Bablake Lion Magazine Autumn 2023 - Issue 90 by Bablake

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Issue 90 | Autumn 2023

News from Bablake

Christmas Card Competition Winner: Daisy Cassell www.bablake.com

@bablakeschool

@bablakejunior

News

Welcome to the Autumn term edition of the Lion Magazine.

ne of the privileges of this job is spending time with our fantastic students especially as they take part in the hundreds of activities inside and outside the classroom. I never cease to be amazed by their talents and this newsletter reflects their breadth of achievement in so many areas of school life. We have high expectations of what they can achieve and who they turn out to be. We cannot measure personality or self-belief, but these qualities are formed as much through the co-curricular programme as they are in the classroom. It is precisely this healthy balance to which we aspire at Bablake as we encourage our pupils to enjoy a variety of activities, to participate in house events and to volunteer for charitable service. It gives me great pleasure to welcome Bablake Junior School in this edition. The junior school is very much part of the Bablake family so it is right that we share some of our news together. This edition is packed full of the many opportunities our students have given back to the local community, as well as highlighting the incredible sporting achievements across the School and the customary Christmas celebrations that have nicely finished off yet another exceptional term. Finally, I would like to wish you and your family an enjoyable Christmas break, and a happy and healthy 2024. Mr Andrew Wright, Headmaster

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Bablake Abseil

Mythical Marvels Mural

Staff and Students took to the dizzy heights of the School’s clock tower to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

The Classics Department has been transformed recently by the stunning addition of a mural by local artist Katie O.

Organised by L6JM, the charity event took place in October and students could purchase raffle tickets for a chance to abseil from the top of the tower.

Katie has previously produced murals for the Art Department and was delighted to showcase her talents with a depiction of the Ancient World. Figures from myths such as Zeus, Athene, Medusa and Icarus featured, together with creatures such as the Minotaur and Cerberus. Even Caecilius featured, though not “in horto” this time.

The event proved to be a huge success raising over £400 for this very worthy cause. Thank you to Mrs MacGibbon and Mr Tyas for ensuring the event was expertly organised, safe and enjoyed by all.

To celebrate the creation, the Department organised a competition for students to write about an episode featuring one of the characters. Congratulations to Chase Cook who won the competition with a fantastic entry about Apollo and Marsyas.

BABLAKE

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Shells

Play in a Day Earlier this term, Shells came together in the theatre with a productive, collaborative and creative energy. It was a joy to witness the students share their ideas and approaches to the stimulus, which this year was focused on ‘breath’. Stand out moments in the performance included the full ensemble holding a moment of stillness on stage for a synchronised breath as well as a creative interpretation of the respiratory system. This annual event builds the bonds of collaboration, creativity and responsibility within the year group - and they certainly rose to the challenge this year.

Going for Gold! The first House event of the term for Shells was the Shell Olympics. This was a great opportunity for students to get to know each other and form strong bonds in a selection of team building events. Events included welly wanging, penalty shoot out and relay races. Parents came along to show their support and our Sixth Form House Prefects provided fantastic help and support throughout the event. The results were compiled and trophies awarded to the winning houses: • Boys: 1st Crow, 2nd Wheatley, 3rd Fairfax, 4th Bayley • Girls: 1st Fairfax, 2nd equal Crow and Wheatley, 4th Bayley

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So what did our Shells think…? “I think it felt really special to come together and also feel the energy of all of us as one community.” “It’s crazy how one word can be interpreted in so many different ways.” “I really liked how some people tried hard to make out their part. The day was great and the hard work definitely paid off.”

A Musical Extravaganza Shells, Year 8 and Year 9 students took part in the House Music Competition on Thursday 19 October. Each house performed three musical renditions in solo, small groups or whole house performances. There was some fantastic music from talented pianists, vocalists, guitarists, drummers and even a DJ mixing songs on his decks. Sixth Form House Prefects worked hard with the students to practise their pieces including a group performance of all members of each house. There was an electric atmosphere in the School Hall during the performances and a big well done to Daniel who did a fantastic job of compering. The event showcased our many talented students including Alfio, Year 9, who performed his own piano composition. We are very proud of everyone who performed. They all thoroughly enjoyed the competition.

