April 2014 | Issue 2

Kellogg’s sponsor Breakfast Club

Croydon MP Barwel

l Visits PrimaryPhase

Awards Evening

Shirley Park award winners celebrate

their successes at the annual awards

Principal’s Message We have had much to celebrate and share since our Ofsted inspection and the awarding of an Outstanding judgement in all categories. We have had a steady stream of Principals and Headteachers visit us from as far away as Newcastle, Liverpool, Chester and Devon, to look at what we are doing here. Overall we have had over 45 schools visit us in the last 3 months alone. This included a group of 20 Senior school leaders from Secondary schools from the North that spent an inspirational morning in our Primary Phase.

We continue to remain fully focussed on securing the best outcomes for our students and we are continuing to seek them, particularly with National Examinations imminent. The summer series of exams includes our Year 6 students with SATs, in May, Year 11 with GCSEs and our 6th Form students with A-Level examinations from May onwards. Both the Primary and Secondary Phases have been recognised by the DfE as being National leaders in accelerating progress of all of our students, from Reception through to Post 16, for this Academic year. This is directly related to the hard work of our students, staff and families in ensuring that our students are among the top achievers in the country. We have worked tremendously hard as a community over the last four years to really turn around our reputation to become one of the best schools in the UK. We don’t always get it right, but we work in an honest, frank, professional and respectful environment where we welcome challenge as much as we welcome praise.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the tremendous impact that our Associate Principal, Mr Dan Morrow has made to our Secondary Phase. Dan is leaving us to help head up the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey, a Secondary Academy with 2,400 students on roll, the largest Academy that Oasis has. He starts his new post after Easter. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Dan to help transform the life chances of students in an area that he grew up in. His commitment, drive and determination to get the best for all children with will be a huge boost to the Sheppey community. Dan will always be a part of our family here at Shirley Park and we wish him all the best.

Lastly, I would like to thank you all for believing in our kids here at Shirley Park. When I started in 2009 I heard lots of negativity from outside of our community that ‘nothing could be done’ and ‘the task was beyond hope’ and the much used ‘Trashburton’. We have weathered some tough times over the last 4 years but we have proved something that we all knew right from the start; that our kids are outstanding, that they are ‘worth it’, that there is ‘hope’ for better things to come. My Mum told me once that, when there is hard but worthwhile work ahead there are two types of water, tears and perspiration both are inextricably linked to the other. We have shed some tears but most importantly we have worked long and hard to produce some of the best academic outcomes in the UK but more importantly we have the best kids in the UK (I know I’m biased but I promise you they are the best!). My admiration and humble gratitude goes to a staff that are inspirational. You would be so proud of their efforts that go above and beyond the norm, every day. Stay with us, keep talking to us, keep advising us, keep working with us, and most importantly keep the faith in our outstanding kids they are worth every effort.

Glen Denham, Principal

On 6th March 2014, the English department participated in World Book Day, a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and most importantly reading! The main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own. Any opportunity to

promote literacy and a love of learning is something we don’t take lightly in Team English. Together: Little Red Riding Hood, Queen of hearts, Pocahontas, The Woman in Black, Maya Angelou, Sherlock Holmes, a Gatsby Flapper girl, Curley’s wife, a walking talking thesaurus and Cleopatra all graced the mystical aisles of the academy to do our bit in supporting the charity. Our students, as always, were complimentary, supportive, enthusiastic and enthralled by their teachers’ dedication and willingness to do this.

Parents’ Information Afternoon

An information afternoon for parents of children for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL), who have been in this country for three years or less, was organised on Thursday 13th February. The objective was primarily to include parents in their child’s learning and give them a glimpse of how our assessment system works, and for them to see what support is available and discuss ways of supporting their child’s learning at home. After a short talk, time was given for individual parents to discuss student progress and how they can support their child at home. This was a great session and we hope to increase parental engagement moving forward!

