Birchwood Update 05/02/2018
- Josie Evans
- Feb 6, 2018
- 13 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 5/2/18
Your views are valuable to us
As a part of our annual school review, the staff and young people are completing several activities related to our systems that are related to behaviour for learning in school. This covers all aspects of school life, but in particular our systems that are about discipline in the classroom and how we praise and reward the young people. With all of this in mind the aim is to think about our community, focusing on increasing levels of pride in order to be the best school in Warrington.
We would like your contribution - we are seeking your views as a key partner. On Wednesday 14 February from 2.15 – 3.45pm, we would like to invite you to school for an informal discussion to collect your views so that we can continue to improve. If you are interested in participating, please email lmaclaren@birchwoodhigh.org
Our published poets make us proud
Miss Moffitt from the English Department would like to congratulate Year 7 and 8 learners who have had their work published in the Young Writers poetry collection. The learners attended Creative Writing Club during the autumn term, where they meticulously planned and created their very own poem, which was entered into the ‘Truth or Dare?’ poetry competition.
This is a national competition in which students were asked to compose a poem around the theme of ‘Truth or Dare’ tackling a challenging issue in society or personal to them.
From over 13,000 entries nationally, we were extremely pleased to have six of our students selected for publication in the ‘The Poetry Games: Truth or Dare?’ set to be released in February 2018. The favourite published poet, yet to be announced, will also receive an iPad so we will eagerly await this news.
Our young poets and the titles of their poems are as follows: ‘Stuck at Sea’ by Stanley (7DC), ‘Goodbye-Hello’ by Eloise (7HB), ‘There’s nothing worse than…’ by Summer (7HB), ‘A Cat’s Story’ by Holly (7HB), ‘What did we do?’ by Megan (8AD) and ‘If Only You Could See’ by Shannon (8AD).
A massive well done to all of you!
Rhianna gets a chance to report for the BBC
It is with great pleasure that we can report that one of our college students Rhianna Bibby in Year 12 has been offered much coveted work experience at BBC Radio Manchester over at Media City.
She was searching for work experience in the Media industry and came across the BBC site offering the chance for 11-16 year olds to, as they put it ‘make the news for real’.
Rhianna completed the application and a few weeks later got the call to say that she was accepted. Rhianna said, “When I received the call I was shocked and excited to be included in such a prestigious experience. I can’t wait for it to start!”
Rhianna’s brief is to write and present a radio sporting news report on BBC Radio Manchester.
She has 40 hours to complete the task and can use those hours as she sees best, using the facilities at Media City when she needs to. She has an experienced radio presenter mentor to work with, Mark Crossley, who already presents a show on BBC Radio Manchester and the report must be completed and recorded by 15 March.
We are very proud of Rhianna and the determination that she has shown in achieving this fantastic experience and we can’t wait to hear the finished report and hear how she settled into her role of radio sport reporter.
The Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition 2018
On Tuesday 30th January, our senior Youth Speaks team competed in the district heats at Hope Academy. Charlotte, Stanley and Kieran spoke brilliantly about the empowerment of women focusing on the role of women in the media, education, sport and the recent coverage of the gender pay gap. Charlotte also paid tribute to the suffragette movement and celebrated the 100 year progression of women’s roles in society. The competition was fierce with strong teams competing from Tower College and Hope Academy. The team were highly commended on their presentation by a number of members from the Rotary Club whilst they waited anxiously for the judge’s decision. Unfortunately, our team was narrowly beaten by Tower College to make it into the next heats but Miss Fogg, who organised the team, stated that: ‘The team spoke eloquently and with passion about their chosen topic. They have made Birchwood very proud.’
A massive well done to Charlotte, Stanley and Kieran!
Rosie and the Year 9 girls row their way to success
As part of the Oarsome Project, some of our learners have been taking part in an extra-curricular rowing experience. The Oarsome Project, in association with the British Rowing Society, is an outstanding opportunity for selected Year 9 and 10 learners who are willing to commit to two hours rowing practice per week. Teams, both boys and girls, receive coaching from a British Rowing trained instructor, then competing in speed trials against other Warrington Schools.
