Week 19 (6-10 January 2025)

“New Year, New You”

More about our theme of the week

A new year brings a fresh start for all students. One way that students can demonstrate this is by renewing their commitment to our READ, READ, READ philosophy. Reading is an important skill, not just across all school subjects but at home as well. We know that reading ability is a key indicator of academic success, so please continue to monitor how your son/ward reads at home. Our expectation is that students read for 20 minutes a day. Such reading could take place in silence by themselves but always in a public place (on the family sofa) where they can be monitored. We also encourage reading aloud to family siblings or even alongside parents/carers. Our reading mantra is “little and often”. Remember that Isleworth & Syon students have access to over 1,000 electronic books via our E-Platform.

Cycling Lessons

A great opportunity for students to get healthier and develop a new skill

The Hounslow Borough road safety team have arranged free, fun-filled rides and cycling lessons for teenagers (suitable for ages 11–16) every Sunday at Heston and Hanworth Park. The sessions are led by qualified ride leaders and coaches, with bike and safety equipment provided. Please see this poster for further details.

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Coming Up!

Dates for the diary from now until the end of term

You can access the entire calendar via this link.

National Obesity Week

A note from our local nursing team

National Obesity Awareness Week takes place from 10-16 January. The Hounslow nursing team have asked us to share their flyer with you, which contains some interesting facts about obesity as well as some useful resources. Read the flyer via this link.

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Local Transport Issues

A chance for parents/carers and students to have their say

We are working hard with local stakeholders to alleviate car traffic issues surrounding the school as well as within our wider community. We are really pushing to become more sustainable and safer by encouraging more students to walk, cycle and/or use public transport to get to and from school.

With this in mind, all students have been emailed this short transport survey this afternoon. This simple task will be a compulsory part of their PPA (homework) for next week; the deadline is Sunday 19 January. The school with the highest completion rate will win a prize and the form group with the highest completion will also win a prize.

Parents/carers can also take part in the two active consultations for its its transport strategy and its active travel plans. Parents/carers can click those links to share their views, as the borough aims for a healthier, greener, and safer Hounslow.

Extra-Curricular Launch – Spring Term 2025

The new programme is live

This week, we have fully launched our Extra-Curricular Programme for the Spring Term, with nearly 60 opportunities available for students throughout the week. New clubs include Battle of the Bands and Year 7 Food Club. Check out the full list and see if your son/ward can take part and “buy in” to our culture of outstanding opportunity. All he has to do to get involved is speak to the member of staff listed.

Club Spotlight – Science Club

Outstanding hands-on enrichment

Science Club runs every week for students that signed up during the Autumn Term. Activities are wide and varied; this week, for example, students moulded cone shapes using newspaper and paper to craft unique volcanic structures – pictured below. Next week, the students will continue to build and refine their volcanoes, adding more intricate details. The following week, we will culminate the project with an exciting volcanic eruption demonstration.

We are thrilled to see the creativity and enthusiasm the students are bringing to this project and look forward to their progress in the coming weeks. Science Club has provided opportunities for students to build their confidence and a community where they have also developed their skills.

Pride of House

A new set of award winners

Our Pride of House awards have resumed after the holidays, with one winner from each form group in Years 7-11 – eight per year and 40 in total. Students receive the award for a specific contribution to school life. Check out the winners via a house badge below!

House Point Champions

Another student reaches 250 house points!

As we move into the Spring Term, another student has received a Diamond award for 250 house points. Well done to Zakariya AWAN (7Tu). House points are a key way that we recognise students who have gone above and beyond in school – whether in the classroom, extra-curricular activities, student leadership or citizenship.

Note: this list is accurate as of 7.00am today (Friday). If your child reached a threshold after 7.00am on Friday, they will appear in the next list.

