FBA Weekly Update

With the clocks going back on the 30th October, we are now in the part of the year with short days, dark mornings and falling temperatures. With this is mind, please can you help encourage your daughters to bring a coat with them. We know that teenagers and coats do not always mix well but we want students to get fresh air during the day at break and lunchtime and also avoid being soaked through on rainy days.

We were delighted to find out that we have received two awards from the Fisher Family Trust (FFT) for our attendance. The FFT capture data from thousands of schools nationally and they have recognised that the attendance at FBA in 2024/25 is in the Top 10% of similar secondary schools and in the top 25% of all secondary schools.

We would like to thank you for your role in making sure your daughters are attending well and recognising the importance of high attendance on academic outcomes.

All the key dates for the year can be found on the school website at:

https://fbaok.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Key-Dates-for-Parents-2025-2026.pdf

Please find below some of the key dates for the second half term

• Monday 10th November - Year 11 mocks start
• Monday 10th - 11th November - Ypres trip
• Friday 14th November - Year 12 Biology trip
• Sunday 16th November - Jack Petchey Glee Club
• Wednesday 19th November - Year 11 mocks end
• Thursday 20th November - 6th form Open Evening
• Monday 24th - Thursday 27th November - GCSE Art exam
• Monday 24th - Friday 28th November - Year 13 mock exams
• Thursday 27th November - Year 10 Parents' Evening
• Tuesday 2nd - Friday 5th December - A-level Art exam
• Wednesday 3rd December - Christmas Concert
• Thursday 4th December - Careers Fair
• Monday 8th December - Year 7 & 8 Celebration Evening online
• Wednesday 10th December - Year 8 Parents' Evening
• Monday 15th December - Year 10 & 11 Celebration Evening online
• Tuesday 16th December - Year 9 Celebration Evening online
• Tuesday 16th December - Christmas lunch
• Wednesday 17th December - 6th form panto and Year 8 Talent Show
• Thursday 18th December - Last day of term (early finish)
• Friday 19th December - Disaggregated INSET day

Billie won her semi final fight and then fought the next day, Saturday was in the final. She fought a much more experienced boxer who has already competed in lots of competitions and holds many titles.

Billie fought like the little champ that she is and was got medaled with Silver.

She did so well, I’ve attached a picture of her and her opponent after the fight. Both girls did amazing!

It is great to hear from outside of school activities that Billie does including Amateur Boxing, competition Dancing and Hyrox Training.

Billie is also sponsored and asked to compete in Madrid at the end of November for Hyrox Madrid and unfortunately will not be in school 23 - 25 November.

We will keep you updated on how Billie gets on in Madrid. Well done Billie

We have decided to shutdown the school X (Twitter) account.

To replace this, we have launched a new Instagram account @fbaofficial

There are no posts at the moment as the account is new but we will use this to share information and activities that take place at the school.

We have made the decision to reinstate the Late detention system which has been on pause since the Gallows Corner work started. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, and most worryingly, the number of students that are late to school has significantly increased since the pause was introduced.

From analysing the data, we know that this lateness is not solely down to heavier traffic. Secondly, the Gallows Corner works are severely delayed.

Students start the school day with Period 1. If they are late then they are missing learning. Students are expected to be in school by 8:30 and sat in the classroom by 8:35 at the latest.

How it works?

• If a student arrives at school after 8:35 am, they have to sign in.
• They will be given a detention slip to attend a 15-minute detention after school in the canteen on the same day.
• We do not need to give parents/ carers notice of after school detentions.
• If students do not attend the 15-minute detention, this will be escalated to a 30-minute Yellow Detention.

We track the data for punctuality very carefully and if students are persistently late, we make contact with parents/carers to see if there are any specific reasons for the lateness and look at ways to support our students.

The theme of this year's Anti-Bullying Week is all about the 'Power for Good'.

The theme explores the power we all have, as individuals and as a school community, to make a positive difference. It is about moving from being a bystander to being an ally or a "Defender"—someone who safely supports others and speaks up against unkindness.

