This week Barr Beacon students will be participating in the Diana Award national campaign “#Don’t face it alone”. This is to remind our students of the importance of speaking up about bullying behaviours and to show our students that they are not alone and how to access help.
Yesterday Year 8 Pupils arrived in Fulda. They had a morning learning about the history of the town. Follow us on Social Media for further updates.
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer their students, learners and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.
On Sunday 19th June and Monday 20th June, a group of Year 8 and Year 9 pupils will be boarding planes to Spain and Germany as part of the Turing Scheme international exchanges.
Across Matrix Academy Trust, 100 pupils will have the chance to take part in two projects: one to Fulda, Germany and one to Barcelona, Spain. This opportunity is fully funded by the Turing Scheme, the UK’s scheme to encourage young people to travel overseas as part of their education.
The pupils are very excited about their travels – follow our school social channels to keep up-to-date with what they’re up to.
The itineraries for both projects are below – as you can see, both trips will be an action-packed week with the chance for pupils to fully immerse themselves in everything Germany and Spain have to offer.
On Wednesday 1st December 10 pupils from Year 8 and a further 10 pupils from Year 9 will learn that they have been successful candidates for the Turing Scheme.Across the Matrix Academy Trust 100 pupils will have the chance to take part in two projects: one to Fulda, Germany and one to Ronda, Spain. For these lucky pupils it will be a life changing opportunity with so much to discover, learn and explore.All schools in the trust have reported exceptional uptake of this opportunity, showing just how keen Matrix pupils are to learn about the world around them!
Will you be one of 10 Year 8s selected to travel to Germany? Or 10 Year 9s selected to travel to Spain?
Click these links to take you to the letter and application forms!
Matrix Turing Scheme letter: https://bit.ly/3mZEE7J
Pupil Application Form: https://bit.ly/3ojiMn4
Send your application to eonions@barrbeaconschool.co.uk (GERMAN) or mlarvan@barrbeaconschool.co.uk (SPAIN) in person or electronically by 19th November 2021.
The Year 7 University Tour continued on Tuesday with a visit to Birmingham City University. Pupils met current students and professors and enjoyed a tour of the City Centre and Arts Campuses. We visited modern and airy learning spaces, 360 degree lecture halls, the library, cafes and we got a sneak peek at an art exhibition. As well as getting a feel for the university, pupils learnt about the benefits of higher education and created their own university society. Ideas included an Industrial Building Society, Games Club, a Food Society and a Nerf Gun Society. Some of these ideas were very similar to real university societies; for example we learnt that many universities have their own Quidditch teams which compete against each other.
Induction Evening is taking place on Tuesday 5th July 2022 starting at 6.00pm. In advance of the Parent Induction Evening please complete the 3 Essential Information Forms available here. Please note that the meeting is for parents only.
Induction Day will be held on Wednesday 6th July 2022. Pupils must arrive by 8.30am and will depart at 2.30pm. Parents will receive a letter with further information.
In April, 14 students successfully auditioned to be a part of our Dance Performance Team.
On Wednesday 8th June, our performance team attended the Black Country Dance Festival. The event was held at Walsall Arena and focused on bringing a range of students from across the West Midlands together through Dance.
This was the first opportunity our students had to perform together in front of a live audience and many shared their nerves before taking to the stage.
The students put on an excellent performance of ‘You Will Be Found’ from the musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. At the end of their performance, members of the audience approached our dance teacher to commend the high level of technique our dancers portrayed.
We are incredibly proud of their achievement and can not wait to watch them perform again in our Dance Spectacular! on Thursday 16th June. This event will take place at Barr Beacon School and students/parents are now able to purchase their tickets through WisePay.
Well Done to our dancers:
H.Venner 7B1
E. Smith 8M1
E. Gabbitas 8M1
I. Stokes 8M1
A. Griffiths 8M1
K.Mallon 8W1
K. Ord 9C1
K. O’Connor 9C1
A. Selby 9C1
A.Mahon 10W3
K.Bromwich 10M1
M.Riley 10M1
R.Woodhall 10M1
E.Sammons 10W2
Nearly 200 pupils, staff, family and friends filled the Main School Hall to watch Beacon’s Got Talent on Wednesday 25th May. The evening was a huge success with 10 different acts singing, acting and dancing to entertain the audience. The evening was also special for two of our wonderful Year 13 students who hosted the event, bringing their 7 years of media support to Barr Beacon to an end – we wish Will and Jack the best as they continue with their studies. The evening finished with the announcement of our winner Raaj S 8W3 who performed again for the audience, entertaining them with his energetic Bhangra dancing.
