Spring Half Term Newsletter Feb 23

Half Term Highlights Spring 2023

Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I have always been fascinated by journeys, especially personal journeys, and how our paths unfold with various levels of planning or happenstance. I am a firm believer that much of our fate is in the stars and when the stars are aligned, the journey becomes magical. And thus it is with great personal satisfaction that I reflect on my first half-term as Head of Eaton Square Senior School. The stars feel aligned as I am thoroughly enjoying leading this dynamic, diverse and vibrant community.

Indeed, it has been with great pleasure getting to know your children, the staff and you as parents. I have mentioned in a previous termly newsletter how much I love the international flair of the school. Being Canadian, it is nice to know that we have students from 41 countries and that we all come together harmoniously to share our different viewpoints, narratives and journeys. Very few London schools, especially schools our size, can claim to be as multi culturally diverse as we are whilst still upholding a strong sense of British values and heritage. It makes us unique and provides us with an excellent platform to develop our young people as global citizens. I love this about the ESS community.

I hope you enjoy reading about all of the great activities and events that happened over this past half-term. We are doing so much, but there is so much more we want to do. Specifically, our strategic priority for driving academic rigour will continue after the break. The intervention sessions our staff are offering at lunch are proving to be very effective and our weekly staff CPD sessions based on the Accelerated Teacher Pedagogy Programme are providing us all with useful strategies to improve our teaching and learning. A focus on homework, formative assessment and assessment for learning will also continue after the break. This will help us challenge and support each individual student enabling them to become their best self.

I hope you and your families are all enjoying a restful half-term break. I look forward to next week and continuing our collective journey for the rest of the Spring Term.

With best wishes,

Dr Adrian Rainbow Head

Academic Maths

Intermediate Maths Challenge

Our Intermediate Maths Challenge took place on 1st Feb. This challenge encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The following students took part:

Year 9: Alkakhkhar, Misha and Alexander

Year 10: Leon, Egor, Sonia, Amanali

Year 11: Vladimir, Perla and Alan

Well done to all the students that took in the challenge!

About Dyscalculia

on 25 Jan, an hour of dyscalculia training was arranged at Eaton Square Senior School for SEN and the Mathematics Department. A dyscalculic person has trouble understanding numbers, leading to a range of difficulties in maths. It is very difficult to find someone who understands this particular type of learning difficulty.

Ms Rowena Kosmider and Ms Julia Zugel, currently working at Prospect House, enriched us with their knowledge.

Academic Science

Year 7 students have been exploring why some substances such as orange juice taste pleasantly tangy whilst other can have a very bitter taste by learning about the pH scale.

Whilst eating and drinking is strictly forbidden in the lab, the students have been testing a range of solutions to from hydrochloric acid which is found in our stomach to baking soda which is used to make cakes establish whether they were acidic, basic or just plain neutral. They discovered that vinegar used on our fish and chips is a weak acid whilst the detergent Fairy liquid forms an alkaline solution.

A-Level Geography

Year 12 A-Level Geography Field-trip

The cold but purposeful day was put to good use by the Geography students, who led, planned and ‘experienced’ the set up and construction of a field trip, based upon ‘Urban Regeneration’ in two contrasting areas in the East End of London – the Greenwich Peninsular and Canning Town. The purpose of this trip was to allow learners to lead the learning and the Year 12’s to construct and demonstrate their fieldwork skills that they had learnt in class, in a public setting, where collecting data was one of their main priorities and also to gain first hand case study knowledge for Paper 2 of their final examination.

We planned our route and the logistics carefully in both locations, navigated our way through a maze of Urban Regeneration Flagship Schemes and absorbed the scale of the projects that catered for a range of people and communities on the Greenwich Peninsula. It was astounding to see how striking the difference was between the two locations mentioned above, understanding the importance of studying and understanding urban regeneration and how it affects the people who are impacted by it. We conducted techniques such as Land Use Surveys, Footfall counts, Photographic Analysis, Environmental Quality Surveys and Questionnaires.

