St. Paul's Way News Desk

News

The latest news from St. Paul's Way Community School:
5 March 2004

A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing this newsletter at the very end of my first year at St. Paul's Way Community School. It has been a thoroughly exciting year (it has certainly gone very quickly) - and I feel privileged to be working with such a wonderful and committed staff group, so many delightful students, an informed and dedicated governing body and you, the parents.

I have sought to build on the considerable success that the School was already achieving and am working to ensure that we continue to do the best for each student, so that each achieves real success, and is better prepared for the challenges of life in the 21st Century.

One of the areas of focus for this half-term is uniform, and I have written to you separately about this. Please would you ensure that students have the correct items of uniform for School, and that disallowed items of jewellery, personal stereos and mobile phones stay at home.

As always, I am particularly keen to hear the views and suggestions of parents. If there is information you would like to see in this Newsletter, or questions you have of the School, please feel free to contact me.

Best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

24 Hours in the Country - A New Experience

In some of the worst weather of the winter so far, ten English as an Additional Language students spent a fun, activity-filled weekend at Gorsefield, Tower Hamlets Rural Studies Centre. Mr. Leybourne drove the minibus with Mrs. O'Hagan and Ms. Hughes accompanying.

Under the guidance and encouragement of Gavin (Mr. G.), the Director of the centre, the three boys and seven girls from years 7 to 11 discovered new skills and talents along with a love of snow. Here are some of their comments:-

Walking in the country: "We made snowmen, played and forgot we were tired. Mr. G. showed us about the yew trees. Their leaves never change colour." Quynh Doan 11W

"I had so much fun with my friends and my teachers. We saw some beautiful birds and some animals, foxes, rabbits and squirrels." Foysal Yousef 10T

Evening activities: "I played on the piano and computer. I drew flowers. I watched a video. Gorsefield is a nice house and has so many books to read." Yen Nguyen 8P

The evening campfire: "After dinner we went to the campfire. Mr. G told a scary story. My friend sang a Vietnamese song." Yen Nguyen 8P

English food: "It was the first time that I ate English food and I learnt about English food. It was very delicious." Fahim Ansari 9A

Learning to work together: "We helped each other work together. We had so much fun. I'm never going to forget it." Oli Begum 10W

Making videos: "We made a film. That was wonderful. The title was Lost in Gorsefield."
Shirina Begum 10W

The students were excellent company, entered into everything with enthusiasm and didn't even complain about the weather. We are all looking forward to the next trip.

Mrs O'Hagan
English as an Additional Language Department

School Noticeboard

Changes in Religious Studies: Welcome to Mr Henry, new Head of Religious Studies. Please note that from next half-term some RS classes will change rooms. Classes affected will be told in advance. Students must make sure that they go to the correct room, promptly. Ms. Clarke

Girls' Basketball Match: A match took place on Monday 9 February at Mulberry School, and our girls won 10-4. Well done! The Team: Yasmin Hassan (9A), Purshila Wambui (9A), Radia Ali (11T), Sultana Jasmin (11W), Leonta Henville (11W), Razia Begum (11L), Rosemary Bobo (11W), Adetola Afolabi (9W), Margarett Mwihaki (9W), Hena Begum (11W) and Narin Karakus (9A). Thank you to Ms Perez and Ms Tekadiomona for their support.

New Learning Mentor: Orian Simon started this week as an additional Learning Mentor. He currently works Tuesdays only. Mr. Markson

Book Sale: Thank you to Rahima Begum and Yasmin Begum, 8T, for their help with selling books at the book sale which took place in the Library just before half-term. Ms. Evans

Making an Exhibition of their Art!

Campaign Poster Exhibition
Tony Luong of 7L and Bukky Abdul of 10L have been attending Art Club since September. They recently took part in the London Metropolitan University exhibition entitled "Campaigning - Shopping and Politics" at the Unit 2 Gallery along with first year BA Fine Art under-graduates.

During Art Club, they worked on different ideas around the theme of Campaigning with their art teacher and artists Sophie Fox and Ruth Brecknell. They recently had their photograph taken along with their own campaign poster at the university on the 16th January 2004.

Interactive Game By Year 8+9 Girls at St. Paul's Way Community School
An interactive game was designed by a small group of Year 8 and 9 girls from St. Paul's Way Community School, with the help of artist, Bill Hudson, of "Art in the Park group"

The girls worked with Bill Hudson and an art teacher on producing ideas for a giant interactive game. They designed the shape of the game, the pieces, how it was to be played and the decoration. The final game was made up by Bill and is on permanent display at Trinity Buoy Trust at the top of the lighthouse.

Ms. Hill, Art & Design Department