Insight 9

News from Highgate Wood School arts college

CONSIDERATION COOPERATION COURTESY CONTRIBUTION Issue No 9 December 2012

December 2012

2

The Chair of Governors, Charles

Wright, writes: Our last meeting of the

year was a chance to look at the way

the curriculum is evolving and the sort

of changes we need to make to meet

government requirements. Although

not referred to in this edition of Insight,

you will be hearing more about these changes from the

Headteacher in the coming weeks.

We are committed to offering the widest possible

educational experiences for all our students at

Highgate Wood School, covering statutory obligations

but going further so that enrichment of all kinds, arts,

music, sport and a range of extra‐curricular

opportunities remain available.

Many of you will have attended the Winter Concerts –

and these are a great example of students of all ages

and different abilities coming together to share an

experience which is educational in the broadest sense

as well as being a fantastic celebration of what

Highgate Wood School is about.

Events like this couldn’t happen without the hard work

and commitment of our teachers and support staff –

who of course also have a day job working with our

students to achieve the excellent academic results at

the end of Year 11 and at Post 16 that we’ve seen over

the past few years.

Teachers don’t always get a good press, so it’s a good

time, at the end of a long term, to remind ourselves of

the hours our staff put in, and thank them for their

work.

Finally, on behalf of the Governing Body, can I wish all

of you a happy and relaxing Christmas and New Year –

and thank you again for your support for Highgate

Wood School..

Cover picture: The school Winter Concert ‐ photographed by

Emily Mort and Shoma Dhar

As Mr Harlow says in the concert programme the Winter

Concert “is our chance to show parents some of the fantastic

work that goes on in the department on a day to day basis.”

Thanks are due to Ed Harlow, Mon Ekstrom, Kate Dornan and

Anna Ryan, to the Peri teachers Nick Would, Nick Wilkinson,

Paolo Vanoncini and Sarah Williams and to the admin and

support staff Tina Hassan and Andrew Green, as well as to all

the students involved in making these concerts such an

extraordinary display of talent and an inspiration to us all.

More photos from the Winter Concert will appear on the school

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 • Rob White

Community Governors:

Phil Cocksedge • Violet Hazelwood‐Henry • Chris Parr

Carol Vincent 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

HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY

GOVERNING BODY UPDATE

A Parent Governor Vacancy exists on the

Governing Body.

If you wish to put your name forward for election

please write to Charles Wright c/o Mrs K Ozturk at

the school.

GOVERNOR VACANCY

Spendandraise ‐ which you

can access through the

school website ‐ allows you to

buy on‐line from a huge range

of retailers, including John

Lewis, Halfords, Currys, Habitat,

Evans Cycles, Play.com and Asda.

There are no charges for using it, but every purchase

through www.spendandraise.com/hwspsa provides

extra funds for the Highgate Wood School PSA.

Please keep it in mind for your last‐minute Christmas

shopping and any on‐line shopping in the New Year.

We are looking for Exam Invigilators. For

more details contact our exams officer, Joe

Demetriou, at [email protected]

INVIGILATORS WANTED!

December 2012

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MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER

Welcome to the last

Insight of 2012!

Much has happened since I

last wrote to you in

October as you will see

when you read through

this edition. I also hope

that you get a real sense

through reading our

Insight publications of the

way that Highgate Wood School has thrived over the

last few years, and is a vibrant community of positive

activity where students feel safe, enjoy school and

achieve really well.

This is shown through our exam results over the last

two years and our most recent Ofsted Report (Nov

2011). However, what conveys this message even

more powerfully are the responses that we got from

you ‐ our students and parents ‐ in the recent survey

that we conducted on the Academic Review Day. You

can read the outcomes of the survey later on in this

edition. We are very pleased with what you have said

as it represents an improvement on what was an

already positive survey last year. However, we are

not complacent and we remain mindful of those

areas in which we know we can do even better.

Thank you as always for your very valued and

valuable feedback.

Post 16 Open Evening –

the natural route from Year 11 into the 6th Form

We held our Post 16 Open Evening on Thursday 13th

December for all current Year 11 students (and some

Year 10s) and their parents to come and view the

school. Like last year, I was thrilled with the number

of people that attended the event – particularly the

mix between students who currently attend Highgate

Wood School and students from across Haringey

(and beyond). As with last year, there weren’t

enough seats in the main hall to accommodate all

those who attended! This is a testament to our

growing reputation locally. I am proud that more and

more we are being considered by our community as

the local school of choice.

This autumn, the number of students who chose to

stay at (or join) Highgate Wood School was very

encouraging. There was a significant increase in the

number of Year 11s who stayed on and a record

number of places offered to and taken up by external

students who were keen to join us. We had the

unfortunate situation at the start of September of

having to let down a number of disappointed students

and parents for whom we did not have sufficient

places on courses, or where students did not achieve

the grades required for their chosen courses.

We are keen that as many of our Year 11 students

remain here as possible as we believe that it

represents a very good and positive decision for them

to do so based upon...

Our belief in the seven‐year commitment that

the school has to all of its students that tracks their

education, growth and progress from Year 7 to Year 13

– we see Post 16 as a natural continuation of the

learning that takes place in Key Stage 4.

The benefits or remaining at a school that

students know, but more importantly a school that

knows them; where their teachers know their

strengths and how to build upon them; where their

teachers are aware of their areas for development and

will not allow these to be overlooked or left

unchallenged – our standards and expectations of our

6th form students are high.

Remaining at a school where they have made

good progress, knowing that progress in the 6th form

is further accelerated according to all national

benchmarks and measures.

The knowledge that teaching in the 6th from is

of a high quality.

The wide (and growing) range of opportunities

available to our students at Post 16 to experience

leadership roles and responsibilities and to ‘give

something back’ to the school community that has

helped develop them.

A belief that our Year 11s are very much a part

of Highgate Wood School and Highgate Wood School

is a part of them... a partnership and relationship that

is beneficial to all during A’ level study at Post 16

Knowing that at Highgate Wood School, our

students benefit from teachers who really do care

about them and will go the extra mile to support them

throughout their studies

December 2012

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One of the most important things to emerge out of the

evening is the clarity that our Year 11s now have

about the expectations of them in terms of securing a

place in the 6th Form. For every student that wishes to

secure their place they must...

