Headteacher’s Newsletter
BISHOP VESEY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
End of Term Summer 2011 Message from the Head The predicted ‘seven years of plenty’ before us have got off to a truly bountiful start. The academic year 2010-11 has been deemed one of the busiest on record in terms of activities and opportunities. The quality of teaching and learning has continued to improve apace through specific training and increased student engagement. Our capacity to absorb more and more ideas and to continue to be creative in our own thinking is certainly to be applauded. Indeed it was in the recent Ofsted inspection which concluded, not surprisingly, that the BVGS vision and outcomes are truly outstanding. Sincere thanks to all who have made this year so plentiful, successful, rewarding and indeed outstanding in all respects.
David Iddon Headteacher
Staff News
Leavers’ Ball 5 July 2011
This summer we say thanks and farewell to Phil Coulson, Teacher of Physics since 1980 who retires, along with Annette Johnson, Receptionist and Clerical Assistant in the Main School Office for 8 years. Moving on in their careers are Suzi Porter who has been appointed as Head of English at KE VI Aston and Maria Hill Teacher of D&T moves to John Willmott School both after 5 years at BVGS. Peter McNeely Teacher of Latin, moves to Haberdasher Aske’s School, London, Chloe Knowles and Nickiesha Bromley, Teachers of Psychology and Chemistry both return to university for postgraduate study. Danielle Smith & Christelle Lutun terminate short term contracts in Psychology and Languages. GTP trainees Jetender Karra, Suzanne McGuire & Pilar Somoza Fernandez move on to new posts. Michelle John and Ruth Davison take maternity leave as Alison Downes and Sarah Whittle return. We thank all leavers for their service to the school and wish them every good fortune in the future.
Poetry in Motion! ‘Dreadlock Alien’, a former Poet Laureate of B’ham, returned to BVGS on 13 July to offer a poetry performance workshop which inspired Year 8 to create rap style poetry, illustrating and commenting on the social issues that they encounter in today’s world. They worked with great enthusiasm and to very good effect, applauded for the performance of their work.
Ofsted: ‘BVGS Outstanding in Citizenship’ 13-14 June: the HMI, visiting on behalf of Ofsted, judged the overall effectiveness in citizenship to be outstanding, seeing students expressing themselves with confidence, exploring ideas and concepts together and actively challenging different view points in a constructive manner. Teachers were judged to be highly skilled in dealing with sensitive and controversial issues.
In-coming Officer Team photograph courtesy of Studio Cru www.studiocru.co.uk
Year 7 Residential to Abernant 11-15 July 104 Yr 7 students participated in a four night actionpacked activity break led by Head of Year Lynn Penny.
The Stanley John Goode Maths Room Allan Goode (right) pictured with Peter Cragg 2nd i/c Maths and with Yr 9 students on his recent visit to view the splendid refurbishment of Rm 10, funded by a bequest from the estate of Stanley Goode, (Old Veseyan 1917-26) a passionate mathematician and engineer who died in 2010, having had the distinction of living independently until the age of 100 years. An inspiration to our young learners, who continue the tradition of Vesey excellence in Maths and indeed benevolence to others. Our sincere thanks to Allan Goode for this kind support for his father’s alma mater.
Incoming Year 7 hard at work on their Induction Day
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China Day Links with University The Science Department has been working with the University of Birmingham on a research project that monitors the temperature in various locations around the city. The research has so far involved a site survey with temperature sensors being installed over the coming months. The data collected could then be used by the Science, Geography and ICT Depts.
11 July - 20 Yr 7 students were involved in our first ever ‘China Day’. Students learned about the culture and traditions of this fascinating country. They studied the religion, history and geography of China and focused particularly on the many cultural differences between the UK and China. Under the guidance of the art department students created Chinese masks using papier-maché which they painted in traditional Chinese colours. The day was a great success and thanks go to teachers Alison Downes, Anne Fitton, Alan Jones and Emma Neville for their input to a programme conceived by Mark Keeble.
