“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” - Plato, The Republic

The end of term is a new beginning. The rush to complete our new work plans for September is tempered by the fun of sports day and trips to round off a fantastic year of achievement and wonder. New discoveries have been made in subjects across the Academy, from the hatching of chicks in an incubator in the science department to the 10M ‘Leap of Faith’ at the Year 7 residential. Students have met the challenges at every opportunity. But with every challenge met, new benchmarks are set, new beginnings are at every turn.

We look forward to the new starters joining our ever expanding academy in     September who are broad in ambition and aspirational in outlook. They will meet our sixth form who will return with some having completed internships at top city firms such as Thomson Reuters, Amey and Kroll Advisory Solutions. Our students will see older colleagues modelling the professional attitudes and expectations needed to succeed in the modern world. The personal and interpersonal skills and knowledge required to achieve in the 21st century.

It has been a brilliant year with a great endorsement of what we are doing by  Ofsted. A tremendous effort by the staff and students all round. This is not the end, but the beginning of a drive to be outstanding; our continual aim to realise our ambitions and achieve the very best for our students. To ensure great       progress is made by our entire cohort no matter their starting place. To enrich their academic lives with theatre and musical opportunities, sporting chances and life enhancing experiences. We remember Oliver!, our first academy          production, as well as visits to see ‘To Kill and Mocking Bird’, ‘Matilda’ and many more. The inaugural visit of the English National Opera inspired a new generation of classical fans, as well as the very scientific ‘Centre of the Cell’ at Queen Mary, University of London.

The sporting achievements of our students continue to roll in. Our expanding   programme of activities has extended the reach of our teams with great wins in    football, rugby and athletics. We look forward to adding rowing and martial arts to the range next year.  

 

The Academy remains busy over the summer holidays with QPR running a summer school throughout July and August.  Students from the Academy as well as those from the local community will build upon their football skills ahead of the next season of fixtures. We have results to celebrate with our Year 13s and welcome our new Year 12s for enrolement. Work continues on the building to ensure we maintain our first class facilities and we are completing final preparations for the new Year 7 cohort.

We send our staff and students away on well-deserved holidays and recreation in order to recoup their energies, re-invigorate their minds and recharge their      passions for the next academic year. We realise that error is an essential part of learning and that the mistakes we make are proof that we are trying. On occasion the journey can seem tough but the results will be satisfying in the end, for we recognise that a smooth sea never made a skilful sailor. So with these thoughts ringing in our minds, I commend you all to have a great summer break and look forward to sharing our continued success in September.

I leave with you with the thought that we remind the students of daily. Make a difference at every opportunity. Don’t wait for new beginnings, make them. 

So be sure to do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Gary Kynaston

Headteacher

 

age quod agis - do what you are doing.

age quod agis - do what you are doing.

What an eventful last two weeks it has been at the Academy!

We have said goodbye to our Sixth Formers for the academic year and a final goodbye to our finishing Year 13 students. The leavers’ prom was a fantastic occasion thoroughly enjoyed by all and a fitting way to bring down the curtain on their time at the Academy.

Many activities have recently been staged by our PE Department to celebrate National School Sport Week. Students were able to take part in inter-house sports competitions, the Sixth Form Football team narrowly beat the Staff 6-5 in a thriller at Ravenscourt Park and children from Flora Gardens, John Betts and Miles Coverdale primary schools took part in a series of activities as part of our very own Primary School Sports Festival.

The week culminated in our Race for Life community event in aid of Cancer Research UK which saw all students, and a few staff, run 23 gruelling laps around the Academy to complete a 5km run. The day, which was attended by members of the local community, included activities such as a cake sale, tombola, coconut shy and penalty shoot-out, amongst many others.  Over £1,500 has been raised so far and special praise must go to everyone who helped to make the day such a success.

Our Community and Sponsors event also ran smoothly. Members of the Mercers’, Information Technologists’ and local community were able to view the work that has been produced by our KS3 and Sixth Form students, observe lessons and had an opportunity to speak to students about their time at the Academy and aspirations for the future.

