Newsletter June 2008

Can I begin with a reminder that our Annual Partnership Evening is rapidly approaching? This is the one time in the year when we are able to get everyone together for some strategic sharing for the year ahead. We are looking forward to meeting with you this year and I would urge you to put the date of Tuesday 8th July in your diaries. We are following this year’s meeting with a barbecue...and the opportunity to mix socially.

Summer Fayre

Saturday 14th June is our Annual Summer Fayre. The school band will be playing at the event. There will be a barbecue as well as the usual fund raising stalls. At the beginning of the year we bought a round of furniture to improve facilities in classrooms. We would like to continue with this to enhance the appearance of the school. This summer’s proceeds will be put to this worthy end. The PTA warmly invite you to join us at anytime between 11.00am – 2.00pm on the 14th.

Students to Slacktop

The second Romania team will visit Slacktop Chapel at Hebden Bridge for a week of service at the end of the month. Unfortunately our visit to Romania had to be cancelled. Not wanting to waste the enthusiasm and excellent preparation that had been put into the team, Mrs Mole, the team leader has organised a service programme for a venue nearer home. Students will work on practical aspects of clearing the site and decorating rooms as well as taking a children’s meeting and generally serving the fellowship in whatever they need doing.

Dutch Project

During the same period (week starting 23rd June) our annual exchange programme with Christian schools in Holland will take place. Students in Year 10 will visit Dutch students we hosted last year, in Rijssen. Mr Walker, Mrs Whitehouse and ex student Natalie Moody will lead this group. Students from Year 9 will host students of a similar age from Appledorn, The purpose of the exchange is to foster cultural exchange, help develop the Dutch students knowledge of English as a modern foreign language, and to share the experience of being Christian young people growing up in Europe. Thanks in advance to those families who have made this exchange possible by being prepared to open their homes to visiting students.

Staff News

Sadly we say goodbye to Miss Diaz, our Spanish teacher, at the end of the year. Miss Diaz is getting married in the summer to fiancée Robert Gomez. Together they will work in a new Christian business venture in Argentina. We are sad to loose Miss Diaz who has introduced Spanish enthusiastically and successfully into Middle School this year. The governors are committed to developing a second modern foreign language to GCSE and we hope to share news of our replacement teacher of Spanish before too long.

Staff Vacancies

Immediate start:

Dinner lady required for 1 hour each day, Mon-Fri 11.50-12.50. Supervising pupils in Primary years. Pay rate £6.75 per hour.

Starting September 2008:

Teacher of Spanish, 2 days per week Initially teaching Years 6-9 but developing the subject to GCSE.

SENCO, 2 days per week

To co-ordinate and lead a small team of staff offering support across the primary and secondary age range. Knowledge of administration relating to Special Needs would be essential. Please send applications in writing to the school office. Previous vacancies advertised for Support Staff in Class 1 & Year 7 from September, reminder that the closing date for these applications is Friday 13th June.

Thank you

To Mr & Mrs Harmer, grandparents of James (Class 3) and Joshua (Class 2), who have generously donated and installed a new, high quality sound system in the school hall. The versatility of the new equipment will enhance many aspects of school life.

United Kingdom Mathematics Trust, University of Leeds

6 students from BCS were selected for entry to this year’s UK Junior Mathematical Challenge 2008. All of the candidates did very well and were awarded certificates indicating their boundary level:

• James Woods - was awarded Gold and Best in School
• Jonathan Lee – Silver
• Joy Plant, Daniel Costigan and Toby Simpson - Bronze
• Katriona Barlow was just short of a Bronze

Well done students!

Big Clean – Thursday 17th July

This is the day before school breaks for the summer and all students are out of school, giving us a great opportunity to ‘spring clean’ for next year. PTA are organising a day of cleaning – dusting to weeding and everything in between! Lunch will be provided. Feel free to call in for an hour or longer to suit your day. Please would you let the office know if you are available to help.

Variety Show is taking place on Friday 20th June with staff and students participating. Tickets on sale in the office £1. Admission is by ticket only.

Primary

Please remember to sign up for Class 2 & 3 Consultations. Reports will follow.