October half-term 2015
Inside this issue: Black History Month
1
GCSE results
2
A level success
2
International Day
2
Saturday School heroes
2
Museum photography
3
Shoe box stage sets
3
Football season begins
3
Cross Country success
4
Japanese School visits
4
Safer Schools event
4
Winter Festival
4
Notices and reminders
4
Key dates for next halfterm
4
Headteacher’s Message Welcome to the first edition of our school newsletter for the 2015–16 academic year. I am delighted to be able to begin the year by reporting on the very strong examination results our students achieved during the summer. Forty-four per cent of our A Level entries earned A* to B grades this year, compared to 31 per cent in 2014. These results have propelled students to places on courses at a wide range of universities, including world class institutions such as the London School of Economics, Imperial College, King’s College Dental Institute, University College London and the School of Oriental and African Studies. GCSE results were also strong, with fifty per cent of students achieving A* to C grades in five or more subjects including English and Maths. Almost 13 per cent of the cohort secured five or more GCSEs at A* or A grades, creating excellent opportunities for these students to progress with a full range of opportunities and great confidence in their abilities. We are pleased that many of our students, including many whose grades gave them several progression options, have again chosen our Sixth Form as the place
where they wish to continue their studies. Students, parents and staff can be justifiably proud of these results and my congratulations go to all those whose hard work helped to achieve them. As proud as we are of what has been achieved, our focus is now fixed very firmly on the challenges ahead. Although it may seem like the school year has only just begun, it will be over before we know it. Parental input is crucial in boosting each child’s achievement and in developing the school as a whole. I was therefore delighted by the energy and enthusiasm that characterised the first gathering of our new Parent Forum at the beginning of October. This Forum will play an influential role in school life and I look forward to working with those parents and carers who will take part in the future. I wish you all an enjoyable halfterm holiday and look forward to welcoming back refreshed and re-energised students on Monday 2nd November. Dr. Andy Sievewright Headteacher
Black History Month celebrations Acton High School students and staff celebrated 2015 Black History Month in October with a series of events and activities including cookery, music, games and reading. Thursday lunchtime cooking classes saw students preparing tastes of the Caribbean including jerk chicken wraps and salt fish fritters (pictured, left), while Friday lunchtimes afforded the opportunity to enjoy dishes including fried chicken with rice, peas and plantain, ackee and saltfish with festival and fried dumplings, and sweet and sour lamb ribs with white rice.
Celebrations also saw the Learning Resources Centre recommending fiction and non-fiction titles for those wishing to learn more about black history. Recommended works included poetry by Benjamin Zephaniah and Gary Younge’s The Search: The Story of Martin Luther king’s Dream. Celebrations were scheduled to culminate in a showcase event featuring poetry, music, dance and spoken word performances on Thursday 22nd October. For details and pictures of the showcase, please visit the school website.
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