Newsletter
Issue 40
Week commencing 30 June 2014
(Week B)
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Message from the Principal
Strike Action
Welcome to this week’s newsletter at the end of a very
busy week that has seen the start of the first stage of our
transition programme.
All current students have moved up a Year group and
begun their new timetable. Although a demanding activity
on the institution, this early start is crucial for the students
to maintain momentum. Despite a few wrinkles, things
have got off to a good start and we know the gains made
now will pay huge dividends for the academic year ahead.
It was great, for instance, to see the focus and quality of
the students’ work as they completed their Science
controlled assessments this week.
We are aware that the NUT and UNISON have both called
for strike action on 10 July with other unions balloting for
the same day. As the picture becomes clearer I will aim to
keep you informed how the Academy will be affected.
On previous strike days we have had to close to some
Year groups. Given the range of unions involved and
potentially involved we are not yet in a position to know
how we will be affected. I will write to all parents and carers
with an update as soon as I am able to give as much notice
as we can of any expected issues.
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Loom Bands
The next stage from 14 July will see us joined by our new
Yet another fad has been invented to ensure that parents/
Year 7 and 12 students. As they arrive, everyone will move carers pay inflated prices for everyday household items; on
onto their new country in a new continent for next year; the this occasion it is the elastic band.
next step of their journey through the Academy will begin.
The use of Loom Bands may improve hand to eye coThis week also saw the annual June training day for the
ordination when used in a supervised activity, but can also
Norfolk show. All our classroom facing staff took the
pose a Health & Safety concern when used independently
opportunity to attend the 2nd West Norfolk Partnership
within the classroom or playground area.
Inspire to Succeed conference at the King’s Lynn Corn
Exchange. Almost 600 people attended for presentations
It is with this in mind that we would ask that Loom Bands or
and activities by two leading speakers on education; John associated constructed jewellery are not either worn or
Davitt and Dylan William.
visible in the Academy. We thank you in anticipation of
your support in ensuring the Academy maintains high
A mixture of practical strategies with new technologies and expectations for presentation and behaviour.
basic tried and tested methods around assessment in
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classrooms were highlighted, discussed and demonstrated Americas House News
and I know many have left the training with great ideas.
Oobles Winners
I would like to flag up that there are a number of Parent
Due to the loss of a working day this week, Oobles winners
Partnership activities coming up as we near the summer
will be awarded next week.
break including: Year 7 Parents’ Evening (although they are now
Our Sports Day team has been
just technically Year 8…!) next Tuesday and
selected with Georgia Sandover
 New Year 7 Parents’ Evening (currently Year 6 –
and Daniel Clark as our Captains.
about to be Year 7 from 14 July) on Wednesday 9
We look forward to the event.
July.
Good Luck Team.
Finally, we are all looking forward to a formal celebration
and goodbye for Year 11 students next Friday. The prom is
always a highlight of the social calendar and, with the
additions of a celebration event, this year promises to be a
fitting end for the students who have put in so much hard
work over the years. With the exams now finished, after the
event next Friday for some it will be to pastures new, for
others it will be back with us for induction to Year 12 from
14 July. Whatever the next step for our Year 11 students I
would like to thank them and their families for all their hard
work – I hope to see everyone on results day on the 21
August to share in all the success.
We are currently advertising for our new
Student Leaders. Deadline for receipt of
applications is Monday 30 June.
Transition
We are extremely pleased with how smoothly our American
Students have embraced the new timetable. Well done
everybody keep up the good work. We will be working on
our House Challenges soon. Watch this space.
Check out the Americas web page for new material.
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Sixth Form News
Bexwell Library News
We have had an amazing week at the Sixth Form, all
exams are finished and the Year 13 celebrations have
Genre of the Fortnight
been taking place.
In keeping with Wimbledon 2014:
Tennis/Sports.
On Wednesday, the Business & Tourism Department held
their annual dinner to celebrate the success of all their
Book of the Week
students and to say farewell to two colleagues; Andy
“Boy Nobody” by Allen Zadoff (Adventure)
Johnson who is moving to a new school and Carole
Beanland who is retiring – after 20 years. The evening was Boy Nobody
is the perennial new kid in
held at Dents Farm Barn for the first time, they served a
school, the
one few notice and nobody
delicious meal to nearly 90 students in their new extension thinks much
about. He shows up in a new
which helped create a really good atmosphere on a warm
high school,
in a new town, under a new
summer’s evening. Speeches and toasts were given by
name,
makes few friends and doesn't
the students and many certificates and awards were
stay long.
Just long enough for someone
presented. In all, it was a successful evening enjoyed by
in his new friend's family to die - of "natural causes."
everyone.
Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and
moves on to the next target.
The Year 13 celebration breakfast happened this morning.
Over 80 students and staff attended and enjoyed a really
Series of the Term
tasty breakfast prepared by our Canteen – thank you
Tunnels (Sci-Fi/Adventure)
Janet.
This 6 book series is well paced,
exciting and – in places – frightening
We were then able to listen to a range of speeches given
and bloody.
by students and staff. It was nice to look back at some of
our most memorable occasions. A special mention must
New to the Library – Ipads
go to Amy Sharp for putting together a collection of
Ipads with lots of exciting educational
photographs of the students since their first day in Year 7. apps are available for use now. If your child would like to
use one before the Academy day or during lunchtime
The finale was a really talented group of singers who,
please contact Miss Hovell in the Library.
under the guidance of Lee Thubbron, sang “moving on”;
library@downhammarketacademy.co.uk
they were an amazing, fitting end to the event.
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The Light Cinema, Wisbech
Thank you to all staff who helped with the organisation and,
we wish the Year 13 students every success in the future. As part of their opening celebrations, the Light Cinema is
We hope you all enjoy the party tonight which you have
offering all local school children a voucher that will give
organised yourselves – we will be thinking of you.
them a free popcorn if they visit the Cinema in the next few
weeks. Form Teachers have these vouchers to distribute.
Next week is a busy week for Year 12 with many events
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being held so, watch out for lots more news next week.
Congratulations
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PE Update
A group of Foundation Diploma Art and Design students
from City College Norwich are bringing their work to the
Sports Day will take place on Tuesday 15 July. All
public through an art trail in conjunction with retailers in the
students will be out on the field in the afternoon. We would Norwich Lanes.
encourage students to be prepared for the weather,
especially if it is hot and sunny (hopefully).
The art trail, launched to coincide with City College
Norwich’s Creative Arts end of year show, has been coIf any parents wish to attend the track events in the
ordinated by former Downham Market Sixth Form student
afternoon (1.00-3.00 pm) please could you contact Mr
Emma Smith, 18, who got together with 18 of her fellow
Southam on p.southam@downhammarketacademy.co.uk
students on the project.
to reserve your place.
_______________________________________________ The students’ art is now on display in independent
Downham Football Tournament
businesses based in the Norwich Lanes, until 2 July.
Well done to the Downham Town Under 13s team who
won the annual Tournament on Sunday (22nd). Lots of
great football was played over the course of the day - a
well-deserved win for Ryan Brown, Dylan Short, Zak
Melson, Jacob Sim, Spencer Singleterry and Oliver Harris.
Also, well done to the other two Under 13 teams who made
it through to the quarter finals.
Well done Emma.