A specialist school in Business & Enterprise and Languages

Gumley HouseConvEnt SCHooL FCJ

Dear future Gumley girl,

Choosing a secondary school is a big deal, and you

probably have two really important questions on

your mind: “Will I be happy here?” and “Will I do well?”

We love Gumley and we are sure that you will too.

In this prospectus we share with you our

experiences of being at Gumley and what it

means to be a Gumley girl. There is even

more information on our school website.

If you can, visit our school and you will see

for yourself what a friendly and caring

place it is!

We look forward to meeting you.

Gumley has been consistently judged Outstanding by Ofsted, In the Ofsted 2012 ICT subject survey, the ICT department was judged “outstanding” Read more about our achievements on pages 18-19.

Our school motto...

Vive Ut Vivas

– find out what it means on

page 17

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Find out about our specialisms in Business & Enterprise and Languages on page 12-13 as well as our International School Award.

A message from the Head

I was appointed Headteacher in September 2012 having been Gumley’s deputy head teacher for just over 20 years and teaching English. Gumley is my seventh school and, from my first day here, I knew I was now part of something very special. It’s a delight for me to share with you what I love about Gumley and of my purpose as Headteacher. Please visit the pages on our school website, particularly those where we’ve gathered images which reflect what our students do: what they each enjoy and accomplish within our wonderful grounds.

Gumley was established in 1841 and has been educating young women ever since. Our aim is to create and inspire students to a life-long love of learning. We encourage our students to enjoy learning and to develop skills, talents and abilities which will enable them to be confident, independent and responsible in all they set out to achieve. We are immensely proud of all our Gumley students and have all gained so much from those who have been before us. At Gumley, we understand your needs; you will be introduced to exciting new ideas, approaches, and learn new skills. Our long standing and established international profile and links provides students with unique opportunities. Find out more about our visits to China, India, Kenya and the USA as well as those closer to home such as Iceland, Valencia, Rome, Lille ,Paris and Lourdes. We learn much and rarely forget our experiences from staying in different countries and being in contact with a variety of cultures.

Gumley has a strong sense of community and a commitment to serve others. We respect and care for each individual as a whole person. This is the key to our tremendous strength and I hope that reading this prospectus inspires you and convinces you to want to join us at this fantastic school.

Gumley will be a wonderful place to spend the next seven years of your life. Like some of our students, you may even return as a teacher some day!

With warmest wishes,

Mrs. Ewa Kolczynska

Award-winning

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Gumley provides outstanding teaching and learning opportunitiesThe results that Gumley girls achieve in national examinations are well above the national average, regularly placing us at the top of Hounslow Borough league tables. Our students also enjoy success in a wide variety of areas such as music, sports and debating. Our teaching methods have been praised by government as leading edge. As a high performing specialist school, we have not just one but two specialist areas and we mentor other schools.

We careNo girl at Gumley is ever left alone with her worries. Many people

comment on the genuinely caring nature of the school which

is a very real community. The progress and welfare of every

girl is closely followed by her form tutor and Year Co-ordinator,

and close relationships are forged with parents. We employ a

professional counsellor who works with individual girls to resolve

any issues having an impact on her school life and to help her

through difficult times. Student mentors also help and care for

other students.

We have a beautiful school siteEveryone who comes to Gumley loves our green spaces. It’s a great environment in which to learn, and to relax between lessons, enjoy nature and breathe a bit of fresh air! Even though there are more than 1100 students at Gumley it never feels crowded. We’ve got the space to provide lots of facilities on site – see the map on pages 8-9.

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There are two very important questions to ask when you choose your secondary school and to discuss with your parents and carers: “Will I be happy here?” and “Will I do well?”. At Gumley we believe that the happiness and success of our students are due to the following reasons:

Gumley is a

Catholic Convent school

Gumley is run by an order called the Faithful Companions of Jesus, which has been at the forefront of women’s education for almost two centuries. From October 2012, the convent will become the Generalate of the FCJ Sisters. This contributes to the special atmosphere of the school, which is caring, respectful, prayerful and nurturing; a place which upholds and lives out Christian values.

Gumley is a girls’ school Until the Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13), Gumley is for girls only. All the evidence shows that girls do better at single sex schools. They participate with confidence across the curriculum, in extra-curricular activities and in leadership roles. As Professor Myra Sadker puts it: “When girls go to single-sex schools, they stop being the audience and become the players.” As a result, girls’ self-esteem is higher and they achieve more, both at school and beyond.

