Matrix’s first ever cross-trust pupil awards event, held at Millennium Point on 20^th April, was a fantastic success.

Pupils were recognised for exemplifying our trust values of creativity, resilience, selflessness, enthusiasm and continuous improvement. There were also awards for exemplary members of our Cadet Forces.

With more than 7000 pupils across our trust schools, it was really difficult to choose the 46 award winners. Those who did receive the awards should feel deservedly proud of their achievement.

The awards-giving was punctuated with several fantastic performances, including DJs from Barr Beacon, a piano virtuoso from Year 4 of Bloxwich Academy and Etone’s ‘Mega Band’. Before the event, we had over an hour of performances from pupils across our trust schools, all of who had been selected to perform after a trust-wide talent competition, which had more than 100 entrants.

The evening started with a video relating the story of our trust up until the end of 2022. Our CEO Ms Draycott then spoke about the two newest schools, Smestow Academy and Wednesfield Academy, who joined the Matrix family this year.

 There was also a special video explaining ‘what a makes a Matrix pupil’, starring a teacher from each of our schools.

Here is what some of our parents and carers have said about the event:

“The awards ceremony was fantastic. It was great to see pupils getting their awards and the fantastic performances from across the Matrix Academy Trust schools.”

“It meant so much to see all the pupils being awarded for life skills rather than academic achievement. The head teachers giving a little speech about each pupil was a lovely touch and really personalised it.”

“Thank you for a wonderful evening.  It was very special to see everyone receiving their awards.”

“Thank you for a special evening celebrating the achievements of pupils.  We are especially proud of our daughter!”

“Tonight was simply amazing!” 

Ms Draycott and Director of School Improvement Mr Lowbridge-Ellis introduced each of the awards and our headteachers explained who they had chosen and why. Trustee Sir Mark Aspinall bestowed the awards on the worthy winners.

On Wednesday 26^th April, 50 of our Year 7 students visited the University of Birmingham and had the opportunity to experience what life is like at one of the UK's top universities. Pupils had a tour of the impressive campus, experienced a sample lecture and learnt about the range of exciting courses and extra-curricular clubs on offer at the University. A particular highlight for many of our boys was sampling the food on offer at the university! For most of our pupils, this was their first experience of University life and has broadened their horizons about their future career pathways. For the Year 7 pupils who did not attend this trip, there will be a further visit to the University of Birmingham going out later this year so that all pupils can learn about what university life is like. 

On Friday 28th April 2023 we held reward assemblies for all pupils in year 8 and 9 and handed out over 300 certificates for various achievements.  

Firstly, we had our subject rewards where pupils were recognised for OUTSTANDING BEHAVIOUR, HIGHEST ATTAINMENT and BEST EFFORT. These subject awards were really important for seeing the fantastic work our pupils put into the classroom and the dedication to meet the highest expectations day in day out.   

Secondly, we had our attendance rewards, where pupils were recognised for EXCELLENT attendance and OUTSTANDING attendance (100%). 

Thirdly, we had our recognition for commendations and our 100 club rewards, we had pupils achieving Bronze, Silver, Gold and Headteacher certificates for commendations in their planners and these will have weighting towards house points and prizes at the end of the academic year. We hope to see more and more pupils getting their Bronze, Silver, Gold and Headteacher badges that pupils will be wearing on their blazer lapels.  

Our final awards were for pupils achieving certificates for their accelerated reading. Where pupils completed quizzes and reading of 1/2 million and a million words.  

Please see below some pictures from the reward assemblies and thank you to staff that supported with the running of these rewards assemblies. 

On April 17^th  year 10 Hospitality and Catering pupils celebrated the end of Eid by making and sharing a selection of traditional Eid celebration food.  Miss Khan ran an after-school session on making samosas and pupils had a go at making authentic Chicken Biryani. Pupils then served these to all year groups during lunch time.  Everyone thought they were absolutely delicious.  Eid Mubarak.

On Wednesday 22nd March, Pupils from our Warhammer Club went to Warhammer World in Nottingham.

