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LPGS NEWSLETTER SPRING TERM 1

FACULTY IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

The Humanities Faculty

Geography

With the relaxing of Covid restrictions we have managed to kick start our fieldwork offer within Geography. So far this term we have taken our Year 13 students to Croydon and South London to complete their data collection for their coursework. We have also taken our Year 11 students to Canary Wharf to investigate the relationship between land use and quality of life. It is fantastic to be able to offer students these experiences as they enrich the learning in the classroom.

We have many more exciting excursions planned for other year groups. Next half term it is the turn of Year 7 to complete their fieldwork on the topic of Biomes at High Elms Nature Reserve and Year 10’s opportunity to head to the Isle of Dogs.

Please see below some photographs of students at Box Park Croydon, the Isle of Dogs, and Canary Wharf. A big thank you to the Geography department for organising these trips.

History

Year 11 History British Library Trip and London Walking Tour

Over the course of two weeks in January, 4 groups of Year 11 Historians travelled to London to see an exhibition in the British Library about Queen Elizabeth l and Mary Queen of Scots. In the morning, we walked around London and looked at various relevant historic places relevant to Elizabethan England, such as the Globe Theatre and remnants of priories from the Tudor period. We enjoyed looking at these sites as it deepened our understanding of the environment that Elizabethan Londoners would have lived in. The exhibition was interactive and contained information that enhanced our level of knowledge on Elizabeth and Mary. We looked at letters they wrote to each other, analysed portraits and even got to see replicas of their tombs side by side!

Tilly W 11GA

Holocaust Memorial Day

Langley Park School for Girls were chosen to take part in the excellent Beacon School Programme for Holocaust Education alongside University College London Centre for Holocaust Education.

This is a real success particularly as only around 15 schools from around the country are chosen every year. The year-long Beacon School Programme provided continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers and ultimately allowed students access to world renowned Holocaust Education.

LPGS staff continue to work with the world’s top-rated university for education, to raise the quality of learning and expectation in LPGS, all the while helping students to become more engaged in their own learning and more independent, critical thinkers. This is an excellent opportunity not just for staff and students at Langley Park School for Girls but also for schools across the trust, as we can share the most up-to-date and dynamic pedagogy and practice throughout the Trust.

In addition to the training and recognition from Beacon School the History department have been doing several things around school to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day:

The Year 12 History students produced a display in the humanities corridor about different experiences of genocide that have happened throughout history.

We also had many sixth formers sign up to the Lessons from Auschwitz program offered by The Holocaust Education Trust (HET). This was a new immersive, virtual educational programme, taking post-16 students on a journey of learning and reflection; offering them the opportunity to explore the Holocaust through a ground-breaking, interactive, digital platform.

The whole school also came off-timetable to listen to the Holocaust Educational Trust live stream testimony from Eva Clarke.

A massive thank you to the History department, specifically Miss Allen and Mrs Jerry for organising such a comprehensive program of events for the staff and students. It is greatly appreciated.

Humanities in Form Time

Mrs Odusola, Head of Religious Studies and DEI lead has played an influential role in diversifying LPGS form time offer. She has provided a variety of informative content about current affairs and global events, in addition to organising many training opportunities for staff. Here are a few of the many topics that have been covered this half term:

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year 2022 fell on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022, starting a year of the Tiger. Celebrations of CNY traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. In 2022, the holiday is from January 31st to February 15th, and is a public holiday. Xīn nián kuài lè! (Happy New Year) to everyone celebrating!

World Hijab Day

February 1st, 2013, marked the first annual World Hijab Day (WHD) in recognition of millions of Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab and live a life of modesty.

The brainchild of this movement is a New York resident, Nazma Khan, who came up with the idea as a means to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women (non-Hijabi Muslims/non-Muslims) to experience the hijab for one day.

By opening new pathways to understanding, Nazma hopes to counteract some of the controversies surrounding why Muslim women choose to wear the hijab.

During this week’s Diversity Tuesday, students will be exploring WHD.

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is an American holiday and people all around the world celebrate.

Each year, Martin Luther King Day is the Monday closest to his birthday on 15th January. This year, it was held on Monday 17th January.

