Issue 48

Working together to promote & celebrate achievement

4 March 2016 Name & Tutor Group:

Headlines by Rachel McGowan

Fantastic Plashet

I was delighted to receive a letter from Nick Gibb MP who is Minister of State Schools at the last week. As you can see we are one of the top 100 non-selective state schools in the country.

Year 10 Parents Evening

Our Year 10 students are now very aware of the challenges posed by their GCSE courses. To ensure that every student is fully focused on how to rise to these challenges and gain success in their GCSEs, we will be holding our evening for parents to meet with subject teachers on Wednesday 16th March between 4.15 and 7.15pm. This is an important opportunity for teachers, students and parents to celebrate work and progress in all subjects and discuss targets for the remainder of this year and start of next. The timing of the evening is deliberate to ensure subject specific guidance can be given to inform our student’s final three terms at Plashet. Please ensure that you make appointments to see as many

Headlines by Rachel McGowan cont’d teachers as possible and that your students accompany parents on the evening to enable a three way conversation to take place. During the meetings, we will discuss how hard each student is trying in each subject and agree actions that each needs to take to make at least expected rates of progress is not more rapid. These meetings are a key way in which we can work in partnership to focus on our core aim – ensuring that every student reaches her potential. 2016-17 Term Dates

To enable families to plan holidays for the next year, and thus avoid taking their daughters out of school during term time, what follows are our school term dates for next academic year 2016-17.

Half-terms Dates Non Student Days (NSD) & Religious Holidays in term time School closed to Students Autumn 1 Tuesday 6th September NSD 1: Monday 5th September until Eid-ul-Adha: either 12th, 13th or 14th September Friday 21st October TBC

Half-term: Monday 24th October - Friday 28th October

st nd Autumn 2 Monday 31 October until NSD 2: Friday 2 December st Wednesday 21 December

nd rd Christmas Holiday: Thursday 22 December – Tuesday 3 January

th rd Spring 1 Wednesday 4 January NSD 3: Tuesday 3 January 2017 until th Friday 10 February Half-term: Monday 13th February – Friday 17th February

Spring 2 Monday 20th February until Friday 31st March Easter Holiday: Monday 3rd April – Friday 17th April

Summer 1 Tuesday 18th April May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 1st May until Friday 26th May Half-term: Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June

Summer 2 Monday 5th June Eid-Ul-Fitr: either 26th, 27th or 28th June TBC until NSD4 & 5: 24th & 25th July Friday 21st July

I hope with that such advance notification all families can plan their holiday breaks during the times shown above. Holidays taken during term time are extremely disruptive to students’ education as they break continuity in learning, creating gaps in students’ understanding. It is also worth noting that we are a highly oversubscribed school that has waiting lists and taking your daughter out of school on holiday in term-time means you risk looking your place. Please take careful note of the dates shown above in planning your holidays and do your best to avoid disruption to your daughter’s learning.

Rachel McGowan

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Year 10 Pinsent Mason Debate Winners

Last November, 11 students from Year 10 including myself were lucky enough to train with two mentors (provided by the Pinsent Masons law firm) and ex-winners of last year to prepare for their annual Debating competition.

After two weeks of making points, practising arguments and more, we finally were able to visit the firm and were even given a tour by our mentors. During this time, we had the opportunity to ask them about the firm, law in general, the skills needed, the different roles at Pinsent Masons etc. Before the event started, we also were able to meet one of the judges and make small talk.

After watching several entertaining debates between other schools, it was up to our first Plashet team (consisting of Zainab Naqvi 10A, Zainab Hussain 10A, Eleanor Tranter 10T, Selina Begum 10H and Katelin 10H) to debate against Norlington School for Boys. Our girls argued extremely well, winning the round, with their fierce arguments against the motion that ‘The voting age should be lowered to 16’. It was then up to our second team (consisting of Anonna Chowdhury 10P, Selina Begum 10P, Eleanor Tranter 10T and myself) who had 1 hour to prepare for the second motion being ‘This house believes that CCTV makes you feel safer’. With tips from our mentors and hectic preparation, it was time for our team to debate. Although extremely nervous, we were able to argue to our full potential and win the competition meaning have been the overall winners for 2 years running now.

However, the surprises didn’t end there. As well as receiving individual trophies, an engraved trophy for the school (personally handed to the school by the CEO of the firm) and the business cards of our mentors, we were also given £1000 to spend on the school debating team.

