Birchwood Update 26/03/2018
- Josie Evans
- Mar 26, 2018
- 12 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 26/3/18
Keeping your child safe
This week in our safeguarding advice, we look at Share Aware, keeping your children safe on social networks, apps and games. Click here to find out the latest guidance from the NSPCC.
End of term arrangements
School will finish at normal time this Thursday after our Easter Celebration assembly.
We do hope that you can join us at this celebration, which will take place at 2pm on Thursday 29 March in the sports hall.
School will re-open after the Easter break on Monday 16 April at 8.45am.
Mrs Bryan and all the staff at BCHS wish you a happy and restful Easter break and hope that learners return to school refreshed for our summer term.
Could your child be eligible for free school meals?
We are sending a letter to all parents and carers today about important changes to free school meals. The government have said that any child who is eligible for a free school meal before the 1 April 2018 will have their eligibility protected until the end of the roll out of Universal Credit. This means that a child in Year 3 today who is eligible for free school meals will continue to be eligible until the end of secondary school.
The application form is just one page long and parents and carers can apply directly to the council or bring completed forms to the school office this week. Anyone already eligible for free school meals does not need to reapply.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
A copy of the application form can be found here.
A message for our learners - together we can succeed.
As summer approaches, thoughts turn to examinations and confidence can start to wobble. It is easy to lose sight of your own abilities. We want to work together with you in a bid to succeed.
“Believe in yourself. If you think you can do something you’re probably right.”
We believe in all our young people and aim to help you to believe in yourself too.
To help inspire you to succeed, each week we will share successes from last year’s results.
This week’s star is Mathew Kersey, our Head Boy from last year, who joined us in Year 7 from Locking Stumps Primary School. Matthew worked hard and really benefited from attending revision sessions. He was delighted to gain a grade 8, 7 and 6 in the new English and maths examinations and 7 A* - Bs in his other subjects including all three sciences, German, history, sport and RE. Mathew joined Birchwood College last September and is studying English, history and psychology and settling well into his A level studies.
A fantastic time in France
This year’s French trip for our year 8 learners was a huge success, with learners and staff having a great time across the channel.
The two coaches set off early last Friday morning for their channel tunnel crossing to France. They arrived safely at their chateau in Normandy in time for a traditional French cooked dinner.
On day two, learners explored the cultural aspects of rural France with a visit to Bayeux, a French bakery, and a goat farm. Learners took the opportunity to feed and pet the goats and sample some delicious French cheeses. They also had the chance to use their French language skills when they stopped off to do a little shopping at a hypermarket. After dinner at the chateaux that evening, learners rolled their own French crepes and took part in Karaoke.
Then came the day that everyone was looking forward to, the trip to Disneyland. The day was perfect, with a sprinkling of snow to make it even more magical. Learners had a full day to explore the park and try out the rides.
The final day was another early start as the group set off towards home. After an impromptu ferry crossing due to a problem with the tunnel, everyone arrived safely home.
Thanks to Mr Farrell, and all the staff who supported him, for arranging a great trip. Above all, thanks to our learners, who as usual, made us proud.
For more photographs, see our gallery page
Stress in Sport
Phil Cooper from State of Mind came in to school to present an assembly to our Year 11 learners on handling stress in sport. State of Mind is a well-established programme for improving mental health and wellbeing in rugby League players. For more information on the programme and advice on ways to improve mental health and address problems, visit the website here
Rhiannon, an ex BCHS learner joins the BBC talent pool
It was with great pride that we heard the news that Rhiannon Lawrence won a prestigious place at the BBC talent pool.
Rhiannon came to BCHS from Birchwood CE Primary in 2008 and studied media up to GCSE. Ms Denny was delighted to hear about Rhiannon’s success.
Rhiannon, who is in her third year studying Television Production Management at Edge Hill University, received the news she had been successful following a rigorous interview process at Media City. “I’m absolutely over the moon to have been selected to be in the BBC Children’s Production Management Assistant Talent Pool”, explained Rhiannon. “After a group scenario task, an individual prioritising task and then an interview, I feel I learnt a lot from the process itself which I really enjoyed.”
BBC Children is the home of the UKs two most popular children’s TV channels, CBeebies and CBBC – not to mention two websites, eight app, children’s radio content, two YouTube channels and much more. Rhiannon will have plenty of opportunities to use the skills she has learnt in her Television Production Management degree.
Well done Rhiannon, we are so pleased for your success.
Year 7, 8 & 9 proposed football tour to Real Madrid April, 2019
Our PE department is offering a football tour to Real Madrid in April 2019 for learners currently in Years 7, 8 and 9. This is a fantastic opportunity for learners to play football in a European setting.
The trip costs £790 per learner. This price includes; flights and transfers, four nights full board accommodation in a 4* hotel, three training sessions at Real Madrid’s first team training complex, two fixtures against Spanish opposition, a day trip to Parque Warner Theme Park, a tour round the famous Bernabeu stadium, and travel insurance for the duration of the trip.
For those who were unable to attend last week’s presentation, all the information can be found here
For how to book, and the payment schedule, please see the letter here
A message from our office – Please be aware that we no longer accept the paper £10 notes.
The KS3 Maths Problem Solving Challenge
Unfortunately, there were no correct entries for last week’s competition. The answer was 24.
This week’s challenge is
Answers should be taken to Mr Ashcroft on a sheet of paper, showing your full working out for the answer.
Our Junior Journalist Club newsletter has been published!
Last term, our English department were happy to work with some Year 5 children from local primary schools. The children joined our Junior Journalist Club, which is part of our Primary club initiative to help introduce Year 5 children to our school through a variety of fun clubs.
The brief for the Junior Journalists was to investigate all aspects of our school and present their findings in newsletter we are sending out the other children at their primary schools.
The children did a fantastic job and we are proud to say that the newsletter has been published and will be delivered this week.
A massive well done to:
Florrie, Emma, Katie, Bobby, Bobby and Eric, Year 5 at Birchwood CE Primary.
Hannah from Christchurch CE Primary.
Joel, Farnam and Hannah from Gorse Covert Primary and William and Frederick from Locking Stumps Primary.
For a copy of the newsletter click on the image on the right
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
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:-
Year 7
Year 7 Residential Trip to Conwy Centre, Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 April 2018
A full information booklet for this residential visit can be found here which will answer any questions you have regarding the visit
Year 8 - No specific information
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.
Year 10
Skills North West gives our Year 10 the chance plan ahead and aim high.
Year 10 were presented with an array of different careers at the Skills North West Careers Fair last Wednesday at Event City in Manchester. Learners rode on the tailgate of a lorry, practised floristry, CPR and explored careers in logistics. The police presented a wide range of opportunities including HR, CID and dog handling. Learners took part in an Army team-building challenge, learnt about the latest hair and beauty techniques and used the latest equipment in the music and games industry.
The trip was organised by Mrs Morris, our Careers Adviser, to help learners think about their future plans and the range of career paths open to them, including apprenticeships, college and university.
Learners and staff came away with bags full of information as well as the usual freebies and a great time was had by all
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
Media Studies tour to Prague 14 - 17 February 2019 for current Year 10 learners
Payment schedule for this trip is:
4 May - 2nd payment - £125
7 December - Final payment -£125
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
Year 11
Year 11 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition
Mrs Ikin would like to say very well done to Year 11 for their efforts during their recent practical examination. They performed admirably in what is a very stressful situation and some delicious food was produced.
A big thank you to all parents and carers for the support with ingredients during this time.
Learners now need to hand in all completed research, planning and evaluation work by Thursday 29th March at the latest.
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
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
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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