Royal Society of Chemistry
'Top of the Bench' Competition
Three teams were recently entered for the Royal Society of Chemistry 'Top of the Bench' Competition, where they were asked to create a poster on a Transition metal.
Congratulations to Team Yttrium; Victor Klotins, Kieren Suresh, Diana Grigoreva, Devine Kapu.
Dr Numbere-Nmaju, Subject Leader for Chemistry
Team Yttrium (Transition troop) won 3rd place
Team Platinum (PAAT)
 When making this poster I honestly had no idea where to start. I enjoyed chemistry, but hadn't really thought about metals unless it was for a test. While reading the brief about what our poster needed to contain, I thought about what metal would be unique, but also had enough to write about, and I came across Platinum. Recently, in a Chemistry lesson, we learnt about how it was used as a catalyst to speed up the rate of a reaction and I thought it would be a good transition metal to make a poster on. Angela and I did some research and delved deeper into its uses in so many industries, such as the medical and petrol industries. We realised that platinum has such a huge impact on our lives.
Precious Nwaekpe, Year 11
Team Tungsten (SAAF)
 The actual poster making process was completed in about an hour after I realised we had all these ideas, but it wasn’t a poster. It was fun expanding my points, but making them concise enough for anyone who passes by to realise the significance of this metal.
It was an amazing experience to work with other Year groups on a topic so broad. The competition allowed my group and I to think outside the box, as there were really no limitations to what we could have decided to do. I found the poster project really interesting, and it has allowed me to learn more, naturally, about Chemistry in general, and an opportunity to work with others with similar interests. If given the chance, I would definitely recommend other students to get involved, as it was very beneficial and not a long project at all!
Angela Luong, Year 10
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Year 10 Cambridge University Outreach Visit
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to take 10 students to an outreach session at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge on Thursday 1st February. Our students had the chance to find out about the possibilities of studying at Cambridge, and interaction with existing students to answer their questions.
Millie Laming’s reflection on the visit is below.
Mrs Spencer
Director of Studies, Year 10
 The Cambridge trip was something I had looked forward to, and the college itself was akin to stepping into a slightly modernised Hogwarts!
We had an introduction to the college and post 16 and 18 education, something of which was extremely interesting and felt very applicable for all of us to start considering, along with a talk from some undergraduates to get their perspectives- something that felt very insightful.
We also got a tour of the college, including student accommodation and its library, all of which were beautifully decorated and well-designed (a mix of olden and more modern architecture)- to be able to walk around somewhere so prestigious and almost magical was such an experience.
 I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity, and I think it has really opened my eyes to possibilities for the future.
Millie Laming, Year 10
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MFL Spelling Bee Success!
On Tuesday 23rd January, we were delighted to welcome students and teachers from Dartford Boys Grammar, Beths and Townley Grammar to compete in the ‘Inter School Spelling Bee Final’.
All Year 7 and Year 9 (MFL2) students competed in ‘in class Spelling Bee heats’ in the lead up to Christmas or just after and winners in each group were invited to compete against the other schools. Bexley Grammar students did an amazing job competing in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese - the standard of the competition was incredibly high, and they made themselves and the school proud!
Caitlin G and Rowan B both finished in second place (Italian and Japanese) with winner Yu Xuan winning the Mandarin spell off correctly spelling an incredible 26 words in 2 minutes!
Well done to all our amazing participants:
Year 7: Dilinna E, Saviru A, Areeb A, Freya F, Krista T, Ethan E,
Aysu B,
Year 9: Vidhya B, Maya S, Tianming X, Cedric M, Sophie A,
Millie W, Caitlin G, Rowan B, Rayon M, Yu Xuan O, Edwin S,
Sophia L
Mrs Savage, MFL Department
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Year 7 Media Correspondents
Congratulations to the pupils listed below, who are now Year 7 media correspondents. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing what their enthusiasm brings to the role.
Mr Mackle
Director of Studies, Year 7
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English Department News
 Creative Writing Workshop
A Creative Writing Workshop took place on Monday 5th February in L6.
