In our recent school assembly, we had the privilege of addressing a crucial topic - challenging gender stereotypes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The event served as an eye-opening experience, encouraging all students to explore STEM fields without being bound by traditional gender biases.

The assembly featured personal stories of overcoming obstacles and excelling in STEM careers traditionally dominated by one gender; providing inspiration and insight into the vast opportunities that STEM offers, regardless of gender.

Students learned about the importance of breaking down stereotypes and embracing diversity in STEM. The assembly emphasized that STEM fields are open to everyone, regardless of gender, and highlighted the need for equal representation.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the speaker, gaining valuable insights into pursuing STEM education and careers. Resources for mentorship programs, scholarships, and further support were also provided, ensuring that students have the tools to follow their passions in STEM.

This assembly was a significant step in promoting inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in STEM at our school. We are committed to fostering an environment where all students, regardless of their gender, feel empowered to pursue their interests in these fields. We look forward to continuing these conversations and initiatives in the future, working together to create a more equitable and diverse STEM community.

Bloxwich Academy welcomed visitors from a range of different professions, backgrounds, and sectors to their career fair on Friday. The visitors praised our students for their excellent behaviour, presentation, and inquisitive questions, with many asking if they could return for next year's event.  

Pupils were engaged and interested as they moved around the fair, with many pupils intrigued by the robotic arm, brought to the fair by AEC Solutions. Our pupils continued to display a keen interest in the armed forces, with stalls set up from the Army and RAF being particularly popular. 

Overall, our pupils found this a rewarding experience and I have had many positive conversations with pupils, as they plan their next steps and future careers. 

I would also like to thank all the staff who took part in the organisation of the careers fair and helped to supervise during the day.  

Over this final half term of the school year, our year 7, 8 and 9 pupils are all going to be taking part in an activity called 'A day's work for a day's pay.' Each pupil will be given a 'job' at random by their form tutor and will be told how much they would get paid each day and each week being employed in that role.​ At the start of the following week, pupil’s  will fill out a payslip showing how much they would have earned in the past week, but this is linked to their school attendance.​ For example, if a pupil is absent for a day at school, they would lose a day's pay from their job. If they are late to school, they would lose half a day's pay.​

Pupils will complete a booklet during this activity over the next six weeks and in the first tutor session of each week they will fill in their weekly payslip (based on their attendance during the last week) and complete a short reflection activity. ​In the first of the sessions, pupils will find out what job role they have been given at random and will record how they feel about this and discover how much they can expect to earn daily and weekly.​

During the last week of term, there will be a reward for those with the best attendance at their job.​ Good luck everybody!

Our post 16 year 12 students recently attended the UK University and Apprenticeship search fair at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. This is a twice-yearly event where students get the opportunity to meet representatives from universities and apprenticeship providers from all over the country in one place. They were able to attend seminars and workshops where they found out more about the application processes, what makes a good application and how they can stand out for the crowd and be successful in their applications to universities, employers and apprenticeship providers, as well as meeting with admissions tutors from a huge variety of UK universities all in preparation for their applications in the autumn term of year 13.

Our local Further Education College (Walsall College) recently held assemblies with pupils in years 7 to 10. The focus of these assemblies was to tell our pupils about some of the options that will be available to them at the end of their GCSE courses. This assembly informed us about the new T-Level qualifications that are being offered by colleges nationally in vocational education which also include a large work placement. The college visitors also explained to our pupils how apprenticeships worked and what types of jobs these can lead to in the future, as well as showing examples of the apprenticeship courses that the college offers. Pupils were shown case study videos from current students on both apprenticeship and T-Level courses to find out more about the courses and what they could expect. Walsall college will be back later in the year to attend our careers fair and will be able to talk to pupils on a on to one basis if they have any questions.

We took part in the National Careers Week recently in the academy, thinking about how we raise our aspirations and have more confidence in ourselves and our skills and how being better at doing this will lead to better opportunities in our future careers. Students in years 7-10 took part in assemblies, form time activities and a PSHE with this focus throughout the week. Staff also got involved by filling in posters to put on classroom and office doors telling students what other jobs they had done before working in our school and the skills they learned whilst doing them. Some of these included being a pizza maker, cabin crew and even a Christmas elf….

We are excited to launch our brand new Careers Guidance Pupil Hub.

Pupils need to be prepared for the evolving working world and so, at the heart of our Careers Programme, is a focus on building up essential lifelong employability skills.

Visit our new website to access a wealth of careers guidance, designed to support both pupils and parents.

With our brand new resources, you can…

• Choose a subject you love and see where it might lead
• Explore your options for when you leave school
• Gain valuable advice on applying to university, apprenticeships and jobs
• Practice your interview skills
• Discover alternative options like gap years or starting your own business

www.matrixacademytrust.co.uk/careers

A huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 pupils on your results. You should all be so proud of yourselves!

On Thursday morning, around 115 Year 9 and 10 pupils received a talk from representatives of the police force. Cadets were also invited to attend. We had Joe, Brian and Andy (PCSOs) along with Stacey and Liam (Criminologists) visiting the academy. The pupils heard about how each came to be in the job role they are in which was great to hear just before Year 9 pupils attended Options Evening later that day.

Andy spoke about some time he spent as a Prison Officer at HMP Oakwood which the pupils found interesting. We had some excellent questions from pupils that Andy answered – most were interested about the day in the life of a Prison Officer and a prisoner.

Later on, the visitors made their way up to the Sixth Form block to speak to current Criminology students. We had some very in-depth discussions about how important it is to consider mental health when dealing with potential suspects as well as rehabilitation options that the Prison Service currently offers.

The representatives of the police force spoke very highly of our pupils and said they were pleasantly surprised by how much information about the Criminal Justice System our Criminologists knew.

The application process to become a Bloxwich Academy Prefect in 2020 is now open.

Applications are due by Friday 13th March 2020.

Have you got what it takes?

• Are you a leader?
• Are you patient with younger pupils?
• Can you listen to others?

What does the role entail?

• Working closely with Heads of House
• Supporting the Leadership Team
• Being involved in mentoring and supporting younger pupils
• Giving up your own time to support others
• Supporting Parent Evenings, younger form groups and Y6 New Intake Day

How do I apply?

• Write a letter of application (no more than one side of A4), to include: A personal history of your life at Bloxwich academy, including anyway you have contributed positively in school, your ideas on the role of a Prefect and the personal qualities you think Prefects need.

• Include the name of a teacher who will agree that they believe you are able to be responsible and trustworthy.  The teacher must be asked if they will be a referee for you and place their name in your letter.

• The letter should be placed in an envelope and handed into the House offices for the attention of your Head of House by 3pm Friday 13^th March  2020 and labelled with your name and form group.

What is in it for me?

• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Something of real worth to write about when you apply for College or University.
• 2 days of high-quality training.