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24 July 2019
Dear all,
It is with delight that I write to you at the end of a long and busy term. It is also the end of the school year – for some, like my own eldest, the end of a school career. It is also the end of my first full year as Headteacher of this wonderful school.
Our staff and students are the most important asset we have and it is with great sadness that at the end of this term we say goodbye to Mr Shah and the long-serving Mrs Bristow from our teaching staff. Over past years, the school has averaged thirteen teachers departing each summer – this year there are only two. I hope this is an accurate barometer for how happy and settled our community is. We are some way off perfect, but are committed to our positive journey ahead. We are equally proud that there are only two further departures across the entire staff body. That said, it is again with great sadness that we are losing two long-serving and loyal staff members - Mrs Bunyan and Mrs Wheeler, who will be retiring, I wish all of our leavers the very best for the future.
Meanwhile, I have been delighted to report to the Governors that the school is not just fully staffed for September, but is expanding. Mrs Hanson joins the Business Studies Team and Mrs Nijjar joins the Science Teaching Team, with Mr Nesden and Mrs McCarthy joining as Science Technicians. We have expanded our Cover Supervisor provision from September and welcome Mrs Brown, Mrs McCullough and Mrs Jones. This will virtually eliminate the use of external supply teachers, which will support our quest for clear routines that support excellent behaviour. Meanwhile, Mr Stroud joins the team as a Minibus Driver and Mr Oliver as a Pastoral Assistant.
I have been keen to build the future of the school around the standards already reached, but also to ensure that the vision for the future is one based around a desired culture. I do not seek a uniformity in what we do but a conformity to the School’s Vision and Mission. We do not all have to do things the same way but we do need to “buy in”. I am regularly heard saying that there is so much more to The Buckingham School than exam results, but what is the character that we strive so hard to develop?
As such, all School Staff launched a huge piece of work just after the Easter Break and we developed seven virtues that we seek to embed in our students. There are many choices out there, but we selected seven that we particularly cherish. The students have subsequently been involved in discussions with the Student Leadership Team around what the virtues mean to them. There is so much more to come on this next term but for now, I will reveal that we will be opening our year focussing on Ambition and Curiosity.
Next year will also be very much about the promotion of the mental health and well-being of our whole community. As such, I am proud to say that our entire staff team will be receiving specific training over the course of the year. We strive to become a Trauma Informed School – a school of thought which centres on the desirability of positive relationships, predictable structures and self-regulation. We recognise that some of our students require particular empathy in understanding them, but we can also apply the lessons learned in that respect to our dealings with all students (and each other). We are also launching our initiative to give all of our staff mental health first aid training in the coming year and launching the Peer Education Programme, building on the school’s strong tradition of student-student mentoring.
I thank everyone in our community for their hard work and support this year and I wish you all a well-earned break, with the sun shining for us all!
With best wishes,
Mr A McGinnes
Headteacher
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Princess Diana Award - Anti-Bullying Ambassador Training
On 27 June, the Anti-Bullying Team went to Aylesbury to attend The Princess Diana Award Training for Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
It was a fantastic day and the students really embraced all the activities and contributed to the event.
Each member of the team received their own Anti-Bullying Ambassador Badge and are already planning events for the next academic year to raise the team's profile and earn further badges dedicated to different aspects of anti-bullying.
I look forward to updating you next term, watch this space!
Mrs A Wallace, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator
PS. We have now produced an information leaflet on Anti-Bullying and this can be viewed and downloaded here.
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STEM Update
We’ve had an incredibly busy year of STEM, embedding events and processes to further improve the aspirations of our students, supporting their interests and needs.
During this term alone, we've taken two groups to visit the University of Buckingham, attended the first Milton Keynes TeenTech Festival, hosted two Festivals and an event designed to spark a discussion about the barriers women face when getting involved in STEM careers. All this was capped off with a series of STEM challenges during the school’s Enrichment Week.
I look forward to expanding what we offer in terms of STEM enrichment and helping build the links between our students and their future careers.
Ms L Townes, STEM Lead
Two photos below from STEM Enrichment Week.
