Insight 20

News from Highgate Wood School arts college

CONSIDERATION COOPERATION COURTESY CONTRIBUTION

Issue No 20

October 2014

WELL DONE! HARD WORK PAYS OFF!

GOVERNING BODY UPDATE The new school year is now well underway, so a big welcome to all new students and parents. I hope you are beginning to take advantage of all the opportunities our school offers.

As well as looking forward, we have been celebrating another great set of GCSE and A level results - some fantastic individual achievements and overall a continuing consolidation of the improvements the school has made in recent years.

Many more students are now getting good grades and the opportunities those bring.

Well done all, and huge thanks also to our teachers who as ever have gone out of their way to support all our students, including having to deal with sudden changes in government exam policy.

There's no room for complacency though, and governors have looked closely at the results so that we can ensure the school continues to give proper attention to areas where further improvement is needed.

Success at school, whether in exams or other activities, is always the result of a partnership, between students, teachers and, crucially, parents - so I hope we can all continue to work together to keep up high standards, of commitment, discipline and attendance, so that we can all look forward to another successful year.

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FIREWORKS With 5th November on the horizon please be aware that the school has very clear rules about fireworks. No student should handle any fireworks and under no circumstances are fireworks allowed on the school site. Any infringement of these rules will be dealt with very severely.

Cover picture: The cover features the faces of some of our students at GCSE results day in August.

We are delighted that so many students met and exceeded their target grades at GCSE and A Level.

More information within Insight.

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Arabella Weir writes: The HWS lottery - a really easy way to raise funds for much needed extra-curricular items the school budget can't stretch to.

If every parent/carer at Highgate Wood School bought just one lottery ticket (a year at a cost of only £12 per year) we'd raise over £14,000 a year!

Last year the lottery helped pay for two huge trampolines, a school minibus and much, much more.

So, please, buy just one ticket, it'll cost you only ONE £ a month! For details please email Arabella or Jane at hwslottery@me.com.

HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY Chair of Governors: Charles Wright (Community Governor) Vice Chair: Imogen Pennell (Representative Governor) Representative Governors: Cllr Eddie Griffith • Oliver Blackaby • Brenda Allan Parent Governors: Diana Brown • Philip Cavendish • Elizabeth Hess • Chris Tully • Rob White • Julia Chalfen • Paul Bennett Community Governors: Phil Cocksedge • Caroline Conlon • Violet HazelwoodHenry • Chris Parr • Headteacher Governor: Patrick Cozier Staff Governors: Audra Daws-Knowles • Emily Ford • Joe Demetriou If you wish to contact the Governing Body please write to the Chair of Governors, c/o Mrs K Ozturk, Highgate Wood School, Montenotte Road, London N8 8RN (koz@hws.haringey.sch.uk)

Issue 20. October 2014

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER ..

Welcome to the first edition of Insight for the Academic Year. To those who are new to us as parents/carers of Year 7 students... Welcome!

As this is my first time of writing to you all I will take this opportunity to express my hope that you have all had an enjoyable summer.

However that is a long way past now and we are approaching the end of the first half term. I hope very much that your child has had a good and positive start to the term.

Good Exam Results!

In the summer we again received a very good set of exam results. We are very pleased that we were able to sustain the high level of performance that we have achieved over the last four years, and we are particularly happy that the overwhelming majority of our students achieved their full potential with some excellent individual results.

The headline figures are shown in the table below.

GCSE 2014: How We Did Overall 5 A*-C (EM) 68% 5 A*-C 81% Eng. Baccalaureate 28% Up until 2010 it would have been reasonable to have described us as a ‘50% school’. I am particularly proud that over the last three years the first four groups to pass all the way through the school from Year 7 to 11 during my headship have responded well to our high expectations and excellent teaching and propelled us into a school you could now describe as a ‘70% school’.

GCSE A*-C (inc English & maths)

Similarly, at A Level the levels of attainment keeps getting better and better. We are yet again celebrating our best ever results, and as always our Year 13 students have been able to secure places at some of the best universities up and down the country.

A level trends over the years 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 A-C

56%

61%

66%

71%

71%

78%

79%

83%

83%

A-E

93%

94%

97%

97%

98%

97%

98%

100% 100%

I would like to congratulate the students from last year’s Year 11 and Year 13 on these good results. I would also like to thank my brilliant staff who worked so hard and with such passion and commitment to ensure that our students were supported to do their best. A good effort all round, and we at Highgate Wood School have much to be very proud of!

Our School Development Plan Targets For the coming year, the school development plan targets are focused around four overall priorities for as shown below.  Securing Outstanding Achievement and Progress  Securing Outstanding Teaching and Learning  Securing Outstanding Leadership and Management  Securing Outstanding Behaviour and Safety

These priorities, and how we are moving towards them, will be given in more detail in future issues of Insight.

Uniform Focus One aspect of our development is the consistent implementation of the school uniform policy. This has probably been the most visible focus to parents since we arrived back in September, but it is far from the only priority.

As you will no doubt be aware, we have been very strict in maintaining the highest of expectations of our students in terms of their self-presentation.

This has involved insisting on smart formal

Issue 20. October 2014

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footwear, ensuring that top-buttons are done up and that ties are worn with the knots right up to the top, shirts are tucked in and that skirts are unrolled.

Learning Support Advisors: Ms A. Chaudhury Ms R. Morgan

The difference that this focus has made is staggering. The cooperation of our students and parents/carers has been fantastic and consequently the standard of presentation has improved dramatically.

