South Axholme Academy Parent Portal - South Axholme Academy, Autumn Term, December 2022

Half Term 2 - Pledges

What’s been happening?

Over the past half term, pledge leaders at SAX have been working behind the scenes to give students fantastic opportunities across the academy. Some great things have taken place and this has really showcased the skills, talents and resilience of the young people in the academy. Over the half term, students have regularly attended extracurricular events that the academy offers on a weekly basis including revision, sports and performing arts. On top of that many things have taken place including:

Children in Need fund raising week - Students supported through helping to run activities, engaging in donating and overall showing great support to those in need.

Pledge achieved: Helping to improve the local community and participate in a fund raising event

Foodbank appeal - this has seen a large proportion of students donate to the bank, helping to support those most in need in our community this Christmas. This has really shown the respect students at SAX have for those in our local communities and the extra mile they will always go.

Pledge achieved: Helping to improve the local community

Lincoln Christmas Market - 35 Key Stage 3 students visited the Lincoln markets. This trip allowed students to explore Lincoln and dive into the festive period. The students were resilient and helped one another navigate the city through the busy crowds.

Pledge achieved: Attended a sporting, cultural or academic event

Rotary teddy bear tombola - a range of students from all year groups helped and supported the local community by wrapping teddies ready for Rotary’s festive events. Students showed creativity and helped get others ready to play their part this Christmas. The academy is continuing its work with Rotary this year to help deliver letters to local residents.

Pledge achieved: Helping to improve the local community

Rushanje link - Year 9 students have started the first process of establishing a link between South Axholme Academy and Rushanje Girls School in Uganda. Students were introduced to a new way of life in Uganda and experienced life in Uganda by interacting with the principal by asking questions about the school and the country of Uganda, as well as watching videos of real lessons taught at Rushanje.

Pledge achieved: Be actively involved in an international experience

Message from Pledge Leaders:

It has been a great half term at SAX with many great events taking place. We look forward to seeing students gain their pledges and showcasing their abilities in the terms to come. We have been thrilled so many student have been taking part in the SAX Mindset Pledges and it has been a privilege to work with such enthusiastic young people.

Mr. Clamp – Year 7 Pledge Leader
Mr. Dwyer – Year 8 Pledge Leader
Mr. Brooks – Year 9 Pledge Leader
Miss. Naylor – Year 10 Pledge Leader
Mr. Parkin – Year 11 Pledge Leader

(Photos: Students completing there local community and fundraising pledge and Lincoln market - cultural event)

We have had a very busy term in the department, with lots on offer for students, as always!

Performances

Expressive Arts Evening - Wednesday 7 December 2022

What a fantastic night this was with so many talented students performing.

Our Dance and Cheerleading Club have been working extremely hard preparing their pieces which were performed at The Expressive Arts Evening. We have also had performances from Street Beat (a local dance group), delivering community funded sessions on Monday evenings, giving students the opportunity to further enhance their dance skills.

Our Drama Club had also written their own scripts inspired by the festive season. They performed these along with the Year 10 and 11 Dance and Drama classes who showcased the repertoire they have been rehearsing in class.

A section of the running order was dedicated to a preview of our TWO upcoming productions - SIX and Aladdin.

SIX - Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 January 2023

This is a show not to be missed with the cast of eleven, Year 11 students who are working tirelessly alongside revising and sitting their mock exams to put on the very best performance possible. It will be one of the best productions we have put on here at South Axholme Academy!

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via Parentmail or by contacting the Academy via the admin email address. Mrs Hamer is organising pizza and a ticket for any Year 11 students who want to watch this after their revision session on Thursday 19 January 2023. To our historian's - this production tells the story of the SIX wives of Henry VIII, so is perfect for enhancing your subject knowledge - and remember that all students who come to watch this performance will complete their SAX Pledge 'attend a sporting, cultural or academic event'.

Aladdin - Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 June 2023

Rehearsals are well underway now for the whole school production of Aladdin. Over forty students are involved and worked hard to get the first preview ready for the Expressive Arts Evening, which was a huge success. This promises to be a feel-good event for the whole family - tickets will go on sale in May but put the dates in your diary now!

Trips and Visits

We have lots in store for our students in the next term, including the South Bank Dance Festival and a theatre trip to watch the West End production of Sister Act.

The Nutcracker

On Thursday 1 December we took 40 students to Hull New Theatre to watch Northern Ballet's performance of 'The Nutcracker'. For some of our students this was the first time they had been to a theatre and for many their first time watching a ballet. The performance was spectacular and really got us in the Christmas spirit. Northern Ballet are currently touring with 'The Nutcracker' and one of our Year 7 students Sofia-Rose Beltran, will be performing in some of their shows over the Christmas period at Leeds Grand Theatre. We wish her the best of luck.

London Theatre Trip July 2023

All Year 8 and 9 students have been invited to attend the annual London Theatre Trip which takes place on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July 2023. This year students will have the opportunity to go backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, have an acting workshop with a West End performer and to watch a performance of Mamma Mia and The Play that goes Wrong; as well as shopping in Covent Garden and the Westfield Centre. There are only forty places which will be decided on ATL scores and then names drawn from a hat. Students will find out before the end of term if they have been successful in securing a place!

Wake up and Shake Up!

Some of our dancers have been involved in learning and delivering 'Wake and Shake' sessions to local primary school children. The festival is due to be held at South Axholme Academy next year.

Update from the Music Department

On Wednesday 7 December the South Axholme Academy wind band performed two carol concerts for Year 7 and 8 students as the Wesley Memorial Church, and Mr Hopwood performed for the community carol concert in the evening. Well done to Fenella Williams and Leo Maloigne who performed solo performances at this event.

We were also looking forward to the SAX Christmas Concert that took place in school on Wednesday 14 December, featuring performances from the choir, wind band and rock band as well as lots of solo performances. As part of this event, we also welcomed the pupils of Epworth Primary Academy to perform their carol concert supported by Mrs Sheppard in the SAX academy hall, alongside the choir. On Thursday 15 December the choir performed again for the Senior Citizens party. Local senior citizens were entertained with carols, bingo and a free raffle.

Instrumental lessons continue to thrive in the academy, with some of our teachers being at full capacity. If you are interested in lessons on vocals, piano, guitar, drums, brass, woodwind or strings for your child please get in touch with us.

(Photos: SIX costumes and performers, EPA performance, Aladdin and visit to the theatre to see the Nutcracker)