Newsletter
Winter 2018
Being successful and feeling successful
Sukai’s ready to make her mark at Cranleigh AMBITIOUS Eastlea student Sukai Secka has won a £76,000 scholarship to a top fee-paying sixth form in Surrey. The Year 11 will swap Canning Town for a sleepy village in Surrey when she takes up her place at Cranleigh School to study A-Levels in English literature, politics and history next September. Notable alumni at the independent school include film director Patrick Marber, former Guardian newspaper editor Alan Rusbridger and Conservative MP Adam Holloway. The Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy (EYLA) supported Sukai through the application process, which included writing personal statements and preparing for entrance exams and a selection interview. Sukai, who wants be a politician, was offered a place after coming through a gruelling assessment day that included an entrance exams and interviews with tutors. She said: “I can’t wait to get to my new school and start shaking things up a little bit. It is a very white and middle to upper-class environment. “I got on very well with the students on my assessment day because they are all very motivated to do well. I am like that too. “I am also different to them because I grew up in East London, which is quite a tough place and has lots of diversity. “The reason I think they accepted me was because I offer a very different perspective on
life to their current students. It will be good for me but I think it will also be very positive for the other students at the school. Everyone should know how to mix with a diverse range of people.” Sukai follows in the footsteps of former pupils Iyanuoluwa Agbedejobi and Teniola Akinola, who have won places at fee-paying schools. Iyanuoluwa took up a £33,000-a-year place at Wellington College in 2017, while Teniola joined City of London Freemen’s School last September on a £30,000 scholarship. Sukai also thanked the EYLA and Eastlea Community School for giving her the support and motivation to apply. She said “EYL A and my school have been amazing – not just in helping me to apply but also giving me the confidence and belief. “When you see students from your own school go on to do these amazing things, you start to believe it is possible for you.” Headteacher Stephen Gillatt said: “Like Iyanuoluwa and Teniola before her, Sukai has set the bar for other students to follow. “As headteacher at this school I can tell you there is no shortage of intelligence or ambition. What we are instilling in our students is the confidence and belief that they can achieve. “This is now the third year in a row the school has sent students to top fee-paying schools. We want our students to see the success of their peers and be inspired.”
Next step: Sukai will study A-Levels
Students come to terms with the rule of law GCSE Citizenship students learned about the rule of law during a workshop run by top academics. Pupils were taught about the application of the law, and the consequence if it is not followed, by representatives from the independent research institute, the Bingham Centre. They also learned about democracy via role play activities where they were put in the place of politicians asked to represent someone who does not have the
power to vote. Humanities teacher Ms Bhanu said: “Students enjoyed the sessions and appreciated the opportunity to have their voices heard. It was also a unique opportunity to gain insight into a crucial element of society from experts at the Bingham Centre. “Some students did have a brief idea of what the rule of law is. The session deepened their knowledge and understanding, which will help them to confidently apply it in exams.”
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
China trip gives pupils wonderful experience STUDENTS practised Mandarin, visited the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue and oldest irrigation system on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China. On a jam-packed trip to Beijing and Chengdu, pupils also got the chance to visit a panda sanctuary and the majestic lakes and gardens of the Summer Palace. The Year 10 and 11 students also visited the palaces of the Forbidden City, the one-time seat of the Ming Dynasty, during the trip in August. Pupils got a taste of life at a school in China while also practising their Mandarin by spending the day at the Xindu Number One Middle School in Chengdu. Year 11 student Melissa Arslan said: “This is an overused phrase but it really was like stepping into another world visiting China. “The thing that really brought that home was
Pass marks: Year 11 students with their Mandarin exam certificates visiting the school. The students were really friendly but you could tell it was very unusual for them to have foreign visitors. “The places we visited and the things we saw there will stay with me for the rest of my
life. It was the most incredible experience.” Year 11 student Farhia Mohamed said: “I really enjoyed going to China. It is so, so different from the UK and London. “It was a real privilege because you know that so few people will ever get the chance to experience visiting a place like that. “It really makes me thankful that I go to this school because I do think experiences like this are a real once-in-a-lifetime thing.” It comes as last year’s China cohort passed their YCT Level 2 Mandarin exam certificates with flying colours. Head of Year 8 Mr Moss, who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “I am incredibly proud of the students for making the most of every challenge and opportunity. “I know that every ounce of effort in planning and running the trip was more than worth it.”
Students pick up useful university tips STUDENTS got top tips on how to present themselves at a university application interview during a visit to Imperial College. They took part in mock interviews and workshops with professors from the university during the trip held in October. Year 11
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student Nuno Vieira said: “This is the type of stuff you really need to know before you actually go to the interviews so it was really good practice.” Halimah Sumayyah, also in Year 11, added: “This workshop has given me a lot more confidence that I could win a place at a top university.”
