As we reach the final half term of another exceptional academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement. It remains an absolute privilege to see our students grow, thrive, and seize the many opportunities available to them Our core values of ambition, commitment, creativity, equity, and kindness run through everything we do at Nower Hill, and it is these principles that guide us in our ultimate vision of creating choice and possibilities for all.
This final edition of the newsletter is jam-packed with wonderful moments that showcase how our students bring these values to life Our young people have truly broadened their horizons this term, demonstrating immense ambition on international trips to Berlin, Belgium, and Paris, as well as gaining invaluable real-world insights through their work experience placements to help them realise the exciting possibilities ahead in their futures We also celebrate some remarkable milestones, including the incredible commitment of our very first group of students attempting their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and fantastic success in a national Gaelic football competition, which beautifully highlights the diverse range of sports on offer here
An enriched school experience like this is only possible because of the dedication of our staff I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the colleagues at Nower Hill who work tirelessly to make these incredible opportunities and successes a reality. This summer, we bid farewell to a
number of staff members who are leaving us for new chapters. I would like to thank them for their dedicated service, professionalism, and the kindness they have shown our students. They have made a lasting impact on our school community, and we wish them all the very best for the future
It has been especially heartening this term to celebrate the diverse ways our students achieve and grow in an environment rooted in equity and encouragement. In this issue, you will see a wonderful photograph from a recent Headteacher’s Tea that I was delighted to host, celebrating those students who have demonstrated the biggest improvement in their conduct this term Their progress, alongside the brilliant creativity and dedication featured in areas like Robotics, Engineering, Computing, and the Performing and Visual Arts, reminds us of the immense potential within every single student
Thank you once again for being such an important part of our school community At the back of this edition, you will find a wealth of wonderful opportunities and activities available for families over the summer holiday. I hope you enjoy reading about our final highlights of the year and join me in celebrating our students’ and staff’s achievements.
Wishing you all a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer break
Jo Skelhorne Headteacher
Nower Hill High School
Year Ahead Evenings
Please see below the dates for the Year Ahead Evening for the next academic year. We ask that you save these dates in advance, so that you are able to join us. The evening will provide an opportunity for you to meet your child’s Form Tutor, receive information and key dates, and connect with other families.
You’ll also have the chance to meet the Heads of Year, along with members of the Senior Leadership Team. Please note that this evening is for parents and carers only so your child or any younger siblings should not attend.
Year 7 (Greens), Thursday 3rd September, 4:45pm (please note an earlier start time)
Year 10 (Purples), Monday 7th September, 5pm
Year 12 and 13, Monday 14th September, 5pm (6th Former students are invited to join their parents and carers) Year 11 (Reds), Monday 28th September, 5pm
Year 8 (Blues), Monday 5th October, 5pm Year 9 (Yellows), Monday 12th October, 5pm
Year 7 Taster Day
Our new Year 7 students came into school on Wednesday 1st July where they got a taste of what a day at Nower Hill is like They met their form tutors and go to experience taster lessons across a wide range of subjects. We look forward to welcoming them in September!
Lil Weetch and Danielle Hamilton Heads of NEW Year
7
Jack Petchey Winners
Congratulations to our first Jack Petchey Award winners of 2026 The Jack Petchey Awards recognise outstanding young people across London and Essex Students were nominated by students and staff for their resilience, engagement and participation in school life. The award winners received certificates from Ms Skelhorne, and are invited to an awards ceremony with the Mayor of Harrow. They also receive £300 to spend on school projects. We're incredibly proud of our winners; Mason, Eliza, Jaheim, Aarya, Isher and Tafari
Nower Hill House System
Last week our newly appointed Heads of House had the privilege of announcing the winners of our 202526 House Competition in their House Assemblies.
All Houses picked up at least one victory in a fantastic year of House competitions, but it was Gandhi House that took the overall conduct competition, with an amazing 42,729 Achievement Points overall!
Congratulations to the hundreds of students from every year group who have taken part and we look forward to an even bigger and better competition next year!
Mr Bremner
Headteachers Tea
Tuesday 14th July 2026
Congratulations to Aalayah, Ahmad, Kamila, Mohammad, Aynal, Dhruv, Jayda & Sabawoon who have demonstrated the biggest improvement in their conduct this term
Ms Skelhorne
Summer Celebration Event
Tuesday 14th July –
Wednesday
15th July 2026
This week we marked the end of a fantastic school year with a celebration event for each Year group on our Extension Field. Each student received a free ice lolly and had a double period to enjoy the face painting, music and summer-fete style games, including giant Jenga, badminton, volleyball, football darts and limbo. All events were run by our 6th Form volunteers and it was lovely for students and staff to come together on such a happy occasion!