1. Work really hard between now and the summer

exams to secure the very challenging grades necessary

to gain access to our Post 16 courses – for many

students there is now a realisation of just what it will

take

2. Ensure that they continue to make a positive

contribution to Highgate Wood School as a positive

reference from their tutor or their Head of Learning is

also a pre‐requisite for entry

We will have, over the coming weeks, a whole series

of activities for Year 11 students which are designed to

give them all a taste of what to expect in the sixth

form and to aid the choices that they will have to

make. I look forward to yet again being involved in the

interview process and look forward to seeing our very

successful Year 11s here in August 2013 at enrolment.

Free School Meals (FSM) – Is your child eligible?

Last year, the Government began giving money to

schools to help children from lower income families do

their very best. This funding is called the ‘Pupil

Premium’. This year the sum of money that we receive

has increased. For every child registered for FSM

Highgate Wood School gets £600 this year (The figure

was £488 last year).

We believe that everyone matters and with this

money we could subsidise students for school trips;

improve facilities and staffing for students to study at

school; provide hardship support for students in need;

improve access to guidance, mentoring and support

and fund a variety of other methods for supporting

students and families.

If you are registered for FSM you could also get

subsidised music lessons, subsidies for school trips, 16‐

19 bursary grants, priority access to careers guidance

and other opportunities during your seven years at

Highgate Wood School.

If you are unsure or need any further advice or

support, please contact Steve Hatch (School Business

Manager) as soon as possible. In order for your child

and the school to benefit it is essential that you are

registered in the first two weeks in January.

Good Luck to Staff Who are Leaving

Unfortunately we will be losing three members of staff

at the end of this term.

Ryan Pryor from the PE department, and also more

recently the Acting Head of Learning for Year 9, left

the school on Friday 14th December. He is going back

home to New Zealand to start a new life and get

married. He has been an excellent teacher at Highgate

Wood over the last three years and we will very much

miss his calm and measured, yet inspirational

approach.

Natalia Bierc, one of our science technicians, also

worked her last day on the 14th December. She has

served Highgate Wood well for the last five years. She

has provided valuable support to the science

department and they in particular will miss her

contribution.

Our Learning Resource Centre (LRC) Manager (and

English Teacher) Ellie Green is leaving at the end of

this term. Ellie has only been with us for a year, but in

that time she has done incredible things with the LRC.

Her impact, in terms of the events that she has

organised (e.g. Debate Mate) and the plethora of

speakers that she has invited into the school, has been

significant. Ellie is leaving us to go travelling. We will

miss her enthusiasm and excellent contribution.

We wish them all the very best for the future!

Other Staffing Issues for your attention

Unfortunately we currently have a number of

members of staff who are absent on long term

sickness or extended leave of absence.

Dawn Spence (Assistant Headteacher)

John Howley (Head of Learning for Year 9)

Kevin Brokenshire (Head of Learning for Year 10)

Leon Mitchell (Pastoral Mentor for Years 7 and 8)

Deborah Wilson (English Teacher and Post Holder

within the English Department)

Covering for Absence

We have some new members of staff mentioned

below who are covering for the absences of Dawn

Spence and Leon Mitchell.

The Acting Head of Learning for Year 10 role is

currently being covered by Anna Ryan. She has been

doing this for a few weeks now and has already

started to make a positive difference in supporting our

December 2012

5

Year 10 students in an effective way. She will continue

with this role at least until Easter

Now that Ryan Pryor has departed, we will be

advertising internally for another Acting Head of

Learning for Year 9 shortly. The new post holder will

be in place after the Christmas break and will be in

post at least until Easter.

We are hopeful that all of our long term absent staff

will be back with us as soon as possible to rejoin us

and continue their significant contribution.

Welcome to New Members of Staff

We have some new members of staff to introduce –

some of whom have already started work and some

who will be joining us after Christmas.

Jess Canty, an experienced senior leader, is currently

with us on a fixed term contract as an Assistant

Headteacher and is covering some of Ms Dawn

Spence’s responsibilities during her absence. He is line

manager to Year 9 and is also teaching English.

Mohammed Hussain Ahmed is currently covering

Leon Mitchell’s absence as the Pastoral Mentor for

Year 7 and Year 8. He has a very good way of working

with the students and is proving to be a valuable

addition to the staff here at HWS.

Mary Findlow is a new member of staff, but not an

unfamiliar one. Mary having spent over 20 years at

Highgate Wood School has re‐joined us for a fixed

period of time and is working with us for two days a

week to cover some aspects of Dawn Spence’s child

protection and liaison work. We are very grateful to

Mary for agreeing to support the school in this way.

As mentioned in the October edition of Insight, Emily

Ford will be joining us after the holiday as our new

Head of English. We are very pleased to welcome her

to the school, optimistic about the qualities that she

will bring, and wish her the best of success over the

next few years at Highgate Wood School.

Richard Lamb will be joining us in January as our new

Learning Resource Centre (LRC) Manager. He will also

be teaching some English. We are confident that he

will carry on much of the good work that has been

started by his predecessor Ellie Green.

... And Finally

At the end of another successful and busy year, I thank

you all for your continued support. I am tired, as we

all are, but also fulfilled with the sense of reward that

comes with leading such a wonderful school.

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, have a

good Christmas! For those of you who don’t, please

enjoy the break. I wish you all good health for the

holiday period and the very best for the New Year

ahead.

Regards

Patrick Cozier

Headteacher

AUTUMN

Teachers routinely plan and deliver lessons that use effective questioning to move all students

forward and stretch the most able

Teachers routinely plan and deliver lessons that are based on meeting the needs of all students

with clear evidence of assessment, SEN and EAL

data being used to inform planning

Homework and extended learning work is

routinely set and marked according the to Whole

School Schedule/Policy; MLE usage is embedded.

SPRING

Develop and embed a shared approach to

the teaching of literacy across the curriculum

Develop and embed a shared approach to

the teaching of numeracy across the

curriculum

Develop and implement a series of strategies

to raise the achievement of boys (and further

narrow the gap between boys and girls)

SUMMER

Develop and increase the use of student

feedback to inform planning for learning so

that it is routine

Below is the termly breakdown of the specific focuses

under the Learning and Progress strand of the School

Development Plan.

Securing Outstanding Teaching and Learning

December 2012

6

Mr Mansfield writes:

Well done to everyone in

Year 11 (and also Year 10)

who conducted themselves so

well in the December examinations.

Year 11 will be receiving the results of these exams

on 17th January ‐ in the afternoon before Parents’

Evening.

Mock Results day is designed to give students some

sense of what it will be like in August, when they pick

up their real results. It will also, help students to

focus on what needs to be done to achieve the very

best grades in the summer in all their courses.

Mr Fitzgerald writes:

Congratulations to everyone, but especially the

School Council for organising the sale of the wrist

bands for our first non‐uniform day of the year.

