Dear Parents and Carers, It has been wonderful to have our school community back together following the half-term break. The past two weeks have been filled with activity, achievement, and reflection, and it has been pleasing to see our students settle quickly back into their routines with such focus and enthusiasm. We began the half term with year group assemblies to reinforce our expectations and routines, reminding everyone of the importance of showing kindness in all we do, remaining inquisitive in our learning, and showing resilience when faced with challenges. These values have certainly been evident across the school in recent days. This week, we came together as a community to commemorate Armistice Day, observing a two-minute silence to honour those who have served and sacrificed, as well as all of those who have lost their lives in war. Our students displayed great respect and maturity throughout, and it was a moving moment of reflection for all. Our Year 11 pupils studying GCSE Spanish have completed their speaking mock examinations - an important milestone in their preparation for the summer examinations. We are proud of the commitment and confidence they have shown. Year 11 pupils will receive their results for all mock examinations, next week, which will provide valuable feedback ahead of the next stages in their learning. We look forward to welcoming Year 11 parents and carers to our Consultation Evening on Thursday 20 November, an opportunity to discuss progress and next steps. Meanwhile, Year 9 concluded their assessment week on Monday, demonstrating both resilience and focus across all subjects. The staff have been impressed by their effort and the mature approach they have taken to their studies. Beyond the classroom, our students have continued to make us proud. The cross-country teams returned from the recent championship with outstanding results, securing two first places in the Year 8 and Year 9 races. The determination and team spirit the girls showed were excellent examples of resilience in action. Our Sixth Form students also enjoyed an inspiring visit to the Equinix Data Centre, where they had the opportunity to explore how global technology infrastructure operates in the real world. The trip was a fantastic example of our students’ inquisitive nature and their eagerness to connect classroom learning with future careers. As we look ahead to the coming weeks, I would like to thank all students, staff, and families for your continued support. It is a pleasure to see our community living out our shared values of kindness, inquisitiveness, and resilience every day.
This week the Slough Business Community Partnership arranged an incredible opportunity for 30 sixth form students from Baylis Court School to visit the leading data centre in Europe, Equinix. Students say that they found the trip to be insightful and that gaining an understanding of how the IBX works through a tour of the facility was an extremely memorable experience. Alongside understanding about the engineering of the technology in a data centre, the trip provided the opportunity to explore a few the many levels of a corporation that is essential for a company to be successful, as well as valuable apprenticeship opportunities. The trip also included a team building activity that showcased kindness and group creativity. By learning and understanding different levels of a corporation, this trip gave students the chance to demonstrate inquisitiveness.
a Senior Manager from Equinix, who lead the trip, emailed Mr Brown afterwards and told him how impressed the company were with the way our students conducted themselves:
"You have a great bunch of ladies who were engaging and presented themselves well. It was a pleasure to have you with us."
Mrs Rana’s kindness watch
Mrs Rana would like to say thank you to to following people this week:
- Thank you to Afrah in year 8, for showing kindness and patience with the students and staff in our weekly well-being club. She taught us all how to make friendship bracelets.
- Well- done to Manha in year 11, who always greets all staff with a big smile and a warm greeting. Showing kindness to younger students who may have trouble navigating their way around the school. Showing even a small gesture of kindness can go a long way.
Diary Dates
- Year 8 Exams Begin- Monday 17 November
- Year 11 Mock Results Session- Tuesday 18 November
- Year 11 Consultation Evening- Thursday 20 November
- Flu Immunisation Session- Tuesday 2 December
- Year 11 Geography Fieldwork (Epping Forest)- Wednesday 3 December
- Year 10 Exams Begin- Monday 8 December
- Year 7 Consultation Evening- Thursday 11 December
- Year 11 Art Exam- Tuesday 16 December
- End of Term- Friday 19 December (early finish TBC)
Celebration Assemblies!
This week, Years 9 and 11 were excited to take part in celebration assemblies with Miss Kelly and Ms Lamb. Pupils were congratulated for excellent attendance, improved effort, attitude to learning and positive behaviour. Staff and Pupils alike found this a warm welcome back from half term and enjoyed the supportive and joyful atmosphere that was created in the assembly hall!
Ms Lamb handed out badges to year 11 for 100% attendance and attendance about 98%, as well as the top pupils in the year group for achievement points!
Miss Kelly Awarded three pupils the coveted 'Best of Baylis' Award, for pupils who achieved something really incredible: 100% attendance, Zero behaviour points AND over 40 achievement points! a huge well done to:
Uniform Reminders
Now that we are heading into cooler weather, please be aware that the Baylis Blue Jumper is a compulsory uniform item.
- White revere collar blouse
- Black tailored trousers or skirt, no leggings or flared trousers
- low heeled black shoes
- black or white plain socks or black/ natural coloured tights. Black socks should only be worn over black tights.
The Scholastic book fair has arrived! Whilst many of you are familiar with the process, it’s always worth re-highlighting the process (particularly because Scholastic sometimes like to update things for efficiency where applicable). • You can visit the library at break or lunchtime to view the fair (or after school during homework club if you have written parent permission) • If you wish to buy any books or stationary feel free to note them down on your wish list (which will be handed out to you by one of our library monitors). • Any stationary you purchase must be given to the Librarian so she can put them on hold for you. • Once the wish list has been completed, hand it to your parents or legal guardian who can then total up the number of books and/ or stationery you wish to buy. • They may pay for this either by scanning the QR code on the wish list, or by going to bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/pay. • Once paid, there will be a reference number which must be noted down on the wish list and then handed back to the Librarian so that she can provide the items that have been paid for. The Scholastic book fair will run from Monday 17th November to Monday 2nd December. Happy shopping!
The Impact of News on Children - Internet Matters
The world is one of cycles. The current generation moving through the school system, are doing so in a time of particular instability. The consequence for the media landscape has been a shift from 'light' news to a constant stream of 'heavy' content. Online this trend has been inescapable whether to drive clicks or generate controversy, increasingly our media consumption has been overtaken by gloom. This pessimistic outlook has been further enhanced by the continuing evolution of AI. News stories that would have once been unquestioned, now straddle the line of real and fake. For children and young people whose critical faculties are not yet fully developed, this can provoke a whirlwind of confusion. Confusion tends to breed negative mental health effects since one can no longer distinguish true from false. Internet Matters has recently produced a page explaining what can be done, to help children and young people navigate an increasingly murky information space. If interested, please follow the link below:
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/research/impact-online-news-childrens-wellbeing/
For families: smartphone safety & cyberbullying
Most 11-year-olds have a mobile phone, but do they know how to protect themselves from cyberbullying? This November, Kooth are inviting parents to a free 45 minute webinar. We will share practical tips on how to help children deal with potential problems, how parents can spot signs of cyberbullying and what action to take. The webinar will include information on: How their phone grabs and holds their attention The pressure they may feel to be online What cyberbullying might look like The impacts of social media and bullying How you can help young people stay safe How they can build a positive online space - information about Kooth for them and Qwell for you
Credits:
Created with images by Kwangmoozaa - "White paper texture close up background" • Prostock-studio - "Unrecognizable Black Schoolgirl Showing Heart Shape Gesture On Yellow Background" • alimyakubov - "Christmas festive banner background: confetti with sparkling glitter and stars on blue background.,Festive and bright.,Top view, flat lay."