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Welcome
BELVEDERE
Summer
July-August
To The Belvedere Academy EZINE
2012 Autumn Edition
* *
ACADEMY
Ezine

Year 6 Assessment Morning98% of
On Saturday, 6th October 2012, the eager Year 6 applicants and their parents streamed down the
length of Belvidere Road, anxious to begin their Fair Banding entrance assessment. Community Police
were once again in attendance to help calm traffic and control parking along Belvidere Road as the
Year 6 students and their parents arrived and nervously queued up outside the Academy in advance
of the 8.30am start.
Huge long queues stretched and snaked their way up along the length of Belvidere Road outside
the Academy as a result of the record breaking 531 applications received for the 120 Year 7 places
available in September 2013.
After being wished good luck and being said goodbye to by their parents at the front door, students
were then warmly greeted by a combination of Belvedere staff and students from Year 7 and the Sixth
Form. After being registered and signed in, applicants were then taken to classrooms by Belvedere
Academy Year 7 student helpers to start their assessments.
37% A*- A
GCSE grades
Despite the nervous build up for the applicants, and the huge numbers of students, the Fair Banding
Assessment was conducted very smoothly and was over and done with successfully within the space
of the morning.
As well as sitting the Fair Banding Assessment during the morning, the Year 6 girls had opportunity for
refreshments and to relax and socialise with their primary school friends, and to meet and talk with
Belvedere Academy students and staff. It was good to see that the early nerves and apprehension
had been lifted from the faces of the girls and replaced with smiles, as they enjoyed a break and
shared a chat with some of their primary school friends, and Year 7 Belvedere girls.
Parents will be informed by the Liverpool Local Authority admissions team on 1st March 2013 of
the outcome of their preferences and if they have been successful in achieving a place at Belvedere
Academy for September 2013.
By Mr I. Irwin, Associate Principal
64% A*- B
GCSE grades
91% of all GCSE
grades at A*- C
all
students achieved
5x A*- C

GDST NORTHERN TRUST RALLY
Belvedere Academy is renowned for hosting a cornucopia of events at its site and the first week of
term is no exception! On Wednesday 12th September, Belvedere Academy, Birkenhead High School
Academy, Central Newcastle High School, Northampton High School, Nottingham Girls’ High School,
Sheffield High School and Shrewsbury High School all battled it out with one another in an array of
sporting events. In doing so, they were taking part in the GDST Northern Trust Rally.
Events at the rally included: badminton, table tennis, tennis, rounders, volleyball, trampolining and
even an event for Gifted and Talented girls. It was a thrilling day for all teams including our very own
special team of Belvedere representatives. The Belvedere B team won first place in table tennis, and
the junior rounders team snatched a well deserved third place. Well done, girls!
All pupils and staff shared an enjoyable and rewarding experience and are already looking forward to
attending the rally next year in Newcastle! Well done to all the girls who participated and all the P.E.
staff for their hard work in organising the event. It was a truly memorable day.
Sporting news
Dance Leaders
Bupe Chanda-Mutale, Chantelle Range and Jessica Walker completed a Dance Leaders course during
July 2012. They learnt lots of new dance skills along with leadership, communication, teamwork,
organisation and confidence. They had many opportunities to teach their newly acquired skills and
knowledge to primary pupils at a dance summer school. These pupils showed great enthusiasm and
role model qualities throughout their time with staff and pupils alike. Well done, girls!
Badminton Champions
Congratulations to the KS3 and KS4 Badminton pupils who won the Liverpool Schools Sports
Partnership League last year. We look forward to defending the title this year!
KS3 Team: Amy Siu, Sophie Williams, Octavia Ferns and Maira Malik
KS4 Team: Issra Bulgasim, Ellie Wilson, Samira Abdo and Amy Siu
Olympics 2012
2012 was an exciting and inspirational summer of sport. With London hosting the Olympics and
Paralympics, many people were influenced and motivated to watch, spectate and participate in many
sporting activities. The support for Team GB was second to none. Some pupils at our school had the
privilege of meeting and participating in sprinting and hurdles sessions with heptathlete Katarina
Johnson-Thompson. Katarina came 15th in the Heptathlon and achieved a personal best in the
Olympics 2012. She is aiming for more success in Rio 2016. We hope that Belvedere should continue
to participate in sport and support GB athletes.
By the PE Department

