SBS News - Review of the year 2024

SBS NEWS R E V I E W

O F

T H E

Y E A R

Inside this issue...

Headteacher & Head Girl Welcome / GCSE Results 2024 / Sports Day / World Hijab Day / Alumni Event / Greenhouse Sports / BHM Event / Pride Evening, Plus Much More...

2 0 2 3 / 2 0 2 4

Welcome from Headteacher - Rae Potter Our school vision is to:

Work together to provide students with an inclusive and equitable experience of school which empowers them to achieve ambitious qualifications, powerful knowledge, effective communications skills and the resilience to promote social justice for the better of all.

This vision to empower young women drives everything we do at the school . As a girls only school we are in a unique position to empower young women because we are experts in how girls learn and have designed the curriculum to ensure students ‘learn more and remember more’ (Ofsted Report -November 2022). Our approach is based upon the belief that in a girls only school, girls learn better, achieve better and have better opportunities to be empowered.

This belief is backed up by research from a number of sources that shows that girls who attend girls only schools are less likely to conform to restrictive gender stereotypes, are less constrained in their choice of subjects at GCSE and beyond and perform better in examinations.

This same research indicates that girls in girls only schools show a greater likelihood to innovate and take risks with their learning, have more opportunities to show leadership and go on to be more successful in the job market.

This edition of SBS news, a round up of the year, shows the benefits of attending a girls’ school even further by sharing some of the most amazing achievements of our students and highlighting the many opportunities we provide for girls to learn and develop as young people.

Rae Potter - Headteacher

Head Girl Welcome 2024-2025 Welcome to Sarah Bonnell—an amazing school promoting sisterhood and aiming high for our dreams. We strive not only for academic excellence but also to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and open to being who they truly are. This gives students the opportunity to excel and explore their ambitions, leading them to one day fulfill their dreams.

At Sarah Bonnell, students have the chance to explore new subjects and discover their passions. Throughout their time here, students have opportunities to join clubs, learn new skills, and develop their knowledge in areas that interest them. There are also many opportunities to put themselves forward for leadership roles, get involved, and speak out for their peers.

As Head Girl, I strive to amplify all of our school values—"be kind, work hard, aim high, no excuses, be proud"—but especially "aim high," as I believe if we all aim high, anything is possible, whether it is big or small!

Alongside the school motto, my personal motto as Head Girl is "Lead with Vision, Inspire with Action." This reflects how I not only want to listen to and amplify the student voice but also work toward improving small things at a time to make our school even more extraordinary. This attitude is shared not only by the student leadership team but by the whole school.

As we start this new academic year, let us all take inspiration from this quote: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts," and remember to keep working hard and staying positive in everything we do. I believe this is key not only to our school journey but also to our everyday lives.

Amiya Glockling - Head Girl

CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING 2024 GCSE RESULTS AT SARAH BONNELL SCHOOL

Our GCSE students at Sarah Bonnell School have much to celebrate as they receive their exam results alongside Headteacher Rae Potter, Assistant Headteacher Natascia Servini, Year Leader Vanessa Francois and Parent and Governor Momadou Sanyang.

Reflecting on this achievement, Headteacher Rae Potter shared, “Each of the 267 students in this cohort has had their own unique learning journey. They’ve embraced opportunities, shown resilience in the face of challenges, and demonstrated dedication to their growth. While exam results don’t define our students, they deserve immense credit for the effort they’ve put in. I’m thrilled to see their hard work rewarded with such excellent GCSE outcomes, and I wish them the very best as they move forward in their education.”

This year's results are the best yet for the school, with an impressive 78% of students achieving a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths, and 66% securing a strong Grade 5 or higher in these subjects. Students also excelled in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Drama, Art, Spanish, Religious Studies, Sociology, Italian, and History—truly embodying our school values of Aim High, Work Hard, and Be Proud.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH On November 1st, Sarah Bonnell hosted a dynamic Black History Month event, featuring our students' talents in poetry, art, drama, music, and catering. The evening was a testament to their dedication, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

From powerful poetry to captivating drama and visually stunning art, our students brought Black British history and experience to life. Musical performances added another layer of depth, celebrating the diversity of African heritage. Beyond the arts, a culinary feast delighted taste buds, showcasing our students' commitment to celebrating diversity.

November 2023

We take pride in our students' hard work and dedication, and this successful event emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of all individuals, regardless of background.

