EXECUTIVE hEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 19th january 2024
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new content!!!
Welcome to my weekly blog - I hope you and your families are well and have had a good week!
I'm thrilled to share new content with you this week. Notice the latest addition to the blog—'Pastoral Updates.' This section (as seen below) is dedicated to everything pastoral at LBS and aims to provide parents/carers with a helpful weekly update.
On a completely different note, you might have come across recent media reports highlighting a rise in Measles cases throughout the UK, particularly causing concern in the West Midlands region. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning, stating that additional measles outbreaks could potentially spread across Britain. This comes after the declaration of a national incident due to a surge in cases and a noticeable decrease in vaccine uptake.
Recent statistics from the agency indicate a notable increase in measles cases, with the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine reaching its lowest point in over a decade and falling well below the recommended coverage.
For valuable insights, parents and carers may find it beneficial to review the latest updates available on the BBC news website.
As always, if you have concerns about any symptoms your child may be experiencing, it is advisable to seek advice from your GP and notify us at your earliest convenience.
NOS Updates - 19 January 2024
The National Online Safety programme publishes a weekly #WakeUpWednesday update for parents/carers. This weeks update relates to 'Smart Phone Safety and Tips for Young People'.
According to Ofcom, 69% of under-18s use a smartphone as their main method of going online. Additionally, 49% of children use them for online gaming – putting smartphones only behind consoles (59%) as the device of choice for playing games on. Most people won’t require such statistical evidence, however, to acknowledge the huge importance of phones to young people.
Given that Santa’s recent visit is likely to have bestowed smartphones on an even greater number of young people, it’s a particularly opportune moment to ensure that children are able to use their handsets responsibly – and, above all, safely. From passcodes to parental controls, and from screen time to scams, our #WakeUpWednesday guide has the essential advice.
I hope your find this information useful.
smartphone-safety-tips.pdfDance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates
From Mrs McKeon, Director of Learning of Foundations Studies and Extra-curricular learning
Performing Arts
On Wednesday 17th January, we took Year 8 and 9 to The Alexandra Theatre to see ‘2:22 A Ghost Story’. The students were selected based on their excellent work ethic and performance skills in Dance and Drama. They were a credit to our school and behaved impeccably. All students loved the performance; the ending made us gasp and the students analysed the story on the journey home. This was a great opportunity for students to see how professional performers apply the skills and techniques that are taught in lessons.
Extra-Curricular, Year 7 Castle Competition
Towards the end of the Autumn term, Year 7 explored the legacy of invasion in Britain. After completing their assessments they learned about how castles within the UK developed over time, and were set the task of creating their own model castle over the Christmas holidays.
Judging the castles proved tough, with there being many highlights - fully functional drawbridges, castles with lively villages of Lego people, and castles made entirely from clay!
A massive well done to all the boys who took part and demonstrated their creativity, originality and manual dexterity.
Well done to our winners!!
Sport fixtures and training schedules for week beginning 22 January 2024
Weekly sports round-up from Mr Janes, Director of Sport
Year 10 Basketball
Mr Noble's Year 10 team hosted Bishop Challoner on a Tuesday for their first league game of the 2023-2024 season. A tight first half, our boys played fantastic defence, setting up a 2-3 zone and double teaming the other teams best player inside. In the third quarter, we started to build a resounding and comfortable lead, with Jonathan hitting three 3-point shots. Shamesh and Adeeb did an amazing job gathering rebounds, and Gersi and Terrell took care of the ball, controlling the tempo and playing some very energetic half court press.
Our bench provided a breather for the starters and even saw out the final two minutes of the game without conceding, gaining valuable experience for future games! They were patient in waiting to get on the court and followed the game plan well. The final result was 40-24 to LBS.
Cricket Provision
Mr Preece delivered a session for students on Monday evening. Students have access to three Cricket sessions throughout the week, it is great to see so many dedicating their time to developing and learning. We had our Warwickshire Cricket Coaches in on Wednesday for our Community session, with specialist Coaches supporting our students technically and tactically.
