Brentford school for girls
brentford 6 form th
september 2018
brentford bulletin “Top 100 non-selective state-funded schools in the country” Nick Gibb, Minister of State for schools (February 2016)
Keeping you in the loop Head teacher’s update Dear Parent/Carer, I am delighted to welcome you back to the new academic year and hope that you have all had a very restful summer break. I also welcome our new Year 7 parents to our school community. The Year 7 girls have settled well into school life at Brentford and are already ‘paving their way’. We do hope that you and your daughter will be very happy here. Reflecting on the year that was, we have much to celebrate. We were delighted with our summer exam results at both GCSE and A level and welcomed back 80% of our previous Year 11 this week, into our Sixth Form, as well as sadly saying goodbye to our Year 13 students, as they embark on their new journeys at university. We also had huge sporting success, enjoyed school plays, concerts, art exhibitions, were involved in various charity projects, visited numerous places of interest on school trips and residentials, and of course, still managed to ensure that everyone was learning, as well as having a good time! So what will this year bring? As always we continue to work towards achieving our vision for every student in our school, ensuring that we support in developing ambitious and confident young women who are ready for life in the future. As well as ensuring our students do well academically this year, we continue to focus on ensuring that their ‘wellbeing’ is being nurtured. Nationally the numbers of young people, particularly young girls, suffering with depression and mental health issues is astonishing and we continue to look at this again this year through the development of a new school program based on improving mental health in young people. We hope that the program will be engaging and develop ‘those’ coping mechanisms which will benefit all of our girls. Thank you for ensuring that your daughters returned to school in perfect school uniform and with a positive attitude to learning. Wishing you all a fantastic half term ahead. Best wishes Marais Leenders Headteacher
learning at brentford
As always at Brentford School, we remain focused on ensuring that each and every pupil reaches their full potential and has a positive school experience. The school is back in full swing following the summer break. The students have returned with a very positive attitude towards their studies and school. It is important we are able to support each pupil in reaching their own personal targets. As we start the new academic year the Head of Year and I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all of our students back, with a particular welcome
for all of our new students in Year 7 and our 6th Form. There are a number of ways in which you can help your daughter succeed during her time at the Brentford School. Firstly by creating a calm and quiet space for your daughter to complete homework and revision. During home study periods, removing all distractions that may get in the way of your daughters’ focus is a must, including television and mobile phone access. Create a work routine, so that pupils are aware that each night they are expected to complete a set time of home study. Help to plan and organise your daughter, ensuring they are ready and fully equipped for each day at school. Insist on regular reading, this should take place for at least 30 minutes every day to improve your child’s vocabulary and creativity. Ensure that your daughter is fully rested and having enough sleep each night in order to arrive to school fully alert and ready to learn. What pupils eat really does matter, so please take the time to carefully choose what your child is eating both in and outside of the school day. Remain in contact with the school, report any concerns you have in order for the school to act as quickly as possible to support you and your daughter. Attend all parents and subject evenings so you are up to date and fully aware of the progress your daughter is making, these evenings allow you the opportunity to have any questions or queries answered or indeed hear directly from staff any concerns we may have as a school. Finally, ensuring your daughter is on time and in school each day to avoid any unnecessary gaps in pupils learning. I look forward to your continued support in upholding the expectations and strong reputation of the Brentford School. Each year group will have its own specific challenges this year and it is important as staff and parents that we do what we can to ensure all students are supported, no matter what the challenge, in order to create a positive transition across the year groups. Year 7- As we welcome our newest members of the school it is important the pupils are given the opportunity to make a smooth and happy transition from primary to secondary school. We as a school ensure your daughter is organised throughout the day and that any questions are answered thoroughly to avoid any concerns, allowing each pupil to navigate both the school grounds and their specific lessons easily. Pupils should aim to complete all homework on the night it is set and pack their bag ready for the next morning to ensure they arrive to school fully prepared for each day. Year 8- This year is particularly important for Year 8s as they begin the options process where they select their GCSE subjects. They will receive lots of information and guidance from subject teachers, careers advisors and tutors to assist them in this choice. It is vital that they are working hard this year to allow them to have the best opportunity to develop their skills in all of their subjects which will allow them to make an informed decision on their GCSEs. Year 9- As you are aware, the girls have now started their GCSE courses. Please ask them about the content of the course and
how and when they will be assessed in each subject. Homework and equipment are a focus this term and it would be a real help if you could remind the girls to make sure they have completed all homework by the due date and are bringing the correct equipment to school. Year 10- It is important as we start the second year of the GCSE courses that revision programmes are well underway and each of the students is now completing at least 40 minutes of planned revision each evening, as well as the homework they are set. If this can be achieved, last minute cramming and exam stress can be avoided due to proactive preparation. Year 11- This is a really important year for the students and the time will fly by and before we know it the summer exams will be upon us. We urge all students to ensure they are fully prepared for the rest of the year. Students must work hard to keep all work up to date and help is sort where it is required. We are sure with a last push this can be another successful year. We look forward to your continued support in helping your daughters achieve their full potential.
