Birchwood Update Monday 18 September 2017
- Week 1
- Sep 19, 2017
- 8 min read
Birchwood Community High School Open Evening – Thursday 21 September, 4.30pm – 7.30pm.
Please be aware that in preparation for Open evening, school will close for learners at 2pm on Thursday.
This Thursday we look forward to welcoming prospective learners and their families to school for our open evening. Feedback from previous visitors has always been brilliant with both children and their parents or carers having both an informative and fun evening.
We feel strongly that all young people should be inspired to develop their talents and skills; to be challenged to strive to be the best they can be, but above all develop a thirst for learning that will stay with them throughout their lives. The best schools are underpinned by the strongest foundations of discipline, pride in oneself and community as well as a focus on ensuring the basics such as; respect, tolerance, compassion, literacy, numeracy, personal learning outside school hours, knowing the difference between right and wrong.
On Thursday parents and carers will have an opportunity to see how we achieve these principles in action. There will be activities and demonstrations in each department and our Learner Guides will be on hand to show you around and answer any of your questions from a learner point of view.
Formal presentations by our Senior Staff will take place at 4.30pm and 6.00pm
We do hope that you will join us.
Extra-curricular Timetable
The Extra-Curricular Timetable for the winter term is available here. There is a whole range of clubs and activities on offer for learners, so please encourage your child to get involved.
Science Department, LEARNER OF THE WEEK
This year the Science department will recognise good effort and achievement in KS4 by selecting a ‘Learner of the Week’. An email will be sent home to parents to share this achievement which will also be shared on this update.
Last week’s Key Stage 4 Science Leaner of the Week is:
Caitlin Ferguson 10BN. Caitlin was selected by Mrs Archer for her excellent attitude and effort in Biology lessons. Well Done to Caitlin!
School Show Rehearsal Schedule – Week Beginning 18 September
Monday 18 September
3.00-4.15pm - Mushnik, Audrey, Seymour, Michael Harper in PA2 with HS
3.00-4.00pm - Three Degrees with in PA10 KM
Tuesday 19th September
3.00-4.15pm- Seymour and Tom Lowe with HS in PA2
3.00-4.15pm - Audrey II with KM in PA10
Wednesday 20th September
3.00-4.15 - Orin with KM in PA10
Thursday 21st September
Full Cast – Opening Evening Rehearsal, 4.30-7.30
Friday 22nd September
3.00-4.15pm - Mushnik, Three Degrees, Seymour and Beth Woodward in PA2 with HS
3.00-4.15pm - Audrey II with KM in PA10
Good luck Lucy, we will be rooting for you!
On the weekend of 13 October, Lucy Swann from 9EF will be competing in the British Gymnastics Challenge Cup at Guildford in Surrey. This competition enables young gymnasts to qualify for the British Championships. Lucy is representing her club, Warrington Gymnastics, where she is a committed member, training 22 plus hours per week.
GEOGRAPHY TRIP - ICELAND 2017 – FINAL PARENTS’ BRIEFING
Thursday 28 September, 6pm, Birchwood College
As the trip approaches, Mr Bate would like to invite you to a short briefing on Thursday 28 September, starting at 6pm to go through the final arrangements and share the essential information about the trip. This will include the suggested kit list. The meeting will be in Birchwood College and should last no longer than an hour.
If you have any questions regarding this meeting, or the trip in general, then please do not hesitate to contact Mr Bate on rbate@birchwoodhigh.org.
The Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
For a great coffee and cake, come along to Birchwood Library on Friday 29 September between 10am and 12.30pm as they hold their coffee morning in support of Macmillan Cancer Support. For more information, contact the library on 01925 827491.
KS3 Creative Writing Club, Years 7, 8 and 9
If you love writing and would like to enter a short story competition, this is the extra-curricular club for you. Miss Moffitt will hold the club every Wednesday on week 1 (the first one being next week, Wednesday 20 Sept) between 3-4pm in M8.
Save time and pre-order lunch
To allow your child to make more of their lunch break, the kitchen have introduced a pre-ordering system for school dinners. Orders can be placed, at the till in the M1, before school each day from 8am, or during the last 5 minutes of the morning break. Payment is as normal via our fingerprint system, where you will be given a receipt. Orders can be collected from the new Art Cafe on production of your receipt.
Year 7
Mystickers, The reward APP
Has your child downloaded the APP yet on their mobile phone to log their rewards? Learners now have their Mysticker log in, so encourage them to get collecting and logging. For more information see www.Mystickers.co.uk
Year 7 photographs
Your child should have brought home their proofs. If you wish to purchase the photograph, this can be done online via Kittle’s website at https://v6.kittleorders.com/kp/Home or you can return the form and cash or cheque to the school office by break on Wednesday 20 September.
If purchasing via school, please can you ensure that your child’s name and form is clearly indicated on the form. Thank you
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018
We are happy to inform you that we are organising a trip to the Conway Centre for all of Year 7. This will be an ideal opportunity for learners to experience new and different activities and to encourage them to start Year 8 with a focus on making good progress throughout the curriculum. The centre offers a very valuable learning experience, setting learners a challenging programme of activities which go far beyond the scope of the normal school day. Learners who have previously attended a similar residential course in Year 7 have enjoyed the experience so much that it is often mentioned as one of the highlights of their time at Birchwood!