A small snapshot of our day was to look at Transportation and how it has increased accessibility in a city location. Examples of this that we saw were the expansion of the Jubilee line, where it now reaches North Greenwich, meaning more accessibility to venues such as the 02 Arena or the Icon Outlet and to experience the Emirates Cable Car and the value of it as a river crossing and a tourist attraction to the local area.

The East End of London became our classroom for the day and we felt fortunate to have such creative and thoughtful planning on our door steps. We discovered that the area of Canning Town is slowly but surely redeveloping, giving hope for the future in terms of bringing in investment but also opportunities based around education, housing, business, transportation etc… for all in the community.

The day went exceptionally well, despite the climatic conditions and we learnt a lot. A big thank you to Mr Lobo, for organising this trip with us, as it will be very useful for our own personal ‘Individual Investigations’ and our futures examinations. We look forward to the next trip already!

Written by Chanel Younes (Yr 12) and Mr Lobo

Computer Science

This term fifteen of our Year 9 students took part in the Code Playground online activity organised by Digital Eagles, a Barclays’ initiative to promote coding and to boost digital knowhow.

The coding activity consisted of developing the Rock, Paper, Scissors game using Python programming language. The event was very successful as all the participating students were fully engaged, enjoyed the activity and completed the coding activity.

Similar coding activities will be taking place on a regular basis, with the next coding event scheduled on Monday 13 March. During this coming coding event our Year 9 students will be coding a quiz.

Year 9 students are covering computer programming using Python language in computer science this year. These important coding activities are crucial to boost Year 9 students’ coding skills and to make coding such a fun and enjoyable activity.

A-Level Physics

Physics - Bridges

During Physics this term, our year 12 physicists thoroughly enjoyed acting as engineers for the day.

Together they investigated the different materials and forces that are at work in bridges to hold them together.

Academic P.E.

Our Year 8’s enjoyed a brilliant half term developing their gymnastics skills. There was a key focus on developing their balance and flexibility, learning how to execute group balances, rotations & rolls. They were then split into teams to create their own performances to Swan Lake that would encompass everything they had learnt. They demonstrated excellent communication and teamwork skills to execute their performances which were enjoyed by a star-studded judging panel.

Year 11 GCSE PE Climbing Trip

The Year 11 GCSE PE students enjoyed an excellent (but very tiring!) 3 day climbing residential in Sussex last weekend. The students did superbly to learn a variety of different skills, scale a range of different climbing routes and belay each other safely and effectively. Well done to all students involved for your fantastic efforts.

Sports Football

U14’s Football

It was a busy and successful half term on the football pitch with a couple of fixtures worth highlighting.

We took two U14 football teams to Emanuel School and won both games, with the 2nd team in particular putting in a strong performance, conducting themselves fantastically throughout. The stand-out performers across both games were Alkakhkhar K, Adam R & Savva S who all performed terrifically across the pitch. The 1st team game was played in excellent spirits, and both teams came together for a picture at the full time whistle.

U15’s Football

The U15’s played out the most entertaining game of the season in a 3-3 draw v Fulham School. We showed excellent attacking intent throughout the match with Nikolas Latypov providing some excellent assists and Sebastian Rahbary scoring a goal of the season contender. It was also fantastic to see three players represent the school team for the first time.

Cross-Country Championships

London Schools Cross-Country Championships

Congratulations are in order to all the students of ES Senior School following their endeavours at the London Schools Cross-Country Championships on Wednesday 1 February 2023, with over 40 schools in attendance, and 1000 runners, it was an incredibly competitive field and a fantastic experience for the students.

The event was held on the wet and windy fields of Wormwood Scrubs, and despite challenging conditions the students delivered some very strong results. There were definitely some fantastic individual performances worth celebrating including Year 10 – Roman Smerkis and Year 8 – Connor Welsh, both of which finished in the top 40.

