NEWSLETTER Issue 18 Wednesday 20th July 2016 Important Dates & Upcoming Events THURSDAY 21 ST JULY SUMMER HOLIDAY INSET DAY MONDAY 5 TH SEPTEMBER STUDENTS RETURN TUESDAY 6 TH SEPTEMBER OPENWEEK EVENING TOURS TUESDAY 20 TH SEPTEMBER - 6:30PM THURSDAY 22 ND SEPTEMBER - 6.30PM Follow us on Twitter @LeasowesHigh for information on after school activities, revision sessions, school closures and much more #dontforget STUDENTS ABSENCE LINE 01384 817186 ASPIRE AND ACHIEVE SUMMER HAS ARRIVED! As I write, it seems as though the entire country has been transported to another continent with temperatures soaring and Britain generally coping with a heatwave. This reminds us that the summer holidays are almost here and we wish everyone associated with the school a refreshing and restful break. In September we begin a new era in the school s development and I am sure you will agree that things are looking very positive indeed. Please take note of the uniform stipulations regarding footwear and trousers in particular in order to avoid disputes and wasted time in September. All we want is for our students to be proud of the fact that we are the smartest school in the locality! Best wishes for a wonderful summer break! Neil Shaw Headteacher
Peace Garden Update Many hands make light work, that s how the saying goes and has certainly proved to be true in the peace garden over the last few weeks; Especially on Friday 15 th July when a group of staff and students spent the day rebuilding what had been cleared. Usually, we just have an hour or two after school on Thursdays to get done as much as can and we have certainly done just that, clearing what had become an overgrown jungle with shrubs and brambles reaching over two metres high. However, probably the toughest part was digging up the roots! So with materials delivered, on Friday we set about building a raised bed out of sleepers, assembling garden furniture, making our own bespoke bench from a felled tree, terracing a planting area, spreading the decorative stone and so much more. Everybody worked really hard, not even put off by the rain. We still have a little more to do, including; purchase more decorative stone, topsoil & decorative bark some sensory type plants for the raised bed, which will become the memory area of the garden plant some climbing plants to cover the unappealing steel railing We have a couple of art projects in mind including a mural We would like to be able to encourage the birds to visit the garden Once these tasks are completed we plan to have an official opening. Of course there is no formal budget for these types of projects and so, what we couldn t plead as donations has been funded by cake & samosa sales, a staff quiz and a lip-sync battle is planned for next term all organised by the students. While it is important to remember the purpose of this project, which is to have a peaceful space where students or staff can spend time to reflect and remember those who have passed, the whole process has generated great humour, fun and friendship. Everyone rightfully seems really proud of what has been produced and we are all looking forward to its completion and the opportunity to share it. The staff are really proud of how the students have taken part, well done!
LEASOWES ARTS FEST 2016 This week, Leasowes has welcomed over 350 primary school pupils and their parents to participate in Arts Fest 16. The students have enjoyed a variety of subject, including, music, maths, geography, drama, dance, art, technology & science. It was a fantastic 3 days, which culminated in a concert on Wednesday morning. It was lovely to see parents working alongside their children and we look forward to next years event! Mr Dunn Meet some of our new staff "Hello, I'm Mr Dunn, and I'm really looking forward to joining Leasowes in September. I'll be teaching Computing, which gets even more exciting at secondary school I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do! I'm also keen to get involved with some of the many extracurricular activities that Leasowes offers, especially in the music department. I'm looking forward to meeting you all next year!" Mr Abley "Hi! My name is Mr Abley and I'll be joining the school in September. I'm a member of the Teach First programme and will be teaching English. I recently completed my degree at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I studied English and creative writing. I'm from the South West originally, and the West Midlands is a new experience for me. I'm very excited to teach here and see what Birmingham and the surrounding areas have to offer!" Mr Mitchell Hello, I m Mr Mitchell and I will be teaching mathematics from September. Inside the classroom, I hope to engage and inspire pupils with the problem-solving and inquisitive aspects of maths, whilst outside of it I hope to get involved in the sporting and outdoors activities Leasowes High School has to offer. I am very excited to join in September, and look forward to getting to know pupils, staff and parents, old and new.
MUSIC EXAM SUCCESS Well done to the following Students for passing music exams this term: Grade 1 Music Theory Will Blakeway - Pass Emma Bolton - Merit Merren Cannings - Distinction James Chatterley - Pass Trinity Hobbs - Pass Izak Guy - Pass (current year 6) Please contact Ms Chapman if you are interested in participating in similar next school year. Rock School Guitar Charlotte Barton Pass