After weeks of preparation, Progress Exams for Years 10 and 11 started on Thursday. Our students have made an excellent start, very quickly getting into the routines and protocols of the exam hall. The timing of these exams enables both students and teachers to measure progress and is used by teachers to develop their planning to ensure that students’ knowledge gaps are filled and skills developed.
Supporting students through this time, Year 10 and 11 assemblies at the beginning of the week were delivered by the Wellbeing in Mind team focusing on strategies to support positive mental health during the exam period. There was also a further drop in session in the Dining Hall on Wednesday for students to have individual conversations with one of the Wellbeing in Mind team. Approaching the same theme with Years 7, 8 and 9, Mrs Bloomfield explored anxiety, looking at how a certain amount of stress can help us to perform, along with helpful strategies and understanding when and how to seek support.
Year 7 Science Club on Thursdays is now well underway with students creating methane bubbles last week and fire writing this week.
In sporting news, Mr. Field reports ‘The Year 9/10 boys football team made it to the final of the Harrogate & Craven Yr10 7- a -side football tournament yesterday evening. They progressed through the group stages with a draw against Queen Ethelburga’s, a 2-0 victory of the hosts St. John Fisher, a draw against Nidderdale and rounded the group matches off with a hard fought 1-0 win against Rossett. The final, against St Aidan’s proved a closely matched game with both sides having chances in front of goal. As the prospect of a penalty shootout loomed, St Aidan’s scored in the last minute of play to take the spoils. This proved to be the only goal the team conceded in the whole tournament which is testament to their resilience and efforts in attack.’ Congratulations to the team!
We had a very successful fundraising Friday last week for Children in Need raising £448.60 in total from your kind donations, the fidget toy sales, cake and sweet sales and other donations. Speaking of which, we had a productive first parent fundraising group meeting last week with lots of ideas to take forward. There’ll be opportunities to get involved in activities and events and, if you’d like to like to join the group, please e-mail schooladmin@boroughbridgehigh.com We also discussed raising the profile of BHS on social media. I’m always really pleased when parents and carers get in touch to share our students’ achievements outside of school. If there is something that your child has achieved that deserves recognition then please send it in and we’ll make sure that people know about it!
We had a further visit from our county adviser this week and received positive feedback. As we move towards the end of the month, I’ll be sending out my regular letter to update you on our progress towards our Ofsted priorities and beyond and will include further feedback from the visit.
A reminder that next week we’ve got a Professional Development Day on Wednesday 29th November when students do not attend school. Looking ahead there’s a couple of festive dates for your calendar. On Wednesday 6th December, the school’s Pop Choir have been invited to sing at the annual Christmas Tree Lights ‘Switch-On late-night shopping. They’ll be singing around the Christmas tree in Hall Square from 5.50-7p.m. We’ve then got our Music concert on Tuesday 12th December at 6p.m. We’ll look forward to seeing you at these events.
Have a lovely weekend!