ON FRIDAY 26 APRIL, COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS BET’S FAMILY OF NINE
CAME TOGETHER TO ENJOY THE FOURTH AWARDS
A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF CELEBRATIONS, MARKING THE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF STAFF AND SCHOOLS ACROSS THE YEAR.
The staff-focused awards present an opportunity for those within the Trust to nominate and recognise individual colleagues, teams and schools who have demonstrated excellence in their work. The event was a glittering ceremony at the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook, Hampshire, where shortlisted nominees toasted accomplishments whilst donning black tie attire.
Kirsty Protheroe, Headteacher of The Costello School, and Paul Collin, Headteacher of Bohunt School Worthing were the evenings’ hosts, providing entertainment and energy throughout as winners from across the Trust were applauded on stage.
Since January, Bohunt staff and pupils have been creating heart-warming and inspiring nomination videos for outstanding individuals and teams who have made significant contributions, which were then played at the ceremony. This year was particularly noteworthy, with a record-breaking 578 nominations made across the Trust’s 1,300 staff – a true testament to the remarkable talent and commitment of BET’s staff, and the desire to recognise and celebrate excellent work.
The categories celebrated the wide-reaching successes of staff across BET, from Bohunt Wokingham’s Headteacher, Jen Comber, receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award to Priory School in Southsea winning the coveted ‘Green Chicken School of the
Year’ award, which recognises a school that has collaborated and lent expertise and resources to other schools in the Trust.
The Chair’s Award was presented to the Leadership Team at Bohunt Horsham for their outstanding work developing the school’s curriculum, personal and professional development programme, and for their Good with Outstanding features Ofsted recognition this academic year.
Staff across the Trust were also commended for their long service, ongoing commitment to students, and for the way in which they champion the shared Bohunt ethos of Enjoy, Respect, Achieve. The ceremony marked just one of many opportunities for colleagues from across the Trust to come together.
Neil Strowger, BET’s Leader said:
“The BET Awards are a clear demonstration of the outstanding commitment, talent and dedication of our staff. From nominations to the ceremony itself, the event creates a real buzz across our family of schools. We received a huge number of entries this year, demonstrating just how important it is for our staff to celebrate each other’s successes.
“This year’s winners and nominees are shining examples of BET’s values, and it is thrilling to see our staff exemplify our ethos within and across our schools.”
See more photos from the event on pages 18 &19
Welcome to the final term of this academic year. A year ago, I commented about “the current wave of industrial disputes” – little has changed, especially with the railways! I commented last year about the spectre of Ofsted, and mentioned that also when presenting the Chair’s Award at the recent BET Awards (more below). Whilst I accept that independent quality assurance is important in education as in many other areas of activity, Ofsted has become an unwelcome distraction. A damning Education Select Committee inquiry earlier this year identified a raft of problems with Ofsted’s regime, saying that single-word judgements were a key driver of stress and anxiety for school leaders. Despite that, and earlier Government assurance that oneword judgements were not helpful, the DfE decided to retain them, saying that “… there are significant benefits from having an Ofsted overall effectiveness grade”. This does a huge disservice to children, parents and communities and especially to teachers. Many teachers regard an Ofsted inspection as a real threat, causing sleepless nights and real anxiety, and overall it succeeds only in distracting effort from the really important business of educating and inspiring a love of learning in our children. Ofsted is fundamentally flawed must be reformed urgently.
We in BET work hard to recognise and, as far as possible, to reward our staff for their dedication and to recognise individual colleagues, teams and schools who have demonstrated excellence in their work. This year’s e BET Awards was held at Old Thorns at the end of April, and enabled us to celebrate the effort, dedication and professionalism of both teachers and support staff across many areas. It was especially good to welcome colleagues from Bohunt Farnborough, which joined BET in January 2024. Space prevents mention of all these awards, at what was a very enjoyable evening. The selection panel had the difficult job of selecting the winners from nearly 600 nominations by colleagues. I took great pleasure in presenting the Chair’s Award to the Leadership Team at Bohunt
Horsham for their outstanding work developing the school’s curriculum, personal and professional development programme, and for their Good with Outstanding features Ofsted recognition this academic year. Many congratulations to all award winners –I look forward another enjoyable evening with as many staff as possible at the next Awards in 2025.
In passing, I was able to visit the new outdoor play area for the Junior phase at Bohunt Horsham. This is an amazing facility which must be the envy of most other schools – my grandchildren would spend hours playing there, if they could!
Mention must be made of the continuing successes of our outdoor curriculum, with the growth of the Duke of Edinburgh Award in our schools. Earlier this month, over 70 TPS Yr. 10 pupils received their Bronze and Silver Awards, whilst in March another group from TPS participated in a 5-day Ocean Sailing Trust voyage in the Solent. Despite having to return to port due to terrible weather, it was a brilliant experience with students growing in confidence as the week progressed, notwithstanding the cold and wet!
DR RAY MORTON
Dear Colleagues,
As we mature and become more worldly and wise. Or, put simply, become old. Time takes on a different dimension, we become increasingly aware of both its passage and its ravages. I can scarcely believe that as I write another cohort of our wonderful students have begun their public examinations; the end of their schooling and another academic year in plain sight.
I had the privilege recently to escape the perma-wet British weather for a few days to inaugurate a new international relationship with a French Lycée: Lycée Marseilleveyre. I hesitate to confess the following… but to reach the centre of Marseille from the Lycée, the most practical means of transport was to take a boat. Each morning, I closed my eyes to savour the perfect moment of warm sunshine, azure seas and the chatter of contented children, resolving to savour the moment to sustain me through those more challenging times. A fleeting but perfect moment.
The concept of fleeting moments in time captures the ephemeral nature of our experiences, emphasizing how each instance is transient and often irreplaceable. This idea underscores the impermanence of our daily lives, where every second that passes becomes part of the past, never to be relived in exactly the same way. Fleeting moments remind us that time is a relentless force, continuously moving forward, unaffected by our desires to hold onto certain experiences. This impermanence can evoke a range of emotions, from a profound appreciation for the beauty of the present to a melancholic longing for what has already slipped away.
In the hustle and bustle of busy schools and calendars, we often overlook these fleeting moments, preoccupied with the next task or goal. Yet, it is precisely these transient instances that can hold the most meaning. They remind us of the importance of mindfulness, of being present in the here and now, and of cherishing the simple, often unnoticed details that make life rich and fulfilling.
