Events
News
LSST students win the Mars Rover Challenge.
On Tuesday 17th April a group of eleven Year 8 pupils went to Cambridge University for the ‘Mars Rover Challenge’ held at the world famous Cavendish Laboratory.
During the morning, we were given a tour of two different colleges that make up the university, Fitzwilliam and Churchill. The different histories of the two institutions was fascinating, one being developed in the garden of Charles Darwin’s widow, Emma, and the other being founded by Winston Churchill after the second world war.
We then walked across to the Cavendish Laboratory for lunch and a guided tour of the Science Museum there. Here we saw examples of the equipment designed at the end of the 19th Century to unify electric and magnetic theories and to discover the first sub-atomic particles. There was even a working cloud chamber where we could see the traces left by alpha particles and gamma radiation.
After lunch we began the Mars Rover challenge, where we had to design and make a rocket shell, a Mars rover, a landing craft and a spectroscope. We worked as a team, competing with groups from two other schools, trying to make sure each of our different components were suitable for their particular purpose. After a number of redesigns and modifications taking over two hours, we were finally ready for testing. The rover had to drive over deep sand and small boulders and then over a separate rocky terrain. Our large diameter wheels with added friction from rubber bands allowed our rover to complete both courses; the only vehicle to do so out of the three groups. The rocket was then tested in a wind tunnel, where a smoke trail showed how the air moved over the surface of the vessel. Finally our landing craft was tested with an accelerometer, where we were trying to minimise the forces on landing. Our craft, together with its parachute, soft nose-cone and securing foam straps won this particular round as well. When all the results were in The Priory Academy LSST were the overall winners of the challenge, and all the team members received a prize. It was the perfect end to a really interesting and enjoyable day.
Ancient History and Classics Day
On Wednesday 18th April, we hosted six academics from the Ancient History and Classics faculty at the University of Oxford, led by Dr Peter Haarer from Trinity College.
Over forty students from Year 9 had been given some preliminary reading material before the Easter holiday, in order to prepare for the event. In several separate groups, the students took part in four different sessions during the morning, covering aspects of archaeology, ancient history, classical literature and the opportunities arising from studying Classics at degree level. The aim of the day was to broaden the experience of our students in classical texts and history outside the usual school curriculum, and to give them an opportunity to ask any questions about the process of applying to a very competitive university like Oxford.
After a lunch for presenters and students in the Sixth Form common room, some of our Year 11 and Year 12 students had a choice of three afternoon sessions. These were in smaller groups covering some challenging material in the format of an Oxford tutorial. This provided the individuals involved with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and techniques which will be really important both in A level History and future interview situations.
The delegation from Oxford had a very enjoyable day visiting the Academy and it is planned that the Year 9 students who found the sessions particularly interesting will make a return visit to Oxford University early in the next academic year. The Year 11 and 12 students were encouraged to contact Dr Haarer and his team if they have any questions about the content of the day or the wider classical history field. We hope some of those involved will choose to apply courses at Oxford in the future.
CCF Basic Recruit Training Camp
Year Eight students from across the Priory Federation of Academies have once again had the opportunity to take part in an intensive four-day training camp this year in order to prepare them for entry into the Combined Cadet Force. The camp began with two days of classroom-based learning at both the Priory City of Lincoln Academy and the Priory Academy LSST covering the core areas of the RAF and Army syllabi, including military knowledge, fitness, first aid, teambuilding, drill and fieldcraft, following which the recruits deployed into the field at RAF Cranwell to complete a basic fieldcraft exercise and continue their introduction to the CCF.
Over the course of their weekend in the field, the recruits participated in a range of activities and lessons, including movement with a weapon, camouflage and concealment, nightline, the duties of a sentry, and patrols, amongst others, led by both staff and senior cadets. The recruits were also taught how to construct a shelter and to cook their own meals from a ration pack, both of which they put to the test over the course of the exercise. The camp was another great success for the CCF and it was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic young people working together and putting their new skills to good use. We hope to see many of them continuing their training with us for years to come.
A big thank you to the staff and seniors that gave up their time to support the new recruits on this training camp.
