Heywood Academy Blog - 19.6.26

We have had a fabulous week at Heywood Academy. As the weather has turned a little warmer, we’ve been able to make much more use of our outdoor spaces, with students enjoying time back on the play gym and MUGA. Football fever has certainly taken hold, with lots of enthusiastic matches taking place throughout the week! We rounded things off with our chess team representing us at a tournament at North Chadderton High School. Having earned their place through a rigorously fought in school competition, they impressed us with their skill and determination on the day. In assembly, we explored the important link between careers and online presence, helping students to understand the lasting impact their digital footprint can have when future employers are making decisions. As always, we finished the week by celebrating the many successes across the school, recognising our weekly ‘Star of the Week’ and all the brilliance shown by our students. 

Ms Zobenica's Weekly Update 

All students have made positive progress in their Athletics unit in PE this week, demonstrating great determination and a strong commitment to improving their performance scores. 

In Outdoor Education, classes have visited Hollingworth Lake Sensory Garden. Year 7 explored the different plant species and wildlife, working collaboratively in pairs to create artwork inspired by their observations. Meanwhile, Year 8 and Year 9 continued developing their orienteering skills, with a focus on directions. They worked effectively as teams to read maps and successfully locate checkpoints.

Ms Crossley's Weekly Update  

Year 7 have been thoroughly enjoying their work inspired by our class novel Game Over: Rise of the Raid Mob. This week, students designed and built their own original characters using LEGO, thinking carefully about appearance, personality and unique traits. They then brought these characters to life using AI to insert the characters into a video game scenario. Following this, they will then use hone their descriptive writing skills by describing their characters in detail. Attached are some photos of what they created.  

Year 8 have now completed their study of The Lottery. They produced some thoughtful and insightful work analysing Shirley Jackson’s use of pathetic fallacy to create mood and tension. Students also explored the circular structure of the story, recognising how the ending mirrors the beginning to reinforce its unsettling message. It has been fantastic to see students engaging deeply with both language and structure in their responses. 

Year 9 have been taking a more visual approach to their study of 1984. They have been creating collages inspired by the opening of the novel, using imagery to explore key themes such as surveillance and propaganda. This creative task has supported students in visualising abstract ideas and has helped deepen their understanding of Orwell’s message right from the very start of the text.

Ms Nicholson’s Weekly Update 

It’s been a wonderfully busy week across Creative Arts, with students demonstrating creativity, skill, and enthusiasm in a range of subjects. 

In Year 9, students have been exploring the lunar landing, applying their knowledge to design and begin constructing their own lunar landers. They have been investigating material strength and insulation, thinking carefully about how to protect their designs in extreme conditions. 

Our Year 8 Art students have embraced a hands-on approach, creating pottery inspired by African art. There has certainly been plenty of creativity – and clay – as students experimented with textures and forms. 

In Year 7 IT, students took part in a calming photography project, capturing images that represent what makes them feel relaxed. These thoughtful pieces are being prepared for submission to the upcoming photography competition in partnership with the Heywood Rotary Club. 

Meanwhile, in Year 9 Food Technology, students focused on food labelling. They thoroughly impressed with their understanding of allergens and can now confidently identify key nutritional information on food packaging. 

Finally, in Year 7 Music, students have been learning London Bridge on the keyboard. It has been fantastic to see their progress, with many now successfully playing using both hands together. 

Well done to all students for their hard work and creativity this week! 

Year 8 Celebration! 

We are incredibly proud of two of our Year 8 students who proudly brought in their medals this week after attending a football awards ceremony over the weekend. 

Their achievement is a wonderful reflection of the dedication, resilience, and passion they show both on and off the pitch. The hours of training, teamwork, and commitment they have put into their sport have paid off, and it was fantastic to celebrate this success with them in school. 

Mr Lord’s Weekly Update 

This week in Maths and Science, students across Key Stage 3 have been working incredibly hard to consolidate their learning and demonstrate their understanding at the end of their topics. 

In Maths, our Year 8 students have been bringing together their knowledge of circles, applying their understanding of circumference and area to tackle more complex problems. It has been great to see them confidently breaking down challenging shapes and using their skills in a practical and thoughtful way. 

Year 9 students have been wrapping up their probability topic, culminating in their end-of-unit assessments. They approached these with focus and determination, putting into practice everything they’ve learned over the past few weeks. 

In Science, our Year 7 students have been exploring the topic of reproduction, finishing with a fascinating look at reproduction in plants. This learning was brought to life during their joint outdoor education and science visit to the sensory garden at Hollingworth Lake, where they were able to observe a range of plants in a real-world setting before completing their end-of-unit assessment. 

Year 8 students have been delving into the world of genetics, learning about DNA and how chromosomes carry genetic information. This has been a challenging but rewarding topic, and students have shown great curiosity and engagement. 

Meanwhile, Year 9 students have been tackling the complex topic of chemical bonding. They have worked incredibly hard to understand some very tricky concepts, and this effort has paid off as students have completed their end-of-unit tests with some fantastic results. We are incredibly proud of the progress they have made. 

A brilliant week of learning across the school, well done to all students! 

Miss Grace’s Weekly Update  

This week, 7G have demonstrated fantastic focus and enthusiasm across all areas of their learning. 

In Science, pupils approached the topic of reproduction with impressive maturity and respect, showing a thoughtful understanding of the concepts and engaging in discussions with confidence. 

In English, the class continued reading The Angel Player, exploring the elements that make a strong and engaging story opening. Building on this, students produced three well-crafted paragraphs, showcasing their creativity and growing confidence in writing. 

Meanwhile, in Maths, 7G explored the properties of number, tackling challenges with determination and developing their problem-solving skills. 

Overall, it has been a brilliant week, with excellent effort and clear progress from everyone. Well done, 7G! 

 

Have a lovely weekend - fingers crossed for some sunshine!!