More exciting things are on the way with the Year 7 residential, Thorpe Park and Sports Day all on the horizon, but end of year exams are continuing, so it is imperative students stay focus and revise for these before they can relax.

Keep up the good work!

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

 

repetitio est mater studiorum - repetition is the mother of study

Firstly, I would like to congratulate our Sixth Formers who have finally completed their exams, especially our Year 13 students whose time at the Academy has come to an end. These students were the Academy’s first cohort and have done us very proud with the work they have put in over the last two academic years. We wish them well for the future and look forward to seeing them at the upcoming leavers’ prom.

Whilst exams have finished for Sixth Form, they are beginning for Years 7 and 8 with end of year exams taking place between Monday 1^st July and Friday 12^th July. It is imperative students adequately prepare for these exams as the results will be reported as the Module 9 grade on their final modular report. Revision tips have additionally been sent out to help students prepare for these exams, which will also help ready them for the GCSE and A Level exams they are to face in the future.

Ahead of the next academic year, our Parent and Community Advisory Group (PCAG) is to be re-launched. The PCAG will work alongside representatives of the local and wider community to assist myself, the Senior Leadership Team and the Governing Body in its work. Information has been sent out to all parents detailing the nomination process and the deadline date of Friday 28^th June.

Finally, our KS3 Athletics Team recently competed in the Regional Finals of the English Schools’ Athletic Association Track & Field Cup. Unfortunately, students were unable to follow-up their win in the opening round and placed sixth amongst schools from across the South East despite a number of personal bests being set.  Their achievements must be applauded and their progress in the competition bodes very well for the future.

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

bis dat qui cito dat - he gives twice, who gives promptly

bis dat qui cito dat - he gives twice, who gives promptly

As the summer term continues, exams continue and are now into their final stretch; Year 12 students have completed their A Level exams and started work in preparation of the next academic year, and Year 13 students have one week left before they can finally relax. We wish students all the best in these exams and hope their results reflect all the hard work they have put in over the year.

Our Art Department was recently moderated by Edexcel. Moderators were very impressed with the level of work produced in the department and have recommended the Academy be used as test centre for Art.  This is a fantastic achievement and special congratulations must go to Miss Gika and Miss Holland who greatly contributed to this accomplishment.

Last week also saw the arrival of eight newly-hatched chickens to accompany Helix the Hamster in our Science Department. Students and staff were able to witness the chickens hatch from their eggs and watch their very first steps! Unfortunately, the chickens will leave us this week but in the short time they have been with us, they have already made their mark on the Academy.

Finally, as part of our forthcoming ‘Race for Life’ event on Friday 28^th June, we will be holding a Tombola and are asking parents and local businesses to donate prizes for this. Anything that can be offered, big or small, would be greatly appreciated and will help increase the amount of money the Academy hopes to raise in support of Cancer Research UK.

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

 

Ex nihilo nihil fit - Nothing comes from nothing

Ex nihilo nihil fit - Nothing comes from nothing


I hope the week-long half term has left everyone refreshed and revitalised for the final part of the academic year. Whilst there is not long left, there is still a lot of hard work to be done.

Year 8 students will sit English and Maths tests in the coming week. As students move into Key Stage 4 and undertake their GCSEs, these tests will prove imperative in helping us to measure the progress students have made at Key Stage 3. Although these tests are important, they are not linked to in-class study and cannot be revised for.

BTEC Performing Arts students have had their forthcoming appearance at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival confirmed. A huge ‘pat on the back’ must go to all students and staff that have been involved in this project and all its fundraising efforts, which are still continuing.

Finally, we have a few upcoming events this term which will be open to the local community. We are holding a ‘Race for Life’ fundraiser for Cancer Research (28th June) which will involve various events and activities, and an ‘Arts Day’ (10th July) to showcase the artistic talents and skills of our students. All are welcome to attend and more details are to follow.

Let’s have a great end to the academic year!

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

Starting as we mean to go on

Non quia difficilia sunt non audemus, sed quia non audemus, difficilia sunt.

