Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter. This one features a piece about Anti-Bullying Week, in which we focussed on the ‘one-kind word’ strategy. It has been genuinely heartwarming to read the positive comments our students have written about each other or the staff in the Academy. A great way to show they care. Well done to all involved. Salford Now also ran a piece about us, which you can read here.

It’s very nearly December and as we go deeper into the winter months, I would like to  remind parents/carers to send children into the Academy with a warm outdoor jacket. Hooded tops are not allowed, with the exception of the PE specific hoodies. These are to be worn on PE days only. I would also be grateful if all parents and carers could be vigilant with the PE uniform, to ensure that it is only ever worn on the days that they have core PE and that it is the right kit as specified in our policy here. It’s important that high uniform standards are maintained. 

As always if any families require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact us at walkden.info@coopacademies.co.uk.

COVID update

We have seen a slight rise in confirmed positive cases over the past week. We are continuing to link in with Public Health regarding all cases and at this stage, there are no other specific actions for us to take. Our strong recommendation remains that students and staff should wear face coverings, particularly in communal areas, however we have noticed that fewer students are now wearing them as a matter of course. If the number of cases continues to rise, we may need to go back to expecting everyone to wear one at all times until cases reduce. I will communicate any changes to you in due course.

Year 11 Information Evening

Many thanks to the parents and carers who attended our information evening last week. If you were unable to attend, but would like the materials, please find them on our website here.

Year 11 parents and carers may be aware that the government released guidance on contingency arrangements for GCSE examinations recently. It is possible that some changes to our planned mock examinations are needed, to fulfil the requirements of the newly released guidance and we ensure that all students and parents/carers are aware of these well in advance. We will release further information about our full contingency arrangements in due course.

Extra-curricular

There is an ever-increasing number of additional opportunities for students to develop beyond the core curriculum. You can find a comprehensive list of current extra-curricular activities on offer here.

There are more in development too and the student council have recently shared a ‘wish-list’ that they would like to see offered in the Academy. As ever, I am grateful to all the staff who give up their time willingly and it’s brilliant to see our students taking advantage of the additional opportunities on offer.

Your Voice

We really appreciate all of your feedback in whatever form it comes. The annual Your Voice Survey from the Co-op Academies Trust is currently live, but we could do with more responses please. It doesn’t take very long and you can find the link to the form embedded in this newsletter.

Wishing you all a great weekend ahead.

Matt Hacker

Principal

Important Notices

The deadline for the Co-op Academies Trust ‘Your Voice Survey’ closes on Monday 29th November 2021.

The survey is anonymous. It helps us to make improvements. It also helps us to do more of the good things!

We invite parents/carers to complete the survey at: https://forms.gle/BuGyDSqeTjyi6Jg16

Attendance Matters – Written by Mr Simpson – Attendance Manager

We continue to encourage high standards for punctuality and attendance and we wanted to thank you for your continued support.

As a reminder, students should be in the Academy by 8.30am. This means that any student not in the Academy building by 8.30am will be classed as late and may receive a detention. 

Students may be late due to circumstances beyond their control, such as buses failing to stop or significant traffic issues. Please encourage your child to keep any bus tickets to show staff on the door, should they be late. We would also encourage you to contact us via MyEd for any genuine reasons for being late, so we can determine appropriate sanctions.

We are also meeting with students where attendance has been lower than expected this term. You will be sent a letter should this effect your child. We may also invite you to come into the Academy to discuss your child’s attendance. We would encourage you to let us know of any issues that may be affecting this.

We also want to recognise good attendance and punctuality! We will be offering rewards to students as part of our wider reward structure.

Pastoral Focus – Written by Miss Hamilton – Head of Year 10

What a fantastic start to Key Stage 4! Over this past term, Year 10 have made both Mr Ward and I incredibly proud of them, and we hope they will continue to do so. Starting Key Stage 4 can be tough and carries with it some challenges. It is delightful to see Year 10s embedding the Co-op ‘Ways of Being’ and demonstrating resilience as they enter into their GCSE subjects and PSHE modules. 

Year 10 have also continued to push themselves with attendance to succeed together. We have enjoyed celebrating individual forms as they win their weekly attendance reward. We have rewarded the following forms with Hot Chocolate Friday during form time so far:

• 10AUN
• 10KTH
• 10PCO. 

Well done! 

