Ormiston Shelfield Community Academy December 2013 | Page 2

Message from the Principal

It has been a busy term at Shelfield Community Academy with a lot to celebrate. Thank you to students, staff, parents and our local community who have supported the changes that have been made and encouraged our drive to ensure that standards remain consistently high.

The term began with a celebration of the academy’s best ever results – 59% of Y11 students achieved 5A*-C including English and Maths, with results rising in both core subjects, bucking the national trend.

Our Open Evenings for Y6 students and their parents in September were very successful, resulting in over 550 parents expressing a preference for SCA as the academy of choice for their child. We feel privileged to continue to be oversubscribed, knowing that parents are choosing us as the academy which is ‘laying the foundations of bright young futures’.

In October, students and staff were excited to welcome our Royal visitor, His Royal Highness, the Earl of Wessex, who officially opened our new building. The visit was a real boost for the local community and the academy as whole.

In November, Y11 students worked hard for their Mathematics exams, attending half term revision and booster sessions; the students’ work ethic was fantastic and we look forward to celebrating their results in January.

Children In Need was a huge event at the academy: staff and students in fancy dress, a whole host of sponsored activities taking place, the Great Shelfield Eat Off and not forgetting the annual staff parody video – this year ‘What Do Shelfield Staff Say?’ which has had over 3000 hits on YouTube already!

The Christmas decorations were up early and the spirit of goodwill in evidence, as donations were collected for the local Food Bank appeal. A Christmas themed non-uniform day on Friday 20th will also raise funds for the charities, including the new Food Bank in Pelsall.

Next year our drive to maintain the highest of standards continues – please support this by ensuring that Father Christmas gives gifts of a school equipment this year, so that all students arrive in the new term with a pencil case, pen, pencil, ruler and rubber!

Thank you for your continued support. I would like to

take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and

happiness and good health in the New Year.

Paula Ward

Principal