Barr Beacon School was proud to welcome back former pupil and England cricketer Chris Woakes for a special day celebrating cricket, inspiration, and community.

Returning to where his cricketing journey began, Chris spent time with staff and pupils discussing his career and offering pupils a unique insight into life at the highest level of the game. Chris joined pupils out on the field, taking part in training sessions, offering coaching tips and helping develop skills. Pupils also had the opportunity to have cricket gear signed, creating lasting memories for our aspiring young players.

The morning also highlighted Barr Beacon’s growing cricket success, with pupils showcasing the school’s involvement in the Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup, the national state-school cricket competition, with finals held at Lord’s. Chris’s visit provided extra inspiration for those representing the school in the competition.

In a generous gesture, Chris signed an England cricket shirt for the trust, which will be raffled to raise money for the trust charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. Watch this space to have a go.

The event attracted significant media attention, with Sky Sports, TalkSport and BBC Midlands Today on site to cover the story of Chris returning to his former school.

Chris’s visit was a proud moment for Barr Beacon, celebrating both a distinguished former pupil coming home and the bright future of cricket within the school.

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Throughout the day, all participating schools demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination and sportsmanship, contributing to a positive and inclusive atmosphere both on and off the court. It was particularly encouraging to see the continued growth of netball across the trust, including increased participation in mixed and boys’ netball, reflecting the sport’s expanding inclusivity.

The standard of play was consistently high, with many closely contested matches highlighting the talent and commitment of pupils from every school involved. While Etone College went on to secure the overall victory, the tournament was very much a collective success, celebrating the effort, enthusiasm and unity of all participants.

Thank you to every school, pupil and member of staff who took part and supported the event. Your contribution made the inaugural Matrix Netball Tournament a memorable occasion and a strong foundation for future trust-wide sporting events.

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We are incredibly proud to share that, through their efforts and the generous support of our community, pupils have raised over £1,300 for Papyrus, a national charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Every step taken and every donation made will contribute towards supporting young people and raising awareness of such an important cause. Thank you to all pupils, families and supporters who helped make this event so meaningful.

Our Trust fundraising total is now just a few hundred pounds from hitting £20,000.

#MiniLondonMarathon #Fundraising #SchoolCommunity #Papyrus #MentalHealthMatters #ActiveSchools

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Even if you don’t want to buy anything at 3:16 Cafe, you’re very welcome here. And the Wifi is free for all! 

The coffee shop forms the entrance to the church with the aim of giving our community’s young people a place to hang out in a friendly, welcoming space and, if you want to, there are games and other activities too.

It’s open on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.30am to 4.30pm and Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

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These awards highlight not only exceptional teaching and support, but also the positive relationships, teamwork and commitment that make Barr Beacon such a special place to learn and work. Every nomination (203 in total) reflected the high standards and care our staff bring to their roles, and we are grateful to everyone who continues to go above and beyond.

We are delighted to congratulate this terms winners:

Oscar Awards Ceremony  

Faculty Members of the Term
H Cusworth, M Bagshaw, R Ahua, R Juss, L Otten, C Ashley, K Thompson, V Askew

Support Staff Member of the Term
J Wallace

Unsung Hero Award
V Aswat

Above & Beyond Award
S Bey

Positive Energy Award
M Harris

Most Supportive Colleague
S Kaur

Team Player Award
S Wild

School Values Ambassador Award
J Brocklebank

Corridor Presence Award
L Rennison

The Calm in the Storm Award
R Llewellyn and H Fullard

Making a Difference Everyday

E Steel

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The event kicked off with a fun “Guess the Chocolate” round, followed by the amusing “Taller Than Ball” challenge, which had staff laughing as they compared height of random objects with the 5ft 6 inch Mr Ball!  One of the highlights of the event was the music round, brilliantly delivered by the Mc Lauries, which proved a hit with everyone involved.

Competition was fierce throughout the event, with teams battling it out across a range of creative rounds. In a closely contested finish, Mr Watson triumphed in the “Come Fly With Me” paper aeroplane challenge, narrowly beating Mr Dawes.

The quiz was a great success, bringing staff together for fun and laughter

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The staff room now includes a new microwave and kettle, making it easier for staff to prepare meals and hot drinks.

A new book exchange has also been introduced in the staff room area, offering staff the opportunity to share and borrow books. This initiative encourages staff to take time for themselves and enjoy a quiet moment of reading during their lunch breaks. Staff have already responded positively to the changes, highlighting “how quick their lunch now heats up ! “

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The menu included fresh fruit, yoghurt, and a variety of hot sausage sandwiches, alongside freshly baked chocolate croissants that proved especially popular. The combination of healthy options and comforting treats created a balanced and enjoyable start to the day.

We would like to thank all out staff for the hard work and dedication shown throughout the term.

Testimonial “Events like this aim to boost morale, encourage a positive working environment, and give staff a well-deserved moment to pause before the Easter break.” A Sidhu

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We also have student attending the Buckingham Palace Garden Parties this year to collect their Gold Awards.

Please remember your child must complete all sections of the DofE to get their award not just the expedition.  Please check their eDofE account to see what they have left to complete.

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