Mars design competition - South Bromsgrove High
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Mars design
competition.
One new 3D Design project that has really
inspired
South YearHigh
Bromsgrove 9 students this
- An Academy yearHalf-Yearly
Trust has been the
Newsletter Issue 17 2021
Mars architecture project. Students were given
a plot of land on Mars and had to sketch and
then 3D model a building to help future
settlers establish a Martian city. The building
had to be useful in some way by producing
Oxygen, growing food or other essentials to
maintain life on the planet. Students
researched 3D printing, sketched ideas and
then designed their buildings on 3D design
software Tinkercad. Over 200 designs were
then 3D printed to create the Martian city.
Students were also asked to design their own
rocket to transport settlers to Mars. These
were entered into a competition and from
around 100 entries 2 winners were chosen to
have their rockets 3D printed.
The amazing winners were
Joshua Newby-Moore and
Charlie Adams. Well done to both
of them.
Mr Weston.
https://
www.southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
The winning designs being printed on the Ender Pro 3 Joshua and Charlie receiving their 3D prin
View from the Headteacher
Developing character
CONTENTS
Department Focus 4-14
Extra-Curricular 15-16
House Matters 17-19
It is traditional at South for the headteacher to lead the As you will see from this edition of the South newsletter,
assemblies in the first week of each term and the virtual despite the impact of COVID, there exists a wealth of
equivalent has taken place throughout this year. Whatever
the topic, whether it is the ‘real Lord of the Flies’, taking
what we call character building activities available at Year Updates 20-25
the school. We want our students to make the most of
the initiative or the concept of excellence, a question that I these opportunities, so one of our targets is to increase
always come back to is ‘What are we working towards?’ participation with the existing offer. However, we do
At South, the answer can be encapsulated in what we
recognise that the schemes and activities available do
not match the interests of all of our students. Therefore,
Partnerships 26-27
call the ‘3 Cs’: Currency, Character and Culture. Currency
we will be also looking to expand our offer to engage
is about getting better outcomes. By this we are not just
more students with activities taking place outside of the
talking about exam results but include all the other awards
classroom. After the two years we have just had we see this
available in school such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards,
as a key element in supporting a recovery back to normal
Headteacher’s Commendations and School Colours. Culture
life for our students – watch this space.
is about developing better relationships which is underpinned
by our three school rules: Ready, Respectful and Safe. So, as the end of term approaches, I would like to take this
Finally, character is about developing better people. opportunity to wish you all a fantastic summer. Stay safe
and let’s hope for a return to normality in September.
The end of this term will mark the end of my fourth year
as headteacher at South, and over the last few weeks the
senior leadership team have been working with trustees to Best wishes and take care.
develop the strategic vision for the school for the next three
years. One of our priorities is to support all students to Chris Smith
engage with character building activities throughout the year Headteacher
which develop them as polite, compassionate, well rounded
and resilient young people.
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Department Focus : English Department Focus : English
The Importance of the Arts in School
Worcestershire’s Young
and Wider Society
Year 9 considered their option choices in the spring term and as part of this we got them in lessons to consider why arts
Poet Laureate 2021 to 2022:
subjects such as English, English Literature, Drama, Film and Media Studies should be studied as part of the curriculum.
After discussing why the arts should be given equal status to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) each
student was given time to reflect on their own thoughts on the matter. Below is a response from Eleanor Moody on the subject:
Faith Taylor
South’s very own year 10 student Faith Taylor has been crowned the new Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate. The
Arts in School It’s absorbing. It’s emotional. It touches Art lessons is a chance to have a break Young Poet Laureate event is a wonderful annual tradition that celebrates the talent of budding young poets across
us and moves us.” Not giving children from the more academic lessons while our county. This year’s competition saw over 100 entrants competing for this coveted position with each applicant
To me, the arts are something incredibly a chance to express themselves is improving your fine motor and creative submitting two poems: one based on this year’s theme ‘adventure’ and a second about anything at all. Due to the
important and they should be displayed devastating as the arts is a universal skills. To me this is extremely important, lockdown, the final was very different to the previous year’s competition and took place virtually over the medium
more in school. language spoken by all. Yes, schools may what do you think? Art is a chance to of Zoom. Faith battled it out to the very end coming first in her age category and then competing against other age
not be the only way we can include the investigate the properties of the world, categories by performing her poem ‘Test Negative, Stay Positive’ to finally be crowned the overall winner. As Young Poet
For instance, drama lessons helps arts in our lives but it is a way you and explore cultural interests and personal Laureate, Faith will have her winning poems published online and in print and be invited to take part in commissioning
children with the development of I can be certain that young people are interests. We shouldn’t be investing our opportunities, mentoring and to perform and talk about her work. She has already taken part in her first event which
motor skills, language skills, social being surrounded by it. time in test results and reducing time for involved another Zoom with people around the world sharing and critiquing each other’s poetry. We are very privileged
skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and the arts. To conclude, I believe we should to have our own Poet Laureate at South and look forward to Faith working closely with staff and students to continue
inventiveness. This is a huge positive To add to this, art lessons is a chance spend more time focusing on creative to promote a love of literature.
and it is something you don’t get from for students to unwind in therapeutic arts lessons and we should give children
many other lessons. In an article written activities and have fun. more of a chance to express themselves. Here is Faith’s award winning poem:
by Michael Rosen it says “Arts is fun. This would be a huge positive and it is
time for a change.
Test Negative, Stay Positive
Mr Sprouting - Head of Film and Media Studies
Keep your distance and stay indoors
Please
World Book Day 2021
This pandemic has been here for a year so
It will never end.
The biggest lie told is that
We are making a difference.