**SOME OF THE HIGH ACHIEVERS WERE:

Intermediate Boys (4.7km)

Lucas Skeete, Jose Maria Garcia Hoz-Sanchez, Nicholas Rodgers, Ben Pastars-Brown, Roman Smerkis and Luca Virdis, Star Performer - Roman, Outstanding Contribution - Jose Maria & Luca

Intermediate Girls (4km)

Liza Ivanova-Galitsyna, Aleyna Zengin, Amina Arkallayeva, Lalya Sissoko, Flora Wadsworth and Chelsea Darcy, Star Performer - Liza, Outstanding Contribution - Flora

Junior Boys (2.5km)

Jesse Onibudo, Connor Taylor Welsh, Max Ferguson, Sebastian Rahbary, Gabriel Pinho and Alkakhkhar Kaliyev, Star Performer – Connor, Outstanding Contribution – Gabriel and Max

Junior Girls 2.5km

Yasmin Muhumed, Seham Al Mudhaf, Elle Schiller, Sophia Zhang, Anna Roginsky and Daria Vasques Star Performer – Daria, Outstanding Contribution – Anna and Elle

A-Level Art

This term, our Year 10, 11 and 12 students attended a Fine Art Painting Workshop with artist Pippa Hale- Lync. The students learnt traditional methods of painting and spent time preparing compositions to produce some excellent work.

“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

–Andy Warhol.

Drama Theatre Trip

Year 9 Theatre Trip - Hamilton

This term, our Year 9 students attended Victoria Palace Theatre to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Olivier and Tony Award winning production of Hamilton. This was an exciting opportunity for students to experience and learn how theatre is created and performed.

Here is what the students thought of the show:

“In my opinion, I thought the performance was incredible, and I specifically enjoyed the use of rap as the main form of communication as it was very impressive to see the actors and actresses being able to do this throughout the whole duration of the performance, while also keeping the same pace and rhythm.” - Adam

Rauf

“Overall, I think Hamilton is a successful play. It is enlightening, motivating, and entertaining. It's a great example of how music can convey a tale; it's a marvellous way to learn about American history. I genuinely recommend the play to anyone interested in musical theatre or history since I thoroughly loved it.” - Justin Chan

“All of his music was stuck in the heads of billions of people for weeks, most of those songs being from Hamilton. If I had to pay a pound for every time, I found myself humming songs from the soundtrack such as “the room where it happens”, “burn” and “non-stop” I would be bankrupt. Even if you don’t understand what the plot or songs are about at all, after singing them one after the other you will soon get the hang of it.” -

Natalia Noskova

Whole School Play: Fairy Tale Courtroom

We are pleased to announce that tickets for Fairy Tale Courtroom are now for sale. The performance is on the 23rd March 2023, 7pm at RADA Studio Theatre. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 children (under 16 y/o). A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Mouse Trap Theatre Projects, a charity which is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young people through theatre, especially those who are disadvantaged or have additional needs.

To purchase tickets simply scan the QR Code

Please note, doors open from 6.30pm and seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

EatonSquare Senior School

presents

fairy tale courtoom

by Dana Proulx-Willis

When two of their biggest villains, the Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch, are brought to trial.

When: March 23 at 7pm

Where: Rada Studio Theatre

Buy your tickets now:

http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/eatonsquare-senior-school

GCSE Drama

GCSE Drama Theatre Trip - The Lehman Trilogy

On 9 February, the Year 11 GCSE Drama students attended the Tony Award-winning Best Play, The Lehman Trilogy at Gillian Lynne Theatre. Hailed by The New York Times as a ‘genuinely epic production,’ The Lehman Trilogy is the story of a family and a company that changed the world.

On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside dreaming of a new life in the new world.

He is joined by his two brothers, and an American epic begins. 163 years later, the firm they establish – Lehman Brothers –spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy, triggering the largest financial crisis in history.

