This week, our First Story participants headed to The Lowry in Manchester for the First Story Writers' Festival. It was a brilliant opportunity for our students to step out of the classroom and join hundreds of other young writers to celebrate the power of the written word.
Last week, our Year 10 students headed to the Manchester Central Convention Centre for the JDUP event, and it was a brilliant way to get a real look at the world of retail, design, and logistics. This event, run by the JD Sports Foundation, is all about bridging the gap between what happens in the classroom and the realities of modern employment, and it gave our students a fantastic chance to explore different career paths.
Last week, our Year 8 and 10 Scholars travelled to London to visit the Royal Opera House for a performance of the classic ballet Giselle. For many of our students, this was a new experience, and it was fascinating to observe their reactions as they arrived at such an iconic venue.
While many were enjoying a well-earned break over the February half term, Ellie in Year 8 was having the experience of a lifetime. She travelled to Disneyland Paris with her dance school, and we are incredibly proud of everything she achieved during the trip.
We had a fantastic day last week when we welcomed Year 5 students from Co-op Academy Grove to our school. To say we were impressed would be an understatement. Their energy and enthusiasm were incredible, and it was a joy to have them exploring everything our Academy has to offer.
Our Year 9 students have been making great strides in their professional development through the REACH programme, which is an initiative unique to the Co-op Academies Trust. This programme is a key part of our careers provision, helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and the world of work.
It was a busy end to the term last week, and a group of our students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Angel Square for the IRIS Prize event. It was an incredibly inspiring day focused on the importance of diversity and storytelling, and our students got a huge amount out of the experience.
Our Year 7 students have been proving that you are never too young to make a real difference. During tutor time, each group was tasked with designing an eco-project to improve the environment both within the Academy and across our local area. It has been inspiring to see the variety of ideas they’ve come up with, all driven by a genuine desire to look after the world around them.
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What a way to finish the half term! We held our big rewards afternoon this week, and the atmosphere was brilliant. To make sure the whole Academy could join in the celebration, Ms. Williamson led a live stream that beamed the excitement directly into every classroom.
It was fantastic to welcome so many families into the Academy this week for our latest Family Meal. There’s always such a great atmosphere when we get everyone together like this, and it was a real highlight to see the hall so full of life and conversation.
This week, the Academy has been buzzing with activity as we marked Children’s Mental Health Week. The theme this year, "This is My Place," has been at the heart of everything we’ve done, focusing on the vital role that a sense of belonging plays in our mental health and wellbeing.
There is honestly nothing better than seeing a student’s face light up when they get to show off something they’ve worked hard on. This week, we held our "PRIDE in my work" table, and it was easily one of the best days we’ve had this term.