World Book Day is a charity sharing their favourite books I am sure you will agree from
event held annually in the with them, students competed the three finalists for the It’s been such a tough year but
United Kingdom and Ireland to see if they could identify the book recreation task that People dying is so much worse.
on the first Thursday in March. teacher behind the book selfie they certainly deserved the Wearing a mask is a pain;
This day at South is always and final submissions came book vouchers they received
an opportunity for staff and through for the creative task of as prizes! We look forward to I hate people who say that
students to share their love recreating a book cover of your continuing to celebrate our We need to stay positive.
of reading…and lockdown choice. Whilst students had love of reading with students
Just stay alive, it’s the bare minimum.
certainly did not stop this to wait until they were back now they are back in school.
from happening! in school to receive their free People want to
book token, students certainly And finally… thank you for all
Not follow the government guidelines.
On the day, students logged still embraced World Book of your amazing contributions
onto their Microsoft Teams to the South Bromsgrove book Cases will rise again and
Day through engaging with the
lessons to find their teachers different activities on the day. appeal. We are so grateful for We can’t keep saying
your generosity and amazed
To stop the spread
by the final total of £1310.00
which you have raised. Lots When nobody helps
of new books are now being It’s annoying
purchased for our students to
ensure that we can continue I’m so sick of this pandemic.
to expand our reading
provision for our students. Now read from the bottom to the top
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Department Focus : MFL Department Focus : Business Studies
Engaging Students Year 12 General
Knowledge Quiz
in Languages This term, Year 12 BTEC Business hosted a General
Knowledge, Online Quiz, for the Harry Bennett
Foundation. Our course required us to successfully host
an event, and in light of recent circumstances, we chose
Bonjour! ¡Hola!
to do an online quiz. The entry fee was one pound,
We would like to say a big well done to all the Year 11 and 13 students who completed their GCSE and A-levels in languages which would then be collected and donated to the Harry
this year. They have shown resilience and a great work ethic towards completing their moderated assessments. You should Bennett Foundation. The prizes for the people who
be proud of your achievements and we hope you have a lovely summer. came in the top 3 were a bag of sweets and stationary
along with a £10 iTunes Gift Card for first place. Thank
This year students have been working hard to learn vocab each week in order to score well in their weekly vocab tests. This you to Izzy O’Connor and Ms C Nicholls for generously
has contributed to the vocab league, where the class with the highest average score wins a prize each week. Students have donating the prizes given to the winners.
consistently achieved well at this through use of different apps including Quizlet, Duo lingo and Seneca.
The quiz was hosted via Microsoft Teams, so it complied
Students have also been with Covid-19 Regulations but was still made enjoyable
watching series and for everyone who took part. We managed to raise
films using streaming nearly One Hundred Pounds for charity and had around
sites such as Netflix 70 participants who took part in the quiz.
and Disney+, where you
A big congratulations to third place, Maddy Cater,
can change the audio
second place, Molly Irons and first place, Holly Slater.
to French and keep the
English subtitles.
Teachers have been
recognising student’s The event took weeks of careful preparation
efforts in languages each along with numerous tests and practice runs.
week by nominating them The promotional method we chose that was
for student of the week. appropriate for an online charity quiz was
These students have colourful and bright posters, they displayed
worked exceptionally well all the relevant information to inform year 12
each week and receive a students of what was taking place. Informational
letter home praising their emails were also sent out to students and form
hard work. teachers as another method of promotion. The
event took place during PSD and lasted around
Well done to everyone 20 mins and fit perfectly into the period.
for all your hard work this
year. The feedback received was positive and said
that the event was ran well to a good level. The
Passez un bel été! feedback told us how good the questions were
along with communication and overall quality
Have a nice summer!
of experience. 95% of feedback said that the
Miss Carr overall quality of the event was excellent, and
the other 5% rating the event as good. Finally,
the donation request amount was rated to be
just the right amount.
A thankyou to everyone who helped organise the
event to help it run smoothly along with a special
thankyou to Ms C Nicholls.
Nathan Hunt, Year 12
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Department Focus : History Department Focus : Biology
Holocaust Memorial Day and Careers in Biology
Women’s History Month At the start of March we had our
careers week within school and in
biology we thought this would be a great
Jess is a midwife who left South in
2011. She brought along one of her
co-workers, Rob. Many students did not
With Covid measures in place, and the Bromsgrove March 2021 was Women’s History month, dedicated to those opportunity for students to hear from realise that there were male midwives!
‘It was interesting to see how our biology
Holocaust memorial service unable to go ahead, the significant women throughout History who have influenced ex-students who have moved into a He talked about how much of the topics apply to the real world’ Ben, Y11
History Department commemorated Holocaust Memorial our lives. The History department ran a competition for a biology based career. We would usually role is about female empowerment
Day by creating thoughtful art work. Students in Year 9 research project and we had some fantastic entries from have looked at asking ex-students to and he expressed how rewarding it is Eleanor works as a genetic counsellor
study the Holocaust each year and remember the 6 million across both lower school and sixth form. come into school and talk to students to support women through such an and Nick is studying genetics at
Jewish men, women and children who were killed during in person. Obviously this year we had important time of their life. university and aspires to go into
the Holocaust alongside other victims including political 1st Prize went to Holly Alcock to re-plan and moved this event online, genetic counselling afterwards. This
(Year 9) for her creative entry with up to 100 students watching these Charli has had a few different roles
prisoners, gypsies, those with disabilities and gay people. It careers involves studying the genome
based on Frida Kahlo. Holly online sessions from home. within physio and is also studying for a
was wonderful to see contributions from across our school of individuals or their unborn offspring
says one of her favourite PhD. One of her previous roles involved
community. Here are some wonderful examples from Aimee to determine whether they carry
quotes by Frida was ‘feet, This turned out to be a blessing in working as a physio for the women’s
and Sophie Coleman, Sophie Brailsford, Eleanor Vernalls, mutations and are more likely to go
what do I need you for when disguise as most of the ex-students Olympic Skeleton team which involved
Lydia Swainland, Adam Dawes and Harriet Mander. on to have certain genetic disorders.
