Spencer Times
Transcript of Spencer Times
www.george-spencer.notts.sch.uk
Publisher: Miss R Kettle
Click here for all extra-curricular
clubs. Created by Hannah Dickinson
Spencer
Times
Library News – P6-7
Volume 1: Issue 3 15th July 2019
The Editors Meet the student newspaper team.
P1
Hannah Dickinson, Yr10
I enjoy food and watching TV shows.
I’m in 10CSP and I am taking
Business Studies, History and
Creative Media for GCSE.
Elliot Fox, Yr9
I’m Elliot and I, like you, do not enjoy writing
loads. However, I get great satisfaction out
of finishing a large piece of writing, which
overshadows the effort put in hugely. This is
why I take great pleasure in writing on this
newsletter.
Niambh Barrowcliffe, Yr9
I enjoy writing in my free time. I have
a passion for learning languages and I
hope to be able to learn as many
languages as I can. I am currently
studying Korean and Thai.
Lily May, Yr10
Hi my name is Lily, I’m in year 10 and I
am passionate about graphic design
and art.
Alyssa Moore, Yr9
I enjoy drama and English Literature at
school. Outside of school, I am currently
rehearsing for two drama performances.
I enjoy reading and my favourite book is
Fangirl by Rainbow Kowell.
Maisy Taylor, Yr9
I enjoy Art, English, Spanish and PE. I
love learning new languages and
cultures. My favourite quote is ‘The
stars can’t shine bright without
darkness’.
Gracie Fedezsyen, Yr9
I spend most of my time
with my nose in a book
while listening to music
through my speakers. When
I feel inspired, I enjoy
writing short stories and
articles for the school paper.
Maddison Cartwright, Yr8
Some of my hobbies are to
chill and listen to music,
writing and hanging out
with my friends.
Graduation is a fantastic day to showcase students’ success. At the start of the year,
all students had the challenge of completing 10 pledges for each letter of the word
Graduation. They also had the opportunity to achieve Gold Graduation where they
had to pick 4 different pledges to complete.
Well done to all those that Graduated!
G – Generate donations for a charity
R – Research a career you are interested in
A - Ambassador
D – Completing your Bronze award for iDEA
U – Understand your place as a global citizen
A – Achieve in English (6 pledges)
P2
T – Travel with school
I - Independence
O – Organise and deliver a presentation to your class
N – Numeracy challenge
Y8 GRADUATION
SPORTING
HIGHLIGHTS P4
Year 7 Boys Football
In horrendous conditions, the boys played some superb
football to be crowned county champions. The boys have done
tremendously well over the season and really improved having
lost their first ever game 4-3.
Goal scorers were Ben (2), Christian with screamer from 20
yards in off the bar and Luke.
GSA were 2 nil up at half-time. It could have been 4 or 5 goals,
but for the fantastic Kimberley goalkeeper, who made some
brilliant fingertip saves.
Kimberley came out better in the second half, but the team
defended well and Ben scored again to settle any nerves. Luke
made it 4-0 with around 15 minutes to go (only 30-minute
halves). A tap in at the far post after a great run and pass by
Anri.
We were all completely soaked and freezing, getting back to
school for around 6:45pm, but it was worth it.
The squad now play in a champion of champion’s tournament
at St. George's Park, Burton on Saturday 6th July, having won
the Butlins, Skegness tournament.
Butlins Skegness Football Trip
This year was the 13th
consecutive year that students competed
in Butlins football tournament. All players had a great time and
we had some great success too. All players went up on stage for
the presentation and received an award. They got to meet Faye
White (Ex England Footballer and Captain).
South Notts Cup Champions!
After a successful tournament, the Year 9 football team
qualified for the finals against Toothill School. Having
lost previously against Toothill in two previous finals
they were determined to not lose again. They played
exceptionally well, working well as a team and beat
Toothill 2-1 after extra time. Well done to all the boys
on becoming South Notts Champions!
Cricket
The GSA Year 7 and 8 cricket teams both won their
respective groups and reached the semi-final of the
county cup but were ultimately knocked out by a very
good Notts High School team.
Previous matches
Year 7 beat Hall Park Academy 98 runs
Y8 cricket team beat Alderman White by 16 runs last
night.
Doubles Cricket format (16 overs paired innings)
Fin (4 overs for 30 runs – 2 wickets)
Matty (4 overs for 12 runs – 3 wickets)
Olivia (4 overs for 13 runs – 2 wickets)
James
Jacob
Sam
Dom
Danial (4 overs for 18 runs – 4 wickets)
P3
Year 7 Girls Basketball
Are now County Champions as they won the
county tournament on Thursday 6th
June.
