A Vibrant Christian Learning Community

Autumn 2017

A message from our Headteacher…

What has changed in Communion?

On Friday 1st December 2017, Shaftsbury had Communion/Eucharist. This time it took place in St

Pauls Church, which was really nice. There were also a few other changes:

We had a big screen instead of books

Everyone was encouraged to go up and show their respect, even those not receiving

communion. All you had to do was smile and return to your seat

In addition to bread and juice we also received a piece of paper with a message on

What is Communion/Eucharist?

It is a time for all of us to join together and respect/think about what we have in life and what

God has done for us. It is about saying prayers and being thankful for everything we have.

This is one of the blessings that I received:

“May you know that God says to you: surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your wel-

fare and not for harm, plans to give you a future with hope.

Katie Powel and Isabelle Turner SRS

Thank you to everyone; pupils, parents/carers and staff

for the wonderful evening we were able to share at the

Autumn Fayre.

We raised nearly £1,500! Prizes were won by staff, pupils

and parents and some lucky person will be flying over

Shobdon Airfield in a helicopter.

It was lovely to see the hall so full and everyone having

a great time.

All that’s left for me to say is have a Merry, peaceful

Christmas and see you in the New Year.

Jane Browne on behalf of the Charity Committee

BHBS Poppy Display

This year BHBS marked Armistice Day and Remembrance

Sunday, with a wonderful display of hand made poppies

along Widemarsh Street. Every poppy bore the name of

two Herefordian men who fell in the First World War and

they were made by all the students and staff at the school.

As part of the project BHBS was delighted to welcome

members of the Hereford Round Table into school for an

evening workshop to say thank you for their kind donation

to the project of £400.00. On the evening they manufac-

tured ‘prestige poppies’ with their own message laser cut

into the acrylic poppy centre.

In total nearly one hundred square me-

ters of poppies were hung in12 inde-

pendent shops along Widemarsh Street,

nearly 1700 poppies in total, generating

a lot of interest in the project. At the

launch on Thursday 2nd of November,

we were delighted to welcome Sarah

Jones from the Royal British Legion’s

poppy appeal and Nicola Goodwin

from the BBC. A subsequent video news

package was seen by over 25,000 peo-

ple on the BBC Midlands web site.

The project was kindly supported by

Hereford Round Table, HerefordBID

and the Forbes Group. We would like

to thank them all for their generosity

and encouragement.

We would also like to thank Mr Rich-

ards for the idea and Mr Brooks and

Mrs Shaw for their hard work on the

project.

John Bohan

Head of Technology

Students Rhiannon Barry and Ellie Healey handing over a donation to

Patricia Sarmiento, Strong Young Minds from the money raised by the school

this year.

Careers in Bishop’s October 2017

As I write, the last touches are being made

to the Careers Event with a wide range of

colleges, sixth forms, apprenticeship pro-

viders, businesses and career paths being

represented.

Year 8 and 9 group works introducing Career Ideas are planned for the Spring

Term.

Year 11 students are being interviewed as of next week – the colleges have

now produced their prospectuses and have finalised their courses for the

next academic year.

Significantly, both Hereford and Ludlow College and Hereford Sixth Form Col-

lege now will be running specific Games Design courses, reflecting the fact

that this sector now generates more income than film, TV and music com-

bined.

Also, the Sixth Form is running a Cambridge Technical Engineering course for

the first time. I have checked with more than 20 different Universities and they

will all accept the above courses on future University programmes, so our stu-

dents are now on a level footing with the major cities whose students have

had access to these courses for a while.

Year 10 students are working on their Work Experience

plans – over 30 have now been arranged and com-

pleted and the remainder are being encouraged to

finalise plans as soon as possible.

The process has been brought forward this year due to

a number of other schools choosing the same week.

Also, I have noticed a number of companies, particu-

larly in the Engineering sector are going through diffi-

cult times and if any parents are able to help with work

experience in this area, please let me know.

New Strength and Conditioning Equipment

A £3,000 donation from parents and friends has provided students and staff

with new, state of the art strength and conditioning equipment.

Both boys and girls now benefit from top of the range weight training bars and locks, 5kg weight

plates and 2.5kg training plates, dumbbells, medicine balls, weight resistance bands and ab mats.

The weekly Strength and Conditioning sessions are led by Charlie Stone (Olympic weight lifting in-

structor) allowing students to build muscle tone and muscular endurance, as well as improve pos-

ture and flexibility. Muscular strength development is vital for all athletic activities.

Mike Stubbs, Head of PE, said: “This generous

donation has allowed the school to purchase

equipment that would have ordinarily been

out of our reach and now sets us apart from

other local schools. Use of these types of

weights, as part of an expert-led session, is an

integral and important part of any sport from

rugby to fencing. I am absolutely delighted

that students at Bishop’s now have access to

this new equipment – thank you to all those

that were a part of the fundraising!”

Ian Strangward, Chair, Bishops PSFA, said: “It has been

a huge effort by our PSFA Group, over several terms

and fundraising events – but absolutely worth it! Thank

you so much to all those that have been involved and

supported us so generously with your time and dona-

tions.”

Department

Vocabulary Testing – regular homework

After setting up our vocabulary tests this term, we have made some amendments to

the policy, in light of various practical matters. Whilst single linguists will continue to get

a vocabulary test every 2 weeks, students who study 2 languages will get the vocabu-

lary lists to learn a little less frequently. Tests will still be evident in exercise books and you

can track the progress of the students. They should be calculating their average score

now that there have been a number of tests done. We would expect most students to

have an average of 7+ - the tests are out of 10. KDS4 students will continue to get tests,

but these may be less frequent where specific other events, such as preparation for

speaking exams or milestones, are occurring.

KS4 Weekly Photo Task

On the website each week, in the curriculum area for MFL, there is a new photo to

practise describing. There are 5 tasks each week, based on the photo. Please en-

courage your year 10 or 11 students to look at the task and to see if they can do

the speaking task/writing task. Photo Tasks appear in ALL GCSE speaking exams

and at Foundation Level in Writing.

Mock Revision

A number of parents have signed up for the revision e-mail. Now that the speak-

ing exams are over, we will begin to send these. In addition, for year 11 pupils,

there are revision materials attached to the BHBS website which students can

complete to practise vocabulary. Most students also now have the GCSE revision

workbook, which is invaluable for practice in the run up to the mock examinations.

Students will sit listening, reading and then writing exams for their mocks. If you

would like to be added to the revision email list, please do contact Mrs Green-

wood at school.

MUSIC

Should your son or daughter require a lift key

for medical reasons, we require a £5 deposit

which will be refunded

when the key is returned.

It is our school policy that in order to prevent the spread

of sickness bugs, children should remain at home until

they have been clear of ALL symptoms for 48 hours.

Please help us to stop the spread of this infection by not

sending students back too soon.

Thank you

Sickness Virus

We have been asked by local

residents to ensure parents/carers

do not park across driveways when

dropping off or collecting students.

S4L

We have had a busy start to the year in S4L. All students have now settled into their new groups.

We have introduced a number of new units of work this year and these have been well received

by students and staff. We continue to address relevant and topical issues that range from how to

be a good citizen to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Once again we will be welcoming a number

Safety on social media

As you may be aware last year in S4L we have once again

addressed the issue of the safe use of social networks, mobile

phones and the issue of radicalisation.

This year all of year 7 will be receiving two workshops delivered by

local police officer based on safe us of social media and mobile

phones.

There are also refresher session arranged for the other year groups

and these will be taking place from November.

We understand that this is an ongoing issue and are committed to the continued safety of our

students. I am popping several links below that you may find useful.

I include the NSPCC campaign ‘Net Aware'.

http://www.net-aware.org.uk/

Further to this CEOP – (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) continue to issue advice about

internet safety. You may find the links below useful.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

They have also issued a series of short films for parents to help them understand how to deal with

the problems ‘selfies’ can cause. The link below will take you to the four short films.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Nude-selfies-a-parents-guide/

Finally, sadly we still have to face the issue of the radicalisation of our young people. This can be

from any far right group. We have worked hard in Ethics to ensure that students are aware that

radicalisation and terrorism should not be linked with Islam as the vast majority of Muslims condemn

terrorist’s actions and are themselves being targeted. Students are aware that there are many far

right groups that they need to be aware of and protecting themselves from.

We know that it can be difficult discussing this with your young people as it is in our nature to

protect them from such atrocities.

The link below is to a HM Government Home Office site that offers information for parents.

http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/

I hope that you find this useful and rest assured that as a school we are committed to ensuring our

students safety and will continue to keep you up to date with any information that we feel will be

of benefit to you.

PSHE

As you will be aware there has been a great deal of research to say that our young peo-

ple should be receiving information about how they should look after their mental health

and wellbeing and where to go for help if needed. In response to this we have intro-

duced a unit of work based on Mental Health and Wellbeing. This will be taught in years

9 and 10 with elements in the younger year’s groups too.

Lessons will be based around:

Promoting emotional health during transition and milestones

Promoting emotional well being

Resilience and reframing failure

Unhealthy coping strategies: Self Harm

Unhealthy coping strategies: Eating disorders

Understanding depression and anxiety

Mindfulness

Year nine are also being supported in their learning through a series of workshops that

are being delivered by professionals form the Strong Young Minds project. They are deliv-

ering workshops based around relieving stress and anxiety, warning signs and asking for

help. More information about the project can be found at :

http://www.thesymproject.org/

We have also began to teach new schemes of work regarding Drugs and Alcohol in

years 8 and 10. I have come across some excellent parents guides for both drugs and al-

cohol. I am popping the links below as you may find them useful:

http://www.talktofrank.com/sites/default/files/Does%20your%20child%20know%20more%

20than%20you%20-%20MARCH%202014%20v2.pdf A PDF from FRANK with information for

parents and carers about drugs and legal highs

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/underage-drinking/ Drinkaware is a useful site with

advice on alcohol limits and the dangers of underage drinking

RE - Philosophy & Ethics

I’m sure that you will agree Religious Education and Philosophy & Ethics has never been

more relevant in today's world. In our rapidly changing multi-ethnic society religion is of-

ten the key to the way people think and act.

Today more than ever It is evident that in society religion and beliefs have a huge

influence on individuals, culture, behaviour and life. Because of this it can be argued

that the study of religion and belief is an indispensable part of a complete education.

We believe that an understanding of religions and cultures will

not only nurture a more tolerant society, but most religions and

beliefs offer answers to some of life’s deepest questions. Within

the RE / Philosophy & Ethics lessons we have the opportunity to

address many of the topical and pressing issues.

Year Eight have also had a good start to the

year and are currently looking at what it means to be human.

We have been using many resources from the Action for Hap-

piness

website:

http://www.actionforhappiness.org/ you might find the resources useful yourselves I

know I’ve used the mindfulness exercises (when I have time!)

Students will then go on to look at Islam and Sikhism a new scheme of work for this year.

Year Nine – have made a good start in their Religion, Philosophy & Ethics GCSE. I have

emailed parents and carers with information regarding the course including a link to

where you may purchase the text book. Some

students find this useful. Students are beginning to write their first

exam style answers and I have also sent home a powerpoint to

support them with this. We are currently working through

Christian Beliefs and Teachings and will then move on to

Practices before beginning the themes in year ten. The themes

are based around;

Relationships and Families – Marriage, Divorce, contraception, roles of men and

women

The Existence of God – What/Who is God? Arguments about the existence of God,

morals

Religion, Peace and Conflict – Violence, Conflict, Terrorism, Pacifism, Justice, Injustice

Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes – role of religion,

clashes between religion, tradition and secular law, Medical Ethics, Atheism, Agnosti-

cism, Humanism and secularism

These will be considered from their own and the Christian perspective.

Year 7 have had a great start to the year and produced some

excellent work! They are now beginning their unit of work based

around Jesus and his relevance for today.

Year Eight are well into their work on Islam and have found

the lessons a valuable opportunity to ask the questions that

they may not ordinarily ask. This is a valuable unit of work as

it helps to address prejudice and answers many questions

about what is a peaceful and fascinating religion. The re-

cent milestone assessment allowed students to consider

religious leaders and they produced some excellent results.

We will continue through this unit for the remainder of this school year, building towards

an end of unit test based in ‘What is good and challenging about being a teenage

Muslim in society today’.

Year Nine continue to work well in their Philosophy & Ethics

GCSE. They have now completed a number of exam

questions and we are seeing real progress.

Next term we will be focusing on Christian practices,

particularly:

Worship, Sacraments and Prayer

The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations

The role of the church in the local community

Mission and the role of the church in the wider world

When students return in year ten we will begin our themes these will be considered from

their own and the Christian perspective. The themes will be;

Relationships and Families – Marriage, Divorce, contraception, roles of men and women

The Existence of God – What/Who is God? Arguments about the existence of God, morals

Religion, Peace and Conflict – Violence, Conflict, Terrorism, Pacifism, Justice, Injustice

Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes – role of religion,

clashes between religion, tradition and secular law, Medical Ethics, Atheism, Agnosticism,

Humanism and secularism

Year Ten Continue with their GCSE Religion, Philosophy &

Ethics studies and have completed their first milestone

assessment. I have emailed all parents and carers with up to

date information about the course and a link to the text

book. Some students find it useful to have their own and

these can then be sold on when they finish the course in

year 11.

We are currently completing the Christian Practices unit before moving on to the themes.

Worship, Sacraments and Prayer

The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations

The role of the church in the local community

Mission and the role of the church in the wider world

Year Eleven Are in their final two terms at Bishops and

working steadily through their GCSE. Their remaining units

of work are based around;

Religion & Equality

Poverty & Wealth

Good & Evil

Religion & Science

As you can see all relevant and often topical issues. With this in mind we need to

encourage students to watch, read and listen to the news as so much of it is can be used

for Philosophy & Ethics!

At Bishop’s Philosophy & Ethics is a subject that lies at the heart of our curriculum and every

student will sit the GCSE. Our students are fortunate as we are one of only a few schools in

Herefordshire to offer Philosophy & Ethics as a compulsory subject. This means that students

have the opportunity to achieve a GCSE that others will not have. A great deal of what we

study is concerned not just with religious concepts but with moral and ethical issues too.

Within Philosophy & Ethics we explore a variety of different views concerning our modern

world. It is very favourably considered by employers and colleges alike as it demonstrates a

greater social awareness and understanding. With effort and hard work, a good grade is

possible.

RE revision pages can be accessed through our new school website. Materials include revi-

sion guides, past papers and example exam answers. Link below

http://www.bhbs.hereford.sch.uk/Ethics-page2

Philosophy & Ethics is becoming more popular and sought after by educational institutions

and employers. We have some very talented Philosophy & Ethics students in Y11 and it

would be great to see them continue with the subject at A Level.

You may find the following short film interesting. This is was taken at a conference in 2014.

Lord Alton explains to an audience of 600 Year 11 GCSE Religious Studies students how stud-

ying the subject is key to preparing to enter Politics or Public Life in the 21st Century...

https://youtu.be/aYUGTPmJgFw

If any parents or carers would like to find out more about the Philosophy & Ethics GCSE and

how they can best support their young people, please feel free to contact Mrs Williams via

email at mwilliamsbhbs@herefordshire .sch.org

Also please feel free to follow us on Twitter @bhbsre I am always tweeting about Philosophi-

cal and Ethical issues that have an impact our daily lives…..It’s not just for students!

Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful half

term !

Melissa Williams and the Ethics Team.