Mr Bremner
Nower Hill High School Culture and Diversity week 2026
Monday 22nd June – Friday 26th June 2026
Students enthusiastically embraced Diversity and Culture Week, taking part in a wide range of activities that celebrated our Nower Hill community Throughout the week, the school hall was busy at lunchtime with events including Arabic music, mehndi designs, and an ever-popular K-pop session.
On Thursday 25th June, students took part in a diversity workshop during an extended registration period exploring how to challenge discrimination and the importance of allyship. Students completed a diversity quiz, investigated a scenario, and reflected on how to challenge online discriminatory comments through building awareness of how algorithms can be used to amplify hatred
Cultural Dress Day, was a highlight of the week where students and teachers proudly wore traditional clothing to represent their identity and culture
Ms Chaudhry
Year 11 Prom
On Friday 19th June, we were delighted to celebrate our Year 11 Prom at The Blue Room, marking the end of the GCSE exam season and recognising the achievements of our outgoing Year 11 cohort. We hope the evening provided a memorable and fitting conclusion to this chapter of their journey at Nower Hill, while we look forward to welcoming many of them back into our 6th Form in September
The prom was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work, resilience and commitment our "Game Changing Greens" have shown over the past five years. It was fantastic to see everyone enjoying the occasion together, and we look forward to celebrating with them again when they receive their GCSE results in August.
Finally, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the Year 11 Prom such a
success, as well as to all the staff who have supported this year group throughout the past five years. Whether in the classroom or beyond, your time, encouragement and care have played an important role in helping these young people grow and become the young adults they are today
We are incredibly proud of the confident, resilient and thoughtful Game Changing Greens & wish them every success in the future, whatever path they choose after Year 11
With the very best wishes for the future,
Miss Azam & Mr Ford Heads of Year 11
Life After Nower Hill Week
Year 12 students had an amazing week listening to university representatives, apprenticeship providers, employers and alumni talk about the range of opportunities available to students once they leave school and how best to prepare for interviews.
Students began writing their personal statements for university and some students went on an interesting trip to Royal Holloway, University of London, while others heard from university representatives in school.
On Thursday of that week students had the opportunity to practice being interviewed by an employer and to
receive feedback on their CV and interview.
They also learned about degree apprenticeships from alumni who are now apprentices and met with other alumni who were keen to share their careers journeys since leaving school and to answer students' questions All in all it was a very inspiring and enjoyable week.
Thank you to all our employers, apprentices, university representatives and alumni who came to talk to our students
Ms Murray
Year 7 Highlights
As we reach the end of another successful academic year, we are delighted to celebrate the fantastic achievements and progress of our Year 7 students They have embraced the challenges of secondary school with enthusiasm, resilience and determination, making a wonderful start to their journey at our school.
Throughout the year, Year 7 students have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to our school values, earning an impressive 72,914 achievement points This remarkable total reflects their hard work, positive attitudes, excellent behaviour and willingness to contribute to school life both inside and outside the classroom.
There have been many memorable highlights throughout the year. The Year 7 Spring Party was a fantastic opportunity for students to celebrate together, enjoy time with their friends and create lasting memories. Many students have proudly represented the school in a range of sporting fixtures, demonstrating teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship while competing against other schools. We have also been delighted to
see so many Year 7 students involved in our production of Matilda, where they showcased their incredible talent, confidence and dedication both on stage and behind the scenes.
Our Year 7 students have also embraced the wide variety of trips and visits on offer this year These experiences have enriched their learning, broadened their horizons and provided opportunities to develop new skills, build friendships and create unforgettable experiences beyond the classroom.
We are incredibly proud of everything our Year 7 students have achieved during their first year at secondary school They have grown in confidence, made excellent academic and personal progress, and become valued members of our school community. We look forward to welcoming them back in September and building upon their many achievements as they begin their Year 8 journey
Lyall Sahadow and Samantha Sheppard Heads of Year 7
Junior Maths Challenge Junior
Kangaroo
This month Year 7 and 8 students took part in the next round of the UKMT Junior maths challenge called the Junior Kangaroo. The students did amazingly well and should be very proud of themselves. Here are some photos and scores from some of the students who participated.
