MICHAELA MATTERS KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Dear Families, also have special guests who talk to been immensely proud had she still the pupils. Teachers oten visit to been with us today. Welcome to 2017! At Michaela we learn from our methods and to take are delighted to start the New Year some of our ideas back to their own We move towards the future know‐ and term reinvigorated and ready to schools. Guests always comment on ing that the right values are the take on the world! how amazed they are by our polite bedrock of the school. We believe in and delightful pupils. Visiting teach‐ working hard, being kind and disci‐ As ever, the future is decided by the ers are simply dumbfounded by the pline. We look forward to the next past and so it is with great pride that standards reached in our pupils' es‐ two terms which will see Year 9 I read through our various achieve‐ says. complete the irst year of their Reli‐ ments from the last term and end of gion GCSE. We are expecting a lot last academic year. heir extraordi‐ his last term we were lucky enough from them and I know they will not nary achievements in Maths even to be visited by Michaela's partner. disappoint. resulted in some of our boys going Faduma's article explains who on a helicopter ride, having won irst Michaela was and why we named With best wishes for the rest of this prize in a national competition. Our our school ater her. Her partner, term. pupils' dedication to hard work devastated by her death from cancer shines through on every page. in 2011, found it too emotional to Katharine Birbalsingh visit before now. When he visited, he he school continues to have guests was so impressed by the school, say‐ Headmistress visit from around the country. We ing that Michaela herself would have 2 Issue 5

Genius Generator visits Michaela

Michaela pupils were fortunate enough to meet Tony Sewell, an ed‐ ucational consultant. He toured the school and talked about why it is Former Education important to work hard for our fu‐ tures and how lucky we are to be at Secretary Inspires Pupils 'He was highly his term we were thrilled to be vis‐ I was fortunate to have Mr Gove sit‐ impressed by our ited by he Rt. Hon. Michael Gove ting at my table during family lunch. extensive MP. If it were not for him, Michaela He set an excellent example for us as would not exist: he developed the he was professional, polite and kind. knowledge and free schools programme that al‐ He asked the pupils on my table var‐ lowed Ms Birbalsingh to establish ious questions, such as: what time discipline' does school inish? What things do 'Mr Gove taught us that if we we do to get merits? How do parents want to change society we should know how pupils are doing in Michaela. Mr Sewell spoke to our ta‐ persist' school? How are we able to learn ble about his programme called and recite poems such as Julius Cae‐ 'Generating Genius,' enabling sar's speech on courage? hese ques‐ teenagers from the inner city and our school. Mr Gove was the Secre‐ tions led to interesting discussions various other backgrounds to attend tary of State for Education and held about Michaela and how it is differ‐ Russell Group universities and study the position from 12th May 2010 ent to other schools. science. He was highly impressed by until 15th July 2014. His persistence our extensive knowledge and disci‐ and resilience changed the way the Overall, Mr Gove taught us that if pline and he hoped for some government viewed education, lead‐ we want to change society we should Michaela pupils to attend his pro‐ ing to many new schools in England persist, especially when it is difficult. gramme next year. such as Michaela. Tayrese, 8P Amrutha, 9A Issue 5 3

C'est Simple Remembrance Day Comme

Year 9 pupils have been learning 'Bonjour'! about the First World War and Armistice Day, which took place on French at Michaela is taught in a dif‐ 11th November 1918. he First ferent way to other schools. he at‐ World War began in 1914 with mosphere created in the classroom many countries including Britain, is really fun but also very focused. France and Russia ighting against the German Empire. Our three French teachers Made‐ moiselle Lund, Mademoiselle Betta‐ 'Many gave up their lives in order to har and Monsieur Forgeron (Mr protect their country's freedom' Smith) explain French in a thorough the democratic society in which we way and make it less daunting de‐ now live. On 11th November 2016, spite it being a completely new lan‐ here were a number of atrocities we commemorated Armistice Day guage. committed and many casualties dur‐ and every pupil and every teacher at ing the war. Many British soldiers Michaela donated money to charity In lessons, we learn to understand gave up their lives in order to pro‐ and wore a poppy on their lapels. the depths of the language. his is tect their country's freedom so that We did this to show gratitude and possible because our ethos is not to we could live the life we have today. thankfulness for the soldiers who waste a single minute or second of On Armistice Day, we express our died so that people in Britain could learning time in a lesson. As a result, gratitude to those fearless soldiers. enjoy the luxuries we have now. many visitors end up questioning their sight when they see our consci‐ Without the soldiers who fought in Hamse, 9A entious pupils in French. Even the Battle of the Somme or the naval Michael Gove wasn't expecting the Battle of Jutland, we would not have high level of French that we can al‐ ready speak! he fact that we learn complex phrases, such as 'il faut que je sorte' and 'il est rare que je fasse', helps us to improve rapidly in the language.

