Matrix Academy Trust can proudly announce that we have been successful in two bids for the new Turing Scheme. We will therefore be able to offer experiences across all five Matrix secondary schools for 100 pupils to go abroad to experience life in Spain or Germany in 2022. The Turing Scheme replaces the Erasmus project, which, for many years, has supported pupils to travel, learn and study internationally.

We will shortly be opening applications for 10 Year 8 pupils to apply to go on the Turing Germany project and a further 10 Year 9 pupils to apply to go on the Turing Spain project. Our projects are planned to take place in Fulda near Frankfurt in Germany and the Costa Del Sol in Spain.

For the successful applicants this will be a life-changing opportunity: the chance to travel internationally, working alongside other pupils from the Matrix Academy Trust schools and meeting German or Spanish pupils. Pupils taking part will also take part in pre-mobility work between schools to learn about the host countries culture, language, food, schools and ways of life.

On Monday 13^th September, some year 11 pupils were able to get some first-hand advice and information about Army careers.  Members of the Army came into school and ran sessions about life in the Army, careers and training opportunities.  Pupils were also able to take part in team building, problem solving and awareness activities.

Jahziah

‘It was a really interesting day. I gained greater knowledge of what the army can offer and the careers it can lead to. It was also fun, I really enjoyed the air-soft shooting and target practice.’

Taylor

‘It was a fun day.  I really enjoyed the shooting range and measuring reaction times. It was also interesting to learn about the options available to you in the Army such as Engineering and Mechanics.  I also learned how you can get paid while you are learning.  It has definitely given me more options to consider when I leave school’

Callum

‘It was interesting to get to know the soldiers and their backgrounds, as well as their mentality and what it is like in the Army day to day.  I learned about their fitness routines as well as the career opportunities.  It has definitely turned my mind to consider the opportunities the Army has to offer.’

On Monday 13^th September, 26 Year 11 Prefects attended training at Ackers Trust.  Here, they undertook team building exercises.  They were put under pressure and had to make decisions in difficult situations. The Prefects were then tasked with Canoeing, something many had not done, they were paired with people that they will have to work with.   Here they had to work in tandem to ensure the Canoe turned the right way, went in the right direction, and most importantly did not sink (This cannot be said for all the boats). The pupils finished with tobogganing in the afternoon.  It appears very few fear speed nor heights.

The Prefects put these skills to work on Tuesday 14^th September in the schools open evening. The prefects toured parents around the School, answered questions from year 6 pupils as well as parents.

The prefects will now finish the rest of their training, they will be safeguard trained ready to start peer mentoring as well as paired reading with younger pupils.

First Day of Lessons

The first day of school when all pupils start lessons is Monday 6^th September. We will have a staggered start and pupils will line up on the playground as they have done all year. 

The table below explains the start times for each year group.

We are looking forward to welcoming you all back and kick starting the academic year!

You can access a wealth of Maths activities over the summer holidays using the links below:

https://hegartymaths.com/login/learner : Hegarty Maths

https://www.transum.org : Games, puzzles, times tables

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/secondary : Interactive activities for most topics

https://thirdspacelearning.com/blog/maths-games-ks3 : Family maths games

https://nrich.maths.org/9465 : Interactive games and challenges

https://uk.ixl.com : Maths quizzes by topic

Year 9 pupils from Turves Green Boys’ School met with the MP for Northfield, Gary Sambrook and were able to question him about some of the key issues affecting young people in the local area.  They questioned him on issues such as: climate change, education,  facilities for young people in the area and even foreign policy!  They were also able to ask about his own ambition to be a politician.  

A big thank you to Gary for taking the time to visit Turves Green Boys’ School and spend sometime with our pupils.

I am sure you will appreciate that the current pandemic situation has forced us to review a number of processes within Turves Green Boys’ School.  Most of you will be familiar with Parent Mail, our cashless system that enables you to pay remotely for trips, school meals and any other school related purchases. Parent Mail can be accessed securely via computer or smartphone. 

From 7^th June 2021, Turves Green Boys’ School will become a cashless school. This will mean that we will no longer accept cash for any school related purchase including school meals. All payments will be made remotely via our Parent Mail system, or alternatively via a PayPoint retailer using a barcode. The cash top up machines within school will be removed. 

Most schools became cashless to reduce the health risk to pupils and staff, as well as for security reasons.

For the majority of you there will be no change as you actively use Parent Mail accounts.  However; there are some parents/carers who have never actively used their child’s Parent Mail account. It is essential that parents/carers activate their child’s Parent Mail account otherwise they will be unable to purchase any food within school or attend any trips/events etc. Should you have any queries regarding this, please email postbox@tgbs.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support.

Dear Parents/Carers, 

I am delighted to announce that Turves Green Boys’ School is to join Matrix Academy Trust. We are a Trust with four schools, 4,600 children, nearly 600 staff and a passion for school improvement. All of our schools have improved in Ofsted terms since joining the Trust. Our aim will be to work with pupils, parents and staff at Turves Green Boys’ to support the many improvements that have taken place since the school was placed in special measures. 

As a Trust we have high expectations of pupil behaviour both within and outside of school. Our commitment to safeguarding children is very strong. Usually we would have met with parents to introduce ourselves and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. If you do have any questions please do not hesitate to send them addressed to me at postbox@matrixacademytrust.co.uk. 

Turves Green Boys’ School will become an Academy on 1 May 2021. This means that instead of Birmingham City Council employing the staff, the staff will transfer across to be employed by Matrix Academy Trust. We pride ourselves in developing outstanding teachers and support staff. Our schools all have committed staff and a wide range of before and after school activities including a Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh opportunities and children who are very keen to learn. 

We hope that working in partnership with yourselves and your sons, together we can make a big difference at Turves Green Boys’ School. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

Strava Update
A massive well done to all those who have been keeping active during extra-curricular hours. A
special mention to the top two performers on the schools tracking app – B.Miles movement
time of 3 hours 13 minutes and H.Peck movement time of 1 hour and 15 minutes

Extra-Curricular Sports – Return in the Summer Term
Notice for all pupils; please look out for the extra-curricular information/posters around school after
the holidays, information will be coming out on how you can sign up for after school clubs in the
Summer Term. In line with government guidance the PE Department hope to re-launch extracurricular sports clubs after school in the Summer Term.