Project India - Gumley House Convent School

GUMLEY HOUSE
E a s t e r 2 0 11
Project India
News
20 Sixth Form (Years 12-13) students are feverishly fundraising to
cover the cost of this community led project this summer, where they
will be supporting children in local community schools in Southern
India. They have been very innovative and already achieved some
amazing goals, from cake sales & working at local community fairs to
sponsorship & bag packing at
weekends in one of the local
Tesco supermarkets.
More news will follow post
their journey with plenty of
photos too!
Gumley Sixth Form Students create
their own cakes & Mother’s Day gifts
to fundraise at the Isleworth Fair
French
Exchange
At the end of March French
Exchange students from Issy
Les Moulineaux joined our Year
9 and 10 girls for one week,
giving both groups of students
an opportunity to practice
their language skills as well as
creating new friendships. In
the next newsletter students
will be writing all about their
experiences.
Y8 take up the
University College,
London Tourist
Challenge & Win!
Slide from the winning presentation
explaining the importance of the River
Thames
How to welcome international visitors to London? This was the
challenge taken up by a group of our Y8 students currently learning
Spanish. Congratulations to the winning team: Monica Garcia-Suarez
,Sophia Jacobson, Natalie Barroso, Natalia Marzec, Natasha Linton, Kiera Madden, Alicia Williams-Smith, Aeysha
Robinson Faith Nandy, Eimer O’Sullivan, Kalifa Okezie & Jennifer Sealey. The judge commended all the entries from
Gumley House saying “the entrants had clearly put a great deal of effort and creativity into their work and recognised
that using another language can be fun. This was very encouraging to see”. The winners have been invited to a prize
giving ceremony at University College, London.
Sixth Form Curriculum
Extension Days
Language was the focus of the Curriculum extension day for
all Sixth Form Year 12 students this year to focus on a journey
through time. This began with a visit to the “Evolving English”
exhibition at the British Library, documenting the history of the
English language and how it has developed to the present day.
Then the students excitedly proceeded to the Coliseum to see
the English National Ballet’s production of Prokofiev’s Romeo &
Juliet, gaining the chance to see and hear language in a truly
creative context. Global Young Leaders
Conference
– New York & Washington
Congratulations to Sixth Form Year 12
student Helen Scott who has won the
coveted place for this 2 week conference.
Her presentation addressing the question
“How should schools and learning in
classrooms change if all students are
to have the opportunity to be global
entrepreneurs?” was judged the winner.
Sixth Form update:
Preparing for
University
In March a range of speakers was provided for
all our Year 12 students to help them better
prepare for the next stage in their education.
Jane Marshall, Widening Participation Manager
from Imperial College, London & Rachel
Trippitt, Recruitment Officer from St. Mary’s
University College, Twickenham gave
critical advice on issues from personal
statement tips to the benefits of a university
education. Melissa Forrester, an Accountant
with BPP highlighted the do’s and don’ts of
money management and 3 ex Gumley students
now in their 1st year at St. Mary’s and City
of London universities and Central St Martin’s
College of Art & Design offered an insight
into their current experiences of university
life. Another ex Gumley girl on her gap year
spoke about her travels. Additionally, Gumley
staff addressed a number of sessions on how
to manage the university process & course
choices.
The following week parents were invited to an
evening so they too could receive information
and support on higher education planning
Y13s Go To Court
Brentford Design
Company Octink hosts
Gumley Sixth Formers
Y13 Sociology students had an amazing
opportunity to meet with Her Honour Judge
Kent at the Isleworth Crown Court in March.
This group of sociology students were able to
learn how the judicial process works, as well
as gaining a further insight into the scope of
careers in this field. They were given time to
ask questions and were able to develop their
sociological knowledge specifically in relation to
the criminal justice system. An invitation to sit in
on court proceedings for the whole morning was
very gratefully taken up and to round off their
experience they were also given a tour of the
court by the clerk, Steven Fletcher. Mike Freely, Managing Director of Octink invited a group
of Sixth Form students interested in art, architecture
and design to an “Industry Induction Day”. The students
met Octink employees who talked about their roles as
well as their education and training backgrounds. A tour
of the factory and offices was also included followed
by a session from Mike Freely and H.R. Manager Mary
Samarwickrama on CV writing and interview techniques.
