h&f buzz (September 2011)

SUMMER IN THE CIcTTYis

Shakespeare classi d done H&F-style – anes other fun challeng

www.lbhf.gov.uk

RIOTS

YOUR VIEWS...

PAGE 8

PAGES 10 & 52-53

Issue 1  September 2011

YOU DID ELIT! RECORD A LEV & GCSE RESULTS

PAGES 25-37

CHILD S PLAY  Face painting? Hula hoops? Yes, and much more to provide fun for families in the borough

ALL was bright and beautiful as four-year-old Molly Newman-Richard got into the spirit of things at a party to bring some summer fun.

Face painting and hula hoops were the order of the day as children enjoyed events at the Masbro Centre in West Kensington and Randolph Beresford in White City.

Buzz sent photographers down to the centres to capture images of the activities – and we have a picture special to showcase it all.

FOR OUR SUPER SUMMER PLAY FEATURE SEE PAGES 4-5>>

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BUZZ 9.2011

WELCOME TO

 Meet your Youth Member of Parliament Chikira – and find out how you can take over the council for a day!

SEE PAGE 6>>  Bentworth Primary delighted as makeover spruces up their school SEE PAGE 12>>

Issue 1  September 2011

edition of the  Welcome to the first nts, children new magazine for pare F! and young people in H&  The magazine is cil produced by H&F Coun with the help of local young people. Guest reporters and editor are listed below  If you have a child in Year 6, don’t forget it’s time to apply for a secondary school place – see school open days info on page 24>> EDITORIAL Editor Geoff Cowart 020 8753 7965 geoff.cowart@lbhf.gov.uk Sub editor Tom Derbyshire ADVERTISING SALES Sarah Baker 07990 826015 John Naylor 07768 440987 Sarah Harrison 07971 699301 DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES 020 8440 0400 bev@letterboxdistribution. com POSTAL ADDRESS h&f buzz, Room 39, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, London W6 9JU DISCLAIMER The publisher does not accept responsibility for the content of advertisements or any event listings. Their inclusion does not mean that the publisher endorses the company, product advertised or event organisers. h&f buzz is brought to you by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

Visit: www.lbhf.gov.uk

Printed on recycled paper

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PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT: Copies of h&f buzz are distributed across the borough. If you have a query about distribution, call 020 8440 0400

 Want to get fit? Our young Buzz reporters provide plenty of tips to stay in shape or build up your body SEE PAGE 17>>  Three new schools have opened in the borough – we sent Buzz photographers along for the first days SEE PAGES 18-19>>  Volunteering – a brilliant way to meet people, help others and gain work experience, as our Buzz reporter reveals SEE PAGE 39>>

 Buzz biz: children’s clothes store’s 25th birthday and mum’s ingenious scooter invention SEE PAGES 22 AND 51>>

vertise,  If you would like to adbelow left our numbers are listed m H&F who  Any young people frolism or are interested in journa want to write photography, or simply portant to about things that are imn contact them in the borough, cat.gov.uk us at youth_involvemen or call 020 8753 6232 a  Help us to make Buzz must-read for H&F!

H&F Buzz young reporters>> Chikira Smith-Richards Jodie Yanez Fathiya Sheikh Merhawit Ghebte Hajar Serroukh

Liberty Vaz Townsend Hanaa Foura Rifa Khatun Mohamad Altamash

Guest editor Darnell Christie

BUZZ 9.2011

JOG YOUR MIND (From left) Ravenscourt Park, where Michaela Ashford is pictured enjoying an ice cream, and Bishop’s Park, have been named as two of the best free places

Free and ideal for families ď ľ Ravenscourt Park and Bishop’s Park hailed as among best free places to go in the city by online ratings survey run for mums MOTHERS from across the capital have named Ravenscourt Park and Bishop’s Park as two of the best free places to go in London.

Both parks came top in a poll by online parenting organisation Netmums which asked mothers to nominate their favourite places to take their children.

Ravenscourt Park in Hammersmith is already an award-winning park having been given Green Flag status from

the Keep Britain Tidy Group for the last two years.

The park boasts a hugely popular natural play area featuring climbing areas and slides, a nature area, tennis courts, a cafe with reasonable priced healthy foods, a dog-free picnic area overlooking a pond and interesting birdlife. Ravenscourt Park also plays host to the annual Playday extravaganza.

Bishop’s Park in Fulham will be even more popular with families when its urban beach opens to the public shortly.

The beach forms part of an £8million project to improve Bishop’s Park and the adjoining grounds of Fulham Palace.

The council has received ÂŁ3.65m from

the Heritage Lottery Fund to help pay for the project.

The park also features a natural play area and was recently named one of the capital’s safest parks by the Mayor of London.

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This borough has some of the most beautiful and family-friendly parks and open spaces in London and I am delighted that Ravenscourt Park and Bishop’s Park have won these awards. “They are particularly special as they are ‘mum’s choice’ awards and recognise what great places both parks are for families to visit.�

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BUZZ

SMIL Left, Joel ES: below left Bovell; Mittra; righShivon Brade an t, Macy Salha; belod Elora Djordje B w right, Jeremy Alvakarik and Randolph arez, all at Beresford

RANDOLPH BERESFORD

fun in CHILDREN’S CENTRES>>

the sun 4

PLAYTIME: Pictured at Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre from left, Brandon Sanchez-Gomez; Shaniyha-h Simpson, Elisa Dyer, and Shenice Dyer; and above, Oliver Daley

PICTURES BY KEVIN POOLMAN

BUZZ

HULA HOOPS: Masbro Family Summer Party pictured from left, Tyanna Ojuederie, 6; Sapphire Zephar, 11 months; and Nareng Mirali, 8

CHILDREN’S CENTRES: LATEST UPDATE>>

MASBRO CENTRE

UP IN THE AIR: Ava Barnden (above); and (from left) Asal Mirali, Abhia Ahmed, Shazori Ahmed and Lina Adhana are forever blowing bubbles PICTURES

BY JUSTIN THOMAS

FOLLOWING a major public consultation on the future of children’s centres in Hammersmith & Fulham in February, the council announced in April plans to increase the number of centres from 15 to 16.

The way the centres are managed has been reorganised in order to prioritise services for the most vulnerable families while continuing to deliver a universal offer.

Find out what is on offer at each centre online at www.lbhf. gov.uk/childrenscentres.

For any further inquiries about children’s centres, contact the Family Information Service on 0845 313 3933 or email fis@lbhf.gov.uk.  Ray’s Playhouse Ltd, 247 Stephendale Road, SW6 2PR. Tel: 0207 020 7371.  Fulham Central, Tudor Rose Community Centre, Shottendane Road, SW6 5TJ. Tel: 07525 701 778.  Fulham Palace, Palace Playground, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6ES. Tel: 07525 701 778.  Old Oak, 76 Braybrook Street, W12 0AP. Tel: 020 8740 8008.  Randolph Beresford, Australia Road, W12 7PH. Tel: 020 8743 7339.  Shepherds Bush, 58a Bulwer Street, W12 8AP. Tel: 020 8749 2371.  Cathnor Park, 1 Melina Road, W12 9HY. Tel: 020 8743 8196.  Masbro, 87 Masbro Road, W14 0LR. Tel: 020 7605 0800.  Avonmore, Baron’s Court library, North End Crescent, W14 8TG. Tel: 020 7605 0800.  Normand Croft, Bramber Road, W14 9PA. Tel: 07525 701 778.  Flora Gardens, Dalling Road, W6 0UD. Tel: 020 8741 7892.  Masbro Brook Green, 49 Brook Green, W6 7BJ. Tel: 020 7605 0800.  Bayonne, 50 Paynes Walk, W6 8PF. Tel: 07525 701 778.  Melcombe, Fulham Palace Road, W6 9ER. Tel: 020 8748 2939.  New Kings, New Kings Road, SW6 4LY.  Wendell Park, Cobbold Road, W12 9LB.

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BUZZ 9.2011

H&F elected me ‒ now I ll do my best to support you

By Chikira Smith-Richards, 16

 Whether you have got an issue you would like to raise, give an idea or simply want to make your view known, here is the chance HELLO everyone. My name is Chikira and I am the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Hammersmith & Fulham.

Elections were held in February this year and after more than 2,800 young people across the borough voted I was elected MYP with 1,027 votes.

For those of you who are unaware, UK Youth parliament (UKYP) is made up of young people aged 11-18 from across the UK who have been elected to represent the views of young people in their boroughs and campaign on issues that affect them.

In the London region we have meetings almost every month where we have borough updates and work on our campaign issues together as well as any upcoming events.

The campaign I am focusing on is keeping young people safe, so I am working with the Borough Youth Forum to make a teaching resource with safety tips for young people.

Once a year, all MYPs from across the UK meet up at the weekend annual sitting, which was held at Leeds University this July.

We created and voted on our manifesto for the year, took part in a number of workshops where I picked up lots of useful skills and campaigning tips and we started to prepare for the House of Commons debate on November 4.

We (MYPs) are the only other group of people apart from MPs that have been allowed to debate in the Commons – so it’s very exciting!

As a sign of respect to a group of young people with similar aims and aspirations as us, UKYP held a minute’s silence for the young people murdered in Norway.  If you want to find out more see www. ukyp.org.uk or if you have any ideas or anything you want to say email Chikira at youth_involvement@lbhf.gov.uk

SITTING COMFORTABLY: Chikira Smith-Richards is your Youth Parliament PICTURE BY JUSTIN THOMAS member for Hammersmith & Fulham

Want to take over the council for a day? Read on...

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IT’S takeover time...

On National Youth Take Over Day Hammersmith & Fulham Council will be co-ordinating lots of activities so young people can experience the workings of the council and the processes behind decisions that affect you as residents, work alongside the professionals, try out different jobs and take on challenges.

Youth Take Over Day is open to young people aged 13-19 who live or

go to school in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Roles to be ‘taken over’ include the director of children’s services, a cabinet member, senior talent consultant, events planners, youth commissioners and lots more.

Challenges include: planning and hosting the Youth Take Over Day cel-

ebration event, writing for Your Fulham Magazine and H&F’s Buzz newspaper, helping to transform the way the council does business and plans the youth service and activities.

Look out for more application forms at your schools shortly or email youth_involvement@lbhf.gov.uk for more details. See www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover_day

YOUTH TAKE OVER DAY

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BUZZ 9.2011

Why did the riots happen?  Mohamad Altamash, 18, takes a look, asking young people in the borough what they think the causes were, and revealing the disgust they felt for the destruction THEFTS, vandalism, violence and murder gripped the nation’s attention last month in what were to become the biggest riots for 40 years. But what started it all? And who is to blame?

It seems the finger is being pointed so eagerly towards my own generation, which begs the questions ‘how well do you really know us?’ and ‘what is really our true face’?

I believe I speak for the majority of young people when I say we do not endorse these acts of violence and destruction at all, and on the contrary we are disgusted, enraged and extremely upset.

The press has failed to articulate that it is only a minority of young people that took leave of their senses.

This can be backed up by a statement issued by Hammersmith & Fulham police, who say: “It is clear from the messages of support and encouragement that police officers have received while patrolling the borough that we (police force) can be very proud of the collective youth value-set and mind-set that exists here.

“The minority that wish to sit outside of mainstream society values will not find their views entertained by the majority peer group who aspire for better things for themselves and their families.”

Police reports also confirm that ‘when examining the make-up of this minority of perpetrators it can be seen that of the 2,000+ arrested thus far, juveniles account for approximately 20 per cent, i.e. one out of every five, although arrests are ongoing and these figures may change.”

However, despite it being a minority of young people, there is no denying that some were in fact involved, and we must examine why.

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MINDLESS MANY young people simply feel that these actions were just mindless looting.

Melonie Philips, 18, says: “I do think this attitude came a little from our materialistic society. We are constantly told that we ‘need’ particular possessions and I think this obsession with material goods was a huge cause.”

YOUR VIEW: Buzz reporter Mohamad (left) has asked young people in the borough what they think caused the riots

MORE FROM BUZZ YOUNG REPORTERS>> How healthy are you?

SEE PAGE 16 Money-saving ideas SEE PAGE 42 But some young people think the causes were somewhat deeper rooted. Nat, 18, feels that the riots were ‘a manifestation of working class contempt for the political system and society’.

Lishan, 17, says: “The poorer people only want to have what the bankers and the lawyers have. And it’s not as easy as telling them to ‘work harder’ or displaying that attitude of ‘if I can do it, so can you’, because hundreds of kids were written off before they even had the chance to compete.”

Many young people share similar views. Regardless of that, young people as a whole don’t support these riots at all. Many feel that it was disgusting and heartless.

People’s homes and family businesses were destroyed.

PEACEFUL BUT previous peaceful protests led to the conclusion of ‘we might debate it in the House of Commons…’ Who wants that when you have been excluded by society?

And, indeed, the government finally appears to have started to listen.

Many politicians said young people were ‘burning down their own communities’, yet (as Lishan explains): “They fail to realise that young people don’t feel part of that community and if they don’t feel like a part of it, and they don’t care about it, why should it matter to them if they burn it down?”

It is easy to discover a lot of hatred for law enforcers. A 17-yearold, who doesn’t wish to be named, simply stated: “I hate the police. Why

do I hate the police? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I have been stopped twice for no reason and aggressively taken in for questioning when I refused to let them search me.”

We are not aiming to point fingers in this article, and from reports from the police it is apparent they have been doing a lot of work to bridge this gap.

H&F police said: “Officers have been heavily involved in the summer holiday activities with volunteer police cadets, local schools and sports clubs in order to engage with the young p e o p l e of H&F. They find positive peer role models in every corner of the borough

and can count many young people who are these positive role models to others.”

AMAZING THERE is no doubt there are many organisations such as the police cadets, young advisers, Arrival Education and many more that do amazing work with young people, yet they need to be more accessible.

There is also no doubt the majority of young people are doing amazing things with their lives, yet the riots did happen and for it to have gone as far as it did, as Hajar (a H&F young adviser) says: “Something must have gone fundamentally wrong in the morality and their sense and attitude towards society.”

Every young person has a story and they yearn for it to be heard. The causes for taking part in the riots are almost limitless. It cannot just be bad parenting, or lack of education, or opportunism… but may be something totally different, or a combination.

We must work together, young and old, children and parents, people and politicians, to hear these stories, to get to the bottom of these issues and to move forward in creating a better, fairer society.

TRUST: Can police do more to work with young people?

MORE FROM BUZZ YOUNG REPORTERS>> Why you should volun teer SEE PAGE 38 We interview rising ne w band Cover Drive SEE PAGE 56

Adult learning and skills service

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Courses include: t Sew your own clothes t ICT t Play and learn – improve your English t Digital families (ICT) t Fun with literacy and numeracy t Salsa t Maths – keep up with the children t Making story sacks (sewing) t Learn to use Facebook Family learning classes take place in H&F schools, community and children’s centres, and give you the chance to learn in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. For more information call 0845 839 7912 or email ozge.altunsoy@lbhf.gov.uk

BUZZ 9.2011

Dream drama gives stage to Lyric summer students  Interpretation of Shakespeare sets scene for an urban theatre project in heart of Hammersmith, as Geoff Cowart reports

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THE Lyric theatre in Hammersmith offered would-be thespians the chance to create a full-scale play in one week during the summer holidays.

The Dream project, funded by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, saw the young people aged 11-19 re-tell one of the most famous stories ever written and turn it on its head.

Using the starting point of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the youngsters set about creating a new production with the emphasis on an urban setting to recreate the magic of the story.

In August, the young people – who learned of the Lyric’s stage challenge through this year’s Summer in the City guide to events – gathered at Phoenix High School in The Curve, Shepherds Bush, to design the costumes and sets, run the lines, make the music and learn all about putting on a professional production from the experts at the Lyric.

But have they enjoyed it? According to 14-yearold Kyree, the answer is yes. She said: “The play has given us the chance to have a spotlight and the opportunity to shine.” Thembisa, 14, said: “It’s kept us occupied.

It’s fun and I have made new friends.”

And 12-year-old Katherine said: “It has been fun, exciting and different from what I would usually do over the summer.”

Other Summer in the City events included QPR football camp in Ravenscourt Park and the Rolling Sound multimedia course at the Fatima Community Centre in White City – see pages 52-53 for pictures and details.

I HAVE A DREAM: Clockwise from top, Katherine Dahlgren and Kai McLeod get creative; Ebony Richards works with Daniel Shearon on part of the set; Gus Miller and Shamil Ullah record some tracks; Cheyenne Haywood at the keyboard; and Jade Bonney records her song PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

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BUZZ 9.2011

Makeover gives Bentworth pupils teaching in life skills  Former caretaker’s house transformed as part of major revamp of century-old school  New space offers evening classes, family advice and cookery

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THERE may have been no sign of Laurence LlewelynBowen but a White City primary school received a Changing Rooms-style makeover at the end of last term.

Builders, architects and educational experts joined forces to overhaul parts of Bentworth Primary School, Westway, to create new teaching rooms and an allotment in The Big School Makeover in July.

Parent volunteers and staff at the school, which was built in 1906 and has more than 200 pupils, also joined in with the hard graft.

