Year: 2023
Holocaust Memorial Day 27th January Assembly
19 Feb 2023
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide. We promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) – the international day on 27 January to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.
The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilisation, and genocide must still be resisted every day. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable and we cannot be complacent. Even in the UK, prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all.
HMD is for everyone. Each year across the UK, thousands of people come together to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future. We know they learn more, empathise more and do more.
Together we bear witness for those who endured genocide, and honour the survivors and all those whose lives were changed beyond recognition.
Until the end of its existence, the Auschwitz camp was above all a place of extermination. In other camps, the death rate was lowered from 1943 in an effort to conserve the labor force. In Auschwitz, however, where new transports, mostly of Jews, arrived continuously and kept the camp supplied with laborers, human life never had any great significance.
Historians estimate that around 1,1 million people perished in Auschwitz during the less than 5 years of its existence. The majority, around 1 million people, were Jews. The second most numerous group, from 70 to 75 thousand, was the Poles, and the third most numerous, about 20 thousand, the Gypsies. About 15 thousand Soviet POWs and 10 to 15 thousand prisoners of other ethnic backgrounds (including Czechs, Byelorussians, Yugoslavians, French, Germans, and Austrians) also died there. In view of the role that it played in the realization of the Nazi extermination plans, Auschwitz is known around the world as a symbol of Nazi genocide, and especially of the destruction of the Jews.
Graphic novel author named Barbara Yelin (author of Irmina) stumbled across a box around 15 years ago in her mothers flat which contained a number of things belonging to her late grandmother who passed away 25 years ago. The things contained in the box were a collection of documents and diaries containing details of her Grandmothers life but also details of her Grandfather who she had never known. Barbara’s Grandmother had not told her much about her life before the second world war and during the second world war, however the contents of the box she found revealed that her Grandmother was actually a silent bystander in Germany during the period of the Holocaust.
In the mid-1930s, Irmina, an ambitious young German, moves to London. At a cocktail party, she meets Howard Green, one of the first black students at Oxford, who, like Irmina, is working towards an independent existence. However, their relationship comes to an abrupt end when Irmina, constrained by the political situation in Hitler’s Germany, is forced to return home. As war approaches and her contact with Howard is broken, it becomes clear to Irmina that prosperity will only be possible through the betrayal of her ideals. In the award-winning Irmina, Barbara Yelin presents a troubling drama about the tension between integrity and social advancement. Based on a true story, this moving and perceptive graphic novel perfectly conjures the oppressive atmosphere of wartime Germany, reflecting with compassion and intelligence on the complicity that results from the choice, conscious or otherwise, to look away.
“A comic of substance, real feeling and expression” Paul Gravett, Editor of 1001 Comics to Read
The United Nations Convention of 1948 defines the crime of genocide as “acts committed to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such”. Genocide literally means the annihilation of a race.
Irmina explores the life of an ordinary person, it is based on the life of Barbara’s Grandmother. It brings together the contents of the documents and diary entries Barbara found in her Grandmothers memory box. It reveals that her Grandmother was a bystander during the Holocaust and highlights to us that ordinary people were involved in the horrors of the holocaust not just the evil dictators we think of when think of who was to blame for this horrible event in history. It challenges us to consider how being a bystander can be considered just as bad as being a perpetrator because it allows the perpetrator to continue their abuse without being challenged. Perpetrators often thrive through the silent support of bystanders and this should challenge us all to seek to become upstanders against prejudice and injustice in our world today.
The main character is named Irmina, a young German women who is 19 years old. Irmina moves in 1934 from Stuttgart to England because she does not want to stay in Germany. In England as a student she meets and falls in love with a student from Barbados. Eventually though in 1936 she decides to return to Nazi Germany and there we begin to see her changing as she marries a Nazi architect and becomes a bystander and turns into the someone who profits from the Nazi regime and she finds herself turning a blind eye to the terrible persecution of the Jews.
Genocide is facilitated by ordinary people. Ordinary people turn a blind eye, believe propaganda, join regimes. And those who are persecuted, oppressed and murdered in genocide aren’t persecuted because of crimes they’ve committed – they are persecuted simply because they are ordinary people who belong to a particular group (eg, Roma, Jewish community, Tutsi).
Ordinary people were involved in all aspects of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution of other groups, and in the genocides that took place in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Ordinary people were perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers, witnesses – and ordinary people were victims.
In every genocide, those targeted faced limited choices – ‘choiceless choices’ (Lawrence Langer) but in every genocide the perpetrators have choices, ordinary people have choices.
Our theme this year, though, highlights the ordinary people who let genocide happen, the ordinary people who actively perpetrated genocide, and the ordinary people who were persecuted.
Our theme will also prompt us to consider how ordinary people, such as ourselves, can perhaps play a bigger part than we might imagine in challenging prejudice today.
In order to explore the theme of Ordinary people, we will look at some specific categories (perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers). It is important to note that people do not always fall neatly into one of these categories, and that within categories, within sectors, jobs and responsibilities there were a range of responses to what was going on around them.
Kristallnacht: the Night of Broken Glass, also called the November pogrom(s) a pogrom against Jews carried out by the Nazi Party’s Sturmabteilung (SA) paramilitary and Schutzstaffel (SS) paramilitary forces: Jewish homes, hospitals and schools were ransacked as attackers demolished buildings with sledgehammers.[5] Rioters destroyed 267 synagogues throughout Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland.[6] Over 7,000 Jewish businesses were damaged or destroyed,[7][8] and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps.
Not all upstanders began as upstanders. They made mistakes and then learned from them, becoming upstanders. Consider Martin Niemoller’s journey from bystander, to upstander, to poem writer.
Please also embed this second video on the same slide if possible:
Nottingham Theatre Royal – Poetry Live! 31st January 2023
19 Feb 2023
Fifty year 11 students visited the Nottingham Theatre Royal for the Poetry Live! event, featuring performances and insights from well-known poets.
The annual event welcomed back Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, alongside Carol Ann Duffy, another of the most read, studied and loved of today’s poets. They were also joined by Imtiaz Dharker, Daljit Nagra and Owen Sheers. John Agard gave an exciting performance combining historical awareness, cultural insight and extraordinary humour.
Students were able to ask the poets questions about their work, and they discussed how poems connect to and influence other poems.
In special examiner sessions, experienced Chief Examiner Tony Childs focused on two skills vital for success in the GCSE English Literature examinations. The first session looked at how students might deal with unseen poems in the exam, both how to think about them and how to write for the best possible results. The second session looked at comparing poems, whether they are studied poems or unseen, and how to write most effectively in either situation.
The students displayed exemplary behaviour throughout the entire day and were role-model representatives of Park Vale Academy. It was an absolute pleasure to share the experience with them.
Miss Brown, Mr Scott and Mrs Peacock.
About the event
Poetry Live visit the website.
- Each event includes the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. He is one of Britain’s best poets, with a superb ear for language. This is a great opportunity to hear Simon read his work from the anthology.
- Carol Ann Duffy is one of the most read, studied and loved of today’s poets. She was an inspiring and transformational Poet Laureate from 2009 to 2019. Her poems are sharp, funny and contemporary, and also full of a literary past, whether from mythology, or Shakespeare.
- John Agard gives one of the most exciting performances in contemporary poetry, not only in the way he delivers his poems, but also in how he talks about them, combining historical awareness, cultural insight and extraordinary humour.
- Imtiaz Dharker, Daljit Nagra, Owen Sheers and Grace Nichols will read their work.
- Poets will respond to student questions and discuss how poems connect to and influence other poems
- In the examiner sessions our highly experienced Chief Examiners will deal with two skills vital for success in the GCSE English Literature examinations.
- The first session will look at how students might deal with unseen poems in the exam, both how to think about them and how to write for the best possible results.
- The second session will look at comparing poems, whether they are studied poems or unseen, and how to write most effectively in either situation.
