Welcome to the Easter edition of our newsletter. It’s great to see how much we’ve achieved together this term.
As the days are getting longer and warmer it has been joyful to see the daffodils come into bloom. During the Autumn we were awarded a small Eco-grant which was used to plant one daffodil bulb for every student and member of staff at the academy. Student tutor representatives from each year group were involved in planting the bulbs and it’s wonderful to now see the rewards of their hard work.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support for our school community and to wish you all a happy and safe Easter.
Claire Taylor, Principal
The English department has excelled in the second term of school with such a variety of topics! Year 7 has explored a multitude of folk tales from around the world and dived into the tale of Beowulf. Year 8 has read the sci-fi novella Binti and explored The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (which was written in 1798!). Year 9 has immersed itself in the Harlem Renaissance with stories from Zora Neale Hurston and poetry from Langston Hughes. Year 10 has read A Christmas Carol and started some preparation for their English Language exams. Year 11 has been super busy covering 2-week revision topics on both English Language papers as well as their core literature texts. With only a few weeks until their GCSEs start, we know Year 11 is ready and showing us every lesson just what they are capable of. We are so proud of all of our students and love seeing them attend English interventions and clubs in their own time – keep up the great work and have a lovely Easter break!
As we finish the Spring term, we look back at what a busy term it has been in Maths.
We started with our mid-year assessments for Years 7 to 10 in January and February. The year 11 students completed their second set of mocks in February and March. Year 11 students will be starting their national GCSE exams shortly, with the three papers in Maths coming up in May and June. For Year 7, the learning continues with work on fractions, ratio, and percentages to finish the year. Year 8 students will be looking at angles, area, volume, and surface area, while Year 9 students will focus on Pythagoras’ theorem, trigonometry, mean from grouped data, cumulative frequency graphs, and box plots to conclude the academic year. Year 10 students will finish the summer term by looking at compound measures, direct and inverse proportion, similarity and trigonometry, averages and range, data collection and sampling, and presenting data.
Bletchley Park trip
During the last half term, around 30 students had the privilege of visiting Bletchley Park, a museum and historic site that was the center for Allied codebreakers during the Second World War. As part of the trip, students were invited to watch a short film introducing them to the story of Bletchley Park, the people who worked there, and the impact they had on the outcome of the war. Our second stop included a tour of the various buildings and mansion, as well as a presentation where we explored the daily lives of the codebreakers and the sacrifices they had to make as part of their job. We finished the day with an interactive workshop on online safety, led by a member of the Bletchley Park team.
You can read a statement from one of the students who visited the Park below:
"I really enjoyed the activities there; I think it was very much worth the travel time and the experience, even though it was raining. It was very educational, but also very fun and interesting, and I would heavily recommend it and would love to go again.
This term has been an exciting and eventful one in the Science Department! We started off with our mid-year assessments, where students put in a tremendous amount of effort and achieved brilliant results, so a big congratulations to those students! Our Year 11s have completed their final set of mocks before their real exams in the summer; they have shown great progress with increasing engagement in their studies, setting them up brilliantly for the end of the year! During British Science Week, we were thrilled to have Eddie Henbury visit the school. He brought his engaging science roadshow to Year 7, sparking curiosity and wonder in our youngest scientists, while also leading an organic chemistry revision session for Year 11, helping them prepare for their exams. Our Year 8 students had a blast designing and testing their own boats, exploring the principles of buoyancy and design, while Year 7 students got hands-on creating and launching balloon rockets, learning about the forces that make things move. Additionally, a group of Year 10 students participated in the Lego First League for the first time, showing exceptional teamwork and innovation. Their hard work paid off as they won the trophy for Best Innovation Project and placed in the top three overall! It has been a fantastic term, filled with learning, creativity, and achievement in science!
Year 7
Year 7 has their carousel learning journey studying the elements of art and how they can be created and used to make artwork. Students have studied line, tone, and texture, exploring how they can use these elements to create drawings.
Year 8
Year 8 students are continuing their learning journey by exploring the elements of art with different materials. The students are working with monoprinting, collage, watercolors, and finally, clay. They will explore these materials by designing and creating their own monsters. The students have examined various art movements throughout history to gain ideas to use in their own work.
