Sixth Form Applications

Applying to join the Sixth Form at Cecil Jones could not be easier, either visit the sixth form section on our website www.ceciljonesacademy.net, download and complete an application form, emailing it back to:

sixthformapplications@ceciljones.net

or obtain a paper copy from your form tutor or ATL, Ms Powell. The deadline is January 24th so don’t delay!

We will be holding more events so you can find out additional information.

Sixth Form Open Evening

At Cecil Jones Academy we pride ourselves on our students and the place they hold in the community we serve; this is testament to the numbers of whom attended our sixth form open evening on the 28th November. There was a fevered buzz throughout the night as students began the next step of their formal education. Students received advice and guidance from staff and current students as to what the rigor of A levels would mean to them now and into the future.

One prospective parent commented: “The current sixth form students were helpful with the advice offered to my daughter, she came here without a clear idea and now knows what A levels she wants to pick.”

We look forward to welcoming those in the Cecil family back and to those whom are not yet part of our welcoming community of learners.

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

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

December 2019 Second Edition

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

It has been another busy half term here at Cecil Jones and it is wonderful to see and hear how many activities are taking place to develop our students’ cultural capital. I am very grateful to the staff for organising these events and to you as parents and carers for encouraging your child/children to participate in these activities. This newsletter only contains a selection of our latest news articles, so please continue to visit our school’s website www.ceciljonesacademy.net

In late October, Cecil Jones held its first whole school election for the prestigious role of Head Girl and Head Boy. Congratulations to Lucy Plappert and Jack Darke, who were both elected to these roles. Congratulations also to Mollie Woods and Farouk Hamdan who were elected as Deputy Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy. These four students will now lead our school’s Sixth Form Junior Leadership Team, consisting of, Andzelika Kramarz, Isabelle Thorn, Bethany Stott, Lexie Bushnell, Jazmin Grainger, Harry Lincoln, Ahmed Ali, and our newly elected School Cabinet Members: Year 7 - Arta Qarri and Sam Cundy, Year 8 - Haram Khan and Ali Kamaly, Year 9 - Gracie Cole and Faiza Miah, Year 10 - Elicia Armstrong and Riley Gibson, Year 11 - Megan Ross and Ethan Hoyle. December saw our first Christmas Jumper day and I would like to thank the students and staff for raising nearly £170 for charity. The money will be donated to Little Havens Hospice.

On behalf of the Governors, The Loxford Trust and staff at Cecil Jones, I would like to wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year and we look forward to welcoming your child back to school at 8.45am on Monday 6th January 2020.

KEEPING UP WITH

THE JONESES

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

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

Kew Gardens Visit

Although the weather was against us, it turned out to be a fantastic day at Kew Gardens for our Year 10, 12 and 13 artists! Students were exceptionally engaged, navigating through the jungle of glasshouses, clambering up the Treetop Walkway tower, and frankly, dodging the raindrops to search out interesting textures and primary observations they need for their sketchbooks.

Students were enchanted by the large Japanese pagoda (with the famous resident peacocks am-bling about), the multitude of swans, and of course plant oddities, including some nepenthes, bananas and succulents (have you ever seen the split rock succulent?)—this was all set against such a lovely Christmassy backdrop.

It’s always pleasing when students mention they would like to go back—with some already asking their parents to go during the holiday break. The compliments we received were rightly deserved; our Cecil Jones students were engaged and thoroughly excited—a merit to our school. Until next time Kew—thank you for hosting us!

The Brilliant Club

At Cecil Jones Academy, we have 12 gifted students who are part of The Brilliant Club. On the 21st October 2019, The Brilliant Club visited Cambridge University.

The visit to Cambridge University was the launch trip of the Brilliant Club programme. It began with a warm welcome to the University with juice and fresh-baked cookies. The students were then split in to two groups of 6 – Group A and Group B – and each group attended an additional welcome meeting.

The meetings covered the basics of what The Brilliant Club is and how it works. After the welcome meeting came to a close, Group A left for a tour of Trinity and Group B met with their tutor, Lucinda.

After the sessions were over, the students attended a lecture that covered the topic of University; how it worked and how to get in to University.

Lunch was a buffet of delicious food which included vegan options, and had a variety of choices.

Following this, there was another lecture and then Group A and Group B swapped. Group A joined their tutor and Group B left for a tour of Trinity.

Finally, the day finished with a survey asking students about their time at the launch day.

Alice Lind-O’Mara

Spelling Bee

On Wednesday, 27th November 2019, our KS3 pupils took part in our first ever Cecil Jones Spelling Bee. Our contestants fought tooth and nail, struggling to be the best speller in Year 7, 8 or 9.

Our first rounds consisted of every student learning our 150 most commonly misspelt words. Competitions were then held in lessons to de-termine our top spellers from each class. After elimination rounds, we were finally left with just three competitive contestants: Thomas, Muhammed and Chloe. These students were then given the Reader’s Digest 50 most difficult words to learn – and they learnt them well!

The atmosphere was tense as each student stood up to spell. Each contestant fought bravely through a plethora of weird and wonderful words until we faced the final battle. Eventually, Chloe emerged as our beaming winner with ‘logorrhoea’ as her sudden death word.

