Birchwood Update 18/06/2018
- Josie Evans
- Jun 19, 2018
- 17 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 18/6/18
Kaydi sees the benefit of her fundraising first hand
At the start of May we reported on Kaydi’s (9WG) sponsored row to raise money for a trip to Kenya. Kaydi’s rowed 10,400m, which is the distance to the top of Mount Kenya and back down again, and raised a fantastic £250. Kaydi is a Warrington Wolves Young Trustee and a part of the 10-year project in Kenya aiming to improve in education in Magadi.
At the end of May, Kaydi and the Young Trustees travelled to Kenya, where they witness the huge contrast with education in the UK. They identified key areas where the group and foundation can support young people in Magadi.
The group provided material support such as pens and paper, to help children's education in multiple schools. As well as this, the group displayed personal support by leading classes on sport, English and maths.
Neil Kelly, Director of the Warrington Wolves Foundation said, “In Kenya, Kaydi was a credit to the school and her family. She shone and contributed to making a real difference. As part of their Journey as a Young Trustee embarking on the unique experience to Kenya allowed them to develop skills further whilst becoming increasingly aware of different cultures.”
Kaydi said, “The experience of going to Magadi was life changing. It gave me a new perspective on the lives of other children. The children at both the nursery and school that we visited welcomed us so warmly that we felt that we had joined their family and they had joined ours. It was lovely to see the children smile and appreciate such a small things as making loom bands with them. Something that we take for granted but they had never seen.”
“I hope to go back there in a few years’ time and catch up with all the children that I met and I thanks the Wolves Foundation for giving me the chance to have this experience.”
Birchwood KS3 Drama Club proudly presents Peter Pan
On Tuesday 17 July at 7pm, our Key Stage 3 Drama Club will be presenting Birchwood’s version of Peter Pan. The show has been adapted and re-written to include the vast array of talented actors that we have at school. Learners have been working hard with Miss Senior and it should be a great show, so put the date in your diary.
Tickets are available from the school office from today, Adults - £5, children and concessions £3
Congratulations to our newly formed eco-committee on achieving a bronze award.
This term 10 learners across all year groups have been selected to represent the school on Birchwood Community High School’s first eco-committee.
Despite only being formed in May, the committee have already worked really hard and the school has been awarded the Eco-schools bronze award.
The committee completed a full environmental review of the school including areas such as litter, biodiversity and global citizenship. The committee then set out an action plan to tackle the issues around their selected focus area of litter and recycling, including providing more recycling bins, (especially for classrooms and for plastic bottles) inviting guest speakers into assembly and the possibility of having a community eco-day next year.
The Eco-committee has visited all year group assemblies to raise awareness of the issues and we hope that all learners will work alongside the committee to help to improve our school environment.
Keeping your child safe
The number of learners cycling to school has increased now that the weather is good. This is fantastic for learners’ fitness but it is important that they are following the correct rules for cycle safety. Sustrans provide some great safety advice to encourage young people to enjoy the freedom of cycling whilst staying safe. The site can be found here
Whilst on the topic of cycling to school, can you please ask your children to lock their bikes in or around the bike area by the school garages, not leave them locked in front of the library and school reception. Thank you
Support PRIDE at BCHS
It is PRIDE month at Birchwood Community High School and so far, we have raised £192 from selling wristbands, a cake sale and a unicorn cake raffle. Thank you all for your support of our PRIDE activities so far this year.
Below is an outline of the activities still to happen:
Tuesday 19 June, Film night for Years 8 – 10. We will be watching The Imitation Game in D5 from 3pm.
Thursday 5 July – Pizza Pride Party for Years 7 – 10. All learners are welcome in the college for some fun and a little bit of learning about PRIDE month from 3 to 4.30pm. There will be lots of games, sweets, cakes, music and of course PIZZA. Please encourage all to come along
Change of Uniform Supplier
We consulted you in 2017 about changing our school uniform and you told us you wanted a local retail offer to go alongside our existing online supplier. We are pleased to announce that we have arranged for two local retailers to take over supply of our uniform. Both suppliers are already fully stocked can already take orders. We hope this change will give parents and carers a better service.
