Park Hall Academy

Principal’s Blog

August 2009
Well, here goes - my first ever blog entry and what a way to start!
Our GCSE results are the best ever achieved at Park Hall! Over 80% of Year 11 got the 5 A*-C grades
they need to go on to study level 3 courses - what a brilliant start in life for them. I hope everyone is
really proud! Here is one of our hard working students receiving their results!

The press release reads as follows, I wonder if they will cover such great news?
Key Stage 4 Results – “Best Ever Achieved By Park Hall Students”
The students, staff and local community are delighted with their performance in 2009’s Key Stage 4
results – which show a doubling of performance over the last two years moving from 39 in 2007 to 80%
in 2009. Although some results are un-confirmed at present, the percentage of students achieving the
nationally expected 5 A*-C grades has increased by over 20 % from 60% in 2008 to 82% in 2009. The
percentage of students who achieved 5 A*-C with English and Maths has also increased by over 50%. In
2008, this measure was 22% and has increased by 12% to 34% in 2009. In 2009, 99% of students
achieved at least one A*-G grade, and 95% achieved 5 A*-G grades. Headteacher - Mrs Ann Green,
together with Principal Designate - Mr Tony Morrison, commented that, “These are the best ever Key
Stage 4 Results achieved at the school. It is a delight to receive more good news after our successful
OFSTED inspection in April. The students, staff, parents and Governors should be very proud of all the
skill, hard work and effort that has been dedicated to gaining these improvements – they exemplify how
two schools working in close partnership can bring huge benefits to the students. The improvements are a
fantastic foundation for the future - for the students, the new Park Hall Academy and our continued
partnership with Arden. We think they show that Park Hall can once again be truly called a good school.”
There were several outstanding performances by individual students including Jonathan Adams, Jessica
Bird, Tameshea Bish Castro, Grace Jenkins, Jenny Mach, and Cydney Reddington with at least 10 A*-C
grade passes. Additionally, Cydeny gained 9, Jess 8 and Grace obtained 7 A or A* grades.
Ann Green and Tony Morrison added that, “Although the statistical analysis of this year’s examination
results are at a very rough stage, in value added terms (i.e. when comparing the final results with students’
previous learning), Year 11 have done even better than those in previous years – which is fantastic and
builds well on the huge improvements we saw in our A Level results which were released last week. The
students, staff and parents should be pleased with this achievement and we are delighted.”
The picture shows Ann Green, Headteacher presenting Cydney Reddington with her results:

This isn’t bad, considering that last week, we found out that Y13 got the best results they have ever
achieved! What a year for Park Hall!