We read so well because teachers put symbols in the text which indicate the correct accent to use. We under‐ line the vowel combinations to un‐ derstand the vowel sounds of the word, put a dot underneath silent letters so that they prevent us from saying the letter, and put liaisons be‐ tween two words if they are capable of being connected in speech as we say them.

Malaikah, 8P 4 Issue 5 Trip of a Lifetime

'It was a mesmerising experience'

I had always dreamed of going to Oxford and Hadi, Ali, Anas, Mahad and I were lucky enough to be able to visit the university to support Mr Reddy at a teaching conference. Whilst there, we demonstrated our Times Table Rock Star skills and then answered some questions from the audience. Meeting Mr Reddy was amazing. We were given a tour around Oxford and spoke to some Our Michaela team won the top iers, the 16 pupils who answered undergraduates about what it took place in the TTRS Rock Wrangle the most questions in total entered for them to get there. competition by answering the most the quarter-inals. All of us made it times tables and division questions through to the grand inals and we during a time limit. 50 schools en‐ had three minutes instead of one to tered their top three Times Table answer as many questions as we Rockers. Hamza, Ali and I were could. We worked relentlessly and picked and we competed for were overjoyed that we came irst, Michaela. We were aiming for the second and third! top prize: a helicopter ride across London. Soon aterwards we embarked on a 20-minute ride across London. We he Rock Wrangle consisted of 11 really enjoyed the view of the Lon‐ We learned a great life lesson: to times table sessions. Ater the quali‐ don Eye, the Millennium Dome, achieve things we have to work im‐ Wembley Arch and other famous mensely hard. he students we met landmarks. he helicopter lew up to had worked hard, even though they 310m high: level with the Shard. We were more privileged than us, and are so grateful to Mr Reddy and the they emphasised how much work members of staff who ran the Rock we need to put in. hings do not Wrangle and TTRS. It was a really happen by accident. his is a key les‐ special and memorable day. son that we learn at Michaela. All in all, it was a mesmerising experience Hadi, 8P and boosted our conidence for the real TTRS competition.

Hamza, 8P Issue 5 5 Importance of TTRS TTRS Wisdom I am one of the fastest Times Table Rock Stars players in the world. When I came to Michaela I knew all of my times tables, but I had one problem: I could not type a single word or number without looking down at the keyboard. Eventually I overcame this and achieved success.

'Time is valuable; when it is gone we cannot get it back'

To improve at TTRS I recommend the following three things:

1. Take risks. At the beginning of my career at Michaela I would look down, type a number and then enter it as slowly as a At Michaela, pupils practise their sloth. Now I am more coni‐ times tables on Times Table Rock 'Ms Quinn says that dent. I do not look down and Stars, a website which aids memori‐ my hands ly all over the place. sation of times tables. Teachers en‐ "if you put in Never be afraid of taking risks. courage us to increase our speed and enough effort you 2. hink long term. When I want score. Ms Rizvi oten states that 'if to give up, I think about the you practise, you will achieve suc‐ can do anything skills I am accumulating that cess' and Ms Quinn says that 'if you will follow me throughout my put in enough effort you can do any‐ you can imagine"' life. Never think that home‐ thing you can imagine.' I found it work is just for the short-term difficult to remember my times ta‐ reward of merits. bles when I irst joined Michaela 3. Treat it as a game, not as but, with the teachers' support and homework. TTRS is ultimately lots of practice on TTRS, I have be‐ a game and if you treat it as a come much better. In my opinion, fun learning activity rather Michaela is amazing because the than a chore you will be much teachers ind new ways for us to more successful and more like‐ continually improve. ly to gain a high score.

Pranathy, 7D Time is valuable; when it's gone we cannot get it back. Do not spend your time on foolish, pointless video games. Focus on great tools like TTRS that pay us back with lasting returns.

Mahad, 8P 6 Issue 5 he Power of Science

In Science lessons, we have the op‐ portunity to complete practicals. Most recently, we observed onion cells under a light microscope which uses special lighting and can magni‐ fy up to 2,000 times. It was fascinat‐ ing to see! We clearly observed the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell wall and the cell membrane through the micro‐ scope. 'We learn complex vocabulary and subject knowledge which other pupils learn at h ' anks to our hard-working teachers and GCSE or even A-level.' extensive homework, we are provided with the best knowledge'

Recently, we completed a practical schools: we have mastered four top‐ on nutrients. We tested the nutrients ics in under 12 weeks! hanks to our present in various food substances hard-working teachers and extensive such as biscuits, bread, egg whites, homework, we are provided with the crisps and slices of apple. To test best knowledge possible and, as we these substances for either starch, know well, 'knowledge is power.' sugar or protein we applied iodine solution, Benedict's solution and bi‐ Isabella Marquis, 7A uret reagent respectively to each Michaela pupils take practicals very substance. My group tested the bis‐ seriously and safety is crucial. his is cuit and it was positive for starch be‐ why Ms Cheng spent a whole lesson cause the iodine solution turned teaching us about the safety compo‐ from orange to black-blue. he bis‐ nents of the practical and the differ‐ cuit also was positive for sugar as ent parts of the microscope. We learned complex vocabulary and 'We have mastered four gained subject knowledge that other pupils learn at GCSE or even A- topics in under 12 weeks!' level. the Benedict's solution turned from Eshan, 7D and Haroon, 7A orange to blue when added.

