Newsletter Easter 2019
Students aim to help mental health issues BUXTON students hosted the borough’s firstever summit to improve the lives of young people battling mental health issues. Doctors, councillors and teachers will be among those acting on the recommendations set out in the finished charter, created at the Waltham Forest Mental Health Summit in January. Our students were joined by secondary schools from across Waltham Forest to put together the blueprint for better services for young people with mental health issues. Money to hold the summit was raised by our students, who won a grant of £1,000 after impressing a panel at City Hall last year. Youth Health Champions from each school put forward their ideas for the charter before they were voted on. Student Rosanna Ballinger-Drayton said: “People in the past haven’t known where to go for help but this is not the case at Buxton now. “There is somewhere safe for everyone. We have campaigned to raise awareness for LGBT and other issues and now the charter is there for everyone.” Deputy head boy Sendil Coopoomootoo said the Youth Health Champions scheme at Buxton helps students feel they have more people to turn to. He added: ‘We have posters around the school and people know they can talk to us about things they cannot speak about with adults. “The staff at Buxton really engage and talk about mental health. Understanding the importance of a student lead, guided by teachers, is really important.” Community and Extended Schools Leader Ms Moloney said: “This is a peer-to-peer conversation. It really stems from the young people here at Buxton, who, with the help of the school, really wanted to do something to make a change. “The young people voiced a concern about having a space to talk safely with other students about their mental health – and we were determined the help them achieve it. “Their ideas are brilliant. They are moving social media towards being a more mental health friendly space and even started a hashtag.” The hashtag started by the students is #forestmindtalks Waltham Forest Council’s Director of Learning David Kilgallon praised the school
Health champions: Cllr Grace Williams with acting headteacher Jackie BowersBroadbent and some of the Buxton School students involved in the summit for its passion to help. He said: “We have got to support young people in talking about mental health issues. “These are young people leading the conversation. If they can spot signs earlier, that is going to be an invaluable weapon to tackle it and improve lives.” Katy Taylor, from We Schools, an organisation which works in partnership with the Mayor of London’s office TELL, said: “This will help students to feel part of something bigger. It is about giving them the voice and the vehicle to make a change.” The event was also supported by Kooth, a free online counselling service for young people. The new Forest Minds social media channels can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Grace Williams, said Buxton students are leading the movement for mental health awareness among young people. She added: “This is a brilliant thing that Buxton School has achieved. The students have engaged every secondary school in the borough. “It is a really remarkable achievement. Mental health problems are rising and the reasons are complex. This is something that is so important for the borough and it is being driven by young people. They are talking about their own experiences and encouraging others to do the same.” l Students use social media to combat mental health issues: Turn to page 2
School’s night of celebration Buxton students were recognised for their outstanding achievements both inside and outside school over the last year at an awards celebration at Walthamstow Assembly Hall. l Full report: Turn to page 3
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Social media pair are spreading a message TWO tech-savvy students are using their social media profiles to encourage their tens of thousands of young followers to take care of their mental health. YouTuber James Henry and Instagram star Marvellous Aigbedian, both in Year 10, have become positive role models and leading lights in the fight against misuse of social media. The pair, who are Buxton Youth Health Champions and helped to write a new mental health charter, have thousands of followers between them. James, who has more than 11,000 subscribers on YouTube, is a writer and gamer and said his school has encouraged him to speak out about mental health issues. He uses machinima, a kind of film-making using video games to create original films and tell stories. He said: “I started in 2015 just because I wanted to make people laugh through stories. It was all a bit of fun really but it took off to be quite big. “In 2017 and 2018 I started to include stories about mental health and people really responded to it. “It started to become noticeable for me that it was an issue for people my age. “The stories became about making people think about mental health and how it affects people. I am really pleased Buxton is promoting good mental health for students and creating a place for them to feel safe. I am really glad to be involved.” Some stories on James’ account are told through a character called Rose, who is bubbly in public but struggling in private. He is now about to embark on a series of stories about mental health issues while being spurred on by his teachers to take a leading role in positive mental health promotion. Fellow student Marvellous uses her profile to show how social media can be used positively – to promote healthy living – instead of filtered perfection. Recognising her talent and her positive outlook, teachers recommended her to become an instrumental part of the programme at Buxton. Marvellous said her teachers have encouraged students to focus on what is good for them online. She said: “I started on Instagram aged 11 and at first it was just for pictures. A lot of girls use social media and they see people who look perfect and they expect to be perfect but that isn’t reality. “I started putting my art on there and I got a really positive reaction. I got a lot of encouragement and Instagram began to be a place where I felt safe and where I felt I could express myself.” Marvellous has recently published a book called ‘Blink’ about a girl named Dalia who is ‘overthinking’ and struggling with her mental health.
