CR June 2015

Cranford Review

Thursday 19th March 2015 was TI Day 6 at Cranford Community College. Students across the school worked on a range of targeted projects which included a group of fifteen year 9 students who joined the world of journalism and broadcasting and became young reporters for the day.

This is the second time the school has undertaken the challenge to take part in the BBC Schools Report programme which provides students with an invaluable opportunity to experience the rigours and stresses of journalism in the age of 24 hour news. Work produced and published was transmitted across the world through the BBC news website. It is this form of first-hand experience that leads to fires being lit and careers being forged. The key focus of the event is to encourage students to take responsibility for their deadlines, manage their time, work as a cohesive and considerate team and to self-direct their learning.

This was not simply a one-day affair, preparations were been made over the six weeks leading up to the day during WFactor with a dedicated team. The tasks required of the team were completely new to a great deal of the students and included: the creation of news agendas, investigating the facts, writing reports, informative speeches, perfect autocue scripts and then preforming the pieces live to camera, editing footage, constructing websites all whilst meeting the four o’clock deadline. Though the skills acquired and lessons learnt are all important, it is events such as these that build the community atmosphere that is so crucial to Cranford’s continued success and gives the students a real insight in to what it is really like to be part of the real world of work.

Luke Stannard (Media Studies Department)

Cranford Celebrates

on Thursday 5th March 2015 was celebrated with some fantastic competitions and the distribution of £1 World Book Day tokens. This is an annual event run by the LRC and always creates a buzz of excitement as students display an eagerness to take part in the competitions. Students were encouraged to take part in three competitions, designed so they could showcase their different skills including; creative writing, a cross word competition to test students on their fiction general knowledge and a Thunderstorm Thursday quiz which put the students under pressure to work as a team with timed questions.

World Book Day

There were numerous entries for all of the competitions. The creative writing story competition had many entries displaying some outstanding pieces of work but it was the highly imaginative story ‘Jasmine’s Point of View’ written by Jaijiten Hundal 8X which won the Story Competition. He was awarded a £10 WH Smith vouchers.

Well done to all the students who took part in World Book Day.

Mahavir Ladva (Learning Resource and Study Centre Manager)

“I lay on the wet ground covered in mud staring at the dark grey clouds. The river of rain flowed between my feet. The water pelted on me as if stones and pebbles were thrown at me. I could feel the electricity travel through the air while gusts of cold wind blew past me.

“Hello”, I screamed hoping someone could get me back home rather than being on a muddy pavement, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

I could feel the vibrations of lighting and thunder travel through the ground at instantaneous speed. Slowly, I searched the area to find a staircase - which looked very unstable - leading up to a tall, white and old lighthouse. The bright light was still shining through the glass, spinning around, but there was something unusual about it. It had

an enticement and yet I forbore myself from going near it. Unfortunately, my resistance didn’t last very long. In vertigo, I clambered up the flight of stairs to find that I am standing on a cliff. I turned slightly and I was completely petrified. I saw my home, Rainard Town and its bright yellow glow of light. The waves were crashing on the coasts of the small town surrounded by trees, but right next to it is a spiralling monster getting closer and closer. It starts devouring the town, sucking it up and leaving desolation in its path. I hear a crack. The lighthouse crumbles and falls but right before it touches me…

I wake up back in Mr Martyn’s geography class. Well that was a “nice” dream, wasn’t it? At least, that’s what I thought it was”.

Jaijiten Hundal (year 8)

Lucy Tirahan wins Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge Regional Finals

We are very proud to announce that on Thursday

15th January 2015, Lucy Tirahan, year 10, who represented Cranford Community College, won the Regional Finals of the Jack Petchey’s “Speak Out Challenge” at Isleworth and Syon School.

Lucy delivered her speech entitled “Eradicating Child Poverty” perfectly, competing against an exceptional field of talent from across the Borough of Hounslow. The judges were astounded with the maturity of her presentation and awarded her FIRST place. As a result of this success, Lucy has been shortlisted for the Grand Final in July 2015 which is exceptionally exciting and will report an update on her success in the annual glossy.

