The Buckingham School Student First Team

Student First is all about working together putting students first.

The team provides an all embracing service for our students, working together to develop and maintain their social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing.

The team consists of five members of staff, all of whom have a wealth of experience in their own areas of expertise. The aim is to always put students first and offer them support and guidance, as well as providing necessary support for parents and carers.  “We refer to and work with organisations who provide additional support for young people and their families when necessary. We liaise with staff, parents and outside agencies to provide the best outcomes for our young people and support them with any barriers they may face in their learning and personal achievement.”

The team work closely with Form Tutors, Heads of Year and their respective teams to maximise the learning potential for our students. By having this close working relationship enables them to help identify and support students who may be experiencing difficulties which could be a barrier to their learning and social wellbeing. 

The Buckingham School is totally committed to inclusion and values diversity. We understand difficulties, recognise and respect individual differences so all students feel valued. We provide targeted support through Student First and the SEND team for students identified as having a special educational need (a child who has a difficulty or disability which makes learning harder for them than for other children their age).

If you would like to learn more about Student First, please click here.  Contact details for each team member, can be found within the information leaflet.

PGL England FA Soccer School Weekend in Liddington, Swindon Friday 10 May 2019 – Sunday 12 May 2019

On Friday 10 May, a group of fifty Year 7 and 8 students visited PGL in Liddington, for a fun-packed weekend including a range of centre activities as well as hours of football. Every student put their all into the activities and showed great courage in facing some of their fears. With activities such as the vertical challenge and zip wire, it certainly wasn't for the light-hearted!  All of the students were a great credit to the School and demonstrated some excellent footballing ability, which culminated in a tournament where many of our students stood out for their high technical ability.  A great weekend had by all!

Mr C Lagdon, PE Teacher

Triathlon

On Thursday 16 May, a group of twenty-four students from a range of year groups took up the challenge of competing in a team triathlon at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The students were required to swim as many lengths as possible in 15 minutes, cycle as far as they can for 18 minutes, and finally run as far as they can for 16 minutes.

This is an extremely exhausting event, and all of the students showed great determination to keep pushing themselves to the limit in order to be as successful as possible. As a PE department, we are continually amazed as to the ability and commitment of our students, who were all absolutely outstanding on the day with their efforts. We await to hear the results but we are proud of our students no matter what.  A brilliant event for all involved!

Mr C Lagdon, PE Teacher

Mayor Making Event 

The Buckingham School Music students were invited to perform a musical piece at the Mayor Making ceremony last Friday 17 May, which was held at the Buckingham Community Centre.  

The School Choir (pictured here with music teacher, Mrs Nash) performed at the event, along with a number of solo acts, including the winners of Buckingham's Got Talent.

Buckingham's Got Talent 

Just before the Easter holidays, the Performing Arts team put on BGT to showcase the fantastic talent in school. What a brilliant night it was! 

We were honoured to have members of the Senior Leadership Team on the judging panel  - thank you, Mr McGinnes, Miss Branson and Mr Wardle. 

The overall winners on the night and therefore, House winners were Silverstone House with Tatyana Muzonda and Amy Taylor (Year 10) for singing.  The most entertaining winner was Kit Jarvis Year 7 in Claydon House with his magician performance (in the style of Tommy Cooper), and the most Unique act was Leo Maskou (Year 10) in Swan House for Juggling and Cossack dancing!

Thank you, to all students who entered the contest - you were all amazing! 

The Buckingham School Represented in Girls County Rugby

After a series of trials in January, three of our girls have been selected for the Bucks RFU County Rugby squads. With over one hundred girls in each age group, playing rugby in Buckinghamshire to be selected to represent the county is a huge honour.

Katie Lee (Year 11) has been selected for the U18 squad as a hooker. Katie is a skilful player who works hard around the pitch for her team. She is also an accomplished goal kicker and regularly takes the teams conversions. The U18 squad is made up of Year 11, 12 & 13s, so to make the squad in Year 11 is a great achievement.

Daisy Bateman (Year 10) and Amy Lee (Year 9) have been selected for the U15 squad. Daisy plays as a prop and is a powerful scrummager whilst making vital yards in the loose with her direct ball carrying. Amy plays in the centre using her pace and power to score tries regularly whilst being renowned for her strong tackling in defence.

The picture shows the girls after they competed in the South West Inter-County Festival against Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Dorset & Wiltshire in February at Newbury RFC.

All three girls play at Buckingham Rugby Club where new members are always welcome. Please contact buckinghamrfccygnets@gmail.com if you would like more information.

