Bulwell Bulletin, July 2022
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BULWELL<br />
BULLETIN<br />
Supporting your child to be<br />
ready to learn in September<br />
Bringing you the term's news,<br />
celebrating <strong>Bulwell</strong>'s success<br />
Keeping your child<br />
safe this summer
Principal's Message<br />
Welcome to the <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong> <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong><br />
This has been a very rewarding first term for me as Principal at <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy. I have had the<br />
privilege of meeting so many amazing students, their families, and the local community groups and<br />
workers, all dedicated to the children and families of <strong>Bulwell</strong> and surrounding area.<br />
I have been immensely impressed with everything I have experienced and absolutely recognise<br />
the hard work and commitment from everyone to support The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy students, the<br />
school and the community in general.<br />
The overall feedback from everyone I have met is the belief this will be an amazing school moving<br />
forwards, driven by the hard work and commitment of all stakeholders and under-pinned by a<br />
‘growth mindset’. This supports students to be confident young adults, able to manage themselves<br />
in all social and professional situations, and have self-belief backed by meaningful and high-quality<br />
qualifications, giving them the best life chances.<br />
This is the vision for the Academy and direction of the school and it is incredibly exciting everyone<br />
is on-board and pulling in the same direction to achieve it. It is an exciting journey!<br />
The term has been fast-paced and very eventful, with many positive moments and lots to<br />
celebrate. This bulletin captures highlights so please enjoy reading about them and join us in<br />
praising all our young people for the wonderful things they have achieved.<br />
I would also like to take a moment to remember the passing of one of our amazing students who<br />
we lost earlier this term so suddenly. As a school, we send our ongoing love and support to her<br />
family during this impossible time.<br />
There are some changes for September as we move towards our shared vision and embark on<br />
our journey to being the great school we know we can be. They have been outlined in this bulletin,<br />
so please ensure you read the detail to keep fully informed.<br />
The return dates for students are also listed. We have opted for a staggered start in September to<br />
ensure our new Year 7s have the best possible start to life at The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy. Other year<br />
groups will be welcomed back in a way that gives us the quality time to spend with them,<br />
embedding any changes and supporting their return after such a long summer break.<br />
I wish you all an amazing summer, with lots of special moments, and look forward to welcoming all<br />
students back in September.<br />
If you would like to feedback on the positive experiences your child<br />
has had this year at The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy, please complete the<br />
Parent View questionnaire with a chance for 4 families to win a £50<br />
Tesco voucher. Go to: parentview.ofsted.gov.uk Thank you<br />
Page 1: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
Sara Wildes, Principal<br />
Click here for a<br />
chance to win<br />
£50
Back to School<br />
BUYING UNIFORM<br />
The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy blazer and branded PE tops can all be<br />
purchased from Just-Schoolwear.co.uk. Current lead times are<br />
are up to 10 working days subject to availability. All other uniform<br />
can be purchased from other retailers provided it meets the<br />
requirements laid out in the Academy's uniform policy.<br />
All students will be given a free tie on their first day back to school<br />
in September. Replacement ties can be ordered on ParentPay and<br />
collected from your child's Year Manager.<br />
All uniform queries to: enquiries@bulwellacademy.org.uk<br />
CLICK HERE<br />
for<br />
UNIFORM<br />
POLICY<br />
0115<br />
9647640<br />
QUERIES OVER SUMMER?<br />
Our Reception phone will be staffed during the<br />
summer break from 9am to 3pm on:<br />
Monday 31 <strong>July</strong> to Friday 4 August<br />
Monday 21 August to Friday 25 August<br />
Monday 28 August to Friday 2 September<br />
You can also email your queries to:<br />
enquiries@bulwellacademy.org.uk<br />
SCHOOL<br />
PHOTOS<br />
Student photos will be taken<br />
by Tempest Photography on<br />
Friday 16 September<br />
Every student will have their<br />
photo taken for safeguarding<br />
purposes. You will also have<br />
the opportunity to purchase<br />
your child's photo.<br />
BACK TO SCHOOL<br />
Friday 2 September <strong>2022</strong><br />
Monday 5 September <strong>2022</strong><br />
Tuesday 6 September <strong>2022</strong><br />
Wednesday 7 September <strong>2022</strong><br />
