Students have returned, happily talking about the things they’ve been doing over the half term break and ready for the half term ahead. It’s looking like it will be another busy one with much to look forward to.
In Science Club this week, students have been testing their designed and constructed parachutes. The winning parachute was made by Cole, Ethan and Connor! Miss Camy was very pleased with their efforts commenting that ‘It worked so well due to the large surface area of the parachute slowing the fall of our plasticine models.’ Science Club takes place every Thursday lunchtime in B9 at 12.45p.m. and is open to students in Years 7, 8 and 9.
We were delighted to hear that, over half term, Alice in Year 8 who is a keen bell ringer has become a qualified member of the Yorkshire Association of Change Ringers, one of the youngest to do so. To do this she had to ring a quarter peal which took the team of six ringers 43 minutes and involved 1260 changes. A superb achievement indeed. Following this, Alice was asked to do a Radio interview with BBC Radio York on Thursday morning.
Our work with the Behaviour Hub continues at pace with a visit this week to our partner school, Dixon’s Trinity Academy in Bradford. We’ve also now completed our staff and student surveys which reflect the progress that we’ve made along with giving us a really clear steer on areas of focus for the next part of the journey. I’ve shared some of the results of the student surveys in Assemblies this week. What is really clear is the impact of the introduction of the Learning Phases in ensuring that our learning expectations are clear. A high proportion of students state that ‘I know how my school expects me to behave.’ It also gave me the opportunity to revisit our core values and our commitment to all acting in a way which ensures everyone in our school community is safe, happy and successful.
We were delighted to welcome Amanda Newbold, our North Yorkshire Assistant Director for Education and Skills, on Wednesday. After discussing the actions that we’ve taken over the last few months, and the positive impact of them, we had a tour around the school visiting classrooms, the Intervention Room and Reset room where we saw how our strategies are creating high quality learning and engagement.
It’s one of our favourite events in a couple of weeks, on 7th March, World Book Day. We’ll be carrying out activities in lessons and having a Bake Off Competition with all proceeds going to the Read for Good charity. (Please bear in mind that we are a nut free school.)
Upcoming events include our Parent Information Evening on Thursday 7th March at 6p.m. which has a focus on Wellbeing and supporting students with exams. This will be most appropriate for parents and carers of students in Years 10 and 11. As usual, there will also be an opportunity for you to ask general questions about any aspect of school life. Our BHS Big Quiz Night is at 7p.m. on Friday 8th March. You can buy tickets on ParentMail or at Reception for £10. Finally a reminder that our next Professional Development Day is on Thursday 14th March when students do not attend school.
Have a lovely weekend!