Water
The house structure allows students to unlock their potential through opportunity, support and guidance. The vertical system allows students to work with peers from across the Academy, not just in their own age range. Each tutor group has two tutors to ensure all students have access to the help and support they need.
We understand the importance of listening and acting upon student voice. It is a vital part in ensuring the needs of all students are met. House Captains and their Vice Captains meet weekly to discuss how they can support students in their house and bring any issues to the House Learning Leader. Each house has its own student council. The House Council is made up of the House Captains and Vice Captains together with a representative from each tutor group, elected by their peers. The House Council meets once every half term with the House Learning Leader to voice their views and ideas on anything that matters to them. Any academy wide issues that arise from these meetings are referred to the whole Academy Council, chaired by the Head Boy and Head Girl, in the presence of the Principal. Elected student ambassadors attend these meetings on behalf of each house.
Tutor Time is held in set bases every morning between 8.50 and 9.05 am. Within this time valuable learning takes place through a variety of activities within a supportive environment. Tutors help to ensure that each student is mentally and physically prepared for the day ahead- wearing correct uniform, with planner and writing equipment ready for learning. The vertical tutoring allows older students to help mentor and work with younger students and develop teamwork and social skills. Water house holds an assembly every Thursday morning to celebrate achievements and success.
Students are rewarded in several ways at Parkwood Academy.
- Stamps
Students earn stamps by meeting expectations and making good or outstanding progress within lessons. These stamps are collected in the student planner and convert to credits (3 stamps = 1 credit). Once a student has collected enough credits they can be cashed in for a variety of rewards. The more stamps you collect, the better your prize will be! Plus, along the way, you will be awarded certificates ranging from Bronze (40 credits) to Double Diamond (280 credits).
- Golden Time
If a student has 100% punctuality, 100% attendance, all homework and coursework handed in on time and no behaviour points, they are rewarded with Golden Time at the end of the academic year. This might be celebrated in different ways, depending on what students choose to do. Previous golden time has involved day trips to theme parks and visits to the cinema or bowling alley.
- Attendance rewards.
Each week students with 100% attendance are entered into a weekly draw to win a voucher. One winner from each house is selected randomly during assembly and presented with their voucher by Mrs Naylor, our Attendance Officer.
4. Post cards
When a student produces particularly good work, or shows exceptional effort or creativity, a teacher may choose to send a post card home. This allows deserving students to receive praise and recognition at home for their outstanding contribution to learning.
Water House continues to support Water Aid as its chosen charity and students have been finding out about water issues across the world in tutor time. This year we have launched an Inter-House Charity Challenge, to see which House and which tutor group within each House can raise the most money for their charity. Water is hoping to win this, of course!
Mrs Husband has currently taken her maternity leave, so Miss Durrani has taken over as House Learning Leader for Water. Ms Maria Gibson provides invaluable support in her role as Standards and Attainment Learning Mentor (SALM), and Mr David Bell is the dynamic Student Liaison Officer (SLO) for Water house.
Look out for Water students around the Academy – they are always the best dressed with blue badges! We are hugely proud of all our Water students and are looking forward to celebrating fantastic GCSE results, vocational qualifications and Double Diamond Certificates by the end of the year. Swim on Water House!
