Birchwood Update 12/03/2018
- Josie Evans
- Mar 12, 2018
- 12 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 12/3/18
Year 10 Maths Feast
We are very proud of four of our Year ten learners who travelled to Manchester University, on Tuesday 6th March to take part in a very challenging Mathematics Team Challenge against some of the top schools in the Manchester area, including grammar and fee paying schools (Manchester Grammar School, Bolton Independent School, Urmston Grammar School to name a few). It was a very close run competition with Birchwood scoring highly in each round. At the end of the day, we had managed to score enough points to come runners up, narrowly beaten by one point by Manchester High School for Girls.
Well done to Catherine in 10RC, Gemma in 10SO, Joseph and Owen in 10CH, who were a credit to the school.
On Tuesday, four Year 8 and 9 learners will also compete in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge in Liverpool so good luck goes to Erika in 9WG, Jacob in 9PC, James 8CI, and Jacob in 8NI. We will be rooting for you!
British Science Week, 9 – 18 March 2018
This week is British Science Week, which aims to celebrate all the best of British science, technology, engineering and maths. To support this, our Science department are running a series of activities and competitions. See the posters around school and here for full details and encourage your child to join in.
The KS3 Maths Problem Solving Challenge
Mr Ashcroft in our Maths Department would like to provide a weekly chance for KS3 learners to solve a mathematical problem for prizes. here is the first problem to solve
Answers are to be taken to Mr Ashcroft on a sheet of paper, showing your full working out for the answer.
Each week the winner will be selected at random from those who have applied.
There will also be an end of year prize which will be given for the person who has collected the most points from regular applications to the competition ( each problem is allocated a number of points, this week’s are 3)
Points mean prizes, so make sure your child takes the challenge!
Erika performs at 'The Voice' concert in Liverpool
Well done to Erika from 9WG who performed in 'The Voice' concert in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral last Saturday night.
Erika sang with The Voice Choir and Liverpool Cathedral Junior Choir at the event. Mr McCabe who attended to support Erika said “I very impressed with the quality of the singing, and was extremely proud of Erika who performed beautifully representing our school very well. As always Erika was a credit to us”
Mr Mc Cabe has also asked us to share information regarding Hope Park Concert Band’s performance in Liverpool on 14th March. Two of our year 11 music students will be performing at the event, Hannah Van den Branden (Saxophone) and Erin Donelan (Voice). It should be a fantastic show.
For details see here
Romeo and Juliet brought alive for a modern audience
Last week, The Young Shakespeare Company, a team of talented young performers, visited us as they performed their version of Romeo and Juliet for our GCSE drama groups.
Erin Donelan in Year 11 said of the show,
“The performance was innovative and original, and kept us engaged throughout. They put a funny spin on Shakespeare, whilst still using the traditional language. They made Shakespeare easier to understand and really entertained us from start to finish. The acting was outstanding, and will be great for us to evaluate for our GCSE.”
Ryman National Enterprise Challenge Regional Final, good luck to out teams
On Tuesday, two teams from year 10 will take part in The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge Regional Final at Halliwell Jones Stadium. The final is part of the UK's largest schools enterprise competition and is being run as part of the Higher Horizons Plus project in conjunction with Chester University.
At the finals our teams will be competing against other teams from across the local area for the chance to be crowned The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge Champions for Warrington and the winners will receive their awards and prizes on the night. The winners will also go and represent Warrington at the national finals on July 4th 2018 in Telford, competing against schools from all over the UK.
The event promises to be a great evening with ITV2 magician Ben Hanlin hosting the event.
We wish our teams luck in representing us and hope that they enjoy the chance to take part.
Design a bag for Aldi
Mrs Ikin, in conjunction with Aldi are asking for Year 7 and 8 learners to get creative and design a reusable bag that will inspire people to eat fresh fruit and veg. The winner will see their bag on sale in Aldi stores. The concept of the bag is twofold healthy eating and solving the world problem with plastics.
If you would like to enter the competition, collect an entry form from Mrs Ikin in D10, which must then be returned by Monday 23 April at the very latest.
For more details on the competition see here
Media Studies tour to Prague 14-17 February 2019
We are excited to be proposing a school tour to Prague to support our curriculum plans for Media Studies pupils and enhance learning experiences within the school.
The visit will depart 14 February 2019 returning 17 February 2019, 4 days and 3 nights. The cost of the visit is £375.00 per pupil, which includes:
Return flights
Accommodation- Hotel Olsanka on a bed and breakfast basis
Group travel insurance
Overseas transfers
Guided Visit to Barrandov Film Studios
Guided Visit to Radio Free Europe
There are 20 places available for the visit and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
To secure a place for your child on this trip, a non-refundable deposit of £125 is required, along with the completed permission slip by Friday 16th March. A further non-refundable payment of £125 is required by Friday 4th May, followed by a final payment of the remaining balance of £125 by Friday 7th December. Interim payments can be made between the dates outlined above.
The trip letter that was sent out can be found here
Years 8 - 12, Ski residential trip to France, Friday 15 February – Friday 22 February 2019
Payment schedule for this trip is:
27 April - 2nd payment - £150
23 November - Balance Due
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:-
Loom bands
At present loom bands seen to be a popular pastime with some year groups of learners .
Please assist us by ensuring that your children do not bring these into school as they are causing us issues both in the class room and at break and lunchtimes.
This is a hobby/pastime and as such should be kept out of school time.
Thank you for your cooperation
Year 7
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018- Please be aware that the final Payment for this trip is due on 3 April 2018
Year 8
Bon Voyage Year 8
On Friday, 87 Year 8 learners and 7 staff set of for our annual languages trip to France. We are sure that they will have a fantastic weekend with an action packed itinerary and we look forward to reporting on the trip on a future update.
