RUSHEY MEAD ACADEMY NEWSLETTER

Jazz performance

On Sunday 17th March, our Rushey Mead Jazz band were given the incredible opportunity to perform as the interval entertainment for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO). This opportunity was provided by DeMontfort University, and also included

complimentary tickets to see various performances which included NYJO, young jazz musicians and DMU jazz members.

Our students were watched by a big audience in the foyer area during the interval. They performed four pieces of music, from jazz classics like ‘Canteloupe Island’ to ‘Feeling Good’, which also saw our cellist demonstrate her jazz vocal talents. Our students were

exemplary in representing themselves and the school, and we are very proud of what they have achieved.

As a result of their fantastic performance, and the way in which they presented themselves, we have now been offered to take part

in more future opportunities with the university but also with the Leicester Jazz House.

Our students were also shown great kindness when in the absence of our Brass section, some of the young musicians who were there as part of the wider weekend, stepped in and provided us with that support. It was a great experience for our students to play

with other musicians, as well as fantastic example to us all.

We would like to thank Mr John and Mr Price, our Jazz band leaders who work with our students in both lessons and afterschool to

ensure that the performance was outstanding. They have been instrumental in our students being given this opportunity.

DMU dance visit

We recently had two students from De Montfort University visiting our school to gain experience teaching dance to KS3 students. Charlie Reed and Siobhan Chamberlain opted to attend Rushey Mead Academy to develop their knowledge of the dance

curriculum and to broaden their experience in teaching.

They both led sessions to our Year 7 students, providing exciting and innovative lessons which really encouraged and motivated our

students to enjoy participating in dance. As a result we have had a bigger uptake in our KS3 dance clubs which is great for our upcoming Dance Showcase. We wish the two trainee teachers the best of luck for their future career in teaching and hope the

experience has been valuable in their development as a dance teacher.

Issue number 11

Friday 22nd March 2019

Together We Make A Positive Difference

Rushey Mead Academy Melton Road I Leicester I LE4 7AN I 0116 2663730

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World book day

We celebrated World Book Day on 7th March with a Book Swap in the theatre during break and

lunch.

Students brought in pre-loved books from home and then had the opportunity to choose new ones from their peers’ donations. A total of 226 books were swapped on the day and some students went home with armfuls of books, like Deeya 8RUR (pictured). To emphasise the message of the day, students watched a speech in form time about the importance of reading which was written

and delivered by Divy 10RUS.

Throughout the day, students were also treated to short videos in which Ms Ryan, Mr Acharya, Mr

Bardolia, Ms Wright, Mr Mistry and Mrs Hamlet talked about some of their favourite books.

The whole day successfully promoted reading at Rushey Mead, and it’s worth remembering that

the World Book Day tokens that students brought home are still valid until 31st March.

Reading Rampage

Rushey Mead is taking part in Reading Rampage this year, which is a city-

wide reading initiative aimed at students in Years 7 and 8 to encourage a love of reading. Students taking part are challenged to read the special list of ten books by the end of June, and we submit a school vote for our

top three titles based on the judging criteria.

Ms Harriman’s Year 7 English class has already got off to a great start, reading and talking about the books with each other once a week in the library. The Reading Rampage Club started on 11th March, and will take place every Monday after school in the library. There are still a few spaces available to join this club; any interested year 7 or 8 students need

to speak with Mrs Hamlet or Mrs Peploe in the library to get a letter.

The big bang fair

Students in Year 7 had the opportunity to attend the Big Bang Fair held at the NEC in Birmingham on Wednesday 13 th March. This event was part of the extra-curricular ‘Take it Further’ programme at our academy. The Big Bang Fair is an annual programme of UK-wide events that aim to get students excited about the STEM subjects. The fair aims to inspire the next generation of innovators, inventers and problem solvers. There were hundreds of interactive activities, mind-boggling shows and fantastic careers information

from local and national employers for students to explore throughout the day.

Our students had the opportunity to engage in a range of activities and presentations in relation to STEM.

All the students had a fantastic day at the event and came back inspired and enthused.

Brilliant Club Launch Trip

We have been extremely fortunate to offer twelve Year 7 students a place on the ‘Brilliant Club’. The Scholars Programme is an in-school academic programme for selected students. It is designed to give students exposure to a genuine academic environment and to experience learning in the style of a university student. Students will be working closely with a PhD tutor in a series of small group university-style tutorials to study a

‘super-curricular’ course that explores science topics they may not usually

study in the school curriculum.