Olivia saves the day!
Olivia Clark, relatively new to the Welsh Women’s Football squad, represented the U19 team in Portugal over the Easter break. She played for two of the three matches in which they played and managed to keep a clean sheet in her second match helping them beat the hosts, Portugal, 1-0!
The following is adapted from a piece in which Olivia features on the FA Wales website:
The breakthrough came following a corner delivered in the 48th minute. Wales scored from the set piece, slotting the ball in to the corner of the goal.
Portugal, eager to level the score, saw further attempts on goal thwarted by keeper Clark. Notable were saves to deny Amado and Rebimbas, ensuring that the goal was the difference for Wales to win their final game of the UEFA Women’s U19 Championship Elite round.
Lincoln Drama and Music Festival Success
Priory Academy LSST students enjoyed huge success in the recent Lincoln Music and Drama Festival, competing against other students from across Lincolnshire and winning and being placed in a variety of classes.
Prose Speaking up to School Year 9: Catherine Booth Y9 2nd place
Verse Speaking up to School Year 9: Catherine Booth Y9 3rd palace
Verse Speaking up to School Year 11: Harry Downes Y10 2nd place
Bible Reading up to School Year 11: Catherine Booth Y9 2nd place
Dramatic Selection up to School Year 7: Abigail Hannan Y7 2nd place
Dramatic Selection up to School Year 11: Harry Downes Y10 3rd place
Shakespearean Collection: Catherine Booth Y9 2nd place
Dramatic Duologue: Lily Hood Y13 1st place
Vocal Trio up to School Year 9: William Bain Y9, William Jackson Y9, Theo Sargent Y8 1st place
Light Opera/Musical Theatre Piece up to School Year 9: Libby Challans Y9 1st place, Charlotte Gordon Y8 3rd place
Vocal Solo up to School Year 13: Alyssa Brock Y11 1st place, Lily Platts Y12 2nd place
Vocal Repertoire up to School Year 13: Alyssa Brock Y11 1st place, Lily Platts Y12 2nd place
Light Opera/Musical Theatre Piece up to School Year 13: Alyssa Brock Y11 1st place, Joaquin Pelaez Y12 2nd place
Brass Solo up to School Year 13: George Hall Y11 1st place
Piano Solo up to School Year 7: Megan Duarte Y7 1st place
Piano Solo up to School Year 9: Athena Eng Y8 1st place
Piano Repertoire up to School Year 9: Athena Eng Y8 2nd place
A musical masterclass!
Madeleine Maynes took her Clarinet Grade 8 Jazz examination with Trinity on Thursday 15th March at the Mile Cross Centre. It is very rare for a student to gain full marks in a piece during a practical exam; Madeleine achieved full marks in all three of her pieces and her technical study. This is extremely rare! In the overall examination she got a total of 97 out of 100 - an amazing result! The examination representative made a special 'phone call to her teacher, Mr Thaxter, as she had never seen such a result before. Madeleine said “I receieved a 'phone call last night from my teacher and I was shocked but really happy with the news.” She is planning to study Music at Newcastle University next year. We think they will be very lucky to have her. We look forward to hearing about many more musical successes within the Academy. Well done, Maddy. We are very proud of you.
Jago Onians and the Year 13 music group.
Easter Short Story Competition
Well done to everyone who entered the Library competition to write a short story on the theme of rebirth, renewal and new life to celebrate Easter. 70 students entered and so many of their stories were brilliant it really was the hardest ever competition to judge. People’s interpretations of the theme varied wildly, from lambs and springtime to war and science fiction – they made for fascinating reading! Please do come in the Library and read some of these stories if you would like to.
Everyone who participated earned a house point, and our entreaty to keep on writing! Lots of other students besides the winners showed real imagination and talent in their story writing and shouldn’t be put off if they didn’t win this time.
The standard of the winning stories was very high. Winners listed below have earned house points as explained, and prizes too.
