George Mitchell School Times

Spring 2018 Scholarship five can reach for the heights BUDDING lawyers, politicians and architects are among our latest cohort of scholarship hopefuls applying for top independent schools. The school has identified five bright, hardworking pupils with the potential to make the grade at the UK’s most prestigious fee-paying schools. Hasan Patel, Dominika Berta, Anda Guinea, Dominic George and Amy Harris are already under the tutelage of history teacher Ms Fagan. Options open to the students include world famous institutions such as Princes Harry and William’s old school, Eton College. Throughout the process, they will get support with writing personal statements and applications, preparing for entrance exams and selection interviews. If successful, they will follow in the footsteps of former students Nadia Hassan, who won a £35,000-a-year place at Marlborough College, and Martin Woodrow, who now attends University College School. Nadia returned to the school this term to talk be the springboard for a career in architecture. and I knew from then I wanted to apply. When to the group about her experiences applying for She said: “Nadia is a real inspiration to me. you see someone like her do it, from your a scholarship and the opportunities available at We talked a lot when she came to visit and she school and neighbourhood, you know it is her new school. was very open about her experience. possible.” Anda hopes a successful application will “I first read about it in the school newsletter Budding politician Hasan said: “It makes you realise what a great school you come to when you get opportunities like this. The Nadia sends her teachers here are always trying to push your aspirations, to make you achieve more. “There is a real sense of community spirit at best wishes to this school and a feeling that if you believe it enough, you can achieve anything you want.” hopeful students Dominika has set her sights on a career in law. Nadia Hassan was among our first She said: “I didn’t even know what a students to win a scholarship. Here she scholarship was until I read about Martin and offers her advice and good wishes to our Nadia in the newsletter. When you read this in current cohort .. your own school it raises your expectations. I would just like to say good luck to the “It tells you that at a school like this you can scholarship hopefuls in their applications. do amazing things, like go to these top schools. It is not an easy journey, though It lifts you and the first thing you think is that

remember that despite the future results I now must work harder because I want to be a of your applications, I do believe that the part of that.”

process is one that is rewarding. Ms Fagan said: “Nadia’s visit was hugely ‘From sitting multiple exams to having inspiring to the pupils. She was able to explain several interviews, I am sure that you all will to them just how life-changing the chance to come away feeling more confident. ‘ study at one of these schools will be.” Do not let the level of academia from Headteacher Saeed Hussain said: “As a your competitors nor the extracurriculars school we continue to be extremely ambitious they may have done faze you. for our students. There is a belief among our The schools are looking for high students that there are no barriers to how high achieving students like yourselves, so keep they can reach. up the progress as I am sure that the “This cohort of students will go on to inspire work will pay off soon. the next generation of George Mitchell pupils, just as Martin and Nadia have inspired them.”

n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter Zahraa’s hard work will benefit children’s charity YEAR 9 Zahraa Ejaz has been described as an inspiration to fellow students after organising a fundraising event for a children’s charity. The Head Girl for Key Stage 3 persuaded the school to hold a non-uniform day in aid of the United World Schools charity in February. Zahraa raised a total of £520.44 for the charity, which aims to improve the educational opportunities for the world’s poor and marginalised children. During a series of assemblies, Zahraa also spoke to students in Years 7, 8 and 9 about why they are privileged to have an education. With the help of finance officer Christine Theodorou, Zahraa also helped to count the money raised and then wrote to the charity, enclosing a cheque. Zahraa said: “I was doing my homework online one day and like many teenagers, I got a bit distracted. I have always had a passion for education and charity. “I came across this charity and was mesmerised by all the amazing work they do for those in very difficult situations. I realised then I had to do something. now other students at the school are better the pursuit of academic excellence we also “I spoke to our headteacher Mr Hussain and informed.” expect our students to display qualities such as he agreed to let me hold a non-uniform day to Finance officer Ms Theodorou said: “Zahraa compassion and leadership. raise awareness for this amazing charity. is truly an inspiration to other pupils. It was “As Head girl of Key Stage 3, Zahraa “Coming to a school in the UK, a lot of the important that she took part in the process of is showing a great example to her fellow time young people take for granted how lucky collating the money and sending the cheque. students.” we are to have an education. “This was her project all the way and she Susanna Worth, from United World Schools, “It is something we take for granted but for wanted to see it through herself. She should be said: “Zahraa’s donation is the equivalent of others it is something they have to struggle for. extremely proud of what she has done.” sending 14 children to a school for a year. It is Doing the assemblies was important because Headteacher Mr Hussain added: “Alongside truly life-changing.” Workshop made students think YEAR 9 students learned about the impact of domestic violence during workshops led by Sixth Form students. Year 12 and Year 13 girls from Sir George Monoux College gave a presentation, showed a film and then led discussions with our pupils at the session held in March. The project is run by human rights charity Journey to Justice, who have worked with the school on a number of projects. Year 9 student Yousaf Arif said: “I had no insight into how bad domestic violence can be and how it breaks up families. It really made me think differently.” Erica Tacu added: “I learned a lot about how you would deal with something like that if it happened to you or your friends or family. I feel better equipped now.” Teacher Ms Tomkins said: “Students got a clear understanding of what is right and wrong in a relationship. I was pleased to see that so many said they did not want to be like the people in the film.”

