Bloxwich Academy had the exciting opportunity to welcome The Mercians to perform and speak to our Year 8, 9 and Sixth Form pupils.

The band spoke about their journey and their Spotify and Apple Chart success, taking the top spot from Billie Eilish. Pupils were able to experience a fantastic live performance, a first for many. Following this, the band spoke about their own personal experiences of mental health.

The Mercians spoke about the difficulties with mental health and how to seek support and speak out to protect themselves and others. They discussed the signs to look for when supporting their peers and who they can report their concerns to. This was followed with who they can speak to in school. A key part of the message, was not only about mental health but also protecting themselves and their digital footprint. This highlighted the importance and awareness needed when posting online, including any comments relating to discrimination and misogyny.

Thank you for the experience and important messages shared today.

Bloxwich Academy have planned a fantastic opportunity to support Year 11 pupils with their last-minute revision through a Free Easter Revision Programme taking place from Monday 25^th March- Thursday 28^th March. Each day will run from 10am-2pm. Pupils will be provided with a snack and a hot lunch free of charge.

In the morning, pupils will have the chance to work with specialist teachers over the Easter break to cement the focus areas of knowledge, which can be applied to their exams in May. Not only this, in the afternoon, they will have an option of enrichment activities, continue their revision, or take park in a sporting activity.

On Thursday 28^th March, Bloxwich have arranged for an indoor inflatable assault course and an inflatable disco hub to be on site. This will allow pupils to wind down and enjoy their time with their peers following the hard work during the week.

Pi Day 2024 Competition

How can you represent Pi in real life?

Use your imagination to illustrate a real-life example of Pi.

Examples might include; running 3.14 miles, recycling 3.14kg of waste, using art to illustrate Pi, using nature to illustrate Pi and the history of Pi.

Entries must be submitted by the end of the day on March 14^th 2024

You can enter as an individual or as a group entry, there will be one prize for each school with an overall winner for the trust.

Prizes will be a £10 amazon voucher with a £30 amazon voucher for the trust winner.

Entries to be emailed from your school email to matrixmathscompetition@matrixacademytrust.co.uk

Today we welcomed Dr Eve Griffiths and Antonia Thomas from Outreach, who delivered training to Matrix staff on understanding the effects ACES and trauma can have on our pupils' mental health, behaviour and understanding, as well as how we can facilitate restorative conversations in school.  We learnt innovative new ways to support our pupils in building and maintaining positive, healthy relationships, resolving difficulties and repairing harm when there has been conflict. Thank you Outreach!

Bloxwich Academy celebrated World Book Day on the 7^th March. Thank you to all staff for taking part and dressing up for the occasion. How many characters can you spot?

In addition to staff dressing up, pupils were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite outfit….results pending for this! Please keep posted for the outcome.

Although World Book Day has been celebrated, we are continuing with the competitions throughout next week and the library is now open for pupils to borrow books and expand their love of reading.

Competitions

• Pupils have been asked to write a 500 word piece. It needs to be based on “"I believe the most courageous character I've ever read about is..."
  • There will be prizes for the top 3 and all entrants will be awarded class charts and house points.
• Pupils and staff have been asked to take a photograph showing them reading somewhere funny and unexpected.
  • Top 10 photographs will win a prize.
  • All entrants will be used to build a display
• Staff will be wearing a small copy of their favourite childhood book. Pupils are to write down as many as they can.
  • Top 3 pupils collecting information from staff will receive a prize

Year 8 and 9 will have the exciting opportunity to see The Mercians Perform on Wednesday 13^th March.

The Mercians will perform a range of songs. Alongside this , pupils will have a discussion session following the amazing performance, to outline and encourage the importance of promoting equality and the need to avoid misogynistic behaviours. 

A special shout out to Mr Neal for his 39 years’ service at Bloxwich Academy and a huge congratulations to our staff who attended the annual Matrix Academy Trust long service celebration meal last Friday. They joined colleagues from across the trust at the wonderful BANK.  Racking up over 700 years’ service collectively across the trust.  Another huge thank you to you all for your continued dedication to our community. A special shout out to Mr Neal for his 39 years’ service at Bloxwich Academy.