SHENLEY BROOK END SCHOOL

SCHOOL NEWS Vol 19 Issue 10 : 15 March 2018

Diary Dates

23 March School Closes for End of Term

9 April School Re-opens for all year groups

12-23 March Year 10 Work Experience

15 March Year 12 Parents’ Evening

15 March Year 9 English BBC News Report Day

17 March Year 9 DofE Bronze Training Day

21 March Year 12/13 Financial Studies Exam

21 March Year 9 DofE Bronze Practice Route Planning

22 March PE Team Sport Relief 10 Hour Charity Basketball

22 March Sixth Form Application Evening

23-25 March Year 12 Geography Fieldwork Residential Trip

23 March Year 12 Financial Studies Exam

23 March Year 7 English Shakespeare Trip 23 March School Closes for End of Term

9 - 20 April Year 10 Mock Exams

10 April Year 9 Drama Woman in Black Trip

11 April Year 10 DofE Silver Practice Route Planning

12 April Year 11 Photographs

12 April Year 9 Parents’ Evening

19 April Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Welcome

Although this has been quite a short term, it has been very hectic. Students (and staff) are

looking forward to the Easter break; especially Years 11-13 students who will be able to use for a

thorough revision programme as their exams approach.

It has been nice to see parents at the recent parents’ evenings and gamelan concert, which as

always was great to see students appreciating different instruments and culture. I hope to see

many of you on Monday 19 March at 7.30pm where more details will be given about us becoming a

Trust with The Hazeley Academy.

Have a pleasant Easter break.

Mr G Martin

Headteacher

LOST PROPERTY NEWS

Jackets, blazers, PE kits, football boots, shirts and ties, shoes etc. These are

just some of the items we are continually finding in the Lost Property bins in the

front office.

Again, these bins are full and we are putting the lost property contents on tables in the street from

Monday 19 March 2018 until close of school for the Easter term break on Friday 23 March 2018.

Please encourage your child to look for any lost items, and parents are welcome to come into school

to look, at the end of the school day. Any items remaining at the end of this term will be recycled.

Items of value are kept in a locked drawer in reception, and enquiries for these items should be

made to the receptionist.

ENGLISH NEWS World Book Day 2018

On Thursday 1 March, staff celebrated World Book Day by bringing books to life in their classrooms.

PARENTS’ EVENING NEWS

The Year 9 Parents’ evening will be taking place on Thursday 12 April in the Sports Hall.

Rather than students booking the appointments, we now have a system where parents are able to log

on and book them themselves. A letter with all the details will be sent to you prior to the booking

system opening on Monday 19 March.

To access the system, parents will need to use the email address that we have registered with the

school. So if the school does not have your email address or if you have changed it from the one

that we have recorded it is important that this is updated.

LIBRARY NEWS

Lower School Speed Debating

Over 30 lower school students took part in our recent speed debating session. The students were

divided into two teams and were given two minutes to discuss their arguments for specific topics,

alternating between proposing and opposing the motion. Volunteers from both sides then presented

their team’s main points, and students were given a further two minutes to discuss counter

arguments and points of interest.

The motions covered were:

The death penalty should be reintroduced to the UK

Shenley Brook End students should all be allowed to leave the school premises at lunch time

We should not give money to beggars

In a more relaxed setting than our usual formal debates, students found the confidence to voice

their opinions, raising some really interesting and pertinent arguments. Exercising their critical

thinking skills, speaking persuasively, and reacting quickly to opposing arguments, many students

were able to suggest points which were counter to their own personal beliefs.

Shenley ‘Book-Ends’ 6th form Reading Group

The 6th form reading group chose their own titles to discuss this time and it is

clear they have quite varied tastes, recommending titles from the classics, such

as Lawrence’s ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, to Sarah J Maas’s fantasy series, ‘A

Court of Thorns and Roses’, Young Adult novel, ‘Everything, Everything’, by

Nicola Yoon, and hard-hitting non-fiction, ‘Them: Adventures with Extremists’ by Jon Ranson. A

number of students had also read and recommended ‘The Book Thief’ by Marcus Zusak, unusually

narrated by Death, during The Holocaust. For our next meeting, after Easter, on Friday 20th April,

we will be looking at ‘Never Let me go’, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

International Women’s Day

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Milton Keynes Community Foundation

arranged to have a free book, ‘Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls’, produced

through crowd funding, delivered to schools in the Milton Keynes area. The

foundation contacted local ‘inspirational women’ to visit schools to present the

book, and to give a short talk about their achievements, and obstacles they

overcame to be successful.

Shenley Brook End received a visit from Laura Miller, a radio broadcaster and journalist, who spoke

to a group of 50 students, about her route into journalism. She described taking careers advice

from teachers, when she was uncertain what she wanted to do, actively seeking work experience

with a local radio station, and then enrolling to study a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She found

enthusiasm, hard work and being pro-active was as important as academic achievement, and some of

her peers progressed through internships, rather than by taking a related degree.