Tuesday 1st September

My first proper day as Principal! I know that I started working part time for the Academy at Easter, but
today is my first day as full time Principal – a bizarre one though, as there are no students or staff back
from the holidays though!
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Here I am smiling at the thought of taking over as Principal. Here is the press release that we put out …
Park Hall Moves from School to Academy
On September 1st, Park Hall School became Park Hall Academy with Arden School in Knowle as its
sponsor and Tony Morrison took up post as its new Principal.
These changes come quickly after the old Park Hall School achieved its best ever examination results in
the summer with an increase of over 20% since 2008 with 83% of Y11 students gaining the nationally
expected 5 A*-C grades and the percentage of students achieving 5A*-C grades including English and
Maths increasing by over 50%. These improvements were echoed in Park Hall’s sixth form – with post 16
results being the best the school has seen with a 20% improvement on last year.
Principal, Tony Morrison who has been working with the school since Easter commented that the
improvement in the students’ results were not really that much of a surprise to those close to the school.
“The old Park Hall School was inspected by OFSTED in May 2009. They found that the school had made
‘significant improvement’ and that many aspects of the school are now ‘good.’ Student behaviour and
attitudes were rated as good as a result of the great care, guidance and support, curriculum and teaching
that the students experience – not to mention the hard work of the staff and local community. ”
These dramatic improvements in student performance and well being have come as a result of Park Hall
working in close partnership with Arden comprehensive school - a High Performing Specialist School
rated as ‘Outstanding’ in its last four OFSTED inspections which is located in south Solihull.
Derek Smart – an Arden Governor for over 20 years and the Chair of the Academy’s Governing Body
describes how the partnership developed:
“The evolving partnership between the two schools has been a hugely exciting journey. Starting in
late 2007 with some limited assistance to Park Hall by Ann Green, the Arden Headteacher, it
progressed to joint leadership of both schools by Mrs Green for the past 18 months with support
from members of the Arden staff. Those involved felt that the partnership should be cemented in
some way and this became a reality when the concept of Arden sponsoring the Park Hall
Academy was proposed.”
Celia O’Donovan – the Chair of Governors of Arden School emphasised her satisfaction both with the
improved performance at Park Hall and also the value to Arden of the partnership:
“Whilst Park Hall has benefited significantly during this period in ways that can be measured, we
have been delighted to note that Arden has also profited. The opportunity to share each other's
best practice, the creation of a broader horizon across two schools and the development of
professional and social friendships at all levels have meant that Arden has continued to flourish
and move forward”
The Arden School Sponsorship of the Academy builds on the partnership developed between the two
schools. The Academy is a fully independent school with its own Governing Board. The Headteacher at
Arden School is Consultant Headteacher to the Academy Governing Body and the role involves the
provision of advice and guidance on the strategic direction and development of the Academy.
A joint Partnership Committee – with representation from both Governing Bodies and the two Heads –
supports this work to develop ways for the two schools to share good practice. There are no plans for
teachers from the two schools to be exchanged or indeed for students to move between the schools. The
experience of the past two years has shown that joint staff development days, observation of classes and
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exposure to a school with different issues and challenges have proved extremely useful and informative
and contributed massively to staff development and retention. It is these areas which will be developed.
Mrs Green, Arden Headteacher and Consultant Headteacher to the Academy commented that:
“The results at Park Hall exemplify how two schools working in close partnership can bring huge benefits
to the students. The improvements are a fantastic foundation for the future - for the students, the new Park
Hall Academy and our continued partnership. We think they show that Park Hall can once again be truly
called a good school. The recent move into the wonderful new buildings, the appointment of Tony
Morrison as the Principal and the prospect of developing the partnership create a really exciting future
with increasing benefits to both schools.”
Jan Hiorns, the Chair of Governors of the old Park Hall School and member of the new Academy
Governing Body, commented that:
“With apologies to Reverend King, but I also had ‘a dream’ and I am so glad to see it realised. The
dream, and I might add, the determination of the old school Governing Body, was that we would see Park
Hall return to the successful school that it always was. Due to the wonderful and innovative efforts of the
staff, the local authority and all the wider community we are well on the road to success and glory. The
journey continues for the school in a new and exciting direction - becoming an Academy, sponsored by a
highly successful school and working in partnership to enable all students to succeed at higher and higher
levels – these are truly exciting times for Park Hall.”
Anyone interested in seeing the new Academy are welcome to attend the Open Evening for prospective
students and families on Monday 21st September from 6:00-8:00pm

A picture of the new buildings!

Monday 7th September 2009

Well, today is the first real day of the year. The staff started back last week and we have had two really
good training days. Today, the students started back – lucky them … getting back to school and studying
etc after those long and boring summer holidays. It was great to meet the new Year 7. Here is a picture of
them during their first assembly … Apologies, it isn’t very clear – maybe I need to get a new lens for the
camera?

You can just about see that they are dressed really smartly!

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14th September 2009

Have just got into school this morning and heard all about the Castle Bromwich Festival that was held at
Park Hall over the weekend – it was an amazing event by all accounts! As well as It’s A Knock Out, there
were loads of different stalls, classes etc … just look at some of the pictures – they speak for themselves!

Many thanks to Mr Barber for all his hard work in helping to set it all up!
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14th September, 2009

The first meeting of the Park Hall Academy Governing Body! Despite there being lots of business – it is
hard work setting up an Academy – we had some time to get a picture of the new Governing Body!

Wednesday 16th September, 2009

UCAS Application day for the sixth formers – I don’t envy them having to put their applications for
University together … but at least with Mr Cornell’s help, they will be well supported – good luck to
everyone in writing ‘the box.’

Friday 18th September, 2009

The school bank opens today for Year 7 students – heres hoping one of the new investors will remember
their Principal when they make their first million! Thanks to Ms Morris in setting it up!

Monday 21st September, 2009 – Open Evening!

What a brilliant evening! The school looked fantastic thanks to all the staff’s hard work. The prospective
parents/carers and students were really complimentary about how things have improved and about the
new buildings – over 500 families came – I can’t wait to see the new Year 7. I wish everyone the best of
luck in making their applications – it is such a hard and difficult process!