The Year 11 students recommend you watch the play, here’s what they have to say:

“Outstanding! Watching how a family business can grow and survive through hard events is really inspiring.”

-

Archie Johnston

“A compelling and inspiring production! They did an outstanding job at telling the story of the Lehman brothers through a contemporary and unique way.”

- Chelsea Darcy

“The play was truly amazing. It was incredible to see how just only three actors performed several characters each. It gave me ideas and confidence for my GCSE Drama course and also correlated with my history course which was really useful!”

- Flora Wadsworth

Sixth Form Visitor

Positive Voice for HIV

This term we welcomed Emma Cole from Positive Voice for HIV to speak to the Year 12 students about the stigma surrounding HIV/ AIDS that still exists in UK today.

2023 marks 32 years since the fateful day when Emma’s life changed irrevocably, and she was diagnosed with HIV. In that time many advances have been made with respect to HIV and AIDS but what has changed little is the fear, ignorance and stigma that surround this particular disease.

Emma made the decision after her diagnosis that she was going to speak out publicly as an HIV positive woman in an attempt to breakdown the misconceptions that many had, and still have about HIV. In delivering her Positive Voice talks she not only continues that commitment but also now bring the perspective of a long-term survivor.

Emma is one of the most motivational speakers that we have been privileged to come and speak to our Sixth Form as she delivered her moving and thought-provoking life story. Mixing seriousness with hilarious and, at times, outrageous anecdotes and stories, Emma made all the students laugh, made them cry and demonstrated courage, motivation, and bravery that was truly inspirational.

Sixth Form Visitor

This term our Year 12 students were delighted to meet Peter Hall and hear about his inspirational life story.

After a privileged upbringing, Peter Hall spent 25 years escaping from life and the last 5 years dealing with the fallout. From prison, the judicial system, rehabs, divorce, drug addiction and alcohol abuse, Peter has a wealth of experience relating to the darker corners of life. His recovery began in earnest after a spell in prison followed by hospitalisation for alcohol abuse. From his personal experiences, he spoke to our students about the perils of drug and alcohol addiction and the chaos that surrounds the lifestyle. By his own account unemployable, he pulled no punches with his honesty and his message came through loud and clear. His talk was certainly well received and many of the students debated amongst themselves on this important subject that is all too often swept under the carpet.

Workshops

Beyond Equality

This term, all male students from Year 8 to 12 participate in a workshop led by Beyond Equality. The workshop introduces boys to ideas around masculinity - and how that shapes them and their world. From here, our focus is on how being socialised as a boy may affect their mental health and relationships. It also explored the concept of masculinity, allowing our boys the space to think and reflect on what masculinity is, where it comes from and what it does to and for men, women and non-binary people in our society. The workshop was designed to start conversations about these important topics in an accessible, friendly, and safe way.

Split Banana

On the 12 January all female students from Year 8 to 12 participated in a workshop led by Split Banana. Split Banana is an organisation which helps young people to build healthy relationships with their minds, their bodies and each other. The workshop's focus was body image and allowed students the time to reflect on the external pressures that affect the way they feel about their bodies. We looked at how beauty ideals are highly political and how we can challenge them. We also discussed how to build gratitude for our bodies and share some practical steps.

Study Skills Workshop

This month, the Year 10 and 11 students engaged in a study skills workshop led by Elevate Education. The Year 10's participate in a workshop called 'Study Sensei' which addressed the most common question: “What is study?”. This seminar broke down the study techniques of the top performers, providing our students with a road map for what work they need to be doing across the year and how to do it.

As the Year 11's prepare for their GCSE examinations, they have discovered that knowing the material is no longer enough. It now a question of how well our students can apply that information. The seminar 'Ace Your Exams' outlined the critical exam skills that allow students to confidently prepare for the exam room, including best study practice prior, as well as exam room techniques to stay calm, manage their time and deliver a concise response.

