Following the Leaders

County Hall speakers

Kent Youth County Council candidates Keiran Edwards, Jasmin Sheppard and John Smith took part in a lively question and answer session at County Hall in Maidstone on 10 November 2011.

They discussed transport, youth centres and social activities for young people, debating with other young people from Kent as well as Cabinet members Mike Whiting, Rosina St James and Mike Hill. Jasmin raised particular interest with a question about the problem of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs) in the Swale area.

Academy Head and Deputy Head boys and girls visited County Hall on 21st November 2011 to gain valuable experience of speaking in a political arena.

Campaigners fight against bullying

Anti-bullying Ambassadors Vicky Boorman (Brabazon), Maddie Springett (Abbey), Sam Davies (Sheerness), Jade Clare (Shurland) and Sophie Parker (Harty) put in great efforts during assemblies leading up to the week devoted to their cause, which ran from 14th to 18th November 2011.

The five campaigners encouraged all students to join the drive to make everyone feel safe and secure at school. This year’s campaign competition is a wristband design. The winner, chosen by Mr Day, will be manufactured and go on sale in support of the lunchtime club’s facilities.

Human rights debaters split over chocolate

Students taking part in a human rights experiment found themselves divided into groups according to their hair colour, where they live and whether they were wearing a poppy. Organisers then gave some groups chocolate, but denied others. Heads and Deputy Heads of each school set up the lunchtime event, on the 11th November 2011, as a starting point for discussions about discrimination and equal rights. The experiment gave rise to much heated debate - and not a little chocolate envy.

Enviro project creates art in the alleys

Thought-provoking artwork has started appearing in the Island’s alleyways. Far from graffiti, it’s the product of an Artist in Residence working with the Academy’s Environment Leaders. The aim is to make people think again about their surroundings and the way they treat them. The project is running in late November and early December 2011. Watch out for the evidence in an alleyway near you.

Sixth-formers vote, look and learn

Sixth-form students are having a busy time. They are currently holding elections to form a 12-strong council, and many of them are also volunteering to help develop a mature approach to learning and teaching across the Academy.

Already-elected council presidents Laura Webber and Rebecca Kincaid met local MP Gordon Henderson on 15th November 2011 for a question and answer session. Meanwhile, Learning Leaders are nearing the end of their training after a 5-week intensive course. They are now planning and delivering lessons to Year 7 students. In the next few weeks they will be observing teachers and students across the Academy, and refining a new code of conduct to help all parties work together effecively.