6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Secondary Newsletter 6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

1

Southern Entrance

We would like to remind parents and carers that the gate at the southern entrance will be locked at 08:23 each morning.

Students arriving after this time should enter via the main entrance in Cricklefield Place.

Safeguarding

The welfare and safety of our students is our priority. We do everything possible to ensure our students’ safety, both within the school community and outside of school, including working with relevant agencies to address any issues related to child protection.

Students are informed of who they should go to should they have a concern about their own safety or the safety of others.

At INA, all staff have regular safeguarding training to ensure that they are able to meet their statutory responsibilities. We also have a number of staff who are designated to respond to any child protection concerns and to liaise with social services:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Jo Spencer Vice Principal Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) Tam Broadway Primary Headteacher Designated Child Protection Officers Eleanor Seale

Office Manager Leanne Abbott-Jones Assistant Principal Gareth Marshall-Jones Primary Deputy Headteacher You can find the INA Safeguarding policy, Child Protection policy and other related policies and procedures on the Academy’s website.

2 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Dear Parents and Carers, Happy New Year! I hope that you have enjoyed a restful and fun break.

It has been lovely to welcome the students back and to hear about their holiday activities.

We welcome some new colleagues to INA this term: Oliver Iles & Sally Gilley (Catering) George Coates (English) Farhana Akther & Priya Sanger (Maths) Jagdeep Chaggar (Science) Over the next few weeks they will each introduce themselves to you.

George Coates, English Teacher I am excited to be joining Isaac Newton Academy in January; the school not only has amazing facilities, but an amazing personality too and I can’t wait to begin this new part of my teaching life.

I will be teaching English to the students of INA. I’m a trained writer and director as far as my university education goes, but it is my passion for English which has always driven me to teach. The combination of my theatre training and love of the English language makes Shakespeare an area of speciality for me, and it is my belief that so many texts we teach were supposed to be not only read- but also heard and spoken aloud; I hope to be able to share this with the people I meet at INA. I grew up in Southend. It wasn’t until late into my secondary education that I truly found a passion for learning, and as such started to really try in school. This has taught me it’s never too late to turn around an attitude toward education. I went to Brunel University and studied Theatre, becoming a comedy compère for a while, in the process.

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

3

I started teaching after volunteering at a children’s charity. I became a behavioural specialist at a PRU in Basildon, then moved into mainstream education, teaching English, History, and Drama. I can’t wait to continue this journey with Isaac Newton Academy.

And finally from me, next Thursday I shall be hosting a Growth Mindset workshop at 6pm in the secondary KS3 hall, for any parent interested in learning more about how we foster belief in all students’ potential to achieve at the highest levels and what you as parents can do to support this. The session is open to parents of primary and secondary students. I hope to see you there.

With all best wishes,

Rachel Macfarlane Year 9 Student Booster Vaccinations Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Men ACWY Wednesday 11th January 2017 The school nurses will be coming into the school on Wednesday 11th January to give year 9 girls and boys their booster vaccinations for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and Men ACWY. Please note that all parents/carers must complete and sign the consent form if you want your child to be vaccinated.

Please ensure the completed form is given to your child so that they can return it to the KS3 reception by Monday 9th January at the very latest.

I would appreciate it if you could ensure that your child: • has breakfast on the morning of the vaccinations • wears a short sleeved school shirt to allow easy access to the upper arm.

If they only have long sleeved school shirts, please arrange for them to wear a t-shirt under their normal school shirt • brings their asthma pump (if they have one) with them when they are called to have their vaccination.

Thank you, Eleanor Seale, Office Manager

4 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Year 11 progress meeting Thursday 26th January 2017 2:30 – 6:30pm ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧

✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧

Year 11 Progress meeting is calendared for Thursday 26th January 2017 from 2:30-6:30pm.

All students will complete lessons P1 – 4a (Year 10 and Year 11 students will complete lesson 4a as per KS3 timings).

P4a will finish for all students at 1:05pm.

Students will return to tutor groups from 1:05-1:15pm.

Students who are eligible for Free School Meals who request lunch in advance (via form tutors) can collect a lunch bag from the KS3 desk area as they leave.

