iGazette - Dec 2022

iGazette

Honywood School

CEIAG

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance

Here at Honywood, our careers programme encourages learners to be ambitious, broaden their horizons and explore their own career aspirations. CEIAG is increasingly becoming embedded into the curriculum and culture of education, as we recognise the important contribution it makes in supporting the successful transition between both childhood to adulthood and education to employment.

The provision is designed to develop confidence and independence, it aims to remove barriers to ensure readiness to take their next step in their learning or career. Honywood is committed to delivering a programme from cohort 7 to 11.

C11

Braintree Careers Fair - Chelmsford City Racecourse (pics)

Each learner has the opportunity for a Personal Development meeting with MRa Competing personal statements for College applications

Post 16 - Applications

Continued use of XELLO (Careers planning tool on each learners iPad)

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PSHE sessions:

What is a ‘Career’?

Sources of Careers advice (both inside and outside of Honywood) Career consequences & Choices

Smashing the glass ceiling (Stereotypes/promoting aspiration/equality)

Green Skills & Careers

NHS Careers fair at Colchester Jobserve Community Stadium (pics)

Continued use of XELLO (Careers planning tool on each learners iPad)

C9

Sources of Careers advice and employability Skills

Post - 16 Options

LMI (Labour Market Information)

Managing online profile (Employer Impression)

Continued use of XELLO (Careers planning tool on each learners iPad)

C8

What is a ‘Career’

Introduction to XELLO (Careers planning tool, on each learners iPad)

C7

What is a ‘Career’

Introduction to XELLO (Careers planning tool, on each learners iPad)

Whole School

Honywood became a member of The Greater Essex Careers HUB (which will give us more access to local/national businesses and allow more meaningful employer encounters).

How can you help your child? (use this link to explore & discuss post 16 options with your son/ daughter)

Review of the Term

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2022

Through our Enrichment programme we continue to offer our learners experiences outside of the classroom environment whether in school or on visits. So far this term we been able to offer the following:

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We started the term with our newest learners visiting Mersea outdoors for the day. Although the weather wasn’t the best, Cohort 7 had a brilliant day of activities at Mersea, working with their new classmates and staff, developing confidence and problem solving skills.

They visited Coggeshall as part of their History curriculum, exploring the rich history on our doorstep.

C8

A group of C8 learners took part in the Faraday Challenge, narrowly missing out on a win!

company performed to our C9, recreating a real life incident that occurred involving gangs and knife crime.

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C9 also visited Coggeshall but with their Business Studies lens. Looking at local businesses, infrastructure and demographics. N-Act Theatre

C10

Also attended the N-Act theatre performance and the performers commented on how good the learners questioning was and how mature they were. Some of our Health and Social Care learners attended an NHS fayre to look at careers in the industry.

C11

Visited a careers fayre at the Chelmsford racecourse, meeting post 16 providers, post 18 providers and employers. Geography learners attended the residential field studies weekend to Dorset or the day trip to Walton to gather data. the whole of the cohort attended the MADE training workshop to develop their revision skills.

Finally, many of our learners were able to take part in a unique experience, a professional film crew in school. And lets not forget 300 learners were able to watch the opening England game of the world cup, helping to fund raise for the C11 prom.

Next term, we have a dance trip to the Royal Opera House; C11 visit to see Macbeth at the Mercury; C10 Maths day at the Essex University and a C10 Computer Science trip! And this is all before our Enrichment week in March, details of this to follow in the new term.

WHAT IS ENRICHMENT?

The ability for learners to learn and discover interests that lie outside of the traditional classroom setting. At Honywood we provide a broad range of opportunities to learn and develop in this way. These opportunities foster professional skills such as resilience, active listening, confidence, self-esteem and teamwork.

PROMOTING READING FOR PLEASURE

HONYWOOD LIBRARY

Earlier in the year I wrote to all of you to highlight the work we are doing to promote reading at Honywood. We know reading is an essential skill in school and in life, and strong literacy is a key indicator for future success. One key focus this term has been the relaunch of our library.

