A VIP visitor opened a ‘unique’ newly-refurbished facility at Bournville School – which will help students and staff connect with the local community.
On Wednesday, April 9, Selly Oak Member of Parliament Alistair Carns officially opened the school’s innovative new Community Room – by judging posters created by students in workshops run by Midlands-based charity Aquarius and West Midlands Police.
The anti-vaping posters were beautifully displayed in the newly refurbished Community Room, which will be used for Parent Forums, SEND Parent drop-in mornings, meetings with Social Services, and events such as workshops with police and fire services.
Mr Carns said: “This brilliant facility provides a great connection between parents, teachers, children and the community, so we can raise our children better.
“It gives the community a ‘docking point’, where they can get involved with the school – and the amazing work done by the Police and Aquarius illustrates how important those connections are, raising awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and knife crime.”
Aquarius focus on helping young people who are affected by addiction and substance abuse, whether themselves or through loved ones, and provide early intervention work in schools across the midlands.
Hannah Robbins, Outreach Team Leader at Aquarius, said: “We work with schools and youth centres to provide young people with the information they need to make good decisions, and these outstanding posters clearly show our message has resonated with the students at Bournville.
“Their enthusiasm and the quality of their work has been so impressive. We’re really excited to use the winning poster in our waiting room, and we will hopefully display all the other pieces as well!”
Police officers PC Darren Neville and PC Karina Jordan, who work in Schools Intervention and Prevention, also attended the opening at the Hay Green lane School, which is part of the ambitious Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust (FMAT)
PC Neville said: “In these times, it’s vital for kids to learn that even low-level drug abuse and addictive behaviour is dangerous.
“We arranged for Aquarius come in and talk to Years 7-11 about the effects of alcohol, drugs, vaping and even gambling. They especially shed light on addictive games with in-game purchases, and how this is often an overlooked form of gambling.
“The children were really aware and responsive – we were both surprised and impressed by how much they knew.”
“Marie and the staff at Bournville are doing an amazing job of tackling these issues head-on – which was clear for all to see today.”
– Alistair Carns MP
PC Jordan said: “This new facility is a community hub, unlike anything we’ve seen in other schools, so it’s unique. It shows Bournville’s eagerness to connect with the community.
“Everything we offer, Bournville want. They want to build up the rapport we have with the children to build support networks, create interventions where needed and help them have a positive attitude towards the Police. This fantastic Community Room gives us the perfect place to engage with the young people in our community.”
Mr Carns judged the children’s posters, and was thoroughly impressed with all of the students’ stunning artwork – but it was Year 8 student Shakur Kabuyewho won first prize.
Mr Carns said: “The children’s artistic skills have really come to the fore, it’s amazing. It’s such an engaging way to teach children about the pitfalls of vaping and drug use. It’s important to increase awareness of the hazards that are out there in the modern world.”
Bournville Headteacher Marie Rooney said: “Our students have shown their excellence today. They’ve taken all of the work we’ve done and brought it to life in our beautiful new Community Room.
“Already, it’s a place where the community and our children can come together, celebrate, and cooperate to make our community even better, shown by these amazing posters which will soon find a place in the public eye.”
Bournville’s new Community Room will be used for Parent Forums, SEND Parent drop-in mornings, meetings with Social Services, Workshops with the Police/Fire Service. It will be used for Association Meetings, and many more ideas are in the pipeline for its use.
Miss Rooney said: “We want parents to come here and access the services and information they need to feel involved and empowered. Physically coming into this hive of activity surrounding their children helps them feel connected to the school and wider community.”
Staff helped create Bournville School Community Room
MP opens Community Room at Bournville School
The refurbishment of the Community Room was partially funded by local authorities through the DLP (Developing Leading Partnerships) programme, but it wouldn’t exist without staff contribution.
Miss Rooney explained: “Our staff have been instrumental in creating this amazing space, from donating funds to helping furnish it. Right from the start, it’s been a community effort, and we can’t wait to open it up to further use.”
Mr Carns added: “Marie and the staff at Bournville are doing an amazing job of tackling these issues head-on – which was clear for all to see today.”
FMAT CEO Simon Jones said: “It’s always important for a school to be at the heart of its wider community and to see this new space being opened for a wide range of community uses is fantastic to witness.
“FMAT and its schools have a commitment to play our part in Civic leadership and engagement and this is yet another opportunity to develop and articulate that commitment’.
“As a Trust, we are appreciative of the local MP taking the time to visit and open the Bournville Community hub as well as spending time with young people from our community. We are also grateful for the time and presence of other key community representatives who have supported this development.
“One of the most rewarding parts of working in education is to see the commitment and enthusiasm of young people and to help shape their development into fantastic young adults.
“Today was such a pleasure to see the hard work of students at Bournville and their well-deserved pride was evident when they discovered that their artworks would be used not only in charity bases across Birmingham, but also one would be displayed in the MP’s office!”