Parental Newsletter (Feb `15) - Bishop Milner Catholic College

Dear Parents/Carers
It is pleasing to report that our excellent young people continue to impress both in college and
within the wider community and below are three examples of this behaviour in action:
At the start of the new term we were informed that we have been awarded a trophy for the amount
of money our students collected for the ‘Poppy Appeal’; this is a testament to the excellent
charitable works of our students.
In association with the ‘Catenians’, Mr Handy organised our second Public Speaking Competition.
The following Sixth Form students took part: Jack Walton, Jack Thompson, Shannon Wheatley and
Munashe Muchena; and it is also pleasing that one our Year 9 students, Rebecca Holmes, also
participated. The overall standard was excellent and Shannon Wheatley was chosen the winner,
Shannon will now represent us at the area final which is held in Solihull.
The third example is that two of our Sixth Form students, Munashe Muchena and Katie Jones, who
both contributed to the dignified and moving Holocaust Memorial Ceremony which was organised by
our local MP Ian Austin and was held at Dudley College. Both Munashe and Katie were interviewed
by ‘Central News’ and they were seen as part of ITV’s local news programme on Holocaust Memorial
Day (27 January).
I am also pleased to report that the construction of our Sports Hall is running to target for a
summer completion. The delivery of the steel framework is imminent and above ground structure
will soon start taking shape upon the base which has recently been completed.
The exam season will once more be soon upon us and last week all of our Year 11 took part in a
‘Revision Skills’ day which was well received. It now remains for them to complete their studies and
to act upon the advice which was given.
Extra-Curricular activities continue to flourish and it is pleasing to report that Miss Bevan produced
a fantastic Dance Show which had in excess of 90 of our students taking part.
Last of all, once more I express my sincere gratitude to all those parents who work tirelessly to
ensure their sons/daughters attend college regularly, on time, well equipped for learning, in full
college uniform and with homework completed. Please be assured that your support is greatly
appreciated and it goes a long way to ensure that the vast majority of our students are on course to
attain their full potential.
S Haywood
Principal
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM…
Attending lectures at one of the most
acclaimed Universities in England the
University of Birmingham, offered me a
chance to elaborate my knowledge in
Forensic Science, Physics and Chemistry.
My day at the University started with me
and my Science peers attending a Forensic
science lecture held by a lecturer who also
works for the London metropolitan police as
their forensic scientist. He gave us a brief
overview of what his job requires him to do.
Investigating crimes using different
techniques, such as chromatography,
fingerprinting and various DNA sampling
methods. He briefed us about how these
methods are used in identification.
Chromatography is used to analyse any
complex mixture. It can be used for a wide
range of things from testing medicines for
impurities to checking water supplies for
pollution. In forensics, police use
chromatography to identify and analyse
substances found at a crime scene. Every
mixture is made up of molecules of
different chemicals, in varying amounts.
Chromatography works by separating the
chemicals out of a mixture and studying
how the molecules behave during the
separation process.
Most people are familiar with the
importance of DNA testing in the forensic
science lab. Still, most people don’t know
exactly what DNA sequencers are and how
they may be used. Most forensic scientists
and crime lab technicians use what’s called
DNA profiling to identify criminals and
victims using trace evidence like hair or skin
samples. In cases where those samples are
highly degraded, however, they often turn
to the more powerful DNA sequences,
which allows them to analyse old bones or
teeth to determine the specific ordering of
a person’s DNA nucleobases, and generate a
unique DNA pattern that can help identify
that person as a possible suspect or
criminal.
I found the physics lecture very intriguing
despite me not being a big fan of Physics,
the main focus evolved around the Big Bang
project that involves the large Hadron
collider that is designed to smash protons
together with cataclysmic force.
However the last Lecture or should I say
discussion about climate change was my
highlight of the day. They had 2 lecturers
from the University of Birmingham, and a
member of the Green Party. They explained
the effects of Carbon dioxide levels rising
and the impact it is having on the planet and
will have in the foreseeable future. Then
they evaluated methods that can be used to
reduce the impact of Carbon dioxide levels
in the atmosphere
A debate took place between the physics
lecturer who suggested that nuclear power
plants are a more powerful resource that
can be used to decrease levels of CO2.
However the representative from the
Green party suggested Renewable energy
was the way to go. And the Chemistry
lecturer stayed neutral suggesting that
Methane was also a very toxic gas that
contributes to global warming. They
explained why their suggested methods will
be effective and encouraged students to
get involved by asking questions.
This inspired me to do an Extended project
on the rising levels of Carbon Dioxide, the
cause, effect and how they could be
reduced. Climate change is increasing
rapidly hence the global temperatures are
also increasing, it is most likely they will
shoot well past 2C or even 4C of warming.
Four degrees may not sound much but at
the planetary level it is. It is about the
same as the temperature increase observed
since the ice age`s “last glacial maximum”
when much of the northern hemisphere was
trapped under ice as thick as the world’s
tallest skyscrapers stacked on top of each
other.
Climate change is not just about science
but the future we want to create.
Essentially we are all melting away our
future, and if nothing is done soon then
we`ll all be swimming with our latest
gadgets, or frozen in time…
Sanam Riaz Y13
DUDLEY YOUTH AWARDS
Stephen Bould in Year 8 has been
nominated and short listed for this
year’s Dudley Youth Awards, organised
by the Dudley Youth Council.
He has been nominated in the category
of Overcoming Adversity by the staff
at
Cherry
Tree
Learning
Centre.
Stephen has shown outstanding effort
in charity fundraising for Birmingham
Children’s Hospital and demonstrating
personal
determination,
as
well
as
inspiring those around him.
The award ceremony takes place on 6
March 2015 at Stourbridge Town Hall.
