Mr Atkinson's Friday Update 18.11.22

Dear Parents/Carers,

Since I last wrote to you, we have had some amazing achievements by our students in school. For example, the following students supported the school in applying for transforming status for the FfEE (the Framework for Exceptional Education) Well Being Award, Finn in Yr 12, Flo and Hadyia in Yr 11, Ethan, Saud, Georgia, Moeez, Hivin, James, Mabel from Yr 10, Phoebe in Yr 9 and finally Amelia in Yr 8.

The students were interviewed about school life and discussed topics including:

Religion
Race
Climate Change
Black History Month
Neurodiversity
PSHCE
RSE

It was amazing to hear the students speak with such passion, but also hear how they want to make further change and support others here in school. Thank you to Mrs Spicer (Assistant Headteacher) who pulled all this together.

This has also been seen in our assembly programme this week with four students leading assemblies on the Race Charter Mark and Body Image, which fell under the umbrella of Anti Bullying Week. These students were also supported behind the scenes by students who created the resources but did not want to be in front of the microphone, thus showing there is a role for all in the development of the school. Thank you to Ms Mdlongwa and Mrs Roberts for supporting the students with this.

In regard to the FfEE award for Well Being, the school has made giant strides over the past 4 years in this area from staff training to student support. However, it is not just about having someone to talk to, it is also about students speaking out and calling out injustice when they see it and through the aforementioned assemblies we have powerful role models to be inspired by....I truly believe our greatest asset in school are our students.

Cultural and Personal development Evenings

Also last week in support of well-being we had our first Cultural and Personal development evening, where we focused on how you as parents can support this at home. We also focused on homework and revision resources. We will be repeating this with all year groups this half term, please watch out for the invites from Mrs Spicer (AHT) and Mr Foster (AHT). However, if you want to get the dates in your diary now please see below:

Year 7 and 8 - 'How can Parents support their child with Maths and Reading at home' Tuesday 29th November 5:30pm- 6:15pm
Year 8 and 9 - 'Culture and Personal Development evening' Tuesday 6th December 5:30pm-6:15pm. Focus on Wellbeing and Revision techniques
Year 10 and 11 - ''Culture and Personal Development evening' Tuesday 13th December 5:30pm-6:15pm. Focus on Wellbeing and Revision techniques

Remembrance Sunday

Last weekend for Remembrance Sunday, Mr Mott (Geography Teacher and ex Merchant Navy) was joined by Emilia, Emma, Niyal, Archie and Indie-Rae from Yr 7 at the Remembrance Sunday event in Bingley. Thank you for representing the school at this important time, Mr Mott said your approach was mature and many people in the local community commended your involvement.

Musical Choreography Day

Further achievements over the past two weeks include the students who have taken part in the Choreography Day with the Drama and Music Department for the upcoming School Musical 'When I Grow Up'. As someone who started as a Performing Arts Teacher here at Bingley, it is awesome to see the cast of 34 studen

Extra-curricular Activities

And finally I would like to say thank you to all the staff that are making this happen, giving up their personal time at lunch or after school to run this enrichment and personal development and if you are wondering if it is too late to get signed up the answer is no! Please see the link below about all that can be done here at BGS:

https://www.bingleygrammar.org/students/clubs-and-societies/

https://www.bingleygrammar.org/students-learning/enrichment-personal-development-mats/

Thank you for your continued support,
Mr Atkinson