2014 Christmas Newsletter - Buile Hill Visual Arts College

Christmas 2014
Newsletter
Newslette
Merry Christmas
E Safety and
Video Games
Technology and the online
world are a major part of our
young people’s lives,
especially at this time, with
many children getting new
video games for Christmas.
What is safe? When is the
right age to go online and
play with others? Which video
games should I allow them to
play? How can I make sure
they are not
taking big risks that could
harm them?
Tips for keeping children
safe with video games
Consider the availability of
parental controls.
For younger gamers, setting
parental controls can help.
Limit the amount of time
spent online.
Manage the content your
child can see including
disturbing graphics like
bloodshed etc.
Limit the age rating of the
games they can play.
Manage who they can play
with online.
Some, like the Xbox 360, can
set up profiles for
different gamers in the
family. Many of these setups
are password or pin
protected which is not
entirely suitable nor secure
for older players.
Video game ratings
All video games sold in the UK
are age and content rated.
Look for the PEGI
rating system: this uses
reliable age ranking and
content symbols that are easy
to understand.
STAY SAFE AT BUILE HILL
Before you agree to buy that
game, make sure you
understand the environment
your child is going to be
playing in for the next few
weeks… visit http://
www.pegi.info/en/index/ for
more information to make an
informed decision.
Sometimes even the most
innocent games may have
features that will allow your
child to mix with anyone else
in the world.
ABSENCE LINE
Please call the absence
line on 0161 921 1361 if
your child is going to be
off school. This is a 24
hour absence line so
school can be contacted
anytime, day or night.
BULLYING TEXT LINE
If you have
any
concerns
text this
number
07583042693
Gaming is a great activity that is fun for all the
family, especially at Christmas. But be aware that
extended periods of individual gaming online is
not healthy for young developing bodies and
brains. Research shows that boys are twice as
likely as girls to game online and for longer
periods.
Happy Christmas and Happy Gaming!
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER
Mrs M Howard
0161 921 1343
House
Pankhurst Panthers
WHAT A YEAR SO FAR
What a wonderful start to this academic year; we have so many great things to tell you about.
Overall, Pankhurst is second place in the house league, this is a credit to the hard work and
dedication of our students and staff, who have made a fantastic effort with attendance,
inter-house activities and collecting house points. However, we have high expectations and we
are aiming for first position next time!
Community
A number of our Year 9
students including Holly
Gerrard, Jack Williams,
Briana Martin and Ellie
Allcock were recently
selected to participate in a
project at Key 103 Radio
Station. During this visit the
students were given a tour of
the studios and were invited to
get involved with a range of
exciting and inspiring activities
such as writing commercials,
recording podcasts and
learning interview techniques.
What a fantastic experience for
all involved!
Attendance
As Pankhurst House we have
the second highest percentage
attendance for the school year
so far, and I hope our students
will continue to strive to be first.
A huge well done to 8P1 Miss
Barnard’s form who currently
have the highest percentage
attendance of all the Pankhurst
forms with a very impressive
97%. Let’s see whether any
other Pankhurst forms can
beat this total next term.
Student Council
In school we have recently had
elections for our new Student
Council, and I would like to
congratulate our newly voted in
members David Flitcroft Year 7
and Lewis Gregory Year 10.
The student council represents
a fantastic opportunity for our
young people to become more
involved in decision making
within school, and to have a
voice in matters which they feel
passionately about changing to
enhance the day to day
experiences of students. I was
very pleased by the number of
students who showed an
interest in applying for a role
on the student council, and
would like to say a massive
well done to those who
produced some well thought
out and ambitious statements
and video campaigns. In the
end the votes were very close,
and all those involved should
be very proud of their
achievements.
House points and
activities
There have been a number of
exciting activities to get
involved in, and there will be
many more to come. Earlier on
in the year a number of our
Pankhurst students
volunteered to represent our
house in a Prefect Takeover
event where our Pankhurst
students competed in
activities such as a treasure
hunt and a fashion show. We
also had a basketball
challenge which was an
enjoyable experience for all
who took part (and a great
chance to earn extra house
points) this event was also a
valuable opportunity for
prefects from all houses to work
together and have experience
of organising an event and
developing leadership skills for
the future. It was also lovely to
see a number of our Year 7 and
8 Pankhurst students involved
in the recent MFL inter-house
competition, putting a lot of
energy and effort into winning
Pankhurst some house points.
I would also like to mention that
in the most recent
inter-house event on Numbers
Day, our Pankhurst students
were the winners! In addition to
these organised inter-house
activities, our students
continue to collect house points
on a daily basis through their
attitude, effort and
commitment to learning.
Congratulations to some of our
students with the highest
number of house points so far:
Eunice Krasinska, Kiana
Soleimani, Leia King, Megan
Linney and Elle Platt.
So, as we continue to move
through this academic year I
look forward to sharing more
great news with you from
Pankhurst House.
Miss Wainwright
House Coordinator - Pankhurst
House
Lowry Lions
Lowry Lion’s are ready and roaring!
It has been a great year for Lowry House so far. Although we are finishing bottom of the
leader board for ‘best house’ we have still done extremely well in most areas of the house
competitions including our outstanding attendance record and finishing top in several of
the inter-house activities.