Last week in competition all our learners, both boys and girls competed well but it was the girls who particularly shone with our girls winning silver in the girl’s relay race and Rosie in 10KO, also winning a silver in the girl’s Individual race.
Rosie said, “The day was full of nerves but mainly excitement but the support we gave each other was amazing. When it was my turn, I was nervous and scared but I managed to set a personal best and gained a silver medal.
The Year 9 boys did really well, they didn’t however manage to bag a medal but we were still really proud of them. The year 9 girls however got a silver like me.
It was a brilliant day and we are all really proud of our achievements!”
The Junior School’s and Year 7 and 8 Athletic Festival
Last Tuesday we hosted this event over in the Sports hall. The competition between the Warrington area junior schools attending was high as they competed in lots of events and challenges. The children certainly had a brilliant time and it was great to see so many parents coming along to support the children.
In the Year 7 and 8 Festival, we entered four teams, year 7 girls and boys and year 8 girls and boys.
The year 7 boys and girls came 5th, as did the Year 8 girls, all competing well. The Year 8 boys’ team, however, achieved 2nd place, receiving a medal and going through to the next round, which will be the Cheshire County Championships in Chester in March.
Huge thanks also goes to those year 10 learners from our school who helped to set up and marshal the events. They also did a great job.
Join us for a great evening of music, Wednesday 14 February, 7.30 in Performing Arts
Birchwood College music students will be performing music from the 1960’s and 1970’s including merseybeat, motown, country, soul, pop and rock by artists such as The Beatles, The Kinks, ABBA, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, ELO and many more.
Don’t miss out, come along and revisit some great sounds from the past.
£3 per ticket and £2 on the door.
Years 7-9 Drama Club
Miss Senior is pleased to announce that the KS3 Drama Club will be performing Peter Pan (acting only).
Auditions will be held on Monday 26 February between 3pm and 4pm.
Come and join in, it’s your chance to show your acting skills. Sign up for audition on the sign up sheet in the PA block.
If selected, rehearsals for the show will take place every Monday 3pm – 4pm.
A great selection of European trips available for your child
It is with pleasure that we announce that in the next academic year there will be a great selection of European trips that learners will have the opportunity to take part in. We thought that by seeing an overview of what will be taking place, parent/cares can carefully consider what they may like their child to take part in.
Years 8 - 12, Ski residential trip to France, Friday 15 February – Friday 22 February 2019
Letters are available at the school office, for learners in years 8 - 12, who are interested in taking part in this successful residential trip to the French Alps in the resort called Villard De Lans. This traditional resort offers 130km of downhill skiing, providing more than enough variety for even the most advanced of our skiers. The cost of the course to France is £899 which is payable in instalments The price includes coach travel, ferry crossings, full board accommodation, five hours of ski coaching each day, lift pass, equipment hire and evening entertainment. For a copy of the letter with booking details see here.
Years 10 and above, Geography residential trip to the Bay of Naples, Saturday 20 October – Thursday 25 October 2018
Mr Bate has sent out an initial letter of interest with regard to a fantastic trip that he is planning to the Bay of Naples, next October half term.
The trip will initially be open to learners currently studying Geography in Years 10 and 11 as well as current Year 12 students at Birchwood College. In order for Year 11 learners to go on the trip, they must be intending to study at Birchwood College and to be taking Geography as one of their options.
The Bay of Naples offers an excellent range of geographical features to study, ranging from the volcano of Mount Vesuvius to the tourism of the famous Amalfi Coast. In addition to visiting Vesuvius and the Amalfi, the trip will also take in historic Pompeii and Herculaneum and the smaller dormant volcano Solfatara.
The all-inclusive price of the trip will be £700. The quoted price will be dependent on a minimum of 25 learners/students participating in the trip, and can be paid in instalments.
