BLOG 18.9.2026

It has been another busy and successful week at Hollinwood. We are only two weeks into the new academic year, but it already feels as though everyone has settled back into learning, routines and school life wonderfully.

One of the highlights of my week is always welcoming children and young people into my office to share their excellent work and achievements. It is fantastic to see the pride they take in their successes, and I would like to thank staff for continuing to encourage them to celebrate and share these special moments. Seeing their confidence grow is always a pleasure.

We are continuing to make progress with our new sensory room, which we hope will be fully operational by the October half-term break. This will be a wonderful addition to our school, providing a calming and engaging space for all children and young people to access. I am sure it will be greatly appreciated and well used by everyone.

On Wednesday, Mr Challinor and Miss Harrington held their first choir rehearsal of the year. They are keen to discover and nurture the musical talent across our school as they begin preparing for the possibility of attending Young Voices at the Co-op Live Arena next year. This is always a memorable event and one that we are very excited about.

Reading continues to be a key priority across school, and I am delighted to share that all classes in both Primary and Secondary have received collections of brand-new reading books. This forms part of our whole-school approach to promoting a love of reading and helping our children and young people develop their literacy skills. Alongside this, our new library is now open, and we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a brand-new Primary library in the coming months. I also encourage families to support this important work by reading regularly with their children at home whenever possible.

Finally, a reminder about Evidence for Learning. We love seeing the achievements, experiences and milestones that take place outside of school. Please continue to share your comments, photographs and 'wow moments' from home. These contributions help us build a fuller picture of each child's progress and development and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. I hope you all enjoy a restful weekend, and I look forward to another positive week ahead at Hollinwood.

Sharing the highlights…

Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome Awareness Day was on Tuesday 15^th September I was really proud to see one of our children take part in a promotional video alongside other children with the same condition to help raise awareness of WSS. It was a fantastic and powerful way to shine a light on this important condition and share its message with a wider audience. What an inspiring group of young people they are. Their enthusiasm, confidence, and passion shine through, and they should be very proud of what they have achieved. It is wonderful to see them using their voices so positively and effectively to promote understanding and awareness. Their involvement not only helped raise the profile of WSS but also demonstrated the remarkable determination, positivity, and spirit that make them such excellent ambassadors for this important cause.

Cleo year 5

Online safety and digital citizenship.

In Secondary, we explore the online issues that are currently affecting children and young people in the UK. This year, students have been discussing the potential risks associated with online gaming, including contact with strangers, exposure to age-inappropriate content, in-game purchases, and the dangers of clicking unknown links. We will also be examining how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used safely, responsibly and effectively to support learning, while considering the potential risks and ethical implications associated with its use. In addition, students will explore the ongoing national discussion around social media use among young people and the proposed restrictions for children under the age of 16.

In Primary, students focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the online world safely and confidently. Topics include understanding the difference between fact and opinion, recognising and responding appropriately to online content that may cause concern, developing healthy habits around the use of digital devices, and learning about the purpose and features of social media platforms.

We have been extremely impressed by the thoughtful, mature and balanced discussions that these sessions have generated. Our students have demonstrated a strong awareness of both the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital world, and it is clear that they are developing into responsible and informed digital citizens.

Building improvements

Over the summer break, we were delighted to complete a range of building improvements designed to enhance our learning environments and create even more engaging spaces for our children and young people. These developments have transformed our external classroom areas into vibrant, purposeful learning spaces where children can explore, collaborate and develop key skills in a stimulating environment. By extending learning beyond the traditional classroom, we are providing greater opportunities for creativity, communication, physical activity and hands-on experiences that support both academic progress and personal development. We are excited to see our children and young people making the most of these improved facilities, enjoying new ways to learn, discover and connect with the world around them.

Improvements

Let’s see what has been happening in the classroom.

 

In Mrs Thompson’s class….

It has been a pleasure to become part of the Hollinwood Academy team and to really get to know the children and their families. The children have settled wonderfully into their new Year 1 routine, and we are incredibly proud of how confidently they have transitioned into the class and enjoyed seeing their enthusiasm for learning, playing and making new memories together.

In mathematics, we have been exploring number and place value using tens frames, counters and cubes. This week we have also practiced reading number words.

In English, we have started reading The Tiger Who Came to Tea and have been using Talk for Writing actions to help us remember and retell the story.

In science, we have been learning to label different parts of the body. We used mirrors to explore what parts of the body make up our faces.

In history, we have had lots of fun sharing our memories and creating personal timelines. 

In art, we have been exploring how to draw different types of lines and have responded to music to create straight zig zag and wavy lines. 

In computing, the children demonstrated an excellent understanding of what the internet is. We have also begun discussing how to stay safe when using the internet. The children are becoming increasingly independent when choosing their lunches in the mornings. We enjoyed Forest School, outdoor education where we visited Heaton Park and got quite wet and soft play. The children have especially enjoyed taking part in Bubble Calm Time. We are always singing in Year One. The children have learnt lots of new songs, and Miss Amber has loved seeing the children showing off their dance moves. Their enthusiasm and confidence have been wonderful to see.

Amber 18.9.26

Mrs McGregor and Mr Glazier’s class…

8JGR/MMR have had a very productive week and have settled back into school life well following the summer holidays.

During form time, we have been establishing our new routines and building positive habits for the year ahead. Pupils have enjoyed our weekly activities, including reading sessions on Tuesday, mindful colouring accompanied by relaxing music on Wednesday, and a lively game of Countdown as part of our maths activities on Thursday.

