Student newspaper featuring news and events from The City Academy, Hackney. Available in print and online at the end of every half term. 20 OCT Visit our website: www.thecityacademy.org Follow us on Twier: @CityAcadHackney Find photos on www.flickr.com/TCAH The City Times Stunning first set of GCSE results for The City Academy, Hackney Word wheel Students at The City Academy, Hackney have achieved a set of truly exceponal results. The City Academy, Hackney’s first cohort of students took their GCSE exams this summer; 82% of students achieved five or more A*- C grades (including English and maths), more than 20% above the naonal average. Since opening in 2009 the academy has achieved two ‘Outstanding’ grades from Ofsted, which were “the first of many important milestones” says Mark Emmerson, Principal of The City Academy, Hackney. “In 2012 we were judged by Ofsted to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category and this recognion, while welcome, was of course only a judgement on our work as teachers. The most important thing is the actual achievements of our students. In this regard, I am so proud of our first cohort of students; they have led the way from day one. These stascs show the extent of the progress of this year group in their me at the school. In parcular the extent and range of A/A* passes and the progress stascs are exceponal.” In addion to the headline figure of five good GCSE grades, 66% of students also achieved the English Baccalaureate (an arguably more rigorous measure of exam results with students obtaining an A*- C grade in English, maths, science, geography or history and a modern foreign language). The City Academy, Hackney serves two of the most deprived wards in Hackney; has a high proporon of students from ethnic minority backgrounds with English as a second language; a third of students with special educaonal needs; and most students join the school with below average levels of aainment - all of which we are led to believe should limit these students’ aainment - and yet the academy’s first cohort achieved English Baccalaureate results more than three mes beer than the naonal average. Arcle connues on page 2. Would you like to be a parent governor? See page 6 for more informaon. Upcoming events See page 8 for a list of key dates for the half term ahead. E H C I N M Y A R How many words can you make from the leers in the wheel? Each word must contain the middle leer, C. 20 or more words and you are doing very well. There’s one nine-leer word too.
Transcript
Student newspaper featuring news and events from The City Academy, Hackney. Available in print and online at the end of every half term.20OCT
Visit our website: www.thecityacademy.org Follow us on Twitter: @CityAcadHackney Find photos on www.flickr.com/TCAH
TheCityTimes
Stunning first set of GCSE results for The City Academy, Hackney
Word wheel
Students at The City Academy, Hackney have achieved a set of truly exceptional results.
The City Academy, Hackney’s first cohort of students took their GCSE exams this summer; 82% of students achieved five or more A*- C grades (including English and maths), more than 20% above the national average.
Since opening in 2009 the academy has achieved two ‘Outstanding’ grades from Ofsted, which were “the first of many important milestones” says Mark Emmerson, Principal of The City Academy, Hackney.
“In 2012 we were judged by Ofsted to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category
and this recognition, while welcome, was of course only a judgement on our work as teachers. The most important thing is the actual achievements of our students. In this regard, I am so proud of our first cohort of students; they have led the way from day one. These statistics show the extent of the progress of this year group in their time at the school. In particular the extent and range of A/A* passes and the progress statistics are exceptional.”
In addition to the headline figure of five good GCSE grades, 66% of students also achieved the English Baccalaureate (an arguably more rigorous measure of exam results with students obtaining an A*- C grade in English, maths, science,
geography or history and a modern foreign language). The City Academy, Hackney serves two of the most deprived wards in Hackney; has a high proportion of students from ethnic minority backgrounds with English as a second language; a third of students with special educational needs; and most students join the school with below average levels of attainment - all of which we are led to believe should limit these students’ attainment - and yet the academy’s first cohort achieved English Baccalaureate results more than three times better than the national average.
Article continues on page 2.
Would you like to be a parent governor?
See page 6 for more information.
Upcoming eventsSee page 8 for a list of key dates for the half
term ahead.
EH
CI
N M
Y
A
R
How many words can you make from the
letters in the wheel? Each word must contain
the middle letter, C. 20 or more words and
you are doing very well. There’s one nine-letter
word too.
The City Times 2014 Autumn issue 12
PhotosA look back at all things creative from last half term
ParentsResults of our annual parent survey 2014 and more
EventsKey dates for the half term ahead
Instrumental lessons
Cycle safety
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6
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Parents/Carers - would your child like to start instrumental or vocal lessons next term (after Christmas)? If so, please ask your child to collect a letter from the music department, complete and return the form by Friday 14 November. Music tuition is available for the following instruments as well as vocals: piano, guitar, bass, trombone, saxophone, trumpet, strings and drums.
