Spring 2013 Issue 2

Specialist Visual Arts Academy

MeriAMe’S Science Bronze

heAd girl & heAd Boy

P2 P5

feStiVAl fun

P7

Sport for All

P8

On Thursday, 7 February 2013 the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Right Honourable John Bercow MP, spoke to Year 11, 12 and 13 students about Parliament and his role as Speaker and then went on to answer questions from students. These questions covered constitutional reform, human rights, MPs’ expenses, controlling the House of Commons, EU membership, university fees and the experience level of cabinet ministers. At the end of the visit Mr Bercow said, “I have never had a better set of questions.”

The visit was organised by Heston Community School’s Head Girl, Sabah Choudhry, who is the Hounslow Member of the UK Youth Parliament. Sabah’s motivation to organise the visit came after she took part in a Youth Parliament Annual Sitting in Nottingham that discussed how to increase school children’s interest in politics.

Sabah said, “The aim of this event was to engage young people in politics. A lot of young people do not understand or appreciate the significance politics has on our everyday lives. My aim, as a Member of Youth Parliament, has been to fix this apathetic attitude and to get young people involved in politics. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Bercow in Nottingham where he agreed to visit my school. I have been planning this event for months and I am very excited it is has come

to life! What is more exciting is the fact that students in my school are beginning to share the same attitude, My mission complete!”

Phil Ward, Headteacher said, “It was a real privilege to welcome Mr Speaker to Heston Community School. I am sure that his visit will have inspired students to become more active and politically aware citizens. Perhaps, in the future, we may see an ex-Hestonian taking his place as Speaker of the House.”

“i’Ve neVer hAd A Better Set of QueStionS” John Bercow

StudentS’ ArtWorK to AppeAr in AdS

Year 9 students who attended a Youth Crime Convention emerged as winners of a competition

held on the day and the artwork they created will be used to promote the ‘Hate Crime’ message throughout Hounslow. The students received their awards from the Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Pritam Grewal.

Year 9 student Karishma, pictured left of the Mayor with

the winning Heston Team said, “It was a phenomenal feeling knowing that we had achieved such success and that our work would now be displayed publicly across the whole of Hounslow – our logo will be on buses and in bus shelters soon! Receiving our awards from the Mayor of Hounslow was the highlight of the day. We were so proud that Heston were the winners!”

2 Spring 2013 Issue 2 heston community School

iPADS In AcTIon

The School is particularly keen to use technology to enhance teaching and learning and one development has seen the use of iPads in History lessons to help bring the subject to life and provide an invaluable research tool for students.

Mr Dan Walters, Curriculum Leader for Humanities, said, “I have been lucky enough to trial the use of iPads with my classes. This has been a fantastic opportunity for my classes and for myself. The iPads provide us with much greater flexibility and allow the students to get a truly interactive experience. One of the most useful tools from a teaching perspective is the ability to be able to film activities and then show them to the whole class.”

10 red Win £3,000 for trinity

Trinity Homeless Projects, who work to help the homeless and excluded, will receive a £3,000 grant from the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) thanks to the presentation made by four Year 10 students from Red House. YPI organise these competitions to provide students with a hands-on, reality-based experience where they have to select a worthy charity and work with them to find out more about their work. All Year 10 students were involved in choosing a charity and presenting their case to their Tutor Group who then voted on the best presentation to go through to the final.

George Macpherson, YPI’s Schools Co-ordinator, said, “Students at Heston presented on their YPI charities with passion, dedication, sensitivity and professionalism and impressed both the judges and the audience with their efforts.”

Meriame Berboucha from Year 13 was one of 200 students invited to exhibit their National Science and Engineering Competition projects at the Big Bang Science and Engineering Fair. She then progressed to the last five, based on her excellent exhibition display and her knowledge of and enthusiasm for her cancer research project. The project was the result of work she carried out at the Imperial Centre of Translational and Experimental Medicine where she assisted with cancer research relating to the effectiveness of inhibitors on cancer proliferation.

In the next judging session, she was quizzed about the project by the celebrity judging

panel of Professor Brian Cox, Ben Miller, Rachel Riley and two Nobel prize-winners, Professor Ada Yonath and Sir Tim Hunt.

The judges were clearly impressed as Meriame was presented with a bronze medal and £150 for her highly commended work in the Senior (17-18) Science and Maths Category at the awards ceremony which was hosted by television presenters Liz Bonnin and Greg Foot.

Meriame said, “Exhibiting my work at the Big Bang Fair was amazing – seeing the faces of young scientists light up when they heard about my research project was irreplaceable. Meeting Professor Brian Cox was definitely the highlight of the Fair! Although the celebrity judging was a rather gruelling process, I loved every second of it. I cannot believe that a little research project over the summer has won me the title: Highly Commended 2013.”

Mr Stuart Newton, Meriame’s Physics teacher, who helped arrange the Nuffield placement where the research took place, said, “I am delighted that Meriame has achieved this award which is the outcome of her great talent in science and her incredible work ethic. She is a true role model for other students throughout the School.”

MerIAMe’S ScIence BronZe MeDAL

The winning team of Harmeet, Simranpreet, Manisha and Kabir are pictured with Alison Evans, Trinity’s Fundraising Manager

www.hestoncommunityschool.co.uk 3Spring 2013 Issue 2

heAdteAcher’S report

As you will read in this Newsletter, it has been an action-packed term with lots happening in our school community.

As we look forward to the main Public Examination sessions in the Summer Term, I am reminded that Einstein used to keep a poster on his wall that read, ‘Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts’. School accountability must always be about far more than performance data. Much of our work is carried on deep below the surface and is not always easily captured and parents/carers are always welcome to book an appointment to see our School in action.

It is not easy to evaluate the impact of our ethos. Neither is it as easy as politicians think to be precise about which literacy strategies, which wrap-around care programmes, which pastoral initiatives, which bits of the curriculum have been particularly successful. The answer is different for each child and each family. The important thing is

that students are happy and successful here and enjoy a sense of well-being and achievement. I’m not sure how such sophisticated interactions are easily evaluated. This year, there is a continued push to boost the performance of disadvantaged pupils nationally using the Pupil Premium. This nicely places in the public’s mind that it is all the responsibility of the school. It is not. There are many agencies involved in supporting families and, of course, we are building on the tremendous work going on in our feeder primary schools. Thinking of Heston, I would rather state, ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child’. As the austerity measures begin to bite and more and more people are experiencing great hardship this has never been as important. We must do our bit to help create a fairer society. This involves working with all students no matter what advantages or disadvantages they come with, to ensure they make really good progress.

So Heston will go on providing the best possible service we can to our community. We will continue developing our teachers to be the very best they can be. We will go on doing the things that have led to our success. Most of all we recognise that we cannot work in isolation. Our success represents your success as families. It builds on some great work in primary schools and our future success needs services such as health, youth, police, housing and the borough council all pulling together.Phil WardHeadteacher

recorD nUMBer oF AwArDS

This represents the largest number of students collecting Awards from Heston for many years. They are pictured receiving their Awards to applause from the audience at the ceremoy.

They have successfully completed the Volunteering, Physical Skills and Expedition sections of the Scheme. The Expedition Section saw teams working together to plan routes, cook and sleep under canvas overnight on Box Hill for the Bronze Award and for two nights in Corfe, Dorset, for the Silver Award.

Mr Dave Nunn, Duke of Edinburgh Award Co-ordinator at the School, said, “I am very proud of all these students. They have worked hard to achieve their Awards and deserved the recognition for their achievements.”

Silver and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards were presented to 57 Heston students at an award ceremony at Gunnersby School.

4 Spring 2013 Issue 2 heston community School heston community School

Careers, crime scene investigations, cooking and creating t-shirts were just a few of the activities covered in two Super Learning Days during Spring Term.

Careers Workshops proved popular with Year 10 students who got advice on interview skills and how to create an impressive curriculum vitae. They also found out more about different careers in a Speed Networking Event where students could quiz experts from 17 work sectors including Law, Engineering, Retail, Theatre, Finance and Commercial Banking represented by Nat West, Sky TV and GlaxoSmith Kline.

Crime scene investigation techniques were learnt by Year 7 students in February’s Super Learning Day when they visited a ‘crime scene’ in the Learning Resource Centre and found fingerprints, footmarks and fibres of clothing. They also had to look in drains and gutters for clues. The second Super Learning Day of the Term saw them creating t-shirts based on the different cultures and history of countries around the world.

Sixth Form students played an active role on the first Super Learning Day working in association with teachers, learning leadership skills and helping younger students. On the second Super Learning Day, they were either problem-solving in teams or learning life skills that will serve them well at university and life in general. The life skills learned (which were new to many students) included car maintenance, cooking on a budget, ironing and sewing.

Year 9’s Sponsored Walk through the Royal Parks saw the students once again raising funds for Shooting Star CHASE, visiting Downing Street and Buckingham Palace.

PoeTrY coMPeTITIon wInnerS A strange experience with a travelling artist, the move from primary to secondary school and a death in the family were the subjects that inspired the winners of the Heston’s Poetry Competition. The winner was Zubair from Year 9 and the runners-up were Year 7’s Umayr and Kiren. You can read their winning poems in the Latest News Section on our website.

English Teacher, Mr Shaun O’Keefe, who organised the competition and ran Poetry workshops to help students create their poems said, “It was such a pleasure to read such well developed, mature poetry. We have such creative talent here at Heston and these three fantastic poems are representative of such talent! Watch out for Zubair, Kiren and Umayr – poets of the future!”

All Year 7 students also wrote about joining Heston Community School – the winning poets are pictured below left and you can read their poems in the Student Section (Year Groups > Year 7) of our website.

reD MUFTIStudents turned up in all shades of red for a Mufti Day to support the British Heart Foundation and over £1,200 was raised.

Students were charged £1 for the privilege of coming to school in red mufti, but £2 if they didn’t!

Super leArning dAyS

Poetry winners: Umayr, Zubair and Kiren

www.hestoncommunityschool.co.uk 5Spring 2013 Issue 2

Following interviews and presentations earlier in the Term, the following students were successful in gaining the following roles: Head Girl – Tania Nizzar; Head Boy – Amarjot Rehal; Deputy Head Girl – Zarah Mowhabuth; Deputy Head Boy – Amandeep Singh.

The competition for these prestigious positions was fierce and the students’ presentations were very

impressive as were their performances at interview. Find out more about this team of students and their future plans below.

One of the teachers on the Interview Panel, Mr Hywel Evans (pictured left), also faced stiff competition

www.hestoncommunityschool.co.uk

Previous School northwood college heston Junior (now heston Primary)

norwood Green Junior Andrew ewing (now westbrook)

Subjects Anthropology, Graphic Design, Photography

Biology, chemistry, Physics, Maths

english Literature, history, Psychology, Anthropology

Maths – Mechanics, Physics, Sociology, Business Studies

Future education/career?

Keeping options open on which creative/dynamic field my degree will be in... my current goal is to enjoy my studies.

Go to university to study something in the medical field... keen to get a challenging and rewarding career.

higher education and then to become a teacher.

To study engineering or Business at University.

What do you plan to do in your new Sixth Form role?

I want to make a difference for students at heston and encourage them to take advantage of what is on offer here... particularly in the Visual Arts which I enjoy so much.

I plan to co-ordinate the senior students and get the rest of the Sixth Form involved in events and projects. I would like to continue fundraising for charity and improve the links between the staff and all the students.

I want to be a good role model to the younger students – someone they see around school and know they can talk to.

To assist the head Boy and head Girl by ensuring that each member of the Senior Student Team is comfortable and happy with their allocated roles. To contribute to the community.

What new ideas would you like to see implemented?

I would like to help work towards improving and strengthening links between the primary and community schools.