Year 9
Year 9 students are exploring the purpose of art and how they can create different messages and meanings using a wide range of materials. The students have looked at artists like Henry Moore, Helen Musslewhite, and Wei Wei. They have been using the artists' work to inspire their own responses. They will be moving on to creating an art project based on the theme of “Journey".
Year 10
Year 10 students have been making great progress with their coursework project, “Urban Environment”. The students are developing ideas for their project by studying the work of other artists who have dealt with the same theme. They are currently working towards completing their third and final artist study before moving on to develop their own responses to the theme.
Year 11
Year 11 students are working extremely hard to complete all coursework and exam work. They will be sitting their final 10-hour exam on 30th April and 1st May (5 hours each day). The students have selected a range of themes from the AQA exam paper and are developing their own responses while working towards designing and creating a final response in their exam.
Year 7s have been getting to grips with Microbits, an exciting hands-on way to program. Years 8, 9, and 10 have all been working on programming using Python, and Year 11 have been working hard to revise for their final exams.
We have been lucky to welcome in the TECH:Truck, which engaged students with the technology of the future. We also teamed up with the Science department and had a group of students in Year 10 working hard programming for the LEGO competition at the National Oceanography Centre, and they even won an innovation award!
Year 7
Year 7 has begun exploring the world of food nutrition and preparation. The students have been introduced to food hygiene and safety and have learned basic knife skills and some basic food science through cooking and preparing sandwiches, quesadillas, breakfast items, and making bread. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of food science, cooking methods, and the 12 key skills.
Year 8
Year 8 has continued their journey into food and has begun to explore more complex food science and cooking methods. The students have built upon their bread-making skills, and they have explored making both rough puff and shortcrust pastry, and have learned about the food safety and hygiene surrounding the preparation of raw chicken. Students will continue to build their knowledge around preparing raw meats and create burgers, koftas, and spaghetti or cottage pie.
Year 9
Year 9 students have continued their learning journey, building upon the skills and experiences from Years 7 and 8, and putting their knowledge and skills into practice by creating pizza and pasta from raw ingredients and learning how to make risotto. The students will be moving on to prepare tortillas from raw ingredients and making quesadillas, spring rolls, samosas, and curry.
Year 10
Year 10 students have been exploring food science and cooking methods in much greater detail, learning about nutrients, macronutrients, and their role in food and the human body. The students have been learning how to portion whole chickens and have also explored the presentation of food by decorating tea cakes and discovering how to present their food on plates. Students will continue to explore nutrients and their roles, applying this knowledge in practice by cooking and preparing various dishes.
Year 11
Year 11 students have begun working on their non-exam assessments (NEA). The students have completed NEA 1 and their exploration of the roles of ingredients within scones and are on their way to completing NEA 2. NEA 2 involves students planning, testing, and refining dishes that they have selected.
As winter is (ever so slowly) turning to spring, our Year 7 students have been investigating our world’s weather and climate. They have covered the basics of meteorology and how to measure our weather, but they have also traveled around the world to study more extreme weather systems such as tropical storms and wildfires.
Our Year 8 students have been building strongly on their own knowledge of weather and climate and have been applying what they learned last year to current trends of global warming. They have compared how different regions around the world are coping with climate change and understand that we are all, in some way, responsible for the sustainability and health of our planet.
Students in Year 9 have begun GCSE units of work. They have been busy exploring the world’s biomes and have focused on rainforests and deserts. A key theme has been looking at how plants, animals, and human communities have adapted to the challenges that these environments pose, and how these areas can be sustainably managed going forward.
In Year 10, there have been really encouraging signs of progress from the students who attained a pleasing set of mid-year assessments showing good levels of progress across all the classes. Their focus in the classroom has been very much on rivers and coasts.
Our Year 11 students have also come through a challenging term with a big focus on the mock exams. The content of the GCSE course has now been completed, and energies are now being directed into revision and preparation for the three exam papers they will sit in the summer. Extra revision sessions have been well attended, and there is hope for some high-scoring grades across the year group.
It has been nice to see the enthusiasm that many of our students have for our world. Here are just a few documentaries that we, as the Geography team, can recommend for everyone over Easter.