Moreover, the recognition of fleeting moments can also influence our perspective on time and memory. As we grow older, our lives seem to accelerate, with years passing by more swiftly than they did in our youth. This acceleration is partly because our minds condense repetitive or mundane experiences, highlighting unique and emotionally charged moments as significant markers in our personal histories. Thus, the awareness of time’s fleeting nature should inspire us to seek out and create meaningful experiences, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and others.
I have made a conscious effort to build my memory of fleeting moments and it has been sustaining. The BET Awards of late April being but one of myriad magical moments I have endeavoured to hold on to. As you will read in these pages, it was a fabulous evening and truly humbling to learn of the incredible number of amazing things you have done and do for our young people. The fact that 600 nominations were received also shows the breadth and depth of appreciation for the fantastic work you do each and every day. Take a moment to reflect on what you have achieved this year, individually and collectively!
Trust Leader of BET
Bohunt Horsham has confirmed the outcome of its first ever Ofsted inspection, which graded the school as Good with Outstanding features.
In just four years since opening in 2019, Ofsted’s glowing report highlighted the many strengths of the school, with particular praise for behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, which received the highest rating.
The inspectors, who visited at the end of October last year, congratulated Bohunt Horsham on its growth and success from the beginning, including how students “rise to the school’s high expectations” and are “consistently keen to improve their knowledge.”
The report highlights how teachers make sure “pupils’ learning builds during their time at the school” through the school’s leading digital classroom technology and targeted guidance and training from curriculum leaders who help “strengthen their teaching practice.”
Alongside this, Ofsted praised the school’s “dedicated” leadership and “founding values of high expectations and ambition” which has ensured students have “exceptionally positive” attitudes to school and “are proud of how the school community has remained kind” throughout its growth.
Other strengths in the report include:
• How students “consider staff to be caring and are confident that staff will help when needed” and are “encouraged to be ambitious in considering their aspirations for their life outside school.”
• The strong curriculum which helps students to “develop and use their subject knowledge as active citizens in the world beyond school.”
• Bohunt Horsham’s “specific training on how to ensure the needs of students with special educational needs and/or disabilities are carefully identified and that they benefit from any adaptations made to their learning.”
• That “attendance is strong and the school is committed to helping every pupil attend regularly.”
• The school’s growing enrichment programme means “pupils can recollect fond memories of performances and trips which they enjoy.”
• How the school’s growth and “development has been carefully planned” with effective systems and processes in place to support this.
Georgette Ayling, Headteacher at Bohunt Horsham said:
“We’re so proud Ofsted has recognised the continued hard work and efforts of our whole school community since opening with this incredibly positive first Ofsted report. I am delighted that inspectors noted how our ambition, high-quality teaching, and positive and safe culture is helping our students to realise their full potential.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be leading this school with a group of dedicated colleagues serving fantastic young people. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff, students, parents, carers and supportive community who have made this success possible, and I look forward to working closely with everyone to continue building on Bohunt Horsham’s foundations of excellence.”
Neil Strowger, Trust Leader at BET said:
“Since its inception four years ago, Bohunt Horsham has continuously and relentlessly worked to strive for excellence - and we are delighted that Ofsted has recognised this. This achievement would not be possible without the school’s incredible leadership, dedicated staff, children, and a wonderfully supportive parent community. We look forward to continuing to support the school to embed the highest expectations and standards in ensuring our young people get the very best education.”
IN FEBRUARY, BET STUDENTS AND STAFF CAME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN A VARIETY OF CREATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL WAYS.
Teachers seized the opportunity to integrate lessons about Chinese culture, history, and traditions into the curriculum. From learning about traditional clothing to exploring Chinese cuisine and customs, students gained a deeper understanding of global cultures.
A number of schools including Bohunt Horsham, Bohunt School Liphook and The Petersfield School welcomed students from China for an immersion visit where they enjoyed lessons and cultural trips to gain a deeper understanding of life in the UK. Each visiting student was also given a buddy from a Bohunt Trust school to accompany them throughout their visit.
There were many chances for learning including assemblies about Chinese culture at TPS and Bohunt Horsham, a Chinese feast for Steyning boarders and students at Bohunt school Worthing performed at a Chinese New Year gala.
Head of Mandarin at The Petersfield School, Mr Zhang, said, ”I am so passionate about celebrating the Chinese New Year with our TPS students and colleagues throughout the week. It has been such a joy for me to see the enjoyment and happiness from everyone within the school community. The Year of Dragon features power, success and prosperity, and I sincerely wish that it brings lots of 好运 luck, 快乐 happiness and 成功 success to everyone.”
Well done to all our schools for such a brilliant series of celebrations.
TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON 8 MARCH, EIGHT STUDENTS AND TWO MEMBERS OF STAFF FROM BOHUNT HORSHAM WERE SELECTED TO ATTEND A NETWORKING EVENT AT 10 DOWNING STREET.
During the event, students met female role models from a variety of professions including; fashion, music, engineering, the military and politics. Students had the opportunity to speak to the women about their careers and what inspires them. The event concluded with a tour of the building, a photoshoot outside the famous black door, some posh nibbles, and students even got to stroke Larry the cat!
The Girls’ Network connects girls with a female mentor and a network of professional role models. Katie Thiselton CoExecutive Officer at the charity said: “By being invited into 10 Downing Street, girls can see that spaces like this are just as much for them as anyone else. It was a memorable experience for all involved.”
The charity was invited to Number 10 by Mrs Akshata Murty. Akshata said:
“I’m so pleased to mark this International Women’s Day by celebrating women in business. It was fantastic to host a special mentoring session with female role models and business leaders for girls and young women at Downing Street.
An accompanying teacher from Bohunt Horsham said:
“It’s not very often that a small group of girls are chosen from only two schools in the country to represent the next generation at the biggest address in the UK! We can safely say that the visit exceeded our expectations and will be a memory that lasts a lifetime!”
To read further about the day please visit The Girls’ Network website https://www.thegirlsnetwork.org.uk/ or the recent news article with The Sussex World Online
The Costello School was delighted to celebrate World Book Day on the 7 March alongside the opening of their new library.
The library at Costello has always played a key part in being the heart of the school. The library has been moved to a quieter space within the school allowing for additional classrooms to be created within the main building. This was to accommodate the growing number of students wanting to join the school which is fantastic. They have not only been able to create more classroom space but we have a tranquil new library as well!
The new library creates a real safe and quiet space for our students to enjoy. Students played a key role in the redesign of this space to include helping to choose the colour palette for the new space as well as a request for a vegetation and calming theme within the room.
