HEADTEACHER'S BLOG - 6th june 2025

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & MATHEMATICS (STEM)

Rocket Science in Action at Lordswood Boys School🚀

Over the past few weeks, students have been blasting off into the world of rocket science with Mrs Sethi, Miss Savani, and Mr Ahmed as part of their STEM journey. With curiosity, teamwork, and enthusiasm, they’ve been preparing presentations titled "How Rockets Work", showcasing everything they’ve learned.

Next week, they’ll present their findings to a staff panel, an exciting chance to demonstrate their understanding, creativity, and scientific thinking.

Here’s a snapshot of their rocket science journey so far:

🧠 The Science – Learning Newton’s Laws and how rockets defy gravity
🎈 Balloon Rockets – Seeing action/reaction forces in motion
📊 Maths in Motion – Calculating acceleration, velocity, and fuel ratios
🔥 Fuel Comparisons – Exploring solid, liquid, and hybrid fuels
✏️ Design & Build – Creating model rockets from scratch
📏 Altitude Tracking – Using angles to measure launch heights
🚀 Launch Day! – Testing and launching rockets safely
📈 Data Analysis – Evaluating performance post-launch
🧪 Presentation Prep – Bringing it all together to explain how rockets really work

This project has brought together science, maths, and engineering in a truly hands-on experience. We’re incredibly proud of all the students, and we can't wait to see their ideas take off next week!

Stay tuned for presentation highlights!

Teaching & Learning Updates

From Ms Davis-Musabayana, Assistant Principal

Beats & Brains: Creative Collaboration in Music and Maths

Year 9 students have been working in pairs using the Charanga music program to create their own grime beats. This hands-on project is not only sharpening their musical skills but also encouraging teamwork and creative expression in the composition process. 🎧🔥

Meanwhile, Year 10 students are teaming up to prepare for their maths mocks, focusing on mathematical terminology and building confidence in disciplinary literacy—a vital part of mastering the language of maths. ➗🧠

From music studios to maths classrooms, collaboration is key!

📚 End of Year Assessments Reminder!

Year 8, 9, and 10—your exams are coming up! Now’s the time to get organised and start revising. 💪

👇 Check out the topic lists below for every subject to help you get started! 

Unlock Your Potential: Supercharge Your Revision and Performance

To help you get started — and to take your revision to the next level — follow the link below for targeted resources, expert tips, and strategies designed to increase your performance and build your confidence ahead of assessments.

Now’s the time to focus, stay consistent, and aim high!

Follow the link below:

https://youtube.com/@taranvirstips?feature=shared

Personal Development Updates

From Miss Sandhu, Assistant Principal

The final half term of the year reintroduces the school virtues of self- discipline and confidence, whilst also reviewing the previous virtues of perseverance, compassion and resilience.

Each half term, small groups of students are provided with an opportunity to speak directly to members of the Personal Development team, on a one to one basis, to discuss their understanding of the virtues, their significance and how important they are to their own character development.

A student in year 7 stated, "If we are kind and tolerant, everyone will be happier and more successful"

A year 8 student explained how he always tries to help year 7's because he remembers how hard it was for him to adapt to a much bigger school and how he will never forget that.

Whilst a Y9 student stated, "Life is tough, so we should never give up!".

Pastoral Updates

From Miss Williams, Director of Learning for Behaviours & Attitudes

Safeguarding Updates

From Mrs Metcalfe-Molinari, Assistant Principal

The final week of Half Term 5 was National Safeguarding Week, which saw students taking part in assemblies, Literacy Time activities and lesson content, relating to this year's theme 'Empowering and Protecting Students in a Digital World'.

As the digital world becomes ever more embedded in our everyday lives it is imperative that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge to keep themselves safe online.

Students were asked to create social media posts sharing advice for parents on how to keep children safe online.  Some of our favourites are shown below. 

We would encourage you to start a conversation with your son.  Which games is he playing online and who is he talking to?  Do you all know how to block and report concerning content?  Staying safe is everyone's responsibility.  Click on the link for further information or contact the safeguarding team for support.

Dance, Performing Arts and Extra-curricular updates

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

🎭 Arts Award Students Shine as Drama Leaders! 🌟

Our Arts Award students have been absolutely fantastic in their recent work with a Year 7 drama class! 💬✨

Stepping up as leaders, role models, and creative sparks, they brought energy, imagination, and positivity to every session. Through carefully planned activities, they introduced key drama techniques like:

🎭 Improvisation
🗣️ Voice Projection
💃 Body Language
👤 Character Development

From leading warm-ups to guiding group performances, they created a fun and supportive space where Year 7 students felt confident to explore, perform, and express themselves. 💡👏

Their teamwork, communication, and commitment truly inspired the younger students — not only boosting their drama skills, but also building their self-confidence along the way. 💪🌟

Huge congratulations to our Arts Award team — your leadership and creativity are making a real impact! 🙌🎉

Weekly Sports Round-Up

From Mr Janes, Director of Sport

⚽ Year 8 & 10 Football: Training Strong Till Summer

This week, Mr McGowan and Mr Mitchell led focused training sessions for Year 8 and 10 students. Even with the fixture season wrapped up, the boys showed impressive commitment—working hard to maintain fitness and sharpen technical skills. 💪⚽

It is also brilliant to see students, even with little experience or enjoyment in sport, now thriving and actively taking part in PE and even joining extra-curricular clubs. It’s been amazing to see confidence grow and develop with our students.