May we wish you all a restful and enjoyable break.
Congratulations to everyone for their excellent effort in History this term! Year 7, you have journeyed from the battles over Jerusalem in the Middle East to the riches of Mali in Africa to the death and devastation of the world during the Black Death. A few standout historians include Phoebe F, David B, Nate W, and Muhammad W.
In Year 8, we learned how the French removed their oppressive monarchs, as well as how raising awareness of people such as Olaudah Equiano and William Wilberforce helped to abolish the dark trade of slavery across the British Empire. Standout historians in Year 8 include Evie T, Henry C, and Isabelle H.
In Year 9, we studied how the countries of Europe attempted to recover from the devastation of World War One, how the working people of Jarrow banded together to push for change during the Great Depression, and finally the significance of Southampton to the efforts of World War Two. Excellent historians in Year 9 include Jubilee N, Adam S, Dimi C, and Freya W.
In Year 10, we finished off learning about the significance of Notting Hill to the Afro-Caribbean community in Britain, as well as began learning how Elizabeth I had to deal with the great problems that plagued the start of her reign. Outstanding historians in Year 10 include Agata O, Grace D, Will C, and Joshua F.
Year 11 has been working extremely hard on understanding the significance and impact of the Cold War, from Soviet aggression in Eastern Europe to tense engagements around Cuba. Excellent historians in Year 11 include Kai H, Callum M, George W, Ashlee E, and Jonathan J.
Once again, thank you for your fantastic effort and pride in History throughout the Spring term!
Joyeuses Pâques (Happy Easter)
What an exciting term in the MFL department!
Year 7 have had a great term, learning how to describe their family and friends in Spring 1 and how to talk about their school and school subjects in Spring 2.
Year 8 students are learning all about clothes and style, and how to order food and drink. They even watched Peppa Pig in French!
Year 9 groups are moving on from talking about their school life and are now describing what they want to do in the future.
Year 10 have now settled into their GCSE learning and have been covering social issues such as homelessness and smoking, and are now describing how they get along with their family and friends. A group of 38 students traveled to Paris for 3 days and had an enjoyable time visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Stade de France, and enjoyed a boat tour along the River Seine in glorious weather. The following day, they visited the Montmartre area of Paris and climbed many steps to see Sacré-Cœur and the artist area. The teachers were impressed with how many students used their French skills! Très bien!
Year 11 have just finished their second mock exams and have received their results. They should now be revising hard. The French speaking exams start on 1st April, and all students need to learn all their general conversation questions off by heart 😊. Bonne chance!
Year 7 has been learning about bullying, different relationships, and how to keep themselves safe.
Year 8 has also been learning about relationships and has dealt with some sensitive topics, showing great maturity. In addition to this, they have completed their first careers unit and have been looking at their skills, strengths, how these can be developed, and their future options.
Year 9 started the term learning about careers and future options. They then moved on to healthy and unhealthy relationships and have handled this maturely and sensibly.
Year 10 has been learning about youth violence as part of citizenship education. They have taken part in some great discussions and have engaged well.
Music
In Music this term, Year 7s have been singing songs from a variety of different genres and have also been learning to play popular songs on the keyboards. Year 8s have been studying film music and learning how to play the ukuleles. Year 9s have been learning about music from the Classical period and have been researching and learning to play the music of Beethoven. Year 10s have been studying music and rhythms from around the world, including music from Africa, India, Israel, and Greece. Year 11s have been working really hard to complete their composition coursework and have continued to practice for their GCSE performances.
Drama
In Year 7 Drama, we have been exploring a variety of exciting units, each with rich themes and unique performance styles. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe introduced us to themes of bravery, loyalty, and the timeless battle between good and evil. In Greek Theatre, we explored fate, hubris, and morality, learning how the power of the gods shaped ancient stories. Pantomime brought laughter and energy, focusing on audience interaction, humor, and exaggerated expression. Now, we are beginning the thrilling Darkwood Manor unit, where we will dive into themes of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural, creating eerie and captivating performances. Each and every student has shown dedication and enthusiasm throughout these units, developing their skills and creativity.
