Half Term Highlights - October 2022

Half Term Highlights

Welcome

Dear Families

After a well-deserved summer holiday, it has been a fantastic start to the new academic year and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of the new students and staff. Thank you to the existing Eaton Square team for making the newer members of our community feel so welcome! As you can see from the highlights below, the school has been a hive of activity and after a busy half term, it’s wonderful to reflect on everything that has been happening.

This year saw Eaton Square Senior School’s first set of GCSE results from a full examination series. Whilst percentages of top grades were lower than in the previous two years, both nationally and at Eaton Square, our students largely achieved better than their internal predicted grades which we are hugely proud of! 38.5% of students achieved grades 7-9 (equivalent to the old A/A* grading) compared to 26% nationally. This is impressive for a non-academically selective secondary school. Furthermore, 91.5% of students achieved grades 4-9 compared to 73% nationally. Well done to the students and staff for all their hard work in realising these results.

On Wednesday 7 September the doors to our brand new Sixth Form at nearby Eccleston Square opened to students for the very first time. I have had the privilege of seeing the students settle into their new home during my time down there on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for each one of them and for the Sixth Form itself as it continues to grow.

In my previous newsletter I spoke about a recent assembly I had led which emphasised the need for rest. This sentiment was reiterated on Tuesday morning by Deputy Head Academic, Paul Vanni, whilst talking to staff about the Year 11 assessments taking place after half-term. Whilst these are of course important, the students do not need to spend every minute of the break revising, so please encourage plenty of rest and relaxation alongside any work!

I wish everyone within our school community an excellent break.

All the best Mrs Caroline Townshend (Head)

Academic Humanties

Black History Month

This term our students engaged in activities, research and discussions relating to Black History Month. This year the main focus was on the impact and legacy of the Windrush Generation beginning in 1948. Across all year levels, even the Year 8s in Wales, students were given the opportunity to present their ideas, experiences and interpretations on the importance of this topic in their lives, their education and the National Significance. We were highly impressed with the levels of engagement by our students with some outstanding work, productive discussions and mature attitude on display.

Academic Science

Year 7 students have been studying the structure of plant and animal cells this term.

They have learnt about the cell membrane and vacuole. To extend their knowledge and understanding, they investigated the speed of diffusion of the distinctive pink beetroot pigments in water at different temperatures. The pink pigments are stored in the vacuole and leak out from the cut beetroot cells, diffusing faster in hotter water.

Languages Week

We have celebrated Languages Week with:

Head of Modern Foreign Languages assembly on why it's important to learn languages and some fun tongue twisters

An inspiring assembly from Year 11 French and Spanish students, about their views and experiences of learning languages

A Duolingo Year 11 competition during form time

Winner: Vladimir Khukarev

Runner ups: Chelsea Darcy and Otto Myers

A Languages Logo Competition in house assemblies

Winners: Year 9 students Adam Rauf and Oliver Scott

Delicious menu in the canteen where every day is dedicated to food related to a different language.

ArtFollowing the sad news about the death of her Majesty The Queen. A beautiful tribute from our Year 10 GCSE Fine Art students, as they have been working on some illustrations, photographs and responses to the Queens passing including a memorial in Green Park.

A tribute to her Majesty The Queen

IT Skills

Year 7 students have spent the term working on a Newspaper Article project on Microsoft word. The group came up with a fictional news story together and then each wrote their own adaptations of this. Along the way, they have been introduced to new skills which could be applied to their projects such as formatting, searching and reviewing.

Year 8 - Coding

Our Year 8 students have been learning coding through the program scratch. Scratch is an educational program that breaks code down into small chunks known as "blocks" which fit together forming algorithms.

Several fundamental skills were introduced such as "If Statements" and "repeat loops". Students would apply these skills by coding simple versions of games, of which they would choose one to develop further.

Psychology

In Preparation for Life this term, Year 12 developed their understanding of what an argument is. How does it differ from "a rant." Being able to argue effectively is an important skill for the EPQ, academic writing and university interviews. Students practised their arguing and debating skills by choosing random cards to generate debates. Here we were debating "the modern world" + "brings out mixed feelings."

