1

THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD

A Catholic Academy for Girls

Weekly News – Issue 26 28th April 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians Welcome back to the new term, I hope the Easter break was enjoyable and restful for all. For my own part, I spent the second week of the holiday in Lourdes with HCPT. I have been travelling as a volunteer with HCPT for the last 23 years accompanying children with additional needs on a very special pilgrimage. We had a fantastic week and I would encourage our own girls to get

involved initially with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service. BCYS play an important part in the HCPT pilgrimage as a support group and many volunteers later move on to a family group with HCPT. Not only is this a good way to live out SERVIAM it is also an uplifting experience and jolly good fun! We received sad news this week of the death of Msg George Stokes. He had been ill for some time and died peacefully at Nazareth House surrounded by his family. Fr. George was a real character and had worked tirelessly for Catholic education in the diocese for years. We thank God for his service and pray for his eternal rest. He will be greatly missed. Please see below a message from Bishop Alan. Year 10 have spent the last week in exams and it is now only 9 school days until the public examinations begin. It is so important that girls get into a good routine before their exams, having a structured timetable for revision, eating healthily and going to bed at a reasonable time. Please encourage your daughter to develop good study habits and that she builds in time for regular breaks! The school has been asked to act as a Polling station for the General Election on June 8th. The school will therefore be closed to students in Years 7-10. There are public examinations for years 11 and 13 and they should attend school for their exams as usual. We will not be able to provide catering facilities for these students. Further to the letter sent by Redbridge heads re funding concerns, you will see there has been some press coverage, in the local and national press. In case you haven’t seen it, we replicate items on pages 2 - 5 that were published in the Local Guardian and Recorder. With a pending General Election, it is important that education remains firmly on the political agenda. I would urge you to give your support to this campaign by writing to your MP. A message from Bishop Alan, sm

You will be very sorry to hear that Mgr George Stokes died this morning at Nazareth House following his recent illness. Fr George was born in Cape Town in 1941 and came to England as a child where his family settled in Grays. He was ordained to the Anglican ministry in 1965 and served in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was received into the

2

Catholic Church in 1969 and studied for the Priesthood at St Edmund’s College, Ware from 1970-1972 and at the Venerable English College, Rome from 1972-1976. He was ordained by Bishop Casey at the VEC in Rome on 10th April 1976. He served as Assistant Priest, Leigh-on-Sea from 1977-1981; served the BRES Team from 1981-2016; Chaplain to the Bernadine Nuns, Westcliff-on-Sea from 1981-1983; Chaplain to Ursuline Convent, Brentwood from 1983-1986; Administrator for Brentwood Cathedral 1986-1991; Diocesan Director of Education 1991-2016. He resided at Our Lady Immaculate 1991-2008 and Grays 2008-2016 when he moved to Nazareth House. He was appointed Domestic Prelate (Monsignor) in 2005. Mgr George Stokes served the Diocese with great generosity and dedication. He was well respected by all who knew him and his expertise, especially in the area of education, was greatly valued. Details of his funeral will be sent when known. Yours in Christ & Mary, Alan Williams, sm

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/15244168._We_re_at_crisis_point___Redbridge_head_teachers_demand_rethink_on__horrific__spending_cuts/

Redbridge secondary school head teachers in

'crisis' over Government spending cuts

Cllr Elaine Norman and Ilford North MP Wes Streeting with head teachers from Woodford County High, Wanstead High, Mayfield, Forest Academy, Caterham High, Oaks Park High, Valentine's High and Seven Kings High School

3

Head teachers claim Government cuts have left their schools in crisis, with multi million pound savings still to be made and "nowhere left to turn".

Increasing costs and a severe drop in education spending has meant Redbridge secondary schools have been forced to make "horrific" cuts over the last three years.

But with funding per pupil expected to fall by £8 million a year in real terms by 2020, and school leaders nationwide facing £3 billion in further cuts, Redbridge head teachers say they are at "crisis point".

At a meeting of more than half of the borough's secondary schools this week (April 24), chair of the Redbridge Secondary Heads Group (RSHG) and Woodford County High School head teacher Jo Pomeroy urged the Government for a "serious rethink".

She said: "In Redbridge we've been talking about a school funding crisis for a long time.

"We've been making cuts for over three years, but now it's come to a head, and we just don't know where to go from here."

Ms Pomeroy and her fellow heads wrote to the Department for Education over Easter to ask them to "stop playing with their pupils' futures" with such severe austerity measures.

They have also written to parents explaining the "horrific" situation.

Ilford County High head Rebecca Drysdale said: "We can't afford to offer our children art or music A level anymore. We've stopped teaching languages too.

"The number of free periods teachers have has gone down, so they're doing more teaching, more marking, and are under more pressure.

"I've had teachers resign because they just don't want to do it anymore."

Wanstead High School's head Bob Hamlyn added how "heartbreaking" it is to have to tell students they cannot study the subjects they want.

He said: "We've got a block of toilets that have been broken for ages, but we can't repair them because the money just isn't there."

Valentine's High leader Richard Laws says class sizes have risen considerably over recent years, which has meant a drop in teaching quality and increased behavioural issues.

4

He also stressed the Government's "fair funding formula", which will see schools in urban areas like London lose out on cash to rural schools, is only a very small part of the problem.

He said: "We're worried about funding full stop.

"We're at crisis point.

"We've been making cuts for years, but now we've trimmed all the fat we possibly can, what more can we do?"

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting and Redbridge Council cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Elaine Norman have given their full backing to the Redridge heads' concerns.

Mr Streeting said: "We've got all sorts of different schools in Redbridge and they're all suffering with the same problems – costs are increasing and funding isn't keeping up.

"When you put education cuts alongside council ones, you see the harsh reality of how tough this can be on struggling families outside the school gates too.

"I think it's important to stress just how urgent this situation is, because head teachers aren't the sort of people who normally wade into political debates, they just get on with the job.

"But we need to embarrass Theresa May by showing people just how bad things have got so she gives them the support our schools desperately need."

Ilford South MP Mike Gapes added: "The Government's cuts are pushing our schools to breaking point and putting our children’s education at risk.

"Any further cuts will lead to a serious deterioration of the excellent level of education our schools can deliver."

Seven Kings High head Tracy Smith said: "We have to ask the fundamental question of what schools are actually for.

"If we cut everything down to the very core subjects, our schools are going to become very souless places."

The Department for Education said in light of the upcoming General Election it could not comment.

5

Please see article right…

6

Chaplaincy News

Pope Francis @Pontifex · April 26th

Let’s promote friendship and respect between men and women of different religious traditions in order to

build a world of peace.

Forward in Joy – 366 days with Angela Merici - Daily words of wisdom from our patron saint April: Charity 28th April: Rejoice together. 29th April: I am continually among them with Jesus Christ, the Lover of us all. 30th April: May you be motivated solely by the love of God. May: Prudence 1st May: Do what you do in obedience, and not as following your own judgement. 2nd May: Blessed are those into whose hearts God has infused the light of Truth. 3rd May: God will never fail to provide for all their needs, so long as nothing is lacking on your part. 4th May: I have undaunted and firm faith and hope in the infinite divine goodness.

Spanish Trip – Andalucia April 2017 From 4th – 7th April 50 students from years 9 and 10 went on a Culture/Study/Language trip to Andalucia.

The purpose of the trip was to enhance the students’ language skills and to increase their interest and enjoyment of both the Spanish language and culture. For 4 jam packed days we experienced a variety of activities – 2 x 2hour sessions of language lessons, paella making, a visit to the Picasso Museum in Malaga, a tapas tour, a visit to the town of Mijas, the cable car of Benalmadena and its pueblo as well as fun and games on the beach and in the pool. The students were absolutely fantastic at all times and took the trip really seriously practising and using their Spanish as often as they could. Thank you to all the parents who supported the trip and a huge thank you to the teachers who accompanied me, without Miss Simpson, Miss Quay and Miss Keogh the trip would not have been possible.

