Halley's Comment - Issue 29

Halley's Comment

Issue 29 - Module 1

“Our Academy values - respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity and resilience - permeate everything we do"

A message from Mr Russell, Principal

Module 1 is always one of the busiest and most exciting times of the school year. The last 8 weeks have been a testament to what makes our school community so special, as we have embodied our Academy motto in practice. We hope this edition of Halley's Comment gives you a snapshot into some of the exciting events and developments across the Academy where we have inspired, learned and achieved together.

We’ve had a fantastic start with our new Year 7 and 12 cohorts, and we have also welcomed more students across other year groups to join the Halley family. Our Open Events saw record figures of prospective families visiting the Academy, all of whom commented on the warm welcome they received from our student ambassadors and staff. Our extra-curricular programme has seen more students take part in additional activities before and afterschool than ever before, to enrich their learning.

This module has also seen us break a number of important records. We've seen the highest attendance figures, across all year groups, in the Academy's history. We know that attendance to school every day is the most important factor in ensuring children's academic success; we want to thank families for making sure our students come to the Academy every day, prepared and ready to capitalise upon all the fantastic learning opportunities to them. There have also been more praise points awarded to students as part of our rewards policy, than ever before. This highlights how students' commitment to their learning, and how they are developing the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning. Finally, the Department for Education will shortly be releasing the secondary school league table results for last academic year, which will have our best ever set of Year 11 and Year 13 outcomes confirmed and published. This would mean we retain our position as one of the most improved schools in the country for both progress and attainment measures for Year 11 students, in comparison to 2019, and we would likely continue as one of the top performing mixed comprehensive schools in the borough of Greenwich in our own right. This is fantastic achievement and a real testament to the hard work of all our students, and the commitment of staff to delivering the best outcomes possible for the young people in our care.

On behalf of all the staff at the Academy, we wish you and your families a lovely half-term break, and we look forward to welcoming students back to the Academy on Tuesday 5th November.

Mr Russell

Principal

“Those who can imagine anything can create the impossible”

Turing School

It is now a year since I joined the Turing School learning community as Head of School and it has been a pleasure to get to know the students in Turing Small School, including those who recently joined us. This academic year we welcomed Mrs Nguyen-Quan onto the Turing senior leadership team, working alongside Mrs Panton as Deputy Heads of Turing School. Ms McCrossen also joined the team, working with Ms Halliday, as one of our Small School Managers. Ms Murfitt continues to support the Turing office as the administrator and Mr Rajendran continues to work as the Director of Progress.

At the start of Module 1 we had a Turing School assembly where all students were reminded of our values and the expectations at the Academy. We also looked at how the work of Alan Turing inspires us to always be a positive influence in all that we do. In Module 2 we will have opportunities in assemblies to celebrate the achievements of the Turing students.

As you may be aware, Turing Small School now has an extra tutor group in Year 7 in line with the Academy’s plans for expansion in the coming years. We are proud that the Academy is increasingly becoming the school of choice for many families in the borough and beyond. Our Year 7 students settled well into Academy life with a positive attitude to the various learning opportunities they have experienced so far and are beginning to form strong positive relationships with fellow students, including those beyond their year group and small school. Year 11 students have also had a positive start to the academic year. Intervention sessions are already taking place to support them with preparation for their Mock examinations in December and eventually their GCSEs in the summer of next year.

We continue to celebrate the large number of Turing students who have achieved a 100% attendance record. We believe that students who attend school regularly do much better academically than students who do not have regular attendance.

As the academic year unfolds we will strive to keep you, the families, updated. Thank you to everybody in the Turing learning community - students, parents/carers, tutors and staff who have continued to make this Small School as successful as it is. A special mention to the form tutors in Turing who go above and beyond every day to support our students.

If you would like to contact someone from Turing School at any point, please email us at turing@halley.latrust.org.uk.

Mr Kamya

Head of Turing School

Easley School

As we wrap up the first module of the school year, we are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements and positive developments within our school community.

Despite the changing weather and the inevitable colds and cases of flu this brings, attendance has been very good across all year groups within Easley. We are especially proud of the 117 Easley students who have achieved 100% attendance so far this academic year. This commitment to learning is truly commendable! Thank you to families and students for prioritising education by ensuring students are only absent for serious illnesses.

Our students demonstrated outstanding behaviour throughout Module 1. We have seen a significant increase in positive behaviour points awarded, above 3500, reflecting our commitment to creating a supportive and respectful environment. Keep up the great work!

Additionally, many of our students are commended for being exceptional tour guides who showed great maturity and confidence in taking around prospective families. Thank you for showcasing our school with pride!

A special shout-out goes to our Year 7 students, who have smoothly transitioned into secondary education. Their enthusiasm and adaptability are inspiring, and we are excited to see them thrive in the coming modules.

Our Year 10 students have embarked on their GCSE courses with commendable diligence. Their focus and determination are setting a solid foundation for their academic journey. GCSEs are a marathon and not a sprint so they need to keep this momentum going.

Our Year 11 students become trendsetters, despite completing their educational marathons! A group of Easley students were the first to lead assemblies for all students in many years. Their confidence and leadership skills have set a great example for the whole Academy.

As we approach the holiday period, we encourage students to take this time to ensure they have all functional stationery and uniform items, including spares. Being prepared will set them up for success in Module 2. Do not forget to complete your holiday homework; this will help reinforce what you have learned to date. Most importantly, we hope all students take the time to rest and recharge. Enjoy the holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting module!

If you would like to contact the Easley Small School then please do so by emailing easley@halley.latrust.org.uk.

Mr Senior

Head of Easley School

“You can do anything you want to, but you have to work at it”

“All that is necessary is the belief that by doing our best we shall come nearer to success andm that success ..... is worth attaining”

Franklin School

Franklin students have made a wonderful start to the 2024-25 academic module. Year 7 students have settled exceptionally well into the life of the Academy; making friends and showing tremendous progress and achievement within their lessons. Meanwhile, our oldest Year 11 students have demonstrated incredible maturity with attendance to early morning and afternoon interventions, highlighting an incredible drive to achieve the best they can. It has been a true pleasure to see so many families also in attendance at our Year 7 tutor event and Year 11 information evening during this module.

Franklin students have already achieved over 3,100 praise points this module and notable mentions must be given to David 9F1, Abdulaleem 8F1, Mohammed Birhan 8F2, Justis 9F1, Tymofii 9F1, Ola 8F1 and Joshua 9F2 who are in the top 20 of all students receiving the most positive points this year so far. David 9F1, in particular has 38 positive points and has the fourth-highest number of praises across the Academy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the significant number of our students who have also achieved 100% attendance so far this year and for all those students who are immersing themselves in the extracurricular offer that we have at the Academy. It has been a delight to see so many of our Franklin students engaged in learning at the end of the day, from interventions to Drama and Music club to the increasingly popular STEM club.

Congratulations as well to our 2 Franklin students who completed 4 reward cards already this year; Riley-James 7F2 and Lucius-Casey 7F2 and to Floria 7F1 who has completed an impressive 5 reward cards.

Our students have also had the opportunity to be our Academy Ambassadors within our Open Mornings and Evening and every single one of them is a true credit to the Academy and the values by which we abide. Within this module, we have also had three of our Year 11s being recognised for their outstanding commitment to learning and having an invitation to Tea with the Principal. These are: Hannah 11F2, Jack 11F1 and Mohamed 11F1.

We would like to thank everybody in the Franklin learning community: students, parents/carers, tutors and staff who continue to make Franklin School as successful as it is. A special mention to Ms Ruthven, Deputy Head of Franklin School, Mr Roques, Director of Progress, Ms Billings and Ms Godfrey, Small School Managers and Ms Walder and Ms Cook, Small School Administrators, who go above and beyond every day to support the students.

We are excited to see how the same positive start to this module continues throughout the academic year ahead.

If you would like to contact the Franklin Small School then please do so by emailing franklin@halley.latrust.org.uk.

Mrs Parsons

Head of Franklin School

Hawking School

A Strong Start to the 2024/25 Academic Year

As we approach the end of Module 1, it's an exciting time to reflect on the fantastic progress our students have made so far. Off the back of our best-ever outcomes for last year’s Year 13 cohort, we are incredibly proud to welcome our new Year 12 group into the Hawking School Sixth Form. Their brilliant induction and excellent start to the academic year have set the tone for what promises to be an outstanding journey through sixth form.

Welcoming Our Largest Year 12 Cohort

This year, we welcomed our biggest-ever Year 12 cohort, and their energy and enthusiasm have been remarkable. From the moment they joined us, they have embraced all aspects of sixth form life. The induction process not only familiarised them with their courses but also laid the foundation for their academic and personal growth. As they transition into their studies, we are confident this group will continue to shine.

Launch of the Professionalism Contract

In addition to academic excellence, preparing our students for the future is at the core of our mission. This year, we launched the Professionalism Contract, a guiding framework designed to equip every student at Hawking School with the skills and mindset needed for the world of work, Higher Education, and Further Education. Through this initiative, we aim to foster responsibility, resilience, and professionalism - qualities that will serve our students well as they pursue their aspirations.

Pre-Learning with Cornell Notes

To further support academic success, we have introduced pre-learning for all subjects through the use of Cornell notes. This strategy encourages students to engage with material ahead of lessons, enabling them to come prepared and ready to deepen their understanding in class. This approach is already proving valuable, ensuring our Year 12 and 13 students are equipped with strong study habits that will serve them throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Focused UCAS and Personal Statement Sessions

For our Year 13 students, this term has been critical for preparing for their future pathways. Tutor-led sessions have focused heavily on the UCAS application process, with an emphasis on finalising personal statements. These sessions ensure that each student has the guidance they need to present themselves in the best possible light when applying to universities or further training opportunities.

Positively You Workshops

As part of our commitment to student wellbeing and success, all Year 13 students have participated in the Positively You workshops. These workshops are designed to enhance revision techniques and provide strategies for managing the stress and pressure of exam preparation. With exams on the horizon, these sessions are invaluable in equipping students with both the mindset and the skills to tackle what lies ahead.

Looking Ahead to Module 2

As we head into the half-term break, it's important to remember that Module 2 will bring external exams for many of our Year 12 and 13 students, including GCSE resits, BTEC assessments, and T-Level external exams. We encourage all students to use this break wisely—make time for revision, rest, and recharge so that you are ready for the challenges ahead.

A Message to Our Sixth Formers

We are incredibly proud of all our students and the progress they made in Module 1. As we approach the two-week break, remember to stay safe, look after yourselves, and return refreshed for the next module. We look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday, 5th November, ready to continue your journey towards success.

Enjoy your break, and we wish you all the best in your studies!

If you would like to contact the Hawking Small School then please do so by emailing hawking@halley.latrust.org.uk.

Mr Cowie

Head of Hawking School

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet"

Greatness in Greenwich Award Ceremony

Mr Russell and four of our top achieving Year 11 and Year 13 students from last academic year - Selina, Tamang, Zoya and Cristhian - attended the Achieving Greatness in Greenwich Award Ceremony at Victoria Hall, Woolwich Town Centre on Monday 9th September.

This was a prestigious event celebrating the top-achieving students across the Borough. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with other students from across Leigh Academies Trust who were also being celebrated and were supported by their Principals. We are extremely proud of all our students and this was a truly momentous occasion; we took delight in the opportunity to celebrate with them and their families. Congratulations to you all!

The event was hosted by Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Adel Khaireher, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People and Florence Kroll, Director of Children’s Services.

Cultural Diversity and Black History Month

As part of our curriculum, we have a programme of events throughout the academic year to celebrate important national and international events. For example, there will be a range of activities to celebrate International Day of Education, STEM Week, International Women’s Day, and Pride Month, as well as providing opportunities for our students to contribute to local charities and fully engage with our Cultural Capital activities.

Throughout October, we have been celebrating Cultural Diversity and Black History Month acros the Academy. Students learned about historical figures and heroes who have made significant contributions in all subject areas, culminating in an assembly celebrating the often overlooked achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally. This assembly was led, designed and delivered by some of our Year 11 students, giving them an opportunity to showcase their oratory, leadership and research skills.

Open Evening & Open Morning Events

Two of the most important events in the Academy calendar took place on Thursday 26th September when we welcomed prospective families to the Academy to showcase all the great work of students and staff in our school community. We had our largest number of visitors ever to the Academy, approaching 500 visitors on one evening.

The following week, we also held Open Mornings, so that prospective families could visit us in person, and see us live on a usual Academy day. Our fantastic student ambassadors were exemplary role models, showing over 600 visitors around the Academy throughout the week.