Mathew Southern-Myers (Head of Year 10)

An Amazing Opportunity...

“In the autumn term 2014 I was selected to take part in a workshop on public speaking; I wasn’t too sure about it as I personally didn’t feel public speaking was my strong point but I soon realised this was something I could do well in.

During the workshop we learnt many valuable things that make a good speech and we also learnt skills which benefit you in a wide variety of careers. At the end of the workshop we all had to give a two minute speech on something we are passionate about; I chose to talk about child poverty and a charity I work with called Operation Christmas Child (OCC) that helps deal with this problem.

Carl (who delivered the workshop) chose four people to go through into the assembly final. I was shocked when he announced I was one of these people. I then competed against three other amazing finalists in our assembly where we all delivered our speeches to year group, form tutors, Year Manager and Head of Year. They then got to vote on who they wanted to represent Cranford Community College in the regional final against other schools in Hounslow. I was again shocked when I realised that I had won the vote.

On the 15th January 2015, the Regional Final for the Jack Petchey challenge took place where I represented my school and did my speech in front of seven judges and an audience. It was a fun evening where I also got to hear speeches from other schools in Hounslow. Many of these speeches were amazing and I feel very lucky to have been considered in the same category as them. As you can imagine I was extremely shocked when they announced my name as first place. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to talk about something so important that is not given enough recognition and to have people appreciate it.

Lastly I would like to thank my Year manager Ms Kolhatkar and Head of Year, Mr Southern-Myers for putting me forward for this opportunity and for their continuous support along the way”.

Lucy Tirahan (year 10)

Year 9 - Careers Insight Day

Cognizant Trip

OnTuesday 17th March 2015, seven of year 9’s brightest students travelled across London to the Canary Wharf headquarters of Cognizant Technology Solutions to participate in a Careers Insight Day. Throughout the day the students were presented with several STEM based challenges, including designing packaging to protect an egg when dropped from 2 metres up and creating a wearable technology item. The group then had to present their concept to a panel of Cognizant’s judges in true Dragons Den style. They also took part in a speed networking event where they found out about the many different roles within the company.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to experience the business world first hand as well as honing their entrepreneurial skills and enhancing leadership and presentation skills.

Cath Goold (Careers Co-ordinator)

Dragons’ Den Trip to Barclays, Canary Warf

Eleven year 10 and 12 students from Cranford Community College had the privilege of attending a “Speed Dragons’ Den” event for schools on Thursday 26th March 2015, at the impressive glass and steel headquarters of Barclays Bank International at Canary Wharf. Working in groups, the students had to compete with each other, as well as with another school from central London, to have their innovative idea accepted by the ‘dragons’. It was a thrilling moment when the year 10 group won with their idea for a “U-Fit” app, bringing together people in the community to play sport and get fit.

Ms Goold and I are incredibly proud of our students and how well they were all able to articulate and justify their ideas in front of the ‘dragons’. They thoroughly deserve their prize and we look forward to sharing the prize with them at a future event financed by Barclays at the O2 Arena or Wembley.

Ms Susie Edwards (SPLD Centre Manager)

“It was an amazing experience and gave me an idea of what it would be like to run my own business”.

Arun Sharma (year 10)

“I learnt many new skills which will hopefully benefit me in the future. The best part of the day was when we all contributed to the overall product.”

Saugaat Banskota (year 10)

it was a challenge, like a mini Dragons’ Den – it allowed my brain to expand with new ideas. It helped me gain communication and team work skills which would help me in the future. I had an amazing time, and what was even better was that we were the winning team. It was a great opportunity.”

Ashika Kapoor (year 10)

“The day was a lot of fun and helped me learn to work as a team while giving a presentation in front of a room full of strangers.”

Gabriella Bruno (year 12)

“I think the day was amazing. It allowed us to envisage the future and gain confidence skills in just one day. Wonderful.”

