HWA Blog - 13.2.26
It has been another busy week at Hollinwood Academy, and I think our children, young people and staff are all ready for a well-deserved break. The staff wellbeing fairies have been out and about again, leaving thoughtful treats in the staffroom to brighten the week, a small gesture that always makes a big difference.
Across school, our children and young people have been enjoying a range of Valentine’s activities, bringing lots of creativity, colour and excitement into classrooms.
Our Year 11 students continue to work hard as their exams edge closer. Staff are supporting them every step of the way and are now also turning their attention to planning for this year’s prom, which is already shaping up to be a memorable event.
Behind the scenes, we have begun collating our Options Brochure and Information Pack. This will be shared with students and parents ahead of Parents’ Evening to support informed decision-making for the next stage of learning.
Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to visit as many classes as I would have liked this week, but I’m very much looking forward to spending more time in classrooms after the half-term break.
Wishing everyone a restful week off. You have all earned it.
I’m looking forward to sharing this week’s highlights with you below.
Sharing the highlights…
Young voices
The Choir had a wonderful experience at the Young Voices Concert at Co-Op Live on Thursday evening. Prior to the event, the children enjoyed a lovely meal before joining eight thousand other students to form an extraordinary, massed choir performing to an audience of more than ten thousand people.
They had the privilege of singing alongside Alex Spencer, an emerging young rock artist from Manchester, accompanied by a fantastic live band and exceptional dancers from Urban Strides. The programme included lively sea shanties, favourite numbers from Matilda and Wicked, and concluded with an energetic Disco Fever medley.
It was an unforgettable evening for all involved.
A huge thank you to Mrs Mayers and Mr Challinor for ensuring this evening ran so smoothly.
Young Voices
Safer Internet Week
For Safer internet Day this week, our year computing learning has culminated in them creating vector graphics using Inkscape software. They have designed and created a logo and web icons to promote safer internet day. Our photos show how much their detailed planning has informed their design decisions. Super computing work by 8NNL.
Safer Internet Week
Year 10 Science – Showcasing Enzyme Stop-Motion Videos
Mrs Daniels and her class were eager to showcase the fantastic stop-motion videos they have created to demonstrate how enzymes break down food. The students have been learning about the digestive system and how enzymes play a vital role in helping our bodies absorb the nutrients we need.
In their videos, the large insoluble food molecule is shown fitting into the enzyme just like a key fit into a lock. Once the molecule is in place, the enzyme breaks it down into smaller, simpler, soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. These smaller molecules can then travel around the body to wherever they are needed.
The Year 10 students have thoroughly enjoyed making these videos and were keen for them to be showcased on the blog. They are extremely proud of their work and rightly so.
Headteachers Award
Handing out Headteacher Awards is always one of the greatest privileges of my role. It is the highlight of my term.
A huge well done to all the children who received an award. I am so proud of your achievements. You have worked hard, shown dedication, and demonstrated the values we celebrate in our school.
Most importantly, you should feel proud of yourselves. Keep shining, keep striving, and keep believing in what you can achieve.
Headteachers Award - 13.2.26
Let’s see what has been happening in the classroom...
In Miss Bramley’s and Miss McDonald’s class this week…
"The children have had a wonderful week in Explore 3! In English this half term we have been focusing on instructions. The children have made Roman Helmets and Shields and were able to write independently instructions on how to make a Roman Helmet. We have also celebrated Valentine’s Day this week and the children made Valentine’s cards for friends and family. The class followed the instructions to make the cards, and all really enjoyed showing their creative sides.
In maths we are working on the foundations of multiplication, the children have explored arrays this week and we even made arrays out of sweets and mini marshmallows, we thoroughly enjoyed eating them after the lesson. We were recognising repeated addition within our multiplications.
In PE this week the children were completing sensory circuits and after their turn they had to high 5 another child for the next child’s turn to start. After the sensory circuit the children all played a game of stuck in the mud which they love. They really enjoyed an active, engaging PE lesson this week.
Our Topic this term has been Romans, in History this week the class collectively built a colosseum based on a shared plan we completed in previous weeks. The children worked together using amazing communication skills to make the colosseum and enjoyed doing this activity.
In Science this term we have been exploring soil for the past few weeks the children have been exploring and investigating soil to see which type of soil absorbs the most water. We had fun exploring this and enjoyed the water play and playing in the soil afterwards.
Our EHCP lessons this week have been focussing on a range of targets, the children have been working as a team to complete various activities. One of our class favourites is working together to create a marble run.
