KINGS NORTON

HIGH TIMES

March 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

Prison Me No-Way!!!

Pantomime pics

Soon….

What’s coming soon?

Primary Athletics Festival

All for charity! NEW SCHOOL TERM STARTS ON

TUESDAY 8TH APRIL 2008 - DON’T BE LATE!!

Another exciting year 11 v staff football match but

sadly one team had to lose and this time it was the year

11s!!

The staff team cruised to an early lead with Mr McCay

and Mr Yeomans scoring superb goals. Some dubious

offside calls were made opening up an opportunity for

Luke Wilcox to pull one back for the year 11s.

The second half, although goal less, remained tight and

what year 11’s lacked in their ability to score was made

up in their determination to equalise. They pushed

forward for the full 45 minutes. It was a great match

and thanks to everyone who took part.

STAFF FOOTBALL

VICTORY!

STAFF 2 - 1 YEAR 11

status which will bring us more annual funding and

with that better resources.

So, things really do appear to be looking up for us

again. Next term I will be writing to you to ask if any

parents would like to be on a parent consultation group

to discuss ways in which you might like to see our

school become a more significant focus in the Kings

Norton regeneration programme.

In the meantime, may I wish you a wonderful Easter

break and thank you again for your amazing support!

Denise Burns, Head Teacher

AFTER THE BAD NEWS, DO YOU

WANT THE GOOD NEWS OR THE

BETTER NEWS?

CLOSURE THREAT DISAPPEARS

We had bad news about our bid for academy

status. Then after reeling from the even

worse news of possible closure, we were de-

lighted to hear that the threat disappeared

again as suddenly as it had appeared.

So now we are probably all asking our-

selves, is this truly good news and a time to

rejoice or is this just a ‘stay of execution’?

BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FU-

TURE

Well some good news has certainly given me reas-

surance! Councillor Lawrence told us in parent

and governor meetings that there was no longer

any threat of closure, but instead a promise of in-

vestment in the school as a community resource.

Now we have just heard from the local author-

ity that Kings Norton High School has been put on

phase 2 of Birmingham’s ‘building schools for the

future’ programme. This means that we will

be getting either a massive refurbishment plus a

partial re-build, or simply a completely re-built

school on roughly the same timescale as we would

have been on if we had achieved academy status!

This means that, as soon as we have our next full

inspection – either July or September is likely -

we should get the go-ahead to apply instead for

specialist

Performances of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ were watched by primary schools, parents and students and thoroughly

enjoyed by all.

Asia Wray (Sleeping Beauty) and Nathan Dewell (Gerald) gave excellent performances in their lead roles

and were superbly supported by Mr Findley, Mr Muntzer, Jake Sykes, Jack Woodward, Thomas Phillips,

Daniel Turner, Mr McCay, Leon Stewart, Keelee Ann Rivers, Lovinia Gordon, Shannon Cotterill-Gibson,

Amy Moore, Holly Hopkins, Miss Clayton, Stephanie Goulei, Steven Paul, Cherise Stirling, Mr Lovgren,

Paige Windridge and Jessica Beard (backstage).

The fantastic set, designed and painted by Mr White and built by the caretakers, created a stunning

backdrop for the performances. Patricia Buckley expertly led the backstage team.

Calling parents/carers of year 7 and 8 students …..

After Easter, students in years 7 and 8 will begin a new ICT topic ‘Getting the

most out of the internet but keeping safe online!’

Want to know more??

We have 250 ‘Know IT All’ discs specifically aimed at parents/carers to accom-

pany the student module. Call 0121 459 4451 or ask at reception.

Call 0121 459 4451 or call in!

INTERNET SAFETY

On 4th March 2008, Kings Norton High

School hosted the final of the Baver-

stock School Sports Partnership Primary

Indoor Athletics Competition. More

than 120 primary school pupils at-

tended and took part in relay races, and

athletic events such as the javelin, triple

jump and the standing long jump.

