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Branksome Heath Middle School
March 2010 Newsletter
As we come to the end of another very busy term, I would like to wish all families a very Happy Easter and hope that everyone has a very good break and has time to be with their family. Our term has been focused very much on the Ofsted Inspection and the attached sheet gives the official account from the Lead Inspector Janet Simms.
The term has been very successful and this newsletter tries to give a few of the many highlights.
GIRLS FOOTBALL
A fantastic achievement by the Year 6 and 7 team (led by Ms Gillingham), who reached the Final of the County Cup which is the first time our girls have achieved this. They will play St Michael's at Colehill on the first Thursday after the Easter holidays and we wish them every success.
CONTACT RUGBY
Following a lot of training, the boys who have learned to play full contact rugby with scrums, time-outs, rucks and mauls were able to play against other schools. The Year 7 boys managed a couple of wins during their festivals, but the Year 6's found it very difficult to score a try. I hope all who played may take their skills further to clubs outside school and continue to enjoy their rugby.
TENNIS
All year 4 and 5 children have had tennis coaching this term, but now we have the opportunity for any child to take part in a tennis club on Wednesdays after Easter. We have space for up to 16 children to be coached by Coaches from the East Dorset Tennis and Croquet Club. The course will be 10 weeks and cost £3 a session for an hour after school. If your child is interested, please collect a letter from the school office.
MATHS COMPETITION
For the first time ever, a team from Branksome Heath Middle went to take part in a Maths Challenge at Bryanstone School in Blandford. It was a great opportunity for our children to take part.
NATIONAL SPELLING BEE
For the second year, our Year 7 children took part in this National Competition. Having had our own heats, four children went with Miss Levine to Southampton to take part in the regional finals. Leading after Round One, they slipped up on one or two words in Round Two, but we were all extremely proud of their efforts.
YEAR 5 LEESON HOUSE
60 children took part in this residential visit, walking to Dancing Ledge, learning about the history of Langton Matravers, orienteering within the grounds by torchlight, using a compass to find their way around the field - in the fog! Pond dipping, bird watching, singing and not sleeping a lot! Mrs Beeston and her team of staff gave the children a great few days in spite of the rain and mud. A very very successful visit was had by all!
YEAR 4 EGYPTIONS
Thanks to all families who helped the children of Year 4 take part in a great experience, learning more about the way people lived in the days of Ancient Egypt.
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS
We had a fun day for World Book Day where every child was able to collect a new book arranged by Mrs Bojang. We have also had a great Book Week, when so many families supported the Book Fair. The school library will benefit with almost £1,000 worth of books. Thanks to all who supported this event.
GOVERNORS' AWARD
We are proud to announce that Aaron Holdsworth 7EL, Lucy Shutler 7BP and Paige Winders 7JF have been awarded our Governors' Award. These Year 7 children are always committed to their work, always volunteer to be part of school life and although, like all children, have had to work hard to overcome problems, they have been tireless in their attempt to be the best they can. Well done to you both, you are a brilliant example to all in our school.
UNIFORM
Thank you to all families who have kept the children looking so smart in their school uniform and PE kit this year.
Just a little reminder that we ask all to wear black shoes around school and only change into trainers at lunchtime if they are playing games on the playground or for PE/Games outdoors.
Also please do not allow football shorts or 'ra ra' skirts or leggings under skirts to be worn. We hope for a good summer, but these items are not part of our school uniform.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR POLICY
We would ask you to remember that all our employees are here to help you and we value your friendship. Verbal abuse, aggression, swearing and intimidation displayed towards our staff is unacceptable.
DATES TO REMEMBER
End of SpringTerm Thursday 1st April - school finishes at 1.30pm
Staff Training Day Monday 19th April
Start of Summer Term Tuesday 20th April
WORD PUZZLE
This sentence containes two mistakes. (How many erros are there in this?)
NUMBER PUZZLE
You can use 3 identical digits in a simple addition sum so that the total is 12. You cannot use the digit 4, so what is the answer?
ANSWERS TO THE FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER QUIZ
1. The wind up clock set for noon alarm would only run one and a half hours from 10.30pm before the alarm went off as wind up clocks are not 24 hour clocks.
2. 2 3 5 7 8 - so that the range is 6 and the mean is 5
