Young Writers Success!

9th June 2021Mr Barnes

We have just received the printed books containing the published work of three of our young people! A huge well done to Shane, Sam and Isaac! Each of whom have received a copy of the book and a certificate from Young Writers. If you would like to read their fantastic stories, you can do so below.

Sam – Innocent?

Nobody believed he was innocent, everyone though he did it. There was all the proof you needed. The body, the gun, the witnesses, even what’d happened in the past. Everyone knew about their big fight and he hit her straight across the face and walked out on her. He says that night never happened. Anyway, back to the present now. He was found next to her body on his hands and knees, covered in blood. The cops stormed into the room. He ran straight out the window and has been running since.

Young Writers – Case Files: Unsolved, On the Run – Page 130

Shane – The Wrong Crowd

People think the dead can’t talk, but what people don’t know is the so-called dead are alive. I’m thirty-three years old, I’ve been on the run since I was seventeen as I got involved with the wrong crowd, which ended up in a bad situation. One night the gang and I was involved with decided they were going to rob a bank. I’m now FBI’s most wanted as all my accomplices got caught at the scene. I had been a fugitive for sixteen years until the courtroom drama in which I was found not guilty, the case is left unsolved…

Young Writers – Case Files: Unsolved, On the Run – Page 131

Isaac – Mistaken Identity

His body lay on the floor in a puddle of his own blood, his body still gasping for air with a bullet in his lung. This was the third gang-related shooting this week.

He was walking through the street he walked through every day to get to his nan’s from school but he was a little bit late, he walked past a few people and noticed that he was getting followed, they started shouting at him, then they chased him, he was running for about five minutes. He turned a corner. All he heard was bang!

Young Writers – Case Files: Unsolved, On the Run – Page 132

If you are feeling inspired by these great stories, you can enter the current Young Writers Competition ” Spine-Chillers” by following this link:

https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/writing-portal/start?code=69821-503

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/

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!”

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?

National Apprenticeship Week 8th – 14th Feb

2nd February 2021Mr Barnes

National Apprenticeship Week is 8th – 14th Feb. There are loads of events happening in support of the week. See the file below.

Events-Listing_V2Download

Events include Q & A events, ask an employer events as well as a whole host of events specially aimed at helping young people make the choice that best suits them for their post 16 lives.

Even during these challenging times it is vital that young people think about what their options are, an apprenticeship might just be the way to go.

Below you will find loads of activities that you can complete at home or in school.

1. Complete the Amazing Apprenticeships NAW2021 Activity Pack

Using the interactive word document, this enjoyable activity pack can
be completed digitally or printed off. Working through the activities,
students will explore hundreds of different apprenticeship job roles by
completing quizzes, watching films, filling in a word search and more.
There’s something for everyone!
Visit www.amazingapprenticeships.com/naw2021

www.amazingapprenticeships.com/naw2021

2. Test your apprenticeship knowledge

Amazing Apprenticeships has created lots of fun quizzes to help inform
students, teachers and parents about apprenticeships, traineeships and
T Levels. There is also a recycling quiz which is really good fun (and
nothing to do with apprenticeships).

apprenticeships quiz (amazingapprenticeships.com)

3. How apprenticeships can link to your favourite subject

If students aren’t sure where to start researching apprenticeships, it can
be made easier by encouraging them to think about the school subjects
that they enjoy most, and then looking at which apprenticeships they
could lead to.

Have a think about your favourite subjects.
• Use the subject posters to look at the range of apprenticeships listed for each subject.
• Carry out independent research to see what you can find out about those apprenticeships.

4_NAW2021-Subject-Poster-BundleDownload

4. Which employers offer apprenticeships?

There are thousands of employers that offer apprenticeships. Students
often start by looking at some of the more recognisable names and
the Amazing Apprenticeships Vacancy Snapshot portal has some of the
best-known apprenticeship employers in England.
Through the portal, students can explore the different sections to find
out the company benefits, the programme details, unique look-behindthe-scenes footage, case studies and detailed information about the
recruitment process. You will be amazed at the opportunities!

Visit www.amazingapprenticeships.com/vacancies and browse the different companies offering apprenticeships.
• Which companies do you recognise?
• What can you discover about the apprenticeships that they offer?
• Click on Time To Apply – what can you see about the vacancies currently available?
Please note that this portal only shows the vacancies available with those employers. There are thousands of other apprenticeship vacancies available on the GOV.UK Find an apprenticeship website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

5. Meet real apprentices

Have a look at the video case studies and meet real
apprentices in their workplace. These films will help to build an
understanding of day-to-day responsibilities and the range of
apprenticeships available.

www.amazingapprenticeships.com/apprentices

Visit www.amazingapprenticeships.com/apprentices
• From the 20 films available, select 2 or 3 to watch that interest you.
• Did you discover anything that surprised you?

