Friday 30th September 2016

RUSHEY

MEAD

ACADEMY

Newsletter

ISSUE NUMBER 3

Adventurous Geography @ Plas Gwynant

On Monday 19th September the third annual Plas Gwynant residential began with 39 students, and four staff, climbing aboard a coach to take them to North Wales. Nestled on the lower slopes of Snowdon, Plas Gwynant Outdoor Education Centre is the perfect place for students to experience how National Parks provide opportunities for recreation and leisure, whilst also beginning to recognise how diverse the landscapes of Britain are, and understand how those landscapes are formed and changed over millions of years. As in previous year the weather was kind to the Rushey students during their visit. Waterproofs were only necessary during the water based activities. The late onset of autumn this year also meant that the colours of the mountains were beautiful, doubly so when reflected in the perfectly still water of the many corrie and ribbon lakes. Lead by the Plas Gwynant staff, and encouraged by Rushey staff, students pushed themselves to achieve things they thought they could not. Every child climbed a mountain, with two groups climbing Yr Aran (747m) and finding a geocache, and the two other groups climbing Cnicht (689m) and Y Garn (947m).

Students went to the beach at Borth-y-Gest where they created art work from sand and beach detritus, and did some scrambling over the rocks. And some found a geocache. They also scaled rocky gorges and abseiled down from a sheer cliff face called Eagle Rock. At Llyn Gwynant students learned to canoe and many students jumped from Elephant Rock into the water. In the evenings students were involved in picture orienteering, alphabet hunts and night swimming in the river. Hot chocolate and a biscuit then rounded off the evening before bed time. Student behaviour was exceptional. When students struggled they were supported by others in their group. When chores needed doing they simply got the job done. The Plas Gwynant staff all commented on what lovely students were involved in the trip.

As well as receiving their Plas Gwynant certificate, all the students, and staff, have also received their red, yellow and green badges

for completing 15 of the RMgoingout challenges. Well done to everyone! Year 8 students, a meeting about next year’s trip wil l be

held soon.

Teacher Training Information Event

TeachLeic is hosting a Teacher Training Information Event at Rushey Mead Academy on Saturday 8th October, 10.00am to 1.00pm. To book a place please visit http://tinyurl.com/teachleics

Ex British gymnast visits Rushey Mead

On Wednesday 14th September, ex British gymnast and freestyler Ivan

Bulyha came in to lead a parkour / freestyle gymnastics session for our year

8 boys in PE. The students had the opportunity to work with Ivan and learn

some key fundamentals of parkour, as well as attempting a few aerials and

somersaults themselves. One of our students, Josh Jones performed and

landed a front somersault in his first attempt, which was an amazing

achievement.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed the session and will now be able to incorporate

some of their new skills within their dance lessons. Ivan will be returning to the

school in the near future to work with our Boyance Dance Company and

develop their parkour skills in preparation for live performances.

Top A2L and most Improved

students

Congratulations to the following students who

have the best overall Attitude to

Learning scores and also to the students with

the top 10 Most Improved Attitude to

Learning scores.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

On the weekend of the 10th & 11th September, a group of thirty plus Year

11 students, accompanied by several members of staff, set off on their

assessed expedition as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award.

Early on Saturday morning, after heavy overnight rain and steady rain

during the morning, they walked from Sileby, or Rothley depending on the

group they were in, to Beaumanor Hall. Laden down with heavy bags,

containing tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils and much more, that got

heavier as the rain persisted throughout the morning and in to the early

afternoon, they trudged on.

For six hours straight they walked through heavy, muddy conditions and

eventually reached the campsite at Beaumanor Hall. Once at the campsite,

the students then had to pitch their tents, cook their evening meal (one group

were even given corn by a local farmer!) and wash up before finally being

allowed to tuck in to their sleeping bags for the night, ready and willing to do it all again the next day!

Fortunately, drier conditions greeted the students on the Sunday morning. Bright eyed and bushy-tailed (!) the students rose with

early morning bird song, cooking their breakfast before then re-packing their tents back in to their bags. They then set off for

another six hours of walking round the glorious Leicestershire countryside to arrive at Bradgate Park slightly behind schedule.

Congratulations to all students involved, not just in this assessed but the one that has just taken place. It is such a fantastic

achievement and you should all be very proud. Many thanks to Miss Carr for organising everything and to all staff who

accompanied students throughout this year’s Duke of Edinburgh.

Forthcoming events

Year 10 Information Evening - 6th October 2016, 6.00pm - 7.00pm

Year 11 careers evening - Tuesday 11th October 2016, 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Half term Monday 17th October - Friday 21st October 2016

TOP 10 A2L TOP 10 MOST IMPROVED

Bhavita Chotai 11MER Saleh Ali 11BOM

Shashank Himatrai 11BEM Mukundkumar Baraiya 11MEM

Vineathan Perinparajah 11HAR Madushan Manoharan 11BEM

Tanvir Dharni 11MER Shaylan Ramaiya 11BOR

Dharvika Premgi 11CHM Pranav Mistry 11BOR

Ankur Shah 11BOM Abraar Ikram 11CHM

Harpal Singh 11BOM Neil Lathia 11BER

Aaliyah Vindhani 11BOR Yassin Hassanali 11CHM

Razina Issa 11MEM Tejas Gohil 11HAR

Ria Thanki 11BOR Ria Tara Jethwa 11BEM