Year 7 & Literacy updates

From Ms Russell, Assistant Principal

Peak Performance Showcase

At the end of last half term Year 7 had their first 'Peak Performance Showcase' where they celebrated all the amazing activities they have taken part in as part of theri extended school day on Tuesdays! From Touch Rugby, Drama Club, Debate Club, Board games and more there really has been something for everyone! During the showcase, students from each club presented what they had learned and enjoyed and there were awards given to the Peak Performance Stars who really shone last half term in their extra curricular!

Peak Performance Half Term 4

Our new Peak Performance Clubs have started this week for Year 7 Extended School day! The clubs change every half term so there is always something new for Year 7 to enjoy! This half term we have introduced Dodgeball and Cooking Club alongside the always popular Board Games, Touch Rugby and the Publishing House. It was wonderful to see students enjoying themselves so much on Tuesday! 

🏐 Dodgeball Dynamite – Fast-paced fun and friendly competition! 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Creations – Whip up delicious dishes and learn new skills! 

🎲 Board Game Bonanza – Strategy, fun, and friendly rivalry!

📝 The Publishing House – Craft stories, design, and bring creativity to life!

College updates

From Mr Insley, Assistant Principal

🎉 Welcome Back, Colleges! 🎉

As we kick off a brand-new half-term, we’re buzzing with excitement to welcome back Midland, Central, Mercia, and Westerly Colleges! 🤩 This is our chance to reconnect, refocus, and dive into amazing opportunities ahead.

🔥 What’s Coming Up? 🔥

📚 Intellectual Events: Ready to put your knowledge to the test? The next Intellectual Event will be revealed soon—another chance to earn points for your College while showing off your brainpower! 🧠💡

💙 Community Initiatives: This half-term, we’re linking our School Virtues with real impact! Get involved, raise money for your College’s chosen charity, and make a difference together. 🌍💖

🏆 Athletic Competitions: The next sporting event is just around the corner! Whether you're on the pitch, court, or cheering from the sidelines, bring the energy and team spirit that make our Colleges so special! ⚽🏀🎽

✨ And don’t forget… The Behaviour and Attitudes Shields are still up for grabs! 🛡️ Every positive behaviour point and strong attendance counts toward your College’s total. Let’s keep that momentum going! 🚀

So, let’s make this half-term one to remember—full of learning, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. Welcome back, and let’s make it amazing! 💪🎊

Year 11 updates

From Ms Bunger, Assistant Principal

📚🎯 Year 11 – A Fantastic Start to Your Mock Exams!

Year 11, what an amazing start to your mock exams! 🎉 You’ve already tackled assessments in Maths, Biology, Chemistry, PE, Business Studies, Drama, Geography, History, Art, German, Spanish, RE, Sports Studies, and Computer Science—and your hard work is truly paying off.

Next week, you’ll face your remaining exams, and we have no doubt that you’ll continue to give it your all. It’s been inspiring to see the dedication and teamwork among you—supporting each other during Literacy Time, break, and lunch, making the most of those final revision moments.

✨ Every effort counts, and every mark brings you closer to success! ✨

Remember, balance is key—take breaks, rest, and recharge so you can perform at your best. And to those observing, Ramadan—wishing you a blessed and peaceful month.

Keep going, Year 11—we believe in you! 💪🎓

Personal Development Updates

From Kiran Sandhu, Assistant Principal

🎭Katch 22 Theatre Brings An Inspector Calls to Life!🎭

On Monday, 24th February, we were thrilled to welcome Katch 22 Theatre Company to school for a live performance of An Inspector Calls. This powerful play is a key GCSE text, making up a quarter of the Y11 Literature exam, and seeing it performed live was an invaluable experience for our students.

As An Inspector Calls is a play, understanding stagecraft devices—such as props, costumes, lighting, and music—is essential for achieving higher grades. Watching the actors retell Eva Smith’s tragic story and the role each member of the Birling family played in her fate brought the text to life in a way that reading alone cannot.

Following the performance, students engaged in a thought-provoking Q&A session with the actors, exploring key themes, the production’s creative decisions, and the meaning behind crucial quotations.

