BATLEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
& PRIESTLEY HOUSE
Autumn 2013 Newsletter
OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW
CCF BUILDING
Batley Grammar School’s brand new CCF and Music
block officially opened by Col. Stephen Padgett
After many years of waiting the Also
in
atten danc e
were Col
Padgett
CCF was finally able to celebrate representatives of the RFCA who importance
the opening of its new building has
funded
the
project,
15 activities
of
like
spoke
of
the
extra-curricular
the
CCF
and
on Tuesday 26th November. The Brigade Cadet Training Team, the encouraged the cadets to get
opening was carried out by Col Rifles, three former teacher who involved
as
much
as
they
Stephen Padgett OBE, an Old Boy were also former CCF officers possibly could.
of the school (1972-79), whose and Martin Walsh Associates— After the official opening the
current
post
is
Catterick Garrison.
Commander who were project managers of invited guests spoke with the
the new build.
cadets and praised them for the
way they conducted themselves.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 2
New Faces
Batley Grammar School and
Priestley
House
welcomed
the following faces to the
staff at our school this year.
All the staff have settled in
well and are enjoying life
here
at
Batley
Grammar
School and Priestley House.
Mr Andrew Griffiths
Mr Andrew Empson
Miss Christine Chappell
Teacher of Music
Teacher of Maths
Head of English
Miss Gemma Hatfield Mrs Claire Murray
Head of MFL
Learning Support
Mrs Jane Jackson
Miss Beth Ashton
Miss Christine-Jane Parkes
Director of Primary
Primary Teacher
Teacher of Performing Arts
Assistant
Phase
Miss Katy Priestley
Miss Lauren Jackson
Mr Suhel Patel
Learning Support
Primary Teacher
Teacher of Geography Teacher of English
Ms Sana Master
Mr Michael Thompson
Learning Support
Assistant
Assistant
Mr Daniel Peacock
Miss Miriam Fairchild
Ms Rachael Smith
Mrs Claire Whitley
Reprographics & ICT
SENCO & Teacher of
Catering Assistant
Learning Support
Assistant
English
Assistant
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 3
Speech Day 2013
Students, staff, governors and parents gathered in the Graves Hall on Friday 29 th November for Batley
Grammar School’s annual Speech Day. Both Mr David Peel (Chair of Governors) and Mrs Tullie (Head)
spoke of a memorable 2012/13 at Batley Grammar School, followed by an inspiring address by our
guest speaker, author Gervase Phinn.
After awarding the prizes to winners, Professor Phinn said, “It is all
about working hard to get the results. You do not get anywhere
without working hard. David Beckham was a brilliant footballer and
Nigel Kennedy a violinist because they practised and practised.
There is no substitute for hard work.” A vote of thanks was given
by the Head Boy, Louis Matthews and Head Girl, Farah Andaleeb.
Professor Phinn then held a book singing in the Dining Room,
where former students were able to meet with teachers and
friends.
Primary Pupils Get the Reading Bug!
Pupils in the Primary Phase are getting the reading ‘bug’ with books
from our exciting new reading scheme, Pearson ‘Bug Club’. The scheme
offers a very broad range of interest to engage and inspire pupils’
enthusiasm for reading.
Besides hundreds of colourful and attractive
story books, there are also non-fiction books, plays and comics, many
of which feature favourite children’s characters.
Bug Club books are graded into colour-coded book band levels linked to
National Curriculum levels, and within each band level there is a
carefully planned progression of books. This fine progression gives
children plenty of opportunity to develop their reading skills and master
each fine step as they move through the reading programme.
We hope that the new scheme will make a big impact on pupils’
progress in reading; challenging able readers and encouraging reluctant
readers. We want to develop life-long readers, who read just for fun.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 4
BGS Charity Fundraising
Children in Need
To support Children in Need, the Secondary Phase held a
bun sale and a non-uniform day, which raised £670.