- These sessions have proved invaluable to students’ thinking, whether they are in Year 10 or Year 11, and are an outstandingly successful aspect of GCSE Poetry Live!
8th IDWGIS – 11th February 2023
9 Feb 2023
All students received an inspiring assembly about I.D.E.A. – Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. Bringing communities forward for sustainable and equitable development.
A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields. Gender equality has always been a core issue for the United Nations. Gender equality will make a crucial contribution to economic development of the world.
The main thing is to be inspired by the women in science that we admire and look up to. Some female scientists, we see everyday. Did you know ? …take a look at our very own scientists here at Park Vale Academy. Could you be scientist 6 ?
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The goals were made by all UN member states in 2015 as a part of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Children’s Mental Health Week will take place from 6-12 February 2023.
8 Feb 2023
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Connect’
From 6-12 February 2023, schools, families and communities across the UK will take part in Children’s Mental Health Week. Let’s Connect is about making meaningful connections for all, during Children’s Mental Health Week – and beyond. People thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing.
For Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, we’re encouraging people to connect with others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways.
Bon Voyage. 3 Day Residential Paris Trip – 2nd February 2023
5 Feb 2023
36 students took the opportunity to immerse themselves in the French language and culture visiting its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs of Paris and Notre Dame.
As well as being the capital, Paris is also the cultural heart of France and the romance, beauty, food and buzz of the French capital. Students took the opportunity to stroll along the magnificent boulevards, enjoy great works of art and savour the atmosphere. Students will also enjoy a boat trip along the Seine.
Staying at the Hosho Paris, located in Le Kremlin-Bicetre, our students are close to Paris to visit all the attractions offered on this 3 day residential.
Industrial Action: 15th & 16th March 2023
3 Feb 2023
Industrial Action: Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March
Dear Parent
Unfortunately we have two further days of industrial action planned by the members of the National Education Union of teachers: next Wednesday and Thursday. There is still a remote possibility that this industrial action might be called off but at this stage it looks unlikely. If anything does change between now and next week, we will obviously be in contact with you again.
Due to the limited staffing capacity anticipated on both of the days, we will continue to prioritise exam classes so Year 11 students should attend school as normal to either go to lessons or participate in revision activities. All other year groups (Years 7-10) will need to remain at home but – as ususal – online learning will be provided for them via Class Charts, the details of which appear below. Please ensure as parents that your child accesses this work and completes all the tasks set for them. The only other students who will be invited into the building on those two days are those officially classed as vulnerable but if this applies to your child, you will be contacted directly by the school.
Lesson Guidance for Years 7-10 next Wednesday and Thursday
- Following your normal timetable for the day, check to see if your teacher has set work for that lesson on Class Charts in the Homework area. If these are tasks there, that is the work which must be completed for the lesson
- If there is no work set in the Homework section for your lesson that period, this will be because the relevant member of staff is on strike. In that instance go to the Announcements tab on Class Charts where alternative work will be available for you to complete
Free School Meals
We are making provision for all students eligible for free school meals, who will not be in school on Wednesday, to be able to collect a lunch bag at the end of school on Tuesday, in lieu of Wednesday’s lunch. If you would like your child to be provided with a lunch bag, please either phone or email Main Reception before 3 pm on Monday, giving your child’s name, tutor group and any dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, vegan etc). Students attending school on Wednesday will be provided with lunch as normal.
On Thursday, any students who are eligible for free school meals who would like to collect one from school will be able to do so by coming into main reception any time in the morning prior to 1 pm. Again, if your child would like to make use of this service, you simply need to phone or email reception as above (ie before 3 pm on Monday). ). Students attending school on Thursday will be provided with lunch as normal.
If you have any further questions or concerns about the arrangements for students next Wednesday, please don’t hesitate to contact the school in the usual way.
Yours Sincerely
Mr S Bowhay
Y10 Mock Interview Day – Friday 24th Feb 2023
3 Feb 2023
Introduction
Interviews are something that everyone finds challenging, whether you are going for your first interview, or whether you have taken part in lots of interviews before. It is so important that you have the opportunity to practise for your first interview, so that you feel more confident and prepared to answer whatever questions you have to face.
