NORLINGTON SCHOOL and 6TH FORM
n Wisdom is strength n Easter newsletter 2019
School ranked among finest in the country
Students’ progress ‘truly outstanding’ NORLINGTON has bucked the national trend by scoring among the best GCSE results in the country, according to latest figures released by the government. The school was placed in the top 100 nonselective schools in the country, despite boys falling behind girls, on average, by more than half a grade nationally. Our Progress 8 score of plus 0.8 is well over a grade higher than the average score for boys nationally, which is minus 0.25, according to Department for Education statistics. Norlington is ranked the fourth-best non-selective boys’ school in the entire country and joint second in London for overall progress. Of the top 100 performing schools, a total of 49 are all-girls schools, while 39 are mixed and only 12 are all-boys. The Progress 8 measure charts the progress made between the time students start school in Year 7 to when they leave after GCSEs in Year 11. It is one of the key government benchmarks for measuring success in secondary schools. Headteacher John Hernandez said: “If you look at these outcomes within the national context against the backdrop of boys underperforming, they are truly outstanding results. “Whilst boys results continue to fall behind girls nationally, our safe environment, focus on high expectations, caring family atmosphere, tailored curriculum and exceptional teaching and learning has ensured our boys have not been affected. “What is most pleasing to me as a headteacher is that all of our students have achieved, regardless of their background. “Our disadvantaged students are achieving far better than non-disadvantaged students do nationally. “Whatever their starting point or circumstance, students achieve very strong results. Background is no barrier to success at Norlington School. “We are not only the best-performing school
Excelling: Some of the Norlington students discuss their exam results for boys in the borough but we are also the second best in London and the fourth in the country. “Norlington has never been a school that has
been happy to rest on its laurels. “Fourth in the country is great but we want to provide all of our students with the best possible learning experiences.”
Going flat out for Olympic glory! There were records and medals galore when the annual Norlington Olympics were held in February. See page 3 for a full report.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
Champions determined to combat air pollution OUR Youth Health Champions have urged students to cut pollution by either walking or cycling to school. Instead of jumping on the bus or catching a ride with a family member, they have urged their fellow pupils to use the journey to school as a chance to exercise. Youth Health Champion Munaib Ishaq said: “Our advice to students is jump off the bus and jump on to a bike. It is great exercise and it helps to cut pollution in and around the borough. “As young people, it seems to be falling to us to help protect the planet and make the area we live in a cleaner and nicer place to live.” Our Health Champions have also asked parents who are dropping off and picking up their sons at school in the morning to switch off their engines to reduce engine idling emissions. Motorists who leave their engines running when parked, a practice known as idling, causes toxic fumes around the school. Our health champions have signed up to the Vehicle Idling Action campaign in a bid to make the air around the school cleaner. Fellow Health Champion Sohaib Zahir said:
Hard at work: The Youth Health Champions get together to discuss ideas “Having cleaner air is a top priority for the youth health champions. “It is our duty to promote the health and well being of students “We are asking families who are dropping their sons off at school to switch off their engines.”
Mental health issues a top priority STUDENTS from Norlington School are becoming mental health champions to improve the lives of teenagers across Waltham Forest. Boys from Year 10 played a crucial part in creating a new charter, written by students, to be followed by adults when dealing with young people’s mental health issues. The charter will guide counsellors, teachers and doctors when dealing with young people and helping them through mental health issues. Year 10 student Atif Bashir, 15, was one of the students who helped draw up the charter. He said: “I want to take back some kind of encouragement and tips to school to support awareness. “Young guys can act tough and don’t show emotions so our school is encouraging us to talk about mental health and that is a great thing for everyone.” Fellow Year 10 Munaib Ishaq said: “It is really important to focus on the mental health of young people. Our school is really focusing on making improvements and talking about mental health. “We are starting to have the conversations. We are being encouraged to be open and express our feelings at Norlington and I think that will benefit everyone.” Mrs Esen, the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education coordinator and history teacher, said: “It is so important for us, especially in a single sex school, to raise awareness. “We want all the boys to be able to talk about
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Taking action: Norlington students in talks at the mental health summit at Buxton how they feel. We are doing many events around it, opening up about things like body image and mental health stigma.
