C. Bechstein Academy A22 Piano

I am pleased to announce that our C. Bechstein piano arrived late on 31st January 2023 from Manchester. The previous instrument dated from at least the 1890s and had reached the end of its working life, having served the school for many years.

Stefan Czepiel and I embarked on a wonderful journey of discovery late last year to find a replacement instrument for Big School that will last well in to the next century. As part of this process, we visited a couple of piano studios. We started local by visiting Belbroughton with a small number of our boys. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to try playing some of the finest quality pianos available.

A few weeks later we ventured to C. Bechstein Manchester Ltd located in a purpose-built studio in the heart of the city. This studio had a wider range of instruments with prices from £3,000 up to £170,000! One of the challenges we faced was finding an instrument powerful enough to fill Big School. Although Big School does not have a large floor space, the high ceilings make it difficult for a piano to be heard at the back. After several hours of playing and pondering we found the perfect piano. It is almost 2m 30cm in length and weights approximately 415kg.

The piano needs a few weeks to settle before being tuned again but then it will be heard and played by the staff and students of KEVI HGS for many years to come.

M. Ward

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on Education February 2023

I have been dipping in and out of an interesting book lately by Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix and author of the book That Will Never Work – which many of you would enjoy.

What I found interesting was what multi-millionaire Marc Randolph thought were key steps to success. All steps we can take ourselves and also what he considered being successful meant so far as he was concerned. It transpires that this is essentially, enjoying being challenged by a new project.

When you play in a sports fixture you will, I imagine, have in your mind what success looks like for you and the team, be that beating the opposition, or perhaps performing better than in the last match; if you perform in a concert, perhaps success is playing your piece note-perfect or perhaps it is more than that? Is it stirring up real emotion in the audience because of the way in which you play or sing? I wonder, have we got a picture in our mind of what success will mean for us as individuals at the end of this term or the end of the year? Do we know what steps we need to take to achieve that success?

As a School, a key our measure of success is our students. We say that we seek to produce happy, creative, moral citizens who live motivated, fulfilled lives while enriching the lives of others. In other words, we say that HGS is successful if our students are able to flourish, and follow the right path for themselves in the right way, and make the lives of others better in the process. Be a Force for Good guided by our HGS CARES values. All the components of a HGS education are hopefully steps to ensure that success for our students.

Recently, I took a brief trip to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. It is a really interesting and fascinating place and well worth a visit although currently it is partly closed for renovation. And although the museum is not surveying visitors there was a notice asking them to comment on what they want the museum to be like. The notice says:

We believe we can be a place:

  • Where everyone can feel at home
  • Where we can all be inspired
  • And which has an impact beyond its walls

Those three targets for success could apply here at HGS. We all need to seek opportunities to be inspired; we need to speak to others and listen to them so that they all feel comfortable…and if we do things really well, our students and HGS will have an impact on others across the world.

Keep seeking success and enjoy the challenge of solving problems along the way.

Stay safe and well.

Be kind to yourself and others.

Best wishes,

Dr Bird

Wellbeing Advice

Under 13 Schoolboy of the Week – BCFC Academy

The education team at Birmingham City Academy have awarded Arijus Ahmadian (8G) the under 13 student of the week award for being an excellent ambassador and role model in both his academic studies and as an aspiring professional footballer. His picture has been added to the wall of fame in the academy classroom at the training ground and Arijus has also received a certificate and medal for his recent achievements.

 

 

Cambridge University Success

Congratulations to Arthur in Year 13 who has been offered a place to read Land Economy at Homerton College, Cambridge University. This is a wonderful achievement.

 

Wellbeing Advice

Year 7 House Countdown Competition

During Registration, week beginning 9th January, each year 7 form carried out a form Countdown competition, which consisted of two words, two numbers rounds and a conundrum round. At the end of the form competitions each form had a form champion ready to represent their House in the House competition, which took place during assembly on Tuesday 17th January. A big well done to, Abdi Khalil (7A), Ben Maia Nunes (7G), Stanley Todd (7H), Jarred Vergara (7N) and Zain Zaman (7W) for representing your forms! All students have received 5 house points for participating in the Countdown competition.

For the House competition, there were two words and one number round. At this point there were 5 points in it, so anyone getting the conundrum right would win. Each participant was then given a conundrum to work out. Our victorious participant was Jarred Vergara (7N), with the only participant getting his conundrum correct. Congratulations to Jarred, who has received 10 house points and a £5 Amazon voucher!

An account from Ben Maia Nunes (7G):

The countdown was an excellent way to practice our mathematical and our literature skills and we all had a good time. I especially enjoyed the words rounds. The conundrum was very difficult and only one of the contestants got their conundrum correct. The final standings of the competition were:

1st– Nelson

2nd-Henry

3rd-Galahad

4th-William

5th-Alfred

 

 

House Photography Competition Results

“My Birmingham” House Photography Competition 2022 Results

 

Year 7

1st Place: Michal Kopec 7G

2nd Place: Harna Singh 7N

3rd Place: Aayan Pirani 7G

Year 8

1st Place: Mohammed Rasaul 8A

2nd Place:  Arjund Sond 8A

 

3rd Place: Adam Cunningham 8H

Year 9

1st Place: Anoop Legha 9A

2nd Place: Arayan Deb 9G

3rd Place Namya Jain 9G

Year 10

1st Place: Keatan Gill 10 N

2nd Place: Hardev Manku 10 W

3rd Place Mubarak Da Silva 10N

Year 11

1st Place: Roan Paul 11G

2nd Place: Joshua Holdsworth 11N

3rd Place: Basel Ziyara 11G

Special Merit Award: Jamie Callaghan 11N

Year 12

1st Place: Aman Salan 12 AKU

2nd Place: Rohan Reynolds-Korotania 12 MWA

3rd Place: Oliver Page 12 MWA

Year 13

1st Place: Adam Khan 13 PSK

2nd Place: Adam Khan 13 PSK

3rd Place: Adam Khan 13 PSK

Staff

1st Place: Mrs Lin- Fellows

2nd Place: Mr Ward

3rd Place: Mrs Elwell

BCFC Academy Bronze Award

Congratulations to Arijus Ahmadian (8G) who has successfully completed the bronze star award for completing seven visits to the academy enrichment education programme at Wast Hills training facility at Birmingham City Football Club. The certification represents high levels of engagement, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to both his academic studies and academy football codes of conduct.

 

Focus on Education January 2023

Over the past couple of months, I have read a number of articles and features which debate/discuss what could be named as ‘Enlightened Education’. Alongside some of the more practical information I hope always to be inspired as I reflect on my own leadership and the future direction of our school in the face of the ever-changing scene vis-a-vis Ofsted et al. I will allow these soundbites to speak for themselves:

From Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix:

“Don’t try to predict the future but prepare yourself for whatever happens.”

“Surround yourself with people who excel in areas where you don’t.”

“Take risks and learn from mistakes; then don’t make the same mistake twice.”

From broadcaster and professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, Mona Siddiqui:

“School playgrounds stay with us for all our lives.”

“How can I leave the world a better place?”

“What does it mean to lead a meaningful life?”

“Our job as educators is the formation of young people rather than information to young people.”

Nicola Benedetti, violinist:

“Music teaches me about faith, humility, creativity and humanity.”

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former Paralympian, winner of 11 gold medals who broke 35 world records, talking about the importance of access to mainstream education for disabled people:

“Education gives you choices and opportunity.”

Young changemakers and youth ambassadors from their world, combatting the global education crisis:

“Education is a child’s weapon. Don’t take it for granted.”

You could very easily be forgiven for not being able to name the five Secretaries of State for Education who have been in post over the last few months! I couldn’t do so, without resorting to Wikipedia! Education has sadly featured very little in the polemic of politicians of both main parties in the last few months – a far cry from Tony Blair’s list of priorities in the run-up to the 1997 General Election: “Education, education, education.”

There was an interesting article in The Sunday Times by James Kirkup, Director of the Social Market Foundation, who wrote:

As a country we do not give enough resources or attention to education. Twenty years ago, Britain devoted the same share of national wealth to education as to healthcare. Today total health spending is roughly double the education budget. Voters don’t seem to mind, or notice. The Ipsos Issues Index, a polling barometer of public concerns, recently found that just 8 per cent of the public considered education a high priority. That’s the lowest since 1984.

Rishi Sunak has thankfully said that he believes some reform is needed, talking about an English Baccalaureate to perhaps (in part) replace A levels, a greater focus on vocational subjects and fewer subjects to be assessed at age 16 – all ideas that have been mooted on more than one occasion in the past, but which have failed to gain traction. This was a welcome statement, for a fresh perspective on the way in which we prepare our young people for life and work today is certainly required. More clarity of thought is needed though rather than Education yet again being used as a political football by politicians from all sides. Or to phrase it differently, playing the Education hokey-cokey!

Without a doubt, you do consider education as a top priority for your children, for you have made some sacrifices to invest in an HGS education, and to give your children life-enhancing, even life-changing opportunities – and, as a school, we never forget that.

Let us hope that the most recent incarnation of Education Secretary (Gillian Keegan, in case you needed reminding!) lasts long enough to understand and to make an enduring, positive difference to the lives of young people. In the meantime, it is the committed work, day-in, day-out, from caring and inspirational teachers in the front line which makes the greatest impact.

Stay safe and well.

Be kind to yourself and others.

Best wishes,

Dr Bird