Moderation was today

Moderation today took all afternoon with two people visiting the school from Newcastle. Setting up the work took us about 3 hours but it was worth it as we received very complimentary remarks - so well done everyone.
You can assume that your marks will stay the same for the coursework, therefore you know what is needed from the final examination.
Best of luck. Mr. Geekie.

Last day for Year 11

Can you see yourself here. This was the final gathering of a great year group. All staff wish you the very best for your forthcoming examinations.
Mr. Geekie.
Please keep in touch with us BGS is now your "Old School" and will always be here for you to visit and remember.

Some marks for late adjustments

Sam 90/95,
Tom 61/95 at present may change a little for the better if you have done what was suggested.
Hayden 80/95.
NEED TO SEE MARKt folio

Final marking all done with two exceptions

Tom S
and
mark Tw
Tom I need to see your folio urgently - you have been entered for the higher tier but we need to get as many marks as possible from your coursework to give you a chance of that C grade.
Mark - agaian as for Tom above - please get your folio to me as soon as possible.

MARKS AVAILABLE FROM ME - I HAVE CHECKED OUT THE 2007 MARK BOUNDARIES AND HAVE ESTIMATED WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO ACHIEVE TO GET VARIOUS GRADES - FROM A* DOWN TO D

Wednesday 16th April 2008 after school session

Boys finishing off their work tyonight include Hayden, DanG and David B. So, just 3 boys have turned up tonight - some others would have benfitted - but horses to water springs to mind.
Well done everyone else, remember we are going through past papers next week and preparing for the exam.

Year 10 GCSE Graphic Products Initial Ideas

I have spoken to the students about their projects - REALLY important to decide what they WANT to do and that it offers enough rigour to be a viable choice. I have given them some ideas which I feel are suitable. There are specific sections in the marking scheme which suggest a linear approach and which is helpful as a guide for students. The syllabus or specification we are using is AQA GCSE Graphic Products and the site can be reached via my BGS site at www.beverleygrammarschool.co.uk - scroll down to Mr.Geekie's help link.
Our first aim is to create a template for our design pages. Using MS Publisher select print set up and specify A3 size and landscape orientation. Save to student login in a new folder called GCSE Graphics. Next step is to design a logo. A nice freehand A3 page is required which shows how your idea progresses. On this sheet notes should be added. Indicate your final logo design and the following lesson, when you have your allocated computer lesson, the design you came up with in rough needs to be reproduced using MS Paint. Then open your template and add the logo to the botoom right hand side corner. We now have a page which can be used in the future either by printing off and working freehand or by using the template and saving pages direct to our login graphics folder for printing out on our A3 laser printer - copies approx 6p each. Over the course students will need about 30 pages which comes to £1.80.
Ideas put to students include
SHOP FRONT DESIGN
CAR NET DESIGN
CAR EXHIBITION STAND DESIGN
MAGAZINE WITH FREE GIFT DESIGN ( LOTS OF POTENTIAL HERE )
MOBILE PHONE DESIGN TO INCLUDE PACKAGEING
RESTAURANT DESIGN
POP UP BOOK
BOARDGAME DESIGN

Last last last week for finishing folio / practical

Great to see Hayden stay back and get on with his practical fine tuning. Disappointing to see some students not using their time effectively - especially with the computers. The exam will be featuring CD packageing and, as such students must appreciate various aspects as outlined on the handout from AQA. Our understanding of materials used for making CD cases / pouches is obvious. Check out a google search for " cd jewel case material" - there are some good links which explain materials used.

Final marking results - subject to previous notes

Marked all work submitted on time.
Results at present are that the following boys work is missing / incomplete.
DanG., MarkT.,IanB.,MaxC., NathanT.,JackG., StephenH., TomS., DareenB.
DanC is at present borderline regarding higher tier - would benefit from some folio enhancement. Capable of higher tier entry.
Same comments for GREGB.
MA., TT., DB., TMcK. BT., RT., PG., AC., BH will be foundation tier entry.
These students may be joined by those mentioned earlier if their responses merit it.

Adam joined course late - just before Christmas and we have not simply had enough time to produce coursework and therefore will not be entered.

