Newsletter

Heartlands Academy has just been judged OUTSTANDING AGAIN!

Although not an ‘“official” inspection, it was carried out under the current Ofsted framework by an independent team who had been commissioned by our sponsors.

Every area, including teaching and learning, received an Outstanding judgement. Credit must go to all the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes for our students. Credit also to the students themselves and their parents for all their hard work and support.

Well done, everyone!

Outstanding! Again!Newsletter of Heartlands Academy Issue 13 Autumn 2013

The Sixth Form Football team participated in The Sixth Form 7-a-side Football Tournament at Small Heath school - and won it!! They played four other teams on a mini league basis and won all four games.Small Heath 0 v 2 HeartlandsThe first game against the host team. Very tight until Adam Farah scored with a great shot following a corner. Then Shariq Ajmal scored the goal of the tournament, beating several defenders, before rounding the goalkeeper.Heartlands 4 v 0 WaverleyThis game was a stroll against the weakest team in the tournament. Abdul Shahad scored a hat-trick, being

in the right place at the right time to finish three great team goals. Captain Javid Zahidi completed the scoring.Heartlands 2 v 1 K.E.S.H.The toughest game, against the pre tournament favourites. Shariq scored to put us ahead only for K.E.S.H. to equalise. Fedis Sokoli scored the winning goal in the last minute.St Albans 0 v 1 HeartlandsThe deciding game. St Albans needed to win, but a draw would be sufficient for us to finish top of the table. A hard fought game, with chances at both ends, Ahmed called on again to make several important saves. The game was settled with the only goal of the game scored by Shariq.Well done to all of the squad.

Larry Heath, Manager

Sixth Form Triumph!

Javid Zahidi, Adam Farah, Ibrahim El Kundi, Shariq Ajmal, Liam Gallagher, Fedis Sokoli, Adnan Yessen, Muhammad Ahmed, Abdul Shahad, Shahequl Hussain

10 Year Anniversary Special.

Mrs Jones celebrates 10 years

at Heartlands. See pages 6-7 for pictures and more.

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Shyan Brown (11ROB), Sean Heeley (11 ROB), Shafiquer Rahman (11HEM), Afsarah Hussein (11 HEM),Takesha Phillips (11VAH), Ahmed Osman (11VAH), Khadija Jama (11SLD), Imran Said (11SLD),Tamiah Forbes (11HUS), Arshad Hussein (13 DIG), Muhubo Mohamed (13 HAD), Ashlin Gudwara (11HNA),Zeeshan Umer (11VAH), Lewis Higgins (11HEM), Ahmaad Hassan (11SLD), Ifra Masood (11ROB), Shaheen Lindo (12EWD).

On Friday 22 November 2013, the Year 11 and Sixth Form

Student Voice representatives went to the twelfth annual democracy forum hosted by the Rotary Club of Birmingham. This event has become very popular because of its location in the historic City of Birmingham Council Chamber. The event was attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham and the Lady Mayoress.

The afternoon began with a quiz about parliament and the political system in the UK. All students loved the competitive element against other schools in Birmingham. There followed a ‘Question Time’ with a panel of eminent politicians from the local area. The chairman of the event was Pete Morgan, Radio WM Breakfast Show presenter, who kept the debate humorous and fast paced. This was a unique and exciting context for young people to gain their first experience of politics at the highest level.

This opportunity enabled Birmingham students to ask questions which were relevant to their personal development and future opportunities. It provided a rare insight into the political world, giving a platform for opinions and inspirtional debate. With over 150 students in attendance

there was a lot of competition to ask a question. Sean Heeley (11ROB) managed it and asked what politicians are doing to reduce the amount of knife crime in Birmingham. This was one of the better questions of the afternoon as it inspired enthusiastic and passionate debate that lasted twenty minutes. Tamiah Forbes (11HUS) also got in with a question asking what is being done about representing ethnic minorities in politics. (All students were eager to learn about the different views of politicians and many of them have said that the experience has made them more interested in politics.) It will also be useful for the students to use as evidence for personal careers statements when applying for college, university or employment.

