Year 11 students have undertaken their mock examinations over the past week, a key part in their preparation for their final examinations as we now rapidly approach the mid-point of the academic school year with half-term break only two weeks away.  We join them in looking forward to their results and will be continuing to support them in the countdown to the final exams.  Year 10 examinations are due to take place from Monday next week.

In this edition of the blog we see how our Year 10 students got on in their visit to the Baltic, Gateshead exploring future careers choices, followed by our students in Year 9 who conducted some GCSE Photography work in and around key sites in Newcastle.

The full Year 9 cohort attended a visit to Sunderland University last week hosted by NECOP, with a focus on raising aspirations.  Students accessed a range of information about higher education and both their conduct and engagement was a real credit to the Academy.

Elsewhere in this edition, a number of other updates inform you of daily life here in Sandhill View.  The Art department also shows off its work linked to mental health, we find out about Mr Carr’s favourite book, we catch up with Miss Wright, Year 9 Learning Co-ordinator in our regular ‘Staff in the Spotlight’ feature and there is also our regular catch-up with sporting results.

I hope that you enjoy this edition of the blog.

Richard Carr
Head of School

Year 10 recently explored career choices and contemporary art at The Baltic Gallery in Gateshead.  The Year 10s found that there are over 8000 jobs in the creative industries in the North East in a careers workshop before heading up to their current art and photography exhibition at the Baltic.  Students discussed ideas linked to racial profiling, gender issues and the current American political environment.

Last week, Year 9 visited Sunderland University for an event hosted by NECOP, which is a collaboration of higher education establishments in the North East aimed at raising pupil aspirations.  The day was a great success with pupils working on a range of interactive activities aimed at developing their understanding of finance and planning for the future, how the brain works and how to overcome barriers to success, all of which will help them achieve the best outcomes in the future.  Pupils also had a tour of the state of the art facilities available at the university such as the live radio station, film studio and even a functioning law court.  The day ended with a movie screening in the university cinema. All pupils were impeccably behaved and were a credit to the school.

A jam-packed adventure in Newcastle saw our Year 9 pupils embark on a photo challenge on Northumberland Street, a visit to Fenwick’s window and an explorative workshop at the Hatton Gallery in the city centre.  Students learned how to creatively respond to Pop Art work from the 1960’s in a creative way.

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 girls rambled through the very wet countryside, admiring the sculptures Herrington Country Park has to offer, ascending to Penshaw Monument where panoramic and Autumnal colours as far as the eye could see were simply stunning, climbing over styles, roughing it across soggy fields and muddy paths in withering temperatures and taking in the sites.  Even as they approached the finish line, the girls were still in good spirits and continued to smile and sing. A fantastic day, hopefully to be repeated in the spring!

Year 11 English students from Miss Hills' class recently tested their investigative powers as part of a 'who did it?' murder mystery.  Pupils took the time to get out of class and roam the building gathering clues before returning to the classroom so that they could piece together their literary evidence in the hope of finding out which staff member was the culprit and improve their analytical skills.

Our students have been giving themselves a health check to see if they are totally healthy. Pupils participated in a range of activities during our second careers and health focus day to see whether they were physically, mentally and financially healthy.  All lessons carried a health theme throughout the day and students also learned more about their future careers choices, whether they opt for sixth form, college or an apprenticeship.  They learned how to plan for their future and manage a budget, realising very quickly that you can’t spend what you haven’t got.

Mental wellbeing was an equally important part of the day as students studied how to take care of their own mental health, not just at school but in the workplace as well.  Students found the day really enjoyable and informative with all agreeing that they had learned how to keep themselves healthy and how to make their hard-earned money go further.

As part of our SMSC day promoting a ‘healthy lifestyle’ the art team delivered session on the benefits of creativity on our mental health.  We also studied why it is important for artists to use artwork as a method of promoting a message in order to get their voices heard on important issues.

Sandhill View students Look to the Future at the Sixth Form Open Evening

Thank you to everyone that joined us on Wednesday at Southmoor Academy Sixth Form for our final open evening of the academic year.  Wednesday night saw the best ever turnout for our Sixth Form Open Evening which was a chance for students to think about their future. In total, 167 students attended with many from Sandhill's Year 10 & 11.  With universities and higher apprenticeship providers in attendance, guests had plenty of people to talk to. But even better than talking to the professionals, potential sixth formers had the chance to hear from our successful candidates for some of the best Russell Group universities in the country as well as enthusiastic students from current Year 12 and 13.

Applications are due by next Friday (2^nd February).  Don’t delay as demand is likely to be high!  Make your application here.

Check out some of the pictures from the event below!

Last week students from our HI and SEN departments were given a specially tailored lesson on CPR. Disaster can strike at any moment, so it is important that we equip our young learners with the skills and confidence to step forward and possibly save a life.  Students were shown the full procedure for administering CPR before having the chance to practice it themselves on mock-up patients.  They were even shown how to use the automatic defibrillator kits that are now found in various public places. 

Last week our Year 11 Boys Football Team played at home against Academy 360.  After a tough first half, our team started the second half strong, scoring after 30 seconds.  As the game went on, they became more and more dominant winning everything in the middle of the pitch. This dominant play led to a magnificent 15 minute spell of scoring another three goals thanks to Michael Wright and Joe Taylor. The game ended Sandhill View 5 - 1 Academy 360. 

Goals came from Michael Wright (4) and Joe Taylor (1). 

Man of Match was Dylan Stubbs

GCSE Art Students Make the Most of Mocks

Year 11 recently responded to the artist Lora Zombie as part of their GCSE Mock Art Exams. They took inspiration from her artwork to spread awareness about different issues such as body image and bullying. They used their art work as their voice to express important issues to them. Well Done!

Due to my husband’s recent interest in motorbikes, my favourite invention is Kevlar®, by female inventor Stephanie Kwolek.  One of the first women research chemists, she first gained national recognition in 1960 for her work with long molecule chains at low temperatures. In 1971, Kwolek's further analysis culminated in an important discovery of a liquid crystalline polymer solution. Its exceptional strength and stiffness led to the invention of Kevlar®, a synthetic material that is five times as strong as steel.  Kevlar® is resistant to wear, corrosion and flames, and it is the main ingredient in the production of bulletproof vests, which have become invaluable to legions of soldiers and law enforcement officers. Furthermore, Kevlar® is used in dozens of other products, including skis, safety helmets, motorbike protection and suspension bridge cables.

My favourite childhood book is The 39 Steps by John Buchan

I first read this when I was 14 and I have loved it ever since.  At that age I wanted to read about adventure and this book has it all… an unsuspecting hero, caught up in an evil plan of espionage, and his run in’s with spies, femme fatales, chases, fist-fights, gun-fights and a real cliff-hanger ending!  What more could you want?  A real boy’s own adventure. Go on… Take your first step into Chapter One of this terrific novel.

What do you do at Sandhill View?
I’ve been at Sandhill for over 15 years.  I am Head of Year 9 now and have been with my year group since they started Sandhill View.  I am also Cover Manager.

Who was your favourite teacher at school and why?
Mr Brookes – He was my Head of Year when I was a pupil here at Sandhill View.  He was very caring and supported everyone to achieve their potential.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have two girls so most of my spare time is spent with them. I am a member of a gym and have recently started running again.

Who is your favourite musical artist or band?
I love the band Artic Monkeys.  I’ve been waiting for the last 3 years for them to announce a tour; hopefully it will be this year.

What's the best thing about Sandhill View?
I have worked here at Sandhill View for the last 15 years and I see it going from strength to strength, I love working with a great team.

What's the one thing you could never be without?
My family ...and Spa days!