There remain a few students (around 50 to 60 out of 1200 uniform wearing students) who continue to resist the changes, but with weekly uniform detentions in place, that number is dwindling rapidly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parents and carers for their support in helping us make these improvements.

New Staff We recruited really well since I last wrote to you in a number of key positions across the school.

In English:

In Maths:

In Science: In Geography:

Ms A. Ahmet Mr M. Gowen Ms S. Johnson Ms R. Monaghan Ms E. Sayer Ms I. Sen Ms J. Gribble Mr F. Manners Ms A. Nelson Mr D. Carmichael Ms T. Fenttiman Mr D. Grimmett Mr E. Thomas

In Computer Science:Ms E. Brown In Social Sciences:

Mr M. Cousins

In Music:

Mr F. Lee Ms E. Ugboma

In Drama:

Mr K. Larkin

In PE:

Ms G. Ward

Medical Needs Officer:

Ms T. Copley

Isolation Room Officer:

Ms L. Woodstock

Science Technician:

Mr G. De Cicco

I am confident in the quality of the staff that we have recruited and promoted, and I have no doubt that through your children’s experience of them during this first half term, you will have very positive stories about the impact that they are already starting to make. I wish them long and successful careers here at Highgate Wood School.

Open Evenings and Mornings – A Positive Start to the Year We held our Open Evening on Thursday 9th October and followed this up with three Open Mornings the following week (14th, 15th and 16th October) for all prospective Year 6 students and their families to come and view the school. I was really pleased with the very large number of people that attended each event and even more so with the extremely positive feedback that we received.

The popularity of Highgate Wood School has steadily grown over the last few years (with over 1000 parental preferences for the last two years), and I am proud that more and more we are considered by our community as the local school of choice.

The best element of the feedback that I received however, were comments about our staff and students. The number of people who fed back positively about the good vibe of the school was heartening. They noted the incredible keenness of our students who contributed positively on the evenings and mornings by being tour guides or helping out in departments – and the pride that they showed in their school.

In ECS & Philosophy: Mr J. Pedlar

Sixth Form Recruitment

In Technology:

Ms D. Sinada

LRC Manager:

Ms Eriera

Similarly, our sixth form admissions have gone very well again this year. We have 263 students in the sixth form, compared to last year’s total at this stage of 268

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Issue 20. October 2014

Total number of students enrolled in Sixth Form Year 12: 137 students (154 at enrolment last year) Year 13 & 14 : 126 students (114 at enrolment last year) Number of students originally from Highgate Wood School Year 12: 116 (which represents about 70% of our students who achieved grades good enough to study A Levels at HWS) Year 13 & 14: 123 Number of external students recruited Year 12: 21 Year 13: 3 When it is considered that overall numbers in the sixth form were as low as 170 students in 2011, we have reason to be pleased with the fact that we are sustaining a healthy number of students at post 16.

This means that more Highgate Wood students than ever before are making the positive decision to stay on and complete their A levels in our sixth form, and equally vital, more students from other Haringey schools and beyond are choosing to join us. We are incredibly pleased with the number of students that we have recruited and we believe that this is another affirmation that our popularity as a school continues to increase as students and parents recognise the positive and successful experiences we provide.

This support was in a variety of ways, such as helping the school to run our work experience programmes and supporting and training our staff in the coaching of hockey. No concerns have emerged from any students or staff past or present about Mr Adams’ conduct during this period of time .

Should you have any such concerns or wish to bring anything to our attention we ask that you contact the school on 020 8 342 7970 or e-mail the school for the attention of the Headteacher using the e-mail address admin@hws.haringey.sch.uk.

I would like to reassure parents that at HWS our child protection and safeguarding procedures are excellent and have been reviewed and commented upon positively by all external validating bodies over the last few years. All of our staff undergo all of the expected criminal checks and vetting on appointment and these are repeated annually for all existing members of staff. ... And Finally As always, the autumn term is very busy and you will find lots of information in this issue of Insight to give you a flavour of some of the things that have been happening at Highgate Wood School as well as some useful prompts of things that are on the horizon.

I would also like to thank you for your continued support – it is very much valued.

Safeguarding Incident from the early 1980s Many of you will be aware of the conviction of Mr Andrew Adams (a former PE teacher and Assistant Headteacher at Highgate Wood School) in July for historical child sexual offences that occurred in the early 1980s. The issue was reported widely in the local and national press during the summer following his sentencing on the 18th July and I sent a letter to all parents on that day informing them of the conviction.

Regards Patrick Cozier Headteacher

Mr Adams retired from Highgate Wood School in 2004, but continued to support the school in a voluntary capacity periodically from 2004 to 2010.

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GCSE RESULTS 2014

ATTENDANCE

Well Done!

Mr Hartley writes: I would like to extend a massive congratulations to the students, teachers and families of the GCSE Class of 2014.

There were some fantastic achievements by individuals, as well as impressive results by the yeargroup as a whole.

HEADLINE FIGURES 5+ GCSEs at A*- C (including English and Maths): 68% 5+ A*-C grades: 81.3% Ebacc: 28% 77% of students meeting or exceeding their expected levels of progress from KS2 in English.

81% of students meeting or exceeding their expected levels of progress from KS2 in maths.

25 students achieving 10+ A*-A 34% of students received top A* and A grades in English 30% of students received top A* and A grades in maths 70% or more of students received top A* and A grades in Triple Science subjects.

44% of students received top A* and A grades in Spanish 43% of students received top A* and A grades in Music

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Ms Christodoulou: We are really pleased to confirm that our school attendance figures rose to 94.8% for the academic year 2013-14.