Laura spoke of the challenges of being a radio newsreader, when the horrific 9/11 incident

happened, delivering regular live bulletins as events unfolded. She had to relocate to follow her job,

and she later moved into production, ironing out personality differences with Radio 2 presenter

Vanessa Feltz. She now works for Three Counties Radio as a producer, and also has a blog in which

she shares information about free or cheap local activities for parents of young children. Laura

herself has a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old and realised that there wasn’t a central point of reference

for such information, so she taught herself to create a website and gains immense satisfaction from

running a not-for-profit service for her local community. She urged students to engage with their

education and interests, to be enthusiastic in all of their undertakings and to get involved in their

community. Laura referred to her visit to Shenley Brook End on her Facebook page:

“Massive thanks to the staff and students at Shenley Brook End School in Milton Keynes…I could not have felt more welcomed! The pupils were engaged in what I had to say, were attentive and demonstrated how interested they were by their questions at the end – an absolute credit to the school and young people in MK! So chuffed to be asked.” 6th Form Debate

The motion before us recently was, ‘This House believes the death penalty should be

reintroduced to the UK’. Kenyah Lyle proposed the motion and spoke of capital punishment being

effective as a deterrent, as a means of keeping society safe from serious repeat offenders, and as

a way of offering closure to the victim’s family, by way of retribution.

Andrew Smith countered that enforcing capital punishment could

potentially cost tax payers more, as offenders sit on Death Row,

awaiting the outcomes of appeals and other legal procedures; he

argued that wrongful convictions are still quite common and that

the death penalty is irreversible, where a mistake is made; and he

suggested using such an extreme punishment makes us no better

than the murderers we presume to judge, in a justice system which

also focuses on rehabilitation. Kenyah won the most votes from

the floor, and our committee, upholding the motion, though when asked, out of interest, if the

audience supported the death penalty, the majority said they would not bring it back in the UK.

World Book Day

Wally and his arch nemesis Odlaw, squared up in the library, joining many staff around the school,

who dressed up as fictional characters to celebrate World Book Day. If you want to use your World

Book Day £1 voucher, remember it is valid until March 25th You can put it towards a full-priced book,

or exchange it for one of a selection of free £1 books, at Waterstones, W. H. Smiths, Morrison's

and Sainsbury’s. We have some spare vouchers in the library for students who did not receive one in

their form tray.

Forthcoming Library Events

Tuesday 13th March: 6th Form Debate 1pm in the 6th Form Library

Wednesday 14th March: English Speaking Union 6th Form Debating Competition at Denbigh School

Thursday 15th March: Carnegie Medal shortlist of Children’s Books revealed prior to shadowing by a

group of student readers.

Wednesday 21st March: English Lecture 1pm in the 6th Form Library

Thursday 22nd March: Lower School Debate 1pm in the Main Library

Friday 23rd March: Easter Themed Craft Event 1pm in the Main Library

WORK-RELATED LEARNING NEWS

Year 10 Experience of Work Placements from Monday 12 March to Friday 23 March 2018

After five months of hard work and dedication, all our Year 10 students will be out of school and

attending their individual work placements for the two weeks leading up to the Easter break. We

believe that everyone will benefit from this unique experience and learn a lot about their own

strengths and attributes. They may well find it tiring and rather different from their normal school

life but it should also be exciting, stimulating and very rewarding.

We rely very heavily on the goodwill of all our employers to provide the best possible opportunities

for our students and for this we thank them wholeheartedly – we would not be able to provide this

insight into the world of work without their support. As the placements take place in term time, we

would ask parents/carers to inform BOTH the employer and the school in the usual way if a student

unfortunately has to miss any days off work. This will also enable members of staff to arrange to

visit the placements and discuss the progress and achievements of each individual student. Thank

you to everyone involved in delivering this exciting hands-on learning programme and our best wishes

go to all our Year 10 students.

FLIGHT MILES NEWS Celebrating Great Learning

Well done to our Half-Term Champions who gained the most Flight Miles last half term in their year group.

They have shown an excellent attitude and demonstrated the skills needed to be a successful learner.

Year 7 - David Shumba

Year 8 - Zahra Jodhpurwala

Year 9 - Dean Wood

Year 10 - Benjy Asare

MUSIC NEWS

Year 7 Music

Year 7 students had their memories put to the test as they were

lucky enough to take part in Javanese Gamelan workshops. Dr

Jonathan Roberts (one of the country’s leading experts) came to

teach about the instruments, the music and the culture, using authentic instruments from

Indonesia. None of the music is written down, so students had to memorise all the note patterns

while playing unfamiliar instruments.