Thursday 8 September <strong>2022</strong><br />
Monday 17 Oct to Friday 28 Oct<br />
INSET Day (School Closed)<br />
INSET Day (School Closed)<br />
Year 7 only (new intake)<br />
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 only<br />
All Years - Whole school return<br />
Half-Term Holiday<br />
TERM DATES<br />
<strong>2022</strong>-2O23<br />
CLICK<br />
HERE<br />
Page 2: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
Reminders for September <strong>2022</strong><br />
READY TO LEARN<br />
MORNING ARRIVAL<br />
The school gates open at 8.00am every day<br />
and will be closed at 8.20am when students<br />
will move to their line-up positions for<br />
8.25am. Timetabled lessons begin with your<br />
child's Period 1 lesson at 8.30am.<br />
FREE BREAKFAST<br />
Breakfast is between 8am<br />
and 8.20am. All students are<br />
welcome to free toast and<br />
juice before going to line-up.<br />
LATENESS<br />
Any child arriving after 8.25am will<br />
be registered as late to school, and<br />
will consequentially miss the start<br />
of Period 1 = Lost learning time<br />
Any late student will receive a<br />
detention at the end of the day.<br />
Persistent lateness may lead to<br />
legal sanctions for the family.<br />
STUDENT REMINDER<br />
Please bring your school<br />
planner, your pencil case<br />
and school books in a<br />
sturdy rucksack-style bag.<br />
This is your school equipment that<br />
Mondays only,<br />
you must bring every day.<br />
*NEW* PERIOD 6<br />
2.50 to 3.50 pm<br />
Checked every day at the gate.<br />
To add more depth to our curriculum and to<br />
support student learning, we have introduced<br />
a new Period 6 lesson on Mondays only. *NEW* ACADEMY TIE<br />
This is an integral and compulsory part of the<br />
All students will receive a <br />
new one-week timetable from September.<br />
clip-on tie on their first day<br />
back in September, as well<br />
as a pencil case containing<br />
SCHOOL ENDS at 2.50pm *<br />
equipment and an Academy<br />
water bottle. Replacements<br />
*<br />
3.50pm on Mondays can be bought on ParentPay<br />
Page 3: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
READY TO LEARN<br />
STUDENT PLANNER<br />
All students will receive the <strong>2022</strong>-2023<br />
Student Planner on the first day back to<br />
school. This is part of your child's essential<br />
equipment and should be brought to school<br />
every day.<br />
It is central to their learning experience and<br />
will support your child to be organised and<br />
ready to learn. It contains lots of useful<br />
resources including your child's timetable,<br />
their homework timetable, school policies,<br />
curriculum support and wellbeing<br />
information.<br />
Checked every day at the gate<br />
*NEW* ACADEMY WATER BOTTLE<br />
To promote healthy living, The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy is a "water only" school.<br />
During the current academic year we have encouraged all students to bring<br />
a clear refillable bottle to school and have installed water coolers all around<br />
the building, giving your child easy access to fresh cold water during the<br />
course of the day. This is just one step in helping our children to grow<br />
healthily, safely and responsibly in a bid to secure Healthy Schools status.<br />
Every student will receive an Academy water bottle free of charge on their<br />
first day back. Replacement Academy water bottles will be available to<br />
purchase on ParentPay for £4.<br />
RETURN OF THE SNACK<br />
We are delighted to announce that we are returning to selling hot and<br />
cold snacks at morning break. If you would like your child to take<br />
advantage of this, please ensure they have credit on their ParentPay<br />
account. Please note breaktime snacks are not included in the Free<br />
School Meals allowance.<br />
Page 4: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
Reminders for September <strong>2022</strong><br />
READY TO LEARN<br />
*NEW* HOMEWORK TIMETABLE<br />
Homework plays an important part of school life and<br />
contributes to your child's progress and attainment.<br />
You said<br />
We did<br />
On the first day back to school, your child will be given<br />
a Homework Timetable to stick into their Student<br />
Planner. Parent feedback has told us that one of your<br />
main areas for improvement is that your child needs<br />
more homework.<br />
We have responded by ensuring that regular homework<br />
is set and monitored regularly using several different<br />
online platforms including Bedrock, Carousel, GCSE<br />
Pod, SENECA Learning and Sparx (maths). All work<br />
will be set on Microsoft Teams with links provided.<br />
<strong>Bulwell</strong><br />
Academy<br />
Reward<br />
Programme<br />
Students will receive positive BARs for completion of homework, which feed into our<br />
whole school Rewards Programme (missed homework or homework completed badly<br />
or without effort will result in negative BARs and a 30 minute after-school detention to<br />
complete the homework satisfactorily).<br />