In Drama for Year 8, we have been exploring a range of fascinating units, each with unique themes and challenges. We began with The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, focusing on themes of identity, difference, and truth, as we delved into Christopher’s world and his journey for answers. Next, we explored Advert Theatre, examining how persuasion, emotion, and creativity come together to deliver powerful messages to an audience. In Silent Movies, we embraced the art of physical storytelling, focusing on themes of expression, humour, and exaggerated emotion without the use of dialogue. Now, we are diving into Blood Brothers, where we are exploring powerful themes such as class, fate, and family, as we unpack the tragic story of the Johnstone twins. Each unit has pushed students to expand their skills, deepen their understanding, and engage with complex ideas through performance.
Dance
In Dance this term, students have been working on key skills within PE lessons. Year 7 has been working on Extreme Sports, Year 8 has been working on a WW2 themed performance, and Year 9 has been working on either The Greatest Showman or a football celebration dance.
Year 10 BTEC Dance
Year 10 students have been focused on completing their Component 1 assessment. They have all been working hard and exploring The Lion King the Musical. As part of this work, students have been studying and writing about how a production is created, with a focus on the acting, dancing, costumes, and set and stage of the performance. I would like to say a massive well done to the whole group who have worked really hard to achieve this component.
Year 11 BTEC Performing Arts
This term, students have been working hard to complete their final assessment for their qualification. For Component 3, students were set a task to respond to the theme from the exam board and create a 7–15-minute performance. All students have worked extremely hard, and it is evident how much they have all progressed and developed as individuals. Ms. Barker and Ms. Dunn are really proud of their hard work and determination.
Dance Live! 2025
Portsmouth Guildhall was buzzing with energy and talent on Wednesday, 26th January, as 50 students from Oasis Academy Mayfield (Years 7-11) took to the stage for Dance Live! 2025. The school's vibrant performance, a journey through iconic musicals via a nostalgic TV channel flick, captivated the audience and judges alike.
The Mayfield team's hard work and dedication paid off, earning them two prestigious awards: Best Costume and the Dance Live Journey Award. This double win is a testament to the students' creativity, teamwork, and the sheer effort poured into their performance.
"This was an outstanding experience for our students, and everyone represented the school exceptionally well. The theme, based on musicals through the years, was brought to life with incredible enthusiasm and skill." Abi Barker, Curriculum Lead for Performing Arts
The students' performance was a collaborative effort, with key roles being filled by talented individuals:
Oliver G (Year 10): Masterfully created the LED screen and provided crucial technical support.
Jimmy M (Year 11): Skillfully crafted and edited the music for the performance.
Eva Lily A (Year 11): Contributed significantly to the choreography.
James M (Year 11): Designed the impressive lighting for the stage.
Jamie H (Year 9) & Charlie J (Year 10): Captured the magic of the performance through professional video editing and recording.
The Year 10 Dance Group: Provided a wealth of creative choreography.
Student testimonials highlighted the positive impact of the experience:
"Dance Live has boosted my confidence with dancing. I love doing this competition because the day itself is really fun, and the atmosphere was amazing. Our hard work did pay off, and I’m looking forward to doing it next year!" - Freya (Year 10)
"Dance Live has honestly been such an amazing experience! I am so grateful that we had this opportunity, and I enjoyed the final performance so much. I loved watching the other schools dance as well, the atmosphere was great!" - Daisy (Year 10)
"I really enjoyed the experience of Dance Live, being part of a team and working together choreographing the dances. I loved performing on the stage in front of an audience and watching the other schools perform. Being a part of the show overall was an amazing experience." - Harper (Year 10)
Dance Live! is an exciting event for schools and colleges brought to you by The Guildhall Trust. It sees young people in KS2-4 and Further Education compete with choreographed routines against the backdrop of a giant digital screen, with pupils showcasing a range of skills from dance and performance to off-stage technical skills.
A huge thank you to all the staff and students who contributed to the success of Dance Live! 2025. With the success of the last two years' performances, excitement is already building for Dance Live 2026. Stay tuned for more information!
This term has seen the PE department continue to be busy with fixtures and clubs. This time, it was the turn of our KS3 teams to represent the academy in both league and cup competitions as well as in some tournaments, and you can see how they have fared below. We have also seen a ski fit club start to help prepare students for the ski trips and have witnessed the continuation of netball, basketball, rugby, and fitness clubs with great numbers of students participating, showing dedication to improving their fitness and skills.
