Bug Club

7th May 2021Mr Barnes

Important Announcement!

As you know, reading is our whole school focus as it is central to the children being able to access learning across the curriculum.

From Monday 10th May, the primary children *will not* be bringing a book home and will be expected to use Bug Club instead. This saves staff ‘COVID quarantining’ books from home.

All of the primary children have logins, and know how to use the system.

Please support your child’s learning by encouraging them to spend 15 minutes on Bug Club every night. We will monitor use and reward children on a Friday if they do this.

Let us know if you have any difficulties accessing the system or issues with connectivity.

As always, thank you for your support. 

The Beacon Globe Trotters

20th April 2021Mr Barnes

For those in the know, the Harlem Globe Trotters are amongst the most dazzling and entertaining exhibition basketball teams on the planet.

But who needs them? We have our very own Beacon Globetrotters in Sam and Shay! Both of whom managed to score an impressive 3 point shot from the half court line.

Well done!

Young Writers Success!

23rd March 2021Mr Barnes

We are delighted to announce that three of our Young People have been chosen for publication in the latest Young Writers Competition. You can read their stories below! Well done Sam, Shane and Isaac!

Sam

Shane

Isaac

If you are feeling inspired and would like to try your hand at the latest writing competition, following the link here to see what the criteria is this term! Good luck!

https://www.thebeaconcentre.net/young-writers/

National Careers Week 2021 Events

2nd March 2021Mr Barnes

Follow the links below to access a range of events throughout the week to help you make the right choice for you and your future.

Tuesday 2nd March

INSIGHTS Public Lectures

March 2nd @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Online, Free

Newcastle University are providing free virtual public lectures. The lectures cover a wide range of disciplines and frequently include key contemporary issues, particularly those that affect our daily lives. Many of the speakers are leaders in their field and all have something of special interest to convey.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/newcastle-university/insights-public-lectures?id=134

Engineering roles in the Merchant Navy – webinar for parents and carers

March 2nd @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Online, Free

Careers at Sea is here to promote the many career opportunities in the Merchant Navy, from cadet to captain, apprentice to Chief Engineer and so many more. In this session, we will be focusing on the Engineering roles on board ship – maintaining and monitoring ship mechanics, from their immense engines to essential water and heating systems, as well as more complex technical electric equipment.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/national-careers-service/engineering-roles-in-the-merchant-navy-webinar-for-parents-and-carers?id=168

Wednesday 3rd MArch

Pathways into STEM

March 3rd @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am, Online, Free

This virtual interactive session is aimed at post-16, and will feature a panel of STEM employers talking about their job roles, different pathways into STEM and the skills they have developed along the way. Whether joining from home or from the classroom, students can ask questions via the secure ‘chat box’ live to the employers.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/inspiring-the-future/pathways-into-stem?id=170

Founders4schools

March 3rd @ 9:45 am – 4:45 pm, Online, Free

Founders4schools invites you to join this event where we bring together industry professionals from a range of sectors: Environment & Energy, Food & Drink, Financial Services, Engineering & Manufacturing and Science & Tech to talk to students about what it takes to have a fulfilling and successful career in these industries.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/careers-in-the-spotlight/founders4schools?id=174

Thursday 4th March

INSIGHTS Public Lectures

March 4th @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Online, Free

Newcastle University are providing free virtual public lectures. The lectures cover a wide range of disciplines and frequently include key contemporary issues, particularly those that affect our daily lives. Many of the speakers are leaders in their field and all have something of special interest to convey.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/newcastle-university/insights-public-lectures?id=135

North East Business Futures- The Future of Assistive Technology

March 4th @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Online, Free

North East Futures UTC, North East Business Futures and Accenture have partnered once again to deliver this online event, which is designed to provide an opportunity for the industry sector, UTC students and members of the public to hear from, and engage with, leading experts in the field of the digital technologies and how they are being implemented to transform the health and social care and digital sectors. We will be showcasing the innovative uses of technology designed to improve the quality of life and healthcare for our older generation.

