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THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD

A Catholic Academy for Girls

Weekly News – Issue 15 20th January 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians

Next week is an important week in the school calendar in that we celebrate the Feast day of St.

Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursulines. We will celebrate on Friday 27th January with two

Masses arranged so we can accommodate all students. As a special treat, school will finish at

12.40. Cleo, our Chaplain has prepared some reflections and prayers that will be used at morning

registration. My Assembly next week will focus on Serviam and will celebrate the excellent

service given to our community by support staff. Angela Merici was born in Desanzano in Italy, a

contemporary of Christopher Columbus and Leonardo da Vinci. She grew up in a society where women were

not valued, not educated and had few options in life. She was self-educated and well read, she left her home

and went on pilgrimage more than once! This makes her a remarkable woman and an excellent role model for

young women today. In 1535, after years of reflection and prayer, she founded the Company of St. Ursula

with a vision of a life of service and piety. We are proud to belong to a global network of Ursuline schools and

communities, which for over four hundred years have inspired and educated young women to live life to the

full while making a difference to others.

This week break time in my office was with the girls in year 12 who help in the Music department and form

the Sixth form band. I have asked the girls, Erin Ragavelas, Rianne Caldeira, Daniyah Farooq, Edah Efejuku,

Helen Aladenika and Stella Jonah, to sing at the Ursuline conference for Senior Leaders in March, which this

year Ilford Ursuline are organising. Of course, in keeping with their commitment to Serviam, they all agreed.

The conference brings together senior leaders from all 8 Ursuline schools to discuss the Ursuline ethos and

share good practice.

Next Thursday (26th January) sees our Year 10 Parents Evening, starting at 4.30 until 7.30, it is hoped that all

girls will be represented by a parent/guardian. Staff are on hand to discuss your daughter’s progress and offer

advice on how she can improve and how parents can help at home. A questionnaire will be distributed for

your feedback on how the school is doing and we welcome any comments you may have.

You will see from this newsletter lots of news from the English department this week – it seems they have

been busy! You may also note the extensive clubs/revision lessons being advertised by various departments

as we lead up the exam season. Please encourage your daughter to attend; they really can make a difference

to their achievements in the summer.

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Wicked was wicked!!

On Wednesday, Ms Whelan and I took 33 students to see the Musical Wicked. ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked is a GCSE Music Set Work and the GCSE 10 students were very excited to see the performance live as they will be thoroughly analysing it later this year during their music lessons. In addition to the year 10 class, 6th Form students and Year 9 students who have performed at school events or worked very hard to improve during lessons joined us. The girls all enjoyed it and were impeccably behaved as always! Thanks to Ms Whelan for spending her evening with us! Ms Maguire, Head of Music

GCSE English Enrichment trip On Friday 6th January a group of 24 Year 11 GCSE English students were invited to take part in an enrichment opportunity to visit the British Library. It was a fantastic afternoon and I was so pleased to see how enthusiastic the students were about the library and its many treasures. The students were introduced to the British Library in a mini-tour in which they were able to

see many of the books and artefacts on display and then took part in a Creative Writing workshop run by a published author, producing their own creative pieces inspired by what they had viewed earlier on the tour. ‘Being a book enthusiast, the trip to the British Library was an absolute delight. It was amazing to discover all the wonderful secrets behind the library. Not only was it a great educational experience, but it drew me into the world of great literature, inspiring me to go home and write my own creative masterpieces! Whether you are a bookworm or not, the trip to the British Library was one of those trips that reminds people of the wonders of literature that must not be forgotten! ‘ Marissa Lay

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These students are now all preparing to take part in the Redbridge Children’s Book Award 2017 Short Story Competition so hopefully in the next coming months we will see one of them published themselves: watch this space! For now, take a look at their collaborative poems below, created from descriptive pieces written during their writing workshop at the British Library.

‘The Key and the Lock’

by Tanya Hill, Marissa Lay, Naomi Adeoye & Jessica Ratnayake

The bronze statues that once glowed bright than me,

Might stop me from getting it.

The pale nothingness of boredom is what I fear;

I fear the wondrous beasts that lurk within the shadows.

The ebony silhouette that stands before me

Presents me the unknown…

‘Road to Death’

by Manahil Ullah, Anjali Sharma, Simran Sanghera, Jasmine Foyzul and Rajeshwari Pittala

Right now I am travelling the forbidden streets of Spain,

An aura of inner radiance coming out of my soul.

The mellow, rhythmic ballads burst

Through the mouths of blue-feathered mockingbirds

And the wind gasps through the stalks of trees,

Whistling through the sand.