A huge thank you to Anish Mistry, Dylan Probert, Finlay Newton, Theo Wilson, Theodore McQuillan, Rose Collier, Dominic Scherer, Alex Whitehead, Mia Ramsay, Mason Mayers, Eleanor Brady,

Harriet Trustrum, Maisie Nash, Damini Manku, Darcy Luckett and Evie Hammond for supporting getting the library up and running. Between them, they have labeled, scanned, catalogued, alphabetised and sorted over 4000 books into genres including classic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, thriller, crime and many more. They then worked tirelessly to design and create some fantastic displays in the library space to promote reading. The displays they have created include larger than life size cutouts of famous authors

such as Angelou, Blackman, Dickens, Dahl and others.

From January all learners will now be able to choose from the over 4000 books in our library and borrow these books using our ‘Abracadabra’ library loan service. This is going to be run by the learners, for the learners, at break and lunch time. Learners who engage in reading during social time in the library will earn 3 achievement points each day and will also receive achievement points for reading and returning books from the

library. Next, our lead learners and volunteer librarians are going to be setting up book clubs and reading competitions to further promote reading for pleasure across the school. A huge thank you to all learners that have supported recreating the library this term.

Why encourage your reluctant reader?

• 1 in 6 adults in England struggle to read.

• 15.9% of all 16 to 24 year-olds are not in education, employment or training; Literacy is a big factor in this.

• 10 to 16 year-olds who read for pleasure, do better at school.

• Reading books is the only out-of-school activity for 16-year-olds demonstrably linked to securing managerial or professional jobs.

• There is overwhelming evidence that reading and understanding texts has a significant relationship to people’s life chances, and can even extend their life.

Mr D Smith Assistant Headteacher

“Learners worked tirelessly to design and create some fantastic displays in the library space to promote reading.”

TREE AWARDS

TRUST, RESPECT, EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE

What are they?

The TREE Awards is a 5-year programme aimed at developing learners’ character. Learners take on challenges which are focused on developing the core values which underpin everything we do here at Honywood: Trust, Respect, Equity and Excellence.

Why are they important?

Developing young people’s character is vital if we want them to succeed, not just at school, but for the rest of their lives. ‘It is the responsibility of schools to enable children to become good persons and citizens, able to lead good lives, as well as become successful persons.’ – Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.

What does it entail?

We started the TREE Awards last year, and it was a big success! Lots of learners from Cohort 7 managed to earn their Bronze Award (a badge and a certificate was awarded in a special celebration assembly).

To gain their Bronze Award, learners had to complete 11 challenges throughout the year: 2 for each core value, plus 3 cohort challenges. Learners could pick the challenges they wanted to complete from a list, but were required to complete a document which encouraged them to think about planning the completion of the challenge as well as reflecting on how that challenge helped them to develop their character/ that core value. The types of challenges that were available to them were:

Due to the success of the TREE Awards last year, we have rolled out the programme to this year’s Cohort 7, with one slight difference; this year, the we have a group of 25 C8s who applied to be TREE Ambassadors (it was quite a process to become an ambassador too – so well done to the 25 who managed to secure the role!). These brilliant learners are working with Cohort 7 Learning Groups to support them in their own completion of the awards.

TESTIMONIALS

Sophie Bloomfield

“Being a TREE Ambassador is great, I love the opportunities to help others be the best versions of themselves and watch them succeed. I have developed my most important values such as; trust, respect, equity and excellence. Not only can I help others but this encourages me to be a great role model and push myself to be the best I can be.”

Bonnie Bunch

“Being a tree ambassador is an important role as you can help the younger years achieve the most they can and make sure they succeed during their time at Honywood. They help you develop your core values in many ways like boosting your confidence or even gaining trust or respect from others.”

Tilly Moxham

“I love being a TREE ambassador as you get to help people achieve their goals and develop their core values Trust, Respect, Equity and Excellence.”

CONCERT

Honywood are proud to support Christmas Jumper Day which is Save the Children's annual event which raises money for children in the UK and across the world. For one day every December, learners and staff wear a festive jumper school to school and make a donation to help give children the magical future they deserve. Honywood raised a total of £265. Thank you to all who donated.

