George Mitchell School Times Winter 2018
Eton scholarship offers Hasan great opportunity POLITICS enthusiast Hasan Patel has completed a remarkable year by winning a £76,000 scholarship to Eton College, the school attended by Princes William and Harry. Hasan will rub shoulders with the elite when he begins studying at the world-famous Berkshire school next September. It comes after he became the youngest-ever speaker at a major political party conference when he addressed Labour Party delegates in August. Aged just 15, he was a year younger than the previous youngest speaker and former Conservative party leader, William Hague. Hasan won his Eton place after coming through a gruelling three-day assessment at the school, which included three entrance exams, seven interviews and a public debate. The Year 11 student was mentored throughout the application process by our Headteacher, Mr Hussain. Hasan, who has won an army of fans on Twitter for his outspoken political views, gave a rousing speech to the Labour conference at the Liverpool Echo Arena. He said: “My politics won’t change because I am entering a different type of environment. Eton won’t change me, I will still be the same boy from East London when I arrive and when I leave. “This opportunity will allow me to return to my community better armed to tackle the many social problems they face. He added: “George Mitchell is an exceptional school. The
OFFER: Hasan shows off his scholarship letter
support I have received, particularly from my Headteacher but also the school in general, has been incredible. “This is a place that gives us, the students, the tools and support to pursue our dreams. I have been here since I was three years old in the nursery and it has played a crucial part in making me the person I am today.” Hasan becomes the third student to win a place at a fee-paying school, following in the footsteps of Nadia Hassan, now studying at
Marlborough College, and Martin Woodrow, who is at University College School. Headteacher Mr Hussain said: “Hasan is a truly exceptional young man. Asides from being incredibly bright, he is the most engaged and motivated student I have known in my years of teaching. He is the type of person who will seize this opportunity generously offered by Eton. His is a name I expect we will all be hearing more of in the near future.” Hasan making his mark: Turn to page 3
Community comes first
Mind To Be Kind: See Pages 6-7
STUDENTS have been helping out in their community, raising money for charity and making toys for a nursery as part of our Kindness project. In September, Year 8 pupils held a bake sale (right) for the Macmillan cancer charity while Year 7 gave up their lunchbreaks to run SATs tutorials to the Year 6 pupils. In October, Year 9 students assembled food hampers for local charity Sally’s Kitchen at the Leytonstone Food Bank. Later in the month, students donated raffle prizes
n George Mitchell School n Winter 2018 newsletter
for the Christmas party at a local care home and the choir sang carols at the event. Not to be outdone, our Year 9 students then made wooden toys (left) in Design Technology for a local nursery. Students also planted bulbs in Albert Park, swept streets
surrounding the school and sent thank-you cards to neighbours. Students were also tasked with undertaking one act of kindness over a weekend in November, which they then described on a card posted in our kindness post box.