Student Michaela Yearwood-Dan says “I was very
interested to find out how Octink worked and found
the induction session very inspirational as it opened
my eyes to what I
wanted to study at
university”
Year 12 / 13 attend a
range of Master Class
opportunities
Up to 25 Year 12 /13 students have attended a
range of Master Class opportunities in subjects
such as Forensic Science, Psychology,
Sociology & Law at Oxford University and a
host of London Universities.
Your Future In Europe Conference
Each year Sr. Brenda takes a group of Sixth Form students to this event: here is an extract from student Helen
Scott’s account:
“Ten lucky Sixth From Year 12 students spent a weekend in Paris in February, joining hundreds of other
students who were eager to learn about Britain’s position within modern Europe.
The conference, encompassed topics as diverse as human rights, the banking crisis and climate change & the
speakers included high-profile political figures, such as Tessa Jowell MP, Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty
and Tim Harford ‘Hidden Economist’ of the FT.
The experience was undoubtedly extremely beneficial to the students involved. In addition to broadening
their awareness of the workings of the European Community and the implications of this for them as modern
Europeans, it has encouraged them to pursue their studies so as to enable them to be advocates for causes
which they are passionate about. As Peter Luff remarked, the future of Europe now lies in the hands of today’s
students and the way in which Europe continues to evolve is dependent upon their attitude towards it”.
Sixth Form Y12 Young Enterprise
Company students attend
Parliament
On 20th January 3 of our Sixth Form Year 12 students who are
launching a company as part of their YE Company programme in
enrichment, attended a talk provided by the House of Commons
Business Select Committee. This is part of the Parliament outreach
service which is keen to speak to young student entrepreneurs.
PSHEE & Citizenship
Hounslow Youth Crime Conference
& Prize Giving Ceremony
In February 6 Year 9 students participated in the Youth Crime
Conference with students from other local Hounslow schools. They
worked in their school teams to discuss a range of issues and were then
asked to create a poster caption raising awareness of domestic violence. Gumley students were awarded 2nd prize and invited to a specially
created ceremony headed by the local Major & the Partnership Chief
Inspector for Hounslow. Congratulations to: Y9 students Gaynel Barry;
Blossom Boothroyd; Colette Furr; Saphina Khokhar; Sarah Krajewski &
Joanna Matovu
The Mulberry Centre is awarded £3k
For the 3rd consecutive year, During PSHEE & Citizenship lessons in the autumn
term all of our Year 9 students have been participating in the Youth and Philanthropy
Initiative, (YPI). YPI is an international programme designed to support young
people in developing both community awareness and important employability skills.
Students are taught about philanthropy and charity through a hands-on experience
of giving that highlights the positive impact they can have on the community.
After some very impressive presentations from the 6 finalists, The judges chose
the Mulberry student team - Olivia Ferrary, Francheska Rama, Erlinda Dedgjonaj,
Stephanie Casey, Sarah Seear & Lauren Sullivan Bruce who were excited to be told
that they had come first and The Mulberry Centre’s Gail Brammer & Joan McIntyre
received the £3000 cheque on behalf of their charity
Eton Summer School:
Congratulations to Katrina Doyle, Helen Scott
& Alicia Recuerda for successfully achieving
placements at Eton for this very exciting &
challenging two week programme.
Gong xi fa cai!
Happy Chinese New
Year for Thursday
3 February!
To celebrate the Chinese New Year,
Year 9 students studying Mandarin went
for lunch at Mann’s Beijing Restaurant
in Isleworth. The girls got to eat some
delicious food and also to practise
speaking Mandarin with the waiters there.
