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SHENLEY BROOK END SCHOOL
SCHOOL NEWS Vol 19 Issue 6 : 7 December 2017
Diary Dates
20 December 2017 School Closes for End of Term (staggered finish for students — see below)
4 January 2018 School Re-opens for all year groups
7 December Year 13 Parents’ Evening
7 December Years 8-13 Music CMK Performance
8 December Year 9 Sports Leadership Festival
11 December Years 12/13 Drama trip to Tin Drum
11 December School Carol Concert at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone — 7pm
14 December Year 11 Art Mock Exam
14 December Year 10 Drama Practical Mock
14 December Years 7-13 Music Primary School Concert
14 December Year 11 Parents’ Evening
15 December Year 12 Drama A Level Practical Exam
18-20 December Year 11 Art Mock Exams
18/19 December Year 12 Drama A Level Practical Exam
19 December School Christmas Meal for Students
19 December Student Voice Quizmas Event — 7pm
20 December School Closes for End of Term
END OF TERM ARRANGEMENTS
Students will be leaving school for the Christmas Break on Wednesday 20 December. The school will re-open
on Thursday 4 January for students in all year groups at the usual time of 8.25am.
Students will leave at the following times on 20 December:
Year 7 12.50pm Year 8 12.25pm
Year 9 11.55am Year 10 11.30am
Year 11 10.45am Sixth Form 12.50pm
4-12 January Year 11 Mock Exams
8/9 January Year 8 CEIAG Work Tree Workshop/Earn2Learn Day
10 January Year 8 Preferences’ Evening
13 January Years 9/10 Bronze/Silver DofE Training Day
15-19 January Year 13 Drama Practical Exam
15-18 January Year 11 Mock Exams
15 January Year 7 Art Festival of Quilts
17 January Equalities LBGT Conference
17 January Years 12/13 Financial Studies Exam
18 January Year 8 Parents' Evening
19 January Year 10 Science trip to GCSE Science Live
Welcome
The last newsletter before Christmas and still so much happening!
I hope to see many of you at the Years 13 and 11 parents’ evenings (and shortly after we return
there will be two evenings for parents of Year 8 students).
As usual, most students will be allowed to leave school early on the last day of term (20 December)
after their assembly. The times are given on the front cover.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful and restful Christmas break with
your family.
Mr G Martin
Headteacher
WEATHER NEWS
Inclement weather affecting the opening of the school
During periods of inclement weather which may result in school closures,
parents are encouraged to log on to the Local Authority website and sign up
for school closure alerts as well as using the school website to see if the school is
affected. The school will also tweet the information by @sbeschool.
As the school is contained in one building it is sometimes possible to open (even when other schools
are shut) although the start of school may be delayed. Unless there is clear indication that the
school is shut, parents must assume that the school is open.
To prevent unauthorised absences, parents are expected to ensure their child attends school when
the school is open, even if there is a delay to the opening times caused by inclement weather.
Emergency closure of the school during the school day
In the event of school closure, parents who are happy for their child to make their own way home
during the school day have already given their permission, and will not be contacted individually. An
email will be sent to parents or a text for those without email. Twitter will be used, and a message
placed on the school website.
If it is increasingly likely that snow may lead to an early closure of the school, having your mobile
phone with you or access to the internet is helpful.
It is important to have spoken to your child regarding the procedure you want them to follow in
the event of an enforced closure of the school during the school day.
If going to a relative or friend, ensure that everyone is in agreement and that your
child can actually get into the relevant house if no-one is there. Remind your child
to go straight home (or to the relative or friend). Anxious parents have previously
contacted school about a ‘missing’ child, who, instead of going straight home, has
stopped off to play in the snow, arriving home sometime later, wet through but
without a care in the world! It is helpful if your child has a mobile phone with
them. When there has been an emergency closure, the school has found that the
mobile phone providers have not been able to keep up with the demand, although
students will be encouraged to let their parents know they are going home.
Make sure your child knows in advance where in the school they will meet with siblings and friends
with whom they normally walk home. Having a set place in school where they all know they are
going to meet will save a lot of confusion on the day. If you have not given permission for your
child to go home please come to reception to collect your child, as soon as possible, as closing due
to inclement weather usually indicates that conditions will worsen. Members of staff who are
waiting with your child also need to get home safely. Additionally, children often are anxious as
they see other children going home but they are still waiting.
Please be aware that the school has a limited number of outside lines, making it challenging
contacting parents who have not given permission for their child to leave the school in these
circumstances. Please only ring the school if it is absolutely necessary eg you are returning a
missed call from a member of staff. It is important that your telephone numbers are kept up-to-
date.