The five-day project, organised by membership organisation the British Council for School Environments (BCSE), showed how spaces can be changed to provide improved learning and teaching

NEW LOOK: Pupils and staff get used to their new surroundings after the disused caretaker’s house was restored

PICTURES BY DEREK FERNANDES

opportunities for pupils and staff.

The former caretaker’s house, which was derelict, and the outside space at the school underwent a transformation and was revealed on July 22 – the last day of term and the last day at Bentworth for headteacher Tony Proud.

Tony said: “The makeover will make a real difference not just to our pupils but also to our hard-working teachers, as well as creating a community resource for people in the local area.

“These small changes will make a big difference.”

The former caretaker’s building has become a multiuse space where the children learn life skills, including

cookery, and is being used for community programmes, such as family advice services and evening classes.

There will also be a work space for school staff.

An allotment created in the previously unused and overgrown area outside the caretaker’s old house is already thriving.

H&F cabinet member Helen Binmore said: “The project has delivered muchneeded space in one of the smallest schools in the borough and helped improve learning opportunities for all the children.”

Ty Goddard, director of BCSE, said: “It’s not just about making a building look nice.

“This project shows how we can revamp the way spaces are used for teaching and learning.

“London is having to deal with a bulge in pupil numbers at primary school level.”

BCSE teamed up with Wilmott Dixon and other members to provide construction and design expertise to the school, as well as materials and educational supplies.

Jestico & Wiles, Kinnarps, Armstrong Ceilings and Thorn Lighting are partners.

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BUZZ 9.2011 Wormholt pupils rushed to hospital  SAVING a life was the lesson of the day for pupils from Wormholt Park primary pupils recently.

They were the first to attend a new programme which teaches children about health risks and

safety, held at Hammersmith Hospital.

Assistant headteacher of the Bryony Road school Katie Brown said: “The day was informative and totally engaging. They haven’t stopped talking about it.”

Rose blooms with residents choosing mural topics  New centre uses swans to convey the spirit of hope and optimism  Activity list depends on what users want, while solar panels create power

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THE doors are set to open at a brand new children’s and community centre in Fulham this autumn.

Residents chose the name Tudor Rose for the two-storey centre, which replaces an ageing and unsuitable temporary building in the Fulham Court estate.

The Tudor Rose combines a ground-floor children’s centre for families with children under five and a first-floor community centre that could host a wide range of community activities.

Youngsters made their mark on the building by helping local artist Ben Tranchell (pictured inset) paint its spectacular mural.

People living in Fulham Court and Barclay Close have been closely involved with the project for more than 18 months.

A residents’ steering group has come together to give everyone livFLYING: Painting the mural at new Fulham Court estate centre ing nearby a voice

during the building’s construction, and beyond.

Residents will be able to help suggest what kind of activities the centre will offer, but the focus will be on getting young children prepared to start school, mother and toddler sessions, healthy eating classes and job advice.

The Tudor Rose Centre uses some of the most advanced environmentallyfriendly technology.

Solar panels on the roof will turn sunlight into electricity to help run the centre.

It will also have a green roof planted with low-maintenance shrubs as well as a green plant-covered ‘living wall’.

REACH FOR THE SKY RESIDENTS came up with lots of ideas for artist Ben Tranchell and chose the design for the following reasons:  The swans are a sign the centre is a place of hope for future generations, and there are two of them to show that support and partnership is needed  The rainbow represents everyone on the estate  The grass recalls that the area has long been known for nurseries and planting.

Adult learning and skills service

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Fancy tapping into your creativity and learning something new? We have many courses on offer both in the daytime (while the children are at school) or in the evening (if you are able to get a babysitter!).

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BUZZ 9.2011

 If you want to keep fit in the warm environment of a gym this winter, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a gym pass, you can buy a lifestyle card which will cost you £5 for three months and 50p per entry at participating gyms. Pick up an application form TODAY from any library in Hammersmith and Fulham with a passport image of yourself and proof of address. What’s the catch I hear you ask...? Well you MUST LIVE in H&F...

Yes, it really is that simple!

T The HEALTH page

By Chikira Smith-Richards, 16

Regular exercise and staying active are both important parts of living a healthy life. However, for this to be most effective it is also important to know some significant facts and pieces of information regarding different types of physical activity and how they affect the body – which is what I hope you all gain from reading this page... and don’t forget, exercise can be fun!

Ask the experts What are the consequences of not eating healthily? Julia Simons, 15 There are a number of various consequences you may face as a result of not eating healthily such as...obesity, dental problems, mood swings, indigestion, anaemia. See www.ehow.com/ about_5077170_consequences-noteating-healthy.html Why is it recommended that we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day? Angjela, 15 FIVE a day is based on advice from the World Health Organisation, which recommends you should eat a minimum of 400g of fruit and/or vegetables every day (that’s five portions of fruit, which on average is 80g) to lower the risk of serious health problems which include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and obesity. See www.nhs.uk/ Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/Why5ADAY. aspx

16

What is the Guideline Daily Allowance of calories for teens?

Yasmine, 15 The GDA for children and teenagers varies depending on gender and age group because they grow so fast, so it is recommended that teenage girls aged

EXERCISE: Pictures show action from a Linford Christie Stadium athletics event for borough schoolchildren 11-14 should eat 1,850 calories per day and teenage girls aged 15-18 should eat 2,100 calories per day. However, it is recommended that teenage boys aged 11-14 should eat 2,200 calories per day and teenage boys aged 15-18 should eat 2,750 calories per day. See www. betreatwise.org.uk/BeTreatwise_GetToKnowYourGDAs_GDAsForChildrenAndTeens.asp Does clicking your knuckles really give you arthritis? Yasmine 15 There have been various studies but none of them confirmed that cracking your knuckles results in arthritis. However, other studies showed that cracking your knuckles was related to hand swelling and lower grip strength.

Did you know?  When you take are using up to 20a step you  The human brai0 muscles capacity to store n has the ever that you experiencything e  Your heart pum ps around six litres of blood every minute

By Fathiya Sheikh, 15

Skip breakfast?

Such a bad idea...

STUDIES show that children who eat breakfast perform better on tests and in school.

So skipping breakfast would probably be a bad idea.

Skipping breakfast is a strategy for some who are trying to lose weight, but does it really? Your body and your brain expect to be refuelled a few times each day, so when you skip meals you may feel so hungry that when break comes round or it’s lunch time, you over-eat.

Some experts believe eating breakfast keeps your metabolism running because skipping meals causes the body to kick into ‘starvation’ mode, making it feel weak and not energetic.

Eating breakfast helps you concentrate better, have better problem-solving skills, better hand-eye co-ordination, and be more creative, energised and active, making school easier.

Eating breakfast regularly also helps in weight management which can reduce the risk of child obesity, which has become a common problem in recent times.

For a healthy breakfast you should include foods from a variety of food groups (eg whole grain, fruit and dairy) to ensure that you receive a variety of nutrients and fibre. Children who tend to skip breakfast because of a lack of time in the morning should eat breakfast either at school or on their way to school. Many breakfast foods can be eaten while on the go, such as a bagel.

We asked 50 young people on the streets of Hammersmith and Fulham if they eat breakfast.

Thirty-one of the young people said they don’t eat breakfast and only 19 did!

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BUZZ 9.2011

HAMMERSMITH ACADEMY

UNIFORM:

(Clockwise from left) pupils wait for the tie ceremony; Aom Posuwan; Omar Soliman and Walid Hasan Zadeh finish school on the first day; and headteacher Gary Kynaston presents Lauren Daly with her tie. Below: Frank Moylett PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

FIRST DAY  We bring you the scenes as three new schools open in the borough to expand the choice for parents

18

NOT one, not two, but THREE new schools have opened in Hammersmith & Fulham to bring more choice to local parents.

The borough is being dubbed ‘the most free school-friendly council in Britain’, with two – West London Free School and ARK Conway primary – both launched ready for the new term. They are joined by Hammersmith Academy.

The openings come at a time of record educational achievement in the borough:  More H&F children are starting secondary school in the borough than ever before.

That figure stands at 61 per cent – an increase from 2006, when just 45 per cent of local children attended a borough secondary state school.  Last month’s GCSE results were the best ever, with 71.6 per cent of students gaining five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths – an increase of 16 per cent since 2008.  GCSE performance (where students gained five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths) at the borough’s state schools has improved hugely since 2007.

At Burlington Danes Academy results increased from 36 per cent in 2007 to 75 per cent in 2011; Fulham Cross went up from 45 per cent to 72 per cent and Hurlingham and Chelsea rose from 42 per cent to 60 per cent. Under its new leadership, Henry Compton has been the most improved school over the past year.  H&F has been named the best authority in the UK for the number of state school sixth-formers going to a top university, despite the fact that 36 per cent of pupils in the borough receive free school meals compared to 17 per cent nationally.  State pupils in H&F are 50 times more likely to be accepted at Oxford or Cambridge than pupils in Hackney, Rochdale, Knowsley or Sandwell.

Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green was named in the

recent Sutton Trust report as having more pupils going to Oxbridge than any other state school in the UK. H&F Council leader Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh said: “One of the major priorities of this council has been the creation of schools of choice. For far too long, too many of our parents preferred to send their children to secondary schools out of our borough.

“That is no longer the case thanks to the huge improvement we have seen in our schools and to the creation of more educational choice. Free schools have been born from parent power and we make no bones about doing all we could to help these exciting new projects flourish – we are happy to say that H&F is the most free schoolfriendly council in Britain.

“More choice and competition is undoubtedly leading to higher educational standards overall, as shown by the vote of confidence our parents are now giving to local schools.”

BUZZ 9.2011 WEST LONDON FREE SCHOOL

FREEDOM: Pupils in their smart new

uniforms at the opening of the West London Free School in Hammersmith PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

ARK CONWAY PRIMARY ARK BUOYANT: (Clockwise from left) Headteacher Damian McBeath with pupil Lily-Anne Traykov; pupils in the ARK Conway colours; the school from the outside; Jhasan Dhaniram ready to learn PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

19

BUZZ 9.2011

Best of British as nursery tucks in

Take a ride on PlayDay

 CHILDREN at a Shepherds Bush nursery are putting the ‘oo’ back in food during British Food Fortnight.

Last week, the youngsters at the Happy Child Nursery in Frithville Gardens invited their parents to help cook a family meal using seasonal British produce.

For pudding, the little ones will cook up an apple crumble.

The nursery’s preschool and toddler group have been taking part in cooking classes since last year.

 FUNFAIR rides made their debut at Playday in Ravenscourt Park in August, enjoyed by Hamila Atour, 43. Phoebe, 5, and Alexandra Overton, 12.

Ofsted awards H&F highest grades for child protection  Children in care services are best in the land, according to new, tough national standards  Inspectors find that strong, clear strategy holds key to success CHILD protection and the children in care services in Hammersmith & Fulham are the best in the country, according to a recent inspection report.

Ofsted has published the results from June when it visited to scrutinise the local authority’s services for safeguarding and looking after children.

The council achieved the highest possible grading of ‘outstanding’ in 10 key areas, including the service’s capacity for improvement, and ambition and prioritisation. There were 12 ‘good’ grades, including the overall result.

This result equals the best continual improvement mainresult in the UK since the tained by the council is not dinew, more rigorous inspec- minished by the political imtion process was introduced perative to achieve savings. last year. Inspectors were “Highly skilled manageshown evidence of how the ment of resources, which has council makes sure children resulted in service reconfiguare safe in the borough, and ration and modernisation, has gives them opportunities to successfully led to plans to improve their educaachieve significant econotion and wellbeing. mies of scale through The reintegration and colport praises laboration with innovative projtwo neighbouring ects such as the London boroughs. virtual school, “It has resulted in where looked councillors comafter children mitting resources get personto maintain the alised educacurrent good cational plans, pacity of fronttri-borough line services.” the first is tie ris Ch w dre  An working and The report ’s services en ldr chi of or ect dir H&F, the borough says strong and appointed across elsea youth forum. clear strategy has Kensington and Chter and Westmins The report ‘resulted in the states: “The counnumber of [looked cil and its partners after] children falling have outstanding capacity to steadily from 371 in 2006-7 to improve.

247 at the end of March 2011.

“The perpetual drive for This contrasts positively with

DID YOU KNOW?

the national average which shows the number of looked after children to have risen by an average of eight per cent since 2007.

There is also praise for staff who show ‘high morale and professional commitment’ and ‘a very clear and high quality, child-centred commitment and approach to their work with children and young people’.

H&F cabinet member Helen Binmore said: “This is a very positive outcome for the council and the many organisations we work with.

“It also confirms that children and young people in our borough do benefit from our approach to safeguarding, which is one of the most important things we do as a council.

“We will continue to protect frontline services and maintain our high standards, while looking at ways to further improve the lives of young people.”

Hannah will have you boxing clever for exercise

20

RING TRUE: Hannah Beharry

FANCY trying out boxing lessons with a top Olympic prospect?

Boxfit sessions with Hannah Beharry are part of Us Girls, a Sport Englandfunded initiative that aims to get 30,000 young women living in disadvantaged areas more active in their local communities.

The project targets 16-25 year olds.

In H&F try:  Monday: Zumba, Old Oak, 5-6pm, with Vivian Nadel. Classes are free.  Tuesday: Zumba, Edward Woods, 5.15-6.15pm, with Vivian Perez. There is a charge for this class.  Tuesday: Boxfit, Old Oak, 4.30-5.30pm, with Hannah Beharry.

Classes are free.  Thursday: Boxfit, Edwards Woods, 5.30-6.30pm, with Hannah Beharry.

There is a charge for this class.  Thursday: Zumba, Fulham Library, with Vivian Perez. Class is free for 1625-year-olds.  Saturday: Zumba, Phoenix sports centre, TBA, with Claudia Ramsey.

There is a charge.  Saturday: Swimming sessions, Phoenix, 4-5pm. There is a charge.  Saturday: Girls basketball, The Fatima Centre, 6.30-8.30pm, with MBS. There is a charge.  For more information see www.streetgames.org/www/usgirls.

BUZZ 9.2011

Cambridge School & Phoenix High School

BRICKS: The new sixth form building at Phoenix High School (above and right)

 Integration for pupils from two schools has been improved after Cambridge School made a move north next to Phoenix High  Phoenix High also has an impressive new sixth form building now in place

By Delyth Bowen CAMBRIDGE School has moved into the former Bryony Centre, next to Phoenix High School in White City, which was fully refurbished in July.

Headteacher Olivia Meyrick said: “Locating Cambridge School next door to Phoenix High School has enabled improved integration and inclusion for pupils from both schools.

“The sharing of facilities, where possible, and expertise within the staff of both schools, will enable pupils to access a wide range of learning opportunities.

“The vast majority of pupils at Cambridge School live in the north of the borough, and this site therefore offers our students all the advantages of attending a local community school.

“Parents and family members will become more easily engaged in supporting their children, and the school will work with pupils and their families far more effectively.”

The new year has seen Phoenix High School, in The Curve, welcome students into its impressive new sixth form, with a modern, colourful, innovative and hi-tech building, which was completed this spring.

Sir William Atkinson, Phoenix’s headteacher, said: “Over the last five years many of our students have expressed a strong desire to continue their education after Year 11 at Phoenix with teachers they know and trust.

“With the completion of the new sixth form building, we have a world-class facility to support our learners.”

NEW SIXTH FORM IS FABULOUS

21

BUZZ 9.2011

Hey good cooking! Want to be a chef?  CALLING all budding chefs – is your food as delicious as Delia’s? Is your steak as juicy as Jamie’s?

If so, then you should enter the Young Chef of the Year competition.

H&F Council is calling on the best culinary whizzes in the borough to don their aprons and get mixing to win top TASTY: Toby Cartwright from prizes and hopefully inspire Fulham’s Moat School won in 2009 careers in cooking. The

competition is open to 14 to 16-year-olds who go to school in the borough, with the winners of each school’s heat competing in an hour-long final on February 23 at the Taste Restaurant at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College in Barons Court.

The young chefs will have to prepare a two-course meal – a main

course plus either starter or pudding – in one hour from fresh ingredients, costing £6.50 in total.

For an application form call the food safety team on 020 8753 1081, or email: foodsafety@lbhf. gov.uk. Forms can also be downloaded from the council website: www.lbhf. gov.uk The deadline for entries is January 23, 2012.

Owners of famous Fulham children s store say thanks for 25 years of top trading  Two generations of Fulham children clothed by shop Pollyanna in Fulham Road. Now Steve Dew-Jones talks to owner Virginia Ross about the shop’s legacy

22

THE owner of children’s clothing and shoe store Pollyanna in Fulham Road is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Virginia Ross, 66, and her two children, David and Louise, have steered the shop’s fortunes through three floods and a recession, and seen 17 other Fulham children’s stores come and go during that time.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes over the past 25 years,” said Virginia.

“What’s been happening to the retail industry is so sad and I’d like to think that people will start valuing independent businesses again.”

When asked about the secret of her success, Virginia suggested a ‘handson’ approach was key.

