Autumn Term – E-News 22.10.21 - Bowbrook House School

Attachments:

Testing Times:
I hope everyone can enjoy a safe and relaxing half term break. We ‘limped’ into half term with two members of staff testing positive and actually quite ill despite having been double jabbed. Cover lessons and extra duties put a strain on all staff and I am extremely grateful to their extra work, commitment and effort to keep things on track.

As an SLT I had sat down and considered with Mr Mills and Mrs Farr the possibility of closing for half term early if more staff had ‘succumbed’.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record; all pupils in years 7 -11 are asked to test and return results so that we can keep everyone safe. Rates are on the rise and there have been discussions at a National level around masks, bubbles and even rotation of year groups.

Staff remain vigilant. Again – I request parents stick to the testing regime. All pupils from 7-11 are requested to test again prior to returning to school.

Last week’s LFT returns:

Staff – 100%
Year 7 – 44%
Year 8 – 70%
Year 9 – 48%
Year 10 – 51%
Year 11 – 40%

These figures are calculated to take out the children that are not present.
Have a good half term everyone…be cautious. Wear your masks. Avoid crowds.

Half term Effort Grades:

Any pupil, regardless of their ‘ability’ can achieve maximum effort grades. Pupils were asked this week to reflect on how the first half term of the academic year has gone and to set some targets for next half term.

Have they represented the school at sport? Joined a club or activity? Been elected to school council? Spoken in assembly? Auditioned for Oliver? What have you done ‘extra’ this half term?

Pluses and Smiley Face Leaders at Half Term:

It is a pleasure to be able to commend the following pupils for being ‘top’ at the half term stage:

Prep School:

N – Clancy – 78 smiley faces.
R – Pippa – 99
I1 – Amelia – 90
I2 – Sumer – 87
J3 – Jack – 87
J4 – Ayla – 72 smiley faces.
Year 5: Beatrice H: 56 pluses or House points.
Year 6: Toby, Zoe and Grace: All on 30 pluses.

Middles and Seniors’ half term leaders:

Year7: Amelia: 73 pluses
Year 8: Mustafa: 70
Year 9: Vanessa: 67
Year 10: Maisie-Ann: 70
Year 11: Isla: 58 pluses.

Average Pluses:

The ‘average across Years 5 – 11 was 29+. Were you above average or below average? Remember pluses can be given for outstanding work, effort, sport, choir, kindness, thoughtfulness… If you are below the average – what are you actively going to do about it next half term to make a difference?

House Totals at Half Term:

Blenheim: 1188. Hastings: 1109. Trafalgar: 1043. Waterloo: 1142.

Parents’ Committee:

The Parents’ Committee is aiming for a fresh start. Without parents, the committee is unable to provide exciting, additional activities and events for our children. If you are interested in joining the group, please consider attending the first of our annual meetings at school on Friday 5th November 2021, 3.30pm

Worcester Foodbank Flyer:

Also attached is a flyer for ’half term holiday task’ to create a foodbank parcel for Worcester’s homeless. WE have had a really good take up in the past and it would be nice again this year to make a sizeable donation. Thank you.

In other News:
News from the Prep School

Another action-packed week…

Year 3 visited the Think Tank in Birmingham on Monday, 5NS led our assembly on Thursday and we ended the week with another fabulous Curriculum Alive Day on Friday. This time the pupils emersed themselves in a wide variety of STEM activities, ranging from, Rocket Mice, Building Bridges to exploring Under the Ocean.

Our Star Pupils for the week are:

N – Roux, for joining in with all activities.
R – Pippa Jo, for always being kind to her friends.
I1 – Ariel, for being a good friend and thinking of others.
I2 – Harrison, for doing super ‘settings’ writing.
J3 – Louis, for for working super hard all week.
J4 – Harper, for always trying her best.
5NS – Florence, for not giving up and trying her best.
5KT/SW – Tai, for improved presentation and excellent manners.
6SR – Molly, for lovely English work and overall presentation.

Following on from last weeks ‘Thought for the week’ on Dyspraxia:

Toby in Year 6 wrote to Ms Govin on what he finds a challenge having Dyspraxia.

