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THE URSULINE ACADEMY ILFORD

A Catholic Academy for Girls

Weekly News – Issue 29

17th May 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians

Headteacher’s Headlines…

We said goodbye today to our lovely Year 13 students as they go off on study leave for

their exams next week. Many of them have been with us for 7 years and it seems like

yesterday they were sitting in the Hall as Year 7 waiting to find out what form they were

in. Others joined us in Year 12 but quickly became part of our community. They are all

Ursuline girls now and have all developed into articulate, confident young women who I

am sure we go on to live out Serviam and make a difference to the world. We wish them

every success for the exams and the future! We will keep them all in our thoughts and

prayers. In the words of Angela Merici

Do Something…Get Moving… Be Confident… Risk new things… Stick with it… Then be ready for Big

Surprises!

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Challis and I interviewed for the new Head Girl Team, the girls

had been asked to write a letter of application for these important roles in our school. I am

pleased to announce that our new Head Girl is Audrey Fidegnon who will be ably assisted by

four Deputies. Maryam Khan, Maria Lisowksa, Sharanjit Shokar and Saarah Yusef. We look

forward to working with them. Well done girls! Serviam!

This week 5 year nine students spent break time in my office showing me their History projects.

Recommended by Ms. Mackie the girls had been asked to design a memorial for the Holocaust.

It was clear the effort and creativity they had put into their work. As a history teacher myself I

appreciate the need to learn from History rather than merely about History so I was most

impressed with their work. Please see pictures and information below. Well done girls - keep up the good

work!

Keeping Safe - Please be aware that there is an alleyway behind Cranbrook Road leading to

the Exchange that many of our students were using as a shortcut to the town centre. This is

not safe; there are a number of undesirables hanging around taking and peddling drugs,

drinking alcohol and other anti- social behaviour. In school, we have told the girls they are

NOT to use Heron Mews but to stick to the main streets where they are safe. Please reinforce

this at home. We need to keep our girls safe.

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Chaplaincy News

Pope Francis@Pontifex – 16th May

“The word of God is alive” (Hebrews 4:12); It does not die or get old, but remains forever.

Forward in Joy – 366 days with Angela Merici – Daily words of wisdom from our patron saint

May: Prudence

17th May: God has ordained from all eternity that those who are united in doing good enjoy every

prosperity.

18th May: Strive with all your might to keep yourselves as you have been called by God.

19th May: Strive to be faithful and devoted.

20th May: Above all, be on your guard not to want to get anything done by force.

21st May: I do not say, however, that it will not be necessary occasionally to use reproaches and severity, at

the right place and time.

22nd May: Every type of evil must be resisted.

23rd May: You must make a sound and firm resolution.

Holocaust Memorial Project

Before the Easter holidays 9.1 and 9.4 were asked to complete a homework project. The

project was to design a Holocaust Memorial. Students were asked to produce some research

about existing memorials, some research about exactly who they were remembering (for example,

different groups who were victims of the Holocaust, or different nationalities), design a memorial and

explain the rationale behind

their design. This project was to

be a competition. Every student

prepared excellent work and I

am very proud of them. The

winners of the competition for

9.4 were Eunice Graham and

Shanice Hyslop, second place

went to Kelvinna Tuffour, and in

third place were Nereannah

Olafusi and Faizah Shakeel. As a

part of their prize these students

were invited to spend breaktime

with Ms Reilly in order to show

off their work. Well done ladies!

Miss Mackie

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UAI Word of the Week

Week Commencing 20th May 2019

Equilibrium

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Careers

Apprenticeships and work experience at top companies—apply now!

Defence and national security

apprentice

Apply

Study for a BSC(hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions

at Winchester University while you work for leading

technology company Fujitsu. You'll earn a competitive

salary, have your university fees paid, and develop plenty

of technical and highly valuable skills. There are also lots of

roles available within the defence and national security

team - including project management and software

development.

Chartered manager degree

apprentice

Apply

At Warburtons, managers aren’t born they’re bread!

Warburtons is now welcoming applications for the

Warburtons 2019 Management Degree Apprenticeship.

This is a perfect opportunity to earn a salary while you

study. If you have a passion for food production,

manufacturing and distribution this could be for you.

Junior technical consultant

Apply

On this three-year apprenticeship you'll be working with

businesses from many different sectors, turning what

they need into computer code using cutting edge

systems. You don't need to be doing a business or

technology A-level, but you do need to have a real

interest in both.

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Client management

apprentice

Apply

You'll learn how to give businesses advice about their

pension schemes, developing key skills and working

towards professional qualifications. Aon is looking for team

players with great verbal and written communication skills.