Year 7 & 8 Study Skills

At the start of the Year Elevate Education came in to school to discuss revision techniques and study tips. In the sessions the students worked through a booklet and discussed the best way to start revision and some tricks with how to remember tricky concepts. Elevate do a lot of work with Eaton Square Senior School and next year the students will build on these skills.

Psychology Week

Year 10 GCSE psychology students delivered an amazing assembly to years 7, 8 and 9 for psychology week. They shared curious psychological findings such as the halo effect and how it affects us every day. In form times, students learnt about change blindness and how inattentive our perceptual systems are.

The week kicked off with a guest speaker in whole school assembly, Iya. Iya is currently in her third year of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL and is a former student of Head of Psychology, Miss D'Auria's. Iya attained an A* with Miss D'Auria at A level. Iya spoke about what psychology is like at university, as well as university life in general.

Also, this term, another former student of Miss D'Auria's Filip (A*), was awarded his MSc in Psychology from Kings College London.

Miss D'Auria said:

"It's been a lovely week, celebrating the fascinating subject of the human experience. I have been really proud to see students flourish, from year 7 asking year 10 questions, to year 12 suggesting psychology-related EPQ topics, to hearing from former students who are now studying psychology at university. Well done to all the students involved!".

Interfaith Week

To celebrate and recognise Interfaith Week, during our whole school assembly, the teaching staff delivered a presentation to raise awareness of Interfaith and to highlight that faith is a deeply personal and important aspect of many people’s lives, and how important it is to must be respectful and sensitive to one another.

Followed by section assemblies which included a number of activities. Together the students watched the Multifaith Britain video, followed by some time to reflect as a group. Students were asked to discuss the following questions:

• Do they think that Religious Freedom is a good thing and why?

• Is it important that we encourage Religious Dialogue/Interfaith Dialogue in our school community? Do we already do this? Could we do more? What could we do?

Students were then asked to share their faith with the group (only if they were comfortable to do so) or choose a faith they were interested in. They were given 10/12 mins to discuss similarities and differences between their faiths.

Such as:

• Where do they go to worship?

• How to they demonstrate faith?

• What are some of the key values of their faith?

• What are the important festivals/celebrations/rituals?

Each group spent a few minutes feeding back to the class what they learned about one another. The exercise ended with a whole class discussion of whether interfaith dialogue is useful in creating a sense of community.

Children’s Mental Health Week

The topic for this years Children’s Mental Health Week was ‘Let’s Connect.’

To raise awareness amongst our students, teaching staff delivered a presentation during the whole school assembly to teach the students about the importance staying connected and making connections, and how it improves mental health. Our students found the content very engaging.

Healthy Self Week

This term we also celebrated healthy self week, our wonderful school nurse Judy delivered a presentation at our year 7s assembly. The presentation included the benefits of healthy eating, the five colours of wellbeing, the 'eatwell plate', the importance of breakfast and why drinking 6-8 cups of water per day is so vital.

Thank you Judy for the brilliant presentation, our year 7s loved it!

Clubs

Science club

In science club this term we have been looking at acids and alkalis. We have completed titrations to neutralise an acid, and we have also made pH rainbows. Next term we are looking forward to British Science Week, which will 13th -17th March at school.

Chess Club

We do love to see a bit of healthy competition between our Year 7s at our lunch time chess club!!!

Accelerated Teacher Pedagogy Programme

On Wedneday, Mr Richard Fletcher, Director of Learning and Performance at Dukes Education attended Eaton Square Senior School to deliver the Dukes Accelerated Teacher Pedagogy Programme.

The aim of this programme is to support our teaching staff in their roles and to help them to unlock potential in each and every student at Eaton Square Senior School. The programme is designed to develop knowledge and skills in all areas of teaching pedagogy.

