Insight26

Half-termly news from Highgate Wood School CONSIDERATION COOPERATION COURTESY CONTRIBUTION

Issue No 26

October 2015

GOVERNING BODY UPDATE Charles Wright, our Chair of Governors, writes: Another school year is now well underway and, as you will see from Insight, a whole range of events and activities have already taken place.

I would still like to offer a big welcome to all our new students and parents. I hope you are taking advantage of the many opportunities our school has to offer. To the more established members of the school community, I trust this academic year will be one of success and achievement.

As well as looking forward, we have been celebrating another good set of GCSE and A level results - some great individual achievements and a continuing consolidation of the improvements the school has made in recent years. I am particularly pleased by the successes of Year 13, where the fantastic exam results has allowed so many students to follow their dreams, including many attending some of the best universities in the country.

Well done all, and huge thanks also to our teachers who as ever have gone out of their way to support all our students. I also need to thank my fellow governors for their steadfast support of the school, and draw your attention to the vacancies that will soon be available on our Governing Body.

Success at school, whether in exams or within other activities, is always the result of a partnership, between school management and school governance, but more importantly, perhaps, 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.

Cover picture: We welcomed hundreds of families to their Open Evening where prospective Year 7 students for 2016 get a chance to see their new school.

It was a fantastic occasion, made all the better by the obvious pride that our student guides had in their school—and the pride we have in them!

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With Christmas shopping just around the corner please consider using easyfundraising for your on-line purchases. Dozens of major retailers are involved, and it is really easy to use. Every pound that you spend online through the site will provide a donation towards school funds - at no cost to you. The School Council has requested that we raise some funds for playground cover—and every little helps!

Please also sign up for the PSA School lottery. It costs just £1 a month and it can bring you great prizes!

For details of how to sign up for Easy Fundraising follow the link below. For the lottery email us on hwslottery@me.com.

Don’t forget easyfundraising.org.uk. Visit www.easyfundraising.org.uk/hwspsa

HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY Chair of Governors: Charles Wright (Co-opted Governor) LA Governor: Cllr Eddie Griffith Parent Governors: Elizabeth Hess • Diana Brown • Phil Cavendish • Rob White • Chris Tully • Julia Chalfen • Paul Bennett Co-opted Governors: Phil Cocksedge • Violet Hazelwood-Henry • Chris Parr • Charles Wright • Imogen Pennell • Oli Blackaby • Brenda Allan • Joe Demetriou Headteacher Governor: Patrick Cozier Staff Governors: Emily Ford 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 26. October 2015

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 what has already been a very busy term.

Good Exam Results!

In the summer we again received another solid 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 five 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 below.

GCSE 2015: How we did overall 5 or more A*-C (including English and maths) grades: 64% 5 or more A*-C grades: 73%

From the chart above you can see that we have moved from a school who struggled to compete with the national averages (from 2006 to 2010) to a school that consistently tops the national norm by a significant margin (from 2011 onwards). What we also know is that results national have stabilised and reduced by a small amount, but we have been able to sustain our positive gap.

Progress 8 and Value Added Moving forward, from summer 2016 the DfE will be publishing new accountability measures for schools which relate more to the progress that students have made from year 7 to 11 rather than just the proportion of students hitting the 5 A*-C threshold.

There is a belief (and it is one that I too hold) that this new measure, albeit not perfect, is a much better and fairer way of judging and comparing how schools are performing.

The new measure is called Progress 8. Essentially, the DFE will take the best 8 GCSEs that a student has achieved and work out how well they have progressed when compared to their level of attainment at the end of year 6. There are additional complications about which subjects are actually allowed to count within a student’s best 8, but essentially it includes all of those main subjects you are familiar with.

Based on this new progress measure, our 2015 Year 11 GCSE cohort have achieved the following:

5 or A* and A grades : 28% Below is a graph that shows our performance in term of 5 or more A*-C grades (including English and maths) over the last 10 years, but importantly, it also compares this to the equivalent national averages.

GCSE trends over the years compared to national average

Issue 26. October 2015

1029 Projected Added Value

(1000 represents expected progress)

Projected Progress 8 Score

(Zero represents expected progress)

+0.27

We are very proud that our Progress 8 score is 0.27 which is indicated that students at Highgate Wood School make significantly better progress than their peers nationally. The other measure in the table below is a what is called a value added measure. It works in a similar way to Progress 8 but is based around 1000 representing expected progress. Our value added of 1029 demonstrates again that students at Highgate Wood School make better than expected progress.

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Similarly, at A Level the levels of attainment keep getting better and better, as you can see from the table below. We have yet again been able to celebrate 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.

From a national perspective, what it means to be a specialist school has changed.

In short: 

The official status of having a specialism no longer applies



There is no more formal process of designation (or re-designation) as a specialist school



There is no focus from the country’s inspectorate Ofsted on the impact of your specialism as it is not considered critical to the contribution



There is no expectation of outreach work to partner secondary or primary schools



There is no more additional ring-fenced funding for developing the impact of a specialism

A level trends over the years 2009

2010

% A*- B

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

43%

45%

53%

55%

56%

83%

83%

85%

% A*- C

71%

71%

78%

79%

% A*- E

97%

98%

97%

98% 100% 100% 100%

I would like to congratulate the students from last year’s Year 11s and Year 13s on these pleasing 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!

