Dear parents/carers,
It’s been a very busy week at NAC, full of students achieving great things and experiencing some amazing opportunities.
Our under-16 Netball team had their quarter final match in the Sisters in Sport competition on Wednesday against a school from Croydon. They played exceptionally well, taking an early lead which they kept for the duration of the match, finally winning 48-41. This despite the squad strength in depth being tested with two big injuries and a big shout out to our year 8 netball, EB, playing against students three years older. The speed and skill of the girls in the team is amazing and equals what you see in national competitions, so their victory is very well deserved. Next week they go to Loughborough for the finals of the competition and we wish them all the luck in the world. This is the first time a netball team from NAC has ever got to the finals of this tournament which in itself is an incredible achievement.
Other sporting News: our Year 10 Netball team won South Devon End of season tournament, our under 14 boys football unfortunately lost 2-0 in the Devon cup Quarter finals against a strong West Exe side, and our year 7 netball had two teams in a triangular tournament with Teign and Coombeshead in which both teams performed really well and are showing great promise as a year group. A huge well done to all of them and to the PE department for making the fixtures happen.
Our Spring Concert took place last night, and surpassed the brilliant Winter Concert which is no mean feat. A member of the audience summed it up perfectly when they said, ‘WOW, how amazing was last night?!? – the students shone very brightly on the stage, and I truly believe this is the best concert we have had! Some of the songs chosen are tough songs and they all smashed them. I felt proud of them all and to be part of such a quality performance.” A huge shout out to Mr Simm, Mr Bottomley and Mrs Price for putting the concert on - and I can’t wait for the Summer Concert and for our summer production of ‘Annie’, both of which I have no doubt will be stunning.
We’ve had a number of trips this week, providing invaluable opportunities to enhance and enrich our students’ curriculums. Year 11 & 13 Drama students went to the Northcott Theatre to see a new production ‘Peak Stuff’ which will form part of their coursework. Year 11 Music students visited Lipson Academy to see the Bournemouth Symphony orchestra perform which is a unique opportunity to get a real insight into a first class orchestra. On both trips, organisers commented on how well our students were behaving and what a credit they were to NAC. Today nine year 12 Philosophy students are going to Wells Cathedral School for a conference with the Lead Examiner for their A level exam. Thank you to the RS, Drama and Music departments for organising these great trips.
Year 12 have had a really worthwhile work experience week. The students on-site in the PE department have been outstanding, and our International students doing work experience in the Green Tree Restaurant have produced some very popular and delicious meals for us to sample this week. The feedback on our students who have been on placements outside of the college has also been very positive, with our students embracing the experience being offered to them. A big thank you to our Sixth Form and Careers teams for all the work that has gone into organising such an essential week that helps prepare our students for post-18 life - and to the students themselves for making the most of it.
Year 13 exams this week have gone very well. There has been a real air of calm and they have taken them in their stride which bodes well for the summer. As ever, exams are a really good experience of what the real ones will be like, but they also reveal where the gaps are so students have time to fill them before the summer. A big well done to all our year 13 students.
The next two weeks see our Year 11 Spring mock exams. Lessons have been very much focused on revision for these exams and year 11 have been making the most of them and their revision sessions after school. Only 10 weeks left - it really is important our students are revising as much as possible to prepare for exams. If you feel you need any further support for your child at home, please contact your child’s teacher.
A heads up on some upcoming events:
It is World Book Day on Thursday 7th March. There will be a number of activities happening in college and the library to celebrate this day as reading is a very important part of our college culture and all our students’ education.
March 15th is Comic Relief and we will be having a non-uniform day to raise money for this worthwhile cause that helps tackle poverty here in the UK and across the world - which obviously resonates well with THAT, our chosen charity this year. Students will be asked to donate £1 for wearing non-uniform. More information to come out nearer the time.
Year 7-10 Assessment Week starts on the 11th March. Students’ timetables for assessment week will come home on Thursday 7th March. Following parental and student feedback, your child should have now received revision materials which they can use at home to prepare for their assessments.
Have a lovely weekend.
Amy