KINGS NORTON

HIGH TIMES

October 2009

IN THIS ISSUE

Où sont nous?

Kings Norton 2012

Meet new staff

Budding astronauts

Rewarding attendance

Ofsted HMI July 09 said: ‘I am of the opinion that at this time the school is

making good progress in addressing the issues for improvement and in raising the

pupils’ achievement. … Since the last inspection there have been considerable

developments and changes…. From the extensive data which the school collects on

student progress, there is convincing evidence that there is likely to be a sharp rise

in standards in 2009.’ There was!

It was another spectacular result for Kings Norton High School in summer this

year. For three years now we have been able to claim ‘best results ever’ and this

year it is even more satisfying because our all-important English and maths

results have leapt up by 11% while our 5 A* - C scores have continued to

improve, from 67% last year to 71% this year. Here are some of our results

highlights:

English 20% in 2008 up to 23% in 2009

Maths 18% in 2008 up to 41% in 2009 – this is a phenomenal rise!

Science 34% in 2008 up to 81% in 2009 – and so is this!

There have been clear turning points in maths and science. English made only

minor improvement but this year English is our focus and if we can make this

much progress in other core subjects in just one year, I am confident that this year

we will crack English too.

Already, 14% of current year 11 students have at least a C in maths, having taken

the GCSE one year early. Another batch of year 11 students will take English and

maths in November, after which we will put further concentrated support in place

for the remaining students who have yet to meet the pass mark. Similarly, early

entries are already planned for years 9 and 10.

Other subjects have also done really well at grades A* - C, such as: art 77%,

business 100%, drama 75%, geography 67%, ICT 85%, PE: sport 71%, travel and

tourism 100%.

As our open evening banner said, SMALL SCHOOL, BIG

DIFFERENCE!

Denise Burns, headteacher

SUMMER EXAMS – BEST YEAR EVER

WE DID IT AGAIN!

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

5 A*-C 16 49 60 53 67 71

5 including adult

literacy/numeracy

55 53 68 68

Who cares about the Olympic games?

• What if London pulled out of the 2012 Olympic games?

• Which country would you choose to host the games?

• What sort of things would you need to consider?

• What would ideal Olympic stadium look like?

• What if Birmingham was chosen to host the games, how would you

organise and plan such a huge event?

These hefty questions were put to learners in key

stage three as soon as they returned to school from

their summer holiday as part of our two week

‘Problem Based Learning’ (PBL)) project.

Without any preparation

groups of learners, in

vertical teaching groups, set

about planning and working

on solving individual

problems. The curriculum

was delivered through two

broad Subjects—

Discovery’ (maths, science,

ICT and technology) and

‘Globality’ (English,

humanities and Creative

Arts).

And we did have an audience. Our thanks go to all the parents/carers

and relations who were able to come into school and take part in the PBL

showcase at the end of the two week period. Working right up to the

deadline (and with no time for rehearsals) groups of learners put on

performance acts and staged mock protests – there was even some

African drumming performed by one group all relating to the over aching

question of “Who cares about the Olympic games?” At the same time

the school hall and dining room were transformed into a gallery for

learners’ PBL themed work as display boards were covered in everything

from posters, letters and other examples of student work on the Olympic

theme. Table tops displayed scale models of Olympic stadium designs

and layouts for an Olympic village in Kings Norton.

In the end-of-project survey, learners agreed the

PBL weeks were hard work but thoroughly

enjoyable. Staff agreed that planning and

delivering lessons in a very different way took a

lot of creativity but on the whole was a

worthwhile and productive experience.

Learners were grouped into vertical teaching

classes, where students from years 7, 8 and 9 all

worked together in class sized groups. With year

11 students out on work experience we decided to

take advantage of the situation and draw up a

special two week timetable allowing classes longer

lessons and greater use of the facilities in school.

Individual problems ranged from

some Discovery groups putting their

maths and technology skills to good

use designing and building scale

models of a new Olympic stadium

while at the same time in Globality

preparing a report on residents’

views if Kings Norton were ever to be

chosen as a site for an Olympic

building.

Students were able to show use of various

skills and demonstrating their literacy by

being able to write a report or make a

presentation to an audience.

Following the recent call for nomations, two new

parent

governors have been appointed—James Arlington and

Deborah Brookes. We still have one vacancy so please

contact the clerk to the governing body on 0121 459 4451

if you would like to stand.

During our Problem Based Learning

Activity (PBL) fortnight, Discovery group 5

were given the opportunity to visit some

of our local history.

20 students took a morning out of school

to visit the Winner of BBC Two’s

Restoration - series 2004. St Nicolas Place

includes The Old Grammar School, St

Nicolas Church and The Saracens Head,

Kings Norton Green.

Our focus was to see how historic

buildings could be renovated to include

modern architecture. We discussed

whether we felt the building was better

now it had been restored using modern

materials.

We also learnt a lot about the history of

our area and what life was like for

children over 600 years ago. Our guide,

Helen, was full of amazing facts and we

asked lots of questions about the

buildings and the people that once lived,

went to school and worked in them.

We had a great time looking around and

would like to thank our St Nicolas Place

guide, Helen and everyone at the

Saracen’s Head. We’d also like to thank

Graeme Phillips, Extended Services

Co-ordinator for arranging to fund the

visit for us.

St Nicolas Place is a great local place to

visit.

To find out more check out their web-site:

www.saintnicolasplace.co.uk

Our visit to St Nicolas Place

My name is Hester

Lockley and I’ve just

started teaching

English here at Kings

Norton High School. I

come from York and

have just moved to

Birmingham so am

slowly getting used to

it and finding my

way around! I love

English(!), languages,

music and travel-

ling. I’m looking for-

ward to my next year

here and getting to

know the school much

better.

With maths exams looming, breakfast clubs will be held on the morning before

the maths exam. Breakfast clubs will begin at 8:15 am, where learners can be-

gin the day with a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of toast until 8.30 am. Learn-

ers will then go to maths classrooms to do a short 30 minute preparation session

on possible exam topics. The aim is to help learners revise key topics before the

exams.

The breakfast mornings for maths are on

Thursday 5th November

Tuesday 10th November

Friday 13th November

Learners who are involved in the breakfast clubs will receive a text message to

remind them to come into school early.

EXAM DAYS

Thursday 5th November—Morning - year 11

Tuesday 10th November—Morning - year 11

Friday 13th November—Morning and afternoon for specific year 11 learners and

all of Year 10

MATHS FOR BREAKFAST ???

Hi, I’m Katie Wyatt and I’ve joined the English

department working on a Graduate Training Programme.

This is my first teaching post and I’m finding it

demanding but enjoying myself. Everyone has made me

feel very welcome and been really helpful – ‘thank you’.

At the start of September Kings

Norton High School launched its

new reward system called ‘Reward

Points’ and so far it has proved

successful with the majority of

students finishing each day with

maximum points.

At the start of each lesson every

student is awarded a gift of 5

points— a total of 25 reward points

per day. This gift is a reward for

good behaviour and attendance. There will also be opportunities for students to

receive specific subject points at the end of each half -term.

Points can be lost by being late to lessons or behaving in an unacceptable

manner so that a behaviour step is issued.

Parents and students can track points using the students secure area on the

school website.

After half term the first round of certificates will be presented and students will

have the opportunity to cash their points for prizes or bank them for a future

gift.

Watch this space to find out how well some of our students have done!

You may recall from an earlier

edition that we have been

collecting plastic bottle tops since

January 09 for the Salvation Army.

They will be recycled and the

money will be donated to charities

who help disabled people in need

of new wheelchairs.

We have had many students, staff

and parents supporting this

collection which finished on 20th

October. Gordon from the

Salvation Army came to collect 3

large dustbins all full of bottle

tops. He said this was his biggest

collection yet, and wants his

thanks passed on to everyone for

the kindness shown to others and

the difference this will make to

the lives of others.

BOTTLE TOPS FOR WHEELCHAIRS

Hi, I’m Steven King and I’ve just

moved in to Birmingham from

sunny East Anglia to join the

maths department here at Kings

Norton High School. As a

southerner through-and-through,

I sometimes think that

Birmingham is the North instead

of the midlands, so please forgive

me for that! I’ve really enjoyed my

first half term at Kings Norton,

working in an excellent school

with

fantastic

students,

and I just

hope I have

as much fun

for the rest

of my time

here.

Amusement en France “When we were on the ferry on the way to

France, it was weird. I felt like I was going to fall

over! The shops were nice and I bought my mum

a me2you teddy. We went on top deck and it was

freezing, my hair blew everywhere. The view was

very nice but I went in after a while…it got too

cold! When we arrived in France, it felt weird

driving on the right. When we were at the beach,

it was really sunny and it warmed up my feet. On

the way back, we stopped at the Cite de l’Europe

and everyone ran towards it. After shopping,

everyone ate lunch together.” Sian Kelly

“When we got on the ferry, you couldn’t see much in the distance

but eventually, we started to see the sand and big rocks of France and it

looked really cool. We went to the beach and it was great! We had to

speak to the French people in French. We played in the sea even though

it was freezing. After, me and Shannon went shopping; they have

amazing sweet shops and I bought a sweetie car (it tasted yummie). After

that, we went back to the beach and had a slow stroll and fun talk

walking along the beach edge.” April Beresford

On Thursday 8th

October 2009, 14 students with either 100%

attendance and less than three late marks during the academic

year or having improved on their last year’s attendance by 10%

or more were invited to attend the Kings Norton High

Education Action Zone annual celebration of excellent school

attendance at the Council House in Birmingham.

The Celebration took place in the Banqueting suite at the

Council House where pupils were presented with a certificate

in recognition of their excellent achievement by the Deputy

Lord Mayor.

Congratulations from all the staff at Kings Norton High on their

excellent achievement. This is the second, third or fourth year

running for some of the students that attended the

Celebration—well done!

Jed Astbury

Jodie Bennett

Lisa Collingwood

Hayley Glendinning

Sephanie Goulei

Mollie Hansel

Joshua Lowe

CELEBRATING ATTENDANCE Shanice McGregor

Jason McPike

Jack Owuodzie

Najee Palmer

Shanae Palmer

Samson Odubanjo

Andrea Wray

I’ve recently started at Kings Norton High as a parent support worker

and supporting the school’s commitment to involving parents in

school life and learning. Details of courses, workshops, coffee

mornings and family learning events that will help you become

life-long learners and become more involved in school life and

meeting other parents will be sent out over the next month or so.

I’ll also be helping the school set up a Parent, Teacher and Friends

Association (PTFA) so you can get involved in raising funds for projects

that will directly benefit our students. We need parents to help get

this started, so please contact me if you want to join!

It’s the small changes that can have a big effect on your child’s

achievement, so get involved in learning and school life!

If you want to know more, you can pop in for a chat , give me a call on

0121 449 4451 ext 225 or mail me at

liz.crooks@kingsnortonhigh.bham.sch.uk.

Calling all parents. . .

The first two weeks of the new term

means work experience.

All year 11 students, having picked their

placements in year 10, turned up on their

first day full of excitement and

anticipation to enter the world of work.

Placements were varied and included

engineering, retail, hairdressing , sports coaching, administration,

childcare, vehicle maintenance and banking.

All students received at least one visit from a member of staff and

time was spent talking with employers and students to assess how

they were coping in a different environment.

They have all returned to school with a more mature and positive

attitude to their final year at school. Some students have been

fortunate to secure a part-time position whilst others have chosen to

work voluntary at their placement.

Our year 11 students are to be

congratulated on their efforts and the

positive impressions that many of them

made during their work experience.

Employers’ comments include: “He has

got this child to come out of his shell and

open up”. “She is a natural for this type

of employment”. “She wants to come

back again after work experience”. “After a quiet start she now

realises when a job needs doing and gets on with it”. “Caring for old

people can be a stressful experience but he has come through with

flying colours”. “We are more than happy to take students from Kings

Norton High School next year”.