“Sometimes we’ve thought about opening a second store but we never have because I think you need to be hands-on and you can tend to lose your focus and quality unless you’re here on site and can put right what’s going wrong,” she said.

Pollyanna has been alive as a business for 40 years and Virginia started off as a

LEGACY: Louise Wilkinson, David Sandercock and Virginia Ross have made Fulham children’s clothing and shoe shop Pollyanna, below, a success PICTURE BY LEIGH QUINNELL customer before becoming manager and then owner in 1986.

The shop specialises in children’s clothing for youngsters up to the age of 14 and children’s shoes.

“When I started, I never dreamt I’d end up fronting it,” she said, “but now we feel very much part of the community.

“We’ve seen a lot of very sad things happen to some of the families who come here.

“A few years ago, there was a horrific car crash and a lovely mother and her two children were killed. I just broke down when I saw it

because she’d been in just a few days before. You get very attached.”

After such a long time working in the borough, Virginia said she has seen some children return to the shop as parents – an experience she

called ‘surreal’ – and wished to thank locals for their continued support.

“I would like to thank Fulham families and schools for their loyalty and support over the years,” she said.

At the age of 66, you might think Virginia would be thinking about her pension, but she vowed that kind of thinking isn’t for her.

“I’ll never retire,” she said. “I’ll always have to do something, have to work; it’s in my blood.”  For more details, call 020 7731 0673 visit the shop at 811 Fulham Road or see www.pollyannaonline.com

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIALS FREE BIKE SAFETY CHECK Bring your bike for free safety check with this ad.

Valid until October 31

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Stop and shop parking on Goldhawk Road Between 10.00am and 4.00pm

21-25 GOLDHAWK ROAD SHEPHERDS BUSH, W12 8QQ T 020 8749 1032

Other parking available every day on side streets 112 THE BROADWAY EALING LONDON W13 0SY T 020 8566 0044

We accept all major credit cards including American Express.

We accept Euros and Dollars 173 KILBURN HIGH ROAD LONDON NW6 7HY T 020 7625 4888

Secondary schools

Open days and evenings Burlington Danes Academy Wood Lane, W12 0HR Tel: 020 8735 4950 Thursday 6 October 5.00 to 7.30pm Monday 10 to Friday 14 October 8.30am to 12.30pm

Fulham Cross Girls’ School Federated with Henry Compton School Munster Road, SW6 6BP Tel: 020 7381 0861 Wednesday 28 September 10.00am to 12.00 noon Tuesday 4 October 2.00 to 4.00pm

Hammersmith Academy 25 Cathnor Road, W12 9PA Tel: 020 8222 6000 Open evening Monday 10 October 4.45 to 8.00pm Headteacher speaks at 5.30, 6.30 & 7.30pm Attendance by appointment only Wednesday 12 October 9.00 to 11.00am Headteacher speaks at 10.00am Attendance by appointment only Thursday 13 October 9.00 to 11.00am Headteacher speaks at 10.00am

Henry Compton School Federated with Fulham Cross Girls’ School Kingwood Road, SW6 6SN Tel: 020 7381 3606 Saturday 24 September 10.00am to 12 noon Thursday 29 September 5.00 to 7.30pm Thursday 6 October 9.00 to 11.00am Tuesday 11 October 9.00 to 11.00am

Hurlingham and Chelsea School Peterborough Road, SW6 3ED Tel: 020 7731 2581 Thursday 13 October 6.00 to 9.00pm Headteacher will speak at 6.00pm The school is also open to prospective parents every Wednesday morning from 9.00am throughout the school year

Lady Margaret School Parson’s Green, SW6 4UN Tel: 020 7736 7138 Thursday 6 October 4.45 to 7.30pm Headteacher will speak at 5.00pm, 6.00pm and 7.00pm Friday 7 October 9.45am to 12.00 noon Headteacher will speak at 10.00am and 10.45am Friday 7 October 2.00 to 3.00pm Head will speak at 2.15pm

The London Oratory School Seagrave Road, SW6 1RX Tel: 020 7385 0102 First Form Tuesday 27 September 6.30pm Monday 3 October 2.30pm

Sacred Heart High School 212 Hammersmith Road, W6 7DG Tel: 020 8748 7600 Wednesday 28 September 9.30 to 11.00am Latest arrival time 10.00am Headteacher will speak at 10.40am

Apply online at www.lbhf.gov.uk/applyonline Deadline for applications to schools 31 October 2011

Hammersmith & Fulham Council

West London Free School Cambridge Grove, W6 OLB Tel: unconfirmed at time of publication please check the website Monday 26 September 4.30 to 6.00pm Friday 30 September 2.00 to 4.30pm

Sixth form open events William Morris Sixth Form

St Dunstan’s Road, W6 8RB Tel: 020 8748 6969 Wednesday 5 October 4.00 to 7.00pm Tuesday 18 October 4.00 to 7.00pm Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Please check with the other schools for details of their sixth form open events and enrolment procedures.

 As records tumble once again we bring you an exam results picture special for A level and GCSEs in Hammersmith & Fulha m

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS! A LEVELS  Teachers, students and parents praised after ‘great result’ from A level exams for another year STUDENTS in the borough were flying high as their results soared above the national average.

Provisional results for the borough (not including Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College and Burlington Danes Academy) show that 98.9 per cent of students in H&F passed with A*-E grades, compared to the national average of 97.9 per cent, while at 79.7 per cent the percentage of students gaining A*-C was above the national average of 76 per cent.

Students hitting the heights with B, A and A* grades were also better than average with 59.8 per cent reaching the top grades, 7.5 per cent above the figure nationally.

This year’s results were up on 2010’s figures for students getting A*-C grades, which stood at 75.1 per cent. It was the 29th year in a row that A level passes have risen nationally, with the overall pass rate rising slightly from 97.6 per cent to 97.8 per cent.

The figures are taken from students in Lady Margaret Girls School in Parsons Green, Fulham, William Morris Sixth Form in St Dunstan’s Road, Hammersmith, and London Oratory in Seagrave Road, Fulham.

Cllr Helen Binmore, Hammersmith & Fulham cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is a great result for the students, their parents, our teaching staff and for the borough as a whole. Our schools have really been encouraging pupils to reach the highest possible heights and they have all done themselves proud.

“It is incredibly important to get a head start in education and I really am pleased to see so many of our borough’s students doing so well. I hope now that they can build on this success to go on to bigger and better things, and that these results

THE DAY DAWNS: (From top) Abimibola Yahaya, 18, is given a hug at William Morris Sixth Form after her A and two Bs; the moment of truth for 17-year-old Gillian Livingstone at Burlington Danes Academy; and Paul McGee from The London Oratory is delighted with his four As (below)

help them map out a bright future for themselves.

“The figures show that with the right attitude, pure hard work and real determination, anything is possible.”

There was a huge improvement in results at London Oratory where the percentage of pupils achieving passes at A*-B rose by double figures, at 11 per cent, to reach 74.4 per cent. Exam entrants receiving A*-C improved

by 7.9 per cent, to 90.2 per cent.

Lady Margaret also boasted a massive improvement, having jumped to a 78.4 per cent success rate for those receiving A*-B grades, up 6.4 per cent on last year. The proportion of students receiving A*-C rose by 8.7 per cent to 95.9 per cent. The school also was able to boast a 100 per cent pass rate for students getting A*-Es. William Morris’s pass rate at A*-E was 97.7 per cent, with a slight decline from last year in results at A*-C at 61.7 per cent, down from 70.9 per cent.

It was also the first year for students at Burlington Danes Academy to collect their A level results, with provisionally 49 per cent of students getting A*-B grades, 68 per cent achieving A*-Cs and a 98 per cent pass rate overall, at A*-E grades.

Our super GCSE results picture special starts on page 31>>

25

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS! A LEVELS  Student Jessica is heading off to Cambridge to study English  Excellent performance in Btec and diploma courses especially at college campus in Hammersmith ANOTHER good set of A level results was celebrated by Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College and a number of subjects achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.

The college’s performance in the vocational Btec Level 3 Extended Diplomas and Certificates was also ‘exceptionally good’ with pass rates at 98 per cent across the campuses and 100 per cent at Hammersmith, in Gliddon Road.

Principal Paula Whittle said: “These are really good results from a most conscientious group of young people, many of whom have come from extremely challenging backgrounds and who balance other commitments while studying.

“These results will almost certainly go some way to reinforcing our position as a college which adds value to its students’ performance.”

The A* grade was highlighted in a number of outstanding individual performances.

Asna Hassam, Wenjie Zhu, Roozben Zareian and Heba Ben Amer all achieved three or more A levels above A grades, while Bajmeet Sing Grover and Collins Nomafo both received A and B grades. Top performers included Jessica Murray, who achieved two A* and an A, and will now be heading to Cambridge University to read English.

Many of the college’s Level 3 students are now taking advantage of the wide range of affordable foundation and higher degrees on offer at the college.

EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE

THREEDOM: Sawko Fujii, 22, and who Heba Ben Amer, 20, achieved three As

26

TESTING TIMES: (From top) Celso Rivera, 20; Collins Nomafo, 22, with 2 As and 1 B, and Sawako Fujii, 22, 3 As; Iada Ghirmai, 19, an A, B and C; Roozbeh Zareian, and Heba Ben Amer, 20, who got 3 As

GR ADE EXPECTATIONS Seventeen-year-old : Tahmid Mannan an s Muna Mohamed (le d ft) and Anne Perera, wh got an A and 2 Bs, o with Nadia Bennett , who has an A and B, both aged 18 (below )

BUZZ 9.2011

A LEVELS

TOP CLASS!

BURLINGTON DANES

ACADEMY ACES: ACES (Clockwise from far left) Ryan Walters, who has won a KPMG scholarship; Gillian Livingstone, 17; Barron Edward, 3 Bs; Haengeun Chi, 17; seventeen-year-old Mohamed Muse, 17, who scored 2 As and 2 Bs

 Academy celebrates first set of A level results with success  One lucky student will have her university fees paid thanks to an education charity’s backing BURLINGTON Danes Academy students celebrated their first-ever set of A-level results with just under half of their students earning A or B grades.

Fifty-three students sat the exams at the Wood Lane school with the majority celebrating with 98 per cent achieving A-E grades and 68 per cent awarded A-C grades.

A total of 75 per cent of pupils were awarded A-C grades in English and 78 per cent pulled in similar grades in maths.

It meant that 68 per cent of students at the school did well enough to get into

their first-choice universities, which included Warwick, Bristol and King’s College London.

Sally Coates, principal, said: “We are really pleased with our opening results and it is a testament to the hardworking students and teachers here at the school. We were nervy before the results because it was our first-ever A-level year but is has been successful and we have a good base to build on for the future.

“To have so many of our students able to go to their preferred university is fantastic as the competition is getting fiercer each year.”

Mohammed Abubaker was thrilled to open his results and find the two A grades and two B grades that mean he can go on and study religion, philosophy and ethics at King’s College London.

The 18-year-old said: “I am really happy. I was expecting the worst so this

is fantastic. I have a bit of time before uni starts so the celebrations will go on for a while.”

Hawker Mahmod, 18, who achieved three As in mathematics, chemistry and physics, was relieved and will be off to Southampton University to study mechanical engineering. He said: “I will be sad to leave the school. The A-levels have been brilliant and all my hard work has paid off.”

One lucky student, Ilham Debaghi, 18, will have her university fees paid for by charitable education patrons Driver Youth Trust. The trust sponsors one pupil a year at the school and selected her after a written application and one-on-one interviews.

Ilham, who will now go to St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, to study primary education, said: “They must have liked me and thought I would do well so it is fantastic. It is a very exciting time.”

27

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS! A LEVELS

 Five students off to Oxbridge is highest state school total in country  One of the lucky five says she was shocked by her excellent results

LADY Margaret school in Parsons Green is sending an impressive five students to Oxford or Cambridge universities – the highest number for a state school in the country.

Headteacher Sally Whyte said: “I am so proud because there’s still a real concern about the numbers going to Oxford and Cambridge from state schools. This result is a tribute to the dedication of the teachers and the students who are prepared to work hard.”

Eleanor Street, 18, was one of the lucky five, having been accepted by Cambridge after getting two A*s and an A. She said: “I was shocked when I was offered a place and even more shocked when I saw my results. I’m nervous but also really excited.”

Amelia Silvester, from Clancarty Road, Fulham, admitted to having sleepless nights before opening her results to find she’d scored two As and two Bs. “I always worry about everything but now I’m going to go out and party,” she said.

Every student achieved A*-E grades, while a quarter of all students scored at least one A*, delighting Ms Whyte.

“These are our best results for some time,” she added.

LADY MARGARET

28

PAPER TRAIL: (Clockwise from top left) Eleanor Sweet chats to headteacher Sally Whyte; Ruth Neligan, Anneke Hanegraaf, Laura Taylor and Isabel Fletcher; Lily Tonge and Hope Schlesinger; Amelia Silvester phones home; Poppy Sellwood

LONDON ORATORY

A LEVELS

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS!

PALS: (From left) Greg Baker, Joseph Dahlgren, Ludovic Lawlor Smith and Karim Bitar seem happy with their results at the Oratory

TIME TO FIND OUT: Maks Adach, Victoria Ferguson and George de Voil (inset), Wilf Jones call with his news (below left), and Gabriella YenpiksangCompton and Alexandra Alderman check their results (below)

 Musician George has fulfilled his dream of going to Oxford but admits he’ll miss Oratory  Head of sixth form praises hard work to score highest ever results at A*, A and B TALENTED musician George de Voil signed off an 11-year link with London Oratory by scoring two A*s and an A. He joined the school when he was just seven on a music course and has since become an outstanding organist.

His results mean he has fulfilled his dream of going to Oxford, but he admitted he’ll miss the Oratory.

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” said the 18-year-old.

“I’m going to miss it, especially all the teachers who have helped me.”

Another shining light was Joe Tulasiewicz, who achieved an A* in religious studies and a brace of As in history and English literature. He said: “I was hoping for triple A*s but that was a pipe-dream, so to get this is incredible. I’m going to Warwick to study politics.”

Head of sixth form Gary Howells said: “These are very pleasing A level results and are our highest ever at A*, A or B. It’s a tribute to the hard work of our pupils and staff.”

29

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS! A LEVELS  Notable achievements include four A* and two As from student who thought he ‘messed some up’  Principal says he is delighted but it gets tougher each year WILLIAM Morris sixth form star student Tadaoki Hashimoto was among 400 people picking up their results at the St Dunstan’s building in Hammersmith.

The 18-year-old was thrilled with his six passes achieving an incredible four A* grades and two As. The results mean that he is William Morris’ highest achieving student this year and put him in pole position for the title of the best results in the borough.

He said: “I was really nervous because I thought I messed up a few exams. So to do so well is fantastic. I can’t wait to go to uni but I will miss William Morris. I was at Brentside High School but came here because my brother did and it was the best decision I ever made.

“It is an excellent sixth-form.”

He will now study biomedical science at Queen Mary, University of London.

Farzeelah Mir also excelled with four A*s in biology, chemistry, mathematics and English literature. The 18-year-old is going on to study medicine at University College London.

“I was shaking when I came in today so it is a massive relief. I am going to ring my parents and tell them the good news and then go and celebrate,” he said.

Principal Kevin Gilmartin added: “We are absolutely delighted with our results.

It is getting tougher and tougher each year to keep standards high and we feel we are doing that. Our priority now is to work with our students who missed out on their first choices and help them with their important decisions.”

WILLIAM MORRIS SIXTH FORM

30

HIGH FLYING: (Clockwise from top left) Andrew Korczak, 20 who has 2 As and a double distinction; Andrew Kikomeko, 18 who has 4 As; Wei Fang, 18, 3 As; Farial Missi, 18 with 2 As, A* and a B; Abimibola Yahaya, 18, an A and 2 Bs; Fazheelah Faisal Mir, 18, who achieved 5 A*s. Top: Sophie Nabulsi, 18, who got 3 As and a B

IT WAS another bigger and better year for Hammersmith & Fulham schools as provisional GCSE results were revealed.

The borough’s A*-C pass rate went up for the sixth year running – making it the borough’s best ever.

The local authority’s pass rate for the proportion of students getting five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, went up by three per cent to 71.3 per cent. The average for students getting five or more A*-C grades is also up two per cent at 91.3 per cent.

The figures also show that H&F has improved its English Baccalaureate measure at 33 per cent – up by one per cent from last year. This is the percentage of students achieving a C grade or better across a core of academic subjects – English, mathematics, history or geography, the sciences and a language.

Nationally, the pass rate rose for the 23rd year running with almost seven in 10 entries gaining at least a C grade and nearly one in four getting an A or A*, up from 22.6 per cent in 2010.

Henry Compton School in Fulham came out on top as the most improved school in the borough for the proportion of students getting five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, with a 13 per cent rise from last year.

Forty-nine per cent of students achieved five or more GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, and included the school’s head boys Abdallah Hassan, who received a fantastic two A*s, nine As and four Bs, and Khaleel Obi, who got an amazing 10 A*s and one A. Cllr Helen Binmore, Hammersmith & Fulham cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This year’s results show what can be achieved with strong leadership, real focus and encouragement.