This represents an increase in our rate of attendance of 1.9% against a national increase of 0.8%. What this means is that more students are in school, benefiting from lessons that are being taught, and experiencing more of what the school has to offer, on a more regular basis.

Tutors and Deputy Heads of House have worked particularly hard to support the improvement in student attendance. When students and their parents/carers need help and support to improve their personal situations they are guided by our very experienced Early Intervention and Welfare Officer, Mr Worth.

We are working hard to reward students who have very good attendance as well as those making sustained improvements. We also look carefully at the reasons that are supplied following each student absence and we get in touch with parents/ carers when we feel further discussion need to take place.

Our Attendance Officer, Ms King says: “If your child is unable to attend school you should telephone the school on the same day. Please give your child's name and their tutor group. Your child should then bring a note from you on their return to school. I can be contacted via the school switchboard on 0208 342 7970 or email dki@hws.haringey.sch.uk Mr Worth writes: The Government have again told schools that to discourage absence in term time, parents and carers can no longer apply for “holidays”. Parents and carers can now only apply to Head Teachers for leave in “exceptional circumstances”. A form is available from the school office for this purpose.

If there is persistent absence for minor illness not covered by medical evidence, we will ask parents for permission to refer students to the school nurse for assessment and advice.

Issue 20. October 2014

HOUSE LEAGUE TABLES

The best way to predict the future is to invent it

From caring comes courage

Success comes from perseverance

9,711

9,978

9,382

so far this year

so far this year

so far this year

Top Vivo Earners William Carmichael Rebecca Manoharan Ellice Almeida Che Ove-Loncraine Adbihakim Nooh

Top Vivo Earners Freddie Ferszt Brandon Durand Mya Gomez Randal Harrison Odeja Anderson

Top Vivo Earners Adwoa Boateng Euan Escott Elle-Mae Netherton Kiehm Asare-Sonkour Joshua Akonto

SHOULD I COME TO SCHOOL? Tracey Copley, Medical Needs Assistant writes: Children who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve at school and the most common reason given for children to miss school is illness and in many cases assumed illness. We need the support of all parents/carers to encourage their children to attend school despite sometimes feeling a little under the weather. Please remember that early morning aches often pass, so don’t keep your child at home “just in case” when they could be learning in class. Put a note in their planner or call the school and we will phone you if your child continues to have symptoms.

It is important we have up-to-date contact details should we need to contact you during the day.

Please send in any amendments to the school contact register as soon as possible. Should your child suffer from any long term condition that requires medication, for example asthma, please ensure they have their own medication with them at all times and provide school with spare medication in case of emergencies. Short term courses of antibiotics can be brought into school and kept in the medical room for students to selfIssue 20. October 2014

medicate along with a note from home indicating timings and dosage. If your child should require pain relief at any point please send this into school complete with written permission and dosage required.

Where possible arrange doctor, dentist or optician appointments outside of school hours.

If your child is suffering from genuine illness, please contact school before 9.30 on each and every day of absence by leaving a message on the Attendance line: 020 8342 7970 giving clear reasons for the absence.

Thank you for your support

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HALF-TERM IN HARINGEY

There are a wide range of activities to keep you busy over the half term, from auditioning to be a radio presenter or learning new arts and crafts, to taking part in multisport activities or mastering a new skill or technique.

A booklet giving details of what is available can be downloaded from the Haringey website.

Visit: http://bit.do/haringeyhalfterm

WINTER CONCERT 2014

Mr Ekstrom writes: The Winter Concert Audition Box is now in position outside the Music office in the Drum.

Anyone at Highgate Wood School is welcome to apply for an audition by filling in a slip detailing who they are, what instrument they are playing, and what song they are performing.

The auditions themselves will take place after school 11th, 12th, and 13th of November in D5.

JIM SMITH James (Jim) McIntyre Smith, the Headteacher of Highgate Wood School from 1979 to 1997, died peacefully at St Christopher’s Hospice Sydenham on 1st October.

His funeral will take place on Friday 24th October at Hither Green Crematorium. He asked for no flowers but expressed a wish for those who knew him to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Care if they desired. The school has made a contribution to that charity in Mr. Smith’s memory and extend our condolences to his family and friends.

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Issue 20. October 2014

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAMMERS

This workshop explored the concept of algorithm through the use of dance. Pupils experienced other activities to help with their development of their understanding of algorithms with the use of the visual programming language Scratch, flowcharts and through a card trick.

Digital Schoolhouse will be open to other local Primary schools from November with two new workshops being offered in addition to “Get with the Algo-rhythm”. These are “Funky Maths Calculator” and “Programming with Kodu”. To book a workshop primary schools can go to www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk or contact Highgate Wood School directly at digital@hws.haringey.sch.uk.

YEAR 9 DRAMA PRODUCTION 2015 Mr Talbert writes: In July Highgate Wood School had been selected as one of ten schools to run a new initiative called Digital Schoolhouse. The Digital Schoolhouse project gives local year 5 and 6 pupils an exciting opportunity to attend a free educational day at Highgate Wood School. The Digital Schoolhouse project has been developed by UK Interactive Entertainment (UKie) and supported by the Mayor of London.

The project has recently gained national and international recognition for its pioneering initiatives in the teaching of ICT and Computing to primary school pupils and the wider public audience.

The day is aimed at upper key stage 2 pupils and offers a variety of lessons to meet your school’s individual curriculum needs. The lessons have been mapped to the new Computing Programmes of Study as well as the CAS Progression Pathways and Computational Thinking Framework. All lessons have cross and creative curriculum links to the core and foundation subjects.

