Y7 students and cadets took part in the Remembrance Service

Y7 and Y8 Art Club students have been making ceramic poppies

Senior Cadets representing the school and the Cadet Force at the Cenotaph

We will remember them.

Students from three year groups have worked in collaboration to design, and create our felted sculpture. Key Stage 3 ‘Art Club’ students produced drawings and designs inspired by what they thought ‘Lincolnshire’ was famous for and what they felt was important to them within our Lincolnshire culture, both currently and historically.  Their skills were combined with the Year 10 students using their interpretation, whilst acting with respect to transfer the younger students’ designs into felted art work.

We chose felt as a technique to do this for a variety of reasons. Our Year 10 students have recently experimented with the technique of felting whilst exploring pattern, emotion and colour. They particularly enjoyed the needle felting technique and the ability to draw with fibres. Traditionally felt was used in Mongolia where tents, yurts, clothing and furnishings were created by hand to aid survival in their environment, exhibiting resilience and innovation. This is something we wanted to reflect with our heart.  Students worked on individual sections of the design which were then brought together onto the sculpture.

  The physical technique of felting really gave the students an opportunity to continually build on their existing skills whist engaging in team building. They developed self- confidence and resilience, where they were relying on their own and each other’s judgements to succeed in over-coming artistic challenges, being respectful to each other in doing so.

Successfully completing the project filled them with a sense of pride and achievement which can be celebrated together.

We are extremely proud of our students for their dedication to all aspects of physical activity and school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our events possible. We are committed to using the School Games to try and engage those young people who haven’t previously been active or represented our school and to try and ensure that all our students have a positive experience and want to try out new activities beyond school too in our community. We believe in the power of physical activity and school sport as a school and give opportunities to those young people that need it most either as a participant, leader, official or volunteer. As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas linked to the five School Games outcomes and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year.

Mrs J Hopkinson, headteacher, said; “We are delighted to receive this award.  It truly is a reflection of the hard work of staff in ensuring the curriculum in computing builds a solid foundation, with relevant life-long skills, in which all of our students can excel and have the confidence and courage to challenge themselves.”

Mr Donaldson, computing teacher, at The Priory Academy LSST, said; “This is a fantastic achievement which has been made possible through the hard work of all in the computing department to ensure that all students at the Academy know they are getting a high-quality computing education.”

The Priory Academy LSST completed all seven aspects of the CQF in order to receive The Computing Quality Mark, which recognises achievement in:

●     Leadership and Vision

●     Curriculum and Qualifications

●     Teaching, Learning and Assessment

●     Staff Development

●     Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and SEND

●     Careers Education

●     Impact on Outcomes

Claire Garside, senior lead facilitator at the NCCE, said;

“Congratulations to The Priory Academy LSST, on becoming an National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) ‘Computing Quality Mark’ school! They’re among the schools leading the way to deliver high standards in computing education. The Computing Quality Mark recognises the quality of their provision to ensure all students receive the computing skills and knowledge so valuable for today and in their future careers.”

NCCE is funded by the Department for Education and supporting partners, to improve the provision of computing education in England. Since the NCCE’s establishment in 2018, it has engaged with 34,000 teachers from more than 19,000 schools in England, created the Teach Computing Curriculum which has seen half a million downloads of lessons.  It has now added the CQF to its provision.

(Photograph courtesy of Lou Abercrombie, photographer.)

To read the full article, please click this link:  https://theday.co.uk/global-young-journalist-international-category-winner-zohra-impresses-at-the-act-conference/?utm_campaign=2192274_2022%20GYJA%20Newsletter%20Template&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Day&dm_i=32K1,1AZKI,8KB1EM,53C3Y,1

English Speaking and writing students were invited from all over the world to write a piece of journalism in different categories. These included:

Campaigning journalist of the year

Interview journalist of the year

International Journalist of the Year

Political Journalist of the Year

Mental Health Journalist of the Year

Environmental Journalist of the Year

Sports Journalist of the Year

From our academy, Zohra Ehsani won in her category from all the entries across the globe – in the category ‘International Journalist of the Year’! Zohra wrote about The Silenced Women under the Taliban. Joanna Mills from the Fairtrade Foundation praised Zohra’s informative and important story. Elysia Cocking won in the category Mental Health Journalist of the Year, writing about Tourettes’ syndrome in a witty and informative style. Tabu Hussein announced Elysia as the winner of the Mental Health category. An amazing achievement from both students!