6. Relax with a mindfulness colouring sheet.

Download and print the image or copy it onto some paper and colour it in, with a nice cup of tea.

8_NAW2021-Colouring-sheetDownload

Children’s Mental Health Week

29th January 2021Mr Barnes

1 – 7 February 2021

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

Like most of the schools across the country, at The Beacon Centre, we will be completing a whole range of activities at both the Primary and Secondary sites. This is to help encourage positive conversations around Mental Health and to help improve all of our mental health. This year the theme for Children’s Mental Health Week is self expression.

What is Self-Expression, and why is it important?

Self-expression is about communicating your individuality. This can be through words, clothing and hairstyle, or through art forms such as writing, drawing, music and dance.

Self-expression can help you to showcase your true self – your story, your thoughts, feelings and emotions. But this can also make us feel vulnerable, so you might want to take things one step at a time.

We often get told by our family, friends, school, communities and through social media how we ‘should’ look, think, speak, and act. These constant messages about what we ought to do, and who we out to be, can make it difficult to let go of expectations and express our true selves.

Self-Expression helps us connect to our true self.

Self-expression is a great way to relieve yourself of stress and free your mind. Self-expression can help you to reflect on your life, actions, decisions, relationships, beliefs, and thoughts – rather than keep them buried deep down.

Self-Expression helps us connect to each other – in good times and bad.

By expressing ourselves thoughtfully, we can better communicate, collaborate and build a community with others. At times of crisis, people come together to express themselves individually, and as a group, through the arts.

Here are some examples:

  • Gareth Malone’s online choir — bringing self-isolating singers together during the Covid-19 lockdown.
  • Grayson’s Art Club —a series of online masterclasses to help unleash creativity during the Covid-19 lockdown.
  • BBC Lockdown Orchestra – as part of a ten-day creative challenge, nearly 1,500 members of the
  • public joined the newly formed BBC Lockdown Orchestra as part of a huge virtual performance.
  • Create 2030 Solidarity Art Shows – The World Health Organisation, Create2030 and a group of international working artists collaborated on a project to showcase films, music, poetry and visual art about the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Te Rito Toi — using art to help children when they first return back to school in New Zealand following a traumatic or life-changing event.

Get Involved

Why not get involved at home and send us some photographs of what you are up to at home in relation to #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek. Whether it’s dressing up, creating posters, writing stories or drawing pictures, we would love to see them and share them with the world!

You can find loads of ideas to help you get involved at the #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek website!

https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/

Free Audio books from Audible!

25th January 2021Mr Barnes

Audible are giving away audio books! All you have to do is click on the link and follow the on screen instructions. Enjoy!

For as long as schools are closed, we’re open. Right now, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across eight different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.

All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.

Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.

It’s that easy.

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

Acts of Kindness

22nd January 2021Mr Barnes

All of the staff at the Beacon Centre are performing random acts of kindness to help look after one another. These can be something small like a making someone a cup of coffee, or something as big a gift.

At Beacon Primary for example Mr Wemyss made sausage sandwiches, and Mrs Roberts made teas and coffees for all of the staff in Beacon Primary.

The sandwiches were greatly appreciate by all, and put a smile on everyone’s face for a Friday morning which is always nice!

At Beacon Secondary the Kitchen staff all enjoyed a bacon sandwich with teas and coffees made by members of the SLT.

Ms Huse went so far as to create Mr O’Neill’s name out of item’s with a note for each letter!

Miss Lambert decided to bring in some Biscoff Cheesecake for staff with a personal note which was a lovely thing to do!

I think we all want to be like Mrs Hudson when we grow up. The queen of the Beacon Centre is always there to take care of all of us, staff and young people, any time, day or night. I am sure we all feel the same way in wanting to offer a huge thank you for everything that she does for us all every single day. THANK YOU MRS HUDSON!!!

If you have anyone you would like to thank, or if you have received a random act of kindness, let us know on Facebook! Send us a photo! We would love to see them!

Thank you

5th January 2021Mr Barnes
Dear Parents / Carers,
We just wanted to send a message of thanks for all the support and patience you have shown over the last few months and especially in the last few days.
We are sure that the message from the Prime Minister has caused some concern amongst you. We would like to assure you that everyone at The Beacon Centre is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition to remote / online learning. We have learned a lot over the past few months and are ready to hit the ground running with our new curriculum offer for the next few weeks.
The lines of communication are always open with staff ready to answer any questions you may have.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any help or support.
Remember to regularly check Facebook, GoogleClassroom, Class Dojo and Youtube along with the school website for updates and work for your child.
Stay safe.
The Beacon Centre Staff.

Travel Guidance Reminder

5th January 2021Mr Barnes

Dear Parents / Carers,

Please review the guidance from Gov.uk – Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers.

This guidance covers the rules of what can and cant be done in each tier of lockdown, whilst we are in a national lockdown, the rules from tier 4 apply to transport.

Thank you

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers