Message from the Headteacher, Mr C Richards:
Throughout October we are proud to be celebrating Black History month. This year’s theme ‘Celebrating our Sisters’ “emphasises the vital role black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. This year’s commemoration will feature trailblazing black women who have made incredible contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.” Through lessons, activities and competitions, we will aim to amplify their voices, stories, and achievements, inspiring future generations to carry on their legacy.
This week some of our older students have taken part in the UK Senior Maths Challenge, we have had an Architecture workshop and received a visit from Diversity Role models. Our full governing body met for the first time this Academic year on Thursday evening and if you would like to contribute as a parent governor, please do respond to our email and advert sent out this week.
Year 7 Settling in Tutor Evening
Please download and read the message below regarding Yr 7 Settling evening taking place on Thursday 12th October 2023.
Victoria and Albert Museum trip
Product Design KS4 & 5 students had a fabulous trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum to take part in a ‘Design for Change’ workshop. The workshop focused on zeitgeist movements such as activism and social awareness and students drew from the V&A’s collection of design as a catalyst for change. The students had a lovely time on their excursion to central London.
Brass Bonanza
On Friday 29th September, over a period of two and a half hours, 42 Year 7 and 8 students arrived at the music rooms in groups of six to ‘try-out’ for eight available brass instruments. Ms Henderson, our brass teacher, was delighted with the level of interest at Villiers and impressed with the punctuality and behaviour of the pupils involved. Ms Henderson commented that some pupils have a natural ability, show great potential and will be invited back for a second try.
Celebrating Black History Month
Uniform
Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for school before they leave you in the mornings. The vast majority of our pupils wear their uniform with pride. We do not accept hooped earrings or nose rings due to the health and safety implications; long sleeved t-shirts under short-sleeved shirts are not acceptable (just wear long sleeves or the blazer) and shoes must be black and polishable. To check the uniform policy or suppliers, please visit our website.
Your voice, Your Town
What is Your Voice Your Town about?
Ealing Council is working to support thriving communities: bringing people together to build strong neighbourhoods, empowering volunteers, encouraging community activism and delivering well-loved community facilities and services.
As part of this Ealing Council wants to develop new ways for the residents of each of Ealing’s seven towns to come together and make decisions about their neighbourhoods. We know that many residents would like to get involved in designing solutions to local problems together with the community and the council, or to be more involved in the things that matter most to them where they live. In particular, Ealing Council wants to develop ways that residents can influence how money is spent and have direct spending power to improve their local area. These new activities will replace the ward forums which were in place before the pandemic.
Rather than having a fixed plan about how these structures will work (e.g. meetings or more flexible groups, online / offline, town-level or more local), we want to develop activities which are inclusive for everyone and support lots of different types of people to get involved. Ealing is a diverse borough, with people from many different backgrounds, with different circumstances and experiences of getting involved in their local community. We want different local areas to be able to work in ways that suit them. We will therefore decide the structure for these new activities together with residents.
What are you trying to find out from residents?
At this stage, the council wants to hear from residents, or people who work or study here, about how they currently get involved to improve their local area, how they would like to be involved in the future, what would need to happen to make that possible, and what would they want to change about their area. We will use these perspectives to shape the next stages of the project.
To help with the data collection we are encouraging people to take part in the online engagement survey at www.dosomethinggood.org.uk/your-voice-your-town or use this QR
We have until 10th November to collect the data.
After that the council will share back what we have learnt. The results of the survey and engagement activities will be used to support smaller co-design groups to begin to develop and pilot models that suit different towns in the borough. A core part of the co-design groups’ role will be to continue to engage with the wider community and there will be opportunities for residents to get involved in future activities. As these conversations develop, your communities and the council will learn together the best ways to create thriving and vibrant neighbourhoods.”
Free school meal applications – please read
Families who are not currently registered for free school meals, but feel that they are eligible can apply using the following link here. Free school meals are available for pupils of parents/carers that receive certain benefits. Further information on the criteria for applying can be found here.
We have included video guidance for families to view which gives details on how to set up a ParentPay account. You can find further information on the ParentPay help page. For further queries or if you are unable to set up your account, please contact the school office via email on info@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Any ID cards, holders, lanyards, blazer badges or school planners purchased via ParentPay must be collected from the school office (not the canteen).
How do I pay for my items? (Video)
ParentPay guide (Video)
Villiers Diner
We are excited to share next week’s canteen menu with you. Please click on each image to expand.
Ealing Mental Health Support Team (Workshop for parents)
Students with prescription medication
A reminder that students should not be carrying any medication in school (with the exception of epi pens and asthma pumps). Any prescription medication (given by a GP) must be handed to the welfare room and a medication consent form should be completed by families for health and safety purposes. If students are feeling unwell, they must go to the welfare room and families will be contacted if necessary.
Medical and allergy information
We need 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: one to be carried on their person and the other to be provided to the welfare room in case of an emergency.
In addition, please encourage your child to check with the canteen staff for any food allergens 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 Charlie (Catering Manager) via email cparameswaran@villiers.ealing.sch.uk
Homeless Charity
Volunteer with the Felix Project
To continue supporting our community, the SEND team is planning a donation to help the homeless of Southall. We would like families to please contribute towards the cause. All items will be donated to the Hope for Southall Street Homeless.
Men’s clothes needed: All medium sized.
• Winter Jackets
• Joggers and Hoodies
• Socks
• Trainers (sizes 8, 9, 10)
The dropping point will be in school and for more information the contact person will be Ms Z Rathod. Last date for collection is Wednesday 1st November 2023.
Volunteer with The Felix Project and join thousands of fellow Londoners in the fight against food waste and hunger. The Felix Project is London’s leading food redistribution charity and is looking for volunteers to help redistribute supplies. If you have time to volunteer, please click here to find out more.
Cycling into school
Any students cycling into school need to ensure bikes are placed in the caged bike shed.
Autumn Term extra curricular clubs timetable
We are very proud of our enrichment offer. Please see the timetable for all activities taking place this term. See below for details of our lunch and after school clubs.
Key forthcoming dates
For our major events, please check here.
| 09/10/23 | Year 7 CAT testing week |
| 11/10/23 | Year 11 Geography Field Trip |
| 12/10/23 | Year 12 Induction TripYear 7 Parents’ Evening 1630 – 1830 |
| 13/10/23 | Diversity Role Models (Year 7 – remaining groups) Y13 BTEC Business Trip – London Job Show Year 10 Reading Screen |
| 16/10/23 | Y11 Geography Field Trip |
| 17/10/23 | School Streets: Walking Workshop (PM) |
| 18/10/23 | GCSE Music Solo Recordings Y7 Science Trip – Natural History Museum University Admission Tests |
| 19/10/23 | GCSE Music Solo Recordings Y11 Art Trip – National Portrait Gallery University Admission Tests |
| 20/10/23 | Year 9 Reading Screen University Admission Tests School Council Meeting 1 |
| Looking ahead: Half term 21/10/23 – 29/10/23 | |
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