NORLINGTON SCHOOL n Summer newsletter nWisdom is strength Pupils you can really count on THE school is celebrating after being crowned East ’s finest and the fourth best in the capital at a prestigious maths competition. A five-strong team from Norlington took first place in the East London heat of the Jack Petchey Count on Us Secondary Challenge for pupils aged 12 and 13 held at City Hall. The school emerged victori- ous after excelling in a series of maths puzzle rounds. Sum-thing special: Adam, Hasheer, Rafsan, Muhammad and Zakariyya The Norlington pupils then well prepared for this challenge. placed a highly respectable Our teachers had given us lots of YEAR 8 Adam Sukky has fourth during the London wide help while we were in school.” qualified for the UK Maths regional final held in June. Norlington teacher Mary Olympics after scoring top Pupils who took part were, Mcportland, who works with the marks in a competition. Adam Sukky, 12, Hasheer school’s brightest pupils, said: The Norlington brainbox Peeroo, 12, Rafsan Rahman, 12, “We are extremely proud of our will join the 1,000 best young Muhammad Ta-Seen, 12, and pupils. mathematicians in the coun- Zakariyya Jameal, 12. “What makes it all the more try for the British Mathe- Hasheer said: “The challenge impressive is that the majority of matical Olympiad in April brought the team together and the pupils they competed against next year. improved our communication were a year older. skills which we will use further “They also showed great lead- Adam was invited to the on in life.” ership skills by taking the time to prestigious competition after Zakariyya said: “It was a great prepare in their own time during an outstanding performance experience and has greatly im- the Easter holidays.” in the Junior Mathematical proved my maths skills.” The Count on Us Secondary Challenge (JMC). Rafsan said: “We had a lot of Challenge for Year 8 and 9 pupils Norlington entered 60 fun and I am looking forward to is a joint project from the Jack pupils into the JMC, which doing it again next year.” Petchey Foundation and the took place in June. Adam said: “We were very Mayor’s Fund for London. ‘A credit to school’ OUR pupils won rave reviews after helping to promote cricket on a tour of Spanish schools. Students at Norlington represent- ed Essex Cricket club during a four day visit in March. They coached pupils, held ques- tion and answer seminars and umpired matches at five schools in the Alicante and Murcia regions. The Year 8 and 9 pupils, picked for their leadership qualities and cricketing abilities, took part in the ECB Cricket Activators coaching course in preparation of the trip. Neil Brook, junior director of Cricket Spain, said: “On behalf of Cricket Espana I would just like to say a big thank you to the students and teaching staff at Norlington. “These young leaders are surely Great ambassadors: Our young cricketers destined for great success. I wish them well for the future.” develop in Spain and to share our Head of PE at El Limonar School, passion for the game with young Michael Pimblett, described the people over there.” pupils as a credit to their school. Assistant headteacher Paul He added: “The sessions were Hobbs said: “To travel to an unfa- well planned and delivered, com- miliar country and deliver leader- bining coaching drills with great ship sessions in schools, some of leadership qualities and sense of which were Spanish speaking, is a humour. real accomplishment. “Cricket is now booming in our “The boys represent what we are school. striving to achieve at Norlington Player Sumeet Singh Nandra, - true gentleman with leadership 13, said: “I feel very honoured skills. and proud to have represented the “We have made many new school and Essex. friends and hope to work more “A lot of what we were taught closely with Cricket Espana in the before this tour was how to devel- future. op our leadership skills. “It is something that is very important at the school. Dawood Noaman, 14, said: “There is not a lot of cricket played in Spain, so it was a great privi- lege to go there and try to make the game more popular. “It is my hope that this visit will lay the foundation for the game to So many reasons for celebration LOOKING back on this year confirms 8, has smashed a 30-year borough jave- be found on the school website. that Norlington never stands still. lin record at the Waltham Forest Ath- As always I take this moment to We are committed to offering all letics championships and our boys won thank my staff for their hard work and our students the best possible learning rave reviews after helping to promote wish those leaving all the best in the experience. cricket on a tour of Spanish schools. future. School highlights include the Further, I am very pleased to confirm This includes Ms Hyatt and Ms opening of the new , further that with the help of the borough Darr, who have served the students of recognition from the DFE for achieving Norlington School has managed to Norlington for a combined period of 42 in the top 100 schools again and signif- purchase a further half-acre next to the years and retire at the end of the year. icant improvements to the building and school. Finally I would like to thank all staff resources for students. This will allow the school to both for their hard work, parents for their The school is celebrating after being provide improved resources for continuing support and most of all our crowned East London’s finest and the students and expand in size. boys for making Norlington such a fourth best in the capital at a prestig- Sadly as the land has tenants the great school. ious maths competition with Year 8 school will not have access or be able I wish everybody a safe and enjoya- student, Adam Sukky, qualifying for to build on it for a few years. ble summer. the UK maths Olympics after scoring I would also like to thank all parents top marks in a competition. who participated in the recent Ibadullah Lughmani, again from Year consultation, the outcome of which can Headteacher John Hernandez A trip back in time

