Kindness Day Update PJ Day and our Putting Bullying to Bed theme have been running throughout the day, creating a calm, comforting atmosphere across the Academy as students embraced the message of care, empathy, and looking after one another. Students spent time reflecting on the impact of their words and exploring how kindness can genuinely change someone’s day. It’s been a thoughtful, grounded start that really set the tone. Breaktime brought another round of kindness themed quizzes, giving students the chance to connect, laugh, and take part in something light hearted while reinforcing the day’s message. At lunchtime, our Kindness Performance took centre stage. Full of energy and audience participation, it showcased just how uplifting it can be when we choose to support, encourage, and celebrate each other. A gentle, joyful day with plenty of meaningful moments.

Spirit Week – Day 5: Spirit Sports Day Our final day of Spirit Week is all about energy and competition, so come in wearing sports kit or your best sporty outfit. Tutor time begins with staff acting out different sports for students to guess, followed by a fast paced Sports Quiz, and then mini tutor group challenges. At breaktime, the courtyard becomes a mini arena with hula hoop battles, arm wrestling, and teacher challenges for anyone ready to compete. At lunchtime, we finish Spirit Week with the Inflatable Staff and Student Obstacle Race on the astro. You’ve seen the racers and their Top Trumps ratings—now come out, cheer them on, and back your favourite competitor.

Our theatre show has taken its final bow — and now we’re jumping straight into the next big event! NOA’s annual dance extravaganza is back, this year bursting onto the stage as Let’s Dance! This is always a crowd‑pleaser and tickets disappear fast, so grab yours early and get ready for an unforgettable night! https://bit.ly/49mqDsW

Switch It Up Day – What a Triumph! Switch It Up Day was an absolute success — NOA, you nailed today’s mission. Students were queueing at the gate with anything but a bag, and the creativity was off the charts. We had fish tanks, shopping baskets, Trunkies, sleeping bags and more. The courtyard was buzzing from the moment the first student arrived. Then came the Tutor Time Takeover. For one day — and one day only — Mr Berry ran the school. Students were introduced to the official greeting of the day: a handshake with Mr Berry, followed by a pose with a teacher, each earning a Switch Up ticket to exchange for a blue lolly at break. Staff have never performed such a wide variety of handshakes in such a short space of time. Lunchtime brought the real spectacle. Students with tickets packed into the theatre, grabbed their banners, and prepared to cheer on Team Berry or Team Jacobs. The two went head to head, with the crowd deciding each round’s winner. Next up was the Taste Test Challenge. Mr Berry was a little jumpy but somehow managed to ace the biscuit challenge without tasting a single thing. Finally, the NOA Quiz — three questions, one winner. Victory went to Mr Berry, earning him bragging rights and leaving Mrs Jacobs with a pie.