Bexley Grammar Success 
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships

STEM News

I am immensely proud to announce that we have been doubly successful for a second year running. Both Matilda Jackson and Yu Qi Ong in Year 11 have passed through all three stages of the Arkwright Scholarship application process.

This prestigious engineering mentorship programme is extremely competitive, and we look forward to hearing about the opportunities and experiences this provides throughout the Sixth Form.

Congratulations ladies!

Ms Lusted, STEM Coordinator

Summer Science 2nd ~ 7th July 2024

The Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition started this week. Use this link to plan your visit.

Book Club trip to Townley Grammar

Library News

Today, a few schools from Bexley came together at Townley Grammar School to discuss the Yoto Carnegie book club books. Each school performed a presentation about one of the books. The book that BGS chose was Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher, an amazing and engaging book written in verse about a boy named Erik who makes a lot of bad decisions and ends up being tangled up in organised crime. Our presentation consisted of our Year 10s reading out poems from key points in the book, while the talented Year 8s and 7s did a short performance to complement the poems. The other schools also gave incredible presentations about the other Carnegie books. Afterwards, all the schools voted for our favourite book. The winner was Crossing the Line! Personally, I thought it was an amazing trip. It was so nice to meet people from different schools and talk about books we enjoyed. It was a very pleasant afternoon and I enjoyed it very much!
 
Sofie Rygielska, Year 10
 

Carnegie Book Group

It was our last book group this week, and the students took part in a quiz on all the books we have read this term, which was closely won by Sofie in Year 10. We all voted for our favourite book, which was Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher. The National Winner was announced the same day, and was The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho, the current Children's Laureate. Both books are written in verse, Crossing the Line tells the story about a boy being groomed to get drugs across county lines and The Boy Lost in the Maze entwines the story of Theseus and the Minotaur with a modern story of the journey a boy must go on to find his father. 

The students approached all 8 books with enthusiasm and creativity, making podcasts, writing poetry and drawing emoji reviews. It was a pleasure running the group with them, and I was very proud of their performance at Townley Grammar. 
 
Mrs Carey, Librarian

Geography News

Year 10 GCSE students visit Epping Forest and Stratford, London with the FSC

Greetings!  We recently had our annual GCSE day trips to Epping Forest and the Olympic Park.  We took out our eager cohort of Geographers to undertake their compulsory fieldwork days for the course.  There were many highlights, such as coach Karaoke including renditions of Drake and Taylor Swift, high-vis vests worn for interviews and seeing many ‘famous’ internet influencers, such as KSI and Jedward.

Look at the photos below and read the snippets of highlights from some of our Year 10 students.

Day 1 ~ Epping Forest, Essex

 

Day 2 ~ Stratford, London

Year 10 Trip to Sardinia June 2024

Our recent school trip to the stunning island of Sardinia was an incredible adventure, packed with unforgettable experiences that left a lasting impression on all of us.

We stayed with an Italian family in Ms Contini’s home town of Isili, which was perhaps the most memorable part of our trip. Their warm hospitality and delicious home-made meals made us feel right at home.

We began in Cagliari, Sardinia's vibrant capital, where we soaked up the lively atmosphere of the city and learnt about its history. Before we met our families, we went to one of the three breathtaking beaches we were due to visit, called Poetto, and although the water was cold, the memorable experience with friends made all other worries disappear.

On the second day, we stayed in Isili and visited the museum of textiles and copper, which offered us a fascinating glimpse into Isili’s rich traditions and craft skills, deepening our appreciation for the island's cultural heritage. We didn't just stick to the land; a canoeing excursion gave us a chance to see the San Sebastián Church from a different perspective and learn about the many legends that took place there. Paddling through the waters was both thrilling and tranquil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A particularly heart-warming visit was to Centro Cetacei marine animal rescue centre in Nora. Seeing the dedication of the volunteers and the recovery of the animals touched us deeply. Eating a home-made lunch by Nora beach enlightened us, and we enjoyed the hot weather and clear waters.

History came alive as we explored the ancient Nora archaeological site, a window into the city’s past.

The adventure continued as we ventured deep into the Zuddas Cave, where we marvelled at the formations of stalactites and stalagmites and the deep history behind the cave.

The last beach, Porto Pino, was by far the best in my opinion: the waters were clear, the sand pristine and the weather hot. That day was also the day of Sant’ Antonio, who is a Saint celebrated in Isili. Therefore, we spent the night dancing with the families and with each other.

On the last day, the natural beauty of Sardinia was on full display during our visit to Giara National Park, where we were surrounded by lush landscapes, stunning vistas and the largest population of wild horses in Europe.

As we bid farewell to Sardinia, our hearts were heavy as we were leaving; however, we were thankful for the incredible experiences and the warm hospitality we encountered. Sardinia has left a mark on our hearts, and we carry the spirit of the island with us as we return home, forever enriched by the memories we've made.

Krishaal Patel, Year 10

Staying with my host family in Sardinia was an amazing experience. They were very welcoming and friendly. One cultural difference I noticed was how they enjoy long, leisurely meals together, which made me feel very much at home.

One of my favourite visits was to the city of Cagliari. The historical buildings and beautiful views of the sea were breathtaking. It was fascinating to learn about the city's rich history.

I loved all the Italian meals we had, but my favourite was the home-made lasagne my host family made. The flavours were incredible, and it was so fresh and delicious!

Our time in the hall with all the families was fantastic. It was fun to see everyone together, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. It made the trip even more special.

Overall, my trip to Sardinia was unforgettable, filled with wonderful people, delicious food, and beautiful places.

Anagha Pai, Year 10

After having been to Sardinia, I can easily say that it has a special place in my heart. The locals were caring and kind and the food was tantalising as well. We will never have pasta like that in England. The weather was pleasant, and our host families were courteous.

During our holiday, we explored many parts of the wonderful island of Sardinia and learnt all about its history and culture, ranging from the Nuraghi, the city walls in Cagliari and archaeological ruins and buildings. Furthermore, we went to three unique, golden beaches. Although the waters were transparent, they were very salty and didn’t taste very nice.

One of the highlights of my holiday was meeting my host family. Although it was daunting at first, she welcomed me with open arms, improved my Italian and taught me all about her culture. I didn’t know that it was normal to eat rabbits in Italy. She was like a second mother to me and I will never forget her. Another highlight of my trip was being able to venture around the island by ourselves. I feel that buying food at shops has not only improved my Italian vocabulary, but has made me more confident in what I say in Italian.

Overall, this trip has been an amazing experience and I would recommend anybody who is thinking about travelling to Sardinia to go.

Braiden Dolan, Year 10

Click on the link here to view the Sardinia Photo Gallery.

Sixth Form News

03 Jul 2024
Sixth Form Induction Days ~ June 2024
Bexley Grammar School recently hosted 2 Induction Days on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June. Over 400 students, including 200 of our own, from schools across the South East attended a highly successful event. Thanks to Miss Roberts and Mrs Aspill for the coordination and planning of the days, the...
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Business and Economics News

Year 12 Finance Talk From Former BGS Student, Steven Varty

On Thursday of last week, Steven Varty, a past student at BGS, spoke to a large group of Year 12s about the opportunities of a career in finance and banking. He discussed his successes and challenges as an Executive Director at Santander and spoke about the benefits of this industry.

Since joining the bank, his role has progressed to becoming the Sector Head of Trade & Working Capital. This informative talk opened the eyes of many students, demonstrating how rewarding a career in banking can be. Personally, as someone who was already hoping to follow a similar career path, I found Steven’s talk extremely helpful and reassuring, as he was completely honest about his experiences and how his career has developed since leaving Bexley Grammar School. This was very exciting to hear as I am someone who will be making decisions to hopefully pursue my own career in banking in just under a year. Not only was Steven’s talk beneficial for those already interested in banking, but many of my friends and other students in the year are now considering this future. Despite this talk having a focus on finance, Steven shared his knowledge of the recruitment process, including interview and application advice, making everyone at the talk feel much more educated and confident to make an informed decision when it comes to applying in the future. 

Megan Butler, Year 12

03 Jul 2024
10X Challenge Success!
Turning £230 into £4505.30!Last term saw Year 10 Business Studies students participate in the 10X Challenge by Young Enterprise. Students arranged themselves into groups and were loaned £10 from the school. They had five weeks to start up and run their businesses and the re...
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PE News

Year 8 Cricket

Runners-up medals for the Year 8 cricket team. The boys played out a brilliant North Kent final against Chis and Sid and very nearly chased a formidable 151 total. The team should be proud of a number of strong performances over the course of the season. Well played!

Year 7, 8 and 9 Basketball

The Year 7, 8 and 9 basketball teams had a fun triple header against our friends from Bexleyheath Academy on Thursday afternoon. It was fun to get in some game time after so few games this year.

 

Bexley Sports Leadership Academy

Many thanks to Yu Xuan, Adebola, Poppy, Maks, Leonard and Valentino who were our representatives at the Bexley Sports Leadership Academy this year. They contributed a huge amount to the programme, run by Mrs Allsop at Hurstmere, and did a fantastic job leading events for students at local primary schools.  Thank you for representing us so brilliantly.

Mr Lines, Head of PE

Through Our Eyes Heritage Project

Please see the update below from End2End TV regarding our recent collaborative documentary:

https://blog.artsaward.org.uk/heritage-project-showcases-rich-educational-history

H.J. Gilmore
Headteacher

Music News

PA News

19 Jun 2024
Adventure Island ~ Order discounted wristbands for the summer holidays!
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Please click on the link here to access all our Safeguarding Updates

GCSE Results Day 

GCSE Results for Year 11 will be available for collection from

9am on Thursday 22nd August 2024.

Results will also be emailed to your school account later that day. Should you encounter any problems receiving your results please email the Examinations Officer, Mrs Bono (bono_a@bexleygs.co.uk)

If you would like any other person (including family members) to collect your results on your behalf, you must give your written authorisation to the Examinations Officer before results day.

GCSE certificates will be presented to pupils at a school assembly in November. Pupils who do not attend can collect their certificates from the Examinations Office.

Please email Mrs Bono to arrange.

News items you may have missed

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 have various wristwatches and keys, which over recent weeks have been brought to Reception as lost property, and they are still yet to be claimed by their owner.  If you recognise any of these items shown in the photographs, then please ask your child to visit Reception to claim their property back.

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.

End of Term Unclaimed Lost Property Notice (second reminder)

Any items which are not claimed by the end of the summer term will be donated to The Salvation Army.

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

July

Legally Blonde Production (see poster to book your tickets)
7:00pm – 9:30pm
02
July
Legally Blonde Production (see poster to book your tickets)
7:00pm – 9:30pm
03
July
Legally Blonde Production (see poster to book your tickets)
7:00pm – 9:30pm
04
July
Legally Blonde Production (see poster to book your tickets)
7:00pm – 9:30pm
05
July
Speech Day (early finish)
8:30am – 1:30pm
15
July
Jazz & Pizza Evening (click here to book your tickets)
6:00pm – 8:30pm
17
July
Last school day before Summer Holiday ~ Early finish (click here for details)
8:30am – 12:25pm
24
July

August

GCSE Results Day (see notice)
9:00am
22
August