Leading the fight: James and Marvellous are using social media to help their peers
Pupils on Comic Relief red alert BUXTON School went Comic Relief crazy – with red noses, fancy dress and painted faces the theme of the day. The school raised an amazing £526.37 and was rewarded when it was nominated as a Red Nose Day Super School by Comic Relief for all the years of support the school has given. This year primary and secondary pupils combined forces to raise money to help those in poverty across the globe. Pupils paid 50p to have their noses painted
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red or wear a piece of red clothing to raise charity cash. Year 3 pupil Denis (right) said: “I really like painting my nose red for Red Nose Day. It is fun and it is helping people.” Fellow Year 3 Joanna added: “We have learned about why we raise money for Red Nose Day. I’m glad I can help.” Since its 1988 launch, Red Nose Day has encouraged people to do something funny for money at home, school or work.
Buxton School Celebration Evening
Sendil collects a handful of prizes STUDENT Sendil Coopoomootoo was one of the biggest winners of the night, picking up six prizes for his achievements in history, IT and French, as well as two youth champions certificates and his bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He said: “I didn’t expect to get so many to be honest. It’s
been great. I really enjoy my time at Buxton and I think it’s setting me up well for university. “The opportunities and experience you are able to get as a student at Buxton just do not compare to other schools. If you want to, you can do anything at Buxton School.”
Students honoured for achievements HUNDREDS of our students have been recognised for their outstanding achievements over the last year. Teachers, parents and community leaders celebrated some 200 pupils who picked up awards at Walthamstow Assembly Hall in February. The youngsters from Year 5 through to Year 11 were honoured for their work both inside and outside the classroom. Many picked up prizes for fantastic exam results while others were celebrated for their volunteer work. Dozens also received their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Prizes were handed out by Head Girl Caoimhe McMahon and Head Boy Aaren Johal, along with their deputies Brianna Lecky and Sendil Coopoomootoo. Student Tanvir Shaikh picked up the coveted Head Teacher’s Award for excelling academically despite not speaking English when he arrived at the school six years ago from Italy. He is now a straight A student who hopes to go on and study at Cambridge after leaving Buxton. The Louis Rose Award for students who had overcome adversity to show outstanding progress was given to Arwa Ahmed. Acting headteacher Jackie BowersBroadbent said: “These students are hardworking, diligent, dedicated and represent everything it is to be a Buxton pupil. “These students have not just achieved academically, they have supported each other to make this school what it is – a fantastic place to learn and teach.” Steven Vuong, a former high-achieving student who is now studying for a data science master’s degree at King’s College, had a message of support for students. He said: “You have got a few years ahead of
you and you should make the most of your time. “It really is a fantastic school and wonderful springboard to what you want to achieve.
“Make friends, talk to your teachers. You’ll have so many opportunities here and you should make the most of it. “A lot of what I have achieved is a result of the support I got at Buxton.”
Tanvir’s club plan has paid dividends
Arwa has her sights on medicine career
WINNER of the Head Teacher’s Award, Tanvir Shaikh, came to London from Venice when he was ten years old. Despite speaking no English when he arrived in the UK, Tanvir (right) is predicted to achieve straight As in his A-Levels and hopes to go on to Oxford or Cambridge to study medicine. He said: “I believe in hard work and determination. I joined every club I could to improve my English – football, volunteering, booster clubs. This award means so much to me because it proves all my hard work has paid off.”
Arwa Ahmed was awarded the Louis Rose Award after she overcame adversity and her shyness to succeed at Buxton School. Arwa (right) said: “I moved from Liverpool and came to Buxton last year. I had some difficulties but the school has been so supportive and the teachers have really helped me. “I’ve never been really outgoing and I’m so surprised and happy to get this award. I’m doing really well in physics and I hope to go to Oxford or Cambridge and become a surgeon.”
