Dear Parent/Carer,

 

As another year closes, we can reflect with pride on a full, busy and productive year of education, opportunities and achievement in all areas of school life.

Latterly we have enjoyed the most fantastic summer concert showcasing the talented musicians from those at the start of their musical journey in developing their technique and musicianship, executing their performances with precision through to those students who have been learning their instrument or voice over time, showcasing their refined technique and dexterity in conjunction with a high degree of musicianship.  Music is flourishing at Belvoir. 

 

This week, the academy as a whole enjoyed Sports day showcasing students for their sporting prowess or by simply participating to gain House points.  Our students have demonstrated their best in commitment, achievement and resilience in these events and the culture of support and camaraderie at Belvoir is tangibly evident, inclusive of everyone.

 

All Things Reading

This term has seen the English department continue their work to ensure that students can read for pleasure, read for purpose and develop a love of all things Literary. Miss Smith has been instrumental in leading work on reading for pleasure this year and, as a result of her hard work, Priory Belvoir Academy has achieved the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge Bronze Award. The ultimate aim of the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, needs or abilities, becomes a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader. Therefore, being awarded with the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge recognises and celebrates Belvoir’s ongoing commitments to prioritising and encouraging reading for pleasure as a school.  

In addition, a cohort of our Year 10 students have volunteered to coach selected Year 7 students to improve their reading fluency. Paired Reading Fluency sessions now take place four times every week, and we are seeing students make progress with this specific reading skill. 

Miss Smith has also collaborated with Miss Wilson, Head of Year 8, and Ms Moules, our school librarian, to run the Carnegie Book Shadowing Club. This has seen specially selected students from Year 9 gifted a complete set of the shortlisted novels to read one per week, and to decide on their winner for the prestigious Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (although our book club had other preferences over the judge’s final selection of The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros)! 

  

Miss Wilson and Miss Smith have also been busily organising trips for the next academic year, including booking tickets for KS4 students to see the latest RSC production of Macbeth in Stratford Upon Avon, the Mark Gatiss production of A Christmas Carol at the Nottingham Playhouse, plus KS3 trips to see The Woman in Black at The Theatre Royal in Nottingham, and A Mid Summer’s Night’s Dream, again in Stratford – watch out for letters for these trips in September! 

 

This term we have introduced a refined approach to our reading interventions. We are now completing fully diagnostic reading tests to identify barriers to reading and ensuring that students are receiving interventions that best suit their needs. Our LSAs are running Read, Write, Inc Fresh Start phonics, reading fluency and reading comprehension interventions and we are seeing students grow in confidence and ability. Mrs Wigley and Mrs Tucker have been so impressed with the students they are working with that they have introduced a weekly literacy champion student award.

 

Celebrating the Coronation

Pomp and pageantry (alongside kilometres of bunting) provided a fitting backdrop for our celebratory coronation lunch.  On Friday 5^th May in celebration of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, our catering team pulled out all the stops and over 450 students enjoyed delicious savoury and sweet treats and cakes at our Belvoir banquet. 

 

Year 11 Prom

The outgoing year 11 had their prom on June 22^nd at The Old Barn in Marston to celebrate the end of exams and their time at Belvoir.  110 students dressed to impress and arrived in everything from a Lamborghini to soft top convertible, driving themselves in a family heirloom vintage tractor to two students arriving on a speedboat!  Yes – you will need to work that one out!!  The fun didn’t stop there though as this fantastic group of students danced and sang the night away – one of our most memorable and enjoyable Proms to date.  We will miss them greatly and wish them all future success, good health and happiness in all that they do.

 

Music Summer Showcase 2023

On Wednesday 28^th June, the Music Department held its annual Summer Showcase performance events. Parents were invited in to see all that has been going on in the Music department over the past academic year – and what a night! All students who have instrumental lessons through the school had been asked to perform, and had worked hard with their instrumental teachers to get ‘show-ready’, and after a day of rehearsals with Miss Form, they then plucked up the courage to go in front of a live audience. For many of them, this was the first time they had ever done this, and it was so inspiring to see students from beginner level through to advanced, all coming together to show off their skills.  Also performing were students from the Belvoir Vocal Group and a variety of Bands from Rock School.  One of the things we enjoyed the most, was seeing the support for the performers – not just from their family and friends,  but the camaraderie between the students was a joy to watch. We’re all really looking forward to Summer 2024 for the next show!

Rock School rehearsals will be changing to Tuesdays after school in the new academic year. If you child would like to attend, they need to sign up in the Music room with Miss Form in August. Please note, this is not a music lesson, students must already be able to play instruments prior to joining.

Whole School Production Auditions - We Will Rock You!

This term we have been delighted to welcome back Mrs Appleby from her maternity leave – which means our next school production is now underway! Several very successful rounds of auditions have already taken place with Mrs Appleby and Miss Form and the final casting list has now been published. This means students with lead roles will be able to get learning their lines ready for September. Letters have gone out to students about key dates, which are detailed below, but if your child would still like to be involved, please check the dates below and tell them to go and see Mrs Appleby at the start of the new academic year – it’s open to everyone, and the more the merrier!