All I see is the empty ocean and my own hallucinations,

Illusions that are the result of my desperation.

Death, dark and ebony, is looming constantly behind.

The only thing stopping me.

‘Snakey Dreaming’

by Hannah Gerrish, Anna Vaughan, Cerys Williams, Sharmin Islam & Pippa Watson

My dreams are vibrant and full of life,

Magnificent colours embrace my being

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As I float through slumber.

My home is where I always stay.

It is a swampy area that no one dares go,

Surrounded by snakey waters…

Snakes and people alike block my view.

The pink demons block my path to fulfilment.

At my fingertips is the sacred weapon,

Which will aid me to save us all.

‘Fading Light’

by Imaan Ahmed, Sana Ferron, Alaynah Nawaz, Maame-Yaa Nuako & Casiana Ciobanu

I dream of the sweet sound of angels,

Talking between themselves of all things

Good and happy.

Outside my cold stained window

I catch sight of the lonely tree

Worshipping the bloody moon.

I was born here.

The bindings of my family life

And poverty keep me here

Like constraints.

My dreams are intricate, dark memories.

Fear is only thought-provoking

And does not bother me.

‘HANDS’

by Riya Mamtora, Maria Sohail, Jwahir Tandooran-Sentain, Julianne Best & Natasha Polius

Reaching out my left hand,

I feel the comforting warmth of the fire.

I want the consistent stream of fear and anguish

To end, to leave me in peace.

Reaching out my right hand,

I trace a weathered slab of rock.

The blue,

It invades and makes us.

As I reach out my hand

To touch anything.

I realise I’m surrounded by emptiness…

Also, courtesy of Tanya Hill, one of the English department’s Young Reporters currently writing for The Guardian Online, please see the attached, formally published article about the trip, which can also be found on The Guardian’s website. Ms Cooper, Head of English

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An enthralling trip to the British Library by Tanya Louise Hill, Ilford Ursuline Academy (2) View gallery

The optical illusion 'Paradoxymoron'

Standing in the large void of literature dating back over 3000 years I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the history that envelops me in its infinite arms. The British library is the second largest library in the world home to over 190 million items of books, journals, newspapers etc.

Did you know that the British library consists of four stories above ground and four stories below? The majority of the items are stored below and there are so many that the expanse of books seeps out to below Kings Cross station and two stops along the Northern line!

When you order a book to borrow that book is taken from underground and placed on a conveyer belt that carries the book up through the walls to where you are - how cool! There is something so Harry Potter-esque about books travelling up through walls.

On the 6th of January I had the opportunity to visit the British library, courtesy of my schools English department to partake in a thought provoking creative writing course.

Upon arrival our group was introduced to our guide who blew our minds by showing us an optical illusion entitled ‘Paradoxymoron’ by Patrick Huges. The unique anamorphic art depicted a series of bookshelves that appeared 3D and seemed to be moving.

Venturing up to the first floor the brilliant ‘Kings Library’ a collection of books created by King George III was on display. It consists of a collection of over 60,000 books arranged by colour and size. Some books have red ribbons on them signifying they are in need of restoration.

We then had the opportunity to go into the Treasures gallery which hosts more than 200 fascinating items such as: scientific, historic, literary and musical works; for example the petri dish which Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in, the Magna Carter and handwritten lyrics by the Beatles! No matter what a person’s interests, there is something in this room from which point the shape of human development and the course of history was changed forever.

Our guide asked us to walk around the room and find a painting or object we were drawn to and we were asked to write a page about the item, through perhaps a story or description. I chose to write about the celestial globe created by Vincenzo Coronelli (1650-1780) who is renowned as one of the greatest globe makers of all time.

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Outside the Treasures gallery there is a sculpture of Sir Hans Sloane who we learned travelled around the world collecting antiques in the 18th century. His wife became annoyed with the growing supply of antiques so she told him to build a shed to store them and this established the British Museum.

We were also informed that whilst in Jamaica, Sir Sloane saw that the locals crushed a cocoa bean and mixed it with warm water; he took some of these beans back to England and one day he went out to eat with his friend John Cadbury to whom he gave these beans - the founding moment of Cadbury chocolate!

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the British Library and encourage you all to go.

