Eastlea Community School summer newsletter 2018

Newsletter

Summer 2018

High Aspiration, High Expectation

Andreea’s sending out a message EASTLEA student Andreea-Denisa Ciubotaru has seen her exam prospects soar after she asked headteacher Stephen Gillatt to lock way her mobile phone for over a month so she could concentrate on her studies.

Year 11 Andreea wanted to be free from social media distraction while revising for her GCSEs in May and June but found the temptation to go online too strong.

Now Mr Gillatt predicts her grades will jump from an average of 5, the equivalent of a C plus, to 7s and 8s – the same as an A grade.

Andreea also claims she was less irritable, found she had much more energy and had more time to socialise with her family.

She has now urged other students at the school to follow in her footsteps.

She said: “Everyone knows how addictive your phone can be.

“When I got my predicted grades, they were not what I hoped they would be.

“I realised that if I wanted to do well

SACRIFICE: Andreea realised her mobile had to go

in my GCSEs I was going to have to give it up.

“If I had tried to keep the phone at home, I know I would have pestered my mum to give it to me so it had to be somewhere I knew I couldn’t get it.”

She added: “I found that not having it to distract me changed me as a person. I was less snappy with my family and had more time to talk to them.

“Usually I would be on it all the time, even at the dinner table. Not having the distraction meant that I was able to talk to them more about what was happening at school and in my life.”

Headteacher Mr Gillatt said: “I can predict with a good deal of certainty that Andreea’s grades will be significantly better because of the break she has had from her mobile phone. You don’t have to be a genius to work out that less time distracted on your phone and on social media and more time studying is going to have a positive effect.”

Become part of the Eastlea community FAMILIES are being asked to join our Friends of Eastlea Community School Facebook page to share their thoughts and views of life at our school.

In a few short weeks, the group already has 120 members and often shares exclusive content from the school.

Group admin Carolin de Freitas said: “Our Facebook page started with a few posts but not many parents interacting but it has really gathered momentum

and parents are now commenting and beginning to post.

“I’d really like to encourage more parents to feel confident in posting about their own children’s achievements.

“It could be about their involvement

in and around school or perhaps extracurricular activities and opportunities which other children may find interesting.

“Please also encourage other family and friends of Eastlea Community School to join the page – the more the merrier.”

To become part of the community, search Friends of Eastlea Community School on Facebook and click to join.

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Students inspired to target a scholarship

Clever duo eye big opportunity

TWO bright Eastlea pupils are among the latest cohort of scholarship hopefuls applying for top independent schools.

Year 10 pupils Sukai Secka and Elizabeth Daramola have been invited to participate in the Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy.

The pair are hoping to follow in the footsteps of former pupils Iyanuoluwa Agbedejobi and Teniola Akinola, who have won places at fee-paying schools.

Iyanuoluwa took up a £33,000-a-year place at Wellington College in 2017 while Teniola will join City of London Freemen’s School this September on a £30,000 scholarship.

Throughout the 10-week programme, they will get support writing personal statements and applications, and preparing for entrance exams and selection interviews.

Sukai, who wants to be a lawyer, says she was inspired to apply by reading about Iyanuoluwa and Teniola.

She said: “When you see students from your own background and your own school go on and do these amazing things, you start to believe it is possible for you.

“There are some great sixth forms in Newham, some of the best state schools in the country so I know I would do ok if I stayed here.

“But in terms of the people you will meet at the independent schools and the doors it will open for your career, there is no comparison. I know what a big opportunity this is for me.

Elizabeth said: “I really do not know what I want to do as a career yet, so getting into

HOPEFULS: Elizabeth and Sukai

a school like this would really widen my options.

“There is a feeling now at this school that if we work hard and are determined and focused, we can achieve our goals.”

Headteacher Stephen Gillatt said: “As a school we continue to be extremely

ambitious for our students. We are starting to embed a belief among our students that there are no barriers that cannot be overcome.

“This cohort of students will go on to inspire the next generation of Eastlea Community School pupils, just as Iyanuoluwa and Teniola have inspired them.”

Mentors help to steer Year 10s in right direction YEAR 10 pupils are getting one-toone advice on education pathways, careers and exams from top professionals at a City law firm.

Students meet once a half-term and correspond by email with staff at Macfarlanes LLP as part of a one-year mentoring programme.

Haida Amiri says her mentor has encouraged her to join extracurricular clubs to improve her employability.