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Primary Schools Computer Science Festival
The Buckingham School hosted our Primary Schools Computer Science Festival on 25 June 2019. The day was aimed at giving twenty Year 6 pupils from each Primary School the opportunity to work with their peers in a variety of Computer Science based activities. Tasks included two problem solving sessions, multiple mini activities based on the excellent Unplugged Computer Science Program and EV3 Robotics, all of which took place in the Computer Science suites.
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TeenTech Milton Keynes 2019
Students were invited to attend TeenTech, a brand new and powerful interactive Tech Festival aimed at helping young people understand the range of opportunities across Science and Technology and the many different entry points. Businesses and organisations such as Microsoft, Red Bull Racing, Metropolitan Police and Bletchley Park were involved with the exhibition. Students took part in activities such as VR, Cyber Security and Engineering. Our group was accompanied by a STEM Ambassador – who supported, inspired and provided insights into a career in Technology.
Students had the opportunity to meet leading companies and take part in exciting challenges.
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The day's focus was to challenge minds – especially those who may never have previously considered a career in Science or Technology! The festival will be a catalyst for ongoing activity in and building links with local and national employers.
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Author Visit to School
We recently invited published author, Helen Dennis to school to work with our Year 7 students.
Helen Dennis has worked as a teacher at the largest junior school in Europe for twenty years. For many of these she was Head of English with special responsibility for Talented and Gifted provision.
Her fiction series SECRET BREAKERS – which she explored at the workshop – was launched in 2012 by Hodder Children’s Books.
As code cracking is integral to the plot of SECRET BREAKERS and symbols form the basis for discovery in RIVER OF INK, the workshop that she delivered looked at code cracking challenges throughout history and how symbols are used to hide information.
Using a range of artefacts as stimulus, as well as real stories and characters from history, Helen Dennis looked at how authors combine fact with fiction in their writing. Reference was made to the real characters and locations used in both SECRET BREAKERS and RIVER OF INK.
Dennis immersed the students in interactive activities using British Sign Language and Makaton and reference was made to symbols in art and architecture, as well as hiding information in code. It was a real ‘hands on’ session!
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Buckingham School Sports Partnership County Finals
Teams represented The Buckingham School at The Buckingham School Sports Partnership County Finals in Rugby, Football, Table Tennis & Netball. During the opening ceremony the England Netball captain gave all the children words of inspiration before being taken to their sporting venues. All of the teams performed admirably with the starring team performance coming from the Girls Rugby Team who didn't lose a single game and went on to win the School Games Cup.
Mr L Churchward, Curriculum Leader for PE
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Junior Maths Challenge Success 2019
Students at The Buckingham School have been successful in this year’s UK Mathematics Trust Junior Maths Challenge. There were over 270,000 entrants nationally; the top 6% receiving a gold certificate; the next 13% silver; and 21% achieving bronze.
Twenty students from Year 7 and 8 entered the Junior Challenge this year which resulted in five students in Year 7 receiving bronze certificates. Year 8 students saw one gold, four silver and nine bronze certificates. Seth, Year 8, who received gold, also received Best in Year, Best in School and qualified for the International Mathematical Kangaroo Challenge. The School is extremely pleased with all students who participated in both Challenges, including those who did not qualify to take part this year.
The Junior Maths Challenge is run by the UK Mathematics Trust and supported by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. It is aimed at those in Years 7 and 8.
“The Maths Challenges provide material to provoke students’ mathematical thinking and test their problem solving skills in an accessible and yet challenging way. Many congratulations to The Buckingham School on their success in the Junior Maths Challenge; it is great to see achievement in mathematics recognised.” Rachel Greenhalgh, UKMT Executive Director.
Mr B Waine, Assistant Curriculum Leader for Mathematics
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Enrichment Week 2019 has been a tremendous success! We have had students participating in a whole range of activities such walking with Alpacas, Ice-Skating, trip to Harry Potter Studios, Stowe Walk, Golf Week, Map-Reading etc., in addition to activities running on-site such as Vegan Cooking, Olympics, Crime Scene Investigates, Media, Journalism, Archery and many more... Photos will be displayed in and around school early in the Autumn term, in the meantime, here's a few already sent to the Marketing team.
