Last updated at 13:35, Wednesday, 16 December 2009

THE principal of Barrow’s academy has praised students and staff as the new secondary school approaches the end of its first term.

FIRST TERM SUCCESS: Furness Academy principal Douglas Blackledge JON GRANGER REF: 0501788

Furness Academy opened in September, replacing the former Thorncliffe, Parkview and Alfred Barrow schools.

The school has almost 1,800 pupils who attend either North Site, which was formerly Thorncliffe School, or South Site, which was Parkview.

Douglas Blackledge, Furness Academy’s principal and chief executive, said: “We are very pleased overall with the impression the students have made in the community.

“Their smart appearance has met with universal praise. Business leaders have also commented to us about how smart the students look.

“We have received very positive comments from community-based activities students have been involved with, such as the sheltered shopping for the elderly.

“Members of the public and staff at Asda commented about how courteous and helpful they are.”

The sheltered shopping event was at held at Asda last Monday. Students took people from local care homes around the store for their Christmas shopping.

The evening was organised by Furness Lions and Ann Niven, the Asda Barrow events coordinator, with the academy and the homes.

Moira McMinn, who works at Asda, said: “The children looked very smart in their uniforms. They took the people around the store and then they came into the cafe and had mince pies and sandwiches. The children were not shy and they struck up conversations with the older people.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves, it was a real success.”

Mr Blackledge said: “Another plus is the way in which the students of the predecessor schools have come together to bond as members of Furness Academy.”

This term the Furness Academy Year 11 Netball team became Cumbria champions.

The principal also thanked the academy staff.

He said: “I would like to thank the staff for their hard work and the commitment they have show in the first term. Everyone is working as part of a new team and they have shown great flexibility and comradeship to make this team successful from the word go.

“As we get into the new year we will continue to embed all the new policies and practices, and there will be a huge focus on supporting the Year 11 students with their GCSEs.”

Mr Blackledge said the academy has a philosophy of everyone achieving their personal best and it will develop the values of respect, cooperation, responsibility and personal best.

A house system is to be launched with house names that have been selected by the pupils and students have also designed a new school jumper.

Work on the new building plans will also continue.

First published at 12:55, Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk