St. Paul's Way News Desk

News

The latest news from St. Paul's Way Community School:
23 October 2003

A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am delighted to be writing to you at the end of a very successful and productive first half-term. Despite extensive building works over the summer, the School was able to open on time. I have already reported our improved exam results to you, and am now able to say that both attendance and punctuality have improved this half-term too. I would like to thank you for your continued support in this.

As you will see from the back of this Newsletter, there are still three vacancies for Parent Governors. Please may I try to persuade you what a valuable (and rewarding) experience being a Governor can be. Please consider this as a possibility and do feel free to come to talk to me about what it might involve. It really does give you an insight into your child's experiences at St. Paul's Way, as well as the chance to shape the direction of the School itself.

With Ramadan beginning next week, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those observing it a happy and peaceful time.

Best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

Photography Excursion to Dorset

The Year 11 Photography GCSE class set off on Thursday 16th October for Swanage, Dorset with Ms Fairbrother, Mr. W Harris and Ms Rolfe in the school minibus. They spent 2 days taking photographs and making drawings of the 'Natural Landscape'. They visited the haunted Corfe Castle and hiked up along a cliff edge. Apart from all the excellent work they created, students also spent some time relaxing on beaches in the beautiful Autumn weather. Everyone had a lot of fun playing pool and table football with the teachers. The locals were impressed by everyone's behaviour when they dined in style in a fish and chip restaurant. Sadly the three days came to an end and we had to return to school.

A big thank you to all the students for their excellent work and behaviour and to the staff for giving up their time.

Ms Fairbrother, Art & Design Department

Accounts Rise to the Challenge

On Friday 26th September twenty volunteers were up and down ladders in two fourth floor classrooms.

Twenty volunteers from Kingston Smith, Chartered Accountants, came to St Paul's Way Community School on a teambuilding exercise. Their task was to redecorate two classrooms in one day. They did this, leaving the two teaching areas cheerful and bright.

The project was organised by “City Challenge”, an organisation which promotes teambuilding for private companies to support the public sector. Our thanks go too, to the schoolkeeping staff who provided excellent support.

Roger Barrett, Deputy Headteacher

Oxford Trip - 8th October 2003

A group of 13 Year 10 students were recently invited to an insider's view of Oxford University. This taster visit is part of the School's Aim Higher programme that enables St Paul's Way students to get a flavour of higher education.

This visit was the first of a number of university-based activities that we plan to hold during this academic year. It began by sharing a coach with students from Oaklands School in Bethnal Green, a quick journey around the M25, followed by a short ride along the M40 that brought us speedily to Oxford city centre.

A short walk through the cloistered halls of academia ended at St Peter's College where we were given a presentation of life at a university. Various activities designed to find out more about university life were undertaken.

Lunch was provided in the student union bar that made for a very relaxing setting. This was followed by an engineering activity. This involved mastering how to land an egg from a 6-metre drop without it smashing. Each team was given a bin bag, some string, scissors, glue, some card and an egg. The first attempts ended with most eggs landing softly. The second proved less fruitful. It was scrambled eggs all around. A great team event that was enjoyed by all.

A photographic treasure hunt was next on the agenda. Teams were given a camera and a student guide to lead us through the maze of Oxford colleges. Photograph three people with a celebrity! Obtain a photograph of ten people in a phone box! Capture on film three people with three bearded men! These were just some of the tasks undertaken. It all turned out to be a great way to see the landmarks of Oxford in an entertaining and amusing way.

The day ended with our coach journey home and our memories of life at university. All in all a smashing day out in more ways than one.

Steve Leybourne