Category: BACK TO SCHOOL

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Generosity abounds – non-uniform day and shoebox appeal at Wilson Stuart School

Words & pic supplied by Wilson Stuart School

Students and staff collecting for the shoebox appeal / Pic supplied by Wilson Stuart School

In a commendable display of community spirit, Wilson Stuart recently organised a non-uniform day, encouraging students to donate generously in support of children and young people aided by Birmingham Children’s Services.

The initiative was met with enthusiasm and participation from all classes across school, underscoring our commitment to social responsibility.

Particularly notable was the effort of Challenge 4 class group, whose members demonstrated exceptional dedication in collecting donations. Through their hard work, they inspired classmates to contribute an array of items, ensuring that the shoebox appeal was a resounding success.

The students embraced the opportunity to spread joy and kindness, reinforcing the notion that even small gestures can significantly impact the lives of those in need.

As a result of the collective efforts, our school has successfully filled over 30 shoeboxes, each packed with thoughtful gifts designed to bring comfort and happiness to disadvantaged children this festive season. The shoeboxes will be forwarded to charity organisations, reinforcing the significance of our contributions.

Form Teacher Jenny Worthington expressed her pride in the students’ efforts, stating: “We have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and it is inspiring to see our students come together for such a worthy cause.”

For more on Wilson Stuart School visit www.wilsonstuart.co.uk

Wilson Stuart School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Sixth Form student leads Wilson Stuart School’s Remembrance Day commemorations

Words & pic supplied by Wilson Stuart School

Year 12 student Jack Salloway has demonstrated outstanding leadership and independence in organising this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations across Wilson Stuart School.

A dedicated member of the Scouts, Jack took the initiative to set up a school-wide remembrance event, highlighting his commitment to honouring those who served and sacrificed for freedom.

Jack began his efforts by arranging a meeting with a representative from the Royal British Legion, coordinating the collection of poppies and other items for sale to help raise funds for the charity.

He then rallied a team of fellow students, moving from class to class to encourage participation and raise money in support of soldiers and veterans.

In addition to these efforts within the school, Jack represented Wilson Stuart at an outdoor remembrance service, where he paid his respects alongside the wider community.

His dedication and sense of duty throughout the occasion have made him a remarkable ambassador for Wilson Stuart School.

Associate Head of Secondary, Tom Elmes, praised Jack’s initiative, stating: “Jack’s actions exemplify the core values we hold dear at Wilson Stuart.

“His leadership along with his respect have made a meaningful impact, reminding us all of the importance of remembrance and community.”

For more on Wilson Stuart School visit www.wilsonstuart.co.uk

Wilson Stuart School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Helping young people with disabilities reach their goals

Words & pic supplied by The Hive College

The Hive College works with young people with disabilities to help prepare them for adulthood. Our motto is “Believing Is Achieving”.

Did you know that just 4.8% of adults with disabilities are in paid work? Shocking, isn’t it? Well, we at The Hive want to change that. We use Supported Internships to help our learners get into paid work.

They are similar to apprenticeships in that the learners spend the majority of their time in the workplace, getting hands-on experience whilst continuing to improve their English, Maths and ICT skills at college.

We send a Job Coach with the learners to ensure they are adding value to the business and have the support they need to put in place any reasonable adjustments they need due to their disabilities.

Over a year, the Job Coaches step back and allow the students to become independent at their job roles until they are no longer needed. At this point the business is expected to offer them an interview for a paid position.

We had great success last year with Reece who is now working as a cleaner for Serco and with Dan who has a job with Danny Sullivan Group (DSG).

About having Reece work at Serco, Gary Tempest, Facility Manager, told: “Reece brightens up every room he enters, and he is loved by all our team and customers.

“His passion, enthusiasm and desire to secure employment was so refreshing. Myself and the team at Northfield can’t wait to welcome into our work family.”

About his job with DSG, Dan Morgan told: “Thanks for helping me on my journey, it’s not the end but more of a new beginning.”

For more on The Hive College visit: www.hivecollege.org.uk

The Hive College is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Queensbury School celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights

Words and pics by supplied by Queensbury School

Our school’s Diwali celebration was a vibrant and joyous occasion filled with cultural decorations, and togetherness.

