16th April 2013

Many of you will now be aware of the internet YouTube sensation ‘Harlem Shake’, which has taken over and now it seems that everyone around the world is creating their own versions. As a development of media production techniques, our news team, filmed, edited and added the famous DJ Baauer music to their very own ‘Harlem Shake’ video.
The workshop took place last week to improve the skills that the journalists have learnt over the past year, we were also looking at the influence internet sensations have on the media and how a short video clip or ‘viral’ can have a phenomenal impact on the media rich content we experience. First there was Gangnam Style, now there is Harlem shake…it is anyone’s guess what will be next.
We hope you enjoy our version of Harlem Shake starring the BHS Newsteam!
 

Rebecca Leatherland
BHS Newsroom Senior Editor
 

1st March 2013

The idea of the Royal College of Music was first suggested by Prince Consort but it took several years until it was fully established in 1876. The college is designed to ensure that students are equipped to succeed in the ever changing career of a musician and are ready to take the initiative in their futures, but my future was less certain as I was going to be composing and performing an original piece of music and I don’t even play an instrument!
 
Several school pupils, ageing from fifteen to eighteen, were invited to participate in the Pulse Fiction Composition Workshop at the Royal College.  The workshop provided a fantastic chance to improve both musical and composing skills as well as teamwork but the worrying part was that the newly formed group only had 5 hours until a public performance, gulp!

The workshop was led by composer Frasier Trainer and there were several RCM musicians present to support and encourage the students. At the end of the workshop, there was a 15 minute concert in which the group performed the new pieces they had created; it was inspirational to all attending and gauging by the crowds reaction all were suitably impressed.

This was followed by a formal ‘Variable Geometry Concert’, in which several well-known pieces were performed: Chamber Symphony by John Adams, Workers Union by Louis Andreissen, New Work (a world premiere no less) by Raquel G Thomas and Tehillim by Steve Reich. The conductor was Jean-Philippe Calvin and his orchestra consisted of bass, strings, percussion and voices. There were about 30 members and they performed to a fairly small audience in the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall. The concert was a masterclass in minimalism and although sometimes quite niche was a pleasure to watch and listen.

Look out for my audio report on the next Boston High YJA Radio show, but if you can’t wait for the next show here is a little teaser, click below to hear our performance.
 

Download Performance!

Alisha
Boston High Newsroom
 

October is the month when Stoptober is taking place. This is the latest national health promotion that aims to get the smokers of our nation to quit. They are encouraged to give up smoking for 28 days from Monday 1st October, and hopefully onwards.

Stoptober is backed up by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. They hope that if smokers can manage to quit for 28 days, they might be able to stay smoke-free.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but with support and encouragement, people are much more likely to give up successfully than if they try it alone.
Director of tobacco studies at London University, Robert West, said, “There’s a good reason to set up a mass movement to help smokers quit because people are social animals influenced by each other.”

Free support is given to anyone taking part in Stoptober to help them quit. There is a mobile phone app which can monitor people’s progress and send them supportive texts to keep them going. There is also a Stoptober Facebook page where people can exchange quitting tips.

Sources report that smoking is the biggest cause to premature death in England and over 100,000 recorded deaths in the UK each year.

Some smokers are oblivious that their lives are in danger and smoke more than an average of 20 cigarettes a day. So will you be stopping this Stoptober?

Shannan Smith

BHS Newsroom

On Wednesday 27th June 2012, crowds of Bostonians gathered on the streets from Spilsby Road all the way to the Market Place to cheer on the official torch bearers of this year’s London 2012 Olympic Games.
 

An inspiring pupil from Boston High School, Nesta Baxter, was one of the lucky ones who carried the Olympic torch in Grimsby. Nesta carried the torch for 300 metres and said “It was the greatest feeling ever, one of the best times of my life. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

As people gathered on Spilsby Road, smiles and flags were everywhere as the Olympic spirit was in full flow. Residents of Boston said they “felt proud” and “patriotic” to live in the United Kingdom.

We interviewed several people on the roadside and the general consensus was excitement about the upcoming games. Local primary and secondary schools stood by to encourage the runners and their escorts.