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Geocaching in Buckingham - Enrichment Week
Have you ever tried Geocaching? It's an outdoor treasure hunt game in which the participants use GPS to hide and seek containers (called geocaches or caches) anywhere around the world. A group of students geocached in Buckingham as part of Enrichment Week. Not only is geocaching fun, it offers a peak into the history of the town, at the same time.
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Geodesic Dome Building - Enrichment Week
A geodesic dome is a hemispherical thin-shell structure (lattice-shell) based on a geodesicpolyhedron. The triangular elements of the dome are structurally rigid and distribute the structural stress throughout the structure, making geodesic domes able to withstand heavy loads for their size.
Students followed instructions to build geodesic domes during Enrichment Week. Amazing work!
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Journalism Week during Enrichment Week
As part of Enrichment Week, a group of students found out what it was like to be a young reporter/journalist for the week. Students covered the various Enrichment Week activities in school. They reported on a range of activities, interviewing those taking part and taking photos, all leading up to producing a one off newsletter at the end of the week. The students were fantastic and here's one of the newsletters to share with you.
Click here to read and/or download.
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EntFest (Peter Jones Enterprise Festival)
Business Studies students were invited to attend a free one-day festival at the Buckingham University which brings together students, young entrepreneurs, business founders, leaders and investors, to network, learn and champion enterprise in all its forms.
As well as the live ‘Dragon’s Den’ final of the ‘National Entrepreneur of the Year’ competition, the festival boasted an exciting agenda with opportunities for students to meet and learn from some of the UK’s best known entrepreneurs and business leaders, alongside panel debates, competitions and skills-based workshops.
As well as planned workshops throughout the day, students were able to attend a selection of market stalls where they had the opportunity to meet and talk to Business leaders and Entrepreneurs.
This was a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the world of the entrepreneur alongside meeting well known business personnel and engaging in a variety of business challenges. It also provided them the chance to consider their future pathways and the routes they can take.
Mr P Cunningham, Vocational/Careers Manager
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An Ice Hockey Weekend by Harry, Year 10
Please click on the link below to read the extraordinary events of one weekend back in June, in Sheffield, written by Harry, Year 10. Huge congratulations go to Harry and the rest of the team on your success on what sounds to have been a real nail-biting weekend!
An Ice Hockey Weekend - to read the full article, click here.
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East West Rail Challenge
We have yet another fantastic achievement to shout about! Two teams of students entered the East West Rail Challenge; a county-wide event set to challenge students to develop a new sustainable settlement with eco-credentials. The teams worked independently on the project, using skills such as planning, negotiation and financial assessment to produce their final proposals. The teams then gave presentations and faced intense questioning from a visiting panel. Buckingham School Team Odley were the outright winners against older competition.
We received extensive praise about the students and their skills and we were extremely proud of them. Mrs Fullwood and Mrs Wilkinson said next time the team will be called WilkWood!!
Mrs J Wilkinson, Geography Teacher
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Willen Hospice MK Midnight Moo - Saturday 13 July 2019
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Willen Hospice MK Midnight Moo on Saturday 13 July. Team Buckingham raised £2,300, with still more money to come! What an AMAZING effort! Well done and a massive thank you for supporting this great cause.
Mrs S Pykett, Assistant Headteacher & Sixth Form Director
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Darcey Bussell Dance Fitness Competition
A team of Year 7 Dance students were selected as finalists for the Dance Fitness Competition at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, held on Saturday 22 June 2019.
Our team got the incredible opportunity to perform on stage in front of Dame Darcey Bussell, who was judging the performances as well as signing books at the end of the competition.
We are so proud of our dance team and are thrilled for them to have had this opportunity to dance on a proper theatre stage and in front Dame Darcey Bussell!
A big thumbs up to you all - you were amazing!
Ms R Curness, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts
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Evening of Song at The University of Buckingham
Youngsters from several local schools were singing their hearts out at An Evening of Song at The University of Buckingham recently. Well done to Charlotte for singing and to Finlay for great guitar playing - you both rocked!
