Shirebrook Academy

Today we have a super learning day for all students on health and well being.  All our Y11 students are paying a vist to West Notts College for taster sessions and careers advice.

Monday 26th – Friday 30th September Shirebrook Acadmy celebrated European Week of Languages, during which a whole
host of activities and events were arranged by the Modern Languages department. Each day had a specific theme:

Monday saw the Academy turn Italian for the day with Italian food on offer in the diner and a chance for students to learn some Italian at lunch time.

Tuesday was Greek day! At lunchtime, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Kelly led a Greek dancing session which was supported by a strong number of around 60 students and a number of staff members as well! After-school there was a French crepe making session with Miss Staniforth which was attended by 20 students and five further staff members. A fantastic time was had by all, and SLT even had the chance to taste the students’ creations as orders were placed, with Rachel Brewin and Demi Bispham running tirelessly back and forth from T-Block to C-Block!

Wednesday was French day and boasted the showpiece event of the week – French Food Tasting. This event was attended by two professional footballers from Notts County – Hamza Bencherif (French speaker) and Cristian Montaño (Spanish speaker), who took the time to talk to staff and students, pose for photographs and sign around hundereds of autographs, as well as encouraging students to try the French food on offer! Students thoroughly enjoyed this event and the sight of C2B full to the rafters was hugely pleasing!

On Thursday, German was celebrated with some German food on offer in the diner and a chance to learn some basic German at lunchtime. After-school there was a showing of Shrek: The Final Chapter in French with English subtitles, including pain au chocolat and popcorn to add to the atmosphere.

The final day of the week saw the Academy celebrate the Spanish language, with Spanish food on offer in the diner, and a showing of Friends in Spanish and Spanish Food tasting taking place in C2B.

Thanks must go out to all students and staff who took part and helped to make the week a huge success!

Here’s what the students had to say:

Rachel Brewin (Year 8): This week I went to Crepe Making and I really enjoyed it because it was fun and we also had something else to do apart from sitting in the house! We also watched Shrek the movie in French which was different! This week we also met two footballers called Hamza Bencherif and Cristian Montano. We got to take pictures of them and with them! I think that everyone enjoyed this week – I have really enjoyed it as it was something different – I think we should do it again!

Demi Bispham (Year 8): European Languages Week was an amazing idea! People could take part in a range of language classes and meet two famous footballers who spoke Spanish and French, which was a priviledge to do. We also saw a couple of movies and there was also a session giving us the chance to make crepes which was great! Overall it has been an immense week full of unusual but fun things. I would love to do something similar in the future – it was a great way of learning!

Alex Peake (Year 8): In Languages Week I went to every event – learning Italian, Greek dancing, learning German and French and Spanish food tasting. My favourite activity was Greek dancing and French food tasting. My favourite food was the tarte au chocolat (chocolate tart) and the pain au chocolat. We also watched Shrek in French which was awesome, and an episode of Friends in Spanish which was really funny!

Mason Bennett

Mason is a Year 11 student at Shirebrook Academy who is also a fantastic footballer, athlete and student.
Mason began his footballing career at Shirebrook Rangers, playing in defence. After being snapped up for Derby County when he was 11 it became clear that his best position was as a striker and that is the position he has played in ever since.

In the summer Mason was called up by England U17s to represent his country in a tournament in Iceland. Mason played in all four tournament matches and scored on his full England debut. Mason was called into the Derby County first team squad for Carling Cup match against Shrewsbury at the start of this season but didnt manage to get off the subs bench for that match, if he had he would have broken all records regarding the age of first team players. Considering he only turned 15 in July it’s not bad going for such a young lad! Mason played for Derby County reserves last Tuesday against Leicester and scored, again a fantastic achievement!

Mason is also very talented academically, he took several GCSE examinations a year early and gained two A grades in BTEC Sport, B grades in electronics and mathematics and a C in English Language. Alison Brannick, Vice Principal, said ‘ Mason is a fantastic student, we are really proud of all his achievements. He is very motivated with regards to both his football and his academic achievements. He is a superb role model for young people and it is an absolute pleasure to work with him. We are sure he has a very bright future ahead of him’

Are you thinking about booking a summer holiday for 2012? Dont forget that you can recieve an 8% discount at Thomas Cook. To find the voucher and more details click here.

The 2011/2012 year has got off to a great sporting start with Shirebrook Academy students leading the way with sporting success in the district.
On Friday 23 September the Academy celebrated as our students were invited to attend the Bolsover District Sports Awards 2011.
Jade Humphries was nominated for ‘Junior Sports Woman of the Year’ for showing great determination and an outstanding level of personal achievement at regional and national level Kickboxing.
Jarod Collier won the ‘Junior Disabled Sportsperson of the Year’ for his outstanding level of personal achievement and motivation in football with Shirebrook Rangers.
Mason Bennett won ‘Junior Sportsman of the Year’ for his achievements in Football. Mason received the award in light of his success over the last year. Mason has signed a 5 year contract with Derby County FC, had a call up for England and scored during his debut.
On Saturday 24 September, Liam Adams took part in a Karate tournament in Grimsby. Liam entered Points Fighting, and after several bouts achieved first place. A fantastic result!