Councillor’s pride in school’s image Special guest speaker Patrick Edwards, a community activist and ward councillor, told the students they were the “best of the borough”. Mr Edwards (left) said: “There is no better time of day for me than around 3.30pm when I see that stream of grey uniforms walking home. “You are young men and women who are the very best of us in this borough. It is a great honour and a privilege to be a councillor in this borough and ward and to be here tonight. This is an excellent school that delivers for our children and our community.”
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Buxton students are leading the way It has been another fun-packed term at Buxton School in both the primary and secondary school. As well as producing great exam results, we want our students to be warm, kind and well-rounded people with skills to meet the challenges that lie ahead of them when they leave us. Buxton students are leading the way in Waltham Forest in raising awareness for issues surrounding mental health. They hosted a youth health forum with other local schools this term, which produced a charter which will inform how government agencies approach the issue. We are so proud. This term students have also been living and breathing our Kindness Pledge with fundraising for Red Nose Day and other activities. Each day is a chance for us to remind students to put kindness at the centre of everything they do. At this school we feel it is
Acting headteacher Jackie BowersBroadbent reflects on another succcessful term at Buxton school... vitally important that students take pride in everything they do and achieve. To this end, we have celebrated success with our annual prizegiving ceremony, ensuring students are recognised and rewarded for their efforts. This term our Year 6 and Year 11 continue to be prepared for their upcoming exams by a team of dedicated and passionate teachers. We wish them the best of luck. Finally, it just remains for me to wish all our students and their families a restful and happy Easter. We hope you spend it in the best possible way, enjoying time with your friends and family. I look forward to seeing you all next term, re-energised and ready to meet the challenges of the coming months.
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Telly quiz champion’s celebrating success BUXTON School has its own quiz champion after a member of staff won the popular BBC One show Pointless. The coveted Pointless trophy can now be found in Ms Moloney’s office after the Community and Extended Schools Leader not only appeared on, but won the show earlier this term. Ms Moloney and her fellow quiz champion are regulars on the Waltham Forest quiz scene and decided to put E17 (and Buxton) on the map. They appeared on the show on January 17 and 18 – and they won. Ms Moloney and her teammate got through to the final round, where they had to find a pointless answer for a song with birds in from Barry White, the Red Hot Chili Peppers or James Brown. While they could not come home with the cash, they were happy with their trophies. She said: ‘The final pointless question was really hard – but we came away with the trophy and that’s what matters. ‘We were absolutely thrilled to be able to bring it home and we got one each. “We love to do quizzes in school so hopefully we will see another in Buxton.”
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Fresh ideas aimed at improving student life THE new head boy and head girl have vowed to improve student life at Buxton School with online homework systems, improvements in recycling and raising money for charity. Year 10 students Aaren Johal and Caoimhe McMahon were voted in after impressing their peers with pledges on their three-point manifestos. The pair will now work together to change things for the better. And they have some impressive ideas. Aaren has come up with an ingenious idea to bring the homework system up to date with the modern world. He wants to improve the way work is submitted to move to an online system that will save time for both students and teachers. He said: ‘Buxton is so much better than a lot of schools in terms of democracy. We can see voting in action and take part in a kind of politics before we even leave school. “I am really looking forward to serving the school and making it even better. It is a really big responsibility to represent the student body but I know I can prove myself worthy.” Caoimhe will bring in a recycling system which rewards students with non-uniform days when they hit certain volume levels. The Year 10 pupil is also hoping to bring in more inter-form sports competitions and improve fundraising opportunities. She said: “It is great that we were voted in, the system has only been running a couple of years but it really works. It makes students feel part of the decision-making process at school. “To be voted in as head girl is a really big honour for me and I want to make sure I do my school and the students proud. The hard work starts now.”
Museum visit shows pupils science can be fun YEAR 3 students took their learning beyond the classroom during a visit to the Science Museum. They investigated electrical pulses, magnets and took part in experiments with movement, light and sounds during sessions at the Wonderlab. The trip was part of this term’s science topics Bright Sparks and How Humans Work. This year they have learned about conductors and insulation while making their own circuits. They also studied how organs such as the brain, lungs and liver work and what happens
to body when you exercise. Pupil Leon said: “I never knew science could be so much fun before I went to the Science Museum.” Fellow pupil Edward added: “It was so much fun to play with all the interactive activities they had.” Pupil Joy said: “It was fun because we learned more about the stuff we had been learning in class.” Head of Year 3 Ms Ashe said: “As always, we were extremely proud of our pupils who represented our school with exemplary manners and behaviour.”
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Focus on Early Years Imagination all fired up: The children created their own dragon
Positive steps help to engage young minds POSITIVE learning environments at Buxton School have seen incredible progress for the youngest pupils. The Early Years classes have been encouraged to choose their own learning materials to keep them engaged in the classroom. Teachers have seen incredible results with the children, aged three and four, being captivated with lesson content during daily classes. Early Years lead Annie Campbell said by allowing the children to pick from a range of materials they have created a better learning environment. She said: “We really focus on the children having the opportunities to choose their own resources. “As an example, we had racing tracks in and they were building
ramps for the cars. They really enjoyed it, they were so engaged. We put a lot of additional resources in to enable them to continue building the ramps. We showed them clips from Formula One racing and a dozen racing tracks. “They were exploring different shapes like the figure of eight during the process. We did not see any behavioural problems.’ Marselle Albertse, assistant headteacher, said: “If the children are engaged and they are enjoying learning, we see a huge improvement in their behaviour. “They become so interested in what is going on, the pace of learning also dramatically improves. We give them the resources but they choose what they want to do. It really works.”
Captivated: Ms Albertse works with the children (left) and (right) the proud pupils show off a spaceship they built during lessons
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Pupils’ chance to become a villain for a day STAFF and students dressed up as their favourite literary characters to celebrate World Book Day. There were also lots of fun activities around school which focused on this year’s theme of Villains. The primary school also hosted author Chitra Soundar, who talked to the pupils about storytelling and writing. Year 6 pupil Mushtaq dressed up as Mr Twit from the Roald Dahl book The Twits. He said: “Mr Twit is my favourite character from all the books I have read. “He is so funny and always playing pranks with Mrs Twit. “I love World Book Day because it gives you the chance to dress up and bring your favourite characters to life. It is really fun.” Year 4 pupil Julia said the favourite part of World Book Day was listening to the guest speaker Ms Soundar. She said: “She told us a really interesting story about how she was inspired to write by winning a competition at school. “She told us you can find stories in all kinds of different places. “Now it has made me look out for good stories to tell.”
PUPILS planted, grew and tended to their own daffodil bulbs as part of a science project. Year 4 pupil Julia said: “I have never had the chance to plant anything before. To see something I planted grow
Delving into the Egyptians YEAR 4 students held a breakfast showcase to present the work produced for their Ancient Egyptians history project. Students dressed up as Egyptians and had a breakfast of flatbread, dates, wheat and prunes. They also had the opportunity to discuss what they had learned with their parents (above). During the morning the children showed their parents how to write in hieroglyphics. One parent said: “I really loved it, every part of it. My child was really excited about his learning and came home wanting to read more.”
is an amazing feeling.” The daffodils were judged by a representative from the London Children’s Flower Society. Each child received a bronze, silver or gold certificate based on the quality of their plants.
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Telling a story through dance BUXTON pupils were introduced to a new way of telling stories – through the medium of dance. Pupils from across primary took part in workshops run by the West End Dance Company this term. They learned how to use expression and movement to retell the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Year 6 pupil Niamh said: “I love to dance and I love stories so this was a really fun activity for me to take part in. “I think telling stories through dance is like telling stories through music, you can express your emotions in it.”
Pupils dress up to promote diversity
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THE school celebrated diversity by inviting pupils to dress up in traditional clothing or colours of their home country. Year 1 students turned up in spectacular outfits representing countries from across the globe including Burma, Bulgaria and India. Pupils also had to display a talent or skills which represented their country, such as traditional dance. Student Azlatah said: “I like dressing up in the outfit of my home country. It was fun to dress up. “I also got to do a dance which comes from my country, which was the most fun part of the day.”