The Harefield Academy

Newsletter

Issue No.20 April 2008 Issue No.20 April 2008 Issue No.20 April 2008 Issue No.20 April 2008 www.theharefieldacademy.org

Achievement through Active LearningAchievement through Active LearningAchievement through Active LearningAchievement through Active Learning

Having hosted a visit from Valencia and the Spanish F.A. last month, The Harefield Academy and Watford F.C. enjoyed another visit with representatives from The Premier League, Charlton Athletic, Darlington and Newcastle United, all interested in finding out more about the flexible education programme provided for our Junior Scholars. David Dodds

and Nick Cox gave a formal presentation to the visitors before the guests watched the Junior Scholars in training and had a tour of the new Academy building. All were extremely interested not only in the concept but also in the finer detail of the programme and will undoubtedly watch its development with interest! Monica Cotterell

Pictured (from left to right) Dave Godley (U9 Coach, Watford), Dave Chatwin (Charlton), Jeff Vetere (Technical Director, Newcas-tle United), Craig Liddle (Tutor, Darlington), Barry Simmonds (Managing Director, Darlington), David Dodds (Academy Manager, Watford), Kevin Stonehouse (Community Trust manager, Darlington),

Nick Cox (Youth Development Officer, Watford), Huw Jennings (Premier League)

From the Principal…From the Principal…From the Principal…From the Principal…

www.theharefieldacademy.org

English Schools’ Football resultsEnglish Schools’ Football resultsEnglish Schools’ Football resultsEnglish Schools’ Football results The Year 10 football team won their quarter final match in the English Schools’ Cup against John F. Kennedy School. The final score was 3-1 and the team played some fantastic football. They are now through to the last four in the Country. What an achievement. They will now play Dame Alice Owen School Good luck for the next round boys! Lloyd Littlewood

Final Assemblies during the last week of term have been successfully led by Student Voice representatives. The group has made wonderful progress this year and it was a delight to hear the students’ own nominations for end of term awards. Students had both decided on the categories and organised the v o t i n g s y s t e m . Congratulations to all of the students from each House who received the following awards:- Good Friends Award Good Role Model Award Good Sense of Humour Award During a visit to the DTF this week I was amazed to see that the ground works around the new building have progressed so suddenly. Trees have been planted and grass laid. It is easy to imagine our students sitting under the threes and enjoying the space in the future.

Please be assured that we will organise visits to the new building for students, parents and members of the community as soon as possible. Year 7 enjoyed an informal performance by our up and coming School Band this week. They played a selection of music including Robbie Williams ‘Angels’. Some students even took solos. It was a great performance, well done to all involved. Mrs. White-Hunt is always keen to speak to students who are interested in learning an instrument. We are sure that we will be entertaining many interesting visitors in the future! As we go to press we are about to enjoy a visit by Sir Trevor Brooking. A full report of the visit will follow in the next Newsletter. I hope that all of our readers enjoy a happy and relaxing spring break. Lynn GaddLynn GaddLynn GaddLynn Gadd

Construction Committee students at the new school building siteConstruction Committee students at the new school building siteConstruction Committee students at the new school building siteConstruction Committee students at the new school building site

The Year 10 football teamThe Year 10 football teamThe Year 10 football teamThe Year 10 football team

Sports/Education ProgrammeSports/Education ProgrammeSports/Education ProgrammeSports/Education Programme