All in all, this trip was an emotional rollercoaster full of nerves, excitement and adrenalin. It certainly is an experience we will never forget!

Saira Ahmed, 10P

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Newham Holocaust Memorial Day

On Wednesday 27th January, the RE Matters group attended the Newham Holocaust memorial event. Holocaust survivor, Harry Bibring shared his testimony with an audience of around 400 residents. There were 35 local schools represented at the event, bringing more than 200 school children. He escaped Vienna on the Kinder Transport in 1939, and had an inspiring story of what life was like living in Nazi Germany.

Zainab Naqvi, our chair of RE Matters read her own poem, a reflection on the Holocaust. Her poem was very well received and Harry Bibring, congratulated The RE Matters Group and Sir Robin Wales, the Mayor of Newham with her on its message of hope. Harry Bibring (who came to on the Kinder Transport on 1939).

We got a personal thank-you from Newham’s Mayor, Sir Robin Wales for our contribution, in supporting the event.

Our students commented on how moving Harry’s testimony was to hear, and how it really made an impact hearing first-hand testimony highlighting the important messages of peace, tolerance and understanding.

Ms L Still Curriculum Leader PRE, Sociology & British Values

Safer Internet Day

Plashet School was among the many of organisations in the UK that got involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people on Safer Internet Day 2016. Safer Student Prefects led assemblies to younger year groups to raise awareness about internet safety as well as conducting a questionnaire to students.

Safer Student Prefects had an Internet Safety stall at lunchtime on Thursday 11th February 2016 to offer advice to students about the risks of the internet, cyberbullying and grooming. Useful information was given to students about privacy on their social media accounts, steps to protection such as installing a web safer browser and making their accounts private; and ways parents can get involved to protect their children. Luxshita Prithviraj, one of the Safer Student Prefects said, “talking in assemblies and having an Internet Safety stall at lunchtime is a great way to raise awareness and promote ways of staying safe online.”

Miss Begum Bengali Teacher and KS4 Learning Mentor

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Lend Lease Winners

Towards the end of 2015 more than 150 year 10 students (including myself Tasnia Rahman, Khadija Saadia, Zaynab Sharif and Eleanor Tranter 10T) and from a number of schools across the borough took part in the Lend Lease challenge. Our task was to put forward a collection of ideas in order to regenerate a chosen part our local area, Newham. After submitting our proposals, the judges picked out 16 students from schools which include: , , and Plashet School who were finalists for the challenge.

The finals took place on the 22nd January 2016 at the Financial Conduct Authority HQ in Canary Wharf. There we put forward our ideas to ensure better health and wellbeing of the people living and working in a new development.

We are proud to announce our team returned to school with the winning trophy, as well as winning a silver plaque for our school; we will be receiving business mentoring, work experience and £50 each. “We look forward to welcoming the students as they take up their work experience placements later this year” Ian Crockford- Project Director at International Quarters.

“This project gave us a chance to learn our local area and explore ways in which we can make it a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable place to work and live in.”

Khadija Saadia, 10T & Tasnia Rahman, 10T

Year 9 PRE and History Jewish Museum Visits

As part of their studies on the Holocaust in History and PRE, students in Year 9 visited the Holocaust Museum over the course of the last two weeks of term. These whole day visits consisted of a number of activities designed to support student’s understanding of the Jewish faith and the significance of the Holocaust, such as handling important objects, and learning to write their names in Hebrew. The highlight of the visits however were the holocaust speakers – real people who have lived through the events students had studied in class. Our students were amazed at some of the things these people had experienced and were keen to ask many well thought out and profound questions which the speakers were happy to answer. I want to take this opportunity to thank all students in Year 9 for their excellent attitudes and behaviour on this trip.

“It was so inspiring to hear the Holocaust speaker.”

“Bea Green [the holocaust survivor] was so amazing. She was really funny and had a great love of life.” “Writing in Hebrew with a feather and ink was fun and interesting”

Mr T O’Brien Subject Leader for History

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The Brilliant Club Graduation Ceremony On Saturday 30th January, a few lucky members of Year 8 had the opportunity to participate in a university-styled programme. There were 2 subjects, Humanities and STEM, and both courses challenged us with a final assignment consisting of 1,000 words based on the given topic.

Our tutorials were made up of small groups taught by a PHd tutor every week. After a few sessions, we were assigned the final task. As I was in Humanities, our essay was to answer the question, ‘Do the ends justify the means’?