A huge thank you to Dean, Mark, Dan and Noel from the Site Team for their hard work to create this space. A special thank you to Zahra, the school Librarian, who has worked tirelessly during the move to ensure that the feel of the Library stays at the heart of the School. Also, a huge thank you to Emma from TPS who has been a Green Chicken and supported Zahra with all things Library.
Students were quick to give their thoughts on grand opening day and said:
“Wow, what an amazing place!” (Year 7 Student)
“I love the plants, you read a book and almost feel like you are living the story.” (Year 7 Student)
“This new library will be used by so many of us.” (Year 8 Student)
How long have you been supporting Mrs McClure in Reprographics and why did you offer to help?
From Year 9 for DofE, but then just carried on because I like helping out. Mrs McClure is often really busy at break and lunch time so it is nice to be able to help. Tom C
Tell us all about a normal break or lunch time spent in Reprographics
At break we all come together and talk about how our first two lessons were and have conversations about life, and the ups and downs. At lunch time we gather again and help Mrs McClure with her printing because she has a lot to do sometimes and little time to do it. Then we talk about our next two lessons and how it has affected our day either positively or negatively . At the moment I’m focusing on my upcoming GCSEs and I have told Mrs McClure about my mock results and she has helped me to focus my time on revision and how to revise in a way I will remember and to make sure I have time to myself. Grace C
Describe Mrs McClure in 3 words
Kind, caring and thoughtful. Maggie S
Kind, friendly and happy. Matthew H
What is your most favourite task to help with in Reprographics?
I enjoy shredding the most as it is really satisfying when you get to the bottom of the pile. Tilly W
Tell us about your future ambitions and how Reprographics duty might help with your plans. For example, organisation, working under pressure etc
Supporting in Reprographics teaches me to socialise with people better, increasing my confidence with things I haven’t done before. Elliot W
Helping in Reprographics has supported me in communicating with new people and learning to deal with stressful situations that I might encounter in a nursery setting in the future. Emma C
In February, Miss Speed accompanied 15 Year 10 students on a visit to her alma mater, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. The students invited were chosen due to their strong academic record and aspirations for future study, and were encouraged throughout the day to think about setting their sights on undergraduate study at Oxford.
The day started with a walk through Oxford City Centre, taking in some sights including the Radcliffe Camera, Old Bodleian Library, Divinity Schools, Sheldonian Theatre and the Bridge of Sighs. On arrival at St Edmund Hall (Teddy Hall to its friends!) the students collected some handy souvenirs of pencils and bookmarks before settling down for a talk about University life. Miss Speed and the staff at Teddy Hall were really impressed with the number of students who knew what they wanted to study, with options such as Medicine, Dentistry, Law and Business mentioned.
After the talk, the students went on a tour of the college, where they were fascinated by the College fishpond, and the old Medieval city wall which now forms the back wall of the college. They had the opportunity to ask three current students
some questions about life at Oxford, and many of the students fully embraced this, wanting to know about costs, how much work there is to do and what other fun activities they could get involved with. The students were then treated to a three course lunch in the college hall with some of the undergraduates before returning to their base room to do some serious work!
Two Masters Students from the Chemistry department, Charlotte and Lottie, spent the afternoon guiding the Year 10s through a chemistry code breaking challenge. The students really engaged with this opportunity to learn in a more independent way, exactly as they would at Oxford, and it became quite competitive with all the teams wanting to be the first to break open the box and find out what was inside! Although none of the teams managed to complete the final puzzle in the allocated time, Charlotte and Lottie were both very complimentary of the work completed by the students, and they did get much further on than a lot of schools do!
Miss Speed was really impressed with the attitude and effort of all of the students, and many of them now feel that Oxford University is a real prospect for them - mission accomplished!
What inspired you to be a teacher?
When my eldest son Joel was very unwell at the age of 15 it completely changed my life. As he slowly recovered I recognised the best thing I could do to help young people was to become a teacher and have a positive, inspiring impact on children’s lives.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
If I was not a teacher I would want to be a world famous architect. I actually started my working life in a drawing office, and then went on to run a successful local business. Imagine designing the Colosseum in Rome, the Guggenheim in New York, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, the Pyramids of Giza, the Vessel . Wow. If I had a twin, I’d be a professional footballer – play for Chelsea, and England. I love football with a passion.
What’s the best part of your job?
Every day, it genuinely feels like a privilege to help such awesome young people grow in confidence and self-esteem. And I get to teach what I love. One moment I’m in the Trenches of World War One then in Anglo Saxon England fighting off the Normans. I love it when students come “home” after graduation to tell me how they are getting on – Josh R for example contacts me every year to tell me about his history career and how things are going – I’m now allowed to call him “Professor Rice” .
Who are your heroes?
My super heroes are my grandparents. I did not have the best start in life, so I was moved to live with my Grandparents, aged 6. They were the best! Their love and values make me the person I am today. I believe they instilled in me a sense of bravery, determination, compassion, and resilience. It is no surprise then that I admire people like Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the Suffragette movement, and the architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man, was one of the greatest civil rights activists the world has ever seen.
Why did you choose to teach at Bohunt Farnborough? Community! I was teaching at the biggest school in the south of England and wanted to experience more of a family set up. I came for a temporary job – nine and a half years later I am still here! I love the vibe, I love the students and my colleagues.
Tell me a little about a teacher that inspired you
That would be the mesmerising Mr Teague, a history teacher with the most musical of voices. He encouraged us to spend a full half term learning about the Tudors by building an entire Tudor village. I was so proud of the house and theatre that I made and reported on. I won a head teacher’s commendation for my hard work in history lessons. I was so proud. So was my family.
What is one exciting teaching method you use?
I like to use active history teaching. I think it is engaging and makes history learning very memorable, for example this year 7C have been out on the hillside by the courts re-enacting the Battle of Hastings using their shields and swords that they diligently made for homework. We even had horses - thank goodness for chairs with wheels on! I think such activities encourage resilience and independence, and they are a great way to make history fun and accessible for all.
What are your thoughts on education today?
I think education has been neglected for some time. Schools are rightly crying out for help from the government to improve the life chances of our young people. We need more great teachers to come into the profession. Even so, I believe what goes on across our academy is outstanding. Our schools play an absolutely vital role in the personal development of our young people. If we get that right, what an amazing future society we will have. Young people often get bad press, but I’m here to big them up! They may moan they don’t like school – but when you see them on stage as Fagin, painting like a young da Vinci, designing a proto –type McLaren you recognise schools are the best place for them to explore their interests, develop their talents, and discover their passions. Take history lessons: Lexi, who interviewed me, said: “Miss, you always join things up and make links that help me” that made me feel so proud – I want my students to know their place in the world through studying history.