Good or better attendance will always be celebrated at the Academy. Students arriving<br />
every day and on time will automatically receive positive BARs. Students achieving<br />
enough BARs will be rewarded with a school trip at the end of the year.<br />
s<br />
Page 5: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
READY TO LEARN<br />
ATTENDANCE Reminders LADDER for How September close is your child <strong>2022</strong> to 100%?<br />
0 days off school 100% Perfection<br />
Equates to 2 days off school each year 99% Excellent<br />
Equates to 5 days off school each year 97% Good<br />
Equates to 10 days off school each year 95% Slight Concern<br />
Equates to 20 days off school each year 90% Concerned<br />
Equates to 30 days off school each year 85% Very Concerned<br />
Our attendance target for all students is 100%. Excellent attendance is essential to giving<br />
students the best life chances, empowering students to take advantage of all educational<br />
opportunities and to achieve their potential. Missing just 17 days in one year can mean<br />
dropping a full grade at GCSE level.<br />
We expect students to arrive at school on time every day without exception. Reward<br />
points will automatically be given to those students with good attendance.<br />
Missing school for any reason, even for one hour, means lost learning time and reduced<br />
chances of success. We work closely with the local authority to ensure attendance is one<br />
of our top priorities. For guidance on school attendance and possible legal sanctions,<br />
please visit: gov.uk/school-attendance-absence<br />
On the last day of the summer term, a lucky draw<br />
was held for all students with 100% attendance for<br />
the school year. The lucky winners were Year 8’s<br />
Laura and Year 10’s Emily who received an iPad<br />
each.<br />
For support and queries, please email: attendance@bulwellacademy.org.uk<br />
Page 6: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
100% ATTENDANCE WINNERS
Summer Safeguarding<br />
If you are concerned about the safety of your child or another young person who lives<br />
in Nottingham City during the summer holidays, please call:<br />
Children & Families Direct<br />
0115 876 4800<br />
Monday to Friday<br />
8.30 am to 5.00 pm<br />
For more information, visit:<br />
nottinghamcity.gov.uk/information-forresidents/children-and-families/are-you-worriedabout-a-childs-wellbeing/<br />
Once school re-opens, any student concerned about their safety or<br />
that of a fellow student can talk to any member of staff at the<br />
Academy and the Academy’s Safeguarding Team. You can also<br />
email us at safeguarding@bulwellacademy.org.uk<br />
ONLINE SAFETY<br />
Click on the logos for practical tips to help children stay<br />
safe online including age-specific issues, setting devices<br />
up safely and tools for reporting issues to relevant<br />
organisations.<br />
The National Online<br />
Safety website has free<br />
downloadable guides to<br />
keep your child safe with<br />
lots of information on<br />
current online games<br />
and social media apps.<br />
<br />
WATER SAFETY<br />
Visit the RNLI website for lots of safety<br />
advice for the summer if you're heading to<br />
the water's edge:<br />
rnli.org/safety<br />
Watch the video for information on what<br />
to do if you're struggling in water.<br />
Page 7: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
News of the Term<br />
It has been quite a term. GSCEs and other exams have taken place for the first time in<br />
three years while, away from the classroom, events, trips and achievements have<br />
meant some memorable moments. Here, we reflect on some of the highlights.<br />
CLASS OF <strong>2022</strong> CELEBRATIONS<br />
Year 11’s Prom took place at Goosedale<br />
Conference and Banqueting Centre to<br />
celebrate the end of an era. Following the<br />
arrival of carriages, students posed for<br />
photographs in the beautiful landscaped<br />
gardens and on the red carpet.<br />
Mocktails in the foyer were followed by a threecourse<br />
banquet. Between the main course and<br />
dessert, Year 11 Manager Miss O’Sullivan and<br />
her sidekick Mr Matthews delivered a<br />
humorous ‘Ant & Dec’-style student awards<br />
ceremony, donning high-viz jackets for the last<br />
time in front of the Class of <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
In the interim, student DJ Nikkaya took to the<br />
mike and impressed the crowd with her rapstyle<br />
poetry before the finale of the awards<br />
ceremony, the announcement of the Prom<br />
King and Queen. Congratulations to winners<br />
Aariz and Lynsey, nominated by the Class of<br />
<strong>2022</strong>’s tutors.<br />
Following dessert, students took to the dance<br />
floor and enjoyed hand-picked tunes before the<br />
last dance to an old classic, Wonderwall by<br />
Oasis, with students and staff singing along.<br />
The wonderful evening celebrated the students’<br />
hard work and enabled them to meet for one<br />
more time before results day on 25 August. We<br />
