Becket Keys Church of England School

18th September 2020

A LEVEL & GCSE RES IN THIS ISSUE

Mr Scott-Evans writes … There is another problem that

causes lost learning time in

No Time to Waste! certain schools. Not just now

during a pandemic, but all the

time: low-level disruption. In its

most recent report * on this, With students returning to school

Year 7

after 6 months of learning at Ofsted found that behaviour such Our latest cohort are settling well

as calling out, chatting, not home, we are all conscious of the

into their new surroundings. Here are

importance of time! having the correct equipment or their thoughts on the first couple of

using mobile phones during the

weeks.

Due to the regulations about self- school day was leading to an hour Page 4-5

isolating if you have symptoms, of lost learning time! An hour!

and the long wait times for tests That is one-fifth of the school Meet Some New Staff!

to come back, we are concerned day! How can these schools Two new teachers in the

about how disrupted the year possibly expect students to make Mathematics Department this term.

could be. the desired levels of progress in Page 6

such an environment?

Therefore, we are continuing to Food Department

work hard to teach students As I was saying last week, We hope you are all still cooking! We

about good hand hygiene, use of thankfully authority is alive and have a delicious recipe for you to try

face masks and social distancing. well at Becket Keys. We at home.

Fortunately, Brentwood does not

specifically teach new teachers to Page 7-8

have many cases at present which quickly and effectively take on

gives us an opportunity to get Biblical Pause

the rôle of the expert in the room.

used to the new routines. Staff We are Blessed to Bless Others. They must assume the mantle of

and students have a lot to Page 12

authority straight away and have

remember and a lot to learn.

……..Contd on Page 2

9/9/2016

BECKET KEYS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL 18TH SEPTEMBER Volume IX– Issue II

I ……..Contd from Page 1 Please also continue to support us in teaching them the good School Transport the charisma to carry it off. That learning habits we have always Students are strongly encouraged is why all new staff are being had here. Respect for teachers to avoid public transport for their observed in their first week of and the other students in the journeys to school wherever teaching here. In fact, every class. Respect for the opportunity possible. As ever, we encourage lesson, every day sees members to learn! of the senior leadership team walking and cycling to school as walking around the school to Sometimes teachers, like green modes of travel with clear check that authority is present in referees, will make mistakes. health benefits. However, we the room. At least once already, a When that happens, please do recognise that it will not be member of the senior team has not undermine them. A teacher’s feasible for some students to stayed for a whole lesson with a word must continue to be final or walk/cycle to our site. the ‘game’ falls apart. A lack of new teacher and then written up If you travel to school by public respect for the teacher is the a report on their performance. transport, please make sure that same as a lack of respect for a We call this: ‘starting smartly’. If you check the timetable for any referee: everyone loses out. My we can train new staff to take on changes that have been children sometimes come home the authority that they are implemented for the new term. blessed with here, and if they can and tell me that they are in use the same routines and detention when they do not Remember that you will require a rhythms that are present in the deserve it. I always show them face covering to travel on any rest of the school, they will the teacher’s point of view and public transport. quickly benefit. explain how hard it must be for the teachers to get it right every The Ofsted report was written in time. I point out that they would 2014 and it frustrates me to think not want to be in a class where NIBS Buses that this remains such a the teacher did not have this http://www.nibsbuses.com/?pag fundamental problem in so many authority. So, they must respect e_id=42 schools. Especially now! But not them and their decision even if here. At Becket Keys there is a they disagree from time to time. palpable sense that students love their school and their lessons, Time is precious. Let’s not waste staff love their jobs and the rôle a moment. Thank you for your they play. Everyone is working support. Have a great weekend. together to make the most of Mr Scott-Evans every minute and to keep the Headteacher school not only undisrupted but

also wonderfully safe. * Ofsted Report

My prayer is that we continue to be blessed with God’s protection https://www.gov.uk/government/ First Buses for as long as possible and keep publications/below-the-radar- the school open. Please join me in low-level-disruption-in-the- https://www.firstgroup.com/essex speaking to your sons and countrys-classrooms daughters about their school day Trains and their use of the hand gel, https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/ their face covering and the importance of social distancing.

