newsletter Follow us: @CumberlandE13
Spring 2018
Benefits: Headteacher Gillian Dineen
New partnership will have positive impact THE school is in the final stages of agreeing a partnership to join the high-achieving Community Schools Trust (CST). Headteacher, Gillian Dineen, says it will be an important step towards becoming an Ofsted-rated Outstanding school. CST is run by the leadership team which has made fellow Newham school, Forest Gate Community School, among the most successful in the country. The two schools will form a partnership which will allow for the sharing of good
practice, experience, resources and expertise. Cumberland will retain its unique identity, including name and uniform, as well as teaching and support staff. The partnership will mean the school has access to the multi-award nominated resource, Dynamic Progress Reporting (DPR). The online portal, which connects students, families and teachers and tracks pupils’ progress against key learning objectives, has been one of the driving forces behind the recent exam success at FGCS. Ms Dineen says that
Helpful Arman’s reward YEAR 7 student Arman Choudhury has won the Jack Petchey achievement award for his contribution in science class. The student was nominated by Ms Zaman for helping other pupils and being focused and punctual. Arman said: “It is really nice to get this award because I do try really hard to help others when they don’t
understand something in class. The science class at Cumberland is really advanced compared to what I have been used to at primary school but because Ms Zaman explains it so well, I don’t find it that difficult.” Science teacher Ms Zaman said: “Arman is a resilient and hardworking individual who deserves this award for his consistent effort.”
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she is confident it will have the same positive impact at Cumberland. She said: “We are fortunate to be working closely with Forest Gate School this year, the highest-performing school in the borough. “Their input is proving incredibly useful and I am confident that the changes we are putting in place will impact significantly on the progress pupils make. “I am confident that all parents and pupils will quickly see the many benefits of working in partnership with an outstanding school.” Community Schools Trust CEO Simon Elliott said: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Cumberland School, its staff, students and families into the Community Schools Trust. “We will work closely with Gillian and her talented team to help ensure that all of Cumberland’s pupils have access to the kind of education that can create life-changing opportunities for young people. “Our two schools have a similar profile and share a common belief that background should be no barrier to success.” Ms Dineen said: “The school’s journey to outstanding is an exciting one and I look forward to our whole school community celebrating the future successes of our students.”
FOCUS ON ALUMNI
Raluca’s vote of thanks
A FORMER student has credited support she received at Cumberland School with helping her to win a place at the country’s top university. Raluca Popan will take up a place at Homerton College, Cambridge, despite only arriving in Year 10 from Romania. The youngster will study French and history in September after passing a rigorous entrance exam and impressing during a series of interviews. Raluca says she was able to overcome the language barrier thanks to extra tuition at the school. She is currently studying A Levels in history, French and English Literature at London Academy of Excellence (LAE). On discovering she had won a place at the world-famous college, whose alumni include comedian Nick Hancock and actresses Olivia Coleman and Tamzin Merchant, she said: “I was shocked, more than shocked. When you come from another country, things like going to Cambridge just aren’t on your radar. It is only because of the excellent teachers at Cumberland and LAE that I was even able to dream of this.”
Great opportunity: Raluca Popan Raluca added: “When I arrived here it was very tough. It is not just the language barrier, it is everything else, like the slang and the culture. I just didn’t understand it all. At
Cumberland, they made it so easy to fit in. I arrived at the beginning of my GCSEs in Year 10, so it was very much a case of sink or swim. “They put on extra tuition at weekends and after school, which meant I could catch up with the other students. “The best thing a teacher can do is make lessons interesting – even when pupils might think the subject is dull. Like at Cumberland, where the maths teacher made the subject seem exciting. That is what inspires young people.” Cumberland Headteacher Gillian Dineen said: “We are extremely proud of Raluca’s achievement and the role the school has played in her winning a place at the country’s top university. “At Cumberland, we have very high aspirations for our pupils. We tell them that if you work hard and push yourself there is no limit to what you can accomplish. “Raluca is not only an extremely gifted pupil, she is also a shining example to others at this school of what can be achieved with the right motivation and support.”
