Spider’s Web

ROBERT BRUCE MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

March 2008

WELCOME TO THE THIRD EDITION OF SPIDER’S WEB FOR THIS YEAR 2010

From the Headteacher – Mike Short

As in previous editions of Spider’s Web this one reflects the very busy nature of school life at Robert Bruce.

The SATs have been and gone. Thank you to all Year 6 parents and carers for their support over the period building up to them. The SATs in many people’s eyes are not the fairest judge of performance, particularly for a Middle School and there was a call to boycott them from two major Teaching Unions. This happened in some schools across the country. After all the hard work put in by both pupils and staff at school it would have been unhelpful and invidious to do so, whatever we may think of them. I really hope and trust that every child in Year 6 achieves the level they deserve.

SATs are just one measure of a school. In this edition, you will read about, amongst other things, a trip,a wonderful assembly given by two of our youngsters and an introduction from some of our Midday Supervisors.

On a final note, the Governing Body is playing a more involved and active role in monitoring the work of the school. You will see a message from Mrs Morey within Spider’s Web appealing for more Parent Governors. If you wish to become a useful part of school life and would like more details please contact Mrs Morey through the school.

Mike Short

Headteacher

SATs UPDATE – from Mrs Glover Assistant Head & Mr Batho Year Team Leader

he Libra

The SATs week ran extremely well and the pupils’ behaviour was exemplary. Please congratulate your children on their hard work and effort. Hopefully the positive experience will translate into equally positive results.

News from Janet Laycock - YR8 Team Leader

On the last day of the Spring Term you may remember that we held a Mufti Day to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND) . Our day began with a whole school assembly taken by Chloe and Shannon Mounsey (Years 8 & 5) and I have to say that it was the most moving assembly I have ever attended. The girls used a power point to explain about Motor Neurone Disease and showed a picture of their father, George, before he was diagnosed with MND.

They told how it affects their lives as a family and how they cope with day to day care of George. Shannon and her friends performed a dance and Chloe told how they would both be running around the school field collecting small change as they ran. They ended the assembly showing a picture of George as he is now and explained how the charity has helped the family with items like wheelchairs and support. Last week I was honoured to meet George and the rest of the family when we attended a garden party for MND. The girls presented the Chairman Alisdair Varley from MND with a cheque from Robert Bruce Middle School for £440.00. May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support .

Message from Kate Meredith – School Librarian

The School has subscribed to a site called Magpie Music which recycles old CDs and

DVDs for cash. For schools they will pay 50p for any CD album or DVD in reasonable condition.

If you have any old CDs(albums only) or DVDs you longer want, please could you hand

them in to the library? All CDs and DVDs must be boxed. All packaging must have original bar code and cannot be copies.

All proceeds will be used to boost library stock. Many thanks! – Kate Meredith

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
  
  
   
    
    
    Information from Tony Maxfield – Assistant Head
    
    
   
  
   
 


 
 
 
 

Please see over a table of dates setting out when you should be expecting pupil reports and, also, up and coming consultation evenings.
 

2010 REPORTS & CONSULTATION EVENINGS
Year	Report Type	Reports Due	Consultation Evening
5	Full	10 June 2010	16 June 2010
7	Full	17 June 2010	22 June 2010
8	Full	24 June 2010	29 June 2010
Fun 4 Young People

FUN 4 YOUNG PEOPLE

Inspiring young people to discover their potential

through year round sports & arts activities

A unique series of 3 courses at Robert Bruce School

SPORT-DISCUSSION-LEADERSHIP

The opportunity to play, read & research sport

Basketball…Rugby…Football…Cricket to name a few

Each entrant will produce their own sports journal.

COURSE DATES: June 1^st – 4^th August 16^th – 20th October 25^th – 29^th

BOOK NOW at a discounted rate of £15 for three courses!!

Individual courses can be booked, ring for further details.

Complete this exciting series of courses and join us for a free FLYING DAY!!

ARTS/SPORTS COURSE

August 9^th – 13^th Summer 2010

9.30am – 3.30pm

Join us this summer for a fun packed week at Robert Bruce Middle School. We will soon be confirming details of our exciting programme which will include:

Dance, Drama, Music, Sport, Art……and lots more.

