Ealing Readers' Award
Our KS3 Elthorne Readers Panel, with students from Years 7, 8 and 9, represented the school at an inter-school event held at Acton High School on 16th June 2010. Along with readers panels from seven other Ealing High School, our students judged Darren Shan's book 'Hell's Heroes' the best book of 2009. This is the first year that this new award has been voted for by KS3 students at Ealing High Schools.
EPHS's Positive Parenting Programme
Ealing LA have invested in the delivery of parenting programmes so that parents can access either 1:1 or group programmes. Due to the positive response when the programme was run by EPHS in 2008 and 2009, the programme will be delivered again in September. Postive Parenting is an approach to raising teenagers which aims to promote appropriate teenager development and the management of teenagers' behaviour in a constructive way. For more information on the programme please contact the school on 0208 566 1166.
National Poetry Day 2009
Two lunchtime events were held in the Library early in October to mark this year's National Poetry Day. One day a dozen staff came and read their favourite poems to students. A few days later students from Years 7 -11 read poems of their choice, some they had written themselves.
Year 12 BTEC Sport Science Museam Trip
The Year 12 BTEC Sport students went on a recent trip to the science museam in which they saw how the human body worked in 2D. It was fascinating footage which went deep into the understanding of how the body's mechanics work. Along with this they saw an exhibition on how F1 has changed the world in 20 different ways. This gave the students an insight into sporting technically, and how, for example, the race bike has become more aerodynamic over the years.
Netball Coaching Course
Earlier in the year, 15 students were selected to go on a netball coaching course to gain a qualification in coaching. The course challenged students both theoretically and practically. The course was run for a whole day by an England Netball Coach with vast experience.
Huw Edwards and the BBC School Report
Our BBC School Reporters were lucky enough to receive advice on journalism from Huw Edwards, newsreader from BBC Six O'Clock News. The group were rehearsing for the final news days (4th and 9th of March) when they will write and broadcast news via television, live!
IB Trip to Hampton Court
A trip to Hampton Court was an ideal way for our IB students to examine some of the ToK issues around History with the help of the Palace's world-class experts. Students explored issues such as: Are the lives of some people more historically significant than the lives of others? Can and should value judgments be avoided in History? How does the culture within which historians live affect the History they write and therefore we read?
Speakout Challenge
Students from across London, including two from our Year 10, took part in January in the prestigious Jack Petchey Speakout Challenge. They delivered their speches with typical panache to panel of judges and a large audience, including the mayor. Kamal Afzali spoke about the rise of right-wing parties and Chelsie Williamson on world hunger.
Finance Fair
Pensions, Mortgages, Credit Cards and how to manage your University finances were some of the topics for our Sixth Form students at a special Finance Fair. Students had a chance to listen to first hand experience and start to think about these important topics. What was the most popular subject? How to buy a car or moped, naturally.
Fire Safety with Year 7
As part of the PSHEE programme, Year 7 received a Fire safety talk from Ealing’s Blue Watch. They were told all about the fire fighting equipment, the dangers of hoax calls and even got a chance to have a go with the hose!
BBC School Report coming soon
Following our success last year, students have begun working on this year's broadcast. Keep an eye on the pages here for more information as it breaks.
Sixth Form opens
Our Sixth Form opened this September with students taking a range of Applied courses and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. To prepare the students for their higher level studies, workshops were run on time management, research and note making as well as on the secrets of success.
French Exchange June 2009
Our students have a greaty opportunity to go and stay in France with their exchange family. Even the weather helped out by keeping away the rain. The weekend was spent with various outings with their French families, culminating in a final farewell party at school. There was even a photograph and write-up in the local press.
Spring Concert
This year's Spring Concert was a wonderful evening of music performed by Key Stage 3 and 4 students, including performances from the Senior Choir, the String Enemble, Elthorne Sinfonia, the Jazz Ensemble and the Grifters. It was great to see their hours of practice and rehersal produce entertainment of such high quality. Thanks goes to our peripatetic teachers, the HSA and the many who volunteered their time for the evening and well deserved congratulations to all the performers.
Camera! Action! Broadcast!
Our students took part in the BBC School Report. What did the report on and what did they find? Find out here. Click on Show Producers and find Elthorne Park High School, the video icon appears on the right.