Year 7 pupils visited Staffordshire University for a taster day to learn more about the benefits of higher education. The day started with pupils meeting university students studying a range of interesting courses, from psychology and photography to E-sports and gaming.
Pupils then had a tour of the whole university. We visited libraries, learning hubs, accommodation, sports centres and lecture theatres. In the afternoon, pupils were tasked with designing their own Superhero Student. Ideas included supersonic ears to hear lectures clearly, cloaks to help them fly across the vast campus and even an LGBTQ+ hero, spreading happiness and awareness of Pride Month with rainbow lasers.
Two of our keen Key Stage 3 linguists entered Oxford University’s Anthea Bell Translation competition, which this year focusses on translation of poetry. Translators are encouraged to be creative with their English to maintain the rhyme and rhythm of the original piece. Congratulations to Alexandra (Year 7 German) and Lillith (Year 8 French) who sent off as our school entries to the regional competition.
Congratulations to Alexandra of 7C1 who was the Midlands runner up in a German translation competition run by Oxford University!
Alexandra’s prize winning translation can be seen below.
Wind and weather – Rhymed
It rains, it showered,
A fish, I encountered,
It writhes, it is dodging,
Who can’t find his way back to its lodging
It snows, it snows,
The Christmas tree stands ready to go,
It is glaciating,
Someone should be busy decorating.
It gets dark, it is dimmed,
A small aeroplane glistened,
It flies, it flies,
And knows where Oslo lies.
It thaws, it is proud,
The weather today is loud,
It roars, it roars,
I too am perplexed.
It airs, it airs,
The meadow humms and smells,
It sprouts, it sprouts,
Who has a cold, sneezes.
There is lightning, it flashes,
A sparrow reflects and sits,
It drips, it trickles,
Its heart and mine beats.
Year 13 marked the start of their Study Leave with a farewell assembly that took place on Friday 20th May.
A montage of photographs took the students on a trip down Memory Lane, reminding them of the journey they have been on with us.
We wish them all the very best of luck for their examinations and we are looking forward to celebrating with them on Results Day.
Congratulations to the new Student Leadership Team on their successful appointments. We are very much looking forward to working with you over the next twelve months. Interviews for the other lead roles are underway – it is always exciting to see the new ideas that are brought to the table.
A message from our Senior Five
We are both truly honoured to have the opportunity to represent Barr Beacon School as your new Head Students. There have been high standards set in previous years for this role and we are looking to build upon these with creative ideas and unique initiative.
Our efforts will be directed to the students of Barr Beacon School, to motivate and mentor all individuals so that they can say they are proud to succeed. We strive to be open minded, approachable and adaptable to every situation that presents itself to us.
Throughout the next year, we look forward to working closely with our Deputies and teachers to implement a plethora of ideas that will enhance the Barr Beacon journey so that every pupil can look back on their time here with a sense of pride and joy.
Makara and Daniel
We are truly honoured to be given this incredible opportunity to be representing Barr Beacon School as Deputy Head Students. We will do our best to guide and be of support to both students and teachers throughout the school. We have a responsibility to encourage, motivate and care for students and we will support Makara and Daniel in trying our best to ensure everybody reaches their full potential.
As a team we will ensure to pursue the legacy of the previous senior teams, and plan to spark change, innovation and adaptive thinking at Barr Beacon School. With ideas of originality already in mind, we strive to make Barr Beacon a place every student is supported to reach their goals and ambitions.
Hannah, Mazin and Dilraaj
In 2016, when I first stepped foot into Barr Beacon School, I had no idea how much the school would support me and help me to progress into the young adult that I am today.
