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SWA E-Newsletter #183

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E-NEWSLETTER  •  ISSUE 183

A Message from Principal, Mr Martin

I hope this newsletter finds you well and you are enjoying the sunshine. I am writing to update you on some of the exciting events and achievements at Samuel Whitbread Academy over the past few weeks.

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate our Year 11 and Sixth Form students on their excellent approach to their exams. I know that they have all worked incredibly hard, and I am confident that they will achieve the results they deserve in August. 

I would also like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication in running many successful trips over the past few weeks. These have included a Food trip to Disneyland Paris, Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and several Geography field trips. These trips provide our students with valuable opportunities to learn and have experiences outside the classroom.

A special thank you to Dr Haynes for organising the model United Nations event this week. This was a great opportunity for our students to engage with global issues and develop their public speaking skills. We plan to run this competition again next year for every tutor group and possibly across the Trust.

I am very impressed with our new Student Leadership Group. They have already come up with several ideas for improving the school next year, and I am excited to see what they will achieve.

I would like to thank all of our students who took part in our Summer Arts Festival. This was a fantastic event that showcased the talents of our students in art, dance, drama, singing and music. It was also wonderful to see performances by pupils from our local schools.

Recently, a group of our students led an assembly at Shefford Lower School and I would personally like to thank them for their enthusiasm and mature approach as they took on this daunting task. The head teacher, Mrs Ross, was very impressed and wrote to say how much the pupils enjoyed it.

This has been another fantastic year for sport at Samuel Whitbread Academy. Our students have competed in a number of competitions and have achieved some excellent results. Our U15 girls' football team secured a triumphant victory, clinching the district cup at Etonbury last week. Adding to the excitement, our Year 9 boys' football team achieved an impressive feat, triumphing in the county cup against Vandyke Upper and completing the double win.

Messages From Heads of Year

Head of Year 9, Mrs Godfrey

 

I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed getting to know the students since returning from maternity leave. I feel we have made good progress as a Year group and that students have a clear understanding of expectations. With 4 weeks remaining, we still expect students to maintain high standards both in and outside the classroom. 

Uniform update - It has been agreed that students can wear a plain black jumper without their blazer for the summer term only, shirts must be tucked in. From September, blazers will return as a compulsory part of school uniform.  

Thursday 27th June Year 9 parents evening - if you haven’t been able to book an appointment and would like feedback on your child’s progress, please contact the subject teacher via email. 

The Year Team will continue to support Year 9 students to ensure that they have a positive end to the term.

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Summer Arts Festival Shines with Creativity and Talent

The annual Summer Arts Festival was a resounding success, as SWA students and others from the BEST Trust showcased their remarkable creativity and talent. The event featured an impressive array of musical acts, dancers, drama performances, and stunning art displays. Our dedicated student tech crew also worked diligently throughout the evening, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival. It was a delightful evening celebrating the arts and basking in the sunshine.

A heartfelt congratulations goes out to all the students who poured their energy and time into making this event such a joyous celebration. We also extend special gratitude to the teachers and staff who helped bring the festival to life - Mrs Meadows, Mr Osborn, Miss Major, Mrs Keen, and Mrs Kirkman. Your dedication is truly appreciated.

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A Magical Adventure: Year 10 Food Trip to Disneyland Paris

Last week, our Year 10 students set off on an extraordinary journey to Disneyland Paris, where they immersed themselves in the enchanting world of Disney and indulged in a delightful culinary exploration.

The students had the pleasure of visiting Billy Bob's Restaurant, a lively buffet spot in Disney Village, where they enjoyed a lavish spread featuring a variety of delectable dishes, from savoury barbecued meats to fresh salads and mouth-watering desserts. The atmosphere at Billy Bob's offered a vibrant taste of the American Southwest, adding an extra touch of magic to their dining experience.
In addition to this, our students had the opportunity to dine at Brasserie Rosalie, an elegant gourmet French restaurant that provided a fairy-tale setting for their culinary adventure.

Alongside their gastronomic delights, the students had ample time to explore the thrilling attractions and rides at Disneyland Paris, meet iconic Disney characters, and shop for beloved Disney merchandise. The trip culminated in a mesmerising drone and firework light show in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, where students were treated to a breathtaking display of lights and colours perfectly synchronised with classic Disney tunes, leaving everyone in awe and creating enduring memories. 

To a great degree, the Year 10 trip to Disneyland Paris was an unforgettable adventure; celebrating friendship, exploration, and the joy of experiencing new things together.