Let's carry forward the spirit of unity, creativity, and appreciation for diversity throughout the year. Our gratitude goes to all students, teachers, and parents whose efforts made our Black History Month event a resounding success..

An Evening of Gothic Tales A huge congratulations to all the wonderful students from KS3 and KS4 who participated in this year’s school production, An Evening of Gothic Tales. The cast worked incredibly hard on the performance, creating a range of petrifying stories, including Frankenstein, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Dracula. The evening also featured a mixture of fabulous musical performances.

December 2023

Students were brilliantly supported by many members of the school community, including staff, family, and friends. We are all incredibly proud of the marvellous work the students put in, and we would like to thank everyone who helped, as well as the stupendous performers for their wondrous work.

RIMZIM SHINES IN NATIONAL SCIENCE WRITING COMPETITION At the beginning of 2024, the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) invited students aged 14-16 from non-selective state-funded schools in Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham, and the London Borough of Newham to submit 800-word essays. The competition aimed to get young people thinking and writing about big questions in science, technology, engineering, and maths, with a focus on how science impacts policymaking and society.

We are thrilled to announce that our Year 10 Scholarship student, Rimzim Baser, entered the competition with her essay on "Gene Therapy and Its Impact on Society." Her insightful and well-crafted essay was highly commended by the judges, earning her a £100 prize and an invitation to a prestigious awards ceremony.

Rimzim’s essay, titled GeneGenius, stood out among over 150 submissions for its indepth discussion of gene therapy and its societal implications. She will be attending the awards ceremony at the Royal Institution in London.

Congratulations to Rimzim for her outstanding achievement! We are incredibly proud of her and look forward to celebrating her success.

January 2024

The award will be presented during this special celebration event, featuring talks Read Rimzim’s award winning essay here: from renowned science writers who will share their experiences, career journeys, and fascinating stories from their time as writers. The ceremony will take place in the historic Faraday Lecture Theatre, the home of science communication and the site of many groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

OUTWARD OUTWARD BOUND BOUND In February, our Year 9 students embarked on an enriching adventure, experiencing an unforgettable residential trip to Outward Bound in Aberdovey, Wales. This trip provided students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse array of outdoor activities. From exhilarating trekking to the collaborative challenge of raft building and camping in cabins, our students truly demonstrated enthusiasm, resilience, and teamwork!

We are incredibly proud of the Year 9 cohort and know how meaningful this experience was for them in the lead-up to their exciting Pathways journey.

February 2024

The impact of this educational journey was evident in the positive reflections of our students. We were incredibly proud to see so many of our Year 9 students engaging in activities outside their comfort zones and relishing all the opportunities the trip had to offer.

By working with new and different groups, students formed new friendships and grew in confidence.

WORLD WORLD HIJAB HIJAB DAY DAY

INSPIRING INSPIRING INCLUSION INCLUSION AND AND EMBRACING EMBRACING DIVERSITY: DIVERSITY: WORLD WORLD HIJAB HIJAB DAY DAY AT AT SARAH SARAH BONNELL BONNELL Sarah Bonnell recently hosted its third annual World Hijab Day event, celebrating unity and cultural appreciation. The event featured student-run stalls selling hijabs and underscarves. The school community had the opportunity to make pledges for inclusivity and solidarity, while a photo booth captured memorable moments. The piazza display showcased the rich tapestry of hijab styles from around the world, reinforcing Sarah Bonnell’s commitment to fostering dialogue and respect for cultural diversity.

February 20324

Throughout the event, conversations flourished about the significance of the hijab in Islam and its cultural importance, creating an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance. Even the Sarah Bonnell mascot, "Bonnell Bear," wore a hijab for the day. The school community engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing personal stories and experiences, further fostering a sense of community and belonging.

TENNIS IS IS TOP TOP AT AT TENNIS SARAH BONNELL BONNELL SARAH Sarah Bonnell School was awarded the Team for Life Award by Greenhouse Tennis at the Sport Gives Back Awards 2024. This term has witnessed a number of incredible achievements. Tennis students Manel and Michelle went on stage with our Greenhouse Tennis Coach, Tom, Ms. Potter (Headteacher), and Ms. Bibi (Deputy Headteacher) to receive the prestigious award. The award was presented by Ellie Simmonds, Olympic gold medalist and swimming champion, and Ama Agbeze, Olympic gold medalist and netball champion. The award recognized the excellent tennis coaching programme we deliver at school in partnership with the Greenhouse Tennis Charity and our outstanding coach, Mr. Sippy.

