insight7 by Highgate Wood School

News from Highgate Wood School arts college

CONSIDERATION COOPERATION COURTESY CONTRIBUTION

Issue No 7 July 2012

GOVERNING BODY UPDATE The Chair of Governors, Charles Wright, writes: The Governing Body held its last meeting of the school year last week, with an excellent presentation from the School Council. For me this summed up what Highgate Wood is about – confident students from all year groups, working positively together on a wide range of issues, from catering and uniform to fund‐raising and enrichment sessions. And we have also moved forward on academic performance, with Ofsted grading us convincingly ‘good’, and our A/A* GCSE results putting us among the best state schools in the country. The best of luck to everyone now waiting for this year’s Year 11, 12 and 13 results, due out in August. For the coming year starting in September, the Governing Body will continue to focus clearly on our students, improving learning and teaching, and achievement in the broadest sense. We now have a firm basis, building on improvements over the past few years, to move towards excellence, and for Highgate Wood to be recognised for its achievements and seen as the community school of choice for all local people. Can I also take this opportunity to thank Mr Cozier and his staff, along with everyone involved in the Parent Staff Association for your work for the school, and all parents and carers for your commitment, all of which makes Highgate Wood increasingly the successful school that it is. Remember you can get in touch me or other governors through Kiymet Ozturk koz@hws.haringey.sch.uk or in writing c/o Highgate Wood School, Montenotte Road,London N8 8RN. I hope you all have a good summer. Cover picture: The legendary Class of 2012 ‐ on leavers day June 2012. A DVD with a slide show of these students and others in their brilliant fancy dress costumes, together with photos from the Celebration Evening and Mr Key’s “Five Years in Five Minutes” presentation is available from the school. Read Mr Key’s reflections on Celebration Evening on Page 9.

Nancy Wilde writes: Despite the weather Madfest was really well attended raising our highest amount of money yet £5,800.00 New for 2012 was the Bungee Run which was busy all afternoon as was the Obstacle Course, the Madfest wrist bands were also a great hit. There were some beautiful musical performances from the students. Huge thanks to all the Yr 10 students and parents that made it happen, special thanks to Claire Allaway for being so incredibly helpful both on the day and in the preceding weeks.

The first PSA meeting of the new academic year will be on Thursday 20th September. The first part of the meeting will be at 7pm with welcome drinks for new year 7 parents, the full meeting will start at 8pm. Everyone is welcome.

Ms Daws‐Knowles, on behalf of the Staff Association, would like to thank the PSA for all their work through the year ‐ particularly for the staff appreciation events which have been hugely welcome.

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: Andrew Boardman • Diana Brown • Philip Cavendish Caroline Conlon • Elizabeth Hess • Carol Vincent Rob White

Community Governors: Phil Cocksedge • Janice Dolan • Violet Hazelwood‐Henry Chris Parr Headteacher Governor: Patrick Cozier

Staff Governors: Tristan Ashman • Jack Fitzgerald • Saad Gul Mohammed

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 July 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER Welcome to the last edition of Insight for this academic year. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the year flies by. It seems like just a few weeks ago I was writing to you in October to celebrate the excellent exam results of last summer. A huge amount has happened since then, most of which has been covered in Insight across the year. I am just as confident that this year’s exam groups have done just as well and that we will be able to celebrate a set of outstanding exam results at GCSE, AS Level and A Levels in autumn. Highgate Wood School in the Top 10% of Schools Nationally for 5 A*‐A grades at GCSE This has been awarded to the school for our achievement of 19% of our Year 11s from 2011 achieving 5*s or As at GCSE. The award places us in the top 10% of schools nationally

In June we were informed by the SSAT (formally the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust – now the Schools’ Network) that our achievement from last summer’s exams of 19% or our students achieving 5 A*‐A grades at GCSE placed us in the top 10% of non‐ selective schools nationally. This is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, parents, governors and the whole school community... we should be proud of ourselves! It is another indication of the way that we have moved HWS nearer towards the outstanding school that we know we can be. It is also a very important message about how well our highest achievers do – something that we ought to be proud of along with the good progress that all students make. July 2012

School Development Priorities for Improvement A Securing Outstanding Teaching and Learning B Securing Outstanding Leadership and Management Following on from our GOOD Ofsted in the autumn of 2011, we are now embarking on a journey to ensure that we are able to provide an OUTSTANDING educational experience for our students at Highgate Wood. At the very heart of this is the extent to which we are able to  Improve our good Teaching and Learning to make sure that it is outstanding; and to  Improve our good Leadership and Management to make sure that it is outstanding I will feedback to you in the autumn term on some of the more specific focuses that underpin the plan to deliver on Priority A. New Year 7 Intake for September 2012 – Full and Oversubscribed again! We have recently received the most up to date information regarding the Primary to Secondary School transfer data from the local authority. The information reveals how many parents selected HWS as a preference when choosing which school to send their child to. The following we already know about our school:  We are consistently over subscribed for places in Year 7  Every year since 2008 we have had over 900 total preferences expressed. A summary for this year’s preferences expressed by parents is shown in the table below... Total choice choice choice choice choice choice Pref

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

242 165 184 154 105

916

Total Places

243

We can be very pleased with our continuing popularity, with our first choices up from last year. This is a testament to the great work that is done by our staff who are involved in Primary Liaison and the Sports and Arts outreach work that we engage in.