Reasons to choose Gumley

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Veronica

Yasmine’s Primary School: St. Mary’s

Hobbies: hoola-hoop, drawing, cooking

Favourite subject: Art, Maths and Science

There are so many new subjects to study at Gumley. In Integrated Learning, I especially enjoyed the international cooking lessons. As part of this module we set up a business called Mexican Jalapeno Amigos and designed the business cards.

Veronica’s Primary school: St. Lawrence

Hobbies: Football, netball and athletics

Favourite subject: P.E.

I like Gumley because it practices the Catholic faith. The grounds in Gumley are picturesque – it is the ideal place to study. Gumley also has lots of after school clubs for different people who like different things.

Alice’s Primary school: St. Joseph’s

Hobbies: playing tennis, cooking, ski-ing

Favourite subject: Dance in P.E.

I love Gumley as there are fantastic learning facilities and environments. I can spend time with my friends in the

beautiful school grounds and I know that wherever I am in school I am safe as there are so many smiling faces.

Nicole’s Primary school: Isleworth Town

Hobbies: listening to music, meeting up with friends and shopping

Favourite subject: English

Gumley is a very proud and respectable school, with lots of great things about it. Everyone is respected and treated equally. Whether you have a disability or you are the cleverest in the class, you are looked upon no differently.

Real Life

Stories

Alice

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Alexandra’s Primary school: St. James

Hobbies: Triathlons, biathlons and aquathons – competitions that involve swimming, cycling, and running

Favourite subjects: Science and P.E.

The things I like about Gumley are the friendly atmosphere around the school with teachers and pupils, the positive view towards work no matter how big or small the task. I also love the approach towards PE where we all get involved, and how all the pupils, teachers, parents and friends work together to make Gumley great.

Josie’s Primary school: Sacred Heart

Hobbies: shopping, tree-climbing, rock-climbing, trampolining, ice-skating, dancing, acting and doodling!

Favourite subjects: Science, Art & English

Gumley is such a warm, welcoming school. It sees the good qualities in each and every student and helps them grow as a person.

Also I love all the lessons, they are so interesting and I always learn something new! There are loads of girls to make friends with and there is never a dull day.

What we love about GumleyEllie

JosieAlexandra

Ellie’s Primary school: Mount Carmel

Hobbies: Hockey, football, netball, tennis, swimming… most sports really!

Favourite subjects: Maths and P.E.

Gumley School is an excellent place to come and learn because of the beautiful grounds and the facilities that

are available, creating a clean, green, friendly atmosphere based around the Catholic faith.

The teachers are very supportive and helpful in all aspects of teaching including social skills. The curriculum is varied and interesting, giving everyone a wide range of opportunities to find something they enjoy as well as providing extra after school activities.

Our Students students share their experiences of Gumley so far

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Yasmine

Nicole

LIbRARY

MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL

IN GuMLEY GARDENS

Library & Sixth Form Centre: with ICT facilities and careers department.

ANNE LINE (A) bLOCk

CHAPEL

HALL

Convent: built for the royal cabinet

maker John Gumley in 1700, Grade 1

listed. The original school building,

now home to the FCJs.

CONVENT

Anne Line (A) block: creative arts

centre including domestic science kitchens,

textiles and arts rooms, pottery, design &

technology rooms.

Philip Howard (H) block: main school reception, head’s office, science labs, lecture theatre with video-conferencing facility.

PHILIP HOWARD (H) bLOCk

MuSIC SuITE

STAFF bLOCk

Don’t worry about getting lost, there is always someone to help point you in the right direction!

ST J

OH

N’S

RO

AD

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ALL-WEATHER PITCH AND OuTDOOR GYM

All-weather pitch and outdoor

gym: a full size Astroturf football and

and hockey pitch. Athletics are held

across the road in Redlees Park. Next to

the pitch is the outdoor gym.School (S) block: Languages, R.E. and a second drama studio.

D’Houet (D) block: teaching rooms, three ICT suites, dedicated cafeteria, learning support rooms.

SCHOOL bLOCk (S) bLOCk

Sports Hall: indoor facility for basketball, gymnastics, dance and aerobics. Outdoors we have 8 tennis courts/5 netball courts.

D’HOuET (D) bLOCk

DRAMA & DANCE STuDIO

Drama & Dance

studio: facilities

for rehearsals and

performances.