“Headteacher Bernie Peploe has done a fantastic job bringing the best out of everyone at Henry Compton to get these great results that students, staff and parents can be proud of.

“There is more to be done but this is a very solid foundation to build on.

Bringing the two schools of Fulham Cross and Henry Compton together, to work side by side, is making a real difference to students’ education.”

The most improved for students getting five or more A*-Cs was Hurlingham & Chelsea with a 13 per cent jump, taking its pass rate to 96 per cent. And another success story at the school was that 60 per cent of students sitting their GCSEs got five or more A*-C

TOP CLASS! GCSE results picture special starts here

BUZZ 9.2011

 Henry Compton led the way in improving its GCSE scores but the whole borough had reason to cheer  Pass rate for A*-C went up for the sixth year running and English Baccalaureate results showed a rise

WE DID IT: Rihana Osman and Sahar Salahi from Fulham Cross (above) and 16-year-olds Hamdi Salah and Daniel Julien at Henry Compton (below). Inset above: Constance Foley from Lady Margaret PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL AND KEVIN POOLMAN

grades, including maths and English – almost double the proportion of students getting the same grades three years ago.

The title of best performing school was shared between Sacred Heart High School in

Hammersmith Road and London Oratory, both of which had a 94 per cent pass rate in pupils gaining five or more A*-Cs with English and maths. Ninetyeight per cent of pupils sitting GCSEs at Sacred Heart gained A*-C in at least five subjects overall, with 96 per cent at London Oratory.

Lady Margaret also continued to improve with the proportion of students getting A*-C grades, including English and maths, up to 92 per cent – two per cent higher than last year and up from 85 per cent in 2008.

Burlington Danes Academy made another impressive leap of eight per cent of students getting five or more A*Cs, with English and maths, at 75 per cent up from 67 per cent last year.

Cllr Binmore added: “Every single school has performed well again this year and it is testament to the hard work, effort and determination put in by school staff, parents and, of course, most importantly of all, the pupils, who often have to sacrifice their spare time and activities to put in the hours working and revising for these exams. Congratulations to them all.”

31

BUZZ 9.2011

TOP CLASS!  Chevaz chalks up an amazing 12 A*s and an AS level top grade  Headteacher happy to see similar outcome to last year SACRED Heart High School pupils maintained their consistently high standards with a number of teenagers achieving top grades.

Students at the Hammersmith school arrived bright and early on the wet Thursday morning to collect their results.

Leading the pack of A* pupils was Chevaz Clarke, 16, of Ealing, who achieved an impressive 12 A*’s and an A in AS critical thinking.

She said: “I’m really excited.

It was predicted that I would do well, but I was still feeling nervous before I picked up my results.”

The 16-year-old plans to attend St Benedict’s sixth form in Ealing to study English literature, biology, chemistry and maths.

Friend and fellow bright spark Christina Tran, 16, of Fulham, shared her delight in achieving nine A*’s and two

SACRED HEART

Bridge brought me my belief WHEN 16-year-old Ife Sellah left Burlington Danes Academy for pupil referral unit the Bridge Academy, she never thought that she would get as many qualifications as she was awarded this week.

“I’ve done alright,” said Ife, of Aintree Street, Fulham. “I’ve got the equivalent of seven and half GCSEs, and that means I can go to South Thames College now to study for a Btec in business. I’m really pleased.

“Here you get more one-to-one time with the teachers, rather than being 30 in a class, and I think if I hadn’t come to the Bridge Academy I would have dropped out

32

GCSEs

HALL TOGETHER TOGETHER: Christina Tran (below) was one of the pupils finding out their GCSE results at Sacred Heart school (above)

As. “I’m quite stunned at the moment.” she said. “I was quite nervous before picking up my results. I really didn’t expect to do so well and my mum might collapse when I tell her my results.”

Hoping to attend a university in London, Stephanie will go on to study maths, further maths, chemistry, biology, and economics at altogether. The way things work here pushes you and the teachers give you an incentive to work hard. I like competition and it worked for me.”

Ife’s proud mum, Annette Knight, said that Ife’s success had been down to hard work and determination of her daughter, but also from that of the staff at the Finlay Street school.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I never doubted that she’d do well.

She’s got so much out of this

Cardinal Vaughan Memorial sixth form.

A total of 94 per cent of Sacred Heart pupils achieved a grade A*-C in five or more GCSEs. Headteacher Dr Christine Carpenter said: “I’m very happy to see so many overjoyed students. The results are good and we have managed to sustain a similar outcome to last year, which is excellent.

“I would like to say a big well done and thank you to all the teachers who have helped the students achieve such excellent results.” school and with the help of the teachers and staff, their persistence, and through me getting Ife out of bed and making sure she came to school, she’s done it. We all gave her the kick to carry on when she needed it, but she did all the hard work. Ife will go on to do brighter, bigger and better things, I’m sure. I’m very proud.”

Heather Ballantine, director of learning at the Bridge Academy, said: “We are very proud of the learners and their examination results. The pass rate continues to increase year on year and this year we have achieved a 93 per cent A*-G GCSE pass rate.

“As usual, the individual stories behind the outcomes are a credit to the staff and learners who have all worked very hard to achieve these excellent results and are to be congratulated.”

BRIDGE ACADEMY

SO PROUD: Ife Sellah and her mum Annette Knight

TOP CLASS!

GCSEs DOUBLE LEVEL: Bahgah Katamesh (left) took an A level and an AS at the same time as her GCSEs. Nawid Daoud and Abdifatah Hussein find out their results at Burlington Danes (below)

 Bahgah heading back to her native Egypt and hoping for uni place two years earlier than most  Results continue impressive run in past few years at academy AN EXCEPTIONAL Burlington Danes Academy teenager is looking to head to university early after already passing her GCSEs and A levels.

While Year 11 pupils at the Shepherds Bush school were sweating over their GCSE exams, Bahgah Katamesh’s workload was through the roof as she also sat two A levels and an AS level exam two years earlier than most students.

But the incredibly bright and hard-working 16-yearold earned a mammoth 12 A*s in her GCSE exams, along with two A* grades in maths and Arabic A levels, and an A in AS level biology.

Bahgah is heading home to her native Egypt where she hopes to earn a place at a top university. She said: “I just enjoy learning and I knew all the hard work would pay off. To see how happy my mum is makes it all worthwhile.

“I am hoping to be a doctor. I was thinking about paediatrician but I am

BUZZ 9.2011

Hard-working teen takes two A levels as well

TOP CLASS!

BURLINGTON DANES ACADEMY

now leaning towards neurologist.

Hopefully I can get into uni early in Egypt so I can keep progressing.”

Bahgah’s success capped another fine set of results for the school, in Wood Lane, with 75 per cent o students gaining at least five A* to C grades including maths and English.

That is an eight per cent improvement on last year and a drastic rise from the 35 per cent they recorded in 2007, while 21 per cent of pupils were awarded A or A* grades.

Nawid Daoud, 16, and Abdifatah Hussein, 16, were both beaming after picking up an impressive set of results and looking forward to life at the school’s new sixth form.

Abdifatah picked up two A*s in English and chemistry, four As in physics, geography, economics and English literature and two Bs in French

 Patrick was so confident about his grades the T-shirt said it all...  But he backed it up by achieving seven A* and three As

PHOENIX ON THE RISE: Charlotte Arthur (above) and the super-confident Patrick Valente (inset) shwoing his ‘winning’ T-shirt

MOST teenagers wake up in a cold sweat ahead of heading to school to pick up their GCSE results.

But not Patrick Valente at Phoenix High School.

The 16-year-old worked his socks off before his exams and was so confident of bagging top grades that he donned a T-shirt emblazoned with the word ‘winning’ when he got out of bed.

It may seem like a brave move but he backed up his confidence with seven A* grades in triple science, maths, sociology, Latin and English language while also picking up three further As. He said: “I was confident I would do well – as you can tell by my T-shirt – but I have had to work quite hard.”

Patrick had decided against staying on at the sixth form at the school, in the Curve, Shepherd’s Bush, and will head to Richmond College to study A levels

and biology and is set to study A levels in chemistry, maths and economics.

He said: “I can’t wait to relax now and have a couple of weeks where I am not worrying about my results. I have picked some tough A levels but it should be fun.”

Nawid, who got four A*s, one A, four Bs and one C, said: “My life has been on hold for the past two years.

I am disappointed not to get more A grades but I am sure in the next few days I will realise how well I have done.”

TOP CLASS!

PHOENIX HIGH

in economics, physics, further maths and chemistry.

“I have been at Phoenix for five years so I will miss the people here and my friends but it is time to move on.”

Students flocked to the school in the pouring rain to pick up their results and many shrieked with joy as they opened their envelopes.

One of the happy students was Charlotte Arthur, 16, who said she was proud of her efforts after passing all of her 10 GCSEs with a variety of grades.

She achieved B grades in chemistry, biology and maths and was looking ahead to the future with optimism as she prepares for life at the school’s sixth form.

“I was so nervous and it is such a relief,” she said.

“I worked hard to get them and I am proud of myself. I am going to do A levels in biology, chemistry, English and psychology and I can’t wait.

“It has been a long summer now and I am looking forward to coming back in September.”

33

BUZZ 9.2011

GCSEs

TOP CLASS!

ACES: Hamdi Salah and Daniel Julien (left) and Dejee JnoBaptiste, Adam Elshlakany, and Xavier John (below left), all aged 16

ď ľ Fulham schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A*-C grade improvement was best in borough ď ľ Head of Year 11 says it is a perfect retirement present HENRY Compton School boasted the biggest improvement in GCSE results in the entire borough.

Performances from star students, like Sami Ahmadi with nine A*s and two As, helped the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s results for the number of students getting A*-C grades in their GCSEs, including maths and English rise by 13 per cent on last year.

Forty-nine per cent of students got ďŹ ve or more GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, and included the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head boys Abdallah Hassan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who received a fantastic two A*s, nine As and

HENRY COMPTON

PICTURES BY KEVIN POOLMAN

four Bs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Khaleel Obi, who got an amazing 10 A*s and one A. The pass rate for students getting ďŹ ve or more GCSEs at A*-C at the Kingwood Road school in Fulham was the second most improved in H&F, with a jump of 10 per cent to hit 90 per cent. It is an achievement that staff, students and parents at the school have worked hard to bring about.

One of the pupils receiving his results after a nervous wait was 16-year-old Xavier John from Ladbroke Grove. He came

FAMILY

away with 13 GCSEs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; seven Cs and six Bs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m feeling good, â&#x20AC;&#x153; he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shock, as I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expecting to do so well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to go to Uxbridge College now to do a diploma but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure which subject Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to chose yet.â&#x20AC;?

High-ďŹ&#x201A;yers included Junead Jalil, with three A*s, ďŹ ve As and one B, and Abdulrahan Allaghbani who got ďŹ ve A*s, one A and seven Cs. The turn-around in results was a deserved leaving present for former assistant head and head of year 11, Andy Ross, who ofďŹ cially retired after 37 years teaching â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 33 of those years at Henry Compton.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The results are brilliant.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m fortunate that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a wonderful career and time here, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m leaving on a bit of a high and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very proud of my students.â&#x20AC;?

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HURLINGHAM & Chelsea’s GCSE results improved for the seventh year running.

The school saw a big rise in the number of students getting five or more GCSEs with A*-C grades, up 13 per cent on last year’s figure, taking it to 96 per cent.

And, keen to push pupils to their full potential, the school boasted a number of keen Year 10 pupils sitting their GCSEs a year early, and even two 16-year-olds sitting their A levels two years early.

Adrian Musial and Mateusz Plaza, both 16 and originally from Poland, came out on top with their GCSEs gaining one C, 10 Bs and 3As, and six A*s, six As and two Bs respectively, as well as getting an A each in Polish at A level, two years earlier than usual.

Lana Sabah, 15, was one of several Year 10 pupils to pick up GCSEs a year earlier than planned. Lana, who lives at the Clem Attlee Estate in Fulham – and says she wants to be prime minister – got two A*s, three As and five Bs. She said: “I’m feeling good but I’m disappointed – I wanted to get straight As and A*s because I want to get a scholarship to Oxford. I’ll re-sit the five subjects I got Bs in next year and hopefully I’ll get them across the board then. My family will be really happy though.”

Year 10 pupil Nora Agha, 15, got an A* in Arabic, B in English and a C in science and Nadin Ward, also 15, of Sawley Road, Shepherds Bush, got an A in religious studies, A* in Arabic and Cs in biology and English.

Best friends Migle Sataite of Dawes Road, Laura Saliavonaite from West Kensington and Polina Ganina of Edith Road, all aged 16, were collecting their results together and were thinking about going shopping to celebrate. Migle and Laura are originally from Lithuania, having only moved to the UK four years ago and two years ago respectively.

Migle got five As, two Bs and two Cs, while Laura got an A* in Russian, along with enough GCSEs to go to William Morris sixth form where she will study A levels in

FINDING OUT: Lana Sabah, 15 (far left) and Jacques Ali-Bilal, 16

BUZZ 9.2011

GCSEs

 Polish lads took 14 GCSEs and an A level each two years early  Headteacher says ‘not a single pupil left school without a GCSE’

PICTURES BY KEVIN POOLMAN

TOP CLASS! HURLINGHAM & CHELSEA

SCHOOL: Fifteen-year-olds Nadin Ward and Miriam Ismaail (above), and Karen Simonyan and Angelo Bizzarro, and Taylor Rowe and Shari Fraser, all 16 (above left). Inset below: Luke Coyne

accounting, maths, economics and ICT. Polina achieved five A*s, five As and a Btec qualification in ICT. It is only five years ago that Polina and her family moved to England from Russia.

She said: “I’m feeling great. I’m happy and my family will be really happy. I was thinking about going into medicine but I’m not too sure yet – we’ll see.”

Polina will now be joining her best friends at William Morris to study biology, chemistry, maths and English literature.

It is a huge achievement for the girls, who spoke no English at all until they moved to London.

Luke Coyne, 16, of West Kensington, got one A in religious education, three Bs, three Cs and a

merit in his ICT Btec. He is now going to Richmond College and hopes to go on to work for Boeing in the future as an engineer. He said: “I think I did really well – I got my grades to go to college. I think my family will be reasonably happy. Well, really happy.”

Headteacher Phil Cross was thrilled by the positive change. “This is the seventh year that we’ve got better, and it’s a real rapid improvement,” he said. “Not one single pupil has left the school without a GCSE and we’ve gone up by 11 per cent for pupils getting five or more GCSEs at A*-Cs including English and maths. That’s great news.”

Seventy-three per cent of GCSE entrants left the school with a GCSE in maths, while 71 per cent received a GCSE in English.

35

BUZZ 9.2011

G C S E s !

S S A TOP CL  Neil wins friendly bet with his friend by taking 10 A* grades  Many pupils at Oratory gain multiple top results FRIENDS Neil Holloway and Tom Reed had a bet on who would get the most A*s, with Neil pipping his pal by one thanks to an impressive 10.

The London Oratory pupils were just two of many who scored multiple top grades, as the school recorded a 96 per cent A*-C with English and maths pass rate.

Neil, who got A*s in English, English literature, physics, chemistry, biology, French, history, maths and PE, was revelling in having the last

36

LONDON ORATORY CONGRATS: (From left) Tom Reed, Dominic Goodall and Neil Holloway find out their results

PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

laugh over his friend. “It’s an added bonus,” he joked.

“But seriously, it doesn’t matter, I’m just pleased we both did well.”

Both will stay at the Oratory for their A-levels, and Tom said he was looking forward

to next year after getting A*s in maths, English, English literature, physics, chemistry, biology, German, RE and art.

Among Dominic Goodall’s six As was Greek, which he studied as an extra subject after school.

“I had done Latin when I was younger and thought it would be nice to try something different,” said Dominic, who got A*s in biology and RE.

BUZZ 9.2011

GCSEs

TOP CLASS!

MUSIC TO THEIR EARS: (Clockwise from left) Hannah Merrison, Jeta Zhobi, Willow Enis Race and Phoebe McFarlane; Head of childrens services Andrew Christie and Cllr Helen Binmore with headteacher Sally Whyte and pupils Jessica Rees and Mari Howell; Constance Foley; Friends Ailsa McNeil, Louisa Metcalfe and Tara McGrath have their bags packed to head off to the Reading festival after collecting their results

 Jeta will jet off to travel the world to hone her language skills after A* grades in languages HEADTEACHER Sally Whyte hailed Lady Margaret’s results as the ‘best ever’ after 92 per cent scored A*-C. “I’m delighted because the girls were a very determined group and worked really hard,” she said.

Leading the way was Jeta Zhobi from North End Road, Fulham, who took nine top grades and immediately set her sights on travelling the world to hone her language skills.

“I got A*s in French and Spanish and really want to go on to learn them fluently,” she said.

Hannah Morrison suffered sleepless nights before results day but had no need

to panic after achieving top grades in science, geography and maths.

“I panic a lot but I think that’s probably why I did well – it makes me work hard,” she said.