She added: “They have really pushed me to try to get the most out of my time at school.

“I am now in the debating club

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to help with communication skills and have joined the philosophy club. I am much more involved with school now.”

Rahinatu Kyei-Daniels added: “Before the mentoring programme I was really disorganised.

“With my mentor’s help I have learned a lot about time management and how to be better prepared.”

Farhia Mohamed said: “I am really interested in pursuing a career in law so my mentor has been great at advising me on education and career pathways.”

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Ceremony helps forge links with feeder primaries PUPILS at our local feeder primary schools won awards for effort, participation and attainment at our Primary Collaboration.

Youngsters from Gainsborough, Star, Manor, Grange, Portway and Selwyn gathered for the ceremony held at the school in April.

The 256 winners were drawn from a series of events held both at Eastlea Community and the primary schools over the last year.

These included the space-themed Mission X

day, an athletics challenge, a dance competition and an Amnesty International human rights event.

There were also sessions supporting English as an Additional Language students, supported by our multi-lingual teaching assistants.

School sports coordinator Vicky Miller, who helped organise the events, said: “As a school we feel it is crucial to forge strong links with our local primary schools. At Eastlea

Community School we believe it is important for pupil development that they are celebrated for success and achievement.

“It tells young people that if you put in the effort and try your hardest then you will be rewarded, which is an important lesson to learn. These events also allow the pupils at our feeder primary schools to become comfortable with the lessons, teachers and students at Eastlea Community.”

City firm is impressed

by Batul’s work ethic YEAR 10 Batul Alimohamed will be used as a shining example to other students after impressing at a two-day work experience placement with City firm PwC. The professional services giant will use Batul as a case study to encourage other pupils to apply to their mentoring programme.

Batul spent two days shadowing executives at the firm’s Embankment headquarters during a placement in April.

During her placement she sat in on a board meeting and worked with blue chip companies on their tax efficiency.

She said: “I learned more in those two days about communication and professionalism than I had before in my entire life.

“When you are working with people who are at the top of their profession, you can’t help but be inspired by them.

“These work experience placements are so important because they allow you to gather experience and they really broaden your horizons.

“You get to see how the business world works and it makes you want to be a part of it.

It has really inspired me.”

More Able Coordinator Meg Khan said: “The feedback we have had on Batul has been extremely impressive.

“This is clearly why she has been chosen

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for the case study. Batul is the perfect example that if you are prepared to work hard, then you will be rewarded.” The PwC work-shadowing

was part of a two-year mentoring programme featuring our More Able students at Eastlea Community School.

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Grace proves she’s a great ambassador

PROUD: Grace Muntu with Eastlea headteacher Stephen Gillatt

Year 11 Grace Muntu will feature in a promotional interview encouraging students to engage with their local community.

Grace was chosen for her work as an ambassador for Legacy Youth, which gives a voice to young people on regeneration projects at Queen Elizabeth Park and around Stratford.

During her time with the youth panel, she has consulted with major developers on building projects and worked to create education and employment opportunities for young people in East London.

Her contribution will now be used as a case study for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to encourage other students to participate.

Grace said: “It is a tremendous honour to be chosen to represent Legacy Youth. Being part of this panel of young people has really helped to develop me as a person.

“Above all I have learned that if you are prepared to put yourself out there and get involved, you will have your voice heard.”

Pupils’ creative side encouraged RENOWNED artist Dan Hillier has praised the creativity and attitude of our pupils after holding a workshop at the school.

Years 9 and 10 worked with Dan to create their own collages inspired by the artist’s work during the session held in June.

He also talked to pupils about his career, discussed the importance of creativity and gave tips and advice on pursuing a career in art.

Dan said: “I was so impressed by their

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willingness to get on with the work. Some of the stuff they produced was truly excellent, they were very creative.

“I think art is sometimes undervalued so it was really pleasing to see a school where students are encouraged to be creative.

“As far as I am concerned creativity is the most important characteristic to foster in young people and art is a great way to encourage that.”

Students get a smart new look PUPILS will smarten up their act from next September with a new jacket-andtie combination school uniform.

The new attire features a grey jacket and black tie (above) combined with smart black or grey trousers and shoes.

There is also a new PE kit – a red polo shirt for girls (below) and blue for boys, alongside a dark blue training top.

The new uniform was revealed on our social media pages in April.

Bake sale raised £700 for hospice OUR students held a multi-cultural themed food festival to raise money for a local children’s charity.

