Friday 20 July 2018

Dear all,

With best wishes.

Mr A McGinnes
Headteacher

Luffield Arts Festival

On Tuesday 26^th of June 2018, five Year 8 students from The Buckingham School, joined by five students from The Royal Latin school, travelled in the minibus to Magdalen College School, Brackley, to take part in the Annual Luffield Arts Festival. When we got there we met two other groups of students, one from Stowe and the other the hosts, from Magdalen.

We created a piece of work inspired by Frida Kahlo and the Mexican Day of the Dead festival. We began by drawing a self-portrait, using a mirror for reference we each tried really hard to capture our facial features and one distinctive characteristic of ourselves. Then we added pattern to our work, the aim was to leave no empty space on the page!

After we had sketched out our designs we added heat-reactive dyes to accentuate our work. We used paintbrushes to do this, but the dyes were more watery than paint so small details were tricky to achieve. Over at the heat press, our pieces were transferred on to fabric in 60 seconds! It was really exciting releasing the work from the press and revealing brightened colours.

Next we added even more detail by hand sewing, using embroidery thread. We chose areas of our design that we wanted to enhance. We used a range of stitches and some of us even added sequins to areas of our work.

We have all experienced several new media now and have learnt and practised a technique which we did not know about before. Thank you to Magdalen College for having us for the day – we had a great time!

Jake Suckley, Devon Burgess, Zoe Roberts, Ella-Rose Walker, Megan Towse.

For the Drama element of the Luffield Festival, students focused on the play ‘Blood Brothers’ by Wily Russell.  Dance students worked together to create a dance, working well as a team, contributing good ideas with different styles. 

One student said, the experience was an amazing opportunity and hopefully we can do this again!

Students also participated in an Interactive Science Day as part of the Luffield Programme, hosted by the Royal Latin School. 
The Luffield Programme gives students from a variety of schools opportunities to work collaboratively to develop their skills through a range of different subjects.

Pictured here are our students working hard to solve a murder mystery using key forensic science skills!

Shakespeare Workshop

On Monday, 150 students from The Buckingham School and The Royal Latin School, took part in a Shakespeare workshop led by the Castle Theatre Company from Durham. Students had the opportunity to work collaboratively, to develop their understanding of Shakespeare through a drama workshop. The event was supported by The Buckingham Literary Festival.

All students that took part were outstanding! We hope to see The Castle Theatre Company again next year. Miss Checkley.

Fundraising Efforts 

Cancer Research - Pretty Muddy 5k

Miss Chapman, Mrs Baxter, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Field completed Cancer Research''s Pretty Muddy 5k at Priory Park in Bedford at the end of June.   

A massive thanks to those of you who donated to the cause - it is very much appreciated. 

We made it round the course in about an hour despite the ridiculously hot temperatures and a few underhanded tactics by some. We''re mainly injury free....a few bruises and scrapes here and there.

So far we have raised £1371 plus £331.50 in Gift Aid. There''s still time to donate if you haven''t had a chance yet:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/tenacious-troupe

Thanks. 

Miss Chapman, Mrs Baxter, Mrs Lewis and Mrs Field 

School Uniform 

Whilst you''re having a clear out of any of your child''s uniform which either no longer fits or is no longer required, if you have any items which you think could be of use to us, they would be very gratefully received. If you could bag any suitable items of unwanted uniform and leave them in the Main Reception, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Changes to Universal Credit - Are you eligible for Free School Meals?  

If you think you might be eligible for free school meals, submit a claim to the school or local authority. Copies of the form are available from Student Office. The information you provide will be used to check if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and, if you are on Universal Credit, that your earnings do not exceed the threshold. If you claim Universal Credit, your earnings will be assessed from up to three of your last Universal Credit assessment periods.

If you are eligible, the school will be notified. Your child will receive free school meals and will continue to do so until the end of the Universal Credit Rollout period. The rollout period is currently scheduled to end in March 2022.

Once Universal Credit is fully rolled out, your child will keep their free school meal until the end of their current phase of education, i.e. primary or secondary.

To read the letter sent out to all parents/carers in May, click here.

To view and download a copy of the Free School Meals form click here.

Remembering Reg Mead MBE

The school would like to remember Reg Mead MBE who died on Friday 8 June., aged 97. 

