Monday 6^th September 2010 

Dear Parents,

This summer we once again received excellent examination results which were nearly on a par with our best ever.  Many congratulations to all concerned, for the results are a reflection of the hard work, determination and ability of our students and staff who have worked together in a spirit of co-operation.

In July, as you probably know, we said goodbye to a number of colleagues; all of them made a significant contribution to the school.  It now gives me great pleasure to welcome new staff and I am sure that each of them will add a new dimension to the experiences of the pupils.

Miss De Burca has been appointed as a teacher of Physics from 1.9.10.  Miss De Burca studied Electronics and Applied Physics at The Cork Institute of Technology.  She has, also, been awarded a MSC Physics in Research which involved work with the Tyndall National Institute. She completed her teacher training this summer at Oxford University.  She is keen to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh award at the school utilising her skills as an ex-scout leader.  She, also, has experience of running science and engineering extra-curricular activities. Miss De Burca has many interests, including nature, reading, history and art.

Ms Bayliss has been appointed as Subject Leader, Religious Studies and Philosophy from 1.9.10.  She was awarded an MA in Theological and Religious Studies from Trinity College Cambridge.   She has been teaching Religious Studies, History and Philosophy at Lady Margaret School in Fulham since 2006.  She has experience of running a Philosophy Club and has successfully promoted inter-house debating across all year groups at her previous school.  She, also, initiated and supervised the school Green Team setting up a Young Co-operative selling fairly traded goods.  Ms Bayliss’ other interests include singing in the choir; she toured Athens with the London Philharmonic Choir.  She has travelled extensively pursuing her interest in Church History and is a keen cyclist.

Miss Isaacs has been appointed as Subject Leader, Chemistry from 1.9.10.  Miss Isaacs studied Applied Chemistry at the University of Greenwich.  She has been until recently, the Lead Chemistry Teacher at Stanley Park High School where she has taught since 2002, she was, also, the Progress Leader at the school for Y10.  She is qualified to additionally teach Biology, Physics, Mathematics and PE.  Miss Isaacs enjoys keep fit and travelling to experience foreign cultures.

Mrs Upton has been appointed as a part time teacher of Mathematics from 1.9.10.  She studied Mathematics at the University of Warwick. She has until recently taught Mathematics at Langley Park Boys’ School where she introduced and successfully managed the Hans Woyda Inter-School mathematics contest.  She is a qualified fitness instructor and keen cyclist.

Mr Davies has been appointed to teach History and Games from 1.9.10.  He studied History at the University of Leicester and has completed his teacher training at Roehampton University.  Mr Davies has experience of coaching football, tennis and swimming.  He has, also, had experience of running athletic events and multi-sport days.  Mr Davies interests include sport, not only by participation but he, also, writes match reports for his favourite football team for the fans website.  He enjoys travel and has spent four summers as a general counsellor at a summer camp in the USA.

Miss Oakley has been appointed as a teacher of Biology from 1.9.10.  Miss Oakley studied Environmental Biology at the University of Portsmouth and completed her teacher training at Goldsmith, University of London this summer.  Miss Oakley is keen to be involved in the Duke Edinburgh award scheme, in science clubs, sport and in the promotion of higher education and careers.  Her interests include skiing, scuba diving and horse riding. 

Mrs Mortreuil has been appointed as a part time teacher of French to cover maternity leave.  Mrs Mortreuil studied English at the Universite de Clermont Ferrand.  After graduating from university she taught French to adults before moving to a career in the City. She has just completed her teacher training this summer with Roehampton University.  Her interests include keep fit, tennis, music and photography. 

Miss Ball has been appointed as a teacher of English from 1.9.10.  Miss Ball studied English and American Literature and Film Studies at the University of Kent.  She has completed her Graduate Teacher training year at Langley Park School for Boys.  Here, Miss Ball was the Educational Trip Organiser for the Sixth Form and was involved in several extra curricular clubs one of which included creative writing.  Miss Ball’s interests include music, singing in the choir, art and reading.

Mr Smith has been appointed as a teacher of Physical Education from 1.9.10.  Mr Smith studied Sports Science at Brunel University and has just completed his teacher training this summer with the same university.  Mr Smith has experience of coaching football, rugby, cricket, athletics and tennis.   Mr Smith’s interest includes a passion for sport and travelling to foreign climes to experience new and diverse cultures.

Miss Jordan joins the school as a part time Schools Sport Co-ordinator in a joint venture with St Philomena’s.  Miss Jordan studied Sport and Exercise Science with Psychology at Canterbury Christchurch University.  Miss Jordan has experience of teaching in all aspects of sporting activities.

Mr Favreau has been appointed as Examination Officer and Assistant to the School Systems and Data Administrator from 16.8.10.  Mr Favreau studied War Studies at King’s College University, London.  He joins us from a similar post at the Charles Edward Brooke Secondary School in Lambeth where he has worked as the School’s Examination Officer since 2002. Mr Favreau has experience of many aspects of the role of support staff in the secondary education environment.

Each year is an important year for a school and the coming year is no exception.  I am determined for the School to provide an outstanding all round education for its pupils and I am expecting each young person to contribute to the wider life of the school in some capacity.  Please encourage your daughter or son to become involved in the extra curricular activities or outreach work we undertake.  These experiences all help to build our confidence and character.  Sport should now ‘take off’ with the new Sports Hall and I wish to thank the PTFA who have funded the purchase and installation of the indoor cricket nets.  The gym has been fitted out with equipment and the Sports Hall will be opened in September and we shall be writing to you shortly about the official opening.

Early in the Autumn Term we will be holding information meetings for parents concerning our ethos and values and I am looking forward to meeting you on one of these occasions.  We intend to inform students more frequently of our expectations in all aspects of school related work.  I now repeat what I said last year on appearance and school uniform for first impressions are important and I am keen to improve standards of appearance.  Last year there are a number of young men whose hair was too long and required a hair cut and some others who needed to be clean-shaven. I remind them of the school rules which state that “hair must be clean, neat and tidy, no shorter than a ‘No 3’ (not so short as to reveal the scalp), no longer than the collar. Extremes of fashion are to be avoided. Pupils should be clean-shaven.” Pupils have, today, been issued with the school rules and this includes a section on uniform.  Boys and girls need to be smartly dressed; top buttons are to be done up, ties a suitable length, blazers and jackets worn and shoes clean and polished.  A reminder, that shoes must be leather and not canvas.  Similarly, for PE and games pupils need to bring with them the appropriate kit as stipulated in the school regulations.

I firmly believe there is an excellent relationship between students and staff, and conflict seems to occur when students are either disorganised or producing substandard work, or do not know how to behave in our school community. Detentions should be a rarity and although there was a considerable improvement last year we still have some way to go. Therefore, I should welcome the assistance of parents in helping the school achieve high standards of behaviour, dress and excellent records of attendance as well as ensuring work is of a high quality.  Respect, courtesy and politeness and a pride in one’s appearance make it easier to maintain pride in standards of presentation and quality of work.  We would rather concentrate our efforts on stretching and engaging our pupils in their studies and interests rather than on the basics of school uniform, appearance and chasing pupils for their homework. A well disciplined school is also a successful and happy school.

We are all looking forward to another highly successful year.

With best wishes

Peter Smart

Headteacher