SCience, Technology,

maths & engineering (stem)

🌊⚙️ Energy in Motion! ⚡🚀

This week in STEM, the boys got hands-on with gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and fluid pressure! 💧🔍 They built amazing water wheels and used straws attached to water bottles to launch streams of water at the blades, spinning the wheels at top speed! 🎡💨

We were also super excited to welcome the DT department for the first time 👋🛠️, who came to see our STEM stars in action! 🌟 What a fun and inspiring session—check out the photos of these future engineers making waves! 🌊✨

Year 7 & Literacy updates

From Ms Russell, Assistant Principal

📖✨ Inspiring a Love for Reading! ✨📖

This week, we were delighted to welcome back our amazing reading mentors from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors as part of our partnership with the National Literacy Trust. 🎉📚 The mentors had such a fantastic experience last year that they’ve returned with new recruits to work with our Year 8 cohort! 🙌

Together, they’ve been reading out loud, sharing their favorite books, and even giving our students a glimpse into the world of life as a solicitor! ⚖️✨

The energy and enthusiasm for reading from everyone involved were truly inspiring—what a wonderful way to foster a lifelong love of books! 💡📚

🍫📚 Stepping into Charlie's World! 📚🍫

Over the past two weeks, the LA Chargers have been exploring the magical world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during their English lessons. This week, they embraced their creative side by writing heartfelt diary entries from Charlie's perspective, capturing the essence of his humble home, his love for chocolate, and his curiosity about the Factory's mysterious wonders. ✍️✨

To bring the story to life, the boys have also enjoyed watching the vibrant film adaptation, immersing themselves in its captivating world. 🎥🍭 With the grand finale of this timeless tale just around the corner, excitement is bubbling like Willy Wonka’s chocolate river! Stay tuned for more! 🍬🎉

📚✨ The Book Fair is Here! ✨📚

We’re thrilled to announce that the Book Fair kicks off on Monday and runs for the entire week! 🌟 This is a fantastic opportunity for students to discover new stories, explore exciting worlds, and grow their love of reading. 📖💡

Parents can make shopping easier by purchasing vouchers ahead of time or using the handy QR code provided. 🛍️📲 Simply follow this link to buy vouchers and be ready to dive into the Book Fair fun! 🎉The link for buying vouchers is here. 

Don’t miss out on this wonderful event—let’s make it a celebration of reading together! Stay tuned for updates and highlights throughout the week.

College updates

From Mr Insley, Assistant Principal

🏆 College Competitions Update 🌟

We’re approaching the thrilling conclusion of our second Intellectual Event—Creative Writing! ✍️✨ A reminder to all participants: submissions are due by 6th December, so there’s just ONE WEEK left to showcase your talent and earn points for your college. Don’t miss out—let your creativity shine!

Athletic Event 2: Basketball Frenzy 🏀🔥
As announced last week, our next athletic event is set for 9th December. It’s going to be a basketball extravaganza, featuring 4v4 half-court games and a free throw competition. Make sure you’re ready to bring your A-game and score big for your college!

Current Leaderboard:
Check out below how the colleges are stacking up heading into these exciting events.

Keep the momentum going, and let’s finish strong! 💪🔥

Teaching & Learning updates

From Mrs Davis-Musabayana, Assistant Principal

🌟 Teaching and Learning Highlights of the Week 🌟

This week, we’ve seen outstanding examples of teaching across various subjects, demonstrating the dedication and expertise of our staff.

History – Mrs. Thompson
Mrs. Thompson showcased exemplary pedagogy in her History lessons, maintaining her consistent and effective approach. She set clear expectations for students, skillfully promoted literacy, and ensured the use of subject-specific terminology. Her lessons were thoughtfully aligned with the curriculum’s intent and content, creating a passionate and focused learning environment. 📚✨

Art – Miss Dawson
In Art, Miss Dawson continues to foster an energetic and vibrant learning space. Students are actively engaged in applying their colour blending techniques to their coursework, experimenting with different methods to enhance their artistic skills. 🎨🌈

Music
In Music, students engaged in peer evaluations of their group performances, emphasizing the collaborative efforts involved in creating a music ensemble. Their dedication, teamwork, and self-assurance were evident throughout, highlighting the power of working together to achieve success. 🎶🤝

Great work from all of our teachers and students this week! Keep up the excellent efforts. 💪🌟

PDCE updates

From Ms Sandhu, Assistant Principal

🌟Personal Development Day at LBS🌟

Last Thursday, Lordswood Boys' School students participated in an inspiring range of activities aimed at supporting their personal development and character education.

