Chestnut NewsDate: 9 Feb 2018 Issue No: 66

MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER

Dear Parents

It seems like this half-term has flown by and that it was only yesterday that I was welcoming everybody back from the Christmas holidays. This half-term has been incredibly busy with staff and students eagerly preparing for the upcoming GCSE and A Level exams. I do hope that as well as revising hard, students take the time to immerse themselves in something that they really enjoy outside of school over the half-term break. Next half-term will also be incredibly busy and it is important that students strike the right balance between work and play.

Over half-term we are expecting the demolition of our old building to commence. The demolition is expected to take around 10 weeks and we are looking forward to finally having a view out of our new build windows. Although the demolition phase of the project is behind schedule we are optimistic that our students will be able to enjoy their new playground in the very early part of the 2018-2019 academic year. In the next newsletter I hope to be able to share some photographs of the demolition with you.

Finally, I am delighted to announce that our very own Ms Taylor has been awarded a Jack Petchey Leader award for the work she has done in Chestnut Grove in engaging our students in promoting equality. Huge congratulations to Ms Taylor for the inspiring work she has done, and continues to do, at Chestnut Grove.

Have a wonderful half-term!

Christian KingsleyHeadteacher

Safeguarding

Your child’s safety is of paramount concern to us. If you have any concerns over the personal development, behaviour or welfare of your child or any other child within Chestnut Grove Academy that cannot be resolved by the child’s teacher, tutor or RSL, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Mikayla Jolley on 0208 772 2545 or Ms Jackson on 0208 772 2510.

HEAD’S COMMENDATIONS

Headteacher’s commendations are given for students demonstrating the PROUD ethos, either through behaviour or exceptional pieces of work. Any student can be nominated by their teacher. Students who receive a commendation get a certificate from the Headteacher and also receive 100 proud points. The following students have received commendations in the past fortnight:

Y11 Science Sabirin JimaaleFelix BillSonia Zia

Y11 Maths Mervyn WongMichelle LinJaidah SpenceFrances FreemanSidney ToshaDelicia Fraser

Y11 Business Nezrin BadalovCuriosity Club Molly HarmanTenley Fuentes-Lema

Year 8 Science Amy WennSuhail Mohamed-PathushaJoe SzemalikowskiClara Elsner-OtalCreative Writing ClubDaniella TeiboweiJaidah SpenceRebecca SheerinJamie-Lee Lynch

Year 11 History Yasemin JurczynskiMonica Allen-TaylorLily Jenkinson

Year 11 English Gabriela Mihaylova Maryam Ahmed Debra NelsonJered MillsAbdullahi MohamudShibil Velakkeden

Year 11 PBEDjuan BlakeShannon Chaffey-CarterDelicia Fraser, Lauryn Lecointe-Robinson, Kareena Rathod, Maryam Syed, Daniella Teibowei, Mervyn Wong, Naia Barker, Meryem Beryane, Felix Bill, Yousuf Boutouili, Caleb Gideon, Eliska Klimova, Michelle Lin, Luca Maxwell-Scott, Thomas Paxton, Sonia Zia

Year 11 ScienceCharlotte Greenwood

Year 9 History Panicha Jotinandana

Year 7 GeographyKhalid Mahamoud Calvin RyanRobert RosuSiofra Mawdsley Ivana KuzmanoskaLuke Carroll

Year 11 MediaTiarnan MatthewsFatima TraoreJada JCurtis-Ray Pye

SPORT NEWS

Basketball

EVELYN GRACE ACADEMY - CHESTNUT GROVE ACADEMY (Boys KS4)

On the 12th of December the Chestnut Grove Academy KS4 boysbasketball team, mentored by head coach Bartek Wisniewski and assistant coach Sam Mills, ventured to Brixton to a tipoff against the Evelyn Grace Academy team in a 4pm South London hoops encounter.

The hosts took advantage of a well-balanced offensive game plan, scoring from inside and outside the paint, with short and long-range jumpers as well as lay ups by moving the ball around and seeking wide-open shots.

Equally impressive was the CGA quick defence. They recorded several key turnovers that the mighty EGA team were able to convert into points.

Both teams engaged in prolific scoring in the first half, before the home team seized momentum in the third quarter to gain the substantial lead and extending it in the final period to record a well-earned 57 to 35 victory.CGA were led by high-point scorer Andy Meksqimi, who poured in a fantastic 27 points. He also led the squad in the rebounding department with 19 boards!

