On top of the world thanks to the International Award

The Academy is delighted to have received a national award recognising outstanding work to bring the world into the classroom.

The British Council’s International School Award is a badge of honour for schools leading the way in instilling a global dimension into the learning experience of all children and young people.

An unforgettable performance from the Osiligi Maasai Warriors,

Greek language taster sessions, foreign exchange visits and a life-changing trip to Kenya are just a small sample of the inspiring initiatives that have taken place.

Mrs Gatti, the Academy’s International Coordinator, said: “It is vital that we equip our students with the skills they need to enter what is a global jobs market such as language skills and an understanding of different cultures.”

Read more about our students’ adventures and what we have planned for this year on p6-7.

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY Educational fun for two-year-olds

BIG TALENT Oxford offer for Ashley Davy

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A YEAR OF ADVENTURE Our Combined Cadet Force unit’s first exciting year

STUDENT LEADERSHIP Meet our Head Girl and Head Boy

NCEA SPORT Girls’ rugby team are unbeaten

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IN THIS ISSUE

A Specialist Design and Environment Academy

ISSUE 1 SPRING TERM 2015 NEWS

THE NCEA

Since the Academy was born in 2009, the percentage of Y11 students gaining passes in both English and mathematics has increased by 26%. No other school in Northumberland can claim that level of change.

The percentage of A*/A in the Sixth Form has improved by 32.1% since 2012. No other school in Northumberland can reflect on such levels of improvement in that time.

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In 2014, 82% of our Y6 pupils achieved a Level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths - above the national average of 79% and an improvement of 23% since 2012.

The Centre, for our children with severe, profound and multiple learning needs, is an excellent provision.

100% of children make progress and it is a positive and vibrant place to be.

This is a great achievement by all concerned and shows we are continuing on our journey to excellence. But it would be wrong for us to paint too glowing a picture of the Academy’s performance... (continues overleaf)

MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL IN NORTHUMBERLAND?

There remains much to be done if we are to become the school in which each of our children and young people is enabled to be the very best they can be. Our primary phase is forging ahead and in almost all areas exceeds the national average. This is good news, because this will impact on outcomes in the secondary phase in due course. The Centre is an excellent provision and people are clamouring to get their children into it. It is now full.

However, Y11 results need to improve more rapidly and a huge amount of work is being done to achieve just that. We believe we are on track to produce another year of improved results and look forward to your support in that regard.

This newsletter serves to give you a flavour of all the other things happening across the Academy. It cannot, within its 16 pages, do justice to all we have done and achieved, but it should give you an idea of how much is being done to make the Academy an exciting place for every child and young person to be.

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EARLY YEARS

In an exciting move to expand our Early Years provision children can now join the Academy from the age of two. The addition of the three Early Years Centres at the William Leech, Thomas Bewick and Robert Stephenson Campuses mean more eligible families can now access 15 hours of high quality free childcare.

The experienced teachers and support staff have been working hard to make sure that our classrooms are full of stimulating resources that will support the children in their first few years at school and give them the best possible start to their education.

We offer lots of fun activities that encourage our youngest children to learn through play and to acquire those communication skills that are vital to their success.

The latest evidence shows that two-year-olds who access high quality Early Years provision see real benefits in terms of early language skills and in their social and emotional development. Parents can also be confident in the knowledge that their children are receiving top quality care from experienced and knowledgeable staff.

Our speech and language therapist (SLT) Mrs Hope works closely with all the Early Years Centres.

Read more about her work on p14.

120PLACES AVAILABLE

FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS across three campuses

in morning and afternoon sessions

15 HOURSOF FREE CHILDCARE

AND EARLY LEARNING are available for eligible two-

year-olds (paid-for places are also available)

MRS LISHMAN DIRECTOR OF EARLY YEARS

To find out more or to arrange a visit contact Mrs Lishman on 01670 816111 (ext 395)

IS NCEA THE MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL IN NORTHUMBERLAND?

Mr Day Executive Director

(L) Caitlin Banks receives the Duke of Northumberland’s Award for Enterprising Spirit (R) Ethan Lowes receiving the NCEA Excellence Award from Mr Day

Hundreds of guests gathered in the Atrium of the Josephine Butler Campus for the annual celebration of our children

and young people’s achievements. This was a bumper year, with large numbers of our students from all phases receiving

prizes for achievement and effort. His Grace The Duke of Northumberland and Bishop Frank White, Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, were guests of honour and presented prizes

to a very smartly turned out group of students.

