DATES FOR YOUR DIARY THE SCHOOL Spring Term Ends Thursday 7 th April A MATHS AND COMPUTING COLLEGE Summer Term Begins Tuesday, 26 th April

Summer Half Term Monday 30 th May 2011 to rd Friday 3 June Please remember to bring in your Sainsbury’s Newsletter April 2011 and Tesco vouchers to help us buy equipment nd Summer Term Ends Friday 22 July 2011 and computers for the school. Please either post them to the Main Office at the school or th Autumn Term Begins Tuesday 6 September 2011 place them in our collecting boxes in Reception. Thank you. Autumn Half Term Monday 24 th October 2011 to Friday 28 th October 2011

Autumn Term Ends Friday 16 th December 2011 Dear Parents and Guardians, Training Days th th Friday 8 April 2011, Tuesday 5 July 2011. We have had a very busy term with all our Year 11, 12 and 13 students working in preparation for their Bank Holidays not included in holidays above: forthcoming examinations. We wish them all th Monday, 25 April, Friday, 29th April - Royal Wedding success. Monday 2 nd May 2011 - May Day At last our planned improvements to our school buildings are coming to fruition. Using the proceeds from the sale of our farm land we are now able to embark upon a £5.5 million refurbishment programme. The work is due to start in July this year SSttuuddeenntt SSeerrvviicceess and will be phased over the next two years. We will Cultural Diversity Week 14-17 February produce a special edition newsletter next term that will outline all the details of our exciting lower school choir To celebrate the fact that we are truly a global society, The Summer Uniform developments and plans for the future. The music department has re-launched the choir this Billericay School students and staff took part in special assemblies, dinners and themed lessons over the four days term with great success. Thirty students from years You will also have received a letter regarding the The school summer polo shirt must be worn after the Easter before half term. The catering staff produced food from around 7, 8 and 9 gave their debut performance singing consultation relating to Academy Status for the holiday by all students in Years 7-10. These can be purchased the world on each day and the queues were definitely longer ‘Forget You’ by Cee Lo Green and they sounded great! school. The consultation finished on 25th March. from the Uniform Shop from 8.15 - 9.30am on Friday 8 th April than usual! The Governing Body will consider responses and or via the internet at www.simmonds-ltd.com. The shop will re- you will be informed of the outcome of their decision open at 8.15am on Tuesday 26 th April. The choir rehearses every Thursday lunchtime in C5 Our cross-curricular week brought everyone together as part of in the coming weeks. with a live band and EVERYONE is welcome. We are the school’s community cohesion campaign and we hope it will We wrote to parents at the end of last year explaining that due currently rehearsing all the latest songs by Rhianna, become a regular part of the school’s annual cycle of events As you are aware, all students will be expected to to the rise in VAT and the spiralling cost of raw materials within Ellie Goulding, Jessie J and many more. which educate and stimulate students to think beyond their return to school after Easter in summer uniform. the retail sector, it would be necessary for our uniform supplier, boundaries. Students in Year 11 wishing to continue to wear a S. Simmonds & Son Ltd. to review their prices. As a result the There are plans for a Summer Tour and a trip to the shirt and tie may do so. price of several of our uniform items will be increased from 1 st West End which is all very exciting. If you are April 2011 (internet prices may rise earlier). interested in joining the choir, please come along on I wish you all a very happy Easter. Thursdays, we would be very happy to see you. It is with much regret that this price increase has to be passed on to parents in these difficult times but the situation is unavoidable. As at present, the majority of our uniform items can be purchased on the high street. We will be sending our newsletter via email to those families who have already registered with their details. * We would be very interested to hear your feedback This change does not affect the price of the summer polo and whether you would like the newsletter by email in shirts, the price of which is as advertised. the future. If you have not already given us your email address, please contact the school office or email it to gateway@billericay..sch.uk

Mrs S. Hammond, Headteacher

If you would like to advertise in our newsletter please contact Jenny Titford on 01277 655191 School Road Billericay Essex CM12 9LH or email [email protected] for more details. www.billericay.essex.sch.uk Tel: 01277 655191 Fax: 01277 314414 NICK ULLMANN’S EPIC SWIMMING SUCCESS The GYMNASTICS During March we entered 2 District Schools Sports Association held its teams into the county and regional gymnastics floor and JOURNEY annual swimming gala at Gloucester Park Basildon on vault competition. This competition involved the girls Thursday 17th February 2011. Seven schools from http://www.justgiving.com/NICK-ULLMANN performing an individual floor routine and 2 vaults. The across the Billericay, Basildon and areas took girls were competing amongst the best gymnasts in the Mr Ullmann may be retiring from his position as Head of part in the competition in which county. The under 13 team consisted of Rebecca Wright, Modern Languages at The Billericay School but he will reigned triumphant! The even,t organised by The Millie Otter, Joanna Moss, Daisy Pointing, Elisha Howes definitely not be putting his feet up. Mr Ullmann will be Billericay School and , saw and Lillie Saunders. The U19 team: Rebecca Moss, embarking on a 1400 mile cycle ride from London to Vienna Billericay win the following Year groups; Antonia Otter, Lucy Ward, Jemima Morgan and Pelly covering up to 80 miles a day! Tizora all put in a great performance and were a credit to Year 7 Girls the school. With exceptional performances from Rebecca He hopes to raise at least £3000 for the Red Cross, a charity Year 8 Boys Moss scoring 8.9 for her floor routine and Millie Otter close to his heart and he is also seeking to raise the profile of Year 8 Girls who scored an 8.8 for her vault. a multi-cultural society; the plight of refugees; the need to save Year 9 Boys our precious resources and the importance of exercise and Year 9 Girls self-esteem. He has worked tirelessly to make students aware Year 10/11 Boys of the planet and other people. Year 10/11 Girls

His inspiration has already led to students helping to raise This meant that with a win in all four mixed relays The funds through school competitions, non-uniform day and a Billericay School also won: cricket match between staff and students! Overall Girls Nick Ullmann will be missed by everyone at the school when Overall Boys/and the overall gala. he leaves us at the end of the Spring Term but we plan to give him a big send off. The PE Department would like to congratulate all 2 students involved as it was a real team effort and every student’s result counted in our victory! We look forward to 2012 when we will be competing in the new swimming FENCING We are fortunate to be starting work pool at Gloucester Park. with an exceptional fencing coach – Chris Green. Chris is a brilliant coach who has himself competed for Great Billericay School 6th Form Student Holly Carter Britain and been placed 5th in the World. Chris and Featured in The Times Supplement 23rd March YR 10 BOYS FOOTBALL SUCCESS Sarah Pallier have been giving year 7 students the Congratulations to the Year 10 boys for reaching the Holly Carter (pictured in the centre above) recently opportunity to learn how to fence using a variety of featured in The Times alongside other young political U15 Essex Cup finals. They have beaten the following different weapons as well as providing all the correct activists from the three main parties who may one day be schools on route: safety equipment. Chris is hoping to discover some new shaping our future. fencing talent amongst our students to follow in his own footsteps. We are hoping to open this club up to other William De Ferrers Young people are showing a new enthusiasm for politics students later in the year so watch this space. with numbers growing all the time. Thousands of Plume members up to the age of 30 are now joining the three Britons main political parties and all are anxious for change and St. Martins to make their opinions known. King John

Holly is deputy chairwoman of the Essex branch of They now face Chingford in the Finals. Date and location Conservative Future (the youth body of the Conserva - to be confirmed. tive Party) and says that people from all backgrounds Some interesting statistics and social types are involved. They have more than • Mr Ullmann’s bike weighs 45 kilos when fully loaded 17,000 members aged up to 30 so Holly says it has a • He is aiming to complete 80 miles a day! good social life. Head of PE in the London Marathon • The journey includes a climb of 1100 m (which he is dreading) • His odometer currently stands at 50,000+ miles (a saving of 1500 gallons of petrol in an average car). “People in the organisation aren’t at all nerdy and geeky. Briony Pidgen will be running the London Everyone is really lovely,” Holly says. marathon for the charity Bliss. She was moved to As we go to press the Red Cross is TAG RUGBY We have been working closely “Just as it has become harder to sterotype the parties and raise money for Bliss when she heard about a helping the victims of the earthquake with Basildon Rugby Club this year. The club and senior the people who vote for them, I think it’s harder now to student who had twin brothers born at 26 weeks in Japan and providing valuable aid to coach Dave Hare ran an initiative for our older students refugees around the world. We take generalise about the people getting involved at a young in November 2010. One of the boys unfortunately age.” to train them to become young tag rugby leaders. After their work for granted but they rely on died but his brother is now a healthy 6lb. Her training they have ventured out once a week to help local our support. The Red Cross is totally student really wanted to help raise money for Primary Schools deliver Tag Rugby to years 3 and 4 after impartial and runs on humanitarian With Young Labour now having 15,000 members and Liberal Youth numbering 6,000 our young people are Bliss as they have done a great deal to assist his school. The scheme has seen lots of younger children principles relying totally on charitable family through a really difficult time. donations. taking an active part in influencing politicians and now becoming involved in this new sport and playing in a have a UK Youth Parliament with 600 elected members. variety of competitions over the year. A big thank you The students and staff and friends have all helped Mr Ullmann Her donation page is goes to our volunteer tag leaders who have done a great reach his current total of £2100 from fund- raising events. We all In 2006 the minimum age for becoming an MP was www.justgiving.com/brionypidgen job: Aaron Griffiths, Jack Cliffen, Mayowa Adeniran, reduced from 21 to 18 to match the voting age. wish him a safe and successful ride. Barney Hillman, Rob Crossland, Elliot Palmer and Alex Kyte. ROTARY Do you speak another language? YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER We have been very impressed with the number of OF THE YEAR students in our school who speak another language at home. On Friday 25th March, The Billericay School held the prize-giving ceremony for the Rotary Club of Billericay Some of these students have been able to take a and Mayflower Young Photographer of the Year GCSE/IGCSE/A- Level in their languages. competition. AMERICAN PANCAKE RECIPE The winner was Sam Roper, age 14 (£100) and the They have been successful in achieving good grades, runner up was James Wilson, age 15 (£50). giving them an additional GCSE/IGSCE/A-Level. These pancakes are light and fluffy and great for a weekend brunch. Try adding a large handful of fresh blueberries to the Awards of individual outstanding photographs (£25 If you feel you have the interest and ability to take a batter before cooking. each) went to Chloe Hardwick, age 16, James Wilson, GCSE/IGCSE in your home language, we would like to Sam Roper and Louis Minns, age 15. discuss this possibility with you. Ingredients • 135g/4¾oz plain flour The high standard of entries was commented upon by We have sample examination papers which include all 4 • 1 tsp baking powder Students from The Billericay School this week joined forces Judge Rotarian Chris Thurman the author of three books skills : listening, speaking, reading and writing. • ½ tsp salt with the Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland on photography. • 2 tbsp caster sugar conservation charity, to plant a native copse in the school • 130ml/4½fl oz milk grounds. The trees and shrubs are all native broadleaved He said: "I was impressed with many of the photos If you are interested in knowing more, please contact which were often very imaginative. Thank you again for • 1 large egg, lightly beaten which means, that with a little luck, they will be growing on Ms E McDonald (C10) or Mrs V Bellers (Modern entering our competition. I hope that some of you may Languages office) • 2 tbsp melted butter (allowed to cool slightly) well into the next century – when the children’s grandchildren get as much pleasure from photography as I have." or olive oil, plus extra for cooking will be able to inspect their handiwork. The award winning entries will now be entered into the To serve It’s all part of the Woodland Trust’s "More Trees, More Good" regional final so we wish all our budding photographers • Maple syrup campaign – the largest tree-planting mission the UK has ever good luck EXAM TIMETABLE • Butter seen. Launched in 2010, the project aims to facilitate the planting of 20 million native trees a year for the next 50 years. Summer 2011: Preparation method: It’s hoped that through the simple act of planting trees, children will grow up with a respect for the environment. 26th April – 13th May : French/German Asset Languages 1. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar into a large window : Year 10 language bowl. In a separate bowl or jug, lightly whisk together the milk For many of our students, this was the first time they had ever students only and egg, then whisk in the melted butter. planted a tree. Educating today’s children about the benefit of 2. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and, using a fork, looking after our environment will help protect the forests of 3rd – 12th May : Year 10 tests beat until you have a smooth batter. Any lumps will soon tomorrow. The “More Trees, More Good” campaign will disappear with a little mixing. Let the batter stand for a few hopefully make a lasting impact on the UK landscape - with 10th – 12th May : Internal SATS : Year 9 minutes. the help of our young children. 24th May GCSE PE: Yr 10 + 11 resits 3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. When it's melted, add a ladle of batter (or two if 16th May – 29th June : GCE & GCSE exams : Years your frying pan is big enough to cook two pancakes at the same 10 - 13 time). It will seem very thick but this is how it should be. Wait until the top of the pancake begins to bubble, then turn it over and 10th June : GCSE English Literature : Year 10 (this cook until both sides are golden brown and the pancake has replaces Year 10 English Literature risen to about 1cm (½in) thick. exam on 24th May) 4. Repeat until all the batter is used up. You can keep the 13th June – 1st July : French/German Asset Languages pancakes warm in a low oven, but they taste best fresh out the window : Year 9 language pan. students only 5. Serve with lashings of real maple syrup and extra butter if you like. Mr Bob Tyrell (Youth Officer,), Mr Andy Hunter (Club President) 13th June : GCSE Maths modules : Year 10 + James Wilson Yr11, Mr Chris Thurman (Judge) Year 11 resits TOP TIP: For extra-fluffy pancakes substitute self-raising flour for plain flour and still use the baking powder. Serve the pancakes Sam Roper Yr10, Chloe Hardwicke Yr12 and Louis Minns Yr11 21st June: GCSE Maths modules Yr10 resits with fresh strawberries and good vanilla ice cream. Use half buckwheat flour and half plain flour and serve with maple syrup 28th June : GCSE Science modules : Year 10 + Year 11 resits (not 21st June) and bacon. You can also add one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the buckwheat batter and serve with caramelised apple slices Please note there are no Year 10 English exams on 16th and and thick double cream. USED STAMPS APPEAL 18th May The students who helped plant 30 trees on a beautiful early Please can you collect any used stamps spring day were: for this appeal. Please save stamps leav - We would like to remind you that we do not normally authorise holiday ing 1 cm border around each one and ask absence, other than in exceptional circumstances, at any time of year Alice Santry, Connie Walker, Jenifer Newton, your son/daughter to pass them to Miss but it is vital that students in Years 9-13 are not absent during the Sam Goodfellow, Joseph Weekley, Kieran Knight, Hopkins in A2 or to the Language Office. exam period and that, with modular exams, this now stretches across Alexander Tyldesley and Lian Wilkinson Thank you. much of the year. If you have any concerns please contact the Exams Office in the first instance. Girly Girls? Board Breaking