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New primary school is gradually taking shape‘ Work is progressing on schedule for the Work is close to reaching the halfway stage the school to make it a welcoming learning primary school. of building work on our brand new primary environment. Starting next term, we will be As you can see from the picture above, the school. Bowmer and Kirkland project giving students the opportunity to visit the site structure of the school has now been put up, manager Ryan Edson explains more... for educational purposes. which should give an indication of what it will By summer half-term, we are expecting to be look like when completed. drama studio, school library and IT suite, will able to offer current and prospective ‘You can make out the outline of the ensure the primary school has the facilities parents the chance to view the school. classrooms and see the lift shaft and outline of to match the recently-completed secondary the school hall. school. l Make sure you check the schools We are now starting to work on the fantastic Inside, the primary school will feature Facebook and Twitter page and in the GM state-of-the-art gym which, alongside the bright vibrant colours, specially requested by Times for further details. Enthusiastic pupils became sports reporters for the day STUDENTS put their newly acquired writing how you were given lots of freedom on this skills into practice when covering a Leyton trip. You were able to take responsibility for Orient football match. yourself.” Prior to the game, pupils spent five days Fellow year 8 Rabia Klarnetadzhieva said: working with published poets Mojisola “Apart from the writing, which was really Adebayo and Brenda Hillman at the Arvon fun, the best part was getting to socialise with residential retreat in Shropshire. our friends away from school. It really made During the trip in January, students took you feel grown up. part in two daily writing sessions, where they “Watching the game and becoming a learned creative writing, poetry structure real-life reporter afterwards was very and public speaking. exciting, particularly when we met the vice- They were also tasked with taking chairman.” responsibility for themselves by getting ready Year 7 Learning Leader and PE teacher Jo each day and preparing and clearing away Hadaway, who accompanied students on the meals. Students then turned reporters, where trip, said: “The improvement in the students’ they had to write and film a match report writing skills after the trip was huge. of Leyton Orient’s match against Tranmere “They really embraced the project, sharing Rovers. ideas and becoming more confident public At the end of the match, students also got speakers.” the opportunity to interview Leyton Orient The project was a joint venture between vice-chairman Kent Teague. Writing the Game and Supporter to On the spot: Year 8 student Theodora Year 8 Sam Mealing said: “I really enjoyed Reporter and was funded by Comic Relief. interviews Leyton Orient’s vice-chairman

3 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter Women speakers give students inspiration

YEAR 9 students heard from inspirational speakers on a visit to City Hall to celebrate International Women’s Day. There were talks from Waltham Forest anti- FGM campaigner Hibo Wardere and Olympics bronze medallist Asha Philip. The day, which was hosted by the Chair of the London Assembly Jennette Arnold OBE, also featured live music and a speech from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Pupils got the chance to quiz the speakers and pose for pictures with Mr Khan – which made it on to his Facebook page. Zahraa Ejaz said: “It was a hugely inspiring day. These women made me want people to see me not as a good girl but a great woman. Abadhe Ahmned said: “These women taught me to do the unexpected. There are careers out there that they say women can’t do, they showed me you can.” Tasnim’s story earns her £100 writing prize YEAR 6 Tasnim is the winner of our short story writing competition. Her tale of an elephant who escaped from the circus earned her £100 worth of prizes from developers Bowmer Kirkland.

