Birches Head High School

Birches Head High School ih col n Results on School Education High Head for Birches Congratulates Minister Obviously this is a huge tribute to all staff and parents who have parents and staff all to tribute huge let Maths. a & a the school English is open including this to congratulated 5A*-C Obviously moment gaining that students proud Education of very for results a the Minister was on the it from term ter the in Earlier col o nue e eoe n usadn sho fr u students. receiving our for on school themselves. in the complacent outstanding an involved be students become everyone we with never ensure work the can to to continuing school we are as and school news good well a as as Obviously students our supported Spring 2013 -

Just before we break up for the Easter holiday I would like to bring you up to date about a few things that have been happening.

Calling it a holiday is a bit of an error, if you are working towards exams this summer. It is a good time to re-read notes, to try out past questions. Keep- ing up the pace you have been building to this term will really make a difference in your confidence levels at the beginning of next term. Letting go of the work you have been doing for just two weeks will make it all the hard- er to get back to where you are now! Mums and Dads-please encourage.

We have to say goodbye to Dawn O’Keefe and Wayne Docherty as governors, in both cases because of work and family commitments. Their contributions have been considerable, not least in meetings, and they will be missed. Please let us know if you would like to know more about being a school governor, to support you making your mind up about joining us.

Governors The date for conversion to Academy status has now been confirmed as July 1st 2013. The change in date has been caused by difficulties manag- ing a complex process that includes PFI. It is still good to restate that being allowed to convert to an Academy is a tribute to the strength the De- partment for Education sees in the school and confirmed recently by a short Ofsted subject visit. The launch of the Academy will take place at the beginning of the new academic year. The consultation about the name of the school was successfully held- thank you to all who took part. I believe we will all recognise Birches Head Academy as our school.

It is encouraging to see the Trust Partnership growing, both in terms of the number of people and schools working together under its umbrella, but also in the range of activities in which it engages. Parents and Communi- ty groups are flourishing; indeed, winning serious prizes for co-operative working. Primary schools are working together and with BHHS on subjects such as literacy/numeracy, leadership, and ICT. The Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College and Staffordshire University continue to give their support. Joint training for the Trust will see the ways we work together strength- ening as we adopt similar systems and develop a shared business plan.

Wishing you all a good holiday,

Barb

Page 2 Premises - - - - - Staff News Staff School Meals Health and Safety and Health Other Premises News Other Premises Mr S Goodall (Behaviour Support Assistant) Mr S Goodall (Behaviour Headteacher) to (PA Miss R Barker Mr T Scarle (Handyperson) Mr T Scarle Support Assistant) J Arnold (Behaviour Mrs Mr D Wallbanks (House Learning Manager for Water House) Water for (House Learning Manager Mr D Wallbanks Leader: Music) (Subject Mr A Hawke Support Assistant) L Mackie (Behaviour Mrs Supervisor) (Cover Mr G Pillay R Hollinshead (Lunch Time Supervisor) Mrs Mrs J Ambler (Lunch Time Supervisor) Mrs 15th April – The Smoothie Bike – pedal to mix smoothies – pedal to 15th April – The Smoothie Bike menu Day April – St George’s 23rd Day 24th April - Hong Kong Day – Build a Burger 7th May Week – British Sandwich 12th May Week Vegetarian – National 20th May

• • • • This term we have said goodbye and good luck to: and good said goodbye have we This term • • • • • Since the last newsletter we have extended a warm welcome to new staff: to new welcome warm a extended we have newsletter Since the last • • • • • • • will be The caterers made ABM will be available running a via number of the promotions this term: student and parent Gateway. A new menu will be on offer after Easter, details of which Similarly, Similarly, a large area of the placing roof and on we the hope original that building these also works needs will re take place over the summer. derway derway to arrange for the replacement of the last remaining sections. Talks Talks are being held with our vent PFI any further maintenance boiler provider failures in taking place. efforts work to The under pre vast the majority of original old building pipe has now been replaced and talks are un If you til arrive after 2.30pm. early creates please Please a wait tail do not away back from and onwait Birches causes the major Head school Road as this traffic site congestion un problems. The School Yard is a teaching space for PE lessons and is the ter point student’s in mus the event of a fire so needsto bekept clear throughout the day. Thank our you to request those not parents to who come have onto complied site with before 2.30pm Reminder Reminder to parents and carers - do not come onto site before 2.30pm Page 3 The LRC has been hosting some interest- ing learning opportunities this past term.

Chinese New Year

We enjoyed the Chinese New Year workshops so much in January 2012,

LRC we thought we would we celebrate ‘The Year of the Snake’ for 2013. Stu- dents had the chance to learn about the culture surrounding the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year. This included making little red envelopes with Chinese symbols on and putting the cus- tomary gold coins/money in them, (only chocolate ones I’m afraid,) to give to friends and family. We then proceeded to give our best shot at using chopsticks to eat noodles and rice, not an easy task for many of us, but it was a fun and tasty experience.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day was a chance for those of us who enjoy bak- ing, to go to town on making and decorating a selection of cakes to tempt our students to treat their nearest and dearest to a sweet treat.

See for yourself…

Also the Knitting Club provided some beautiful knitted hearts for students to purchase to give to their sweetheart.

World Book Day

World Book Day was on 7th March. To mark the occasion the LRC had a tea party and to gain entry students had to simply bring a book in with a review. It was great to see so many of our students showing an enthusiasm for reading. We also shared our passion for reading by talking to other students about the books we have read and loved and called it ‘Passing on the Passion for Reading’. All students have been given the opportunity to receive a £1 book token to redeem against a book purchase in participating Book Stores.

Page 4 LRC ------to join in Hanley Hanley Library have been to visit to take part in ac Clubs and Activities in the LRC in the Activities and Clubs Waterstones Waterstones bookshop

Mrs Lawton Mrs and I Abigail wish Jones them and all Sammie the Burrows, best you for will the be future: sadly missed. Sadie James, I would support like to and thank commitment the LRC over assistants the for their last invaluable eighteen months, per, per, have a hot drink your mates and for toast a for chat. A a great very way to reasonable start fee your and day… see meet you there! Breakfast Breakfast Club ing is on those open cold mornings. You at can watch 7:30am, the news, it read the pa is warm and welcom lief lief and we made £38.00. Thanks to everyone who supported us. great great place The to staff and students in chill the baked LRC cakes and to sell for Comic Re socialise with your friends. We We have computers for homework and it’s also a Visit the LRC have to lots see of the great new selection books of books chosen by offer, on we the students themselves. Stafffrom tivities and have we had our reviews book displayed the store. in ticeboard for dates and times,and Mrs Lawton to a place. book We We are planning and trips work with after an school established to knitting and craft club.See LRC no ing, board games, knitting and crafts. Call to in reserve a place. All the clubs in the LRC are well supported; they include: chess, read Page 5 TILT Membership Groups and Forum

Attendance at the Forum meetings has again been very consistent from all member groups. Their input into the meetings has increased including taking responsibility for chairing the meeting and making presentations. Forum members have been interviewed by external

TILT organisations to give them an insight into what they see as goodco- operative practice. The TILT membership has been working onmany initiatives over the last term, including collecting recyclable materials and reusable products in order to build up funds for student projects, as well as developing a gardening area within school so that specific sections can be maintained by each Tutor Group.

Students have been working with the school caterers to learn about nutrition, healthy eating and foods that can and can not be served inthe dining hall. They are currently working on a project to design a new break time snack which they can help to make and sell to their friends.

The TILT website is almost ready for full use. All member groups and partners have been asked to submit articles or stories which can be published on the website. If you have any community based stories or things of interest that are happening locally, let us know by email at [email protected]

Our parents group would like to continue the Community Drop In sessions during the summer term so watch out for details.

Page 6 TILT ------, winning 10,000 Morrison’s Grow It Group Grow TILT Learning Partner Awards Partner Learning TILT

vouchers vouchers to ing be to spent supply the on school resources. kitchen with The some group of its is own also produce. look organisations, parents and grandparents all joining in on Thursday evenings. all joining in on Thursday and grandparents parents organisations, The group has recently won through to the final sixof Young the Gardener of the Year competition with dening equipment ing to group our continues Grow to it flourish Group. with Our students, weekly garden community staff, A local community group at the Bridge Centre has donated gar portunity to network and create further partnerships for the future. After the awards were presented, theguests and staff had the op ing hard to operative make values this event being a presented success with awards to in a all 6 wide co range partners. of throughout throughout our community were nominated ognition by of TILT members their for work rec within Trust. the The Forum been work has Our third annual awards event took place on March 20th. Partners Page 7 Transition Update

Our transition program is very much up and running now witha number of our staff and students regularly visiting all local prima- ries, working with KS2 students, facilitating exciting and fresh - work shops ensuring all experience a true taste of Birches Head High School.

KS2 students can experience the following subjects: Art, Media, STEM Technology, ICT, PE and Science. Please read below some of the experiences, challenges and successes developing from our transition menu.

Fitzy the Fox Fitness Club Hamilton Infant School

Year 11 sports leaders have continued to deliver Fitzy the Fox activities at Hamilton Infant School this term. The students have planned and prepared

Transition the activities making them fun and specific for the needs of the students involved. The students have shown excellent organisational skills demonstrat- ing the ability to both set up and lead the activities each week. The club will take a break next half term but will begin again with a new batch of young leaders being mentored by the Year 11 leaders. The students involved are: Molly Adamson, Mikaela Cobby, Laura-Jo Simcox and Lauren Dyche.

Carmountside Primary School Sports Club

Three sports leaders are currently having great success each week running a multi sport fitness club at Carmountside Primary School. Emillie Corden (senior sports leader) has done a fantastic job mentoring the Year 8 leaders each week, their leadership skills have greatly improved under Emillie’s guidance. Large numbers attend the club each week and really enjoy themselves. The club will continue after Easter. Well done Emillie, Rebecca and Antonia.

Science

This term has focused around Digestion and Chemical reactions, Year 5 and 6 students are also experiencing ‘science in the lab’, an excellent opportunity for students to work in our secondary environment and experience our state of the art facilities. This is a program we are hoping to introduce on a more regular basis, we are hopefully looking at creating a rolling programme of visits.

