Our Friday meeting last week saw discussions around the layout of our new dining room. Planners were considering  how to maximise on layout to ensure lunch sittings run smoothly and create a space which is enjoyable to dine in. 

We have also been planning classroom allocations for each faculty and our next step is to look at how much existing furniture can be used in the new build and how much new equipment might need to be purchased. 

More new build updates next week...

Our assembly this week has focused on making positive choices in order to improve society as a whole. Following the national anti-bullying week last week, our students have reflected on how the choices we make change the world for everyone. We've considered on-line and off-line respect and using the excellent resources from the Anti-Bullying Alliance we have learnt that bullying is a choice we can all avoid making. 

Following our participation in Stemfest, the Northern Echo decided to write an article about our fabulous students. The full piece can be read here but here is a snippet: 

"The academy’s efforts were recently rewarded when its Year 9 pupils received the CREST Award by the British Science Association – an achievement that recognises outstanding scientific ability and curiosity in young people – for designing and building their own flying aeroplanes. Other monthly STEM activities linked to the curriculum at the school – which is part of the Advance Learning Partnership – have included robotics workshops, drone racing, go-kart design, 3D printing, and coding.“We want to not just prepare our students for the future,” Dr Atwal added, “but to inspire them as   well. “Through STEMFest and our regular activities, our pupils are becoming ambitious, knowledgeable young people who will be highly employable for industries seeking the innovators and visionaries of tomorrow."

Peter Barron, The Northern Echo

A huge thank you to Dr Awtwal for organising these fabulous opportunities. More on Stem next week...

Our behaviour system is very straight forward. We believe in praise over criticism with natural consequences for making the wrong choices after being given timely reminders of what is expected. Students know and understand this and if they have not corrected their behaviour after two reminders (R1 and R2), they are issued with a class-back (R3) to discuss or correct the issue at lunchtime. If students don't attend their R3 or the issue is serious or escalates further, they is an on-call and an after school detention (R4). When we started this after school detention system we had 20 students in detention. Last night we had six. This is testament to the support we have received from parents and carers to ensure students attend their detention and it deters them from making the wrong choices in lessons. 

Year 7 are still the best attenders in school but a huge well done to Mrs Lister's Tutor group who have improved their attendance to 96% this week. By ensuring they attend at least 96% of the time they will learn more and remember more. They will also be rewarded for their efforts. 

One of our favourite days of the year is our annual Christmas concert at Ushaw College. We are so lucky to have this amazing historic building on our doorstep and privileged to make it our own each December. The whole school walk together and then celebrate our school community with musical performances, carols and readings. Despite this being a yearly event, the awe and wonder experienced by staff and students as they enter the chapel never ceases to amaze and our musicians are hard at work during lunchtimes in preparation for their performances. 

This year we will be celebrating Christmas around the world and students from all different parts of the world will be sharing their family traditions and cultures. Our Primary Partners will be joining us for a second day of celebration when we welcome Key Stage 2 students to take part in our very special event.  

Thank you to Mr Potter and Mrs Ball for organising this event. 

Year 8 and 9 took the top spots for work of the week, nominated by Ms Abraham and Mrs Blankley. 

Some Marvellous marbles were nominated along with Maths masterpieces. 

As well as excellent presentation, care and some complex thinking, students demonstrated confidence in self evaluation and and could clearly articulate the strengths and areas of development in their work.  

Alisha was nominated for the third week running and at this rate, we might need to design her a very special postcard of her own! Well done to Ella, Briar, Jake, Wan, April and Luke who have also shown their confidence, ambition and respect. 

We are very fortunate to have a fabulous library with free access to a wide range of books for all students. Students are currenltly able to access the libary during break and lunchtime to read, complete homework and take part in various clubs and competitions. We have decided to expand this offer to include a library lesson during English once a fortnight. Students will read their class read during this lesson and also have the change to explore and change their library books. We all read here. 

Year 11 students have really embraced their Star Card challenge and have been making the most of lunchtime revision sessions. These 20 minute sessions really do make a difference and by revising little and often, the marginal gains approach will really pay off. 

Thank you to all members of staff who have given up their time to plan and deliver these sessions and well done to students who have seized these opportunities and shown real ambition.  

In addition to the key content curriculum sheets we shared with you in our first bulletin (you can go back to these by selecting the home tab at the top of this page), we recommend that students make the most of GCSE Bitesize, SPARX Maths, Pearson Active Learn (which gives them a free revision guide for every subject), Maths Genie and Seneca which has an excellent section for parents as well has students. 

Year 11 students will have another set of trial exams in January and as a reminder to all year 10 parents, we have a parent and carer evening next Tuesday. Instructions for booking have been emailed to you. 

Telephone: 0191 3730336

Email: contact@durhamacademy.org.uk

For the most up to date information about what is going on in our school, please visit our website at:

https://durhamacademy.org.uk