Shaheen Lindo (12EWD) said:“The ‘Question Time’ in the town centre was very eye opening. I was amazed to see how each party had their own different views on how to solve the problems in society. It is a common mis-conception that members of political parties differ substantially with one another. The Members of Parliament (MPs) and Councillors were able to explain certain situations to us, it widened my perspective of the political world. It was truly a great experience and I would very much like to go again next year to see how things have changed.”

The event was interesting, stimulating and unique for our students who were very polite in thanking the panel at the end. I would like to thank the Year 11 and Sixth Form Student Voice representatives for being such great ambassadors for Heartlands Academy.

Mr Robertson(Humanities Department)

The Panel

Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr

Jon Hunt, Deputy Lib Dem Councillor, Birmingham City Council

Sajid Javid, Conservative MP for Bromsgrove and Treasury Minister

Poppy Wilkinson, President of the Students’ Guild, B’ham University

Chairman Pete Morgan, Radio WM ‘Breakfast Show’ presenter. (6am - 9am weekdays)

Rotary ClubAnnual Democracy Forum

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DISCOVERYCENTREMathematics, Science,Health & Social Care.

This academic year, Heartlands Academy, as the main advocate of

Bowland Maths Lesson Study Project, conducted a public research lesson study event on the 21st October 2013. We invited over 20 teachers and researchers from both Britain and Japan to observe our maths teachers

perform a research lesson study in order to highlight various elements of the problem solving process. Class 9MA2 displayed their mathematical problem solving skills whilst being observed by these academic observers. The excellent efforts of the students led to an enlightening

discussion of effective mathematical teaching strategies. There followed a post lesson study discussion providing an opportunity to engage other teachers in a wide ranging dialogue about the development and performance of lesson study.

Feedback received from all participant groups, including the Nuffield Foundation, IoE (Institute of Education), Nottingham University, Kings College University and individual teachers, was extremely positive regarding the very interactive post lesson discussion. The main statement was that the post lesson study discussion delivered at Heartlands Academy was the best seen both outside and inside Japan, the founding country of this teaching exercise.

Miss JaveheriMathematics Department

Bowland Maths

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exploration CENTREHistory, Geography, Religious Education, Sociology and Psychology

October CCW Snowdonia

After a rocky start, the KS3 Geography residential got

underway with fifteen of the brightest and hardest working students in Years 8 and 9. It took us three hours to get to Rhyd-y-creuau: The Drapers’ Field Centre, Snowdonia.

Upon arrival students were asked to make their own beds - something that a number of them had never done before! We then spent the

afternoon working on team building skills around the centre -a great way to start the residential. The next day involved further independence as students had to make their own lunch - again an interesting experience for some of them! This was followed by the thrilling activity of gorge scrambling. Everyone got involved and thoroughly enjoyed the morning, if a little wetter than when they started! We returned to the field study centre to complete a river study, followed by studying the invertabretes discovered in the river.

We ended day two with a campfire, hot chocolate and ghost stories before heading to bed.

Our final morning was spent walking while taking in the beautiful scenery of North Wales and enjoying welsh cakes in a local town before completing the best Geography trip to date with the three hour journey home. The whole trip was an amazing experience that I am sure myself, Mr Hickie and the students will never forget!

Miss FlemingHead of Geography

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English, Modern Foreign Languages,

October CCW Creative Languages

expressionCENTRE

On Performing Arts and Lan-guages Day, Miss Potts and Ms

Valenzuela got busy with paints and stencils to help Year 8 students create multi-lingual bunting which is now displayed on the third floor. It is beau-tiful to see all the languages which our students (and staff) speak! Meanwhile, Mme Smith had students designing their own “handprint on the world”, with details of their own cultural backgrounds, which created a lasting display of all the fabulous cultures that we share at the academy. Finally, Mme Salim wrote songs and music with another group, using lyrics they had written in many different languages. Students performed their songs to each other with an instrumental backing and it all sounded amazing!

As part of our Spanish trip, we visited Don Diego. When we were told about it, we thought that it was all fun and no hard work. Little did we know, it was actually a lot of work.

