judd for his brilliant positioning and crucial interceptions, which broke down many of the opposition’s attacks.
• Team: Frank, Frankie R, Cruz, Muhib, Olly, George, Austin, Harry (Capt), Callum, Alby, Asa, Omer, Harry H, Oluwakorede, Arthur.

Year 8 Rugby Team Triumph Over Bexleyheath Academy

The Year 8 boys’ rugby team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Bexleyheath Academy 6-3. Tries were scored by Ben (2), Kalel, Olly, Avery, and Ilyas in a fantastic display of teamwork and resilience.

• Player of the Match: Ben G was commended by Mr Mitchell for his outstanding contribution, including cover tackles, breaking multiple defensive lines, and scoring two tries.
• Team: Harry G, Kalel, Ilyas, Avery, Jack, Fin, Chase, Henry, Ben, Jai, Thomas, Gabrielle, Lennie, Olly.

PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-10

This week in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, students across Years 7-10 focused on important aspects of personal development and wellbeing. Each session provided opportunities for students to reflect on their own experiences and build valuable skills for their growth. Below is a summary of this week’s topics and a discussion question to help parents and carers engage with their child about these themes:

• Year 7 – Reflecting on Term 1: How has Year 7 gone so far and what can I do to support you next term?
• Year 8 – Peer Pressure: How do you feel when others are pressuring you and how can I help?
• Year 9 – Exploitation & Gangs: How can I help protect you from harmful relationships and external pressure?
• Year 10 – Managing Finances: How can I help you understand the habits of saving and planning for the future?

We encourage parents and carers to use these questions to start meaningful conversations and help reinforce the lessons learned in our carefully tailored PD programme. Also, please see the 6 minute BBC News clip resource here used by Year 9 students this week; ‘Nicole’s Story’ highlights the dangers faced by young people in vulnerable positions. This is a useful tool to inform discussions with your child about this topic when you deem it appropriate to do so. Together, we remain committed to supporting your child’s pastoral development.

Student and Parent Services During the Festive Season 

As the festive season approaches, Leigh Stationers’ Academy recognises that this time of year can bring both joy and unique challenges for families. Supporting the well-being of the school community remains a top priority, and a list of helpful helplines and resources has been compiled to assist parents, carers, and students during the holiday period. The resources aim to maintain a healthy and positive environment for all and can be accessed here.

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and these services are available to help navigate any difficulties that may arise. Leigh Stationers’ Academy wishes everyone a joyful, restful, and peaceful holiday season.