Launching STEM Mentorship Program

Across the UK we are facing a skills shortage in STEM subjects that is only predicted to grow larger and larger as the economy shifts into the digital age. Already 89% of STEM businesses struggle to attract and fill positions.* 

At the Buckingham School we want to support our students as they aspire to pursue STEM careers, both through formal learning and work experience. As a result, we are very excited to launch a mentoring program that will match students to a mentor in their field of interest. We are working with STEM Ambassadors, The Buckingham University and Open University, to help match students with an appropriate mentor, will help foster their learning, discuss goals and provide current career advice.

We are looking for a pilot group for the mentorship program and will be providing further information to Year 9 students after the half term break. However, all interested students should contact me at ltownes@buckinghamschool.org for further details, as we want to support all keen students in reaching their goals.

* For further information: https://www.stem.org.uk/news-and-views/news/skills-shortage-costing-stem-sector-15bn

Ms L Townes - STEM Leader

House Points - to be the best you can.

The Buckingham School’s House system gives a real sense of belonging, and it allows students to develop important and personal relationships. The House system creates competition, promotes good work and behaviour, provides opportunities to take on responsibilities, and brings everyone in the School together. 

The House point leader-board is now shown on the TV screens around school and is updated on a regular basis. 

Fundraising for Prostate Cancer 

Pictured here is James, who recently organised a cake sale in the aid of Prostate Cancer UK. 

He baked all the cakes from lemon cakes, coffee cake and cup cakes with gingerbread men.  He put up posters around the village and stood outside for two hours! He raised a total of £100. His grandad has been treated for prostate cancer recently so it is a cause close to his heart!

Well done, James! 

Nulogic Training 

Over the Easter break we were lucky enough to have Nulogic work with fifty of our Year 11 students.  There were two groups of twenty-five students.  One group focused on crucial mathematical content for the upcoming Maths GCSE.  They covered various topics and the feedback from students and staff involved has been overwhelmingly positive.  One student wrote “The course was really good, and provided a unique learning environment. They made learning fun and exciting. I would highly recommend this course for the future Year 11's next year.”  The English course focused on critical content needed for their GCSE English Language paper.  Again, the feedback from staff and students shows how well this was received by students and how much they felt it helped progress their understanding of key parts of the course and how their confidence has increased.  One wrote “I think that it was very very good and it has helped my progress massively.”  Our gratitude goes to Nulogic for planning and delivering a great programme to help our students, Mr Hunt and Mrs Field for staffing the programme and the students for their outstanding levels of participation and engagement.

In addition, thank you to Mr Fox, Miss Branson, Miss Chapman and Mr Siu for their help organising the programme.

Mr Ryan - Key Groups Leader  

Mock Trial Competition - Regional Final at Chelmsford Crown Court

Congratulations go to the following students for representing The Buckingham School at the regional final of the Mock Trial competition, after an outstanding effort in the local heat at the Magistrates Court in Milton Keynes.

Millie Porteous, Eve Braddock, Isabelle Ford, Rebecca Dady, Eliza Da Nobrega, Freya Smith, Alysia Ryley, Josh Meara, Calla Bentley, Genevieve Commaille, Izzy Hopkins, Millie Jessop and Connie Freshwater

All team members have worked extremely hard and we are very proud of you! Well done, team Buckingham! 

Mr J Mandel - PSHE Lead 

GCSE Dance Workshop

Our GCSE dance students participated in an inspiring and engaging workshop. Dance practitioner, Mel Simpson, worked with our Year 10 students on learning and perfecting their exam studies and then in the afternoon she worked with Years 9 and 10 on choreography for duets and trio (also needed within the final exam). Mel is a dance artist and education specialist, who has a wealth of experience and skills to share, including delivering specialist workshops such as this one.

Thank you, Mel for working with us and encouraging our students to be the best they can.

Ms R Curness, Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts

Adult Nationals (Formerly British Adult Championships)

Every year, the home of British Ice Skating - Sheffield Ice Arena - hosts an Adult ice skating championship where adults from around the UK of an amateur/non-professional level can compete. There are several categories ranging from Ice Dance (Ballroom on ice) to Figure Skating (combination jumps and spins).   This is big event in the calendar and often attracts a large competitive field.

Several months of 5am starts, three times per week, culminated on Thursday 25 April as I prepared to compete for the second year in this competition. Having secured two Gold medals previously in the Solo Ladies Pre-Bronze Pattern Dance category, I was excited and nervous to compete, particularly as I wanted to not only retain my title but improve on my personal best score. 

