TAN - September 2013

Happy New Year! School year I mean. I hope everyone's summer break was restful and enjoyable.

I can’t believe how quickly last year seemed to go by. It is a great honour being the Head Teacher of The Albany School and this summer I was extremely proud of how well our students did in their exams.

Our results once again were excellent with an amazing 27% of our students getting 3 or more A*s and As. The English results were again outstanding being some of the best in the entire borough. You will have noticed in the press it was Albany Students highlighted as some of the best achieving students in Havering which reflects the hard work put in by themselves and our staff. Well done to you all!

The year 7 students have really settled in well and are enjoying their new learning environment. The new ties make the students look very smart and a big thank you to all parents and carers who are ensuring that the correct uniform is being worn to school.

Students have been pleased with their new journals which have been designed as a learning and communication tool rather than just a diary so please as a parent take some time to look through it with your child.

There are many exciting new classrooms, subjects and events taking place this term so watch this space as we launch into this new school year. Its only 13 weeks to Christmas.!

Mr Thorne

September 2013 Edition Read All About It Let’s Get Reading!

At the Albany School we believe that every student should have the chance to read for pleasure. The web links below will allow the parents and students to look at fantastic books that they can read at home and within form time once a week. All students should come prepared with a book for reading within form time once a week.

Below are four web links with suggested reading lists; the first two are categorised by age group and the second two are general reading lists for teenagers.

Parents and students may find it easier to borrow the books from a local library rather than buying them.

Suggested reading list for ages 14+ http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/14/14-plusreaders.html Suggested reading list for ages 12+ http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/12/11-plusreaders.html Also two more links to suggested reading links: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/teenagers/books-welike http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/teenagers/booklists/

College Transfer Evening th

Wednesday 9 October 2013 Just a reminder that all Year 10 and 11 students, together with their parents/carers are invited to attend the College Transfer Evening to be held in the school hall at 7.00 p.m. Representatives of Havering College of Further and Higher Education and Havering Sixth Form will be making presentations and will also be available after the meeting. to answer questions.

Parents and students may also want to visit the Havering Library website to see if the books are available to borrow or to download as an E-book. The following web link will take them to the Havering catalogue: http://arena.yourlondonlibrary.net/web/havering/ extended-search

September 2013 Edition Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Year 8 Girls

A letter, leaflet and consent form were recently sent home with your Year 8 daughter together with a question and answer information sheet regarding their forthcoming HPV vaccination. The Albany School supports the Department of Health's recommendation that all girls aged 12-13 receive the HPV vaccine to reduce their risk of getting cervical cancer . The UK has one of the most successful HPV vaccination programmes in the world and it is anticipated that rates of cervical cancer will decline due to the success of the programme.

Your daughter will need 3 injections over approximately 6 months to get the best protection, the first dose being given at school on 10 October 2013.

Please read the information that has been provided, complete both sides of the consent form and return it to the school office no later than Wednesday 2 October.

NB : The consent form MUST be completed and returned even if you do not wish your daughter to have the vaccination (option on form), however we hope that you and your daughter will both feel confident that by having the HPV vaccine she will be protecting herself from a very serious disease later in life.

You can find more information at : www.nhs.uk/vaccinations Thank you for your co-operation.

Gifted & Talented STEM Challenge St Mary’s University, London

Ten of our year 7 gifted and talented girls Emily Marsh, Mary Okunade, Estelle Rougier, Georgia Smith, Lauren Mazonas, Estelle Hunter, Eleanor Champion, Isabel Day, Amelia Owers and Bethany Hillyard accompanied by Mrs Lebow and Miss Ashwell attended the Queen Mary University London to represent the school at the First Edition science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) challenge.

An excellent day was had by all and our year 7 girls competed against year 9 and 10 girls from 3 other London schools.

Between them they accumulated two 3rd places and one 2nd place across the 2 engineering challenges on the day.

Homework Club Please advise your students that Homework Club will resume from Tuesday next week and will run Tuesday-Friday every week in room 22.

September 2013 Edition Stand By Me Life Enhancing Trip to Ethiopia On 7 July a group of seven Albany students with Mrs Jacky Brown joined up with a team from Marshalls Park School to embark on an extraordinary trip to Ethiopia. We are pleased to report that they completed the planned project and exceeded their target of 50 water filters for local families to provide clean water for two years, (actual 51). They also made 5 double bunk beds for families. The beds ensured families could sleep off the floor, helping to prevent diseases caught by laying on wet surfaces. In Bekoji most families do not have beds. One 80 year old lady had never slept in a bed in her entire life until we provided her family with one as part of the project.

