Birchwood Update 14/05/2018
- Josie Evans
- May 15, 2018
- 15 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 14/5/18
Rosie rows to success.
Rosie in 10KO never thought when she agreed to take part in the Oarsome rowing project that she would take to rowing like a duck to water. After gaining medals both as a solo rower and part of the girls Oarsome team, she joined Warrington Rowing Club wanting to continue to develop her rowing skills.
Last weekend Rosie represented the club in the Merseyside Regatta at Birkenhead. Along with her teammates, Rosie competed in the quad rowing race. Teams from all over the North West competed and we are delighted to announce that Rosie’s team won their race securing a medal winning position.
Rosie said, “I was ecstatic to be taking part in the regatta. The atmosphere on the day was electric, which kept everyone going in the heat. And then to finish with a medal was fantastic!”
“It is all thanks to the Oarsome Project, I was so lucky to be selected to take part”, added Rosie.
We are very proud of you Rosie all your hard work and motivation is really paying off.
The Oarsome Project also inspires Kaydi
Kaydi, in 9WG, is also taking part in the Oarsome Project. She has also been inspired to do a spot of rowing to raise funds.
Kaydi is a Warrington Wolves Foundation Young Trustee is aiming to travel with the foundation to Kenya on an educational visit this month. Whilst in Kenya the group aim to visit local schools teaching the children sports, develop their creativity and providing equipment.
But all this funding and Kaydi did a sponsored row during her lunch breaks last Thursday and Friday.
Kaydi set herself a goal of rowing 10,400m, which is the distance to the top of Mount Kenya, and back down again.
Just watching Kaydi was exhausting but her the hard work raised over £250 with some pledges still to be collected. We are so proud of you Kaydi for working so hard to raise funds for others not as fortunate as ourselves.
Together we can succeed; success stories from last year’s exam results.
This week’s star is Emma Robinson who joined us from Gorse Covert Primary School and achieved a brilliant set of results in her exams this time last year.
On results day Emma was awarded with grades 8 and 7 in English and a grade 8 in maths. She also achieved six A*s in physics, biology, chemistry, computing, geography and RE and A grade in media studies.
Emma, who was also on our Leaner Officer team in year 11, was always a hard worker, who kept on top of her work. She was organised and didn’t leave work until the last minute.
A lesson for our current year 11 learners based on Emma’s success is to be prepared. Don’t wait until the last moment to put in the effort.
Keeping your child safe.
Suicidal thoughts can unfortunately be common issues for young people. They can affect anyone, of any age, from any background and at any time. Like with physical illnesses, people do not choose to have a mental health problem and they need the appropriate care to get better.
For the NSPCC’s advice on how to address any worries you may have about your child see here
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
New rules relating to how we collect and process personal data - the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - will come into effect in the UK from 25 May 2018 and to comply with the rules and protect your data your child will receive a letter via their form boxes today regarding the use of photographs and videos of your child.
We really value using photos and video of learners to show case what they do in school and to show others what life at our school is like. Learners are always excited to be included on this update and our Facebook page and we would love to be able to continue doing this.
The letter can be found here. Please return your completed slips to the school office before Friday 25 May.
Join us for great evenings of entertainment
Our College students provide us with some spectacular musical occasions, so we do hope that you will be able to join us for two events this month
This Wednesday, 16 May, year 12 will be performing music from the 80s onwards giving us a great chance to relive our youth.
And on Wednesday 23 May, year 13 will be giving us a musical theatre extravaganza, showcasing well-known songs from musicals like Chicago, Les Miserables and many many more.
For both events come along for a 7.30 start and pay on the door, £3 and £2 for concessions.
Warrington Schools Football Finals
Last week our year 10 and year 11 football teams played in the Warrington Schools Football Finals. Both teams have played fixtures all year, and have each finished top of the league in Warrington, a great achievement, particularly in year 10 where a full complement of schools from Warrington entered. Less teams, understandably due to examination pressures, enter the Year 11 competition.
