Holocaust Memorial Service

Monday the 27th of January saw four Cecil Jones Academy students attend the local Holocaust memorial tree planting ceremony.

Our students were respectful while they listened to both a local Rabi and Priest explain why this day is important and how we must always remember the injustices and prejudices in the world. After the speeches and time for thought and reflection was over the Mayor began to plant the tree to remember all those lost to the Holocaust and those who suffered. The tree itself, a symbol of renewed life and growth would grow with the local community and be a lasting memory of today.

When asked if anyone would like to join him and the other dignitaries in laying some soil, Cecil Jones were happy to assist.

The students had an enjoyable but humbling experience and will return next year.

Cecil Jones Academy, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea. Essex SS2 4BU

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

February 2020 Third Edition

Welcome to our third edition of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses.’

It has been another busy half term here at Cecil Jones and it was superb to see how many parents/carers attended the Year 11, Year 9 and Year 13 Parents’ Evening. It was notable from the parental surveys, and verbal feedback that we received, how many of you as parents/carers are recognising the positive changes that are taking place within the school and wider community.

In January, four of our students accompanied Mrs Langdon to the Holocaust Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony in Leigh on Sea. Cecil Jones Academy was the only school in attendance and one of our students was selected to assist the Mayor with the planting of the tree. Also in January, Cecil Jones Academy was recognised by the National Citizen Service Trust, as a NCS Champion School for 2019. This is due to last year’s Year 11 students signing up to complete the National Citizen Service’s scheme. It was superb to see NCS back in on Monday 3rd February to speak to this year’s cohort during the Year 11 assembly. Hopefully, Cecil Jones Academy can go on to achieve a Gold Award next year if 50% of the eligible cohort sign up. Please encourage your child to participate in this nationally recognised forum scheme.

Please continue to visit our school’s website, as this is updated on a daily basis to celebrate and recognise our students’ achievement and successes.

It is particularly pleasing that 81 % of our students have now achieved their Bronze Award for receiving 100 or more positive achievement points since 1st April 2019.

I would like to publically congratulate and recognise the following students who have now been awarded their Silver Achievement Award: Connor Gaughan, Chloe Ransley, Chloe South, Jack Corry, Buja Vlera, Carson Lane, Scarlett Bridge, Chloe Henman, Szymon Blasiak and Wren Porter. Since 1st April 2019, these students have achieved 300 or more positive achievement points from their teachers for demonstrating they are in right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

The staff and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Year 12 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 26th March 2020 and the Year 10 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 23rd April 2020. Mr R Micek Executive Headteacher

KEEPING UP WITH

THE JONESES

Cecil Jones Academy, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea. Essex SS2 4BU

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

English National Ballet On Tuesday 21st January a group of year 9 and 10 students went on a dance trip to watch a performance of Giselle performed by the English National Ballet. Students were extremely amazed by the performance with many saying they did not know how dark and diverse a ballet performance could be. GCSE students also found inspiration for their own dance pieces. They would all like to visit again and would encourage others to do the same.

Road Safety Workshop - Year 11

On Thursday 16th January our year 11 students were able to watch a drama performance on road safety and take part in a workshop afterwards.

This was an excellent opportunity for them to understand the consequences of drink and drug driving as well as using phones, speeding and distracting a driver.

The thought provoking play was well received and students had the following to say;

“I believe this experience will undoubtedly help me in the future. It has taught me how to drive safely and the consequences if I don’t. I understand how driving dangerously can destroy families and take your life.”

“The performance was truly eye opening. The acting was brilliant and emotive. The statistics given were shocking. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” “I thought the performance was informative and interesting.”

Career Ready

Career Ready is a UK charity who link employers with schools and colleges to the world of work. Cecil Jones continue to work closely with the organisation and would like to thank them for their ongoing support of the Academy. This week, 6th form students were able to attend the first of four enrichment sessions delivered by Career Ready. Year 12 students explored the skills and qualities needed when preparing for work, whilst year 13 students were tasked with a 360 activity, looking at various brands and then self-reflecting; “Brand You”. This enabled the students to consider how they could market themselves, relating to their own attributes when applying for jobs, completing their CVs and application forms. Volunteers from a local business supported Career Ready; this enabled students to gain perspective from people of industry. Following the session, one student stated “ I thought this was so helpful; I was given a better idea of how to make myself more sought-after when applying for jobs and influencing employers. Session two will be delivered week commencing 10th February.

Cecil Jones Academy, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea. Essex SS2 4BU

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

Inner Winner

On Thursday 9th January we had a visitor from the MADE Training team here to deliver a motivational session to our year 11 students.