Finally, each time there is an enforced closure during the day, some of the older students are left
in school who tell us they are more than capable of going home on their own – but we retain them,
as the instruction you have given when starting school states that your child does not have
permission to go home, and this lasts throughout their time in school.
If you now wish to change your instruction, please notify the school in writing and address the
letter to Mrs Lannin, Headteacher’s PA. A parental signature is required and so we cannot accept
email requests.
LOST PROPERTY NEWS
Jackets, blazers, PE kits, football boots, shirts and ties, shoes etc. These are
just some of the items we are continually finding in the Lost Property bins in the
front office.
Again, these bins are full and we are putting the lost property contents on tables in the street
from 11 December until close of school for the Christmas break on 20 December.
Please encourage your child to look for any lost items, and parents are welcome to come into school
to look, at the end of the school day. Any items remaining at the end of this term will be recycled.
Items of value are kept in a locked drawer in reception, and enquiries for
these items should be made to the receptionist.
PE NEWS
On 22 November, 19 students attended the Milton Keynes Schools Cross Country
Championships which took place at Campbell Park, Central Milton Keynes. The
students had to brave high winds and cold conditions for the duration of the afternoon but should
be proud of their achievements. Many of our runners finished within the top 20 within their
respective age groups, but particular praise goes to Jamila Clare, Jack Ratcliffe, Tommy
Blennerhassett, Abby Murrell, Nicole Whittle and James Palmer for being the highest finishers in
their age groups. Below is a complete list of results
Well done to all the runners and thank you to Alex Browne, Nathan Ley, Taliyah Wilson, Madeline
Payne and Sam Norman for volunteering to help lead the event.
DT NEWS
Young Furniture Makers Exhibition — 10 October 2017
On Tuesday 10 October I went to London to present my GCSE coursework
project in Resistant Materials at the Young Furniture Makers Exhibition,
which was in the Austin Friars hall near the Bank of England.
The exhibition is organised by the educational section of the furniture makers’ guild. It is
supported and funded by many large furniture companies. I was very proud that I was selected to
go and present my work along with lots of other students from around the country.
I was one of only a few school students that received a prize (a book) from the furniture makers’
charity this year. I was nominated by my school and met other school students from around the
country. I also met university students who were also presenting their work.
Girls’ Results Boys’ Results
Place Age Group Name Time Place Age Group Name Time
5 Junior Girls Jamila Clare 5.46 7 Intermediate Boys Jack Ratcliffe 11.14
25 Junior Girls Bethany Tyler 6.48 8 Intermediate Boys Tommy Blennerhassett 11.16
29 Junior Girls Mia Kington 6.53 23 Intermediate Boys Lewis Tyler 12.23
12 Intermediate Girls Abby Murrell 13.42 31 Intermediate Boys Ethan Dyer 12.53
28 Intermediate Girls Alex Shirley 15.11 34 Intermediate Boys Nathan Davidson 13.19
36 Intermediate Girls Katie Goodman 15.49 40 Intermediate Boys Jake Sams 13.37
43 Intermediate Girls Lateefah Agberemi 16.36 43 Intermediate Boys Leo Tregurtha 13.49
6 Senior Girls Nicole Whittle 15.59 59 Intermediate Boys James Jesuthasan 14.56
11 Senior Girls Charlotte Fox 17.33 10 Senior Boys James Palmer 17.42
21 Senior Boys Nathan Browne 19.25
I enjoyed the day as it allowed me to talk to some of the top retailers in the furniture industry and
also I got to understand and find out how Plywood was produced when I visited an exhibition at the
Victoria and Albert museum. In the evening the presentation talk was given by a leading furniture
designer Sebastian Conran.
If there anyone else gets the chance I would highly recommend that they go to it as it is a great
experience.
Sam Norman Y12
GOVERNOR NEWS
We are pleased to confirm that we have appointed three new parent governors following our request
for nominations:
Mr A Abdullahi
Mrs V Hurdley
Mrs H Pugh
A full list of the Shenley Brook End Governing Body can be found on the school website under the
parents and community section.
YEAR 8 PREFERENCE NEWS
Year 8 Preferences
Year 8 students will shortly be picking their Preference subjects ready to begin in Year 9. To help
the students with this, there will be an assembly, a Preferences Fair and support from tutors,
subject teachers, House Leaders and Year Leader. A book with all the subjects and a form
indicating the school’s recommendations for your child will also be issued before Christmas.
Letters inviting parents to an information evening about the preferences on Thursday 11 January
2018 in the theatre will be sent out shortly. However for your information:
6.00pm will be parents of students in 8BSS, 8BSD, 8CEB, 8CAN and 8EKR.
