Budmouth Academy Newsletter autumn term 2023

A message from Mr Hoffmann

During this opening term we have seen huge levels of engagement in the extra curricular program here at Budmouth Academy. We believe that engaging students in a club, society, team or trip gives students a real sense that they 'belong' to the school community.

For everyone in year 7 this started by taking part in a tutor-group watersports activity in the very first full week of their time here at Budmouth. Activities like this help build resilience in our young people and enables them to see the benefits of working together as part of a team. This does wonders for their sense of Purpose.

The sense of achievement that students feel as a result of joining the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh Schemes also help to prove students that they can play a key role in a community. This is wonderful for every child's sense of Self Worth. It was great to see so many of the students joining the Ten Tors practice walk from West Bay to Golden Cap in December, and perfect preparation for the main Ten Tors event in May, next year.

Christmas week is a great time for school events like the Christmas Fayre, Sixth Form Fundraising, The Christmas Tree Competition, Attenborough Christmas Jumper Day and the traditional Pantomime. What impresses me most is the purpose shown by our students during these activities. It is often the students themselves that take the initiative with significant aspects of the publicity, organisation and leadership of events, and this helps our pupils form strong relationships with the many hard-working teachers and support staff that work alongside them.

International trips to Iceland, New York, NASA in the US, Paris and Spain and this year, our German exchange, give students a chance to experience culture and environments beyond Weymouth, Dorset and England. We are aware of course that trips can be expensive but we offer significant discounts to some students and many of them, like the Nasa Trip are fully funded. We believe that all students should get the chance to enrich their experience when at school, not just those who can afford it. As such, we will always remind families in letters that financial assistance is available, and in many cases, a simple enquiry from parents can make a huge difference to their affordability.

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The Aspirations Edge

At the Budmouth Academy we believe that there should be a clear and consistent focus on all students’ aspirations – their dreams, hopes, goals and their present efforts to reach those goals. Our core belief is that we should inspire all students to dream about the future and inspire them in the present to work towards those dreams. These efforts are fostered through the 3 Guiding Principles – Self-Worth, Engagement and Purpose – and the 8 Conditions that help drive each of the Guiding Principles.

The Aspirations Edge is a programme that we have designed to encourage all students to engage in activities that will help develop the 8 conditions, as well as developing key skills such as resilience, initiative and communication. For many students they will already be engaged in activities that are linked to the Guiding Principles, so this programme provides them with an opportunity to build their own digital portfolio. For many others they may well need more direction and the encouragement and support to engage in activities that will foster the 8 Conditions. The programme has four levels (Apprentice, Pioneer, Graduate and Master) and each student is able to work through the levels at their own speed and in their own time. Here are some examples of the activities completed by two students in Year 7 last term.

Students in Years 7-9 will receive an Aspirations Edge session once a week as part of their tutor programme and this might involve the opportunity to add activities to their digital profiles. Students in Years 10-11 do have access to the programme and are encouraged to speak to Mr David if they are interested in finding out more about it.

If you ever need any further information or support do not hesitate to contact Mr David at andydavid@aspirationsacademies.org

Mr David

Director of Student Leadership and Engagement

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Sports Leadership Award

Congratulations to Keegan Hart for completing the Sports Leadership Award. After completing the training Keegan volunteered at her local netball club, coaching and supporting younger children. She also led activities at her Sea Cadets and with her own netball team.
Congratulations to Year 9 student Leo Shuttleworth for completing the Sports Leadership Award. After completing the training Leo volunteered at his local tennis club, leading activities and helping younger children to learn new skills.

Aspire Award

Congratulations to Year 7 student Alfie Lloyd for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, achieving a high number of positive points, joining a new club, learning a new skill, supporting his Tutor and setting himself an aspirational goal.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Chloe Walburn for completing the Aspire Award. Some of her activities included, representing her Tutor Group, entering a competition, joining numerous clubs, setting herself an aspirational goal and volunteering to be an Anti-Bullying Ambassador.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Dexter Harris for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, attending a new club, representing his Tutor Group, writing an original short story, learning a new skill and achieving a high number of positive points.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Lucie Thornhill for completing the Aspire Award. Some of her activities included, representing the Academy at a sports event, representing her Tutor Group, applying to be part of the School Council, attending numerous clubs and writing an original short story.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Finley Summers for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, representing his Tutor Group, achieving a high number of positive points, setting himself an aspirational goal, applying to be a Sports Captain, writing an original short story and representing his Academy at a sports event.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Freddie Lewis for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, attending clubs, learning a new skill, applying to be a Sports Captain, achieving a high number of positive points and supporting his Tutor.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Freya O'Gorman for completing the Aspire Award. Some of her activities included, writing an original short story, achieving over 50 positive points, joining the School Council, applying for a position as an Anti-Bullying Ambassador and joining numerous clubs.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Xavier Berry for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, representing the Academy at a sports event, attending numerous clubs, representing his Tutor Group and applying to be a Sports Captain.
Congratulations to Year 7 student Lucas Lowe for completing the Aspire Award. Some of his activities included, representing his Tutor Group, joining a new club, achieving a high number of positive points and supporting his Tutor.

Years 7/8 Girl's Football

A fantastic result for the Year 7/8 girls football team in the ESFA National Cup fixture, beating Parkstone Grammar School in a very close and nerve wracking game. All of the girls worked extremely hard, scoring some fantastic goals and playing really well as a team.

Dorset County U14's Football

Fantastic to see five of our Budmouth girls representing Dorset County U14's, where they managed to beat Somerset in a high scoring match. From left to right - Grace Cumes, Sienna McLucas, Ava Cumes, Macey Bellamy & Jennifer Pike.

Iceland Trip

While in Iceland students visited the glacial lake and breathtaking basalt beaches. They visited the lava centre where they learnt about all the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland. The group also visited the geothermal greenhouses where they learnt about the organic Icelandic produce and tasted some delicious tomatoes. They also saw the amazing hot springs and geyser’s and the world famous Gullfoss waterfall. A fairly busy two days!

Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

We had a fantastic morning working with our new Anti-Bullying Ambassadors before we had a planning session with current members of the group. They committed to our Anti-Bullying Charter and are looking forward to supporting other students throughout the year.

Inter-School Football Tournament

80 Year 7 girls take part in an Inter-School Football Tournament. There was a lot of fantastic football played and great to see so many participate, for some it was their first 'competitive' experience. Well done to Attenborough, the overall winners and player of the tournament Eva Carter.

Year 7 Halloween Party

Over 170 Year 7 students attend our Halloween party! It was a fantastic event and a lovely way to finish their first half-term at Budmouth Academy.

Dorset Sports Leadership Academy

Students from years 7,8,9 and 10 attended the Dorset Sports Leadership academy training day at Bryanston school. During the day, our Sports Leadership Ambassadors learnt and developed more skills relating to ideas and work that they will bring back to Budmouth and put into action. It was great to see our students participating in many ways - being part of dance display team, thinking about role models and who has inspired them in their sport and building their knowledge of how to support others. It was also fantastic to see some former Budmouth students actually leading the workshops for our younger students. A successful day all round!

British Taekwondo National Poomsae Championships

Fantastic to hear about one of our Year 7 students, Brooke Kirlew, who recently competed at the British Taekwondo National Poomsae Championships at Worcester University and won a hard earned Silver medal. She had to perform 2 patterns chosen by the judges the day before the competition. This followed another silver medal at the British Taekwondo National Kyorugi Championships in Sheffield. Brooke also entered the Kent open with her team and came away with four medals: Gold - individual poomsae Gold - pairs poomsae Silver - trio poomsae Silver - Kyorugi Brooke has been training in Taekwondo for 6 years and holds a 2nd Dan black belt.

Principal Awards

Congratulations to our students that received their Principal Awards this morning.

Isaac Martin was nominated by Mr Morris for is commitment to the Academy. SInce joining Budmouth Academy in 2022 he has exhibited all of the required attributes linked to the Guiding Principle of Self-Worth. Isaac has represented the Academy in promotional visits to other schools in Weymouth and following his succesful involvement in the NASA trip has been an ambassador, creating resources abd delivering them to his peers based on his experiences.

Bobby Coombs was nominated by Mr Webber for being an incredible role model to the other students at Budmouth Academy. Bobby represents his Tutor Group and his School as a Sports Captain, taking on more responsibility to lead others and supporting Academy events.

Christabelle West and Esmee Carr were nominate by Miss Guppy for their unwaivering commitment to the Academy. Both are incredible role models and are driven to support important projects including the Green Group and the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. We are very proud of both of them and all the work they do.

Lord Lieutenant Cadet at our CCF!

We are delighted to announce that we now have a Lord Lieutenant Cadet at our CCF! Sixth Form student Ollie Frowd will take up the prestigious role this year and will be seen as the aide and representative of the cadet forces to the British royal family and the Lord-lieutenant in an administrative county of England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland. Ollie was selected at the Lord-lieutenant's awards and is one of just six in Dorset. As part of his role Ollie will provide an essential link between the armed forces and the local community, assist with recruiting within the cadet forces and assist the county's Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. This position is seen as one of the highest achievements in the Cadet Forces.

Weymouth Manor Care Home Visit

Students visited Weymouth Manor Care Home where they showcased a variety of acts from their Musical Spectacular show, these included, dance, drama performances and singing. Our residents were very impressed with their stage presence, charm and charisma.

Budmouth Academy Subject Coordinator for Expressive Arts, Mrs Trott said "It was lovely to be able to get out into the Community once again, spreading some joy to others via the Performing Arts"

10s Rugby Tournament

Congratulations to our year 8 rugby team who enjoyed the annual 10s rugby tournament at Bryanston School. Having played some outstanding Rugby and special performances from Issac Logan, Jacob Thorne and Max Cartwright, we came away undefeated

Principal's Commendation

Mr Hoffmann was delighted to meet Year 7 Lydia Martin and Megan Ferguson this morning to present them with a Principal's Commendation. Recently they both decided to make a difference to their community and collected rubbish from their local area. We are very proud of both of them.
Mr Hoffmann was delighted to present his second commendation this week. This time the recipient was Year 7 student Toby Kinsman who was first on the scene to support a member of the community who had collapsed on their way home. Toby cared for her, called emergency services, ensured she was safe and comfortable and then alerted some adults to the scene. What an absolute hero and we are very proud of him.

Inter School Bench Ball Tournament

Year 8's took part in an Inter School bench ball tournament planned and organised by our fantastic sport leaders. PE Teacher Miss Redding said "The engagement and cooperation shown by all of the students was brilliant, with all of the students having a lot of fun" A big well done to Shelly school for coming out as overall winners.

Life Inspired Cushions

Year 7 have been working very hard to create a sea life inspired cushion using a vast range of textile techniques. These gorgeous cushions were made by Noah English, Jesse Ferguson, Joshua Knake and Willow Farmer. Mrs Fabbri has been very impressed with the quality of work shown by all the class.

Children in Need

We are very grateful to everyone that organised and contributed to the Shelley School fundraising event on Friday. The money raised by the lower school was £981.03 and will be split between Children in Need and the Will Mackaness Trust (local charity who give young people in the Weymouth and Portland area an opportunity in water sports).