Latest Update from Gorgor

4th July 2016Andrew Gray

In the evenings we were up to 10pm Students have been:

  • teaching arts and crafts
  • sharing IT skills
  • teaching then getting beat at Connect 4 and other games
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Sunday morning – the students attended a service at school where Gorgor students sang hymns, traditional songs and did readings.

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In the afternoon all the school (350 pupils) Burnside staff and students plus members of the local community walked up Mount Abossi – Fantastic views from the top across the Trans Mara.

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In the evening the girls from Burnside did a Q and A with the girls at Gorgor in their dormitory and issued out another pack of the ICARE disposal sanitary pads which they helped to raise the funds for.   For as little as £3.50 for ONE YEAR the girls at Gorgor have sanitary provision meaning they are not losing any school days.   An example of a simple fund raising effort which has had a HUGE impact.

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Andrew, Matthew, Jake and Mr Hedley also did a Q&A with the boys of Gorgor so they can find out as much at possible about life for teenagers in the UK.

Gorgor Visit Update

1st July 2016Andrew Gray
The students have been awake from 6:30 am attending assemblies at 7:30 and working throughout the day.  They visited the primary school taking time to teach  students how to dance the Macarana!
A visit was made to the Small Home in Ndanai.  Our students were given a tour around the home and played floor volleyball with the students from the home.
Tomorrow (Saturday 2nd July) the group are up at 4:30 am going to the Masia Mara….. All are very excited.
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Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers Update

1st July 2016Andrew Gray
Thank you for your efforts with collecting the Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers this year.
We are 123 vouchers short of buying some survival bags for the Duke of Edinburgh Unit (sadly we are nowhere near a tent this year) … so please could you have a double check in all your purses/handbags/wallets/down the back of the sofa to see whether we can scrape together another few vouchers!
Thank you for your Help – Miss Wallis

Staff & Students Arrive Safe in Gorgor

30th June 2016Andrew Gray

Staff and students have arrived safe and sound at Gorgor High School, Kenya. Students have been to lessons and have even done some teaching! They visited the primary school and had a fab time playing sports and teaching crafts. Everyone is having great time and are being kept really busy by Gorgor staff and students.

Unfortunately the internet connection is intermittent so daily updates cannot be guaranteed. We hope to update you soon with more news from Kenya. Here is a photo from Newcastle Airport before departure.

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National Union of Teachers Strike Action College Closure – Tuesday 5th July 2016

30th June 2016Andrew Gray

You may be aware from recent media reports that the National Union of Teachers has organised a strike next week on Tuesday 5th July 2016, due to proposed changes in pay and conditions.

Here at Burnside a large proportion of staff are members of this union which means that the strike will seriously affect our school routine. I have carried out a full risk assessment and I am forced to conclude that for health and safety reasons the College will be closed for all students on this day. We will reopen as normal on Wednesday 6th July 2016.

I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope you will appreciate that these are circumstances beyond our control. If the situation changes, I will obviously inform you as soon
as possible.

Yours faithfully

Mrs M Murphy

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Year 11 Record of Achievement Assembly

30th June 2016Andrew Gray

On Tuesday 28th June, our year eleven leavers attended the record of achievement assembly at Wallsend Memorial Hall. It was a fantastic afternoon celebrating the successes and achievements of all of the year group. It was great to see the pride and enthusiasm of staff, students and parents alike. From all the Tutors and myself, we wish you all the best of luck for the future. Work hard and you will reap the rewards. Never give up. Mr Gilbert and the Year 11 tutor team.

Northumberland Counties Athletics at Wentworth Stadium

27th June 2016Andrew Gray

On Saturday 25th June Burnside students competed and assisted at the Northumberland Minor Counties Athletics at Wentworth Stadium at Hexham. David Phillips once again competed in high jump and came 3rd in his competition. Special thanks go to Ellie Mason, Sophie Alder, Mollie Bush, Katie Cafferty, Jennifer Hargreaves, Scott Middlemiss, Elliot Cowens, Lewis Allen, Rhys Selby who assisted at events and compiled all the results.

Despite the ‘changeable’ British weather we all had a great time.
Many Thanks to all : Mr Gilbert / Miss Peel / Mr Wilson

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Silver D of E Expedition Practice

24th June 2016Andrew Gray

This is the wonderful view from one of the campsites that Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award participants stayed at on their practice expedition in Swaledale, Yorkshire earlier this week. This involved students working in teams to spend 3 days navigating and walking; carrying all their equipment in backpacks; sleeping in tents and cooking all their own food on camping stoves. It was a real exercise in working together.

Despite the hot weather everyone did very well and they all came home exhausted but happy after passing their practice expeditions.

Well done to all the Year 10s and Sixth Form who went – they were a joy to take away. Also thank you to the staff who gave up their time to make it happen.

KS2 Euro 2016 Themed Athletics Competition

20th June 2016Andrew Gray

On Wednesday afternoon our Year 10 and Year 12 Sports Leaders helped hold a ‘Euro 2016’ Themed Sports Hall Athletics Competition for Key Stage 2 Students from our feeder primary schools. They spent the afternoon scoring, motivating, coaching and helping the Key Stage 2 students on each event.   Well done to all students that took part, once again visitors commented on how fantastic they were and how much fun visiting students had. Well done to all our sports leaders!

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Year 10 Performing Arts Scripted Showcase Evening

20th June 2016Andrew Gray

Burnside Year 10 BTEC Performing Arts Students presented their ‘€˜Scripted Showcase Evening’€™ this week to an invited audience of friends and family. The evening consisted of students performing scripted extracts from the following plays: ‘€˜Bouncers’€™, ‘€˜Shakers’€™ and ‘€˜Passion Killers’€™ by John Godber and ‘€˜Stags and Hens’€™ by Willy Russell. Students performances will count towards their BTEC Level 2 First Award in Performing Arts (Acting).