The Silenced Women under the Taliban

Tourette's Syndrome and its effect on mental health

In July 2021 the Priory LSST Academy were invited by East Midlands Railway to take part in a collaborative art project with community rail* and a local artist.  The piece you see in the picture is the outcome from the workshop on Monday 12^th July with artist, Mel Langton

On Friday 25^th February a group of A Level Art students were invited to the unveiling of the artwork at Lincoln station. This included the six pieces of artwork that have been created by local artist Mel Langton with the pupils in local schools including Lincoln Christ’s Hospital, The Priory Academy LSST and National Citizen Service. 

A Level students were asked to produce a large piece of digital work to be installed at Lincoln train station. Romans to Railways will be an addition to the recent refurbishment of Lincoln station, helping to make it an attractive gateway to the city. During the initial lockdown, whilst most students were working remotely, A Level Art students were researching historical elements of Lincolnshire and developing ideas independently. On Monday 12^th July 2021 students were able to attend a workshop within the Academy where they produced an image based on the manufacture of the tank. This workshop was delivered by a local artist, Mel Langton, who has designed some of the Lincoln Imps for the 2021 trail and previously a Magna Carta 800 Baron.  Nineteen A Level students worked with a variety of media and materials to produce a large image that has now been transformed into a 2-metre by 2-metre aluminium panel displaying the digital art work. All the students are excited to see their artwork in situ, giving them the opportunity to appreciate the city they live in as they experience seeing their work on public display.

The artwork showcases some of Lincoln’s best attractions, as well as the talents of our young artists, who intend to inspire both the local community and visitors to explore all the city has to offer!

*Community rail consists of grassroots partnerships which by engaging with communities help people maximise the benefits their railways offer as well as promoting sustainable travel. They work to improve train services and stations as gateways to their communities and advance the provision of new stations and services. The North Notts and Lincs CRP covers an area of 2,200 square miles served by 11 railway stations, including Lincoln. NNLCRP is a Community Interest Company designed to serve the communities in its area. Stakeholders include train companies, bus operators, councils, Network Rail and Community Rail Network. NNLCRP also support volunteer station adopters.

We had our Remembrance Service in the New Hall, attended by Year 8.  There were some excellent readings and speeches from members of the military and our CCF Cadets plus a fantastic performance of ‘In Flanders Fields’ from our choir. Thank you to all involved in this moving and respectful service.

As well as this, some members of the Priory Federation CCF once again had the honour of representing the Combined Cadet Force, the Military and the Federation at the Armistice Day Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.  All the students carried out their duties in London impeccably.  You may have even seen one of our cadets at the Cenotaph on BBC News!

After a successful application we’re delighted to announce that The Priory Academy LSST has been selected to be a Community Champion in the Bracebridge Heath community. This means that branches in this area will be raising funds for us from 5^th December 2021 to 5^th March 2022 with the main fundraising coming from Co-op members. Every time a member shops and uses their dividend card a donation will go to the Community Champions in the area where they live. In addition, money is added to the pot from carrier bag sales, collection boxes, event days and colleague fundraising. The Community Champions is the Co-op’s way of giving back to local communities. The scheme was launched back in 2013 and since then have supported hundreds of local charities and community groups each year raising amounts from £200 to over £200,000.

We are extremely grateful for the support offered by the Lincolnshire Co-op Community Champions and will ensure that the funds received are fully utilised to establish the allotment and engage our academy community.  

We will keep you updated on our progress.

Regards

Mr Goffe

Amidst all of this, our students rose to the challenge, displayed our values in the face of adversity, and achieved the results they deserved.  Well done to all, and we wish you all the best on your future chosen path.

The Academy has a whole has benefited from the work carried out over the years in terms of healthy eating and understanding the importance of this within the Academy and the wider community.