7.00pm will be parents of students in 8HHE, 8HET, 8SNC, 8SCO and 8EMQ
Parents’ evening is on Thursday 18 January 2018 in the Sports Hall. Parents will be able to book
appointments on-line like last year from Monday 8 January 2018 (after 5.30pm). Letters with this
information will be sent out in January. At parents’ evening, teachers of Year 9 subjects that your
child does not currently have will be available to discuss any questions that have not been covered in
the Preferences Booklet. You will not be able to make appointments with these teachers using the on
-line system, they will be available on a first-come, first-seen basis.
I look forward to seeing you at these very important meetings for your child’s choices.
Mrs S Grave
Year Leader – Year 8
EXAMS NEWS
EXAMS MATTER!
Certificates for candidates who sat external examinations in Summer 2017 (or at any time during
the 2016/17 academic year) have been issued to students who are still at Shenley Brook End
School; any student who was not in form time when certificates were being issued has been sent a
reminder and students are asked to collect these in a timely fashion. A reminder to students/
parents that certificates are costly to replace – please store them safely. Leavers/external
candidates have been sent a letter advising that their certificates are ready for collection.
External examinations may sometimes be taken by students in a subject which is not taught as a
part of Shenley Brook End School’s curriculum; parents/students are asked to get in touch with
me as soon as possible if such an entry is required. It would be helpful to know of any such
requests by the end of January 2017 at the very latest otherwise it may not be possible to make
an entry.
The school reserves the right to make the final recommendation on the qualifications for which
entries will be made. Whilst the school is pleased to make such entries for students, preparation
for the examination is the responsibility of the student.
On our return to school after the Christmas break, Year 11 students will be sitting mock
examinations; timetables have been issued to students and a copy sent home for parental
reference. In late January/early February, Year 12/13 students will be sitting mocks and
timetables for these exams will be available to students on our return from the Christmas break.
In January, teaching staff will be organising entries for the summer external examination period.
Initial timetables will be issued to students in early March with seating timetables being given out
in early May; at this point, a copy of the timetable will be issued to parents of Year 10/11 students
for their reference.
Parental copies are not usually issued to parents of sixth form students but if any parent does
wish to receive a copy of their son/daughter’s seating timetable, please contact me and I will
arrange this.
Coming up in exams:
4-16 January – Year 11 mock examinations
29 January-5 February – Year 12/13 mock examinations
week commencing 5 March – Year 11 mock examinations
weeks commencing 9 and 16 April – Year 10 internally set examinations
week commencing 23 April – Year 9 internally set examinations
week commencing 25 June – Years 7/8 internally set examinations
16 August – AS/A Level results day
23 August – GCSE results day
If you have any questions about exams, please contact me via the school’s switchboard number
(01908 520264) during the school day.
Mrs Bayliss, Examinations Officer
LIBRARY NEWS
MK Parliamentary Debating Competition
Each year, all of the Milton Keynes Secondary Schools are
invited to participate in a Parliamentary Debating Competition, the
brainchild of local MPs Iain Stewart and Mark Lancaster. The competition
is without any party political bias, rather, its aim is to encourage more
young people to engage in politics and, specifically, in the art of debating.
After preliminary knock-out rounds, the competition culminates in a final
debate in a chamber in the House of Commons, Westminster, with a tour
of both houses. Shenley Brook End has been very successful in the
competition, over the 10 years it has been running, reaching the finals 7
times, and winning on 4 occasions.
This year, Dominic Frost and Matthew Bardsley will represent Shenley Brook End at Westminster,
having triumphed in their semi-final 3-way debate last Thursday evening. The debate motion was:
‘The best way to pay for university education is:
a) From general taxation with no specific graduate contribution;
b) Using the current loan system;
c) A graduate tax with the student paying a higher rate of income tax than non-university
students’.
Shenley Brook End proposed the motion, against strong teams from Walton High and Denbigh
School. Dominic and Matthew received very positive feedback from the judging panel who
commented on their teamwork, thorough research, and ability to handle interventions.
The final will take place against Radcliffe School on Tuesday 12 December at Westminster. The
motion will be ‘Elected representatives are under obligation to carry out the democratically
expressed will of the people.’ Our team have to propose the motion.
Congratulations to Dominic and Matthew and thanks go, once again, to our able and committed
advisory team, some of whom attended on the night to offer their support.
Lower School Debate
In our recent lower school debate, Alex Shirley and Abi Moore went head-
to-head to discuss the motion, ‘This House believes it’s time to scrap
the long school holidays’.
Proposing the motion, Alex argued that, over 6 weeks, young people get out
of the habit of learning, get used to a different sleep pattern, and that
childcare for working parents is charged at a premium over the summer
months.
Additionally, she pointed out that companies and airlines raise the cost of their services, knowing
that most families will choose to holiday during this period. She suggested redistribution of the 6
weeks, to shorter 2 week breaks, over the course of the year, would alleviate some of these
problems.
Abi disagreed and said that the 6-week holiday has been in place for a long time and would cause
too much disruption if it was changed. Other generations have enjoyed the long holiday, and, in fact,
it is not as long as some other countries enjoy. It allows students and educational professionals to
relax, to pursue hobbies and other interests, or to go on holiday to far-flung places. The holidays
also allow students to develop other important social skills, mixing with friends in a variety of
settings, away from the constraints of a rigid school timetable.
Abi won the most votes from the floor and the committee, with slightly more persuasive arguments,
for keeping the long holidays, though Alex was commended for handling the most questions, and for
arguing against her own personal beliefs.
Survival Bracelet Winners
We had over 70 entrants in our recent competition, where students were asked to explain how they
might use a survival bracelet in a life-threatening situation. 30 lucky students won a bracelet, with
some of the most interesting, imaginative or entertaining entries below:
“Wrap it around someone’s arm when they are losing blood, to stop it” (Devina Kara)
“If me and my friends were lost in the woods, I would take our jumpers, untie the bracelet, attach
it to two trees, put the jumpers over it and we would have a shelter” (Katie O’Brien)
“I would use a survival bracelet to make a fishing rod by using the inner threads” (Jake Mumford)
“I would attach myself to a vulture and make it show me food and water” (Callum Holt)
“Go to a beach (if I’m stranded) and create an SOS signal with the string” (Marzia Ahmed)
“Set up a snare to catch food or tie myself to a tree when I sleep, so I don’t fall out” (Sophie
Taylor)
“Make a gag so teachers can’t give us homework: no mouth – no homework!” (Nathan Molyneux)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/
Follow this link to discover how to make your own paracord survival bracelet.
Earning flight miles in the Library
In keeping with all subject lessons and form time, we would now ask that all
students using the library have their planners out on tables, both during library
lessons, and at break, lunchtime and after school. We have observed a number
of our student visitors using the library in a very positive way – reading quietly,
using our resources for research, and completing homework – and would like to
be able to reward this behaviour with flight miles.
Whilst our committed team of Library assistants already earn regular flight miles, for giving up
their time to help us, we would also like the opportunity to recognise other students, perhaps those
who offer to put furniture back after our regular events, students who speak at our debates, or
serve on our debating committee, and those who help maintain the calm and productive atmosphere
in our whole-school learning facility.
Christmas Quiz
Twelve teams of 4 joined us in the library, over lunchtime on Friday, for a fun festive quiz.
As well as identifying the Christmas Connections in a picture round, team members
answered Christmas-themed questions on Current Affairs; Science and Numbers and Books
and Films.
The winners were The Dudes, (Beth Wood; Dean Wood; Aliyah Rodriguez and Ami
Gardner) with an impressive total of 68 points out of a possible 80.
Special mention must go to the English team (Mr Seddon; Miss McDermott: Mrs Hazell; and Miss
Richards) who scored a perfect 80 and clearly took part just to show off that reading really does
improve your intelligence and general knowledge!
Forthcoming Events
Library Assistants’ Meeting: Thursday 7 December: 1pm in the Main Library
Books R Us Meeting: Tuesday 12 December: 1pm in the Main Library
6th Form Parliamentary Debating Finals: 6.30 – 10.30pm at Westminster
Seasonal Craft Event: Thursday 14 December: 1pm in the Main Library
6th Form Reading Group: Friday 15 December: 1pm in the 6th Form Library
Library Assistant and Reading Group Christmas Party: Tuesday 19th December: 1pm in the Main
Library
The Library Team would like to take this opportunity to formally thank our committed band of
student library assistants for all of their hard work this term. We wish all of the Shenley Brook
End School community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
WELFARE NEWS
This week all Year 10 students should have brought home a consent form for ”School leaver
booster vaccinations” Once completed please return to Mrs K Baldwin Welfare Support
Leader. The injections will be taking place on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 February. If your child has
not received a form, s/he can get one from Mrs Baldwin or Matron.
Mrs K Baldwin — Welfare Support Leader
WORK-RELATED LEARNING NEWS
Year 10 EOW placement news
Excellent news for those students who have managed to secure a placement and returned a signed
Own Placement Form to us by the deadline of 6 December 2017. Some students have now also
received their white contracts, which is the final stage in setting up a placement for next March,
so Well Done!