Buckingham Children’s Choir will be back in the Autumn term and already has gigs in the diary. For information regarding the choir and fun and singing lessons in school, please email suzyasmith@aol.com. You can also find us on facebook, search Bittersweet Music Buckingham.
Suzy Smith, Bittersweet Music
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Careers Talk from Motor Sport Media Specialist
A massive thank you to Carl McKellar, for spending time with our Year 9, 10 and 12s. He talked about his own career journey in the Motor Sport Media Industry and shared with us the fantastic opportunities that are available locally at Silverstone Park for a career in Automotive, Engineering, Media, to name a few. There are 75 businesses on-site at Silverstone Park with a further 45 companies using the Park on a part-time basis.
His talk was engaging and immensely inspirational. Carl spoke openly about what he does, how he got to where he is today, including the hurdles he had to overcome and any mistakes made along the way. It was an interesting session for those students wanting a career in Journalism, PR, Media as well as a STEM related career pathway.
Carl’s background is as a trained journalist. In 1997 he became Media Officer for Renault’s motor sport activity in the UK (its Spider Sportscar, Formula Renault single-seater and Clio Cup ‘hot hatch’ championships plus teams in British Formula 3 and rallying).
He founded his company in 2013, CMC Media Ltd, a specialist PR/Communications Agency with a proven track record for loyalty and getting the job done, particularly in the highly competitive world of motor sport.
Previously, Carl, handled PR for Britain’s premier motor racing category, the British Touring Car Championship. He has also covered Formula 1 for national newspapers as well as other international motor sports for senior print and online publications.
It was fascinating to hear how he started out working on local newspapers to now running his own business. He has worked with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Richard Hammond (who he was house mates with for two years)!
If you wish to learn more about his business, visit his website at www.cmcmedia.co.uk
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Luffield Festival 2019
A number of students participated in this year's Luffield Festival at Stowe School on Monday 24 June and Tuesday 25 June 2019. The event was kindly hosted again by Stowe School.
This festival gives opportunities for students from a variety of schools, including Magdalen School, Stowe School, Thornton College, Swanbourne Prep, The Buckingham School and The Royal Latin School, to work collaboratively to develop their skills through a range of different subjects.
Students participated in dance and drama activities throughout the day, culminating in a performance they presented to parents during the evening.
Ms R Curness, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts
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The above photos are courtesy of student, Hannah Walker.
Below, is the photography work of Max, Year 8, who took a number of photos of Stowe House and the Estate whilst at the Luffield Festival. The photos are all about the environment. Stunning photos, Max!
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Edward, Year 7, produced a fantastic piece of creative writing at Luffield. To read the piece click here.
The Luffield Festival gives opportunities for students from a variety of schools, to work together to develop their skills through a range of different subjects and it's lovely to read a letter of appreciation from a parent regarding the students creativity and collaborative work. Well done, everyone involved!
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My day at the Luffield Science Festival - by William, Year 7
I was invited to attend the Luffield Science Festival and happily grasped at the offer. This is due to the fact that Science is one of my many favourite subjects that just go above some of the others. I arrived at school and after registering myself in form, I left to go and find Ms Curness who was the person responsible for organising the event in collaboration with The Royal Latin School and Magdalen College School. When I arrived there were no other students there as the three Year 8 students that were to also attend were in assembly, so after a short wait reading my book, I finally met the three people I would be working with. My science teacher Ms Rodrigues was also present. To read more.......
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We recently welcomed Sandy Canavan, a visiting circuit judge.
She worked with Years 10 and 12 in an extended assembly, updating our British Values knowledge and understanding of the justice system in Britain today. She also gave us an insight into her career pathway and how it has become even easier to work in law today for women.
Sandy was really inspirational!
This was a particularly important event for Law and Criminology students in Year 12 and for students in Year 10 considering studying those subjects in the Sixth Form. We always like to invite different speakers into school to give our students the opportunity to learn about different careers and the pathways into them.