To encourage more visitors both from the local community and from famous people such as local MPs or Mo Farah, who could inspire students.

I want our school to interact more! And have more of a link between the Year Groups.

Improved links from home to school including documents and revision material – (watch this space – plans are in place!).

What you like most of all about HCS?

My favourite thing about heston community School is the amount of wide ranging support and guidance available to ALL students throughout their progression to Year 13.

It is such a welcoming place. I enjoy the community atmosphere and spirit which is seen throughout the School.

The relationships we have with each other and students. That we can have fun whilst learning too.

The extra support provided by the teachers to ensure that each student achieves and exceeds their predicted grades.

tAniA heAD GIrL

AMArjot heAD BoY

zArAh DePUTY heAD GIrL

AMAndeep DePUTY heAD BoY

himself at interview earlier in the Term but came through with flying colours and has been appointed to the post of Learning Co-ordinator for Key Stage 5. On appointment, he said this about his role:

“Being appointed Key Stage 5 Learning Coordinator is a dream job! I am excited by the opportunity to build on Heston Community School’s strong reputation and develop a dynamic Sixth Form! We have wonderful students, supportive parents/carers and dedicated and innovative staff who combine to create a learning experience to meet our high expectations. I believe that the Sixth Form experience is vitally important in students’ development, offering excellent education and engaging enrichment opportunities to prepare students for the lives ahead of them.”

heAd Boy And girl And deputieS Appointed

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goVernorS’ corner

80th AnniVerSAry SculptureInitial designs and ideas on how Heston students would be involved in the creation of a sculpture to commemorate the School’s 80th Anniversary were presented to a panel made up of students, teachers and governors.

Six concepts were presented by shortlisted artists from the University of the Arts London, ranging from arches and banners to benches and maps. The brief asked the artists how they would involve the local community and the School, particularly students, in the creation of the work.

The shortlisted artists also took the opportunity to view potential locations for their artwork and are seen above with David Wardill, Assistant Curriculum Leader for the Visual Arts.

The winner, who will be selected during the Summer Term, will become ‘Artist in Residence’ at the School based in their own workshop where the final sculpture will be created.

MocK MAGISTrATeS

The competition enabled them to get a better understanding of just what goes on in a courtroom as well as to take part in mock cases against other schools.

A team of twelve Year 8 and 9 students successfully defended their case against Harefield Academy but could not generate enough evidence to prosecute against Gunnersbury School who were the eventual winners of the heat.

There were excellent performances by Zeeshan as our Usher (“COURT RISE!”), Yash and Nithyam as our defence lawyers and Amar, Nader and Riaj as witnesses.

Heston students took part in the Mock Magistrates Competition at Hammersmith Magistrates Court.

JUMPInG for joy!The final assembly of the Spring Term saw Year 7 students presented with a variety of awards for their achievements and good behaviour. Over 70 students were awarded certificates and all the award winners were entered into a draw with six lucky winners receiving 1,000 Vivos. They are Shamyele, Jasleen, Lena, Karishma, Godfred and Abdo pictured below jumping for joy!

So what does a School Governor do? Contrary to popular belief, we do not get involved in the day to day running of the School. The Governing Body is made up of volunteers and its prime role is to set the strategy for the School and to hold the School to account. Next term the Governors will be

involved in the annual process to define the School Development Plan. Governors take into account the views of all stakeholders, so if you have views that you would like to share, please let us know via the email address below.

There is a tendency not to provide feedback as we think someone else will do it for us (not true!) or that there may be potential repercussions for our child which is definitely not true!! I firmly believe that you get in life what you put in, so do get involved as in the end we will get the School that we deserve. Kuldip SidhuChair of Governorsgb@hestoncs.hounslow.sch.uk

www.hestoncommunityschool.co.uk 7Spring 2013 Issue 2

yeAr 9 rAISe £2,972 For chASeJane De Lay from Shooting Star CHASE visited the School to thank Year 9 students for the £2,972 they raised for the charity. She also told them how the money would be used to make every day count for local families with children or teenagers who have life limiting conditions and are unlikely to reach adulthood.