7

Ms Warren

Drama News Take Stock Exchange Theatre Company returned to school to conduct a fascinating and enriching workshop with 9B on Wednesday. The performers used the girl’s own stories - gathered from their previous workshop - about the communities they live in as the material for a verbatim and musical performance. The theatre company really enjoyed working with the students and the Year 9 girls

found the experience creative, rewarding and thought provoking. Ms Milne, Head of Drama

8

Extra Curricular Clubs and Lessons DT: STEM catch- up club will run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday lunch time at 12.40 - 1.20 and after school on the same days until 5pm. Mrs Reilly

Geography Year 11 Geography Additional Support Club, every Thursday lunchtime in G3 Ms Grewal

Latin Club Tuesday 3.30-4.30: Year 8 Wednesday: 3.30-4.30 Year 9-10 Thursday: 3.30-4.30 Year 11

All in G6, Ms Ammeux Maths Big Sister Scheme Every Thursday Lunch Staff: Mr Vijay

Room: S8 Students: Selected Year 12 Maths Students and G&T Year 9 students. Maths Club every Tuesday lunchtime from 12.40 – 1.15pm. All Year Groups in G4 Ms Sivachandran

Music Club Timetable 2016/2017

EXTRA CURRICULAR MUSIC CLUBS

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM

Registration

Lunch

Morning

String

Ensemble

(S5)

KS3 Choir

(S5)

Morning

Woodwind

Ensemble

(S5)

6th Form

Band

Drum Club

(S6)

Guitar Club (S6)

Morning Vocal

Club G&T

Singers

Piano Club

Keyboard

Club

9

P E Club Timetable 2016/2017

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Lunch Indoor Rowing

All Years (GYM) Audrey

1.00 – 1.30

Year 10 GCSE PE Revision

(G3) Ms Keogh

Gymnastics Years 7 & 8

(GYM) Mrs Marriott

Year 10 GCSE PE Revision

(G3 Mrs Marriott

Indoor

Athletics All Years

(GYM) Mrs Mansell

Basketball Year 8, 9 & 10

(Gym) Ms Keogh

After School Rounders All Years

(Playground) Ms Keogh

Track & Field Athletics

Years 8,9 & 10 (Offsite)

Ms Keogh & Mrs Mansell

Handball All Years

Ms Marriott

Running Club All Years

Mrs Mansell

Spanish Club in S.1 from 1.10. – 1.40. Wednesday – Year 7 and 8

Thursday – Year 9 Friday – Year 10 Ms Warren

Year 11 Homework/ Catch up/ Revision club

(Laptops available)

Wednesday lunchtimes 12.40-1.30pm in G3 Terms and conditions may apply: Individual work only Ms Grewal, Head of Year 11

Don’t forget to check out School Diary, Revision Diary and Chaplaincy Diary on pages 10 & 11!

10

SCHOOL DIARY Date Time Event Category

Monday 1st May All Day May Day Bank Holiday School Closed

Tuesday 2nd May All Week Year 10 Mock Exams Year 10 Students

Tuesday 2nd May All Day Counsellor Booking Selected Students

Tuesday 2nd May 12.40 – 1.40p.m. EPQ Presentations 6th Form Students

Wednesday 3rd May All Day GCSE Drama Technical Rehearsal

GCSE Drama Students

Thursday 4th May All Day GCSE Drama Technical Rehearsal

GCSE Drama Students

Thursday 4th May All Day GCSE Art Exam GCSE Art Students

Thursday 4th May 8.40 – 9.50a.m. Teenage Cancer Trust Presentation to 6th Form

6th Form Students

Friday 5th May All Day Year 11 GCSE Art Exam Year 11 Art Students

Friday 5th May 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 7 G & T Reading Group

Selected Year 7 Students

Monday 8th May All Morning HPV Vaccinations Year 8 Students

Tuesday 9th May All Day Counsellor Booking Selected Students

Wednesday 10th May All Day GCSE Drama Practical Exam

GCSE Drama Students

Wednesday 10th May – Friday 12th May

3 Days A Level Art Exam Year 13 Art Students

Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May

All Week Year 11 Study Leave Year 11 Students

Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May

All Week GCSE & GCE Exams Year 11 & 13 Students

Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May

All Week Walk to School Week Whole School

Tuesday 16th May All Day Counsellor Booking Selected Students

Monday 22nd May – Friday 26th May

All Week Year 11 Study Leave Year 11 Students

Monday 22nd May – Friday 26th May

All Week GCSE & GCE Exams Year 11 & 13 Students

Monday 22nd May – Friday 26th May

All Week Year 9 trip to Maes Y Lade Wales

Selected Year 9 Students

Thursday 25th May – Friday 26th May

2 Days Year 12 Mock Art Exam Year 12 Art Students

Students who attended Amal, Asya, Aisha, Judith, Jaria, Hibah, Benazir, Valentina ,Ella, Robyn,Julianne,Naomie Roshni,Roksolana,Sofia Sadiyah,Zahra,Ayshalini Sarah, Tabitha, Pippa, Florianne

11

REVISION DIARY Date Time Event Category

Monday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE PE Revision Year 11 PE Students

Monday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. GCSE A* Booster Session Year 12 MAB Students

Monday 3.25 – 4.25p.m. Year 11 RE Revision Year 11 RE Students

Tuesday 12.40 –1.10p.m. Maths Booster Session for Selected Year 11

Students

Selected Year 11 Maths Students

Tuesday 12.40 -1.40p.m. Year 10 GCSE PE Revision Year 10 PE Students

Tuesday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. History Reteach/Enrich GCSE History Students

Tuesday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 Maths Intervention

GCSE Maths Students

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 10 GCSE PE Revision Year 10 PE Students

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.30p.m. 11A English ‘drop in’ Revision

11A English Students

Wednesday 1.00 – 4.40p.m. 11X GCSE Additional Science Revision

11X Science Students

Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 GCSE English Revision

Year 11 English Students

Wednesday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. 11C GCSE Maths Revision 11C Maths Students

Thursday 9.00 – 9.50a.m. Year 12 Maths Booster Class

Year 12 Maths Students

Thursday 12.40 – 1.30p.m. 10A English ‘Achieving Grade 8-9’ Intervention

10A English Students

Thursday 12.40 – 1.10p.m. Year 11 Additional Support Geography

Revision Class

Year 11 Geography Students

Thursday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE Music Revision

Year 11 Music Students

Thursday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Geography Revision Classes

Year 11 Geography Students

Thursday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. History Reteach/Enrich GCSE History Students

Thursday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Sociology – Research Methods Revision

Year 13 Sociology Students

Thursday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Spanish Revision Year 10 Spanish Students

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11, Grade 7, English Intervention

Selected Year 11 English Students

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 English Enrichment

Year 11 English Students

Friday 1.00 – 1.40p.m. Year 13 A Level Chemistry Revision

Year 13 Chemistry Students

Friday 3.30 – 4.15p.m. 11A Maths Revision 11A Maths Students

Chaplaincy Timetable

Tuesday 1.00 – 1.40p.m. Girl Talk 101 Year 10 & above

Thursday 8.40 – 9.00a.m. Chaplaincy Team Meeting Chaplaincy Team Students

Students who attended Amal, Asya, Aisha, Judith, Jaria, Hibah, Benazir, Valentina ,Ella, Robyn,Julianne,Naomie Roshni,Roksolana,Sofia Sadiyah,Zahra,Ayshalini Sarah, Tabitha, Pippa, Florianne