Ms C Finlay, Careers Coordinator

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Mental Health and Wellbeing in the News

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you

rest.”

Matthew: 11. 28

The Ursuline Academy Ilford is working to raise awareness of Mental Health issues, particularly amongst

young people. Mental Health and Wellbeing being particular interests of mine, I will be regularly sharing in

our Newsletter articles or news reports which I think are particularly relevant to our school community,

students, parents and staff. I will address a different mental health-related topic every month.

Miss Ammeux (Head of MFL Department and Mental Health Advocate)

May Theme: Staying mentally healthy during revision and exam time

This week’s article from the Independent gives us the outcome of a survey recently conducted amongst

parents. It reveals that the pressure to achieve good results in examinations is a bigger source of stress and

anxiety for children than the pressures from social media and bullying.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/parents-exams-mental-health-children-

gcses-a-levels-sats-mumsnet-a8913406.html

We are running drop-in Mindfulness sessions (with Miss Ammeux) for all students every Friday at 10:45

in the Chapel

Useful contacts: YoungMinds: www.youngminds.org.uk Catholic Mental Health Project: Tel: 02079014826 http://www.catholicmentalhealthproject.org.uk/ Kooth (online service only) www.kooth.com Childline: Helpline: 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/ The Samaritans (Redbridge): Helpline: 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-redbridge

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Majority of parents say exam

pressure is affecting children’s

mental health, poll finds Children have lost sleep and sought healthcare advice over stress related to tests, survey says

Eleanor Busby Education Correspondent

Exam stress has highlighted the issue of mental health in schools (Getty)

Exam pressure is affecting children’s mental health, according to nearly two in three parents surveyed for a

new poll – with more than a third saying their children have lost sleep due to anxiety about results.

More than one in 10 respondents, with children aged 13 or over, said exam pressure affected their own

child’s wellbeing “severely” and 9 per cent said their child has sought healthcare advice.

The Mumsnet survey, of more than 1,500 parents with school-aged children, has been released as tens of

thousands of students across the country begin their Sats, GCSEs and A-level exams.

But the poll suggested that the issue does not only affect teenagers, as one in five parents of school-aged

children said that their child has been in tears because of results pressure.

When asked which factors cause stress to their children, 31 per cent cited pressure to achieve good school

results – which is more than those who chose pressures from social media or bullying.

“Many teenagers claim to be supremely unbothered about exam results, but parents often know better

and there seems to be a groundswell of concern about the amount of pressure young people are under,”

said Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts.

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The findings come amid rising concern that that high-stakes tests in schools are having a negative effect on

the mental health of young people – especially primary school pupils.

Labour pledged to scrap the Sats exams last month, as well as plans for a new baseline assessment for

four-year-olds in English primary schools.

Jeremy Corbyn said the “regime of extreme pressure testing” would be abolished amid reports of children

crying, vomiting and having nightmares.

Meanwhile, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has suggested that primary school pupils should not

be told that they are taking exams to prevent feelings of anxiety.

Ms Spielman said headteachers who speak to children about their Sats exams and ask how they are feeling

could make them more worried.

Redbridge Cycling Centre Please see right for details of half term courses…

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SCHOOL DIARY Date Time Event Category

Monday 20th May – Friday 24th May

All Week Year 11 & 13 Study Leave

Year 11 & 13 Students

Monday 20th May – Friday 24th May

All Week GCSE & A Level Exams Year 11 & 13 Students

Tuesday 21st May 6.00 – 7.00p.m. Spanish Trip, Parents Information evening

(Hall)

Spanish Trip Parents

Monday 27th May – Friday 31st May

All Week Half Term Whole School

Monday 3rd June 8.40a.m. Term Begins Whole School

EXTRA-CURRICULAR DIARY

Date Time Event Category

Monday 10.40 – 11.00a.m. KS4 Vocal Club (Ms Adi) (S5)

Selected Students

Monday 12.40 – 1.20p.m. KS3 Choir (Ms Maguire) (Music Room)

Year 7 & 8 Students

Monday 12.40 – 1.20p.m. Year 12 Documentary Film Club

(Ms Casey) (F4)

Year 12 Students

Monday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Indoor Rowing Club (Ms Terrey) (Gym)

All Years

Monday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Offsite Athletics – First come, first served on

minibus seats! (Mrs Mansell) (Offsite)

Year 7 - 10 Students

Tuesday 1.0 1.00 – 1.30p.m. Biology Intervention (Ms Ahmad) (G9)