CGA was represented by: Andy Meksmiqi, Gus T-Hoyte, Cailum Kham, Tiarnan Matthews, Walid Bondjellab, Keifa Espina, Kamose Samuels-Regis, Rashan Atkinson, Jermaine Robinson, Louis Martin and one and only D’varn Ireland.

After the game, team head coach Bartek Wisniewski said: “I am very proud of my team. Evelyn Grace Academy team is one of most prolific school teams in London. The best team we have ever played. The EGA team plays games on a weekly basis and is participating in Basketball League competitions. Moreover, some of their players are also playing for Brixton Topcats.

“Regardless of that, tonight we were a little rusty. We need to be aggressive, playing with pace, not looking over shoulders. The only way we’re going to be able to get out of the locker room and win the game is to put the hard work in as players and coaches. We have another away game coming up against our old rivals Southfields Academy and the whole team is looking forward to it!”

FRIENDS OF CHESTNUT GROVE

Save the date:

Our annual QUIZ NIGHT will be held on Thursday 10th May and is open to all parents/carers.More details to follow in due course.

General emails to friendsofchestnutgrove@gmail.comJoin us on our Facebook page Friends of Chestnut Grove or follow us on Twitter (@FriendsofCGA)

Athletics

30 students from Chestnut Grove enjoyed a great day of athletics at the borough indoor competition at Ernest Bevin College last week. The competition involved students from Year 7 and 8 and included a range of track and field events. The combined boys’ team finished just outside the medals in fourth position while the girls’ team claimed bronze. There were some excellent personal performances, including Amari Thomas and Maria Mintah who won gold in the six-lap race and shot putt. Well done to all who participated!

Mr Hallsworth PE teacher

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Last year Chestnut Grove was lucky enough to be awarded a grant by the Savoy Educational Trust. This has been used to develop our curriculum and kit out a brand new state of the art cooking facility for the students to learning in. The DT department have started the course and we are now in full swing. Students are learning different cooking techniques and the basics of food nutrition. Students are encouraged to explore new techniques and skills to create their own tasty treats.

I have been blown away by Year 7 and 8’s enthusiasm for the subject and their desire to experiment and achieve.

I have included some images of their first lesson on knife skills and safety in which they prepared a fruit salad. Next lesson they will be cooking up a storm with a fiery stir fry.

Mr Stokes,DT teacher

CHESTNUT21

Thanks again to you all for your support in 2017. We are currently working on the projects that we have received funding for including our new Study Incentive Club, the delivery of teaching and activities in the food technology room and scheduling new sports and activities on the new MUGA when it is built following the demolition of the old school!

While we enjoy seeing the fruits of this fundraising, we are still working hard to add value to and maximise the opportunities for the new school grounds that will come about over the next few months. We will be writing to you in the next few weeks about a school drive to help us ensure that the grounds are as good as they can be for the students of the school.

In the meantime, if you are planning to book your summer holiday over the next few weeks, please consider us by booking via the following link: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/chestnutgroveacademy/

PERFORMING ARTS

Calling all singers!

We have a new choir starting on Tuesday break time; please come to S.2.23 to join Chestnut Grove’s newest choir run by Miss Anderson (sixth form choir leader). She also has some slots available for individual singing lessons. Please see Mr Burstow or Sam Mills for a letter.

Royal Opera House Trip

The performing arts department took 39 students ranging from Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 to watch Giselle at The Royal Opera House on Friday 2nd February. The students and teachers were very excited to be attending such an amazing and well-known ballet and were definitely not disappointed. The performing arts team were very proud of how well the students behaved.

Performing Arts Team

BILINGUAL DEPARTMENT

Extraordinary English Etymology

Every newsletter the bilingual department will bring you the etymology (origin) of two words or phrases. They will be the kind of phrases that many of you will know and probably use but would most likely struggle to explain why they are called what they are to anyone else. The bilingual department is here to help!

Daylight Robbery

This goes back to 1696 when a tax on windows was introduced. This was increased in 1782 when a graduated tax of one old shilling per window was charged up to ten windows, increasing very sharply after that. Rather than pay this tax, which was seen as daylight robbery, people bricked up some of their windows and this can often be seen in buildings to this day.

Dunce

The original ‘dunsers’ were followers of a man called Duns Scotus who died in 1308. He is said to have opposed classical studies on the revival of learning and so any oppose to learning was called a dunce and it gradually came to mean a blockhead or someone who could not learn.

