February 2013 Newsletter

The Bromfords School and Sixth Form College

Grange Avenue, Wickford, Essex SS12 0LZ. Tel: 01268 471201 Fax: 01268 474494 Email: [email protected] Web: www.bromfords.essex.sch.uk

February 2013 Newsletter - Issue No.4

Inside this issue: Page

Student Absence Reminder 2

Dates For Your Diary 2

Student Celebration Awards 2

Around The World In Eighty Words 2

Scarlett Anderson - Sailing Update 3

Kindle Competition 4

Bromfords School Uniform 4

Jack Petchey Awards 5

Positive Behaviour Model 6

Examination Dates 7

Inside this issue: Page

Student Voice Feedback 7

East Regional Handball Champions 8

ICT Programming club 9

Bromfords Charity 9

Student Awarded Blue Peter Badge 10

Parentpay 10

Art & Photography Trip 10

Cancer Research Run In Memory Of Viv Boatwright 10

Severe Weather Conditions 10

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Carers

Thank you all once again for your continued hard work over what has been a short, but very busy half term. I am very appreciative of the efforts by all to ensure we carried on with our core purpose despite the difficulties brought about by the weather. This last half term has seen exams, sporting events and a range of trips and out of school learning activities. Students have made us proud and these opportuni-ties are all as a result of the hard work and dedication of the staff team to put the arrangements in place. I am also very appreciative of the hard work by staff colleagues to ensure a smooth transition as we converted to Academy status form 1st January 2013. As the year progresses we are looking to develop a number of projects across the school that will improve our environment and resources for students learning. The Student Executive are working with the School Council and the Senior Team to take this forward. Watch this space … There have also been a number of individual celebrations this 1/2 term and I would draw your attention to the Jack Petchey Awards and the report from Scarlett Anderson as well as our other reports in this newsletter. Congratulations and well done to all. I am sure we are all looking forward to the half term break and I know the staff and students going to Italy on the ski trip are particularly excited about this. I wish the ski group an enjoyable trip and look forward to seeing them all back safe and sound Monday, 25th February. Kind regards Mrs Marian Spinks Headteacher

• The date

• Your name

• Student’s name and form

• The reason for absence

• A return to school date

S TUDENT ABSENCE - REMINDER

Illness: If your child is going to be absent due to illness then please call our 24 Hour Student Absence Line on 01268 474500 on the first day of absence by 8.30am or text 07624 810849. Your message should include the following details:

If you do not indicate how long your child will be absent then you must call the Absence Line each day that your child is not in school.

On your child’s return to school a letter, addressed for the attention of the Attendance Officer, stating the dates of, and reasons for, absence should be handed into the School Office.

Lateness: If you know your child is going to be late for school, where possible please call the Absence Line on 01268 474500 by 8.30am or text 07624 810849. Your message should include the student’s name, form and reason for lateness.

Medical Appointments: If you know in advance that your child will be late for school or absent due to a medical appointment please either send in a letter, addressed to the Attendance Officer, the day prior to the appointment or call/text the Absence Line.

Early notification of absences/lateness helps you avoid receiving unwanted phone calls/texts enquiring as to the whereabouts of your child.

Thank you in advance for your support.

D ATES FOR YOUR DIARY AND END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS

Half term break begins on Monday, 18th February 2013. Students return on Monday, 25th February 2013.

Year 10 Parents Evening - Thursday, 7th March 2013 - 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Year 12 & 13 Parents Evening - Thursday, 21st March 2013 - 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Year 8 Parents Evening - Thursday, 25th April 2013 - 4.00pm - 7.00pm.

S TUDENT CELEBRATION AWARDS

Please refer to the attachment at the reverse of this newsletter detailing the nominations for the Autumn Term 2012.

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A ROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY WORDS

More than 100 students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 took part in a national competition run by Young Writers before Christmas. Participants had to write a story in no more than 80 words, using any setting from around the world they chose. We generated ideas in lessons and most

students completed their actual story at home. Ninety eight students had their work accepted for publication and have all received a certificate of merit from Young Writers. A copy of the book will be sent to libraries across the country and the school will receive a copy in April. Many congratulations to all of those students!