Netball
Our U12 Netball team took on two tournaments in January and February, coming away with a new personal best result for their year group of 3 wins. The girls demonstrated a good understanding of the game, and the amount of progress they made between the first and second tournaments was excellent. The girls showed great teamwork and represented the school well.
Our U13 girls unfortunately missed their first tournament but have been putting in significant effort at netball club to learn the rules. I am seeing some amazing progress with their shooting and ability to move without the ball. They head to Southampton Sports Centre next week to put their hard work into practice and hopefully set a record number of wins for the Mayfield netball teams.
Football
Our Y7/8 girls' football team has had an absolutely smashing season so far. We began with a 3-2 win against USH, and it was great to see this, considering the girls had never played together before. After this game, they went from strength to strength with a 10-1 win against St Annes, a 14-0 win against the Gregg School, and a 10-0 win against St Marks. This placed us at the top of Division 2. Their most recent game was against the team at the top of Division 1, Deer Park School. The girls headed into this game in high spirits, coming off back-to-back wins. In a match that came down to the wire - where Deer Park managed 0 goals in the first half but 4 in the second half - the Mayfield girls took the win 5-4. With a derby game against Sholing next week for the quarter-finals, they are on track for the Junior Girls SSFA cup to come into Mayfield's hands this year. I am super proud of every girl on this team for showing up and delivering show-stopping performances every week, but special mentions go to Ellie, Matilda, and Tori for being players of the match, my defenders for keeping the opposing teams' goals to a minimum, and to all those who stepped up to play in goal for us.
The Year 7 boys have just started their football journey at Mayfield this term with some difficult games. However, the boys' improvement has been clear to see through each game. In their most recent match, the Year 7s played against the second-placed team in the league, Upper Shirley High. Although they lost 1-0, they demonstrated the development that has occurred this term; had it not been for some fantastic goalkeeping from the home team’s goalkeeper, they would have been comfortable winners. Throughout this rough start to football, the boys have truly embodied the values of being proud, kind, and determined, showing great sportsmanship towards other teams and fantastic support for one another. A special mention goes to Noah and Austen for their fantastic sports leadership as captain and vice-captain, helping with team selection, availability, and leading warm-ups - no easy feat in only their second term at secondary school.
The Year 8 boys have been fantastic in the league this year, with only one defeat against, in my opinion, the best school in this age group in the city, St Marks. This brilliant record in the league has almost cemented their second position, with a local derby game against Oasis Sholing that will decide who gains the runners-up position. In their most recent game, the boys earned qualification to the quarter-finals of the Southampton Schools Cup through a brilliant victory against a strong Bitterne Park team with a score of 3-1. Tommy, Noah, and Riley have all been fantastic leaders for the team this season, taking on extra responsibilities to support and assist the management team of Mr. Morrell and Mr. Staniford.
This year's Year 9 boys' football team faced a challenging season, but through it all, our students embodied the values of being proud, kind, and determined. Although the results on the pitch weren’t always what we had hoped for, the journey was one of growth, teamwork, and unwavering spirit. Our best results of the season came in the form of a battling 1-0 victory against Regents Park and a 5-4 goal bonanza against local derby rivals Oasis Sholing. I’d like to express my gratitude to all the students for their commitment and efforts this term. A special mention goes to captain and vice-captain Aden and Josh for their hard work with the team this year.
A busy term for Year 7 and sporting achievements for both the boys and girls.
Congratulations to our U12 Netball Team for their hard work and effort in our netball tournament! The girls won 3 games, and the PE department are super proud of the girls for stepping up and showing lots of determination.
From 7th to 16th March, during Science Week, Eddie Henbury visited the school. He brought his engaging science roadshow to Year 7, sparking curiosity and wonder in our youngest scientists.
We’ve had an exciting term for Year 8, and we’re thrilled to share some of the fantastic achievements and experiences. Our Year 8 football team has been outstanding this term, showing great determination and skill. In a local derby game against Hamble, they came back three times to win the match 3-2. They recently triumphed in the cup, beating Bitterne Park School, a team from a higher league, 3-1. The impressive results have all but secured their second-place finish in a highly competitive league this year. Well done to all the players for their hard work and dedication – we’re incredibly proud of you! We look forward to updating you on the Year 8 Southampton Cup run!