Eventually we completed and sent our work to the tutors for marking. Then we went to the Graduation Ceremony!

The Ceremony was located in King’s College London, the same place Michael Morpugo and Katherine Grainger studied, and it was amazing! We went to a seminar room so we could reflect on how we have developed in our knowledge and skills and how we can use that today.

Then, we moved over to the lecture theatre for the actual Graduation Ceremony. Several schools attended, from Year 6 to Year 9, and received their award. It wasn’t too long before we received ours!

They called up everyone name’s based on the alphabetical order of their forename. We triumphantly walked down the winding stairs to the stage and shook hands as they gave us our certificate. People who did especially well were rewarded with two certificates, a normal one and one for ‘Distinction’.

Afterwards, we took photos and returned back home from a long day! Overall, the Brilliant Club is a great experience and a great opportunity for us!

Nishat Basir, 8G

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Brilliant Club Trip to University of SOAS

On Friday 12th February, twenty-four Year 10 students (Brilliant Club members) were invited to the University SOAS, along with other schools. Students were divided into groups and introduced to their PhD tutors.

Arts/Humanities students were introduced to Amanda Potter, an expert in Greek mythology. The session involved watching a clip from the movie Hercules (2014). Afterwards, there was discussion about the qualities of a hero.

Student Ambassadors from the University led the next hour talking about interesting things they learnt at the University.

Students discovered how Chinese people were punished for a crime in Ancient China (usually through cutting off the criminal’s arms or legs, whipping them until were unconscious, or having the criminal wear a large, heavy wooden collar for two weeks.

After lunch, students were given a brief tour of the university.

In conclusion, all groups agreed that we had a very enjoyable trip where we met new people and learnt to express our opinions openly. Thank you to all staff, especially Ms Heath and Ms Chamberlain, for their hard work.

Kazi, Raisa, Nooraeen, 10E

Tate & Lyle Junior Citizens

For the past three weeks, 12 Year 9 students have been involved in the ‘Junior Citizens Scheme’ run by the Metropolitan Police. Students spent a week at Tate and Lyle working with a variety of public services such as the Police and Fire Brigade to teach Year 5 students about safety in the local community.

On the first day we observed how each public service agency taught Year 5 students in school. We looked at the activities they did and also how they might talk to a primary school student in a different way to an older student or adult.

It was then time for us to take on the teaching ourselves. I spent the week teaching about gangs. I talked to the students about how to identify somebody who might be a gang member and we discussed who in society you could and could not trust. I taught this through an activity in which I gave students a sealed box of sweets but the box actually had images inside of items that gang members might use. Some students took the box without hesitation and were very shocked when I told them it didn’t contain sweets. We were then able to talk about how gangs were very dangerous and how it was important not to trust strangers.

Other Plashet students also taught sessions, such as learning about road safety and the dangers of playing on train tracks.

It was a very enjoyable week and I really enjoyed being given the opportunity to teach. It has helped me because in the future, if I decided to pursue a career in teaching, I would be able to show I have the skills and experience necessary to be successful.

Sumayyah Islam, 9N

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STEM Club Speed Dating Event

On Thursday 4th of February, STEM girls at Plashet were given the opportunity to partake in a networking event with STEM Ambassadors.

The event started with a brief interview session with each STEM Ambassador; members of the STEM club asked them about their role within STEM and what inspired them to pursue their chosen career.

“Interviewing the STEM Ambassadors made me realise the sheer number of jobs and opportunities available in the STEM field, also having the opportunity to talk to STEM ambassadors gave me STEM girls at Plashet interviewing STEM Ambassador real insight into ways I could improve and further extend the new project I am currently working on. ” Ubeydah Shah

Following the networking event, visitors moved on to look at projects created by members of the STEM club. This gave every member the chance to showcase their work in STEM, including recent projects such as the ‘Water Heroes Project’ and ‘Hydrogen Challenge,’ as well as upcoming challenges the girls are set to participate in. Groups presented pictures and diagrams alongside a hypothesis and set of instructions explaining their experiments to visitors.

“Not only did we celebrate our accomplishments over the years, but we also met different people with experience in engineering. I feel this experience will give me a massive edge in my application for the STEM Head Girl and Deputy Head with Neil Carmichael, Chair of the Education Select Committee Leader award.” Nimrah Anaiyah Ali

Plashet’s STEM club was even recognised by Neil Carmichael, Chair of the Education Select Committee, who attended the event to show his support for STEM girls and their brilliant successes.