FOCUS ON ALUMNI
States opportunity a dream for Jamie FORMER student Jamie Cornuaud has been accepted on to a university programme to study for a semester in America. Jamie (above) will spend the second half of this year taking classes for his sports psychology and coaching degree at Shenandoah University. He will stay on the university’s campus in Winchester, Virginia and plans to trial for their athletics team. He said: “It is amazing. When I heard about the chance to go to America to study for six months, I knew it was something I had to do. “Opportunities like these don’t come around very often. There will be so many
amazing things to do and see. I can’t wait to get out there.” While a student at the school, Jaime took part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. The 19-year-old says making the most of life-changing opportunities was something he learned while a student at Cumberland School. He said: “At Cumberland, you were taught that if the chance comes along to do something that will improve your life chances then you should take it. “For the students that are there now, I would say take everything that is offered to you. You never know when that chance is going to come again.”
Art photo shoot for project YEAR 10 Photography and Art students took part in a photoshoot as part of the Newham Art Matters project.
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Families given insight into new progress portal FAMILIES had their first session on a pioneering online portal designed to track student progress. The Dynamic Progress Reporting (DPR) system, which matches students with key learning objectives, was introduced to Year 7 and 8 parents this term. It was pioneered in neighbouring school Forest Gate Community School (FGCS) which is Ofsted-rated Outstanding and ranked the sixth best in the country for GCSE results. Students are given personalised learning journeys fitting their abilities and monitored to ensure they do not fall behind in their studies. They are constantly updated, which means families can access up-to-date information on their child’s progress at any moment. The DPR was nominated in two categories at the highly prestigious BETT awards, which recognise excellence in school ICT.
COMMENT
Sheila’s free tuition target BUDDING politician Sheila Nganga is helping Newham’s Youth Council improve the lives of students in the borough. Supporting Newham’s Youth Mayor, she is aiming to bring free extra tuition to all GCSE students in the run-up to their exams. During bi-monthly meetings, she is also helping to pioneer the Youth Movement
programme, which aims to make the borough safer for young people. She said: “The Youth Council is fantastic because it gives young people a voice and influence in decisions made that will affect them.” Sheila is also on a youth panel working with the NHS to improve services for young people.
Partnership will bring us real benefits Sheila Nganga
Audition chance with top theatre STUDENTS were given a unique opportunity to audition for one of the most famous drama companies in the world. The National Youth Theatre, whose alumni include Oscar winners Sir Daniel Day Lewis, Sir Ben Kingsley and Dame Helen Mirren, held an open trial at the school in February. In total, 20 pupils from Years 10 and 11 took part in a drama workshop before reading an audition monologue for the judges. Each student was registered by the company and will find out if they have been offered a place later in the year. Year 11 Maisie Wellingbrook (right) has taken singing, acting and dancing lessons since she was seven. She said: “This was a really
fantastic opportunity to work with some of the best drama coaches in the world. “I learned so much just in those short sessions that will really help me with my acting and dancing. “They taught us what to do in auditions and that when it comes to acting, less is often more. Even if I am not offered a place it was a great experience.”
Sir Daniel Day-Lewis
City workshop inspires students YEAR 10 students learned social and careers skills during a workshop with top professionals from the City. The students had mentoring sessions, took a quiz to discover strengths and weaknesses and practiced mock job interviews with staff at law firm Clifford Chance. The students, all part of our Most Able Students programme for high achievers, worked with practising lawyers during the trip to the firm’s headquarters in February. Year 10 Chonie Southee said: “When you work with people who have such interesting
jobs it is really inspiring. It makes you think about what you want to do as a career. “Being in a place like Canary Wharf feels like you are at the centre of a very exciting world. I learned a lot about myself, which will be really helpful for the future. Fellow Year 10 Mahir Mohamed added: “I want to be successful. I want to know what kind of steps I will need to take to get to where I want to be. This is the kind of experience that will help me achieve that.” The 20 pupils will visit the law firm a total of three times throughout the academic year.
Headteacher Gillian Dineen looks forward to the challenges ahead for both the school and its students.... The mornings and evenings are finally starting to be lighter indicating that spring is on its way. This also means that the Year 11 GCSE exams are fast approaching and as a school, we are busy ensuring that they are fully prepared for the challenges ahead. They have completed a range of mock exams and attendance to after-school exam skill sessions is excellent. They are focused and determined to do well. Like you, we continue to have the highest expectations of all of our pupils. Ensuring that we equip them with the knowledge, skills and resilience to excel remains our key focus. You know that as Cumberland’s Head Teacher I am always looking to see how we can serve our pupils better. This has already included improvements in behaviour, uniform and the school day. My commitment to making Cumberland a first-choice school for our community continues this term with improvements in how we assess our pupils’ progress and how we report this to you. I am delighted that the new Dynamic Progress Reporting system (DPR) has already been launched and many of you have attended our parent sessions to learn more about how to use it yourself to track your child’s progress. We are fortunate to be working closely with Forest Gate school this year, the highest-performing school in the borough. The input from Simon Elliott and his team is proving incredibly useful, and I am confident that the things we are learning from them, and implementing within school, will impact significantly on the progress pupils make. I am confident that parents and pupils will quickly see the many benefits of working in partnership with an outstanding school. May I take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support.
Top Vivo point pupils are role models STUDENTS who have collected the most Vivo points by upholding school values have won praise. Year 7 Shiloh Huriso, Year 8 Samir Mazumder and Year 9 Regina Viegas have been described as role models to their peers. Vivo points are awarded for punctuality,
citizenship, willingness to learn, being engaged in lessons and being proactive. Currently more than 200 pupils are in receipt of Vivo badges. Regina said: “Each one of us has goals in life. Vivos help you to stay focused and help you reach where you dream to be.”
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Joining forces for water challenge YEAR 8 pupils were challenged to plan, build and test a water network for a STEM challenge. Each pupil was assigned a role such as project manager, lead engineer and communications manager for the Thames Water
Students team with developer
STUDENTS are helping an international developer promote employment opportunities at a planned multi-million-pound office block. Year 10’s have created a website aimed at young people in Newham on behalf of Lendlease, who are developing the new neighbourhood of International Quarter London (IQL) in Stratford. Companies who plan to take residence in IQL include Transport for London, the Financial Conduct Authority and Cancer Research.
Art inspiration: Year 9 students recreated classic works of art after being inspired during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in February.
Year 10 Monira Khanum said: “There are so many opportunities on the doorstep for young people in Newham. “These are huge companies who will be right on our doorstep in a few years and who will be recruiting locally. “We were able to give the company an insight into how to attract young people to the site and answer the questions they may have.” The website is called The Future is Here. A link can be found on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
PTA keen to forge community links OUR recently-formed PTA have vowed to create better links between parents and the school and drive fundraising. Their first activity has been to organise a school competition where students have to match the baby picture with the teacher. There are also plans to hold a raffle for school funds and to support with the Black History Month celebrations. Treasurer Julliana Sultana said: “We feel passionately that a strong PTA can be of huge benefit to a school. “We are a small group at the moment but extremely motivated. We really want
Network Change. They used team-building, communication and problem-solving skills to create a water network within a confined set of rules. The event was held in March to coincide with Science Week.
to forge closer links with the community so that others can see what a fantastic school we have. We want to increase parental engagement because we believe that this is of benefit to us all: teachers, families and students.”
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Post-16 options: Students were given plenty of food for thought at the Year 11 Careers Fair.
Helping hand: Our Year 9 leaders have been mentoring Year 7 students for the Reading Matters peer programme.