On Monday 7th February, the exam boards released their Advance Information, which is intended to help you prioritise your revision. The pupil guide written by the JCQ, who speak on behalf of all of the exam boards, is available here and we recommend everybody reads it carefully:

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/JCQ_Advance-Information-Student-Guide.pdf

A key point in the guide is this: “Your revision plans should take account of everything you have been taught.” 

Why should you need to “take account of everything” even if everything is not listed in the Advance Information?

When we learn new things, we build on top of things we have learned previously. Even if we are not asked exam questions about those things we learned first, we might still need that knowledge to understand what we learned later.

For instance, if the Advance Information specifies that there will be questions on Units 2 and 3 but not Unit 1, you might still need to have a good understanding of the material from Unit 1 to be able to answer questions on Units 2 and 3.

Your teachers will explain to you how this works in each of your subjects.

Here is the Advance Information for all of the subjects we teach.

GCSEs – https://barrbeaconschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Copy-of-Advanced-Notice-links-GCSE.pdf

A levels – https://barrbeaconschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Copy-of-Advanced-Notice-links-Y13.pdf

On February 9^th 2022 John Williams celebrated his 90^th Birthday.  John Williams is arguably the most influential film music composer of all time responsible for critically acclaimed films such as Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List and Star Wars.  Pupils marked this special occasion through a variety of different themed events throughout the week.  The whole school took part in a John Williams virtually assembly where pupils discovered key facts about the composer and then completed a music quiz where they had to identify 10 famous Williams themes.  Drama club focused on the collaboration between Williams, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg acting out scenes from Jurassic Park, ET the Extra-terrestrial and Star Wars; the end of the session finished with some superb acting along to the main music themes from each scene.  Finally Music Club focused on performing some of Williams’ most famous pieces including Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, the Imperial March from Star Wars and the Main Theme from Jaws; the session ended with a showcase from each pupil performing their chosen theme.

Year 12 English Language and Literature A Level students went on a trip to Sheffield Millennium Museum to visit an exhibition about the work of the Bloomsbury group, a bohemian and modernist collection of artists and writers based in early twentieth century London. 

As part of the visit, they attended a lecture by Dr Nicky Hallet, an expert in life-writing from the University of Sheffield, about the role of the LGBTQ+ artistic community in the early part of the last century, transporting us to Paris and the work of non-binary Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore and their links with Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackvill-West; we learned how the latter two wrote letters to their respective husbands on the fly covers of books bought in Paris about the rights of queer people.

Dr Hallet’s lecture inspired discussion about Charleston and the London of the 1920s and 30s, the challenges that queer people faced with the impending second world war and the trials of living secret lives. All of which provided an excellent grounding for the year 12’s study of the fiction and non-fiction writings of the Bloomsbury group.

Halimah said the museum “radiated tranquillity”!

Due to a change in supplier, there will be an increase to the cost of sandwiches and wraps available to pupils. Details of prices: 

• Ham, Cheese and Tuna Sandwiches £1.30 
• Deep Fill Sandwiches with 2 Fillings £1.40 
• Wraps with Variety of Fillings £1.60 

• Tiger French Sticks £1.80 

Tiger French sticks can be purchased as part of a meal deal with a 250ml bottle of water for £2.00. 

Staff absence due to Covid means we cannot accommodate Years 9 and 10 in school today (Thursday 27^th January). We are so sorry for any inconvenience caused but there is no other solution. Work will be on Teams with live streams where possible and Assignments where not. We will be in contact later on today so you know what is happening tomorrow.

A reminder of remote learning details is available from the link here: Keep up with your learning – even if you have to stay at home – Barr Beacon School

100% attendance for 6 consecutive years!

Congratulations to 5 of our Year 13 students who have clocked up 6 years 100% attendance –  a remarkable achievement!  

They have each been rewarded with an iPad.

Elijah in Year 10 has won £100 and a trophy for his short story which he wrote for Young Writers’ ‘Spine Chiller’ competition. His entry was picked out of more 14,000 entries from pupils across the country!
You can read his story below.

I See You

I see you, you’ve seen me, you just don’t know it yet. What a foolish child, brought into this tormenting world just to be taken, by me. Every footstep lures you to the shining gates of the afterlife. I see you. The crows holler their tune of warning, you ignore, foolish.

You venture into the unknowing shadows of the church. I’m on the prowl, with each step in perfect harmony, with the dagger being unleashed.

You’ve noticed me. Accept your fate. You nod your head to the beat of death as you draw your last eternal breath. I see you.

By Elijah G(14)

Wednesday 8th December

Due to a burst water main, school is closed to pupils today.

Form time and lessons are on Teams.