Heywood Academy Blog - 13.3.26
Year 7 Visit to Neeli Mosque
Our Year 7 students had a fantastic visit to Neeli Mosque on Tuesday. The trip gave them a valuable and eye‑opening insight into the Islamic faith and the vibrant Muslim community we are proud to have here in Rochdale.
During the visit, students listened to the call to prayer, watched demonstrations of important customs, and learned more about daily practices within the faith. They were also able to see how the community prepares for the breaking of the fast during Ramadan, which made the experience even more meaningful. The mosque community were so welcoming, even sharing food with our students!
We are extremely grateful to Neeli Mosque for giving our students such a warm welcome and for providing an inspiring and memorable visit. A big thank‑you also to Ms Waft for leading the trip and supporting our students throughout the day.
Our First Rotary Competition – Youth Speaking Success!
This week, we proudly held our first Rotary competition, the Youth Speaking Competition. Students were invited to speak on any subject of their choice for five minutes, and they rose to the challenge brilliantly.
Each participant came prepared, many using props and PowerPoint slides to enhance their presentations. Their confidence, creativity, and delivery wowed the judges.
All students were presented with a medal and a Rotary Club Certificate in recognition of their amazing achievements.
A huge congratulations to the students who achieved 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Vincent, Annabelle and Edward. Each of these winners received Amazon vouchers, kindly donated by the Heywood Rotary Club.
Ms Crossley's weekly update
Non‑Fiction Talk for Writing & Our Reading Challenge
Students across all year groups have been working on non‑fiction Talk for Writing this term, and it has been great to see how confidently they are developing their ideas. From planning using model texts to rehearsing key sentences aloud, pupils are beginning to understand how non‑fiction writing is structured and how to organise information clearly.
This also links well with our focus on the National Year of Reading. Every class has been tracking their reading minutes, and it has been encouraging to see so many students choosing to read regularly, both in school and at home. These small, daily reading habits really do make a difference to writing skills, especially when students are learning how to explain, inform, and describe in non‑fiction work.
World Book Day Ignites Imagination Across Heywood Academy
World Book Day at Heywood Academy was nothing short of electric, with the entire school alive with creativity, curiosity, and a genuine love of reading. From themed lessons to whole-school challenges, every corner of the academy buzzed with activity as students immersed themselves in stories in every possible form.
One of the day’s biggest highlights was the Masked Reader competition, which had students hooked from the very first disguised voice. Learners listened intently, piecing together clues and debating who might be behind each mask. The excitement grew with every reveal, and the winning students proudly chose a book to take home, a perfect prize for such a story-filled day.
The school’s ongoing reading challenge added an extra layer of excitement. Students have been logging their daily reading hours with real commitment, and the energy across year groups has been incredible. The sheer volume of reading taking place has been inspiring, showing just how deeply the Heywood community has embraced the joy of books.
Alongside these whole-school events, World Book Day wove beautifully into curriculum learning:
· English lessons were packed with creativity as students tackled a football-themed book quiz, dressed as favourite characters, joined virtual author sessions, and designed their own book covers.
· History groups delved into Horrible Histories, exploring the past through witty storytelling.
· In Drama, students brought narrative to life in a “Living Library,” performing and sharing stories in character.
· RSE groups created imaginative “Frankenstories,” merging ideas to craft completely new narratives.
· Art students explored Aboriginal Dreaming stories in the sensory room, blending culture, storytelling, and creativity.
· Design Technology classes listened to a Horrible Histories podcast on William the Conqueror, linking reading with practical exploration.
· Across Maths and Science, students read biographies of scientists, became fact-finding detectives, and listened to podcasts that connected reading to real-world learning.
· In Geography, reading tied directly into curriculum themes with chapters from The Wizard of Oz, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Kick.
· Target students took on a Hercule Poirot-style logic challenge, building reasoning, turn-taking, and problem-solving skills.
· PE brought stories to life with a lively game of Quidditch inspired by the Harry Potter series.
· In IT, students designed book covers to match their outfits, merging digital skills with literary creativity.
· Finally, Outdoor Education groups visited Rochdale Library, where they explored the space and exchanged their World Book Day vouchers.
From start to finish, World Book Day at Heywood Academy wasn’t simply an event—it was a celebration of the power of stories to ignite imagination, deepen learning, and bring the whole school buzzing to life. The enthusiasm shown by students and staff alike made the academy feel brighter, louder, and undeniably more magical.
Ms Nicholson’s weekly update
🌟 Our Amazing Year 8 Trip to Disneyland Paris! 🌟
This week, Year 8 had the most incredible adventure at Disneyland Paris, and it’s a trip none of us will ever forget! From thrilling rides to magical shows, delicious food and unforgettable memories, here’s what we got up to.
🎢 The Rides – Exciting, Fast and Unforgettable!
We went on loads of rides, but two of them were definitely our favourites:
Big Thunder Mountain – It was fast, bumpy and SO much fun. Everyone came off laughing (and maybe screaming just a little!).
Tower of Terror – This one was terrifying in the best way possible. The drop made our stomachs flip, but we all wanted to go on again!
Going on the rides together made the day even better, and it was great seeing everyone challenge themselves and try something new.
🍽️ Trying New Foods at the Buffet
One of the highlights of the trip was the buffet, where we got to try loads of different foods. Some of us tried dishes we’d never eaten before, and it turned out to be delicious! There were so many options that everyone found something they loved.
🏡 Staying in the Villa
We stayed in a cosy villa nearby the other schools, which made the trip feel like a big adventure. In the evenings we played games, relaxed and talked about our favourite parts of the day. It felt like one big family holiday!
🎠 The Disney Magic
The park itself was absolutely beautiful — colourful, clean and full of magic everywhere we looked. One of the best moments was seeing Mickey Mouse walking around and waving at everyone. We were all so excited!
✨ The Light Show
One night we went back to the castle to watch the incredible light show, and it was definitely a highlight for the whole group. The fireworks, music and lights made everything feel magical. Lots of us said it was our favourite part of the entire trip.
✈️ Amazing Behaviour – Proud Teachers!
We were also really proud of how everyone behaved on the plane and in the airport. Students were polite, confident and respectful, especially when speaking to staff and other passengers. It showed how mature and responsible Year 8 can be.
Disney
Ms Zobenica’s weekly update
Year 7 have continued developing their netball skills this week. They have been practising both shoulder passes and overhead passes, focusing on improving their accuracy and teamwork during drills and small games.
Year 9 have begun their badminton unit and have already demonstrated some great initial skills. Students worked on learning how to serve the
Both year groups have also enjoyed spending time in our Forest School area. They worked responsibly with tools and carefully followed instructions to plant a range of tree species, including oak and hawthorn. It has been wonderful to see students contributing to the environment while developing practical outdoor skills.
Ms Zobenicaï¿¿s weekly update