Michaela is different to other Issue 5 7 Four Steps to Prep Success he More you Read, the More you Know

Our in-depth knowledge in subjects such as English and History shapes the way we think of the world. Homer's he Odyssey helps us un‐ derstand struggle, hardship and the negative consequences of being hubristic; it also teaches us that we must strive to achieve our goals, avoid temptation and overcome all of our personal obstacles. Without this knowledge, we would be unwill‐ ing to work hard for our future am‐ bitions and would not be the best that we can in life.

Literature connects us to others. 'Self-quizzing is our secret weapon' his is demonstrated by historical books that help us live through and At Michaela, we believe the more creases our imagination, creativity, understand past societies and how knowledge you have, the more vocabulary, spelling and so much they helped shape our current soci‐ choices you will have in the future. more. Reading for 30 minutes every ety. Pieces of literature based on Pupils spend an average of two evening is not only fun but integral wars help us to understand major hours on their homework every for GCSE success. political, social and economic as‐ evening, which is 14 hours of extra pects of the modern world. he Di‐ work each week. Homework is spilt (4) Michaela pupils improve their ary of Anne Frank, for example, into four parts: maths skills and compete to get the helps us to comprehend the mal‐ most correct questions on IXL. his treatment of Jews in the 20th centu‐ (1) Self-quizzing is our secret website allows us to practise our ry and how much they suffered. weapon. It helps us retain knowl‐ newly acquired maths skills each Anne's recollection allows us a con‐ edge, not for a day or a year but for‐ day. 220,000 people in the UK fail to temporary perspective on the strug‐ ever. Due to self-quizzing, Michaela get a GCSE in maths and subse‐ gles that Jewish people had to face pupils are able to recite all of 'If' by quently ind it difficult to secure em‐ every day. Without this autobiogra‐ Rudyard Kipling, 'Ozymandias' by ployment. phy we would not feel as grateful Percy Bysshe Shelley, 'Invictus' by that we are in a democracy in which William Ernest Henley and many We complete these four things ev‐ it is unacceptable to persecute peo‐ more. ery day, giving us an advantage over ple for their religion. those at other schools who do not (2) Quizlet is a website that ensures do their homework. Doing this Ultimately, literature is key for our we have automaticity when it comes helps to cement our future success. general understanding of the world to our subject knowledge. It is a and without literature we could not great tool for getting 100% in a Joseph, 9A gain new knowledge and expand our weekly test. minds.

(3) Reading is important as it in‐ Ubah, 9D 8 Issue 5 What Makes Michaela Different?

Michaela Community School is a At Michaela pupils and teachers sit loving school that is both strict and together to share a family lunch. We fun. All pupils strive to demonstrate discuss interesting topics to build excellent behaviour at school and in our knowledge and help us learn public. We wait outside for our bus‐ how to have intelligent, vibrant dis‐ es calmly and patiently, testing each cussions. Our appreciations demon‐ other on the knowledge that we have strate our public speaking skills to learned at school. We do not shout, guests; they are always impressed by get in the way or cause disruption. our daily show of gratitude and how thankful we are for our teachers' Anyone can visit Michaela and have hard work. At Michaela, we have high standards a phenomenal time at our extraordi‐ for our behaviour and our work. I nary family lunch. Michaela is not Pharez, 7A am so grateful that I am here be‐ ordinary: you will oten see children cause other schools do not have these. Our teachers patrol the streets in the morning and aternoon to make sure we are punctual and safe.

'I am so grateful that I am here because other schools do not have these standards'

I am also thankful to be here be‐ cause, in primary school, I used to be rude to the teachers and mess around in lessons. When I started in year 7 I found the rules difficult to follow but I ind it much easier now. One rule that I have memorised is SLANT which stands for: Sit up straight, Listen, Answer questions, 'You will see our children pick Michaela pupils are very responsible Never interrupt and Track the teach‐ up litter from the streets' and respectful to members of the er. Now, in year 8, my behaviour has public. hey smile, work hard and improved and I am getting good stay stoical. Everyone has high at‐ feedback, more merits and fewer de‐ pick up litter from the streets and tendance, even if they are ill. merits. I have illed the trust bucket. give seats to the elderly on public Michaela pupils walk with speed his would not have happened if I transport. Our high standards make and purpose to their lessons because had gone to another school. I'm us really different to others. they know that every second proud to be at Michaela. matters. Hanad, 7D Tasheena, 8A Mohammed M, 7D Issue 5 9 Who was Michaela?

