LSA Latest News Updates | Friday, 6 December 2024

Equiano College Students Dive into Swimming and Life Skills

Pupils from Equiano College have recently started weekly swimming lessons at The Eltham Centre, held every Wednesday. These sessions are designed to build confidence and improve swimming ability while incorporating valuable life skills and travel training.

Students travel to the lessons by bus and walk back to the academy, practising road safety along the way. “Their progress in the pool has been remarkable, with some students gaining confidence in the water for the first time and others now able to swim a full length,” said Ms Bartlett, SENCO.

“This programme has been about so much more than swimming,” added Ms Bartlett. “It’s been wonderful to see the students grow in confidence—not just in the pool, but in their independence and practical skills, from crossing roads safely to using money at Greggs. These are achievements that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.”

Equiano College Students Explore History at Chislehurst Caves

On Thursday, 5 December 2024, pupils from Equiano College visited Chislehurst Caves as part of their studies on World War II. The trip offered an immersive learning experience, bringing history to life as students explored the fascinating underground network.

Led by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide, Darren, students walked through one mile of the caves, a small portion of the impressive 22-mile system. Using lanterns to navigate, they learned about the caves’ history, including their origins dating back 6,000 years to the Stone Age, their use by Druids, and their role as the largest air raid shelter in London during World War II. At its busiest, the shelter housed up to 15,000 people.

“This trip was an incredible experience for our students,” said Ms Gould, Equiano College Teacher. “They loved testing the echo in the Druid section and discovering how different parts of the caves were used throughout history. It really brought their learning to life and deepened their understanding of the past.”

This Week’s Sports Fixtures

Year 7B Secure ESFA Cup Victory

On Thursday, 28 November 2024, the Year 7B football team claimed a 5-2 victory against Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School in the ESFA Cup. Matthew led the team with a brilliant hat-trick, including a stunning chip over the goalkeeper. Joe and Jaice also added to the scoreline in a fantastic team effort.

• Player of the Match: Matthew for his outstanding performance in front of goal.
• Team: Theo, Frank, Liam, Joe, Ronnie, Jaice, Henry, Matthew, Billy, and Ben.

Year 10 Narrowly Defeated in Kent Cup

On Monday, 2 December 2024, the Year 10 football team played a closely fought match against St Paul’s in the Kent Cup, losing 2-1. Despite the result, the team showed great determination throughout the game.

• Player of the Match: Mikhail for his exceptional commitment and dominance in one-on-one battles.
• Team: Ruley, Ty, Harry, Seb, Archie, Ayden, Frankie, Vir, John, Rado, Akram, Denni, Mikhail, and Albie.

Year 9 Face Tough Opposition in Kent Cup

On Tuesday, 3 December 2024, the Year 9 football team faced a strong St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School team in the Kent Cup, ending in a 6-1 loss. Despite the scoreline, Austin was recognised for his resilience and determination in a very physical game.

• Player of the Match: Austin for his battling spirit and effort throughout the match.
• Team: Frank, Frankie, Cruz, Muhib, Olly, George, Austin, Harry, Callum, Alby, Asa, Frankie, Omer, and Korede.

GCSE Cycling Trip: Students Excel at Cyclopark

Over the past two weeks, 30 GCSE PE students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy participated in a two-day road cycling course at the Cyclopark in Gravesend as part of their practical assessments.

“The students demonstrated exemplary behaviour throughout the four-day period, truly embodying the academy’s core values of Leadership, Scholarship, and Achievement,” said Ms Blayney, Teacher of PE. “Their conduct was a credit to the school, and they represented the academy with pride and distinction. Thanks to their determination and hard work, the marks achieved during the course were highly commendable. The experience was thoroughly enjoyed by all, which was made even more successful by the exceptional teamwork and planning provided by the staff at the Cyclopark.”

Christmas Extravaganza: A Festive Celebration

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is delighted to invite parents and carers to this year’s Christmas Extravaganza, a magical celebration of the festive season showcasing the incredible talents of our school community. This year, the highlight will be the enchanting performance by our Year 7 and 8 Choir, who will take centre stage with their harmonies and holiday cheer.

Event Details:

• Dates: Tuesday, 17 December & Thursday, 19 December 2024
• Time: 18:00 – 20:00
• Venue: Leigh Stationers’ Academy
• Tickets: Tickets are free of charge and can be secured via Eventbrite starting Friday, 6 December 2024. Spaces are limited, so early booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

“This festive showcase is a wonderful opportunity to bring the school community together,” said Mr Yeates, Director of Performing Arts. “We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent of our students and look forward to welcoming parents and carers to this year’s Christmas Extravaganza!”

Parent/Carer Webinar: Stay Connected with the Academy

Leigh Stationers’ Academy invites all parents and carers to a live webinar on Monday, 16 December 2024, at 17:30, streamed 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!