We wish to say well done to Stephen.
SCIENCE REVISION
GCSE revision for all Year 11 students is
8.30-9.00 every week, on Wednesday Biology
and Thursday physics and chemistry.
PARKING
Revision guides for Year 9 and 10 are available
to
purchase
through
parent pay to
be
collected from the Science technicians at the
reduced price of £3.50 each RRP £5.95
Can we remind parents not to park
on the zig zag's on The Broadway
or Burton Road when collecting or
dropping off children at College.
We have a collection box at reception again this year
for the “Active Kids” vouchers available through
Sainsbury’s.
We would be grateful if you could collect vouchers
from family and friends and post them in the box on
the Reception Desk. Thanks for your support.
Reception and PE Department
Rewards for 100% Attendance
GROUP ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance at college is vital to help
students achieve and reach their full potential.
Students who frequently miss college often fall
behind. There is a strong link between good
college attendance and achieving good results.
For example, only 12% of students with below
80% attendance achieve 5 or more GCSE’s at
A*- C including English and Maths, compared to
68% of students with 95% attendance.
Group
% Attend
A1
94.9
A2
95.7
A3
95
A4
96.4
A5
95.2
B1
95.9
B2
95.6
B3
95.3
B4
95.9
B5
95.1
Students who frequently miss college may fall
C1
95.8
C2
95.4
behind in their work which may affect their
C3
95.9
future prospects. Good attendance at college
C4
94.7
C5
96.7
also shows colleges/universities and potential
employers that a young person is reliable.
Reaching 100% attendance in a college year is
an important achievement.
To celebrate and
J1
96.6
J2
94.7
J3
96.8
J4
97.1
J5
95.1
student who has achieved 100% attendance up
S1
96.4
S2
96
to the end of June 2015 £10 towards the price
S3
94
S4
94.9
S5
93.2
acknowledge this we will be rewarding any
of one trip taking place in Enrichment week.
FUN SUNDAY FAMILY DAY
Families can kick-start the half-term holidays with a free family fun day in Dudley town centre
on Sunday 15 February. From 11am – 3pm there will be family entertainment in the town.
On Stone Street Square, opposite the Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, there will be various
free children’s rides.
Dudley Museum and Art Gallery will have a special opening.
Youngsters can watch a Punch and Judy show in the Churchill Shopping Centre and be
entertained by a roving magician and balloon modeller.
Other entertainment is also being planned.
Meanwhile, for roving adventurers, children can follow clues, and be in with a chance of
winning a prize, in a free children’s treasure trail, which will take them across the town
centre. The trail will be available throughout half-term at www.discoverdudleyevents.co.uk
For keen shoppers, more shops and cafes will be open than usual on a Sunday.
There will also be free parking in all town centre car parks on the day.
For more information go to www.discoverdudleyevents.co.uk
#funsundaydudley
Free parking
Free entertainment
BADMINTON
The KS4 and KS3 Badminton teams both competed superbly at the Dudley Schools
Badminton Championships.
The KS4 girls and boys teams both made progress, with Amelia Asquith, Fran Urso,
Mia Hickman and Nalalia Szaflik, and Joel Irvine, Arun Rai, Kasim Khan and Fahir Parvez
all displaying good skills at the tournament held at Kingswinford.
FOOTBALL
Sam Stokes has represented West Midlands County this term in goal for their U15
Football team.
Nathan Ndala, Gabriel Blackstock and Josh Connell have also joined Sam in the Dudley
District football team.
All school football fixtures re-start after half-term.
CROSS COUNTRY
Bella Fantom in Year 7 has now represented West Midlands at Cross Country, following her
success in the Dudley Schools event.
Savannah Causer is also a talented runner, who missed out at West Midlands through
injury.
Dodgeball Club has been a new addition to the extra-curricular timetable this half
term and has proved very popular, particularly with Year 10!
Basketball, Badminton, Wheelchair Sports Club, Rugby and Volleyball Clubs have also
proved as popular as ever.
Off-site visits to sports facilities are also on the increase, with Golf at Sedgley and
Squash at the Bert Williams Leisure Centre proving very popular with the Year 11
students.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
SPRING TERM 2015
Fri 27 Feb
Y11, 12 & 13 Individual & Group
Photographs
Wed 4 Mar
Y8 Careers Activity
Thurs 12 Mar Y8 Options Evening
Thurs 26 Mar Y7 Parents Evening
Fri 27 Mar
Paris Trip Departs
Fri 27 Mar
END OF TERM
SUMMER TERM 2015
Mon 13 Apr
Students return
Thurs 23 Apr Y9 Parents Evening
Mon 4 May
Public Holiday (May Day)
Thurs 7 May
Local Elections
25-29 May
HALF TERM
Wed 1 Jul
Y12 Induction
Fri 17 Jul
END OF TERM
CONTACTING COLLEGE:
Post:
Bishop Milner Catholic College
Burton Road
DUDLEY
DY1 3BY
Telephone:
01384 816600
Fax:
01384 816601
E-mail:
info@bmilner.dudley.sch.uk
Web site:
www.bmilner.dudley.sch.uk
If you wish to contact a member
of staff, the easiest way is usually
by sending a note in to college with
your child. If you prefer, you may
ring reception and leave a message
or arrange an appointment.
All visitors to college must sign in
at Reception.
Please be aware that all our staff
have busy schedulesa dn are unable
to meet with visitors except by
prior arrangement.
If your child is unwell and unable
to attend college, please telephone
college each day of absence.
Reception is staffed from 8.30am4.30pm daily. Outside these
hours, your message will be taken
by an answer phone. Please tell us
which tutor group your child is in.
If school is closed for any reason
(e.g. bad weather) this will be
announced on local radio, our
website and by an SMS message.