🌞summer term sizzler ☀️

Welcome to my weekly blog - I hope you and your families are well and have had a good week! 

First and foremost warmest wishes to those who celebrated Eid this week!  I trust you all had a joyous and fulfilling time. May the blessings of Eid resonate throughout the year, bringing you and your loved ones continued happiness, peace, and prosperity. 

Please note, as always, we authorise 1 day absence for religious observance. It is critical that your son returns to school immediately following any authorised day for religious observance.

Culture Day 2024

What an extraordinary celebration of the rich tapestry of our diverse faiths, cultures, and traditions!

It's been heartwarming to witness students embracing their cultural heritage by donning their traditional attire with pride. The aroma of various cuisines from across the globe filling the air has truly been a delight to the senses. And let's not forget the captivating performances that have graced our stage, from the rhythmic beats of reggae to the energetic moves of bhangra, and the serene melodies of Japanese woodwind.

A heartfelt thank you to all who have contributed to making this day a resounding success. Your support has been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for our collective cultural roots within our school community.

I hope you enjoy look through the images below which capture a few of the many memories from today!

Weekly Highlight from the Head of School!

Dear Parents,

On behalf of the entire school community, I extend warm wishes to you and your families on the joyous occasion of Vaisakhi!

Vaisakhi holds profound significance for the Sikh community, marking the birth of the Khalsa Panth and the harvest festival in Punjab. It's a time of reflection, gratitude, and celebration of new beginnings.

As we embrace the spirit of Vaisakhi, let's also reflect on the values it embodies – unity, compassion, and the importance of community, that align with our school virtues. May this auspicious day bring you abundant blessings, happiness, and prosperity.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in nurturing our students' growth and learning journey. Wishing you all a very happy Vaisakhi! 

Warm wishes,

Rajdip Kaur Kang

Head of School

Duke of Edinburgh updates from Mrs Bone, DofE Lead.

On Friday 22nd March our year 11 Duke of Edinburgh cohort completed their Bronze expedition at Clent Hills.  This was Lordswood Boys' first Duke of Edinburgh cohort for some years and a wonderful milestone. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the students completed their expedition with very few hiccups - A quick detour down the wrong path only added to the adventure.

The students were true ambassadors for our school and its virtues throughout. They showed incredible perseverance and resilience in navigating some tricky terrain as well as independence and confidence as the expedition was unsupervised, and some were even fasting as it was during Ramadan.  They also utilised their newly acquired skills in map reading and using a compass to good effect.  In addition they showed respect to other hikers, dog walkers and the countryside by following the "Leave no Trace" guidance set out by Wilderness England which seeks to preserve and maintain natural landscapes.

As always our students were incredibly polite and well behaved, and a real credit to our school. We had a lovely comment from a member of the public who said  "it was wonderful to see such polite and enthusiastic students out in the fresh air and enjoying nature, and what a true credit they were to their teachers and school."

An added highlight for the students was at the end of the expedition they were able to open their mock exam results and see the outcomes of all the hard work - accompanied by some easter treats; ice creams and a few vegetarian sausage and egg sandwiches. 

It was wonderful to see the huge smiles on their faces as they saw the results of their hard work - a Duke of Edinburgh award and Mock results to be proud of. 

Also I'd like to say a massive thank you to Mr Jackson and Miss Shergill for their help and support in planning and supervising the expedition.

Well done Year 11.

Pastoral Updates 

We sincerely appreciate your dedication in reading our pastoral update and for your consistent efforts in guiding your son's behavior, both within and beyond the school grounds. Your unwavering support is indispensable in nurturing a positive learning atmosphere and promoting individual development. Your partnership in instilling values of accountability and the pursuit of excellence is highly valued. 

NOS Updates - 12 April 2024

The National Online Safety programme publishes a weekly #WakeUpWednesday update for parents/carers. This weeks update relates to 'MANAGING EXAM STRESS'. 

Exam stress – sometimes referred to as test anxiety – is of course a long-running issue for children and young people. Many experts have suggested that the enforced break to traditional testing during the pandemic (specifically the relative lack of familiarity with exam situations) has exacerbated this problem for those who are currently in education.

The possible impact of exam stress on children’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing is difficult to overstate – and students’ need for support is seldom greater than during these periods of their academic life. Our guide offers you ten practical tips for helping young people to manage exam stress and minimise its potentially detrimental effects.

I hope your find this information useful.

Extra-Curricular

Here is a reminder regarding our Extra-Curricular provision. Please find the timetable below of the clubs that we offer.

Sport fixtures and training schedules for week beginning 15 April 2024

Weekly music news & schedules from Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music

Project Unveiling

In an exciting collaboration earlier this academic year, fifteen students joined forces with the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) for a special music project. Together, they composed an anthem for our school and dedicated a day to perfecting it in a recording studio.

The eagerly awaited outcome is finally here. Mrs. Lowndes-Ford cordially invites the fifteen students who contributed to this project to an exclusive viewing next Tuesday, April 16th, during lunchtime at 12:15 pm in G15. Following this special preview, the anthem will be released to the wider school community.

World Culture Day

Today has been an exhilarating day in the Music department!

A total of forty students showcased a spectacular performance, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of cultures among our students and staff. Their talents shone not only in the Year 11 assembly this morning but also in two additional performances for the entire school this afternoon.

Adding to the festivities, Mrs. Lowndes-Ford composed a special song for our Vocal Group, aligning with the day's theme.

The concert was a delightful fusion of music and dance from various corners of the globe, including Jamaica, the Congo, Japan, India, the USA/UK, and New Zealand. Moreover, students shared insights into the musical traditions of their own cultures, enriching the experience even further.

Harborne Primary School Visit

Today, we welcomed sixty Year 5 pupils from Harborne Primary School, engaging them in enriching Music, Dance, and Sports Workshops. In light of our World Culture Day celebrations, they collaborated with Mrs. Lowndes-Ford, Mrs. Mckeon, and Mrs. Janes, as well as our talented concert performers, to craft a brief performance inspired by Indian and African traditions.

We eagerly anticipate the return visit of another sixty students from Harborne Primary next Friday, April 19th.

Electric Violin Club

Please take note that the Electric Violin Club will commence in the week beginning Monday, May 20th. With only six spots available, interested students are encouraged to approach Mrs. Lowndes-Ford promptly to secure their place. Our focus will be on exploring electronic dance music.