Baljinder Padda (year 10)

“I attended the Barclays event hoping to learn new skills and I was not disappointed as I learnt new communication skills and enhanced my teamwork skills. Our group had to give a presentation and this was a nerve-wracking experience. However, I overcame my fears, learned to work with new people within a short period of time and presented a well put-together proposal with my group. It was an enjoyable experience which will help me in the future.”

Gurgina Sidhu (year 12)

“During science week we learnt fascinating things in our science lessons such as about our solar system. Our class learnt about the planet Mars. This was very exciting because we had really interesting class discussions such as; did they find water on Mars? Could there have been life on there? Could humans go and live on Mars?

In our classes we planned our ‘Mission to Mars’, what would we take as we are only allowed to take 6 items. It was nice hearing ideas from my classmates what they would take with them.

Doing this project I learnt many things. Our teacher showed us a video and explained what happens and how a rover gets to Mars. For example the rover lands onto the planet’s surface and starts to move with an airbag so it will protect the rover from damage. Later on, the rover comes out of the airbag and gives signals to start to take photos and videos, and collect little samples so it can be sent back to Earth so we can investigate it.

I really enjoyed science week: all the fun lessons we had, also the cool experiments that were shown every morning e.g. making slime. The science-themed assembly we had on Friday was very good. It was a good experience and I hope that there will be science week again”.

Nabeeha Ali (year 8)

“I really enjoyed Science week because I won a competition and I was able to work as a team with my partner and use a variety of equipment for my project”.

Amrit Wahle (year 7)

“I learnt different things, for example what different household liquids are acids and alkalis. I have enjoyed having a look at all the different food tests. My next step for secondary school is to be able to do my work faster so I can do more work.”

Cameron Jones (year 5 - Berkeley Primary School)

Towering Challenge for Year 8 Scientists

On Thursday 12th March 2015, four year 8 students took part in the Science Key Stage 3 Physics Challenge at West Thames College alongside three other Hounslow Schools; St Marks Catholic School, The Heathland School and Isleworth and Syon Boys School.

The students were given 45 minutes to plan and design a tower which could withstand a golf ball for 2 minutes, with limited amounts of material (plastic straws, paper clips and pipe-cleaners).Our year 8 students rose to the challenge and devised an excellent tower and gained 2nd place.

Well done Shilpy Bedi, Abdiaziiz Sahal, Snigdha Sajeev and Onkar Riyat for your excellent achievement .You did Cranford proud.

Bharti Patel (Science Department/Head of year 8)

2015

Hounslow Youth TED Talks which took place on Wednesday 25th February 2015 is an annual competition where young people are invited to respond to an issue or theme they are passionate about. TED began in America in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics, from science to business to global issues in more than 100 languages and young people are invited to take part and have a voice.

The theme this year was “Hope, Dreams, Aspirations for the Future” and I was invited to represent Cranford Community College alongside students from other Hounslow Schools.

Taking part in a talk show like the TED Talks was an amazing opportunity for me to develop my confidence and thinking. It’s my first time, to take part in an event that represents the school. It was a very exciting yet nerve-wracking experience.

The subject I chose to speak about was DIVERSITY, which involved a few things that we notice in everyday life like; food, superstition, languages and my personal experience.

TED Talks was an opportunity for my concern of the lack of respect to diversity to be heard and how others are judged by the way people look or speak, without realising the experiences’ that other person had to go through.

Extract from my presentation on Diversity

“When I moved to England from a remote village in India, not knowing a sentence of English, my life took a 360 degrees turn. I was shocked to be in an unknown world that I used to see in the movies. It was nothing like the world I had left behind.

“It’s amazing to have Diversity; it adds that extra bit of worth to our own principles, philosophies and creed. It gives a significance to our community and how our world operates.”

If you would like to know more about my speech go to:

https://youtu.be/pLxWAc83psU

Priya Rajput (year 12)

Cranford Community College and Marjory Kinnon Mural Project

During the spring term 2015, some of our year 10 Students went to the Marjory Kinnon School as part of Wfactor, to work with some students with learning difficulties in an Art Project. This project was initiated by Marjory Kinnon and is the second occasion our students have been able to work in partnership with the school during WFactor.

