Headteacher’s Newsletter
BISHOP VESEY’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Half-Term Autumn 2010 Message from the Head
Staff News Welcome to new Language Assistants Ina KleineEickhoff (German) and Azahara Jimenez Fuentes (Spanish) who will work, alongside Marion Binard (French) who joined us last year. François Mahé joins us, spending six months at Vesey’s as a Gap Year French Assistant in the Languages and PE Departments.
What an action packed half-term! Some tremendous news stories of continuing success for individuals and the school community. Amongst all the excitement and achievements beyond the classroom, we have raised our game in the academic stakes with targets for the next exam season ‘Bold but realistic’! We are aiming to take the GCSE results beyond 70% Macbeth at The Old Rep: Vesey boys take ShakeA*/A and A Level results up to the speare back to the original with a touch of modernity! coveted 80% A*-B mark, at the earliest opportunity! High expectations, matched by increasingly high student aspirations, with a good dose of hard work, will ensure we do not ‘wobble the bar’ as we reach out for further new heights! Nearly all members of the Upper Sixth must achieve AAB or ABB to reach their chosen course at top ‘When shall we three meet again..…?’ universities. In Nov. 2003 we arranged interview practice for 14 students aiming for Oxbridge, Russell Group Medical Schools and the like. This year, in Nov. 2010, we are set to provide such practice for more than 40 students! What a performance indicator!
Yr 10: Luke Jones, as Macbeth: ‘If we should fail?’
David Iddon Headteacher
Sixth Formers win trip to Gambia
U6 students Peter Moss, James Barron, Penny Hodges and Lewis Dainty won Leeds Metropolitan University’s national competition by designing a responsible tourist trip beating 110 entrants. They have been awarded £1,000 for the school and won a field study trip to Gambia.
Student Council Constitution
Chairman of Governors, Clive Richards, signing the new constitution, prepared by retiring President Mohammed Bilal, with new President Penny Hodges, who is set to carry on the good work.
Rugby Tour Car Wash
& Josh Williams (right) as Lady Macbeth: ‘We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place and we’ll not fail!’ (30mins abridged version Scene 7, performed on 11 Oct)
Year 7 enjoying break together
And fail we did not…...directed by David Iddon, ably assisted by English teachers, Claire Callan and Suzanne McGuire, the powerfully dark drama was interspersed with creatively introduced lighter moments which engaged the audience and led to hearty applause of appreciation for a highly competent performance, remembered for clarity and audibility, poise and control, as the cast carried the plot, emotion and high drama out to a packed auditorium.
Local Fireman and Vesey parent Glenn Hepburn helped to organise this great effort, across the road at the fire station on Saturday 2 October.
Year 8 investigating the Vesey trees in their Science Lesson
Headteacher’s Newsletter
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Coming soon: work experience in France
Business Lunch at BVGS to seal partnership plans Following last year's successful Lyon Headteacher's delegation at BVGS, formal links have now been made between the ‘Louise Labe Collège’ in Lyon and BVGS. After a two-day conference led by Laura King and Matt Collins, supported by Head of IAG Dave Phillips, the two schools have agreed to create joint international work experience in March 2011. This will give Year 10 French students at BVGS the opportunity to work in France, improving language skills as well as experiencing the world of work.
Physics Lectures and Physics Olympics
Old Veseyan F1 doctor returns for seminar
12 U6 students currently applying to study medicine at university were privileged to meet with ex-Veseyan Dr Junaid Hussain OV last month. Junaid applied to read medicine at Hull York Medical School 5 years ago and, having successfully gained his medical degree, has now started the next phase of his career as a Foundation Year House Officer. He was able to give our students real insight into the harsh reality of medical student working hours, the application process and interview procedures and techniques, plus a taste of what student life is like. We wish Junaid every success in his career.
Sutton Park Cinder Path Run 2010
Lots of BVGS students recently attended lectures on Superconductivity and Nuclear Power at B’ham Uni. 'Where we are in the Universe' is on Tues 2 Nov. Parents and families are welcome. 16 Nov lecture 'The weird world of the delocalised electron’ more suitable for Y11 & 6th Form . The Christmas Lecture on 2 Dec is 'The Magic of Soap Bubbles'. Tickets from Lynn Penny for this special lecture. Lectures are held in the Large Lecture Theatre, Poynting Physics Building at B’ham University 7.00 for 7.30pm. On 16 Oct 2 U6 students, Emily James and Joe McGuire (right), and 2 L6 students Bethan Jones and Adnaan Chaudhry (left) travelled to Liverpool University with Lynn Penny to compete as team Schrödinger in the 19th Physics Olympics.
English Theatre Trip to ‘Educating Rita’ On 17 Sept 14 students from Yr 10 accompanied by English teachers Sandra Holland & Claire Callan went to London to see a very good production of 'Educating Rita' at Trafalgar Studios, Whitehall, one of the set GCSE texts that students are studying. All those who attended had an enjoyable experience, which will now inform their forthcoming written coursework and lead no doubt to excellent results. GCSE English: we are now awaiting a full remark of GCSE Language 2010 Paper 2, as initiated by the exam board. Weekly GCSE English clinics are to begin after half term led by Head of English, Kate Steadman and a team of AS English Literature students in B5 from 1.10- 1.40pm on Mondays for Y10, Thursdays for Y11. Students are invited to drop to fine-tune their progress towards GCSE English .
On Sunday 10 October, Pam Maskell and 35 L6 students managed to get up bright and early, trudge through Sutton Park and be placed strategically through the trees and along the pathways in order to help marshal the annual Cinder Path Run in aid of The Norman Laud Association. Without the student support, this event would not be able to take place and The Norman Laud Association are always grateful of our involvement with them.
Computers skills made easy for Over 60s Senior citizens from the local community have been gaining computer skills from our 6th Form. The over 60s computer course which was organised by Cheryl Taylor and is supervised by Matt Collins has been a huge success. Our students have offered one-to-one tuition on all sorts of computer skills, from how to use the mouse and keyboard to buying groceries on-line.
Charity
New Sixth Form Enrichment Activities
Charity Officer, Jay Lal U6 and his team are already introducing new ideas for the campaign to raise over £15K for charity during this academic year. The following charities have benefited: Readathon (helps children with serious illnesses) - £272.50 from Year 8 RNLI (Barmouth) - £256.85 9W DEC Pakistan Floods - £936.00 non-uniform + £42.30 from 11B’s ‘Sponge a Teacher’. Non uniform Day 15 Oct raised £360.00 for The National Memorial Arboretum and £537.00 for MIND
L6 students, Joshua Topley, Aaron Bhambra and Ravi Rajput have started tutoring 12 Year 10 students who will be re-sitting one of their Chemistry modules in November. Sixth Form students have been volunteering at Richmond Hall care home in Aldridge, helping the residents to reminisce about their past and will present them with a 'This is your life' style book at the end of their placement, which was organised by Science Technician Julie Wadeson.
October 2010
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15 Art students from the Sixth Form and Year 10 accompanied by Art Teacher Anne Fitton and Headteacher/minibus driver David Iddon travelled to Leicestershire for a workshop experience with the renowned watercolourist Peter Welton. Met by the artist in the village of Arnesby and taken to his colourful studio, they were able to look through his gallery and workshop, packed with images created over the years, many for commissions. His latest commission is from St Paul’s Cathedral where four paintings are in an exhibition. During the remainder of the day in the village hall, Peter explained and demonstrated his particular technique in painting with water colours and then guided students and staff alike as they tried their hand in creating paintings from his large selection of photographs, top right L6 Alex Hunt’s watercolour replication of a seal. Everyone had an enjoyable and successful day returning home with an individually signed print from the artist.
30 students from Years 10-U6 recently attended a workshop on the problems caused by HIV in Brazil. The session was led by Ester Lisboa, a social worker with the organization Koinonia, who works at the front line of promoting education and combating the prejudice and social problems caused by AIDS. The students watched a short video on how the virus attacks the body and how it may be treated, followed by a discussion via an interpreter on what Ester’s organization is doing to try and stop the escalation of cases of AIDS in her home country. The students asked some excellent questions and all left with a good understanding of why it is so important to prevent the spread of this incurable viral disease.
Readathon 2010
National Judo: Dan strikes gold yet again! Daniel Powell 8W participated in the National Judo Championships in Sheffield 9-10 October. He was in the U15 age group and won 5 fights against boys from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland achieving a gold medal and retaining his place on the British Judo Squad, as well as maintaining his No1 ranking in the UK. This is Daniel’s 4th national gold over the past 4 years. Daniel trains hard 3-4 times a week whilst continuing to study and keeps a dream alive of representing his country at the highest level. Well done indeed!
Head of Art, Emma Neville is delighted to announce that three U6 students Janaro Robinson, Clara Heathcock and Duncan Poulton have been successfully shortlisted for an Open Visual Arts Competition organised by B’ham City Council. The artwork submitted was based on the theme: Birmingham Our City of Culture, and will form part of an exhibition that opens this week. In order to promote the event, the work is displayed in public spaces, on a bus shelter and billboard located in the city centre. Students will will receive a certificate and a prize at an Awards Ceremony on Thursday 21 October .
Well done to last year’s Yr 7-8 students who, sponsored to read books, raised £292.50 through a Readathon, organised by Suzi Porter. Students raised money for children with serious illnesses for the Roald Dahl Foundation & CLIC Sargent.
‘A Tomb with a View’ 17-18 November: A Sixth Form Production of a comedy ‘whodunit’ with the most murderous of outcomes. Tickets on sale now: £3 for students and Senior citizens, £5 for adults. Directed by Ben Woodvine U6
by Clara Heathcock U6
Sincere thanks to our Rugby Sponsors 2010-11 1st XV: Attain Travel 2nd XV: Webb Ellis & U14A: Clive Mark Schoolwear
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Swimming
Charlie Payne 8R competed at the ASA National Swimming Championships held at Sheffield in July in the 800 and 1500 meters freestyle events, also making it into the relay team in both 4x100 and 4x200. He also competed in the ASA Midland Open Water Championships in Leicester in the 1500 meters event, finishing as the fastest 12 yr old. Adam Kelly U6, Philip Hewitt L6 and Mohammed Ahmed 11B took part in the ASA Inter-County Gala in Sheffield on 17 October.
Rugby Round-up
Headteacher’s Newsletter Senior Cross–Country Success in Annual Pairs Race
A brilliant start to the season with Kieran Smith winning both Sutton Park league races in fast times. New runners to the senior team include Mike Hogg, Phil Griggs, Sam Lacey and Mark Poniatowski together with Harriette Watkins and Josephine O’Nyan. The combined team of Kieran, Ronan Davies, Josh Lacey and Peter Moss won the prestigious Pairs Race on the Keepers Pool course. In the Sutton Schools’ league for junior runners there have been victories for Alfie McBrien 9B, ably supported by runner up David James, Peter Davie, Callum Smith, Daniel Scott, William Sheffield and Luke Bennett. The Yr7 team has made a good start led by Daniel Richards, Stephen Lyncook, Chris Ellis and Raheel Hussain.
Hockey Hockey - The first team has made a good start to the season with convincing wins against Wolverhampton GS 9-0, Adams’ GS 5-1 and Warwick School 4-2. Notably captain Jack Kelly scored 4 against Adams’. The team are now starting to gel after an early season 22 draw with KES B’ham and a last minute defeat against Solihull 2-3.
The 2010-11 rugby season is under way with all teams starting the season well. The 1st XV have had good wins away to Northampton boys and John Cleveland College, before a massive 30-0 victory over KES Edgbaston in the U18 Daily Mail Cup. The 9-12 defeat to the mighty Ellesmere College was another memorable game. The 2nd XV & U16 have made an equally impressive start. U15A have distinguished themselves with 4 great wins including the Daily Mail Cup Rd3 victory over KES Edgbaston 20-5. Wins also against John Cleveland College 31-21, KES Aston 74-0 with some very fine performances, before succumbing to Ellesmere College 1222. U15B team is back in action by popular demand and defeated Ellesmere College last Saturday, as did U14A, U13A and U13B - all these teams making good progress as the season unfolds, playing quality rugby against strong opposition. U14A performance of the season so far came against KES Aston, a match in which Hussain Siddiqui scored 4 tries in a 73-0 victory. U14B also going well with a 40-0 victory over KES Aston. U12 rugby is developing well and despite early defeats the squad is galvanising into a formidable force to catch up with schools, having a head start via prep school rugby.
The tour of Lloret de Mar was a huge success, despite some indifferent weather. A great time was had by all the students. Special thanks to James Rostron and David Goodwin who stepped in to run the trip at short notice. Harry White represented Warwickshire U17, Matthew Heller Warwickshire U16 and Tom Homer Staffordshire U18. All attended regional trials as well. The 2nd XI recorded their first win of the season against Adams’ GS with Danny Knowles scoring the winning goal. The U15s started their season with a fantastic 4-3 win over KES Birmingham. A late goal from Will Backhouse sealed the much deserved result in our favour. There were some exceptional individual performances which bode well for the future. Drew Byrne & James Brown were the other scorers. Will Backhouse has been selected for the Midlands U16 squad and Navraj Degun has just attended an England training camp at Lilleshall. Congratulations to both of them.
Chess Sponsorship 2010 The generous donation from BVGS parent, Wayne Horkan has enabled Heather Hodkinson, Chess Team Manager, to purchase new boards and sets for use in tournaments and League matches, also funding the ‘Chess Team’ badge, currently in production, for all members of our teams which have increased to 3 this season.
BVGS History….in the making: Outdoor Rowing on Powells Pool
Published for BVGS by Sharon Weblin, Headteacher’s PA sw@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk. Printed by Jayne Joyce , BVGS Reprographics.