3rd March 2017

19th January 2018

THE MAGAZINE FOR MOUNTS BAY ACADEMY

STANDING OUT

Cover: Van de Graaff Generator

Photo by: Mr Raggett

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Sara Davey Academy Principal

It’s all about you...

A focus on the future...

Our upper school students are enjoying perhaps the hardest working but most fulfilling time of their lives so far. Our Year 11s start with their Pre-Public (Mock) examinations next week, in preparation for their final GCSE examinations later in the year, and our Years 9 and 10 students have embarked on the courses they have chosen to achieve maximum success.

Best wishes

Our new planner for the Spring and Summer semesters has some useful information on each style of homework and some great strategies for effective learning to try out. Homework is also developing this half term with all staff moving towards placing their homework tasks on our FIREFLY learning portal.

As such, we were very busy over the Christmas break making sure everything is in place to support them as much as we can and our teaching, learning and assessment team have spent time reviewing our homework policy after feedback from parents. The review has involved us evaluating various types of homework tasks. This led us to identify three main categories of homework for the whole school. Our staff will be setting

work that allows students to RESEARCH, REFLECT or REFINE topics so that there is sufficient variety and quality

of tasks to be undertaken.

MY H

OM

E STUDY

Step 1: PlanHom

e Study: Research

•Define the subject

•M

ind map

•W

hat do you know?

•Sim

ilar ideas

•Key w

ords / phrases

•Q

uest strategy

Step 2: Search for information

•Library

•Recom

mended books

•Firefly

•Peers

•W

ebsites

•W

hich key words /

phrases give best

results?

•H

ow reliable is

source of your

information?

•H

ave you cross-

checked the

information you have

found with other

sources?

When researching

online…

Step 3: Note ta

king

Step 4: Use th

e inform

ation

Scan

First

True or

Bogus? Your ow

n

Words

Organise

inform-

ation

Compare

&

Contrast

PutinOrderYour

Concl-

usion

Home Study: Refine

•Choose a topic

•Plan it out

•M

ind map

•Draw

a picture/diagram

•Senses Chart

Prewriting

•Put your ideas onto paper

•“Sloppy Copy” Drafting

•Re-reading and asking “H

ow can I m

ake it better?”

•Idea sharing (Peer Support)

•Details, organisation

•Crafting - figurative language

Revising

•Capital letters

•Punctuation

•Sentence Structure

•W

ord Choice Editing

•Creating a final copy

•Title ~ Com

mon / Catchy / Creative

Publishing

MY HOME STUDY

Step 1: Plan

Home Study: Research

• Define the subject

• Mind map

• What do you know?

• Similar ideas

• Key words / phrases

• Quest strategy

Step 2: Search for information

• Library

• Recommended books

• Firefly

• Peers

• Websites

• Which key words /

phrases give best

results?

• How reliable is

source of your

information?

• Have you cross-

checked the

information you have

found with other

sources?

When researching

online…

Ste

p 3

: N

ote

ta

kin

g

Data Sheets

Bibliography

Venn Diagram Note Cards

Photo Copies

Fact Finder

Ste

p 4

: U

se t

he

info

rma

tio

n

Scan

First

True or

Bogus?

Your own

Words

Organise inform-

ationCompare

&Contrast

Putin

Order

YourConcl-

usion

Home Study: Refine

• Choose a topic

• Plan it out

• Mind map

• Draw a picture/diagram

• Senses Chart

Prewriting

• Put your ideas onto paper

• “Sloppy Copy”

Drafting

• Re-reading and asking “How can I make it better?”

• Idea sharing (Peer Support)

• Details, organisation

• Crafting - figurative language

Revising

• Capital letters

• Punctuation

• Sentence Structure

• Word Choice

Editing

• Creating a final copy

• Title ~ Common / Catchy / CreativePublishing

MY HOME STUDY

1 x question about

topic 2 x things you’d

like to know more

about 3 x things you’ve

learned about topic

EQ: Using a PEEE

paragraph, answer

the essential question including

information that

you have learned

today

CHALLENGE:

What part of the

lesson did you find

really challenging?

Explain how you

tried to overcome it

HOOK: Which

part of your lesson

did you find the

most interesting?

How does this

apply to today’s

LT?WWW: What part

of your work from

today did you do

well in? Explain

specifically what it

was and why.

EBI: Which aspects of your

work could you do

even better in?

