PE Curriculum and Clubs

The clocks have gone forwards and shorts have returned to the PE department, meaning summer sports are on their way. Following the Easter break, our pupils will experience lessons in athletics, tennis, rounders and cricket. Our extra curricular timetable will reflect the changing of the seasons and sports will have competitive fixtures upcoming. Please see the PE extracurricular timetable for summer 1 below:-

Year 11 GCSE PE Revision

In Spring 1, thorough preparations for the GCSE PE terminal examinations commenced with Mr Butler and Miss Watkins. Our year 11 pupils have attended on Tuesdays each week, showing real engagement and enthusiasm in the sessions. The pupils have covered topics such as respiratory system, the effects of exercise on the body, axis and levers, and types of feedback and guidance. These revision sessions will continue every Tuesday in C040 to 4:00pm, up to exam leave and we implore all pupils to make the most of these highly valuable sessions.

GCSE & A-Level PE Practical Moderation Dates

We have had confirmation of our 2 practical moderation dates for students on GCSE PE & A-Level PE:

• Y11 GCSE PE: Wednesday 27 April @Hinckley Academy
• Y13 ALevel PE: Thursday 28 April @ Warwick School

Once we have confirmation of which students and sports have been selected by the moderators, Mr Burt will give moderation packs to each student with key information, timings and plans for the day. We wish all students luck in the practical moderations and are sure they will do themselves and NLS proud.

Netball Y7

Our Year 7 Netball team was successful in beating Kenilworth 17-2 in the Plate FINAL! They showed incredible sportsmanship and they were a credit to NLS.

The Year 8 team came 1st, the Year 9 team came 4th and the Year 10 team came 2nd in their leagues against all of the other neighbouring schools. 

Throughout the year it has been fantastic to see all of our Netball teams working so hard to win as many games as possible

If Netball is something you would like to try, please come along to the Netball club in the Autumn term next academic year to show off your skills and possibly get selected to join the team!

Football Y7

Our Y7 footballers ended the season with two narrow defeats in the Semi-Final of the Cup and final League fixture (2-1 and 1-0 respectively). The boys have had a tremendous first season together and we await a final league fixture to be played by two other schools, to see if we are league champions or runners up.

Our Y7 B Team have also represented the school in two excellent games v Arnold Lodge at the end of March. This was a great opportunity for students who were ever present during Football extra-curricular clubs, but had not yet represented the school. The two games ended in an 8-4 and 4-3 victory both for NLS with 'Man of the Matches', Daniel M and Noah T, in the two games.

Football Y8

Our Y8 footballers WON the County Cup on Wednesday 6 April against Studley at Central Ajax FC. It was a thrilling final, where NLS went down 2-0 early in the first half in the teaming rain. However, the clouds broke and so did the shackles from the boys' performance, as they took control of the game and scored 4 fantastic goals to secure the cup coming back to NLS! Huge congratulations to all students involved and to goal scorers Noah F, Archie DP x2 and Louis P.

Rugby Y7

Our Y7 Rugby team have made huge progress since the start of the year and performed exceptionally well in the Y7 Schools Rugby tournament in March. They were victorious against Aylesford and went down by a single point to both Kenilworth and Southam, but had much the better of both games. I am extremely excited about the team moving forward into Y8.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Our year 9 & 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award students enjoyed a fantastic day out in the sunshine during Spring 1, learning how to navigate effectively using a map & compass in the Leek Wootton area as they begin preparations for their summer qualifying expeditions. The training team from Venture Outdoor were highly complementary of our students’ attitude and engagement throughout the day as our teams covered 10+ kilometres in the beautiful countryside surrounding the Warwickshire Golf Club.

With the commencement of Summer term, it brings our qualifying expeditions into sharp focus and the importance of uploading evidence for the skill, physical and volunteering sections becomes paramount. To complete a section, a student must have either a completed assessor's report card (located in the participant handbook) or direct their assessor to the assessor’s report section of the DofE website.