Newsletter

S CARLETT ANDERSON - SAILING UPDATE

Scarlett recently took part in the Cadet Sailing World Championships held in Tasmania. Below is a letter she sent to Mrs Spinks and the Bromfords School and Sixth Form College:

Dear Mrs. Spinks, Mrs. Coulson and The Bromfords School and Sixth Form College

Thank you very much for the money that you kindly donated towards my sponsorship to help me take part in the Cadet World Championships in Hobart, Tasmania. It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed it very much.

On my first day in Hobart, Nick and I went out practising and saw the second Maxi yacht in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race "Ragamuffin Loyal" coming in.

It was huge and dwarfed our tiny cadet boat but it makes a great photo! All the countries then got into their uniforms and we had the opening parade ceremony where the flags of all the countries taking part were raised.

The weeks racing started very hot and with very little wind and we came 12th in the first race, then the wind started to kick in and we came 13th and 5th in races 2 and 3 and by the end of the day we were lying 4th overall.

On New Years Eve, day two, it was very windy with gusts at 35 knots so we were kept on shore for a little while, but once we got out we came 14th, 19th and then we had a disaster as we capsized, hit a mark and were forced to retire from the race and take a 50th place. Then we spent that night watching the fireworks in Hobart from the beach and talking to the other teams.

We then had a lay-day on New Years Day and spent it going to the top of Mount Wellington and seeing kangaroos in the local nature reserve.

Then on the last few days we got our results back up and got a 22nd, 15th, 10th, 19th and on the last race of the last day we got a 9th even though it was gusting up to 50 knots! This left Nick and I 15th overall in the world out of 50 boats from 8 different countries and being 3rd British boat. The Ukrainians won the competition with a Polish boat coming second and a British boat came 3rd.

At the closing ceremony afterwards we all swapped T-Shirts with the friends we had made from other countries and I got an Aussie shirt and one from the Netherlands. It was an experience I will never forget and I hope that one day I will be good enough to make the GB team, myself sailing my own boat .

Your Sincerely Scarlett Anderson 10.8

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B ROMFORDS SCHOOL UNIFORM

All of our school uniform is available from our current uniform supplier Emblem, 18 The Broadway, Wickford, Essex 01268 768797. Opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm,

Closed Wednesday and Sunday. Emblem staff will help with all your requirements for uniform including assistance on sizing.

Uniform is also available from TrutexOnline (www.trutexdirect.com, password LEA00316SD). Please note that the PE kit is only available from Emblem.

Please make sure that your child’s uniform is marked with their full name.

Please ensure that when in doubt refer to the school planner for our school uniform requirements.

Please note that blue chino (style)/jeans are not acceptable and trousers must not be tight legging style.

The only jewellery permitted is a watch and a small pair of metal studs (in the ear lobe).

Shoes must be black and not made of canvas. Black trainers are not acceptable.

K INDLE COMPETITION

At the end of last term a competition was held where students could aim to win a Kindle by submitting a review of a book they had recently read.

There were a large number of entries and, after careful consideration, the following winners were selected:

Ruby Dryden in 8.5 for her informative review of the novel ‘Artichoke Hearts’ by Sita Brahmachari. Ruby gave an outline of the story and also reflected on why it had grabbed her attention and how she “can’t stop it sneaking back into my life”.

Elise Harvey in 11.5 wrote a very personal review of the novel “I heart New York” by Lindsey Kelk. She explored the reasons why she so enjoyed the book and how she can relate to various aspects within it. She commented on how she found it “a refreshing change” from other chick lit books and how she took away a sense of being able to achieve anything in life, just like the heroine.

Charlotte Dean in 12.1 wrote a review of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” for her entry, commenting on how she enjoys it “as it is so magical and so full of wonder” and consequently appeals to all ages as it gives “a wonderful magical feeling that warms you to your very toes”.

Please refer to the reverse of this newsletter to see the student’s book reviews.

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J ACK PETCHEY WINNERS

The winners for September, October, November 2012 and January 2013 are as follows:

Lisa Power

Lisa gave up several days of her summer holiday and volunteered to help with the Year 6’s during their transition to Year 7 Summer School where she offered encouragement and support. When we returned in September, quite a few of the Summer School students looked towards her as an ‘unofficial mentor’ where she continued to offer reassurance, encouragement and support for them as they started their new school year in an unfamiliar environment.