Our Year 8 girls have also had some excellent results in the U13 football league, proving their strength and teamwork on the pitch. Additionally, they’ve been leading the way in the netball league, showing outstanding commitment during training and in matches. The after-school club has been busy with Year 8, and Miss Kyle and Miss Barker are so pleased to see so many girls participating in both football and netball. Keep it up, Year 8!
On the note of sports, it’s been wonderful to see so many Year 8 students engaging in after-school clubs across the board since September. Whether it’s the sports, creative arts, homework club, or Saints Foundation, your enthusiasm and commitment make a huge difference in making #TeamMayfield.
Year 8 were lucky to get the TechTruck Experience from South Hampshire College Group. Students explored exciting local careers linked with courses run by the college group and the fantastic tech involved in these fields. It was an incredible opportunity to gain insight into the future of technology and get hands-on with the technology itself.
Earlier in the spring term, we shared on social media the fantastic effort of Finley G in 8V for getting his Black Belt in Kickboxing. This is a brilliant achievement and a real demonstration of determination and resilience to achieve such a feat.
On another note, it’s a sad farewell to Ms. Asse. We want to take a moment to thank Ms. Asse, who will be leaving her role with Year 8 as a tutor after the Easter holidays, as well as the science department. She has been an incredible support to Year 8, and we know she will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Looking ahead to summer, there’s still much to look forward to. We’re particularly excited about the upcoming residential trip, where Year 8 students will have the chance to experience new adventures, build teamwork skills, and create lasting memories.
We’ve had a wonderful term, and we can’t wait to continue the journey with you all. Keep up the great work, Year 8!
Year 9 has once again shown us this term how ‘kind, proud and determined’ they truly are. As a year group, they have surpassed 40,000 positive behavior points, which is truly fantastic. In a term that has seen many extra-curricular activities, they have shown commitment to accessing and enjoying a plethora of enrichment activities.
We have seen successes within Dance Live, and a group of our students worked brilliantly with the Saints Foundation and pitched various ideas to local businesses, demonstrating excellent communication and teamwork skills. We have had students involved in the ski trip, and at the end of the term, many students will participate in the Battlefields trip. The student representatives have been utterly superb since the start of the year and take their roles seriously. This term in particular, they have proven to be erudite in how they represent the feelings of their fellow tutees and are also keen to celebrate the successes within the Academy.
Year 9 will soon enter a stage of their time with us when they begin to make their Guided Choices in the first week after Easter. As we move towards this really important time in Year 9, I am confident that they will make informed, mature choices that will allow them to leave Mayfield being the best they can possibly be.
Year 10 has had a very productive and varied term. A large number of our year group enjoyed a fantastic trip to Italy on the ski trip; it was good to see they all had a great time and returned without any major injuries. Soon after, another large group of students visited Paris and experienced Parisian life, with some students even braving the snails at dinner time. Many students have now made final arrangements for their work experience, which will take place in July. It has been a busy period for Year 10, but they continue to work diligently towards their mock exams in June. Well done.
The Spring term has been an excellent period for Year 11, with a huge focus on our mock exams and preparation for the final months at school. During the exams, we saw improved efforts from all the students, with an increase in overall year group attendance and improved punctuality. During the exams, the students demonstrated higher levels of resilience and a real determination to succeed. Students received their mock results on Thursday, 20th March, and we are delighted with their overall progress.
Period 5b (Targeted revision sessions in tutor time) has been a huge positive, and students will also have the option to attend daily revision sessions that run until 3:50 p.m. in a range of key Year 11 subjects. We are actively encouraging Year 11 students to choose their after-school sessions and Easter revision opportunities based on their own needs and where they feel they will benefit most. The available sessions have been shared with home, and pupils can also check their weekly Head of Year email from Mr. Browning for a reminder.