Mr Farrell has asked that all learners pack a waterproof coat as an essential, as unfortunately the weather forecast looks rainy.
Year 9
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 - Please be aware that the final Payment for this trip is due on 3 April 2018
Year 10
A date for Your diary - Year 10 English Literature Mock will take place on the afternoon of 15 March
Year 10 – Skills North West Event City Manchester
On Wed 21 March, we are planning to take all year 10 learners to the Skills North West at Event City. They will get chance to find out more about post 16 options including college, apprenticeships and university and will also have the opportunity to try out different skills e.g. presenting the news, decorating Easter Eggs, using a tail lift on a truck and riding a mechanical horse!
This is an important part of the Careers Curriculum and will give learners the opportunity to find out about the many pathways after Year 11 as they have to stay in education or training until the age of 18.
The event is also open to parents/family members. For information see here
A letter was brought home a few weeks ago giving further details and the reply slip and consent form need to be returned to the school office by Wednesday 14th March at the latest to reserve your child’s place.
A copy of the letter can be found here
If you have any questions about the event please get in touch with Mrs R Morris Careers Adviser or Ms L Gilchrist.
Summer Examination information
All learners in Year 10 will have received their initial summer 2018 Individual Candidate Timetable which details the dates and times of all exams they will be sitting this year. Please check this document with your child to see when their exam takes place. Also be aware that the name that appears on their Individual Candidate Timetable is the name that will appear on their exam certificates, if this is not their legal name please inform the exams officer, Mrs Kinnaird at JKinnaird@birchwoodhigh.org.
For the full timetable, please see here
Year 10 GCSE Blood Brothers Theatre Trip – Palace Theatre, Manchester. Wednesday 16 May 2018
If your child has booked a place on this trip, please be aware that the remaining balance of £16 should be paid via Parentpay by Friday 23 March 2018
The trip will take place on Wednesday 16 May 2018, leaving school at 5.45.
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. Please be aware that the final Payment for this trip is due on 3 April 2018
Year 11
Important careers information and guidance for Year 11 learners
All Year 11 learners should now have made some plans for after year 11. According to the Government, young people must stay in education or training until at least the age of 18. See the information here
They must do one of the following:
stay in full-time education, for example at a college/6th form
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
It is possible to get financial help with education costs. In England, you can apply for a 16 to 19 Bursary Fund to help with education costs – this is means tested. Please see here
If you are eligible for Child benefit, this will continue if your child stays in education. You will need to inform the CBA about this.If your child starts an apprenticeship, then you will not be eligible for Child Benefit as they will receive a wage.
Apprenticeships
The following companies are currently recruiting:
Nuvia -http://www.nuvia.co.uk/careers-apprentices-design.asp (closing date 16/3/18)
Volvo – HGV technician
Kone – Engineering
United Utilities – Science
Mercedes Benz – Light Vehicle Maintenance
Barratt Homes – Engineering and Design
Daresbury Labs – Engineering
Atos – IT Software Development
All these and more vacancies are advertised here
Even if your child is keen to get an apprenticeship, it is still a good idea to apply for a college place as a back-up.
Birchwood College offers our Internship Placement Programme. This is a specially tailored educational pathway, which allows the student to learn at college whilst completing a placement at a partner organisation, allowing a more hands-on learning experience. For more information, contact Mr Burrows, Head of College at cburrows@birchwoodhigh.org.
Warrington and Vale Royal College is also an option as they offer both apprenticeships and full time courses.
If your child requires any assistance with securing a place in education, training or an apprenticeship please get in touch with our Careers Adviser, Mrs R Morris rmorris@birchwoodhigh.org asap.
Summer Examination information
All learners in Year 11 will have received their initial summer 2018 Individual Candidate Timetable which details the dates and times of all exams they will be sitting in May/June this year. Please check this document with your child to see when the first and last exams take place. Also be aware that the name that appears on their Individual Candidate Timetable is the name that will appear on their exam certificates, if this is not their legal name please inform the exams officer, Mrs Kinnaird at JKinnaird@birchwoodhigh.org.
For a full copy of the summer exam timetable see here
Important date for your Diary
Monday 12 March - Friday 16 March - Year 11 core subject Mocks, see timetable below
Friday 15 June – Year 11 Celebration Assembly following on from the GCSE Physics exam
Thursday 5 July - Year 11 Prom at The Hallmark Hotel, Warrington
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
Our Cope student work together to raise money for charity
As part of their course, our year 12 Cope Students have a unit to complete where they are required to ‘work with others’. After consideration, the group decided that they would like to do something to raise money for a charity of their choice.
After discussion, it was decided that they would plan a cake sale, which involved them booking a room in school, advertising the event, organising helpers and of course making sure that there were enough volunteers to provide the most important ingredient ….cakes.
The sale was held at break time last Tuesday and was a great success for the students raising just under £30.
The students also worked together in deciding which charity to support and decided that they wanted to support Macmillan Cancer care.
Well done to all our students involved you did a great job
Summer Examination information
All students in Year 12 and 13 will have received their initial summer 2018 Individual Candidate Timetable which details the dates and times of all exams they will be sitting in May/June this year. Please check this document with your child to see when the first and last exams take place. Also be aware that the name that appears on their Individual Candidate Timetable is the name that will appear on their exam certificates, if this is not their legal name please inform the exams officer, Mrs Kinnaird at JKinnaird@birchwoodhigh.org.
For the full timetable, please see here
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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