newsletter
Spring 2018
Cambridge a dream come true for Elisa YEAR 13 Elisa Halkes says she is “over the moon” after becoming the first person in her family to be offered a place at Cambridge. Elisa came through a rigorous selection process and is now set to take up a place at Queen’s College to read history in September. The 17-year-old first had to submit a personal statement and a series of essays, then pass an admission test before a nervewracking interview with Cambridge dons. Elisa discovered her application had been successful in January and now has to score top grades in her English, history and politics A Levels to secure the place. She said: “To be honest I was shocked when I found out I had got it. I did not think I really had a chance and it was only the sixth form teachers’ support and encouragement that convinced me to apply. “Now that I have been offered a place I am over the moon, as you can imagine. I will be the first person from my family to go to Oxbridge so it is a real honour for me and my family. “A lot of my success is down to this sixth form and in particular the history department. We truly have some amazing teachers here and I really don’t think I would have got in without them.” She added: “My advice to students who are thinking about Oxford or Cambridge would firstly be to apply. You definitely won’t get in if you don’t apply. “It seems daunting but you really have nothing to lose by going for it. Secondly, I would tell them to use the teachers as a resource. There is so much help on
Family first: Elisa is delighted to be accepted for Cambridge
Sixth Form
Spotlight
offer here you can take advantage of.” Head of Sixth Form Ms Emmett said: “Elisa is phenomenal, a stellar student who has wholeheartedly immersed herself into the fabric of the Sixth Form. “She has been a fantastic role model
throughout the school and an active member of a proactive Senior Leadership Team. “It goes to show that with the right attitude, hard work and perseverance, we can all achieve the very best. The sixth form team wish Elisa every success.”
Parents’ group membership still gathering pace FAMILIES are being asked to join our Friends of Chiswick School Parents’ Facebook page to share their thoughts and views of life at Chiswick School. In a few short months, the group already has 170 members and often shares exclusive content from the
school. Group admin Rhonda Qually said: “Our Facebook page started with a few posts but not many parents interacting.
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“However it has really grown momentum and parents are now commenting and beginning to post their own pictures of school events or achievements. “We are very proud to have grown to 170 supportive members so quickly but I’d really like to encourage more
parents to feel confident in posting about their own children’s achievements or involvement in and around school. “Please also encourage other family members and friends of Chiswick School to join the page – the more the merrier.”
Students continue to fulfil their potential As you will read in this newsletter, we are very keen to celebrate the success of our students. In here, we have captured the moments that tell the story of this term. The theme that runs through these stories is of students reaching for their goals and fulfilling their potential.
Headteacher Phillip Masterson reflects on another successful term... We have a student going off to Cambridge, another studying with the National Youth Orchestra. We have footballing and rowing success stories, outer space missions and an allconquering debate team.
I would like to thanks all the student and the staff who feature in these stories and also those who feature in many of the other successes of this term. I would also like to thank our amazing PTA, who continue, tirelessly, to support the school and the ambitions of our staff and children. Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter.
Orchestra dream for teen musician Louise
YOUNG musician Louise Martin has been accepted on to the prestigious National Youth Orchestra (NYO) Inspire programme. The Year 10 tuba player was recommended for the programme by tutors at the Royal College of Music, where she has been studying since she was nine. The exclusive programme is only for students with a music grade 8 with distinction and is seen as a stepping stone to the NYO. Louise said the programme was the first step on her journey to becoming the first female tuba player in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Her orchestral arrangement was also performed by the Rotary Club of Britain at the Royal Festival Hall in February. In February, she spent three days on an induction course held at the University of Liverpool during halfterm. She said: “When my tutors at the Royal College of Music suggested that I would be good enough for this programme, I did not really believe them. “As a young musician, the National Youth Orchestra is the absolute pinnacle. To be given the chance to learn with great teachers and other great musicians is a real
privilege. The tuba is a very male-dominated instrument so it has been tough being recognised as a player. “That is why to make it all the way to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and become the first female player would be an amazing feeling.” Louise says support from the music department, and in particular Ms Perry, had helped her develop her talent. She added: “I can’t imagine there is a better music department anywhere else in the country. Ms Perry is an amazing teacher. “She has really helped develop my talent by allowing me to arrange scores and conduct with the orchestra.” Head of Music Ms Perry said: “Louise is an incredibly talented young lady and a real asset to the music department at Chiswick school. “When she is not performing in orchestra, as part of her Year 10 ensemble or as a soloist, she is arranging music for the orchestra and conducting. “Louise is one of the most passionate teenage musicians I have worked with and a wonderful young individual. She Passion: Louise Martin is aiming for the Royal Philharmonic will go far.”