Sixth Form

The Great Debate A fabulous history filled afternoon was spent at King’s High School with two members of the Senior History Club, Avneet and Rhea. They were competing in the regional round of the Historical Association’s Great Debate. Their task was to argue for five minutes on ‘which historical place or person from your local area deserves greater recognition?’ Avneet’s speech was placed as ‘highly commended’ with the judges commenting on her passion for the subject and outstanding commentary on History as a discipline. While Rhea was named the winner of the round - judges were impressed with her use of contemporary sources and historical interpretations to develop her arguments. Rhea will now represent the School at the national final next March and both girls have been invited by one of the judges to write for the University of Warwick’s History and Politics magazine. Well done to both girls!

Enrichment Sessions Spark Inspiration This year’s first half term of enrichment has been a busy one! Lower Sixth have attended their first sessions on wellbeing, future proofing and perspectives, equipping them with some of the softer skills they will need both in the coming years and in life beyond Bablake. We have been delighted to welcome back former students to deliver lectures on life as an architect and careers in corporate finance. In the Upper Sixth, enrichment is an enjoyable way to end a working week. Amongst other things, students have learned vital cookery skills to survive on their own at university, discovered the basics of British Sign Language and worked with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust as part of Woodland Conservation. The inspirational and motivational ‘Speaker in The Orange Tie’ also visited Bablake to impart some words of wisdom to Upper Sixth. The session was highly engaging and entertaining, and some valuable lessons were learned.

BABLAKE

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Food and Technology

Food pictured: by Orson Brand

Delightful Doughnuts

Boys in Food

in the Big Smoke In November, Year 11 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students were treated to a foodie day in London to gather research to use in their non-examined assessment. The first stop of the day was Eataly, a huge Italian food department store where students were able to buy lunch from several delicious Italian food counters and spend a further hour exploring cheese making, pasta and pizza making, and the huge array of produce. After lunch they made their way to the famous Bread Ahead bakery based in Borough Market to take part in a three-hour baking experience. The students produced a brioche loaf and the most delicious, filled doughnuts guided by expert bakers who led some excellent demonstrations – even the teachers learnt a thing or two. Year 11 thoroughly enjoyed the day and certainly came away with memorable moments, excellent baking knowledge, improved practical skills and a bag full of wonderful yummy treats!

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Traditionally, certain subjects have been associated with specific gender norms, perpetuating stereotypes that hindered educational diversity. We have worked hard in the Food Department to challenge these stereotypes, encouraging students to pursue their interests and aptitudes regardless of societal expectations. Boys have begun to recognise the value that a good food education can have when pursuing careers in medicine, sports and physiotherapy as well as more traditional routes into hospitality and cheffing. A shift towards a more forward-thinking and relevant curriculum has made subjects like food and nutrition not only interesting but also applicable to real-life scenarios. Last Summer the Food Department achieved its highest attaining grades for boys as well as the largest uptake of boys in many years. An example of the showcased practical work above demonstrates that, if nothing else, these individuals can cultivate a valuable life skill in preparing nutritious and delicious meals.

Art

Local Artists

Discovering the Art

Inspire Year 8

of Life Drawing

Students in Year 8 have been working with local artists to experience different techniques and media.

There was a hive of activity in the Art Department during October half term.

Artists included Emma O’Brien who creates delightfully cute textile monsters, Gemma Foy from Let’s Animate who is working with students to script, shoot and edit short, animated films using Lego and photographer Dan Burwood who has introduced students to large format cameras and pinhole photography.

Sixth Form students from both Bablake School and King Henry VIII School enjoyed a day of life drawing led by local artist Tanya Kozin. The workshop proved very useful as students were challenged to focus carefully on their drawing and recording skills.

What a great experience for all which they thoroughly enjoyed.

BABLAKE

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Trips and Tours

A Taste of Italy Despite an early flight, we were soon sampling the local atmosphere, heading out to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, along with enjoying the first of many ice creams. We visited major classical sites such as the Colosseum and the spectacular galleries of the National Museum, took in the splendour of Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and fully embracing la dolce vita as we tucked into pizzas, pasta and yet more ice cream from the oldest ice cream shop in Rome. We ventured to the Vatican where after a long queue we climbed the 551 steps to look out exhaustedly over the sights of Rome. We moved on from Rome, visiting the ancient site of Ostia on the way to Sorrento where we saw our first glimpse of what a Roman city would have been like 2,000 years ago. We spent a whole day in Pompeii, where even the rain could not dampen the excitement at wandering round the city. We even had special permission to go inside Caecilius’ house which is closed to the general public so that was a real treat.

