Dear Families,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over this incredibly busy term. We all know how hard our students and staff have been working and we are all looking forward to the Christmas break.

As it is the end of a term, it is also a time of year where we need to say a couple of goodbyes. Mr Cleland leaves SUA to pursue a career with the Lawn Tennis Association after just over two years with us as a PE teacher. Mr Dunn leaves SUA after nearly 10 years to take on a promotion to a new role with the science department at George Salter Academy in West Bromwich. Good luck to both colleagues, we wish them well in their future careers.

We also wish Ms Owen good luck as she begins her secondment to the Blue Coat Academy in Walsall in January for two terms whilst we welcome Mr Plant to our team. Mr Plant has already been in the academy several times and met with many students and staff. He is really looking forward to working with us all.

It has been a rather busy and a little disruptive end to the term due to snow! I want to extend a big thank you to our site team who have been working tirelessly to keep everyone safe at the academy. We have still managed to hold a wonderful Christmas Concert and our Annual Awards Evening event despite the weather! Thank you to parents for your attendance and support of these events.

We look forward to welcoming students back to the academy on Wednesday 3rd January for an 11.05am start time.

Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas break and very Happy New Year.

Best wishes Mrs Hillier

SUA receive Breakfast Club grant

Student Takeover Day

SUA Breakfast Club are proud and delighted with the funding we have received from Kellogg's. This gives us the chance to invest in new equipment, which will allow us to expand the range of food, drink and social activities that we can provide to students each morning. At SUA we believe that starting the day with a healthy, nutritious breakfast in a friendly and inclusive environment sets every student up for a positive and productive day of learning.

Breakfast Club began three years ago, offering free toast and cereal to all students. Since then we have continued with this practice and attendance at Breakfast Club has risen steadily. On average, we cater for around 40 students each day and we welcome any student who wishes to attend. Breakfast Club offers the students a secure place to start each school day, with a warm welcome and equally warm toast!

Breakfast Club runs from 8am - 8.30am in the canteen and is free to students from all year groups.

Mr G Massey

On Friday 24th November SUA took part in the national "Children's Takeover Day". The Takeover Challenge is a fun and exciting activity for our students. Students within the academy were invited to apply for various working roles within the academy, including the Principal, teachers, support and site staff. SUA opened our doors to the students to take over these roles for the day putting them into a decision-making position. The vacancies were advertised in the library and students completed application forms for the role they were interested in. Students were appointed to roles and the successful applicants attended the academy on the day dressed in work attire and entered via the main staff entrance.

The Creative Arts Faculty extra curricular programme has been alive with students over the past term. Students have been rehearsing at both break times and lunch times to be concert ready. Students wowed us with their performance abilities whether that was through song and poetry to dance and drummers. The Samba Band, African Drummers, SUA Voices, Year 9 Band, Staff Choir, Readers, Dancers and Staff choir performed with both musicality and style. Well done to all involved. Miss E Humpage

The students joined staff in the staffroom for briefing first thing and the student Principal led the briefing with notices from student staff members to read out. During the day students carried out varying tasks alongside their member of staff. The day was a huge success and the students were really positive about their experiences during the day, one student said, “Takeover Day is a brilliant opportunity to spend time learning about the school and it’s beneficial to be able to see the school through the eyes of a teacher”. Overall, Takeover Day was an interesting, fun and insightful day and has inspired our students.

Mr S Andrews

Christmas Concert

SUA raise over £1300 for Children in Need

Staffordshire University Academy raised a massive £1318 for Children in Need this year on the 17 th November 2017.

The students and staff at the academy took part in a range of activities during the day to raise money for Children in Need. The academy student council challenged tutor groups to raise at least £35 in their tutor groups, this was smashed in every group!

Money was raised by holding a non-uniform day at the academy and a range of activities organised and delivered by our students to include guess the name, how many sweets, together with cake sales. A special thank you goes out to our brave teachers who volunteered to take part in a ‘Sponge the Teacher’ event during the academy day. We are all delighted at the amount raised by the students and staff for this very worthwhile charity and this is a huge credit to the people involved.

