The Bright StuffDecember 2014

Author opens new libraryBooks and reading have taken centre stage for students at Oasis Academy Brightstowe with the re-opening of the former Learning Resource Centre as ‘The Library’. -

The project at the Academy in Shirehampton includes investment in a wide

range of new books – all on open display to provide the excitement and impact of walking into Waterstones or other leading booksellers.

Additional laptops and tablets are also provided for students, but they do not form part of the main library space.

At the recent official

opening, Principal Matt Butler told students: “This is now your Library, and it’s hopefully the best in Bristol,”

He cut the ribbon with children’s author and reading motivator Joffre White who

Message from the Principal What a busy term we’ve had and I am sure everyone is looking forward to the Christmas break.

As you can read in our newsletter, we have had numerous exciting things happening in the past few weeks, not least the re-opening of our new library.

The New Year always brings its own challenges and for our Year 11s, those GCSEs will feel just round the corner.So please take the chance to rest and relax and on behalf of all the staff, can I wish you a very happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year!

Matt ButlerTurn to Page 2

Visiting author Joffre White speaking to students in the main hall before the library re-opening

The Bright Stuff December 2014

Rugby stars win Bristol title

Oasis Brightstowe beat St Mary Redcliffe 27-5 on Friday to win the final of the Bristol Schools Year 8 Rugby Championship.

Two tries from captain Lewis Mills and three more from vice captain Sol Taufa, Lewis Ceraj and Reece Oliver had put the result beyond doubt before St Mary Redcliffe scored their only try minutes from the end.

The final was played at Dings RFC, Lockleaze, and the result means that Brightstowe will now represent Bristol against schools in Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset at the Super 8s stage of the competition.

A series of impressive performances took

Brightstowe to Friday’s final. Following an early 7-12 home defeat to Redland Green School, they had beaten St Bede’s Catholic College 12-5, Fairfield High School 45-0 and – at the semi-final stage - Bedminster Down 45-8.

Principal Matt Butler said: “This is a tremendous result for the Year 8 team and for everyone

concerned with our Rugby Academy.

“Our Year 7 team were close to reaching the final of their equivalent competition.

“There is no doubt that success breeds success, and the future of rugby at Oasis Brightstowe is looking very healthy, thanks to the talent on our players and the coaching support they are receiving.”

Library re-opening

had spent the day inspiring students in their year groups.

“Today is an opportunity to admire what we have achieved,” Mr Butler continued. “We have taken out a lot of the IT equipment and put books back at the heart of the Library.

“And of course the Library, our most important resource, is at the heart of the Academy. We have put together a celebration of books, and I hope it will be a source of joy and learning for years to come.”

Joffre White told students: “Knowledge is power, and the way to find it is by reading a book. You all have dreams, and believe me whatever you want to do or want to be, somebody will have written a book about it.

“Find that book and take that knowledge – it’s free!”

l Meanwhile, the hugely popular children’s author Angie Sage was a special guest at Oasis Academy Brightstowe.

She found time in a frantic schedule to talk to Year 7 students about her successes with special focus on her latest publication PathFinder.

Students had pre-ordered PathFinder for Angie to sign after her talk, and the library has acquired multiple signed copies for students of all ages to enjoy.

Kat Gardner-Graham, the Academy’s Librarian, said: “The wonderful thing about PathFinder is that it is full of Angie Sage’s characteristic humour and heart, but also introduces a new cast of young characters – and a new kind of ‘Magyk’.

“We really hope that her visit will be a source of inspiration to our students!”

From Page 1

For all the latest news, visit www.oasisacademybrightstowe.org

The Year 8 rugby team with Matt Butler, Principal of Oasis Brightstowe, with the trophy they now hold after winning their Bristol Schools Final. Below, the champions – Oasis Academy Brightstowe Year 8 rugby team pictured after their Bristol Schools final win over St Mary Redcliffe.

The Bright Stuff December 2014

Standing room only at Christmas concertIt was standing room only at last Thursday’s Christmas Carol Celebration at St Peter’s Church, Lawrence Weston, which brought together parents and students of the three Oasis academies Brightstowe, Bank Leaze and Long Cross.

For the first time the

primary children from Bank Leaze and Long Cross performed together. Led by Oasis Hub Chaplain Nikki Mungeam, they charmed the audience with highly active performances of Calypso Carol and A Band of Angels.

Lucy Snailham led the Oasis Brightstowe Choir and

the audience joined students in traditional carols.

“It was a real coming together of different ages and, of course, three different schools,” said Nikki. “The informality of the evening made a Christmas celebration doubly enjoyable.”

Designing a new island school Twelve Year 8 students from Oasis Academy Brightstowe are designing a new school to be located on an island.

