Newsletters

GHS Connect #3 Monday 22nd September

Mia's notes

Thank you and well done on an absolutely amazing open evening!  I’m sorry I didn’t make it around to all of the blocks after my talk, but from what I did see, it was fantastic. Thank you so much to the open evening preparation team, ably led by Mark and Pam and supported by Amandip and Amandeep, plus so many others including Dan and the IT team, of course.

This week will provide a return to more normality, but thanks in advance to everyone who is attending the Year 8 information evening.

In his assemblies this week, Ajay outlined some of the other ways we will be ‘cracking down’ on various aspects including uniform infringements. In the meantime, please continue with your hard work around consistency - it is much appreciated and has been noted.

Last call for any forms expressing interest in a change to role. The opportunity to do so remains open until the end of the day on 22nd September, although please remember that we are always open to flexible working requests and these can be requested at any time.

Have a fantastic week!

Mia

The week ahead

Monday
Normal Day

Tuesday
Department Time 3.15pm - 4.30pm
KS3, 4 & 5 TLR meeting 3:45pm - 4:30pm

Wednesday
Briefing in the library – 8.15am

Thursday
Normal Day

Friday
Normal Day

Notes
Yr 8 Expectation Evening (Tues)
Year 13 assessment week (in-class)

Learning and Teaching Tips and Strategies

This week, a 60-second strategy to defuse debate: The power of ‘maybe so…’

One common challenge is the student-teacher debate, which can undermine effective classroom management. For example, students might respond to an instruction with: “But Ms./Mr. X lets me…,” “That’s not fair because…,” or “But X was talking too…”

A simple technique to diffuse debate is partial agreement. Acknowledging a student’s concern helps balance the power dynamic, which in turn reduces resistance and enables a smooth transition back to instruction. The key phrase: “Maybe so, but…”

“Maybe so…” validates the student’s perspective while calmly steering the focus back to learning.

Want to learn more? See here.

Achievement Update

You are sitting down to watch the newest episode of your favourite show on a Sunday evening. As the show begins, the usual recap of what has previously happened rolls on. You notice that not only is the recap showing what happened last week but also shows some details from a previous season, flagging this information as important for what will come next.                            

This recap consolidates the knowledge of what happened in previous episodes, but also provides a solid base for the events of the new episode to build upon. Retrieval practice can fulfil a similar function for students in our lessons. 
                                                    
Every lesson is an opportunity for students to make progress and achieve. It is really important that we all make it clear what students need to know and the learning outcomes from each lesson. Sometimes, our students can be confused through the learning experience of what they are actually supposed to learn. In most cases, it is a set of key words and one or two concepts.     EEF                                                      
Link: EEF blog: Not another quiz! Refining retrieval practice                            

5 Achievement Tips for Y10-13:

1. Use the Do Now for 5- 10 quick questions on the previous lesson’s content, Gemini is a really helpful tool for this. At the end of each lesson, recap the key words on one or two slides, this makes the learning outcomes look manageable. 
2. Expose students to an exam style question and the mark scheme/model answer linked to the topic you are teaching at least once a week for Y11- 13.
3. Set homework linked to the topic you have covered and include some questions on previous topics, interleaving really helps with achievement. 
4. Use the Achievement trackers in the students' books- tell the students where they are and where they could be if they did X,Y & Z!
5. Celebrate and Challenge - contact 2 students’ parents once per week. Praise the students who completed their homework and challenge the ones who didn't on a one to one abscess, link their actions to achievement! 

KS4 Intervention - We have a comprehensive plan for KS4 intervention, this is what is in place already:

• The basics are a huge focus for us and as such, Jayne and Ben will be contacting home parents if there are attendance issues. Phoebe will be that students are completing their homework and I will be talking to students about their attitudes in lessons. Members of the Y11 team and SLT will be popping into lessons to support all of you!
• Studio 11 – we have over 50 students working after school with members of the English, Maths and Science departments,  Y11 team and SLT from Monday to Thursday. 
• We are in the process of recruiting some Y12 students to support the KS4 Achievement agenda through mentoring and study sessions. We are positive that this army of talent will have an immense impact on our students and their results.
• We have also planned some study skills sessions for all of the Y11 cohort.
• The PP Boys and Girls Achievement Groups will be meeting on a weekly basis to support students from this key cohort.

Thank you and well done (in advance) to all of the HoDs and TLR holders who are in the process of writing their exam reports and preparing for the exam meetings with PYE and members of the SLT. Reflection is key if we want to improve what we do and how we do it for our young people!

Thank you and keep up the good work!

Amandip Johal

Pastoral Reminders

Child Protection

This week and next week we are focussing on Mental Health.

Rethinking Masculinity and Mental Health - Harmless Organisation

In male culture showing emotion, crying for example, is seen as a relative taboo. Other outpourings of emotion; anger, sadness or seriousness, is generally discouraged. However, this creates a restrictive environment for males and breeds into their relations, a prohibitive social expectation over emotional engagement. The penalties for breaking this taboo can be bullying or physical abuse within intra-male relations. Psychologically this produces harmful mental effects that can impinge on development and social relations. The Harmless Organisation has recently published an exploration of this phenomena and its related issues over on their site. If interested, please follow the link below:

Rethinking masculinity and mental health

A reminder to read the KCSIE updates and complete the Prevent Training. Monika Sierkowska will be emailing staff from next week directly who are yet to do these.

SEN Updates

? Please do encourage your SEND pupils to come along to the social skills clubs at break and lunch time.

? Please note that Jelena Dein Sheikh is running two bespoke mentoring sessions for SEN pupils around Executive Functioning & Social Skills, she will share information with staff on the progress of these sessions.

Inclusion- Form Time Activities

? Just a reminder that the Child Protection Team have organised a range of Form Time Activities around Child Protection and Mental Health concerns.

? We should be on Week 2 of the activities focussing on Mental Health Awareness week and minimising anxiety. Please play the video and then discuss the questions.

Gurvinder Nayyar

Bright Spot

This week's Bright Spots are the IT Support Team, nominated by Ruth, who says:

I would like to nominate the IT Team for a shout out. They are always positive and helpful working to resolve any problems there might be quickly.  In particular, I want to thank them for their hard work and commitment to dealing with the issues with the VLE at such a busy time during the start of a new term/academic year.

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