As we approach the final stages of Year 11, we are looking forward to the leavers' assembly on Thursday, 19th June, and our school prom on Friday, 20th. Following the hard work and planning by Miss Fernandez and the Prom Committee, students can purchase their prom tickets once they have received their prom invite. Invitations are being distributed in waves, with those students who have demonstrated the best attendance, attitude toward learning, and community spirit being invited first.
We look forward to a busy and exciting final few months at school.
Year 7, 8, 9, and 10 Sparx Reader
This term, we successfully launched the Sparx Reader programme with our Year 7, 8, 9, and Year 10 students. The feedback from both students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting how it has supported reading engagement and comprehension. As a school, we have so far completed 1,756 hours of careful reading, and students have read 1,441 books. Students are expected to complete 30 minutes of reading homework on Sparx Reader each week. The homework is set on Thursday at 3pm, and the hand-in day is the following Thursday at 8am. Sparx Reader automatically emails parents to keep them updated with this homework and their child/children’s progress. For more information, please visit https://sparxreader.com/parents.
Oasis Mayfield School Library Opens with a Splash!
A wave of excitement swept through Oasis Academy Mayfield as students and staff gathered on Wednesday, 5th March, to celebrate the grand opening of the newly refurbished school library. With an ocean-themed design, lovingly crafted through the combined efforts of the Literacy and Art teams, the space has been transformed into a stunning undersea wonderland, inspiring students to "Dive into Reading."
The theme, chosen through a collaborative vote by students and staff, brings a sense of adventure and tranquillity to the library. From bespoke wall prints to nautical decorations, the space is brimming with creativity. Comfortable cushions, custom artwork, and an array of maritime treasures create a welcoming environment that encourages students to immerse themselves in the joys of reading.
The refurbishment aimed to make the library an inviting and engaging place where students feel excited to explore books and develop a love for reading. By fostering an atmosphere of wonder and curiosity, the academy hopes to promote reading for pleasure and provide students with an inspiring sanctuary for learning and discovery.
The opening event featured a series of heartfelt speeches and readings from students, celebrating the power of literature and storytelling. The success of the event highlighted the enthusiasm and support from the school community, reinforcing the importance of reading and creative expression.
To ensure parents also get the chance to experience this magical transformation, a second opening will take place on Wednesday 2nd, April. Parents and students alike will have the opportunity to explore the beautifully reimagined space and witness first-hand the effort and dedication that went into creating a library that truly belongs to the students.
The Mayfield Library is more than just a room filled with books - it is a gateway to imagination, a haven of knowledge, and a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. Here’s to many wonderful reading adventures ahead!
Summer Term New Group Reading Tests
Looking ahead, we will be conducting a new group reading test to assess the progress of all students. This assessment will help us measure the impact of our interventions and guide further support to ensure every student continues to improve their reading skills.
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a culture of learning and creativity at our school.
This has been an extremely busy term of trips, locally, nationally, and internationally. As previously mentioned, our local trips included the university and competitions in Southampton. The Maths department visited Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, to learn about codebreaking and the role it played in WWII.
We have also had four international trips this term. Year 10 traveled to Paris, along with two different ski trips to Bardonecchia, Italy, and a Year 8 Battlefields trip to France and Belgium. These trips were all fantastic and created amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Last day of term: Friday 4th April (1.30pm finish)
1st day of summer term: Tuesday 22nd April
Bank Holiday: Monday 5th May
Half-term: Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May
Last day of summer term: Friday 18th July
Credits:
Created with images by Mary Lynn Strand - "Single bright yellow daffodil on blue background." • banjongseal324 - "blue science test tube on white background,Laboratory," • ArtFamily - "beautiful landscape with green meadow" • Vadym - "Reel tape recorder for wiretapping. Field telephone set USSR is lying nearby. KGB spying conversations." • thaiview - "Soccer ball football sport for play game" • Harry Wedzinga - "Many chocolate easter eggs wrapped in blue, purple, orange, pink and golden foil " • Nameeta - "colorful easter eggs | colorful chocolate eggs on white" • M.studio - "easter egg chocolate" • Syda Productions - "easter, sweets and confectionery concept - close up of chocolate eggs and candy drops on wooden table" • zoryanchik - "Easter chocolate rabbit and eggs.traditional easter dessert" • LP2Studio - "Paris skyline with eiffel tower at sunset"