In September, Highgate Wood School had the pleasure of running pilot workshops with Rokesley Junior School. Year 5 and 6 students participated in the pilot workshop “Get with the Algo-rhythm”.

Issue 20. October 2014

Ms Sayer writes: Year 9 students have already begun preparing for our spring production of Jean Anouilh's 'Antigone'.

Auditions took place just before the half-term break.

The play is an adaptation of the Greek tragedy and will give students the opportunity to experience a very different genre of theatre.

The play will be performed in March. Any Year 9 student who missed the auditions but would like to be involved should contact me as soon as they can.

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HISTORY TRIP TO SOAS

Ms Harding writes: Several Year 10 students attended a conference at SOAS in October celebrating the History, Culture and Languages of Africa. It was part of a celebration for Black history month.

Students were able to listen to two mini lectures about African history and how Africa is represented.

They were also involved in workshops which gave them a further insight to African culture, language, and art.

This opportunity also gave the pupils an idea of what it would be like to study at university.

Each student gained a great amount from the day, and it was encouraging to see them get involved in the workshops and lectures.

Thank you to each student that was involved.

LEGO GAMES COMES TO HWS

Eliane Vitoriano writes: The trip to London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies was an influential programme that enlightened the students that attended and demonstrated the rich history and language that Africa holds.

Two important and humorous lectures covered the re-presentation of Africa and the history of migration of Africans. Lessons that followed discussed popular languages such as Swahili and other topics including dance and hip hop history.

We also interacted with many of the ambassadors and other teachers/ students within the university which gave us the opportunity to explore the knowledge and expertise that SOAS holds.

All of us came back from the journey refreshed and filled with new information which we hope will now help us acknowledge the fact that we have only cracked the surface of a whole rich history and culture that lives and thrives in the continent of Africa.

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Mr Talbert writes: Studio Director of TT Games, Tom Stone creators of the Lego games visited Highgate Wood School in October to launch the Computer Science department’s new academic year of clubs. He also took part in a special assembly for Year 7 students about the game industry, how TT Games developed the popular Lego games and their recent development of their new Lego game “Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham”.

The talk was both inspirational and educational with students gaining a better insight into how the games industry works. This is the first of a series of special computer science assemblies from the games industry with Miles Jacobson OBE from Sports Interactive creators of the Football Manager games next to visit in early 2015 and many others.

Issue 20. October 2014

YEAR 11 MOCK EXAMS IN DECEMBER Time

Mon 1st Dec

8:35

English Language

Break 11:10

No Exam

Biology

Biology

Mon 8th Dec

8:35

Music\ Food Tech\Dance

14:00

Lunch

Chemistry

History

Wed 10th Dec Drama

Break

Break

Biology

Chemistry

Lunch

Lunch

IT Spanish

Tues 9th Dec

Break

Physics

Lunch

PE

Psychology

Lunch

Geography

Mr Demetriou writes: This is the draft timetable for the Year 11 Mock Exams in December. Students will be kept informed of any changes that might be made.

Please remember that the Mock Exams are carried out exactly the same as the actual examinations.

You must arrive in good time, remain silent in the

Thu 4th Dec Maths

Break

Lunch

Time

11:10

ECS

Economics

Lunch

Break

Maths

Wed 3rd Dec

Break

Break

Lunch 14:00

Tues 2nd Dec

Fri 5th Dec English Literature

Break

Economics French Lunch

Physics Thu 11th Dec Resistant Materials Textiles Break

Philosophy Lunch

Sociology

Break

Geography Lunch

No Exam Fri 12th Dec Geography Break

Geography CA Lunch

Geography CA

examination room and ensure that any phones or other devices are switched off and handed in to the invigilators.

Please ensure that you have the equipment that is required for the examination, and that you bring a spare pen and pencil.

Good luck!

EXAM PREPARATION Mr Ashman writes: One of the best ways to prepare for examinations is to use SAMLearning.

All Highgate Wood School students have an account for SAMLearning. Your username and password are the same: your date of birth followed by your initials (eg 020998ZG). The centre ID is N8HW. Their website address is www.samlearning.com Any problems logging on please email online@hws.haringey.sch.uk.

Issue 20. October 2014

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THIRD ISA AWARD FOR HWS

Your whole cross-curricular approach to your work and the way you have linked your activities to relevant global themes provide scope for stimulating work while ensuring that the quality and details remain consistent with the requirements of the ISA. One of the most striking aspects of your evaluation is the fact that the activities and the global themes you have chosen to explore all fit seamlessly into the fabric of the curriculum as though by design. Your school is a very good example of how to guide your international work through clearly planned and delivered activities across an extensive crosscurricular platform.

We are looking forward to finding further ways to integrate global themes into the curriculum and for promoting the values linked with these.

MODEL UN: 25 YEARS OF UNCRC

Ms Christodoulou writes: It gives us great pleasure to announce that we have been awarded the International School Award for the third time.

This prestigious award is made by the British Council in recognition of the excellent work done across the school to embed the global dimension and internationalism into our curriculum. The award accredits the school for the next three years.

The external assessors who evaluated our application stated: “The Impact Evaluation is absolutely excellent and a credit to your school. It is refreshing and encouraging to see the level of commitment and passion that you have dedicated to your international education programme over the years that you have been engaged in it. Every activity is completely cross-curricular and they are all appropriately linked with global themes that have resulted in this excellent work.

Your ability to embed internationalism into your curriculum in such an apparently effortless manner clearly demonstrates your understanding of the principles and mechanisms of international learning.