Never before has the need for digital technologies been so great as in the confrontation of a wide range of issues being faced by the healthcare sector. The Covid-19 pandemic is driving the need for digital innovations to support the management and treatment of health and social care for the population, and this trend will change the shape of future healthcare as we know it.

Mark Larsen, Managing Director at Accenture will be leading on this event and you can expect facilitated discussions, industry speakers, Q&A’s plus some exciting demos and videos of new innovations.

https://www.northeastambition.co.uk/events/north-east-futures-utc/north-east-business-futures-the-future-of-assistive-technology?id=169

Why we like the Beacon!

12th February 2021Mr Barnes

Staff and students have been thinking about what they like about The Beacon Centre. From the amazing Staff team we have to the school’s dogs or the relationships between staff and young people.

Sometimes it’s great to take a minute to be grateful for the things that make you feel happy, in our case it’s being like a family and creative a supportive and caring environment for staff and young people.

We are so proud of all of our staff and young people. We strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve all they can and that everyone is able to be the best “them” that they can be….. Most of all…. “We are family!”

Chinese New Year – 12th February 2021

12th February 2021Mr Barnes

The 12th February is Chinese New Year! We are entering the year of the Ox!

Mr Barnes tells the story of Chinese New Year in the video below:

Year of the Ox

The Ox is the second of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox. Thus, Ox became the second animal.

Personality and Characteristics

Oxen are honest and earnest. They are low key and never look for praise or to be the centre of attention. This often hides their talent, but they’ll gain recognition through their hard work.

They believe that everyone should do what’s asked for them and stay within their bounds. Though they are kind, it’s difficult for them to understand persuasion using pathos. Rarely losing your temper, they think logically and make great leaders.

Lucky things for Oxen

  • Colors: blue, yellow, green
  • Numbers: 1, 4
  • Flowers: lily of the valley and lucky bamboo
  • Directions of auspiciousness: East, Southeast
  • Directions of wealth: Northwest
  • Directions of love: South

Careers Fit for Oxen

Oxen often group family and work together. They look for long-term and steady work. Because of this, they are studious in school and perform well in every subject. This helps build a strong support for any future career path.

Because of their low-key personality, a stable job is the best for Oxen. Their strong sense of responsibility also makes them the perfect candidate for professional and stressful jobs. These include doctors, lawyers, businessmen and teachers. With their technical skills and effort, they can receive society’s recognition and reach their own standards.

No matter what career they choose, it must something they are really interested in. Though they may be okay with any job that fits their skills, they should take the time to find something they love. Only in a stable environment that matches their passions, are they able to find their true calling.

https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/ox/

Sledging at Primary

10th February 2021Mr Barnes

Thanks to the Christmas fundraising raffle, Beacon Primary were able to buy some new sledges… Just in time for all the snow!

Children have been able to demonstrate soft skills of team work, turn taking and, consideration.

No learning opportunity was missed either, with young people and staff discussing forces, mass and velocity.

It was great to see all of the children getting stuck in and having a great time in the snow!

What’s the benefit? Where’s the value?

Not only is sledging a fantastic form of exercise for children, repeatedly climbing up the slopes, the fact children have fun doing it is motivation to exercise for longer.

Sledging also helps to improve our endurance levels, cardiovascular fitness and total body strength, all that lugging up the hills and trudging through the snow. It also encourages core stability and control during the descent.

Getting up from falling off demonstrates skills in resilience as well as further developing all the large muscle groups.

Being outside in general, but especially in winter, boosts the heart rate, refreshes the mind and helps to calm children through the day.

Renewable Energy – Beacon Secondary

4th February 2021Mr Barnes

With the nature of fossil fuel use being what it is, and the inevitability that within the next 100 years the cost of extraction of coal, oil and gas is going to outweigh the potential profits of large energy companies. It is important that young people understand the importance of renewable energy sources.

With that in mind, Isaac has been looking at renewable energy and whether solar powered roads would be a good idea.

Have a look at what Isaac thought and let us know if you think Solar Powered Roads would be a good thing?

Isaac might just be on to something here, he could be the next Elon Musk?