One proud onlooker spoke to us and said “I am very proud that the Olympic Torch has come through Boston and everyone is celebrating.”

Boston High News Team

Boston High School offers a range of activities from Cricket to Archery and Netball to Cross country!

Students are offered to take part in different kinds of activities. They can go to Netball club, Basketball Club, take part in the annual production, there are even mentoring sessions on offer and much much more!

Amazing opportunities are available which some people in other schools can’t access! I asked Bethany Warner and Kayla Miller of what they thought of the schools clubs as they go to Karate Club from our school.

They said, “We think it is awesome! The teacher is quite experienced and very kind”. This shows first hand just how positive these clubs are.

BHS also does parties like Halloween and Valentine’s Day discos. The Year 11 prom and loads of other great activities show many opportunities for years all through the school! An example this year is BHS is holding a Halloween party on the 19th of October for Year 7’s and 8’s. Tickets cost 4 Pounds per person. You wouldn’t want to miss it.

If some of you are not interested in sports or parties then you could get involved in a Charity event or join the school production which takes place every year. There are activities and clubs for every Key Stage.

For instance, key Stage 3 has clubs like the young journalist academy where you learn or see stuff that other people don’t have a chance to. So come on people, join in!

Zakia

BHS Newsroom

21st July 2011

The Young Journalist Academy is delighted to post this Press Release from Dr Jason Howard who is starting as Headteacher on the 1st September. We would like to say, on behalf of all the students, a big thank you to Mrs Thornalley who took on the role as Acting Headteacher bridging the gap between Mrs McEvoy and Dr Howard.

Jenny Brown
Young Journalist Academy at Boston High School

Press Release
July 20th 2011
Dr Jason Howard

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Jason Howard as the next Head of Boston High School.  Dr Howard is currently Deputy Headteacher at Bourne Grammar School, having previously served as a Head of Sixth Form and a Head of History at earlier stages in his teaching career.  Before teaching, Dr Howard studied History and Politics at Exeter before completing a PhD at Churchill College, Cambridge.  Dr Howard is married and has three young children - all of whom are almost as excited about his appointment as he is.

Dr Howard explained that he was 'delighted' to be taking up the Headship of Boston High School, adding that the students he met during the selection process 'spoke with immense appreciation of the care and support that they receive, and the inspirational quality of their experiences inside, and outside of, the classroom.' He stressed the importance of helping students to become active, independent learners and the need for schools to encourage all both to develop existing talents and to try things that are new.  'Students who enjoy learning, and who are encouraged to discover new interests and to develop their potential, achieve highly.  A school that offers all the best it can, and expects the best from all, is one that helps young people prepare for lifelong success.'  When asked whether the main aim of a grammar school was to deliver outstanding results, he suggested that 'of course exam results matter-ask any young person aiming for a job or a place at university' but that 'a good school helps students to develop aspects of character - things like determination, resilience, and the ability to see mistakes as information that can be learned from, rather than as 'failures.'  It's these kinds of things that help any of us to stay motivated and to keep trying, making the best of the opportunities we are offered.  Good grades - and other achievements follow.'

Despite being a historian, Dr Howard prefers to look forward.  'Boston High School has a very bright future – at the centre of this community.  I’m keen to develop the already strong links between school, students, parents and the wider community, both to promote the school and to ensure it helps to serve the local area.' His key priority is to 'get to know the people who make up the school community, as well as the school's culture and traditions.  I've had a very warm welcome so far, and I look forward to meeting everybody.'

Says Chair of Governors of the Boston Grammar Schools Federation, Phillip Bosworth “The Governors are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Jason Howard as the Head of Boston High School for Girls.  Dr Howard will join us from Bourne Grammar School – an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted school.  We are all very excited and on behalf of the Staff, Students and Parents offer the warmest welcome to Dr Howard when he takes up his position on September 1st.”

26th January 2011

On Saturday 22nd January, three of our Young Journalist Academy students visited the Siren FM studios for a radio production session. The students experienced what it is like to be a radio producer and DJ, and produced a one hour show of their own!

