9 February 2018
Secondary Newsletter
9 February 2018 Secondary Newsletter
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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 Leanne Abbott-Jones Assistant Principal Designated Child Protection Officers Sugra Alibhai Gabriel Ayerh Patrick Ball Pardeep Chaggar
Jody Lapish Gareth Marshall-Jones Mariam Mayet Jag Singh
You can find the INA Safeguarding policy, Child Protection policy and other related policies and procedures on the Academy’s website.
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Dear Parents and Carers, As we approach the half term break, I am struck by how quickly the weeks are passing and how close the GCSE exams are getting for Year 11s! They will welcome the week off to get revision underway and consolidate on their learning from the first half of the year. There are a few revision lesson taking place in school (your son/daughter will have the details if they relate to him/ her). On Monday 19th February Year 7-11s are engaged in Independent Learning off site. They can access resources from Fronter and will have been set specific tasks to complete by each of their subject teachers. We also have a training day on 28th February, during which the teaching staff will be working on all-through curriculum plans, ensuring that our secondary curriculum builds on our primary curriculum and that each key stage is preparing students for the next. I wish you all a great half term break. With best wishes,
Rachel Macfarlane
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Year 10 Progress Meeting Thursday 8th March 2018 2:30 – 6:30pm ✧✧ Year 10 Progress Meeting is calendared for Thursday 8th March 2018 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 1:15pm where students are expected to go directly home. ✧✧ Year 10 students will return between 2:30-6:30pm with parents/ carers. ✧✧ Students are expected to attend with an adult family member in full school uniform. ✧✧ The last appointment is 6:25pm for a 6:30pm finish. ✧✧ Staff will set Independent Learning for Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 in advance for P5 and 6. ✧✧ The school will be closed to Years 7, 8, 9 and 11 from 1:15pm. ✧✧ Enrichments and detentions will not take place. Mr M Crowther-Green Assistant Principal
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Dear Parents and Carers,
PARENT GOVERNOR VACANCIES – ISAAC NEWTON ACADEMY I am writing to let you know that there are currently vacancies for two parent governors on the Local Governing Body (LGB) of Isaac Newton Academy and an election will take place shortly. We are looking for one parent governor for the Secondary and one for the Primary. All parents, carers and guardians of children at the school are eligible to stand as candidates, and vote in the election. If there are more candidates than vacancies a ballot will be held and each parent/ guardian will have one vote for every parent governor vacancy. Governors do not need to be experts in the field of education. What they do need is an interest in the school and in the welfare of the pupils as well as the time and willingness to get involved. At the moment the Local Governing Body is particularly keen to develop its skills in income generation and post-school links - if you are someone that could bring these to the Local Governing Body, perhaps you would consider applying? I attach a short leaflet to help you decide whether to stand and a more detailed leaflet is available from Ms Jones (PA to the Principal). Once you have read this information, if you would like to stand as a Parent Governor, you should complete the online form at http://arkonline.tfaforms.net/2 by Monday 26th February 2018. If you would like any support completing this online form or would like to use a computer in school please contact Ms Jones on 0208 911 6666. Parent governors are very important in the life of the school, and I hope you will consider being a candidate. If you would like more information about the role, please speak with Samira Sadeghi on 07393 006280 or email samira.sadeghi@arkonline.org in the first instance. Yours sincerely
Rachel Macfarlane Principal 9 February 2018 Secondary Newsletter
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Can you be our Parent Governor? The role of the Local Governing Body: From overseeing what your children learn in class to making sure that building projects are delivered, governors are at the heart of our school’s journey. Governors work together to support the school to ensure that the pupils are able to achieve to the best of their ability. Each academy within the network of Ark’s 35 schools has a local governing body (LGB) which usually consists of six to 15 governors. All governors are expected to attend our LGB meetings, which are held four times a year in school and do not last more than three hours. The core job of the LGB is monitoring the implementation of the Academy’s educational and financial plans. Its focus is on the achievement of high standards, establishing and maintaining high expectations and promoting effective teaching and learning. Governors are not involved in the day-to-day management of the school but the Principal should provide the LGB with sufficient information to make decisions and fulfil its responsibilities.