As the mornings and evenings grow darker throughout the winter, the academy would like to encourage parents/carers to ensure their children are wearing appropriate safety clothing when cycling to and from school. All students are expected to wear a helmet and high visibility garments such as a waterproof coat or sash would be advised. For more information about staying safe on your bicycle search ‘TFL cycle safety’ for details of cycle lanes and safer routes around the capital.
We began the academic year by appointing our new House Captains for our four Houses: Aldgate, Ludgate, Moorgate and Newgate.
From left to right we have: Mariah, Jessica, Amira, Katy, Tara, Kowiyu and Detta.
Our House Captains organise lots of House Competitions and represent the academy at a range of events.
Every year the art department set our Key Stage 3 students the task of making a homemade, festive creation as a homework project in the lead up to Christmas. In previous years our students have made red robins, snowmen and penguins but this year we want to create a winter wonderland of snowy, wintery, festive buildings.
The resulting ‘winter city’ will be constructed in the academy reception ahead of our Christmas Concert on Thursday 18 December.
The project and competition is open to all students in Key Stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9) and must be completed and submitted to the art department by Friday 5 December.
The top ten buildings, as voted for by the whole school, will receive 50 merits and 50 House tokens for the House Competition.
The City Times is distributed to all parents/carers, students, staff, sponsors and governors, and the wider community at the end of each half term. Printed copies are available from reception and our online edition can be read or downloaded from the news page on our website. All articles are written by students and staff at The City Academy, Hackney and the newspaper is compiled by our Communications Manager.
Press and permissions
If you would like more information regarding a particular article, high resolution photos or you would like to cover an event, please contact Adam Smith, Communications Manager by calling 020 8525 5452 or email: [email protected].
Parents/Carers give express permission for photos to be used in the academy’s own publications but additional permission must be sought for external use.
Full houseArt house
Follow us on Twitter: @CityAcadHackney
This week @CityAcadHackney - Blockbusters, colour equations, student-led learning, and a
trip to @Cambridge_Uni
Are you a keen Twitter user? The academy is looking for ‘Twitter Champions’ to help
spread the word by retweeting our messages. Please send a direct message to the academy if you are willing to help build our social media
profile and community partnerships.
3The City Academy, Hackney Values and Success
Cover story: Stunning first set of GCSE results for The City Academy, HackneyAs noted by Ofsted, five years ago - on the site of what was deemed to be a failing school - the founding team of teachers and the academy’s joint sponsors, KPMG and the City of London Corporation, “provided the early vision and direction for the academy.” Five years on and they “remain fully committed to the achievement and well-being of students.”
Commenting on the results Dawn Elliott, KPMG Head of Partnership Tax and Chair of Governors at the academy said:
“We are absolutely delighted with these results and would like to congratulate all of the students, parents/carers, staff, sponsors and volunteers for their enormous efforts in helping to raise the level of achievement and aspiration of students in Hackney. Our decision to sponsor the academy was based on our belief that we could help make a difference by raising levels of achievement and lifting the horizons of young people. Having access to a high standard of education is essential in helping young people achieve their goals in life, and also to help employers who need talented young people in their organisations.”
Reflecting on life in the academy’s first cohort, William Bradford, Head Boy and City of London resident said, “I have helped shape the school. I felt as though we were a team. Because it was a new school, as well as the
teachers watching the students develop, we got to see the teachers develop over the years too.” William, like many students, achieved a string of A* and A grades.
“The academy places a lot of emphasis on extra-curricular activities as well as academia. From school productions to projects and trips, the teachers get everyone involved and make you feel as if you are contributing positively to school life.” William started his A levels this September – the next ‘milestone’ for the students at the academy.
“We have a motto at The City Academy, Hackney: Values and Success,” remarks Mr. Emmerson. “It embodies our belief that good values and hard work are the building blocks of real and lasting accomplishment. Our students have embraced these values; they are a fine group of well-mannered, kind and industrious young people who will go on to great things. These results are a fair and true reflection of the efforts and abilities of our students and, of course, the huge investment made
by their families, our staff and our sponsors.”
The City Academy, Hackney’s sixth form opened this September, extending its outstanding educational provision to post-16. For more information and details of upcoming open days visit the events page on our website.
91% five or more A*- C grades66% English Baccalaureate32% of all grades A*- A30% five or more A*- A12% of all grades A*
100% A*- C grade in art and music91% A*- C grade in English 89% A*- C grade in MFL86% A*- C grade in maths86% A*- C grade in double science
66+3466%
The numbersHeadline statistics from this year’s GCSEs
Whole school
By subject
91%75%
T C
A H
Nati
onal
82%
59%
T C
A H
of students left the academy this year
with five or more GCSE grades A*- C, the top
attaining cohort in the borough.
of students achieved five or more A*- C grades (including
English and maths), more than 20% above the national average.
of students achieved the English Baccalaureate this
year, the best in the borough and three times the national
average.