Head Girl, Aminah Hussan, and Deputy Head Girl, Iram Farooqui, were fortunate enough to discuss their greatest achievement with the MP, who was impressed by their ‘Astro-foodies’ menu that made it to space. The girls designed a three-course-meal for Astronaut, Tim Peake, to enjoy on his mission to the International Space Station.

All in all, STEM girls benefited hugely from this experience. It has broadened their understanding of careers within STEM, and proved that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

Plashet STEM Club

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The Snow Queen Production

Thursday 4th February was a frosty affair in our South Hall. With a glistening moon in a starry sky, the stage was set for our production of 'The Snow Queen'. Our cast including; Saman Anjum 7H, Fatima Arroudj 7H, Shopna Begum 8T, Fawziyah Chowdhury 7G, Sariha Ebrar Sayed 7H, Jasmine Hall 7N, Antara Khan 7T, Hafeja Khanam 7G, Sharlini Kumarakulasingam 8T, Aaliyah Malji 8P, Thanushika Mathivannan 8N, Minaal Meer 7H, Aliyah Namubiru 8T, Sathana Navaneethan 8P, Laiba Nawaz 8T, Ayasha Patel 8T, Meenahil Rehman 8P, Nayab Shafique 8N and Jalwa Zakie 7G, had spent a great deal of time rehearsing and memorising their lines in anticipation for their performance. The audience were transfixed from the first scene and we were transported into a world of intrigue and mystery.

The acting was first rate and the stage was used effectively to indicate the change of location. We were invited into a beautiful garden full of flowers, the chilly North Pole, an enchanted forest and the Snow Queen's magical castle. Whilst the topic was most definitely frosty, the atmosphere was intimate and very engaging.

Miss Carne and Miss Ali did a fantastic job at supporting the cast with music and dramatic finesse, ensuring that every member of the audience had a wonderful afternoon.

Miss L Sanderson Assistant Headteacher

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EAL Party

On Tuesday 19th January, new students at Plashet School attended a welcome party. Everyone came with one of their friends and all EAL staff made us feel very welcome. We had sandwiches with fruit juice and fresh fruits.

New students met other students and had a chance to socialise and talk to teachers. The food was very tasty and the atmosphere was really good. There were songs and some Year 11 students helped us. It was fun!

At the end of lunch, Ms Kirtley gave a short talk to welcome us. I feel grateful and happy that I am part of Plashet School and other students also feel the same. It was a really, really great lunch!

Aranii Nagarajah, 9E

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

On 28th January Year 9 had visited the grand Gielgud Theatre in Central London to watch "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time", a story they are currently studying in English, along with a couple of Year 11 Drama Prefects and a handful of Teachers, including two Drama teachers. Although the journey took a fairly long while I think it's rather safe to say it was all worth it as the performance was, to put it simply, 'phenomenal'.

With a mixture of abstract and naturalistic drama features, the play was a wonder to see, the cast, consisting of Luke Treadaway, were extremely talented however I'd have to say the main spectacle was the stage. With nothing but a few props, blocks, and the characters themselves, the whole story was told with very many positive reviews from well known critics.

Plashet Girls represented the school in the best way possible with members of the public complimenting at how well behaved and engaged we were during the show. A great day enjoyed by all!

Miss Saziye Mehmet-Ali Assistant Year 11 Co-ordinator

Languages Taster Classes

It is important to celebrate the 6,000+ languages spoken around the world, to promote language learning and to have some multilingual fun! A number of language taster sessions are available for you to take part in next half term. These are beginner classes and open to all year groups. You need to however sign up quickly as there are only twenty spaces for each session. The languages currently on offer and the dates are listed below.

French – Wednesday 2nd March, 3.35 – 4pm, G13 Urdu – Tuesday 8th March, 3.35 – 4pm, G13 German – Thursday 10th March, 3.35 – 4pm, G13 Spanish – Monday 14th March, 3.35 – 4pm, G13 Arabic – Tuesday 22nd March, 3.35 – 4pm, G13

If you are interested in signing up for a session, then come and see me in G13.

Mrs Akhtar Assistant Year 8 Co-ordinator

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Stand back world, Plashet’s Next Top Models are here!

In a nail biting run up to the Fashion Show both students and teachers worked incredibly hard to produce products that looked as though they had walked straight off the catwalks at London fashion week.