E safety evening Tuesday 4 October 5pm-7pm Please come along to find out how to ensure you child stays safe on line.
The event will be held in the training centre.
Book a place by emailing: enquiries@shirebrookacademy.org

E Safety

Headline results:
79% 5 A*-C
54% 5 A*-C including English and mathematics
43% 1+ A*/A
28% 3+A*/A
Students and staff at Derbyshire’s first county-council sponsored academy are celebrating after seeing a rise of more than 20% in this year’s GCSE results.
The academy, on Common Lane, replaced Shirebrook School and a new state-of-the-art building to house it is currently being constructed on the same site as part of the Derbyshire Building Schools for the Future scheme.
This year the percentage of students gaining 5 A*-C grades (not including English and maths) is 79% compared to 58% last year.
The percentage of students gaining 5 A*-C including English and Maths is 54% this year compared to 44% last year.
The percentage of students gaining higher grades also increased with 43% of students gaining at least 1 A*/A grades and 28% of students achieving at 3 or more A*/A grades.
All Roads spokesman and Derbyshire County Council strategic director for environmental services Ian Stephenson said: “All Roads is very proud to be a sponsor of the new Shirebrook Academy and these results are extremely impressive.
“The fantastic results reflect all the hard work of the staff team and pupils and I am sure the academy will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Principal, Julie Bloor said: “These results are a huge leap forward and we are all very proud indeed.This has been achieved through real team work, staff and students working together, praising our successes and supporting each other to improve. It is amazing what can be achieved when you set aspirational targets and believe in each other. Shirebrook Academy is on the map and we will continue to build on this success as a school the whole community can be proud of.

Shirebrook Academy Family Fun Day: Truly a day of fabulous fun for all the Community!
On Saturday 9 July 2011, Shirebrook Academy held its first Family Fun day and from its outstanding success, it is sure to be just the first of many more to come!
The day, which ran from 10 am to 4 pm, was superbly orchestrated by Helen Wakefield (SSCO), ably supported by the Physical education department, Academy staff and the students starting Post 16 education at Shirebrook Academy next year.
The school site was transformed, through sheer hard work and ingenuity, into a multitude of stalls provided by organisations from the local community, exciting events such as Dr. Mark’s Science show and other activities such as face painting and the bouncy castle!
These all surrounded the main event- the large central arena which was truly ‘the’ stage for bands, dancers and other performers to showcase their talents and their awe-inspiring music could be heard from the centre of Shirebrook market itself!
The day was a staggering success-superbly supported by the local community who turned out in their droves to be involved in the event and to ‘have-a-go’ at the numerous activities on offer!
The sun shone for this first Shirebrook Academy event and both the Academy and the community, are looking forward to next year’s ‘Family Fun Day’ which is destined to be even bigger and better- although this first one might take some beating!
Take a look at the photo gallery on the fun day page and find out about next years date – put it in your diary now!

Sports Day 7 July 2011
Sports day at Shirebrook Academy was very different this year due to the fact that most of the playing fields at the school have been taken over by contractors building the new school. The whole event took place at Moorways stadium Derby and every student from year 7 to year 10 was transported to the venue in the morning to compete and then transported back in time for buses home. Below is a report by Jessica Tingle of 10AG.

At the start of the day we all gathered around the front of reception ready to go to Moorways Stadium. Some of us went on the buses that were there but then we hit a problem. There weren’t enough buses for the massive amount of people that were going, though we all knew it was no fault of the schools, there was nothing we could do but wait for the other buses to arrive. By the time we had arrived at the stadium we were well behind the planned schedule. Not good.
Then we all heard Mr Stennett from the commentary box, laughing and joking which then lifted our spirits and got us ready to go and do the events and support our teams.
The P.E team were amazing and soon made up the time we had lost from the travel. Each event was well organized and conducted with professionalism that only the Olympics could compete with. As each event passed more and more people cheered, banners swung in the wind and even the dreary weather couldn’t stop us from screaming the names of our team mates and continents.
Everyone loved that we got actual medals for each event winners and it made the competition between teams even better. By the time the relay races were ready to take place the rain had fallen many times but unlike every other sports day we had ever had, it didn’t matter. The spectators were all under the cover of the stand and the atmosphere was wild.
Then came the teachers relay, a good end to a brilliant day. The PE teachers against the other teachers, needless to say that the PE staff won! After the awards ceremony was the perfect way to finish the day. This was an event that will go down in history as the best sports day the school has ever had.
“All the staff and students pulled together to make the 2011 sports day a fantastic event and one that will surely be remembered by all involved” Mr A Gilbert (Head of PE)
“A fantastic first academy sports day – great venue and great organisation. The students had a fantastic time” Shirebrook Academy Senior Leadership Team
“Brilliant day, the best I have ever been involved in” Nick Stafford (Head of year 10)
“Fantastic I loved it” Rebecca Jessup (Teacher of Drama)
“Fantastic day, the PE team did a brilliant job” Bev Holmes (English teacher)
“I really enjoyed being a part of sports day. It was great to see all the kids getting behind their continent, and cheering on other year groups. The standard of the kids sporting ability was extremely impressive, not to mention the behaviour of the kids. They were a credit to the school! I was even pleased to get a chance to take part myself which rounded off the day perfectly. Can’t wait for next year!”- John Moran (cover supervisor)
“Sports day was fantastic this year, it was a great day despite the weather and the venue was perfect. It was great to see students getting really competitive and supporting their form to try and get their continent to win”- Amy Taylor (ICT teacher)
Have a look at the new photo gallery to get a real feel for the day.

The first Shirebrook Community Fun Day takes place tomorrow, 9 July, 10am, – 4pm. Come along and take part. Entry is FREE so why not bring all the family. See you there!!