Kavisan - 7NH
(Bronze - Best in Year Group)
Nikhil - 7FH (Qualification)
Hesh - 7FN (Bronze)
Jasvanth - 7BH (Bronze)
Emily - 8FH
(Silver - Best in School)
Rishi - 8BN (Qualification)
Aaryan - 8KN (Qualification)
Granger - 8KN (Silver)
Year 5 Maths Challenge
On 8th July, we welcomed 25 Year 5 students from local primary schools, and their wonderful teachers, to Nower Hill, to take part in an afternoon of Maths challenges. They went on a number hunt around the school, completed a fast-paced Maths relay and put their estimation skills to the test in a quiz We were helped out by some amazing Year 9 students, and it was a great afternoon. We look forward to seeing some of these students again in Year 7!
Miss Lam
Ms O’Shea
Gonçalo - 8NN (Silver)
Maths Bee Relay House Competition
Maths + Movement = Magic
And the Winners Were...
After a buzzing battle of brains, speed and teamwork...
1. Gandhi achieved 2nd bonus question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
1. Bannister achieved 2nd bonus question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
1. Nightingale achieved 2nd bonus question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
2. Shabazz achieved 8th question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
3. Franklin achieved 8th question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
4. King achieved 7th question in a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds
Fast mathematical think\ing
Relay-style movement
House teamwork
Exciting challenges
Accuracy under pressure
Speed and resilience
Collaboration and communication
House spirit and determination
"When numbers meet movement, learning becomes an adventure."
Mr Noone
Nower Hill’s MathsMakers students do a broadcast with Mr Numbervator
On Wednesday 1st July Our MathsMakers students Kaya (Year 10), Thierry (Year 10) and Jai (Year 11) all had a visit to Chalkhill community radio station for the first day of national work experience month. The students are photographed here with councillor Angela Joyce De Souza and Mr Numbervator
In the photograph we also have Dr Helena Mullins (MathsMakers MD) and Davey McCracken (MathsMakers instructor). Another Brent councillor, Trevor Blackman, phoned in to ask the students some questions. Reverend Dr Paul Hill, from the Methodist church, Fernhead Road, was also there.
The students, who have all been on our MathsMakers programme a number of times, all rose to the challenge during the show and did a great job.
MathsMakers is a registered charity organisation that we work with to offer tuition alongside maths lessons. We look forward to next term with a further 64 students starting a 10 week programme
Mr Noone
UKBC Biology Challenge
Friday 1st May 2026
On Friday 1st May 2026, 53 students from Years 9 and 10 participated in the UKBC Biology Challenge, an international competition run by the University of Warwick in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology. The challenge is designed to spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and celebrate students who go above and beyond in exploring the world of biology.
This year, over 42,000 students from around the globe took part. Our students rose to the occasion and delivered outstanding performances, with several achieving top results - highlighted below.
We extend our sincere congratulations to everyone who took part. Their enthusiasm and dedication to biology are truly commendable.
Student name Form Medal
Adhiti Watsalya 10FN Bronze (top 15%)
Amity Thorpe 10SN Bronze (top 15%)
Devanshi Dutta 9FN Bronze (top 15%)
Devpratap Rawat 10FN Bronze (top 15%)
Hanson Chan 10BN Bronze (top 15%)
Jason A. B. 9FN Bronze (top 15%)
Mrinmoyee Biswas 9GH Bronze (top 15%)
Mudit Saraf 10NH Bronze (top 15%)
Myan Doshi 9KN Bronze (top 15%)
Priyanshu Roy 10FH Bronze (top 15%)
Simon Strugariu 9GH Bronze (top 15%)
Cynthia Chang 10BH Bronze (top 15%)
Syed Kamil Hasan 9GN Bronze (top 15%)
Tiana Gautam 9FN Bronze (top 15%)
Tsz To Gabriella Chan 9NH Bronze (top 15%)
Veer Tailor 10FH Bronze (top 15%)
Ajinkya Wagh 9FN Silver (top 10%)
Harshni Dodhia 10SH Silver (top 10%)
Jian Onwukwe 10GN Silver (top 10%)
Kiara Chhabra 10GN Silver (top 10%)
Krishay Modi 10KN Silver (top 10%)
Sahaana Ganesh Devi 10FH Silver (top 10%)
UKBC Intermediate Biology Challenge
Friday 5th June 2026
On Friday 5th June 2026, 21 students from Year 12 participated in the UKBC Intermediate Biology Olympiad, an international competition run by the University of Warwick in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology. The challenge is designed to spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and celebrate students who go above and beyond in exploring the world of biology.
This year, over 16,000 students from around the globe took part. Our students rose to the occasion and delivered outstanding performances, with several achieving top results - highlighted below.