Friday 25th September, 2009 – McMillan Coffee Morning

Another really positive experience at Park Hall. Nearly 30 families of the new Year 7 students were
represented through the morning. They all swapped stories whilst eating cakes etc prepared in school –
lovely … I wish I hadn’t eaten as many as I did … fitting into this suit is becoming more difficult!
Thanks to everyone involved in making it such a good day and raising funds for such a good cause –
especially Mrs Carver!

Friday 2nd October, 2009 – Park Hall Students Broadcast to the Nation!
Our Sixth Form BTEC Media students broadcast to the nation today! They visited Radio KICFM and
made a real impact with giving a lively and professional show … some stars of the future might just have
been born … Chris Moyles, watch out!

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Tuesday 6th October – Parents/Carer’s Information Evening: How to Help Your Child to get 5 A*-
C Grades Including English and Maths
Another well attended event! Drs Close and Ellemen put on a fantastic and helpful session for
parents/carers of some of our Year 11 students – showing what to do to help students be successful in
their learning. The parents/carers who attended commented on how helpful they found things … many
thanks to ‘the Doctors’ for all the help they gave!

Tuesday 13th October – Visiting the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in London!
I am on my travels today! I have just come out of a meeting with the SSAT and they have promised to
provide around 90 days training free to us! This is brilliant news and will allow us to continue to move
forward looking at improving students’ attitudes towards learning and the learning experience itself. It
might be sad, but I am really excited … to celebrate I took a picture of Parliament – spot the historian in
me!

Friday 16th October, 2009

We held the interviews for our new post as Individual Learning Leader today. We appointed Mr S.
Gregory and I am sure he will be superb. The job involves leading a huge team of people in helping to
remove the barriers to our students’ learning … a vital job and we can’t wait until he starts in January –
will have to get his picture for the blog! Thanks to everyone who helped with the interviews – especially
the student panel. The candidates all commented about how good their questioning was and also about
how friendly and welcoming everyone is at Park Hall – as it should be!

Friday 23rd October, 2009 – Breaking up for half term!

What an amazing half term it has been –time have really flown by for me and I have really enjoyed my
first half term proper at Park Hall. I have met some brilliant people, seen some fantastic things going on
and we have (hopefully) moved things on a bit. I wish everyone a really relaxing holiday – both students
and staff alike …

Monday 2nd November, 2009 – Welcome Back!

Its good to be back eh! Well some of Park Hall have already been hard at it! The sixth form have been
away on their team building antics and it sounds like all had a thoroughly good time at Boreatton park in
Shrewsbury.
Many of the students had their first taste of activities including raft building and abseiling. Both teachers
and students took part in the activities together, working in teams to overcome a series of challenges.
Director of Park Hall Sixth Form, Mr Cornell, was one of the accompanying teachers and was impressed
by what he saw of the students. “Opportunities like this enable you to see a different side of your
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students. I was incredibly impressed by their courage and support for one another. All of the students
attempted every activity – in many cases overcoming deep rooted fears to do so. In each case I think it
was the encouragement of their friends that gave them the determination to succeed. If any one thinks this
stuff sounds easy I would challenge them to have a go at the ‘high ropes’ course here – I’m still shaking
now!”

Many thanks to everyone involved – it sounds like you had an excellent time and really learned some
useful things too! Well done!

Beginning of November Examination Series

Just a quick note to wish everyone taking their examinations this week and next week all the very best of
luck! I am crossing my fingers for you but make sure that you do that revision to be fully prepared!

Friday 6th November, 2009 – Another Visit to London and More Good News!
Yes, I have been in London again today. I am just on my way back with some superb news. I have been
working with I CAN - a charity who specialises in improving the way we work with young people with
speech, language and communication difficulties. Their research suggests that nearly one third of
youngsters across the country might well have un-diagnosed speech, language and communication
difficulties. I have been working with them as part of a team of about 15 people who are developing a
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programme called Secondary Talk which aims to improve the way secondary schools cater for students
with speech, language and communication difficulties … The good news is that it looks as if they might
allow us to pilot the Programme at Park Hall – this will mean that our students will benefit from it before
it is ‘rolled out’ across the rest of the secondary schools in the UK. Before this is confirmed, we will have
to have another meeting with them, but I am more than hopeful, so will celebrate tonight!