Shirley Park Education

 Day Subjects Time Teachers

07/04/14

Saturn English IGCSE 9.00 am - 1.00 pm AHE JRB NCH HRA IBA

  Mercury/Saturn Drama 11.30 am - 1.00 pm

IBA

  Saturn Science 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm         

08/04/14

Saturn English IGCSEJupiter Drama

9.00 am -1.00 pm AHE JRB NCHIBA

  Saturn Science 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm

        

09/04/14

Saturn English IGCSE 9.00 am - 1.00 pm AHE JRB NCH IBA

  Mercury/Jupiter French & Spanish

9.00 am - 1.00 pm DCE ELE

  Mercury/Saturn Drama 11.30 am - 1.00 pm

IBA

  Saturn Science 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm         

10/04/14

Jupiter/Mercury PE 12.00 pm - 3.00 pm

RNA       

14/04/14

Jupiter/Saturn MathsMercury ScienceBusiness Studies/ Humanities

9.00 am - 1.00 pm RBE SHA CFO DCO DBE SOTRGRFTH LOL RWIEAL

16/04/14 Jupiter English LiteratureSaturn MathsMercury Science

9.00 am -1.00 pm

AHE NCHDCO DBE FAP SOT RBERGR

       

18/04/14 Mercury English LiteratureSaturn Art / DT Jupiter MWL

9.00 am -1.00 pm

AHE LGE NCHCEM HDN YAD MMS DEDDCE ELE

       

17/04/14 Saturn English LiteratureMercury / Jupiter ART / DT

9.00 am -1.00 pm

AHE LGE NCH HRACEM HDN YAD MMS DED

Year 11: Easter Intervention programme:

What's been Going

On?

event which promotes participation in voluntary activity and fundraising for the charity Free the Children. Over 12,000 students were in attendance

On Friday 7th March, students from Years 6-13 were invited to the first WeDay UK hosted at Wembley Stadium, an

A number of exciting musical performances also included Dizzie Rascal, Jennifer Hudson, Birdy, the Tenors and Ellie Goulding who ended the show in style. Overall a great day for all of the students!

We work closely with the Beat-Bullying charity and our students featured in a promotional video- backed by celebrities including Littlemix. See the Video @ http://youtu.be/xnyPlPqd-Qw

We are pleased to announce that our Secondary Phase Breakfast Club has received sponsorship from Kellogg’s of £500. The club is attended by over 500 students on a daily basis so a special well done to Joyce Grant, the 360 Hub Volunteers, Sam, Tandia and Ed and especially the 6th Formers who volunteer their time every morning.

Fairtrade Assembly

Animal Aid presentation

with the day comprising of motivational speeches from a range of individuals including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Holly Branson, Richard Branson, Gary Neville, Malala Moufawa and Prince Harry to name a few!

There will be a follow-up Free the Children workshop in May for KS2 and KS3 student leaders.

Academy Awards Evening – ‘The Oscars’ On Thursday 13th March, we hosted our Annual Academy Awards evening celebrating the exceptional achievements of students, encompassing every aspect of Academy life.  This year’s Oscar themed event had its largest attendance to date, with the primary aim of rewarding students from past and present for their achievements, progress and contribution to Academy life.  Special Guests on the evening included Nick Munting MBE, and Mark Hill from the House of Commons Catering Team, and most notably Crystal palace FC first team Manager Tony Pulis with Academy Manager Gary Issot. Our roll call of winners is below:

Student of the Year – Academic (Years 5-13) Year 5 - Lucy BatesYear 6 - Salman HussainYear 7 - Yaw Obiri-Addai Year 8 - Amel Ramsie Year 9 - Jaivarn MartinYear 10 - Susanna Hickman Year 11 - Chloe AyoubYear 12 - Haroon WrightYear 13 -Fatima Khan

Sports Star of the Year (Years 5-13) Year 5 - Nathan Nana-Yaw-MirekuYear 6 - Tywon Gray Year 7 - Tate PortYear 8 - Breeze CarmichaelYear 9 - Justine NorrisYear 10 - Jordan SobolaYear 11 - Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong Year 12 - Vincent BrownYear 13 – Jack Wynter

Crystal Palace Academy Players’ Player of the Year Michael Phillips

Vocational Award Lauren Foster

Student of the Year – All Rounder (Years 5-13) Year 5 - Shanae BernardYear 6 - Megan Wilkinson Year 7 - Fidan Ozdemir Year 8 - Hakim Isa Year 9 - Justine NorrisYear 10 - Bobbi Martin Year 11 - Jordan Small Year 12 - Lucy DeckkerYear 13 - Michaela Riches