The Academy was proud to host a major event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the

liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Holocaust survivor Zigi Shipper and religious leaders joined pupils in a candle-lighting ceremony in conjunction

with the Diocese of Newcastle.

The event also officially opened the acclaimed touring Anne Frank Trust exhibition which was staged at the

Josephine Butler Campus. Pupils were trained to provide guided tours to visiting schools from across the North East

and members of the community wishing to learn more about the life of the teenage diarist. Read more about

the event in the next issue of The NCEA News.

KEEPING THE MEMORY ALIVE

LEARNER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

a positive and encouraging place!

During our last OFSTED, NCEA was described as

very impressive things happening

They also noted that they saw

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THE LIFE OF A CHAPLAIN

The Music department continues to go from strength to strength. We have seen another increase in instrumental lesson uptake, staff changes and curriculum developments including the introduction of A Level Music. Our ensembles in both secondary and primary have continued to flourish and the carol service included debut performances from the new NCEA Jazz Band and Chamber Choir.

MUSIC IS THRIVING

Mr Trueman Director of Dramatic Arts

The Primary Choir has certainly improved over the past term. Members were auditioned in September and rehearsals have increased in both challenge and regularity. The Choir comprises children from all five primary campuses and their efforts culminated in the recording session for our entry into the BBC School Choir of the Year competition – watch this space for the next update!

The Senior Choir, led by their new conductor Mrs Anna Corcoran, now has a membership in excess of 50 students. They performed at the NCEA Awards Evening and received rave reviews for their rendition of ‘Rather Be.’

Part of my work as chaplain is to lead Collective Worship or “assembly” with pupils of all ages and on all campuses.

It is a pleasure and a privilege and usually hugely enjoyable. I say usually. On Children in Need Friday I was in front of 400 children dressed as Batman, Spider-Man or clad in ‘onesies’. They were, to say the least, a little excited! I would like to say the heightened excitement was due to anticipation of my offering on “Thankfulness” but alas I think that I was pipped by Pudsey Bear fever

As the Act of Worship was drawing to a close and the children were filing out singing “Thank you Lord for this New Day”, it all got too much for one young lad near the front and he was sick. Fortunately he seemed to take it all in his stride, quite literally, and carried on walking back to his classroom. The rest of the class were diverted around his breakfast and the clear up operation began. While I wondered: “Was it something I said?”

I have avoided the story of Noah and excessive mentions of rain since I was warned by a seasoned campaigner of the school assembly that this can have unfortunate consequences especially with Reception children.

I took comfort from the Bible where it says: “Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”

Just as important as not being afraid and discouraged is not becoming jaded and bored with familiar stories. Not allowing the extraordinary, extravagant love of God in sending His Son as our Saviour at Christmas to become just another drab day with too much to do, too much money spent and too many relatives you really don’t want to see.

Working in a school keeps things fresh for me. Seeing youngsters engaging with the Christmas story, in RE, in Nativity plays and talking about it in the playground or at lunch, they come to it with fresh minds, youthful enthusiasm and a delight, awe and wonder. Talking to them, asking and answering questions and doing some wondering: “I wonder what it was like, what Mary was feeling, what the shepherds thought...” makes it all new again.

I saw on a poster for a church near York

Jesus is for life not just for Christmas

Christmas isn’t just for children – it is for EVERYONE

As we begin 2015 may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and healthy year.

Sally Milner Chaplain

Now in its fifth year the Drama department has seen an exciting rise in student uptake with students now working towards Performing Arts GCSE and AS qualifications.

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

ORCHESTRA PROJECTAll Y4 pupils across all campuses are involved in weekly music making through the Orchestra Project

Lessons are being offered to pupils in the trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, flute and clarinet.