Page 8 Creativity ------Digital Creativity Digital Multi Media Experience Media Multi

of both projects, which can be found on the gateway. Please keep an eye out for up to date developments We’re running We’re the lab at least one day a week with up to 5 days per week planned on occasion. The idea is to be always open during and that teachers can students come in, get curious learn, these hack and create. days so nology and look at recycling technology on the verge of being scrapped. The Hacklab needs equipment and the work has started to find unused tech unused find to started has work the and equipment needs Hacklab The work in groups, using curiosity and creativeness to solve problems and devel and problems solve to creativeness and curiosity using groups, in work Hacklab. ever first schools the of development the through products digital op ronments as open systems, full of opportunities to expand the technology further. technology the expand to opportunities of full systems, open as ronments Staff andstudents will be encouraged and provided with opportunities to Both grants will allow students to gain valuable hands on experience of creativity creativity of experience on hands valuable gain to students envi allow digital will of grants think Both to participants Inviting technologies. digital of range a using al experiences within learning through the opening of a Hacklab. The first isdio the station development and the of second the schools project first is ever to enhance ra digital learners digit two two separate creative thanks developments, to the both expertise of our of which external partnership being are work with Bitjam. run from from two external Arts tery companies Funded Awards – for Arts All. Council This and additional also money the is being Lot for used We We are very proud to announce our success in gaining funding Keeling, Keeling, assisting and working with smaller groups of 6 students. Year strong, strong, creative, individual and has beena our great learning students experience for also. Students from Birches Head have accompanied Mr students students have been keen to rience explore our Green animation Screen facilities. further Work produced and so far also has really been expe This term has seen positive andexciting visits to the local primary schools, Page 9 Prefects

The prefects have taken their responsibilities seriously throughout and offered their services when requested to do so, their final duties will com- mence after the Easter holidays. I would like to thank the prefects for their continued support in raising the profile and visions of the school.

TILT Reps

This term the TILT reps have reformed and new members have joined. They have had regular meetings and are now embarking on a new and exciting project with the school catering company. This is from gathering information from surveys on healthy- eat ing and the views of students on the current menu to creating a sandwich which will be on sale in the dining room for others to experience.

This term TILT reps have shown enthusiasm and commitment to developing as a team and moving their projects forward. Well done and I look forwarding to hearing more in the coming term on your projects!

Year 11 Students – Goodbye and good luck

The time comes around so quickly when we start to say goodbye to our Year 11 students. It is with conviction that we say we are sure that you will all succeed in gaining the GCSEs that you de- serve and only motivation and determination will support this.

Student Action Teams Action Student With this in mind our last final goodbyes will be June 28th 2013 when your GCSEs are completed and we hold our Year 11 leavers assembly and look forward to a fun evening at the school prom at Crewe Hall.

All the staff at Birches Head High Schoolwish you all the very best for your future.

Page 10 BHHS Beats Bullying ------Anti-Bullying Week Anti-Bullying Through assemblies in Anti-Bullying Anti-Bullying in assemblies Through a with ‘Words’, at looked we Week very powerful presentation using Beat Bullying Beat

sons, assemblies, the report bullying page) where to ensure and all students know how they can feel safe within the school environment. The team will be ways creating we new access displays Anti-Bullying around in school school explaining (via the personal development les play play on their school E-Safety boards and in video format for Assemblies. lying project, they will deliver the project to Y6 students and to then Birches return Head High School to create a comic strip with ‘widgets’ to dis Year Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 cohorts; we are looking forward to hearing their contributionsto theteam. Beat Bullying will be visiting before the a Primaryend School of the Spring term to deliver the Barney & Echo cyber-bul guage we will be displaying posters of positive images and quotes around school. around quotes and images positive of posters displaying be will we guage New members have been welcomed into the Beat Bullying Team from language which didn’t need any verbal communication but still conveyed a very a conveyed still but communication verbal any need didn’t which language lan positive of balance the addressing towards work To message. distressing visual images with words and music. This was to highlight the use of negative negative of use the highlight to was This music. and words with images visual realising necessarily without other each towards use people young language body negative saw also We someone. upon has this emotion and impact the the young person onto a more experienced trained counsellor if necessary. had to learn a salutation and explain to the young person who they will be ‘chat be will they who ‘widget’a colourful person cool themidentify and have user a name, they to create young the to explain and salutation a learn to had signpost then they them, ‘chat’ with to time short a have only they ting’ with monitored by the Mindful Mentors-Beat Bullying organisation and school. This school. and organisation Bullying Mentors-Beat Mindful the by monitored will They effort. and time their of students the from contribution voluntary a is an intensive 2 day training programme in school to enable them to cyber-men to them enable to school in programme training day 2 intensive an be will students The home. at computers their from on-line people young tor Bullying Bullying to take part in their training for received Mindful have Mentors, and these opportunity are cyber fantastic this given were students 24 mentors. We We have been chosen by the leading UK’s bullying prevention charity: Beat Page 11 Futures Curriculum

In the Summer Term students in Year 7 will be experiencing an exciting different way of learning; in each subject students will be working on creative enquiries.

Students will experience a ‘big event’ on the topic they are studying in each subject and will be supported by their teachers to develop questions to learn more.

Students will then work both independently and in groups to explore the topic before creating a resource they have planned.

Working in this way encourages students to work cooperatively and independently, to plan and use their time effectively and to have the confidence to ask questions and find answers by themselves.

Year 7 Futures Year Students will focus on specific skills including organisation, giving rea- sons for opinions and actions, design and asking relevant questions.

At the end of the Summer Term students will present and share their completed projects in celebration events and there may be opportunities for you to visit the school to view their work.

Page 12 Exams - - - - Boards Boards on 7th March 2013 and the results from the March ams ex was on 18th released April 2013. The main exam season for Year 11 begins on 13th May. Exam time tables are in the proc ess of being finalised and will be sent out to students in April. The Results Preparation Equipment Essentials that students will need and ruler a pencil, a pen, black a are an eraser, all 4 can of these be items dent reception for purchased just 50 pence. from stu

equipment equipment for when they sit the exam. concentration)also and have ensure all they the right house (food the brain feeds and helps them a good breakfast before they leave the for for their upcoming exams. You can help them for to revision, make sure go they get through a good their nights sleep before notes the exam, give As a parent there are many things you can do to help your child prepare results for summer exams will be available to students on 22nd August 2013. August 22nd on students to available be will exams summer for results

The results from the January exams was released by Exam Page 13 14 – 19 Pathways

Year 11 Activ8 Scheme Ten of our Year 11 students have completed an extended work experience placement run in conjunction with The Staffordshire Partnership. The students completed 10 days work experience over a period of 10 weeks and built up a portfolio based around skills for working life. Place- ments have included Northwood Stadium, Goodwin’s Engineering, Kids & Co and ABM Catering, the catering company providing meals at the Stoke City Training Ground, amongst others. The students have also been on visits to local colleges and training providers to help them make post-16 choices. All placements have been a huge success, with some of the students gaining part-time jobs, and all students will be - invit ed to an awards event to receive certificates in the near future.

Year 11 School/College Partnerships The Year 11 students who study at Stoke-on-Trent College on Fridays are about to start the final module of their course and all six of them should gain an NVQ qualification in either Construction or Engineering. An awards event will take place on Friday 26 April at the Burslem Cam- pus; parents will receive an invitation to attend from the college. College Links

Year 11 Careers The whole of Year 11 have been busy applying to college or for apprenticeships, ready for when they leave school this year. The college liaison staff have been in school frequently to answer any questions and give advice, and Simon Smallman from the Careers- Serv ice has been conducting individual interviews and offering workshops. A range of taster events at the local colleges and training providers has also been arranged and many students have found these beneficial in helping them to make choices regarding their future. Simon Smallman (Careers Service) and Josephine Povey (14 – 19 Pathways) will be available on GCSE results day to offer information and guidance regarding college placements and transition.

Year 10 School/College Partnerships Gavin Potts, who is studying Construction at Stoke-on-Trent College on Tues- days, is fast becoming the Birches Head student to have gained the most praise postcards from the college ever! Well done Gavin, keep up the good work.

Page 14 Homework ------Timetable What is Expected? What Website and Gateway Website Why are Planners Important? Planners are Why Why is Homework Important? Homework is Why

each class in that year group and their homework timetable. tables tables are on on the gateway the and homework linked to tab year and groups. If then you the click year group you will find The homework timetable is constructed for each class. The time value value and encourage parents supporting their children work with and their home ensuring that everyone’s learning potential is being achieved. which enables you to support and help them. Where a this small statement is of what not the possible students have to do is uploaded. We really ondly, ondly, our teachers upload a copy Where of possible we ask teachers the to upload an exact homework copy of the homework onto the gateway. tion of homework. Firstly, this allowsyou to investigate closely what your child is learning in their lessons and share the learning with them. Sec by by the teachers. The gateway site also contains an electronic copy homework of the timetable should students have accidently Birches lost Head their At copy. we value immensely parental engagement in the comple The school website ‘the gateway’ is where all homework is uploaded being recorded then please encourage your child to remind their teacher! where where the students have their individual copy of the homework timetable (stuck in) and also where they write in the details of what the is homework and when it has to be completed If by. you notice that homework is not Our student planners are a really important part of homework. This is dents dents complete it to the best of their ability and submit it on time. cally cally for every class to enable ensure all that subjects there to are issue no homework When more but homework is than also given to 3 the students pieces the expectation is of that the homework stu per night. Teachers Teachers are expected ance to with the issue homework homework timetable. This to timetable students written is in specifi accord at school to their teachers, parents, family and friends. Homework may also be be also may Homework friends. and family parents, teachers, their to school at learning. lessons next the for preparation in done be to needs that something Homework offers an opportunity for our students to show what they have learned learned have they lesson. the during what occurred has show that learning the to of extension an students is Homework our for opportunity an offers Homework Page 15 The SEN team work with students identified as having a special educational need. The team work throughout the school topro- vide additional support in lessons, small group and one to one interventions and modify and develop resources. During this term we are collaborating with the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Services to support the development of vocabulary in

SEN our students. Activities and resources will be available to support the development of language skills and extend their understanding of words.

The Zone@lunch

At lunchtimes the SEN team offer a supported social environment for students to develop friendships and social skills whilst enjoying board games, card games, puzzles, quizes or just sitting chatting. Over the last term the number of members has grown by 20%. The group meets in the SEN breakout area every lunchtime and students names can be nominated for the club by their House Learning Manager.

Need help with Homework?

Come along to our Homework Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the SEN breakout area or speak to Mrs Chawner or any member of our team. We can provide support after school or during lunch.

SEN Spotlight on... Epilepsy

Tuesday 26th March 2013 wass Purple Day, the international day of epilepsy awareness. Epilepsy is the mos common serious neurological condition and affects about 1 person in every 200. Epilepsy is a tendency to have recur- rent seizures. Seizures are a result of a brief, temporary disruption to the usual activity of the brain. They can present in a variety of ways and can sometimes present as absences that can often be mistaken for daydreaming.

