Recorder
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Chemistry medal caps Paul’s remarkable year Haggerston duo excel in Olympiad
OXBRIDGE-bound student Paul capped a fantastic term by achieving a silver medal in the UK Chemistry Olympiad. The Year 13 student was just a few marks off the gold medal in the first round of the nationwide competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The extra-curricular challenge lasted one hour 30 minutes and was taken in a controlled exam-like setting at the school. In January, Paul was offered a place to study Natural Sciences at the world-famous Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He came through a rigorous selection process that included two interviews and an entrance exam and now must score top marks in his A-Levels to confirm his place for September. Famous names to have passed through the hallowed halls include author Sebastian Faulks, comedian Griff Rhys Jones and William Sancroft, the 79th Archbishop of Canterbury. Last year, he was among just 500 students nationwide to achieve a gold medal at the biology Olympiad. Fellow student Evie achieved a silver that year. Paul, who will be the first person from his family to go to Cambridge, said: “A lot of my success is down to this Sixth Form and, in particular, the science department. “We have some truly amazing teachers here and really don’t think I would have got this far without them.” Fellow Year 13 student Hafiz achieved a bronze award while Nicole, Reyhannisa, Tahmid and Faithful took part but narrowly missed out on a medal. STEM lead teacher Ms Kotecha-Karia said: “To put our student achievements in context, just 25 percent of students achieved a silver award. “Many other students were just a few marks off achieving a medal. This is a feat as the Olympiad is targeted predominately for Year 13 but many of the Haggerston students competing were in Year 12. She added: “It’s a fantastic feat. Hopefully we will do even better next year.”
Bright future: Cambridge-bound Paul (left) with fellow Haggerston student Hafiz
City trip ideal to raise aspirations YEAR 7 students got a taste of life at one of the top news organisations in the world as part of our Reach Out programme.. On a visit to the central London headquarters of Bloomberg, students got the chance to tour the office, watch a live broadcast in the TV studio and take part in a public speaking workshop. Headteacher Ms Emmerson said: “This trip was a fantastic opportunity for students to boost confidence and to raise aspirations. “
Students get a taste for life at leading university YEAR 10 and 11 students are aspiring to the country’s top universities thanks to our partnership with the Access Project. The Year 10 students heard lectures, toured the campus and took part in an interactive workshop at Cambridge University, while Year 11 students also got to experience undergraduate academic life while on a trip to Goldsmiths University. They also learned about the application process to both universities and met current students and lecturers. Students accepted on to the Access Project programme are twice as likely to go to top universities. They get support through visits to leading institutions, interview skills workshops and 1-2-1 mentoring. The programme, which started last term, will give students support with admissions tests and writing university applications. In total, ten students from each year group have been accepted on to the programme. Access Project co-ordinator Katie Miles will work with pupils two days a week at the school while participants will have access to mentors who will support them throughout the application process. She said: “This trip was a wonderful opportunity for students to get first-hand experience of life at a top university. “This project is about raising aspirations and helping students understand these kinds of institutions are open to them.”
Opportunity: Students headed to Cambridge for an interactive workshop
Lilly stays cool on the ice STUDENT Lilly was part of a 16-strong synchronised ice-skating team who narrowly missed out on victory at a national tournament. Her stardust squad claimed second place at the Lea Valley Ice Skating U16s competition held in February. Despite coming up against more than 50 of the best teams from across the UK, the squad were able to win the silver medal. Lily, who has been skating for three years at the Lea Valley Centre, was competing in her first major tournament. She said: “It was an incredible experience to be out on the ice with the entire team at a major competition. “I was excited just to be there but to be able to get the silver medal, competing against all those teams, was really amazing.” She added: “People at the school have been very supportive, coming up to me to say well done. It’s a really nice feeling.”
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Frantic and physical YEAR 9 and 10 students participated in a physical theatre workshop run by renowned theatre company Frantic Assembly. They learnt how to create meaning through movement using a series of devising techniques during sessions in March.