As the long Autumn Term draws to a close, it’s always worth taking time to reflect on the ‘what went well’s’ and ‘even better if’s’ of the year so far, which following a bit of down time across a well deserved Christmas Holiday can help set the conditions for further success in the forthcoming term. The school has seen a significant number of external visitors this term; Governors, Ofsted, SAT Subject Reviews, all of which have been critically assessing not only the quality of teaching and learning, but also the pastoral support and care that we provide our learners during their 5 year secondary school journey with us. One of the most consistent areas of positive feedback from the aforementioned visits this term has been on the Peer Mentoring Programme. Walking through the library during LS5 on most days, visitors have looked on in ore as they have observed mentees and mentors have meaningful, honest and mature conversations about their short and long term concerns/worries, and the potential positive pathways forward. The trust that the c10 and c11 mentors have developed with their mentees is clear and obvious to see, and is something that has been forged over time through their commitment, diligence and hard work. Mentors have struck a really good balance between being the voice or reason and professional standards with their mentees, as well as a willing, active and empathetic listener. Both the mentees and mentors have been taking the time to complete their Peer Mentoring Booklets, which LGLs have been reading through, adding to and signing off each week as well, thus enhancing

the communication links required to really support the mentees as and when required. Mentors and mentees have been sent a questionnaire this week to help build a picture of what both parties feel is going well and what could be improved, so that we can continue to enhance what has already proved to be an impressive and meaningful pastoral support and enrichment programme. I know how much thought, effort and care that you’ve put into supporting your mentees throughout this long term, and an extra special mention must also go to the c11 mentors, who have managed to sustain their commitment to their mentees through their demanding Mock Exam cycle as well. A massive well done and thank you to all, and I hope you enjoy a well deserved Christmas break.

The current Peer Mentoring team deserving our thanks and praise are: Nadia Twardosz, Gloria Nyc, Josephene Watts, Izzy Lane, Maisie Petts, Maggie Smith, Samuel Divine, Theo Wilson, Finley Petts, Fraser Day, Olivia Jinman, Theo Snowling, Sammy Grimwood, Amy Hills, Millie Smith, Jasmine Rigby, Mia Stockwell, Skye Hurst, Eddie Lockwood, Sophie Ardern, Erin Smith, Molly Barnes, Niamh Cunnane, BethanMae Crosby, Jamie Agombar, Emily Wild, Harriet Mead, Ziyanna Flaherty-Webb, Jessica Wheeler, Livvi Arkle, Shayne Stedman, Maddie Bates, Laila Arkel, Olivia Longhurst, Alfie Evans, Joseph Byers, Chloe Ramsay, Dylan Probert, Georgia French and Cerys Godfrey.

“I know how much thought, effort and care you’ve put into supporting your mentees throughout this long term.”

Next term, we plan to run a leadership training day for any C10 learners who would like to see what our roles involve, in the hope they will make an application to be lead learners for 2023!

In the new year we will be sending out a form to our Cohort 7 learners to learn all about them. The form will contain questions about their interests are in school and outside of school,

After giving cohort 7 some time to settle in, we sent out a Google form to all learners asking about what new things they would like to see around the school. It was very successful, we had almost 200 responses, which gave us a good idea of what we want to do next. Some of the changes suggested have already been made, such as a second queue in the lunch hall for people just buying snacks which has been very effective in reducing queuing times. We have also been meeting every week as the development team to work towards more changes.

Something that came up a lot was making the gym better, so we have started working on getting some new gym equipment. We have already worked out what is needed (and wanted) in the gym and are now working on raising the funds and investigating external grants so we can start our plans. This should all be completed

to find out what hobbies and talents they have. We want to encourage learners to join current clubs in school and give staff new ideas for clubs which many would be interested in. If this is successful we hope to expand this into other years groups as well.

We are also developing an initiative for primary school learners. This includes visits to primary schools with some of our prefects to give year 5/6 learners an insight into learning at Honywood. We plan to execute these in the spring term closer to when they apply to our school to become our new cohort 7s.

