January 2013
NEWSLETTER
Message from the Head Teacher What a busy start to 2013. We are committed to developing in our students a sense of duty and responsibility to the wider community in preparation for adult life. As you will see in this newsletter our students have been leading the way in fund raising activities for a variety of charities and through the work of our Sports Partnership coaching younger children.
grades already in GCSE Maths, with many achieving the higher grades and very good progress. Well done to those students! Having battled the snow in Birmingham ourselves, we welcome back students from the annual international ski trip that went to Switzerland last week. Photos and a report will be in the next newsletter.
We have had a number of successes this month in addition to those featured in the articles that follow. Fifty four Year 11 students have succeeded in securing A*-C
Ms C O’Driscoll, Head Teacher
WELCOME to the following staff who have joined us this term: Miss L Green—Teaching Assistant
Dates for your diary
Mrs R Baskerville—Teaching Assistant
Mr S Ancell—Data Manager
Mrs Akhtar
A snowy start to the year A big Thank You to Mr Green and the site team who worked very hard to open the school site after the heavy snow over 18-21st January. The team put in many hours making the school pathways and car park safe for students and staff.
Reading more for good causes
Ms O‘Driscoll
Thurs 7th Feb 5pm Parent Forum. All welcome, contact Mrs Jakszta for details Fri 15th Feb Half Term holiday begins Mon 25th Feb Students return
EXAMS Would parents of Year 11 students kindly not book medical or other appointments for them from 28th February to 4th March inclusive and for Years 10 and 11 from Monday 13th May to Friday, 28th June inclusive due to GCSE exams. Thank You. Mrs Perry
Year 7 held a Readathon in December, raising £245.92 for these charities: Readwell provides books and storytelling for children in hospital, CLIC Sargent helps children with cancer, and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity supports children with serious neurological and blood conditions . The students did very well and read an amazing amount of books. Well done to Sam Perry 7S who was awarded with a certificate for raising the most money. Mrs Bowley
Year 7 Readathon students with English Lead Learners, Mrs Bowley, Miss Cook and Mrs Hall
Postage Stamps We are collecting used postage stamps in partnership with Sainsbury‘s Castle Vale, to support the military patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Selly Oak. If you are able to send used stamps into school, it would be much appreciated. There is a box in student reception. Mrs Rose Kingsbury School and Sports College, Kingsbury Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 8RE Phone: 0121 373 1080 Fax: 0121 306 4878 Web: www.kingsbury.bham.sch.uk
Email: enquiry@kingsbury.bham.sch.uk
Leadership begins early at Kingsbury A group of Year 7 students who took part in a leadership project have put their new skills to good use for charity. The group spent 5 weeks developing skills in public speaking, team building, goal setting and project management, supported by Miss Millward and leadership expert Errol Lawson. They presented a proposal for a fund raising event to Ms O‘Driscoll and Miss Thom for approval, and spent the last week of term carrying out a variety of activities to raise funds for Marie Curie Nurses. These included selling cakes, a 'Guess the name of the Teddy' competition, and an open choice PE Year 7 Leadership group with Miss Millward and Errol Lawson week. The students raised £151.87. Ms O'Driscoll was impressed with their commitment and the skills they had learned in such a short time: "It is fantastic to see young people develop and apply new skills for the good of others‖ she said. ―The skills and mind-set that these students have exhibited points ahead to their future career success and as citizens in the community. It exemplifies the Kingsbury motto 'Together we can." Miss Millward
Improving lives through learning WELL DONE to all staff and students who together raised an impressive £1100 for Cancer Research UK last term. This includes the Movember initiative, and fundraising activities organised by Year 11 students Shaima Amin, Lee Simmonds and Remel Cockett. The three decided on this cause because it is close to the heart of the school and to many students whose families have been touched by this awful disease. The group set a target of £1000, and delivered assemblies to encourage fellow students to contribute. They spent Friday afternoons organising and planning activities and making collections, culminating in a non uniform day at the end of term. All three say the experience helped their confidence, team and communication skills. ―It was a struggle at times, but we learned to overcome obstacles‖ said Shaima. Remel Students Shaima and Remel with the cheque for Cancer commented: ―I learned to work with different people, which Research helped my team skills‖ whilst Lee said: ―It made us feel good being able to help others; we never dreamed we would reach our target.‖ Remel concluded with a powerful statement: ―Students and staff were very generous. It is thanks to donations such as these that my Dad has recently been given the all clear from cancer.‖ We have a strong sense of community at Kingsbury; our staff and students are always willing to help those less fortunate than themselves, as articles in this newsletter demonstrate. These activities also provide students with the opportunity to develop wider skills which are essential for their future success. Mrs Jakszta
Five Years of Teach First Teach First is a national organisation which recruits outstanding individuals to become teachers in areas where there is economic or social disadvantage, such as the West Midlands. Teach First has been very successful in recruiting top graduates into teaching and is now 4th in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers table. Kingsbury has been involved with Teach First since its inception in the region in 2002. What this means for the school is that we have been able to recruit top quality graduates as teachers to inspire and engage our students. Recent participants include Mr Celebrating excellence: Chair of Governors Mr Bhara, Teach Choudhury, Miss Luscombe, Miss Prothero and Miss First graduates Mr Choudhury and Miss Luscombe, and Chmielewska. Teach First recently awarded the school with a Ms O‘Driscoll trophy to celebrate five years of the partnership. Ms O‘Driscoll
Together we can