GET REVISING! – GCSE English revision resources available for purchase With the summer examinations quickly approaching for Year 11 students (as well as Spring term mock exams for Year 10s!) many students and parents are looking for extra help with revision, therefore, to help support, the English department is pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to

buy CGP revision guides for both English Language and English Literature units at a reduced rate. All GCSE students have been provided a letter this week to give to parents/guardians, outlining the available revision resources for purchase and their individual prices. Should you wish to purchase any of these resources, please return the attached form indicating your selected resources and make payment via ParentPay for the full amount by Friday 27th January. Please note, orders will only be placed if payment has been made by this deadline. All resources will be ordered immediately following the deadline and will be given directly to students by their English teachers as soon as they have been delivered to the school by CGP.

Year 11 English Revision - Wednesdays @ 3:30pm English revision sessions for Year 11 students have now officially started! Sessions take place on Wednesdays after school at 3:30pm in your daughter's English classroom, finishing no later than 4:30pm.

Please note these sessions are mandatory for all students identified as currently below their target grade in English, but will also be open to those students on target who feel they could also benefit from extra support.

10D English Booster Sessions 10D English is being offered after school booster revision sessions by their new teacher, Ms Saadani, to help support and ensure understanding of their studied set texts. Sessions will run every Wednesday after school in F9.

This is a fantastic opportunity for those students in 10D English who feel they need a little extra help in developing both their comprehension and analysis skills. Ms Cooper, Head of English

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Jack Petchey Glee Club Challenge The following girls will be representing our school at the Jack Petchey Glee Club Regional Final on February 25th at the Broadway Theatre. If you are interested in coming along to see them, here is the link: http://www.thebroadwaybarking.com/Sales/Genres/Community/GleeRegionalFinals20/Tickets Glee Club 2017 Angel Evboren 8.1, Ashley Mukisa 8.1, Daisy Harrison Cabrita Da Palma 8.1, Lorenza Marino 8.1, Ritika Bisht 8.1, Ellie Carroll 8.2, Tatyana Ngeze 8.2, Saoirse Hannant-Clune 8.3, Ninikanwa Nbanu 9.2, Emily Martinez 9.3, Alannah Grant 9.4, Siobhan Prince 9.4, Iona Williams 10.1, Michelle Mentu 10.3, Amaogechi Nbanu 10.4, Belinda Nanyimba 10.3, Victorious Eluwade 10.4 and Jordette Beata 10.4 Glee Diary We have rehearsals almost every day; Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtime and Thursdays after school. On Monday we had a visitor to help us with our dancing - It was so fun to work with the choreographer to create a unique routine! We are so excited for the competition on the 25th of February and to work with the experts on the 22nd of January at boot camp. On Sunday we are going to attend boot camp at 8:30am and specialists will help us with stage presence, vocal techniques and choreography. We’ve worked really hard and we don’t want to stop until we succeed! Iona Williams & Belinda Nanyimba (Year 10)

Chaplaincy News

Pope Francis @Pontifex · January 17th

Peace is an ‘active virtue’, one that calls for the engagement and cooperation of each individual and society as

a whole.

Forward in Joy – 366 days with Angela Merici - Daily words of wisdom from our patron saint January: Trust 20th January: In these pestilential times, you will find no other recourse than at the feet of Jesus Christ 21st January: Without doubt you will see marvellous things 22nd January: God wants only what is for your good and joy 23rd January: They should place their hope and love in God alone, and not in nay living person 24th January: Jesus Christ will enlighten you 25th January: Living all united in heart, you will be like a mighty fortress 26th January: You will find thorny and rocky roads becoming flower-strewn for us

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Library News

P E News

Our fabulous year 7 girls won their Netball match last Thursday against Oaks Park 10 – 3

Captain and Lady of the match: Nereannah (7.4) Congratulations also to our first ever Basketball U14 team who played their first match on Wednesday night against Chadwell Heath.

Captain: Antonia Arbova (Yr 9) Lady of the match: Kylie Onyejeli (Yr 9) Evelina K (Yr 9) Zahrah Ahmed (Yr 9) Andreja Kurdaciovaite(Yr 8) Saffron Bakshi (Yr 8) Hinal Patel (Yr 8) Maddison Dodd (Yr 8) Gabrielle C (Yr 8) Angel E (Yr 8)

Congratulations to the Year 7 winners of the ‘Design a Book Cover’ competition. 7.1: Kinza Tariq 7.2: Lynette Nagawa 7.3: Diya Hansra 7.4: Yana Puddoo Each winner received a book of their choice! Ms Finlay, Library Manager

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MASSIVE Congratulations to the Year 8 Sportshall Athletics team who are borough champions after beating Beal and Trinity at the competition at Mayfield last week. They will now compete at the Copperbox next month.