This year, we have also launched a weekly reward of a £5 Love2Shop voucher for students who are 100% punctual and students who continue to have zero negative behaviour points. Well done to the following students so far:

• Henry 10NHA 
• Marissa 10SKE
• Sophie 10TSC
• Thomas 10SKE

As Christmas fast approaches, Mr Ward and I are working on a few Christmas projects. Our Year 10 students will be able to show our Walkden Community our ‘Ways of Being’ values by getting involved with these! Keep your eyes peeled for more information on our Twitter page. 

Year 10 parents’ evening is taking place on the 2nd December 2021; this will be a crucial time for you to speak with your child’s subject teacher and see how you can support them at home. We will also be contacting you about career events and work experience in the new year.

As always, if you need to speak with Mr Ward or I, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our email. We will do all we can to continue working together to help your child succeed. 

Thank you as always for your continued support; it is genuinely appreciated. Take care!

Ways of Being Awards

Do what matters most – Ben – 10DHO – Ben always strives to do what matters most and care for those around him. Ben stands up and carries out the Co-op values every day. Well done Ben!

Be yourself, always – Leah – 10ATO – Leah always attends school with a positive outlook. She displays this positive attitude to others. Well done Leah!

Show you care – Freya – 10AUN – Freya continually shows compassion for others. She has a fantastic attitude, caring for those around her. Freya is always smiling and makes time to greet staff member’s positively each morning. Well done Freya!

Succeed together – Lewis – 10EST – Lewis has realised this half term that in order to succeed individually, we need to succeed together. Lewis continues to push himself and challenge himself. Well done Lewis!

Advent Prizes

Our students have the chance to win big throughout December with our Advent prizes.

Every day that we are in the Academy, students are in with a chance of winning fabulous prizes. These include chocolate, Christmas jumpers, speakers, and vouchers; that’s 16 big prizes to play for.

All students can be in with a chance to win! All they need to do is:

• have 100% punctuality to form time and all lessons
• accrue no behaviour points

Good luck to all students!

What’s Going On

Remembrance Day 

On 11th November 2021, we commemorated Remembrance Day. Our Cadets led our service and the community fell silent to show respect for servicemen and women all over the world. 

Our Cadet Force represented us in the wider community on Sunday 14th November 2021, parading with the Walkden Legion and laying a wreath at the cenotaph. You can read more about this here:

https://walkden.coopacademies.co.uk/stories/remembrance-service-2021/. 

Well done to our Cadets who are not afraid to always be themselves! 

Year 9 -11 Home Languages Exam

• Is your child in Year 9 – 11?
• Can they speak another language?
• Can they read and write fluently in this language?

If so, they may be able to take an examination in their home language.

To express your interest, please fill out this Google Form before 1st December 2021.

Young Carers

It’s estimated that there are 700,000 young carers in the UK right now. Is your child one of them?  

Young carers often take care of a family member who has a physical disability, mental health needs, or learning disability. The family member could also be affected by drug, alcohol, or other substance misuses. A young carer will also help by taking care of other family members, such as brothers and sisters.  

It can be hard work being a young carer. Sometimes other children don’t understand their responsibilities, and they can have less free time.

If your child is a young carer, please get in touch with their Head of Year or email Mrs Corry at lindsay.corry@coopacademies.co.uk for a confidential chat about how we can help and support them.

3 Ps – Parenting Course

Would you be interested in attending a parenting class at our academy? 

If so, please email your interest to Mrs Corry on lindsay.corry@coopacademies.co.uk – depending on interest, this could be offered after Christmas.   

The type of parenting course we would like to offer is the Triple P parenting course, see https://www.triplep-parenting.uk.net/uk/triple-p/ for further information.

Food Technology – Cooking Mussels – Written by Mrs Kettle

Through the Fish Hero programme, I managed to secure some a free batch of mussels. Only a handful of schools were successful in securing any products through this scheme, so we were very lucky.

Last Friday, I surprised Year 11 with the mussels and they did a really good job of preparing and cooking them, making Moules Marriniere – not an easy dish!

They checked the mussels first to see if they were alive and they removed the beards before cooking the mussels and preparing the sauce.

They were very happy with their achievements, as was I!

Well done year 11, I’m very proud of you!

Student Librarian

Does your child love reading? Would they like to apply to be a student librarian?

The main duties of a student librarian are:

• Reshelving books and keeping the shelves tidy 
• Using the book scanner 
• Researching key events in Manchester and wider news to keep a library news board up to date 
• Helping with displays 
• Being helpful and ready to answer questions for other library users 

Student Librarians must be able to: 

• Work well as part of a team 
• Be friendly and helpful to other library users 

Benefits: 

• Helping out on Y7 Library trips 
• Student librarian raffles 
• Stamps 
• Book prizes 
• New skills (like working the book scanner) 
• Student Librarian badge after completion of training 
• Appreciation from teachers and students
• Satisfaction from doing a good job

You can find out more and help your son/daughter apply here.