Essequibo Music Workshop
Thirty-five Key Stage 3 students had the opportunity to learn more about this unique and fascinating music when they attended a workshop led by the renowned Keith Waites, Helen McDonald, Jo Jo Yates, and Darryl Le Que. The exciting interactive sessions were a great introduction to the richness and variety of non-western music.
Year 9 Rewards Trip
Fifty of our Year 9 students were selected for a Rewards Trip to Acton Ten Pin Bowling. It was a great afternoon and a chance to relax with staff and students. Of the many achievements were Josh Dorrington getting five strikes in a row and Mr. Shillito winning the Teachers' game. After bowling students had lunch and played as many of the arcade games as they could, including pool and air hockey.
Listen Up!
Our Year 10 GCSE Music students attended a listening workshop at the British Library. It was an intensive day dedicated to expanding our students' understanding and appreciation of sound and music. Amongst other things, they learnt where sound comes from as well as the different ways of recording, classifying and graphing sounds. Thanks to the British Library and their staff for such an interesting and fascinating day.
Red Nose Day
This year students and staff threw themselves into fund-raising for Red Nose Day. Students gave money to wear non-uniform - as long as it was red. There were sales of Red Noses and cakes, busking and singing, sponsored silences and sponsored noises. Congratulatons to everyone for such a great effort and atmosphere around the school.
The Lion King
Over a hundred of our students went to see the hit musical The Lion King. So many students went to see it that we put on two separate visits to the spectacle in Covent Garden. The trip linked with the Music curriculum's unit on African music. The show deserves its reputation for amazing special effects and strong performances from the whole cast. Future trips and outings are planned; see your Music or Drama teachers if interested.
Our Favourite Reads
We marked World Book Day 2009 by inviting staff to come and read to the students an extract from a favourite book or poem. It was a packed Library with students from all years. Excerpts read included Saint Exupery's 'Little Prince', Heller's 'Catch 22' and Zusak's 'The Book Thief'. The whole event was compered by two of our student librarians, Emma and Kai.
Recording Stars of Tomorrow
All our GCSE Music students in Years 10 and 11 have been recording their group performances. This counts as 15% of their final grade. Congratulations to everyone on a great job well done and good luck to Year 11 as they prepare for their final exams.
Smiley Crew wins Year 8 Elections
As part of their Active Citizenship, Year 8 ran an election to elect a candidate and party who can speak on behalf of students to the Headteacher and Governors. Voting took place on Friday 20th March with fierce competition between the six parties. Using the "first past the post" voting system, the winner was Smiley Crew with their succssful candidate Sonny Poon-Tip. Congratulations to all those involved, candidates, parties and voters.
Sixth Form Social
The Sixth Form is about more than the subjects bthat we teach. We joined with students from Dormers Wells High School to watch an Ice Hockey Match. In an exciting and, at times, close match, the Slough Jets held to a convincing win against Wightlink. We then had a chance to skate ourselves, although the students were much better at this part than Mr Grant.
Rt. Hon David Blunkett MP celebrates school's 10th Birthday
Ten years ago, as Secretary of State for Education, David Blunkett opened our school. He returned for a special celebration of the school's 10th Birthday. He remembered with fondness his visit ten years ago and praised the efforts of students, staff, parents and governors in creating an outstanding school. Joining him was the Mayor of Ealing, Councilor Ian Green, himself an ex-student of the previous school on this site.
New Kids on the Block
The Grifters are Duncan Brookfield, William Goodlake and Barnaby Russell in Year 8 and Oliver Lyu in Year 9. They competed against student bands many years older than themselves and still went on to win the New Beatz Battle of the Bands competition in October 2008. They now move on to the regional finals later this year. We wish them all luck.
Jack Petchey Award Winners Evening
Jack Petchey Award winners from schools across Ealing attended a presentation evening at Greenford Hall. Elthorne Park High School was represented by George Benjamin, David Barseghian and Charlotte Ryder, whose various triumphs reflect the Petchey Foundation’s principle that achievement comes in many forms. Prizes were presented by Rachel Seitz, Director of Schools’ Service, and Councillor Seema Kumar, Deputy Mayor of Ealing. Congratulations to all the worthy winners!