We had 45 students attend half-term tennis in the wind and rain—an unprecedented number across all the programs in Greenhouse Sports. We also participated in numerous tournaments, improving our level, gaining experience, and even picking up medals at one of the Year 8 tournaments we hosted.

The programme continues to go from strength to strength and always welcomes new students eager to get involved in the game.

February 2024

The event was televised by ITV and sponsored by the Co-operative Bank, and it was attended by a host of impressive athletes and sports personalities, including Fatima Whitbread, Dame Kelly Holmes, Jeanette Kwakye, Mo Farah, Frank Lampard, and more! Following the event, Coach Tom appeared on BBC Radio London to speak about the awards and the overall success of the programme.

WOMEN WOMEN IN IN AVIATION AVIATION WITH WITH YEAR YEAR 99 On Friday, 1st March 2024, 30 Year 9 students were invited to attend an empowering visit aimed at fostering a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.

Scholarship students had the invaluable opportunity to meet remarkable women leaders at London City Airport.

The visit aimed to inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts and provide insights into the diverse career opportunities within the field.

One particularly heartening moment occurred when students had the chance to interact with Stephanie Powell, an esteemed alumna of Sarah Bonnell School who now serves as the Rewards Manager at London City Airport.

Stephanie's journey from a Sarah Bonnell student to a prominent figure in the aviation industry served as a source of inspiration for the students, showcasing the limitless possibilities that await those passionate about pursuing STEM careers.

The visit was filled with enthusiasm and curiosity as students delved into discussions about various aspects of STEM fields, from technological innovations to career pathways and industry challenges.

Reflecting on her experience, one student expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Meeting these incredible women has opened my eyes to the vast possibilities in STEM careers. I feel inspired and motivated to pursue my passion and make a difference in the world."

MArch 2024

In collaboration with London City Airport and with the guidance of accomplished professionals like Stephanie Powell, Sarah Bonnell School remains dedicated to nurturing the talents and aspirations of our students, empowering them to reach new heights in the exciting world of STEM.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL WOMENS WOMENS DAY DAY EVENT EVENT On Wednesday, 6th March, we hosted a celebration evening to mark International Women’s Day at Sarah Bonnell School. The event was organized by Ms. Bibi, Deputy Headteacher, along with student and staff volunteers.

Successfully attended by students, staff, and families, the event explored this year’s IWD theme of “Inspire Inclusion.”

The evening began with networking through a variety of student-led stalls to raise funds for our school charity, United World Schools. The stalls included: design-your-own tote bag, bookmarks, the SBS IWD magazine, henna and hijab stalls, and a bracelet making stall.

The main event then kicked off with a beautiful musical introduction by Year 11’s Jesse Ponto, followed by welcome speeches from Ms. Potter, Ms. Bibi, and Head Girl Tiana Tara-Walibange.

We also heard from Deputy Head Student hosts Yusra Rahman and Marianne Rhodes, who shared how we inspire inclusion at Sarah Bonnell School. Guests were further inspired by speeches from intersectional female students, a student panel, and a staff panel. There was also a fun and engaging staff video on how to ensure inclusion, directed by Year 10 students Hafsa Ali and Ariana Kizamba, with support from Ms. Mahmood and Mr. Shoabe.

In addition, Ms. Sahbedin promoted intersectional female identities through the stunning “I Am Not My Hair” fashion runway show, introduced by our Poet Laureate, Fareeha.

To end the evening, Ms. Bibi, Rosa Jay Tipp, and Marianne Rhodes hosted an exciting raffle prize draw for guests who wrote a pledge about how they will inspire inclusion, with a variety of prizes won!

Overall, it was a powerful, empowering, and moving evening that left everyone inspired to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion for girls and women in and beyond education.

MArch 2024

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped organize the event for our school community!

WORLD BOOK DAY World Book Day 2024 was celebrated by the entire school on Thursday, 7th March. Staff and students donned their book character costumes, and everyone looked amazing. A special shout-out to our Year 8 student who went all out and dressed up as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! Tutor time activities were planned and enjoyed by all students. During lessons, our A&I students participated in an array of games, from scavenger hunts to book bingo, leaving with World Book Day bookmarks and novelty pens.