The festival was a great success. Win-

ners came from Hollywood Primary

(boys team) and Hawkesley Church Pri-

mary (girls).

The event would not have been possible

without the help of 12 of our Year 10

Sports Leaders who were responsible for

co-ordinating events and recording

results.

Primary Athletics

Festival

Soon….

Kings Norton High School has

once again achieved

SPORTSMARK status. This

award reflects the com-

mitment the school has made to

physical education and sport

provision, both in the curricu-

lum and through out-of-hours

learning.

On Wednesday 30th January, the Natural High Schools

Tour arrived at Kings Norton

High School.

Pupils in Year 7 were treated to a

morning of singing, dancing and

activities designed to show the

pupils the dangers of drug and

alcohol use. The visit formed

part of the PSHE curriculum and was a great success. Part

of the morning was to create a rap or poem and we’d like

to congratulate the winners.

1st Place – Matthew Moss

2nd Place – Vicky Green

3rd Place – Connor King

Wednesday 26th March 6.30 pm

Kings Norton High School

All are welcome

POLICE

NEIGHBOUR-

HOOD TASKING

MEETING

We are pleased to announce that Mr Paul Bird has

joined the governing body of Kings Norton High School

as a parent governor.

We still have two vacancies for parents—if you are in-

terested, please contact the clerk on 0121 459 4451.

TAKE THE ‘RAP’

Winning Rap

‘Drugs are losers’ toys, you don’t want to mess

You know where it leads you don’t have to guess’

KNHS Assembly Roadshow

‘Our children are stars’

Coming to a primary school as-

sembly near you soon!

Year 11 will soon be sitting their summer examinations - timetables for which will shortly be published

and sent out. The main body of GCSE exams for year 11 will begin from the 14th May.

The next few weeks are incredibly important, and you should start revising now if you haven’t done so

already. It is also vital that students attend school every day, and are on time to lessons to maximise po-

tential in these exams.

Absence from examinations will not be authorised except in the strictest of circumstances, so

please ensure that you know your exam timetable.

CALLING ALL YEAR 11’S—EXAM TIME IS APPROACHING!!

As a school we are keen to ensure that all our stu-

dents are employable and understand the importance

placed by colleges and employers on good atten-

dance and punctuality.

A big THANK YOU to all of you who supported

us over the last two terms thus contributing towards

huge overall improvement compared to previ-

ous years.

The attendance and punctuality campaigns will con-

tinue to run after Easter

Thank you for your ongoing support.

ATTENDANCE RATES RISE!

Over 90% so far this year! Students involved in the Leading Edge Pro-

ject, run by the Children’s Society, not only

attend weekly homework clubs, reading sup-

port classes, and tutoring and revision ses-

sions for KS4 students, they also have fun in

the holidays!

Half-term saw trips to the bowling alley

and West Bromwich Albion Football Club to

train and meet the players!!

LEADING EDGE VENTURES OUT

“We would all like to thank the Children’s society for caring

about our fun and education.”

Neda Keiany

Year 9 Mock SATs - Tuesday 8th - Friday 11th April

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Period 4

Period 5

Tuesday 8th

ENGLISH W

RITING

Longer Writing Task - 45 m

inutes

Shorter Writing Task - 30 m

inutes

ENGLISH SHAKESPEARE

45 m

inutes

Wednesday 9th

SCIENCE PAPER 1

1 hour

Thursday 10th

MENTAL M

ATHS

20 m

inutes

(2 tiers staggered)

SCIENCE PAPER 2

1 hour

MATHS PAPER 2

1 hour

Friday 11th

ENGLISH READING

1 hour 15 m

inutes

MATHS PAPER 1

1 hour

(Pupils to be brought

down in last 15 min-

utes of period 3)

Soon….

Having recently took part in a workshop at the KNHS CLC, a group

of year 8 are becoming amateur teachers of French for local

primary students next term.