Pupils raised close to £700 for Richard’s Hospice after holding a bake sale and selling home-cooked dishes.

This term students presented the cheque to the charity. Tasnim Bidisha said: “You get a special feeling when you know you have done something to help others. Celebrating the cultural diversity at the school was a great way to raise money for an important charity.”

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Festival helps inspire girls to achieve goals THE school celebrated the achievements of women at a festival to inspire primary school girls.

Our first Girls of the World featured guest speakers and workshops recognising the work of women across the globe.

More than 100 primary school pupils aged between 10 and 11 from Star, Gainsborough, Kaizen, Selwyn, Portway, Ranelagh and Grange joined older students at the event held in June.

The sessions covered included self-defence, arguing effectively, getting your voice heard, women in parliament, business and creative feminism.

The event was kicked off by Eastlea student Sukai Secka, who gave an inspirational speech about her grandmother’s struggle to become a senior politician in the Gambia.

She said: “I told the children my grandmother’s story, about how she had an arranged marriage at 15 and was divorced at 17.

“But, despite the difficult start she had in life, she got back into education and then became involved in politics.

“I then told them she was my grandmother and they seemed shocked. I think they were really inspired by the story.

“It was really good for all of us. I enjoyed taking part and speaking to the children and I think they listened to what I was telling them and took in everything. It was very rewarding.”

The opening speech was followed by talks from inspirational women, including Newham councillor Sasha Das Gupta, who talked about women in politics.

Graphic designer Silvie Helmes was among

REWARDING: Students heard talks from inspirational women

the speakers. She said: “It was a real privilege to take part in such a wonderful event.

“The girls responded very well to the talks and session. I am proud to work with such a forward-thinking school that will take the time to address the issues that face young girls today.”

Eastlea Community School Assistant

Andreea’s day of silence A SELF-CONFESSED chatterbox raised £120 for charity by staying silent for an entire school day.

Staff and teachers paid Year 8 Andreea Elena Stoica to keep her lip buttoned for a day in May in aid of a local food bank.

The talkative student scribbled on a whiteboard to ask and answer questions and communicate during lessons. Andreea said she surprised her school pals and teachers by being able to keep quiet for the whole day. She added: “I thought if

I could stay silent for an entire day, it would be quite an achievement for me, but I surprised myself,” she said. “Usually I like to answer a lot of questions in class. I’m a pretty talkative person. My friends didn’t think I would be able to do it.”

The money went to Newham Foodbank, run by the Trussell Trust and based at St Marks Centre, Beckton, who have distributed around 2,000 meals since they opened in 2010.

n THOUGHTFUL Eastlea children raised £45 in a single afternoon at a bake sale to raise money for a local food bank as part of a charity project. Sukhueer Kaur, who took part in the bake sale, said: “It has made me realise how fortunate I am, that I am in a position where I don’t need to worry about where my next meal is coming from.”

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Principal Nazanin Shirani organised the festival. She said: “This is a really important age for young girls. They are coming into a part of their life where there is lots of peer pressure and pressure to confirm.

“Today was about telling them it is okay to be yourself, and more importantly, you can achieve on your own terms.”

A postal service with a difference Assistant headteacher Nazanin Shirani explains our new Kindness postal service...

Our Kindness postal service will be used to spread a little happiness throughout the school. Launching in September, students will be able to pop a Kindness postcard in the post box to anyone who has shown kindness towards them.

The post will be put in the postal bags and delivered by student receptionists on a Friday, hopefully brightening up everyone’s day!

This is all part of our developing character initiative, hopefully encouraging our students to show kindness to others and receive a lovely reward in return.

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Postbag

Our headteacher Stephen Gillatt shares the letters we have received this term about our wonderful students. Read them here...

Girls were a credit to school Firstly, many thanks to you and Eastlea for your support for the Sport Inspired Games.

I was escorted all day by two students who acted as Assistant Sports Leads called Lottie and Mercy. These two lovely young women were a delight to speak to throughout the day and both were a great credit themselves and the school.

Both Lottie and Mercy spoke passionately about the school and their current views on their academic studies, and also about the extra-curricular activities they participated in with ‘full contact’ rugby being one of their

highlights. It was also interesting hearing about their future academic targets and what they wish to study at university, and I wish them all the success in this goal.

If any credit or reward can be passed on to these two young women it would be heavily deserved, and again thank you for your support in yesterday’s event and I am very much looking forward to the next opportunity that myself and BP can participant in more events like this.

