PRINCIPAL's BLOG - 14th July 2023

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

A reminder to all parents/carers that next Thursday, 20 July, will be a non-school uniform day. Students wishing to donate towards our recognised school charities' can do so by way of a £1 donation.

Furthermore, another reminder to all parents/carers that our school year does not end until Tuesday 25 July at 12.20pm. Therefore, we expect all students to attend everyday until we end the school year.

Finally, Monday 24 July is scheduled to be our annual Sports Day. This event will take place on the school site and students are permitted to wear their PE kit. Students not in full PE kit or full uniform will be issued a detention.

Year 6 transition day

On Wednesday this week we welcomed our new year 6 students into school for their transition day.

They had a fun filled day with Y7 taster lessons which included core subjects, Drama, Geography, PE and Art. 

Many of the nervous looking Y6 boys at the start of the day, definitely left the building oozing confidence and eager to start in September at the end of the day. We cannot wait for them to start with us in September. 

Under the Microscope

From Mr Jackson

This week my year 9 and year 10 groups were given the challenge of making their own microscope slides and developing their skills at using these high powered devices to bring the world to life.  To say they threw themselves into this challenge with enthusiasm would be a massive understatement - they absolutely smashed it!

I had brought various materials:  pondweed of various types, flowers from our own borders and even a dead insect or two.  The boys quickly got to work selecting and assembling their equipment, choosing their samples and preparing individual slides for viewing.  They handled the equipment like seasoned professionals quickly preparing and then viewing each slide in turn.  It was one of those brilliant moments as a teacher when I was able to watch them learn all by themselves, without my interference, and take great delight in their own skills and discoveries.  This meant I was able to take some images of their work which you can see below.

A massive thank you to the students of 9.4 and 10.3 for making this a great day to be a teacher!

“The feeling of awed wonder that science can give us is one of the highest experiences of which the human mind is capable.” – Richard Dawkins

Free Swimming Pass

Places Leisure are offering free swimming in August for children eligible for free school meals; children can also claim a free pair of goggles (while stocks last)!

Places Leisure Venues:

• Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre, Lordswood Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9QS

• Sparkhill Pool and Fitness Centre, Stratford Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 4EA.

'To activate your ‘Free Summer 2023 swimming pass’ please take this original message you received from your local council or Children's Trust to your local centre and show it to a member of the Places Leisure team. Places Leisure will set you up with a membership that will allow your child to enjoy free swimming from 1st to 31st August 2023. For more information CLICK HERE.’

If you have any questions relating to the details above, please use the contact details below:

• Mr Deeks, Lead Professional for PE, j.deeks@lordswoodboys.co.uk

• Mr Janes, Director of Sport, d.janes@lordswoodboys.co.uk

Weekly music round-up from Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music

Music Clubs

Please note that after Wednesday of next week, the music clubs will cease to run until September. This is to allow time for assembly rehearsals which will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Practice Rooms

The music practice rooms will not be open for students to use outside of classroom lessons next week. Mrs Lowndes-Ford and Miss Jeffs will be working with the music ambassadors to ensure all rooms are tidied and de-cluttered before the school holidays. We also need to create plenty of space for the arrival of our brand new equipment which is due to arrive sometime during the Autumn term.

LBS Music 250 Badges

If you know that you have earned a music badge and still have not collected this, please do so before the end of the week. If you are unsure, please see Mrs Lowndes - Ford to check.

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@lordswoodboys.co.uk

Mr. L. Williams,

Principal,

Lordswood Boys' School.