The main celebration took place on the 4 Nov, starting with teachers showing Diwali presentations explaining the Festival of Lights.

The festivities began with students decorating classrooms with beautiful rangoli patterns and traditional diyas. This transformed the entire school into a glowing haven of light and colour, capturing the essence of Diwali.

During form time, teachers spoke about the significance of celebrating Diwali with eco-friendly practices, promoting a message of responsibility and care for the environment. Students were also encouraged to reflect on the school values of diversity, kindness and respect.

The event concluded with leaving everyone with smiles and the warmth of celebration. The Diwali celebration brought our school community closer, creating cherished memories and reinforcing cultural values.

For more Queensbury School visit www.queensburysch.com

Queensbury School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Kings Rise Academy unites in remembrance for the fallen

Words and pics by KRA Editorial Team

On 11 November at Kings Rise Academy, students gathered to honour Remembrance Day, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in war.

At 11 o’clock, the whole school observed a two-minute silence, where we all stayed quiet to show our respect for the soldiers who fought for our country. Many of us wore poppies as a way to remember the bravery of those who sacrificed so much.

Year 6 played a special role in the ceremony by reading a poem dedicated to the fallen. The words of the poem were powerful and moving, making us think deeply about how much was given up by people who came before us.

Listening to it, we felt proud, and it was like we were all saying thank you in our own way.

Mrs Noonan (head teacher) reminded us that this day is important to help us understand the meaning of remembrance and why we should never forget those who protected our future. Standing together in silence, it was clear that everyone felt the importance of this moment.

Kings Rise Academy’s ceremony showed that as a school, we are grateful for the sacrifices made for us, and we will always honour those who gave everything.

Kings Rise Editorial Team: Sienna Mills (Y5), Zaneta Onojah (Y5), Liyana Walters (Y5), Riley Mortiboys (Y5), Hiba Ahmed (Y4), Ehichoya Jason Obor (Y5).

For more on Kings Rise Academy visit www.kingsrise.org

Kings Rise Academy is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

To find out more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Year 4 children at Kingsthorne Primary School visit Twycross Zoo

Words and pics supplied by Kingsthorne Primary School

On Friday 18 October, Year 4 children from Kingsthorne Primary School went to Twycross Zoo on a coach. When they were there, they saw lots of different animals – read some of their experiences and memories from the days below.

Rainbow Lorikeets:
“The rainbow lorikeets were one of the first animals we saw. They are rainbow birds with tongues instead of teeth. We got some disgusting yellow food and went to the exhibition. At first, the rainbow lorikeets where nowhere to be seen but then they kept coming and coming! They were attracted by the awful looking food!”

Orangutans:
“The orangutans were so big and orange it was quite scary! They had a big play enclosure with lots of equipment for them to climb, swing and jump off. Maybe we could have some of that for our playground…”

Butterflies:
“The butterflies are kept in a warm enclosure because this is more like their habitat at home. They were really bright and colourful and ate very sweet fruits. Up close, you could see how delicate their wings are.”

Other memories from the day:
“We were lucky enough to see bonobos, guerillas, rhinos, penguins and cheetahs too.”

“It was a great day at the zoo and when we got back on the coach to return to school we were tired but very happy!”

Thank-you to all of the Y4 children that contributed to this article, including: Zofia, Almamo, Layla, Kobie, Alis, Rim, Rebecca, Khadeza, Anomika, Jessie-Ann, Pernell, Lincoln, and Amelia.

For more on Twycross Zoo visit www.twycrosszoo.org

For more on Kingsthorne Primary School visit www.kingsthorneprimary.co.uk

Kingsthorne Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Wilson Stuart students embrace the love of reading

Words & pic supplied by Wilson Stuart School

Wilson Stuart School student with books from Bookbuzz 

Students at Wilson Stuart School are wholeheartedly embracing the joy of reading, thanks to their recent engagement with the Book Trust scheme, ‘Bookbuzz’.

This innovative initiative allows the school to pay a subscription, granting access to a vibrant selection of accessible, high-quality books.

Pupils are encouraged to conduct investigative work on these books, determining their interest before choosing one to enjoy at home and school. If they find a book to their liking, they have the delightful opportunity to keep it, thereby gaining access to hundreds of literary treasures throughout the year.