Our space!The school is on a large and leafy site of over 10 acres.There are a number of different buildings as well as outdoor sports facilities, and plenty of gardens and spaces for you to enjoy.

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SPORTS HALL

Music suite: teaching

rooms, practice and

rehearsal rooms.

Provide lots of different ways to learnWe provide different ways to learn in addition to formal lesson time, because we know that learning flourishes in different environments. This is the principle behind curriculum extension days, the summer timetable (weeks when all learning is project based), and organised trips, amongst other opportunities.

Develop the skills for effective learningWe teach strategies to help you become a confident and independent learner. In Year 7, our innovative Integrated Learning programme cuts across subject areas and focuses on learning skills. You will have an academic mentor to help with your studies and ensure you keep on track, and we always involve you in parents’ evenings.

TechnologyGumley is known nationally and internationally for its innovative ways of using technology. We have over 700 computers in the school including PCs and Apple Macs. Our school-led research has led to the use of mobile devices in lessons and iPads are used by all sixth formers. Our Language department regularly contact students from other countries through Skype and videoconferencing in our Lecture Theatre. When Ofsted came to look at our ICT… we got ‘Outstanding’.

Year 10 girls studying coastal features on a geography field trip

The curriculum the school provides is outstanding. It meets the needs, aspirations and capabilities of

all groups of students very effectively.Ofsted ”

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3

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Learning for lifeOur aim at Gumley is to help you develop a life-long love of learning. We have developed a very thorough and creative approach to teaching and learning which is extremely successful and puts our students’ results at GSCE among the top in London. Our approach is based on 3 key principles.

Treat each student as a whole person

We look at each individual as a whole person, and encourage you to develop all of your talents and abilities and your character as an individual, rounded person. We celebrate your achievements and help you with difficulties. We discourage favouritism as no person should benefit at the expense of another, and we respect each other – no-one should disrupt another’s learning. We treat you as a young adult with growing responsibility for your learning and your life.

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Years 8 and 9 problem-solving at a national outdoor adventure competition

Every child really does matter. The whole person, including spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects as well as intellectual and academic, is developed.Ofsted ”

“

“

LANGuAGES In 2007, as a high performing school, we were invited to take on a second specialism of Languages. Gumley offers Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin Chinese as part of the curriculum. Gumley girls come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Our annual Language Festival celebrates the many languages and cultures of our students.

iNTERNATiONAL SCHOOL AWARD Our global outlook and approach to learning has been recognized once again with us achieving the prestigious International School Award for three more years 2012-2015. We provide many opportunities for you to travel and to connect with learners and teachers abroad. We also host visits from other students and schools and actively use video conferencing and web links.

Partnerships with Schools around the world

Rhodes High School in Cape Town worked together with Gumley on an arts project called ‘Rivers of the World’, sponsored by HSBC and the British Council; we continue to work with them on shared curriculum projects.

Staff and students visit Misikhu Friends school in Kenya. Our partnership with the school goes back more than 10 years. We are currently helping them develop their facilities for girls’ education. 13

buSINESS & ENTERPRISE This is our first area of expertise which we were awarded in 2005. It makes your learning in

school relevant to the ‘real world’ and the career that you might pursue.

iNDuSTRY ExPERTS come into school to talk to you on topics related to your curriculum studies, from Marketing & H.R. Directors through to Image Consultants and Athletes.

iNDuSTRY iNDuCTiON DAYS We also set up industry induction days to give you the chance to visit organisations, to find out how business works, the different job roles that exist and which university degrees and professional qualifications lead to certain positions.

ENTREPRENEuRiAL CHALLENGES Gumley girls use and develop their skills in young enterprise and social enterprise competitions.

We live in a global society and a global economy. Our specialisms in business & Enterprise and Languages will help prepare you with the skills, knowledge and understanding to make the most that the world has to offer you!

Year 12 Students won ‘Best Trade Stand’ in a British Airways sponsored competition, for their cosmetic gift bag business

Global reach

Year 8 students learnt about Fair Trade on a day course with educational charity Trading Visions, set up by ethical company Divine Chocolate

Learn about risk taking, negotiation,

creative thinking, strategic planning,

financial management, marketing,

and communication skills

Year 9 students used science and geography knowledge

to solve the Reservoir to Tap Challenge held at Kew Bridge

Steam Museum

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Each year, Gumley girls visit China as part

of a cultural programme sponsored by the

Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and

the Chinese government. They stay in a school

for lessons in language and culture, spend

time with a Chinese family, and visit tourist

attractions.

Gumley Sixth Formers joined with students from St Andrew’s College in Singapore for a week of Science challenges, including making Aspirin and studying developments in forensic science at Imperial College, London.

A particularly exciting science demonstration

Sports and fitness

Choose from a variety of clubs and activities to develop your interests or help you with your studies. Clubs vary from year to year and term to term. In the past, choices have included debating, Social Justice, Enterprise, Chinese, Jazz, Drama, Chamber and Gospel Choirs, trampolining and cheerleading. We also regularly offer homework and revision clubs, as well as maths and science clinics.

A healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. Sports and exercise play a really important role for girls, helping you develop a positive self-image that is based on the fitness of your body, not just about your weight. Feeling fit and healthy will also help you study better.

At Gumley we will introduce you to a wide range of sports and physical activities from netball, tennis and gymnastics to football, cricket and rugby, so that you can find the ones you excel at and enjoy. As well as P.E. lessons, there is a wide range of after-school clubs for you to join.

After-school Clubs and activities

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Creativity & Self ExpressionThe Arts, including English, poetry, drama, music, art, textiles, dance, offer ways to express our experience of life and communicate with others.

The curriculum

Discovery and ExplorationThe sciences and humanities (history, geography, languages, literature, R.E., technology…) all of these studies are about learning about the world we live in, and the rich tapestry of cultures and knowledge that is our heritage as world citizens.

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Gumley girls joined other students at the launch of the UK

Elevating Athletics programme for schools, starring Olympic

athletes Jessica Ennis and Darren Campbell

The Duke of Edinburgh awards are always a popular extra-curricular activity

kEY STAGE 3 Years 7-9

All pupils study the following subjects:

English

Maths

Science

Religious Education

iCTTechnology

One or two Foreign Language (French,

italian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese)

History

Geography

Music

Drama

Physical Education

ArtPSHEE&C (Personal, Social, Health,

Economic Education and Citizenship)

integrated Learning (Year 7 only)

Faith at GumleyDaily life at Gumley is centred on our Christian faith. We encourage you to develop a strong and personal faith, and to use the chapel for quiet prayer and reflection. Mass is celebrated each week in the school for a particular Year or House, and each term there is a special liturgy organised by each year group. Assemblies for the school, house or year are held regularly, and we also organise retreats.

Jesus said “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”(John 10)

Our Latin motto, Vive Ut Vivas, echoes His words: it means “Live that you may have Life”. The time you spend at school is a preparation for the rest of your life on earth as well as for eternal life. In God’s eyes, and in our eyes, you are wonderful and have great worth. We work with you to identify and develop your unique abilities and talents, so you can truly be all that God created you to be.

Another interpretation of our motto is ‘Live so that others may have life’. Our school community is based on love, service and prayer and we look out to the world around us, which is so needy. Our founder, Marie-Madeleine d’Houet, took to heart Jesus’ words on the cross “I thirst”, as representing the many needs of people who are poor, oppressed and marginalised. Following her lead, we encourage active and practical concern for others, regardless of race, gender or religion.

The Faithful Companions of JesusThe Trustees of Gumley are The Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), an order of nuns which was founded in the 19th Century by a French gentlewoman called Marie-Madeleine d’Houet.

Marie-Madeleine was an inspirational lady. Her husband died only ten months after they were married, before their son was born. She became focused on his education, and as he grew, so did her passion for education and for helping those less fortunate than herself. She felt a special calling from God to establish schools for women, where they could find an education and skills for life. She held pioneering views on teaching, insisting that all students were treated respectfully and gently, and that their whole person was taken into consideration not just their academic development.

Until 1829, parents who wanted their daughters to receive a Catholic education had to send them to France or Belgium. Marie-Madeleine changed that by opening schools in the UK. Today, the FCJs are the trustees of four secondary schools in the UK: Bellerive and Upton in the North-west; Maria Fidelis and Gumley in London and a primary school in Jersey. There are strong links between the schools which benefit from each other’s experience, and students have the opportunity to meet on joint ventures and trips.

The FCJs now have communities all around the world, helping the needy and showing God’s love in action.

Marie-Madeleine d’Houet

Our motto

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c f j m R TSt Clare lived in the 13th century in Italy. Instead of marrying the wealthy man her parents had chosen, she ran away from home and set up her own order of nuns, who lived a simple life of work and prayer.