Tuesday 10th November, 2009 – Sixth Form Information Evening

We had another great night at Park Hall with the Sixth Form Information Evening. Mr Cornell, Ms
Murrell and all the staff worked really hard to provide some useful information and presentations to the
Year 11 students. Everyone I spoke to said how useful they found it. Many thanks to all the staff
involved! I know that you put a huge amount of effort in to make it such a productive night. It was so
good that we already have 88 applications for the sixth form and the application period has only just
begun!

Wednesday 11th November, 2009 – Students Visit Birmingham Council House

A group of Year 12 Advanced Level British Government & Politics students had the opportunity to visit
The City of Birmingham Council House in Victoria Square on Wednesday 11th November 2009. The
Council House is the home of Birmingham City Council and the students benefited from a tour of the
council chamber, Lord Mayor's Suite, committee rooms and the large and ornate banqueting suite,
complete with minstrels' gallery. The students learned about the system of voting used in the council,
discussed the two minute rule concerning voting in the Chamber and were fascinated by the use of new
technology. They also looked at range of documents and secondary source material celebrating visits by
numerous past and present Prime Ministers and Presidents. They will be able to draw on this knowledge
in their A Level examination in January 2010. An extremely enjoyable and useful visit, which has made a
significant contribution to the education of Park Hall students.

Thursday 12th November, 2009 – Park Hall Academy Building Wins Prestigious Prize!
We have just heard that our new building has won a wonderful prize in London! The press release written
by the Council reads:
Solihull School Scoops National Prize
Park Hall School in Castle Bromwich has scooped a national award for ‘Best Design for a New School’.
The award was announced on Thursday (12 November) at a ceremony in London for the Excellence in Building
Schools for the Future (BSF) Awards held by the government agency Partnerships for Schools. Park Hall was also
a finalist in the ‘Innovation in Sustainability’ category.
BSF is a national programme to rebuild or refurbish schools and Solihull successfully bid for Wave One funding of
over £80m of funding to replace Forest Oak, Merstone and Lanchester Special Schools and Archbishop Grimshaw,
Smiths Wood and Park Hall secondary schools in the north of the borough.
The brand new schools have transformed life for pupils thanks to a partnership between Solihull Council and
contractors BAM PPP who provided the design, built and maintain the schools and RM which provides state-of-
the-art ICT facilities.
The new Park Hall School (now renamed Park Hall Academy) opened in October 2008 and has 1,400 pupils drawn
from the local area.
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Councillor Ken Meeson, Leader of the Council who attended the awards on Thursday said: “Park Hall is a fantastic
building that provides a vastly improved learning environment. It has superb facilities which combined with its
state-of-the-art IT, offers tremendous opportunities for young people to achieve their potential both now and for
generations to come. The award is well deserved and it was pleasing to find that the school was also a finalist in the
‘Innovation in Sustainability’ category. Congratulations to the whole team that contributed to this success.”
Designers of the school, Nicholas Hare architects said: “We are delighted that Park Hall School has won a BSF
award. Our design aspirations were to create a flexible and sustainable school infused with natural light and that
capitalised on the stunning long views that the site is blessed with. Externally, the building presents a calm and
welcoming face to its users, its form creating a number of distinct outside spaces that have been wonderfully
landscaped. Internally, we have aimed for clarity of organisation and enlivened the spaces by bold use of colour.
We hope that we have delivered a facility that the students and staff can be as proud of as we are, and to have made
a contribution to the wider regeneration of Solihull.”
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnership for Schools, and Chair of the Excellence in BSF Awards judging panel,
said: “Each of our award winning projects is a shining beacon of how BSF is having a positive impact on so many
areas of life: from getting pupils involved in making decisions about their new schools; providing buildings and
facilities which can be used by the entire community for education and leisure; developing robust public-private
partnerships that deliver value for money for the public purse; and giving leadership teams the chance to implement
new strategies to help students reach their full potential.”
Tony Morrison, Principal of Park Hall Academy, commented that the new buildings have had a huge
impact on students’ learning and has seen student attainment improve at Park Hall with over 80% of
students now gaining the nationally expected 5 A*-C grades. The new school also gives the community a
21st century facility to that is something to be very proud of. We are all delighted at the award of ‘Best
Design for a New School’ and also being a finalist in the Innovation in Sustainability award and everyone
involved should be really pleased with this recognition of their work.

