NEWSLETTER

March 2013

A Message from the Principal

As many of you will be aware over the last eighteen months I have been in school for only three days a week. I have shared the role of Principal with a Co-Headteacher. This arrangement has worked exceedingly well and is one that has become relatively common in other schools across the county. The part-time nature of my role is one known as a phased retirement. As the title explains I have been working towards my retirement which will take place this summer. I have immensely enjoyed the experience and it has been good to know that the school has been in the safe hands of

my Co-Headteacher and my very experienced Senior Leadership Team. It is clearly with a great amount of sadness that I prepare for my final term after the Easter break. I shall miss students, staff and the day to day involvement in a school such as Roundhill. After a very rigorous two day appointment process the Governors have appointed James Tickle as my successor. He

is currently Vice Principal at the Bluecoat Academy in Nottingham, which is an 11-18 school. The Bluecoat is one

school on two campuses; he manages one school of 750 students. Over the summer term I expect to work closely

with James Tickle as will the Senior Leadership Team and staff here at Roundhill. In a future copy of the Newsletter it

is likely that the new Principal will introduce himself.

Pauline Munro

The opening of Silverdale Park was a great project where we had a an opportunity to design an engaging and exciting for all ages. This project started in 2011. We held meetings with STEP School Council and we met regularly. Roundhill Academy held a competition to design a dream park. Out of all the schools involved in STEP the winning design was from Roundhill. This design was put forward and some ideas were taken from it to give us an idea of what the new Silverdale Park should look like. The STEP group incorporated their ideas and we presented them to the Thurmaston Parish Council. We found out later on, that our finished design had been approved. It was great to see our ideas developed into the finished product. We hope that this park will be used by all age groups in the local community. Despite the cold weather, the opening of the park was great and it was lovely to see a lot of people come to see the grand opening! We would like to thank the Thurmaston Parish Council for all of their support throughout the project, the STEP School Council and Roundhill Academy for giving us this great opportunity!

By Rhianna Parmar and Lara Batchelor

CHILDREN IN NEED The Roundhill Academy has

raised £600.10 Thanks to your fantastic fundraising

efforts!

NEW GOVERNORS Mrs Janet Manuel, Chair of Governors and Mr Bob Payne, Vice Chair are delighted to advise parents of 3 new Governors who have recently been voted on to the Full Governing Body here at Roundhill.

Our proposed move to 11 – 16 education assisted us in receiving 5 nominations for the vacant positions of Parent Governors. This resulted in an election for all involved, and we can advise that Mr David Carr and Ms Linda James were duly elected onto the Governing Body as Parent Governors. Mrs Manuel and Mr Payne would like to thank all who were nominated for their continued support of the school, and to parents for returning ballot papers.

We would also like to advise that Mrs Dipti Thakrar was voted on as a Community Governor. This now takes the school up to their full complement of Governors.

Should parents have any matter they wish referred to, or discussed at, a meeting of the Full Governing Body, please contact Steve McDonald, Clerk to Governors at the school. Steve can be contacted on 0116 269 3896, or by email at steve.mcdonald@roundhill.leics.sch.uk.

ADVICE TO PARENTS Studies have shown that online gaming, where violence and fighting is the source of excitement maybe a link with aggression in the behaviour of young people. Please monitor your child’s use of online gaming to ensure that it is age appropriate and contact the school if you are concerned.

Helen Blythe Assistant Principal

Thank you for making a positive contribution to your school

Pick up a golden ticket from the Pastoral staff for helping them and the school in a positive way

The draw for prizes will take place on the last day of term and these will be delivered to

you in class during the day.

Have a go!

Knock Knock… Downing Street?

We’re here again! This year Roundhill students are making a stand against the poor treatment of

small hold farmers in less economically developed countries. To show our support of Fair Trade,

the students of Roundhill Academy sent a petition to David Cameron to

go further and champion a better deal for the world’s smallholder

farmers at this year’s G8 meeting held in London. Students had the

opportunity to write a message to describe what they thought of the

inequality in trade between rich and poor countries. Students made a

placard as a class that was displayed in the school hall.

Some of our students are very passionate about this unfair treatment

and felt that they wanted to join the Fair Trade march in Parliament

Square!

Go Roundhill for Fair Trade!

By Abbie Wileman Teacher of Geography

SAFEGUARDING FOR PARENTS

There is a new area on our website where parents can watch videos and a PowerPoint outlining the risks associated with the use of

the internet.