It’s always difficult to say goodbye, and this year, Bohunt Horsham will be bidding farewell to its founding families. Over the past five years, these students have had a unique experience, as they trusted a new school with no prior reputation in Horsham, housed in a temporary building. They successfully navigated the transition to the new school, a pandemic, and the pressure of the wider community watching them. They have demonstrated that our new school in Horsham is a success.
As the GCSE exams approach, we spoke with year 11 students, Rufus M and Scarlet S-H. They shared their thoughts on their time at Bohunt Horsham and what they will remember from their experience.
What was it like to join the school as the very first year group?
RM - It was nice because there were no years above us or below us so most of the time when we were in school it was just us. We had all the teachers to ourselves and there were only 120 of us. It was a very nurturing environment. We went into lockdown pretty quickly but even that was OK.
SP - Joining Bohunt as the first year group was daunting, as I was the only student coming from my primary school, and everyone thought not going to Millais and Tanbridge was a bad decision.
What were your highs and lows?
RM - The high had to be moving into the new building because there was so much more room and all of the rooms were now specialised to their subjects.
The low was other year groups moving in so we weren’t the only ones any more.
Another high was that lockdown was seamless because we were so used to working on the iPads and it was just at home instead of in school. The teachers made it fun for us. One day we went on a virtual trip to the British Museum using Google Earth and another day they made us go out for a walk to take photographs. Sports Day was really fun as well. There was a good sense of community even though we were in our own homes.
SP - I have had many highs and lows during the five years at this school. I remember multiple crying sessions over my maths grade and hating science. However, I have made friends and lost a few and I discovered my talent for art, which is something I am now going to college for.
How are you feeling about your pending exams?
RM - I’ll just wing it. I’m quite laid back and am not too worried. I’m doing some revision but maybe not enough.
SP - My pending exams are a slightly terrifying thing to look forward to. I think I have been more nervous for the mock exams than the real thing and they have made me realise the need for revision, even though I have given up on some subjects. I think I’m just excited to go to college and leave this whole GREAT experience behind me.
What advice would you give your year 7 self about life at Bohunt Horsham?
RM - Don’t choose two coursework-heavy GCSE subjects because that’s just awful!
SP - I think if I could advise my year 7 self I would tell her that the years would go by fast and to not focus on friendships as much as you won’t even talk to them in year 11. Begin revising for exams NOW and stop lying to yourself, I am good at art and I need to accept it.
What are your plans for the future?
RM - I’ve just had my Collyer’s interview where I’ll be studying all the sciences. I’ll probably go to University after that and then some kind of science job like forensics or veterinary science.
SP - I have a few ambitious plans for the future, I officially have a place at my dream college and I’m on track to starting my dream career. Even though my career wants have dramatically changed from being a heart surgeon to an archaeologist, I am finally happy and confident with my future.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is a delightful yet creepy production that centres around the story of Seymour, a clumsy floral shop assistant who discovers a new plant species. He names it after his love interest, Audrey II, but soon realises that it has a taste for blood. The show brings together a love-struck Seymour, an ill-fated dentist, and a plant that takes the concept of plant food to a whole new level, resulting in a side-splitting spectacle.
The genre of the show may not be familiar to some younger music fans, but the cast of Bohunt Horsham brought the story to life effortlessly!
With the amazing props created by their very own Mrs Mansfield, the audience was transported to the world of Mushnik’s Flower Shop.
The trio of Crystal (Erika), Ronnette (Izzy), and Chiffon (Tilly) are a vocal powerhouse who provides a running commentary on the show. The classic opening number sets the tone for this quirky kingdom of sass and creepiness.
Audrey (Keira) portrayed the right amount of ditziness and innocence, while Ethan’s Seymour was equally charming with his understated charm and well-executed lines that won the hearts of the audience.
Jack’s performance of “Orion the dentist” was comical yet villainous, despite his charming smile that could make him a great leading man and Daniel as Mr Mushnik was an exceptional comical performance.
Audrey II’s vocals, performed by Javier, were outstanding. The mechanical comedy was also well executed, with Mr. Butcher and Mr. Harris providing hilarious support as the plant grew to its full size. Even Ms. Ayling couldn’t resist getting involved and experiencing what it was like to be devoured by a plant!
Wonderful ensemble cast, direction by Mr. Harris and Ms. Davies, and choreography by Miss Dunkley, Bohunt Horsham has once again raised the bar with this production. What wonders will they produce next?
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Knowing that I will feel much better after a quick run, is what I would like to say is a consistent daily mantra, but it is more so that my cats will be pestering me for their breakfast!
How would you describe your day job to a child?
I wish I could think of something more witty or relatable… Being an approachable adult for you and the other adults in the school, to ensure there is a culture of positivity and respect, whilst problem solving to make your experience even better.
What is your biggest achievement to date, personal or professional?
Leaving everything and everyone that I loved (minus my husband!) to go and work in a British School teaching PE in South China, for two years. The change in culture and lifestyle was something that took me out of my comfort zone and I learnt a lot from the experience. But equally, I realised that I wanted to be back in the UK with my friends and family as well as returning to Bohunt.
What does a typical day look like to you and what are you currently working on?
I get in early, as I am much more productive first thing. Then it would be a mixture of duties, teaching Maths or PE, meeting with staff that I line manage, supporting staff and students, observing lessons and fitting in some emails when I can! I am working on various things but one area is elevating the rewards currently in place to recognise more of our phenomenal students.
What 3 words would you use to describe your role?
Improving student culture
What is on your wish list for the next five years at BET?
That we keep striving to ensure that students are receiving the best education and pastoral care, as well as looking out for staff workload.
What’s your favourite line from a film?
I love watching ‘The Holiday’. This line is an empowering moment in the film and a reminder that we should believe in ourselves and abilities.
“In the movies, we have leading ladies, and we have a best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady. But for some reason, you’re behaving like your best friend.”
What do you like most about your job?
Although teaching is not always the picture perfect scenario we see on the ‘get into teaching’ adverts, how amazing is it that we get to inspire and enrich young people’s lives every single day? I love working with the students but could not do the job I do with such positivity without the commitment, care and collaboration of the staff I work with too.