Community
Several of our Lowry Lions
took part in a fantastic
project ran by Key 103 radio
which involved our pupils
becoming Journalist and
DJ’s for the day and creating
their very own radio session.
Courtney Clarke, Ellie
Curran, Zac Gorst and Josh
Gorst learnt various
activities including writing
commercials, recording
podcasts and other media
skills which all contribute to
their AQA award in
Introduction to radio
production. I was lucky
enough to escort the pupils
on this trip and I was
extremely impressed with
the pupil’s hard work and
the finished product was
amazing! The lovely staff at
Key 103 were also
extremely impressed with
the pupils and are eager to
continue to work with Buile
Hill pupils in the future.
Lowry House has also had
some pupils competing in
outside of school
competitions and excelling
in their sport. Ethan Evans
in year 8 continues to work
hard with his Swimming and
we wish him luck as the
swimming competition’s
season starts. Jade Taylor
and Nicole McStravick
competed in Wales recently
and finished 1st and 2nd in
morris dancing. Chloe Pope
also took part in a morris
dancing completion and
came 1st and 3rd in two
separate events.
Our very own Miss Burrows
has also been competing
outside of school with her
cheerleading squad. Miss
Burrows is part of the
England team and will be
competing in the world
championships very soon.
Good Luck Miss Burrows!
Well done Lions!
Student Council
The pupils have been
practicing their politics this
term with the introduction of
the Student Council.
Several of the Lowry Lions
Rachel Edwards, Coral
Burges, Eugene Uzaraga,
Jack Franks, Zach Finlay,
Alex Gaylard, Maisie Bond
and Neda Naser all took part
in the Student Council
elections which involved the
pupil creating their own
manifesto which was then
delivered to the rest of the
house. Lowry pupils then
voted for the students they
thought best represented
their views. The pupils
chosen were Eugene and
Neda. Well done to
everyone who took part!
House
Eccleston Eagles
Eccleston continue to fly high after a very successful start to the school year. Our Eagles
have spread their wings excelling in house points, inter house activities and making great
improvements with attendance.
Student Council
In recent weeks there has
been a real buzz around the
school surrounding the
student council elections.
Those who applied all put
forward a very strong
campaign via video which all
of Eccleston viewed and
voted on. All candidates
showed a real enthusiasm.
Congratulations to both
Cameron Wright Year 8 and
Joel Hancock Year 10 who
are now representing
Eccleston on the student
council.
Community
Some of our Eagles had the
fantastic opportunity to
spend the day with Key 103
radio station. Our year 9
students spent the day
trying their hand at being
radio DJs and Journalists.
All showed great creative
flare whilst proudly
representing Eccleston.
Matthew Osinibi Yr 9 said
the experience was really
exciting and he felt
‘privileged to be a part of the
radio station he listens to’.
The Eccleston staff have
also contributed and been
victorious in both the MFL
fancy dress and family
fortunes house activities.
The enthusiasm from the
students and staff has been
amazing, well done and
thank you for all of the
support.
House points and
activities
We have participated in a
record number of House
activities this year winning
the treasure hunt, harvest
festive tin collection,
basketball, family fortunes
and coming joint-first in the
MFL treasure hunt. Joel
Hancock, Year 10, deserves
a special mention for his
outstanding commitment to
Eccleston, bringing our
house to victory in the
harvest festive tin collection
by donating a staggering
200 tins!
Attendance
Year 11 Eccleston came top
of the attendance leader
board this week with 95.9%.
Our Eagles have also shown As we approach the New
Year I am more than
their commitment and
confident improvements will
passion to learning across
be made in regards to
all subjects within school.
Ecclestons attendance, with
This is demonstrated in the Year 11 leading the way
number of house points
forward.
students have earned;
We can do it Eagles!
9,785. Eccleston are
currently third on the house
Merry Christmas Eagles,
point leader board and I am
let’s make 2015 a great
more than confident we will year, lets fly even higher!
be flying even higher in the
coming New Year! Keep up Miss Collins
the hard work!
House Coordinator.
House
Kingsley Cobras
We are making good
It has been a great year for demonstrated real
enthusiasm for the post.
progress in attendance but
Kingsley House so far, our
as ever there is always room
house won ‘House of the
for improvement!! 7K2 are
Term’ for September and
the leaders of attendance in
October. We have made
the House at the moment
massive achievements in
with 96.1%. Come on
house points, attendance
Cobra’s – beat that!!!
and Inter House activities.
Finally.....
In particular we shone in a
The points have been
number of Community
counted and verified and
projects. Four Yr 9 students
Kingsley House are the
became Journalists and
HOUSE OF THE TERM Radio D.J.’s for two days
WELL DONE EVERYBODY,
when they went along to
that’s three terms in a row
Key 103 Radio Station. The
we really are the COBRA
students had an amazing
CHAMPIONS
time and said it was a
privilege to be part of such a This term Kingsley students
have achieved a record
large media project. They
As we swiftly approach a
will also receive certificates
number of house points,
busy new year I am more
of accreditation for
demonstrating commitment than confident that as a
completing the scheme.
and enthusiasm for house, House we will continue to
Callum Fairbrother in Year
climb high, set ourselves
lessons and learning. Mollie
11 has also been out and
high targets and maintain
Tucker in year 7 amassed
about in the community,
our high standards.