St John Fisher taught Henry VIII as a boy. Later, he was beheaded by Henry for defending Queen Catherine of Aragon, opposing the divorce and establishment of Henry as head of the Church of England.

St Joan of Arc is a French heroine, who was inspired by God. She led the French army to victory against the English in the 15th century, but was captured and burned at the stake as a heretic. She was only nineteen.

St Thomas More was Lord Chancellor during the reign of Henry VIII. He was imprisoned and beheaded for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as the head of the Church of England.

St Richard Reynolds was a local man and monk at Syon Abbey. He was martyred by Henry VIII at Tyburn (near Marble Arch) in 1535.

St Teresa of Avila lived in Spain in the 16th century. She was a nun and reformer. She is famous for her writing on mental prayer which she described as a ‘close sharing between friends’.

Gumley girls wear different colour ties, depending on the house they belong to. Each house has its own colour tie and lanyard (the ribbon for the iD card that everyone wears at school).

The whole of your form belongs to one of the six houses in the school, each named after a saint. You stay with your form and your house as you go through the school. Your house gives you the chance to mix with girls from other years and join in fun activities such as fund-raising and competitions in drama, sports and music. The houses are led by Sixth Form students, supported by a member of staff.

Houses

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Our Sixth Form is made up of over 200 young women and some young men, studying for a wide range of A levels and contributing greatly to the life of the school. Through their achievements and their dedication they inspire the rest of the school and make great role models for the younger girls. They make a big contribution to running the house system, school council and various clubs. They actively mentor younger pupils.

A separate Sixth Form prospectus is available which details over 24 A level courses on offer at Gumley, as well as others which can be studied at the schools in our Catholic Sixth Form Consortium with St Mark’s and Gunnersbury.

Our Sixth Formers have access to an outstanding range of opportunities to enrich their skill set and life experience, and prepare them for university and beyond. Examples include the Global Young Leaders’ Conference in Washington D.C. and New York, Summer School at Eton College, and working as Red Caps at Lourdes.

A level Results • Our pass rate is extremely high – 100% in all subjects

• 70% of all grades have been awarded at A* - B and 35% at the grades A* - A

• the vast majority of our students win places at university, including Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, either directly on leaving school or after a gap year.

Helen ScottStudying Politics, Psychology and Sociology Tripos at Homerton College, CambridgeI chose to stay at Gumley for sixth form because it provides the best of both worlds. I was able to draw upon the most successful aspects of my time in the lower school, yet the strong culture of trust and responsibility within the sixth form has enabled me to develop intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. It’s been a privilege to represent the school as Head Girl and I am now looking forward to be further challenged at Cambridge

A levelsixth FORm At Gumley – yeARs 12-13

Helen TimpsonStudied Mechanical Engineering,

sponsored by the Royal Navy, at Aston University

Gumley gave me lots of encouragement to

find out more about engineering as a career

and a degree subject. I got good advice on

my A level choices (I took Physics, Maths

and Chemistry) and was able to attend

engineering courses in Sixth Form. During

Sixth Form, I enjoying leading the School

Council and I also won a place on the Global Young

Leaders’ Conference in US, fully funded by Gumley,

which gave me a new perspective on global affairs.

I am now studying hard to become a Marine Engineer

Officer with the Royal Navy, and combine my studies

with military training and sailing.19

ChOOsinG yOuR GCse OptiOns In Year 9 you are given details of GCSE courses and are helped to make choices in keeping with your interests and abilities, and your career ambitions. Your options are agreed through careful discussions between yourself, your teachers and your parents.

GCse suCCess At Gumley Gumley girls perform extremely well at GCSE and our results regularly put us at the top of the Hounslow schools league table, and in the top 10 for West London. Looking at our statistics for the last 5 years, we can claim that:

• 90% of our students, on average, achieve 5 GCses or more at Grades A*-C

• 80% of our students on average, achieve 5 GCses or more at Grades A*-C including english and maths

GCse...