“Our Awards Evening is always a spectacular event, bringing together members of our community; students, staff, family, friends.  Many of the award winners have overcome huge obstacles, or have made outstanding progress in spite of barriers such as English as a second language or personal circumstances.  I am proud of each and every one of the award winners this evening and events such as these provide aspirations for the entire Academy community”. Principal, Glen Denham

Outstanding Team Primary Phase — Chess Team — Jacob Scarse, Camron Anson, Sheun Shoyebi, Christian Musinguzi Mugisha, Lukas Rudinskas and Darren Ugbaja

Secondary Phase — Year 9 Netball Team — Michelle Much, Chloe Mosey, Gidayja Porter, Kellsey Eliott, Abigail O’Reilly, Katie Price, Amel Ramsie, Amber Fitzhardy, Breeze Carmichael and Narvand Maarij.

Key Stage 2 Graduation Awards Outstanding Progress and Effort — Rifna RiyaldeenOutstanding Achievement—Frank Palmer

Key Stage 4 Graduation Awards Outstanding Commitment — Cavelle PayneOutstanding Effort — Luis Fernandez-Oxby

Key Stage 4 Graduation Awards (continued)Outstanding Resilience — Sita Zulu/Melissa ZuluOutstanding Achievement—Alliah AdeolaOutstanding Contribution — Wuyata Musa

Key Stage 5 Graduation Awards (The Ashburton Development Trust Awards)McMillan Award for Endeavour — Hannah McManusHills Award for Nurture — Joanne BroughtonBeeson Award for Enrichment — Sjassyria MarthaErskine Award for Excellence — Fatima KhanWada Award for Service — Jefferson Tawaba

The Principal’s Award Hannah Murray, Elias Antwi, Jamaal Grant and Georgia Whitby

PrimaryPhase

Gavin Barwell MP

Visit

This term the Primary Phase received a special visit from Conservative MP for Croydon Central Gavin Barwell, which was warmly welcomed by students. Mr Barwell was initially given a tour of the Primary by Associate Principal Mr Lillo, before meeting the student leadership team. This initially

comprised of explaining his role within the Croydon constituency before engaging in a rather honest Q&A session with the students.

The Student Leaders certainly provided some challenging questions including issues relating to housing shortages within Croydon, Mr Barwells role during the riots, his plans for moving Croydon as a borough and if he has a bodyguard which provided laughs all round; but was unfortunately not the case! Overall a very valued experience for all involved.

The Primary Phase received a very special visit from our partners from the Success for All initiative. Founder, Bob Slavin visited us to discuss the impact of the programme. Success for All is made up of a range of teaching practices allowing every student to reach their optimum potential. After previously assisting President Obama with educational reforms it was a real honour to have Bob at the Academy!

Success for All Visit

Easter Celebrations

Stroud Green Development

Oasis Academy Shirley Park Primary Phase is doubling in size and, when full, will have nearly 1,000 pupils across 3 Primary sites! We are unable to accommodate all these children on our present site on Long Lane and so Croydon Council is building a brand new purpose built school on Stroud Green Way. The school is planned to be completed in November 2014 and be open to pupils in January 2015. This building will house Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and be called the Stroud Green Campus. The present Primary site will be for Years 3,4,5 and 6 and be called the Long Lane Campus.

On Tuesday 11th March a small tower crane was erected on site to enable the steel frame to be put together. It will take around 10 weeks to complete this. At present all is going to plan.

The following link below shows the Stroud Green development – it is updated on an hourly basis so you are able to see the progress that is happening on the site. https://timelapse.regenology.co.uk/api/embedded/228/

Stroud Green Campus starting to take shape.

Press

Coverage:

For more information please visit the Academy website:www.oasisacademyshirleypark.org/oasis-news

Charity & Community In the run up to Christmas our students worked hard

to transform lives and communities by supporting charitable efforts. Students from Years 9 and 10 collected items such as toiletries, stationery and hats/gloves, carefully arranging them in shoe boxes of all sizes and decorating and wrapping them. 

