Lodge Park Academy Newsletter - Week 3, Spring Term 2
Dear families
As we move through the third week of the Spring term, there is much to celebrate at Lodge Park Academy.
First, a huge congratulations to our Year 8, 9, and 10 students who visited Malcolm Arnold Academy in Northampton on Monday for the Geography Wise Quiz. The students showed tremendous dedication and teamwork, earning an impressive second place! Their success is a reflection of their hard work and enthusiasm for geography, and we could not be prouder of them.
Last week saw the launch of our new initiative to reward student excellence in the classroom through the ‘Star of the Lesson’ award. This programme is already making a real impact, with students across all subjects being recognised for their outstanding efforts, dedication, and achievements.
It is wonderful to see such positive engagement and motivation within our classrooms.
On Thursday, we held our whole-school Student Council meeting in the Library. It was a fantastic opportunity for our Student Leaders to share their ideas and continue shaping the direction of our academy. Later that evening, we hosted the Year 9 Parent Engagement Evening, where parents and carers joined us for an important discussion on student progress and the suitability of course options. This evening is vital in helping ensure that our Year 9 students are making informed decisions as they move towards their GCSEs.
As part of our ongoing support for Year 9, we have been working closely with the students, ensuring they meet with a member of our Senior Leadership Team to discuss their subject choices and ensure these are in line with their future aspirations.
Lastly, we continue to support our Year 11 students through their mock examinations, which are set to finish on Friday. The attitude of Year 11 has been exemplary throughout these exams, setting a positive example for the rest of the school as they prepare for their final examinations later in the year.
Its been another busy and successful week, and we are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our students!
Let’s keep up the great work
The Senior Leadership Team
Year 9 GCSE Options
Your child has today been sent an online form to their school email address to make their GCSE option choice preferences for Years 10 and 11. Students must choose at least one of History, Geography and French in their selections. Students must also select two reserve choices, should any GCSE option subject not be able to run next year due to uptake.
The deadline for all Year 9 students to complete this online GCSE options form is next Wednesday 19th March 2025. If you have any questions about the GCSE options process please contact Mr Cronin - jcronin@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
Mr Cronin - Assistant Principal
Year 11 Saturday School: Week Two
Saturday School: Continued Success and Commitment to Student Achievement
As we progress through the Spring term, we are thrilled to report the continued success of our Saturday School programme here at Lodge Park Academy. In week two, over 60 students attended our sessions in English, Maths, Science, and History, showing an unwavering commitment to their academic progress as they prepare for their upcoming examinations in May and June.
The value of these additional sessions is clear to our students, who are taking full advantage of the expert support provided by our subject specialist teachers. By attending Saturday School, they are going above and beyond their regular timetable, reinforcing and expanding their knowledge in key subjects. The programme continues to prove invaluable in helping students consolidate their learning, gain clarity on challenging topics, and sharpen their exam techniques.
What has truly stood out is the positive attitude of our students. Their dedication and determination to succeed has been a joy to witness. Many are making the conscious decision to shorten their weekends in the short term, all in pursuit of long-term success.
This commitment speaks volumes about their focus and the high regard they hold for their education and future goals.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated staff who make this programme possible. Dr. King, Mr. Okorio, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Wells, and Dr. Steenkamp continue to provide exceptional support, delivering tailored lessons that are engaging, focused, and aligned with the needs of our students. Their commitment to helping our students excel is greatly appreciated, and their efforts do not go unnoticed.
We are incredibly proud of the students who are attending Saturday School, and we look forward to seeing their hard work pay off as they approach their exams.
Keep up the fantastic work – we are all behind you!
Mr. McGeown - Vice Principal
Raven Sports Programme: Spring Term 1 Success
The Raven Sports Programme at Lodge Park Academy has seen remarkable growth and success this Spring term. With 89 students across all year groups participating, the programme continues to gain popularity, reflecting the increasing value students place on these activities.
Key achievements this term include a significant rise in applications, with 201 students applying to join, showing a clear increase in interest compared to Autumn Term 2.
A change in grouping structure, with students now placed in Development and Elite groups rather than by age, has helped to tailor coaching more effectively, boosting student engagement and performance.
The introduction of a new Raven sports kit has also contributed to a stronger sense of identity and pride among participants, with improved uniform standards enhancing the programme's professional appearance.
Looking ahead we will look to expand and develop the programme even further to ensure that we maximise the number of students that are attracted to the offer of team work and character development alongside significantly developing their sporting talent.
Overall, the Raven Sports Programme continues to thrive, and with continued development, it will undoubtedly offer even more opportunities for students to excel.
Mr McGeown (Vice Principal) and Mrs Morgan (Head of PE)
Meet the Music Department
Director of Music
I have been the Director of Music at Lodge Park since January 2024 and am absolutely loving working with the talented musicians we have here, and the fabulous team of music teachers we have at Lodge Park Academy.
Prior to working here I was teaching abroad for many years, in Vietnam, India, China, and most recently in El Salvador where I met and married my husband. We are currently expecting our first baby, a little girl, to be born just after the Easter Holiday, so I will be handing over the LPA Music department to the fabulous Mrs Olner for a while, while I navigate the new challenges and excitement that motherhood will bring my way! Outside of teaching and traveling I am a qualified Scuba Diver and enjoy everything about being in the water, be it the pool or the sea.
Musician in Residence at Lodge Park Academy with DRET
I am a classically trained pianist with a BMus (2017) and a Masters in Music Education and Performance (2019) from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. I am passionate about performing, accompanying, and music education with over 10 years of experience teaching piano, music theory, and group classes.