Implications for learning

Students with epilepsy may experience difficulty in sustaining attention. Short-term memory may be impaired. Concentration and attention levels may be poor. Students may be distracted - byback ground noise in the classroom. They may also experience difficulties with problem solving, decision making and language skills.

Page 16 PLC ------PLC

bus fund as well as a reward trip to be organised by the students. Next Next term learnt we over are prise the planning projects past on which year developing will provide and some funds undertaking of towards a the the series skills school mini of enter the sinks up for sale next term as well as our hanging baskets. In addition to fast sinks this from the the for science students labs the and minibus sold recycledhave fund. them on Plans many to are provide funds in of the Bel progress to plant the rest of vide the muscle to put some of their plans into reality. Poor Poor weather plans are has in put progress work some with the restrictions “grow on it group” progress to pro but poly tunnel. The PLC rot and also cumin built soup a to recycled help promote table TILT and at cooked the a Year 7 car open night. The students have built vegetable patches for tor use groups by the as air house well tu as developing the now sizeable plot around the Making the best recycling wood use left by the of builders to support their groups across new school. the room the students have been ence known with a variety of projects across the school. The PLC has had an active year this year, making their pres Page 17 STEM

This term students have been participating in a variety of experiments.

The first session saw students using food dye on vegetable stems such as celery to see the patterns and channels present but not always visible to the naked eye. Part of this session involved students mixing PVA with borax to create silly putty.

As an outdoor technology based task students launched Chinese lanterns

STEM into the sky. They then stood back and observed the lanterns as they as- cended until eventually they were out of sight. The outcome of this project is that the students understand the principle of how air rises when heat is introduced. This then creates a mini project where students could undertake experiments involving time, distance and fuel. The students could adjust the fuel burn time according to calculated distance and estimated time to reach its destination. This mini project would incorporate maths in calcu- lating time, distance and fuel, which is one of the key elements of STEM.

A session on criminology engaged the students in profile matching. This involved cut outs of criminal’s faces (see photograph below) being put together to match their profile which was displayed on a projector. The University Student Ambassadors then opened up a discussion on fin- ger-prints e.g. how to obtain them from objects using talcum powder.

A session on enamelling involved students creating a copper leaf. Cop- per was cut using tin snips into the shape of a leaf and the outer edg- es were shaped using a file. Using a hammer and anvil the students introduced a curve to the leaf. Enamel particles were then applied to the leaf and heated at a high temperature to bond the enamel to the copper surface. When cooled this formed a colourful tough layer.

In April students from Birches Head will be attending the Stafford- shire University to participate in Science based activities demonstrat- ing their new found knowledge. This demonstration will be by power point and will be showcased to the University and other local schools.

Outside Ambassadors will be paying a visit to Birch- es Head to assist with the Green power racing car challenge.

Page 18 STEM Page 19 CEOP Safer Internet Day - Connect with Respect

This February Miss Parker and the Safer School’s Police officer Wendy Rigby worked ICT together to produce a series of internet safety assemblies. The assemblies featured a presentation and a few short videos. They focused around social networking sites and encouraged our students to think about how much they are sharing about themselves online. Wendy spoke to the students about their Facebook/Twitter privacy settings and the dangers of post- ing or sending images via the internet or mobile phones. Everything that is placed online leaves a digital footprint and a trail back to the individual. Students were made aware of this ‘trail’ throughout the week of assemblies.

E Learning

Most subjects are now using Apple iPads and apps in lessons. MFL, Science, Art, and PE are currently running projects using iPads. In addition, each of these subjects is also streaming iPad data via wireless Ap- ple TV to classroom interactive whiteboards. PE are using a Coach’s Eye app to film and analyse training by immediately showing students their techniques. This is achieved by analysing video in slow motion and picking out specific areas of the exercise for improvement.

MFL (French) are using a MadPad app to create French Songs which can be played by tapping the students’ faces. Large groups of students record themselves as little snapshots so the voices and images combine to create a full song. Science are using the iPad to capture and graph data along with Apple TV. Students in the Science department have found some innovative ways to produce some good work with the iPads. We now have a good mixture of PCs, laptops and tablet computers that can be booked out as learning resources.

All of the iPads used in school have a number of applications -in stalled that we think will be useful to aid learning and teaching.

Page 20 ICT - - - - - hundred hundred ‘still’ images andputs these then together as a It’s movie. a useful and educational re whole school use which used can to record be developing events record be to need which events or ed over-night such as the tak chicks’ by works camera The hatching. ing anything from a few to a few Parent Mail Parent Parents’ Gateway Parents’ Chick Hatching in time for Easter for in time Chick Hatching

If your them, registration please details contact have the expired school to get or a you new forgotten have login registration. If you have had your registrationdetails, receiving informationgo onlinefrom Birches register and Head to start High School via text and email. source source that plants can growing capture daily anything in from Science the or for chicks animation hatching use to in Media. It’s It’s chick hatching timeagain and this year we camera willto record bethe whole event. a time-lapse using We now have a time-lapsecamera for ten ten your username or password, bircheshead.org.uk then or call 01782 864900 you to speak can to one of email: the ICT team. itservices@dept. If you are having trouble accessing the parents’ page or you have forgot news. news. All rens’ parents details should be such able as to view attendance their and child’s or positive child behaviour points. Miss Parker updates the parents’ page announcements and Page 21 Good News In Art! Year 11 students are preparing for their final exam and beginning to present coursework ready to be shown in an end of year exhibition. Exhibitions are an important part of school decoration, especially when celebrating student achievement and the exhibition will be a nice opportunity for the Year 11’s to Art feel proud of the art work that they have worked on throughout the course.

Trips to the end of year degree shows at Staffordshire University and Newcas- tle College are also being planned for the summer term so that our students can appreciate the talents, skills, and designs involved in the production of artwork, ceramics, graphics, clothing and fashion items. The trips are also an amazing opportunity for students to view the work of college and university students and ask questions about career opportunities and pathways.

Year 7 – Celebrate and Enjoy Students will be undertaking an exciting and fun project during the summer term based around the theme of ‘Toys’. They will use processes such as drawing, print, paint and assemblage to represent colour, line and form and will create their very own mixed media piece of work. Learning Next Term: They will learn how to respond to artist research by asking relevant questions and- giv ing valuable opinions about their work. They will gain confidence in their own ideas and create designs that are inspired by artist research. Students will also learn how to communi- cate effective design ideas and work creatively using textileprocesses. Homework: All additional learning can be found in the ‘Additional Learn- ing Packs’ but will be discussed and clarified during lesson time each week.

Year 8 – 3D Construction Students will continue to work on the mixed media project based on the designing and making of a mechanical form based on tools, cogs or moving parts. Learning Next Term: Students will learn how to experiment with construction techniques and three dimensional processes when building a wall plaque to represent mechanical parts. They will gain confidence when using the construction materials and be able to demonstrate good use of health and safety procedures when using technical equipment. Homework: All additional learning can be found in the ‘Additional Learning Packs’ but will be discussed and clarified during lesson time each week.

Page 22 Art ------All Homework: Homework: additional learn ing can be found in the ‘Additional Learning but Packs’ will be cussed and dis clari fied during lesson time each week. Year 9 – Cakes and Sweets Sweets and 9 – Cakes Year Students will begin to make their final response Year 10 – Drawing Project on Sweets on Sweets Project 10 – Drawing Year All additional learning can found be in the ‘Additional

velop velop any missing pieces of coursework or past pieces of work. Learning Packs’ son but time each will week.ing Students be art club will (Period discussed also 6) need at to least and once think attend a about clarified week to refine, during amend les or de Homework: nal work. Finally students about will strengths and evaluate weaknesses their and work, any thinking areas for carefully future refinement. Learning Next Term: to the project and learn construct how to their master outcome new techniques, and present use and creative impulse develop to origi as all final outcome ideas will needto be different, quirky andinteresting. project project is aimed at facilitating independence andcreativity sustain to need will and far so achieved successfully whichhave group the in dents all stu the manipulation ofdifferent techniquesand processes The students will in mark-making. produce a variety of different drawings in pencil, crayon, The wrappers. and ink, based and print chalk, on sweet pastel, sweets biro, confectionary. The project will build on observationaltheir drawing skills and their through is imaginationto intended andstretch thought-processes Students Students will be starting a new project based on the theme ofsweets and health and safety procedures when using technical equipment. their finaloutcomes andstruction willmaterials confidence gain and when using the con be abledemonstrate to good use of develop develop a series of sculptures. The students will use materials a range of such different as paper, card, wire, mod-rock, and fabric to build Students Students will continue to work on the cakes begin sweets and to projectuse constructiontechniques and will and three dimensional processesto Page 23 KS3 After Easter all KS3 students will be issued with new Homework booklets to support the upcoming new projects they are completing in class. They will include a number of design and research tasks to be completed at home to reinforce their learning. Students will need to bring the booklet to each lesson as part of their basic equipment.

Year 7 Students in Year 7 have been busy learning about teamwork and structures and are now at the final stage of the project completing the bridges and getting ready to test them to destruction.

Upon completion of their product they will move on to thetop- ic of Drawing Techniques where students will learn all about 2 and 3 dimensional drawings and presentation techniques. The techniques of shade and tone will also be developed. This should be an exciting time for our Year 7 students in technology and give them a sound understanding of many ideas and techniques they will carry forward into Year 8 and beyond. Year 7 students will also complete a unit of work on CAD/ CAM learning the advantages and disadvantages of its use.

Year 8 Starting at Easter students will start on the Celtic Jewellery Project. Students will look to take inspiration for the Celtic age and use traditional skills along side CAD andCAM techniques to produce quality pewter cast item of jewellery.

In the second half of the term students will look at different types of wood and designing and making a jewellery box to house their bespoke jewellery. They will learn about the different types of woods and how they can be joined together. Design & Technology Design &

Year 9 Students have been working to complete a number of design and making tasks to help them prepare for KS4. This coming term they will start a graphics project to design and make a travel board game. They will focus on improving their designing skills and creating a more professional looking products. It has been an exciting time for our Year 9 students with up- take for the new Engineering course proving to be very popular.