BANDS + CLUBS

l The NCEA Wind Band

l Steel Pan bands

l NCEA Jazz Band

l Chamber Choir

l Guitar Club

l Drumming Club

FEB 15

MAR 19

MAR 25

LOOKING AHEAD

All three choirs will be performing in the National Festival of Music for Youth at the Sage Gateshead

The Academy is hosting the Wansbeck Music Festival

The second annual NCEA Spring Concert

CHOIRS GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Inspiration

MR WATERSTONHead of Drama

Students gained some fantastic writing tips from popular children’s author and winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Philip Ardagh.

PHILIP ARDAGH

Christmas proved the perfect opportunity for children to exercise their acting skills and audiences were treated to some wonderful nativities and festive performances across the primary campuses.

A selection of Key Stage 3 students from the Drama group performed at the Brinkburn Music Festival. As a result of

their excellent work they have been invited back to perform on a larger scale in this year’s festival.

The Academy is working with Mortal Fools towards establishing a new youth theatre group in Ashington. If you didn’t have a chance to get involved with taster sessions last term speak to Mrs Gatti or log onto the Facebook page ‘New Northumberland Youth Theatre’ or email kiz@mortalfools.org.uk

Students of GCSE Expressive Arts have performed hard-hitting pieces aimed at educating young people about the impact of war

crimes that took place during the Holocaust.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Students following the AS Performing Arts qualification are currently working on texts written by Willy Russell and will be showcasing ‘Educating Rita’ and ‘Blood Brothers’.

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After a year of fundraising eight members of the Sixth Form travelled to Kenya to take part in a life-changing project to help provide a village with clean and safe drinking water.

Whilst there the group also helped to run a busy under tree clinic, worked with children in a Maasai school and experienced the challenge of life in the bush.

Following their return, the students were appointed as Ambition Ambassadors and are now working hard to inspire others to

SIXTH FORM VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS IN KENYA AND PERU

From walking five miles with a back-breaking 40kg of firewood or 20 litres of water, to searching

for a missing child in the wilderness and helping to run a bush clinic, the experiences of a group of

students in Kenya have been life-changing.

“On Monday most of the group took up the option of an early morning bush walk. Some decided to have a rare lie-in, while Rebecca and Mike went for a drive along the river to see giraffe, zebra, vervet monkeys, mongooses, wildebeest and a variety of antelope. We then headed off to spend the day at the Threads of Hope Sewing School where we carried on with the work in the garden and shop - although we did have some brief distractions. One of the sewing students had carried a bundle of firewood for about five miles and she demonstrated how to carry 30-40 kg of wood on your back. Only a few had the courage to try it out!”

“Another hard day’s digging for half the group with the other half accompanying the local nurse to run a bush clinic for a remote community that hasn’t received such a clinic for about a year. Over 40 patients were seen and treated with another 20 having to be turned away as we ran out of time. It was then on to Enchorro Naibor where we all met up again to spend the night on the edge of the world looking out over Lakes Natron and Magadi and the mountains of Shompole and Oldoinyo Sampu. After watching the sunset and enjoying dinner round the fire we spent the night sleeping under the stars before getting up to see the sun rise again. Some local kids appeared after breakfast and we played a game of catch before heading back to school to carry on with the digging.”

AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

follow in their footsteps. Their assemblies have initiated the next volunteering project to Peru in July 2015 and fundraising is now in full flow with coffee mornings, special events and tuck shops arranged.

Rebecca Sanderson said: “After a year of intense fundraising and an unforgettable experience in Kenya the project is something that we will all carry with us. I also hope to take it forward by developing links with our school and a Maasai school, so that we can exchange cultures, develop their educational facilities and hopefully initiate trips in the coming years.”

DIARY EXTRACTS

The calm before the storm, members of the Sixth Form raised £135 for their visit to Peru by serving refreshments at a recent meeting of church members from across the Diocese of Newcastle.

(l-r: Tiegan Hill, Demi Hogg, Shannon Iredale and Connor Gallon)

“We had an amazing trip to Ashington. Everybody spent so much time on showing us around, not only the school but the beautiful and breathtaking area as well, giving us an insight into the lessons

and so much more.

It is more than clear what our relationship is all about. It is about learning about our two cultures, our everyday life, our traditions,

our languages and getting people from different places together to establish future connections. We honestly believe that this link will be of great advantage for both schools, both cities and both areas.”

