A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I trust that you are well. I am delighted to report that the OfSTED inspection of St. Paul's Way Community School last week went extremely well and the draft report describes the School's work as satisfactory and as a place where students achieve standards in line with national averages at GCSE. I was particularly impressed with - and proud of - the way in which students behaved during the inspection, with inspectors commenting on the politeness of very many of the students they met.

I would like, on your behalf, to congratulate staff for their immense hard work during the inspection and in preparing for it. Inspectors commented favourably, saying that "teachers and students have productive relationships and lessons are structured to enable them to make adequate progress."

It was, therefore, doubly devastating to hear the day after the inspection finished that our Chair of Governors, Jeremy Willoughby had died. Jeremy had met with inspectors on Wednesday morning but had been rushed to hospital later that afternoon with a suspected stroke. I spoke with him on Thursday afternoon from his hospital bed to tell him of the OfSTED result, and he was delighted and told me that he was recovering. Tragically, he died later that evening.

Jeremy, pictured left, first became involved with St. Paul's Way Community School as a business mentor, thirteen years ago. He was able to change the lives of many students. As one former student, Abdul Quayam, has said: "Jeremy was my mentor in 1999, and I have been in close contact with him ever since. Not knowing that this jolly, friendly man was about to change my life forever. He was brave enough to try and help me when all others had failed; I was one of those students that had potential but no drive, motivation or discipline. He helped me, guided me and encouraged me not only through School where he was assigned to me, but also through college and university and now 6 years later in my working life, and this I believe was all in his own time."

Jeremy became a Governor of the School in early 2003 and then Chair of Governors in September 2005. In that time, he showed that he was a great friend and supporter of the School. From my own point of view, his support, guidance and - of course immense humour - has been invaluable to me, as well as to the School as a whole, and leaves us all with a great feeling of loss and a deep sadness. I hope that you will join me in sending our condolences and best wishes to his family at this dreadful time.

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

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

Year 5 Days

On May 23rd and 24th 2006, we welcomed Year 5 children from seven local primary schools to a study day based on life during World War II. They researched, produced newspapers, cooked wartime food, made collages, cracked codes and played team games. All the staff and Year 9 students involved found the children a pleasure to work with.

My thanks to the many teachers and departments in the School who helped to make the days so successful. Lastly, a very special thanks to the Year 9 students who worked so hard on both days - Mhd. Shipon, Chelsea Russell, Salma Begum, Tanzimul Laskar, Fayema Akthar, Muktadeer Ali and Armando Fernandes. A big thank you to you all. Your reward will come!

Ms Shipley, Primary Liaison Teacher

Student Support Officers

St Paul's Way Community School is proud to inform parents of the recent addition to the school's staff - the Student Support Officer Team. The team is currently made up of four members - Saiful Ahmed, Rehena Begum, Joyce Gillespie and Ev Thomas.

The fantastic new team will be patrolling corridors and playgrounds throughout the day to supervise the students. The Student Support Officers will also be patrolling the local area just before the start of school to help encourage student to get to school on time. They are easily to see - their uniform is a white polo shirt with "Student Support Officer" on the back. The team has been trained to deal with students, and would be happy to talk to you about their role at any time.

Big Ears. Big Ears! BIG EARS!

We want your child's view on school.
What is school really like for them?
And how will we find out? We will LISTEN!

We are beginning a special project called 'Big Ears' where we will talk to students and listen to their opinions about their lives at St. Paul’s Way. To give us time to meet with EVERY student in the whole school, we will be closing school early every Friday from 23rd June 2006. One Year Group will remain in school which we will meet with, while students from the other year groups will leave at the end of lunch. We are very excited by this project, as it will give us all a valuable opportunity to meet with EVERY child in the School. We have already written to you to provide you with more information and to advise you when your child will be remaining in school and on which Fridays they will leave early.

Cisco Art Awards 2006

Forty-five original art pieces were created by students from seven Tower Hamlets schools for the Cisco Systems Futuristic London Art Competition. Shaun Newman, 9W, Alethea Raban, 8T, and Reece McNamara, 7L1, were selected and presented with runner up prizes of £25 each by Scott Gardner, Cisco's Director of Finance for UK and Ireland. Well done to these students for their excellent efforts. They showed real commitment and hard work during Thursday Art Club, where they produced the competition pieces.

Ms Hill, Head of Art

School Noticeboard

Special Mentions
Congratulations to Masum Wahid (10A), Fahima Patel (10A), Erik Sejdini (10P) and Anher Uddin (10P) for doing so well at their work experience placements. Well done guys, we are very proud of you! You are an asset to the School.
From all the staff in the Deaf Support Base.

Creative Writing Competition
We have two winners in the Tower Hamlets Creative Writing Competition - Year 11 student, Suhena Begum, and Mariam Akthar of 7P. The theme was Time Travel. Suhena won 3rd prize in the KS4 short story category, while Mariam was a runner-up in the KS3 poetry section. Prizewinners and their parents/carers were invited to an awards ceremony at Clifford Chance LLP on 14th June.

Public Speaking Competition
Mothiur Rahman and Sabbir Khan of 10U were accompanied by Mr Nance in May to Mulberry School for the Jack Petchey Award Public Speaking Competition Finals. All Tower Hamlets secondary schools were represented. Mothiur spoke confidently of his passion for Manchester United. The speakers were all very good and although we did not win, it was a great experience and Mothiur did us proud!

Sports News
On May 3rd, Year 7-9 girls went to the Whitechapel Sports Centre to play in a basketball tournament. They took part in a skills session and an intense match, coming away with certificates and praise.

Year 10 and 11 girls took part in a competitive and lively basketball tournament at Whitechapel on May 10th. Although defeated, they were keen to attend more training sessions with Fe from Sports Development, who recognized their potential and positive attitudes.

Year 9-11 students took part in a day of track and field at Mile End Stadium in May. They were very successful, claiming a number of first places.

Year 7 and 8 students were invited to Lord’s Cricket Ground for a day of skill development, game play and tours, on June 5th. It was an enjoyable day and a great privilege to play on the Lord’s pitch.

The PE department is grateful to all parents who have encouraged their children to be active and to involve themselves in sporting activities on offer. Special thanks to Eileen and the kitchen staff, who supply our students with countless lunches, and to Mr Uzzaman, who has accompanied our students on many occasions.