Both our teams therefore qualified for a ‘grand final’ style top two clash in the Warrington Schools Finals. Both the finals were against Lymm High School who finished second in both age groups.
Unfortunately, year 10 were swept aside 5-0 by a strong Lymm side who are unbeaten for three years. This was a tough lesson for the team who were 4-0 down at half time but managed to be much more competitive in the second half following Mr Burnham’s rousing half time team talk! The stand out performer was Kyle Best who was positive throughout the game regardless of the score line.
The year 11 team were victorious, winning their game 2-0, and giving an organised and composed performance against a physical Lymm team who had beaten them during the league campaign. Jake Robinson scored a stunning volley and Mr Burrows described Brad Street’s goal as “an absolute worldy”. But the man of the match was Reece Gaskell who was brilliant throughout and fully deserves his professional contract with Oldham in September.
Well done to everyone who took part.
Please remember to give your feedback on Parent View
In last week’s Update, we asked for your help in completing Ofsted’s Parent View survey. Many thanks to those who filled in the survey. If you have been able to find time over the last week, please try to find ten minutes this week to complete the survey. Your feedback will really help our school.
All you need to do is log on here then click on “Give your views” on the top tab and register. It will take about 10 minutes of your time but it will support us to give an accurate picture of our school at our next OFSTED visit and will also allow us to see more of your feedback.
Thank you for your support.
Can you help us?
On Friday 8 June, year 13 will perform in their final music gig at college. Although this will undoubtedly be a sad event, it will also be spectacular judging on their previous showcases.
Ms Walsh is organising a raffle and needs as many prizes as she can collect. If you would like to contribute a prize, please send it to the school office before Monday the 4 June.
And don’t forget to keep the date free in your diary. We will have more details to share in future weeks. Thanks for your support.
Mobile phone sanctions
We would like to remind parents and carers about the school rules on using mobile phones.
Learners must not use mobile phones between the 8.50am and 3.00pm on school days. Teachers will confiscate mobile phones where a learner breaks this rule. The only exception to this rule is when a member of staff asks learners to use their phones in a lesson to support their learning.
Confiscated phone are taken to the school office and process below is followed:
First offence: The phone is locked in the school safe where it can be collected at the end of the day by the learner.
Second offence: As above but a Year Team Leader after school detention is issued and parents and carers are informed.
Third offence: The phone is confiscated and locked in the safe and school inform a parent or carer who are asked to collect the phone at the end of the school day. The learner will also receive an after school detention with a member of our Senior Leadership team.
The KS3 Maths Problem Solving Challenge
There were no entries for last week's competition so it will roll over for another week
This week’s challenge is
Years 8 - 12, Ski residential trip to France, Friday 15 February – Friday 22 February 2019
Everybody going on the ski residential next year should now have paid the second instalment of £150, which was due on Friday, 27 April. If you have not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible. Please pay the remaining balance by 23 November. Thank you.
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
Don’t forget to join the Birchwood Mini World Cup, 16 May 3.15 – 4.30pm
This Wednesday, 16 May, Mrs Butler is calling all year 7s to take part in the Birchwood Mini World Cup Competition. This will be fantastic inter-form sporting competition open to all, whatever your skills or ability.
The competition will take place after school between 3.15 and 4.30pm in the sports hall and all entrants must wear their PE kit and appropriate footwear. Come along and join the fun.
Year 8- No specific information
Year 9 - No specific information
Year 10
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
Please be aware that the second instalment of payment for this trip is due this Friday 4 May. The full payment schedule is shown in the table below
4 May - 2nd payment - £125
7 December - Final payment -£125
A message from our English Department
As the GCSE English language exam is rapidly approaching, you can help make sure your child is well prepared for their revision by purchasing the relevant York Notes guide.
guides are 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 attendance choices after 4th June
Last Thursday Year 11 learners received a letter outlining two options for their attendance at school after half term (from 4 June). Learners can choose to either revise at home from this point or attend school lessons and revision sessions. You can find a copy of the letter here.
