From The Headteacher
Dear Parents and Carers
This half term has flown by, and it has been another incredibly busy and rewarding time at Nower Hill Our students have thrown themselves into a huge variety of opportunities with enthusiasm and energy, and we are delighted to share many of these moments with you in this edition
From budding entrepreneurs taking part in the Tenner Challenge, to Year 10s gaining invaluable insight during their work experience placements, there has been a real buzz around the school. House competitions, trips and visits have added even more vibrancy to the term, giving students the chance to explore, challenge themselves, and work together in new ways.
Meanwhile, our Year 11 and 13 students have made a strong start to their public examinations They have approached this important period with maturity, dedication, and determination We are incredibly
proud of how hard they have worked in their revision and preparation, and we wish them all the very best as they continue with their exams. Both year groups have left a very positive legacy at Nower Hill We had lots of fun on their last day through their leavers assemblies and we look forward to more celebrations with many of them at their prom events.
As ever, thank you for your continued support. We hope you enjoy reading about everything the students have achieved this half term and that you have a restful and enjoyable break
Jo Skelhorne
Headteacher Nower Hill High School
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 2025
26th - 30th Half term
June 2025
2nd June Staff Planning day (school closed for students)
20th June Year 11 Prom
23rd June Year 8 HPV Vaccines
26th June Cultural Dress Day
STUDENT LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS 2025 - 26
Following a rigorous selection process which involved completing an application, delivering a hustings speech and attending an interview, a brand new Senior Student Leadership Team has been appointed to take over with immediate effect This process has been brought forward in the year to ensure a seamless handover takes place and that continuity is maintained. All applicants are to be congratulated for their efforts and for making the whole selection process so very difficult, such was the quality of their applications.
All of our Senior Student Leaders, led by our two Head Students, will continue the work of their predecessors and will continuing to reinvigorate Nower Hill’s sense of community. Visible throughout the school, they will act as role models, provide support and guidance to younger years and generally ensure that the school ethos of “service not self” is upheld.
We are also delighted to announce our Year 11 Head Prefect team for 2025-26, who were successfully appointed after a challenging selection process and interview Our two Head Prefects will be supported by four Deputy Head Prefects, in addition to a team of 115 Year 11 Prefects and 130 Key Stage 4 Faculty Prefects
Mr Bremner
Head Students
Sofia
Dominic
Aisha
Sam
Deputy Head Students (Communications)
STUDENT
Head Prefects
Deputy Head Prefects
Heads of Houses
BANNISTER - Diya FRANKLIN - Hassan GANDHI - Lisa
KING - Zoha
NIGHTINGALE - Sara SHABAZZ - Nicole
Gracie Shiven
Aimee
Zayne Nya Wren
NOWER HILL HOUSE & COUNCIL NEWS
Nower Hill House System
As we move towards the final halfterm of the 2024-25 House competition, King House continues to lead the way in our overall achievement point competition, with Franklin close behind them. At the bottom, Nightingale has climbed above Bannister, while Gandhi is pushing for a place on the podium as they close in on Shabazz in third place. Three House competitions remain next term with students able to win points in the Maths Bee relay, House MasterChef and our Computing competition and we end the Year with all students representing their Houses at Sports Day in July!
Nower Hill School Council
The School Council has continued its important work at the heart of Nower Hill High School. This term, students from all Year groups reflected on what Nower Hill does to make it one of the ‘happiest secondary schools in the country’ and the happiest secondary school in Harrow (The Times Newspaper, March 2025) and to refine our plans for this year’s Diversity and Culture Week, which will take place in June. We look forward to putting students’ great ideas into action!
Mr Bremner
NOWER HILL NEWS
Jack Petchey Winners
Congratulations to our first Jack Petchey Award winners of 2025 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 receive certificates from Ms Skelhorne, are invited to an awards ceremony with the Mayor of Harrow and receive £300 to spend on school projects. We're incredibly proud of our winners; Sabiha 7BN (pictured), Arian 8KN, Leo 8SH (pictured), Nikhil 9NN, Savana 9SH (pictured) and Vicent 10KH (pictured).
Mr Bremner
Reading List Foundation Scholarship
We are delighted to announce that Racheyah, our Year 13 School Poet Laureate, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Reading List Foundation, recognising her academic dedication and potential. As part of this award, she has received a £275 voucher for Blackwell’s Bookshop, which she can use to purchase essential books for undergraduate study.