We are confident that we have raised over £1,000

which will be going to support our Hillcrest team

and the work that they do to help children in South

Africa.

OP PRESS * * STOP PRESS * * STOP PRESS * * STOP P

NO UNIFORM DAY RAISES £1000

Ms Pinnick writes:

The first month of 2013 is

going to involve making

some really important

decisions about your

future. You will be

choosing the Options

you wish to take at Key

Stage 4.

In the first week back

we will be having an

Options Assembly on Wednesday 9th,

followed by the Options Evening on Thursday 10th.

Options Evening will start at 5:00 pm with a “Market

Place” in the Dining Hall where you will be able to get

more information about the various choices available.

This will be followed by a presentation for parents in

the Hall at 6:30.

Students will need to make their choices and

complete the Options Form by Thursday 25th

January.

The Options Handbook will soon be available on the

school website.

OPTIONS PROCESS BEGINS FOR YEAR 9

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING ‐ A BIG SUCCESS

Mr Charlesworth writes:

The Sixth Form Open

Evening on December 13th

was a great success.

The hall was so full that

more than a hundred

people had to be

standing. We even ran

out of prospectuses and application packs.

A large number prospective students from other

schools were at the evening, reflecting the growing

strength and reputation of the Highgate Wood School

Sixth Form.

The application process will begin in earnest at the

start of next year, with the deadline for the first

round of applications happening on the 15th

February 2013.

The prospectus and application pack is available on

the school website, where you can see some videos

of our sixth formers discussing their experience of A

Levels at Highgate Wood School as well as those of

past students who reflect on their time here and the

successes they have enjoyed as a result.

YEAR 11 ‐ MOCK EXAM RESULTS DAY

December 2012

7

Ms Gunes writes:

The Geography department took all Year 7s to Kew

Gardens to investigate our international connections

through plants and ecosystems.

Students visited and collected information from three

greenhouses; Princess of Wales Conservatory, The

Palm House and The Temperate House. In each

greenhouse they investigated the various ecosystems

that exist in different climatic zones and tried to work

out if they were dependant on resources from other

countries ‐ i.e. were they a global citizen. We were

very lucky that the weather was on our side. It was a

beautiful day.

We would like to thank all the staff who were

involved in the planning and running of the trip. We

would to take this opportunity to compliment all Year

7s on their excellent behaviour ‐ they were a credit to

our school!

YEAR 7 AT KEW

Ms Roberts writes:

On Friday 14th

December, Year 9

students were given the

opportunity to speak to

a range of people from

various professions such

as accountancy,

engineering, journalism,

medicine, civil service and many more. The aim of the

event was to provide students with some guidance

which would enable them to make more informed

GCSE choices next term.

Students were engaged,

following the 4 Cs and

asked lots of interesting

questions. I'd like to

thank the guests for

their participation, our

staff who assisted with

the preparations for the

day and the students for

their enthusiasm and

courtesy during the

event.

Some feedback from guests who participated:

"I thought it was very well run and an excellent thing

for pupils to attend and get a feel for what career

options there are. From my point of view the pupils

were both interested and well behaved despite it

being a Friday afternoon." Andrew Mather, Structural

Engineer, Ramboll

"The students asked some intelligent questions. I

wish I had experienced a similar event when I was in

school to help me with my career choices." Alex

Weaterton ACCA, accountant, C C Young & Co.

CAREERS EVENT FOR YEAR 9

Ms Kemp writes:

Thanks to all student who donated shoeboxes as part

of Operation Christmas Child. The pleasure you will

bring to children in need of some Christmas joy is

something you can be very proud of. In the New Year

we will find out exactly where your gifts went.

Merry Christmas everyone.

CHRISTMAS BOXES

December 2012

8

SOAS SATURDAY SCHOOL

Ms Dodds writes:

Congratulations are due to the Year 10 Dance group

who have just completed their first GCSE assignment.

The standard within the group is extraordinarily high

and they are working fantastically to deliver some

really extraordinary results.

Well done to the whole group.

DANCERS IN YEAR 10 SPONSORED SILENCE

Ms Clyne writes:

8S decided to raise some money this Christmas for

the Oxfam charity. For the week of 10‐14th

December they have done a sponsored silence every

day in registration ‐ believe me this was not an easy

activity for them... (Ms. Booth and Ms. Clyne were

delighted!)

They are also asking fellow Year 8 students to guess

the name of a cuddly giraffe and the person who

guesses the name correctly wins the giraffe. It is too

soon to say how much money we have raised, but we

are going to donate it to Oxfam where the tutor

group hopes to be able to buy a goat for an African

family, or something else from the catalogue which

will benefit people with far less than ourselves.

JACK PETCHEY WINNERS

Ms Allaway writes:

We have had some great winners of Jack Petchey

awards over the first three months of this year. There

is Johnny Roberts for his great work supporting the

open evening along with Savannah Mundle, and

James Courtney who did a great job supporting the

sponsored walk for the Bobath Charity for children

with cerebral palsy.

We have had thanks from the Bobath charity and

certificates for all those that took part. So far we have

raised £665!

Ms Roberts writes:

Students from

Years 9 and 10

attended a

taster session at the School of

Oriental and African studies,

University of London for their

Saturday club.

The Saturday School is run by

university students for

secondary school students to

experience some more unusual

subjects not taught in schools such as Anthropology,

Economics, History of Art, Mandarin, Dance, Model

United Nations, and World Music. It provides an

excellent opportunity for students to experience

different subjects, have a taste of University life and

develop transferable skills.

The Saturday School starts on 19th January and will

run every Saturday until 9th March 2013, from 11:30

until 17:00. Students will be provided with

complimentary lunch, snacks and drinks.

If you're in Year 9 or 10 and would like to attend the

Saturday School there are still some limited places

left. Please email your full name and year group as

soon as possible [email protected] if you wish

to sign up.

December 2012

9

OPENING TIMES

Weekdays: 8am ‐ 6pm

Weekends: 9am ‐ 6pm

Coffee Circus 136 Crouch Hill, London N8

Ms Jones writes:

BTEC Year 11 Sustainability Level 2 group have a

Christmas mosaic exhibition at Coffee Circus N8

(opposite Natwest on Crouch Hill nr the W7 bus stop).

The students have previously had two successful

exhibitions at Lauderdale House Highgate N6, and at

Graham Fine Art N8.

The new exhibition at Coffee Circus

(www.coffeecircus.com) will run until 30th December.