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare, things are difficult.

I hope you all enjoyed your two week holiday and welcome you back for the final term of the Academy’s second year.

Since the end of last term, the Year 8 football teams travelled to Paris to compete in the International Youth Festival of Football. The girls’ team performed exceptionally well winning the tournament and securing more silverware for the Academy’s trophy cabinet.

The summer term will prove important to all students, especially those in Year 8 and Sixth Form students. GCSEs options must be chosen shortly and subject choices may greatly influence future career choices, so should be given careful consideration. Sixth Formers must also ensure all coursework is completed and continue revising in preparation for their forthcoming exams if they are to achieve the required grades to progress into Higher Education or the workplace.

Finally, we were visited by adventurer and mountaineer Squash Falconer who delivered an inspirational talk to students about some of her accomplishments which include becoming the first British woman to paraglide from the top of Mount Blanc and reaching the summits of both Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. Squash’s experiences and words of wisdom were beneficial to all; whatever your dream or goal is, whether big or small, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve.

I look forward to us all having a good summer term.

Gary Kynaston

Head Teacher

December 2012

aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one.

Our enterprising and caring spirit grows as we continue along our journey of success. The doubling of size has been a real challenge but has provided the most rewarding op-portunities for staff and students. Sharing your Academy as the current year 8 and 13 have had to do is always difficult but we have come together as one community and shown great integrity and kinship. We have built our new relationships on the back of our shared passions for development and innovation where opportunities are being devoured remorselessly by the abundant ambition from both our staff and students.

We ended the year with a celebration assembly for each year group. These were an op-portunity to share the outstanding achievements of all our students and to recognise the efforts and advancements made across each subject. We all arrive at this well-deserved pit stop and rest this Christmas holiday season. The incredible dedication of the HA staff is shown in the wonderful work completed by our students and rewards shared through vivos and praise cards.

HA students have continued to excel in sport. Our teams have enjoyed a huge amount of success throughout this term. A special mention goes to the girls Football team and the boys Rugby teams as trophy winners. We look forward to a continued season of success in the spring term.

Sports Makers in sixth form made up part of our first Drop Down Day (DDD). The im-portance of health and fitness in our modern age is highlighted by the can-do attitude of students through sport. The overall focus of the DDD was community and safety and we followed an alternative curriculum with the help of the police, Barnardos and Road traffic awareness and many other organisations. This cross year event day really showed our HA community at its best with many important lessons learnt.

The Winter Fayre grew in size again with marvellous shows and dramatic entertainment coupled with displays of students‟ wares and artistic presentations. Such talent and flair expressed through shared endeavour. It feels that we have been together as a 500 strong community longer than the 4 months since September.

Our first foreign trip to Lille was a tremendous success. The Christmas markets showed another culture in its finest and were appreciated fully by our eager linguists. More trips to the continent are planned for next year. Watch this space!

The year 7s went en-masse to the pantomime Cinderella at The Lyric. They enjoyed the splendour of the occasion and all came back smiling and regaling tall tales and corny jokes. (Oh no they didn‟t!) Oh yes they did!

We continue with our inspirational speaker programme where professionals from all types of industries and backgrounds speak to our sixth formers and present lessons in life and being a success from many different perspectives. This has included media and film, forensic accounting, business and entrepreneurship inspiring students and advising them on how to break into different industries and start successful careers. If you would like to volunteer your services in giving a professional talk or to mentor a sixth former, please contact us at the Academy.

The staff were put through their paces this term when I invited some inspectors to come in and review our progress. I am satisfied of our good progress towards achieving our strategic goals. As a new build Academy, we will have a formal Ofsted inspection some-time in the spring term. We will keep you posted.

Despite the well-deserved rest, sixth form have many modular exams after the festive break, so revise, revise, revise!

Can I thank all parents, sponsors and community members for your continued support of the Academy and look forward to a new year of further growth, development and success. Have a restful festive break and I wish you all a prosperous New Year.
Gary Kynaston, Headteacher