Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

As I write this week I am actually looking out onto my own garden having come to the end of my first “working from home” day this term. As such, I thought I would share a few WFH observations with you which I am sure you can relate to:

• Despite having broadband, the home WiFi does not like it when my husband and I are both having virtual meetings and then one of the children connects to Netflix online;

• It’s all well and good putting off washing your hair until a Zoom call comes through from GDST;• The issue with online meetings is that you can see yourself as well as everyone else which is not good particularly

when there are no hairdressers available at the moment;• It is very easy to eat biscuits all day;• Apparently (according to my children) I have a very loud voice when I am on the phone or in an online meeting;• The dog is totally loving life because everyone is at home;• It is very hard to use a laptop with a dog on your knee;• My daughter’s current obsession with TikTok dance routines can annoy after a while;• I really miss the bells, my colleagues, the sound of the pupils as they move round the school, the lunches, being

able to stand outside my office and say “Hi” as people pass by....

If you are currently WFH, as our pupils are, I hope that it is working for you. Of course, we try to grab at the positives - WFH days mean no commute, no high heels, more time with family; but ultimately how wonderful it will be when we return to the academy and our work places!

In the meantime, I must take a moment to congratulate staff and pupils on their continued hard work and commitment - Instagram is pinging with so many great ways of maintaining connection between the academy and its community and the feedback we are getting shows that everyone is striving to make the best of the current situation.

Take care, everyone, and have a safe and enjoyable weekend,

Best wishes,Julie Taylor

Creative Arts Gallery

Welcome to our Gallery! Each week we will be showcasing some of the fantastic work produced in the Creative Arts.

Y10 Textiles students are learning different ways to draw ideas from their research. Anaya E shows how she can create a very natural drawing by using a rule and straight lines only!

Y8 Graphics students have continued to really take up the challenge set and produce some outstanding work. This week they were set Zentangle challenges, where they made patterns and then mixed patterns with images and words. At the time of going to press, the work is still in progress, so there may well be even more outstanding work to show next week.

Well done all Y8 Graphics, you really have met the challenge of working from home. Next week B you will be moving on to Textiles - I will miss you all and think you have really, really produced some great work. Well done!

Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

Duke of Edinburgh

Keep on going with your DoE with these ideas. Inspire others by sending photos of your achievements to Belevdere’s Instagram @belvedereacademy

Volunteering• Community support such as gardening for a neighbour or shopping for essentials for somebody who is self isolating

(whilst making sure you adhere to social distancing rules)• Social Action Projects from home with Leonard Cheshire - click here to see more• Become an energy envoy for your home - click here to see more

Physical• Carry on with your couch to 5k• Join Joe Wicks at 9am on his YouTube channel - click here to access the YouTube channel• Head over to the PE Instagram account (click here to access @belvedereacademype on Instagram) and complete their

fitness challenges (photograph this for evidence)Skills

• Film Appreciation - log any films you watch and afterwards write a synopsis and score them, similar to reviews on IMDB - click here to see the IMDB website

• Life Skills with Barclays - click here to access Life Skills with Barclays for tools, tips and learning resources. Just make a log of what you do weekly.

• First Aid - click here to access https://www.firstaidforfree.com/ to access free courses. Just make a log of what you do weekly.

• Carry on baking! Miss Blundell’s mug cake recipe can be found on Instagram (click here to access @belvederesixthformon Instagram). Make sure you take photos of your bakes.

Y9 Drama Challenge!

As well as working very hard on their devised theatre project, Mr Hill has sent out a supplementary, and lighthearted, task to all Year 9 students via Firefly

Could students check their emails for a chance to put the Drama teachers to task!

Sixth Form Newsletter

The Sixth Form Newsletter has been developed to help our current and future Sixth Formers with their studies and independent learning strategies. It is an opportunity to share amazing opportunities and fun tasks. The information and resources are centered around guiding Sixth Formers to reach their goals, whilst keeping them happy, healthy, focused and their spirits up until we next see them.

Click here to access the Y12 newsletter

Click here to access the Y13 newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,We wanted you all to know that we are aware that a few of our families are currently experiencing very difficult and challenging times at the moment. We do know that some of our families have lost family members as a result of Covid-19 and we wanted to let you know that as a community our thoughts and prayers are with everyone.

As a support to you we have uploaded a number of resources to help with both anxiety and bereavement on the school closure page on the academy website - click here to access. We also have a school counsellor and if anyone would like to access this service because they feel it may help please just get in touch.