Happy Easter

GOLDEN TICKET

Place your ticket in the

box at the school

reception

The Roundhill Academy Acceptable Behaviour Charter

Students at Roundhill should always

Respect all members of the school community; each

other, staff and visitors.

Be prepared for learning, wear the school uniform and

bring the correct equipment.

Arrive to school and lessons on time.

Ensure everyone has the right to learn in a calm and

purposeful environment.

Ensure that homework is completed well and handed in

on time.

Walk quietly and calmly inside the school building and

follow the one way system.

Use language which is appropriate for school and public

places.

Say no to hate crimes: racism, cyber-bullying and other

abuses.

Dispose of litter appropriately and not bring banned or

dangerous items into school.

Behave appropriately when learning off-site, when

representing the school and on the journey to and from

the school.

Attention all Parents and Carers

Family Information Service at County Hall are waiting to take your

call should you need help, advice or support with raising your

children and family related concerns

www.leics.gov.uk/family

Tel: 0116 305 5710

family@leics.gov.uk

DIARY/WHAT’S ON…

Apr Mon 8th

School Re-opens

Tues 30th

Year 7B History Visit, Lincoln

May Mon

6th

May Day Holiday

Tues 7th

Year 9 Core Exams

Wed 8th

Year 9 Core Exams Year 7A History Visit, Lincoln

Thurs 9th

Year 9 Core Exams

Wed 15th

Year 9 Photographs

Fri 17th

Year 7 French Trip Boulogne

Tues 21st Year 8 Geography Field Trip

Castleton

Thurs 23rd

Performing Arts Showcase

Fri 24th

School Closes for Half Term

June Mon 3rd

School Re-opens Year 9 Geography Field Trip

w/c 17th

Visit to De Montfort Design Degree Show

Wed 19th

Yr9 English GCSE Exam

Fri 21st Sports Day

Wed 26th

Yr8 History Black County Museum

Thurs 27th

Presentation Evening

July Wed 3rd

Yr9 Induction WVA Yr6 Induction RA Yr6 Parents Evening

Thurs 4th

Yr9 Induction WVA Yr6 Induction RA

Fri 5th

Yr9 Induction WVA Cricket Trip

Tues 9th

Yr7 End of Year Visit London Theatre Trip

Wed 10th

Yr8 End of Year Visit London Theatre Trip

Thurs 11th

Yr9 End of Year Visit

Fri 12th

School closes for Summer

YEAR 9 INTERMEDIATE MATHS CHALLENGE

Silver Award Charlie Richards (BDA) Bronze Award Dhilesh Chauhan (NAT) Zainesh Champaneri (RWR) Rhianna Parmar (LUN) Ella Wise (RWR) Harry Durrant (GDE) Jaskiran Bains (BKJ) Best in School Charlie Richards (BDA)

WELL DONE!

ROUNDHILL’S GLOBAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST

LANDMINES AND CLUSTER BOMBS

Dare you walk the path?

This week all students at Roundhill have been walking the path,

experiencing the issues and joining the fight against landmines and cluster

bombs which are destroying lives across the world. England is fortunately a

very safe country for us, but people in Peru and Ethiopia are not so lucky.

Many innocent people have lost their limbs or even lives due to conflicts.

Every two hours someone is being injured or dying. We are donating some

of the money we raised from Walk for our world to help campaign and make

a difference in these countries. With as little as £30 we could clear an area

of land of landmines or provide an artificial limb for someone who has been

mutilated by a mine. We have also signed a global petition and are

intending to build a huge pyramid of shoes as a symbolic gesture to show

our determination to stop what is happening. We have been touched by what is going on, want to help and are concerned about

what might happen in the future if landmines are not removed.

Even though these innocent children have been injured, they remain positive and smiling; happy with all the support they have

received from people around the world who do not have to live with this threat.

Everyone has a dream and we at Roundhill want to help make it come true.

By Shania, Priyanka and Tanya 8WB1

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Students petitioning for change.