The Elephant who Escaped hard for a second, what animal it could The torrential, violent rain pattered onto be? Every step it moved it felt like an the charcoal-grey pavements as my family earthquake. I immediately realised that this and I got inside our car. The rain was animal was the elephant who had escaped so heavy, that the dirt on our car was no from the circus. longer seen. The clouds loomed over us The elephant was running towards the like horrifying, howling, hungry wolves school. Every part of my instinct was hunting for a snack and the tall, terrifying, telling me to help but I was too petrified bare trees danced in the wild, the whistling to even speak. Instantly, the elephant wind towering over us. A lonely, lifeless charged towards the building like an angry leaf luxuriously laid down on the wet bull and everything erupted a vast, grey ground as I sat staring sadly out of the car cloud of dust. It was as dusty as blowing window. on an ancient book but in this case, on the Suddenly, the radio switched on and school. it was talking about an elephant who The site which looked like and escaped from the circus. My heart skipped explosion, had debris laying everywhere. a beat, eyes as wide as saucers. I felt very The banner, which labelled George bewildered and shocked. Why would an Mitchell School, waved in the wind like elephant escape from the circus? Filled curly locks of short hair. The elephant with curiosity, I continued listening to the was covered in piles of planks and bricks, radio, eager to find out more. trying to escape from the misery. The puffy It was at the very moment, we were grey clouds sauntered in the sky, ignoring passing my school when an enormous, the devastating destruction. Until now I’m colossal figure started charging towards it. still in shock. I guess we won’t have be It had huge ears and grey skin. I thought having school for a couple of months. Prize entry: Year 6 pupil Tasnim

4 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter Dump children inspire poetry Year 6 children have been learning about the stories of dangerous and adverse situations faced by children working on ‘dumpsites’ in developing countries across the world, through the book ‘Trash’, by Andy Mulligan. The story tells of how three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city. The children wrote a poem about the plight of such children across the world. Below is one of them. Living on a dumpsite by Year 6 student Fatima Melancholy; hopeful children, as helpless as rats. Gaunt, poor, malnourished children trembling at The thought of dead. Book Clubs are But still fierce lion cubs scavenging for food. Skeletal, loved but not taken care of, Forced to live hand to mouth. Suffering... suffering... suffering... helping improve You can see a twinkle and spark of hope, In their disturbed faces. You can see and feel the aura of the solemn children Weeping! Living with only one pair of flea-ridden clothes! leadership skills With dust and dirt on their miniature feet. OUR Year 10 students have been developing to pilot the project, said: “The aim of the Suffering... suffering... suffering... their leadership skills by running Book Clubs project is to increase the students’ emotional for younger students. intelligence and empathy as well as helping Pungent, ranscid, and tormenting air as horrible Every Friday morning, Year 8 students them articulate opinions and share ideas. as the sewers. discuss the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio in “They are developing their understanding Hostile and toxic air that kills people’s noses: it mentoring sessions led by Year 10s. of evidence-based knowledge and at the same is like Students are tasked with reading sections of time using the skills they are learning to Poison darting up your nose! the book each week before coming together for become better writers. Woosh! a group discussion. “It is also helping students to communicate The smell is so bad that you can actually Wonder centres around a young boy who has with one another better, make new friends taste it. been home-schooled due to illness entering the outside of the year and peer group and It is even worse than 10 million bins put together! fifth grade at a school in the US. help with their organisation and time Suffering... suffering... suffering... Librarian Jackie Ainsworth, who has helped management.” The toxic air harms lives. The pungent air fills the sky. It roars in people’s sleep. Grant a bonus for libraries It roars during the day. It is as bad as a lion, who hasn’t eaten in three OUR primary and secondary school Birmingham to secure a deal for thousands weeks, that is ravenous! libraries are among the best stocked in the of books. She said: “As a school, we are borough after we successfully secured a very fortunate to have received this grant The trash piles are so tall that they are ominous £10,000 grant to buy books. to buy books for our students. And as tall as the Himalayas. The school received the funding from the “Before travelling to Birmingham The vexed and envy-full trash mountains were charitable arm of book store giants Foyles I spoke with each department who unstable; wobbling side-to-side like jelly. after a successful application. recommended books for us to buy. The merciless mountains were tilted like the Our librarian Jackie Ainsworth “This grant means our pupils will have Leaning tower of Pisa! ensured the school got value for money access to a wide variety of information Suffering... suffering... suffering... by travelling to Peter’s Book shop in covering various different subjects.” The revolting, hostile trash prison trapping those, who NEWS IN BRIEF lived and worked in the dumpsites. The merciless, vile and deformed dumpsites STUDENTS learned about exciting careers in to put their teacher in handcuffs at our Careers Himalayas dwarf the children, who were the services when the Royal Airforce STEM day. scavenging roadshow visited. n OUR students spent a £500 book gift from for their next meal, and their parents’... They learned about Maya the 58 cm robot the Siobhan Dowd Trust at Francis Road book Their homes are the shanty shacks and took part in the drainpipe challenge during story Phlox Books. obliterated with adults and children inside. the visit in March. n OUR Year 4 pupils tested their spelling Boom! Clash! The children and adults go down... n YEAR 8 pupils learned about a career in the against their peers at our Primary School Suffering... suffering... suffering... Metropolitan Police Service and got the chance Spelling Bee.

