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National Scientific Thinking Challenge

Pupils in 10A and 10S took part in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge on 26th April 2023.

The challenge was a great way to test and encourage deep thinking skills in STEM related contexts.

Thanks to the team at University of Warwick for organising the event, we look forward to the results!

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Drayton Manor Theme Park Trip

As their reward for excellent attendance for this school year, selected students had a reward trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park. The students had an amazing day, the weather held off all day and the park itself was very quiet with plenty of opportunities to go on rides, multiple times. The staff were nothing but complimentary of the students and spoke of how polite and well-mannered they were all day. Well done to all the students who were involved, well deserved!

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Post Easter Raffle

Easter may be over, but the EGGcellent fun is not finished yet! On Wednesday 26th April we will be doing a post-Easter raffle in which students can win a hamper full of Easter eggs. Students will be able to buy a strip of tickets for £1 during lunch times on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. That gives them five opportunities to win this CRACKing prize. The draw will be made before the end of the day on Wednesday. Don’t get SCRAMBLED if you don’t win though, the money raised will go towards our four House charities: Help Harry Help Others, Wythall Animal Sanctuary, St Basils and the Trussel Trust. Students are invited to bring in some change at the start of next week for the chance to win. 

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Anti-bullying: Spring Term Update

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury has been expanding its antibullying team this academic year. We are proud to have ambassadors from year 7 through to year 10. 

Why do we work alongside the Diana Award?

The Diana Award engages young people, parents and teachers to change the attitudes, behaviour and culture of bullying by building skills and confidence to address different situations, both online and offline. 

Our antibullying team:

How does a pupil become an Anti-bullying Ambassador?

The application process begins in September. Pupils have to write a cover letter stating why they want to become an Antibullying Ambassador; detailing the qualities that possess in order to make an effective anti-bullying ambassador. It is always fantastic to see the number of applicants we get and those that want to make a difference in our community.

It has been another busy term for the anti-bullying team. We have new year 7 pupils actively engaged in the programme and working alongside our more experienced Anti-bullying Ambassadors. The antibullying team meets at least once every three weeks and more often if there is a themed week in the calendar so that we can plan events as a team. The team are encouraged to speak to each other around school, when issues arise, and to share their ideas and initiatives. School council representatives will also liaise with Antibullying Ambassadors to raise any issues at their weekly meetings.  Anti-bullying ambassadors can be recognised by the purple badge that they wear on their blazers. Ambassadors will bring up issues raised then we will respond with a “You said “We did” attitude.

News from this term

The Anti-bullying team pulled together for world mental health week, which saw pupils take part in different activities centred around improving mental health and well-being. During this week, themed assemblies were delivered along with PSHE and other form time activities. 

Mental health drop in sessions were hosted at break time in order to facilitate well-being conversations between pupils and people in school who can support them such as student social workers and our ambassadors.  There were also poetry competitions in English as well as a poster competition where they were displayed on the TV screens around school to celebrate pupils’ efforts. 

All form groups have been actively involved in our DEC antibullying pledge; a personalised version of which has been developed by each form and can be seen displayed on form notice boards.

Ten of our Antibullying Ambassadors will also be attending a training day in May run by the Diana Award. This training will focus on LGBTQ+ and inclusion. Updates and impacts of this training will be updated in the next newsletter, on Twitter and also our website.

Working towards our DEC Diana Award Badges

Next term, we will continue our work towards the accredited Diana award badges. See the link below for guidance on how you can get involved and generate ideas from home. We encourage all pupils to have a get involved. 

https://diana-award.org.uk/our-programmes-and-initiatives/anti-bullying-post-training-support/earn-your-badge

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury have done extensive work towards their ‘Respect’ badge and will achieve this by the end of the summer term. We are also really proud to be working towards the ‘Big Award’ which recognises the work that is done in support of antibullying in schools. 

Some of the ‘Respect’ areas that we have worked towards include: 

  • Whole school assemblies on diversity and inclusion 
  • Anti-bullying training for LGBTQ+ ambassadors in inclusivity 
  • Support group for pupils to work alongside with and voice any concerns they have surrounding inclusion 
  • Speakers from our DEC house charities have been invited into assemblies to talk to pupils about what they do 
  • Equal rights and inclusion display boards around school 
  • One of our school values is respect, therefore pupils who show respect are recognised for this and rewarded  

Reminder 

If you are concerned about bullying from another child in school please make us aware of the problems so that we can deal with it effectively. Pupils can report to a Head of House, any staff member they feel comfortable talking to or using the anti-bullying referral forms that can be found next to the anti-bullying notice boards and pupils can place these in the red-letter box. We are a telling school, and if we know about situations, we will deal with them quickly and effectively. 

Finally! 

Below are some helpful links for parents and pupils who would like more advice on tackling or dealing with bullying. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/ 

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-and-support/if-youre-being-bullied/find-help-and-support

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World Autism Week

World Autism Acceptance Week is held during the week coinciding with Autism Acceptance Day. This year, it takes place from 27th March – 2nd April. Autism – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affects mental, behavioural, and social development. The degree to which autism impacts an individual is unique to them since each person’s circumstances are unique. Symptoms appear as early as the first 12 months of life and can last throughout life. Many people with autism can have their symptoms and quality of life improved over time due to strong support networks and coping mechanisms and routines that work for them. 