The Inspirational Women Conference took place on Tuesday On Thursday 24th March 287 pupils from The Billericay School 22nd March 2011 at the Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. It featured joined up with around 800 schools across the UK making the news. talks by inspirational women and presentations, displays and performances from students. The audience consisted of 250 The pupils took part in BBC News School Report, a BBC project year 10 and 12 girls, female family members and a range of to engage 11-14-year-olds in the news. women from different careers, backgrounds and experiences. The whole event for around 350 people was organised by a Over the past few months the students in Year 7 have been working group of 21 year 10 girls and their year 12 assistants. An hard, training to be top journalists, carrying out interviews and important part of the day was a networking lunch where all the producing reports. students met a range of professional women. So why is this so important? ‘The students were really excited about BBC School News Report Day. They all worked really hard and came up with some great The conference is the culmination of a project undertaken by ideas,’ said English teacher, Stephanie Lodge. the Billericay School in conjunction with Creative Partnerships. The girls were surveyed about their hopes, aspirations and role On Thursday 24th March the students broadcasted their news, covering the stories of the day as well as their special report at The models. Most responded with female family members as their Lewis Fisher succeeds in breaking through the board role models whereas the same aged boys looked up to Inspirational Women’s conference held on Tuesday 22nd March celebrities or other men in the public eye. This isn’t because at The Chelmsford Civic Theatre. the girls don’t have any career aspirations but rather that they simply don’t know of any women who are doing the sort of To coincide with the Census, this year over 24,000 pupils from things they’re interested in. In the magazines and TV more than 300 schools have taken part in the School Report survey, programmes they consume, they have to look far too hard to answering questions on everything from how they travel to school find any examples of females they can really look up to and to what they think about the Royal Family. aspire to be like. You can find more reports from School Reporters on the BBC Speakers included: website www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport

Sarah Parmenter “From Essex to International. How I opened the door of opportunity”

Bridget Minamore “Miss Representation”

Naomi Williams “Because I am a girl campaign” (Plan International)

Sam Baker “A Conversation” (Editor in Chief of Red Magazine) Kevin Hall of Hallmark Training returned to The Billericay School to talk about achieving goals and aspirations in life. The culmination of the morning was a demonstration showing how you can be empowered and have enough self-belief to do what may seem impossible; for example whether you can break a solid piece of wood just using the heel of your hand.

There were a lot of doubtful faces and a few confident ones! The students were then given exercises to raise their adrenaline levels. One by one they stepped forward to attempt breaking a board. There were successful attempts of course but also a number of failures, who were then encouraged to believe they could do it on a second attempt. After a while the girls stepped up to the mark and realised it was down to technique not strength!

The students were left feeling elated and excited and The girls hope that these people can inspire their peers to knowing that they could actually achieve something that follow their dream careers or find interest in subjects they they would never have dreamed of attempting before. The previously had not discovered. They also hope that as a result lesson for life is that: if you put your mind to something and of this event they will agree that the people in the magazines really try your very best, then you will succeed. There may are not always as inspirational and as good a role model as be some disappointments and life will not be without its lots of ordinary women who do amazing work every day. These troubles but it is how you face up to them that really makes women are our real role models. the difference. Kevin Hall clearly demonstrated the need to overcome obstacles and never give up