Stephen Lee Commercial Developer European Gas and Power

Big impression Primary links are invaluable

I am a Year 5 parent who visited your school yesterday for the Open Day and I wanted to say thank you and how impressed we were with the school. We received a warm and professional welcome, which made a very good impression.

We were shown round by a Year 8 pupil, Lottie, who I would particularly like to commend. She was so mature, professional and confident that I was surprised that she was only in Year 8.

I asked a lot of questions and she was able to answer them all confidently whilst giving a thorough overview of the school and lessons; she is a credit to the school.

I would also like to mention Emma from the Inclusion division who made time to come and talk to us as requested and Meg Khan from the More Able programme who gave us a really good overview of the programme and where the school is heading.

Prior to this week, Eastlea had not really been on our radar as a choice for our children, but I’m very pleased to say that our impression has changed and it is now one of two preferred schools for our son. I can see that Eastlea has a very promising future with a good leadership team.

Kelly Herbert, Year 5 parent

I wanted to write to let you know how much we appreciate the strong links that we have between Eastlea and Manor, and how much it adds to what we are offering the children.

The work that your staff do with us across a range of subjects is brilliant.

The Year 5 children really enjoyed both the MissionX earlier in the year and the recent Hammerson Games.

In particular, Vicky Miller’s work is invaluable and all of the children really enjoy the sports sessions that she runs for us.

And our KS2 Sports Day is always a real hit with both children and parents.

I just wanted to make sure that you knew that this work is appreciated.

It is too easy to overlook thanking people.

Kate McGee Headteacher Manor Primary School

Batul took it all in her stride I am writing to congratulate your student Batul, who was a joy to have during the two-day placement. During her first day, I explained a range of tax and business concepts to her which she was able to grasp quickly despite their complexity.

I provided Batul with manufacturing industry business profiles to read through and questioned her understanding of it. She was able to answer my questions confidently and was able to engage in a conversation about the industries, building on her school knowledge regarding businesses.

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Batul shadowed me during the training session where she was able to engage and ask questions of my fellow associates.

Additionally, Batul engaged positively and confidently with the directors, Partner and managers during our two-hour team meeting.

Overall, she was able to build a good rapport with the transfer pricing team, demonstrate an ability to grasp complex ideas and build her technical and business skills.

Tharanie Thivyathasan Senior Associate, PwC

n Vinay, Christina and Lottie acted as guides to our prospective parents on a primary transition coffee morning in June.

Posters help fight bullies OUR student council have designed posters to be hung up around the school for an anti-bullying campaign.

They have also set up a post box where students can drop notes to discreetly draw attention to any issues in the school.

Year 7 Rhis Dillon said: “We don’t want people to have to suffer in silence and feel like they do not have anyone to talk to, we want them to speak out and then the problem can be solved.

“We are a diverse school and we want everyone to be accepted, no matter what their race or religion is.

Everyone should feel welcome here.”

Easy for Eesa YEAR 8 Eesa received a certificate from Derek Smalling, Newham’s SEND Travel Assessment Co-ordinator, following successful completion of the safer travel workshops.

Robotics tips STAFF got robotics training and tips on programmable devices from tech expert Paul Boyd in June.

Job networking STUDENTS met professionals and worked with volunteers from SEGRO at a speed networking careers event.

Key learning OUR Year 7 students have been making key rings using polymorph – a material that can be moulded using heat.

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Potential of students is limitless Headteacher Stephen Gillatt looks back on his first year in charge at Eastlea Ciubotaru. In this newsletter, you will read how she asked the school to lock her phone away so she could concentrate on her GCSE revision and exams. She has shown her peers, and indeed many adults, that there is a life beyond the little black screen.

Whether it will result in better marks in her GCSEs remains to be seen. What is certain is that she is a more rounded and connected person for the action she has taken.

I wish our departing Year 11 students the best of luck and extend a warm welcome to our new Year 7 cohort starting in September.

Finally, I would like to take the time to say a big thank you to our students, staff and mostly to our families for their support in my first year at Eastlea.

The hard work starts again in earnest next September. In the meantime, enjoy the summer. I think it is going to be a hot one!

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As the academic year draws to a close, I find it difficult to believe that it has been a whole year since I became headteacher at Eastlea Community School.

Since taking over I have sought to create an aspirational and supportive environment where expectations are placed on pupils to reach their potential.

