HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 26th SEPTEMBER 2025

☕ Macmillan Magic: A Coffee Morning to Remember ☕

The aroma of fresh coffee, the buzz of conversation, and the warmth of community spirit filled the air as our school hosted its Macmillan Coffee Morning, and what a success it was!

From the very start, the event was a true team effort. A huge thank you goes to Ms Bi for her brilliant work organising everything and bringing everyone together, and an even bigger shout-out to our incredible student volunteers: Jayvon and Lewis (Year 11) and Daniel (Year 10). Their energy, positivity, and professionalism made them excellent role models for their peers and a real credit to the school.

Behind the scenes, the Inclusion team played a key role, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Their hard work and support helped make the morning enjoyable for everyone.

The coffee morning wasn’t just about cake and conversation; it was about connection. Parents, staff, and pupils came together, taking a moment to relax, chat, and reflect on the importance of supporting Macmillan’s vital work. Many of our pupils gave generously, showing not only their appreciation for the cause but also their kindness and sense of community.

The turnout exceeded expectations, with laughter and smiles all around. As one teacher commented, “It was lovely to see everyone come together, not just for the coffee and cakes, but for something that really matters.”

The total raised will be shared shortly, but one thing is already clear: this event was about much more than money. It was about compassion, teamwork, and the spirit of giving.

A wonderful event, a fantastic cause, and a school community to be proud of.

Literacy Highlights

From Ms Russell, Assistant Principal

Unlocking Students' Confidence with LEXIA  🌟

Every child learns to read at their own pace, and sometimes they need a little extra support. That’s where Lexia comes in.

Lexia creates bespoke sessions for each child, adapting to their needs - whether that’s phonics, spelling, or comprehension. The activities feel like games, so students stay engaged while making real progress.

Best of all, students quickly see how much they’re improving, which boosts their confidence both in school and at home. With Lexia and a little encouragement, our students are growing into confident, happy readers.

Proud of our Year 8 Literacy Stars🌟

We’re also so proud of our Year 8 students who have been working incredibly hard on their literacy interventions so far this half term. From improving spelling to practising handwriting, they’ve shown real determination and focus.

These sessions are all about building skills step by step—and our students are proving that effort pays off. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow as they tackle challenges, refine their writing, and celebrate each success along the way.

Personal Development & Character updates

From Miss Sandhu, Assistant Principal

Leadership, Respect, and Shared Values 

In recent assemblies, students were reminded of their virtues for this half term: Leadership and Respect. These virtues are not just words we reflect on during school time, but qualities that shape us as individuals and as a community.

Together, we explored the importance of national pride and what it means to contribute positively to society, while also recognising the responsibility we share to live in a tolerant and compassionate community.

We reflected on the differences between patriotism and nationalism, free speech and hate speech, and the impact of media bias and disinformation. These reflections reminded us that Leadership and Respect align closely with the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, liberty, respect, and tolerance. United as a school, we celebrate our diversity and uphold shared values that foster harmony, peace, and mutual respect. 

We encourage all students to take this opportunity to apply for a position on the Junior Leadership Team. This is a fantastic chance to demonstrate your leadership skills, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our school community while putting our virtues of Leadership and Respect into practice. 

Homework Timetable

From Miss Bunger, Assistant Principal

The Power of Independent Learning at Home: Building Skills for Success Beyond the Classroom 

Please see the homework timetable below:

Safeguarding updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

Safe Travel to School 

As pupils settle back into school, some parents may feel it’s time for their son to begin travelling independently. This is a big step, so here are some tips to support safe journeys to and from Lordswood Boys’ School:

Walking to School

• Walk with friends or classmates where possible.

• Use well-lit, busy routes and avoid shortcuts.

• Follow road safety rules and avoid distractions like phones or headphones.

Using Public Transport

• Know bus routes, timetables, and back-up options.

• Keep belongings (phone, bag, Swift card) secure and out of sight.

• Show respect to drivers, staff, and fellow passengers.

General Safety

• Save key contact numbers and know school staff are there to help.

• Be aware of “stranger danger”: never accept lifts, gifts, or approaches from unknown people.

