HWA Blog - 6.2.26
Well, happy Friday everyone.
It’s been another week of fun and games here at Hollinwood Academy the kind that comes with exceptional teaching, enthusiastic learners, and a school full of moments that make us proud. As always, our children and young people have been busy shining in their own unique ways, and our staff have been working incredibly hard to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences.
I’m looking forward to sharing this week’s highlights with you below.
Sharing the highlights…
National Storytelling Week
This week has been National Storytelling Week at HWA we’ve enjoyed lots of different types of stories in all our classes. With a focus on oracy, communication, and emotional wellbeing, we’ve explored how different stories can make us feel and dived into some great books. Well done to all our children who have shown us once again how resilient they are by adapting to a change in their usual English lessons and joining in with something new.
Regarding reading, Track my read has risen to 6,690 minutes of reading so far!
National Storytelling Week
Showcasing Excellence in Teaching and Learning with iPads
This week, we were delighted to welcome professionals from across the country who visited our school to observe teaching and learning in action, with a particular focus on the use of iPads in the classroom.
Our visitors were very complimentary. They were genuinely blown away by how seamlessly iPads have become embedded in everyday classroom practice and by the high levels of engagement shown by our children. They commented on the creativity and innovation demonstrated by staff using iPads not just as a tool, but as a meaningful way to enhance teaching, increase independence, and make learning more accessible for all children.
A huge well done to everyone involved in the visit. It is always a proud moment for me to showcase the exceptional work you do each day. Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to our children is recognised.
A Proud Moment at the Library
On Tuesday, our children visited the local library as part of their Outdoor Education curriculum. Later that day, we received a lovely phone call from the library staff to share just how wonderful our children had been.
They spoke highly of the children’s behaviour, noting how caring and considerate they were towards other children in the library. The staff were genuinely impressed by the way our children interacted, supported one another, and represented our school with such maturity.
Another proud moment. When someone outside of school takes the time to call and praise the behaviour and interactions of our children, it truly reflects the values we embed every day. A huge well done to all the children involved you continue to make us proud.
Representing Our School with Pride: AI Global Goals Challenge
Our year 9 students visited Oldham college on Wednesday.
The objective of the day was to design an AI solution linked to one of the United Nations’ current global goals. Working in teams, the children were given large planning sheets and began sharing ideas, discussing possibilities, and exploring creative solutions.
It was wonderful to see how collaboratively they were working. Each group was generating thoughtful ideas, listening carefully to one another, and contributing respectfully. Their teamwork, enthusiasm, and focus shone through.
We are incredibly proud to share that the team who pitched their disaster-rescue AI solution finished in third place. This is a massive achievement, especially given the high standard of ideas and the level of competition on the day.
Their creativity, teamwork, confidence, and ability to think innovatively about real-world challenges were outstanding. To have their work recognised in this way is something they should feel very proud of, we certainly are.
Well done to the whole team for representing Hollinwood Academy so brilliantly.
Let’s see what has been happening in the classroom.
In Miss Oakley’s class this week…
"What an exciting and hardworking half term it has been in our class. The children have thrown themselves into every subject with enthusiasm, curiosity and brilliant teamwork, and we couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved.
English – Action Writing Inspired by How to Train Your Dragon
In English, we stepped into the world of Vikings and dragons as we created our own action-packed pieces of writing inspired by How to Train Your Dragon. The children explored how to use personification to bring scenes to life, fronted adverbials to add detail, and short sentences to build suspense. Alongside all this creativity, they made sure to keep up with their non-negotiables: capital letters, finger spaces and full stops. Their writing has been a joy to read.
Maths – Investigating Perimeter
Our Maths lessons have been full of hands-on exploration as we learned all about perimeter. The children used technology and even Shreddies to build their own shapes before counting the sides as a practical hook into the topic. We’ve also been using rulers to measure accurately and finding missing lengths. Their confidence has grown so much over the half term.
Science – Exploring Sound
In Science, we became investigators, exploring how sound travels. The children carried out experiments to see vibrations in action and learnt about the different parts of the ear. They even made a cup phone to explore sound waves!
