Best wishes

Mark Cottingham

Principal - Shirebrook Academy

The summer holidays are here and my hope for our students is that, in amongst the ice creams, the beach and the endless sunny hours, they have enough time to get bored.

The feeling of being bored is a very underrated experience that is being lost in today’s entertainment-rich world. Very often the activities you end up doing after scratching around for something to do are richer and more rewarding than those that are presented to you.

Necessity is the mother of invention and so when children are bored they invent things, just as people do when they have a problem to solve. They create stories and games for themselves to fill the empty hours, allowing their imagination to run free. A period of boredom is often a precursor to great creativity.

Today, technology is always there to eliminate boredom and so we rarely get to the point of needing to make our own entertainment. There is always another game of Fortnite to play or another video on YouTube to click on, so boredom never gets a look in.

So why not try giving your child a chance to be bored this summer and see what creativity is unleashed!

Have a lovely summer, thank you for all of your support over the academic year 2017/18 and I look forward to seeing you all in 2018/19.

Saturday 23rd June saw the academy doors open to the community as we held our annual Family Fun Day.

The weather was glorious and people from across the community came to have fun in the sun. There was live entertainment and activities galore for community members of all ages.

The audience were captivated as they took their seats in the magic circle to see the Great Mandavi perform his daring fire eating and knife juggling. Audience participation was a must as the performance turned into general silliness including the infamous ‘Chocolate Biscuit Race’.

The main stage came alive with the Academy Wind Band and performances from Harlequins Dance School and our very own Lauren McNally.

Special thanks to all the Academy staff and students who gave up their time to ensure the day went ahead in the manner it was planned.

It was a fabulous day enjoyed by all.

Y8 students took part in a STEM challenge, working in teams to

develop ideas for the classroom of the future. Presentations

were judged by STEM ambassadors and local business

volunteers. There were some great innovations including

smart desks, magnetic energy-generating chairs, and digital

homework systems. Pictured are the winning team from 8LF

with Judge Cathie Barker from AMRC.

On Personal Development Day, Y7 had their health day

and were able to choose from a range of physical

activities. Some activities were delivered by outside

organisations to promote active lifestyles outside of

school. Pictured is a gymnastics taster with Shirebrook

Gymnastics Club, an assault course with the Royal

Marines and Hockey taster with North Notts Hockey club

Volunteer it Yourself - our second project of the year

saw Y9 students building planters for Shirebrook park.

Two planters built and painted in one day, great work!

The project was sponsored by Wickes, for more

information see www.viy.org

Y7 Health Day

Y8 STEM Challenge

Y9 Volunteer it Yourself

If you are a former student or know of any who’d like to stay in

touch and give back to their old school, ask them to sign up at:

https://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/former-student/shirebrook

After I left Shirebrook School in 2011 I decided I wanted to learn more and have a career in computing. I applied, and completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended National diploma at West Notts College. As part of the course I volunteered at Shirebrook Academy as a teaching assistant in ICT.

On completion of the course I felt that computing didn’t excite me as much as I had hoped so took an alternative path and decided engineering might be the profession for me.

I applied to Chesterfield College and completed an electrical engineering apprenticeship. I liked the idea that with an apprenticeship I could be learning at college and experiencing the workplace at the same time.

I began my first apprenticeship at a company called Weightron, here they did industrial weighing scales from 40 tonne weighbridges to small 100th of a gram scales. I worked there for 2 years. From there I got a job at a place called MOBA, similar to Weightron they also handled scales, but no ordinary scales these were ones specified for garbage trucks which were built on the back of the trucks so rubbish could be weighed and recorded at the same as being loaded into the back of the truck. After a month I moved to a company called Graphoidal. Which is where I am today. Here we make cabinets for glass factories for lubricating shoots where molten glass falls and for coating glass bottles with a protective substance. A year in and I am loving it! Everyone, especially my boss is very supportive and helpful both with work and college.

Looking for a new job isn’t easy, my advice would be to apply to as many job as you possibly can, send your CV out to as many places as possible and go to every interview, even if it would just be for practice as every interview counts. Once you have a job you enjoy stick with it, work hard and you will go far.

Connor Liddle

Throughout my GCSE’s I was always really indecisive about what I wanted to do following on from school. Choosing to do A Levels allowed me to have a range of experiences throughout different subjects and gain experience through placement and exchanges abroad whilst doing both French and Spanish at A Level and experiencing different ways of life. Whilst in sixth form, I applied to university to study for a degree in working with children, something I have always wanted to do. The course I am studying is BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies. This course allows me to gain a greater knowledge of working in different areas, i.e. teaching and social work. It also allows me to progress with my skills in practice and develop my knowledge throughout my degree. After leaving school I have become more independent as a result of my experiences in different settings whilst also studying towards the career of my dreams, teaching abroad. I hope my experience can help you fulfil your dreams!

Never give up and good luck to you all.

Kiera Lowe

Did you leave Shirebrook Academy in July 2016? Are you about to start University in September 2018? … If so you will be eligible to apply for a small bursary to support your Higher Education studies.

If you are interested please email shirebrook@networks.futurefirst.org.uk for more information.

Year 9 food technology students recently held a cupcake sale during break all in the name of charity. Staff and students baked and brought to fill the tables with cakes galore. Every penny raised went straight to the Alzheimer’s Society. A worthy cause

in today’s world. They managed to raise over £70

If you are interested, please email lward@shirebrookacademy.org

On the evening of Friday 29th June we hosted the annual Rotary Young Musician Awards. The talented Kirsty Wilkes, River Hopkins, Johnathan Hallows, Emmie Toon, Ross Collier, Jessie Reeves and Freya Scott competed against seven students from Meden Academy in front of a capacity audience in our atrium. Competition was tough but all our students performed to an excellent standard with confidence and professionalism throughout.

I am very pleased to announce that two of our students left with trophies - a 3rd place for Emmie Toon who sang a soulful rendition of ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ by James Arthur and a well-deserved 1st for River Hopkins with a genius medley of ‘Losing My Religion’ by REM and ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison! River will now be in with a chance of competing at the district competition.

The Rotary Club of Warsop

Shirebrook and District

Pictured above are Shirebrook Academy’s River Hopkins and Emmie Toon

Name Event Time/Distance

Isabelle Corbett Long Jump 3.80m

Cole Jarvis 400m 60.9 seconds

Max Robinson 800m 2 minutes

Emily Jepson Discus 20.60m

Lewis Foster Discus 27.52m

Rhiannon Langham Discus 17.50m

Kian Tansley Triple Jump 11.35m

Connor Davis Shot Putt 11.30m

The weather was kind to us this year for Sports Day with the sun beating down on the competitors for the duration of the day.

The day was full of activity and competition, with almost every student taking part in at least one event. We saw excellent individual performances with 8 school records broken, as well as students who had never taken part in athletics competitively winning events!

We also saw numerous examples of resilience and determination.

There were also examples of fantastic team work and support. This was especially evident in the afternoon, which saw the whole of the Academy come together to cheer on the 100m athletes and the 4 x 100m relay teams.

The day was a huge success and showed the power of sport and the impact it can have on young people’s lives. As a department we hope that all of the students and staff that took part in the event enjoyed it, and we hope that some students will have developed a new found love for sport and PE.

The final event of sports week was the Shirebrook Sports Personality of the year awards. This is where we as a department award students who have gone above and beyond in PE this year, whether that be in lesson or taking part in extra-curricular activities. The event was open to any student who had represented the academy this year in a sporting aspect. Each student who was nominated for an award got automatic entry into the event. All other students who had represented the academy were invited to take part in the celebration. Over 100 students attended.

As the doors opened, students made their way to their seats with sports day pictures visible on the big screen giving a glimpse of the successes achieved just a couple of days before. In the background was Heather Small’s ‘Proud’, a song very appropriate for the occasion as the students should feel very proud about being at such an illustrious event and the achievements they have all made throughout the year.

The awards started with an inspirational speech from the Head of Department, Mrs Norwood. It was focussed on believing in yourself and that no matter what, never ever give up on anything. A strong message not just in sport, but in everyday life. It was also about being reflective, how can I improve? What can I do differently? What went well? Along with the importance of togetherness and working as part of team after all, there is no I in team and people around you are just as important and can have a massive impact on you reaching your goal. Sport is about enjoyment, pride and trying your best, yes there are winners and losers but all you can and should ever do is try your best and always finding ways to improve and that’s what separates the greats from the rest, always wanting to be better.

Certificates were awarded to our new record breakers both within school and at district level. Each year group had three winners from the following categories: Top Boy; Top Girl and most improved. These categories were then followed by the two team categories: Best Team; SEN Team of the year. There was then a sport leaders’ award followed by the big one, Shirebrook Sports Personality of the Year. To present the awards this year was last year’s winner, the confident, charismatic and enthusiastic Joe Fletcher, who was quick to announce to the entire audience that PE was the greatest subject and for them to enjoy it.

As the ceremony progressed, the anticipation for the big award started to build. As the winning monologue was being read out, it was between two highly rated students, Codie Darby and Kian Tansley. Both worthy winners but only one could win. This year’s winner was the ever confident and ambitious Kian Tansley, whose performances within PE this year have been of the highest standard. This was showcased by him breaking the school and district triple jump records finishing first in each of the events.

The event ran seamlessly with all the winners receiving a certificate and two trophies to showcase to their fellow peers and the families. All students who attended were in high spirits and very appreciative and supportive of all the winners on the show, and even though some were disappointed with not winning an award, they were determined to try and win something next year which was great to hear and echoed the words from Mrs Norwood at the start of the awards. Proceedings were brought to an end with a closing statement on goal setting. The big question is, who will set their goal to become a winner next year? Only time will tell!

Congratulations to all the nominees, attendees and in particular the winners. Thank you for all your brilliance and long may it continue, your recognition is thoroughly deserved!