Harefield students win young scholars of week!Harefield students win young scholars of week!Harefield students win young scholars of week!Harefield students win young scholars of week! Ryan Ware and Jack Westlake two of the Watford Academy players were named young scholars of the week last week. This meant the boys were given the fantastic opportunity to join the Watford first team in their match day preparations for the club’s crucial game against Stoke recently. Ryan and Jack met with manager Aidy Boothroyd and his team for a healthy pre-match meal of chicken and pasta a few hours before kick off. This was followed by a tour of the stadium and press area. The boys were then invited to Aidy’s office where they took part in filming for a forthcoming DVD that will go on sale to Hornets fans. The scholars were responsible for helping set out the kit for the first team squad and even went on to take part in the warm up on the pitch in front of over 18,000 Watford supporters! Amongst the adoring fans were the boys’ proud families and friends as well as staff from The Academy. Both students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were inspired by their first taste of a day in the life of a professional footballer. Ryan said of the occasion, “It was an excellent insight into how footballers prepare for a game. Being on the pitch and seeing the fans gives you such an adrenalin rush. It really made me sure that I want to be a footballer. I’m determined to return to the pitch as a first team player for Watford one day.” Jack was equally as positive about the experience, “It inspired me more to become a footballer. It will also make me work harder in training during the week because I want to be ‘scholar of the week’ again. It was the best experience I’ve ever had as a footballer so far.” Well done boys keep up the hard work! Danielle Richards

On 4th May, 10 Academy students ventured out to participate in the Hillingdon Chess Championships. The students all played games against different schools from the borough, gaining points for whether they won or drew a match. It was a massive team effort and they came out with a very well deserved 5th place. Omar Khan played extremely well and was the only student to beat Bishop Ramsey School after a very tense game. Well done!

During the last Term the students in the Inclusion centre have been involved in two mini enterprises. The first mini enterprise was for Valentine’s Day and they were raising money for Harefield Heart. The second was Mothers’ day and this was for Cancer research. For both enterprises the students work really hard producing some quality products which included hand painted vases of roses, balloons, love bugs, biscuits, single red roses, hand painted wine glasses, candles, boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers. The students did all the selling and advertising around The Academy and the paperwork and reports that they completed will go towards a key-skills qualification of working with others. The students took £77.21 from the Valentine sale and after expenses £46.23 will go to Harefield Heart. £128.13 was taken for the Mothers’ day sale and after deducting their expenses the profit going to Cancer relief is £84.90. I would like to congratulate the students on their hard work and hope those who received the gifts enjoyed them. Louise Dunton

www.theharefieldacademy.org

The students take on the Chess challengeThe students take on the Chess challengeThe students take on the Chess challengeThe students take on the Chess challenge

Academy students concentrating hard!Academy students concentrating hard!Academy students concentrating hard!Academy students concentrating hard!

Ryan and Jack join in with training before the matchRyan and Jack join in with training before the matchRyan and Jack join in with training before the matchRyan and Jack join in with training before the match

Students Excel at Hillingdon Chess ChampionshipsStudents Excel at Hillingdon Chess ChampionshipsStudents Excel at Hillingdon Chess ChampionshipsStudents Excel at Hillingdon Chess Championships

This year’s Science Week was based around the idea of science in sixty seconds . There were 19 activities in all and students had to try to complete each one within 60 seconds. The activities ranged from building giant pyramids from spaghetti and marshmallows to creating film canister rockets. Some activities took longer than 60 seconds to complete such as texting a complicated message that the world record holder took 42 seconds. The best times from our students were around 80 seconds! Other popular activities were making a sand timer to measure exactly one minute and seeing how many bubbles could be blown in 60 seconds (which was both fun and messy!) Ryan from Year 7 made a long winding track from tubes designed to keep a marble rolling for exactly one minute. Everyone who participated in Science week really enjoyed themselves and Mr. Light said that it was great to see such enthusiasm from the students. Caroline Leppard - Science Technician

Community Engagement DayCommunity Engagement DayCommunity Engagement DayCommunity Engagement Day On Friday 29th February nine members of the community met at The Academy for Community Engagement Day. We discussed what we thought a community was, what issues we saw as being specific to Harefield Village, what community projects we could be involved in and who we would like to see involved in this project. The activities were facilitated by Jassy Denison, who works for The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT). The group also has the advantage of having Tracy Johnson from The Hillingdon Association of Volunteer Service (HAVS) in most of the sessions to share her knowledge and understanding how community groups can work. It was interesting to hear what ideas each person had for a community project and it was obvious that a day was not long enough time. It is hoped that in the coming months a project will be decided upon. The day was punctuated by lovely refreshments and a great lunch, made and served by Cucina. If you or anyone you know of would like to be involved in a community project then please let Annie McTighe, Beyond School Leader and Manager know on 01895 822108.