Our vision for Highgate Wood School encapsulates the desire for the school to be considered by its community as the ‘School of Local Choice’. The data above shows that we are continuing to move towards achieving this. Focus on Attendance – No Term Time Holidays Please! At Highgate Wood School we believe that excellent attendance is a pre‐requisite to excellent progress. Research backs this up, in showing that students who attend less than 95% of the time achieve significantly less progress than those who attend more than 95% You may recall that in our most recent Ofsted inspection, attendance was the only aspect of the report that received a grading of Satisfactory (every other category was considered to be good or outstanding). Having reflected on this I have decided that from September, we will no longer be authorising holidays in term time under any circumstances. We ask that parents/carers please ensure that they do not book holidays or flights abroad before term ends or after term begins as every day in school, matters. We have seen the number of requests for time out of school rise significantly towards the end of terms and particularly in the last two weeks of July and the first week of September. It is impossible for us to distinguish between a bona fide request and those seeking cheaper flights and we believe this is ultimately unfair on those who do have a family crisis. We will, however, continue to consider requests for absence for legitimate activities such as participation in competitive events, exceptional circumstances, music exams, etc. but agreement to authorise planned absences will be based on an individual student’s attendance to date and from September, our minimum expectation will be 95%. A New Mission Statement for Highgate Wood School As part of a review of our whole school ethos and 4

focus, we have decided to change our mission statement for Highgate Wood School. Our current mission statement is ‘An aspiring community of learners empowered for the 21st century, built on mutual respect, understanding and imaginative thinking’ We believe that the above mission statement is no longer relevant to our current ethos and future direction of travel as a community. The fact that from September our Years 7s and most of our Year 8s were born in the 21st century is evidence of that. The new statement to take effect from September 2012 was discussed and agreed at the Governing Body meeting on Thursday 19th July.

‘Making a positive difference to students’ achievements and experiences, maintaining the highest expectations and inspiring self belief’ From September we will be doing some work internally with staff and students to discuss ways in which we can make sure that the three main elements... 1. Making a Positive Difference 2. Highest Expectations 3. Self Belief ... increasingly begin to permeate through our policies and practice. Our Motto remains ‘Everyone Matters’ and our behaviour policy will continue to be underpinned by the 4Cs of Cooperation, Contribution, Courtesy and Consideration. July 2012

Good bye and Good Luck to leaving colleagues As always, the end of the summer term is also a time for farewells. We are saying goodbye to a number of staff at the end of this term.

was not traditionally as well received here at HWS previously. She is leaving us to go to the USA. We thank her for her good leadership and strong commitment.

Martin Greenwood and Caroline Boyce have been with us for the last two terms on a supply basis. They have both contributed well to the PE department in their time here. Caroline has also struck up a positive relationship with our partner primary schools in her role as School Sports Coordinator. We thank them both for their hard work at HWS.

Claire Harmer has been our Display Technician for the last 7 years. She has worked tirelessly during that time and has made a fantastic contribution to the look and feel of the school. Her contribution towards the Art Exhibitions and also helping to get the school ready for Open Evenings has been invaluable. Clare will be very sorely missed, but we are very pleased for her as she is leaving to begin a PGCE to train as a teacher of Art.

The Learning Support department will be saying goodbye to two of their team, Dai Davies and Adeil Allali, are leaving to pursue an acting career and a Masters Degree respectively. We will miss their input as will the children with whom they worked closely. We are grateful for their contribution.

Chris Barker (Head of English) and Sonia Jacobs (Head of Social Sciences) are both leaving Highgate Wood after two incredibly successful years. Under Chris Barker’s leadership, the English department have produced the best ever results in the history of HWS. Similarly, under Sonia Jacob’s leadership, the popularity and success of the Social Science subjects have improved significantly. Hence, it comes as no surprise that both of these excellent teachers have very swiftly been able to gain a promotion and they will sadly be leaving us to take up their roles as Assistant Headteachers at other schools. Their impact speaks for itself and we will miss their enthusiasm and drive.

Dave Green (Maths) and Dave Grimmett (Geography) will both be leaving us after three years service at HWS. They have both made a real contribution to their departments in that time as well as demonstrated a willingness to contribute to the school in a wider sense. They will both be returning home, Dave Green to Australia and Dave Grimmett to the Midlands. We are thankful and appreciative of the mark that they have both left on HWS.

Also leaving is Mary Lewis who has been with us at HWS as Head of Ethics and Cultural Studies (ECS) for the last four years. In that time she has led the ECS department with a clear vision and has encouraged many students to engage and enjoy a subject which

July 2012

Rachid El Gomri, has been with us for 8 years as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages. He has been a tremendous asset to HWS as a teacher, form tutor and regular organiser of trips abroad. Rachid will be leaving us to go to Dubai to take up a new post. It is a well deserved opportunity for him and we wish him well in his new endeavours.

Vicki Cline has been at Highgate Wood for 10 years. Her commitment to the school has been magnificent and her loyalty is hugely valued. A very skilled teacher, she has contributed really well to the progress and positive experience of many students over the years. Vicki has made the decision to leave teaching for the time‐being to spend more time with her young family. We will be very sorry to lose her, but wish her the very best.

All those who are leaving have made Highgate Wood School a richer place and we are very grateful for that contribution. We offer our very best wishes for the future. ... And Finally – Thank you for your support! I would like to thank you all again for your valued and continued support. I wish you and your families a pleasant summer holiday Please remember, we return on Wednesday 5th September 2012 (please double‐check the start times for each year group elsewhere in this edition of Insight). Regards Patrick Cozier

THE PENDARREN EXPERIMENT

Mr Russell writes: For positive behaviour, courage and a sense of adventure, well done to: Ella Pollak‐Fleming, Daniel Dop, Nik Lerche, Olivia Bassett, Katy O’Neil, Lucy Whelan, Marcel Agyapong, Zeyna Black, Joe Vinall‐ Smeeth, Harry Ghose‐Coveney, Jordan Kennedy, Rafi Stokes, Molly Rook, Kiehm Asare‐Sonkour, Anton Beka, Harry West, Tolga Kale, Alfie Peri, Issey Wootton and Rhianna Stirton. 8.03am‐ On an overcast morning two teachers (Mr Russell and Ms Breed) took on a challenge few would dare. The task was to take twenty over‐excited Year 8 pupils to Pendarren Outdoor Education centre in South Wales for an experience that would stay with them forever! Few would have predicted the stories that the group would return with, such as:

      

The mysterious case of the missing Justin Bieber poster (still unresolved), The Mars bar vs. Snickers debate, The tale of Anton Beka’s lost voice, The Annexe disaster aka. the boys dormitory, Mr Russell’s Wednesday night fury,

Rafaella (8T) and Ella (8E)’s Pendarren Diary Monday: Our first day at Pendarren. We were all exited to get off the coach and start our activities. Our first activity was gorge walking. We had many once‐ in‐a‐life time activities, such as sliding down a waterfall, going down some very strong rapids and had to link arms to get across. We came back very wet Tuesday: We got split into two groups. Our group went caving; we wiped some mud on each other’s faces. We also had to go through a really small space known as a letterbox. And we abseiled down a cliff face in to complete darkness which was a cave. Some people went through the cork screw, were you had to go through a really small space, smaller than a letterbox and head first into a hole. We also got to go on a slide with water in the bottom, so we got really wet. Wednesday: Before we went mountain walking we went up a big pole which didn’t look very tall but was. Some people went up really quickly, but some got scared and couldn’t make it to the top. We went mountain walking. The mountain wasn’t very big but it felt enormous. We got tired within the first five minutes because of how steep it was. When we got to the top we played the Yes‐No game with Mr Russell. It was much easier coming down the mountain! Thursday: We went to Caswell Bay we had the choices of crabbing or rock climbing. Most people went crabbing found loads of crabs. After while we went into the sea. When we got back we were soaking wet but we still found it fun. Friday: For our last activity we went orienteering which was a little bit boring and after that we went back to the house and went home. Overall it was a really great experience because we had loads of fun and had and had many once in a life time opportunities. And it was great to meet new people and to work as a team.

Carry the boulder up the mountain game, The never‐ending tale of courage that will forever be associated with the leap of faith activity.

The group worked well throughout the week and it was especially pleasing to see them try new things, work successfully as a team, learn new skills and survive, for the most part, without a mobile phone. Special mention must go to Noreen Ryan for organising the trip and Kiehm for being so brave after becoming unwell.

July 2012

CREATING MOSAICS

Ms Jones writes: Year 11 Land‐Based Studies students have been working on a mosaics project during the spring and summer term. Workshops have taken place at both Highgate Wood School and Meadow Orchard N8. Their mosaics will be on show at Lauderdale House N6 from July 23 – August 6 during the summer holidays. It would be fabulous if students, staff and parents et al could go and see the open exhibition. The website to find details of our wonderful students work is http://tiny.cc/hwslbs

Charlie Luxford 11H: My mosaic is a sun with a smiling face because it represents how the sun can make us feel happy and cheerful. It took me four weeks to make my mosaic but it was enjoyable to do.

Emma Gilligan 111: I chose to make a flower mosaic. I like flowers because they’re beautiful and blossom into really nice things. As this quote suggests: “not only flowers blossom, people do to.” This is saying that people can become anything they want to if they put their mind to it.

John‐Jo Tyler 111: I called my mosaic “Lizard in the Desert”. Lizards are important, they are part of wildlife.

Paschal Golding Brown 11G: My mosaic is called “The Old Tree”. The tree design inspired me because trees keep us alive.” Eray Cocelli 111: My mosaic is called “Free bird in the Sky”. I love watching peaceful birds. July 2012

The Purple Book is used to record noteworthy achievements by students from across the school. Teachers recommend students for inclusion Purple Book which is kept in Mr Cozier’s office and is a permanent record of their successes. Highlights from the last term: Charlie Luxford, Joshua Morris and Emma Gilligan (Year 11): Making a fantastic Mosaic art display in Landbased Studies. Huseyin Sumbul, Levi Wright, Alexandra Burgess (Year 10): Excellent work in Art Remy Beckford (Year 8): Excellent work in RE Georgio Ardeleanu (Year 8): Excellent work in Science – building a raft to demonstrate buoyancy. Yeakcan Iper (Year 11): Help in the Community Ambassador for the school. Scarlett Monaighan, Feysal Shurie, Tre Jackson, Madeleine Baron, Leban Abdi‐Mohammed, Rosa Elson, Faye Heron, Demet Duman, Florence Penfold, Hamdi Dalmar, Melisa Sahan, Elif Celik (Year 8): Working with classes at Coleridge Primary School to help promote reading. Hannah Crabb‐Krivin (Year 8): Having her work exhibited in the Young Art competition at the Royal College of Art in aid of Cancer Research. (see picture) Megan Saunders (Year 11): Fantastic performance with Islington Community Theatre Talv Baines (Year 8): Creating a brilliant post‐enrichment slideshow Team A: Charlie Butler, Blue Weiss, Susie Friedman, Jonah Berman, Lauren Gee, Eleanor Brady Team B: Amber Paterson, Ruth Ollier, Usman Khan, Fuaad Shurie, Yasmine Hamchoui, Sim Ferhad Team C: Natalya de la Motte, Beth Gosschalk, Imogen Shepperd, Nina Wang, Maddy Rich, Rosa Elson Team D: Freya Everest, Esme Cavendish, Maya Schamroth, Harry Vinall‐Smeeth, Alex Ahern (Years 9 and 10): Representing the school at the debating competition at the London School of Economics. 8

PERFORMING ARTS NOTICES

Congratulations to Alfie Glanvill for passing Grade 5 Musical Theatre with Distinction Congratulations Fraser Frengley – passed Grade 7 viola with Merit Congratulations to Ibrahim Sertkaya – passed Grade 3 Guitar with Distinction Congratulations to Shannon Noone – passed Grade 3 Piano with Merit Congratulations to Dannielle Neal – passed Grade 3 Piano with Merit Congratulations to Lucy Newbold – passed Grade 5 Trumpet with Merit Congratulations to Alysha Takousian ‐ Grade 5 Singing ‐ passed with Merit Congratulations to Maya Kally – Grade 5 Singing – passed with Merit Congratulations to Holly Cassidy – Grade 5 Singing – passed with Merit Congratulations to Jessica Eldridge – Grade 5 Singing – passed with Merit Congratulations to Ashley Hamilton ‐ Grade 5 Singing – passed Congratulations to Izzy Agnew – Grade 5 Singing – passed Congratulations to Robyn Cowie – Grade 5 Singing – passed

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY The Winter Concert will take place from 17th—19th December 2012. The school play will be staged on February 27th and 28th 2013. More details on both events will be available next term.

July 2012

SAM LEARNING ‐ Success made easy!

CELEBRATION EVENING 2012

Mr Ashman writes: Sam Learning is the leading provider of on‐line learning and revision exercises for students, particularly those about to sit exams. Highgate Wood School is now working with Sam Learning to see how their system might be developed further and benefit other students ‐ including those starting secondary school in September and those who may be able to do some school work during the vacations. All our students, including our new Year 7s, have now been given Sam Learning accounts and information on how to logon to their site at www.samlearning.com. Over the summer the MLE will also be available, with resources being added, so students are welcome to visit this to get best prepared for September. If you have any difficulties logging into either system please contact Mr Ashman at : tas@hws.haringey.sch.uk

The 2012 PAULINE ASHBEE 4Cs AWARD

Mr Key writes: Full credit to the class of 2012 who made such an effort to dress up for the occasion and make the evening something really exceptional. The boys in their smart suits and the girls in their glamorous outfits. We had a truly special evening in the grand setting of the Union Chapel, Islington. I particularly want to thank our Year 11 performers who showcased their superb musical talents to the 700 strong audience. The night was not only a highlight in the school’s calendar but without doubt my favourite and most memorable day of my teaching career. I had the greatest pleasure and privilege in presenting our special guest Mr Rolf Harris, OBE, OA. Rolf, with no surprise, warmed the audience with his words of wisdom and of course wobble board. We were really fortunate to have such an iconic and distinguished guest speaker. However, what made the evening really special for me was the real and genuine warmth that I could see in the relationship between tutors and their students. Something clearly born from the time, effort and support each of them had invested in their tutees over the past five years. The Class of 2012 were a fantastic year group and I am confident will achieve great success in their GCSE results in August. I wish you the very best and hope to see you in our Sixth Form.

Mr Cozier writes: I am delighted to confirm that the 2012 Pauline Ashbee 4Cs Award went to Ijes Marshall Jouavel ‐ a richly deserved award for an outstanding student. July 2012

WEST HARINGEY SCHOOLS OLYMPIC ARTS PROJECT

HWS Senior Choir: Alessandra Dakovic, Rosa Elson, Lucy Parfitt, Alexandra Burgess, Keja Pollard, Ms Ryan, Madeleine Baron, Hannah Ramsden, Libby Archer

THE EVENT

Ms Dornan writes: HWS Senior Choir took part in the West Haringey Schools Olympic Arts Project event in Crouch End on Saturday 30th June along with several primary schools from the area and Hornsey Girls. The theme was the Olympic values of Courage and Determination. All the choirs sang "Reach For The Stars" by S Club 7 together at the beginning and the end, with each school also performing solo.

Ms Angove writes: On 30th June 2012, a group of West Haringey Schools came together to celebrate the Olympic Values of Courage and Determination through arts. Highgate Wood School and Hornsey School for Girls were joined by Campsbourne School, Coleridge School, Rokesly’ Infant and junior schools, St Mary’s infant and junior schools, St Aiden’s school and St Gilda’s school for the days events. The event consisted of an art exhibition of children’s work from all the schools including a joint artwork that we have all contributed to, and There were choral pieces from individual school choirs and all the choirs joined together for a rendition of reach for the stars.

Our choir sang "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", conducted by Anna Ryan, and did a fantastic job of keeping the energy levels and harmonies going in windy conditions. Students from the Sixth Form ran a stall selling sweets and drinks to raise money for Hillcrest, and artwork was on display from various schools on an Olympic theme. 10

July 2012

Fionnuala Stevens writes: On the 7th July we hosted yet another successful MADfest, full of talented acts, a variety of stalls and a twist in the weather!

A big thanks needs to be given to all involved; the parent governors who organised all the stalls as well as setting them up, the students in the stalls committee who all helped with ideas for new stalls and who also set up; the students on the music committee who had the difficult job of deciding who got to perform and helped organise the music on the day as well as presenting; the teachers who worked with the parents to make the day better, and last but definitely not least, all who turned up! The day wouldn’t have worked without you all there supporting your friends and simply just enjoying the day! Thank you!

Due to the typical English weather MADfest was moved inside to the canteen and assembly hall just a few hours before people were meant to arrive. After a late start, which may I say was caused by Mr Cozier’s absence as he was in the stocks! The acts began, impressing everyone throughout the day. We had a large range of acts from acoustic guitars and pianists to full bands and a wahwah peddle! After all the hard work put in we raised a fantastic total of just under £6000. Despite the rain! Some of this money coming from the new stalls added this year, including the bungee run – which parents, kids and teachers all had a good go on, and the textiles stall full of homemade festival bands, bracelets, lavender bags and much more, all of which made by students and a couple of parents. “It was a great day! Lovely to see everyone having a good time on the bungee run where I was helping out!” “Loved it all! I especially liked the cake stall!” “It was a great day for the community of HWS and one of which the whole family could enjoy!” As a member of the student committee I think it’s fair to say it wasn’t always easy, moving everything inside in the morning, picking from a large amount of talented people, but it was all worth it at the end of that Saturday! I really enjoyed the whole thing and would gladly do it again!