How can students get involved?

1. Odd Socks Day on Monday - students can wear their brightest, boldest, most mismatched odd socks to show that we are all unique and to celebrate our differences.

2. Assemblies & Form Time - All students will have assemblies and form time activities, where they will explore the 'Power for Good' theme.

3. DESIGN-A-SOCK Competition - Years 7 and 8 will have the chance to design a sock featuring this year's theme: 'Power for Good'.

The Year 11 students will be starting two week period of mock examinations. Please find below the timetable of examinations. Good luck to all the students taking part.

Did you know brushing your teeth and gums doesn’t just keep them clean – it actually helps your body regrow and repair cells and tissues in your teeth and gums?

When you brush properly, you gently stimulate your gums. Scientists have found this can activate stem cells (special repair cells found in your gums that can grow into different types of mouth tissue, helping to replace and heal damaged areas). So, every time you brush, you’re not only fighting plaque but also helping your gums renew themselves!

✅ Brush twice a day (especially before bed)
✅ Angle your brush towards the gum line using gentle pressure
✅ Don’t forget to floss or use interdental brushes

📖 Read more here: “Can Dentists Use Stem Cells To Grow Teeth? Exploring The Future Possibilities” (January, 2023).

Our inspirational woman of the week is Reese Witherspoon as nominated by Caitlin in 11B. She is an Academy Award–winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur known for roles in films like Legally Blonde and Walk the Line.

She founded the production company Hello Sunshine to specifically create stories centred on strong, complex women. Witherspoon has used her platform to champion gender equality and empower women in Hollywood and beyond. Her success as both an artist and business leader show the power of hard work, confidence, and self-belief. She inspires young women to take control of their narratives and pursue leadership in male-dominated industries.

We were thrilled to receive an overwhelming number of applications for the Girls' Empowerment Leaders programme this year, each showcasing exceptional talent, passion, and leadership. The calibre of applicants made the selection process incredibly competitive and our final decisions very difficult. For those who were not selected this time, we warmly encourage you to apply again next year. The following students are in the newest cohort of leaders - well done!

This week, the students will be taking part in the election of the new School Council representatives.

The manifestos of all the candidates for each year group have been published and students have one week to read them and pick their favourite. All manifestos are anonymous, so students are choosing based on the ideas, not who wrote them.

We look forward to sharing the names of the new Student Council members in the near future.

Last Saturday, a group of 10 Year 12

The Bar Mock Trial Competition helps young people aged 15-18 understand how the law touches every aspect of their lives, gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works as they take on the roles of barristers, witnesses and court staff. Thank you for Miss Dye for organising.

With Remembrance Day being commemorated this week, it is pertinent to consider the role animals have fulfilled during times of war; past and present. In past conflicts, horses, elephants, and camels hauled soldiers and supplies; pigeons carried messages; dogs tracked enemies, detected mines and protected troops. Cats have even been recruited as spies!

Like the soldiers beside which the animals serve, they too have a regimental number and a rank. Lance Corporal Billy Windsor the Goat is a salaried member of the British Army in the Royal Welsh Regiment. The position includes membership in the Corporal's mess and the right to be saluted by subordinates! Our three young goats Alvin, Simon and Theodore at the FBA farm would not have the right demeanour to serve, as they are too busy having fun.

Opening times are every day Monday to Friday at break and lunchtimes, and after school on Thursdays until 4pm - all students and staff are welcome!

Over the last couple of years, we have been working with an organisation called Girls on Board.

Girls on Board is an approach which helps girls, parents and teachers understand the complexities and dynamics of girl friendships. The approach empowers girls to solve their own friendship problems and recognises that they are usually the only ones who can.

We can highly recommend the book When Girls Fall Out. In this it talks about the complexities of adolescent friendships and how to navigate these. We will be sharing more information about this with your daughters and you throughout the year.

If you would like to borrow a copy of the book, there are some available at the school.