We also wanted to thank all our parents and wider family members if you are a critical worker, and to thank you for all that you do to care and support our city. We know how strong the academy community is and hope that we will all be back together very soon.

Mrs Marshall (j.marshall@belvedereacademy.net)

Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

Lower School Tips for Guided Home Learning

It is fantastic to see how our Lower School students are engaging with our guided home learning plan. It is very difficult to cater for different learning styles, speeds and attainment levels and teachers are working hard to set appropriate tasks while taking into account the well-being of our students.

On Thursday, 30th April, I emailed all lower school pupils some tips for guided home learning and how to possibly structure their working day, reminding students that normally we would be in school and working, learning and participating in practical activities for 5 hours during the day.

I wanted to share these with you all. Make sure you have a quiet area to work and switch off your mobile phone.• Get up and check work set by 9 am, recording tasks and deadline dates in your planner.• Structure your day and decide which subjects are a priority.• Work for 2 hours in the morning, have a lunch break and perhaps 1 hour in the afternoon. • You may work better with frequent breaks, for example work for 30 minutes and have a 10 minute break then repeat. • Keep in touch with your teachers and ask for help if you need support. • Participate in some physical activity or go for a walk and involve your family if possible. • Get involved with the Lower School form activities and stay in touch with your form teacher and form members. • If you would like further help with structuring your day, contact Miss Jones, Myself or your form teacher.

REMEMBER - Accept Google Classroom form invites and check your emails daily, listen to the assemblies and engage in any form activities.

Please get in touch if you would like any further support.

Take care and stay safe,Mrs Beddard, Miss Jones, Mrs Jones and Lower School Form Tutors.

Earth Day

It was Earth Day on Wednesday, 22nd April, which marks it’s 50th year. However, more than ever during the Covid-19 outbreak, social media can be used as a platform to keep the momentum alive and have our voices heard.

Some of our Belvedere girls joined in with the #EarthDayLiverpool campaign by University of Liverpool by getting stuck in with some creative things that can help our environment from home!

A wonderful design by Lotte in Year 8!

Mia in Year 7 was ensuring that any extra recycling made it’s way to the correct bin!

Rebecca in Year 7 has made a pine cone bird feeder!

Ruby in Year 8 has been planting some flowers!

WELL DONE to all of the girls who got involved

#EarthDay

Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

Y11 Home LearningOur Year 11 students have now been directed to their A Level/BTEC subject choices for Guided Home Learning. The aim is to give pupils a ‘Warm Up’ to A Level/BTEC, to keep them occupied and in the habit of learning. We will not be starting the actual A Level/BTEC material until all students have finalised their choices and our new external students have formally joined us. In the meantime, students are invited to join any subject they may be considering for A Level/BTEC. Independent learning is actively encouraged, this period of lockdown might provide a good opportunity for students to develop skills by researching topics of particular interest within their

Paris Trip - May 2020 Bonjour à tous, I just wanted to give you an update on the Paris trip. I am currently in contact with the relevant third parties regarding rescheduling and/or refunds for the Paris trip. As you can appreciate, this may take some time and further information regarding this will be communicated to you as soon as the information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding and patience at this time. Merci beaucoup, Mr McGovern

Maths RiddleWere you able to work out Miss Nuttall’s riddle last week? Here is the answer!

Are you able to solve the riddle that has been set this week....

How can you add eight 8’s to get the number 1,000? (only use addition!)

Alphabet Challenge This week, The English Department laid down a serious challenge on Instagram: To write a 26 word story where each word begins with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

Our very own Mrs Carter set the bar extraordinarily high with her effort: ‘At Belvedere, Coronavirus Disrupted Everything Forseeable. Government Has Instigated Jurisdictions Knowing Lockdown Might Not Occur. People Queuing, Revenues Stalling, Trying-to Understand Valuable Ways-of-working, Xclusive to Your Zoom-meetings’.

Think you can do better? Email your responses to your English teacher. We will publish the best ones next week!

CareersOn Wednesday 6th May at 11am there will be a bespoke Careers Research virtual session, just for Belvedere’s Year 12 students. This is with the amazing Karen Kimura from the GDST and it will be via GoogleMeets.

During the session Karen will be giving the students lots of tips on how to research future career prospects, ensuring that your daughter is on the right path in terms of life after Belvedere. This workshop would be beneficial for everyone, regardless of whether they know or don’t know what they want to do after sixth form. Karen is a mountain of knowledge and students will get the chance to ask her lots of questions to ensure they are on the right track to achieve their dream job. An invitation to attend the GoogleMeets Careers Research Webinar has been sent via email to all Year 12 students. Simply follow the link next week to join in.