Inspiring Entrepreneurs:
Mothers of Invention Conference
In mid March a group of Sixth Form Year 12 students and women in the local community
that Gumley is supporting with business advice & skills attended a conference and workshop
featuring Sian Sutherland co-founded Mama Mio skincare, Sara Murray founder of the Price
Comparison website & Confused.com, Vanessa Heywood who createdTiny Mites Music &
Shazia Awan the founder of Peachy Pink, a ladies shaping brand that launched in Debenhams
in 2009. The evening event was moderated by Former BBC and Channel Five broadcaster,
Natasha Kaplinsky .
Year 11 students sign up for
The Challenge Network
31 students have already booked their places on
this exciting summer community programme which
connects young people from different backgrounds
across London, builds confidence and inspires them
to make a positive impact in their local area. This
3 week programme is open exclusively to Year 11s
which takes place in the summer after GCSEs.
Business & Enterprise & Languages: Preparing
students for the commercial & globalised world
Gumley House School honoured for its commitment
to promoting the entrepreneurs of the future
Young Enterprise London’s
Centres of Excellence Award Ceremony
On Wednesday, 2 February 2011, Gumley School was honoured for its outstanding commitment to
supporting enterprise education as part of the Young Enterprise London Centres of Excellence Award
Ceremony. Over 80 London schools were commended for this outstanding achievement at the Guildhall.
Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading enterprise education charity says: “There are a special number
of schools who demonstrate an outstanding
commitment to the promotion of enterprise
and entrepreneurship education for their
young people. These schools have worked
very hard over the years to provide on-going
enterprise experiences to their young people
in order to develop their employability and
entrepreneurship skills”.
Young Enterprise places great value on
these partnerships and initiated this new
national award scheme to honour and showcase these schools as well as to present them as
exemplars to other schools.
Smaart Skills and Careers 2011
Headteacher Sr. Brenda & Director of
Specialisms Loredana Roberts receive
Gumley’s award
“A strong partnership
with
education is essential to
Young
Enterprise’s work. We
are
delighted to recognise an
d thank
these inspirational schoo
ls for their
dedication and commitme
nt to
bringing enterprise alive
for their
young people and helping
to inspire
the next generation wit
h the skills
and attitudes to succe
ed,”
John May, Chief Executive
,
Young Enterprise
Skills, Education,
Careers and Training
Stella Ojideh (on left) and Chantelle Duff
working on their Eton Mess!
On Wednesday 16th February a group of Year 10 and Year 12 students headed to the Bobby Moore
Room at Wembley Stadium to attend the SMAART Skills and Careers Fair. The fair was the first organised by the Smaart Publishing group and gave the students the
opportunity to meet representatives from a wide range of organizations – from universities to a cookery
school - and to quiz them on possible career opportunities. They also built up an impressive “goody”
bag as they moved around the exhibitors.
Two of our Year 10 students entered a competition to make an Eton Mess – shown – and although
they did not win were able to eat their competition entry on the way back to school! Accenture &
Young Enterprise
In January, all Year 10 students took part in Personal
Economics, a Young Enterprise Programme designed to
develop financial capability. The students learned about
financial risk management and decision making through
a range of credit, debit and career focussed games. Eight
volunteer personnel from Accenture supported the students
for the day.
Accenture – Changing the Future...
In February, Project Management Consultant James Eardley, Technical Architect Stephen Wooley & Analysts
Briony Sutcliffe and Anthony Sharrock spent another full day at Gumley, giving 3 separate career talks to
Year 10, 11 and Sixth Form students. Students were able to increase their understanding of the management consultancy function through examples of
Accenture’s client work. Talks also covered their roles, education backgrounds plus the training opportunities that exist within the organisation.
The Gumley debaters go from
strength to strength!
Yesterday, the first round of the Hounslow Borough Debates took
place at Lampton School where Year 7 and Year 8 teams from four
schools competed for places in the finals. Our teams debated on the
motions “This house would cancel the 2012 Olympics because of the
recession” and “This house would bring back capital punishment to
Britain”. I have to say, without bias,
our girls were absolutely fantastic!!