We really enjoy having this responsibility in the school and hope to leave a mark in the school for when we leave Honywood next year!

early in the new year. We are also working on putting benches around the edge of the school field, but we plan to do this a little later in the year.

Development team:

Lead Learner - Theo Wilson

Senior Prefect - Anish Mistry

Prefects - Niamh Cunnane, Eddie Lockwood, Finley Petts, Jasmine Rigby, Olivia Wilson

Everybody is different. Everybody is impacted differently. Everybody improves differently. It’s a difficult concept and it is one we certainly struggled with at first. However, together we decided to work with what has already been set in place here at Honywood: the peer mentoring programme. Firstly, we had a meeting with

those peer mentors who were supporting a Cohort 9 mentee about exam stress. We explored the signs of exam stress, how to deal with the impacts of exam stress and tips to give your mentee when it comes to exams/ revising. More recently - with the help of Mr Saunders - we delivered a guide called the, ‘Mental Health Champions Kickstarter’ to the Cohort 10 mentors about the stages of mental health and how it can fluctuate. We also discussed how they can pass this information onto their mentees and also other learners around school. Finally, as we head into our last few months as the Lead Learners we would like to focus on the wellbeing of our teachers and how we can improve that.

As the Lead Learner and senior Prefect for Culture, our goal is to improve the school’s culture in terms of how we interact, engage, support and work with each other as students, how we further improve relationships and respect between students and staff, and how we embed Honywood’s culture within the wider community.

From this, in the first term we have looked at ways to refine Honywood’s culture such as: reestablishing Learning Group Captains across all years, as well as strengthening the house system throughout the school. Additionally, we have been looking at making reading a part of our culture. To do this we have held poetry competitions and (along with the development team) assisted in rebuilding the library - scanning, cataloguing and ordering around 2500 books!

In the future, with our team of prefects, we will be

looking to host a coffee morning for Coggeshall’s elderly population, embedding our culture within the wider community. We are also looking into new clubs and opportunities for learners in the new year. Furthermore, the culture team has really enjoyed this term and hope to make even more progress in the new year.

Book Reviews

My favourite book and the best I have ever read is A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison.

I love this book because there are cliffhangers at every turn and the book is full of magic which helps the three main characters along the way. The story is about the Widdershins sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie they are trapped, prevented from leaving their home on Crowstone by an ancient family curse. When they inherit three magical objects with the power to change their fate, adventure beckons. It is an amazing book suitablefor ages 9-99.

Freya Hutchinson 7EST

What was the book about?

The main characters are Hugo and Isabella, when Hugo’s Dad dies in a fire he is them left with an automaton and them finds our Isabella’s necklace which she stole from her god mum fits in the key hole. Hugo steals it then once he puts it in the automation it draws a picture which they then find our that its Isabella’s grandfathers drawing from his film which they then find all about a secret film.

What did you like about this book?

I liked when George realises Isabella grandfather saved Hugo that was also my favourite part I learnt from this book that anything is possible. As a 12 year old boy, controlled and all the clocks in the train station working by himself.

Would you recommend this book?

I would recommend this book because it is a lovely book to read. It is quite big but has many photos and drawings which bring it alive. I would rate the book 5/5

Chloe Dumbrell 7KHO/LMO

Lately I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson series and adjacent series Eg: Heroes of Olympus etc… They are written by the excellent author Rick Riordan, who wrote them for his little boy to show just how awesome dyslexic people are (Demi-gods are dyslexic because they are hardwired to speak Greek). I’ve learned so much about Ancient Greece and Rome whilst reading these books and have inspired me to explore deeper into Greek Mythology and history. They are amazing books and have kept me on the edge of my seat the past month. They are exciting adventure/fantasy books for teenagers. Personally, my favourite characters are Percy (of course), Nico and Annabeth. The quests are just so exciting, my favourite book is probably ‘Percy Jackson and the last Olympian’, so much happens and there are so many emotions within this particular book as they go to war and try to defeat Kronos, take a trip to the river Styx in the underworld and deal with so much grief and anguish. So many main characters die and there are betrayals and comebacks, backstabs and bloodshed. There is so much life and twists and turns in this book, I’d recommend it so much to anyone looking for a good read! There are many different characters, all extremely detailed, thought-out and relative to real (mortal) teenagers. These books put you through so many emotions, sadness, anxiety, happy and love, it’s just a rollercoaster of them. They are based around Greek Mythology and so the books are an escape from everyday life, to Camp-halfblood, Athens, New-York and so much more. It’s so different and yet so similar to our lives that it is so much fun to read. It’s got everything! Monsters, love, drama, fighting and quests.

