A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I cannot believe that we are already at the end of the academic year! Time seems to have flown past. At this, the end of my first full academic year, I look back with some pride at the successes which the School has enjoyed and look forward to what the new year will offer.

I would firstly like to take the opportunity to thank the following members of staff who leave the School at the end of this term:

I am sure you will wish to echo my thanks to them for the contribution each has made to the School.

When we return in September, the School buildings - at least inside - will look very different. Every classroom will have an interactive whiteboard, making us one of the few schools in the country to benefit in this way from this amazing new technology. There will be a completely new suite of state-of-the-art toilets for students, costing over a quarter of a million pounds. For too long, students have had to put up with poor facilities and soon, they will have some of the best toilets in London!

We await the GCSE and GNVQ results eagerly and I look forward to writing to you in September with news of them.

I wish you and your families a happy and peaceful Summer and look forward to seeing you in September.

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

Olympic Torch Procession
at Island Gardens on June 26th 2004

St. Paul's Way Community School was chosen as one of the schools to make a large banner, a series of flags, and to choreograph the passing of the Olympic Torch through part of London. We were part of Gateway 27, which we shared with St. Hellenic School. The preparation involved producing a 20-foot by 10-foot banner, a series of flags, both of which were then used in the choreography. Artists came to visit the School.

On 26th June we arrived at our gateway at Island Gardens at midday. There were local dignitaries present, such as the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and some dancers and gymnasts.

We lined up ready for the Olympic torch, and its bearer, Kris Akabusi. He shot through as fast as a bullet but then stayed around to watch the fireworks. The fireworks duly exploded, sideways mostly, and we were all engulfed in a plume of smoke. When that cleared Kris Akabusi smiled, turned for a photograph, and then ran down Westferry Road hastily escorted by 15 police motorbikes, five police cars and two police vans. We stayed around waving our flags: and then the students went down Greenwich foot tunnel to see whether the engineer could withstand a certain decibel or noise. It did, but not the people within it.

The students who unfurled the banner and choreographed the moves on June 26th at Island Gardens, when the Olympic torch bearer ran through were:

Hussain Ahmed, Jihad Ahmed, Juber Ahmed, Parzena Akther, Waqas Babar, Jamil Basith, Amina Begum, Rubena Begum, Abdul Hussain, Musharaf Hussain, Kamrul Islam, Farhad Islam, Rani Khatun, Tahrima Khatun, Jilad Miah, Shah Usman Miah, Nabeel Qureshi, Aleur Rahman, Hafijur Rahman, Paul Steel, Bobytha Yasmin, all from 8A.

Very well done to these students for their performance. Thanks also to Ms Shipley, Ms Begum, Ms Beasley and Ms Cassar for their assistance on the day.

Frank Jacobs

9T's Trip to London Zoo

On June 22nd, Rejaur of 9T took the rest of his tutor group to London Zoo. He had won the Jack Petchey prize and this was how he chose to spend the money. Ms Ortega planned a very thorough programme for the day and so we learnt and observed of a variety of mammals, reptiles and birds.

The monkeys were on top form, swinging and singing, the flamingos were pretty in pink and we saw an aggressive pelican bringing back up to fight another. The lions refused to be awoken by us and the slow Lorris crept beadily by in the nocturnal house unawares. We had ice creams after lunch and watched the playful otters and laid back Ringed Tail Lemurs.

Everyone had a fantastic day, Ms Ortega, Ms Uddin and I especially enjoyed 9T's company and general enthusiasm. 9T will continue their interest in London Zoo and its conservation work as they have adopted three animals: a Goldon Lion Tamarind, a Spider Monkey and a rare Sumartrian Tiger. They will receive photos of each animal and regular bulletins on their progress. If you would like to know more, see this web page: www.zsc.org

Ms Taylor

Noor Jehan Community Arts Festival

Several of our Year 10 students competed in the inaugural Noor Jehan Community Arts Festival on June 28th and July 1st. Shareena Begum and Reema Akhter came a creditable 2nd in the Dance section, while Shaherzadi Islam won the Best Vocalist section, with Bukky Abdul receiving 2nd place. In a "Battle of the Bands" competition of the highest quality, our very own rock band "The Jumps" defeated stiff opposition from Blessed John Roche and George Green schools to win the title of Best Band. "The Jumps" comprise vocalists Shanola Linton, Daniel Sule and Tahmina Begum, with Daniel Savage on guitar, Akbar Khan and Josie Neary on keyboards, and Akbur Hussain on drums.

Mr Rossell

UK Unsigned Project

Several students from Years 9 and 10 participated in the UK Unsigned project, during which they received professional coaching in vocal technique and stagecraft. The project culminated in a "Pop Idol" style concert on 12th July, with several professional bands performing too. Overall winner was Shaherzadi Islam of 10W, whose mature and moving rendition of Mariah Carey's "My All" earned her the opportunity to perform in front of thousands at the Respect Festival on 17th July.

Mr. Rossell

Gorsefield Residential Weekend

On 25th June sixteen Year 9 students went to Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre with Mr Barrett, Mr Sokhal and Ms Lynch. They went to train as peer mentors for next year's Year 7 on a course run by LEAP, an organisation which specialises in conflict resolution. As well as working really hard, everyone had a great time. Amir, of 9A, said, "I really enjoyed it. I wish I could go back. It helped me learn a lot." Askarun's view was, "The people we went with were great. We all got along with each other." This was reflected in the new friendships which were made. Rujina, too, commented, "It was a great experience. Everyone got along very well and I would love to go back again."

We are looking forward to seeing them working to support the new students and wish them every success.

Mr. Barrett

Cisco Systems Reward Outstanding Artwork

Key Stage 4 students from St. Paul’s Way Community School and Blessed John Roche have been busily working since January on their entries for the Cisco Systems Art Competition.

Forty entries were submitted and the Cisco Systems team chose twenty-eight of these to adorn their meeting rooms and workplace corridors.

Every student who had a piece of work chosen for display was given a generous cash prize. In addition, individual winners also received commemorative trophies from the managing director of Cisco Systems UK, Duncan Mitchell, presented at a special ceremony at Tower 42.

Students were then given the opportunity to see the panoramic views of the City from the top floor restaurant at Tower 42. On looking at the prices for refreshments, it will be some time before any of us can afford to visit on a more social basis!

Congratulations to Albana Asllani of 10U and Bukky Abdul of 10L, who won 1st and 2nd prize, respectively. Albana’s winning entry is pictured above.

Ms. Hill