My name is Toby and I have just started Year 6. I found out that I had Dyspraxia last year at my old school. Most of the time you can’t see my Dyspraxia even though I find a lot of things tricky. Sometimes it makes me feel sad because other people have really neat handwriting and it doesn’t matter how hard I try but mine always looks scruffy. I even find using scissors quite difficult. I find little things like doing up my buttons on my shirt and tying my shoelaces hard! I feel like I am always asking the teachers for help. Luckily at Bowbrook all the teachers are willing to help me. At my last school there were so many children I found it hard to concentrate and I get easily distracted. With my Dyspraxia I shouldn’t be good at sport but luckily, I am good at rugby so it makes me happy I’m good at something.

Well written young man.

Congratulations everyone and have a lovely half term holiday.
Mrs. Ridge

PE Department News.

Fixture and results

U15 Rugby V Bedstone College – Won 24-5

The U15 team made the long journey to Bedstone on Wednesday but it was certainly worth it. Most of the boys had been playing U16 matches and had some tough times! But with a majority year 10 side with some years 9’s included, this was a really positive show and a good team performance. The first half was a great display of controlled rugby with the forwards keeping the ball safe and setting a platform for the ball to be played wide. Eoin scoring 3 tries from the wing demonstrates the movement of the ball out wide as well as his excellent finishing skills. Troy scored a long range effort from outside centre, beating multiple defenders along the way. James C from year 9 steered the ship well at 10 and made 2 conversions to complete the total. The second half was a bit disjointed. The point’s difference change the psyche and Bowbrook’s game plan slipped a little, with individuals searching for tries and we weren’t able to control the ball quite so well. Bedstone took advantage to score. Flynn made a last ditch, try-saving tackle to ensure the opposition were limited to a single try just at the end .

In all a great game and lots of really positive performances – too many to name! Well done, there was some excellent progress on show.

U19 Mixed Hockey V Holy Redeemer

On Monday 18^th October Bowbrook played Holy Redeemer in U9 mixe87d Hockey. The weather was rainy and windy but the team was in high spirits. The team was ready and in their correct positions; Ayla, Julia & harper were forward players, Jona, Cameron and Sebastian in the middle leaving Rosalie and Luke as defenders. An early goal from Bowbrook was brilliant to watch and by the end of the first quarter it was 1-0 to Bowbrook. The team worked well and each knew which position they were playing in; at times they needed to be reminded about shooting in the “D” but overall, everyone played extremely well. A second goal came in the 3^rd quarter making the score 2-0 to Bowbrook. After a well fought match the final whistle blew and every player was soaked but happy to have played a competitive match.

ISA Senior Swimming

Congratulations to Josh W. in year 10 who came 2^nd and 3^rd respectively in Backstroke and Butterfly at the ISA swimming. This is a fantastic result for him in what was the strongest display of competitors we have seen for a while given the restricted numbers at the pool and many schools only bringing club swimmers. He also recorded the 5^th fastest freestyle time in his age group. In all cases he came so close to national qualification with the first in each event qualifying and the 4 fastest freestylers making the national relay team. He is effectively first reserve for the backstroke and freestyle relay team for the national event at the London Olympic Park pool.

Any student in the event who wants confirmation of time and position can see Mr Mills who will share.

U12 Hockey V Holy Redeemer –Won 6-1

What a fantastic match! All the girls played brilliantly in wet windy conditions at Kingham Hill School. Bowbrook got off to an early lead when a penalty pass was awarded to Bowbrook. Amelia made a powerful accurate pass to Chloe who made her way in the D to score. Erin worked well in defence with Zoe but let one slip past them 10 mins in. The girls kept at it and in the last few seconds of the second half, Lottie scored.

The second half saw a flurry of goals in the first 10 minutes. Isabella’s work rate in mid field was exceptional working to get the ball up to the forwards and out to Felicity who was using the space out on the wing. Chloe and Lottie both scored again. So Bowbrook were now leading 4-1. They did start to tire a little and with no substitutes, they all dug deep. Then in the last five minutes, they all came alive and with some great team play down the pitch, Amelia Speers finished scoring two more goals in quick succession!

An awesome game girls and a very well deserved victory. Final score 6-1 to Bowbrook

Next Week’s Fixtures:

Students should check the PE notice board to see if they are involved in fixtures.

Thursday ISA Junior Swimming – Walsall Gala Baths Away