MFL week
– Behind the scenes
As you will all remember, Modern Foreign Languages week took place just a few
weeks ago. Some of the highlights from the activities included: Irish dancing, flamenco
dancing, learn-a-new-language, and a visit from All Things Latin. We went to talk to
the MFL department to get some more information on why we have MFL week and
they explained that, “We have MFL Week to celebrate the different languages being
used all over the world, so it’s not just us celebrating, it’s the whole of Europe and
other places as well.”
The MFL department kicked off the week sporting their new uniforms at assembly
to inform us about the amazing range of activities on offer. Mr McGovern was
particularly pleased by the success of the annual MFL karaoke in which brave teachers
and groups of students performed a range of songs by artists such as ABBA, High
School Musical, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin. Watch this space for next term’s
enrichment list which will hopefully included Irish dancing, back by popular demand!

Q&A
with
Esther McVey
Congratulations to a former Belvedere Head Girl
who is now a junior minister at the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP)
How did Belvedere prepare you and help you achieve your goals?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had many successful careers; in journalism and TV production, in
business, I’ve written a book and I’ve set up the biggest business women’s network in the northwest.
Now, I’m very proud to say I have the very important role of MP for Wirral West and, in the last few
months, I’ve been promoted to my first Ministerial role as the Minister for Disabled People.
I am very grateful for the great educational start Belvedere gave me. Having a strong, educational
grounding enabled me to have the confidence to believe in myself and to strive for the top. The
school also instilled a strong work ethic, which I have taken forward into all aspects of my work. More
than that though, the school instilled a community spirit, the importance of helping others and team
work. For that I am eternally grateful.
I believe we should open up opportunities for young people and encourage them through role
models, which is why I have written the careers book “If Chloe can” (which I did with the pupils from
Belvedere,) and started up the House of Commons apprentice scheme.
What advice can you give to aspiring young women in the school now?
The importance of education should not be underestimated. It is a stepping stone to a whole range
of opportunities. Work hard and you will reap the benefits. Learning has to overcome failure – that’s
key. Things often go wrong, that’s life, but how you cope with failure and how you put those things
right is what life is about. Resilience, determination and flexibility of mind are crucial to succeed. So
is having a good sense of humour, sometimes you have to be able to laugh at yourself, but in a kind
and forgiving way.
It is also vital that you’re supportive of others and share the same opportunities. I am passionate
about giving all young people the best start in life. Much of my work has been focused on giving
careers advice to young people, supporting apprenticeships, setting up a business network – Winning
Women - and pushing for investment in start-up businesses.
What are your strongest qualities?
I am very much a people person and I have a curious mind and that makes me very interested in
people and their lives. I believe this is one of the best ways to learn from others. I’m not judgmental
too. I believe everyone has gifts and qualities , we just need to work together.
My family upbringing was very happy and loving but money was often tight. Although I benefited
from my parents’ successes, I liked their challenges. I think for this reason, my parents taught me a
sense of responsibility and self reliance which I have always benefited from.
What is your best memory of school?
It would have to be the friends I made and I have still kept in touch with some of them even today.
Another memory was in my first year at Belvedere. I stood for my first election aged 11 at the school
hustings. It was obviously a sign of things to come!
And as for my mum…her best memory was when I was made Head Girl – she was as pleased as punch.

