1. education
2. school

Issue 160
9 Jan 2015
A MOTIVATIONAL VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
Year 11 students visited Cambridge University in December
where they attended a lecture by Heads of Admissions at
Cambridge University. This mainly focused on the
importance of A-LEVELS and making sure that students
choose the right subjects. A specific emphasis was given to
keystone subjects which included: Maths, Further Maths,
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English Literature, Modern
Foreign Languages and History. The best choice was to pick
two "Keystone" subjects depending on the route that
students hope to take: e.g for the Arts, English Literature
and History would be good choices. Or if you wanted to
study in the field of Science, then Maths and Chemistry
would be two keystone subjects that would be helpful, or
in most cases essential to be able to study the course of your choice at university. Students were able to ask
many question to the Heads of Admissions, and also to students currently studying at Cambridge - what courses
they were doing and how they A Level options had effected them. These talks gave students an insight as to what
university is really like and how students need to start thinking about their future in order to gain the best
possible outcome. Entry requirements into Cambridge University are A*AA at least two from the keystone
subjects. The event really helped our students to see if the A Levels they were thinking of taking were right for
firstly further education, and then for their future careers.
After the presentation, we had the opportunity to explore Emmanuel College one of 32 Colleges at Cambridge.
Two current undergraduate students gave us a tour of Emmanuel College and introduction to college life to
include the world class tutorial system, the renowned college libraries which totals 114 in Cambridge alone,
student accommodation and Emmanuel College Canteen which was served in their grand dining hall. Our
students were able to speak to current undergraduate students about their own experiences which inspired our
students to aim high and one day see themselves studying at Cambridge University.
PROPOSED LONDON WIDE BUS STRIKE
Tuesday 13th January 2015
Please be aware that the buses may
not be operating across London and
so your child may need to make
alternative arrangements to get to
school on time.
IMPORTANT DATES
Year 11 Parents Consultation Evening
Tuesday 20th January 2015
Year 9 Options Information Evening
Wednesday 28th January 2015
Sixth Form Parents Evening
Thursday 5th February 2015
www.twickenhamacademy.org.uk
10 & 11 BADMINTON (JJ/RC)
SPORTSHALL (MUST WEAR
TRAINERS/ ASTROTURFS)
ALL YEARS CHESS CLUB (SG)
S121
9 & 10 5 ASIDE FOOTBALL (RC/
NP) SPORTSHALL (MUST WEAR
TRAINERS/ ASTROTURFS)
YR11 GERMAN (MT) E008
KS3/KS4 MATHS CATCH UP (BM) E106
NOTHING
HOMEWORK
NOTHING
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
NOTHING/ OWN INSTRUMENT
PE KIT
PE KIT/ FOOTBALL BOOTS/ SHIN PADS
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
HOMEWORK/ BOOKS/ PEN
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
PE KIT OR SCHOOL UNIFORM
YR 7-9 NETBALL (JJ / MQ/ NPe) SPORTSHALL
Year 7/8/9/12/13 DRAMA/ DANCE (LD/KS/CM) DANCE STUDIO (3.15-4.15)
GARDENING CLUB(AH) SCIENCE PREP (Start Spring)
HOMEWORK CLUB (SLp) N222 (Finish 3.50)
KS4/KS5 ART STUDIO (RH) E007
YEAR 9 DRAMA/ DANCE (KS/JD) DANCE STUDIO
ALL YEARS STRING CLUB (LSp) E012
KS3 CHEERLEADING (SL) DANCE STUDIO
YR 7 – 10 FOOTBALL (RC/PW/JW) ASTROTURF
YR 9-11 GIRLS BASKETBALL (JJ) SPORTSHALL
YEAR 11 DRAMA DROP IN (LD) UPPER COLLEGE
YEAR 7/8/9 DRAMA/ DANCE (KS/JD) DANCE STUDIO
KS4 FRENCH BOOSTER (CS) N126
YR11 GERMAN (MT) E008
HOMEWORK CLUB (SLp) N222 (Finish 3.50)
KS3 SCIENCE CLUB (SL/ SI) SCIENCE AREA
KS4/KS5 ART STUDIO (RH) E007
YR 7-11 RICHMOND KNIGHTS BASKETBALL 3.15 TO 4.30 COST £2 (RC/JJ)
SPORTSHALL
YR 7-8 NETBALL (JJ / MQ/NPe) MUGA
STAFF BADMINTON (SH) (4.30 – 5.30)
HOMEWORK CLUB (SLp) N222 (Finish 3.50)
KS4/KS5 ART STUDIO (RH) E007
GCSE SCIENCE BOOSTER (MH) SCIENCE (Start Jan 2015)
ALL YEARS VOCAL GROUP (SLu) E012
YEAR 7 ART CLUB (RH) E007
TRANSPORT DESIGN PROJECT (MC) N021
PE KIT AND TRAINERS
NOTHING
EQUIPMENT
GIRLS RUGBY YEAR 7 – 10 (RC/HE) ASTROTURF
YR 7/8 LETS GET COOKING CLUB (SM) FOOD TECH ROOM
AFTER SCHOOL MON (2.15-3.30)
AFTER SCHOOL TUES – FRI (3.15-4.30PM)
Teachers
RC – Mr Clarke PW – Mr Wilcox NP- Mrs Parsons JW – Mr Wainwright NPe – Miss Peters LD – Mrs Damant MQ – Miss Quigley AH
JJ – Miss Johnson
MT – Mrs Tonella
MH – Mr Van Den Heuvel CS – Mr Stiff
RH – Miss Hughes
SI – Mr Iqbal BS –
– Mrs Hodun SL – Mr Lauder SG – Mr Gada
Miss Murphy CM – Mrs McCormack JD – Miss Dodd MS - Miss Smalley SLu – Ms Lucie LSp – Miss Spratt SM – Mrs Moodley
FRIDAY
THURSDAY
Teachers:
WEDNESDAY
7 & 8 NETBALL (NP/ KA)
SPORTSHALL (MUST WEAR
TRAINERS/ ASTROTURFS)
7 & 8 SPORTSHALL ATHLETICS
(JJ)
SPORTS HALL (MUST WEAR
TRAINERS/ ASTROTURFS)
7 & 8 5 A-SIDE FOOTBALL (RC/
PW)
SPORTS HALL (MUST WEAR
TRAINERS/ ASTROTURFS)
MONDAY
TUESDAY
LUNCH TIME (12.35 – 1.15PM)
DAY
EXTRA CURRICULAR TIMETABLE (JAN – APRIL 2015)
