As we reach the halfway point of the academic year (where has the time gone?), we want to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic way our Year 11 students have conducted themselves during their mock exams. Their maturity, resilience, and dedication have been truly commendable, and we are incredibly proud of them.
With winter giving way to the first signs of spring, there is a sense of renewal and fresh energy in the air. Though this half-term has been long and demanding, the school remains a calm and happy place, and we are grateful to our parents and carers for their continued support in fostering this positive atmosphere.
When we return after the break, Year 11 will be heading into the final stretch before their GCSEs. We wish them all the best as they prepare for this important stage in their journey. Year 10 return to an exciting term which ends with their work experience placements before Easter. Year 9 are embedding their skills ready for their chosen GCSE courses next year whilst Year 8 are getting ready to consider their mini-option choices. A whole host of opportunities await our Year 7s, not to mention their epic visit to Lulworth cove in June! An exciting few months ahead for everyone.
Wishing you all a wonderful, restful, and enjoyable half-term break!
Click here to see what's on next week:
Monday 24 February INSET Day
Drama/Music Department - Aladdin Full Tech/Dress Rehearsal in the Lantern Theatre, D1 & Performance Studio, 9.00am - 3.00pm
Tuesday 25 February
Nothing advised
Wednesday 26 February
Aladdin Jr Production in the Lantern Theatre, 7.00pm
Thursday 27 February
Aladdin Jr Production in the Lantern Theatre, 7.00pm
Friday 28 February
Aladdin Jr Production in the Lantern Theatre, 7.00pm
INSET Days for 2024/25
Monday 24 February 2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
Every effort is made to ensure these dates are accurate. There are occasions when circumstances beyond our control may result in changes.
Romsey Young Carers - Money Raised
The latest amount raised from non-uniform day for Romsey Young Carers is £2,233.42. A massive thank you to students, parents and the staff who have supported this venture. Look out for photographic updates on social media!
Reminder: Year 8 Options Evening - Thursday 27 February 2025
This is a reminder that the Year 8 Mini Options Evening is on Thursday 27 February 2025, in the Olympic Hall from 6.00pm to 7.00pm. The presentation will start promptly at 6.00pm, followed by an opportunity to speak with subject leaders. Please allow extra time for parking as the school site can become quite busy in the evenings.
British Council Award
As a school, we are delighted to share that we have been awarded the British Council's International School Award.
Please press the button below to read the article in the Daily Echo.
Manipulative Marketing in Mobile Games - Better Internet for Kids
Children are increasingly becoming major components in the online games industry. Many games are deceptively 'pay to play', whilst claiming to be free. For most of these apps the download is free but most of the gameplay is locked. Free in the context of apps is a highly flexible term! Online gaming firms use the ‘free’ label to draw in players, whom when talking about minors may be attractive due solely to that quality. Money making tactics such as these, can be hard to detect even for adults. Their use of bright colours, distracting music and other methods can be highly persuasive in gaining players.
'Better Internet for Kids' has crafted a learning module designed to explore digital marketing tactics. You will learn why companies use these tactics and how they can impact your child and their rights. You will also learn how you can support your child to spot and avoid these issues, as well as where you can seek help and support. If interested, please follow the link in the button below.
Last week saw the final qualifying race for the Williams F1 Student Racing League, on the Barcelona circuit, with our team needing eight points to guarantee qualification. Casper M7TDN drove brilliantly to put us into contention, finishing 4th, and Ollie A 9DDY finished 10th, leaving us level on points with the final qualifying team. With the other team having a best finish of 3rd to our 4th, it looked like we had been knocked out by the most heartbreaking of margins; however, a technicality in the rules meant that another college's B team could not qualify. We had made it - who cares if it was by default?!
The drivers returned this week for the start of the second phase of the competition, a half-distance race around the challenging Suzuka track. Despite accidents at the start of the race, Ollie finished a credible 8th against tough opposition. Casper recovered from a broken front wing, to finish 11th.