Touchline UK
Unit 2 Kerfoot Street
Warrington
WA2 8NU
Warrington Schoolwear
50-54 Buttermarket St
Warrington
WA1 2NN
Please remember to give your feedback on Parent View
Just a reminder that if you have a spare ten minutes in your day please complete the Ofsted survey about our school. Your views are important to us.
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.
The KS3 Maths Problem Solving Challenge
There was no winner last week, so the question carries over this week and Mr Ashcroft has promised that the prize will be Chocolate!
Years 8 - 12, Ski residential trip to France, Friday 15 February – Friday 22 February 2019
For your information, the remaining balance for this trip must be paid 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:-
Extra-curricular timetable, Summer 2018 - here.
For a list of clubs that your child can now take part of at lunchtime see below
Year 7
Year 7 met the professionals
During their ‘Learning for Life’ lesson last week, Year 7 were given the chance to meet six professionals from different sectors to find out about the range of careers available to them. The workshop was organised by our Careers Adviser, Mrs Morris as part of the careers curriculum, which aims to give learners more contact with employers and company representatives and to start linking learning to the world of work.
Learners were lucky enough to meet representatives from: Elite Care, Gleeds, Morrisons, the Royal Navy, Sellafield and Write on Time Ltd. Year 7 found out about some careers they had not heard of before for example quantity surveying, logistics, social care, engineering, the navy and public relations.
The visitors commented on the excellent behaviour of our learners and the interesting questions they asked. Well done Year 7!
Don’t miss out on a Fantastic chance for your child to take part in our Year 8 French Residential
It is with great pleasure we are able to inform our Year 7 learners of the wonderful opportunity to travel to France in March 2019. The trip includes:
A visit to a chocolate factory
A visit to a French bakery workshop
A visit to a goat farm
A visit to a French hypermarket
Day pass entry to Euro Disney
All information will go out shortly in a letter but this update is to inform parents and carers that deposits, and all subsequent payments for the trip must be made via ParentPay.
If you do not have your child’s ParentPay details, and you would like your child to go on the trip, you need to confirm these with the School Office.
This is always a very popular trip and places are limited. The trip is not yet live on ParentPay so deposits are not yet being taken. When the trip is live, learners will receive a letter in their form box and places for the trip will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. So if you are intending to send your child on this trip please set up your ParentPay account now.
Year 8
Options choices – Please be aware that a letter to confirm your child’s options choices will be posted out to you by the end of this week.
A date for your diary
End of Key Stage 3 Celebration Evening for Year 8 – Tuesday 10 July.
Come and join us to celebrate the end of this stage in your child’s education with presentations from our year 8 learners and subject and achievement awards.
Invitations will be posted out to you soon. We hope you will join us
Year 9
Options choices – Please be aware that a letter to confirm your child’s options choices will be posted out to you by the end of this week.
A date for your diary
End of Key Stage 3 Celebration Evening for Year 9 – Wednesday 18 July.
Come and join us to celebrate the end of this stage in your child’s education with presentations from our year 9 learners and subject and achievement awards.
Invitations will be posted out to you soon. We hope you will join us
Year 10
Media Studies tour to Prague 14 - 17 February 2019 for current Year 10 learners
Please be aware that the final payment for this trip should be made before 7 December 2018
Year 11
Important dates for your Diary
Tuesday 26 June - Birchwood College Induction Day with ‘Total Wipeout’ inflatable games and BBQ (see below)
Thursday 5 July - Year 11 Prom at The Hallmark Hotel, Warrington
Thursday 23 August – GCSE Results Day
Tears and laughter as Year 11 officially leave us
Last Friday our Year 11 had a fantastic time at their leavers’ celebration. After their physics exam, they had time in forms with their form tutors for gifts and goodbyes then it was the all-important brunch and shirt signing session. It was amazing, the trouble that our learners had gone to in preparing their shirts with sequins and other decorations.
The assembly was fantastic, a real celebration of their time at Birchwood and their talents. Jake Lindsay, backed by ‘the Musos’ gave us a particularly touching performance.
There were the ‘Dafta’ awards for both staff and learners, including the ‘Too Good to be True’. ‘Miss Model’ and ‘Cheeky Chappy’ awards.
