Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community
We hope you enjoy the newsletter articles for this week.
As we reach the end of another module, we are full of pride for our students. This module is always a testament to the dedication, hard work, and resilience of our entire school community particularly now that the public examination season is in full swing.
Our students have not only been focussed on their academic studies, but also on their personal growth. We are delighted to have been awarded the first silverware to put in our trophy cabinet! Our Year 7 Mixed Handball Team were outstanding sporting ambassadors for Leigh Academy Bexley and their display of true sportsmanship is a direct result of their commitment and the unwavering support they receive from our dedicated teaching staff.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to you, our parents and carers. Your partnership is invaluable. The support you provide at home, your engagement with school events including the outstanding attendance at our Year 9 Option Consultation Event last night, and your trust in our shared vision for your children’s education are cornerstones of our success.
As we look forward to the half-term break, we wish all our families a peaceful and relaxing time. We all return to the academy for the start of Module 6 on Monday 2nd June at the normal time.
As always, if we can support you in any way please contact us via info@labexley.org.uk, where we will make every endeavour to respond within 24 hours.
Best wishes,
Mr John Dixon | Principal, Leigh Academy Bexley
Leigh Academies Trust Year 7 and 8 Mixed Handball Competition
This week, LABex was proud to host the Year 7 and Year 8 LAT Mixed Handball Competitions; high-energy events that brought together 14 schools from across the Leigh Academies Trust. Both tournaments saw outstanding participation, showcasing the enthusiasm and sporting talent of students from a wide range of academies.
Our Year 7 and Year 8 teams represented LABex with dedication and distinction throughout both competitions. Events like these play a vital role in our students’ personal development. They provide valuable opportunities to build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and develop resilience; all while demonstrating a strong sense of pride in representing their academy.
Our students were exceptional ambassadors. They competed with commitment, demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, and consistently upheld the values and expectations of LABex, both on and off the court.
A special mention goes to our Year 7 team, who delivered an exceptional performance throughout the tournament. After progressing through the rounds with skill and determination, they faced Hundred of Hoo Academy in a closely contested final. In a fast-paced and high-quality match, LABex secured a deserved 1–0 victory, bringing home the cup and capping off a brilliant day of sport.
We are extremely proud of all the students who participated and thank the staff and visiting academies for making the events such a success.
Mr Powders | Deputy Head of Knole College
SEND in our Library
We have made significant strides in enhancing our library to ensure that it caters to the diverse needs of our learners.
For our students who may have specific learning difficulties, we offer a range of dyslexia-friendly books. These books feature different fonts and age-appropriate interests while maintaining a level that matches their reading age. Additionally, many of these titles have coloured pages to further support our dyslexic readers. We believe that every child deserves access to literature that inspires them, regardless of their reading challenges.
Our non-fiction and information books are also thoughtfully selected, presenting information in various formats to ignite curiosity and engage inquisitive minds. Additionally, we have a selection of self-help and ‘how-to’ books available for students seeking a quiet moment to reflect or explore new interests.
Ms Allen, our dedicated librarian, is always on hand to assist students in navigating the library’s resources. We encourage students to utilise the library during lunch and break times for quiet study or to indulge in a game or a good book. Furthermore, the library remains open after school until 4pm, providing a safe and productive environment for students to continue their learning.
In addition to our physical collection, students have access to a vast array of books through the MyOn online platform, which allows them to read at their convenience and take quizzes to reinforce their understanding.
Should your child require support in choosing a book or if they experience any difficulties accessing MyOn, please direct them to Mrs Baldock (SENDCO) or Ms Allen (librarian), who will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a culture of reading and learning within our school community.
Mrs Baldock | Deputy Head of Petworth College / SENDCo
What does it mean to be an Inquirer in the MYP?
In this week’s MYP spotlight, we’re focusing on what it means to be an inquirer.
Being an inquirer in the MYP means we encourage your child to be curious and eager to learn, prompting them to ask questions about what interests them and to seek answers both independently and collaboratively. We will also focus on developing their research skills, teaching them how to find reliable information and use it effectively to explore topics in depth through various tools and methods. Our aim is to foster a genuine love of learning, encouraging them to discover new things, not just for school, but because they are naturally curious.
Furthermore, we will encourage them to apply their inquisitive nature to the real world, exploring what’s happening in our local community and globally, investigating problems, and thinking critically about potential solutions. Ultimately, being an inquirer means your child will actively explore and question ideas to gain a deeper understanding, a vital skill that will foster lifelong learning and thoughtful decision-making.
Mr Hall | Deputy Head of Knole College/MYP Lead
Top Performers on SPARX
We are pleased to celebrate and recognise our highest-performing students on the SPARX platform.
These students have demonstrated outstanding dedication, effort, and consistency in their home independent learning, showcasing their commitment to excellence in English.
Congratulations to all of them for their hard work and achievement!
Their perseverance serves as an inspiration to their peers, and we encourage all students to continue engaging with SPARX to support their learning and progress.
English
- Olawamiri O – Year 8
- Praise W – Year 7
- Ethan G – Year 9
- Charlotte E – Year 9
- Rory R – Year 7
- Obinash R – Year 7
- Leah W – Year 9
- Alfie F – Year 9
- Loemie L – Year 8
- Seth H – Year 7
Mathematics
- Neve M – Year 8
- Shivmpreet S – Year 8
- Shumaiza I – Year 8
- Lorenzo M – Year 7
- Olivia-May G – Year 8
- Samayra P – Year 9
- Anna L – Year 10
- Pranesh K – Year 7
- Manheer S – Year 9
- Daneen S – Year 8
Science
- Barakah H – Year 7
- Teddy D – Year 7
- Ruben C – Year 7
- Daniel H – Year 10
- Summer Y – Year 7
- Blessing A – Year 7
- Praise W – Year 7
- Yoel P – Year 8
- Henry J – Year 7
- Omotade B – Year 9
Extra Curricular Clubs
The Boys’ Basketball Club, led by Mr Woods, continues to go from strength to strength this summer term. This popular activity has seen a growing number of students take part, with several using their talent and dedication to secure college placements both in the UK and abroad.
Basketball offers a range of physical and mental health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle and bone strength, better coordination, and enhanced focus and wellbeing — all of which support students in managing the demands of their academic life.
Students from all year groups are welcome to join in. The club runs after school on Tuesdays in the Sports Hall, and is also available more informally every lunchtime.
Assemblies
This week’s assemblies have focused on preparing students for their upcoming end of year exams. The key message to our students is that the most effective way to revise knowledge is through spaced practice.
Our LABex Lesson Charter starts each lesson with a Five for Five activity whereby students are tested to recall key facts and use of specialist subject vocabulary. Our students are used to low-stakes testing and the assembly introduces them to do this for themselves as part of their own revision toolkit.
Where parents and carers can support is to create a revision timetable to encourage them to cover topics across a period of time with an added incentive from acknowledgment to reward for doing so.
One technique that works well is called the Pomodoro Technique. Students revise 4 topics or 4 different subjects over a 2 hour period in short bursts.