We extend our sincere congratulations to everyone who took part. Their enthusiasm and dedication to biology are truly commendable
Student name Form Medal
Magnus Aitken 6GH Silver (top 10%)
Zonglin Li 6BS Silver (top 10%)
Shreya Panda 6KH Silver (top 10%)
Zayd Aboubeih 6BS Silver (top 10%)
Ashraf Yousif 6NH Silver (top 10%)
Safiyyah Maniar 6GS Silver (top 10%)
Year 8 Sustainable Travel Ambassadors Project
Over the course of this term, ten Year 8 students have been working diligently to develop an initiative aimed at encouraging more sustainable travel to school Their hard work culminated in a ‘Dragons’ Den’ Style event at Harrow Council, where they presented their proposal to a panel of judges
The students represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating confidence, creativity and excellent communication skills. The panel was highly impressed by both the quality of the initiative and the students’ presentation, awarding them £500 to support the launch of the project, along with a bicycle repair kit for the school.
We are incredibly proud of their achievement and look forward to seeing the initiative come to life in the next academic year.
Ms Eveleigh & Ms Hamilton
Year 7 & Year 9 PRE
PRE develops a whole range of academic skills such as students critical thinking, religious literacy and essay writing But we also love to see our students getting creative! Here are some amazing pieces of homework from Y9 ‘Spirited Arts’ competition and Y7 Hindu Board Games
Ms Eveleigh & Ms Hamilton
Well done to:
Fatima Ali, Vicky Iglesias Davila, Jemimah John and Petra Gyongyi all in 7NN!
Well done to:
Hettie Fan 9GN, Salma Yusuf 9GN, Kacper Szymczak 9FH and Ahdia Wafa 9NH!
Year 7 Geography
Multicultural London
This term in Geography, Year 7 have been learning about the Geography of the UK, with a focus on migration to the UK and how it has positively shaped London’s communities Through a series of lessons, students explored how people from Asia, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe have enriched the city through language, business, festivals, sport and music. To showcase their learning, students created posters highlighting the positive contributions these communities have made to the character of London
Ms Trivedi
Tallulah McNab, Aarav Harsiani and Haani Shah 7SN, Yasmina Cioara and Kavya Raokhande 7FH and Pragnya Poojari 7KN
Year 8 Geography
My Blueprint for the Future
This term, Year 8 Geography students completed their Blueprint for the Future unit, exploring a range of environmental issues affecting our planet, including climate change, deforestation in the Amazon, coral bleaching, plastic pollution and biodiversity in both the UK and around the world. To conclude the unit, students took on a creative challenge to design an innovative solution to one of these issues, with the aim of reducing its impact. They demonstrated excellent research skills, creativity and independent thinking as they developed their ideas and created their own blueprints for a more sustainable future
Ms Trivedi
Berry Halpin 8NH
Sophia Mosch 8NH
Alexandra Kiec 8NH
Nihira Balaji 8GH
Alyssa Jeram 8GH
Samarth Khatri 8GH
Outstanding Success at the International Space Competition
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the fantastic achievement of one of our brilliant students, Myan Doshi, who recently took second place in a prestigious international space competition.
The challenge was truly out of this world, designing a space station orbiting Mars that will serve as humanity’s critical link between Earth, the Moon and a future Martian habitat. This required an immense amount of dedication, including producing a comprehensive research project detailing his design and the inspiration behind his choices. Additionally, he created an engaging 5 minute video presence to pitch his ideas to the judges.
His exceptional hard work, resilience, and creativity paid off, earning an amazing scholarship to a summer school at the University of Oxford.
A massive well done from all of us, what an incredible achievement!
Ms Tshibola
Year 8 Natural History Museum Trip
From 13th May - 8th July, our Year 8 students went on educational trips to the Natural History Museum, where they participated in an interactive workshop about space exploration. During the session, students worked in small teams to design and build LEGO Martian rovers They coded, tested, and analysed their designs before launching them on a Martian surface. This experience allowed students to understand the importance of space exploration and the role museum scientists play in this field They also learnt how using models such as LEGO is essential for engineers when developing real world solutions.
Thank you to everyone who helped organise and accompany the students on this memorable trip. It would not have been possible without your support
Ms Tshibola
Computing Faculties Murder Mystery Competition
Students put their codebreaking skills to the test in the Computing Faculty's recent Murder Mystery Competition. Teams were challenged to solve the mysterious murder of Mr Sammy by decoding a series of increasingly difficult ciphers and encrypted clues.