Athletics County Finals
A number of students represented George Spencer
Academy at the Broxtowe Athletics Competition.
More than 20 students qualified
County results and qualifiers for the National
Finals.
Samuel came 2nd in 800m
Matt came 2nd
in discus
Year 8 Boccia
The following students competed at the
Nottinghamshire school games in the Boccia
tournament. The team have only played boccia on
one occasion so did incredibly well by winning
their pool, going into the play offs and achieving 4th
place overall. They played brilliantly as a team,
communicated well and remained focused
throughout the competition. Well done to Drew,
Oliver, Kelsey and Kane.
Year 8/9 Rounders Bronze Medalists
The year 8/9 girls’ rounders team represented
Broxtowe at the County Summer Games. The girls
played incredibly well with lots of rounders won
throughout their matches. With a tough semi-final
with 1 rounder difference, the girls took home
third place making them County Bronze Medalists.
Massive well done to you all!
Year 7 Girls Futsal
The girls’ futsal team got through to the semi-finals in
the futsal competition. They beat Ashfield 5-2,
Brunts 13-0. Well done girls.
Despite them making it through to the finals, the girls
narrowly lost 2-1. They played outstanding
throughout the whole tournament, receiving a lot of
praise from the opposition and officials.
Well done Nyree, Grace, Destiny, Isla-May and
Lucy.
U19 Boys Football
U19 boys’ football team won their semi-final match
against Carlton Le Willows at the start of the school
term. The game finished 1-1 but George spencer won
the penalty shoot out 4-3. They got through to the
finals against West Bridgford. They played brilliantly
and won the finals 2-1, crowning them champions of
the South Notts Cup.
Congratulations to the team: Ethan Warner (goal
scorer), James Brett (goal scorer), Elliot Ridley, Joe
Relton, Matt Hyde (GK), Aaron Ridley, Joe Bandoo,
Sam Parker, Liam Woodward, Oscar Barnett-
Connolly (Capt), Ben Hudson, Jarratt Hobday,
Bradley Jenkins and Bailey Davenport-Brown.
Year 7/8 Girls Football
The girls have played brilliantly this year as they
made it through to the semi-finals of a cup
competition. They competed against Arnold Hill
away. It was a fantastic game with great play from
both teams. GSA were drawing at full time but
unfortunately lost 5-4 in extra time. Well done to the
following girls: Nyree, Lucia, Ella-Grace, Sophie,
Grace, Destiny, Kayden, Sienna, Lucy, Isla-May,
Olivia and Libby.
SPORTING
HIGHLIGHTS P4
What has been happening
this term?
Well done to 7ML/WH who
had their tutor group breakfast
in the library as their reward
for the Reading
Challenge/Library Award.
Library Events: What is coming up next?
End of Year Library Celebration: Friday 19th July 2019. Invite only!
Editor: Alyssa Moore
Library News P6
Library Squad
During June, the library decided to seek out pupils who
enjoy reading for pleasure to help out at the library as a part
of ‘Library Squad’. This was done via an application form
that pupils had to collect from the library.
They could apply for one of two positions: student librarian
or book pusher. A student librarian is involved in
maintaining the library itself, while a book pusher will focus
more on promoting the library and reading for pleasure.
Both positions require students to support the aims of the
library in school, make a valuable contribution to the life of
the school, help develop the library and the services it
offers, help the library staff provide the best library service
they can, make a difference to other students’ learning and
to act as a role model for other students.
Either position will improve communication and problem
solving skills, team working skills, responsibility and the
ability to think on your feet. As well as this, these skills will
be useful for applying for jobs in the future.
After the window for applications closed on the 14th June,
shortlisted applicants were invited to partake in a ten
minute interview and then from there the successful
applicants attended a training session and took up their
posts for summer term.
Quote of the term:
“If one cannot enjoy
reading a book over and
over again, there is no
use in reading it at all.”
― Oscar Wilde
.
Library News
NEW YEAR. NEW LOOK!
From September, you will be able to use
Libresoft (new library management
system) to do the following:
Review and reserve books
Search the library catalogue to see
what is available
View your own reading records
Rate and review books that you
have read
What else has been happening this
academic year?
All Years
Brilliant Book Award Group:
January – March 2019
Harry Potter Book Night:
Thursday 7th February 2019
World Book Day: Thursday 7th
March 2019
Year 8 Read for Good:
November 2018.
