Welcome Last week there was a momentous conference in Glasgow in the UK called COP26 where leaders and conservationists and campaigners and environmentalists gathered to agree on the ways in which we can halt the destruction of our planet. Whilst there were many outcomes, it is interesting that the UK government has pledged to ensure that all children learn about Climate Change in their lessons and that there is a particular emphasis on improving the biodiversity in and around school grounds. Children will be able to participate in a new award. ´The Climate Leaders Award will help children and young people develop their skills and knowledge in biodiversity and sustainability, and celebrate and recognise their work in protecting the local environment. For example, young people may choose to undertake a project that delivers change in their local community, such as increasing the biodiversity of a neighbourhood piece of land or helping to deliver experiences for younger children to explore nature and local woodland.´ from www.gov.uk Here at BSQ we encourage all students to be respectful of the environment and, of course, enjoy spending time outdoors. In last week's newsletter you read about the chance to NatureSpot and share your pictures with us. This week we challenge you to choose one way to make a change in your life that will have an impact. Here are some ideas to help you. Thanks to those parents already carpooling – not only does it free up space in the Drive Through but it also helps the environment! Our student groups are working on a range of plans to make a difference so watch out for Green Week coming to BSQ soon. More from the students on that... The Student Council has been thoroughly planning a ‘Green Week’. Our aim is to create fun activities every day for a whole week with the purpose of educating and bringing awareness to relevant topics regarding the environment. We want to improve the impact we make in our community, and we believe that if we are able to create a small change in the school, and inspire the student body and staff to improve, we will make a bigger change! The green week will be full of fun surprises and competitions so keep an eye out because it’s not something you’ll want to miss! Anabella, Y12 student Why should you move here?! Following on from our last newsletter, in partnership with COBIS schools in Mexico City and the Bahamas, we wanted to share our stories of living and learning with children from very different places and with very different experiences. Here is another example of one of our students explaining ‘Why should you move here!?’ (to Ecuador) and another video from one student in Mexico - look out for more in the coming weeks.
Captain Polo´s Christmas Books: If your children like Christmas advent calendars and activity books, here are two activities books they will love. These Christmas books come with a strongly focused educational punch: learn what you need to know about climate change and what YOUR family can do about it! Book 1 Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9942407073 Book 2 Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9942406972 BSL This week two of our Year 10B students will be demonstrating a new sign: Happy Birthday, using BSL. Please watch this brilliant video: Orange the World The 25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, front line workers have reported that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have intensified around the globe. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It also remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. The adverse consequences of VAWG affect women at all stages of their life. For example, early educational disadvantages not only represent the main obstacle to universal schooling and the right to education for girls; these disadvantages are also to blame for restricting access to higher education and even translate into limited job opportunities for women. At BSQ, we promote fairness in education. We create opportunities for students and the community to confront stereotypes and biases to make sure all students are free to pursue their education without fear of discrimination or harassment because of their gender. The Student Support Department encourages you to start your own conversation about gender-based violence at home. Ask your family and friends about what they know and if you like using social media, spread the word using the hashtags: #GenerationEquality and #orangetheworld. General Open Day at BSQ We are inviting potential families who have children 3 - 16 who are not yet enrolled at BSQ to join us this Saturday November 27th at 9:30am in a dynamic session to explore our exciting and challenging curriculum! If you know some relatives or friends who might be interested in attending this event, please let them know they can register here: https://forms.gle/q2ddeKBpWrKdW5X79 Dates for your Diary As always please check this section carefully and ensure that you have all the details in your calendars.
Emma Newman Principal Being BSQ – Primary Update As we approach the mid-point of this relatively short term and rush towards the Christmas break (with only 5 weeks to go until Christmas Day), I am sure many of you are planning lots of exciting and engaging activities with your family. In today’s non-stop world, boredom is seen as a bad thing. This can lead to us overscheduling our children’s time and not allowing them enough opportunities for child-led or initiated play. Far from being a bad thing, periods of boredom, where children have to rely on themselves for entertainment, are essential to a healthy childhood. When children do not have structured activities planned for them, they are forced to be more creative and imaginative in finding ways to amuse themselves. Giving them opportunities to try things of their own making builds their sense of discovery and curiosity and helps them explore what brings them joy. Indeed, research has found that people who are given a range of boring tasks to complete show more imagination when they are then asked to take part in a creative thinking activity. Try these techniques for encouraging children to entertain themselves.