Anti-Bullying Week Round Up

During the week beginning 15^th November 2021, we promoted Anti-Bullying Week, in conjunction with the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

Throughout the week, our staff and students wore odd socks, snapping and sharing them on social media. Mr Green thrilled us with his array of odd socks – a different pair each day! Thank you Mr Green for showing you care.

Further, we have had lots of nominations for staff and students as part of our Anti-Bullying Pioneers Awards. Our Anti-Bullying Pioneers Awards seek to recognise our staff and students who do what matters most and step in to support someone who is being bullied. Here are just two of the nominations for our staff from a parent:

• Mrs Crane is one in a million, selfless, understanding, caring, nurturing, encouraging. Every high school needs a Mrs Crane, there are no words to explain how much I appreciate her and how amazing I think she is.
• Mr Corbett is so helpful, nothing is to much trouble. He really cares about the students and their well-being. He wants what’s best for them and strives to see them achieve. He believes in the students even when they don’t believe in themselves. He is an absolute delight and funny.

Well done to Mrs Crane and Mr Corbett.

Further, we had lots of lovely messages to staff and students from all year groups. We had over 100 kind word postcards filled in for students in all year groups. We also had a lot of postcards filled in for teachers too! Here are just a few of the messages that were sent:

• Thank you for all you have done for me since I started Walkden.
• I like the way you help everyone when they need it.
• Thank you for always helping and supporting me when needed.
• Thank you for always being there for me.
• Thanks for being a good friend. I hope you have a nice day.

Student Success

A focus on our 2021 leavers success

On GCSE results day, we caught up with some of our students to ask them about their time at Walkden and celebrate their exciting prospects. In this edition, we want to shine a light on the success on our last two students – Kobe and Sasha.

Hi Kobe, well done on your fabulous GCSE results – what’s next for you?

I am moving on to study an apprenticeship at VPPLC Torrent Trackside. The apprenticeship is going to be an NVQ Level 3 in Plant Maintenance and Repair. This will train me to become a railway engineer.

Wow! What an amazing route! Well done on getting that.

I know! I’d like to thank Mr Mangas for helping me get my apprenticeship! He was a big support.

What has been the best thing about being a Co-op Academy Walkden student?

The teachers are really friendly and you can get along with everyone. I’ve loved socialising with my friends too.

You’ve already thanked Mr Mangas, do you want to thank any of your other teachers?

Yes, every teacher for helping me through high school. Thank you.

What piece of advice would you give to a student in Year 7?

Be yourself and have fun!

What piece of advice would you give to a student who is just starting their GCSEs?

Relax! Don’t stress. It will be ok if you work hard.

Hi Sasha, well done on your GCSE results – they are fabulous! What’s next for you?

Thank you – I am now going to enrol at Loreto College to study Applied Science, Psychology and Health and Social Care.

What do you hope to do after college?

I want to go on an train to be a Psychiatric Nurse or maybe an anaesthesiologist.

Wow – great ambitions Sasha! So, what has been the best thing about being a student at Co-op Academy Walkden?

The best thing has been being challenged and pushed so I can achieve the goals I want to achieve. The teachers are really supportive, no matter your situation.

Do you want to thank any of the staff at Co-op Academy Walkden?

Yes! They never doubted me and always encouraged me to not give up – thank you!

What piece of advice would you give to a Year 7 student?

Put your head down because you have 5 years to reach your goal. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

What piece of advice would you give to a student who is just starting their GCSEs?

Revise and believe in yourself, and don’t compare yourself to others.

Frame Your Future

Well done to Sky, in Year 11, who won third place in the ‘Frame Your Futures’ summer competition. The competition was run by Greater Manchester Higher.

Students who entered ‘Frame Your Future’ were asked to think about their future career aspirations. They were also asked to think about the higher education pathway they might take to achieve their goals.

Sky wants a career in the police. Sky said to achieve this, she plans to study A-Levels and then move onto university.

Sky won an Amazon voucher. Well done, Sky, for doing what matters most and planning your future.

Sporting Success – Written by Mr Tobutt, PE Teacher

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks on the fixtures’ front, but we’ve had County Cup action for our Year 8 and Year 10 Football teams whilst our Netball teams have played their part in Salford Schools’ rallies.