5 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter Bruges experience helps students towards exams OUR GCSE languages students got the chance to practise their French on a trip to the Christmas markets in Bruges. The annual trip allows students to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom, as well as sample the culture of another country. The Year 10 and Year 11 students tried new cuisines, picked up some bargains in the market and did some sightseeing during the trip held in December. Year 10 Learning Leader Ms Tomkins said: “It is very important for students to get the opportunity to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom. “Real-life experience, which allows students to talk to native speakers, increases confidence and contributes hugely towards success at exams. “It is also important that they are given the chance to broaden their horizons and get a taste for different cultures. Last January, young students visited the French town of Boulogne which featured a trip to the beach and a walk around the medieval town.

New experience: Student Lashawn Chisolm gets to grips with office work Employers’ words of praise YEAR 10 students have won praise from a skills while at ‘We Know Data’ in March. All dressed up host of employers after impressing during And the store manager at Matalan said work experience placements. of our students: “All the students have Pupils got first-hand experience in a been brilliant. Very well behaved, with for Book Day wide variety of different careers including good time keeping, personal standards TEACHERS and students dressed as their childcare, charity fundraising, data and good attitude. favourite literary characters as the school handling and law. “The students ticked all the boxes for celebrated World Book Day. Kogish Kumutharaja was praised for me. My area manager was doing the visit The day featured staff doing readings his punctuality and communication in-store and he even praised the students.” from their favourite books and a costume competition that was won by Denis in Year 7.

6 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter Pupils get close to nature for Science Week PUPILS made friends with exotic and rats during a visit from Wild There was also a focus on female creatures, built rockets, took Science in March. scientists with pupils learning part in experiments and created Nursery and reception pupils about the ground-breaking work their own tea bags as the primary planned their own scientific done by women in the field. school celebrated Science Week. investigations while Year 1 and On the last day, families were Pupils learned about and how Year 3 pupils looked at the growth invited into school for the George to handle tarantulas, snakes, frogs and life processes of plants. Mitchell Primary Science Fair. A wealth of Cakes an ideal opportunities