What are your biggest professional challenges?
Ensuring I give enough time to work on implementing my plans, as I love problem solving for others!
What’s your personal mantra?
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
What makes a great library? My strong belief is that the answer to this question lies in the strength of feeling those that use it, have for their library. Perhaps one measure of success of the library at Bohunt is in the overwhelming number of applications I have each year for the post of ‘student librarian’.
With regular training provided, students quickly add value and ensure our library represents what students would like the library to offer. In return it offers students a level of responsibility, increased confidence and a variety of useful skills.
Bohunt library currently has a team of 25 enthusiastic and knowledgeable student librarians, made of students from Y7 – Y10 who are all allocated a weekly ‘shift’ in the library. Mrs Coveney, Learning Resource Centre Manager.
The library at Bohunt School, Liphook is a very special place. It’s somewhere you can spend your break and lunchtimes with friends, play chess, finish your homework or just relax quietly. It’s brilliantly organised and well-stocked with amazing books. Donnie H, 7NJW
This year, the student librarians have been able to create a display. Astrid Lucy and I did ours on craft. This was so much fun because we made things, chose books and organised it. It looked great and got a lot of interest. Lauren B, 9ARV
The reason why I think Student Librarians are important is because a tidy library means everyone can find the books they would like to read. Being a student librarian, to me personally, means seeing people enjoying reading books that interest them. It is a great joy to be part of this community. Ginny P, 7TAB
Just the simple meditative job of putting my books back on the shelves and the satisfaction of sliding a book back into the self, in perfect alphabetical order, all the titles in a row, the sun gleaming of the glittery font that adorns the spines of the books is a beautiful feeling of being surrounded by thousands of stories. I love how special and important it feels to be responsible for your own section whether that is in Nonfiction or Fiction it fills you with a sense of responsibility and in my case protectiveness of your “own” section’s books! Elsa T, 7TAB
To me, as I am sure it is to many others, being a student librarian could be considered one of the highlights of my week. It’s encouraging all members of the school community to take up reading as a genuine hobby, not just through actively helping them to choose the best books, but also in subtle ways such as improving displays to be more relevant to their interests and even designing your own genre exhibit. Charlie H, 9PRH
We are all big book lovers, and many of us take part in the book clubs offered too, so there is definitely something in common we all share. Astrid T, 9ARV
On Friday 8th March, Stephen Morgan MP, the Shadow Minister for Rail, returned to Priory, his former state school, to host an inspirational talk and industry roundtable in partnership with leading social mobility charity Speakers for Schools. The British Labour Party Politician spoke to 70 students across Years 9 and 10. In his talk, Stephen shared details of his career journey into politics, his hopes for the next government and the importance of helping young people prepare for work and life.
Following the talk, Stephen hosted an industry roundtable with students, teachers and local business leaders to discuss how to transition into the workforce the skills needed and jobs available for young people in his constituency. Morgan was joined by Dr Elnaz Kashefpakdel, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at Speakers for Schools, together with young people and business leaders from the region.
Attendees included The University of Portsmouth, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Education Business Partnership, and media agency Group M. The roundtable debated how national
and devolved governments can better support young people to prepare for the workforce with the right skills and opportunities, particularly in the face of a fast-evolving workforce and reported skills shortages across many sectors. With the support of Speakers for Schools, Morgan is keen to build stronger links between educational institutions and local employers to grow talent pipelines sustainably.
Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South and Shadow Minister for Rail, commented: “It is a privilege to return to Priory School where my journey began to share my experiences with pupils whose passions reminded me of myself. In a rapidly changing world, it is crucial that our education system supports young people in entering the modern-day workforce. We must equip students with essential skills and the confidence to navigate life’s challenges and grasp the opportunities that lie ahead. To do this, a collaboration between educators, businesses and government is essential to support students from the classroom to the workplace and shore up future talent pipelines.”
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a fairy tale went bad? Mix a classic Perrault tale with the struggles of social media, toxic stigmas around appearance and the everyday life of a teenager, and you have yourself a tragic story of betrayal. That’s what Priory dance students were challenged with this year for their spectacular Dance Live 2024!
“Look upon this stage to see a twisted tale of if Little Red Riding Hood lived in the toxic world of today. What happens in the dark always comes to light.” This year Priory Dance students were really keen to devise and perform a more intense piece for their Dance Live entry. They liked the idea of fairy tales but wanted to add a twisted element that incorporated social media pressures and blackmail.
Ultimately the story encouraged people to show respect for each other, not judge a person by their appearance and to look deeper into a person’s story and truths. Esme Y9 “I had a fantastic time learning and helping create the dance live piece this year. I was really nervous to perform at Portsmouth Guildhall but the atmosphere with other pupils from our school and other schools from around the country was great. The day was full on, but worth it as our performance went really well.”
Dance captain and main character – Holly Y10 – “Taking part in dance live has been a great experience especially as a dance captain. It has allowed me to choreograph for other year groups and being a main character helped me build confidence both on and off stage. The day of Dance Live is such a fun experience with everyone working together and it allowed me to make friends and have fun. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in performing or who is interested in the technical and musical side of productions. I hope that more people join in the years to come.”
Ms Mazzola, Curriculum Leader of Dance said “The students this year put on an amazing show, our best one yet I would say, the commitment and determination ensured such a successful show. 40 pupils participated across all year groups with some fantastic work on the screen, props and lighting design from our students. The performance was fantastic and we came away with the lighting design award and the fellowship award as voted for by the other schools at the competition that day. Special thank you to all the staff at Priory that supported the process. We are already looking forward to next year and have started our story line plans.”
My name is Grace S and I’m one of the students who attended the workshop on SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD, which is a workshop which plans to disseminate the idea of anti-racism and anti-discrimination among everyone in our society.
The workshop was held on 20 February at the Portsmouth Football Club with Admiral Lord Nelson School and Priory School. The host of the workshop talked to us about racism in football, as football is the most commonly played sport in the world and in this field different types of footballers have faced racism from other people either on social media or on the football pitch. We then spoke about discrimination and watched a video about the topic.
Later on we looked at the difference between being non racist and being anti-racist. For example, during break time a group of friends were eating their lunch and then suddenly some kids started saying racist words to their black friend.
In this scenario
• A non-racist would not do anything to help their friend but after the scene the non-racist would say they didn’t like the way the kids spoke to their friend.
• An anti-racist would defend their friend or either call a teacher for help.