We had the morning to prepare. We couldn’t order in English, which meant that we had to prepare dialogues in Spanish. We did this through various activities to help us talk fluently. We prepared our dialogues and when the time came, we went.

When we got there, I found the place very authentic and loved it. We ordered our drinks and we all felt proud of ourselves for making it that far. And then our starters came…

They had whole olives and we tried them. They were horrible. They had seeds in the middle and they tasted really peculiar. I was surprised at the different taste. However, even though we hated it, it was pretty fun because it makes a great memory now.

We were pleased with the second side order as the bread was magnificent. It had a dip with a hint of garlic which brought a proper Spanish touch to it.

Then our main course came. We ordered a lot of potatoes which tasted amazing but we were taken aback when the fish came. We thought that the fish was going to be like chunks of fish but we were wrong. It was tiny fish and it had eyes and spines and everything!

Don Diego Overall the food and the trip was just amazing! We all had a great time and I would personally like to visit it again if I had the choice.

Sarah Ali, Year 10

This term has been particularly enjoyable, with a huge range of

events and activities for students to participate in. Years 9-11 all watched the new production of Romeo and Juliet at Rubery Cinema as preparation for their GCSE studies. This was followed by some mask-making for a masquerade ball! A number of students from different year groups also attended a stage performance of Hansel and Gretal, with Mr Burns, as a reward for their excellent progress in English.

It has also been a successful first term for the Debate Mate Society, with the team growing even larger this year. The students are practising towards the inter-school competitions in the coming months, so we look forward to hearing of more of their successes.

Years 7 and 10 have also been participating in a reading challenge, where once they have completed their reading loyalty card, they are entered into a competition for some brilliant prizes. There is still time to enter so don’t forget to get your cards stamped!

Mr EverettHead of English

News from English

There were lots of other activities in Creative Curriculum week. Year 10 French students went on an amaz-ing trip to London to visit Madame Tussaud’s Museum, where they got the chance to meet “celebrities” such as One Direction, the Queen and other members of the Royal family, Barack Obama, and lots of other famous people from the present and past. Students were asked to describe the people in French - which pop star was “le plus beau”??

Ms ValenzuelaMFL Department

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2003 -2013HEARTLANDS HIGH SCHOOLTO HEARTLANDS ACADEMY

During the past 10 years there have been so many memories and much to reflect on. One of the most significant things for me is the pride and passion our students have for the academy. Recently different groups of students met with visitors to talk about the academy. Some of their key points included:

• Students are well provided for

• Students have a high regard for staff

• Students feel there is always someone to talk to

• Students are respectful towards one another

• Students have lots of opportunities

I very much appreciated the kind words and gifts I received from the class of 2013 during their Celebration Evening. I was extremely moved by the poem Morgan Swapp from year 8 wrote on behalf of the students of Heartlands past and present.

YEARBOOK2009

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THANK YOU, MRS JONES

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2003 -2013HEARTLANDS HIGH SCHOOLTO HEARTLANDS ACADEMY

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YEARBOOK2011

To Mrs Jones...Ten years have passed, gone hitherto, Our school is recast, all thanks to you, You’ve taught us discipline, commitment and respect where due, You gave Heartlands a school that was proud and brand new. Generations of students will come here and go, To succeed and prosper thanks to you, so…You are the reason we work without slack, So now it’s time to give something back, From Heartlands Academy, for having the knack, Please take from us this celebratory plaque.

For however long I stay at Heartlands this will be one of my most treasured possessions. May I take this opportunity of thanking you for your continued support and wish everyone, staff, students and parents/carers season’s greetings and every best wishes for 2014.

Mrs Jones

10 YEARS!

Heartlands Academy is outstanding because, regardless of their background, students achieve exceptionally well.

The academy sets ambitious targets for every student and encourages them to rise to the challenge.

Parental responses convey overwhelming support for the academy and the quality of its provision.

Published data places the academy in the top one per cent of schools nationally for progress...

Students are able to learn exceptionally well because there is a positive climate for learning across the whole academy...