'Ms Birbalsingh was inspired believe that ungrateful people are by this amazing woman' rather sad, lonely or angry; small Why Michaela acts of kindness make people feel happy and smiley. Trust is vital at Our school is full of kind, hard- Michaela because otherwise we is the Best working pupils. Michaela Commu‐ would not be able to rely on people nity School was named ater a wom‐ and it would not be a safe environ‐ Our school is the best. It is known in an called Michaela: a stoical and in‐ ment in which to learn. the big, wide world for the work that spiring teacher. Sadly, a few years we produce. In classes, some schools ago, Michaela was struck down by Faduma, 7Z produce work that is scrappy and cancer and, unfortunately, she not neat. We try to keep our work passed away. Ms Birbalsingh was in‐ looking professional. In our school, spired by this amazing woman and we do lots of work in class and at decided to build a school represent‐ 'Come and have home. We love TTRS because it ing Michaela and her legacy. She helps us with our maths. Rolling created an amazing, altruistic and family lunch with numbers is another great activity. strongly disciplined school full of h We love chanting the times tables. If grateful pupils. his school also us. e food is so you ask one of our pupils about their makes pupils feel safe and happy be‐ knowledge you will be amazed. cause none of the pupils are bullied nice and we all eat Come and have family lunch with and everybody has a friend to talk us. he food is so nice and we all eat to. At lunch, pupils share their grati‐ together as one big together as one big family. tude by giving an appreciation to teachers or friends. At Michaela, we family' Jaden, 7Z 10 Issue 5 Practice Makes Perfect Flute Funding Enhances our At Michaela, hard-working pupils At Michaela, hard-working pupils now have the privilege of receiving now have the privilege of receiving Creativity private music tuition from Ms Mc‐ private music tuition from Ms Mc‐ Taggart, Mr Allan or Ms Clear. he Taggart, Mr Allan or Ms Clear. he pupils have a choice to learn the pupils have a choice to learn the At Michaela we prioritise knowledge keyboard, lute or guitar and are keyboard, lute or guitar and are and this leads to creativity. A kind taught their instrument of choice taught their instrument of choice donation to the music department two days per week. two days per week. meant that we have been able to purchase a piccolo, an alto lute and In addition, pupils can purchase In addition, pupils can purchase a bass lute. hese new additions to their own instruments for separate their own instruments for separate our ater-school lute choir allow us practice since it is expected that practice since it is expected that to work towards mastering multiple each pupil undergoing musical tu‐ each pupil undergoing musical tu‐ instruments and will help some of ition must practise daily. he key‐ ition must practise daily. he key‐ us towards our dream careers in board labs are open every lunch board labs are open every lunch music. time! time! 'We prioritise knowledge and this leads to creativity'

Davina, 9A

Doing Art ff devoted to learning how to draw he second hour is used to learn the Di erently and paint skilfully. We copy the history of art. It is important as it techniques that are demonstrated by helps us to understand the art and Art at Michaela is very different to Ms Speller on the visualiser. his is architecture we see around us in our art at some other schools. Ms Speller different to other schools, where daily life, and to appreciate the ori‐ works really hard to guide us into pupils are sometimes let guessing. gins of different pieces of work and becoming skilled artists. Some of the best pupil artwork is the imagination and skill of various displayed in corridors and along artists. Unlike other schools, we have two staircases so that visitors and pupils hours of art every week. One hour is can admire our talent. Amrutha, 9A Issue 5 11