Cranford students were keen to get started and got stuck in (literally), getting their hands and at times faces covered in glue whilst working towards producing some wonderful mosaics depicting different seasons of the year. They bonded with the children at Marjory Kinnon, striking up lovely relationships with them whilst getting to know their likes and dislikes over a biscuit and an orange squash. It was lovely to watch the Cranford students interact with and enthuse the children every week; even if they had a challenging day it was all smiles when they got to Marjory Kinnon and there were disappointed sighs all around when it was time to leave.

It was a pleasure to accompany them every week and see them mature in the process. Thank you to Marjory Kinnon for inviting us to work with them again and well done to year 10 for being such great ambassadors for the school.

Mehmoona Yousaf (Head of RE Department)

“I had a magnificent time working with the children at Marjory Kinnon. We learnt how to communicate with the children who have a variety of disabilities and help them in their art work.

I and Aniesa were working with two lovely girls called Abbie and Jennifer; we made a collage for the different seasons in the year.

We enjoyed it so much and were so thankful to be involved with these amazing children. They truly are brilliant. It’s because of opportunities like this that Cranford is such an outstanding school. Thank you Marjory Kinnon for having us to work with you”.

Nasteha Hassan (year 10)

“An extraordinary experience. I am so thankful for the opportunity. Barcelona is a truly beautiful city, and I’m glad I spent it with those who came”.

Bethany Johnson (year 13)

OnWednesday 18th March 2015, the Art Design Technology Department flew off on a once in a life time trip to the city of Barcelona with 28 A Level students studying Art and Technology.

World famous artist Antoni Gaudi was the main focus of the trip in regards to the structure and designing of the architecture in Spain; his work inspired the students to take photographs and drawings to take back for their exam units.

During the 3 day visit to the city we visited numerous amazing places including the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, we walked down Las Ramblas and went for a long stroll along the Olympic Port and saw the Montjuïc Communications Tower. We saw Casa Milà and Casa Batlló during the day and in the evening the students visited the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc and the famous Montjuïc hills in Barcelona. In addition we looked at the gothic quarter of the city, where we shopped, taking in the essence of what the city had to offer to us.

Day one started at 8.30 am and we boarded the HopOn Hop-Off double-decker Barcelona tour bus and

took a drive around the city whilst listening to the tour guide talking us through the history of Spain. The main focus of the day was the Sagrada Familia, as this was one of Gaudi’s finest pieces of work. The old element was completed during the late 18th century to the early 19th century, and recent parts are still under construction. After looking around the church site and grabbing a a quick lunch, we jumped back on the tour bus and made our way to our next stop which was Parc Güell, located on Carmel Hill. This park is one of Gaudi’s major works as it composed of scenic gardens and architectural structures. A piece that captured the attention of the staff and the students was the amazing dragon piece that greeted the public as they walked in. It became known as a garden city

“I will never forget this trip and my time in Barcelona with my teachers and friends”.

Lyba Fatima (year 13)

due to all the eye catching pieces created and placed around the park. Later in the evening we had dinner at Fresc Co and then took a walk down the Olympic Marina, which was wonderfully lit up, enhancing the city’s natural beauty. We also saw the Columbus Monument and got a feel of how Barcelona comes alive in the evening time.

On day two we made our way to the famous Montjuïc hills in Barcelona. We were able to see sites of the whole city and take photographs and do some live sketches.

We then made our way back to Las Ramblas where we did some more sightseeing and shopping. The evening was planned to see the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, so all the students and staff dressed up and went for dinner at the Hard Rock Café. It did start to rain in the evening, but this did not stop us from going, as the whole group was adamant to see the light show and the water features. As

we stepped off the bus we ran towards the fountain show, we had 1000 steps to run up to get to the top, but that didn’t matter as it was worth it and the view of the city was breathtaking. This, we all agreed upon was one of the highlights of the trip.

For our last day, we all decided to walk down Las Ramblas for the last time and have lunch before we made our back to the hostel to be collected and taken to the airport for our journey back to London.