I’d rate them 5/5! I am literally obsessed with these books and I hope you will love them too!

Jemima Stowers 8ASA

Title: The Slippery Slope

This is the 10th book in a series of unfortunate events. There are 13 books in total and this is my favourite of the 10 I have read. This book is about the 3 Baudelaires that have been on a mountain. Sunny Baudelaire (the youngest child) was kidnapped by an evil villain called Count Olaf. He has been trying to get the Baudelaire fortune and the Quagmire fortune.

My favourite part of the book is when the two older Baudelaires reunite with their younger sister Sunny. Then they think of a plan to escape. Sunny stays at the top of the mountain with Count Olaf and his evil girlfriend Easme and his troops.

I recommend this book to anybody who likes tragic endings and unfortunate events! A definite 5/5 from me!

Author: Lemony Snicket

Mary McLeod

HONYWOOD FOODBANK

Earlier this half term we launched an appeal to our local community to help us raise funds for a shed. This would be the centre for our Honywood Foodbank, catering to our local community. Many families in our local area are struggling in the current climate and the cost of the bus fare to the Braintree or Colchester Foodbank is unobtainable.

Thanks to three donors we have been able to purchase the shed and will be able to kit it out with shelving and a fridge! A huge thanks to the following organisations who have made this project possible:

The shed is due for delivery before Chritstmas and in the new year, we will launch the foodbank, with an appeal to our school community to donate items of food to help others in need. Look out for the launch and details in our social media and Headlines.

Our learners had been donating food items to take to the local foodbank. Despite the challenging weather conditions our learner representatives were enthusiastic and helpful as they organised food bank donations and helped staff to deliver them.

The learners were given the opportunity to learn about the processing of donations and the importance of foodbanks in the community and breaking the stigma around them.

A long-held tradition for Honywood learners is to support the community as they serve Christmas lunch to the elderly at Christ Church in Coggeshall. It was wonderful to be able to be part of this event again this year. As always, our learners were fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon. Well done to Emily, Chloe, Troy and Sam.

C9 Basketball District Champions

Congratulations to George Warwick, Jay-Conner Gormley Morris, Finn Brynes, Logan Evans, Jake Street, Luke Read and Vasile Rusu on winning the district Basketball tournament. The team played some excellent basketball and worked so well as a team. They won 5 of the 6 matches, losing by only one basket in the other game. The composure and high level of skill shown by all the players was a pleasure to see. Well done.

Mr Briggs

Honywood Vs Forest Hall 8-2 Finn 7pts Logan 1pt

Honywood Vs New Rickstones 8-2

George 2pts Jay 2pts Logan 4pts

Honywood Vs Notley 4-2

George 2pts Chris 2pts

Honywood Vs Ramsey 14-2 George 4pts Finn 4pts Luke 2pts Jay 2pts Logan 2pts

Honywood Vs Hedingham 0-2

Honywood Vs Maltings 6-0 Logan 4pts Jay 2pts

The U14 netball team have had a successful term this winter. They played all the schools in the district in the national netball cup and qualified for the county round of the competition. They spent a chilly Sunday in November playing 8 teams from across the county, sadly missing out on a semi final place by 1 goal but won nearly every match and played fantastically.

Most recently they travelled to Leigh on Sea (near Southend) to play Eastwood academy, in the Essex Plate competition, in almost freezing conditions. Yet again the team rose to the challenge and came away with a 29-12 win. They have now progressed to the last 16 of the competition.