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School we endeavour to support all of our students who have an ASD diagnosis or are currently awaiting an assessment through a range of resources including outside agency support from our Communication and Autism Lead Link teacher, Anne Seymour, Pupil School Support Services and the Educational Psychology Service. We also offer ‘in house’ support ranging from RSPCA therapy, Social Interaction Groups, Mental Health support and Success counselling.  

World Autism Acceptance Week first started as Autism Awareness Week back in 2007. It happened in a time of great need for more awareness of autism and what it means. Before autism became as understood and recognised as it is today, many misconceptions surrounded it. 

This Week is a global chance to raise awareness of autism and, more importantly, the week is spent advocating for the acceptance of autism and those who fall into the spectrum.

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Unifest

What is Unifest?  

UniFest Summer Schools take place at six universities across the West Midlands. UniFest gives you the chance to spend time exploring university life, meeting students and staff, making friends and having an action packed, fun experience.  

What will pupils do at Unifest? 

That depends on which UniFest event you choose. Some explore university life and study in general, and others focus on certain career or study options. All UniFest events include lots of hands-on sessions and a fun-packed programme of social activities 

Who is Unifest for?  

UniFest is for students in Year 10 at state-funded secondary schools in the West Midlands who are from backgrounds and communities that are less likely to consider university as an option.   

In July we will be applying for a selection of places for our year 10 pupils who are eligible to attend Unifest, this is a great opportunity for those who are selected. If you are in year 10 and are interested, please speak to Ms Faulkner.  For more information see the following link https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Aimhigher-Parents-and-Carers-Guide-2020.pdf. 

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Aimhigher Mentoring

Since October 2022, selected 6th form and Year 10 pupils have taken part in Aimhigher Mentoring. Aimhigher is a scheme that helps young people make inspired choices about their future. Aimhigher West Midlands is a partnership of universities working to support learners who face a number of challenges to broaden their horizons and make informed decisions about their future educational and career choices.  The Aimhigher West Midlands partnership has been funded by its university members since 2009 and has a strong reputation across the region for providing quality, impartial information, advice and guidance (https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/

Twelve Year 10 pupils from Dame Elizabeth Cadbury have been accessing weekly sessions with mentors from local universities who are working within the Aimhigher scheme. They have been targeted to help raise their aspirations and give them areas to focus on in terms of future targets, as well as identifying key areas of work they are interested in.  Each week, the mentors have discussed with pupils how they are enjoying and progressing in certain subjects, as well as their future goals. Mentors have then fed back and given detailed actions for each pupil to focus on for the following week. The feedback from pupils is that have enjoyed their sessions and they feel more confident and inspired about their future and higher education.  

“Feedback from students indicates that the opportunities provided have increased their knowledge of higher education, raising awareness of the benefits and the importance of choosing a path that is right for them. A West Midland’s student said, “I thought there was one set route but now I know there are lots of ways to get into it.”  We appreciate young people’s individuality and the value of different strengths and skills, while working to identify how these skills could enhance future careers“. 

https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/about/.

You can find more information and resources for all pupils on the following link https://aimhigherwm.ac.uk/resources/ .

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Student Leadership: Year 10 Prefects

After a rigorous selection process, we are pleased to announce that thirty nine Year 10 pupils have been chosen to represent the school as Prefects.  The Prefect team is the largest Leadership team in the school. The number of pupils who want to support Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School and represent us is incredibly humbling. Our Prefects are pupils who not only want to give something back to their school but want to provide a support network for their peers. They are role-models and ambassadors for the school in every way. The role develops them as leaders and builds confidence and self-esteem, as well as developing their ability to work as part of a cohesive team.  Their next steps are to attend Level 1 safeguarding training and teambuilding training at Ackers. We are excited to see them develop in their role.  

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DEC Wellbeing Week

During Wellbeing week this year, the DEC community focussed on their mental health and well-being by taking top tips from the NHS and structuring our activities to promote a different top tip each day. Each day of the week had a theme and designated activities to promote mindfulness and stress relieving techniques.

Monday​ 20 March – Keep learning​: 

Take up a new hobby or skill and try out one of our extra-curricular clubs​

‘Learn a new language’ sheets available at lunch 

Tuesday​ 21 March – Give to others​: 

Motivational postcards ​to share with staff/peers available at lunch 

Bring a donation for the Trussell foodbank – tins and dried goods ​etc.  

Wednesday​ 22 March – Take notice​: 

Mindfulness session during form time/break time​ 

Mindfulness colouring sheets available at lunch 

‘Gratitude journal’ sheets available at lunch​ 

Thursday​ 23 March – Connect​: 

Wellbeing drop-in after school in the Art room (G16) 

Staff Workload and Wellbeing forum  

Friday​ – Be active​: 

Just Dance at break in the Dance Studio

Table tennis at break in the playground

Futsal at break in the Sports hall 

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Neurodiversity Week: 13th-19th March 2023

To celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2023, DEC form tutors delivered a session on ‘Celebrating our unique strengths and differences’. Pupils learnt more about what neurodiversity is, why we celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and what they can do to help others.  Pupils watched videos to give them a greater insight into Autism and Dyspraxia and were signposted to additional resources on the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website – https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/introduction 

One of our DEC Values is Respect, and it is important that our pupils understand that neurological variations in the human brain are natural and that we must be respectful of other people and their unique strengths and talents. 

Contact Info

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West Midlands B30 1UL

Contact Number: 0121 464 4040

enquiry@decschool.co.uk

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