Sam T - regarding your folio

Hi SamT., I have looked at your folio and have actually re-stapled it. I have taken a photo and fixed to the front cover. Just marked it and, although some elements are graded A and B there are shortfalls which will drastically lower your overall mark. To sort this out is quite simple. You need to address the following points,
1 Need a brief
2 FINAL SPEC detailing actual outcomes incl sizes and materials
3 Complete RISK ASSESSSMENT template - see me at school for a copy.
4 As above but for evaluation.
5 LITHOGRAPHY note seems to be missing.
Practical outcomes
1 Stand is well made but needs logo adding plus perhaps a little more evidence of graphics.
2 The car net needs packaging as a separate outcome with euroslot header which includes graphics. Brief instructions would be good.
3 Make a simple full scale watch model.
4 Have you made a desk advert?

This lot seems like a big job but it is not. And it will elevate you to a grade A hopefully. If you have a concern send me a post. Happy Easter -- Sir.

Extension for some students over Easter

Hello everyone - I have just surfaced after a short illness
( good way to lose a few pounds ).
Due to not being able to see students at the end of term I could not advise about improving folio outcomes. A few students would benefit from producing a final specification which links to what they have actually produced as opposed to what they originally specified. Plus - to IanB., SamT, DanG. and MarkT do not worry about your folios I will mark them when we get back. Some students JackG. DarrenB., MaxC., need to hand in all practical outcomes.
Good luck.

Extension period for submission of work.

Students should see me asap regarding their folio and practical work.
Any omissions can be submitted to me after Easter. Use this opportunity to improve your chances.

Tom S. please review the following. Seems a lot but easy to do.
BRILLIANT STAND BY THE WAY.
1 Analysis of research is weak ( F ) Tom it is difficult to mark as I need to refer it to your research and you do not appear to have done this. Please rectify - add comments ( analyse ) your SHOWROOM RESEARCH, CAR SHAPES, LOGOS.
2 SPECIFICATION ( D ) needs to refer DIRECTLY to the items you go on to make. The specification needs to be specific and thus detail the items you intend to make - so size ( W X H x Depth ) and material and colour and scale etc need to be noted. This allows us to later on evaluate our work / outcomes against the spec.
3 Generation of ideas. ( E ) Rough development drawings, only stand detailed and developed. Must develop some rough sketches and then final sketches of your outcomes.
4 Evaluation ( ? ) Please complete the evaluation sheet in your folio.
5 Use of ICT/graphics. ( E ) will improve if above acted on.
6 SOCIAL ISSUES - INDUSTRIAL PRACTICES AND SYSTEMS INCL CAD. Need flow diagram of making stand using the correct symbols. Risk assessment needs to be done. Quality control and quality assurance needs to be done. See me for help with all above.

End of coursework.

Well done eveyone.

Need to see following urgently

TomR., HaydenP.

Marking folios

I have started marking the folios ( and practical outcomes ) and will get back to some students to add last minute clarifications to their work. I will be finalising entry tier level and indeed, non-entry for some students. Some work is excellent however a lot of work produced illustrates a lamentable effort - and the marks will reflect this. We should be aiming to at least attain grade C in our folios which equates to approx 64 marks ( from a max of 95). This means approx 58 marks from 80 will be needed to attain an overall grade C. ( Need approx 125 from 200 )

Preparation sheet 2008 exam.

This has now been released to one group and will be issued to the other group tomorrow. It concerns CD packaging, design and promotion etc. It will be the focus of the examination and therefore we need to research all aspects which are relevant to our area. For example print techniques, graphics, possibly smart THERMOCHROMIC INKS materials. If you have one of the Nine Inch Nails CDs you may have the black one which changes colour as it is warmed up in the CD player.

3 determined students

Thursday night after school 3 determined students came along to work on their folios. KarlM., HaydenP., and TomR. Well done - marking will take place from this weekend and therefore no more sessions available to progress folios. Some students would benefit by a little attention to their practical outcomes even at this late stage. See me at school. I will be reviewing foundation tier students work and will if at all possible move to the higher tier if justified.

Monday 10th March 2008

Good to see most students working well. It is a shame to report that someone deliberately mistreated the bag sealer in the afternoon - the period 5 session. This has resulted in the teflon strip being broken which means the bag sealer cannot now be used. Upon investigation I have established that the strip needed costs £40 as we need to order 5 at a time. The upper element may need replacing also for another £40+ pounds. What is disappointing here is the selfish, unthinking nature of just a minority of the group. Most students have really pulled themselves up over the last few weeks and will hopefully get their just rewards. Very last session on Thursday night this week.