The Learning Hub was transformed into a theatre, where our Year 9 students performed scenes from The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and our Year 10 and 11 Rowling Pathways students performed The Legend of Nian, a Chinese folk tale. Mr. Bentley led the show at lunchtime and looked fantastic as Count Dracula.

March 2024

All performers received a copy of the corresponding book and a World Book Day bookmark.

Congratulations to our World Book Day competition winners: Filza Ahmed (7S), who won The Learning Hub TG Activities Competition, and Bareerah Uddin and Apsora Mondol (7S), who won The Learning Hub World Book Day Treasure Hunt Competition. Enjoy your Kindle Fire prizes—you thoroughly deserve them!

(mental health) On Tuesday, 10th October 2023, we promoted World Mental Health Day at Sarah Bonnell School by collaborating with the Chartered College of Teaching and ITV’s ‘Britain Get Talking’ campaign. Ms. Bibi and some Year 11 prefects were interviewed by ITV Regional News to discuss the work Sarah Bonnell School does to support the wellbeing of young people every day. On the day, all students were assigned ITV’s National Homework during form time, encouraging them to talk to their families at home about their mental health.

October 2023

Ms. Bibi and Ms. Oloyede also led assemblies that promoted positive mental wellbeing, shared strategies, and reminded students of who they can speak to at school.

UDL FINALS 2024 AND DEBATE SEASON IS CLOSED As the academic year draws to a close, we bid farewell to Debate Mate 2023-2024. This season has been filled with vigorous debates, insightful arguments, and remarkable teamwork. A big round of applause for everyone's hard work! The UDL finals competition was fierce, with an incredible performance from our Year 10 debaters. Despite a close match, we didn’t clinch the title this year. The judges commended our team for their progress and were highly impressed with their style.

Looking ahead, Debate Mate 2024-25 application forms will be sent out in the new academic year. Keep an eye out for them, as we will only be accepting 30 students next year!

YEAR 10 DEBATE CUP 2024 SARAH BONNELL SHINES AT NATIONAL DEBATE CUP On the 17th of April, our Year 10 debate team attended the National Debate Cup competition and won all their rounds, securing an impressive 3rd place in the entire region. How incredible! The results were exceptionally close, with our team just 2 points away from competing in the regional finals for the coveted cup!

This achievement highlights the tremendous progress our debate team has made this year. From rigorous practice sessions to intense competitions, their dedication and hard work have truly paid off.

A huge congratulations to our SB debate team for delivering outstanding performances at every stage and demonstrating exceptional skill and poise. We are incredibly proud of how far they have come and look forward to even greater successes in the future as their journey on the Debate Mate Core Programme ends this year!

UDL NOVICE - NOVICE DEBATE TEAM REACHES TOP 16 IN LONDON LEAGUES!

We wish our team all the best as they prepare for this exciting challenge.

Watch this space, as a new team is emerging, ready to make their mark and continue our proud tradition of debate excellence!

April 2024

Our Novice Debate Team has made remarkable progress this year, successfully navigating through all their debates to secure a spot in the top 16 of the London Leagues. Their hard work, determination, and outstanding performances have earned them a well-deserved invitation to compete in the final competition at Imperial College for the League Cup.

SB BOOK FAIR 2024 Sarah Bonnell hosted a week-long Book Fair from 16th to 23rd May. It was incredibly delightful and heartwarming to see so many students get involved and be a part of the event. We had a tremendous collection of the newest and best books from over 60 publishers, including many exclusive titles. In addition to these books, we offered other bookish goodies and bookmarks in various patterns, designs, and colours. The students were beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to choose their own reading and decide which fictional worlds they wanted to explore.

The Book Fair offered our students more than just access to books; it exposed them to various cultures, connected them with their favorite authors, and introduced them to new ones. It further encouraged them to explore a wide range of genres and stories. We managed to raise a significant amount throughout the week, which will allow us to enhance the Learning Hub by introducing fresh concepts, ideas, and stories of exciting new adventures!

may 2024

The atmosphere in the Learning Hub throughout the week was vibrant and high-spirited, with a real sense of community among staff and students. It was a wonderful, wholesome way for students to socialize and make new friends as they discussed and shared their passions and interests.

NATIONAL PRIDE MONTH EVENT 2024 It was marvellous to have the inaugural Sarah Bonnell School Pride event on Wednesday, 3rd June 2024, celebrating National Pride Month. The event featured speeches from inspirational figures, wonderful student performances, and the opportunity to make pledges.

