From the 18th – 19th March 2010 a group of forty students will visit the Ypres and Somme Battlefields. World War One is an important part of the GCSE history course and of the Year 9 English, Art and History curricula at the City of London Academy. This visit will have both a positive impact on your work, developing empathy and understanding, and ensure another generation understands the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the ‘Great War’ that gave us our freedom today.

The cost of the trip will be £140 for two days. This low figure has been made possible by a significant charitable donation from the British Legion to reduce the cost. It is open to Years 9 to 13 and the deadline for the £40 deposit is 28th September 2009.

If you are interested in taking part in this tour please see Mr Fazackerley, Miss Hillsdon or Miss Douglas in Humanities for a letter.

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition has been running since 1991 and each year involves over 200 schools and nearly 3,000 students from across the UK. Teams prepare the prosecution and defence of two specially written criminal cases and take on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, court staff and jurors in a mock trial. Their performances are judged by Circuit Judges, Recorders and senior barristers. The London regional heat is in November and the winners of the heat goes on to a National Final in March.

If you think you have got what it takes then come along to a quick meeting in 2C3 at 3:10pm on Friday 18th September, or see Mr Fazackerley as soon as you can. This competition is open to students in Years 10 to 13 and is an excellent opportunity to get to know how the legal system works, as well as being an excellent item for CVs and UCAS Personal Statements!

The latest edition of the academy's student magazine is out next week (probably Tuesday). As with previous editions, there will only be enough copies for interested students to have one. Limited numbers will be allocated to each tutor group and students will be able to pick up a copy from the atrium.

The theme of this issue is 'changes', and it is specifically focused on the new year 7s, welcoming them to the academy and sharing advice with them from their older peers.

We will be marketing Vocalize around the school and on Fronter, so please support the work that student press team has put in.

We are also recruiting for new writers for the next issue, which is due out in January. If anyone is interested, please contact Ms Ayling in English, or talk to your form tutor.

Drama: Wednesday 30th September 3.30-4.30 pm

Music: Thursday 1st October 3.30pm-4.30pm

All auditions are in the main hall, and everyone is welcome. Students must attend BOTH auditions for a part!

On all staff and student desktops there is an icon entitled Searchstar which links to our online catalogue of books, journals and accessible websites. You can search by author, title, subject, or keyword to locate useful resources in all subject areas.

Year 7 students will know Searchstar from their library sessions and Year 12 have been introduced to it in their LRC inductions, but the database is available to all, and will prove particularly useful if you are researching a particular topic. The database also allows us to add keywords and websites to the database, so please let us know of any you think will be useful.

Using Searchstar is a useful step in developing students' information literacy skills, independent learning and research skills so why not have a go yourself?

All pupils are expected to have a dinner card. Replacement cards are now only £5.

We offer 10% extra for dinner card payments of £50 or more made by cheque or credit/debit card.

Due to low numbers the planned ski trip to Switzerland in February half term has been cancelled. Parents will be sent a full refund for any monies paid to date. Another ski trip will be arranged for students in February half term 2011.

Talent at Christmas is potentially London’s biggest 2009 Christmas party for young people, combining a talent competition with a huge Christmas party. It features a performance from a chart-topping artist, and sets from top London DJs playing the best of Hip Hop, House, Old School, Funky House, R&B, Bashment, Garage, Dance and Club Classics! The talent competition will feature eleven young singing and dance acts competing for your vote; with the chance to win a dream prize, including professional studio recording, PR consultation and exposure to major record labels.

Talent at Christmas will take place at the Indigo2, the O2, London on 21st December 2009. Doors open at 18:30. This is the place to be this Christmas holiday! See www.talentatchristmas.com for more details.