The school’s reputation continues to be associated with our specialism, and hence levels of expectation about what our arts college status means can be quite different from the reality of the very broad positive experience that our students receive across the curriculum, and not just in the Arts.

Removal of Arts College status

The effect of this has been

From now on Highgate Wood School will be known simply as Highgate Wood School. We feel that the experience that we offer our students at the school is a broad and rich one that encompasses many different curricular areas across the school, and hence our areas of strength are not confined to the Arts exclusively.



An assumption that we specialise in the arts and that they are our only strong subjects



A belief that we don’t do well in other subjects (such as English, maths, sciences, humanities and languages) or that they are not as important to HWS

Highgate Wood School has had Arts College Status for the last thirteen years. Initially Highgate Wood School became a Performing Arts College as part of a joint specialism with Hornsey School for Girls.

However, on re-designation in 2007, the school became an Arts College in its’ own right. Over the last thirteen years the landscape has changed significantly, both within Highgate Wood School and nationally.

All of the above leads us to believe that the limiting label of Arts College (or any other subject specialism for that matter) is not appropriate to Highgate Wood School. As a concept and as a label it is now dated nationally. As a school who has developed successfully and significantly both in terms of ethos and academic performance across the board, it is important that our outward looking image is a truer reflection of the very rounded and successful experiences that our students have at Highgate Wood.

We do well in all areas of the curriculum.

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Issue 26. October 2015

We would like to reassure our community that our commitment to the arts remains and a focus on providing our students with a variety of enrichment and experiential opportunities will be at the forefront of what we do. We will maintain a good level of outreach work in the community and with our local network of schools. However, these will not be limited to the arts, but instead be widened to include the very many subjects who also have something to offer the local and wider community.

Our School Development Plan Targets For the coming year, the school development plan targets are focused around four overall priorities for as shown below.

A: Outstanding Outcomes for Students Targets for 2015/16: a.

Ensure that Year 11 2016 achieve a progress 8 score in excess of +0-35 b.

Improve the progress of our Year 11 2016 Pupil Premium Students to ensure that their Progress 8 score exceeds +0.15 (thereby reducing the gap) c.

Improve the progress of our Year 11 2016 Pupil Premium Students so that their GCSE RAISEonline value-added remains over 1000 but is also significantly positive

d.

e.

routines are seen in over 95% of lessons as evidenced by learning walks Consistent implementation of the school’s uniform policy is seen in over 95% of lessons as evidenced by learning walks Consistent adherence to all school deadlines – deadlines met at least 95% of the time

D: Securing Outstanding Behaviour and Safety Targets for 2015/16: a.

Reduce all fixed term exclusions by 10% from the 2014/15 level b.

Reduce the level of persistent absenteeism to 6.1% or less c.

Reduce behaviour points accumulated for all students in SIMS by 10% d.

Reduce the number of referrals by 10% e.

Ensure that behaviour outside of lessons moves from Good to Outstanding

PLEASE SEE OUR NOTICE ABOUT FIREWORKS ON THE NEXT PAGE

B: Outstanding Teaching, Learning and Assessment Targets for 2015/16: During all observational self-evaluation activities to : a.

Ensure that teaching is at least good or outstanding no less than 90% of the time b.

Ensure that achievement and progress is at least good or outstanding 90% of the time C: Outstanding Effectiveness of Leadership and Management Targets for 2015/16: a.

Consistent classroom learning environment expectations are seen in over 95% of lessons as evidenced by learning walks b.

Consistent learning and teaching priorities are evidenced in over 95% of lessons as evidenced by learning walks c.

Consistent behaviour expectations and Issue 26. October 2015

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

In the English Department: Ms O. James, Ms S. Wildman and Ms S. Tinsley In mathematics: Mr D. Asan In Science: Mr B. Heath, Ms E. Ratcliffe and Ms S. Stoynova In Business Studies: Ms S. Judge In ECS: Ms S. Chaudhri (Head of Department) In PE: Mr P. Ifrim and Ms M. Samaille In Citizenship: Ms L. Peteryte In Geography: Mr C. Hamilton As Learning Support Advisors: Ms V. Bielby, Mr N. Mohamed, Mr. T Sango-Ismael In reprographics: Ms W. Bardsley Below is a list of staff who are not new to the school but have been promoted to new roles...

Head of Geography: Mr E. Thomas Head of Seacole House: Ms J. Burniston Deputy Head of 6th Form: Mr T. Pateman Wider Curriculum Coordinator: Mr N. Robertson Responsibility Post in English: Ms A. Ahmet Careers Education, Information and Guidance: Ms N. Eisa Student Leadership: Ms. J Gribble 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 15th October and followed this up with three Open Mornings this week (20th, 21st and 22nd October) for all prospective Year 6 students and their parents 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

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popularity of Highgate Wood School has steadily grown over the last few years (with more first choice preferences than available places last year), and I am proud that more and more we are considered by our community as the local school of choice.

The most pleasing 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. ... 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 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.

Regards Patrick Cozier Headteacher

FIREWORKS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TO BUY FIREWORKS OR HAVE FIREWORKS IN A PUBLIC PLACE.

IF ANY STUDENT IS FOUND WITH A FIREWORK IN THEIR POSSESSION THE CONSEQUENCE WILL BE EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND THEIR FUTURE AT HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL WILL BE IN DOUBT.

Issue 26. October 2015

PRINCE’S TEACHING AWARD MARK

SCHOOL GOVERNOR VACANCY

We are delighted to have received The Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark for Music and Science in recognition of the innovative work carried out by those departments last academic year.