For some of our Year 7s, it was
their first experience of debating
but you would not have guessed
that, such was their confidence and poise.
It was most inspiring to see so many
students giving up their evenings and
supporting their team members by being
chair and timekeepers for the debates.
Can I take this opportunity to thank our two sixth formers, Helen
Scott and Michaela Yearwood-Dan, who help without fail on Tuesdays with the debating
club, and who gave up their lunch times to train up the teams. Thank you also to the visiting English teachers,
Chrysso Koutas and Claire Griffin, as well as Vanessa Mathews and Helen Warden for their help on the day.
Geraldine Donnelly’s help was invaluable, as always. Well done everyone!
Year 8:
Year 7 finalists:
Year 8 finalists:
Year 7 finalists:
Chair/timekeepers
Charlotte Doyle
Maria Gabriel
Sara Martin
Ghislaine JohnsonThomas
Lucy Evans
Caitlin Hogan
Lydia Childs
Izzy Tollan
Ellie Hier
Jacqui Harrington
Stefanie
Lawrynowicz
Emily Watson
Kaija Trend
Roisin CulliganHughes
Emma Eastmond
Precious
Colquhoun-Mills
Ciara O’Leary
Clare Harrison
Imperial
College
“Insight Into
Business”
Course
In March, 20 Year 9 students achieved
a unique opportunity to attend Imperial College’s Business Centre with 2 teams competing in a
final presentation. The girls were given a brief to launch a beauty product, they had to come up with
the concept and then present a comprehensive launch strategy with SWOT analysis, profit margins,
etc in a designated time frame.
Congratulations to the winning team: Alona Bonifacio, Maria Bright, Julia Fernandez-Cuervo,
Joanna Lada & Kimberley Ubendran who were judged to have demonstrated a good understanding
of the launch process as well as great innovation for their idea. Imperial’s judging panel made up of:
Jenny Miller Career Consultant, Mary Goudge Information Manager, Alison Ahearn Tutor for Student
Led Projects & Mark Cobett from SIFE UK commented on the high skill level of both teams of students
and the Imperial College undergraduates expressed how impressed they were with all 20 students
that had participated in the programme. This presentation was the climax of a 4 week course created
and implemented by Imperial’s 2nd year undergraduates with the aim of raising financial capability and
enterprise skills. News
Bites
Enrichment – Les Miserables
As part of the Hounslow gifted and
talented program, nine students from
Year 12 attended a performance of
Les Miserables in the West End. It
was an enriching experience that
supported their interest in History,
English and Drama.
Extended Project
Qualification
Congratulations to our Year 13
students who completed their EPQ.
They achieved outstanding results
including 2 x A* and an A grade. Well
done to participating students and
staff!
Hounslow
Teen Read
A group of Yr 9 & 10
students attended the Hounslow Teen
Read award ceremony at the Paul
Robeson Theatre. They all had to
read a shortlist of 5 books and then
vote for their top 3. The winner of
this year’s award was The Enemy by
Charlie Higson. The girls were very
pleased as they had voted this book as
their favourite too. The announcement
was made by Rachel Ward the author
of Numbers, who also gave a very
interesting and inspirational talk about
her career and her journey to become
a published author. At the end the
girls were able to talk with her, ask
questions and buy signed copies of
her books.
Drama Spring Round-up
“Theatre during a time of austerity, as it does during a time of plenty, offers us the
opportunity to come together and share stories. Stories are a primary way we make sense
of our world; they help us understand each other and our own experiences”
These words from David Jubb and David Micklem, directors of the Battersea Arts Centre, ring so true for the Drama department
at Gumley House School. We firmly believe in the enriching and educative power of theatre to transform and transport children’s
lives for the better. To this end, we have taken more young people to the theatre this term than ever before to see and experience a
diverse range of London theatre.
‘Anansi’ at the Southwark Playhouse
On a dark and snowy January night, we transported our Year 7 and 8 Drama club to the subterranean Southwark Playhouse
and their magical production of ‘Anansi’. We soon forgot the trains rattling overhead as we were captivated by the talented cast
and their vibrant physical re-telling of the tales of the tricksy spider.