wish them all the best and look forward to<br />
hearing their success stories in the future.<br />
Page 8: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
News of the Term<br />
SPORTS DAY <strong>2022</strong><br />
Sports Day for Years 7 to 10 supported the NSPCC Day<br />
of Sport and Sport Relief’s ‘Lap of Hope’. It was a rainy<br />
start for Years 7 and 8, but this did not stop them enjoying<br />
themselves.<br />
Our PE Team organised a range of indoor activities to<br />
promote team-building, agility and fun. Years 9 and 10<br />
had a brighter day, competing in obstacle races and<br />
athletic events on the school field.<br />
All year groups finished their Sports Day with a 'Lap of<br />
Hope' before gathering together for the announcement of<br />
the winning teams and the presentation of the trophies.<br />
CELEBRATING DIFFERENCES<br />
Students had a starring role in a national assembly which was broadcast live to hundreds of<br />
schools across the UK. RSE day is an annual event which celebrates health and relationships<br />
education in schools. Organised by Nottingham City Council and Discovery Education, the<br />
theme of this year’s RSE Day was ‘Celebrating Differences – Everyone Can Sparkle’.<br />
The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy students shared their<br />
thoughts on diversity and how we should all<br />
celebrate what makes us unique.<br />
What makes me sparkle is my skin. My<br />
skin doesn't define me. Just because I<br />
have a different skin colour compared<br />
to another, it doesn't mean a thing. I<br />
have beautiful skin. I am proud of it. I<br />
am never going to change.<br />
Latisha, Year 9<br />
Taking inspiration from the broadcast, students were encouraged to get involved by writing<br />
or drawing ‘What Makes Me Sparkle’ and sharing their work online. You can watch the video<br />
featuring our students here: www.rseday.com<br />
Page 9: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
News of the Term<br />
MOVING UP<br />
During the summer term, the Transition<br />
Team has welcomed groups of Year 6<br />
students from our feeder primary schools<br />
to help make them feel less anxious and<br />
more prepared for the move to "big<br />
school".<br />
Our new Year 7s: Southwark Primary School Year 6<br />
students - among those to visit the Academy.<br />
Two transition days for all Year 6 students<br />
"moving up" to <strong>Bulwell</strong> in September <strong>2022</strong><br />
took place in early <strong>July</strong> so they could<br />
experience a taste of life at <strong>Bulwell</strong>.<br />
A GRAND DAY OUT<br />
Fantastic rewards trips celebrating students’<br />
achievements took place to Alton Towers and<br />
Twycross Zoo at the end of the summer term.<br />
Our students really enjoyed the deserved days<br />
out after working so hard over the academic year.<br />
'NEXT STEPS' with <strong>Bulwell</strong>'s Alumni<br />
Three former Sixth Formers visited the Academy as<br />
part of our Alumni programme, helping inspire<br />
current students. Careers Lead, Mr Turner was<br />
reunited with Aimee, Charlotte and Jess who left<br />
Year 11 in 2015.<br />
Year 12 worked with the three Alumni in workshops<br />
that included decision making and next steps, labour<br />
market and transferable skills. They also heard about<br />
their journeys since leaving school and university.<br />
All school leavers are welcome to sign up to our Alumni Programme run in conjunction with<br />
Future First. Go to: bulwellacademy.org.uk/main/alumni<br />
Page 10: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
News of the Term<br />
ALL THE WAY TO TEAM GB<br />
Year 7's Jacob Henry began playing baseball from a young age, inspired by his American<br />
father who founded Nottingham Rebels Baseball Team in 2010. Jacob's Dad set up youth<br />
training at his club to support Jacob and his brother Freddy to progress in the sport.<br />
Jacob is now a baseball ace and has played for Great Britain in the U12 European Baseball<br />
Championship Qualifier tournament. The Year 7 recently travelled to Vienna in Austria to take<br />
part in their final match against Ukraine. The team won 9-5 to bring their tournament record to<br />
four wins out of four with the victory promoting Great Britain to the 2023 Championships.<br />
Jacob had an amazing time, playing 1st base, 2nd base and catcher in the tournament, playing<br />
in all three, earlier round robin games beating: Finland 9-0, Croatia 13-1 and Ukraine 8-1.<br />
Well done, Jacob. We look forward to hearing more from you next year.<br />
SONGFEST <strong>2022</strong><br />
Creative Education Trust secondaries sang<br />
music from around the world in its second choir<br />
event of Songfest <strong>2022</strong>. There was music from<br />
native American chants to Handel’s Zadok the<br />
Priest. As well as some great choir work at the<br />
concert, solos were performed by the Trust’s<br />
singing ambassadors. Our singing ambassador,<br />
Tahlia, sang an Italian aria beautifully.<br />
