We hope last week’s SAT information evening was informative for parents and we were exceptionally pleased with the large number of parents and carers who attended – these tests are extremely important in tracking progress and attainment for our children as much as for the academy. We face lots of changes in this arena this year and I would like to express thanks to Mrs Guest and the Year 6 team for an excellent presentation.

The first of our two spring term parents’ evenings was held on Monday and this, too, was very well attended. I hope that as parents you were provided with the information required

to help motivate and support your children at home and that the time spent with teachers was useful. For those still wishing to book appointments, please remember that the next Parent Evening will be held on Wednesday 24th February from 4pm.

On a lighter note, our pupils have been engaged in a multitude of exciting activities: we have been delighted to hold a non-uniform day and cake sales to support cancer charities; Miss Badlan and pupils have been interviewing Redditch residents as part of a Heritage oral history project, in collaboration with the Jestaminute Community Theatre; Miss Lawrence has been cooking up a host of treats with Year 7 pupils in the final of our new ‘Chef of the Year’ competition; Year 5 pupils have ‘wowed out’ with African-inspired music, artwork and jewellery; mention has to go to our Year 7 & 8 basketball teams, who have shone in competition this week and finally, children have been able to let off steam in the Valentine Disco held last night. I would like to thank all the staff who have organised and supported these memorable opportunities for our children.

We are sorry to see Miss Knight leave us this week and we say goodbye, grateful for her work in the Science department and developing our Eco-Schools projects. Finally, I wish everybody a restful half-term break – who can believe we are this far through the term already?

S Bond

Important Dates

15th-19th Feb Spring Half Term

22nd Feb Y6 SATS Boosters start

24th Feb Parents Evening

26th-28th Feb Y5 Manor Trip

3rd Mar World Book Day

Dan Smith (author) Visit

14th Mar Y7 Trip to Bristol Science Centre

15th Mar Spring Concert and Art Exhibition

18th Mar Non-School Uniform for Sport

Relief (£1)

24th Mar Spring Term Ends

11th Apr Summer Term Begins

Attendance Attendance is very important to ensure pupils reach their full potential and is something that Woodfield monitors very closely.

Attendance for the week 01/02/16 - 05/02/16

Year 5 - 96.6% Year 6 - 94.7%

Year 7 - 95.3% Year 8 - 91.0%

Whole School - 94.6%

Whole School Target - 94.8%

Congratulations to 5IF who achieved 100%, the highest attendance this week.

Road Safety

We have been informed by concerned parents that some pupils are running into the road after school. Please remind your children about road safety and be aware when dropping off or collecting your children.

World Cancer Day

We raised a whopping £488.54 with our non-school uniform fundraiser for World Cancer Day! Thank you to everyone that supported and donated.

Woodfield Academy, Studley Road, Redditch, Worcs, B98 7HH. Tel: 01527 527081. Website: www.woodfield.worcs.sch.uk

Year 8 Chef of the Year 2016

On Tuesday 9th February, 8 students from Year 8 battled it out for the title of ‘Year 8 Chef of the Year 2016’.

The competition started in January when students were asked to sign up if they were interested in taking part. Due to a high level of interest, students were asked to design a 3 course menu inspired by a restaurant of their choice, as an ‘audition’ to take part in the competition. The final 11 were selected from these menus and students were invited to take part in after school workshops to help prepare them for the final of the competition. Unfortunately, 3 students were unable to take part in these workshops so our ‘final 11’ reduced to a final of 8 students.

On the day of the final, they each made their chosen 3 course meal during the first 3 lessons of the day and then laid the table, presenting their meals with homemade menus and props for the judges to enjoy.

Various members of staff took part in the judging of the competition including Mr Barnes, Mrs Shore, Miss Badlen, Miss Anslow, Mr Harley- Preller, Miss Lawrence, Miss Chapman & Miss Knight. We were also lucky enough to have a guest judge, Martin Mills, Deputy Manager of the New Tardebigge in Redditch (part of the ‘Fayre and Square’ chain). Meals were judged based on taste, creativity, presentation and suitability for their chosen restaurant.

The overall winner was Hollie Teasdale! Hollie created an especially creative meal of Waldorf salad served in a lettuce bowl (starter) followed by a Chilli con carne main served in a baked tortilla basket and for dessert she wowed the judges with an impressive Banoffee pie, which Miss Badlen and Mrs Shore happily scoffed their way through!

