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Phoenix
Spring 2
March 2024


Latest news from
Meadowhead School

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Our Fond Farewell to Joy
This half term, we said farewell and “thank you for making a difference” to Meadowhead’s HR Manager, Joy Kelsey, after twenty years of wonderful service to the school. Joy’s office door has always been open and she has been a source of invaluable support, guidance and wisdom to countless teachers and members of the support staff during that time. She has been the cornerstone of support for three headteachers and at the heart of so many initiatives to support staff wellbeing, belonging and personal development. While we wish Joy well in her retirement, we will miss her immensely. As a token of the school community’s respect and gratitude, head students Ethan and Heidi led a presentation in the Rosling.
Trips this half term
Washington DC 
Our Y13 Historians returned from an amazing 5 day trip to Washington DC, USA over the February half term. This trip helps students to further their understanding of American history and politics for their study of the A Level unit, "In search of the American Dream." Students had a tour of the Supreme Court and US Capitol and got to see the House of Representatives in session. Students also had a trip to the top of the Washington monument to get amazing views over the city and they had a walking tour of many of the memorials along the Mall. To develop their knowledge of civil rights, students visited the "National Museum of African American History and Culture" and the "United States Holocaust Memorial Museum" which were both very moving and informative. The trip finished with a trip to Arlington Cemetery to visit President Kennedy's grave and witness the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Forgotten soldier. Students also got to sample American cuisine and have a shopping trip to a US Mall! 

Iceland
On the last day before the February half term holiday, the geography department A level Iceland visit departed safely, despite a fissure eruption on Iceland and the snap cold weather in the UK threatening to make things a little more uneasy then usual! Luckily neither got in their way and on the 10th February they safely touched down on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Although the eruption didn't affect the flight it did mean that the group were unable to visit parts of the peninsula, but were afforded a view of the freshly cooled lava from the bus. 

The rest of the visit went smoothly and despite the infamous Icelandic weather meaning the itinerary had to be adapted, the students were able to see a wide range of extraordinary landscapes that can be found in Iceland, including Thingvellier, Gulfoss, Kerio, Strokkur Geysir, the 'sunhouse' glacier, E15 and several other beautiful waterfalls.