Football Provision
Training will resume next week for all year groups. Year 9 and 10 will train on Tuesday, with Year 7 and 8 training on Thursday. Please keep an eye out on the Sports Noticeboard for upcoming fixtures as we enter a busy Sporting period.
Rugby Provision
The Year 7 students have been enjoying their Rugby Unit of work in Physical Education lessons this week. Students have been focusing on Ball Handling and 1 v 1 situations. We are delighted to see so many students participating in a wide ranging curriculum that exposes them to various opportunities.
Physical Education Provision
Mr Deek's Year 7 class have been focusing on Leadership within their PE lessons this week. Students have been challenged to lead their own Warm-Ups, planning an activity and organising a small group. As a PE Department, we value the importance of students having opportunities to develop their Leadership qualities, students are also able to develop their confidence, self-esteem and resilience within these situations. We look forward to providing further opportunities throughout the rest of the term.
Talented Athlete Programme
The TAP programme this week focused on Leadership within different environments. Students were challenged to articulate the importance of Leadership and the qualities a good Leader possesses. Students were challenged to reflect on their own Leadership and how they can develop within this area.
New PE Kit Reminder
As announced in the blog on 15th December, click here, the new LBS PE can now be purchased from Clive Mark using the link below:
http://www.clivemark.co.uk/collections/lordswood-boys-school
From September 2024 it will be compulsory for all students to be wearing the new kit.
If you have any questions relating to the details above, please use the contact details below:
Mr Deeks, Director of Learning - SCP Faculty, j.deeks@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Mr Janes, Director of Sport, d.janes@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Weekly music news & schedules from Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music
NOTICE REGARDING PRACTICE ROOM USAGE
Attention is drawn to the availability of our music practice rooms exclusively for Year 10 and 11 GCSE students during break and lunchtimes for the remainder of this half term. This provision is designated to allow students sufficient time for coursework development and performance practice. A review of this arrangement will be conducted towards the conclusion of the half term.
COMMENCEMENT OF LORDSWOOD BOYS' SCHOOL BIG BAND - FROM MONDAY, JANUARY 22ND
B:Music and Lordswood Boys School are delighted to announce a collaborative effort in establishing a FREE after-school Jazz, Funk, and Soul Big Band. Commencing on Monday, January 22nd, 2024, rehearsals for the Big Band will take place every Monday in the music department at Lordswood Boys’ School from 3:15-4:15 pm. B:Music, the organization responsible for Symphony Hall and Birmingham Town Hall, is dedicated to providing musical opportunities for young individuals in Birmingham, including performance opportunities at their venues.
The Lordswood Boys Big Band will have the chance to perform twice a year at Symphony Hall. Lead by accomplished industry professionals, the after-school Big Band will be under the direction of Mr. Robbie Moore, a highly experienced musician and tutor with an impressive background in piano, touring, and music production.
Participating students have received parental consent reply slips, and prompt return of these slips to the music department is greatly appreciated.
TUNING IN PROJECT UPDATE
During the days leading up to the Christmas break, students involved in the Tuning In project spent a full day at the Birmingham Academy of Contemporary Music recording the final version of the Lordswood Boys' School Anthem. These fifteen students not only composed and performed but also actively participated in the sound production process.
The edited version of the anthem is expected to be released towards the end of this half term. An update will be provided, and we look forward to sharing the completed anthem with you in due course.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLUBS RESUMPTION
Please be informed that our regular extra-curricular music clubs will resume after half term. Lunchtime and after-school rehearsals are currently focused on preparing for our school production of Lion King scheduled for the final week of this half term.
I hope you have a good weekend and I look forward to updating you with more news next week. Until then you can always contact me directly at: l.williams@centralacademiestrust.co.uk.
Mr. L. Williams,
Interim CEO, Executive Headteacher
Central Academies Trust
Lordswood Boys' School • Hagley Road • Harborne • Birmingham • B17 8BJ
Tel:0121 464 2837
Email: enquiry@lordswoodboys.co.uk
For paper copies of any of the information on this website please refer to our publication scheme