View this or a previous version in a web browser.

Friday 27th April 2018

'Never underestimate the power of a smile', I was once told when discussing leadership styles, skills and characteristics. The statement is one that really holds true to me across all aspects of human life, not just leadership. We've all had such a positive start to the term here at Harrow Way, and for me, I've spent a little time this week reflecting on how the power of a smile has really made a measurable difference. Something so simple, that costs nothing! I have met some incredible 'smilers' this week some of whom are in the photo below. I was delighted to pop into the gymnasium and see our Year 7 students really making a difference. We hosted a sponsored obstacle course - our Year 7 sports leaders/students along with Miss Escritt were supporting students from Icknield, raising money for their school. It was wonderful to see Icknield/Harrow Way students working together. It made my week!

We also also hosted the PE Exam Moderation at Harrow Way yesterday. Year 11 Students from Harrow Way and other local schools were assessed for the practical elements of their PE Exam.

Assemblies
Assemblies this week have been focussing on the topic of wellbeing and what we can do ourselves to take care of our own well being. With Year 7 we looked at taking care of each other in our community and going beyond our Anti Bullying Charter of not deliberately causing hurt to others, but actually deliberately helping each other and helping people to feel included. The other year groups have been considering resilience and how we respond to challenges in and out of the classroom. We decided that success in life was more determined by our ability to be resilient and manage challenges than necessarily our natural talent or intelligence. All students have been challenged to meet problems with a "can do" attitude and try to be solution focussed wherever they can.

Year 11 Assembly and Motivational Speaker
This morning, Year 11 students had a special assembly where they watched a 'Words of Wisdom' video from their teachers. They even had a video message from astronaut Tim Peake wishing them well for the future (see below). At the end of assembly every student received a personal letter from their family, friends or teachers, filled with words of motivation and encouragement.

During the day, students then had a talk from a motivational coach, Jim Roberson. The aim of the session is to help students get the best out of themselves for a successful future.

School Visits
Year 8 girls Computing Club visited Lloyds Banking Group at Charlton Place, Andover yesterday where the 7 girls were shown around the building and then met the robotics team. This is a newly formed team of people who concentrate on programming to make tasks easier, simpler and more automated within the business. The girls got hands-on experience in using the programming language and made an automated system to log onto their homework. Unfortunately we were not able to get the program to complete homework for them, but maybe next time! The girls also gained an insight into what some other staff at the company do for their daily jobs and experienced life in the large, open plan environment. The girls then spent the rest of the time filming a new E-Safety video for a project they are completing for Lloyds Bank. Year 9 are visiting Marwell Zoo today as part of their Science Curriculum. Students will be looking at adaptations of animals and means of conservation, some images can be viewed on our twitter feed.

Year 11 Exam Preparation Timetable
Year 11 parents have been e-mailed a link to the exam preparation timetable that Year 11 students will be following from 14th May in order to prepare them for each examination. This timetable sets out where students need to be in the final weeks and during exams. Study leave does not exist any longer and therefore students continue to attend all lessons unless otherwise directed, they should bring revision materials with them once they have finished that subject and teachers will provide a suitable environment to study and support them with the learning.

Please note that some warm up sessions begin at 8am and therefore students may need support in arranging transport to allow them to benefit from this opportunity.

I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight that students are responsible for getting to and from exams on time and need therefore to plan for this. Morning exams will start at 9:05am (students should be in school by 8:45am) and afternoon exams start at 1:15pm (students should be in school by 1pm).

Students must arrive in correct and complete school uniform, girls need to ensure that they are wearing a skirt of appropriate style and length (no shorter than one hands width above the knee), and fully equipped as we are unable to lend equipment in the exams.

I would like to thank you for your continued calm and steady support of all students as we enter the final preparation phase for GCSEs and encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns.

Hope, Peace and Remembrance
Harrow Way has been invited to participate in the Hope, Peace and Remembrance project to commemorate the end of WW1. The project will culminate in hanging exhibitions of white artwork across Hampshire including Winchester Cathedral and the Iron Age Museum in Andover. Harrow Way is a host school so several schools will bring or send their artwork to us to prepare for the exhibitions.

At Harrow Way a small year 8 group has been gathering each week to generate and develop ideas to connect to the theme. They chose the shape of the butterfly as, cross-culturally it is a poignant emblem. The decoration had to be meaningful and symbolic:

• The white fabric resembles tea bag material to link to our cultural community of gathering for tea to calm our troubles.
• Images, maps and text were collaged to the surface.
• The machine and hand stitching connected in two ways; to symbolise the marching soldiers who travelled across foreign lands and to congratulate the many women that participated in the war effort.
• An expressive painted background evoked the chaos of the battlefield using colours that described a better time ahead.

5 x classes in Year 7 have participated in creating butterflies and a workshop has been organized for staff to enable everyone the opportunity to participate.

Poetry Publication
We are delighted to announce that Adrian Graham from 7 HPB is to have a poem published in the book The Poetry Games, Immersed in Words. Adrian entered the Poetry Games writing competition run by Young Writers.co.uk which was promoted by our Library. Many congratulations, Adrian!

Year 8 Curriculum Evening and 1 to 1 appointments
Year 8 parents should now have received the Pathways Booklet and their appointment details for next week We look forward to welcoming them and our Year 8 students to the Curriculum Evening on 30th April, starting at 6.30 pm. There will be a presentation by the Headteacher and senior staff then individual presentations by subject leaders in their departments. Individual meetings with senior staff follow on 2nd and 3rd May to discuss subject choices in Year 9.

Home Learning Booklets
Year 7 and Year 8 Summer Home Learning Booklets have been distributed to students. They are also available to view on Show My Homework and on the Letters Home Page.

Parent Progress View
A reminder that our new online parental engagement platform, Parent Progress View, is available for parents to request access. This provides access to the same annual reports, behaviour / achievement detail and school attendance information as SIMS Learning Gateway, but addresses some of its limitations - including full support for mobile devices and self-service password resets.

Parent Progress View is now part of our existing Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and parents are welcome to request an account by completing the 'Parent Progress View Signup' form on our school website under the 'Parents' banner.

Road Safety - Headphones
Do please remind your child that if they are walking to and from school they should take care and be aware of other road users. Using headphones can cut out traffic noise and it is all too easy to 'zone out' when listening to music.

A-Fest 2018, Andover's free Youth Festival, is highlighting the fantastic range of youth provision in Andover, and will showcase the activities and opportunities for young people between 5 and 18.

Alongside 30 local organisations offering opportunities for young people in Andover, there will be a fairground, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, children's entertainer, storyteller, children's theatre group, martial arts demonstrations, dance demonstrations, and a fire engine, and police vehicle.

There will be a small stage, which will be used for much of the entertainment, along with an open mic opportunity.

A-Fest takes place on Sunday 29th April from 11.00-15.00 in Andover High Street, please do come along, for more information visit: facebook.com/afestandover

These visits for 2017/18 have currently been agreed by the Headteacher. Others will be added throughout the year. There is no guarantee that they will all go ahead as this depends on student uptake. Further details on each visit will be given out to the year group/classes involved by the member of staff organising the visit.

Harrow Way Community School (All Parents) Mailing List

Please contact the Admin Office, including your e-mail address and child's name (if applicable) to update your contact details or unsubscribe. Contact the school here.