Earlier in the term, pupils selected books they would like to see in the library as part of the National Literacy Trust's Book Buzz initiative. At TGBS, our commitment to improving reading continues by buying into this scheme which culminates in all pupils in Yr 7, 8 and 9 receiving their chosen book as a gift for Christmas. 

Our librarian and reading ambassadors have been working hard over the last week to get the books ready for staff and senior leaders to deliver to pupils in forms with their personalised bookmarks ahead of their awards assemblies. Please support us by encouraging pupils to read them at home and Merry Christmas! 

Throughout November students on Mathswatch have attempted over 10400 questions with 4800 already completed in December. That means that our leaderboards for each month were:

November

1. O. Davis 7B2
2. L. Connolly 8B1
3. Y. Embaye 7T1

December

1. L. Commander 11A1
2. J. Choi 10A1
3. T. Farrell 10B1

And as we are at the end of the year it is time to show off the year in review as a sort of “Mathswatch wrapped”. So, this year as a school we have logged in 6,214 times spending 1,204.3 hours (that’s over 50 days)! In that time, we have completed 32,976 questions!!!! Top of the yearly leaderboard is H. Saho Saho 7A1 who has achieved 2011 points so far this year! Absolutely blazing ahead of the competition. E Oguntimehin 7A1 and O Davis 7B2 should also be commended with a very close battle for second place.

Well done to all in your Mathswatch efforts this year. Be sure to log on over Christmas, especially year 11 to complete the past papers that have been set online by your maths teachers.

The court was alive with energy as our Year 7 and 8 mixed basketball team faced off against the Year 8 team from Queensbridge in what was their very first game. Though the final score saw us down by 10 points, the match was a testament to determination, skill, and teamwork. 

A Close Second Quarter 

The game started with some early pressure from Queensbridge, but our team quickly found their rhythm. The second quarter was particularly thrilling as the gap narrowed, with our players matching Queensbridge basket for basket. The grit and resilience displayed during this period were remarkable and kept supporters on the edge of their seats. 

Standout Performances 

Several players shone brightly in this debut match: 

• Shanrique was a standout star, showing impressive control, agility, and vision on the court, creating opportunities and scoring crucial points. 

• Ferdinand delivered a defensive masterclass, consistently challenging the opposition and making life difficult for their key players. 

The Year 7 players were equally impressive, more than holding their own against the older and more experienced Year 8 Queensbridge team. Their confidence and composure under pressure speak volumes about their potential. 

A Promising Future 

While this match ended in defeat, it was a fantastic learning experience and a proud moment for all involved. The teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship displayed promise a bright future for this young squad. 

Well done to all our players for their effort and passion. We look forward to seeing you back on the court, stronger and ready for the next challenge! 

Please Congratulate the following boys for their role; 

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. Our first offering was from Year 10 who are refining their GCSE writing skills by crafting and condensing their stories to 100 words. We had over 30 pupils enter and obtain certificates, 8 of those pupils gave permission to have their work published in the final ‘Mission Chaos – Collapsing Worlds’ anthology. We have since had further entries from Y7 and 8 – watch this space for more fantastic publish writing from our talented pupils.  

Our focus on improving literacy in and out of the classroom continues this year with increased entries to national writing competitions. Young Writers is a national writing organisation that provides pupils of ll ages with opportunities to show off their creative talents.

Our most recent entries were for the poetry ‘Beautiful Truth’ saw 27 pupils awarded certificates for their entries and a chance to have their work published in an anthology.

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate those Year 11 students that put the upmost effort into their recent mock exams. You have shown how self-motivation can pay off! I would like to give a particular shout out to Keiron F and Sheik C for their unwavering dedication in History. I would also like to praise Kayden H for his vast improvement and acquisition of fundamental historical disciplines, that were skilfully demonstrated in his assessment papers!

Well done boys, Mr Mansfield.  

This week, Year 10 students had the opportunity to take part in the “My Money: Jobs & Apprenticeships” talks, which were delivered during their regular maths lessons. The sessions provided an excellent link to their ongoing classroom work on money management, fractions, decimals, and percentages, and offered students practical insights into careers and personal finance.

The talks began with an activity on true or false statements about work and apprenticeships, helping students learn key facts about workers’ rights, including pay entitlements and the differences between full-time, part-time, and zero-hour contracts. This activity encouraged students to think critically about employment conditions and understand what to expect as they transition into the working world.

In the second activity, students were challenged with a hypothetical budgeting exercise. Given £320 as a weekly wage, they had to plan their spending on essentials such as food, bills, and accommodation. This hands-on task demonstrated the importance of financial literacy and the need to make thoughtful spending choices to manage limited resources effectively.