This experience beautifully connects with our HT3 focus on Self-Belief & Compassion, encouraging students to think critically, develop empathy, and gain confidence in their analysis. This half term, where we welcome Resilience, this performance also reminded students of the importance of perseverance—whether in understanding complex texts or preparing for their exams. 

A huge thank you to Katch 22 Theatre Company for an inspiring and insightful performance!

Safeguarding Updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

Young people spend a significant amount of their free time online, and are increasingly socialising in a virtual space rather than in person.  Keeping students safe in the real world can sometimes feel easier, which is why having ongoing conversations about their online activity is so important.  Talking about the apps, games, and sites they like to use and knowing what they like and don't like, ensures that discussions can take place about when to unfollow, block or report.  For help starting this conversation, read having a conversation with your child.

Make sure they know where to go for support: Remind your child they can always speak to you or an adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel worried or upset. Remind them that they won’t be in trouble and that you are there to help. For a breakdown of report services, visit: Supporting your child with reporting unwanted content online 

Make sure they know about NCA CEOP: Young people can report a concern about grooming or sexual abuse to NCA CEOP at https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/     

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 online safety guide has tips for looking after children’s wellbeing when they’re online – including going tech free before bed, avoiding comparisons with others and pausing before they post. 

The online world and digital technology has become such a significant part of our lives – and integral to so many aspects of our daily routine – that we shouldn’t be surprised at the degree of influence it can wield over what we think and how we feel. Many experiences that young people have on the internet are hugely positive and uplifting … but sadly, that’s not always the case.

Negative incidents online – such as disagreements with other users, stumbling across upsetting content or feeling left out by friends – can be intensely damaging to a child’s emotional state. Our #WakeUpWednesday poster has some useful tips for young people and trusted adults on how even small, simple actions can help to protect our wellbeing when we’re on the internet.

Pastoral updates

From Miss Williams, Director of Behaviour & Attitudes

🎯 School Target 96%

Year to Date Whole School 92.9% 📈 

👔 The Importance of Lordswood Boys' School Uniform

At Lordswood Boys' School, we believe that wearing the correct school uniform is a vital part of fostering a strong sense of community, discipline, and pride among our students.

Uniform Expectations:

✔ School Blazer
✔ College Tie
✔ Shirt (Blue for KS3 / White for KS4)
✔ Trousers
✔ All-black footwear (No air bubbles or colors)

Why is Uniform Important?

✅ Creates a sense of belonging – Encourages unity and school identity.
✅ Reduces peer pressure – Prevents competition over fashion trends.
✅ Encourages discipline – Helps students take pride in their appearance.
✅ Enhances focus – Mentally prepares students for learning.
✅ Promotes safety – Makes it easier to identify students on and off campus.

We kindly ask for parental support in ensuring that all students arrive at school in the correct uniform every day. Together, we can maintain high standards and create an environment where every student can thrive and succeed.

📸 Please refer to the attached images for uniform guidance. Thank you for your continued support! 🙌 

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

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

🎭 Exploring Shakespeare Through Drama: Year 8 Takes the Stage! 

Our Year 8 students are diving into the world of Shakespeare in their drama lessons, bringing his timeless works to life through performance. Shakespeare’s plays remain as powerful and relevant as ever, exploring universal themes such as love, power, ambition, and betrayal, which continue to captivate audiences today.

This term, students will focus on Romeo and Juliet, using their drama skills to interpret the language, convey emotions, and bring the characters' intentions to the forefront. By engaging with Shakespeare in this way, students will enhance their critical thinking, develop interpretive skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for storytelling and poetic dialogue.

Through this exciting exploration, students will not only improve their performance abilities but also connect with the social and political themes that make Shakespeare’s works so enduring. We can't wait to see their creativity shine on stage! 🎭✨

🏃‍♂️💨 Building Strength & Speed: Athletics in Action! 

Students were back in action on Monday, pushing their limits and honing their athletic skills in an exciting session led by Chelsea. This week’s focus was on balance and explosive power—key elements for boosting overall performance in sports and fitness.