As part of the event, guest speakers from Diversity Role Models shared their experiences, and there was a panel for student and staff speakers to share their ideas with the assembled guests. The ADT team worked hard to ensure that fabulous creative work from students was showcased, and special pride-themed canvas bags were created during the event itself.

June 2024

A range of students from different year groups came along to express their support for equity, diversity, and inclusion, and members of staff and governors also signalled their support. We would like to thank everyone who attended and put in significant effort to make this event a success for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

ASSEMBLY FINALS AND THE REGIONAL FINALS FOR NEWHAM

Winner: Maram 10E

Runner-Up: Runner-Up: Umaymah 10R Ariana 10N

Hurley 10S

Sahreen 10A

Sofia 10B

Tanisha 10D

Imane 10H

Amiya 10L

On one of our Enhanced Learning Days (ELD), the entire Year 10 cohort participated in an intensive training session on the art of public speaking. The training, delivered by Speakers Trust, provided students with invaluable skills and confidence through an engaging Speak Out workshop. From this session, nine outstanding students advanced to the assembly finals, showcasing their talents before a panel of judges at Sarah Bonnell. The competition was fierce, but Maram emerged victorious, earning the honor of representing Sarah Bonnell at the regional finals at St Angela's.

Maram's fantastic performance led to a remarkable victory at the Newham Regional finals.

We're thrilled to announce that Sarah Bonnell will be hosting the Regional Finals in 2025! Watch this space as Maram MCs the event!

Congratulations to all Year 10 students for their dedication and enthusiasm, and special congratulations to Maram for her outstanding achievement.

As part of her achievement, Maram won a trophy, a gift voucher, and a chance to visit Cambridge University in the autumn term with other Speak Out Regional Champions. She also has the opportunity for further public speaking training through a one-day “Speak Up! Speak Out!” Level 2 course and access to an event at a high-profile venue where she can experience the power of voice to shape society and make history. Well done, Maram!

SPORTS DAY 2024 A day full of great competition, loud and supportive encouragement, and outstanding teamwork was enjoyed by everyone at Sarah Bonnell during our annual Sports Day event, which took place in the last week of June 2024. Blessed with good weather and a return to an outdoor venue—thanks to our fellow trust school, Eastlea Community School, for accommodating us—students from Year 7, 8, 9, and 10 took part in a number of sporting activities and events, ranging from Tug-of-War and Target Throwing to Sprint Races. There was also room for classic activities such as Egg-and-Spoon Races, Hula-Hooping, and Welly Throwing, as well as the new addition of Boccia.

Students competed to earn points for their respective form groups, and the final placings to determine the winning groups in each year were still undecided as the final events took place. The day’s activities concluded with the first staging of the 100m Student Sprint Challenge, where the individual Year group 100m winners lined up against each other to determine the fastest sprinter in the school. A massive well done to the winner, Damarie Plange-Welbeck, representing Year 7! This was soon followed by a staff 4x100m relay, in which the A+I department took 1st place. Congratulations also go to those students who won gold, silver, and bronze medals in their respective events.

June 2024

Special thanks to Mr Bentley and Mr Legarda for their excellent contributions as main announcer and DJ, the form tutors and Year teams for their amazing support, the Art Department for their fantastic work in producing a medal podium, the students for creating so many fantastic banners in support of their form groups, the staff supervising the first aid tent, and those leading the many activities throughout the day.

Finally, a special well done to the PE Department for all their hard work in preparing for and overseeing what turned out to be a memorable Sports Day.

ALUMNI EVENT 2024 Sarah Bonnell School is delighted to invite our esteemed alumni back for our annual Alumni Event, happening on Monday, 15th July. This cherished tradition brings together former students to celebrate their achievements, reconnect with old friends, and share their journeys since leaving school.

Key highlights of the event include: Mini School Tour Musical Performance Networking Opportunities Refreshments and Snacks We are excited to welcome back our alumni and celebrate the enduring bonds that tie the Sarah Bonnell community together. This event is a testament to the strong and supportive network that our school has cultivated over the years.

July 2024

The annual Alumni Event at Sarah Bonnell School is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, celebrate, and look forward to the future. We are eager to hear your stories, celebrate your successes, and continue building the strong legacy of our alumni network.

@SBonnellSchool