Page 24 Design & Technology ------STEM Greenpower Scalextric4Schools Year 11 Product Design 11 Product Year Year 10 Product Design 10 Product Year

with any of these projects should contact the school. witness the amazing and vehicles, focus team work at evident these events. Anyone who is interested in attending or helping out build and then race an electric car. Holding events at weekends at major motor motor major at weekends at events Holding car. electric an race then and build can who public the from attendance excellent ensures UK the around circuits Requires students, guided by their teachers and an industry mentors, to design, to mentors, industry an and teachers their by guided students, Requires dents dents will be able to ners from race each against of the others regional in finals will nine compete regional in finals, nationalthe win final. Students Students will design able free their to car schools using as part 3D of modeling the software CAD in avail Schools initiative. Stu RAF Cosford in June competing against Schools from all over the UK and Russia. and 9 UK will students the Year Scalextric. school represent at the national finals the at over all from Schools against competing June in Cosford RAF for for schools with which partnership allows students in to PTC design, by build and developed race been their has very curriculum own The cars. Scalextric Scalextric4Schools is an excitingnew curriculum project are very lucky to have three Ambassadors from Staffordshire University work University Staffordshire from Ambassadors three have to lucky very are ing with our students completing a number of Science basedexperiments. STEM Club has been up and running for a term now on a Wednesday night. We We night. Wednesday a on now term a for running and up been has Club STEM ing written coursework at home or duringschool. Period After Easter students will 6 focusingThursdaybe a on after on exam prep revision. and the end of term. Students are all tion currently finishing of off the coursework. the making sec Students need completing be to any outstand This term has been the dents who are taking product busiest design. and All coursework is most to be finished important for for Year 11 stu exam exam to help them understand the exam requirements for next year. dents dents will also have to complete theory lessons to help them the prepare for exam. Towards the end of the term students will complete a mock will start, building on the subject knowledge from Key Stage 3 along the with introduction ofnew techniques both design practical and based. Stu ent ent metal working techniques including heat finish treatment and to quality improve the of product.the After controlled Easter assessments Students Students have just completed a project working with metal to design and make their own Bottleopeners. They have looked a at number of differ Page 25 Year 7 LRC Visits Year 7 have been enjoying visits to the LRC to celebrate Chinese New Year, with food tasting and creative tasks, and World Book Day. Mrs Lawton, the LRC manager, has already planned the next series of visits which include the return of Emma George from Hanley Library, always a popular visitor to the school. The LRC continues to be a vibrant and exciting learning environment and the department and students eagerly await our next visit!

Divine Poetry Year 7 students have taken part in a poetry competition run by Divine Chocolate and the Fair Trade organisation on the theme of ‘What choco-

English late means to me’. Many of the entries have focused on the times of the year when chocolate is given as part of a celebration, such as Easter or Christmas. The poems produced have been of a very high standard and Miss Gibbs was impressed by the imagination of Year 7: “I just love the poems, where do they get such wonderful ideas from?” Well done Year 7.

Chocolate Heaven Year 8 students have been busily planning for the launch of a tasty product, chocolate designed by the classes! Mrs Beard’s class have designed the packaging, slogans and advertisements for their own range of chocolate bars. The impressive advertising campaigns are guar- anteed to sell the confectionary. The results have been amazing!

Gifted and Talented Students Speak Out! Year 10 students have been involved in a speaking and listening project with a difference, the difference being that they have been given the task of remarketing Stoke-on-Trent to make it attractive to businesses wishing to relocate. The project, run by Staffordshire Partnerships, saw the students working with a range of local entrepreneurs. The expertise offered by the business brains saw our students’ ideas grow and blossom into the impressive plans that they presented to an audience at The New Vic Thea- tre. Mrs Brassington worked closely with the students and enjoyed “Seeing their confidence develop over the time spent with our business partners.”

Congratulations to Year 11 Year 11 students are poised for another impressive year following the results of the January GCSE. Progress has been made from the mocks taken in Year 10 to the most recent results, showing that Year 11 are living up to the high standards set in 2012 when the department matched its best ever results of 69% for A*-C. Well done Year 11, we know you can do it!

Page 26 English ------Homework for Term 3 Term for Homework Less confident readers: read with your child for How you can support your child’s learning this term: child’s support your can you How Take Take an activeinterest in their work – read your child’s writing Research into the themes discussed in the poetry being stud Research and a range of writing tasks surrounding the Timed reading and writing tasks in preparation for May’s examinations. May’s for preparation in tasks writing and reading Timed Direct your children towards Internet resources such as BBC Bite Range of tasks to theinvestigate ways that non fiction texts deliver Research into Research the life and times of and Shakespeare a range of writ

of text age types your child e.g. to use leaflets, quotationsfrom novels, the text newspapers, in theirpoetry. coursework. Encour and ask them about the fort task and is their homework being to ensure shown. that ef Encourage your children to read a range portance portance of the Year 10: PEE structure (Point, Evidence and Explanation). nation.Be positivewill about be Shakespeareto the studying use for quotationsand from theircoursework Dickens the text tasks. texts they Encourage in their coursework, your stress child the im size. size. Encourage students to read newspapers and watch programmes television news in preparation for the media sections of exami the Help them Year 9: to access resources for the areas being studied. rate rate punctuation watch the and news correct on the grammar. television Encourage and discuss current to them events. Confident Encourage readers: your to child encourage to raise read regular aloud their their awareness writing tasks widerand of to you the reading. necessity to use accu 15 minutes derstanding. every Reading evening matter and can ask be questions to whatever confirm interests un them. Years Years 7 – 8: writtenby the characters designedto increase understanding of11: the text. Year gate gate the Shakespearian text being studied including research into the and life times of Shakespeare and a range of task as such letters and diaries Year Year 10: ied, including the life and times of the poets. range A tasks of investi to Year 9: Year their to develop messages. the Tasks written skills ofstudents including the use of persuasive techniques to deliver a message to a specific audience. ry out research of and the Eritrea design and items Ethiopia, associated with the the countries cultures discussed in Refugee Boy. Year Year 8: themes discussed in the novel Refugee Boy. Students will car the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Planning and preparationstudents’ own for play based on the the themes of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Year 7: Year ing tasks including, diary entries and lettersfrom the main characters in Page 27 History Department News Year 11 students have completed their controlled assessment in the last term and we are now studying our final module on Britain 1890 – 1918. Year 11 students have been provided with revision and support packs and should be encouraged to attend after school and holiday revision sessions. The History Battlefields visit takes place between 8th – 10th July and will focus on exploring the battlefields around Ypres and the Som- me area. As we get closer to the visit there will be a meeting for parents to give more specific details about the organisation of the visit.

What students will be studying this term

History Year 8: students will complete their study of Stuart Britain before moving on to study key aspects of Native American society, exploring the range of communities and the impact of European settlement. Year 9: Students will explore aspects of modern world history including Nazi Germany and life in Britain during World War Two. Year 10: Students will continue to study their module on Weimar and Nazi Germany; this will then lead on to preparation for their controlled assessment. Year 11: Will be completing their source-based British Depth Study topic 1890-1918, following this students will focus their revision on their international relations and Germany modules.

How will students be assessed? In Year 10 and 11 assessment is specific and linked to their exam requirements and, both year groups will practice a series of short and extended responses which reflect their modular exams. In KS3 students will beas- sessed using source-based tasks which explore key events, and extended writing which examines historical change over the period studied.

Homework One aspect of KS3 homework is revision for in-class tests, students are frequently set revision tasks based on the topic they are studying, the revision practise will help them prepare for their formal History tests during the year. Other areas include source analysis skills, empathetic and creative writing, imagining you are part of the history you are studying. Year 10 will have a number of homeworks relating to their Germany depth study and Year 11 will have homeworks linked to their revision, these homeworks will be taken from their revision guides. Both Year 10 and Year 11 homeworks will also be based around exam-based questions and will build on the work in lessons and identified student need.

Page 28 Geography ------Geography Department News Department Geography What students will be studying this term will be studying students What Revision sessions for each of the three Global Environments: Are humans accelerating Glo Unit 2: People and Places to Live. Population and set Students will undertake a creative enquiry where, hav Students will learn about Earthquakes and Volcanoes be

units and exam practice for the exam paper/s. grade- grade- a study of Festival Year Park and the impact 11: it has Hanley. on had fects fects of Year 10: package holidays tlement. on Controlled assessment international unit tourist worth destinations. 25% of final GCSE Year Year 9: bal Climatic Change? Package Holidays: What are the ef Year Year 8: fore moving on to find out about Rivers riverand processes. theme park (Warwick sibility of Castle) locating they an will attraction then investigate in the the fea area close to the school. Year Year 7: ing considered factors important in the location of castle a and a their awareness and understanding of current geographical issues. age age them to ing take newspapers an or interest watching in the news the on world TV around to them enhance or via improve read sessment sessment work, what they to are complete required to this. of do and meeting Support how deadlines them they for intend with the timework management completed. be to terms in encour Also, lots of exciting You can activities support your child this term by events and asking them about their Key As students for to participate in. Tuesday Tuesday 23rd April is the first ever International Enterprise Day with Year 10 and 11 students are participating in fieldwork before Easter where we where Easter before fieldwork in participating are students 11 and 10 flood Year the to down District landforms. Peak the resultant in source the it’s from and Dane action River the in study will processes river the see to Cheshire in plain who achieved above national average results in Geography. exam exam performance ing even Geography further exam results following achieved the by record the break class of 2012 room room for improvement. There were stimulus, knowledge/memory recall, skills and extended writing questions. This is to driveup thestandards of Year 7, 8 and 9 had the opportunity to analyse their own exam papers to see to papers exam own their analyse to opportunity the had 9 and 8 7, Year which type of questions theywell performed on and wherewas there most Page 29 Year 7 Futures Curriculum (Licence to Cook) Students will continue developing practical food skills as part of - thegov ernment’s ‘Cooking Entitlement’. Students will focus on making more complex dishes which encourage families to eat healthy, filling and tasty meals and snacks, whilst also incorporating our ‘5 a day’. Recipes will be communicated to parents weekly and will be put on the gateway. Homework will involve developing organisational skills, by - get ting ingredients ready. Students could extend their learning byhelp- ing parents shop for ingredients to encourage wise shopping choices/budgeting and weighing out ingredients at home if possible.

GCSE Food & Nutrition What Year 10 will be learning during the Summer Term: Students will complete a unit of work entitled ‘Food Commodities’ which involves learning about major food commodities such as, meat, fish, eggs, cheese and milk. Also, convenience foods, ge- netically modified and fortified foods. Students will also complete a controlled Assessment which is worth 10% of the total marks.

GCSE Child Development What Year 10 will be learning during the Summer Term: Students will complete the unit of work on ‘Physical Development’ where we look at how a child develops physically, intellectually, emo- tionally and socially up to the age of five years. We will thencom- plete a ‘controlled assessment’ which involves learners comparing bot- tle feeding to breast feeding. This is worth 10% of the total marks. In the Summer Term Year 11 Students will spend this term completing past papers and going through exam technique, in preparation for the GCSE exam.

BTEC Health & Social Care What Year 10 will be learning during the Summer Term: BTEC Health & Social Care students will be completing a unit of work entitled ‘Ensuring safe environments in Health & Social Care’.

Human Development This involves completing a portfolio of work looking at thehaz- ards in Health & Social Care environments and current legislation.

During the Summer Term Year 11 BTEC Health & Social Care students will spend the remainder of their time in school improving each of their port- folios of work in a bid to try and get the highest grades possible. This is particularly important as this course is equivalent to two GCSE’s (grade C and above) and will support learners with college entry requirements.

Page 30 Human Development ------Sociology Homework We have arranged for a chef from ABM cater Events to look out for this term look out for to Events How parents can support their child’s learning support their child’s can parents How Year 10 Year Sociology students have filmed a debate that they have

will continuewho to be say with increased partners, they and in enjoy that a response ‘It and makes to ‘Student learn education voice’ relevant effectively andthrough real’! working The above visits and working with partners has been and organised organised and taken part in. parents They to also find plan out about to views interview teachers education on and and how changed. it has onstrate onstrate how to filleting. He a fish is also Sociology: and include going different to methods do of cook a ‘hands on’ workshop around bread. GCSE Food & Nutrition: ing to work with Mrs Johnson’s GCSE food group. He is going to dem derstand derstand knowledge when they plied to every can day life. To see this end, the its following visit relevance is being arranged: and it is ap Student Student voice has shown that learners feel they can engage and un velopment velopment students are the sort encouraged of to books available visit for children libraries aged between and 4-5 look years old. at the teacher, if there is any proof work read they don’t work understand. and Parents could check spellings etc. In addition, Y10 Child De about what they have been learning plete and encourage your coursework child to and com meet deadlines. Encourage your child to ask Ensure Ensure good attendance & punctuality for and learning that e.g. your child to is equipped bring a pen, pencil and ruler. Talk to your child GCSE questions taken from past papers. so homework Tasks may be to research consolidate or working learning on portfolio of tasks. work covered in class. lect their own and ingredients weigh to Completion out promote of coursework independent ingredients tasks learning at – skills courses BTEC home portfolio are if based, weigh scales available. Year Year 7 ‘Licence to Cook’ – students are encouraged to col Homework Homework will be based around research methods. They They will gy?, then The focus Family on and revising Education the and topics factors What affecting is education. Sociolo What What will Year 10 and Students Year 11 be will learning during the be Summer Term: completing a unit work of ‘Education’. on Page 31 Year 7

Students are continuing on a “Journey Around the World” this year. In the summer term they will develop their spreadsheet modelling skills to work out the costs of the trip and use their design and com- ICT munication skills to create a website. Homework will be set onceeve- ry two weeks and all resources can be found on the school Gateway.

Year 8

Multimedia is going to be the project which students focus on for the first term. Students will begin by looking at a number of applications to create quizzes and games. They will then move on to choose appropriate software to design and produce their own game or quiz based on a choice of given topics. Homework will be set once every two weeks and all resources can be found on the school Gateway.

Year 9 GCSE ICT

Students will complete a complex project titled “Welcome to Stoke” in the summer term. Students will consolidate their skills in design, modelling and data handling through producing a series of connected products intended for an unfamiliar audience of foreign visitors to the area. They will be assessed each lesson based on class work to determine their final National Curriculum level. Homework will be set onceeve ry two weeks and all resources can be found on the school Gateway.

Year 10 GCSE ICT (core)

Students will be continuing the academic GCSE course in 2012-13 which comprises theory, skills practice and controlled assessment, with a final written exam during Year 11. In the third term students willcom- plete the third activity of the controlled assessment “Get Up, Get- Mov ing”. They will write and record a podcast and also create a website. Students who have underperformed in the previous controlled assessment activities will be invited to attend extra-curricu- lar sessions. Homework will be set based on the needs of the controlled assessment and will include design and research tasks.

Parents can help by ensuring that students have access to a computer. The internet is not compulsory but would be an advantage.

Page 32 ICT ------Year 8 ICT Year Homework News Items News Year 11 GCSE ICT 11 GCSE (core) Year Year 7 Travel the World 7 Travel Year Year 11 GCSE ICT (option) Year

Year Year 8 have enjoyed developing duced their informative websites web on design range a skills of issues and affecting have young people. pro search/planning search/planning tasks during controlled assessment sessions. Students Students in Years 10 and mal 11 homework studying for tasks the during ICT GCSE the will theory have for part of the course and re All students will be be set accessed/viewed homework on via a the weekly basis ICT which can department Gateway pages. a sense of audience and purpose when producing their finalproducts. Students Students in Year 7 continue to enjoy planning theirand round have created newslettersto the promote it.world trip They have learnt and used a range of desktop publishing skills and are demonstratingcreativity and Parents Parents can help by puter. The ensuring internet that is students not have access compulsory to but a would com be an advantage. exam exam questions and use of online resources via the gateway ICT page. ple and Places” project. They will exam also in the be summer. revising Homework for will the be final given written weekly through practice Students Students will be finalising theircontrolled assessment tasks for “Peo the puter. puter. The internet is not compulsory but would be an advantage. Parents Parents can help by ensuring that students have access to a com mer. mer. Homework will tions be given and weekly use through practice exam ques online of resources via the gateway ICT page. Students Students will be revising for the final written exam in the sum Page 33 Gifted and Talented

The Department of Education has published a case study regarding our school involvement in the DUX scheme. The case study cov- ers why we chose to get involved and the positive impact it had on the nominated students Jonathan Dawson and Emily Corden.

We will continue this year with the award. Congratulations to Nicole Harrison and Katie Unwin who have been invited to Liverpool University on the 12th June 2013

Year 10 BTEC Business

Students will be continuing with BTEC coursework. They will- cov er this term Unit 2 Business Organisations. This unit aims to equip learners with the understanding of different business aims and objectives and how functional areas support the business.

Homework will be set bi-weekly and all resources can be found on the school Gateway. Parents can help by ensuring that students have access to business programmes such as Dragons Den and The Appren- tice. The internet is not compulsory but would be an advantage.

Year 11 BTEC Business

Students will be continuing with BTEC coursework they will cover this term Unit 22 Visual Merchandising. The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand the skills needed to promote and brand a product or service.

Homework will be set bi-weekly and all resources can be found on the

ICT & Business Studies ICT & Business school Gateway. Parents can help by ensuring that students have access to a business programmes such as Dragons Den and The Ap- prentice. The internet is not compulsory but would be an advantage.

Page 34 Maths ------Engagement This term they will be learning about frac Topics for the Summer Term for Topics Winmarleigh Hall Adventure Study Adventure Hall Winmarleigh This term they will be learning about 3D coordinates, si Students will be continuingto improve on their past performance Students will be looking at reading and interpreting graphs Students will be learning about how to convert between fractions,

not yet purchased them - a great tool to help with revision at home! need to make the most of the support that toring is on offer in through extra tu school time We and have revision guides thatP6 and runs workbooks available every for Thursday those who have after school. higher paper, and need to be pushing Those themselves who at have every not opportunity! yet achieved the C grade that they are aiming for, through through to success at GCSE. They are assessed regularly using past papers. A large number of students are working towards achieving A* - B on the Year 11: Year by identifyinggaps in their knowledge andfollowing a moretailored route equations and graphs, index notation All surds, and students will be sine assessed and cosine regularly using rules. past paper exam questions. Year Year 10 Higher: multaneous equations, Pythagoras and trigonometry, quadratic functions, tions, and percentages decimals,ratio andproportion, 3D shapes, area and perimeter, plans and elevations, linear equations and straight linegraphs. out the term, including the use of the projects and SATS style questions. Year 9 & Year 10 Foundation: decimals and percentages and identifyingprobability outcomes from ferent dif events. All students will complete assessments regularly through Year Year 8: Year Year 7: and identifying They will missing be learning angles about how to in triangles multiply and divide decimals. and quadrilaterals. an average Y8 look like, identifying their owncarbon ing footprint at and look ways of reducing it and using probability related to race nights. We We are currently trying to help students projects to completing and lessons into solving problem incorporating by put texts, maths into real life con or investigationsthat link skills to familiar scenarios, including what does peze peze swing. They also took part in archery and giant swing, where the stu again! said never Montali Mrs a go. have to all the teachers convinced dents abseiling, riding quad bikes, a climbing wall and the the students had to climb a 10m leap high pole then jump off of reachingfor a tra faith, where The residential tripwas a hugesuccess with 25 Y8&9students taking part in a wide range of activitiesover the fourdays. Thestudents had goa at Page 35 What Year 7 will be learning this term Homelife: rooms in the house, family life activities (introduction to past and future tenses) School life: school subjects, school daily routine and time. How will they be assessed: Students will be set writing, listening, reading and speaking tests taken just before the half-term and a final exam before the summer holidays. There will be also mini-tests MFL to assess whether they have learnt their vocabulary homework. Homework this term: Students will be expected to learn vocabulary and spelling by heart, and develop their independent learning by using our new and more extensive dedicated website. (www.linguascope.com). How you can support your child’s learning: • Get involved by checking their homework regularly. • If your child experiences problems with his/her homework, write a note in their planner so that they can be given extra help. • Encourage your child to explore the internet to reinforce their learning (www.linguascope.com – username and password available from their teacher) • Encourage your child to use the school computer club if they have no laptop or computer at home. • Obtain a bilingual dictionary with table of verbs in the middle.

What Year 8 will be learning this term Town, shopping: names of shops, directions, clothes, prices. School life: school subjects, transports, opinions, future plans, activities. Leisure time: activities in different time frames, entertainment, hobbies. Homework this term: Students in sets 2 will be expected to prepare for their FCSE examinations in reading and listening. In other sets, they will be expected to learn and apply grammar, and develop independent learning. They will be expected to cooperate and develop social skills while working in groups. How will they be assessed: Students in sets 2 will take reading and listening FCSE exams – Unit4 – Leisure time. They will also be tested through mini-tests to assess their grasp of grammar. There will be a key assessment before half-term and final exam before the summer holidays. How you can support your child’s learning: • The BBC has French programmes for schools late at night that can be recorded • Encourage your child to explore the internet to reinforce their learning (www.linguascope.org.uk) • Encourage your child to practise speaking French in front of a mirror! This will develop their speaking skills and self-confidence. • Encourage your child to read out loud to you in French!