Top Boy Keane Darby

Top Girl Grace Nussey

Most Improved Corey Buckley

Top Boy Sonny Farnsworth

Top Girl Ruby Robinson

Most Improved Isabelle Corbett

Top Boy Ben Madeley

Top Girl Ruby Nussey

Most Improved Imogen Mahan

Top Boy Jake Haywood-Welch

Top Girl Codie Darby

Most Improved Chloe Millband

Leader of the Year Angel Robinson SEN Team of the Year Boccia Team Team of the Year Y7 Girls Football Team

Sports Personality of the Year

Kian Tansley

The Academy’s annual Arts week took place in June with all the activities themed around the jungle. The atrium was decorated with vines and jungle creatures made by both staff and students and created the perfect backdrop to an exciting week of events.

Monday saw the big reveal of the first Well Dressing produced in Shirebrook in a number of years. Well Dressing is an ancient Derbyshire tradition and under the direction of Mr. Hand the students involved really enjoyed learning about the custom and working on creating the chosen design.

On Tuesday the music department had a visit from djembe expert Dan Priest who came in to deliver a number of workshops with our year 7 students who went on to perform their work in the atrium at lunchtime.

Wednesday Mr Case did a Jungle DJ set in the middle of the river in the jungle scene created in the lower atrium. Taking many requests from the staff and students. There was also a storytelling session of the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling read by Dr Mitton and Mr. Andrews in the school library.

The academy wind band took to the stage on Thursday to deliver a concert to the staff and students during their lunchtime. This accompanied Mr. Freer who was creating a largescale jungle themed piece of artwork inspired by Frida Kahlo

On Friday all members of staff were invited to come in to school dressed in jungle clothing. There were some very interesting outfits on show and all staff got in to the spirit of the occasion creating a fun and exciting atmosphere for the final day of activities. The staff self-portrait competition was judged by the arts department and was won by Mr Andrews who submitted a stunning jungle style self-portrait. At lunchtime Ms Miller and Ms Worker ran a workshop to create your own jungle in a shoebox and Mr. Bishton impressed everyone with his incredible DJ skills in the atrium!

Four local primary schools took part in a Key Stage 1 Mini Olympics on Wednesday 3rd July at Shirebrook

Academy. They were; Model Village Primary School, Park Federation Infant School, St Joseph’s C of E

Primary School and Stubbin Wood Special School.

Mr Dalby from the PE department organised 17 young leaders from years 8 and 9, to support Clare

Hayes with the festival. The young leaders ran seven different activities for just under 100 pupils all day.

Activities included; football and foot-golf, dodgeball, mini tennis, active maths sessions, kwik cricket, athletics and boccia. The pupils had a chance to

experience some different activities, and see most of the facilities here at the Academy, as the children

played on the 3G, played boccia in the atrium, and had lunch in the school canteen!

The children were put into groups which represented the School Games values; determination, honesty, passion, respect, self-belief and teamwork. It was a great day for all and hopefully it will inspire the

children to try and adopt these values with everything they do.

The SEN Boccia team made up of Corey Buckley, Kian Hatton and Brooklyn Bennett have qualified to represent Derbyshire in a regional tournament.

The boys travelled to Derby University to take part in their third Boccia tournament of the year. The students were representing Bolsover District in the area finals, having previously progressed through the regional heats.

The game of Boccia is new to the boys but they have shown amazing progress throughout their time playing the sport. During the finals at Derby the boys played 4 games, and won all 4.

Mr Hancock who has attended all 3 of the events with the boys said: ‘The boys have been fantastic and have done the Academy proud. Reaching regional finals is always a great achievement but to do this in a sport that is completely new to them makes the achievement even more remarkable’

The boys will now progress to represent Derbyshire in the East Midlands Finals in October.

PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE KEY DATES

THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR

SEPTEMBER 2018

5 Return to school 20 Y6 Open Evening 21 Jeans for Genes (non-uniform day) 28 Macmillan Coffee Morning 28-30 D of E Bronze/Silver Assessment OCTOBER 2018

4 Y7 Settling in evening 8 Attendance Awareness Week 17 Post 16 Careers Evening 18 Personal Development Day 19 Shirebrook Stars 23 Celebration Evening 26-28 Y7-9 Battlefields Trip 26 Young Minds (non-uniform day) Finish for half term NOVEMBER 2018

5 Return to school 5-9 Y11 Mock Exams 9 Y7 GRIT Leeds Armouries 16 Y7 GRIT Leeds Armouries 30 Y8-Y10 France Trip (until 1st Dec) DECEMBER 2018

1 Winter Wonderland 10 Literacy Week 12 Christmas Concert 14 GRIT Shirebrook Church Carols in the Market 17 Shirebrook Stars 19 Finish for Christmas

If you need to speak to a particular member of staff and they are unavailable on the telephone, be assured your details will be forwarded on and they will call you as soon as possible. Whilst we appreciate there may be times when you need to see a member of staff regarding a specific issue, we ask that you please be aware that staff at the academy work to a timetable and are often not available. Please do not arrive at the academy without an appointment expecting to see someone. If you require a face to face meeting, please call our reception on 742722 and we will endeavour to arrange an appointment for you at the earliest convenience to suit both parties.

Thank you

www.shirebrookacademy.org @shireacademy T: 01623 742722

@shireacademy

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