t on my dreams', at the end of the and the poor would tailor, sew and 'Tread So ly poem, fusing repetition and a work in factories and this was un‐ metaphor, he is symbolising Irish fortunately taken for granted by the because You Tread tradition and culture as mere upper classes. his is additionally on My Dreams' 'dreams' that are being inluenced, shown when Yeats writes, 'I have quashed and 'trod on' by English spread my dreams under your feet/ tradition and culture. Moreover, Tread sotly because you tread on Year 9 pupils complete extended es‐ Yeats merges celestial imagery, my dreams', mixing a metaphor, says as part of their homework. Here colour connotations and a metaphor repetition, dream imagery and im‐ is one example, writing on a poem when he opens the poem with, 'Had perative verbs to excoriate 19th cen‐ the pupils had never studied before. I the heavens' embroidered cloths/ tury Victorians and their prejudices Enwrought with golden and silver against citizens at the nadir of the Yeats uses symbolic, repetitive and light...' to symbolise his wealth, since social hierarchy. In addition, the celestial language in his poem, 'he he was part of the landowner class. comparison of the conditional tense, Cloths of Heaven', to represent His 'embroidered cloths' of 'Heaven' when Yeats says 'I would spread...' themes of inequality, imagination, could potentially symbolise his rich‐ and the imperative past tense when culture and, to some extent, appear‐ es and place in the social hierarchy, he writes, 'I have spread', along with ance and reality. that were 'Enwrought' or incompa‐ the alternating repetition at the end rable to even 'gold and silver'. his of lines, represent the poor and the he title, 'Cloths of Heaven,' is presents Yeats as ostentatious, wealthy. he poor were precon‐ anonymous, leaving the reader to hubristic, condescending and possi‐ ceived to wear 'rags' and be bare- wonder whether the poem is literally bly prejudiced toward the lower footed. in terms of the wealthy, luxu‐ about 'Heaven' and religion or classes. ries shine a 'light' of acknowledge‐ whether it is something much more ment on them and thus they are al‐ abstruse than just the phenomenon Alternatively, this poem could be ar‐ ways capable of fulilling their of 'Heaven'. gued to be in the perspective of an 'dreams' (unlike the poor). individual from the lower class. herefore, this poem could be an al‐ Yeats was born and raised in the Yeats changes the mood of the poem ternating glimpse into the mindsets elite class of 19th century Victorian from 'light' and 'heavenly' to 'dark' and lives of the wealthy and the Dublin and was involved in a Celtic and diabolical when he writes: 'he poor. campaign that was against the inlu‐ blue and the dim and the dark of ences that England had over Ireland. cloths/of night and light and the In conclusion, this poem ultimately he poem could thus be in the per‐ half-light...', combining juxtaposi‐ symbolises yet zooms into, even ex‐ spective of Yeats. When he writes, 'I tion and alternating repetition to ex‐ coriates, the inequalities, inluences have spread my dreams under your emplify the dissimilarity between and insensitivities of the Victorian feet/ Tread sotly because you tread the middle and elite classes and the upper-class population towards the working and under-classes. he 'em‐ lower-class population and the my‐ broidered cloths' representing the opic psychology of Yeats himself. upper-classes are more valuable and With this threefold perspective, respected than the 'blue and dark' Yeats is successfully capable of con‐ and 'dim cloths' that represent the necting to any reader from any class, lower classes. whether they are from the upper- class or lower-class. hrough this, he his poem is presented in only one is able to evoke sympathy and give stanza, representing the life of those the reader a different perspective of living in poverty: transient yet full of Victorian Ireland: prejudiced, un‐ imagination and passion. When ethical and discriminatory. Yeats writes, 'I would spread the cloths under your feet', it links to the Zuhaila, 9A idea of labour, especially child labour in the Victorian era, since it was customary that poor children 12 Issue 5 Book Reviews

he Picture of Dorian Gray, written by Oscar Wilde and published in July 1890, captivates us as we em‐ bark on a journey constructed from the juxtaposed ideas of romance and hatred, forgiveness and revenge, death and life, a painting and a per‐ son. We are introduced to Dorian Gray, whose physical beauty affects To Kill a Mockingbird was written in he Diary of Anne Frank is an in‐ the purity of his soul and whose 1960 when inequality was gradually credible story about a young girl and vanity diminishes his mindset, his being diminished. Women's rights her family who hid from the Nazis. inner beauty and his whole life. and black rights movements were Anne Frank was written between beginning to emerge, sometimes 14th June 1942 and 1st August 1944, Dorian begins as an innocent, through violence. he book is about revealing that Anne was in the secret youthful and kind-hearted man a lawyer, Atticus Finch, who stands annexe for three years. She was hid‐ whose capricious mindset is manip‐ up for a black man accused of com‐ ing with eight other people, includ‐ ulated and twisted by others' views mitting a crime in racist 1930s ing her father, mother and sister. She and opinions. Dorian's curiosity is America. Atticus is an unconven‐ stayed stoical and cheerful even heightened as he meets a misogynis‐ tional hero and role model: his hero‐ though the others became sorrowful tic, egotistical and narcissistic char‐ ism is based on his inherent morali‐ and angry. In the story, I learned acter named Henry, whose opinions ty rather than his physical capabili‐ two important things: irstly, what‐ are very disagreeable to readers but ties. Racism and morality are ever has happened to you, stay sto‐ attractive to Dorian. themes that are evoked throughout ical and control your emotions. Sec‐ the whole novel, especially in rela‐ ondly, everyone has a right to free‐ Dorian becomes captivated by Hen‐ tion to religion and perception of dom. he book made me appreciate ry and his whole life takes a fatal di‐ sin. Mrs Dubose is a recovering that I have the right to learn. he rection. A picture is painted of Dori‐ morphine addict: she vows that she treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany an by his friend Basil Hallward who will die without any responsibilities was an inconceivable horror. When I goes on to face Dorian's malicious or obligations. She is pursuing her read this it made me feel like I was and menacing demeanour. hrough‐ own dream: to be a free human be‐ in 1944 myself. It gave me a better out the book, the painting changes, ing. To Kill a Mockingbird constantly perspective. Anyone who reads he displaying wrinkles and malevolent focuses on the juxtaposing ideas of Diary of Anne Frank will learn a grins. In reality, Dorian still looks right and wrong in the context of a valuable lesson. youthful, innocent and beautiful. racist society. Dorian's soul, however, begins to Hicham, 8D change as he becomes a conniving, To Kill a Mockingbird is a truly mov‐ manipulating and nefarious person. ing novel and has an inspiring mes‐ 'Anyone who reads he Diary sage that we can all assimilate into of Anne Frank will learn a Vinuki, 9D our everyday lives. valuable lesson' Kysha, 9D Issue 5 13 Year 8 Pupil Gets Creative Becoming an Art Assistant

