Week 47 (15-19 July 2024)

Welcome from the Co-Headteachers

A final message before the summer break

Start of Term Arrangements

Full details for September 2024

We have a staggered start of term in September. Please see the below graphic for the arrangements at a glance:

Letters were sent home on Wednesday containing important information and notices about the start of term. Either click the banner above to read them or visit this page.

Results Day

When students can collect external exam results

The two results days for examinations sat this summer are as follows:

• Level 3 Results Day – Thursday 15 August
• Level 2 Results Day – Thursday 22 August

Students have already been emailed regarding arrangements for these days. You can check out the letters by clicking the links above.

‘Completion Crowns the Task’

A bit more about the Theme of the Week

The school’s official motto is Finis Coronat Opus. This Latin phrase has been associated with the school for as long as any of us can remember! There are multiple different definitions out there, but our preferred one – the most literal translation – is: “The end crowns the work.” This is the message that we always impart to students – that working hard, and thinking hard, will result in exceptional educational outcomes. We are proud of the academic and personal progress that our students make – but we know that this is only possible if they work hard every single day. 

Local Sporting Sessions

Sessions to increase physical activity this summer

Lampton Leisure, on behalf of the London Borough of Hounslow, are running a series of sessions during the summer break, all aimed at increasing physical activity and participation in sport. Click a flyer below to find out more.

• Dance
• Football
• Multi-Sports

Free Swimming

Another great way to keep students active this summer

Local community group Action Isleworth Mothers (AIM) are running free weekly swimming and swimming lessons for parents over the school holidays – with an extended coffee morning post-swim for those who may want to talk to a parent/carer champion. Find out more in this flyer.

School Shop Appointments

Don’t forget to book your holiday appointment!

If you need to visit the school shop during the holidays, it is only open on selected dates, and it won’t be open at the start of term. You can only come to the shop if you have booked an appointment. Please only book one timeslot for all your children, so everyone can have the opportunity. Please note we only accept payments by credit or debit card – no cash will be accepted. Thank you.

Year 7 Food Club

A brilliant new club this year

We hope that your son/ward has managed to take part in one of the many extra-curricular opportunities we have offered this year. We are proud of our outstanding provision which helps to nurture existing passions and develop new ones. To that end, we were delighted to run a Year 7 Food Club for the first time this term. Over five weeks, students learned about food hygiene and safety in food preparation, before using our specialist food technology facilities to create meals like fruit salad, pasta salad, cup cakes, pizza and flapjacks. Students loved getting stuck in and learning valuable skills – which will no doubt be of great benefit to them in the future!

Photography Competition Winners!

A fantastic showing from our budding photographers

A few weeks ago, we reported about students in Years 7-11 entering a local photography competition organised by the Isleworth Society. Students submitted photographs in a number of categories including ‘people, communities and businesses’ and ‘hidden history’. Congratulations to the students below:

• Viraj Chauhan (9Sh) – winner in ‘Why I Love Isleworth’ category and second in ‘People, Communities and Business’ category
•  Leo Marcantoni (7Sh) – winner in ‘Wildlife’ category
• Freddie Summerhayes (9Bl) – third place in ‘Wildlife’ category

Four other students made the judges’ shortlist: Benjamin Da Costa (9Sh), Sonny Farnell-Warren (8Ad), Neal Jillella (8Ad) and Ethan Osahn (10Sn). Well done, everyone!

Rose Youth Theatre Academy

A great opportunity for young, aspiring actors

Applications have opened for the Rose Youth Theatre Academy in the Autumn Term. The Academy is split into two parts: Act 1 and Act 2. While Act 1 is aimed at young children, Act 2 classes are targeted at children aged 11-18. The company looks at acting technique and performance skills over the course of a 10-week term. They hold an informal sharing of work in the final session for family and friends to watch, but the main focus is the process. We work on a variety of areas such as improvisation, devising and script work and classes are designed to develop confidence, ensemble work and be lots of fun! No audition is required – find out more information via the below information graphic. 

Safeguarding and Personal Development

Staying safe this summer

In our final rewards assemblies, we have been reminding students that summer holidays are a time for fun and relaxation, but it is important to stay safe. Please talk to your son/ward about these messages.

When out with their friends, always stick together and have a designated meeting spot in case anyone gets separated. Stay hydrated, especially in hot weather, and use sunscreen to protect their skin. If swimming, make sure to follow water safety rules, avoid hazards and never swim alone. Be cautious when participating in outdoor activities like cycling or scooting, and always wear appropriate safety gear including a helmet. Avoid risky behaviors like underage drinking or drug use. Lastly, please encourage your son/ward to trust their instincts – if a situation feels unsafe, remove themselves and seek help. By staying aware and making smart choices, they can have a fun and safe summer holiday.

We wish the whole community a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday and look forward to welcoming students back safe and well in September.

_{Photo by Aaron Ulsh on Pexels.com}

It is important that parents/carers are vigilant over the holiday period. If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of your child during the holidays, 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.

Pride of House

A new set of award winners

Our final set of Pride of House awards are available to view below. Congratulations to these winners as well as all students who have earned the award this year!

House Point Champions

Celebrating student success

For the final time this school year, below are the students who reached the Diamond and Prestige award threshold during Wider Learning Week and at the end of term. Well done, all – and congratulations again to all the students who finished the school year with these awards.