July 2012

Many thanks for all the hard work of Fionnuala and the rest of the student MADFest Committee, as well as the PSA and everyone else who was involved in this year’s event.

See next page for a selection of photographs from the day.

July 2012

SOME HIGHLIIGHTS FROM MADFEST 2012 July 2012

ORIENTEERING COMPETITION

D&T MASTERCLASS Ms Angove writes:

Ms Gunes writes: On Thursday 5th July all Year 10 Geographers, together with Sixth Formers, competed in the annual Lea Valley Orienteering completion at Cheshunt. Many schools attended this challenge both in the KS4 and the Sixth form categories. Our students showed true sportsmanship. All students got to put their map skills into practice and it was a great way to refresh the sixth form geographers core skills too. We were delighted to take 1st 2nd and 3rd place in the KS4 green group , and second place in the sixth form category. A huge congratulations to Usman Khan, Harley Downes, Lyndon Leissle and Bradley Tansley for coming first place. We hope next year will be the year when we bring the overall competition winners cup home.

Over the last 6 weeks students in Year 8 and 9 have had the opportunity to broaden their D&T experience at HWS. The department have been running masterclass lessons to enable students to increase their awareness of an area of D&T they enjoy. The students have developed skills that are not normally taught during their D&T projects , such as electronics in product design and dye work in textiles. Students have had the opportunity to design and make steady hand games in Product Design, Use batik and computer generated dye transfers to produce a bag (year 9) and printing methods to produce a book (Year 8) in textiles and make a range of asian inspired street foods (Year 8) and Italian Dishes (Year 9) in food technology.

DRAMA TOUR OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS Mr Brown writes: This year students from Year 8 have been working together to produce a half hour show of short plays that were performed in July to some of our local primary schools. They visited Rokesly, Campsbourne and St. Aidans. It proved to be a great day out and a real testament to the commitment and talent of our students at Highgate Wood School (despite the best efforts of the rain to put us off). Well done to everyone who took part!

July 2012

DEBATE MATE

STEM CHALLENGE

Mr Champion writes: On the 29th June 2012 five Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (S.T.E.M.) ambassadors came to Highgate Wood School and challenged forty Year 8 students to build bridges. The students in groups of six had to plan and make the structure that would be tested to destruction, the one that could hold the most weight before collapsing being the winners. The students had a great time getting to grips with structures made from art straws and developing their team building and collaborative working skills.

DINING HALL REVIEW Ms Birnie writes: The School Council presented the findings of their survey of our dining hall and canteen service to the school’s Governing Body at the end of term. The Governors were very impressed by the way the School Council and conducted their research and were very interested in some of the recommendations that were put forward, including looking at a possible redesign of the Dining Hall layout. As a consequence Mr Hatch, the school’s Business Manager and the person responsible for the canteen contract, will be conducting a full review of the catering service in September and hopefully take forward many of the council’s suggestions.

July 2012

Ms Green writes: The year nine debating team have done an impressive job of training a group of year eight students in the art of debating this half term. In only five weeks these students have developed the confidence, skills and knowledge to participate in a full debate. Well done to all the year 8 students who have come to debating club every week and we look forward to seeing you again in the Autumn term. A special thanks to the year 9 students who have put a huge amount of time and effort into running the debating club. These students are: Amber Paterson, Natalya de la Motte, Ruth Ollier, Beth Gosschalk, Max Aref‐Adib, Imogen Shepperd and Sim Ferhad. The Debating Club will resume in the Autumn term.

MUSIC NOTICES

Invoices – will be sent out at the end of August and these must be settled by the END OF SEPTEMBER at the latest – payment by instalments/post‐dated cheques is possible with pre‐arrangement with Mrs Hassan. Her direct line is 8342‐7973 Music Lessons Start Date – Music Lessons will start again on the week beginning Monday 17th September 2012. Music Times ‐ Timetables will be displayed on the Music Notice board on Monday 10th September, it is your child’s responsibility to check their time and record it and attend. Music Passes – these will be replaced by a Sticker, which will be placed on the front of your child’s Journal – this will be given to you on the first lesson. 15

LONDON MODEL UN Lucy Newbold & Ellen Boardman write: Last Thursday and Friday some students in years 10 and 11 went to Mulberry School for Girls to participate in the Global Classrooms Model UN. Model UN is a conference where students from different London schools represent delegates of countries around the world and debate about a certain topic in their committees. This time our topic was ‘securing peace’ and discussing a global arms trade treaty. Model UN is a very good experience because you meet new people, and it’s a lot of fun to be a part of. It’s important because it helps to improve public speaking skills and informs you about important issues in society. I would recommend other students to take part in Model UN as it is a very beneficial thing to do and is interesting Mr O’Connor adds: Every year the standard of Model UN goes up and the challenges get harder. I am incredibly impressed by the performance of all our students but do need to make special mention of Jonah Berman. This was his first ever experience of Model UN but he was awarded an honourable mention which is an extraordinary achievement. I am also very proud of Lucy Parfitt who won best position paper.

July 2012

SCHOOL UNIFORM NEWS Mr Hartley writes: Though it has already been modelled by some of our students, September will see the official introduction of the Highgate Wood School skirt. This addition to the school uniform comes with some clearer advice about what trousers are appropriate for Highgate Wood School. It is important to remember that just because a shop says a pair of trousers are school trousers, it does not mean that they are Highgate Wood School trousers. The advice, and the examples, on the school website will hopefully help students and parents make the right purchase so we don’t have problems in the Autumn term. The new skirt, as well as school blazers, jumpers, cardigans and ties can be bought from the school office towards the end of the summer break from 28th August through to 4th September, exclusive of bank holidays, between 2:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Sports kit can be bought from Henry Tilly Ltd at www.htsports.co.uk. This can also be purchased during the first few days of term. Please make sure you have y our name in your uniform, especially your blazer!

