From the Co-Headteachers

Within our outstanding Year group assemblies, a key focus has been on the reasons why boys achieve so much at this school. Of course, there are many reasons, but in particular, we would like to highlight some key levers. Students make rapid progress and succeed when:

  • Their parents/carers, teachers and other adults notice what they do well and praise them regularly, consistently and specifically.
  • Adults tell them they can achieve; we show them how to achieve, we let them achieve and we praise them when they achieve;
  • Students READ, READ, READ – adults to read with them as well as share their love of reading; students read by themselves as well as aloud to siblings, cousins and friends.
  • Adults give students responsibility for themselves and for others – adults support them to tie their own ties, clean their own shoes, organise their school bag for the next school day and complete chores around the house.
  • Adults talk with them, listen to them and answer their questions. Adults also ask them questions about their school work/life and do things together with them.
  • Students think hard, work hard – students try hard, never give up, do their PPA (homework – and more) and come to school regularly as well as punctually.

We work tirelessly with all our partners to realise this vision.

A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to produce this newsletter each week – but we know how important it is for parents/carers to feel connected to school life. It helps to strengthen the connection between school and home.

We are always on the lookout for feedback, positive or negative. If you have any comments, please do let us know via this form.

Simon Fisher and Jo Higginbottom

Strike Action

Today (Friday), we have sent an important communications to parents/carers about the planned strike action next Wednesday (1 February). Key points are below:

  • School will be closed to most students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10
    • Some selected students will be invited into school – they have received a separate communications today.
  • All Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students should attend school as normal.

Please check your email to make sure you received a communication today – so that you know what your son/daughter/ward has to do on 1 February.

Club of the Week – Year 10 Football

Staff: PE staff
Location: Astro
Who: Year 10
When: Tuesday, 3.05 – 4.05pm

Training will now take place on Tuesday for the Year 10 football team. This follows some great results in the Autumn Term, including victories against St Marks and Kingsley. All Year 10 students are welcome!

Check out the full list of outstanding opportunities; students can sign up with the staff member listed.

‘The Odyssey’ Tickets

There are less than two weeks to go until our production of the Greek myth, ‘The Odyssey’. The adaptation by Hattie Naylor sees Odysseus’ many adventures as he tries to return home after the Trojan war, encountering the Cyclops, the wrath of the Gods and many other dangers! Over 70 students are involved on stage, performing the music, or working as Tech Crew. 

Get your tickets for this must-see event by clicking the banner below – we hope to see you there!

Safeguarding

It is vitally important that parents/carers always tune in and report back on local and national issues which evolve from discussions at home. These “live” youth issues help inform our PSHE education programme which aims to equip students with a toolkit of knowledge and skills to make the right decisions. Please give this feedback either via the email address below or the feedback form at the top of this newsletter.

If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of your child, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@isleworthsyon.org. If there is an emergency call 999 or, for non-urgent matters that require police attention, call 101. 

Coming Up!

  • Wednesday 1 February – NEU Strike Action
  • Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February – School Production of ‘The Odyssey’
  • Monday 13 – Friday 17 February – Half-Term

We have just published the list of term and holiday dates for the next academic year, running from September 2023 to July 2024. 

Check it out on the Term and Holiday Dates page.

Careers Corner – Sixth Form Work Experience

Over half-term (13-17 February), Sixth Form students in Years 12 and 13 have been offered work experience following one of two strands: Business, Finance, and Law or IT and Tech.

This opportunity will give students a hybrid experience of online working as well as face-to-face encounters. Students will get to meet and work with representatives from Dell, GSK, Deloitte, Cap Gemini and Accenture to name just a few of the multinational companies involved. The deadline to sign up is the 30 January and students can register via this form.

Don’t forget to follow our special careers Twitter account at @IsleworthCEAIG.

Word of the Week

The word of the week is amend.

Pride of House

A huge well done to the 40 boys who have won this week’s Pride of House award. These have been nominated by form tutors and other pastoral staff for a brilliant contribution to school life. Check out the winners via the house badges below!

News

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January each year; the same date that the Nazi’s largest death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was liberated in 1945.

It is a time for us to remember those who lost their lives and reflect upon the lessons of the past. This year’s theme, ‘Ordinary People’, invites us to set aside one day to come together to remember, and encompasses the hope that there may be one day in the future with no genocide.

We have discussed these themes in Study Support sessions this week, and we have been very impressed with students’ mature contributions. Ms Squires also took part in an online webinar today (Friday). It was hosted by Tom Palmer, author of a book called ‘After The War’ – he interviewed Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich about her experience. It was a poignant and thought-provoking 45 minutes in which the boys were privileged to take part.

Image copyright Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

KS5 Parents/Carers Evening

Last night (Thursday), we held our Key Stage 5 Parents/Carers Evening in school. This event saw parents/carers of Year 12 and Year 13 students have short appointments with subject teachers to evaluate progress so far. These meetings were very helpful as a means to establishing where students’ strengths lie, as well as ways in which they can improve. Attendance was good, so thank you to those parents/carers who attended.

Sports Leaders Primary Partnership

We are proud to have run the Higher Sports Leader programme in school for the last decade – offering all Sixth Form students the chance to be leaders inside and outside of the classroom. This half-term, 17 students have been involved with the local Strand-on-the-Green Primary School. The Year 13s have planned the sessions with staff and then delivered them independently on Friday afternoons. This has meant teaching these primary pupils some basic fundamental movement skills like running, throwing and jumping. It has been fantastic to see our ‘learners as leaders’ philosophy put into practice!

Reece James – Top 100 Footballer

We have been delighted to track the progress of our former student Reece James, as he continues his rise towards the top of professional football. Long-established as a first-team regular for Chelsea FC, Reece has this year placed in the Guardian’s top 100 best male footballers list for the second time. He is described as a “hugely talented” player by the newspaper, recognising his phenomenal achievements to date. Well done, Reece!

Myles Peart-Harris – Another Alumni Footballer!

Reece is not the only alumnus to enjoy a professional football career. Myles Peart-Harris left us in July 2017 at the end of Year 9 to pursue his football dreams. He moved to Cobham to join the Chelsea FC academy, where he experienced great success at junior level. In 2021, he joined Brentford FC to continue his development. This season, he has joined League 1 side Forest Green Rovers on loan to get regular first-team football; so far, he has settled in well, contributing five goals and one assist. It is always a thrill to see our former students succeeding!

Image copyright Jamie Bayliss – AMA/Getty Images.