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
A few words of kindness shows students care
YEAR 7 students got the chance to thank their peers and teachers by writing kindness postcards. Our new starters were asked to pen letters to those that had supported them during their first term at Eastlea. The project is part of a wider programme at the school to encourage students and staff to be kind to one another. Students dropped their postcards in the kindness post box in the school reception, with letters delivered every Friday. Lukasz Koceba’s kindness postcard went to his geography teacher Ms Mills. He said: “I love the kindness postcards because it reminds everyone to be nice to each other in school. It is hard to start a new secondary school because there are lots of new people to meet and the school is very big. “This makes it a lot less scary because everyone is being kind to each other and
getting and sending letters. I wanted to thank Ms Mills because she has really helped me with my work since I got here.” Year 7 student Misha Arjun sent her kindness postcard to her friend Emma. She said: “When you have a good friend and you hang out a lot together, sometimes you forget to tell them how much they mean to you. “The kindness postcards are such a good way to let people know that you are happy you are friends with them.” Headteacher Mr Gillatt said: “Sometimes with a strong focus on academic success, schools can forget how important it is to teach young people the importance of kindness, appreciation and empathy. “While this is a school that pushes pupils academically, it is also a place that seeks to produce well-rounded and caring members of society.”
Challenging bank project helps build confidence EASTLEA students were tasked with quizzing City workers on a range of topical issues as part of a project in partnership with HSBC bank. Students worked with bank staff to devise a questionnaire that looked at a range of issues relating to employment. These included the gender pay gap, promoting diversity within the work place and supporting minority groups.
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They then had to pose a series of questions on these topics to workers in Canary Wharf before presenting their findings to a six-strong panel of top HSBC personnel. Year 11 student Raisa Chowdhury said: “The project was really helpful at building confidence because it was quite challenging to have to ask strangers questions. “We also then had to present our findings to some quite senior people at HSBC, which
can be scary. But we have covered this type of project before, so we have grown in confidence to the point where we feel much more comfortable making these presentations.” The project is part of the Seven Day Challenge and was organised by More Able Coordinator Ms Khan. She said: “This was a very challenging project for our students but they came through it with great credit.”
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
Roadshow speakers give valuable advice INSPIRATIONAL speakers from the BBC Radio 1Xtra Inspire Me roadshow gave a talk to the school’s Year 8 students. Grime artist D Double E, City finance analyst Reggie Nelson and social entrepreneur and MBE Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon visited the school in September. They talked to students about their career path, their proudest moments and also offered tips and career advice. The panellists also took part in a questionand-answer session with students before
Inspiring: Pupils had the chance to meet speakers like Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon
chatting with them one-on-one after the session. Dr Imafidon, who was a computing and mathematics child prodigy, said: “We want the young people who listened to us today to take home the message that they can do anything. “If they see people they identify from their community being successful, it tells them that they can also have some of that success. “It is a privilege to be a part of a project that is helping to inspire young people and from a personal point of view that is very important.” Year 8 student Sao Da Silva said: “It was a really inspiring talk because they told us about how they had got to where they are and about being successful. “They also told us that to have success you need to avoid negative people and things in your life, to get where you want to be. “The talk really made me think because there were people up there like me who I could relate to. I found what they had to say very inspiring.” Head of Year 8 Mr Moss said: “I’d like to say a massive thanks to all the staff who made the 1Xtra visit a huge success. “The panellists enjoyed the experience so much that they stayed for a while afterwards to offer one-to-one advice and guidance to our Year 11 students. “They have also offered to work with us on future initiatives due to the potential they saw in our students.” Later in the term, our Year 8 students learned about radio broadcasting and were given a tour of the BBC Radio 1Xtra studios.
Spiders fail to halt students’ progress THE school kept students on track with their work despite having to close temporarily after an invasion of spiders. Pupils were set classwork via our awardwinning online progress portal the Dynamic Progress Report, while the school removed the pests. Thanks to our partners at Newham College, our Year 11 students were taught in alternative classroom provision, ensuring they did not fall behind with their exam revision. Headteacher
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Art historian’s insightful talk fine art students from Years 9 and 10 listened to an inspiring talk from National Gallery director Gabriele Finaldi. The art historian and curator talked about his childhood growing up in nearby Catford in south east London and his career in the arts. The talk was arranged by the charity Speakers for Schools, which organises visits from world-class speakers to state schools. Headteacher Mr Gillatt said: “This was a truly unique opportunity to meet and learn from one of the biggest names in art in this country.”
Helping hand: Teachers took some classes at Newham College
Stephen Gillatt said: “After careful deliberation, we decided to close the school due to a spider infestation discovered on the perimeter of our building. “We understand this may have been an inconvenience to our families but the action was taken in the best interests of the safety of students. “We took steps to ensure the disruption to student learning would be minimal. We thank families for their understanding and patience.”