“This is a great opportunity to be involved in making a change for young people in Waltham Forest.”
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
NORLINGTON OLYMPICS
Record breaker Luka seals memorable day STUDENT Luka Carbognin smashed two school records at the Norlington Olympics. The Year 9 pupil beat the previous best time and distance in the 400m and the long jump at the annual sporting event. Held at the Lea Valley Athletics Centre in February, students were awarded medals in a host of events. Jon Munt also claimed gold in two events, the 800m and the triple jump. He won a silver in the relay. Three Leyton Orient academy players were also in attendance to hand out medals to the winners and pose for pictures. Head of PE Mr Fornolle said: “The Norlington Olympics is a crucial day in the school calendar. “It is a time when the whole school, both students and staff, come together to celebrate a love of sport. “It has been another fantastic day full of talented, gutsy performances, team spirit and sporting camaraderie. “Today is the embodiment of everything which makes Norlington such a special place.” Record breaker Luka said: “Record breaker Luka said: “Athletics is not my favourite sport so it was a big surprise to win so many medals and break records.. “At Norlington they really push you to be your best, whether that is at sports or academics or whatever you have passion for.” Jon Munt said: “It was really great to
Medallion man: Luka claimed two golds while (inset) Leyton Orient academy players also attended
win three medals and show off my sporting prowess.” Trainee PE teacher Lauren Leach, who helped staff run the event, said: “This was my first taste of a school sports days a teacher and I loved it. “The students were really competitive and it’s a super venue. It really gave me a great insight to life as a teacher here.”
Hossam leaps up country rankings HOSSAM Ingram says he may switch his sporting focus from basketball to high jump after jumping into the country’s top 20 athletes. The Year 9 has had no formal training and only tested his skills while competing at the Norlington Olympics. Yet his jump of 1m 65cm means he is now ranked 14th in the entire country for students his age. He is now being encouraged to take up the sport more seriously and plans to join an athletics club. He said: “I knew I could jump high because despite not being really tall I’m good at basketball. “I tried high jump two years
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ago at the Norlington Olympics and won the gold medal and broke the school record. “I didn’t even think about it until trying again this year but when they checked my jump against the nationwide records they found I was 14th in the country. “I have never had any training but I might go to a club and get some now. High jump is not a sport I ever considered before but I do really enjoy it. “I might have to put basketball on hold while I try this out for a while.” PE teacher Mr Haines, who is a former top level athlete, will now mentor Hossam to help Flying high: Hossam displays his jumping technique him develop his talents.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
Cartoon connection: Head of Maths Mr Goldspink explained the maths hidden in episodes of The Simpsons and set a problem to solve ahead of World Maths Day
Maths experts go so close to regional title OUR Year 9 team narrowly missed out being named champions of East London at a highly competitive maths competition. The four-strong team came second out of 28 schools in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge regional final, held at Bow School in March. They excelled across three rounds of questions, which test their problems-solving skills and arithmetic. Year 9 student Abrar Nadeem admitted they were disappointed not to make the national final but were proud of their second-place finish. He said: “Second out of 28 schools is not bad going, considering we were up against the best mathematicians in our age group in East London. “Having said that, it is disappointing to go so close and not win. Having the chance to compete against the best in the country would have been exciting. “We all performed really well and worked as a team, which I think is why we ended up doing so well.” The team is seeking to emulate students at Norlington who won the regional finals of this competition in 2017. Norlington maths teams have also been crowned champions in the Jack Petchey Count On Us challenge two years in a row. Abrar added: “We have a very proud record of doing well at Maths competitions at this school, which gives us extra motivation to do well.”
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Good effort: The young mathematicians who finished second
STUDENTS were given an insight into the world of banking with industry professionals from HSBC, as part of our Learning Outside The Box day in partnership with ELBA.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
FOLLOWING our appeal before Christmas, our School Council delivered food packages to the Leytonstone Food Bank in January.
Students’ clever shopping idea
YEAR 5 and 6 pupils from Dawlish Primary took part in four sciencebased workshops across two weeks for our hatch a chick project.