Tahseen Khondoker Gabrielle Calderia Alannah Charles Jennifer-Rose Chiaiveriani Caitlin Clancy Maddison Dodd Hinal Patel Aaliyah Robinson Angelica Yankson Sophia McIntosh The year 7 team compete this Wednesday at Beal - Good luck girls! Ms Keogh, Head of PE

School Uniform Shop School Uniform Sale!

A selected number of items are now on sale: Blazers: chest size 28” only – RRP £35 sale price £20 Skirts: Length 26” waist sizes 38”, 40”, 42”, 44”, 46” and 48” only – RRP £30 sale price £15 Quilted School Coat (navy) – sizes Extra Small, Small, Medium and Large. RRP £35 sale price £20 Short white socks (3 pairs pack) – shoes sizes 12-3 ½, 4-7 and 7-11. RRP £5.50 sale price £3.00 Opaque navy blue tights (2 pair pack; one size) - RRP £5.50 sale price £1.00 The uniform shop will be open to parents and pupils every Thursday during term time from 3.20pm until 4pm. Completed orders can be submitted in advance (with debit/credit card details) to uniform@uai.org.uk for collection on Thursdays. Payments in the shop are by debit/credit card or cash. Please see order form on pages 16 – 17.

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Weekly Opportunities Bulletin

16 January 2017

Welcome This week’s opportunities bulletin highlights some employment and training opportunities, as well as Open Day and Events information that might be of interest to young people. To see a list of other information on our website click here

In this issue

Pre Apprenticeship/Employability courses - links to providers recruiting to current opportunities

Traineeship Vacancies – links to providers with current vacancies for traineeships

Apprenticeship Vacancies - highlights of new vacancies from the Apprenticeship Vacancies website

Summer 2017 school & college leaver vacancies - vacancies aimed at those leaving education next summer

Part time and temporary opportunities – links to recruitment web sites of companies who regularly offer these vacancies

Events - upcoming careers and recruitment events in London

Open Days 2016/17 – College and 6th Form Open days

January course starts – For courses starting January 2017

Graduate opportunities – links to graduate job and recruitment event web sites

JobCentre Plus – links to vacancies and services

Looking for Work Experience?

Business Academy

Students currently in Year 12 who are looking for paid work experience for July 2017?

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We have launched a new work experience programme for students called the EY Business Academy and we are open for applications! Roles will be filled on a first come, first served basis, so find out more today to avoid disappointment!

http://ukcareers.ey.com/schools/our-programmes/programmes-for-school-leavers/ey-business-academy/

Students interested in apprenticeships and want to get a feel for what they're like?

We have created a brand new insight day for Year 11 students called Discover EY - A Career in Business. This event will be running in London on February 2017, and spaces are filling up fast! Find out more below!

http://ukcareers.ey.com/schools/our-programmes/programmes-for-school-leavers/discover-ey/

Ms Finlay, Careers Coordinator

A Plea to Parents! Please could you donate any of the tins left over after Christmas sweets and biscuits have been finished to the Food Technology Department. We would be grateful for them as they provide spare containers for those students who forget to bring something in to school to take their work home. Also, if you have any unwanted cookery books lying around, please could you pass them our way!

Many thanks! Mrs Wood, Food Tech

With UCAS applications submitted, have you thought about your options and whether a Professional Apprenticeship could be the right choice for you? Did you know that you could earn a salary, gain a professional qualification and even study for your degree at the same time? Our apprenticeships in Business, Accountancy, Finance and Law allow you to gain hands on experience with a successful company.

SEARCH AND APPLY!

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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

English Year 11 English Revision with Ms Cooper, Ms Keogh & Ms Simpson, every Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. in F8, F10 & F11

Year 11, Grade 7, English Intervention with Ms Keogh, every Friday 12.40 -1.40p.m. in F11

Geography Year 11 Geography Additional Support Classes, 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 GCSE A* Booster Session Every Monday Lunch Staff: Mr Vijay Room: S8, Students: Class 12MAB

GCSE Revision Class Every Wednesday after School Staff: Mr Vijay

Room: S8 Students: Class 11C 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 Maths Booster Sessions every Tuesday lunchtime 12.40 – 1.10p.m. Selected Year 11 Students in F15 11A Maths Revision every Friday 3.30-4.15p.m. in F15 Ms Sondh Maths Intervention every Tuesday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Selected Students in S6 Ms Ahmed

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Music Club Timetable 2016/2017

EXTRA CURRICULAR MUSIC CLUBS

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Lunch KS3 Choir

(S5)

Morning

Woodwind

Ensemble

(S5)

6th Form

Band

Drum Club

(S6)