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
Students learning valuable life lessons Headteacher Stephen Gillatt reflects on successes at Eastlea over the last term... HSBC, and much more besides. However, at this time of year in particular, thoughts move to other areas of child development a school must also take responsibility for. This term there has been a big focus on promoting kindness among our students. The kindness post-box allows our students to send thanks to those who have helped them. Our students are learning invaluable life lessons and they are learning the importance of empathy and of compassion. They are learning character. There has also been our Heritage programme, which has seen elderly residents from the
local community visiting the school. In this instance students are learning about a history that cannot be read in books or taught in classrooms. They are learning about people and their lives. There is nothing more valuable to a person than experience. For our students, having the chance to visit China this term and meet their counterparts at a Chinese school, is a truly unique and life-changing opportunity. I am not telling you that this school is the finished article. We still have lots of work to do. But as you can see from reading this newsletter, this is a school relentless in its desire to improve the lives, life experiences and character of our students. I wish you a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the break and we will see you next term.
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I have often talked of the importance of raising aspiration, expectations and academic standards in the pages of this newsletter. We must equip them for the highly competitive world of work our students will enter after they finish their education. We cannot and will not allow our students to be left behind. This term, as always, there have been many successes which demonstrate our commitment to pushing students to the limits of their potential. There is Sukai, who has won a scholarship to a top fee-paying school – the third from Eastlea in as many years. We have yet more students on the prestigious Horizons programme at UCL, trips to
Horizons broadened for student quartet YEAR 11 student Taha Nadeem is one step closer to a place at a top university after being accepted on to the second year of a prestigious scheme at University College London (UCL). Taha (below), who dreams of becoming a lawyer, has already completed a year on the Horizons programme, having won a place last year. He will also get the chance to hear from top professionals from a wide variety of industries including law, medicine and finance. This year he is joined by Year 10 students Khainat Subhan, Sonia D’Mello and Anika Hussain, who were also accepted on to the scheme. They will have fortnightly tutorials at the UCL campus, where they will learn revision and presentation skills. The Eastlea pupils are among just 200 in the capital to win a place on the scheme, which aims at getting bright pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds into top universities. To be accepted, students have to complete an online application, attend an interview and get a supporting reference from the school. Taha said: “To be invited back on to the Horizons programme is really important for me because I want to go to one of the top universities in the country. “The opportunities on offer on this programme are really fantastic and it has given me the confidence and belief to pursue my dreams.” Khainat said: “Since so few
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Big step: Khainat, Sonia and Anika at UCL students get the chance to attend this programme, I was really surprised to be accepted. “It is a fantastic opportunity for me because it will make a big difference when it comes to my university applications.” Anika added: “Just spending time at such an academic place like UCL is really inspiring. We are among just a select group accepted on to the programme.” More Able Coordinator Ms Khan said: “It is an incredible achievement this year to have three pupils from one school accepted to such a prestigious programme. “This is a highly selective programme with lots of competition for places so it is clear that they have seen something special in our pupils.”
Induction day fun YEAR 7 boys take part in a treasure hunt during their first day induction.
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
Shadow Home Secretary responds to students STUDENTS received a letter from Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott responding to their concerns over policing numbers in East London. Year 11 students Haida Amiri, Amari Monteque, Dovidas Vaitulionis, Lorenzo Magnacca and Sadia Aktar contacted the MP as part of their GCSE citizenship
project. Before writing, they also researched the current policing numbers, looked at secondary sources and interviewed a police officer. They have also been raising awareness about the issue among fellow pupils by preparing and leading assemblies. Assistant Principal Ms Shirani said:
“Students picked an issue that they cared about and then took direct democratic action by contacting a highprofile MP. “The quick response they received from the Shadow Home Secretary also demonstrates how professional their letter had been.”
Lesson in history from residents’ memories
Students got a unique insight into the history of their neighbourhood by sitting down for a chat with local residents. They learned about life in Canning Town in years gone by through the oral histories of our visitors at a Heritage Breakfast in November. They also got the chance to practise their public speaking skills by reading to our visitors, who gave them tips and feedback. Year 8 Talesha Stringer said: “There was one person who remembers the Second World War in East London and had lots
of really interesting stories. It was amazing to get a first-hand account of a subject we are studying in class. “We went back to our teachers and they were amazed with the knowledge we had.” Fellow Year 8 Teddy Smith added: “What was most obvious to me was how much harder it was for people but particularly children. “There was less food around and children as young as us had to go to work instead of school. It made you grateful for what you have now.”
Life lessons: Students listen to one of the local residents
Delving into cells STUDENTS took their science knowledge to a new level by visiting a top university to learn about cells. Pupils took part in science-based activities in the underground labs at Queen Mary University as part of the Centre of the Cell project. They had the opportunity to take part in activities which increased their knowledge and understanding of cell structure and function. Year 7 Lennie Chipperfield said: “I liked the trip because it was educational and fun. It was exciting to learn about all the different types of cells.”