Students were also introduced to apprenticeships as a valuable career pathway, learning how they provide a unique opportunity to earn while learning and gain practical skills in a chosen field. The talks also covered the skills employers are looking for, helping students understand how to prepare for future opportunities.

These sessions not only supported the maths curriculum but also provided essential life skills that students can carry with them into adulthood. We’re proud of how engaged and thoughtful our Year 10s were throughout the talks, and we thank the presenters for delivering such a valuable learning experience.

Year 10 BTEC Drama Students Explore Characterization with Professional Actor

On Thursday, Year 10 BTEC Drama pupils had the exciting opportunity to attend a workshop led by a professional actor, where they explored key drama devices and how to bring characters to life through physical performance. The session focused on Blood Brothers, a well-known play by Willy Russell, and provided pupils with valuable tools for enhancing their portrayal of characters using body language and facial expressions.

The workshop began with an overview of essential drama devices that actors use to engage audiences and develop characters. These devices include monologue, soliloquy, freeze frame, gesture, and dramatic irony. Through practical exercises, students learned how these tools help tell a story beyond just spoken words.

One of the core focuses of the workshop was on how to convey characterization through non-verbal performance. The professional actor emphasized that body language and facial expressions are powerful tools for conveying the emotional depth of a character without relying solely on dialogue.

To demonstrate this, the actor led the class through a series of exercises where pupils embodied different characters from Blood Brothers. Each pupil was asked to perform a short scene while paying particular attention to their posture, movement, and expressions. The professional actor offered personalized feedback, showing how slight changes in stance or facial expression could dramatically shift the way a character was perceived. For instance, shifting from an open posture to a closed, defensive position can instantly reveal a character's internal conflict or insecurity.

The actor used scenes from Blood Brothers to bring these techniques into context. In particular, they looked at how the characters of Mickey and Eddie, as well as their mother, Mrs. Johnstone, are portrayed through both physicality and dialogue. For instance, Mickey’s physical transformation—from a cheerful, energetic young boy to a more frustrated and defeated adult—was explored in depth. By adjusting his posture, movements, and facial expressions, pupils were able to understand how to reflect these changes in their own performances.

By the end of the workshop, Year 10 BTEC Drama pupils had gained a deeper understanding of how to use body language and facial expressions to bring characters to life on stage. The professional actor’s expert guidance helped pupils to see beyond the script and focus on how their physical choices could enhance their storytelling.

The session was an invaluable opportunity for pupils to refine their performance skills and gain insight into the professional world of acting. As they continue to study Blood Brothers, the techniques they learned will no doubt prove useful in helping them create more dynamic, engaging portrayals of the play’s complex characters.

Today, thirteen of our Year 8 students had an exciting opportunity to attend the University of Birmingham’s Maths and Science Discovery Day. The event aimed to give young learners an inside look at studying STEM subjects at university. Through engaging workshops and hands-on activities, students explored various aspects of STEM fields, sparking curiosity and expanding their understanding of how these subjects impact everyday life.

The day included two interactive workshops. The first session focused on cyber security, where students learned about the growing importance of online safety and the risks associated with phishing. Through real-world examples and activities, students were taught how to recognise phishing attempts and protect themselves online—a critical skill in today’s digital world.

The second workshop explored renewable energy, specifically solar power. Students learned how solar panels generate electricity, the balance between using and storing power, and practical energy-saving upgrades for homes. This session not only introduced students to sustainable energy solutions but also highlighted the importance of energy conservation for the future of our planet.

To wrap up the day, students enjoyed a Q&A session with university student ambassadors, who shared insights into university life, from academics to extracurriculars. The ambassadors introduced them to the over 300 societies available at the University of Birmingham, showcasing the variety of ways students can connect and pursue their interests beyond the classroom.

As a fun conclusion, our students were challenged to create their own society. With an inspired bit of creativity from A. Taylor 8B1, they designed the Water Fight Society—a club where students could cool off with water fights using water guns and reusable water balloons, reducing plastic waste. The imaginative concept presented by T. Lancaster 8B1 and C. Hamshaw 8B1won over the student ambassadors, who awarded our students the Best Society idea

Our Year 8s returned inspired and motivated, having gained new insights into STEM and university life. This day was a wonderful opportunity for them to see firsthand the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in both their academic and personal journeys.

A group of Year 8 pupils had an incredible opportunity to visit Keble College at Oxford University, exploring one of the UK's most prestigious institutions and gaining valuable insights into the world of higher education. The day began with an engaging presentation, where pupils learned about the benefits of university life and were able to ask questions to the university liaison officer and student ambassadors. Following this, they enjoyed a guided tour of Keble College and another nearby college, experiencing the inspiring atmosphere of Oxford. Our Year 8 pupils were outstanding representatives of our school, impressing everyone with their curiosity and respectful conduct. A huge well done to each of them for making the school and their families proud!