It was a fantastic celebration, which brought a tear to even the toughest, including Miss Mac!
We will miss you Year 11 but look forward to celebrating with you on results day.
Recycle Your Uniform – Donate it to the uniform shop
Our uniform recycle shop, here at school, would be very grateful if any current year 11 learners, once they finish schoolcould donate any of their uniform to us. Any clean articles in reasonable condition should be brought to the school office. Thank You.
Birchwood College Induction Day 2017
On Tuesday 26 June, our year 11 learners will be invited into Birchwood College for our annual college Induction Day. This fun day will include presentations about college life and how to enrol, followed by our ‘Total Wipe Out’ team games and a barbecue.
Everyone attending should bring a change of clothes and towel, plus old trainers, as you may get wet!
Year 11 Prom, Thursday 5 July at the Hallmark Hotel, Warrington.
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
Waterside Training have the following Engineering and Manufacturing apprenticeships with top companies in the North West, offering high quality training and a good wage.
The deadline is 22 June.
AB World Foods, Leigh (4 x Manufacturing)
Aimia Foods, Haydock (2 x Engineering)
Chep, Manchester (2 x Engineering)
Diageo, Runcorn (1 x Engineering)
Emerald Kalama, Widnes (2 x Engineering and 2 x Manufacturing)
NGFE Europe (1 x Engineering and 2 x Manufacturing)
NSG Group (Pilkington) 3 x Engineering
Prinovis, Liverpool (2 x Engineering)
Saint Gobain, Rainford (1 x Engineering)
Seqirus, Speke (2 x Engineering and 2 x Manufacturing)
Stateside Foods, West Houghton (2 x Engineering)
Please see Waterside Training’s website here for further information.
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
Birchwood College
Year 12 Business Studies group link up with Morrisons
Last week, Year 12 business studies learners attended a presentation by Matthew Kenyon who works for Morrisons’ at the regional distribution centre in Northwich.
They found out about how goods get from the suppliers to the store and the many different roles and processes involved in this major operation. This links into the “Logistics and supply chain organisation” unit of the BTEC National Extended Certificate, which they are studying at Birchwood College. Matthew also gave an overview of the company and the opportunities available not just in store but in the office, warehouse and in management.
Morrisons offers degree apprenticeships and graduate programmes which these Year 12 learners appeared very interested in as they start to make plans for the future.
Our year 12 students commit to parenting an egg!
Year 12 Psychology students are starting an attachment module in the coming weeks. In preparation, they have decorated eggs which they have to look after for two weeks. They must bring them to college every day, if they go out in the evening they need to find a babysitter. It is anticipated that this will help them understand separation anxiety, deprivation and privation.
Good luck to the Year 12s practicing their parenting skills - unfortunately some of the eggs were already cracked (causing upset) before the end of the lesson!
Our College Students have plenty to celebrate
Congratulations to Tori Stammers in year 13 who has gained a higher level solicitor apprenticeship with Eversheds Sutherland. Tori is the only student they are taking on in Manchester. We are sure that Tori will fit in well and we wish her every success. Tori has always showed real commitment to everything that she has done at Birchwood and we are sure that her positive, can-do attitude will make her a true asset to the company.
Congratulations also go to Tash Hill who has gained a higher level apprenticeship with Waites, again we are sur that Tash will become a valued member of their team.
We are also proud to announce ALL of our students who applied to university are have received, including 13 unconditional offers.
Well done to all students and our fabulous staff at Birchwood College. We say that Birchwood College is the college “Where you matter”. This really is evidenced with these fabulous results, our students and staff really do work together to attain the best for each and every one whether it be an apprenticeship, university or in the workplace.
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:
Keeping in touch gets even easier with the introduction of the Xpressions website
We are pleased to announce that Groupcall Xpressions is now available to access on your computer via a website. The login page can be found here.
This gives you a further way, as well as accessing the APP on your mobile phone and tablet, to view information about your child
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
Xpressions is completely free of charge to you and supports Apple iOS, Android devices and now Windows operating system.
In order to use the Xpressions, 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 will need to make sure you keep these details up to date in future to maintain access to the service.
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
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.
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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