Birchwood Update 16/07/2018
- Josie Evans
- Jul 16, 2018
- 12 min read
Birchwood Update week Commencing 16/07/18
Information regarding the last day
Please join us on Friday for our final assembly of this academic year to celebrate the great things that have taken place in school this year. We are holding the assembly in the Sports hall at 11.30am. Learners will then return to form to be dismissed at 12.45pm. From everyone at Birchwood Community High School, we would like to wish you a happy and safe summer break.
School will re-open on Wednesday 5 September
Our new Year 7 and Year 12 learners should report to school yard at 8.45am.
Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 will have a later start on the first day. Learners should go to their form room for 9.45am registration.
Year 13 will return to Birchwood College a week later on Monday 10 September for registration at 8.45am.
Can all learners with lockers make sure that they are emptied for over the summer holiday please.
Eleanor makes us proud by winning her University Dean’s Prize
Eleanor Panting, a former learner of Birchwood Community High School and student at Birchwood College has made us immensely proud after she was awarded The University of Liverpool Dean’s Prize, which is awarded to the graduate achieving the highest degree average on the BA Business Management programmes.
At Birchwood College, Eleanor studied BTEC Music, A Level Law, A Level Business and A Level Psychology, and she gained a place at the University of Liverpool to study Business Management.
Eleanor was awarded Student of The Year in her second year of university. In third year, Eleanor spent the year in industry working at Aldi UK as an Assistant Store Manager and Trainee Area Manager.
Eleanor has now graduated with First Class Honours, achieving a fantastic 82% average overall in her BA Business Management degree. To achieve the final accolade of the Dean’s Prize was really the icing on the cake.
Well done Eleanor it is wonderful to share in the success of not only an ex-learner but someone who also stayed with us at Birchwood College. We are very proud of you and your success.
A fantastic trip to Lockerbie
Our years 8 and 9 had a fantastic time on their residential visit to Lockerbie last week. The weather was perfect allowing them to make full use of the centre's great facilities. Learners had the chance to work as teams, both before leaving school in some fun activities here and whilst on the trip.
The behaviour of the learners was exemplary and Ms Gilchrist said that she was proud to spend time with both year groups.
Thanks you to all the staff who attended and to the learners for as ever making the trip such a success.
Our committee get some eco-friendly ideas for our school’s recycling
Last Monday the eco-committee went on a trip to WSR recycling plant. The aim was to find out what happens to our waste after it leaves school. Learners had the opportunity to explore the weighbridge, watch the waste recycling process and ask questions to the site’s environmental officer.
Currently our school waste travels from Birchwood to WSR recycling in Wigan. Upon arrival, metals are removed from the waste using an industrial magnet and sent to be recycled. The rest of waste is then shredded and sent off to Runcorn to be incinerated to generate electricity.
The eco-committee is now keen for learners to separate recyclables e.g. plastic and paper so that they can be turned into other products rather than being incinerated. In September, the eco-committee is hoping to provide a recycling bins around school.
Our learners are planning for their future.
Over 250 learners from Years 8 to 10 visited universities across the North West this term. They experienced university and student life to help them understand what higher education can offer.
Learners visited one of three different universities, UCLAN, University of Chester and Liverpool John Moores, experiencing campus tours and taking part in a number of workshops designed at encouraging them to consider options after College.
Learners met and worked with current students studying at the universities, completing sessions including a law taster tutorial, practical model making based, as well as talks and quizzes on University life and tours of accommodation. These were eye-opening experiences for some of our learners who all learners thoroughly enjoyed the visits.
Keeping your child safe
As the summer comes along some of our older learners and students may be planning on going to music festivals. Going to festivals can be a great experience but they can also be dangerous places for vulnerable young people. For advice on how to stay safe at festivals this summer, please see here
Let a little birdy help with your career advice
We are happy to announce the launch of our career guidance twitter feed, which you can find here
Mrs Morris will be tweeting about everything to do with careers. Parents and learners from any year group will benefit from this opportunity to keep up to date with what is available out there in the world of work.