Featuredinthephoto,Year12studentKaranVishram

‘Six Degrees of Separation’ test at Sixth Form

The ducks are a recreation of Milgram's 6 degrees of separation study. Our Year 12 students added the target address of 9 contacts they have across the world. From Australia to Switzerland to New York and Essex! The theory states that we are on average only 6 people away from everyone else on the planet. If you want to know about human relationships, study psychology! The idea is it must reach the target by hand. No post.

Once a duck arrives the recipient is invited to contact Miss D'Auria to confirm safe arrival.

More info here:

gb/articles/200311/six-degrees-

Go Ape Trip

Our new Year 7 students started this term with some EPIC adventures at Go Ape in Battersea Park

The students had an amazing time in the trees practicing Tarzan swings and zip wires to master a tree top course.

The year group were split into teams to complete the high ropes course and many of the students even faced their fear of heights!

Year 12 Induction

Written by our Sixth Form student Chanel:

On our first day of sixth form, we were introduced to the prospect of being a leader, the qualities a leader possesses in their arsenal and how we can personally utilise said qualities to pursue a future filled with success and prosperity.

This workshop was led by Andy and Ella who were amazing at making us feel confident within our natural abilities, which was distinguished through a quick test determining our personalities, and how with this information at hand, we can pursue our sixth form life with a mutual understanding of how each individual works, leading to the creation of meaningful and respectful friendships.

“Aleaderisonewhoknowstheway,goestheway,andshowstheway.”John Maxwell.

This was all in preparation for later that afternoon where we were due to undertake an escape room called “Cluequest”. This was a trip that was organised by our Head, Mr Lee, alongside our other amazing staff members, to participate in a fun activity to ease ourselves in amongst each other and how we would cooperate in a high stress environment. Despite this being a group activity, we were also given the privilege of making our way to and from the venue ourselves, allowing us to indulge in this newfound independence and responsibility.

The day was wrapped up just after a group photo was taken, marking our first day of what I know to be a great two years ahead of us.

Introduction to Sixth Form

We were delighted that so many parents and Year 10/11 students could attend our inaugural introduction to the Sixth Form evening that was held on Thursday 6 October. It was a fantastic evening with much enthusiasm and positivity about what we can offer our Students in the Sixth Form curriculum.

Our guests were thrilled to meet Dr Adrian Rainbow, our new appointed Head of Eaton Square Senior School who attended the event to deliver his thoughts, vision and ethos about the future of Eaton Square Sixth Form.

For anyone who could not attend, please don’t hesitate to contact our Admissions Team at admissions.senior@eatonsquareschools.com, we would be more than happy to arrange a private tour, a run through of our Sixth Form provision and to answer any questions or queries that parents or students may have.

Outward Bound Residential Trip

This term Year 8 had an amazing adventure in the hills of Wales near Aberyfi. Beginning easy with some games on-site like blindfolded trail walks and challenge walls which really made them work together, this was followed by the most challenging task of the week - making their own beds!

All in preparation for the next day when they would have to work as a team to get through a freshwater gorge, waist deep in icy water, avoiding fallen trees and rocks as obstacles, with the occasional chance to sit back and let the fast-flowing current carry them down the path. After being completely soaked head to toe with a quick dip under a little waterfall halfway down, we took the chance to jump in the sea, heading out on a boat together to leap in and swim back to the shore.

Then the main attraction - a 2 day hike into the mountains, staying in a cabin that brought them right back to basics, carrying with them their own beds, food rations, and emergency supplies. Sitting together playing card games and chatting by the fire with the most incredible sunset as a backdrop, the teams really bonded and had an amazing time.

Safe to say I think they were all excited to get back home to their creature comforts and a proper, home cooked meal, but every student said they’d thoroughly enjoyed trying something new and really pushed themselves – an experience they’ll never forget!

