Matrix’s first ever cross-trust pupil awards event, held at Millennium Point on 20^th April, was a fantastic success.

Pupils were recognised for exemplifying our trust values of creativity, resilience, selflessness, enthusiasm and continuous improvement. There were also awards for exemplary members of our Cadet Forces.

With more than 7000 pupils across our trust schools, it was really difficult to choose the 46 award winners. Those who did receive the awards should feel deservedly proud of their achievement.

The awards-giving was punctuated with several fantastic performances, including DJs from Barr Beacon, a piano virtuoso from Year 4 of Bloxwich Academy and Etone’s ‘Mega Band’. Before the event, we had over an hour of performances from pupils across our trust schools, all of who had been selected to perform after a trust-wide talent competition, which had more than 100 entrants.

The evening started with a video relating the story of our trust up until the end of 2022. Our CEO Ms Draycott then spoke about the two newest schools, Smestow Academy and Wednesfield Academy, who joined the Matrix family this year.

There was also a special video explaining ‘what a makes a Matrix pupil’, starring a teacher from each of our schools.

Here is what some of our parents and carers have said about the event:

“The awards ceremony was fantastic. It was great to see pupils getting their awards and the fantastic performances from across the Matrix Academy Trust schools.”

“It meant so much to see all the pupils being awarded for life skills rather than academic achievement. The head teachers giving a little speech about each pupil was a lovely touch and really personalised it.”

“Thank you for a wonderful evening.  It was very special to see everyone receiving their awards.”

“Thank you for a special evening celebrating the achievements of pupils.  We are especially proud of our daughter!”

“Tonight was simply amazing!” 

Ms Draycott and Director of School Improvement Mr Lowbridge-Ellis introduced each of the awards and our headteachers explained who they had chosen and why. Trustee Sir Mark Aspinall bestowed the awards on the worthy winners.

Congratulations to Year 8 pupil D.Siddque  for winning the chocolate hamper in our Easter Draw.  We hope he enjoyed consuming the contents!

Thank you to everyone who supported this Sixth Form Charity Event by entering the draw.  We raised £157 for our chosen charities:  Freedom From Torture and Promise Dreams.  

So far this year, we have raised a total of £615.07, through various charity events.  

Sixth Form students are busy organising the next one and we are looking forward to your support once again.

Year 11 pupils were visited by Jae Marple, a professional translator based in Brownhills. Jae, has done extensive work translating in the world of sport and tourism into English from French, Spanish and Portuguese including at the recent Qatar World Cup. Jae, a former pupil of Barr Beacon, visited the school and talked about his career as a professional translator. Pupils then had a go at translating an article Jae was commissioned to translate about the Moroccan football team. Pupils worked extremely well. Jae will continue to work with the school and has offered to mentor 6 pupils in the summer term. They will have to submit a translation to him before they do an online call with him to discuss the translation.  

On 23rd March, Year 11 had their second PSHE day. Pupils rotated between themes, half the year group learning about relationships and sex education including sessions about contraception provided by Umbrella, sessions on STIs provided by NHS nurses and a session from Walsall Street Teams about consent and healthy relationships. In addition to this, pupils learned about how to self-check for cancer and marriage and parenting. In the other rotation, pupils learned about ideas and beliefs around animal testing and abortion as well as the environment and wealth. There were also sessions on democracy and government, international law and human rights as well as personal finance, tax, investment and pensions.

We believe that preparation for life after school and personal development are essential to our pupils’ success and pupils have worked hard, discussing important issues and considering matters that they will have to make life decisions about in their futures.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our staff for their hard work and the outside agencies that joined us to make the day such a success.

Barr Beacon School has lots of exciting and fun activities to help raise money for this year’s Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day:   

From Monday 13^th March pupils can pre-order samosas from our 6^th Form House Captains who will be visiting all form groups every morning this week.  Samosas cost £1.  On Friday 17th March, during both breaktimes, all pre-ordered samosas can be collected from the iCentre or purchased in the Bistro. Cash payments only.  

On Monday 20^th March pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a ‘keepie uppie’ competition. This will take place during both breaktimes in the Sports Hall and will cost 50p. The top three winners will receive a prize.    

Pupils will also have the pleasure of watching Mr Townsend and Mr Brennan have their legs waxed live by our very own Head of Houses; Miss McGoldrick and Miss Busby. This will take place during both breaktimes in the Sports Hall and will cost 50p.  

And finally, all staff and pupils are welcome to wear their red noses on Friday 17^th March.   

All money raised will go directly to Comic Relief.    

Over the past two weeks, 15 of our Sixth Form students have successfully completed presentations as part of their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). An EPQ is a Level 3 qualification, equivalent to half a full A-Level, awarded to students who complete a particular type of research project, about a subject they are really interested in. It gives students a chance to show they can manage independent research and project management, which looks impressive to universities and employers.  

This year students have completed their projects on a range of interesting topics including: “Is solitary confinement conventional to today’s ethical and psychological standards of imprisonment?” “Would Birmingham, being a capital city, relieve London?” “The future of high-rise structures which included a 5ft model of the Burj Khalifa.”  

The presentation is an assessed part of the EPQ and is an excellent opportunity for students to not only practise their presentation skills, but also demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout their course such as: researching, referencing and developing and applying problem-solving skills. Mrs Cornwall, EPQ co-ordinator, was especially impressed by the high quality and standards of this year’s presentations.  Well done to all students who took part.