Happy Autumn! After a lot of deliberation I decided to come back to CJM to begin my Year 12 again. I had chosen to go somewhere else when I finished my Year 11 here and it wasn't what I expected. I thought about it and knew that the support I had received from teachers in Year 7-11, would be given to me in the Sixth form. This year I'm studying Theology, Spanish and Italian. Although Year 12 is challenging, I'm enjoying it and the opportunity to have another chance at CJM.

This September/ October issue of our News at 6 form is jam packed with interesting features and ideas. We’ve met with our new headmistress and had an excellent time getting to know more about her vision for CJM. We’ve featured ideas on how to look both fashionable and follow the uniform dress code, in our Fashion on a Budget article. We look at the fantastic opportunities that everyone has had for their enrichment courses. The newspaper’s agony aunts have agonised over your dilemmas and given some seriously wise advice. Careers section, Chaplaincy and much, much more inside. Take a break from revision, and enjoy a good read.

Alessia Tassone– Year 12

(September/ October editor )

A Note From the

Editor Alessia x

rs McGowan has become the new headmistress at CJM since September 2017. We met up with

her to find out about her vision for CJM, her journey into teaching and her life outside of school.

As we settle down in Mrs McGowan’s study we are welcomed with her warm and enthusiastic smile. “I have never felt so happy and at home as I have done since I joined the Convent.” She smiles. ‘I think I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my career, it’s not at all difficult to get up in the morning!”

Smiling broadly our headmistress describes her vision. “I want us to be the absolute best in North West London.” She adds, “My job is to turn our school into the very best so absolutely everyone will want to send their children here. The work has already started! There have been lots of articles in the press, we’re having a film of our school made, we’ll have news coverage and lots of things that will put the spotlight on our school and all the wonderful things we do here.”

Mrs McGowan is also determined to have a curriculum that is broad, interesting and suits the needs of all. “As well as being the best, I want our school to have the very best curriculum. This includes a wide range of courses, including professional training courses in the sixth form for all abilities. These will act as a stepping stone to getting a really good job.”

Why though did our headmistress decide to take the journey into teaching and eventually headship? “I’ll let

you into a little secret,” she says conspiratorially, “when I was a child, the only game I ever wanted to play was ‘school’ and I used to turn my bedroom into a classroom with my teddies. How embarrassing is that! I loved music and drama so I trained to teach these subjects.

When I was teaching I decided I wanted to run a school and make all the decisions. It’s a wonderful job but it’s not easy.”

Mrs McGowan has been teaching for 25 years in secondary schools and although her specialist subjects are music and drama. She has also taught a bit of English and history and Health and Social Care. “This year I’m also teaching the EPQ for the first time. I’m also doing research. My PhD is based on education.”

“Outside of school my greatest hobby is music. Whenever I need to relax or to think, I play my piano. If I’ve had a hard day, I’ll go to the hall and just play for a few minutes. I have four children and a dog so my home life is based on looking after them. I’m also very active in my church; I play the organ every Sunday. I love literature and travel, my favourite country is Sri- Lanka and I’m desperate to go back, it was just a life changing experience, I loved the people and the culture.”

We support our headmistress in her vision for our school and look forward to a new chapter in the life of CJM.

“My job is to turn our school into the very best so absolutely everyone will want to send their children here.”

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5. switch it off. The real way to stop smart devices from transmitting is to turn them off.

A New Chapter

Interview by Samah Mohamed 12Pio and Luisa Rosario Morais 12 Pio

Sixth Form Open Evening

14th November

6pm –8pm

We’re the kids in

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Yoanna x

The Head girl Elizabeta Ranxburgaj and Frankie Teixeira both went to America as part of the Sutton Trust – Fulbright US programme organised at CJM by Mr Colley. Elizabeta talks to us about her experience.

Being part of the Sutton Trust – Fulbright US programme we were given guidance by Mr Colley in applying to US higher educational institutions. This guidance consisted of test prep, application help and a week long summer school at Yale University where we travelled through 4 states, visiting university campuses, meeting students and admissions officers, and visiting iconic US cultural sites (and a cheeky trip to the mall;)).

Arriving at JFK airport in the middle of the night to be welcomed by the mesmerising New York City skyline on our 2 hour coach journey to Yale was honestly incredible. We had only stepped foot on US soil for half an hour and we were already being greeted by the city and skyline that I had dreamed about seeing for years, and that feeling was certainly a recurring theme throughout the week.

During our trip we visited Harvard University, enjoyed a laid-back day at Yale and headed down to Smith College, Americas oldest women's college. It's quaint, small campus in the middle of Massachusetts and was like no other university we had seen, they even had their own lake and botanical garden! We then visited another liberal arts college called Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, New York State. In Pennsylvania we went to a small liberal arts college called ‘Lehigh’ and I must say it may have been one of the most stunning university campuses we had ever seen. We had campus visits around Barnard (the women's college of Columbia) and Columbia University, lunch in Central Park and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

It's safe to say that was the best week of my life, spent with the best people in the best places. it's a memory I will never forget and one that has totally changed my life. Being part of the Sutton Trust – Fulbright US Programme has opened up so many doors for me. I’m currently in the process of sending off my US application. It is all very real. Thank you to CJM. You might just end up getting your first two students ever heading off to university in the states this year!

Elizabeta Ranxburgaj

Welcome! September is seen as the beginning of a new year, a time that gives us the opportunity to start afresh. We at CJM have had a number of opportunities to show the type of people we are. In the first week, we had Masses of Welcome to ensure that each member of staff and all students are welcomed to our community, this year was especially important as we welcomed Mrs McGowan, our new Headmistress as well as the Year 7 students.