Tutors will escort students to the KS3 gate at 1:15 where students are expected to go directly home.

Year 11 students will return between 2:30-6:30pm with parents.

Students are expected to attend with an adult family member in full school uniform.

The progress meeting will take place in the KS3 Hall.

The last appointment is 6:25pm for a 6:30pm finish.

Staff will set independent learning for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in advance for P5 and 6.

The school will be closed to Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 from 1:15.

Enrichments and detentions will not take place.

Mark Crowther-Green Assistant Principal

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

5

BRIDGES Mentoring Wednesday 18th January 2017

The first BRIDGES mentoring session takes place on Wednesday 18th January from 1:45-4:30pm. All students will be given a fifteen minute 1:1 coaching session with their BRIDGES mentor.

This is an important opportunity for KS3 students to reflect on how they have developed or strengthened their BRIDGES dispositions, to discuss the dispositions they consider to be their strengths and the ones they need to work on further.

Year 10 students will be engaging in a mock interview focusing on their preparedness for GCSEs and work experience and how they are further strengthening their BRIDGES dispositions to achieve success in both. Year 11 students will be engaged in one to one coaching focusing on well-being and managing workload.

Arrangements: All students will complete lessons, periods 1 – 4 (Year 10 students will complete lesson 4 as per KS3 timings). Students will leave school at 1.10pm.

Students who are eligible for Free School Meals who request lunch in advance (via form tutors) can collect a lunch bag from the student reception as they leave.

Students are expected to go directly home and return between 1.45-4.30pm for a fifteen minute 1:1 coaching session with their BRIDGES mentor. Appointment times will be issued to students at the start of next week. Students must attend their session on time. KS3 students must wear full school uniform. KS4 students may wear either school uniform or professional work wear.

We are unable to supervise other students as all staff are BRIDGES mentors and will be engaged in mentoring session throughout the afternoon.

Parents are not required at the sessions but will be given feedback on how their son or daughter’s BRIDGES skills are progressing later in the year.

Please note that enrichment will be cancelled on this day.

Jo Spencer

Vice Prinicpal

6 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Dear Parent/Carer On Monday 16th January all year 11 students will sit their next science controlled assessment task. This piece of controlled assessment represents 25% of their additional science GCSE (for those doing double science) or 25% of their Physics GCSE (for those doing triple Science).

In order to give our students the best possible chance of success in their first piece of controlled assessment, we have arranged for all year 11 students to be off-timetable all day to complete this very important component of their Science GCSE course. Throughout lessons 1 to 4, each class will be guided and advised by a member of the science department through the task. During periods 5 & 6, students will sit a 90 minute written paper in exam conditions to complete the controlled assessment task. Break and lunch times will be as normal and students will be finished at the end of the normal school day. Students will not need their normal books for the day but should bring a transparent pencil case containing at least two black pens, a pencil, sharpener, eraser and ruler. A scientific calculator will also be required.

It is imperative we have 100% attendance on this day as any student who is absent will not have the same access to support and guidance as the other students in completing this aspect of the course and will be required to attend six hours’ worth of sessions after school to complete their controlled assessment. Only the gravest of emergencies will be tolerated for absence or lateness on this day. Any appointments or commitments, medical or otherwise should be rearranged for an alternative day.

Failure to attend this day will significantly impact the performance of any student in obtaining the best GCSE result possible. A well-completed controlled assessment is often worth a full grade in the final GCSE score obtained by the student. I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is that your child attends this day of school.

The science department is committed to ensuring every student achieves the maximum grade possible in this component of their GCSE qualification and we really appreciate your support in this endeavour.

If you have any questions about this portion of your child’s GCSE qualification do not hesitate to contact me at info@isaacnewtonacademy.org or on the school number 0208 911 6666.

Yours sincerely A. Clift-Matthews, Head of Science 6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

7

Praise and Recognition

At INA, we aim to provide a stimulating, challenging and rewarding learning environment which supports learning, celebrates achievement and encourages everyone. Awarding merits, informal praise in class and the end of term awards assemblies are all part of this. Please speak to your child/children on a regular basis to see how many merits they have and how they are working towards the different awards on offer.

