Review November 2014 Message from Cheryl Day, Headteacher
It is wonderful to see our students contributing so fantastically well to their local communities as well as on the national stage. Our Clapton Girls’ Academy students are involved in politics, charity work, a wide range of expressive arts and sports activities, and of course much more. Well done to them all – truly wonderful citizens who we should all be proud of.
Poverty ends now MPs faced a grilling in the Houses of Parliament on 15th October by 38 young people from across the UK. More than 100 people attended the event including MPs Chris White, Theresa Pearce and David Ward. The team from PEN, Poverty Ends Now, prepared a manifesto targeting issues that impact child poverty, deriving from their own and their peers’ experiences. Two young people from Hackney, one being Humaira Garasia 13B led the inquiry, which challenged the MPs to explain why more had not been achieved. Humaira said of the experience, ‘Visiting parliament was a great opportunity for us all. I asked Chris White MP questions about the actions his government is taking in regards to children’s welfare in the context of cuts to government spending. Learn more about the PEN manifesto at www.povertyendsnow.tumblr.com See Humaira’s interview on London Live at www.londonlive.co.uk/news/201411-04/what-happened-when-a-17-year-old-took-on-parliament
Let us Learn Ex-Head Girl, Chrisann Jarrett has been offered a full scholarship from The London School of Economics (LSE) which means funding for all her tuition and living expenses for three years. Chrisann left CGA in 2013 after a stellar career at our academy, and with an offer to study law at LSE. Educated in England for ten years, having arrived in the UK from Jamaica when she was eight, she was confident about her future. It was only when filling out her student loan form she realised her immigration status denied her access to loans and she would have to wait ten years before applying for permanent settlement in the UK which would give her access to lower fees. After deferring for a year, and with help from the charity Just for Kids Law, Chrisann recognises that LSE has thrown her a lifeline but she is not content to stop there. She has set up the Let us Learn project, a campaign aimed at raising awareness of other migrant teenagers facing the same issues and has been shortlisted for the Liberty Human Rights Award 2014 for her work on this project. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Southbank Centre London on 1st December. For more information about the Let http://www.justforkidslaw.org/let-us-learn
Youth Politics Following months of writing manifestos and campaigning, the Hackney Youth Parliament hustings took place at the Hackney Town Hall on 25th and 26th September where candidates set out their plans for change. Issues discussed included apprenticeships, training and jobs, as well as the need for young people to get involved in politics. A record number of young people turned out to cast their vote from 6th to 14th October. Of the 35 candidates who stood 24 were elected and will now represent their peers for the next two years. Among these were CGA’s Humaira Garasia 13B and Deputy Head Girl, Beth Foster-Ogg 13A. Beth said, ‘I’m looking forward to working with the other members and talking to young people across Hackney. I’m keen to work on issues I care about. I also want to make young people more politically engaged.’
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November Review 2014
Prize Giving Our annual prize giving on 23rd October was a fantastic event. It was brilliant to see the Nightingale Hall beautifully decorated for the occasion and full of delighted students and proud parents. Over 100 awards were given out in many categories including subject and Year group awards, highest achiever awards and CGA ambassador awards. In addition to the CGA prizes, our partners, Linklaters, University of East London, Goldsmiths and Clare College, Cambridge also presented special awards to students.
Midsummer Night’s Dream ‘As part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival a cast of Year 10 and 11 students performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Pleasance Theatre in London on 15th October. The girls showed great commitment to the project, rehearsing after school and on Saturdays, and their hard work and dedication really paid off. Not only did they show great understanding of Shakespeare’s language, they proved how important ‘play’ is when sharing a story with an audience. From Puck’s musical box to Bottom’s donkey ears the girls exuded a great sense of fun and enjoyment in their production and Emily Zell-Huxley 13E, Victoria Smith and Atlanta Thomas 13F did a marvellous job of directing the mechanicals’ scenes; really exploiting the humour and clowning elements.