Film director discusses his life and career Film director, actor and playwright Rikki Beadle Blair talks to students (left) about his film Fit, addressing LGBT + issues. He gave a speech about his life and career in filmmaking and took questions from pupils during a visit in March.
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PTA agreed £14,000 of funding bids Amber In der Rieden gives an update on Chiswick PTA...
Rave reviews: The students performing
Packed houses love rock show
STUDENTS left the stage with applause ringing in their ears following a stellar performance of School of Rock. The musical, adapted from the American film, played to a packed house in our school hall for two shows in January. Year 8 Timon Kaczorowski gave a stand-out performance as the irrepressible Dewey Finn, while Supriya Narayan was equally impressive as the uptight school principal, Rosalie Mullin. Star Timon said: “I really love acting so it was fantastic to play to such a large crowd who really
appreciated what we were doing. “My parents have never seen me in a production this big, so I was really proud that they got to see me.” Supriya added: “I was really pleased to be able to get the chance to do both singing and dancing in this production because I love both. “We really made this version our own by putting lots of energy and enthusiasm into the performance. I think it paid off.” With the help of a fantastic backing band, the cast belted
classic tunes made famous by the 2003 Jack Black movie. The production won rave reviews from families who took to the Friends of Chiswick School Facebook group to sing the praises of the cast. Uitualagi Aivale Cole wrote: “Well done to all the kids, the crew and the musicians. It was lovely to come and see the kids and their talents.” Leigh-Ann Scarratt Hadjiandreou added: “It was fab. Just got back from seeing it. Well done to all the cast, the band and all involved.”
Head meets parents for questions OUR Headteacher Mr Masterson spoke to families at a question-and-answer forum with families. He fielded questions on a variety of topics, including lockers for the sixth form, extracurricular clubs and supporting pupils with Special Education Needs. Prior to the meeting, families submitted
questions to the PTA, who organised the forum in March. Mr Masterson said: “It is extremely pleasing that so many families took time out to attend this forum. Engaged families are crucial to the success of a school. This was reflective of the questions posed to me at the forum.”
The last few weeks have been very busy as we held the PTA bids meeting, helped out at the parent consultation evenings and provided refreshments at The School of Rock performances. In addition, we hosted the PTA parent forum meeting and the car boot sale. Due to the cold winter weather we had to cancel the March car boot sale. This decision was not taken lightly as it will cause a significant dent in our PTA coffers. The Quiz Night was postponed for the same reasons. This has now been rescheduled to Thursday, May 3, so please do come along! During the bids meeting, we agreed bids totalling £14,068.61. Here are some examples of bids that the PTA approved funding for: l a light box workstation (design and technology department) l performances of Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol (English department) l Radio microphones and receivers to benefit all departments (eg during events, performing arts etc) l contributions towards Year 11 Prom, psychology trip, South Africa trip (history), philosophy A-level books l bakeware and cutters, hardship and experimentation (food tech) l Sixth form events (induction day barbecue, leavers evening) l health and social care careers event trip l high precision equipment (science department) We will trial the sale of refreshments at the next parent consultation evening and are working on ideas to improve the student, teacher and parent experience at school. We are also going to revisit the PTA Articles of Association to clarify its purpose and vision. A meeting has been scheduled with the Headmaster and the Business Manager to agree how the school and the PTA can work together most effectively.