It was led by author Ayaan Mohamud who wrote the book “You Think You Know Me”.
 The workshop consisted of three activities which helped us to write our own short stories and poems. After we had finished writing these, we got the chance to share what we had written with the group if we wanted to.
The author then addressed any questions that we had about the book she wrote and explained the publishing process and where she got inspiration to write the bestselling novel. Her second novel ‘The Thread That Connects Us’ comes out in July this year.
 Overall, I really enjoyed the workshop and found it good to listen to how other people wrote a story around a specific prompt in various different ways.
Thank you to Mrs Watkins for arranging the event.
Caitlin Gorman, Year 9
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Children's Mental Health Week
5th February - 11th February 2024
Children's Mental Health Week is 5th February - 11th February 2024 with the focus on ‘My Voice Matters’.
My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. When we feel empowered, this can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children and young people who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference have a greater sense of community and self-esteem. This year, we want children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be empowered to work together to create a positive change for their mental health and wellbeing.
For our BGS students:
Top Tips - 10 ways to look after your mental health
For parents and carers:
How can we help young people?
Food for thought - Mental Health and Sports Athletes: Have a look through this article, also available on the PE Google classrooms. Owen Farrell, has taken a break from the Six Nations for his own mental health. More details in this article Owen Farrell Article.
How can we all help improve mental health?
- Promote open conversations about children's mental health
- Provide resources and support for children, young people, and their families
- Challenge stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health
- Empower children and young people to be advocates for their own mental well-being
Half-term is a good opportunity to rest and recharge. Others will be having fun on the PE Ski trip, heading off to bitterly cold Canada.
Safe travel and enjoy!
Take care of yourselves.
Mrs Kemp, PE Department
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PE News
Honours Board
It's time to update our PE department honours boards for representative honours. If your child has represented their county (or beyond), we'd love to celebrate that by adding them to our board in the PE department. Drop me an email at Lines_m@bexleygs.co.uk with the details, or ask students to come and see me.
Year 9 & 10 Girls' Football
The Year 9 & 10 footballers were incredibly unlucky in their game vs St Catherine’s on Monday. Despite dominating possession and territory, they ultimately lost against a team they outplayed all over the pitch.
Mr Lines, Head of PE
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 Watch out for the Year 12 Young Enterprise Team!
The BGS Young Enterprise team has been working hard to create our business product. Our dedicated team of young innovators have developed high-quality candles. However, our candles are not like any other candles…
Introducing ‘Illumina’, mood-sensory candles prepped with Spotify QR codes that can conveniently transport you to carefully curated playlists that link to the mood of the candle you buy. Scan, play and let the playlist match your candle's mood!
Some examples of these moods are: Joy, Calm, Nostalgia, Energise and Focus. Therefore, give you a reason to light a candle at every moment! For when you’re bursting with energy or when you need a moment to relax or even if you need instrumental sound to help you revise.
Each candle is a work of art, elegantly crafted with a soft, pastel colour range and, most importantly, access to playlists perfectly synced to your selected mood.
We aim to properly launch after half-term. However, if you have any questions, queries or temptations to order a candle now, then contact info@illuminacandles.co.uk or click on the link here (please note orders will need to be collected from the school reception).
Some extra dates if you’re interested:
Old Spitalfields Market on Tuesday 27th February
Greenwich Market on Wednesday 13th March
BGS Young Enterprise Marketing Team
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A Notice for Year 9 Parents/Carers & Students.
The Year 9 Options Booklet has now been issued to students.
The booklet can be viewed on the school website under the header Teaching and Learning/ Year 9 or by clicking on the link here.
Thank you
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 A Message from the Examinations Office
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
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Year 11 Preparing for Revision
The Year 11 Revision Booklet has been issued to students.
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
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 Please click on the link here to access all our Safeguarding Updates
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News items you may have missed
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MFL News
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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!
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Lost Property
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.
Please click on the link here to report lost property or email us directly via
reception@bexleygs.co.uk.
Reception Team
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GCSE Advance Notice (Summer 2024) | |
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