Do you know the interesting origin of a word or phrase? Then get in touch! We’d love to share your knowledge with the Chestnut Grove community (we’ll obviously give you credit for your contribution!). Not only is it interesting but it also helps many of our bilingual learners understand why, in English, we say so many strange things that seem, on the surface, to make no sense! Just email info@chestnutgrove.wandsworth.sch.uk and put ‘for the attention of the bilingual department /Mr Sharpe’

Mr SharpeHead of Bilingual department

ART DEPARTMENT

Year 7, 8 and 9 art specialists participated in an architecture workshop on 31st January. The aim of the workshop was for students to create architectural structures which were inspired by famous abstract paintings. Students analysed the shapes and forms within the paintings and as a team, the students discussed the various elements of the painting to help them create a 3D structure. It was wonderful to see the groups of students sharing ideas to collaboratively come up with a final structural design, and then to ensure their creative vision could be transformed into a structural form. It was wonderful to see all of the art specialists demonstrate all of the PROUD values through out the workshop, and to demonstrate their natural creative flair.

YEAR TEAMSYEAR 7

As you may be aware last week there was a road accident outside the school wherein a Year 7 student stepped out into traffic without looking. The student fortunately was not seriously harmed. We were also informed by members of the public of other students in Year 7 taking risks when crossing the local roads. As detailed in previous newsletters we have taken action as a school to promote road safety awareness amongst our students but I would ask you again to make sure your child is clear on the following points:

1. The danger of walking on the wrong side of the barriers on the way between school amd Balham Station (i.e. on the roadside kerb).

2. Being on the phone/looking at a phone when close to the edge of the pavement or crossing a road.3. Listening to music with earphones whilst walking to/from school.4. Crossing away from a pedestrian crossing, particularly on Balham High Road.5. Crossing between parked vehicles.6. Running across the road to catch a bus/make it to school on time/meet a friend.7. Standing in a group of friends by the edge of the road, with backs to the road.8. Straying into the road on quieter side roads (including Chestnut Grove) or by bus stops. This is

particularly important because of the busy blue Cycle Super Highway in Balham.9. Starting to cross the junction by Balham Station when the countdown on the crossing has begun and/

or not crossing within the white lines on the junction.

Thankfully none of our Year 7s have been seriously harmed in road accidents but I am, as I’m sure you are as well, concerned with the situation. If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions please contact me or Ms Gostling who coordinates our work on road safety.

Mr O’KeeffeRaising Standards Leader Year 7

YEAR 8

Firstly, a big thank you to Ms Gostling for delivering a fantastic assembly on the importance of resilience and working hard to succeed at school. Ms Gostling also commented on how well-behaved and polite the year group were. They truly represented themselves greatly.

You should now have your child’s Year 8 reports with you or via the “My Child At School” (MCAS) website. We have our Year 8 parents evening in March where you will be given the chance to discuss your child’s attainment. However, if you wish to discuss this sooner please feel free to contact your child’s tutor or the class teacher to discuss any of the points raised.

I would like to congratulate Abdur-Raheem on his head teacher’s award for his extended writing piece. Secondly, Amy Wenn for her outstanding stop animations homework in science in which she animated how sound moves through the ear and then transmitted to the brain.

I visited the classrooms again last week and was very delighted with the learning taking place. I popped into history and saw Blake, Hepworth and Kapoor working very studiously with Mr Malik. I was impressed

with the students’ understanding of algebra in Mr Khan’s math lesson. I was also very impressed with Mr Wildman’s DT lesson where they have been developing their “rollerball” maze game in wood and plastic. All students were working well and the lesson showed great progress throughout by all.

Some groups have even managed to master the stir fry! The students are required to bring in their own ingredients and share them within the group to produce their meal. It is important that students bring their allocated ingredients as they work as a team to produce the recipe. Please could you ensure your child does this each week or contact the head of department, Mr Wildman if there are any concerns.

Mr StokesRaising Standards Leader Year 8

YEAR 9

Parents Evening Dear parents/carers of year 9, Please add into your calendar that Year 9 options evening will be on Wednesday 7th March at 5-8pm in the sports hall. Your child will be given an appointments card for you to arrange a time to meet with their subject teachers to discuss progress and then also to explore the opportunity for your child to take up subjects at GCSE. This is the most important parent’s evening yet concerning your child’s future and I urge you to plan plenty of time in advance to sure you are able to attend. PROUD Assembly On Monday 5th February Year 9 and 10 were invited into the sports hall for our first PROUD assembly, aimed at recognising the achievements of many of our peers who have excelled. This covered a range of capacities from highest numbers of PROUD points, to excellence and academic achievement

nominated by the respective Head of Departments, to awards given by the RSLs for embodying the school’s ethos and core values. It was a pleasure to start the Year 9 portion of the assembly by recognising the achievements of the year group as a whole; so many of the cohort have made excellent progress since this time last year and as a whole the year group are making excellent progress. Photo of RSL awards - Nawaal Ali, Tyresse Taylor, Jaimee Hyacinth, Neveah Burton-Smith, Tyrese Blake

Well done Year 9!