It's their most successful exhibition to date with many

of their mosaics selling, and the proceeds going

towards the Highgate Wood School Organic Garden,

which is a Capital Growth Growing Space. Visitors

have also been putting fantastic comments about

the work in the visitors’ book.

Ms Went writes:

Our Year 10 Food Technology group

are currently undertaking a project to

design a healthy school meal for infant

and primary aged children, so what

better way to find out what the target

group like to eat, than asking them in

person. And this is exactly what

happened on our fact finding trip to

Rokesley Primary school.

Our students went prepared with a

questionnaire that we had discussed

and prepared in class and conducted a

Target Market Research Survey on the

whole of Rokesley’s Year 4, followed by individual target Consumer Profiles

amongst individual Year 4 children.

Our students now have all the information they need to design and make a

healthy school meal that their target group will enjoy and that meets all their

dietary needs. A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all as well as having

completed a crucial part of the research for their projects.

FACT FINDING FOOD TRIP

A THIRD EXHIBITION FOR OUR STUDENTS’ MOSAICS

December 2012

10

Mr O’Connor writes:

Highgate Wood School

sent 18 delegates to

the Global Classrooms

International Model

UN Conference in

December and did

remarkably well in a

fascinating two days of

debate.

The main theme of the

conference was

Gender Equality and

the Empowerment of

Women, although

there was a crisis

committee composed

of the Security Council

and the Africa Union who were locked in debate

about the current crisis between Sudan and South

Sudan.

This year we took a range of delegates from Year 9 to

Year 12 and we also provided 6th Formers to help

Chair the committees.

Although the International Maritime Organisation HQ

can be an intimidating venue (it is the meeting place

for UN ambassadors in London), our students quickly

adjusted to the atmosphere amongst 450 other

students (including delegations from Japan and Saudi

Arabia) and were at the heart of all the debates in

Conference.

This genuinely was a conference to be proud of all

our delegates. Our experienced students dominated

the Crisis Committee, proving expert at procedure,

negotiation and conflict resolution, in a fast moving

and complex situation, and they won the majority of

the awards. But even our newest students from Year

9 proved up to the task in a very competitive

environment – winning awards at their first ever

Model UN.

The whole school is proud not only of their

achievements, but the commitment that both they

and our staff demonstrated in the build up and

training for conference

With HWS students now competing in Model UN at

6th Form and University level (where our students

recently had a fantastic conference at York

University) Model UN has never been more confident

and capable at our school.

In March 2013 we will again be hosting our own

conference at HWS (our 6th North London MUN) on

the theme of Global Development. With 13 schools

already registered, we are involving and energising

young people across our school and in the wider

community and engaging in global citizenship at the

highest levels.

INTERNATIONAL MODEL UN CONFERENCE

December 2012

11

Ms Birnie writes:

Highgate Wood 6th Form students attended the

Woodhouse MUN conference in December. The

subject of the debates was wide ranging, including

such hot topics as the admission of Palestine as a

member to the UN, human rights in Syria, the nuclear

capability of Iran and the militarisation of space!

The majority of the our delegates had never attended

a MUN conference before and were nervous about

competing with others at a such a high level. But

every single one of the them contributed

magnificently to their committees and to the final

debate. Two of our students, Gabriel Neophytou and

Silas Scott, won best delegates.

They truly were great ambassadors for the school and

dispel the myth that young people are not interested

in global politics.

Niall Kennedy writes:

On the 16th to 18th of November, a Model United

Nations conference took place at the University of

York.

Here's how it works: students are allocated a country

and a topic to research, then come together over two

days to debate with other like (or not‐so‐like) minded

individuals in a mock‐UN committee.

This time we were at York's university conference. As

the only school invited, it could have been difficult to

raise any sort of funding; but fortunately the PSA

stepped in to register seven Sixth Formers on what

turned out to be one of the most fun, tough and

rewarding conferences any of us had been on.

Organised by Mr Robertson, the trip went ahead and

we made it to York in time to feel suitably nervous

about the prospect of having to debate alongside

students a couple of years our senior.

As soon as we got into the conference itself, we were

not only met with a friendly and welcoming

atmosphere, but swept up in some of the most

involving debates we’d ever been a part of. Halfway

through, secret missions were handed out to some of

the delegates, telling us what our countries had to

achieve in the debate in order to be successful.

Without the compulsion to change our country’s view

based on what we thought was logical or sensible,

the debate became about as impassioned as it’s

possible to be when you’re North Korea denying what

you think are basic human rights. Which is pretty

impassioned, by the way.

Complete with everything from the threat of nuclear

war and a scheming press team to the chance to

debate with delegates from all over the world about

real issues, the MUN at York is easily the most fun

YORK UNIVERSITY MODEL UN debate I’ve ever been a part of. That, coupled with an

amazing delegation from HWS that was variously

funny, kind and involved enough in their debates to

be annoyed, made for a truly unforgettable weekend.

We even managed to grab a couple of awards, Sam

Tims receiving ‘Distinguished Delegate’ in his

committee, and myself collecting ‘Honourable

Mention’ in my own.

All in all, an amazing experience, and one I’d highly

recommend – if you get the chance, take it – debate,

as it turns out, is way more fun than it looks on paper.

WOODHOUSE MODEL UN

December 2012

12

Ms Lacroix writes: Approaching the end of the year I would like to reflect on our

fantastic Paris trip over the summer. It was a great success, and I would

like to thank everyone involved.

Isabella Terrington: “The trip to Paris was really fun ‐ we managed to cram in lots of site seeing in

such a short time.”

Joe Dodd: “The Paris trip was fantastic, as everyday there was an interesting schedule. there was never a dull

moment, even on the coach trip at 1 am. Going up the Eiffel Tower was incredible and extremely memorable.

There was stunning views, especially in the evening with the lights around Paris.”

Hannah Barkhouche:”The trip was a great experience. It provided an opportunity to use what we had learnt in

real life situations and learn even more. I would definitely recommend it.”

REMEMBERING THE FRENCH TRIP

Marianne’s Greek potato, courgette and mushroom omelette

Jack’s Italian Artichoke and Mozzarella Bruchetta

Best’s Jamaican Chicken and Rice with Coleslaw

Daniel’s Ghanaian oxtail stew with flat bread

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE AT HIGHGATE WOOD SCHOOL

A few

of th

e dish

es prep

ared by

GCSE Fo

od Tech

nology stu

den

ts.

December 2012

13

Thanks to the PSA the

Science Department has

been able to renew its

subscription to Doddle

(which used to be called My

Works).

All students have a login for

this, which is their school username @lgflmail.net.

