The Batley Buzz Feb 2023 by primarysite10

February 2023

Edition 6

Our children deserve the best. No child left behind - ever.

Every school a great school. Creating remarkable people.

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 Infant and Primary News

Chinese New Year

Our Nursery children and parents/carers took part in an exciting themed day to celebrate the Chinese New Year, including a fantastic dragon dance. We believe in celebrating and learning about different cultures and religions. Our Nursery children had enhancements to their role-play area and performed as the dragon for parents/carers and staff, showing their developing confidence and performance skills! Fantastic Fundraisers!

A number of our ETAs have worked incredibly hard to raise funds so we could take our Nurture Class on a visit to Krazy Kids play gym in Heckmondwike.

We are committed to giving our children new experiences. Many of the young people in our Nurture Class had never been to a play gym before; so Mrs Khan, Mrs Mohammed, Mrs Haider and Mrs Kotia decided to have a bun, sweets and hot chocolate sale after school, raising a massive £450!

The funds raised were more than enough to fund the entire trip which has resulted in new experiences for our children and also has been a great opportunity for essential gross motor skill development. These ladies truly went over and above for our children, baking and making well into the night to make the fundraising such a success.

The power of writing: Give… a few words

Year 4 children, with the help of the Give a few words charity, are on a mission to ensure no one feels lonely or isolated in our community by writing uplifting letters to residents of local care homes to spread a little cheer, which has been very much welcomed.

The Stigma Strategy Group - Stronger Together

What a way to spend a lovely morning! Over twenty parents/carers joined Saira Mirza, our Parent/Carer and Community Mental Health Worker (MHST), for a pamper session and discussion. They were treated to a hand massage from one of our talented parents, Mrs Nadat, whilst discussing important questions surrounding mental health and how we can raise awareness in our community.

Bonjour Field Lane!

Every year, Year 6 put their French into practice at their pop-up French Café.

Parents/carers and younger year groups are invited to sample French delicacies, croissants, baguettes and more - whilst Year 6 demonstrate their superb linguistic skills.

Très bon, Year 6!

Fabulous Fossils!

Year 5 and 6 went on an exciting day out to the Yorkshire Natural History Museum, to learn about fossils, as part of their Science topic on Evolution and Inheritance.

They learned about how fossils are formed, how and where they are found and explored the different animals that were on show at the museum. They were also able to impress the palaeontologists with their knowledge of Mary Anning and the animals they had already learned about in the classroom.

As well as looking at these fossils, they were allowed to hold some and even compared their feet to that of a T-Rex! For a final surprise, they were given a tour of the laboratories and observed a demonstration of how palaeontologists chip away at rock to excavate fossils.

The visit to the gift shop was also very welcome, with rocks, fossils and sharks’ teeth purchased in abundance. It was a fantastic curriculum enrichment day!

Every half term, we have a whole school theme that represents our core values. This half term, we focus on Law and Order and why it is important to make the right choices. Visitors from the Magistrates’ Court came to work with our Year 6s, to speak about the justice system and what they do in their role.

The young people were involved in a variety of activities linked to law and order, including deciding on the severity of crimes, debating the most appropriate punishment and discussing changes in crime and punishment over time.

This week in key stage assemblies, our young people have showcased their dance routines that they have learnt during their PE lessons.

Staff have also had continuous professional development in teaching gymnastics.

Our Secondary News

Empowering our young learners into the Technology sector!

At the end of last month a group of Year 9 students visited Bruntwood SciTech and met a panel of entrepreneurial women with a vast range of experiences within the technology (tech) and digital sector.

The learners found the experience insightful and inspirational, informing their future choices and they now feel more confident about choosing iMedia/Computer Science at GCSE and exploring the varied career paths the industry can offer.

Duke of Edinburgh success

Last month a group of Year 10 and 11 students attended Huddersfield Town Hall to receive their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Their awards were presented by Lord Lieutenant Ed Anderson. There were also speeches given by international saxophone player Ellie Sax and the Lord Mayor of Kirklees Councillor Masood Ahmed.

Shining example of support!

We're very proud of three of our young leaders who have been helping at various Primary school events throughout the year, working with the schools’ sports' coordinator. They have done this in their own time after school - brilliant work, well done!

Any MP for tennis?

Careers event for parents/carers

We recently held our first careers information event for parents/carers and had over 40 people in attendance from all year groups.

A range of valued partners joined the session to speak to parents/carers individually as well as holding presentations to cover a range of pathways open to our students. This helps our parents/carers to best support our young people, alongside the education we give them in school to develop their skill set to match their career aspirations.

Just before February half term, we had an exciting visitor at our Year 9 tennis session. Not only was a top coach taking the students through their paces, but our local MP, Kim Leadbeater joined us! One student said: “The session was really fun and engaging. It was great to meet the local MP, she was really fun and joined us in the warm up session!”

Non-uniform day fundraising for Candlelighters

At the end of the Autumn Term the staff and students in both the Primary and Secondary phases held a non-uniform day to raise funds for the Candlelighters charity, based in Leeds, which supports children with cancer and their families.

This charity has a special significance for Batley Grammar School because of the support it provided to the family of one of our students who suffered from Leukaemia.

The photos show Becki Marren from Candlelighters receiving the cheque for £1,738.

The World Reimagined

Year 7 through to Year 10 learners took part in an art project; The World Reimagined. A UK-wide project to transform our understanding of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact. Exploring shared history and engaging with ideas around how we can make racial justice a reality in the future - as well as our learners' power to create change.

We then decorated a fibreglass globe sculpture to convey a message of social justice and strength for our community. Each learner designed a motif and were collaged together; the learners sketched their ideas onto the globe and we used special pens and acrylic paint to add colour. We included both written ideas as well as visual representations. The finished globe was varnished and then displayed in The Tetley in Leeds, during the summer, alongside globes from other schools. Our sculpture has recently been returned to school and is on display in front of the main entrance to continue to share our message of hope for the future and for a 'World Reimagined'.

Young Green Briton Challenge

We recently held the Young Green Briton Challenge with our Year 8 learners. The workshop was delivered in partnership; by the Ministry of Eco Education, Social Innovation for All, Volunteers for Future and I Have a Voice.

Learners played an active part in the following process: understanding the problem, who is impacted by the problem, thinking about solutions, idea selection, idea prototype and presentation for feedback. They developed problem trees exploring the causes and consequences and considered the stakeholders impacted, before developing their ideas - learning some great tips about idea generation and working together - before pitching their idea back to the wider group.

This depth of thinking really helps our learners to, not only understand how social action takes place, but acquire skills that can be applied to their curriculum subjects and life outside of school.

Tournament Trophy Time!

Mr Usman presenting our Year 10 boys with a trophy for a football tournament they took part in at Mirfield Free Grammar. They were unbeaten throughout the whole tournament and won the pool in which they were entered.

Our Sixth Form News

Sweet treats for all and support for the Shared Goods charity!

Our BG6 Sanctuary Enrichment programme focus is supporting refugees. Over the past couple of terms, students have handcrafted activity packs to help the mental wellbeing of refugees in our area, linked with the Shared Goods charity based here in Kirklees. Just before half term we also held a Bake Sale to further support the Shared Goods charity.

The preparation was intensive, but we made it and it went really well with a wide variety of baked goods and sweet treats available, which we offered to the whole school. It was a rather hectic lunchtime selling everything, but we raised a total of over £205, which is amazing in such a short time for this worthy cause.

This half term we will continue our liaison with the charity and plan to arrange to visit them, before the end of the term, with some or all of the students involved in this enrichment group.

Realising Opportunities

Realising Opportunities is a unique collaboration of leading, research intensive universities, working together to promote fair access and social mobility of students from groups underrepresented in higher education.

A couple of BG6 students put together a PowerPoint presentation using their own photos, to share their experience at the Realising Opportunities Event, which they plan to share in an assembly to the other students.

Our Curriculum Enrichment

Our trust family of schools offers a wide range of curriculum enrichment activities.

This greatly enhances our young people's educational experience, and also supports their health & wellbeing.

Our Staff Super Heroes

BBEST Night’s Sleep Team: Hilary Towers-Islam, Joanne Garforth and Farhana Chunara

Hilary (Field Lane), Joanne (Healey) and Farhana (Batley Grammar School) are all doing an amazing job with the BBEST Night's Sleep team to ensure all our young people receive a great night's sleep and have a warm, dry bed to sleep in each and every night. This team have been writing bids to local businesses and charities to raise funds for beds, mattresses and bedding packs to supply our families who need them.

Huge congratulations to colleagues from across our Trust family of schools who have recently completed their Ambition NPQs! Your hard work, dedication and commitment is superb, and developing evidence-informed practice is so important in our schools as we provide a great education for all our young people.

Kelly provides first class support to SEND young people at Healey. Parents/carers have recommended her for the positive impact she has made to their family.

Paul (UBHS) has undertaken some brilliant work on the BBEST Telephone Box Exhibition, outside Batley Library. The telephone box has been fully restored and is now displaying great work from across the 21 BBEST schools.