OptiOnAl suBjeCtshistoryGeographyBusiness studiesFood technologyGraphicsDancetextilesiCt

Art & DesignDrama & theatre Arts

Foreign languages (French, italian, spanish, mandarin Chinese)musicGCse pe

the CuRRiCulum

At GCse

Obligatory core

curriculum:

english

mathematics

science

Religious education

iCt

pe

pshee&C

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Key stAGe 4 At Gumley – yeARs 10-11

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Stephen byrneIt’s never a dull day at Gumley! As Deputy Head I get the chance to bring in new and innovative ways to teach and learn and I’m always so impressed by the way the students embrace new and exciting challenges. You’ll see the sixth formers learning on their iPads one day

– and then speaking to China through videoconferencing the next.I’ve been told I’m a very happy person! Well, I’m in a fantastic school working with fantastic staff – all of whom strive to give every Gumley girl a world-class education. I’m proud to be part of it.

kate Augustus Head of HistoryI haven’t always been a history teacher in fact my first career was in fashion buying. However, so many of my relatives teach History or English, I soon gave into the bug. You could say it was destiny! feel lucky to work within such a dynamic team at Gumley and as a department we strive for the very best in our students. I will never forget the ‘historic’ trip to Washington in 2010 when students and staff spent an unexpected extra week discovering American history thanks to the volcanic ash cloud which brought air travel to a stop.

Anne-Marie Nation-Tellery I have been teaching English at Gumley for nine years and feel fortunate to be a member of such an enthusiastic and skilled department. Our aim is to inspire our students to enjoy studying English as much as we do. In 2009 the English and History departments were delighted to become members of the Prince’s Teaching Institute which enables us to share best practice with other leading schools and learn from academic specialists. At Gumley, the learning never stops, for students or teachers.

Staff at Gumley

School productions have been a highlight of the school calendar for the past ten years. From full length Shakespeare’s to musicals like ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Guys and Doll’, to our own ‘Beautiful Dreamer’, audiences have been wowed at the heights we have reached. Every show is a joy and a challenge to produce. Here’s to the next ten years of Gumley productions.

Madeleine Casey, Head of Drama

In the name and spirit of the ‘Faithful Companions of Jesus’, the Sisters who founded Gumley House in 1841, we find the inspiration for our spirituality. Our foundress Marie Madeleine, dreamed that her companions would find God everywhere and in everyone. At Gumley Chaplaincy we seek to inspire, facilitate and accompany the spiritual journey of all our community, believing as we do that God is always with us, in each moment of every day.

In the centre of our garden we have a beautiful Chapel called Bethany. Here we celebrate weekly class masses, reconciliation services and meet for prayer and reflection. We encourage all girls to develop a deep personal faith and to use the chapel for quiet prayer and reflection. Daily scripture readings are displayed in Bethany and all girls are invited to take some time to be alone with the Lord.

There is a Welcome Room attached to the Chaplain’s office where you will find a warm welcome. You are invited to come along to relax with friends, get information on Chaplaincy events, help out, or spend quiet time in prayer.

Chaplaincy at Gumley is about companionship. It involves being present with and for you; accompanying you as you journey through school life and as you get to know Jesus in a more personal, intimate way. The Chaplain is your spiritual companion, who listens to you, recognises the wisdom of young people and prays for you each day. She is a prayer guide, and offers support if you need it. The Chaplain is a reflective presence and witness to the living, loving presence of God.

Celia Hannigan – Our Chaplain -

Gumley employs over 80 teachers and support staff who are dedicated to providing you with an outstanding education.Some of the teachers who might teach you...

Chaplaincy at Gumley House“May God always be with you and direct all your deeds” Words of Marie Madeleine

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Gumley has provided an education for girls since 1841, and not surprisingly many girls have mothers, aunts and even grandmothers who went to Gumley. Even some of our teachers and governors were once students here. It all contributes to the sense of belonging and community that we feel as a school.

I was at Gumley from 1985-90 with my sisters Emma and Ruth Hudson. I work in a special unit for young children with autism, which can be really challenging but I love it.

My family’s connections with Gumley go back a long way. My grandmother, Beatrice King (then McCarthy), was at Gumley from 1927-34. Her sister became an FCJ – Sr Mary Joseph – and taught domestic science at the school. Beatrice’s daughter Margaret (my aunt) was at the school for 13 years from 1953-66 and her brother John attended the FCJ primary school.

I have three daughters and one son. My daughters go to Gumley, so we recently moved to Isleworth from Ealing so we could be closer to the school. It’s amazing that a few of the teachers that I had at school even teach them. Some things have changed, for example I am really impressed with how many opportunities are now

available at the school, the high standard of teaching and how much the girls are encouraged to care for others, for example through community work or caring for the sick in Lourdes.

