PRINCIPAL's BLOG - 21st July 2023

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

In addition to this final edition, please look out for the end of year letter that your son will be bringing home on Monday afternoon. The letter will outline a few important details including the information regarding our return to school in September.

PSHEE Day - Friday 14 July 

Our final PSHE Day of the academic year highlighted current, topical issues and powerful debates.

In Y7, we looked at social issues in the community, how to support local charities, budgeting and personal finance. 

In Y8, students were taught about British Values, prejudice and disability, wellbeing, growth mindset and neuroplasticity.

In Y9, a variety of activities were discussed such as domestic conflict, mindfulness, employability skills and how to write a CV. 

Whilst in Y10, they spent the day looking at body image, role models, mental health and revision skills.

Our PSHEE days provide many opportunities for students to explore more widely outside of the regular curriculum. As you would expect, the students embraced the different activities fully.  

Humanities round-up, from Mrs Thompson, Director of Learning

For their end of year project/competition, 8.1 RE were tasked with designing and building their own version of a famous religious building. All groups put in a fantastic effort and demonstrated some excellent examples of teamwork, problem solving and engineering skills. 

The winning entry was by Thomas Ghorbani Saeedian, Hussein Kendawi, RJ Taylor and Ayaan Ateeq. These students went above and beyond the original brief to produce a remarkable reproduction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome; it even has remote controlled led lighting, a welcome sign and a fountain! A special shout out to Ayaan who used his computer coding skills to great effect.

The runner up entry for best teamwork was by Andrew Okoeguale, Stanley Gyamfi and Joshua Coote who made a replica of the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Mosque in Turkey.

Finally, a special prize was given to Usman Iqbal, Bradley Bowie and Andy Nguyen who showed remarkable resilience and adaptability.Their original design was to build the Hagia Sophia too but it didn't quite go to plan, so instead they adapted their build to something more local- St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham. It even has its own resident pigeons!

Year 10 Work Experience 2023

Last week was our work experience week. All of the Year 10 students were able to interact with professionals online and some students were lucky enough to take part in face to face visits.

In the horticulture session, our Y10 students learnt how to create a wall using blocks, bricks and slabs and the importance of petrol machinery.    

Each day, we had a number of online professionals, eager to present to our Y10 students about their industries: 

Monday: Introduction to Industry Masterclass

This is when all of Y10 heard from the 3 industry leaders below about future trends, skills and opportunities.

There were interactive activities and a masterclass in communication and presentation skills.

Tuesday: Sales and Marketing Masterclass

This was a Q&A session with the industry professionals to learn about their jobs, career journeys and the skills they use at work. 

We were able to gain insights and advice to help our students create a project.

Wednesday: Food Science Masterclass

This was a Q&A session with the industry professionals to learn about their jobs, career journeys and the skills they use at work. 

We were able to gain insights and advice to help our students create a project.

Thursday: Engineering Masterclass

This was a Q&A session with the industry professionals below to learn about their jobs, career journeys and the skills they use at work. 

We were able to gain insights and advice to help our students create a project.

Friday: Employability Skills Masterclass

This is where our students were able to develop their skills needed to perform a virtual application process and at an interview. 

Our students took part in a Q&A with HR and early career experts.

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

Valencia Sports Tour

All students who have secured a place on the Tour have received a 'Next Steps' letter to take home. Please contact me directly if you have any questions - d.janes@lordswoodboys.co.uk 

Cricket - Warwickshire v Lancashire 

Mr Preece and Mrs O'Shaughnessy took two groups of students to watch a County Cricket game at the Edgbaston Stadium on Wednesday. The students had the opportunity to watch another professional game and to enjoy the experience of a professional stadium.

Year 9 v Year 10 Football

The eagerly anticipated game between the Year 9 and 10 Football teams took place this week, with both teams highly motivated to earn the bragging rights. The Year 10 team came out victorious with a 5-0 win. The game was played in great spirits and the students thoroughly enjoyed the game.

League Winners

The Year 9 /10 Football and Basketball teams had their end of season photos taken to celebrate their league titles from this season. Thank you to Mr Tattam for taking the photos which we look forward to advertising around the school to celebrate the success of the students.

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

Psychological and Trauma support

Phoenix Psychology have shared a number of Trauma leaflets for children and young people as well as advice for parents. 

Phoenix Psychology is a psychological consultancy with locations in Kenilworth, Warwickshire and Birmingham city centre, that provide professional therapeutic services, assessments, consultancy, supervision and training that cater for a wide range of clients such as individuals, court proceedings, local authorities, independent foster care organisations, residential homes, schools, health services and other statutory and non-statutory organisations. 

The leaflets below provide some useful information and guidance for students and parents/carers regarding psychological trauma.

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.