Afterwards we also discussed what to do if you see someone being racist to another person in a school environment. Later we were asked to design a racism or discrimination poster that could create awareness to people around our school and environment and while doing this two Portsmouth footballers were around to help us and asked questions on what we were creating. The winning team received PFC notebooks as a prize.
The trip was such a wonderful experience. It gave me and my colleagues the idea of raising awareness in our school environment.
Year 9 students at SGS were given a workshop on how the human body works by one of the country’s leading anatomy experts.
Claire Smith, professor of anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, explored the workings of the heart, lungs, rib cage and spinal cord, when she carried out a live dissection in a GCSE biology class. Prof Smith teaches doctors, surgeons and medical professionals working in war zones. Her team have carried out dissections for the popular CBeebies show Operation Ouch!
She said: “Hopefully having a visiting scientist helps them place their learning into an everyday medical context and gives them an experience they wouldn’t normally have.
“They can create links between what they have been learning and the wider use of that knowledge. “It helps them to understand their own bodies and how they work and possibly even inspire them to consider a career in medicine.”
Students also handled models of vertebrae and enjoyed scanning their necks with an ultrasound machine, to see their arteries vibrating. Year 9 student Lily said: “It was a strange experience but interesting. It is definitely weird to see the inside of your body (on the ultrasound scan) but it helps you to understand what we have been learning.”
Biology teacher Danielle Cook said: “This was an incredibly valuable experience for the students, to take part in some handson learning and fantastic for them to use ultrasound equipment, which they wouldn’t normally have access to.
Several Sixth form biology students took the valuable opportunity to come along to the lesson, including Year 13 student Finlay, who told Prof Smith he would like to become an army medic.
He said: “I am definitely interested in working in this field so this is a great experience.”
How do you combine school studies with preparing to represent your country on the international stage? Earlier this term SGS student Ted found out he had been selected for the England Under 14 ice hockey team.
In April he travelled to Finland for the Turku tournament and then shortly after he played in the prestigious Riga cup in Latvia, for the Elite British Selects. Ted, who is Year 9 and plays for Guildford Firestars, describes what is involved for him (and his family) as he moves closer to his dream of playing professional ice hockey.
How did you first get into ice hockey? What did you like about it? I first put on ice skates when I was 2 years old and my Dad took me to roller discos and the ice rink. I enjoyed skating and my Dad enrolled me into Brighton Stormers inline hockey team. I soon after had trials for Guildford and really enjoyed playing the games and being part of a team.
Can you describe your training regime - how often do you practise, train etc.
I train for the Guildford U14’s on Tuesday evening, Guildford U16’s on a Wednesday evening, Brighton roller hockey on a Friday evening, I train early Sunday mornings and I could have training anytime between 06:00 and 08:00 for Guildford. Then I play games most weekends. With the regime, I get ready to warm up, I go on the ice the coach brings us in, coach discusses the drills, then we do a couple of drills Defence and Forward. Then our defender coach takes us for further special defending drills examples: shooting from distance and break out passes for the forwards. After training we warm down by stretching and sometimes we have off ice fitness training including bleep tests. For England we arrive early morning, training includes on ice sessions, off ice fitness and classroom lessons and this will be for the whole day.
Do you ever find it a challenge to combine your ice hockey commitments with homework/school?
Sometimes it can be a challenge but I have to be organised as I know that with the amount of training I do, I need to get my school work/ homework completed in a timely manner.
Do you have to eat a certain kind of diet and make sure you get plenty of sleep?
I eat a lot of pasta, chicken (for protein) and fruit. I do love spaghetti. I drink lots of water and I have to have early nights before training and games as the training and games do take a lot of energy. I don’t have energy drinks before games or training. I’m also becoming more aware of what food I eat and try to ensure I have a balanced diet as I know this is very important for me and the sport I do.
You must be incredibly fit but what other positive things does playing your chosen sport give you?
Leadership, endurance, teamwork, discipline, communication skills, working hard to achieve my goals, meeting players from all over the country and other countries, visiting different places and countries, commitment and dedication.
How did you feel when you heard you had been chosen to play for England and what are your thoughts about the Turku and Riga cup?
I was very happy that I got chosen for England and British Selects, I’ve worked so hard to get a place in the teams. I’m excited to take part in the Turku and Riga Cup as I get to represent my country and I’m very proud of that. I will have the opportunity to play against teams from across Europe including Sweden, Finland, Austria, Latvia and Germany. I also hope to be recognised by a scout for a team as I would like to continue to play ice hockey when I’m older.
Where would you like your sport to take you? ie. do you have ambitions
I would like to have a career in ice hockey playing the sport I love for a professional team which could be in this country or I would love to play for a team in the US or Canada.
Ted’s dad Christopher added: “The school have been fantastic with their support to Ted and as a family we are all very grateful for this.”
Mandarin lessons, rocket building challenges and a Harry Potter studio tour were some of the highlights when SGS hosted 29 Chinese students for a “cultural immersion visit.”
The visiting students, from two schools in the Henan Province in China, arrived a week before the Chinese New Year and were welcomed with a New Year feast, complete with an energetic traditional lion dance.
Every Chinese student was paired up with an SGS “buddy” who looked after them during the two week-long visit.
The students attended lessons, played sports together and took part in extracurricular activities with their buddies.
At the weekends the Chinese cohort also visited Brighton, London, Oxford, the Harry Potter studios as well as taking part in a hike on the South Downs.
It was the first time in the school’s 400-year history that SGS had hosted a visit and staff said that pupils from both countries benefited from the experience.
Director of boarding Tom Leighton added: “This was a great
opportunity for cultural exchange, to make new friends and learn new things.”
SGS Headteacher Adam Whitehead added: “This was all about having unforgettable experiences and making some meaningful connections. The friendships that students have forged in their time here cross the borders and foster a better sense of our global community.”
At the beginning of the visit Mr Whitehead urged the Steyning students to have a go at speaking Mandarin.
“Trying a different language can be nerve wracking but nothing bad can happen if you just have a go, don’t be afraid to make some mistakes,” he said. “Language is a very powerful tool so let’s all have a go at communicating with each other. We very much view this visit as a two way street and would like to learn as much as we can about your culture and how you look at the world.”
On the students’ last night, before they left for China, director of boarding, Tom Leighton, told them: “We have all learned lots from you. We have been very impressed by how strong you are as students, how curious and disciplined you are and I think that will stay with us.”