The letter is explains the options and what to think about regarding the suitability for your child to attain the best outcomes on results day. Please discuss the options with your child and make sure you return the reply slip to the school office before Friday 18 May.
Year 11 core exams revision sessions open to all year 11 learners
To help to prepare our learners for their core exams, we are offering two-hour revision sessions from 3:15 to 5:15 on the evening before every core exam. These are not compulsory, but did prove to be very successful last year in conjunction with the learners own revision and really helped to boost learners performance. We would recommend that your child attend these sessions. The dates of the revision sessions are:
Monday 14 May – Biology
Wednesday 16 May – Chemistry
Monday 22 May – English Literature
Tuesday 23 May – Physics
Wednesday 24 May – Maths
Thursday 25 May – English Literature
Monday 4 June – English Language
Wednesday 6 June – Maths
Thursday 7 June – Biology
Monday 11 June – Maths
Tuesday 12 June – Chemistry
Thursday 14 June – Physics
Year 11 Prom, Thursday 5 July at the Hallmark Hotel, Warrington.
A letter went out to all year 11 learners last Thursday with details of how to book a place at the Prom.
We do hope that your child will join us for what will be a fantastic final celebration of their time at BCHS.
The Prom will be at the Hallmark Hotel (formerly the Fir Grove) on Thursday 5 July. Learners will enjoy a mocktail on arrival, a three-course meal and then a disco. Return travel by coach from school is included in the price alongside a memento Year Book to keep and cherish.
You can find a copy of the letter here.
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
Thursday 23 August – GCSE Results Day
A message from our English Department
As the GCSE English language exam is rapidly approaching, you can help make sure your child is well prepared for their revision by purchasing the relevant York Notes guide.
Guides are 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
Leavers’ Day
Year 13 will leave Birchwood College officially on Friday 25 May 2018. Students are invited to attend an assembly in college where tutors and staff can wish them well as they leave. The assembly will be followed by a celebratory barbeque on the terrace at the college, which will finish at 3pm. Students should arrive at college at the later time of 11.30am and there are no formal lessons on this day.
Please remember that although this is the official leaving day, year 13 lessons will continue up to the day of their respective examinations, and students are encouraged to attend these lessons to ensure they are properly prepared. On these occasions, students will be required to sign in and out at Birchwood College reception and wear their lanyards whilst on site.
Year 13 Leavers’ Night – Friday 6 July 2018
We have also organised a year 13 Leavers' Night on Friday 6 July. This will be a fantastic opportunity for your child to celebrate their education at Birchwood. The event is being held in a private room at Block One Nightclub (formally ‘The Apartment’) on Bold Street in Warrington.
The evening includes a buffet and Block One’s own in-house DJ. The event starts at 7.30pm, and will finish around 12.30am. This venue is exclusively for the Birchwood College party until approx. 11.00pm, when it will then be open to the public. Students will need to travel to and from the party independently, as transport is not provided.
Students will need to bring their proof of age ID to the evening if they wish to purchase drinks at the bar. It is important to note that staff at Birchwood College will not be responsible for students who attempt to obtain alcohol if they are under 18 and we trust you will support this requirement.
Students should arrive promptly on this day, and in the right frame of mind to enjoy a celebratory evening. If over 18, they should refrain from over-indulgence of alcohol prior to, and during the event, as this will result in them being sent home.
The cost of this evening will be £10. To secure a place, please complete the reply slip attached to this letter making payment preferably via Parentpay or cash or cheque.
A Level Results Day – Thursday 16 August 2018
Results will be available in Birchwood College on the morning of Thursday 16 August 2018. Senior staff will be available between 9.00am and 12.00pm to provide students with their examination results and offer guidance as required for university or career plans. It is important that students are available to collect results in person on the day
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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