Her pal, Willow Enis Race, said all the revision was worth it after getting A*s in Spanish, history, biology and RE. “I was predicted to do well but it certainly wasn’t a breeze. I just want to enjoy the summer now, although it would be nice if it stopped raining,” she said.

Phoebe McFarlane did even better, and seemed to be in a daze after getting the top grade in six subjects, including music and French.

“I just don’t know how that happened,” she said.

PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

SMILES: er Bronte Clothi

LADY MARGARET 37

BUZZ 9.2011

Volunteering is time very well spent in so many ways WORD IS OUT: Volunteers help out in a variety of tasks – Katie Butt (left) was giving her time for the Fulham Doorstep Library Project

By Liberty Vaz Townsend

 Our Buzz reporter says helping others is fulfilling and useful – and can develop work skills

38

MY GRANDMOTHER always said that where much is given, much is expected.

So, when I took a year out of education after taking my GCSEs I thought about how I could spend some time giving something back to others.

That’s how I became a volunteer with Oxfam.

There are many different charities to get involved with in Hammersmith and Fulham, and it is not hard to find an organisation that fits in with your interests, or which opens up new and unknown environments and experiences to you.

Personally, I love reading and books, and so volunteering for an Oxfam bookshop was something that made sense to me.

It’s easy to be put off volunteering for charity by thinking you haven’t got anything to offer, but enthusiasm and willingness to make a

“

I have worked tomer rewith many lations. In a typical interesting four-hour shift you people of get many all ages chances to be involved in

contribution is more prized than you think.

All you need to do to volunteer in an Oxfam shop is to pick up an application form from any store.

Oxfam always needs volunteers, and it’s great community service for anyone doing a Duke of Edinburgh Award, or just wanting to get involved with the local community.

I first volunteered for Oxfam last autumn and in the last year I have experienced a range of responsibilities, including sorting and pricing books, working at the till, doing accounts and general cus-

a variety of tasks, and I highly recommend this experience.

Whether it’s someone wanting to bulk-buy more than 700 comics, or finding out that a book worth over £100 has been donated, the work is interesting and fun.

Oxfam is always looking for people of all ages to volunteer, and there is no minimum number of hours you need to put in. In the last year I have volunteered once a week for

four hours and I have worked with many interesting local people of all ages who have amazing stories to tell.

In Oxfam bookshops there are also sections for music and DVDs, and certainly at the Oxfam in Turnham Green Terrace the music section is one of the most profitable, so if your interests lie in that direction Oxfam could use your help. As well as bookshops, it also has clothes shops where you can volunteer, so those interested in fashion can enhance their interests.

I have found this type of volunteer work extremely satisfying and it really helps develop communication skills too. If you are looking to apply to university or will be making job applications, voluntary work is something you can be proud of putting on your Ucas form or CV. Volunteering for a charity can also open your eyes to issues you had not really thought much about before.

Oxfam has many worldwide campaigns to its name.

You can find out more about these and other campaigns on the Get Involved section of the Oxfam website below.

My overall experience volunteering with Oxfam has been an incredibly positive one. So, get volunteering – you won’t regret it.  See www.oxfam.org.uk.

and street trading

Want to be your own boss?

Thought about stall trading?

BUZZ 9.2011

Markets

We have street trading pitches available across the borough.

For individual stalls or you can even set up your own market!

To discuss opportunities please get in touch: Tel 020 8753 3916 or 020 8753 6495 Email streettrading@lbhf.gov.uk Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Unique venues for all occasions The borough of Hammersmith & Fulham offers indoor and outdoor venues to hire for all occasions.

The splendour and expanse of the Art Deco interior of Hammersmith Town Hall is excellent value for money and gives you a venue to meet your needs. We have a wide variety of meeting and reception rooms to accommodate everything from AGMs to award ceremonies, conferences to weddings.

We are fortunate to have some award winning parks in the borough available to hire. Community events, product launches and charity events are just some of the events that take place within our parks and open spaces, including our Green Flag parks and Lyric Square, our town centre space.

Whether it be a large conference, your wedding or a community funday our experienced events team will be able to advise and assist with all your event needs and you can be confident that your event with run smoothly from booking through to the event day.

To find out more please contact the events team on 0845 337 0314 or events@lbhf.gov.uk

39

BUZZ 9.2011

Could 11 new football pitches come to White City?  A NEW football and basketball centre is set to be built in Shepherds Bush, subject to planning approval.

The new £2.1million site at Hammersmith Park in White City (near the Loftus Road ground of Queens Park Rangers) would replace the park’s existing all-weather pitch which has

fallen into disrepair, with the fabric turf falling out and the fences in need of replacement. The proposal includes 11 astroturf pitches and one basketball zone.

The plans for the new facility include eight five-a-side pitches and three seven-a-side pitches.

KumonÊhelpedÊ meÊwithÊmyÊ Ê schoolworkÊand ce. myÊindependen Ifrah, 11 nley Wigan, Winsta Study Centre

In addition to the free basketball area, registered local residents will also be given substantial free use of one five-a-side pitch and one seven-aside pitch.

A pavilion, cafe and car park could also be built and would blend well into the surroundings of the park.

DevelopÊyourÊchildÕsÊÊ independenceÊwithÊKumon Our mathsÊandÊEnglishÊstudyÊ programmes are tailored specifically to maximise your child’s individual abilities and development, building an active enthusiasm for learning.

ContactÊyourÊlocalÊInstructorÊtoday

ShepherdÕsÊBushÊStudyÊCentre Vinita Kashyap

020 3002 0735 ClassesÊonÊWednesdayÊandÊFridayÊÊ 3.30pmÊ-Ê5.30pm

kumon.co.uk

40

BUZZ 9.2011

Kids’ Movie Club

at Riverside Saturday morning is children’s time!

Parents – come early and have brunch in the café.

Tickets £2.50 (kids) £5 adults SAT 24 SEP 11.00AM

SAT 1 OCT 11.00AM

SAT 15 OCT 11.00AM

A teenager babysitting her little brother accidentally sends him to the land of the Goblin King and she must get him back by midnight or he will be turned into a goblin.

When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours.

After witnessing a mysterious train crash, a group of friends begin noticing strange happenings in their small town.

SAT 8 OCT 11.00AM

SAT 22 OCT 11.00AM

Labyrinth (U)

Please note: A child must accompany an adult

The Smurfs (U)

Super 8 (12A)

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (PG)

One Life (U)

The life of a businessman begins to change after he inherits six penguins.

Box Office 020 8237 1111

t

Daniel Craig narrates the lives of twenty animals including a humpback whale.

riversidestudios.co.uk

41

BUZZ 9.2011

Being young and having fun is tough without the funding

By Hanaa Foura, 17

 We ask an expert from H&F for money-saving tips  Borough youngsters also quizzed for their ideas  Did you know the average age for kids getting their first mobile is eight?

WE’RE young, we want to have fun, but sometimes you may not have enough money to go out all the time.

I mean, come on – you’re focusing on school, you have a social life and, depending on your age, not all of us can get a job to earn money.

Although parents are the first source, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get money all the time.

So as back-up I have some tips on how you could save money and get money.

But before I quiz the young people of Hammersmith & Fulham, who better to ask about tips on money than the H&F Credit Union manager Cheryl Gale?

Here are some facts and solutions from a professional on what is being done in the borough for young people to save money.

42

SAVE AND SOUND: H&F Credit Union manager Cheryl Gale

“The average pocket money now is £6.32 per week and over 75 per cent of seven to 11-year-olds are saving for their future, but 42 per cent of these store their money in a money box, limiting understanding of how to manage money,” said Cheryl.

“The average age for kids getting their first mobile is eight and one in five children starts purchasing items online at the age of 10 using their parents’ cards. Fifty per cent of teenagers have been in debt by the age of 17 but 66 per cent of Britons believe that early financial lessons would have helped them to deal with today’s financial challenges and help them understand the importance in saving money in the future.”

The H&F Credit Union plays a big role in helping to

encourage saving habits in children as young as five, by setting up partnerships with local schools to encourage this.

Cheryl added: “The credit union also uses transactional banking to get young people into the practice of using money responsibly.”

What can we do to save money in H&F? “There are many ways young people can look to save money,” she said.

“Opening a bank or credit union account is the first step.

Developing little and regular s a v i n g

habits is a firm step in being able to make choices for their future.”

D o e s Cheryl have any other tips?  “Cash burns a hole in your pocket. Try to use debit cards so you just use what you need.”  “Understand where you spend your money: keep a tracker of all receipts, even for a can of drink, for a whole month. Then see where your spending lies. You will be surprised sometimes at how much you spend on certain items over a month.

Then try reducing this cost and put aside the savings.”

as such, but this should not deter children from making the right financial choices and seeing the benefits.

An example could be having the choice to opt for contract mobile with lower cost rather than that PAYG phone.

Or having a personal debit card facility to access online discounts rather than pay highstreet costs.”

Now back to the young people from the borough for some of their own tips on how to save money.  “Leave your card at home/ don’t take out that much money with you when you go out” Aicha Omar Ali, 17  “Give it to a parent to look after it” Hajar Serrokh, 19  “Put your money in a savings account” Karen Nwanosike, 17  “Instead of using the train use the bus” Merhawit Ghebte, 17  “You can go to New Look and get a student discount” Chikira Smith-Richards, 16  “Buy only essentials but also treat yourself like once or twice a month” Fatima Jawad, 17 These tips so far have been on how to save money, but what if you just don’t have any or enough?

I asked young people again what they think of the opportunities  For more available and information see some said www.hfcu.co.uk you could get a part-time job, but others, who know jobs are hard to get and EMA is not available, And if your money is disagreed.

Mohamad Altamash, 18, limited?  “Plan ahead and prepare for said: “There are definitely known expenditure or for that opportunities, even if you special treat.” can’t get a job because of  “Learning to spread your lack of experience. Then you money gives greater control should go to get experience and a fantastic platform in because in H&F there are so understanding how to manage many events and programmes finances such as mortgages you can get involved in and etc later on in life.” gain the experience you need.

Any discounts for young “You could maybe even people in H&F? get paid for the experience  “There are no incentives you gain so that’s a bonus.”

H&F Credit Union

Adult learning and skills service

Want to change your career?

Need help getting back to work?

Want to learn something new?

Information and advice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; choosing a course We have a team of experienced staff who are able to give you information on a wide range of courses and help you choose the right one.

Careers, educational, training and employment guidance Our fully qualified careers advisor can offer advice and guidance on employment, education and training.

Get help with: t $IPPTJOH B DPVSTF PS DPMMFHF t "QQMZJOH UP GVSUIFS PS IJHIFS FEVDBUJPO t %FDJEJOH PO B DBSFFS QBUI t 8SJUJOH B $7 BOE QSFQBSJOH GPS JOUFSWJFX t 'JOEJOH PVU BCPVU KPCT WPMVOUBSZ XPSL PS USBJOJOH DPVSTFT $BMM 0845 839 7912 UP CPPL B DPOmEFOUJBM BQQPJOUNFOU 8F XJMM BMTP CF PGGFSJOH BEWJDF BOE HVJEBODF TFTTJPOT PO UIF GPMMPXJOH 4BUVSEBZT t 4FQUFNCFS UFSN 15 October 2011 t +BOVBSZ UFSN 11 February 2012 t "QSJM UFSN 16 June 2012

Please note that this service is for adults aged 19+

For more information details, advice or on to courses book a session and how call to0845 enrol839 see7912 www.hfals.co.uk, 0845 839 7912 or email alssinfo@lbhf.gov.uk Adult Learning andcall Skills, Macbeth Centre, Macbeth Street, W6 9JJ

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Learning method with 4m pupils worldwide l A Shepherds Bush study centre using a method taught worldwide is helping children to improve their maths and English.

Students of all ages and abilities attend classes on Wednesday and Friday afternoons at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Coverdale Road.

Vinita Kashyap has been the instructor at the Kumon Study Centre for the past year.

She said: “The centre has become a vibrant, thriving part of the community. The children love the learning environment and the atmosphere in class.”

Supplementary education provider Kumon has more than four million students worldwide, developing youngsters’ ability to learn independently, and boosting confidence in all areas of life.

Learning is tailored to each child’s level, and students attend once or

twice a week for around half an hour, getting daily worksheets so they can keep up with their studies at home. Tutors’ support is guidance rather than explanation, helping students apply what they have learned to solve work they have never seen before.

“Parents often comment on how much Kumon has helped with their child’s academic achievements and it is wonderful to see their confidence, concentration and selfmotivation develop,” added Vinita. l Call Vinita on 020 3002 0735 or email shepherdsbush@ kumoncentre.co.uk

BUZZ 9.2011

advertorial features

Get in on the act thanks to Stagecoach Are your youngsters always stage-struck?

Fulham children who might make a career of it are being invited to attend Stagecoach, Britain’s largest part-time theatre school, which runs on Saturday mornings and afternoons in term-time.

In the course of a term, children aged four to 18 are given professional training in all aspects of theatre performance, mastering how to express themselves while having fun learning to act, sing and dance.

The students work in small groups of up to 17, with classes taught by experienced teachers with professional backgrounds in performing, choreography, directing and music.

Sessions are varied, to keep everyone focused, and after three

PLAY: Alison Mooore, one of Stagecoach’s principals (below left), and with students (above) hours of active, stimulating classes Stagecoach says they are alert and stretched mentally and physically.

The focus is on growing the children’s confidence, imagination and communication while they learn new skills. There is no pressure of an audition.

Stagecoach has proved to be so successful in Fulham (and in neighbouring Kensington) that principals Sara Catlin Brown and Alison Moore decided to expand and open new schools earlier this year. l For more information, call Alison at Stagecoach Fulham on 0845 202 5727 or visit www.stagecoach.co.uk

45

/CTOBER (ALF 4ERM Lots on offer this school holiday for young people aged 11-19 ART AND. FASHION. ACTIVITIES. GraffAttack

Monday 24 October and Tuesday 25 October 12.00-2.00pm Age 11-19 This two day graffiti course will give you all the skills to create your own piece of spooky art work.

Queen Caroline Community Centre, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BS 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Trick or Treat?

Monday 24 October and Tuesday 25 October 12.00-2.00pm Age 11-19 Are you stuck for a costume? Do you need inspiration? Get involved in our Halloween themed costume design course so you’re ready to SCARE! Old Oak Community Centre, Braybrook Street, W12 0AP 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Zombies, Ghouls and Gore Tuesday 25 October 6.00-8.00pm No Halloween costume is complete without the scare factor make up to match. Come and learn the tricks to create a face that will have people running for the hills.

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, W6 0QL 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Hammerween Masked Ball

Wednesday 26 October and Thursday 27 October 12.00-2.00pm Age 11-19 Hammerween would not be complete without a disguise so come and make your very own unique mask. Stand out from the crowd and let your imagination run wild!

Queen Caroline Community Centre, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BS 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Fake it!

Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October 12.00-2.00pm Age 13-19 Gruesome ghouls, werewolves, witches warts, zombies - Take part in our stage make up course and transform yourself until you’re unrecognisable. Learn the tips of the trade - no horror film will ever be the same again!!

Old Oak Community Centre, Braybrook Street, W12 0AP 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Fright Light

Thursday 27 October 6.00-8.00pm Age 13-19 Create a spooky, eerie atmosphere as Autumn nights draw nearer and come to our lantern making workshop. Put your creativity to the test and light up the Lyric.

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, W6 0QL 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

MUSIC AND. PERFORMING. ART ACTIVITIES. Are you Afraid of the Dark?

Monday 24 October and Tuesday 25 October 3.00-5.00pm Age 11-19 Urban legends, myths, ghost stories; join us on this two part acting course and bring to life the famous campfire classics inspired by the Lyric production ‘Ghost stories’ Queen Caroline Community Centre, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BS 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Beats and Rhymes

Monday 24 October and Tuesday 25 October 3.00-5.00pm Age 13-19 Be your very own music producer in this two day course. Whether you want to make beats, spit bars, sing or simply learn the role of a producer come and make your own track you can take home.

Old Oak Community Centre, Braybrook Street, W12 0AP 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

THRILLER!

Monday 24 October 6.00-8.00pm Age 13-19 Join us for a spooky evening of street dance and learn the moves from the iconic THRILLER video.

Who knows what may happen on the next full moon.

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, W6 0QL 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Monster Mash

Wednesday 26 October and Thursday 27 October 3.00-5.00pm Age 11-19 Locking, popping, breaking and moonwalking…We are hosting a street dance workshop, teaching you all the moves to dance away the dark nights.

Queen Caroline Community Centre, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BS 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Tales by Night

Wednesday 26 October 6.00-8.00pm Age 13-19 This drama workshop will give you the chance to create your very own GRIM tales as well as perfect your acting skills. Whose tales will give their audience the chills?!

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, W6 0QL 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

Who Dunnit?!

Comedy Course

Thursday 27 October and Friday 28 October 3.00-5.00pm Age 13-19 Lady GAGA, in the library with an iPad…Learn the skills to create your very own comedy sketches and have your mates in stitches!