“We are excited to connect with parents and carers during this webinar,” said Mr Sparks, Principal. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to share highlights from the year so far, discuss upcoming plans, and celebrate all that’s happening at Leigh Stationers’ Academy.” A link to the webinar will be shared in next week’s latest news page updates. For parents and carers unable to attend the live event, the recording will remain available on YouTube for convenient viewing.

Christmas Jumper Day: Supporting Save the Children

On Thursday, 12 December 2024, Leigh Stationers’ Academy invites all students and staff to take part in Christmas Jumper Day to raise money for Save the Children. This annual event supports children across the UK who need it most, contributing to the over £30 million raised by the charity since 2012. The cost to participate is £2 per person, which can be paid via ParentPay either before or on the day of the event.

Students are required to wear their full school uniform, with the exception of the Christmas jumper. “Christmas Jumper Day is such a fun way for us to come together as a community and make a difference for children who need it most,” said Ms Collier, Vice Principal. “I’m excited to see everyone’s festive jumpers and proud that our academy can contribute to this incredible cause.”

Knowledge Assessments: Preparing for Success

Next week, beginning Monday, 9 December 2024, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will undertake their Knowledge Assessments to review and consolidate their learning from Module 2. To prepare, students should utilise the Knowledge Books available in their Google Classrooms:

• Year 7: LSA Year 7 2024/25
• Year 8: LSA Year 8 2024/25
• Year 9: LSA Year 9 2024/25

“Parents and carers can support their children by quizzing them on Knowledge Book content, ensuring they complete their Read, Write, Cover, Check homework, and exploring additional resources like BBC Bitesize to deepen understanding,” said Mr Flower, Vice Principal. “These assessments provide an excellent opportunity to examine the core knowledge pupils have gained this module and identify any gaps, allowing us to provide targeted support to ensure their continued progress.”

The Knowledge Assessments for Year 10 and Year 11 students will take place the following week, beginning Monday, 16 December 2024.

Reminder: Mock Examination Timetable for Years 11 & 13

The Year 11 and Year 13 mock examination series for 2024/25 at Leigh Stationers’ Academy continues this week. Timetables for each year group can be accessed via the following links:

Mock Examinations: Supporting Success in Year 11 and Year 13

The mock examination period for Year 11 and Year 13 students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy has reached its halfway point, with both year groups demonstrating impressive focus and commitment in preparation for their final exams this summer.

Year 11 Update

Year 11 students have approached their first week of mocks with determination, and their dedication to their studies has been commendable. Teacher-led warm-up sessions before and after school have supported students in reviewing key topics and building their confidence. Morning sessions start at 8:00 am, while afternoon sessions run until 4:15 pm.

“It’s been fantastic to see how seriously Year 11 have taken their mock examinations,” said Ms Edwards, Assistant Principal. “Their attendance at the warm-up sessions and their focus in the exam hall have been excellent, and I’m confident this hard work will pay off in the results.”

Parents and carers are reminded that students must arrive on time, dressed in the correct uniform, and equipped with a clear pencil case and clear water bottle. 100% attendance is essential during this period, as it may not always be possible to reschedule missed exams.

Year 13 Update

Year 13 students have also shown great effort and maturity during the first week of their mocks. Teacher-led warm-up sessions remain an important part of preparation, with morning sessions beginning at 8:00 am and after-school sessions running from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm.

Students are encouraged to continue utilising the Woolf Sixth Form Revision Site, which offers resources such as specification information, past papers, and revision tips to support their independent study.

“Our Year 13 students have shown outstanding commitment during this critical time,” said Ms Collier, Vice Principal. “Their engagement in warm-up sessions and their focus during exams are a testament to their ambition and drive to succeed.”

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: Judicial Law Clerk.
• Work Experience Opportunities in Engineering: Students were introduced to career pathways within the engineering field, with insights from industry experts sharing their roles and experiences.
• Opportunities Within the Business & Accounting Industries:  KPMG is hosting a virtual insight event on Monday, 9 December 2024, providing students with a chance to learn more about careers in these industries.
• Careers Newsletter, Edition 12: This edition focuses on T-Levels as a potential next step after GCSEs and explores careers in Law, Journalism, and Aviation. It also includes guidance on preparing for an Apprenticeship.

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, offering further guidance and opportunities for students.
• Unifrog Access: Students are encouraged to use Unifrog to explore career paths aligned with their interests and skills. The platform provides access to career and subject libraries, as well as practical tools for planning next steps.

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: The Importance of Kindness

Discussion Question: Why is it important to habitually show kindness to others?

Year 8: Healthy Lifestyles

Discussion Question: How can I support you in making healthy lifestyle choices so they become habitual?

Year 9: Harmful Substances

Discussion Question: How can I develop your understanding of the mental and physical effects of harmful substances?

Year 10: Vaccines and Safety

Discussion Question: How can I help you navigate misconceptions and misinformation about vaccines?

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 5 min TED-Ed video here used by Y9 students this week; Sara Garofalo explains how some drugs can alter the communication between cells in the brain. 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.