It was inspiring to see so many students fully engaged, determined to improve their strength, coordination, and agility. Whether it was through dynamic drills or high-energy exercises, they gave it their all, showing real commitment to their athletic development.

With each session, students are not only enhancing their physical abilities but also building confidence, resilience, and teamwork. We can’t wait to see how they continue to progress throughout the term! 💪🔥

⚽ Year 8 & 9 Kick Off Football Training! 

On Tuesday, our Year 8 and 9 students hit the grass for their after-school football training, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a love for the game. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, with players giving their all in drills, skills practice, and small-sided games.

The session was filled with teamwork, determination, and plenty of fun, as students worked on their technique and match play. We’re excited to see even more faces at next week’s session—so if you haven’t joined yet, now’s the perfect time to get involved! ⚽🔥

⚽ Year 9 'B' Team Triumphs in Friendly Fixture! 

The Year 9 'B' team put on a fantastic performance yesterday in their friendly match against West Brom Collegiate Academy, securing an impressive 4-0 victory in a competitive and hard-fought game.

Under the guidance of Mr. Oswald, the team showcased great teamwork, determination, and skill, dominating the match from start to finish. A huge thank you to Mr. Oswald for managing the team and ensuring a smooth game.

Squad List:

🥅 Isaac Dede – Bamfo (GK)
⚽ Jac Jones (C)
💪 Jodh Gill
🔥 Manraaj Benning
⚡ Prince Ojo - Grahams
🎯 Tinashe Musiwa
🏆 Shakari Thomas
⚡ Zeeshan Ahmed
💥 Siem Gebretnsae
🚀 Abdulrahman Algaddafi
⚡ Musa Mustaffa
🔥 Adam Usman
🎯 Jasraj Sian
🏆 David Don
💪 Briseldi Gjoka
⚡ Anas Mohammad

A brilliant result for the squad—let’s keep the momentum going for the next match! 💪⚽🔥

🎶 Exciting Music Updates & Opportunities! 🎶

📢 Updated Extra-Curricular Music Timetable 📢
With Year 11 GCSE Music coursework in its final stretch, we’ve adjusted our extra-curricular music timetable to provide additional support:
✅ Extra GCSE Music intervention & support sessions
✅ Focused time for composition & performance
✅ Some regular clubs (e.g., Vocal Group) will restart after Easter

📅 New timetable below 

🎺 Year 7 Brass Workshops – Starting Today! 🎺
We’re kicking off brass workshops with Mr. Cottrell!
🎵 Today: Class 7.1 gets a taster session.
📄 Some students will receive sign-up forms for lessons.
➡️ All Year 7 classes will have their own workshops soon!

🎷 B Music Jazz Band Returns! 🎷
🎶 Rehearsals restart Wednesday, 5th March, 3-4pm with expert teachers Robbie & Lewis.
✅ Open to all instrumentalists—new members welcome!

🎵 Well Done, Woodwind Students! 🎵
Huge shoutout to our dedicated saxophone, flute & clarinet players—your progress is amazing! Want to learn? See Miss Jeffs in the Music Department.

🎻 Pop Symphony Orchestra Prepares for Gala Concert! 🎻
Our talented musicians are rehearsing every Tuesday, 3-4pm for a Gala Concert at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 8th April! 🎼 New members welcome!

🎻 Exclusive Music Trip – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire! 🎻
📍 Wednesday, 19th March – A special opportunity for 15 invited students to attend an open rehearsal and expert talk on composer Chevalier de Saint-Georges. A truly inspiring experience!

Lordswood Boys' Schoool Meets Nishkam – Part 3! 

Watch this space! We’re thrilled to be uniting once again with Nishkam School for the third time, continuing our incredible musical partnership. This half term and next, we’ll be coming together to perform stunning fusion music, blending styles and traditions in a truly unique collaboration. Stay tuned for more details – something special is on the way! 

For more details on any of these opportunities, see Mrs. Lowndes-Ford in the Music Department.

🎶 Let’s make this half-term full of music! 🎶