I have wings to fly?’ Clearly who contacted me did not live locally long days but great travel opportunities!
It was interesting that despite the
Frida’s strength and courage anymore. Some had moved to other Lauren in Y12 said ‘She is a very
fact that there are only 300 genetic
inspired Holly to create this parts of the UK and worked in locations interesting person, her talk about
counsellors in the UK, we had two ex-
colourful piece. such as Manchester and Essex. Another physio was very intriguing and lots of
students who were either currently in
even joined us from Sweden! The range useful information was given to us. I
the role or aspiring to this role in the
of talks that students were able to really enjoyed the talk, thank you.’
next couple of years.
experience wouldn’t have been possible
without this online event. Y11, Y12 and Caitlin was another student who left
some Y10 students were lucky enough South in 2011 and she decided to
to hear from ex-students in a very wide focus her future studies in psychology,
2nd Prize went to Emily range of different biology careers. which you can also get into with a
Allbutt (Year 10) who entered biology A-level or equivalent. She has
Many of our students are interested
a brilliant write up on French a very interesting job working in a
in a medical based career so we had
peasant girl Joan of Arc, who, psychiatric ward in a men’s prison,
Rachel, who is a pharmacist, Ben who
according to legend, led the supporting men who suffer from
works as a HART paramedic, Pippa ‘Charli was brilliant, so informative and spoke
French to victory over England mental health. She spoke of links with
who is a dentist, Charli who works in about her career in zoology with such passion
in the Hundred Year Wars. biology such as looking at how the
physiotherapy and Jess and Rob who that it has made me potentially consider this
brain responds as well as hormones
are both midwives. as a career path.’ Isabella, Y11.
and chemical levels. Emily in Y12
said ‘I found it really helpful how
As well as medical careers we had
thoroughly Caitlin spoke about
ex-students talking about their work
each step from A levels to getting
in environmental science. Charli
all her qualifications. It was really
3rd prize was awarded to Emily was previously a zoo keeper but is
helpful to see how biology and
Towler (Year 12) who entered now a lecturer on animal welfare.
psychology can fit together and I’d
a really creative piece on the We also heard from Liz who studied
never heard of that career before.’
WW2 American spy working marine biology and now works in
in Nazi occupied Germany, environmental research. Liz works in Since this event we have had even
Virginia Hall. She was ‘They were really informative and made their Gothenburg in Sweden and has worked more emails from ex-students in
considered one of the most job sound really interesting.’ Freya, Y11. and studied in a variety of countries so biology based careers who want to
dangerous spies of WW2 and it was really interesting for students to help us out in the future. We are
the Nazis were desperate to hear about how they can incorporate looking forward to applying this
Ben was dialling in from work - he was travel into a biology based career.
find her and kill her! simialr online set up to future
leading a course training people to
careers events in school so that
drive off road vehicles. It was really Alex, Nick and Eleanor talked to our
students can hear from ex-students,
interesting to hear about other aspects students about a careers in genetics.
no matter where their location.
Congratulations to the award winners and to everyone who of a paramedic based job - as a HART Alex works in RNA extraction and is
entered, it was great to see so many students engaging with paramedic, Ben works in hazardous currently testing COVID samples and Mrs Haden
Women’s History. environments and so staff need to be students had many questions based on Head of Biology
physically fit and trained to work in a what they already knew about COVID
Mrs Jennings and Miss Jones variety of extreme conditions. and COVID samples.
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Department Focus : Physics Department Focus : Art
Boost for Cosmic Ray Research at South Year 9 ART
The Earth’s atmosphere is under Year 9 have completed some exceptional artwork
constant bombardment from cosmic this year. Throughout the pandemic challenges,
rays – particles from beyond our solar they have persevered and used their creativity to
system. Their impact can be measured enhance their skillsets. Students have completed a
at the Earth’s surface but there is range of projects, from sculptures to origami.
much about them that is unknown. The
At the beginning of the year, students completed
HiSPARC project allows schools and
a ‘Fabulous Foods’ project. They began
students to partner with Universities in
with traditional observational drawings of
undertaking research into the rays and
pomegranates, where they practised their colour
how they vary with factors such as the
The Physics Department at South blending skills, eventually moving onto paper
season and atmospheric conditions.
has successfully bid for a £3,000 folding using origami. The successful Pop Art
A small team of students at South the school, especially into something
partnership grant from the Royal banana project was inspired by Andy Warhol.
has already been analysing data from as inspiring as the mysteries of space.”
Society to allow it to participate fully Student’s talents can be seen in the variety of
other detectors from around Europe
in the HiSPARC project (High School ideas they display.
but having their own detector will bring South will be working with the
Project on Astrophysics Research with
more relevance to their work. University of Birmingham and has
Cosmics). With matched funding from
invited other schools, Bromsgrove
the school’s Governing Body it will Mr Clark, Head of Physics said, “We are School and Holy Trinity Kidderminster,
be possible to purchase and install a absolutely delighted to have secured to participate in the project.
system for detecting cosmic rays that the grant to allow us to have original
are arriving at South Bromsgrove. scientific investigation taking place at Mr Clark - Head of Physics
What’s it for?
During lockdown, student’s engagement with their art
lessons was impressive. The Great British Bake Off
was the theme for remote learning. Students studied
The Physics Department is studying cosmic rays as part of the the shows illustrator Tom Hovey, producing their own
international HiSPARC project. Our cosmic ray detector is situated on the cake designs inspired by his famous style. Students
Sixth Form terrace in two “top boxes”. Every event they detect is recorded produced some highly imaginative designs, even using
on a computer and a daily upload to the international database saves the digital drawing techniques.
data for anyone in the world to study. Our detector is just one of hundreds.
Most are based in the Netherlands but there are detectors in Belgium,
Denmark and Namibia as well as a few scattered around the UK.
Cosmic Rays
Showers of high energy particles occur Anyone with access to the HiSPARC
when energetic cosmic rays strike the database can investigate cosmic rays to
top of the Earth’s atmosphere. Most find out:
cosmic rays are atomic nuclei: most • where in space they are
are hydrogen nuclei, some are helium coming from
The return to school meant students
nuclei, and the rest heavier elements. • how much energy they have
completed a sculpture project, investigating
Although many of the low energy cosmic • how are the affected by:
the artist Henry Moore. Students explored
rays come from our Sun, the origins of o time of day
abstraction of the human figure to produce Artwork by:
the highest energy cosmic rays remains o time of year
some outstanding Mod Roc maquettes.
This drawing illustrates air showers unknown and a topic of much research. o the moon’s cycle
Zoe Lavender
from very high energy cosmic rays. The prime suspect is super novae – the o the weather (particularly Well done Year 9. I am very proud of the Amelie Keme
(Image credit: Simon Swordy explosions of dying stars. pressure – hence the weather work you have achieved this year. It has Layla Yeomans
(U. Chicago), NASA) station!) been difficult, but you have all used your Megan Hunt
artistic talents in a positive way. I wish you Mingwei Shen
The HiSPARC detector was purchased and installed with support all the best for the future. Miss McGahey-
With thanks to…
Mickee Breedon
from the school’s Board of Trustees and a grant from the Royal School Direct Art Trainee. Tish Taylor
Astronomical Society. Rosie Lee
The weather station purchase and installation was made possible through a grant from Millenium Point Trust. Josh Sprackman
Ethan Humphries
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Department Focus : Design Department Focus : Design
Interested in GCSE 3D Design? Interested in GCSE 3D Design?
Come and see Mr Weston in G.05 Come and see Mr Weston in G.05
A rocket to Architects
Mars design of their own
competition. future.
Teigan Lilly – Rehabilitation Centre to reduce UK re-offenses
One new 3D Design project that has really
It has been a tough year for Technology students
inspired Year 9 students this year has been the
especially as practical work in school has not been
Mars architecture project. Students were given
possible for quite a while. Luckily for Year 13
a plot of land on Mars and had to sketch and
Product Design students they were able to
then 3D model a building to help future
complete their eagerly anticipated architectural
settlers establish a Martian city. The building
models.
had to be useful in some way by producing
Oxygen, growing food or other essentials to
Each student chose a social problem to investigate
maintain life on the planet. Students
and then developed an architectural solution to
researched 3D printing, sketched ideas and
the problem they identified. Projects included
then designed their buildings on 3D design
social housing, student accommodation to
software Tinkercad. Over 200 designs were
promote good mental health, a homeless shelter,
then 3D printed to create the Martian city.
a centre to encourage cultural integration, a
rehabilitation centre to reduce reoffending, a
Students were also asked to design their own mobile Olympic stadium and an industrial estate
rocket to transport settlers to Mars. These with an on-site centralised college to encourage
were entered into a competition and from apprenticeships in manufacturing. The results are
around 100 entries 2 winners were chosen to outstanding and some of them can be seen on
have their rockets 3D printed. display at the front of school.
The amazing winners were
Joshua Newby-Moore and Mr Weston.
Charlie Adams. Well done to both
of them. Have a go yourself at
Mr Weston.
https://www.tinkercad.com/
The winning designs being printed on the Ender Pro 3 Joshua and Charlie receiving their 3D printed rockets and certificates Lucy Ring – Student accommodation to enhance mental health
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Power of Nature
Department Focus : Design
Photography
Extra Curricular
Power ofCompetition
Nature
Photography Competition
Interested in GCSE 3D Design?
Power of Nature
How can being outdoors in nature help us to cope with the stresses of a busy life?
Music
Come and see Mr Weston in G.05 Interacting with nature can be not just enjoyable, but also beneficial to our mental
Photography Competition
healthHow
andcan
wellbeing, aspectsinofnature
being outdoors our health
help usthat are particularly
to cope important
with the stresses to look
of a busy life? after.
to their
Interacting with nature can be not just enjoyable, but also beneficial to our mental
Over the Christmas holidays I challenged everyone to get outdoors and interact with nature by taking
health
How andoutdoors
can being wellbeing, aspects
in nature help usof to our
copehealth
part in another
with that
Overare
photography particularly
the Christmas important
holidays I challenged to look toafter.
everyone get
outdoorscompetition.
and interact with nature by taking part in another
ears.
the stresses of a busy life?
I extended
Over thetheChristmas
competition to include
holidays Spring 1 and these
to getare thecompetition.
photography winners as judged
withby the staff at South.
Interacting with nature can be not Ijust
challenged
enjoyable,everyone
but outdoors and interact nature by taking
also beneficial to our mental health part Mrs Taylor,
in another
and wellbeing, Head
photography ofcompetition.
Artthe competition to include Spring 1 and these are
I extended
aspects of our health that are particularly important to the winners as judged by the staff at South.
I extended the competition to include Spring 1 and these are the winners as judged by the staff at South.
Year 10 3D Design students have look after.
finally got what they have been
waiting for! Their chance to get The Winners!
Mrs Taylor, Head of ArtHead of Art
Mrs Taylor,
The
The Winners!
Winners!
going in the workshop and make
their very own 3-string box guitar.
This is a real instrument based on
early blues guitars from the
southern states of the USA. The
project is designed to help students
find their way around the workshop
using modern and traditional Year 10 box guitars
methods of manufacturing and
construction from spoke shaves
(traditionally used by wheelwrights
to make spokes for wheels), jack
planes and the laser cutter. They are
a work in progress at the moment
but I can’t wait to hear them all
when they are finished!!?? 1st Fletcher Howard Yr 9 2nd Matthew Blundell Yr 9 3rd Sunni Benton Yr 12
The
1st Fletcher Howard Yr 9 2nd Matthew Blundell Yr 9 3rd Sunni Benton Yr 12
Year 9 oak and veneer key fobs and pendants.
Year 9 have been busy getting back to practical work and have made a great
key to
job of their key fobs and pendants. They have worked with oak and
hardwood veneers. The veneer is glued in between two pieces of oak then
sanded down to create a stripe through their design. They then shape the
success.
oak to create a variety of geometric and curved pieces. They have really
enjoyed this nice little project.
Let there
be
Year 9 have also been working with
aluminium to design and make a small
light.
desk lamp based on Apple products.
The outcomes so far look very
impressive and the students are looking
forward to taking them home and using
them to illuminate their room.
Mr Weston.
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Extra Curricular House Matters
Plymouth
DofE With a Difference As we welcome the new house team, we wanted to say a
So many students, parents and staff were disappointed practice expeditions within the local countryside, one at massive thank you to the leaving Year 13 house team who
when the global pandemic prevented us from running any Silver for the Year 11s and one at Bronze for the Y10s. helped work towards an alternative Eisteddfod this year! We
of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expeditions in 2020. We wish you the very best for the future in all you do and hope you
The first half of the Silver groups experienced some torrential will be back to cheer on Plymouth again in the future!
all accepted our responsibilities to play our part in keeping
rain, but this did little to dampen spirits! The second half
people safe, but it is always such a highlight of the spring
groups were much luckier with the weather. Having missed Our new house team for 2021-2022 are looking forward to
and summer terms at South that it still left a big hole.
out on their Bronze expeditions in 2020, there were a lot of meeting everyone and working together to ensure Plymouth is
Recognising the need for young people across the UK to still navigation skills to learn from staff on Day 1. the best house next year! Our house captains are Vicky McNie
have the opportunity to benefit from everything that DofE and Jess Burford. Eisteddfod will be led by Zara Guest, Lydia
The Bronze expeditions took place over a scorching weekend
has to offer, the DofE announced a number of temporary Swainland, Amy Wicks, Madeleine Uner, Samantha Hodgetts
in mid-June. It was the opening weekend of the European
changes to the requirements for all sections of the Award, and Mya Strobel. Our new Sports Captains are Emily Pullen,
Football Championship, and this provided an incentive for
including the expedition. This meant that, once the national Lucy Power, Vaughan Harper and Lily Saxon. Liz Belton is in
some groups to finish each day as quickly as possible.
lockdown had finished, DofE expeditions were back on! charge of media and our house mascot is Adam Knowles.
Overall, we were absolutely delighted that all 128 Bronze
As a school, we decided that we would avoid coach travel The summer term has brought the return of House Sports and
and 84 Silvers completed their practice expeditions.
and sleeping in tents, in order to minimise the chances some exciting news from the virtual Eisteddfod of 2020! It has
of the Covid virus being transmitted between students. At Neil Dixon, Director of DofE been great to see students playing House Sports again, taking
the time of writing, we have completed two very successful part for Plymouth and also encouraging the other houses on
throughout the events. In the football competition, Year 9 and
12 came second and Year 10 third, resulting in a third place
overall. We dominated the netball, winning in both Year 10 and
12 and coming second in Year 9 which meant an overall win for
Plymouth in netball! Meanwhile in the rounders competition,
Year 10 won and Year 9 and 12 were third so we came third
overall. Once all the results were collated together, we finished
a very close second, just behind Vernon House, well done and
thank you to all who took part!
The virtual Eisteddfod dance and music cups are now available
to watch and if you haven’t seen them yet, please have a look
on the school website and enjoy the fantastic talent on show!
In the music cup, I am so pleased to announce that Katie
Amor in Year 11 came second in the singing competition with
her beautiful performance of ‘Arcade’ and in the instrumental
competition, Will Whitman, also in Year 11 came first with his
outstanding electrical guitar performance of ‘Eruption’. Thank
you to both of these students who represented Plymouth House
in the week when they were completing their GCSE mock exams With these brilliant results, we were first placed in the dance
and to everyone who auditioned for the competition. cup and joint first place with Vernon in the music cup so it is all
to play for with the virtual drama production yet to come! We will
The virtual dance competition was also a brilliant success bring you more news next time but a massive thank you and well
for Plymouth this year. The theme was ‘Musicals’ and it was done to everyone involved so far. It is the taking part that counts
fantastic to see so many students taking part, especially our and we love to see you making Plymouth proud! Thank you again
new Year 9s. In a tough competition, I am so pleased to say that to Mr Sugars for all his time to edit and put together the virtual
Honey Empson came third from Year 10 with an incredible dance performances this year!
to ‘The Lion King’, well done Honey! An outstanding performance
from Mia Wainwright in Year 11 earnt her first place in the We look forward to the rest of the summer term and hopefully a
competition, it was a beautiful and mesmerising performance more normal 2021!
and we are so proud of both Mia and Honey! We want to wish
Mia success for the future as she leaves South to join dance Mrs Stock & Liz Belton
school, I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her! Head of Plymouth House & Media Captain
Plymouth201819 plymouthplatoon Plymouth2018-19 Plymouth2018_19
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3
House Matters House Matters
Talbot Vernon
Welcome to Team Talbot! It is approaching a chaotic few weeks for
me as I write this report given that I hold
the roles of Vernon House Leader, Senior
First, I would like to introduce you to our With future events being uncertain, the whole team have
House Leader and Gold DofE Expedition
new house team for 2021-2022: hope that our team events can go back to normal, and
Leader at South. The Gold expeditions
will include students from Year 12, Year
we look forward to hopefully introducing our year 9s to
House Captains: Jade Jeffreys, Jasmine Birchill, 13 and a smaller group of ex-Year 13
Eisteddfod which contains different events such as poetry,
Liv Turbutt and Molly Irons art, choir, drama, instrumental, solo vocalist and dance.
students from the previous cohort where
the pandemic curtailed their opportunity
Eisteddfod captains: Isabel Caney, Rosie Green, Choir is open to anyone who wants to take part and join in
last year. We are also preparing for
on supporting their team. Instrumental, vocalist, drama and
Morgan Hill, Jack Hudson Sports Day and the Sixth Form Debating
dance are available on audition. Poetry and art are also open
Competition as well as me finding some
Sport Captains: Mia Scarlett, Luke Schofield, for everyone and we need as many entries as possible so we
time in the last few days of term to
Joseph Van Der Plank, Amelia Hart would love for everyone to take part to help us gain points
wrap up and present the 2021 House
for our team. We would like as many people as possible to
Championship Assembly.
Media captain: Issy Childs sign up and take part in future events such as Eisteddfod. In
recent years Eisteddfod has been a yearly highlight in which
Mascot: Laura Shanley some of the acts and choir battle it out on the night and we Vernon House has seen some changes
look forward to hopefully seeing it again in 2021. in command with a later application
Following the recent spring sports, we would all like to say a All the points we win in these events will help us in the process for the sixth form House
big thank you for our full teams and enthusiasm throughout overall house cup. In closer events sixth form house debating Leaders. Sunni Benton, Lauren Hind and
the sports. We came 3rd overall but managed to come will be taking place on the 19th of July so best of luck to Emily Taylor are the new House Captains.
second overall in football, joint second in netball and second anyone participating. The Eisteddfod Team comprises Ryan in the instrumental who had the genius idea of doing a split screen video and
in rounders. I hope we can carry this team enthusiasm Hilton, Polly Smith, Hannah Bullard, Emily dueting with herself. We finished third overall in the Dance and I was delighted with
through to our next team event. Issy Childs, Media Captain Towler, Matt Tennant and Carrie Worth. our second place in the Drama given the challenges of rehearsing in bubbles on
The new Sports Captains are Josh Ellis, Teams. For the final adjudication of the Eisteddfod it was one of the closest finishes
Tom Marsden, Freya Reeves and Alexa for years with Plymouth being the eventual winners (21pts), Talbot second (20pts)
Serghi. Last, but not least, Charlotte and us third (19pts). Well done and a big thank you to all involved.
Kennington has the job of looking after
our publicity and social media profiles We finally had the opportunity to compete in some House Sports early in the
(as well as the honour of wearing the summer term, competing in football, netball and rounders for Years 9, 10 and
smurf costume!). Once again it was a 12. Overall we won the football and rounders with a joint second finish for
very competitive field of applications netball. Sports Day will be taking place earlier than usual with three separate
and I thank all that applied, though I sessions taking place on the school field for the three year groups. We have had
appreciate some will be disappointed. to compromise a little bit on the field event programme but other than that it will
In addition to these appointments we be business as usual and I thank Mr Law and the P.E. Department for putting this
are also looking to appoint some Junior plan together at short notice.
House Leader positions for next year’s
Year 11 cohort. The Sixth Form Debating will be the final event of the year having been
postponed a couple of times due to lockdown. We will be defending the motion
Mr Sugars has worked tirelessly behind that charity/aid should be given domestically as a priority for our first motion
the scenes getting the virtual 2020 then opposing giving all children free school meals as the other motion. This is
Eisteddfod over the finishing line with always an impressive event with thorough research and confident presentation.
the last piece of the puzzle putting the The students also have the benefit of Mr Chris “Dimbleby” Smith chairing the
drama – “Dick Barton & The Curse Of three debates.
The Pharoah’s Tomb” – through the
editing suite. On behalf of all of the There is plenty to play for in these final few weeks and it looks like it will go to the
House Leaders and teams he deserves a wire for the 2021 House Champions
massive thank you for the hours he has
put in. In terms of results not previously C’mon you blues
published, we came joint first in the Music
Cup thanks to a marvellous second place
Mr Hill
finish for Beth Jones in the vocal and a
Head of Vernon House
@tribetalbot @tribetalbot @tribetalbot1819 brilliant first place for Kiko Wadhams
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3Year Updates Year Updates
Year 9 Review Year 10 Review
After another challenging term of lockdown, year 9 tests and mask wearing in lessons, we have been so The school year so far has been a busy and productive one for year 10 students. We are impressed with how the
impressed with the hard work, resilience and positivity shown by Year 9. This puts them in an excellent students have coped with the various challenges that education in a Covid 19 world has presented. Students
situation as we move forward into year 10 and them starting their GCSEs. have shown us great resilience and determination to succeed, and the development of these qualities will
be beneficial for them in the future. Overall, despite everything the students have faced, teachers have been
impressed with the work completed. Students have also demonstrated a really positive attitude towards their
Positive News Stories House Points PPEs this month which have given them the opportunity to demonstrate everything they have learned this year.
In recent weeks, it has been fantastic to see the extra-curricular timetable return and year 10 engagement with
Year 9 have really got stuck into all of their The tutor group with the most house points is 9JJC activities such as the 5-a-side football has been impressive. We are very proud of the year group and we look
lessons as well as lots of the extra-curricular who have so far accumulated 3429 house points forward to seeing the progress they make during year 11.
opportunities that we have on offer here at over the course of the year! Well done 9JJC!
South. Throughout the Spring and Summer Miss McAleese and Mrs Taylor
term, students have been taking part in a
variety of activities across all of their subjects.
Activities include things such as designing their
own rocket to be 3D printed in Technology,
Attendance House Points Spring Term Headteacher’s
creating thoughtful displays in History in line We currently have 59 Year 9 students who have
As a year group, students have earned over Commendations
with their learning on The Holocaust and achieved 100% attendance this year in school.
23,324 house points to date, with our top
Women’s History month and writing their own This is fantastic, especially given the current Academic Achievement: Naomi Curtis
10 students being:
monologues to perform in Drama. Outside of situation with regards to COVID-19.
Leadership: Georgia Penn-Ashman
lessons, their hard work continues with many Well done Year 9! 1. Darcey McNeil 10LC – 176
students taking part in recreating their favourite Commitment to Learning: Ellie Jones
2. William Mason 10GDY – 142
book covers for world book day and taking part
in Maths Masterclass Tutorials offered free from 3. Harry O’Sullivan 10LC – 139
Talent-Ed. This is only to name a few of the Spring Term Headteacher’s 4. Aidan Moore 10LC and
amazing activities that Year 9 have took part in
throughout this term and I know many of them
Commendations Finlay Creed 10RJ – 138
Congratulations to the following students in Year 9 5. Jess Levine 10LC – 137
are looking forward to other exciting activities
that are in the pipeline. We have seen some students in the following categories: 6. Lucy Weston 10AWH and
fantastic work produced, which is a real credit Academic Achievement: Holly Alcock Amber Banham 10GL – 135
to their hard work and determination, in what 7. Megan Duckhouse 10LC – 129
Leadership: Isabelle Maycock
has been an unprecedented year.
Commitment to Learning: Isabelle Crunden 8. Zak Broad 10CD – 128
Miss Clipson and Mr Law would like to say a 9. Andrew Campbell 10GL – 126
massive thank you to all of the year 9 students
10. Gabrielle Davies 10CD and
for all of their efforts this year. They have been
Millie Taylor 10RJ - 124
a fantastic year group to work with and we are
already looking forward to September.
World Book Day - Miss Clipson
Students recreated famous book covers. Head of Year 9
Attendance
We currently have 57 students in Year 10 who have achieved 100% attendance so far this year which is
fantastic, especially given the current situation.
Well done!
Year 9 History work associated with their
work on The Holocaust and Women’s
History month
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3Year Updates Year Updates
Year 11 Review
The Class of 2021 - Ending a Disrupted Year on a High We are very proud of the resilience
and friendship that you have
Friday 14th May was Year 11 Leavers Day, and we celebrated the end of compulsory education for the year all demonstrated over the past
group with an informal breaktime brunch and the raucous announcement of the Year 11 Awards. The awards two years. Whilst this wasn’t the
had been decided by a round of open nominations and then a second round of voting for the shortlisted experience you had expected from
students. Here are the names of the winners. your high school years, we know
that you will have made memories
that will last a lifetime. We wish you
Most likely to be a millionaire Kate Holland the best of luck as your education
Most likely to be late for their own wedding Ruby Colley continues next year, whether that is
at college, in the 6th form or as an
Most likely to be Prime Minister Isabella Lawrance
apprentice. Please do keep in touch
Most likely to sell their wedding photos to OK magazine Maddie Clews with your news – it is always lovely to
Most likely to be an Instagram Influencer Indi Davis hear from ex-students.
Least lockdown lessons attended Liam Lewis Mrs Rees and Mr Dixon
Most likely to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year Gabriel Mills
Biggest Party Animal Zoe Nabbs
Cutest Couple Beth Holdstock and Liam Barber
Most likely to forget their passport for a plane journey Josh Byng
Most likely to win a Nobel prize An Lam
Most likely to be on Celebrity Love Island Max Watkins
Most likely to be TikTok famous Max Watkins
Most likely to marry someone for money Lucy Chester
Most likely to win an Oscar Alex Johnson
Most likely to become a teacher Isabella Lawrance
Most likely to die due to an act of stupidity Kieran Boswell
Most likely to become a comedian Harvey Gibbons
Most likely to have their phone on during a funeral James Jones
Biggest bromance Max Watkins and Patrick Drummond
The past few weeks have seen a large number of
Year 11 students back in school, enjoying their
Bridging Programme lessons as they prepare to
begin A Levels and Level 3 BTEC courses in the
6th form in September. Behind the scenes, we
have been working very hard (against the changing
backdrop of lockdown easing and the resurrection
of the hospitality industry) to arrange and rearrange
the Year 11 Prom. We have had to move it from a
Friday in early July to a Monday evening in the final
week of term. We know that the students, tutors
and teachers are all looking forward to ending this
year on a high!
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3Year Updates Year Updates
Sixth Form Review Sixth Form Review
We have been delighted with how well both Year It has been a busy spring and summer term, with
12 and Year 13 settled back into school in March
following the period of school closure. As a Sixth
students re-engaging with face-to-face learning and
making the most of the opportunities offered to them,
Spring Term Year 12 Headteacher’s Commendations
Form team we continue to be so impressed with such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, leadership
the resilience and adaptability that our Sixth Form positions and exploring options for their next steps. Academic Achievement
students have shown this year.
Mr Coates and Miss Dodd
Name of student:
Lauren Thompson
Year 12 Careers Year 12 Leadership Positions House
Despite the move to virtual Congratulations to all students who applied and were successfully Plymouth
events, students in Year appointed to positions on the Plymouth, Vernon and Talbot House Teams. Reason for award:
12 have continued to be We were also delighted to recently appoint 15 students as Wellbeing Lauren is making outstanding academic progress in her subjects, excelling in her study programme, and
well supported in exploring Ambassadors – these students will support Mrs Simpson in the delivery is currently working towards three A* grades in English Literature, History and Religious Studies. Lauren
the options for their next of a range of wellbeing activities and projects to promote the wellbeing ensures that everything she does is completed to an exceptionally high standard and she has superb
steps after Sixth Form. and healthy lifestyles of students. They will help to improve the health attention to detail. Lauren works really hard in school and maximises her success due to her diligent and
Following the virtual careers and wellbeing of students by building resilience, promoting positive conscientious nature. Well done Lauren for outstanding academic achievement.
afternoon at the end of practices and adaptive coping skills, and raising awareness of self-help
January, students attended techniques. Congratulations to all students who were appointed.
a virtual Higher Education
Finally, in the last few weeks of term the Head Student Team application
Leadership
talk in February where a
speaker from the University of process will conclude. We look forward to our virtual hustings event
Plymouth covered all aspects and the subsequent student vote. The final Head Student Team will be Name of student:
of applying to university, announced before the end of term – good luck to all those involved. Daniel Evans
student finance and university House
life. More recently students Talbot
had a series of five mini- Year 13 Leavers’ Event Reason for award:
assemblies in which the
Not only does Daniel demonstrate an outstanding attitude towards his studies, he has also been a superb
university (UCAS) application Year 13 had a fantastic send off on 14th May with students arriving to
tutor representative for 12KHD. He has provided insightful feedback for tutor representative meetings
process was covered in detail, school in fancy dress costumes, having some complementary food and
and goes above and beyond what is required from the role, including producing a range of charts having
and on Monday 21st June drink, and attending an informal student awards presentation outdoors
canvassed his tutor group’s feedback on PSD and dress code in the Sixth Form. Well done Daniel.
a representative from the on the Sixth Form terrace. It was great to celebrate the students’ time
University of Southampton at South and to see such a range of different costumes! Well done to
delivered an engaging session the current Head Student team for supporting the event, and we wish
on personal statements. The Year 13 all the very best for the future. Commitment to learning
sessions complement the
ongoing use of Unifrog, our Name of student:
online destination tool, which Jasmine Mendez
supports students in finalising
their options for university and House
apprenticeship applications. Plymouth
We would encourage all Reason for award:
students in Year 12 who Since joining at the start of Year 12, Jasmine has made excellent progress, steadily improving her grades
are considering applying to over the last two terms. She works incredibly hard in her lessons and demonstrates a genuine desire to
university to have started fully understand all the content covered in her courses. She is never afraid to ask questions and works
their applications by the end diligently and conscientiously in her study periods. Well done Jasmine.
of this term, and have a draft
personal statement written by
the end of the summer break.
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3Partnerships
Alumni Afternoon Goes Ogden Trust Network
International As a school we are a lead partner in the West Midlands Secondary Schools
Ogden Trust Partnership. A bit of a mouthful but what that means is that
our Physics department works with 4 others to promote the teaching and
learning of Physics, supported by grants and funding from the Ogden Trust.
Former students (alumni) currently in Australia, Cyprus,
New Zealand and Nigeria joined others, online, from
all around the UK to share their career experiences
with the current Year 12 students of South Bromsgrove
High School on Thursday 28th January. This was the
initiative of Careers Lead, Steve Clark, who recognised
the potential of the internet in bringing such a wealth
and wide-variety of experience together.
Usually, we invite past-students to come into school
to meet and chat with Sixth Formers to enrich and
broaden their understanding of the possible futures
for them after leaving South. With COVID restrictions
in place it was natural to move the event online and
then the boundaries just became limitless. A call-out
on LinkedIn and networking through other social media
channels gave us a rich harvest. The partnership is four years old and over the time of its
existence it has helped pay for and support:
It meant that the number of workshops offered was
larger than usual with students selecting their top • Y12 Science ambassadors working with middle
three from 13 available. Sectors represented included school students
business, finance, engineering, medicine and health Activity has been curtailed due to COVID so the trust has
• Trips and visits e.g. the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
care, law, administration, self-employment and, told the schools to use the money to support students
Medical Physics department
naturally, teaching. who have been adversely affected during this time, thus
• The pop-up planetarium that comes to South each year and a dozen of our GCSE Physics students received revision
Students were very appreciative of the opportunity
hosts visits from middle schools as well as our own students resources (guides, study cards, practice questions)
to get the real-life experiences first hand from the
through this and they have been much appreciated.
alumni with a wide-range of career paths – university, • Area wide careers events such as a Space Careers event run
apprenticeships, career-changes, public and private by the National Space Centre
sector. The school was really grateful for them being We’ve been allowed to carry over money to the next year
willing to give their time and expertise in this way. • Teaching resources such as annual subscriptions for GCSE and so we’re hoping to host a demonstration lecture by
and A level Physics Online videos Science Made Simple in December, welcoming students
Mr Clark from all the partner schools. Fingers crossed we can
Careers Lead actually do this!
The partner schools are:
• Arrowvale
• Aston University Engineering Academy
• Bromsgrove School
• King Edward’s High School for Girls Camp Hill
• South Bromsgrove High
Mr Clark
Head of Physics, Careers Lead
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