Year 10—start thinking where you would like to spend your two

weeks—work experience is only a year away!

WORLD OF WORK

I’m

Motekoa

Shale and I

have fairly

recently

graduated

from the

University

of

Birmingham (the best ever) and

am currently pursuing my

ambition to teach on the grueling

yet exciting Graduate Teacher

Programme within the science

department. Despite my very busy

schedule, I set aside time for

baking brownies and roller-skating

on the odd weekend. In the next 5

years I hope to master the skill of

skydiving, but who doesn’t!!

On Wednesday 23rd

September 2009 a group of thirty

year 11 students went to the Stansfeld Residential

Centre for a very busy three days of English and maths

revision. Students worked extremely hard during the

lessonsb, right up until 9.30 pm in the evening!

It was a very productive three days and students

returned with their maths improved and well on their

way to completing their English coursework!

Well done and now keep going to get ready for your

November exams!

STANSFELD SUPPORT

I’m Ms Wall and I’m an Advanced Skills Teacher working with

English and drama. I have lived and worked in Birmingham for

the last thirty years. I have taught in several primary and

secondary schools. I taught English at

Bejing University in China as a visiting

lecturer. I have worked with actors and

directors from the Royal Shakespeare

Company and my previous students

have performed several times on the

main house stage in Stratford. I like

watching live music, particularly reggae

and dub.

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Enter the KNHS ‘maths’ for parents’ quiz and help your child

earn a reward in mathematics. Here is this edition’s maths

question:

What is the next term in this sequence?

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,……..

If you know the answer to this question, write it down on a

piece of paper, give it to your child/ to drop in the box in the

maths department. All entries must be signed by the

parent/carer.

Entries will be drawn on Tuesday 1st December and your child

will win a reward.

First correct entry out of the box wins—good luck!

Parents/carers ‘A maths teaser’

On a cold and bright morning in October, science learners in years 10 and 11, accompanied by Mr Taylor, Mr

Gerrard, Ms Shale and Mrs Hulme, set off for Leicester Space Centre.

Despite Mr Taylor’s erratic overtaking, both minibuses arrived on time, and the

learners enjoyed exploring the exhibits and viewing the planets through the

space cinema.

After a quick lunch, the learners were divided into two teams. The first crew had

to pilot and crew a martian lander craft as it touched down on the surface of the

red planet. The second crew were based at mission control here on Earth.

Despite some erratic (to say the least) piloting skills from Nick and a near

catastrophic electronics failure that was

hastily brought under control by Dale, the

lander touched down safely. After some

congratulatory applause, the crews swapped

roles, with the aim of getting the lander

safely back to Earth. Teamwork and communication proved decisive as

the operation, again, proved a success.

After another hour or so of weaving through motorway traffic, our

mission was complete as we successfully docked at KNHS. A big well done

goes out to all of the pupils who took part for their exemplary behaviour and teamwork and a big thank you

to Mr Taylor for all his hard work in organizing the day.

Let’s moonwalk and I don’t mean dance!

Year 7 Snapshot

Since I’ve been at secondary school

there are a lot more subjects like drama,

art and humanities and the lessons have

been more fun here than my old school.

I have also learned you can get

detention too for being late! This is a

good school because they have checks

on the visitors, CCTV, security gates and

a lot more stuff to keep us safe.

Ryan Jackson, PE teacher . . . .

• Cat or dog: cat

• Curry or Chinese: curry

• Favourite City: Barcelona

• Bentley or Ferrari: Bentley

• Favourite Actor: Owen Wilson

• Too hot/too cold: too hot

• Favourite film: Shawshank Redemption

• If you were not a teacher, what would you

be? a chef

• Three things I could not live without: my wife,

my son and football

• Aston Villa or Birmingham: Aston Villa

Christmas Concert

Kings Norton High School

Music Department

Wednesday

16th December 2009

Tickets can be purchased

from the school

reception.

All children must be

accompanied by a

responsible adult

Adult ticket £1

Child ticket 50p