Our Year 11 students have been taking their final GCSE examinations during this week and there is a real sense of them having prepared themselves fully, along with the support of parents, guardians and staff to ensure that they achieve the success which they well deserve in August on results day.
Elsewhere, our focus is now also upon the Year 6 students in our feeder primary schools who will be joining the academy in September and we will be gearing up our transition process over the coming weeks. In the summer term the weeks go by so quickly and next week we now move into the final week of this half-term before the upcoming break.
In this latest edition of the blog we receive updates on our students who have visited a post 16 provider to meet former Sandhill View students on their current courses, where they received quality advice and guidance about their future choices. We see how our students prepared on a recent practice trek in advance of their World Challenge expedition to Belize next year. We discover how successful the recent visit to Sandhill View by a ‘Maths Magician’ was received by students in Key Stage 3 and we also once again celebrate the sporting success of our football teams who picked up the well-earned silverware at the Sunderland School’s Football Awards. We also meet our newest member of staff, Mrs Hills who has joined the Learning Support team.
As usual, there is also much, much more in this edition which showcases some of the many experiences and activities which Sandhill View students receive here in the academy every week.
I hope that you enjoy this edition of the blog.
Richard Carr Head of School
College Collective
A group of Year 11 students visited a post sixteen provider recently to learn more about the Directions Programme and meet the staff and students. Ex-students, Danielle Woodey and Julius Fanggo, delivered a presentation and answered questions about life at college. Sandhill View students had a fantastic time and now feel less nervous about their transition to college. They can't wait to start!
World Challenge Ready to Ramble
Students who are taking part in our World Challenge trip to Belize recently undertook a gruelling 11.5 mile hike through the local countryside as part of fundraising for their upcoming adventure. Team Belize showed stamina, discipline, motivation and courage during this walk to achieve their goal.
The team rambled through the stunning countryside on a very sunny day, visiting the Miners Memorial Garden on route and generally admiring the lakes and wildlife, Herrington Country Park has to offer. We achieved the tough ascent to Penshaw Monument where panoramic and spring colours, as far as the eye could see, were simply stunning. Climbing over styles, rambling through the beautifully smelling garlic glen and cascading paths. Even as they approached the finish line, the team were still in good spirits and continued to smile and cheer. A fantastic day, hopefully to be repeated in the summer!
Mathematic Magic
Last week we welcomed 'The Maths Magician' who came into school to deliver workshops to a selection of pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9. The fun and interactive sessions gave pupils the chance to learn some numerical tricks, solve puzzles and have an insight into the seeming magical properties that a little bit a mathematical trickery can throw up. All pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the sessions.
Girls Football Squad Get the Glory Again
Well done to our Under 16 girls five-a-side football team who collected their league title at Sunderland Schools Football Association Awards Evening. Since our last edition of the blog our girls once again had a fantastic season, proving themselves formidable opponents against the other schools in the city. SAFC players Ethan Robson and Ovie Ejaria were there to present the team with their awards. Well done!
SHV Numeracy Puzzler
As part of our Numeracy initiatives at the Academy, we are giving you the chance to test out your own mathematical skill by challenging yourself to our Numeracy Puzzler Challenge. The conundrums can be found below. Participants who have managed to solve all five problems correctly will be entered into a prize draw! To enter click the button at the end of this article and fill in the form on our Academy website.
My favourite invention is the camera phone because it creates artists out of all of us. It allows us to capture and share adventures, ideas and memories with people close to us and with people all over the world at the click of a button with something that we all have with us every day.
My favourite childhood book was ‘Ruthless Romans’ from the ‘Horrible Histories’ series of books. I enjoyed learning about the methods of the early Roman civilisations in a less formal way than reading the usual textbook, and at a primary age these books allowed younger children to immerse themselves in the workings of early civilisations!
What do you do at Sandhill View? I work in the SEN department as a Learning Support Assistant
Who was your favourite teacher at school and why? My favourite teacher was Mrs Maine who taught PE , I was very shy in school and she taught me how to be more confident and to believe in myself.
What do you like to do in your spare time? I love my garden and spend most of my spare time pottering about outside.
Who is your favourite musical artist or band? I love Motown and Northern Soul music.
What's the best thing about Sandhill View? I have to say the pupils, there is a huge range of characters who make me laugh every day, also the staff have made me feel very welcome.
What's the one thing you could never be without? My family, and my three cats. Sophie is nineteen and is a grumpy old lady and I have two Ragdolls, Maisie and Molly that are one year old sisters.