Alexander Schmidt, Roentgen-Gymnasium

Children at the William Leech Campus took part in their own exchange which involved producing tree decorations to send to all

the countries in Europe. The result was their own stunning European Christmas Tree displaying decorations from every country in Europe

which has been a fantastic discussion point for the children.

Thank you to Dr Gaby Wright of Durham University for visiting our school for a Greek Language taster session

as we celebrated European Language Day in style. We saw French cuisine in catering lessons and French

equipment lists in Science and the day was brought to a close with a European concert from our steel band.

We welcomed students and staff from our partner schools Lycée Edouard Herriot, from Troyes in France and Roentgen-Gymnasium in Remschied, Germany.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Team Kenya 2014: Paegan Hall, Rebecca Sanderson, Ashley Davy, David Flynn, Caitlin Banks, Jamie Pratt, Nathan Whitworth, Jack

McDougall accompanied by Maasai tribesmen and Mike Kelcey, Northumberland Youth Service

“We were impressed by the school’s buildings and how big it was. It was very interesting to see how different your lessons are from

ours and you are very lucky to work in such well-equipped classrooms. We were pleased to attend the party you organized for us and we had a good time chatting and dancing with some

of you. We would like to thank all the teachers who welcomed us in their classes, especially the Biology teacher who taught a whole lesson in French. You did great! Thank you to all the

students who made this possible and to everyone who made us feel welcome. It was great to meet you all and we hope to see you again.”

Students from Lycée Edouard Herriot

EXPLORE

CCF FACTS

What is the CCF? The Combined Cadet Force or CCF is a voluntary organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and its aim is to enable the development of confidence, self-reliance, initiative, loyalty and a sense of service to others. There are around 300 school CCF units in England of which just 25% are in the state sector.

What do cadets do? Marching, first aid, field craft, weapon training, map reading, survival skills, cooking, music

Where do they go? They can then put these skills into practise, whether it is on exercise in Otterburn or Cyprus, on expeditions in the Cheviots or the Alps, or adventure training in Aviemore or Canada.

Why join? Cadets will be able to qualify for recognition with awards such as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet award, rise through the ranks to recognise their leadership skills and gain qualifications that will be a useful addition to their CV and UCAS forms.

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What a first year it has been for our Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit – the first and only school CCF in Northumberland. Cadets now train up to five nights a week, taking part in a wide range of exciting activities from field craft and weapon training to sport and music.

In just over a year since the first recruits turned out for their initial training session, cadets have met the Queen, marched at Ashington’s Remembrance Parade, learned new skills, overcome fears and pushed themselves to the limit by jumping into

freezing cold lakes, raft-building and surviving outdoors under the stars.

Executive Director Andrew Day said: “Launching the CCF programme was about ambition and aspiration and showing pupils the opportunities that are open to them. As well as enabling the our learners to draw on the military traditions of one of the country’s most prestigious regiments - The Coldstream Guards - we hope the CCF will help to build confidence, self-esteem and team-working skills.

“The CCF was initially set up for independent and grammar schools but that is no longer the case and we are amongst the first wave of the new expansion programme into state schools.”

A special mention should be made to Cdt Sgt Michael Knight who has been appointed Senior Cadet for 2014 – 2015 and has won the ‘Nullis Secundus’ Sword and Cdt Cpl Katie Moffat who has won The High Sheriff’s ‘Best Cadet’ award for 2013-14.

The next adventure for the NCEA CCF

This term cadets will be spending a week in February practising military skills including blank firing exercises in Cumbria.

The start of the term saw the appointment of WO2 Benjamin Butler as the Contingent’s new School Staff Instructor (SSI). Sergeant Major Butler previously served with 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery for 22 years as well a tour spent with the Cadet Training Team in the North East and at the Newcastle University Officer Training Corps as an instructor.

MAJOR EYTON PARKER

To find out more, come along on a Thursday at 3.30pm or contact Major Eyton Parker

In November the cadets were honoured to attend the Ashington Remembrance Parade where they proudly formed part of the marching contingent. Two days later we marched on parade at the Academy’s Remembrance Service and were presented with the Coldstream Guards Associations branch standard.

In mid-November our cadet musicians went to Edinburgh to join a concentration of pipers and drummers from Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. These included Drum Major Thomas Barnes, signed to local Grade 2 Pipe Band 101 Regt, Royal Artillery - the highest graded military pipe band.