For a section pass in the evidence verification process, the start date on the individual's eDofE programme planner must align with the start date recorded on the assessor's report. The length of time the section has been completed for must also cover the set time period of 3 months or 6 months, e.g. If the start date is – 01/01/2022, the finish date for a 3 month section must be 01/04/2022 as a minimum. Evidence will be rejected at verification if it does not meet the requirements of the DofE. Please see either Mr Beese (Year 10) or Mr Schofield (Year 9) for any queries relating to the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Two sections must be completed to be able to access the qualifying expedition, with evidence provided of efforts being made towards completing the third.

With the expeditions on the horizon, there are a number of compulsory training sessions that must be attended by all DofE pupils. Weekly reminders will go out via the weekly PE bulletin, directing pupils to their training location and providing specific session timing. The session schedule is provided below:-

Year 9

Year 10

Dance recital 2022

Well done to Miss Davis and all of our fantastic dancers (67 in total from Y7-12) at the dance recital. You were all amazing and showcased your wonderful talent and passion for dance. You should all be so proud of yourselves. Also thank you to all the staff and students involved behind the scenes….without you there wouldn’t be a show! Well done to KS3 dance club on their first performance together, you were so professional and enthusiastic during the show and I hope you have many more performances to come at NLS. Good luck to Y11s with their practical exam in the next term, it was fantastic to see all your hard work and creativity come to light in the performance. Thank you to all those who came to watch and support.

Mr Burt

Head of PE

We are going from strength to strength, with each student developing and employing the CORE ethos of the school. It is so pleasing to witness the majority of pupils being supportive, honest, having integrity, never giving up and most importantly, displaying enthusiasm. ‘When you can be anything in this world……be kind’, has been the underlying tone of this half-term, and it has been overwhelming to witness year 7 students displaying such heart-warming acts of kindness, towards both staff and students at NLS. The number of R2s students have received in year 7 is higher than I have ever witnessed in my time as a College Leader at NLS. Their simple gestures have gone a long way in spreading happiness in NLS. We have also continued to follow instructions and display a positive work ethic. This corroborates my opinion that despite my high expectations, we are able to achieve anything and develop the key skills needed to be a well-rounded individual. I am very proud of the students in year 7. It is important that I am helping them to feel happy at school as well as ensuring that they have high aspirations.

Year 7 Tutor Curriculum

This half-term, our year 7 students have learnt about friendships, respect and relationships. The curriculum focussed on; features of healthy friendships (including online), typical behaviour within respectful relationships and what to do if a friendship/relationship causes unhappiness. It was also important to address issues such as consent and boundaries. I have received some positive feedback from all tutors stating that our year 7s behaved in a very mature and empathetic manner. I am hoping these lessons will support them to make the right decisions in the future and build/maintain positive friendships at school and in the community.

Year 7 trip to the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham

All year 7 students had the opportunity to attend a fascinating trip to the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham. They experienced animal handling and a rainforest challenge. The animal handling entailed looking at their exciting and unique animal collection! They had the opportunity to `get up close` with a range of exotic animals chosen from the following selection: Corn Snake, Panther Chameleon, Bearded Dragon, Lesser Madagascan Tenrec, Fire Salamander, Giant Land Snail, Madagascan Hissing Cockroach and Stick Insect! They got to learn about the special adaptations that these creatures have developed and the habitat they live in. Our year 7 students also competed in a Rainforest Challenge. They worked in small groups to solve clues in their backpacks to find out the names and information about our key rainforest plants. The students had to work out the secret codeword. It was fantastic to witness how enthusiastic and engaged all of our students were. Their attitude and behaviour was exemplary.

Whitemoor Lakes

I am excited to announce that we will be taking 170 students to Whitemoor Lake on Friday 1 – Sunday 3 April. I will be hosting an information evening on Thursday 10 March at 6pm. This will be an opportunity to discuss the finer details. I am hoping that this experience will be more than just a fun ‘school trip away’. As Year 7 Leader, I want to offer our students interesting and meaningful adventures, educational school trips and outdoor learning opportunities in line with the curriculum. At Whitemoor Lake, students will be exposed to a wide range of diverse and exciting activities from developing practical skills to outdoor educational adventures like abseiling, climbing, archery and team games. All exciting and fun activities for pupils to enjoy, but all chosen with specific goals in mind – whether it’s confidence building for children unwilling or unable to engage with their teachers and/or peers in the classroom, team building to encourage students to work together, or to encourage independence and a sense of personal responsibility for our students. For our year 7 students, I feel this residential trip will offer a unique opportunity for them to claim their independence, make their own decisions and build new friendships and make fantastic memories.