I was appointed as Musician in Residence for DRET since January 2024 and Teacher of Music at The Peterborough School since September 2024. In addition, I tutor private piano and music theory lessons, accompany choirs, and perform at functions and events both as a soloist and accompanist.
Outside of music, I enjoy walking in nature, running, traveling, and reading. I am also excited to be recently engaged and, together with my wonderful fiancé, we're happily planning our wedding, which will take place in July 2025!
I am looking forward to joining the Music team at Lodge Park Academy after Easter. I began teaching in Corby in 2009, and have also worked in other schools across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
I have a BA Hons in Music and Film from the University of Nottingham and play a range of instruments which includes violin, piano, and flute: I play my violin in orchestras and perform regularly. I have also taught myself to play ukulele, guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. I love learning new things!
Geographical Association World Wise Quiz
Monday 10th March 2025 saw Lodge Park Academy Geography students participate in the Geographical Association World Wise Quiz, hosted by Malcolm Arnold Academy.
The World Wise Quiz sees teams of students from Year 8-10 compete over eight rounds including aerial photographs, country outlines, fieldwork and a bonus ‘make something geographical’ challenge.
Six teams took part from across the academies, with one team entered from LPA. Each and every student represented their academies with honour leading to Lodge Park students taking second place!
The conversations, decision making and team work were incredible, as well as their competitive spirit. We are so proud of our students. Here’s to another quiz next year!
Mrs Cooper - Vice Principal / Head of Geography
DRET Secondary Music Festival
35 of our musicians travelled to Nottingham last Thursday for the DRET Secondary Music Festival.
Our LPA choir performed in the Great Hall of the Nottingham Albert Hall Conference Centre, and both our Folk Band and Sixth Form Acapella Choir performed in St Barnabus Cathedral. All musicians took part in the massed orchestra and ensemble performance of Pete Latanker’s “Too Hot to Handel” - a modern arrangement of Handel’s iconic Hallelujah Chorus.
We are so proud of each and every student who was brave enough to perform on the day, sharing their talents and musical abilities with the wider DRET community and enjoying their shared love of music.
To see videos of student performances, checkout our music instagram page!
https://www.instagram.com/lpamusic_dret?igsh=MXhtYWZhbnJydjIycg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Sing For Cransley - The Core at Corby Cube
We are so excited and proud that one of our Year 10 music students, Darcie, will be performing this coming Sunday 16th at the Corby Cube to raise money and awareness for the Cransley Hospice.
Darcie has already personally raised over £600 for this incredible cause and will be performing in the concert in front of an esteemed panel of judges including Joshua Daniels from ‘The Tenor’, TikTok sensation Mae Stephens, and the exceptional Nigel Adair.
If you would like to support Darcie, or attend this event, tickets are available from the Corby Cube website "Sing For Cransley" - The Core at Corby Cube
Good luck Darcie!
House MasterChef Competition
This week’s subject specific House competition is MasterChef (Hospitality & Catering).
The Competition is open to all Hospitality & Catering students who will represent their respective House teams in this years House Masterchef competition. Students will be challenged to showcase their creative cooking skills as they are presented with a limited range of ingredients in which they will have to create their own dish.
The Top 4 students (1 from each House) will be selected from the opening round before taking part in a final round at the end of the week. The competition will take place during H&C lessons.
Good luck to everyone taking part.
House Badminton Results
Congratulations to Kestrel House who were crowned House Badminton champions last week, with victory in both the KS3 and KS4 competitions.
Students represented their House across two days of singles and doubles matches with points earned from each match accumulated across both days to determine the overall champions.
Goshawk provided the closest competition to Kestrel across the competition with Red Kite also strong in the KS4 round of matches.
Well done to everyone who took part and represented their house teams.
‘Just Dance’ House Competition
Reminder that students wishing to represent their House in the ‘Just Dance’ competition need to send in their songs by Friday 28th March.
This year the competition will be taking place in the main hall, on the stage in front of a live audience.
Participants will need to perform a ‘Just Dance’ song either individually or as a group of up to 8 (participants DO NOT need to be in the same Tutor or Year Group but must be in the same House).
Songs must be selected from YouTube and submitted on email to housechampionship@lodegparkacademy.co.uk
‘Signs of Spring’ House Photography Competition
This year’s Photography House competition (‘Signs of Spring’) is underway. Throughout the term we are looking for creative photos that captures and showcases spring – This is open to interpretation but could include plants, animals, landscapes, sunrise etc.
The competition will run across the term and the Easter holidays and is open to all students, staff and wider family members.
All photo entries must be sent to housechampionship@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk including your name, year group and House team.
LPA – Fantasy Premier League update
Under 10 game weeks remain in this years Fantasy Premier League House competition and it is getting extremely close in the race to be crowned champion.
Lennon is still going strong and sitting nicely on top spot however there have been lots of changes to the TOP 10 positions since the last update.
The image shows the current ‘Top 10’ players in the league – Who will be top at the end of term?
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
Academy closes on Friday 4th April 2025
Academy reopens on Tuesday 22nd April 2025
https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/docs/term_dates/Lodge_Park_Academy_Term_Dates_2024-2025.pdf
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Contact Us
Telephone: 01536 203817
Email: lpa-enquiries@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
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Visit our website at www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
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Created with images by PX Media - "Wooden signpost with four arrows - option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4 - great for topics like choice, making decision etc." • aapsky - "Days of the week - saturday cloud word with a blue sky." • miiko - "布" • Franklin - "Digital globe with glowing data networks and global connections" • thodonal - "Concept of information"