What a fabulous week and Spring term 1 we have had in our class. Miss McDonald, Miss Bramley, Miss Leoni, Miss Jess and Miss Hannah are so proud of all the children."
CML GBY (13.2.26)
In Miss Nutall’s class…
"This week in art, we have been studying hundertwasser and have been modelling our work to resemble the artist which has been fun.
In science, we have been learning about light waves and the solar system. We have developed a liking for ROYGBIV - he is the colour spectrum elf with a catchy song to help us remember the colours of the rainbow.
In maths, we have been working on decimals, fractions, percentages and inequalities and in ICT, we have been experimenting with ink scape. Some of our work will be uploaded to Facebook to showcase how amazing we have done with this!
In Spanish we have been working on how to tell the time and the Spanish words for a variety of school subjects and in English, we have been researching Conwy Castle in Wales (which is the castle from ‘Our Day Out’ which we have been studying this half term). We also learned the features of writing to inform and have been creating our own information leaflets for a day out, using these features.
In EHCP this week, we have been learning about the Zones of Regulation with Mrs K and have really enjoyed these lessons! Finally, in Outdoor Ed, we have been visiting cafes and working on our social skills which has been lots of fun."
And to Mrs Bennett’s Outdoor Educational adventures...
"Mrs Bennett's EYFS, Explore and Engage classes have enjoyed going on circular walks over various terrains in Daisy Nook Country Park. They have seen Parakeets, geese, ducks, swans, moorhens, and coots. As the weather has been very wet this week the children have enjoyed jumping up and down in muddy puddles. Following their walk, they visited Daisy Nook Cafe and took turns to go up to the counter to order a slice of toast and choose a drink of juice. They sat patiently waiting for their toast to be cooked and brought to the table. Inspire and Thrive classes have enjoyed visiting Oldham Gallery and Library and seeing the new interactive displays in the Gallery. Forest School have been learning about different types of homes, and they had a wonderful time creating an arctic environment using ice cubes, shaving foam and water and a lot of imagination. The children have also enjoyed whittling, digging, mud kitchen and creating hearts by twisting willow. Well done everyone and I hope you have an amazing half-term."
JBT -13.2.26
Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and HWA We are Creative STARs...
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s STAR of the week Showing a positive attitude to beginning task and using his now and next board correctly. Well done.
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s HWA We Are Creative goes Riley -Doing great work in communication lessons by requesting with visuals along with being vocal. Well done.
Mrs Bailey’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Ziyan - using his communication aids to communicate with adults what he needs to regulate.
Mrs Bailey’s STAR of the Week is Ethan - For good listening, following instructions and responding to his now and next visual.
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's STAR of the Week is
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's HWA We Are Creative goes to
Miss Boothroyd’s STAR of the Week is Effy for her efforts with creating our 3D sculpture of a spider.
Miss Boothroyd’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Romy for her brilliant English work this week.
Mrs Matthews’ STAR of the Week is Isaam has shown fantastic dedication this week by editing his story.
Mrs Matthews’ We Are Creative STAR goes to Loki showed great passion during our English lesson. He was really excited about the story he wrote, and it was lovely to see how much he enjoyed his work.
Miss Pietraszewska’ s HWA We Are Creative goes to Nevaeh, for having a fantastic week and for just being our superstar.
Miss Pietraszewska’ s STAR of the Week goes to Benjamin, for being more independent during the day and requiring fewer prompts to complete tasks. Great work, Benji.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Teddy B for being proud of his friends.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Albi-Lee for doing really well with his assessments this week.
Mr Corrigan Congratulates Teddy W for some lovely engagement with today’s poem.
Miss Hulme’s STAR of the Week is Gabriel for fantastic independent writing in English.
Miss Hulme’s HWA We are Creative goes to Ariella for creating her friend a beautiful Happy Birthday card.
Miss Donbavand’s STAR of the Week goes to Cole for great focus and participation in guided reading lessons.
Miss Donbavand’s HWA We are Creative goes to Holly for always being ready to learn and being a good role model.
Mrs Boylan’s STAR of the Week goes to Louis is our Star of the Week for excellent behaviour all week.
Mrs Boylan’s HWA We are Creative goes to Oscar for always being an excellent role model to others, by treating people with kindness and respect.
Miss Davies’s STAR of the Week is Maja for amazing mark making this week.
STARS of the Week (13.2.26)
Well done to everyone.
Have a fabulous half term. Stay safe.
Miss Gordon.
