Year 10 Maths Feast

On Friday 1st March, eight intrepid Year 10 mathematicians headed off to Thomas Tallis school to take part in the “Year 10 Maths Feast” organised by the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme.

This is a regional competition in which teams of four budding maths prodigies from local schools have to use their technical and teamwork skills to score points. There were four rounds:

Round 1 - "TV Quizzes"
Round 2 - "Calculator Cross-Number"
Round 3 - "Mad Hatters"

Round 4 - "Cubes and Rhombic Dodecahedra"

The questions were tough, and I’m very proud of the way our students applied themselves and learnt how to work together. The team spirit was wonderful, and the results reflect this: “BGS Team B” came fourth, and “BGS Team A” won the competition overall.

The participants were Ashna Adhikari 10YMS, Caleb McCann 10DCC, Charlie Furlong 10DCC, Lev Griffin 10CPB, Lukas Schreiner 10VLT, Naima Mendjeli 10PDH, Ritadyumna Jinka 10VLT, and Urav Sirohi 10PDH.

We were also very ably supported by Malin Karasimov 13KSK, who kindly offered to help add up the scores.

All in all, an excellent day; the only mildly disappointing aspect being that, despite the name of the event, the food on offer was limited to tea and (non-chocolate) biscuits.

Mr Male, Maths Department

The Maths Feast was great! In teams, we solved a series of maths questions in three hours. We had one round of a crossword (but they were numbers, not words) and another consisting of logic, so it wasn't just maths that we did. Another round consisted of constructing a cube and dodecahedron out of paper and tape (see photo), which made sure the “feast” was a bit hands-on too. I would definitely do this again and massive thanks to Mr Male and Malin for giving up their time for us to do this!

Even better, WE CAME FIRST!

Ashna Adhikari, Year 10

The trip was a great opportunity and was a lot of fun. There was a wide variety of Maths questions. My personal favourite was the construction of an Origami dodecahedron and an unusual-looking cube. We used twelve pieces of A6 paper and some sellotape. They were made to mathematical perfection, and we scored full marks for them. Another favourite of mine were the logic questions. They made our entire team think. One round was about combinations of hats three people could wear while complying with two rather basic rules. However basic the rules, the questions did get more complicated but we did as team solve them successfully eventually.

Personally, I was delighted by the fact that we won, which made the trip very worthwhile, and I would certainly recommend this to the next Year 10s. I am very thankful to Mr Male and the Sixth Former Malin for taking the time to organise and conduct this trip.

Urav Sirohi, Year 10

It was heartening to see the students’ enthusiastic attitude to mathematics, and great to see their mathematical skills nurtured as they solved the challenges. They certainly showcased their exceptional mathematical prowess in their collaborative efforts to tackle some quite complicated tasks. Congratulations to the young mathmos* for their superb victory.

Malin Karasimov, Year 13

* “mathmo” is an affectionate slang term used to describe a talented young mathematician.

Year 8 First Give Final

During their PSHCE sessions last term, Year 8 students took part in the First Give social action programme where they raised money and awareness for their classes’ chosen charity. Following this, one group from each form was voted to attend a public speaking workshop and present their charity and social action to their parents, peers and five judges. The Year 8 tutor team would like to congratulate all pupils for their hard work and dedication during this programme - every single pupil played a role! We want to give a special well done to all the groups who took part in the final and, in particular Teniola Adeosun, Ethan Hoang, Annabelle Oliver-Kingful and Krisha Shrestha from 8NEQ who won the event and £1000 for their charity Bexley SNAP. 

The extracts below are reflections written by the winning pupils about their experience:

I had the great opportunity to participate in the wonderful charity programme First Give. It taught me many skills when it comes to presenting, working in a group and to have confidence in front of a big crowd. We had the opportunity to understand more about working with charities, creating social actions and learning more about social issues. But there was a lot of work being put into the whole experience!

First, our class had to collectively decide on a social issue to focus on, allowing us to identify global problems around the world. We all decided on Mental Health as our class social issue and decided to support the local charity Bexley SNAP. Not only do they focus on Mental Health, but also strive to support young children with SEND and their families.

To support our charity, we chose to do a charity football match and a handprint mural. They were great fun to participate in and were chosen for all individuals to enjoy. In total, we were able to raise £129 for our chosen charity.

Then, we were put into groups of 4 to create presentations, which were later put into a vote for the class to decide who represents our form in the final. My group was picked to participate in the finals!

But that wasn’t the end!

We were then invited to a First Give workshop, which included the winning groups from each form. We were greeted by a volunteer at First Give, Luke, and he was able to assist us with our presentations. He gave us great tips and pointers to make our presentation the best it could be. A week later, and the competition began!

Before our group was going to perform, I was indeed feeling nervous! Presenting in front of a crowd was scary but worth it as we were doing this for the hardworking volunteers at Bexley SNAP. Luckily, after the huge sigh of relief, the judges came to their final decision and our group won! It was a rollercoaster of emotions when me, Teniola, Krisha and Ethan got up to hold the big cheque! Suddenly, all our hard work paid off, and it turned out to be a great experience.

