Day 1

Monday 1^st July was the beginning of our annual Careers Week with Year 10. This is an important week to provide our pupils an insight into life beyond school. On Day 1, pupils attended either Aston University or University of Birmingham. They had campus tours, as well as model lectures and workshops. Pupils were involved in engineering-focused workshops at the University of Birmingham, delivered by their Science faculty.

Day 2

On Tuesday 2nd July, our Year 10 pupils visited Cadbury College and Solihull College to experience what they to offer. Pupils experienced a taster of some of the different courses available and enjoyed touring the campus to see what life is like for students at the different colleges. Our pupils represented the school brilliantly and found the day informative and interesting.

Day 3

On Wednesday 3rd July, our Year 10 pupils visited different apprenticeship and training providers to experience what they to offer. Pupils visited either Make UK, Ladder Skills, CITB or University College Birmingham. Pupils experienced a taster of some of the different courses available ranging from practical courses like roofing to engineering and manufacturing focused apprenticeships and training.

Day 4

Thursday 4th July was our ‘Experience of the Workplace’ day where pupils had the chance to hear from professionals from a range of different careers about life in their workplace. Our visitors included: radiographers from the NHS, the Civil Service, Collins Aerospace, Kier Construction, the Army and The Apprenticeship Centre. Our pupils enjoyed learning about different aspects of life in the workplace as well as the different career pathways on offer. Pupils particularly enjoyed getting ‘hands-on’ with some of the tools that Kier had on display!

Day 5

Friday 5th July was our final day of an enjoyable and informative Careers Week. We invited a number of different employers into school to conduct mock interviews with all of our Year 10 pupils. Although many were nervous beforehand, our pupils gave a great account of themselves and found the experience very useful. Our visitors were very complimentary of the pupils and this was a great way to round off an excellent week!

The Allies Club presented a diversity showcase which consisted of a show around the understanding of diversity, including LGBTQ+, showcasing a variety of practiced talents such as a read poem, empowering dances, a drama piece about acceptance written by the pupils, and a finale of a fashion show for which the pupils spent the previous term creating their own clothes from recycled materials. 

Our reading rewards vending machine continues to be a focal point of our celebrations on a Friday lunchtime. Pupils from all year groups are considered and selected for a range of approaches to demonstrating our TURVES Values.  

Winners this week include: 

Year 7 

P Curnew: his efforts around school. This week he has helped with the year 5 transition morning in science, he has attended rehearsals all week. As well as this Mrs Brittain was teaching about recipes in her French lesson. They looked at the recipe for a lemon drizzle cake. Patrick then, without being asked to, went home and made the lemon drizzle cake with his Nan. 

S Jimale – for consistently showing Turves values and being an unsung member of his form that will continually and quietly get it right.   

L Harbridge for his excellent behaviour and meeting expectations each and every day. 

Year 8  

C Kunzwa – For integrating into the school and having a hugely positive start.   

Year 9  

D Zema for his overall excellent behaviour record and fantastic effort in science this month. 

Year 10 

L Commander – For always showing outstanding effort in lessons and acquiring 0 negative points this year.   

A group of students in Year 8 have really excelled at their mid-point English assessments recently. This group includes: K. Hussain (8T1), L. Cullen (8T1), D. Da Conciecao (8T1), L. Thompson Clarke (8T1), T. Cham (8T1) and A. Williams (8T1).

Boys across Year 8 have been improving the way they use academic writing to explain the meanings of poems and have been learning to use new skills and techniques to help them to write with crystal clarity. Some boys have gone on to show a maturity beyond their years in their writing and have really impressed.

Year 8 have been looking at the theme of ‘Identity’ through poetry. The boys have been looking at poets such as: John Agard, Grace Nichols and Sujata Bhatt who write about their experiences of growing into a new culture and identity, when moving to Britain from other parts of the world.  The poets use imagery and humour to get challenging and complex ideas across, and the boys have really risen to the challenge of both understanding these ideas, and of explaining them through their skillful ability to write in an academic style. 

To encourage further excellence, the boys who have been most successful in their writing have been awarded a book to read and enjoy.

Keep it up boys!

The SEND Department has had a busy half term, offering guidance to our Yr 9 pupils as they choose their options for KS4 and supporting our current pupils with their GCSEs and End of Year Examinations.

We have also had the pleasure of welcoming some of our new pupils who will be joining us in September 2024. We held a Parent/Pupil Transition Evening and two additional SEND Transition Mornings this year. All events were extremely successful and we are eager to welcome our new students into the Turves Green family in the new academic year.

July - September is always a time of transition for schools; for some pupils, change can be exciting, for others it can be a time of worry and anxiety. If anyone has any worries or concerns around transition next term, then please let me know and we will do everything possible to support this.

Changes in routines, such as those brought about by summer holidays can be difficult for some pupils. Please see the details for a SEND Youth Club that is hosted every Friday evening for young people aged 7-16, close to Villa Park.

This is a FREE opportunity for young people to take part in fun sporting activities and games, as well as socialise with other each week.

Recently, our year 9 students had the opportunity to witness a fascinating science demonstration on the Thermite reaction. The demonstration not only showcased the incredible power of this reaction but also highlighted its practical applications in real-world scenarios, specifically in rail-road track welding.

The Thermite reaction is a highly exothermic reaction between iron oxide and aluminum, resulting in the production of molten iron. This reaction generates intense heat, reaching temperatures of over 2500 degrees Celsius, making it an effective method for welding metals together. In the case of rail-road track welding, the Thermite reaction is commonly used to join sections of railroad tracks together, creating a seamless and durable connection.

Furthermore, the demonstration was linked to the HS2 project, a high-speed rail project currently under construction. The HS2 project aims to connect major cities in the UK with a high-speed rail network, improving transportation efficiency and reducing travel times. The use of Thermite welding in rail-road track construction plays a crucial role in the success of this project, ensuring that the tracks are securely joined and able to withstand the high speeds of the trains.Overall, the Thermite reaction demonstration provided our students with a valuable insight into the world of chemistry and its practical applications in engineering and construction. By linking the demonstration to the HS2 project, students were able to see how the science they learn in the classroom can have real-world implications and contribute to important infrastructure projects.

Year 10 Science Trip to the University of Nottingham: A Day of Discovery and Inspiration

On June 26th, a small group of Year 10 boys from our school had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the University of Nottingham for an immersive science experience. This trip was designed to spark curiosity and provide our students with a first-hand look at the fascinating world of chemistry.

The day began with a warm welcome from the university’s science faculty, setting the stage for an exciting schedule ahead. Our first activity was a talk by two enthusiastic Chemistry PhD students. They shared insights into their research, discussing topics ranging from innovative chemical reactions to environmental sustainability. Their passion for their work was evident and inspiring, giving our students a glimpse into the possibilities that a future in chemistry can offer.

Following the engaging talk, our students donned lab coats and safety goggles for a hands-on practical session in one of the university’s state-of-the-art laboratories. Guided by experienced lab technicians, they undertook the challenging yet rewarding task of synthesizing aspirin. This practical experience not only reinforced theoretical knowledge but also introduced them to the meticulous processes involved in pharmaceutical chemistry. The boys worked diligently, following precise procedures to produce their own samples of aspirin, and the sense of achievement was palpable.

The final part of our visit was a Q&A session with three professionals working in the chemical industry. These individuals brought a wealth of real-world experience, discussing their diverse roles in various sectors such as technical services, lecturing, and industrial research. They shared stories of their career paths, the challenges they face, and the exciting developments in their fields. Our students asked insightful questions, gaining valuable advice and a deeper understanding of the career opportunities that a degree in chemistry can provide. The trip to the University of Nottingham was a resounding success, leaving our Year 10 boys inspired and motivated. They returned with a newfound appreciation for chemistry and the potential it holds for the future. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the university staff and the industry professionals who made this enriching experience possible. This visit undoubtedly sparked a passion for science that will continue to grow in the years to come.

Our reading rewards vending machine continues to be a focal point of our celebrations on a Friday lunchtime. Pupils from all year groups are considered and selected for a range of approaches to demonstrating our TURVES Values.  

Winners this week include: 

Year 7 H McGann - efforts in extra curricular activities 

Year 8 A Collins - For his amazing achievements, Aiden successfully completed his sponsored swim for the RNLI Lifeboats, swimming a total of 77 lengths, which equates to an impressive 1.2 miles or 1925 meters. 

Year 9 J Jackson – for constantly getting it right around school, showing great effort and having 0 negative points this year 

Year 10 R Mahlunge – for his involvement in extracurricular activities and in his continued passion for directing 

Alfie the Musical!

Rehearsals are underway for our Summer Musical which will take place on Tuesday 9^th July to our local primary schools and Wednesday 10th July for our evening performance.

It was wonderful to see so many students at rehearsals this week learning the choreography to the well-known musical number “Hard Knock Life” It was high energy and a lot of fun was had.

Rehearsals are taking place after school on a Monday and Wednesday and singing rehearsals take place on a Thursday breaktime.

Tickets go on sale from Monday 24^th from main reception. Tickets are priced at £3 pp or £10 for a family of four. Tickets need to be purchased or reserved before Wednesday 10^th July, there are no tickets sales on the door.

We are sure this is going to be a sell out performance!