The role of a parent governor: As a governor, you will bring the unique perspective of a parent to the school’s governing body. You are helping to ensure that school meets the needs of all its pupils and enables all of its pupils to achieve to the best of their ability. You will are not representing individual concerns and you can make your own decisions, together with colleagues on the governing body. Parent Governors are elected for a three-year term of office; this is a voluntary role, but there is an expenses policy to support you. Ark will give the new parent governor a structured induction, provide information and guidance on the role. All governors are required to undergo an enhanced disclosure DBS check and must agree to adhere to the Ark governors’ Code of Conduct. See overleaf for more information.
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What skills do I need? This is a challenging and exciting role and you will learn new skills and extend existing ones during your time on the governing body. You do not need any specific skills or experience to start with. Governors do not need to be experts in the field of education; what they do need is a commitment to the school and in the welfare of the pupils as well as the time and willingness to get involved. And you must be confident in reading the documents that will be sent to you before each meeting.
The election process: All parents, carers and guardians of children at the school are eligible to stand as candidates, and vote in the election. If you would like to stand, please complete the online form at http://arkonline.tfaforms.net/2 by the relevant deadline. If you would like any support completing this online form or would like to use a computer in school to complete it, please contact Ms Jones (PA to the Principal). Please make sure that when you complete the form, you add your personal statement in support of your nomination as this helps parents/guardians to vote in the event of a ballot. If there are more candidates than vacancies a ballot will be held. Each parent/ guardian will have one vote for each parent governor vacancy. Like all Ark governors, the parent governor will be formally appointed by the Ark Governance Manager.
About Ark: Ark is an education charity and one of the country’s top-performing academy operators with 35 schools in our network. Our aim is to create outstanding schools that give every Ark pupil the opportunity to go to university or pursue the career of their choice.
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Parent Governor: Role description Role of governors A successful and effective LGB will: • Monitor implementation of the school development plan and school finances effectively • Act as a critical friend, developing a strong and supportive relationship with the Principal • Consult and respond to the views and concerns of parents and pupils • Be knowledgeable about the school • Use the skills of all members. Governors will support the Principal and staff and will promote the interests of the academy and its pupils. The LGB can only be effective if it asks challenging questions and seeks sufficient information to make sound decisions. All governors are expected to attend LGB meetings, which are held six times a year in school. In addition, you might be expected to join a committee or take on a ‘link’ role to understand a particular area of the school’s activity, such as how it keeps children safe, provides for children with special educational needs and disabilities, or manages the school’s finances.
Expectations of parent governors As a governor, you will need to commit time to prepare for and attend LGB meetings, to take a share of tasks within the LGB and to take part in training. You will also be expected to visit the school as a governor – this can be a very different experience to visiting as a parent! As a parent governor, you will bring your parental perspective to the LGB and, through your children, you will have first-hand experience of the curriculum. Parent governors are elected by other parents and it
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is important to establish a rapport with the parental body that elected you, whilst continuing to maintain a strategic approach to school governance. As a Parent Governor: • You are helping to ensure that the school meets the needs of all its pupils, not representing individual parents or their concerns. • Other parents may approach you with to concerns but you should not become personally involved in individual concerns, as this may jeopardise formal procedures. You should guide parents about appropriate lines of action and procedures. • You do not need to express opinions or vote in a particular way because you have been pressed to do so by other parents. • You are not there to promote the interests of your own children but of all children. • Objectivity is essential. Parent governors are elected for a three-year term of office. You can complete your term of office if your child leaves the Academy and may resign at any time by giving notice to the Clerk to the LGB. Being a parent governor does not disqualify you from your usual rights as a parent including making a complaint. Like all Ark governors, you will need to be loyal to the decisions made by the LGB and respect the confidentiality – even if you personally voted against a decision you must support the decision making process and take responsibility for the outcome. You will also be required to declare an interest and may need to withdraw from specific discussions where you, a partner or close relative or associate stands to gain or where you are so close to a matter being discussed that it will be difficult for you to be impartial.
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DE
What is Det
Having an unshakab your goal.