Friday 7th March 2008

End of the week and pretty well done with coursework now. Following students worked until 4.30...ish. HaydenP., Jacob, AdamF., AndyG., TomS., and MattF.
Coursework folios now all bound for final marking - will then ascertain final tier level for exam entry. It has been a long and difficult trip for students and they have all worked hard. Now we need to prepare for the examination. Well done everyone,
NEED FOLIOS FROM JUST MC.,MD., JS. AND NEED TO ASSEMBLE DANC.

Thursday 6th March 08 Meeting at BHS

Unfortunately I need to be at BHS tonight and am anxious that students can still come to the club tonight to finish their work. I will therefore arrange for the cupboards to be left open and then locked again when students have finished working. I will leave the laminator out but please appreciate that the sleeves need inserting folded edges first. Otherwise the laminator will jam. I will endeavour to get back from the high school as soon as possible probably before 4.15.
Well done to all the boys trying to enhance their folio work.

Wednesday 5th March 08

Very busy night. 12 students turned up and worked very well using ICT, laminator, bag sealer etc etc. Those present MattF., HaydenP., RobT., DarrenB., SimonF., SamB., DavidB., NathanT., KarlM., Lee., and others.

Friday 29th Feb 08 ( Leap year day )

Last organized session after school. Lots of students came along for approx 40 mins with HP staying on.
Monday I am away and have left work to do,
This is to complete both the risk assessment and the evaluation pages.
Clive has these and will give to teacher supervising.
Clive also has cupboard keys.
We need to assemble folios following lesson.

Thursday 28th Feb 08

Well done HaydenP who stayed about 1 and a half hours after school. Otherwise not many boys stayed any significant time. I am away on Monday see previous blog note. Boys to complete evaluation and risk assessment - pages provided with tips of how to complete sheets.
Next week priority is to assemble folios.
No folios = no entry.
Good luck to everyone.
Mr. Geekie

Wednesday 27th Feb 08

WOW - 12 students stayed back tonight and it was buzzing. All focussed and working well - though this is the final week. Students supporting and helping and assisting each other. Those present were,
DanSt., DanCam.,SimonF.,DavidB.,IanBy.,Mason,TomR.,KarlM.,LukeH.,RobertT.,HaydenP. SamB.+ someone else.
Monday we will all finish our evaluation and then next lesson will assemble folio and complete the candidate form.

Monday 3rd March Mr. Geekie absent

Advance notice to students.
I will be away on Monday 3rd of March and will arrange for the folio cupboards to be opened for last minute work. Students need to address the EVALUATION sheet as a priority. This requires looking at your detailed specification and then at what you have done to address this and then to write your views - your evaluation - of the various outcomes. For example, your exhibition stand. Did you make it to scale? Did it look like your design drawing? Did you include a logo on the stand? Answer these questions and suggest reasons for any changes. You may have added a video screen or table or roped fence. If these were not on your drawing then explain why not. Keyring - was your finished keyring the stated size, colour, material etc ? If not why. For all outcomes seek other peoples views and act on them, say that if you did it again what would you change and why.

Monday 25th Feb 08

Last week to complete folio and practical work. Still many students behind with coursework. Heartening to see several boys stay back tonight to complete work. Boys present, SimonF.,Callum,TomR.,Luke,Nathan,+DavdB? Some students were unable to attend due to music rehearsals or demands from other subjects.

ONE WEEK LEFT TO GET ALL CRSWK FINISHED

Please make every effort this next week to get all folio work and practical work finished. Remember it represents 60% of your total mark. I will be at school for evening sessions every night except Tuesday.

Friday 22nd Feb 08

Good after school session - boys present were TomR, LukeH.,AlexR, till 4.30+ others BenT and AdamK stayed a few minutes only.

Wednesday evening session 20th Feb 08

Good after school session - well don DanC, RobT, Callum, LukeH, DarrenB, DanS - some excellent progress. Extra Friday session this and next week on top of Monday Wednesday and Thursday. Week commencing Monday 3rd March will be for completing candidate forms and assembling portfolios and attaching photographs of outcomes to the front cover.

Friday added to catch up evenings

For the last two weeks of catch up sessions I will stay back Friday nights for those students wishing to catch up. This is on top of Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Tier entry IMPORTANT note for parents

Again thankyou to all the parents who came to school on the year 11 parents evening, it was good to see you and I welcome your support. I have told the boys their entry tiers today which came as a surprise to some. The surprise being that they were entered for the foundation tier not the higher tier. Parents who made it to the parents evening were given this information, can I suggest that those parents who could not attend ask their son for the entry tier they are entered for. I will review all entry tiers again - once more in 2 - 3 weeks time and adjust the tier entries if the work completed by then merits it.

