The Thomas Alleyne Academy Newsletter
14th November 2014
Volume 5
was struck by the number of our students who
were representing a wide range of community
groups in this important event.
Principal’s Update
I hope you enjoy reading
about all the varied and
wonderful activities that have
taken place in the academy
this week to commemorate
WWI. The events of the week
truly reflected the core values
of ‘Take Pride’ and ‘Show
Respect’. I just would like to mention one day in
particular, Tuesday 11th November, which began
with assemblies held by the British Legion,
followed by the official opening of our memorial
garden, and exhibition of WWI memorabilia in
the conference centre.
Today I am fortunate to be accompanying some
of our Year 7 students on a visit to Belgium to see
various sites linked to the First World War. I am
sure our students will come away from this
experience with lasting memories and a deeper
understanding of the sacrifices made by our
armed forces.
Mr Mark Lewis
Executive Principal
Remembrance Week Events
At 11 o’clock we held 2 minutes silence for the
whole school on the field and paraded in silence
past the memorial garden out of avenue gate and
back through the memorial gates. You could
have heard a pin drop, every student remained
silent throughout the whole parade. The day
ended in the fabulous performance of drama,
music, dance and poetry recitals all served up
with food cooked by our year 10 and 11
hospitality and catering students. Many staff and
visitors commented how proud they were, to
have been part of the events. For me, personally,
it was my best day as a teacher in the whole of
my career and I am very proud of the way our
students responded and showed their respect on
this day.
Students show their respect
at The Thomas Alleyne
Academy
Students have spent all of the week undertaking a
number of events and activities investigating the
‘Great War’. This is to both commemorate and
recognise the one hundred year anniversary of
the outbreak of the Great War and to develop
students’ learning skills in a variety of interesting
and informative ways.
Ms Julia Flanagan
Principal
Executive Principal Update
I have been privileged to be
involved in a number of
events at Thomas Alleyne's as
part of our remembrance
activities. On Sunday I
attended the service at our
memorial gates and watched
the parade and service in Stevenage Old Town. I
To mark the centenary anniversary of WW1,
students and staff at The Thomas Alleyne
Academy decided to create a memorial garden in
tribute to the 15 former students, war heroes and
fallen soldiers of The Thomas Alleyne Academy.
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This was officially opened by the British Legion
who held an assembly and placed their own
stones into the poppy, along with governors of
the school and the local businesses who
supported the project. This should be a legacy
and area of reflection for students and staff for
years to come.
great deal of hard work. This research has
inspired students and staff to learn more about
the school’s history.
During Remembrance Day the students
undertook a whole school two minutes silence
and parade, which was impeccably observed by
all. It was a real honour to be part of this event
and it was genuinely moving to see the respect
shown by our students to those who have fought
and died for our freedom.
Mr Stuart Hayden
History Teacher
Memorial Garden
To mark the centenary anniversary of WW1,
students and staff at The Thomas Alleyne
Academy decided to create a memorial garden in
tribute of the 15 former students who were war
heroes and fallen soldiers of The Thomas Alleyne
Academy; L.J Atterbury, C. Westwood, B.
Hunter, S. Madgin, T.L.A. Pugh, J. Muirhead, H.J
Shelford, E.W. Shelford, E.R. Titmus, R. Gray,
H.D. Holdron, C. Foster, H.F. Dyke, E.J. Croft,
F.Bradbeer.
The exhibition all about the fifteen former
students of the academy who are recognised on
the school memorial gates has been open this
week, with many students and members of the
public finding it an informative and interesting
experience. The Stevenage Family History Society
completed a large amount of research about the
former students of The Thomas Alleyne Academy
who unfortunately died during the Great War
and this research, alongside a number of artefacts
borrowed from Stevenage Museum as well as
other interesting exhibits made up a very
interesting display.
Inspired by the stories of each soldier, members
of the local community wanted to help the
students at The Thomas Alleyne Academy to
create the memorial garden. Local businesses
including Brewers Decorators' Merchant,
Wyevale Garden Centre Stevenage and Frank
Cooper and Son all helped to create the memorial
garden.
