Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School pupils had a special assembly to mark both Pride Month and School Diversity Week. They took as their Theme of the Week ‘Celebrating Diversity (LGBTQ+)’. The assemblies focused on what we mean by diversity, the idea that everybody is unique and equal and the idea of tolerance and respect. They reminded pupils of the 2010 Equality Act and its protected characteristics to further develop their understanding of the law around discrimination. Pupils were also introduced to role models that celebrate inclusion for different groups and the history of Pride Month. As always, pupils were signposted to further support. 

On Friday 14^th June our Year 10 students who study Religious Studies for GCSE had the amazing opportunity to go to Shrewsbury Prison as part of their crime and punishment unit.

The students were able to learn the history of capital punishment in the UK, the treatment of criminals throughout different centuries and what life in prison would be like for prisoners in the UK today.

Congratulations to our incredible Year 12 students on successfully planning and completing a 5K colour spectrum walk, to raise awareness and funds for the National Autistic Society (NAS). Your continued dedication, hard work, and commitment in supporting the wider community is truly inspiring.

By coming together and undertaking this challenge, you have not only showcased your physical endurance but also your compassion and solidarity with the autistic community. The awareness you have raised and the funds you have gathered will make a significant impact, helping to support vital services and advocacy efforts for individuals with autism and their families.

The National Scientific Thinking Challenge takes place during the last week of April (Mon 24th -28th), during a science lesson. DEC entered our top set pupils in the challenge. Students have to look at data, graphs and text and make deductions, spot trends, suggest hypotheses and identify anomalous results. Our pupils have done amazingly well with 9 bronze awards, 1 silver and 2 gold! Well done!

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Dear Esteemed Alumni,

Are you ready to reconnect, grow, and give back? Join our Alumni Network today and be a part of a thriving community of professionals, leaders, and lifelong learners! Join here https://www.futurefirsthub.org.uk/register/dame-elizabeth-cadbury-school

Why Join?

1. Network & Connect:

• Reunite with old friends and make new connections.
• Expand your professional network through exclusive alumni events

2. Professional Development:

• Access to mentorship opportunities.

3. Stay Informed:

• Receive the latest news about your alma mater and fellow alumni.
• Be the first to know about upcoming events, reunions, and alumni achievements.

4. Give Back:

• Volunteer your time, skills, or resources to support current students and institutional initiatives.
• Participate in fundraising efforts that enhance the educational experience for future generations.

Some of our high achieving year 9 and 10 students took part in the long standing ‘Big Maths Quiz’ held in the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham on 12^th March. The students did incredibly well, competing in 3 teams of four across five quiz rounds. The rounds varied from matchstick logic, to countdown puzzles, among a tribute round to renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. A huge well done to Mimi B, Macy W, Dylan C and Samson R who made up our Team C, who were three points from placing in the final three, as well as our other two teams who showed great determination and aptitude throughout. Students also listened to a taster mathematics lecture as well as a tour of the university campus, a great experience for our students. Here’s to continued success next year.

Thousands of pupils from across the UK sat the Intermediate Maths Challenge on 31^st January. This is a prestigious opportunity which provides some of our most ambitious year 9 pupils the chance to excel at mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency outside of the national curriculum. The Dame Elizabeth Cadbury students did fantastically well, with seven receiving certificates overall; the biggest success was from Dylan C receiving a Silver award! Congratulations to our talented mathematicians!

Embarking on a journey beyond borders can be a transformative experience for students, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, languages, and traditions. Recently, a group of 35 adventurous pupils from across Matrix Academy Trust had the incredible opportunity to explore the city of Stockholm, Sweden through the Turing Scheme. This government-funded scheme enables pupils to experience other cultures. 

Our first activity was a visit to the Paradox Musuem, which offers an engaging exploration of optical illusions. Visitors are invited to pose for some great pictures as part of these illusions, before walking to the Avicii Experience, where our pupils enjoyed DJing alongside the groundbreaking DJ and producer, experiencing his music in a unique and immersive setting. 

