Dear Families,

As we approach the middle of our academic year, I have received another two letters from the government praising LPGS. On 4th February we were informed that we had won a local award in the Key Stage 4 category Pupil Premium Awards. This is because LPGS is one of the most improved schools in the country since 2012 in terms of the attainment and value added progress of disadvantaged pupils.

Then, on February 18th, I received a letter from Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools, congratulating us on our high standard of achievement in the 2015 GCSE exams. He stated that we are in the top 100 non-selective state-funded schools in England for the percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSE grades at A* - C; for the percentage of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate and for our Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4 value added, reflecting the 'fantastic progress made by your pupils since the end of primary school.'

In January The Guardian newspaper reported that LPGS is in the top 10 comprehensive schools in London based on our GCSE results.

I am very proud of these outcomes, and want to thank our deeply committed, hugely talented staff for all they do to enable our students to succeed. I also want to congratulate the girls on their efforts, and to thank, you, the parents, for your support in their endeavours.

Best wishes,

Anne Hudson

A message from the Headteacher

Dr Anne Hudson

Langley Park School for Girls

Newsletter FEBRUARY 2016

Platinum Merit Winners

The four students who achieved the highest possible number of merits in all categories during the autumn term had tea with Dr Hudson and her team. Congratulations to Emily Burgess and Rebecca Argent, Year 10, Rebecca Delaney, Year 11, and Elina McGregor, Year 8.

Dance Youth Games

Well done

girls!

Congratulations to the 15 students who represented

Bromley at the Dance Youth Games on

Wednesday 3rd February, at the Copper Box Arena.

It was a fascinating day, where the students met peers from all over the

London area.

The students’ performance was captivating and they

all had a thrilling and motivating dance. Bromley

should be proud of you!

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A2 Textiles Student Excels Again

Having showcased one of her designs during London Fashion Week, A2 Textiles Technology Student Sophie Watson continues to shine in the fashion world, this time working at the head office of popular high street chain River Island. ‘I recently won a design competition and the prize was a week’s work experience at River Island head office in London. I commuted every day to their office in Hanger Lane to work with the womenswear design team. It was an amazing experience; I learnt so much

about the industry and the design process. I created inspiration boards for the coming season and designed garments for them. I gained valuable skills such as designing on Adobe Illustrator and I got a real insight into what a high street fashion designer’s job would really be like. This was incredibly useful as I hope one day to be a designer for a brand such as River Island. I really enjoyed the experience and am hoping to work with them again this summer.’

Well done Sophie!

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NSPCC Number Day

Our NSPCC Number Day took place on Friday 5th February. It was a very successful day with students and many staff dressing up in their number-themed outfits. The day consisted of tutor time activities as well as puzzles and activities in Room 1 at lunchtime. Many of our KS3 students also enjoyed numeracy puzzles, quizzes and games during their maths lessons. At lunchtime, students attempted to estimate the number of sweets in a jar and Kate Gaunlett in 8KP came the closest with her estimate of 700 (there were 678 sweets in the jar). Students also had fun trying to measure the number of 2p coins it took to go from one end of Room 1 to the other (264!). There were numerous other puzzles and activities which the students enjoyed attempting to solve. We are pleased that we were able to raise almost £1300 for the NSPCC’s important work. The NSPCC believes that all children deserve a childhood free from harm and strives to help keep all children safe. Thank you to all staff and students who took part in the day. Mrs I. Karaman Whole School Numeracy Coordinator

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EVERY CHILDHOOD IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

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PSHCE Day at LPGS

Year 7 STEM—Beat the Flood

On one day each term, LPGS throws the normal timetable out of the window and has a whole day of themed activities for each year group. The purpose of these days is to focus on our commitment to developing the whole student through engaging in Personal, Social, Heath, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHCE), Student Voice and the Rights of the Child. Tuesday 9th February was one of these days; read on for details of what went on in each year group.

