'While we have time let us do good to all’. (Galatians 6:10)'

Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• AUTHOR ALAN GIBBONS VISITS HARRIS ACADEMY

  Thu 30 Jun 2016

  As part of the Literacy Programme at Harris Academy, author Alan Gibbons was in school today (Wednesday 29th June). He gave a fascinating presentation to Year 7 and 8 boys on his books and gave some crucial tips on how to write too.

   

  Alan’s book “The Legendeer Trilogy” was the book of the week at Harris last week and features a young schoolboy called Phoenix as the main character. The first book in the trilogy “Shadow of the Minotaur” received the Blue Peter Book Award.

   

  A writer for 23 years, Alan’s books have been nominated for many awards both in the UK and abroad.

  

• YORK HOUSE - MOCK EU REFERENDUM

  Wed 29 Jun 2016

  On the lead up to what has become a pivotal period in British political history with Britain holding the Referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union, York House at Harris Church of England Academy in Rugby have held their own EU Mock Referendum.

   

  As each tutor group discussed the different views of the stay or leave campaigns, students stood in each group to be elected as a Mini Member of Parliament (MMP). As students from Year 7 to 9 elected their MMP’s to represent both sides of the argument, the battle commenced. With research being studied and speeches being written, the excitement was building towards the EU Mock Live Debate in front of the whole of York House; some 140 students.

   

  The debating arena mirrored that of the House of Commons in Parliament with opposing MMP’s delivering their speeches and inviting questions. As the challenges began, York House students engaged in the debate challenging specific MMP’s on their views on whether to stay or leave the EU and addressing them as “The Right Honourable…”

   

  With the audience aged between 11 and 15, it was enlightening to see how engaged they were on political matters that would normally only concern adults. The debate drew to a close with the Speaker of the House introducing the start of the voting process where each tutor group would vote using ballot boxes.

   

  The MMP’s then had the opportunity of meeting the MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey here at Harris Academy. Mr Pawsey was kind enough to take time out to take questions from the MMP’s ranging from his view on the Referendum to why he became and MP to describing his typical working day. In true political spirit, the MMP’s put Mr Pawsey “on the spot” and as a result, increased their political knowledge and interest.

   

  As voting progressed, conversation and excitement built towards the Result Day on Thursday 23rd June, the day of the actual EU Referendum. With all the votes in and counted, the Head of York House, Mr W Glendon-Doyle, announced the result in favour of the Leave campaign. The result brought to a close what was a successful debating process and a hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience for York House students.

   

  To reward the MMP’s and their key “political aides” for all of their hard work and effort, we travelled to London on Monday 27th June to visit the Houses of Parliament on what will become an important day in British political history, the day MP’s first debated on the result of the EU referendum and the Brexit future. Accessing via the new Education Centre, our group entered the Houses of Parliament through the entrance reserved for Royal visits and into the Royal Robing Room. Our guide explained in detail the ceremony that is involved in Royal visits to Parliament and showed us the gilded chair actually used by Queen Victoria during her visits. We progressed then through the State Room and into a small hall under which is where the Gunpowder Plot was discovered many years ago. The students were then introduced to the grandeur of the House of Lords where they stood within the benches studying the wealth of gold leaf. As we exited Lords, we could see Central Lobby ahead, the area in between the two chambers where public can meet their MP’s to discuss views. Members Lobby was next and the opportunity of seeing the House of Commons beckoned. The students entered through the doorway reserved for MP’s as they attend session. As the famous green leather benches came into view, the students’ excitement jumped with the prospect of seeing the Speaker’s Chair and standing where the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition stand during political debates. More questions were directed at our guide who expertly imparted knowledge upon the students. Our tour then took us into the Great Hall, the oldest surviving part of the Houses of Parliament. It was here that our tour drew to a close before we headed back to the Education Centre to take part in an Election & Voting Interactive Workshop. Once again, Mr Pawsey, MP for Rugby, took time out of a very busy schedule to meet with our MMP students and took further questions.

   

  The trip to London completed what has been not only a very successful project but an experience that will remain in the students’ memories for years to come. Some of the students had not previously visited London and were able to see Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, St James’ Palace, Piccadilly and many more world-famous landmarks as part of our journey into and out of the Capital.

   

  Here’s to another debating programme for next year!

  

• COUNTY CHAMPIONS

  Wed 22 Jun 2016

  On the 11th of June Harris Academy had a number of athletes representing Rugby as District champions in the schools County Athletics Championships at Edmondscote Athletics Track in Leamington. 

   

  All athletes did extremely well resulting in a number of county champions who will go on represent Warwickshire this weekend at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

   

  Congratulations to the following students:

  • Josh F - 400m hurdle champion
  • Jaime N - 100m champion
  • Nicole W - 80m Hurdle champion
  • Jack C - 3rd in 400m hurdles
  • Nicole W - 4th 100m
  • Bradley W - 4th 100m

• 'BREXIT' DEBATE AT WARWICK UNIVERSITY

  Wed 22 Jun 2016

  Four students from Harris Academy ventured out to Warwick University yesterday to take part in a 'Brexit' debate.

   

  The students battled it out against other schools from UK about the stay/leave campaign regarding Britain and the EU. The debate was supported by the Universities debate team and was judged by professors from the University.

   

  Our students put up an amazing fight but unfortunately missed out on the final by one point.

  

• COUNTY YOUNG COACH ACADEMY

  Mon 20 Jun 2016

  Harris CofE Academy is the lead school for Leadership, Coaching & Volunteering for Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire.  As part of this role, the School Sports Partnership run the County Young Coaches Academy (CYCA) and they are now recruiting new members for 2016-17.

   

  The Academy will select and support 30 young people aged 14 – 18 in the transition from school based participation and coaching to a community environment.  The pathway provided between developing young coaches in schools to a community setting will provide an opportunity for the Young Coaches to gain greater insight and experience into the requirements of being an ‘Outstanding’ Coach in a Sport of their choice. Last year the members of the CYCA were offered the opportunity to attend fully funded courses and workshops such as First Aid, Safeguarding, Practical Coaching, SAQ Training, Level 1 & 2 qualifications in their chosen sport and many more.

   

  If you have a passion for sport and think that you could be an outstanding coach of the future, please contact Jade by email info@harrisacademyschoolsport.org.uk for more information on applying to be a part of CYCA 2016-17 or click here to download the application form.

• HARRIS COFE ACADEMY DONATES FOOD TO FOODBANK

  Thu 16 Jun 2016

  Over the last couple of weeks Harris CofE Academy has been collecting food to donate to Rugby Foodbank. 

   

  Students were tasked with bringing in at least one item from the shopping list to donate to the local charity. Hundreds of cans, packets, boxes and bags of food were brought in and the amount of food was enough to fill over 18 shopping bags and 6 large boxes. The charity committee helped to organise the collection and sort the food ready to take to Rugby foodbank which will go to help local people in need.  

  We would like to thank students, parents and staff who contributed to the collection.