COMBINED CADET FORCE

Awards for our cadets

Katie Says

I gave a presentation and demonstration of drumming to a large group of people largely made up of retired Colonels and Brigadiers. I was really nervous but I also felt excited as this was a new venture. My presentation explained how important the cadets has been in increasing my confidence and giving me opportunities as well as expanding my social life and group of friends.

Cdt LCpl M Knight – to Cdt Sgt

Cdt LCpl L Brown – to Cdt LSgt

Cdt LCpl W Pope – to Cdt LSgt

Cdt LCpl B Wainwright – to Cdt LSgt

Cdt LCpl N Welch – to Local Cdt LSgt

Cdt Mack – to Cdt LSgt

Cdt Moffat – to Cdt Cpl

Cdt Stephenson – Cdt Cpl

Cdt Donoghue – Cdt Cpl

PR

OM

OTI

ON

S

COMBINED CADET FORCE IN THE COMMUNITY

New recruits spent their first weekend away at Albemarle Barracks the home of 39 Regiment, Royal Artillery. The cadets learned basic field skills on the training area which included how to cook and look after themselves as well as basic patrolling skills. The second day saw the cadets clambering over the Multiple Launch Rocket System (tanks) which were being used by the soldiers for a course.

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The Josephine Butler Primary Campus welcomed business mentors from the local community to launch their Enterprise Week. Each class chose a business name and designed and made products to sell at the Christmas Fair. The Fair was a huge success with all three halls full of eager shoppers and supporters.

Student Leadership Team

ALANYA WILSON

HEAD GIRL

DANIEL HUMEHEAD BOY

My name is Alanya Wilson. I’m in Y11 and I have been appointed as Head Girl. I have been an active, vocal and enthusiastic member of the Academy since it began in 2009 and I plan to carry on doing so until I leave in July 2016.

In September 2014 a Student Leadership Team was created, which gave two students from each year group of the secondary campus a chance to make even more of a difference to their school. Student Leadership is what we believe will get our school the “outstanding” Ofsted status it well and truly deserves and I look forward to working with students, parents and staff alike to make sure that their voices are heard within the school environment.

Head Boy Daniel Hume and I, along with the Student Leadership Team, have some fantastic projects coming up within the next two academic years. These projects include: creating a student run newspaper which is published termly; improving teaching quality and tailoring lessons to individual student needs; setting up a large diversity of extra-curricular activities; improving the school building and many, many more.

I am extremely proud to take on the role of Head Girl of this exceptional school and I hope to make a real difference for many years to come.

My name is Daniel Hume and I am proud to say that I have been selected to be Head Boy alongside Alanya Wilson as Head Girl.

Being part of the Academy is something that I have always enjoyed and I already believe that the school, students and staff are all outstanding, helping me to strengthen my academic future and broaden my horizons.

Within school I believe that students should have more say in many of the decisions that are made. I think that with the collective help of the Student Leadership Team and the students we really do have an excellent opportunity to better ourselves and each other, as well as leaving our mark for those that will attend this excellent school in the future.

I would love to get involved in projects that will make strong links between the Academy and the community. I also hope that students are given the chance to experience and study things in and out of school that will inspire them to better themselves and to be the very best that they can be.

If anyone has any worries or issues, feel completely free to approach not only myself or Alanya, but anyone that is a member of the Student Leadership Team or Young Ambassador team.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Day and Mr Blackburn for appointing me to the position of Head Boy. I hope to make a real impact upon school life and I am very grateful that I have been given the chance to do so.

A group of students visited London to explore Student Voice initiatives, visit Westminster Abbey and meet Wansbeck MP, Ian Lavery, in the House of Commons.

Greenford High School, an outstanding school in Ealing, West London, with a flourishing Student Voice programme and Junior Leadership Team, hosted the visit. This was an opportunity for our young people to see first-hand how high expectations and aspirations can transform a school into a vibrant and exciting community.

Mr Lavery then took the group on a tour of the Houses of Parliament and also encouraged them to use their voice to develop their dreams and aspirations for their communities.