Through both analysis and discussion, various tried and tested techniques, and tools were explored during this programme to support teaching staff who wish to develop, refresh and enhance their study of the craft of teaching. The ATP is a cross-phase teaching and learning pedagogical model with collaboration and evidence of what works in the classroom at its core.

To find out more about Mr Fletcher and the programme, click here to be directed to the full piece.

Save the Dates

YEAR 11 AND 12

Higher Education and Careers Evening

Wednesday 8 March, 6.00pm

Reminder - If you haven’t RSVP’d to attend please do so by clicking here.

This is an important event for parents/ guardians as it will outline the Higher Education and Careers provision at Eaton Square Sixth Form. We will joined by representatives of A List and Oxbridge Applications and there will be a number of presentations about the university application process in the UK (UCAS), university applications in the USA and information about how to navigate competitive admissions to universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

This event is hosted by Eaton Square Sixth Form, A List and Oxbridge Applications.

ALL YEARS

Head’s Welcome Event

Thursday 9 March, 6.00 - 8.00pm

Reminder - Join us for an evening with Dr Rainbow including drinks and delicious nibbles! Click here to RSVP now.

Upcoming Open Events!

Please let your friends and family know about our upcoming events, listed below:

Sixth Form Open Evenings -

Thursday 16 March 23, 5:30-7:00pm

Thursday 27 April 23, 5:30-7:00pm

Senior School Open Mornings -

Tuesday 21 March 23, 9:30-11:00am

Tuesday 25 April 23, 9:30-11:00am

Don’t forget to sign up to become a Dukes Club member!

Access exclusive rewards, free online parenting webinars, events for you and your child (see below a list of upcoming events), resources and expert advice on everything from potty training to gap year planning!

Visit www.thedukesclub.com to register.

Dukes Club Upcoming Events

Ifyouwouldliketosignuptoanyoftheeventsbelow,pleaseregisterforaDukesClubaccount and click on the relevant link below.

Earthquake appeal - The DEC have kick-started the official relief effort for Turkey and Syria, the UK Government will match donations from the public pound-for-pound up to £5 million, we are circulating this link so please feel free to do the same.

Tour of the permanent collection at the Tate Modern with Candy Cave on Thursday 23 February

Contemporary art showing – drinks reception and talk by internationally acclaimed artist and Eaton House parent Adam Ball at his studio-lit London home on Thursday 2nd March

Coaching career confidence - online workshop for educators led by InvestIN - 1st March and Engineering your future - 15th March

The benefits of a gap year and how to plan for one with Milly Whitehead from Gap Year travel company The Leap - 9th March

Articles:

Finding your passion expert careers advice from InvestIN

How to apply to US universities as an international student a guide from the experts at A-List Education

The Power of poetry, a piece on how essential poetry is for intellectual growth

Bear hunts, fairy glens and sing songs – Inspirational ways to get your child out for a walk

Another fantastic guide to the holidays from Dandelion London – What’s on in February half term?

Registration closing soon! Sign you child up for the Dukes Club expedition of a lifetime to Everest Basecamp in October half term, 2023. True Adventure will lead the trek encompassing breath-taking views over lakes, glaciers and caves. Learn more about it here and register today! Open to Dukes students (aged 14+) limited availability.

https://thedukesclub.com/Experiences/Club-Events/Event/id/132

Represent us at the Dukes Club Charity Golf Day! - Sunday 7 May 2023

This fun-filled charity event brings together keen golfers and their families from across the Dukes Education family at the beautiful Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

The cross-setting competition will see teams of four compete to take home the glory of being Golf Day Champions while raising money for worthy causes during our charity auction over lunch.

We are looking for a team of 4 golfers from Eaton Square Senior Schoolto take part. Entry is free for Dukes Club members, and you can enter your team here or by contacting sam. holderness@dukeseducation.com. You can also reach out to him with any questions.

See the full event listing for more information: https://thedukesclub.com/Events/ClubEvents/Event/id/164