On Tuesday the 9th of February, the whole of Year 7 took part in a very exciting and

challenging PSHCE Day. We started the day with an excellent and very informative speech from ex-Langley student Hannah Day. During her presentation, Hannah told us all about how she works and who she

works for, while giving us some great tips we could use for our challenge along the way.

Then, using the recycling we had brought from home, in teams of 5, students attempted to design and build a flood-resistant house. This was a great challenge and tested us on our teamwork, research and independent study as well as being tremendous fun!

After creating our houses, we presented our ideas to the rest of our

form, showing our model and a detailed poster containing our design. Then the part that everyone had been waiting for: the flood test! The whole team waited while 5cm of water was poured into the tray where their house stood and then, using bottles of water, the team recreated a storm to see whether their house was flood-resistant. The other teams then marked them out of 60 on their total presentation and the scores were added up to see who had won! This was a great experience for everyone as

they got to share their ideas with the rest of the form and listen to each other.

After completing this task, we all filled in an evaluation sheet in order to receive the CREST Award - an award

which honoured what we had achieved that day. Overall, this was

a fantastic and fun day that we would all love to do again!

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Year 10 took part in a carousel of activities aimed to boost their exam success and give them outlets for de-stressing and managing the pressures they will have to face in the future. Their activities included engaging sessions from presenters Samantha Redford and Dani Mosely which included not only an inspirational talk on succeeding but also a chance to try some meditation. This was complemented by yoga sessions, some tips on how to get the most out of revision, and finally the girls also had the opportunity to have a session with one of our school first aiders called ‘The Big First Aid Lesson’ which is a group programme designed to help school children learn basic first aid.

Year 8 had a very different day making some rubbish outfits – that is, outfits made of rubbish. Using only recycled materials, the girls worked

hard all day making shoes, dresses, tops, bags and hats for their model to wear and show off along the LPGS penny catwalk. The girls donated thousands of one and two pence coins to create our penny catwalk. All the money raised went towards the Save the Children Charity, which will go towards helping millions of vulnerable children who are currently suffering from poverty and war; a theme which has been explored during their weekly PSHCE lessons and is part of our commitment as a Rights Respecting School. The designs showed the creativity and

resourcefulness of the students, leaving the fashion police with the tough task of judging an overall winner. Congratulations to Ellie and

her team for managing to come out on top.

As Year 9s approach the deadline for their GCSE choices their day was spent thinking about their future including investigating potential careers, mapping out what they want to achieve later on in life and thinking about the ways to reach these goals. It was a great chance for the girls to look at their strengths and passions and think about the careers that might be best suited to them. There were many interesting discussions with some having a very definite idea of what they want in the future and others pondering multiple possibilities.

Year 10 It’s Cool to be Successful

and Health & Well-being

Year 11 welcomed in a number of external speakers across a broad range of industries including an Architect, Actuary, Actor, Fire Fighter, Picture Editor and RSPCA Inspector to name

but a few. The girls attended four talks

each where they found out about the qualifications required to get into particular careers and what the day-to-day duties might involve. Many were given tasks to do and were able to pose their own questions ensuring they left fully informed about a range of careers. Many thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their time to speak to our girls.

Year 12 & 13 Organisation, planning

for exams or BTEC courses

With exams looming, Sixth Formers were given time to create a revision plan or BTEC work schedule covering every day between now and their exams or final deadlines. Students were provided with notebooks and were very industrious deciding the best way to juggle all of their subjects and commitments outside of school. The students also took part in First Aid training providing them with basic, first response, skills and a great addition to their CV.

