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Message From the Principal 07.06.24

Dear Parent / Carer

As always, it was a pleasure to welcome the students back after the half term break and ask them all about the experiences and activities they undertook whilst off school.

I led the assemblies for all year groups which centred on the themes of bravery and motivation. The assembly started with asking students to volunteer for a challenge without sharing any information about what the challenge entailed. It was amazing to see so many students who were brave enough to volunteer and then undertake the blindfolded physical challenge in front of all of their peers. I then went on to talk about different types of bravery such as social, moral and physical bravery and encouraged students to reflect on times where they have stepped out of their comfort zone. The assembly finished with a story from Daniel Pink’s book Drive which explained why internal motivation is much more important than undertaking challenges on the promise of external rewards.  

Our Year 7 students all took part in a character workshop where they were taken through a series of dramatic scenarios before being given the chance to explore the different components of character and reflect on who they want to become in the future. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive from all students.

On Thursday evening, we welcomed a number of parents and carers into school to watch our Year 10s perform both DNA and 45 Minutes. It was a chance for you all to once again see how talented our students are whilst also seeing just how much work has been undertaken by our students in order to deliver such incredible performances. Thank you to the performing arts team and to all students involved for the dedication and hardwork that went into making the performance a reality. 

As you are all aware, Mr Firth has been appointed as my successor and so I will be leaving Rushden on the 28th June to take up my new post from Monday 1st July. Mr Firth will therefore start his role as Principal from Monday 1st July. 

Finally, it was an absolute pleasure to award Rex from Year 7 with his silver tie after completing all the silver badge challenges in the Rushden STARR award. Rex is the first Year 7 to achieve this and it reflects a huge amount of dedication to his own personal development - well done, Rex!  

Have a lovely weekend,

Yours sincerely,

Mr B Baines

Principal

Ethos Asks

Our Ethos Team has released a parent podcast for all things parenting and the first episode is up now! Each episode will involve different experts talking about the major issues facing young people today, and asking how we as parents can talk to our teens about them. This week's episode is all about how to talk to your teen about well-being and mental health. Hear from our very own youth work Rosie and others on how to support well-being in young people. #GraceFoundation #Ethos #TeamRushden

https://www.grace-foundation.org.uk/meetup/ethos-asks-episode-1/

Meet our podcasters

Message From the Principal 24.05.24

Dear Parent / Carer

As the final week of term draws to a close there is lots to reflect upon in relation to the wonderful work and achievements of the students of Rushden Academy.

Continuing the theme of ‘Movement’ from Mental Health Awareness Week, last week, the staff pledged to collectively complete 1km of movement for each student that attends the school. The final staff total stood at a staggering 1398km which is a monumental effort from the team.  

All year groups had their individual reward assemblies led by Mr Smart and Mr Smith. As usual, this was an opportunity for large numbers of students to receive praise and recognition for all of their hard work this term. There were rewards for attendance, individual subject performance awards, personal development awards and rewards for the students who have shown the greatest dedication to reading. In addition, Mr Firth also did the big attendance draw. The lucky recipients of the bikes were Isaac and Harvey with Gresilda winning the hair straighteners.  

Examinations have continued for Year 11 students with the significant majority of students demonstrating unprecedented levels of resilience and positivity. There will be revision sessions running for a number of subjects during half term to prepare students for examinations taking place after the break and your child will have been notified about these by their individual subject teachers. There are 2 more weeks of examinations when we return and so the Year 11s really are entering the final furlong now.  

On Thursday night, the performing arts team hosted their showcase event and welcomed large numbers of parents and carers into the academy to watch the amazing performances. Over 125 students were involved in the showcase which shows the value that our students and wider community place on the performing arts. A huge thank you to the performing arts team and all the students that were involved; it was a truly stunning end to the half term!

I hope you all enjoy the bank holiday and the half term break whatever plans you may have,

Yours sincerely,

Mr B Baines

Principal

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Rushden Academy

  • Hayway,
    Rushden,
    Northamptonshire.
    NN10 6AG

  • 01933 350391

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