May 2010 | The Heathlander | 1

The school’s Governors decided to name our new extension in honour of Mr.

Jack Watts. As a former member of staff he was regarded, as stated on the plaque in the entrance, as one of the ‘Founding Fathers’ of

The Heathland. Many parents will probably

remember Mr. Watts; he was Head of Year for the first pupil intake when the school opened in 1973. He was later promoted to be Senior Deputy Head,

a position he held until his retirement in 1993. His loyalty and commitment to the school was remarkable: he organised a Saturday Club, established provision for ‘Gifted & Talented’ pupils and for many years he was secretary of the PTA.

He returned to the school on two occasions to assist us after he had retired. Sadly, Mr. Watts passed away after a serious illness in 2009 at the age of 77.

We were pleased to welcome

Mrs. Pat Watts and her family, former staff and Governors to the naming of the building. The Heathland’s first Headmaster, Mr. Geoffrey Samuel, eloquently highlighted how much Mr. Watts valued his family and his involvement in the school. Mrs. Pat Watts then unveiled a plaque which is a permanent memorial to a great teacher, colleague and friend.H. S. Pattar Headmaster

The Heathland School, Wellington Road South, Hounslow, Middx, TW4 5JD

Telephone: 020 8572 4411 Fax: 020 8569 5126 Email: admin@heathland.hounslow.sch.uk

H. S. Pattar, BSc(Econ) Headmaster May2010

THEHEATHLANDER

20C 100M 90Y 20C 100M 90Y 40K 100C 25M 85Y 100C 25M 85Y 50K

4 COLOUR PROCESS

FOR USE AT ROSE SIZES OF25MM HIGH AND SMALLER

New building dedicated to one of the school’s ‘founding fathers’

‘Run for their lives’ with Twickenham Charity Event

Twickenham Stadium is holding a ‘Family Sports Day’ on June 5th, the main event being a 5km sponsored run – 2.5km for children – as well as a world record attempt at the biggest 3-legged-race!

‘Run for their Lives’ is being organised and marshalled by volunteers who support Future Hope, Kolkata, India, a remarkable home and school for street children and for day pupils from the slums. Their claim of ‘giving today’s street children a better tomorrow’ is evident in the sporting and academic successes of young people who without Future Hope faced a bleak and desperately impoverished life.For more information contact Rachel Mowbray: rachelmowbray@hotmail.com

Mrs Watts and family in front of the newly titled building, and unvieling the plaque with Mr Pattar.

2 | The Heathlander | May 2010

Oh, what a night! The 31st of March saw what is being called the best

Gala Evening yet. This year, things ran a little bit differently, with dancing, drama and even a fashion show accompanying the talented musicians handpicked by the music department.

With the tickets selling out completely in just over a week, the hundreds of parents, friends and teachers who attended this evening were certainly not disappointed! A huge thank you goes out to Miss Bray, Mr Hunter and Mr Golub for organising the event so well, to Miss Thorne for designing the lights for the evening, to Raj and Sandeep for

their hilarious hosting, to our very own house band, and of course to the many many talented young musicians who worked

so hard to put on a marvellous show! Well done everyone, here’s to next year! Jasmin Hinds, 12 Pankhurst

Free the Cake!On 1 April I put up posters around the school saying FREE CAKE! – COME TO THE LIBRARY AT BREAK. When they came to the library they saw a cake in a cage on the issue desk, and were invited to sign the petition to ‘free the cake’. One lucky signatory (Asad Parkar in 9 Jenner) got to free the cake and take it home.

Signs on the library door also warned of a bookworm infestation. Those wanting to enter the library were asked to tuck their trousers into their socks before entering. (Although no pupils did so, some teachers were fooled: our lips are sealed!)

Gala Concert hits the right note!

KS3 Drama club perform ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Heathland’s Got Talent Winner ‘Soul Defined’ reliving his memorable performance.

Senior choir singing up a storm.

Courses for ParentsThere are a number of courses for parents regarding parenting skills and the challenges of bringing up young people today, including alcohol awareness and obesity issues. These are run by the local authority.

