Friday 20th December

Welcome to the final Secondary Newsletter of this term. A big thank you from me goes to the whole school community for all that you do to help to make Britannica such a wonderful place to be!  
Lots of interesting things have been happening during this final week of term, including lots of celebratory end-of-term activities today. Year 7 have been bouldering, Year 8&9 have been enjoying watching a Christmas movie, Year 10&12 have gone to ice skating rinks somewhere in the city, Year 11 have gone bowling, and the Sixth Form are taking part in a festive cookery course! What a way to end the first full term! 
 
Year 11 and Year 13 Mock Exam briefing 
On Monday morning Mr. Jakab and I met with Year 11 – Year 13 students who are sitting IGCSE or A Level examinations in the summer of 2025. To help them to prepare, we will run a ‘mock’ exam series during the first week and a half of next term (7th – 14th January). We wanted to speak to all of the pupils to ensure that everyone is very clear about the expectations and timetables for the period. Please find a copy of the presentation below.  
 
House Swimming Competition 
KS3 pupils have been taking part in a swimming competition this term; and now the results are in! 
4th WATER with 1709 lengths =19.3 miles, achieved: The Lough Neagh 
3rd AIR with 1786 lengths = 20.2 miles, achieved: The Lough Neagh 
2nd EARTH with 1806 lengths = 20.4 miles, achieved: The Lough Neagh 
1st FIRE with 1941 lengths = 22.0 miles, achieved: The Lough Neagh 
This means that Fire House have won a non-uniform day on Friday 10th January! They can come in their house colour (red) to celebrate their victory as a team. 
Congratulations to everyone who took part - the enthusiasm and effort was commendable! A big thank you to Mr. Hudetz and Mr. Redshaw for organising and running the competition.  
 
Christmas Charity Bake Sale 
This Thursday we had a festive bake sale to raise money for the Hungarian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (MVGYOSZ); you may remember that this is one of the charities we made links with last term during our Discovery Day. As always, this was a very popular event! A big thank you to Mr. Trovo for organising the event and to all of the pupils, staff and parents who baked, purchased and helped to run the event! Pictures below.  
 
Yea 9 Hungarian Christmas Market trip  
On Tuesday Year 9 learners of Hungarian as a second language visited the Hegyvidék Christmas Market to practice their speaking skills and get into the festive spirit! Pictures below.  
 
Practical Physics in KS4 and KS5
In Physics this week with Mr. Thwaites, Year 10 and Year 12 students have been making spaghetti towers! The goal was to make the tallest tower that could hold a marshmallow at the peak. Please see pictures of their efforts below!

University visit  
This week, Year 12 were visited by staff and students from Wiener Neustadt University who gave a presentation about their business and computer science courses in the medium of English. Our pupils were given information about entry requirements, open days and accommodation offers on campus. The visitors left with praise for the Year 12s polite response to their information and hoped it aided their university research as we go into the Christmas break. Pic below.  
 
Cheerleading ECA trip 
On Sunday 15th December, members of the cheerleading club from Primary and Secondary attended the Cheerleading Christmas gala organised by ELTE-BEAC. The girls loved watching the performances and were inspired. They were in awe of the cheerleaders walking around in their outfits, and they were beyond excited to see Ms. Cseszko and watch her perform twice! A big thank you to Ms. Tunn, Ms. Cseszko and Ms. Sweatman for organising the trip and running our Cheerleading ECA at Britannica. Please see pictures below.  
 
Debate Team Success! 
Last weekend, three members of the Britannica Sixth Form took part in an international debate competition in Zagreb, called Winter Holidays Open. There were 78 teams taking part in the competition from over 16 nations. The team of which Sofia, Szofia and Flora were a part finished as the 2nd Novice team also the 3rd ESL team. A big congratulations to all three students! Picture below.

Parent events next term: dates for your diary 
I just wanted to give advance notice of the Parents’ Afternoons that will be coming up next term so that you can organise your time accordingly: 
Tuesday 14th January: Year 7 and 8 Parents’ Afternoon 
Thursday 6th February: Year 9 Parents’ Afternoon and IGCSE Options Event 
Tuesday 11th February: Year 11 Parents’ Afternoon and A-Level Options Event 
 
If you are staying in Budapest over Christmas, the weather looks cold and bright! 
All that is left is for me to wish you a Happy Winter Break. Enjoy time with your families and I look forward to seeing everyone again in January.

Festive wishes, 
Holly Stroud 
Head of Secondary

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