Easter 2019 Newsletter
Working hard: Students in the workshop making their new creations
Upcycling wins star’s approval
BBC TV show Money for Nothing was the inspiration for a design and technology project to recycle old furniture. And their handy work posted on Twitter got the thumbs-up from one of the show’s stars, Jay Blades. Year 10 students were tasked with upcycling old furniture fished out from a skip as part of our sustainable living project. They then had to refurbish and repurpose the materials by creating their own fresh designs ahead of an exhibition for friends and families. BBC presenter Jay tweeted the school: “Well done guys, please show me the end results. Good luck and have fun.” Year 10 Fatima said: “Getting an acknowledgement of our work from Jay from the actual programme we were inspired by
Tweet of the term
was a real motivation. The project was very interesting, not just because we got to create our own work but also because we got to showcase it to our friends and family.” Fellow Year 10 Thomas said: “We are an eco-school, so we are constantly being encouraged to be involved with green projects. “Aside from learning design and technology skills, we are also learning about sustainable living.”
Busy term for Charity Club THE Charity Club made and sold badges and cookies to raise money for an LGBT charity. The students gave up their break and lunchtime to raise the cash as part of the school’s celebration of LGBT+ Month in February. Charity Club member, Year 7 Luna, said: “It is important to celebrate LGBT+ Month because we want to promote tolerance and diversity in our school. “It gives you a good feeling when you spend your time helping other people who need your support.” Students also produced posters detailing the timeline of LGBT history, inspired by teacher-led assemblies and displayed around school. The Charity Club have also made pet blankets for cats and dogs housed at the Humane Society. Student Luna said: “We have loved making the blankets for the animals. I love animals so can’t wait to see the pictures of them using our blankets.”
Talented actors earn plaudits OUR budding actors won rave reviews for their performance play Father, Mother, Other last term. They showcased their talents across a series of sell-out nights to an enraptured audience of family and friends. The heart-warming and humorous exploration of parenting was inspired by the experiences of our students and their families. Head of Expressive Arts, Casey Powell, said: “The production was an exploration of parenting with both funny anecdotes and touching stories kindly contributed by the cast and their parents and carers, along with lots of photographs. “The cast committed to an intense rehearsal schedule and their hard work, creativity and confidence was clear to see.”
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Setting aspirations for our students Headteacher Ms Emmerson reflects on a highly successful term at Haggerston School. most vulnerable students in the school. I hope you will enjoy reading about the many wider opportunities students have had this term. We were able to prepare students for life beyond Haggerston thanks to enrichment trips to top universities, organisations and institutions including University College London and Bloomberg. This is an important part of setting aspirations high and giving students a glimpse of what they are striving towards. From World Book Day to Pi Day, LGBT+ Month and International Women’s Day, I have been so impressed by the way students engage with academic challenges and wider social issues. On this point, I must mention Fadilah, a worthy winner of the Pi competition. It
was her sister who came a close second so clearly it is a family of formidable mathematicians. Finally, a word of congratulations to Paul in Year 13, who has been accepted to read Natural Science at Cambridge. What Paul has achieved has a much wider context than his own personal success, as he has set the bar for other students to strive towards. We are so proud of him and the Sixth Form team, who have such a strong track record of success in supporting students to secure places at the best universities. Our Year 11 and 13 students have spent the term preparing for their crucial exams next term. Thanks to our committed and dedicated staff, they will be ready. I think it is fair to say that after an action-packed and exciting term, our staff, students and families deserve a rest. It just remains for me to wish you a restful and happy Easter. The hard work starts again next term.
