From the Headteacher
We have had another busy week in school with the first full week of exams for our Year 11 boys. Next week our Year 13 students start their exams and I wish all of them the very best over the coming weeks.
This week the newsletter contains information about our next charity drive and news of a proposed new local Cycleway. There is also some excellent news about Year 11 students who have gained national recognition in mathematics and sport. Do read on!
In the last few weeks, we have offered the school premises as a pop-up vaccination centre for COVID-19 and in particular for 5 to 11-year-olds. You can find details of all local provisions here.
I wish you all a very good weekend and week ahead!
Euan Ferguson
Examinations
Our Year 11 students are well into their GCSE examinations and our Sixth Form students start next week. We wish all of them continued success and remind them that the staff are still available for support. Keep working hard and good luck!
Safeguarding Updates
There was another horrendous news story about the death of a 13-month-old baby this week, killed by the woman who wanted to adopt him. The Department for Education has launched an initiative ‘Together We Can Tackle Child Abuse‘ to help people to recognise the signs of child abuse. Whilst it can be a difficult topic to explore, we encourage all parents/carers to read the link. If nothing else please remember the mantra, “if you think it, report it.”
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of your or another child, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@isleworthsyon.org
Staffing
Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Mr Moore, is taking part in Ride London, a 100-mile sponsored cycle ride on 29 May, raising funds for Kingston Hospital.
If you feel that you can support the charity, you can sponsor him on his JustGiving page.
The Community Food Pantry
From Monday 23 May, we will be supporting a local charity, ‘The Community Food Pantry’ based at the Bridgelink. We are asking for donations of food and other products to support this worthy cause.
Recent data suggests that 1 in 10 households in the UK experience food insecurity and over 2.6 million children live in households that suffer.
The students have been notified of items for collection on their MS Teams page and a letter was sent home. We will start receiving donations on Monday.
Cycleway 9 West
Transport for London (TFL) has shared their proposals for Cycleway 9 West, which will connect Brentford Town Centre to Hounslow Town Centre. You can read more information and view the maps.
Word of the Week
The word of the week for next week is “constitute“.
Each week, study support sessions are used to examine that week’s word. You can learn more about our approach in this presentation about last week’s word.
News
James Skinner – Team GB Gymnastics
We were delighted to learn that Year 11 student, James Skinner, has been selected for Great Britain’s Junior Mixed Gymnastics Team. James trains at the Heathrow Gym and specialises in tumbling, vaulting and floor and, once his GCSE exams are completed, he will be looking forward to competing at the 2022 TeamGym European Championships in Luxembourg in mid-September.
Mikaeel Shah – National Maths Top 10
Year 11 student Mikaeel Shah took part in the 2-hour Maclaurin Mathematical Olympiad, part of the national mathematics challenge. This challenge is reserved for the best 600 students from the earlier intermediate challenge and is by invitation only. Mikaeel achieved 50 marks (distinction) which probably places him comfortably in the top ten students in the country. Well done again, Mikaeel!
Abdulrahman Beg – National Wrestling Champion
Congratulations to AbdurRahman Beg (Year 11, pictured in red) who became British Wrestling Champion in the national championships held at the Leigh Leisure Centre (Greater Manchester) on Saturday 14 May. AbdurRahman was competing at U17 level in the Under 92kg category. This is a marvellous achievement and might well have been perfect preparation ahead of GCSE examinations!
Go Ape – Year 13 CTEC
Our Year 13 CTEC Sport & Physical Activity students have to provide evidence on Outdoor Adventurous Activities as part of their Practical Sports module. On Tuesday 17 May, accompanied by Mr Adams and Mr Mullins, the group travelled to ‘Go Ape’, an outdoor centre near Bracknell to take part in a high ropes course. Over the past few years, 80 per cent of the students on this course have gained Distinction or Distinction* grades with many of them furthering their studies at university or college.
DofE Silver Award – Year 10
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is hugely popular at school and 23 of our intrepid Year 10 students departed on a Silver practice expedition on 19 May. Mr Adams, Mr Rush, Miss Durnien and Mr Spain accompanied the group to the Chiltern Hills for the 3-day trip. Campcraft and navigation are key skills to learn on these trips and students also need to demonstrate an appreciation of the Country Code as they journey through the area. An early photograph of the groups can be seen above.
New Sixth Form Bike Sheds
The final phase of the upgrading of the rear car park was completed this week, with the installation of another bike shed. This facility is for the use of Sixth Form cyclists and is located right outside their Study Room. The new covered facility will allow students to come and go during the school day as their timetable dictates, knowing that their bikes will be dry and conveniently located. Whilst the area is covered by CCTV we still recommend that locks are used at all times for maximum security.