Annie McTighe - Beyond School Leader

Gymnasts bring home Gold and Silver from PortugalGymnasts bring home Gold and Silver from PortugalGymnasts bring home Gold and Silver from PortugalGymnasts bring home Gold and Silver from Portugal The Harefield Academy gymnast students took part in the Maia International Acro Cup from 6th-10th March in Portugal and brought home gold! This was an international competition with at least five other countries invited along with many Portuguese Clubs. Katy Smith (Yr 9), Ciara McGrath (Yr 11) and Sophie Burfield (Yr 10) won all their three routines and were crowned Junior Trio Champions! Matt Short (Yr 12) and Laura Noone (Yr 7) came second in all three routines and won silver overall. It is worth noting that the duo achieved this despite only working together for four weeks before the competition! These two partnerships were also part of The Academy’s Junior team, where their scores along with two other partnerships from The Academy were added together and they won the Junior Team competition as well, beating all other competitors by a considerable margin!!! Grace Blacklock (Reprographics Officer at The Academy) also won gold for the routine she competed in with her partners despite only being able to compete in one event due to injury. Mrs. Maxwell (gymnastics coach) said, “The gymnasts did an amazing job. Both partnerships are newly formed and performed to an exceptionally high standard. The additional training during school hours is giving them the confidence to compete with the best in the world.”

Danielle Richards

www.theharefieldacademy.org

The gymnasts show off their medalsThe gymnasts show off their medalsThe gymnasts show off their medalsThe gymnasts show off their medals

Keep in Touch Would you like us to send a copy of this Newsletter to a

member of the community? To be added to our distribution list or to suggest new contacts,

please telephone, email or write to us at:

Northwood Way, Harefield, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB9 6ET Telephone: 01895 822108

Email: info@theharefieldacademy.org

Parent VoiceParent VoiceParent VoiceParent Voice Would you like to be at the next Parent Voice meeting where you will have an opportunity to share your views on the way The Harefield Academy develops? Join our next meeting on Wednesday 23rd April,Wednesday 23rd April,Wednesday 23rd April,Wednesday 23rd April, refreshments from 6.15pm, meeting starts at 6.30pm. Guest speakerGuest speakerGuest speakerGuest speaker for this evening will be Mr R Hague Mr R Hague Mr R Hague Mr R Hague ASTASTASTAST, speaking about the Gifted and Talented Programme and the Academies Improvement and Action plan.

Dates for your DiaryDates for your DiaryDates for your DiaryDates for your Diary Mon 7th April until Fri 18th April - Easter Break

Mon 21st April - Summer term starts Wed 23rd April - Parent Voice Meeting 6.30pm Mon 5th May - Bank Holiday Academy ClosedAcademy ClosedAcademy ClosedAcademy Closed

Fri 9th May - Yr 11 Study leave starts Fri 16th May - Parent Voice Social Evening

12th-20th May - GCSE and GCE Examination Season Fri 23rd May - Yr 12 and Y13 Study Leave starts

Mon 26th - Fri 30th May - HALF TERMHALF TERMHALF TERMHALF TERM

HAREFIELD ACADEMY INVADED BY ALIENS!HAREFIELD ACADEMY INVADED BY ALIENS!HAREFIELD ACADEMY INVADED BY ALIENS!HAREFIELD ACADEMY INVADED BY ALIENS! Bob the alien (my son) is a regular visitor of Miss King’s Maths lessons. He has met many of The Academy’s fantastic Maths students and

he has often sought great advice from them in all areas of mathematics. He constantly raves about how great they are and so I thought I

should plan a visit to see for myself. If you happened to be out and about on the evening of Thursday 28th January you may have seen some

bright lights in the sky over Harefield as my spaceship came in to land at The Academy. I settled in for the night and prepared to take

The Academy students on a space mission the next day. Friday morning arrived. First aboard the Space ship were the Year 10 Space

Cadets. I had never seen so many humans all at once! They completed their space tickets and embarked the ship ready for their lift off.