Old Oak Community Centre, Braybrook Street, W12 0AP 020 8741 6869 hollie.evans@lyric.co.uk

SPORT. ACTIVITIES. Boot Camp

Monday 24 and Thursday 17 October 11.00am-1.00pm Whether you want to get fit for your chosen sport or you just like working out, these sessions will suit all. They will include core

stability work, weight training and aerobic training.

Lillie Rd Rec, Lillie Rd 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Street Dance Camp

Monday 24 to Friday 28 October 12.00-2.00pm Age 11-19 A week long camp to learn new dance styles and moves from industry leading choreographers and dance professionals.

TBC 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Sport Hub

Monday 24 to Friday 28 October 12.00-4.00pm Age 11-19 Sports Hub provides a holiday camp to try different sports activities, involving different sports, games and competitions within a friendly atmosphere.

Burlington Dance Academy, Wood Lane, W12 0HR 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Dance

Monday 24 to Friday 28 October 12.00-4.00pm Age 11-19 Hip hop, street dance and break dancing, An opportunity to learn new dance styles and moves from industry leading choreographers and dance professionals.

Burlington Dance Academy, Wood Lane, W12 0HR 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Over 14s Football Tournament

Monday 24 October 12.00-4.00pm Age 15-19 A rotation tournament for anyone aged 15 years to 19 years. There will be skills teaching throughout.

William Morris Sixth Form, St Dunstan’s Rd, W6 8RB 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Basketball Academy Monday 24 to Friday 28 October 2.00-4.00pm Age 13-19 This camp will include basketball drills, skills and games, as well as London Youth Games training and selection, and ending the week with a 3 on 3 tournament.

!CTIVITIES

11-19 years

0845 313 3933 E:ÀV#OEKI JRY XN W:ZZZ OEKI JRY XN \RXWKOLIH Burlington Dance Academy, Wood Lane, W12 0HR 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Football Camp

Monday 24 to Friday 28 October 3.00-5.00pm Age 13-19 A week long football camp delivered by professional Fulham FC coaches. Sessions will include skills, drills and games.

South Park - Meet at the football pitches and look out for the FFC and ‘Let Me Play’ banners 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Football

Monday 24 and Wednesday 26 October 6.00-7.00pm Evening kick about session with friends at the club, skills and games will be included.

Riverside Community Centre, Macbeth Street, W6 9JJ 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Boxing

Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 October 3.00-4.00pm Age 11-19 Learn how to jab, hook, cross and cut with a professional boxing coach. You will learn the best techniques and how to apply them.

Phoenix High School, The Curve, W12 0RQ 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Football Tournament

Wednesday 26 October 12.00-4.00pm Age 13-19 Come on your own or as a team, and take part in the biggest football tournament this season.

Prizes to be won!

Linford Christie Stadium, Du cane Rd, W12 0DF 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Football Club

Wednesday 26 and Friday 28 October 5.30-6.30pm

Come to the Fatima Community Centre with your friends to kick around the ball, led by a Let Me Play coach.

Fatima Community Centre, Commonwealth Ave, White City, W12 7QR 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Street Cheer

Wednesday 26 and Friday 28 October 5.30-6.30pm An opportunity to learn new dance styles and moves from a group of talented choreographers and dance professionals Fatima Community Centre, Commonwealth Ave, White City, W12 7QR 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

Kayaking

Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October 1.00-3.00pm Age 13-19 Two hours of paddling each day, you will get to learn from the basics and get the chance to gain BSC Start and Star awards.

Furnivall Sculling Club, 19 Lower Mall, Hammersmith W6 9DJ 0845 009 0933 www.letmeplay.co.uk

YOUTH. PROJECTS. Looking for something to do in the evening during the summer, then why not visit one of the borough’s youth project. Each centre is different, but they all offer a mixture of arts and craft, sports, cooking, IT and information and advice.

Brunswick Club

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Time 6.30-9.30pm Age 13-19 34 Haldane Rd, Fulham, SW6 7EU 020 7385 4856

Sands End Youth Project

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6.30-9.30pm Age 13-19

All activities should be open to all young people, including those with disabilities. If you are unsure whether they can access the activities, give the project a call.

This holiday you can also access activities in Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.

(up to 25 if disabled)

Marinefield Rd, the adventure playground in William Parnell Park 020 7736 6572

Sulgrave Youth Project

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 6.30-9.30pm Age 13-19 287 Goldhawk Rd, Hammersmith, W12 8EU 020 8748 3561

Masbro Youth Project

Mondays from 5.00-8.00pm Wednesday and Friday from 6.00-9.00pm Age 13-19 87 Masbro Rd, Shepherds Bush, W14 0LR 020 7603 8172

White City Youth Project@ Fatima centre

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6.30-9.30pm Age 13-19 Fatima Centre, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR 020 8969 2528

Old Oak Youth Project

Tuesday from 6.30-9.30pm and Friday from 7.00-10.00pm Age 13-19 76 Braybrook Street, Old Oak, W12 7PH 020 8969 2528

College Park Youth Project

Monday 7.00-10.00pm Age 13-19 14 Letchford Gardens, College Park, NW10 6AN 0208 969 2528

Connexions One Stop Shop

Monday to Friday 1.00-5.00pm Age 14-19 Do you need help to make choices about college, sixth form places, apprenticeships or finding a job?

Then pop into the One Stop Shop and meet with a personal adviser.

181 King Street, Hammersmith W6 9JT 020 8741 2441

Youth Commissioners Wanted Thursday 27 October 1.00-5.00pm Age 13-19 Training for young people interested in becoming a youth commissioner. For young people aged 13 - 19 years old who want to help decide which projects and activities are available in the borough and make important decisions on which activities receive funding.

TBC 020 8753 6231 andrew.simmons@ lbhf.gov.uk Booking required

ACTIVITIES. AND SERVICES. FOR DISABLED. YOUNG PEOPLE. HAFAD Holiday Programme

Monday 24 Friday 28 October 9.30am-4.30pm Age 1-25 A week’s programme of activities for young disabled people which include arts, cooking and music production.

Greswell Centre, Greswell Street, Fulham, SW6 6PX 020 7471 8510 - Advanced booking required

Carers Service

Access one to one carers service for children and young people to take part in activities or for respite.

Disabled children’s team on 020 8753 3321

Respite

The Haven offers both day based and overnight stays for children aged 9-18.

Disabled children’s team 020 8753 3321

The Queensmill Playscheme

Disabled children’s team 020 8753 3321

To find out what’s on offer, check out the following websites: ÜÜÜ° VVi ÌÀ> °ÀL V°} Û°Õ ÊUÊÜÜÜ°ÜiÃÌ ÃÌiÀ°} Û°Õ ÉwÃÊ To find out what else is on offer in Hammersmith & Fulham V iV Ê ÕÌÊ9 ÕÌ vi\ÊÜÜÜ° L v°} Û°Õ ÉÞ ÕÌ viÊ

BUZZ 9.2011

MOVES:

Linda Hall puts on a display of performance martial arts (left), Gabriella Winters takes her monkey for a dance (below) and Thomas Kaprielian and his sister Grace (bottom left) practise their skills

E C N A D CALL

y of talents  A wide arra r a fo er came togeth at a W6 y da g fundraisin used dance studio ho Nick as , in an archway t Skoric found ou

48

such as e as much is ra The O2 to d te an w t “We e two grea th r fo ite and le ur ib vo ss fa po or of TV which money as Wembley THE co-creat lled in for a guest y full of dance,unch our da a in es us ca ca -la re lp he Arena. to Rastamouse ring a fundraising will also go on197 dance studio that In nd hi appearance du be st h ju rc A io d ,” ud ar ve st belo year on ye 06 his ow 20 gr day at a dancePark. to ng ui in is cont group won Ravenscourt e Souza entertained said Josh.

July 2009 in 7 19 in Michael D h the World 7 rc 19 A h ed He open ren at Arc line – be tu e th Street Dance s r the young childns with a tale from his de premises un name – and works in de ar G . d es en ur Championship eb nt Pr e the ‘arch’ eature’s adve nc cr g . he ie tin ck gh Ja fi r, eat the Winter othe crim street dance alongside his me no real street dance Former world ancois, managing Gardens in er w “There Fr d I had to an on Blackpool, nd champion Joshvenue, brought Lo t es places in w London h ut so defeating to director of the talents from across the n w nents always go do dance, so I decided formidable oppo together dance money for youngsters to d te Atlantic. an e w I th ch e if hi ss is w ro ra e ac to ac l pl ta om n fr capi ow ly to open up myr people interested in “That was easiof my in Gambia. r-old’s event was jamr fo te ca of t s d en ul rm co om ea fo m r -y st he 22 a The ts such the be d then ot as we performed wide array of acimal street dance an ded. dancing career ed routine to win the packed with a as an ” Josh ad e, en nc em be da ormer has Sister Act-th ” he said. “I remember kung fu The young perfwas 14 after being ultimate prize,in a vicar’s outfit with he and belly e nc si g in nc ie da ov m lt cu I was dressed everything as we did 1984 dancing. inspired by the the collar and stage.”

The Breakin’. lent to va ui eq our thing out onto coaching and s 80 e donations “It was th would I d an Josh turned ing a group of ie e ov th m p from y’s Step U to da n to ga be I e has been train tists for the past as er he ly day w it religious lm. ar fi ch ry at w ve at th up pi as ring dance eight-year-old talent divided p my style from lo g ve f,” in el de ud ys cl m in year me find between s performed in It really helped Malaki, who ha the Erase . sh e Jo videos. th d ic at de s us ad m e ing in show countless Foundation to take the danc g in He began dancentre in Brentford go “We are t ar h, C st rc rt e A w hu s n C s an he . r’ m w ol te er ho Pe Wat scene by stormis month,” said Josh. poster at his sc charity and St . after spotting anot until he joined his performing th who have performed Hammersmith nd Alwyn Simpson is as w But it e group – nc da Family frie ase, which looks to “We have kidsot Talent and starred et re st ’s Er friend Yann the age at – t en m on Britain’s G by fellow in the founder of in Gambia build éjà Vu Entertat the opportunity D rs ge lla vi in music videos ubz. lp he d supply that he go an 15 s of ie t of lit en ci m fa te ci ol el Londoners N-D scho the ex talented bunch hers, and Micha to experience co hey are a very s for them.” ions at “T tit pe m equipment to otpatron. in g pe ho untry competin and I have high De Souza is a as across the co h197.com. renowned aren  See www.arc

BUZZ 9.2011 STUDIO TIME:

(Clockwise from top left) Lily Riva watches some ballet moves, Arch 197 managing director Josh Francois, Irish dance champions Niamh McGovern and Natalia Dolan, Lauren Doffman teaching ballet, and Rastamouse co-creator Michael de Souza with a young visitor PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL/ PICTURE OF MICHAEL DE SOUZA BY PAUL HYATT

49

BUZZ 9.2011

New teacher rules devised by Shepherds Bush head A Shepherds Bush principal has been asked by the Government to carry out a review of teaching standards as current standards were thought to be ‘not fit for purpose’.

And as chairwoman of the teachers’ standards review group, Sally Coates of the Burlington Danes Academy has had her recommendations adopted by the Government.

They will come into effect in September 2012, when teachers will be expected to meet the new standards of competence and conduct.

They form a key part of the Government’s plan to ensure that the status and quality of the teaching profession continues to improve.

Ms Coates (pictured right), who helped achieve a near 20 per cent rise in GCSE pass rates for pupils gaining five A*-C grades last year, said: “Nothing has more impact on a child’s achievement than the

quality of teaching they receive and in the new standards for teachers we have prioritised the importance of classroom practice and subject knowledge.

“I want every teacher to consider these the standards of expectation and build upon them in their career.”

The recommendations focus on teachers having the necessary expertise, vital class-

room skills and improving the rigour of teaching standards.

They include a single set of standards for all teachers, replacing the current duplication of different standards issued from different bodies.

This will mean teachers will need to work to 11 set standards rather than the current maximum of 49.

Also, teachers will be expected to not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Local primary and secondary schools make best progress on improving UK standards

TOP JOB: Cllr Helen Binmore congratulates Fulham Cross pupils Lisa Bajqinca and Aerah Clarisse Galas on their GCSE results in August PICTURE BY LEIGH QUINNELL

u Congratulations flood in after tremendous rise in pupil achievements u Councillors praise the hard work which has led to significant results

50

Pupils at Hammersmith & Fulham schools have made the best progress in the country both at primary and secondary school level, with the borough’s schools excelling in all areas.

In light of this and other improvements in educational standards in the borough,

H&F cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Helen Binmore tabled a motion at a council meeting in June to congratulate the performance and achievements of local schools.

The motion – which praised Ofsted school inspection ratings and the borough topping nationwide rankings for progress achieved by pupils between Key Stage 2 in primary school and GCSEs – received unanimous support from councillors.

The motion also commended dramatic rises in exam results which have seen

H&F named sixth best in the UK and second best in inner London for pupils achieving five or more GCSEs at A*-C, including English and maths, at 68.2 per cent – well ahead of the national average of 55.3 per cent.

Cllr Binmore said: “This council congratulates head teachers, teachers, governors, parents and students alike on the tremendous achievements this year. We look forward to working with our schools to raise standards further and give all our children access to a first class education in the borough.”

Headline figures show that Hammersmith & Fulham is now ranked first in England for expected levels of progress between Key Stage 2 (11-year-olds at primary school) and Key Stage 4 (GCSE or equivalent at secondary school) in English and second for maths.

The gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers achieving the expected levels at KS2 has also closed, falling from 22 per cent in 2006 to 10 per cent in 2010.

For the proportion of children making the expected two levels of progress between Key Stage 1 (age 6 and 7) and Key Stage 2, H&F jumped from 17th place nationally in 2009 for maths to first in 2010.

H&F also improved in English, going from 12th to second place nationally.

All nurseries are rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, with 80 per cent of special schools sharing the accolade, while all secondary schools and 76 per cent of primary schools are ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

The borough is also the best performing borough in inner London for the new English Baccalaureate, with 32 per cent of students getting A*-C in the five core subjects of maths, English, two science qualifications, a foreign language and either history or geography.

The number of children living in the borough taking up secondary school places in September is also up to 65 per cent – compared to 53 per cent in 2008.

BUZZ 9.2011

Invention is perfect for a game of follow my leader  Hammersmith mum-of-two has hit on a simple but ingenious solution for tired scooter riders, as Victoria Marshallsay reports GETTING toddlers and young children from A to B – be it from home to the park or back again – can be an immense trial.

So anything that will make it easier can only be a good thing. Maybe even a great thing.

Every mother I know is well aware of the post-playground meltdown. You know you should have left 10 minutes earlier, you are hurrying home to make the kids’ tea and the little ones are tired and they don’t want to walk, and all you can dangle in front of them is their scooter.

You can’t carry them as you’ve another child to worry about or they are just too heavy now. I’ve seen people attaching all kinds of material and scarves to scooters and then pulling the child along.

But Camilla Alban Davies has come up with a perfect solution.

The 36-year-old, from Tabor Road, Hammersmith, has two children: threeyear-old George and Arthur, aged one.

She gave up her career as a literary agent a couple of years ago and has just invented Scoot ’n Pull.

In essence, she has created a strap that has two functions. It has a loop at each end, one to attach to the handles of the scooter and the other to strap around your wrist and then pull your child along.

So if your child has run out of steam, all they need to do is steer.

When your child has finished scooting, Scoot ’n Pull can also be used as an over-the-shoulder carry strap. All you have to do is tie one end to the vertical pole and put the other loop over the rear wheel of the scooter.

“I was getting so fed up with the meltdowns on the way home. George just wouldn’t have the energy for the walk and I refused to buy a double buggy,” says Camilla.

“I saw other mothers dealing with the same thing and wondered what could be done. I tried all kinds of things like attaching a piece of rope

STRAP LINE: Camilla Alban Davies shows her Scoot ’n Pull device with the aid of sons George, aged three and a half, and oneyear-old Arthur PICTURES

BY DAVID TETT

to the scooter.”

After doing a fair bit of research, and with the help of her husband Henry, who runs his own business, Vintage Wedding List, she came up with her gadget.

She had to find a material that was tough enough and that would stand up to the safety checks necessary to put a product like this out in the market.

Camilla discovered something called webbing – a material that seatbelts are made of. A prototype was made and

safety checks carried out. “I wanted it to be colourful and strong,” says Camilla.

Her Scoot ’n Pull comes in six bright colours.

Apart from enabling parents to pull their children along, the straps are handy in busy places.

“I would go shopping and I was terrified of losing George and having the strap meant I knew he was on the scooter and safe.”  For more information go to Camilla’s website at www.scootnpull.co.uk or you can buy directly from the Micro Scooter website or Jo Jo Maman Bebe for £6.99.

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BUZZ 9.2011

MY SUMMER DIARY

ACTIVE: Shelley Barlin from Let Me Play at the QPR football academy in Ravenscourt Park

Four or five different sports a day? Sounds good to me!

By Jodie Yanez, 14

SUMMER

EVERY half term, Easter and Summer holidays for about two years, I have attended the Let Me Play multi-sport and dance sessions in Hammersmith & Fulham.

