GHS Connect #13 Monday 7 December
From the Head
I have spent an enjoyable few lessons with Year 7s over the last few days wrapping presents for all of the staff. I did this last year and it looks as if it might be a ritual to stay. I cannot tell you how hard it is to teach some of our Year 7s how to wrap up a present - holding the paper in place, the sellotape and the scissors at once, is all too much for some of them! I also cannot tell you how much they all love it. The excitement on their faces when I explain that they are going to be wrapping up a present to say thank you to their teachers is tangible; when they find a teacher’s name that they know, they almost explode!! During these sessions, I try to talk to them about our character strengths of courage, community and responsibility and explain that this is my (and their) way of saying ’thank you’ to our school community. Presents will be delivered to your department area or pigeon hole this week. Don’t get too excited (!) - it’s just a small token from me to express my gratitude for all that you do. :)
Speaking of thanks, I wanted to share a shout out for Cherish Bristow for how wonderful she has been working as a mentor with some of our Year 10 students. Dan has said it has made a huge difference to the year team having her time and skill to run organise and run these sessions. The students that she has been working with really appreciate her listening ear and strategies that they discuss. I also want to thank Dan and Cherish for all the work they are doing to promote diversity in music. This is a great initiative to get more students involved in anything to do with music, and I would encourage you to click on the links that they share on the VLE, and discuss these with students. Can I also thank Dan, Cherish and Maya for all of their work in preparing music for the assemblies that will be happening on the final day. Their singing is utterly beautiful. More on this below.
Can I also thank Sarah Williams for promoting the next Greenford Read book, ‘This Book Is Anti-Racist' by Tiffany Jewell. Can I encourage staff to take part in the whole school ‘Greenford Read’; it’s a great way for us to promote literacy as a school community and is also a good way for us all to focus on important issues as a school. As Sarah said in her announcement, ‘as we undertake a school wide curriculum review, this book is also very useful background (and it's a short read). If you weren't sure where to start reading up on how the world came to erupt over systemic racism in the summer, this is a good place to start’. As part of our work around addressing equality in school, I have booked a speaker, Professor Paul Miller, to deliver some training to us in March. I know that the curriculum review and the Equality group also continue to meet.
Finally, well done to Peter Mather on being appointed as the new Subject Network Lead for Geography for Ealing. In the words of the panel, ‘Peter’s passion and experience shone throughout the entire presentation and follow-up discussion and we have no doubt that the Geography will be in expert hands for the remainder of the academic year’.
I will shortly be putting up details about the final day of term and how we will be delivering assemblies to each year group. To help manage the day safely, we will be dismissing various year groups at various times - this should all be clear in the VLE announcement I will post soon.
Mia
> Pravina Varsani using the IPEVO to model a practical project and keeping the students enthralled! (See picture)
HIIT exam practice:
Make it clear that that your records will be sent to the head of year and form tutor (parents too if appropriate). Keep this report sharply focused on three identifiable behaviours that you are going to see every lesson. Frame it in a positive light and highlight the opportunities to prove to everyone that things are changing. Send the parents a letter that explains how you are trying to address the behaviour.