Ms Azam
6th FORM CHARITY NEWS
During the Spring term, each 6th Form Tutor Group planned and ran their own fundraising initiative in aid of their designated House charity. The money raised by each Form was then combined to form an overall House total. These fun events give students a chance to raise money for a good cause, at the same time as helping them to develop project management and teamworking skills. Events which took place included: Valentine’s Day roses, bracelet making, sponge the teacher, sponsored run, beat the keeper, ‘Ironman’ challenge, various bake sales, guess the sweets in the jar, charity football match, key-ring sale day, Mother’s Day sale, school production refreshments and a table tennis tournament.
King was the final winning house raising £756 across three events, with Gandhi and Nightingale very close behind raising £688 and £672 respectively
An amazing £2,753 was raised overall by the 6th Form which is a phenomenal achievement Well done to all the forms for taking part and making a difference.
6th Form Team
NOWER HILL MASTERCHEF
Do you have what it takes to be the next Nower Hill MasterChef?
Open to: Years 7 to 10
Criteria: Your dish must be a cultural dish that can be prepared and cooked within 1 hour It should have no more than 10 ingredients
Please provide a copy of the recipe with a photo of the dish attached to Miss Kennedy (T5) or Ms Wightman by Tuesday 17th June (T3)
A winning recipe will be selected from each house and students will be invited to cook their dish in a MasterChef competition! The winning entry will receive a prize and their recipe will be added to the Year 8 workbook as a lesson!
Ms Kennedy
GOOD LUCK YEAR 13!
After two years of 6th Form and seven years at Nower Hill for most students, Friday 9th May was the final school day for Year 13 It was a wonderful celebration, full of positivity and appreciation As you can see in the photograph there were some wonderful costumes on show. A massive well done to all the students who worked so hard to put a wonderful assembly together. It was incredibly memorable and brilliantly organised
We are very proud of all our Year 13 students, for all their achievements so far and those yet to come. We wish them all good luck with their exams and everything beyond
Ms Azam
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
A huge thank you to parents/carers for your support during our Year 10 Work Experience week. Your involvement made a real difference, and it was greatly appreciated
Year 10 thoroughly enjoyed stepping into the world of work, gaining first-hand experience and applying the skills they've learned at school in a professional setting
The photos featured below include one of our students working at an Estate Agency in Central London, another gaining hands-on experience on a Farm, and one exploring the technology industry at an IT company.
Feedback from employers about Year 10 has been overwhelmingly positive. They spoke highly of their punctuality/attendance, confidence, politeness, and eagerness to learn. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional character and capability of our students, and we are proud of their achievements.
Year 12 Work Experience
Our Year 12 students will be going on work experience from 23rd-27th June, and we are still in need of placements for several students If you, or anyone you know, are employers in any field who have employer liability insurance for 18-year-olds and would be willing to support us, we would greatly appreciate your help. Work Experience is a valuable opportunity for our students, especially for their UCAS and Apprenticeship applications We are eager for them to gain this experience and not miss out on such an important step in their next stage. If you are able to assist, please contact Mrs. Doshi at careers@nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk. Thank you for your consideration and support.
Ms Ward
NHS CADETS
On Monday 28th April, a training charity; Casualties Union, attended Nower Hill to give some Free First Aid training to our cadets. The training included realistic situations requiring immediate First Aid
The NHS Cadets who attended really enjoyed the session which it brought together many of the skills they have learnt to date.
Ms Gurhy
YEAR 7 - DIVERSITY IN MATHS
Celebrating International Women’s Day
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our Spring term Diversity in Maths task was to make a poster about a famous female mathematician. Well done to (clockwise from top left): Dylan 7KN, Smaran 7BH, (unknown artist), Gonçalo 7NN, Tiberius 7FH
Ms O’Shea
Dylan 7KN
(unknown artist)
Smaran 7BH
Gonçalo 7NN
Tiberius 7FH
YEAR 9 - CORE PRE
Year 9 Core PRE students have been investigating different worldviews and perspectives, students were tasked with creating a project on a worldview they have not researched before, below are some examples of homework presentations
Ms By Rania
Alhenzy and Yasmin Rahman
By Siena Shah, Melina
Joseph-Patel, Alana Willans
By Gazel Sveindik
By Scarlett McNab and Oviya Yanasegaran
YEAR 12 A LEVEL LITERATURE
Henrik Ibsen's play ‘Ghosts’ at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
On Wednesday 30th April, Ms Halpin took 11 of her Year 12 A level Literature class to see Henrik Ibsen's play ‘Ghosts’ at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
Students are studying Ibsen's ‘A Doll's House’ as part of the Poetry and Drama pre-1900 component, and ‘Ghosts’ has many of the same themes and concerns as their set text
A modern and powerful retelling, ‘Ghosts’ proved to be full of taboos, dark jokes, secrets and twist plots that had our students on the edge of their seats
The production went on to generate much debate and discussion outside the theatre and into the classroom in our next lesson! Highly recommended by all
Ms Halpin
2025 SKI TRIP
Nower Hill has restarted the Ski Trip in fabulous fashion. The ski trip during the Easter break was a roaring success with great snow, great views but most importantly an absolutely fantastic set of 40 students We look forward to taking more students to the Alps in 2026!
Mr Kilroy
GREECE TRIP
The Classics Department took 40 students to Greece over the Easter holidays to learn more about the mythology and history of the ancient Greeks. Walking through the classical sites they were able to experience first hand the places where the ancient Greeks lived, worshipped and organised their communities. Through interacting with the buildings and artefacts in their original setting, the students gained a deeper understanding of the mythology and history that still holds fascination and relevance for the modern reader, and a greater appreciation for the art and architecture that continues to influence our visual environment.
Highlights included exploring the Parthenon in Athens, a running race at Olympia; the home of the Olympic games, and walking through the ancient Mycenaean cities of Mycenae and Tyrins, enclosed in such large walls that they were thought to be built by giants or gods. We had the rare opportunity to visit the temple of Apollo at Bassae, hidden away in the mountains at the end of winding road, and retraced the steps of Ancient pilgrims in the sanctuaries of Epidaurus and Delphi. The students also enjoyed some downtime on the beach at Tolo. The students represented Nower Hill really well, through their engagement with amazing classical sites we visited and through the positive and supportive relationships with each other.
Mr Johnson
THE TENNER CHALLENGE
A Business Adventure for Young Entrepreneurs
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to turn £10 seed money into a profit within 4 weeks! Sounds interesting? Well, in that case, the Tenner Challenge is for you! From planning and budgeting to marketing and sales, you will learn and experience real-world business challenges while developing creativity, teamwork & resilience
From Idea to Profit: The Journey
At the start of the challenge, our team (Citrus Splash) brainstormed ideas and came up with a viable business proposition. Which product would have the most demand, the lowest cost basis and the highest profit margin? After assessing our options, we settled on a product range that we knew would be popular within our school community. With a tight budget, we sourced materials at the lowest cost whilst ensuring our customers would be provided with quality products.
Then came the real test – executing our strategy! Setting up our sales stall and marketing our product was both nerve-wracking but also exciting. Did we make the right product choice? Did we set the right price point? Would we be able to compete with the other teams? We were overwhelmed with the initial interest in our products, and as word-of-mouth spread, demand skyrocketed, calling for the need to restock multiple times! Other teams such as Apollos, Milaina’s Tuck Shop and others also ended up making a significant profit (with a portion of the earnings going to charity), which proves that in the end, smart thinking and determination can turn a small investment into a profit!
Real-World Skills for Success
The Tenner Challenge wasn’t just about making money – it taught us skills that would benefit us for life. Money management became second nature as we tracked expenses and profits, ensuring we didn’t overspend. Communication also played a huge role in drawing in customers, as we learned how to effectively market our products so that we would get repeat customers. We even developed our problem-solving abilities, thinking fast when challenges arose – such as when we sold out quickly and had to restock at short notice to preserve customer satisfaction and make more sales.
These skills aren’t just useful for business – they apply in the real world too! Employers value qualities such as the ability to take initiative and collaborate effectively, and the Tenner Challenge gave us a head start in developing them Most importantly, it taught us that as well as trying to make a profit in business, we also had to be organised, determined, and resourceful in order to make it a success
EARTH DAY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS
The Geography Department ran a photography competition this half-term for Earth Day 2025. The brief was to take a photo of something in the natural environment that you admire and want to protect.
We loved seeing students' creative and thoughtful photographs. Our winner was Cynthia in Year 9 for her photo of a family of coots in Headstone Manor Park, followed by our runners up; Disha in Year 7 and Safia and Jian in Year 9. Thank you to everyone who entered!
Ms Devlin
I took this picture at the duck pond outside Headstone Manor Museum. Many different wildlife live there and the surrounding areas including birds, swans, and obviously, ducks. This is a family of coots living in the pond. There are four chicks who have recently hatched and their parents have worked tirelessly to find food, build their nest, and chase off other ducks. I want to protect them because watching a parent bird care for its young is a powerful reminder for me of connection, care, and the beauty of life.
