Message from the Headteacher, Ms A Sharma:
Thank you to all parents/ carers for your support with the arrangements regarding the National Teachers’ strike day. I know it can be inconvenient to sort out childcare arrangements but hopefully, this will lead to better conditions and resources for your children in our schools.
It was great to see Year 8 and 10 students participate so enthusiastically in the careers conference on Friday. Nearly fifty experts from different businesses presented information about possible career pathways in their respective fields to our students. We welcomed our Year 11 students who were beautifully dressed in their prom outfits for their final farewell celebration at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
With only two weeks to go before we break up for the summer term, please remind your children that high standards of learning and behaviour must be maintained right up to the last day of term.
Have a great weekend.
Bali Rai visits Villiers
World renowned author, Bali Rai visited Villiers to run creative writing workshops for a group of Year 9 students. Rai is a British author known for his thought-provoking and culturally diverse young adult novels. Born on June 30, 1971, in Leicester, England, Rai grew up in a working-class Punjabi immigrant family. His experiences as a British-Asian in a multicultural society greatly influences his writing, and he has become an advocate for diversity and representation in literature.
During the workshops, Bali worked with students to enhance creative writing skills and provided insights into the writing process such as creating curiosity in the reader, linking to an emotion and making the content resonate. Students also had the chance to ask questions, receive feedback on their work, and learn about the author’s personal experiences and inspirations. These interactions were highly motivating and encouraged students to develop their own unique voices as writers.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the students, which promoted literacy and provided students with valuable learning experiences. The visit certainly inspired and empowered the Year 9 students to continue honing their writing skills and exploring the world of literature.
Rida makes history!
Congratulations to Rida 9H, who took part in the finals of the National Routes into Languages Translation Bee competition in Spanish at Cambridge University and came 3rd in the whole country! Rida was one of the top 4 in Spanish of the final 57 competitors, who attended the finals at the faculty of Modern & Medeival Languages. 13,730 students from all over Britain took part in the competition this year. We are immensely proud of Rida for coming 3rd! All of her training and hard work has paid off. She is an inspiration to everyone. After the competition, we were privileged to be shown around the prestigious campus by a PhD student, who had gained a 1st class degree in Hispanic Studies, which had allowed him to come and do his MA & PhD at Cambridge. He had spent his year abroad teaching English in Zaragoza, Spain. This is the same town Villiers students have done a letter exchange with a Spanish school. We also met a linguistics student, whose MA had enabled her to secure a job in the Ministry of Defence. Well done to Kinza 7E, who supported her sister Rida with rigorous quick fire questioning, which kept her prepped and ready to win.
Maths outreach with Hambrough Primary School
Forty students from Hambrough Primary School attended the ‘Villiers maths outreach’ programme. The purpose of this workshop was to foster mathematical curiosity and resiliency early in a child’s learning and to inspire students to apply their mathematical thinking to real-world challenges. The session also encouraged groups of students to brainstorm numerous mathematical problem-solving strategies. The session ran successfully with the assistance of our talented Year 8 mathematicians, who are a part of the Maths Circle. Thank you to the following 6th formers for helping the workshop run efficiently- Heli 12E, Dilusha 12L and Georgina 12E.
Year 7 & 8- British Library trip
Congratulations to our exceptional Year 7 & 8 students, who embarked on an unforgettable adventure to the prestigious British Library to honour their achievements, as our top book borrowers, accelerated readers and Readathon champions. We commend your remarkable achievements and encourage you to continue your literary journey.
Art and photography show 2023
Uniform for September 2023
Over the Summer holidays, many parents and carers will be buying new items of uniform for their children. We would strongly encourage you to check our school website’s “Key parental information” section and visit uniform to make sure that items you are purchasing are in line with our uniform policy. For example, we do not allow students to wear trainers, only black, polishable shoes. The school jumper is optional but the blazer is compulsory (NB you are able to buy a plain navy blue blazer and purchase a logo to sew or iron on). There is information on acceptable haircuts, jewellery and make-up too. We have sourced our providers to make sure that prices are affordable and competitive and give details on our website. If you have any questions, please either contact your child’s Head of Year or info@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Parent outreach meeting
We recently conducted our fourth parent outreach meeting at Villiers. The workshop focused on the theme of ‘staying safe, staying healthy’ and aimed to provide parents with valuable information. Our school’s catering manager/ chef Mr. Charlie, shared useful tips and strategies for maintaining a healthy diet. Additionally, guidelines on ensuring online safety for children were also provided by Mr. Silva (Parent Ambassador). All attendees expressed their appreciation for the workshop, acknowledging its value and importance.
Year 8 activity days
Students in 8V, 8I, 8L, and 8E will visit the Imperial War Museum, London on Wednesday 19th July. Students in 8R, 8S, 8H, 8G, and 8C will visit the Imperial War Museum, London on Thursday 20th July. The Imperial War Museum is a global authority on conflict and its impact on people’s lives. Students should come in full uniform for the trip to the museum.