Student trip to London

13 Y11 students are all set to visit University of Cambridge in January to attend ‘The Subject Matters.’ The event is

designed to help students choose A Level options.

NEWS IN BRIEF

30 Y9 students visited Newcastle University in December to attend ‘Investigate your Future’ event. The day gave students the opportunity to explore how the options they choose at GCSE impact on their career pathway.

Y11 students welcomed at St Chad’s College, University of Durham in November to take part in academic taster

sessions and see what life at Durham is really like.

ASPIRATION

Aspirations Day at the Thomas Bewick Campus saw visitors from a vast range of professions speak to pupils and give them an insight into the world of work. The range of professions represented was as diverse as equine dentistry and plumbing. Many children came dressed as the profession that they would like to be trained in when they grow up.

Y12 and Y13 Hospitality students worked alongside the staff at Alnwick Castle to set up and serve at a Christmas event. This wonderful opportunity enabled the students to meet the criteria for a distinction task in one of their BTEC units.

The students managed the bar and served a three course meal to the 88 guests and were praised for their hard work and organisation by Martin King, the Food and Beverage Manager. They have since been invited back to work with his team later this year.

MR FOXCareers Advisor

A group of Y10 pupils enjoyed an inspirational visit to Banks Mining’s Shotton surface mine near Cramlington to see how a modern surface mine operates.

The trip was designed to provide examples to pupils, all of whom are members of NCEA Gifted & Talented programme, of the different types of engineering and mining jobs carried out by the Banks team at Shotton and to show them the sorts of career opportunities in this sector that could be locally available to them when they leave school.

Please join us in congratulating Ashley Davy on receiving his well-deserved offer to study at Oxford University.

LETTER FROM OUR GOVERNORS

Dear Parents and Carers

I am enormously proud when I see our students in the community and at the Academy. Behaviour is good and our students are helpful, polite and a credit to you and to the staff.

Thank you for supporting the Academy by making sure that your child is smartly turned out in uniform and attends regularly. High levels of attendance are known to contribute to improved learning and results and being smartly turned out in full uniform shows that students are ready to work when they arrive at school.

We, the governors, all share one thing in common: we are passionate about ensuring that the Academy offers each child the best educational opportunities to allow them to flourish and to prepare them for life.

Governors recently decided to appoint a second parent governor and I would be happy to have an informal conversation about what is involved with any parent who might be interested in joining the governing body. In the meantime, please find a few more details about our roles below or visit the website: www.ncea.org.uk

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy 2015. This is a year of which we as governors have great expectations!

Mrs Snelling Chair of Governors

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The generations were brought together when Sixth Form students hosted an event in honour of the 100th Anniversary of the First World War for people who use the Wansbeck Voluntary Service and for members of the Coldstream Guards Association. The aim of the event was to get everyone together to remember people who gave their lives for our freedom and bridge the gap between the young and the old. Guests on the day were treated to high tea and given a specially designed commemorative cake. Funds raised were donated to The Royal British Legion.

Y6 at the Grace Darling Campus formed a fundraising committee with the aim of raising money for CLIC Sargent, a children’s cancer charity. They chose this charity because a young girl, Mary Dafter, came in to talk to pupils about cancer and how it impacts on her life. She told the pupils that she spends a lot of time in the RVI on the children’s cancer ward and this can be very boring even though they have a play room. Following this, the children decided their first fundraiser would be to buy toys for the RVI. They organised a non-uniform day and the Y6 pupils made and sold cakes to raise money, overall they raised £323.

There were some tasty treats on display when The Centre’s secondary students took part in a celebrity Bake Off to raise money

for Children in Need. Each class chose a celebrity and a cake. They also came to school dressed as super heroes and had

a disco in the afternoon.

NCEA in the Community

When the Josephine Butler Primary Campus discovered that one of the nursery children had been diagnosed with Leukaemia everyone wanted to help. Mollie McInnes in Y6 decided she would like to have 55cm of her hair cut off to send to The Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer. Many cakes were made and sold and a raffle was held. In total £825 was raised and divided between Macmillan Cancer Support, The Little Princess Trust and The Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.

Grandparents welcome Grandparents attend regular drop in sessions facilitated by the Learner Welfare team. Here they are with some of their wonderful Christmas crafts. For more details or to get involved email Sandra Brown at learner.welfare@ncea.org.uk or ring 01670 816111.