Ms Jaura and I would like to thank all the students who attended this trip and for making it such a wonderful adventure full of memories. They were a credit to the school and were a pleasure to be with. The 10 months it took to plan this trip were all worth it and we hope to do further trips of this kind in the future.

“This trip to Barcelona brought us closer together like a family and was an amazing experience that I will never forget”.

Harkiran Bhandol (year 13)

Gurjivan Jassy (year 13)

Ruby Qureshi (Head of Faculty Art Design and Technology)

“The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc was amazing life changing running up the steps”.

Gaurav Chopra (year 13)

“Have to go again, the ADT department is amazing”.

Our WFactor Exotic Animals group was invited to Norwood Green Infant and Nursery School to take part in a “show and tell” presentation and we took with us our exotic animals reptiles.

Cranford students formed groups and researched facts on each animal so they were able to answer questions and handle the animals alongside the reception pupils of Norwood Green Infant School.

Our visit was a great success and students of both schools had a wonderful fun and educational afternoon. We look forward to repeating our presentation at other primary schools in the borough and already have a booking with Berkeley Primary School next term.

“I really enjoy Exotic Animals because it gives us the opportunity to learn about animals from around the world. We get the opportunity to handle them and feel what kind of skin they have and whether it is rough or smooth. We also learn what they eat and feed them which I found exciting. Playing with the animals is fun but only if you know how to handle them properly. It was good to take them to the Infant school and tell them all about them.”

Lina Imam (year 9)

“My favourite part of Exotic Animals is seeing them and handling them. I was lucky to take part in a trip to the local farm where we meet other exotic animals and we could hold them and learn about them. At school we often get a visit from a Tarantula called Anne she is about 1½ years old and she is my favourite. Most people are frightened of her but I am brave and held her with no fear, I used to be afraid of spiders until I meet Anne. It’s always interesting as we handle the animals programmes about the animals we have. The children at Norwood Green Infants liked our presentation”.

Caitlin Butterworth (year 9)

Ms Vithiya Sitharanjan and Ms Priscilla Ledle (Exotic Animals)

Charity Fun Run for Jamie’s Farm

On Sunday 1st March 2015, Mr Southern-Myers, Mr Ind and I alongside 11 students from Cranford Community College, took part in the Bath Half Family Fun Run to raise money to support Jamie’s Farm in Wiltshire, where some of our students have enjoyed a week’s residential working on the farm and learning about what it is like to live a rural life and be a farmer in the 21st century.

I heard about the Bath Half Marathon and the 1.2 mile Fun Run which was also going ahead on the same day and decided to ask students who had previously been on a residential trip to the Farm, if they would like to take part. We felt it would be good for the students to give something back to the Farm as everyone that visits it has such a positive experience when there.

We met at school at 7.00 am on a cold Sunday morning and set off for Bath. Upon arrival at the runner’s park we found the Jamie’s Farm tent and collected our runner numbers and data tabs for our trainers then made our way to the start line where we could see the 13,000 half marathon entrants set off. There was a really good atmosphere with television cameras, radio presenters and photographers milling around ready to record our efforts and successes.

We all set off together but it was Patryk Nadrowski who came in first out of the Cranford team finishing in just 5 minutes 53 seconds and in 5th place overall, with Abdulqafar Abdi finishing in 6 minutes 15 seconds. There was a large crowd cheering us all along the route. When we finished the race our data tabs were removed and we were all given runners medals and goodie bags with snacks and drinks in.

On the way home we made a detour to Jamie’s Farm for refreshments and the chance to walk around the farm. It was lovely to see all of the students back there once again.

The students were a credit to the school and we are very proud of them. In total we raised a grand total of £358.43 for this fantastic charity.