Explain specifically

what it was and why.

Home Study: Reflect

Students will be demonstrating to parents how to access FIREFLY during our Student Led Conference Day that is coming up after half term on 2nd March 2018. The link to the FIREFLY portal is on the school website and at the click of a button parents can see their child’s timetable at a glance, some of the amazing resources and curriculum plans that are available for study 24/7 and will be able to see the homework tasks set each day.

As there are so many additional resources to include, please be patient as we work through the development phase.

Our aim is for parent/carers to have as much information as they need to help support their children both online and through our information events like the recent Year 11 Open Evening. We will be following on from this hugely successful event with a Learning and Revision evening for Year 10 on 15th March where we will be demonstrating some methods for revision based on research from the Learning Scientists at the University of Massachusetts and Rhode Island College.

Six Strategies for Effective Learning

Content by Yana Weinstein (University of Massachusetts Lowell) & Megan Smith (Rhode Island College) | Illustrations by Oliver Caviglioli (teachinghow2s.com/cogsci)

Funding provided by the APS Fund for Teaching and Public Understanding of Psychological Science

LEARNINGSCIENTISTS.ORG

RETRIEVAL PRACTICESPACED

PRACTICE

CON

CRET

E EX

AMPL

ES

ELABORATION

DUAL CODING

INTERLEAVING

WRITESKETCH

OR

12

3

SPACINGTESTING

SKETCHING

MYFOLDER

All of these strategies have supporting evidence from cognitive psychology. For each strategy,

we explain how to do it, some points to consider, and where to find more information.

Use specific examples

to understand abstract

ideas

Switch between ideas while you study Combine words

and visuals

Space out your studying over time

Practice bringing

information to mind

Explain and describe

ideas with many details

I am sure that all of this will lead to much more engagement for everyone in our learning community and I look forward to seeing the results over the next few months.

BE YOUR BEST

Amazing Maths

Kit Renshaw-Hammond explored the problem of Charlie's Delightful Machine which involved him finding the rule that different bulbs were lit depending on the value that was entered.  At Level One Kit was able to identify that the patterns were all linear sequences and he could then find the nth term rule that each bulb was following.

Kit then explored Level Two and recognised that the sequence was no longer linear and the first differences were exponential.  So after researching how to find the nth term rule for quadratic sequences he experimented with what he had learnt to discover what the nth term rules were for the new sequences.  He also identified that he also needed to include his understanding of nth term rules for linear sequences to successfully describe the pattern being created by the lights.

Kit then wrote up his learning in a report explaining the challenges that he faced and the strategies that he employed to

successfully overcome them.  He worked on these problems for an extended time and identified what new skills he needed to learn and then taught himself those skills.  This is an outstanding example of independent learning and a great example to other students of what is possible and worthy of a Da Vinci Award.

Report by: Mr Jack

DA VINCI PROGRAMME

EXCELLENCE REWARD

This semester Year 8 are studying Peace and Conflict. Before the Christmas break we did a lesson on Amnesty International and were lucky

enough in the first week back to have a representative from the Penzance group visit and talk to the students.

Amnesty

BE INSPIRED

Amnesty Club will be starting in the Spring Semester.Monday 1:30 – 1:55

Room 49

Graham is passionate about spreading the work of Amnesty International. He spoke to students about the work of Amnesty

and the meaning of its logo. He told them about case studies that the Penzance group are involved with. He gave them the opportunity to sign postcards specific to two case studies that will be sent to the people involved to show that they have support. Amnesty refers to this as the Power of the Pen and believe that it is far more effective than any violence. These postcards are a  symbol of hope during their dark times.

Students were also given the choice of taking an Amnesty badge. Report by: Miss Dowrick

A small group of Year 8 students met with Student Ambassadors from Exeter University Engineering Team to learn more about the mining industry in preparation for

competing in the Cornwall School Mining Games on 26th March.  They had the opportunity to try out mineral extraction using different scientific techniques such as panning, sieving and magnetic forces. They learnt the basics of surveying and the relevance of Science and Maths in relation to a range of exciting careers in geology and mining engineering, very much in demand in the 21st century.

Introduction to Cornwall School Mining

MBA FUTURES

Report by: Mrs Masters

In Mr Raggett’s Year 7 Science lesson this week students learnt all about charged particles and static electricity. They were lucky enough to be able to see the evidence of static electricity in action while using the Van de Graaff generator: a truly hair-raising experience!