Exam results
We are pleased to celebrate another year of fantastic results at Brentford School where we are delighted for and proud of our Year 11 and Year 13 students. We have had an increase this year in the number of Year 11 students who achieved a L5+ in English and Maths and are confident that this was a result of the hard work from the girls and the outstanding support provided by staff and parents. Almost a quarter of all the grades achieved at GCSE were 9-7 grades (26%) and 73% of all grades achieved were 9-5 grades (the equivalent of A**-high C grades). One third of the year group achieved the English Baccalaureate at a strong pass level and we anticipate that this will be above the national average. We are a fully comprehensive school and pride ourselves on supporting students to achieve beyond their target grades. In keeping with our excellent achievement in 2017, we are fully anticipating a similar positive progress 8 score when the national results become available later this term. With Year 13, many of our students have secured results that have allowed them entry onto courses at some of the most prestigious universities across the UK.
welcome to year 7
First of all, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you and your daughter to Brentford School for Girls. I am delighted to be the students’ Year Leader and look forward to overseeing their progression. This is the start of an exciting but challenging journey for the students and I have extremely high expectations for the year group. My year team and I are looking forward to working with you and your daughter this academic year. Please find below some key dates for your diary: • Thursday 27th September- Welcome to Year 7 Evening • Thursday 18th October - Academic Review Day • Friday 14th December - Year 7 Panto Trip I am sure that your daughter’s years at Brentford School will be both happy and successful.
Open evening
Thursday 11th October sees this years’ Open Evening. The evening is directed at prospective Year 5 and 6 parents who may be interested in their daughter joining our school in September 2019. Brentford continues to be an increasingly popular choice locally for girls and their parents. Please do encourage any friends or family who may be interested to attend the evening. Last year we had a lot of disappointed parents who had chosen Brentford and didn’t get their choice of school. One of the
reasons for this is that they did not say on their application that they would like a girls’ school. If you are applying for a sibling or you are aware of anyone you know applying for a place with us, please remind them to make this clear on their application form. Please also note that school closes at 2.30pm on the 11th of October for students and reopens the following day at 9.30am. This time allows the staff to prepare and pack away following Open Evening. Thank you for your support with this.
House system Brentford believes that by having a House System we can foster personal and social qualities in students which will benefit and inspire them in their learning and life in general. The system also allows us to continue to create a positive and collaborative community. Pupils are provided with an enjoyable selection of competitive activities throughout the year with principal events in departments such as Sport. Working in Houses encourages pupils to develop team work by allowing them to work with students in other year groups and classes. The House system also promotes leadership opportunities for students at any age. The Houses and associated colours are Ambitious (Yellow), Confident (Purple) Flexible (Red), Inquisitive (Green), and Reflective (Blue). These names were chosen to reflect the school values. The House System provides all pupils with the opportunity to experience competing as part of a team in a range of activities without adding to the pressures of being part of a school team. The aim of House activities is to involve a wide range of pupils in school activities, ones that they might not otherwise be involved in. This year we have appointed House Leaders and House Captains, who will be looking after their House. These are:Ambitious Confident Flexible Inquisitive Reflective
Ms Partington Mr Garner Mr Minors Ms Miller Ms Williams
Our first competition of the year was a photography competition. The response from the girls was excellent and the House winners were:Annabella Espiritu, Sienna Pharoah, Delphi Hicks, Oliwia Piatkowska and Renée Dowrich. The overall winner was Mya Owen in 7 Flexible. Well done Maya! We are launching a logo competition to create a logo for each House and we will publish the winning entries in the next issue.
so you want to be a...