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Remember that Homework Club is up and running! Every afternoon after school students can stay until 4.30pm to complete their homework in C11. Year groups will be ‘bubbled’ in different areas and if there are a lot of students who wish to make use of this opportunity, we will open other rooms. Using Homework Club is just one way we provide for students who do not want to leave site at 3.10pm. Avoid the traffic! Stay here for a while!

Please make sure that your son/daughter has adequate drinking water for the day. This is especially important during this spell of warm weather on the days they have PE. Remember that drinks are available for purchase from the Bistro at break and lunch.

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BECKET KEYS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL 18TH SEPTEMBER Volume IX– Issue II

I Year 7 – The First Couple of Weeks!

them Year 6.5) into our school. I could not have been more wrong! Systems and procedures have been learned and followed impeccably, and ‘Year 6.5’ are fast becoming a strong cohort of established Year 7 students; it has only been two weeks! I cannot thank you enough for the support and trust you have placed Becket Keys is an incredible school! in us. We will always have the They have welcomed me with open After such a long period of time best interests of your child at the arms. The teachers here are fair, away from the classroom, it has forefront of everything we do, but supportive and their motivations is been a real joy and pleasure to be it would be naive of me to think like no others. All in all I have back teaching again. The return that there would not have been enjoyed every second of my time of routine, responsibility and face any apprehension or uncertainty here so far and I honestly feel that to face relationships have been surrounding the first day of this anyone who comes to this school is welcomed. I have been impressed new school term for you. Your incredibly fortunate. with the resilience and attitude of children, our students have been our students, particularly the remarkable, and I am so proud of Krasi Daneva – 7EW every one of them. They have newest members of our community: Year 7. made a great start to life at Becket Keys, and I am so excited I have only been at Becket Keys for From our very first day together to see what they will go on to a couple of weeks, however I (which was only two weeks ago!), achieve as we continue to already feel comfortable and at your children have approached develop together at Becket Keys. home in the school. Everyone has everything that has been asked of been welcoming and are always God bless, them with confidence, ready to help whenever it is responsibility and respect. In Mr Pethers needed. I am looking forward to every classroom I enter, I see Head of Year 7 & 8 spending many more years here at keen learners, model students the school with so many happy and outstanding people. characters. Watching friendships Here is what some of our new develop during social times has students had to share about their Esmé Hodges been particularly pleasing; first couple of weeks: already I can see that this year On the first day of school, I was group are special! I have really enjoyed my start to very nervous because I thought it the year. I loved meeting all the would be hard to make friends and With so many opportunities teachers and making new friends fit in. I realised that if I interacted missed as a result of and I can’t wait to continue at with more people I would make circumstances out of our control, I Becket Keys. friends and I just had to be myself. always thought it was going to be Teachers were also very helpful. a little challenging to integrate Imogen Walls this new year (I originally called Bobbie Neaster Page 4 of 14

BECKET KEYS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL 18TH SEPTEMBER Volume IX– Issue II