Y9 Vulcan Design Project
A small group of Y9 students had the opportunity to attend the Vulcan Design Project at Magna Science and Adventure Centre.
The day started off with a talk on the Avro Vulcan a strategic bomber which operated from 1956 to 1984, RAF engineers led the talk before discussing the complexities of how an ejector seat operates! Students then got the chance to construct their own clinometer and had a go at estimating the heights of various points around the vast halls of Magna.
Students enjoyed a quick tour around magna and viewed the big melt demonstration before returning to the workshop for a paper plane competition. Working on 3 designs of paper planes, students evaluated upgrades and throwing strategies before testing them out. One student even managed to design one that flew a whopping 24m which was the entire length of the hall!
'Building a Better Future' at Magna
A small group of KS3 students attended Magna for the High Sherrif Award ‘Building a Better Future’. They had the opportunity to hear about the history of STEM in the region and to ask questions to 4 local STEM business leaders. They then worked as a team for the afternoon to develop a concept for a new STEM invention. The group came up with a fantastic idea for a medical drone to deliver aid to casualties in remote locations. All members of the team contributed to the overall design, from construction and painting to speech writing and acting! The group managed their nerves brilliantly and delivered a perfect pitch in front of a room full of parents, dignitaries and judges including the lord mayor and high sheriff. 
University of Sheffield Campus visit for Y12
Y12 students from Meadowhead Sixth Form visited the University of Sheffield on Wednesday 21st February. We were lucky enough to enjoy a campus tour from student ambassadors, illuminating presentations on student life and the UCAS process, and lunch at the Students’ Union. University staff and ambassadors commented on the excellent behaviour of our students, and Y12s were enthusiastic about the day, and excited about the next steps in their educational journeys and careers.
Linguistics Lectures at King's School
 A Level English Language students travelled to King's School in Macclesfield for a series of lectures delivered by university professors and linguists.
Students learned about topics such as language policing, attitudes towards accents and why language changes from respected academics at the top of their field, and picked up some ideas on how to improve their studies. The students loved the experience and the taste of university studies, and we hope to return next year!
'When I love thee not, chaos is come again' - Othello at the Globe
A level English Literature students had very enjoyable and thought-provoking visits at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, part of the Globe theatre in London. Intense and electrifying performances reimagined one of our key A level texts in modern-day Scotland Yard, with Othello, Iago and other characters as serving officers in the police force. A second actor played Othello's subconscious mind through physical movements and occasional dialogue, allowing us to see an illuminating new interpretation of the text in the intimate space of the theatre. As well as the experience of witnessing Shakespeare on this stage, this will be very helpful for their understanding of the text when the students come to sit their exams.
Our trip to London also took in the Tate Modern, sightseeing on the South Bank of the Thames, and a taste of London life travelling on the Underground. Our students were fantastic as ever and did the school proud.
Manor Top Army Barracks
30 students in Y10 had the opportunity to attend a ‘Females in STEM Careers event’ at Manor Top Army Barracks this half term. The group listened to a panel of inspiring female speakers, took part in a resilience workshop and learnt about the huge variety of different careers in the army. They also had an opportunity to meet a police dog and their handler and try out some bomb disposal equipment, including using a bomb disposal robot to place a ball into a bucket.
Get Up To Speed With STEM
This half term a small group of students had the opportunity to attend Magna for the ‘Get Up to Speed with STEM’ event. They had the opportunity to look around a huge interactive STEM related careers event where some students made mini torches from simple circuits, created cars out of mouse traps and at least one student tackled the big climbing wall. They were also able to explore the rest of Magna and had fun with interactive experiments in the Air, Fire and Earth zones! 
HeppSY SHE Can Project Launch with a trip to Leeds
10 of our Y9 girls were invited to join three other Sheffield schools at Leeds Beckett University as part of an ongoing project with HeppSY to discover more about higher education. They took part in workshops at the University and had a tour around the Headingly Campus before heading out to Thackray Museum of Medicine. As an introduction to the project the girls also took part in an in-school workshop the week prior, we look forward to the workshops and experience days coming up next!
Y9 students explore Bletchley Park
A group of Year 9 students had the amazing opportunity of visiting Bletchley Park last week! This historic mansion in Milton Keynes wasn't just a codebreaking center in WWII (think Enigma!), it's also considered the birthplace of modern computing. 💻
Our students explored the grounds, learned about the incredible minds who cracked the codes, and even witnessed some of the original machines in action. 🕵️‍♀️ Safe to say, they're back with heads full of fascinating history!
News Roundup
Macbeth comes to Meadowhead
Our Y10 students experienced a live performance of Macbeth when Quantum Theatre company visited school this half term. This was a great opportunity to see the play on stage. Y10 will study this play for their GCSE in English Literature - an invaluable experience organised by the English Faculty. Well done for your excellent behaviour Y10.
Everyone A Writer Competition
This half term, all KS3 students have been working on their entry for this year’s Everyone A Writer competition in their English lessons. They have produced written work inspired by the theme “Proud” and have explored concepts such as cultural pride, their role models and their own personal achievements.

We are also encouraging members of our community to take part. If you would like to get involved. Please submit your piece of writing/artwork around the theme 'proud' to everyoneawriter@meadowhead.sheffield.sch.uk

 
WW1 with Frontline Living History
History students in Y10 received a WW1 Battlefield Medicine workshop from 'Frontline Living History'. This workshop was designed to support teaching and learning of the Edexcel ‘Medicine Through Time’ historic environment study: The British sector of the Western Front, 1914–18: injuries, treatment and the trenches. The session was led by WWI expert David Allton. Students saw and got the opportunity to handle authentic artefacts and participate in role play activities. Students really enjoyed this enrichment experience as it brought their study of WWI to life.
'Roundabout' workshop with Y10s
In Ethics, we recently welcomed two guest speakers – Will and Lydia from the Sheffield based homeless charity ‘Roundabout’. The interactive session involved Y10 students discussing the visibility of homelessness in society and the factors that can contribute it.
Students engaged in an activity which involved challenging stereotypes associated with homelessness using real life scenarios. Students listened intently to the real life story of a service user and how Roundabout had supported them in overcoming homelessness.
Roundabout also took the opportunity in the session to signpost support should students ever need it themselves, or indeed need to advise others of the work the charity do.
World Book Day and the Power of Reading
To celebrate World Book Day on 7th March, students in Y7 enjoyed posing in front of the green screen to find out where a book might take them – time travel and distant places included!
Every student was also given a special £1 World Book Day token, and in form time, Y7s watched and listened to Neil Gaiman read from his own novel 'The Graveyard Book'. Throughout the day, staff shared their favourite book or current read.