Debra (Field Lane) provides invaluable support for young people who may struggle with education. She meets children’s emotional needs to help them to cope better. Debra is highly skilled and a fabulous asset to the school community, and all our young people.

Kellie Quinn Andrew Dresser, Kieran Feltham, Lisa Woods, Manpreet Soor, Michael Scurr, Mohammed Zaheer, Sarah Swale Paul Robinson Debra Wareham

Terrific Fundraising Team: Mrs Kotia, Mrs Haider, Mrs Mohammed and Mrs Khan

These colleagues truly went over and above for the young people of Manorfield, fundraising so successfully for one of the classes to visit Krazy Kids play gym. They are absolute shining examples of how committed our staff are to our children.

Our Staff Super Heroes

Aman Kang and Dominic Wroe

Aman and Dominic have delivered excellent CPD for Governors and Trustees.

Emma Rodrigues

Emma has been nominated by the Trust Headteachers for her tireless work and support. She is a fantastic colleague who always has a smile on her face!

Simon Donnelly

Manorfield staff have nominated Simon in appreciation of the support they have from him. He came in really early to get the printers up and running before the start of the school day and every time he is in school, he is friendly and approachable.

Abid Hussain, Alan Brown, Emilie Miller, Karen Dack, Kate Seaman, Lindsay McLean, Lorna Stephen, Mandy Williamson, Melanie Bowen, Paul Bevington, Rachel Hand, Sarah Milne

Well done to all members of the staff team who supported the successful implementation of the Neo payroll system. Colleagues worked collaboratively to ensure that all the required payroll information was transferred swiftly and effectively to ensure the transition process was as seamless as possible. Great teamwork across our family of schools.

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.

Sports Support at Primary School Games

Year 9 young leaders at BGHS helped out at the finals of the Primary School Games, through work experience with Mick Troop their School Sports Coordinator, who said they were excellent.

A selection of photographs from our schools’ brilliant Great Winter Get Together events at the end of last month at Healey Junior, Infant & Nursery School and Upper Batley High School. These events are designed to bring people together from across our community, and tackle loneliness one connection at a time. Thank you to everyone who got involved.

…

Careers work

It was National Apprenticeship Week 6-12 February, providing an opportunity to showcase the benefits that apprentices can bring to local communities, businesses, and the wider economy. The theme for 2023 is skills for life.

We have 15 colleagues who have trained for their job through the apprenticeship scheme. There are now almost 650 apprenticeships to train people for a huge variety of jobs, across all the different sectors, from entry level right up to senior management level. Across our Trust family of schools, time in school was spent reflecting on how apprenticeships can help young people to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, as well as helping businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future.

We raised awareness with our young people, and parents/carers about the apprenticeship opportunities that are available locally and nationally as well as looking at the entry requirements and levels available to study. You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school, but need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays. There are plenty of opportunities available for adults who may be thinking about changing career direction.

For more information see the links below: Find an apprenticeship, GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk › apply-apprenticeship How to find an apprenticeship, UCAS https://www.ucas.com › ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships - National Careers Service, GOV.UK - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk › apprenticeship Amazing Apprenticeships - https://amazingapprenticeships.com

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/

We are proud to lead the Yorkshire Rose Teaching Partnership - providing high quality primary and secondary teacher training in West Yorkshire. This consortium includes 15 local schools, Exceed SCITT and local Higher Education Institutions.

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://yrtp.co.uk/

https://www.ckteachingschoolhub.org/

Online Safety for all

Safer Internet Day took place on Tuesday 7 February and there were various activities taking place across all our Trust schools, to educate our young people about online safety.

Next month, we have Online Safety Sessions planned for parents/carers, to help keep your child safe online and provide a better understanding of social media, gaming, internet usage and how this can impact your child.

Primary: Tuesday 7 March 2023 4:30-5:15pm

Secondary: Thursday 9 March 2023 4:30-5:15pm

The sessions will be held in the main hall at at Upper Batley High School.

Safer Internet Day promotes online safety, not just for one day but everyday, which is something we endorse across our Trust family of schools.

Support and 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 NSPCC Get it right from a genuine site

Providing help & support for Free support & advice for Find out which sites are legal for downloading Under 18s. parents/carers worried about movies, music and games.

0800 11 11 a young person.

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

https://www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.org/ 0808 800 500 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ Ask about games

Advice and online guides about gaming and The Mix Family Lives PEGI ratings. Provides essential support for 13-25 Free, professional, non-judgemental https://www.askaboutgames.com/ year olds. advice.