Last few days to log those APP points!
Please remember you can still log APPs until 9.00am on Wednesday 18 July. Prizes will then be awarded in the final assembly for the top three learners for most APPs logged.
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.
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
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
For a copy of the letter with booking details see here.
Year 8
Thank you for joining us at our End of Key Stage 3 Celebration Evening
Last Tuesday we held our Year 8 End of Key Stage 3 Celebration Evening, which really was a celebration of all the hard work and talent of our fantastic year 8. We were delighted that so many of you took the time to join us and see what your children have achieved whilst in this key stage of their development.
A huge well-done goes to those who performed for us from singing, dancing, playing guitar, and having the courage to stand up and talk about their experiences at our school in front of such a big audience.
You are all superstars and evidence of what makes our school great!
Year 9
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
GCSE English Literature results
Results Day - Thursday 23 August 2018, from 11.00am – 12.00am Birchwood College:
Your child will be able to come into school to pick up their GCSE English Literature result on Thursday 23 August from 11.00am to 12.00pm. Results will be distributed within Birchwood College.
Year 10, get a sample of the jobs market and experience of an interview situation
Year 10 were off timetable on Tuesday and were given the opportunity to meet a wide range of local company representatives who helped them to write a CV, to find out about apprenticeships and university, and to develop their employability skills. The pinnacle of the day was to undertake a mock interview and which involved answering a range of questions, which are likely to be asked in a real interview. Learner came to school in professional work clothes, were asked to think about their body language and also how they can give a professional image when they go to an interview.
Here is what the interviewers had to say:
“Assisting in preparing the learners for the challenges of job interviews was rewarding and enjoyable. I was surprised how motivated the learners were when I conducted the mock interviews and hope they benefited from the day” Jonathan King, Atkins
“I was pleasantly surprised at the wide range of careers that your students are considering. With the excellent presentation skills, qualifications and experience I am sure that they will ALL have successful and rewarding careers” Alex Foley, Atkins, Birchwood Park
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
Prom photos are still available
Our Official photographs of the evening by Ben Unwin are available to purchase here
The password is 2743 and photographs can be purchased either as a print or digital file. To see more photographs of this occasion, see the Prom album in our Gallery
Results Day - Thursday 23 August 2018, from 9.00am to 11.00am:
Your child will be able to come into school to pick up their GCSE/BTEC results on Thursday 23 August from 9.00am. Results will be distributed within Birchwood College.
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 school, could donate any of their uniform to us. Any clean articles in reasonable condition should be brought to the school office. Thank You.
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
For apprenticeship vacancies see: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch
There is also lots of advice and information on post 16 options the following website: http://www.careersforyoungpeople.co.uk/
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.
Birchwood College
Results Day - Thursday 16 August 2018
Year 13 from 8.45 am and
Year 12 from 10.00 am
Birchwood College will receive exam results on Thursday 16 August and students will be able to collect an envelope containing their results as above
Eleanor, an Ex Birchwood College student makes us proud by winning her University Dean’s Prize
Eleanor Panting, a former learner of Birchwood Community High School and student at Birchwood College has made us immensely proud after she was awarded The University of Liverpool Dean’s Prize, which is awarded to the graduate achieving the highest degree average on the BA Business Management programmes.
At Birchwood College, Eleanor studied BTEC Music, A Level Law, A Level Business and A Level Psychology and gained a place at the University of Liverpool to study Business Management with a Year in Industry.
In her second year of University, Eleanor was awarded ‘Student of The Year’. In her third year, which was a year in industry, she secured a placement at Aldi Uk as an Assistant Store Manager and Trainee Area Manager.
Eleanor has now graduated and achieved a fantastic 82% average overall in her BA Business Management degree, which has equated out to a 1st class honours degree. To achieve the final accolade of the Dean’s Prize was really the icing on the cake.
Well done Eleanor it is wonderful to share in the success of not only an ex-learner but someone who also stayed with us at Birchwood College. We are very proud of you and your success.
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 sure 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.
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.
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.
Comments