Their efforts resulted in the collection of over 250 boxes which were donated to the Blythswood Trust, a charity which combines the Christian message with practical help for those in need at home and abroad. We have now received news that we contributed to over 18,098 boxes being distributed. OASIS SPORTS

Oasis Academy Shirley Park Year 7 and 8 students combined with Oasis Coulsdon and Oasis Byron for Sports Relief. Where the Oasis ethos was again present and hungry for success, our students took part in activities to raise money for students in Africa. All the domains of sports had their challenges  from tables tennis, lazer tag, fitness fun Friday and cycle challenge to Africa.

The environment of a community spirit was stimulating with everyone taking part for a great cause. Oasis Academy Shirley Park students look forward to many more links to other Oasis Academies.

Fixtures and Results For information of sporting fixtures and results please visit the Academy twitter page:

@OasisacademySP

Summer Term 1 - Dates for the Diary 07/04/14 Secondary Phase Sports Tour to Holland

22/04/14 First day of Summer term 1 for all students (normal start) Secondary Phase Geography trip, Stratford

23/04/14 Secondary Phase Geography trip, Stratford24/04/14 Secondary Phase Science trip, South Norwood Country Park 01/05/14 Year 8 History trip - Slavery Workshop05/05/14 May Day Bank Holiday: Academy closed to all Students6–7/05/14 Primary Phase Class Photos08/05/14 Secondary Phase Science Trip, South Norwood Country Park

Year 10 Skills Show Experience, London09/05/14 Year 7 PGL Adventure Week12-16/05/14 Primary Phase SATS Week12/05/14 Year 10 Work Experience (2 weeks)16/05/14 Primary Phase Drama performance – Pine & Cypress Classes16/05/14 Years 7, 8 & 9 Nurture Group Trip, London Zoo 19/05/14 Year 9 'Growing against gangs and violence‘ Workshop 20/05/14 Year 9 'Growing against gangs and violence‘ Workshop 21/05/14 Year 9 'Growing against gangs and violence‘ Workshop 22/05/14 Primary Phase Closure - Polling Day

Secondary Phase Science Trip South Norwood Country Park23/05/14 Year 6 trip to London23/05/14 Primary Phase Drama performance – Chestnut & Rowan Classes23/05/14 Last day of Summer Term 1 for all Students (normal finish)02/06/14 First day of Summer Term 2 for all students (normal start

Autumn Term 1Monday 1st – Wednesday 3rd September – INSET Days – Academy closed to all studentsThursday 4th September Induction Day : Reception, Years 6, 7 and 11.Friday 5th September All students return to AcademyFriday 24th October Last day of Autumn Term 1 for all students (normal finish)Half Term Holiday Monday 27th October – Friday 31st OctoberAutumn Term 2Monday 3rd November First day of Autumn Term 2 for all students (normal start) Friday 14th November INSET Day – Academy closed to all students Thursday 18th December Primary Phase Decant Day – closed to Primary Phase studentsFriday 19th December Primary Phase Decant Day – closed to Primary Phase students

Last day of Autumn Term 2 for Secondary Phase students (12.00 pm finish)

Spring Term 1Monday 5th January 2015 Primary Phase Decant Day – closed to Primary Phase students

First day of Spring Term 1 for Secondary Phase studentsTuesday 6th January 2015 First day of Spring Term 1 for Primary Phase studentsHalf Term Holiday Monday 16th February – Friday 20th FebruarySpring Term 2Monday 23rd February First day of Spring Term 2 for all students (normal start)Friday 27th March Last day of Spring Term 2 (12.00pm finish for Secondary, 2.00pm finish for Primary)Summer Term 1 Monday 13th April First day of Summer Term 1 for all students (normal start)Friday 22nd May Last day of Summer Term 1 for all students (normal finish)Half Term Holiday Monday 25th May – Friday 29th MaySummer Term 2Monday 1st June First day of Summer Term 2 for all students (normal start)Friday 17th July Last day of Spring Term 2 (12.00pm finish for Secondary, 2.00pm finish for Primary

1 further INSET day TBA

Summer 2 Dates are on ourWebsite:

www.oasisacademyshirleypark.org/news&events

www.oasisacademyshirleypark.com@OasisAcademySP

Term Dates 2014/15