EXECUTIVE hEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 2nd February 2024

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college captains revealed

Welcome to my weekly blog - I hope you and your families are well and have had a good week!

This week at school has been buzzing with excitement as each college unveiled its College Captains and Vice Captains during the daily assembly. The videos featured below were crafted by each Head of College to capture this momentous occasion.

Congratulations are in order for all the students who applied for the positions of captain or vice captain, and special commendations go to those who have been chosen. Additionally, details about the first college event, scheduled for next Friday, 09.02.24, can be found in the video at the end of this section. Please be aware that on that day, your son/s can opt to wear either their PE kit or basketball attire.

As a reminder, we will be breaking up for the February half-term next Friday and will resume regular school activities on Monday, 19th February, starting at 8:30 am.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024

Despite being the brains behind how insulin works, developing genetic engineering, discovering the structure of DNA, observing the first comet and pioneering treatment to cure leprosy, women still only make up 33% of the all people in scientific research around the world.

Since 2015, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science annually on the 11th February to recognize the critical role women and girls play in Science. Since then, this day has been utilised to promote full and equal access to and participation in Science for women and girls.

To mark this day, Lordswood Boys' School is celebrating women from all backgrounds who have made some of the biggest contributions to Science in history.

How to enter- ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!

Collect a sheet from your Literacy Tutor from Monday 5th February.
During the week, find the members of staff on the sheet and ask them to tell you 2 clues about the scientist they are representing. At home, research the clues given to you and find out which female scientist they are talking about.
Fill out the sheet and hand it to Miss Bunger by Friday 9th February 2024
All completed entries will be awarded Class Charts points for your College. All correct entries will be entered into a prize draw; the winner will get a £50 Amazon voucher and a 101 Awesome Women in Science book.

Religious Education Presentations

Earlier this week, a group of four students from Year 8 Set 1 took charge of a lesson centered on Sikh worship. They meticulously planned and prepared the content, delivering it to their class with finesse and clarity. This initiative underscores our commitment to the six core virtues integral to our personal development and character education program, particularly emphasising compassion and respect, as these align with the fundamental values upheld in Sikhism. Congratulations to the students who played a key role in this successful event.

Pastoral Updates

We appreciate your commitment to staying informed by taking the time to peruse our latest pastoral update. Your ongoing support in fostering a mature and responsible approach from your son within and around the school environment is sincerely acknowledged and valued. Your efforts contribute significantly to creating a positive and conducive atmosphere for both learning and personal growth. Thank you for partnering with us in nurturing a culture of responsibility and excellence.

EH Blog Pastoral Template Week 3 02.02.24 FINAL

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

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

Performing Arts

Th ‘Lion King’ premiers at Lordswood Boys’ School on Tuesday 6th February and again on Wednesday 7th February. Rehearsals have have been intensified this week and the cast have started practicing with the school band. There is such a buzz and excitement in the school about the production and we cannot wait for you to be a part of it. Tickets are FREE and of charge and can be collected from Mrs Davis-Musabayana or Mrs McKeon.

This week students have been challenging themselves and learning new break dance movements. We have been focussing on strength and balance, and how these skills contribute to the fluency and control of movement. Some students have demonstrated fantastic leadership when teaching others how to perform new tricks.

It was lovely to talk to parents and guardians at the Year 9 Parent’s Evening and sharing excellent work that the students have produced. There were many positive conversations about options and interest in taking Dance or Drama in Year 10. Taking Dance or Drama as a BTEC qualification allows students to develop their creativity, confidence, resilience, team work and understanding of professional work. Colleges and apprenticeships welcome creative subjects on application forms as it highlights character and initiative.

NOS Updates - 3 February 2024

The National Online Safety programme publishes a weekly #WakeUpWednesday update for parents/carers. This weeks update relates to 'Persuasive Design Online'.

For many companies who operate in the online space, attention and engagement are the holy grail. Social media sites in particular make deliberate creative choices to keep people scrolling, reading, watching and clicking. This phenomenon is known as ‘persuasive design’ and it’s being employed in the vast majority of the digital world’s most popular destinations.

A study by the charity 5Rights Foundation concluded that “…the brain's response to rewards and punishments can be leveraged through persuasive design to keep children online.” To tie in with Safer Internet Day 2024, our #WakeUpWednesday guide can help to educate youngsters on the effects of persuasive design – and suggests ways to insulate themselves from its influence.

I hope your find this information useful.

persuasive-design-2.pdf

Sport fixtures and training schedules for week beginning 5 February 2024

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

Year 11 Basketball

In the concluding fixture of the National Cup season, Mr. Deek's Year 11 Basketball team faced Holy Lodge School on Monday night, securing a closely contested victory with a final score of 40-39. The return of Fallilou Mbengue, who had been sidelined throughout the season due to injury, provided a significant boost to the team. Reflecting on the season, Mr. Deeks expressed satisfaction, stating, "It has been a very rewarding campaign for the boys, marking their inaugural year in a National Competition. Despite facing formidable opponents, the team exhibited commendable growth. Fallilou's return was pivotal, but the resilience of other players who stepped up in his absence was equally remarkable. Coaching this team has been a pleasure, and I hope they continue to pursue basketball beyond their time at LBS."