COMIC RELIEF 2013

Students, who attend Enterprise Club in the Design Technology Department on Wednesdays after school, have worked effortlessly to organise sales and activities in school and in the community, running charity events this year. Some have produced things to sell, like badges and organised activities, some have baked cakes and biscuits for sales, others organised raffles, lucky dip and other competitions. Last week’s Comic Relief event gave the students the opportunity to shine once again. They sold their products and raffled great prizes. Some students across the school were also sponsored for doing something ‘Funny for Money’. All students contributed by paying £1 to wear their own clothes on the day. Did you know? £2 could potentially save 5 lives in a third world country, vaccinating youngsters against malaria. From sales alone we have raised £129.39. I am still counting sponsorship money that is being given in at reception this week, so far the total we have raised is £688.29 (please return all sponsorship money in an envelope with name and amount written on the front). I hope to give a prize to the student who raises the most for this worthy cause. I will update you on the full amount raised in the next edition of the Newsletter. I am so proud of the Enterprise Group they really put their heart and soul into events in school. Thank you! Kate Knaggs Curriculum Leader Design Technology

Hannah Pinkus Curriculum Leader of English

New Whole School Marking Policy

When students return from their Easter break, a new Whole School Marking Policy will begin. As “feedback” has

been recognised as a vital tool in ensuring students reach their potential, The Roundhill Academy’s new Whole

School Marking Policy has been amended accordingly.

The aims of the new system:

Marking will be consistent throughout the school.

Marking will help students feel valued and have a clear understanding of how well they are doing.

Marking will help students improve their work and will inform teacher planning and monitoring. There is a focus on continuing to raise students’ self-esteem to help culture a “can-do” attitude.

Across all departments at The Roundhill Academy, staff will provide feedback using “WWW” (what worked well…)

and “EBI” (even better if…).

Alongside this, a student’s effort will be acknowledged using the following

grading system.

Posters of the effort grades will be displayed in all classrooms; next year

the poster will be in student planners too.

As Literacy (communication, reading and writing) continues to be a top

priority nationally, the new Whole School Marking Policy sets out an

agreed and consistent Literacy Marking Code. This will also be in the

student planners next academic year.

Below is a brief summary of the new Literacy Marking Code.

• P = punctuation error • // = new paragraph (TIP TOP) • √√ = exceptional point/use of language • ?? = unclear/ confused expression (grammar error) • ^ = something is missing • WW in margin and the word underlined = wrong word used • SP = spelling: written over the incorrect word and in the margin

The correct spelling is provided with the area of confusion underlined. All teachers should only indicate the first 3-5 words per piece of work. Spellings should be a mixture of subject specific and high frequency words.

Whole School Literacy Postcards

The following students are to be congratulated on maintaining their high Literacy standards across their subjects – Well done to you all!

Current Whole School Literacy Target

World Book Day On Thursday 7

th March the whole school celebrated World Book Day. In the run up, Tutor Groups

completed a series of activities linked to reading and on the day every lesson taught involved students reading and using their reading skills – whether they were in Music, French or Art! The aim of the day was to show students that reading is a vital skill they will use regularly in all subject areas. Thank you

to the staff for providing such interesting reading related lessons and to the students who took part and enjoyed celebrating World Book Day!

World Book Day Staff Play At lunchtime on World Book Day, the Library hosted its very own World Book Day Staff Play. Miss Williams, script writer extraordinaire, wrote a Roundhill Academy version of the popular fiction series ‘Time Riders’. This was a huge success amongst staff and students. In fact, the Library was so busy it was standing room only and some students even ended up watching in the corridor through the windows! Everyone enjoyed the play, the third one performed this year. A massive thank you to Miss Williams and the cast for providing such entertainment and helping students to further celebrate World Book Day.

L BRARY ZONE

Book of the Month

March: ‘Meta Wars’ by Jeff Norton.

In an unforgiving future, two warring factions – the MILLENNIALS

and the GUARDIANS – are locked in a brutal battle over control of

an online virtual world called the Metasphere. Jonah Delacroix has

always known which side he’s on – the same side as his dead

father. But when he assumes his father’s avatar, he learns things

aren’t as black and white as he once believed. He’s catapulted into a

full-throttle race through both worlds – but can he find the truth?

Tutor Group Competition

The Library runs a monthly Tutor Group competition. The Tutor Group

that borrows and reads the most books over a month are that months

winners. They win: the Winners’ Cup for a month, a photo of their Tutor

Group with the cup for their Tutor room and for the Library, individual

certificates and 3 gold tokens for their House!

Well done to RWR who managed to win in February.

A big well done to the following

students who have completed

their Silver Award this half term!