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Unfortunately, our coach was late taking us to Vesuvius and our entry tickets had expired so we weren’t allowed to walk to the crater. Our travel company did offer us a free lunch which we gladly took, especially as it was raining on Vesuvius with very limited visibility. We then travelled on to Herculaneum to see a more intimate site of another destroyed city. Our final excursion was definitely the tastiest as a local gelato explained the process of making ice cream and got lots of us involved in making a delicious lemon sorbet.

Eyri (Snowdonia) Our annual adventure trip to the Arete Outdoor Centre in North Wales was once again a huge success. The outdoor programme embraces the rivers, mountains and lakes of Eryri, Snowdonia and the beautiful coastline of Anglesey. Students enjoyed ziplining, paddle boarding, rock climbing, coasteering and gorge scrambling plus much more.

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Trips and Tours

Magnificent Malaysia This Summer we visited Malaysia for the senior hockey and netball girls’ sports tour. Across two weeks we visited three cities including Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang, with matches played by the 1st XI hockey as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd netball teams, with the 1st VII netball team remaining undefeated throughout. Despite the busy schedule, we managed to enjoy and embrace Malaysian culture exploring the capital with a visit to the iconic Batu caves. The vibrancy and natural beauty was breathtaking (however the 272 steps up to the main cave may also be responsible for us all being out of breath). We then swapped the city for the forest, as we visited FRIM, a forest reserve with 50ft high views of the Kepong Botanic Gardens. Although it was not long before we were back in the heart of the city, visiting the Petronas Towers - the tallest twin towers in the world.

We had the opportunity to visit a welfare facility for those with physical and mental disabilities in Ipoh. A day of mixed emotions as we were fairly apprehensive due to the reality of those less fortunate. However, we were soon singing, dancing, colouring and laughing with those who lived there. We left immensely proud of one another and grateful for everything we have. During the visit we also enjoyed some tea gardens and a boat ride to an island to visit the orangutan sanctuary, where we were able to feed the orangutans and observe them playing and sleeping. Penang was our final destination, which was unlike anything we had yet explored. We stayed in a beach front hotel with a relaxing aura, just what we needed after our many competitive netball and hockey games against some of the best teams in each state. Here we explored George Town, a neighbouring city, as well as taking full advantage of the beach and pool. The tour was better then we could have imagined because of the togetherness between everyone on the trip, despite the group consisting of three different year groups. by Daisy Bell

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Priceless PGL Moments Our Shell students enjoyed an exhilarating PGL trip this term, where they immersed themselves in a variety of adventures – from axe throwing and canoeing to raft building and climbing. Their enthusiasm shone through every activity. They came home exhausted but filled with priceless memories.

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Bablake Community

Cupcakes for a Cause This year’s coffee morning was a great success with over £750 raised on Friday 29 September for Macmillan. Students baked and donated a delicious variety of cakes and treats which were enjoyed by all. The House Cake Competition ran with the theme ‘Happiness’ and congratulations goes to Emilia in Wheatley who won first place.

Lest We Forget We held our annual Remembrance Services to remember the sacrifice made by former students and staff, and to reaffirm our commitment to work towards peace and reconciliation. Air Commodore Ashwell shared his experiences serving in the RAF and encouraged us to remember they gave their lives to ensure that we can continue to enjoy freedoms such as education, free speech and the right to self-determination. In World War I, almost 800 former students and staff served, 109 did not return. In World War II, another 700 former students and staff served, 98 did not return.

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Superstitious Sleepout Despite the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, Upper Sixth students took their sleeping bags out within Bablake’s grounds and hosted a sleepout to raise funds for Coventry Foodbank.

Own clothes day for Bwenga

Undeterred by the cold or the date, ten students enjoyed a dry evening of games, songs and toasted marshmallows, even managing to catch a few hours of sleep. An incredible £870 was raised! The School’s harvest food collection was also given to Coventry Foodbank, highlighting the importance of community support during challenging times.

