All Year 7s have received a leaflet outlining the Booked Up scheme at the Academy library, and during their fortnightly library lessons every Year 7 student will have the opportunity to browse and select a book of their choice.

Booked Up is a national programme run by Booktrust and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Its goal is to encourage and support reading by providing each Year 7 pupil in England with a free book from a list of specially selected titles. Go to www.bookedup.org.uk to see the fantastic choice available.

Last year’s programme was a huge success with over 672,000 children nationally receiving their free Booked Up book. In November, five regional events were held at which Year 7s had the opportunity to meet some of the 2008 Booked Up authors.

Have a look around the website and find out more about this year’s Booked Up books and authors. Check out other Year 7 reviews to help you make your choice, enter the competitions, or write your own review!

Vocalize issue 6 is out now! It is full of useful tips for year 7s, embarrassing revelations by staff, and a shock-horror exposé of the Plastic Surgery industry. Miss Oragano gives advice to the confused, and there is a useful events listing covering all kinds of interests.

If you haven’t seen a copy, ask your English teacher!

Following its successful launch last year, Debate Club is coming back to the academy. All students who are interested in organising or taking part in debates should come to a meeting on Wednesday 30th September at 3:15pm in 1B2. The first debate is scheduled for Wednesday 21st October so keep an eye out for further details.

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!

The Parents and Friends of the Academy (PaFotA) first meeting of the new academic year will be Thursday 8th October, 6.30pm - 7.30pm, in the Atrium. Everyone is welcome, and we especially welcome parents of new year 7 students.

Calling all singers: the Academy Choir rehearses every Thursday after school from 3:15-4:15pm.

The choir is a very popular activity at the Academy, but a limited number of places are still available. If you want to be auditioned, just come along.

This is a reminder to all year 11 catering students that you are visiting St Thomas's Hospital on Friday the 2nd of October. Please remember to bring your signed permission slips. This is an important part of your to GCSE catering course, and you should make sure you don’t miss it.

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.