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THANK YOU, MRS JONES

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imagination CENTRE

Heartlands Academy receives its first drum kit chosen by its students!!Latay Pennant-Mcintosh 8SHL, Ishaque Ahmad 8SMK,Haleema Shireen 8KHA, Ismail Olanrewaju 9MCF,Ahmed Mohmoud 9POJ

This month, the thriving music department at the Academy secured the funding from Mrs Jones to purchase its first professional studio quality drum kit. Five of our drum students were lucky enough to be recommended by their drum teacher to be involved with the decision as to which kit to buy. After deciding that we needed to hear some different drum kits to test them out, Mrs Hanson organised a trip for our lucky drummers to follow Mr Bard and Mr Silk down the road to Proffessional Music Technology instrument shop. We auditioned different electronic and acoustic drum kits and cymbals and decided upon a gorgeous “Midnight Black” Mapex kit. This now sits in our state of the art studio, awaiting only the finest of Heartlands drummers to play!!!

Mr Bard Teacher of Music Technology

Art, Drama, Music

Our annual sellout Christmas concert was another fantastic success. We had performers across all years including

steel pans, dancers, singers, a Year 11 xylophone performance, wind band, Year 10 stomp and even an ex-student who blew the crowd away with his rapping skills! All money raised on the door and raffle has gone towards the Year 11 prom fund and everyone in the Music department thanks all of the audience and performers for a fantastic evening.

Mr Bard Teacher of Music Technology

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innovationCENTREICT, Business Studies,Design Technology, ASDAN

Masterchef has nothing on one of our aspiring chefs. Shazeen

Khan, a Year 11 GCSE Hospitality and Catering student, worked tirelessly every Saturday for eight weeks in the professional kitchens at UCB, one of the country’s leading universities for Hospitatlity, Catering and Food studies. She worked alongside the university Executive Chefs, who taught and developed Shazeen’s culinary talents.

Both Mrs Jones and myself were invited by Shazeen to her award ceremony. We were privileged to see behind the scenes of the professional kitchens and to witness Shazeen being presented with her award by the Executive Chef from the Guild of

Masterchef,Eat Your Heart Out!

Professional Chefs and Savoy Group. We were then treated to an amazing

two course lunch, which could have graced the table of any Michelin star restaurant, all of which had been produced by the young outstanding chefs. This was an amazing testitimony to the skills of these young aspiring professional chefs.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we learnt that Shazeen had also won the top chef award for her brigade of chefs. Naturally, it goes without saying that both Mrs Jones and I were extremely proud.

A huge congratulations to Shazeen for all of her hard work and dedication.

Mrs SalterHead of DT

On Wednesday 11th December, a group of six Year 10 DT students invited the English department for afternoon tea! We were absolutely delighted by this invitation, but were completely blown away by the fantastic spread which filled the table. The English department were treated to cucumber sandwiches, quiches, scones (with cream and jam), a whole host of cakes and copious cups of tea! The Year 10s were not only excellent chefs, but fantastic hosts; they were a credit to Mrs Salter and the DT team.

Not only did these budding chefs make the English staff extremely happy, their hard work can count towards both their DT and English coursework. Thank you to: Bilaal Mahmood, Shuhaid Sarwar, Mohamed Sheikh Abdirisaaq, Rahma Abdirisaq, Meya Lindo, Pindhy Matloob-Walters

Miss HammanEnglish Department

Afternoon Tea for the English Dept.

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NEWS FROM THE SIXTH FORM

Maths students from Year 12 and Year 13 experienced their first

taste of university level mathematics when they attended a total of four lectures over three evenings. The first two were hosted by the famous London Mathematical Society and were on the Mathematics of the Courtroom and Number Theory, delivered by world-renowned leaders in the mathematics field. They also attended lectures on ‘Random Numbers’ and ‘Juggling’, hosted by the Birmingham University Maths Society. The juggling lecture was a lot more fun and interesting than we expected! Although the mathematics got a bit heavy towards the end of most of the lectures, these opportunities allowed our sixth formers to experience the true nature of university-style learning.Students are all welcome to attend future lectures on:

22nd January 2014 at 7:30pm “The surprising difficulty of using mathematics in computer science”

by Professor Achim Jung

5th February 2014 at 7:30pm “Primes and Polygons”

by Dr John Silvester 12th March 2014 at 7:30pm “100 million to 1: what can maths tell us about the Great Sperm Race?”

by Dr David Smith.

If you wish to attend, please seeMs Joomun (Maths Department).

Year 12 students took part in a business enterprise venture where

they had to design, manufacture and market a perfume product of their own choice. The students worked within their tutor groups. The groups were required to work independently; the only support given was a group brief that specified the minimum requirements.

The students worked diligently throughout the week and each group successfully produced a business plan. Three members of each team participated in a workshop with ‘The Perfume Studio’ to blend their chosen 15ml ‘Eau De Parfum’ scent to appeal to their target audience. They then went on to design and create the packaging of the scent together with a range of promotional materials including a 50 second television advertisement.

This was followed by a sale presentation within our very own Heartlands Academy Sixth Form Dragons’ Den. The four dragons were: Khan Khera, a local business man; K. Hawking, Director of Fast Forward Multimedia and two members from Barclays Bank - all local businesses. Some students were awarded with vouchers for outstanding delivery and attainment throughout the week but the overall winners were: 12YSK who won a trip to go bowling.

Miss TaylorSixth Form

A Dragons’ Den!University Taster

The Winners: 12YSK

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Croft Farm

Well, all I can say is that this was the most successful residential ever! We took almost one hundred Year 7 students on a wet and wild three days to Croft Farm, Tewkesbury. Nothing went according to plan and with the weather against us, the students persevered and came back

to the academy as a stronger team. Friendships were made, relationships were built and even Mr. Farooq managed a smile!

Mr RiasatYear 7 Learning Manager

Year 7 Residential - 2013

Calendar 2013/14Spring TermTerm Starts Monday 6 January

Year 11 Parents’ Evening Thursday 6 February

Half Term Monday 17 February to Friday 21 February

Teacher Day Monday 24 February (closed to students) Year 9 Parents Evening Thursday 27 March

Sixth Form Parents’Evening Thursday 6 March

Term Ends Friday 11 April

Easter Holiday Monday 14 April to Friday 25 April

Summer TermTerm Starts Monday 28 April

Mayday Monday 5 May (academy closed)

Teacher day Tuesday 6 May (closed to students)

Year 8 Parents Evening Thursday 8 May

Year 11 Graduation Thursday 15 May (provisional)

Half Term Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May

Year 10 Parents’ Evening Thursday 26 June

Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 3 July

Term Ends Monday 21 July

12 ©December 2013 Heartlands Academy, No 10 Great Francis Street, Birmingham B7 4QR

Throughout the last half term, all Year 7s have been in competition with each other to collect the most pennies. This contest culminated in a ‘Penny Race’ where each tutor group laid out their pennies in a long line. The tutor group who created the longest ‘Penny Snake’ was 7GIA. Their line of pennies stretched to 21.6 metres, and totalled £10.46. The money raised will go towards the 2014 Prom, and a chosen charity.

E-SAFETY

E Library ServiceHeartlands Academy is offering all students and staff a new E Library service. No fees, automatic returns and no lost books. See the LRC for more information or simply log in to the following website and start borrowing:http://heartlandslrc.lib.overdrive.com/

Opening Times

Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm

NEW -Late Opening for Sixth Form Students

Mon - Thu: until 7pm

Follow us onTWITTER@Heartlands_Acad

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Available to buy: A beautiful collection of last year’s A level artwork has been brought together in this 2014 Academy Calendar (A3).Sample available in Reprographics. Please place your order now for an early delivery.To order, phone 0121 464 5532

ONLY£6

Heartlands Academy regards E-Safety a priority and has measures in place to protect students from unsuitable on-line content while at the academy. If you would like to find out how to keep your child safe at home, please contact a member of our E-Safety team or visit our website for further information.Mrs Buckingham, Miss Johnson, Miss Brown and Mr Ahsan.

Coming SoonKeep an eye out for Heartlands Academy soap opera due to start early 2014.Watch this space...Drama Department Production