Mr McCarthyRaising Standards Leader Year 9

YEAR 10

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It was an absolute pleasure to take part in the rewards assembly that we held in school on Monday this week. The Year 10s have had a hard week as a result of exams, so it was lovely to start the week in such a positive way. Many of the students in the year group have amassed a staggering amount of proud points already this year and so the top five students were awarded a certificate and voucher. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements of the year group and all departments were asked to nominate students who they thought had made an outstanding start to their GCSE’s. Finally, I gave awards to five students who I think truly represent the PROUD ethos of Chestnut Grove. Many congratulations to the following students;

Proud Points AwardsChloe MyersKairen FairbrotherElla SwannEleanor WitheyChanee Fairbrother

Academic Achievement Awards Rosa McDonnell Nicholas Stylianou Malik Sahebekhtiari Jade GattegnoErin RyanRamzi ToutahApril MacrohonSam RosenbergJack BanasiakCatia DorofteyJose Dias

PROUD AwardsZashaun WhiteMorgan BrownChloe MyersEleanor Smith BriginshawRamzi Toutah

I wish all of the students a happy half term and a well deserved rest following their exams.

Ms StriesowRaising Standards Leader Year 10

YEAR 11 Parents Evening

A huge thank you to the parents and guardians that attended the parents evening last month! I A huge thank you to the parents and guardians who attended the parents evening last month! I was delighted to see so many in attendance. The response by email was a terrific communicational success! Thank you to the many parents who shared with me their gratitude for the hard work of the Year 11 teachers, myself and the tutor team.

When discussing the current progress and achievement of the students in my BTEC Sport class, I was impressed with the mature way they discussed and took on board their responsibilities in plotting for success!. Year 11 teachers have fed back to me that the same mature, positive, determined attitude was displayed in their meetings. HUGE well done Year 11 and a massive thank you to parents and guardians for your constant support. February half term intervention – Would strongly suggest that year 11’s take the opportunity to attend!

Day Time Subject Teacher Room9-11.30 DT Mr Wildman/ Mr Stokes N.0.08 / N.0.11

9-11.30 Spanish Ms Diamond / Ms Cavallito N.0.19

12.30-3 Science Mr Smith N.2.13

9-11.30 Maths Set 3 Ms Jones HB 5

9-11.30 Maths Set 1 Ms Conteh HB10

9-11.30 Maths Set 4 Ms Olatunji HB12

12.30-3 Maths Set 5 & 6 Ms Conteh HB10

12.30-3 Maths Set 6 Ms Kumi HB12

9am -3 pm Dance Ms Crawford Dance Studio

12.30-3 BTEC Sport Ms Fletcher N.0.23

Thursday 15th February 9-11.30 Maths Set 5 Ms Davies HB14

9-11.30 French Ms Holding N.0.25

12.30-3 Art Ms Horne P3Friday 16th February

Intervention Calendar February Half Term 2018

Monday 12th February

Tuesday 13th February

Wednesday 14th February

Y11 PPE Timetable - March 2018

Period Exam Length Room

Period 3 English Language - Paper 2 2Hrs Classroom

Period 3 Maths - Paper 2 1Hr30m Classroom

All Day Spanish - Individual Speaking Exams - As DirectedPeriod 3 English Language - Paper 1 1Hr45m Classroom

All Day French - Individual Speaking Exams - As Directed

All Day French - Individual Speaking Exams - As DirectedPeriod 5 Maths - Paper 3 1Hr30m Classroom

All Day Spanish - Individual Speaking Exams - As DirectedPeriod 3 Design & Technology 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 5 Science - Walking Talking Mock 1Hr Sports Hall

Period 1 English Literature - Paper 2 2Hrs15m Sports HallPeriod 4 PBE - Da Vinci, Turner & Kahlo 1Hr Classroom

Period 1 Triple Science 2Hrs Sports HallPeriod 1 Combined Science 1Hr30m Sports HallPeriod 5 Geography - Ms Robinson 1Hr Classroom

Period 1 Maths - Paper 1 - Non-Calculator 1Hr30m Sports HallPeriod 3 Geography - Ms Jackson, Mr Reeves & Mr McCarthy 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 5 Drama 1hr30m ClassroomPeriod 5 History - Ms Adams 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 5 Geography - Ms Jackson, Mr Reeves & Mr McCarthy 1Hr Classroom

