HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 24TH January 2025

Year 7 & Literacy updates

From Ms Russell, Assistant Principal

Irwin Mitchell Reading Mentors 📖

We welcomed back our Reading Volunteers from the National Literacy Trust Partnership this week who have been working with Year 8 students on improving their reading by sharing stories aloud.

They also had interesting discussions about careers and life as a solicitor from our partners at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors. They boys were absolutely fascinated and have loved every minute of their mentoring so far this year. 

The mentors commented what a credit to the school these boys are and how much progress they are making with their reading confidence! 

Year 10 Creative Reflection on Remembrance ✍️

This week, Year 10 students engaged in a meaningful and creative project to deepen their understanding of remembrance and its enduring significance. After studying Poppies by Jane Weir, students created their own poppies as symbols of reflection and respect.

To further connect with the themes of war and sacrifice, students selected lines from other impactful poems they have studied, including Exposure and Bayonet Charge. By integrating these lines into their work, they honored the heroes of WW1 and WW2 while strengthening their understanding of the poetic themes and imagery explored in class.

Some students took this opportunity to write personal messages commemorating loved ones lost in conflicts from their home countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, and Palestine. These heartfelt tributes demonstrated the power of remembrance to resonate across cultures and personal histories, fostering empathy and a deeper connection to the global significance of conflict.

At Lordswood Boys' School, we recognise the importance of returning to the theme of remembrance throughout the year. By linking it to students’ learning, we reinforce the idea that remembrance isn’t confined to a single day—it is a year-round opportunity to reflect, honour, and learn from the past. Through this project, students have not only engaged creatively but also developed an ongoing appreciation for the value of remembrance in their studies and their lives.

Student Parliament 

The Year 7 student parliament met again on Thursday to prepare their important plans of action for this half term! 

They have presented their manifestos and are now actioning their ideas for: 

• The Clean Up Crew who work on making our school environment the best it can be 

• Elite Reading Month of March

• Rewards Assemblies led by the Parliament 

• The Mental Health and Wellbeing newsletter

It was so inspiring to watch their discussions and planning meetings!

College updates

From Mr Mr Mitchell, Head of Westerly College

Countdown to the Ultimate Intellectual Event! 🎉🚀

Get ready to flex those brain muscles! 🧠✨
This year’s competition will have:
🔥 2 Words Rounds – Show off your vocab and wit!
➕ 2 Maths Rounds – Crush those numbers like a pro!

It’s your time to shine 🌟, challenge yourself, and compete with your year group! 🏆 Join the fun, show your skills, and maybe walk away as the ultimate champ!

💡 Don’t miss out – this is YOUR moment! Best of luck! 🍀

College updates

From Ms George, Head of Midland College

It’s Time to Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and... Dominate! 🏆

Get ready, students! We're excited to announce our popular Dodgeball Tournament is back– a fast-paced, action-packed event where you can show off your skills, have fun, and compete for the title of dodgeball champions! 

The HT3 Dodgeball Tournament isn’t just a game – it’s a full-blown showdown of skill, speed, and strategy! 💨 Whether you’re unleashing epic throws or pulling off last-second dodges, this is your moment to shine. 

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to have some fun with friends, this is your chance to be part of an unforgettable experience representing your college. 

✨ What to expect?
🎯 Intense rivalries – Bring the heat and battle it out!
🤣 Plenty of laughs – Awkward dodges? Hilarious fails? We’ve got it all.
💪 Bragging rights – Win the tournament, and you’ll be a LEGEND.

🔥 What’s next?
Gather your dream team (or just your mates), and prepare for glory. Details on sign-ups and rules coming soon – so stay sharp! 📝

⚠️ Warning: Extreme fun levels ahead. Tuesday 11th February – mark your calendars, sharpen your reflexes, and get ready to BALL! 🏐💥

💃🕺 Stay tuned for details on teams and rules. Don’t miss out – Tuesday 11th February- it’s going to be a blast! Get your game face on! 

See you on the court – it’s gonna be EPIC! 😎

Teaching & Learning updates

From Mrs Davis-Musabayana, Assistant Principal

Teaching and Learning Update

Supporting SEND Students with Task Boards
Task boards were effectively used this week to support SEND students, providing clear steps to help them navigate their learning. Students were also encouraged to take ownership of their task boards, adding their own tasks to ensure they fully understood what needed to be completed. This approach created a positive and inclusive atmosphere for learning, with students actively engaging in reading and completing recall starter activities.

Excellent Questioning to Deepen Understanding
SAL demonstrated exceptional questioning techniques, encouraging students to develop their answers using key words and terminology. This approach inspired students to eagerly participate, answer questions, and showcase their prior knowledge, resulting in dynamic and engaging discussions.

