Bedford town centre came alive on Saturday 10th March 2012 as a group of Bedford Academy students took to the stage to launch the 2012 Race for Life through an exciting aerobics performance.

The students committed hours of their own time to perfect the aerobics routine during afterschool enrichment with Miss Powell before showing great dedication by opening the charity event with a fantastic show!

This was not the first time that our students have volunteered for such a good cause: in 2011, we opened the Race for Life summer event to a crowd of thousands with the aim of enthusing the participants and entertaining the spectators before the race began.

We have received excellent feedback from the organisers and are very proud that the girls have been given the exciting opportunity to once again perform as the opening act for the Bedford Race for Life in July this year!

Our students represented the school fantastically; we are very proud to have such talented students at Bedford Academy.

Miss McKracken and Mr Nixon run a thrilling Art and Ceramics enrichment every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 3.35pm. All students are welcome to attend to either work on current projects, extend their school work or pursue individual projects.

Drama Club enrichment has been going from strength to strength this term! A regular attendance by Year 10 has now been joined by a strong Year 9 group; an excellent sign of vertical tutoring. This term has an exciting enrichment lined up where students will develop their own devised pieces of drama. So far we have explored slap stick comedy, scripted work and improvisation: watch this space for more details of their performances!

Bedford Academy’s first ever gym and dance display will be held on Thursday 19th July from 7pm – 9pm. Students will be auditioning on the Tuesday 15th May and successful performances will feature on the evening of the show. There will be a range of acts from exciting gymnastic performances to a range of dance styles and aerobics pieces. Tickets will be priced at £2 per adult, £1.50 per child and £5 per family tickets (2 adults and 2 children).

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with our feeder, lower and middle schools and for a number of students from other schools to work collaboratively with our students. An exciting event, our students are really looking forward to performing to a large crowd. Tickets will go on sale at the end of June. We look forward to seeing you there!!

Any students interested in performing should see Miss Powell for further information.

Gymnastics is the latest enrichment this half term, running every Tuesday after school. Currently, we are learning all about different types of gymnastics; we have already covered cartwheels, handstands, lifts, balances, contact work and vaulting!

Everyone is welcome, regardless of their experience; I have been twice and, although initially unsure about vaulting, learning the skills and putting them into practice was actually quite simple. I have also learnt about and mastered cartwheels and headstands, which I have never been able to do before!

Future journalists, photographers and broadcasters congregate every Thursday at 3.35pm in the ILC with Miss Bye and Miss Greenacre!

Students have been busily working on the Academy Newsletter to meet their tight deadline and are excited to await the response to their creation! Meanwhile they will be working on video production for Academy events. All students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the BBC School News Report, where students had the chance of broadcasting their news story live on the BBC News on 15th March 2012. Watch this space for School Report 2013!

The Music department offers an exciting variety of enrichment activities that everyone is welcome to take part in. Activities vary throughout the year and student suggestions and requests are always welcome. This term the following activities are offered in the music area between 3:45pm and 5pm. Students can also book time in practise rooms with Miss Williams during lunch breaks to work on individual practise and composition projects.

Tuesday: BTEC Performing Arts

Music is offered alongside Drama and learners work towards a BTEC level 2 Extended Certificate over a two year period. It is expected learners attend regularly and complete coursework outside of lesson time. The group are currently rehearsing for a production of Jabbawocky which will include live student composed music and devised drama. Students also have the opportunity to explore set and costume design, technical theatre and sound equipment operation.

Wednesday: Rock Band and Studio time

The rock band perform in Academy showcases and community events. They learn a wide variety of rock music including music by 'Guns and Roses' and 'The Beatles'. The rock band rehearse on a Wednesday in Music room 1; if you would like to join, please see Miss Williams or Mr Twigger.

Studio time: Students can book the recording studio and record their own music and vocals. If you would like to book some studio time you should speak to Miss Williams.

Thursday: Spotlight, Studio Time and Vocal Development

Spotlight is an opportunity for students to book a practise room and equipment to work on musical projects, practise for lessons and share ideas with friends. You must book a room in advance with Miss Williams.

Vocal Development: Students are offered singing/vocal development lessons with Miss Williams. During this time you will be introduced to a selection of warm-up and voice maintenance techniques and also work on a song of your choice. Spaces for this enrichment are limited and students must audition.

The rounder’s season has finally arrived… unfortunately, without the sun!

Year 9 and 10 enrichment students have been playing regular fixtures against other teams in the district; Year 9 played against Sandy Upper School on 3rd May and successfully got all of the opposition out in the first innings! Meanwhile, Year 10's strong team are hoping to be victorious!

All students are welcome to join our Rounders enrichment, which takes place every Wednesday. Rounders training and matches are then played during Thursday enrichment. All students have committed to representing the Academy and the P.E team look forward to the up and coming fixtures that are as follows:

Year 9

 17th May - Bedford Academy vs. Stratton Upper and Redborne Upper

31st May - Bedford Academy vs. Samuel Whitbread Upper

Year 10

14th May - Bedford Academy vs. Biddenham Upper and Sandy Upper

24th May - Bedford Academy vs. Samuel Whitbread Upper