Friday 13th November – 2009 – Remembrance Service

Following a splendidly observed 2 minutes silence to commemorate those who have been injured or
given their life in service of their country, we were fortunate enough to have a visit from a veteran of
World War II today. Mr Horace Benson, S.Q.M.S., delivered an inspirational assembly to Year 7 pupils
and he and Mrs Tibbles from Castle Bromwich Parish Council later had breakfast with Harry Burke,
Joseph Short, Hollie-Rio Mansfield, Michaela Harris and Adam Kelly. Mr Benson explained that he had
volunteered to join the Army in April 1940. In June 1944 Horace boarded LCT301 from Portsmouth and
arrived at Sword Beach, Normandy at 8.30 a.m. Mr Benson and his regiment had to wade ashore under
terrible gunfire and then moved forward to Poix and Lille in France, then through Belgium and Holland to
Germany. Horace’s last station was with the Navy on H.M.S Rupert at Wilhelmshaven. He finally left in
July 1946 with the rank of S.Q.M.S.
Mr Benson’s made a real and lasting impression on the students. They were fascinated to hear about his
life story and numerous children put their hands up to ask questions and consequently were given the
opportunity to have breakfast with Mr Benson, who answered all of their questions with enthusiasm.
The students were shown pictures of the actual Landing Craft that transported Mr Benson across the
Channel, his Beach Ordnance Badges, lots of other fascinating photos and he also explained why he was
awarded the numerous medals he wore so proudly. The children were extremely interested to hear about
how the regiment landed on the beach in Normandy where Mr Benson was hit in the face by mortar and
various near misses - his steel helmet really saved the day. The pupils certainly benefited from Mr
Benson’s visit and thanked him for sharing his experiences with them so that we shall never forget the
generation ‘who gave their tomorrows for our today.’ Finally Mr Benson was presented with a rosette
made by Bethany Pope with the inscription “To our Greatest Heroes.”

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Tuesday 17th November, 2009

I have just been to the National Strategy’s Headteachers briefing. Senior Government Civil Servants
briefed us on how things are going in the nation’s secondary schools. Like me, they are really worried
about attendance and punctuality. Did you know that if you miss an average of ½ day per week of school,
you will get an attendance rate of 90%. Too many people think this is good! It is not. We know that in
order to do as well as possible at school, you need to be attending for at least 95% of the time – otherwise
your results will suffer! To all those out there who have attendance below this 95%, now is the time to get
it sorted and turn up to learn with a smile on your face every day! Go for it! (Well done to those of you
who are getting to school at least 95% of the time – and an even bigger WELL DONE to everyone who
has not missed one day at school – the numbers of 100%ers at Park Hall is growing).

Friday 20th November, 2009 – Children in Need Day

Many congratulations to all those involved in raising money for today’s Children in Need Day. All
manner of different fund raising activities have been happening during the week and as you can see from
the picture, we managed to raise more than £300 – and this was without the benefit of a non-uniform day!
Well done to everyone on a splendid effort and Ms Pearce for organising it all!

Monday 23rd November, 2009 – The First Meeting of the Parent/Carers’ Council
We had our first meeting of the new Parents/Carers Council tonight. As it was our first meeting, the
Parent/Carer Governors of the old Park Hall were invited in order to establish the Council. They agreed
that we will write to all parents/carers to see if they want to be involved. The idea of the Council is for
parents/carers to be able to meet with the Academy’s Senior Leadership Team and discuss what is
working and what needs to be improved. It will also feed its ideas into the Academy’s Governing Body.
We hope to recruit parents/carers of 3 students from each year group who will be joined by the
Parent/Carer Governor for the Council’s 3 meetings per year. If you are a parent/carer of a Park Hall
student and you fancy joining, look out for the mailing that will be coming out soon!
This is what the first meeting thought about what were Park Hall’s strengths and areas for development
… if you have some other ideas, why not get involved?
Strengths Areas for Development
GCSE Results Information, Advice and Guidance to ensure students follow the best courses
Facilities/Design for them
Post 16 Results Communication – letters don’t get home, information gets passed on too late,
Communication – teacher-parent/carer communication is really difficult in some cases e.g.
examples of good music, assessment – issues of accuracy and information passed on too late.
practice are emerging Website – out of date & lacks information. Information does not move
and it is getting better quickly enough within school e.g. fainting in one lesson not passed on to
Core Subjects – fully another, participation in National Initiatives is not passed on. Quality of
staffed? curriculum information e.g. what is being studied etc as well as what needs to
Homework – Science be done is not being passed on.
Good challenge in Gifted and Talented – identification, are needs being met with adequate
Science lessons stretch & communicating with parents/carers and across the school
Setting – changes on a Homework – lack of marking, lack of accuracy in marking, what is it & what
regular basis – means is it for? Lack of a homework agreement. Too often done in lessons
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assessment is having an Assessment – student involvement and self assessment lacking. Ipsative
effect elements seem to be absent.
Service to the Safeguarding – gate and entry/security – separation of pedestrian, road, bikes;
community e.g. facilities strangers can gain access?
rented out, Garden Party, Uniform – shirts hanging out, not checked? Systems not working. Shows poor
Open Day attitudes?
Fitness suite – effects Maths – quality of learning for some students
student fitness levels Internal Review – Parental involvement and feedback & actions?
Food!