THE CENTRE SUPPORT CHILDREN IN NEED

GRACE DARLING STUDENTS HELP OUT THOSE IN NEED

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US RAISE

£323

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US RAISE

£825

Following Harvest Festival at the Thomas Bewick Campus, the youngest and oldest children paired up together to deliver parcels of food to the pensioners living in the purpose built bungalows in the surrounding streets.

SIXTH FORM BUSINESSTEAM

Pupils from the James Knott Campus were invited by their local Co-op to reopen the store after a major refurbishment in October. The James Knott Choir sang Christmas carols in Asda and children continue to build links with residents of

Ashington Grange Care Home.

Staff and pupils at the William Leech Campus joined the popular Carols by Candlelight procession. Over the past

two years this has been a huge success and it is a delight to see the whole community coming together to walk through

Lynemouth and sing Christmas carols. It was followed by warm ginger wine and mince pies in the school hall.

What do Governors do?

• Set the vision, ethos and values of the Academy and develop the strategies to deliver them

• Hold the Academy’s leadership and management to account

• Ensure the safety and well-being of the students and staff

• Ensure that the finances we have available are spent wisely to provide the best educational opportunities for every child.

How do we do this?

• Meet regularly with the Executive Director and his executive and senior leadership teams.

• Ask questions about every aspect of the Academy

• Review departments and faculties and visit classrooms

• Ask inspectors to do independent reviews

• Monitor progress

• Talk to students about what they think about life at the Academy

• Attend events and special occasions in the life of the Academy

The life of a Governor

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Y8 boys are thoroughly enjoying a weekly breakfast sports club on a Tuesday morning,

with excellent numbers in attendance.

The NCEASport team are looking to roll this out to other Key Stage 3 groups.

SPEECH & LANGUAGE

Children and young people across the Academy can now get extra

support with their communication skills thanks to the appointment of our own Speech and Language Therapist (SLT).

Up to one in 10 children can have some form of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) but many often go unnoticed. Kate Hope works alongside the NHS SLTs to ensure that even more pupils can gain access to therapy sessions, vital for removing barriers to learning. Along with her team of assistants she also provides staff with additional training to ensure that they can support children in their classes with speech, language and communication needs.

As well as providing sessions and staff training at the three new Early Years Centres for two-year-olds, she is also working with parent and toddler groups in the community to help develop language skills as early as possible.

“If a child can’t speak and express themselves verbally, or understand spoken instructions they are going to have a lot more difficulty reading and writing,” explains Mrs Hope, who originally came to the Academy on secondment from Newcastle University.

“Serious difficulties are often picked up early on, but many more instances of speech and language delay are not and this can lead to wider issues with their learning.

“By helping to train staff we can make sure that specialist teaching methods can be incorporated into daily activities and we can work alongside the NHS SLTs to provide additional therapy.

“It is a brilliant to see children who at first may find it difficult to express themselves and be understood grow in confidence.”

NCEA Executive Director Andrew Day said: “We know how important speech, language and communication skills are. We are dedicated to supporting all children to develop these skills and we have got lots of exciting things going on to make sure that we do this.

“We have ongoing training that is offered to our staff to help them develop an excellent understanding of speech, language and communication and how to support children within the classroom.

“We also work very closely with Newcastle University, which means we have student SLTs coming in to our campuses regularly. That means that more children are able to have therapy sessions.”

@NCEA_SLT FOLLOW MRS HOPE

ON TWITTER

Mrs Hope is also available to offer informal advice to parents and has a Twitter account (@NCEA_SLT) where she tweets tips and ideas to support children’s speech and language development.

If you would like more information on speech, language and communication development, the support that we provide or you have concerns about your child. Please speak to your child’s teacher who will give you Mrs Hope’s details. You could always tweet us or send us a DM on Twitter as well.

Make comments – it can be tempting to ask a lot of questions to get your child to talk. This is quite intimidating for them. Comment on what you are doing, about what they are doing and they are more likely to begin to do the same and engage you in conversation.

Follow your child’s lead – play with them, talk about what they are doing. They are more likely to want to carry on chatting and playing with you if they are enjoying it.