Watch our GCSE Results Day video - produced by our sponsors, The City of London Corporation - on YouTube now. Search ‘YouTube City Academy results’ or follow the link on our homepage.
The City Times 2014 Autumn issue 14
Make a song and dance about it: a look back at the concerts, shows and exhibitions last term
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5The City Academy, Hackney Values and Success
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1. Little Shop of Horrors - a cast of more than 50 student actors, singers, dancers and musicians took to the stage for our annual musical production, Little Shop of Horrors 2. Summer Exhibition - the art department hosted its first Summer Exhibition featuring the creations of our talented GCSE art students 3. Mansion House - a trio of our top musicians: Matteo, Nadia and Roza were invited to perform for guests of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Fiona Woolf, at the Mansion House 4. Italy Tour 2014 - a collaborative and creative trip, student artists and musicians toured and performed around northern Italy during the summer holidays including this idyllic concert in the grounds of Villa Venier Contarini 5. The O2 Arena - our joint sponsor, KPMG, invited a troupe of musicians and dancers to perform at their One Firm event at the O2 Arena. Our students and staff not only performed in front of more than 13,000 employees but also shared the stage with famous faces including Sir Bob Geldof, Tinie Tempah, Lenny Henry and Madness 6. Year 8 KPMG Project Band - each year, thanks to the support of our joint sponsor, KPMG, every student in year 8 is given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument for free. To celebrate the first year of this new initiative, all 180 students took to the stage in our theatre. Many more photos can be found on our Flickr page: www.flickr.com/tcah.
The City Times 2014 Autumn issue 16
92++M892% of parents would grade the school as good or outstanding
Out
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Goo
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Nei
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goo
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Poor
Very
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Information for parents and carersOur partnership with parents and carers plays a crucial role in ensuring students achieve at the highest level.
Most important to you
Least important to you
Parental engagement events this academic year
Consultation Week 1w/c Monday 3 November
Consultation Week 1w/c Monday 3 November
Consultation Week 1w/c Monday 3 November
Consultation Week 2w/c Monday 23 February
GCSE Options EveningWednesday 11 February
Consultation Week 1w/c Monday 3 November
Consultation Week 2w/c Monday 23 February
Consultation Week 2w/c Monday 23 February
Consultation Week 1w/c Monday 3 November
Parent DayMonday 23 February
Parent DayMonday 23 February
Parent DayMonday 1 June
Parent DayMonday 1 June
Parent DayTuesday 6 January
Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11
Often parental involvement in a child’s education reduces when they reach secondary school. We are committed to ensuring that does not happen. Regular communication with parents is incredibly important to us.
Parent Staff Association
Thank you to all the parents who joined us at the first Parent Staff Association (PSA) meeting of the year. Chair of the PSA, Stephen Webster, welcomed new parents and outlined the aims of the PSA for the year ahead. Mr. Singh, Assistant Principal and Mr. A. Smith, Communications Manager were also on hand to answer any questions. Minutes from the meeting are available to read on our website.
The Parent Staff Association plays a huge part in building positive and constructive communications between the academy and its families, offering numerous opportunities for parents to visit the academy to attend meetings, meet other parents/carers, experience taster lessons and discuss educational matters. Upcoming events including our first Subject Evening, the next PSA meeting and our annual International Food Evening and Quiz are listed on the back page. We really hope lots of parents will be able to join us at our next event, our science-themed Subject Evening on Wednesday 22 October, 5.30 p.m.
Second hand uniform
Thank you to Giovanna and the team of volunteer parents who have made such a successful start in setting up a second hand uniform shop for our families.
The uniform shop sells second hand, but good condition items including PE kit at parent events throughout the
year including Parent Days and during Consultation Week.
The uniform shop relies heavily on kind donations from our parents. If your child has outgrown a blazer or perhaps your eldest recently left the academy, please donate any uniform items you may have by dropping them in at reception.
Would you like to be a parent governor?
As our cohort of students grows each year, so does our team of dedicated staff and so does our Governing Body.As a result, the academy is looking to recruit another parent governor. We already have two parent governors: Toyin Agbetu whose daughter is in year 9 and Lola Malaolu whose son is in year 10. Their input, similar to that of our staff governors, is incredibly important as it provides our Governing Body with a valuable insight from the perspective of our parents, students and staff.