Tuesday 24th November, 2009 – North Area Behaviour and Attendance Collaborative
Today I went to my second meeting of the collaborative along with representatives from the Local
Authority and the other Headteachers of the North Solihull Secondary Schools. Things are moving
quickly and we are aiming to work together to improve students’ attitudes to learning and attendance.
Watch this space for more details!

Tuesday 24th November, 2009 – Wiz Tickets Selling Fast!

You might already know that the latest Park Hall Academy Performing Arts production, the Wiz, a
modern take on the Wizard of Oz is due to take place on the evenings of Wednesday 9th, Thursday 10th
and Friday 11th December. Tickets are selling like proverbial ‘hot cakes’ and anyone wishing to attend
should act quickly to get one of the few remaining!

Wednesday 25th November, 2009 – Year 11 World of Work Day!

Year 11 have just completed their World of Work Day as part of our programme to improve their
employability skills. The days consisted with sessions too numerous to mention that allowed our students
to get a better idea of what is required in the adult world of work by working alongside adults from many
different walks of like. Feedback from our visitors was excellent. In the evaluation, Mr Barber received
many positive comments from our visitors - with them using words and phrases such as enthusiastic, well
mannered, courteous, on the whole impeccably well behaved, fantastic! Well done to all those involved
and a huge THANKYOU to Mr Barber for making it possible!

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Thursday 26th November, 2009 – First Term PE Report

All year groups have been entered into Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands football cups this
year. The Year 7 unfortunately lost their first game of the season as did the Year 8 team. The Year 10
team started with an excellent win but two away defeats followed at CTC and St Thomas Aquinas. The
Year 11 team lost on penalties in a controversial season opener and also 3-0 to St Peters in the Solihull
Cup. All teams still have at least one more competition to salvage something from a so far disappointing
season.
A new development this year is a Year 7 and 8 girl’s football team who train every Friday night. They
have an indoor football tournament at Smith’s Wood in January to look forward to.
Through his SSCo role, Mr Crotty has organised for coaches Renaldo Edmondson and Martin Gayle to
coach an after school basketball session for all years to attend. These have been attended by between 20
and 30 students every Monday.

The Year 10 team run by Mr Crotty and Mr Nardiello beat Heart of England 30 points to 16 with Nathan
Saunders scoring 22 points. The Year 10 now has high hopes of progressing to the play-offs with 4 more
league games to come. The Year 8 team managed by Mr Price also progressed to the finals day of their
tournament by finishing 2nd in the North Solihull part of the tournament.

Park Hall entered the Centre Parcs national badminton championships for boys and girls. The girls team
played really well at the championships and narrowly missed out on the next round. The Year 10/11 team
of Alex Pavey, Jamie Ataria, James Kennie and Nathan Prosser finished 2nd out of 7 schools to just miss
out on qualifying for the next stage of the tournament. The Year 7, 8, and 9 badminton team also showed
a lot of promise for future years by finishing 3rd out of 6 teams entering at that age group.

The 8, 9 and 10 rugby teams participated in the Solihull festivals throughout October with the Year 11
team also competing in the Army 7’s tournament at Leamington Rugby club. Well done to all involved.
All those interested in playing Rugby are encouraged to take part in regular Thursday night training
sessions at Old Salts Rugby club (3.30- 4.30) as part of renewal of links between the club and school.

