Once again, it has been a very busy term at The Bewdley School. Despite all the challenges over the last 2½ years student behaviour, attitudes and responsibility have been exemplary and in spite of many different and sometimes difficult circumstances, there is much to celebrate across all year groups.
Over the Autumn term, our Year 7 intake have made an excellent start to their secondary schooling; building new friendships, settling into their form groups, involving themselves in new experiences and clubs, developing new skills and settling into life as secondary school students. Year 11 students have shown great maturity and resilience and have recently undertaken their mock examinations. Year 12 and 13 students are due to have their exams shortly after the Christmas break and we wish them well. Year 9 students have been through the options process and have been extremely swift in getting their subject preferences submitted.
A key focus for the school this academic year is to ensure students not only ‘catch-up’ academically but also ensure they are supported with their social and wellbeing needs. The students have embarked on various wellbeing journeys and we are proud to have initiated the following interventions through our ‘Personal Development programme’:
• Anti-Bullying week
• Odd Socks Day
• Loudmouth Theatre Company delivering the ‘Calling it Out – harmful sexual behaviours’ programme to Year 9 Students
• Live performance by ‘Bella’ regarding mental health and online safety
• Student surveys
• Mental Health & Wellbeing programme delivered by ‘Act on It
• Black History Month activities
• The ‘Blues’ programme
• Nationwide Building Society working with the school to develop a bespoke financial literacy programme for the students
• Wellbeing and mental health showcase – over 20 different organisations in school talking to students face-to-face
• Gangs and knife crime workshops delivered to Year 9 students
• World mental health day
• Assemblies that have focused on internet safety, Queen Elizabeth 2, The importance of fitness to name a few
• Foodbank appeal
Rewards and recognition
It has been amazing to have given out so many certificates through the 200 club awards assemblies. These awards are in recognition of the consistent application of the key principles of being in school every day and working hard in lessons. Please continue to ensure your son/ daughter has the highest attendance that they possibly can to develop excellent learning habits that will give them the greatest opportunity for success, both in school and the world of work.
End of term arrangements
School closes for the Christmas and New Year break on Friday 16th December at 12.00pm. Students who are eligible for free school meals can pick up a packed lunch from the school canteen.
These last 2 days of term will be non-uniform ‘Christmas Jumper’ days. Students will be asked to make a £2 charitable donation (to be paid via www.ipayimpact.co.uk). Donations will all go towards the school’s covered seating area and the Trussell Trust. The arrangements for Friday 16th December are:
8.50 Lesson 1
9.40 Changeover
9.45 Lesson 2
10.35 Break
10.55 Lesson 3
11.40 Tutor
12.00 End of school
A reminder that school reopens at 8.40am for all students on Wednesday 4th January 2023 (Tuesday 3rd January 2023 is a teacher training day).
Mental health and wellbeing over the festive period
The festive season can be a time of joy and spending time with loved ones but it can also be a stressful and lonely period. During this time, it is important to try to remember to look after your mental health and wellbeing. It is important that you keep well and healthy, keep active, you share your feelings and thoughts and most importantly; you ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. Support agencies over this period can be accessed here.
Excellent Learning habits
The Bewdley School is committed to promoting and developing the moral values and ethos as a school. Our school moto “Learning for Life – Achievement for All” applies to both students and staff. We expect the school community to ensure they are Ready, Respectful and Safe by living the school values.
We expect all students to adhere to the school’s “non-negotiables”:
- arrive to lesson on time
- complete all classwork to the best of their ability
- complete all homework
- bring and use their Knowledge Organiser
- wear the school uniform in full and with pride
- bring a fully equipped pencil case with the following equipment to every lesson – at least 2 black/blue pens, green pen, purple pen, pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener, calculator, ruler, highlighter, colouring pencils, scissors, glue stick, compass, protractor
- students to put their hands up to ask/answer questions
We thank you in advance for your support in ensuring your child arrives to school “Ready to Learn”.
School uniform consultation
Following DFE guidance in relation to school uniform, I am sure we all agree that it promotes the ethos of the school and provides a sense of belonging/identity. School’s must now have regard to the cost of school uniform and since September we have been reviewing our current uniform.
We are conscious of the current economic climate and understand that uniform can place an unreasonable burden on families. In light of this we have given high priority to cost considerations when implementing our changes.
Following parental, staff and student consultation the following changes will be implemented from January 2023 however transition will be phased over 1 or 2 years to allow students to get the best possible wear out of uniform that has already been purchased. The outcome from the consultation was that:
1. The school jumper will replace the blazer as the compulsory item, phasing in from September 2023, but the blazer will be allowed without a jumper during the phased period.
2. Opinion on ties was divided, so ties will be optional during spring term and we will evaluate what students actually do when given the choice.
3. Plain black polishable shoes or trainers will be allowed. Please see our guidance for examples.
4. Shorts will be allowed during the summer months, with further guidance to follow.
From January 2023:
1. Blazers and jumpers become interchangeable options from January 2023
2. Ties become optional from January 2023, with use to be evaluated during the term
3. Plain black polishable shoes or trainers are allowed from January 2023
4. Boys and girls will be allowed to wear shorts in summer 2023 (please do not purchase any cargo type shorts until guidance has been given)
Please see the “Acceptable School Uniform Guidelines” – Here
The school PE kit will remain unchanged and other uniform guidelines must be adhered to, in particular ‘hoodies’ and leggings will not be permitted and make up/hair styles will need to conform to the guidelines on p9 of the school’s behaviour policy.
We would like to finish by wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and New year and we look forward to seeing everyone safely back at school on Wednesday 4th January 2023.