The annual Year 7 Camp trip was yet another huge success this year. Over the course of the week 135 students camped under the stars and participated in a wide variety of challenging activities that built their teamwork, resilience, ingenuity and creativity whilst having an enormous amount of fun!

Each group starts with a walk to Prinknash Abbey on the first afternoon, stopping for wonderful ice creams before the return trek. Students cooked their own food on the first evening and served up some wonderful culinary delights, although the washing up was not quite so well received! An introduction to camp song favourites like ‘Great Big Moose’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’ was had before hot chocolate and very excitable campers had to settle down and sleep. There was lots of chatter, torchlight and snacks from home before an early start on day two. Students cooked their own breakfast of bacon and eggs after cereal and cups of tea, fuelling up before an action-packed day ahead.

The second day saw the students take part in a carousel of events with hardly a minute’s breath. Problem solving with the pipes and plates, manhunt in the woods, orienteering on the common taking in the beautiful views and of course everyone’s favourite activity, ‘The Vaccine’ assault course, dams and legendary ’Mars Bar Challenge’.  After a full-on day two it was barbeque time cooked by the staff, prior to an evening of brilliant camp entertainment led by Mrs Barton, Mrs Sutton and their trustee helpers. Mr Roke and Miss Booth added some acoustic tunes to the entertainment which will live in the memory – singing at the tops of our voices, group songs and of course the Mars Bar awards. Chubby Bunnies were a highlight and caused a great deal of laughter as always.

The camp was enriched by the attendance of Year 10 work experience students who played their part in making it a memorable and well organised event. Without a dedicated team of staff who are willing to commit unselfishly to a full-on week of activity it could not run. It is a really challenging few days for all concerned and I would like to say a personal thank you to all the staff, who worked tirelessly all week to give the students an amazing opportunity, made possible because of their enthusiasm, energy, patience, and dedication. The Year 7s fully embraced camp and will have taken many lifelong skills and some very happy memories home with them. A huge well done to everyone. You are now part of the Year 7 Dorcan camping legends!

Last week, the Year 7 cricket squad took part in their first ever tournament. The 8-a-side pairs format of the game enabled all students opportunity to bat, bow and field in every game. For most of the squad, this was their first taste of competitive cricket after only a couple of months of training. For most it is also the first time they have represented to school in a sporting capacity. The students involved were a credit to the academy and demonstrated resilience, courage and teamwork in spades. Facing more experienced opposition, containing many club players, the team unfortunately finished second in each game, but developed their skills and love of the game. We will be back stronger next year!

Mr Shorey

As part of the Careers programme, on Monday 4^th July Year 8 students had the opportunity to design their own company before pitching the business to their peers and people from The Platform Project. The finalists had a chance for one final pitch in front of the whole year group with the winners praised for their ability to respond to questions raised during a Q and A session.

As part of the Careers programme, Year 9 students took part in a Dragon’s Den activity on Thursday 7^th and Friday 8^th July. The students had to prepare a presentation on how they would respond to a scenario given to them by Fortem. Students had to present their pitch to the whole year group and answered questions posed to them by the Dragons.

Fifteen of our Year 9 students were invited to take part in a Study Higher “Core Beliefs and Raising Aspirations” day run by Oxford Brookes University at New College. The students were put in groups to discuss issues surrounding understanding strengths and confidence, motivation and vision. The students were helped to evaluate how they can take control of their own lives and shape their own future. The students discussed life at school – what they like and dislike, what they can change and what they can control. We hope this helped them to set life goals and to have the energy and determination to achieve them. At The Dorcan Academy we believe that we need to help prepare our students for life beyond the classroom as well as getting the best GCSEs they can. The session started with a press-up challenge..!

We hope that this day helped strengthen their self-belief and their ability to facilitate change. As usual they represented Dorcan well, looking smart and showing exemplary behaviour. Well done Y9! —

Julia Abbott

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A group of our Year 10 students attended an event at the STEAM museum. The aim was to get students to start thinking about where they want to get in life, and how they’re going to get there. They had the opportunity to talk to colleges and employers who discussed options and opportunities. It was a good chance for students to start thinking about how they are going to achieve their aims and to think about what sort of person is a successful person in life!

We were proud of our students who looked smart and engaged with the speakers. 

Mrs Abbott