There are two dances skated, which are determined by the ISU (International Skating Union), which usually change each year, however, this year they remained the same; a Dutch Waltz and a Riverside Rhumba.  As they are compulsory pattern dances, everyone should skate the same steps and pattern, but can choose their own music.  There is an emphasis on deep edges and strong patterns skated across the ice IN TIME.  You are marked on: technical accuracy, grade of execution (GOE), and timing.

My morning practice didn’t go so well as the nerves really kicked in; the most defining aspect was not being able to skate in time to the music!  However, as soon as the music started for the Dutch Waltz, all nerves disappeared, and I finished with a new PB of 11.58 (this is very good) and secured first place.  After a three-hour wait, I skated my second dance, the Riverside Rhumba. No PB for this dance, missing out by 0.2, but I still secured first place in this dance, resulting in an overall new PB of 22.20 and two new Gold medals!

U14 Rugby Championship

On Thursday 2 May, the Year 9 boys rugby team won the U14 Rugby Championship final beating John Hampden Grammar School 29-5. Buckingham started the game strongly with early tries from Alfie Bull and Jobe Read, with the latter going off just before the half with a wrist injury. A frantic second-half saw a fightback emerging from JHGS with an early try, but the boys dug in deep with a ferocious defensive display to prevent them getting over the line again. The win was confirmed in the last 15 minutes, with tries from Lewis Linford, Joe McGuire as well as the captain, William Glister. Two conversions from Henry Pearson wrapped up the points. Four of our Year 8 boys also played their part and were truly immense in the game. Jake Weingart at fullback, Joe McGuire and Leo Talbot in the front three and George Pearson coming on at half time with an assured performance at fly half.

It is an incredible triumph for the boys to win, with the trophy being dominated by Grammar Schools in the past. Well done, thoroughly deserved! 

The boys were treated to a lunch with Mr McGinnes, Headteacher and Mr Ribbans, in recognition of this fabulous win! 

Mr J Ribbans (Head Coach) 

Football Successes

Lewis, Year 10, plays for MK Dons U15 in the Junior Premier League (JPL). Over the Easter break, the team travelled to Holland to play in a two-day competition, competing against countries from all over the world.  The team won the tournament – they played seven games, won six, drew one.

Also, on Saturday and after some impressive performances throughout the season MK Dons competed in the JPL National Cup Final at the home of English football, St George’s Park. After a tight 2-2 game MK Dons won 3-0 on penalties, with Lewis scoring one of the penalties. 

It’s an unbelievable achievement from a team put together in September 2018. Absolutely amazing work Lewis!

Mr J Ribbans - PE Teacher 

National Elite Junior Premier League Final

Henry, Year 9, captained his team, MK Gallacticos, in the final of the National Elite Junior Premier League Final at St Georges Park ..... not only did they beat Corby .... they smashed them 4-0!  Will, also Year 9, goalkeeper, kept a clean sheet, when he came on at half-time, ensuring the Championship! 

Brilliant performance, Henry and Will! 

Mr J Ribbans - PE Teacher 

Show-jumping Success

Devon, Year 9, is pictured here competing on her pony, Poppy, at Cherwell Equestrian Centre in Oxford on 22 April. She entered a very competitive 65cm class and was placed 5th!  An amazing result, Devon, and a lovely photo!

It's really good to see and hear about our students' out of school activities, achievements and  successes. What talented students we have. 

School Digital Signage

We now have five TV screens in and around school communicating useful and important messages throughout the day. 

Digital signage is a changing and improving way to communicate with students, staff and visitors.  It allow us to reach out to our audience with engaging, relevant and consistent messages, by schedule or in real time.

Pictured here is John King (centre) with Mr Osborne, Assistant Headteacher (left) and Headteacher, Mr McGinnes, with the TV screen kindly donated by T Kings Associates.  

If you have a TV seen you no longer need and would be happy to donate, please contact Kate Bones at  kbones@buckinghamschool.org or telephone 01280 818927.

An insight into the Automobile Industry - VW Milton Keynes 

Year 10 girls visited Volkswagen on Friday, 3 May, to find out all about the diverse world of careers open to them in the automobile industry.

The visit included learning about Diagnostics: Learning how a computer can work the indicators or the horn at a press of a button and check for faults throughout the car. 

Later in the day, the girls were given the opportunity to design their own ad campaign. (Learning about marketing / advertising campaigns. Three different types of marketing: planned, anticipated, reactive. Must be genuine and fun).

The visit also included a talk with technician apprentices to find out about their journey, the benefits of an apprenticeship and working for a supportive employer.

When they left VW, they were all given a goodie bag to take away with them. 

What a fantastic opportunity and a great insight into a fast paced industry.