The Burton Borough Introduction Headteacher s Newsletter April 2009 In January, our Deputy Head, Glyn Devey, informed us that he would be moving on to the next stage of his career (which involved spending far more time with his grandchildren) at the end of the school year. Glyn joined us from Abraham Darby in 2006. During the last three years Glyn has led the considerable development of our curriculum, particularly in Y10 and Y11. There is now something suitable for each and every student. Many students are already benefiting from these developments, and on behalf of everyone at Burton Borough I would like to thank Glyn for his hard work. Glyn leaves us in July. By giving us such advanced notice, Glyn has enabled us to already appoint his successor. Following a recent two day interview involving staff (both teachers and support), the Local Authority, Governors and students, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Rachael Brown as our new Deputy Head from September. Currently, Rachael is Head of Performing and Expressive Arts/Media Faculty and Director of Specialism at the Folkestone Academy, Kent. During the two days Rachael impressed everyone by her vision, and determination to help everyone in the school during the journey towards this. Rachael has asked me to pass on how much she is looking forward to meeting and working with everyone in September. I am sure you will all remember the first time you meet her! September is, however, some time away. There has been much going on at Burton Borough recently, and much to look forward to next term. I hope you enjoy reading the rest of this newsletter. Best wishes for a good Easter break. Dave Hill (Headteacher) April 2009 In This Issue: Internet Safety Homework Club May Ball Easter Holiday Activities DOT Day Year 11 Red Nose Day The Big Read System Redesign Holiday Dates Ladies Indulgence Evening Young Storyteller of the Year Hope House Father s Day Fun Run Dates for your Diary Internet Safety - Cyber Sentinel Software Following the comments in the last Headteachers Newsletter about internet safety, I am pleased to announce that the free e-safety product Cyber Sentinel is now available to all parents of children of school age in Telford & Wrekin. We will be holding an evening on Tuesday 28th April during which we will show how this software works, and distribute the copies to all who attend.
Homework Club No access to ICT at home? Need a quiet place to study? A reminder that the LRC is available until 4.30 p.m each night (except Fridays) May Ball You will all know of the success of our school Bands, and their forthcoming trip to Holland to take part in the World Band Festival. Various fund raising events have already taken place, and the next opportunity to support us is on May 1st by coming to the May Ball. The Friends of the Burton Borough School Bands would like to invite you to our MAY BALL For a fantastic night s entertainment with the famous Burton Borough Big Band and disco You can dance the night away on Friday May 1 st 2009 25.00 a ticket to include a 3 course meal and entertainment at The Burton Borough School Hall 7.30 for 8.00pm Carriages at 12.00pm Tickets can be purchased from the Burton Borough School 01952 386500 / 01952 386543 All proceeds go towards the band trip to Holland to take part in the World Band Festival Page 2 Headteacher s Newsletter 2
Easter Holiday Activities After a recent break, we are delighted to announce the return of holiday activities at Burton Borough. Activities during Easter include Golf, Fencing, Karate, Dance & Drama and cost 3.00 per session will take place on Monday 6th Wednesday 8th April. Please contact Ann Matthews on 01952 386500 or email Ann at ann.matthews@taw.org.uk for further details and Booking Form. Easter Activities at Burton Borough Drama / Dance Enjoy performing? Join the workshops and develop some drama/ dance and perform to an audience on the last afternoon Monday Wednesday afternoons 6 th 8 th April Cost: 3.00 per session Karate Participate in this demanding sport and learn new skills Golf Have a try at this sport improve your chipping, putting and driving skills clubs will be provided but bring your own if you have them Fencing Try something different improve your balance and aim all kit is provided April Page 3 3
March 12th saw the second of this years DOT days. As always, a very wide range of visits and activities took place. Y10 took part in an Enterprise Day during which students worked in teams to solve some very practical problems. In their evaluation 96% of students rated the day as good or very good. Many positive comments were received along the lines of I thought it was fun and we all learnt a lot and typical of teenagers I thought it was going to be boring, but actually I really enjoyed it. Reflecting the fact the Y11 are just a few weeks away from leaving Burton Borough, the entire year group was taken to AFC Telford/Whitehouse Hotel for a Conference entitled Your Future. With support from many from local businesses, all students undertook a mock interview alongside many other activities. This day was a roaring success with, once again, many positive comments from students. 4