The sessions culminated in a short gamelan concert performed by some keen and enthusiastic

students and enjoyed by a very appreciative audience.

Here’s what some of the students had to say about their experience:

The Gamelan workshop was great fun and really interesting! There were a lot of interesting

facts that were really helpful. We got to play the music and the sound was very unusual. It

was fun and everyone enjoyed it. Jonathan was really fun to work with (and he was really

good at remembering names). Ira James The Gamelan workshop was a great experience, because I learnt a lot of interesting facts

about the instruments, how they are played, where it is from and lots more. It’s amazing

how they all make different types of sounds. Jonathan was really good at teaching as well

and made it really fun. We did all kinds of beats and patterns. I had a great time.

Merlin Johnson

The Gamelan workshop was a fun experience. We each played different instruments that

were highly decorated. The instrument I used (the gongs) had a long dragon running along it.

The noise all the instruments made was amazing. Jamila Clare The Gamelan workshop was incredibly amazing! I particularly enjoyed it when Jonathan

played an instrument with both hands. I was playing the instrument that was like a

xylophone that you play with a wooden hammer. There were also gongs which were very loud

and big. Elizabeth Barnett

This past week the year 7s have had a wonderful time being taught about gamelan instruments

and music. We had an amazing teacher who taught us not only how to play but all about

different rhythms as well. Thank you very much, Jonathan, for making the time to come and

teach us, it was very inspiring. Olivia West When we entered the Rehearsal Room I saw about 30 instruments all on the floor. They were

all elaborately decorated and later on we found out they were made of a very strong type of

wood and bronze. When we were allocated an instrument I was placed with a big wooden

structure with dish shaped pieces of bronze hanging from it. Before I knew it I was playing it

reasonably well, along with everyone else and it was a great experience! Mark Bailey The Gamelan workshop was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I was lucky enough to

be a part of it. The teacher, Jonathan, was very enthusiastic and fun as we learned about

the Indonesian culture and music. We all had lots of fun and were very loud. Layla Cassidy

Senior Wind Ensemble

Last week our Senior Wind Ensemble (Holly Harbige,

Katie Fletcher, Alex Pembery, Ben Evans and Mrs Gray)

entertained the children, parents and teachers at the

Primary Schools Woodwind Festival in Christ the

Cornerstone Church. Children in the audience were

amused to see our very sensible and talented musicians

whipping out toy trumpets, shakers and whistles to play

in between the music played on their main instruments,

for their rendition of the first movement of Mozart’s Toy Symphony!

FINANCE NEWS

Revision Guides Ordered Through Parentpay

As the exam season approaches, please ensure that you have received any revision guides that may

have been ordered through the school.

Revision guides should have been handed to students once a form and payment has been received

by the school and the school has received the delivery of the order.

If you have not received your revision guides, please contact the Administration Office on

enquiries@sbeschool.org.uk, who will advise you on any issues outstanding.

PHOTOGRAPH NEWS

YEAR 11 PHOTOGRAPH

On Thursday 12 April 2018 Year 11 students will have their final school photograph

taken.

Students will have a whole year, individual and tutor group photograph taken and it is

therefore essential, that they are dressed in the correct full school uniform. This should consist

of :

BLAZER with the correct badges (House and Year)

TIE

WHITE SHIRT

BLACK TROUSERS (not jeans or leggings)

BLACK SKIRT (not tube)

BLACK SHOES (not trainers)

Please be aware that the session will take place between 8.45am and 11.00am and therefore any

students arriving late to school may not be able to be included in all of the sessions.

A Cracking Arts Event at Bletchley Park!

In our year 9 music lessons we have been studying for our Bronze Arts Award. As part of this we

had the opportunity to visit Bletchley Park back in September. From this we took inspirations from

the sounds, displays and tour we had and put this into our music compositions. It took us about

three weeks to write and perfect our compositions before then performing them in front of the

whole school for Remembrance Day. This piece of music was written to the morse code rhythm of

the words ‘Poppy’, ‘War’ and ‘Peace.’

On 13 March, we went back to Bletchley Park to perform our pieces there. We were one of five

schools that took part. We saw all the Art work that had been produced by the Year 10 Art

students from SBE, as well as art by The Buckingham School and The Hazeley Academy. We also

heard a song that had been composed by KS3 students at Slated Row School, and a performance by

Year 5 students from Emerson Valley School. We really enjoyed these, especially the song as we

were all singing it for hours afterwards!

Our performance went well even though we were all really nervous as there were over 70 people

there to watch us! We were really happy with all the comments and positive feedback we had from

all the people who watched us. It was a really special experience for us.

A big thank you to Mrs Wright, Miss Nash, Mrs Smith and Mrs Bradshaw for all their help and also

to Mr Holmwood, Artswork and Bletchley Park for organising the project.

Scarlet Price Y9