On Tuesday 27th March over 300 students from Years 7-13 were invited to our Easter celebrations. The performance hall was decorated with spring flowers and chocolate eggs. Students enjoyed taking part and celebrating their success with their teachers, Academy’s Leadership Group and Governors.
Miss Relph, Assistant Principal, commented “We love rewarding our students for their hard work and for celebrating their success across our five values of appreciation, achievement, freedom, resilience and respect. Students loved being part of the day and celebrating with their peers”
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West Lakes Academy has been celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day (WDSD). Grant Tebay, Learning Support Assistant at the academy, helped to organise the day. He said “we wanted to help raise awareness and help others understand more about Down’s Syndrome and to do this we’ve had to #RockOurSocks. Students and staff at the school have worn their funky bright colourful socks in order to promote conversation and explain to others why Trisomy 21 is celebrated on the 21st of March.
Layton Telford, a Year 7 student, said “I am really happy that people have worn their colourful and wild socks today. It makes me feel nice that my friends want to help me raise awareness about Down’s Syndrome”. Layton’s sister, Ashton Telford, Year 10, said “it’s important that we celebrate WDSD because we need to raise awareness. Layton is a massive part of my life and has helped make me who I am today. I think it’s amazing to see everybody at West Lakes Academy treat Layton no differently to anybody else”. “ Maddison Hewer and Tegan Pattinson added “It’s so important that people can see individuals with special needs achieve, it makes me feel really emotional!”
Students and staff have enjoyed celebrating today. Grant added “we’ve had fun and some very strange looks about our socks!”
This term’s T&L magazine focuses on the many brilliant and inspiring ideas shared by staff during our TeachMeet earlier this term. Definitely one not to miss!
T&L Magazine February 2018
Talented students at West Lakes Academy were rewarded for their hard work and effort at the annual year 13 awards evening on Thursday February 1st when students, parents, staff and governors celebrated together at Whitehaven Golf Club.
The students’ hard work and commitment to their studies were acknowledged and praised as over 25 awards were given out. The awards included: services to the academy, overcoming adversity and excelling in subject areas.
Rachel Denwood, Pastoral Head of Sixth Form commented that, “We held the event to celebrate the year 13 successes over the past 18 months, it’s great to see students, parents and staff gathered together to award the hard working students. This year we had lots of students attend to celebrate with their peers, which was fantastic and showed the community and family spirit we have within the Sixth Form. It was a fantastic night and a real opportunity to reward the students and celebrate their success, there were some truly inspirational speeches made about a number a students and it was an emotional night. This year we had past students who came to celebrate with their peers and this highlighted the importance of celebrating success. It was also fantastic to have Eli Hughes, another ex-pupil playing the piano.”
Guests enjoyed a lovely two course meal before the wining students were presented with their awards. Award winners included Joseph Dugdale who won awards for his Geography and Sport studies, as well as Emma Hartley who won awards for her Media studies and the Governors’ Award.
During the Christmas holidays Copeland Amateur Swimming Club held their Christmas party and presentation night. Annually the head coach presents trophies for the Most Improved Male and Female swimmer. We were delighted to be informed that this year the trophies were awarded to two Year 8 West Lakes Academy students, Keisha Pettigrew and Finley Quayle.
The head coach (Julie Williamson) of Copeland Amateur Swimming Club said of Keisha: “Keisha has trained hard all year & for the past few months has had an injury due to growing too fast. She has still turned up for training with determination and the right attitude to progress. She now has a range of age group times and if she keeps on training the way she is she will gain regional times in the future. Well done Keisha.”
Of Finley, Julie said: “Finley is determined every session and gives 110%. He has a good attitude to training and because of this he has achieved age group times, swam for the county and qualified at regionals where he swam in 2 finals which is a great achievement. If he continues as he is I am sure he will make the nationals in the future. Keep it up Finley – well done.”
Keisha and Finley spend up to 10 hours training in the pool each week. WLA feel it is lovely to see their commitment and achievements recognised. Mr Price, PE teacher at West Lakes Academy said “Keisha and Finley are outstanding athletes who have shown that they have the right attitude to excel in any sport. They are very coachable, try extremely hard and are completely committed”.
Well done Keisha and Finley!
At the end of last term the best performing students across our five values attended our latest Mini Reward Day. Students celebrated with their Head of Year and a member of the Academy’s Leadership Group. There were a number of Christmas cakes and sweet treats on offer and a number of certificates were given out to the winners.
Miss Relph, Assistant Principal, commented “We are always looking to celebrate the successes of our students and our students loved their last Mini Reward Day. Well done to all students who won an award”
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On Tuesday 12th December 12 of our students visited an elderly social group at the Old Customs House to deliver presents that had been donated by the staff and students of WLA. Watching the different generations interact, tell stories and playing a Christmas quiz, filled us with pride and showed what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.
Here are some quotes from the students:
Chloe (6th form) “I really enjoyed going to give the presents to the elderly. When we got there they were all so appreciative of the presents and the stories and conversations that we had. To see their faces light up with biggest smile on their face really made my day!”
Katie (6th form) “I was overwhelmed to see the joy on their faces at something as so simple as a small gift and the affection they showed us while having a conversation with them. Seeing them smiling and laughing with us made me really appreciative of the family I have.”
Jake (year 9) “They were all very friendly and were very good to talk to. I am very proud to have made their Christmas by giving them a gift, they were all delighted to have presents and to have someone to talk to.”
Ashton (year 10) “I thought going to the Age UK social group was amazing. I met a lady called Margaret who give me advice on what path to take in education. When we left tears were shed. I would really like to see her again.”
All of the ambassadors and participants who were recently part of the fantastic Infinity festival have received a gift from the REACT Foundation. The students involved have been given a small version of the scribe which was illustrated by Ian Jackson during the festival day.
Mr Johnson comments that he is “immensely grateful to the REACT Foundation for the generous gift to West Lakes Academy for hosting the Infinity Festival”.
Please see below links to our new Adult Education Courses starting in January 2018.
Beginners Computing Phoenix
BCS Level 1
Confidence Communication
