Birchwood Update 30/10/17
- Josie Evans
- Oct 31, 2017
- 8 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 30/10/17
We would like to hear your views about our school so we can share these with OFSTED
We are asking for your support so that we are aware of your views about our school. It will also help us to prepare for our next OFSTED visit which is due this academic year. Thank you to all parents and carers who have already filled the online form in. We have had 18 responses so far and all parents have said that their children feel safe and happy at school. We would love more views though! Please read and fill in the online form below.
Parent View is an online facility launched by Ofsted in October 2011 that allows parents and carers to give their views about their child’s school at any time of the school year. The questionnaire is also the main mechanism for parents to give their views to inspectors about their child’s school at the time of a school inspection. If you are a registered parent or carer of a pupil at the school, you can tell us your views about the school by completing Ofsted’s online survey here
Harvest festival Assembly
We would like to thank our parents and carers for your kindness in supplying foodstuffs for our Harvest Festival collection boxes in support of The Warrington Foodbank, who were delighted with our collection. Thanks to your generosity, our community will have made a difference to those in need.
For more Photographs see our Galleries tab
Bobby and 7DC go above and beyond, for the Foodbank
For one of our new year 7 forms, simply providing a harvest food box in support of The Warrington Foodbank wasn’t enough, they decided to go above and beyond by holding a raffle, with proceeds supporting this worthy cause. 7DC led by Bobby worked tirelessly in preparing the raffle and selling tickets to raise over £60.
It is selfless actions like this that make us so proud of our learners, well done DC and in particular Bobby!
BCHS Iceland Trip 2017.Making memories never to be forgotten
Despite the early start, everybody was incredibly excited to set out from Manchester Airport towards Iceland. On this the first Geography international trip, we witnessed a range of spectacular landforms: cascading waterfalls, immense glaciers, other-worldy geysers and awesome volcanic craters. Amidst the natural features staff and students were also able to enjoy some time in Reykjavik and also the Fontana geothermal spa.
On the first day, we spent a few windy hours on the Reykjanes peninsular, seeing where the North American and Eurasian plates are drifting apart at the bridge across the continents. We also took in the bracing conditions on the coast, with huge waves crashing against the fractured cliffs. Moving into Reykjavik we heard about the country’s Viking history and links to discovering America – before Columbus! The group then had some free time to try and acclimatise to the expensive cost of everything in Iceland.
On day two we got wet around some waterfalls, posing for some seminal selfies in front of Skogarfoss. We then enjoyed a film about the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in 2010 before a walk up the the Solheimajokull glacier. Surrounded by ice which has been carving its path for centuries, it was a really interesting thought when the guide pointed out that the ground we were stood on would have been, until just a few years ago, have been covered by ice for thousands of years! Despite all these amazing landforms, one of the highlights for many learners were the chalets we stayed in on the second night accompanied with meatballs for dinner.
On day three many learners may have wondered what could possibly top the previous day, but the spectacular Gulfoss waterfall, spilling across two drops, saw lots of pictures being taken. A short drive then took us to Geysir, where we waited expectantly for Stokkar to erupt. In some people’s cases it took several eruptions before we actually spotted one! In the afternoon we headed to the Fontana spa which was a huge highlight for most people. The varying temperatures of the pools, contrasting with the freezing cold lake which several learners braved, made it a relaxing couple of hours. Rejuvenated we then headed to Thingvellir, where the late afternoon light made the rifted valley and lakes look absolutely stunning.
Not that it felt like it, the final day of the trip was upon us and it was a far more active day. Either side of an earthquake simulator where we could experience a 6.6 magnitude shake, we had two lengthy walks. The first was a frosty hike along a collapsed lava tube up to the summit of a volcanic crater, offering amazing views of the surrounding landscape. In the afternoon the second walk saw us hiking steeply up to the geothermal river behind Hverigerdi. Whilst many visitors were taking in the hot waters, we were satisfied to have completed the hike and to dip our feet into the unexpectedly warm waters. The last evening was topped off by all-you-can-eat pizza and our most luxurious hotel at Keflavik Airport.
Jotham, one of our Year 13 students, commented: ‘the waterfalls were my favourite bit. Some of them are 60m tall and the Gulfoss waterfall flows down some huge steps into an amazing gorge.’
