The Bridge – Friday 30th June

Our Weekly Newsletter Connecting School and Home

Headmaster’s Message

It has been a busy week for the FBS community. A number of parents attended the annual Q&A with Governors on Monday evening and many more came to the Headmaster’s coffee morning yesterday. It is really important for us as a school to offer parents opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback which we can use to continue good practice or make adjustments. On Wednesday evening we held our final Lads and Dads event of the year with boys in Years 7 and 8 together with dads, grandads, uncles and older brothers competed in a series of Taskmaster challenges set by Mr Jeeps. And, this afternoon we have our summer fair and food market which is set to be a great event. Your engagement in all of these events is crucial to our success and I am grateful to everyone who has taken time to attend.
 
Elsewhere, many of our boys have been making memories. Our Year 12 biology students visited Kew Gardens whilst our A Level Drama boys were at the theatre in the West End. Yesterday, we welcomed over 70 Year 11 boys comprising FBS pupils and boys from other schools looking to join FBS Sixth Form in September for a transition day with taster lessons and team building activities with Year 12 boys after lunch. Today we have 21 students who will be joining Year 7 in September for a transition day which has been planned and run by our sixth form leadership team.
 
Next week is a busy week and the last formal teaching week of the year before Enterprise Week in the last week of term. Many of you will be aware of national strike action by some teachers on Wednesday and Friday. The school will be open to all students on both days – as we have done on previous strike days – although there may be some changes to timetables. Co-curricular on Wednesday will not run so Year 7 and 8 will leave at 4.10pm and Year 10 at 3.20pm. Year 12 will now stay on site at FBS for sports provision. On Friday, Year 9 will not attend Sports Morning and should come to school at normal time. We will hold our end of year service during Period 1 and 2 on Friday. 
 
On Thursday we have our annual sports day and all boys will be off timetable for the day. Please read the article in Whole School News for further details of the day.
 
Finally, the deadline to complete the Consolidated Annual Parent Contract. is today Parents are required to (re)commit to this partnership with the school and the boys annually. We are still waiting for approximately 280 parents to submit this form so please action as soon as you can. 
 
Have a pleasant weekend.

David Smith

Headmaster

From The FBS Foundation

The Impact of The FBS Foundation

Last week, I spoke about The FBS Foundation and its crucial importance to the school.

This week, I’d like to expand a little on how the foundation has directly impacted the education and lives of every boy at FBS. If you can, please take a few minutes to read The FBS Foundation Impact Report for the last academic year.

You will see the every penny we have raised through generous donations, largely from parents, has
been put to very good use.

You can also find the report in pdf format here.

In order to continue to provide an outstanding education that truly “bridges the gap” between the independent and state sectors, and to completely fulfil the vision of the founders, we need to continue to raise funds each year so if you would like to get involved (or further involved), please do
not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Julian Thomas

CEO, The Fulham Boys School Trust

j.thomas@fulhamboysschool.org.uk

Whole School News

Update on Timetable for September 2023

Timetables for boys will be published by the end of the school year. We will add co-curriculum and enrichment sessions in September.
 
Sports Afternoons will run as follows:
Mon – Year 8
Tue – Year 7
Wed – Year 11,12,13
Thu – Year 10
Fri – Year 9. Note that Year 9 sport is in the afternoon rather than Friday morning as in past years.
 
Co-Curricular sessions will run as follows:
Mon – Year 10
Tue – Year 9 and Year 11
Wed – Year 7
Thu – Year 8

Swimming Gala – Tuesday 4th July 

Our annual swimming gala is taking place on Tuesday at Fulham Pools. Boys should attend school as normal. Boys will walk to the pool and back with staff. Boys in Years 7 and 8 will compete or spectate during Periods 1-3 and will have normal lessons periods 4-8 include Sports Afternoon for Year 8. Boys in Year 9 will be in school Period 1 and 2 then walk to Fulham Pools after break to compete or spectate. Normal lessons will resume Periods 5-8.
 
Pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 will be in normal lessons at school except Year 10 boys competing in swimming who will join Year 9 after break.
 
Please ensure boys are wearing blue or black trunks/shorts for the event. 