Would you like to apply? If yes, then please complete an application form when you visit the academy during
Consultation Week, immediately after half term, and we will be in touch about the next steps.
Parent survey 2014
At the end of every year we invite students, parents and staff to complete a survey. This year, we trialled an online version and we were very pleased with the results as more than twice the number of parents took part compared with previous years. Thank you to all those parents who found time to complete our online survey, we really appreciate your feedback and we thought we should share some of the findings with you.
What are we doing well? The majority of parents who completed our survey were very happy, scoring 5 out of 5 for a range of services including our Parent Day and Consultation Week meetings, online reporting via ePortal and our written reports and assessments. Parents were also happy with the academy’s discipline and behaviour, promoting racial harmony and the development of strong moral values.
How can we improve? You said there was room for improvement in the work we do with students to encourage them to support their local community. You also felt we should listen to the views of our parents/carers.
“Our son has just completed his GCSEs... He has achieved a huge amount and has become more confident in his abilities and more willing to try new things. I think the academy has provided the best possible education standards and has out performed the private sector at every level.”
We hope that by sharing these findings we are going some way to address these concerns. Your feedback is very important to us.
“Fantastic school. The last five years have exceeded all our expectations.”
Parents - don’t forget we offer numerous weekly and termly opportunities to meet with staff and discuss your child’s progress and needs. Our Senior Leadership Team run a drop-in surgery every Thursday and Friday morning, 8.30 - 9.30 a.m. No appointment is required and a member of SLT will always be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
What is most
important to you?
Quality of teaching
Academy discipline and
good behaviour
Happiness ofstudents
Social health education
Access to resources/ICT
Careers advice
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7The City Academy, Hackney Values and SuccessThe City Academy, Hackney Values and Success 7
Annual Awards
Top Merit Winner
Angel Addo
Aldgate P
Accelerated Reader of the Year
Samuel Bolarinwa
Newgate M
Merit Cup
House Competition Cup
Sports Day Cup
Accelerated Reader Cup
Tutor Group of the Year
Top Attendance
Aldgate Ludgate Moorgate Newgate
Awarded annually to the House
that received the highest number
of merits.
The House who received the
most House tokens during House
Competition weeks.
Awarded to the House that
scores the most number of
points at Sports Day.
Awarded to the House with
the highest cumulative total of
Accelerated Reader points.
Awarded to the tutor group who
collectively received the most
merits.
Awarded to the tutor group with
the best attendance record for
the year.
AGP
AGP
Congratulations to all of our Subject Prize winners, House Competition winners and annual award winners from last year.
Subject
Art
Business / ICT
Design & Technology
Drama
Economics
English
Faculty of Learning
French
Geography
History
ICT
Maths
Mentoring
Music
PE
Religious Studies
Science
Spanish
Year 7
Ellis Josebury
Wendy Zeta
Shabaaz Shakoor
Shannon Latouche
Nalin Pieries
Syeda Mahima
Jonathan Tete
Fiona Gashi
Tomisin Oyedoyin
Tyanne Patrice-Clarke
Hakeem Lindo
Shanel Kankam
Agit Karatas
Simranjeet Kaur
Agit Karatas
Tayibha Jahan
Yasin Sahin
Esther Kalusi
Lucinio Gomes Ca
Francesca Fernandes
Ben Elliott
Fiona Gashi
Luca Webster
Tayjah-Lei Cavalho
Finn Endres
Taliyah De Freitas-Smith
Jay Russell
Kendal Silvera
Finn Endres
Salsabil Fatema
Year 8
Omer Guven
Patrisha Eclevia
Christopher Miller
Shelby Baptiste
Usman Hameed
Marion Willingham
Ansumana Njai
Tanya Ahmed
Ashiqur Chowdhury
Temidayo Taslim
Clive Kandza-Itsieme
Priya Kaur
Jakaria Uddin
Laila El Kaderi
Milton Morris
Amy Fleming
Archie Clark
Kayasha Davis
Jakaria Uddin
Wai-Chin He
Nathaniel Mills-Jones
Shayma Brir
Omer Guven
Amina Hussein-Rage
Kai-Yen Thomas
Saharah Mendes
Orlando Odoi
Lola Martinez-Rufete
Pablo Dent
Ferdosi Abbott
Pablo Dent
Ferdosi Abbott
Year 9