Over the coming weeks Lewis Mead, Chloe Palmer, Luke Handley, Chelsea Harris, Finlay Lynton-Jenkins, Lee Beecham, Mariah Morne, Myron Capstick, Ziona Quaye, Luke Rakhshan-Parast, Leanne Pullman and Sam Giltinan will produce a detailed written report, a model, an exhibition stand and a joint presentation.

It is part of Go4Set, a 10-week environmentally-themed project for students aged 12-14 years.

The project is designed and administered by educational charity EDT South West to inspire students towards STEM (Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Maths) related careers.

The Brightstowe students attended the launch of Go4Set at the new Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy at Filton. The project will enable them to apply their maths skills, visit and work with a local industry partner and work towards an award.

They will be mentored by Dan Evans from the Ministry of Defence and Martin Webster from the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Dan and Martin will visit Oasis Brightstowe on Thursday afternoons.

Oasis Brightstowe students will be competing against teams from Colston’s, Wells Cathedral, Bristol Cathedral Choir, Bradley Stoke, Redland High, Stanwell, Brimsham Green, John Cabot and King’s Oak Schools.

It’s the season of goodwill – so what better time to join the Friends of Oasis?

This brilliant bunch, which has been set up to support the children, families and staff of the three Oasis academies, got off to a fantastic start with a coffee morning for Children in Need.

About 25 people, including parents from Brightstowe, Long Cross and Bank Leaze turned up to the event at Oasis Academy Bank Leaze.

Now the group is organis-ing Christmas fayres at Bank Leaze on December 12 and Long Cross on December 16 and will run the raffle and

tombola at the Bank Leaze Christmas fayre on Decem-ber 18.

The primary fayres are from 3-4 and the secondary one is 2-3pm.

Friends of Oasis is be-ing supported by the Oasis Hub North Bristol to enable parents and community members who are passion-ate about the schools to play a more active role.

The aim is to have a Friends board, with three or four representatives from each of the academies, to take a central role in co-ordinating activities.

Others will have the opportunity to join and become involved in individ-

ual projects, either for their child’s school or to support a project across all three academies.

Aisling Hurney, com-munity services manager, said: “This is an exciting new initiative. People who do not have the time to commit to being a board member will still be able to play a part in shaping our community.

“The coffee morning was the first time we had had an event that parents from all three academies attended. Everyone was very keen to get the Friends of Oasis run-ning further events.”

If you would like to know more, contact Aisling, who is based at Long Cross.

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The Bright Stuff December 2014

Creating a brighter futureFamilies in Lawrence Weston have been sharing their artistic talents to help give a school and children’s centre a bright new look.

Children and their parents took part in the makeover event at Oasis Academy Long Cross during half term, working with artist Alan May to explore ideas.

The activity was organised by the Oasis Hub North Bristol, which supports the communities at Long Cross, Bank Leaze and Brightstowe. The Long Cross Academy also houses part of a children’s centre, which provides a range of health, education and other services for children.

Hub community services manager Aisling Hurney said: “We just wanted to make the academy and children’s centre look more welcoming and child friendly. Our plan is to continue this community art project over nine months, building up to a carnival next summer.”

More than 40 pre-school, primary and secondary children and their parents took part and the Hub is keen to welcome all local people who would like to become involved in future activities.

The Hub has plans for pop-up events such as film showings at all three sites and is also helping to set up a Friends of Oasis parent-teacher association for the three schools.

Meeting deputy PMChildren from Oasis Academy Long Cross were in the spotlight when they were chosen to attend an important national event in the centre of Bristol to promote cycling.

The pupils went along to the Arnolfini in the Harbourside, where they met the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Olympic gold medal winner Chris Boardman.They also received bikes and safety helmets as part of a scheme to

encourage more children and adults to take up cycling.

People at the event heard that road deaths could be cut by 30 per cent and many people in less well-off areas could improve their fitness if Britain became a “cycling nation” like the Netherlands or Denmark.

Principal Julia Dauban said: “This was a great experience for our children, many of whom are keen cyclists and recognise the need for a healthy lifestyle.”

December 18th Christmas Fayre, 2pm-3pm

December 19th End of Term, 1pm

January 5th Start of Term 3

January 15th Year 11 Parents’ Evening, 4.30pm-6.45pm

January 22nd Year 8 Options Evening, 4.30pm-6.45pm

February 5th Year 7 Parents’ Evening, 4.30pm-6.45pm

February 13th End of Term

February 23rd Start of Term 4 (Long Cross and Bank Leaze inset days

March 5th Year 9 Parents’ Evening, 4.30pm-6.45pm

March 27th End of Term

April 13th Inset Day

April 14th Start of Term 5

Key dates for your

diary