This summer, we played about four or five different sports in one day – and all of the sessions were advertised in the Summer in the City guidebook.

Sometimes we would go down to the nearest park to play because there is not really a lot of space in some of the schools.

The camps are always in different locations which is really great because that means new people come so you meet different people and it has also shown me the borough I live in.

I wouldn’t have gone to those places otherwise.

The sports I have done while at the Let Me Play camp include: football and crab football, basketball, handball dodgeball, rugby, handball, hockey, street dance/Glee (pictured inset below), trampolining, boxing, cricket, rounders and table tennis, and more.

I attended the camp because it involves a lot of sports which I like, and it also keeps me fit and healthy.

The coaches are fun and understanding and teach you the right way to play sports and learn new skills.

I keep coming back to Let Me Play because it is something to do, it’s fun and it keeps me very active and involved in sport.

It helps raise my confidence when I come to camp because I know I can talk to the Let Me Play coaches about anything, they are encouraging and supportive too so that is another reason why I keep coming back to camp.

The staff at Let Me Play have been a great influence on me because they are friendly, they know how to talk to young people. They care, they support and they encourage everyone at camp.

If I was not doing camp then I think I would just be sitting at home for most of the week.

I would still do cadets football training. But apart from that I would not be doing anything so I am glad that Let Me Play has been on offer this summer!

IN THE CITY

SUCCESS!

52

THE summer holidays may be over but young people in the borough made sure they made the most of their weeks off and kept busy by acting, singing and designing their way across H&F. Various activities and events during July and August have been funded and supported by the council.

They were open to children of all ages – from toddlers to teenagers – and included free projects such as play schemes, football camps, art clubs and dance sessions.

There were also interesting initiatives aimed at young entrepreneurs in H&F, with the Social Pioneer Summer Academy, which offered free business skills workshops and mentoring to young

people with an idea for a social enterprise. One of the drama events which drew a big crowd was a theatre skills project called The Dream run by Hammersmith’s Lyric theatre in August.

It gave young people aged 11-19 the chance to create a play from scratch in just one week (see full story on page 10) 10).

The youngsters, who learned of the scheme through the council’s Summer in the City guide to events, learnt how to design the costumes and sets, write and learn lines, compose the accompanying music and all other aspects of putting on a professional production from the Lyric’s experts.

One of the participants, 14-year-old Kyree, said: “The play has given us the chance to have the spotlight and the opportunity to shine!” while 12-year-old Katherine said: “It

BUZZ 9.2011 FUN: (Clockwise from top) Coach Miguel Desouza and Adam Finch with the children at QPR football academy; Nathan Christian acts a part at Lyric dream project; Yohannes Umelo, Emil Walker, Daniel Saleem and Hannan Saleem enjoy the day at Rolling Sounds; and Tyrell Cato, Reice Keziah and Jerome Richardson at the QPR coaching session.

Below: Beatrice Matalog

PICTURES BY LEIGH QUINNELL

has been fun, exciting and different from what I would usually do.”

Meanwhile, the creative juices were also flowing at Design Camp, at Burlington Danes Academy in Shepherds Bush at the end of July, where young people were given design tuition from sculptors, artists and design and technology teachers from Latymer Upper School and the Royal College of Art. There were workshops to make and design moving art installations, clothes and fashion, scooters, jewellery and even musical instruments.

Caren Hartley, a metalwork designer who was running one of the workshops, said: “I really enjoyed teaching Design Camp.

It’s rare to get a solid week with a group of children and so it meant I could plan a much more challenging programme than usual.

“It was also great to see how some of the students, at first

shy, really grew in confidence by the end of the week, and came out of their shells when they realised they could do it – and well.”

H&F cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Helen Binmore said: “Hundreds of children and young people signed up for the broad range of interesting events that the council has supported.

“Young people told us that they wanted a wider and more interesting choice of activities, and this summer’s programme delivered just that for all ages.

“The events have been helping young people build their confidence, further develop their social skills and become more involved in their communities.

“It’s been fantastic to see them all enjoying themselves and making the most of the summer holidays.”

There were also sports and fitness classes and activities in the borough, carried out by local sporting organisation Let Me Play, for the council.

The group held week-long sport camps at Linford Christie in White City, the Brunswick Club in Fulham, Ealing, Hammersmith

and West London College in Hammersmith and Burlington Danes Academy in Shepherds Bush.

Young people also took part in kayaking on the Thames, personal training sessions, boot camps, trampolining and tennis, along with football camps with QPR. There was also the chance to learn about local history as youngsters cycled around the borough, taking part in Ride London.

Daniel Ayane, 14, took part in one of the sport camps. He said: “I enjoyed the range and variety of sports that we got to play. If I wasn’t at the project I would have been at home probably just watching television. I have gained new skills in a wide range of different sports.”

All pupils in the borough’s schools received a summer events booklet before the holidays began, listing the numerous activities that were going on.

They were also available from youth clubs, libraries, children’s centres, leisure centres and council buildings, such as the town halls.

You can find out more about what is going on in the borough with listings of events and clubs, by visiting the Family Information Service Directory (FISD) at: www.lbhf.gov.uk/fisd, which has details of services and activities for children aged 0-19.

53

BUZZ 9.2011

 Riverside range of delights: view from last yea a Shakespeare’s Sc r’s ho Festival (left), an ols Smurfs and Supe d (below) in the Kidr 8 s’ Movie Club

WHAT’S ON Hammersmith & Fulham

THEATRE Lyric Hammersmith

54

King Street, Hammersmith W6 Box office: 0871 2211729 www.lyric.co.uk  Bob the Man on the Moon 24 and 25 September, 11am & 1.30pm, family Sunday noon and 2.30pm Ages: 3-7 Bob loves his job: keeping the moon neat and tidy and entertaining space tourists. But somehow he just can’t believe in the existence of aliens. This funny and delightful show is inspired by the hugely popular book by Simon Bartram.

All tickets £8, messy play: £5 (or £3 if brought at the same time as show ticket).

Family ticket £30 (for four people) – call 0871 22 117 29

to book.  Deep Down Cowboys 1 October, 11am & 1pm, Ages 5-10 WHEN the crew of a submarine go Wild West crazy they have to keep it hush-hush. But in the dead of night they wear stetsons, drawl like John Wayne and stage thrilling rodeos. A cracking tale of riding into the sunset and finding freedom.

Tickets: All tickets £8, family ticket £30 (for four people) – call 0871 22 117 29 to book. Messy Play: £5 (or £3 if brought at the same time as show ticket).  Aladdin 19 November – 31 December TRAVEL to a faraway land with Aladdin at the Lyric as east meets west (London) this Christmas. Our genie has granted three wishes to bring you a show full of fun, laughter and lots of

surprises. Last year’s Dick Whittington and his cat was a huge hit and this year promises to be even better as we welcome back the same writing team to once again create a truly Lyric panto.

Riverside Studios Crisp Road W6 Bookings/information: 020 8237 1111 www.riversidestudios.co.uk  Pirates of Penzance Suitable for ages 10+. Thursday 8 December to Sunday 29 January ORPHANED pirates, flatfooted policemen and a bevy of blushing maidens (the pretty daughters of Major General Stanley) are all the ingredients for a fabulous recipe of Gilbert and Sullivan at their very best.

Set on a Victorian seashore,

elegantly recreating original period settings and costumes with exquisite detail, this production sparkles with wit and musical moments, all fully staged in the round.

Tickets: £29.50. Concessions: all performances except Saturday nights and limited to 25 seats per performance. £5 off for under 16s, unwaged, disabled plus companion, and those born on 29 February (ID must be provided). Advance family ticket: only available until 1 December. Four tickets for £50 for any performance except 26 to 30 December (2 adults and 2 under 16-year-olds).

The Barons Court Theatre 28A Comeragh Road W14 9HR Telephone reservations: 020 8932 4747

MUSIC

HMV Apollo Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith Call: 0870 606 3400 www.ticketmaster.co.uk l Avril Lavigne September 21-23 Avril shot to global pop stardom in 2002 with the 6x-platinum Let Go. She has sold more than 30m albums and nearly 20m tracks worldwide over the past eight years.

Age restrictions – 14s and under to be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: £29.50-£39.50.

require ID to purchase alcohol. l The Boxer Rebellion Thursday September 29, doors open: 7pm After their third album hit iTunes’ Top 10 alternative list less than 24 hours after its release, The Boxer Rebellion play their biggest headline show to date.

Tickets: £12.50. U14s to be accompanied by an adult, U21s require ID to purchase alcohol. l Nerina Pallot Thursday 6 October, doors open: 7pm Platinum-selling, Britnominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot gets ready to follow up stunning latest album Year Of The Wolf with some exclusive shows.

Tickets: £19.50 U14s to be accompanied by an adult, U21s require ID to purchase alcohol.

Holy Innocents Church Paddenswick Road, Hammersmith Email bookings@hisj.co.uk l Charity Concert by Royal College of Music Students Thursday 10 November. Details to be confirmed.

COMEDY

02 Shepherds Bush Empire Shepherds Bush Green, W12 Box office: 0870 771 2000 www.ticketmaster.co.uk l Lee Nelson Sun 9 Oct. Two shows – 4.30pm and 7.30pm hello u blurb readin legend!

Its lee nelson here from off ur tele + i’m coming to a town near u with my well new tour! its gonna b bigga, betta +

even funnier than my last tour + a lot fatter as well coz this time i’m bringing my best mate + fat legend Omelette! Qwaliteeeeeee!

Tickets: £22.50. U21s require ID to purchase alcohol, U14s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 at all times.

CINEMA

Riverside Studios Crisp Road W6 Bookings/information: 020 8237 1111 www.riversidestudios.co.uk Kids’ Movie Club @ Riverside Saturday Mornings is children’s time at Riverside’s cinema!

Riverside shows big screen gems for children of all ages. Come early and have brunch in the cafe. A child must accompany an adult to all Kids’ Movie Club @ Riverside screenings.

Sat 24 Sep l Labyrinth (U) 11am A teenager babysitting her little brother accidentally sends him to the land of the Goblin King and she must get him back by midnight or he will be turned into a goblin. l Sat 1 Oct The Smurfs (U) 11am When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours. l Sat 08 Oct Mr Popper’s Penguins (PG) 11am The life of a businessman begins to change after he inherits six penguins. l Sat 15 Oct Super 8 (12A) 11am After witnessing a mysterious

lyric children’s show

Bush Hall 310 Uxbridge Road, London W12 7LI Tel: 020 8222 6955 notes@bushhallmusic.co.uk l Rock for Play Friday 23 September, doors open 7.30pm Play Association Hammersmith and Fulham are hosting the ROCK FOR PLAY charity gig at the Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush. I Am Not Lefthanded, The Branco Heist, Kim Boeje, the Play Association All-Stars and Novation are all playing on the night, lending their talents to the cause. www.playassociationhf. org.uk Tickets: £15 – all proceeds to help vulnerable children and young people in London.

02 Shepherds Bush Empire Shepherds Bush Green, W12 Box office: 0870 771 2000 www.ticketmaster.co.uk l Slow Club Monday 26 September, doors open: 7pm The duo from Sheffield are set to follow up on the success of their joyous, shiny, pop debut with a second album and a UK tour in September. Rescheduled from 18/05/11 – original tickets remain valid.

Tickets £12.81. U14s to be accompanied by an adult, U21s

yee-ha: Deep Down Cowboys hit Hammersmith A CREW of a submarine who go Wild West crazy?

That’s the story behind Deep Down Cowboys, one of many children’s shows ready to delight at the Lyric Hammersmith.

The play on October 1 promises ‘a cracking tale of riding into the

sunset and finding freedom’, with the would-be cowboys having to keep their fixation hush-hush and leaving it to the dead of night to ‘wear stetsons, drawl like John Wayne and stage thrilling rodeos’. l See www.lyric.co.uk.

train crash, a group of friends begin noticing strange happenings going on in their small town. l Sat 22 Oct One Life (U) 11am Daniel Craig narrates the lives of 20 animals including a humpback whale.

get involved

All Saints Church, Fulham Church Gate (at north end of Putney Bridge) See www.allsaints-fulham. org.uk l Youth group Young people are invited to join Cafe Church, which meets every Sunday at 11am at Pryors Bank Pavilion. After a hot drink, we divide into small groups to discuss how Christianity might affect the way we think about life. Anyone is welcome to join at any time, and to bring along friends. If you are interested in meeting others through social activities such as our Bonfire Night party, cricket team or London to Brighton bike ride, visit us online. l Brownies Every Monday night during term time an ever growing group of girls aged between seven and 10 gather at All Saints Fulham Church Hall for their weekly Brownie meeting (6.15-7.45 pm). We would also love to hear from anyone who has an interesting skill or hobby or been somewhere exotic and would be willing to share it with us.

BUZZ 9.2011

Email: londontheatre@gmail. com l The Magic Cavern Every Sunday until 1 Jan 2012 at 3pm October half term 26 - 28 October at 3pm London’s intimate and atmospheric theatre show of magic and illusion. Now in its eighth sensational year at this theatre.

Presented by international magician Richard Leigh.

Tickets: £8-£12/£10 concessions) – Family Ticket (minimum of 4) £8 each. l Great Expectations 3 October Dickens’ enduring masterpiece is brought vividly to the stage in the stunning new adaptation. It’s only here for one day – so don’t miss it!

Tickets: £10-£12. l The Ice Cave (Magic for Christmas) 20 Dec-31 Dec Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Barons Court’s annual Christmas magic show. This year we’re staging a brand new production: wonderful afternoons filled with magical illusions, fun and entertainment for all the family. Book early – it always sells out.

Tickets: £12. Concs. £10. Family ticket and group rate (minimum of 4 people) £8 each.

Lyric Hammersmith King Street, Hammersmith W6 Box office: 0871 2211729 www.lyric.co.uk l Lyric Young Company Throughout the year, Lyric Young Company runs events and activities for people 11-25.

If you’re a young person living in west London, join now to get the chance to work with exciting professional artists, discover more about theatre making, meet new people and try new experiences. This autumn, 16 of the LYC’s members will perform Aladdin on the Lyric’s main stage.

Membership £7 a year. LYC members get to participate in regular activities, develop new performance skills, join our writers programme and audition for professional Lyric productions.

Riverside Studios Crisp Road W6 Bookings/information: 020 8237 1111 www.riversidestudios.co.uk l Shakespeare Schools Festival Studio 2, Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 October at 7pm The festival challenges the preconception that studying Shakespeare is difficult, dry or dull through a combination of teacher training, workshops and student performance in a local professional theatre.

The aim is to promote articulacy and confidence in our young people through a growing appreciation of these timeless plays.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate an evening’s professional entertainment with four youthful half-hour productions of different Shakespeare plays.

Tickets: £8 (£6 concs.) Schools/ groups of 20+: £5.50.

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BUZZ 9.2011

TAKE COVER BAJAN SOUND: Cover Drive

WHO?

56

 COVER Drive are following the example of trail-blazing fellow Barbados singing star Rihanna to take the British charts by storm.  Now settled in London, the quartet – who were discovered last year after putting a video on You Tube, a cover of Train’s Hey Soul Sister – have been riding high with debut single Lick Ya Down.  The friends had been making their music individually but teamed up for the infectious sound they call Cari-pop.  Lead singer Manda, 20, bassist Jamar, 18, guitarist Barry, 22, and drummer T-Ray, 17, first attracted the major record labels with online covers, and a showcase of four original songs at their mentor Eddy Grant’s house in Barbados led to a deal and the move to Britain.  While Cover Drive as a name comes from the West Indian love of cricket, Lick Ya Down is based on a Bajan phrase.

COVER DRIVE INTERVIEW

By Merhawit Ghebte, 17

Q How does it feel to work with the big-name artists such as Katy B, Ellie Goulding and Jessie J? A We have worked with amazing producers who have worked with amazing artists. We thought it would feel intimidating but all everyone is focused on is making good music, so no matter how famous, they were really cool.

Q How did you guys come together as a group?

A T-Ray’s mum, our manager, formed the group two years ago.

Q Who are your musical inspirations?

A We love No Doubt and the Black Eyed Peas. We also love Bob Marley.

Q What music do you guys listen to yourselves?

A T-Ray loves heavy metal! He loves Linkin Park and Avenged Sevenfold.

Manda loves pop music – Gwen Stefani and Madonna.

Jamar loves Indie music, such as The Strokes and Muse.

Barry loves pop rock, like Blink 182 and Michael Jackson.

Q How does it feel to be signed by Polydor – are your lives different?

A Being signed means we have a job now, so we have to really be focused and disciplined. We have to give 100 per cent when we are at work.

Q What advice would you give to young people who want to break into the music industry?

A Really know that being a professional musician is not all about your names in lights! You have to be prepared to work really hard.

Q You say the group is like a pack of ‘Starburst’ – that’s interesting! Can you explain?

A Orange is the quirkiness, yellow is the zestiness, red is the sassiness, pink is the sweetness.

Q So Manda, what is it like being the only female in the band?

A It is great. The boys really spoil me.