He began by describing his background in television and radio which immediately captivated the students.

The sessions were one hour long across the whole day with lots of interaction and audience participation. They were designed to motivate and help the students gain confidence and inner belief as they approach their GCSEs. Delivered in a relaxed and easy going atmosphere the year 11 students quickly settled in and enjoyed the day.

Quotes from the students were:

“I really enjoyed it, I’ll try to take the things I learnt today into my revision and exams.” “It was so much fun and really beneficial too.” “The things we did today could be so helpful when our exams begin.”

History of England

Over the last few weeks year 7 students have been learning about pivotal moments in the history of England; the Norman Conquest of 1066. As part of this, they were given the opportunity to create their own ‘Motte & Bailey’ castles, the best of which will be displayed around the school and on the school website.

KS3 Young Writers Competition

Last term, our Key Stage 3 students entered a nationwide creative writing competition. The aim was to write a complete story using only 100 words, to fit the competition’s theme of ‘Hunted’.

All our students took part, and we were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by our learners throughout the task. We were inundated by entries from so many talented and passionate writers! However, we have now received official feedback from Young Writers and are proud to announce the following students’ stories have been chosen for publication: Year 8 · Chloe Ransley · Chloe South · Carson Lane Year 9 · Alexander McPherson · Star Gravely · Amy Waters

Well done to our winners, and for everyone else in Key Stage 3 for taking part! We are tremendously proud of you!

GCSE 9 to 1 grades: a brief guide for parents If you have children in year 11 taking GCSEs this year, many of their results will be reported on the new grade scale which runs from 9 (the highest grade) to 1 (the lowest grade). Here’s a brief guide to what that means.

Why do we need a new grade scale for GCSEs? GCSEs in England have been reformed to keep pace with universities’ and employers’ demands. They are based on new and more demanding subject content but are still suitable for the same wide range of abilities. The new grade scale makes it clear to everyone that students have studied the new GCSEs. It also has more higher grades compared to the old A* to G grades, to give sixth forms, colleges, universities and employers the opportunity to better distinguish between students of different abilities.

Do all GCSE subjects use the new grade scale? Not yet. The reform has been phased over a number of years and it will take until summer 2020 for all reformed GCSE subjects to move to the new grade scale. However, most of the subjects taken in large numbers by students will be graded from 9 to 1 this summer:

Cecil Jones Academy, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea. Essex SS2 4BU

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

Monday 24th February Year 11 Internal Assessments Commence

Thursday 25th March Year 12 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 23rd April Year 10 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 7th May Year 8 Parents’ Evening

Friday 8th May School CLOSED—Bank Holiday

Thursday 25th June Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Cecil Jones Food Bank Donations

It was the season for giving and generosity and Cecil Jones students came together in an act of creativity. In tutor groups, students competitively came together to design Christmas hampers with the theme, The Spirit of Christmas. Whilst not part of the competition, hampers were jam packed full of donations to help those in need in the local community. Competition was fierce but there could only be one winner in school, however all students got the winning feel-

ing after viewing the collection of outstanding entries. We’d like to thank students and their families for their kind donations and gifts which were taken to the local food bank on Thursday 19th December 2019 by the Student Council, members of the Junior Leadership Team, Head boy and Head Girl.

Our relationship with the local food bank will continue into the future, where we are planning to give additional items to them.

Sporting Success

Wednesday 18th December saw our girls take on Shoebury basketball academy at Cecil Jones. We want to congratulate the following girls on their resounding 53-10 win.

Ope Adewole

Lily Sue Franklin

Lily Jo Nightingale Swain

Georgia Gerenta

Jamie Ivens

Natalia Mikonowicz

Gracie Cole

Chloe Dennis

Free Football Opportunities Southend United are setting up a free of charge Football Premier League Kicks session for young people aged 11-19 years old. This opportunity will take place at Garons Park New 4G Facility 5:00PM – 7:00PM Friday evenings Everyone is welcome and these sessions are free of charge to all.

Diving Success

At the beginning of December one of our 6th form students took part in the English Schools Diving finals at the Olympic pool, Stratford, representing Cecil Jones Academy.

Diving in a competition where over two thirds of the entries were GB and elite divers, she put in some strong dives and finished a very respectable 10th place.

Her parents would like to thank Mr Compton for lending her a Cecil Jones Academy polo shirt for the qualifying competition, to the school and leadership team for having supported her in her sport over the past 6 years. She’s been diving 10 years in January!

Congratulations on her remarkable achievement and we look forward to hearing more about her future successes in diving.