Dear Parents/Carers

Whilst this half term has only been five weeks long, you can see from the contents of this latest newsletter that it has been a very busy period for everyone at Bishop Milner Catholic College.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff for their effort and commitment to your son’s and daughter’s education. I would also like to publically welcome back Mrs Hill (Geography) and Miss Guise (Science) from maternity leave. Staff and students have missed them both and it is great having them back in the classroom.

For our older students in Year 11 and Year 13 the reality that their GCSE and A Level examinations are rapidly approaching appears to have sunk in! I have been thrilled by the response we’ve had to our 3.20pm – 4.20pm period 6 revision Monday to Thursday. We are currently seeing 100+ Year 11 students each day attend period 6 and our Sixth Form are making a conscious effort to utilise revision sessions and guide learning hours (GLH) to consolidate their learning.

We ask that you as parents and carers, continue to provide that crucial support for your sons and daughters and encourage them to begin their revision at home early. We need them to use every opportunity presented to them, so they give themselves the best chance of success in the future. If any parent/carer is unsure how they can help linked to specific subjects, we will be more than happy to offer that advice and guidance. Please do not hesitate to contact the college by telephone, email or in writing and we will make it a priority to respond accordingly.

One ambition I have for this college is to increase the opportunities for our whole college to gather together and participate in collective worship. Having a sports hall now allows us to do just that. As I type, we are currently bringing together the finishing touches for our Ash Wednesday service on the 14th February 2018. 750 students will gather together at this important time in the liturgical calendar as we mark the beginning of Lent. Beginning on Ash

Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. It is a 40-day period marked by prayer, fasting and abstinence, and also almsgiving. Here at Bishop Milner, we plan on promoting and encouraging a significant number of our young people and their families to participate in this year’s Family Fast Day on Friday 23rd February in aid of CAFOD during half term. We also will be offering our younger students the opportunity of Confession in March, thanks to Father Stephen and other local Priests from the surrounding areas of Dudley. I truly hope our first ‘sports hall celebration’ will be the start of something really special for our college community and build on the Catholic life of the college that we are already so proud of.

R May

Principal

RMA/JGI

Cambridge trip

On the 1 February, as part of the Most Able

Programme, we visited Cambridge

University, Girton College. This trip began

with an early coach journey to Girton College

starting at 7am. We arrived at 10.30am and

were met by Frances who took us to our

base for the day. The first session looked at

why we might want to go to University and

the stereotypes that exist about Cambridge

University such as it being a place only

students from private schools go to.

Later, after some discussion throughout the

break, we were given a lecture from the

Archaeology department and given an

insight into what it is like to study

Archaeology at Cambridge. We were placed

into teams and each given an artefact along

with a description of what the artefact had

been used for. These included an axe, an

ancient oil lamp and an Australian spear. In

our groups we then came up with two additional uses for the artefacts that could be plausible. The

three descriptions were then shared with the rest of the group and we each had to decide which

description was true. The PHD students were very impressed with our creativity and many of us

managed to design uses that the other groups believed to be true.

After lunch we were introduced to some undergraduates who gave us a tour of Girton College itself.

Firstly, we were brought through the library to see the many students studying hard to achieve their

degree and we also were given the privilege to observe the rooms and the kitchens that the students

used! It was amazing. We then saw the swimming pool that the students are often allowed to use;

this makes Girton College very well known for being the only college with a swimming pool. After

seeing the swimming pool we were shown the common room where the students were given the

facilities to relax and watch TV and along with the common room, we were shown the dining room

that was very spacious with elegant tables and exquisite décor.

Once the tour of the College ended, we all returned to the originating room to regroup and go onto

the coach to travel to Cambridge town to see the many attractions. Whilst walking round town with

the undergraduates we saw the many other colleges that are part of Cambridge University. We also

got to walk around many of the shops that Cambridge has to offer and see the wide variety of food

outlets that students have to choose from. We returned to the coach just as it started to rain and

travelled back to College. The day was really engaging and helped us to realise that a Redbrick

University is within our reach and how anyone who is determined enough to get accepted, will!

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Bishop Milner Catholic College encourages good attendance and punctuality because students who attend regularly learn most effectively. It has been proven that good attendance is linked to better GCSE grades. Our attendance target for every student at Bishop Milner Catholic College is 100% in an academic year. Research has established a very clear link between good attendance at college and good achievement and progress in tests and examinations. Ten days absence for a family holiday can result in students becoming persistent absentees. Studies show that students who are in the persistent absentee category are much less likely to succeed in college than those who are not.

