A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that you are well. As I write, the sun is blazing down on the School and temperatures are soaring. Our building was not well-designed to deal with intense sunshine and many students and staff are finding the heat inside some classrooms difficult to tolerate. In recognition of this, I have relaxed the uniform requirements for boys, meaning that ties do not need to be worn, and this will remain in force until further notice.

It is vital that students also have access to water. We are increasing the supply of mineral water around the School and would ask that you make sure that your child carries a clear, plastic bottle which can be filled up with fresh water. Please remind your child that carbonated drinks will still not be allowed into School and may be confiscated.

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

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

MERITS WIN TRIPS!

The group, twenty students from Years 7-9, set off from school to Gorsefield House. We ventured through the Underground, gazed at the Lea Valley from the train and ate our packed lunches. 'It looks like the countryside,' was on the lips of more than one of the group. The pupils had all achieved more than 30 merits and were being rewarded with an overnight stay at the LBTH residential centre in Stansted Mountfichet, otherwise know as Gorsefield.

Gorsefield House, known to many from their primary school days, provides a lovely setting for playing, talking or just relaxing. The trip was a reward, so the students explored the grounds and enjoyed themselves without interference from the grown ups. Although we played football and watched as digital cameras captured moments of hilarity, the activities were spontaneous. Carom was as popular as ever, and some students enjoyed negotiating the Gorsefield Maze! A night-time walk through the countryside and into the nature reserve was extra special, with tales of ghosts and weird creatures adding to the atmosphere.

The journey back to Tower Hamlets was broken by a visit to the Toy Museum, the younger members of the party stood with jaws dropped and said “Is that a toy?” These toys from the past allowed the children to use old pennies and some of the students now have money minted in the 1920s.

My thanks to the children for their positive attitude, the staff at Gorsefield for the food and kindness and Ms Doughty and Ms Howard for their support and hard work. I expect more of these trips as the pupils gain more merits for their hard work in school.

Mr. Swaine, Deputy Headteacher

TELECOMS MAST
Public Consultation

Consultation on Telecommunications installation at Thomas Road, Tower Hamlets E14

T-Mobile are seeking consultation on their proposal to build a new mobile radio base station on Thomas Road. The location of Thomas Road is shown on the map below. The mobile radio base station would be made up of three antenna, would be 11.7 metres tall and would be painted black. The antenna would be accommodated inside a cabinet located at the back of the pavement.

Do you want this to be built in your area?
This is your chance to have your say.
Let us have your views.

Please email the Headteacher, Mr Harris, with your opinions by Friday 1st July 2005.

SPWCS Goes CRICKET CRAZY!

St Paul's Way was involved in a celebration of cricket during May. We hosted the BBC 5Live program "Any Sporting Questions" as part of a week long celebration of the Bangladeshi Cricket team’s visit to England. On the panel were John Inverdale, Dav Watmore, Jonathan Agnew, Angus Fraser and Isa Guha. The event, which was jointly promoted with Poplar HARCA, was a huge success. Many members of the School and local community asked the guests challenging sports related questions.

SPW was involved a number of media events as part of the celebration. There were live broadcasts from the school by BBC Asian Network and a live radio link with schools in Bangladesh on the BBC World Service. The BBC's Big Toe Radio Show also broadcast students' poetry and Bangladeshi ghost stories live from the 6th Floor.

Shopna Begum 7W, Mohammed Raju 7U and Jabad Ali Ahmed 7W interviewed Isa Guha at the BBC for Children's BBC programme Xchange, and wrote an online preview of the Bangladeshi Cricket Test for the BBC website. For more information visit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/showcase.shtml

Talent was not confined to the media. Maruf Choudhury, a student in Year 10 who plays for Middlesex under 16s cricket team, practiced at Lords with the England team, and was also interviewed by the BBC. The school has been participating in cricket coaching, in an attempt to bring the sport to the inner cities.

"The week has been a fantastic experience, and we would like to thank the BBC for their time and expertise, and the amazing opportunities that they have given the students," said Mr. Harris.

Ms Wild

OVERSTRAND GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP

During March, twenty Year 11 Geographers travelled to Overstrand Field Studies Centre in Norfolk to participate in three days of intensive Geography training. They investigated rural economics and learned how quiet life in the country can be. There was even a road called Quiet Lane !

Students also visited the famous Norfolk Wetland Ecosystem, where they completed an environmental impact assessment. A visit to the sea defences in the area helped students understand how to reduce long shore drift.

The students were very well behaved and studied hard. Teachers from other schools were impressed by the attitude and maturity of the SPW students. Each student was rewarded with a certificate for their hard work and good behaviour.

Many thanks to Ms Galligan, Ms Doughty and Mr Simon for coming on the trip.

Mr Jacobs, Head of Geography

WORK EXPERIENCE 2005

More than two hundred students in Year 10 successfully completed their work experience during May 2005.

Students worked in a range of environments including the retail industry, offices, legal placements, schools and nurseries. Students were given the chance to experience life in the real world where they had to work with others and independently, and learn new skills. Many students enjoyed their placements, and realised how hard the world of work really is! Well done Year 10!

Ms Wild, Head of Careers

School Noticeboard
SPECIAL MENTIONS

Year 7
Arthur Hyam (7U)
Alethea Raban (7T)
Karolina Laigonaite (7W)
...for their delightful positive attitudes in and around school.
Mr Brooker

Geography
9A Juber Ahmed
9A Rufena Hoque
9A Tahrima Khatun
9A Quddus Wahid
9L Farzana Akther
9L Hazera Begum
9L Mohima Begum
9L Rashida Begum
9L Noorjahan Choudhury
9L Iqbal Hussain
9L Taslima Khanom
9L Sabina Sabor
9S Jasmin Akther
9S Mahmudul Amin
9S Hasna Begum
9S Reshma Begum
9S Shahina Begum
9S Taslima Begum
9S Yasmin Begum
9S Madelena Samuel
9U Uma Akther
9U Alomgir Alom
9U Fatima Begum
9U Rayhana Ferdousi
9U Maksadul Hussain
9U Rubina Begum
9U Saidur Rahman
...for consistently good Geography homework in Year 9, with extra care taken with presentation and content.
Mr Jacobs

Deaf Support Base
Congratulations to:
Abul Khoer Ali (10P)
Gamze Kumrili (10P)
Rahmani Gulam (11L)
...for learning more than 100 new words and their meanings in the Buzzwords vocabulary scheme. Well done!
Ms Bentham, DSB

Sporting Events
Deaf students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will be taking part in a cross-London Athletics Day at Mile End Stadium on July 28th. Students with disabilities from all over London will be taking part in the games.