Throughout my years here, I have been encouraged, motivated and guided into achieving the best that I can in my studies, as well as being given countless opportunities ranging from taster days at universities to taking the lead on charity events run by the school. These experiences have helped me to develop personally and to continually strive to better myself.
I am delighted to have been selected to take on the role of Head Student. The role will further encourage me to work harder and motivate not only myself, but others too, whilst we all strive to succeed. I want to ensure that all pupils are presented with equal opportunities and are pushed to ultimately be the very best that they can be.
I am ready to embark on the final part of my journey at Barr Beacon School by taking on this honourable role with pride and passion, allowing me to give my all back to the school that has created so many great memories and experiences for me.
Daniel P – Head Student
Throughout my 6 years at Barr Beacon School, I have been provided with opportunities to develop skills needed not only for my academic studies, but also for life after Sixth Form. From attending university taster days in Year 7, to taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Quiz in Year 12, I have been supported so that I can develop the confidence and ability to excel in everything I have set my mind to so far.
Taking on the role of Head Student will be a new and interesting challenge which I am excited to succeed in with the continued support of Barr Beacon School. I could never have imagined when I first joined in 2016 that I would reach where I am now. I sincerely look forward to working with the staff and students of the school that I hold so much respect for, to help all students feel able to say that they are determined and proud to be a part of Barr Beacon School.
Makara M – Head Student
Since joining the school in 2016, I have flourished from a young student into a young adult who has grown in confidence, knowledge and compassion. Barr Beacon School has supported me through every step of my journey here, both personally and academically.
Barr Beacon has given me the support and encouragement to try new things and achieve the unimaginable. It has allowed me to aim high and reach my full potential. I thank the school for the many opportunities I have been provided with, from testing my endurance during the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, to receiving the honour of being a Prefect in Year 11. By having such opportunities, I have grown as an individual and I believe I have a responsibility to be a role model to younger students.
Having been successful in my appointment for the prestigious role of Deputy Head Student, I am determined to pursue the legacy which has been left behind by previous Student Leadership Teams, as well as commemorate achievements and successes throughout the school. As Deputy Head Student I am passionate about encouraging other students to be determined in all that they do so that, like me, they too can say “I am proud to succeed!”
Dilraaj K – Deputy Head Student
I can still recall the moment in Year 6 when I found out that I would be attending Barr Beacon School from September 2016 and the more recent memory of applying for a place at Barr Beacon Sixth Form. When I compare how I was in both these instances, although the same person – determined and ambitious (innate characteristics engraved within my personality) – I think it is fair to say that I have grown incredibly in confidence during my time at Barr Beacon School.
Barr Beacon has given me a plethora of opportunities over the years to encourage me to grow, not only academically but also as an individual. Involvement in extra-curricular clubs available within school, selected to be a Prefect during Year 11 and more recently starting my Extended Project Qualification are just a few examples of how Barr Beacon has helped me to challenge myself to become a better person, whilst maintaining my own character.
I have grown a lot over the last six years and I hope that as Deputy Head Student I can use my final year at school to help promote change, intuition and forward thinking at Barr Beacon School, helping students to become the best possible versions of themselves and to give back to help others to reach their fullest potential.
Hannah N – Deputy Head Student
Since joining the school in Year 7, I have been inspired by the work and the characters of the previous Senior Teams. I am grateful to all the teachers and fellow students who have helped me become the person I am today and I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to be part of the Senior Five this year. What does being part of the Head Student Team mean to me? I believe that we cannot make our days longer but we can strive to make them better and therefore as part of the Senior Team, we should be the bridge between students and staff. Leadership, teamwork, organisation, time management, effective communication and maturity are all qualities we as a team will try to instil throughout the school.
During my time at Barr Beacon School, I have had countless opportunities, and this has shaped my character. One of the great experiences was the Duke of Edinburgh expedition, which helped me build my strength of character and achieve greater team working skills. I am very grateful for being selected as Deputy Head Student and I hope that as the Senior Five, we achieve much more together.
Mazin E – Deputy Head Student
Barr Beacon School
Old Hall Lane
Aldridge, Walsall
West Midlands
WS9 0RF
T: 0121 366 6600
postbox@barrbeaconschool.co.uk
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
