BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

The penultimate week of term at BCS signals the arrival of something truly magical: Christmas has officially landed! As the halls fill with festive cheer and the faint sound of rehearsals waft through the air, our pupils have once again showcased their remarkable talents in music and performing arts.

Our Nursery, Reception and Year 1 year groups dazzled us with spectacular Nativity performances in the Chapel and the Atrium – so superb, I’m half-expecting an Oscar nomination to come through the post! The performances left parents beaming with pride (and possibly a few misty eyes). A massive thank you to our pupils and our fabulous Pre-Prep staff who worked tirelessly to make these events unforgettable. And of course, to you, our parents, for your enthusiastic support – without your hearty applause, the magic wouldn’t quite be the same. As the curtain falls on these performances, let me just say: to our amazing children, BRAVO!

This week also brought the much-anticipated auditions for our second organ scholar. With the tremendous success of Zoe, our first scholar, sparking widespread interest, the stakes were high. Zoe’s achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary – Mozart would surely nod in approval. Thank you to all the pupils who applied for this prestigious award; we are excited to announce the lucky scholar very soon.

On Wednesday, Year 5 took a thought-provoking trip to the synagogue as part of their Religious Studies syllabus. Encouraging understanding and tolerance of all world religions is something I deeply value, and it’s something our pupils at BCS model so well. As the writer Rumi beautifully said, “The lamps are different, but the light is the same.” My thanks to Miss Fiellateau for organising this enriching visit – it’s moments like these that make education so meaningful.

History came alive for Year 4 as they stepped back in time to learn about the Spanish Armada. Our very own historian extraordinaire, Mr. Newman, delivered a riveting lecture filled with the drama of Sir Francis Drake, the mighty fleet, and of course, that classic British twist – the weather saving the day. The Year 4s were captivated by the tale of how the English, with a little help from Mother Nature, triumphed over one of the greatest naval forces of the 16th century. If history was always this exciting, I might have pursued archaeology!

This week, we held the annual Mastermind eliminator – a thrilling tradition that pits our brightest brains against the clock. And for you parents feeling competitive, I’ve attached an adult version of the quiz below. Take five minutes, give it a go, and send me your answers. The top scorers will receive eternal bragging rights (and possibly a mention in next week’s Update). The final showdown is set for the last day of term – don’t miss it!

It was a privilege this week to meet with senior school Heads to discuss our Year 6 pupils. To say it’s been another stellar year for this cohort is an understatement. From academic excellence to sporting and musical triumphs, our pupils continue to shine in every arena. As I often say (and wholeheartedly believe), BCS really is a School like no other.

With one week left and a jam-packed calendar of family Christmas events, there’s plenty more excitement to come. From all of us at BCS, have a wonderful weekend – and maybe enjoy a mince pie or two.

As Norman Vincent Peale suggests, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

Enjoy one and all!

 

 

Mastermind Quiz: General Knowledge Edition for Parents

1. What is the medical term for the process of cell division in which a single cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells?

2. Which Latin phrase meaning “the body of the crime” refers to the principle that evidence of a crime must be presented before someone can be convicted?

3. Which 1994 film directed by Quentin Tarantino is famous for its non-linear storyline and contains the characters Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace?

4. In cricket, how many runs are awarded for hitting the ball directly over the boundary without bouncing?

5. What is the next number in the sequence: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ___?

6. Who wrote the classic 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which explores themes of racial injustice in the Deep South?

7. Which country has the longest coastline in the world?

8. Which classical composer is known for his Symphony No. 9, commonly referred to as the “Ode to Joy”?

9. What is the most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere?

10. Which British monarch was on the throne during the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215?

 

Challenge question…

A cylindrical tank has a height of 10 meters and a radius of 3 meters. If the tank is filled with water to 70% of its total capacity, what is the volume of water in the tank in cubic meters? (Use π ≈ 3.1416)