Dear SCWA Community,
This week at SCWA, we have seen our commitment to scholarship, fellowship, and leadership come to life in several ways.
We are currently preparing to distribute our first Knowledge Acquisition Assessment Reports, reflecting our dedication to scholarship. As we launch our second Knowledge Acquisition Booklet, we are pleased to incorporate a range of feedback from parents and carers to make our knowledge acquisition booklets even stronger. The highlighted core knowledge in the new acquisition booklets will further guide and support our pupils in their independent studies.
Excitingly, the adventure begins for our Year 7 students with the commencement of the PGL Residential Trips, fostering fellowship and creating lasting memories. Meanwhile, in Year 13, the Head Student selection process is underway, with Arden students showcasing their exceptional leadership qualities in the first round of interviews.
I am grateful for your continuous support as we work together to nurture well-rounded individuals who demonstrate scholarship, fellowship and leadership.
Warm regards,
Joseph Sparks | Principal, Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy
New Lunch Break Timing for Year 7
In response to feedback received from pupils, parents/carers, and staff, we are pleased to announce a change in lunch break timings for our Year 7 students. Currently set at 13:35, the lunch break for Year 7 will be rescheduled to commence at 12:30, aligning with Lunch Break 1. It is important to clarify that this modification will have no impact on lessons or any other aspects of the school day. For those interested in the updated timings of the school day, further details can be found here.
Break 1 – Delamere and Sherwood
Break 2 – Ashdown and Arden
Lunch 1 – Years 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13
Lunch 2 – Years 8 and 10
Mr Farr, reflecting on this adjustment, shared, “We have listened to our parents/carers and pupils and appreciate the significance of the transition from primary to secondary school. In order to support this transition further and ensure the smooth flow of traffic at lunchtime, we have decided to move Year 7 to Lunch Break 1. We would like to express our gratitude to parents/carers for their constructive feedback and for collaboratively working with us to continue to develop SCWA.”
We trust that this alteration will contribute positively to the school experience of our Year 7 pupils, supporting them through this pivotal period of transition. Our commitment remains firm to fostering an environment conducive to learning and the overall well-being of our students. We continue to welcome feedback from our school community to further enhance the SCWA experience for all.
Knowledge Acquisition Assessment Reports
Following the completion of the knowledge acquisition assessments conducted in the third week, we are preparing to distribute the first reports to parents/carers by Monday, 2 October 2023. These reports will detail the percentage achieved by students in each subject area.
Mr Kay reflected on the assessments, stating, “We are really pleased with the way in which pupils approached their knowledge acquisition assessments last week, and teachers are already working on strategies to address the identified gaps in knowledge and understanding. We would like to address some concerns; there have been rumours circulating among pupils that detentions will be issued for not achieving 80% in their assessments. We can confirm that these are solely rumours. No student, for this module, will face any sanctions for not achieving a certain percentage in their assessments. As we move into module two, we are looking forward to collaboratively working with students to further enhance their scores.”
Should you have any questions or require further clarification regarding the reports or knowledge assessments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mr Kay at argy.kalos@leighstationersacademy.org.uk.
Distribution of Knowledge Book 2 with Adaptations
Next week marks an important step in our pupils’ learning, as they will receive their second Knowledge Acquisition Booklet. This booklet is scheduled to guide their learning from Week 5 of Module 1 through to Week 3 of Module 2. In our continuous effort to enhance the learning experience and offer additional support, we have introduced a number of minor adaptations to the booklet based on valuable feedback from parents/carers.
Within each subject, pupils will notice that the most crucial key knowledge is highlighted in yellow. We strongly recommend that pupils focus on and prioritise learning this highlighted key knowledge first. This approach aims to ensure that students are well-equipped with the fundamental concepts and knowledge that will form the basis of their understanding in each subject. Subsequently, when pupils undertake their second knowledge acquisition assessments in module two, this highlighted core knowledge will be examined first.