OUR Year 8 students enjoyed a field trip to Greenwich Heritage Centre in June. As part of the World War Two study day the Year 8s also visited the Royal Artillery Museum. Pupil Adam Blake said: “The trip to the Royal Artillery Museum was educational and pleasurable. “The tour guide who led us around was willing to answer any questions “There was also an actress who talked in character about the blitz and WW2, which was very interesting.” Pupil Larry Dagadu said: “My experience on our trip was brilliant because we learned more about what we were studying in lessons. “We went to the Royal Ar- tillery Museum and we got to know more about weapons used in wars.” Museum trip: Pupils learned about the history of the Gunners Farewell to primary...

The school ran a transition day More than 100 of our new We asked six pupils of them for pupils join- starters got an introduction to what they were looking forward ing us next September. life at the school. to about coming to Norlington.

Shayaan, 11, from Barclay Burham, 11, from Newport Pri- Karim, 10, from Gwyn Jones Primary School, said: “I am mary, said: “I wanted to come Primary, said: “The form tutors looking forward to all the new to Norlington because they are are really nice here and so I subjects I am going to study really good at sport, particularly am glad I will be coming to the and making new friends.” cricket which is my favourite.” school in September.”

Xiao, 11, from Willowbrook Muhammad, from Downsell Ibrahim, 10, from South Grove Primary, said: “Norlington has Primary, said: “My brother Primary, said: “The school is very good results in exams comes here and he has done really near to where I live, plus and that’s why I wanted to really well with his studies. I I really like the teachers. They come here.” hope to do as well as him.” are really nice.” Boys represent borough All eyes on final OUR Year 7 cricket team Table will play Chingford tennis: School in the borough Hasheer final. Peeroo, The hotly-anticipated Arslan match will see the two Naveed unbeaten schools go head and -to-head for the title later Ramesh in the summer. Sarfraz Special mention goes to Jamal who scored an NORLINGTON students The boys went up Naveed and Ramesh Sar- incredible 82 not out were invited to compete against teams from across fraz scored a victory over during one contest. for the borough at the the capital at the event Barnet, but lost to Harin- Farhaan, Nuhan and Table Tennis Champi- held at the Redbridge gay and Enfield, two of Rayhaan have also pro- onships at the London Leisure Centre in June. the top ranked teams in duced match winning Youth Games. Hasheer Peeroo, Arslan the country. performances. Working hard and smart for A-levels

SIXTH-form student with the desire to learn something ABDUSHSHAKOOR everyday is an asset at A-level. SULEMAN discuss the step However, the sheer depth and from GCSEs to A-levels complexity introduces a need to be independent and organised. “The myth about the gruelling A-levels haves forced me com- nature of A-levels is indeed true – pletely outside my comfort zone, as my peers and I found out quite taking me into unknown territories abruptly. and urging me to use my initiative. A-levels. Hard. Strenuous. Subject classes are more fre- Momentous. quent, the content is more chal- These were the just some of lenging and much greater inde- the labels hovering around when pendent study is required. colleges and sixth forms were the A-levels aren’t just about work- talk of school while preparing for This is the most astonishing dif- ing hard – they’re about working my GCSE examinations. ference between GCSE and A-lev- smart too. I among millions of other stu- el – hard work and dedication. At GCSE and even more impor- dents around the world am study- It separates those who want to tantly at A-level – tailoring your ing the notorious A-levels. learn and those who merely come work towards the actual exams In hindsight, the step up from to school out of obligation. and specifically practising exam GCSE to A-level is a leap of faith GCSE is a breadth study. A-level technique is my single best piece in the darkness, but plenty of light is a depth study. of advice. is shed for those who seek it. A studious mind-set combined Good luck!

