Birchwood Update 22/1/2018
- Josie Evans
- Jan 22, 2018
- 10 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 22/1/18
A positive evening for Birchwood College
Thank you to staff, students and visitors who made our college Open Evening, last Thursday, such a success. There was a positive buzz around the college as our students and staff assisted visitors in finding the right course for them. As well as our own learners we had visitors from Culcheth , Kings, Beamont and Lowton who were all warmly welcomed.
One visitor, who came from another school, commented that the college felt warm and friendly and that the staff seemed to have great rapport with the students that were helping in their department.
She really hit the nail on the head as to why our college is so successful, our staff really care and with smaller class sizes, this really makes a difference!
If you have not yet filled in your application form for college, please do so as soon as possible. The deadline for applications to be submitted is Friday 16 February. Learners will still be able to hand in an application after this date, but we cannot guarantee that they will gain a place on the course of their choice.
If you have, any queries do not hesitate to contact Mr Burrows, Head of College at cburrows@birchwoodhigh.org
The Scholars Programme offers our learners an amazing opportunity to shine
As part of a Scholars programme with Liverpool University, nine of our high ability learners from year 10 embarked on an initiative that will give them an idea of the sort of study required at degree level.
Learners will write a 2,000-word dissertation on an area of study of their choice and lecturers at the University will mark the dissertations. All learners who complete the process will attend a graduation ceremony at the University and may be offered a conditional place there.
The programme started last week with a visit to the university.
Rosie Wray has kindly written a review of the day and what she hopes to achieve by taking part.
“On Wednesday 17 January me and nine other Year 10 learners went to visit Liverpool Uni to take part of the Scholars programme. We took the train with Mr Burnham and were greeted by some of the Uni students. We were split into groups and took part in a tutorial about the subject matter that our final 2000-word assignment could be about. Afterwards we had a tour of the Uni and were told about the history of the Uni, which was interesting. We were also told what it was like to be a student there and were able to ask questions about student life and courses on offer.
I am really happy to take part in the programme and hope that by the end I will be able to pass the assignment and graduate there. I also think that by doing the assignment my English will improve and I will get better grades in my work. I think that taking part will also lead me in the right direction for applying for University, which is something I aim to do in the future.
I really do feel lucky to be chosen to take part and intend to work hard and make the best of this great opportunity”
The British Physics Olympiad (BPho) 2018
At the end of February, a number of our most able Year 11 physicists will be competing in this year’s The British Physics Olympiad.
The BPhO is organised by the University of Oxford, and aims to encourage the study of Physics and recognise excellence in young physicists through four annual Physics competitions. The GCSE Physics Challenge competition is designed to test understanding and problem solving skills and is open to able young physicists in Year 11.
Participation in the competition allows learners to develop their problem-solving skills, see the real-world potential of Physics and gain a prestigious award for CVs and UCAS forms which is well recognised and a real plus for admission to the top universities
In preparation for the competition Mr Berry will be running weekly after school sessions on a Wednesday afternoon 3-4pm in S5. If your child has is to take part in the BPho then please be aware that attendance at the Wednesday preparation sessions is compulsory to be entered into the first round of the competition.
We wish our young physicists luck in preparing for the competition and will follow their progress keenly.
The Air Cadets are looking for new recruits
The 70 (Croft& Culcheth) Squadron Air Cadet unit visited last Tuesday to speak to year 8 to attract new cadets. They are looking to attract young people aged 12 (year 8) to 17 and are keen to encourage girls as well as boys to join in.
Parades take place on Mondays and Thursdays at LXX House (Behind the Memorial Hall) in Croft.
Cadets can enjoy many opportunities such as Flying and gliding, sports, RAF camps, band, shooting practice and much more.
For more information, contact:
Tel – 01925 765407
E: info@LXXSquadron.com
Street dance classes, open to all, Wednesdays at 3-4pm
From Wednesday, all Year groups are welcome to attend an extra-curricular class to learn how to street dance. The classes will be held in the dance studio between 3pm and 4pm. Come along with comfortable clothes and trainers and join in the fun!
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.
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:
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 8
Year 8 Guided Choices Evening, Thursday 1 February, 5.00-7.30pm
Your child will bring home a letter inviting you to our Year 8 Guided Choices evening.
A copy of the letter can be found here
As this is an important time in your child’s educational journey, we aim to support both your child and yourselves to make well-informed choices as to which subjects they will choose to study at KS4.
The guided Choices evening allow you the opportunity to speak to subject staff about the courses they offer as options and there will be a short talk about the choices process and pathways that your child can opt for.
We aim to provide the correct option pathway to best suit your child and with your help and support I’m sure that we can work together to succeed.
We therefore look forward to seeing you all on Thursday 1 February.
Year 9
Year 9 Guided Choices Evening, Thursday 1 February, 5.00-7.30pm
Your child will bring home a letter inviting you to our Year 9 Guided Choices evening.
A copy of the letter can be found here
As this is an important time in your child’s educational journey, we aim to support both your child and yourselves to make well-informed choices as to which subjects they will choose to study at KS4.
The guided Choices evening allow you the opportunity to speak to subject staff about the courses they offer as options and there will be a short talk about the choices process and pathways that your child can opt for.
We aim to provide the correct option pathway to best suit your child and with your help and support I am sure that we can work together to succeed.
We therefore look forward to seeing you all on Thursday 1 February.
An important date for your diary
Year 9 Performance Review Eve Thursday 15 Feb 3.30pm – 7.00pm
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.
Your child will be bringing home a letter with regard to booking an appointment for this valuable event, which can be found here and we hope to see you all on the evening
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
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
Tuesday 23 January - Year 11 leavers photos.
On Tuesday, we have our school photographer on site to photograph year 11. There will be a whole year shot for school plus form group shots and learners will have the opportunity to organise their own friendship group shots with the photographers.
Thursday 5 July - Year 11 Prom
Final examination information:
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.
On Tuesday, we have our school photographer on site to photograph year 13. There will be a whole year shot for school plus form group shots and learners will have the opportunity to organise their own friendship group shots with the photographers.
Birchwood College Basketball just miss out on baskets.
Birchwood College played its second fixture as a member of the North West College Sports League on Wednesday 17th January against Sir John Deane Sixth Form College. Birchwood started well with baskets from Ryan Nield and Callum Settle. Marley Quansah also scored 5 points in the first quarter to give Birchwood a 14-12 lead.
In the second quarter, Sir John Deane responded to this with some excellent offense to leave the score at Sir John Dean 34-22 Birchwood College going in to the second half. Birchwood started the second half with renewed effort on defence, which restricted Sir John Deane to 13 points in the second half.
Unfortunately despite baskets from Harry Marshall, Callum Settle and 12 second half points from Marley Quansah they had left themselves too much to do. The final result was Sir John Deane 47-41 Birchwood College. Marley Quansah had 19 points and Callum Settle scored 18. The students that represented Birchwood were Callum Settle, James Reeves, Luke Watson, Shamack Gadja, Marley Quansah, Matt Drake, Ryan Nield, Josh Gibbons, Harry Marshall, Calvin Strong and Jack Ratcliffe.
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.
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