 
Futures Fair at Meadowhead
Futures fair 2024 was a huge success this half term. On Tuesday 27th February, we had over 30 providers talking to students from Y7 – Y13.
A massive thank you to all the providers who came to talk about their sectors and areas of expertise; their input into the lives of our young people is truly life changing.
We are also really proud of our students for their polite and mature nature – asking great questions and making the most of the opportunity they were given.
2025 will be even bigger and better!
Spring chickens
Every year we work with Eggucation as part of Y7 science club. 7 eggs were delivered to us and were in an incubator for 3 weeks. Participants from science club have been weighing them each week and tracking their development on a graph. We were able to handle the chicks after 24 hours. Students continued to observe and weigh them to see how they developed in their first 10 days of life!
🐥Students and staff alike enjoyed handling the chicks when they hatched. 🐥
Next Gen Leaders Project
Y12 students who are part of the Next Gen Leaders Project have developed their own initiative to encourage young changemakers to think more sustainably and empower them to create change. The Y12 ‘Sustainabag’ team visited Norton Free Primary School earlier this month to deliver an educational presentation about their project, sustainability, and upcycling to Y4 students. An interactive workshop followed allowing Y4 students to design and create their own bags using upcycled clothing, to inspire them to upcycle their own items in the future.
Y7 Easter Egg Hunt
On Monday 25th March, 40 year sevens took part in the dash around school to find the eggs and then complete the Easter code breaker! It was great to see them all enjoying themselves around school and working together to make it a really great Easter event! Congratulations to Skye, Harriette, Emma and Aelfwynn who won! The team not only completed the hunt quickest but also cracked the code fastest and won the main Easter egg prizes. The hunt was held to raise funds for the Y11 prom – thanks to Mr Lovatt for organising!
Y13 Student featured on Look North!
We are incredibly proud of Rio (Y13), who recently featured in a Look North film about the Double Six Youth Club in Woodseats. Rio, who attended Woodseats Primary, talked in the film about how the youth club has helped him and the important role he now play as a volunteer. As a school, we were delighted to learn that the club has been awarded £1.5 million in a Youth Investment Fund grant to help them refurbish their building and develop sports facilities. We know that so many families will be delighted to know the club will now be able to continue its amazing work supporting young people in S8.
Click below to watch the clip
Read more
Forest School Meets Jungle Jo
Before half term, we welcomed Jungle Jo and her incredible animals as a reward for some students in Forest School and the Alternative PE groups! Students heard facts about some incredible animals. They all did really well holding or stroking the animals, which included a skink, snake, blue tree frog, giant land snail, tarantula, millipede, and a tortoise!
Sports Roundup
Leicester City’s Sam Tierney launches our girls scholarship
We are delighted to be launching a Sixth Form girls football scholarship programme at Meadowhead School from September 2024.
 
The programme was launched on Tuesday 18th March, where Sam spoke about her experience in the women’s game and took questions from an audience of aspiring footballers. The girl's football scholarship opportunity will run alongside our already very successful boy's programme. This is a unique chance for talented 16-18 year old footballers to secure a realistic pathway into professional/semi-professional football whilst studying at Meadowhead Sixth Form.  For more information, please visit Meadowhead School website or alternatively contact Mr Whitaker:
whitakerl@meadowhead.sheffield.sch.uk.
Congratulations to Jahiem T in Y11 who has just come back from international duty with Anguilla U20 Mens football Team.

This is an outstanding achievement and everyone at Meadowhead School are very proud of you.
Double Phoenix triumph at boys football finals
Two Phoenix sides won silverware at the Sheffield boys finals on Saturday. The Y10 Phoenix capped an impressive season, which has included a league title and a run to the National Cup quarter-finals, with a 3-2 victory over a strong side from Tapton School. The Phoenix took an early 2-0 lead but were pegged back to 2-2 by half-time. The second half was played in challenging conditions but, despite playing into a fierce wind, Phoenix held on due to the only goal of the half.  Player of the match was shared between Luke T and Jem M (both formerly of Norton Free Primary School) for their impeccable performances. Y7 Phoenix also won the city cup with a resounding 5-1 win over King Ecgberts’ School - despite conceding the first goal and being behind at the break. Y7 player of the match was Jack C (from Bradway Primary School) who helped inspire the come back in the second half.
 
Further footballing silverware could be on the horizon for the Phoenix: the senior girls side participate in their final this coming Wednesday and the Y11 boys will contest the prestigious Clegg Shield (fixture date and time TBC).
#riseupPhoenix

Sheffield Federation Y10 5-a-side Cup Victory!
Taking part in 3 tournaments throughout the year the team won every game they played! This got them through to the final where they faced Silverdale, Birley and Tapton, coming 1st overall in the competition!

This ranks them in 1st place out of the 20 Sheffield Schools who took part! An incredible performance from all involved! 

Sheffield Federation Y10 and Y11 Girls Cup WINNERS
 

Wow! What a night for the Senior Girls Football team in the Final of the Sheffield Cup!