Pictures of prize winners can be seen at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/127454429@N03/sets/72157649175727566/
Muddy Choir At the beginning of term GCSE drama students watched a performance of the Muddy Choir, the latest production by Theatre Centre, a leading young peoples’ theatre company. Performances by the three actors held the Year 10 and 11 students captivated, vividly bringing to life the experiences of the generation of young men whose lives were lost on the Western front a century ago. Written by Jesse Britton to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, The Muddy Choir includes period songs as it tells the story of three young boys serving with the Durham Light Infantry in 1917, and how their friendship and singing bound them together in the face of tragedy and the horrors of war. The thirty students explored the themes and ideas of the play in greater depth in a follow-up workshop with the actors, sharing their experiences with the rest of their class in subsequent lessons.
RADA Workshop Graduates from RADA have been to CGA’s Drama department to run a Macbeth workshop and talk to the girls about possible career paths in acting and the performing arts. The girls enjoyed working with text and being introduced to new rehearsal techniques and drama activities. Many of our Sixth Form drama students are applying for higher education courses in drama, so careers guidance from graduates was invaluable.
Little Revolution GCSE drama students were treated to a night at our partner theatre, The Almeida, to see ‘Little Revolution’ by Alecky Blythe. This piece of theatre was created using real testimony from the residents of Clapton Square and the Pembury Estate during the London riots 2011. During the show, the writer appears on stage with a group of actors and community volunteers who deliver the dialogue of the eye-witnesses using ear pieces. This made for a very new and immediate experience for the girls. As the piece focused on a topic which was local to our school, the girls were particularly engaged with people’s thoughts and feelings about the events. Page 2
Sixth Form drama students went to see ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ by Simon Stephens, in order to evaluate a piece of live theatre. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the choreographed passages of movement, courtesy of Frantic Assembly, and felt that they really complemented the narrative. AS students are studying the text this year and were especially pleased to be able to see the full production unfold before their eyes.
November Review 2014
Students’ Champion Congratulations to Ms Walcott-Nelson, currently CGA’s Whole School Behaviour Manager who was nominated for an NASBM award for her dedication and commitment to CGA students, and for being an inspiration to all around her. She was one of the top three nominees in the category of Pupil Development, winning a distinction award. Her nomination stated that she works tirelessly, using a range of creative activities, to support our most vulnerable students to cope with the challenges they face.
Students' Champion - Ms Walcott-Nelson front row, 3rd from left.
Loughton Brook For my Geography controlled assessment I went with my class to visit the Suntrap Centre, located in Loughton, Essex. During our time, we had to pitch tents by ourselves. Then we started working in groups of three to investigate how the Loughton Brook river changes as it travels downstream. We had fun using equipment like an auger to record our results. We used different items like clinometers and range poles, which was exciting!
When it was cold at night we toasted marshmallows round a camp fire and drank hot chocolate. I am pleased to say I survived the night in a tent and it was still standing in the morning! Written by: Sally Hammond 11P
Lexia The Additional Learning Department introduced Dyslexia Online Teaching from September. This programme is designed as an alternative teaching method for students who have a confirmed diagnosis of Dyslexia or Dyslexic tendencies. A member of the Additional Learning Team facilitates the sessions. Teaching is provided through an online learning platform with a tutor in two sessions each week. Students have the opportunity to be part of a small tuition group that can be tailored to their individual needs. The programme aims to improve organisation; memory and learning styles; reading accuracy; reading for understanding; essay planning; project planning, proof reading and overall increase in self-esteem which translates into the classroom.
Ms Yusuf by Labrinth I was a bit of a troublemaker at school. I was bored and restless. Miss Yusuf however, didn’t give up on the naughty kids. She was my tutor and she taught me science. I’m dyslexic and it was tough for me to read out loud or to be put on the spot – I would deliberately get kicked out of classes so I didn’t embarrass myself but she gave me that extra bit of time. Her attitude was great, that commanded respect. And when I stayed in the classroom, I started paying attention. Photosynthesis, speed, ohms. To this day, I still know how these things work because of her. Her science classes helped me to understand music. Music has science in it. You’ve got to get right down into the DNA of how they work to fully understand them. She contributed to my music, no doubt about that. Miss Yusuf made lessons interesting. She was interested in the subject she was teaching and she was interested in the people she was teaching. Miss Yusuf was like a big sister who saw my dyslexia and understood it. She would get me in for after-school sessions. She taught me that if you’re patient with people and you see their flaws along with your own, you’ll all get through a lot better.