The password is highgate.

SAM Learning username and password is even easier.

Both are the same, and are your date of birth,

followed by your initials.

If you have any problems logging onto these

resources, or onto the MLE through which you can

access them, please contact Mr Ashman at

[email protected].

King's College London, along

with the Universities of

Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff,

East Anglia, Exeter, Lancaster, Leeds, Southampton,

St Andrews and Warwick have all gone into a

partnership with FutureLearn, a company set up by

the Open University that will offer free courses to

internet‐users around the world.

The courses are modelled on the American 'massive

open online courses' (Moocs), which have already

attracted millions of users across the globe, and may

to be the direction that higher education will develop

in the coming years. Maybe our future students won’t

go to University. Instead University will come to

them.

HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS

ON LINE ACTIVITY

The first half‐term of 2013 has the following

Homework projects for Key Stage 3. You will be able

to find details on the MLE

Year 7: History:‐ Castles

Music:‐ Create a musical instrument

Year 8: History:‐ Historical Fiction competition

Geography:‐ Rivers

Drama:‐ Leaving Home

Year 9: Citizenship:‐ Crime & Punishment

History: ‐ Dictators

HOMEWORK PROJECTS ON THE MLE Ms Green writes:

Debate Club is up and running

again. Three university

students from London’s top

universities come to Highgate

Wood School every week to train debate club

members in valuable debate club skills.

The first of three annual competitions is coming up in

January so we’re working hard to make sure we’re all

prepared.

Anyone is welcome to join this fun, friendly and

challenging club. Debate Club is after school every

Monday (and Wednesdays for Year 9s)

DEBATE MATE

THEATRE OF CRUELTY

Ms Keates writes:

Well done to the A2 Drama and Theatre Studies

students who completed their unit 3 practical exam

based on the works of Antonin Artaud and ‘The

Theatre of Cruelty’.

It was a very successful evening where both groups

produced a very harrowing and provocative piece of

drama.

STAY SAFE ON‐LINE

Mr Ashman writes:

Safer Internet Day is on 5th February,

but you don’t need to wait until then

to get safe on‐line.

As one of your New Year’s Resolutions

why not make sure your privacy

settings are in place and that you are

not doing anything on‐line

that you wouldn’t be

happy for your sister,

brother, mother, father,

grandparents or teachers

to know about.

December 2012

14

Ned Clarke is living the Olympic Value of Courage through always giving his best in football games and never backing down to a

challenge.

Zoe Hutchings is living the Olympic Value of Determination by always giving her best and challenging herself to succeed no matter

the size of the challenge.

Beth Goschalk is living the Olympic Value of Equality by always being helpful and including everyone in all aspects of school life.

Faye Heron is living the Olympic Value of Excellence by consistently producing outstanding work across school life.

Libby Archer is living the Olympic Value of Friendship by being able to be friendly, relate and engage with everyone.

Rasheed Kamara is living the Olympic Value of Inspiration having come back to school after a long period of illness and putting his

energy in to everything he does.

Yoshiki Vernon is living the Olympic Value of Respect by always being polite and courteous to everyone.

Lorcan Duffy is living the Olympic Value of Courage by standing up for his friends.

Rachel Watson is living the Olympic Value of Determination by giving 100% into all her work and not giving up, despite the difficulty

of the challenge.

Charlie Clarke is living the Olympic Value of Equality by always being helpful and including everyone in all aspects of school life

Zoe Pavey, is living the Olympic Value of Excellence, by always trying to achieve her best and in succeeding.

Mya Gomez, is living the Olympic Value of Friendship, by her open and friendly attitude to all members of her new class.

Miya Johnson is living the Olympic Value of Inspiration by being a role model and inspiration in representing all students with the

same fairness.

Savannah Mundle living the Olympic Value of Respect by always being polite and courteous and thinking of others

An appropriate end to the year of the London Olympics has

been for the school to recognise those students who best

represent the Olympic and Paralympic Values

These were not easy decisions. So many of our students have

achieved so much in the past year, and have demonstrated

many admirable qualities. But tutors and year teams

eventually decided on the following:‐

LIVING THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC VALUES

Year 7

Maddie Stott is living the Olympic Value of Courage by her enthusiasm in and around school and for being a good friend.

Jahidul Hussein is living the Olympic Value of Determination through showing a commitment and determination to always improve.

Ned Scott is living the Olympic Value of Equality by his determination and contribution to music and his ability to share with friends

and others.

Rachel Gamble is living the Olympic Value of Excellence by displaying her commitment to the 4C’s and always considering how she

can be respectful whilst striving for excellence.

Elizabeth Oliver is living the Olympic Value of Friendship by consistently following the 4C’c, being a positive role model, showing

kindness and friendship.

Leo Pitsillides is living the Olympic Value of Inspiration by being cooperative, courteous and unassuming in the way that he goes

about his day and inspiring others as a role model to his peers.

Hannah Franks is living the Olympic Value of Respect by always showing courtesy and a willingness to take any role within a team and

gaining the respect of others.

Year 8

Year 9

December 2012

15

Students at Highgate Wood School are

often doing amazing things and enjoying

extraordinary achievements outside the

school gates. But we don’t always get to hear about it.

Charlotte Cairns Thomas is living the Olympic Value of Courage as she faces problems head on and never complains!

Dan Butuc is living the Olympic Value of Determination by improving his English constantly and achieving 18 merits in GCSE lessons

despite the extra challenge of doing it in a foreign language.

Cam'Ron Gordon is living the Olympic Value of Equality by thinking of other people first and always treating others with kindness and

respect.

Fraser Frengley is living the Olympic Value of Excellence by spending hours of his own time producing outstanding music technology

compositions and entering online competitions with his music.

Kaz Lungah is living the Olympic Value of Friendship by being friendly to everyone and being everyone’s friend.

Susie Friedman is living the Olympic Value of Inspiration through being an example to everyone, and demonstrating how high we

should all aim and how far we should be able to go. Susie strives to achieve this in everything she does.

Joe Stoneman is living the Olympic Value of Respect by being a fantastic but modest student who has equal respect for everyone.

Year 10

Year 11

Ayce Ozdemir is living the Olympic Value of Courage by coming to school during a very difficult time and doing her very best to

achieve.

Emma Gilligan is living the Olympic Value of Determination by always giving her best and challenging herself to succeed.

Gizem Alici is living the Olympic Value of Equality by being courteous and helpful and for her contribution to many areas of school life

James Barth is living the Olympic Value of Excellence through his excellent work in school and extra‐curricular activities.

