A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that this Newsletter finds you well. I am delighted to be able to report that the new fencing arrangements I talked to you about in the last Newsletter have resulted in a much calmer atmosphere in School. Additional steps are being taken to ensure that the site remains safe, and that students remain focused on their work.

At the end of this term, we look towards the Year 9 SATs in early May and the GCSE and GNVQ public exams soon after. The School is committed to ensuring that each student achieves the best of which she or he is capable and we ask that you continue to work with your children to remind them about the importance of revision. This is an important time for them, and they need as much support - and sleep! - as possible. We all wish students in Years 9 and 11 the very best of luck, and look forward to celebrating their many successes.

The School has been targeting a number of Year 9 students who need some extra support before the SATs, and a second set of parents' meeting is being arranged for those students. If it involves you and your child, we will contact you separately. However, the importance of these meetings means that School will finish an hour earlier on Wednesday 19th April, with students being dismissed at 2:30pm. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but am sure you appreciate the importance of targeting students in this way.

As always, I look forward to welcoming you into the School very soon.

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

WE'RE FAB AT FOOTBALL

Congratulations to the girls of Year 7, 8 and 9, who won the Tower Hamlets Junior Football Cup and also to the girls of Years 10 and 11, who finished in second position. All the girls received medals.

Ms. Povea

Our talented Year 11 football team have played 3 friendly matches.

Langdon Park v St. Paul's Way: Our first competitive match was played at Hackney Marshes, a thrilling match where we came back from 2-0 down to win 4-3. SPW were outstanding. All four goals came from Khaled 11S (and he came on as sub!). Man of the Match: Khaled 11S

St. Paul's Way Year 11 v St. Paul's Way Staff: A close fought match with Year 11 just beating the Staff 10-1. Teachers battled hard and risked their own health to get one over on the students (Mr. Helal broke his hand, Mr. Minter broke just about everything and Mr Sokhal grazed his knee a little bit!). The highlight of the game was the sweet free kick scored by Mr Sokhal. Man of the Match: Mr. Minter

Langdon Park v St. Paul's Way: Another excellent performance at Hackney Marshes with Langdon Park narrowly beating SPW 1-0. SPW went close to scoring countless times in an entertaining game, but just couldn't find the back of the net. The defence played particularly well. Man of the match: Afjaal, 11T

Special thanks go to Cheryl Holland (DSB), Tony Holland, the assistant manager, Mr Crause and the PE Dept for their support.

Mr Sokhal, Year 11 Coach

THE MAGISTRATES' COURT MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION

For the 7th year in a row, St Paul's Way submitted a team of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and others from Year 9, in the annual mock trial competition. The team of 16 spent many lunchtimes discussing and rehearsing their parts, and then appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning, 14th March. We defended in the first round against Oaklands prosecution, and we won the trial, managing to get our dodgy defendant acquitted of the crime.

In the second round, we prosecuted against Morpeth's defence, and we won that trial as well, securing a guilty verdict from the magistrates. So it was with some disbelief that we were not placed in the outcome. Bishop Challoner School won the competition, with Oaklands second.

The team performed superbly and the School can be proud of them. I fear that the standard of judging leaves a lot to be desired, but the experience of participating in this worthwhile competition was invaluable. I would like to thank Ms. Sampey for her help in training the team, and for supporting them on the day of the competition. Well done, St. Paul's Way!

Mr Nance

Construction Challenge

On March 13-14 thirty Year 9 students took part in the Construction Challenge at the LLiC centre in Poplar. Over the course of the two days, students learnt a variety of construction skills: bricklaying, plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. They worked in teams to build and then try and sell their own houses. Many of the students excelled and worked very hard to make the event a real success. With so many talented young people that could enter the construction industry, it might even be possible that East London will be ready for the Olympics in 2012!

Trip to Oxford University

On Wednesday 8th March, ten Year 10 students visited Oxford University for the day. It was a long day - departing at 8am and returning at 6pm - but all involved found it a most interesting day. After a warm welcome and an introduction by a graduate of the university, we were taken to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, where we saw the bones of a T-Rex, a lioness you could touch and we held the jaw of a polar bear! All animals were dead, fortunately!

We then had lunch with the undergraduates, in a rather grand dining-hall at St John's College.

After lunch, the students were set an impossibly rapid court-case to prosecute or defend. It was perhaps a useful exercise for law undergraduates at the university, but not of much value to intelligent, but inexperienced fifteen year olds.

A very knowledgeable and amusing undergraduate of Oxford then took us on a tour of the town, pointing out some of the famous sights, backed up with curious and often fascinating anecdotes. Our students asked some very interesting questions.

The day gave our students an insight into university life, whetting the academic appetites of some, and possibly deterring others. Whatever, it was a very different day for them. Thanks to Mr Choudhury for doing all of the detailed preparation for the trip. (Many thanks also to Mr. Nance for this and his hard work on the Magistrates’ Competition! He’s far too modest! Editor.)

Mr Nance

School Noticeboard

Special Mentions
Special thanks to Shaun Newman, 9W and Tony Luong, 9L, for their help and assistance during Year 9 dinner time. You make the dinner room a better place to be and eat in! Ms. Ahmed

To Fahima Miah in 7L, for consistently being friendly, respectful, positive and a great example to everyone. Keep it up! Mr. McIlven

The following Year 11 pupils have been working extremely hard in their Maths and I wish them every success in their exams. Keep it up: Abu Bakkar, 11W, Afjaal Ahmed, 11T, Shuhely Begum, 11T, Akik Miah, 11U, Shofiur Rahman, 11W, Sabina Sultana, 11T and Lubna Yasmin, 11T. Ms. Begum

Uma, 10U, Rumi, 10W and Rasheda, Taslima, Farzana and Koyrun (all of 10L), for helping out at Year 8 Parents’ Evening. Mr. Bradley

Well done to Gamze and Abul Khoer, 11P, for their continued hard work in Food Technology. Ms. C. Holland

Jack Petchey Awards
Congratulations to Amina Begum, 10T, Akbar Ali, 10S, Nesereab Haile, 11Y and Melissa Hecter, 7U, who have all won Jack Petchey Awards for their positive contributions to school life. Well done!

Year 9 GCSE Options
This has been an exciting half term for Year 9 pupils, who have had to make important decisions about their future, by choosing their GCSE options. I hope that with help and support they have managed to make wise choices which will see them through their GCSEs and into the future.

The KS3 SATs exams start on 2nd May. Please encourage your child to revise over the Easter holiday, and to return to school refreshed, and focused on learning. Ms Ahmed, Head of Year 9

Musical Magic!
After the successes of Grease and Bugsy Malone, rehearsals have begun for the School's latest musical production: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The show will be performed in the second half of the summer term. Auditions have been held and we were delighted by the high standards on show. All those who auditioned will be taking part in the show.
Please look out for more information about the show in upcoming newsletters.