A number of students also contributed work to
the exhibit and this showed a real sense of
thought and reflection by students as well as a
As its centre piece the memorial garden has a
poppy which has been recreated with red stones.
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Each stone is individual with the names of
students, staff and associated members of The
Thomas Alleyne Academy on each one. What
makes this memorial garden so different is that it
is the start of a legacy whereby each new student
and staff member will add to the stone poppy
each year.
memorial garden “I am greatly honoured and
proud to talk to the students at The Thomas
Alleyne Academy and open the memorial garden
in tribute to the 15 fallen Alleynian soldiers of
WW1”.
Julia Flanagan, Principal of The Thomas Alleyne
Academy said “we are very proud of the school’s
history and extremely grateful to all the members
of the local community who have worked
together to not only create this garden but to also
put on a whole series of events to commemorate
The Great War.”
On Remembrance Day (Tuesday 11th November)
The British Legion came into The Thomas Alleyne
Academy to deliver an inspiring assembly to the
students with many of them being moved by
what was said and shown. The British Legion
officially opened the garden and placed their own
stones into the poppy, along with governors of
the school and the Senior Students.
Mr Lewis, Executive Principal said “our students
have responded superbly to the range of events
we have held to remember the sacrifices made by
so many people. I would like to thank our staff
and local community who have supported these
important events.”
Students and members of the public alike have
commented on how stunning the memorial
garden looks and how it is a fitting tribute to the
soldiers of WW1 and the former students of The
Thomas Alleyne Academy.
Mr Daniel Spencer
Teacher of Geography
The Stevenage Family History Society completed
a large amount of research about the former
students of The Thomas Alleyne Academy who
sadly died during the Great War. The research
can be seen during this week in an exhibition
taking place at the Academy and has inspired
students and staff to learn more about the
school’s history. This has led to a number of
events taking place at the academy around
Remembrance Day including the creation of the
memorial garden.
Richard Mott, secretary of the Stevenage branch
of the British Legion had this to say about the
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Academy. As well as finding out lots of
information about the men, the students were
also able to handle artefacts such as jackets,
helmets and food tins which had been used by
soldiers during the war. The children were also
very impressed with the work that had been
produced by our year 8 and 9 history students
and commented on its quality.
Primary School Students Find Out About
The History of the ‘Great War’
Students from Almond Hill School came to The
Thomas Alleyne Academy on Wednesday 12th
November and took part in a workshop about the
‘Great War’, as well as visiting the exhibition
being held at the academy about the fifteen
former students who died during World War
One. This event was run by Mr Hayden, Mrs
Benoy and Mrs Palmer from the Stevenage
Family History Society.
Finally the students were shown the academy
memorial garden which was made as a legacy to
show the student communities respect for those
soldiers who came to this school and fought and
died for their country. This really impressed the
students and especially the fact that each member
of the school had contributed a signed stone
towards the giant poppy.
The students from Almond Hill School all said
they felt that it was a very interesting and
enjoyable learning experience.
Mr Stuart Hayden
History Teacher
The workshop was held in the library and
allowed the primary school students to look at a
variety of different types of historical sources
concerning the First World War. The students
had to work in groups which utilised their
collaboration and communication skills in order
to find out about the dangers, conditions and
weapons used during the Great War. Students
first investigated and then discussed how life was
very difficult for soldiers fighting in the trenches
on the western front and several students said
they were “very glad that it wasn’t happening to
them!”
Alleyne’s Readers World War One
Performance Evening
On Tuesday evening, we were delighted to
welcome over one hundred people to our
Alleyne’s Readers performance evening, one of
many activities held this week in remembrance of
the soldiers who fought and died in World War
One.
The evening began with a
delicious afternoon tea
prepared by our GCSE
hospitality and catering
students. This was
followed by a vast range of
wonderful performances
which included poetry
recitals, dancing, singing
and drama.
Students then visited the exhibition which is
being held in the conference centre about the
fifteen men who fought and died during the
Great War who came to the Thomas Alleyne
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The performances were all inspired by the wide
range of stories and poetry students have been
reading recently through our academy-wide
‘Alleyne’s Readers’ club.
students, and Howard Crompton, OA President
and one of the Academy Governors.