The only time it is hard is when we go shopping. The boys don’t get that girls need to shop!

Q You say in your music that you bring Caribbean and pop music together.

Can you explain?

A Yes, our music is a fusion of Caribbean sounds – reggae, soca, dub, etc and mainstream pop music.

BUZZ 9.2011

MOBILE: Tigist Negash (far left) finds her school run with her children is much easier now she has learned to ride a bike.

Try it out yourself (left)

Bike to basics approach makes life so much easier  THESE days student and mum-ofthree Tigist Negash glides around on her bike with the greatest of ease.

But up to April last year the 34-year-old had never cycled in her life – until a course organised through her son’s school put her on the road to two-wheel freedom.

For ages she had spent the school run chasing after her two sons on the way to Miles Coverdale primary as they sped along on their bikes.

She found herself struggling to get to college on time along with dropping her sons off and then her daughter at nursery.

When the charity Sustrans began working with the Shepherds Bush school in April 2010 to encourage more children to cycle, Tigist took part in a course arranged by Hammersmith & Fulham’s Sustrans Bike It officer Owen Powell – this time aimed at parents and carers.

“I was always running after my children” said Tigist. “Now I cycle with them and it feels much safer as a whole family. Also, I can carry my daughter on the back of my bike.

“Every morning I cycle with them to school then go to college in Hammersmith, about a mile away.”

She urged other parents to learn, saying: “I would say to them ‘don’t be scared – you can do it’. Now I really enjoy it. I feel healthier and save time and money. I cycled through the winter and even cycle in the rain.

Owen, who works with 13 schools in the area, said: “Tigist’s pure determination for learning was amazing. She was so dedicated.”

Tigist is studying English at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College in Barons Court and hopes to go on to study nursing next year.  See www.sustrans.org.uk/whatwe-do/bike-it

Enrichment Maths launching in October

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57

BUZZ 9.2011

SPORT

BLUES NEWS>>

Try your own shooting skills at Chelsea’s great new museum SEE PAGE 63>>

Issue 1  September 2011

Eyes on the ball ready for the cup  The ever-popular Mayor’s

Cup football showdown is kicking off again with 60 teams, writes Tim Harrison

58

AS THE evenings start getting shorter, it’s time for the primary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham to begin their annual footballing showdown, the Mayor’s Cup. All 34 primary schools compete in what has been a firm fixture in the borough’s sporting calendar since 1990.

London’s most successful junior eight-a-side competition builds to a grand final in Ravenscourt Park on March 30, 2012.

The first Year 5 and 6 pupils will be competing this weekend as Canberra boys take on Kenmont boys and Bentworth girls play Old Oak girls in the opening fixtures.

Eventually the supreme girls’ and boys’ teams emerge after the schools in the southern part of the borough (who play at Hurlingham Park) produce a finalist to take on the ‘northern’ champions.

Last season, an extra-time thriller saw Larmenier & Sacred Heart crowned 2011 Mayor’s Cup champions, beating St Stephen’s by the odd goal in the grand final... despite missing a penalty during the match.

Larmenier & Sacred Heart had beaten Langford 2-1 in the south-of-theborough semi-final, while St Stephen’s had defeated Wendell Park 3-2 in the northern section.

Last season Brackenbury girls ensured it wasn’t a clean sweep for Larmenier & Sacred Heart by winning the girls’ trophy in a nail-biting final.

Brackenbury, no stranger to football

RED ALERT: Stephanie Martins in Mayor’s Cup competition for Holy Cross school earlier this year PICTURE BY LEIGH QUINNELL cup ties, and Larmenier & Sacred Heart were evenly matched, so it was no surprise when that match went to extra time and then penalties.

In the end Larmenier & Sacred Heart missed their three penalties but Brackenbury, having missed their first, scored on the second attempt and were crowned girls’ champions.

Hammersmith & Fulham mayor Cllr Frances Stainton will present the trophies and medals next spring.

Organiser Deryck Fill is eagerly anticipating the action, and hoping winter doesn’t throw up the challenges it did earlier this year.

He told Buzz: “We’re looking forward to a brand-new season, with 60 different teams playing over the next 23 weeks, and we’re obviously hoping for better weather this coming winter.”

In the chilliest days of January and February this year, entire weekends were

snowed and iced off, leading to serious fixture pile-ups.

So who are the teams to watch?

“It’s actually difficult to predict,” Deryck said. “A lot of children have moved on from last season, but last year’s Year 5s are now the wiser, senior players this year, and schools will be looking to them to steady the ship.

“The Premier League is rather boring – it’s either Chelsea or Manchester United. So it’s good for the borough’s schools that there will be new teams doing well.

“Some schools have a good lineage of sport, and will expect to reach the quarters or semis. Brackenbury have figured in most of the finals, for instance.”

Other teams to keep an eye on include Larmenier and St Stephen’s… but this year’s Mayor’s Cup will, as in previous seasons, produce some surprise trailblazers.

WANT TO BE A SPORTS WRITER? READ ON>> HAVE you dreams of becoming a sports writer?

This is the place to start! H&F is one of the sportiest boroughs in the capital, so why not write a report for Buzz about a local sporting event, or perhaps a local club? Keep it to about 250 words. We’ll try to include it in the next issue.  Email a sports report to youth_involvement@lbhf.gov.uk.

BUZZ 9.2011

PARK LIFE: Albert Adomah in Ravenscourt Park, where he honed his football skills as a teenager on a council project

FIVE SUPER TIPS FOR FOOTBALL WRITERS:

Albert earns his first cap A HIGHLY-RATED football star who began his career on a council-funded youth project in Ravenscourt Park has made his international debut.

Albert Adomah, who lived in Shepherds Bush, was selected for Ghana and earned his first cap just down the road at Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage this month facing the mighty Brazil – a 1-0 defeat.

The substitute came on in the 77th minute but Ghana’s manager said he is ‘very positive’ about his future.

Albert, now 23, started his pro career

with Barnet and moved to Championship side Bristol City in 2010.

“When I was 15 I used to go to Ravenscourt Park when I was bore,” says the talismanic winger. “I asked the street wardens whether I could join the team and they said yes. From there it developed into playing every Sunday for two or three years.

“I always knew I had the skills to be a professional footballer but the street wardens’ project really helped me to develop them.”

1 Keep it lively. Nobody wants to read a boring report, so make it fresh, bright and exciting 2 Name names. The first time you mention a player, include his first name… unless he’s a onename Brazilian!

3 Look ahead. It may be a report of a match that has just happened, but also think about what’s just round the corner 4 Use a quote. If you have a quote, even a short one, from a manager or a player, it really does add value to a football article 5 Avoid cliches. We don’t want to hear that it was a game of two halves, or that a player is taking it one game at a time. Try to be original!

Burlington Danes Academy Wood Lane London, W12 0HR www.burlingtondanes.org www.twitter.com/burlingtondanes 02087354950 We invite you to join us at one of the most successful academies in the country…

Thursday 6th October: Open Evening 5.00pm-7.30pm Monday 10th – Friday 14th October: Open mornings 08.30-12.00 Thursday 13th October: Sixth Form Open Evening, 5.00pm-7.30pm 2011 GCSE results: 75% 5A*-C including English and mathematics 2011 A Level results: 68% of all grades awarded A*-C

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Hammersmith & Fulham Council

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BUZZ 9.2011

Get local news online

 Fulham FC young gun Tom Donegan swapped Liverpool for London and has opted for a two-year contract – Tim Harrison turns on the spotlight AT 19, Tom Donegan has a sparkling Fulham career ahead of him having made his first-team debut as a sub against Crusaders in the Europa League in July.

“Running out on to that pitch in Northern Ireland was the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” the summer signing said.

BUZZ 9.2011

The boy Don good

YOUNG GUN: Tom Donegan bursts forward for Fulham in a game against Stevenage

ty cand qualibuzz, hild “I never expected it to HighCottage began Tom’s Liverpudlian roots care a ta happen so quickly. It was a ices to appreciate the Whites’ means fforhe danaturally ble pradmires game that gave the manager keenness on young players. a certain Danny Murphy at the opportunity to look at a Everton had offered Tom Fulham. “I’ve looked up to few options and some of the a year’s professional deal, but him for a long time and I younger players, and in that he didn’t feel comfortable at really liked him during his 10 minutes I like to think I the club and opted instead for Liverpool days,” he said. showed a little of what I a two-year contract in SW6.

“He plays the game the can do. Obviously I was “It was a great opportunity way it should be played and never going to set the world and I feel I can contribute a I can learn a lot from him. thehere quality of the is outstanding.

Allinchildren make alight in such a short space“Overall of lot – I’m defiprovision nitely more We play the same position time, but it was still a greatprogresssuited the way Fulham and already in theirtoindividual learning and development to ahe’s verybeen highvery experience.” play,” he told club’s2009 helpful with advice. standard”.

Ofsted 26ththeMarch While playing for website (www.fulhamfc.

“He’s the club captain 1 Montessori education Everton’s U18s last season, com).

“I like to think that and he has achieved a lot, 1 Open 8am 6pm (50 an weeks per annum) the lively midfielder had his I’ve–entered exciting part so working with him is 1 Extra curricular activities including French, Ballet, Football Coaching, first experience of the Craven of my career.” absolutely fantastic.”

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Email: info@littlepeople.co.uk per annum (7.30am-6.30pm FULHAM boss Martin Jol’s Bobby Zamora, but found arrangement) £10.6million deadline-day it hard to adjust to the *as at 26th March by 2009 signing Bryan Ruiz, who visitors’ muscular style Extra curricular activities; Taking care of Little People since 1978 rather oddly has the name and was replaced after 45 French, Ballet, Football ‘Bryan’ on the back of his minutes.

Coaching Swimming shirt rather than ‘Ruiz’, will As well as Ruiz, the & Gymnastics clearly take time to settle Fulham squad has been in based further on his first strengthened performance. by exIt was Liverpool a first-half winger John performance, Arne Riise to be exact, (from Roma), because he Marcel Gecov was taken off (from Slovan at half-time Bratislava), as the Whites Pajtim went on to Kasami (from draw 1-1 with Palermo), struggling Zdenek uality child care at s Blackburn Grygera on affordable price High q Rovers. a free from The Costa Juventus, Rican striker and Orlando was a prolific Sa (free from Little People Little People goalscorer Porto on a STRIKERS: Bobby of Willow Vale of Fulham for Fulham’s three-year Zamora and Andrew Johnson 9 Willow Vale, 250a Lillie Road, Dutch Europa (above) have a new colleague deal).

Shepherds Bush Fulham rivals Twente, Diomansy up front – Bryan Ruiz London W12 OPA London SW6 7PX but had to Kamara was Shepherds Bush Fulham sit out last released week’s Europa League

by Fulham, along with 020 8749 2877 020 7386 0006 draw at Craven Cottage Jonathan Greening (to with his former employers Nottingham Forest), John having played for them in Pantsil (to Leicester), the Champions League Zoltan Gera (to West Brom), e: info@littlepeople.co.uk qualifiers. and David Stockdale (on Against Blackburn he a season-long loan to w: www.littlepeople.co.uk started up front alongside Ipswich).

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 QPR Community Trust and H&F’s sports development have established a community Archery Club delivering adult and junior sessions at Linford Christie Stadium from early October.

For the junior sessions (age nine+) there will initially be a fee of £1.50 per session.

Sessions take place on Thursdays 5-6pm (starting October 6) and will give local young people regular archery lessons with qualified guidance, and some fun competition.

There will also be access to regional competition for talented archers through the London Youth Games Archery competition.

Further opportunities are available for schools to do archery activity, with QPR coaches able to come to schools to deliver taster sessions at very reasonable rates. For more information contact Justin Stone at QPR on 07875 720136.

Rs splash the cash at last for recruits  The arrival of Tony Fernandes to Rangers has been a breath of fresh financial air for the fans NEIL Warnock is confident that the Hoops will stride forward now that the uncertainty of ownership has been cleared up and he has been able to bring in lots of new faces – including ‘bad boy’ Joey Barton.

Named as captain for his debut against Newcastle at Loftus Road, Barton was as angelic as a choirboy.

For all QPR’s bragging that it is technically the richest side in the UK, the old directors had seemed remarkably reluctant to dip into their pockets.

So the arrival of Lotus F1 boss Tony Fernandes has been welcomed.

His name was

even chanted during the recent Newcastle match.

The signing of Southampton winger Jason Puncheon on a four-month loan will give the manager more options until Christmas, but it was the deadline-day moves for Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips which have really impressed.

Although Ferdinand gave the ball away in the box a few times against Newcastle last week, he was generally strong on his debut.

But the real praise was reserved for the busy, scampering Shaun WrightPhillips, and former Aston Villa defender Luke Young, who made some impressive forward moves.

Add to the mix Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd, Hammersmith-born DJ Campbell, Danny Gabbidon and Armand Traore, and Warnock suddenly has riches beyond his dreams.

If anyone can mould a winning side out of the tidal wave of new recruits, it’s Warnock, whose fatherly management style has ‘tamed’ Adel Taarabt.

“I can’t remember how many I’ve brought in now,” said Warnock as the transfer window closed.

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BUZZ 9.2011

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BUZZ 9.2011

BLUES: The new Chelsea Museum (left and right) has trophies such as the Premier League and FA Cup, seen here being shown off by John Terry and Didier Drogba last year

Get a kick out out of this new museum  Chelsea’s latest attraction even includes a shooting gallery to test your accuracy, as Tim Harrison reports IF THE word museum makes you think of cobwebby display cases full of old relics, guarded by terrifying men in uniform, prepare for a pleasant surprise.

Chelsea Football Club has reinvented the concept with a lively, interactive centre at Stamford Bridge that sets a standard other clubs will struggle to match.

Sited behind the Matthew Harding stand, it brings history to life, and gives screen-touching, button-pressing, actionseeking youngsters plenty to do.

Chelsea used to have a rather ordinary museum at Stamford Bridge, but this summer a new 670sq m centre replaced it.

Whether you support Chelsea or not (and there were visitors from all over Europe there when I called in), it’s an entertaining visit.

One of the wonderful things about a football museum is that you are actually able to kick a football about – Chelsea have installed a glass-backed shooting gallery, so you can test your accuracy. You can also see how your goalkeeping reactions measure up against an electronic version of goalie Peter Bonetti, who made 600 appearances for the club.

You can admire a revolving display of football shirts, from Peter Osgood’s to Ruud Gullit’s, and press a button to make the kit do a catwalk twirl for you.

Museum manager Sarah Bagg has been delighted by the reaction of visitors, who are guided around by multi-language audio guides.

“Everyone seems to enjoy the interactive things – you see youngsters rushing to touch the screens,” she said.

“We’re getting people to realise that museums don’t have to be boring.”

Much of the work in celebrating Chelsea’s past has been done by club historian Rick Glanvill, who has

collected quirky facts and u n u s u a l memorabilia, and presented them in a witty, entertaining way. And yet it isn’t all razzle-dazzle. One of Glanvill’s finest achievements is the museum’s commemoration of the club’s war heroes, featuring a mocked-up stretch of First World War trench.

“It has been an absolute labour of love, with an extraordinary amount of hard work from lots of people,” he said.

“There are loads and loads of new things for new fans, but lots for older fans too.”

Did you know that The Jam played their first London gig in a room under Chelsea’s east stand? Or that the first players didn’t wear Royal blue, but a peculiar pale jade?

Traditional museum favourites are there too, including the packed trophy cabinet, but you can also meet life-size 3D holograms of Chelsea legends Marcel Desailly and Ron Harris, and watch a widescreen fans’ view of a typical Stamford Bridge matchday.

The bit I had trouble getting away from was the ‘favourite match’ section, where I relived 1997’s 4-2 FA Cup win against Liverpool so many times that the people behind me began to get annoyed. I think they might have been Scousers...

There really is something for everyone. The people behind the successful Wimbledon tennis museum have created a fantastic mix of animation, film, stadium models and audio and visual display.

The museum is open all year round, with cheap tickets available when combined with stadium tours. There are also family ticket deals.  For full details see w w w. c h e l s e a f c . com/page/Museum

Blues boss AVB boosts squad  IT HAS been a positive, but hesitant, start to the season for the Blues under new Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas.

A late burst of squadstrengthening at Stamford Bridge as the August transfer window slammed shut boosted fans’ expectation levels… although everyone would have felt happier if the new signings had been given a chance to bed in during the summer.

Raul Meireles, now with a fresh Mohican haircut, was a late £12m signing from Liverpool, in the final seconds of the last transfer day. The 28-year-old midfielder played for new Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas at Porto.

Meireles’ arrival made up for the Blues’ disappointment in not being able to prise Luka Modric away from Tottenham Hotspur.

Another new midfielder, Ulises Davila, was signed from Mexico, and immediately farmed out on loan to Vitesse Arnham.

More significantly, Juan Mata moved from Valencia for £23.5m, and scored on his debut.

Other arrivals included goalie Thibaut Courtois from Genk (£7.9m, and immediately loaned to Atletico Madrid), Oriol Romeu (£4.35m from Barcelona), and Romelu Lukaku (£18m from Anderlecht). TH

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