Persistent absence is currently any student that has 90% attendance or less. This means that a student who is absent for 7 sessions (a morning or an afternoon counts as one session) or more over a half term period for whatever reason, authorised or unauthorised, will be classed as a ‘persistent absentee’. These students will be monitored closely and medical evidence will have to be provided to authorise their absence. Absence at this level is doing considerable damage to any child’s educational prospects and we need parents’ fullest support and co-operation to tackle this. Ultimately, if students are not in college, they cannot learn.

Further information regarding absence/truancy can be found on the Dudley MBC website http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/learning-school/parental-support/dudley-education-investigation-service/absence-and-truancy/

If your child is ill or absent from College A parent /carer must inform the college before 10am each day of the child’s absence. College will contact parents if we are not informed. Failure to send an explanation will result in the absence being recorded as ‘unauthorised’. If your child will be late in or has to leave college for a medical appointment please inform the college beforehand. To report an absence, call the college on 01384 889422 and choose Option 1 – Attendance.

Then to leave a message use ‘Option 1’ or to speak to Mrs Heath, Attendance Officer, choose ‘Option 2’

Please clearly state

the child’s full name

tutor group

the reason for the absence and how long you expect the absence to be for.

who is reporting the absence

GROUP ATTENDANCE

SPRING HALF TERM 2018

It is important that your son/ daughter attends college regularly. The national attendance target rate is 96%.

Group % Attend

A1 97

A3 94.6

A2 94.1

A4 94.9

A5 95.8

B1 96.8

B2 94.9

B3 96

B4 94

C1 97.4

B5 96.4

C2 95.3

C3 92.8

C4 96.6

C5 95.7

J1 96.4

J2 95.5

J3 96.4

J4 95.8

J5 96.5

S1 97.9

S2 95.3

S3 94.6

S4 93.3

S5 93.6

6A1 93.8

6B1 94.2

6B2 91

6C1 90.9

6C2 93.8

6J1 91.6

6J2 90.7

6S1 94.2

Totals 95

You may also use the SchoolComms app to report your child’s absence/attendance at an appointment. Mrs Heath may call you back to clarify the reason for the absence or for further information.

Punctuality

It is vital that all students are in college by 8.55am so that they can get to their classroom in time for registration taken at 9.00am. At 9.00am each morning the gate to the Broadway entrance will close and students will have to enter through the Burton Road gates.

We monitor lateness on a daily basis and if a student is late they will receive a break time detention, usually on the same day. Repeated lateness will result in a meeting with parents and possible further sanctions given.

Unfortunately, lateness is sometimes down to parents dropping students off late. Please support your child's learning by leaving home slightly earlier to get them here on time. Research shows a link between attendance at college and a child’s achievement. Being late adds up to a loss of learning.

Minutes late per day Equivalent of missing 5 mins 3.4 college days a year = 17 lessons 10 mins 6.9 college days a year = 35 lessons 15 mins 10.3 college days a year = 50 lessons 20 mins 13.8 college days a year = 70 lessons 30 mins 20.7 college days a year = 100 lessons

The college site is open from 8:00am and Breakfast Club is available in the canteen from 8:30am.

Condoned Absence

If your child is reluctant to attend please do not cover for them by condoning their absence. Please be aware that the college DOES NOT have to accept the reasons you give for your child’s absence, and ONLY the college can authorise the absence, it is not an automatic right. We reserve the right to investigate any student absence.

Medical Appointments

Wherever possible please arrange appointments outside of college hours.

If your child will be late in or has to leave college for a medical appointment, please inform the college prior to the appointment. Please provide an appointment card or letter as proof of the appointment. Without this your child may not be released from college or the leave will be unauthorised.

It is excepted that usually a student will not be absent for a whole day due to an appointment, and the student is expected to return to college after the appointment time. College may not authorise the absence if it is reasonably expected that your child could return to college and does not.

What Should I Do If I Want to Take My Child On Holiday In Term Time?

There is NO automatic entitlement in law for students to take leave during term time.