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting our prospective new students and families. Feedback from visitors was incredibly positive - they really saw the passion of our staff for our learning community, the charm of our building and the quality of our students. Pleasingly, they weren't put off by the rain! We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 cohort to the Academy in September next year.

City & Guilds Fellowship Event

At the start of the Academic year, Mr Russell attended the City and Guilds Fellowship event in the City of London. Hosted at the Mansion House, and in the attendance of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Mr Russell spoke on a panel of speakers about the exciting developments in the education sector which support young people in pursing careers in vocational, design and engineering sectors. Mr Russell was about to showcase the excellent work of our students in our brand new Engineering and Design Centre, which has been kindly sponsored by the Tallow Chandlers Livery Company. Mr Russell fielded questions from the audience made of members of the City and Guilds Fellowship, who were particularly interested about our brand new T Level Programmes, and our commitment to ensuring all Year 10 students enjoy a work experience placement.

Chromebook Introductory Sessions and Year 7 Information Event

In their first week of Module 1, all Year 7 students were equipped with Chromebooks and cases, marking an exciting essential addition to their academic journey. All students participated in an introductory session focused on safely navigating Google Classroom, both at home and in lessons. It's been wonderful to witness their enthusiasm as they dive into their studies, making great use of the Google Classroom platform to enhance their learning experience. Students have been using Chromebooks to support their learning in and out of the classroom, helping them to stay organised and ensure home learning is completed on time.

All Year 7 students will be working towards their Google Workspace Skills Level 1 as part of their Information Technology curriculum and will continue to do so throughout the year, further supporting their development in digital literacy.

The parents/carers of Year 7 students also attended a Year 7 Information Event on Tuesday 15th October 2024. This was an opportunity for them to meet their child’s small school team and their tutor to discuss how their child has settled into Year 7 at Leigh Academy Halley.

Talk about the Future Workshop

Year 7 students took part in a transition workshop delivered by specially trained leaders from Talk the Talk, in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation on Monday 16th September.

Talk the Talk is designed to support Year 7 students in their first few weeks at secondary school and they have worked with students aged 9 to 19 since 2013. They have supported over 190,000 secondary school students across the country building confidence in young people.

Our students found the workshops really engaging and fulfilling, being able to use oracy-based activities and strategies to develop their self-confidence and resilience, supporting them in their successful transition from primary to secondary school.

Parental Workshop

The first of our first Parental Teaching and Learning Workshops of this academic year was held on Thursday 10th October, attended by 32 families. This is part of the Academy’s focus on working with parents/carers to support their child’s learning.

Our Lead Practitioners facilitated the session which was aimed at introducing parents/carers to the use of online platforms used within the classroom and also our homework policies. Parents were also introduced to the routines that allow our students to focus wholeheartedly on their learning.

We host one of these workshops every module, so look at for more information about the next workshop in this series, if you would like to attend!

Reading Lab at Leigh Academy Halley

Our fantastic new partnership with the Children’s Literacy Society launched this module, with 15 students in Year 8 receiving 2 hours of additional literacy and phonics support to help close the gap in their reading ages.

The Reading Lab programme is run by a charity that provides literacy support in schools. Their team has highly qualified staff with several years of experience working in schools at both primary and secondary levels. Students were selected for this programme following an analysis of data collected across the last academic year through our Sparx Reader programme. Sparx reader is a weekly homework reading programme that monitors the reading ages, speed, and accuracy of students at Leigh Academy Halley.

Stationery Shop

We have introduced a stationery shop to support families in ensuring students are fully equipped for their learning, without the inconvenience of sourcing items outside of school. By offering affordable stationery onsite, students will be able to arrive at class with the equipment required so that they can successfully engage in lessons, supporting their academic success.

Stationery is available to purchase from the library between 8.00-8.25am and during break time each day.

Year 11 Futures Fair

All Year 11 students attended a Futures Fair at Woolwich Works on Wednesday 18th September.

The Future Professions Careers Fair enabled our students to explore the many options available them after Year 11, including the schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship providers available in the Greenwich Borough. This was an invaluable opportunity for students to start thinking about their Post-16 journey as they enter this challenging and important academic year.