Reg Mead, of Wolverton, awarded an MBE for services to athletics. In his youth, Reg played football for Buckingham Town and hockey for North Bucks. However, it is athletics, inspired by attending the famous Whitsun athletics meetings at Wolverton Park in the 30s, 40s and 50s along with several thousand spectators, to which he dedicated much of his life. He made substantial contributions in three areas of athletics:
Coaching: Reg qualified as a sprints coach in 1949, throws in 1951, pole vault in 1953 and weight training in 1993. As a schoolteacher at Buckingham School and as a coach at Wolverton AAC, Buckingham and District AC and Milton Keynes AC, he coached an enormous number of athletes over the years, including three who won English Schools'' titles.
Designer: Reg spent a year at Loughborough College in 1956/7 as a mature student, studying for a Physical Education Diploma. His thesis looked at ways that schools could design and make their own athletic equipment in woodwork and metalwork classrooms. He invented the chain hammer, for use in training, and a wooden "starting gun", both of which are still sold today. He improved the design of the hammer, adding the swivel head, and of the standard hurdle, which form the basis of the modern equipment.
Officiating: Reg was secretary of North Bucks Schools AA for seven years in the 1950s. For more than 25 years he was President of the Bucks Schools AA. He organised and officiated at countless meetings over the years.
Reg was awarded the Sport MK award for Services to Sport in 2001 (see picture, right) and was awarded an MBE in 2005 for Services to Athletics.

Mr Mead was a teacher here at The Buckingham School and his involvement with the school continued after his time teaching, by supporting our Athletics students when participating at County events.  

The wonderful Swan wood carving that takes pride of place in the school''s main reception was crafted by Reg. We will always treasure the carving and the memories of the dedication and contributions he made to our school and the support he gave our students.  

Touch Rugby - School Games Competition 

The Year 7 and 8 Girls Rugby Touch Team took part in the Sainsbury''s Level 3 School Games competition on Thursday 5 July 2018. The girls competed against five other teams from across the county, all teams had qualified for the finals by securing 1st position in the qualification events. 
The girls won all of their games, conceded only 2 tries all day and scored an unbelievable amount of tries.
Every member of the team was outstanding and a special well done to Amy Lee as Team Captain and Alice Hodges as Vice Captain. I cannot wait until next academic year to continue our Rugby journey...You were fantastic girls, I am so proud. Miss Collie 
www.buckinghamschool.com

Are you an ex-Student?  If so, be great to hear from you! 

We are keen to know what you are doing now?  If you would like to get in touch with us, please send an email to Claire Sherwood at csherwood@buckinghamschool.org

UCAS Exhibition 

The majority of our Year 12 students attended the UCAS Exhibition at Bedford University. There were around 200 universities in attendance with exhibition stands for students to collect information and ask questions.  Alongside this, students had the opportunity to attend mini lectures in subjects that they were considering applying for which gave them a greater insight.  The day was a great success and students came back more informed as regards choices, one even saying that the day had convinced them University was the right option.

The following day students had the opportunity to start their application online and prepare their personal statements in support of this.  Tutors were there to give advice and many thanks to Billy Hayden, now at Newcastle university studying Law, who came in to give students his perspective on the application process and any pitfalls that might lie ahead.  He was also able to talk about his first year at university and what potential applicants should be aware off.  Again, many thanks and good luck to all students throughout the process.

Buckingham University Law Conference

Students Studying Criminology and Law are due to attend the above conference to find out more about careers in law and what a law degree entails.  They will also have the opportunity to participate as jurors in the re-enactment of an historic trial.  The lecturers and university law students play out the trial and ten students have to come up with their verdicts.  Last year the majority went for not guilty - In real life the defendant got 15 years!!

Year 13 Leavers

The Year 13 leavers 2018 had an eventful and exciting last day when they all arrived dressed for the careers they envisaged when they were at primary school.  Some are still aiming for similar jobs!!!  Occupations on display varied from chefs to surgeons and Ballet Dancers to Soldiers.

We wish all students the very best for the future and look forward to celebrating their success on results day.

School Equestrian Team 

Please can anyone who wants to re-join the Equestrian Team in September 2018 or is starting The Buckingham School in September, please make contact with Team Managers Louise Smith or Jenny Heir.

Louise = info@ajscontracting.net
Jenny = jennyheir@aol.com

It’s £20 for the joining fee to the National School Equestrian Association for 2018-2019.

When joining the School Equestrian Team, you will have the chance to compete in Show Jumping, Hunter Trials, Dressage and Arena Eventing both as individuals and team selections.Grass Root competitions start at 40cm up to 75cm and Qualifier Championship shows start at 65cm up to 1.10m. You will require your own horse/pony for these events and will require your own transport.

Further information can be found on the NSEA website www.nsea.org.uk or contact Louise or Jenny.

Music Lessons 

Sports Presentation Evening photo 

Useful links from the school website:

Calendar Events for this week, and further ahead. 

Click here.