Due to the cancellation of The Lincolnshire Show 2021, the prestigious Schools’ Challenge was also put on hold, but the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society wished to continue the strong connection with schools and recognise the value of the all-important learning focussed on food, farming, the environment and sustainability. As a result they decided to offer four smaller-scale competitions for the schools to get involved with virtually/remotely.

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society Schools’ Competitions saw an incredible 21% increase in school participation this year. There were four competitions, which included The Great Lincolnshire Tate Off, the Reuse and Grow competition, the Reuse and Show competition and the Photography competition saw 52 schools and 1,032 students get involved over the past three months from Grimsby to Stamford and Gainsborough to Spilsby.

Well done to those involved in the winning entry from our academy for the KS3 Lincolnshire Schools' Tate Off!

Results below:

• 1^st place – Lily H 9.7 Cast
• 2^nd place – Michael D 10.4 Aval
• 3^rd place – Jack D 9.6 Alex

In Jamie’s memory his family are looking to support vulnerable children in Uganda. One way in which this is being done is by collecting children’s football boots/trainers and shirts/shorts/socks that can be shipped over to the children. Many of the children do not own these and play sports without footwear. If you or your child has resources like these which you are willing to donate please can they bring these in and pass them to their Pastoral Learning Mentor or Head of Year.

There is also a fundraising page here and any donations will be gratefully received. Money received will go to the Cefovid charity and help these children in others areas to access education and basic amenities such as fresh water.  The children they aim to support are from 6 to 13 years of age and many are orphans who have not been to school for some time.

Jamie was always selfless with his fundraising, such as his 24 hour YouTube (JP24GM) broadcast for NHS earlier in 2020.

Later in the year a group of students will also be developing fundraising events to further support this cause which we will share with you as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

 The Priory Academy LSST

The students carried out a mini investigation and created a short report about it.

Class teachers have sent Mr Billings the top three reports from their Science groups for consideration as winners for the challenge.

The following have been picked as winners:

Year 7 winners:

1^st Ana B

2^nd Maadhav R

3^rd Oskar N

Year 8 winners:

1^st Daniel R

2^nd Aidan C

3^rd Libby B

• Pancake presentation winner, - Olivia K, 7.9 ALEX

• Pancake creativity winners - 1^st  Freya M, 7.6 ALEX (Unicorn idea)/2^nd Jack D 9.6 ALEX (Roses)/ 3^rd Poppy R 9.8 CAST.

• Participants - Oskar N 7.3 SEMP / Hattie M 7.1 SEMP / Benjamin B 7.5 AVAL / Isla-belle W 7.6 ALEX / Michael D 10.4 AVAL

• Valentine’s Day cupcake staff winner, Mrs Mellor

• Valentine’s Day cupcake student winners - 1^st Jack D 9.6 ALEX / 2^nd William M 8.9 ALEX / 3^rd Matilda H 8.6 ALEX. Participants - Lyla-Mae S 7.2 CAST / Michael D 10.4 AVAL

Since then he has been making ‘heart’ candles for Valentine’s Day. It looks like he will be sending around £15 to the British Heart Foundation from the sale of these!  Well done Leo Beck!

Alex Lowe
Jack Foot
Tim Ho
Katy Day
Husnaa Ahmed
Daniel Copsey
Daisy Savage (4 days before her 25^th birthday cut off!)

The award requires the students to complete five sections of various lengths:

Skills: 6 or 12 months;
Physical: 6 or 12 months (one of each timescale between skills & physical;
Volunteering: 12 months (or as a direct entrant 18 months);
Expedition: Practice of 4 days & 3 nights in wild country followed by an assessment (where students will work alone) for another 4 days and 3 nights in wild country;
Residential: 5 days in a new environment with no more than two people previously known to the student.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme continues to provide students with the opportunity to challenge themselves through a variety of roles across the three award levels (Bronze, Silver & Gold). COVID-19 and the lockdown restrictions have caused some disruption, but for many it has given them opportunity to help vulnerable people in their local community with simple but essential tasks, or focus on their personal wellbeing with a fitness programmes such as couch to 5k or Joe Wicks' challenges, Many have also taken up the challenge of learning to cook, an essential life still, as well as a great help to their parents in these changing times. Well done to all.