Merits

Last term was a great Merit race, where our students gained an impressive 12,274 merits! The final standings were below and well done to the winners for each of the year groups. As it is a new year, we will be restarting the merit competition for 2017. So make sure you are working hard to gain your merits for this year!

YEAR 7

W E C A I S N

TOTAL

661 644 628 612 571 515 495

YEAR 8

W I N T C E A S

TOTAL

573 476 448 432 347 336 232 227

YEAR 9

N I S W A E T C

TOTAL

440 407 283 276 247 202 197 189

YEAR 10 TOTAL

T W A N I S E

490 462 429 261 181 176 159

YEAR 11

TOTAL

W E C I S T N A

100 75 73 65 60 59 48 17

Ahmed Al-Khafaji Award (Peer Commendation Award) Ahmed was well known for being kind, for helping others and for being extremely polite. He was also someone known for his hard work and absorption.

The idea, therefore, is that the winner should be someone who encapsulated one of these qualities in that week.

Year 7: Hamoud Ahmed 7E Year 8: Ratul Saha 8T Year 9: Abdur Razaaque 9N Year 10: Mason Pickton 10W Year 11: Moiz Dean 11A

8 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Good Deed Feed Ms Nakedar: Imran Sheikh 9E and Father – for helping me out late after school when my car wouldn’t start.

Mr Ayerh: Zahra Khan 10I- for voluntarily offering to keep the door open for year 10 students during line up, as they entered the school building.

Mr Crowther-Green: the following students were excellent with for supporting the Year 9 progress meeting event, whilst helping out with staff refreshments.

Salman Suleiman 7i Dawud Bukhari 7c Abdi Mahamuud 7c Victoria Visockis 7c Tasbir Rahman 7c

Mr Ayerh

Year 10 Pastoral Leader, i/c Praise and Recognition.

We want your opinion…

We will be hosting a parent focus group on Monday 16th January 2017 at 6pm to discuss the weekly newsletter that you receive. We welcome all parents to participate and discuss your thoughts and ideas on the design, content and distribution of the newsletter.

Please let us know if you will be attending the focus group by emailing marketing@isaacnewtonacademy.org or phoning the school reception on 0208 911 6666.

Many thanks Ms May Marketing and Communications Manager

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

9

Energy & E ‘I want to share this experience with others to show people, especially young people, that you can do whatever you put your mind to.’ Sarah Outen

Sarah Outen, MBE Sarah Outen, MBE, is a British adventurer, author and motivational speaker.

In November 2015 she completed her ‘London2London: Via the World’ challenge. The four and a half year expedition saw her row, cycle and kayak over 20,000 miles, starting and finishing at Tower Bridge, London. She demonstrated incredible motivation, energy and enthusiasm throughout this epic journey, adding that one reason for doing it was for all of the ‘good energy’ coming out of it.

A biology graduate of Oxford University, Sarah loves wildlife and believes in the transformative effect of time spent outside. Sarah is the first and youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean. She also devotes time and energy to charity roles supporting youth and equal opportunities organisations.

Energy The strength and vitality required to undertake sustained or repeated activity. The power to be physically or mentally active.

Enthusiasm Being eager in your approach to life and learning. A strong feeling of interest in an activity or subject and an eagerness to be involved in it.

Behaviours Maintaining motivation, always giving your all, always trying your hardest, having a positive disposition and attitude.

The strength to undertake sustained or repeated activity.

10 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Enthusiasm Students who have shown great Energy & Enthusiasm Riann Haynes shows impressive levels of energy in PE and extra curricular sport by getting involved with and representing the school in both the netball and handball teams. Her enthusiasm and open mindedness to these new experiences have been fantastic.

Belal Yusuf shows huge enthusiasm for all his learning. He exhibits so much energy and throws himself into every lesson.

David Marion approached his first term at INA with an abundance of energy and enthusiasm.

He made the most of all the opportunities the school offers and always volunteers himself for extra activities, clubs and projects.

Students

Top tips

Parents

•

Greet every new experience positively and resist negative thoughts.