In Outdoor Education, we took the bus to Stamford Park and enjoyed a lovely walk around the grounds. We explored some of the park’s features, including the bridge and bird sanctuary, and it was also a great opportunity to socialise and interact with students from other classes.

In PE, we have started developing our basketball skills. We have quickly discovered that basketball is not as easy as it looks, but everyone has shown determination and enthusiasm as they learn and improve their techniques each week.

In English, we have begun studying Animal Farm. We have explored the historical and social context of the novel, identified key characters, and started to consider how their actions and decisions influence life on the farm.

In Maths, we have been learning about ratios and investigating how they can be applied to real-life situations. Meanwhile, in science, we have been exploring energy through a range of practical investigations. We tested different foods by burning them and measuring the energy they released, enabling us to calculate the calories and joules contained in each item. We have also been learning about different energy stores and sources. Throughout these lessons, students have asked a variety of thoughtful and insightful questions, prompting interesting discussions among both staff and peers.

It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back after the summer break. The class has returned refreshed, positive, and ready to learn, making for an excellent start to the new term. Let's hope for many more successful weeks ahead.

In Mrs Gordon’s class…..

11 AGN has settled well into the new school year and is working hard as they begin their preparations for their GCSE examinations.

In Science, the class has started a new topic on Homeostasis, learning how the body regulates itself and responds to information from our senses. In English, students have been preparing for their mock examinations by practising past exam papers and developing their exam techniques.

In Maths, the class has recently completed a unit on Vectors and has now begun focused preparation for their upcoming mock exams. We would also like to celebrate Essah's fantastic achievement of gaining a Grade 5 in his GCSE. Well done, Essah!

In History, students have started the AQA unit on the History of Medicine. They have enjoyed researching significant medical discoveries and took part in a lively discussion about medieval living conditions. The class unanimously agreed that modern toilets are far preferable to using a medieval cesspit!

In Food Technology, students have begun working towards their BTEC Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications. This week, they demonstrated their practical skills by preparing a delicious stir-fry.

In PE, the class has been developing their basketball skills, focusing on dribbling, changing direction quickly, and moving the ball smoothly between their hands.

During Photography, students have begun exploring the theme of "Places and Spaces" for their extended project this term. They have created mood boards inspired by both historic architecture and contemporary environments. As enthusiastic photographers, many students are planning to use images captured during their summer holidays and travels. Eden, for example, will be incorporating photographs taken during the Berlin residential trip in June. Staff are currently exploring potential locations for future photography visits, including Oldham Town Hall, MediaCity, Uppermill Viaduct and Museum, and Gorton Monastery. Watch this space for updates on our upcoming photography adventures.

In Outdoor Education, the class visited Chadderton Park and the local allotments. During the visit, students learned basic woodworking skills and were shown an impressive sculpture created by the allotment volunteers.

We are proud of the positive start 11 AGN has made this year and look forward to seeing their continued hard work and success as they progress towards their GCSEs.

AGN 18.9.26

Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and HWA We are We are inspiring STARs 

 

Mrs Whitworth’s STAR of the week is Ziyan for doing amazing with his engagement and communication this week. 

Mrs Whitworth’s HWA We are inspiring goes to

Mrs Bailey’s HWA We are inspiring goes to Safa for fantastic participation in our sensory story this week.

Mrs Bailey’s STAR of the Week is Leo for working hard to communicate his wants and needs with adults. 

Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's STAR of the Week is Myles for wonderful transitions into school this week.

Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's HWA We are inspiring goes to Phoebie for an inspiring start to school, following our routines and making lots of friends.

Mrs Thompson’s STAR of the Week is Finley for demonstrating kindness to others. 

Mrs Thompson’s STAR of the Week goes to Ezra for super reading.

Miss Boothroyd’s STAR of the Week goes to Ethan for showing fantastic enthusiasm with his learning this week. 

Miss Boothroyd’s HWA We are inspiring goes to Effy for showing care and compassion towards a friend who was feeling sad this week. 

Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s STAR of the Week is Olivia for having a great week, making all the right choices and trying her best.

Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s we are inspiring star goes to Kai for being caring and holding the door open for his friends. 

Miss Lloyd’s STAR of the Week is Penny Speed for having a really great start to the year in a new school and coming in for full days.

Miss Lloyd’s We are inspiring STAR goes to Issac Leyland-Burns for great behaviour in class and befriending the new students in our class.

Miss Pietraszewska’ s HWA We are inspiring goes to Elsie, for trying her best to self-regulate and use the phrases she has learned to communicate her wants and needs. Well done

Miss Pietraszewska’ s STAR of the Week goes to Sienna for being so enthusiastic in maths, always answering questions and being ready to take turns in every activity. Amazing work.

Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Hugo for good listening this week.

Mr Corrigan’s WOW moment

Mr Corrigan’s congratulates

Mr Corrigan’s We are inspiring goes to Eden for settling in well to his new class routine.

Miss Hulme’s STAR of the Week is Korey for writing some fabulous sentences in our English lesson. 

Miss Hulme’s HWA We are inspiring goes to Madilyn for showing fantastic resilience even though she was feeling tired. 

Mrs Boylan’s STAR of the Week goes to Haroon is our Star of the Week for completing fantastic Maths work.

Mrs Boylan’s HWA We are inspiring goes to Maya is our Inspiring HWA Star for excellent engagement and contributions in every lesson.

Miss Davies’s STAR of the Week is Silva for fantastic communication this week. 

Miss Oakley’s STAR of the Week is Teddy for having an amazing attitude to learning by coming into class and going on Outdoor Education.

Miss Oakley’s HWA We are inspiring goes to Ohud for working so hard this week in his new class.

stars 18.9.26