Catering Department awarded 5 Stars!

Birchwood High School magazine
your dreams, your future, our challenge
Issue 33
Winter 2010
A visit from Catering Department
our link
awarded 5 Stars!
school in
South Africa
Last month we were delighted to welcome
four South Africans from our link school
Seiphemelo.
As students will be aware from our
assemblies, the school they have come
from is a world away from the fantastic
place that is Birchwood.
We managed to give the visitors this
opportunity by raising funds to pay for
their travel. They wish to convey their
thanks for enabling them to come on this
once in a lifetime opportunity.
We would like to express thanks to the
Veitch family who hosted Adam and Agnes.
It was very kind.
Birchwood High School’s Catering Department has recently received an unannounced,
surprise visit from an Environmental Health Officer. The officer, a food safety specialist
inspected ,in great detail, records required by food legislation and the Food Law Code of
Practice along with a visual inspection of the kitchen and dining room areas.
Birchwood’s Catering Department was awarded, under the East Herts Council’s Food
Hygiene ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme, five stars, which is the highest possible rating. To
achieve this fantastic rating, Birchwood had to achieve a very high standard of compliance with food hygiene legislation and demonstrate excellent management.
An outstanding achievement for Ruth Bannington, Catering Manager and her dedicated team.
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Year 11 ICT Diploma
students visit the
National Grid Centre
The year 11 ICT Diploma students had the
rare opportunity to visit the National Grid
Centre ‘The Strand’ in London. The main
purpose of the trip was to have a real life
experience of the role and contribution of
technology to the success of
organisations and how the technology is
changing the way organisations,
individuals and society operates.
During the visit, students had a
presentation of the company’s networks,
computers, active directory and an
exciting experience of being in a real life
video conferencing where they were able
to communicate with a member of staff
from one of the National Grid branches in
America.
Prior to this visit the same group had
visited Sainsbury’s in Bishop’s Stortford
to experience how retail business use
technology systems.
MEDIA AT BBFC
THE
BLACK COUNTRY
MUSEUM
TRIP REPORT
By Emma Jackson and Alice Moore
On Friday 24 September, year 11 history
students visited the Black Country Living
Museum in Dudley. It was a village
consisting of shops, pubs, inns and houses
from the late 19 century and early 20
century, collected from the Black Country.
Surprisingly, the village had been
constructed from buildings spread
throughout the Black Country, and every
building had been taken down brick by
brick, then perfectly reconstructed.
The students were split into groups and
each group had a tour guide to take us
around the village. We got to experience
what life was like for the poor at that time,
as well as having a look in the more upper
class house. It was a definite eye-opener
as to how hard life was in the late 1800s1900s. We went in traditional shops, such
as a hardware shop, where we were shown
a ‘guzunder’ (a chamber pot)!
For lunch, we got to visit a delicious
1930’s fish and chip shop!
One of the best bits of the day was when
we went down a mine. We all had to wear
hardhats as the ceiling was so low. In the
mine, voice recordings played and explained what the people working did in the
mines. Everyone was shocked as to how
dangerous the jobs were, as there was little
safety equipment.
The highlight of the day for me and a lot of
others was when we went ‘back to school’.
Everyone got a bit nervous as the teacher
was very strict. She inspected our hands
and anyone who had dirty fingernails got
told off. During the lesson, we learnt how
to say the alphabet and how to write properly. We even got a demonstration of how
the cane was used!
Over all, we had a very enjoyable day and
learnt a lot.
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On Thursday 4 November, 14 sixth form Media Studies students attended a
seminar at the British Board of Film Classification in London. The students gained
an insight into how films, DVD’s and computer games are classified in the United
Kingdom. A very successful and informative trip which was enjoyed by all.
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Tel: 01279 501500
[email protected]
Headteachers visit Remembering
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Just before half term I visited Montreal
in order to plan future staff and
student exchanges. As many of you
are aware, we have worked with
colleagues in the French Speaking
Province of Quebec for six years now.
The difference this time was that I
was accompanied by three other local
headteachers:
•
•
•
Mr Smith Headteacher from Summercroft
Mr Connors Headteacher from Manor Fields
Mr Locke Headteacher from Leventhorpe
The photograph shows the four of
us at the HQ of the Local Authority in
Montreal. The gentleman in the middle
is Mr. Bob Mills, Director General of
Education. Bob is responsible for over
40 High Schools and 250 Elementary
Schools within Montreal’s large urban
conurbation of 1.5million people. We
made Bob wear an England Football
shirt on the basis that the Canadian
equivalent had faired even worse than
our own national side in recent times!
All four of our schools have now
committed to become involved in
this project over the next five years
involving further student and staff
exchanges. Whilst there are many
similarities with schools in the
Bishop’s Stortford area and schools
in Quebec, there are also distinct
differences which makes one reflect
on values and strategy. In times of
economic uncertainty, I believe it
is important that Birchwood does
not become introspective and
continues to learn from schools in
other parts of the world. Hopefully
our plans to continue to work with
schools in Montreal and South Africa
demonstrate this commitment.
Dr Chris Ingate
STANSTED
GLASS
Each November The Royal British
Legion establishes a Field of
Remembrance in London and Cardiff.
In 2010, there will be an additional
Field at Wootton Bassett.
The Fields become a sea of
Remembrance Crosses with scarlet
poppies - a touching symbol of
Remembrance and tribute to the
memory of ex-service men and women
who made the ultimate sacrifice to
protect their country so that we can
enjoy the freedom that we have today.
On a recent visit to London six year 11
ICT Diploma students placed a cross in
memory of the fallen at Westminster
Abbey. The Birchwood High School
cross was soon joined by thousands
of others placed there by families,
members of the armed services, exservicemen and women and civilians.
The Westminster Field of
Remembrance was officially opened
by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on
Thursday 11 November.
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3
ROTARY
Challenge
Day
The Bishop’s Stortford Rotary Club
came to Birchwood to run the annual
Rotary Challenge. This event is where
teams of four students from different
schools, compete in engineering an
object to overcome a set challenge.
This year there were teams from a
range of schools, Birchwood, St. Mary’s,
Hockerill, Herts & Essex and Bishop’s
Stortford College. Each school entered
teams in three categories, Junior (Years
7-9), Intermediates (Years 10/11) and
Seniors (Sixth Form).
The challenge, that was attempted
with much enthusiasm, was to make
a flashing beacon with a banner for a
charity. It ranged in difficulty for each
category. Junior’s had to make it flash
once, Intermediates had to make it
flash ten times and Seniors had to also
make it flash ten times with a frequency of one flash per second. It was an extremely challenging task this year but
good fun was had by all. There were
many good attempts at overcoming
the task, and some actually achieved
the requirements.
The winners for each category were:
Juniors – Bishop’s Stortford College, Intermediates – St Mary’s, Seniors – Herts
& Essex. Although Birchwood did not
win any category, we were congratulated on being excellent hosts and for
the food provided, before the testing,
by the Year 11 Hospitality and Catering
Students.
By Matthew Stevens 13JSS
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PUMP
MY
RIDE
French Trip
2010
Young Chamber students organised a charity event which involved filling Miss
Khadraoui’s car with balloons and students had to guess how many balloons
were in the car.
The winner, Nick Porter, in year 11 received a luxury box of Thornton’s chocolates for guessing 133 balloons which was the closest. Congratulations!!
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
APPEARS AT BIRCHWOOD
F
C
It was quarter past six on
Monday 11 October when
we were excitedly sitting
on the Simmonds coach,
waiting to go to France.
We were on the coach for
approximately one and a
half hours, from Bishop’s Stortford to Dover. We boarded the ferry in groups of three, wandered around the
boat and some people ate their breakfast.
We arrived in Calais about two hours later. Our first
stop was at Boulogne to visit Nausicaa Sea Life Centre.
It was AMAZING. We saw sea lions, sharks, penguins,
colourful fish, jellyfish and many more exotic creatures. We were allowed to put our hands in a massive
tank to touch the spotted rays and cods. It was great.
After that we went to unpack at the hotel, Les Cedres.
After a good night’s sleep, we visited Étaples fish market. In
the afternoon we went to Le Touquet to do a town trail and we
visited an ice cream parlour. The ice cream was the best that I
have ever tasted! In the evening we went to Hélicéa swimming
pool which was brilliant! There were two exhilarating slides,
a lazy river and a wave machine. On the way back from the
pool, Viv, our driver, played songs which we all enjoyed singing
along to.
which was immense fun! We loved every minute of it!
After dinner we drove to the bowling alley in Berck sur Mer and
played in groups of six.
Friday was the last day of this brilliant trip. First of all we visited
the Boulangerie and watched Claude making baguettes, in
his massive oven. Then we each got to have a croissant which
was the nicest one I have ever tasted. Afterwards we went to
the Auchan Hypermarché where we had a great last minute
opportunity to shop. We caught the ferry home at four o’clock
and arrived home in Bishop’s Stortford by eight o’clock. Everyone was a bit disappointed that the trip sped by so quickly, but
we were happy that we had the opportunity to go on this very
well organised trip and enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you
to all of the teachers and organisers of the trip because it was
brilliant!!
On Wednesday we visited Arras and the historical market. In
Arras les Bories we explored the interesting underground passage. Next was a trip to Vimy Ridge where we investigated the
World War I trenches and saw the Canadian War monument. In
the evening we worked on our French booklets.
Thursday brought with it a trip to Le Touquet and shopping
in the markets. We went to Opalaventure in the afternoon.
This was a high ropes course and involved climbing up steep
ladders, wobbling on wires and swinging on the fast zip wire,
Anna Diamond
On Thursday 14 October, the sixth form raised over £300 for the Rainbow Trust charity
through their once-a-term fundraising event, this time themed on Halloween.
The gym was the location for the event, and featured ghoulish activities such as a haunted
house, apple bobbing and challenge a sixth former.
The sixth form centre resembled a scene from ‘Shaun of the
Dead’ as sixth formers flocked into school in their spooky attire.
Suffice to say, the day was a huge and enjoyable success!
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PART TIME STAFF REQUIRED
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appearing on these pages. We require a local person to liase with these advertisers and source new ones
in this and other school publications in the area. This is a part-time, self-employed position – work your own
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Email: [email protected]
5
Do you want to be a rock star?
TRIP TO The OLYMPIC SITE
On Tuesday 21 September the Sport and Active Leisure Diploma and the Creative Media
Diploma students went on a trip to the Olympic Site.
t e r m D ATE S
2011
spring Term 2011
4th January – 8th April
Half Term:
Mon 21st February – Fri 25th February
Annie Thomas an ambassador for ‘Herts
is Ready for Winners’, spoke to the
students about the Olympics and why
we should all be looking forward to
London 2012. After a background and
a short presentation about the Olympic
Site and how the bid for London 2012
was won we drove the Lea Valley White
Water Rafting Centre in Waltham Abbey.
26th April – 22nd July
Half Term:
Mon 30th May – Friday 3rd June
INSET DAYS
4th January 2011,
18th February 2011, 26th April 2011
Year 7: 4 May 2011
Year 8: 2 March 2011
Year 9: 9 March 2011
Year 10: 25 May 2011
Year 11: 12 January 2011
OTHER KEY DATES
Year 8 Options Evening
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Sports Day
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Year 6 Induction Day
Thursday 7 July 2011
Reserve Sports Day
Friday 8 July 2011
Birchwood Day
Monday 11 July 2011
Lee Valley Athletics Stadium
The Main Olympic stadium
flats to see the Olympic Park. The sites
were amazing and the buildings and
stadiums are going up fast. The students
were spoken to by a Newham Council
representative who explained why this
area of London needed regeneration
and the impact the Olympics will have
on this poor deprived area of London.
Summer Term 2011
PARENTS EVENINGS
Diploma Students at the Olympic site
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
The Centre is taking shape and early in
2011 it will be open for use by the public
for test events before being handed back
to the London Development Authority
to ensure it is ready for the start of the
Olympics.
We then went onto Lea Valley Athletics
Stadium to see where top international
Athletes train and the facilities that are
available in our local area. Whilst we
were having a tour of the centre we saw
stars such as International Long Jumper
Craig Rutherford and Hurdler Andy
Turner training for the Commonwealth
Games.
After that, we travelled up towards the
main Olympic site in Stratford where we
went up to the top floor of a block of
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6
The evening of November 4 saw many of our talented students perform a
variety of rock/ pop and acoustic numbers to a packed hall for Bands Night
at Birchwood. Music ranged from bands such as Metallica to Kasabian
via the Kooks and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. So when some of our students
become famous rock stars of the future, remember that you saw them at
Birchwood first!
Bishop’s Stortford fire station was the venue for the latest
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze skills project.
The Athletes Village
All of us got excited about the Olympics
and although we have to wait until July
2012 for the London Olympics to start
there will be lots of opportunities for
everyone in the world to attend trial
events in the stadiums and arenas before
the Opening Ceremony.
An inspiring day, which made us all proud
to be British and to have the London
2012 Olympics on our door steps.
Students spent one and a half hours per week for nine
weeks learning their new skills, which included firecraft,
RTC simulation, breathing apparatus simulation and
casualty care.
The course culminated in a demonstration of skills at their
pass out and presentation of well deserved certificates
from Station Commander Rob Day, who said This was a
great example of partnership work between Youth
Connexions Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Fire and
Rescue Service, it was a real pleasure having these hard working young people
around the station’
The students have also been selected to represent Hertfordshire at a celebratory
event after they were complemented on their dedication, professionalism and
superb attitudes whilst participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
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