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Signs of spring are all around Haggerston School this week. I always feel so grateful to have such a lovely school site with so many green spaces, where students can spend their break times. We are always looking to make the best use of the facilities we have and the new Breakfast Club is the most recent example of that. It has been great to see students sitting with friends and tucking into a healthy, free breakfast in the mornings before school. Please do encourage your child to take up this opportunity as well. Hackney held its annual Staff Star Awards this week, an inspiring event that recognises the contribution of people from all different sectors of Hackney Council. We were delighted that two members of our staff were shortlisted for awards, Rachel Ray Choudhuri and Richard Mitchell. Competition was fierce but Richard Mitchell won in his category. It was wonderful to see him acknowledged for all of the vital work he does here, supporting some of the
Spanish trip presents language opportunity YEAR 12 students put their newly acquired language skills to the test on a cultural tour of Córdoba, Seville and Granada. Students learned about Islamic culture in Spain during visits to mosques and other areas of historical interest. They also toured Alcázar, the Mezquita and the Calahorra Tower and learned about Jewish culture in Spain at a synagogue During breaks at cafes and restaurants, students put their Spanish to the test when ordering food and conversing with locals. They also brushed up on their conversational Spanish while staying with local host families Student Santiago said: “I was completely unaware about the Muslim culture in Spain. We found out a lot about the people who moved there from Morocco. “I speak Spanish so it was quite easy for me to talk to people but it was great to help other students. “There is no better way to practise a new language than to visit the country where it is spoken and talk to the native speakers.” Student Bruno added: “We have always heard that Spanish people were friendly but it was still a pleasant surprise when strangers would greet us on the street. “Thanks to this trip we could get lost in a Spanish-speaking country and thanks to our improved Spanish, we would probably survive.”
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Students use Brexit as learning tool YEAR 13 students have had the chance to test economic theory against real outcomes as a result of the EU Referendum. Whilst Brexit is causing chaos with the UK economy, our A-Level students at least have the opportunity to use the uncertainty. They have been making economic forecasts in the areas of indexed changes in GDP, inflation, unemployment, wages and exchange rates. Their predictions will be matched against the best economists in the UK for a
competition run by KPMG. First prize is £500. Economics teacher Ms Gold said: “It has been a busy and exciting period in politics which has created an interesting basis for much of our work with the sixth form economics and business students.” Meanwhile, Year 12 business students heard from top economic speakers as part of a day of lectures run by University College London. They heard about the role economists play in industries such as media, tech and governance at the event.
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Richard earns top reward for his hard work
HAGGERSTON’S behaviour support worker Richard Mitchell has been awarded the Schools Star Award. Richard was honoured for raising aspirations and challenging students in difficult circumstances. He collected his award at the Hackney Stars award ceremony hosted by Hackney Council and Hackney Learning Trust. The award pays pays tribute to the unsung heroes who work educating young people in the borough. Richard works closely with our students, helping them to understand patterns in their behaviour and developing strategies to manage difficult situations. Alongside his work at Haggerston, Richard volunteers at weekends coaching for a local football team. The school’s headteacher Ms Emmerson said: “Richard’s consistently kind and patient manner makes him a highly positive influence on students. “His generosity of spirit and willingness to work with students who struggle in a school setting is incredible. “Richard is always able to find positives in his interactions with them and to help them to see a way to improve. “The rapport he builds with students is
Free breakfast for students is simply Magic
incredible. Students seek him out before and after school to share successes. “He is a very deserving winner of this prize and is an exceptional role model.”
Charity’s guidance on diversity STAFF from Haggerston got support and advice on how to make the school more inclusive and tolerant. They attended a LGBT+ training session led by CEO Dr Elly Barnes, of national charity Educate and Celebrate, in March. Dr Barnes became a leader in LGBT+ inclusive education while working with our headteacher Ms Emmerson at Stoke Newington School. They got an understanding of the importance of creating inclusive spaces in schools for discussion and guidance. Dr Parris and Mr Rowe will now take on the challenge of implementing improvements at Haggerston School. Mr Rowe said: “The training was of great value and importance, and provides an exciting opportunity for the school to reflect and celebrate diversity. It is crucial that all of our students feel included in this diverse and exciting world, city and borough that they live and learn within.”
Training: Dr Elly Barnes (centre) Dr Parris added: “It was a fantastic opportunity to talk with Dr Barnes about the work she has done to give visibility to LGBT+ reading lists. “Dr Barnes’ experiences only reinforced to me the importance of our school in providing diverse resources and opportunities for students.”