Hands-on Science

BE INSPIRED

Concrete Revision

Each week, Year 11 students have separate boy/girl assemblies to share ideas about a range of revision techniques. Bravely, in front of the group, one student explains what the technique is and how they use it to suit their own needs; this is followed up with a short video clip to consolidate the information. The students are reminded regularly about the need for a balance in their approach to their studies and exams, and to ensure that they find time for doing relaxing activities, such as swimming and dog walking. This week, Millie Olds presented her ideas about 'concrete examples' and how she incorporates them into her revision routine. Well done, Millie, it was a fantastic presentation. Report by Mrs Turner

This week 7 Yellow have been working hard on the development of their outcomes inspired by their trip to Land's End. In their attempt to answer the Essential

Question, 'How do I capture the spirit of the place?', students have been exploring their handling of acrylic paints to explore a range of techniques. Within these outcomes we have been exploring the artist Carol Nelson, focusing on how she uses colour to capture the mood of landscapes.

BE ADVENTUROUS

REAL Project

They have now completed the first layer of colour that they will be developing and refining over the

next two weeks, building more expressive use of tone and mark. These paintings will form their practical assessment in week 9, and will also feature in the final REAL Project books later in the year. Well done for a great start on these Year 7! 

Report by: Miss Green

BECREATIVE

Year 9 Graphics GCSE students are working towards finalising their coursework units. They have all worked particularly hard on designing and

creating their own concepts for campaigns such as road safety, designing and making packaging design for Vegan food, creating illustrations in response to their own creative writing, creating branding concepts for children's clothing and designing shoes for a fashion brand.

BE CREATIVE

Graphics GCSE Work

Here are a few examples of design process pages so far to give you a flavour of how some of the design projects have developed.

BECREATIVEBE CREATIVE

We look forward to displaying all final outcomes and developmental folders in the CARTS 'Celebration Exhibition 2018' in July ... see you there!

Report by Mrs Dale

BECREATIVE

This really is testament to the hard work put in by the students and support from instrumental teachers. Well done.

BE CREATIVE

Music News

Exam Success

Our music students work incredibly hard in lessons, extra curricular activities and their own time to progress with their talent. Recently we have had some excellent results on woodwind exams with some great grades from the following students.

Saxophone:

Katie Trahair-Davies - Grade 3 - Merit

Tallula Millard - Grade 4 - Merit

Daniel Dunn - Grade 5 - Merit

Flute:

Jenny Dash - Grade 4 - Merit

Natalya Rubens - Grade 4 - Merit

Iona Benson - Grade 4 - Merit

Jack Cross - Grade 4 - Distinction

Tara Pace - Grade 5 - Merit

Report by Mrs Brown

BECREATIVE

In Year 7 Music we have been focussing on rhythm and rhythmic notation. We have learnt the note names and lengths and have been practising and performing our own rhythms. After this, we had the opportunity to perform some complex rhythms in a

Samba workshop building a polyrhythm with everyone playing at the same time.

BE CREATIVE

Drumming

“I enjoyed the shouting and all working together”

“I think that we sounded really good seeing as we only did it for a short time. I would love to do it again!”

This week we had the opportunity to take part in a Taiko workshop in The Cube run by Luke New to put our knowledge of rhythm into practice. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Taiko Drumming Club runs on a Monday lunchtime in the Cube. Open to all students - see Luke New for more details.

“

”

James Treleven (7 Cool) and Thomas Corti (7 Blue) are our latest Word Millionaires. Books read by the boys

include ‘The Maze Runner’ trilogy by James Dashner, ‘Car-Jacked’ by Ali Sparkes and ‘Magyk’, by Angie Sage. All these great books are avaliable from our library, so don't forget to visit at tutor time, lunch time and after school to keep changing your books.

BE ENTERTAINED

Accelerated Reader

Congratulations to Natalya Rubens in 8 ORANGE who has become a Word Millionaire, reading 1,007,448 words.

Well done - keep it up!

Year 7

Year 8

Report by Miss Walters

Report by Mrs Marsden

BECREATIVEBE CREATIVE

Come and watch the rising stars of MBA!

Wednesday 24th January, 7-9pm in the Hall

Open to the public - bring your friends and family!