Year 11 English Focus: Preparing for Exams
Year 11 students are gearing up for their exams with a range of engaging and effective revision strategies:

• In Ms Baker's class: A creative "An Inspector Calls" (AIC) wheel was used as a revision tool for mock exams, sparking enthusiasm and helping students connect key ideas.

• In Mr Dawkin's class: The visualiser was employed to analyse a Language Paper 2 article as a group, highlighting key ideas and fostering collaborative learning.

• In Ms George's class: Similarly, the visualiser was utilized to guide the class in identifying terminology and analysing its effects in a Language Paper 2 article, reinforcing key concepts in preparation for exams.

These focused and interactive strategies are equipping students with the tools and confidence needed to succeed in their exams.

Year 11 updates

From Ms Bunger, Assistant Principal

Preparing for Year 11 Mock Exams: Why Intervention Sessions Matter

As Year 11 mock exams approach, students face a crucial opportunity to set themselves up for success in their final GCSEs. These exams aren’t just practice—they’re a vital step in assessing your progress, identifying areas for improvement, and sharpening exam techniques. Alongside your revision, attending intervention sessions can make all the difference in securing your best results.

Why Mock Exams Matter:

• Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses: Mocks show you where you excel and where to focus, helping teachers provide targeted support.

• Building Exam Confidence: Simulating the exam environment reduces anxiety and boosts your comfort level under timed conditions.

• Practising Exam Techniques: Use mocks to refine your skills—time management, structuring answers, and interpreting questions.

• Reality Check: Mock results can be a wake-up call, pushing you to step up and avoid complacency.

Why Intervention Sessions Are Key:

• Targeted Support: Sessions focus on challenging topics, helping you close knowledge gaps and strengthen weak areas.

• Expert Guidance: Teachers offer strategies and explanations that help concepts click.

• Peer Learning: Collaborating with classmates who share your struggles builds solidarity and reinforces learning.

• Accountability: Regular attendance ensures you stay on track and make consistent progress.

Maximising Success:

• Stay Organised: Create a revision timetable balancing independent study, intervention sessions, and downtime.

• Come Prepared: Review your notes before attending sessions and bring specific questions.

• Act on Feedback: Use your mock exam feedback to focus on weak spots in your revision.

• Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask teachers for support during sessions.

• Stay Positive: Mistakes now are opportunities to learn and avoid repeating them in the real exams.

Year 11 Prefects: Mentoring the Next Generation

Amidst their own exam pressures, Year 11 Prefects are stepping up to mentor younger students—an invaluable opportunity to guide and support others while developing essential leadership skills.

How Mentoring Benefits Younger Students:

• Academic Support: Prefects help younger students build better study habits and manage their workload.

• Confidence Building: Mentors provide relatable advice, boosting students’ confidence in their abilities.

• Peer Guidance: Advice from older peers feels more approachable and less intimidating than from adults.

• Improved Wellbeing: Mentors offer a safe space for students to share their concerns, enhancing emotional wellbeing.

What Year 11 Prefects Gain:

• Leadership Skills: Mentoring builds confidence and hones leadership abilities.

• Empathy and Communication: Prefects develop active listening skills and learn to adapt their communication style.

• Time Management: Balancing study and mentoring teaches effective time management.

• Fulfilment: Mentoring provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment, knowing you’re positively impacting others’ lives.

This combined approach of mock exams, intervention sessions, and mentoring creates a thriving learning environment that benefits both Year 11 students and the younger generations they support.

Personal Development Updates

From Kiran Sandhu, Assistant Principal

Belief and Compassion Shine Through Holocaust Memorial Week Assembly

This week, the virtues of Belief and Compassion were brought to life as Mrs. Thompson delivered a deeply moving assembly in honor of Holocaust Memorial Week.

Mrs. Thompson reflected on the past and drew meaningful comparisons to recent events in the media, where anger, assumptions, and racism have fuelled acts of prejudice. Her words were a stark reminder that, even 90 years later, such challenges persist in society.

A Powerful Message of Hope
Mrs. Thompson highlighted how cities like Birmingham and London stood as symbols of unity, compassion, and tolerance, preventing hate crimes from escalating. Her message inspired us to continue building communities where understanding and kindness triumph over prejudice.

Who to Turn To
The assembly ended with a reminder that support is always available. Mrs. Thompson encouraged us to reach out if we have any concerns or need someone to talk to about the important topics raised.

Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for your thought-provoking and heartfelt assembly. Let’s all take this opportunity to reflect on how we can embody compassion and belief in our daily lives to create a brighter, more inclusive future.