NEU Strike Action – Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July

The National Education Union has announced strike action for Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July. The school will remain open for all pupils but there will be changes to co-curricular and Sport as follows:
 
Wednesday 5th July – Year 12 Sports Afternoon will not run, boys will be dismissed at lunch time. Co-curricular for Year 7, Year 8 and Year 10 will not run. Year 10 will leave at 3.20pm and Year 7 and Year 8 at 4.10pm.
 
Friday 7th July – Year 9 Sports Morning will not run. Boys should come to school for 08:25.

Japanese Cultural Evening – Wednesday 5th July 6pm – 8pm

Come and Celebrate ‘Teaching Japanese @ FBS’ ‘s First birthday!! (starting in the library and ending in the drama studio)

After a year of interest in Japanese culture and language through co-curricular activities and a lunchtime club, a growing number of boys were interested in learning the language. We found an experienced Japanese teacher, Asami Miyamoto, who successfully applied for a grant from the Japan Foundation. Thanks to their financial support, on 9th June 2022 we began our FBS Japanese language journey! A year on, we have a Japanese GCSE class of boys from Year 7,8,9,10 and 11 who study together mainly through 2 early morning online classes from 7:30 to 8:20am. 

To recognise the achievement of everyone involved we want to celebrate this ‘First year of teaching Japanese’ birthday with an “all-things-Japanese” party event. We would love boys and parents to come and learn about Japanese culture, try some origami, have a crack at some calligraphy, taste some typical Japanese food and, best of all, hear from the boys themselves as to what they have learnt.  Our teacher Asami Miyamoto who has been teaching our boys live classes from Tokyo and some special Japanese guests are attending, including, hopefully, representatives of the Japan Foundation who have so generously supported us.

The plan for the evening is to start going round different ‘stations’ to observe and take part in different Japanese activities, some involving competitions. There will be some Japanese food and then we will end our evening in the drama studio with competition results, hear a little about our Japanese Journey and enjoy some performances from the boys.

The event is open to everyone, particularly those whose boys have participated in the ‘For the love of Japan society’, co-curricular clubs and current Japanese GCSE course, but anyone interested in learning about Japanese culture and language.  

Please complete this Google form if you would like to attend.

Sports Day Arrangements – Thursday 6th July

Sports day will be held at the Barn Elms sports centre on Thursday from 09:00 to 16:00. Boys in Year 7 and 8 should make their way directly to Barn Elms arriving at 08:45 with events commencing at 09:00. Boys in Years 9 and 10 should come to school as normal and will take part in PSCHE sessions before walking to Barn Elms to join Sports Day with events starting at 12:30. Boys in Year 12 will arrive at 11:30 with events starting at 12:30. The 100m sprint finals for all year groups will take place from 15:00 and boys will be dismissed from Barn Elms at 16:00 following the announcement of the overall winners.
 
All boys should wear FBS PE kit – House polo shirt, shorts, white socks and trainers for the duration of the day. The current weather forecast is for some rain showers so a waterproof is advised. We’re hoping for sun too so sun cream is essential. Lunch will be provided. Boys must bring a water bottle which can be topped up during the day and they may bring healthy snacks and fruit.
 
Parents are invited to attend sports day to watch boys participate in events. There will be a designated parental viewing area which affords a good view of the track but not all of the field events. The café will be open during the day. Parents may come and go as required. Boys will remain with their House groups throughout the day when not competing. 

School Lunch Charges

As we are nearing the end of term, please could parents check parent pay accounts and ensure that lunch payments are up to date. Any queries should be directed to the Finance office by email – finance@fulhamboysschool.org.uk

Year 7 News

Year 7 Leaving Time – Wednesday 5th July

Year 7 will leave school at 4:10pm on Wednesday 5th July due to the NEU strikes.

Year 8 News

Year 8 Leaving Time – Wednesday 5th July

Year 8 will leave school at 4:10pm on Wednesday 5th July due to the NEU strikes.

Year 8 DofE Introduction Letter (for prospective Year 9 Bronze DofE)

Please see this Bronze DofE letter which outlines details for the Year 9 Bronze DofE Award, if your son was potentially interested in this opportunity. To register, please use this Google form. There will also be an online meeting taking place on Sunday 9th July from 7pm – 8pm for boys and parents, where further information will be provided. As mentioned, please see the letter for further details.