People usually use the time to reach out to their community and spend time together. Additionally, they take time to reflect or campaign for racial equality and civil rights issues across the world.

Next half term we look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day that ties into the curriculum planned by History, Religious Studies and Geography.

New staff

This half term we welcome Ms Lymer to the Geography department. Ms Lymer has worked in a number of schools in and around South London and brings a wealth of experience with her. If you see her around school, be sure to give her a warm welcome.

MUSIC

On the last day of term just before the Christmas holidays, a reward trip for extra-curricular Music members to see West End musical ‘& Juliet’ took place. It was a wonderful return to live performance for some students and for others, their first ever experience. Here is Trixi in Year 9’s review of the evening…

‘& Juliet’ was a fun and very enjoyable musical. It’s about what would have happened if Juliet chose not to kill herself after she found Romeo dead, so we get to see William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway re-writing the story, as Juliet’s story, throughout. We also get introduced to brand new characters, Francois DuBois, Lance DuBois and May. It has a brilliant soundtrack, made up of songs by Max Martin, some examples are: ‘Larger Than Life’, ‘Domino’, ‘Everybody’, ‘Since U Been Gone’, ‘Oops!...I Did It Again’ and many more. The whole show is and incredible, surreal experience, the show came to life as soon as the house lights went down. I don’t think anyone was really prepared for the show. It also has some absolutely fantastic LGBTQIA+ representation, some of the best I’ve personally seen in media. The character May is non-binary and through them, the show displays the problems of misgendering someone, and the effect it has on them. It had a very good, yet subtle way of educating the audience on those in the LGBTQIA+ community. The entire group that went on the trip really enjoyed themselves, and everyone in the audience were on their feet at the end, including the teachers! The show is filled with incredibly talented performers who have created a heart-warming and beautiful show.

We go on Music Tour on the last day of this half term so more about that in the next newsletter! We wish the group well in their two concerts, in Liverpool and Blackpool.

Miss Sheppard

Maths Department

It has been reassuring to be able to continue with more of a usual teaching schedule this academic year, and gradually return to normal, following the stricter restrictions imposed by COVID last year.

In November, 86 students in Years 12 and 13 took part in the Senior Maths Challenge. It is a national competition, organised by the UK Mathematics Trust, designed to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. Achieving an award is highly commendable. 28 students achieved Bronze awards and 9 students achieved Silver awards (Bobby B, Ellen D, Sophie W, Enoch E.and Clay P from Year 12 and Miranda C, Ella M., Alex T, Amarachi O and Toby S. from Year 13). Two students, Ivy S in Year 12 and Ayan M in Year 13, achieved Gold awards and earned a place in the follow-on competition (results for that are yet to be published). Some of our award winners are shown in the photo. Congratulations to all those students that took part.

Year 11 students have been busy making stellated octahedra, as part of their work on the properties of polygons. Some of the most innovative designs are shown in the photo. Stellated octahedrons are regular polyhedral compounds, as all the faces are identical equilateral triangles joined together to form the eight-pointed star shape.

Within the Maths department we have always advocated the use of mini whiteboards in lessons. They are an invaluable tool for teachers, as they both engage our students and allow us, as teachers, to check the students’ thinking, understanding and progress all at once, meaning that every student is participating in their classwork and is academically accountable. The use of mini whiteboards also allows teachers to gain a quick snapshot of every student’s answer and makes a real difference to whole class assessment. Anna G, from Year 9 commented, “they really help us work, because it means we can all easily show our work to our teachers, and it makes learning more enjoyable and almost like a game”. In the photos you can see some of the Year 9 students making use of mini whiteboards whilst learning trigonometry.

Mrs H Harper

VISUAL ARTS

The Visual Arts department would just like to say well done to all our Y13 Creative students who have already been awarded places at top Arts Universities up and down the country.

To date we have students already gaining prestigious places in courses in Fine Art, Photography, Fashion and Retail, Media and Television, Textiles etc.

Our partnerships with UCA and Ravensbourne have certainly had an impact and many of our students will be attending these Universities next academic year.

Lucy Slater, Partnership and Engagement manger at Ravensbourne recently wrote that:

'I just to say how BRILLIANT your students were when we met them at pre UCAS interviews earlier this month – they were all super articulate and their work was definitely some of the best we saw.'