Safeguarding Updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

Keeping Young People Safe: Vaping 

Vapes are electronic devices designed to allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour.  In the UK, vapes (e-cigarettes) are regulated as consumer products that can be legally sold to anyone over the age of 18. The government encourages adult smokers to switch to vapes as they are substantially less harmful than smoking.

As vapes are often brightly coloured, and come in lots of sweet and fruity flavours, they are also extremely appealing to children and young people.  What started out as a promising alternative to smoking has now become a trend in its own right with an increasing number of under 18s now vaping.

It can be difficult to know how to start a conversation with a young person who you think may be vaping.  Click here for some ideas and information to support this.  There is a lot of help available for under 18s who have become addicted to vaping and want to stop. Click here for access to support, or reach out to the Safeguarding Team 

If you have any questions relating to safeguarding and need support, we have a very experienced team of Designated Safeguarding Leads in school, please get in touch using the contact details below:

• Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal/Lead DSL, d.metcalfe-molinari@lordswoodboys.co.uk

• Mr Richard Stanford, Deputy DSL, r.stanford@lordswoodboys.co.uk

NOS Updates 

The National Online Safety programme publishes a weekly #WakeUpWednesday update for parents/carers. This week's free guide provides expert advice on how to nurture self-esteem in children and young people and help them to effectively process difficult feelings.

Facing unpleasant feelings can be a challenge, even for adults – let alone for children and young people, whose minds are still developing. To many youngsters, a mistake in an exam, a hurtful word or even losing in a game can sometimes feel like the worst thing in the world, causing them to react accordingly.

However, this isn’t always an effective way to deal with difficult emotions or life’s setbacks, so it's important that parents and educators are able impress a healthy approach to these feelings on the children in their care. This free guide offers you expert tips on how to instil emotional resilience in young people, helping them to learn from unexpected feelings and situations – and to process them in a mature, effective manner.

Pastoral updates

From Miss Williams, Director of Behaviour & Attitudes

🎯 School Target 96%

Year to Date Whole School 92.6%

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

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

🗣️ Debate Club Update 🗣️

On Monday, 3rd February, Lordswood Boys’ School will be hosting the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition heat, welcoming seven local schools to participate. 🎤📚

Hosting a heat is a fantastic opportunity to offer students the chance to engage in meaningful debates and presentations, helping them develop vital skills like public speaking, critical thinking, and effective communication.

Good luck to our debate team as they prepare for this exciting event! We’re confident they’ll represent us brilliantly. 🌟👏

🎭 Fame: The Excitement Continues!  🎶

With only 20 days remaining until the cast of Fame takes to the stage, the excitement is really starting to build! 🚀 The students are working hard, rehearsing with the band, and mastering the challenge of singing and dancing at the same time. The energy in the rehearsal room is electric, and it’s incredible to see students from different year groups collaborating and supporting each other.

Our KS4 students have been instrumental in guiding our Year 7s, helping them learn choreography and memorize their lines, ensuring everyone is ready for the big performance. 🌟 Special shout-out to Jamie in Year 11, who has also contributed to the direction of the show, working alongside Mrs. Davis-Musabayana and Mrs. McKeon to bring Fame to life.

Don’t forget to book your tickets for this spectacular show!
Performance Dates:

• Primary School Matinee – Monday, 10th February

• Evening Performances – Tuesday, 11th February & Wednesday, 12th February

Tickets go on sale Monday, 20th January—don’t miss out!

We can’t wait to share this amazing production with you. Stay tuned as the countdown continues! 💃

🎭🎶 Fame School Production Rehearsals 🎶🎭

The Countdown to Fame is On! 

Our Fame Production is fast approaching, and excitement is building! Here are the rehearsals for this week:

• Monday, 27th January
  Fame Showband: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

• Tuesday, 28th January
  All Cast &  Fame Showband: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

• Friday, 31st January
  All Cast &  Fame Showband: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Important Information for Parents/Guardians
All students have been issued with a parental letter detailing the Fame Production event and essential information about the upcoming weekend rehearsals, which will include technical and dress rehearsals.

We kindly ask that you return the reply consent forms as soon as possible to ensure your child can participate fully in this exciting production.

Thank you for your continued support as we prepare for a show-stopping performance! 

🎭 Arts Award Update 🎭

Our Elite Performance Academy students are now halfway through their Arts Award course! 🌟 After performing in and reflecting on their Winter Showcase, they are ready to dive into their next challenge: the arts inspiration research project.

The students are making excellent progress, showcasing a strong ability to reflect on their performance skills and personal growth. 💡 They’re thoughtfully evaluating their creative journeys, identifying both their strengths and areas for improvement, and setting themselves up for even greater success.