It was an enriching day that empowered students to grow both personally and socially, preparing them for the challenges ahead. You can see all the events that students experiences in the video below. 👏✨

🌟 Celebrating Leadership and Integrity 🌟

This week, the school came together to focus on the important virtues of leadership and integrity during a powerful whole-school assembly led by Mr. Calder, one of our PDCE leaders.

Students explored thought-provoking examples of integrity and how it can be challenged in moments of temptation. The assembly highlighted relatable celebrity examples, such as cyclist Lance Armstrong and rapper Nipsey Hussle, sparking meaningful discussions.

The literacy group, The Lions, praised the session, saying:
"What a great assembly, so relatable and personable."

To wrap up, students were challenged to demonstrate leadership and integrity in their daily lives. Outstanding examples will be rewarded with Class Chart points—a great opportunity to put these virtues into action! 👏✨

Year 11 updates

From Ms Bunger, Assistant Principal

🎓 Year 11 Milestone: Mock Exams Complete! 🌟

A huge congratulations to our Year 11 students for reaching a significant milestone—the completion of their GCSE mock exams! These practice exams are a vital step in their journey toward the real GCSEs this summer, offering a valuable opportunity to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and develop effective study strategies.

Mock exams may be over, but the hard work continues. Results Day is just around the corner on Friday 20th December, when students will receive their feedback and gain insight into how to refine their revision techniques. While some may feel a boost of confidence, others might see areas to focus on—but it’s important to remember that mock results are a tool for growth, not a final verdict.

What’s Next?
Starting Monday, 2nd December, normal lessons and intervention sessions will resume, giving students the chance to build on the solid foundation they’ve established. Teachers will work closely with students to review key topics, clarify misunderstandings, and ensure everyone is prepared to tackle the final exams in May and June.

For students feeling a mix of emotions after their mocks, here are some top tips for the weeks ahead:

1️⃣ Reflect on Your Results: Use your feedback to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement. Your teachers are there to help you understand how to move forward.

2️⃣ Stay Positive: Remember, mock exams are just a snapshot of your progress so far. With determination and the right support, you can make great strides before the real exams.

3️⃣ Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers or peers for support. Extra revision sessions are a great way to deepen your understanding.

4️⃣ Take Care of Yourself: Balance is key—make time for rest, eat well, and manage stress to keep your mind sharp and focused.

Year 11s, this is your time to shine! 💪 Keep pushing forward, learning from your experiences, and working toward the success you deserve. The countdown to your future starts now! 🎯✨

Safeguarding Updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

Should Social Media Accounts Be Restricted to Ages 16 and Over?

In an unprecedented move, lawmakers are proposing legislation to restrict social media accounts—such as those on Snapchat and TikTok—to individuals aged 16 and over, particularly in relation to the proposed changes to legislation in Australia.  If passed, this would mark the first legislation of its kind globally, representing a monumental shift in how we regulate children’s online activity.

The argument for this legislation stems from growing concerns over the physical and mental impact of harmful content children may encounter on these platforms. Social media is filled with content that, while engaging, can be distressing or inappropriate for younger audiences. Exposure to such material has been linked to anxiety, depression, and distorted self-image, raising alarms among parents, educators, and health professionals alike.

Advocates of the proposed restriction believe that a higher age limit would help shield children from these risks. By setting the minimum age at 16, the hope is to provide younger users with time to develop critical thinking skills and emotional resilience before navigating these complex digital spaces.

Critics, however, warn that age restrictions alone may not suffice. Many children bypass current age limits through false account information, and this could remain a challenge even with stricter policies. Moreover, critics argue for a focus on education and parental involvement as complementary measures to outright bans.

If implemented, this legislation would be a landmark effort in protecting children online, sparking global conversations about how best to balance internet freedom with safety.

You can read the full news article here.  

For further information to help you keep your child safe online, please click here.

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 offers several strategies and considerations for teaching children the importance of mutual respect – especially during disagreements. 

Even among adults, it can be all too common to see disputes and differing opinions grow extremely heated, which is rarely helpful to anyone. When emotions run high, it can be easy to forget yourself and perhaps even say something you didn’t mean, hurting feelings or escalating the situation further.

For children, it’s just as important to avoid this kind of behaviour whenever possible; without the necessary guidance, however, they could struggle to identify any disrespectful behaviour, let alone recognise what they can do differently. This guide offers you expert advice on teaching children and young people to choose respect when interacting with their peers, helping to create an environment based on empathy and tolerance.

