I would like to express a huge thank you to all of the parents who joined us for another successful SEND coffee morning in March. The positive feedback was amazing, and a pleasure to hear! We shared the many opportunities the pupils are given within our Department and how we, as a school, work hard to ensure we offer those reasonable adjustments which prove vital to ensure each pupil in our care is encouraged to reach their full potential, both socially and academically within school and in preparation for adulthood.

We were also joined by Erica Hewetson, our designated Key Worker for PSS [Pupil School Support]. This particular External Agency works closely with the school and our pupils in order to assess, support and offer both Universal and Targeted strategies to help inform SEND profiles and aid the progress of Literacy and Numeracy skills across the curriculum. Erica spoke about how she shares ideas with the SEND department regarding what course of action to try next, and the different ways in which she works with staff on how better to support your child.

To learn more about the many External Agencies we have formed links with in order to further support your child, please visit the SEND Information Report on our website at https://tgbs.co.uk/ Here you will find details services such as: Educational Psychology, CAT Team, Pupil School Support, Forward Thinking Birmingham, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, to name but a few!

To ensure that we celebrate our pupils’ commitment to our TURVES Values and hard work, we asked our Directors of Learning and Heads of House to nominate Y11 pupils who have been exemplary during the run up to and including their final mock GCSE period. There was an overwhelming response from staff, the final 20 pupils selected received 2 or more nominations, positive praise points and superb attendance and punctuality.

The boys were taken to our local Hollywood Bowl where they enjoyed a few games of bowling, pool and even won a teddy bear at the arcades!

Our commitment to improving literacy continues with a focus on developing creative writing this year. ‘Young Writers’ is a national competition that offer multiple opportunities for pupils to submit a range of creative writing from poems to mini sagas. We encourage all pupils to enter but target specific year groups to mirror some of the content in their curricula. The most recent competition ‘Fight or Flight’ invited pupils to write a thrilling tale using their own creative imaginations. We’re seeing more and more entries each time and we have had 22 pupils published from across all year groups but this time 7A have had the most. Our Y7 plan to be the authors of the future!

At Turves Green Boys’ School, we aspire to build successful, resilient, and confident individuals by providing a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom. We believe that personal growth and development are just as important as academic success, and we are committed to offering a wide range of enriching experiences. Through leadership opportunities, educational visits, careers workshops, guest performances and speakers, and a variety of extra-curricular clubs, we aim to inspire every pupil to explore new interests, develop valuable life skills, and reach their full potential.

As we approach the Easter break, we welcome the change in season, with longer and warmer days ahead. This often means that parents and carers feel more comfortable allowing their children to stay after school for extra-curricular activities, as they can travel home safely while it is still light.

We encourage all pupils to take part in extra-curricular activities, as they provide opportunities to develop confidence, social skills, teamwork, and resilience. Engaging in new experiences outside of lessons can also help pupils discover hobbies and interests that may turn into lifelong passions.

With this in mind, from Monday 31st March, we will be hosting two weeks of Extra-Curricular Taster Sessions to offer pupils the chance to try something new. This initiative is designed to inspire them to step out of their comfort zones, build new friendships, and gain confidence in different settings. A full overview of the Extra-Curricular Taster Session programme will be available on our school website from Monday 24th March.

We encourage you to discuss the programme with your child and support them in taking advantage of these opportunities. By participating, they will not only develop new skills but also form positive relationships with peers and staff, strengthening their sense of belonging within our school community.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing our pupils thrive as they explore new experiences.

Our reading rewards vending machine continues to be a focal point of our weekly celebrations on a Friday lunchtime in the new year. Pupils from all year groups are considered and selected for a range of approaches to demonstrating our TURVES Values, representing the school and attendance at extra-curricular clubs.

Winners this week include:

Year 10: S Sullivan – Consistently fantastic. Work exceptionally hard in everything he does.  

Year 8: D Henry-Wright: A quiet but polite and respectful pupil who puts in excellent effort in all lessons.

Year 9: D Aqrawi: A pupil who does not allow challenges to hold him back. Puts in great effort in all lessons and is a good role model within his form group.  

