Week 25 (7-11 February 2022)

From the Headteacher

COVID cases over the past few weeks, both locally and in school, have been very high and this has led to increased student and staff absences.

Numbers have now dropped significantly and so, after half term, we are returning to the position where the use of a face covering at school becomes one of personal choice.

We still request that students:

• continue to carry their own sanitiser;
• ensure that hands are washed or sanitised frequently through the school day; and
• pay attention to any local safety requirements.

In order to avoid having to return to wearing masks, it is important to continue to follow all of the Public Health guidance, which includes being vaccinated and boosted. The NHS team will be in school in early March for students over the age of 12 to get their first or second jabs. If you want your son/daughter/ward to get vaccinated, please ensure that the consent form is delivered to the school reception as soon as possible.

I do hope that you have an enjoyable half-term break. Thank you to all parents/carers and students for the support over the half term.

Euan Ferguson

Examinations – Years 11 & 13

Exam Board Guidance

Guidance came out from exam boards this week about the additional support for students taking public examinations this summer. The teaching staff will be explaining this guidance to students over the next few weeks.

It can be different for each subject area or exam, so please do not expend time trying to understand each separate and detailed piece of guidance.

Pre-Public Examinations (PPE)

These take place during the week of 7-11 March 2022. These papers will be used to support the awarding of final grades in the unlikely event that a summer exam or series of exams are cancelled.

Today, the PPE timetable has been published in school and on our website here. Students will receive their Individual Candidate Timetables in late February.

Safeguarding Updates

Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes (formerly known as sexting)

This involves sending, receiving, or forwarding explicit messages, images, or video of a sexual nature. Mobile phones are the most common way to do this, but it also applies to any digital media such as email, instant messaging, and/or social media sites.

Inappropriate images can be sent to or from a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or someone your child has met online. Sharing nudes and semi-nudes are often described as the new flirting for a young person, but it is illegal for anyone under 18.

Parents/carers are asked to check the phones of their children. Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp are some of the most frequently used platforms.

For wider advice and to view the wider risks of posting and forwarding indecent and inappropriate images go here.

Half-Term Support

The school is closed from Monday 14 to Friday 18 February 2022. If you have a safeguarding concern during the break, 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.

News

Meeting Sir Mo Farah

Two weeks ago, four lucky students won an in-school competition to interview former student Sir Mo Farah. Read their report of this once-in-a-lifetime experience here.

Charlie Brooks Workshop

Last week, we welcomed Eastenders actress Charlie Brooks (Janine) into school. She and a coach from her drama school took students through a workshop.

Year 11 Guidance Interviews

This week, all Year 11 students have been interviewed to discuss their future plans. We are delighted that the majority plan to stay with us in our successful Sixth Form.

Borough Sports Hall Athletics

Our Year 7 ‘A’ team finished second in the recent borough athletics championship. Our ‘B’ team finished fifth while the Year 8 team placed in third. Well done!