Page 11: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
News of the Term<br />
YOUNG ARTIST EXHIBITION<br />
Talented Year 8 artist Rowen-Lilja exhibited her LGBTQ+<br />
sculpture at <strong>Bulwell</strong> Riverside and then at the Academy<br />
as part of <strong>Bulwell</strong> Arts Festival.<br />
This followed her work’s selection by the Royal Academy<br />
of the Arts for the Young Artists' Summer Show <strong>2022</strong><br />
which you can view here:<br />
youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/<strong>2022</strong>/76615<br />
The 13-year-old’s winning sculpture is titled<br />
We’re Here, We’re Queer.<br />
ON THE MONEY<br />
The Academy has been accredited as a<br />
‘Centre of Excellence in Financial and<br />
Enterprise Education’.<br />
Miss Cooper and Mr Turner set out to<br />
achieve the Young Enterprise accreditation,<br />
sponsored by Capital One, three-and-a-half<br />
years ago. After navigating through so<br />
much change and a pandemic, we have<br />
been finally accredited.<br />
Melissa Garrett, Programme Manager for Young Enterprise, said our submission demonstrated<br />
we are “providing practical, effective and sustainable financial education for the young people.”<br />
She said: “Your coherent programme of financial education is a fantastic foundation for all of<br />
your young people and a credit to all of the staff involved.”<br />
CLICK HERE TO READ<br />
Finally...<br />
The <strong>Bulwell</strong> Academy is featured in the<br />
latest Trust magazine Connected.<br />
Issue 29 includes more on Songfest<br />
<strong>2022</strong>, the future of STEM, and a look at<br />
our new communication software Arbor.<br />
Page 12: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
Summer Reading<br />
The holidays are here! This is a perfect time to stretch out or curl up with a good book. Why<br />
not visit your local library to borrow some books or delve through the shelves at a charity<br />
shop? Take a blanket and picnic to the park and enjoy a good book sitting under a tree or<br />
sit in your garden to read on lazy summer days.<br />
CLICK HERE<br />
Visit the BookTrust website for a list of favourite<br />
books for teens about unforgettable and lifechanging<br />
summer adventures from love stories<br />
to dark comedy - there's something for everyone.<br />
booktrust.org.uk/booklists/s/summer-reads-teen/<br />
RECOMMENDED READS by <strong>Bulwell</strong> Librarian, Mr Hunt<br />
Our brand new reading club, Hooked on Books, have been enjoying the<br />
exciting ‘The Upper World’ by Femi Fadugba. Over the summer, we will be<br />
moving on to ‘Lies Like Wildfire’ by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. After starting a<br />
fire that leads to the death of innocent people, a group of friends enter a<br />
pact of silence. How far will they go to keep their guilt a secret? Find a<br />
copy at your local library or order your own and read along with us!<br />
Up for something more funny?<br />
Try Nottingham author Helena Pielichaty’s fantastic football<br />
series Girls FC, featuring the struggles and victories of the<br />
Perrs Under 11s girls' football team (AKA the Parsnips).<br />
Enjoy the 'Heartstopper' series?<br />
Try ‘Heartbreak Boys’ by Simon James Green. Two<br />
recently-dumped boys fake a relationship to make their exes<br />
jealous. But along the way, that fake relationship starts to<br />
become something more.<br />
Page 13: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>
T h a<br />
n k<br />
Y o u<br />
Part of the Ethics curriculum includes discussions around the importance of<br />
appreciating one another and saying thank you. One of the outcomes of this, which<br />
has become a termly tradition, is the production of hundreds of 'Thank You Teacher'<br />
cards by Ethics Teacher, Miss Wealleans. These are given to students to write their<br />
appreciation of their teachers who have taught, helped and inspired them during the<br />
term.<br />
The cards are then delivered to staff on the last day to spread a little joy. The notes<br />
from our students are really lovely to read and make the job of teaching <strong>Bulwell</strong><br />
students even more worthwhile.<br />
The staff at <strong>Bulwell</strong> would also like to say a big thank you to<br />
all our students for making this such an enjoyable term!<br />
Thanks for helping<br />
me to<br />
shine!<br />
Thank you for<br />
believing in me<br />
even when I didn't,<br />
and encouraging<br />
me to achieve my<br />
best.<br />
Thank you for<br />
encouraging me to<br />
speak up when<br />
something wrong is<br />
said (homophobia).<br />
Thank you so<br />
much.<br />
Thank you<br />
for always<br />
saying,<br />
"You can do it"<br />
You have inspired<br />
me to be more kind<br />
to people and to be<br />
the best person I<br />
can be, and to be<br />
confident in myself.<br />
You have helped<br />
me through things<br />
you don't even<br />
know about. So<br />
thank you!<br />
Page 14: <strong>Bulwell</strong> <strong>Bulletin</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2022</strong>