DELEGATES Hannah Barkhouche Jonah Berman Ellen Boardman Ellie Delamere Susie Friedman Rosa Gamble Lauren Gee Ella Krikler Vita Lerche Katrina Martin Mathew Mulcahy Lucy Newbold Lucy Parfitt Chantal Rodriguez Rosa Tully Harry Vinall‐Smeeth Jessica Wagg Blue Weiss James Westbrook Alex Whitlock

CHAIRS Emily Kitchen Shannon Noone Alys Owen Elsie White

LOOKING FORWARD London Model UN in December is going to be in the UN building on the Thames. The scheduled topic is the Global Situation of Women.

REMEMBER

FROM SEPTEMBER ONLY OFFICIAL SCHOOL SKIRTS WILL BE ALLOWED AS PART OF YOUR UNIFORM.

July 2012

From one of the authors CONGRATULATIONS FIRST STORY STUDENTS Mr Russell writes: Over the past academic year a group of determined, focused and enthusiastic KS3 pupils have taken part in the First Story Project, a creative writing workshop which aims to foster creativity and improve literacy. The workshop itself was organised by Mr Barker and facilitated by Jonathan Lee, an acclaimed author, who worked on a weekly basis with the following students: Susie Friedmann, Alexandra Horton, Rosa Gamble, Rosa Elson, Alessandra Dakovic, Alicia Lerche, Toby Buchan, Alexandra Burgess, Cam'ron Gordon, Matthew Mulcahy, Freya Everest, Eleanor Brady. At the end of the project, the department hosted a successful book launch evening where the group’s creation, ‘Dalek is in the Dictionary’, was presented to friends, family and staff. The department would like to congratulate these students for becoming successfully published authors and emphasise the pride and admiration we have for this group of talented young people. We will be continuing the project in 2012/13 so if any pupils are interested in creative writing, character building, scripting and storytelling or wish to improve their literacy skills, keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground.

Alexandra Burgess writes: Dalek is in the Dictionary is an anthology created by Highgate Wood School students who have dedicated every Monday after school to writing with First Story. First Story is a charity dedicated to motivating students to write. Being part of First Story was an amazing experience for me and I hope that many other students are inspired to pick up a pen and write.

OP PRESS * * STOP PRESS * * STOP PRESS * * STOP P NO UNIFORM DAYS RAISE MORE THAN £3000 Ms Birnie writes: Congratulations to everyone, but especially the School Council for organising the sale of the no‐uniform wrist bands. This year Highgate Wood School has broken the £3,000 barrier on money raised for South Africa from our no uniform days. The money will be going to support our Hillcrest team and the work that they do to help children in South Africa.

Ms Green writes: Book Club members were pleased to pick up their new copies of the second book in Ruth Warburton's trilogy: 'A Witch in Love' for their summer reading. The girls are all excited to find out what happens to fiction's latest teenage witch, Anna Winter, in this new adventure book from this popular new author. We will meet in the LRC after the summer holidays to share and discuss our views on the book. Well done to all Book Club members for your commitment to reading for pleasure and improving your literacy skills: Hazal Tapki, Hayal Tapki, Nazlican Kucuk, Zeynep Icboyun, Melissa Sahan, Hamdi Dalmer, Elif Celik, Madeleine Baron, Derya Inkaya, and Pevruse Belikli. 18

July 2012

SHAKE UP SHAKESPEARE

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE

Congratulations to the following students who will soon see their work published in a Young Writers’ poetry anthology called ‘Shake Up Shakespeare’ which is due for publication in September.

Open: every school day at 8:00 am every break time every lunchtime and... every school day after school: until 5:00 pm Monday to Wednesday until 4:00 pm on Thursday and Friday

Abel Kent Ceake Maddix Caylan Samuel Ria Stapleton Gabriel Monaighan Gloria Coles Tariq Bakkali Joachim Harris Mert Kul Michael Zenios Bonnie Tonkinson Shan Hussein Che Ove‐Loncraine Yianni Aristotelous Nik Lerche Zoe Hencher‐Rafiq Olsi Shehu Naima Abu Eliane Vitoriano

Sam Ayres, Joe Vinall‐Smeeth Lui Donaldson Jahidul Hussain Khadija Nooh Hazal Tapki Rachel Gamble Maddie Scott Lilly Bolongaro‐Eyve Teddy Spencer‐Warnes Sadie May Tarrel Watson Jay Beckford Tommy Escott Doris Daci, James Lansdown Alice Bowen Jake Hamilton

THANK YOU A huge thank you to the LRC Assistants who have been a huge help in the daily running of the school library. We hope that they will continue with this excellent contribution to school life next academic year. Many thanks to: Olivia‐Jade Stammers‐Hanley, Alisa Gudzinkaite, Isabella Platt, Lily Bullock, Elif Celik, Jake Canton‐Perry, Cali Nice, Madeleine Baron, Hamdi Dalmer, Sabarin Tahlil.

