This week is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week – On Friday 13^th June, our Sixth Form were encouraged to wear blue to show their support and raise awareness of Men’s Mental Health. 

On Tuesday our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh pupils had their first taste of navigation in the real world.  Our brilliant Year 12 Gold Duke of Edinburgh students spent time coaching them on orientating their maps, using a compass, understanding handrails and tick features and working together as a team.  Miss Clarke was so proud to see the Year 12 pupils leading the way and training the next generation of Gold Participants.

We were proud to see our school community come together to raise money for our Matrix-wide charity: Birmingham Children's Hospital. Year 7 walked a mile for our community charity, Year 8 took part in a Just Dance Dancethon, Year 9 took part in a penalty shoot out and Year 10 competed to shoot the hoop. All forms also generously collected coins in their form coin jar for Birmingham Children's Hospital. Our final events are on 30^th June and 1^st July when a group of pupils who have applied to walk their House hills will raise the final contribution from our school. We thank the team who made this happen including Heads of House and Year 12 volunteers.

Kooth have live-streamed webinars cover a variety of important topics, including transitioning to secondary school, support for carers, addressing loneliness, fostering healthy relationships, and promoting online and smartphone safety for young people. Sessions are available on various dates from June through September.
Have a look HERE

We are delighted to announce that Barr Beacon Secondary School will be celebrating Thank a Teacher Day on Wednesday 18th June. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the dedication and hard work of our teaching staff, who inspire, support, and shape the futures of our students every day.

We would love for you to join us in expressing gratitude and encouragement to our teachers. Whether it’s a simple thank-you, a message of appreciation, or a heartfelt story about a teacher who has made a difference, your words mean so much.

To make sharing your messages easy, we have created a Microsoft Form: https://forms.office.com/e/LtyU6kS4yc

This week has been volunteering week and at Barr Beacon School this is something we feel passionately about.  

Our Sixth Form students give up their time to support extra-curricular activities and support in lessons.  This gives them valuable skills to support them in their future.  We are also very proud of our Duke of Edinburgh pupils who give time in their local communities volunteering as part of the award.  The contributions they make help to support with improving our local environment, helping elderly neighbours and participating in youth groups.  Well done to all volunteers.

We are thrilled to share the inspiring experience our talented Key Stage 3 pupils recently enjoyed at the Barr Beacon War Memorial during the 80th anniversary celebration of VE Day. Our school was honoured to be one of only three schools invited to participate in this significant event.

In the lead-up to the celebration, our pupils were given a special creative challenge: to design a piece of artwork commemorating VE Day. Rising to the occasion, our Year 8 and Year 9 artists collaborated to create a stunning patchwork quilt-inspired artwork. Through independent research and passionate dedication, they produced a beautiful tribute that captured the spirit and history of this important day.

The event was attended by council members, veterans, and distinguished guests. Our pupils respectfully observed the two-minute silence and listened attentively to moving speeches from organisers and veterans alike. A highlight of the day was when Gracie Jones was honoured to hoist the flag as the National Anthem played, marking the formal close of the ceremony.

Following the official proceedings, the atmosphere became more relaxed and joyful. Pupils enjoyed a delightful picnic and engaged in traditional games popular during the wartime era. They also explored a display of authentic World War II vehicles, including Land Rovers and Jeeps, while listening to captivating stories shared by veterans and guests.

Despite the chilly weather, our pupils displayed exceptional behaviour and were outstanding ambassadors for Barr Beacon. This unforgettable experience offered a meaningful connection to history and a celebration of courage, community, and remembrance.