When Maths/DT teacher Sam Herbert first started working with the school’s Greenpower Club a few years ago, they had one working car and around 12 students. Fast forward to today, there are over 30 students and 3 cars – one of which is paid for and supported by the Navy and their engineers from HMS Collingwood.
The club is a great way for students to get involved in STEM activities and extra-curricular competitions - they engage themselves in researching new ideas and designs, striving to find extra performance from their respective cars. One of the three school teams has enjoyed dominating success at the most recent Royal Navy-organised race event – beating the next fastest car by over 30 seconds!
Recently, former Deputy Head Boy Tom Reid returned to speak to the Greenpower teams. Tom is now studying Racing Engine Systems at University, and told the students that his love of engine building started when he joined Greenpower Club in Year 8. He is part of a student-run race team in Oxford, and even raced against Rowan Atkinson, for whom Tom said he would love to build engines!
Looking ahead, Greenpower Club plans on entering all 3 cars into the regional heats of the Greenpower League, which can see up to 50 cars on the grid at any event. This will be the true test of the students’ innovation, teamwork, resilience and determination. Held at the famous Goodwood Race Track, the students will have the chance to race on the same tarmac as the great drivers of history – a just reward for their exceptional hard work!
Sam Herbert concluded, “I feel very lucky to have been involved with this club and the students who throw themselves into it. They constantly surprise me with their ingenuity and ability –who knows, they could be the next Lewis Hamilton or Lando Norris!”
What inspired you to be a teacher?
I have always wanted to be a teacher, right from Year 2 when I wrote it on a balloon! As the eldest sibling I think it has been sort of embedded in me.
If you were not a teacher, what would you be?
I would be a tour guide in a faraway country –perhaps Thailand or Australia – as it has been my dream to travel the world.
Who are your heroes?
My dad. He has been a single father who has brought up two girls since I was two. He has put his life on hold so that we can grow. I think he has done a great job, and I hope that we have made him proud.
What is the best part of your job?
Seeing students who may not have a platform being able to be creative, seeing their brains work, really taking to the subject and flying with it.
Why did you choose to teach at TPS?
I felt that the school has such a warm environment and family feel. I am so happy to teach here – I love the staff, students and the curriculum. It is a very supportive school where being kind is at the root of everything.
Tell me about the teacher who inspired you the most?
My college teacher, Anne Higgins. I did a BTEC Performing Arts course, and she was a joy to learn from, she had such energy. She treated us as equals and I try to emulate her practice.
What is the one exciting teaching method you use?
I like doing freeze frames – they are the bread and butter of drama. They are like a movie poster which encompasses everything in one image.
What are your thoughts on education today? Education is a very powerful tool, especially with the influence of social media. If used in the correct way, it is important to embrace technology and grow with it.
Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds?
I live in Petersfield with my parents, my younger brother and my cat, Chelsea. I enjoy TPS and my favourite subjects are Drama, PE and French. Outside of school I swim competitively and train 3-4 times per week with Alton Swimming Club. I am also a member of my local church and youth group. I regularly bake for my family and friends, and recently appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent” with my choir who sing about the environment.
What are your strengths?
I am creative in different ways and try to be kind and patient with everyone. I am also very hard-working and committed and try to give 100% in everything I do.
What are your weaknesses?
I can be overly competitive and I am working on being confident when speaking in front of people.
Can you give me one example of Enjoy Respect and Achieve?
I have received multiple Headteacher Commendations for the Cultural Projects I have made.
What or who inspires you?
Greta Thunberg, because she fights for what she believes in, and I share her passion for the environment. I am also inspired by characters from books I have read, such as Hermione Granger.
What plans for the future do you have?
I have no fixed plans at the moment, but I would love to keep up my swimming, and am interested in becoming a psychologist, physio or chef.
What is your favourite saying from a song or book?
In “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”, when the mole says, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and the boy says, “kind”.
What one thing would you change about school life?
I would like to have more non-academic lessons such as more Drama or PE, as I find them energising and exciting.
Wow, what a privilege it was to take 20 of our Bohunt Wokingham pupils from years 9 and 10 to Istres in the south of France for the week for our first-ever exchange with Le Collège Savary. 4.30am was an early start on a cold and drizzly Tuesday morning at the end of January but the journey to Gatwick was smooth and it wasn’t long before we had landed in sunny Marseille. We headed to historic Aix-en-Provence to eat our packed lunch and indulge in the first of many French café treats near the famous Rotonde fountain. This was a lovely, gentle way into the French way of life before the pupils were due to meet their exchange partners for the week.
As we pulled up to the school, the nerves were building and were matched with equal levels of excitement. The pupils had been in touch for the previous 3 weeks with their exchange partners so they already knew who they were looking out for and a little about each of them. It didn’t take long that first evening before I started receiving ‘all well, Miss, the family is really nice’ type of reassuring messages. What a great start to what turned out to be a fabulous week.
Day trips included a visit to Marseille where we had booked a tour of ‘la Grotte Cosquer’, a cave displaying charcoal drawings from 24,000 years ago - mind-blowing and fascinating, followed by a trip up to the top of the hill in ‘le petit train’ to see the cathedral, from where we had 360º views of the Alps to the Mediterranean. Stunning both inside and out! It would have been rude not to pop into the Olympique de Marseille shop whilst there before a final wander with ‘une glace’ along the ‘vieux port’. We spent the next morning in their school, experiencing lessons as the French students do, which proved to be an excellent immersive insight into how others learn with, of course, no uniform! Then we were off to Avignon for the afternoon to see the Palais des Papes and the famous ‘pont’.
The other days saw trips to Arles, renowned for its many Roman remains still very much intact, including an impressive amphitheatre, Aigues-Mortes, a mediaeval town surrounded by well-preserved city walls, and the beautiful Nature Reserve of the la Camargue region with its flamingos, white horses and wetlands.
In the evenings and at the weekend the pupils stayed with their exchange partner’s family, practising their French and immersing themselves in the full cultural experience.
I am so proud of the positive manner in which they conducted themselves and threw themselves into unknown experiences. This for many was truly game-changing. Some had never been abroad before, many had little French, all came away saying they would absolutely do the whole week again as it had been such a success from all points of view.
We returned the favour by welcoming the 20 French pupils and their three French teachers to our community from 15- 22 March. ‘Enjoy Respect Achieve’ in all its glory!
In the early spring, all students in year 7 at Bohunt Wokingham were given the opportunity to spend the day at Oakwood activity centre.
The morning started with crate stacking. Our challenge consisted of building a high tower with milk crates, strong enough for two people to stand on. Teamwork was essential for this task and we pushed our skills and coordination to the limit.