AUTHOR EVENT ‐ Dan Freedman revisited

Ms Green writes: Author and football journalist Dan Freedman returned to Highgate Wood School last week to discuss his new book “Final Whistle” with a group of students in the LRC. Dan was amazed by the quality of the questions our students had to ask ‐ so impressed in fact that he ended up giving out four prizes for the best question where he normally only gives one! One of the best questions was about Dan’s future as a writer, as his new novel is the last in the Jamie Johnson series. He’s definitely going to continue but may venture into pastures beyond the football realm... fans will just have to wait and see for now July 2012

Students who have received tickets for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HOCKEY

FOOTBALL 1

29th July

31st July

Faith Asemota Alice Dore Freya Everest Natasha Fairclough Emma Gilligan Ashley Hamilton Harvey Lea‐Bramble Vita Lerche Ceake Maddix Scarlett Monaighan Aisling Reidy‐Martin Molly Rook Blue Weiss

Neena Afua‐Nsafoah Amy Haynes Lola Lillitos Elizabeth Oliver Kelsey Sadler Jada Sandy‐Hersh Josephine Shand Julisa Tusha Eliane Vitoriano Magda Zieja

VOLLEYBALL 1 29th July

Sacha Francis Georgia Bitmead Sadik Berivan Korkmaz Tomer Raphael Samuel Boundy Nancy Lean Kevin Kwarteng Matthew Ford

FOOTBALL 2 31st July

Sophie Aldridge Gizem Alici Molly Bassett Poppy Bennet Paige Christopher Monique Christopher Isabella Contstadine D'An Greaves‐John Kaz Lungah Katrina Martin Adina Mosely Isabella Platt

BASKETBALL 30th July

Shannon Ballinger Jonah Berman Elliott Brown Paschal Golding Brown Keanu Greaves Vladislav Mandev Mattie Moss Kendall Ruby Neal Jessica Oti Akenteng Lily Roberts Joshua Wayoe

VOLLEYBALL 2 31st July

Sezgin Arslan Kiran Bose‐Wright Matthew Ford Aron Goldblatt Hasan Karayigit Elun Phillips

HANDBALL 3rd August

Eleanor Brady Ashyha Broomes Michael Bull Hamdi Dalmer Aaron Demere

Mohamed Ismail Shannon Noone Brian Nyokabi

Rosa Gamble Audrey King Lassman Eliza King Lassman Jahii Laudat Theo Maddison Ijes Marshall Robert Merriman Joel Olutanji Joe Parker Alfie Peri Jamie Platt Founoulla Stevens Andre Paul Tibbles Ben Turner

CANOE SPRINT 7th August

Caitlin Bowen Lizzy Bowers Lewis Chapman‐Allan Thomas Fairclough Charles Freeman Ellie Harvey‐Kummer Ben Haynes Magan Jimale Ashley Orhon Mervin Reebye Anna Ryle Tom Ryle Alanna Smart Ceylan Tapki Samuel Tims Chrystal Udenweze Ellie Whitlock

P ATHLETICS 2 3rd September

WRESTLING 9th August

Jordan Amo James Courtney Robert Joyce Rasheed Kamara Hayden Kelly‐Gaspard Lyndon Leissle Mert Sahan Nicky Tank

Farhan Ahmed Issa Brian Segaruma Jake Canton Perry Hannah Crabb‐Krivine Joe Dodd Dimitar Dzhunova Aisha Easy Harry Ghose Coveney Sushila Ghose Coveney Trevaugh Jackson Joe Lewis Pietro Marziano‐May Teddy Nash Marcus Olatunji Ebony Walcott Martha White Lily Beckford

P ATHLETICS 3 4th September

P ATHLETICS 1 Gregor Beeby Gabriel Clarke Donnelly Martin Lauren Foy Rowan Juneman Alex McLaren James Mclaren Leila Moraes Innes Peacock Tommy Pegler

31st August

Giorgio Ardeleanu Caitlin Askiss Talvinder Bains Bessie Beecher Montana Cameron Lucy Carter Joe Casson Michael Fowler July 2012

GET SET FOR THE OLYMPICS

P ATHLETICS 4 5th September

Kiehm Asare‐Sonkour Rawan Ataya Sammy Bacon Yasmina Bensakrane Lloyd Bolton Yassin Boukhemal Kesanna Bryan Toby Buchan Carolina Cimatti Margherita Cimatti Harley Downes Dennisha Edwards Frankie Foster Patrick Hegarty‐Morrish Sam Holmes‐Kelly Brandon Hopkins Abel Kent Leila Kikuchi‐House Hannah Lean George Orford‐Williams Keja Pollard Liliana Ricketts Jordan Rochester Carsel Ryan‐Small Alan Sarica Rhianna Stirton Tiffany Vaughan

Ms Harmer writes: HWS students entered the 'Get Set for Team GB and Paralympics GB – Our Greatest Team' competition ‐ making displays to be hung inside our own set of Olympic rings hanging in the school foyer. We had wonderful entries ranging from a detailed model of the Olympic stadium to a fabulous Tom Daley (Team GB diver) inspired collage. Well done to Alex Dakovic 9H, Natalya De La Motte 9S, Martha White 8I and Hannah Crabb‐Krivine 8I for their creative designs.

LRC OLYMPIC QUIZ

Students lucky enough to have been awarded tickets will have been notified directly. The list above is not definitive.

Ms Green writes: Congratulations to Demet Duman who was awarded first prize in the Olympics Quiz run by the LRC. Demet got the highest score and has received an Olympics goodie bag as a prize for her effort. Runners up were: James Cooper, Hazal Tapki, Erdi Cavusoglu and Amy Townsend. The aim of this competition was to encourage students to develop information literacy skills through independent research.

OLYMPIC LOGO COMPETITION Ms Angove writes: Congratulations to all Year 8 students who contributed to the Olympic Logo design competition. The standard was amazingly high and all participants displayed a real talent for design. The finished work is currently on display at Coleridge Primary School.

