Newsletter May 2008

Summer seems to have finally arrived! Students returning from their Bank Holiday show evidence of unguarded exposure to the sun from some weekend jaunt. The leaves are finally out on the trees. I am grateful for the foresight that someone from a previous generation had to plant a variety, rather that one type, of tree in the school playground. It is always a blessing at this time of year, when all the distinctly different types of foliage are on display for all to enjoy.

Inset in Manchester

Staff members recently had the privilege of visiting the Christian School in Stalybridge, South Manchester, for the CST Northern Inset. The speaker was Peter Parkington, founder and director of Caring for Life, a Christian charity seeking to place troubled young people in suitable employment situations. His accumulated wisdom on running a different type of Christian ministry was very helpful. We also met with teachers from other schools who teach the same subjects as we do. Overall staff were built up in their ability for general ministry, in teaching and in life. The next edition of "Wingspan," the magazine from Christian Schools Trust, will be published in the next ten days. Watch for it coming home to get a bigger picture of the things we are involved with as a school. On May 9th we hosted Dr Dow Robinson, from America, as a part of a CST event for member schools in the North of England. Dr Robinson is writing a paper on the role of the Holy Spirit in learning. Approximately twenty colleagues from other schools joined our SMT and Dr. Viccary to work through Dr Robinson's paper prior to its publication.

Staff News

As you are aware, Mrs Cribb will be leaving us at the end of the term. Though she and Paul, her husband, will still have their home in Bradford; they will be spending extended time in Paraguay and Argentina next year. They have previously spent much time working in these countries for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We are pleased to appoint Mr Kevin Archer to the post of English teacher in Upper School. Mr Archer has worked for over 25 years in education at a variety of schools, and in various educational roles; including a wealth of management experience. He currently works at Bradford Grammar. We are thrilled at the prospect of the experience and expertise he will bring into the school. Mrs Sprenger, our young Key Stage 3 Science teacher has announced the joyous news that she is pregnant! We pass on our heartfelt congratulations to Amy and her husband, Garreth. Their baby is due in early December. Mr and Mrs Kershaw, under the wise guidance of Dr. Viccary, will replace Mrs Sprenger next term. Mr Kershaw in Middle School science, and Mrs Kershaw with Year 9. Mrs Paton will soon be leaving us to work full-time for the autism unit with the local education authority. She will leave us on Friday June 13th, midway through the second half-term. We thank Mrs Paton for the excellent support she has provided for students with Special Educational Needs, especially where it has required the school to interface with the local education authority.

Annual Partnership Meeting

A very important notice: This years Annual Partnership Meeting will be on Tues 8th July at 6.30pm. This is the one time when we request all parents to join us. We have exciting and challenging news to report to you for next year. In the past, the Annual Partnership evening has always been a lively and enjoyable affair. We would like to add to our fun together this year by combining our meeting with a barbeque on the school grounds afterwards. The barbeque will start immediately after the meeting ends. In order to plan catering we are selling tickets at £1 each. If you would like to use this as an opportunity to invite friends and contacts to inform them about the school, please do so & feel free to buy them a ticket for the barbeque. We are learning to take every opportunity to share about BCS. This event will give interested parents a good view of what BCS has to offer.

Other News

Friday 16th May will be a non-uniform day:£1 for attending school in non-uniform Proceeds will be added to the PTA fund for further purchase of furniture to update our class rooms Vacant Situations: Please contact Mrs Moffatt in the office for more details. Support Teacher: 8:50 to 12:30 on Monday to Fridays for pupil in Reception for September 2008. _Support teacher: 19 hours for student in Year 7. One of next years new students has a statement for autism. Please send applications in writing explaining why you think you’ll be the best suited to this post by Friday June 13th.

School News

It's Showtime...again!

Following on the back of the success of the school play, Mr Heath and the Drama Club cordially invite you to join them at this year's school variety show where there will be an all singing, all dancing team of students and adults ready to give you a fun night of entertainment that's sure to bring a smile to your face (or a tear to your eye depending on your opinion of what you see). The event is going to take place at the school on Friday June 20th. Tickets are £1 and are on sale now at the reception. Please come along and support the students in their show and you may even get a free cup of tea for your trouble. For more information call Mr. Heath at the school. Please be aware that health and safety limits us to a prescribed number of people in the hall so tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. No admittance will be given at the door on the evening without a ticket.

Summer Fayre - 14th June - 11-2pm

We are hoping to have a barbecue along with all the usual stalls this year. Stalls will include things such as: face painting, bric-a-brack, plant stall, produce, uniform clothes, guess the weight of the cake, ice cream and pop, and teddy etc. The money raised will further the work of the PTA in providing furniture, and support for Romania, India and the team going to Slack Top. Donations for stalls are welcome from Monday 9th of June. Thanks you very much for your support.

Sports Report - Football

The Upper School Inter-form football handicap has just taken place. The 6-a-side matches were played at lunchtimes. the results were as follows:

Y11 were the overall winners of the tournament. There were some excellent performances, especially from Luke P and goalkeeper Louis McM (Y9), and from hotshot Ben, "The Fruit" W.

Rugby League

The last 6 Friday afternoons we've witnessed some titanic clashes between Y10 and Y11 on the rugby field. The contests have been muddy, bloody and bruising. There have been some excellent performances: especially from Jake, "Skipper," Fawcett-Jones; Aaron, "Hand-off," Walker; George, "The General, " Simpson; and Brad, "The Force," Wilkie. There have been some great tries and some BIG tackles, the most memorable being a bone cruncher by Ben Law on Nathan Ferreira. Over the weeks Y10 have proved to be the stronger outfit, but both sets of lads have enjoyed the physical confrontation, which was always conducted in a friendly and sportive manner. School News