Bellemoor School | Southampton

Dear Parents

 

Students return to school on Tuesday 26^th February.   Monday 25^th February is an Inset day for staff, run by Dr Rosemary Taylor, an international leader in girls’ leaning, to focus on increasing staff’s understanding and knowledge of girls and to offer practical advice on using this understanding and knowledge in the classroom.

 

We are looking for new people to join our parent forum, particularly parents of Year 7. The next sessions will be held on Wednesday 4^th June at either 10.30 am or 6.30 pm, and if you are interested in coming along for informal discussion over a cup of coffee or tea, and a few laughs, please let my PA (clare.challis@bellemoor.southampton.sch.uk) have your email address so that she can send details nearer the time.

 

On Monday 11^th February we hosted our family’s girls 6-a-side football competition. In total there were almost 40 girls taking part and it was obvious from the start that they were all very enthusiastic about football! The standard of play was very good, with great shots and great saves, excellent passes and some very brave tackles being made. After each team had played 4 gruelling games, Shirley Junior A team came out as winners, beating St Mark’s into 2^nd place by just 2 points! Congratulations to all who took part and we wish Shirley Junior the very best of luck as they fly the flag for our family in the city partnership finals.

 

A representative from the Southampton University ‘Routes into Languages’ scheme came in to talk to students from Key Stage 4 Spanish and French classes on the Friday before half term. Undergraduate language students from the University have been recruited to take part in an e-mentoring programme whereby they communicate via email with students studying GCSE languages at Bellemoor. The aim of the scheme is to offer additional support to our students with their studies and also the opportunity to communicate in the language about everyday issues. Initially 7 of our students will take part in the programme with a view to offering it to all language students in the future.

 

All Year 9 are working on a RE scheme of work on Buddhism, focussing on the teachings of the Buddha and how these can be applied in daily life. In order to increase student understanding of an interesting but challenging topic, the RE department have invited Gen Tharpa to visit the school to talk about his life as a Buddhist monk. He lives in the Thekchen Buddhist Meditation Centre in Bitterne Park and plans to do a short meditation with the boys and talk about how he became a monk and how he lives his life. The boys are busy preparing some very interesting questions. 

 

After half term the Duke of Edinburgh Team will be holding their annual Year 9 intake information meeting at 2.40 pm on Monday 3^rd March (in Room 4) for any Year 9s who wish to find out more about the award. Due to the growing popularity of the award in school we have limited places this year. Parents are welcome to join meeting but it is not essential that you attend with your son. Please contact Miss Christie at school if you have any questions about the award.

 

We are now actively looking for more volunteers for the school bank so if your son is interested please ask him to see Mrs Sorfleet in the Finance Office.

Each Tuesday the English department run booster classes after school for one hour to help with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the GCSE exams. The booster sessions are aimed at GCSE students; please encourage your son to attend. There is a printed schedule on the department’s noticeboard; this will also be posted on the website. If students wish to order the poetry study guides (£3.50 each) they should see Ms Mackay as soon as possible.

 

The homework club for all students now takes place every day after school until 4.00 pm in the library.

 

The gardening club are preparing a plot for growing vegetables and would be grateful for any unwanted seed trays or small plastic flower pots you may have. Please ask your son to take them to Mrs Silk in the Science department.

Dates for your Diary