Page 36 MFL ------Homework this term Homework How will they be assessed will they How will be assessed through a key assessment on How you can support your child’s learning child’s support your can you How What Year 9 set 2 will be learning this term 2 9 set Year What will be learning this term 3 9 set Year What What Year 9 set 1 will be learning this term be learning 1 will 9 set Year What will be assessed through a key assessment on lei will take the writing and speakingFCSE exams (Unit 6 – Lei Encourage Encourage your child Encourage your child to their proof-read work: they can read back in to read out loud Encourage your to child you to explore in the internet French! to reinforce their The BBC has French programmes late at night that can be recorded Help them your Encourage child to practise speaking French in front of a mirror! test themselves in vocabulary homework

English what they have written in Frenchto check out any missingwords. • learning, especially the cultural side (www.linguascope.uk; Google etc). • • • GCSE) for (especially self-confidence and skills speaking their develop will This • • ed to prepare for a presentation, and speak about wider issues (sets 1). ed through mini-tests. Students will also be phisticated expected to grammar apply more so writtento Orally, work. students will be expect In Year 9, There students will be will some learning be by heart expected of vocabulary to which will work be test more independently. shopping and money as well as mini-tests on vocabulary. sure). sure). They will Year also 9 be tested set to 3 assess their grasp of grammar. sure sure time as Year well9 set 2 regular as mini-testsin vocabulary and grammar Year Year 9 set 1 clothes shopping, tries and compare learn fashion about the with euro and French-speaking the exchange coun rates in euros. Shopping, fashion and money: they will learn about clothes and speech and a piece of writing about their favourite hobbies in different time hobbies indifferent speech and a piece favourite of writing about their frames. Express opinions and discuss the pro and cons of certain pastimes. (FCSE (FCSE unit 9 – Leisure time) Pastime and hobbies: They prepare will a to to complete the project. The result will be filmed and appear on Space TV. ing grammar structures in preparation for During the early part of the GCSE term, they will also get some training in Drama at KS4 theatre) (film, Leisure Leisure and BASL and project: Year entertainment, 9 using set different 1 time will frames learn all and about more challeng leisure Page 37 What Year 10 will be learning this term

School life: subjects, opinions, problems, activities, teachers, social issues. The world of work talk about jobs, work experience, future plans.

How will they be assessed Students will prepare a conversation on school life for their MFL GCSE speaking exam in June. In July, they will take mock GCSE reading and listening, and their first GCSE speaking exam.

Homework this term Students will be expected to apply the learning skills introduced in lessons to do their homework. Students will be expected to learn by heart lists of vocabulary and apply grammar work to all four skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing, and work independently. They will also be - expect ed to do their own research on the culture of French-speaking countries.

How you can support your child’s learning • Get involved by checking their homework regularly • If your child experiences problems with his/her homework, write a note in their planner so that they can be given extra help. • Encourage your child to explore the Internet to reinforce their learning (www.linguascope.com). They can get the password and user name from their teacher. • Encourage your child to use the school computer club if they have no laptop or computer at home. • Obtain a bilingual dictionary with table of verbs in the middle. • Buy vocabulary tester (booklet and CD for £4) from teacher.

Page 38 MFL ------French trip French Schools Abroad Good News – MFL News Good Paris-Disneyland 8-11 July 2013 Paris-Disneyland British Academy Schools Language Awards Language Schools Academy British

If you have any queries or comments, please email [email protected] email please comments, or queries any have you If There There will be a on meeting Wednesday for 26 June parents 2013 and at students 6 pm. going It is on essential that the trip you attend! courages courages our students to write in a foreign language with a real purpose. We We have also received loads of Christmas cards! This communication en Our Year 8 set 1 and Year 10 terparts students have been at writing to the their coun collège ters Maurice written Barrès. in We have English received their and let students our replied have in French. tion on the iPad). This adds a dimension to lessons and is a lot fun! Some groups in Year 8 and Year 9 have the done project classroom work as using iPad a in tool ing to engage through and technology. also to So enhance far greater learn we are trialling Madpad (an applica sult will be filmed and put Space on TV,watch so this space! Next Next half-term, ing students with and a staff drama will specialist to enhance receivingbe learning. train The re We are working in earnest with our Year 9 to expand the scope of the project. the of scope the expand to 9 Year our with earnest in working are We Page 39 Music by Mr A Hawke

I am writing to introduce myself as the new Lead Teacher ofMu- sic for Birches Head High School. I have been teaching for 6 and a half years and am moving to Stoke from a school in Battersea, South West London where I have taught since the beginning of my career. My wife and I are moving to the area with our baby son to be closer to family, and I am very much looking forward to getting started!

Music My musical background is in Rock music and Jazz, and the highlight of my performing career was probably playing at Glaston- bury Festival in 2008. My vision for music at Birches Head isfor every student to have the opportunity to learn an instrument, take part in lessons which interest and inspire them and to set up a number of clubs and ensembles at lunch times and after school. It would be fantastic for us to work towards having rock and pop bands, a jazz band, choirs and an orchestra, and maybe even to take students on a tour abroad in the future. I enjoy putting on concerts, and love the idea of holding our very own mini music festival at school!

To start the summer term, Year 7 will be learning about Soul music, Year 8 will be studying pop music and songwriting and Year 9 will be working on a Hip-Hop project. I look forward to meeting a great many students, staff and parents and getting to know youall!

Vocal Workshop with ReStoke

Students have been very privileged to take part in a series of vocal workshops, run and developed by Paul Rogerson from ReStoke. Students have experienced a variety of vocal warm ups, been introduced into the idea of making their own music and began to work on a performance piece.

The aim of the workshop is to link current social issues through Mu- sic, inspiring all to experience lyric writing and development of com- positional skills using new technologies. A really exciting project providing an opportunity to perform in front of other schools.

All students involved have risen to the challenge and worked in a collab- orative and creative way, developing their confidence and skills further.

Page 40 Personal Development ------Good News News Good Grow it Group Grow

along on Thursdays 3-4pm in I13. Everyone is welcome. sons vouchers collected in the Autumn have just arrived so it’s Anyone all go. wanting to join the Grow Group it please come tends tends Grow it Group. We are In now deciding addition how to the put it order to best use. of seeds compost and from the 1000 Morri We We have also been awarded £200 were by nominated the by PASS funding Wendy scheme Rigby as we – the Police Officer who often at tion. In order to and win we the finals are waiting we to have hearentered how some have we garden designs got on……. watchthis space. We We are on tenterhooks. Grow it group is so far in try the top for 6 the in the Morrisons coun Let’s Grow, Young Gardener of the Year competi received received a further 6 hard follow work. up The sessions students where will they have receive all their shown awards on 26th March. toring toring their peers in order to scribed prevent as smoking. having the Our best students attitudes were de at their two training day have and This is a peer mentoring programme that has trained students in men SIST SIST peer mentoring programme run vider by the Team, Health Staffordshire Improvement and Pro Stoke-on-Trent Partnership Trust. NHS Twenty-nine Twenty-nine Year 8 students have taken part in the DeCIPHER AS Page 41 Year 7

Learning Topics Students will be completing a series of activities based on accu- rate replication, invasion games and problem solving activities.

How are they assessed? Students are assessed through the futures rubric skills (Com- pare and Contrast) and the National Curriculum attainment descriptors. There are 5 key areas that the National Curriculum addresses and each student is assessed on their ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in each of them. They are developing and applying new skills, effective decision making, evaluating and improving, physical and mental capacity and informed choices about healthy lifestyles.

How can you help? Making sure that students are fully prepared for physical education by having the correct kit (blue polo shirt, blue hoodie, blue or black tracksuit bottoms and trainers).

Year 8

Learning Topics Students will be developing their performances and learning in activities in performing at maximum levels such as track and field athletic events and cricket. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the how muscles work (origin, insertion and working in pairs –agonist and antagonist) through the theme of outwitting opponents.

Physical Education How are they assessed? Students are assessed through the National Curriculum attainment descriptors. There are 5 key areas that the National Curriculum addresses and each student is assessed on their ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in each of them. They are developing and applying new skills, effective decision making, evaluating and improving, physical and mental capacity and informed choices about healthy lifestyles.

How can you help? Making sure that students are fully prepared for physical education by having the correct kit (blue polo shirt, blue hoodie, blue or black tracksuit bottoms and trainers).

Page 42 Physical Education ------Year 9 Year Learning Topics Learning Topics Learning Years 10 and 11 Years How can you help? you can How How can you help? you can How How are they assessed? they are How How are they assessed? they are How

you you think this is something that might apply to you. having having the correct kit. Evidence can be gathered clubs from attendingoutside and activities toward in their a variety of forms BTEC that PE can submitted be qualification. See Mr Jenkins if Making sure that students are fully prepared for physical education by Fitness Testing and Training & training, testing : understand another person’s fitness componentsthe and of fitness psychology. sports Practical Sport:ply performance the ly understand correct how to rules of skills, officiate and and their analysis regulations, ability of their performance their ability to ap to ful Students Students are assessed in the following aspects: will also begin to complete a forms fitness testing the and second training module module which of the 2 required to gain their BTEC in PE. cal cal tasks. They have performed in both individual and cluding team activities football, in basketball, aerobics, badminton and handball. They Students Students have completed the theme ‘outwitting opponents’ togather ev idence for their BTEC accredited examination qualification. based and This evidence qualification gathered is through is non a series of practi by by having the correct kit. Help them with homework when it is given. nation in Year 11. These tests Making scores sure that be will students trackedand recorded. are fully prepared for physical education ten ten test at ous the exam end questions of that the will term. prepare This test students the will for consist the exami of previ dents’ dents’ knowledge themes, and understanding of will the GCSE be PE theoretical assessed through a standardised writ descriptors. descriptors. There are 5 dresses key and areas each student that knowledge is the assessed National on Curriculum and their ad ability to demonstrate understanding in each of them. The stu Students Students are assessed through the National Curriculum attainment sporting activities including, footballing (outwitting opponents), (problem orienteer solving) and athletics (performing maximumat levels). ing their knowledge and understanding ing of with the the PE GCSE National Curriculum. PE This will themes, start achieved be through such This is the start of a formal qualification. Students will develop be Page 43 City Cross Country Events Emillie Corden and Ryan Morris had the honour as senior sports leaders within the Stoke North Partnership to organise these events. This would involve both leaders designing the course, setting the course up, organising the other sports leaders and welcoming the primary schools as they arrived. This event has been a great success over the years and is a credit to the sports leaders who provide support each year.