Languages in Sport Day - 8 July 2011
Despite the weather our 3rd annual Languages in Sport Day was the best yet. Year 8 students participated in six sporting activities from around the globe – Sumo wrestling, Handball, Kabbadi, Football, Bhangra Dancing and Thai Boxing. The activities were particularly challenging as many were new to the students and in all sports students were expected to communicate in a foreign language. Thanks go to the PE and Languages Staff for their commitment and enthusiasm and to the Year 8 students whose response and attitude were exemplary. Special thanks to Mark Keeble i/c Enrichment through Languages.
Survival Skills Workshop
BP in Old Big School
30 Year 8 students have taken part in a series of Survival Skills workshops over the last two months. Initial sessions involved students being taught survival skills by local experts such as fire making, tool design and shelter building. On the final day students then became the teachers and trained other Year 8 students the skills they had learned. The project was led by Cara Lawson and was much enjoyed by the students.
On 6 July Year 9 students benefited from a workshop training session with representatives of BP, hosted by BVGS Maths Dept. A great event which linked Maths with the world of business investment.
Sixth Form Training
Leavers in 2011 are encouraged to join the OVA and remain connected with BVGS!
The Renewal of Old Friendships and the Welfare of the School
Old Veseyan Association Founded 1902. Website: www.oldveseyan.com Assistant Headteacher, Ruth Hearn provided training to Sixth formers on Alcohol and Sexual Health in Big School this July.
International Chemistry Olympiad Six upper sixth students attempted the demanding 3 hour examination competing against selected A2 Chemistry students across the country. Congratulations to Stephen Hall and Daniel Leng for achieving the Bronze Award.
Contact: Sharon Weblin, OVA Administrator for membership details: 0121 250 5403 or email: s.weblin@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk Old Veseyan, Laurence ‘Loz’ Fitzpatrick returned to school recently whilst on home leave from Afghanistan. Laurence left BVGS in 2008 to join the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy and is now in charge of a platoon of 25 men. He asked Julie Wadeson of the Physics department to help by collecting some items for his platoon including toiletries, super noodles, DVDs, CDs and computer games in an effort to keep morale high in a difficult situation. If you would like to donate such items, please send them FAO Julie in the Physics Department.
July 2011
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Activities Week becomes Activity Weeks Mastermined by Assistant Headteacher Ruth Hearn, this year’s ‘Activities Week’ was bigger and better, extending over ten school days! History and Geography Field Trips, the House Music Competition, Healthy Schools Days featuring sport, nutrition and discussion of the benefits of healthy life styles, the Maths Trail, Gifted and Talented activities, a Languages in Sport Day, ICT half-day sessions, Forensic Science, a Places of Worship trip and an action-packed poetry session with Dreadlock Alien, organised by the Library. The Yr 7 Residential, Body Combat, Bikeability, China Day, Olympics Day, Creative Partnership sessions. What a wonderful array of opportunities in and beyond the classroom which has enabled students to mature intellectually, physically and socially, building relationships and friendships which will help to foster yet further the outstanding community cohesion of our school.
Forensic Science: Counterfeit Money As part of the new ‘Activity Weeks’ Yr 8 were tasked with finding out the main suspect in the counterfeiting gang. The students worked in groups of four using techniques such as UV lamps, fibre analysis, hair analysis and fingerprinting to try and find the criminal teacher. Thanks must go to the Science teachers involved with special thanks to the Stephen Bainbridge for preparing the materials, incl. the fake blood! The groups were assessed on their ability to solve a challenging logical puzzle, produce a word processed forensic report, their ability to work under pressure and most importantly teamwork. Each member of the winning team was awarded a £5 book token.
Exchange to Bayreuth On the 14th annual exchange visit to Bayreuth students enjoyed a wide range of trips and experiences, hosted by families from our partner school. Excursions included a visit to Bamberg World Heritage Town, Nazi Documentation Centre and Imperial Castle Nuremberg. Another highly successful exchange for all concerned.