Using their logical thinking, teamwork and cryptography skills, competitors worked to uncover three key pieces of information: who murdered Mr Sammy, where the crime took place, and what weapon was used The race was on as teams battled against the clock to crack the codes and solve the case before their rivals
After carefully piecing together the evidence, teams discovered that the murderer was Mr Suthesh Only those who successfully decoded all of the clues were able to reveal the full solution to the mystery
The three fastest teams to correctly solve the case were crowned our winners As a reward for their impressive detective work, each winning team received either a wireless computer mouse or a novelty USB stick.
Congratulations to all students who took part. The competition showcased excellent problem-solving skills, perseverance and teamwork, and we look forward to hosting more Computing challenges in the future.
Ms Wilks
Berlin Trip
40 of our Design and Technology and Computing students recently enjoyed an exciting four-day visit to Berlin, exploring a range of cultural, technological and engineering attractions Highlights included a visit to the Ritter Sport chocolate shop, stunning views from the Berlin TV Tower and a visit to Autostadt in Wolfsburg Here, students learned about automotive innovation and future technologies. The group also visited the BMW Motorrad Factory and the Computer Games Museum to explore the history and development of video gaming and consoles.
On the final day, students visited the Deutsches Technikmuseum, discovering how advances in science, transport and communication have shaped the modern world. Throughout the trip, students represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating enthusiasm, independence, resilience as well as excellent behaviour. The visit provided valuable opportunities to broaden their knowledge, experience a different culture and to see how technology is used in everyday life.
Ms Gayle
Year 10 Cuckmere Haven Beach Trip
In June, 132 Year 10 GCSE Geography students enjoyed their fieldwork trips to Cuckmere Haven beach in Sussex Students collected data on how erosion and longshore drift had affected beach sediment, which they will use in their Paper 3 GCSE exams. They showed excellent teamwork and fieldwork skills meaning the days were productive and enjoyable, helped by the sunny weather! Well done Year 10!
Ms Devlin
Year 12 Work Experience
Monday
22nd June – Friday 26th June 2026
All our Year 12 students successfully completed their work experience placements from Monday 22 June to Friday 26 June
Despite the heatwave, the week was an outstanding success Our students gained valuable workplace knowledge and practical experience, demonstrated exemplary behaviour throughout, and approached their placements with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our employer partners, as well as our parents and carers, for their continued support in providing these invaluable opportunities for our young people.
Students reflected positively on their experiences, with comments including:
"All in all, it was a fantastic experience. It gave me an insight into how organisations operate.“
"I enjoyed meeting employers and learning about their roles and what working life is really like.“
"It really made me think about what I want to do and what my aspirations are." "It was so different to being at school. The days were long, and I was very tired!“
"Work experience helped improve my timekeeping skills.“
The photograph above shows a group of our students during their placement at Tata Consultancy Services in the City
The feedback from employers was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted the remarkable conduct and contributions of our students. Employers praised their confidence, politeness, professionalism, and eagerness to learn Such glowing feedback is a testament to the excellent qualities and potential our students possess, and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented both themselves and the school.
Congratulations to all of our Year 12 students on completing this important milestone. We are confident that the skills, experiences, and lessons they have gained will support them as they continue their educational and career journeys
Ms Doshi
Rajesh Bhovan: Former Head Student Reaches New Creative Height
Rajesh Bhovan continues his impressive trajectory following his graduation from the prestigious Fine Art programme at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London In a remarkable double achievement, Rajesh has secured a coveted place on the three-year postgraduate programme at the Royal Academy of Arts, whilst simultaneously being selected for the ‘New Contemporaries 2027’ . This selection invites him into an intensive Artist Development Programme starting in September 2026, culminating in a group exhibition at the Focal Point Gallery and partner venues across Southend-on-Sea in June 2027.
Rooted in South Asian and Indian storytelling, Rajesh's paintings and films expertly blend heritage and vibrant colour with a sharp, contemporary edge.
Notably, Rajesh remains dedicated to supporting the next generation by attending Nower Hill’s annual 'Creative Futures' art careers fair each year
Mr Butterworth
Celebrating 70 Years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
This year marks a very special milestone as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) celebrates its 70th anniversary For seven decades the internationally recognised Award has inspired millions of young people to step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills, and achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Here at Nower Hill High School, we are proud to be part of this incredible legacy. In fact, Sir Roger Bannister, best known as the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile and one of our school house namesakes, was a dedicated supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award He served as Chair of the Award from 1977 to 1983 helping to inspire generations of young people to challenge themselves and achieve their full potential
This year is particularly exciting as we celebrate another important milestone - our very first group of students embarking on the Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Reaching Gold is a significant achievement, requiring dedication, perseverance, and commitment over an extended period. Each year, only around 6,000–7,000 young people across the whole of the UK achieve a Gold Award, making it a truly outstanding accomplishment We are delighted to offer this opportunity and look forward to supporting our students as they work towards completing the highest level of the Award.
