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.” 2 n George Mitchell School n Spring 2018 newsletter 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.