•

Talk to your son/daughter about how you approach challenging or difficult things with enthusiasm and positivity and how you persevere with an activity, even when you are tired or lacking in energy.

•

Persevere with an activity, even when you are tired or lacking in energy.

•

Ensure that you do some exercise every day, including walking to school and being active at break or lunchtime.

•

Encourage your son/daughter to engage in an energetic or sports activity at the weekend or after school and to do some exercise every day.

•

Show your enthusiasm for something you are interested in and motivate others.

•

Plan your son/daughter’s route to school by foot or bike. Ensure that your child spends some time everyday outdoors.

•

Create an energy map of your day, indicating the • times when you are most energetic. Reflect on why you are more energetic at some points of the day than others and what things energise you most.

•

Plan healthy meals with your child and encourage him/her to cook/prepare them.

Talk to your child about the importance of sleep in helping to maintain energy levels (particularly around the time of exams and assessments) and encourage him/her to limit the time spent on electronic devices.

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

11

For the second year running, Mr Taylor and Mr Butler took a gaggle of science fiction fanatics to the cinema this Christmas to watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Lightsabers clashed, popcorn consumed and Mr Butler confessed to real tears when Darth Vader appeared on screen.

Mohammad Butt was thrilled to see the exact ending he’d hoped for, while James Evans was dubious about the CGI resurrection of actor Peter Cushing.

One thing we all agreed on? We can’t wait for Star Wars: Episode VIII next Christmas!

12 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Dining news!

At the beginning of this term, we welcomed Mr Iles, Chef Manager, and Ms Gilley, Assistant Chef Manager, to the Academy.

At the beginning of this week myself, Ms Mcfarlane and Mr Iles met with a focus group of parents we have been working with to consult on the new menus.

It was a really productive meeting and we have established a new 2 week menu cycle for this term which started this week.

From Monday 9th January, we will also be introducing a new pasta bar which will offer a further alternative for students who would prefer this to the main hot meal; it will be offered with a choice of vegetarian sauces. A new style salad bar has also been introduced.

Updated menus will be published on the website.

Helen Chamberlain

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

13

14 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

Vegetarian

Orange jelly A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Create your own

Pasta, jacket & salad bar

Year 10/11 deli bar

rosemary gravy

Chocolate custard pots

sweet corn

parsley carrots &

Something sweet

Side orders

Shepherdess pie topped with potato & cheese

Veggie sausage with brioche roll & fried onions

Non Halal

Green beans,

Shepherd’s pie

Chicken hotdog with brioche roll, fried onions, American yellow & BBQ sauce

Halal

Roasted new potatoes &

Shepherd’s pie

Chicken hotdog with brioche roll, fried onions, American yellow & tomato sauce

Secondary Week: 1

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Apple crumble & custard

cauliflower

Roasted sesame

Soya & sesame tofu noodle stir fry with sweet chilli sauce & crunchy veg

sauce & crunchy veg

noodle stir fry with sweet chilli

Prawn & egg

Prawn & egg noodle stir fry with sweet chilli sauce & crunchy veg

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Vanilla & strawberry rice pudding pots

sweet corn

Long grain rice &

Mild spiced peri-peri Quorn fillets with peppers & red onion

Bottles of extra extra hot sauce on counters for the brave!

Mild peri-peri chicken thighs

mild peri-peri chicken thighs

Cheeky nandos!

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Ice cream

Chunky chips, baked beans, peas & chip shop curry sauce

Falafel with hummus, spiced couscous & roasted peppers

Battered or steamed fillet of fish with tartar sauce & lemon

Battered or steamed fillet of fish with tartar sauce & lemon

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

15

Quorn fillet glazed with BBQ sauce & cheddar cheese Steamed potatoes & broccoli

Banana custard pot A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads Create your own

Spiced bean burger topped with garlic mushrooms & halloumi

New potatoes &

green beans

Raspberry ripple mousse

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Create your own

Something sweet

Pasta, jacket & salad bar

Year 10/11 deli bar

Side orders

Vegetarian

chilli relish

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce

Vegetable medley

Aubergine & courgette parmigiana

Fish pie topped with potato & cheese gratin

Hunters chicken with BBQ sauce & cheddar cheese

floured bap, tzatziki &

Non Halal

Lamb burger with

Fish pie topped with potato & cheese gratin

Hunters chicken with BBQ sauce & cheddar cheese

Halal

Lamb burger with floured bap, tzatziki & chilli relish

Secondary Week: 2

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauces, toppers & fresh salads