The Head of Geography, Mr Bate, who organised the trip added: ‘the sites that learners were able to see can’t be found anywhere else, not in such close proximity or on such a spectacular scale. Hopefully memories of this trip will stay with the kids long beyond their time at Birchwood. It has been an absolute pleasure taking this group away as their behaviour has been great, they’ve shown great enthusiasm about everything we’ve done and they have been great representatives of Birchwood.’
For more photographs see our gallery tab
These Girls Did!
As reported at the beginning of October, Birchwood Community High School are very proud to be supporting ‘This Girl Can’ which is a national pledge to try to encourage more girls to participate in sport. We wanted to offer year 10 girls the opportunity to try something new and have fun!
On the Wednesday, before half term, we held our first event, a ‘clubbercise’ exercise class with lights, music, glow sticks and glow face paint. Attendance was great and both staff and learners had a really fun time.
Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Competition 2017
The lions Club are accepting entries for their annual Peace Poster for artists over 11,12 and 13. Deadline for entries is Thursday 9 November. The theme for this year’s poster is “The Future of Peace”. For more details and to receive paper to the correct dimensions for the competition, please seem Miss Brennan in AR1
Don’t miss an opportunity to rock around the clock…
BCHS proudly presents our Year 12 Musical showcase. An evening of 50’s music on Wednesday 8 November at 7.30 in performing arts.
Tickets are £3 and £2 for concessions. We look forward to seeing you there.
Birchwood Community HS Show 2017, The Little Shop of Horrors, the week of 27 November, Tickets to be released shortly
Rehearsal Schedule, Week beginning 31st October
Tuesday 31st October
NO AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSAL
Wednesday 1st November, 3.00 -5.00pm
Seymour, 3 Degrees, Miss Bernstein, Mrs Luce, Skip in PA2 with KM
Thursday 2nd November
3-4.30 pm Audrey and Seymour in PA2 with HS
3-4.30 pm 3 Degrees in PA10 with KM
Friday 3rd November
3-4.30pm Seymour and Audrey II in PA10 with KM
Sunday 5th November - Full Cast 1-4pm in PA2
Year 7
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018
For your information, a letter regarding the details of this trip can be found here
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
Date
7 November 2017
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 8 - No specific Information
Year 9
Year 9 get involved with The Royal Refurb!
A group of 30 Year 9 learners took part in a workshop led by the Transformation Trust and 6 volunteers from Gleeds – a global construction company with a local office in Birchwood.
There was much discussion, excitement and nerves as the 6 groups battled it out to plan, prepare and submit a bid to design and construct new stables at Windsor Castle in London according to a client brief. Each team had to decide on job roles, including: Project Manager, Cost Manager, Health and Safety Manager and work together to fulfil the client’s requirements and to prepare a presentation to present their ideas. The winning team used their skills of communication, team work and IT to great effect and really impressed the Quantity Surveyors from Gleeds.
Well done to everyone involved.
Getting Ready for KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor, 11 -13 July 2018
For your information, a letter regarding the details of this trip can be found here
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
Date
7 November 2017
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 10
Year 10 – KS4 Residential Lockerbie Manor, 25 – 27 June 2018
For your information, a letter regarding the details of this trip can be found here
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
Date
7 November 2017
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 11
Year 11 learners are put through their paces at Nuvia
Last week, 4 learners were invited to the offices of Nuvia in Birchwood Park to take part in an Engineering Taster Day. The day consisted of practical activities aimed to get learners thinking about some of the theories associated with Nuclear/Mechanical/Civil /Process Engineering. The participants also had the chance to use the CAD software which the Engineering Design team use, as well as gaining advice on CV writing and interview skills. This was a great way to experience first- hand the vast sector of engineering in which there is a shortage of skilled staff and to find out about apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers. An enjoyable day was had by all.
Year 11 Performance Review Evening, Thursday 9 November 2017, 3.30pm – 7.00pm
We do hope that you can join us on 9 November for our Year 11 Parent Review Evening. This event gives you the opportunity to speak with your child’s subject staff to discuss progress and achievement at a vital stage in their school life.
For a letter regarding booking your appointment see here
Birchwood College
November GCSE re-sit examination timetable
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
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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