Our twelve students attended the launch trip to the University of Cambridge, Clare College on Friday 15th March where our students had the opportunity to meet their PhD tutor and students from other schools. Students were very engaged in the various activities that were delivered and showed great enthusiasm when completing various tasks. The tour of the University excited the students and motivated them further with their aspirations. The PhD tutor also commended the group of students on their

efforts, enthusiasm and knowledge when completing their first tutorial.

In this course, students will explore answers to the question “Why are we here?” from different perspective. Students will debate the final assignment question: Do you think it is important to answer the question “why are we here?” scientifically or philosoph ically, or

are they both important?

The next set of tutorials will take place every week at our school and finish off with a graduation trip upon submission of their final assignment at another Russell group university. This is an extremely exciting programme for our more able students. Congratulations

to the students listed below for gaining a place on the Scholars Programme following an application and interview process.

The students involved are; Ram 9HAM, Theo 7BEM, Dnega 7BOR, Shivam 7CHR, Liya 7CHR, Esha 7HAR, Shive 7HAS, Georgia

7BOR, Harsh 7BEM, Widad 7BEM, Rishika 7MES, Shruthiy 7MES

Forthcoming events

PL Monday, school closes to students at 2.00pm - Monday 1st April 2019

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Monday 15th April - Friday 26th April 2019.

The Cambridge physics experience

On Tuesday 19th March, fifteen of our Year 10 students attended Cambridge

University to take part in a Physics Experience Day.

The Cambridge Physics Experience enabled our students to see University life at the prestigious and historical Cambridge University. The students were given the opportunity to visit Girton College which was very picturesque and was very well equipped. Students had the chance to ask questions about the social side of the university experience as well as the academic success at the

University.

The second half of the day involved students visiting Cavendish Laboratory where all the Physics workshops and seminars were taking place. There were two talks which students engaged in, one by a current student at the University

and another by Dr Steve Martin who was a Physicist and lecturer at the University of Cambridge.

Our students were also able to participate in two workshops which involved the understanding of A-level Optics and they managed to complete both workshops independently despite it being A level material. Their team working skills and problem solving skills

were excellent. We very impressed and proud of our students’ achievement on the trip.

Well done to the following students who participated on the Physics Experience Day: Kurren 10HAM, Aamina 10MER, Vraj 10MER Prisha 10RUR, Sakshi 10BOR, Aadit 10HAM, Jevin 10BEM, Jay 10MEM, Jai 10HAM, Rahima 10RUS, Moksh 10RUS, Jash 10MEM,

Dillon 10CHM, Watheeq 10BEM, Nidhi 10HAM.

Take it further opportunities for KS4 students

Medicine Calling – Your Future in Psychiatry

There will be a careers evening for Year 10 and 11 students who are considering studying Medicine or Psychology at University

with a spotlight in Psychiatry. Students must be accompanied by a parent/carer for this event. The event will give students:

An opportunity to learn more about psychiatry, a branch of medicine where doctors treat people with mental illness

A chance to attend interactive workshops highlighting the exciting, rewarding and challenging career psychiatry offers

Tips and advice on applying to study medicine

Certificate of attendance

Date: Thursday 11th April 2019, 5:30-8:30pm

Venue: George Davies Centre for Medicine, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH

If you would like to attend this fantastic opportunity, please email or see Miss Launa Hewage (plaunahewage@rushey-tmet.uk) to get a booking form by 8th April.

Top A2L and most Improved students

Congratulations to the following students who have the best overall Attitude to Learning scores and also to the students with the top

Most Improved Attitude to Learning scores.

TOP A2L - Year 7 MOST IMPROVED - Year 7

Tanish 7BES Krishita 7BEM

Palak 7BEM Ahmad 7BEM

Dnega 7BOR Harsh 7BEM

Musab 7RUR Antoaneta 7HAM

Nicholas 7MEM Yuthikaa 7BOS

Kulsoom 7CHM Nouceiba 7CHM

Janki 7MES Manav 7BEM

Rhea 7MES Theo 7BEM

Diya 7MEM Zehra 7BES

Bhuvanesh 7BOR

Mahenoor 7MEM