Kingsbury alumnus aiming for the top Former KSSC student Gemma Keen perfectly demonstrates the Kingsbury qualities. Having just completed her first term at the University of Nottingham where she is studying Geography, Gemma, who wants to be a teacher, also plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this summer! She recently returned to the Kingsbury to carry out some work experience, and had the following advice for current students: “Don’t worry about the cost of University; you can apply for grants and scholarships like me, but even if you take out a student loan you only have to pay it back out of your salary once you earn a certain amount and even then it will only be small amount You need a passion for your subject, and to work hard at your GCSE’s because this is the key to your future. It is never too early to start planning for Sixth form and beyond—don’t leave it until the last minute! You are not alone, your teachers will help you—Mr Singh at Kingsbury supported me to get in to King Edwards and they helped me with my university application. Try to get work experience in the career area you are interested in, it really helps your application as it is very competitive out there. One of the most important things is to get involved in activities in and outside school; it can really make a difference.‖ Gemma is a shining example of how taking part in extra activities at school can make a difference and gain students valuable experience. At Kingsbury she was a librarian, prefect, sports leader, member of the School Council and on various committees. At King Edward Five Ways Sixth Form, she was again a prefect, and a peer mentor to younger students. At University Gemma is keeping up the tradition with membership of the Geographical Society, taking additional modules to support her course as well as signing up for the expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity. Gemma needs to raise £2,500 to pay for her expedition to Kilimanjaro and to support the work of the charity HOPE for Children, which helps vulnerable children worldwide. After completing the climb she will be staying in a village in Tanzania to meet the children and see how the money raised is helping them. Gemma has personal reasons for doing the climb, not only to test herself physically and mentally but also as a tribute to her mother who passed away recently. If readers are able to support Gemma‘s fundraising, she would appreciate any donations. Please visit her fundraising page:
www.hopeheroes.org/gemma_keen
Mrs Jakszta
English News The school has adopted a range of measures to ensure students are fully supported with key literacy skills across the whole curriculum. Each halfterm we have a specific focus, which involves staff training, the sharing of resources and coaching in a particular faculty, to help develop the teaching of specific literacy practices in that curriculum area. This has proved successful and we have already seen faculties review their approach to securing spelling, developing vocabulary skills, and the sharing of good practice between staff. Teaching staff are continually adding literacy dimensions to their lessons, and literacy has been recognised as a strong area in an increasing number of lessons. The school's current focus is on READING, with all faculties ensuring that students are devoting time to reading and reflecting on texts in their subjects, and linking topic areas to suitable books that students can use to extend their learning in our fantastic library. Our Student Librarian team (pictured) are busy promoting books via their own blogs and Twitter account, which is available to students on the faculty's 'BeENGspired' site via the main school website. They will be visiting form groups to promote books to students, and our 'Read, Return, Recommend' system enables students to post online reviews of books they have checked out from the library and access others' reviews in a forum. You can follow us on Twitter @KSSCBeENGspired and @KSSCLibrarians Mr Barton
Disability Awareness At Kingsbury School and Sports College we are actively promoting the awareness of disabilities. Following our visit from Paralympian Claire Cashmore last term, we have been holding assemblies on Tourettes Syndrome. Guest speaker Suzanne Dobson from Tourettes Action came to speak to students about 'What is Tourettes' and Miss Pearson gave an insight into living with Tourettes. Miss Pearson
Together we can
Kingsbury Christmas Fair The Kingsbury Christmas Fair on Wednesday 12 December was a success. Nine mini-enterprise companies had spent the Autumn term planning and making products/providing service for the Christmas Fair. In the run up to the fair, students were organised and job roles allocated to ensure everything from products to banners were ready on time. At the fair, all mini-enterprise companies operated professionally and their customer service skills were commendable. Mr Moore had also organised charity activities for the Christmas Fair, raising money for Cancer Research UK. The event was well supported by staff, students and parents and most Stallholders Richard Coles, Levi Henry and companies managed to make a small profit from their activities. A special Remi Bell mention goes to The Christmas Goodies for time and effort in making their hand-crafted stockings and their good customer service at the Christmas Fair. Miss Jennings
Sports Partnership News LEVEL 1 PRIMARY INDOOR ATHLETICS On Friday 11th and 18th January, Year 6 children from Erdington Hall Primary School took part in a Level 1 Indoor Athletics Competition. The event was led and run by a very able group of Sports Leaders from Year 8 and 9, who coached and officiated the children in Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shuttlecock Throw and Speed Bounce. The Erdington Hall children all tried their best and worked really hard to get good scores. The Kingsbury Sports Leaders were a credit to themselves and the school as always. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING AT ERDINGTON HALL
Our Kingsbury Sports Leaders support lots of primary school pupils
We currently have 2 students going to Erdington Hall School every Friday at 1.45pm – 4.30pm to volunteer their time during the schools‘ Golden Time lesson, and After School activities. This term they will be supporting a Gymnastics and Basketball Club. HOCKEY CLUB AT BIRCHES GREEN JUNIORS Five Year 11 students, who are currently our hockey leaders, will be running a club at Birches Green Junior School this term. A hockey coach will help them to plan sessions and then the students will run the club themselves, during the school‘s Golden Time lesson from 2-3pm on Fridays. Mrs Cotter
Club News Girls Netball: Wednesdays 3-4pm for all year groups. Miss Millward Rugby: Thursdays after school for all year groups. Students need to bring football boots. Sessions will be on the middle pitch. Mr Brotherton
Big Brum visits Kingsbury In December a group of Year 9 students worked with the Big Brum Theatre company at Kingsbury. The theme of the day was based on what humans want versus what they actually need, and it was very thought provoking. Students spent time contemplating these differences, recognising that much of what humans think they need is socially constructed rather than being essential for survival. Students made a lot of insightful comments, particularly during the analysis of that day's newspaper where they discussed the effects of different articles. One student stated that he had "never thought this much!" Later, the company performed a drama which incorporated the themes that the students had been thinking about. All the students displayed excellent behaviour and were clearly engaged throughout the performance. Mrs Hitchins
Together we can
@KingsburySSC
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