Any request for leave of absence MUST be made in advance in writing to the Principal by the parent/carer showing exceptional circumstances and supplying additional evidence. If an event can reasonably be scheduled outside of term time then it would not be normal to authorise the absence. Absence during term time for holidays is, therefore, not considered an exceptional circumstance.

If you are requesting authorisation to attend a specific event, please confirm the date of the event and your travel arrangements.

Absence for a bereavement of a close family member is usually considered an exceptional circumstance but for the funeral only, NOT extended leave.

Only the college and its’ Academy Committee have the discretion to authorise any absence in a college year. The college has the right to take into consideration any others factors as deemed appropriate on application.

If the family choose to take the leave without authorisation, they must accept it will be recorded as unauthorised absence. Unauthorised absence is carefully monitored and leave of absence taken without authorisation may result in a fixed penalty fine of up to £120 per student for each responsible adult.

If the leave is authorised the student must return within the agreed leave period. The college has the right to delete the student from the admission register if the student does not return within the agreed time. The parents/carers may also be issued with a penalty notice for the unauthorised period of absence.

Re-admission to college cannot be guaranteed.

CAREERS

Over recent months we have continued to develop careers information

for students, parents and carers on our college website.

Here you will find a wealth of information relating to labour market

information, job profiles and useful links relating to apprenticeships

and universities which is relevant and useful to students in all year

groups as they begin to make crucial decisions regarding their futures.

Labour market information can be everything from overwhelming and

confusing in-depth statistics to hearing about a potential employer starting up near where you live.

Learning how to use it can help young people to make informed decisions about their future study

and career choices. Labour market information tells you about what is happening in the job market

at national, regional and local levels and includes information about jobs and salaries, what skills

employers are looking for in different industrial sectors, conditions, communities and future trends.

Please continue to visit our website as we add to this information over the coming months.

Year 8 students have been attending Connexions workshops where they have used the Kudos tool

to begin to explore career pathways they may be interested in, whilst Year 9 and 10 students will

be working with Connexions over the coming months as they continue to develop their ideas

regarding potential career pathways.

We are now able to make Kudos available for students and their families to use at home – if they

have forgotten their login details please contact Mr Handy in college who will be able to assist.

We now have a counselling service at Bishop Milner Catholic College provided by Newman Health and Wellbeing; a service being offered by Newman University.

All students are able to access this service, and we are asking you to inform us if you for any reason wish this service to be withheld from your child. Your consent for your child to participate will be assumed if we do not hear from you.

If your child does access the service, we will contact you to inform you. It is hoped that any planned sessions will be held weekly. Please also note that the counsellor is currently in training so sessions will be recorded for University records and safeguarding purposes.

We hope that the Newman Health and Wellbeing counselling service will be beneficial to the overall wellbeing of our students and see it as a positive step towards supporting their emotional development.

Mrs S Hand Student Welfare and Safeguarding Lead

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY AT DUDLEY COLLEGE FRIDAY 26 JANUARY

With students from Bishop Milner. Eve Kugler, a Holocaust survivor presenting her testimony

MOCK POST-MORTEM

Year 12 and 13 A Level Biologists visit to Leasowes High School to participate in a mock post-mortem.

22 of our 6th form Biologists attended the day long trip along with 100 other 6th formers from as far afield as Sheffield. Thanks to Mr Handy for driving one mini-bus with the other being driven by Mr Leather.

Saima ensured she and her peers got the best seats in the house on the front row. We were greeted by Sarah a 4th year medical student who led the day. She talked through the process of how a post-mortem would be conducted using a synthetic cadaver. Starting with the external examination of

the body and the ways of describing the orientation of body parts. From there she moved on to the body cavities, starting with the head. Having explained the process of removing the brain using a pigs head that had been cut in half, she then let the 6th formers loose upon 5 other pigs heads

that had been similarly cut so they could have a go at removing the brain and examining its parts. Our 6th formers did us proud, quickly diving in and getting involved in the examination of the brain parts. The smiles and enthusiasm was evident in all the photos being taken. Chinonso and Mary were amongst the 1st to handle the specimens on each occasion.

We then moved on down into the chest of the synthetic cadaver, removing the throat, lungs and innards of a pig from the human cadaver. Examining the lungs and heart, after a demonstration and a lengthy but very informative and interesting talk the 6th formers again had the opportunity to get “hands on” with more dissection, smiling and photos.