In second place was Darcy Lewis, who created a menu inspired by The Real China in Redditch. She made her own spring rolls as a starter with a homemade sweet and sour dipping sauce, followed by a chicken and vegetable stir fry and for dessert she served sweet banana-filled spring rolls.

In third place was James Haynes. He created a menu inspired by Jamie’s Italian restaurant. James used Jamie Oliver recipes throughout his menu. He made marinated chicken wings for his starter, followed by seasoned pork chops served with flavoured rustic mash. For his dessert, he created a chocolate tiffin, which Miss Lawrence could barely tear Mr Barnes away from!

Some of the prizes were kindly donated by Dunelm Mill in Worcester.

All of the students that took place did so well! They all created a course meal each, within the time limit and enthusiastically presented their work with energy and creativity. Fantastic work!

World Book Day 2016

Fans of the movie “Big Game” will be pleased to hear that Dan Smith, the author of the book ,will be visiting school on World Book Day 3rd March.

Dan will be sharing his writing tips with our pupils as well as talking about the many places he has lived that inspire his writing, including Sierra Leone, Sumatra, and Central Brazil.

Giving children the opportunity to meet an author has a huge impact on their reading habits, in many cases inspiring even the most reluctant reader to pick up a book. It is also a unique opportunity for them to have books signed and personally dedi-cated.

Dan’s books, including his latest “BOY X”, will be on sale throughout the day at discounted prices of £4 and £5. Pupils can also pre-order copies using order forms obtained from our school library. There is no obligation to buy books but we do want to alert you to this opportunity in order to avoid disappointment

We hope your child will benefit greatly from this visit.

http://www.dansmithsbooks.com/

Trailer for “Big Game” movie http://www.dansmithsbooks.com/biggame.html

Bloodwise Leukaemia research has changed its name to Bloodwise. This encompasses ALL cancers of the blood. Used postage stamps are being collected which are sent to Great Ormond Street to help raise funds for cancer patients there. Please hand any used postage stamps to your class teacher or Mrs Dufrane. Thank you.

Woodfield Academy, Studley Road, Redditch, Worcs, B98 7HH. Tel: 01527 527081. Website: www.woodfield.worcs.sch.uk

KS3 Boys Basketball Team Does Woodfield Proud

The KS3 boys basketball team have gone from strength to strength this season and have proved to many other schools how tactful and unified they can be after reaching a very competitive final at Redditch NEW College.

After beating Ridgeway 36 points to 23 in the semi final, Woodfield had developed great confidence and experience going into the final against Birchensale. The larger court meant that the boys had to work tirelessly and regular substitutions meant that there was a constant fast pace to the game. Birchensale started strongly in the first quarter testing the Woodfield defence, however a few late baskets in the end of the first quarter put Woodfield back in the game. The second quarter was equally competitive with both teams looking to attack quickly using a fast break/counter attack.

However, what really stole the show was how Woodfield clawed their way back into the third and fourth quarter trailing by only 5 baskets, a difference of 10 points. After a final full court press in the final quarter, the lads ran their socks off and gave Birchensale a real challenge. A proud and credited performance from both teams.

Final score, Birchensale 55 : 36 Woodfield

Man of the match - Max Cole (Woodfield)

Well done boys!

Mr I. Khawaja

Parent Surveys

A reminder for parents and carers to please complete our online survey questionnaires. Instructions how to access and complete the survey were sent home with pupils. If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, Mr Schofield is running drop-in sessions on the first Tuesday morning after half term to assist you.

Driveway

Due to a number of scrapes and near-misses, we respectfully request that parents do not use our drive-way and front car park as a drop-off point for children prior to the beginning of the school day. This request does not apply if there is a specific medical requirement to do so. Thank you.

Sainsburys Vouchers

The PE Department are collecting

Sainsburys Active Kids Vouchers.

If you shop at Sainsburys we would

be grateful of any vouchers that you could donate, a box will be put in Reception. Thank you.

Sports Relief

Advanced notice of our Sports Relief fancy dress 1 mile run on Friday 18th March.

Start thinking about those outfits!

Woodfield Academy, Studley Road, Redditch, Worcs, B98 7HH. Tel: 01527 527081. Website: www.woodfield.worcs.sch.uk

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