Use visual support – use gestures and pointing and pictures to help your child understand what you want from them or what you are saying.

Get down to your child’s level – talk with them face to face so you can see each other’s facial expressions.

Stories are really important (and fun) for children of all ages.

Lots of nursery rhymes and singing with young children is really helpful. It tunes them in to the rhythm of language.

TOP TIPS

The Y8 football team who defeated Richard Coates, Ponteland 3-2 to reach the quarter finals of the Northumberland County Cup.

The Y8 Boys’ and Girls’ teams won the East Northumberland schools volleyball event. They now go through to the Northumberland school games finals.

Three of our students performed exceptionally well in the National Judo championships in Buckinghamshire: Alex Brown and Molly Common won Gold and Adam Douglass a Bronze. A fantastic achievement!

8 NCEA boys have successfully got through trials and have been selected to represent East Northumberland Football Squads: Jai Chungh, Danny Anderson, Reece Crate, Aaron Dodds, Drew Eastlake, Sam Shanks, Regan McCloud and Lewis Sampson.

Well done to the Y7 and Y8 NCEA Girls’ football team, who finished runners-up in the East Northumberland School Games Qualifier.

Gym Olympian Thank you to Craig Heap (GB Olympic gymnast and BBC ‘Tumble’ judge) for his inspirational talk to Y7 pupils.

Every Y7 student was issued a ‘steps to success’ card and will be setting personal goals through the ‘steps to success’ programme.

MR BLIGHT DIRECTOR OF NCEASPORT

SPORTSECONDARY

Well done to the Y7/8 girls’ rugby team who performed fantastically well and demonstrated team work and resilience of the highest standard to emerge unbeaten at the NRFU U13 tournament at Morpeth RFC. They got off to a flying start winning the first two matches convincingly, leaving them in the final against Chantry Middle School. The game finished 10-10 resulting in a tie for first position.

Y8 RUGBY

NCEASport sixth form rugby (including several Y11 players) played against Bede Academy and put on a great display, just narrowly losing to more experienced opposition.

Dozens of boys in Y9 and Y10 descended on Ashington RFC to play rugby after-school. The boys received coaching, played competitive games and enjoyed food in the clubhouse afterwards.

A TERM OF TRIUMPH FOR NCEA ATHLETESA BIG WELL DONE TO...

Sixth Form Rugby

The James Knott Campus Y5 boys represented NCEA at the Ashington Area School Games Level 2 football competition, where NCEA played

games against teams from Ashington and Amble. The U11 NCEA team are

competing in the East Northumberland schools FA league.

SPORTPRIMARY

In September Mr Watson, the NCEA Rugby coach,

began delivering a unit of ‘tag’ rugby to all Y6 classes.

In the October half-term holiday, a three day rugby sports camp was

delivered to Y6 and Y7 pupils.

RUGBY

JAMES KNOTT CAMPUS TEAM

FA SKILLS

Throughout the academic year 2014-15, NCEA Primary has linked up with The FA Skills programme. FA coaches are currently working with both Y4 classes at Josephine Butler Primary Campus. In addition to this, an FA community skills centre has been established at NCEA on Monday nights. NCEA students can join anytime:

5-6pm: 5-8 years 6-7pm: 8-11 years

www.TheFA.com/tescoskills

Grace Darling and Josephine Butler campuses are to stage ‘Family Football’ in January 2015

TRANSITION SPORT FESTIVAL Our first Y6/7 transition event took place through a rugby festival.

Over 100 pupils from the Josephine Butler Primary, James Knott and Thomas Bewick campuses took part in a series of games.

The event was really well organised by the NCEASport Sixth Form group as part of their leadership and coaching programme.

Thomas Bewick CampusMoorhouse Lane Ashington NE63 9LP

Tel: 01670 812 075

Grace Darling CampusCentral Parkway Newbiggin by the Sea NE64 6RT

Tel: 01670 812 075

James Knott CampusNorham Road Ashington NE63 0LF

Tel: 01670 813 219

William Leech CampusChurch Square Lynemouth Morpeth, NE61 5TR

Tel: 01670 860 267

Josephine Butler CampusAcademy Road Ashington NE63 9FZ

Tel: 01670 816 111 www.ncea.org.uk