Sports Leaders a Sports Leaders and Courses Numerous opportunities have been provided to the sports leaders to further develop their skills. Leaders have attended the following courses so far this term: • Boccia Level 1 Training (Frankie Lawrence, Rebecca Simp- son, Jordan Brocklehurst, Bethany Bourne, Emillie Corden, Sophie Balmer, Natasha Woodward, Shannon Woodward and Ryan Carter). • Adistar Ambassador Training (Sophie Balm- er, Shannon Woodward, Ash Shaw and Callum Leese). These courses have increased the skill base of the leaders. They will now use these skills to deliver intra house competitions within Birches Head and after school clubs at the local primary schools. Physical Education

Year 9 / Year 11 Boys Football The successful season for these two year groups continues with Year 9 beating James Brindley school and St Peters school 5-1 in both fixtures. Whilst drawing with Holden Lane school 1-1 to remain unbeaten. The Year 11 team also were in fine form winning three fixtures on the bounce, St Peter’s school 4-2, James Brindle school 2-0, and Blurton school 2-0.

Page 44 Physical Education ------Sports Hall Athletics Hall Sports County Futsal Results County Sports Leaders and Community Links Sports Leaders

fordshire fordshire County iant finals held effort resulted Fenton at in Manor. the The girls’ team val finishing overall. fourth tastic effort and contribution resulted in Birches Head finishing fourth overall. fourth finishing Head Birches in resulted contribution and effort tastic The Year 8 girls’ team also represented the city at the Staf Birches Birches Head High school represented fan the students’ The city February. in at Manor Fenton this at competition Schools’ year’s County Staffordshire sions each week. Their commitment and enthusiasm has been excellent. at at Northwood Stadium during ers have their supported the coaches little both planning stars and program. delivering short These ses lead leaders leaders and we are very proud that this partnership continuesto blossom. Sports Leaders have also been working very hard to provide support have have been working with level 2 sports leaders to assist with sports sessions sports our for opportunity amazing an been has This afternoons. Saturday on nership with Groundworks. This is a project run within the local parks for young young part the of continuation for the seen has term This parks community. local the within local the within run project a is This Groundworks. with nership School High Head Birches from Leaders Sports 16. and 5 between aged people Sports Leaders have been given the opportunity to further develop their skills their develop further to opportunity the given been have Leaders Sports showing showing excellent commitment. Well done we are really proud of you all. children children being present. This would be a task very their dauntingto tasksticking for excelled anyoneagain who but Head Birches from leaders sports not recording and thetoassisting primary organise recording num schoolstudents. Large primary school 100 over with events these primaryof schoolsattended bers Birches Birches Head leaders have successfully supported all of these events within the North Stoke area this term. This the involved students running, scoring, Page 45 For Year 7 students the topic will be sex and relationships education (SRE). In the second half term students will carry out a project around ‘One Water’ social enterprise. Assessment will be by self and peer reflection around the learning questions and this will be checked bythe teacher in order to assess progress in the first half term. In the second half term self and teacher assessment will be against a criteria sheet. To help your child this term please talk to them about their learning in PD, ask them what they have found out and about their opinions on each topic. Please support them in the second half term by pointing out ‘One Water’ products if you see them in the shops.

PSCHE Year 8 students will focus on the topic of citizenship in the first half term. In the second half term they study a unit around the heading Careers. In the citizenship lesson students will learn about how the UK is governed and will learn basic information about politics. In Careers students will be able to develop their aspirations. Assessment of politics will be in the form of a project assessed against criteria. Learning around careers will be assessed via answers to reflection questions at the end of each lesson. To help your child this term please talk to them about their learning in PD, ask them what they have found out and about their opinions on each topic.

Year 9 will be focussing on Financial Capability in the first half term and Human Rights in the final half term. Learning will be assessed by self reflection each lesson and by teacher assessment of contributions. To help your child in PD this term please talk to them about their learning and their opinions.

Year 10 will be exploring Cooperative Studies in the first half term followed by Citizenship in the second half term. This will include investigating up to two cooperative values in context. They will then have the opportunity to compare case studies. Assess- ment will be around case studies of cooperative organisations in the first half term, then by self reflection in the second half term.Staff will check understanding by questioning and monitoring discussions. To help your child please encourage discussion around all topics.

Year 11 will be completing a unit on Study Skills. They will be learning a variety of revision and exam techniques so that they can prepare for the Summer exams. Assessment will be in the form of self and peer reflection throughout the unit.

Page 46 Science ------Students will be com

Year 11 Year Students Students will be completing the final as Outside the classroom the Outside Year 10 topics for the 3rd term term the 3rd for 10 topics Year Students will be revisiting each of the core units Key Stage 3 topics for the 3rd term term 3rd the for 3 topics Stage Key Students Students studying BTEC Applied Science will be complet students will be investigating light and sound, be students will be learning about environment and ecological re studying some of the key areas of science in preparationfor SATS

ly important as the final deadline forcourse work is soon Easter! after pleted pleted to target students grade. need Again to ensure this en all and is work improve portfolio is in response completed work to by and feedback. the This deadline therefore next giv term is extreme BTEC BTEC Extended Certificate: signments for Unit 6 and catching up on anything they have not com and digestion,tionecosystems for and their evolution.B2 in June This (and B1 re-sits prepara in is for students). some GCSE Core pleting and the Additional Science: biology unit, studying circulation, respiration is completed by the deadline given and improve in response to feedback. reactions and how human and natural activities are affectingenviron the ment. This is portfoliowork students and need therefore to ensure allwork ing Unit 1 - Chemistry and Our Earth. They the will properties cover of the periodic different table, chemicalelements and compounds, chemical they they will work will be towards part of completing the Additional ScienceBTEC the Science: GCSE that controlled they will study assessment in Y11. that GCSE Core Science: in science in preparation for their GCSE exams May/June.in After this ly throughout the term, before which will being be term either assessed self students or by peer assessed, will the take class a teacher. At test the using end SATS of style questions. All students will complete written assessments regular Year Year 9: papers, before moving on to carry out a set of investigative projects. lationshipsbefore studying keeping Year fit and 8: healthy fore and reproduction. studying environment and ecological relationships. Year Year 7: it Trentham Monkey Farm. Letters will givenbe out Easter. after spectrum spectrum and planetarium. for Year students 7: to visit There Blackbrook will Zoo. be Year 8: a We visit are hoping arranged to vis Some of our Year as 9 and part Year 10 of students have the visited Jodrell Bank physics course, looking at the electromagnetic Page 47 During the Autumn Term, Year 7 investigated faith in our community. The students created a bill board poster that showed their understanding of how faiths are represented in our community and how/why this has changed over time. Year 8 students investigated the beginning of the Buddhist religion and how it is like and un- like other religions. They also completed an extended writing task where they explained the fundamental issues surrounding the religion.

Students showed great enthusiasm with these topics and expressed an interest in doing an in-depth study of this topic again when they enter KS4.

Year 7 What are they learning about? Pilgrimage to Mecca: Enjoy and achieve; what are the symbols of life? Creative enquiry: Students will develop a creative enquiry question that they will answer in the form of a storyboard or a memory board. Students will focus upon Islam, but will be encouraged to explore different faiths of their choice. Homework for the term Students will present their findings in one of the following ways: Sto- ry board, memory board or a memory box on a place of pilgrimage.

Year 8 What are they learning about? The importance of Jerusalem to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Homework for the term The students will investigate why and how Jerusalem isim- Society and Faith portant for the followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Year 9 What are they learning about? Year 9 are now doing the GCSE full course with the Welsh examin- ing board WJEC. However we are now offering a varied, tailor made pathway for students to enable them to achieve their full potential. Revision Students will practice exam questions and will be shown revision techniques that will prepare them for their exam in Year 10. Pathway ‘B’ – The Sanctity of Life To investigate ethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia and to compare their views with that of religious views. Assessment Students will be assessed by way of exam questions. Sce- nario based questions – solutions to ethical issues/problems. Page 48 Society and Faith ------Year 11 Year Year 10 Year Revision Assessment Assessment Student Voice Student GCSE Revision What are they learning about? they are What What are they learning about? learning they are What Pathway ‘C’Community Cohesion – Pathway Pathway ‘C’ – Creative enquiry – spirited arts ‘C’ enquiry – spirited – Creative Pathway

they they intend to ment complete in terms this. of meeting deadlines Support for them with the work time manage completed. be to You You can support Key your child Assessment this work, term what by asking they them are about required their to do and how from from them in key assessments and help to guide them in their learning. In response to feedback from showing student example work. voice This activities,will enable Students to see we will what we expect now be short extended writing task that explains their questions. exam Students Students will Create be a assessed piece of by artwork way that of answers exam their question style and questions. a Who is God – creation evolution v – purpose and meaning - causation. To To investigate believingchoose and in tion. They area God may creative via to wish enquiry. investigate investigate to and one will They or create more of following; the a specific ques tion, euthanasia and the mediainvestigated. are Issues surrounding life and death, abor Year Year 11 will be continuing with the GCSE coursefull Edexcel. by run tives andnegatives centred– around questions. exam Students Students will Creation be of assessed by way event an of poster exam questions. that highlights posi Students Students will investigate the benefits of living ciety and multi-faith/ethnic a in so compare this to the problems that occur in such societies. that will prepare them for their exam in May. They will revise both units 1 and 2. and 1 units both revise will They May. in exam their for them prepare will that Students will practice exam questions and will be shown revision techniques techniques revision shown be will and questions exam practice will Students WJEC. WJEC. However we way are for now students offering to enable varieda them tailor to achieve path made their full potential. Year Year 10 will be continuing with the GCSE coursefull run by Page 49 Air House Attendance The attendance during the Spring term is 93.3% which is anin- crease of 1.5% from the Autumn term, this shows the effort the Personal Tutors and House Learning Manager have made to the commitment to increase attendance each term.

The Year 11 cohort attendance has decreased by 1.6% since the Autumn term from 90.1% to 88.5%, they will remain a priority due to their revision and exam timetables.

Punctuality The house punctuality is at 5.8% which is a decrease of 0.2% with the Y11 cohort at 8% which is an increase of 1%. Punctuality is an on-going focus for the term enabling personal tutors to discuss with students and parents; the impact arriving late to school has on attainment through out the year. Air House Revision Sessions Concerted efforts by Year 11 students are being made - toat tend the P6 sessions after school for revision. Most Y11 students have experienced a College interview with lots of offers for places.