I have been an Art Assistant for two consecutive years; it is my job is to help the art teacher with handing out the paper and collecting in ma‐ terials. Although the job may seem really simple, the process of becom‐ ing an Art Assistant is a real chal‐ lenge. You have to compete against other pupils to get one of the three spots. his takes devotion and dedi‐ cation. Firstly, you must create an extraordinary reputation by accu‐ mulating merits and achieving 100% in every single test. his illustrates to the teacher that you are a trustwor‐ thy pupil. he second step is to write an application stating the reasons why you want the job. Drat this multiple times as you are competing against other pupils. It needs to be the very best. he third and inal Alexandra Gyesi introduces her by an existing ictional character. step: demonstrate that you have ex‐ short story in the making: he character, Slender Man, was cre‐ cellent self-control at all times. ated on 10th June 2009 by Eric It is the 9th November 1974 and I Knudsen and eventually became an Karrar, 8P just moved into my new house with internet phenomenon. my adoptive father, Manny Slender. My name is Berry Slender and I go to Alexandra, 8Z a high school for 'special' people. But what makes me so special?

Slender and Me is a story about Berry Slender. 14 years old, she is a solitary girl bullied by her school‐ mates. She lives alone with her fa‐ ther who is nicknamed Slender Man by their neighbours. Berry, however, is not sure why her father is given this name. Berry's classmates call her creepy and ghost-like because of her strange and distant behaviour. hey avoid her.

Slender and Me is a short story writ‐ ten by Alexandra Gyesi and inspired 14 Issue 5

Ancient Civilisation Framing our Art Knowledge at the in Action National Gallery

On the 13th July 2016, Year 7 visited the renowned British Museum, fa‐ mous for its dedication to human history, art and culture. he public was astonished by our behaviour and our immaculate, splendid uni‐ form. We focused on the civilisa‐ tions we have learned about: Rome, Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Carthage, Phoenicia and Persia. Year 9 National Gallery Each group had a set of questions to answer about the sections, to make As our end-of-year reward trip, year signiicance of the building. he sure that we were understanding the 9 was fortunate enough to be taken gallery exhibited artwork from the information. to the National Gallery. We embod‐ 11th century to the 19th century. ied what it means to be a Michaela his included art from the Ro‐ We also saw new things such as the pupil by demonstrating politeness manesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Tomb of Hornedjitef and the Nereid and respect on our journey to Impressionism movements. We saw Monument, but the most notable ex‐ Trafalgar Square. Ms Speller had hibitions were the Elgin Marbles, been teaching us about the various Rameses II and the Rosetta Stone. art movements and artists that we 'We saw artworks hey are known for their individual would see and she created booklets stories. he Elgin Marbles are a con‐ for us to ill out whilst at the gallery. by pioneering troversial set of marbles taken from t Athens to London by Lord Elgin, an artists that have le Englishman. Rameses II was an Egyptian who inspired Percy Bysshe legacies, such as Shelley's poem 'Ozymandias,' and Leonardo da Vinci' the Rosetta Stone was found in 1799 by a French soldier. Originally it contained three languages until the artworks by pioneering artists that Stone was seized by the British in have let legacies such as Leonardo 1801. It was then that they wrote on da Vinci and Jan van Eyck. It was the side: 'Captured by the British in one of the best trips that we have 1801'. been on and we thank Ms Speller for It was astounding to be able to relate the educational experience. Roshaun, 8P our knowledge about the National Gallery to the institution itself. It Millie, 9A made us understand more about the Issue 5 15

