G. Kaur in Year 9 produced this stunning work to memorialise the Holocaust.

The bottom half of the painting is Hitler and the Nazis segregating and isolating Jews, like how they were held in ghettos, concentration camps, and sent to death camps. That half shows a background that is dark as it conveys the negativity and chaos that the Nazis were bringing upon those they considered 'undesirable'. The top half represents these groups being liberated by the allied troops, and the background is lighter to represent the good and positivity that liberation bought, it shows that these groups had been freed. These groups are represented by the birds, who are imprisoned and confined by the barbed wire. But then, birds can symbolise hope and freedom as they are liberated. 

Barr Beacon School pupils have marked Holocaust Memorial Day this week.

Students who have studied under the guidance of the Holocaust Memorial Trust have led assemblies for all year groups each morning this week sharing information about this significant event so that we can honour the day. 
In addition, students of A-Level History and Philosophy & Ethics attended a lecture; a testimony from Eva Clarke BEM hosted by the Holocaust Memorial Trust. 

Our pupils have found the opportunity to engage with the lecture both informative and moving as they reflected on Eva’s journey and experience. 

We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by our pupils, staff and families in contributing to Santa’s Black Country Toy Appeal – the charity that the school has chosen to support this Christmas.The whole school community have been collecting a range of items (stationery, toiletries, clothes, footwear, toys, books and sweet treats) to donate to local children and young people in time for Christmas.  This has been a great team effort led by our Year 13 Charity and Events Managers. Thank you to everyone for their contributions towards this great cause. 

Special thanks to the brother of Darby M (Year 12)  who made a generous donation of 8 pairs of football boots and 16 leather mini-footballs.  The donation has been gratefully received by the school and passed onto the Black Country Toy Appeal.

Thank you and well done to our Year 13 Ambassadors (Sophia A, Olivia M, Francesca G, Isabel F, Aisha H, Sapriya B, Harvey L, Anil M, Jhanae H and Divya P) for packing all donations into boxes, ready for collection.

Lord Mayor’s Quiz - Thursday 25^th November 2021

The Lord Mayor’s Sixth Form Mega Quiz returned on Thursday 25^th November. This year, we were delighted the event could go ahead in person at the magnificent Great Hall of the University of Birmingham.  A group of 6 of our brightest quizzers in Year 12 faced fierce competition from other local Sixth Formers, but represented the school admirably, finishing 15^th.    This annual event raises money for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal and Barr Beacon School was proud to have taken apart once again.

Quiz Team: Makara M, Shivani P, Poppy H, Daniel H, Dilraaj K and Mazin E.

On Sunday 14^th November 2021, our Head Girl Abbie and Head Boy Jack proudly represented the school at Aldridge Remembrance Service.  They joined in the parade (led by the Band of Squadron 425 Air Training Corps and the Royal British Legion) before laying a wreath, on behalf of Barr Beacon School, at the War Memorial. 

Get involved in our 30-day non-fiction reading challenge! 
Every day in November, we want Barr Beacon students to read a non-fiction text. The challenge calendar is below, and the rules are as follows:

• Complete every non-fiction challenge for a guaranteed prize!
• Complete 5+ non-fiction challenges to be entered into a prize draw
• All participants receive praise points and house points
• The form group with the most participants will receive a stack of magazines to enjoy together
• You can complete the challenges solo, with a friend, in form time – it’s up to you! Everyone needs to do the reading and complete the journal to qualify
• Hand your completed journal in to your form tutor or email a digital copy to readingchallenge@barrbeaconschool.co.uk to receive house points and your prize
• Deadline: December 13th 2021

• Day 1 - 26 Climate Activists - National Geographic
• Day 2 - Johnson apologises after minister who uses wheelchair denied entry to Cop26 venue - The Guardian
• Day 5 - How can baking improve wellbeing? - Happiful
• Day 7 - Doctor Who: Could regeneration really be possible? - Science Focus
• Day 8 - Letter from Birmingham Jail
• Day 11 - I traced my surname through enslaved people in Jamaica to a grand house in Scotland 9 - inews
• Day 13 - Extract from Anne Frank's diary
• Day 16 - Extract from Adam Kay's book
• Day 17 - Extract from 'Becoming'
• Day 28 - Freedom or Death speech