HWA Blog - 13.3.26
I honestly do not know where this week has gone. I have spent three days of it at Disneyland Paris with a fantastic group of Year 8 students. What an experience it was. The students were absolutely amazing and a true credit to Hollinwood and to their families. They enjoyed every single minute, and it was a joy to watch them make memories that will last a lifetime.
Disney
Back at Hollinwood, the rest of the school has been incredibly busy getting involved in Science Week. I’ve heard some brilliant stories, and the photos coming through really do speak for themselves. It’s clear that everyone has thrown themselves into the activities with great enthusiasm.
Mr Purdey has been visiting Year 11 classes this week and has been extremely impressed with the level of engagement. Our Year 11s are working hard and staying focused as they prepare for their upcoming exams.
Mrs Lerigo has spent time with our KS1 cohort and has been equally impressed especially with the excitement and participation in their science activities. It’s been wonderful to hear about all the learning and fun that’s been taking place around school while some of us were away with the Disney group.
A huge thank you to all staff who supported the trip to Disneyland, and to those who remained at Hollinwood ensuring everything continued to run smoothly. You are all fabulous, and we simply couldn’t offer the wonderful opportunities we do without your hard work, dedication, and support.
Sharing the highlights…
Science Superstars Primary
This week, the children became real scientists as they investigated mysterious discoveries in our outdoor classroom. The area was closed after fossils, bones, and unusual footprints were found, and our young palaeontologists explored the garden to search for clues, many predicting they belonged to dinosaurs from long, long ago.
In the classrooms, the children also carried out exciting scientific experiments. They observed a carbon-dioxide reaction in the Mentos and lemonade investigation, explored colour diffusion with Skittles and milk, generated electricity using potatoes to light a bulb, and compared density in a float-and-sink activities. They made predictions, observed changes, and used scientific vocabulary throughout.
To end the excitement, a T-Rex visited the garden to congratulate our young scientists on their fantastic work.
It was a fun and memorable Science Week for everyone.
Science Day
Science Superstars Secondary
Thank you to all staff and students for your enthusiasm and participation in this year’s Science Week. Our young people have produced outstanding work, demonstrating the impressive scientific curiosity and talent we have across Hollinwood Academy, staff included.
Throughout the week, students took part in a range of “curiosity” investigations, exploring whether substances were acidic, alkaline, or neutral. They also completed projects on Mars, including robotics, the planet’s volcanoes, and designing potential future bases for human settlement. As shown in the photographs, students worked with great engagement and clearly enjoyed the activities.
It has been a fantastic way to celebrate British Science Week, and we are incredibly proud of everyone involved.
Secondary Science
Jude and Josh from 9DWY really impressed us with their hard work and enthusiasm. Throughout the practical activity, they showed an excellent understanding of the task and worked with focus, accuracy, and real scientific thinking.
Both students were able to explain what they were doing and why, demonstrating not just practical skill but a strong grasp of the science behind it. Their teamwork, curiosity, and positive attitude made them stand out.
Well done, Jude and Josh. Keep up the fantastic work.
ABE
Let’s see what has been happening in the classroom.
In Miss Bailey’s class this week…
"We’ve had a fantastic week in Engage 2. Our topic “On the Farm” has taken us on lots of exciting adventures as we explored activities linked to farms and animals. We’ve also been working hard on our communication skills, with a special focus on the core word “more.”
In our Sensory Story sessions, we’ve been reading A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson. The children have loved listening to the story, exploring all the different props, and using positional language such as in, out, and on. We even re-enacted the story on a tuff tray, placing the animals in the house and then taking them back out. We’ve also created fabulous paper-plate pigs, matched characters and animal names to pictures, and used colourful semantics to build sentences describing the story, identifying who is in the picture and what they are doing.
Our Attention Autism sessions have centred around our core word of the week: “more.” We watched Miss Bec demonstrate exciting Stage 2 activities, including a lemonade volcano and a lava lamp, both of which produced wonderful visual effects that the children adored. In Stage 3, we practised our turn-taking skills using Rocket Balloons, took turns being pushed on the Rocket Chair, and created a brilliant Fizzing Rainbow using coloured lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda. Throughout all these activities, the children practised requesting “more” using words, signs, and communication boards. In communication lessons, we continued building on this by asking for the things we needed to make a cake using foam for us to SPLAT! This was a big hit, very motivating, very engaging, and very messy!
In our Curiosity, Cause and Effect lessons, we’ve been exploring a “5 Little Speckled Frogs” tray to practise counting and early maths skills. Using communication boards, the children shared how many frogs were left on the log. We’ve developed shared attention through playing Marble Run, worked on sharing resources with friends, and taken turns with a peer. Our sensory circuits have helped support our self-regulation, using equipment such as the yoga ball, trampoline, squeeze machine, and our cosy sensory den (a firm favourite). We also practised mark-making with bingo dabbers and paint and used wooden letters to spell the names of different animals.
A definite highlight of the week was our RISE therapy session, where we explored the core word “more” using bubble wands and a bubble machine. The children were amazing making independent requests for “more bubbles!” and having an incredible time.
As you can see, it’s been a busy, fun-filled week. We are so proud of everything the children have achieved, and we can’t wait to see what adventures next week brings."
RBY - 13.3.26
In Mrs Duffy’s class…
"Students in GDY have started looking at different colleges as they prepare for leaving Year 11, and there’s been a real buzz of excitement around their future. They have also been taking steps to practice independent travelling , by finding tram stops in preparation for getting to college. Alongside the big conversations about next steps, the class has had a fantastic couple of weeks with world book day, full of brilliant work, creativity, birthdays, and lots of smiles. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
Akeem has been doing well in all his subjects, but he’s especially enjoyed his EHCP sessions this week. He’s been learning about the Zones of Regulation and has shown a great understanding of how they work. He’s putting in effort into maths. In fact he is doing well in all subjects across the board and it’s lovely to see.
