On Tuesday 27th June, all of our Year 12 students visited the UCAS Show in Birmingham.
Students were able to talk to a large number of universities to support them with planning their next steps after Sixth Form. The students had a brilliant day and not just because of the free pens and tote bags!

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.

36 Students from Year 8 and 4 members of staff, were selected to attend a visit at the NMA as part of the wider World War One topic. As a veteran of the Royal Air Force I believed it be important that the students understand the meaning behind the memorials and the sacrifice of those who served in World War One beyond the battlefield.

The students were presented with sources and replicas of Victoria Cross medals that allowed them to make the link between people and movement across our Empire, Women’s role, the youth and change in technology. This was then shown through the various memorials across the vast site of the Arboretum, including the moving memorial to the 306 soldiers who were executed during the conflict.

The students also paid a visit to the Armed Forces Memorial, which houses the names of 16,000 servicemen and women who have laid down their lives since the end of the Second World War. The students also carried out an act of remembrance, laying a wreath on behalf of Wednesfield Academy and the wider trust.

The students were fully engaged within the visit, which the staff at the Arboretum said: ‘Some pupils had very good knowledge and everyone was well behaved. We were pleased to hear that most of the class said they wanted to come back. There were some very interested pupils with very positive engagement in the classroom activities and their involvement in the Act of Remembrance was exemplary.”

One of our pupils said: “I had a really good day. I want to come again. I learnt about people who gave their lives for us, and I want to come back with my family to tell them what I’ve learnt.”

Two Year 12 Historians have had the opportunity of a life time as they have taken part in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz project.’ Through this project they have been exploring this challenging history by taking part in an interactive, online seminar, and on Tuesday had the amazing opportunity to visit Poland for the day to experience the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. The students had a wonderful experience. Here are some of the photos they have shared with us from their day.

KS3 girls had the opportunity to attend the Biggest Ever Girls Football Event at Aldersley Leisure Village. 

They had four sessions run by professional football coaches. They got to take part in panna football, futsal, a goalkeeping session, and a skills workshop. 

A shout out to A Smith – Year 7 for winning a medal for the most dribbles with a football around a circuit in 30 seconds out of all the girls who took part that morning. 

The girls were amazing, they had a brilliant day and have come back with some excellent skills to use for their upcoming matches. We are once again very proud. 

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.