Students in 8R, 8S, 8H, 8G, and 8C will participate in ‘The Hub Challenge’ at school on Wednesday 19th July. Students in 8V, 8I, 8L, and 8E will participate in ‘The Hub Challenge’ on Thursday 20th July. The team-building activities will provide students with the opportunity to plan, communicate, work together and stay motivated in a fun, energy-packed activity day. Students must come into school wearing their PE kit for the Hub Challenge.
We advise that students bring the following with them on both days:
- Sun cream
- A large bottle of water
- Hat/ cap
- Packed lunch (where a student receives a free school lunch, this will be supplied).
Students who require medication MUST bring their medicine(s) with them and supply a spare to their supervising teacher.
Students travelling to the Imperial Museum should return to school by 3.40pm. Students who attend The Hub Challenge will be dismissed at the end of the school day.
Year 7 Induction Day
Guidebook
We have compiled a helpful guidebook for parents and students at Villiers, containing valuable information about external organisations that offer support and guidance. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Silva or Mr. M Abdulrahman (Parent Ambassadors ) via phone: 020 8813 8001, ext. 1016.
Library information
The last loan date for all students is Thursday 6th July 2023. All loans need to be returned by Friday 14th July 2023. Your loans will be recorded as ‘overdue’ if they are not returned by this date.
If any student would like to loan books over the summer period, please see the school librarian between Monday 17th – Thursday 20th July 2023 (after school) this will be discretionary and if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding summer loans/ extensions then call or email the school librarian on:
0208 8138001 x1371
librarian@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Library opening hours:
Monday 8am – 4.30pm
Tuesday 8am – 4.30Pm
Wednesday 8am – 4.30pm
Thursday 8am – 3.10 (closed after school)
Friday 8am – 4.30pm
Autism awareness bookmark competition
The SEN department and the library are working together to promote a better understanding of Autism. Our latest bookmark competition highlights the different types of Autism. The library will also be running an Autism book display and these books are available to students. Students can contact the SEN department or the school librarian if they require any more information. Please encourage your child to participate in the bookmark competition.
Ealing summer holidays activities and food (HAF) programme
Mobile phones
As of September, 2023 smart phones and headphones (including in-ear and AirPods) will not be allowed to be used on the school site by students from Year 7 – 11. Sixth formers will be allowed to use these items only in their dedicated areas (6D1 and 6D2) if given permission by the staff in there and not elsewhere on the school site. This is to support students with concentration, increasing opportunities to develop social skills, high quality play and oracy, as a method of avoiding cyber-bullying and to prevent loss or theft. If you wish your child to have a mobile phone with them on the way to or from school, this is fine. Non smart phones are often cheaper and more durable e.g. this example from Tesco. These phones should be switched off during the day and kept in bags. AirPods or headphones may be used on the way too and from school, but need to be put away before reaching the school gate. Should these items be seen (NB not necessarily in use) within the school gates, they will be confiscated and parents (not pupils) are welcome to collect them at the end of the week from 3.45pm. If the incident happens on a Friday, then the items may be collected the following Friday. If you wish to discuss this or have any further feedback, please contact crichards@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Welfare and Medical Updates
Year 8 HPV vaccinations will be held on Wednesday 12th July 2023. An electronic consent form has been sent to you via email. This must be completed as soon as possible, even if you do not consent, please select ‘no’. Please read the letter sent out for further details, and if you have any questions you may contact the Welfare Officer.
A reminder that students should not be carrying any medication, unless it has been prescribed by the doctor to take in school and a medication consent form has been filled in for safety purposes. Students are not allowed to call home for sickness, as this disrupts the school. If you are feeling unwell, you must go to welfare and parents/carers will be contacted if necessary.
We would like to ensure that our school records accurately reflect your child’s medical needs including information on any allergies. Please keep us informed of any changes to your child’s medical allergy condition(s) to ensure information is accurate and up to date on our school system. If a student has been prescribed an Epi-Pen by their doctor, they should carry two Epi-Pens. One to be carried on their person and the other to be provided to school in case of an emergency. In addition, please encourage your child to check with the canteen staff for any food allergens food before purchasing and to read the food labels on display. If you have any queries, please contact the welfare officer directly via email- welfare@villiers.ealing.sch.uk or by calling the school. Food related questions can be directed to- cparameswaran@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Summer Term Club Timetable
A&E pressure
Our A&Es are under particular pressure at the moment. They are seeing a significant increase in health issues related to the hot weather and the very high pollen count in the area. They have published some information to help members of the public understand the right place for them to go when they need help from the NHS but also advice on staying well in warm weather and top tips around asthma and hay fever.
Key Forthcoming Dates
Get in Touch
If you have any suggestions on how to improve the school further or any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email: info@villiers.ealing.sch.uk