Yesterday afternoon saw the team travel to Sutton Coldfield to play a competitive game against a good Academy side.

The game started well and within 8 mins we had worked the ball out well to the left hand side of the pitch, F.Williams made a run from central midfield and delivered a pinpoint cross to K.Perry who provided a classy but yet calm finish to put us in front, 1-0.

Without the ball we continued to work hard and made it difficult for the opposition to play. But, in the 22^nd minute they managed to work the ball centrally and created an opportunity for their forward to finish, J.Gyan-Baffour rushed out to close the space, the forward went over and a penalty was given, 1-1.

Half time 1-1

It was important that we started well in the second half, unfortunately, we didn’t and within 15 minutes we found ourselves 5-1 down!

As the half went on we got better in possession and started to find passes in central areas, this allowed us to work the ball out to wide areas were we looked dangerous when attacking. Half way through the half and we continued to press without the ball, M.Kaba chased down a back pass to their goalkeeper, forced an error and scored, 5-2.

We continued to push forward and with 10 mins left were awarded a penalty, this could get us back in the game and really put the opposition under pressure. K.Perry had the confidence to take the penalty but their GK pulled off a fantastic save low into the bottom corner.

Full time – Lost 5-2

Goals

K.Perry – 1

M.Kaba – 1

Player of the Game – J.Gyan-Baffour. A fantastic performance in goal, saving one penalty.

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

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

Visit https://matrixcareersguide.co.uk/

It was 1 hour 15 to get to our destination which was Leek Town Football Club. A fantastic venue to play a football match but the trip had taken its toll on the players legs.

After being forced to complete a 5 min warm up before the game began, we found it hard within the first 15 mins. Stoke were pushing us further back and scored from a resulting corner. Within 5 mins we conceded another, 2-0 down.

It was becoming evident that our midfield 2 were struggling against their extra man in midfield but before we could change they scored a third, 3-0 down after 25mins.

We now faced an up hill battle, did the players have the belief and the determination to succeed?

We changed from a 1-4-4-2 to a 1-4-5-1 out of possession but in transition would change to a 1-4-3-3, playing quickly when attacking. It was this tactic that helped when we won the ball back, P. Nsoah dribbled inside from the right, he looked to switch the ball which found K. Perry making a run through, with precision he struck the ball into the bottom corner, 3-1!

Half time 1-3

We spoke at half time the importance of doing our correct jobs and staying with players when defending. The team did just that and looked much better when not in possession.

When on the attack F. Williams got fouled due to his fantastic quick feet. K. Perry took the resulting free kick, struck with curling venom he hit the bar! A.Jones followed this in and put the ball into the back of the net!! 3-2! Was the come back on? 

After pushing Stoke back we won another corner. Miss Knight organised from the side as Mondays practice focused on 3 attacking corners. The team set up in a line on the edge of the area, K.Perry took an in swinging corner, M. Oginni rose like Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Junventus, and provided a bullet header into the back of the net!!! 3-3!

Just when we fought we could get a winner we didn’t clear the ball and they scored, 4-3 down.

With 15 minutes left we changed formation and played 3 at the back, we now had the bit between our teeth. 

On the attack we won another free kick, K.Perry stepped up and slammed it against the bar, K. Ampofu, now playing wide midfield, scored from the rebound! 4-4!

With 5 minutes left we were pressing for the winner, M. Oginni went down with cramp and had to come off. Whilst walking round the pitch with him, Miss Knight orchestrated another attacking corner. It got half cleared, F. Williams got on the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside and stuck it hard low into the corner with his right foot! The crowd went wild! 5-4!!

With 5 mins left, we dropped back into a back 4, K. Perry playing left back and then centre half, we cleared all balls deep into the oppositions half. We stayed compact and were determined to see the game through. A great team performance.

Full time – 5-4!

Just like Man Utd Vs Liverpool, we believed in ourselves and took our chances, what a win!!

Everybody played brilliantly but in particular we had stand out performances from A. Kielczewski, J.Opoku, M. Oginni.

However, K. Perry with 1 goal and 3 assists gets this weeks MVP.

Goals

K.Perry – 1

M. Kaba – 1

A.Jones – 1

K.Ampofu – 1

F.Williams – 1

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