🏆 Year 7 Football: Celebrating a Standout Season

This week, Mr Badu and Alfie Cutler awarded certificates to the Year 7 football team in recognition of their commitment, progress, and success this season. 💪⚽

The boys have trained consistently and represented the school in over 10 matches, showing real passion and drive. With eyes already on Year 8, they’re still training hard and building on a fantastic foundation.

Well done, boys—we’re proud of everything you’ve achieved this year! 👏

⚽ Year 7 Football – Rain? What Rain?! 🌧️💪

Our amazing Year 7s braved the elements yesterday, training hard in a full-on torrential downpour! 🌧️🔥 Over 40 dedicated students turned up with energy and enthusiasm, pushing each other to improve and building those brilliant team vibes we see every single week. 🙌👊

Special shoutout to Mr Badu who, in the spirit of commitment, forgot his PE kit... and ended up absolutely soaked in his pristine suit! 👔💦 Now that’s dedication! 😅👏

Massive well done to all involved, rain never stops play when the passion is this strong! ⚽💙💥

🎶 KS3 Music Tech Takes Off! 🎧

It’s been an exciting week in the Music Department as our KS3 students in Years 7, 8, and 9 launch into their brand-new Music Technology topics using Charanga’s YuStudio Digital Audio Workstation! 💻

🎵 Year 7 are taking their first steps into music production by creating their own rhythms 🥁. Next up: composing catchy melodies  and learning how to layer musical parts, building the foundations for their very own tracks! 

🎵 Year 8 are diving into the chilled vibes of Lofi Hip-Hop 🎧, gradually building multitrack compositions. Their final challenge? Adding an original rap 🎤 with lyrics written by themselves – creativity in full flow! ✍️

🎵 Year 9 are exploring the urban energy of Grime music . From deep basslines to hard-hitting beats, they’ll be using studio-style effects to bring their tracks to life with a professional edge 💥.

It’s been fantastic to see students fully engaged, thinking like real music producers, and letting their creativity shine through digital tools! 🎶

🎶 A Week of Musical Adventures! 🎶

Next week, the Music Department is buzzing with excitement as we launch three amazing trips — each one offering students a unique chance to explore the world of music beyond the classroom! 🎼

📍 Wednesday – We're off to Shireland CBSO School in West Bromwich 🎧 where students will take part in a collaborative Scratch music recording project! They'll team up to compose and produce an original track, getting hands-on experience in music creation and studio recording. 

📍 Thursday – Another group will head to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire 🎻 for their Open Day! Students will tour the stunning facilities, meet university-level musicians and lecturers 🎓, and enjoy a live performance of Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas — a special chance to witness classical music at its finest. 🎼

📍 Friday – The week finishes with a trip to Access Creative College 🎤, where students will dive into taster workshops in Media, Music, and Video Games. A brilliant opportunity to explore post-16 creative career pathways and get inspired by the industry! 🎧

We’re so excited to offer these enriching and inspiring experiences — and we can't wait to see how our students grow from them! 🌟

🎶 Music Dates for Your Diary – Summer 2025 🎶

The summer term is full of exciting musical opportunities! From creative workshops to inspiring performances, here’s what’s coming up in the Music Department – make sure these dates are in your diary:

📅 Wednesday 11th June – Shireland Scratch Composition Project Trip
Students collaborate to compose and record original music using digital tools.

📅 Thursday 12th June – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Open Day & Opera Afternoon
A behind-the-scenes look at degree-level music study, including a live performance of Dido and Aeneas.

📅 Friday 13th June – Access Creative College Music Taster Workshops
Hands-on sessions in Music, Media, and Games – a taste of post-16 creative careers.

📅 Monday 16th June
🎻 Cello Lessons Begin
📝 GCSE Music Listening Exam (PM) – Good luck to our Year 11 students!

📅 Friday 20th June – Make Music Day 2025
George Dixon Primary visit LBS for interactive music workshops.
B Music Jazz Band performs live at Symphony Hall.

📅 Monday 23rd June – Ex Cathedra Vocal Workshops
Inspiring vocal sessions with one of the UK’s top choral organisations.

📅 Thursday 26th June – Arts Award Trip: Michael Jackson Musical
A high-energy West End experience for our Arts Award students.

📅 Friday 4th July – All Together Now
A massed singing event in partnership with Ex Cathedra, featuring local primary schools.

📅 Wednesday 16th July – Pop Symphony Orchestra at the Youth Proms
Performing at Symphony Hall – a celebration of young musical talent.

📅 Thursday 18th July – Horizon Voices Visit LBS
A day of singing workshops led by this acclaimed vocal ensemble.

Please find the brand-new extra-curricular timetable below: