July 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians

As we approach the summer break after another exceptionally busy year I would like to share some important information with you.

Knowledge Organisers

What are Knowledge Organisers and why use them?

All students at Bedford High School have a Knowledge Organiser (KO) for each of their subjects. A knowledge organiser is usually one A4 page that summarises the key learning of a unit of work. We find that the Knowledge Organisers are very effective in:

  • Helping students to retain knowledge so that it stays in their long term memory.
  • Helping to organise the students.
  • Developing effective learning habits.
  • Accelerating the progress students make in their subjects.

Testing

The students will be tested regularly on the Knowledge Organisers by their subject teachers. They will also receive coaching and support on how to self-test as part of the preparation for these tests. The self-testing will be done in their self-testing exercise books which school provide.

Resources required

The subject Knowledge Organisers will be distributed by the subject teachers in lessons and the students will then keep them in their own personal file/folder. Subject Knowledge Organisers will also be available on line on our ‘Knowledge Organiser Site’ (on Frog our Virtual Learning Network).

All students will be given exercise books, file dividers and plastic wallets to help them with their Knowledge Organisers.

In addition, we ask that all students bring their own sturdy A4 file/folder which they will need to bring to school every day. It is important to bring this on the first day as form teachers will be providing the other Knowledge Organiser resources to go into the A4 file/folder.

Award Winners

In this year’s Wigan & Leigh Education Awards we were shortlisted for the following awards:

  1. Young Engineer/Scientist – Alex Sephton
  2. Pupil of the year Award – Megan Lawrence and Nicole Haines
  3. Career Aspiration Award – Student Media Team
  4. Sports Achievement Award – Megan Boydell
  5. Secondary School of the year Award

Students, parents and staff enjoyed the presentation event and we walked away with the Career Aspiration Award – well done to our enterprising Media Team! We were also ‘highly commended’ in the Award for Secondary School of the year.

We are proud of all the nominations and the tremendous support from the families of all the students involved.

Drowning Prevention

Sadly, during spells of warm weather, we hear about drowning incidents which occur when young people ‘cool off’ in open water such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs and canals. Around 400 accidental drownings happen each year across the UK.

They occur because people, and in particular children and teenagers, are unaware of the potential hazards they may be exposing themselves to when being tempted to swim in open water despite warning signs being there to help protect them. The water can be very cold even on a hot summer’s day and they can die from ‘cold water shock’ in less than 2 minutes. Cold water shock can cause a person to gasp involuntarily and inhale water, a very rapid increase in breathing and the onset of panic resulting in drowning. The message is to respect open water, remember warning signs are there for good reason and “Stay Safe Stay Out”. Please impress this on your children.

Last Day Arrangements

There will be an early lunch and school will close for students at 1pm on Friday 21st July 2017 for the summer break. If the early finish is likely to cause a problem for you, we are able to arrange supervision of students until the normal finish time of 2.45pm. Please advise your child’s form tutor, in advance, should you require this supervision.

The Y59 Yellow bus will run at 1.00pm for the students who use this service.

September Arrangements

Tuesday 5th September 2017
8.20am start – please note this earlier start time / only Year 7students in school
Wednesday 6th September
8.30 am / Year 7 report to L09
8.30 am / Year 8 report to L32
8.30 am / Year 11 report to U block Hall
9.30 am / Year 9 report L32
9.30 am / Year 10 report to U Block Hall

See separate sheet of Term Dates 2017 – 2018for your convenience and ease of reference

Best wishes for an enjoyable summer break. I look forward to welcoming all of our students back in September.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours faithfully

Mrs H J Phillips

Headteacher