Guitar Club (S6)

GLEE

(S5)

GCSE Compo

Club (S5)

Junior Vocal

Club

After School Violin

Ensemble

GCSE Club GCSE Club

P E Club Timetable 2016/2017

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Lunch Year 11 GCSE PE Revision

(G2) Ms Keogh

Indoor Rowing (GYM)

Ms Keogh

Year 10 GCSE PE Revision

(G2) Mrs Marriott

Indoor

Athletics All Years

(GYM) Mrs Mansell

Year 8, 9 & 10 Basketball

(Gym) Ms Keogh

Dance Club Year 7

(Dance Studio) 6th Formers

After School Netball Year 7

(Playground) Edah

Netball Years 8 & 9, 10 &11 (Playground) Ms Keogh&

Mrs Marriott

Badminton Club Years 12

& 13 (GYM)

Trampolining All years

(Gym) Mrs Mansell

Football

Club (Playground)

Elizabeth

Sports Leaders (GYM)

Ms Marriott

Cross Country All Years

Mrs Mansell

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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

SCHOOL DIARY

Bold indicates an event on this week or a new occurrence of an event

Date Time Event Category

Monday 23rd January All Week Merici Week Whole School

Monday 23rd January 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE PE Revision Year 11 PE Students

Tuesday 24th January All Day Counsellor Visit Selected Students

Tuesday 24th January 12.40 –1.40p.m. Maths Booster Session for Selected Year 11 Students

Selected Year 11 Maths Students

Tuesday 24th January 3.20 – 4.20p.m. History Reteach/Enrich GCSE History Students

Tuesday 24th January 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 Maths Intervention

GCSE Maths Students

Wednesday 25th January 12.30 – 5.00p.m. Year 7 Borough Athletics Championships

Selected Students

Wednesday 25th January 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 10 GCSE PE Revision Year 10 PE Students

Wednesday 25th January 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 GCSE English Revision

Year 11 English Students

Thursday 26th January 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE Music Revision

Year 11 Music Students

Thursday 26th January 4.30 – 7.30p.m. Year 10 Parent Consultation Evening

Year 10 Parents

Friday 27th January All Day St Angela’s Day School ends at 12.40p.m.!

Friday 27th January 9.00 – 10.00a.m. Mass with Fr Vlad Years 7/8/9

Friday 27th January 11.00a.m. – 12.00Noon Mass with Fr Andrew Years 10/11/6th Form

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Monday 30th January 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE PE Revision Year 11 PE Students

Tuesday 31st January All Day Counsellor Visit Selected Students

Tuesday 31st January 12.40 –1.40p.m. Maths Booster Session for Selected Year 11 Students

Selected Year 11 Maths Students

Tuesday 31st January 3.20 – 4.20p.m. History Reteach/Enrich GCSE History Students

Tuesday 31st January 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 Maths Intervention

GCSE Maths Students

Wednesday 1st February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 10 GCSE PE Revision Year 10 PE Students

Wednesday 1st February 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 GCSE English Revision

Year 11 English Students

Wednesday 1st February 4.30 – 7.30p.m. Year 8 Parent Consultation Evening

Year 8 Parents

Thursday 2nd February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE Music Revision

Year 11 Music Students

Thursday 2nd February 3.20 – 4.20p.m. History Reteach/Enrich GCSE History Students

Friday 3rd February All Day Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge

Selected Students

Friday 3rd February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11, Grade 7, English Intervention

Selected Year 11 English Students

Friday 3rd February 3.30 – 4.15p.m. 11A Maths Revision 11A Maths Students

Monday 6th February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE PE Revision Year 11 PE Students

Tuesday 7th February All Day Counsellor Visit Selected Students

Tuesday 7th February 12.00 – 4.00p.m. Annual Redbridge Indoor Rowing Competition

Selected Students

Tuesday 7th February 12.40 –1.40p.m. Maths Booster Session for Selected Year 11 Students

Selected Year 11 Maths Students

Tuesday 7th February 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 Maths Intervention

GCSE Maths Students

Wednesday 8th February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 10 GCSE PE Revision Year 10 PE Students

Wednesday 8th February 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 GCSE English Revision

Year 11 English Students

Thursday 9th February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 GCSE Music Revision

Year 11 Music Students

Thursday 9th February 12.45 – 1.15p.m. Lunchtime Mass with Fr Matthew

All welcome

Friday 10th February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 English Enrichment

Selected year 11 English Students

Friday 10th February 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 11, Grade 7, English Intervention

Selected Year 11 English Students

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