House Music Festival - 5 July 2011
Students from Years 7 & 8 represented their houses in numerous categories including Solo Vocal, Solo Keyboard and Percussion, Solo String, Solo Wind and Ensemble. The adjudicator was Luan Shaw, a well respected professional musician who has performed and adjudicated across the country. The overall winners were Gold House. David Gensberg 8B won the Green Ribbon for earning the most points for his house and Thomas Young 8G was the nominated soloist for the Recital Evening. Students participated in a new event on the BVGS Music calendar, the Recital Evening. On Wed 6 July 16 students performed a variety of solos in the Clive Richards Music Centre. The standard of performance was extremely high and the event was a wonderful end to this year’s Music calendar.
Sixth Form First Aiders The school now has 13 student first aiders who have completed the 'emergency first aid in the workplace' course. This enables them to administer emergency first aid in school and in their part time jobs.
BVGS Geography/Spanish Trip to Cuba July 2011 Party Leader Steve Baugh, Head of Geography and Teacher i/c Spanish April Slater teamed up to offer students a trip of a lifetime, exploring Havana on the ‘Hemmingway walk’, visiting ‘Revolution Square’, a cigar factory and the rum museum. In Santa Clara the party followed the story of Che Guevara and how he helped beat the Batista regime. A trip North to South took them past the ‘Bay of Pigs’ and on to Trinidad. Time also for Our students audition for the local Salsa Band! R&R and a spot of Salsa!
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Artsfest 2011, a student led extravaganza of different art forms, was a huge success and drew an appreciative audience of guests who were wined, dined and entertained throughout an evening which generated £1820.77 for MS Trust and The John Taylor Hospice. Congratulations to all involved!
Organised by Hannah Smith U6 & Etain Devenney L6 with lots of help
Dan donates his Tigers shirt
Keep Fit with ‘Body Combat’
Cricket Round-Up
Chemistry teacher, Cheryl Taylor, led body combat sessions for Yrs 7-8 in Activities Week. Students punched and kicked to high energy music during this alternative way to keep fit. L6 & Yr 9 students did a fantastic job supervising the activity. 1st XI had an excellent start to the season with comprehensive wins over King Edward’s Stourbridge, Queen Mary’s Walsall and King Edward’s Five Ways. The highlight of the season was two excellent away wins against Warwick and Denstone College. Batting first against Warwick George Findlay played superbly to score his first hundred for the school, he was well supported by Monty Foley Williamson (42) and Andrew Hendry (32). Excellent bowling spells from Jon Rabone and Jack Robson helped slow the rate by taking some crucial wickets. A 6 run victory was thoroughly deserved. Perhaps an even more impressive win came against Denstone College. After some disciplined bowling Denstone were restricted to 212, a magnificent 173 run partnership between Andrew Hendry (72) and George Findlay (73 not out) and a cameo innings of 31 from Navjot Siyan saw Vesey’s home by 5 wickets for a memorable win over a very strong side. Good luck to all the leavers who have represented the school at cricket: Will Slattery, James Burland, Navjot Siyan, Jack Robson, John Keighley and Daniel Lock. There have been some equally impressive results in the junior sides with wins against Solihull and Denstone College at U12, Wolverhampton Grammar at U14 and King Edward’s Birmingham and Shrewsbury School at U15. U15s reached the Warwickshire County final only to be narrowly beaten by Rugby school. Sincere thanks to ‘Bracebridge Homes’ for their sponsorship of the U14s who became Birmingham Cup Champions for the third successive year, beating KE VI Camp Hill in the final. All in all a splendid season, the future for BVGS cricket is very promising with many talented players coming through. Sixth Form Learning mentor Pam Maskell receiving, on behalf of the school, a framed shirt from back row player, Dan Hemingway OV 07 who now leaves Leicester Tigers as he moves on to a new contract with Leeds Rhinos.
Bridgnorth Regatta 11 June 2011 Success in J15 Single sculls for Muzamil Shaikh 10G and J15 Double Sculls for Muzamil and Oliver Higgins 10R A great day out for all concerned.
Published for BVGS by Sharon Weblin, Headteacher’s PA sw@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk. Printed by Jayne Joyce , BVGS Reprographics.