On Wednesday 2^nd December we held our Annual Awards Evening. This year it took the form of a virtual event, however the significance of the event remained the same. We joined together to celebrate the achievements of our pupils during the last academic year and celebrate their successes.

Our Guest Speaker was Dr Dan Perry, a former Head Boy of Barr Beacon School in 1997, who is now a Children’s Orthopaedic Surgeon at Alder Hay Children’s Hospital and a clinical trial lead for the British Orthopaedic Association. Dan gave an inspirational speech which would have provided great motivation to our pupils.

We were also joined by Mr Mills, who had taught at Barr Beacon School for over 45 years, to present an awarded named in his honour to our most outstanding Mathematician.

Tyne in Year 11 produced this poem to commemorate Remembrance

Close your eyes,
Take a breath.
Just for a minute that’s my request.
Pay your respect to those who fought,
To give us the freedom we were brought.
To those who fell,
Those who cried,
Those who tried but sadly died.
So close your eyes
Take a breath.
Remember our heroes:
That’s my only request.

For our Remembrance Commemorations this year our Cadets performed a special ceremony which was introduced by our Flight Lieutenant (and Director of English) Mrs Muller.

Then Cadets read the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. The Last Post, played by music teacher Miss Chater, heralded the silence and her performance of Reveille concluded it.

The Kohima Epitaph was then read by a Cadet ahead of the wreath being laid by our Head Boy and Head Girl. The ceremony was broadcast to all form groups.

In order to pass GCSE English language, each pupil needs to be assessed on their speaking ability. This assessment will take place during school time. Although it does not form a part of their GCSE grade, they will receive a separate grade for this element: either Pass, Merit or Distinction. This result will be reported on the GCSE certificate in addition to the grade 9-1.

For Year 10 only we are required to provide audio-visual recordings of the presentations of a sample of candidates. These recordings will not be shared with anyone other than the exam board and secured in accordance with GDPR regulations. Year 11’s assessments will not need to be recorded.

Each pupil has received a lesson about how to prepare and what to include in their assessment but, should they have any questions, they can ask their teacher or contact Mrs Kapcia or their English language teacher on Teams. We have also produced a video explaining how to prepare for the assessment, which is available here:

You can also view below some speaking and listening videos featuring pupils from other schools (these are materials sent out by the exam board).

This assessment was awarded a Distinction

This one was awarded a Merit 

You may want to support your child by helping them practise their presentation.

If you have any queries about these assessments, please contact Mr Lowbridge-Ellis, Deputy Headteacher.

From September, music students at Barr Beacon School will be learning the ukulele! 

Aldridge & District Lions Rotary Club have awarded us their Educational Endowment Fund so that we can purchase a whole class set of ukuleles.

Thank you so much Aldridge & District Lions!

https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/aldridge/

Every week, teachers are nominating pupils who they know have been working the hardest. 

We will be giving House points to everyone nominated and entering their names into a weekly prize draw for online shopping vouchers.

Let your teacher know what work you are doing through Microsoft Teams or your school e-mail address.

Parents/Carers: if you want to share what work your children are doing at home you can tag us on Twitter @barrbeaconsch