Matrix’s first ever cross-trust pupil awards event, held at Millennium Point on 20^th April, was a fantastic success.

Pupils were recognised for exemplifying our trust values of creativity, resilience, selflessness, enthusiasm and continuous improvement. There were also awards for exemplary members of our Cadet Forces.

With more than 7000 pupils across our trust schools, it was really difficult to choose the 46 award winners. Those who did receive the awards should feel deservedly proud of their achievement.

The awards-giving was punctuated with several fantastic performances, including DJs from Barr Beacon, a piano virtuoso from Year 4 of Bloxwich Academy and Etone’s ‘Mega Band’. Before the event, we had over an hour of performances from pupils across our trust schools, all of who had been selected to perform after a trust-wide talent competition, which had more than 100 entrants.

The evening started with a video relating the story of our trust up until the end of 2022. Our CEO Ms Draycott then spoke about the two newest schools, Smestow Academy and Wednesfield Academy, who joined the Matrix family this year.

There was also a special video explaining ‘what a makes a Matrix pupil’, starring a teacher from each of our schools.

Here is what some of our parents and carers have said about the event:

“The awards ceremony was fantastic. It was great to see pupils getting their awards and the fantastic performances from across the Matrix Academy Trust schools.”

“It meant so much to see all the pupils being awarded for life skills rather than academic achievement. The head teachers giving a little speech about each pupil was a lovely touch and really personalised it.”

“Thank you for a wonderful evening.  It was very special to see everyone receiving their awards.”

“Thank you for a special evening celebrating the achievements of pupils.  We are especially proud of our daughter!”

“Tonight was simply amazing!” 

Ms Draycott and Director of School Improvement Mr Lowbridge-Ellis introduced each of the awards and our headteachers explained who they had chosen and why. Trustee Sir Mark Aspinall bestowed the awards on the worthy winners.

On Thursday the group of YR7 students who have been working with Wolves in the Foundation got the chance to tour round Molineux stadium.

As part of the Premier League Inspires programme that the students have been taking part in is this reward trip for their hard work and interaction. 

The students got to go behind the scenes at the ground seeing a number of things that amazed them, including the chairman's suite, the press room, the changing rooms and the dugouts. They got chance to sit where the most important people in the football club sit and get a taste for exactly what happens at a football ground on matchday and what it is like to be involved in a premier league club. 

They all did the academy proud with the way they conducted themselves on the tour and it was a fantastic way to end the first block of work we have done alongside Wolves in the Foundatjon. This is just the start of the partnership and there will be lots of opportunities coming to many more of our students across the months! 

#smestowpe #inspiringgenerations #passionparticipationprogress

Football seasons have come to an end and it is two third place finishes and two bottom half finishes for our four football teams across the academy. 

The Year 9 football team and Year 10 football team have finished 6^th and 5^th respectively in their leagues. With an injury depleted squad for both year groups, it was a massive effort to get the games played and put in the performances they did which is a credit to the lads. 

On a more positive note the Year 7 & 8 football teams both finished 3^rd in their leagues, some fantastic performances throughout the season provided some important wins and the highest finish for both year groups for a couple of years. A special shoutout must go to the Year 7 lads who after a shaky start to the season, responded superbly in the second half of the season and got some huge wins. 

Some excellent progression and development has taken place across the season and we look forward to seeing what next year has in stall for all of the year groups.

Well done all.

#ballers #smestowpe #passionparticipationprogress

A huge thank you to our KS3 pupils who have handed in OUTSTANDING Geography home learning this half term. There has been some amazing work and creativity.

Huge thanks to all students that entered the Global Recycling Day competition. The winners were James and Thomas B who won 100 points for their house with this entry...

Well done boys!

Our Year 10 football team turned back the clock to the standard of performance that clinched a league title last year with an emphatic 9-4 win over St Edmunds on Friday 17^th March. The boys dominated the game from the start with the energy of captain C. Davies in the centre of midfield alongside his partner M. Li driving the team forward and putting us into a 5-0 lead within twenty minutes of kick off. Credit must be given to our opponents who made us work hard in the second half but the team continued to push forward and were in an unassailable 8-1 lead with minutes remaining.

After a few nervy minutes, J. Boyd made an inside run down the left side of the St Edmunds defence to put the game to bed and secure all the points for Smestow. Huge credit to K. Bull for his relentless attacking energy and J. Freewood for taking the gloves for the game and saving a second half penalty! It was also fantastic to see B. Owen and R. Shayler make their school debuts in the game.

Our year 7 team pick up their second win of the season against NEWA on Tuesday evening with their best performance of the year! 

The first half was very tight but the boys found themselves 2-1 down at half time but certainly weren’t out of it. We equalised early on in the second half but then again went down 3-2 to the home side. There was 7 minutes to play when Aleks equalised for us before we got a penalty late on, which was calmly dispatched by Josh. 

The lads were ecstatic after the game and should be so proud of their performances, every single one in the squad.

A special mention goes to Fariz who did not stop working his socks off and getting stuck into everything from the centre of midfield. However Man of the Match has to go to captain fantastic and Hatrick Hero Josh …. Scoring a Ronaldo esque free kick in the first half, an audacious lob from out wide to bring us level early on in the second half and then dealing with a late penalty to give us the win by smashing it into the top bin! #ballers #smestowpe #passionparticipationprogress

On Wednesday 12 Yr7&8 girls embarked on the Biggest Ever Football session in Wolverhampton! 

The girls spent a whole morning at Aldersley Leisure Village taking part in different football activities .... Futsal, Skills, Goalkeeping and the most popular one which is a new game called Panna.

All participants were a credit to the school where they took part in some new activities and gave it their all whilst playing with smiles on their faces. 

The competitive edge also came out during the futsal tournament that we won and the Panna games between themselves. 

A brilliant day had by all and some worthwhile skills and experiences picked up by the girls 🙌🏻⚽️

#smestowpe #passionparticipationprogress #girlsfootballday

Smestow are proud to announce that our YR8 girls have been crowned the best Volleyball Team in the City! 

On Thursday night Kyla, Aicha, Ffion & Yancey competed in the volleyball competition at Kings School. The girls soon picked up what was needed to be successful in the sport and came away winning all of their group matches and then beating Heath Park in the final 16-10. 

They worked superbly as a team and showed some excellent progress with their volleyball skills throughout the night!

The girls entered never playing volleyball before and left as champions. WHAT AN EVENING! 

#smestowpe #passionparticipationprogress 

On Tuesday night Mr Webb took 4 YR8 boys to Kings School to compete in the YR8 annual City Volleyball Competition. The lads have not had much experience with volleyball matches but soon picked up the skill and match awareness to defeat 3 of their opponents throughout the tournament. 

They worked excellently as a team and developed their skill fantastically well.

Big shout out to Valerio, Collins, Hayden & Kris who are now the third best volleyball team in the city for their age group! 

Well done lads 🙌🏻🏐

#smestowpe #passionparticipationprogress