I I have really enjoyed my first few big and busy. Even though we are weeks at Becket Keys. At first, I in a coronavirus pandemic the was worried that I was going to get students and teachers at the lost but after the first few days I school have made it very easy to knew my way around. At primary settle in and take this huge weight school we only had one teacher, about starting secondary school here it is very different because we off my shoulders. The lessons are have a different teacher for every enjoyable and educational, they subject. I enjoy this more as the teach you in great details about My name is Joshua and I have teacher gives more focus to that the subject. The teachers always been at Becket Keys for two one subject. I am enjoying every have a smile on their faces. I am weeks, yet I have already made lesson at Becket Keys and I look very comfortable at this school, many friends. The teachers and forward to what the coming having fun with my friends and students are very supportive. months will bring. learning. Whenever I ask a teacher where a Kaitlyn Bell Sophia Tredgett classroom is, I get an immediate answer with a smile. Sixth My time here at Becket Keys has Formers are also always there to been amazing! I have made lots of answer any questions and to friends and everyone is so kind. make sure that no one gets Even though my time here has just bullied. Classes are very exciting started, I can tell that this is the and we learn a lot. So far, I have perfect school for me. really enjoyed my time here and I Abigail Alderson think that this is an amazing school! Joshua Eida My name is Olivia and I have just started at Becket Keys. I have been I am a student in Year 7, so far I here for two weeks now and am have loved it here at Becket Keys. slowly settling in! I have really It was scary on the first day but enjoyed Mathematics, PE and each week it gets better. Becket History so far. I have made some Keys is a very good school and I great friends and I have now met have loved every bit of it and all of my lovely teachers! I was cannot wait to do more here. very anxious a few weeks ago, but I was scared and nervous but as I Storm Townsend now I feel a bit more settled. I got to socialise with my form and would like to thank all of my different classes I soon realised it On my first day at Becket Keys I friends and teachers who have wasn’t so bad! I have made at was so nervous and shy as I helped me to settle in especially least ten friends and my goal is couldn’t believe that I was at high my form tutor Mr Taylor and Mr now to make at least twenty school. My first day was confusing Pethers my Head of Year. I am more!. The teachers and students at first but now I am getting to looking forward to my time here at are very nice and understanding. know more things, I think it will be Becket Keys. PE is the thing I find the most good. I know it will get easier. difficult, but I find the people Olivia Snowsill around me cheer me on and help Anon I was extremely nervous about me to keep moving. starting a new school, it seemed so Mark Uthumpa Page 5 of 14

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New Staff in Mathematics

students to see Mathematics in and worked for a computer the same way I do, as a fun and consultancy based in London interesting topic which will (one of the directors there was become a powerful tool to use in the husband of my A level Maths everyday life, both in work and in teacher). During this time, the downtime at home. company won a contract to supply computer equipment in My other interests, outside of Luxembourg. This gave them an Mathematics and game design, opportunity to set up an office are Table Tennis and JuJitSu, a there, and I was fortunate enough martial art which I recently to spend 6 months working in achieved Black Belt status Luxembourg.

towards the end of last year. Mr Taylor I am new to Becket Keys and the At university, I studied Mathematics Teacher Brentwood area, having taught Mathematics-with-Engineering, previously in the Benfleet- as I wanted to focus more on how I was born in Essex and have lived Thundersley area (closer to Mathematics can be applied to here all my life. I have always had Southend-On-Sea) and I am real life situations rather than the a talent for Mathematics, but excited to meet new faces and philosophical aspects of the never really fell in love with the look forwards to working with the subject. subject until I transitioned into community that surrounds secondary school and began to Becket Keys. After graduating, I worked in a see the relevance it had to real variety of roles in industry, life and the interesting things that including working as a Computer could be done with it. Systems Analyst for a large food I studied Mathematics, Further manufacturer. In 2003 I needed to Mathematics and Chemistry at A- work closer to home, and this also Level, and moved on to study gave me the opportunity to re- Actuarial Sciences, a statistics evaluate what I wanted to do focused degree that continued to longer term. I started teacher develop my love and interest of training in 2006, via the Graduate Mathematics. I have always loved Teacher Programme through probability and randomness, and Harlow Education consortium, Mathematics has given me the and have been teaching ever since, at schools in Hertfordshire tools to both create and Mr. Harvey experiment with various ideas, as and Essex. well as equipping me with the Mathematics Teacher I have lived in Essex for over 20 years, with my partner and our 3 tools to apply it to the real world I grew up around Bishops daughters aged 23, 17 and 10. in fun and interesting ways. The Stortford, Herts where I

most interesting use I have had completed my GCSEs at for my skills thus far was in Leventhorpe and A levels at Herts programming and developing my and Essex High School. Before own game for others to play via going to the University of the internet. I hope to inspire Nottingham, I took a gap year

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Food Department

Hello & welcome back!

I hope that you are all well and are enjoying getting back into a routine now students are back in school.

