Hertsbeat...2017/12/21  · No Stopping Us In the last few months when most schools are winding down, there’s no stopping us, with a surge in activities including those in this Hertsbeat.

No Stopping Us In the last few months when most schools are winding down, there’s no stopping us, with a surge in

activities including those in this Hertsbeat. Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 have also enjoyed their awards

evenings with hundreds of students winning prestigious medals and trophies. The coveted ‘Student

of the Year’ awards were presented to Lewis Cato (Year 7), Harrison Hodge (Year 8), Tommy Dyer-

Powell (Year 9) and Urse Bloxham (Year 10) with more awards for Years 11, 12 and 13 being

presented next term after results in August. Until then, we thank you for your support, wish you a

fantastic, well deserved summer break and look forward to seeing you next academic year!

Hertswood Academy Aim High Achieve Excellence

Hertsbeat Monday 17th July 2017 | Issue 12:21

Peter Gillett, Headteacher Remembering the Past by Eleeza (Year 10)

On Saturday 17th June 2017, students from Year 10 had the privilege to travel to Belgium and visit the graves of

soldiers who fought in the World Wars. We were thrilled to be going, and it turned out to be one of the best

experiences I have ever had and I’m sure everyone else enjoyed it also.

It felt extraordinary to be in the fresh air of Calais, with its beautiful countryside and stunning buildings. Shortly after

getting used to the time difference in France, we departed for Lijssenthoek Cemetery. The cemetery included graves

of different religions and nationalities, portraying equality between each unique soldier. The cemetery was peaceful

and astonishing, and everyone showed deep respect for the fallen soldiers. Many of the graves had the quote

‘although gone, never forgotten,’ which moved all of us.

We then set off to visit the Hooge Museum and Trenches. The museum had extraordinary artifacts, many were

stunning and some were upsetting. Many items survived the war, such as barbed wire, shells, and gas masks, and the

remains are used to remind people of the impact the war had. It was unimaginable that more than 1,000 soldiers

were crowded into a small space to avoid the attacks. To think that those narrow spaces were what they called safe.

More pictures at facebook.com/hertswoodacademy, or read Eleeza’s full article at www.hertswoodacademy.org

www.hertswoodacademy.org | facebook.com/hertswoodacademy | twitter.com/hertswooduk

Taking Flight by Siana (Year 10)

This year was the first that Hertswood Academy participated in the SetPoint Glider Challenge. We arrived at MBDA and began

by receiving lessons on aerodynamics, materials and business skills. We were to be marked on the distance our glider went,

the innovation in its design, the presentation we had to show to judges, and our teamwork throughout the day.

We had a small glitch when testing our glider, as the tail broke off! We were able to overcome that and make a glider that flew

14 metres, giving us second place in our debut. The day was an amazing experience and provided us a great insight on what it

was like to work at MBDA.

District Athletics Championships by Mr Blackwell (Teacher of PE)

On Friday 30th June over forty students from Years 7 to 10 represented Hertswood in the annual

District Athletics Championships — a huge event with eleven schools taking part. They performed

brilliantly with almost twenty making it through the heats and into the final for their track events.

Five students came out with 3rd place finishes, as well as our Year 7 boys relay team. Kai (Year 9) and

Leyla (Year 8) earned 2nd place in Triple Jump and High Jump respectively, and Freddie (Year 7) took

1st in the High Jump. As a team it was also a very successful event for Hertswood. The Year 7 boys team

achieved the best result as a year group, coming 3rd overall. Even more impressively, we came 4th as a

whole school! Our best result in recent years.

It's been a great year for our athletes with over twenty school records being broken throughout the season. Well done to

everyone who has taken part this year.

Updated start dates for the 2017/18 academic year: Year 7 & 12 - Thursday 7th September (Year 7 until lunchtime) | Year 10 & 11 - Friday 8th September | Year 8, 9 & 13 - Monday 11th September

BMX Success by James (Year 7)

On the 18th June I took part in the London Youth Games BMX event, and I was representing the Borough of

Barnet. The event took place in Brockwell Park where there were over 500 competing. It was a very hot day

and I tried really hard. I raced in the Wings category. Most of the competitors in my heat were seventeen — I

am just 12! In my three heats I came, third, fifth and third and in the final I came third, picking up a bronze

medal. I felt really proud getting my medal. This is me and my medal.

Anti-Sepsis Day by Miss Clinch (Teacher of English)

On Friday 7th July 2017 we took part in a non-uniform day to collect money for The

Sepsis Trust UK, raising a brilliant £908 for the charity to help them to spread

awareness of sepsis and to ensure all students know the signs and symptoms.

I organised this event in memory of my young nephew Tyler who, in 2015, sadly

passed away just before his third birthday from sepsis. Hertswood Academy has

been a huge support since the loss of my nephew and the contributions from the

staff and students have been incredible. The cake sale was a huge success and the

students were involved in selling badges and wrist bands at break time and lunch time. Thank you to everyone who contributed

to the charity and a special thanks to Mr Gillett, Ms Milton as well as Savannah (Year 9), Nabrissa and Justus (Year 8).

Freddie (Year 7) with a gold medal for High Jump