SUMMER THEN BILLERICAYewsle SCHOOLtter 2017 MESSAGE FROM MR MOHAMMED Dear Parents/Carers Much has happened since the last newsletter. Our core business of education has remained at the forefront. Students were prepared and have sat examinations at all levels. On average students in Years 11, 12 and 13 have sat twenty hours of external examinations each, due to the significant changes implemented by the Department for Education. We are extremely proud of the way the students conducted themselves and eagerly await the results in August. We do expect that the changes will create some volatility in overall results nationally. I would like to say how proud I am of the successes of so many of our students. As you can see from the items in this newsletter, our students and staff have, as ever, been very busy in a huge and diverse range of activities and I congratulate them all on their achievements. You will be aware by now, we are saying farewell to Mr James Macbeth this summer. Mr Macbeth has probably taught most of Billericay during his 38 years of loyal service or, if not, everyone certainly knows of him! In addition, Mrs Shearer will be formally retiring after 24 years of service. Between the two of these members of staff, they would have touched And It’s Goodbye From Him! the lives of some 20,000 students during their time in teaching. We wish them the very best for the future; the community will certainly miss them and their contribution. A Farewell Message from Our submission for the formation of a multi-academy trust with The Bromfords School has Mr Macbeth now been formally approved after a delay due to parliament going into purdah because of the election. We will therefore be embedding the work of ‘The Compass Trust’ over the It has been a pleasure and a privilege to course of the next academic year. work with so many wonderful students We respectfully ask that all parents support their child in the wearing of the correct uniform. and see them grow and prosper into Please pay particular attention to shoes. Examples of acceptable items of uniform have motivated and likeable young people; been uploaded onto our website to assist in this matter when buying new uniform. Addressing incorrect uniform unnecessarily takes up learning time, so your cooperation that would not have been possible and support is greatly appreciated. without the support of our parents and carers as well. I am immensely grateful Since this is the last year of our summer polo shirt uniform, students may, if they wish, wear them during the next academic year for their PE lessons. to you all for supporting us and working with us at The Billericay School. I thank parents and the wider community for your continued support. Your emails and letters commending the work of the school and individual members of staff are very much appreciated. I wish each one of you a safe and restful summer holiday. We say farewell to a number of staff: Teaching Staff: Mr Macbeth, Mrs Shearer, Ms McDonald, Mrs Moulding, Mrs McConnaughie, Mr Smith, Mr Rider and Mr Duffy Support Staff: Mrs Emson, Mrs Murray, Ms Vidler and Mr Dowds LAUNCH OF THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL EDUCATION INNOVATION HUB A new Education Business Hub opened on 21 June at The Billericay School, under the Fujitsu Education Ambassador Programme, supported by Intel, Brocade and Kyocera. The success of The Billericay School The Ambassador Programme is a national engagement initiative led by four global IT speaks for itself, but I would like to leaders that aim to highlight the use of acknowledge the tremendous support of computing power to underpin knowledge in all staff and equally to members of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and drive forward senior leadership team, over the last 38 innovation and digital skills development at years. A special thanks to the Pastoral The Billericay School as well as its wider Team (past and present) who have community. The hub will support the training of our students as they move into STEM supported me so brilliantly and related careers. relentlessly throughout my career. Mr Mohammed said: “We are delighted that we have been successful in being awarded the Ambassador status. It gives recognition to the successful STEM related work that May I wish everybody associated with takes place at The Billericay School. The Innovation Hub will create a stimulating environment for the community to engage with ‘cyber’ related learning. By working with The Billericay School the very best for Fujitsu, Intel, Brocade and Kyocera, it will give our students greater opportunities and the future. prepare them with skills for the digital world of the future. School Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9LH Tel: 01277 655191 Fax: 01277 314414www.billericay.essex.sch.uk E-mail: [email protected] KINGSWOOD RESIDENTIAL This year was our SOAPBOX DERBY TRIP TO OVERSTRAND third year of running our Key During the spring term, 50 Year 7 students Stage 3 reading were involved in the Kingswood programme, residential trip to Overstrand in Norfolk. Readasaurus. The aim of the programme is to get students setting up their own This enrichment course allows students to reading groups of three or four people, participate in a range of team building where they can read and discuss the activities helping to promote confidence same book. We have had another and learn new skills. The activities are successful year as the programme linked to the students’ competencies that continues to evolve and improve. Some students were involved in more than one they complete during KS3. The students The Billericay Soapbox Derby took place group and a handful of our most avid enjoyed climbing, ‘leap of faith’ on the high on 1 May. The Billericay School entered reading groups read five or more books ropes, archery and a coastal management two carts into the event built by students between October and April. Some visit to Overstrand beach followed up by in Year 10 and Year 12. research and group presentations. All the students were also invited to participate with the Carnegie Award, where they read activities are designed for the students to Both teams did well. Our sixth form team three books from the 2017 shortlist, then have fun whilst learning new skills in a posted times of 37.60 seconds for their voted for their own winner. relaxed and friendly environment. first run and 38.02 for the second. A As with last year, the onus is on the shredded tyre in the first run lost the team students to set up their own groups but a few vital seconds during the first run, many form tutors were supportive by ARU RESEARCH resulting in a quick tyre change. There helping to facilitate some groups, and PROJECT was a bit of rubbing with the bodywork, there were also a number of sixth form hence a slower second run. Year 6 To 7 Transition students leading specific groups. To be Process Findings Our Year 10s posted times of 35.25 for the first run improving to 31.71 on the second. We are thrilled to pass on that Anglia No repairs were needed and the car Ruskin University have found that our survived both runs. Year 6 to Year 7 transition students are supported well when they move to us from The students enjoyed making the cars and Primary School. The findings also show the race day. The students made both our that new students settle in quickly, usually cars from scratch. A huge thank you to Mr eligible for our reward trips students had within the first four weeks Legg, our DT Technician, for his support to complete the reading then respond to As parents, I am sure you will be pleased and hard work. to know that the year 7 and 8 students the book they’d read with a piece of involved in the project were creative writing or to make an artefact. On overwhelmingly positive and according to Thursday 29 June, we took over 100 ARU’s results, all students involved students to Cineworld in Basildon as a agreed the lessons, teachers and the food reward for completing the programme and are great! on Wednesday 12 July, the 48 students who had read the most books went to the Harry Potter Studios. FOBS WINTER WONDERLAND BALL AT STOCK BROOK MANOR On Friday 26 January 2018, FOBS will be hosting their 1st Winter Ball. As parents, the run up to Christmas can be manic, so why not give yourselves a post- Christmas treat? Gather your friends and partners and book a table. Tables of 8/10/12 are available. The cost will be £65 per head. Are you interested in training to be a primary or secondary teacher ? Don’t delay visit www.billericayscitt.com To reserve your table,or for more make a difference to a child’s life information, email [email protected]. ARMY OUTREACH TEAM VISIT SCHOOLS THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL BIKEABILITY Creative TRAINING Writing Schools Bikeability Training will take Success place at The Billericay School on Monday A massive well done to the following KS3 27 November 2017 (School Training Day) – Essex County Council qualified students who were selected for publication instructors will provide free training. in a range of creative writing competitions this year. Your hard work and determination Training will be provided at Level 3 on truly shines through! local roads around the school. For those who have already completed Level 2 training, three hours training will be On 26 and 27 April, students from Years provided.