Family members, staff and governors all enjoyed
the evening immensely and we were very proud
of our student performers as they took to the
stage to share the pieces they have all been
working so hard on over the past few weeks.
A great night was had by all. We are pleased to
see just how much is being achieved by our
students’ participation in our ever-widening
enrichment programme at the academy.
Mrs Helen Russell
Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning
Remembrance Day Parade
Tower Poppies
Current and former students and staff took part
in the Remembrance Day Parade through
Stevenage on Sunday 9th November.
Most people have
seen the installation
at the Tower of
London entitled
Blood Swept Lands
of Seas of Red, if not
in person then on
social media or the
news. I was
privileged enough
to be one of the
thousands of
volunteers who
helped to construct
and install the 888, 246 poppies. The poppies are
intended not only as a spectacular display visible
from all around the Tower during this centenary
year but also a location for personal reflection.
Each poppy represents a British military fatality
during the war and seeing them close up was a
really moving experience.
Ms Jackie Banks
RE Department
Former Student’s Relative Pays
Respects
Mrs Bailey is the great niece of Frank Bradbeer,
one our students who fell in the Great War,
whose name is on the Memorial Gates. We were
very proud that she laid the wreath at this year's
Old Alleynians' Remembrance gathering. The
photograph shows her with our wonderful
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The Senior Students
carried on with the
tradition of laying a
wreath of poppies
to commemorate in
particular
the
soldiers who fought
and died both at our
own Academy and
from all over the
empire during the
Great War.
District Cross Country Competition
On Thursday 6th November students from
Thomas Alleyne Academy attended the annual
District Cross Country event held at Fairlands
Valley Lakes. Boys and girls from years 7, 8, 9 and
10 competed in a variety of distances against
students from other schools. In year 7 Harry
Nation (4th) and Laura Feely (14th) were the standout performers. In year 8 Tyler Carr (4th), Louise
Godden (16th) and Danielle Cook (17th) made the
top 20. In the year 10 girls race Jessica Farrow
finished 2nd in the race overall. Well done to all
who participated in the event.
Creating a Culture of Kindness
For some of us a moment’s compassion through
actions or words can make life worth living or
ease the burden of misfortune. For anyone whose
day that has been brightened by a single selfless
act of kindness Aesop’s quote that ‘no act of
kindness, no matter how small is wasted’ holds
true. A key component of the leadership
programme in sixth form revolves around
developing a strong sense of shared values
enabling staff and students to study the
humanities and social sciences with a genuine
sense of collective responsibility about how we
interpret the world around us. The continuing
development of creating a culture of kindness has
now taken on a life of its own – as students
discuss and debate with staff as to how we can
improve the working life of sixth form students.
Sarah Brown, a senior student has been keen to
ensure that our first year A level students find
their feet and are able to seek help and guidance
from the second year student early on during the
academic year.
Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday
3rd December 2014
Please can Year 10 parents go to our website to
access the parents' evening booking system,
together with instructions. Year 10 parents
should have received an e-mail explaining the
above.
If you do not have a valid email address a paper
copy would have been given to your child. If you
require any further assistance, please call Mrs
Emmings on 01438 344344 Ext. 127. The booking
system will close at midnight on Thursday 20th
November.
Mrs Chris Emmings
Data Manager
Parents’ Evening Dates
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12/13
Thursday 29th January 2015
Tuesday 24th March 2015
Wednesday 11th March 2015
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
Thursday 27th November 2014
Tuesday 21st January 2015
The following event was organised by Sarah –
here is her story:
Sixth Form News
Welcome to another
edition
of
Renaissance
News.
The commemoration
of the centenary of the First World War has been
at the forefront of our minds and thus we have
been participating, with the rest of the Academy,
in the memorial services and parades. Our sixth
form students have been extremely busy selling
poppies and our senior student team, as is
tradition, engaged in the Memorial Day Parade
which culminated at the War Memorial on
Bowling Green which is opposite our Academy.
Sixth Form Team Building Day
The senior students have not only developed
their leadership skills in the last academic term,
but are now also becoming empathetic leaders.
