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PROMOTING READING
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
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. “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.” 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
GCSE CERTIFICATE EVENING
22 November 2022
W
INTER
ONCERTC
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.
