Over recent weeks as part of their ‘Game ChangHERS’ project with Manchester United Foundation, eight of our students from Years 7 and 10 have been working hard on a plan to fundraise for a local female mental health charity based in Salford.

Last week the student group held a raffle and bake sale raising funds for the local charity chosen by our students, 4Mindz Foundation.

4Mindz Foundation raise awareness around female mental health through their social media platforms whilst also visiting local institutes to deliver talks and fitness coaching.

Our students have taken sole responsibility for the detailed planning and delivery of this project from logistics and cost to spreading the word around our academy and community.

Students were asked to pay £1 and in return received a cake and raffle ticket to be entered into a draw to win one of ten items of Manchester United kit kindly donated by Manchester United Foundation.

One of the student organisers, Neave Cavanagh, said; “Organising the bake sale was extremely rewarding, especially knowing the money we raised was going towards the charity 4Mindz. It was a great experience and I enjoyed creating it and watching it come to life!”

The events was a huge success and the students raised an impressive £208.60p!

We are delighted to announce that, after a rigorous interview selection process, we have now appointed our Principal Students and Prefect Team for 2022-2023!

Well done to every one of our Year 10 students who who put themselves forward, you all did an amazing job.

Congratulations to our final team of selected students. You performed fantastically at interview and we found it incredibly difficult to make our selections. We’re confident that we’ve made some excellent choices and we know you’ll be wonderful ambassadors for our academy during your time in your newly appointed roles.

We’d like to say a huge well done and thank you to all the students who put themselves forward for selection and a well-deserved congratulations to the appointed students who are:

Principal Students:

Joleen Diamond
Yi Yang Lin

Deputy Principals:

Jake Barrington
Thabisile Moyo
Katie Lawrence

Senior Prefect Team:

Sheila Aziz
Lillie Wood
Naomi Bande
Demola Shodunke
Sofia Forson
Momin Gondal
Neave Cavanagh
Emma Taaffe
Grace Todd
Alex Pritchard
Erin Millington
Kyra Jones
Zoey Zhang
Cerys Jones
Joel Idusuyi
Olivia Mundy

Our academy has signed up to the #BeeWell Programme, a nationwide study in which students’s complete online surveys once a year. #BeeWell will survey the wellbeing of students in secondary schools across Greater Manchester from Autumn 2021 and deliver positive change in all our communities as a result.

This Autumn, our students in Years 9 and 10 will be invited to take part in this research study and letters explaining the programme in further details are being sent home to those Year Groups, or you can download a copy below.

Who will conduct the research?

Professor Neil Humphrey, Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, is leading the study. The project is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Child Outcomes Research Consortium, Gregson Family Foundation, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

What is the purpose of the research?

The aim of the study, the #BeeWell programme, is to look into the wellbeing (e.g. happiness) of young people across Greater Manchester. They also want to know what influences their wellbeing (e.g. relationships, physical activity).

Year 9 and 10 parents/carers Information

Before you decide whether they can take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being conducted and what it will involve. Please take time to read the information letter below carefully. If anything is unclear or if you would like more information, please contact the team at: beewell@manchester.ac.uk or call them on: 0161 275 3415

Earlier this week our Science faculty set off with a group of our Year 9 students to attend the North West Manchester Science and Technology Challenge Day at the University of Bolton.

Working together in teams of three, they undertook activities that gave them an insight into some Science and Technology focuses that they could study at University. Points were awarded for their planning, problem solving and teamwork skills.

The E-fit Challenge
Having witnessed a simulated crime, each team used the latest E-FIT 6 facial recognition software (as used by 90% of UK police forces) to create a computer image of the thief. They also considered problems associated with memory and facial recognition.

The Robotics Challenge
Each team was provided with a Lego Mindstorm EV3 robot, which they programmed in order to navigate around a course. Each robot was equipped with ultrasonic and infrared sensors. The robots were programmed to stop and turn at a black line, make a chosen sound at a yellow or red line.

The Medical Diagnostics Challenge
Each team undertook the role of a doctor, diagnosing conditions suffered by simulated patients. They tested ‘urine’ samples, evaluated brain function, examined X-rays and brain scans. They considered how the brain works, seeing equipment operated directly by the brain.

All of our students were fully engaged in the sessions and asked some good inquisitive questions. The day finished with a Q&A session about studying science subjects at university and the all important moment when the winners were announced!

We are thrilled to announce that The ‘A Team’ (Elizabeth, Jessica and Dylan) won the Robotics Challenge and they were presented with a plaque by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Akhtar Zaman.

Excellent effort and achievement guys!

Our sponsor, the Co-op, believes it is vital that students don’t miss out on work-based learning opportunities and that’s why they have developed a ‘Virtual Work Experience Programme’. The Programme will give Year 9 students the chance to gain an invaluable overview of the different sectors not only within the Co-op, but also with some of their suppliers. The programme will give lots of insight into the work the Co-op do, their culture and people along with providing students with some learning opportunities to enhance their key employability skills.

Throughout the programme there will be interactive workshops from:

• Food stores
• Legal
• Funeralcare
• Food Logistics and Supply Chain
• Community & Shared Value
• Technology and Data
• Food Manufacturing and Buying
• Finance
• Property and Estates
• Media and TV
• Marketing
• Job Application

The programme will be held the week commencing Monday 27 June and professionally hosted and facilitated by Springpod who will bring the programme to life, ensure students have an interactive experience and students joining the programme will have the opportunity to:
Listen – Gain insights from leaders of big brands and retailers
Engage – Ask questions and find out how to get ahead in their career
Gain – Skills and experience to add to their CV
Expand – Their network by interacting with industry professionals

The Co-op Academy Virtual Work Experience programme is exclusive to Co-op Academy students only who will receive their sign in details via their academy email on Thursday 16 June. Please encourage your child to sign up and be part of this exclusive experience.