YEAR 8 students got a taste of life at a top university during workshops run by Physics Ambassadors from Queen Mary’s University.
YEAR 13 Mohammed delivers an interactive presentation to staff and students on 3D drawing as part of his EPQ project.
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NORLINGTON 6th Form students have come up with a ground-breaking idea for an app to help customers find products in supermarkets. The item finder app will be a godsend to any consumer who has wandered aimlessly through the aisles trying to locate food on their shopping list. Their idea has been entered into a nationwide competition, The Big Idea Challenge, which was won by Norlington students two years ago. The five-strong team presented their idea to a panel of judges at the banking giants NatWest’s headquarters in March. They also had a mentoring session with industry experts and had their pitch filmed as part of the competition. If they come through the regional final, the team will go head-to-head with schools from across the UK. The best idea will be given corporate backing with potential investors, including NatWest and Microsoft, who are partners with competition
organisers London Metropolitan University. In 2017, Norlington students were named winners in The College People’s Choice category after scoring the most votes for their Neighbourhood App, which lets residents know what’s happening locally. Year 12 Amaan Mahmood said: “We are very much in it to win and claim back the crown that Norlington students won two years ago. We think our idea is a strong one and we have put lots of effort into making sure that it is sound from a budget and development point of view.” The business studies A-Level student added: “Whatever happens, we have all really enjoyed taking part in the Big Idea Challenge. “I have been able to apply a lot of what I have learned in A-Level classes to this project. “It gives me practical real world experience which will be good for my future career.” l You can read all about their idea on the Big Idea Challenge website. Voting ends April 29. To vote for our students, go to: bigideachallenge.co/finalists-2019/idea-14/
YEAR 8 students cooked up some tasty treats for our BakeOff themed competition. The winners were Dunant House.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
Welsh camp helps create group bond STUDENTS learnt the importance of responsibility, teamwork and leadership at an activities camp. Year 9 pupils took part in a range of team building and bonding activities during the trip to North Wales in February. Activities included archery, kayaking, rock climbing, raft building and gorge walking. Year 9 Mohammad Seedat said: “The camp was really fun because it pushed us to our limits. They made you keep trying even when you were tired. “I really enjoyed the water activities and the rock climbing. It helped to develop us as young leaders and also to work in a team. Zain Shaikh said: “The activities were fun, particularly the ones in water but the thing I liked most was how well all the students got on with each other. “I made lots of new friends. After this trip we are a lot closer as a year group. It was a great bonding experience.”
New tube app’s just the ticket GETTING around on the London Underground may become slightly easier thanks to a new app idea from Norlington 6th Form students. They say their idea of having a threedimensional tube map synchronized to your phone would stop commuters missing their stops and help tourists get around town. The app was submitted by the team of six Year 12 students for the Innovate TfL Challenge where students are challenged to come up with a solution to a real transport problem. Their submission, including a filmed presentation, a 30-second advert and a basic design of their idea, will be judged by a panel made up of industry experts. If successful, they will be shortlisted to attend a final event in central London with senior
TfL staff, stakeholders and suppliers. All the finalists’ presentations, adverts and designs will be showcased and the teams will answer questions from the TfL panel and supply chain experts, before a winner is chosen. YEAR 12 Assad Mahmood TFL said: “Learning is really steep in this type of competition because you are facing real-world problems. “Finding innovative solutions for an issue like transport is a global problem so we are really getting some pretty invaluable experience by taking part. “We think we have a solid chance of making it through to the next round because everyone knows how frustrating it is to miss your stop. That could be a thing of the past with our app.”
Physics in focus on research lab visit Work it out: Year 7 students took part in workshops during a trip to the British Museum.