On the day there was a lot of nervous excitement back stage where hair was been back combed, volumes of hairspray increased Plashet’s carbon foot print and make up was fine tuned to the extremes of ‘sleekness’.

The night was hosted by two very competent MC’s who ensured the smooth running of the show. Models anxiously waited to walk down the cat walk but in the end they all strutted down confidently and walked off beaming.

Though the night will be a positive fun experience to remember we recognise the value of what went into making the garments and the skills we have learnt. We are grateful for all the support we got both on the night and in the run up to the show from parents, teachers and friends.

Ms D Yeo Curriculum Leader Design Technology

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British Values Poetry with Year 7

On Tuesday 2nd Jan, Year 7 were lucky enough to be visited by no less than two fantastic poets (three, if you include me!). The day was organised as part of the CPSHE drop-down day, and Year 7 were tasked with exploring the theme of ‘British Values’. They enjoyed a wonderful assembly, during which poets Becci Louise and Adisa (and me) performed their poetry and answered questions, ranging from ‘what inspired you to be a poet?’ to ‘do you like jollof rice?’. For the rest of the day they had the opportunity to work with these poets and produce writing of their own. Some truly amazing poetry emerged; I’d like to share two examples:

Dear 5-Year-Old Self by Fatheema Atheefa 7L Dear 5-year-old self Be nice to your brother As he will be loyal to you More than your father Do not trust dad when he says He will be back The truth is he is gone And does not care for us at all Do not drink Coca Cola When you think no one is watching The truth is Mum video taped it And it’s on the way to Sri Lanka Do not give up when people say You can’t sing The truth is You have a talent Do not cry when our goat dies The truth is He is in a better place.

Perfect Girl by Ameesha Zeleen Thahir 7G You stand in the shadows and watch, as she tosses her long blue-black hair, her mouth open in a perfect grin, her laughter as sweet and smooth as honey. You watch as her friends crowd around her, giggling, laughing, sharing their news about the new toy their mother bought them. You want to be there, in that clique, that little bubble, that world of toys and happiness. But you’re not. You’re here, in reality, and you wish you weren’t. You have no nice dresses, no new toys, no designer bags. You wish you were like them, one of them. She looks at you then, with her large doe eyes, and you realise that she isn’t the perfect person she pretends to be. There are dark circles under her weary, tired eyes, swollen red cheeks, and under the new nice scarf her mum bought her last Saturday you can see the hint of a blue-black bruise. And you realise, you don’t want to be her after all.

Joshua Seigal (Poet in Residence)

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RML Visit to Library

Year 7 Ruth Miskin Literacy students visited East Ham Library on Wednesday 10th February 2016. Girls were given and introductory talk by the librarian and had a short tour around the new library building. All membership applications were processed immediately and students spent time exploring the booking system and choosing books to take home. With library cards they practised registering borrowed items digitally using the new library machines.

‘We had a marvellous trip to the library where we met the librarian Johnny. He showed us fiction and non-fiction books and how to reserve them. I was excited to be told that we can use internet as well.’ Mehwish Awan, 7N

‘We spent 15 minutes looking for exciting books in children section and then reading them. We also went to see the books in the adult section but we were not allowed to borrow them before we are 13 years old.’

Devika Prakash Simi, 7S

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Harry Potter Evening

Harry Potter Book Night was amazing! At the beginning we were all sorted into the four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. House prefects were chosen (I was a Ravenclaw prefect) and we rushed off to potions class. To make our potion each house needed the ingredients. We were given one clue to start off with and using that we found the other ingredients with clues. When we put it all together there was a lot of bubbles and mess. House points were then awarded.

Next, we found a dementor, named Desdemona, on the Hogwarts premises. To keep Desdemona out we had to make our own patronuses (mine was a rabbit) out of carrier bags and newspaper. We then took it in turns to throw them at Desdemona. Whoever could knock her down received five points for their house.

We then had our refreshments: Butterbeer and lemonade. Butterbeer consists of toffee sauce and cream soda, topped with whipped cream. We then played Ping-Pong Quidditch. We had three hoops at the centre of the table. If we bounced a ping-pong ball through the hoop and into one of the cups then five points were received. If we got the ball into the Seeker’s cup, 150 points were given. Then we played Pin-The-Nose-On-Voldemort (self-explanatory!) and house points were announced. Ravenclaw won with 40 points, followed by Gryffindor and Slytherin who tied, then Hufflepuff.

Overall it was a lot of fun and we can’t wait until the next one!

Khadeejah Bapu, 9N

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