HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 12th July 2024

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🎓 Unlocking Futures: The Transformative Power of Year 10 Work Experience

Transitioning from the classroom to the real world is a big leap, and our Year 10 students have excelled! This year's work experience program has proven invaluable, providing critical insights into various careers and the working world. 🌍

Why Work Experience Rocks 🎸

Work experience bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping students:

Gain Practical Skills: Hands-on learning in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. 🛠️
Explore Careers: Discover different professions and make informed future choices. 💼
Build Confidence: Professional environments boost self-reliance and confidence. 💪
Network with Pros: Meet industry experts and create valuable connections. 🤝

Diverse Placements, Rich Experiences 🌐

Our students explored a variety of fields, each offering unique insights:

Healthcare and Medicine:
- Shadowed doctors and nurses, experiencing patient care firsthand. 🏥
- Participated in research labs, contributing to scientific breakthroughs. 🔬
Business and Finance:
- Interned at businesses and financial institutions, learning commerce and finance. 💳
- Engaged in marketing campaigns and financial analysis. 📊
Technology and Engineering:
- Worked at tech companies and engineering firms, embracing innovation. 💻
- Assisted in engineering projects. ⚙️
Creative Arts and Media:
- Found placements with artists. 🎨
- Assisted in production and content creation. 🎬
Education and Social Services:
- Contributed to education in primary schools 🏫
- Supported educational activities and community projects. ❤️

Exceptional Employer Feedback 🌟

Employers were impressed:

Professionalism and Enthusiasm: Students were eager, professional, and adaptable. 👏
Skill Development: They quickly acquired and applied new skills. 🔧
Teamwork and Communication: Excellent teamwork and communication were highlighted. 🗣️
Innovative Thinking: Fresh perspectives and innovative ideas were a hit. 💡

Feedback included, "Our Year 10 intern was exceptional, showing keen interest and contributing significantly." 🏆

A local hospital praised, "Their dedication and compassion towards patient care were commendable." 🌟

A Bright Future 🌈

The Year 10 work experience program has proven its worth, shaping well-rounded, career-ready individuals. As students return to school, they carry new skills, knowledge, and a clear sense of purpose. 🚀

Thank you to all employers and staff who made this possible. Here’s to unlocking more futures and creating a brighter, skilled generation! 🌟🎓

I hope you enjoy watching the video of Year 10 in the world of work.🎬

SCience, Technology,

maths & engineering (stem)

Inspiring STEM Workshops by Bloodhound Education at Lordswood Boys School

This week we were delighted to welcome Rob Bennett from Bloodhound Education to deliver an inspiring series of STEM workshops to Year 8 learners. The sessions provided a behind-the-scenes look at Bloodhound's quest to achieve the land speed record and offered valuable insights into STEM careers, with a particular focus on civil engineering and bridge construction.

The presentation began with an exciting overview of the Bloodhound Project, detailing the rigorous process and innovative engineering required to reach unprecedented speeds. Learners were captivated by the technical challenges and successes of the Bloodhound team, gaining a newfound appreciation for the intricate work behind such an ambitious goal.

Mr Bennett emphasised the diverse opportunities within STEM careers, highlighting civil engineering and its crucial role in infrastructure development. The presentation delved into the specifics of bridge construction, explaining how civil engineers design and build structures to withstand various loads and stresses.

Following the presentation, the learners participated in a hands-on activity that required them to work in teams to design, build, and test a strong bridge using K'Nex and string. The challenge was to create a bridge capable of supporting the maximum load, which provided a practical application of the principles they had just learned.

Throughout the activity, learners demonstrated critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. They used problem-solving skills to address design challenges and employed teamwork to ensure their bridges were as strong as possible. After testing their designs, they recorded and reviewed their findings, reflecting on what worked well and what could be improved.

Mr Bennett praised the students' enthusiasm and ingenuity, stating, "It was incredible to see how quickly the learners grasped complex engineering concepts and applied them in a hands-on project. Their teamwork and innovative solutions were truly impressive."

Mr Foric, who facilitated the event alongside Mrs Sethi, commented on the workshop's success, saying, "The learners were fully engaged and found the workshop both insightful and fun. They gained a deeper understanding of civil engineering and its real-world applications, which has sparked a genuine interest in pursuing STEM careers."

Mrs Sethi added, "Seeing the students work together to overcome challenges and succeed in their bridge-building tasks was incredibly rewarding. The skills they developed today will be invaluable in their future studies and careers."