Tickets on the door: £1 Adults £1.50 Children £4.50 Family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids)

£1-50 Adults

£1-00 Children

£4-50 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)

BECREATIVEBE CREATIVE

Sam Perkin, 10 Green, was awarded the Ambassadors Scheme for Talented Athletes last November.

The Scheme allows Sam to train in all GLL leisure centres using the facilities for free. Carn Brea Leisure Centre and Penzance Leisure Centre have also very kindly granted him use of their facilities for 2018. He was kindly granted the Award after proving his Top 10 finishes in National Surf Life Saving Competitions over the last eight years, being National Champion in his age group for Flags and 1km Beach run and also national Fin and Board Champion in the pool in these Years. He also has had top 10 National finishes over the years at

Beach and Pool Competitions in the other Surf Life Saving disciplines, travelling as far as Cardiff and Millfield for national pool events and Saunton Sands and Exmouth for Beach events.

Sam is training hard for his events this year thanks to the Ambassadors Scheme and looking forward to the Cornish Surf Life Saving Championships that are coming up soon and the 2018 season ahead.

GLL Ambassadors Award

BE COMPETITIVE

Muay Thai Boxing and Boxing Classes

Unit E, Rospeath Industrial Estate, Crowlas

Class Timetable:Tuesday: 5.30 - 6.30pm (ages 6+)

Thursday: 5.30 - 6.30pm (ages 6+)

Friday: 5.15 – 6.00pm Parent/Carer and child (ages 6+)

Saturday: 12.00-1.00pm (ages 6+)

For further details contact Gemma/Lee: payakkarach@outlook.com 07518 658801 or checkout our Facebook page.

Class Timetable:

Friday: 7.15 – 8.15pm (ages 8+)

For further details contact Carl: stivesbayabc@hotmail.co.uk 07870 541174 or checkout our Facebook page.

All classes are run by experienced, qualified, insured and DBS checked coaches.

This Week’s Puzzle:

   

Last week’s solution: A

Could you write next week’s puzzle?If you would like to set the numeracy puzzle for

a future week click here. You will win House

House Competition

Blue: 284 PointsGreen: 127 PointsPurple: 100 PointsYellow: 98 Points

Red: 89 PointsOrange: 62 Points

Click here to submit your answer

Closing date for Entries: Thursday 12:00

This Week’s House Totals

BE A WINNER

Maths Quiz

Win an Amazon voucher

Being a puzzle champ is not all about how many answers you know... it’s how you behave when you don’t know. We believe in recognising pure grit, determination and effort. To be crowned the puzzle champ, all you have to do is enter every competition for the whole semester- all the entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a £30 Amazon Voucher.

To enter, simply write an original sentence correctly using the word jubilant. Send in your sentence using the link below.

Competition

Congratulations to Tegan Simons who wins 10 VIVO points.

Click here to enter the competition

This week’s word is: Jubilant

Definition: Feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph.

Etymology: Mid 17th century (originally in the sense ‘making a joyful noise’): from Latin jubilant- ‘calling, hallooing’, from the verb jubilare.

BE A WINNER

7th February

2018

INTERESTED IN A CAREER LESS ORDINARY?

Open to Years 8, 9, 10 and 11

Charity Dress Auction and

Wedding Fair

Mounts Bay Academy, Penzance Auction and Sale

Saturday 17th February: noon-5pm

Preview and Dress Fitting16th February: noon-3pm

Over 150 wedding dresses, evening dresses and prom gowns for sale.

All profits from the auction will go to Cancer Research UK

email dressauction@mountsbay.org for the catalogue or if your business would like a stall in the wedding fair.

NE

XT

WE

EK

@ M

OU

NT

S B

AY

SEMESTER

WINTER

WE ARE

MOUNTSBAY

MONDAY 22ND JANUARY Primary Years 3/4 & Years 5/6 AthleticsMBA Sports Hall

Residential Netball trip to LondonLeave 07:00

TUESDAY 23RD JANUARY Netball trip home

Return approx. 20:30

WEDNESDAY 24TH JANUARYYears 7 and 8 Boys Football Under 13 Girls FootballHayle SchoolMBA Introducing Music Gig: new artists from MBA

19:00 - 21:00. Main Hall

THURSDAY 25TH JANUARYYears 9, 10 and 11 Mixed Hockey PZ Astro Park 15:30 - 16:30Under 15 and Under 12 Girls FootballSt Ives School

FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY