Headteacher’s Blog: 22nd June 2018

So it’s been Happy New Year at BHS this week. A new timetable, new teachers, new classrooms, new seating plans and, for some, new subjects but as I’ll be reminding students in assemblies next week, the same high standards! Mr Kennedy has taken the opportunity in assemblies this week to share with students that to be successful they need to have a growth mindset. If you’re not sure what he means, look at the following statements.

  1. We are born with predetermined intelligence. Agree or disagree?
  2. If you’re not good at something, you’ll never be good at it. Agree or disagree?

If you’ve agreed with both statements, you’ve got a fixed mindset. If you’ve disagreed, you’ve got a growth mindset. Students with a growth mindset are more likely to be successful.

Year 7, now Year 8, began their year in Art creating outsized chocolate bars from papier- mâché. Much skill was involved and Miss Rodgers is currently trying to work out where to install the artwork on completion.

On Thursday, twenty eight students from Roecliffe Church of England Primary School arrived at BHS for their Science Day entitled ‘Microbiology – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly’. Along with Mr Inglis, Miss Rayner and Mrs Hutchinson, they explored the wildlife area and carried out some pond sampling and leaf rubbing. Then, after experiencing presentations from current BHS STEM ambassadors, they carried out a mini research project which they can continue back in their own school. The day ended with students meeting Ember the snake! So a good time was had by all. This is the first in a series of events in our Primary School programme to enable younger students to experience learning at BHS.

Non-uniform day today is being held by the Student Council who will then ask students to vote on how this money can be best spent in order to benefit students and our school community.

Today also marked the final exam of the Summer 2018 exam session. Students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been exemplary in their approach to their exams. Thanks also go to Mrs Johnstone, our Exams Officer, for whom no student’s concern is too big or too small.

Following the return of the Bewerley Park party on Friday, on Monday the following e-mail popped into my Inbox. It was sent by the Headteacher of one of the primary schools who was at the centre at the same time as Team BHS. I thought I should share it as, parents and carers of the students who were on the trip, this belongs to you too.

Dear Miss Stephenson

I have just returned from Bewerley Park following our year 6 residential and would like you to pass on my compliments to your year 9 group and staff who were at the centre when we were there. The students were an absolute credit to you and the quality of the supervision by the staff and the positive relationships within the group were commented upon by all of my staff.

Please pass on my best wishes to all involved.

Have a good weekend and, if it’s your thing, enjoy the football!