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Friday 27th November 2009 – Visit of School Improvement Partner, David Snape
We had an interesting visit with David today. He works for the Government’s Academies Division and is
based in Luton. We focussed on the quality of students learning by looking at some of the lessons that
were taught this morning (thanks to those involved – your involvement really helped us). David
commented on how nearly all of the students he saw were helping and working hard to improve in their
studies. He also said how most of the students were warm, welcoming and accommodating to him as a
visitor to the Academy. This was great to hear as we always try to welcome our visitors in such a way.
However, we did see a very small minority of students who seem to have forgotten that we are in school
to learn and to do that we have to help maintain a suitable climate for learning – our discipline team will
be picking those students up …
This is a polite reminder to students that they should arrive at lessons on time, in the correct uniform and
with the right equipment; be nice to everyone in school and work as hard as they can to improve their
learning. In short: to turn up, be nice and work hard.
We know the vast majority of our students do this every lesson of every day – we are changing the
rewards systems so that your contribution becomes recognised and valued … Mrs Kernan’s assemblies
will tell you more!
So, this is a big CONGRATULATIONS to those of you who are doing well and a word of warning to the
students who are letting things slip occasionally!

Friday 27th November, 2009 – Park Hall Help in Shoe Box Appeal!
We have just completed collecting for our Shoe Box appeal. Students and staff have done an amazing job
in collecting all sorts to fill over 300 show boxes for those less fortunate than ourselves – well done Park
Hall and many thanks to Ms Pearce for organising everything!

Sunday 29th November, 2009 – Y11 Reports!

I have just finished reading the Year 11 Reports which will be issued soon. Most of you have done
amazingly well – there are some fantastic reports that you should be really proud of! It is now time to
read though your targets, act on them and get yourself organised for the final push through to the summer
examinations. If you need any help in this, don’t forget to ask your Form Tutor or Heads of House – they
will be only too willing to help support you through any difficulties or to provide words of wisdom,
support and encouragement! Go for it!
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 Principal’s Blog

Monday 30th November, 2009 – New Pastoral System Announced!

Since September, the staff have been busily working to improve our pastoral organisation so that we can
continue to raise standards and improve students’ attitudes and behaviour whilst rewarding those students
who always get it right. The policy is based around three principles; turn up, work hard and be nice.
The celebration and rewards side of it will see students collect merit points which can be traded in for
different rewards at different levels. These will be collected in their planners.
Students will receive merits for good attendance, good effort, hard work and being a good Park Hall
citizen (helping out at events, etc...)
In order to make sure that all students achieve, there are new sanctions for those students who disrupt the
learning of others. New report cards, detentions held by teachers, Subject Leaders, Heads of House,
Senior Leadership Team and the Principal and more rigorous support plans will operate. Students who
find it difficult to learn within the classroom will be accommodated elsewhere to ensure that learning
continues for them and everyone around them.
We have also invested in a new electronic behaviour logging system called Sleuth. This not only allows
staff to log all concerns, it will also allow parents and carers to access their own child’s records to
monitor behaviour. We will be in touch with further details when this is up and running for parents and
carers.
In addition to this, we have also amended the way we structure pastoral care at Park Hall.
The four Houses; Arden, Bradford, Jaguar and Spitfire will continue but will be led by Heads of House
from January. The staff leading these Houses are:
Arden: Ms M Butler (Behaviour and Attendance) & Ms J Price (Learning)
Bradford: Ms K Claff (Behaviour and Attendance) & Mr D Cox (Learning)
Jaguar: Mrs E Miller (Behaviour and Attendance) & Ms V Aston (Learning)
Spitfire: Mr G Gillow (Behaviour and Attendance) & Mrs J Sheldrick (Learning)
These staff will support students during the time they are in school and will be available to discuss any
concerns or thoughts that students and/or parents/carers may have with regard their education.
The staff responsible for Behaviour and Attendance are charged with ensuring that the students within
that House group behave well and show good attendance. They may make contact with you should any
concerns arise.

Monday 30th November, 2009 – End of Term Arrangements Announced!

We have just finalised our end of term arrangements – as described below – please note that the Academy
will finish early on Friday 18th November
Day Activity Changes
th
Monday 14 December Arden Celebration assembly Extended form period to 9.30
th
Tuesday 15 December Bradford celebration assembly Extended form period to 9.30
Wednesday 16th December Jaguar celebration assembly Extended form period to 9.30
Thursday 17th December Spitfire celebration assembly Extended form period to 9.30
Friday 18th December Last day of term and early Lessons 1-3 as normal
closure
12.25 students return to form bases for
registration

12.40 Directors of School to dismiss

form groups

Free school lunches available for

collection at break and lunch

As previously notified, please also note that the Academy will be closed to students on Monday 7th
December and again on Monday 11th January due to staff training.
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