One thing to remember: an interview is a two-way process. It is a chance for you to “show-off”, to tell the employer why they need you to work in their organisation. It is also, though, the opportunity for an employer to see whether you “fit” into their organisation.
PART ONE: Preparation
You will need to prepare a C.V [Curriculum Vitae] to hand to the interviewer at your interview. The CV should be produced using a computer and aim to look professional. Look at these examples!
PART TWO: Practise Questions
These are the types of questions that you might get asked at an interview and with ideas on how you might respond to those questions. Have a go at preparing some answers to these questions
| What are your interests outside of school? | Make sure you are able to talk for a minute or so about something you do in your spare time.The interviewer wants to know that you are a well-rounded person with a life outside school! |
| What are your strengths? | Before you go to the interview, it is a good idea to make a list of the qualities that you think the employer or educational establishment would want from someone. Your answers will tell the interviewer whether you have an understanding of the type of person needed to do the course/job |
| What are your weaknesses? | Do you admit to any? One answer could be that you do have some but none that would stop you doing a good job. Another answer could be phrased positively – “sometimes over-enthusiastic” or “a bit of a perfectionist”Reassure the interviewer that there are no serious areas of concern and that you will be able to do the course/job. |
| Can you tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team? | How do you relate to other people? Are you a leader? Have you got ideas? Can you motivate others? Before you go to the interview, think about a project that you have been involved with which required teamwork. Tell the interviewer what the team goal was, what part you played in helping the team to achieve that goal and how successful you were.The question is designed to help the interviewer find out what sort of a person you are. |
| What accomplishments /achievements have given you the greatest satisfaction/ are you most proud of? | Before you go to the interview think of an achievement/accomplishment of which you are proud. It does not necessarily have to be connected with school or work.Employers/Sixth Forms & Colleges all want people who are able to accomplish projects successfully |
| Do you have or have you held any positions of responsibility whilst at school? | Before you go to interview, make a note of any positions of responsibility you hold, if necessary, it is okay to take some notes into the interview to remind you. |
| What made you choose the subjects you are currently studying? | Before you go to interview make sure you know exactly what subjects you are studying and be prepared to explain why you choose them. |
| Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? | The answer to this question needs to be one that will reassure the interviewer that you are keen to learn and to use the skills you acquire within the company or during your time at Sixth Form or College. Your answer should include points such as ‘I would hope to have gained experience/new skills/qualifications” … “I would be taking on more responsibility”. You need to make clear that you want progression within the company (if applying for the apprenticeship). Do not say that you will have moved on elsewhere unless you are applying for a Sixth Form or College place. |
PART THREE: Practise answering the questions
It is all very well to prepare answers to the questions, rehearse them and know what you are going to say, but it is totally different when you are actually in the interview situation with an employer/someone sitting opposite you, that you’ve never met before, who is asking these questions individually.
Careers Fair 23rd March 2023
2 Feb 2023
I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware of our annual careers fair. We will have over 30 local providers supplying information about Post 16 Provision, apprenticeships, and jobs. Your child will be invited to visit the fair during their lessons on 23rd March 2023.
Our providers give up their time to support our students and therefore, at times, share their stalls and
pictures of students interacting with them on social media platforms. If this is something you are concerned about, please can you let me know by emailing me at the email address given below.
In preparation for the event here are a few questions your child may want to ask our providers to get the
conversations started: –
• What subjects/courses do you offer?
• Do you offer any support with transport to and from your location?
• What qualifications are required for the apprenticeship/course?
• What skills/competencies are required for the course or career?
• What do they enjoy most about working for this company?
• What advice would they give to someone interested in this career /course?
I would also like to make you aware of Unifrog accessible from RM Unify. All students have access to this platform that has information about colleges, universities, career pathways and jobs/apprenticeships of the week. Unifrog is a ‘one-stop shop’ for anything careers based.