Assistant Principal, Mr Andrews said…. “We are really proud of the efforts of the students this year and their involvement and ambition to raise funds for such a fantastic cause”.

A huge congratulations and a big thank you to all students and staff who contributed to our Shoe Box appeal. We managed to fill 16 boxes which will help and support 16 special children this Christmas.

Miss L Fletcher and Mrs S Sheppard

RAF Cosford Jack Burnett

Our students were invited to take part in a day of workshops taught by the college lecturers and using college resources. The students selected two workshops, ceramics and photography, from a range of options available. Both staff and students had a wonderful, creative day and both Mrs Garland and myself were very proud when we received high praise regarding our students conduct, behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the day. I would like to thank Mrs Garland for her help with organising this visit as well as the Year 11 students who accompanied us. Miss L Inns

Year 11 Art and Product Design

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

NHS Careers Event

On Monday the 4th December I got a chance to fly a Grob G 115 at RAF Cosford with Air Cadets. This was my fourth time flying this aircraft and in this time I have been able to fly the aircraft myself for about forty five minutes and the rest of the time was spent doing aerobatics like loops and rolls. We also got taught to fly the aircraft, how the aircraft works, how to abandon the aircraft if something goes wrong and some lucky cadets get a chance to fly other aircraft like gliders and go on flights in actual RAF aircraft and helicopters. If you want any more information about the Air Cadets please visit 1871squadron.co.uk

Jack Burnett Year 11

On 22nd November 2017 Mr Kirk, Mrs Garner and fifteen Year 9 students visited the NHS Careers Event at Stafford County Showground. It was a very interesting morning and we discovered that there are lots of different career opportunities within the NHS. We spoke to professionals who work as nurses, doctors, paramedics, midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and podiatrists. We also discovered that the NHS employ staff in finance, IT, human resources and many other different types of work. There were lots of ‘hands on’ activities and an ambulance to explore. We found several different routes into a career in the NHS including the introduction of many apprenticeships and work experience. We are hoping that some of the people we spoke to will join us in February for the Careers Fair here at SUA. Mrs M Garner – Careers Adviser

Sixth Form Common Room Refurbishment

Our sixth form students would like to express their gratitude to the PTFA for their support with the recent refurbishment of the common room. Sixth form committee members met with the Facilities Manager and Deputy Head of Sixth Form to discuss how to best develop the common room space to accommodate the study needs of our growing sixth form. The results are fantastic.

Mr R Francis

Sound Training

Sound Training is a new intervention programme that trains students to decode subject specific words quickly and effortlessly. It develops their ability to navigate the complexities of the English language, allowing the development of a deeper understanding of the subjects being taught. The academy is delighted with results from the first cycle of intervention with Year 11 students. An amazing 53 months gain was made in reading accuracy. We look forward to more fabulous gains with the next cycle.

Mrs K Walker

Birmingham Rep Project Year 10 Staffordshire University visit

Drop everything and write

Over the past ten weeks our Year 7 students have been receiving workshops by trained professionals from the Birmingham Rep Theatre. They have been looking at physical theatre, improvisation and script writing. Students worked so incredibly hard and were rewarded by visiting the Rep on Thursday 7th December where they were able to perform their own work on stage with costumes, lighting and sound. All staff were wowed by their work and were incredibly proud of all of the students. As a treat the students then got to go and watch the professional performance of 101 Dalmatians. Throughout the day behaviour was impeccable and was commented upon by members of the general public. Well done to all Year 7 you have done both SUA and yourselves very proud.

