Weekly buzz 16 10 2017

Portland Place School

Weekly Buzz

16 October 2017

We wish you all a restful Half-term break Latest Information Upcoming events about Pupil Rewards and clubs

Academic and Sports fixtures 1

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Letter from the Headmaster Dear Parents, London is one of the most multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, polyglot places on Earth. The whole diversity of humanity is to be found in this city. For our pupils to grow-up and be educated in the centre of London is a real privilege.

One of our aims at Portland Place is “to encourage service to our wider community leading pupils to respect and value its diversity.” With that in mind it is very encouraging to know that our Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, run by Miss Pym, is oversubscribed this year. After the half term break we launch our new Leadership Awards with Years 10 and 11, organised by Ms. Nicholas. Both of these will involve pupils engaging in some form of community service.

I am also looking to strengthen our school community. You will, I’m sure, know of our Parent Network now established. We are working with Alpha Plus to improve our links with alumni. The first day back after half term we will be holding a whole school assembly which will celebrate the achievements of last year’s Duke of Edinburgh Award cohort, amongst other things. I am also looking forward to our first Carol Service on the 12th December, to which all parents are very warmly invited.

The vibrancy of Portland Place School is evident to all who visit us. This is due to the teachers, the pupils and the support we have from parents.

I wish you all a restful holiday.

David Bradbury, Headmaster

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Notice Board Mental Health Ms O’Neill, Deputy Head Teacher Resources used in school during Form Time – Assembly – Citizenship - and Year Group Bulletins (Many of these resources are useful for parents too) World Mental Health Day falls on the 10th Oct – staff used many resources in school this week. Young Minds have launched a 'Hello Yellow' campaign and it is not too late to register and download their pack here: https://youngminds.org.uk/get-involved/how-to-fundraise/helloyellow/ Talking Mental Health Animation & Teacher Toolkit (Anna Freud Centre) The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families is a children’s mental health charity with over 60 years’ experience of caring for young minds. Their 'Talking Mental Health' Teacher Toolkit helps staff give children an understanding of what mental health is, understand how to be a good listener, and how to use consistent and accessible language when talking about mental health. The toolkit, aimed at older primary children, also includes a video. This is also useful for parents to use too.

Download the Toolkit here: http://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/schools-in-mind/youre-never-too-young-to-talk-mental-health/talking-mental-health-animation-teacher-toolkit/ (5.28)

Online stress and FOMO lesson plan pack (Public Health England) This is useful and staff are finding we are talking about this in school Public Health England have a range of resources for schools, including alcohol, smoking and bullying. One resource, for secondary pupils, focusses on online stress and Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). The pack explores how stress may be experienced as a consequence of using social media and how this can affect their daily lives.

The activities are based on two short videos, and discusses how students might manage any online stress and understand the importance of asking for help when they need it.

Find the pack here:https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools/resources/online-stress-fomo-lesson-plan-pack We have two extremely skilful counsellors in school, Shaun Goodwin (Thursdays) shaungoodwin@lightfast.co.uk and Dawn Grantham (Wednesdays) dawn.grantham17@gmail.com They can help children and adolescents who: • are experiencing anxiety or depression • are hyperactive or have concentration difficulties • are affected by life events such as an accident, illness, parental separation or loss • are affected by bullying, cyberbullying • need help with anger management and impulse control • are withdrawn and isolated • are low in confidence and self-esteem • need help with social communication skills • have body-image issues and eating disorders • are school refusing • are experiencing exam and school anxiety/stress 4

Notice Board Parents’ Network Coffee Morning Ms Blakemore and Ms King We would like to welcome parents, new and old, to a coffee morning on Friday 10th November, from 8:45 for about an hour, in PPS Hall (56 Portland Place). An informal chance to meet other parents! Yours Mandy Blakemore & Sarah King

Introducing Gary Mr Bradbury, Headteacher As many of you know, Clemmie Studd has left Portland Place after 11 years of excellent service to the school. Our new receptionist in No. 58 Portland Place is Gary Brazier who is stepping into the role as your first point of contact for notifying absences. Same phone number. Email is gary.brazier@portland-place.co.uk or use the Admin email address.

Pupil Rewards Points Ms Whittle, Head of Year 8 and Ms Boyle, Head of Year 7 The Pupil Reward Points shop opens on Monday 30th October. To claim any rewards, simply log into your account, click the rewards tab and shop away! If you haven’t quite got enough points to buy what you would really like, you can set yourself a target and once you have enough points, the system will alert you that you can buy your reward!