Creative Project
The school is developing a creative project for soem of our Year 9 students. Working with a professional photographer over a series of weeks students will use photography to explore our local commuities. The students will be introduced to documentary photography as an investigative tool, look at and discuss historically significant work and be taught the skills they need to produce quality work that communicates well. This innovative project will culminate in a group exhibition of the students' work, to be displayed within the school, on-line and at a local public venue.
Expansion of the Learning Resources Centre
With our Sixth Form starting this September we are planning on expanding our Learning Resources Centre. We will create a larger LRC area which will support students, not just Sixth Formers, in their independent study. Our many keen readers will enjoy the new environment. Staff will find an improved area where they can bring classes to further broaden their learning.
School Musical wows audiences
This year's school performance was the hit Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls". Production crew, musicians and cast worked very hard under the careful and artistic eyes of our Drama, Music and Art teachers to put on a true spectacle. There was dancing, singing, drama, laughter and even tears. The nightly audiences, and one matinee for local community groups, responded with enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment to the students' efforts. Congratulations to all those involved for such an overwhelming sucess.
Year 9 Holocaust Exhibition Visit
To coincide with this year's Holocaust Memorial Day, sixty Year 9 students visited the Imperial War Museum’s Holocaust Exhibition. This important and very moving exhibition sheds light on a very difficult period of History. Students took part in a short workshop before the Exhibition to prepare them for what they were about to engage with. The individual stories of those caught up in the events brought home exactly what happened. The trip formed part of our week of remembrance, which also included a series of Holocaust Assemblies.
Oxford Trip sets students to aim higher
Some of our Year 10 students visited Oxford University as part of our Aim Higher programme. It was a great opportunity for them to develop their knowledge and understanding of University and to see that there should be no ceiling to their achievements. The day involved workshops and activities about academic and social life at University, a tour of New College and a Question and Answer session with undergraduates.
Year 10 Berlin Trip
Year 10 students who take GCSE History or German have the opportunity to visit Berlin in July and see what a dynamic and exciting city it is today, as well as learning about its History. Visits include: Potsdam castle, a tour of a former concentration camp, the Berlin Wall, the Alexanderplatz tower and much more. Leisure time includes: a bowling trip, table tennis, sightseeing and shopping, a boat ride in Potsdam, a cinema visit and the ALL FAMOUS Berlin pupils disco!
Classical Music Competition
Our annual Classical Music Competition was a chance for our students to take on the challenge of performing and for our audience to be delighted and entertained. The standard was as high as ever with some outstanding performances by some of our younger and older students. Paul Tucker (pianist) and Mark Rose (guitarist) adjudicated and also gave a fantastic performance of their own. Congratulations to all the winners in each category: Key Stage 3 soloists, Key Stage 4 soloists, Yr 10 GCSE groups and Chamber Ensembles.
Maths Day for Year 6 students
Over a hundred Year 6 students from our local primary schools attended two workshops. The first was an ICT based session where students used Superlogo to investigate the properties of polygons; the second was a practical puzzle solving session. A further sixty Year 7 and Year 6 students also attended an afternoon puzzle workshop. Students found the sessions really useful in developing their problem solving skills, learning the importance of teamwork, resilience and that ‘nothing is impossible’!
Kids' Lit Quiz 2008
Who was Jack Starbright asked to look after? Who was the first to see a beautiful, blue, polished stone while out hunting? Who was the most famous female student in Gryffindor House? It was questions like these that the Elthorne team of four Year 8 students tackled at the International Kids’ Lit Quiz competition this November. It was the first year we had entered. Out of the 34 teams competing, Katherine, Kirie, Jonathan and Portia did very well against stiff competition to make it into the top third of the results table. (Answers: Alex Rider, Eragon, Hermione Grainger)
6th Form Open Evening
The 6th Form Open Evening was the chance for students and parents to find out more detailed information about the subjects and courses we are running here in the 6th Form. It was great to see how much interest there was and also to have to opportunity to sit down and answer those specific questions which are crucial to students' and parents' ability to make the best choices for their post-16 education. Download the 6th Form Prospectus.
Into 6th Form Day
All of our Year 11 students took the opportunity to have a taste of the 6th Form. Sessions were offered in as diverse a range of subjects as Music BTEC, Theory of Knowledge and Japanese (beginners). Both students and staff really enjoyed the experience of working with each other in the more mature way which post-16 education encourages. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and energy students brought to their 6th Form experience. Go to the 6th Form Home Page.