In the Primary Phase, a pyjama party was the theme for the
day. The classrooms were full of cosy winter pyjamas,
dressing gowns and a huge array of onesies (and that was
just the staff!!). This was of course all in aid of Children in
Need 2013. As well as the day of comfy clothes there were
also competitions including ‘Guess the name of our very
own Pudsey Bear’ (won by Olivia in Year 4 who guessed the
name Harry Styles!) and a raffle of a fantastically decorated,
and very tasty looking, Pudsey cake. At playtime Year 6 did
an excellent job, taking charge of the bun sale. All in all a
Beary good day was had by all, and a total of £300 was
raised in the process. Many thanks for the support from
pupils, and parents for helping us to make it such a success.
In total the school donated £970 to Children in Need!
£1264.00
£207.66
£52.55
A grand total of £2494.21 was raised this term. Well done to all involved!
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 5
Year 4 visit Ryedale Folk Museum
My class went on a trip to Ryedale Folk Museum. We learnt
about Tudors and how they made things and did things.
First we went in a Tudor house which was called a Crofter’s
Cottage. We sat on the beds. Some of us sat on special
stools. You had to sit on them in a special way.
Saffah Hussain
We had some dressed up Tudor people to teach us. We had
to build an A frame and we made candle wax. We dipped
some lavender sticks in it. We had to go outside and look at
the toilets and the mini village.
Caitlin Davis
Inside the cottage the floors were made out of mud and bark. In
Tudor times their writing was different to ours. We learnt that the
walls were wattle and daub. The most important ingredient to
make wattle and daub is cow poo.
The glass in those days was really expensive.
The Tudor teachers were really strict.
Tehream Khan
Ryedale Folk Museum is fun. The cottages are very dark so
we had a light. We even got the chance to sit on the beds.
We sat in a Tudor classroom. Most of everything was
actually quite different. The cottage was made of wattle and
daub.
Dawar Darr
We went into an A frame house. We had to build an A frame. After
that we went upstairs and saw the four-poster bed and their
room. Then in the Crofter’s Cottage we learnt what material they
used for a cup and the material was made from a musk ox.
Talhah Bala
In the Crofter’s Cottage it was murky. In the middle of the living
room was a big fire to keep you warm because Tudors use no
electricity? They have candles to light up their house. Tudors have
to go outside if they need a toilet and they have to do it in a large
hole. It is very disgusting.
Aishah Khan
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 6
Primary Phase Year 2 Go Back in Time!
Pupils in Year 2 got a big shock when they found that they had ‘travelled back in time’ to the Victorian
era. They came in from lunch to find their teacher replaced with a strict schoolmarm. They had to sit
at desks in the Old Library and write in copperplate. Some pupils were made monitors to supervise the
other children. Those who ‘misbehaved’ had their names written in the punishment book and were
given the cane or had to stand in the corner and wear a dunce’s hat. Then, on Tuesday 5th November,
the class visited Red House Museum in Gomersal to take part in Victorian activities, such as pen
dipping, making silhouettes and lavender bags. All the pupils really enjoyed their experiences and
learned a lot about how children lived in the past.
Phonics Workshop
On Thursday 7th November, parents of pupils in Reception and Year 1
were invited to school to take part in a phonics workshop. Following
an overview of how we teach phonics, pupils and parents had a go at
some phonics activities and talked to the teachers about how they
can support their children at home. Over 50 parents were able to
attend and enjoyed a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst also having the
opportunity to look at the new reading scheme, ‘bug club’, which
links into our teaching programme for phonics.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 7
A Taste of
the Law
On Friday 11th October 14 Law
and Psychology students attended
Leeds Crown Court to watch a
variety of criminal cases as part of
their
AS
Psychology
Level
Law
studies.
and
The
A2
cases
they viewed ranged from drugs
and property offences to offences
against the person. Students were
able to apply their knowledge of the legal system to practical, real life cases, giving them a unique
understanding of how the law works. As expected, students represented the school in a mature and
professional manner, which prompted one of the barristers in court to comment on how well they were
behaving and what a joy it was to see such enthusiastic and well-presented young people. Overall this
was an extremely positive experience for both students and staff, a big well done to all those involved.
Learning goes Virtual!
This term the re-designed Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) went live! The Virtual Learning
Environment was redesigned and configured by the Network Manager, Mr Haigh, and the ICT Assistant,
Mr Peacock. The new design allows staff to upload learning resources for students, which they can
then access from anywhere with an internet connection! Students will also be able to complete certain
homework tasks online through the Virtual Learning Environment and receive digital feedback from
their teachers.