We are proud of all our young creatives and wish them all the best in their wonderful creative careers!!

Cambodia 2023

The expedition to Cambodia with Camps International has launched. We have a great group of Y11 and Y12 students signed up for this trip of a lifetime. In January the group got together to discuss fundraising ideas including movie nights, danceathons, karate lessons, art exhibitions, car washing, dog sitting, restaurant takeovers and so much more. I am so excited to work with the group over the coming months and cannot wait to set off on the trip. The expedition will offer the students a blend of project work, adventure and cultural immersion. Life on expedition will place young travellers in situations that cannot be replicated in the classroom or at home. Challenging themselves to take on new adventures outside their comfort zone will build confidence and resilience, allowing them to shape their identity as well as gaining a greater understanding of the wider world.

Miss Lonergan

LPGS MEDIA AGENCY

During enrichment on Wednesday periods 5 & 6 a very enthusiastic team of Y12 and Y13 students have been meeting in order to develop our new school Media Agency.

The agency is currently working on the school newsletter as well as developing our termly Arts magazine Ayo. We are also working with other departments such as Music, Drama and Dance to help document and showcase performances and we have a group of Graphic Artists working on logos and advert for various school events.

Developing Advert for Hairspray 2022

We have a group of Photographers and Filmmakers who are more than willing to attend events and put together stills and moving images for showcasing different departments, events etc.

If you have any projects at all, small or big, which you would like the Media Agency to take a look at then please do contact Mr Fox Joyce (Head of Visual Arts) - ef@lpgs.bromley.sch.uk

MFL Department

German A-Level taster trip to London

Students in Year 11 who are interested in carrying on with German next year, had the chance to join an A-Level trip to central London. We explored German exhibits at the Natural History Museum, visited the German library at the Goethe-Institut and sampled typical German food at Stein’s restaurant. The day ended with a film screening of ‘Sputnik’, which helped students further their understanding of the history of East and West Germany. German division and reunification are key topics explored in the A-Level course. We look forward to continuing the discussion in Year 12.

German A-Level film study day at the BFI

Our German A-Level group was invited to the British Film Institute for a film study day on the legacy of East Germany in film. The day was aimed at helping students build their cultural capital, expand their vocabulary and improve their critical film analysis skills by exploring key themes and styles of contemporary German cinema. We analysed key scenes from four different German films and then watched a screening of ‘Goodbye, Lenin!’. Students now feel confident for their exams, where they will write an analytical essay on the film.

Guest speaker on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

German A-Level students had the opportunity to speak to Ms Merten, who lived in West Berlin at the time of the fall of the wall. We learnt about the impact the division had on German society and gained deeper understanding of the events leading up to the ‘Mauerfall’, which brought freedom and reunification to the German people. Hearing stories about this time first-hand made a real impression and we thank Ms Merten for making the time to come and speak to us.

London Teacher of the Year Award

Congratulations to Bianca Stavrou, Head of German and MFL, who won the London Teacher of the Year Award for the Borough of Bromley. This award recognises the contribution teaching, support staff and volunteers make to a successful school. Ms Stavrou was nominated in 2021 by her German A-Level class for helping them achieve excellent grades and for making them laugh during lockdown.

Nominations are open until March 2022. The award is judged by a panel of judges who read the content of every entry and then have the difficult task of selecting the winners. Anyone can nominate and it’s not just teachers who are recognised – these awards celebrate every role in schools/colleges from secretaries to caretakers, heads and volunteers. Winners from every borough will be honoured at the awards ceremony with the overall London wide champions announced on the night. To nominate : www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/awards/toty/

Sixth Form

YEAR 13

UCAS applications have now been completed. Our focus now is on achievement in the summer examinations so that those aspirational university or employment placements can be achieved.

Following the October trial examinations, students evaluated their results and their exam technique approaches. Individual targets were set to establish what needs to be improved by the time they sit the February trial exams. With this in mind, please ensure that your child revisits techniques and establishes a revision schedule, particularly during half term in the lead up to the first exam on Monday 21st February.

Time is of the essence and should therefore be spent productively.