STUDENTS can now start their day with a free, healthy breakfast thanks to a new government initiative. Haggerston will work in partnership with the Magic Breakfast charity to provide a tasty range of food including cereals, porridge and bagels. The morning offering, provide by the Department for Education via the National School Breakfast Programme, is free to all students from 7.45am every weekday in the canteen. Options available include cornflakes, rice crispies, porridge and toasted bagels. Students do not need to register in advance and can just turn up on the day. Parent Gayle Munro said: “As a parent trying to get children to different schools on time and get myself to work, this will be a really welcome initiative. “It will mean one less thing to worry about in the morning. “It will also mean a less rushed start to the day for my child in Year 7, who can take some more time over breakfast and be ready for the school day ahead.” Headteacher Ms Emmerson said: “We know that some students start the day hungry for different reasons and many more choose to buy junk food and energy drinks on the way to school. “Either way, there is a negative impact on their health, capacity to learn and mental well-being. Our new, free breakfast provision takes away the barriers to eating a good breakfast each morning. “We hope to encourage as many students as possible to benefit from it and begin to form healthy habits that will help them throughout their lives.”
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Why not join the online community? An update on the Friends of Haggerston School’s Facebook page from parent Gayle Munro.
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In addition to the official Haggerston School presence on Facebook, we also have a ‘Friends of Haggerston’ Facebook page, aimed at parents and carers of Haggerston students, from Year 7 to Year 13. The Friends’ page is a great way to find out about news and activities happening across the year groups and is a vehicle for celebrating the success of all Haggerston students. We share news from school trips, community activities, sporting and creative arts successes, and academic achievements. So if you are a parent/carer of a student in Year 7s to 13, do feel welcome to find us on Facebook and join in the discussions. Search for ‘Friends of Haggerston’ and click to join.
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Stay involved
Ervin Vojic, parent of a Year 7 child, says the Facebook group helps families feel part of the school community.
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Like most young people of secondary school age, my daughter travels to and from school independently. As I am not at the school gate anymore (like in primary school), it’s nice to feel part of a virtual community instead and hear some of the news and reports of the many activities that happen across the school.
Fadilah leaves her rivals out for the count
MATH whizz Fadilah got her numbers right to be crowned the winner of our Pi Day competition. To celebrate mathematics’ most renowned constant, the school held a contest to see who could remember the most digits of Pi. Competing students and staff were given a week to memorise Pi to 220 decimal places ahead of the competition. Year 8 student Fadilah came out on top, after managing to recite a hugely impressive 130 digits. And it seems like a mathematical brain runs in the family because it was older sister Aaliyah who placed in second, with 113 digits. Year 7 Taylor completed the top three, reciting 99 digits. Other events run by the maths faculty to celebrate Pi Day in March including tutor time competitions to Pi decorations. The canteen even got in on the act by offer Congratulations: Winner Fadilha with the headteacher Ms Emmerson edible pies on the lunchtime menu…
Memorial to inspiring teacher AN inspiring teacher will be immortalised in the grounds of Haggerston School after a campaign from her former students. We will plant a sapling tree to honour former head of year Iris Benson, who taught at the school during the 1980s. The school have agreed to the request from a number of former students who have described her as a warm and compassionate teacher. Former student Jacqui Jenkins told the Hackney Gazette: “I run a Facebook group for ex-pupils and the majority of girls remember a warm, compassionate woman who was very strict but fair. “She was an extremely calming and helpful influence to me.
YEAR 10 students have created pyjama shorts after learning different seams and decorative techniques in Textiles.
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Recipe for success
BUDDING bakers from Years 9 and 10 took part in a ‘Great British Bake-Off’ style event to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. Split into teams of three, they were tasked with creating a cake using only Fairtrade produce. Year 10 team of Aaliyah, Taliyah and Nina were judged the winners by a panel of their peers and teachers. Winning student Aaliyah said: “It all comes down to the teamwork and our secret, winning recipe.”