FEE: £10 for those living in Kempston or attending Kempston Schools

All others £20

BOOK NOW! 1^st come-1^st served

Activities will be confirmed in due course.

All our courses are offered FREE to those on free school meals OR in hardship

ENQUIRIES TO:-

Ring: Ann Hadfield 01234 824514 OR Carol Macfarlane 07831 331333

Bakers Byre, West End Stagsden, Bedford MK43 8SY.

We already have waiting lists for booking forms – 1^st come, 1^st served

Coventry University Visit – Mr Chauhan

Y8 & Y7 VISIT TO COVENTRY UNIVERSITY

THE SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN

7^TH MAY 2010

The visit was a great opportunity for our Gifted and Talented students and those who are more able in both, Design & Technology and Art & Design. The intention was to inspire our students for a career in Design and Art. It was also hoped that students would have a better idea of the career path needed in terms of qualifications.

Student Feedback

The trip to Coventry University was an enjoyable insight into a career of Design and Technology.

I found the various areas of Design very informative. The area where the car design took place was my favourite as I have a passion for cars. The students’ work was amazing and the detail was fantastic.

I would consider a career in Graphic Design after seeing the different areas that it can cover.

Charlie Jessop – Y7 ( G & T – Design & Technology / Art & Design )

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I enjoyed the trip on Friday to Coventry University. I was amazed by the things they made like the model cars. I mostly enjoyed the fashion department , where they made weird but brilliant clothes.

It has changed my view. Now I see why teachers get us to do homework and make things because it can lead you somewhere in life.

Lauren Darnell – Y8

Mr R Chauhan - Head of Design & Technology / Acting Head of Art & Design

An introduction from two of our Midday Supervisors

‘My name is Jim Lloyd. I am a Midday Supervisor, and also one of the School Governors, attending many meetings at school.

Before I retired I worked with British Telecom both at Bedford and Milton Keynes.

In my spare time I am on the Sport Bedford committee and speak to many sport administrators in the Bedford Borough area. I am also the treasurer of Sport Bedford. In fact a few years ago Robert Bruce School was named as Sports school of the Year’

____________________________________________________________

‘My name is Mrs. Julie Parsons, I am 41 years old. I have three sons aged from 7 to 15 who keep me very busy. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, going to the cinema and listening to music.

I have been a Midday Supervisor at Robert Bruce School since September 2008.’

A message from Lisa Leonard – Assistant Headteacher

Anti Bullying Champions.

A number of year 5, 6 and 7 pupils are currently doing some training with Jackie Palmer the Bedford Borough Anti Bullying Coordinator. They will be trained to help other pupils resolve conflicts and ensure Robert Bruce is a safer place. The school council has been working with Jackie, reviewing the anti bullying policy and are currently making some changes. Lots of pupils said they didn’t really know what action was taken when incidents of bullying occur; we aim to make the policy really clear and will have a competition in the Summer term for posters that will be displayed around the school. Watch this space!

Tidy Classrooms – Which form will win the iPod?

After half term, we are going to have a tidy classroom competition in order to encourage form groups to take more responsibility for their form rooms, including their lockers. On a weekly basis the School Council will identify the best kept classroom and the form will receive a prize. At the end of the term the form that has made the most outstanding effort will be able to win an iPod and docking station. Good Luck!

A message from Mrs Morey – Parent Governor

I am writing on behalf of the Governors of Robert Bruce School. We need new Governors at the school. If you feel that you would like to make a difference or at least have a say in how your local school is run, I urge you to join the Governors.

It is very easy to waste energy complaining about various situations, so why not be positive and come along and share your views. You can make the governor job as much or as little as you want.

Speaking as a parent governor I am finding the experience has opened my eyes to so much more and has given me a chance to have an input into the running of the school.If you would like to talk about it please do not hesitate to contact me through the school.

Thank you. Mrs Jo Morey

A message from Mrs Douglas – Teacher of PHSE

Careers Matter!!!!!

We are looking for parents who are willing to come and talk to our year 8 pupils about their careers.

If you are interested please contact Mrs. Douglas or Mrs. Humphries at the school.

Many thanks

Dates for your Diary

All children will return to school on Monday 7^th June

End of school year – Wednesday 21^st July 2010

Start of academic year 2010-2011- 1^st/2^nd September training day

Pupils return to school Friday 3^rd September 2010