We’re excited to see how they continue to evolve and develop their artistic talents! 🎨✨

GCSE PE: 🧗‍♂️ Rock Climbing Update

This week, GCSE PE students were back on the LBS climbing wall for Session 3 of their intense Climbing Assessment. 🪨✨ The focus was on tackling complex routes as they worked to refine their technical skills.

Students concentrated on efficiently transferring their weight on the wall, improving both their technique and confidence with every climb. 💪🎯 Their dedication and progress highlight their commitment to mastering this challenging and rewarding activity.

Stay tuned for more updates as they continue their climbing journey! 🚀👏

🏃‍♀️ Athletics Provision Update 🏃‍♂️

On Monday evening, students were back in Athletics action, focusing on developing their coordination to enhance power. 💥 Students took part in a series of tests designed to measure their ability to move various limbs in sync while maintaining balance and fluency. 🌀🤸

As they progress, students are deepening their understanding of how these key areas of focus—coordination, balance, and power—connect directly to their respective sports. 🎯🏅 Their enthusiasm and effort are paving the way for significant improvements on and off the field!

Stay tuned for more updates as they continue their athletic journey! 🚀👏

🏏 Cricket Provision Update 🏏

On Wednesday, our external Warwickshire Cricket Coaches were back in school delivering another session of our weekly Cricket Syllabus. 🎯 This week, students took part in a Bowling Clinic, focusing on both tactical elements and technical guidance.

It was fantastic to see students reviewing their performance, analyzing their techniques, and working hard to fine-tune those all-important details. 💪🔥 Their dedication and effort are a testament to their drive to improve and excel in the game.

We’re looking forward to seeing their progress in the coming weeks! 🏅👏

⚽ Year 7 Football Update ⚽

Mr. Badu’s Year 7 football team was back on the 3G last night for another session of training, and once again, the turnout was unbelievable! 🙌 The commitment and dedication from the students is truly impressive.

Over the next couple of weeks, Mr. Badu will be selecting a squad for the upcoming games, so make sure to keep attending training and giving it your all! 💪🔥

Keep up the great work, and we can’t wait to see who makes the squad! 🏅⚽

🏀 Basketball Provision Update 🏀

Mr. Noble’s Year 10 ESA basketball team was back in training last night, gearing up for their upcoming fixtures. 💪 The session focused on Strength & Conditioning, and the impact on the team has been clear in recent games, especially in terms of fitness and endurance.

After the conditioning work, students transitioned into a game where they had the chance to refine their tactical skills and details. 🧠🎯 The team's hard work is definitely paying off, and we’re excited to see them continue to grow and perform in their next matches!

Keep up the great work, team! 🏅🔥

🎶 Music Careers Seminar: Inspiring the Future of Music! 🎤

Last Friday, 17th January, our Year 10 and 11 GCSE Music students had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Music Careers Seminar, featuring two inspiring guest speakers:

• 🎤 Samuel Robson from IE - Music

• 🎹 Simon Nobbs from Access Creative College, Birmingham

The students engaged brilliantly, asking insightful questions and contributing enthusiastically throughout the session. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed! 🎉 Every student received exclusive goodies, including branded lanyards, and three lucky students were awarded £10 digital vouchers for their outstanding participation.

Special Announcement:
Our external visitors were so impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of our students that Access Creative College has offered taster sessions for post-16 courses! 🎓 This is an amazing opportunity for our students to explore future pathways in the creative industries, and we’re thrilled that they’ll be able to consider such exciting prospects.

A huge thank you to Samuel and Simon for sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of musicians and industry professionals! 🌟

🎶 Exciting News for Year 7 Students! 🎻

Mrs. Lowndes-Ford has issued very important letters today to 30 Year 7 students regarding an incredible opportunity!

✨ What’s happening?
These students have been selected to attend a live performance by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall on the afternoon of Tuesday, 11th February.

🎟️ Why were they chosen?
Students were selected based on:

• Outstanding progress in their music classroom lessons

• Commitment and dedication to their music studies

📩 What do parents need to do?
To confirm your child’s place, reply slips must be returned by Monday, 28th January so we can finalise student places and provide tickets.

Are you in the Year 7 Top 30?
Check your letter to find out! Don’t miss this chance to celebrate your hard work and enjoy an unforgettable musical experience! 🎻✨

🎶 Exciting Announcement – LBS Performing at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire! 🎺

We are thrilled to announce that one of our music ensembles has been selected to perform at a prestigious Music Gala at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on Tuesday, 8th April!

This is an amazing opportunity for our students to showcase their incredible talent on a renowned stage. 🌟

📢 Further details coming soon – stay tuned! Let’s support and cheer on our talented musicians as they prepare for this exciting event! 🎶🎤👏