Griffin Guild

Guild Motto: ‘Loyalty and strength; fairness and determination’

Guild Anthem: ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ by Richard Wagner.

The launch of Yate International Academy has been very successful; I have been impressed by the way students have taken the transition from King Edmund Community School in their stride. The new uniform looks fantastic and has been impeccably worn. Moreover, the new Guild system has fostered a sense of competition, pride and community amongst studentsand staff.

The Griffin is a mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.  As the lion is traditionallyconsidered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of the birds, the griffinis thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature.Griffins arenormally known for guarding treasure. Alexander the Great allegedly used the symbolof the griffin to represent his kingdom, the largest empire the world has ever seen.

Following Alexander’s example, Griffin guild has led the guild point leaguetable for most of the school year so far and I am delighted with the effort that the overwhelming majority of Griffins have made.

I look forward to an exciting 2010 for Yate International Academy and Griffin Guild.

Mr S Ponsford, Head of Guild

Lion Guild

Guild Motto: 'Truth, Strength and Pride'

Guild Anthem: 'The Lion King'

The Lion Guild has been formed to represent the history of the previous educational establishment on this site.

The motto of “Truth, Strength and Pride” encourages all Guild members to make the best of their opportunities in the new Academy. The Guild was given the honour of opening the Academy with an assembly where Lord Drayson was the guest of honour. It is our intention to be first in everything we do, in the spirit of competition whilst acknowledging the abilities of our opponents.

Our anthem, “The Lion King” tells us about the adventure of life and the need to look after each other in a spirit of family. The guild members have settled in well to their new mixed year groups and the sense of family is growing, as well as a desire to work hard gaining Guild points for effort and participation in lessons. We intend to be the best so that at the end of the year the Lions can truly “ROAR”.

Over the past two terms we have had success on the playing fields, especially in netball and rugby. Our performances in LRC quizzes have been impressive and we are giving the other three Guilds strong competition in the Guild points league – those ahead are constantly looking over their shoulders whilst others strive to match our achievements!

Mr A Lord, Head of Guild

Pegasus Guild

Guild Motto: ‘On wings with courage’

Guild Anthem: Queen - ‘Don’t stop me now’

The start of Yate International Academy has seen a tremendous uplift in our students; they have embraced the change from King Edmund Community School to Yate International Academy with amazing maturity. Just look around any of the mentor rooms and you will see smart proud students ready for a days exciting learning.

Pegasus has both mythical and real life attachments, and this coming year will see both of these elements drawn together to foster a strong guild bond between the vertical mentor groups and those across Guilds in the form of competition. We have begun developing strong links with the RAF, as the Pegasus engine, which is the power plant for the legendary Harrier jump jet, is designed and built in Bristol. All Pegasurians have had 1 half days team building and bonding exercises in preparation to the opening of YIA and this will be developed over the coming year.

The RAF have been in touch this year to offer their High Ropes course in Brize Norton to outstanding members of the Guild, this will be scheduled for the first quarter of 2010.

Rolls Royce are the manufactures of the Pegasus engines and links have begun to be forged with the Industries and schools trust which will enable groups of students to visit the factory and see this engine in production and perhaps testing.

2010 looks to be a continuation of new and exciting times for the students at Yate International Academy and we look forward to nurturing the courageous learning that all Pegasurians are undertaking.

Mr S Matthews, Head of Guild

Phoenix Guild

Guild Motto: 'To a Valiant Heart All Things are Possible'

The members of Phoenix Guild have started the year very well.  The Guild has developed a team spirit very quickly.  It is to be hoped that pride in membership of a successful team will boost confidence to be more ambitious in all aspects of life.  The Guild would like the members to aim to achieve better levels and grades than the minimum expected, strive for 100% attendance and constructive ‘on task ‘ behaviour.

Phoenix Guild is also a guild of many talents.  The Phoenix shield was designed by the contributions of several Year 10 students.  Our motto, also contributed by Year 10's, is ‘To a valiant heart all things are possible.’ - inspirational indeed.  The Guild also won the ‘It’s a Knockout Competition’ not just by winning many races but also by picking up bonus points for standing in line quickly.  This is very important as it allowed Phoenix Guild to win and also showed how each contribution is valuable.  Team Spirit that day was very powerful.  Lastly, Phoenix Guild produced the greatest number of entrants for the Talent Show.  All three Year Groups in Years 7, 8 and 9 came first in the Darren Campbell quiz organised in order to launch Olympic Inspiration Program.  One of the particular strengths of the Guild is rugby. Congratulations need to be extended to all the rugby teams and also appreciation for the inspiration provided by Year 11 coaching.  The Year 8 netball squad also won their competition.  The ‘have a go’ ethos is something the Guild wishes to encourage as well as the fact that the entries were so successful - well done the winners from Phoenix.

During the course of this year all members of the Guild will be encouraged to do their best and to take advantage of all opportunities offered in the Academy. The younger members of the Guild will also have the support of older ‘siblings’ from Year 11 who are ready to share their experience and wisdom of Academy life with the younger members.  Every member is allocated their own ‘family’.

All parents are welcome to consider themselves honorary members!  All support is gratefully received, especially your support in taking an interest.  So, please ask your students how many points they have earned for the Guild and help us maintain the reputation of Phoenix as being the Guild to beat!

Mrs D Longley, Head of Guild