Mrs O'Neill has sent this report on the Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition:

This weekend, 60 Year 9 boys successfully completed their D of E Bronze Practice Expedition, marking the first of this season’s Expeditions within the challenging D of E Framework. The boys were outstanding, demonstrating great teamwork as they navigated the Northamptonshire countryside while carrying all their kit for the weekend.

Once they reached camp, the students cooked their evening meals with varying degrees of success. For many, this was their first experience with such a challenge, but each student showed resilience and determination to complete the journey. Despite sore feet and aching shoulders, the boys appeared to thoroughly enjoy the experience and are now looking forward to the qualifying expedition in June, equipped with a deeper understanding of the importance of planning and preparation for such an event.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mrs. Rutherford for her continued dedication in managing the Bronze and Silver D of E programme at the school. Her support has been invaluable in ensuring the success of this hugely valuable Award Programme.

 

Supporting Mental Health for all at the school is always at the top of the school's agenda and last week, twelve students from Y12 and Y10 attended the County Mental Health Conference in Northampton. Mrs Greenaway reports:

All of the NSB students were fully immersed in the activities and asked poignant questions throughout. The students also networked brilliantly with the guest speakers and students from other schools. The inspirational speakers included Dr Mike Scanlon, Matthew Bushell, Action for Happiness, Caroline Strawson (psychologist), The Frank Bruno Foundation, The Samaritans, Sport in Mind and The Lowdown (one of our chosen charities that we support each year).  They provided information about how the brain works, why we might face mental health challenges, how we can support ourselves and others through these challenges, highlighting specific strategies and the external support available as well as discussing their own mental health challenges and the journey to recovery. It was a fantastic day and the Student Wellbeing Ambassadors with Mr Bradbury will be discussing how they move forward with what has been learnt in their weekly session, creating assemblies and PD sessions for the student body. Thank you to all involved. 

 

'A Level' Science at NSB is thriving with multiple groups in each of the three disciplines of Biology, Physics and Chemistry. Some of our most talented scientists competed recently in the Senior Physics Challenge. Mr Hodgson and Miss Leech report:

On 7th March twenty three A Level Physics Students sat the Senior Physics Challenge. This is an exciting opportunity for our Y12 students to stretch their problem-solving skills and apply fundamental principles of Physics in complex and unfamiliar contexts. Over 6,000 students, not just from the UK but from all over the world take part in the competition each year. 

The grade Boundaries were released this week. Fifteen students achieved a Bronze Award.

Three students achieved a Silver Award putting them in the top 20% worldwide! Congratulations to Shane Nightingale, Folarin Odegbaro and Hin Tao So. This represents a fantastic achievement.

One student achieved a Gold Award putting him in the top 7% of physics students worldwide. Huge congratulations to James Hackett, our highest performing Physicist from NSB and one of the best in the world! 

Well done to all those who were up for the challenge of tackling a paper that even the teachers would have found tough going!

 

One of the perks of my job is to be alerted to outstanding pieces of work and this week some extraordinary Art work was signposted my way by Miss Clark. Congratulations to - James Braithwaite Y10, Ellis Brown Y9 and Wilson Rodgers Y9 - their stunning work can be seen below:

 

Many congratulations also to the U13B football team who overcame the arduous trip to South Tyneside in some style when they defeated St Joseph's RC Academy 11-1 in the Semi-Finals of the National Cup. This extremely talented NSB team will face Cardinal Newman Catholic School (Brighton) in the Final in May when they will aim to go one step further than last year by lifting the Cup. Well done also to the U16 Basketball team who have made the Semi-Finals of their National Cup where they will face off against NIA in a local derby to determine who plays in the 'Final Two' at the National Basketball Centre, Manchester in May.

 

A centre piece of the Bulletin two weeks ago was a report on the fabulous National Cup Rugby Triumph for our U15s. The Chronicle & Echo have picked up on the story and have run a suitably praiseworthy article below. The boys will receive their full Senior Honours for this National Title Triumph at the Sports Awards later this year.

 

Finally, there were a lot of enjoyable features to celebrate in the House Assemblies held this week, not least a special Chipsey edition of  'The Chase' with the feared NSB 'Chasers' lined up as below. For the record, they actually did pretty well!

Richard Bernard
Headteacher