Safeguarding and Personal Development

An external workshop for parents/carers about managing difficult behaviour

As teachers (and often as parents/carers too), school staff understand that parenting secondary school age children can be both rewarding and challenging. One common theme is the struggle for independence, where teens seek autonomy but sometimes clash with parental rules or expectations. At these times, communication becomes essential, as misunderstandings can lead to frustration on both sides.

The digital world adds complexity for parents/carers; social media influences can shape young people’s identity and self-esteem, making it crucial for parents/carers to engage in healthy discussions about online behaviour. Balancing guidance with respect for their growing individuality is key. Additionally, academic pressures and peer relationships can place stress on relationships, requiring parents/carers to be supportive listeners. Finding common ground and being present to show interest in their evolving interests are important. However, ultimately patience, empathy, and consistent communication are vital for navigating this transformative stage of life.

Sometimes parents/carers can benefit from support and guidance from evidence-based strategies. With that in mind, you may be interested in a special session led by community groups Action Isleworth Mothers (AIM) and Hounslow Parent/Carer Champions, in association with the London Borough of Hounslow. It is called ‘Intro to Non-Violent Resistance’, and is aimed at parents/carers struggling to manage behaviour.

It is a live, informal and interactive session – taking place at Reach Academy (Feltham) on Thursday 16 January. Find our more information by clicking the image right or this PDF link – and register to attend.

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

News

Celebrating our students, in a multitude of ways

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Sixth Form Applications

Now that Year 11 students have completed their internal exams, thoughts should turn to carefully considering their next steps for post-16 education. Our mixed Sixth Form has a proven track record for exceptional educational outcomes and outstanding opportunities for all students. We are proud to offer aspirational next steps and extensive leadership pathways so that students can maximise their potential.

Applications for September 2025 entry into the Sixth Form ‘close’ in just three weeks, on Friday 31 January. Applications received after this date will be accepted but be considered ‘late’, meaning that it is not possible for us to guarantee course places.

You can learn more about the application process and then apply.

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• Exceptional educational outcomes
• Outstanding opportunities
• Aspirational next steps
• Extensive leadership pathways

January Examinations Begin

This week, examinations have begun for the Sixth Form. All Year 12 students are taking internal examinations in each subject, with results giving them a fantastic barometer of their current progress as well as areas for improvement. There is also a programme of public examinations for students taking vocational courses – assessments which will contribute towards their final subject grade. We wish all students the best of luck!

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Sport Matches versus Old Isleworthians

In case you are not aware, all students become Isleworthians when they first join the school. This means that they are entitled to join the Old Isleworthians (Old I’s) association – located down at Wood Lane – at no cost. The club runs cricket, football and rugby teams as well as operating as a ‘social hub’ for the local community.

Traditionally, we are delighted to send a school team to take part in pre-Christmas sporting fixtures against the Old I’s. This year, football and rugby matches took place on Saturday 21 December. Rugby was first up (photograph 1 above). Boosted by a plethora of returning university students, Mr Mullins pitted a team of young, fit warriors against a more established, well-seasoned and long-in-the tooth Isleworthian club side.. In what turned out to be a highly competitive match the club side were worthy winners, 24-19. Overall, the event was a real triumph with the ultimate winner being the “spirit of rugby”.

On the football side (pictured second above), our first XI played out at hotly contested fixture, which ended with a 4-2 win for the hosts. Both Isleworth & Syon goals were scored by Year 13’s Mohamed Niazi. The whole experience was wonderful chance for some of our current students to see the power of being an Isleworthian and the value of the network gained for all after leaving the school.

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• Rugby
• Football

Senior Maths Kangaroo

And finally for today – in October, we reported that three students had placed in the top 11% of the country for the Senior Maths Challenge. Ayaan Memon, Ayman Shah (both Year 11) and Jonah Shaw (Year 13) therefore qualified for the next stage – the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo. Students took part in a 60-minute, 20-question ‘integer answer’ challenge with much higher difficulty. We were delighted that all students performed well and were a credit to themselves. Special mention must go to Ayman Shah, who achieved a place in the top 25% and attained a merit. Well done, boys.