Your Future was supported by local companies such as RICOH who came along and carried out mock interviews. Advice was on hand from Telford, Stafford and TCAT College Year 11 Although you may have very clear memories of your first day at Burton Borough, there are only a few weeks left. When you return after Easter there are just 5 weeks until half term, and by then you will be about half way through your GCSE exams themselves! This really emphasises how important the Easter holidays are for that final push on revision. If you don t make the most of this holiday, there will simply not be an opportunity to catch up later. Its now or never. It really is worth working hard, as there is much to look forward to after your exams. Most of all is, of course, the School Prom which takes place on Friday 26th June at Lilleshall Hall. This years GCSE results are published later than in recent years, and will be available to be collected from the school after 10.00 a.m. on Thursday 27th August. Red Nose Day Following your excellent support, a total of 485 was raised. Well done!! 5
The Big Read Takes place between 20-24 24 April in our LRC SYSTEM REDESIGN This is an exciting time within the education world. Many new courses are now available for students in Y10 and Y11. Y9 SATS have (thankfully) been abandoned, ICT is opening up many opportunities, many schools are developing exciting ideas with Pastoral structures, and schools are becoming far more in touch with what students want in the same way that businesses know what their customers want. These developments are coming together in what is known as System Redesign. If you would like to know more why not find a spare 30 minutes and watch the video that can be found at <www.teachers.tv/video/25055>. BSF is just around the corner (the Outline Business Case has just been agreed by the Government) so now is the time for us to think very deeply about the school we wish to be in the future. Key Holiday Dates A reminder of key dates: Thursday 2nd April Break up for Easter (finish 3.30) Monday 20th April First Day Summer Term Monday 4th May May Day Bank Holiday Friday 22nd May Break up for Half Term (finish 3.30) Monday 1st June Return after Half Term Friday 17th July Break up for Summer (finish 12.30) Tuesday 8th September First Day Autumn Term Depending on who is reading this, you will view this year s 7 week Summer holiday as a real bonus or a problem! School Dates: A full list of key dates is attached as a separate sheet, so that you can pin this to a notice board at home. 6
Ladies Indulgence Evening Thursday May 7th @ 7.00 p.m At The Royal Victoria Hotel The Royal Victoria Hotel and Bargain Booze are sponsoring a Ladies Indulgence Evening to raise funds for the 2009 Newport Carnival. Come along and indulge yourself: Pamper Time at the Royal Victoria Hotel Manicures, Pedicures, Reiki Therapist, HK Therapist, Daisy Chain Accessories, Jewellery, Phoenix Cards, Funky Flipflops, Osbourne Books, Reflexologist, Hair & Beauty @ Fusion, Indian Head Massage, Hair & Beauty @ Boughey House, Studio 6a, Pampered Chef, Fat Fairy Cards, Haven Holistics, Serenity Health & Beauty and many more. Tickets available from Fusion, Twigs Florists & Boughey House 3 Entry or call Lorraine on 276946 Young Storyteller of the Year On Saturday 7th March, students David Collier and Alex Enmarch represented Burton Borough School in the Young Storyteller of the Year Award 2009 on the stage of Birmingham s Library Theatre, in front of an audience of over 100 people. We are very proud of them and both will receive Certificates of Participation from Young Tongues Young Storytellers Projects and the Traditional Arts Foundation. Fathers s Day Fun Run and Walk Take your Dad out for a special treat this Father s Day and challenge him to a two mile run at the same time. Hope House Children s Hospices is asking people to sign up for a sponsored walk or run in Telford on Sunday June 21. The event starts at 11.00 a.m, at the start of the Hollinswood Family Fun Day. For more information and to register, please call Rachel Thomas on 01691 671671 or email Rachel.thomas@hopehouse.org.uk Page 7 Headteacher s Newsletter 7
Dates For Your Diary April 2nd Yr 7 ROAs home 3rd PD Day 6-17 Easter Holiday 30 KS4 Celebration Evening May 4th Bank Holiday 7th Yr 7 Parent s Evening 5 pm 15th Mufti Day 22nd Yr 10 Monitoring Home 25-29 Half Term June 16th Sports Day 17th KS3 Celebration Evening 26th Yr 11 Prom July 2nd New Intake (Day Yr 6) -Parents Induction Evening 3rd New Intake Day (Year 6) 6-17 Yr 10 Work Experience 8th Yr 8 Parents Evening - 5 pm 10th Yr 9 ROAs home DOT Day 13th Summer Concert 17th End of Term The Burton Borough School Audley Avenue Newport Shropshire TF10 7DS Phone: 01952 386500 Fax: 01952 386530 E-mail: burton.borough@taw.org.uk April Page 8 8