97 points just this week!!!!
volunteering to help the
Have a great Christmas
homeless, we are very
Keep up the good work
everyone – and here’s to
proud of Callum and this
another great 2015!!
Cobras!! There is never a
venture.
shortage of Kingsley Cobras Mrs Swanton
This term we have been
Head of Kingsley House
when it comes to
really busy with the Student
participation in House
Council elections. The
activities and again this term
response and commitment
we are doing really well. We
from our house was
came second in the MFL
overwhelming with a
Inter House Competition
massive amount of students earning 100 points - and a
applying for election. I am
number of our Year 8
proud to announce that
students were spotted
running enthusiastically,
Callum Fairbrother in Yr11
racing to get the competition
and Ffion Prescott in Yr 8
items in on time!! Well done
were the successful
and keep up the competitive
applicants and have
spirit!
Art
Yorkshire
Sculpture
Park
In October Miss Braidwood,
Mrs Champion and Miss
Braha took all year 9 art
students to the Yorkshire
Sculpture Park. This was an
amazing trip that allowed the
art students to see huge
sculptures close up. Whilst
there they were shown
around the sculpture park by
two guides who talked to
them about why the
sculptures were there, how
and why the artist made
them and encouraged the
students to analyse the
sculptures and give their
opinions.
The last part of the trip saw
the students creating their
own sculptures based on the
theme ‘animal machines’
from big pieces of wood,
plastic and found objects.
This is where the students
really excelled, working as a
team to create some weird
and wonderful sculptures.
Art
St John’s Primary visit
Miss Braidwood took five year 10 art
students to St John’s Primary School to
help with their Art Week. Miss Braidwood
and the students taught the children to
make wire sculptures inspired by L.S.
Lowry, poly-board printed animals inspired
by Andy Warhol and melting clay Alice in
Wonderland clocks inspired by Salvador
Dali.
This was an amazing experience for the
year 10s to show St John’s Primary what
brilliant young artists we have at Buile Hill.
They inspired and helped the
children to produce some fantastic work.
Some of them are even considering a
career in teaching!
Art
Art More Able
The Art Department are very
proud of the fantastic work
done by the year 11 boys who
have been selected to work
with a very successful and
famous artist Ian Murphy. He
has been inspiring, teaching
and showing them his
techniques and ways of
working. The boys along with
Miss Braidwood and Mrs
Champion have already visited
Castlefield in Manchester with
the artist. They have two more
Saturday sessions where they
will continue to work alongside
the artist and members of the
art team. We are hoping that
with this extra push from the
art staff and being inspired by
Ian Murphy they will achieve
that well deserved A.
A selection of year 11 Art
pupils have been working
really hard to achieve a higher
grade. With late night
intervention put in place by
Miss Talbot students stayed to
develop their projects further.
A
massive well done to
the students who participated,
keep up the good work.
Art
An ex pupil, Miss Braha,
returned last year for a one
month placement from
Huddersfield University.
After her months experience
she decided that teaching
was the job for her and is
currently taking a year out to
work with the department
further. At University Miss
Braha is studying
contemporary art and
illustration and has used her
skills to go above and
beyond supporting pupils in
lessons. In photography
she has been using
Photoshop, photo
deconstruction and
scanning. The fashion class
have been developing circus
artist research. Year 11
textiles have been
supported on creating
lampshades and year 10’s
Urban Garden theme has
had help printing with oil
pastels.
Art
The art department have
been busy creating items to
sell at the Christmas shop.
Gifts include handmade
cards, cups, melted bottles
and tin candle holders.
Pupils from the enterprise
group will run the shop in
the Ellesmere Centre,
Walkden, on Thursday 11th
and Friday 12th December.
The profits will be used to
buy more materials and to
raise money for the charity
‘Help the Heroes’. These
items will also be available
during the last week in
school to buy –
come and select a gift or
card!
The Art and Performing
Arts department along with
Salford police have teamed
up to deliver a very exciting
project . Over the past three
years Mrs Hill has been
developing projects to
raise awareness of the
impact of gang culture.
Helping young people
develop and engage with
their creativity, Mrs Hill and
the Art team have
planned activities for local
primary schools, providing
young students with positive
values.
Maths
More Able Mathematicians
On Monday 8th December, more able pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 will be taking part in a
mastery day, during the day each group will be spending two hours working on a maths
project. In small groups, they will be asked to design and create a hat, meeting certain
specifications, with a prize for the best hat. This is to help pupils with their resilience,
teamwork and problem solving skills and also allows them to try a different kind of activity
than they can do in a one hour lesson. Alongside this, our more able pupils in Year 7 are
learning strategies to make them more independent learners in their maths lessons, and
they now know lots of things they can use or try before asking their teacher for help.
7y1 are also trying GCSE level work in many lessons and they are doing really well with
this. Some pupils from 7Y1 attend Maths club each week on a Tuesday after school
where they are given further challenging questions and problem solving tasks.
A select group of our Year 10 more able have also now started additional maths every
Thursday after school. This involves them doing maths work beyond A* at GCSE and will
lead to an extra qualification for those pupils at the end of Year 11.
Ms S Race
More Able Coordinator
Maths
KS4 Maths
Year 11 students have been
working hard this term
preparing for their GCSE
exams in June and the next
full mock exam in January.
They have been staying for
extra lessons as part of the
extended day on a Monday,
they have been coming back
for 1-2-1 sessions after
school and even doing extra
maths during form time!
We have even had students
from Salford University
supporting small groups of
students during lesson
times.
All year 11 students will be
bringing home for Christmas
an exam paper to complete
along with any additional
resources they have
completed in lessons.
Please support them over
the Christmas period and
put aside some time for your
son/daughter to complete
the work given.
Well done Year 11.
Ms Williams
KS4 Coordinator
Maths Homework Update
All students Year 7 through
to Year 11, receive
homework weekly. The
Maths Trips
Last half term a small group maths department alternate
of students from 10y1 went my maths homework with a
written homework. The
on a maths trip to Royal
Northern College of Music. written homework is usually
exam type questions related
The trip was a maths
to the topics they are
inspiration show which
learning in class. My maths
showed the real life
homework is set every
application of maths and
how it is used in many ways fortnight and the homework
we don't even realise. There set will either be related to
the topic they are learning or
was even a section
completed dedicated to the a booster pack to build their
numerical profiles. Research
maths behind juggling and
states that the less gaps
speaking to the students
they have on their profiles
afterwards - that was
they are least likely to
definitely the most
underachieve.
memorable bit!
My maths can be found at
www.mymaths.co.uk
Password ‘buile’ and Log in
‘fraction4’. Each student
then has an individual log in
which they can access their
individual homework and
profiles.
If you have any concerns or
need any additional
information please contact
Ms Sutcliffe or Ms Williams.
Music
It sure has been busy in the music department this term! Proud, Journey’s and Mistletoe
and Wine has kept us all busy alongside Rock n Pop graded exams for some of our ‘rock
heroes’!
In October it was the return
of Year 7 ‘Proud’. Students
performed the song Proud
by M People as the
signature song along with
Try by Dolly Parton which
made an appearance for the
first time this year.
As always, each class did
their own personal class
song 7Y1 performed Let It
Go from Frozen, 7Y2 JLS’s
Proud and 7Y3 performed
an excellent version of We
Are the Champions. We also
had 7X1 singing You’ve Got
a Friend in Me and 7X2 and
7X3 joined forces to perform
Reach by the fabulous
S Club 7. Amongst the year
group, some brave and
talented individuals took to
the stage in solo acts.
Christopher Nixon gave us
his rendition of ‘Match of the
Day’ on his cornet, Alex
Fraser blew us away with
his vocal performance of
‘Read All about It’ and Luke
Jackson won the keepy-up
challenge with his football
skills. The MFL department
joined in with the singing
and students performed a
superb Halloween song, in
Spanish! A great evening
was had by all, especially at
the disco afterwards where
the students, and parents,
busted some killer moves!
Music
In November the year 8s
took part in the ‘Journeys’
concert showing what they
have learnt to play in their
music lessons over the term.
students formed class bands
and instrumental ensembles
on flutes, clarinets and
trombones. First up was 8X1
performing followed by 8Y3
performing Mellow Out on
the flute, it certainly didn’t
make anyone ‘Mellow Out’
as their playing was
excellent. 8X2 performed
‘Feel So Close’ whooping
the audience up ready for
8Y2’s performance on
clarinets of the traditional
American song ‘Oh
Susanna’.
Matthew Goodman wowed
the audience performing a
solo trombone piece entitled
Bright Eyes. 8X3 performed
Just Dance followed by
8Y1’s Forward March on
Trombone. Finally to finish
off the concert
Alisha Eckersley, Chloe
Darby, Kate Keating, Faye
Jones and Amy Kenyon
impressed everyone with
their superb rendition of
Valerie by The Zutons and
Amy Winehouse. The
students showcased their
work from other subjects
throughout the evening and
we all finished off with a
lovely cup of tea and biscuit
or two!
For the past few weeks a
range of students from
Y8-11 have taken part in
music exams by the ‘Rock
School’ examining body.
We are exceptionally proud
of all the students who were
entered for their
commitment to their exam
and for their dedication to
their instrument and
progressing in music.
Cameron Rea
Grade 2 Guitar - Pass
Nicole McStravick
Grade 2 Bass Guitar - Merit
Sean English
Grade 1 Guitar - Merit
Mark Sheilds
Grade 2 Guitar - Merit
Kaden Bowman
Grade 2 Drums - Results not back
at time of print
Nathan McNally
Grade 2 Drums - Results not back
at time of print
Jack Willets
Grade 1 Guitar - Results not back
at time of print
Music
Guests to Mistletoe and
Wine 2014 were welcomed
to the evening with a glass
of wine and a mince pie.
The evening was kicked off
with Detysha Harper, Robyn
Duffy Shepherd and
Rachael Melody performing
as abandoned dolls
remembering the past
singing Somewhere Only
We Know, followed by a
rocking bass guitar solo by
Nicole McStravick. The year
7 drama group performed a
superb performance based
on the classic Dickens novel
‘A Christmas Carol’ with
Eguene Uzangana as
Scrooge. Next were a
variety of musical numbers
including Christopher
Nixon’s Rudolph the Red
Nose Reindeer on trumpet,
a jazzy rendition of
Chestnuts Roasting On An
Open Fire by the year10 sax
ensemble, Silent Night
played by Jaydene
Whelehan and sung by
Neda Naser and Jack
Williams, Jonathon Nixon
and Jemma Davison
performing Once In Royal
David’s City on clarinet. The
new year 7 instrumentalists
dazzled audiences with their
version of Jingle Bells,
considering they had only
been playing for 5 weeks
was recognisable and in
tune!
From one extreme to
another next with our top
clarinettists playing Have
Yourself A Merry Little
Christmas, followed by the
year9 GCSE music class
band playing Slade’s classic
Merry Christmas Everyone.
A bit of drama followed
when year 11 performed a
play based on toys coming
to life and treating an orphan
to a fun day at Christmas.
Neda Naser sang His Eye is
On The Sparrow, the clarity
and tone of her voice moved
some members of the
audience to tears with this
exceptional performance. A
tough act to follow but year
8’s made light of it
performing a medley of Do
You Want To Build A
Snowman, Frosty The
Snowman and Santa Claus
is Coming To Town on
clarinets, trombones and
flutes. The penultimate act
was the year 11 chamber
choir performing a beautiful
three part harmony version
of When A Child is Born
before year 10 rocked out
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let
It Snow! and Winter
Wonderland. The evening
was a superb success with
all students excelling in their
performances and wowing
the audience once again
with their unbelievable
talent. Congratulations to all
involved.
Community
On Thursday 11th December
Community Christmas Luncheon
we hosted our first ever
community luncheon. The
afternoon started at 12.00,
and was attended by more
than fifty people aged 60+
from our surrounding
community. The guests were
welcomed with a glass of
sherry and entertainment
from our cheeky year 11
dancing elves! Mrs Ainley and
the year10 catering class had
cooked up a storm in the
kitchen and guests were
offered a choice of starters,
from homemade leek and
potato soup with a freshly
baked bread roll or mackerel
pate with melba toast.
Between courses we had
more dancing and drama
performances based in
Santa’s workshop. The main
course of stuffed turkey
breast, roast potatoes,
yorkshire pudding, vegetables
and gravy was eaten quickly
with many good comments
and praise for our chefs.
Before the sherry trifle and
homemade filo pastry mince
pies were served we had more
performances of friends
reuniting at Christmas and
toys coming to life! Finally we
concluded the afternoon with
bingo and a raffle, our guests
went home with a variety of
hampers filled with gifts from
our superbly generous staff. A
brilliant time was had by all
and there were lots of
requests for the event to
return next year!
Community
The first half term’s charity
was Salford Loaves and
Fishes which is a charity
who support and feed the
homeless and poor in our
city. The charity, which runs
from Chapel Street, sees
hundreds of people each
week offering bathing
facilities, warm clothing and
a hot meal. We rallied as a
school and supported this
excellent cause by bringing
in tins and toiletries, we
collected nearly a thousand
items. The charity wrote to
the school thanking us for
our contributions saying that
they were overwhelmed by
the generosity of our
students and the massive
impact our donation will
have on their organisation.
Last Easter we held an African themed day, with students donating money to wear non
uniform, and staff taking part in bush tucker trails eating scorpions and cockroaches just
as featured on the famous I’m a Celebrity programme. We were able to donate a
whopping £600 to ‘Soft Planet Education’. Olivia Davies, the daughter of our very own Mr
Davies, was volunteering for this charity in the summer and headed to Uganda to help.
Olivia helped to build the Ngwedo and Nyamitete Primary Schools, building a total of 5
classrooms as well as painting the blocks at Bugoigo Primary School. Our donation went
directly into funding this, and children are now in these schools. What an amazing
achievement for us to have impacted on children’s education the other side of the world!
Design & Technology
In Design and Technology
this term Year 7 have been
designing their own shop in
graphics looking at 1 point
perspective and branding.
There have been some
amazing ideas for shops
from nail parlours to
mountain bike shops. In
food, year 7 have been
making tasty dishes such
as fruit crumble, spaghetti
bolognaise and vegetable
ratatouille. They have been
learning about the
importance of including 5
portions of fruit and
vegetables in their daily diet.
Year 8 have been making
steady hand games
soldering their own printed
circuit boards and adding
LED lights and buzzers. In
food year 8 have been
looking at the Mayan
civilisation and trying to
create dishes using some
Mayan ingredients such as
chick peas, kidney beans
and everyone’s favourite
chocolate which was used
as flavouring for Victoria
scones. In addition they
have been learning about
the importance of healthy
eating.
Year 9 Graphics have been
learning a variety of drawing
techniques and using these
to practice on professional
style drawing boards.
Year 9 Catering have been
really busy learning all the
different methods of cake
and pastry making. They
have made delicious dishes
such as spicy muffins
covered with glace icing, a
decorated Victoria sandwich
cake and last week they
made a spicy Mexican
cobbler. They have also
been learning how to
complete a time plan to help
with organisation.
Design & Technology
Year 10 Graphics have been working on their coursework that is to create packaging
and branding for a takeaway in a particular theme. These themes range from castles to
space to
Year 10 Catering have
been practicing and then
completing their actual
GCSE controlled assessment where they had to plan
and cook 4 dishes within a 2
hour time slot!!!! They have
done fantastically as you
can see.
Year 11 Graphics have produced menus, t shirts and point of sale displays for their
coursework and are now starting to revise their drawing skills for their exams.
Year 11 Catering have
excelled this term producing
their final GCSE
coursework. They each had
to plan , make and serve
a 2 course meal for
2 people. This included
laying the table and
producing their own menus.
The results were superb as
you can see.
English
Students and staff took
some time out to learn about
Famous Salfordian
dramatist and screenwriter
Shelagh Delaney on 25th
November.
Best known for her work
A Taste of Honey, Delaney
was born in 1938 in
Broughton and wrote her
first play at the age of
eighteen.
Students in year 8 and 10
enjoyed reading extracts
from her play and also did
some research work about
her influence as a "kitchen
sink " realist.
English
On December 18th , students and staff will attend a performance by the National Theatre of Mark
Haddon's Curious Incident in the Night-time. This is part of GCSE English Literature study and
the reviews so far suggest a memorable event for all.
Promoting HE Together
As part of the ‘Gateways’ programme, the English department recently offered the more able
pupils in Year 10 the opportunity to visit a local university campus for a taste of university life.
So far, we have been overwhelmed by the response from our students. It is a real pleasure to see
that aspirations at Buile Hill .are rising and that students are putting some serious thought into
Further Education. The trip is currently in the planning phase, but hopefully it will be a very
positive and beneficial experience.
Star Form of the Week
7K1 were crowned star
readers of the week
recently, which is a huge
achievement. As a form, we
have borrowed and read a
large amount of books over
the past few weeks. It is
refreshing to see young
Buile students enjoying
reading and making good
use of the library facility.
As a reward, we were
treated to a lovely breakfast
by Mrs Gillaspy in the
library as well as house
points as an extra bonus!
It really is important to read
as often as you can. This
can be independent, guided
or even volunteering to read
for your class in lessons.
The more you read, the
better your reading will
become.
Encourage members of
your form to read as much
as possible and it could be
you enjoying a warm,
delicious and free breakfast
next time!
Miss Charles-Brown
English
We have received some amazing pieces of homework throughout this term. Pictured are
some of our year 7 and 9 students, who were presented with a Head teacher’s Award for
their efforts. Well done!
MFL
Here are a few photos from the Year 7 Christmas Markets Trip to Lille, France, which the
MFL Department ran recently. It was a huge success and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. We travelled by coach on Thursday night to Dover and took the short
crossing to Calais, France. Upon arrival in we travelled to one of the oldest bakeries in
France ‘Boulangerie d’Escoeuilles’ where the pupils watched how the French baker used
age old baking techniques to make baguettes. Pupils were challenged to translate what
Bruno (the baker) was saying as he described how he made the bread. Our pupils were
singled out for special praise and congratulated on their conduct throughout this exercise.
We then got to try some of our very own ‘Pain au Chocolat’ which many of our year 7
pupils described as ‘Delicieux!’
After the bakery visit, we travelled onwards towards Lille and the Christmas Markets. The
pupils had a ball during at the markets and many of them explored the cultural side of
France. One of note was Jack Morgan, who tried the traditional Lille dish known as ‘La
Raclette’ (Fried potatoes/ Cheese/ Ham). He seemed to think that it looked awfully similar
to Fish and Chips, however found the flavour to be somewhat wanting. Nevertheless, he
was glad that he tried it and encouraged others to do the same. Many of the pupils were
found congregating around the magic stall at the Christmas Markets, trying to learn the
trade. Indeed many of them returned to England with their new found skills and were
seen to be practising this with their friends on the first day back at school.
After the Christmas Markets we had a go on the huge ferries Wheel which offered some
breathtaking views of the City of Lille. Those who chose not to go on the Ferris Wheel
had a quick chat (in French) and a photo with Santa Clause in front of a huge Christmas
Tree.
MFL
Lille Gallery
MFL
Lille Gallery
MFL
Lille
Gallery
MFL
Lille Gallery
MFL
7x3 French creating human sentences this term in
Mr McAlister’s French lessons. They were very enthusiastic!
An exciting development in
the MFL department has
been the new Italian Club,
which has been running for
the past month. Pupils have
had the chance to learn how
to have basic conversations
in Italian and have also been
researching cultural
traditions like dancing and
the Venetian carnival. The
pupils have especially
enjoyed the traditional Italian
food like tiramisu and
panettone. The club has
been run by trainee Miss
Cunliffe, who also assisted
Miss Tirmarche
in organising the MFL
treasure hunt this term. The
hunt was an after-school
competition which helped
KS3 pupils develop their
language skills and practise
using foreign-language
dictionaries. Treasure
hunters represented their
houses and worked in
groups to find stars hidden
around the school. We are
pleased to announce that
the winning house was
Eccleston! Congratulations
to all who attended and took
part so enthusiastically.
Rebecca practising her
Italian outside the
classroom.
LRC
The Harry
Potter Club
Calling all fans of Harry
Potter!! Come and join us
on Wednesdays from
2.30pm to 3.30pm and
Thursdays at lunch time in
the Learning Resource
Centre.
All students and staff are
invited to become members
of our brand new club.
Activities will include reading
the books and watching the
films, writing book and film
reviews, taking part in
quizzes,
discussions, crafts and much
more.
Humanities
Geography
Over the last few weeks our Y8 students have been learning all about the weather. 8X2
and 8X3 have been using their skills to create really interesting weather forecasts for
different parts of the world using maps, geo information systems and data from weather
satellites. The students have really enjoyed the opportunity to use our fantastic ICT
resources in their lessons.
In 8X2 Georgia and Ebony forecast the weather for Cancun in Mexico and were very
surprised at how hot the weather is, but how much rain they get too. Very different from
Manchester! Kyle and Damien have been forecasting Christmas weather for Salford and
the boys think we have a chance of enjoying a white Christmas. Fingers crossed.
8X3 focussed on Manchester and Salford and tried to explain why we get so much more
rain than places on the east coast of England. Kyle and Bradley did an excellent job of
explaining that it is because our main wind direction is from the south west. This brings
warm air from the equator, but as it travels over the Atlantic Ocean it evaporates lots of
water from the sea making huge rain clouds. Kyle explains ‘When the rain clouds reach
the Pennines they are too heavy to blow over, so they release their rain to make them
lighter. Sadly, it means we get wet a lot!’
History
In Y7 students have been completing their History tests based on our new ancient
history topic. They have studied Neolithic man, the Iron Age, the Celts, the Romans and
the Vikings. A favourite historical fact was that Caligula, a Roman Emperor, was so crazy
that he sent his men to collect shells from the coastline rather than focus on invasion of
Britain! We look forward to collecting in the final scores to find our top Y7 historian. The
teachers have been really impressed by the superb knowledge the students have and are
looking forward to hearing more of their weird and wonderful facts about life in the past.
ICT
Computer Science
It has been an exciting and
different start to the year for the
ICT faculty at Buile Hill. To meet
the demands of an ever changing
curriculum, many changes have
been made to make learning more
engaging and fun for our learners.
ICT has been removed from the
curriculum and in its place is the
more exciting and dynamic
Computer Science. Learners
have been introduced to many
exciting topics from creating Pixel
Art to designing their own video
games and animations.
years 7 and 8 were the first pupils
to be introduced to this new
curriculum, already this year they
have discovered how to search
the internet effectively, design
computer based sprites using
Pixels, show their mathematical
and language knowledge by
learning about binary & algorithms
and some have even become
skilled programmers using
Python. Currently they are
finishing the term creating their
own animations using industry
standard software. The next terms
will include further topics such as
game design, video and sound
editing and much more.
Year 9 and part of year 10 have
been recently introduced to the
more demanding yet rewarding
Computer Science GCSE, many
have taken to it showing their
skills as game designers, creating
games from initial ideas to
ensuring they are playable by
other users. In the new year,
Buile Hill hopes many will become
skilled programmers from
introducing Python programming
as well as other exciting topics.
The remaining pupils within year
10 are showing their enthusiasm
and commitment by engaging with
the ICT GCSE, developing their
own knowledge of how society
interacts in a digital world, many
engaging with the ever popular
online shopping!
Year 11 are now entering the
most important final stages of their
education at Buile Hill, developing
their own skill sets in order to
provide a safe and secure future,
whether that be at college or
employment. The ICT department
are working very hard with your
children to ensure that by the end
of the year, all make expected
progress, or better. After school
catch up sessions are being run
on a Tuesday in order to help
pupils achieve their best, we thank
you for your support in
encouraging your children to
attend these sessions. In the new
year, year 11 will be refining their
knowledge ready for the big
examination in May, engaging
revision sessions and ways to
help your child to develop their
ICT knowledge are already being
planned. The ICT and Computing
faculty are very excited with what
the future holds at Buile Hill, in the
new terms look out for more
exciting opportunities for your
children, including extra curricular
Computing clubs.
We wish you all a Happy
Christmas and a prosperous New
Year.
The Computing Faculty
Mr Simcox, Mr Wills and Mr Taylor
Science
Team Science have had a fantastic first term. Our new Assistant Heads of Department
(Mr. Piri and Mr. Brokenbrow) have settled in well along with Miss Barnes and
Miss Forshaw. We have also had the pleasure of having two trainee teachers in the
department, Miss Parden and Mr Greenwood and we wish them every success in their
next placements and their teaching career.
This term we have focused
on practical based learning.
Mr Piri’s lab is regularly
turned into an operating
theatre and the pupils have
had chance to dissect lots of
biological specimens from
whole rats to brains and
hearts! The children have
told us that they are
enjoying science and some
even rate us as their
favourite subject which we
are very pleased about!
Mo and Bolt (hamsters),
Harley (guinea pig) and
Kylie (rabbit) have all visited
us this term for the children
to study and play with as a
reward for their excellent
behaviour. All of the children
have been very caring
towards the animals and
because of this Mr. Piri now
has four mice in his lab that
his form class help to look
after.