Students officiate at cricket contest OUR leaders were described as a “credit to the school” after helping to run a quick cricket tournament for local primary schools. The year 8 pupils officiated at both the boys’ and girls’ competi- tion for 18 schools in May The 12 students who took part had recently completed an activa- tors course with the Essex Cricket Association. PE teacher Mr Bygott said: “The students gained valuable lead- younger students from the local He added: “Both days were a ership experience working with schools.” massive success.” Students add to their maths knowledge OUR brainy maths students were ered advanced concepts such as Awaise Zahir, Bilal Khokar, Cheng tasked with carrying out a research differential calculus during the Wang, Tayyab Khaliq, Riaz Hus- assignment at A-level grade. term-long project. sain, Aadil Bhaiyyat, Moonis Altaf Brilliant Club students cov- Students who took part included and Umar Ali. Tempting teens to take up tennis

On court: Pupils took part in a training day at Loughborough University THE school has been chosen to delighted to be chosen as one of in participation of mid-teens by pilot a scheme aimed at getting only 21 schools in the country to giving each school up to £3,000 in youngsters interested in tennis. be a ‘School of Tennis’. funding and support. Norlington was among just 21 “It matches the aspirations we Paul Williams, schools’ tennis nationally to be selected as part of have for our students. The scheme manager at the Tennis Foundation the School of Tennis programme. will enable us to broaden our cur- said: “We’re looking forward to Our teachers and pupils took part riculum, create more enrichment supporting Norlington School so in a training day at Loughborough opportunities and develop more they can make tennis more appeal- University last week as part of the leaders - all of which are at the ing to their particular students and programme. core of Norlington’s aims.’ subsequently enjoy all the physical The school, chosen for its work Charity Tennis Foundation said and social benefits tennis brings.” in encouraging leadership skills they want to encourage secondary For more information on the among pupils, has also had a Rebo school pupils to take up the sport programme, or any of the Ten- tennis wall installed. by making it more relevant and nis Foundation’s work in Educa- Assistant headteacher Paul engaging for teens. tion please email: schools@tennis Hobbs said: “Norlington are They want to reverse the dip foundation.or.uk. Programmers pick up prizes

THE school ran a to solve a ‘real world computer science com- problem’. petition to find the best The competition took young programmers in place at the school in Waltham Forest. July. Norlington pupils It came after Norling- finished as runners-up, ton was chosen as the Mr Skamiotis has been tion and Professional while nearby George Lead School for a Com- named Master Teacher in Studies at King’s College Mitchell were the overall puting Hub in Waltham the Computing at School London. winners. Forest. (CAS) Network of The school is running a Teams from six schools Computer science Excellence. computer club on Tues- took part. teachers from across the CAS is a joint project day afternoons starting at Competitors used borough will come to the between Queen Mary 3.30pm. computing tools such school for training and to University London, the For more information as python programming discuss ideas. Department of Educa- speak to Mr Rashid.

Students all at sea YEAR 7 pupils got a taste HMS Belfast. of life at sea - without leav- Students toured the ing port - during a visit to world famous vessel in the ex-Royal navy ship April.

NORLINGTON Twitter: @NorlingtonSch Facebook: @NorlingtonSchoolForBoys NORLINGTON SIXTH-FORM Twitter: @Norlington6form Facebook: @NorlingtonSixthForm Paying respects to ‘hero’

PUPILS attended the when he joined the Navy the 100th anniversary in 1915 aged just 15. of World War I hero Jack Gunner Jack became Cornwall. the youngest ever Vic- Local boy Jack went toria Cross recipient to school in and following his death grew up in nearby Manor onboard the HMS Ches- Park. ter in 1916. Many of the Norlington The centenary celebra- students who went along tion was held at Corona- to pay their respects were tion Gardens in Leyton in the same age as Jack May.

Javelin champ YEAR 8 pupil Ibadul- the high jump and Year Navy man: Students at the memorial to Jack Cornwall lah Lughmani has 10’s David Asewale for smashed the borough the discus. javelin record at the Oluwakayode Lau- Waltham Forest Athlet- rence won a silver med- Sign up for some ics championships. al, while Mohammed Ibadullah threw a Feraz, Adam Errafik, remarkable 43.74m, Nile Odejimi-Riley, summertime fun 5m further than the Ibadullah Lughma- WALTHAM Forest covering sport, music, previous record, which ni, Ali Mohammadi, Council are running a performance and art, had stood since 1985. Aboulaye Ly Athie, number of fun and edu- among many others. Other gold medalists Terel Steerling and cational course for pupils For more information on the day included Kamal O’Mard all won throughout the summer. visit the website at www. Year 9’s Ekrash Nasir in bronze. There is something walthamforest.gov.uk/ for every with activities summer.