Generations of Gumley Girls

Margaret WindmillASSISTANT HEAD

TEACHER, DIRECTOR OF

6TH FORM

Sarah BishSarah’s aunt Margaret King (left) and her mother Mary (right), in the Gumley rose garden

Diane Quick Diane as a school girl

at Gumley

Beatrice McCarthy,

Sarah’s grandmother,

who was at Gumley

1927-34

I can’t quite believe that it is now over half a century since I arrived for the first day of my first term at Gumley. But, the older I get, the more I understand just how much Gumley gave me: a love of literature, languages (French, Italian and Spanish, not to mention Latin), history and art, curiosity about the world, a passion for education and wonderful lifelong friends.

The worst thing about school was the uniform, a brown pinafore dress. Hemlines were measured while we knelt on the floor!

After a long career in corporate communications, I am now enjoying writing, photography and caring for the animals and wildlife at my home on the edge of Exmoor… we have to make every day count and that was something I learned at Gumley too.

I have been teaching at Gumley since 1996. When I attended the job interview it felt more like visiting an old friend than attending an interview. My family have been associated with Gumley since 1939 when my mother Eileen McHugh joined

the school, since then three generations have attended the school. My elder sister, Mary Pluck, joined the school at the age of 4 when the FCJ’s ran an infant and junior school and left at the age of 18 – even my brother got in on the act attending St Mary’s primary school when it was housed in the old MA block (now flats). I was at Gumley in the late 70s-80s. Now my nieces attend the school. With so much of my family history entwined with the history of Gumley, returning to work here was merely another chapter. Gumley has changed over the years, adapting to meet the needs of educating young women for the future, but the one thing that has not changed is the real sense of community that comes with being a Gumley girl.

Ofsted has praised our teachers, saying in their

report that teachers “show enthusiasm for their subjects,

plan their lessons well with activities that are appropriate and varied”. Ofsted has also

commented on the strong relationship between students

and staff.

Worried about the journey to school?Erica says “When I first started at Gumley, I was nervous about the travelling as I live far away. But I met my new friends and when we go together, the journey goes really quickly. (Your parents can go with you in the first week, also!)”

Josie says: “After a while you will get used to it. Get everything sorted the night before so you are completely ready, then you don’t have to wake up so early.”

Ciara says: “Maybe your primary school is closer to your home, but when you learn your way to Gumley and back, it is much easier than you think.”

The change to secondary school is exciting, but it’s normal to feel a bit nervous too. Gumley girls in Year 7 talk openly about their experiences, to put your mind at rest.

Your questions answered

Worried about homework?Roisin says: “I was so scared about homework when I first came to Gumley. I’d heard loads of tales that you got heaps – and I had no idea how I was going to cope. When you come to Gumley they give you a journal that helps you stay organised. As long as you plan things, you’ll be fine.”

Josie says: “When you get home, check your homework and start it straight away. You’ll be surprised how much time you have to watch TV and relax later.”

Hannah says: “Do your homework as soon as possible so you don’t get a backlog. And make sure you understand what you are doing and when it needs to be in by.”

Ellie says: “I do not think we are overloaded with homework. Homework is a great way to understand what you learnt in lessons. Different activities are given to make it more interesting – this also helps because everyone has a different style of learning. Remember that the teachers are always willing to help, explain and support.”

What if none of my friends are in my form?Victoria says: “I am in a different form from all my friends, but I still get to see them at break, lunch and in some lessons. But this means I have a chance to make friends within my form, because as a form we are a family.”

Aoife says: “Even if you are in a different form from your friends, it doesn’t matter, you’ll get lots of opportunities to see them, at lunch, in classes and before and after school.”

Josie says: “It gives you a great opportunity to make new friends – the girls at Gumley are fun, kind, loving, friendly and all eager to make new friends too.”None of my friends are

applying to Gumley, will I be lonely?Jess says: “You don’t need to be worried about coming here without knowing anyone. You just need to be smiley and chat to everyone, that’s what I did and I have lots of friends now.”

Josie says: “Do not worry as there will be loads of new girls to meet! Everyone at Gumley is so warm, caring and friendly, you will make great new friends and still keep your old ones too!

Natalia says: “I’m SURE you will make new friends. I was worried about that too, but I made so many friends I can’t believe it!”

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Gumley House Convent School FCJSt Johns Road, Isleworth

Middlesex tW7 6XFtel: 020 8568 8692 Fax: 020 8758 2674

Email: general@gumley.hounslow.sch.ukwww.gumley.hounslow.sch.uk

An Academy in the FCJ Educational trust

A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 7950851