4th November 2022
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
THE BRILLIANT CLUB Welcome back to the second half of the autumn term. This week in assemblies for C9 and C10 I launched an opportunity to apply to take part in The Brilliant Club. We have been taking part in the Brilliant Club for a number of years and have achieved great success with previous cohorts.
Anyone in C9 or C10 interested in participating in the scholars programme need to get their applications to Mr Saunders (jsaunders@honywoodschool.com) by Monday 14th November. Here is what needs to be included in letter/email to Mr Saunders
So what exactly is The Brilliant Club? Through a successful application process learners will have the opportunity to attend a launch at one of the leading Russell Group universities. The last one was at UEA (University of East Anglia) in Norwich. There learners will meet their tutor, a PhD researcher, who will give them their first university style seminar based on their current field of research. In previous years our learners have worked with tutors with PhDs from Cambridge in subjects such children’s literature, bee pollination, architecture, interior design and feminism.
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Our PhD researcher will then visit the school weekly to work with learners further - training them up as academics. The programme will culminate in the production of an essay on a specific topic related to the researcher’s field - some may even be published in an academic journal. The work will be assessed against university criteria and learners will receive grades that match that of degree classifications. Our previous cohorts have all passed with 2:1s and first’s. The programme ends with a graduation at another leading research university. The last one I attended was at Selywn College, Cambridge. The learners loved being in the grounds of this prestigious university. They even got to experience dining in one of the Harry Potter-esque halls. We feel that this programme will really help to open up our learners’ eyes as to the possibilities for the future. We will only be offering this to a handful of year nine and ten learners through an application process. Learners have been sent the slides from the assembly. The deadline for applications is just over a week.
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Why you would like to be considered for The Scholars Programme. Why you are interested in The Scholars Programme. Why you would be a great candidate. Any in-school and out-of-school achievements. Perhaps you are involved in a sports club; have entered competitions; have completed volunteer work; have a part-time job; have been recognised for a special achievement.
Best of luck to those that apply. OPEN EVENING AND TOURS After a successful open evening and four weeks of fully booked tours I would like to thank the whole community for their support and positivity. It has been an absolute joy to show families around our school and talk about the lovely community. The feedback has been great and we look forward to welcoming our new recruits next September. Looking ahead to next week I am excited about engaging in a series of remembrance activities that will culminate in our staff versus learners football game on Friday. This event was a real success last year and provided an opportunity to bring our community together. I am sure that learners will again embrace this activity and show their support and respect for remembrance. Next week, Mr Williams will be writing our headlines. Have a great weekend and stay safe if you are attending any firework displays. James Saunders
WHAT ARE YOU READING? What are you reading currently? Fact or fiction? I have just bought myself a new copy of 1984 as I could not find my old one. 1984 is one of my all time favourite books. It kick started my love of dystopian literature. It is so easy for reading for pleasure to become a lost art. With so much to distract us we could be forgiven for being seduced into seeking alternatives to reading. Television, internet, YouTube and phones; each one offers an easily accessible passive experience where we don’t need to do much thinking or use our brains. However, reading is what feeds the mind and fuels the soul. It keeps us curious; it shapes our values; it deepens our understanding, and helps us to create meaning in our world. Reading creates great conversationalists. I recently read an article that explored what the most successful people in the world have in common. Guess what? They are all voracious readers. To not read is to deprive oneself of the opportunity to enrich one’s life. Carrying a good book around so that any spare moment can be seized upon to read is great practice. Bringing a book to school for quiet reading in LS5 or whenever the moment presents itself is essential. We are currently focusing on literacy within our LS5 programme and offer learners the opportunity to for DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time.
We have re-introduced our Early Bird Breakfast service for learners who arrive at school early. This helps support working parents by providing a safe and welcoming environment where children can relax and enjoy a nutritious breakfast before registration. Eating a healthy breakfast before starting the school day is linked to improved concentration, increased energy and helps maintain a healthy body weight. Skipping breakfast can result in children feeling tired, restless and irritable. Breakfast refuels their body for the day ahead. Honywood is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of its learners. Purchases are charged to your child’s cashless catering card.
FIREWORK SAFETY It is against the law to buy fireworks under the age of 18. It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place. Attend a public organised event to enjoy a safe and exciting display. These displays are certified and licensed and operated by trained personnel. If having a display in your private garden, ensure a responsible adult lights the fireworks using a taper from a distance. Stand well back or watch from a window. NEVER return to a lit firework. It can still explode.
NEVER throw fireworks. They are explosives and can cause serious injury and damage. Put a sparkler in a carrot. This makes it easier to handle and encourages your child to hold it further away from their body. The carrot will not conduct heat. Keep your pets indoors. A TV or radio will mask loud bangs and closing curtains will help mask bright flashes which scare pets.
BE SAFE NOT SORRY
Dates for the Diary 7th & 10th November
C11 GCSE Practical Drama Devising Exam
8th & 9th November
C11 GCSE Mock PE Practicals
Tues 15th November
C5 Primary Day (Creative Arts)
Wed 16th November
C11 Walton Geography Field Trip
Fri 18th November
N-Act Theatre Performance to C9 and C10
21st, 22nd & 23rd November
C10 Food Mock Exam
22nd November
C12 GCSE Certificate Evening - 7PM
28th November
C11 GCSE Mock Exams begin - Week 1
Fri 2nd December
Non Learner Day - Staff only
2000
1500
House Points as of 4th November 2022 1451
1411 1189 1043
1000
500
0
Attenborough
Hawking
Nightingale
Parks