36 hardworking, exceptionally well-behaved year 7s spent Friday morning at the NEC for the Big Bang STEM careers fair and boy were our minds blown! After being split into 3 groups and monitored, the pupils were then let lose to explore the many careers linked to STEM including television, animal care, formula 1 racing, coding, space exploration, car design and manufacture, nuclear power, the railway and HS2 as well as many many others. They took part in activities, discussed people’s careers with some really thought provoking questions and had smiles on their faces the whole time (as well as seeing who came away with the best prizes from the stalls). They were amazing the whole time they were there and our pupils even won a Lego building competition sponsored by JCB!! I received no end of compliments about how conscientious and polite our pupils are. Many proud Miss Mansell moments were had. It opened our eyes to the many choices you get in life when you have an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths as well as how our options are not limited by our personal circumstances, but only by our lack of imagination.  

On the 19^th of June, 14 boys from year 9, who have chosen BTEC Music went on a trip to South and City College Birmingham to see what music can be like after secondary school. Below are statements from the students explaining what they did, what they learnt and how they will use these skills over the next two years.

“We had an exciting tour of the music department and all the music rooms there. Then, we split into three groups and rotated around 3 activities: music production on Logic, music mixing in a studio and a group performance” – J. Choi

“I also enjoyed the part where we explored the college and found out the different places available for us if we wanted to continue our music career paths after Year 11 or if we wanted to do a different career such as Animal Care or Engineering” – T. Farrell

“My favourite part about the trip was that we got to see the experience of what BTEC music is really like” – B. Diarra

“I enjoyed performing on stage with my group and making my own song in logic” – C. Knibbs

“I enjoyed the performance element of the day, it was fun to practice in a more professional setting. I also enjoyed the studio because it was fun to have a go on the volume as I think it’s good to learn how that works and how to get a good balance for the sound” - A. Hannon

“A skill I developed over this trip was co-operation to other members in a band or group” – J. Jeremy

Here at Turves Green Boys School, we take great pride in the exceptional work being carried out by our anti-bullying ambassadors. These dedicated individuals have shown unwavering commitment to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Through their hard work and determination, they have successfully implemented various initiatives and programs aimed at preventing bullying and promoting positive relationships among peers. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the prestigious recognition received from the Princess Diana Anti-Bullying Award.

The tireless dedication of our anti-bullying ambassadors reflects our school's core values and British values of;  telling school, respectful to all and everyone is equal, to name a few. Their proactive approach to addressing bullying behaviour and fostering a culture of acceptance and support has had a profound impact on our school community. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the positive influence they have had on the well-being of our students. The Princess Diana Anti-Bullying Award serves as a testament to their hard work and serves as motivation for us to continue striving towards creating a safe and nurturing environment for all individuals within our school. 

Please see our recent case study HERE that highlights the wonderful work done here at Turves over the past 2 years since we joined the Princess Diana Award.

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of two Turves Green pupils who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and talent. Their remarkable accomplishments serve as a source of inspiration for our entire school community, showcasing the importance of hard work, perseverance, and passion. As a school, we are committed to recognizing and honouring the achievements of our students, and we look forward to celebrating the success of these two individuals in a meaningful and memorable way. Whether through a special ceremony, an awards presentation, or a public acknowledgment, we aim to highlight their achievements and commend them for their remarkable achievements.

Firstly, We are delighted to share that 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. Aiden's dedication and determination in completing this challenge not only showcase his personal commitment but also his support for a vital cause. His efforts in raising awareness and funds for the RNLI Lifeboats are truly commendable, and we are proud to celebrate his achievement in contributing to the safety and well-being of others through his swim.

Secondly, Ashton has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in the sport of boxing, achieving remarkable success in various competitions. His impressive track record includes being a two-time West Midlands boxing champion, as well as reaching the semi-finals and finals of the national school championships. Ashton's achievements not only highlight his skill and determination but also serve as a testament to his hard work and commitment to excellence in the sport. His success in boxing is truly commendable and reflects his outstanding abilities as an athlete.

On Thursday 20^th June, as part of our Careers programme, two groups of Year 9 pupils visit Boro Foundry in Stourbridge to gain further experience of an engineering-focused workplace. Pupils who had demonstrated an interest in Engineering as part of the Options process were taken to see what life is like working in foundry. They received a tour of the factory, introduction to what life is like in the workplace and also information about apprenticeships and training programmes. Pupils found the visit interesting and insightful

On Thursday 20th June, 40 of our Year 8 pupils visited Aston University as part of the ‘Aspire to Aston’ programme. Pupils had the opportunity to get a taste of what university life was like by exploring the campus and hearing about different aspects of student life. This is part of an ongoing partnership with Aston University who will be continuing to visit our school and organise educational visits over the next academic year to come.

Last week, our Year 7 Science group embarked on a hands-on journey through the cosmos with a lively demonstration of the solar system. The excitement in the classroom was palpable as students eagerly participated in this engaging educational activity, using inflatable models to bring the wonders of space closer to home.

To kick off the demonstration, each student was assigned a planet to represent. Armed with their colorful inflatable models, the students lined up in order of their planet’s position from the Sun. This visual and interactive method provided a tangible way to grasp the vast distances and relative sizes of the planets, concepts that can often be challenging to comprehend through textbooks alone.

This hands-on activity culminated in a lively Q&A session where students could ask questions and discuss what they had learned. The visual and physical nature of the demonstration helped solidify their understanding of the solar system's structure and the relative scales involved. The success of this activity was evident in the enthusiasm and engagement of the students. By turning the abstract concept of the solar system into a concrete, interactive experience, our Year 7 Science class not only learned important scientific principles but also developed a lasting interest in astronomy. We look forward to more such exciting and educational activities in the future!

Year 9 students recently visited Cadbury College to watch their rendition of the well-known musical Little Shop of Horrors. The performance was nothing short of amazing, captivating the audience with its vibrant energy, exceptional acting, and impressive musical numbers.

From the moment the curtains opened, the cast delivered a stellar performance that brought the quirky, darkly comedic story to life. The lead actors embodied their characters with charisma and depth, making the audience laugh, gasp, and cheer throughout the show.

The set design and special effects were also impressive, especially the iconic man-eating plant, Audrey II. The puppet work and voice acting for Audrey II were executed flawlessly, adding a layer of authenticity and humour to the performance.

Overall, Cadbury College's rendition of Little Shop of Horrors was a triumph, leaving a lasting impression on the Year 9 students who attended. The high-quality production has inspired students involved in TGBS's upcoming performance of Alfie the Musical, motivating them to strive for a similar level of excellence in their own show.

Over the past few weeks at Turves Green, key stage 3 students have been completing various activities in their Design Technology lessons. 

Year 7 students have been learning about electronic circuits and components, learning the skill of soldering electronic components together. They have also been developing their design skills through hand drawn techniques and using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create 3D design work.

Year 8 students have been learning about how heat can effect different materials, using the line bender to manipulate plastics and the brazing hearth to bend metals and brand designs onto wood. Year 8 students have also been learning about Computer Aided  Manufacturing (CAM), using the 3D printer in lessons to create design work.

Congratulations to F Campbell for an excellent homework piece this week. F Campbell spent two hours researching ice cream flavours and creating a fabulous menu in French. We have learning how to read menus and order pancakes, waffles and ice creams in French this week. F Campbell has been awarded French Star of the Week for his efforts in class and for his wonderful homework. Bravo!