Year 13 Biology Students

Tuesday 2.0 12.40 – 1.40p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Tuesday 3.0 1.10 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 Music Revision (Ms Maguire) (S5)

Year 11 Music Students

Tuesday 4.0 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Year 10/11 RS Revision Club (Ms Casey) (F4)

Year 10/11 RS Students

Tuesday 5.0 1.00 – 1.40p.m. Year 11 Spanish Speaking Club

(Ms Warren) (S1)

Year 11 Spanish Students

Tuesday 6.0 1.00 – 1.30p.m. UAI Gospel Choir (Cleo) (Chapel)

All Years

Tuesday 7.0 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Volleyball Club (Ms D’Sa) (Gym)

All Years

Tuesday 8.0 3.20 – 4.20p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

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Tuesday 9.0 3.30 – 4.30p.m. KS 4 & 5 History Support Session

(Ms Beatham) (F18)

Years 10 – 13 History Students

Tuesday 10.0 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Level 2 Latin Course (Ms Ammeux) (G6)

Year 10 Latin Students

Tuesday 11.0 3.20 – 4.20p.m. GCSE Music Composition Club

(Ms Maguire) (S5)

GCSE Music Students

Tuesday 12.0 3.20 – 4.30p.m. Rounders (Ms Terrey/Ms D’Sa)

(Playground)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Art Club (Mr Butler) (Art Rooms)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Equality Club (Ms Mackie/Ms Casey)

(F18)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Guitar Club (Mr Keeble) (S5)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Keyboard Club (Ms Murphy) (S5)

All Years

Wednesday 12.40 – 1.30p.m. Ursuline Links Ambassadors (Cleo) (Chapel/Desenzano)

Years 7 & 8

Wednesday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Wednesday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Level 3 Latin Course (Ms Ammeux) (G6)

Year 11/12 Latin Students

Wednesday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Music Drop In Club (Ms Maguire) (S5)

All Years

Wednesday 3.30 – 5.00p.m. English 5 O’Clock Club (Ms Cooper) (F8)

(Ms Catungal) (F9 (Mr Mangerah) (F10)

(Ms Riste) (F11)

Year 11 English Students

Thursday 8.30 – 9.00a.m. Morning String Ensemble (Mr Taylor) (S5)

Selected Students

Thursday 8.40 – 9.00a.m. Chaplaincy Team Meeting (Cleo) (Chapel)

Year 7-11 Chaplaincy Team Members

Thursday 8.40 – 9.00a.m. Reading Challenge (Ms Catungal) (F16)

Year 11 Students helping Year 8 Students

Thursday 1.00 – 1.40p.m Bright Stars Drama Club (Ms Milne) (Drama Studio)

Year 7 & 8 Students

Thursday 1.10 – 1.40p.m. Drumming Club (Mr Keeble) (S6)

All Years

Thursday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Thursday 12.40 – 1.10p.m. GCSE English Enrichment Club

(Ms Cooper) (English Rooms)

Year 10/11 English Students

Thursday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Knitting Club All Years

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(Ms Mackie & her Mum) (F18)

Thursday 1.00 - 1.40p.m. KS4 Piano Duet Club (Mr Webster) (Music Room)

KS4 Piano Students

Thursday 1.00- 1.30p.m. Science Intervention (Ms Ahmad) (G9)

Year 11 Science Students

Thursday 3.20 – 4.10p.m. GCSE Art Club (Mr Finn) (Art Rooms)

GCSE Art Students

Thursday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Computing Club (Mr Mitchell) (F6)

All Years

Thursday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Thursday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Level 1 Latin Course (Ms Ammeux) (G6)

Year 9 Latin Students

Thursday 3.20 – 4.20p.m. Year 10 P E Revision (Ms Terrey)

Year 10 P E Students

Thursday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Year 11 Spanish Exam Practice

(Ms Warren) (S1)

Year 11 Spanish Students

Thursday 3.30 – 4.30p.m. Trampolining (Ms D’Sa) (Gym)

All Years

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. GCSE Art Club (Mr Butler) (Art Rooms)

GCSE Art Students

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. Maths Homework Club for Years 7 – 11

(Ms Sondh) (F14)

All Years

Friday 12.40 – 1.40p.m. RE Film Club (Mr McGhee) (F2)

Year7,8,9 Students

Friday 3.20 – 4.20p.m Running Club (Ms Mansell/ Ms Riaz)

(Valentines Park)

All Years

Friday 3.20 – 4.20p.m DT Club (Mrs Reilly) (G12)

All Years

Friday 3.30 – 4.15p.m. 11B Maths Revision (Ms Sondh) (F15)

11B Maths Students

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