The Mark will soon appear on our website and school stationery.

The Prince’s Teaching Institute’s Schools Programme was set up to reward school departments that develop inspirational ideas and activities which enhance the teaching of a wide range of subjects, regardless of their pupils’ backgrounds or abilities.

Our Music and Science department received the mark by demonstrating how they had increased the challenge within their subject curriculum; developed their staff’s own specialist subject knowledge; developed subject-based links outside school; and enthused their students through subject-based activities beyond the curriculum.

Due to a number of our governors reaching the end of their term the Governing Body of Highgate Wood School will soon be announcing vacancies.

Being a school governor is an important role, and at Highgate Wood School we are fortunate in having always had an extremely dedicated and supportive group of governors.

We are mindful of trying to ensure that the Governing Body of Highgate Wood School reflects the school population as a whole, and will particularly welcome new parents and carers.

Information on the role of a school governor is available on the Haringey website, (http://bit.do/ hwsgb) and also from the National Governors Association (http://bit.do/hwsgovs) as well as on the school website (under the Governors tab.)

If you are interested in finding out more please email admin@hws.haringey.sch.uk

HOUSE LEAGUE TABLES

The best way to predict the future is to invent it

From caring comes courage

Success comes from perseverance

12,268

12,308

12,006

so far this year

so far this year

so far this year

Top Vivo Earners Joel Olatunji (Yr 11) Anastasia Abramchuk (Yr 10) Isabel Pountney (Yr 9) Camille French (Yr 8) James Hastings O'Shea (Yr 7)

Top Vivo Earners Oscar Dutton (Yr 11) Rami Ataya (Yr 10) Brandon Durand (Yr 9) Alabama Cawley (Yr 8) Zeki Jones (Yr 7)

Issue 26. October 2015

Top Vivo Earners Jordan Brown (Yr 11) Tugba Oguz (Yr 10) Eden Ferreira (Yr 9) Zandile Mathebula-Jonah (Yr 8) Tamsin Jacobs (Yr 7) 7

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

PREPARING FOR WINTER

Ms Burniston, Mr Key and Mr Rowlands write: We are very excited to confirm that we will be electing two student leaders, one girl and one boy from Year 11, to each of the three houses.

Following the announcement in assemblies nominations for potential candidates have already started to come in and we fully expect the election process to get underway swiftly after the half term break.

The successful Student Heads of House will play an important part in the ongoing progress of Highgate Wood School, not only having their own specific responsibilities and duties but also setting the scene for expanding the opportunities for student leadership across the school as well as increasing its impact.

Our Student Heads of House will be tasked with bringing to life the ideas and the values of our Houses, together with the values of Highgate Wood School itself, promoting them both within the school and beyond it through a whole range of different campaigns and initiatives.

We hope that, in due course, our Student Heads of House, together with members of the School Council, will have a significant impact on the growing success of our school community, and of the progress, achievement and happiness of everyone within it.

Prospective candidates are already preparing their speeches and campaigns and we know we can rely on every other member of the House to support and encourage the process so that the contest is fair, effective and enjoyable.

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Ms Copley writes: As winter approaches please ensure you come to school prepared for the ‘cold’ season bringing plenty of tissues and any medication you may need to take during the school day.

Please also be reminded of the following:



Students are expected to come to school and stay in school the whole day even if they have head colds, allergies, headaches, period pains or any other mild ailments.



It is the student’s responsibility to come to school prepared with any medications or supplies they may require during the school day.



Students should go to the treatment room to take any medication brought in from home.



We are unable to store or administer any medication for students unless it is accompanied by a GP’s prescription detailing the dosage and timings.



Following an injury students can have their dressings changed at school but only as long as the necessary dressings are brought in.

Issue 26. October 2015

SIXTH FORM SUCCESS Mr Charlesworth writes: We are delighted that our A level results this year continue to build on our successful past, placing us amongst the top schools in the country for student progress in the 6th form.

The success our students enjoyed this year has meant they have been able to gain the places in higher education that they wanted. For some this has meant beginning an Art Foundation course but for most others they have now started their degree courses which range from studying Animation at Leeds College of Art to beginning a Computer Science degree at Keele.

Our performance relative to other local providers

Above the line is positive progress compared to national expectations. Green represents significant positive progress, amber represents good positive progress.

Red and orange below the line represent negative progress

The range of courses being taken is remarkable, from Sports Management to Psychology and from Music Technology to Molecular Genetics, and the range of universities they are attending is similarly diverse.

Highgate Wood School Sixth Form is proud to have our alumni in universities all across the country, and that includes the elite Russell Group Universities. This year one third of our students’ university destinations were to Russell Group institutions, including Oxford, Cambridge, Kings College London, Manchester, Sheffield, the LSE and SOAS.

Some of our students’ university destinations this October.

ASPIRE AND ACHIEVE - LAUNCHED AND READY TO GO

HALF-TERM FUN

Mr Hartley writes: The last week of this half-term witnessed the launch of the Aspire and Achieve Programme for this year’s Year 11.

As usual, the local authority have produced a booklet listing many of the activities (mostly free) that are available to young people in Haringey during the half-term break.

To obtain a copy go to the Haringey website at www.haringey.gov.uk and enter Holiday Fun in their search bar.

Aspire and Achieve is a wellestablished school initiative that provides students additional support as they work towards their GCSE examinations in the summer.

The programme will involve selected students being allocated an academic mentor, whom they will meet with fortnightly to discuss how they are progressing

with their studies.

Their mentor will be an experienced member of staff who will offer any additional help and guidance required.

Aspire and Achieve is only one of the initiatives that is now in place to help our GCSE students manage their workload and ensure they have the very best chance of maintaining good progress and gaining success.

The summer exams will be here sooner than you think!

Issue 26. October 2015

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OPEN EVENING AND OPEN MORNINGS

Hundreds of prospective students and their families came for the Open Evening on Thursday 15th October to find out what Highgate Wood School is all about and explore our facilities. They were expertly guided around the school by dedicated teams of our student helpers.

There was a huge amount of activity across the school - skills trials in the gym, interactive language learning and computer programming on the Admin top floor, live performance and music in the Drum, fantastic art and design displays in the Wren and industrial scale baking in Food Tech!

But for all the spectacle, it was the warmth and enthusiasm of the students and staff that really made the evening such a huge success.

Visitors commented on the fantastic relationships between students and staff at the school that they witnessed and the way that the whole community seemed genuinely and hugely proud of the school and all the people who make it what it is: the teachers, the support staff, the parents and governors but, most of all, the students.

The Science Department put on a brilliant display of the wonders of their curriculum, from a van der graaff generator making people’s hair stand on end, to the hot air balloon that somehow escaped and got lodged high in the ceiling of the Pavilion.

STAR SPEAKERS FROM YEAR 7 Special thanks and congratulations to the six Year 7 students who spoke to our prospective parents in the Hall on Open Evening.

You were truly impressive!

Manon Elliott (7A) Alice Jenkins (7T) Maya Mills (7D)

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Lucas Ramos-Thornton (7W) Zoe Street (7D) Annie Walker (7W)

Photos of Open Evening, taken by Madeleine Baron (Year 11) are now available online at http://tinyurl.com/hwsoe2015 Issue 26. October 2015

FAIRY CAKES - RECORD BREAKER?

DEBATING HOMEWORK

Ms Sayer writes: On Thursday 8th October, some of Highgate Wood School’s most experienced debaters took to the stage in the Main Hall to debate the motion: ‘This house would ban homework in secondary schools’.

Both sides argued passionately, with Holly raising the important question of whether well-educated parents and tutors presented an unfair advantage and the Opposition proposing that homework is a form of independent study that prepares students for the world of work.

Ms Rowe writes: Throughout Open Evening we had a constant stream of visitors to Food Tech to sample our delicious fairy cakes.

A huge thanks to Nadia Camara De Almeida 8A, Sibyle Baron 8E, Daniel Doggett-Jones 8A, Mae Greene 8T, Ben Farrier McGoldrick 8E,Frank LevyVegh 8E, Eden Shalet 8E, Lidia Vasilca 8E, who were the cooks responsible.

Contributions from the floor were essential to the debate, especially one audience member who asked the Proposition, ‘Who do you know who would voluntarily ask a teacher for extra work?’ and therefore throwing a critical spotlight on one of their main arguments. Despite this, it was a landslide victory for the Proposition!

The event was both an opportunity for members of Debate Mate to celebrate their astounding achievements last year, and also to encourage new members to apply to take part this year.

In total they managed to cook an extraordinary 1560 individual cakes that were all eaten that night.

Auditions took place last week and I look forward to welcoming both our new members and our new university mentors after half term.

That must be a record breaking achievement. Well done to all of you.

Anyone wishing to be added to the waiting list should see me in A26.

Issue 26. October 2015

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CHRISTMAS CARD COMPETITION

This year Highgate Wood School will again be running a Christmas Card Competition. Students from all year groups are invited to contribute.

The theme for this year is Peace and Friendship.

There will be prizes for the winners, as well as the opportunity to have their design used as the official Christmas card for Highgate Wood School.

Please complete your designs and hand them in to your form tutor, who will then pass them on to the House teams.

Deadline for entry is Tuesday 24th November.

WINTER CONCERT

CALAID Calaid is a group of volunteers collecting urgently needed donations for those living in the Calais refugee camp.

The situation in Calais is part of a wider migration crisis caused largely by the displacement of people from war-torn countries such as Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan and Eritrea. In addition to offering support and assistance, Calaid hope to change the perception of this crisis from one of hostility and fear to one of concern and compassion.

DONATE YOUR VIVOS You can now donate your Vivos to CALAID. Login to your Vivo account, then click Me and you will see the option Donate to Charity.

Amongst the charities available you will now see CALAID. Click and donate

RAISING FUNDS FOR REFUGEES

MAKE SURE THE DATES ARE IN YOUR DIARY! 12

Ms Harding writes: On Monday 28th September, year 11 students sold cakes to raise money for the refugees. They raised ÂŁ146.30, which has been used to buy toiletries for the refugees.

I would like to thank all the Year 11s who helped on the day, and also the staff and students who baked and bought cakes and supported this worthy cause.

I would like to say a special thank you to Sadie Goswell and Hannah Crabb-Krivine who initially approached me about the cake sale.

Issue 26. October 2015

CALAID

Ms Birnie writes: A big well done to 7T and in particular Alice Jenkins, who launched and organised a refugee collection to help those in Calais who have fled war in Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Eritrea and Afghanistan.

