03 October - Westminster Academy

NewsletterValue of the week: Honesty 03 October 2013Sixth Form Induction WeekZip-wires and campfires: induction weekendFrom Friday 6 th September to Sunday 9 th , Year 12 enjoyedan Induction Weekend at Downe Scout Centre inKent. There, we did a lot of fun-filled activities whichallowed us to put some of the IB learner profile skillsinto action. Some of these activities included cookingin groups (communicators), learning about conservation(caring) and braving physical activities such as thezip wire (risk-takers) andt h e a e r i a l t r e k(balanced!).Sixth Form InductionWeek allowed studentsto try different activities,develop new skillsand get to know theirclassmates who theywill be working closelywith for the next one,two or three years. Aswell as the residentialand the language fair,Sixth Form studentsalso began work on agarden project andheld a sports tournament.A particular highlight wasgoing out stargazing andwild-animal spotting on anight walk, and bonding around a huge campfire afterwards.The whole away weekend was a great way foreveryone to get to know each other and to learn aboutother cultures. We got taught crucial study skills(thinkers) that will help us prepare for our IB courses,took part in a fantastic quiz contest (knowledgeable)and we learned to challenge our preconceptions (open-minded, principled).We all came away with amuch greater understandin g o f o u r s e l v e s(reflective) and ready tostart learning (inquirers). It was a great experience foreveryone and it seemed as though everyone had agood time!Thank you to Mr Farmbrough,Mrs Austin, MrLee, Mr Walters and MsCole for giving up theirweekends to take us.By Ionie Johnson and BenceKoranyi, Year 12Message from thePrincipal, Ms BoraIn this week’s newsletter, I wouldlike to comment on some recentmedia announcements.Westminster Academy has alwaysadopted a flexible approachto learning. We prefer to workwith the government, rather thanagainst it, to ensure our students are never disadvantaged.As usual we will embrace any changes and, atthe same time, continue our highly praised personalisedethos putting students’ futures first in anything we do.Year 11 students will receive a letter about the Novemberexams shortly but, in the meantime, it is importantfor ALL students to read, revise and practise questionsEVERY EVENING, correcting their own writing for accuratespelling, grammar and punctuation.

Westminster Academy Newsletter 03 October 2013 Page 2100% GCSE equivalentattainment for WA studentsWhen science and poetrycollideReturn Free School Meals form formore opportunities for students!You will have received a letter and an application formfrom Westminster Academy to register for Free SchoolMeals. Please return your blue form ASAP for your childto receive free meals plus the educational benefits!Iam pleased to confirmthat our studentsattained 100% GCSEequivalent in OCR Nationalsin ICT and anOutstanding externalmoderation report lastacademic year. ICT isan exciting and fast changing aspect of our increasinglydigital world. That is why we are committed at WA topreparing this digital generation to succeed.We have placed a strong emphasis on students beingproficient in the use of software within an ICT problemsolving context. There is a focus on developing robustresearch skills; digital product planning; presentationof ideas; creative thinking and problem solving.In addition to the OCR Nationals, the new CambridgeNationals in ICT were adopted in September 2012which focus on skills as well as the computerknowledge expected by future employers and placesof study. In Year 9, students have been learning basicprogramming skills using Python and are encouragedto transfer the skills acquired in learning new softwarewhen creating websites or animations.Students also develop their knowledge and awarenessof issues associated with living in a digital world suchas avoiding identity theft and being aware of the implicationsof their ‘virtual footprint’.We look forward to continuing with our after schoolcatch-up and revision sessions which run throughoutthe year for all Key Stages enabling students to accessspecialist software which they are unlikely to have accessto at home. As a result of student demand, wehave been offering Computer Science Programming asan enrichment activity during period 5 since September2013.By Mr Curtis, Teacher of ICTYear 7 Earhart group have been taking their literacy priorityvery seriously and produced wonderful creative writing forMiss Cole about what happens to a water particle when waterboils. Here is one impressive example:I am the water particle,A particle of H2O.I am to be used for an experimentWhat will happen to me, I don’t know.They added to me something called rock salt,Then turned a yellow flame blue,Poured me into a basin,Then left me and the rock salt to stew.To be burnt and boiled,I was in so much pain,Being boiled above it,I was at the mercy of the flame.Due to the flame I began to bubble,I felt myself begin to disappear,I knew I was in trouble.Slowly, I was being turned into gas.I am no longer liquid,I am within the air,I feel free,I was liquid water, now I am in the air.By Eleanor O’Connor, Year 7FREE English lessonsfor parents and carers at WA!Every Wednesday and Friday 1-3pmStarting October 2nd. For more infocontact Sheba Begum: 07962 346874SBegum16@WestminsterAcademy.bizWestminster Academy The Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road, London W2 5EZ - 020 7121 0600 - www.westminsteracademy.net