We have introduced new pupil progress monitoring measures and made structural changes which are already starting to have a big impact on academic performance at the school.

I told families when I joined this school, that I had no lesser ambition than to turn Eastlea into an Ofsted-rated Outstanding school.

I remain steadfast in my belief in the limitless potential of this school and its students. I said we will be Outstanding, and we will.

Looking back on the many stories of student success this year, it has been hard to pick any one highlight.

I would however like to give special mention to inspirational Year 11 Andreea-Denisa

Pupils’ vision earns them a design prize

OUR Year 7 STEM Club impressed judges with their designs for sustainable building developments.

The club were invited to take part in the TeenTech City of Tomorrow competition at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in April, alongside schools from across London.

Students were tasked with designing sustainable, renewable energy-powered buildings for a city of the future.

Ideas from our students included an ice cream cafe powered entirely by renewable energy and an underground restaurant.

Students Mariya Patel and Nusrat Ahmed received the best sustainable building prize for their ice cream parlour.

Nusrat said: “It was very exciting. We had no idea that our idea was going to win. Some people had really good designs and I thought we did not have a chance.

“I was so happy when they picked our design to win because we tried so hard and it is great that the judges liked it.”

Mariya added: “It was so good that we got the chance to participate in the competition and have such a fun and interesting day.

“There are a lot of schools all over the world where children do not get this opportunity to extend their learning in this way.”

Stem coordinator Asiya Ahmed said: “Our students came up with some really inventive and exciting design ideas which impressed the judges.”

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Careful thought: Eastlea students plan their design

n YEAR 10 students got a taste of studying law during lectures from professors at King’s College London in May. There was also the chance to ask questions on degree courses and career paths and take a tour of the campus. Year

10 Haida Amiri said: “It was so worthwhile going to the university to do this.”

Raisa Chowdhury added: “It gave us some ideas about what we might be able to study and what career options we will have in later life. It was very helpful.”

Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018

Pupils’ treasure hunt challenge STUDENTS were sent on a treasure hunt across central London for an afternoon during a visit to a top law firm.

A group from Year 10 visited the offices of BCLP in London Bridge in April, where they were set a series of challenges to build their teamwork skills.

Travelling around the city on their own, the groups were set tasks which included taking a photo of their group in front of a painting at the National Gallery or going to a theatre to find out what time a show started.

Erika Osemwengie said: “We got to see so many places we have never been to before and I did so many things I would have never done otherwise.”

Akash Mehmi added: “It was a really good opportunity to work on our teamwork skills and collaborate as a group to get the challenge completed.”

Refugee insight

Expanding on a favourite topic EASTLEA students are taking learning into their own hands and gaining an extra qualification by writing about topics that inspire them.

More Able Year 10 pupils will take part in the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) as part of their studies.

Equivalent to half a GCSE, the HPQ allows students to explore a topic that interests them, writing a final essay of 2,500 words to demonstrate their understanding.

Subjects chosen by students include the theory of time and how self-esteem and self-

confidence can contribute to success. Student Melissa Arslan said: “It has been such a great experience to be able to take a topic that we are passionate about and have the time to expand on it and learn more.”

Virgilus Nwosu added: “I think this has been an amazing experience for us. Even though we are very busy at the moment, this work gives us better research skills.

“It sets us up really well for bigger challenges in the future, especially the kind of work we will be doing at university, but also in employment.”

YEAR 9 citizenship students learned about the experience of refugees at workshops run by an asylum charity Kazzum.

Pupils explored media representations of refugees, their hazardous journey and integration into a new society during sessions held in June.

Students used creative writing to express what they had learnt about the reality of the refugee situation in Europe.

Portraits inspire YEAR 10 students celebrated a century of women’s right to vote by hanging portraits of inspirational female role models.

The pictures were placed across subject departments as part of a week of activities marking the struggle for voting equality.

Student Saniya Hussain said: “It shows girls they can aspire to achieve anything they set their minds to and do anything they want in life.”

Hot chocolate with the head...

STUDENTS enjoyed Hot Chocolate Friday with headteacher Mr Gillatt in recognition of their outstanding achievements in June.

Jahne Morrison said on our parents’ Facebook group: “Love the way headmaster is making an effort to reach out and connect with the students, on their level and at each given opportunity.”

To join our parents Facebook group, search Friends of Eastlea Community School and click to join.

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Eastlea Community School newsletter n Summer 2018