1st place (20 house points):
Catriona Eke 8.6 Alexandria
2nd place (15 house points):
Evie Fisher 8.5 Avalon
3rd place (10 house points):
Abigail Hannan 7.2 Castille
Runners up (5 house points each):
Oliver Fox 7.1 Sempringham
Matthew Chaudhary 7.2 Castille
David Willumsen 7.2 Castille
Catherine Davies 7.7 Sempringham
Ewan Danyluk 7.9 Alexandria
Callum Drakes 8.4 Castille
Athena Eng 8.4 Castille
Sara Hutchinson 8.6 Alexandria
Netball victories
After a slow start the Year 11 team bounced into action against an extremely competitive and tough Will Farr team. The girls have met this team before and only narrowly beat them last time. However the girls were absolutely incredible and played some beautiful netball throughout the game. With some brilliant defending from Jo and Tomiya and some lovely marking from Ella Wood Will Farr became frustrated in their attacking circle. With some exceptionally great sportsmanship from players such as Courtney Delaney at WA who continued to be fouled throughout the game, the girls all worked hard to keep possession of the ball and deliver it safely to the shooters Sophie, Juliet and Qi Qi. Yasmin kept control of the game throughout encouraging the players to look after the ball and work it around the circle which they do with such ease and Juliet continued to dominate the top of the circle giving their very strong GD the run around! An absolute pleasure to watch girls and a well-earned victory!
Final Score 18-11 win!!
Players' Player Tomiya Hills
Well done girls! A hugely successful season and a very talented group of students…. You are an asset to our department and we hope you continue you netball career in the future. We will defiantly look forward to the new season and a truly incredible U19 squad!
Joanna Moomba
Juliet Price
Yasmin Rickaby
Tomiya Hills
Ella Wood
Courtney Delaney
Sophie O’Boyle
QiQi Carter
Today's Year 7 match against William Farr was a huge success too. All of our team players played exceptionally well, especially the attacking side. I feel we communicated well as a team, supporting each other throughout the whole match. I think the final score proved that everyone put in 100% effort in this game.
Final Score 21- 2 win!!
Players' Player and Match report by Freya Bentley.
Stephanie Ainsworth
Freya Castledine
Leah Omerod
Freya Bentley
Niamh Monaghan
Evie McDougall
Tilly Gillespie
Coco Choi
Well done girls we are hugely proud of your success this evening a fantastic game to watch and training sessions are totally paying off.
Easter Concert
On the evening of Wednesday 21st March we were treated to a wonderful display of musical talent involving students from all year groups. They entertained us with an eclectic range of music performed by our choirs, string and wind ensembles, jazz group, vocal trio, Year 7 rock band (The O-Rings) and three outstanding soloists. The standard of performance was truly impressive and it was lovely to see some new faces in the mix – students who had never played or sung in front of an audience before. That takes quite a bit of courage and we applaud them all for the hard work and weeks of practice that made an event like this possible. It was a delightful evening that showed once again just how much musical talent we have in our Academy. Thank you to all of the staff and students who were involved.
Holly takes part in Future Chef National Final
On Monday 12th March 2018 Holly Blockley attended the Future Chef National final at the Westminster Kingsway College London. To get to the National Final is an amazing achievement in itself. This year a record 12 150 students entered the competition across the country. Holly successfully made it to the final twelve, representing the East Midlands region. She was the only returning competitor from last year’s final, which could have proved to be an advantage as she knew what to expect. At the same time it was a disadvantage, because the judges could pay her more attention.
For the second year running we have experienced chef mentoring issues. Holly and her mother had been working tirelessly to produce a two course menu consisting of a main and dessert from the designated shopping basket. Mark Heirs had been in contact with Holly via email to offer his support and ideas. Four days before the event Holly went through her dishes with Chef Steve Deakins and a colleague from Gather and Gather food services.
Preparation was not the best, but Holly was determined to make the most of her opportunity and not use this as an excuse. She held her nerve on the day and cooked her heart out. The standard of cooking from all of the contestants was amazing. It was a truly difficult task for the judges to assess the contestants' dishes. The calibre of judges was extremely high this year and included Rick Stein. Unfortunately Holly didn’t place this time but she has gained more valuable experience. She still could participate next year if she wants to. Time will tell.