Belvedere says ‘OK’ to OK Foundation
You might remember from past assemblies that Belvedere is supporting the OK Foundation, which
promotes awareness of SADS. OK stands for Oliver King, the 12 year old whom this charity is named
after. Sadly, Oliver King passed away because of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome). SADS
is caused by heart rhythm abnormalities. These abnormalities can cause sudden death in young,
apparently healthy, people – who are undiagnosed which is why it is so important to make young
people aware of the condition.
However, there is a way these conditions can be treated and prevented. The OK Foundation has been
set up to try and do this. Part of their action plan is visiting schools, as you might remember from our
recent whole school assembly, Oliver King’s father, Mark, the leader of the OK Foundation, visited
Belvedere and told us about the defibrillator; the vital piece of equipment that can be used to save
people who are suffering from an attack caused by SADS. Belvedere is supporting the OK Foundation
by purchasing a defibrillator, and you can too, by signing their
E-petition to help towards getting the government to do their
bit too to help save SADS sufferers. Belvedere has raised over
£850 to buy another defibrillator.
To find out more about the OK Foundation, and find out how to make
a donation, visit www.theoliverkingfoundation.co.uk
By Charlotte Cole
After journeying 24 hours we finally arrived at our destination, Kings Camping Costa Brava! Greeted
on arrival by glorious sunshine and lovely ‘groupies’, no time was wasted as we dived right into the
busy week that lay ahead. We were treated to catamaran sailing, canoeing; snorkelling, banana
boats. Even when we arrived back at the cabins there was little time to rest before we took part in
the evening entertainment and disco. Sometimes we ate in the big gazebo on site and other times
we were treated to a buffet on the beach.
We all loved our time there with the glorious sun and amazing activities. There were so many holiday
highlights, from watching everybody falling off the banana boat to snorkelling with the multi-coloured
fish; it was an amazing experience!
By Lindsey Jones
Duke of eDinburgh
Are you an adventurous person? Like the sound of finding your way out of the woods or camping in
a field? Then the Duke of Edinburgh Award is for you. It’s not just your sporting prowess that D of E
can challenge, but your musical, dramatic, map reading, first aid and basic survival skills too! On the
Award, you get the chance to go to many different places; recently we have been to Lancashire and
Wales.
If you are 14 or over, committed and focused then you can apply for the D of E award. This is a great
way to stand out on UCAS and sixth form applications. There are enrichments 1-2 times a week. On
the actual trip, for a bronze award you stay for 2 days and 1 night. For your silver award the trip lasts
for 3 days and 2 nights. Interested? You can talk to Madame Saulnier in MFL or Miss Vaughton in
Science.
By Laura Jones and Nieve Fernadez-Torella

European Youth Parliament - Girls Aloud
As we know, Belvedere girls are rarely short of an opinion and even rarer are the occasions when
that opinion isn’t voiced. Last term saw a group of Sixth Form students represent the school at the
prestigious European Youth Parliament UK National Debating competition held at Liverpool Hope
University. The session comprised of 4 days of committee work and debates during which, students
had to defend and oppose resolutions put forward by those representing their schools from across
the UK. Even the local media were supporting us; BBC Radio Merseyside conducted an interview
with Natasha Taylor, Bethany Mcloughlin and Miss Keating on their Drive Time show to introduce the
topics up for discussion to the rest of the region.
On Saturday 7th July, all students debated motions for 11 hours; the calibre of competition was
extremely high. Although a winning spot at an International session went to another school, Belvedere
once again demonstrated strength, endurance and articulation throughout the competition and
subsequently are now alumni of The European Youth Parliament. Well done team Belvs 2012!
Congratulations to Natasha Taylor, Bethany Mcloughlin, Lucinda Ross, Steph Mcalden, Heidi Ferns,
Chloe Carter, Niamh Forde and our new Head Girl Eleanor Moubray.
By Laura Keating
Year 12 Artists
Year 12 artists visited ‘Brantwood’ the home of John Ruskin
set in the Cumbrian hills overlooking Coniston Water. Ruskin
was an eminent Victorian, an influential art critic, gifted artist,
amateur geologist, botanist, etymologist, mythologist and early
environmentalist.
John Ruskin altered the way we look at art and architecture he
wrote, ‘that everything you see in the world around you presents
its self to the eyes only as an arrangement of patches of different
colours’. Ruskin encouraged artists not to view a ‘stone with
moss’ literally, but to look closely and see within it another word. Hannah and Demi collecting
Emily and Chloe sketching
from collected samples
Rebekah and Hannah found the
perfect spot for a day’s sketching
Hannah recording
close up images
sketchbook examples
Amy and Lois working
in the studio gallery
With these ideas in mind the Year 12 artists, with the aid of sketchbooks and cameras, explored
the surrounding wild and romantic gardens and woodland. The interior of the house was equally
inspirational, full of collections of natural objects and curios, extraordinary examples of Ruskin’s
water colours and large drawings which Year 12 are studying in relation to their A. Level project.
By Kate Deeley

