BARTLEY GREEN SCHOOL Term 2. ensemble production that brought a warmth to the heart.

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1 BARTLEY GREEN SCHOOL Term 2 The Owl Newsletter January 2018 BGS STUDENTS ON SONG IN THIS ISSUE The Christmas Cabaret brings a warm end to a cold term by Riley Bates, Y9 Heavy snow meant that the annual Christmas Cabaret performance had to be delayed for a week, but it was well worth the wait as almost 100 BGS students were involved in a memorable evening s entertainment to end the year. Drama Seven Y11 Drama students kicked off the evening performing extracts from two Willy Russell plays. The actors were completely convincing in their portrayals of a range of ages from parents to some rather too convincing teenage students from Cassie and Chloe. He s behind you ensemble production that brought a warmth to the heart. Choirs of angels If the audience thought their participation was over after the play, they hadn t reckoned on BGS s answer to Michael Bublé as Elliot had them clapping along with his swing version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Singers and musicians went through a range of festive numbers as well as some more recent musical renditions. The evening built up to the remarkable sight and sound of 30 Y7 students performing a song from Moana before being joined by the Upper Choir singing Best Day of My Life. Year 7s on song Y7 students are already singing from the same song sheet as the rest of the school Page 2 After some festive steelpan numbers from years 7, 8 and 10, the audience were treated to a wonderful production of Peter Pan. The level of audience participation from some of the younger members showed how completely enthralled they were with this confident and funny production. Ellis, as the boy who doesn t want to grow up, aided by Terea s cool Tinker Beats, Bayleigh and the children encountered an evil pirate in the form of Kamai and a slightly scary crocodile in the form of Allan. But this was a true Congratulations must go to Mr R, Mrs Downes and Mrs Ward, as well as to the audience for their enthusiastic contributions but most of all to the huge number of talented students who made this such a memorable evening. The Owl would like to wish everyone in the BGS community a very happy, and for our Y11s in particular, a very successful New Year. BGS Remembers BGS students always remember their role in the local community Page 3

2 THE OWL NEWSLETTER Issue 2 2 Y7s Hit the Ground Running by Joe Dudley, Y9 Moving from Primary school to Secondary school is never easy but our Y7s have made a great start to their BGS careers. It was a bit scary at first there s just so many things to remember recalled Phoebe For others the concerns are that there are so many new people. I was worried that I wouldn t know many people at first, but I soon made loads of new friends said Cole. Learning the BGS way of learning is key to the school s success. To help Y7s settle quickly into their new environment, a team of dedicated Y10 Peer Mentors help Tutors and students. One of these, Bayleigh commented it is so rewarding knowing that we have an impact of their lives at BGS. NEW SKILLS The Y7 Guitar ensemble perform at their first concert Another, Michael, told The Owl we do a range of things to help, but best of all we just talk to them. A simple conversation can make them happier and more confident and that is what all the Peer Mentors want to achieve. From learning new skills like the Y7 Guitar Ensemble to getting involved in sport, Y7 students have embraced the many opportunities on offer at BGS. The year group came together to contribute to the BGS ethos of community responsibility before Christmas by generously collecting gifts for the Samaritan s Purse Shoebox challenge as part of the Operation Christmas Child scheme. COMMUNITY SPIRIT Y7 Students with their Christmas Shoeboxes Y7 also received Mayoral approval during their trip to Birmingham when they were privileged to get an opportunity to ask questions to Birmingham s Mayor. All in all, a great start to their time at BGS. MEET THE MAYOR Y7 Students meet the Mayor of Birmingham