She is a first class prefect and a role model for all. Lisa is always smiling and happy to help.

The award was spent on hiring a drama specialist to work with students during the next Summer School.

Nicola Bourne

Nicola is hard working in class and always there for anyone who is upset. Nicola has coped well with the transition to secondary school, despite having to manage her diabetes independently. She also helped raise money for Diabetes Research with her ‘Blue Day’ charity event in school.

The award was spent on providing an additional light box in Art and clay for Art Club and other students.

Aaron Bell

Aaron independently set up a “Just Giving” page to collect money for Marie Curie, Carers UK and a

number of other charities as sponsorship for his ‘Big Swim’ – swimming one kilometre for charity. This is further than he has ever swum before. Aaron did this because he wanted to help other people who are in difficult circumstances.

The award was spent on providing a new Van der Graaf Generator which can be used by visiting Year 5 and 6 students and A level students.

Lucy Thompson

Lucy is in Year 10 and both her parents are deaf. She learnt sign language (aged 2). She makes all of the phone calls for her parents and she helps them communicate with others. This includes shop keepers (weekly shopping), parents evenings, paying bills etc.

She tells her parents when someone is at the door or if the phone is going or the smoke alarm is going off. Lucy has taken time to teach other people, including her close friends, to sign so that they too can communicate with her parents.

In lessons, Lucy is really polite. She never makes excuses despite the fact that her parents’ disabilities must impact on her own time significantly. She is currently achieving a B grade in Business, her target grade is a D. She is a wonderfully polite student who has an excellent level of independence. A genuine worthy winner!

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Newsletter

YEAR 7

YEAR 8

YEAR 9

YEAR 10

P OSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MODEL

The positive behaviour model encourages the development of vital employability skills and inspires habits that should turn our pupils into successful adults. We are proud to announce that the following pupils were the top 10 earners of credits in their year group during the Autumn term 2012. They were invited to a

buffet lunch with the Deputy Headteacher to congratulate them on their efforts and continuous commitment to their own learning and development.

YEAR 11

House Student Name Form Points Ennis Khanya Memani 7.8 496 Farah Niamh Moran 7.1 462 Ennis Chloe Gibbs 7.8 459 Ennis Samuel Bryan 7.4 458

Simmonds Chloe Taylor 7.7 458 Ennis Molly Thomson 7.8 453 Ennis Charlotte Thorogood 7.8 452

Simmonds Kieron Saunders 7.7 451 Ennis Elle Fenn 7.4 449 Ennis Holly Newland 7.8 446

House Student Name Form Points Simmonds Aamna Khan 8.7 514

Farah Zoe Wood 8.5 495 Simmonds Jade Schaverien 8.7 490 Simmonds Ellie-Mae Boniface 8.7 478 Simmonds Megan Warman 8.7 478

Farah Nicola Bourne 8.1 467 Farah Tia Wood 8.5 466

Simmonds Owen Sartain 8.7 466 Farah Amy Lebby 8.1 462

Simmonds Lauren Solly 8.7 445

House Student Name Form Points Farah Tasha Wood 9.5 395

Wiggins Natasha Wellman 9.2 373 Simmonds Callum Rickards 9.7 362 Simmonds Chloe Wing 9.7 362 Simmonds Holly Smith 9.7 353

Ennis Zoe Brown 9.4 353 Wiggins Phoebe Muggeridge 9.2 347 Wiggins Bailea Doe 9.2 344

Simmonds Rebecca Rowe 9.7 344 Wiggins Charles Omer 9.6 342

House Student Name Form Points Simmonds Zoe Vine 10.7 418

Farah Megan Campbell 10.5 402 Simmonds Summah Johnson 10.7 402 Simmonds Matthew Norrington 10.7 399

Farah Olivia Carmona 10.5 394 Farah Danielle Johnson 10.5 391 Ennis Casey Froggatt 10.8 388

Simmonds Morgan Stilwell 10.7 384 Farah Sydney Bohannan 10.5 382 Farah Jemma Heard 10.5 382

House Student Name Form Points

Wiggins Bradley Cooper 11.6 393 Wiggins Aiysha Khan 11.2 377 Wiggins Hannah Lowman 11.6 375 Ennis Evelyn Martin 11.4 374 Ennis Sacha Hawker 11.8 364 Farah Katie Hill 11.1 362

Simmonds Kieran Boniface 11.3 354 Simmonds Sasha Kaveri 11.3 354

Farah Jack Bates 11.1 352 Ennis Claudia Walsh 11.4 346

The message to all is that collecting your credits says a lot about you and your attitude to maintaining a good positive attitude and progressing in your learning and therefore progressing as a young person to better cope with the expectations of the competitive adult world!