To compliment the school’s brand image, a new Batley Grammar School website will be launched in the
New Year. The new school website is being designed and coded by the Head of ICT, Mr Rogerson. The
website will allow students, staff, governors, parents and the community quick and easy access to the
latest information about Batley Grammar School.
Both the new website and the Virtual Learning Environment have been designed to ensure consistency
of branding within the school.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 8
Harvest Appeal
Sixth Form prefects came up with the idea of raising food hampers to donate to Batley Nursing Home
and the newly established Batley Food Bank. Students remembered their school visits to the local
nursing home from the time when they were Primary pupils and thought the local community would
appreciate a harvest time gift. Students from all year groups donated at least one item of food to the
worthy cause and ended up gathering over 300 items of food.
Goodbye & Good Luck
Little did Wendy Hinchliffe realise what the future had in store when she stepped into the Job Centre in
Morley on 11th May 2000. She had previously spent a number of years working in offices but this was
the first time she had applied to work in a school. Successfully recruited as a Reprographics Assistant,
she then learnt how diverse any role in a school may be.
As well as her responsibilities in Reprographics, Wendy’s job included
producing the school’s termly newsletter. She also gave up her own
time to help assist in the Textile Club at lunchtimes and, being
particularly skilled at needlework, she helped make costumes for
numerous school productions.
Wendy was a keen knitter, another
skill that was put to good use when she taught some of the students
to knit. She was very willing to get involved and support other
colleagues.
Her hobbies included a real love of gardening, being quite adept at
DIY and enjoying camping and walking. She provided a vital support
to the staff at Batley Grammar School for 13 years and we shall miss
her being here. She and her husband, Clive, have relocated to
Pocklington to enjoy life in a town nearer to the East Coast and with
the scope for many more walks in the Yorkshire Wolds. It sounds
idyllic!
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 9
New Playground Equipment!
This term the Parents’ Association has very kindly supported the
Primary Phase with a donation of £500 towards playground
equipment. It has given the children so much more to do at
lunchtime and is encouraging them to share and play together in
many different ways.
Watching the children whizzing around the playground on scooter
boards; turning jenga blocks into swimming pools and castles and
even playing jenga; learning French skipping; playing skipping
games; walking on stilts; and generally thoroughly enjoying
themselves has been a pleasure.
It was also lovely to see the parents who were able to join us on
Tuesday 8th October joining in with several of the games.
Charity Meal at Prashad Restaurant
Two Batley Grammar School students hosted a charity fundraising event at
Prashad restaurant in Drighlington to raise money for a community project
expedition to Peru next year. It was attended by 40 people, taking over the
whole downstairs of the restaurant and raised around £500 for the trip!
The meal at Prashad was one event in a long line of charity events that the
boys have held—including car boot sales, car washing, sweet stalls and a
Tombola at the Little Gomersal May Day Fayre.
The restaurant helped the boys by serving a four course meal at a discount
price and by donating prizes for a raffle and silent auction!
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 10
Malaika’s Artwork Auction
Year 2 pupil Malaika Darr held an auction of her
artwork at school on Monday 26th November to
raise money for the victims of the typhoon in the
Philippines.
The brightly coloured abstract pictures were
previewed online on the school website by both
parents and staff, who then sent in bids for
Malaika’s framed pictures.
A total of £115.10 was raised for the victims of
the Philippines disaster. Well done to Malaika for
taking the initiative to help other people.
Eden Camp Visit
On Friday 18th October Year 6 went to Eden
Camp to find out what life was like in World
War II. Year 6 went into many huts like a
music room to watch a puppet show before
they went to look around the other 23 huts.
One hut that was a particular favourite was
the Blitz hut. Another hut was about the
start of the war and showed people’s
houses. Fortunately the weather was good
and after lunch Year 6 could play in the
adventure playground.
House Quiz
The House Quiz in October was once again a close fought affair with excellent performances from all
teams. The questions took on a different format to last year with themes such as Balderdash, Taboo
and General Knowledge. The audience were also involved and their Dingbats scores contributed to the
overall points totals.