We at CJM live by the values of St Claudine and this was seen when we opened our doors to the community and extended our hand of friendship to one another, at our Open Evening on 18 September. Another value that has been a focus this month is that of service. Staff and students baked, sold and bought cakes, cookies, biscuits and coffee supporting the good work undertaken by the charity, MacMillan Cancer Support. Our Coffee and Cake Morning took place on Friday 29 September 2017.

Mrs Sylvester-Charles, Chaplain

America

Want to look smart and fashionable for school? Yoanna Sharobim shows you the best fashion picks.

Chaplaincy

Our Agony Aunt gives the best advice on the issues that are

To apprehensive year 12, it is completely fine to feel anxious about A-levels but you have only just started. Don’t feel so pressurised, there is plenty of time to get organised. However, there are things you can do to keep the workload from building up:

-Complete homework on the day it’s given, not due.

-Give each subject at least 5 hours a week

Just keep calm and don't give up :)

To indecisive undergrad, if you want to find the right university for you, research the course which you want to study. You also need to speak to your Head of Year, Ms Paisley and Mr Colley to help you come to a conclusion about where you want to go. Start attending taster days where you will be able to see the place for yourself and ask questions to clear any doubts.

Leaving will help you gain independence but also consider the costs such as student accommodation. Staying at home may make day to day life easier but it’s all where you see yourself in the future.

Remember, its your decision. Don’t let others influence you :)

To student in dismay, this is the perfect time to start preparing so don’t worry. Make sure you:

-Take good notes, getting them checked by your teacher.

-Make flashcards

-Test yourself

-Do past papers

Find the way of learning which works best for you (e.g. visual, audio etc.) and use it to your full advantage. Speak to your teachers and let them know your concerns. They are there for you so make sure you use them.

Don’t get too stressed out. There is still plenty of time for you to do your best. Do not procrastinate and get started :)

TIPS:

Structure your info to reflect the skills and qualities the universities and colleges value most.

Write in an enthusiastic, concise and natural style – nothing too complex.

Try to stand out, but be careful with humour, quotes or anything unusual – just in case the admissions tutor doesn’t have the same sense of humour as you.

Proof-read aloud and get your mentor and teachers to check – then redraft until you’re happy with it and the grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct.

A problem shared Your concerns and our advice =solved

worrying year 12 and 13 the most.

I need advice. I love my A-level choices, but I am worried that I will fall behind in my work.

(From an apprehensive year 12).

It’s getting close to my A-level assessments and I’m panicking. I don't feel prepared and I really want to do well. How do I study and revise effectively?

Year 13 are now working on their personal statements and applications through UCAS. We wish them the best of luck and encourage them to work hard to produce the best version of themselves that they can!!

Ms Lawrence is the careers guidance/ work experience coordinator at CJM. Her office is located in St. Claudine’s and she is in school daily from 8:30am to 5:00pm. There is a drop-in service during break, lunchtime and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students can also book an appointment to see her during one of their study periods.

In each issue of News at 6 Form, she will focus a particular career or pathway to give more of an insight into it. Ms. Lawrence will also bring to your attention Labour Market Information, (LMI), which is used to gain understanding of trends within a job sector.

Following on from the sixth form PSHE talk by Forsters solicitors/ The Brokerage, 10 students in year 12 will be attending mentoring sessions at Forsters from November to January. This means they will be mentored by those who work in the legal field. What an opportunity!!

Careers and further pathways

Do you know what a Geo technician does? - they collect and analyse geological data from rock, soil and water samples. They can earn between

£17,000 and £31,000 per year. https://ww.geolsoc.org.uk/careers.

We say a temporary goodbye for now to our three lovely teachers. Mrs Aninakwa, Mrs Kosmin and Mrs Peppiat. They will spend some time now with children of their own and then return to us. We wish them luck and lots of love.

But not

for good

x

What is the best university for me? Is it better to stay at home or go to a university that is farther away?

(From an indecisive undergrad).

Macmillan Coffee Morning On September 29th we held a coffee morning to raise funds for Cancer Research. We all enjoyed buying, selling and eating cake. We made £320.19. Thank you to everyone that took part. Angel Cruz

Enrichment Activities

The enrichment activities this half term have been enriching for everyone. We’ve been involved in Tai-chi, first aid training with the St. John’s Ambulance, cooking for university, Japanese lessons, entrepreneurial spirit, creating an app, the EPQ and the science workshop. We’ve also been involved in putting our very own News at 6 Form together. Looking forward to next half- term!

Celeste Miller—year 13

Young at Heart Every Wednesday during enrichment myself and three other girls go to volunteer as helpers at the senior social club, serving tea and acting as companions. The experience every week couldn't be any more rewarding. The elderly people constantly thank you and we are repaid by being told wonderful stories about their lives and experiences - sometimes even stories about their daughters who came to our school! It's always an amazing two hours! Francisca Teixeira

Felixstowe Retreat

It is impossible to take a picture of a man with an eye patch. Why?

Find the horse.

What can you see?

By Sofia Pires

From putting up the tents, crabbing in the sea and walking along the sea front at sunrise, Felixstowe is a memory I will never forget. The nuns were extremely welcoming and I grew closer to my friends and felt emotionally and spiritually refreshed.

Beth Year 13 It was nice to leave the school for a while and bond with our friends and those who we hadn't really known before. We also bonded with the older sisters who shared the experience with us.

Felixstowe was a fun experience. We learnt how to work together as a team and to communicate. We built new relationships and learnt key problem solving skills such as managing water and building tests.

Jade Jude Year 13

I had a really fantastic time at Felixstowe, meeting and spending time with the sisters. I entered into activities which I would never normally have had the chance to do and enjoyed it thoroughly. I would love to have this experience again in the future.

Lydia Jagroo Year 13

The Year 13 went on a retreat to Felixstowe. They enjoyed the experience and returned refreshed and ready to continue with their studies.