YEAR 12

Destinations

Year 12 students are now setting their vision beyond sixth form education. This has started in tutor time with the ‘Research Projects’ that will last for the duration of the spring term. This involves researching universities to gain knowledge about tariff point/ entry requirements, carrying out a skills audit of themselves, sourcing work experience/placement, writing letters of application and developing a professional brand for themselves. This preparation leads nicely onto the LPGS Future Fair on Thursday 10th March and a visit to London Excel Centre to take part in the UCAS Discovery Exhibition on Monday 14th March. More information to follow in due course. Please click the link below some further important information.

Year 12 Prefects

Huge congratulations to our year 12 prefect team. Students are currently having training on leadership, safeguarding and assertiveness

An extended congratulations to Ife A and Nancy C

Ife A gained a scholarship on the AMOS Bursary Scholarship Programme. The Amos bursary scholar programme is a very prestigious programme with a remit to support and shape the futures of gifted and talented students from African and Caribbean heritage. Ife has been an absolute powerhouse and pursued this opportunity that was offered to him. The process included several stages: initial application, essay writing , an oral interview, completing a number of tasks as well as a presentation of personal challenges Ife faced. Ife has received a first class 5-year scholarship programme and we are all incredible proud of him. The scholarship entails partial payment for university fees to any Russel group University . Being on the programme will allow him to gain an advantage in the legal world. Ife would like to send an extended thank you to Miss Hayden and Mr Fowle for supporting him throughout the process.

Ife A gained a scholarship on the AMOS bursary Scholarship Programme.

I

Nancy C: LinkedIn with Laura Yeates-Clifford Chance (a leading International Law firm)

In October 2021, Nancy C participated in a Clifford Chance Insight Day. Nancy then took the initiative and messaged Laura Yeates on her LinkedIn account. Nancy's online presence and ability to articulate herself by answering a number of questions really impressed Laura Yeates. Since this time Nancy has attended Clifford Chance events such as the 'Together We Are One Firm' and ‘Real Estate Insight Day’. Through establishing these connctions Laura Yeates has kindly offered to attend LPGS Future Fairs 2022. Nancy will assist Laura Yeates with a stall to showcase the amazing opportunities networking online can reap. It is part of Nancy’s dream to become a commercial solicitor for Clifford Chance. Nancy would also like to thank Miss Hayden for introducing her to LinkedIn.

Visual Arts & Life Drawing

Life Drawing has at last made a return to the Visual Arts Department. Local artist Hugh Henderson is running sessions every Monday evening from 3.30pm to 5pm until the Easter holidays. To date we have Y12 and Y13 students attending and some staff members too but if anyone else would like to join or try out a session them please do contact Mr Fox Joyce (Head of Visual Arts) - ef@lpgs.bromley.sch.uk

Life Drawing is an essential skill for any developing artist, especially for those students applying for further courses in the Creative Arts at university level.

GUEST SPEAKER - SARAH HABERSHON

In February we were very fortunate to have guest speaker Sarah Habershon hold an online live presentation for our Media Agency students. Sarah talked about her journey from her student days as a young creative to working at The Guardian Newspaper for a long and fruitful 20 year career.

Sarah Habershon is an art director for The Guardian newspaper. She designs 'G2' - the daily Monday to Friday features section within the printed newspaper. This is a life and arts section featuring interviews and topical features. Like the news part of the paper, there is a deadline every day.

She has been at the Guardian 20 years, and worked on different parts of the paper in that time: The Guide (weekly TV and culture listings) and a number of the Saturday sections (Travel, Money, Review, Family), as well as assisting on some of the major re-designs.

Earlier career:

She always wanted to be a magazine designer! After an art foundation course, she studied Graphic Design at The London College of Printing (now London College of Communication) obtaining a BA Hons degree in Graphic Design. After this, freelance work on music magazines Smash Hits, Melody Maker and Number One led to her first full time job: on Number One pop magazine. Later full time employment included Smash Hits, and Neon (a film magazine), with freelance work in between on women's magazines and music titles.

Credits:

Created with images by 165106 - "spring flowers forget me not" • freephotocc - "art art supplies artist" • kconcha - "magazine colors media"