Our Students are doing Amazing Things
The past couple of weeks have been really wonderful (despite the weather at times!) mainly because news of what our students are achieving is reaching me more and more often. I love the fact that so much is happening in school but also that our young people are doing extraordinary things beyond Beckfoot at local, regional and national level.
This week the PE staff were delighted to be able to share news of so many of our netballers being selected to represent Bradford Schools. Here is the list of our extremely talented athletes:
Year 10 – Arianna and Annie
Year 9 – Eva, Alana, Poppy and Alannah
Year 8 – Violet, Hannah and Lois
Year 7 – Nell
To have one student selected for this standard of play is special but to have 10 students involved is something we are very proud of. The sacrifice and dedication of each student over the years is paying off and I hope they enjoy the season ahead and the various experiences that will inevitably follow.
In music news, we found our last week the James in Year 10 has achieved the great honour of now being part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. This group consists of just 160 young musicians from across the UK. James, alongside his orchestra peers, will perform at multiple venues including the Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC Proms. The National Youth Orchestra is celebrated as the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers. They play epic music and shape shift into different ensembles. They are very much seen as changemakers of their generation and we are so proud that one of our own is a part of that.
In other news, on Tuesday (26th September) we celebrated European Day of Languages with lots happening including tutor time activities to celebrate language learning. This year we looked at 'Links between Languages'. In line with our whole-school literacy strategy we really wanted students to start thinking about vocabulary and broadening their knowledge of where words come from (etymology). They were surprised by how many words they encounter in day -to- day life that come from other languages e.g. the word ‘genre’.
In KS3 there was a treasure hunt for students. Posters around school showed how various English words are linked by a foreign word (example - to think and the adjective pensive is linked by the French word penser). Students then tried to find as many of these words as possible to receive a prize. For KS4 and 5 there was a tutor quiz focussed on the fact that for each letter of the alphabet there is the definition of a word which has been borrowed from another language. It was really hard but also a lot of fun. For me these days are very important because they highlight that languages are important, more so now than ever but also that we are part of a world that has so much to offer if we are willing to broaden our horizons and be excited about learning beyond where we live.
Last week we welcomed a visitor from Queens College Cambridge to talk to two groups of Year 10 students who are interested in studying at either Cambridge or Oxford. I joined one of the talks and was genuinely excited about the possibilities for our students if they are willing to aim high and work hard. Our students loved hearing all about university life and the way in which learning is delivered at those very prestigious universities. These opportunities are important because I want our students to feel they can do anything in their lives if they apply themselves fully. I hate the idea of glass ceilings for young people and we are very proud of the wider curriculum offer at Beckfoot that allows our students to discover what is possible and available to them in a whole range of areas locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
Finally, I am meeting with the Local Schools Committee next week. As you know this is a group made up of elected parents and staff. They are truly invested in Beckfoot and provide me with a great deal of challenge around student and staff welfare as well as parental engagement. They are always interested to hear your views or talk about how to get involved more with the school. Should you wish to do so please contact them via beckfootlsc@beckfoot.org.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather that has been promised.
Simon Wade, Headteacher