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Southill Estate & Flatford Mill Trip 2024

It's been an exciting few weeks for our A-level biology students, as they embarked on two informative and memorable trips. The first trip took them to Southill Estate, run by Charles Whitbread, where they engaged in biodiversity sampling work. This marked a significant milestone as they gathered baseline readings of biodiversity on the land and in ponds. Additionally, the students completed their A-level required practical in ecology and honed other practical techniques to enrich their learning. They plan to make this an annual visit and compare the differences over time.

On their second trip, the students enjoyed a residential visit to the idyllic Flatford Mills in Suffolk. The Field Studies Centre, set amidst National Trust land and famous for John Constable’s paintings, provided the perfect backdrop for a tremendous learning experience. During their 3-day stay, the students meticulously surveyed the local countryside, including a memorable trip to Holbrook Saltmarsh, while also working on required practicals. The students not only gained valuable practical science skills but also relished the glorious scenery.

We extend our gratitude to all the students for their exemplary camaraderie and diligent work ethic.

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Health and Social Care Visit to the University of Bedfordshire

Last week, Year 10 Health and Social Care students had an amazing opportunity to visit the University of Bedfordshire for an immersive experience in the world of nursing. They were inspired by valuable advice and gained new knowledge about pathways into the nursing profession. During the visit, students gained hands-on experience in practical nursing skills, including CPR and primary care, thanks to the nursing simulation team at the University of Bedfordshire.

Our students truly represented our school well and thoroughly enjoyed this enriching experience.

Year 10 Geography Residential Trip 

More than 200 GCSE geography students recently completed their field trip to Walton-on-the-Naze. During the trip, they collected data on the longshore drift and investigated the environmental quality across different sites in the town. This visit also supports their understanding of a key case study from their course. Overall, the students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn outside the classroom and put into practice what they have learnt this year.

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Silver DofE Expedition

Year 10 students' recent expedition to the Peak District to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh award journey. The students spent three days engaging in various outdoor activities such as camping, cooking, map reading, and route planning in small groups. We are proud to report that all the groups excelled during the expedition. It's wonderful to see our students embracing outdoor challenges and developing important life skills. We look forward to supporting them as they continue their Duke of Edinburgh journey.

Year 12 Next Steps Day

This week we had our Year 12 Next Steps Day. This included multiple sessions designed to inform and educate students on their next steps once they leave SWA. With a focus on Apprenticeships, University and finances for the future, students had multiple presentations. As part of the day, we welcomed ‘ASK’, an apprenticeship educational provider to talk about Degree Apprenticeships. We hope the sessions were informative and help students shape their future decisions.
We will be putting resources from the day up on the website for future reference for parents and students.

Exam Season Comes to an End

It has been a busy time of exams over the last 6 weeks, and we are extremely proud of how our Year 11 and Sixth Form students have handled it. They have shown determination, excellence, and integrity throughout the whole period.

We wish them all a restful and enjoyable summer.

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Year 9 Boys Football
We are thrilled to announce that the Year 9 Boys A Football team have achieved a double victory by winning the county cup away against Vandyke Upper School. With only one loss throughout the year, the team has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to our school. Congratulations to our talented team for their hard-earned success!

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U15 & U14 Girls Football
The U15 girls' football team emerged victorious in the district cup at Etonbury last week! Despite many of our U15 players being away on the Food trip or DofE trip, the majority of the squad comprised U14 players who rose to the occasion brilliantly. Congratulations to the Y10 girls who played a crucial role in getting to the final and to those who guided the younger pupils during the game. A special round of applause goes to the U14 girls, who showcased their exceptional talent by dominating the final and securing a remarkable 5-0 win. Well done to all the players for this outstanding achievement!

U15 Cricketers

The U15 Cricketers had an excellent start in their match against Wootton. Both Alex and Adam retired after 25 runs, setting the tone for an exciting game. The match went down to the wire, with Wootton's opener putting on a strong batting display. However, the team managed to pull through, securing the victory as Wootton needed just 3 runs when the last wicket was taken. Looking ahead, we are gearing up to face Redborne next week.

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Samuel Whitbread Academy E-Newsletter
 
You are receiving this because you are a Student, 
Parent, Carer, Governor or Member of Staff at SWA. 
 
Samuel Whitbread Academy
Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5QS
Tel: 01462 629900  •  Fax: 01462 629901
Email: swa-info@bestacademies.org.uk