End of Term Activities

At the end of this term we tried to make it as enjoyable and meaningful for the pupils as possible. We combined some of the more traditional activities which we have always done at Bayside with some new ones which we hoped would be fun over the last three days of the term. Additionally, all activities involved new elements to ensure we complied with COVID regulations and kept pupils and staff safe before the Christmas holidays. I've posted some photos already. Here are some more as well as a summary of events!
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1. Concert
The concert was watched in year bubbles so it was performed multiple times. The concert was organised by the drama/dance and music departments but involved the participation of pupils and staff in different years.
 
2. Science project finals.
Pupils in Key Stage 3 were engaged in two different projects in class the week before the end of the term.
In year 9 pupils made paper aeroplanes, where possible using paper that needed to be recycled anyway, i.e past exam papers etc. and they were encouraged to try different designs. The aim was to create a plane which travelled the furthest. Each class had two winners who competed against each other at the end of term.
In years 7 and 8 they were engaged in the creation of a chemical car. This again was done as a project in class the week before the end of term and the finals were held at the end of the term. Vinegar and baking soda were used and they focussed on design as well as speed. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed this activity!
 
Pupils in years 10 and 11 were treated to science experiments which they usually do not have time to watch.
 
All the activities had an element of learning in them but they were great fun.
 
3. Flashmob
Each year group were taken to the sports hall in their year bubbles to learn the dance moves to Blinding Lights by The Weeknd taught by the PE department. Dance has recently been introduced to Bayside and the PE Department are encouraging all pupils to engage with dance. On the last day the music will be played over the PA system and the pupils will dance wherever they happen to be!
 
4. Escape Rooms
The geography department organised an escape rooms activity which they did in form classes. We’re told that it was quite a challenge and the form classes became quite competitive!
 
5. Video – Each form class was asked to reflect on the last two years and the difficulties which we have all experienced. They then looked at their hopes for 2022. Each form class then created a video. The videos were shared with all the pupils on our online learning platforms.
 
6. Whole school quiz and Year 12/13 quiz
Each form class participated in a quiz. The questions were read over the PA system. Many of the questions were about the school itself. Some of the questions were asked in Spanish and in French in a bid to promote languages in school.
 
7. Spinathon – Return the Elf to Lapland
Year 13 students organised their spinathon, now done outside to make it COVID safer! There were five bikes in total and a minimum of four were in use six periods a day for a week. The atmosphere was great and well over £2500 has been raised so far.
 
8. Hampers/ pan dulces / and Christmas Boxes
In the background to all the other activities we have had other initiatives going on as well. 350 food hampers were packed for Nazareth House as well as making 100 pan dulces and over 60 Christmas Boxes for the homeless. Years 11, 12 and 13 students were involved in these ventures as well as staff. It is important to give to those less fortunate than ourselves at this time of year.
 
9. Christmas Hat Challenge   
On 1st December the headteacher and head boy put on their Santa hats. They have worn them every day from then until the 22nd December. Each day a new member of staff and student joined until we have had 22 staff and 22 students wearing hats.
 
10. Decoration competition
Form bases and communal areas of the school were decorated during registration over the last few weeks. There were some spectacular creations from the Year 13s Santa’s Grotto and the Year 12s Nutcracker to various winter wonderland themes in Years 7-10. It made the school look really festive!

Christmas Concert