Saying goodbye to Year 11

It's hard to believe that another set of students have reached the end of their Durham Academy Education but Monday saw yet another set of goodbyes. 

Staff and students had a great time remembering the five years that have flown by in our celebration assembly, signed shirts and said fond farewells, hunted for treasure around the school site and enjoyed an amazing American feast prepared by our Cafe staff. 

As educators we have the privilege of sharing a significant part of your child's childhood with you and some days, spend more time with them than we do our own children. We get to know each and everyone of them and care about them greatly. To see them on our final day together before results day fills us with a huge sense of pride. 

They have grown into confident and ambitious young adults who know and understand the importance of respect. They have hopes and dreams that have been formed by their educational experience (and your excellent parenting) and through the life and learning lessons they have completed, are now equipped to be successful adults. 

Exams are now being marked and only time will tell the results but what we can be sure of right now is that the class of 2025 were an incredible bunch and we wish them all the very best for the future. 

Cracking Cholera

Our KS3 students had an amazing day at Newcastle University Philip Robson Library and the Medical School. Durham Academy students saw Newcastle University special collections of cholera from the 19th Century. Our students then worked like an Apothecary to produce their very own 19th century tincture (medicines used at the time) to cure the symptoms of Cholera. After this students analysed how penicillin effectively works as an antibiotic. 

Devyn in year 7 wrote:

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Newcastle University.

First off both teachers and the volunteering students we met were very nice and were telling us all a lot of information and were very helpful. I really enjoyed making my own cure for cholera. It was kind of hard but also fun trying to work out the cells. The historical part of learning about the cholera in Gateshead and other places that were infected and how the cholera spread.

I thought it was an amazing trip and if there was a chance I would instantly sign up again.

Sharing information about scholarships

Last week we told you about the Smallpiece scholarships, secured by Dr Atwal. 

We are currently looking at enrolling our Y10 students who would like to enrol into Arkwright engineering scholarship. 

More information can be found in the linked brochure. 

If your child is in year 10 and you would like them to engage in this prestigious programme please contact Dr Atwal via reception. 

Training more reading ambassadors

Our Year 10 and 11 reading ambassadors have done a fabulous job but sadly, our Year 11 students have now moved on their next stage in life and so we have been recruiting and training new ambassadors in preparation for September. 

The fabulous Victoria Downes, author and all round super-star visited us again to train the new recruits who will be helping younger students to develop their love of reading next year. 

Embarking on a parent engagement award

This weekly bulletin is testament to our commitment to communication with parents and carers and we recieve lots of positive feedback on all of the support and opportunities we provide. So much so that we want to work towards an award to recognise it. 

Beginning in September, we are going to be working towards to the LPPA Award for Parent/Carer Engagement and we will be asking for some volunteers to join our working party. Our aim is not only to gain recognition for what we are already doing but to improve even further and your feedback is crucial. If you would like to sign up (it won't involve a great deal of your time), please contact main reception. Additionally, we will be asking all parents/carers to compete a survey in the new school year. 

Recognising great attendance

Miss Chapman might have been in Belgium but her Tutor Group have been in-school 99% of the time this week. She takes the gold medal and her group get the early lunch. 

It was a close run contest this week however with Miss Davidson's group coming a close second for the second week running with 97%, Mr Scott's Tutor group third with 96% and Mr Robinson's fourth with 95%. 

Another early lunch is up for grabs next Friday so please ensure your child is in it to win it by attending every day. 

Setting up a football team

The Year 10 Sports Ambassadors have been busy again this week as they are recruiting for a new Key Stage 4 football team. 

They will be training on a Monday/Thursday and further details will be shared with students soon. 

Signposting the school nurse

Our school nurse will be in-school next Tuesday lunchtime (and every other week on a Tuesday) for any student who wishes to speak to them. 

We know how difficult it is to get a Dr's appointment so the nurse can speak to your child about issues such as eating, sleeping, puberty, periods, mental health and a whole lot more. You can make an appointment for your child via reception or they can just go along or self refer.