A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that this Newsletter finds you well. It seems incredible that we are already at half-term, exactly half way through this academic year.

As you will remember from the last Newsletter, the School Council arranged a non-uniform day to raise money for the South East Asian Tsunami appeal. I am delighted to report that through their hard work and the proceeds of the excellent East meets West concert, the School raised over £1,300.

I am also pleased to say that our push on homework diaries is proving to be successful, with more students bringing them in and using them. Please continue to encourage your child(ren) to use these diaries, and thank you for continuing to look at them and sign them each week.

When we return from the half-term break, students in Years 9 and 11 will have just a few school weeks before SATs and GCSE exams. This is a very important time for them, so please continue to support them as much as possible to ensure that they attend School on time each day and are completing all the homework they are set.

As always, I look forward, to welcoming you to the School in the very near future.

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

St. Paul's Way Students Raise Money for Tsunami Victims

The School Council would like to thank all staff and students who kindly made donations to the Asian Tsunami appeal. A cheque for £1,379 was sent off to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund).

A concert organised by Year 10 students and a non-uniform day completely run by the School’s Student Council were the main events.

Amir Hussain of the School Council said: "I feel lucky to be part of this School. Students and staff really expressed their feelings by donating this huge amount of money."

Gonkar Gyatso visits St. Paul's Way

The Year 10 Textiles GCSE class has been invited to participate in a special project organised by Anita Choudhury who has worked with the department before. The project is based in an Exhibition called "Mind, Body and Spirit" which explores healing and religion throughout Asia. Students visited the exhibition before making their own work reflecting on what they had learnt.

Tibetan artist, Gonkar Gyatso, visited Textiles students to demonstrate how to make a Thanykha, a religious item that commemorates dead loved ones, which Tibetans always carry with them. To see more of Gonkar's work log on to www.sweetteahouse.co.uk.

Ms Taylor, Head of Textiles

IT's Showtime!

Eight deaf students are taking up a unique opportunity to learn to create animated presentations on computer. The students, from Years 10 and 11, will take part in a specialist course on February 22nd and 23rd, taught by deaf trainers. It is the first time that the two-day 'Emerging ICT' workshop has been taught in a school.

The training will be run by Deafax, a national organisation which teaches young deaf people new skills for life. It will take place in the school's Deaf Support Base. The students will learn how to build a computer and how to use software such as PowerPoint, Photoshop and Flash to create and deliver their own presentations.

Ms Wild, Head of the Deaf Support Base, said, "This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn new skills that will enhance their use of language and communication, as well as ICT."

Staff who teach the students will be invited to watch their presentations at the end of the course.

Ms Bentham, Deaf Support Base

Construction Challenge

At the end of January, thirty Year 9 students completed a two day Construction Challenge event, run by Tower Hamlets Education and Business Partnership. Students formed their own construction companies, designed and built their own houses. Students learned how to build brick walls, plumb in a sink, wire up switches and lighting, and how to fit doors and windows.

The event was a huge success. Everyone who participated really enjoyed the experience!

Ms Wild, Head of Careers

SPWCS Noticeboard

Jack Petchey Award:
Numan Ali of 9T won the 'Jack Petchey' award for outstanding achievement and determination. With the prize money, 9T went on a day's outing to the Natural History Museum, with lunch and a trip to the cinema to round off a perfect day. Well done and thank you to Numan from 9T and Ms Evans.

Ms Evans

SPWCS Staff v. Year 11 Football Team:
Congratulations to the Year 11 football team for their hard fought victory against the staff team on Thursday 3rd February. The match result was 4-2 to the students with Ashraf (11T), Imran (11U) and Rene (11A) all scoring goals. A staff team player said, "They were too fast for us, very quick..." A sterling effort by all concerned, and particularly the captain, Mohammed Mohammadi (11U), who had to organise the team at the last minute.

It could have been worse for the staff, though, as two further student goals were disallowed owing to spurious off-side decisions by the referee, Mr Bradley. For the teachers, the goal scorers were Shipon (Liton's brother) and Mr Wooldridge. The students look forward to playing the staff again.

Year 11 Team:
Goalkeeper: Nam.
Defence: Abdi, Steve, Mhd, Abdirahman, Umut.
Midfield: Hassan, Forhad, Shakil, Basith, Rene.
Forwards: Imran, George, Mojo.

Mr Jacobs (Team Manager)

Special Mentions:
Many thanks to Allpona Begum and Tahmina Begum of 11W for their kind help with the Yearbook photography, staying to help us for half an hour after school. It was really kind and generous of you both. Thanks!

Mr Hayes & Mr Watts (MRO Department)

Well done to all of the Year 9 students who completed the Construction Challenge. You were brilliant! A special mention to Rumi for being an all round expert, and to Troy and Jordan for helping me get the food ready and collected each morning.

Ms Wild