Tuesday 12th Feb 08

Stayed at school until 10.20 am.
Lots of students on site for various subject sessions. Gave out two folios ( Adam C. and Alex M.) - Mark Tw also present but has folio at home - ditto Tom McK - Matt All. declined folio.
I will not be on site any more this week but please give me a call if you need help.

Tuesday 9.25 ..ish 12.Feb 2008

Well here I am and pleased to see some students waiting when I arrived. I will be here 'til at least 10 am.
If anyone wants to pop in for their folios - up 'til then I am here.

Monday 11th February 2008

I popped into school to unlock folio cupboards and to collect folios for those students who intened collection after Monday. However it appears that no one is in the school office all week so I could not leave folios there for collection. I will therefore be in school again Tuesday morning 9 - 10 for any one who would like to collect, also, I will be there to help if required ( thinking here of ProDesktop CAD ).
Thankyou to the parents who are supporting me in trying to keep all informed via texting ( as well as this blog ). I have also removed contacts from my list as requested.

folios to collect - slight change

Will call in late morning - unforeseen emergency prevents earlier start.

Folio collection from BGS for half term working

Hello everyone, I will be in school early on Monday and unlock cupboards for students to access their folios. I will also take some folios to the office for collection after Monday for those students unable to make Monday ( Adam C, Matt A. ). If anyone has a problem please contact me.

Collecting folios for half term week homeworking

Hello everyone,
It was good to see so many parents last night and to share our mutual desire for the boys to achieve their best possible outcome for the course. I had promised that I would release some folios from the locked storage in our teaching room to enable fine tuning ( and more ) at home over half term. I will do this on Monday morning - leaving the folios in the front school office for collection. It must be appreciated however that any folios which are mislaid could result in non entry for the exam. When we return, after half term, we will work solely on practical outcomes for the coursework. The third week back will be required to collate, assemble and complete candidate record forms. I will then mark all the work in detail and move students from foundation tier to higher tier ( I very much hope to do this with as many as possible ) if they have in fact been entered for the foundation tier. WE CAN STILL ALL BE POSITIVE AND WORK HARD TO IMPROVE THE COURSEWORK ELEMENT. The better the coursework mark the better students will do, especially if the end examination is more challenging than expected.
Phew !!!! That is all for now.
Happy half term.
Sir.

Examination entries

I have mentioned to students that I have entered approx. 50% for the higher tier and the rest for the lower tier. Migration between tiers is possible and is dependent upon their performance up to 21st April. This is vital for all to understand. The highest achievable foundation grade is a C. So it follows that most foundation students are under-performing. There is time to rectify this but it requires some considerable effort for some. Keep trying.

Half term ( Feb 08 )

To all students - please contact me if you have any concerns, remember I have listed all the ways you can reach me on the front age of my site
( www.beverleygrammarschool.co.uk/bgsindex.htm )
Your absolute focus over half term must be your folio.
The last two weeks at school, on our return after half term will be focussed on practical outcomes.
The third week will be folio assembly, completing candidate forms etc. During this week the examination preparation sheet will be issued to you - this explains the examination theme.
NOT LONG NOW
Good luck - Mr.Geekie

Mr. Geekie has just bought a fresh supply of photographic paper

This high grade paper could be used with the printer in my room to produce high quality images for your folio.

Wednesday evening session 6th Feb 08

Good to see students pop along to try to do some work. These incl Dan G., Dan C., who stayed the longest with visits also from, Dan S., Simon F., and Sam B. Mr. Jones offered his encouragement as he passed through which was welcomed by the students. I had to leave a little early to visit dentist.

Year 11 parents, has your son made an appointment for Thursday?

Items wanted to make up a bank of resources

If anyone has an old kettle, lemon squeezer, clock, radio, iron, camera - either disposable or traditional or in fact, digital I would welcome taking them off your hands to help us create a product resource bank. I guess there are lots of other items we can use so if they are portable perhaps your son could bring them in. This will allow us to compare, judge and evaluate similar products. Any electrical item will need to have the plug snipped off for safety reasons.
Many thanks, Mr. Geekie.

Examination preparation sheet for main exam

Hello everyone the preparation sheet is now in school and I will be investigating the theme between now and 1st March ( when students will be issued with it )

Remember to visit YouTube for extra help

Youtube have some helpful videos ( as well as dubious ones - user beware ) I have uploaded examples of past GCSE Graphic Prooducts work and other items. Visit YouTube and search for bevgeek2 (:o)

Checking posts

Remember to check previous posts by clicking OLDER POSTS at the foot of the page. These include times to work after school and other details to help you.