Students make the headlines on school trip Page 6
Year 8 students wrote, edited and designed their own newspaper front page using archive material from the First World War during a visit to The Guardian newspaper. Pupils marked the centenary of the end of the war by using first-hand account news reports from 1918 during the visit to the paper’s Kings Cross HQ in October.
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Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
Poignant trips help to mark war centenary STUDENTS marked the centenary of the end of the First World War by visiting an exhibition and paying their respects at a Remembrance Day parade. Pupils took a trip to the Shrouds of the Somme exhibition at the Olympic Park to see the 12-inch model figures representing the 72,396 British Commonwealth servicemen killed at the Somme. They also joined our headteacher Mr Gillatt at the East Ham cemetery memorial service to lay a wreath in honour of fallen soldiers. Year 8 Izma Iqbal, who laid a wreath at the cemetery, said: “I was extremely proud to have been chosen to accompany our headteacher to the memorial service. “It was a very solemn occasion which gave
you time to reflect on exactly what these soldiers sacrificed for us all.” Year 9 Antonio Barta, who visited the Shrouds exhibition, said: “What struck me was just how many of these graves there were. “These are people whose family could not even properly grieve their deaths because there was no grave. They were so young as well.” Headteacher Mr Gillatt said: “It is important for our students to fully understand the great sacrifice made on our behalf by the brave soldiers in the First World War. “This is a generation that may never meet anyone who served or lived through the First World War so it is crucial that we as a school teach them the significant contributions made to the freedoms we all enjoy today.”
Advice: Divya Chander with Mr David
Author gives tips on writing AWARD-WINNING author Patrice Lawrence talked to students about the writing process during to the school this term. She also discussed debut novel Orangeboy, which won the Bookseller YA Prize and the Waterstones Prize for Older Children’s Fiction.
Divya’s inspirational words
OUR students raised more than £850 wearing their denim on Jeans for Genes Day in September.
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FORMER student Divya Chander returned to the school to offer our Year 11s exam revision advice. Divya, who graduated in 2017, talked about managing the pressure of GCSEs during a visit to the school in November. She told students to take advantage of the support on offer from teachers and not
place too much expectation on your grades. Divya, who is now in her final year of A-Levels, hopes to study architecture at a top university. Technology teacher Mr David said: “Divya’s talk was inspirational and engaging. Students really responded to her and asked constructive questions.”
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018
There’s just no stopping avid reader Sasha BOOK lover Sasha Isibor has astounded her teachers and peers by reading more than two million words this academic year. The Year 9 is the first student in the school to reach the incredible milestone after devouring more than two books a week since September. Sasha (right) says she loves the classic authors such as Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, George Orwell and Herman Melville but also has a soft spot for teen fiction. This term she has read A Tale of Two Cities, The Importance of Being Ernest, Moby Dick and the entire Twilight series. Her quest began when her dad bought her a book collection for her birthday earlier this year. This term, she has been reading her beloved novels on a new Kindle Fire, given to her by the school after she reached one million words earlier in the year. She said: “I read all the time. Sometimes I wake up a little bit tired for school in the morning because I have been up late reading. “Some books you just have to read the next chapter, then the next one. You sometimes just can’t put them down. “Getting to two million words is a real milestone for me and one I am pleased I have achieved. It did not feel like a tough thing to do though because I love reading. Sasha has urged her peers to dump their smartphones and spend more time reading. She added: “I have a phone but I don’t use it that much. “They don’t offer you much. You can’t get inside someone’s world and see life from
Top 25 spot: Mihnea Malin Totu
Top swimmer Mihnea climbs up rankings
their perspective, like you can in a book. Reading takes you to another world, while all smartphones can do is distract you for a few minutes. You are not learning anything.” After learning about the First World War in history class, Sasha now wants to read books on life as a soldier during the conflict. She said: “That is my next big reading quest. I want to know what it was like to be in the trenches during the war and you can only get that from books.”
Students enjoy the school’s colourful new benches during their lunch break.
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CHAMPION swimmer Mihnea Malin Totu celebrated breaking into the top 25 of the UK rankings this term. Mihnea, who trains seven days a week, went unbeaten in a series of swimming galas throughout the last three months to shoot up the standings. He has now set his sights on improving on his 18th-place finish at the national championships and competing on an international stage. Mihnea said: “This was a very good last three months for me because I won every contest I entered and improved my rankings a lot. “My aim at the moment is just to get better and with that hopefully I will improve my ranking. I have never swum in an international competition so that is something that I really want to do.”
YEAR 11 students have given up their weekends to come in before and after school in preparation for their GCSE exams.
Eastlea Community School newsletter n Winter 2018