To see how they got on, have a look at the video below!

The full radio session can be listened to below

17th December 2010

Students from Boston High School are proud to release their very first online magazine! This has come at a great time with the launch of the new school website happening earlier in the term.

The magazine has been written and designed by the Boston High Newsroom, who are members of the Lincolnshire Young Journalist Academy. Inside the magazine, you will find all the latest news from Boston High School and the local area. You will also be able to read reports, watch films and listen to audio - all created by our students!

The newsletter can be accessed by clicking the thumbnail on the right, or by using the newsletter link at the left hand side of the website. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of the pupils, staff and the school - and wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. We look forward to seeing pupils back in school on Wednesday 5th January.

23rd November 2010

In Lincolnshire we have many little jewels hidden away, spread out all over the county. One of these is Commonwealth gold medallist and sporting legend, Callum Johnson. Born and bred in Boston, students from the Boston High School Young Journalist Academy were lucky enough to interview the light-heavyweight champion here at Boston High as he returned to his hometown.

Johnson has always been interested in boxing, from playing around with boxing gloves at five years old to starting serious training with his father at ten. He regularly trains at Boston’s Fitness First.

Johnson is twenty-five years of age and raring to go with his new professional status. Having recently represented Scotland in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, thanks to his Scottish grandmother, he now looks forward to his boxing future.

By the time Johnson was seventeen, he was lightweight and still growing. Assisted by his coach and father, Paul, Callum tried to apply for the middleweight competition in the Commonwealth Games, however all the spots had already been filled. As he didn’t get into the England team, his next step was to get into the Scottish team. He moved up to Scotland to live with his auntie and represented Scotland in the Games.

Johnson described it as “an incredible experience” not just winning his gold medal but having the opportunity to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Contrary to reports from the press at the time, Callum described his experience at the Athlete’s Village as “absolutely fantastic”.

He has met many famous boxers throughout his career including Joe Calzaghe, Roy Jones Junior, Ricky Hatton and Naseem Hamed, who is now his manager. Boxing legend, Prince Naseem has said that Johnson is the man to put the sparkle back into boxing.

Unfortunately for us, we won’t see him in the 2012 Olympics as he has now turned professional. He is looking for additional trainers in this country and in the United States to take him to the next level.

He has set his sights on becoming the world champion light-heavyweight boxer, acknowledging he “still has a long way to go”. Despite Callum’s success, he regrets his lack of attention at school. His advice to students at school now is “work hard at whatever you want to do.”

By Chas, Alice, Caitlin, Jocelyn and Tristan from the Boston High School newsroom

click any image to zoom in and start a slideshow!

10th November 2010

Boston High School hosted its annual event to raise money for the school welfare fund. This allows everyone access to educational trips and money towards school equipment. Each form organised a stall, this year the theme was ‘circus’.

Boston High School’s bazaar was a great success raising £1793.19. The Samba Band started it all off with a crescendo of drums, whistles and chanting. There was something for everyone ranging from cups of jelly to gladiator battles, hook the duck to fortune telling and lots of food! Boston Explorers also came along to the Bazaar to show off their circus skills, by training the braver students on their bungee stilts, and for those with an eye for quality there was a stall selling fair trade goods.

And while this was all happening inside the field lay unused and bare. It was hard to get through all of the things the forms and houses did in a couple of hours mainly because of the wide variety. In the end, there was barely anything left but a couple of cups of jelly and everybody packing away.

A star of the show was Courtney Bowman who persuaded a variety of local butchers to donate and discount sausages and burgers for the barbecue. The Bazaar was great fun for the pupils and the staff and a lovely, profitable way to round off the term. Acting head of the school, Mrs Thornalley, commented: ‘It’s a crazy afternoon showing the creativity and caring side of our students’. Everyone on the Bazaar day came to school in non-school uniform by paying £1.

By the LYJA team

click any image to zoom in and start a slideshow!

November 2010

Three of Boston High School’s reporters from the School News Desk went to the Royal Albert Hall on Monday of half-term to investigate UFOs. What did they find out?