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Mr Robertson writes: On 9th - 10th December, a student delegation from Highgate Wood School will be attending the 19th Global Classrooms London: Model UN conference.

The theme is "Every Child‌ Everywhere" and celebrates 25 years since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

To prepare for the event, each student has been given a country to represent and a topic to research and debate. Their discussions will cover a wide variety of different areas - poverty and power; inequality & education; health & conflict - and by the close of the conference they will be expected to have reached resolutions which set out a future world that is more fair and free for millions of children.

I am sure you will wish them success as they prepare to represent our school in the global community.

Issue 20. October 2014

YEAR 11 IN VALENCIA

YEAR 7 WRITERS Ms Monaghan writes: I have been thoroughly impressed by the work of our Year 7 students.

They began the term exploring autobiographical writing and have been able to apply themselves to their own stories with skill and talent. As the extracts below demonstrate, many have already begun to discover their “authors’ voice”.

The hot, humid air makes you sweat. It’s 9:00 pm.

You are tired, but you scream anyway. Wembley.

England vs Brazil. February 2013...

Ben Millard

Ms Gomez writes: I am very excited to report that the Modern Foreign Languages Department is taking 20 Year 11 students to Valencia, in Spain. We will be there from the 23rd to 29th October which means that the students will enjoy seven days of total immersion in the Spanish culture whilst embracing the opportunity to practise our language skills.

We plan to take full advantage of everything the programme has to offer, including Spanish lessons as well as other subjects (Science, Media Studies and Food Technology) being taught in the target language (based on the CLIL pedagogy). Moreover, there will be adventure activities and sports, including rafting.

This is a major opportunity to learn Spanish through doing everyday activities and a sure way of enjoying the half-term.

I am sure all the students will benefit from this opportunity and look forward to them reporting on their experiences in the next issue of Insight.

NATIVE FRENCH SPEAKERS WANTED The MFL Department is looking for a native French speaker to hold one-to-one conversations with our A Level French students.

Please contact Ms Lacroix (ala@hws.haringey.sch.uk) for details.

Issue 20. October 2014

It started to get seriously windy, which made it very hard to keep control of our bikes. Twigs, sticks, stones and leaves were flying all over the place, bashing against our bikes.

After about ten minutes the forest looked like a teenagers bedroom that hadn’t been cleaned for months. There were branches that had fallen from the trees and huge muddy puddles all over the trails.

Kelton Ryland “How is he?” my dad asked nervously.

Fingers crossed, I waited for her reply.

“He’s OK” she said reassuringly.

Her words were ringing in my ears.

“Yes, yes” I cried, it was the happiest moment of my life. He was OK. Nyah Patel-Durasamy We quickly had breakfast, then went straight to our first activity. We walked around a giant gleaming lake on brilliant emerald grass, through valleys and over the ebony stones.

Billy Owen The day had come and I was going to be a bridesmaid for my uncle’s wedding. I could feel the excitement chilling up my spine.

Yasemin Ozalcin 13

PROTEINS - OUR FLEXIBLE FRIENDS

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Ms El Damanawi writes: Our Year 12 Chemists and Biologists ended the term attending the Annual Daniell Lecture at King’s College London.

Professor Dame Carol Robinson of Oxford University, a world leader in developing new chemical techniques to study the flexibility of proteins, shared her knowledge of how our 22,000 genes make our bodies work.

The key to solving the mystery appears to be in the different ways proteins fold, and how that influences moving, signalling and secreting hormones.

Research is still ongoing and perhaps our flourishing cohort of scientists will help us better understand this in the years to come.

Ms El Damanawi writes: In celebration of Black History Month our science students, of all ages, have been encouraged to broaden their appreciation with a challenge set for them to identify up to 14 scientists, from around the world. These included the scientist who proved insects could hear, the father of the blood bank, the patentee of peanut butter, the inventor of traffic signalling and the doctor who performed the first open heart surgery!

Winners of the challenge will be announced early next term.

Rosa Tully & Lucy Carter write: On 10th October a group of 10 HWS feminists visited the Queen Elizabeth conference hall to celebrate 50 years of Mulberry School for Girls.

The experience included three panels of hugely powerful and successful women discussing power, possibility and passion.

As well as the opportunity to hear from female MPs, Journalists and archaeologists, we were given the chance to interact with other students who were attending the conference, sharing ideas, experiences and building friendships. We even got a free gingerbread woman!

Participating in such event was hugely inspirational. It made us believe that as women we have the ability to be powerful in whatever area of employment we wish to pursue. It also exposed us to the challenge we may have to face.

The visit encouraged us to explore possibilities that are open to us as 21st century women that were not possible before. It also gave us an insight into inequalities that still exist between men and women in the workplace.

The final message from the conference was the importance of passion and how to use your passion to aspire and achieve in everything you do.

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Issue 20. October 2014

STUDY AT THE BFI

YEAR 10 CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE LAUNCH

Ms Daws-Knowles writes This term the A2 students of Media Studies have begun their critical investigations after two very productive study days at the BFI Reuben Library along with their teachers Ms Pinnick and Ms DK. At the Southbank, students have access to a huge collection of books, journals, documents as well as audio recordings about the world of film and television. Their topics range from the James Bond film franchise, the Watershed, women in Sitcoms as well as celebrity endorsement and advertising to children. Last year our students achieved a 95% A-C pass rate and we are confident that our graduates of 2015 will be equally awarded.

Ms El Damanawi writes: The search for the best Year 10 chemists is on!

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is looking for a team of four talented chemists to represent our local area.