Bablake Junior School’s charity focus has gone international this year raising much needed funds for Muselema Primary School in Bwenga, Africa. In November pupils came to school wearing clothes representing a flag of a country of Africa in exchange for a donation. We’re delighted that the money raised so far this year has already gone towards the interior renovation of six classrooms and the repair of 40 broken desks. Seeing the before and after photos, and the way in which the children embrace their educational opportunities, it is clear that this is having a great impact on those in need.

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Christmas Celebrations

Community Fun We hosted our annual festive Christmas party extending a warm welcome to senior citizen guests from the local community, friends of Bablake, former pupils and staff. The event, expertly organised by Mrs Bamforth and Mrs Tumber, was a resounding success. Dressed in a fabulous Mrs. Santa outfit, Mrs Tumber moved through the room, engaging with both old and new friends, sharing lots of festive cheer. Meanwhile, Mrs Bamforth and her team served hand crafted Christmas cakes, sausage rolls and mince pies, which were met with much appreciation and enjoyed by all. Year 9 students did a commendable job serving the food, mulled wine and even the occasional glass of sherry! Their warm conversations and laughter created a lively and welcoming environment for our senior guests. The afternoon was a splendid affair for all - it captured the spirit of the season with its blend of fun, music and culinary treats.

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Festive Fun We all stepped into the holiday spirit at Bablake Junior School for Christmas Jumper Day. It was a lovely celebration of Christmas, where pupils and staff donned an array of Christmas themed jumpers covered with seasonal patterns, Santa hats, reindeer antlers and bauble be-boppers! In addition to the festive fashion, pupils were served a delicious Christmas lunch, with special Christmas biscuits and crackers. It was a fabulous day enjoyed by everybody.

Jeans for Genes Day On Thursday 7 December we took part in the Jeans for Genes Day raising much needed funds for Genetic Disorders UK, a charity that aims to transform the lives of children with genetic disorders.

Not only did students support the charity by wearing their jeans but they put a festive twist on the day with their brilliant array of Christmas jumpers too. Keep an eye on our social media channels to see how much we raised.

BABLAKE

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Sport

Cross Country There has been some excellent cross country performances this term. Our Year 7 and 8 house cross country events were hard fought with many of the outstanding performers going on to represent the School in the Coventry Championships and Relays. Our U16 girls’ team of Ella, Isla and Lara have been simply outstanding, finishing in Gold, Silver and Bronze positions in the Coventry Championships, winning the team event and later winning the Coventry Relay event. Our U13 boys’ team were also team champions in the U13 championships and later relay champions too, whilst in the U16 boys’ event Seb won a silver medal!

Basketball We’ve seen some excellent performances in basketball this term. The U18 team won their first match vs KES Camp Hill, whilst the U16 and U14 boys have recorded wins in both of their first two matches too. Draws have been made for the Junior NBA with Bablake switching allegiances from the Toronto Raptors to the Golden State Warriors with both Year 7 and 8 teams set to compete, with the Year 8 team defending the Midlands Title. The U16 girls lost their first ever match in a tense 20-17 encounter vs an excellent Cardinal Wiseman.

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Girls’ Hockey It has been another busy term of girls’ hockey, playing 57 matches against opposing schools across different age groups. There has also been an exceptional number of girls turning out to hockey training on a Tuesday in Shells and Year 8s. It was a lovely moment when the 1st team could proudly wear their Bablake colours again. The girls have shown real determination, commitment and resilience. The teamwork and camaraderie has helped, which developed throughout

the Summer on the sports tour to Malaysia (see page 10). The 2nd XI have had a little more success, with a nail biting win vs Princethorpe (1-0) and Nottingham (2-0), with a narrow loss to Kings Worcester (1-0). All girls in Shells and Year 8 have had the opportunity to represent the School which is wonderful. The U14s transitioned to 11-a-side this season after matches in 2022. They have had to develop their positioning and fitness to be successful, so it was pleasing when they won their first game of the season 2-0 vs Nottingham. The U12 and U13 sides have only lost two games between them and racked up a huge 26 goals! With still plenty of fixtures to go in the new year, we hope to see the girls develop and achieve some more wins!