Pupils  started the day in the exhibit hall looking at all the professionally painted models that are used on the website as well as the massive battle displays the design studio has made. One of the pupils’  favourite bits was looking at the ‘Battle of Angelus Prime’ diorama which is the largest Warhammer display in the world. There if you find the hidden assassin figure and tell a member of staff they will give you one for free.

Pupils then went into Bugmans Bar, the fantasy themed restaurant for lunch. Then, had an afternoon of gaming, painting and building in the castle courtyard themed gaming hall. The pupils then had the chance to go to the shop and buy some models which they could build whilst they were there and in Warhammer alliance club sessions in the future.

On the way out, the staff in the shop gave pupils some tournament packs to have their own tournaments in school as well as making sure everyone walked away with a space marine pin badge.

This is what some of the pupils had to say:

‘The exhibition hall was my favourite, I liked all the massive models and the hidden assassin which we couldn’t find. But it was fun to look for it. It would have been even funnier if we found it.' -Tyler C

‘I liked the games in a big place made for it that was all castle themed’ - Taylor F

‘I liked trying to find the assassin’ -Richmond I

‘My favourite part was looking through the shop at all of the models on display’ -Oliver H

SATCHEL ONE (Show my Homework)

Pupils log on to Satchel ONE by logging in to RM unify https://tgbs.rmunify.com

Once logged in, they simply click on the Satchel ONE App.  They will be able to see homework both on their To Do List or on their Calendar.

If you need further information or would like to create a parent account, please refer to the details of how to access Satchel ONE in our newsletter. https://sway.office.com/hDxyg24mtStJAKDO?ref=Link

You can also access the Satchel ONE help center here: https://help.satchelone.com/en/

SNOW UPDATE - School will be CLOSED today (10/3/2023) due to adverse weather conditions. Tasks will be set through Show My Homework. We thank you for your support.

All pupils should log in to Satchel One (show my homework) to access learning tasks today.

Please check the 'Calendar' on the platform for additional tasks.

Your child should already be set up on Satchel One. Details of how to access are in our newsletter.https://sway.office.com/hDxyg24mtStJAKDO?ref=Link

On Thursday 2^nd March pupils celebrated World Book Day;  a day to encourage and inspire reading for pleasure, to give pupils the opportunity to share reading experiences and have a book of their own.  This year, it was all about getting your head stuck into a good book!  To inspire pupils to read, staff and pupils alike were sharing favourite books and recommended reads.  Pupils had fun guessing which staff had their head stuck in a good book with a 'Guess Which Teacher is Reading...' quiz.  The Canteen staff also decided to share their favourite food related reads.   All pupils have also been issued with their World Book Day token which they can use to get one of the free books on offer.  As Dr Seus famously wrote:  'The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go'.

On Thursday 2nd March pupils celebrated World Book Day;  a day to encourage and inspire reading for pleasure, to give pupils the opportunity to share reading experiences and have a book of their own.  This year, it was all about getting your head stuck into a good book!  To inspire pupils to read, staff and pupils alike were sharing favourite books and recommended reads.  Pupils had fun guessing which staff had their head stuck in a good book with a 'Guess Which Teacher is Reading...' quiz.  The Canteen staff also decided to share their favourite food related reads.   All pupils have also been issued with their World Book Day token which they can use to get one of the free books on offer.  As Dr Seus famously wrote:  'The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go'.

Do you have a special talent you wish to showcase at our next big live event.

You will have the chance to perform on stage in front of a live audience in Birmingham at Millennium Point in their state-of-the-art theatre on Thursday 20^th April 2022.  Whether it be singing, dancing, juggling, stand-up comedy or anything and everything in between, we want to see all your wonderful talents.

How to enter:

• Have one of your performing arts teachers record your performance (or film it yourself and email to your teacher). 
• A snippet of your performance can be submitted, please do not worry about submitting a performance in its entirety. 
• Your teacher will be able to submit your performance video to the Matrix judging panel.
• Finalists will have the opportunity to perform at our next big trust event and some school events this year. 
• Solo entries and group entries are welcome. 
• Submit your entry by 4pm on Wednesday 15^th March.