Newsletters

GHS Connect #6 Monday14th October

Mia's notes

Another week, another open evening!  Thank you so much to the Post 16 team and all of our wonderful KS5 TLR holders who supported the evening. I understand there was a fantastic turnout and a great buzz.

Myself and Amandip attended the first Full Governing Body meeting on Tuesday and I wanted to pass on thanks from our Governors for another set of outstanding results - they are very impressed with and grateful for everything that everyone does.

I have noticed that untucked shirts seem to be creeping back in - please can all staff continue to remind students to tuck their shirts in - students appear to be compliant when asked, but they do need a reminder at the moment, now they have fully settled into term.

Finally, just a reminder to all of us about writing up appraisal notes if this has not happened already.

Have a great week everyone,

Mia

The week ahead

Monday
Normal Day

Tuesday
Department Time 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday
Briefing 8.15am in the library.

Thursday
Normal Day

Friday
Normal Day

Notes
KS4 Book Look
Yr 12 A2L Interim
Yr 7 CATS and Baseline Tests

Learning and Teaching - Pride in our Classrooms

At GHS we value action research as it helps develop new knowledge that directly relates to the classroom so thank you for your enthusiasm and energy in the first Department focused Action Research CPD. 

Research suggests that prior knowledge is one of the most important factors that can determine the success of new learning. However, it can be hard to conceptualise. Haydar used a great analogy with Maths to explain why effortful retrieval of prior knowledge is so crucial:

You can take the same journey every day with the aid of a Sat Nav. But that doesn’t mean you know the way. However, if you take a journey without it you will remember it for life.

If we think about learning to going on a journey without a Sat nav, we automatically make connections that help us remember for life. How are we going to help students with their schema building? 

Many departments are focusing on ‘Do Now’ retrieval activities, dual coding and concept cartoons (template here). 

If you want to see the full list of strategies being trialled, follow this link.

We look forward to sharing and celebrating these on Connect. 

Finally, remember, the key to making this CPD successful is maintaining focus on the improvement we want to make to ensure it happens. 

Andrea & the L&T Team

Behvaviour Key Messages

This week I would like to focus on our fantastic ECTs, Teach First and other staff new to teaching at Greenford High School. Now that our first few lessons are done and we are familiar with our classes, I would like to give you some tips on follow-on lessons from now on:

• Start each lesson on time to set the tone – Meet and greet.
• Learn the pupils' names quickly, so it's not so easy for them to ignore you.
• If a pupil has behaviour difficulties, wait for moments when they are doing the right thing, then praise them. It is so much more effective than rebuking them for doing the wrong thing.
• Be strict about each detail for the first term and by then you should have cracked it – e.g I am not letting students leave the lesson if a sheet isn’t glued into their book, they have quickly learnt this!
• Listen to pupils. They love it, especially the worst behaved.
• Before imposing a sanction, give pupils a clear warning and the chance to conform.
• Try to impose sanctions the same day. They lose their effectiveness if they drag into the next day.
• Seating arrangements affect pupils' behaviour. Seating boys beside girls sometimes calms either one of them down. This includes form time and PSHCE, especially if you have a Year 10 or 11 form.
• Log serious incidents on SIMs in case there is any problem with parents later.
• Keep them in lessons – some students ask me to go to the toilet, 15 mins before break, which I say no to. If they have a toilet pass I do, but I always ask them to wait if they possibly can before sending them off.
• Ring a few parents – Ringing parents and explaining that you are subject teacher who is concerned or impressed spreads quickly in the class and will help with forging a safe and calm learning environment.

Ajay and Rav

Charities

As many of you may be aware, as a school we support a wide range of Charities. Over the years, we have given thousands of pounds to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Red Nose Day and Children in Need.  This year I wanted to give staff the opportunity to let me know of charities that you support and may be close to your heart.  We have started this term raising money for Breast Cancer UK.  Please email me directly, and I can compile a list of coffee mornings etc to continue our support towards a wide range of charities.  

Bright Spots

The first of this week's Bright Spot nominations comes from Tom Oseku, who says:

"I would like give a massive shout out to Medard Sery for his passion and enthusiasm in teaching and for his willingness to go above and beyond (e.g., singing to a young lady who was unhappy and crying) to support his students.

Another shout out to Scott for being very proactive and for sorting and organising all the STEM clubs in our department."

Amandeep Phull wants to celebrate the Year 7 team:

"I just wanted to highlight just how hard the Year 7 team, Sarah Packman and Bal have been working since we started the year. They have been relentless in supporting students and parents with things like setting up ParentPay, to locating lost uniform to bullying incidents and nervous parents as well as late starters!

They have really come together as a team and doing their hardest to bring a balance of expectations as well as nurturing those who have struggled with the transition.

Please can we praise them in their resilience and dedication in making year 7 a success."

Finally, Ajay has nominated Alan Masters for a shout-out, saying:

"Alan has been amazing with all the data requests, timetabling and general support to staff. His hard work has been paramount in supporting our pastoral teams, and he is a key part of the team helping to improve behaviour in our school."

Ajay also spotted Morwenna Oldfield and Daniel Jenkinson taking learning outside the classroom, looking at biodiversity and conducting a site survey. A great way to make learning fun and engage learners.  

If there are any concerns about Equality and Diversity (staff)  at GHS please contact A Johal (DHT)