We can’t wait for you to try this years Christmas dinner. Here is a flavour of what you can expect:

On Wednesday 10th November, the BBC came into school and conducted a Q&A with pupils about different careers within the BBC.  Pupils were able to hear about careers such as: presenting, producing, sound and lighting engineering and designing.   A presenter, a producer and a designer with the BBC were all on hand to give pupils information about routes into those careers and took questions from pupils.  It was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to get a real insight into careers within broadcasting and television.

On Thursday 4th November,  members of The Royal Navy came into school to work with our year 10 Hospitality and Catering groups.  Pupils developed their cooking skills while working under timed conditions and with limited ingredients.  Their challenge was to produce a two-course meal, with just a basic list of ingredients.  As well as helping pupils develop skills necessary for their GCSE,  it also provided an interesting insight into catering and other careers within the Royal Navy. 

The winners of the group challenges were: Joshua H, Mason P, Max R, Lewis D, Jake E, Sidney M, Dominic S and Ellis M. 

Well done boys.

Performance and Interactive Workshop

As part of their PSHE work, Pupils in years 7-10 enjoyed a production entitled ‘Switch Up’.  It was a thought-provoking drama performance followed by a workshop programme which focused on the complex, interrelated issues of knife crime, gang violence and self-identity.

Through the workshop, pupils were able to question the actors, take part in a hot seating activity and were given some hard hitting facts about knife crime in the UK.

‘Today we watched a production by the Saltmine theatre company.  The production was about gangs and knife crime and how your life is priceless and worth more than gangs or drugs.  It was a great experience and there was also a good amount of interactivity in a work shop.  Some of the facts shocked us! The conflict in the production was realistic and affected the students watching.  I would like to tank Saltmine for coming to our school’

 Dominic O 

‘The play opened with a dramatic ending! The tensions were high and the purpose of the play, to educate about knife crime and gangs, was set.  It really spread awareness about knife crime amongst kids and I found it really interesting.  Not only was the message received load and clear, but the actors also kept us hooked with the brilliant play’

Jas S

It’s been a busy half term for Careers Education at Turves Green Boys’ School.  There have been a number of activities undertaken by KS4 to give them the knowledge and experiences they need to be able to make informed choices about where they want to go, post 16.

Year 10 and 11 Careers Fair

On Wednesday 13th October, Year 10 and Year 11 Pupils attended a Careers Fair on Wednesday 13th October.  Pupils were able to meet, in person, representatives from the world of work, apprenticeships and Post 16 Education.  Before attending the fair, pupils were advised about Level 3 courses, and the importance of success at GCSE.  Pupils were informed about BTECs, T-Levels, A-Levels and Apprenticeships and were able to meet with employers and educators who could provide specific guidance for each pupil.  Sam was really interested to find out about modern apprenticeships, including one in Archaeology and John was really engaged with how he could get on a Business course in September 2022.  Most importantly, pupils were able to start those conversations about the next steps in their education and training.

‘The day was perfect if you didn’t know what you wanted to do, like myself, for college there were lots of colleges and apprentice opportunities for you to look at and talk to some staff members.  I think it helped me a lot with what colleges I could pick for my further education once I leave Turves Green Boys’ and I had spoken to places such as Cadbury Sixth Form College which I really liked, Access College in Digbeth I really liked there too. There were many more to see and talk to.  I think it was a huge help for people who struggle to find a college that is good for them and what education they can offer you to do if you select there. For me, I want to be a teacher, so I would like to get into teaching and many of the colleges there offered that course so it was a big bonus.

I had a great time there and would love to do another it would really help’

Noah yr. 11

45 Year 11 pupils went to the Birmingham University on Monday 13th September, to see the value of hard work in Year 11 and where academic success can lead to. 

Freddie

‘We learnt about ways of managing our wellbeing, which are applicable to everyday life, rather than only university

The first introductory session made me realise the importance of GCSEs and the extent of their impact.  GCSE results are more important to universities than the predictions that A-Level teachers will make.

The student testimonials were also helpful, as they provided alternative ways of university education, such as an apprentice degree.

The talk on Russell Group Universities gave a brief history of recent universities, whilst listing the university’s accomplishments and other universities’ academic prestige’

Dylan

‘My highlights of the day were:  having good examples of wellbeing and a more in depth view of how to maintain a good wellbeing and showing us the jobs which now require degrees or jobs which we may not have thought needed them. The environment was good as it didn’t hinder or obstruct anyone and had enough space for people to work comfortably They also showed us the difference in pay for someone with a degree, which was considerably higher.’