Don’t forget the Olympic torch passes through Haringey on Wednesday 25th July. It should start from Fore Street, Tottenham at 5:20pm, arriving at Alexandra Palace at approximately 6:45 pm Everyone is invited to line the route to support the Haringey torchbearers! July 2012

WHY SPORTS DAY WAS CANCELLED

Mr Ibrahim writes: In common with many other schools in this Olympic year we had to cancel our Sports Day. It was a hard decision to make. It wasn’t just because the weather forecast predicted rain. We have had many successful Sports Days when it has been raining. The problem was that it threatened rain that was heavy and relentless, and followed the wettest June and July on record. The ground would be waterlogged, which meant that we would not be able to run many of the field events. And there was a very high risk of having large amounts of surface water on the track. That presents a real danger to student runners wearing trainers. On balance we had to decide to cancel.

ASDA ACTIVE COMMUNITY GAMES

Mr Pryor writes: Asda described the day as a huge success. On Tuesday 19th June, in glorious sunshine, four schools took part – Rhodes Avenue, Our Lady of Muswell, Bounds Green and Coldfall – and they had a really good time playing football, Kwik Cricket, tennis, basketball, athletics, martial arts and even some sprint cycling. Highgate Wood Students played a huge role in leading the day and supporting the Primary school Students in improving their sporting skills. The students represented the school extremely well. The students were Kevin Mustali, Alfie Shann, George Jennings, Montana Cameron, Tom Orchard, Keanu Greaves, Lola Lilitos, Scarlett Boxer, Marcello Smith, Cass Penfold, Kazenethi Lungah, Ellen Boardman and Magda Zieja. The students were fantastic ambassadors for the school, but the experience also provided useful academic evidence too. The coaching hours students gained from this day will count towards their GCSE Assessment.

Ideally we would have wanted to reschedule, but this simply was not possible. White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre gets booked way in advance, and we also had other activities planned in school for other days. We are now looking at how we might be able to provision a sporting event for early in the coming school year. That so many students were upset that Sports Day had to be cancelled is testimony to the huge enthusiasm we have amongst our student body for athletics and sports. At the same time everyone must be congratulated with the way they accepted the decision and our school attendance on Monday was very good.

July 2012

GETTING GIRLS BACK INTO SPORT

Ms Boyce writes: We were lucky enough to get a visit from the British Olympic Boxer Hannah Beharry . Once faced with an uncertain future, Hannah gave a very moving rendition of her troubled past, and how she managed to walk away from a life of crime at the age of 17 when she discovered a positive channel for her energies at All Stars, one of London’s most prominent boxing clubs.

The students who took part in Hannah’s talk, which is part of the Sky Sports Living for Sports Programme, were chosen to help reignite their passion and encourage their participation in sport and realise their full potential. The girls were fully involved with discussions and activities giving them goals and directions in terms of where they want to be in the future. Everyone agreed that it was a brilliant way to help motivate students to become more involved in sport and see the possibilities that might be open to them when they do. July 2012

VICTORY FOR KS3 GIRLS FOOTBALL

Ms Osborne writes: On 21st June HWS claimed the Middlesex Cup title against Hornsey School for Girls on penalties after a thrilling, well contested final. This well deserved victory came after a fantastic, dominating season in which the girls have reached two finals, a semi final, finished runners up in the outdoor league and finished winners of the indoor league. With a cup title being the only thing missing the girl’s went into the final prepared. An early lead was secured by two fantastic goals in the first half. However, Hornsey Girls then came back with vengeance to make the score 3‐3 at the final whistle, so taking the game to penalties. After an inspiring team talk by Coach Ivan Colomer‐ Martinez, Josie Smith, Captain Rosa Gamble and Sophie Aldridge all scored, just leaving Sophie Aldridge to make an amazing save to take the title. Miss Osborne: “This victory is special for the girls, it has come from months of hard work and dedication, the girls are amazing, they train at 7am every week as well as lunchtime and after school with a smile and should be so proud, I want to thank Ivan for his commitment, fun and banter, his presence is critical to our success and is greatly valued” Ivan Colomer‐Martinez “The girls are fantastic to work with, and I look forward to next season”

School starts again on Wednesday 5th September Year 7 will register at 10:35 am. Years 8‐11 will register at 2:10 pm It will be Week One. Thursday 16th August 2012

A/AS level Results Day (Collection time 11:00 am ‐ 1:00 pm)

Thursday 23rd August 2012

GCSE Results Day (Collection time 11:00 am ‐ 1:00 pm)

Thursday 23rd August 2012

First day of post 16 enrolment

Wednesday 5th Sept

Autumn term begins

Wednesday 26th September 2012 School closes at 13:10 to prepare for Open Evening 2nd—4th October 2012

Open mornings

26th October 2012

INSET DAY— school closed to students

29th October ‐ 2nd November

HALF TERM BREAK INSET DAYS and INSET AFTERNOONS Tuesday 4th September INSET DAY

Parent Consultation Evenings

Wednesday 3rd October Inset afternoon

Year 7 Tuesday 7th May 2013

Friday 26th October INSET DAY

Year 8 Wednesday 6th March 2013

Thursday 22nd November Inset afternoon

Year 9 Thursday 15th November 2012

Friday 21st December SCHOOL CLOSED

Year 10 Tuesday 29th January 2013

Tuesday 5th February Inset afternoon

Year 11 Thursday 17th January 2013

Monday 18th March Inset afternoon

Year 12 & 13 Wednesday 28th November 2012

Tuesday 23rd May Inset afternoon Monday 3rd June INSET DAY

AUTUMN 2012

SPRING 2013

SUMMER 2013

Wed 5th September

Term Starts *

Mon 7th Jan

Term Starts

Mon 15th April

Term Starts

29th Oct ‐ 2nd Nov

Half term break

18th Feb– 22nd Feb

Half term break

27th—31st May

Half term break

Friday 21st Dec

Term Ends

Thurs 28th March

Term Ends

Wed 24th July

Term Ends

* Tuesday 4th September is a Staff training day

The school calendar is now 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

Check school’s status 0208408 7508 and give the school’s DfE code 3094030

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