Remembrance
As usual Birchwood remembered the fallen this November. On Remembrance Sunday many students were involved in the town’s commemorations as part of the uniformed youth services and on Monday 11
November, we held our two minute silence across the school. The Last Post was sounded by Lukas Ruediger (Year 12) and the silence was observed throughout the site. For Year 7’s, break started later to ensure that the silence was respected by all.
Bronze DofE
At the end of Year 9, we decided to do our Bronze DofE award! We have to say it was one of the best camping experiences we’ve ever had!
We were taught so much by Mr Morton and the “very” helpful Sixth Formers every Friday where after school we planned our routes and learnt the basics of what we would need to know for our expedition in October. We did this for many weeks alongside the physical, skill and volunteering aspects of the award too. All in all, it took us just over six months with a lot of disagreements and bickering - however it all ended up going, just about, to plan!
In July we ventured off on our practice exped, walking for miles upon miles - or what felt like it - around Essex and Hertfordshire and eventually ending up in a field somewhere near Epping. Then all of a sudden it was October and we were a day away from our real expedition! In this we walked around and near Newport and camped over night in Audley End. We are pretty sure most people would say that we had a fab time apart from being far too cold!
Over all, DofE has been a great experience and has definitely taught us a lot about camping, putting up a tent and getting along with other people when you are incredibly grumpy from getting no sleep!
Scarlett and Tabitha Gray (Year 10).
The making of model cells
Last half term some Year 7 and Year 9 students completed a home learning project where they had to make a model of a cell. The students used research, imagination and an impressive set of skills from baking cakes, modelling with playdough and variety of the materials to 3D-printing in order to design and execute their models.
Year 7 students, who have just been exposed to the wonders of Cell Biology, focused on making the models of animal, plant and red blood cells, translating challenging key terms into a variety of colourful organelles, labelling them and explaining their functions. This work has truly been impressive and of a very high quality. Year 9 students took a step forward and presented eukaryotic cells, that all multicellular organisms are made of, and prokaryotic cells, found in bacteria. One group of very keen Biologists from Year 9 designed the models of eight highly specialised cells, including neuron and muscle cell, and made 3-D prints of these, accompanying each model with detailed annotations and labels.
Cracking Christmas Fayre
Santa’s Grotto at our PSFA Christmas Fayre certainly had the wow factor! Our second Christmas Fayre was an enormous success. Over thirty stall holders attended and the Parent Staff and Friends Association ran the refreshments, tombola, raffle, and Santa’s Grotto. Showtime Booths provided an opportunity for fayre goers to snap themselves with a variety of Christmas themed props, while The Woodwind of Stortford and our own Vocalise choir provided festive music. Alyson Bailey from Guide Dogs For The Blind brought along two guide dogs who were a great hit with children and adults alike. The Belgian Brewer offered gift sets of artisan Belgian style beer and also offered beer on tap. Children were able to make their own Christmas tree decorations with Mrs Jackson, ably assisted by Dr Allen. The face painting and hair braiding stalls were also big hits.
Santa’s Grotto was sponsored by Chantry Associates Ltd, Premier Contract Flooring and Décor and Belvoir! Lettings Agents. The creative skills of Mrs Augustine, Mrs Barnard & Mrs Turner transformed A2 into a magical Lapland scene. The scene was completed with the arrival of Santa and his elf helper. There was great excitement as children entered the grotto and gasps of amazement at the spectacle inside.
Rotary Technology Tournament
The Youth techology tournment was run by the Rotary Club of Bishop’s Stortford. The schools that participated were Herts and Essex, Boys High, Birchwood High, Hockerill and Leventhorpe. There where three different levels of difficulty, Foundation - Years 7, 8 and 9, Intermediate - Years 10 and 11 and Advanced - Sixth Form. The students had to build a crane, there was a lot of learning achieved and some great team work throughout. Birchwood came third in the Foundation and Immediate.
Christmas Fayre
Spread the Word! Only a week to go until our Christmas Fayre!
Sunday 24 November, 2.00pm - 5.00pm
The ‘real’ Santa will be paying us a visit! Thank you to the following companies for the overwhelming and generous support in providing us with sponsorship towards the Santa’s Grotto.
Chantry Associates Limited
Premier Contract Flooring & Décor
Belvoir! Lettings Agents
We would also like to thank the following companies for donating some amazing raffle prizes. Here is a sneak preview of the raffle prizes to be won on the day.
Haus Maids – a 2 hour house clean
Sharp Shooters Junior Golf Academy – 3 months free Junior Golf Lessons
Nando’s – a meal voucher for 2
Cammas Hall – Cream Tea for 2
Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire – A free term of drama lessons
Hien’s Nails –£25 voucher
Zoe Dee Hair & Beauty - £25 voucher
Avenue L Boutique – A Goody Bag
M&S - £10 voucher
Teamsport Indoor Go-Karting – Race for 2 Voucher
Bodyworks Massage & Movement Studio – Free massage
And last but not at all least, a big thank you to all of our Stallholders. Without them our Christmas Fayre would not be possible. Our Stallholders have also donated raffle prizes, so please do come along on the day and be in with a chance of winning some incredible prizes.
Thank you!
Christmas Wreath
PSFA Christmas Wreath
Making Workshop
Friday 6 December 2019 - SOLD OUT
Thursday 5 December 2019 - spaces available
7.00pm - 9.30pm at Birchwood High School
Make your own wreath to take home
Tickets £30 inc. materials and a glass of prosecco on arrival
To book your place contact
birchwoodpsfa@gmail.com
Read, Review, Reward Competition
The English Faculty are launching a reading competition!
Read as many books from the reading lists as you can.
Win 10 points for every book that you read!
To enter, submit your review to Miss Lava in D7
OR
email it to dmiguellava@birchwoodhigh.org.uk
At the end of every half term the students who have completed the most reading will be rewarded 100 house points!
European Day of Languages
At Birchwood we have celebrated European Day of Languages with a fabulous cultural fayre with students representing a wonderful array of countries, cultures and of course food.
Hairspray....Family Quiz Night
The Birchwood PSFA and the cast of Hairspray are looking for your support!
Please join us on
Friday 18 October
for a family friendly quiz night!
£10 per head – with a fish and chips dinner included.
Bring your own drinks and come along for a super fun evening.