Key Dates 

The following key dates are for all cast and crew:    

Saturday 27^th January: 10am-4pm technical run  

Saturday 3^rd February: 10am-4pm dress run  

Tuesday 6th February: all day rehearsal  

Wednesday 7^th February: Matinee performance to primary schools  

Thursday 8^th February: Evening Performance  

Friday 9^th February: Evening Performance  

  

Rehearsals 

Rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays after school from 3:10-5:00pm. As I am sure you will appreciate, it is imperative that all students attend rehearsals to ensure a successful production. If your child is unable to attend a rehearsal for an unavoidable reason, please can you supply a note or email to inform of their absence in advance. This helps us to ensure rehearsal time is used efficiently.  

Sports Day 2023

242 different students competed in the 37 athletics events across the 3 days

Hundreds of other students took part in badminton, table tennis, dance and rounders

12 ex-students came back in to help run the day – thank you to these students who demonstrated excellent leadership skills.

6 school records were broken

3 PE teachers didn't wear enough suncream!

8 female members of staff ran in the relay (one team went twice)

 

Record breakers

Well done to the following students for breaking existing school sports day records:

Miles Pearce:  Year 7 boys’ discus 18.40 metres

Lily Flint:  Year 8 girls’ discus 16.50 metres 

Danny Parker-Allen: Year 8 boys’ high jump 1.35 metres

Cerys Phillipson:  Year 9 girls’ long jump 4.40m metres

Cerys Phillipson:  Year 9 girls’ 100m 13.33 seconds

Ewan Rochester:  Year 9 boys’ long jump 5.35 metres

 

House Sports Winners

5th place: Mercury

4th place: Rowling

3rd place: Attenborough

2nd place: Bolt

Winners 2023: Malala

Friends of Belvoir

The PTA properly reformed in January 2022 after the Covid pandemic, and have hit the ground running!

Since starting with ice creams sales last July on sports day, they have managed to hold a couple of thoroughly enjoyable and well-attended events throughout the year – a Year 7 film night and Year 7/8 disco.

They held a refreshment stall at the Bottesford bonfire night celebrations and have provided teas/coffees and soft drinks at the various parents’ evenings.  They also managed to keep the students supplied with water and ice creams again at this year’s sports day.

Due to a need for a facility for parents to buy good quality second hand uniform, they have started a preloved uniform shop which has been open a couple of times now. Uptake has been encouraging.

In addition to raising £2300 for the school, they also persuaded local businesses to support with the school’s award night and gifted £935 in addition to some rewards vouchers. This enabled the school to present gift vouchers to more students than anticipated and have funds available moving to next year’s event.

A persuasive request was put to the FOB by Mr Waddingham and Miss Watson for a new PA system and this was purchased from the funds in time for last weeks sports day! It will enhance the quality of school events no end!

Moving to the next academic year, they aim to hold:-

Year 7 film night (September)

Year 10 bouncy castle event (September)

Year 7/8 disco (March)

They plan to provide refreshments at bonfire night, parents evenings etc and will be making the preloved shop available to all twice a term.

If anyone has any suggestions or wishes to support the PTA in any way, then please contact Kate Beardmore at katebeardmore50@outlook.com

 

Year 11 Results Day

Year 11 students can collect their GCSE results on Thursday August 24th between 9am and 10am. Please enter the academy through the main reception. Because it is a normal school day for Priory Belvoir, only the Senior Leadership Team will be available at this time, but we will endeavour to answer any queries if they arise.

If your child cannot collect their results in person they can nominate someone else to do so, but they must email Mr Lynch from their school email address requesting this, stating who will be collecting the results on their behalf. This should be an adult and not a sibling as this person must show photo ID on collection. If no one can collect the results in person your child should email Mr Lynch from their school email address and their results will be emailed to their school email address on results day.

If after collecting results and returning home students still have queries they should in the first instance contact our exams officer Mr Lynch on jlynch@prioryacademies.co.uk . Please note that we will be analysing all exam results shortly after results day. If there are any results that are very close to the next grade up we will contact you by 1st September to give you the details about the process and consequences of applying for a remark, including the costs. Certificates will be available for collection from the school reception when they arrive around November time, so please make sure you give up to date contact details on the form we give out on results day.   

 

Star Bakers

Twelve talented year 7's were named as Star Bakers for taking Food Studies by storm this year! Mrs Corlett and Mrs Suschitzky felt these students should be awarded for independence, enthusiasm and organisation before and during classes. Well done all.

Seb Box, Zach Fisher, Izzie Barkham, Megan Cranwell, Emily Grant, Annabel King, Lola Mae Radford, Taylor Sang, Mary Mabbit, James Murray, Sophie Stroud, Harriet Smith

 

Careers

Twenty students  from Year 10 were lucky enough to be invited on a construction workshop morning at Grantham College in May. The students had a go at plastering, joinery, bricklaying and plumbing. The morning gave students an insight into construction as a potential career option, as well as experiencing college life.