Pencil and pencil box promotional materials

Have you got yours made up. This is one of the very easy extra promotional outcomes you can produce.

Student concerns

I have been asked by some students if I could spend one evening demonstrating how to produce a CAD drawing of the stand using ProDesktop. No problem. Any of the nights after school - see notices in the room, on the web or see me, but basically Monday, Wednesday or Thursday after school. Also please remember templates and examples of everything needed are on the 'P' drive at school,

Parents evening Thursday 11th Feb

I will have a form ready on which you can enter your email details. This will allow me to email you directly about progress and / or any issues.

Contacting parents via text messages

I have been texting parents ( those with mobile phones listed in our school records ) and pointing out the time remaining to complete the work and also issues relating to absent folios. I understand that some parents may not want me to contact them in this way. If this is the case please leave a message at the school office - tel number 01482 881531. I will then remove the contact from the list. I have never intended to cause undue concern or worry but simply to keep as many channels of communication open as possible. It has been mentioned to me that these mobile contacts are for emergency only. If anyone objects to my texting them, I can email instead if I have your email address. I find this quicker than using standard mail or indeed using the telephone.

Basic equipment needs

The students signed a contract in year 10 when they agreed to come to school with certain essential equipment. Pen - pencil - ruler - eraser - glue stick and coloured crayons. It is depressing to say that a number of students every lesson need to ask for these items ( and I refer to pens and pencils especially ). I find this amazing. Perhaps parents could help support the school in this regard.

Preparing for the exam

The examination board produce exam papers based on themes or areas of study. The students will be issued with these outlines as soon on or after 1st March as possible.
These will then be used to prepare for the exam.
The examination papers can be seen via my website - see Mr. Geekie's help page and the AQA past exam papers. There is also a link to the examiners reports about the exams - that is - the answers with examiners views of how well or badly the examination questions were answered. This is a great source of help and guidance. We will be going through past papers from the beginning of March.

Typical work needed on folios.

Typically folios are incomplete or rather not finished. Let me explain. Most boys with few exceptions have produced adequate number of pages yet lots of pages lack comments to explain the pictures they have drawn or the analytical comments about research images they have gathered. In other words pages generally lack notation. Another area to tighten up is the need for illustrations whether rough or finished to have colour applied. For boys who have yet to get their own pencil crayons I bought 30 sets of crayons myself for them to use. However this is work that can be done as homework as we now need to concentrate on making our outcomes. Again to help here I have recently bought lots of foil card to help and encourage students.

Parents Evening for Y11 Thursday Feb 7th 08

Hope to see as many parents as possible on the night students should have made appts. If however no appt. has been made and you would like to contact me please do so preferably by email or text message or telephone or even using instant messenger etc. Details on my web site.
Best wishes to everyone.

Folio and practical 3D outcomes

The main focus now must be to complete 3D outcomes. Use half term and the last two weeks to complete your folio. I have issued everyone a blank gant chart for students to produce an updated planning sheet. Also I issued my original timescale plan and another sheet with reminders of areas which could have been included. Parents could perhaps help to encourage students especially over half term.

Monday evening 4th February

Well 3 working weeks left and it was good to see the following boys at the after school session. Simon F., Karl M., HaydenP., Mark Tw., Nathan T., Tom R., Jacob C., Matthew A.
We did a lot of work on ProDesktop - exhibition stand drawings.
Next session on Wed.

times after school to help progress

Monday 3.35 - 4.30
Tuesday 3.35 - 4.30
Wednesday 3.35 - 4.30

Understanding outcomes

core outcomes required
exhibition stand
car net - which makes a 3D car
car 3D card
desk advert / poster
extra outcomes to consider
keyfob
identity badge
coaster
mouse mat
business card holder
cd sleeve
cd cover
cd insert for jewel case
watch
pencil and pencil case
lapel badge with logo

GCSE the weeks leading up to deadline 08

To all students taking GCSE Graphic Products.
Folio - remember that the folio and practical outcomes ( exhibition stand model, car net, greetings card and desk advert ) need to be completed by the end of February.
Exam entries for foundation and higher tiers have been made.
Depending on your progress I can change tier entry but not after April 14th.
Remember evening sessions Mon WED and THURS - also that you can contact me here or indeed via email or messenger etc. Details on my BGS site.