The DofE continues to have a positive impact on our school community. Our students have volunteered countless hours supporting local organisations and our own extra curricular clubs, developed new talents and hobbies, challenged themselves physically, and created
lasting memories during their expeditions. These experiences not only build lifelong friendships but also equip our students with valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future careers.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our DofE staff, volunteers, parents, carers, and expedition leaders, whose encouragement and support enable our students to succeed. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to making the programme such a rewarding experience
On that note, I would like to ask for your support. If you have any hiking boots, sleeping bags or waterproof clothing in good condition that you no longer require, please consider donating them to our DofE equipment store. Your generosity will help support future generations of Nower Hill High School students as they embark on their own DofE journeys
As the Duke of Edinburgh's Award celebrates 70 years of transforming young lives, we are proud to continue its tradition here at Nower Hill High School. We congratulate all of our current participants, as well as everyone who has completed their DofE Award with us over the years.
Here's to celebrating 70 years of adventure, service, personal growth, and achievement and to many more years of inspiring our students to discover just how much they can accomplish.
Ms Tomlinson
Performing Arts News
Summer Festival
On Wednesday 8th July, the Music Department held their annual Summer Festival, which was held on multiple stages across the school site, with a visit from an ice cream van and refreshments. The event was the culmination of much hard work put in by the students to their extra-curricular musical activities There were performances from a wide range of ensembles As guests arrived, A Level Music Technology recordings and compositions were playing in the main hall This year we were treated to performances from Orchestra, Jazz Band, Glee, Junior Glee, Choir, Electric Guitars, Drumming Line and student bands. Additionally, friends and family were able to visit different venues to watch small ensemble and solo performances at our Peri-Proms concert, as well as KS3 and KS4 Dance students and KS3 Drama Club Showcases. Well done to all students involved and a big thank you to all staff, Peripatetic teachers and friends and family who made this event possible.
Instrumental Exam Success
Congratulations to all of the students below on their recent instrumental examination success Thank you to all of our Peripatetic teaching staff for their hard work and support throughout the term.
Woodwind:
Lily Wilschlusen Grade 4 Clarinet
Matty Brown Grade 7 Clarinet
Shruti Mulay Grade 6 Flute
Classical Guitar:
Zenshin Fehervari - Grade 4
Druv Patel - Grade 5
Jasmine Elmadiova - Grade 6
Jasmin Sehdev - Grade 3
Eyimofe Adenubi - Grade 3
Violin:
Marc Stefan- Grade 7
Mr Roberts
Year 7 Globe Players Visit
Tuesday 30th June 2026
On Tuesday, 30th June, our Year 7 students enjoyed a lively performance of ‘What You Will’ by the fantastic Globe Players.
The performance introduced students to Shakespeare through a selection of his most famous scenes, with extracts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and more brought to life with energy and humour
Our Year 7 students were thoroughly entertained and in fits of laughter as the talented cast brought Shakespeare’s iconic characters to the stage. The performance was made even more memorable by some brilliant cameo appearances from our very own Nower Hill students!
Having nearly completed their study of Much Ado About Nothing, the performance was a fantastic way for Year 7 to celebrate their learning and see Shakespeare brought vividly to life
Ms Sheikh & Ms Dale
Year 8 World War 1 Battlefields Trip
13th & 14th June 2026
Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th of June, forty-six Year 8 students and 5 members of staff travelled to the World War 1 battlefields in France and Belgium
This was an opportunity for students to physically see the places that they had been learning about in History, and to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of the sacrifices made by those who died in the War. The weekend included visits to various cemeteries, trenches, battlefield sites, and memorials. One of the highlights for the students was undoubtedly stocking up at the Belgian chocolate shop in Ypres! The students seemed to really enjoy the experience and engaged really thoughtfully at all of the sites.
We were also incredibly lucky to have been asked to lay a wreath at the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Sophia (8FH) and Kian (8GN) laid the wreath on behalf of the entire Nower Hill community, and were exceptional ambassadors for the school - they received many positive comments from veterans and members of the public about how smart and confident they looked.
One of the students said: “this trip was the highlight of my year and it was so cool to see all the places we looked at in class. We also got to reflect on how many people sacrificed their lives for the freedom we have now. Thank you to Mr Kilroy, Mr McDyre, Mr Sohel, Miss Zaabar and Miss Koomson for giving up their weekend to take us!”.