Year 7- T Wilson- He was one pupil who joined the anti-bullying team on our visit to Lime Care home. He was amazing with the residents did not stop chatting and interacting through games with the residents a true credit to the bullying team, and a great representative of Turves that day showing off all of our Turves values.

In order to fulfil our promise to create enriching opportunities for our pupils, the English Faculty have invited the production Katch 22, to perform 'Macbeth'. Both Y10 and 11 watched the performance to support Y11's forthcoming GCSEs and Year 10 are currently studying the play in preparation for the summer exams. This opportunity allows pupils to see Shakespeare in action and covers 20% of their English Literature GCSE. 

The actors were able to draw out key themes, characters and context for pupils with the Q&A session afterwards. The boys asked some insightful questions and gained some useful interpretations for their revision.

Through this academic year the school has been focussing on striving for Oracy – the ability for fluent, clear and articulate speech. The Year 9 students have started their exciting journey into debates and speaking using more formal English in their lessons. The English department is thrilled to see how engaged and enthusiastic the students are as they develop their debating skills.

We are currently focusing on teaching the students how to present ideas and thoughts effectively to a group, while ensuring they use formal English in their responses. Recently, Miss Tom's Year 9 students have been creating rules for their debates, which will help guide them in structuring their arguments clearly and respectfully. These rules will allow them to engage in discussions with confidence and maturity, promoting respectful and evidence-based conversations.

The students have also been learning how to present their ideas in a professional and formal manner. By using polite language and working in groups to share ideas they have been able to make sure their arguments are clear and well-supported. The focus has been on developing their communication skills for both academic and real-world scenarios.

The Year 9s are really embracing this new challenge, and we can’t wait to see how they apply these skills in their upcoming debates. Below are some photos of the students collaborating to create their debate rules and practising their formal responses – showing great teamwork and determination along the way!

Every year on March 14th, mathematicians and enthusiasts around the world celebrate Pi Day, honouring the infinite number π. Pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, plays a crucial role in mathematics, engineering, and space exploration.

This year, our school embraced the spirit of Pi Day with an exciting mathematical puzzle challenge.

Students took part in a hidden question hunt, searching for multiple-choice maths questions placed around the building. Each question tested their knowledge of pi, circles, and logical reasoning. Correct answers provided a letter, and once all were found, they had to be rearranged to spell the surname of a teacher—the final key to solving the puzzle.

Pi is more than just a number—it’s a symbol of the infinite possibilities of mathematics. By participating in challenges like this, students learn that maths isn’t just about equations—it’s a thrilling puzzle waiting to be solved. A massive congratulations to all participants, especially C. Kunzwa 9A1 and Y. Khan 9T1 who were the first to hunt down Mr Downham and deliver the code. Stay curious and remember—maths is everywhere!

Our Year 7 pupils are currently exploring the topic of creation in Religious Education. This week's homework challenge was to design a poster on stewardship, and Khalidou has gone above and beyond! His poster provides a detailed explanation of stewardship, accompanied by a fantastic illustration that beautifully represents the concept. Well done, Khalidou, for your hard work and creativity – a great example of taking pride in your work!

Our pupils who are part of the Princess Diana Award had a heart warming and enriching experience at Limes Care Home as part of their community action badge. During their visit, the boys engaged with the residents in meaningful conversations, learning about their daily lives, personal histories, and the fascinating stories of their younger years. One of the most exciting discoveries was that the oldest resident at the care home is 97 years old! The boys were also delighted to hear about the two adorable rabbits that the residents cherish and enjoy spending time with, adding an extra layer of joy to the visit.

In addition to chatting with the residents, the boys participated in various games, which the residents thoroughly enjoyed. It was wonderful to see the boys interact so naturally and enthusiastically with the older generation. They learned that one resident had even worked for the Queen, a fun and unique fact that made the experience even more memorable. Watching the boys’ bond with the residents and contribute to the atmosphere of care and companionship was truly a heart-warming sight, showcasing the power of intergenerational connections and the positive impact of community service.

We are incredibly proud to have such thoughtful and respectful pupils here at Turves Green Boys' School. Their kindness, dedication, and positive attitudes reflect not only the values of our school but also make them a true credit to our community. Their actions inspire those around them, and we are grateful for the wonderful example they set every day.