We trust that these adaptations will prove beneficial in aiding our students to navigate their studies effectively and efficiently.
Year 7 PGL Residential Trips Commence
Today marks the beginning of adventure for 57 Year 7 Ashdown pupils, as they embark on their PGL Residential Trip to Marchants Hill. Accompanied by their Small School Team, this trip is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to forge new friendships within their year group and small school and to strengthen existing bonds. We eagerly anticipate sharing stories and pictures of their experiences in next week’s latest news page updates. Subsequent trips are scheduled for Delamere pupils next week (Friday, 6 October 2023) and Sherwood pupils the following week (Friday, 13 October 2023).
Mr Duran shared his thoughts on the significance of these trips: “These excursions offer a splendid opportunity for our Year 7 pupils to engage in a variety of activities, familiarise themselves with their peers, form new friendships, and create lasting memories. We are excited about the prospect of welcoming back our Ashdown pupils on Monday and hearing all about their adventures.”
We wish all our students a safe and enjoyable trip, full of learning and memorable experiences, and look forward to hearing their tales of adventure upon their return!
Head Student Selection Process Underway at Arden
This week, the Arden Sixth Form Team witnessed the enthusiasm and dedication of seven of its students as they participated in the first round of the selection process for the Head Student role. The first round of interviews, conducted by Mr Sparks, Principal, and Ms Collier, Head of Arden, took place on Wednesday, showcasing the exemplary qualities of our candidates.
Ms Collier expressed her admiration for the participants, stating, “We were blown away by the quality of the applications for the Head Student post. The pupils interviewed were articulate, and dedicated, and were all excellent ambassadors for SCWA. Although there can only be one Head Student, four students have now been shortlisted to present to all staff in the whole school staff briefing on Monday morning.”
The four students progressing to the next stage are Zac, Montana, Naglis, and Josh; we look forward to announcing our Head Student, Deputy Head Student, and Student Leader Team in the near future. Best of luck to our shortlisted candidates, and may they continue to exemplify the spirit and values of SCWA!
Module 1 Clubs Kick-Off
We are pleased to announce the start of our Module 1 Enrichment Clubs at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy. Set to begin on Monday, 2 October 2023, these clubs present our students with a wide range of opportunities.
Our enrichment programme is designed to broaden horizons, fuel creativity, foster skill-building, and facilitate the making of new friendships. Whether a student is looking to explore a new hobby, develop a particular skill, or simply meet like-minded peers, there is something for everyone. From arts and crafts to sports, science, and technology, the range of activities offered caters to a variety of interests and passions.
We encourage all our students to take full advantage of these clubs, embracing the chance to explore, learn, and grow outside the confines of the classroom. For more information on the range of clubs/activities available, please click here.
Explore Your Future at Our Sixth Form Open Evening
Join us on 12 October 2023, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, for an informative Sixth Form Open Evening at Arden, marking a crucial step in the post-GCSE journey. This event is an invaluable opportunity for both students and parents to discover the diverse opportunities Arden Sixth Form offers.
Why Arden Sixth Form?
- Informed Choices: We guide students in making significant decisions affecting their future paths, whether university, apprenticeship, or career.
- Parental Engagement: In today’s competitive world, parental involvement is key, and we actively encourage a collaborative decision-making process.
- Diverse Opportunities: Explore our Sixth Form Prospectus and website to learn about our T-Levels courses and facilities.
- Quality Education & Skills Development: We’re dedicated to providing top-notch education and fostering essential life skills.
- Inclusive Community: Welcoming students from various schools into Year 12, we promote diversity and inclusivity.
- Supportive Relationships: A positive home-school relationship and strong pastoral support are pivotal for student success.
- Research-Based Learning: We adopt the latest educational research to ensure effective and current teaching methods.
Your decision post-GCSEs is foundational for the future. Attendance is highly recommended, and to aid us in customising the evening for you, please fill out this Google Form. We are eager to meet prospective students and families and demonstrate the unique offerings of Arden Sixth Form!
