Home | 2024 | May

A letter of congratulations to the school from Alex Norris (MP) after a recent visit to the academy

14 May 2024

Following a successful visit from HMI towards the end of March, Park Vale has officially been judged to be a Good school: the first time ever in its history. The full breakdown of the gradings reads as follows:

Overall Effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good

Behaviour and attitudes Good

Personal development Good

Leadership and management Good

Read the full report, please click on this LINK.

Quotes from the official report:

“Pupils enjoy attending Park Vale Academy. The school has high expectations of what

pupils can achieve and how they should behave. Most pupils meet these

expectations. Staff and pupils said that the school has improved. The school is calm

and orderly. There are clear routines that pupils understand and follow. Most pupils

behave well in lessons. At break and lunchtime, pupils behave sensibly. They enjoy

socialising and taking part in different activities. There are positive relationships

between staff and pupils. Pupils are polite and well-mannered. They treat each other

respectfully.”

“Pupils feels safe in school”

“Pupils are clear about the school’s expectations of how they should behave.”

“Lessons are rarely disrupted.”

“The school is well led and managed”

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Home | 2024 | May

CAMPS INTERNATIONAL – Kenya Scuba Expedition 2026

14 May 2024

School Expedition https://www.campsinternational.com/expedition/kenya-scuba-expedition/https://www.campsinternational.com/expedition/kenya-scuba-expedition/

As a school, we are very excited to announce that we have chosen to partner with Camps International to offer students in Years 9, 10 and 11 the opportunity to go on a life-changing 4-week expedition to during the summer of 2026, incorporating a personal adventure challenge. Years 8,9 and 10 will attend an assembly about this exciting opportunity on Tuesday 14th May 2024.

There is also a parent information evening on Tuesday 21st May at 6.30pm

SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY	ACTIVITIES	MORE DETAILS
Day 1	Leave for Kenya	This morning you will make your way to your designated meeting point ready to embark on your journey to Kenya.
Day 2	Arrive in Kenya	You’ll be met at the airport by one of our awesome Camp Kenya crew who will take you to your accommodation in the city where you’ll spend your first night.
Day 3	Head to your first camp	After a good night’s sleep, you will transfer to your first camp of the expedition. Located on the edge of a national park, it truly is a beautiful location and will quickly become your home away from home. On arrival, you will be given a briefing, camp orientation and village tour. After lunch, our project leaders will take you to visit the various project sites. You will gain an understanding of the issues you will be helping to tackle through your project work and we’ll establish your goals and objectives.
Day 4	All about elephants and Maasai	Human-wildlife conflict is a big problem in Africa and today you will learn about the most effective ways the local community is looking to combat this. Working alongside local people you will help them make elephant deterrent fences. This is a method regarded by the locals as the best way to stop elephants entering their farms without harming the animals. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in an educational environmental workshop, making paper out of elephant dung to bring a source of income to the community. In the afternoon we’ll head to visit a local Maasai tribe, where you will spend time learning about their traditions and have a chance to join in with the famous Maasai jumping ceremony.
Day 5 – 9	Environmental project work	Over the next few days, you will be getting stuck into environmental and wildlife-focused projects. You will undertake projects such as tree planting, and animal de-worming, learning about sustainable solutions to local and global issues.
Day 10	Tumani Women’s Group	Today you will be spending time with an inspiring women’s group who we have been working with for many years. You will learn about the challenges faced by women in rural communities and the innovative projects we are supporting to aid income generation. You’ll get to try your hand at some of these projects too, learning to make bead crafts that can be sold.
Day 11	Embark on a safari adventure	After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on an unforgettable safari at Tsavo East National Park, one of Kenya’s top wildlife destinations. Keep your eyes peeled and you may be able to spot a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras to name a few.
Day 12 – 18	PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course	Head to our coastal camp where you’ll be staying for the next few days to complete your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course. Take on the challenge of mastering the fundamentals of Scuba Diving. Learn about your equipment and different diving techniques in a confined environment before undertaking a series of open water dives. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, dolphins and fish of all shapes and colours. In the evenings, you will have time to relax, play games on the beach or catch up on your PADI theory.
Day 19	Travel to your next camp	After a week of Scuba Diving, you will transfer to your next camp where you will be based in another small, rural community. You’ll take a walk in the village to get to know the local families before having a full briefing on what your work here will involve. During the briefing, you will learn more about the current situation and challenges faced by the community. Then it’s time to get stuck in this afternoon as we begin project work.
Day 20 – 27	Community project work	You will spend the next few days working alongside our locally employed craftsmen, helping to renovate or build a new house for a member of the community.
Day 28	Kwaheri from Kenya	We’ll say our final farewells (or Kwaheri in Swahili) before transferring you back to the airport in time for your flight home.

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