It has been wonderful to see our students in a classroom again, engaged and eager to learn. This week I asked my students what recipe they would like to see in the newsletter. Oliver Selwlyn in Year 9 asked for a quick stir fry recipe, so here is my go-to recipe for a quick, nutritious, easy stir fry Recipe of the Week garlic, place in separate bowls that can be adapted. and put aside. Ingredients Whilst completing my chef Makes 5 servings Grate the ginger using the small training in London I was fortunate hole on your grater, (no need to enough to be taught by Ken Hom Egg noodles 250g pack. peel the ginger, just make sure who showed me how to make the 1 Onion. you wash it) place in a bowl and perfect stir fry. One of the most 1 Whole head of broccoli. put to one side. important tips he gave me was to 2 cloves of garlic. use a small ladle of water to cool 1 Thumb sized piece of ginger. Prepare the broccoli into small the wok down while cooking, not 3 Chicken breast. florets and wash in a colander. only to prevent the food from 2 Tablespoons of dark soy sauce. Slice your chicken into small 1 cm sticking and burning, but also to 1 Tablespoon honey. strips, place into a container. create steam that will help cook 2 Tablespoons of peas. the dish quicker. He also taught 1 Teaspoon Chinese five spice. Now you are ready to start me to add my soy sauce towards 2 Teaspoon of sunflower or cooking! the end of cooking for a fuller vegetable oil. flavour, as Chinese people mainly 2 Teaspoons of sesame oil. Heat the sunflower oil in a wok or use soy sauce as a seasoning. Handful coriander chopped. frying pan on a high heat, add the Another tip that is important is to sliced onions and stir for a minute get all your Mise en place ready. Method to soften. Then add the chicken Mise en place means, preparation Place the egg noodles into a large evenly to the pan, do not stir for a of equipment and ingredients bowl and cover with just boiled minute, leave the chicken to ready before the cooking starts. water from the kettle to soften colour on one side. the noodles (this should take There are two types of soy sauce about 10 minutes) or follow the After one minute stir the onions that could be used, you can see pack instructions. and chicken strips to stop them here a picture to explain the from sticking. Then add the difference. Peel and thinly slice the onion and broccoli, ginger, garlic then stir to

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BECKET KEYS CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL 18TH SEPTEMBER Volume IX– Issue II

I colour the other side of the This stir fry can be adapted with chicken. other ingredients that you have in

your fridge and cupboards, you At this point you will need to add could use prawns, tofu, and beef a little water to the pan, normally or just make a vegetable stir fry. half a ladle. You also do not have to use egg noodles, any noodle would work Leave to cook for five minutes well or maybe even use rice. still on a high heat, stirring if needed. While waiting, check the I hope you enjoy this recipe and noodles are soft, and if they are have a go at making it at home. If drain them into a colander and you do make this at home, please set aside. do send in your picture for me to see. Enjoy ☺ Now add the Chinese five spice, honey, soy sauce and peas to the Mrs English pan, stir around the pan and mix Food Teacher well. Then toss in the noodles making sure they get coated in the sauce. Becket Keys School Nurse

Keep stirring for another five minutes till the broccoli is tender and the chicken is cooked to 75c. When adding the noodles you may need to turn the heat down to prevent the noodles from burning.

To finish the dish, I add a little sesame oil and chopped coriander to add another dimension of flavour. Our School Nurse is currently unable to meet with students on site Serve and enjoy! but please do contact Mrs. Cavalier if you feel your child would benefit from this support. In addition to this, all students have been made aware of the nursing team CHAT Healthline. This is manned by a School Nurse between the hours of 9-5pm Monday to Friday, and they will respond to all messages within 24 hours Monday – Friday. The aim is to provide timely, and convenient access to confidential health advice for every young person in Essex. Students can phone or text: 07520 615732. Please note, self- referrals are accepted if the student is aged 13 and over. If the student is under this age, the school nursing team will seek parental consent.

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In order to keep the students and staff safe, we are unable to allow any parents to access the school site at this time unless an appointment has been made.

If you need to drop something urgently it will need to be left at the school gate. Students should be encouraged to be organised and have all the uniform and equipment they require on a daily basis.