Alice came up with the idea for the collection after watching the news about how young children had died fleeing on life boats. She was shocked by how refugees were being treated in the press.

With the slogan “You have to understand, nobody puts their child on a boat unless the sea is safer than the land.” Zeki Jones and Talia Bunting from 7T then designed a poster and advertised the collection around the school and to parents through the PSA.

Issue 26. October 2015

7T were met with an overwhelming response from across the school community with lots of donations. Ms Harding and her Year 11 History group raised over £146 from a cake sale that was used to buy soap and other toiletries.

The students then sorted the donations into different boxes ready to be dispatched. The collection is now at Islington Council’s CalAid storage so that it can be taken to the camp when needed and distributed to local migrant centres.

Thanks to every student, parent and teacher that gave to the collection and helped make a difference to the lives of many in need.

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MEDIA STUDIES AT WARNER BROTHERS

YEAR 9 ARTISTIC TRIUMPH Mr Astrop writes: Year 9s have made a great start with their Art homeworks this year. The shoe theme has produced excellent work from many students.

Notable examples are Abder Amir-Belseiro's (9T) line drawing of a pair of trainers, Madeleine McBrown's (9E) collage 'Give a girl the right shoes...', and Olivia Birkett's (9A) sensitive collage of a shoe made from real flowers.

Ms Daws-Knowles writes On September 1st, just before the start of term, thirty-five Year 10 Media Studies students had their hard work rewarded by a trip to Warner Bros Studios. The students have completed two units of coursework this year analysing and creating magazine covers. They also wrote a 1000 word analysis of an TV Crime Drama and designed a poster and trailer for their own television show.

The students visited the sets of the Harry Potter film franchise, rode broomsticks, and learned how costumes, make up, animal actors and special effects including animatronic monsters are used in the films. We all rode the train as we imagined arriving at school just like Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Max Murphy (9I) made a stop motion animation of a pair of shoes walking through the house and putting themselves away in the shoe cupboard!

Well done to these students and all of you for working so hard.

Abder Amir Belseiro 9T

Thanks to Mr Cozier, Ms Ozturk and Mr Robertson for accompanying me and our very excited young people.

COMMUNITY LANGUAGES Ms Lacroix writes: Many students would like to take a GCSE or A Level qualification in a community language. This is perfectly possible, but you need to organize it soon.

Madeleine McBroom 9E

Just to reiterate that if you are fluent ( in speaking, reading, writing and listening) in a language, please come to see me before November and we can make the necessary arrangements.

You will have to sit all examinations in May or June 2016 and you might also have to complete Controlled Assessments in speaking and writing during the year.

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Olivia Birkett 9A Issue 26. October 2015

WHY NOT LEARN MANDARIN?

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Ms Lacroix writes: As the official language of China and with 955 million speakers, Mandarin claims the top spot as the world’s most common language.

The languages department have now organised for students to have the opportunity to learn Mandarin. A taster session where students will be able to see what is involved, will take place on 3rd November at 1:15 in the LRC. I am looking to see many students interested in learning Mandarin in Highgate Wood School.

Please come and enjoy a new language experience.

AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR ARTWORK EXHIBITED AT THE FAMOUS ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

Ms Eisa writes:

Ms Mastericks writes: This year the Young Art competition is on the theme of 'A Different Viewpoint'.

The Royal College of Art will select the best work that is entered and will then exhibit the work. The exhibition aims to raise money for Cancer Research.

If you love to be creative and want to make a painting or drawing in the relation to the theme then please see Ms Mastericks in W21 for further information on the rules and the deadline for your entry.

Issue 26. October 2015

On Friday the 9th of October, 13 Year 11 students visited the Apprenticeship Careers Show. The students were able to network with a variety of employers including the Royal Mail, Hair on Broadway, The Telegraph, National Grid, Starbucks and Transport for London.

This was a great chance for them to make connections with employers and begin to think about their futures. We also had the opportunity to attend a seminar on communication skills with David McQueen, who gave the students a range of interview and life skills.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt that it had opened their eyes to a breadth of different opportunities they might not have previously considered.

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HISTORY TRIP TO THE BATTLEFIELDS OF YPRES

Maria Lyons 10T writes: The 2015 trip to the battlefields of Ypres in Belgium was unforgettable! Every moment was filled with newly gained knowledge and excitement at what our next stop would bring.

Our first stop was at Essex Farm, a British Commonwealth Cemetery. It was very moving to see the huge number of soldiers, all of varying ages – the youngest being just 14 – who gave up their lives to protect and support their country. At Essex Farm we also visited the grave of John McCrae who wrote the famous war poem “In Flanders Field”. We also visited some underground bunkers attached to the cemetery where soldiers would have received medical treatment.

After that, we headed to Menen German Military Cemetery. Here we saw the graves of German soldiers. There were up to 36 bodies in each grave.

The eerie atmosphere highlighted the enormous difference with the flower-filled British cemeteries.

This was a very sombre and moving place, the small church attached gave us all time to reflect on the horrors of war.

Then we made our way to the Passchendaele Museum. It was full of artefacts and memorabilia from World War One. We saw weapons and walked through a trench dug-out. We also got Max Lancaster to dress up as a Tommy and practise using his Lee-Enfield rifle.

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Our final destination was Tyne Cot cemetery. It is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world. We all fell silent as we looked at the rows upon rows of graves all surrounded by freshly cut grass and beautiful English flowers. It was the most emotional and moving part of the trip and reminded us all why we were standing there remembering the brave soldiers who gave up their lives.