Vanessa Tutt (SEND Department)

Name

Patryk Nadrowski

Abdulqafar Abdi

Matt Southern Myers

Aleks Nastyn

Rochelle Emmanuel Thomas

Rob Ind

William Baiden

Tarquin Ward

Dameen Ali

Abhay Mandalia

Khadija Mbombo-Mafuta

Running Times

5 min 53 seconds

6 min 15 seconds

6 min 47 seconds

6 min 49 seconds

6 min 50 seconds

6 min 53 seconds

6 min 54 seconds

7 min 5 seconds

7 min 55 seconds

8 min 20 seconds

11 min 55 seconds

“The run was in Bath and it was a really long journey from our school. It also was on a Sunday which made it really hard to wake up in the morning at 6am. I did the Bath Fun Run because I wanted to help Jamie’s Farm as I have been there and they deserve people to help them out as they spend a lot of money on each trip. I got a lot of sponsors. When Ms Tutt asked me if I wanted to go straight away I said; ‘yes I’m doing it’. After the run I felt very happy because I was first from everyone in my group and fifth out of everyone which is a big achievement for me”.

Patryk Nadrowski (year10)

“The mile run that I participated in for Jamie’s Farm, I will remember that day for years to come.

I was honoured to be one of the names to represent Jamie’s Farm and I did not want to let them down at all, especially the charity”.

William Baiden (year 11)

A Big Thank you Cranford from the Student Leadership Quartet

After weeks of intense planning, presenting and covering the school with posters, the Red Nose charity week was ready to commence. Year 7 students held an amazing cake sale, as consumers of many of their self-made produces ourselves, we can safely say that they were delicious. On Tuesday, students in year 8 decided to burn off the calories by taking part in the sixth form-organised inter-form football tournament. The pitches were set and the matches were ready to begin. The year 8 boys came well prepared for the afternoon, demonstrating high levels of sportsmanship and passion, leaving a great impression on us and our Sports Leaders. They surely made their respective form tutors proud and even though all teams gave their best, 8T gloriously took home the title. Seeing the year 8 students cruise through the football tournaments with flair, we wanted to put the whole school’s athleticism to the test. Enter the ‘Cranford Mile’. On a sunny afternoon, teachers and students took part in the event with great competitive spirit. However, the students completely

outpaced the teachers. Although they say they didn’t try too hard, we know what truly happened. Up next, The Cranford Festival. Live music, standup comedy, penalty shootouts, basketball mini games, rowing machine races, were some of the many engaging activities that were organised and of course, to make the festival complete, popcorn and candyfloss were served. Finally, Mufti Day arrived. After a long week of anticipation, Cranford students celebrated Red Nose Day on Friday 13th March 2015. All students stunned the school as they arrived in the clothing of their choice for the day. They were also given a chance to show off their flips and tricks on a trampoline. Our target was to raise £1450.00 but by the end of the week we exceeded this, and had raised a massive £1923.00. We would like to sincerely convey our thanks to Ms Berndt for helping us to realise our plans, the students and teachers for making this a memorable event for us and the school.

Surya Varatharajan (Head Boy)

Red Nose Charity Week Challenge | Monday 9th - Friday 13th March 2015

Cranford Community College undertook a week long programme in support of Comic Relief led by the Student Leadership Quartet, Head Girl Bethany Johnson, Head Boy Surya Varatharajan and their deputies, Abrar Al-Habtari and Ravi Mandalia.

A range of activities for both staff and students including a staff Bake Off, inter-form football, trampolining, cake sales, the Cranford Mile fun run, a festival day of activities, and on the Friday a non-uniform day, all helped to generate a buzz around the school and a real determination to reach the target to raise £1,450.

On Monday a number of staff took on the Bake Off challenge which resulted in a fine selection of delicious cakes. The judges had a difficult task but congratulations go to:

1st Place Rita Berndt (Fruit Tarts) Awarded the Trophy

2nd Place Monica Goncalves (Carr ot Cakes)

3rd Place Kevin Biggs (Raspberry and Passion Fruit Tartlets)

The Cranford Mile fun run took place on the Wednesday after school and many of the students out ran the staff. The festival day on the Thursday took place on the concourse during breaks 1 & 2 and after school. Students paid to play different games, buy candy floss, popcorn and drinks. There was an Open Mic session on the blue spot where staff and students performed a variety of singing, comedy, busking acts to entertain the crowd.

