Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. We have enjoyed a week like no other at the Academy this week with some great news from a national competition, visits from the newest members of our community and an exchange with our friends from Hefei in China. All of this against the backdrop of some continuing IT challenges for which we are grateful for your patience.
ICT Update
You are perhaps aware that we have continued to face some challenges with our IT and communications systems resulting in an intermittent service from our phone lines, email and other IT based systems. All aspects of the school have been impacted in one way or another with teams finding workarounds to maintain somewhere close to normality. I am sorry if this has impacted you personally over this period but can assure you that, once the issues are remedied, we will be operating with a much more reliable and faster IT system across the school.
Teen Tech
Last week 4 teams of students from Derby Moor attended the Teen Tech Awards Finals at the IET in London. All the students produced impressive displays and gave masterful explanations of their projects to the judges and other VIPs in attendance. They were all complimented on the high quality of their work and innovative ideas, each receiving skills certificates for “Thinking Big and Bold” and being “Ethical Thinkers” and being justifiably proud of the feedback they got.
I am proud to share that AD and AG from Year 12 were crowned Joint National Winners of the Patient Safety Category after their Dragons’ Den style presentation with their Proactive Body Scanner. This was designed to relieve pressure on the NHS by continuously monitoring patients’ symptoms using advanced sensor technology to predict the progression of their conditions, provide early warnings and personalised care, The hope is that it would ultimately improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
MK, SRR and IR Year 9 created an amazing AI programmed cuddly comfort bear called Frenzy to help people of all ages with anxiety, loneliness or mental health issues. By recognising emotions through programmed camera technology and facial recognition, it then offers suitably reassuring words via the AI database in Chat GPT.
ABK and JO Year 8 created Hearing Pods – Heard but not Seen – a hidden hearing device that replays and amplifies conversations for people who are hard of hearing, so they can join in conversations more easily. It also plays the conversations back in sign language on a phone or receiver and has built in flashing alarms to signal emergencies. OM, EG and LMN presented “Match Up” a different hidden hearing device which types what people are saying to them, so they can respond seamlessly to conversations. The judges felt all these ideas had serious potential.
Students enjoyed the opportunity to network with other young innovators from across the UK and test the feasibility of their ideas with the experts, one of whom was so impressed he has offered to work with us to develop young people’s ideas in the future.
China Visit
You will be aware that we have been hosting visitors from Hefei No.50 Middle School at Derby Moor as part of us developing international links and helping students understand their place as global citizens.
Day 1: Exploring English Education and Cuisine: On the first day, 30 students and 4 teachers from Hefei No.50 Middle School were warmly welcomed to Derby Moor School. The visiting students had the opportunity to sample what lessons are like in England by participating in English, Maths, and Spanish taster lessons. They also enjoyed traditional English cuisine, including Cream Tea and Fish and Chips, giving them a delightful taste of British culture.
Day 2: Immersing in Derby Moor’s Diverse Cultures: The second day started with the Chinese students attending regular lessons alongside their Derby Moor counterparts, providing a firsthand experience of a typical school day. In the afternoon, a celebration of the diverse cultures at Derby Moor was led by the Sixth Former students. This vibrant event featured traditional foods, dance, and music from various cultures, showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of our school community.
Day 3: Aspirations and Collaborative Challenges: On the final day, the focus was on aspirations and employability skills. The visiting students learned about the aspirations of Derby Moor students through presentations from alumni and Year 7 students. Following this, they participated in a series of challenges set by JCB, which included an interactive session with JCB’s Chinese plant in Shanghai. This activity emphasized global collaboration and innovation.
Farewell and Cultural Exchange: The visit concluded with a heartfelt farewell after school. Students from Hefei No.50 shared piano recitals and traditional Chinese songs, highlighting their musical talents and cultural heritage. In return, Derby Moor students performed scenes from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and a song from the school choir, creating a memorable and enriching cultural exchange for all participants.
Year 6 Transition
This week we welcomed the newest members of our community to Derby Moor for 3 days of transition. They met their new form teachers and members of their form group before experiencing taster lessons across a range of subjects. It was great to connect with families on Wednesday evening and share our aspirations for the next five years.
Festival of Education
I’ve had the pleasure of spending a couple of days at the Festival of Education at Wellington College this week alongside colleagues from our wider Trust. It was nice to see our former Assistant Principal Miss McAneny presenting at the conference as well as hearing from eminent voices in education discuss a variety of topics. My standout was, once again, hearing author and historian David Olusoga speak about his experiences, his thoughts on culture wars and the future for education.
Sports Update
Wimbledon: On Monday a select number of students will be attending the All-England Lawn Tennis club to watch the Wimbledon Championships. The students selected have all received letters and confirmation from the PE team. Those travelling need to be at school for 06.30 on Monday to meet Mr Kamp and Mr Wilde.
City Sports: Next week we are attending City Sports, which is the Derby City School athletics competition. Students who have been asked to attend have all received a letter which needs to be signed and returned as soon as possible. Students have been asked to meet at Moorways Stadium for 09.30 and be picked up for 16:30. If your child is attending, please ensure they are equipped with the correct sportswear and essentials for the day.
Staff Spotlight
This week, we shine the Staff Spotlight on one of the newest members of the team, our Library Manager, Miss Jones:
Q) How long have you worked at Derby Moor Spencer Academy?
A) I have been working at Derby Moor since June 2024.
Q) What is your role and what does it entail?
A) I am the Library Manager, and my role involves creating a calm, quiet space for students to study, socialise and to discover great books. I am currently transforming the library, sorting out the current books and ordering hundreds from the student survey. I am very excited about having the opportunity to transform the library and to create displays, to recommend new books and to encourage a love of reading in the academy.
Q) What is your favourite thing about working here?
A) The sense of community and encouragement that everyone provides here. I’ve felt so supported and welcome. Getting to see the joy and excitement makes it all worth it. I have only been able to achieve so much, so quickly, because of the support from staff and students. Derby Moor embodies its values.
Q) Tell us a fact about yourself.
A) I have a twin sister. When I was working at my old school, she was greeted by students, and she’d have to correct them. This has happened to me with her colleagues as well. I adore animals, especially cats and my Jack Russell.
Q) What other interesting roles or experiences have you had?
A) I have previously been a Teaching Assistant for 3 years and an Intervention Teacher. I enjoy visiting Edinburgh and have fond memories of discovering the city’s history, bookshops and the lovely people.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal
Principal