Please also use the information on our website pages https://parkvaleacademy.org.uk/career-related-learning/ which aims to support you and your child to access all the information and support you may need.
There is also LMI for All which is an online data portal funded by the Department for Education. It brings together existing national sources of high quality labour market information (LMI) that can inform people’s choices about their careers. LMI for All includes information from key datasets from, for example, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Department for Education and HESA
Industrial Action: Wednesday 1st March 2023
1 Feb 2023
Dear Parent
You are hopefully aware from my previous letter that the next day of planned strike action by the National Education Union of teachers is scheduled for next Wednesday. There is still a remote possibility that the industrial action might be called off but at this stage it still looks unlikely. If anything does change between now and 1 March, we will obviously be in communication with you again.
We will continue to prioritise exam classes at this time particularly as we are about to begin the second set of Mock Exams for students. So, Year 11 students should attend school as normal on Wednesday to either complete their exams or participate in revision activities. All other year groups (Years 7-10) will need to remain at home but online learning will be provided for them via Class Charts, the details of which appear below. Please ensure as parents that your child accesses this work and completes all the tasks set for them. The only other students who will be invited into the building next Wednesday are those officially classed as vulnerable but if this applies to your child, you will be contacted directly by the school.
Lesson Guidance for Years 7-10 next Wednesday
- Following your normal timetable for the day, check to see if your teacher has set work for that lesson on Class Charts in the Homework area. If these are tasks there, that is the work which must be completed for the lesson
- If there is no work set in the Homework section for your lesson that period, this will be because the relevant member of staff is on strike. In that instance go to the Announcements tab on Class Charts where alternative work will be available for you to complete
Free School Meals
We are making provision for all students eligible for free school meals, who will not be in school on Wednesday, to be able to collect a lunch bag at the end of school on Tuesday, in lieu of Wednesday’s lunch. If you would like your child to be provided with a lunch bag, please either phone or email Main Reception before 3.00pm on Monday, giving your child’s name, tutor group and any dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, vegan etc.). Students attending school on Wednesday will be provided with lunch as normal.
If you have any further questions or concerns about the arrangements for students next Wednesday, please don’t hesitate to contact the school in the usual way.
Yours Sincerely
Mr S Bowhay
Safer Internet Day 2023
29 Jan 2023
Safer Internet Day 2023 will take place on the 7th of February 2023, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online’.
Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the celebration sees thousands of organisations get involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
Using the internet safely and positively is a key message that we promote in school, and celebrating Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity for us to re-emphasise the online safety messages we deliver throughout the year.
We would be delighted if you could join us in celebrating the day by continuing the conversation at home. To help you with this, you may be interested in downloading the free Safer Internet Day Education Pack for Parents and Carers which is available at: saferinternet.org.uk/sid-parents.
Some other resources which you may find helpful in supporting your child online are:
- Advice for parents and carers from Childnet
- Tips, advice and guides for parents and carers from the UK Safer Internet Centre
- Reviews and information about games, apps, TV shows and websites from Common Sense Media
- Help on using parental controls and privacy settings from Internet Matters
- Information and reporting of online grooming or abuse from CEOP
Online safety is an important issue which as a school we’re committed to teaching our pupils about.
If you have any concerns or questions about keeping your child safe online, please use the link below to arrange a drop-in on Tuesday 7th February 6-7pm.
parkvaleacademy.schoolcloud.co.uk/
Advice for parents and carers
Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to focus on online safety with your child, whatever their age. We have created a range of pages to help you start a conversation with your child, whatever that may be about and no matter how much time you have.
Safer Internet Day 2023 is celebrated on 7th February 2023, with thousands of people across the UK working together to champion youth voice and engage in conversations about how we can all work together to make the internet a great and safe place.
Help and advice for you as a parent or carer
About Safer Internet Day 2023Read more about the theme of the day.
Practical tips for starting a conversation about life online
How to talk about difficult topics
What do I do if something goes wrong?
Getting your child involved in online safety