The money was raised throughout the year and is a record amount for an individual Year Group. A variety of fundraising activities were organised by the students with the major event being a Sponsored Walk from the School to Richmond Park and back again which was completed by 180 students.

Jane said, “We are truly grateful to the Year 9 students at Heston Community School for the incredible amount they have raised for Shooting Star CHASE. It is extremely inspiring to hear of the dedication and commitment they have shown in helping families in their local area. Thank you so much from the children, families and staff at Shooting Star CHASE.”

Sixth Form Anthropology students attended a conference at Brunel University that was organised by Heston’s Humanities Team in association with the University and was open to all schools.

The students benefitted from workshops led by Brunel’s Anthropologists including Dr Eric Hearch, Head of Anthropology at Brunel University, (pictured below) lecturing on Disco in Papua New Guinea. The workshops were based on their fieldwork and were tied in with core ‘A’ level themes.

The students also had the opportunity to find out more about university life and enjoyed a tour of the campus.

Anthropology conference

coMMUnITY FeSTIVAL

The bitterly cold weather did not put off parents/carers and children turning up at the Heston Community Festival which was held in the School’s Sports Hall on Saturday, 23 March. Visitors were rewarded with some fantastic singing from a variety of student groups, the School Choir and the Heston Dance Academy’s energetic routines.

As well as the entertainment, there was also an opportunity to join art workshops, have your face painted like a superhero or your hand painted in the more traditional Mehndi style.

For the more energetic visitors a variety of sports could be sampled, including Shentie Mixed Martial Arts, RollaDome skating and football coaching with Brentford Football Club. Any children who still had any energy left were able to bounce away on the bouncy castle.

heston road, heston, hounslow, Tw5 0Qr

tel 020 8572 1931 fax 020 8570 2647

email info@hestoncs.hounslow.sch.ukheadteacher Phil ward BA(hons) MA nPQh

He talked about his books and how he plans his writing as well as providing creative writing tips and answering students’ questions. The talk introduced World Book Day and all students were given a £1 book token together with details of a variety of books they may want to buy, including a number of £1 World Book Day Books.

World BooK dAy

Pete Johnson, the prolific British children’s author with over 50 books to his name including, The Bad Spy’s Guide, How to train your Parents, Ghost Dog and The Vampire Blog spoke to Year 7 students.

Sport For ALL

Heston Community Sports Hall is an important resource for the School during the day but out of school hours provides the local community with an excellent venue for health and fitness activities.

We run regular activities that cater for both adults and children and you are able to use our facilities for football, badminton, basketball, netball, cricket, volleyball, tennis, skating and many other sports.

The Sports Hall has continued with its existing strong partnerships and key new partnerships have also been formed with organisations such as Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, RollaDome, Motive8 Sports & Fitness,

Heston Youth Club and most recently UK Dodgeball Association and England Handball. These partnerships have been created to offer the community a much wider range and variety of activities for both adults and children. We are also proud to be the first in the Borough of Hounslow to create such partnerships.

The Sports Hall also has a fitness suite with free weights and aerobic fitness equipment. So, if you are currently looking to join a gym or get back into shape, please feel free to visit us at the Sports Hall where we can help with all your fitness needs. We offer special discounts and have various promotions all year round with membership starting from as little as £22 per month.

Some of the other facilities we provide in the main sports hall are:

4 full size basketball courts

5-a-side indoor football pitch cricket (nets) volleyball court netball court which can also be used for a variety of other sports and activities

Outdoor facilities include:

floodlit Astroturf 5-a-side football pitch that is open throughout the year 3 outdoor courts for tennis, netball and 5-a-side football 11-a-side grass football pitch

We look forward to welcoming you to Heston Community Sports Hall. If you require any further information, please visit us on the school website or contact Dave Mason (above), Sports Hall Manager on 020 8570 6544 or by email sports@hestoncs.hounslow.sch.uk