At all stages Sarah described the anatomical features that our students should be able to see and related them to their A level studies and critically she also linked in how the observations would enable a Doctor to identify signs of pathology and injury with case studies from her medical experiences. Also were

included photos of preserved medical specimens of actual body parts to illustrate the differences between healthy tissues and those with signs of disease.

Finally we descended into the abdomen with a number of case studies. Despite the predictable smells from the abdominal organs our students again got involved in feeling the organs through clenched noses.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, with all our Biologists giving it a resounding thumbs up, having enjoyed the knowledgeable talk from Sarah and for having the opportunity to see large body organs in situ. Five students had their photos taken with the body parts by a

photographer from the local paper. Students were also impressed with the chat that they had with Sarah regarding her medical experiences and her route into medicine; having studied for her first degree in Sports Science and then switched after graduating to medicine.

SIXTH FORM TASTER DAY FRIDAY 26 JANUARY

In preparation for our Year 11 students’ next steps the college arranged a Taster Day on Friday 26 January.

Students who remained in college for the Sixth Form Taster Day had the opportunity to attend eight different subject sessions, aimed to enhance their knowledge of studies at A Level / BTEC Level 3 as they make crucial decisions regarding their futures.

They also received a presentation from an ex Bishop Milner student who is now a senior lecturer at Loughborough University, as well as having the opportunity to sample the Sixth Form Centre.

Students dressed in Sixth Form business dress and were a huge credit to both themselves throughout the day.

Students who attended our College Taster Day organised in conjunction with Dudley College had the opportunity to sample a broad range of courses that they may wish to study at the college, as well as an extensive tour of the facilities.

Thank you to everyone who supported these valuable careers events for our Year 11 students.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

In January the college held it’s fifth annual Public Speaking Competition.

The Sixth Form students who competed gave excellent presentations on a broad range of topics, engaging, entertaining and informing the audience.

The judging panel and our visitors from Stourbridge Catentians concur that this was by far the strongest field of entries to date.

We congratulate Jordan Ewane upon his third successive victory, and Jordan will represent the college in the Provincial Final at Princethorpe College in Rugby on 15 April.

JOHN PAUL II AWARDS

On Friday 26 January six of our Year 13 students

attended a presentation ceremony at the

Maryvale Institute in Birmingham to receive their

Bronze Pope John Paul II Awards.

The six students have contributed to the life of

the college, organising events such as our Syria

Project fundraising in 2017 as well as contributing

the wider Catholic life of the college through their

work with Miss Cherian.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements

and it was a delight to be able to share in their

success with 28 other students from across the

Birmingham Diocese. We look forward to the

ceremony next year when we hope to celebrate

further success!

BEFORE AND AFTER COLLEGE ROAD SAFETY

As a duty of care to our students and staff,

please DO NOT park on the yellow zigzag lines

immediately outside both college entrances as

visibility is reduced for students leaving college

at 3.20 pm. The lives of our students are being

put at risk.

It is also essential for health and safety, that

vehicles do not enter or leave the lay-by area

at speeds that are not commensurate with this

type of road.

Please also remind your son/daughter to be

vigilant when crossing the road on Burton

Road and to use the pedestrian crossing

correctly at all times.

May we also ask parents to be considerate to

residents when parking cars on The Broadway

and the Estate opposite our Burton Road

entrance.

ITEMS LEFT AT RECEPTION

Please be reminded that our Reception is unable to accept any items e.g. money, equipment, books, PE kit, cooking ingredients etc from parents/ carers during the college day.

GIFTED AND TALENTED MUSIC CLUB WEDNESDAYS 3.20-4.30 PM

This club is designed to further develop music reading, performance and improvisation skills for enthusiastic and gifted music students. Membership is by invitation but if you think your child should be included then please email jstacey@bmilner.dudley.sch.uk

PIANO LESSONS

Some students have expressed an interest in having piano lessons at College. This could be arranged if there are enough students to make it viable. If you are interested please contact Ms Stacey (Email above).

FOOTBALL

A group of our year 11 boys went to the WBA academy Dome to participate in a tournament on 17 January.