Annabelle Oliver-Kingful, Year 8

The final was very nerve-wracking, but in the end we were able to get through it and all the presentations were amazing - as was winning the £1000! Our charity is hoping to use this money to fund trips, board games and improve facilities to further support children and their families.

Overall, this programme helped me learn to work with peers who I would usually never work with and taught me how to care for and support our community.

Krisha Shrestha, Year 8

There was a very high level of presentations at the final which resulted in 8NEQ winning the event and the £1000 for their charity. In addition, the students in 8ERR were awarded a judges' commendation for their fantastic presentation, which included contemporary dance and poetry, in aid of their charity Woolwich Service Users Project. The poem is below.

Thank you to all the students and tutors for their hard work over the course of the programme. Additional thanks go to the judges who attended the evening and to parents and guardians for their continued support.

Year 8 team

The First Give program was a really fun process for me as it helped build my leadership skills and helped me improve my ability to work in a team, particularly with people I do not usually work with. This programme helped build my confidence and resilience when working on a shared task amongst a group. Once we started the whole programme, I wasn’t really confident about the task and was reluctant to do it every week. However, that improved over time and I started to contribute more and practise my lines for the presentation.

In the final, we were the penultimate group to perform. The nerves were on, but I still managed to stay cool and once it was time to perform, all of a sudden, every single bit of doubt that I had leading up to that moment went away swiftly as I remembered all the preparation that I had put into this. I gave it my best and my best was more than enough as I was greeted with great joy and relief to find out at the end that our presentation had won 1,000 pounds for our charity. This whole experience was one that I will never forget as it was a new experience for me, working with charity and all the hard work had finally paid off!

Teniola Adeosun, Year 8

Empathise

Why can’t we just empathise?
Even if the shoes we put ourselves in aren’t the right size
And our head fills with those many whys empathise.
Could you even begin to fathom sitting in pavement 
nowhere to go Nowhere to call home
If only our eyes could see the world through theirs

An ugly world blurred with their many tears

We turn our heads and close our view

And say it's false but its only true That we don't listen we only hear

And leave it as their own problem to bear

How many earnest pleas or sakes of the cup will we ignore

Before their mental wounds fester sore

Aren’t they human like you and me So do we let ignorance dominate our identity

Or pave a way for humanity

To make kindness our mentality
It wasn’t just yesterday but it's today so let’s not have this on replay Because when it’s their own time to testify Would they say you and I empathised

Congratulations Ella!

Congratulations to Ella Tyler for her participation in the Bromley Music Festival with the following results:

  • 1st for woodwind grade 4-5
  • 1st for piano light music/jazz Year 9-13 
  • 4th for violin in the grade 6/7 category

An amazing achievement for Ella. Congratulations from the BGS music department. Having the opportunity to perform and receive advice from industry professionals is always an amazing experience!

Mrs Casling, Music Department 

13 Mar 2024
Bexley Grammar School Music Department collaborates with St Stephen’s Primary School
On Tuesday 12th March, 12 students from our KS3 Orchestra visited St Stephen’s Primary School to rehearse in advance of our upcoming concert on Monday 18th March. We rehearsed ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ with around 20 students from the Primary School, with our musicians shadowin...
Read more

Science News

PE News

During Power Day 4 on 26th March, Year 7 will be participating in our sponsored £1 for 1k activity.  We're raising money to get resources for the PE department, including our contribution to the new fencing on the tennis courts, a new scoreboard for the sports hall, and funding for support of our girls' cricket coaching this year.

We're asking Year 7 students to see if they can get sponsorship for £1 for each kilometre they can cover in 2 lessons from as many friends and family members as they can.  The top fundraiser will be our fundraising champion for 2024, while the form that collectively raises the most will win prizes, too.  Any sponsorship money raised can be paid via the option on Parent Pay.

Many thanks in advance to all the students taking part and families for support where possible.

M Lines, Head of PE

Congratulations Louis!
Winner Jack Petchey Public Speaking Competition 

13 Mar 2024
Year 10 Jack Petchey Public Speaking Competition
This year, the Year 10s were able to take part in the Jack Petchey Public Speaking competition. Those who signed up were trained in writing speeches then performed these for their fellow peers.I was lucky enough to be one of the judges and hear all the inspirational, creative speeches that were...
Read more

Neurodiversity Celebration Week  

Next week, 18th - 22nd March, is the worldwide Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which serves as a reminder that no matter our differences and challenges, everyone has their own strengths and talents. Neurodiversity Celebration Week celebrates the strengths, talents and recognises the hard work, resilience and determination of people with learning differences, who, sadly, can often be misunderstood. Bexley Grammar School will be participating in Neurodiversity Celebration week, with a variety of activities - look out for the updates in the coming newsletters! www.neurodiversityweek.com/ has a lot of information about it, neurological differences, resources and a whole schedule of free, virtual events (see below) that can be signed up to via https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/events

Mrs Meyer,
Assistant Headteacher and SENCo

Careers & University Day
Tuesday 26th March
Can you help?

A PLEA... 

On Tuesday 26th March for Power Day, our Year 10 and 12 students are taking part in our annual Careers and University Day. The day consists of a University and Careers Fair and subject sessions that the students have selected, ordinarily linked to subjects/careers they are considering once they have finished school. These sessions are run by university academics, employers from particular industries or former students.

This year we are struggling to find speakers for a number of sessions and are looking for volunteers to help out! If you studied one of the subjects below at university and would be willing to talk about your experiences with our students on Tuesday 26th March, can you please get in touch with our Careers and Higher Education Adviser Ms Caley-Gardiner? Her email address is: caley-gardiner_j@bexleygs.co.uk

Sessions with missing speakers are:

  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Geography
  • History
  • Sport/Sport Science 

Ms Caley-Gardiner, Careers and Higher Education Adviser

PA News

13 Mar 2024
Adventure Island Discounted Wristbands
Read more
13 Mar 2024
Pre-loved School Uniform & School Shoes Sale!
Read more
06 Mar 2024
Donations Wanted!
Read more

PA Events

March

PA Meeting
7:30pm – 9:00pm
13
March
PA Pre-loved Uniform Sale + Shoe Sale
3:15pm – 4:00pm
15
March
PA Pre-loved Uniform Sale + Shoe Sale
9:00am – 10:30am
16
March

A Message from the Examinations Office

GCSE Examination Timetable Summer 2024

The GCSE timetable for examinations to be taken in 2024 is now available on the school website or by clicking on the link here. 

GCSE Contingency Days Summer 2024

Please note, contingency days are timetabled for the afternoons of 6th and 13th June, as well as Wednesday 26th June 2024. These contingency days are designed to be used in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations.

This means that all exam candidates must be available to sit exams from the date of their first exam until Wednesday 26 June 2024.

This decision is not a school decision and does apply to all candidates in all schools.

Mrs Bono, Examinations Office

Year 11 Preparing for Revision

The booklet can be viewed on the school website under the header Teaching and Learning/ Year 11 or by clicking on the link here.

Thank you 

The Year 9 Options Booklet 

The booklet can be viewed on the school website under the header Teaching and Learning/ Year 9 or by clicking on the link here.

Thank you 

Please click on the link here to access all our Safeguarding Updates

News items you may have missed 

BGS Young Enterprise Team 

Our candles are now on sale! Tell your friends and family!

Check out our 5 fantastic candles: Joy, Calm, Nostalgia, Energise and Focus.

Once you have placed your order, your elegant candle will be ready to pick up from the school reception the next day! 

You can buy our candle here: https://illuminacandles.co.uk/orders

BGS Young Enterprise Marketing Team

MFL Culture Day 2024

Friday 15th March 2024 will be a day of cultural celebration in our school community. Students and staff are invited to wear either traditional attire or an item of clothing with their normal school uniform which represents their cultural heritage. Students will receive further information through their form tutors, including details of activities run by our student-led societies the ACS and SEAS on this day.

Mrs Savage, MFL Department

Greenwich

If your child attends a school in another borough, you will need to apply to the relevant council or school directly. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Tower Hamlets 

Children whose parents live in the borough but who attend schools outside the borough. Parents should apply to the authority where the school is located. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Medway

Does not specify the location of the school and just has a link to applications. 

https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200164/school_information/354/free_school_meals. You may need to go via Bexley after this process. 

Bromley 

If your child attends a non-Bromley school, you must apply to the local authority where the school is situated. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

Dartford 

If your child attends a non-Dartford school, you must apply to the local authority where the school is situated. APPLY TO BEXLEY.

When these applications are completed, a notification should be sent to the school for us to update records accordingly, but it may be worth the parents sending in the email confirmation to us too.

Bexley Application Link

https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/free-school-meals/how-apply-free-school-meals/free-school-meals-form

Don't delay, apply today!

Lost Property

We kindly remind parents/carers to please write your child's name wherever possible on their items so that the Reception Team can return property to the correct student.

Please click on the link here to report lost property or email us directly via
reception@bexleygs.co.uk.

Reception Team

Dates for your Diary

March

MFL Culture Day 2024
8:30am – 3:10pm
15
March
IB Visual Art Exhibition (click here for details)
5:00pm – 6:00pm
15
March
Music Dept ~ Spring Concert (click here to book)
6:00pm – 8:30pm
18
March
Power Day 4
8:30am – 3:10pm
26
March
Last school day before Easter Holiday ~ Early finish (click here for details for each year group)
until 1:30pm
28
March

April

First school day following Easter holiday
8:30am – 3:10pm
15
April

GCSE Advance Notice (Summer 2024)

GCSE Contingency (afternoon)
12:00pm – 6:30pm
06
June
GCSE Contingency (afternoon)
12:00pm – 6:30pm
13
June
GCSE Contingency Day
8:00am – 6:30pm
26
June