Interested students need to turn up in teams of four and answer rigorous questions based on chemistry. Some parts will undoubtedly be tricky, but the principle is that four heads should be better than one! All entries will be put forward to the RSC, in an effort to find our champion Chemists. The winner from each local area will be offered a place in the South-East Regional Final of the Chemistry Challenge to be held at a London University in the spring of 2015.

Look out for more notices around the Science Department or talk to your science teacher for more information!

MEDICINE WORKSHOP Madeleine Baron write: Earlier this term a group of medical students from King’s College London visited our school and gave us an insight into studying medicine and what training to be a doctor is all about.

Year 10 students had a really interesting time learning how to take blood from a patient, measure blood pressure and even how to do stitches.

All the students were extremely helpful and answered all our questions about what it is like to be a medical student and study medicine.

Issue 20. October 2014

15

WORLD CHALLENGE—MALAYSIA

Mr Adams writes: After a year and half of fundraising, sponsorship and blood, sweat and tears we eventually left Heathrow Airport on the 27th July for Kuala Lumpur (via 2 days in Dubai). The six Highgate Wood sixth form students and I knew what was in store over the coming weeks, but we didn’t realise how life changing it would be to the young adventurers.

Over the two weeks spent in Malaysia we aimed to trek, build, work in the community, sightsee and relax in one of the most majestic countries in the world. Within 24 hours of landing in KL we were already starting our first trek. Our plan was to walk through a very dense jungle in search of a waterfall. With wavering levels of fitness, 30 degree heat, 90% humidity and very steeps hills it was a challenge. But it was all worth it in the end.

The waterfall was superb and the first challenge allowed everyone to feel a massive sense of achievement.

The following few days saw the group travel to the north of Malaysia, in search of elephants. Arriving in Kuala Ghandar we were driven to a government 16

owned elephant sanctuary where they look after injured and orphaned elephants from all over South East Asia. The highlights from our three days there was bathing the elephants in the adjacent river, building enclosures, and feeding the two month old calf called Lanchang.

With a teary departure, we headed north to take part in some white water rafting on the river Sungai Perak. It was an amazing experience rafting down category 3/4 rapids.

Once dried, the party took part in a two day trek in the Cameron Highlands. The Highlands are famous for their tea plantations, and some of the most breath taking views in the world. It was “Scotland with a rain forest”.

That trek was an incredible way finish a trip of a lifetime. Every single sixth former, whether they were heading to university or staying here at Highgate Wood School walked away with a huge sense of self achievement and memories which will never leave.

We are very proud to announce the World Challenge Adventure will be to Southern Morocco departing in 2016.

Issue 20. October 2014

SIXTH FORM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Ms Eisa writes: Over the course of the summer holidays 11 of our dedicated students travelled to South Africa with Hillcrest Aids Trust.

They travelled to Hillcrest, an hour outside Durban, where they were placed with host families who looked after them for three weeks. They were lucky enough to be taken on safari to the Hluhluwe game reserve for two days where they had the pleasure of seeing lions, rhinos, giraffes and elephants. The aim of the trip was not only to experience such an interesting country and learn about its history, but also to give something back to the community. The students along with 11 students from Davenant school in Essex were given the immense task of refurbishing 8 classrooms at Umphumela primary school in the township of the Valley of 1000 Hills.

While carrying out these refurbishments the students were also required to teach the year 6 and 7 township students; Maths, English, Music, Art, Drama and PE.

The students carried out not only the refurbishments but also the teaching with such commitment and energy. They have made new friends and have created memories that will stay with them for life. .

Issue 20. October 2014

SCHOOL NEWSPAPER Blue Weiss writes: On 1st of December, we will be launching the new school newspaper. The paper will be a chance for the 6th form students of Highgate Wood to offer a student perspective on modern society.

We will have subjects ranging from politics to sport to film to fashion. It will be covering anything from the voting age, to the Arsenal score, to the Kardashians.

Currently we are seeking a name for the paper and if anyone has any names or other suggestions please email us at highgatewoodnewspaper@gmail.com. The best name may well be used in our first issue. Moreover as a note to parents reading this, we will be selling advertising space in the paper. If parents are interested in advertising in the paper please email us too. We look forward to your suggestions, hearing what you think of our work.

Make sure to get a copy!

SEN INFORMATION MORNINGS

Mr Dobrashian writes: You may have heard that there have been many changes to the way SEN and Disability Support is now provided in the UK. We have already put some information in the form of FAQs on the school website, and we will also be holding coffee mornings and an information evening for parents and carers early in the new half-term.

More details will be available shortly on the school website.

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VISITING SPEAKERS

Libby Archer writes This term the HWS feminists have been able to share experiences and learn about various issues, as well as being fortunate enough to have guest speakers coming to the school.

Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Cosslett are the founders of an online blog that focusses on the portrayal of women in the media . Since their site was logged viewership Within a year of the website being launched, the readership reached upwards of 8 million.

Holly and Rhiannon came to visit in October and spoke to us about their book, “The Vagenda: A Zero Tolerance Guide To The Media”, which was inspired by their website. They discussed how subliminal messages come to us through the media and how we can learn to spot them and make our own judgements.

The talk was informative and inspiring, providing us with a new perspective on how to view the media.

TONERS AND INK Ms Bucktowar writes: The school has signed up with the “recycle for schools” scheme which recycles print toners.

The company will be sending boxes for the school to use will our printers, but they also supply bags which students can take home to use to recycle toner from their own printers.

As well as helping the environment the school will receive money back for any original sent.