14-0 winners against Westfield School and Sheffield Cup WINNERS!

An incredible performance from all involved and one that we hope you are very proud of!

All the PE staff who came to watch were very proud of how well you represented Meadowhead School!

Goals from:

O Brady

M Everitt

A Clark

E Whittaker

Difficult to choose a player of the game as every girl stood out and put in an unreal performance! Well done!

Student Achievements 
An Active8 Columnist
Well done to Amelia in Y10 who has appeared in the latest edition of Activ8 as guest teenage columnist. In her article, the former Abbey Lane student, challenged George Orwell's famously critical view of Sheffield.
Bouldering GB Team
Congratulations Imogen in Y9 who's achievements last year (numerous podiums in boulder and lead across the UK) culminated in her becoming British Junior Lead Champion in her grade October 2023 (indoor rope climbing). This meant Imogen, who attended Abbey Lane Primary School, secured her a spot in the GB Squad for 2024! She has just attended two GB international trial weekends in Boulder (London) & Lead (Edinburgh) and her results across the two weekends have got her into the GB Team that competes abroad. She gets to train with the seniors, including the Olympic climbing athletes which is very exciting for her! Good luck Imogen!

STEM Students win High Sheriff's Award!
We were thrilled to receive our £500 prize money following our success in the High Sheriff’s award last month. Thomas and Hannah attended the awards ceremony as our team’s representatives and were praised by the High Sheriff for their innovative design of a medical drone. All 12 students involved received certificates and hand written letters of congratulations from the High Sheriff himself.
Autism Awareness Comic
Miss Hall recently ran an intervention group for some of the children with Autism in Y7, with support from the Autism in Schools Project. They learnt a lot more about themselves and how autism affects different people, including about masking, sensory differences and anxiety. In their final project, they planned, wrote and created this comic to encourage autism awareness. They were creative and mature in their work and should be very proud of themselves!
Click here to read more
High Sheriff's Award
We were thrilled to receive our £500 prize money following our success in the High Sheriff’s award last month. Thomas and Hannah attended to awards ceremony as our team’s representatives and were praised by the High Sheriff for their innovative design of a medical drone. All 12 students involved received certificates and hand written letters of congratulations from the High Sheriff himself.
Goldsmiths' Awards Final 12 Schools
Earlier this year Miss Cookson and Mrs Udall entered the Sixth Form Fundraising Committee into a competition to represent Meadowhead School Academy Trust at the Goldsmiths’ Awards for Community Engagement. The awards recognise and celebrate extracurricular efforts that schools across the UK make to support their local communities through volunteer work and charitable initiatives. A small team from the fundraising committee, Ioana, Rio, Bethan, Max, and Gunjon submitted a video presentation that secured our place as one of the final 12 schools competing in the heats. An interview with the judges took place on 21st March, with the 5 students presenting and answering questions for 30 minutes, Gunjon and Max joined us remotely from their work experience placement. Unfortunately, we didn't make it through to the final. We are incredibly proud of all our students in the fundraising committee and the effort and commitment shown from Ioana, Rio, Bethan, Max, and Gunjon has been exemplary.
Spotlight on Alumni
Top Chef Phoebe
Congratulations to former Meadowhead and Woodseats Primary student, Phoebe (pictured in the centre) who is part of the winning team Zest Quest Asia competition created by celebrity Chef Cyrus Todiwale. Phoebe's winning team will now go to India on a 10 day culinary tour with Chef Cyrus and his team!
Fundraising
Sixth Form Bake Sales
The Sixth Form Fundraising Team have organised several bake sales this half term, raising £137.96 for Unicef. 
Next Gen Leaders Bag Project
Our Y12 Next Gen Leaders Team, Sustainabag have raised £170 through the sales of their bags, which they have made through upcycling old clothes. The money will be donated to Sheffield Women's Aid. This money will fund the travel for 85 women’s journeys to employment courses and education centres. As well as giving them the opportunity for exploration of their city.
 
“What a fantastic project and thank you so much for thinking of us here at Sheffield Women’s Aid and wanting to support us, your generosity will make such an incredible difference to us.” Janet Goodinson, Head of Operations at Sheffield Womens Aid.
Upcoming Events
Easter Revision Sessions
We are pleased to again be able to offer a wide-ranging programme of revision sessions for Y11 and Y13 students during the Easter break. Almost all of the sessions can be accessed by turning up on the day, but letters of invite have also now been shared for the Y11 English, Maths and Science sessions that have limited capacity.
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Dyche Lane, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 8BR
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Meadowhead School Academy Trust · Dyche Lane · Sheffield, South Yorkshire S8 8BR · United Kingdom