Continue with that commitment.

Mrs S Hörmann

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• Communication around the school to be improved via a blog or newsletter on the school website - coming soon.

• Possible expansion of drop-in clinics for English, Maths and Science. (Mainly for KS4/A Level).

• Form representatives and School Council are gathering information from students for improved outside seating around the school and working with Mr Coulson on this project.

• Student Executive Team and School Council gathering new ideas for fundraising such as a Bromfords Book of Records. If any students have good fundraising ideas, please communicate them to your Form Representatives or Stuart Clark and Benedict Delfgou from the Student Executive Team.

Thank you. Student Executive Team

MARCH 2013 MATHS GCSE EXAMS Date Start Length Code Title

Thu 28 Feb 13:45 01:15 5MB1H01 Calculator [H]

Thu 28 Feb 13:45 01:30 J567/01 Mathematics B: Paper 1 [Foundation]

Thu 28 Feb 13:45 01:45 J567/03 Mathematics B: Paper 3 [Higher]

Mon 04 Mar 08:45 01:30 J567/02 Mathematics B: Paper 2 [Foundation]

Mon 04 Mar 08:45 01:45 J567/04 Mathematics B: Paper 4 [Higher]

Mon 04 Mar 08:45 01:15 5MB2H01 Non Calculator [H]

Mon 04 Mar 11:15 01:15 5MB2H01 Non Calculator [H]

Wed 06 Mar 08:45 01:45 5MB3H01 Calculator [H]

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E XAMINATION DATES

Please refer to the table below detailing examination dates during March:


Newsletter

S TUDENT VOICE FEEDBACK

School Council meetings and Student Executive meetings outcomes for the Autumn term:

E AST REGIONAL HANDBALL CHAMPIONS

Essex were champions. We had some good development matches after the main competition which introduced handball to many new girls who really enjoyed playing in front of an enthusiastic audience.

Game 1

Bedford 3 East Sussex 5

In the opening game Bedfordshire came out of the blocks as the sharper team racing to a 3 goal lead, East Sussex reduced the deficit to 2 goals with the half time score 3-1. In the 2nd half, East Sussex made some tactical changes and player marked the playmaker and Left Half. This worked well for Sussex winning the ball back quickly and aggressively. Sussex scored two quick goals to get on level terms and then added two more goals to win the match.

Game 2

Essex 9 Bedford 2

This match started off very tight with Essex and Bedford trading early goals to make it 2-2. Essex then grew into the game and through some flowing interplay scored twice before the break to lead 4-2 at the half. In the second half Essex picked up where they left and scored a further 5 goals to come out as comfortable winners.

Game 3

East Sussex 3 Essex 5

With Sussex and Essex both recording victories in the first game, this game now meant that the winner would be crowned champions and qualify for the National Finals. This match started a little scrappy with neither team giving an inch or taking control of the game. Sussex drew first blood to go 1-0, Essex hit back to make the score 1-1 at half time. Sussex started the 2nd half the brighter team, Essex had their goal keeper to thank for keeping them in the game saving twice 1 v 1 from Sussex fast breaks. Sussex then took the lead to make it 2-1 only for Essex to hit straight back and add a quick fire four goals to put them 5-2 up. Sussex brought 1 goal back to make it 5-3 then Essex controlled the game to come out winners and Champions.

Well done to all players, staff, officials and helpers. Games were played in excellent physical friendly spirit from start to finish the girls did England handball proud.

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Essex Squad

Chenai Mobey Jessica Willmott-Turner

Zoe Thacker Jodie Taylor

Sophie Thompson Vicky Shaw

Esther Ogunbiyi

Bromfords B Squad

Scarlett Anderson Paige Briggs

Gloria Acheampong Kelly Wealthall

Elizabeth Fayehun Zakia Touati


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I CT PROGRAMMING CLUB

The ICT department at The Bromfords School and Sixth Form College are proud to announce the introduction of its Computer Programming Club. The Club aims to introduce students to basic

computer programming structure and language. As a result we have chosen to introduce Python language, which is an agile programming language. This programming language is the first choice for introducing people to programming because it is simple to learn, suitable for large projects as well as small ones, Object-Oriented, simple and yet elegant.