• Let parents know when you’ve arrived safely at school or home.

Signposting & Support

• Transport for West Midlands – local travel information.

• NSPCC Guidance – advice on children travelling safely.

• Contact the school’s Safeguarding Team if you have concerns about your son’s safety.

Sport fixtures and training schedules 

🏏 Morning Cricket Sessions

Bright and early at 7:30am, students were in school with Mr Preece for an indoor cricket session. The energy was high as students embraced the competitive element while refining their skills.

These sessions not only help to develop technique but also foster teamwork, discipline, and resilience. A huge thank you to Mr Preece for his commitment in supporting our students’ development and providing them with the opportunity to further progress in the sport they love.

⚽ Primary Football Festival

This week we were delighted to host four of our local feeder schools — St Mary’s, Woodhouse, Welsh House Farm, and St Catherine of Sienna — for an exciting football tournament.

The festival was filled with energy, teamwork, and plenty of smiles as students enjoyed friendly competition on the pitch. The sunshine made it even more special, creating the perfect atmosphere for sport and community spirit.

A big thank you to all the parents who came along to cheer and support — your encouragement added so much to the day. It was truly a celebration of sport, friendship, and fun.

🌍 European Languages Day in PE 

To celebrate European Languages Day, the PE Department at LBS delivered a variety of cultural activities, linking sport with heritage. One of the highlights was Futsal, a fast-paced game that originated in Portugal.

Students not only enjoyed the competitive element of playing but also learned about the history and heritage of the sport, deepening their appreciation of how culture and physical education connect.

A fantastic way to combine language, culture, and sport — broadening horizons both on and off the pitch!

Weekly Music News & Schedules

From Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music

🎶 A Huge Thank You to our Music Open Evening Helpers! 🎶

Well done to all the fantastic students who supported the Music Department at our Open Evening last night — you truly made us proud! 💙

We are so grateful for your positivity, effort, and enthusiasm throughout the evening. The way you engaged with visiting parents was not only impressive but also wonderfully polite and welcoming.

👏 You truly showcased the spirit of our school — thank you for being such brilliant ambassadors for music!

🎶 Lordswood Boys’ School to Host the National Youth Orchestra! 🎶

We’re thrilled to announce that Lordswood Boys’ School will welcome the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) on Sunday 26th October.

The NYO will run an Inspire Day for talented young musicians (Grade 6+), followed by a special Open Evening where our students can participate in activities and performances alongside the NYO team.

NYO representatives are visiting today to prepare for this exciting opportunity, which promises to inspire and celebrate musical talent across our school community.

✨ More details to follow soon!

🎧 DJ Workshop Day at Lordswood Boys’ School! 🎧

On Friday 3rd October, DJ Toni Grehan will lead a series of exciting DJ workshops for our students:

• Workshop 1: Year 7 (10 students)

• Workshop 2: Year 8

• Workshop 3: Year 9–10

Students will have the chance to explore DJing, develop new skills, and learn from a professional.

👉 Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis. Interested students should see Mrs Lowndes-Ford to register.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to spin the decks and create your own sound! 🎶

🎼 Composer Paul Clark Visits Lordswood Boys’ School 🎼 

Last Friday, we were thrilled to welcome Paul Clark from the Clod Ensemble to our Music Department. An internationally renowned composer, Paul has worked with artists and ensembles including Manchester Camerata, Welsh National Opera, Sinfonia Cymru, Renée Fleming, Danger Mouse, and many more.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Clod Ensemble, Paul led a composition workshop for our Year 10 GCSE Music class (10XMS1). It was inspiring to see students using technology to develop their own melodic compositions, demonstrating creativity, imagination, and musical skill.

👏 Well done to 10XMS1 for their hard work and outstanding creativity!

🎵 Join Our Music Clubs! 🎵

Check out our Music Club Timetable – there’s something for everyone this term! Whether you want to sing, play, compose, or try something new, come and get involved.

Update: Beginners’ Guitar Club is now on Mondays after school (3–4pm) in G15.

We’d love to see as many of you as possible – music is better when we make it together!