Eva Parfitt laid a wreath on behalf of Highgate Wood School at Tyne Cot and Imaru Lewis gave a reading to show our respect. This was followed by a moment’s silence for us to reflect on the day and to show our respect for all the men and women who had given up their lives in conflicts around the world On behalf of the 70 students, I would like to thank the History Department for giving us the opportunity to visit such a fascinating and extraordinary place.

Issue 26. October 2015

CROSS COUNTRY CLUB

APPS FOR GOOD FELLOWS WORKSHOP

Mr Pedlar writes: It has been fantastic to witness the rise of the Highgate Wood School Cross Country team.

With the help of the P.E. department Mr Thomas and I have entered our budding runners (most of which from Year 7 and 8) into two competitions, with excellent results.

Both taking place at the New River Stadium, our performance rivalled that of our neighbouring schools, coming second overall in our first race, and some brilliant results in the second – including Elodie Soteriou’s (7H) 2nd place!

Outside of racing, we have been exploring the local area on Thursdays after school. Initially, with a mass invasion of Queens Wood and Highgate Wood, before a trip along the Parkland Walk and back. It has been fantastic to witness our students’ passion for running and see their competitive nature thrive, not to mention a bit of healthy competition between myself and Mr Thomas.

Mr Talbert writes: In October, 13 Highgate students participated in a user research session for the Apps for Good programme.

As part of the user research session students helped Apps for Good to develop their fellows website for those students who have participated in the Apps for Good programme to gain helpful tips and advice. The students provided feedback to the naming of the fellows website and what it should look like.

E-SAFETY INFORMATION EVENING

Any students who are interested in joining the club, please get in contact with either Mr Thomas or myself. We cater for most abilities; just bring your P.E kit, enthusiasm and passion for running!

Mr Ashman writes: All parents and carers are welcome to the Parent Information Evening on Thursday 26th November at 7:00pm where we will be discussing issues around e-safety, including the PREVENT agenda around terrorism and radicalisation.

Issue 26. October 2015

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YEAR 11 HISTORIANS VISIT THE HOLOCAUST EXHIBITION

Ms Harding writes: On Tuesday 6th October, Year 11 students visited the Holocaust exhibition in the Imperial War museum. The students are currently studying the Holocaust, and therefore greatly benefited from the visit.

Sophia Dottore, one of our year 11 students writes: “We talked to a Holocaust survivor who told us her story. We learned about her life as a Jewish person living during WWII. She gave us insight into the hardships and misery she experienced. She also told us about the kind family that hid her family during WWII.

We also visited the Holocaust exhibition, and saw a realistic model of Auschwitz, as well as a train carriage that was used to transport Jewish people to the camps. There were photographs documenting the gradual persecution of the Jewish community, as well as other victims of the Holocaust. We also watched footage from survivors and heard their personal stories.

The trip helped me imagine what life was actually like for the people that had to go through it, and the awful events that took place. It will help me empathise further with the events as we continue to learn about the Holocaust in class.”

YEAR 11 ARTISTS VISIT THE COURTAULD AND TATE MODERN GALLERIES

Ms Zwicky writes: In September Year 11 Art students visited the Courtauld Gallery as well as the Tate Modern. They experienced the important impressionist collection in the Courtauld and were able to see the intricate details of painters such as Manet, Gauguin and Cezanne.

The Tate Modern’s collections gave an insight into artwork which is more recent and current.

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Here the students responded to the work of Mark Bradford who creates giant collage based canvases, based on maps and the environment.

The students were also able to see and study Russian Propaganda posters, linking directly to their work in class.

We were immensely proud of our students who were all fabulous ambassadors for Highgate Wood School throughout the day.

Issue 26. October 2015

YOUNG SCIENTISTS

RACING SUCCESS

Ms Andreas writes: The Society of Biology have congratulated our Key Stage 3 scientists for their work in promoting the understanding of biology to younger students.

Last summer Year 8 were involved in the Gopher Science Days during which the students participated in teaching some very important concepts to primary school students.

Each student achieved a certificate and a Science solving book as a prize.

We are now looking forward to engaging more students this year to participate on this important event in the Summer.

Ms Isaac writes: 9W’s Brandon continues to achieve more and more on the racetrack. He has now received his 1st Champion podium place after coming 3rd at the Whilton Mill Northampton Circuit, going head to head with the best in the country.

Well done Brandon!

EX-STUDENT AT THE DORCHESTER - GROWTH MINDSET IN ACTION. Ms Went writes: Miles left Highgate Wood School in 2014 with a C in Food Technology, and a passion for catering. During his time here he also attended the Young Chef Academy at the University of West London on Saturday mornings. This climaxed with his guests enjoying a three course meal cooked by him and his fellow students.

As a result of his hard work and dedication Miles was given an unconditional offer to remain at the University of West London, completing two catering courses, and also going on placement at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel. He demonstrated similar commitment at the Dorchester, so they then offered him a full time apprenticeship.

Miles is now working four days a week at the Dorchester, one day at UWL. He leaves home in Crouch End by 5:30am to be in the kitchen for 6:30am for hand over and start his shift at 7:00am. It is tough, but also rewarding. Through his own effort Miles is set for a career at one of the top restaurants in the world.