Compassion and Kindness Award

A massive congratulations to Sarah-Jane Kirby, who last week won the Compassion and Kindness Award from the Southend Youth Awards earlier last week. Sarah-Jane, a current Year 11 student, is often found outside of school singing with the support of the local YMCA. Although seemingly quiet in classes, Sarah-Jane is an active member of our community, who regularly volunteers within Southend; this involves mentoring other students to boost their confidence and empathy. Well done Sarah on your fantastic achievement!

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

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

Prison Me No Way!

On the 4th, 5th and 6th November Cecil Jones Academy hosted a series of workshops and presentations from a nationally registered charity called Prison Me No Way. For over 25 years, the charity has provided an ever-evolving, diverse and unparalleled range of interactive, area specific, educated and innovative programmes for children and young people, with a commitment to helping young people leave school with the knowledge and confidence to take control, make positive choices that avoid becoming involved in crime, stay safe and realise their full potential.

All students from Years 7 to 11 participated in workshops led by the Prison Me No Way staff, an ex-offender who now works for the charity, Fire Service, Network Rail and The Red Cross. The workshops covered; County Lines; Drugs; an opportunity to experience what a real-life prison cell looks and feels like; the dangers of playing on our railways and the risks and dangers of carrying a knife.

The feedback from the team of staff delivering the workshops was extremely complimentary and our students were a credit to the school.

Cross Country Championships

Well done to all of the boys and girls who took part in the Borough Cross Country Championships on Wednesday 13th November.

You all performed admirably and were a credit to the academy. Also big congratulations to Hugo Jones and Toby Jones for being selected for the county championships after coming 3rd overall.

Fund Raising – Poppy Appeal

We would like to say a big thank you to post 16 students for poppy selling across the academy and well done to all the students who are wearing them. In addition, 6th Form Students held a cake sale in support of Remembrance Day with ingredients supplied by Vertas, the food caterers for Cecil Jones Academy, and the kitchen staff kindly made muffins which were decorated with giant poppies. A big thank you to all students who purchased cakes and supported this worthy charity. All proceeds to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday 10th November, the newly elected Deputy Head Girl and Head Boy, accompanied Mr Micek and Mr Andrews to the Southend on Sea Remembrance Day Service at The Cenotaph. Both students, on behalf of Cecil Jones Academy, laid a wreath to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country in the World Wars and other conflicts since. Many other Cecil Jones students were also in attendance as part of their community groups.

6th Form Biology Trip

On Friday 8th November our A-level Biology students took part in a conference at the Emanuel Centre in London. The event was hosted by The Training Partnership who inspire students to take their interest in biology to higher levels. Students took part in 5 sessions which were delivered by renowned scientists and communicators. The sessions included:

· How to build a human – Emily Grossman · Appreciating our mammalian-ness – Liam Drew · Do you smell what I smell? – Darren Logan · From genome to clinic – Tim Underwood · The future of food – Greg Foot

They also had a session about being successful in their examinations.

It was a very thought provoking day with lots of ideas about how Biology can lead to some of the most amazing careers and how new discoveries in this field could change the future for mankind.

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

Tel; 01702 440000 www.ceciljonesacademy.net

ACE Trip

On Thursday 5th December, 6th Form students from Cecil Jones were invited to attend 'A Capital Experience' (ACE) The event was organised by 'Career Ready’, an organisation who connect young people with employers offering internships, master classes and employer led activities which prepare them for the world of work.

Our students had the fantastic opportunity of attending a Presentation at the Dominion Theatre which was hosted by the inspirational speaker, 'Action Jackson'.

Graduates who had previously been part of the Career Ready programme also gave inspiring and informative speeches about their journey thus far and the interesting career paths they are now

on, which have been supported and guided by Career Ready.

From the Dominion Theatre, students travelled across London to Bishopsgate, where they were invited to have lunch at the prestigious city based company, 'Salesforce' which is located on the 29th floor of the Salesforce, Heron Tower. What an experience!

After lunch, students were able to attend master classes in 'Networking & Communication’; they took this opportunity to discuss all aspects of business, internships and graduate schemes.

6th January 2020 Spring Term Starts

23rd January 2020 Year 11 Parents' Evening

30th January 2020 Year 9 Parents' Evening

31st January 2020 INSET Day

6th February 2020 Year 13 Parents' Evening

The 2019 Pantomime performance of Dick Whittington

On Friday the 29th of November Cecil Jones Academy was pleased to host a production of the pantomime Dick Whittington and his cat for all of our year 7 and 8 students.

The yells of “He’s behind you” and “Boos” for the evil Rat King could be heard across the school.

This production was filled with audience participation all the way through and left our students feeling in the Christmas spirit.

Billy in year 7 said, “I really enjoyed it; “It was amazing.”

Jaiden in year 7 commented, “I loved it! It was really funny and was the first time I have ever seen a show or Panto. I’d love to see more now.”

The students’ engagement and behaviour was outstanding throughout.

Cecil Jones’ first Panto, since becoming part of the Loxford Trust, was thoroughly enjoyed by our students and staff. I’m sure it will be spoken about for a long time to come.

Cecil Jones’ Headteacher Christmas Card Competition winners:

Congratulations to Ope Adewole, Fabia Khan, Sian Venables, John Hallett, Stefani Marcinova, Yasmin Warren and Mollie Foster for winning this year’s Headteacher Christmas Card Competition and to Arta Qarri, Joseph Mason, Madalina Godlevschi and Isabelle Plappert for receiving ‘Highly Commended’ from the judging panel. The standard of entries was extremely high and the Art Department would like to congratulate all students who entered and they look forward to receiving even more entries next year.