School production; the reviews are in!

To everyone involved in an AMAZING production!

Mr Otley and the Drama Department

A Christmas Message from the Headteacher

Dear all,

I hope that you have a wonderful break and enjoy the festive season with friends and family. Regardless of faith or religion, I hope that we can all enjoy the shared humanity and kindness of the spirit of Christmas.

I look forward to seeing everybody in January and enjoying an exciting 2024.

Mr Gilmore, Headteacher

Geography News

Year 7 get creative in Geography

Year 7 Geographers have been studying the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. As a part of this learning, students were set the task of making a house that would be found in Rocinha, the favela that they have studied.

The houses that have been made are fabulous, especially when stacked up in classrooms, as this really creates the crowded housing that is Rocinha. As you can see, the houses are small and compacted together, with washing outside and flat roofs. Some are colourful while others represent the brick colour.

The favela above was from the houses made by 7TMR

This favela was made by 7ML

The favela above was created by 7JR

This final image is the real place and this helps to see what a great effort our Year 7s put into this, as our classroom favelas are a good example of this challenging urban environment.

Mrs Belton-Owen, Geography Department

PE News

Year 7 Rugby

The Year 7 Rugby team suffered a heavy defeat on Wednesday against Buller’s Wood School for Boys, but played some great rugby and never gave up. Buller's Wood had to fight for every point against our brave tackling.

Well played boys, great effort!

Year 9 Rugby

A big defeat for the Year 9 boys on Thursday vs Hurstmere, but they tackled and rucked like heroes. We are really proud of their commitment and effort. No backward steps were taken.

Great job!

Mr Lines, Head of PE

Year 8 Netball

A win and a loss for the Year 8 Netball team against St Matthew's Academy. Well done to the players of the match: Alice M and Zara G. A fantastic end to 2023!

We are all looking forward to the tournament in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Mrs Mallin and Mrs Kemp

MFL News

Dear Year 11 Stars,

It has been an amazing start to your final GCSE year. This term has been busy and long, but you all pulled through. Well done!

Throughout this year, you have exhibited resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to your studies. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the pastoral team are incredibly proud of the progress you have made.

As you relish the well-deserved break, we would like to gently remind you about the upcoming mock exams awaiting your brilliant minds in the New Year. The holiday season is the perfect time to recharge, and it's also a great opportunity to sneak in some productive revision sessions.

Here are a few tips to make your holiday revision both effective and enjoyable:

Create a Festive Study Space: Spruce up your study area with some twinkling lights or festive decorations. A cosy and inviting space can make revision feel less like a chore.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down your revision into manageable tasks. Setting achievable goals will help you stay focused and make steady progress.
Balance Work and Play: Enjoy the festivities, but also allocate some time each day for focused revision. It's all about finding that perfect balance.
Use Holiday-Themed Study Aids: Get creative with your study materials! Make use of holiday-themed flashcards or incorporate festive examples into your notes to make studying more engaging.

Remember, these mock exams are a fantastic opportunity to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. Approach them with confidence, knowing that your hard work and dedication will undoubtedly shine through.

Also, do not forget to order your year book, hoodies and book your place at your prom.

Wishing you a joyful and productive holiday season! May the spirit of the season inspire your studies and bring you success in the upcoming exams.

Warmest regards,

A few quotes from our recent assemblies:

If I can conceive it and believe it, I can achieve it - Shad Helmstetter

You do not have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

I compare myself only to my highest self.

The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark – Michelangelo.

Wishing you a splendid Christmas and a happy New Year 2024!

Please click on the link here to find out more about Nuffield research placements and experiments.

PA News

PA Events

PA Meeting (Sixth Form Centre)

7:30pm – 9:00pm

January

A Message from the Examinations Office

GCSE Mock Examination Timetable

Monday 8th January to Tuesday 16th January

GCSE Examination Timetable Summer 2024

The GCSE timetable for examinations to be taken in 2024 is now available on the school website or by clicking on the link here.

GCSE Contingency Days Summer 2024

Please note, contingency days are timetabled for the afternoons of 6th and 13th June, as well as Wednesday 26th June 2024. These contingency days are designed to be used in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations.

This means that all exam candidates must be available to sit exams from the date of their first exam until Wednesday 26 June 2024.

This decision is not a school decision and does apply to all candidates in all schools.

Mrs Bono, Examinations Office

Year 11 Preparing for Revision

A notice for Year 11 Parents/Carers & Students. The Year 11 Revision Booklet has been issued to students this week.

The booklet can be viewed on the school website under the header Teaching and Learning/ Year 11 or by clicking on the link here.

Thank you

News items you may have missed

Please click on the link here to access all our Safeguarding Updates

Greenwich

If your child attends a school in another borough, you will need to apply to the relevant council or school directly. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Tower Hamlets

Children whose parents live in the borough but who attend schools outside the borough. Parents should apply to the authority where the school is located. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Medway

Does not specify the location of the school and just has a link to applications.

https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200164/school_information/354/free_school_meals. You may need to go via Bexley after this process.

Bromley

If your child attends a non-Bromley school, you must apply to the local authority where the school is situated. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Dartford

If your child attends a non-Dartford school, you must apply to the local authority where the school is situated. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

When these applications are completed, a notification should be sent to the school for us to update records accordingly, but it may be worth the parents sending in the email confirmation to us too.

Bexley Application Link

https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/free-school-meals/how-apply-free-school-meals/free-school-meals-form

Don't delay, apply today!

Lost Property

We are fast approaching the end of the year. The photographs below show the lost property which is still at the Reception waiting to be reunited with its rightful owner(s). There are still a high number of coats, headphones, door keys, glasses/cases, gloves and woolly hats. There are also some PE kit items still waiting to be reclaimed. If you or your child spots any lost item(s) in the photos, please ask your child to come to the Reception to reclaim it/them.

We kindly remind parents/carers to please write your child's name wherever possible on their items so that the Reception Team can return property to the correct student.

End of Term Unclaimed Lost Property ~ Week 4 Final Reminder

Any items which are not claimed by the end of this current term will be donated to The Salvation Army. Please check 29th November and 6th December newsletters for this term's lost property.

Please click on the link here to report lost property or email us directly via
reception@bexleygs.co.uk.

Reception Team