It was a brilliant day and our students were a credit to the College and showed incredible resilience and fight, as well as quality. Here’s a breakdown of the results:

Game 1: BMCC v Kingswinford ( Won 3-0) Game 2: BMCC v Handsworth (0-0) Game 3: BMCC v Leasowes (1-1) Game 4: BMCC v Shirelands (Won 3-1) Semi Final: BMCC v Alcester (Won 5-0) Final: BMCC v King Charles (2-2 Lost on sudden death penalty! )

The students involved were: Tatenda Kanyuchi, Adam Gardner, Ismail Khan, Cristien Masih, Jack Walters, James Platt, Darryl Mundoma.

CROSS COUNTRY U16'S REGIONAL BADMINTON FINALS

Savannah Causer Y11 came 2nd in the West Midlands Schools XC Championship running for Dudley and has made the West Midlands Team to race in the English School Championship at Leeds in March. Well done Savannah!!

FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL

Well done to our year 7 boys and girls 5-a-side football teams who recently competed in a tournament at Dormston.

The girls team won the tournament convincingly winning all their matches and the boys team came second beating Hillcrest and drawing against Dormston.

Well done year 7!

Well done to Nerice Rigby, Natasha Garbett, Georgia

Joshy and Paris Reid for representing BMCC at the

U16'

DODGEBALL Congratulations to our year 9 boys and girls dodgeball teams who were both winners of the recent Dudley schools tournament at Holly Hall!

Girls team: Nerice Rigby, Natasha Garbett, Charlotte Oakes, Olivia Nouwe, Eleanor Butler, Milan Limbu

Boys Team: Matthew Bame, Fred and Murry Oliver, Jairan Rai, Victor Ukwu, Luca Orefice and Thabani Khupe.

BASKETBALL CUP FINALS A group of students attended the PE trip to the Basketball Cup Finals at the Arena Birmingham on Sunday 28 January. It was a fantastic day and the students were a real credit to the College!

CONTACTING COLLEGE:

Post: Bishop Milner Catholic College Burton Road DUDLEY DY1 3BY

Telephone: 01384 889422

E-mail: info@bmilner.dudley.sch.uk Web site: www.bmilner.dudley.sch.uk

If you wish to contact a member of staff, the easiest way is usually by sending a note in to college with your child. If you prefer, you may ring reception and leave a message or arrange an appointment.

All visitors to college must sign in at Reception.

Please be aware that all our staff have busy schedules and are unable to meet with visitors except by prior arrangement.

If your child is unwell and unable to attend college, please telephone college each day of absence.

Reception is staffed from 8.30am-4.30pm daily. Outside these hours, your message will be taken by an answer phone. Please tell us which tutor group your child is in. If school is closed for any reason

(e.g. bad weather) this will be

announced on local radio, our

website and by an SMS message.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

AUTUMN TERM 2016

31 Oct Students return to college

16 Nov Y13 Mock Interview Day

17 Nov Y10 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

8 Dec Y9 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

14 Dec Carol Service (6pm)

16 Dec End of Term

SPRING TERM 2017

3 Jan PTD College closed to students

4 Jan Students return to college

5 Jan Y12 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

19 Jan Public Speaking Competition (7pm)

26 Jan Y11 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

9 Feb Y13 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

HALF TERM 20-24 Feb 2017

2 Mar Y8 Options Evening (3.45-6.15pm)

6 Apr Y10 & 12 Careers Convention

(5.30-8.00pm)

7 Apr End of Term

SUMMER TERM 2017

24 Apr Students return to College

1 May Public Holiday College closed

4 May Local Elections (TBC) College closed

to students

11 May Y7 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

25 May Y8 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

HALF TERM 29 May – 2 June

30 Jun Y10 Mock Interview Day

3-4 Jul Primary Liaison

5 July Y11 Prom

7 Jul 6th form Induction

21 Jul End of Term

24 Jul PTD College closed to Students

25 Jul PTD College closed to Students

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

SPRING TERM 2018

HALF TERM 19-23 Feb 2017

8 Mar Y8 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

22 Mar Y8 Options Evening (3.45-6.15pm)

29 Mar End of Term

SUMMER TERM 2018

16 Apr Students return to College

19 Apr Y12 Parents Evening (3.45-7.00pm)

3 May Local Elections (TBC) College closed to students

7 May Public Holiday College closed

HALF TERM 28 May – 1 June

28 Jun Y10 Mock Interview Day

2-3 Jul Primary Liaison

5 July Y11 Prom

6 Jul 6th form Induction

12-13 Jul Sixth Form Residential

16-20 Jul Y12 Work Experience Week

20 Jul End of Term

a