_{Note: this list is accurate as of 7.00am today (Friday). If your child reached a threshold after 7.00am on Friday, they won’t appear here.} 

News

A published writer, a Year 13 representing the UK on the international stage, and much more!

Axle Moldero – Published Writer

Year 10 Axle Moldero has just had a piece of writing published in the Young Writers organisation’s latest anthology.

Axle’s poem, ‘The Red Hood’, was written through the eyes of Little Red Riding Hood, and it offered a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the well-known fairytale. 

This is a superb achievement for a student who has worked very hard to continually develop his writing. The full poem is included below for your enjoyment. Well done, Axle!

Read the poem

It’s dark inside the wolf.
The underscore of his body sounds
badum,badum,badum,
as if he is displeased
as if he is not full
and I wonder
when will I leave this place?
The acid is hissing
below my feet, pressed
against the chimney of his organ.
There is only up now
Spine twisting, bone bending pain
One eye up for any tunnel of light
One eye down, looking for her
and I cannot blink
lest we meet in a memory
and she is cradling me and telling me
I am like a thumb
Soft, and young
and full of cheek, she’d pluck roses for
me
‘All alone
I’d turn to the windows’
She’s say,
‘to see the earth wilt and shed its crust
to rise anew’
My toes carry fire
And I need to be numb to that which keeps one
bound in fear. Though, in strange possession
it seems he won’t let me out.
He wants me to be part of him
And I dread that I might slip
Into is blood, by body usurped.
Until the sky of flesh splits apart,
Gushing red,
And a hand reels me from the space
I am myself again
But what of her?

End of KS3 Awards

This Wednesday, we hosted our End of KS3 Awards Event to celebrate Year 9’s success up to this point. Parents/carers were invited to the celebration, where a variety of awards were presented – including subject honours, ties and flashes, pastoral prizes, and sporting, academic and extra-curricular trophies.

A special well done to Sam Gilmour, who won the coveted Headteacher’s Cup to commemorate a brilliant all-round contribution over the last three years. Well done to all the prize winners!

Jude Morgan-Collie – Professional Actor

Our former student Jude Morgan-Collie (pictured back row, first left) is now a professional actor! He can currently be seen alongside Emma Myers in the BBC’s ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’, available on BBC iPlayer. He can can also be seen in series 1 and 2 of the hit BBC1 comedy, ‘Here We Go’ (also available on iPlayer). He films series 3 this autumn – it is brilliant to see him doing so well! Jude’s parents credit his love of theatre and acting to the tutelage of our performing arts curriculum leader, Mr McDonnell.

_{Photo by BBC Studios}

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Work Experience

A key part of our careers programme is Work Experience for Year 10 students – it helps to raise academic standards and support our students in making the best choices for their futures. It also gives students the opportunity to gain greater understanding of the workplace and develop their employability skills.

Over 100 employers were involved across the last two weeks, including the Hounslow Music Service, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London Underground, Orange Tree Theatre and St Mary’s University. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to get hands-on experience in the world of work and develop transferable skills so valuable to employers.

Pictured above are Mohammad (first) at DBK Estate Agents; Hamza (second) at Hounslow Urban Farm; and James (third) at The Hillingdon Butchery!

Ellis Madle Apprenticeship

We were delighted before half-term to receive news that Year 13’s Ellis Madle has received an apprenticeship at the Institution of Engineering & Technology, starting this month. A very talented singer and musician, Ellis has a long-held ambition to establish himself in the music industry. This role as an Audio-Visual Apprentice will allow him to work with industry professionals to ensure high-quality audio and lighting fixtures for various events. He will get his foot in the door and learn valuable skills about life in the business. Ellis said, “I’m extremely excited to start this opportunity and hopefully it will lead me straight into a strong career.” 

Head Students Elected!

Upon joining our Sixth Form, students agree that they will take on extra responsibility – both in terms of their independent learning and taking a more active role in school life. To that end, we were delighted to have lots of applicants for the role of Head Student at the end of this term.

We were delighted to appoint Blake Lawrence (pictured above) as our Head Student. He will be ably supported by two deputies – Hafidh Abdalla and Nishant Brahmbhatt. We know that they will be outstanding ambassadors next year – part of their duties will be chairing the Student Council and liaising between the Sixth Form staff team and the students.

School Games Mark

Last week, we were delighted to learn that we have once again received the School Games Gold Mark for the 2023-24 academic year. This is the third year in a row that we have received this honour; we are one of a very small number of schools in the borough that have earned it.

The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012 and facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust. It rewards schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

Co-Heads’ Celebration

As a school, we want to constantly celebrate individuals that excel. Today (Friday), the Co-Heads hosted their final Celebration Sit-Down of the school year. Students were chosen as the top award winners in their year The boys were treated to free food from the canteen and given the opportunity to give their frank views about school. It was great for the students to feel heard and recognised once again.

Mikaeel Shah – International Maths!

And finally for this school year – as you read this, Year 13 student Mikaeel Shah is representing the United Kingdom at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Bath. 112 countries are competing from across the world!

As a recap of how he reached this point – it began in the Autumn Term with a 100% score in the Senior Maths Challenge before getting through two additional rounds. He was invited to two training camps as part of the selection process to represent the UK, which he passed.

We will let you know how he got on next term. A huge well done to Mikaeel for this international achievement!