Joe Dodd is living the Olympic Value of Friendship through his positive relationships with other students and a friendly and respectful

attitude.

Ashyha Broome is living the Olympic Value of Inspiration by being a positive role model for others and her constant happy

demeanour.

Barney Mort is living the Olympic Value of Respect by being kind, courteous and friendly to everyone.

The school musical, Return to the Forbidden Planet, has

been cast with a collection of great talents from all year

groups.

It includes Alice Goss, Shakrah Siffre‐Banerji, Joshua

Riley, Neena Afua‐Nsafoah, Max Gerstein, Fionnuala

Stevens, Maya Kally, Hannah Dalgliesh, Kika

Adamou,Sim Ferhad, Mia Clifford, Holly Cassidy, Alaine

Demosthenous, Ellie Phillips, Ellie Whitlock, Rosy

Hoyland, Ruby Cowan, Chloe Petmezas‐Walker, Holly

Stott, Imogen Marks, Elsie White, Dmitri Dzunov, Eliza

King‐Lassman, Gianluca De Markis, Emma Atkinson,

Akiha Kuniyoshi, Ashya Broomes, Maddy Grant‐Pyett,

Lucy Parfitt, Isobel Agnew.

Matthew Mucahy, Alexandra Burgess, Frankie Shand,

Rosa Elson, Alessandra Dakovic, Celine Gyamfi, Zoe

Hutchings, Sam Ayres, Phoebe Bennett.

The show will take place on 27th and 28th February and

1st March, with tickets available from 4th February.

CAST CONFIRMED FOR SCHOOL MUSICAL

SENDING THE SCHOOL GOOD NEWS We now have an email address which you can use tell us

about these things, and anything else positive connected

to Highgate Wood School and our students.

Email: [email protected] .

Alternatively, if you have a concern you could email

[email protected]

GOOD NEWS

December 2012

16

Ms Pinnick writes:

"Read books? You mean, we can't just use the

internet for research?!" exclaimed one Media Studies

student as I explained a proposed trip to the British

Film Institute Library. The BFI Reuben Library on the

Southbank houses a huge collection of books,

journals, documents and audio recordings about the

world of film and television. The library collection

spans the history of cinema.

The Critical Investigation coursework requires

students to research and write 2000 words on a

contemporary topic of their own choice. Questions

vary from 'Why has there been an increase of women

gamers in recent years?' to ' With particular reference

to Downton Abbey and The Paradise, why are

costume dramas so successful?’

On Monday 12th November, the A2 Media Studies

students visited the BFI Reuben Library and embarked

on a three hour session of reading and making notes

from books and periodicals. Our students sat in the

quiet desk area – where Pixar‐style white angle lamps

cut a suitably filmic figure – and got their heads down

to “read books!”

Their essays are developing well with all students

expected to meet or exceed their target grades. Some

have even planned a second visit in the school

holiday – what more could we ask for?

A VISIT TO THE BFI REUBEN LIBRARY Ms McGurk writes:

October of this term saw

eight Sixth Formers travel

to the Basque Country in

Northern Spain to take part in the Comenius project,

a Europe‐wide initiative to bring students from

different countries together whilst focusing on a

particular aspect of health. The focus of this trip was

'Healthy Body: Inside and Out' and year 12 and 13

sociology and psychology students were selected to

go.

Our host school was IES Hernani (near Bilbao, the

Basque capital). Dorletta, the assistant head, made us

feel extremely welcome and coordinated a very

valuable experience for the students. From surfing on

a beautiful beach in San Sebastian, to experiencing

(and contributing to) a demonstration of relaxation

techniques, our hosts ensured there were a multitude

of opportunities to engage with the topic in a

practical way. There was even a lecture from a

university psychology lecturer, in which emotional

intelligence was discussed.

There were also opportunities to get to know the

students from other countries, which included

Romania, Belgium and Hungary. The Highgate Wood

students really enjoyed getting to know the Basque

students and were brought to their homes for a

traditional Basque meal. IES Hernani even organised a

big party for all of the visiting students on the last

night, after a speech from the mayor of Hernani.

All in all, the Comenius trip was a huge success and

all students were superb ambassadors for HWS and

for London ‐ they were extremely open, pleasant and

respectful and wholeheartedly got the best out of

their experience. Also, a big thank you to Ms.

Christodoulou who organised everything seamlessly

from our end.

A VISIT TO THE BFI REUBEN LIBRARY COMENIUS TRIP TO THE BASQUE COUNTRY

December 2012

17

THE CLOTHES SHOW

Mr Brown writes:

Sixty‐five potential fashion

designers travelled up to the

Clothes Show in Birmingham

on 10th December.

As well as seeing the extent of

the fashion industry, the

catwalks, the displays and the

shops they were also able to

see JLS.

For most of them that meant

it was the perfect day out!

A few comments from our students:

“Today was the best day of my life because it was the

first time I’ve been to a show like this, and the first

time I’ve seen celebrities like JLS.

“Today was absolutely amazing. I loved it.”

“I enjoyed myself so much. The catwalk was so much

fun, and to watch the clothes was amazing. And I loved

all the free stuff!“

“The college catwalks were astounding. One day that

will be my designs up there.”

DESIGNERS IN THE MAKING—YEAR 7 DESK TIDY PROJECT

A really impressive collection of Desk Tidies has been produced by Year 7 in Design and Technology. Many more

will be on show on the new gallery area of the Design and Technology MLE in the New Year.

December 2012

18

Statement: My child enjoys school.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

36

60

3

1

%

Statement: The school deals effectively with unacceptable

behaviour

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

25.1

68.8

6.1

0

%

Statement: My school helps my child to have a healthy

lifestyle.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

12.9

68.4

17.6

1.1

%

Statement: My school makes sure my child is well

prepared for the future.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

22.6

70.9

6.2

0.3

%

Statement: The teaching is good at the school

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

21.3

74.9

3.9

0

%

Statement: The school helps me to support my child’s

learning.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

18.8

64.8

16.1

0.3

%

Statement: The school meets my child’s particular needs.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

19.1

71.7

8.3

0.9

%

Statement: The school keeps my child safe.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

40.5

59.2

0.3

0

%

Statement: The school takes into account my suggestions

and concerns.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

18.7

69.9

11.1

0.3

%

Our survey is based on some of the questions

available on the Ofsted Parent View site which

are judged to be good indicators of the success of

a school. You can complete the Parent View survey at any time if

you register at www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk

PARENT and CARER SURVEY RESPONSES

SCHOOL SURVEY RESULTS

A big thank you to all the parents,

carers and students who completed the

school survey at Academic Review Day

in November.