Chamber Choir Rhetoricians of the Flourishes with Future New Members

We are very fortunate to have teach‐ To apply, pupils must be very hard- ers that care about our futures just as working, have a positive merit bal‐ At the beginning of this term, four much as we do. he Rhetoric Pro‐ ance and be punctual. Rhetoric new year 7 pupils made it through gramme is an ater-school club pupils must attend every week or the nerve-wracking audition to be‐ which helps participants to under‐ they will be replaced as there are come a part of Michaela's elite stand challenging topics and devel‐ many other pupils who would love Chamber Choir. he irst session of op public speaking skills, both of to join the programme. he pro‐ the year was spent helping the new which are extremely useful for the gramme is intended to introduce members to develop good habits future. people to important ideas and be‐ liefs and to build pupils' self-disci‐ 'he year 7 pupils have 'At Michaela we are very pline. As Plato said, 'for a man to improved drastically since the conquer himself is the irst and no‐ fortunate to have teachers blest of all victories.' beginning of term' that care about our futures just as much as we do' Laith, 9A while singing such as maintaining a straight posture. he year 7 pupils 'To apply, pupils must be have improved drastically since the Recently, we have been learning beginning of term. hey are now about psychology. Psychology, very hard-working, have a able to sing in harmony and blend meaning the study ('logia') of the positive merit balance and with the people around them and mind and behaviour ('psyche'), is be punctual' have even led their year group in as‐ very interesting as it helps people sembly to sing 'Auld Lang Syne': a understand how the brain works. traditional Scottish Christmas folk We have covered origins of psychol‐ song. All of this would not have hap‐ ogy including the work of the pened if it were not for the kindness prominent psychologist B. F. Skin‐ and organisation of Ms McTaggart ner (originator of the theory of Op‐ who gives up her time every Tues‐ erant Conditioning). In addition, we day and hursday to train us in the have learnt about memory storage art of choral singing. At the end of and the inluence of memory on so‐ last term we showcased the hard cial psychology. work and talent of the chamber choir members. he programme takes place every week on a Tuesday with Ms Lund. Tayrese, 8P 16 Issue 5 What it Takes What does it take to be a Great to Succeed Future Leader?

When I joined Michaela, I was truly inspired by the exemplary role mod‐ els. hey had great trust, high merit balances and were Michaela paragons. As these pupils were from the same background as me, I knew it was possible to be like them. I de‐ cided to inspire pupils just as I had been inspired by others.

Within a few months, I changed my attitude to learning and took it upon myself to be a happy pupil every les‐ son. I improved my homework and my behaviour. I got a merit balance of 120, putting myself in the top ive of the year. Within time, I became a Future Leader. hrough this time I learned some very important lessons. I learned Being a good Future Leader is not transparency are vital at‐ that everything is possible and that easy. Being a great leader at tributes. it all depends on your attitude. If Michaela is even tougher. Any Fu‐ • Be decisive: be ready to handle you work relentlessly at something it ture Leader wants to lead, motivate tough dilemmas quickly and will work out. I live by this rule ev‐ and support his team to the best of professionally. ery day. his abilities. • Inspire: you should seek to be everyone's role model at all Hamza, 8P he good news is that you can be‐ times. come a truly great Future Leader! All you need is to put in some extra I have created a mnemonic to help effort and consider the following us remember what qualities a future tips when increasing your leadership leader should have: abilities: • L for love knowledge as • Be responsible: study and get 'Knowledge is Power' good marks. • E for excellent behaviour • Be nice to everyone: no excep‐ • A for approachable tion. Smile and be friendly • D for disciplined with teachers and pupils. • E for enthusiastic • Be emotionally aware: great • R for responsible and reliable leaders are sensitive and un‐ derstanding, considering dif‐ Always remember: 'you should al‐ ferent points of view. hey are ways be a LEADER not a follower.' forthright, candid and fair when it comes to making key Ali, 8P decisions. Trust, loyalty and Issue 5 17 What's so Special about Top TTRS Tips Family Lunch?

'It's the amount of effort and hard work you put in that counts'

What is the best way to achieve a high Times Table Rock Stars score? he answer is hard work, self-belief and, most importantly, determina‐ tion. No one is born with speedy in‐ gers and a natural talent for TTRS: it Michaela Community School pro‐ to (anybody) for (speciic reason)' is the amount of effort that you put vides a delicious lunch every day. and you end it with two claps. Ev‐ in that counts. homas Edison con‐ Our pupils sit together on tables of eryone gives two short, loud claps in ducted 1000 trials before inally in‐ six and this is a great way to make unison. venting the light bulb. Follow his ex‐ new friends and have an interesting ample and spend hours, days, weeks discussion, just like a family. Pupils Sakith 7P and months to reach your goal. Be‐ grow in independence as we serve lieve in yourself and have the coni‐ food by ourselves and clean up ater dence that you can be successful. ourselves when we have inished. You will make yourself and your 'It is a great way to make school proud. Each pupil on the table has a speciic role. For example, Role hree cleans new friends and have an Ali, 8P the plates ater we have eaten. Each interesting discussion, like day we discuss a topic, such as a family' 'which inspirational person would you want to be like?' At the very end of lunch we demonstrate that we are grateful to someone by giving an ap‐ preciation. It can be anyone: a teach‐ er, relative, parent or even a group of people such as the cleaners or the police.