 

Geography

It’s been a busy term in Geography with Year 7 and Year 10 sitting exams, in addition to the three GCSE papers sat by Year 11. They approached their exams very positively and many attended the extra revision sessions offered, so we hope that dedication pays off in their results.

Year 10 had a successful second GCSE fieldtrip to Hornsea and Mappleton. The rain held off and we were able to observe the impact of coastal management on erosion. A lot of fish & chips were consumed!

 

In the Spotlight…..

• Orla Mapletoft, Oliver Grant, Sophia Pearl and Rowan Meynell took part in Rotary youth leadership award. They were selected by their Head of Year for their potential as a future leader, that may not yet be the finished product, but were also willing to take part in the sporting activities and would be confident meeting and living with new people from across UK.  They took part in things like rock climbing/ abseiling, canoeing, zip lining, obstacle courses and mini olympics.  Each led an activity for the others. All have said they’ve kept in touch with new friends made and will be presenting their feedback to their sponsoring rotary club soon.
• Chloe Durrant is dancing her way to 1^st place in lyrical, 2nd place in acro and 3rd in song and dance.
• Mary Mabbitt has been a champion fundraiser by participating in every Vale of Belvoir Lions sleigh run and raised over £10,000.
• Clem Beardmore won the coveted Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Young Leader Award for his charity work.

 

Treading the Boards

• Rising actor Leo Hollingsworth year 7 has successfully been cast as Jeremy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the autumn showing at the Theatre Royal Nottingham.  Leo successfully starred as Billy in Billy Elliot at the Curve last year. 
• Laundon Gadd has been cast in Frozen as Elsa performing at Glasgow Arena in January 2024. She is currently rehearsing in Nottingham at the Arena but also goes up to Glasgow twice a month to rehearse. 

• Liv White has been performing in the dance show Take a Bow at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. This was modern contemporary dance.

 

In the World of Sport

• Elijah Killen has competed in the qualifiers U14 county tennis for Lincolnshire to progress through to Wimbledon.  He has also won the regional U14 tennis tournament for Yorkshire and has won the last 3 U16 county tennis tournaments.
• Liv White plays netball for Market Harborough, previously played for Leics County and Loughborough under 15s. She has been awarded the best attack player for Market Harborough and the coaches player of the season for Loughborough

• Logan Melville plays for Nottingham Forest football Club – U18
• Riain Hunt and Leo Moore have successfully completed trials to join Grantham Town Football Club. They are starting in the 2^nd team.
• Alex Galley competed in the Leicestershire County Tennis competition and won!
• Fin Tuck has played basketball for Leicester Riders this year and has passed the trials to play again next year.
• Molly Starmer continues to compete in various show jumping and eventing competitions and has done well in many of them. This includes competing in the Pony Club Spring Festival Championship at Arena UK.
• James Fern is a dedicated sportsman playing for Lincoln City Football Club and Nottingham County Cricket.
• Harry Donohue won most improved in his category at Grantham Tennis Club 

Change to the school day at Priory Belvoir Academy

As a reminder, from the start of the new academic year in August 2023, our school day for all age groups will be as follows:

Start time: 8.40am
Finish time: 3.10pm

 

We  have made the decision to start the school day 5 minutes earlier at 8.40am and have used this opportunity to extend the tutorial session to 25 minutes to more easily facilitate assemblies, PSHE based learning activities and intervention programmes .  The rest of the school day will move forward by 5 minutes and therefore the end of the day will finish five minutes later at 3.10pm.  All local authority transport has been consulted and reminded of the changes ready for Tuesday 29^th August 2023.   

 

8.40am – 9.05am             Registration and Tutorial time

9.05am – 10.05am           Period 1

10.05am – 11.05am         Period 2

11.05am – 11.25am         Break

11.25am - 12.25pm          Period 3

12.25pm – 1.10pm           Lunch

1.10pm – 2.10pm             Period 4

2.10pm – 3.10pm             Period 5

3.10pm                               End of the school day

 

 

And Those Leaving Us…..

We say a very fond farewell to those members of staff who are leaving us for pastures new and thank them for their service to the academy.

• Ms McGrath is starting an exciting new chapter in her life in France after 21 distinguished years at Belvoir as Head of Humanities and Head of Geography.
• Mrs Watson is taking early retirement after 13 dedicated years in Performing Arts at the academy.
• Mrs Johnson is retiring after 21 years service to the academy, firstly working in the community centre before becoming examinations officer in  2009 and joining the teaching staff as a maths teacher in 2018.
• Mr Wooster leaves us to advance his career at another school in the region.
• Miss Coltorti is taking a career break to go travelling and we wish her well on her travels.

 

Finally, thank you to all of our parents and carers for your support this year.  Wherever you are going and whatever you are doing over the summer period, we hope that you enjoy some quality family time before students return to school on Tuesday 29^th August 2023 when we will also be welcoming our new Year 7 students to the Priory Belvoir family.

Yours faithfully,

Mr L S Newton

Headteacher