Later that afternoon, our students had the opportunity to visit Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s charming Old Town, exploring landmarks such as the Royal Armouries. They also delved into the world of Nobel laureates at the Nobel Prize Museum, learning about the importance of science, literature, and peace in shaping our world.  

On our second day, we visited the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. As you step into the museum, you’re greeted by the Vasa ship, a preserved warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged centuries later. Our pupils also enjoyed exploring Lego versions of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. 

Following this, our students had the pleasure of exploring the iconic music of Sweden. At the ABBA museum, they were immersed in ABBA’s iconic costumes and memorabilia, exploring interactive exhibits and singing and dancing along to timeless hits.  

On day three, we paid a visit to the Tekniska Museum of science, technology, and innovation. Here the pupils enjoyed interactive exhibits, followed by lunch at Max Burgers – Sweden’s (significantly better) answer to McDonalds.  

In the afternoon, we took a scenic boat tour around Stockholm’s archipelago, where we got to see the city’s iconic landmarks from a unique perspective. And in the afternoon, the competitive natures of staff and pupils kicked in with an outdoor escape room adventure around the historic town. Divided into teams, pupils navigated their teams and their teacher through the narrow cobblestone streets, solving clues and unravelling mysteries, where only one of our groups solved the clues to find the final code! 

On day four, our pupils had the opportunity to visit Töjnaskolan, a Swedish school located in the suburbs of Stockholm. Stepping into the classrooms of Töjnaskolan, our pupils were struck by the differences between British and Swedish educational systems. Aside from being instant celebrities, they noticed smaller class sizes, a longer lunchtime and no school uniform. The visit sparked discussions between both sets of pupils about the different educational models, encouraging our students to reflect on their own learning experiences and cultural perspectives. 

On day 5 was a visit to Skansen, the world’s first open-air museum, showcasing Swedish life from centuries past to the present day. Our students were delighted to explore the native animals of Sweden, with the highlight of the visit being the opportunity to hand-feed some of the friendly birds that call Skansen home. 

On our final day, our pupils experienced an adrenaline rush at Skypark Vaxholm, an exhilarating outdoor adventure park. They navigated treetop obstacle courses, zip-lined across forests, and conquered thrilling challenges, pushing their limits and building confidence. 

As our pupils bid farewell to Stockholm and boarded their flight back to London Heathrow, they carried with them memories that will last a lifetime. The trip embodied Matrix Academy Trust’s ethos of Education without Exception. Through experiences like the Stockholm trip, we empower our students to open their minds to endless possibilities and shape them into compassionate, informed global citizens. 

As part of our long standing affiliation with Warwickshire school cricket, we were cordially invited to a regional finals event held at the Doug Ellis Centre, Perry Barr, Birmingham. The team, expertly marshalled by Jack T (our captain) were a credit to the school/trust and showcased their expansive array of skills throughout the day. Unfortunately we were unable to bring the trophy back to Dame Elizabeth, but I and my assistant coach (Jake W) on the day couldn’t be more proud of the team.

Back Row  (left to right): J Willis; A Slaby; T Matthews; J Thomas

Front row (left to right): L Dring; B Caffrey; B Hannon; Z Hughes

On Tuesday 23 April, Year 7 watched a performance of Talking Heads by Loudmouth. The performance and discussion workshop covered mental wellbeing, social media, body image and explored the 5 ways to wellbeing. The programme debunked some of the myths around mental health, giving our pupils the space to learn how to talk about mental wellbeing and emotions sensitively. They explored the common types of mental ill health and their possible causes e.g. social media, as well as simple, proven strategies to support positive mental wellbeing e.g. physical exercise. It gave our pupils the skills to recognise the early signs of mental ill health and the knowledge and confidence to know where and how to seek appropriate support. By the end of the session, the pupils had learnt strategies to support positive mental wellbeing and how to critically evaluate how their behaviour effects their own and others’ mental health. The Year 7s asked great questions during the workshop and the feedback from staff and the actors was excellent. These sessions allow us to bring our PSHE curriculum to life and are really valuable for all those involved.