‘The Trial’ at Greenwich Theatre
Anansi
Again in January, a brave dozen Year 11 and Year 13 Drama students trekked across London to Greenwich to see Splendid
theatre company’s very Brechtian take on Kafka’s “The Trial”. We were by turns chilled and delighted by this tale of bureaucracy
and the justice system gone mad as the main protagonist weaves his way through a nightmare world that resonated familiarity.
Frantic Assembly at Gumley
Frantic Assembly theatre company came to Gumley on the last day of January to run a two hour workshop with our Drama sixth
form and staff, sharing their frantic physical style with us. We were exhausted and exhilarated by the end, coming away with lots
of new creative ideas and skills.
‘The Red Shoes’ at the BAC
March has proved a bumper month for taking trips to the theatre. It began with the theatrical delight that is Kneehigh’s ‘The Red
Shoes’, an acclaimed production on its final revival. The sixth form students were inspired by its visceral storytelling style, and
have since been strongly influenced in the creation of their devised and scripted pieces for their forthcoming practical exams.
‘Vernon God Little’ at The Young Vic
The Red Shoes
With Year 11 we went to The Young Vic to see the highly satirical ‘Vernon God Little’. With its mix of music, mayhem and
murder, the show proved a hit with our students and provoked much discussion about its provocative style.
The Geography/Drama Trip
How’s this for cross-curricular learning? On 16th March a group of twenty Year 10 and 11 Geography and Drama students
went to the Waterman’s Arts Centre to see Theatre Centre’s moving and thought provoking production of ‘The Day the
Water’s Came’. The play handles the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and the wholly inadequate
response of the US government who treated the citizens like human flotsam and jetsam, to be cleared up and shipped out.
Vernon God Little
Go Greased Lightning!
Not to be left out, Year 9 had their annual trip to a West End show on 22nd March. A packed coach of fifty students and five staff headed for the
Piccadilly Theatre and the ever-pink ‘Grease’. Despite arriving late, the girls were immediately drawn into that brash, sugar-coated fifties world of song,
dance, high school heartache and high jinks. They loved it!
‘The Witches’ at Gumley
And finally, the main event of the Drama calendar is about to get underway with our school production of Roald Dahl’s
best loved (and feared) ‘The Witches’. We have a splendid production logo designed by Louise Stevenson of 8R, who
won the logo design competition. Gabriella Kitto of 8M was runner up. Auditions have been held and we have our
cast, eager to begin rehearsals through summer term. We have been inspired by several excellent productions we
have seen this year that used puppetry to delightful and powerful effect, such as War Horse, and we plan to feature
puppets in this year’s show. To this end, we have a team of student puppeteers who will be given specialist training
for their roles.
An exciting time is ahead and we very much look forward to welcoming you as audience to ‘The Witches’ for its
three night run from 14th to 16th July. Thank you for your continuing support of Drama at Gumley.
Madeleine Casey, Head of Drama
Music festival Gala
Concert 2011
I
t was a great pleasure to welcome
so many parents and students
to the Music Festival Gala
Concert 2011. It was the
climax of the festival
which began the week before
half-term: involving over 70
pupils as performers and more
than 200 audience members.
There were many fine
performances and the evening was
a chance to hear just a few of the
high-lights. As ever the emphasis was
on celebrating and sharing the musical
talents which abound within our school
community.
We were delighted to welcome our guest for the
evening, Loulla Gorman a long standing friend of
the department in Gumley. We are also indebted
to those who adjudicated the heats: Harvey Eagles,
Sherlyn Sylveste and Ian Judson.
Many thanks to Miss Robertshaw for all her
support, and particularly to Mrs Farr for co-ordinating
the administration for the festival.
Thank you for your support of the festival and we look
forward to seeing you at a future event.