Issue 26. October 2015

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MODEL UN CONFERENCE 2016

Mr Robertson writes: On Saturday 12th March 2016, Highgate Wood School will hold its annual North London Model United Nations conference. The topic for the conference is ‘A Place Called Home? Refuge & Migration’ and will discuss the global migration and refugee crises that have engulfed various countries.

Across the different committees, delegates will be debating a number of issues, including asylum as a human right, the rights of economic migrants, the protection of child refugees, and solutions to the conflicts which have created such a vast number of stateless and homeless people.

As in previous years, committees will be run by experienced Year 11 and Year 12 students who have attended scores of conferences in the past, and they will be guided by a team of capable committee directors who are now in their final year at Highgate Wood School Sixth Form. Smooth running for the conference will be the responsibility of the Secretariat, and I am delighted to announce that I have appointed Beth Gosschalk as Secretary General, Imogen Sheppard as Under-Secretary General and Patrick Hegarty-Morrish as Director General. Between them, Beth, Imogen and Patrick have attended over 20 conferences and possess a wealth of experience as delegates and committee chairs. I have no doubt that they will create a stimulating and successful event.

HWS FEMINISTS

Mr Robertson writes: The HWS Feminist group has already made a productive start to the term. Around 50 students in years 8, 9 and 10 have been working on a Feminist Utopia Project – imagining a world where full gender equality has been achieved.

The students were passionate and imaginative in identifying both the large injustices and the smaller everyday sexisms which would not exist in a truly equal society, and have created pieces of writing describing what a normal day in a feminist utopia would look like. These will be compiled into a booklet towards the beginning of the next half term. Their ideas and enthusiasm has been infectious, and have been ably assisted by the Sixth Form and Year 11 students who have made such a massive contribution to sustaining the group for future years.

Recruitment for NLMUN 2016 will take place at the beginning of next year and will be open to all students in Year 9 and 10. All new delegates will be trained by members of our Secretariat, by Ms Sayer and myself.

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Issue 26. October 2015

INTRODUCING KEREN DAVID, HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL’S PATRON OF READING Ms Ereira writes: I am delighted to be able to announce that Highgate Wood School now has a Patron of Reading.

Keren David, a multiple award winning author, has agreed to work with us for a period of three years. She introduces herself in this edition of Insight.

This is a very exciting development for the whole school. Besides her regular visits and events in school, Keren will be available for the whole school community to contact via our LRC blog and I hope that many of us take advantage of this.

The LRC blog can be found via links on the intranet pages and on the school website under ‘Learning’.

The web address is: https://highgatewoodlrc.wordpress.com/

What is a Patron of Reading?

It’s a national scheme which pairs authors with schools to devise ways of promoting reading in schools. Each school and author work together over three years to find the best way to make this work for them. There are around 100 authors working as Patrons in British schools, including many in Haringey.

I’ve been working with Ms Ereira, the school librarian to plan how I’m going to work with Highgate Wood School. I’m going to be posting regularly on the LRC blog as well as working with different departments and helping to arrange author visits and events at the school.

This term I’m looking forward to working with the Drama Department, who will be devising work based on my book When I was Joe.

Keren David writes: I’m very happy to have been invited to become Highgate Wood School’s new Patron of Reading.

I’ve been introducing myself at assemblies this term, and look forward to working with the whole school community to raise the profile of reading for pleasure.

I am the author of six Young Adult novels, and I’ve had a career as a journalist working for national newspapers and a photo-journalism agency. I’m a Visiting Lecturer at City University on its Creative Writing and Publishing MA. I’m also the mother of two teenagers - one a former HWS student - and for three years I was a volunteer in the school’s LRC, helping reluctant readers.

Issue 26. October 2015

This term we’re launching Highgate Wood School’s first ever school book award. There are seven fabulous books short-listed, which I recommend to everyone - students, staff, and parents. The books are listed here in Insight and on the LRC blog - try and read as many as you can and I look forward to hearing your views, before the school votes for its favourite book in February.

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DANIEL WHELAN VISITS THE LRC

Ms Ereira writes: Author Daniel Whelan visited on the 1st of October to give a lunchtime talk in the LRC. In 2012 Daniel submitted a manuscript to a competition to have his book published by Macmillan Children’s Books, and the result is the sumptuously produced The Box of Demons. This limited edition hardback with a pop-up cover design by Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell is available exclusively from independent bookshops.

Daniel told us how he and Chris Riddell had spent eight hours in a Basingstoke warehouse, signing every single copy of the book – but he was still happy to sign bookmarks and write in books for our students.

HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL BOOK AWARD

Ms Ereira writes: The shortlist for the first Highgate Wood School Book Award is out now.

The LRC Book Club voted from a longlist to select these seven shortlisted books.

Voting for HWS’ favourite book will open in February, so get reading now!

The shortlisted books are:  A Song for Ella Grey by David Almond  The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell  The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke  One by Sarah Crossan  The Door That Led To Where by Sally Gardner  Better Left Buried by Emma Haughton  The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Shudders ran around the room as Daniel explored the idea of drawing on your local neighbourhood for story ideas, suggesting that as Queens Wood had once been a plague pit and was now inhabited by 100 species of spider, perhaps there could be mutated plague spiders!

The talk was so good and the book so appealing that both students and staff were keen to have their own copies of the The Box of Demons.

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Issue 26. October 2015

ACCELERATED READER CHAMPIONS

LOGGING INTO SYSTEMS

Ms Ereira writes: Years 7 have got off to a great start this term with Accelerated Reader. The LRC is always full of students taking quizzes on books they have finished, and it’s great to see so many students enjoying reading. Congratulations to all of you!