The results deliver a huge vote of

confidence in the school whilst also allowing us to

identify those areas where we will be focussing our

energies to improve still further.

TOTAL RESPONSES: Parents\Carers: 386 completed surveys

Students: 350 completed surveys

December 2012

19

Statement: My child is making enough progress at

Highgate Wood School

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

24.3

64.3

10.8

0.5

%

Statement: The school is led and managed effectively.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

27

69.4

3.3

0.3

%

Statement: The school informs me about my child’s

progress

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

27.5

60.1

12.2

0.3

%

Statement: Overall I am happy with my child’s experience

at Highgate Wood School.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

36.1

60.1

3.2

0.5

%

STUDENT SURVEY RESPONSES

Strongly agree Agree Disagree


Statement: I enjoy school. Strongly agree Agree Disagree

Strongly agree Agree

Strongly agree Agree







Strongly Agree 30% Agree 66% Disagree 3% Strongly Disagree 1%

Statement: I feel safe in school.

Statement: The school informs me about my progress.

Statement: The school takes account of student voice

Statement: I am making enough progress at school.

Statement: Teaching is good at Highgate Wood School.

Statement: My school helps me have a healthy lifestyle

Statement: I feel well supported with change.

Statement: I feel my particular needs are met.

Statement: I feel supported by staff in my learning.

Statement: HWS deals with unacceptable behaviour.

Strongly Agree 44.3% Agree 54.3% Disagree 1.1% Strongly Disagree 0.3%




Strongly Agree 24.9% Agree 67.7% Disagree 5.1% Strongly Disagree 0%

Strongly Agree 20.1% Agree 59.2% Disagree 19% Strongly Disagree 1.7%




Strongly Agree 22.4% Agree 59.8% Disagree 15.7% Strongly Disagree 2%

December 2012

20

Ms Zwicky writes:

The Year 11 Art & Design

students have worked incredibly

hard creating personal and

exciting outcomes to their

coursework in the 10 hour

exam.

As you will see from a visit to

the art rooms, their hard work has paid off. We wish

you all the best of luck in the Exam Unit, which is to

start in the new year! We know you can do it, you are

all fantastically creative, and we look forward to

seeing you put everything you have learnt in the last

two years into practice!

GCSE ART & DESIGN IMPRESSES EVERYONE

Ms Zwicky writes:

The Set Club has started!

The set designers this year

are making a terrifying Alien

Monster inspired by all the

Sci‐fi greats, and are well on

the way to ensure this will be the most impressive set

made by our talented students yet!

The set will be a

spaceship forming

the backdrop of

this years Musical

'Return to the

Forbidden Planet'

If you are

interested to join

in, there are very

limited spaces left, come and get a letter from Ms

Masters or Ms Zwicky asap!

MONSTERS IN THE MAKING

Ms Dornan writes:

This year’s Winter Concert has involved nearly 200 students of all ages and musical tastes. There are those

who have been involved centre stage, and many others who have contributed behind the scenes to make the

performances such a success. The choir, orchestra, jazz band, funk band, brass ensemble, guitar group and

mandolinis are all performing again this year. And there are many other delights too.

Students from across the school have been able to stage performances that they have organised themselves,

including a guitar duet, a piano duet, acoustic and electric bands. Kesanna Bryan (8D) has been performing a

song that she composed herself, whilst others are performing their own arrangements of more familiar

classics. For Year 13 students, the 2012 performance represents their final Winter Concert performance at

Highgate Wood School ‐ in some cases, after seven years of concerts and tours with us. At the other end of

the spectrum, Year 7 students are taking part for the first time, appearing in Choir and other groups.

As usual, each performance begins with festive carols by our Parents’ Choir outside the hall, and each

evening ends with parents, friends and teachers having the chance to see everyone onstage at once for the

traditional Finale.

THE WINTER CONCERT

December 2012

21

BACK TO NETBALL

Back to Netball is a club that runs on Monday nights

in the Sports Hall and is open to parents, staff, past

and current students.

It is run by Jo Stevens, a certified netball coach whose

children are at Highgate Wood School. The club has

only been running since September but they are

already enjoying some success. They played in a Back

to Netball Festival at The Sobell Centre in December

and came third out of six teams, which is a fantastic

result considering the short amount of time the team

have been together.

If you would like to be part of the Back to Netball

team please contact Jo Stevens at [email protected]

MOUSTACHES IN NOVEMBER

Mr Rowlands writes:

As many people noticed, a few brave souls within the

school who, after putting aside their pride and boyish

good looks, embarked on the moustache growing

journey during November.

November, or Movember, is the month when you

find the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of

men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim

is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health,

specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

We are now asking you to help support our journey

by making a donation. The size isn’t important, every

little contribution helps Movember to continue its

funding of world class programmes.

To highlight the importance of the campaign take a

look at these statistics:

1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate

cancer in their lifetime

This year 40,000 new cases of the disease will

be diagnosed in the UK

47% of testicular cancer cases occur in men

under 35 years and over 90% occur in men

under 55 years

If you’d like to help change these statistics, please

donate to by:

Donating online at: http://mobro.co/joerowlands ,

http://mobro.co/deanmansfield , http://mobro.co/

owenbrennan or

By writing a cheque payable to 'Movember',

referencing Registration ID: 3595153 and mailing it

to: Movember Europe PO Box 68600 London EC1P

1EF

Arabella Weir writes:

There are 1370 students at Highgate

Wood School, with around 1000

parents/carers.

If every family/household bought JUST

ONE lottery ticket for only £1 a month

(a very manageable £12 a year) ‐ the

lottery would raise over £10,000 a

year for much needed and hugely appreciated school

'extras', benefiting ALL Highgate Wood students.

So, please, if you can, buy just one ticket and you'll be

part of making a huge contribution.

For details contact Jane or Arabella on

[email protected] or text us on 07850681140

or call on 0207263.9867

Dates for PSA meetings in 2013

24th January

12th March

16th May

December 2012

22

LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE 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

NEW COMPUTER CLUB FOR YEARS 7 & 8

Mr Ashman writes:

Lots of students have been asking about how they

can learn to code and program. As a result we are

launching a Computer Club in the New Year.

The club will be open to all students from Years 7 and

8. The first meeting will take place at lunchtime on

Wednesday 9th January in A35.

Ms Green writes:

Well done to all sixth‐form paired

reading volunteers who are making a

huge difference to the confidence and reading ability

of the Year 7 students they have been working with.