Online Speakers for Schools careers talksSpeakers for schools have launched a great range of vTalks, which pupils can access anonymously. This schedule will be updated weekly and talks will be targeted to different age groups. Click here to access.Pupils - and parents - can access the events without logging in and can visit as many of the talks as they like. The talks range from subject specific experts to career planning and life lessons and wellbeing! Definitely something for everyone!

Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

Random Acts of Kindness!

Today is the start of a new month, so why not take up Mrs Keenan’s Health & Social Care Challenge and display a random act of kindness each day.

These could be as simple as calling a grandparent, holding open a door when someone is carrying something, offering to make a family member a cup of tea!

Miss Miller’s random act of kindness today was preparing an afternoon tea for her neighbours who were celebrating a birthday today! Don’t the cakes look yummy?!

Send some of your acts of kindness in to Miss Miller or Mrs Keenan and we’ll share in the next newsletter.

Sport and Wellbeing Recommendations

Our PE Department have come up with some ways you can stay connected to Sport whilst looking after your wellbeing at home. Here are some suggested books, podcasts, movies and TV shows....

Book Recommendations• The Alchemist• The Chimp Paradox• What I know for sure – By Oprah Winfrey• Atomic Habits – By James Clear

Podcast Recommendations• Run Pod• Russell Brand

Movie/TV recommendations• Katie• The Blindside• The Longest Yard• Any Given Sunday

Click here to follow our PE Department on Instagram for regular updates, suggestions and sports related quizzes!

PE Projects

1. Pass It On VideoI know you will have seen many of these videos being done on social media. We would love you to get involved!

Would I would like to see is that you catch a ball from your left and throw it to your right (when watching - coming in from the right hand side of the camera and going out of the left).

You can use a netball/football size ball - if you do not have one - any ball at all or a roll of toilet roll. Please ensure the camera does not move. Be creative - you can add a kick, twirl, header, fancy dress etc.

2. PE Wall of FameWould you like to be in our PE Wall of Fame! What do you do outside of school, football, Netball, Dance, marital arts etcPlease send us some photos and information of you and your sporting achievements.

Examples; You in your Football kit Your medals/trophies Park Runs/charity runs/walks Dance school kit

Email your videos, photos and information to Miss Scott!

Belvedere Supports our NHS

Well done to Lily S, Y12 who has been working hard at home. This afternoon she dropped off 11 kit bags and 32 knitted hearts that she has produced with her grandparents.

Don’t forget to let us know if you have made anything from Mrs Calderbank’s suggestions last week!

Thank you and well done again Lily!

Weekly Newsletter - Friday, 1st May 2020

SIMS Parent App

Please could all parents/carers check that they can access the SIMS Parent App as that is where all phone and contact details should now be updated to help the academy comply with GDPR. When we are back in school, we will be proceeding with the installation of our new cashless catering solution so we require all parents/carers to give permission for the academy to register their child’s fingerprint.

Please go to the permissions section in the app and switch on biometrics. If you are having any problems accessing SIMS Parent App, or need further advice about how to turn on the biometric permission, please contact

SIMSParentApp@belvedereacademy.net

IT Support at home

If you require any ICT support during this school closure period, please send your request to

ICT.Helpdesk@belvedereacademy.net

and a member of the ICT Support Team will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.

Website

Please make sure that you check our website www.belvedereacademy.net

on a regular basis for all updates to the Coronavirus situation and how academy life is continuing.

The website has a copy of each letter that has been sent out to parents/carers via email and lots of other helpful information, including links to assemblies and online assistance. This is all on the ‘School Closure’ page that can be accessed by clicking here.

Ten Top Tips - Remote Learning for Parents

Click here to access the ‘National Online Safety - 10 Top Tips - Remote Learning for Parents.

Remote learning can be a great way to continue learning outside the classroom, particularly in dicult circumstances. For parents and carers, the idea of remote learning isn’t always straightforward and there can be a number of factors they need to consider, especially around ensuring their children feel comfortable and are familiar with the whole concept. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help parents and carers support their child in getting the most out of their remote learning experience.

The Belvedere Journal The Belvedere Journal is now accepting short fiction submissions. We’d love to publish evocative, memorable and original works of fiction based on the ideas that are inspiring you in these unusual times.

If you’d like to see your work published on the site, email Mr Woolley. Click here to visit ‘The Belvedere Journal’ website when you can read more...