UoBSchool Community Newsletter: December 2017
With another term drawn to a close with our third annual UoBS pantomime, here’s a round up of this month’s happenings at the University of Birmingham School….
Thank you café
We held the second thank-you café of this year as Year 7M pupils hosted their loved ones for a home-made festive afternoon tea.
US diplomats
Sixth Form students were lucky to be joined by US diplomats Sarah, Gerry and San who had traversed the snow and rain from London on Tuesday 12th December to talk to students at UoBSchool. Sixth Formers enjoyed hearing about key issues in international relations and learning about what life is like as a globe-travelling diplomat.
‘Extraordinary, innovative school’
Mr Roden welcomed Colin Diamond, Birmingham City Council’s Executive Director for Education for a visit to our school.
Christmas jumper day
We got in the Christmas spirit by donning Christmas jumpers last Friday, raising money for Save the Children at the same time. A big thanks to the Student Guild for their work in organising this event.
Professional Learning
In our Friday afternoon CPD sessions and training days recently, we’ve taken part in ‘book looks’ with sharing across departments and delved into the topic of ‘restorative practice’. We’ve also welcomed visitors from the University of Birmingham to share their work on inclusion, teacher training and the Green Heart development.
Why did the Titanic sink?
The whole of Year 7 headed to the University of Birmingham last week to watch the annual University of Birmingham Materials Science and Engineering Christmas Lecture. We enjoyed an entertaining and informative lecture from Dr Alessandro Mottura who taught us why The Titanic really sank (it wasn’t just the icebergs), made us a little afraid to get on aeroplanes (we know what happens to the engines) and got Year 7 pupils bending rods of steel.
From theorems to the Simpsons
Sixth Form students also got to enjoy the University of Birmingham’s EPS Christmas Lecture with popular science and mathematics author Simon Singh, entitled ‘From Theorems to Serums, From Cryptology to Cosmology … and The Simpsons’.
Willmott Dixon bridge build
8A finished their Willmott Dixon ‘Build a Bridge’ enrichment series with a life-sized bridge build. A big thank you to Willmott Dixon who are one of our Corporate Partners for sharing STEM skills with our pupils whilst opening up doors to the world of construction.
Masters students
Thanks to Michele Deeks (one of our parent governors) and Dr Clara Jørgensen (Research Fellow at the School of Education) for delivering a sessions this term for our group of teachers undertaking Masters degrees. Michele delivered a session on Wellbeing and Time Management and Clara delivered a session on Research Questions and Research Methods.
Curriculum look: Art
Inspired by poet Casey Bailey’s poem ‘Dear Birmingham’, our Year 12 artists have created some digital work using our great city as a backdrop. They took the photos from their photography trip and their watercolour paintings done in class to create this!
Curriculum look: Design and Technology
Some highlights from our DT department this term:
- Year 7 have been learning about electronics by creating an ‘Operation’ style steady hand game.
- Year 8 are becoming pros at using 3D modelling software SketchUp.
- Year 9 have been using the CNC router to take their flatpack projects to the next level.
- Our A Level product design students have been learning how to dip coat their metalwork in their skill project of creating a balancing man.
Curriculum look: Physical Education
Our Year 9 Sports Science students have been learning how to create affordable nutritious breakfasts to fuel our action-packed days at school. We’ve had students trying foods such as avocado and spinach for the first time and appreciating the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats.
The Great UoBS Workbase Decorating Competition
We started a new festive tradition at UoBS this year, inviting all staff around the school to decorate their workbases. Our Student Guild performed excellent judging duties, awarding first prize to the Technicians with their Skeleton Santa, and the wooden spoon award to Mr Roden. A special mention for Mr Ward who created hand-drawn illustrations of his fellow colleagues..!
Horizons Series: Inequalities and Public Health
For our most recent Horizons Series Lecture, we welcomed Paul Fisher from the Faculty of Public Health at the University of Birmingham. He gave a fascinating talk about inequalities in health entitled ‘Social injustice is killing on a grand scale’. Paul argued that poor health in this country is related more to income in this country than in many other countries in Europe and shared that only 4% of the money spent on the NHS is on Public Health. There was much interest from students on the topic and Paul was pleased to answer questions at the end of the lecture. For more information, find out more about the newly created BSc in Public Health.
Winter Concert
Our third annual Winter Concert took place on Thursday 14 December, with some wonderful musical performances. Congratulations to all students who took part!
Sports News
Our girls cricketers enjoyed a great afternoon of cricket with expert coaching from Warwickshire Cricket Board.
We had a great experience playing in the Birmingham School Games Girls’ Badminton Tournament that took part at King Edwards Camp Hill. Our pupils demonstrated great skill, resilience and determination.
Our Sports Leaders have been enjoying creating their own games and facilitating these games with their peers, developing their creativity, problem solving and leadership skills.
Vacancies
If you know any teachers who are looking for a change in 2018, spread the word that we’re currently hiring. We’re looking for brilliant teachers to join our inspiring team in the following subjects: psychology, chemistry, design technology, English, languages mathematics. The closing date for all of these posts is Sunday 7th January 2018. Find out more here.
Fayre enough
We enjoyed festive fun at our Christmas Fayre this week, with pupils getting crafty and creative in their colleges to host an array of stalls. We raised a collective total of £683.30 which will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.
That’s all folks!
Thanks for sharing another exciting term with us at the University of Birmingham School. We wish everyone in our School community a joyful and peaceful Christmas break.
Best wishes,
All at the University of Birmingham School