Since October half term, a team of sixth form

students have been meeting weekly with a Year 7

student to mentor their progress in reading. The Year

7s involved have all responded extremely well and

are making good progress with their new reading

mentors.

Sixth form volunteers: Alana Leissle, Kate Gosschalk,

Naimish Thanki, Himaya Dhar, Dondu Ocak, Alpa

Joshi, Ellie Whitlock, Sule Yusuf, Yasmin Esayg‐Lee,

Andrew Osborne, Faith Asemota, Andre Jackson,

Julian Posada, Jake O’Donovan‐Cudsi, Madeleine

Sellers and Farhan Ahmed.

SIXTH FORM PAIRED READERS

Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make

the heart bigger – Benjamin Okri

Mr Russell writes:

The First Story Creative Writing Workshop has now

been running for eight weeks. Thirteen students have

been working alongside Anthony Anaxagorou, an

acclaimed poet and spoken word performer. Students

have focused on developing characters, exploring

wordplay and creating their own stories – as well as

lambasting Mr Russell for not bringing sweets! Their

stories will eventually be published in their own

Anthology (due 2013 – watch this space)

A special thanks must go to Ms Emery, Mr Papagno

and Ms Taylor for helping to run the project during a

busy Autumn term.

Below, Caleb (7I) tells you about the mischievous and

sometimes troubling objects in his home and Davina

(9G) shares what she has and has not done.

Home Paranoia by Caleb Wyckoff‐Smith

This is about my lazy bed, my paranoid bookcase,

my maddened clock, my informative computer, my

loyal hat, my self‐contained drawings and my

gluttonous fridge.

I am paranoid in my house:

My fridge eats anything I put into it.

My clock is mad from the sound of its own ticking.

My bookcase just stands there menacingly.

I haven’t done everything by Davina Jackson‐Keen

I have not made my way under moonlight but I

have nursed a bird back to health.

I have not been on tour with a successful band but

I have watched my brother on a West End stage.

I am not a head chef in my own 5 star restaurant

but have been to Las Vegas.

I am not a computer genius but I have biked

through San Francisco.

I haven’t done everything but...

FIRST STORY UPDATE

December 2012

23

Ms Ronay writes:

Highgate Wood School has embraced Literacy Across

The Curriculum in a big way. All our teachers are now

teachers of literacy.

Key Stage 3 Form Tutors are giving 10 subject key

words to their tutees weekly, in a drive to improve

spelling across the school.

Students have responded positively to the initiative

and are motivated to get them right. They have

learnt a range of spelling strategies including the

multi sensory method "look, say, cover, write and

check", mnemonics and words within words.

As the Literacy Coordinator I am really impressed

with how committed the students are to learning

their spellings and would like to thank Year 8 and 9

Form Tutors for all their hard work in making spelling

a weekly focus.”

READ, WRITE, SPELL AND SUCCEED

Ms Green writes:

Book Club members have been

whizzing through novels since

the half term break. Weekly

meetings on Friday lunchtimes

have led to plenty of lively,

varied and interesting

discussions comparing two

books set in Afghanistan: ‘In

the Sea there are Crocodiles’

and ‘The Breadwinner’.

Many students have been able

to link what they’ve read to

what they have been studying

in Citizenship this term. One

student said: “seeing how

much the main characters

have suffered makes me

really value my own life,

education and

opportunities.’

Well done to the following students for your

enthusiasm and thoughtful discussions at Book Club:

Alex Vidic, Demet Duman, Elif

Celik, Melisa Sahan, Faye

Heron, Abel Kent, Sarah Free,

Liliana Ricketts, Hannah

Ramsden and Hamdi Dalmer.

New members are always

welcome. Please speak to the

LRC staff if you wish to join

Book Club. We have now

started ‘The Messenger Bird’.

BOOK CLUB RAISING THROUGH NEW NOVELS

Ms Green writes:

Well done to all of our fabulous LRC

assistants who do a fantastic job in

helping to keep our library service

running smoothly.

The following students have shown

particular commitment and enthusiasm: Madeleine

Baron, Peter Moore, Alex Diaferia, Ebru Cokgezici,

Sibel Biner, Armelinda Idrizi, Maya Eagles, Charlotte

Ley, Louie Shann, Conrad Pope, Mahjaben Hussain

and Somiya Shabir.

THANK YOU LRC ASSISTANTS

Ms Green writes:

Congratulations to 42 of our students whose poems

entered into the ‘Poetry Games’ competition will be

published in a new ‘Young Writers’ anthology. This

anthology is scheduled for publication in February

2013. A copy of this book will be available in the LRC

as a lasting record of their achievement.

Every student whose work is published has the

chance to win an iPad! Twelve finalists will be

selected nationally after the anthology is published.

YOUNG WRITERS ANTHOLOGY

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

follow us on twitter twitter.com/highgatewood

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

AUTUMN 2012 Wed 5th September

29th Oct ‐ 2nd Nov

Friday 21st Dec

Term Starts *

Half term break

Term Ends

SPRING 2013 Mon 7th Jan

18th Feb– 22nd Feb

Thurs 28th March

Term Starts

Half term break

Term Ends

SUMMER 2013 Mon 15th April

27th—31st May

Wed 24th July

Term Starts

Half term break

Term Ends

School starts again on Monday 7th January

It will be Week Two. Lessons will start at 10:50

Thursday 15th November 2012 Year 9

Wednesday 28th November 2012 Year 12 & 13

Tuesday 29th January 2013 Year 10

Thursday 17th January 2013 Year 11

Wednesday 6th March 2013 Year 8

Tuesday 7th May 2013 Year 7

Parent Consultation Evenings INSET DAYS and INSET AFTERNOONS

Inset afternoon Tuesday 5th February

Inset afternoon Monday 18th March

Inset afternoon Tuesday 23rd May

INSET DAY Monday 3rd June

18th—22nd February HALF TERM BREAK

Thursday Jan 10th Options Evening 5:00 pm Market place 6:30 pm Presentation

Thursday Jan 17th Mock Results Day and Year 11 Parents’ Evening

Friday Jan 18th Late Start—school begins at 9:35

Tuesday February 5th INSET AFTERNOON

With the possibility of winter weather disrupting normal life you can check on whether the school is open and what actions we may

need to take in the event of severe weather by calling 0208408 7508

and giving the school’s DfE code 3094030 We will also always endeavour to update our website, twitter feed

and send text messages to keep parents informed

27th—28th Feb/ 1st March SCHOOL MUSICAL

Insight 9

Documents

Transcript of Insight 9