Thank you to Evie Hammond in cohort 7 for standing in and helping the team. They show true grit and determination when they play and work hard for each other. It has been a pleasure to coach them and I am looking forward to continuing the fixtures next year.

For all year groups we are entering a friendly competition to allow more players a chance to play netball across all year groups. Fixtures to follow in the new year.

Mrs Jones

Mr D Spelman

English Teacher

What three words would you use to describe your job role?

Challenging, Rewarding, Inspiring.

What do you like most about your job?

The learners. Even on the hardest days there isn’t a day where a learner doesn’t make me laugh, or make me proud of something they’ve done. It’s a privilege to get to be a part of someone’s journeygetting to witness learners grow into themselves and their confidence is really rewarding.

Given the chance, who would you like to be for a day? Beyonce - naturally. I think she is the best person to ever exist.

What do you wish you knew more about?

Cars - I have no interest in them whatsoever, but am also on my 8th car in 8 years … so some knowledge of how best to buy and/or maintain cars would clearly be beneficial…

What was the best book or series that you’ve ever read/watched? My favourite book is ‘Me before You’ by Jojo Moyes - it’s beautiful and heartbreaking and it makes you think about the importance of truly living life, rather than just exist-

What’s your favourite line from a film?

‘I made the discovery - Love - all at once and much, much too completely’ - from A Streetcar named Desire by Tennesse Williams - I suppose that’s more of a play than a film, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful lines ever written.

If you could only travel to one other country, which country would you choose? America - specifically New York. I’m a HUGE theatre geek, so my big dream is to go to New York to see lots of shows on Broadway.

What is the first concert you attended? Beyonce at the 02 - I was sat all the way up in the rafters, but the fact that we were even in the same postcode? Life changing. Name Your Favourite Children’s Story?

My Shadow is Purple - by Scott Stuart. It’s a beautiful story that discusses non-binary identities and embracing what makes you unique, teaching about difference and diversity in an empowering yet ‘child-friendly’ way.

What Book Has Influenced You Greatly? How?

The Diary of Anne Frank - I was obsessed with this when I was younger and I think it was one of the earliest things that taught me the power of words and the importance of having a voice - these are the things I want students to take away from English.

What is the one thing, you can’t live without?

Coke Zero - much to the dismay of my learning group, who are increasingly concerned about the amount of caffeine I need to make it through the day.

If you could go on one reality show, what would it be?

Rupaul’s Drag Race - my name would be Toyah Zaruss and my entrance line would be ‘I didn’t come to slay, I came to play’. So if teaching doesn’t work out…

If you were given a 3 minute slot on prime time TV, what would you sell, what message would you give? How would you use this time to make the most impact?

I’d do something awfully preachy and English teacher-esque about the importance of words and the power of having a voice - very Miss World answer I know! However, everything I have achieved in my life has stemmed from having a few important people tell me that my voice matters and that I have something worth saying - I’d want to pass that on to others.

If You Had Your Own Talk Show, Who Would Your First Three Guests Be?

Beyoncé (a theme is emerging…), Olympic dressage rider Carl Hester and Johannes Radabe from Strictly Come Dancing - All huge icons of mine, so a WILDLY selfish show.

Would you rather go hang gliding or whitewater rafting?

Whitewater rafting - I’m terrified of heights!

What city would you most like to live in?

Of the cities I’ve been to Berlin would be my top choice - it has such interesting history and culture, it’s incredibly diverse and the transport is so reliable.

What movie title best describes your life?

Waiting To Exhale- I’m a very chatty man!

Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?

I worked as a horse-riding instructor for many years and LOVED it, but gradually found I enjoyed the teaching side more and more - I got to a point where I wanted to transfer this into another settingHorses are my first love and one of my biggest passions, but it can be somewhat of an elitist sport. I got such joy from helping people achieve their goals in this sport, but realised I could apply this so much more in teaching English - whether you love Shakespeare and Dickens or hate the thought of ever opening a book, English is a core subject that opens doors for you in life - not just the qualification, but the skill of communication and the knowledge that your voice matters and what you have to say is valid and necessary - I wanted to develop these skills in others, to open doors for others in the way that doors have been opened for me.