Dale Fort A level biologists left Clapton for a weekend by the sea in Pembrokeshire in October. Rocky shores, ponds, sheep fields and a salt marsh set the scene for practical field work interspersed with taught sessions. On arrival we investigated the distribution of purple top shells in various microhabitats on Jetty beach using random samples with quadrats and completing our first statistical test. Saturday morning saw us up early considering abiotic factors and investigating the effect of trampling on the size of ribwort plantain! In the afternoon we conducted a continuous belt transect up the beach. It was fascinating to see so many different species of seaweeds, lichens, gastropods, sponges, cnidaria, crabs, other crustaceans and even gobies. Discussions about how adaptations affect the niche of an organism that has to survive much of its time out of the sea went on until late evening. We spent Sunday looking at succession in Gann’s salt marsh. The various halophytic adaptations were intriguing. We learnt how to use a point frame quadrat to measure species evenness. Some of us were up extra early on Monday to watch the sun rise before pond dipping to study the energy transfers in the pond’s ecosystem. We headed back to London mid-day full of memories that will stay with us for many years. Written by: A2 Biologists
Forensics Year 13 BTEC Science created a simulated crime scene, collecting chemical, physical and biological forensic evidence for their Forensic Science unit. They went on to analyse the data collected in the laboratory to find out if the case they were investigating was a suicide. Page 3
November Review 2014
Remember
Science aspirations th
National Poetry day was celebrated widely in CGA on 2nd October. The theme was ‘Remember’ and teachers posted copies of their favourite poems on their classroom doors to share with the students. Year 7 students used these poems to complete a poetry treasure hunt while Year 8 took part in a poetry competition. The Year 8 poetry competition winner was Chay’ne Hearne 8T and the Year 7 treasure hunt winners were Orla Dolan, Lili Strachan and Isabel Gilchrist-Miller of 7T. The Day I Lost You Lonely, depressed, cold Then I heard the news Just came from school My Mum got a phone call “She’s gone.” My heart sank All my thoughts had disappeared As delicate as a rose I could never touch You too hard As quiet as a mouse you never had the breath To speak loud enough My whole world froze... I couldn’t see anything but darkness. The tear rolling down my face They kept flowing and flowing I got to the hospital and I saw you laying there so peacefully but out of pain. I couldn’t help but smile and that’s when the pain stopped. The day I lost you.
On 17 October, 14 of our most talented Year 11 and 12 science students participated in a science aspirations day at Wadham College in Oxford to commemorate 400 years since the birth of Rev. Dr John Wilkins the founder of the Royal Society, and considered by many to be the father of scientific method in the English-speaking world. Students attended workshops on botany, physics, engineering, maths and computer science; what to expect from university and how to make an application that will cause them to stand out. They also attended a lecture on the life and times of John Wilkins. An evening event consisting of talks chaired by Lord Bragg and a question and answer session was held at the Sheldonian Theatre to commemorate Wilkins’ birth. Speakers included Marcus du Sautoy, a world expert in symmetry, Joanna Dunkley, a world leader in dark matter and energy and Nobel Prize winner Sir Paul Nurse. Conversations on the way home showed that the students had certainly thought through a number of issues, such as the evolutionary advantage of morals and the idea of religion being invented by governments to control society! Written by: Mr Ferdinando
Winning poem written by: Chay’ne Hearn 8T
Trekking in Hampshire Twelve sixth formers embarked on a journey to Hampshire to complete their Duke of Edinburgh silver expedition on 6th September. We had to demonstrate our skills in navigating groups, pitching tents and cooking substantial meals! The 31km walk was very challenging both mentally and physically but we all pulled through and worked as a team. The next day we were asked to give presentations about our expedition. Both groups were thrilled to pass their qualifying silver expedition. Everyone was so enthusiastic, helpful and united. We recommend the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme because, aside from building character and learning leadership skills, it also looks great on your UCAS application. Written by: Safiyah Ahmed 13D
Target Medicine Dr Andrew Hogg came to CGA to speak to a group of Year 12 students as part of the UCL Target Medicine programme. Of particular interest to our students was his career progression and stories from his time working in South African hospitals. He also provided advice about applying to study medicine at university and suggested ways that students should be preparing for this. Page 4
University Challenge Thirteen Year 12 students took part in the London Youth Rowing’s University Challenge at CGA’s partner, the University of East London’s impressive Sports Dock on 10th October. Our budding rowers were enthusiastic participants competing on indoor rowing machines. Students also had the chance to get careers, training and further education guidance from recruiters and employers present at the careers fair running in conjunction with the event. Among these were the Metropolitan Police, Skanska and Thames Water all aiming to inspire young women to consider jobs in sectors in which they are currently under represented. Undergraduate UEL students spoke about the realities of university life and discussed ways in which the UEL scholarship programme can support both sporting ambitions and academic aspirations.