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“She is also the person responsible for me being able to touch-type. “Quite a few women have heart-warming stories and memories of how she touched their lives.” Headteacher Ms Emmerson said: “After careful consideration and requests from a number of former students, we have agreed to their request for a memorial to Ms Benson. “Across the history of this school there have been many inspiring teachers, students and staff who have worked towards the betterment of our community. “It is a tremendous source of pride that teachers at this school have left a lasting impression on the students they taught.”
Year 10 students worked with architects and engineers from Scalerule to design a new pavilion in Clerkenwell.
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Library job process an early insight
Professor gives students praise YEAR 12 BTEC Business Studies students won praise from a professor at University College London after attending an economics conference. The four Haggerston students were described as engaged and insightful during an event held by the world-famous university. They heard talks from business leaders from top global companies and organisations including Deliveroo, Google and the UK Department of Foreign Affairs. They also participated in a role-playing
exercise in macroeconomics based on current fiscal and monetary policy. There was also a buffet lunch, a chance to quiz UCL Economics undergraduates and take a History of Economics walk around Bloomsbury. Ms Gold, Head of Economics and Business, said: “Five schools were represented but Haggerston was the only one commended by the professor for the engagement, interaction and level of insightful questions presented by the students.”
YEAR 9 students were treated to a visit to the West End to watch The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time as a reward for their hard work in Drama.
A RECRUITMENT drive at our school library gave students an insight into the world of work. The process was designed to mimic the induction process at a professional workplace to help students gain career life skills. They learned key transferable skills such as customer service, teamwork, well-being support, book promotion, event management and information administration. Since being taken on, the new recruits have been running the desk at lunchtimes and helping with development plans in the new Makerspace facility, among other tasks. Librarian Dr Parris said: “I was very impressed by the students who attended. It is a privilege to be able to work with such an enthusiastic and proactive group of students. “I am looking forward to their input during our upcoming events programme in the summer.” Year 9 Tony said: “The training was supportive and enabled us to develop skills and knowledge for the workplace. “After the training, I felt more informed about different aspects of the library. “I enjoyed the activities and hearing the other views of our student librarian team. “It was hard getting up early during half-term but I wanted to be part of the library improvements and welcome the new members to the team.”
STUDENTS worked on collaging, typography, screen printing and drawing in an art workshop as part of the Barbican Project.
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Event puts the focus on books
Learning food skills
STAFF and students took part in a number of literary-inspired games and activities to celebrate World Book Day. Our library held a number of events including activities, quizzes, free books, and a film screening focusing on this year’s theme of villains. The English department joined the fun by running lessons to raise the profile of some great new young adult fiction and helping to distribute World Book Day £1 tokens across the school. A selection of this year’s World Book Day books were available for students to take for free. The lunchtime library book quiz was won by Year 7 pupil Ilayda while the Young Black and
YEAR 7 Food and Nutrition students have been learning various knife-handling skills while making tomato soup.
Prize effort: Ilayda got the most answers correct in the World Book Day Quiz and won a fabulous The Hate U Give movie poster.
STUDENTS created artwork inspired by the Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass art work to celebrate World Book Day.
STUDENTS created wall displays to help identify and challenge prejudice and discrimination to celebrate International Women’s Day.
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YEAR 7 students made fruit smoothies in Food Technology as part of studies on the food groups.
Gifted colouring competition was won by Year 8 Meri. Year 7 Hafsa said: “It was nice to watch The Hate U Give movie with everyone on World Book Day, as it was quite sad in parts.” Librarian Dr Parris said: “World Book Day is always such a great time to celebrate reading as a community and share recommendations with others. “In the library, we wanted to give The Hate U Give a lot of love because it was one of the most borrowed books and some of the students have been lucky enough to meet Angie Thomas, the author, at different events. “Watching the film together was a way to bring together students who had read the book, in order to enjoy the movie and talk about the issues it raises.”
YEAR 9 Food and Nutrition students made their own pasta with a neapolitan sauce.
Easter 2019 Newsletter