Attitudes to Learning The Attitudes to Learning (A2L) behaviour targets are becoming em- bedded and the data is highlighting areas for students to focus targets around. The majority of students are moving towards level 4’s, personal tutors are monitoring and discussing targets with students on a termly basis. We will be sending letters to parents on a termly basis explaining the A2L data and levels.

Prefects The Prefects team are putting lots of energy into motivating students to actively take part in the after school clubs. The Graffiti clubarede- signing a piece of art work which will be displayed in the Science area.

TILT The Tilt representatives organised the fund raising events for- Valen tine’s Day, ranging from designing cards, personalised messages on cupcakes and including a rota of stalls and students to manage them.

Page 50 Air House - - - Comic Relief Bags2School Knit and Stitch Craft Club Craft Stitch and Knit

We We would like to wish everyone a Holy Easter from the Air House Team. Easter Easter holidays as an opportunity wanted to sort items out some ready more of for your the un next collection in the Summer term. A huge thank you to all who raided their wardrobes, please take the Masses of Bags2School re-cycling textiles bagswere brought into schoolto everywhere! bags blue were there project, gardening Tilt the for money raise Nose Day best with a individual fancy costumes dress and theme, with the prizes best for the House 3 competition. Students Students have enjoyed celebrating Comic Relief’s Red pended the visits to has the improved; BMX students Park are in eagerly Crewe monitoring until the the cold weather weather stations. edge edge and skills with lovely students way and to staff. spend This Thursday calm evenings environment after is a school. have We sus learning learning how to local crochet! community We join have the had group two for volunteers a from week the sharing their knowl The Knit & Students Stitch are Craft learning Club how to increasingis knit, sew, its cross numbers stitch, each week. and staff are Page 51 I would like to say a huge thank you to all in fire house for all of your hard work over the Spring term. We have seen some very difficult weather conditions and a variety of illnesses and yetFire house has remained a very positive and friendly group. With this in mind, I would also like to echo the recent results of a questionnaire which on the question of whether students in fire felt proud oftheir house there was an overwhelming yes. This term has also had me feeling very proud to be part of this team and I look forward to the summer term which with a combination of this good feeling and hopefully some nice weather we will continue to deliver great results.

New Tutors I would like to belatedly welcome two new members of the tutorial team to the house. Miss Presti and Mr Jenkins who have both seamless- ly taken on their roles and already proved popular among the students.

Fire House Attendance Because of the recent wintery weather and the illness men- tioned earlier our attendance figures have seen a sharp decline. We currently stand at just over 92% which is almost 2% low- er than the highs of the autumn term however this has been improving week after week and still the highest in the school. Wehope that the determination shown by our students will continue tobe demonstrated and that we can continue as the highest attending house by the end of the year.

Miss Jones’s form (FAJN) are the winners of our house competition for the highest average attendance however this was an extremely close run thing as they narrowly beat last terms winners, Mr Colclough’s form (FLCH), by 0.1%! This has been a very competitive prize and we all look forward to the battle for this trophy in the final term of the year.

Attitude to Learning The scores for attitude to learning (A2L) are also a reason to be proud. We now have a hugely impressive 208 out of 247 of our students rated by their teaches as either good or outstanding, this equates to 84% of fire house who are in the top 2 categories, and is a real success upon which we can now build.

Particular congratulations goes to Miss Robson’s tutor group (FNR) who were the highest average A2L score for the second consecutive term and retain our house A2Ltrophy.

Page 52 Fire House ------Charity Student Recognition Student Catering Competition Catering

S. Willis (Fire) House Learning Manager er, er, a lovely break and my best wishes for the coming Summer term. Cancer Research UK and takes place in Trentham Gardens on the 11th place June. UK Cancer in and Research Trentham takes May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy East like anybody who would like to be involved in, or support, the team to contact contact to team the support, or in, involved be to like would who anybody like supports Life for Race aware not is that anybody For possible. as soon as her I would like to advertise another charity event being run by one of our tutors tutors our of one by run being event charity another advertise to like would I in fire house. is Miss a organising for Bridgewater Raceteam Life andwould and an option of a free sandwichevery dayfor the summerterm! We are always happy to celebrate the successes of our Courtney! done tasty…well house more even lunchtimes and making involves this particularlywhen so the winner with her entry of ham Philadelphia, and salad, glazed Court was ney Thompson. Courtney was awarded with a certificate, some chocolates The school ABM, caterer, recently ran a competition for students to create a ‘dream sandwich’. Entries flooded in but I am pleasedto announce that ers ers to help out with this and raise plenty of money for this good cause. willing to go ahead with the plans despite the ing cold! We him will be in support the summer term where I hope to persuade a few teach itiativethat showed he organising in this event but self alsofor offeringas the him centrepiece of this. It should also be noted that Sean was still ters, ters, organised a charity ‘sponging’ event to raise money for help the roes he charity. Although this eventually had to be cancelled due to the very cold weather that struck, Sean deserves a lot of credit not only for the in It is also worth mentioning that another of students,our Wal Sean port the TILT forum ple and within has the impressed local teachers, community students with and his peo enthusiasm and hard work. his services, not whole. only Adam within is his constantly giving house up but his also time the after school school as a to sup A special mention goes to Adam Bagguley, who dent presented was of stu with the term for fire house. He has awardedbeen this for honour Page 53 House Overview

Water House have temporarily been absent of a House Learning Manager for this term, however, I have lead the Water House team in the interim and it has been a pleasure. The house as a whole has a very welcoming and friendly family ethos where students are happy to come and chat with you during break and lunch, wanting to bring forward new ideas for the house.

Attitudes to Learning and Attendance

The average Attitude to Learning scores for the house is on aposi- tive trend with students gaining a greater understanding of the criteria and what is needed to make those next steps from good to outstanding.

Although whole school attendance is not where we would like it to be, Water House again is making steady progress and hopefully next term you will beat Fire House. If not this year there is always next!

Student Leadership

Water House The leadership qualities in Water house action teams are now developing, where representatives from all teams are willing to move the house and school forward in projects and listening to the voices of the students. I hope to see potential prefects and head boy/girls growing from Water house students. Keep it up!!

Rewards

We will continue to reward students during assemblies for all aspects of the school environment, from attending regularly to achieving good-outstanding Attitudes to Learning scores and academic progress.

Next Steps

After the Easter break the newly appointed House Learning Manager will begin his new role. Mr. Wallbank has already been in to school to experience a day at Birches Head High School and has introduced himself to various members of the Water House Personal Tutor team and spoke with many students. He is eager to meet everyone and to lead the Wa- ter House forward. I know that you all give him a very warm welcome.

Page 54 Good News Stories ------Newsflash Year 11 prom 28th June at Crewe Hall. Crewe 28th June at 11 prom Year Out and About Week. 10 students. Year for Experience Fortnight Work

range range a group meeting. Remember, you ers do not and have there to is ty great be no sing of age singers limit, coming together just and want doing to something be creative part and of fun. a communi ily would like to join us singing leave your together name and please telephone contact number the and we school will contact and you and ar tival to The create Regent Theatre in July. If and you feel you or/and members of perform your fam songs and finally present them at Are Are you a ily? budding Have singer you always or hoped is to song be your writer? part chance, of Is a we anyone singing group? have in Well committed now your to fam join theCreative Fes Arts • • The events that the school • has to look forward to in the future are: they they had presented to respectfulnot get anda better accolade than attentative that. That makes usvery throughout. proud as a school. You can the images and messages were from hard the presenters hitting was that but they factual. were the best feedback Year The 11 audience that Course”. Course”. The Year 11 students listened throughout and took the on board every two word that was hours spoken, though presentation some of Year Year 11 got lice and the fire service chance to fatal on watch crashes car a accidents and presentation “Crash called from the po on their possible career choices and what they require to access Universi ty. Feedback from students was very positivestating that they enjoyed it. All Year 9 students also participated in the Information, Advice their This decision supported and University. Keele by facilitated Guid ance Roadshow ary was the options marketcuss place with the teaching for staff what students all that entails. This parents and was great a to dis success! ing on transitioninto take Key in Stage Year 10 and 4, thinking the about bigger picture which of to options their careers. 28th Febru It is an exciting time for Year as 9 they currentlyare embark ing questions without bias.Anti These Bullying topics Fairtradeto this and term have received ranged been have from with respect for all. Assembly Assembly is the ideal ics opportunity that to develop discuss ics current students from events their both or own top morally personal and perspectives, socially allowing thought viewing provok top Page 55 http://www.worldbookday.com

World Book Day was a magical day of fantasy fun, passing on the passion for reading! But what is World Book Day? World Book Day is an extraor- dinary occasion, celebrating and encouraging children to read and exercise their minds. Even celebrities are getting involved in this year’s Book Day, enjoying the vast amount of books this world has to offer. An abyss of creativity and knowledge can be stored inside just a few pages of one book!

How did school celebrate World Book Day? On Thursday the 7th of March during dinner time, Mrs Lawton helped us celebrate this superb day by hosting a tea party in the LRC! To get into this tale-filled tea party, you had to bring in a book of your ownfrom home or one from the LRC and then you had to write a review of the book of your choice. At the tea party there was scrumptious cakes, glori- ous sandwiches and cooling refreshments (presented by Mrs Lawton and her helpers) and I must say that the presentation was absolutely splendid.

Another event was the ‘Passing on the Passion for Reading’

Latest News which Mrs Lawton organised for period 2 and period 4, in which Year 8 and 7 classes would come down to the LRC for volunteers (Katie Unwin, Lydia Morgan, Spencer O’Keefe, Ben Wilcox, James Poin- ton and Lucy Preece) to talk about their favourite novels and explain why they enjoy these books so much and what they were about.

There was so much going on in the LRC, they had a bookmark competition, where you had to design your own book mark and hopefully win your school and yourself book tokens (which you can use on books).

Another thing Mrs Lawton arranged was the distribution of £1 book vouchers, which you can use in stores such as WHSmiths and Waterstones. You can get a free book using these tokens.

Mrs Lawton and her staff worked very hard on this event, and we could see clearly that they wanted to make this day special, and in our eyes they succeeded and made a valiant and unforgettable day.

If you want to learn more about World Book Day, please visit the website address above or visit Mrs Lawton in the LRC.

By Katie Unwin and Ashira Smallman.

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