Period 1 Geography - Ms Robinson 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 3 History - Mr Buchanan & Ms Sweeny 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 4 Geography - Ms Jackson, Mr Reeves & Mr McCarthy 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 4 History - Ms Adams 1Hr Classroom

15:15 Dance 2Hrs Studio/S.2.11

Period 3 History - Mr Buchanan & Ms Sweeny 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 3 Music 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 4 PBE - Kapoor, Hepworth & Blake 1Hr Classroom

Period 5 Geography - Ms Robinson 1Hr Classroom

Period 3 Media 1Hr ClassroomPeriod 5 Media 1Hr Classroom

Tuesday 27th March

Wednesday 28th March

Week Four

Week ThreeMonday 19th March

Tuesday 20th March

Wednesday 21st March

Thursday 22nd March

Friday 23rd March

Friday 16th March

Thursday 15th March

Week OneTuesday 6th March

Week TwoMonday 12th March

Tuesday 13th March

Wednesday 14th March

Chestnut Grove Sixth Form interviews are currently taking place. I have also been pleased the see the number of students that have requested a reference from myself for other colleges and Sixth Forms. There is nothing wrong with applying for other KS5 institutions; as one student told me today: “I want to attend CGA Sixth Form, but I’m curious to see what else is available to me, attending the interviews is also a good experience.” Mindset – Year 11 Students It has come to my attention in the lead up to and during the Mock exams, a number of Year 11 students are struggling with the stress and anxiety for revision and exam success. I have been looking at setting up a number of sessions, run by an outside specialist, to furnish these students with coping skills and techniques to better equip them for their final exams. Further information will be send out by post. Leaving Hoodies – Class of 2018 Hoodies are available to order on parent pay. At this stage 99 students, including the tutor team have indicated they are purchasing the leavers’ hoody. On parent pay there is information regarding the three colours available and a size guide.At this stage hoodies are - £21.50 each, however if we secure 100 or more orders the price will drop to £18.50 and the difference will be refunded.

Ms Fletcher Raising Standards Leader Year 11

SIXTH FORM

Outstanding UCAS news: Cambridge Success.We are delighted to announce that two of our students in Year 13 have received offers to study at the University of Cambridge from September 2018: Mattias Borchardt-Hume has been offered a place to read Music at Jesus College, and Olivia Francis-Cornibert has been offered a place to read English Literature at Emmanuel College. This is a staggering achievement and now the students will have to work incredibly hard to meet their offers. This builds on the success we had last year with Ephraim Conteh now studying PPE at Worcester College, Oxford and Orla McBride now studying Geography at Hertford College, Oxford.

Outstanding UCAS news: Offer for Medicine at St George’s, University of London.We are equally delighted to announce that Jude Fredman in Year 13 has been offered a place to read Medicine at St George’s, University of London. This also represents a staggering achievement as competition for places is fierce. Jude not only had to achieve four A grades at AS level but also had to sit both the UKCAT and BMAT external entrance examinations to be considered for her place. Typically, Jude achieved well above the national average in both exams and was then called for interview where she was subjected to a series of mini-interviews, each providing Jude with a scenario which she then had to respond to and suggest how she would deal with each situation.

We are incredibly proud of all our students and the offers they are now attracting from many of the most prestigious universities in the country. Last year 78% of our UCAS applicants received Russell Group university offers – the 24 top research intensive universities in the UK – and this year already appears to be moving in a similar direction.

Mr Taylor, Head of Sixth Form

Sixth Form BTEC Level 3 IT Trip to the Bett Show with Mr HepworthOn Friday 26th January, Year 12 Double Computing students (Josh, Ayoub, Gideon, Kai and Jayden) went to the Bett Show with Mr Hepworth and Mr Goodwin at the ExCeL Centre. Bett is a trade show, showcasing the latest in technology in education. It’s aimed at both teachers and students to learn about new technology being used in the classroom to make learning more engaging and interesting, including virtual reality, robotics and the use of smartphones and tablets for learning. Our class ventured off and had the opportunity to learn about new and upcoming tech products being rolled out into schools in the near future, listen to talks, the opportunity to win prizes and gain an insight into what companies are bringing out to us in the near future. Spending the afternoon there helped us learn about how technology is advancing the industry for both teachers and students alike, and gave us the opportunity to give feedback to our schools and suggest new ideas and concepts based on what we learnt. We got to meet CEOs from big companies in the education industry, and talk to people from all around the world about their products and innovations. Our trip ended with a journey on the Emirates Air Line, over to North Greenwich where we left.

Gideon Quaife, Year 12 BTEC Computing student.