SCWA Latest News Updates | Friday 19 July 2024

Start of Term Arrangements for 2024/25

The full list of term dates for the 2024/25 academic year can be found here.

• Monday, 2nd September 2024: Return for Year 7 and Year 12 students
• Tuesday, 3rd September 2024: Return for all year groups

Please note that there are no changes to the timings of the school day, which can be found here. Students are expected to be in school by 08:30 on their respective return dates. 

SCWA Parent/Carer Webinar – Key Updates for 2024/25

Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our live webinar on Monday, 15 July 2023. For those who were unable to attend, the recording is available on YouTube here. During the webinar, we provided key updates on the following topics:

• Start of term arrangements for the next academic year
• Details about the academy’s upcoming name change, the new names of the colleges (small schools), and changes to the uniform
• An update on next year’s timetable from Mr. Smith
• An update on the use of Chromebooks and homework from Mr. Flower
• An update on our expectations and behaviour policy from Mr. Farr
• An overview of changes to our PSHE curriculum from Ms. Collier

SCWA Bids Farewell to Valued Staff Members

As the academic year draws to a close, Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy bids farewell to a number of colleagues who are embarking on new ventures.  Please see the drop-down below to see these.

Mr. Sparks, Principal of SCWA, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank every colleague for their hard work and dedication. A special thank you goes to Ms. Neil for her 18 years of service as a cover supervisor and Ms. Allen for her 29 years of service. In her most recent role as Director of PE, Ms. Allen has motivated, coached, and inspired thousands of pupils. Her significant legacy at the school will not be forgotten.”

LSA Welcomes New Staff Members for September 2024

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is excited to welcome a diverse group of new staff members who will be joining us in September 2024. The incoming team brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm across various roles:

Mr. Sparks, Principal, said: “We are pleased to welcome a range of new colleagues to Leigh Stationers’ Academy. The academy has been exceptionally successful with this year’s recruitment, and we are delighted to welcome such a talented group of practitioners.”

Dean School Launches First Annual Festival

On Tuesday, 16 July 2024, Dean School celebrated its first-ever Dean School Festival. Ms. Bartlett, SENCo, explained: “Over the course of modules five and six, the students have worked on planning, organising, resourcing, and funding the first-ever Dean School Festival. They researched various activities, reached out to staff members via email to secure volunteers, and crafted bunting, banners, and signs that adorned the festival grounds. Additionally, they curated a music playlist and baked cakes, adding a personal touch to the festivities.”

The event was a resounding success, showcasing the diverse skills of the Dean students. Attendees were greeted by inflatable mascots and enjoyed a range of activities, from scoring penalties against the goalie and soaking a teacher, to enjoying live performances on the main stage and trying their luck at the human fruit machine. The festival atmosphere was lively and engaging, ensuring a memorable day for all who attended. Even Mr. Sparks, who took a spirited attempt at besting our goalie, added to the fun, despite not quite securing a goal against Ms. Francis!

SCWA Celebrates Success at the 7th Annual LAT Awards

The 7th Annual LAT Awards, held on Thursday, 11 July 2024, celebrated the contributions of Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy staff. Among the trust’s 4,000 staff, eight of our colleagues—Mr. Keable, Mr. Roche, Ms. Russell, Mr. Najak, Ms. Khanom, Mr. Hylton-Bartley, Ms. Loft, and Ms. Hunt—were nominated and shortlisted for various awards.

In a notable achievement, Ms. Russell, Office Manager, won the Staff Choice Award. Mr. Sparks, Principal, commended her accomplishment, stating, “Julie’s win is a testament to her significant contributions not only within our academy but also across the wider organisation. This award rightfully acknowledges her dedication and the high regard her peers have for her.”

Mr. Sparks further reflected on the wards, noting, “The strong representation and achievements of our staff at the LAT Awards highlights the outstanding team we have at SCWA. We are immensely proud of all our nominees.” 

SCWA Cadets Achieve Promotions Within RM CCF Contingent

We are delighted to announce that Kai and Connor have been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal within the RM CCF Contingent at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy. Their promotions come after an exemplary performance during the summer camp held at the Commando Training Centre and on Dartmoor, where they demonstrated outstanding leadership skills.

Major Wilson, Contingent Commander, praised their achievements, stating, “Both Kai and Connor exemplified true leadership qualities during the rigorous summer camp. Their ability to handle challenging situations and lead by example has earned them the rank of Lance Corporal. We are confident they will excel in their new roles and make significant contributions to the training and development of new recruits.”