The centre runs a full programme of activities from 9am to 9pm. There is a wide range for us to choose from, including raft building, problem solving, zip wire, craft activities and archery
The cost of the trip is £210 per learner. This includes transport to and from the centre, board, lodgings and the cost of all the activities and can be paid in instalments.
Your child will bring home a letter with further details of payment and how to book. A copy of which can be found here
Year 8
HPV Programme for Year 8 girls
All girls in Year 8 received a permission form and information in June, with regard to the HPV vaccination programme.
The allocated date for Dose 1 at Birchwood Community High school is Wednesday 20th September.
The pack which you received, contains a consent form which must be completed and returned to the school office before the vaccination can take place. If you have not returned the consent form, please do so as soon as possible or for a replacement form please contact the office. Thank you.
Year 9
Year 9 – Getting Ready for KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor, 11 -13 July 2018.
We are excited to be able to inform you, that we are organising our Getting Ready for KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor in Scotland, for all of Year 9.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Year 9 learners to consolidate skills developed during the foundation year and to develop new skills to ensure they are fully equipped for the challenges of key stage 4. It will also be an ideal opportunity for learners in Year 9, to experience new and different activities and challenges, encouraging them to start KS4 with a focus on making good progress throughout their KS4 curriculum.
Lockerbie Manor offers a very valuable learning experience, setting learners a challenging programme of activities which go far beyond what learners experience during a normal school day. The activities available for learners on the trip will have real focus on team building, resilience and challenging yourself. All of which are vital skills as we embark on GCSE and BTEC courses. Activities are yet to be finalised, however some of the activities that may be on offer include abseiling, dragon boating, high ropes and obstacle courses, orienteering and survival skills.
The cost of the trip is £230. This includes transport to and from Lockerbie, all activities planned and full-board accommodation at Lockerbie Manor.
Your child will bring home a letter with further details of payment and how to book. A copy of which can be found here
Year 10
Year 10 photographs
Your child should have brought home their proofs. If you wish to purchase the photograph, this can be done online via Kittle’s website at https://v6.kittleorders.com/kp/Home or you can return the form and cash or cheque to school office by break on Wednesday 20 September.
If purchasing via school, please can you ensure that your child’s name and form is clearly indicated on the form. Thank you
Year 10 – KS4 Residential Lockerbie Manor, 25 – 27 June 2018
This year we will be running our first KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor in Scotland, for all of Year 10.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Year 10 learners to reflect upon how their first year of GCSE has gone and to build and develop skills they will need moving forward into year 11. It will also be an ideal opportunity for learners in Year 10, to experience new and different activities and challenges, encouraging them to continue their KS4 study with a focus on making good progress.
Lockerbie Manor offers a very valuable learning experience, setting learners a challenging programme of activities which go far beyond what learners experience during a normal school day. The activities available for learners on the trip will have real focus on team building, resilience and challenging yourself, all of which are vital skills as we embark on GCSE and BTEC courses. Activities are yet to be finalised, however some of the activities that may be on offer include abseiling, dragon boating, high ropes and obstacle courses, orienteering and survival skills.
The cost of the trip is £215. This includes transport to and from Lockerbie, all activities planned and full-board accommodation at Lockerbie Manor.
Your child will bring home a letter with further details of payment and how to book. A copy of which can be found here.
Year 11- No specific information
A Fun start for our new Year 12
Year 12 had a really fun introduction to Birchwood College as they were invited to join in with a selection of fun induction activities to develop competition and enterprise, memory skills and team working. The students had a great time and it was a wonderful way to get them chatting and making new friends.
Other School information:
View your child’s information on your mobile phone or tablet, a great new way to keep in touch.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new service to make communications between school and home quicker, easier and more effective.
You will be able to view information about your child or children securely on your mobile phone or tablet using the Groupcall Xpressions app.
Once you are set up you will be able to see information such as:
Free messages sent by the school delivered to the app
Attendance and absence information
Attitude to learning (“ATL”) scores for each lesson.
Daily/Weekly timetable information
The app is completely free of charge to you and supports Apple iOS and Android devices (with Windows mobile to follow).
In order to use the app school must have your correct mobile number and email address on our school system. Forms are available from the school office to check and update your details or you can simply email them to the school. You’ll need to make sure you keep these details up to date in future to maintain access to the service.
You can download the app by searching for “Xpressions” in the App Store or on Google Play. Once the app is downloaded, simply follow the on screen instructions.
We hope that you take advantage of this new service, which has replaced our ParentsLive system. If you have any issues or need to know more please contact Mr O’Reilly here at school on aoreilly@birchwoodhigh.org or click here.
Children on site out of school hours
As a Community School, we welcome clubs and booked activities to use our facilities and school grounds outside the school day. We have become aware though that there are groups of both learners and ex learners on site in the evenings. Please make your child aware that learners are only allowed on site after the school day, if they are part of an organised and booked group. Thank you for your co-operation.
School Nurse: Please note that the school nurse comes into school every Wednesday from 12.15- 1.30pm and is available in the BSR Mentoring Room if any learners or students have any health related issues they would like to discuss.
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