Whilst at the workshop, students

prepared teaching tools, French dialogues, posters, French songs,

flashcards, powerpoint presentations, and practiced speaking whilst

being recorded by video camera. Green screen technology transported

the students to the Eiffel Tower, Eurodisney and the Stade de

France!!!

Both students and teachers were delighted with the workshop. Our

year 8 french teachers can’t wait to show of their newly acquired

skills and deliver their lessons very soon. We will keep you posted!

Au revoir!

M.H. Dione, Head of MFL

YEAR 8’S TRAIN TO TEACH

Year 9 SATS exams take place between

Tuesday 6th May- Friday 9th May 2008

Attendance is essential so do not book appointments or holidays

during this period.

The noticeboard has now been completed (thanks to Ryan Moore and Nicholas Harris). This is

situated outside Mr Lyon and Mrs Horton’s office. Any information about SATS exams

and preparation will be on the noticeboard.

A mock SATS exam timetable is displayed opposite.

REMINDER Revision Club: Every Tuesday 2.50 pm -3.50 pm

Easter School: Monday 31st March and Tuesday 1

st April

Breakfast Club will be running during the SATS week

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YEAR 9 STUDENTS

SATS WEEK— TUESDAY 6TH MAY TO FRIDAY 9TH MAY 2008

AUDITIONS

10TH APRIL 2008

3.00—5.00 PM

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Kings Norton EAZ is pleased to announce their 5th Annual Atten-

dance Award Ceremony which will take place on Thursday 10th July

2008.

All students with 100% attendance and no more than

two lates will be invited to attend the Council House to

meet and have tea with the Lord Mayor, Councillor

Randal Brew OBE.

Year 10 work experience placements

coming soon!!

Monday 8th Sept 08 - Friday 19th Sept 08

Return your completed forms to Mr Henderson as soon as possi-

ble to ensure all the relevant checks are completed.

Be the face of Work

Experience 2008!

THANK YOU ...

.,….. to everyone who has

supported the Blue Peter ap-

peal raising money for

Barnado’s. Over 150 CDs,

DVDs and computer games

have been sent to appeal

headquaters.

The appeal runs until the end

of May so keep donating

and support young carers

across the UK.

DINING ROOM GETS

A FACE LIFT!

For the past two moths 12 students

have been working with a Birmingham

based artist called Faith Pearson to trans-

form the school canteen.

Faith took inspiration from food packaging

and the super Tudor Fold project which

was completed last summer.

The students painted and created new wil-

low pattern plates. Negative space images

of food and a Tudor freeze taking inspira-

tion from patterns from around their own

homes.

We would like to thank the following stu-

dents for their participation:

Year 7

Shannon Britton

Keelee-Ann Rivers

Chay White

Matthew Moss

Year 8

Daniel Turner

Jed Astbury

Alanah Brookes

Grace Branch

Year 9

Chloe Matthewson

Lisa Collingwood

Keely Young

Jenneika Francis

PRISON ME NO-WAY!!!

The ‘Prison Me No-Way’ event was organised by Mr Ireland in

conjunction with our local police officer, PC Fern to enhance

the citizenship curriculum

We aim to help all of our students to become fully

rounded citizens by the time they leave the school.

Special days, such as ‘Prison Me No-Way!!!’ are an

essential way of achieving these aims, raising

awareness of important issues and actively engaging

students.

Students spent the day in workshops

covered hot topics such as firearms,

prison life, arson, anti-social behav-

iour, alcohol and drugs and discussing

effect these can have on one’s life and

injuries that can be caused.

“The images of injuries in the

ambulance workshop stayed in

my mind.”

Steve Taylor

“It was absolutely fantastic, exciting

and very valuable.”

Mubaarik Waes

“It was fun and got the message across.”

Nicholas Harris

“It showed us how to keep safe and

healthy.”

Denise Worth

“Don’t go to prison, it will ruin

your life;”

Rutendo Nembaware