Behaviours
Roald Amundsen
Ensuring that you ac though it may requi different approache belief that you can a skill. Concentrating your only goal. Havi what is really impor succeed at this learn
(1872-1928)
Students w ‘The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.’ The first expedition to reach the geographic South Pole was led by the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. With single-minded determination, Amundsen set his plans and priorities on winning the race to the South Pole. Amundsen and four others arrived at the pole on 14 December 1911, five weeks ahead of a British party led by Robert Falcon Scott. Both Amundsen and Scott’s team were determined to be the first to the South Pole, battling temperatures of -56 °C. Eventually Amundsen party’s mastery of the use of skis and their expertise with sledge dogs ensured more rapid travel and they beat Scott by 34 days. Amundsen and his team returned safely to their base, and later learned that Scott and his four companions had died on their return journey. However, both teams showed exceptional determination to achieve their goal. 10 Secondary Newsletter
Rameez Sale 10T
Rameez has shown great determinatio to improve, espec in practical GCSE P lessons. 9 February 2018
ETERMINATION
termination?
TOP TIPS:
ble belief that you will reach
Students
chieve your goal, even ire a long time and many es to complete. An absolute achieve an understanding or on your learning, making it ing an understanding about rtant to you and ensuring you ning.
• Set yourself a tough yet achievable challenge that you want to accomplish by the end of the year. • Volunteer and stick to your volunteering commitment. • Make a poster that you will display at home to remind you regularly to drive your determination. • Show determination by completing a challenging reading book or practising a difficult sport or instrumental skill. • Consider what you are determined to achieve for your future career/life.
Parents • Discuss the targets your son/daughter has set him/ herself. Refer to it regularly and support him/her in finding strategies to remain determined. • Review your son/daughter’s latest report and discuss how he/she can use determination to meet or exceed the targets in all subjects. • Discuss with your child something you are determined to achieve in the next year/5 years.
who have shown great Determination in their learning:
eem
Rafi Ullah 9I
Pavanprit Bal 7E
n on cially PE
Through sheer hard work, Rafi is determined to improve his attainment in history amongst other subjects.
Pavanprit is determined to always do the right thing.
9 February 2018 Secondary Newsletter
INA BRIDGES
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YEAR 11 NEWS Year 11 Parent and student GCSE exam meeting Tuesday 13th March 5:30-6:30 • All Year 11 students and their parents are required to attend the GCSE exam meeting on Tuesday 13th March 5:30-6:30pm. • The meeting will discuss the GCSE exam rules and GCSE exam timetable. • Parents are required to sign to confirm official GCSE certificate names, date of birth and receipt of the exam handbook. Mr A Rothnie and Mr M Crowther-Green
Save the Date! INA Sixth Form Interviews Monday 19th February 2018 Please note: Year 11 students that have applied for INA Sixth Form are required to attend the interview with your parent/carer.
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Year 11 Study Leave - Summer 2018 The exam season starts on Monday 14th May and ends on Friday 15th June. Half term is 28th May – 1st June. Normal lessons for all students will continue until and including Friday 11th May. From Monday 14th May until Friday 25th May all Year 11 students will be in school all day and expected to attend their normal lessons if they are not in a GCSE exam. This will include pm lessons where they have an am exam, am lessons where they have a pm exam and lessons between am and pm exams, where applicable. Morning exams Each morning exam session will start at 8am. A 30 minute revision session (usually based in the dining hall) will occur from 8-8:30. At 8.30am a free breakfast will be provided for all Year 11 students taking the GCSE that morning. Afternoon exams Each afternoon exam session will start at 1pm (following KS4 lunch). A 30 minute revision session (usually based in the KS4 hall) will occur from 1-1:30. If a student has a lesson between a morning and afternoon exam, he/she should go to the lesson but the teacher will allow him/her to study for his/her afternoon exam rather than take part in the lesson. Teachers will continue with their Year 11 lessons right up until the final exam for that subject has been taken. Once the final exam has taken place, the student coming to the lesson will be allowed to get on with independent study for upcoming exams. The teacher will supervise and ensure that there is an atmosphere conducive to private study. From Monday 4th June, there will be study leave for Year 11 students. There will be a programme of revision lessons offered in the subjects where exams have not finished. Students will be expected to attend revision sessions that apply to them (although for some students who are good at revising independently these sessions will be optional and for others an invite will be issued and they will be required to attend.) There will be signing up arrangements so that staff know who they are expecting in advance of the session. Students will sign in and out at reception. At times when they do not have a revision lesson or an exam they will be expected to leave site to go home to revise. The last exam is on Friday 15th June. We are planning to hold a pm Year 11 assembly on that day. Mr Crowther-Green, Assistant Principal 9 February 2018 Secondary Newsletter
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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 at school.
