Information regarding HPV Vaccinations (for current Year 7 who will be Year 8 in September)

You can read their covering letter HERE

HERE is the consent form - please complete this electronically and send to the nursing team (link at the bottom of the page), NOT us.

Nikita in Year 9 has won a top prize in the Sky Academy Studios #keepconnected film-making competition. More than 500 films were entered by students across the UK. Nikita’s film, ‘Untold Story’ was selected as one of six overall winners and the winner of their Secondary School category.

The idea behind the competition was for children to bring their lockdown stories to life using technology they could access at home.

Here are the thoughts of Ian France, Commissioning Editor at Sky Kids:

At Barr Beacon School we aspire for you to speak clearly and confidently at all times. We also want you to be able to have a discussion with others, expressing your views maturely while being sensitive to others’ viewpoints. We often have such discussions in school but, while you are at home, you can enjoy lively, topical and relevant discussions with the people you live with. We will be posting suggested ‘Talking Points’ here, often linked with what’s going on in the news. Have a go at leading a discussion at home!

Read more guidance HERE or download and watch our Powerpoint with narration HERE.

Our first talking point is a very sensitive and important topic so make sure everyone listens respectfully to everyone’s views - Click Here.

Our second talking point centres around some of the points raised by Marcus Rashford in his open letter to the government. Take a look here and get talking! - Click Here.

Our next talking point is around the different ways people have been affected by lockdown. Click Here.

When UDOIT Dance Foundation advertised the UK National Dance Championships was going to be held online this year as a virtual competition, dance teacher Miss Salmon messaged the pupils to ask if they would like to participate virtually. 

The pupils their videos through for checking prior to sending them off and we have had some success. We have four students who are now through to the next round! 

• E Tivnan Year 11
• D McGuirk Year 10
• E Sammons Year 8
• R Mardenborough Year 8

Miss Salmon said: "They have represented Barr Beacon in a professional manner and I’m very proud of them."

We will keep you updated after the next round.

We are very proud of H. Hussain, one of our Year 12 students.  She has used Lockdown as an opportunity to put her baking skills into practice and earn money for charity.

What started as a hobby to give her something to do besides schoolwork has turned into a successful cake selling venture with all proceeds going to the Penny Appeal, which aids people in more than 30 crisis-hit countries. So far she has raised £1042.55!

Next on the agenda is to bake cakesicles for NHS staff at Walsall Manor Hospital to thank them for all the hard work they continue to do during this difficult time.

You can find out more about the Penny Appeal charity HERE.

Katie in Year 9 has recorded this splendid rendition of World War 2 classic 'We'll Meet Again' to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day...

Advice for keeping mentally healthy

Pupils: The most important thing during this time is to stay healthy - and that includes in your mind as well as your body. Everyone's mental health is different. Some of you will find it comforting to do lots of school work and some of you will find having a long 'to do' list makes you anxious. Listen to your body - and your mind. For most, maintaining some kind of routine is a good idea. Perhaps do a mix of reading, exercise, school work and fun stuff. Use this time to learn a new skill or develop an interest. Here is further advice from children's charity UNICEF: www.unicef.org/coronavirus

Parents: It’s natural to feel worried about what’s happening with COVID-19. Here is some NHS advice you might find useful yourself: www.nhs.uk/oneyou

Here is some advice from the Universities of Oxford and Reading about how to help your child talk about their feelings: HERE

And here is advice along similar lines from Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk

We love keeping in touch with former students and they love to keep in touch with us.

Jack Evans graduated from Barr Beacon in 2015 after completing his A levels here and now works as a Senior Parliamentary Aide in the Houses of Parliament. His top tip for succeeding in education is to “try your best, one day at a time. In the end, the results will be worth it.”  For the world of work, he recommends that you “always remember that you are your own person and strive to be the best version of yourself.”

There are more alumni profiles in our most recent newsletter.