Batley Buzz January 2022

The Batley Buzz January 2022 Edition 5

Ensuring exceptional outcomes for all.

Our Trust Vision Every young person, regardless of their starting point, or background receives a high quality education, including first class care, guidance and support.

Our Primary News

Young Conservationists!

Field Lane Young Scientists have been enthralled by the BBC's Regenerator Live Lessons featuring the amazing David Attenborough and some incredible footage from 'The Green Planet', inspiring us to look after our wonderful planet.

Families Learning Together We have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of family learning that has taken place over the holiday period. We have had models, stories, poems, fact files and videos pouring in from all year groups. Thank you to all our families for their enthusiasm and commitment. Together We Learn!

The children in Early Years have resumed their fortnightly live conversations with Farmer Emma through FaceTime a Farmer. This week they have met two horses, Nicky and Anky, and a flock of very active sheep!

On Wednesday 15 December, Primary Phase took to the playground to enjoy a fantastic carol singing afternoon. It was fabulous to see so many parents back together for the first time in two years to enjoy the event. The children sang brilliantly and enjoyed the hot chocolate and biscuits!

A big thank you to BGS’ primary and secondary phases who collected food for Batley Food bank just before the Christmas break.

“A place to conquer your fears…”

Y6 pupil comment about Robinwood Activity Centre, Wrexham.

12th – 14th January 2022: Our Y5 and Y6 pupils had an amazing time on their residential trip.

Showing great resilience and determination, they wholeheartedly participated in exciting activities that took them out of their comfort zone.

Canoeing, zip wiring, giant swing, climbing wall, piranha pool, archery and team games are all but a few of the challenges that they successfully conquered.

Creative Homework A festive house made fit for a queen! It comes complete with snow, lights, a garden and a garage.

Brilliant work ☺ Our newly launched Lunchtime Club is a hit with the boys. We have Board Games galore.

From Monopoly to Ludo and Word games, competition is in the air!

Our Secondary News

Our Guides group: 26th Batley Girls' High School Unit is going from strength to strength and they ended the term with a winter mixology themed party where they made mocktails to celebrate!

Our Erasmus project is progressing nicely, and we are now in the planning stages for the visit from our partners in Greece, Norway, Portugal and Spain in March providing Covid restrictions allow! The project focus is on student and staff wellbeing from a practical to a strategic level and the visit scheduled hopes to include trips including art, culture and sport. The connections forged now, will build the foundation for future partnership work. Exciting times ahead.

On the last day of last term we held our 15th fantastic pantomime, which was a success as always and ended the term in an extremely happy and positive way!

You can see some of the action scenes featuring our members of staff, if you can identify them!

On Tuesday 14 December, Y7, Y10 and Y11 music students were treated to a performance by the Musica Kirklees Orchestra, made from teaching and supporting staff from the peripatetic teaching staff throughout Musica Kirklees. The orchestra, led by Nick Dolling, played an array of pieces dating from the Baroque era right through to modern day classics - and given that it was December, threw in some Christmas hits for good measure.

Seeing and hearing music played live, in our own Graves Hall, was a fantastic experience for our students, many for whom this was their first concert. The best part? Seeing Mr Hughes and Mr Kibble join in the rendition of Last Christmas, accompanied by the orchestra! What a great start to the holidays! Many thanks to Thom Meredith and Nick Dolling for such a superb performance.

Sensational Science Our science team have secured external funding for the crest awards and we cannot wait to get started. These awards link science, technology, engineering and maths, and require learners to be innovative. We are also planning our science week activities all around the theme of Growth.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Trees Forest School At UBHS we are very fortunate to have our very own Forest School. This is where learning takes place outside of the classroom, and young people are challenged to think creatively, to problem solve and to develop their leadership skills. It really is a great place to learn.

Our Forest School team have been successful in securing a huge delivery of tree saplings from the Woodland Trust. These are to plant on school and community sites in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year. The trees arrive shortly so watch this space for when planting begins! Our learners are busy preparing the site ready for planting the saplings.

Our Sixth Form News

We held our BG6 interviews for BGHS Y11 students last week in the BG6 study area. It was brilliant to speak to the applicants and understand their ambitions for their post-16 study and we look forward to welcoming the successful candidates onto the campus in September.

The Art department were able to deliver a series of long-awaited trips last term, which included visits to Huddersfield Uni Photography Department and Wakefield's Art House and Neon Workshops as well as a trip to Liverpool, visiting Crosby beach and the Anthony Gormley sculptures as well as the Tate and Walker galleries at Albert Dock.

Our Curriculum Enrichment Our family of schools offers a wide range of extra curricular activities. This greatly enriches our young people's educational experience, and also supports their health & wellbeing.

Our Staff Super Heroes Emma Rodrigues (BGHS) For her work with Yorkshire Rose; Calderdale & Kirklees Teaching Partnership; networking for the school and the Trust, and her amazing work with our Erasmus partner schools.

Thank you to all our staff in our secondary schools who have supported the on site testing in January. You have helped to keep everyone safe.

Well done.

Our Community Work … really means a lot to us, and we see our Trust and our schools at the very heart of our community. Community Makes Us and it is the unity in community that matters.

Great Winter Get Together 2022 Let’s tackle loneliness one conversation at a time.

Visit the Great Get Together website for further details of how you can get involved this year. www.greatgettogether.org

Careers Hub Two of our secondary schools (Batley Girls’ High School & Upper Batley High School) lead on the Kirklees Careers Hub, and offer support on careers information, advice and guidance across all Kirklees Schools.

We are passionate about providing outstanding careers education for all our young people, and raising their aspirations for the future.

Our wider links Our family of schools Works closely with the BBEST Hub. Check out their website for details of local services, support and activities.

https://bbesthub.uk/About-Us/

Our schools play a key role in the Calderdale & Kirklees Teaching School Hub. This Hub offers support to over 270 schools across our region.

The purpose of the hub is to provide high-quality professional development for teachers and leaders. https://www.ckteachingschoolhub.org/

Online support & advice for parents, carers and families.

Childnet International has produced a very informative resource for parents to help you keep your child safe online. https://www.childnet.com/resources/online-safety-activities-you-can-do-from-home

For young people;

For families;

Other specialist services;

Childline Providing help & support for Under 18s.

0800 11 11

NSPCC Free support & advice for parents/carers worried about a young person.

0808 800 500

Get it right from a genuine site Find out which sites are legal for downloading movies, music and games. https://www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.org/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Ask about games Advice and online guides about gaming and PEGI ratings. https://www.askaboutgames.com/

https://www.childline.org.uk/

The Mix Provides essential support for 13-25 year olds.

https://www.themix.org.uk/

Family Lives Free, professional, non-judgemental advice.

0808 800 2222

https://www.familylives.org.uk/

Batley Multi Academy Trust (BMAT)

Batley Multi Academy Trust C/O Batley Girls’ High School Windmill Lane WF17 0LD Telephone: 01924 350080 Website: batleymat.co.uk