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SIXTH Form and Year 11 students visited leading scientific research centre the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. They learned about research in particle physics, scientific computing, laser
development, space research, and technology during the trip in March. Students Hayden Ammar and Chengyuen Wang won an award for being the first students to discover an elementary particle, known as a Higgs, in a physics quiz.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
Local scenes: Some of Ibrahim’s work
Artist Ibrahim uses local area as inspiration BUDDING artist Ibrahim Zamir has been inspired by his surroundings to create stunning art work. The Year 11 pupil’s work is influenced by a range of different artists, including John Hinde and George Shaw. Ibrahim has drawn, sketched and painted both historic and modern landmarks around
Leyton and Leytonstone area. His work includes depictions of the old Leyton tram cars, Leyton Library and Coronation Park. He said: “There is so much beauty in the areas that surround us that I thought it would be perfect backdrop for some of my work. “I also have a connection to the area and
I hope that shows in the work that I have produced.” Ibrahim has enjoyed creating art so much he is now considering taking it as an A-Level subject. He added: “Art is a great way to express yourself, your thoughts, emotions and opinions about things.”
University taster full of Eastern promise YEAR 8 students know their Konnichiwa from their Hai after taking part in a Japanese taster session at the world-famous SOAS University for a Japanese taster day. Aside from learning basic greetings, they also learned how to draw figures in a manga workshop, got to grips with the written language and made a traditional Japanese hand fan. There was also a chance to get an insight into life at the university with a guided tour of the campus with an undergraduate. The Bloomsbury-based university specialises in the study of Asia, Africa and the near and middle East, with this day providing pupils with a chance to experience some of the courses on offer. Student Hassan Mahmood said: “The taster was great fun. The activities we took part in really gave me an understanding of what it would be like to be a student at SOAS. “We also got a good grounding in Japanese culture and learned to say a few words in the language. My
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favourite part was the workshop on Manga comics.” Languages teacher Ms Minter said: “The boys had great fun
creating their own characters and we may have some future graphic artists in our midst. “The day provided a fantastic
opportunity for the boys to understand some of the myriad options for higher education available.”
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019
NORLINGTON SPORT
Jubilant: Our Year 8 football team following a victory over George Mitchell School
Zeeshan wants global success YEAR 11 Zeeshan Ali dreams of becoming a world boxing champion. And the youngster has good reason to set his sights high after quickly moving up the nationwide rankings. Zeeshan, who competes at the U16s equivalent of featherweight, has won one national and two regional competitions With an impressive 12 victories from 18 amateur fights, he is well placed to turn professional in the next few years. However, he has one further ambition to fulfil before turning pro – to fight for Team GB at the Olympics. Zeeshan said: “Fighting for Team GB at the Olympics is my big ambition. I just need to prove myself in my next few competitions to have a chance of being noticed by the people who select the fighters. “After that my ambition is to be a world champion. You have to set your sights really high if you are going to succeed. At the moment I am doing well but just have to stay focused.” Zeeshan credits cousin Hasnan Ali, who is also a Year 11 student at Norlington, for convincing him to step into the ring. He said: “I was a bit overweight when I was younger. I was also very shy and didn’t really have much confidence. “My cousin told me to give boxing a try
STUDENTS will run a tape ball cricket competition for primary school students after participating in a leadership course run by Essex Cricket. Tape-ball is a street version of cricket imported from South Asia. A tape-ball is a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape to give it weight and improve the flight while being less dangerous to use in the street than a conventional cricket ball. Students learned how to officiate and organise the competition at sessions held at Essex cricket ground this term. There are now plans for our students to run tournaments for local primary schools this summer. Year 9 student Mohammad Noaman said: “Leadership is a skill they spend a lot of time at Norlington trying to develop. “Having links with top sports clubs like Essex really gives us excellent opportunities. “The course was really interesting and helped us to develop lots of other skills that will be useful in later life.”
because it would help me come out of my shell a little but also lose weight. It was thanks to him that I got into boxing.” Hasnan, who recently fought in Las Vegas, the home of heavyweight boxing, said: “It is great that we are family and we are both involved in boxing. “It gives you an outlet for your emotions and teaches you discipline and control.”
YEAR 10 GCSE students took part in Saracens Sports Foundation’s Project Rugby.
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Sports leaders having a ball
STUDENT Rayan came runnerup in the at the Jack Petchey Foundation London Table Tennis Championships. He will now go on to compete in the Nationals.
Norlington School newsletter n Easter 2019