Autumn Term Newsletter Friday 9th September 2023
It has been a cracking start to the year and the timetable is running smoothly – so far! Hopefully we can have an equally busy and successful first full week back next week…
Start the Year off on the right foot!
A series of presentations and information dissemination from Mr Mills specific to your child’s year group on what to expect and when, reports, parents’ evenings, use of the Homework Diary and other ‘procedures’ around absences, communication. etc. Plus, a chance to meet your child’s Form Teacher:
Monday 11th:
Year 7 Information evening and Meet the Tutors. 4.00 – 5.00 School Hall
Tuesday 12th:
Year 11 * Especially important evening this one.
Information evening and Meet the Tutors. 4.00 – 5.00 School hall.
Wednesday 13th:
Years 8 & 9 Information evening and Meet the Tutors. 4.00 – 5.00 School hall.
Some Year 8’s may think we heard this last year as Year 7 … but it doesn’t hurt!
Thursday 14th:
Year 10 Information evening and Meet the Tutors. 4.00 – 5.00 School hall.
Admin Reminders from the Office:
Thank you to those who have already sent back these forms, but if you have not done so already, please check, amend if necessary, sign and return your Pupil Information Forms to the school office on Monday.
Care Plans and Medical Information forms for 2023-2024 should also be sent back to the office on Monday. It is important that we hold full and complete details of any medical conditions. If you have any queries or need help completing the forms, please speak to Mrs Hodgson in the school office as soon as possible.
Many thanks
School Admin
GCSE Results:
In case you missed our fantastic GCSE results this summer:
Bowbrook House School ‘Delighted’ with GCSE results. A reflection of the pupils’ hard work and resilience in trying circumstances. These results are amongst our best ever and are due to a collaborative effort between conscientious pupils and very dedicated staff. My congratulations to all of Year 11 leavers of 2023.
Many pupils and parents were nervous due to talk in the media of a ‘re-set’ of grades to 2019 levels. Well, they had no need to be nervous as this year group delivered results well above national norms and well above the pre pandemic levels, despite all the obstacles they have had to face.
What is very impressive, given the non-selective nature of the school’s cohort is that 12 out of 15 subjects on offer, including English language, achieved 100% pass rates at grade 4+. We are certainly well above our 2019 levels and are pleased for all the pupils.
STATS:
- Total GCSE passes at grade 4 and above 96%
- Total GCSE passes at grade 7+ 42% (this is 42% at A/A* equivilant!)
- 5 GCSEs inc Eng and Maths 94%
- 5 GCSEs at 4+ 97%
It was a wonderful morning with many parents choosing to stay for quite a while to celebrate not just their own child’s performance but to find out how friends had done. Many pupils and parents not wanting to leave! It is a reflection of a lovely year group who have worked hard and been incredibly supportive of each other and who have, along with their dedicated teachers, worked hard towards this well-deserved set of exam results.
Roll on the Class of 24!!
Charley and the Chocolate Factory!
Watch out for the official launch but it is Production year which means lots of hard work and excitement as we look forward to pulling out all the gobstoppers for our production of Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Audition schedules coming soon! Please keep the week of 5th February free!
Sailing?
Do we have any pupils who ‘sail’ to a good standard. The National; ISA event this year is to be held at Draycot Water and if we do have anyone of a suitable standard we would love to know. It is an event that we have won in the past with a student who sailed at club level in his own time.
(Boat hire is available at the event)
PE Department News. (Kit check list )
Welcome back to a new and exciting term with the prospect of some thrilling sporting fixtures and events!
For those who are used to our routines, this is a gentle reminder. To those who have not yet experienced school sport at Bowbrook, this may help inform you of routines and what to expect in terms of school sports fixtures and events.
The PE staff are always happy and willing to help but your first point of call for information should be your child. In PE we will clearly outline our expectations and routines so that they are fully aware and prepared. We have discussed with groups met (and will do so with further groups) the importance of keeping their kit tidy and organised, the need to have all items of sports clothing named and initialed and the types of activities they will be experiencing.
Fixtures occur on a weekly basis and we try to spread the age groups playing, as well as balance the impact on other subject areas as fairly as possible but are also dictated somewhat by our opposition.
Fixture lists will be posted a week in advance on the PE notice board outside of the school hall for students and parents to view. The E-News will contain information regarding results, next weeks’ fixtures, pick up times and all other relevant information.
If a pick up time differs from the end of the school day or a fixture is off school premises, we ask that parents give written permission prior to the day of the match so that a) we are confident parents are aware of the timings, and b) that we are informed in good time if an individual is unable to play so that alternative arrangements can be made.
We are acutely aware of the desire of some students to participate in school fixtures and it is at times difficult to make decisions in terms of team selections when considering the balance between inclusion and performance. Rest assured, we will make selections based solely on merit and will consider the needs of all. A huge majority of students from year 3 onwards represent the school over the course of a year, so if they are not selected for one match, there will be future opportunities. The first fixture of the term will commence next Wednesday with our U16 boys taking part in the ISA football competition.
We are very excited about the coming year as there is clearly a good deal of talent out there! If parents or students have any questions regarding PE or school sport, then please approach either Mr Swain, Miss Partridge, Mr Draper, or Miss Jones and they will be more than happy to have a discussion.
There is a kit list attached with a pictorial guide to understand what students should have for PE and Games lessons. Football boots is desirable for girls but there is no need to panic if girls don’t own their own pair.
Next Weeks Fixtures:
Students should check the PE notice board to see if they are involved in fixtures.
Wednesday 13th September ISA Midlands U16’s Football @ Highclaire
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