It was a delight to welcome students back to our Secondary school this week. To ease the transition back to campus we created 2 days of fun-filled activities on Tuesday and Wednesday before our usual timetable began on Thursday.
On Tuesday, all students in Years 7-12 had some quality time with their Form Tutors. The morning was spent learning all about our Back to School Safely routines, including mask-wearing, sanitising and keeping distance. Groups also took a tour of the school to see what has changed, checked our Emergency Evacuation routines, and dealt with practicalities like locker keys, ties and remembering how to tuck in those shirts! Later on Tuesday, the activities varied - we had a treasure hunt in Year 7, a competitive quiz in Years 8 and 9, and some team building activities for Year 10 and 11. Sixth Formers began to plan their CAS programme for their Diploma. Finally, we saw BISB University Challenge in the Sixth Form (won by Calypso A - congratulations!), Year 10 embarking on their Four Year Plan, and some stimulating Learning to Learn sessions for Years 7 and 11 to kick-start these important school years.
Wednesday was our House Day with students working with others in the same House, but different year groups, all day. Every student in Years 7-12 had a chance to play some fun sports including dodgeball and Ultimate Frisbee, to try a STEAM activity involving making musical instruments and forming a Junkyard Orchestra, and finally to create a piece of Physical Theatre set to music. The aims of all of this were to build connections within our four Houses, to get students learning whilst active and out of their chairs, and of course to offer an exciting, collaborative and above all safe start to the school year.
Take a look at the photos to see what the students experienced in these extraordinary first two days of school this year.
Sarah Ford
Assistant Head of Secondary School
