As part of this curriculum, we are looking at pupils’ safety online and how they can protect themselves when using social media. On Monday 19^th and Tuesday 20^th February 2024, pupils experienced a fantastic performance and interactive assembly promoting pupils’ safety online, security settings and the dangers of artificial intelligence and the creation of false online profiles and enhanced characters. They were also educated on the laws surrounding taking inappropriate photographs, sending to others and the distribution without consent.

Consent was a topic covered in the performance and the right of pupils to say no, but also the option to withdraw consent at any time. The final section of the performance focused on algorithms and how social media and the internet focuses on their searches and how this can be a concern where similar images and posts creating an echo chamber where they are at times surrounded by harmful views.

Pupils were given strategies to stay safe and protect themselves online. Pupils were reminded that “We are a Telling School” and to report any concerns or to ask any questions to staff members in school including form tutors, teaching staff, Head of House and Leadership.

CALLING ALL BLOXWICH ACADEMY ALUMNI

If you’re a former student of Bloxwich Academy, we want to hear from you!

Your experiences since leaving could help to motivate and inspire our current students to feel more confident in making decisions about their future. We’d love you to join our Alumni Network and stay connected with the school.

We’ve partnered with the national education charity Future First, who specialise in helping schools like ours to stay connected with their former students. 

You can choose how and when you help – perhaps you can act as a career and education role model, provide work experience or become a mentor in person or online.

To sign up, just follow this link and fill in the online form – we promise it will only take a couple of minutes

https://www.futurefirsthub.org.uk/register/bloxwich-academy

We look forward to hearing from you.

We knew this would be a tough game as we faced an unbeaten team in the league and a team we lost 6-0 to away from home.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get off to the best of starts as they scored within 5 seconds of the kick off! They set the ball back and drilled a shot into the top corner of our net, 1-0. This, however, didn’t sway our concentration and determination to give a good account of ourselves. Within 5 minutes we found ourselves level.

An excellent ball out from the back allowed J. Bloomer to attack their left back at pace. He managed to get to the byline and produced a cross that just evaded M. Kaba at the front post. But A. Jones, just like a young Paul Scholes, timed his run to the back post with perfection. He controlled the ball, sat his defender down and rifled the ball past the keeper! 1-1!

The team focused on what had been asked of them tactically and produced some excellent defensive work which frustrated the visitors. C. Hitchcock was outstanding in his individual duels alongside M. Oginni who looked dominant in the air, as well as being composed when driving out from the back with the ball.

We grew into the game and started to create opportunities through some excellent link up play in midfield. With 43 minutes on the clock we won the ball again in midfield. K. Perry slid a ball through to J.Bloomer who was 1v1 with the goalkeeper but the keeper made a fine save to deny us the opportunity to go into the lead.

Half Time – 1-1

The second half saw the visitors come out more aggressively but we continued to match them in all areas of the pitch. They were clearly rattled by our improvement in performance. Again, we created opportunities from long throw ins and corners but just didn’t get the roll of the ball in order to get a clear strike on goal. It was the visitors who scored two goals in quick succession which gave them a little more confidence and control of the game. And, when they scored from a free-kick to make it 4-1, we still didn’t let our heads drop, which was brilliant to see.

Full Time – 4-1

The performance from the team showed how much improvement they have made both individually and collectively. They represented the Academy fantastically well. There were 2 debuts from J. Gyan-Baffour and M.Lloyd who I thought did brilliantly when they came on.

We now have a most valuable player (MVP) not Man of the Match, due to our new recruit in M.Lloyd.

MVP – A.Jones

Goals – A.Jones – 1

Assists – J.Bloomer – 1

Many thanks to the staff and sixth form that came out to support the team this afternoon.

Today, 210 cadets & staff from our schools visited the National Memorial Arboretum as part of their historical and social enrichment package within the Combined Cadet Force. 

Thank fully the weather was clear and all of our cadets enjoyed learning about the various monuments situated around the grounds. 

We would like to thank members of the Wales & West CCF Test Team for supporting the visit, and the staff of the National Memorial Arboretum for hosting such a large group of us.

As part of this curriculum, we are looking at pupils’ safety online and how they can protect themselves when using social media. From Monday 5^th February, pupils experienced assemblies and completed work during form time to ensure pupils are equipped with the knowledge to keep themselves self and what to do if they are concerned. Pupils were encouraged to see the positive uses of the internet, but also the dangers associated with it including false news, social media and privacy settings and adding unknown individuals to their friends lists. Pupils were given strategies as to how to keep their profiles hidden and where to find the report button on different apps. Pupils have been reminded that “We are a Telling School” and should they have any concerns to report this to any staff member so they can receive the support they require.

Embark on a thrilling journey into the world of STEM with the Engineering Development Trust’s Routes into STEM Virtual Experience 2023/24! Designed exclusively for Year 9 and 10 pupils, this immersive program opens doors to the captivating realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics from the comfort of your classroom. Through engaging virtual experiences, students will explore cutting-edge concepts, witness real-world applications, and interact with industry professionals, igniting their passion for STEM disciplines.

Joining Routes into STEM provides students with a unique opportunity to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical insights, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The expertly curated sessions offer a glimpse into the exciting future of STEM careers, inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders. Don’t miss out on this chance to fuel curiosity, spark creativity, and set the course for a promising future in STEM.

Speak to Mr Lowe for more information.

Thirty-four Non-Commissioned Officers from Barr Beacon School, Bloxwich Academy, Etone College, and Wednesfield Academy attended their Method of Instruction course held at Barr Beacon School over the weekend. 

The cadets learnt how to structure and deliver instructional sessions to their fellow cadets using syllabus training subjects as a basis. Each of them then had to plan and deliver two instructional periods which were assessed by the staff during the weekend. 

By the end of the weekend all of the cadets had earned the right to wear the coveted yellow lanyard and begin instructing within their contingents. Well done to all of the cadets who attended the course.

Our chair of trustees Sir Mark Aspinall has been invited to have his photograph taken to be placed in the Victoria Law court in Birmingham. Sir Mark has over 20 years’ experience in Law across banking, financial, media, NHS, Government and FTSE corporate sector and is currently a Judge and a Governor of a local authority Primary School.

We would like to take this opportunity to see your very best photography work and give you the opportunity to have your work hung in the law court for years to come. See below details on how to get involved with our Matrix photography competition.

Submission Criteria. You can submit up to three portrait style images, each image can be of the same or a different subject. Your images should be saved in jpeg format. Images should not be altered or edited, we want to see your original photograph. Cropping is allowed. Images should be sent with your full name, form group, school name and a short write up to explain your style of image. Submit your images to photography@matrixacademytrust.co.uk

Submission Deadline: Sunday 18th February 2024. Speak to your media/creative arts teacher for help and guidance.

What is Portrait Photography? Portrait photography is best defined as a genre of photography that involves capturing the identity, personality, facial expression, soul, emotions, essence, and the overall inherent character of a subject within a photograph.

Prize. The winning submission will be chosen by Sir Mark Aspinall and Mrs Draycott. The winner will receive £150 and the opportunity to take the commissioned image in Victoria Law Court in Birmingham. The winners photograph of Sir Mark Aspinall will be proudly hung in the court. The oldest image currently hanging in the court currently is over 180 year olds. This is a chance to take a photograph that will be seen in court for many years to come.

Walsall family Hubs services provides a wealth of support opportunities in the local borough. If you would like more information on the services they provide, ranging from emotion and anxiety workshops, infant feeding, dad network groups and many more, please see the booklet and visit their website: Walsall Family Hubs.