By the end of the week the much anticipated announcement came that not only had the school met its target of £1450 but exceeded it and raised a staggering £1923. Well done Cranford and well done the Student Leadership quartet for all their hard work and determination to make this happen.

Rita Berndt (Assistant Head of School)

to all the students in

Intermediate Maths Challenge Success Spring

Year 9

Teodor Jevtic Best in Year Certificate and Gold Certificate

Hudaifa MohamedSilver certificate

Rhea Rana Silver certificate

Iram Mangat Silver certificate

Eisa Hameed Bronze certificate

Nandushan BalendraBronze certificate

Devyani GeentilalBronze certificate

Sukhpreet GillBronze certificate

Noman Khan Bronze certificate

Shiva Kapoor Bronze certificate

Shubhdeep SethiBronze certificate

Amraj Singh Bronze certificate

Musab MohamedBronze certificate

Arun Sharma

Anjitha Anilkumar

Aadil Awan Oussama Zemry

Rufayda Sahal Mohamed Gulaid Ahmed Fadhluddin

Charnice Gill Warsan Hashi Ritek Kapoor Mohammed Haye

Alenzeli Ramji

Harshaan Sahota

Rai

Spring Term Music News

We have been lucky enough to attend two separate trips with NOfA (The National Orchestra for all) during the Spring term 2015.

On Friday 9th January 2015, a group of 12 talented NOfA members travelled into London to play at the launch of the second year of the NOfA project. We were invited to attend as one of the highest achieving schools in the programme last year, to showcase our talents and what the programme can offer. Our students performed the NOfA Winter Groove alongside students from Feltham Community College as well as talking to music teachers interested in joining the programme. They were very professional and did both Cranford and the NofA organisation proud. Thank you to Mr Wain who accompanied us on the trip.

This was followed by a second trip on Saturday 14th March 2015 when an additional group of dedicated NofA students travelled to Stratford where we played an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” ballet with other musicians from schools across London. It was another of NOfA’s fabulous modulo days, where students’ musical skills and creativity are really stretched as they perform as part of a huge orchestra. They had practised some of the music in advance but also managed to learn part of this challenging score from scratch on the day. Cranford students worked with real commitment and expertise and both I and Ms Sethi, who also accompanied the trip, were very proud of their hard work and commitment to music.

Leah Mirsky (Music Department/NOfA Orchestra Leader)

Easter Concert Showcase

The

Cranford Easter Concert, held on Wednesday 18th March 2015, showcased students’ diverse range of talents. We had performances ranging from Teodor Jevtic’s (9U) very technically skilled classical piano performance, to the Choir’s heart-warming rendition of Superhero and Glow; from Sadip Gurung (9U) and Ryan Aujla (9U) playing an exciting Dhol remix of Still D.R.E to a range of fabulous band performances showcasing students at a range of experience levels throughout the school.

The highlight of the evening culminated in Cranford’s NOfA ensemble playing an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet “ballet. The National Orchestra for All (NOfA) is an organisation that aims to provide any enthusiastic student, regardless of ability, with opportunities to participate in ensemble music making. Last year they launched the Conductors for Change (CFC) project which supports schools in expanding these opportunities and performing music together. Our school’s ensemble is made up of 30 students from key stage 3 and 4 who all played together in an exhilarating performance.

The school’s NOfA ensemble is currently rehearsing in W Factor and are preparing for another concert, building on the success of the last, which will be held in the Memorial Garden on Wednesday 8th July 2015.

Leah Mirsky (Music Department/NofA Orchestra Leader)

This year for our school production on Thursday 9th, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July 2015, we are adapting Bertolt Brecht’s “Caucasian Chalk Circle”, a play within a play which deals with many themes including, power, justice, law and complex human behaviours towards each other. We are modernising and ‘bollywoodizing’ the production with lots of dancing and singing which is really exciting and rehearsals are already underway. The 30 strong cast of actors, singers and dancers will set the stage alight with support from a technical crew. Three year 10 students are assisting with directing the production with some year 11 students choreographing the dance pieces.

