Miss Small and Mrs Parkin's Crew with Miss Clements, Mrs McFaul and Miss Palmer.

Welcome to Year 11 – Term 2!

We are delighted to welcome students into the second term of Year 11! The first term was a great success – Year 11 have settled in well and engaged in learning throughout the term, we have had some lovely enrichment times including pumpkin making. 

Our crew is called Perseus. 

Perseus’s key characteristics include his bravery, persistency and cunning intelligence which allowed him to overcome his challenges and achieve his goals.
This resonates with us in our final year at Athena whilst we complete our exams and apply for Post-16 careers.

Moving into this term, KS4 students will be able to choose their enrichment from a supplied list. They will have the chance to move around and join students from other crews to explore new interests and skills.

Our crew team is:

• Mrs Parkin and Miss Small – Crew Leader
• Mrs McFaul – Teaching Assistant
• Mrs Clements – Teaching Assistant

Together, we support students to feel safe, confident, and ready to achieve their best.

What we are learning this term

English

Students will continue their study of An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley. They will build on reading, writing, and analytical skills, focusing on character, theme, and social context, as well as developing creative writing.

Maths

Students have been working on the four operations and with fractions. Next term we will be focusing on algebra including simple algebra, as well as factorising and algebraic graphs. .

Science

Last term, Year 11 looked at plants and ecosystems. There was lots of information to learn throughout the term, and pupils worked hard to achieve their learning outcomes.

This term, Science will focus on the Human Body. Within this topic, students will look at hormones, menstrual cycle, enzymes and the circulatory system.


Geography  

This term, Year 11 are learning about the rainforest ecosystem and why it is so important for our planet. They are exploring the plants and animals that live there, how rainforests help to regulate the Earth’s climate, and the dangers they face from deforestation and human activity. Students are also looking at different case studies to see how people around the world are working to protect and care for these amazing environments.

History 

This term, Year 11 are learning about the British Empire and how it grew through colonisation. They are finding out about the countries, people, and events involved in this expansion, and looking at how the empire affected life in Britain and other parts of the world. Students are also thinking about the positive and negative impacts the British Empire had on different societies.

Art 

In Year 11 Art, students are busy working on their coursework projects. This term, they are designing and creating their own charity boxes, turning their ideas and sketches into real 3D pieces. Students are developing their skills in design, creativity, and construction, as they bring their unique concepts to life. Each box reflects a personal theme or message, showing off the students’ individuality and artistic thinking.

Cooking

In Year 11 Cooking, students take part in a theory and practical lessons. During theory lessons, they learn about food hygiene and how to work safely in the kitchen. In practical lessons, students prepare and cook a variety of different meals, using a wide range of cooking skills and techniques. They also learn how to follow health and safety procedures while creating tasty and well-presented dishes.

PE

In Year 11 PE, students are working on their coursework, which focuses on planning and leading training sessions for younger pupils. They are learning how to design a full session, including the warm-up, the main training activities, and the debriefing at the end. Through this work, students are developing their leadership, communication, and coaching skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of how to plan safe and effective physical activity sessions.

Construction 

In Year 11 Construction, students are working on their coursework while developing a range of practical skills used in the building trade. They are learning hands-on techniques such as measuring, sawing, and joining materials, as well as understanding how to work safely and accurately.

Enrichment

In Year 11 Enrichment, students have the chance to take part in a variety of fun and creative activities that let them explore their interests and learn new skills. They can choose from different options, including movement and physical exercise, scrapbooking, photography, and a science-themed group where they carry out exciting experiments. These sessions give students a break from their normal lessons and encourage creativity, teamwork, and personal development.

Choosings 

During Choosings, students get to take part in a range of fun and relaxing activities throughout the day. They can play board games such as Monopoly or Twister, enjoy outdoor games like football shooting or basketball, or spend time in the common room playing pool or air hockey.

Useful Websites:

You can research or revise any KS4 subject using the BBC bitesize website - https://www.bbc.com/education/... 

Practise your mental maths skills - https://ttrockstars.com/

Complete tasks set on Learning-By-Questions at https://www.lbq.org/