Following this we took part in a team building obstacle course. Working together, we had to face a series of physical challenges that required communication, co-operation, trust and respect between teammates. For me this was the highlight of the day.
After a short stop for lunch (and an impromptu game of football) we moved onto bouldering (climbing at a low level without a harness!). Both beginners and more experienced climbers were able to challenge themselves and gain a real sense of achievement. The last activity of the day was archery. With help from skilled instructors we tested our strength, hand eye coordination and precision. Several people managed to hit the bullseye! Overall, we all agreed that we had a very enjoyable day out which brought us closer together as friends and classmates.
Congratulations to Gary Weedon (Subject Lead for P.E at BSW) who has been awarded Teacher of the Year –Southern region.
This is a fantastic recognition for Gary Weedon but also all the great Basketball opportunities that happen at Bohunt Worthing. The Basketball England Awards aim to honour those who have consistently showcased a level of excellence in their specific area, and thank them for all the work they have done to grow the sport.
A huge percentage of basketball communities’ first touch point with the game is through their school and P.E lessons. This makes teachers integral to the continued uptake of the sport.
Basketball England “This award is a testament to your dedication to our sport and you should be extremely proud to be recognised by your peers, regional chair, and Basketball England staff members as a leader within your region.”
A remarkable achievement for Bohunt Worthing Digital Leader Club who recently clinched the top spot in the national Big Potato competition. The students had to design a new board game: they went up against 400 other competitors to win the coveted first prize! They designed an innovative board game called “M-AI Ask You a Question” the game captivated judges and competitors alike.
The Digital Leader Club has always been about fostering creativity and teamwork. This competition was an excellent opportunity for our students to test their skills and come up with something special.
Mr MacPherson, the Head of Business and Head of the Digital Leaders said “The Digital Leader Club has been a hub of creativity and collaboration. Recognising the potential of the Big Potato competition as an avenue for students to showcase their talents, encouraged them to participate and set the stage for creating the award-winning board game”.
The game M-AI Ask You a Question was created by Frank, Alexis, Leon, Olly and Frankie, who came up with the idea based
on Frankie’s creative vision. The game revolves around scientists asking an AI robot about a concealed word. However, the catch lies in the robot’s limited vocabulary, as certain words are intentionally excluded! In order to win, the players need to make their way through this complex language maze by using their wit and strategy to assist the AI in coming up with the right answer.
The competition provided an exciting platform for students to explore their passion for technology and work as a cohesive team. Collaborating on the project allowed each member to bring their unique strengths to the table, resulting in a game that stood out from the competition.
Frankie commented: “It was a wonderful surprise finding out that we won against over four hundred different schools. We all put in one hundred and ten percent so it was amazing to find out it paid off. Everyone played their part in the project from Frankie doing video editing to Alexis and Leon making the slides to Oly working on the script. It truly was a group effort to win this and I am proud we did’’.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Other than my alarm, my passion is to make a difference to young people’s lives and create positive moments for the students.
How would you describe your day job to a child?
A Pastoral Support Assistant essentially works with the pastoral team to ensure high standards of attendance and behaviour are achieved in school. We are responsible for the welfare of students, listening to their concerns to try and remove any hurdles in their life.
What is your biggest achievement to date, personal or professional?
When I was 21, I travelled 4000 miles from home to start a job on a cruise ship as a youth host. This was a big deal for me at the time, as I had never travelled on my own and I didn’t know anyone. I managed to have a successful 5 year career, working with children whilst travelling to places such as the Arctic Circle, Panama Canal and the Caribbean.
What does a typical day look like to you and what are you currently working on?
In the mornings, I check my emails and prioritise anything urgent. The rest of my day is then very student driven with my time being dedicated to those in need of support. I will check-in with students, run interventions and attend any review meetings. I’m currently working on completing my Designated Safeguarding Lead training.
What 3 words would you use to describe your role? Communication, safeguarding, and compassion.
What is on your wish list for the next five years at BET?
I feel there’s so much more I am yet to learn relating to my role, so I wish to keep progressing by gaining knowledge to strengthen my practice. I would like to attend as many training sessions as possible; advancing my current set of skills and I wish to focus some time around supporting students with mental health, as I’m very passionate about it.
What’s your favourite line from a film?
To people’s dismay, I’m not a film person at all! I’m much more into music and podcasts, and I love finding new content to listen to. My most played genres are dance, electronic and drum & bass; with my favourite artists being Chase & Status.
What do you like most about your job?
I like getting to know and spending time with students; building positive rapports with them and their families. I feel privileged that students feel they can come and share their worries with me and I like knowing I have a positive impact on their school day.
What are your biggest professional challenges?
With only an 8 hour day, trying to fit everything in and do each job justice is sometimes a challenge. This can mean attending to everyone’s needs can sometimes be difficult. (Although I try my very best!)
What’s your personal mantra?
What is meant for you won’t pass you by.
This year, students were offered to take part in an internal school competition to design a flag for Antarctica as a celebration of Antarctica Day, which marks the signing of the Antarctic Treaty on December 1st 1959. Students were given free reign to design their flags taking inspiration from the natural environmental and geopolitical landscape in Antarctica.
Year 8 Geographer Luke entered the winning design that was sent to Antartica on behalf of Bohunt Worthing as part of the UK Polar Network Antarctica Flags Projects 2023. BSW was paired with a scientist who flew our flag on Signy Island. In the background you can see some Chinstrap Penguins and their chicks!
Signy Research Station is one of Britain’s smallest stations and it is only occupied in the Antarctic summer. Research at Signy focuses on the bird populations and terrestrial ecology.
Are you taking advantage of the Pension Schemes available as an employee of BET?
Both schemes not only give you a lump sum and income on retirement, they provide Ill Health Early retirement benefits and life insurance for your dependants.
Actions to take now (no matter what stage you are at in your career) so you have a comfortable retirement:
Register and access your Teachers’ or LGPS Pension account: https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/member-hub.aspx https://mypensionportal.hants.gov.uk/ (all schools apart from Wokingham)
https://berkshirepensions.org.uk/bpf/my-pension-online/my-pensiononline (Wokingham only)
Check your Pension account for accuracy and run your own estimate
Make a nomination to ensure your benefits & life cover are paid correctly
Think about joining an AVC pension saving scheme or consider buying some additional pension. Find details at BET People
Open a Personal Tax Account and check your State Pension: https://www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account