REVISION… REVISION… REVISION …
Year 11 students were given a Revision lecture by Ben Rowe Director of Student Services at Kingston College
who is also an Examiner, and he delivered the presentation in a very engaging way. The “Study Skills Session”
informed students how to organise their revision and was very valuable in setting expectations and giving
ideas for the upcoming mocks. Students were advised about keeping clear class notes so that they could use
these for revision. The session focused on exam preparation, learning and memory, revision strategies and
exam techniques. Students were advised that working on exam skills is as important as gaining the necessary
knowledge to excel at their exams. Understanding what the exam questions are asking is key to avoid
dropping marks.
Time management is an aspect to really consider at exams. Students have been encouraged to take at least 5
practice papers before each exam to insure you get the best possible grade. “ As an examiner it is disappointing
to see that the student has great answers all the way though, only to run out of time and not finish the exam –
time management is key.’’ If the question is worth one mark, the answer should be very short. Great attention
should go to questions with more marks. If a student gets stuck on a question, this should be skipped.
Students also were tested with the Exam Quiz - Tricky Questions which really got students engaged and taught
them how to read between questions. One of the questions asked was “Ten crows on a wall, You shoot one
with the rifle, How many crows would be left?” which got few different answers! Ben was impressed with our
students enthusiasm and involvement in the lecture and felt that our students would really do well in exams.
Student feedback:
I found The Study Skills session helpful and I
enjoyed it.
It was very enjoyable, it should be repeated next
year.
Engaging and fun, interesting knowledge and
information.
Ben Rowe made the session fun and engaged all
of the students in one large space which is
difficult in itself. It gave us some good ideas about
revision that we will definitely use in the future.
It was very helpful and inspired me to work harder on my revision and exams.
TERM DATES 2014/15
Spring Term 2015
Tuesday 6 January 2015
Half Term
Monday 16 - Friday 20 February 2015
End of Term
Friday 27 March 2015
Summer Term 2015
Monday 13 April 2015
Half Term
Monday 25 May - Friday 29 May 2015
End of Term
Wednesday 22 July 2015
INSET DAYS
Monday 23 February 2015
Friday 26 June 2015
N.B. INSET days are subject to change
VISITORS
Wednesday 14th January
Two visitors from Coulsdon Academy
will be visiting the science
department
NEW ACADEMY WEBSITE
We are very excited to be launching the new
Twickenham Academy website this half term. We are
currently working with the development team and we
look forward to updating you closer to the time with
PRINCIPAL’S BLOG
We would like to advise parents and carers that
the Principal’s Blog will no longer appear in
Twickenham Talk but will be available on the
Academy website and will be updated weekly.
the launch date. The web address will remain the
same www.twickenhamacademy.org.uk
PRINCIPAL’S SURGERY
Every Tuesday 4pm - 5pm
Main Reception - Principal Surgery will resume on Tuesday 13th January 2015
Tracy Ward will be offering a Principal's Surgery every Tuesday afternoon from 4 - 5pm in the main Academy
reception. This will be a drop in session for parents and carers, however, wherever possible we would kindly
request that you phone the main reception on 0208 894 4503 to advise you will be attending.
NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR TWICKENHAM: HAVE YOUR SAY
Earlier this year, the Secretary of State for Education gave conditional approval for a new secondary school on
the Richmond upon Thames College site.
The Richmond upon Thames College Free School Trust is now required by the Academies Act 2010 to consult
on whether or not the school should enter into a Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education.
The survey is available here: www.reec.org.uk Deadline: 30 January 2015.
POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
In the event of extreme weather conditions we will always endeavour to keep the Academy open. Closure
would only be on Health and Safety grounds. This could be because we were unable to staff the Academy at an
acceptable level or the playground and/or buildings became unsafe.
How to check whether the Academy is open:
 Every effort will be made to post a message on the Academy website. Please check the website for regular
updates at www.twickenhamacademy.org.uk
 Check the OpenCheck website which gives information on all schools. This website can be accessed via a
link from the London Borough of Richmond website. www.twickenhamacademy.org.uk
 If possible a message will also be left on the school answerphone.
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM
Heathfield Team Whitton and Heathfield SNT
Queens House, 2 Holy Road
Twickenham TW1 4EG
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0208 161 9487
www.twickenhamacademy.org.uk