Boys’ Hockey It has been another busy term of boys’ hockey, with teams enjoying training sessions led by our professional hockey coaches and playing competitive fixtures against other schools. This year has also seen a record number of boys opting for hockey in Years 9 and 10 during their Games lessons and more boys than ever attending training in the Shells!

of the term came against King Edward’s Five Ways; a sluggish start saw them trailing by two goals, however, the squad quickly regrouped and played some outstanding hockey to turn around the deficit and finish with a 4-2 victory. The mixed 2nd XI has also enjoyed wins against KEFW and KE Aston. Our junior teams have been preparing hard for the Spring Term when hockey becomes the focus in boys’ sport. Warm-up games this term against KES Stratford and Warwick have been excellent opportunities for boys to represent the School and apply the skills developed in training.

The 1st XI have shown real determination, commitment and resilience when faced with a tough fixture list. The highlight

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Sport

1st XV

Rugby U15s

It’s been a busy term of rugby with all of our players working hard to develop their skills and understanding and putting in some outstanding performances on the pitch. Both U12A and U14A teams are unbeaten at the time of writing with the U14s in particular excelling in a 31-14 victory over Rugby School in the National Cup. It’s been great to see all Year 7 and 8 boys represent the School in fixtures for A to D teams. The U15s made it to round 3 of the National Vase with two excellent wins in the competition before losing narrowly in a hard fought match vs Solihull 2719, whilst the U13s continue to work well and compete hard in all matches. Our 1st and 2nd XVs have also been excellent in their approach and work ethic, and continue to impress in all that they do on the rugby pitch.

U14s

U12s

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South Africa Tour During the summer holidays, we were excited to take a combined Bablake and King Henry VIII Senior Rugby Squad on a truly unforgettable rugby tour to South Africa. The tour began in Pretoria with U19 and U17 matches against Westfield School and concluded in Cape Town with matches vs Brackenfell and Durbanville. Our players were outstanding in all of their matches and won all six, a remarkable achievement against some tough and competitive teams. Off the pitch we were able to enjoy some amazing experiences. Fresh from the plane we headed to the iconic Ellis Park Stadium to watch South Africa take on Argentina.

Game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park provided another ‘once in a lifetime experience’ when we were fortunate enough to witness elephants, leopards, rhinos, giraffes and hippos and so many animals in the wild. In Cape Town we attended one of the biggest school boy rugby matches in the world, joining over 25,000 partisan supporters at the Paarl Boys vs Paarl Gim match and also travelled above the clouds to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views across the city. These were just some of the highlights in an incredible tour that also saw excursions to Gold Reef City, The Apartheid Museum, Robben Island and the Cape of Good Hope. Our boys were simply outstanding, both on and off the pitch, and impressive ambassadors. It is a tour that all involved will never forget.

There was a visit to the Winnie Mombasa Foundation to learn about the work the Foundation does with disadvantaged children. We all took part in a dance lesson leading to a tense ‘forwards’ vs ‘backs’ dance off!

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Sport

Netball The term started well with some continued warm weather during our pre-season training. It was lovely to meet our new Shells and introduce them to Netball and Hockey at Bablake. Congratulations must go to the U14 and U16s that finished as Coventry Schools’ winners this year and to the U19s on finishing as runners up. The seniors are a real force this season, with depth across both the 1st and 2nd team. Both teams have many individual talents, which is reflected in some excellent results so far this term, (OSH 40-7) (Alcester 17-9). They also had a tough first round cup game vs KEHS losing narrowly 34-25. The 2nds are yet to lose a game and have made it past Rugby School 46-6 to make the second round of the SNS National Cup vs Bromsgrove. An excellent start to the season.

U14s

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The U15s results have been so close, demonstrating once again the talent in the squad. At the King’s High Festival, the girls lost both games by one goal. They were end to end, with some fluid attacking and exceptional defence. They are making real progress as a team, training with the seniors this season to give them as much competition as possible to develop. The juniors have great potential, already with a handful being selected for county this season. The 12A have won two games (played three) with the Bs winning both their games. The U12A beat KH8 24-0 in the SNS national plate to make it through to the next round later in the season. Well done. The U13s and U14s had a tough start to the season, with some competitive games, but the U13s came through strong against OSH and took a draw and two wins vs Kings Worcester. A huge congratulations to the U16 team on qualifying for the Regional finals. They beat King Henry VIII, Tudor Grange, King’s High and Stratford Grammar to qualify. We must also congratulate a number of girls across all year groups that have been selected to represent Warwickshire this year.