Year 9 News

No Sports Morning – Friday 7th July

Due to the NEU strikes on Friday 7th July, there will be no sports morning for Year 9 on this day so boys will be expected in school at the normal time of 8:25.

Year 10 News

Year 10 DofE Silver Expedition

Please see a copy of the updated letter here for further details of the upcoming expeditions.
 
Finally, if you are still required to make payment for the upcoming expeditions, this can now be completed via ParentPay. Payment will need to be made before the main expedition dates. 
 
If you were to have any further questions, please contact either Mr Hand (b.hand@fulhamboysschool.org.uk) or Miss Pond (e.pond@fulhamboysschool.org.uk).

Year 10 Leaving Time – Wednesday 5th July

Year 10 will leave school at 3:20pm on Wednesday 5th July due to the NEU strikes.

Year 11 News

Year 11 Reminder of Requirements 

Please remind your son that he must do the following if he hasn’t done so already:

– clear out his locker of ALL belongings 
– hand in his locker key to a member of staff and get ticked off the list (keys can be handed in at reception)
– hand in any FBS owned Chromebook to the IT office (if they are not returning to sixth form). 
 
The boys have already been reminded of these processes several times. It is absolutely essential the boys do these things. Failure to do so will result in you being charged.
 
Furthermore, if you have purchased your son’s Chromebook and he owns it outright, and he is not returning to the sixth form, then either you or your son can email support@fulhamboysschool.org.uk and the school system can be unlocked from your son’s Chromebook. Please ensure to quote your son’s full name if you were to do this. 
 
Finally, please ensure your son’s lunch account on ParentPay is cleared if it were to be in deficit.

GCSE Results Day – Thursday 24th August

Results day is on Thursday the 24th of August. Students can collect their results from school between 10am and 1pm. If they opted for the result to be emailed to them, they will receive them between 12pm and 1pm.

Students must email Ms Clegg, Head of Sixth Form (n.clegg@fulhamboysschool.org.uk), to accept their place in the Sixth Form, if students are not coming in to collect their results in person.

Year 12 News

Year 12 DofE Gold Expedition

Please see a copy of the updated letter here for further details of the upcoming expeditions.
 
Finally, if you are still required to make payment for the upcoming expeditions, this can now be completed via ParentPay. Payment will need to be made before the main expedition dates. 
 
If you were to have any further questions, please contact either Mr Hand (b.hand@fulhamboysschool.org.uk) or Miss Pond (e.pond@fulhamboysschool.org.uk).

Year 12 Leaving Time – Wednesday 5th July

Year 12 will now be dismissed from school after sport at school on Wednesday 5th July due to the NEU strikes. This will be at around 3:20pm.

Applications for Absences – University Open Days/Work Experience

Over this next half term, Year 12 students are planning to visit Universities and engage in Work Experience. These are advertised on the Google classroom and are strongly encouraged.  Just a reminder that students are allowed to miss three school days per year for open days and have five days of work experience over the course of Year 12 and Year 13. Please speak to your son about University open days and Work Experience. 
 
If a student wishes to miss a day of school then they must do the following:
– Fill out this Google form to give dates and details.
– Wait for Ms Clegg to authorise their absence before confirming their arrangements.
– Fill in the form with at least two weeks’ notice. 
 
The sixth form team will consider the relevance of the opportunity, how many days previously have been missed for similar opportunities and overall attendance before giving permission.
 
Please do note that there are plenty of open days during the holidays including virtual open days. There is also a plethora of work experience opportunities during the summer holidays that have all been advertised to Year 12 via Google classroom.
 
If you have any questions about open days or work experience etc. please do get in touch with Ms Clegg on n.clegg@fulhamboysschool.org.uk

Year 13 News

Year 13 Reminder of Requirements 

Boys in Year 13 must clear out their lockers and return the key to Miss Spring along with any other school equipment loaned from FBS (temporary Chromebook). These items can be returned to Miss Spring in the Private Study Room before they leaves.

If we do not receive these items, we will have to replace them and therefore charge you accordingly.
 
Furthermore, if you have purchased your son’s Chromebook and he owns it outright, then either you or your son can email support@fulhamboysschool.org.uk and the school system can be unlocked from your son’s Chromebook. Please ensure to quote your son’s full name if you were to do this. 
 
Finally, please ensure your son’s lunch account on ParentPay is cleared if it were to be in deficit.