Richard Lake, Head of Music
World Book Day
Sophie McKenzie author of “Blood
Ties” & “Girl Missing” meets students:
To celebrate World Book Day Sally Richardson, Gumley’s librarian, invited
the well known children’s author Sophie McKenzie to join us. She spoke
with all Year 7 and Year 8 students about her love of writing and how she
develops the ideas for her stories. These visits encourage more students
to read for pleasure. Her books are very popular with our students who
on the day bought 200 copies at a specially discounted price. Sophie was
very impressed with the questions that the girls asked her and the day was
enjoyed by students and staff.
Performance Poet
Ebele supports
Gumley’s Annual
Poetry Festival:
The poet Ebele performed at Gumley’s
annual poetry festival on Thursday 10th
March, to an audience of parents, staff
and students.
30 students from year 7 to year
11 were shortlisted to read their
own poetry creations; with 3 poet’s
choice award winners from different
year groups judged by Ebele they are:
Eleanor Duce, Katherine Newman & Julie
Mason with the Poet Laureate award
going to Claudia Wilkes-Brough.
Kate Graham, Head of English
explains: “This is one of the key events
in the school’s calendar and Ebele’s
involvement really impacted on the
evening”
Ebele’s first collection of poetry,
‘Poetry is a Woman’, was published in
August 2004. She has performed her
own work to wide ranging audiences
including Black Magic Woman festival in
Amsterdam, at the Tate Britain for Black
History Month, Glastonbury festival, and
also on Radio BBC3.
PE Department Sports’ Results
Indoor Athletics
The year 7 and 8 teams both made it through to the West London finals from the borough
round. Excellent team performances will now see them take on the rest of the London
region at the end of this term. Year 8 team- Alex Fraser, Ellie Hier, Jaqui Harrington,
Nicole Adeleye, Aeysha Robinson, Francesca Foley, Emma Grant. Year 7 team- Haibatu
Seyboe-Tejan, Maeve Lane, Anne Omotola, Beth Clarke, Orla Kavanagh,
Emilia Kowalaska, Miah Robinson.
Rebecca Killip 9M
Well done to Rebecca who won a gold medal at the European
championships, competing for the British National Canoe Team in
the 2000m race with competitors from France, Ukraine, Belarus,
Uzbekistan, Kiev and Romania.
Alana Pearson 11T
Congratulations to Alana who won the all Ireland Irish
dancing championships last month. We wish her all the
best for the upcoming world championships.
Middlesex Cross-Country
This year we had 16 girls represent the borough at the Middlesex championships, with some
great results. Rebecca Killip 9M- 1st, Rachel Walsh yr12 9th (both these girls will represent
Middlesex at the English Schools competition. Other runners Maeve Lane 7J, Orla Kavanagh
7C, Orlaith Tully 7J, Niamh O’Donoghue 9J, Alex Fraser 8R, Ellie Hier 8T, Jaqui Harrington 8M,
Emma Eastmond 8T, Christina Paish 10T, Aoife Tully 10J, Joanna Paish 10F, Susan Fraser 10R,
Mari Johnson 10M, Amanda Paish yr12.
Cheerleading
Gumley cheerleading squad have had a
successful start to their competitions.
After a warm up performance at
Twickenham Rugby Stadium for the
Borough celebration of sport evening
they went into the competition in
Guildford well prepared. The girls
performed amazingly on the day and
finished 2nd overall against many
teams who have attended lots of
competitions. We wish them luck in
the next competition in July.
Gumley House Convent School
St John’s Road, Isleworth Middlesex TW7 6XF
Tel: 020 8568 8692 Fax: 020 8758 2674
Email: [email protected] www.gumley.hounslow.sch.uk
Netball Leagues Results
Year 7- 2nd, Year 8- 3rd, Year 9- 6th,
Year 10- 3rd, Seniors- 1st.
Badminton
The KS4 badminton team made it
through to the West London finals from
the borough round. An excellent team
performance saw them finish 2nd over
all. The team- Amy Owens 11F, Maria
Leonard 11T, Emma Jones11C, Bethany
Lawlor 11C