Vanilla rice pudding pot

sweet corn

Roast potatoes &

Sundried tomato, basil, feta & couscous filo pie

Roasted chicken with sage & onion

Roasted chicken with sage & onion gravy

Create your own

A daily changing selection of homemade sauce, toppers & fresh salads

Ice cream

Chunky chips, baked beans, peas & chip shop curry sauce

Roasted vegetable lasagne

Battered or steamed fillet of fish with tartar sauce & lemon

Battered or steamed fillet of fish with tartar sauce & lemon

16 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

17

Debtors Policy At Isaac Newton we aim to enrich the lives and experiences of our students, and to inspire them, by providing a wide range of learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.

Such enrichment activities might include extra-curricular clubs, sports events and fixtures, cultural visits, music and theatre performances, adventure activities, educational conferences, and subject-related educational visits and competitions. A number of these are free of charge, some are fully chargeable and some require voluntary contributions from families. However, some activities may not go ahead if insufficient contributions are received.

We also believe that we have a role to play in educating students in healthy eating to support learning and ensuring a balanced diet. We therefore offer a family dining service whereby school meals are compulsory and parents are charged for meals automatically unless their child is not in school or we have been notified that they are fasting.

As you are aware, all schools are facing significant budget cuts.

In order to successfully continue the fantastic enrichment opportunities and family dining service, it is really important that families pay for their child’s school meals, chargeable activities and contributions to enrichment activities on time in order to avoid debts building up and unnecessary staff time taken in chasing those debts.

We have, unfortunately, experienced a small number of parents/ carers who continuously fail to make payments despite being chased on a number of occasions. We are, therefore, about to take our first family to the small claims court in order to recover the monies owed.

18 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017

This is not something that the Academy wants to do but we are unable to continue to allow such debts to accumulate. It is also unfair to families who pay in a timely manner for school meals and activities and who are effectively subsidising those who don’t.

We would ask, therefore, that parents/carers ensure that their child’s wisepay account is regularly topped up to pay for their school meal charged at £2.10 daily (unless entitled to free school meals) and any breakfast or breaktime snacks. We would also ask that parents/carers pay for other activities in a timely manner in order to avoid the activity not going ahead at all and unnecessary staff time chasing payments which could otherwise be used on teaching and learning activities.

Thank you for your continued support.

6 January 2017 Secondary Newsletter

19

Key Dates for the Spring Term 2017 Term Dates -Spring Term Tuesday 3rd January – Friday 31st March Half Term: Monday 13th – Friday 17th February INSET Days: Tuesday 3rd January, Friday 17th March Independent Learning Day: Monday 27th February

Key Dates for Secondary – Spring Term

Friday 6th January Monday 9th January Thursday 12th January Monday 16th January Wednesday 18th January Friday 20th January Tuesday 24th January Thursday 26th January Friday 27th January Friday 27th January

Friday 27th January Thursday 2nd February Tuesday 7th February Wednesday 8th February Thursday 9th February Friday 10th February Monday 27th February Wednesday 1st March

Year 7, 8 & 10 reports issued Options Interviews start Growth Mindset parent workshop (P&S) Year 11 Science Controlled Assessment Bridges Mentoring.

NO LESSONS IN THE AFTERNOON Sports Shirts day Year 11 reports issued Year 11 Progress Meetings 14:30 – 18:30 Holocaust Memorial Day Year 11 Triple Science Controlled Assessment Sixth Form Application Form Deadline Maths Challenge Year 8 Progress Meetings 14:30 – 18:30 Year 10 Natural History Museum Trip Year 10 Natural History Museum Trip Option Interviews end Independent Learning/Revision Day: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS Year 10 Progress Meetings 14:30 – 18:30

20 Secondary Newsletter

6 January 2017