We are still working with form tutors to try and identify a suitable placement for the remainder of
the year group and your support is, as ever, most appreciated.
Destination Day — Forward Planning
Another exciting event is coming to Shenley Brook End School to assist students with
their on-going Career Planning.
On Tuesday 12 December, over 30 representatives from Further/Higher Education, Employers,
Volunteering and Training Providers will be setting up their stalls in the Sports Hall and preparing
to talk to students from Years 11 and 12 about their courses, jobs and the qualifications which may
assist students in deciding which career route they may like to follow in the future.
The following sectors will be represented, so students need to prepare a list of
questions to ask the delegates and plan which careers they would like to find out more
about. Staff will be right here in school and they will be very happy to answer
questions and talk to students about their career aspirations!
Please note that the event is mandatory for Year 11 and Year 12 students; Year 13 students may
attend if they wish and any interested students from the lower year groups should speak to Miss
Pearson about it.
Sectors represented at the event include the following:
Engineering
Sports
Construction
Childcare
IT
Retail & Catering
FLIGHT MILES NEWS
Great Learning
Well done to our First Half Term Champions who earned the most Flight Miles in their
Year Group. These students are working hard to master their attitude, skills and knowledge to be
successful learners.
Year 7 - Lucy Knox
Year 8 - Joseph Cullen
Year 9 - Lateefah Agberemi
Year 10 - Luke Marshall
Year 11 - Katy Barnett
We are also looking to celebrate the great things students are doing outside of school. Please do
encourage your child to inform their tutor of their successes in their life away from SBE School.
Mr Reynolds
LIFESKILLS NEWS
Lifeskills Autumn Term
This half term has been a very busy period for the team.
On Monday 20 November, PC Furber with the support of DC Paddy, NAVIN and Compass
delivered an enrichment programme to all our Year 8 students.
This has helped embed the knowledge and skills being taught within the drugs unit and develop an
awareness on what is happening around MK.
On Tuesday 28 November, Year 10 students watched a performance from Web-lies on
social media and internet with a focus on being safe online followed by a question and
answer session.
Social media has a huge impact on the wellbeing of our young people and it is important to engage in
effective communication with them.
On Monday 4 December, Year 9 experienced their enrichment session which was delivered
by Thames Valley Police and Oakhill which complements the work being delivered on
Crime.
Students learning focus was on the use of ‘Stop and Search’ as well as discovering a day in the life
of a young person at Oakhill. Students had the opportunity to raise questions prior to the event
which were answered during the session. This work will complement the assessment activity that
they are currently undertaking.
MUSIC NEWS
A festive date for your diary: Our SBE annual carol concert will be at
Christ the Cornerstone Church, CMK on
Monday 11 Dec at 7pm.
There is no charge for entrance but you will
have an opportunity to make a charitable
donation at the end of the concert.
Please bring friends and family to help us celebrate.
All welcome!
Congratulations to the following students on their recent music exam success:
Choir Workshop
Last week our school choir, Cantabile, were visited by musicians from St Peter’s College, Oxford.
The Director of Music and four students ran a workshop dealing with various aspects of singing and
musicianship and performed a couple of items for us to enjoy. Our students all agreed they had
learned lots and had fun with all the activities. We’re looking forward to more workshops and
similar events in the future.
Eloise Smith clarinet Grade 5
Jack Orr drums Grade 1 Passed with Distinction
Rishi Meethalaprath keyboard Grade 5
Lydia Myers trumpet Grade 5 Passed with Distinction
St Cecilia’s Day Concert
According to legend, St. Cecilia was raised a Christian in a noble Roman household. She is regarded
as the patroness of music, because during her marriage ceremony, as the wedding music played, she
heard heavenly music in her heart. She distributed all her possessions among the poor and was
martyred at the age of 30.
Over 50 of our talented young musicians took part in our concert on 22 November to mark St
Cecilia’s Day. We were treated to some excellent solos as well as many very accomplished and
enjoyable performances from our Orchestra, Jazz Band, String Groups, Wind Ensemble and
Percussion Band. Members of FOSMUS (Friends of Shenley Music) kindly added to the occasion by
serving refreshments during the interval.
FOSMUS!
Join this friendly group of parents and carers who
enjoy our concerts and performances at Shenley
Brook End School
Members of FOSMUS volunteer to help out with
refreshments, front of house, setting up, clearing
away, publicity etc at SBE concerts and
performances whenever they can.
If you have any specific skills, contacts or
interests you’d like to offer
(programme/poster design, publicity etc) please
let us know
To find out more, please contact a member of the
Music Team