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Year 11 Prom
On Monday 24 June, our current Year 11s arrived at Whittlebury Hall to celebrate finishing their GCSEs. The evening began with students arriving in style, from sports cars, limousines and even two students riding their own horses. The students looked so grown up and dressed to impress. A big thank you to everyone involved in making the Prom such a stunning event!
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School Equestrian Team
The Buckingham School Equestrian Team is looking for new riders for the 2019/2020 school year! You must have your own horse (or in a position to borrow a horse) and be able to arrange transport to shows.
We have a very successful team at the moment and would like this to continue. The school team competes in all disciplines.
If you are interested in joining the school team, please contact Louise or Jenny for more information.
Info@ajscontracting.net
Jenheir@aol.com
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Nearly New School Uniform
We have a wide range of good quality, clean, Nearly New Uniform available for purchase from our Reprographics Office. We are always grateful for donations so if over the summer you will be replacing uniform or have items that are no longer needed, if they are in good condition, please consider donating to us!
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Stationery Equipment
We also stock all the items needed for your child’s basic stationery kit as detailed below and all items are very competitively priced! These are available to purchase from the Reprographics Office before school, during break and lunch times and after school until 3.30pm.
Essential Items
Black/Blue Pens
Pencil
30cm Ruler
Eraser
Pencil Sharpener
Scientific Calculator
A Reading Book
Maths Set (including compass and protractor)
Transparent Pencil Case
Desirable Items
Colouring Pencils and/or
Highlighters
Dictionary
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Local Community News
Local business and supplier to The Buckingham School, Brackley Butchers, has recently won the National Champion Butcher title at the Countryside Alliance Awards in the House of Lords.
Brackley Butchers put animal welfare and their customer needs at the heart of their business. Working with local farmers they can assure the highest levels of animal welfare, sustainability and provenance, whilst promoting the importance of shopping locally. Keeping the craft of butchery alive and brimming with great ideas to encourage people to try something new this butcher not only serves you top quality meat but a side order of banter and a smile.
Congratulations Brackley Butchers.
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Thames Valley Police Open Day - Saturday 10 August 2019
This year’s Thames Valley Police Open Day will be taking place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 10 August and will be hosted at the force’s training centre in Sulhamstead.
There will be over 50 exhibitors attending to showcase their work and contribution to policing, these include Roads Policing Unit, Forensic Investigations Unit, Contact Management team and Specialist Operations teams. The force museum will also be celebrating its return to the Sulhamstead, and will be open all day for you to discover the force’s history and stop by the shop.
There will be displays from the dogs section, local search and rescue dogs and the force's public order team who have a new twist in store this year. The force helicopter will be dropping by with an opportunity for you to meet the pilots and grab a photo.
If you want to learn more about the force and some of the roles, visit one of the exciting talks taking place throughout the day.
There will be a fancy dress competition and a scavenger hunt to get involved in, which will see participants taking a trip round the stalls to follow the clues to bring out your inner detective.
For further information in the lead up to the event, please visit Facebook and Twitter channels.
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| 14 Feb 2019 If you wish to report bullying, click here antibullying@buckinghamschool.orgProcedures for Reporting Bullying:A student can report bullying in person to a member of staff or an older student.A student can make a written report, and place it in one of the anti-bullying boxes (outside... |
| 24 Jul 2019 The end of Summer term issue of The Buckingham eBulletin is now available to read. The Bulletin gives an insight into the fantastic opportunities our students have and also showcases some of the activities happening in and around school. We hope you enjoy rea... |
| 23 Jul 2019 The Buckingham School is seeking to appoint two dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistants to join our friendly and supportive team. The successful candidate will be working to support students with special educational needs or disabilities in the classroom mostly, though not exclusively in Engl... |
| 17 Jul 2019 A Level Results Day is on Thursday 15 August 2019. Results can be collected from 9.30am from the Jubilee Hall. | |
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Instagram: @thebuckinghamschool
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TBS_Information
Success for All through Achievement, Challenge & Enjoyment
The Buckingham School, London Road, Buckingham MK18 1AT
Tel. 01280 812206 Email office@buckinghamschool.org
www.buckinghamschool.org
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