BIRKDALE NEWS
June 1993

Mr Birkby retires after 32 years at the school

Mr Birkby left his post as Senior School Head at the end of the Christmas term.

After spending over 30 years at the school, Mr Birkby looked forward to his retirement very much. He joined the staff in 1961 and taught History as his main subject. In addition to this, Mr Birkby found time to give cycling proficiency lessons; many hair-raising stories can be told about those classes!

In 1987, Mr Birkby took over Mr Henderson as Head of the Senior School. During the last few years, he has helped to develop changes in that department in relation to the GCSE exams, the implementation of Records of Achievement and the introduction of the National Curriculum.

Pupils and staff will remember him riding into school on his motorcycle. There were times when the boys (and girls!) wished they could have a go riding the bike and, if they were lucky, that chance was given to them. Motorcycling was brought to a wider audience with the introduction of lessons using mopeds. Mr Birkby certainly had a few narrow escapes!

Janet Lockwood (nee Steele) gave a presentation on behalf of ex-pupils to Mr Birkby at Christmas. With the generous donations received, Mr Birkby was presented with a walking jacket and trousers for when he takes a trek to the Lake District.

Mr Birkby wishes to thank everyone who contributed towards the gift. He is delighted with the walking gear and has already tried them out on a recent visit to the Lakes. He says that he hopes to maintain contact with you all at events such as the reunion party. [On behalf of us all, we hope you have a happy and healthy retirement - TW]

Miss Finigan took over Mr Birkby's job as Head of the Senior School in January. She is no stranger to the school, having worked there as a teacher during the years 1983-86.

New look to newsletter

Since the Editor now has access to a more sophisticated computer system, some changes have been made to the presentation of the newsletter. It is hoped that readers like the new format.

[Several of you have been in contact with me regarding the non-appearance of the November issue and I must apologise for that. Unfortunately, a close relative died from cancer in mid-November so that put a stop to further production of the newsletter. I hope you will all understand and accept my apologies - TW]

'Musical' window now in Schierwater Room

A circular stained glass window was installed at a special Assembly last July.

Joanne Edwards drew the design for the window, based on artwork produced by the fifth year pupils as part of their GCSE course. The window has a musical theme and features various instruments. The whole design is framed by piano keys circling the main feature and some of these have the children's initials on them.

This project was sponsored by Sainsburys and North West Arts. For a few days in July, the window was on display outside Sainsburys store in Southport. Apart from exhibiting the window and raising public awareness about the school, the event raised almost £1,500 from public donations.

The window is now permanently on display in the Schierwater Room and replaces one that was taken into safe keeping at the start of the Second World War, but never returned.

Since the installation of the window, the Schierwater Room has been converted into a Dance/Drama Studio to enable the pupils to continue studies in the theatrical arts.

"Moscow there sometime!"

One former pupil, Karen Holdsworth (nee Jaquiss), has had the experience of visiting Moscow in Russia. She went there in July for a Disabled Youth Festival which tasted for 8 days. Karen says she enjoyed it and found it to be a new experience.

Karen has passed her Part-time Youth Work Course and is now doing Sports Leadership Training with Disabled People ot Bradford and Ilkley Community College. She is the Youth Leader for Bradford Deaf Youth Club, which she set up for young deaf people in February 1991.

Staff News

Mrs Claydon, the Development Manager, has left the school to take up a new job. Mr Kells took over in January as Business Manager.

Mr Fyles retired before Easter. He joined the school in 1967 as a Geography/History teacher, but left in 1973 to take up peripatetic work. When Miss Clark became Principal in 1976 Mr Fyles returned to the school to act as her deputy. In his years as Deputy Head, Mr Fyles will be remembered for dealing with many important aspects of school life, including the management of the Children's Fund and the weekly transport lists. [We all wish you every happiness in your retirement and look forward to seeing you from time to time - TW]

Mr Holden, gardener in charge of the grounds at Parkfield, retired last summer. He had worked al the school for 23 years. His efforts were rewarded last year when he won the "Southport in Bloom" silver cup prize. Before Mr Holden left, he presented the school with a beautiful garden bench inscribed with his name and dates of employment.

Mrs Proctor, who used to teach part-time at the school, died from cancer in October. She had been a resident al Queenscourt Hospice in Southport for some time.

Patter of Tiny Feet

Clare Davies (nee Dyson) had a baby girl, Sally, born on 5 November.

Victoria Jones (nee Sumner) had a baby girl last August. She weighed 6lbs 3oz and is called Sarah Jane.

Susan Tinsley (nee Hall) had a baby boy, Joseph, on 29 September. He weighed 8lbs 14oz.

Stephanie Wilkins (nee Grimshaw) is expecting in August this year.

Interior Changes at School

The school has recently started a building redevelopment programme which will involve redesigning the main school's interior. This work will take place in stages and already some alterations have been made.

The ceiling in the downstairs corridor has been lowered and the whole area was decorated during the summer holidays. A new linoleum with a compass design as its main feature has been laid down near to the stairs leading to the girl's floor.

Work has also taken place on redesigning the boy's playroom into a multi-activity area. The girls have a new sitting-room on the first floor and they also have access to a modem shower section. Most dormitories [Sorry, that should be bedrooms; a change in terminology for the 90s! - TW] on both floors have been re-decorated and the boy prefects have their own facilities. The dining room has been newly decorated and refurbished.

The Senior School has seen a few changes; the computer room has moved from the Old Senior School building and is now housed in Mrs Kay's old classroom. It has been developed into a modern Information Technology room. Most classrooms have also been carpeted.

Plan to Study? Join BFEDS!
Would you like to return to college and follow a full-time course?
Do you need support from note-takers and teachers of the deaf?
Are you aged 19-25?

It might be possible to apply to the new Further Education Funding Council for funding so that you could follow a full-time course at Southport College, Hugh Baird College in Bootle or Liverpool Community College and have as much help as you need from a support tutor.

Birkdale Further Education Direct Support (BFEDS) provides note-takers and teachers of the deaf to help you to follow full-time college courses. You might also be able to be resident during the week at a BFEDS hostel.

If you are interested in going to college in September 1994, contact Mrs Rothwell or Mrs Mowat on [number supplied] or write to one of them at the school. They will then try to find out if you could apply for funding.

Reunion 1993
Cancelled due to lack of support

The annual reunion party was scheduled to take place at the Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport on 2 May. It appears that ticket sales were poor so Neil & Dorothy Caven, the organisers, have decided to cancel this year's event. Maybe next year will be better?

Please contact Neil & Dorothy at [address suppiled] if you have any queries. Of course, any comments are welcomed for the newsletter!

Next newsletter

The Editor would like to hear from you! Please send letters with news and views to: Tony Wright, Birkdale School (FHIC), [address supplied].

SINCE THE EDITOR HAS MOVED, PLEASE DO NOT USE TALBOT STREET ADDRESS!

Next issue due out in November 1993.

STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS

Mrs Kay is taking early retirement al the end of the summer term. Like Mr Birkby, she has spent many years at the school and will be much missed by both staff and pupils alike.

Please note: addresses originally supplied in this issue are now out of
date & are no longer valid so they have been removed

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