Solomon Laurent-Dixon
Khairah McFarlane
Charlie Parker
Wei Shi He
Evan’s Weekes
Chesney Boyce
Jonjo Matthews-Murray
Hannah Clavier
Temidayo Taslim
Jack Foster-Ogg
Serdal Ozdas
Sonia Kaur
Max Beadnell
Joy Yuma
Joshua Morgan
Jordan Walker
Shah Mamunoor Rashid
Grace Revill
Luigi Puma
Elizabeth Mason
Mohammed Fahad
Busayo Oyedoyin
Matteo Fernandes
Marigold Mutesi
Kowiyu Tijani
Omotara Adeyemi
Emmanuel Zeta
Reisha Boyce-Daniels
Trae James
Grace Revill
Nathan Dixon
Reisha Boyce-Daniels
Year 10
Jeffry Valencia Marin
Na’Imah Laurent-Dixon
Mosan Farooq
Sidal Durna
Alexander Abley
Jessica Faria
Dylan Owen
Shannon Kennefick
Jonathan Yang
Katy Lay
Ramani Boreland
Lily Satchell
Darren Adu-Amoateng
Toni Amos-Oke
Aaron Owusu
Jessica Faria
Alastair Osborne
Ming Xin Yang
Coby Hippolyte-Aldred
Benny Londja
Arran Prevost-Cook
Caroline Diep
Noredin Bakkali
Xin Ping Zhang
Tarik Brir
Morgan Thorbourne
Francis Shobo
Kemi Owolabi
Felix Feldman
Aimee Fritz-Brock
Amir Uddin
Tosin Taslim
Aaron Owusu
Kehinde Ekundayo
Lorenzo Webster
Sidal Durna
The City Times 2014 Autumn issue 18
Monday 3 - Friday 7 November, 3.50 - 5.30 p.m. dailyConsultation WeekParents/carers are invited to meet with their child’s Personal Adviser to discuss their progress and set targets for the year. All parents/carers will receive appointment invitations in the post and meetings should last approximately 20 minutes. There are no Additional Studies during Consultation Week.
Thursday 6 NovemberHackney Music Service Gala Concert, Hackney EmpireThe academy will be performing an excerpt from last year’s musical production of Little Shop of Horrors. All Hackney schools will be performing at this annual musical celebration. Tickets are available to purchase from the Hackney Empire website.
Wednesday 12 NovemberTwilight staff training - no Additional StudiesSchool will finish at 3.40 p.m. due to a staff training event.
Thursday 13 NovemberLate start due to staff training eventLessons will begin at 9.30 a.m. (period 2) due to the extended staff training event on Wednesday 12 November. Students should arrive by 9.20 a.m. for morning line up.
Friday 14 November, 6 p.m.PSA International Food Evening and QuizAll families are invited to join us for an evening of international cuisine, live music from our talented students and a quiz. All parents/carers, students, families and friends are welcome.
Wednesday 19 November, 5.30 - 8 p.m.Sixth Form Open EveningYear 11 students and their parents/carers are invited to attend our Sixth Form Open Evening to find out more about our Sixth Form and post 16, A level courses.
Friday 21 November, 4.30 p.m.Music Recital, Sutton HouseCome and hear a broad range of solo and ensemble performances hosted by our National Trust neighbours, Sutton House. All welcome and the event is free of charge.
Fri 28 November, 6 p.m.Departures and ArrivalsOur year 10 drama students will be performing Carol Shield’s collection of vignettes set in an airport departure lounge.
Thursday 11 December, 5.30 p.m.PSA meeting 2All parents/carers are invited to attend the second Parent Staff Association meeting of the academic year.
Thursday 18 December Christmas ConcertTickets for our annual Christmas Concert will be available to purchase on www.ParentPay.com immediately after half term.
Thursday 18 December Sixth Form application deadline (internal)All current year 11 students wishing to apply to join our Sixth Form must do so by Thursday 18 December. Interviews will take place in the new year.
For more information about upcoming events, please visit the events page on our website: www.thecityacademy.org/events.
Upcoming events: key dates for the half term ahead3
NOV
6NOV
12NOV
13NOV
14NOV
26NOV
11DEC
18DEC
18DEC
Accelerated Readerof the Week winners
for this half term.
Week 3:James Murison
Week 4:Abraham Ladoja
Week 5:Nora Al Morhiby
Week 7:Saharah Mendes and Lola Martinez-Rufete
Week 6:Estefania Rendon-
Calderon
21NOV
19NOV
Congratulations to all of our Accelerated Reader of the
Week winners for this half term. Reading for pleasure plays a very important part in supporting our students’ literacy and learning.
FRI DAY1 8 0. 0
28 NOVDEPARTURES
& ARRIVALSDATE
TIME
The City Academy, Hackney drama department are proud to present a year 10 GCSE production of
Tickets available on ParentPay priced £3 eachPreview performance on Thursday 27 November for invited guests.