Mr McDyre
Gaelic football All-Britain competition
On Thursday 2nd July, we had 3 teams make Nower Hill history as our first teams to compete in the Gaelic Football All-Britain competition in Sudbury-on-Thames.
Students have trained very hard this term for the competition, with the majority of students having never played Gaelic football before.
All 3 of our teams faced very competitive leagues against schools entering from all over Britain Our Year 7 boys were in the plate quarter-final, very narrowly
conceding a goal in the last minute to be knocked out at 3-2. The Year 9 boys also got knocked out in the quarter-final, but both of these teams played up an age category and their resilience was a credit to them.
Our Year 7 and 8 girls team put in a great team performance and made it to the Shield final, winning 15-4! All students had a fantastic day and they should be very proud of all their hard work to get this far
Ms Kidd
Spotlight on staff professional development: From Mexico to Japan
By Lil Weetch
Walking across Hayle Beach in Cornwall, I realised I had never seen it in the September light Normally, I would already be back in the classroom teaching GCSE and A Level students Instead, I found myself caught between fierce winds, heavy rain, bursts of sunshine and sudden darkness. That ever-changing landscape marked the beginning of my sabbatical and the return to my own art practice.
I spent hours knee-deep in rock pools with my camera, completely absorbed by what I was seeing. Afterwards, soaked through, I drove to the nearest coffee shop to upload and review the photographs Looking through them, I felt something I hadn't experienced for a long time: the excitement of reconnecting with my own creativity For many years, I had happily poured that creative energy into the thousands of students I have taught This was the first time in a long while that I was making space for my own artistic voice.
I had just under a year to make the most of my sabbatical. I knew I wanted to travel to places I had never visited, deepen my understanding of art, experience different cultures and immerse myself in new landscapes. The photographs I made while driving from Penzance to Exmoor became the foundation of an application for an art residency in Mexico City To my joy, I was invited for an interview, where I spoke about my practice
At the heart of my work is the idea of using landscape to poetically explore the human condition I see strong parallels between the way landscapes are shaped over time by weather, erosion and change, and the way we, as people, are continually shaped by our experiences. We harden and soften, evolve and adapt, influenced by turbulence, environment and moments of calm.
A few weeks later, I received the news that I had been accepted. It was something I had never imagined possible, but applying taught me the importance of being brave enough to try. Suddenly, my journey to Mexico had a clear purpose I lived in a beautiful house just south of Mexico City alongside five other artists from America, Spain, Lithuania and France My bedroom was on the top floor, and every morning I simply walked downstairs into a large shared studio My routine became beautifully simple: coffee, studio clothes and straight to my workspace beside a window overlooking a lush garden.
For five weeks I experimented, wrote and made art every day. The residency gave me opportunities I never would have experienced otherwise: one-to-one mentoring with a renowned Mexican art critic, group critiques, gallery visits, conversations with practising artists and, perhaps most importantly, uninterrupted time to focus entirely on making work Researching local history, ancient mythology and the surrounding landscape became an endless source of inspiration
By the end of the residency, I had developed a new body of work titled Microscapes. During the final exhibition, attended by over 100 people, I presented my work and spoke publicly about my practice. I was subsequently invited to exhibit again in Mexico and to participate in an art fair. The encouragement and generosity of the artistic community there was incredibly validating and gave me the confidence to believe that this path was possible
Once the residency had finished, I continued travelling through Mexico, making lifelong friendships and building new artistic connections One particular highlight was spending time with a family in San Cristóbal de las Casas, where I helped renovate part of their home and supported them in developing their business into an Airbnb, while also learning Spanish and experiencing daily family life. From there I travelled to Namibia, where I completed a two-week road trip with close friends through some of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen India followed, where I visited the Kochi Biennale and spent time with friends in Bengaluru, before continuing to Japan
While flying from India to Japan, I was anxiously waiting to hear back about another residency application, this time on the southern island of Kyushu As soon as I landed in Tokyo and connected to the airport Wi-Fi, I opened my emails to find I had been accepted The work I had produced in Mexico, alongside a letter of recommendation from the residency, had given me the confidence to apply for new opportunities. My cousin, who lives in Tokyo, had been expecting me to stay with him for several months, so I had to apologise and explain that I would be leaving for Kyushu the very next day!