Central to this initiative is a generous donation from the Children’s Book Project, which has significantly enriched the students’ reading experience.

All children at Wilson Stuart School are now able to select a book to take home, fostering a lasting love of literature and ensuring every child has access to quality reading material.

A special visitor this year was Woody from Toy Story, adding excitement to the occasion.

Literacy lead Kristyl Bonner and EYFS learning lead Charlotte Davis expressed their gratitude, stating: “We would like to say a massive thank you to the Children’s Book Project in donating to Wilson Stuart and giving our students the opportunity to come along, pick up and take home a book of their choice. It shows the importance of reading and the power of books.”

For more on Wilson Stuart School visit www.wilsonstuart.co.uk

Wilson Stuart School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.    

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Change of season – a poem by Daniel Selwood

By Daniel Selwood

We start with cold air.
Weak, unwarm sunshine,
Falling in rays –
A cold wind heaving
His chorus …

Imperceptible fade into summer,
The sound of happiness personified –
The tinkle of wind chimes,
The slam of struggling sea waves,
And the smell of cut, hot grass …

Then the weather makes an
Imprint like a potato: nice, paintable skies –
Yellow clouds and flying birds.
The smell of fire and the sound of crows …

We end with cold air.
A frosty feeling –
The taste of colds wrapped in a bandage
Around our tongues,
Burned away with a hot, sweet drink…

Daniel Selwood is a student at The Hive College who is involved in our BACK TO SCHOOL, LOCAL AMBASSADORS, and GET WRITING GET WORKING programmes – providing him a platform to support and develop his writing.

For more on The Hive College visit: www.hivecollege.org.uk

 The Hive College is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Queensbury School celebrate Black History Month

Words and pics by supplied by Queensbury School

Staff and students at Queensbury School presenting a collage for Black History Month

Queensbury engaged students in a meaningful exploration of influential Black figures and their contributions to society by celebrating Black History Month.

Students participated in research projects focused on notable individuals, ranging from civil rights leaders to artists, scientists, and activists.

In classrooms, teachers facilitated discussions about the historical context of these figures, encouraging students to delve into their lives, challenges, and accomplishments. Students worked in groups to present their findings, using creative formats like posters and presentations.

The initiative not only fostered a deeper understanding of Black history but also promoted critical thinking and teamwork.

A closer look at Queensbury School student’s work for Black History Month

Students learned about figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Owen Jesse, George and contemporary leaders, gaining insight into their struggles for equality and justice.

The celebration culminated in a school-wide event where students showcased their research through displays and posters.

This collaborative effort highlighted the importance of Black history, encouraging students to appreciate the cultural contributions while inspiring them to continue advocating for equality and understanding in their own lives.

For more Queensbury School visit www.queensburysch.com

Queensbury School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Design your own Christmas card project at Marsh Hill Primary School

Words and pics supplied by Marsh Hill Primary School

Designs on Christmas cards and other festive items printed by School Print World

Festive fun has come early at Marsh Hill Primary, as children across the school get ready for a special ‘design your own Christmas card’ project to celebrate the autumn/winter term.

Teaming up with education print and fundraising specialists School Print World, the project will let the children’s imaginations run wild – and then see their designs on a personally designed Christmas card, which parents and carers can order online for the festive season.

A lot of fun and teaching children to have confidence with their own artwork, the schoolwide project is also a chance for Marsh Hill to raise extra funds – whilst encouraging creativity.

The cards are sold online (much cheaper than in the shops) and give families a chance to send something really special to their loved ones over the festive period.

School Print World work with schools across the UK, bringing innovative and art driven creative projects that support fundraising, and can print the designs on a range of festive items – including mugs, calendars, and even scented candles.

Marsh Hill Primary School Deputy Head, Mrs Leavey, told: “The design your own Christmas card project is about getting the children really engaged in creativity and art, producing something special for their families and loved ones.

“It’s a lot of fun and can be a great way to raise a bit of extra funds for the school during the festive season. We can’t wait to see what the children come up with.”

For more on Marsh Hill Primary School visit www.marshill.bham.sch.uk

Marsh Hill Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: [email protected]