The Academy has a thriving extra-curricular activities programme that surely has something for everyone. From Sports and Music, to Dance, Drama, Book Clubs, Chess Club, Film Club, House Events and plenty more.
Sport
The PE Department organises a wide range of extra-curricular activities: - Boys and Girls Football Clubs and fixtures - Boys Football All Stars* - Boys and Girls Basketball Clubs and fixtures - Boys Basketball All Stars* - Boys and Girls Rugby Clubs and fixtures - Boys and Girls Cricket Clubs and fixtures - Girls Netball Clubs - Gymnastics - Athletics Club - Rounders Club and fixtures
All Stars Football All Stars is a great St Wilfrid’s phenomenon, which involves football for those boys not in the School A team. Over 30 Year 7 boys play across four teams on a Friday night, with older students assisting as managers and officials. They compete for the prestigious Acorn trophy. Each week the team that wins the round robin tournament is awarded with a ‘crown’. The team with the most crowns at Easter wins the Acorn!
Sporting Facilities:
The PE Department has a Sports Hall, Sprung Floor Gymnasium, a state of the art Fitness Studio, a dedicated Dance Studio, 2G Astroturf, Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), Yard, Large offsite Playing Fields and 2 dedicated classrooms. In addition to school facilities, students have opportunities to use public facilities including: Witton Park Athletics track, Boulder Up Climbing Centre and Blackburn Ice Arena.
The Music Centre at Saint Wilfrid’s offers a wide variety of instrumental and vocal lessons. We provide high-quality tuition on a weekly basis that will provide you with both a broad and balanced curriculum, aimed at developing musical skills and supported by great technique. Lessons are held by local professional musicians, who act as both tutor and mentor throughout the course of a 10-week term. Contact Mr Keeling for further information.
There are several extra-curricular, music-related clubs for students of all musical abilities. Some are geared towards those who have reached a certain standard on their instrument, whereas others are more for those who just want to get involved in music. The clubs are also open for anyone learning an instrument outside of the Academy. Music is carefully selected and adapted to suit the needs of each group, giving pupils the opportunity to develop their playing, singing and musicianship skills, with performance opportunities in the Academy and the wider community.
We host a variety of concerts and performances throughout the year, with our ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ Service always a highlight in the. calendar.
Please see Mr Keeling or Mrs Ayres for any further information.
BRASS AND STRING GROUP For students who enjoy playing any Brass or String instrument.
ACADEMY CHAMBER CHOIR (ACC) Students will be invited to audition for the ACC.
‘KADEMY FUN CHOIR (KFC) If you just enjoy singing, then you’re welcome to join and get involved in this fun new group.
CONCERT BAND For students who are playing at, or above, Grade 1 standard – any instrument welcome.
WORSHIP GROUP For students who enjoy singing or playing Contemporary Christian Worship music. This group will help to lead worship in the Academy.
SCHOOL OF ROCK For students who play guitar, bass guitar, drums or just want to Rock!
KEYBOARD CLUB This lunchtime club is for students who enjoy keyboard work in class.
Dance / Drama
The Expressive and Performing Arts Team at St Wilfrid’s work closely with English/PE learning areas to provide many opportunities through extra-curricular activities in the Arts to complement classroom teaching. Over recent years, we have performed whole-school productions including ‘The Greatest Showcase’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Music students have also contributed to well-received local productions such as ‘Rock Fest’ at King George’s Hall. Whether you’re a performer, a visual artist, or someone interested in being an effective backstage crew hand, there will be something for you to get involved in at St Wilfrid’s and you’ll feel a valued member of the team.
Professional artists are also invited to visit the school with expert workshops on stage make up application and lighting design techniques.
There is a great selection of Dance clubs available to students of all abilities. Each year the Academy holds a Gym and Dance Show, which showcases the very best talent from the Dance department’s classes and clubs, as well as performances from the various Gym clubs on offer at St Wilfrid’s.
Duke of Edinburgh
From Year 9 onwards, students can enrol to join the Award and progress through the three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
We have many pupils who join and train, in their own time, to participate to gain this ‘extra’ qualification. Pupils must fulfil the requirements of each of the four sections of the Scheme; Service, Skill, Physical Challenge and Expedition. The activities encourage cooperation, responsibility, self-reliance, personal achievement and perseverance embodied within a spiritual, personal and social development. As we have our own highly skilled, experienced and qualified leaders you can rest assured that participants are in safe hands.
The opportunity is for all and challenge is the essence of the concept. The Expedition programme exemplifies this with planning, preparing and completing a journey with a specifically outlined purpose.
Practice and Assessment journeys are generally undertaken in areas like Trough of Bowland and Derbyshire area for Bronze and Silver Awards. The more adventurous Gold Expeditions tend to take place in mountainous regions, like Snowdonia in Wales and the Ben Nevis region of Scotland. Prospective employers and Universities look favourably on this award as it shows a level of commitment. It is also a lot of fun!
Other Clubs and Activities
Art Club An opportunity for students to come and experiment and develop their skills in Art and Photography. Book Clubs (Y7-Y8, Y9-Y10, Y11) Each half term you’ll read a group text and meet up weekly to discuss thoughts and share ideas. Chess Club For all year groups to learn and play chess. A tournament against other schools take place in the summer term. Christian Union Fun games with interactive study, times of worship and opportunities to share. Comic Book Club This club shadows the Excelsior Awards. Students will read and discuss the 12 shortlisted graphic novel and manga titles. Computing Club This club is for Year 7 and 8 to complete the iDea award. Creative Writing Club Develop your writing skills and express your creativity through poetry, newspaper writing and short stories. Debate Club For all those interested in learning about and debating topical questions and ideas.
RE Film Club Watch films, share your opinions, debate the advice and consider the philosophical messages behind the stories. Social Skills/Friendship Club Run by SEN, this club is great for vulnerable students who may have friendship difficulties.