The story begins with peasants arguing over land and in the evening after their meal a play is performed with a message that the resources should belong to those who make the most of them. Our production is set in modern India, against the backdrop of a slum community and India’s fast growing economy, with skyscrapers and malls popping up and taking over the skyline, moving slum dwellers on so that they can build and make money, with corruption at the root of it all.

A servant girl who lives in the slum picks up an abandoned child as she runs for her life before the

Iron Shirts catch up with her. The plot focuses on her growing love for the child, her relationship with a soldier and the choices and sacrifices she has to make in order to protect the child. The parallel story tells the tale of a village clerk who becomes a judge, who finds in favour of the poor and the misrepresented. The two stories come together when the servant girl is in front of the judge, to determine who is the true mother of the child and carries out the test of the Chalk Circle. Who should the child be given to? The birth mother who abandons him or the young peasant girl who sacrifices her life to bring him up?

You know the answer but come and be part of her journey.

Tickets are now on sale from the school shop priced £4.00 for adults and £3.00 for children and Senior Citizens. There will be two evening performances on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July 2015 with a matinee performance on Saturday 11th July 2015. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of amazing theatre.

Email jpr@cranford.hounslow.sch.uk or call 020 8897 2001

Seema Sethi (Head of Performing Arts)

In Celebration of Terry Holt

Mumeishi Kendo Club (1939 - 2015)

It is with great sadness we have to report the death of Terry Holt on 12th January 2015, one of the founding members of Mumeishi Kendo Club in Heston with Fuji Sensei, which has been running at Cranford Community College for over 30 years.

From the age of 10 Terry practised judo and in the late 1960’s switched to Kendo, practising at Nenriki Dojo in London. In 1968 he co-founded the Mumeishi Kendo Club which has grown to become one of the most renowned International Kendo Clubs, which Holt Sensei came to lead in 1971. Under Terry’s continued leadership, Mumeishi grew with clubs in London UK, Melbourne, Australia, Tel Aviv, Israel and Tehran Iran, becoming a truly International Club reaching out and bridging cultures. In 1973 the club staged the first Mumeishi 3’s International Championship

at Cranford Community College, which is now in its 42nd year with over 300 competitors annually and in 1974 Terry represented Great Britain in the Individuals competition of the 2nd World Kendo Championships, winning gold with the GB team.

Between 1980 and 1981, Terry was Chairman of the British Kendo Association, and coached the British Squad. He continued to be involved and helped organise the 3rd World Kendo Championship in UK and numerous European Kendo championships. In July 1998 he received The Japan Festival Award for outstanding achievements in furthering good understanding of Japanese culture in the UK.

Terry was extremely keen to pass on his knowledge and encouraged children into the world of kendo. He has been very supportive of Cranford Community College and over the years enjoyed getting involved with and attending various functions and events organised by the school including; Presentation Evening, the Cranford Festival and more recently performing on the “Blue Spot” as part of the early morning Street Festival entertainment programme.

Terry embraced learning and new experiences. Through his kendo connections he was given the opportunity to travel more during his retirement. He loved meeting people, learning about their culture, the country history and visiting places of interest whenever he could

In recent years he wrote 2 books, “A Beginners Guide to Kendo” and “A Guide to Becoming a Referee”.

Terry’s legacy lives on with his students rising throughout the ranks and representing their countries. We are proud to have known him and thank him for all the opportunities he has given students past and present.

Kevin Prunty (Executive Headteacher and Director, National Leader of Education)

“I first met Terry in June 2008 when I came to work at Cranford. His Mumeishi Kendo club had been at Cranford for 30 years so he had seen a few managers come and but we got on like a house on fire.

Terry was an incredible man who always had time to stop and say hello and was genuinely interested in how you were and I really enjoyed our chats. He was hard working and passionate about kendo and his first love his family. He had the total respect of his students and his dedication to bringing new students to the sport was unstoppable. I will miss the kind funny man who was very much part of the Cranford family”.

Jo Pearson (Community Hub Manager)