However, it was Lee who were the Brains of Batley on this occasion, winning both the KS4&5 and KS3
competitions. Talbot and Akroyd came in as runners up in each of the contests while Benstead need to
do extra homework over the holidays as they came in last place not once but twice!
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 11
Through the Magic Door
Year 2 took a trip ‘Through the Magic Mirror’ to view a
special
exhibition
of
the
work
of
local
former
Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne at Leeds City
Museum. They were able to stand inside sets of some
of the books they had read in class: The Gorilla’s Cage
at the Zoo, Hannah’s Kitchen, The Fairy-Tale Wood and
Dad’s Front Room. They loved wearing Rose’s red coat
and crawling through the tunnel into the forest and
also Willy the Chimp’s colourful waistcoat. They saw
some of the original artwork for the storybooks and
Dad’s actual dressing gown.
They all agreed that
Anthony Browne was one of their favourite authors.
Year 6 Athletics Competition
19 children from Year 5 and Year 6 took part in a
Sports Hall Athletics Competition at Batley Sports
Centre on Tues 19th November. The children each
took part in a least 3 events. There were 5
categories of running events and 6 different field
events including long jump vertical jump, speed
bounce, triple jump, chest push
javelin.
and soft
The children all competed very well for
points in all the events. The final scores were
1 Batley Grammar School 212pts
2 Healey 184pts
3 Park Road 142pts
4 Hyrstmount 140pts
The athletes involved all received a medal and
certificate and will now compete in the Batley Area
Final on January 14th 2014.
Girls
Boys
Grace Warren (5)
Ubaydullah Mamaniat (6)
Alisha Noake (5)
Ben Morgan (6)
Eleanor Harvey (5)
Ismael Pazir (6)
Iman Jahangir (6)
Louis Lockwood (6)
Hana Gulamhussein (6)
Sayhan Baig (6)
Ayesha Rekhad (6)
Joel Harland (5)
Riya Patel (6)
Dhruv Dhanger (5)
Fatimah Patel (6)
Yaameen Mulla (5)
Lois Newby (6)
Aaemenah Patel (6)
Imaad Islam (5)
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 12
Yorkshire Owl Experience
On Friday 6th December, the Primary Phase were delighted and
entertained by the visit of Steve from the mobile ‘Owl Experience’ with
five owls to the Old Library: George (an African eagle-owl), Caspar (an
Indian Eagle owl) , Oscar ( a Snowy owl), Jack and Ruby (Barn owls). Not
only were they able to look at these amazing creatures but they were
also allowed to hold them on a glove and stroke their soft feathers.
Pupils got the opportunity to handle eggs and examine regurgitated
food pellets. The talk included where each owl comes from and their
hunting habits, how they make their nests and other interesting facts.
Did you know owls have two sets of eyelids or two stomachs or that
they can turn their head nearly all the way round because they have
more bones in their necks than we do?
Thanks to the Yorkshire Owl Experience for an amazing day!
Harper visits Batley Grammar School
On Friday 13th December the whole of Key Stage 3 were definitely not
unlucky when they had a fantastic presentation from the singer Harper.
She performed a number of well-known recent hits that saw the whole
audience (including one or two members of staff!) getting up on their
feet and dancing around.
There was a serious point to be made, too, and Harper interrupted her
performance to deliver a strong anti-drugs message that came across to
all students clearly and powerfully. She engaged the students in a
question and answer session which aired some important issues and
saw plenty of involvement across the year groups.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 13
Winmarleigh Hall
The Maths department took 48 Year 9 students on a Maths
Educational visit to Winmarleigh Hall on the weekend of Friday
22nd to Sunday 24th November.
The visit was designed to
allow students to see Mathematics being applied outside the
classroom as well as including activities to improve their team
building skills.
The trip was a huge success with lots of
complicated Maths being undertaken by everyone, including
non-Maths specialist teachers such as Mr Foster and Mr
Thompson!
Students managed to improve their skills in
working out bearings and angles as well as using the Speed,
Distance, and Time formula in an Orienteering challenge.