Rewards

I am excited to inform you that our top 30 students in year 7 had the opportunity to attend a cinema experience in the school theatre. These students were awarded with this prize for accumulating the highest number of reward points in year 7. It was lovely to see them sat back relaxing, eating popcorn and enjoying a good movie. Well deserved.

I am pleased to announce that Alexis F has continued to reign supreme and achieve the highest Reward Points in year 7 this term. However Will K, Zac L, Max R and Zac F are still hot on her heels, finishing within the top 5. This is a fantastic accomplishment. Their ability to maintain their lead demonstrates that they have been consistent in their approach to learning. Taking on leadership roles within lessons, working above their target as well as supporting others are just a few of the underlying reasons why they have managed to be awarded so many points. Congratulations to all of the students listed below, I am very proud of you all.

I am also pleased to announce that BW2 is the tutor group with the highest reward points in year 7- well done!

Year 7 rule!

When reviewing the data, it is clear that we have some incredible students that continue to display an exceptional attitude to learning and are therefore managing to achieve in all subject areas. The majority of year 7 students appear to have improved their Attitude to Learning in at least one subject. I am confident that by providing additional support and intervention, it will not be long before all year 7 students are achieving at least ‘good’ in all subjects. Well done to all students that continue to challenge themselves and work to the best of their ability, you are all a credit to NLS.

Parents’ Evening

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to those parents and carers that have recently attended parents’ evening. As Year Leader, I am trying to ensure that we keep our lines of communication open and maintain parental engagement. We had 86% of parents/carers attend face to face/online meetings which is a reflection of your commitment, and I am so grateful for your endless support. I would really appreciate it if I could ask you to feedback on the organisation and structure of the event.

Valentine's Day

All year 7 celebrated Valentine's Day by sharing what they love about their tutor group. It was incredibly endearing to see how much the students enjoy so many aspects of their tutor team. I think it epitomises our year ethos this half term ‘ Be the person that makes someone smile today.’

World Book Day

On Thursday 3 March, students in Y7 and Y8 will be able take part in an exciting event to celebrate 2022’s World Book Day. Please see below for more information…

What is it?

To celebrate World Book Day, we have organised a book swap on a gigantic scale.

When is it? Where is it?

Thursday 3 March at break and lunch in the library.

Why get involved?

This is your child’s chance to share books that they love with others. If they take part, they will end up with a new book for free!

How to get involved?

Your child should bring in a book that they have enjoyed reading but that they are happy to swap for another of their choice. After bringing in their book, they will be given a ticket so that they can ‘buy’ a new book with it on the day. Their book must be brought to form and given to their tutor by Wednesday 2 March.

What will happen to any spare books?

They will be donated to the library or to charity.

If you have any questions, then please contact Miss Kellow on jkellow@northleamington.co.uk

Final message

It has been a very successful half-term. I applaud all the students that continue to sustain their motivation, passion and commitment to their work and year group. You all make me proud and long may it continue. Have a safe and happy half-term. Please look after yourselves and each other.

Mr Royle

Back in September, in our very first assembly of the year, I talked to Year 9 students about the importance of effort. I emphasised the importance of putting in hard work at the beginning of the GCSE course, and how this would give them the greatest chance of success as they approach their exams in 2024. Ultimately, if we try our best, we cannot fail! After reviewing the most recent data that class teachers have inputted for students, I am delighted to see that 68% of Year 9 students are on course to achieve, or exceed their GCSE target grades. Whilst we will continue to challenge students to achieve further, we will also look to support students to at least reach their potential. I am really proud of the Year 9 students who consistently display the World Class Basics and I hope they are also proud of the progress they are making as young people.

It was also great to finally meet so many parents and carers at the Year 9 Parents' Evening in January. I hope you found the evening valuable and the feedback from teachers beneficial in how your child can develop further. To support your child, I truly believe that open lines of communication and parental engagement are two huge contributing factors, so please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher if there’s anything we can do to help.

