Birchwood Update 15/1/2018
- Josie Evans
- Jan 19, 2018
- 7 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 15/1/18
Year 9 Introduction to GCSE Ethics Philosophy and Religion Day
Last Thursday, Year 9 learners had the opportunity to find out what it is like to be part of three different religions.
Firstly they visited the Sikh community at their Gurdwara in Latchford . This was a fascinating opportunity for the learners to learn about Sikhism, tie some turbans and take part in a mini Langar.Langar is the term used in Sikhism for the community kitchen in a Gurdwara where a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity.
We then returned to school and had presentations by guest speakers from Warrington Youth for Christ, talking about what Christianity means to them and why they became a Christian and a Liverpool Humanists who discussed the changing nature of British society and how non-religious views are becoming more common. They also discussed humanist views on some ethical issues that will be on the GSCE exam such as assisted dying.
Hermione Holbrook from 9WG said of the day:
“I went on the EPR trip last week and really enjoyed it .Firstly the coaches took us to a Sikh temple called the Gurdwara. There we were told what Sikhism is about, the different types of Sikhs and their key teaching.
When we came back to school, in groups, we looked at Christianity and what we thought being a Christian was then we had a talk from a Humanist who told us their beliefs on topics that are going on in the world at the moment.
It was a really good day and it made me think deeply about lots of things that I will be studying at GCSE about religious beliefs.”
Consistent high standards in History
A huge well-done goes to the following Year 9 learners who Mr Cosby and Mr McCabe would like to congratulate on their consistent excellent work in History.
Congratulations: Maja Paul, Chloe Johnson, Adam Speake,Emese Mudra, Keyiah Ainsworth, Isabelle Messenger, Morgan Baker and Niamh Aldridge
A chance to graduate early!
As part of a Scholars programme with Liverpool University, nine of our high ability learners from year 10 will be embarking on an initiative that will give them an idea of the sort of study required at degree level.
They will visit the university this week to start their programme of study after which they will do a 2,000-word dissertation on an area of study of their choice. Lecturers at the University will mark the dissertations.
All learners who complete the process will attend a graduation ceremony at the University.
What an amazing opportunity for our youngsters and we look forward to sharing their graduation photos with you at the end of the programme.
E-Safety update
As ever, BCHS are always looking out for your child’s safety whilst online. Please find the latest guide for parents and children with regard to safe use of live streaming Apps.
As the guide says
“You can now broadcast from anywhere in the world, to anywhere in the world for free using the device in your pocket.”
So please read the guide found here, and keep your child safe.
Birchwood Year 5 Junior Journalist Club 2018
Last Wednesday our English department welcomed winning year 5 Children from local primary schools to our English Junior Journalist Club.
For selection to attend the club, the children were asked to send in news sorry about something interesting that had happened at home or school.
The winning entrants will attend the after school club where they will really get a feel for life at BCHS by interviewing our staff and learners to fully understand what being a learner here means. The children will then work together to produce an information sheet about our school, which will be sent out to all local primaries.
The club will run throughout January and into February.
The next club that we will be offering will be the Birchwood Coding Kids Computing Club. If you have children in a local primary, watch out for the letter with details of how to join this club, which will be coming your way soon.
Be Active at BCHS
In a bid to offer learners some meaningful pastimes during lunchtimes in these cold months, staff have offered their lunchtime to provide a varied timetable of lunchtime clubs from music and relaxation to dodgeball. We hope that there will be something for everyone to take part in and that learners will benefit from having the opportunity to do something meaningful or learn something new during the school day.
For a full timetable of clubs see here
Year 7
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018
Payment installments are due on the following dates:
7 November 2017
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 8
Diary Date - Year 8 & 9 Guided Choices Evening, Thursday 1 February, 5.30-7.30. More details to follow shortly
Year 9
Diary Date - Year 8 & 9 Guided Choices Evening, Thursday 1 February, 5.30-7.30. More details to follow shortly
Getting Ready for KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor 11 -13 July 2018.
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 10
The Whizz Kids are winners again!
We are proud to let you know that Emily Severs in 10KO and the Whizz Kids, her skating team, returned from Nottingham as the British Synchronised Skating Champions in the Junior B category.
What a wonderful achievement and by the look of the girls’ faces on the photo, they were delighted with the result!
A message from our English Department
York notes revision guides will be available to purchase through the school shop on the school’s website, here, from Monday 4th December. All guides are priced at £2.40 each and learners will be able to collect the revision guides from their English teachers.
For Year 10 classes the guides required are:
A Christmas Carol
Blood Brothers
Macbeth
Getting Ready for KS4 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor 11 -13 July 2018.
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 11
Important dates for your Diary
Thursday 18 January, 6-8pm - Birchwood College Open Evening
Tuesday 23 January - Year 11 leavers photos.
New York Media trip, final meeting
On Monday 22 January at 6pm, Mr Hamilton will hold a meeting in the M1 to update those going on the trip, and their parents, of any last minute details and answer any questions that people may still have.
Thursday 5 July - Year 11 Prom
Mock Results
Year 11 will receive their mock results in one go on Tuesday 16 January 2018. This will mimic GCSE Results Day, in effect giving learners a taste of what will happen in August when they receive their actual set of results.
Year 11 will receive their actual summer GCSE examination timetable, after it is finalised by the examination board, at the beginning of February.
Please keep in mind if planning holidays that at present the examinations could run until the end of June and our Prom celebration is booked to take place on Thursday 5 July.
A message from our English Department
York notes revision guides will be available to purchase through the school shop on the school’s website, here, from Monday 4th December. All guides are priced at £2.40 each and learners will be able to collect the revision guides from their English teachers.
For Year 10 classes the guides required are:
A Christmas Carol
Blood Brothers
Romeo and Juliet
Birchwood College -
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 23 January - Year 13 leavers photos.
New York Media trip, final meeting
On Monday 22 January at 6pm, Mr Hamilton will hold a meeting in the M1 to update those going on the trip, and their parents, of any last minute details and answer any questions that people may still have.
Other School information:
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 t
o 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
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.
Comments