The shop opens to collect rewards at 8.15am – 8.40am in the Library on Monday 30th October.

Pupil Reward Points – Positive Updates Emails are being sent to parents every Friday with a total of the positive points your son/daughter has achieved in that week. You can also see their positive points by logging onto your account. Please encourage them to log on and chose their rewards for this half term.

Pupils Rewards Points – Detentions Every Monday parents receive a total of the negative points that have been received the week before.

If there are any concerns with negative points that have been issued, please contact the subject teacher directly.

Form Tutor Detentions (-5 points) – Every Tuesday – 8.15am-8.40am. (Year 7 in Room 1, Year 8 in Room 36, Year 9 in Room 34) Head of Department Detention (-10 points) – Every Tuesday – 4pm-4.45pm. Room 11 5

Notice Board Food Items needed for foodbank Ms Keen, Teacher of Media Studies Year 13 Media Studies students have been studying I, Daniel Blake and have been deeply affected by the issues raised within the film. We decided to pay a visit to Euston Food Bank and donate food and toiletries. The volunteers told us that they are experiencing shortages of food and most items which are desperately needed especially as the weather gets colder and people become more vulnerable. We plan on visiting again in the run-up to Christmas so please feel free to donate (you can leave in Reception at PPS for the attention of Natalie Keen).

URGENTLY NEEDED FOOD ITEMS • Tinned fruit (400gms) • Tea bags (80's) • Dried pasta (500gms) • UHT milk (1 litre) • Breakfast Cereals • Toiletries

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News Year 7 Science Ms English, Teacher of Chemistry Year 7 students completing their first end of topic assessment in Science on ‘Becoming a Scientist’.

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News 6th Form, Subject Champions Ms Lewis, Assistant Head of 6th Form Our 6th Form students have been working as Subject Champions throughout the Lower School. As role models for younger PPS students the 6th Formers have been assisting and encouraging in subjects they want to Champion. They are passionate about studying these and have been enjoying getting to know the lower school students who in the future may study some of these lessons in their own A Levels.

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News Year 12 Photography Class Mr Wehner, Teacher of Photography and Graphic Communication The photo was taken during a Year 12 Photography class in Regent’s Park.

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Photo by: Amy Evans, Y12, A-Level Photography.

Sports Netball Mr Mcloughlin, Head of PE U15 Portland Place Queens College

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On Monday afternoon the U15 netball team competed in the MSPQQ league. It was a dominant performance from Portland Place who had the match under control from the whistle. The girls played some advanced and controlled netball against Queens College to secure a win. Queens College found it difficult to get the ball into the goal third, due to superb defending by Issy Francis- Baum, Michela Carbosiero and Cristina Carbosiero. In mid court, Marielle Staunton and Ava Jones controlled the ball well providing some excellent passes into the circle, allowing our two outstanding shooters, Freya Francis Baum and Erin Dytor to score a plethora of goals. Player of match Erin Dytor had an exceptional match playing GS working well with Freya Francis-Baum in the shooting circle to play some phenomenal netball. The final score was 20 – 3 to PPS. It was a fantastic victory for the girls who remain unbeaten in the MSPQQ league. Well done girls!

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Sports U15 FHS Netball Tournament Mr McLoughlin, Head of PE Portland Place finish in 3rd Place The U15 netball team played in the Francis Holland Netball Tournament at Battersea Park. The girls had nervously awaited their first netball tournament of the season. Portland Place girls came into this tournament knowing that it was going to be a challenge, however, the girls were determined and excited about the matches ahead. The girls had an excellent start to the tournament, demonstrating some advanced netball in their match against More House securing a victory. Captain Issy Francis - Baum worked exceptionally well in defence alongside, Michela Carbosiero and Nora Hill putting pressure on the opposition and intercepting some great balls. PPS faced FHS A and St. Augustine's in their next two games. Both schools proved too strong, for Portland Place, taking the victories. After some tactical changes PPS played FHS B, it was a fast paced game with plenty of action at either end. It was a tough match physically for our girls but they composed themselves and played some slick netball to secure a draw. Ava Jones, Cristina Carbosiero and Marielle Staunton had an exceptional match, linking the play well through centre court by always providing an option for the team. The next game against Queensgate was a closely fought contest. PPS went into the second half one goal behind, once they settled into the second half they played some beautiful netball winning their match 7-5. Freya Francis-Baum and Nora Hill had an exceptional match in attack, implementing a range of tactics in the shooting circle. A teacher at the tournament commented on Freya Francis Baum's movement on court and superb attacking play. In their final match they faced Queens College, it was dominant performance from Portland Place who had the match under control from the whistle. Ava Jones, Marielle Staunton and Audrey Hammer controlled the ball well in centre court, linking well with the shooters. In the second half Queens College struggled to get the ball into their goal third due to the outstanding defending from Erin Dytor. The final score was 7-4. The girls played some flawless and exciting netball throughout the tournament. Overall the U15 team finished in 3rd Place taking the bronze medal.

