Website: www.brockington.leics.sch.uk | Facebook: www.facebook.com/brockingtoncollege | Twitter: www.twitter.com/brockingtoncoll Brockington Bulletin December 2019 Edition At the end of a very full and exciting term, I’d like to wish all our parents and carers a very happy Christmas and a restful new year. Brockington Christmas show page 2 The autumn term has been a busy one; I’d like to pay tribute to all the staff at Brockington who have worked tirelessly this term and often given time and effort beyond what’s expected of them, for the benefit of our students. This edition of the bulletin gives just a small insight into so many activities that students have taken part in this term. I have also been very pleased with students across all year groups who have, in the vast majority of cases, worked exceptionally hard, behaved well and been involved in a variety of different activities. This is what we ask of students and we know that the return on this is a bright and successful future. Across all year groups, there has been a substantial increase in the number of reward points given Sadie Batstone to students in recognition of their efforts in lessons and for playing an important part in the wider life of the college. It’s always a Principal pleasure, and a proud moment, for me to write R3s to parents/carers informing you of the exceptional way our students contribute Former Year 11 to the life of the college. presentation evening page 6 As I write, Year 11 students have received their mock examination results, and for most students this has provided them with a positive picture as they head, in the new year, into their final full term at Brockington. For those who have done well - well done! Keep up the good work. For those who may not have done as well as they wanted to, then learning from the experience and continuing revision from January will make a substantial difference to GCSE grades of potentially 2+ grades (e.g. grade 4 to grade 6). The Year 11 students demonstrated that they prepared well and have undertaken a professional approach to the mock exams. Over the Christmas break it is essential that they relax and recover; students will need to be fresh for January, ready for the next phase ahead of the March mock examinations. As always, we have some goodbyes to say to some wonderful members of staff. To Mrs McKenzie, and Miss Howard who will be leaving us to take up senior leadership positions, and to Mr Ogleby and Mrs Morjaria who will be heading to pastures new. I know that staff and students will greatly miss these members of staff who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of all at Brockington and I know they will go on to be successful in their new ventures. Equally, we say a temporary goodbye to Mrs Cooper who will be starting maternity leave; we look forward to hearing the good news of baby’s arrival. Rotary young chef competition Again, I’d like to wish you a happy Christmas and would remind parents/carers that we return to college on Tuesday 7 January 2020. page 3 Sadie Batstone, Principal Brockington Bulletin December 2019 Edition | Page 1 More MattersNews & Remindersand events End of term arrangements Brockington Christmas Show 2019 School will close for the Christmas holidays at 12.40pm on Friday 20 December 2019. The school buses It is that time of year again, we can almost smell the mince pies in the air. The annual Brockington will arrive for this time and will depart at approximately 12.50pm. Due to the earlier finish, only cold Christmas show on Thursday 5 December was upon us and what a treat was in store. Students played ‘grab and go’ lunches will be available on this day. Students who would like a ‘grab and go’ lunch, beautiful music lead by Mrs Ward and sang wonderful renditions of classic Christmas carols. There was a hauntingly beautiful version of ‘Away in a manger’ accompanied by Fran Penny on vocals, her voice lifting including those who receive free school meals, must order their food at break the day before, and the spirits of everyone. collect their lunch from the baguette bar on the last day, as they depart at 12.40pm. This year, students all took to writing their own scripts which was an amazing task in itself. They wrote We appreciate that the early finish may create childcare issues for some parents/carers. Therefore, wonderful pieces with a range of characters. Each script explored a different aspect of Christmas, with the there will be the facility for any child to stay in school and be supervised until 3pm, although there will true meaning of the season reflected behind each of the performances. There was a wonderful scene which highlighted the famous football match between the soldiers during the war. This was performed by be no school buses at this time. Please contact the school office if you would like to make use of this two Year 7 students who created a piece of physical drama accompanied by song. There was a modern facility by Monday 16 December 2019. For any students staying at school until 3pm, we would ask that take of the classic Christmas carol, which had Scrooge replaced by a young teenage girl who was mean to all those around her. She they report to the library immediately after classes are dismissed and that they order a cold ‘grab and soon learned that the importance of life is to value those we share it with. go’ lunch or bring a packed lunch with them. The hall was filled with laughter as a group of students performed a very clever and witty performance based on the Christmas story. Instead of Bethlem 2000 years ago, the performance was based in present day Leicester. It was a very clever script, written by our There will be reduced administrative support over the holidays, so if you need to contact the school, very own Ethan Dakin and performed by a combination of students from KS3. We had a visit from former staff member Mrs O’Hara, please do so via [email protected] and be aware that a response will not be immediate. who found herself playing in the orchestra and getting stuck in like old times. The students were delighted to get the chance to see We look forward to seeing all students back at school on Tuesday 7 January 2020. her again and have her support the show. As a department we are very proud of the effort and creativity put in by all of the students and we are so thankful to the many Cross country results parents/carers and friends who came to watch the show. The final two league races in the secondary schools league took Until next year…. Happy Christmas to you all. Mrs Hawthorne - Performing Arts department place on the 29 November and 8 December. The junior boys team (Year 8 and 9) won the team race. Despite some very wet and muddy underfoot conditions, the boys performed very well. Brockington Imogen was representing Brockington in the junior girls race and Emergency she finished in 20th place. enrichment closure of The County Schools championships will take place at Ratcliffe College on Saturday 8 February. programme Brockington Prestwold Hall results (29 November) Burbage Common results (8 December) spring term 2020 Junior boys Junior girls The college will only be closed as a last Harry 7th Imogen 20th resort in the event of severe weather Ben 13th Junior boys Is now available on the Brockington conditions or in an emergency. th rd website and the following link:- Connor 16 Mackenzie 3 Lewis 18th Harry R 7th th https:// In the rare event that a decision to close Harry C 10 th is made, it will be communicated to Ben 15 www.brockington.leics.sch.uk/wp- Connor 8th content/uploads/2019/12/ parents/carers via the Brockington Lewis 20th Enrichment-Spring-2020- College website, Radio Leicester 104.9 Programme.pdf FM and the school text messaging Well done– Mr Platts - PE department system, wherever possible. Brockington Bulletin December 2019 Edition | Page 2 Term dates Dates, events, and achievements 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 Leicester Cathedral Autumn term School opens Wednesday 26 August 2020 Wednesday 25 August 2021 We were invited to support the primary schools Christmas service, at Leicester Bank holiday Monday 31 August 2020 Monday 30 August 2021 Cathedral on Tuesday 3 December, with a drama and vocal performance. Performing Mid-term break 19 to 23 October 2020 18 to 22 October 2019 a script written by Mrs Hawthorne, a small School closes Friday 20 December 2019 Friday 18 December 2020 Friday 17 December 2021 group of Year 7 and 8 students performed and three students also sang The First Noel, Spring term during a section of reflection. School opens Tuesday 7 January 2020 Tuesday 5 January 2021 Tuesday 4 January 2022 All students gave very high standard performances that were enjoyed by all attending the service, including Bishop Guli Mid-term break 17 to 21 February 2020 15 to 19 February 2021 14 to 18 February 2022 who also led a talk called The Greatest Gift of All. School closes Friday 3 April 2020 Friday 26 March 2021 Friday 8 April 2022 Well done all - Performing Arts department Summer term School opens Monday 20 April 2020 Monday 12 April 2021 Monday 25 April 2022 Bake sale for Cancer Research May day Friday 8 May 2020 Monday 3 May 2021 Monday 2 May 2022 (Please note change of date) On Friday 6 December, Miss Russell’s Health and Social Care students held a bake sale during both lunch times.