Merits It is the start of another year, so we are re- starting the Form Merit competition. Each merit you gain will increase your individual total and also your form’s overall total. So make sure you are keeping up the fantastic work to gain merits! Also if you are owed a merit go and collect it and make sure it gets recorded on your form’s spreadsheet! YEAR 7
TOTAL
YEAR 8
TOTAL
YEAR 9
TOTAL YEAR 10 TOTAL YEAR 11 TOTAL
I N C A W S E
1072 1008 954 945 723 716 694
A E W S N I C
699 631 453 446 403 380 312
T I W E N S A
370 333 273 236 211 159 146
C
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N E T A C S I
288 193 187 186 162 155 136
W E T N I S A
183 156 150 112 99 77 26
9 February 2018
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 that encapsulated one of these qualities in that week. Year 7: Om Joshi 7E Year 8: Warren Virk 8A Year 9: Mohammed Omar Hussain 9S Year 10: Iman Latif 10S Year 11: Samiya Ahmed 11W
In Year 9 or 10? Interested in a career in medicine? Collect an application form for a place on our Medical Activity Day trip to King’s College London on Wednesday 14th March See Dr Mounsey or Mr CliftMatthews for more details and a form Completed forms to be handed in by Friday 23rd February 9 February 2018 Secondary Newsletter
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Sports Report BADMINTON TEAM MAKES LONDON YOUTH FINALS
Four INA students went forward to the London youth game to represent Redbridge. They faced the best students in Hackney, Haringey and Newham and came out victorious. The toughest opponents were the Haringey students who took one match out of the five from the INA students. The other two boroughs didn’t win a single match from the INA students. The boys now go through to London Youth Finals where they will face the top 12 boroughs in London on the 20th March. Well done to the four students; keep up the hard work: Neel Banarsee, Esher Bahara, Ekonkar Deerhe, Akhil Pillai.
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YEAR 10 NETBALL V PALMER ACADEMY On Monday 5th February the Year 10 Netball team played against Palmer Catholic Academy. The team worked hard in the first two quarters to maintain a one point lead. After half time their determination to succeed was evident and this resulted in them leading after the 3rd quarter by three points. The key link up play from our attacking players put Palmer’s defence under immediate pressure after each centre pass which, coupled with INA’s fantastic defensive interceptions, led to the score at full time being Palmer 4 – INA 12. A brilliant win for the team and an amazing performance from all members of the squad. Squad - Mya Sehmi, Manisha Mahil, Sumayyah Ali, Samera Yusuf, Sadaf Noori, Amaal Khandwalla, Kaiya Greenidge.
YEAR 9 BASKETBALL V MAYFIELD The Year 9 boys Basketball played Mayfield this week and put in a superb performance to beat Mayfield 38-18. Player of the match was Jahiem Chambers who scored 14 points. The squad was: Zain Ali, Jack Lavin, Jahiem Chambers, Miguel Paisley, Haider Rafiq, Ahmed Nawaz, Sudais Khan, Ahmed Marziakhall, Athavan Kandeepan and Rayyan Mehmood.
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Key Dates for the Spring Term 2018 Wednesday 3rd January – Thursday 29th March Half Term: Monday 12th – Friday 16th February INSET Days: Wednesday 28th February, Friday 16th March Independent Learning Day: Monday 19th February Monday 12th — Friday 16th February Monday 19th February
Friday 23rd February Monday 26th February — Friday 2nd March Wednesday 28th February Thursday 8th March Tuesday 13th March Wednesday 14th March Thursday 15th March Thursday 15th March Friday 16th February Monday 19th March Thursday 22nd March Monday 26th March Monday 26th March Wednesday 28th March Thursday 29th March
HALF TERM Independent Learning Day Students study from home Sixth Form Interviews End of Options Interviews Family Week (No events after school) INSET Day - No school for students Year 10 Progress Meetings 2.30 – 6.30pm Year 11 Parent and students meeting re: exams Med Experience Year 9 & 10 BBC News School Report Year 8 Big Band concert INSET Day - No school for students Science Challenge Week Year 12 Finance Parent Meeting Year 7 Awards Assembly Year 7 Progress Meetings 2.30 – 6.30pm Spring Concert Awards Assemblies for Years 8 -11
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