15 QUIZZES PASSED—GOLD CERTIFICATE Gabriel Cahill Coady (7G) Katya Dickson (7G)

Tsiona Fernandes-Tadesse (7S) Eliza Buckton (7S)

500,000 WORDS READ—GOLD CERTIFICATE Eliza Buckton (7S) Max Haslam (7G) Gabriel Cahill Coady (7G) James Hastings O'Shea (7I) Katya Dickson (7G) Zeki Jones (7T) Tsiona Fernandes-Tadesse (7S) Migena Miftari (7W) Noah Gerner (7W) Maya Muir (7S) 10 QUIZZES PASSED— SILVER CERTIFICATE Lily Bacon Darwin (7W) Katya Dickson (7G) Manon Elliott (7A) Noah Gerner (7W)

Max Haslam (7G) James Hastings O'Shea (7I) Zeki Jones (7T) Rory McDermid (7A)

Migena Miftari (7W) Maya Muir (7S)

300,000 WORDS READ — SILVER CERTIFICATE Eliza Buckton (7S) Gabriel Cahill Coady (7G) Katya Dickson (7G) Tsiona Fernandes-Tadesse (7S)

Noah Gerner (7W) Max Haslam (7G) James Hastings O'Shea (7I) Zeki Jones (7T)

Migena Miftari (7W) Maya Muir (7S)

5 QUIZZES PASSED—BRONZE CERTIFICATE Kathleen Archbold (7W) Lily Bacon Darwin (7W) Luna Berger (7G) Seth Bland (7I) Mimi Brown (7G) Julia Coroama (7A) Lily Corran (7A) Daisy Daman Underwood (7E)

Olivia Dennis (7A)

Noah Gerner (7W) Max Haslam (7G) James Hastings O'shea (7I) Rosie Hegarty Morrish (7T) Ellie Hutchings (7S) Jess Illari (7I) Tamsin Jacobs (7D) Orgena Kola (7I) Bruno Lansdown (7S)

Rory McDermid (7A) Migena Miftari (7W) Jonathan Moughton-Small (7W)

Daisy Murray (7G) Orrin Ross (7W) Anders Skovsende (7G) Tulsi Vaithilingam (7I) Louis Yule (7W)

100,000 WORDS READ —BRONZE CERTIFICATE Lily Bacon Darwin (7W) Luna Berger (7G) Seth Bland (7I) Mimi Brown (7G) Eliza Buckton (7S) Gabriel Cahill Coady (7G) Daisy Daman Underwood (7E) Katya Dickson (7G) Manon Elliott (7A)

Tsiona Fernandes-Tadesse (7S) Orgena Kola (7I)

Noah Gerner (7W) Max Haslam (7G) James Hastings O'Shea (7I) Rosie Hegarty Morrish (7T) Ellie Hutchings (7S) Jess Illari (7I) Tamsin Jacobs (7D) Zeki Jones (7T) Issue 26. October 2015

Bruno Lansdown (7S) Rory McDermid (7A) Migena Miftari (7W) Maya Muir (7S) Daisy Murray (7G) Anders Skovsende (7G) Tulsi Vaithilingam (7I)

EMAIL Mathswatch Wisepay

VIVO

SMHW

Office 365 SAMLearning AR

LGfL

Mr Ashman writes: All students should now be using their school e-mail accounts. You can access these by going to the school website and then finding Student Email under the student tab.

Your username is your usual .309 username and password that you have for accessing the school network.

The reason for using your school e-mail account, quite apart from it being secure and reliable and giving you free access to Office 365, is that it is through your school email account that you will get the log on details for lots of other systems - SAM Learning, Vivo, Show My Homework, Mathswatch and Accelerated Reader.

Every student in Years 7 to 11 will soon be e-mailed a unique link to a school survey designed to help us plan for a successful future. This link will also allow us to check how readily you are able to use your school e-mail account outside of school.

Instructions for how to set up school-email on your phone will also be circulated.

If you have any questions, or need to have the login details for any of our systems sent to you, please email: data@hws.haringey.sch.uk

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School begins again on Monday 2nd November

at 8:35 am It will be Week 1 KEY DATES PARENT EVENINGS

INSET (school closed to students)

Wed 4th Nov

Year 7 Tutor Evening

Tues 10th Nov

PSA Curry & Quiz Night

Thurs. 18th Nov.

E-Safety Info Evening

Thurs. 26th Nov.

Year 7

Tues. 26th April

Year 8

Tues. 3rd November

Year 9

Wed. 24th February

Year 10

Tues.12th April

Year 11

Thurs. 14th January

6th Form Open Evening

Thurs 26th Nov.

Year 12

Thurs. 28th January

Year 11 Mocks

30th Nov - 11th Dec.

Year 13

Thursday 11th February

Learning Review Day

Mon 7th Dec.

Winter Concert

16th—18th Dec.

AUTUMN 2015

SPRING 2016

SUMMER 2016

Thu 3rd Sept

Term Starts

Mon 4th Jan

Term Starts

Mon 11th April

Term Starts

26th Oct– 30th Oct

Half term break

15th Feb– 19th Feb

Half term break

30th May - 3rd June

Half term break

Friday 18th Dec

Term Ends

Thurs 24th March Term Ends

Friday 22nd 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