The bags will arrive after half-term and will be available from the Wren office. For more information visit: www.recyclingforschools.co.uk 18

YEAR 7 - HELP TO START SAVING

£20

Haringey Council and the London Capital Credit Union, a local community-owned savings cooperative are working together to help promote ethical saving and borrowing across north London.

As part of this initiative Haringey Council will put £20 into every School Savers account that is opened by students starting secondary school this year.

An information pack is being circulated to all Year 7s which explains how they can open an account and claim their £20, which will be “locked in” for two years to encourage them to build a savings habit.

PARENT INFORMATION CYBER SAFETY Mr Ashman writes: Digital technologies and the internet have transformed our lives. But for our children it isn’t a change. They ‘ve never known anything different.

Free access to all sorts of information, 24 hour instant communication, on-line relationships and liaisons, aliases and new identities. These things are the norm.

How we protect them and keep them safe in this new world is a concern for everyone, and the school is now running another Parent Information Evening to discuss the issue and hopefully provide some guidance and support.

More information will be distributed shortly. The planned date is :

Wednesday 19th November at 7:00 pm.

Issue 20. October 2014

A LEVEL EXAM RESULTS

Our students will be studying at universities all over the country, from Bournemouth to Lancaster, Liverpool to Sussex, and including Russell Group Universities: Sheffield, Birmingham, UCL, Kings College, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

We wish all of them continued success and happiness.

SIXTH FORM ADMISSION PROCESS The Highgate Wood School Sixth Form admissions process is about to begin.

The key dates are as follows: Mr Charlesworth writes: The local press was filled with news of our students’ successes at A Level with another excellent year for our sixth form.

83% of all courses examined achieved grade A* to C and over half achieved top A*, A or B grades .

Government and Politics, History, Maths, Physics, Sociology, Further Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Business Studies all did particularly well, but every subject could boast of their own individual successes.

This year students from our sixth form will be taking degrees in a extraordinarily wide range of subjects, from the traditional areas such as History, Politics, Economics, Maths and English to the sciences in Biochemistry, Zoology and Biological Sciences, Physics.

Other popular options are Psychology and Media Studies while a record number of art students move on to Foundation Degrees in Art or Photography.

Issue 20. October 2014

Application for places opens: Monday 18th November 2014 6th Form Open Evening: Wednesday 26th November 2014 Deadline for 1st round applications: Wednesday 14th January 2015 Interviews for prospective students: Week beginning: 19th January 2015 The 2015 printed prospectus and updated website will be available for Open Evening. Please be aware that some course information, including entry criteria, will differ from that available in 2014 due to the changes that are happening to A Level courses and the different demands of new syllabi.

For more information about our Sixth Form please visit the website or email post16@hws.haringey.sch.uk

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OPEN EVENING Ms Allaway writes: Thanks to everyone who was involved in our hugely successful Open Evening and Open Mornings in October.

We had more than 700 families coming to see us and everyone seemed thoroughly impressed with the school.

They were impressed with our facilities, they enjoyed Mr Cozier’s speech and they liked our displays. But most of all they were impressed by our student helpers.

As one of our followers on twitter declared that evening. “A big round of applause for all your students who led tours today. They were lovely ambassadors for both school and teenagers.”

We currently have a slide show of some of the pictures taken on the evening on our website. We also hope to be able to publish an on-line version of Mr Cozier’s presentation.

Thanks again to all those involved.

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Issue 20. October 2014

JACK PETCHEY AWARD WINNERS Ms Allaway writes: Congratulations to our most recent Jack Petchey Award Winners.

Name of award winner: Stacey Slawinski Stacey is an incredibly helpful student who works hard for the school. She has been recognised for her enthusiasm and initiative and has been complemented by visitors to the school as an outstanding example of our school values.

Name of award winner: Jamil Shallo Jamil represented the school in the speak out challenge and made it through to the regional final as a runner up where he gave an inspirational speech. He is always enthusiastic, always positive and helpful.

Name of award winner: Lucas Merriman Lucas has overcome some difficulties with determination and a positive attitude. He has made big improvements to his learning and has been recognised by all his teachers as a student with great potential to excel.

Noreen Ryan was awarded a leader award Students and staff felt that Noreen was always kind and helpful and that she was the heart of Highgate Wood School and we all wanted to mark this and recognise publicly her contribution.