Miss E Humpage

As part of their GCSE English Literature preparation, a group of twelve Year 10 students participated in a targeted skills session at Staffordshire University’s Stoke Campus. Working with lecturers and tutors to fine-tune their understanding of Romantic poetry, students really focused their skills and knowledge in time for their end of year English Literature exam. Students demonstrated excellent discussion and analysis skills, as Lee Morris (10 Green) stated, “The topics we have covered have been challenging, but really interesting and useful.” Thanks go to all those that attended, with special mention to Mr Handy (SUA) for his support with transport, and Mark Brown and Martin Jesinghausen (Staffordshire University) for making everyone feel both extremely welcome and sufficiently challenged!

Mr L Newton

On Wednesday 18th October every student in the academy participated in "Drop everything and write" as part of their Global Values lesson. The aim of this was to encourage sustained extended writing from all students, from Year 7 to Year 13. Students were given a visual stimulus and then had free choice over their style of writing: descriptive or narrative. Even some staff took part! Form groups will now swap entries to decide on their favourite. Well done to everyone for participating so well!

Mrs A Haffie-Hobday

Competition between Year 7 and Year 8 forms for the Christmas form breakfasts is very close and students have been updated in assemblies as to which groups are currently in the lead, but all could change in the last week!

Students who read and complete quizzes successfully each receive entry to weekly and half termly individual prize draws. At the end of every half term, the form from each year group who have read the most words and completed the most quizzes successfully receive a yummy form breakfast, which includes hot chocolate, croissants and fruit.

Students who have read the most words, at the end of the academic year, will be offered a reward trip and all students who have read over one million words will be entered in a prize draw to win a Kindle. Since September, Year 7 and Year 8 have read an amazing 6,806,935 words and taken 609 quizzes! Keep reading! Mrs A Haffie-Hobday

Reading Rewards

Mums Learning Project Sixth Form OAP Christmas Party

Once more our sixth form students have risen to the challenge of arranging our annual OAP Christmas party. Elderly residents of the local community were invited to attend the afternoon tea complete with live singers, party games and a raffle. The residents commented on how much of a lovely afternoon they had. One resident spoke of how lovely it was to speak to people of a younger generation, to share life experiences with people who have had such a different experience of the world. Another resident spoke of how excellent all of our students were in their organisation, and how much of a credit they were to our academy. A few people however do deserve a special mention, Gurvinder Dhami for his excellent coordination of the event alongside the sixth form committee and Mrs Carter for supporting with desert making. Overall this was a fantastic example of Team SUA in action, where everyone pulled together to put on an excellent event.

Mr R Francis

Business Studies Enterprise Project

Local mums in the community took part in a community learning project working with Care First in Partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College. The weekly session took place in the Chase View Support Centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The ladies enjoyed the social side of the project as well as gaining confidence in literacy, numeracy and other employable skills. We would like to congratulate all who participated and say thank you to Dave, Liz and Heidi from Care First and look forward to our next venture in the near future. The ladies sold their items in reception at SUA for purchase by staff, students and visitors making the perfect Christmas stocking fillers. This wonderful enterprise was well supported within the academy and the ladies enjoyed the experience. If you would like to be involved in attending a Community Learning project to improve your skills, self esteem and confidence over a cup of tea and a biscuit please contact Mrs Palmer at SUA for further details. Courses are tailored to suit the needs of individuals and accredited to City and Guilds standards. Mrs J Palmer

Our Year 11 business studies students used their enterprise skills and knowledge last week to start up their own business within the academy. In small groups the students came up with a business plan with an initial start-up grant of £10. The students created a business plan and purchased items to sell in the academy during break times. The students rose to the challenge making a profit which was reinvested during the week to increase profits.

The business enterprise introduced students into the dynamics of how a business is set up and organised. It enabled the students to enhance their ability to develop key skills including team work and communication also developing their confidence. The business enterprise was an encouraging way for students to learn about creating a business plan and the demands of handling cash and customers.

Mr M Allsopp

Key Dates:

Staffordshire County Councillors visit SUA

On Wednesday 28th November Staffordshire County Councillors, Phil Hewitt and Bryan Jones, attended Staffordshire University Academy. Accompanied by Angela Schulp and Debbie Nash, two of the County Council’s Strategic Delivery Managers, the Councillors wanted to find out a little bit more about Staffordshire University Academy, its students and families that they serve supported by the academy.