U16s

Junior School News

Welcome to Simba

am delighted to be writing this introduction in our new version of Simba. The connection between Bablake Junior School and Bablake School is stronger than ever, and it makes perfect sense to include our stories and reflections within the Lion magazine. We are proud to provide a Junior School experience that feels special and separate, whilst gaining all the benefits of our association with the staff and pupils of Bablake School, and the access to facilities that other primary schools cannot imagine. We also wanted to give this edition to the pupils: their voice, their thoughts and reporting on the things that matter to them. Hence, my thanks to Mrs Dawson for leading the editorial team through the tricky process of curating content and writing to their audience. Given their abilities, I may need to start giving them the role of the weekly newsletters! Mr Warren Honey, Headmaster

5 Questions with Mr Honey, Headmaster 1. What inspired you to become a Headteacher?

5. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring?

It was my desire to lead an inspirational school. A cycling trainer, Spotify and the works of Charles Dickens.

2. Who was your favourite teacher when you were at school and why?

Our Junior School Editorial Team

My favourite teacher was Mr Clark and his nickname was Honey Monster. He also had a long sunflower stalk which he would knock you on the head with if you didn’t listen.

3. Why did you choose Bablake? I chose Bablake because when I was shown around the children were lovely and it had good learning facilities.

4. If you could rule the World for one day, what would you do? I’d make sure there was no more war or fighting.

From left to right: Sophie, Lucy, Meera, Jessica, Pyaari, Rhia, Ria, Jamie, Rayhan and Manam (not in photo)

BABLAKE

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Junior School News

Regal Pharaohs

Discovering

& Hieroglyphics

the Joy of Music

Year 3 kicked off their Egyptian experience by learning how to boogie…Egyptian style!

Year 3 recently had the fantastic opportunity to learn a new instrument in a fun-filled afternoon of Music.

The children also delved into the ancient art of hieroglyphics by transforming letters into Egyptian symbols and writing their own names. The creativity continued with the pupils turning their own headshots into portraits of regal Pharaohs, by designing their own Nefertiti headdresses, bringing a touch of Egyptian design into the classroom.

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The pupils had a choice of three instruments, the cornet, the violin and the flute. Once the decisions had been made and an instrument had been chosen, the children had a quick lesson learning how to play their chosen instrument. An incredible effort was made by all the children as they learnt enough to produce and perform a mini concert for their parents.

Ahoy me hearties! Pirate Day was an arrr-mazing highlight for the Year 4 pupils this term. Whilst dressed up in some fabulous costumes, they took part in some exciting activities throughout the day. They played a Maths co-ordination game based on pirates, followed by drawing ‘wanted’ posters and learning how to speak like pirates in English. During the afternoon, they created treasure chest origami and topped it all off with an exciting treasure hunt, improved practical skills and a bag full of wonderful yummy treats. A swashbuckling time was had by all!

Unlocking the World of Languages

Exploring the

Languages Day took place earlier this term where Years 4, 5 and 6 spent the morning learning about a selection of different languages.

Wonders of Science

Years 5 and 6 learned German, Dutch and Afrikaans and Year 4 spent their time studying Danish. It was a great morning and everybody enjoyed sampling these interesting languages with some laughter on the way.

Year 4 had a brilliant ‘hands-on’ learning experience at the Think Tank in Birmingham.

Did you know...?

The fun-filled interactive museum allowed the children to explore all kinds of scientific concepts independently. Here is what some of our pupils thought about it… “It was so fun and really interactive, and I especially loved the stuffed animals.” Scarlett “I really liked the aeroplanes and the science garden.” Luca “My favourite things were the science play park and the talking robot.” Rhys

1. The German language has a 79 letter word? “Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft” Its meaning is: a compound word that serves as an example of the virtually unlimited compounding of nouns!

2. Many English words were originally Dutch, such as: bamboo, bazooka, gherkin and even Santa Claus!

3. 90-95% of the Afrikaans language is Dutch, and unsurprisingly, Afrikaans means African in Dutch.

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Junior School News

Victorians and Values Children in Year 5 had a busy November. Our budding historians delved into the Victorian era, crafting captivating biographies about Charles Dickens, enriching our study of “A Christmas Carol.” In Humanities, they explored historical paintings, deciphering the past through Art. In Science, pupils explored the world of forces, experimenting with balance and friction using ramps and various materials. Finally, during Anti-Bullying week, our passionate advocates united, fostering a culture of kindness and respect. Together, we’re creating an environment where learning is not only enriching but also empowering.

Decoding the Secret of Bletchley Park Year 6 had a wonderful trip to Bletchley Park with a day filled with fascinating facts and magnificent machinery. Bletchley stands as a testament to history, a time traveller’s haven, and living proof of World War II. Serving as a pivotal base for code breakers throughout the War, it became the epicentre where the allies achieved a monumental breakthrough.

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It was at Bletchley that the German Enigma coding machine, was ultimately deciphered by the Allies. This historic site echoes the remarkable efforts and brilliant minds that played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of one of the most significant conflicts in human history.

Reading for Pleasure

Why do you like reading? “I like reading because all the words are very interesting!” Harriet, 4HJ

This year, Bablake Junior School is promoting ‘Reading for Pleasure’. A daily reading time has allowed all the pupils to engage in their own books… even the teachers take time out to enjoy a novel. As you can see in the photographs above, reading in 6D is a very personal time, where the pupils get as comfy as possible.

“I like reading because it is very inspiring, and I can make up stories.” Scarlett, 4L “I learn new things from reading.” Charlie, 4L “Reading creates a picture in my head.” Meyriam, 5KL “I find reading really calming and I enjoy it.” Marly, 6Y “It’s like a running movie in my mind.” Kyan, 6D “When reading I can see the description in my mind’s eye!” Maya, 6Y

What do you like about the library?

The Junior Library

It takes you to places you would like to go. We are all friends here.

What’s your favourite book? I haven’t got a favourite book; I like all books.

How do you encourage our pupils to read?

Mrs O’Neill is our wonderful head librarian who looks after the Junior School Library. She is kind and approachable, making the library a safe, warm and inviting place to visit.

I encourage pupils to read by inviting them into the library and encouraging them to have a flick through all the different genres on the shelves.

What means the most to you in the library? I value most that everyone comes into the library, bringing happiness and having the freedom to share.

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Junior School News

Bablake Junior Celebrates a Great Milestone We have reached 30! All our Junior School pupils were thrilled to be part of the 30th birthday celebrations. The occasion was marked with a fantastic birthday cake and plenty of balloons. It was a fun-filled party with smiles all round and everybody involved felt a sense of pride in being a part of this milestone for Bablake Junior School.

Cozy for a Cause

Triumph and Challenges during House Cross Country

The School buzzed with excitement in November as pupils donned pyjamas and sported Pudsey ears, all in support of raising funds for Children In Need.

Despite facing some challenging conditions, the House Cross Country competition still took place and was a fun filled success.

A unique “Donate to Skip Class” initiative was held and for a donation of just 50p, the children could opt to skip a class and instead engage in a range of exciting activities. A big thank you to the staff and children who participated in making this event a great success.

The pupils demonstrated great team spirit, rallying behind their respective houses, and motivating each other to give their best efforts. Congratulations to the winning house: Bayley.

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Other News

Autumnal Music Melodies We were thrilled to hold another successful Autumn Concert in November, a highlight in the musical calendar of the first term here at Bablake. The concert showcased some exceptional talent from a number of soloists and performances from the School’s orchestra, swing band, wind band and vocal ensemble. A huge congratulations to all the performers for an outstanding concert.

Out of School Achievement

Table Tennis Triumph Our talented Year 8 student Anay recently competed in the renowned table tennis Graded Tournament, where the Leamington and Warwick table tennis clubs fought hard against each other. The tournament is known for its highly competitive and intense nature. Anay’s persistence and determination paid off and he achieved 3rd place. He was also featured in the Leamington Spa Courier for his accomplishments. A fantastic achievement. Well done Anay!

BABLAKE

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Christmas Card Competition Runner-up: Harriet Heath

Bablake School Coundon Road, Coventry CV1 4AU 024 7627 1200

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