They are:

Year 7:

Kamran Mahmood (RNI)

Leah Davies (SPO)

Jack Orton (SSH)

Shivani Pancholi (DHI)

Year 8:

Mansi Khambhayata (JCH) William Robinson (LUN)

Winners of the Bronze Award are: Year 7: Riley Harley Nikhil Pancholi Michael Mellerick Sahil Raniga Kamile Jokubaviciute Jessica Clarke Jordan Henfrey Callum Kennedy Yahya Dakri Charles Shellard Thomas Elliott

Reading Challenge

As part of their English work, Year 7 and 8 students take part

in a reading challenge. The aim of this is to help students

read for pleasure, reflect on what they’ve read and become

better independent enquirers and self-managers. Ask your

child to tell you more about it! A big well done to all of the

following students who have completed their bronze award

this half term! They are:

Year 7:

Riya Parekh (NAT)

Caitlin Morgan (NAT)

Josh Brown (BKJ)

Madison Dewey-Taylor (HDO)

Emily Johnson (CTA)

Nikhil Kana (JCH)

Georgia Kent (HDO)

Vishali Bulsara (CHE)

Alix Finnerty (CHE)

Lucia Griffiths (HDO)

Myles Lad (DHI)

Chloe Bennett (CTA)

Ryan Beckhurst (SPO)

Chloe Austin (RHI)

Kaya Garcha (MSB)

Chaniya James (SPO)

Lillie-Mae Sansome (MSB)

Sophie Vials (LUN)

Year 8:

Amber Warden (SPO)

Chloe Kent (JKC)

Mya Rawnsley (MWE)

Eleanor Leahy (BDA)

Rebecca Newman (AWI)

Dhavina Chavda (RHI)

Shivani Gadhia (BKJ)

Josh Kanabar (GDE)

Jinesh Mistry (NAT)

Rhea Mistry (RHI)

Chloe Newcombe (MSB)

Dev Patel (BMC)

Amey Mistry (DHI)

Daisy Pinsent (HDO)

Spencer Pullen (HPI)

Renee Ward (RNI)

Cory Witham (HDO)

Drama and World Book Day

On World Book Day, during Drama, we read extracts from ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’. After we created a piece of drama using a technique called cross-cutting. We were put into groups and half acted as one type of character and the other half acted as a different type of character. We then took it in turns to act and speak in order to show the audience how different the two characters were. The aim of this was to make our acting more dramatic and add more tension. I enjoyed this lesson as it was fun.

By Harry Caunt-Sowka (MSB)

English and World Book Day To celebrate World Book Day in English we looked at the opening of the book ‘Meta Wars’. After this we chose an activity which we wanted to plan in the lesson and complete at home to show our understanding of the ideas and themes in opening. These pieces of work – when finished – are going to be put into a competition. Good luck to all those who have entered. In my opinion, the lesson was very interesting and I enjoyed it a lot.

By Charlie Hill (MSB) Humanities and World Book Day

Science Book Club

As a new initiative with the Library Co-ordinator there

have been various book clubs set up to take place in

the Library at lunchtimes. In Science we have

introduced a Year 7 Book Club, we are a small, but

interested group who have been looking at the books

we have in the Library to support learning in Science.

We have met a couple of times and are beginning to

come up with some ideas for involving more students

in the book choices that are made.

Look out for a questionnaire soon, maybe even a

reading list….it’s your Library and your learning!

Sharon Rushin Science Technician

Careers Education “Calling all Parents”

Do you have an interesting job?

Would you like to share your work experiences with a small group of Year 8 students?

Then we need you!!

For a ‘World of Work Experience Day’ in May

If you are willing to speak to a small group about your work then please contact Miss Nichol at school either by

e-mail or telephone

School.enquiries@roundhill.leics. sch.uk

(0116) 2693896

Many thanks Miss H Blythe

HOUSE POINTS Congratulations to Swithland

SPORTS NEWS

Year 7 Boys Rugby

In an entertaining game on a very cold

afternoon, Roundhill emerged

victorious against Woodbrook Vale 30-10. The first

half was a very tight affair with Woodbrook Vale

scoring first, but then Roundhill came back with a try

of their own, Woodbrook Vale scored again and then

Roundhill replied leaving the score 10-10 at half time.

The second half saw Roundhill staying more positive

and recycling the ball in a better fashion which saw

tries for Josh Brown and a long range effort from Joe

Asher. Solid scrummaging from the forwards and

strong running from Ethan Allton, Keylan Draycott and

Michael Mellerick enabled Roundhill to make good

ground. Well done to all who played.

In a much harder contest Roundhill played DeLisle

and lost. However, on a positive note we saw debuts

for Cameron Brown, James Duncan and Tom Hames

who gave their all and played well, with Cameron

getting on the score sheet, James making some try

saving tackles and Tom getting involved as much as

possible. Well done for all of your efforts.