Captained by Joe Bennet and his co-captain Jon Graham and safely navigated by Dominic Leach we set off leaving The Academy and Earth

for my solar system. The space mission comprised of studying my solar system and how it works. My son Bob flies between three planets in

our solar system creating a triangular flight path. The Space Cadets of The Harefield Academy needed to use their superb mathematical

knowledge to calculate the angles of Bob’s flight paths and discover the formulae and relationships between them. The Year 10 Space

Cadets rose to the mission superbly and quickly calculated the angles of Bob’s flight path, notably Space Cadet Charlotte Swatton, Holly

Lewin, Natasha Platonos, Katie Merson, Qasim Khan and Gregory Deer did amazingly well. Some Space Cadets also discovered some

interesting formulae particularly Kelham Speers, Dami Fashakin and George Tomlin. Well done! Next onto the space ship were Year 13.

Captained by Jide Sogbesan with co-captain George O’Neill, navigator Marta Szurcsik, and Space Technician You Bao. This mission was very

successful with the Space Cadets discovering the angles of Bob’s flight path and then solving some complex space horizon problems. I was

very impressed!

Year 7 then set forth on their mission. This was a very exciting mission. It was a bit of a bumpy take off but Captain Hayley Graham and

co-captain Anna Smith worked very hard with the help of Tyler Sills and Samantha Sibley as navigators and we safely got into space and

hovered above my solar system. The mission went well and the Space Cadets discovered how many different triangular flight paths Bob

could fly along and recorded their findings superbly. Space Cadets Georgia Crocket, Laura Picton-Perrins, Ellie Wood, Jordan Martine, Sam

Manser and Stephanie Dadzie did some exceptional space work.

The last shuttle of the day was for Space Cadet George Goodchild who boldly took a solo voyage to space and completed his mission

extremely well.

I was so impressed with the Space Cadets on Friday that I made one last shuttle run back to The Academy and set up a mission for Year 8

and Year 11 Space Cadets.

The Year 8 Space Cadets had a turbulent ride. Captain Lauren Derrick and co-captain Austin Eaton did very well holding the Space Ship on

course as did their navigators Dominic Ball and Conor Smith. Many of the Space Cadets calculated the angles of Bob’s flight paths and

some even discovered formulae – Captain Austin, Space Cadet Elle Sayers, Meave McHugh, Bernard Mensah, Lucy Cripps, Shelby Green,

Luke Bentley and Josh Kencroft were all successful. I was impressed with the Year 8 Space Cadets, they did well.

Last aboard the space ship was the Year 11 Space Cadets. This was another bouncy ride, the weather conditions had turned and Captain

Abby Gelder had to work hard to keep the space ship heading in the right direction. Space Cadets Stephanie Cook, Kym Stutton and Liam

Holloway worked really well.

I will never forget my visit to The Academy. The Space Cadets (students) were amazing and their mathematical knowledge is far above

that of other humans I have encountered. Their findings and work has made me famous amongst my fellow aliens and I am very grateful.

Till next time………….Bob’s Father (aka Miss King)

www.theharefieldacademy.org

Miss King and the AMiss King and the AMiss King and the AMiss King and the A----Level Maths students out in spaceLevel Maths students out in spaceLevel Maths students out in spaceLevel Maths students out in space The Year 10 students take on the space challengeThe Year 10 students take on the space challengeThe Year 10 students take on the space challengeThe Year 10 students take on the space challenge