Year 8 Trash Couture

Year 9 Guided Choices

Year 11 Careers Day

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Meat Free Monday

The Wellbeing reps from every year, led by our Year 12 Wellbeing Prefect Team Leader, spoke to each tutor group to discuss the pros and cons of introducing a ‘Meat Free Monday’ at LPGS. This promoted a great deal of valuable and animated discussion surrounding personal preferences, animal welfare and the environment. Overall, the students voted in favour of trying out a meat free day. The kitchen has now been working hard on improving vegetarian options and we had our first Meat Free Monday on Monday 22nd February 2016. Of course, this is optional at home, but please feel free to participate! Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_mmGzAzoGI

Over 30 London schools are involved with this initiative due to the many benefits:

Affect only 3.6% of meals, that’s less than

1 in 20 meals Reduce resources used (energy, crops and land)

Reduce pollution (e.g. less greenhouse gases and

reducing global warming) Will mean more people in the world can be fed, and

fewer animals will be slaughtered By eating less animal products, health can be improved by reducing: Obesity

Stroke

Heart disease

Some types of cancer

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Italian Club

Italian club is really fun. We get to learn so much about the culture and the language! So far we have learnt about food, numbers, Christmas traditions in Italy, personal traits, what people look like and we had to solve a murder! It is really worthwhile coming along as we always have fun and it is brilliant to be able to speak a language that most people can't.

Kate Bradley 9GK

Italian Club runs Tuesdays

after school 15:15 – 16:00 pm

in room 25. See Miss Artini

for information.

Bromley Youth Council Bromley Youth Council is run by young people, aged 11–19, for young people and is supported by the London Borough of Bromley. The elected candidates come together to represent the views of their peers and to bring about positive change for all young people living, working and educated in the borough. The primary route for young people’s involvement in the Youth Council is via biennial youth elections run in local secondary schools, youth clubs and youth led organisations. Each participating organisation are entitled to have a total of two elected representatives for a two year term of office on Bromley Youth Council. In January 2016, eight LPGS students put themselves forward to run as candidates who would act as a link between the LPGS School Council & Student Voice, the Bromley Youth Council and ultimately, the United Kingdom Youth Parliament. They each put forward a brief manifesto which was shared with the school community via form time, LPGS Social Media and the VLE. A true-to-life election was then held in school,

complete with polling booths, to determine the two 2016-18 Councillors. Huge congratulations go to Nana Adjei, Year 12, and Holly Gray, Year 8 who will be representing student voice from LPGS. We look forward to celebrating their achievements over the next two years. A short film is available on YouTube explaining the role of a Youth Councillor in more detail: https://youtu.be/vTZds-8W3N4. You can also see what BYC is currently up to on the Facebook page: https://facebook.com/Bromleyyouthcouncil/

Spring Term 2016

Tuesday 23rd February 7.30 p.m. PTA meeting

Thursday 25th February 4.00 p.m. Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 3rd March 7.00 p.m. Key Stage 4 Guided Choices Evening

Tuesday 15th March 7.00 p.m. Year 12 Higher Education Parents’ Information Evening

Thursday 17th March 4.00 p.m. Year 7 Parents’ Evening

Wednesday 23rd March 7.00 p.m. Spring Concert, Hall

Thursday 24th March ‘One Night Only’ Dance performance, Langley Auditorium

Friday 25th March – Friday 8th April: Easter holiday

Monday 11th April Summer Term begins

Dates For The Diary

Issie bounces to the top again!

Hot on the heels of her last win, Issie Atack (9GK) competed in a second trampolining competition last weekend. Below she tells

us of her more recent success.

‘On the 31st January, I competed in the second zonal schools trampolining competition in Gillingham. This was to determine where my place was in the South of England. I was against 12 other competitors, also in the under 14 girls intermediate category and we had to complete two routines. I was last to compete both times which made me really nervous, but I completed my set routine with the best ever scores I have ever received in a competition, the highest being 8,8. I was then put into 2nd place but we still

had to complete our voluntary routines. My second routine went well also and I got some 8s which is very

rare for me! This meant that I went into 1st place and I will now compete in the national school finals which will

be out of the UK. I was extremely excited as I have never made it to the finals as an individual before.’

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Music Concert

Presents the Langley Park School for Girls

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

7pm

Main Hall

Tickets

Adults £6

Concessions/Child £3

LPGS Students free

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