Author Visit by Joseph Delaney
for Year 7: December 3rd 2018
Christmas Half-Price Book Fair:
12-18 December 2018
P7
Numeracy Challenge PHEW
TAKESHI’S EGGS
RESULTS PHALF!
1st Place: 7GSH
2nd Place: 7COT
3rd Place: 7GG
4th Place: 7ML/WH
5th Place: 7JGR
TAKESHI’S EGGS
RESULTS SHALF!
1st Place: 7SCO
2nd Place: 7BWL
3rd Place: 7SC
4th Place: 7JTI
5th Place: 7VA
P8
Every year we have two challenges days at the end of June before Spencer Time. These two days are known as
PHEW days and stand for Physical, Health. During these two days, each year group has the opportunity to either go
on a school trip, take part in sporting activities, educational talks and coursework opportunities.
Year 7
Takeshi’s eggs, sporting
activities and
educational talks
Year 8
Twycross Zoo, sporting
activities and
educational talks.
Year 9
Sporting activities and
educational talks.
Year 10
Alton Towers
Sex and Drugs
Year 7
Camp
PARS Rewards Trip to
Red Kangaroo
Trampoline Park
Year 11 GCSE Exams
All Year 11 students have finished their GCSE exams. Well done
to all and good luck for your results!
They also had their levers assembly on Tuesday 25th
June to
celebrate their time here at George Spencer Academy. Each
learning manager put together a presentation for their form to say
farewell.
Year 11 Leavers Prom!
Year 10 Events
Mock exams took place in June
Alton Towers Trip
Year 8
Graduation was held on Monday 24th
June followed by their graduation party
that evening. This was to celebrate their
achievements of completing their pledges
throughout the year and celebrating their
year before they move up to Year 9.
Year 13 Leavers Ball
P9
Year 9 Club Correze
In June, the time came for Year 9s to head to Meymac, France for the annual Club Correze trip. This trip gets
oversubscribed every year and everyone that goes thoroughly enjoys it! This year, almost half the Year 9 cohort went
on this trip and took part in various adventurous activities, with some students stepping outside of their comfort zone.
Activities included: high ropes, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, rifle shooting, archery, discos,
bbqs, orienteering and much much more!
Year Group News P9
SENECA
A revision and homework platform making studying more fun. Seneca
is an interactive way to learn official course content. Their web app
covers 150+ exam board specific courses condensing what students
need to know for their exams. The software is able to identify gaps in
learning. For instance, when you get a question wrong, the platform
will repeat the topic in different formats and their mart algorithm has
proven to make students remember topics 2x faster. Seneca is totally
free.
Sign up here if you haven’t already: www.senecalearning.com
‘Stay positive, work hard, make it happen’
Revision P10
Ethics Corner
Climate Crisis
Climate crisis is one of the world’s biggest problems right now and we need to start helping out Mother
Nature. Now I am not saying we all need to go vegan, go zero waste and bike to school, but we do however,
need to start taking responsibility for our actions.
According to recent reports, we have until 2030 until we cannot reverse climate crisis so unfortunately, we
have to start now because who knows, tomorrow could be too late.
The effects of climate change are not just harming that polar bear on a melting ice cap they are affecting us
too and the small things around us that can drastically affect our future and the human species in general.
In the near future, sea levels are expecting to rise by 32 inches. Storms and hurricanes could get stronger as
well as droughts and floods becoming a lot more common. Freshwater will also be less available.
If global temperature rises, an extra 2°c can lead to storming and flooding, especially in coastal areas. Seas
will become more acidic, therefore more coral will die, and food chains are corrupted. However, if the
temperature rises above 2°c rainforests start dying, dramatic sea level rises and a possibility of widespread
species loss.
However, you could be wondering what is causing such drastic changes to our climate and questioning why
these things are happening. The releasing of CO2 has severely gone up with the industrial revolution,
therefore, burning a lot more fossil fuels. In addition, with advancing technology, the energy demand is
going up and companies are refusing to switch to a greener energy source (because it is less reliable) which
is greatly affecting our environment. Deforestation is also a factor to climate change, especially since
deforestation is sometimes done to build farms, which produce cattle, therefore, adding to the CO2 levels
with the methane gas that is produced.
There are some ways we can help climate change:
Stop using single-use items such as plastic bags, plastic straws, single-use cutlery, and other objects
made out of materials such as those.
Begin purchasing 1 or 2 reusable bags or canvas bags.
Buy metal straws or reusable ones.
Anything you can do to better our world will help.
Editor: Gracie Fedezsyen
P11