Runners up
Cynthia Chang 9BH
Dockey Wood bluebells
By Disha Haria Year 7
Resilient cherry blossom
By Safia Valiji Year 9
Hidden hedgehog
By Jian Onwukwe Year 9
Winner: Cynthia Chang 9BH
Berlioz' Symphony Fantastique
MUSIC NEWS
On Wednesday 21st May, Mrs Johnson and some music students went to see Berlioz' Symphony Fantastique, part of the LSO's Half Six Fix with Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra It was both a fantastically informative and enjoyable concert and the students had a great time learning more about this important Symphony
Ms Johnson
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
On Wednesday 14th May, Year 10 GCSE Music students attended a composition workshop run by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The workshop was led by composer James Redwood and professional musicians from the Orchestra. Students focussed on how to write a good melody and how to develop their musical ideas
Throughout the workshop, students worked collaboratively to compose an original song which they performed to the Music Department. Well done to all those who took part.
Mr Roberts
SPORTS NEWS
Harrow Schools Athletics competition
Our school athletes made us proud once again at this year’s Harrow Athletics Competition, held on Tuesday 6th May at Harrow School.
Competing against the other schools in the borough, our team delivered outstanding performances across a range of track and field events, showcasing talent, determination, and sportsmanship Highlights included first-place victories for Alexandra, Stefan, Iyla, and Aly.
Miss Kidd, Mr Gallop, Mr Simmonette
England Netball session
On Wednesday 7th May, students from netball teams in Years 7,8 & 9 had the opportunity to take part in a session with a member of England Netball. Sophie Pardoe, led the girls in various activities focusing on key skills of attacking and defending before ending with a chaotic group game of netball!
Not only did the girls have a great time, but it also enabled them to get to know and play alongside students from different year groups - an all round great afternoon!
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Sophie from England Netball for giving up her time and sharing this session with us.
Miss Genower, Miss Legister , Miss Sheppard Gymnastics competition
Gymnasts from Years 7, 8 and 9 put on an impressive display at the Harrow Borough Gymnastics competition on Wednesday 23rd April, showcasing creativity and skill as they created and performed their own floor routines and tackled the vault.
Both teams made the school proud, with the core team earning an impressive third place and the advanced team taking home first overall! Special congratulations to Ava for achieving the highest vault of the day, Lily for placing third in the individual advanced category, and Jian for winning the overall boy award. A fantastic day of talent and hardwork!
Well done to: Myla, Ava, Eyimofe, Jazmyn, Jess, Mia, Soufia, Megan, Eleanor, Ines, Melody, Lily, Lyla, and Jian!
Kidd
Miss
WHAT IS VE DAY?
8th May 1945
Victory in Europe Day marks the official end of World War Two in Europe This year marks 80 years since VE Day.
• Germany surrendered on 7 May 1945, ending nearly six years of war in Europe.
• 8 May became Victory in Europe (VE) Day, with celebrations across the UK and Europe.
• People felt relief and joy that the war in Europe was over, even though many had lost loved ones.
• Millions took to the streets to cheer, dance, and sing.
• King George VI gave a radio speech and Winston Churchill spoke to large crowds in London.
• VE Day is now remembered each year as a symbol of peace and freedom.
• More info: BBC Teach – What is VE Day?/ Who Were The Women In The Trafalgar Square Fountains On VE Day?/ 10 photos of VE day celebrations
VE Day reminds us:
• War affects everyone – not just soldiers, but families, children, and communities.
Why Does VE Day Still Matter?
• The cost of peace – millions lost their lives in World War Two.
• The importance of remembrance and unity –learning from the past to build a better future.
Ms Chaudhry
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
INFORMATION
Hire our Facilities
Looking for a venue for your function?
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 any of our facilities, including availability, please email: lettings@nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk
Work Experience
YEAR 12
Are you able to offer one of our 6th Form students a work placement?
Our Year 12 students will be going on work experience from 23rd-27th June, and we are still in need of placements for several students. If you, or anyone you know, are employers in any field who have employer liability insurance for 18-year-olds and would be willing to support us, we would greatly appreciate your help.
Work Experience is a valuable opportunity for our students, especially for their UCAS and Apprenticeship applications. We are eager for them to gain this experience and not miss out on such an important step in their next stage. If you are able to assist, please contact Mrs. Doshi at careers@nowerhill.harrow.sch.uk Thank you for your consideration and support.
Ms Ward
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/