In our leadership meetings, I was keen to
emphasise the personal growth the senior
students have achieved and how important it is
to begin to build the confidence and interpersonal
skills of the AS students. Although there is only a
year between the groups in age, the year 13
students have developed many of the skills to be
independent and want to start passing on some of
these skills to younger students.
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On 9th October 2014 the senior students organised
a team building day for Year 12. The rationale
behind the planned activities was to build trust,
cooperation, establish friendships and the desire
to aspire to take on new responsibilities around
school and sixth form. The icebreaker produced
much fun and laughter as students worked across
AS and A2 in a tug of war exercise,
demonstrating to everyone that it is team work
and team spirit that wins the day.
students to consider how we, as individuals and
as part of a community, can demonstrate our
responsibility towards protecting animals in the
choices we make in our daily lives. Students were
asked to consider what they ate as well as the
products that they buy. This was a thoughtprovoking session and it was rewarding to see
students still talking about the topics Mary raised
at lunchtime. Mary will be returning to us in the
summer term to deliver an enrichment session to
students to explain how we can get involved with
supporting animal welfare.
www.animalaid.org.uk
There was no time to waste on being afraid of
spiders as students engaged in decision making
and positive communication exercises in a
‘spider’s web’ game where each student had to be
lifted through an apparatus resembling a spider’s
web. At the end of the day some students also
stayed behind to take part in sporting activities
including football and dodge-ball and still had
energy to promote the sixth form Renaissance
Open Evening.
Returning Students and Work Experience
One of our ex-students, Jerry Jossy, who is
currently in his second year reading Chemistry at
York University, will be undertaking work
experience with The Academy in December. We
look forward to seeing Jerry again and to hearing
his account of university life. Thomas Liversidge
is carrying out his work experience in our Science
Department at present; Thomas is currently
reading Physics at university.
Feedback from students was very positive from
the event and we are all now looking forward to
working together to serve the academy and
further develop our leadership skills. Ronaldas
Dovydovas said: “The day was engaging and
brought a closer relationship between all the
students in the sixth form” Oba Adeyemi:
reflected: “It was really fun and I enjoyed myself.
I liked the way the event made it easier to
communicate with other students in the sixth
form”
Mrs Newbery has been
busy submitting
university applications
and several students received conditional offers
within 24 hours affirming that the submission of
early applications is definitely advantageous.
Separate tuition will be given by Mrs Newbery on
Student Finance and the process for applying for
accommodation in halls of residence. Students
should check the Edmodo group profile for
UCAS and Student Finance for up to date
information.
Michael Edgal who has transferred to us from
London said: “The day was extremely interesting
as well as enjoyable, allowing me to develop
bonds with people that I hadn’t been able to in
the past. The games and fun on the day brought
us together and united us as a sixth form, as one.”
The day ended as students broke bread together
and enjoyed a pizza before they were joined from
students from Creative Enterprise to promote the
Academy Open Evening.
Student Finance and Apprenticeships
On Wednesday 3rd December we have arranged
for the Student Loan Company to deliver a talk to
parents about student finance. Parents and
students will also be informed of apprenticeship
opportunities for students who do not wish to
pursue the route of higher education. This is an
important evening and parents and students are
all invited. A letter will be sent out shortly.
Sarah Brown
Senior student
Continuing our theme of ethical
leadership, the sixth form
assembly this week was led by a
volunteer from Animal Aid. Mary
Barton, volunteer, gave a
provoking talk about animal rights asking
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Reports
Reports will be sent to parents shortly together
with a covering letter and forthcoming dates for
your diary. Please check and discuss these
reports with your son/daughter. If you have any
questions or queries please do not hesitate to call
Mrs. Lewis, Head of Sixth Form Consortium on
01438 344341.
Years 12 and 13 Mock Examinations
Week commencing Monday 24th November will
be mock examinations week and all exams will
take place in the main hall under examination
conditions. The purpose of organising these
exams in this way will give all students the
opportunity of experiencing ‘live’ exams.
Parents’ Evening
Parents Evening for Year 12 and Year 13 students
will take place on Wednesday 21st January 2015 in
the main hall. A letter will be sent at the
beginning of the New Year to confirm times.
Mrs Julie Lewis
Head of Sixth Form Consortium
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