On Wednesday this week we have Elizabeth Gaunt, an expert in Volcanoes and Earthquakes, giving an online presentation to Year 3 and 4 students as part of their Topic learning. This is a great opportunity for the students to learn from an expert and also to ask relevant questions and do their own research – I know we are hoping that all the students will come dressed as Volcanologists using any clothes and accessories they have at home. Marcus Madden Head of Primary Y5B Recently in Year 5 we were excited to hold our very own ‘Space Day’ in which children dressed up in their best space-inspired outfits, played some space games, and most importantly used their learning from their first term to put together a design for a colony on Mars. Each team had to present a design, a model, and a persuasive speech for their Mars colony design; we even had our very own NASA Mars Colony Inspectors visit (who had a striking resemblance to Mr Madden and Miss Dean) to judge the best designs that would be awarded with $1 trillion worth of investment to build their colonies on Mars! The day was full of teamwork, links to our Science and Literacy curriculums, and plenty of fun for the children to engage with while thinking about the challenges of living on Mars. And all the while wearing costumes including astronauts, scientists, and even one robot! Well done to all of the children who engaged incredibly well with the full day of activities! Mr. Kevin Dobson, Year 5B Teacher Being BSQ – Secondary Update New reports and parent teacher conferences This week has whistled by with only three actual days at school. At the time of writing we are now engaged in the first round of parent teacher conferences for the year. These are really important occasions where we can all get together to discuss progress, identify any barriers to learning and agree interventions, and of course, celebrate excellent work and application. The teachers in Secondary are very busy with lots of appointments to deliver so my thanks go to you for making the effort to join and for your support and engagement in your son or daughters progress. This year you are probably now aware that we are developing a new style report and data system here at school so that progress is being checked and underperformance is being tackled with appropriate and timely intervention. You will now be aware of a target grade that we are working to in lessons This is driven from an assessment test that children sit periodically over the school years. On the new report you will see the test score and the grade that this suggests the child should be achieving. This grade is compared against the grade in each subject and you will get an indication of whether your son or daughter is underperforming, on target, or exceeding against their target levels. The report also gives you an effort grade for each subject – 5 being the best and 1 being the worst. I have asked teachers in the parent teacher conferences to share this data with you as part of their conversations. You will have received the report by Monday which outlines the overall performance and accompanying this is detailed information on the changes and what is presented. Do though ask someone if you do not understand as it can seem a little complicated at first sight. At the end of January, we will be reporting on Partial 2 and the summative assessment outcomes. With this report you will also get comments and assessment grades as was the case last year. Exams are upon us and year 13 start their important mocks next week. Year 11 will do the same in January. We intend to facilitate a second mock series for these year groups in March due to the fact that they will be sitting formal papers in the summer. The art of writing an unseen response with time limits will be a huge challenge and something that we will be practicing thoroughly. After the first set of Mocks year 13 parents will be receiving a second report which essentially discusses exam performance and attainment levels. This will give you all points of focus going forward into the new year. We will also be holding a further PTC session for year 11 and 13 parents once all of the outcomes are in to discuss these. Assessments for KS3 will not necessarily be a formal exam. Staff have been asked to prepare something that tests attainment and the grades allocated. This could be done in different formats such as a project or presentation. What is important is that students prepare appropriately and take the process seriously. Y7 First Aid - CAS This week Year 7 received a lesson in First Aid from Dr Sara and Year 12 CAS students: Anabella, Melany, Luis Martin and Daniela. The First Aid session was brilliant in encouraging safety because one of the first things we learned is that you must look after yourself and ensure your own safety as a priority, only then are you in a position to help others. We were trained in how to collect information and data about what happened and the patient's condition to pass onto the emergency services - which saves them time - as a valuable link in the chain of survival. We received training in potentially life-saving CPR, modelled by Dr Sara, and then we got to practise on resuscitation dummies. Thanks to Dr Sara and the CAS students, we feel more prepared that in an emergency we will be able to provide basic care and stabilise a patient until emergency medical services arrive. Mrs Natalie Moors, Y7 tutor PopSustainable Lunch Box As you may know BSQ is working towards a more sustainable way of living and learning and one of the many ways you can help is by packing a sustainable Lunchbox. There are many things in your Lunchbox that are damaging the environment without you even noticing. Here are 10 ways to make your Lunchbox more sustainable:
Can you think of any other small changes? Please do some or one of these things on our list and keep living waste free and sustainably! By: Lyla, Y8 student Have a wonderful week everyone.
Lee Moors Head of Secondary
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May 2024
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