This term 91 pupils have taken part in the Artstart Project. They had the opportunity to learn from Motionhouse Theatre Company in workshops lead by performers as well as watching their performance of WILD. Pupils then created their own piece based on what they had learnt to perform in front of an audience. We are immensely proud of what 7T1, 7W1, 9A, 9B and 9C dancers created and their confidence to get up and perform after so long off stage. We can’t wait to see what these groups do in Performing Arts in the future.

In November, our Year 11 English Literature pupils had the pleasure to watch Blood Brothers on Stage at the Hippodrome. Pupils had the true experience of being an active audience, enabling them to appreciate the musicality and craft behind the stage production. All pupils reflected positively on this experience, taking away key ideas regarding social inequality and injustice in society.

Since the start of the academic year, Year 10’s have indulged in a modern-prose play ‘Blood Brothers’ set in Liverpool in the 1970s. They’ve explored the plot and the dynamics of characters such as Mickey and Edward and how the author conveys them, as well as other characters in the play. They’ve gone back in time to explore how the social and political issues affected the path the two brothers took; eventually leading to their demise.

Year 9 pupils took part in the Walsall Arts for All programme, and, along with other pupils, have been working with a professional artist to create an original artwork around the theme of community cohesion and celebrating cultures.

Fourteen Walsall schools have been involved in this programme, and the participating pupils from each school were invited to attend a private exhibition of all the artworks at Darlaston Town Hall, before they are installed back at their respective schools.

Pupils were excited to finally see their hard work showcased and were honoured to open the exhibition to the public.

We will be serving up our annual Christmas dinner on Wednesday 15th December 2021

Main Course

• Roast Turkey/Roast Pork/Roast Beef with honey and mustard
• Roast Carrots
• Roast Parsnips
• Stuffing
• Roast Potatoes
• Cauliflower Cheese
• Sprouts
• Yorkshire Pudding
• Vegetarian Option
• Quorn Roast served with the above vegetables

Dessert

• Christmas Pudding and Custard
• Chocolate Fudge Cake and Cream

The final week of term saw Bloxwich open their doors to the Scholastic Book Fair as a chance to inspire reading for pleasure among our pupils. The book fair allowed pupils to browse and purchase titles from award-winning authors and see the range of genres and styles in writing. The fair as buzzing every day, with pupils eager to extend their book collection. Remember- reading at home is one of the best things you can possibly do!

Year 7 have spent their first half term studying gothic fiction and to celebrate, gothic the department dressed up as famous literary gothic characters and decorating their classrooms – a fantastic effort team English!

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day on 10th October is ‘mental health in an unequal world’, asking us to think about the issues that cause mental health inequality both locally and globally.

Stigma and discrimination towards those with mental health issues is one key reason for these inequalities.

Almost 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems say that the stigma surrounding mental health has a negative impact on their education, work and personal lives.

The stigma around mental health can make it more difficult for those having difficulties to seek help.

To raise awareness of World Mental Health at Bloxwich Academy, the pupils completed various form-time activities and the whole school took part in a virtual assembly presented by Sandra Vaughan, who is the chief executive of Black Country Mental Health. Sandra explained what Mental Health and the different forms of mental health as well as what the theme for this year called Unequal World meant to our pupils. The pupils asked a wide range of questions throughout the session, so they could improve their understanding of Mental Health. Our Academy, is following up this assembly by training peer supporters and we sold doughnuts at break time to raise money for Black Country Mental Health to help them continue their work in our local area.

On Wednesday 6th October, 30 Year 11 pupils attended The University of Wolverhampton’s Campus Experience Day organised by ‘Aspire to HE’.

During this visit, pupils completed a workshop looking at making informed decisions. This was an interactive and engaging session that helped the pupils to understand why it is important to make informed decisions and what process they can follow to make the right decisions for them. Pupils left this session feeling enthused, positive and prepared to step outside of their comfort zone and tackle each decision they may encounter.