Mrs Haffie-Hobday, Assistant Principal, showed the visitors the academy’s Chase View Support Centre (CVSC) to give them an insight into the provisions hosted for students and the local community. The CVSC is used as a base for a wide range of local groups and agencies, that specialise in supporting parents and carers, and also offers family learning experiences. Its Centre Manager, Mrs Palmer, is one of the Academy’s ‘Community Champions’ and the work that she leads on is of significant importance to all who access the resource.

Mrs Hillier, Principal and Vice Principal Mr Allsopp were able to brief the County Councillors more broadly about the Academy’s detailed provision for all students, in relation to the needs and direction of employability within the Cannock Chase region.

During the visit Bryan and Phil also met with the SUA Form Representatives for Year 7 and they were most impressed with the level of maturity and the perceptiveness that ensued from their discussions with the young people.

Feedback included:

‘We were made very welcome by all the staff and your openness and enthusiasm for the school was both infectious and much appreciated. The Year 7 pupils were fantastic and we were both struck by their confidence and willingness to engage.’ Bryan Jones, County Councillor Hednesford & Rawnsley

‘Bryan and I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday afternoon…the highlight was spending time with your bright, enthusiastic, forthright and extremely amusing pupils.’ Phil Hewitt, County Councillor Hednesford & Rawnsley

Mrs Hillier spoke of the distinctive qualities of the students at SUA, which she said characterised the academy at its best. She described the students as hard working, actively involved in all the academy had to offer and supportive of one another in a way which helped most to make good progress. She then went on to say that the quality of relationships between the staff and students were also a source of great pride.

The academy endeavours to ensure the safety of all students at all times, including before and after school. Road safety is particularly important during these busy periods. We request your support for the drop off and collection of students during the mornings and afternoons from the academy. In order to support alternative parking for student drop offs and collections, an agreement has been reached with the Belt Road, Victoria Working Men’s Club (opposite the Marston Road entrance). Their car park can be used by parents/carers each day. We hope that you will be able to support us with this matter to keep our students safe.

The academy would also ask drivers to be mindful of its neighbours on Marston Road who require ease of access to their properties and driveways.

Ms H Kirkham, Estates Coordinator

Student Safety

Uniform

For clarity, we need to reiterate that footwear is required to be of the following:

Female: Flat shoes or ankle boots: plain black leather, imitation leather, suede or patent. No strapless or backless shoes. No sequins, beads, chains, studs or contrasting stitching. Male: Shoes or ankle boots: plain black leather, imitation leather, suede or patent. No trainers are allowed at all. Shoes that look like trainers will be challenged.

New mobile app for SUA

Coming Soon!

We are very excited to announce that we are about to revolutionise the way we communicate with you and the way you can communicate with us! In January we will be launching an official school app which can be downloaded on all smartphones and tablet devices. This app will allow you to send and receive messages from the academy, view your childrens' timetables, see live behaviour and reward points and much more! There will be more information in the coming weeks, but you are welcome to download the app and register now - just search in the relevant app store for 'School Gateway' and then register using the email address registered with the academy. We look forward to getting as many people using this as possible to streamline the communication process and enable much more effective dialogue between the academy and parents of our students.

Mr S Williams

18th December 2017 Year 7 Christmas Disco

4:30-6:30pm

19th December 2017 Christmas Jumper fundraiser

19th December 2017 Last day of term 12pm close

3rd January 2018 Academy reopens for students

11am

10th January 2018 Year 10 Parents’ Evening

11th January 2018 November resits Results Day

15th January 2018 Parents’ Forum 6-7pm

25th January 2018 Year 9 mid-year Parents’ Evening

4:30-6:30pm

26th January 2018 Inset Day: staff only

5th February 2018 Staffordshire University Bus Tour

13th February 2018 Careers Fair

16th February 2018 Break up for half term 2:55pm