Pastoral updates

From Miss Williams, Director of Behaviour & Attitudes

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

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

🎭 Fame Rehearsals: Week 4 Update! 🎶

We’re now in our fourth week of Fame rehearsals, and the excitement is building! Rehearsals take place three times a week, where our talented students are honing their acting, singing, and dancing skills to bring their characters to life.

• Monday: The band is hard at work rehearsing the opening number, Hard Work. The music sounds absolutely incredible, and it’s setting the tone for an unforgettable show!

• Tuesday: Students are being directed by Mrs. Davis-Musabayana, meticulously making notes in their scripts to perfect every scene.

• Thursday: The cast is focused on learning choreography and combining all three disciplines—acting, singing, and dancing—into seamless performances.

The students are putting in tremendous effort, and we can’t wait to share this brilliant production with you. Watch this space for more updates as the show comes together!

🎼 Elite Performance and Music Academy: Winter Showcase Preparations!

Our Elite Performance and Music Academy students are working towards their Arts Award qualification, which challenges them to learn new skills in Music and Drama. These dedicated performers meet every Thursday at 8am, preparing for the Winter Showcase at the end of this half term.

In this week’s Drama session, students led a vocal warm-up before diving into their Christmas Carol rehearsal. Their focus and enthusiasm are evident as they perfect their performances and embrace the festive spirit!

Keep up the fantastic work, everyone – we’re looking forward to seeing all your hard work come to life at the Winter Showcase! 🎭✨

⚽ Year 7 Football Tournament 🌟

On Tuesday evening, Mr. Badu's Year 7 football team hosted Shenley and Colmers for an exciting 'Round-Robin' tournament. The team started strong with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Shenley 🎉, showcasing their hard work and growing teamwork. Despite a tough loss to Colmers, who went on to win both of their games, Mr. Badu was full of praise for the team’s progress over recent weeks during both matches and training. 💪⚽

A big thank you to Alfie Cutler for his invaluable support with the team! 🙌👏 Great effort, boys! 🎉

🏏 Exciting News: ACE Programme Partnership! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the ACE Programme, an initiative dedicated to developing grassroots cricket, talent pathways, and talent ID systems. 🎯🏏

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their cricketing skills with expert guidance. Best of all, the sessions are completely free! 🎉

Check out all the details in the advertisement below and join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for budding cricket stars! 🌟👏

🏃‍♂️💨 New Athletics Provision! 🌟

We’re excited to announce a brand-new Athletics session happening every Monday after school! 🎉 These sessions are designed to help you develop power, speed, and athleticism, making them perfect for improving performance in all sports by boosting your physical capabilities. 💪⚡

The first session kicks off on Monday, 2nd December, at 3:15 PM. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your fitness and skills to the next level!

If you have any questions, please see Mr. Janes for more information. Let’s get moving! 🏃‍♀️🔥

🌟 Spotlight on Our Bronze Arts Award Students! 🌟

Our Bronze Arts Award students have been making amazing progress in Music, focusing on Part 1 of their qualification. This section challenges them to demonstrate a chosen skill in music, and they’ve risen to the occasion with creativity and dedication.

Students have chosen a variety of skills to explore, including:
🎵 Music Technology
🎶 Composition
🎸 Instrumental Performance

They’re also diligently logging their journey in their Bronze Arts Award journals, documenting every milestone and reflecting on their growth. These journals will be invaluable as they prepare to showcase their skills.

We’re so proud of their focus and passion – keep up the fantastic work, Bronze Arts Award students! Your journey in music is truly inspiring!

🎷 Exciting News about Our Jazz Band! 🎷

We’re thrilled to announce that our Jazz Band, run in partnership with the Birmingham charity B: Music, will soon perform at the prestigious Birmingham Symphony Hall!

📅 Performance Date: Thursday, 12th December

Students participating in this exciting event will receive a letter with all the details. Please ensure the reply slip is returned to the music department by Tuesday, 3rd December to confirm arrangements. Information about tickets for parents will also be included.

We can’t wait to see our talented Jazz Band students shine on such a renowned stage – it promises to be an unforgettable performance! 🎶

🎉 Winter Showcase – Save the Date! 🎉

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of creativity and talent at our Winter Showcase on Thursday, 19th December, starting at 6:30 pm! 🎭🎶💃

The event will feature a vibrant selection of music performances, alongside captivating Drama and Dance pieces. It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible hard work and artistry of our students.

🎟️ Tickets are free and will be available from early December, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents, friends, family, students, and staff are all warmly invited to share in this special evening.

Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and secure your tickets early! 🗓️✨ We can’t wait to see you there!