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Students practise their skills on the slopes
CHISWICK School took to the slopes for a week of skiing at a world-famous resort in the Austrian Alps. Students from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 enjoyed an action-packed half-term break when they travelled to to Schladming in February. The Austrian resort was host of the 2013 Alpine Skiing World Championships and
is home to the annual World Cup Night Slalom. Students with a range of abilities spent their days practising their skills while during the evening they took part in a range of fun activities. These included curling on a frozen lake, a pizza and an ice-cream night,
dancing at a disco and also gift shopping. Students also got the chance to sample local cuisine and practise their language skills by trying out their German on the locals. Year 8 Mia Oldfield said: “As well as all the great skiing, the whole experience was really, really fun.”
Sculptures go skyward in NASA space project TWO of our innovative students are going to have their sculpture designs rocketed into space by NASA as part of an international project. Year 9 students Feroz Butt and Callum Johnson were among just a select group of students worldwide to have their designs chosen for the SμGRE-1 interstellar mission. The students gave up their breaktimes to work on the prototypes (below), which have already flown to the US. For the next leg of their journey, they will fly on to an island in the Pacific Ocean in April. From there they will be launched into space on board the NASA Black Brant IX rocket before returning to earth with a 3D
recording of their time beyond the clouds. They are also due to receive a certificate authenticating their sculptures had been into space. Callum said: “When I found out about this project I just knew that I had to be involved. We never thought we would be among the sculptures to be chosen. “When we found out we had, it was amazing. I just could not get my head around the idea that something that I had designed would be going into space. “When I am older and maybe have children and grandchildren, I can tell them something that I designed has been into space. How many other people can say that?” Product Design teacher Mrs Hutcheson said: “I am extremely proud of the boys, who gave up their own time to develop and test their ideas for the space sculptures. “They made the sculptures using an innovative product called Sugru. This mouldable glue sets to become like silicone, meaning that our sculptures not only have moving balls inside them, but can also bounce. “Hopefully this will make our design really stand out among the others in the 3D recording.”
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Stephanie shows no fear in talk STUDENT Stephanie Holtham won rave reviews for her talk on conquering fear at the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge. Stephanie (above) was described as star of the show after giving a rousing presentation entitled, “Feel the fear and do it anyway” to a distinguished panel of judges, including our MP Ruth Cadbury.
Taster day gives food for thought
AROUND 100 Year 11 students from schools across West London got a taste of life at Chiswick School Sixth Form at a taster day. The external candidates heard from current sixth formers and Head of Sixth Form Ms Emmett about opportunities at the school, during the event held in January. They learned about our extracurricular trips, university taster days, work experience at top City law firms and opportunities for paid work with the PTA. They heard about students leaving Chiswick Sixth Form for the best universities in the country, including Elisa Halkes, who
has been offered a place at Cambridge to study history this October. Zaid Betka, who is currently studying for his GCSEs at Lampton School, Hounslow, says Chiswick is his first choice. He said: “I have really been inspired today hearing from the teachers and students at Chiswick School. There are so many opportunities here to take advantage of.” Hannah Wahizada hopes to join Chiswick from the Ellen Wilkinson School, Ealing. She said: “The best part was hearing from the current sixth form students because they are the ones that have been in our position most recently.”
Sixth Form
Spotlight
The Sixth Form has been rated Good with Outstanding features on the last two inspections by watchdog Ofsted. Head of Sixth Form, Ms Emmett, said: “The success of this sixth form rests on the holistic approach we have adopted to educating young people, supporting academia alongside extra-curricular and widening participation opportunities. “Academic success is important but we also care about other aspects of young people’s development, which is reflected in the wide range of enrichment and extra circular activities we put on for students.”
Students thriving after staying at Chiswick We asked three of our Sixth Form students why they decided to stay on at Chiswick. This is what they had to say...