Year 9 Football (County Cup)

In an incredibly tight game Roundhill

lost 1-0 to Humphrey Perkins. Both

teams put 100% effort into the match,

but a first half penalty saw Humphrey Perkins go

through to the next round. A very good all round

performance with Roundhill playing with composure

and good sportsmanship was not quite enough to see

us win on this occasion. Well done to all who played.

Year 9 Football (League)

In another incredibly tight game versus

Humphrey Perkins both teams drew 1-

1. It was Roundhill that scored first with

a very good goal in the first half, but

Humphrey’s equalised half way through the second

half to set up a tight finish to the game. Well done to

all who took part.

Ho

use

Pu

rple

Go

ld

Token

To

tal

Oth

er

Total

235 500 735

140 875

148 410 558

558

439 1130 1569

60 1629

515 600 1115

190 1305

After Easter sees the start of Summer Clubs

Monday after school: Girls Rounder’s Club for all

years with Miss Attwood and Miss Leeson 3:05pm to

4:15pm.

Tuesday after school: Boys year 8/9 Cricket with Mr

Devaney 3:05pm start with the finish time dependant

on whether the fixture is home or away. First match is

scheduled for the 30th April.

Wednesday after school: Athletics Club for all

students 3:05pm to 4:15pm with Mr Devaney, Miss

Attwood and Miss Leeson.

Table Tennis with an external coach starting on the

17th April running until the 22

nd May, 3:05pm to

4:15pm.

Thursday after school: Boys year 7/8 cricket with Mr

McDonald 3:05pm start with the finish time dependant

on whether the fixture is home or away. First match is

scheduled for the 30th May.

Karate Club with GKR Karate and Miss Williams

3:05pm to 4:15pm. Starting the 11th April running

until the 16th May.

Friday after school: Boys Cricket Nets all year groups

with Mr McDonald.

Year 8 Boys Football

The Roundhill Year 8 Boys football team

has returned strong after the winter

break, with 2 excellent wins under their

belts against Humphrey Perkins (3 – 0) and Castle

Donington (0 - 4).

Goals have been shared across the team by Connor

Stevens, Reece Morgan, Josh Crossley and Regan

Nairn. However, it is the defence and goalkeepers

who must take credit for clean sheets in both games.

Lewis Buckby, Quinn Ayres, Joseph Weetman, Joe

Gethins, Brad Slawson and Byron Maxfield.

Thanks also to their Captain, Joe Brown, as in both

games the referee has commented favourably on their

sportsmanship, endeavour, attitude and for respecting

his decisions at all times. The team are a credit to the

school and their parents, and hope to secure a play-

off place with a win this week against Woodbrook

Vale.

Year 8/9 Girls Futsal Competition Our Year 8/9 Girls qualified for the final of the Futsal after winning their league

before Christmas. We came up against some very tough opposition, most of which were made up of Year 9’s. We started slowly and in our first game we lost 3-0 to the eventual winners, Kibworth. The score line would have increased, but for a fantastic save from keeper Batchelor, who tipped the ball out of the top right hand corner of the goal! After this we settled and started to play some really good football, drawing our final 3 games. Captain Amber Warden was outstanding throughout, working really hard for her teammates and scoring 2 goals. At the end of the evening, we finished in a very respectable 3

rd place –

an exceptional achievement as we fielded 3 year 7’s. Well done girls!

Year 7/8 Sports Hall Athletics Competition @ Wreake Valley Academy On Wednesday 13

th March 19 of our

Year 7 and 8 athletes competed against our other local high schools in an indoor athletics competition. Our students competed in a number of field events including speed bounce, shot, long jump and triple jump, as well as sprints, long distance and relay events. Throughout the evening our students performed really well, particularly Joe Asher and Abbie Ayres who both won their events. The overall results were: Year 7 Girls: 3

rd Place

Year 7 Boys: 2nd

Place Year 8 Girls: 3

rd Place

Year 8 Boys: 2nd

Place

Year 9 PE Talent & Leadership Academy Trip to Loughborough University

On Tuesday 5th March, our students were invited to a

Goal Setting and Motivation day at Loughborough

University. They spent the day reflecting on their

aspirations for their future, and starting to set targets

to help them achieve these. Throughout the day they

experience various workshops to help them develop

their teamwork, communication and leadership skills,

as well as designing their own motivational quotes.

The day was a really worthwhile experience for our

students, which were topped off with 3 resounding

victories over our partner high schools in a bench ball

competition! Next Event: Tuesday June 11th - Year 2 &

6 Orienteering Event @ Beacon Hill.