If you are interested in understanding more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award at the Priory Academy LSST further information can be found on the Academy's website under extra-curricular – DofE.

Students placing - Cake Presentation

1^st   Madeline Enderby                     

2^nd    Jack Dick                  

3^rd  Michael Dick

Student Special effort award –  Maya Frodsham

Teachers placing – Cake presentation

1^st        Mr Bradwell                       

2^nd    Mrs Cavill

He thought this was a great idea, especially with the current situation with COVID and with the thought that a lot of charity work was unfortunately not being able to go ahead. 

Leo-Beck’s first idea was to make commemorative Poppy candles for Remembrance Sunday. He managed to produce 90 candles and donated £30 to the Royal British Legion. 

His next project is his decorative Christmas candles, where a percentage will be donated to MacMillan. 

I’m sure you’ll agree these are great causes and at the Academy too,we are also proud of his efforts. Well done Leo.

Working with the CCF, Adrian came up with the idea of virtually climbing Mount Everest and calculated that it was 85238 steps/stairs to the top. With the help of his fellow cadets and some national media, Adrian and the team have split the stairs into individual targets of 897 per day for 5 days this week. It may not seem like many but the majority of us have only 12 or 13 stairs in our house so it requires each team member to climb those stairs at least 74 times a day!

The ambition of stair climbing is just the start. The funding is the more important element and therefore the team has set a target of £85 238 (equating to £1 raised for every stair climbed). We would love it if the wider Priory community, staff, students and parents could get involved, even if you just tried 75 flights of stairs and asked someone to donate in recognition of your achievements. All funding is directly linked to the IBCC through our Just Giving Page: Priory CCF Everest Climb, (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ccf-everest-climb)  

Keep an eye out for the latest updates. Any queries please email ccf@prioryacademies.co.uk

This year’s applications for The DofE award are now open to the following year groups:

Bronze – current Year 8 (P218….)

Bronze – current Year 9 (P217…)

Silver – current Year 10 (P216…)

Gold – current Year 11 (if attending the 6^th form)

Gold – new starters in September for the 6^th form

Each year group has been emailed details of the application

Promotion PowerPoints are available on the academy website for each level

Parents are invited to an MS Teams virtual presentation evening at 1800hrs on 6^th May 2020, further details available through an email request to:

Mrs C L Thompson
Priory LSST DofE Manager

On Thursday 9^th April Catherine shaved off her hair in order to raise money for MDNA, a charity that helps those who suffer with Motor Neurone Disease. Catherine’s paternal grandfather died of MND in 2004 and two other family members since. Catherine decided on the Monday before undertaking the shave that she wanted to do something to support MDNA's work.

Initially she aimed to raise £250 but now has raised just over £1,000. An incredible effort! We know her family are incredibly proud of her efforts here and so are we. Being in isolation she wanted to do something different and she has certainly done that. Catherine has made a huge difference for a charity close to her family’s hearts.

If you would like to support Catherine in raising more funds please visit her Just Giving Page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cathy-davies-14

You can also view a video of the moment Catherine’s head was shaved here:

https://www.facebook.com/mary.e.davies.1

Catherine is also donating her hair to the Princess Trust that make wigs for children with cancer.

Well done Catherine! A fantastic effort!!’

Last week staff at the Academy initially responded to a specific request to supply a quantity of goggles, but subsequently took the decision to donate remaining equipment to support work in the current crisis.

As the equipment was handed over to a senior nurse, she was most grateful for all the PPE, particularly for the goggles again, which can be reused and surpassed those which they were presently using.  She wished to pass on her thanks to both staff and students at the Academy and said it would be distributed where most needed.

Our own thanks to the Science department, Mr M Inman of site staff, for helping senior staff collect the resources before delivery and of course to all keyworkers and carers for their on going work.

“Happy belated Easter. This is as a thank you for all the support of the students until we can work together again!”

These are much appreciated and will no doubt be shared by staff with students, as we all support each other in these unusual circumstances.