Logan absolutely loves reading every single morning and breaktime and has been flying in English. He’s been practising GCSE-style questions using his anthology and focusing on the poems ‘Bright Lights of Sarajevo and Out, out’—. He’s really starting to grow in confidence, and it shows in his work.
Matthew enjoys science practicals but is absolutely blowing us away in ICT. His GCSE work has been incredible—he’s created his own leaflets and they look so professional. The most impressive part? He’s already finished all his coursework. Truly outstanding!
We celebrated Yassin’s 15th birthday this week! We sang Happy Birthday and made him a huge cake, which he loved. On top of that, he continues to be consistent across all his subjects. He always enjoys Food Technology, and this week he made some lovely lemon tarts.
Liam had another great week, especially in Food. He loves practical lessons and always throws himself into the cooking. He’s very social, enjoys spending time with his friends, and brings a lovely energy to the classroom.
Nicholas really enjoys getting out into the community. This week he loved visiting tram stops and heading to Strinesdale. He’s happiest when he’s out exploring, and it’s wonderful to see how engaged he is.
Niamh is beginning to access more of her lessons, which is brilliant progress. She loves spending time with Mrs Fagan, and it’s clear she is starting to feel more settled.
Eliza continues to enjoy RSE and really shines in her leadership lessons. She loves spending time with her friends and always brings enthusiasm and kindness to everything she does.
Maddie is absolutely loving photography now! She visited Alexandra Park recently and took some magnificent photos. She has a great eye for detail and her confidence behind the camera is growing each week.
Jasmine excels in every subject, but this week she’s particularly stood out in Geography, Maths, and Art. She’s really enjoying cross stitch and papercraft too—she’s so creative and puts care into everything she makes.
Ivy has done well this week, choosing her own Art project and working independently. She loves drawing eyes and has produced some beautiful, expressive pieces. She had a fabulous costume on world book day
Alexis still enjoys starting her morning with a good book She also looked amazing on world book day. She loves English and always puts in her best effort. Another favourite subject is Music, where she’s been learning to play the guitar and doing well.
A Fantastic Week All Round It’s been lovely seeing the students working hard, supporting each other, and enjoying the different activities we’ve done. With college plans taking shape and so many achievements to celebrate, GDY continues to make us proud every single day.
We are delighted to share that Maddie has been nominated by the Mayor of Rochdale for her outstanding volunteering work with Barnardo’s. This is an incredible achievement and a testament to her commitment, kindness, and dedication to helping others. Well done, Maddie — we are all so proud of you."
GDY - 13.3.26
Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and HWA We are Creative STARs
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s STAR of the week is Riley for engaging in lots of activities showing brilliant focus. Well done.
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Roma for: Producing wonderful writing and creativve images. Well done.
Mrs Bailey’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Ethan - For wonderful engagement this week, taking part in a variety of different activities alongside his peers and independently requesting 'more' verbally. Well Done
Mrs Bailey’s STAR of the Week is George for an all-round fabulous week, excellent behaviour and doing lots of wonderful independent mark making. Well Done George.
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's STAR of the Week is Elijah Joynson for having a fabulous week after a tricky start.
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's HWA We Are Creative goes to Adam Shazad- for an absolutely amazing week!! Super listening to his teachers, fabulous learning and wonderful behaviour in class. We are all so proud of you.
Miss Boothroyd’s STAR of the Week is Isla for having such a positive week in school and producing some fabulous work.
Miss Boothroyd’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Louie for his wonderful work with mechanisms in DT.
Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s STAR of the Week is Zachary for trying his best with his spellings this week.
Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s creative star goes to Olivia for being creative on Science day and making fabulous potions.
Miss Pietraszewska’ s HWA We Are Creative goes to Sienna for enthusiastically taking part in Science Day and discovering fossils in our outdoor classroom area!
Miss Pietraszewska’ s STAR of the Week goes to Benjamin for showing fantastic progress in Colourful Semantics—independently creating a full sentence with the strips and even writing it down on his own. Amazing.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Kian for playing nicely with someone different this week.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Teddy W for enjoying Outdoor Education without using his ear defenders this week.
Mr Corrigan Congratulates Hope, Albi-Lee, William, Teddy B & Jack for being proud of their friends.
Miss Hulme’s STAR of the Week is Ariella for having such a fabulous week and trying her best in all that she does.
Miss Hulme’s HWA We are Creative goes to Korey for creating some wonderful similes about himself in our English lesson this week.
Miss Donbavand’s STAR of the Week goes to Cleo for managing her emotions well in class.
Miss Donbavand’s HWA We are Creative goes to Derry for recognising when he needs a time out and asking teachers to leave the classroom- Well done.
Mrs Boylan’s STAR of the Week goes to Kai for sharing his feelings and emotions with an adult and accepting help.
Mrs Boylan’s HWA We are Creative goes to Faiha for outstanding Science contributions this week.
Miss Davies’s STAR of the Week is William for requesting to go to the toilet multiple times throughout the day.
Miss Oakley’s STAR of the Week is Kai- Excellent participation in Science day, conducting experiments and asking questions.
Miss Oakley’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Harry H- Excellent participation in forest school and even taking the skills learnt and practising them at home.
STARS of the Week (13.3.26)
Well done to everyone.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Miss Gordon