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Sports Cross Country Westminster Cross Country Championships 2017 Mr McLoughlin, Head of PE Eli Anderson (Year 9) takes individual GOLD and the U14 Boys Team are WESTMINSTER TEAM CHAMPIONS! It was a windy but sunny afternoon for this years’ championships, held at Regents Park. The action started with the Y5/6 primary race, where Portland Place fielded a strong team. As the race unfolded over the 1.5km course, it was clear to see that Tom Hallam and Benny Miller were challenging for medals in the leading pack, they managed to hold on respectively for 6th and 9th place out of approximately 80 runners. Our only Y5 runner was Ali Abdel-Khaleq who finished in 38th place and should look to make the top 20 next year. The team result for the year 5/6 boys, resulted in 6th place out of 20 schools! Well done to Lloyd Day (48th), Roberto Hinton (53rd), Lawton Ballbach (56th), Rudy Bigoni (58th) for all contributing fantastic performances to the team. Our Y7/8/9 girls’ team also had some notable performances with Marielle Staunton finishing 16th, Ava Jones 17th, Amy Cooper 24th and Freya Francis Baum 25th out of a field of approximately 80 runners. This team finished 7th out of 12 schools. The effort put in by the girls was simply awesome and they deserve a huge congratulations! The boys Y7/8/9 team produced the performance of the day winning the team event with all 4 runners placing in the top 10! Dylan Cohen (8th) Alex MacDonald (5th) Sam Ingram (4th) Eli Anderson (1st), it was a dominant performance by the team, superbly led by Eli Anderson. Eli dominated the race from start to finish and was challenged for the lead on a few occasions but he had the stamina and speed to hold off the 2nd placed runner, it was a commanding run and very well deserved.

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Sports Crosscountry Mr McLoughlin, Head of PE

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Sports Football Mr McLoughlin, Head of PE U15 Portland Place King Alfreds

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It was a cracking contest at Regents Park when the boys of Year 10 played King Alfreds. Historically these games are close and this game did not disappoint. Unfortunately PPS appeared to still be out to lunch and found themselves 2-0 down after ten minutes which at best can be described as a slow start! When the second goal went in, Max Ackerman rallied the troops and instantly it had an impact; and the boys were awake and competing. Man of the Match Lex Gosling put in a phenomenal physical effort for the entire game, he did not stop running throughout. This was infectious and the team began to create chances and were more dominant going forward. The boys were rewarded for their hard work and halved the deficit when Lachlan Macdonald beat the King Alfred left back for pace and then calmly slotted past the goalkeeper. The boys now inspired; drew level very quickly when new comer Colin Ballbach, playing only his second game of football since moving from the US, drilled in a shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner. At halftime the score line was fair (2-2) and the boys were confident that they could go on and win the game. The second half was a close encounter and the teams cancelled each other out with chances at either end. A late corner for King Alfreds developed into a goalmouth scramble and the ball somehow finding its way into the PPS net, unfortunately with only two minutes remaining there was no time for PPS to respond and left them with a narrow defeat.

U13 Portland Place B Ibstock Place C

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On Monday 9th of October PPS U13s B team took on Ibstock Place School in a thoroughly entertaining game of football. PPS started the stronger side and took an early lead through Adam Khan who drove past a few Ibstock players and powered the ball into the back of the net. Moments later PPS added a second through Anton Polyakov who latched on to an excellent through ball and rifled the ball into the roof of the net. To Ibstock credit they responded well and started to get into some dangerous positions, but the PPS back four defended well and prevented Ibstock getting any clear cut chances. The game remained competitive throughout and in the last 5 minutes both teams had a couple of good chances. Walter Cole-Wire was particularly unlucky in the final moments as he made a great run down the right flank but unfortunately shot straight at the Ibstock keeper with the final score remaining 2-0 to PPS. The boys put in a good performance with some solid defending and well taken goals. To improve in future games the boys need to work on the accuracy of their passing and ball retention. Jan Ceylan was strong at centre back, Adam Khan was lively and energetic in centre midfield but man of the match went to Freddie Goold who showed good composure, tactical awareness and accurate passing in centre midfield. Well done 14 boys!

Calendar and Contact

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