Throughout the year we will be hosting talks from various professionals to talk to students about their career journey and tips on how to achieve success in the ever-changing job market. This term these talks will take place on: • Tuesday 9th October • Wednesday 14th November Talks are held at lunchtime so please encourage your daughter to attend.
pens down day
Pens Down Day is taking place on Wednesday 3rd October with the purpose of encouraging the skills of speaking and listening, which is an important part of your child’s curriculum. For one day, children in the school will put down their pens and all lessons and activities will have a focus on speaking and listening skills rather than writing skills. Teachers will assess what children in their class have learnt about the lesson by listening to what they say about it. Why are we taking part? Reading and writing are very important and valuable skills but people are often not aware of how important speaking and listening skills are too. Schools that include speaking and listening in a planned and structured way for children in their lessons see improvement in their classroom involvement. Ofsted inspectors (who check standards in all schools in the country) are noticing more and more that speaking and listening is a really important factor for good teaching and child performance in successful schools.
How will your child benefit? Pens Down Day gives your child a chance to practise their speaking and listening skills for a whole school day. The day will allow all pupils in your child’s class to become involved in a whole school event, and to contribute to class activities, getting a chance to talk.
ppes
These are the dates for the PPEs (Pre-Public Examinations) throughout the year. • 5th November Year 11 PPE1 Main Hall • 12th November Year 13 PPE1 Y11 Base • 14th January Year 12 PPE Y11 Base • 11th February Year 8 PPE in classrooms • 25th February Year 11 PPE2 Main Hall • 4th March Year 13 PPE2 Y11 Base • 29th April Year 7 PPE in classrooms • 6th May Year 9 PPE in classrooms • 3rd June Year 10 PPE in classrooms
Club timetable
term dates
6th former for a day
All of our Year 11 Students will gain the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a sixth former during October. Students will be expected to attend in business dress and experience 6th Form lessons. Watch this space! Thursday 6th September - Wednesday 19th December INSET DAY (school closed to students) - Tuesday 2nd October • School ends - Monday 19th October / 15:20pm • Half Term - Monday 22nd October - Tuesday 30th October Mrs FLECK Head of Science • School returns - Wednesday 31st October • Occasional Day (School closed to staff & students) - Friday 30th Mr Jack Teacher of Science November Miss Alzoubaidi Teacher of Science • school Ends - Wednesday 19th December / 12:30pm Miss Amin Teacher of Science • Christmas Holidays - Thursday 20th December - Friday 4th Ms Willhite Head of Maths January
AUTUMN TERM 2018:
welcome to new staff
Ms Stearman Teacher of English Miss ansar Teacher of English Miss frew Teacher of Geography Ms o’doherty Teacher of Geography Miss CooneyLSA Mrs Turley Teacher of MFL Miss pearce 6th Form Learning Mentor
brentford 6 form th
SPRING TERM 2019: Monday 7th January - Friday 5th April • School Returns - Monday 7th January • School Ends - Friday 15th February / 15:20pm • Half Term: Monday 18th - Friday 22nd February • School Ends - Friday 5th April / 12:30pm • Easter Holidays - Monday 8th April - Monday 22nd April • INSET day - Tuesday 23rd April (school closed to students) • School returns - Wednesday 24th April SUMMER TERM 2019: Wednesday 24th April - Friday 19th July • School returns - Wednesday 24th April • Half term - Monday 27th - Friday 31st May • INSET day (school closed to students) - Monday 3rd June • School returns - Tuesday 4th June • End of term - Friday 19th July / 12:30pm
open evening
Thursday 1st November 6pm - 8pm External applicants welcome year 6 open mornings
Sponsor of our Netball Team