Year 10 Basketball

The Year 10 Basketball team celebrated a noteworthy victory, securing their third consecutive win of the season. Despite a slow start against Yardleys School, the team quickly adapted, implementing a man-to-man defense that stifled Yardleys' offense. Dominating the rebounds on both ends of the court, LBS's spread offense gradually dismantled Yardleys' defense, with notable contributions from top scorer Shamesh (12 points), Adeeb, and Jonathan.

As the game progressed, bench players gained valuable confidence and experience, earning additional minutes on the court. The final score of 46-13 reflected both the team's on-court prowess and their off-court sportsmanship. Embodying the virtue of compassion, a focal point for the term, the boys demonstrated politeness and respect by shaking hands with Yardleys players and offering compliments and advice, acknowledging that it was their opponents' first game of the season. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding performance and exemplary sportsmanship.

Year 8 Regional Football Tournament

Under the guidance of Mr. Janes, the Year 8 ESA team hosted the Regional 9 A-Side Tournament on Tuesday evening, with the victorious teams advancing to the Semi-Finals. Facing off against the favored Kings Norton in their opening match, LBS put up a strong fight, with Marcin's goal keeping the game tied at 1-1 for the majority. However, Kings Norton's quality ultimately prevailed, securing a 4-1 victory. In the subsequent match against Bournville, a fierce battle for the second spot unfolded. Despite LBS's dominance, the away goalkeeper's remarkable saves kept the score level. It was Mahdi Khan who finally broke the deadlock with a thunderous finish, propelling LBS to a 3-0 triumph.

Year 10 GCSE PE

In the Year 10 GCSE PE class, students continued to showcase their knowledge and communication skills through presentations on the Components of Fitness. They crafted compelling arguments highlighting the significance of each fitness component. These presentations not only deepened their understanding of theoretical concepts but also enhanced their communication skills, confidence, and the ability to critically analyze their peers' arguments. The interactive nature of the sessions fostered a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Mr. Forrester has dedicated considerable effort to his Year 7 Rugby group this term, imparting essential skills such as ball handling, passing, and tackling. Despite being a relatively new sport for most students, the class has exhibited outstanding responsiveness, wholeheartedly embracing the communication, resilience, and teamwork aspects inherent in the sport. Mr. Forrester is currently on placement with us until Easter, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing his continued contributions to his teaching journey.

Staff Netball

In the latest half-termly sporting event, the staff engaged in a spirited and physical match on Wednesday. The game proved to be highly competitive, with some staff creatively testing the boundaries of the rules, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all participants. Mr. Preece, despite missing 43 shots, has received the friendly advice to refine his shooting skills over the half-term break. Nevertheless, he posed a constant threat while playing as the Goal Shooter. Mr. Badu demonstrated remarkable energy, effectively orchestrating ball movement between the thirds and linking the play, though his occasional disagreements with Mr. Deek's officiating warranted a few warnings.

Miss Sandhu showcased exceptional skills as the Goalkeeper, adeptly thwarting the threats posed by Mr. Preece, Mr. Badu, and Mr. Calder. Her defensive prowess prevented numerous points and, at times, left the attacking players simply unable to breach her defense. Mrs. Lea presented a challenging opponent with her precise footwork, movement, and accurate passing, proving elusive for the male staff members. Miss Williams made a significant impact on the game through her energetic play and ability to receive the ball under pressure. Despite a momentary lapse in remembering the two-step rule, she injected an amusing touch by attempting to turn the game into a bit of rugby. The staff eagerly anticipates the next event, fueled by the camaraderie and competitive spirit showcased in this lively match.

New PE Kit Reminder

As announced in the blog on 15th December, click here, the new LBS PE can now be purchased from Clive Mark using the link below:

http://www.clivemark.co.uk/collections/lordswood-boys-school

From September 2024 it will be compulsory for all students to be wearing the new kit.

If you have any questions relating to the details above, please use the contact details below:

Mr Deeks, Director of Learning - SCP Faculty, j.deeks@lordswoodboys.co.uk
Mr Janes, Director of Sport, d.janes@lordswoodboys.co.uk

Weekly music news & schedules from Mrs Lowndes-Ford, Director of Music

YEAR 11

Congratulations to the Year 11 Music class for dedicating their own lunchtimes and after-school hours to complete their initial compositions and hone their solo performances. Your commitment and hard work are truly appreciated!

MUSIC CLUBS

Kindly be informed that our music clubs will resume after the half term, following the conclusion of our Lion King production.

BIG BAND

A friendly reminder that our Big Band, in collaboration with B Music, is currently practicing jazz and funk music every Monday after school, from 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm in G15. Woodwind, Brass, and String players are welcome to join. Our student members have made a remarkably positive start to rehearsals, delving into various jazz techniques.

MUSIC LESSONS ON INSTRUMENTS

If anyone is keen on learning a musical instrument, please approach Mrs. Lowndes-Ford to collect a letter.

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@centralacademiestrust.co.uk.

Mr. L. Williams,

Interim CEO, Executive Headteacher

Central Academies Trust

Lordswood Boys' School • Hagley Road • Harborne • Birmingham • B17 8BJ

Tel:0121 464 2837

Email: enquiry@lordswoodboys.co.uk

For paper copies of any of the information on this website please refer to our publication scheme

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