At Barr Beacon, we are incredibly proud of the dedication, passion and hard work shown by our staff every single day. The Barr Beacon Spring Term Oscars provided a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions made across our school community.

These awards highlight not only exceptional teaching and support, but also the positive relationships, teamwork and commitment that make Barr Beacon such a special place to learn and work. Every nomination (203 in total) reflected the high standards and care our staff bring to their roles, and we are grateful to everyone who continues to go above and beyond.

We are delighted to congratulate this terms winners:

Oscar Awards Ceremony  

Faculty Members of the Term
H Cusworth, M Bagshaw, R Ahua, R Juss, L Otten, C Ashley, K Thompson, V Askew

Support Staff Member of the Term
J Wallace

Unsung Hero Award
V Aswat

Above & Beyond Award
S Bey

Positive Energy Award
M Harris

Most Supportive Colleague
S Kaur

Team Player Award
S Wild

School Values Ambassador Award
J Brocklebank

Corridor Presence Award
L Rennison

The Calm in the Storm Award
R Llewellyn and H Fullard

Making a Difference Everyday

E Steel

On Tuesday 24th March, Barr Beacon staff came together for a lively and entertaining Wellbeing Quiz, hosted by quizmasters Mr Ball and Mr Davies.

The event kicked off with a fun “Guess the Chocolate” round, followed by the amusing “Taller Than Ball” challenge, which had staff laughing as they compared height of random objects with the 5ft 6 inch Mr Ball!  One of the highlights of the event was the music round, brilliantly delivered by the Mc Lauries, which proved a hit with everyone involved.

Competition was fierce throughout the event, with teams battling it out across a range of creative rounds. In a closely contested finish, Mr Watson triumphed in the “Come Fly With Me” paper aeroplane challenge, narrowly beating Mr Dawes.

The quiz was a great success, bringing staff together for fun and laughter

Barr Beacon School continues to prioritise staff wellbeing with recent upgrades to the staff room area.

The staff room now includes a new microwave and kettle, making it easier for staff to prepare meals and hot drinks.

A new book exchange has also been introduced in the staff room area, offering staff the opportunity to share and borrow books. This initiative encourages staff to take time for themselves and enjoy a quiet moment of reading during their lunch breaks. Staff have already responded positively to the changes, highlighting “how quick their lunch now heats up ! “

Staff at Barr Beacon staff on Monday 23rd March enjoyed a special “Thank You Breakfast” marking the end of a busy spring term.

The menu included fresh fruit, yoghurt, and a variety of hot sausage sandwiches, alongside freshly baked chocolate croissants that proved especially popular. The combination of healthy options and comforting treats created a balanced and enjoyable start to the day.

We would like to thank all out staff for the hard work and dedication shown throughout the term.

Testimonial “Events like this aim to boost morale, encourage a positive working environment, and give staff a well-deserved moment to pause before the Easter break.” A Sidhu

Our very own Miss Marr had some netball training with professional Birmingham Panthers player Gabrielle Coffey, Miss tells us she we will be stealing some of her techniques and drills to prepare staff for a friendly netball game every Wednesday 3.30pm in the gym.

This week, staff have taken the time to complete our Stay Survey, giving their valuable feedback on what’s working well, what helps them feel included, and what supports them to thrive at work. The survey focuses on strengths and growth, allowing us to celebrate positives and make meaningful improvements.

We also appreciate colleagues sharing their career aspirations through the survey. Following this, staff will be invited to one-to-one careers meetings to discuss goals in more detail.

On Saturday 7^th February Matix staff participated in the Sutton 5k Park run.  

Beacon was valiantly represented by P Davies, Mrs R Haywood and J B

Staff Testimonial On Saturday 7th February, I participated in the inaugural matrix parkrun. As an avid park runner who has to date completed 140 park runs, I really enjoyed the chance to run with others from across the trust as well as those from Barr Beacon. Parkrun is an international event, and it is great to be part of the park running community. The benefits go outside of just the physical and it positively impacts my mental health also. No one ever finishes a run feeling unhappy! I would actively encourage anyone to get involved in the next Matrix Academy parkrun. P Davis

Barr Beacon Staff Panto Delights with a Magical Cinderella!

Oh yes it did!

Barr Beacon’s talented staff took to the stage for this year’s staff panto, Cinderella, and it was a truly spectacular success. Packed with laughter, dazzling costumes and plenty of classic panto chaos, the performance had the pupils thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

From the wicked stepmother’s dramatic “Boo! Hiss!” moments to the audience eagerly shouting “He’s behind you!” and a heart-warming fairy godmother transformation, the show delivered all the traditional panto magic we know and love. The Ugly Sisters stole the spotlight with their outrageous antics, while Cinderella’s journey to the ball had everyone cheering her on.

A huge well done to all the staff who gave up their time to rehearse and perform it was a fantastic showcase of creativity, teamwork and community spirit.

We can confidently say… it was a ball!

The staff at Barr Beacon attended the fourth Matrix Academy Trust Day — a day that brought together more than 960 staff to celebrate community, creativity and connection. Staff enjoyed listening to the inspiring Trust Choir performance and talks from Clare Balding and Mike Palmer, and the revealing the Trusts £47,000 fundraising total for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the day was filled with powerful moments.  Congratulation to all the staff at Barr Beacon who were nominated or won an award.