November Review 2014
PSHCE Day Tuesday 7th October was CGA’s first Personal Social Health Citizenship Education (PSHCE) day. All students followed an alternative curriculum for the day. Here is what Year 7 and Year 12 got up to: Year 7 PSHCE Day Our day started as usual with the register being taken – then it became very different. In Lesson 1 we learnt about the freedom of women. In Lesson 3 we did PE and played some cool fun games, like working as a team, and working with new people. After lunch we looked at puberty which was fascinating, and a little embarrassing. It was fun and interesting to learn new things on PSHCE day. Written by: Pearl Ukairo Morris 7C
Year 12 PSHCE Day Following in the footsteps of Barack Obama and his work as a community organiser, Year 12 students brought politics to life on PSHCE day. They were treated to training from Hackney Citizens entitled ‘Practical Tools for engaging in Democracy’, focusing on developing the key skills required to make a difference in the local community, including listening strategies and leadership. Students broke problems down into issues and each group decided on a plan for addressing the issues identified. Using role play, negotiating skills were honed and students learnt how to get powerful people on board. Year 12 students will also be reaping the rewards of another Hackney Citizens successful programme as they have been invited to apply to the Hackney 100 scheme which provides paid work experience for young people with top local employers. A representative from London Citizens said, “Your students are amongst the most engaged and mature that I have found in my work across East London. We ask the question to all students, ‘What moment or experience has had the most impact on your life?’ About 40% of the CGA students responded that it was CGA!”
Sushi As part of an introduction to Design and Technology Year 7 have completed a four week Sushi project. Each student used new tools and equipment to make and design their own Sushi. They vacuum formed their own box from plastic, made chop stick holders from wood, designed their own label to promote the product and finally made and ate the Sushi!
Making an entry The Year 12 trip to Stubbers at the beginning of term was a huge success. The new Sixth Formers spent the day getting to know each other and their tutors through a range of activities including archery, climbing and competitive raft building. They embraced the opportunity to overcome fears of water and heights and supported each other throughout the day.
‘This was such a fun task and I got to try new things, like the sticky rice used to make the Sushi! It was also amazing to see how plastic melts and turns into different shapes when we vaccum formed our box.’ Written by: Sonia Abbass 7P Page 5
November Review 2014
Thank you for the music Year 11 BTEC Music students collectively organised a successful concert for new Year 7 students on 19th September, featuring a whole host of musical acts including spoken word, solo singers, bands and duets. The performers displayed a range of fantastic talent and the audience left enthused and excited about how welcome the show had made them feel and that ‘Clapton really has got talent!’
Passages & Bridges Year 10 Art and Photography students visited the ‘Constructed Worlds’ exhibition at the Barbican. They worked with the Barbican’s curatorial team on a brief of “Passages and Bridges.” Students took test shots at the Barbican and will continue to shoot a series of photographs independently before the team visit CGA to critique their outcomes.
Organising the concert was part of the BTEC students’ coursework where they had to
arrange everything from creating a press release and posters advertising the event to auditioning acts, handing out flyers, setting up equipment and considering health and safety issues.