The Club is aimed at all students from Years 7 to 13. No prior programming knowledge is required. We aim to introduce students to the most exciting element of computing by showing them how to design and build their own computer programs. The benefits of this club are immense as a good knowledge of

computer programming is not only a transferable skills; it can also strengthen the students’ marketability in the world of work.

The Club runs on Tuesdays lunch time between 1.20pm to 1.50pm and Wednesdays after school from 3.10pm – 4.00pm.

For more information about the Club, please speak to Mr Samuel or Miss Victory at the ICT department.

And don't forget that with Python, programming is fun again!

B ROMFORDS SCHOOL and SIXTH FORM CHARITY - St Luke’s Hospice

This year the School Council and the Student Executive have decided that the school’s chosen charity will be St Luke’s Hospice in Basildon. St Luke’s provides specialist care for people who have an advanced disease, as well as those who love and care for them, in a warm, caring and

friendly environment.

The hospice is a registered charity serving Basildon and Thurrock local authorities. They make no charge to patients or their families for any of the services provided, so rely heavily on charitable donations and fundraising. It costs around £3million each year to run the hospice and all its facilities; this includes its eight bed in-patient unit, 24 hour nursing staff, day hospice, hospice at home, bereavement counselling and other services in the local area.

As a volunteer in the in-patient unit of the hospice I have seen first hand what an amazing job the nurses and staff do; without the donations this care will stop. The Student Executive has met with members from the hospice to discuss how the school can best support them.

Some ideas that came from that meeting were:

• To raise funds to purchase a particular piece of equipment;

• To produce a care package for an individual patient;

• To fund trips for day hospice patients;

• To provide general funds for the hospice to use where they see fit.

We are currently in conversation with form representatives to come up with ideas for events and we are planning to proceed with the fundraising after the February half term. We, as a school, have a great opportunity to make a huge difference to patients’ lives and also the lives of their relatives. If you have any ideas for fundraising, or would like to help or donate, please contact the Student Executive member who represents your year group.

Reece Hustwitt Head of Student Executive

S TUDENT IS AWARDED A BLUE PETER BADGE

Charlotte Thorogood was recently awarded a ‘rare’ Blue Peter badge for a picture she drew of ‘Barney Falling Off a Swing’ (Barney is the Blue Peter Presenter).

Congratulations Charlotte!

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P ARENTPAY

Please be reminded that Parentpay is a fantastic facility that enables you to pay for school trips and school dinners online, removing the need for your child to carry cash into school. We continue to promote this method of payment as the most secure way of ensuring your

payment reaches us. If you need a reminder of your log in details and password then please contact the Finance Office, on 01268 471201 Ext 314.

A RT & PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP

The Art and Photography Department arranged an educational visit to the London Science Museum accompanied by Mr Smith, Mr Mackenzie, Mrs Warwick and Mrs Spinks. The trip took place on Thursday, 7th February. The aim of the trip was for year 11 Art and Photography

students to produce evidence towards their final exam.

The year 11 students had a great opportunity to produce some interesting photographs and artwork based on the artifacts at the Science Museum for their chosen Art and Photography exam theme.

The trip was a real success and the evidence gained from each student will make a great impact on their final exam. All students behaved in a mature and respectful manor and represented the values of The Bromfords School.

C ANCER RESEARCH RUN IN MEMORY OF VIV BOATWRIGHT

Five members of staff of the The Bromfords School joined forces in running the 5 mile race along Southend

seafront in December. The race was to raise money for Cancer Research and in particular in memory of Viv Boatwright, a dearly loved member of staff who lost her battle against cancer in July of last year – staff raised over £300.

A great effort by all involved. Well done!

S EVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS To ensure we can keep the school open during severe snow conditions, we are asking if any parents would like to volunteer to come and help clear the site at weekends. If you are able to help please email your contact

details to [email protected]. Thank you.

Documents

February 2013 Newsletter