We asked our students what they thought about the trip, here’s some of their comments:

The outward bound trip was an experience of a lifetime. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, for example having to get dressed into the absurdly hot and sticky wet suits and waking up at 7:00 which was not ideal for me. However, the outcome of the brilliant gorge walk was a splendid wonderful adventure where we all helped each other out and forced are way, through freezing, blizzard like water to triumph. Sleeping in the cabin wasn’t as you say comfortable but playing games and sitting next to the warm welcoming fire set my heart ablaze (not literally). The trip was to show us what teamwork truly was and I think we reached are goal even if some of us said, “I cant”, “Its to hard”, “I’m tired”. and we became one giant team in unison of Eaton square

- Alexander Timelin

After a tiring, six-hour bus journey to Wales, we arrived and met our kind team leaders. After unpacking we went to climb a mini gorge. The climb was fairly easy! The next day, we headed out early to a deserted beach to prepare for the huge gorge. With 5 layers of thick clothing, wet suits and helmets, we set off to the enormous gorge. When we got there, the towering trees and surroundings were so breath taking, they looked like a computer background. We jumped into action, diving down waterfalls and climbing up rocks. The next day, we hiked up a steep, rocky mountain to find a log cabin to camp in, we got there, made a fire, prepared food for the evening and managed to play some fun games by the fire. On the final day, we had to climb up and down the mountain. It was magnificent! We saw the famous Welsh mines and had a small picnic together. Overall, I had an unforgettable trip with my classmates and I hope to go on another trip like that again - Santiago Rodriguez

World Mental Health Day

Last week we celebrated World Mental Health Day, striving to increase awareness and open up discussions around our Mental Health.

We explored the link our mental wellbeing has to our physical health and focused particularly on what ways we can proactively protect and support our mental health in everyday life.

The students were challenged to ask themselves the below questions for 10 days and to monitor how this increased level of self awareness impacts upon their mood.

How can I feel connected today? How can I feel healthy today How can I feel purposeful today?

In Tutor groups students have been set tasks that focus on their self esteem, practicing gratitude and developing their own strategies to further strengthen their mental health.

Lunch Club

Some of our Year 7 students had a lot of fun last week at the lunch cooking club. They made Chicken with a delicious French Mustard dressing, to inspire their inner chef.

Cooking Club

Cricket Club

Jay has been with the Club since the age of 6, now at almost 12 years old he has been awarded player of the year. From 2021 Jay and his team started their indoor cricket season, and this is where Jay had the opportunity to try different positions.

We asked Jay if he could tell us a little about his experience, here’s what he said: “I was encouraging the younger years and other people in my team to keep their head up. In cricket, if your head is down your most likely not going to win. So I got the award for being a good team player and performing well throughout the year. This is the first season of me playing outdoor cricket.”

We were delighted to see Jay Jethwa, our Year 7 student receiving an award for U11 player of the year 2022 at North Middlesex Cricket Club.

Jay’s highest score was 48 runs!

New Head Announcement

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Head, Dr Adrian Rainbow, who joins the School in January 2023.

Dr Rainbow will join Eaton Square Senior School from Hampton Court House School. Dr Rainbow is passionate about education, particularly critical pedagogy. He holds a PhD in English, an MA in English and a PGCE in English and Drama from the University of Exeter, an MA in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Bath, and a BA in English and Philosophy from the University of British Columbia.

We spoke to Dr Rainbow about his career to date and what drew him to the role at Eaton Square Senior School, click here to read the article in full.

Term Dates

Autumn Term 2022

Half Term: Monday 17 October – Friday 28 October (inclusive)

Term Ends: Wednesday 14 December

Spring Term 2023

Term Starts: Thursday 5 January

Half Term: Monday 13 February – Friday 17 February (inclusive)

Term Ends: Thursday 30 March

Summer Term

Term Starts: Thursday 20 April

Bank Holiday: Monday 1 May (School closed)

Half Term: Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June (inclusive)

Term Ends: Thursday 6 July

Autumn Term 2023

Term Starts: Tuesday 5 September

Half Term: Monday 16 October – Friday 27 October (inclusive)

Term Ends: Wednesday 13 December

Dukes Club are delighted to announce the launch of the Dukes Club Little Purple Book, showcasing the breadth of organisations across our community on the Dukes Club platform.

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