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GHS Connect #37 Monday 13th July

Mia's notes

There was loads going on again last week and it’s impossible to capture it all, but a huge thanks to the Art, DT and Music departments for the wonderful showcase and a massive round of applause and thanks to Maya and everyone else who was involved in International Day. On a completely different note, thank you to Amandeep for organising the MIND workshop for years 7-10 on Friday and thanks to Trish for the PSHCE workshops over the last couple of weeks. All of this is such important work.

We won’t have Connect next week, but will meet as a staff on Wednesday 22nd as we say farewell to staff who are leaving us and wish one another a wonderful, lovely Summer holiday.

Have a great week and thank you in advance for sports day, and everything else everyone will be involved in, as we stagger towards the end!

Mia

The week ahead

Monday
Normal Day

Tuesday
Department Time 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday
Briefing in the library – 8.15am

Thursday
Normal Day

Friday
Sports Day - Y7-9

Notes
Year 10 Interim 4

Learning and Teaching Tips and Strategies

1. Podcast

Our new series on our Learning and Teaching podcast series has been on Practice.

All episodes are available on YouTube (links below):

Episode One: Practice: Making the Most of the Do Now - Ellie Williams

Episode Two: Practice: Performance vs. Progress - Haydar Shah

Episode Three: Practice: Helping Students Revise Successfully P1/2 - Zahraa Al-Mahdawy and Sokina Mohamed

Episode Four: Practice: Helping Students Revise Successfully P2/2 - Zahraa Al-Mahdawy and Sokina Mohamed

Episode Five: Practice: A Framework for Independent Practice - Jacob Chapman

We would love to include as many voices as possible. If you would like to get involved, share your thoughts or provide feedback, please do so HERE:

2. Connect

Looking for previous Connect entries? All of the Connect entries for the past two years can be found HERE.

Feel free to dip in and out whenever you need to. Whether you’re looking to revisit a link to wider professional learning, refresh your memory on a particular topic, or find practical top tips, the archive is a handy resource to support you!

Ramya

The Art of the Summer Reset - Self Care Tips 

Self-care isn't just about pampering; it’s about giving your mind and body what they actually need to thrive.

• Master the "Digital Detox": Try setting a "no-screen hour" after waking up or before bed. Give your brain a break from the endless scroll.
• Prioritise Sleep: Use the first couple of weeks to catch up on rest. Normalise sleeping without an alarm, but try to keep a loose routine, so September isn’t a shock to the system!
• Move for Mindset: Exercise shouldn't feel like a chore. A 20-minute walk, a bike ride, or a casual kickabout can completely shift a low mood.
• The Power of Doing Nothing: It is okay to be bored. Boredom is often where creativity and true relaxation begin.

Great Value Days Out

If you aren't going away this summer, why not spend some time exploring London? See this link for some great ideas for days out.

Staying Supported This Summer

Taking a break from school also means a break from your usual support networks. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are never alone. These free, confidential resources are available 24/7 all summer long:

• Ealing Talking Therapies
• Safe Spaces – Mental Health Crisis Support in West London
• Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 text support if you are feeling overwhelmed.
• The Samaritans - Call 116 123
• For other Mental Health Services, see here

Niloo

Inclusion Messages

Inclusion

Following Mia’s announcement in Wednesday's briefing, I wanted to share how delighted I am that our school has been selected to join London's Innovation and Improvement Alliance for Inclusion. (LiiA)

I would like to extend a special thank you to Fay for her exceptional work and dedication to this initiative. Additionally, a huge thank you all—your continuous support is what allows us to establish and sustain a truly inclusive culture across our school.

Thank you all for your hard work and commitment.

SEN Updates

A reminder to complete the Exams Access Arrangements Google Form with attachments of evidence (most recent mock paper). 

Here is the updated reference table, expanded to include the specific focus examples and student barriers for each arrangement.

Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) Reference Table

Thanks for all your continued support.

Gurvinder

Bright Spots

The first of this week's Bright Spots is Maya Popovic, who organised a wonderful International Day. As per her Staff Announcement, thank yous also go to Dan, Mitie, Alex Ray, Rav and the catering team.

Next, Amandeep Phull has nominated the following members of staff:

• Simona for all the work she did with work experience. Her ability to adapt and stay calm during this process is absolutely brilliant.
• Sarah Packman and Bal for always stepping in to support both students and staff. In the recent heatwave, both Sarah and Bal have done their best to keep the students hydrated, calm and safe. 
• Mariella and Nim for all the emails/ texts that are sent home to our parents. They're so efficient and no problem is too much.
• Kiran in reprographics for always supporting the form time activities and ensuring everything is ready ahead of time.

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