STEM club with Miss Barnes
and Miss Forshaw has been
going from strength to
strength and the children are
now designing a clothing
range for use in arctic
condition. It is great to see
pupils staying behind for the
club on a Thursday night
and we would like to thank
the children for their
commitment.
We have three very
hardworking students in
year 10, Joel Hancock, Leah
Cripps and Loen Underwood
who are studying triple
science. These students are
sitting three science GCSE’s
in two years which requires
a lot of extra work at home
and commitment to the
subjects. They have already
bagged GCSE Core Science
grades at a Grade B and
above and we are very
excited for their results at
the end of the year. We are
currently selecting a cohort
of Year 9 pupils that are
showing the necessary skills
and work ethic to be chosen
to study triple science.
Science
Mr Piri and Miss Parden are now well underway with planning the trip to Iceland, we have
had a large number of children (and staff!) sign up and we are very excited to announce
more information about the trip in the near future. If you have any questions about this trip
please contact Mr Piri.
Year 11 have been working
extremely hard this term,
revising well for their Mock
exams and attending
extended day every
Tuesday to carry out their
coursework which counts for
25% of their overall GCSE
grade. Keep up the good
work guys... Only four
months to go until the exam
season starts! We believe in
you!
Team Science would like to
say a huge Thank you to all
students this term, you have
shown us a very responsible
attitude and we can’t wait to
carry out even more
practical experiments with
you next term! Also we
would like to say thank you
to all parents for their
continued support with
providing the best education
and opportunities for your
children in Science.
On behalf of Team
Science we wish you a
very happy, relaxed
estive period!
Year 11, don’t forget to
revise for your January
exams!
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Around 1.8 million UK children are entitled to free school
meals but more than 330,000 pupils don’t apply for their
entitlement. For some children, the social stigma even
teasing attached to “being on free dinners” puts them off.
Often parents don’t realise they’re entitled or are
Does it matter? YES






Children who eat well during the day concentrate
better in lessons
One child in four doesn’t get a hot dinner in the
evening
7% of school children don’t eat breakfast
70% of UK parents say there is too little time to
prepare meals and then enjoy eating them as a family
so the school meal is the only opportunity many
children have to enjoy eating as a social activity
UK pupils eat 4 times as much confectionery as green
vegetables
In an average class of 30, 6 pupils will not eat any fruit
in a week
Who qualifies?
In England, 21% of pupils are
eligible for free school meals. Parents or guardians do not
have to pay for school lunches if they receive any of the
following:
Income support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
An income related employment and support allowance
The guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
Support under PartVI - Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Children who receive Income Support or Income –Based Job
Seekers Allowance
How to apply
If you are claiming Housing
and/or Council Tax Benefit,
your application and renewal
can be processed over the
phone, please call
0161 909 6508
However, if it is not possible to
process over the phone, apply
in person at one of the
following:
Unity House
Civic Centre, Swinton
8:30am (10:0am Wed) to
4:30pm
Eccles Gateway
28 Barton Road, Eccles
Pendleton Gateway
1 Broadwalk, Salford
Walkden Gateway
2 Smith Street, Walkden
Need more
information?
If you think your child may be
entitled to free school meals
you can obtain further
information from
Buile Hill Visual Arts College
on 0161 736 1773
Please remember, it is of benefit to you and your or by calling the Free School
Meals Team
child’s school to claim your free school meal
on 0161 909 6508
Information on free school
meals is also available on
Directgov and Teachernet
Sport
The PE department have had a very busy term with competitions and fixtures being played in a
number of different sports.
The junior girls’ football team have been playing in the Salford Schools football league and have
successfully made it through to the play off finals which are being played on the 10th December
at Irlam.
All year groups have been playing regular netball fixtures throughout the term and have played
extremely well. Year 11 and year 7 have made it through to the play off final and year 8 only just
missed out on goal difference.
The boys have also had a very successful term. The year 9 and 11 rugby teams have made it
through to the Championship finals which will be played in May 2015 at the Salford Red Devils
Rugby stadium as well as winning the Salford Schools 7 aside competition.
(Year 7, 8 and 10 will start their fixtures after Christmas)
All boys year groups have been playing regular football fixtures and all teams have made it
through to the Quarter finals of the Salford Schools Football League.
The School was given a fantastic opportunity to take 4 year 8 students on a football development
day at Manchester College which was run by Coaching staff and retired players from Valencia
Football Club. The day consisted of a number of football coaching workshops for both children
and staff and ended in a tournament. Mr Nelson and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the day and
brought back some new coaching ideas which will now be implemented in the pupils PE lessons.
There is a wide range of extracurricular activities afterschool and participation levels have been
good throughout the term. We would like to see as many pupils as possible next term taking part
in these sessions and developing their skill and fitness levels as well as having lots of fun and
meeting new people.
MONDAY
Year 7/8 Rugby
Netball (all years)
Gymnastics (all
years)
TUESDAY
Handball (all years)
Netball finals
WEDNESDAY
Year 7/8/9 House
competitions
Football (all years)
THURSDAY
Year 7/8/9 House
Competitions
GCSE Step
aerobics
Trampolining (all
years)
FRIDAY
Fitness (all years)
Badminton (all
years)
Horse Riding (All
years see
Mrs Duncan)
GCSE PE Revision