Headteacher Saeed Hussain reflects on another positive term at George way to educate Mitchell... As we do each term, the school has GEORGE Mitchell welcomed schools from strived for excellence in every area of across the country for a charity baking our students’ education. competition celebrating LGBT month. This term saw a new cohort of hopefuls The school hosted the 10 finalists from join our scholarship programme. The primary and secondary schools for the Educate success of previous students Martin and and Celebrate cake competition, held in ‘Nadia has inspired our students and there February. is now tough competition to join the Each team was tasked with cooking up a programme. delicious cake with decorations inspired by this Younger students also proved year’s LGBT Month theme of Geography. inspirational this term. As a school we are Over 700 schools entered the competition incredibly proud of the maturity shown by by submitting cake designs to the Educate and Zahraa Ejaz, who raised funds for United Celebrate website with the ten most popular World Schools by organising a going through to a Great British Bake-Off style non-uniform day. final. Our Science Fair in the Primary School The school were assured a place in the final capped an entertaining and educational because we had been given the honour of Science Week with families joining us for a hosting the award. wonderful showcase of student work. However, both competitions were won At our termly George Mitchell Sing by schools from Durham in the North East, Off, primary students sang their hearts with Toft Hill taking the primary prize out, giving excellent renditions of their and Wolsingham School triumphing in the favourite Beatles songs. secondary. LGBT+ inclusion. Through cake, we can It has been a term when we have The competition was judged by Educate and spread the message of equality in a joyful way been able to demonstrate the wealth of Celebrate founder Dr Elly Barnes, journalist and eat it too – a bonus.” opportunities on offer to students at George Scott Nunn and singer Saskia. Curriculum Leader for Design Technology, Mitchell. Ms Barnes said: “Every year we love the Mx Lomax, who helped organise the project, In the secondary school, students got the competition more as the standard just gets said: “It is important that all our pupils, staff chance to practise their language skills at higher and higher. and families are aware that this is a welcoming, the Christmas markets in Bruges. “It is such a fun and accessible way for inclusive school which is tolerant of all There was a residential trip to Shropshire students and teachers to get involved with lifestyles, races, religions and backgrounds.” where students honed their writing skills before putting them into practice as reporters at a Leyton Orient match. Our girls managed to get themselves on to Sadiq Khan’s Facebook page during a visit to listen to inspirational speakers at City Hall for International Women’s Day. Meanwhile, primary pupils had a visit from the fire brigade and had an enviable

visit to the Brixton Chocolate museum. As you will know, next term is very

important for our students. Our Year 6 and Year 11s will be getting their final preparation for GCSE and‘ SATS exams. We look forward to welcoming them back, refreshed and ready to face their challenges. Happy Easter YEAR 2 students learnt about farms and farming for our WOW DAY at George holidays everyone. Mitchell Primary Phase in January.

7 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter GEORGE MITCHELL SPORT

Track and field champs IT has been a stellar term for our Year 7 and Valley Sports Ground. Year 7 Lila Mark said: Hadaway added: “This winter league has been Year 8 boys and girls on the athletics track “I have really enjoyed trying all the sports a massive boost of confidence for our students after all four teams were crowned winter in the athletics league. It has really boosted and in particular the girls. league borough champions. my confidence and now I am playing lots of “They have worked together so well to The teams put in a series of fantastic different sports. ensure that every event is filled in order to displays across a number of disciplines in a “To win is an utterly amazing feeling score points. This has paid off. series of indoor meets throughout the term. because we have all worked so hard as a team “It has been fantastic to see all the pupils try Students pulled off victories in featured to do well. I am glad I was able to win this an event to see what they are suited to, so they events which included high jump, long jump, with my friends.” can go into the summer league with a positive 200m and 60m at meetings held at the Lee Year 7 Learning Leader and PE teacher Jo attitude and boost of confidence.”

Basketball girls are real battlers

OUR girls’ basketball team have won praise for their determination and perseverance this term. Despite not winning a match, the team continued to turn up for training every Friday and were committed in matches. Ms Hadaway said: “I cannot fault their determination despite not winning any games, their attitude was fantastic. “They simply said, we have to start somewhere, it doesn’t matter if we win or lose. Other schools in the borough also commented on the girls’ perseverance.” Victory double OUR Year 7 girls’ football team beat Leytonstone School 4-1 and Walthamstow School for Girls 1-0 in matches played in January. Top goal scorers were Angel Samuel and On form: the George Mitchell girls’ football team had a successful January Anastasia Boneva.

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