Tutor Time

Tutor Time sessions this half-term have focused on “Relationships and Sex Education”, where students developed their understanding across a number of topics: Sexual Consent and Law, Healthy Relationships, Peer-on-peer Bullying and Harassment, and Domestic Abuse. I have been really impressed with the maturity and engagement from pupils during these sessions, and I hope they continue to build and maintain positive relationships in school and in the wider community. The focus for next half-term is “Staying Safe” and will cover several topics: Online Grooming, Drugs and Alcohol, and County Lines. The latter links in nicely to an extended assembly that pupils received from DC Williams of the Warwickshire Police Force, who came into school to talk to Years 8- 11 about Drug Awareness and County Lines. Once again, I was very impressed with Year 9 students' positive attitudes and engagement around such an important matter as well as their manners towards our visitor.

Year 9 students also took part in National Apprenticeship Week, which provided lots of information about post-16 pathways, and National Children’s Mental Health Week, which encouraged students to reflect on their emotional and personal development as part of the ‘Growing Together’ theme. We were also very fortunate to have a representative from Kooth deliver an online assembly where they discussed how their organisation can support with children’s mental health. I would encourage you to visit their website for further information.

Message to Parents and Carers

As we are now over half way through the year (and half way through students' secondary education), on behalf of the Year 9 team, I would like to express our appreciation for all of your support so far this year. It is a real pleasure to work with you and support your child. I hope you have a lovely half-term break.

Mr Butler

Year 11 students have once again had a really positive half-term. They are managing the challenges and pressures of upcoming exams extremely well but also continue to engage really positively with all aspects of school life.

Alongside their ongoing academic curriculum, all year 11 students have been exposed to a range of information this half-term, to support their general wellbeing and to support them in becoming positive and influential members of society when they leave NLS.  Tutor sessions have focused on relationships and sex education, more specifically peer on peer bullying and harassment, which is unfortunately quite a pertinent topic at the moment in society. Students have been informed about identifying different kinds of abusive behaviours, but also recognising how and where they could seek further support if they were ever a victim. There was a specific focus on managing themselves safely online which has relevancy now more than ever for all young people.

In addition to more focused activities in tutor time, Year 11, alongside all other year groups, have completed their second round of student voice this half-term. All students have had the opportunity to feedback on a number of topic areas including:

• How we could make rewards more relevant to students in their year groups (please see information linked to amazon voucher below)
• How students feel supported in their specific subject interventions running in tutor time on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• How students have found using Go4Schools since its introduction at the start of this academic year.
• Specific activities students would like to complete as part of the build up to the Prom, as well as the evening itself (see information on Passport to the Prom below)

Upon reading this update, students should have completed their third and final Mock window with assessments in English, Maths, and Science. Students have again approached these exams in a really positive manner and feedback received should stand them in good stead for their final push towards the real thing in the summer. Individual feedback from all their subject areas will be given at the final year 11 parents' evening of the year due to take place on Monday 14 March. Bookings can be made in the usual way, but if you are unsure, please contact your child’s learning mentor in the first instance. Students are beginning to enter the home straight in terms of exam preparation and revision plans should now be in place for all students. This is going to be supported by the after school revision programme, details of which were shared by Mr Atkins last week. Engagement with these activities is going to be monitored by our passport to the prom initiative, please see previous communication for additional details. To further reward positive engagement in lessons over the half-term Mr Foxon and Mr Atkins have given out £200 worth of Amazon vouchers to students over the last 2 weeks of the half-term.

Looking forward to next half-term and beyond, there are some really exciting opportunities on the horizon with the end goal hopefully coming into view for all students in Year 11. Further support and development around post 16 opportunities is going to be provided over coming weeks, including the opportunity to complete some Mock interviews to support students in future job applications.

The Y11 year group photo will also be taking place on Monday 28 February during P1.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers again for their ongoing support with Year 11 students as students approach their final weeks and months at NLS. All the efforts and endeavours will be rewarded in the end, I hope everyone has an enjoyable half-term.

Mr Foxon

The students in the Art Department have been so busy this term producing amazing artwork and getting involved in some charitable projects. Find out about their achievements below.