If any parent would like more information about the nature of the courses or to discuss any issues, please could they contact their son or daughter’s head of year in the first instance.

Gordon Ramsey watch out! The year 10 BTEC Business pupils got a master class in the ins and outs of managing an Italian restaurant recently. The restaurant owner took time out from his busy schedule to answer questions on customer service and kitchen hygiene.

The students loved the opportunity to visit the kitchen and watch the chefs in action. The trip was a wonderful experience to visit a busy working environment in the lovely surroundings of Richmond Green.

Year 10 get a pizza-the-action

Not wishing to be outdone by the televised debates,

Mr Labovitch organised an Election 2010 Forum at the Heathland for potential first-time voters in the upper sixth. Local parliamentary candidates Alan Keen MP, Mary Macleod, Andrew Dakers and Martin Bleach (Green representative), were grilled

by students on such topics as the Olympics, racism and a hung parliament in lively and informative debate. Students were particularly impressed by Mr Bleach, who was standing in for the Green representative, as many found his straight forward, concise answers a refreshing change from the usual MP spin.

And now the actual results:

Brentford and Isleworth MP Ann Keen was unseated by Conservative Mary Macleod, and Alan Keen won the Feltham and Heston constituency for Labour. As Winston Churchill said: “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all others that have been tried”. Sir Stan Labovitch (MP)

There’s no topin’ Chopin…

We like to celebrate great people at the Heathland. Last year it was Charles Darwin, this year it’s the Bicentenary of the classical Polish composer Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). Accomplished concert pianist Rose Cholmondeley has played at the Edinburgh Festival, throughout Europe, the USA and in India, but still found time to play some of Chopin’s exquisitely romantic music to the upper sixth. After the performance Kavita and Raveen presented Rose with a large bouquet of-you’ve guessed it-roses. Truly a rose by any other name.

Election Forum

Bithia (12 Ad) asks a question on proportional representation at the Election 2010 Forum

May 2010 | The Heathlander | 3

4 | The Heathlander | May 2010

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Miss Halstead – our fabulous PE teacher-come-international

sports star. Luckily for us she’s taken a few minutes out of her jet setting life to tell us about her recent cricket tour to India.

A few months ago I was lucky enough to be selected as captain for an England Academy training trip to Bangalore, India. Whilst we were out there we coached the local cricket team, who spent 4 hours a day training and 6 hours

at school in 38 degree heat. We also played against Karntaka’s state cricket team – we won and I got 61 not out. Then we beat a fourth division men’s team where I scored 70. The trip was a massive culture shock and I realise how lucky we are at The Heathland to have so many amazing facilities and endless opportunities!

Miss Halstead has asked for all requests to go through her PA – Mr Mawson!

On her return from India, Miss Halstead took the boys U13 Borough Champions and the girls U13 London Champions to the world famous Lords cricket ground. Students watched Middlesex vs Gloustershire and then got the chance to practise their skills at the ECB cricket factory. Watchout Pietersen!

After spending a fabulous week in Paris with our French exchange students

and their families back in November, we were finally able to welcome them to our own Hounslow homes on March 24th. During their week’s stay they visited places such as Oxford and Windsor, whilst in the evenings and at the weekend we enjoyed our roles as hosts, showing them

how we live here in England. They gained an insight into the diverse cultural lives we lead, in return we received help with our French homework!

Clearly we were extremely sad to see them leave after an exciting action-packed week, but we know that our friendships will continue and develop via email and some of us intend to meet up again soon.

Dates for your diaryMayFriday 28th Last day of term.

Y7,8,9 Learning 2 Learn Day - in tutor groups P3-6 Y10 Accademic tutoring after Science modular examination at 8.30am

JuneMonday 7th First day of term.

All students in school at 8.40am

Friday 25th INSET Day

JulyWeds 7th Sports Day

Weds 14th Eastern Evening

Thurs 15th Eastern Evening

Bienvenue à Hounslow!

Cricketing Capers!