SCHOOL COUNCIL 2014 7H

Rudy Berman

Maya Culverwell

7A

Hugo Clague

Olivia Small

7W

Rudy Tonkinson

Sabine Kikuchi-House

7I

Bradley Kentish

Melika Chambers

7T

Adem Bayoumi

Buse Kiran

7D

Yakup Amasyali

Sylvie Keen

7G

Jack Walker

Ramneet Bains

7E

Pending

Pending

7S

Sam Levy

Star Snall

8H

Jamie Muteba

Ruby Morgan

8A

Matthew Mackie

Louise Cole-Legate

8W

Cass Beckford

Kliona Cupi

8I

Dilara Kasapoglo

Eliezer Chiquete

8T

Brandon Durand

Hana Basla

8D

Jake Milligan

Noa Yaron

8G

Rebecca M

Tia Dyett

8E

Sonny Hume Paton

Freya Dougan

8S

Toby Wycott-Smith

Charlote Whelan

9H

Danny Button

Stacey Slawinski

9A

Marwan Al Khalaf

Savannah Mundle

9W

Louis Giles

Elle-Mae Netherton

9I

Klevis Kokoshi

Eva Parfitt

9T

Alex Diaferia

Maria Lyons

9D

Haydar Bolat

Nancy Mahon

9G

Freddie Notter

Abirami Karunithi

9E

Pending

Pending

9S

Max Cowie

Aiesha Shallo

10H

Lloyd Bolton

Laura Gibbons

10A

Dylan Jennings

10I

Joshua Rodney

Carolina Cimatti

10T

Frankie Foster

Jace Griffiths

10D

Jake Hamilton

Alice Bowen

Ebony Walcott

10E

Ibrahim Sertkaya

Amy T-L

10S

Jay Singhal

Leila Kikuchi-House

10G Tarrel Watson-Noel

Scarlett Monaighan 10W Kiehm Assare-Sonkour

11H

Issi Bolongaro

Anilcan Polat

11A

Umut Ortac

Mowenna Taylor

11I

Freyaz Khan

Berivan Korkmaz

11T

Alex Carter Jones

Beth Gosschalk

11D

Max Curier

Celine Gyamfi

11G

Koray Malitte

Jessica Parker

11E

Aaron E D

Martha Berkmann

11S

Aaron Pettitt

Sophie Lemmon

Well done to all those who have been elected as the Form Reps for the School Council this year.

Issue 20. October 2014

11W Giuliano Planamura

Lucy Whelan

Isabella Considine

More information on the School Council’s plans and activities will be included in the next Insight

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LRC OPENING TIMES The LRC is open before school from 8.15am every school day except Mondays.

It is also open at break time, lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm.

The LRC will be closed for after-school clubs on the following days: Debate Mate: Wednesdays Week 1 and Week 2 Book Club: Mondays Week 1

BUZZING BOOKS Ms Ereira writes: We are delighted to be participating in the Bookbuzz programme.

Each Year 7 student has been given a list of 12 really exciting titles to choose from.

They will receive a free copy of their chosen book and we hope that as many students as possible will write a short review for the LRC. Review templates and forms are available in the LRC, and Vivos will be awarded for completed reviews.

DEBATE MATE Ms Sayers writes: Debate mate is back!

All Key Stage 3 students are welcome to Debate Mate which will be taking place in the LRC after half-term.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants their voice to be heard! You will have the opportunity to be trained by a debater from a top university and to compete at both a local and national level!

If you are interested please come to the LRC after school on Wednesdays.

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Ms Ereira writes: Following the success of the Accelerated Reader scheme last year, Year 7 and Year 8 are both participating this year.

The scheme is designed to encourage reading for pleasure and we are very pleased to see so many readers enjoying books and completing quizzes.

There is a weekly competition board up in the LRC showing which forms are reading the most and scoring the highest in their quizzes – and the names of the students who are achieving the most.

HWS BOOKCLUB

Mr Gowan writes Monday’s (Week 1) will be book club day for students from Years 7, 8 and 9.

Come to the LRC to share your favourite books and write reviews for a school magazine.

Biscuits are free!

MAKING THE MOST OF MATHS Ms Golamgouse writes: This term saw the launch of Making the Most of Maths to raise the profile of maths skills in other subjects and help students to apply their mathematical knowledge in lots of different contexts.

Look out for more information that will be appearing soon, in booklets and on the website.

Issue 20. October 2014

BAFTA YOUNG GAME DESIGNERS @EGX14

SAM LEARNING GOLD AWARD

Mr Talbert writes: In September, Highgate Wood School had the pleasure of taking 20 Year 7 students to the launch of the BAFTA Young Game Designers competition, launched at the 2014 Eurogamer Expo at Earls Court.

Prior to the trip students had to devise an idea for a video game which they would further develop at the event and came up with some brilliant game concepts.

The students learnt about the process of how a video game is made and had a fantastic and inspiring time. Early next year, Year 7 students will be developing game ideas to enter in this year’s Bafta Young Game Designers competition as part of their Computer Science homework for Unit 7.3.

Issue 20. October 2014

Mr Ashman writes: Well done to all those students who made use of SAMLearning last year. It would have helped you succeed with your learning, and it also allowed the school to win a Gold Award, which was presented to Mr Cozier by Simon Reynolds last week.

In advance of his visit, SAM Learning wrote to say: “a massive well done for your usage last year with SAM Learning.

You have been awarded a Gold certificate which is fantastic! You are one of only a handful of schools and we would love to come in and present this to you.”

All Highgate Wood School students have an account for SAM Learning.

Your username and password are the same: your date of birth followed by your initials (eg 020998ZG). The centre ID is N8HW. Their website address is www.samlearning.com Any problems logging on please email online@hws.haringey.sch.uk.

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Term begins again on Monday 3rd November 2014

at 8:35am It will be Week 1 Monday 3rd Nov

Half Term Starts

Tuesday 4th Nov

Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thurs 13th Nov

Late Start for students (10:35 am) due to staff training.

1st—12th Dec

Year 11 Mock Exams

16th—18th Dec

Winter Concert

Friday 19th Dec

End of Term

AUTUMN 2014

SPRING 2015

SUMMER 2015

Mon 1st September

Term Starts

Mon 5th Jan

Term Starts

Mon 13th April

Term Starts

27th Oct - 31st Oct

Half term break

16th Feb– 20th Feb

Half term break

25h—29th May

Half term break

Friday 19th Dec

Term Ends

Friday 27th March

Term Ends

Friday 17th July

Term Ends* * Term ends for students

The school calendar is available on-line at www.hws.uk.com

Keep informed Find out what is going on at Highgate Wood School and keep up with our news visit us at our website www.hws.uk.com follow us on twitter twitter.com/highgatewood Check the school’s opening status Call 02084087508 and give the school’s DfE code: 3094030

Insight is available on-line at www.hws.uk.com