Brilliant Barr's Hill tHE BridgE

(It’s so brilliant the older students are jealous!)

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR/DESIGNER

Hello and welcome to the first issue of ‘Brilliant Barr’s Hill The Bridge’. My name is Isabel and I am the editor and designer of this newsletter. It is a privilege to have this opportunity and to share some of the great things we have done in our first term in ‘The Bridge’.

My favourite subject is Create and Perform because i’ve always found it so interesting. We are currently designing bedside lamps and I am improving in each lesson. I also enjoy English because we are learning in a new way, which is really interesting!

I hope you enjoy the first issue of our newsletter.

Isabel, Year 7

EnriCHMEnt Lunchtimes at Barr’s Hill are enjoyable because we can eat outside if the weather is pleasant. There are also lots of clubs on offer where we can develop our interests and passions, learn interesting things on various topics and meet other students and teachers with whom we don’t have lessons.

Here are a list of our fantastic clubs during lunchtime:

Keyboard club (Monday) Drama club (Monday and Thursday) Spanish Academy (Tuesday) Girls football (Tuesday) Patisserie School (Wednesday) Percussion Club (Thursday) The Ancient World (Thursday) Badminton Club (Thursday) Bug Club (Friday)

These are our clubs after school;

Netball (Monday) Boys football (Monday) Choir (Monday) Book club (Wednesday) Basketball club (Wednesday) Science Academy (Thursday) Girls Glow in the dark sports (Thursday) Debate Club (Friday) Harry Potter club (Friday)

WE LOVE THE THE BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE!

Before students began their journey at The Bridge as year 7's in September. We offered a great transition programme, which is called 'The Bridge to the Future'. The programmed aims to help students feel comfortable about starting secondary school and also gives them the chance to make friends and meet their teachers.

Some of the students wanted to share their experience of the programme and how they currently feel being part of The Bridge:

'In the 'Bridge to the Future' I really enjoyed the ice skating as Ms. Curtis taught me tricks which I can now practise. My favourite lesson so far was learning badminton in PE. I'm hoping to be part of the Bridge boys football team!'

- Lewis

'I enjoyed making new friends whilst painting my mask at the 'Getting to know each other morning' which is part of the 'Bridge to the Future.' In the Bridge I'm making a bedside lamp, which involves using equipment int he workshop. It's my Create and Perform lessons. I've joined The Bridge choir and I go to glow-in-the-dark sports club.'

- Tanya

'The Family Fun Night which is part of the 'Bridge to the Future' was great fun; getting to know other families and making new friends. My favourite lesson so far is Spanish because I want to be able to speak Spanish when I next go to Spain. I am also going to be dancing in the Bridge Production.'

- Olivia

'My favourite part of the 'Bridge to the Future' was making new friends in all of the different events, including 'Movin' on up' - which took place in the summer holiday.

In the Bridge I like the humanities lessons where we're finding out about the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings. I've joined the percussion club, where I play xylophone.'

- Jack

The first ever half term in The Bridge is coming to an end. The time has flown by just as quickly as all of the nerves from transitioning to a whole new school environment. Going from the oldest to the youngest in the school is one of the most nerve-wracking events which is going to happen in your life.

My experience has been incredible despite none of my friends who I had known for as long as I can remember coming here. As I met my wonderful new set of friends during the ‘Bridge to the Future’ I no longer thought about those I was going to miss. Without my friends I probably wouldn’t have got through the transition as easily and proudly as I currently am. Without the Bridge I wouldn’t be standing as proud and tall as I am about being a student at Barr’s Hill. When I’m out in public I am proud to show off that I am a student at Barr’s Hill.

My truly favourite event in the Bridge was definitely camping in the summer holiday before we started. It gave me the chance to get to know my new-found friends really well. My favourite part was the ghost walk even though it wasn’t fun at the time! Now that it’s over I would do it over and over again. Rachel Kelly (7 Warwick)

ARTICLES FROM THE BRIDGE STUDENTS

When I first started at Barr’s Hill I was incredibly anxious. It is a huge dramatic change from primary to secondary school. I didn’t know if my friends from year 6 would remember me and I didn’t know if the teachers would be nice. As soon as I stepped into the Bridge, however, my worries disappeared. I was greeted by friendly, smiling teachers and children who all felt the same way as I did.

The Bridge is not about the building; it is about the people. I have really enjoyed my first few weeks at Barr’s Hill and I can’t wait to make more wonderful memories with my amazing friends in the Bridge. Maisie McAuley (7 Warwick)

In the Bridge at Barr’s Hill a Harry Potter club has been started on Fridays after school by Nell Nisbet and myself. In its first 2 weeks we have made origami corner bookmarks, played Harry Potter ‘Would you rather?’ and made a signpost pointing to places in the ‘Magical World’.

We have also made our own badges which we wear with pride. The club is made for students in the Bridge to share their love of the Harry Potter series and in the future we are hoping to watch some of the films together, do more arts and crafts and cook some Harry Potter food and drinks. Lili Sandor (7 Cambridge)

STUDENT STARS ON BLUE PETER!

Year 7 ‘The Bridge’ student, Nell, recently won a competition for Blue Peter and appeared live on TV. You can view the full episode on BBC iplayer on our school website. Our students really are superstars! Nell explains her journey:

“It all started with a phone call from a woman from the Blue Peter office, saying that I was in the final round of judging for the Blue Peter Diamond Time Capsule Competition. She told me that if I hadn’t heard from them by the end of the week, I hadn’t won. The anticipation that week was terrifying!

Suddenly, one day when I got home, my mums phone started ringing and it was the editor of Blue Peter, Ewan Vinnicombe!

Early on the 10th of September, we woke up and went to the National Archives in Kew. When we arrive, we were taken up to a room. When we walked along the corridor, my dreams came true – presenters Lindsey and Radzi stepped through the door! It was amazing! They both said hello to me and gave me an orange Blue Peter badge! Then the day started, it was awesome! We went to different places in the National Archives, doing different things. They showed me how to restore photos and they even brought some things out of the Archives to show me – including telegrams from the Titanic as it was sinking. Finally, it was time to see my design! Four past Blue Peter presenters brought it in. It was on a diamond shaped capsule – I loved it! All that was left to do was to put it on the shelf!

On the 16th of October, we were in Salford and it was Blue Peter’s 60th birthday. At around lunchtime, we were shown around the studios and then we had our rehearsal. After that, we had an hour and a half in the green room. In a flash, it was the live show! I was absolutely terrified! Behind the double doors, my heart was beating so fast! Then I did it. It was amazing!”

- Nell Nisbet (7 Cambridge)

Do you want to write in the next issue?

Speak to Mr Orchard for more details.We have some amazing roles as an editor,

designer or writer!

Barr’s Hill School, Radford Road, Coventry, CV1 4BUTel: 024 76234600 Fax: 024 76234609

Email: schooladmin@barrshill.coventry.sch.uk www.barrshill.coventry.sch.uk

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