The practical experience of designing and testing bridges allowed the students to apply theoretical knowledge in a meaningful way, fostering a deeper appreciation for the engineering profession.

The STEM workshops was a resounding success, leaving the Year 8 learners at Lordswood Boys School inspired and eager to explore the exciting possibilities within the world of STEM.

Year 7's Mini Monsters: Creative Creations Unleashed! 👾

The half term has been full of creativity and fun for Year 7 in DT groups having just finished their Mini Monster projects, and they are monstrously awesome! These tiny terrors have turned out fantastically well.

Prepared to be wowed by their creativity and craftsmanship as you scroll through the images below.

A big thank you to Mr. Sahir for fostering such creativity and for all his hard work in making this project possible. Your guidance and dedication have truly inspired our students.

These really are Mini Monster masterpieces. 🏆👹

Great job, Year 7! ✨📸🛠️

🌟 Year 9 Students Shine at University of Birmingham Politics Workshop 🌟

It was wonderful for students from Year 9 to visit the University of Birmingham to participate in a Politics workshop just before the General Election. The workshop, led by a Politics professor, showcased our students' impressive knowledge of current affairs and the history of Politics in the UK.

Workshop Highlighted:
- 📚 An overview of Higher Education.
- 🗳️ Students were tasked with creating their own political parties, including a manifesto, slogan, policies, and target demographic.
Student Achievements:
- 🏆 Our students presented their political parties to over 180 students from 9 other schools and won the competition!
- 💪 Their resilience, confidence, and excellent public speaking skills were praised by staff from other schools.
- 📖 This success is a credit to our literacy programme and focus on oracy skills at LBS.
End-of-Day Activities:
- ❓ Students participated in a Big Politics Quiz and Mock Parliament.
- 💬 They were enthusiastic and quick to answer or pose insightful questions during debates.
- 🎤 RJ was selected for an interview about his thoughts on the upcoming General Election, which will be featured in the University newspaper.
Recognition:
- 🥇 Our students were awarded the Winners of the Day and received a trophy to bring back to school.
- 🏫 They had an excellent day sampling university life and exploring the beautiful UoB campus.

A special thank you to Miss George for organising and supporting this enriching experience for our students that I am sure they will remember forever. 🙏

NOS Updates - 12th July 2024

The National Online Safety programme publishes a weekly #WakeUpWednesday update for parents/carers. This weeks update relates to Healthy Friendships. It’s common for young people to have comparatively less of an understanding of social conventions. While children can benefit from this to some degree – making friends at the drop of a hat – this can also generate a good deal of confusion regarding certain aspects of any relationships that they form.

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

From Mrs McKeon, Director of Learning of Foundations Studies and Extra-curricular learning

Here is a reminder regarding our Extra-Curricular provision. Please find the timetable below of the clubs that we offer. This timetable has been amended slightly for the remainder of this half-term.

EC Poster v2.pdf

Sport fixtures and training schedules for week beginning 17th June 2024

Weekly sports round-up from Mr Janes, Director of Sport

⚽️ The Great Showdown: Staff vs. Students Football Match ⚽️

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, football fans of all ages, brace yourselves for the most epic showdown since, well, last year's Staff vs. Students match! Mark your calendars for Friday, the 19th of July, when the clash of titans will take place on the hallowed grounds of our 4G pitch. 📅

Training Antics: Staff Edition

Word on the playground is that the Staff have been secretly channeling their inner Messi and Ronaldo every Friday after school. Yes, that’s right, our beloved teachers have traded in their red pens and lesson plans for football boots and shin guards. Rumour has it, Mr. Deek's tackling skills are rivalled only by his ability to tackle the photocopier when it’s jammed. 🏃‍♂️🖨️

Key Players to Watch

Mr Mitchell: Known for his relentless energy, chasing students up and down the corridors, Mr. Mitchell has been seen sprinting up and down the field, fuelled entirely by coffee and the sheer will to win. Just don’t mention “homework” near him – he might drop and give you 20 push-ups. ☕💪

Mr Calder: A math teacher by day and a football strategist by night. He’s been calculating the perfect angles for those corner kicks with the precision of a protractor. Watch out for his deadly accurate passes – they’re as sharp as his wit. 📐⚽

Mr Janes: The head honcho, as our Director of Sport, himself will be gracing the pitch. Let’s hope his disciplinary skills translate into defensive prowess. If anyone fouls him, they might end up with a week of detention – fair warning! 🛡️🏫