Whilst abseiling, they discovered how to work out the height
of
the
tower
they
had
just
abseiled
down
by
using
measurements taken on site and applying Trigonometry; a
new skill.
Evening activities included using a variety of Maths skills to
design and build a container to hold a water balloon which
was then dropped from the top of the building; the aim being
for the water balloon to remain intact. Students worked in
groups and soon realised the importance of using a large
surface area (for the parachute) which resulted in many of the
water balloons surviving the challenge intact; much to Mr
Foster’s dismay when he was made to face the surviving water
balloons after they had landed successfully.
Although very
cold at times, all students were fully engaged in the activities
and learnt a lot about themselves, particularly in terms of their
tolerance for heights. Winmarleigh Hall staff were impressed
with the behaviour of the students and have invited us to
return again next year.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 14
Combined Cadet Force News
Since the last newsletter the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has been extremely busy with Annual Army
and RAF camps at Wathgill and RAF Henlow, respectively being attended by a total of 37 Cadets and
Officers.
Apart from the developments with the new building, there have been introductory walks in the Pennines
for Year 10 Cadets considering doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Shooting and March &
Shoot competitions at Brigade level and Flying and Gliding at RAF Church Fenton and RAF Lenton-onOuse respectively. Year 9 students have recently had an introductory talk about the CCF prior to them
joining in January, when around 40 to 50 of them are expected to don their uniform, and make the
most of the opportunities on offer in the CCF.
The CCF’s Shooting Team took part as usual in the 15 Brigade Skill at Arms Meeting and Colts Canter
(March and Shoot competition). The teams acquitted themselves well without being able to loosen
Ampleforth’s stranglehold on shooting trophies.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 15
Christmas in Primary Phase
On Monday 16th December the Reception and Year 1 classes shone in their performance of ’Christmas
Eve in the Toy Shop’. Dancing Dollies, Flopping Clowns, Chuffing Trains and Jumping Jacks danced
around the stage with Shy Rabbit and the 3 Bears. The angels helped to tell the story of the nativity and
how all the toymaker’s toys joined in. All the children had worked really hard to learn their lines and all
the songs which they sang beautifully.
On the afternoon of the 17th December, the children were joined by over 100 parents to enjoy ‘Songs
Around the Tree’. The singing was beautiful. Santa put in an appearance to give gifts to each of the
classes and then to spend some time with the Reception children. Thanks to the Parents’ Association
for providing tea and mince pies prior to the event. Thanks also to Miss Wilson and Mr Griffiths for
their work in singing assemblies to prepare the children for the event. Finally, many thanks to Mrs
Cunningham for supporting rehearsals and also for playing the piano on Tuesday afternoon.
NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2013
PAGE 16
Dates for Your Diary
Start of Spring Term
Monday 6th January
Year 10 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 15th January, 16:30 - 19:30
Primary Phase Parents’ Evenings
Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th January, 15:40 - 18:30
Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Thursday 13th February, 16:30 - 19:30
Year 11, 12 & 13 Reports Issued
Monday 17th February
INSET Day—School Closed to Pupils
Friday 21st February
Half Term - School Closed
Monday 24th February to Friday 28th February
Return to School
Monday 3rd March
For more dates, please view the School Calendar on our website - www.batleygrammar.co.uk.
Free School Meals
Who can receive free school meals?
Children and young people who live in Kirklees who:
Attend full time at a local authority school or sixth form
Are under 19 years of age
Do you qualify?
You can register your child for Free School Meals if you receive any of these benefits:
 Income Support
 Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
 Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
 Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
 The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
 Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income ( as assessed by HM
Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
 Working Tax Credit ‘Run-on’ the payment - paid for a further four weeks if you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
Please ask at the Finance Office if you feel you may qualify for Free School Meals or call Kirklees Direct on 01924 326004.
BATLEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
& PRIESTLEY HOUSE
Carlinghow Hill, Batley, WF17 0AD
(01924) 474980
www.batleygrammar.co.uk - [email protected]
Head: Mrs B P Tullie MA - Chair of Governors: Mr D Peel LLB
Batley Grammar School is administered by Batley Academy Trust, registered in England & Wales, company No. 07509409.