For those who have shown an interest a booking confirmation letter will be sent out shortly.
Year 10 Media Learners - Media Residential trip
Mr Hamilton is in the process of organising a Media trip to Prague and will send a letter, towards the end of this week, with full details of the cost.
Prague is known as the ‘European Hollywood.’ The picturesque city in the Czech Republic is home to the world famous Barrandov Film Studio. Learners will be given the opportunity to visit this unique studio as well as take part in workshops at Radio Free Europe, followed by visiting a broadcasting suite at Czech Radio. This will be a unique experience to develop an insight into a number of working media studios.
Be Active at BCHS
At BCHS we aim to offer a full range of extra-curricular activities which will appeal to a wide spectrum of interests, both before and after school and also at lunchtimes. For a full timetable of all the activities available, please see the timetables below:-
Year 7
Year 7 Performance Review Evening Thursday 8 March 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.
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018
Payment instalments are due on the following dates:
6 February 2018
6 March 2018
3 April 2018
Year 8 - No specific information.
Year 9
Important dates 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.
Year 9 Immunisations, Tuesday 17 April & Wednesday 18 April
Letters will be in form boxes today for all year 9, regarding immunisations for tetanus, diphtheria, Polio and Meningitis ACWY, which will take place on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 April. The immunisation is for both boys and girls. Please complete the enclosed consent form and send it back to the office in the envelope supplied before the 20th March. Thank you.
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
Year 10 Enterprise Day, Tuesday 6 February
On Tuesday 6th Feb, Year 10 will be off timetable all day to take part in the award winning Ryman National Enterprise Challenge which is the UK's leading Enterprise and Employability competition, having been delivered to over 140,000 young people since 2013.
The challenge aims to develop the key employability skills needed for higher education or the world of work, including teamwork, communication and leadership. Working on a challenge set by one of the UK's leading companies. The challenge is split into various tasks throughout the day with learners working in teams of six to complete them, culminating in a presentation at the end.
The winning team and runner up will attend local finals and compete against the other 14 teams for a chance to attend the National Finals, which takes place each summer. There, the learners pitch their ideas again for the chance to present on stage to real-life Dragon and main ambassador Theo Paphitis from Dragons Den.
Learners are to attend school as usual on the day, in full school uniform.
An important date for your diary
Year 10 Performance Review Evening Thursday 1 March 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.
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
Year 11 Photos
Proofs were distributed to learners last week via form boxes. Orders should be returned to school by 8 February at the latest in readiness for collection by the photographer on the 9 February. If your child took part in the friendship group photos, please ask them to collect their proof from the School Office as soon as possible in order to get their orders in by 8 February.
Year 11 Reports
Year 11 reports will be posted home and should reach you by the end of the week.
Important date for your Diary
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
Year 13 Photos
Proofs were distributed to students last week. Orders should be returned to school by 8 February at the latest in readiness for collection by the photographer on the 9 February. If your child took part in the friendship group photos, please ask them to collect their proof from the School Office as soon as possible in order to get their orders in by 8 February.
Luke and James pass on the message that Auschwitz should never be forgotten
In November, we reported that two of our College students, Luke and James had visited Auschwitz as part of the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme. Both of the students found the visit tough and they encountered a range of emotions whilst there. The students wanted to pass on the story of Auschwitz and their experience of being there and went along to Mr Cosby’s year 9 lesson to talk to learners there.
Their presentation was well planned and delivered and year 9 were really engaged by what the boys had seen and felt on their visit.
Luke and James should be commended on the work that they had put in to their presentation, really delivering a ‘Lesson from Auschwitz’.
An important date for your diary
Year 12 Performance Review Evening Thursday 8 February 5.00pm – 7.00pm
We do hope that you will join us for our Year 12 Performance Review Evening. This event gives you the opportunity to speak with subject staff to discuss student progress and achievement at a vital stage in their college life.
Please see the letter here as to how to book your appointment.
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 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.
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
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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