With GCSEs fast approaching, this was the perfect time for students to begin thinking of their next steps. Whether about continuing their education, entering an apprenticeship, or exploring other career options, the fair gave them a clearer sense of the opportunities available in Greenwich and beyond to motivate students to focus on their goals during Year 11 to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Year 11 Information Evening

Families were provided with details on strategies, plans and resources that we have in place to support all the Year 11 students leading to their mock exams at the end of Module 2 and eventually the GCSEs in the summer of 2025. During the evening on Wednesday 18th September, parents/carers had the opportunity to learn from the Directors of Learning and Directors of Progress who were able to discuss more specific details about the curriculum offer, assessments, progress and the interventions available in the respective subject areas.

Royal Culinary Society of Arts Masterclass

As part of their GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition course, Year 11 students participated in a special mastery workshop led by professional chefs from the Royal Culinary Arts Society on Friday 20th September. This event was designed to help students develop the advanced technical cooking skills needed for their NEA 2 practical assessment.

During the 90-minute session, students first observed a live demonstration by expert chefs, learning key techniques such as precision filleting and perfecting complementary flavours and seasoning. Afterward, they had the opportunity to put these skills into practice by preparing a high-skill fish dish under the chefs' guidance.

The workshop provided invaluable hands-on experience, enabling students to refine essential culinary techniques, including filleting, poaching, and plating. These newly honed skills will be instrumental in helping them produce professional-quality dishes for their coursework.

Jamie's Farm Visit

Last year, we began a partnership with Jamie’s Farm, a residential farm and centre focused on providing students with the skills needed to thrive academically, socially and emotionally during their school years and beyond. They support with the development of characteristics such as being kind and caring, hard-working and resilient, linking excellently with our Academy's values

Jamie's Farm leader, Robert Ashworth, carried out a baking workshop at Leigh Academy Halley on Friday 20th September with our cohort. Students were presented with personalised certificates to celebrate this significant milestone in their personal development following the two visits to Jamie's Farm.

Positively You Sessions

On Wednesday 25th September, in a “Super Speed Study Skill” session, Years 11 and 13 left a Positively You workshop feeling empowered, enriched and motivated to advance their learning using the following tools and techniques: boosting metacognition, increasing motivation, providing a comprehensive You Pad student resource, delivering a range of tools and techniques to suit left and right brain learners, promoting interleaving, spaced repetition and space practice. Positively You is the UKs leading provider of educational workshops and resources. For over 20 years they have inspired students to achieve their potential in their academic, professional and personal lives. Students have access to the Online Resource Hub via Google Classroom.

Sporting Fixtures

Our Year 9/10 combined netball team recently participated in their first-ever tournament at Mascalls Academy, demonstrating their talent and teamwork. With only a handful of practice sessions under their belts and some players just starting their netball journey this year, the teams entered the competition with a mix of excitement and determination. The girls started off well and drew within their first game. There was tough competition next and they lost to the overall runners-up by one goal. The girls were regrouped into the championship group in the afternoon. The team continued to improve throughout the day; won another 2 matches and drew another 2! It highlighted how far they had come in such a short time. The tournament not only provided invaluable experience but also sparked a passion for netball amongst the girls, many of whom are eager to continue developing their skills.

The Year 10 handball tournament at LA Bexley was an exciting opportunity for students new to the sport. Special recognition goes to Evgenia for her phenomenal commitment to defence. She consistently applied pressure on the opposing team, demonstrating exceptional determination and teamwork. Her efforts were crucial in keeping the score competitive. The tournament also showcased impressive offensive plays, with standout performances from Aakima, Aleksandra, Joy, and Shamara, who scored a number of fantastic goals. In goal, special mention to Anisah for her incredible saves, displaying quick reflexes and composure under pressure. Her contributions helped the team stay in contention during challenging moments. In the afternoon, the girls worked hard to finish as runners up of their group.

On Tuesday 15th October, Leigh Academy Halley participated in the LAT handball competition at Leigh Academy Bexley, alongside 13 other schools from the Leigh Academy Trust. Our Year 9 and 10 boys represented the school exceptionally well both on and off the court, displaying exemplary behaviour, attitude, and performance.

The team narrowly lost to Rainham and Stationers, however, demonstrated resilience by bouncing back to secure two victories against Hue Christie and two more against Leigh UTC, including a dominant 8-1 win. Their efforts and sportsmanship throughout the competition made the school proud.

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