After three train journeys, I arrived in Takeo Onsen, a peaceful town surrounded by green hills, ancient trees and wonderful cafés For another five weeks I lived in a traditional Japanese house with four artists from Korea, Canada, America and Mexico Each morning I cycled through quiet streets to my studio, a journey that became one of my favourite parts of the day
During this residency I created a new body of work titled Face Forward Working with traditional Japanese washi paper and handmade canvas, I combined visual work with poetry while researching local history, ceremony and mythology, particularly the ways nature is woven into Japanese cultural traditions. Following the residency, I spent several weeks in Kirishima National Park, fully immersed in forests, volcanic landscapes and nature before returning to England.
Looking back, this year has given me far more than I could have imagined It has strengthened my confidence, challenged me creatively and expanded my understanding of contemporary art practice It has also enriched the subject knowledge and experiences that I can now bring back into the classroom
The journey has not ended there. I am currently planning an exhibition for October, and I have already shared my experiences with the HCA Art group, speaking about art residencies and the importance of nurturing your own creative practice.
One exciting outcome is that next summer we will be holding a teachers' art exhibition at Harrow Arts Centre I hope many of you will be able to come along, and I look forward to sharing the work with you
Ms Weetch
Student Wellbeing
Remember, there is always someone at school that students can reach out to.
Students can access the Student Wellbeing Page using their Google Account. A reminder that if parents/ carers need any support, you can access a range of resources on our school website
Moving to Secondary School
The Moving to Secondary School Workshop is designed for parents/carers and young people who are preparing for the transition to secondary school, providing a welcoming space to explore emotions, worries and questions about this important change.
Families can find out more about the Harrow MHST service here: Mental Health Support Team in schools (MHST)
Local Summer
The Great British Scheme
Attraction Finder
Rising prices can make life's little treats harder to afford, especially during the school holidays when costs build up for families This Government is determined to help, and that is why last month the Chancellor announced the Great British Summer Savings scheme
From 25 June to 1 September 2026, the Government is temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children's meals in restaurants, children and family tickets to cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to a wide range of attractions. Combined with free bus travel during August for children aged 5 to 15 in England, families and young people will be able to enjoy experiences that make summer special, including visits to the kinds of cultural and educational attractions that enrich children's lives outside the classroom.
This forms part of a broader effort by the Government to ease financial pressures on families. From ending the twochild limit and expanding free school meals, to rolling out free breakfast clubs and delivering 30 hours of free childcare, this Government is taking action to put more money back into parents’ pockets and give every child the best possible start in life
As part of this campaign, an attraction finder website has been launched, which allows families to type in their postcode and find participating venues near them to make the most of summer savings. To use the attraction finder, please visit https://summersavings.gov.uk
Businesses can find out more about the VAT reduction by visiting GOV.UK and searching 'Temporary reduced rate of VAT for family attractions'.
With many families facing increased financial pressure over the summer holidays, we'd like to highlight a nationwide initiative that could provide immediate support in your local community. We're delighted to let you know that throughout the summer holidays, families can access free Kellogg's breakfasts in all Morrisons Cafes everyday.
‘Breakfast Clubs’ are back to help kids and grown-ups enjoy a free Kellogg’s breakfast during the summer holidays at all Morrisons Cafés nationwide.
Morrisons and Kellogg’s have announced the return of their school holiday ‘Breakfast Clubs’, offering free meals to families across the UK to help ease the financial pressure over the summer holidays Families visiting their local Morrisons Café throughout the summer holidays can enjoy a free ‘Kellogg’s Breakfast’, which includes a bowl of cereal and a portion of fruit. The best part, it’s not just for kids, adults get to eat completely free too. Both kids and adults can choose from much-loved favourites Corn Flakes or Rice Krispies, topped with their choice of dairy or non-dairy milk and a free apple or banana The summer holiday offer will be available from 29th June to 6th September across all Morrisons Cafes nationwide.
By reopening the ‘Breakfast Clubs’ across the school summer holidays, when term-time clubs do not run, Morrisons and Kellogg’s are providing families with a welcoming space to enjoy a balanced breakfast together, helping to ease financial strain and rumbling tummies, while a trip to the local supermarket will help keep kids entertained.
Nower Hill High School is proud to offer many facilities for hire to the local community, clubs and organisations at an affordable price.
For further information on our School Facilities, including availability, please visit:
School Hire
Did you know that you Nower Hill High School is registered with easyfundraising? which means you can raise FREE donations for the school every time you shop online Over 7,000 brands will donate to Nower Hill when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to you.
These donations really mount up and make a big difference to the school, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us It’s completely free and only takes a moment You can find our easyfundraising page at: https://www easyfundraising org uk/causes/nowerhillhs/