A-Level Results Day - Thursday 17th August

Results day is on Thursday the 17th of August. Students can collect their results from school between 8:30am and 12pm. If they opted for the result to be emailed to them, they will receive them between 9am and 10am.

If a student has not been successful in gaining a place at his chosen university, staff will be on hand to help them on the day at school. 

However, here is a website for all clearing hotlines that he can call. It is best to call these in the morning as soon as they have their results.

Sports Update

Sports Prefect Update

Please follow the below ‘Read more’ link for a recent update from the Sports Prefects.

Read more

Sports Day Arrangements – Thursday 6th July

Sports day will be held at the Barn Elms sports centre on Thursday from 09:00 to 16:00. Boys in Year 7 and 8 should make their way directly to Barn Elms arriving at 08:45 with events commencing at 09:00. Boys in Years 9 and 10 should come to school as normal and will take part in PSCHE sessions before walking to Barn Elms to join Sports Day with events starting at 12:30. Boys in Year 12 will arrive at 11:30 with events starting at 12:30. The 100m sprint finals for all year groups will take place from 15:00 and boys will be dismissed from Barn Elms at 16:00 following the announcement of the overall winners.
 
All boys should wear FBS PE kit – House polo shirt, shorts, white socks and trainers for the duration of the day. The current weather forecast is for some rain showers so a waterproof is advised. We’re hoping for sun too so sun cream is essential. Lunch will be provided. Boys must bring a water bottle which can be topped up during the day and they may bring healthy snacks and fruit.
 
Parents are invited to attend sports day to watch boys participate in events. There will be a designated parental viewing area which affords a good view of the track but not all of the field events. The café will be open during the day. Parents may come and go as required. Boys will remain with their House groups throughout the day when not competing. 

Viewing Sports Fixtures and Live Updates

Please keep an eye on our Sports website (SOCS) for future fixtures and live updates. Here you will see our Sports Calendar, Team Sheets, details of fixtures (meet/kick-off times, pick up/return times, maps) further information and ‘live’ updates.  Please note, whilst we expect all scheduled fixtures to go ahead, they are subject to last minute cancellation, change of venue and/or time.  SOCS is a ‘live’ website so all current information will be reflected there. Click this link for further tips on using SOCS 

Team Sheets are normally published 2 days before a fixture. All selected boys in Year 7, 8  and 9, and their parents, will receive an email confirmation of the fixture. 

For Year 10,  11 and 1st team fixtures, only the players will receive an email reminder about fixtures. (NB Where the fixture is on a Saturday parents will be also be emailed, to ensure maximum turnout).

Other Important Information

Pre-loved School Uniform Sale 

A group of Year 10s with the help of the Friends of FBS are running a pre-loved school uniform sale to raise funds for the school. This will take place on Wednesday 5th July as part of the Year 6 into Year 7 transition day. If you could possibly donate any spare clothes in good condition that you have by Tuesday 27th June to the school reception it would be greatly appreciated.
 
What we need:
Blazers – all donations welcome, preferably small (28-34″).
House ties – all houses welcome, new ties only.
Sports clothes – all sports clothes accepted. The most in demand are sports socks and PE house tops.
 
No shirts, jumpers or trousers needed at the moment.
 
Thank you.
 

Holiday Summer Camp at FBS

From 24th July to 25th August, Ultimate Activity Camps will be running a summer camp at the school. Please follow this link to their website for further information and links to sign up. 

Touch Typing Lessons

A friend of the school is offering external touch typing lessons for Fulham Boys, which includes a 20% discount. Please see this flyer for further information.

Quick Dates For The Diary
Tuesday 4th July Year 7, 8 and 9 Swimming Gala
Wednesday 5th July

Japanese Cultural Celebration Event 6pm – 8pm

Pre-loved Uniform Sale
Thursday 6th July Sports Day
Sunday 9th July Gold DofE Expedition Departs
Monday 10th July

Silver DofE Expedition Departs

Enterprise Week Begins
Wednesday 12th July

Gold and Silver DofE Returns
Friday 14th July

Last Day of School
Useful Links

Term Dates

FBS Platforms For Parents

Sports Fixtures Calendar

Sogans Uniform Shop

Ways you can support FBS

Contact Information