Mr. Preece: Our very own Gareth Southgate! Due to an unfortunate injury, Mr. Preece will be serving as the Manager for the staff team. Expect some brilliant strategies and maybe a few waistcoat sightings. His tactical genius is sure to lead the staff to glory! 🦵📋

Ms. Williams: The ace striker who will be bossing the field. Ms. Williams has been showing off some impressive footwork and lethal shots during training. She’s ready to give the students a masterclass in goal-scoring. Watch out, she’s a force to be reckoned with! ⚡🥅

The Students: Young, Wild, and Free

The students, on the other hand, have been training in their own unique way – by playing FIFA 23 and perfecting their goal celebrations. They might not have the years of experience, but they’ve got youth, speed, and the audacity to pull off some outrageous tricks. Plus, their TikTok dance moves might just confuse the staff long enough to score. 🎮🎉

The Anticipation Builds

Will the Staff's after-school training sessions pay off, or will the Students' youthful exuberance reign supreme? Will Mr. Badu spill his coffee on the pitch? Will Mr Noble use a slide rule to measure offside distances? Only time will tell! 🤔⏳

So, bring your pom-poms, your loudest cheers, and maybe some earplugs for when Mrs O'Shaughnessy inevitably tries to start a motivational chant. Boys, this is one match you won’t want to miss – it's sure to be a day of laughter, questionable athleticism, and memories that will last a lifetime (or at least until next year’s rematch). 🎊🙌

See you on the 19th! 🗓️🎉⚽

Valencia Football Tour

Mr Janes will arrange a Parent Meeting when students return to School in September. This meeting will give final details such as meet times, itinerary and guidance around what students should pack for the trip. The meeting will also give parents the opportunity to ask any questions. Next week is the deadline for Passport Information to be shared with Mr Janes so he can share this with the Tour Company. Those parents who are waiting on their child's passports that is absolutely fine, please send Mr Janes those details when you have them. We still have a few outstanding payments, as explained, we are unable to hold your child's place if payments have not been made, the deadline was the 24th of May.

If you have any questions contact Mr Janes - d.janes@lordswoodboys.co.uk

Sports Day Announcement

Attention all students and staff! Our Sports Day has been rescheduled to Thursday, the 18th of July, due to some rather soggy weather forecasts for early next week. 🌧️☔

All Literacy Groups should have completed their sign-up sheets by now, identifying the students participating in each event. If you haven’t done so, please get those in ASAP! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

If you have any questions or need further information, please head down to the PE department and chat with one of our friendly staff members. 🏅👟

Get ready for a day of fun, competition, and hopefully much better weather! ☀️🎉

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

MUSIC AMBASSADORS 🎵

We're on the lookout for new Music Ambassadors for the upcoming academic year! With our current team of stellar music leaders moving on, we have six exciting vacancies to fill. Next week, Mrs. Lowndes-Ford will be reaching out to students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership or dedication to the music department this year. Selected students will be invited to an interview, where you’ll be asked about your musical involvement, experience, and what you can bring to the table as a music leader.

MUSIC BIG CLEAN 🧹

A huge shoutout to the six fantastic students who helped Mrs. Lowndes-Ford and Miss Jeffs get the music department in tip-top shape for September. They carried, tidied, cleaned, and dusted every nook and cranny. Your dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated. Thank you for giving up your time after school to support us!

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 🎻🎺

Thank you to all parents and carers who returned the instrumental lesson forms. All information has been collated and our school-wide order has been sent off. Parents will be contacted in the first week of September with details about lesson days and times. Please note that we can no longer accept new applications for a September start, but there may be opportunities to apply in the Autumn term.

MUSIC INSTRUMENTS 🎸🎷

A friendly reminder to all students: If you have borrowed instruments from Services for Education and are not continuing lessons in September, please return them to Mrs. Lowndes-Ford next week. Thank you!

TALENT SHOW 🌟

Today, our students dazzled us in the whole school Talent Show, showcasing a wide range of music, dance, and other arts performances. Each year group had the chance to see their peers perform, with staff judges keeping a close eye on the talent. A special thanks to Robbie and Lewis from B Music, who made a guest appearance and led our Big Band. The Big Band's performances at the start and end of the show were a highlight. Thank you, Robbie and Lewis, for sharing your time and talent with us! We look forward to sharing more news on the Talent Show in next week's Blog.

Hot Chocolate and Reading: Celebrating Year 8 Reading Mentors

"Research shows that the best way to boost a child's reading age is to sit next to them and read." - British Dyslexia Association, 2024.

... And what better way to spend an afternoon than with a hot chocolate and a good book! ☕📚

Yesterday, our Year 8 students wrapped up their Reading Mentors sessions with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust. The atmosphere was buzzing as we sipped hot chocolates and dived into stories. The students were engaged, improving their skills, and discussing everything from life to career aspirations with their mentors.

The mentors were amazed at the boys' growing confidence and praised their commitment. As a surprise thank you, the mentors gifted them goodie bags filled with treats. Since the programme began, our boys' reading ages have improved collectively by an impressive 8 months!

Let's applaud some standout stars:

Siem - 13 MONTHS progress 🏆

Mohammed R - 15 MONTHS progress 🏆

Sarp - 17 MONTHS progress!🏆

A huge thanks to the volunteers who supported this year's programme. We can't wait to continue with our next cohort in September, and our volunteers are equally excited to return! 🌟

Attendance Challenge Reminder: Join Us in Keeping Our Attendance High!

As we approach the end of the term, we want to remind everyone of the importance of regular attendance. Unfortunately, there has been a drop in attendance over the last few weeks of the term. It is crucial to ensure students are in school every day up to and including the last day of term, Monday, 22nd July. Consistent attendance not only supports academic success but also ensures you stay updated on important announcements and activities.

We have many exciting opportunities coming up in the last week of term, including our Attendance Challenge, where every student has the opportunity to win some incredible prizes. Let's finish the term strong by attending all remaining classes and events. Thank you for your cooperation!

Holidays During Term Time

All pupils registered at school are expected to attend every day the school is open. Parents are advised to book leave during school holiday periods.

Requests for Leave of Absence

Parents must request permission in advance from the school for leave of absence for any reason, including holidays. Headteachers cannot grant leave during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances and cannot grant permission retrospectively. The desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not be considered an exceptional circumstance.

What Happens If You Take Your Child Out of School Without Permission

If you take your child out of school without the school's permission or without notifying them in advance, it will be recorded as unauthorised absence. This may lead to enforcement action, such as a penalty notice or prosecution.

Changes to Fixed Penalty Notices from August 2024

In most cases, schools and councils will try to provide support to help you improve your child's attendance first. However, if this support does not resolve the issues, or if support is not appropriate (e.g., unauthorised term-time holiday), parents and carers may be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Under the new national framework, Fixed Penalty Notices will be considered when a child has missed ten or more sessions (five days) for unauthorised reasons within ten school weeks. A notice may also be issued where the five-day level of absence has not been reached, for example, if there are several periods of leave.

The first penalty notice will carry a fine that must be paid within 28 days.
If a parent receives a second notice for the same child within any three-year period, the amount of the notice will increase significantly and must be paid within 21 days.

We are very grateful that the majority of our parents understand the importance of good attendance, recognising that this gives our young people the best chance to achieve their full potential and take advantage of every opportunity on offer. For those who experience barriers to attendance, we encourage you to contact your son's Head of Year so that we can work together to find a solution and support your son in being in school every day.

Reports Update

All reports for Year 8, 9 and 10 have been shared today via Class Charts. We are very pleased with the progress that students have made across this year. Reports for Year 7 will be issued on Monday 15th July. If you have any questions relating to reports, please use the contact details below:

Head of Y7, Ms Lea c.lea@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Head of Y8, Mr Oswald c.oswald@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Head of Y9, Mr Mitchell j.mitchell@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Head of Y10, Mr Noble t.noble@lordswoodboys.co.uk

Important Dates for your diary:

Reading Week (Year 7-9): Monday 15th July - Friday 19th July

Sports Day (All students): Thursday 18th July - Students may wear their school PE kit.

Staff vs Student football match: Friday 19th July

Last Day of Term & Rewards assemblies: Monday 22nd July - dismissal at midday.

I look forward to sharing lots of updates with you next week with the final Blog of this academic year. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to me directly at: r.kang@lordswoodboys.co.uk.

Mrs. Rajdip Kaur Kang

Head of School

Lordswood Boys' School

Lordswood Boys' School • Hagley Road • Harborne • Birmingham • B17 8BJ

Tel:0121 464 2837

Email: enquiry@lordswoodboys.co.uk

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