Rhiannon Thomas stayed on at Chiswick Sixth Form to study photography, politics and maths. She said: “Having been a student here I knew all about all the enrichment and extracurricular activities on offer here. “There is just so much going on at Chiswick from sports clubs, arts club trips abroad, visits to top universities, everything you would need to help make your choice for a degree.”
Bryan Lou is studying chemistry, geography and maths. He said: “I stayed on at Chiswick because I really believe in the quality of teachers we have here. “They know your strengths and weaknesses and are always there to support you when there is something you don’t understand.”
Omran JaF joined us from the King Fahad Academy, Acton, and is now studying A Levels in maths, business studies and chemistry. He said: “When I came here on the Open Day I knew straight away this is where I wanted to study. “There was a really warm and welcoming atmosphere and straight away I found it easy to make new friends.”
Gemma takes first steps towards a career with dogs YEAR 10 Gemma Watkins has teamed up with our Headteacher Mr Masterson to take her first steps towards her dream job of becoming a dog groomer. Gemma and Mr Masterson plan to visit neighbouring Fulham Boys School, where they have their own on-site dog to learn the ropes about pooch grooming. Gemma has already got work experience under her belt after helping a family friend
with their business during the last summer holidays. She is now in discussion with Mr Masterson about the possibility of Chiswick School getting their own school dog. She said: “I have always loved dogs and wanted to make looking after them part of my career one day. “At first I wanted to be a vet but I am not very good with blood and so that wasn’t
an option, so then I thought about dog grooming. “I have already spoke to the Deputy Headteacher at Fulham School and they have said I can go along with Mr Masterson any time. “They will give me some more experience with working with dogs, grooming them and taking care of them to add to my own work experience last summer.”
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Changing the perception of engineering YEAR 8 students turned engineers for the day when they researched, designed and built their own theme park ride. We hosted the Institution of Engineering and Technology Faraday Challenge Day, welcoming pupils from nearby Heathland School. Six teams competed to find the best solution to an engineeringrelated challenge in association with Thorpe Park resort. Team five from Chiswick School took first prize and a £10 Amazon voucher each after impressing judges with their idea for a Mario Kartinspired attraction. The winning team were Sara Lakhdari, Zara Janbaz, Zayn Iskander, Jake Malone, Kyran Aherne and Tom Richards. Jake said: “You never really think of engineering as being fun but today totally changed my mind about that. “Making it about Thorpe Park really made it interesting. It was great to win.” Kyran said: “I learned so much more about engineering than I had before. It has really made me think about doing it as a career.” IET Faraday education manager Phil Hart added: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days get an insight into the life of a real engineer. “They also find out about the variety a career in engineering can offer and the central role it plays in our everyday lives.”
Proud: The young debaters and (inset) in action at Shepherd’s Bush
Debate teams are on top form OUR Year 8 and 9 girls’ debating team are celebrating after a clean sweep of debate victories over local schools. The team won all four debates against two teams from Brentford School for Girls, Villiers High School and Dormers Wells High School. The competition took place during the February snowstorm, which meant students had to battle the elements to take part. Year 9 Trisha Kasozi said: “We have won debates before but never won all four debates in one night so it was pretty special. We thought that we had come all this way in the snow, we wanted to make sure we did well. “Being part of the debate team helps with lots of areas of school life, such as
communication and also working under pressure.” The school’s next debate competition will take place on March 22 at Westminster Kingsway College. Check our Facebook and Twitter pages for results. l YEARS 7, 8 and 9 students debated banning advertising to under-16s and whether police should have access to online data at a competition held at Phoenix Academy in Shepherd’s Bush. Students involved were Hayet Khaldi, Sara Lakhdari, Khadija Khaldi, Dylan Hayre, Zhyion Etienne Brown, Merle In Der Rieden, Fatima Zahra Yusuf, Dylan Sanchez and Noah Jama.
AUTHOR Tim Marshall talks to the Sixth Form about how geography and politics has shaped the world.
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Mayor’s applause for students’ knife efforts OUR Year 9 students received a personal thank you letter from London Mayor Sadiq Khan after they urged him to do more to tackle youth knife crime. Ebony Timothy, Kirstie Mallon and Fatima-Zahra Yusuf wrote a letter to the London Mayor as part of a citizenship project on democracy. Mr Khan was so impressed with the passionate letter that he
responded to the pair, outlining his plans to reduce incidents. The letter from Mr Khan reads: “Thank you for your letter. I take this issue extremely seriously. “The steps you are taking are vital, so please continue with your commitment and together we can stop lives being destroyed.” Kirstie said: “This really is a big issue for young people at the moment and we wanted to make sure the mayor was doing something about it. “To get a letter back from him was really great because it showed that if you speak up, your voice will be listened to.” Fatima-Zahra said: “As a young person, I think you have to be engaged in the issues that affect you. Knife crime is a problem and we wanted some answers from Mr Khan.” Head of Citizenship Ms Kitteringham said: “We were delighted to receive personal replies from Sadiq Khan. “Our students are passionate about these issues and I am glad that this has been acknowledged.”
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MUSIC students from across year groups put on a stellar performance at a concert held at the Royal Festival Hall.
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Sport
Tough: A hard-working Team Keane going through their paces on the river
Underdogs pull off a shock win STUDENT Oscar Coxon’s team of amateur state-school rowers upset the odds by beating top independent rivals in a prestigious race. Despite being big underdogs, Team Keane claimed first place in the Hampton Head race J14 sculling, beating fee-paying Hampton School and Westminster School into second and third. The club is a registered charity and offers beginners rowing lessons and subsidised curriculum rowing to local comprehensive schools. Their victory was all the more remarkable given they were the only team out of 47 to work with beginners. Oscar, who trains five times a week at the
club, based in Chiswick, said: “It was utterly incredible. No one gave us a chance going into the race, we were huge underdogs. “The other teams had the experience and the expensive facilities at their top schools and years of coaching. “But we had the team spirit to work together and to win the race. Afterwards we just couldn’t believe what we had done.” Founder of the rowing club, Paul Keane, said he was thrilled with the result which was deserving of a club focused on inclusivity and friendship. He said: “I was really happy. It’s one of those moments where you can say ‘I’ve done something right.”
Champion athletics girls celebrate OUR Year 8 girls’ athletics team faced off against the best in West London after becoming borough champions. The five-strong team came out on top in a strong field featuring nine local Hounslow schools during a meet held in January. They then took on schools from across West London boroughs in a highlycompetitive meet, finishing fifth overall. Mia Oldfield took gold in the 400m sprint. She said: “There is a great team spirit among us all. When we won our races we all celebrated with each other.” Elizabeth Ojo, who won the 100m race, said: “We are pretty confident going forward because most of the team won their individual races.” PE Curriculum team leader Mr Hird said: “The Year 8s were fantastic. The girls won nearly all of the track events and the boys did very well in the field events.”
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Tegan earns camp call-up TEENAGE football prodigy Tegan McGowan (above) described being picked for an England football camp as the “best moment of her life”. The Chiswick School student joined up with the very best Under-14 players from across the country at the weekend training session held in Surrey in January. The 13-year-old, from Chiswick, earned a call-up after impressing for Chelsea youth team and previous club Arsenal. The youngster, who trains with Chelsea three times a week, says she has now set her sights on making the Lionesses’ youth team. She added: “When I found out I had been picked for the camp it was an amazing feeling, the best feeling I have ever had. “Representing your country is a very big honour and knowing that I am considered amongst the best players in the country is really amazing. “When I turn 16 I can play for Chelsea. Hopefully being picked for England will help me to take that next big step of getting in the first team.” “To play at the top level you have to be focused. It is great feeling to be the best in your position in the country at your age group but there is a lot of competition for these places.” Lauren said support from her teachers has been crucial to her development. She added: “The PE department has been really supportive of me. The teachers always ask me how it is all going, which makes me very proud. “ n PUPILS are being encouraged to attend athletics club on Monday. For more information see Mr Hird.