INTERVIEW
with student
Rebecca Tunney
The Olympic star Rebecca
Tunney now attends our
school. We Interviewed
Rebecca to see how she is
settling in here, and get some
tips for anyone who wants to
be as successful as she has
been at London 2012.
Rebecca told us she has recently moved to Liverpool and is really enjoying being close to her local
training ground on Park Road. She is enjoying the school and making new friends. We asked her what
London 2012 was really like for an athlete? ‘I was really nervous, but we all had a lot of preparation
before the games.’ Rebecca said, smiling at the memories of competing at one of the finest sporting
competitions in the world. She also gave us a piece of advice that is not just relevant to sport but for
all girls striving for success, ‘keep working hard and keep trying’.
Pictures by daveshopland.com
Rebecca is currently training
hard, both for her exams and
hopefully the next Olympic
Games. We wish her all the
best!
By Esme Skinner, Lily Davies
and Georgia McChrystal

SUMMER FUN WITH FOOD
Ready, Steady Cook! During the
first week of the summer holidays,
Belvedere Academy hosted an
Olympic themed summer school. The
girls were placed in groups and were
able to take part in various challenges
during the week relating to media,
drama, P.E. and food technology.
In Food Technology, the girls had
to work as a team and were given a
‘Ready Steady Cook’ task. Each team
was presented with a tray of the same
ingredients including a piece of rising
bread dough! Their challenge was to
create a pizza that represented The
Olympics in some way.
The finished pizzas were so creative in their design and production. Some were shaped as flags,
Olympic torches, medals or Olympic rings. Others had pizza toppings arranged in letters or pictures
with some spare dough being kneaded into athletes! Two groups in particular made a really exciting
presentation at the end of the challenge – they ran in with their pizza torch! It needed to be seen to
be believed. Everyone agreed that the best part was the eating of the pizza at the end.
As part of the ‘Can Cook’ initiative, two groups had the opportunity to visit either Il Forno or Sapporo
Teppanyaki restaurants to see other cultures’ culinary skills. At Il Forno pizzeria they made their
own pizzas and watched them be baked in the furnace. At ‘Sapporo’ the girls were treated to a
demonstration of sushi making by a really talented chef. They then had the chance to make their
own sushi. Most of the girls did not like the Wasabi (hot horseradish sauce) that was used, but they
’relished’ the experience! They were all presented with a t-shirt at the end. By Sian Gillett
Mrs. Traynor’s Year 11 Biology classes were
treated to a special lesson recently. They took
part in a highly skilled A Level Biology practical
involving isolating chloroplasts from stinging
nettles. The girls extracted the chloroplasts from
the nettles using special chemicals and then
proceeded to try and get them to photosynthesis
in distilled water using only the light from a lamp.
Each group successfully extracted between
50 and 75 chloroplasts. Overall it was a very
enjoyable experience.
By Carmel Traynor
Chloroplastic fantastic

These accessories are even being worn by celebrities. The jewellery all comes in many colours including
pink, purple, silver, green, and many more for only £2-£3 for the bangles and £4 per pair for the
earrings and choker necklaces; so there is something for you whatever your taste. They are all made
by Catherine Bennett, 51 and her daughters. Catherine, a breast cancer survivor is an Ambassador for
breast cancer and started off aiming to raise only a few hundred pounds but now is aiming for £3,000.
To find out more about this great cause visit www.breakthrough.org.uk/ ask Mrs Rigby or Mrs Barry
Gallardo. Also, to help Catherine and the cause, you can donate ring pulls or even ribbon to help for
making the jewellery, in the jars around the school. Over £2800 worth of these bracelets have been
sold already and even Peter Crouch and Abi Clancy are wearing them so get ahead of the trend and
buy one now! Details of where, when and from whom to buy these bracelets will be given soon, but
if you would like to purchase one sooner, ask Mrs Rigby.
By Charlotte Cole
Do you recognise this owl? This is Oscar, the
Sixth Form mascot. He goes on all the trips
with Sixth Form students; this month he went
to Bath and The Northern College of Music.
He is always helping the girls and even the
teachers remember things for their travels.
Oscar has helpful notes for the girls to use for
work and other important things. Notes range
from helpful school life tips to handy study
revision guides. Typically, Oscar reminds sixth
formers to remember their manners, tips for
trips and never forget to buy Mr (Sir Leader)
Lucas an apple pie from McDonalds!
Not just the Head Girl and her team use
Oscar’s tips, oh no! All of the Sixth Former
students use his helpful reminders and ideas.
He is not just a teddy owl he is a very helpful
sidekick to defeat those awful study tasks
and hard work frustration. You can find Oscar
in the Sixth Form office; pay him a visit today!
By Laura Jones and Nieve Fernadez-Torella
Ring-Pull Bracelets
Breakthrough Breast
Cancer
What better way to show your
support than dressing up! As many
of you will know 9B, along with Mrs
Rigby are selling bracelets, bangles,
choker necklaces and even earrings,
all made from can ring pulls to collect
money to raise support.
Oscar the Owl
Scholastic Cover 2 Cover Book Club
Over the next few weeks, every pupil in Key Stage
3 will be given a Scholastic Book Club brochure
during form time or library lessons. I have set
up our Scholastic Book Club school group order
online. This means you can now order all the
books in your Book Clubs leaflet and many more at
http://clubs-school.scholastic.co.uk/belvedereschool-seniors
You’ll be able to have your books
delivered to school free of charge.
You need to order your books by Thursday 6th
December 2012. After that date, I will confirm that
all orders are in and the books will be delivered to
school for me to hand out in class. For every £1
you spend 20p goes back to our school to spend
on books for our library.
Take a look at what’s on offer here http://clubsschool.scholastic.co.uk/belvedere-school-seniors
By Miss Murphy
Advertising In The Belvedere
Academy News Ezine
The Belvedere Academy News Ezine is published five
times a year, in September, November, January, April
and June. 1500 electronic copies are widely distributed
among parents, local businesses, nurseries, churches and
primary schools. Advertising with us will reach a large
target audience throughout Liverpool.
All revenue is put back into the production of the
magazine.
The advertising rates and advert dimensions are:
• FULL PAGE COLOUR £250
Inside front/back cover 180x265mm
• FULL PAGE A4 BLACK & WHITE £200
180X265mm
• ½ PAGE COLOUR OR BLACK & WHITE £60
(landscape) 180x130mm
• ¼ PAGE COLOUR OR BLACK & WHITE £40
(portrait) 90x130mm
To place an advertisement, please contact Mr Peter
Dykeaylen on 0151 471 1845. Advertisements should
be submitted as JPEG or PDF files on CD or emailed to
p.dykeaylen@belvedereacademy.net
Cheques should be made payable to GDST Academy Trust.
All copies and payments need to be received one month
before publication.
Congratulations to the News Team from Belvedere’s
Journalism Enrichment run by Mr Dykeaylen and Miss
Keating: Amelia Connor Afflick, Nieve Fernadez-Torella,
Laura Lones, Angelina Steward, Georgia McChrystal,
Charlotte Cole, Amy Bunnet, Abigail Dunn, Libby Barton,
Serena-Beth Evans, Emily Fleetwood, Bethany Oram,
Tayla Brack, Lily Davies, Esme Skinner and Isabella Byrne.
Many thanks to teaching staff who have also contributed
articles and photographs. For more news please visit
www.belvedereacademy.net
If you have any comments or suggestions for the
magazine then please contact Mr Peter Dykeaylen:
p.dykeaylen@belvedereacademy.net
The Belvedere Academy
17 Belvedere Road
Princes Park
Liverpool
L8 3TF
0151 727 1284
Email: info@belvedereacademy.net
Website: www.belvedereacademy.net