3 THE OWL NEWSLETTER Issue 2 3 More Sporting Success by Laura Gray, Y9 BIRMINGHAM GAMES Y7 indoor athletics team hope to repeat BGS s success at last year s Birmingham Games Happily, the first term s sporting success continued into the second term. The Y10 boys handball team handed local rivals Shenley a comprehensive defeat in November with great contributions all round. The Y8 boys football team gained a comfortable 6-3 victory over St Thomas Aquinas with Jack netting four times. On the basketball court, the same year group beat both Colmers and Kings North Boys with Talon s contributions being particularly noteworthy, before they suffered a rare defeat to St Thomas Aquinas. However, perhaps the best result of the term was the Y8 s 22-4 victory over a rather stunned Shenley team with Talon, Matthew, Ricky, Lewis, Lloyd, Saeed and Cameron all enjoying themselves hugely. Shenley had revenge in the Y9 fixture though, securing a narrow victory over BGS. The girls also continue to go from strength to strength with the Y8 netball team gaining a comfortable 7-1 victory over St Thomas Aquinas. On the basketball court, the results have been more mixed for the girls. The Y8s beat Four Dwellings while the Y7s and Y9s suffered losses to the same school, although there were still some excellent performances with Kim in particular starring for the Y7s. The girls also won their Y7 indoor athletics event securing their passage to the Birmingham Games final in February. We wish them luck for that. BGS Remembers by Bethany Bird, Y9 FESTIVE TREATS Y8 Students donate presents to Birmingham City Mission (left) while all year groups prepare to send Christmas Hampers to the community (right) Community spirit is very much on the minds of Bartley Green students in the second term. Nowhere is this more evident than in the stunning display of remembrances on poppies outside the Main Hall organized by Miss Thomas and Mr Teli. Every student has the opportunity to write their own appreciation of those who have fallen in service of their country providing a moving demonstration of the gratitude of future generations. The run up to Christmas also sees BGS students considering the lives of those less fortunate than themselves as Form groups put together hampers for the elderly and infirm of the local area. The generosity of students and their parents and carers is exceptional and really makes a difference to the lives of people in the area as those who delivered them on the last day of term found out. Y8 went one stage further, generously collecting new toys for underprivileged children as part of Birmingham City Mission s Toylink scheme, organized by Miss Juba and Mr Wothers. Toylink s Mr Platt was delighted with the contributions reporting many children will have a brighter Christmas because of their giving and your support. Thank you.

4 THE OWL NEWSLETTER Issue 2 4 Faculty Focus: English by Hannah Dainty and Ellie Hubbard, Y9 Poetry is an essential part of the GCSE English course. Mr Russell runs a weekly poetry club for budding bards and following on from last year s success when he helped to get several BGS students work published in an anthology of poetry, this term the focus was on helping them write poems to celebrate Remembrance Day. Mr Russell told The Owl, we planned these poems for two weeks. We used input from a variety of teachers. For example, Miss Smitherman brought the ideas about remembering those who have fallen, while Miss Sharp brought the historical context to students. We then looked at ideas about adding imaginary and using different techniques and rhyming patterns. The winning poets were invited to perform their poems at the Bartley Green Remembrance service adding a poignant touch to the occasion. We are confident you will agree that the final poems speak for themselves in terms of the quality and thoughtfulness of the work. We do not know the feeling of war How can we say we know the sound? Of bullets flitting past our ears; Of people in the age of war; Hope, fear and grief within their fears Now, we do not hear such things, our wars are fought in lands abroad, Where eye for eye, they fight and die. But our world and thoughts are silent. How can we say we know the sight? of white gunfire and blazing roars, or even that of lack of sight behind black homes and closed off doors? Yes, now we walk amongst our streets, with lesser things to ignite our fear, and light a power for our hands to cradle, as it once was dear. How can we say we know the feel? of slick mud crawling up our leg, that sting from laborious days of march and arms blooming red. Can we moan, or beg of handbags dense with our workload, a spattered rain from cars that bode a dull ride to their shop or station; Just think, we might have not reached this destination Had it not have been for them keep them in your minds. They loved our nation; we won t leave them behind. Let us remember the things beyond our memories. Alexandra, Y11 It carries the beauty of a rose with scent so sweet. An admirable silence - Held by the families, the public, the generation of war. Now the soaring doves of the sky and the sub-marine fish of the sea. It carries nought but life, love and loss the reality of living accentuated lives of many, put in danger risk. All for one man s pride, ego, legacy. It carries the seeds of hope, and growth vision in which is seen yet so undefined by what could have been. We hold firm onto memories, they shall never fade away. We continue to cherish them - Least we forget. So important to us, they took you all away - to give us freedom and justice the price they had to pay. It carries the life of death the life of all they grow in multi-magnitude continue to grow onwards and upwards At the impact you made, all we can do, is stand in awe. Claudia, Y10

5 THE OWL NEWSLETTER Issue 2 5 it made me think of you, I dropped a pound in the seller s tin a lesser price than what you put in to stand up to crisis and tyranny and protect freedom for people like me I wear it each and every year, Though I still shed a fair few tear. It made me think of you, All of the painful acts you had to do and all the struggle you went through I wish I could completely understand and offer you thanks, and hold your hand Thoughts of your heart-warming personality, Brings me back to reality. and I will never forget you I wear it on my coat with pride for you and all of the men that died We must not let history repeat again your sunshine must shine from past rain. I remember what you did for me You ll always be in my memory. Callum, Y8