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Baylis Court School Newsletter 9 December 2022

Our Christmas wishes

Thank you to Year 7 who shared their hopes for Christmas with the school community on our Christmas trees!

Geography Fieldtrip

On Tuesday year 11 geography students went on a fieldwork trip to Epping Forest on the London / Essex border. For those who aren’t in the know, fieldwork is a mandatory but fascinating part of the geography GCSE course specification. The name of the ‘river’ is Loughton Brook. Our year 11 geographers spent the day investigating the question ‘Investigating how river characteristics change with distance downstream on the Loughton Brook.’

Apart from a slight mishap when a teacher who will remain anonymous fell over by the river, the day was a roaring success. Students took measurements at three separate locations on the river kilometres apart, measuring river speed with a cork and stopwatch, river width and depth with a meter stick and tape measure, and conducting field sketches. It was brilliant learning about features like river cliffs and point bars as well as new terminology like watersheds, the knowledge really was flowing. Apart from the fieldwork itself it was lovely hearing more about rivers from our informative instructors and just getting some fresh air. Epping Forest had lovely beech woods with interesting mushrooms and hilly slopes that we were able to spend some time meandering through. Several of the students commented on what a fun day it was to experience geography out and about on location! Mr Hartley, Mrs Griffin, Mr Brown and Ms Fewings were really impressed with how well year 11 got on with the work of the day. After the busy day students were safely deposited back at Baylis Court, with an eager appetite to learn even more about this fascinating subject.

Cross Stitch Club

Mrs Kapoor is looking forward to starting a Cross Stitch Club for Year 7 and 8 in the new year.

Look out for more information in January!

Electronic Scooters

E-scooters (electronic scooters) are classified as ‘powered transporters’ under UK law and therefore fall within the legal definition of a ‘motor vehicle’. This means that the laws applicable to motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988 must be followed. These include; being registered with the DVLA, licenced, taxed, insured and fitted with number plates. At present, e-scooters cannot meet these requirements. This is also the reason that e-scooter cannot legally be used on roads, pavements or cycle lanes.

Under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, it is an offence to use powered transporters on the pavement.

At present, e-scooters can only be legally used on private land and only with permission of the landowner.

It is for these reasons that we have no choice but to ban the use of electronic scooters. This means that students are not allowed to travel to or from school on their electronic scooter as this is against the law. We will also not be allowing students to use the school site to store their electronic scooters.

This only impacts very few students currently, however, as they become more popular, we wanted to ensure that parents, carers and students are very clear around our stance on this as a school.

https://electricrideoncars.co.uk/electric-scooters-for-adults-kids-are-they-legal-in-the-uk/

The Windsor Forest Colleges Group offers a range of higher education courses from Level 4 to Level 6 which include Higher National Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, and BA (Hons).

Please click here for more information about the courses on offer

Scarlet Fever

You will be aware of the recent news in relation to cases of serious illness and, in some rare cases, the tragic deaths of young people as a result of Group A Streptococcal infections.

As a precaution, and hopefully not to cause alarm, we are sharing information on the signs and symptoms of Group A Streptococcal infections, and what to do if you think your child develops these.

The most common infections caused by Group A streptococcus are mild: sore throats (strep throat), fever, scarlet fever and minor skin infections. Further Information is also available at NHS Choices:

If concerned, please contact NHS 111 or your GP practice. If appropriate, your GP can arrange for testing and treatment with antibiotics if necessary.

In very rare cases, this infection can be more serious and cause invasive disease. Although the risk is very small, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of invasive Group A streptococcal infection, which are detailed below:

  • Very high fever
  • Severe muscle aches
  • Localised muscle pain
  • Unexplained diarrhoea or vomiting

If someone becomes ill with some of these symptoms, please seek urgent medical help by calling 111.

I hope this information is useful but doesn’t cause undue alarm in relation to a disease that can cause serious illness in very rare cases.

Created By
Rosie Bounds
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