If you are chosen, you stand up and give your appreciation starting with: 'I would like to give an appreciation 18 Issue 5 Michaela Welcomes a Festive Guest

On hursday 14th December 2016, Claus would wish us a merry Christ‐ we knew it was not an ordinary day mas and a happy New Year. as we were going to have our special However, our Michaela Santa Claus Christmas lunch at Michaela. said: 'ho, ho, ho! Finish your self- quizzing and your IXL.' We opened our Christmas crackers with true delight, feeling the magical Ater a scrumptious main course we Christmas spirit. hanks to the moved on to the mouth-watering cooks, our food (a Christmas roast; dessert of a chocolate-covered ice Ms Birbalsingh's favourite) was ab‐ cream shaped like a Christmas tree. solutely delicious. Suddenly, while Finally we displayed our gratitude we were reading our jokes and during our penultimate apprecia‐ laughing, Santa Claus came in. Some tions of 2016. Grinches thought this might have been Ms Lund, especially when San‐ Ali, 8P ta's beard fell off. Usually Santa Issue 5 19

A Visit from a Real Life Rock Hero!

'his Santa's beard fell off a few On Friday 9th December 2016 we times... suspiciously!' were honoured to welcome the one and only rock hero and a mathemat‐ ical genius: Baz Wynter (also known 'It's beginning to look a lot like as Mr Reddy). Christmas' at Michaela! On the 14th December, our fantastic cooks made 'Honoured to welcome us a lunch that was extremely scrumptious and nutritional. he the one and only rock best part? Santa came to visit! Many Christmas is the time to show grati‐ found this Santa incredible as he hero...Mr Reddy' tude for the kindness people have looked so much like our French shown all year; it is the time to be teacher Ms Lund! Santa is meant to On the day he arrived I was so excit‐ with your family and appreciate have a REAL beard, but we were ed to meet him again ater seeing them. For some people, Christmas very surprised when this Santa's him at an Oxford conference and at only comes once a year but, for the beard fell off a few times... suspi‐ the Times Table Rock Stars Rock pupils at Michaela, Christmas oc‐ ciously. he atmosphere at lunch Wrangle 2016. Mr Reddy had a busy curs every single day. At our daily proved that, at Michaela, we are in‐ day. He walked around the school to Family Lunch we serve each other credibly mature and able to quickly observe our high quality education food and talk about topics of the revert back to our hard-working and our efficiency and discipline. He day. At the end of each lunch, we mindset. saw that time is signiicant to us at have a period of time in which we Michaela: we do everything quickly appreciate acts of kindness. During Rayyan, 8P and we never waste a second. Lucki‐ Christmas lunch we extend the ap‐ ly, before he went home, he signed preciation period and we make the our books and wrote some inspira‐ tables and food festive-themed. We tional words. cannot wait for next year's Christ‐ mas lunch! hank you so much for visiting our school Mr Reddy. It will deinitely be Karrar, 8P an experience that we will never for‐ get!

Ali, 8P 20 Issue 5

Ms Stubbs's Rice Sporting Success Crispy Cake Recipe

Makes 14 Portions

Ingredients:

Stoics Match • 120g Rice Crispies or Corn‐ lakes Teaches us Get Moving • 75g milk powder (optional) • 20g cocoa powder • 150g golden syrup Valuable Lesson Every Day • 75g margarine • 50g sultanas he Stoics had a football match Exercise is a vital part of our health • 50g chopped glace cherries against Ark Academy recently which and our day-to-day wellbeing. Exer‐ • 50g chopped dried apricots ended the year 8 Stoic boys' unde‐ cise is the miracle cure we have al‐ feated history. We arrived with high ways had but, for too long, we have Method hopes and were ready to represent neglected to take our recommended Michaela. Unfortunately, Ark dose. 1. Put muffin cases in muffin trays. Academy won in a 4-1 triumph against Michaela. hey won because Our health is now suffering as a con‐ 2. Melt margarine and golden syrup they worked hard as a team. Al‐ sequence. Many of Britain's children together over a low heat. though we lost, we learned some and teenagers do not exercise on a very important lessons. he match regular basis and, as a result, 25% of 3. Once melted, remove from heat taught us that we all had imperfec‐ teenagers in London are obese. Lack and add the milk powder and cocoa tions and it helped us to improve as of exercise can result in many long- powder. Mix well until smooth. a team. We played respectfully and term chronic diseases and short- remembered that this was the term health problems. It is scientii‐ 4. Put Rice Crispies and dried fruit 'Michaela way.' We learned as a team cally proven that exercise alters the into a large bowl and add the cocoa and it helped us to improve. It has moods, sleep patterns and the gen‐ powder mixture. Mix well, ensuring improved our team work, determi‐ eral happiness of humans. Just 30 that the Rice Crispies and dried fruit nation and our morale. We knew minutes a day of exercise can beneit are completely covered. that we would come back stronger our health and mindsets. However, in the future and this was a learning to truly gain the beneits of exercise, 5. Using an ice cream scoop or large curve so we let with our heads held we should aim for one hour a day or spoon, ill each muffin case. high. more. 6. Leave to set for one hour. Hamza, 8P Kysha, 9D