Racing resumes on Tuesday 4 March with races every week until 1 April at 4.15pm. You can watch via https://twitch.tv/williamsesports, though we hope to broadcast with our own students commentating soon. The team have qualified for an awesome live final at Williams Racing's headquarters in April, where they will also get to tour the team's museum!
Geography Department
Geography Stars
Tommy H 7EHK
Stanley W 7VTE
Sam H 8JAD
Nathan R 8MAZ
English Department
English Stars
Ben C 7TDN
Anna W 7TDN
Logan R 7TDN
Scarlotte S 7TDN
Tom C 8ADY
Sid B 11SBS/NKY
Rowan M-S 11KRL/RMN
Media Department
Media Stars
Fin L 10IHS
Kate B 10IHS
Alice H 10JFR
Kelly Y 10VGN
Louie P 10VGN
MFL Department
Mandarin Stars
Maisy M 7VTE
Oliver S 8ERL
Maria K 8DCR/ESY
Erin K 9RLR/HMS
Matthew H 9RLR/HMS
Alastair H 10RMN
Drama Department
Drama Stars
Amelia M 7SGY
Florence R 8ERL
Izabela S 9BCY
Camilla S 10JFR
Autumn V 11JLR/MSD
Science Department
Super Scientists
Enzo A 9MJS/CEE
Charley R 10IHS
James C 10JGO/DDN
Priyana G J 10LJS
Rachael J 10RGY/SNN
Nicole L 10COY
James L 10LJS
Zunayrah R 10IHS
Polly T 10COY
RSHE lessons have continued to be taught each week (including today) in tutor groups. Do ask your child what they have been learning about and encourage them to ask further questions.
In lesson, teachers use a range of oracy-based strategies, including a Philosophy for Children approach. This is where students are encouraged to think more deeply through critical, creative, collaborative and caring thinking skills. Below are links to more information regarding RSHE.
This half-term Year 7 will be exploring empathy, compassion and community by spending a few weeks discussing online influences, cyberbullying, bullying and how to promote anti-bullying by being an upstander and how to report concerns. How they perceive themselves based on online media pressures will follow on.
Year 8
This half-term Year 8 will be exploring healthy lifestyles and good physical health as well as how to maintain positive mental health and self-worth using healthy coping strategies and identifying what may be unhealthy responses. This leads on to discussing what a healthy relationship looks and feels and how to challenge unhealthy relationships.
Year 9
Year 9 will begin the New Year considering what supports healthy living and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. This also includes how to maintain positive mental health and self-worth when using social media. Students will consider how their own self perception and internet use may be linked and correlated. Students will participate in some basic first aid training looking at CPR and recovery position as well as the use of an AED.
Year 10
Year 10 will be kick-starting the term with a recap on changes during adolescence, healthy living and positive lifestyle choices. This then leads into exploring the impacts of drug and alcohol use. Students will consider their current understanding and perceptions of various substances, explore how to manage the risks associated with their use, how to keep themselves and others safe and where to seek advice and information in the future. The influences of gang culture and county lines will also be explored.
Year 11
Year 11 will start the term considering how to revise and prepare for examinations ahead of completing the mocks. They will then consider what it means to be on the organ donor register and what decisions they may want to make now or in the future. They will then go on to consider what their ambitions are for the future and reflect upon their recent mock results.
Should your child wish to seek support related to any of these topics or about anything else that is worrying them, please advise them to speak to their form tutor in the first instance or request some support from our Student Support Team by completing the Student Support form on the student area of the school website.
Our message reporting system 'TootToot', can also be used to request support or report a concern.
Childline also offers a range of support and resources.
Part of the healthy living topics include discussing the need for good sleep habits. Support with teenage sleep can be found at Teen Sleep Hub, which is part of The Sleep Charity.
Baddesley Park FC - Volunteers
Baddesley Park FC is looking to appoint some committee roles by the end of March. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jess on 07842 852382.
Baddesley Park is also always on the lookout for coaches/managers for our next U7’s team in September.