History – The Success of the Roman Army
Our History topic took us back to Roman times as we explored what made the Roman army so successful. The children examined artefacts, inferred who might have used them, and discussed what they could have been for. We also looked at the incredible legacy the Romans left behind. Their historical thinking has been impressive.
We have also been learning about growth and fixed mindsets. The children explored how our brains grow when we practise, persevere and learn from mistakes. We talked about the power of saying “I can’t do it yet” and how challenges help us improve. It has been wonderful to see the children encouraging each other, celebrating effort and recognising that progress comes from trying their best.
It has truly been a wonderful half term filled with learning, laughter and lots of hard work. We are always so proud of you and everything you achieve."
In Miss Datta’s class…
"We have had a very exciting half term: learning new things and exploring.
IT was very exciting this term and the highlight was our trip to Oldham college. We took part in an AI creative competition with 10 other schools and stood 3rd.
We made our school very proud.
In English we read a modern play- Kensuke's Kingdom and we had fun enacting the characters.
In science we are trying to understand the logic behind heating and cooling.
In Maths we are learning about gradients and real-life graphs.
We have learnt some delicious recipes in our cooking lessons. We loved our savoury rice and mashed potato with seasoning.
In Art lessons we are taking inspiration from Wayne Thiebaud and creating our masterpieces."
SUA - 6.2.26
Now to our amazing SUPER STARs and HWA We are Creative STARs
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s STAR of the week Roma for enthusiastically exploring all tasks, being great on Outdoor Education and setting a great example to her peers.
Mrs Quinn’s and Miss McDonald’s HWA We Are Creative goes Teddy for demonstrating creativity throughout a range of tasks and familiarising himself with his routine.
Mrs Bailey’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Jack for fantastic engagement in communication this week, using TD Snap to make requests with an adult.
Mrs Bailey’s STAR of the Week is William for amazing engagement in lessons this week, working hard to communicate his wants and needs with other, and mark making independently too.
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's STAR of the Week is Elijah, Cree and Finley for absolutely amazing reading and writing in phonics and Talk 4 Writing this week.
Mrs Lerigo’s and Mrs Sutcliffe's HWA We Are Creative goes to Blaire for engaging brilliantly with the props in our sensory story Little Red Riding Hood.
Miss Boothroyd’s STAR of the Week is Nico for having a fantastic & positive week in school.
Miss Boothroyd’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Romy for her great art work this week.
Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s STAR of the Week is Diana for trying new foods at lunch time every day this week.
Mrs McDonalds’ and Mrs Bramley’s creative star goes to Roman for trying his best with his Roman Helmet creation.
Mrs Matthews’ STAR of the Week is Henry M for his thoughtful piece of artwork that reflects the skills and ideas we explored in Art lessons this week.
Mrs Matthews’ We Are Creative STAR goes to Thomas consistently demonstrates an amazing attitude in class. He always has his hand up, approaches his work with resilience, and shows a brilliant never-give-up mindset.
Miss Oakley’s STAR of the Week is Lyla for an incredible action story and trying hard with her handwriting.
Miss Oakley’s HWA We Are Creative goes to Issac- Practising his spellings every morning.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is William for being kind to a friend when they were upset.
Mr Corrigan’s STAR of the Week is Hope for coping really well with the fire alarm.
Mr Corrigan Congratulates Teddy B & Teddy W for being proud of their friends.
Miss Hulme’s STAR of the Week is Madilyn for always being such a kind and generous friend.
Miss Hulme’s HWA We are Creative goes to Gabriel for taking his time and showing great attention to detail to create a beautiful snake during our science lesson
Miss Jahnara’s STAR of the Week goes to Maya for giving great answers in guided reading.
Miss Jahnara’s HWA We are Creative goes to Derry for turning behaviour round by showing good listening and responding to staff.
Mrs Boylan’s STAR of the Week goes to Mysha for making safe choices this week
Mrs Boylan’s HWA We are Creative goes to Louis for having a fantastic Friday!
Miss Davies’s STAR of the Week is Maleek for engaging in his reading and writing tasks this week
STARS of the Week (6.2.26)
Well done to everyone.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Miss Gordon
