House System
My name is Mrs Davenport and I am the Braunton Academy House Coordinator.
The Academy has moved to a Year based system with Heads of Year replacing the previous Heads of House. During the planning and transition to the new system, we recognised that we do not want to lose the House system and ethos.
Belonging to a House gives students an identity and sense of pride in a supportive environment and my aim is to raise the profile of the House system.
There are four Houses, each named after one of the beautiful local beaches: Croyde, Putsborough, Saunton and Woolacombe.
House Points
Students will have the opportunity to gain points for their House in the following ways:
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House Competitions – there will be a varied series of House competitions and events throughout the year from all areas of school life. This will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to represent their House in something that they enjoy.
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Positive Behaviour - Heads of Year will award House Points in the form of tokens to students who demonstrate positive behaviour around the school. Students will drop these into the coloured House Boxes situated in Student Reception.
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Best Attendance – the House that tops the attendance data each week will gain points for their House.
These points will accumulate and be recorded on the House Championship display board in the Isaac Hall foyer.
There will be opportunities within each House for students to take on extra responsibility and apply to become House Captains, who will help organise the competitions and events.
The House Championship calendar will culminate with the Annual Sports Day and a House Championship Cup awarded to the House that has accrued the most points over the whole year at the final assembly.
House Competitions
Fantastic Beasts House Competition
We had a huge amount of interest in this competition, and some truly fantastic beasts were created by everyone who took part!
Judging the entries was very difficult, but I am delighted to announce the winners as follows:
Yr 7 - Charlie Hopgood 7JOB Woolacombe House – Draco in Altum
Yr 8 - Imogen Hopgood 8DP Woolacombe House – The Lacertilia Aagney
Yr 9 - Alice Lapish 9ZB Woolacombe House – Puella Maris et Luna
Yr 10 - Lucien Denby 10PE Croyde House - Nedulon
Yr 11 - Jemma Hudspith 11ED Saunton House - Nyktipolos
Abilities and Features: This creature can vary in size, but generally resembles an average cat in length and width. The defining feature of this beast is its eyes - eyes that are certainly capable of more than sight, or at least much more advanced sight than anything we comprehend. It is unclear as to why the Nyktipolos exists, but as far as we know it is a peaceful, nocturnal wanderer, typically found near those in distress - for example a dying animal, or in extreme cases, a depressed human. Those who have seen it have been reported to experience some form of hypnotism when looking into its mismatched eyes (that come in more colours than teal and blood orange). Further analysis and investigation required.
House Points will be awarded to everyone to entered the competition, and the winners will each receive 10 House Points and a £10 Amazon Voucher.
Thank you to everyone who took part!
Mrs Davenport
House Coordinator
Braunton Academy Songwriting House Competition
During Lockdown Mrs Davenport and Mr Street launched an exciting new song writing house competition. The was open to all students in the school.
Mr Street was thoroughly impressed by the standard of entries. Songs were submitted in a variety of styles and genres including, acapella, electronic dance music and acoustic pop/rock. All the students below receive a certificate and a small prize. Choosing a KS3 and KS4 winner was very difficult.
The KS3 winner is Aisha Hewitt with ‘You’re the only one for me’. Her song begins with two wonderful dominant 7th chords on the piano that grab the listener's attention. The song continues with a passionate declaration of love delivered with Aisha’s beautiful, R n B inspired, soulful voice. For a moment there is a satisfying departure from the first 2 chords as she sings the refrain “You’re the only one for me” accompanied by a descending piano motif. Throughout the song Aisha is developing and decorating the melody as the intensity of love for this person grows. Wonderful. Well done.
The KS4 winner is Will McPherson with his wonderfully tender song ‘I’ll Wait right here’. A wonderfully delicate acoustic guitar pattern sets the tone right from the beginning. The feeling of tension, loss and yearning comes through beautifully in Will’s vocal delivery and lyrics, while Will uses the chorus effect on the guitar to enhance the texture of the main refrain. Overall, a moving song we can all relate to. Wonderful!
All the students provided great tracks. Charlie Jones and Tom Palmer led the way with electronic music production. Tom’s fantastic 90s house style tune has you clambering for the dance floor. Charlie produced a mini song cycle of 2 pieces referencing surf conditions: ‘3 foot sunny’ ‘5 foot cross’.
Well done and congratulations to all who took part. All results are shown below:
Braunton Academy House Songwriting Competition Results
KS4 winner - Will McPherson: I’ll Wait Right Here
KS3 winner - Aisha Hewitt: Only for Me
KS4 runners up: Ruby Collins, Poppy Nuthall, Taylor Bennett,
KS3 runners up: Izzy Almond, Isabelle Roome, Sasha Falkas, Isaac Gregory, Daisy Cox
(Group Entry: Lexie Jay, Luke Boerboom, Dylan Samuel - Poh, Jessica Yeo, Eve Horgan) 1 certificate each.
Electronic Dance Music Winners: Tom Butler, Charlie Jones and Leo Lane-Humphries
Winners Will McPherson and Aisha Hewitt both receive a lovely moleskin music notebook as well as some other musical goodies. All runners up will receive some other musical goodies and a certificate to inspire them on their songwriting journey. Please click the link to listen to their tracks.
Snack Shack Competition
Many thanks to all those who took part in the Design a Sign for the Snack Shack competition. We received some great entries and everyone who took part will receive House Points.
However, after much consideration we are delighted to announce that the winner of the Snack Shack House Competition is:-
Bea Lindenbaum - 8DM - Croyde House
Here is a picture of Bea with the winning design!
Bea received a £10 Amazon voucher and her design will be made into a sign for the new Snack Shed which opens after Easter.