In the Greater Manchester Schools’ County Cup 3rd round, our Year 8 footballers suffered a 6-3 defeat to Wellington School – two goals from Clement and one from Inglis in vain as the visitors prevailed.

Our Year 10 side hosted Reddish Vale in their 3rd round tie and produced a tremendous second-half comeback to prevail 3-1. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Campbell’s header early in the second drew us level before Blackshaw bundled in a second to make it 2-1. The result was sealed when Puckey powered home a header from another Curwen assist to seal our place in the quarter-finals, where we will face Cheadle Hulme High School on 29th November 2021.

Our Year 7 and Year 8 Netball teams have had a successful couple of weeks in their Salford rallies. Our Year 8 team won 5 out of their six games in the first competition of the year. They then won games against St Ambrose and Moorside in the recent triangular rally held at Co-op Walkden. Our Year 7 team won two of their three games in the same event and showed great teamwork and resilience in their fixtures.

Mrs Hughes said, “I am really proud of the girls. They’ve been getting stronger each match, and they play extremely well as a team. They have only lost one match in the last eight! Well done all.”

Our Year 10 and 11 Netball team also had their first outing of the year with games against St Ambrose and Moorside, winning one game (10-1) and suffering two narrow losses (3-1 & 4-1). Despite the defeats, there were several encouraging performances from the girls.

As we approach Christmas, our Year 9 and Year 11 Rugby teams will begin their North West Champion Schools’ campaign with group fixtures against schools from Wigan, St Helens, and Warrington.

Until next time…

Academy Snapshot

In conjunction with the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s theme for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week we asked our students– “What is the kindest thing anyone has done for you in the Academy?” Here are the answers:

“The kindest thing anyone has done for me at Co-op Academy Walkden is helping me out if I need it. Whether I ask for help or not. If they can see that I need help, they help.” Connor.

“The kindest thing that anybody has ever done for me in Co-op Academy Walkden is recognising that I needed additional help. Whether it be educationally or just outside of lesson or convincing me to join an extracurricular club, somebody has always been there to offer me a helping hand.” Mia-Lea.

“The kindest thing that someone has done for me is to help me when I have been upset. My friends are kind and that is good!” Michelle.

“My friend helps me a lot – she is so kind! When I’m not feeling the best, my friend supports me and helps me to feel better.”  Ava.

Leading the Way

Tassomai

Year 11

Total questions answered this fortnight: 20,066. The top students for accuracy who have achieved their daily goal target:

• Alice 11NGR
• Izabela 11DCR

Year 10

Total questions answered this fortnight: 35,356. The top 3 students for accuracy who have achieved their daily goal target:

• Rebecca 10SKE
• Brad 10KTH
• James 10KTH

Language Nut

This week we are 151st in the national schools leadership board.

Some of our top students are:

• Logan – 8CGL
• Grace – 9THA
• Asha – 8LRI

Our top five classes are:

• 9S/Fr1 – 517400 points
• 7R/Fr1 – 453900 points
• 7R/Sp1 – 453900 points
• 8R/Sp1 – 295700 points
• 8R/Fr1 – 295700 points

Well done all of you!

Literacy Corner

Word of the Week 

This half term, we’re introducing a further six words to the students via word of the week. We encourage the students to engage with the word of the week by setting activities.

These are the next three words:

Elaborate

Evaluate

Explain

We’d encourage parents and carers to talk about these words and encourage their child to use them in conversation and their work.

New Book Alert!

The LRC is packed full of new books for our students to enjoy. Here are just two of the new titles we have:

• ‘The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne’ by Jonathan Stroud.
• ‘Cane Warriors’ by Alex Wheatle.

Maths Puzzle – Provided by Mrs Meah – Maths Teacher

This weeks Maths Puzzle is:

I am thinking of a number….

I multiply it by 6….

I subtract 12…

The answer is 63.

What number was I thinking of?

Email your answer to Mrs Meah via walkden.info@coopacademies.co.uk and get a shout-out in the following newsletter.

Well done to Dawid and Matthew who emailed in the correct answer to last editions Maths quiz!

The answer was 888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1000.

Celebrate Success

Has your child done something amazing inside or outside the Academy?

Why not get in touch and let us know about it?

We want to feature our students’ successes in the newsletter and let our community celebrate with you.

Email success stories and feedback to walkden.info@coopacademies.co.uk.

Got feedback about the newsletter? Let us know at the same address!

We always appreciate your feedback.