As Lance Corporals, Kai and Connor will begin their leadership duties within the Contingent in September. They will play a key role in shaping the future of our cadet program. Major Wilson added, “Looking ahead, we are excited to offer a bespoke Leadership Development opportunity to new Year 12 cadets in Arden. This initiative is designed to support their UCAS personal statements and contribute to the DofE Gold Residential component. The first CCF Parade of the new academic year is scheduled for Monday, 9 September 2024, marking the start of what promises to be another enriching term for our cadets.”

Victory for Delamere at SCWA’s Record-Breaking Sports Day

On Wednesday, 17 July 2024, Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy held its annual Sports Day, with Delamere claiming victory across all year groups. This year’s Sports Day was particularly noteworthy with five athletic records being shattered:

• Austin from Delamere set a new record in the 800m, a milestone that had stood since 1999.
• Albie from Delamere broke the 300m record previously set in 2022.
• Erowo from Sherwood outpaced the 100m record established in 2021.
• Sereiah from Delamere achieved two new high jump records this year, surpassing a long-standing record from 1999.
• The Year 8 Girls Relay team from Delamere broke a record that had been in place since 2008.

Mr. Kay, Assistant Principal, said: “The day was marked by a display of excellent sportsmanship and fellowship, with participants from all schools within the academy demonstrating great enthusiasm and team spirit. The final tally of scores confirmed Delamere’s overall victory.”

• Delamere: Total – 523 points
• Ashdown: Total – 481 points
• Sherwood: Total – 453 points

Mr. Kay, added: “The event not only highlighted individual and team athletic excellence but also reinforced the community spirit of SCWA, making the 2024 Sports Day a memorable celebration for all involved.”

High School Musical Lights Up the Stage at SCWA

On Thursday, 18 July 2024, students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy showcased their theatrical talents in an impressive performance of ‘High School Musical’, captivating an audience of parents, carers, staff, and peers. The show was the culmination of weeks of dedicated practice and rehearsals, resulting in an hour of vibrant acting, singing, and choreography. Under the expert guidance of the Music and Drama faculties, the students delivered a performance that sparkled with energy and enthusiasm.

Mr. Yeates, Director of Performing Arts, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank Ms. Walton and Ms. Asobie for their brilliant support in making our performance of ‘High School Musical’ a resounding success. Their dedication and effort were instrumental in bringing this production to life, leaving our school community excited and looking forward to future LSA productions in the next academic year.”

Year 10 and 12 Students Excel in Work Experience Placements

The Academy is delighted to congratulate all Year 10 and 12 students who have successfully completed their work experience placements. Over the past two weeks, our staff have been in contact with employers to gather feedback on the students’ performance, and we are incredibly proud to report a wealth of positive responses.

Here are just a few highlights from the feedback we received:

Lenny: “It’s been a pleasure having Lenny with us. His attendance and punctuality have been exemplary, often arriving early to prepare for the day. He has integrated well with the team and is quick to pick up tasks. Notably, Lenny and another work experience student were tasked with creating and presenting to our staff. His politeness and professionalism have also been noted by his colleagues.”

Sophie: “Sophie has been a credit to herself and the school. She is proactive, took the lead in group teaching, and has shown great adaptability. She’s consistently punctual and has excelled in her roles.”

Freddie: “As an ex-pupil, Freddie was already familiar with the school environment, which allowed him to dive right into assisting with PE lessons and supporting our sports coach during Sports Day. His contributions have been so valued that we would encourage him to apply for a sports coach position in the future.”

Casey: “Casey has shown great enthusiasm at Velocity Trade International, interacting well with staff and showing a keen interest in various departments. He has developed new skills, gaining insight into different market sectors and improving his IT capabilities. His time here has not only enhanced his professional abilities but also clarified his future career aspirations.”

Ms. Collier, Vice Principal, said: “These experiences have not only provided our students with invaluable workplace exposure but have also helped them develop essential skills for their future career paths. We are thrilled with the outcomes of this year’s work experience program and look forward to continuing to support our students in their professional development. Well done to all involved!”

SCWA Offers Support Resources for the Summer Break 

As we start the summer holidays, Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy remains committed to the well-being of our community, understanding that this period can pose unique challenges. To ensure support is available, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources and helplines.

Young people aged 10-19 in the Royal Borough of Greenwich can benefit from free summer courses offered by Young Greenwich, running from 29 July to 23 August 2024, covering over 40 areas.

Additional support services include:

• NSPCC: For parent support, call 0808 800 5000.
• Children’s Services: For support in Greenwich, dial 020 8921 3172; in Bexley, 020 3045 5440.
• Action for Children: Offers free advice for parents of children aged 0-19 via Parent Talk.
• In emergencies, contact 999 immediately.