Change4Life On 10th October 30 students from Years 10-13 travelled to the Copper Box Arena to help lead a PE conference as part of the Change4Life Programme in Hackney. CGA Sports Leaders ran a training day for 70 aspiring leaders in Years 5 and 6 who will go on to set up and run their own PE club in their primary schools. The girls’ meticulous planning and attention to detail led to the day being a huge success. They were fantastic role models for the younger students who were thrilled that they had the opportunity to work with much older and more experienced students.
One very early Sunday morning, I headed to the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in Battersea for two auditions, hoping to become a member of the Step Into Dance Youth Dance Company. My first audition was for the Contemporary Company. It started with a ballet class then moved onto a contemporary class. In this class we learnt a few exercises to show off our skills (such as rhythm, coordination etc.) and after this, we went on to do some creative work. We made up solos based on gestures and from this created group phrases. CGA students Melanie Wanjala, Izzy Ferron and Rebekah Fisher were also auditioning. My next audition was for the Jazz Company. After a very long warm up of exercises to improve our cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and strength we learnt jazz technique before learning a sequence to a song from Sister Act. We practiced the dance before performing it to everyone in small groups. The following day I received two very excited texts from my mum telling me that I got into both companies! The other CGA students were also accepted into the company. Written by: Georgia Jarvis 10L
Ball Skills A Year 1 Ball Skills Competition proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon where 60 primary pupils got the opportunity to develop hand to eye coordination through a variety of invasion games. CGA’s Year 10 GCSE PE students led the activities for the children in our Hackney Teaching Schools’ Alliance schools of Gayhurst, Nightingale, Rushmore, Millfields, Harrington Hill, Gainsborough and William-Patten.
Frieze Art Sixth Form Art students headed to Frieze London in October, the contemporary art event of the year in Regent’s Park. In addition to being able to see and buy art by over 1,000 of the world’s leading artists, the fair featured a unique programme of artist commissions and a programme of debates, discussions and keynote lectures. This year the fair also introduced a new section dedicated to ambitious performancebased installations. Page 6
November Review 2014
World Marathon Challenge CGA took part in the World Marathon Challenge on 1st October. Over 160 students took part from Years 1 to 13 and together they ran 26.2 miles as part of a relay team. The challenge, sponsored by Save the Children set schools a target to beat the Men’s World Marathon record of 2 hours 15 minutes. We surpassed this target and set a new school record of 1 hour 57 minutes and 13 seconds. With over 122 schools taking part across the UK CGA finished third, a huge achievement. A big thank you to Year 12 Duke of Edinburgh students who helped organise this event.
Hot shots Earlier this term, Seun Adeduntan 12A and recent ex-student Wura Ijelu represented London in an U17s basketball team in an England Regional tournament. The team won! This opportunity is very exciting for the girls as this is the player pathway into the England U18s development squad. Following Wura’s performance in the tournament she has since been selected for the England Basketball Women’s U17s New Horizons Programme, having been talent-spotted by Lee Ryan, the U18 Women’s England coach.
Hit the net Making a run for it! The cross-country season has begun with CGA triumphing in the 3km opening race of the Islington Schools Running League at Highbury Fields on 22nd September. It was almost a clean sweep of the girls’ Years 7-8 section with eight out of the top 10 finishers being CGA runners. Robine Van Doorn 8N and Evelyn Dumbleton 7L came in second and third place in this section, with Evelyn winning her individual race. In the Years 9-10 race all CGA runners finished in the top nine with Francesca Beaumont 9T coming in second place. In the next race of the league, at St Aloysius’ College on 20th October Evelyn Dumbleton, who finished in second place, headed a large contingent from CGA, who again filled eight of the top 10 places. CGA filled all of the first 11 places in the girls’ Years 9-10 race, led home by Ruby Christian-Muldoon 10C. She was followed across the line by Francesca Beaumont 9T and Ezelina Owens 9P in second and third places. The next two races in the series both take place around Emirates Stadium on 17th November and 15th December. The story was the same in the English Schools Cross-Country Cup on 9th October at Wormwood Scrubs Park. Despite the tough 3km course and poor weather Evelyn Dumbleton and Ruby Christian-Muldoon maintained their track record by finishing first in the Junior and Intermediate races respectively.