As the team completed the project ahead of schedule they were also able to complete a volley ball court for the school, painted the courtyard and a fire surround for the orphanage to prevent children being hurt..

In addition we funded the whole school resources for the coming academic year.

The team consisted of 22 members from The Albany and Marshalls Park School.

The project was completed in association with the local charity Stand By Me which is based in Hornchurch.

The students summed up the whole experience as making a difference, while gaining a life enhancing opportunity.

Staff member Mrs Jacky Brown supported the following students on the project: Sash Bienedell, Jack Fallon, Ben Fish, Aaron Routh, Daryl Murphy. Connor Christian.

What a fantastic experience and achievement.

We are very proud

September 2013 Edition Come and Join The Team Next Time — Asia!

The school has now run two successful trips to Africa and would like to expand this to Asia for the next trip. Therefore we are now looking for a team to take to Nepal.

The previous projects were to supply interactive play areas, water filters and beds to the community, while contributing to the orphanage and school with volley ball courts, general painting and resources to supply the school for a year. A lot of fun was had along the way, visiting the local market, villagers homes, sharing with pupils of the school and visiting the lakeside spa that was within a days drive.

We had spent many hours fundraising for the trip holding events such as band gigs, 24 hours no food no shelter, bag packing at Tesco's holding quiz charity nights and restaurant evenings and we managed to raise £11,000 !

We trained for our tasks with specialised people and by the time we left everyone was very excited and prepared for a lifetime experience.

The next trip to Nepal is planned for 2015 so if you would like to find out more please see Miss Gallagher or Mrs Brown for more information.

Come and join in the team.

Dick Whittington Theatre Trip 3rd December 2013 “Turn around Dick Whittington” The English Department are organising a trip to The Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch on Tuesday 3rd December 2013 to see the Pantomime, ‘Dick Whittington’.

The cost of the trip will be £10.50. As there are a limited number of spaces, students will be selected on a first come first serve basis—ALL YEAR GROUPS ARE INVITED. If you would like to attend or be considered for this trip, please return the reply slip from the letter sent out to parents via Parentmail +Pay to Ms Carrol by Wednesday 25th Sept 2013.

September 2013 Edition

CLUB EVERY TUESDAY ROOM 8 3 - 3:45PM

September 2013 The Albany vs Frances Bardsley

Year 11 Sports Leaders Ambassadors for The Albany

Year 10 and Year 11 Havering Cup Netball The Senior Netball teams had an excellent start to the season. The Year 11s defeated Frances Bardsley 11-6, whilst the Year 10s saw off their counterparts 15-2.

Well done girls—keep it up!!

Netball Teams:

The new academic year at Albany started extremely well for five Year 11 Sports Leaders. Sports Leaders UK issued the students with 'The Spirit of Leadership' certificates in recognition of achieving above and beyond the requirements of Level 1 course.

School Games Coordinator Lisa Wilson who nominated the students said: ' I am so proud of these young people as they are the first Albany students to achieve this National award. They gave up their own time to volunteer at sports events throughout the year and are super ambassadors for the school.'

Year 11—Charlotte North, Stephanie Baah, Brogan Smith, Sophie Gallifant, Shashyl Redmond, Gemma Tuttlebee, Kirsti Nash Year 10—Lucy Platts, Heidi Platts, Gracie Ellis, Rebecca Jackson, Georgia Parlour, Abbie Lagden, Abbie Burrows, Chloe Blinkhorne

Essex Cup vs Chadwell Heath Year 7 Football This game was a typical Essex cup game with both teams playing end to end football, with The Albany creating more chances throughout the game. The match went to extra time with both teams five a piece. Connor Dunne helped finish 5 goals sublimely created by the year 7 team which adds to a great start for all year 7’s involved.

Team: Connor Dunne, Keaton Fuller, Jorge Rabaca, Tom Bright, Ryan Blinkhorne, Ryan Lurinsky, Ross Martin, Jack Maydell, Fred Perry, Jack Hastings, Ben Clarkson, Aaron Morton, Bradley Garlington

Head Teacher Adam Thorne presented the students with their certificates. L-R - Leanne Dawson, Madison Cooper, Head Teacher Adam Thorne, Louise Hunt, Matthew Lloyd, George Stevens.

Dagenham Park Rangers FC DPR U14’S (Year 9) require experienced players to strengthen their existing squad. Trials are being held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Managers and trainers are CRB/DBS checked and FA trained.

For information please call Rob on: 07535 710315