Student Contact Information Olivia James

As we are sure you will all appreciate, it is vitally important that we hold accurate records, addresses and contact numbers. We need at Although the retail unit of least 2 contact names/numbers in case of an issue with your Smarty Pants, our uniform son/daughter at school. It is also vital that we hold necessary health supplier, is unable to open. The information about all our students in the event of a medical company is available online to emergency. help you with all enquiries and to assist you to confidently If you have changed any of your contact details (phone, email place your order. address or home address), please make sure you let us know Visit their website for the latest immediately so we can update our systems. information:

Please email through any changes to [email protected] https://www.smartypantsschoo Many thanks for your co-operation. lwear.com/

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Although the Bistro are currently unable to offer their full range of food, there are still some delicious dishes to try. Check out next week’s menu!

School Photographs If you did not pre-register for your son/daughter’s photo and wish to view/purchase, please email the school [email protected] to request the photo link code. All photos will be sent to your home address free of charge for a two week period. You can contact Carmel Jane directly for this code or indeed if you are having any issues accessing the picture: [email protected] 01277 822674

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Dear Parents of Year 10 students, I wanted to let you know how incredibly hard your children have been working since our return to school. I have been popping into their lessons and have been so impressed with the level of focus and engagement. I know that some of you are concerned about the

amount of time we have been away from school, so I would like to tell you about how we are making the most of our time in school, particularly during form time. Heads of Department for English, Science and Mathematics have created targeted tasks for Year 10 students to complete during form time on a Monday, and we are allocating Thursdays for either revision or homework. Please encourage your child to have tasks to do during this time when their form tutor is on hand to support. As always, please do get in touch with me or your child’s form tutor should you have any pastoral queries. I am so happy to be back with my year group! Miss Brown - Head of Year 10

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We are blessed to bless others

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. - Ephesians 1:3 This is a wonderful truth. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing. But, what does that that you may be filled up Let us pray: mean to you? Are God's blessings [throughout your being] to all the just in the financial area of our fullness of God [so that you may Dear Lord, in the complicated lives, or are His blessings for have the richest experience of times in which we live, help us to every area of our lives: spiritual, God's presence in your lives, grow in our faith rather than emotional and physical? God's completely filled and flooded faulter. Help us remember we are blessings are so much more than with God Himself]...’ blessed, however difficult the what we can ever imagine. He has challenges we face. May we be completely filled us to the full In hearing these words and secure in the knowledge of your with Himself. We have been reflecting on their meaning, blessings and recognise blessed with the fullness of remember why we are blessed. experiences of these blessings in heaven to fulfil our purpose and We are blessed to be a blessing to our lives. May we reach out with destiny here on earth. We are others! God’s blessings flow to us, these blessing to others and feel fully equipped and lack nothing! which can then flow out to equipped to support all those we others. How will you share these meet. May we radiate your love. I like the message of Ephesians blessings? How can you help 3:19 from the Amplified Bible: others feel God’s presence in their Amen. ‘...And [that you may come] to lives? know [practically, through Meditate and bring these words personal experience] the love of Mrs Sharp to God in prayer. Christ which far surpasses [mere] Deputy Head teacher

knowledge [without experience],

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Coronavirus Attendance Advice

School Prayer Heavenly Father, we pray that Becket Keys School will be a blessing to the people of Brentwood. Encouraged by the example of Peter, Thomas of Canterbury and all your saints, may its students know the beauty of your truth; May its staff know the joy of your service; May its headteacher and governors be led by a vision of your kingdom; And together may the school community know your Holy Spirit in its midst. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Becket Keys

INSET DAY Church of England (NO STUDENTS IN SCHOOL) School FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER Sawyers Hall Lane Brentwood, Essex * CM15 9DA ALL SAINTS’ HOLIDAY 01277 286600

YEAR 11 INTERVENTIONS

MONDAY 26TH OCTOBER – www.becketkeys.org FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER [email protected] * [email protected] STUDENT HALF DAY Twitter: TH FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER @BecketKeys * @MrScottEvans @BecketKeys6th CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY @BecketKeysMusic MONDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2020 – @BecketKeysPE FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY 2021 @BecketKeysArt

* Facebook: Becket Keys Church School INSET DAY

(NO STUDENTS IN SCHOOL) MONDAY 4TH JANUARY 2021

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