CGA students represented Hackney in the London Youth Games Basketball this summer. The girls finished fifth overall in London, a good result for this U18 competition considering the entire squad were under 16. Next year the target is to win the medals!
Above: Judith Osobaiye 11L making a stand on defence, Seun Adeduntan 12A guarding and Loula Paizi 10C denying the pass. Left: Loula Paizi 10C guarding England U16 player from Redbridge.
Reigning champions This year CGA students have more opportunity to play basketball than ever before. We have a total of five teams entered into the English Schools’ Basketball competition (U18, U16, U15, U14, U13). This is the highest school level to play in the country. We also look forward to defending our record of being undefeated for the past two years in the Hackney Schools’ League and retaining our title of U13 Greenhouse League champions in the next season starting in November. It has been a good start to the season for the U16 girls in the National League Pioneers’ basketball club, which sees 15 of our students playing in the team. They have played two games so far and won both. Our U14s have played one game and won but our U18s unfortunately were defeated when they faced last year’s national champions in their opening game. Page 7
November Review 2014
What a welcome It’s a long time since I went to look around potential secondary schools though I do remember how large and alien they felt compared to my primary school. So it was wonderful to see how many CGA students were involved in making prospective Year 7s and their families welcome on 29th September.
Many of Hackney’s most interesting buildings and spaces allowed the public in to learn more about architecture and design during this year’s Open House London weekend 20th-21st September. Clapton Girls’ Academy Portico building in Linscott Road, which started life as the London Orphan Asylum in 1821 was among the 43 locations that opened their doors to inquisitive visitors.
A pink T-shirted student greeted me as I walked into reception, explaining that there was a choice of joining a tour of the school, or going straight to the Nightingale Hall to listen to some talks from staff and students. The T-shirt said ‘I ❤ Clapton Girls’ and I could tell that my companion did - she chattered away to parents and shy-looking Year 6 pupils about the lessons and sports she enjoyed and friends she had made since joining the school. She was confident and articulate and made me proud to be a governor at CGA - as did the fabulous speeches in the hall. The Headteacher, Ms Day, the Head Girl and her Deputies talked through different elements of what makes the school great, and a parent added her thoughts about how her daughters have achieved and grown at CGA. A lot of parents left the Open Evening convinced that CGA should be their first choice! Written by: Ruth Wheatley, Deputy Vice-Chair of Governors
Afternoon tea Keen CGA staff bakers donated tasty treats for a Macmillan Afternoon Tea on 26th September. £154 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Space to reflect CGA’s annual ‘Old Girls’ event this year welcomed back students who left the school in the 1940s, 1970s and 1980s, as well as from the past few years. Fond memories were shared as our guests toured the academy. There was a lot to catch up on and some were delighted to see their younger selves again in photos others had kept from their school days and brought to the event. Recent leavers shared how they had gone on to become teachers, lawyers and health professionals, amongst other career paths. A poignant moment came when ‘Old Girls’ gathered for the opening of the new memorial garden which provides a beautiful and quiet space for reflection, in memory of ex-student Melika Everitt.
US Mayors The Department of Education asked the Science Department to play host to four mayors from the USA on 13th September. The mayors, including Aja Brown, Mayor of Compton, California (the youngest mayor ever to be elected), Stephanie Miner, Mayor of Syracuse, New York (Syracuse’s first female leader) and Setti Warren, Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts (the first elected African-American Mayor in Massachusetts) enjoyed the opportunity of seeing examples of excellent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) teaching in CGA’s Science department. They were especially impressed by how the academy was encouraging girls to take up STEM subjects in the Sixth Form and at higher education institutions.
TERM DATES Winter Concert Please check website for date and time. End of Term Friday 19th December, 12.20pm
Visit the website to see more calendar events
www.clapton.hackney.sch.uk