A Message from the Headteacher

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that you are well and that the Summer was an enjoyable one. It is with incredible pride that I can report this year's GCSE results to you. 65% of last year's Year 11 achieved 5 or more A*-C grades; the School's best ever results and results which put us above the national average! We are now the 5th highest achieving School in Tower Hamlets.

This really is an incredible achievement, and a fantastic testament to the hard work of the students, their wonderful teachers and, of course, the vital support of parents. Well done, indeed!

As you are aware, plans are pushing ahead for the complete rebuilding of St. Paul's Way Community School, beginning during the summer of 2008. What I want to do next is to begin a series of event and conversations with you, as parents, to gain your views about the kind of school and the type of building you would like to see develop. I shall be putting together a calendar of events shortly, and I will send it to you within the next two weeks of so. I do hope that you will want to be part of those conversations.

I am very excited about the possibilities presented by the new building and - coupled with the School's excellent results - look forward to another successful year working with you.

With very best wishes,

Simon Harris
Headteacher

The Spirit of Adventure

Students from 10L went on a visit to Stubbers Adventure Centre in Upminster, Essex on Thursday 7th September 2006. The tutor group is a new one, made up of many new students who have joined us from Homerton School as well as existing SPWCS students from last year’s Year 9 tutor groups. The idea of the day was to take part in team building activities which would enable pupils to get to know each other and to get them to work as a team. In the morning, we all completed the high ropes course. This involved walking around two courses, one at 5m and one at 10m above the ground on wooden poles and tight ropes. Thankfully, we were harnessed to a runner which was above our heads. Some boys whizzed around the course in an amazingly quick time, whilst it took others (including myself!) a bit longer to work our way around. This activity was all about overcoming fears. Students encouraged each other around the course and gave some support.

After a relaxing lunch next to the lake, we took part in the second activity - raft building. With a number of students who couldn't swim, it was very important that they made a good job of building their rafts. 10L were split into three groups to make the rafts and we finished the afternoon with a race around the lake on the rafts. A number of students ended up getting very wet!

Students had a great time and have definitely got to know each other a lot better. It was a great way to start the new School year. Thank you to Mr. King and Ms. Borle for their help during the day.

Ms Gardiner, Head of Physical Education

London Student Voice Conference

I attended this event on 28th June, with Hamida, 9W, and Ms Clarke. It was about how students can have their say about life in school. We had the chance to express our feelings and thoughts with others during the day. About fifty-six schools from around London were there. Some students gave presentations to show how they express their voice in their schools. A good way was through peer tutoring, when older students help younger students to improve their Maths or English. Another was to use students as researchers to find ways to make life better for us in school.

I enjoyed most of the conference, which was an educational and exciting trip. I came away with lots of ideas, like re-establishing the School Council with more say in policy making and for teachers to listen more to our voice.

Mamun Roshid 9P

School Noticeboard

Special Mentions
Congratulations to Shamia Begum, 10P, Fadumo Mohamed, 9S, and Lidiya Aleksieva, 9T, who have been selected for a competition to be held by the Commission for Racial Equality. Their wonderful art work will be going on display in The Royal Albert Hall. Well done! Ms Silcox

Well done to DSB students Ahtik Ahmed, Hafsa Begum, Agibou Deen, Boody Hassan and Samiur Rahman of 7T1 for an excellent first week at SPWCS! You have been polite, friendly, helpful and keen. We are very proud of you.  Ms Bentham and all the staff in the Deaf Support Base

Spanish Trip
Students who are involved in the Barcelona trip taking place in March 2007 should now make a second payment of £40.

Water
It is vital that students have access to water whilst in School as the hot summer continues. We 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.