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Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2018
Dear Students, Parents and Carers
Welcome back and I hope everyone had a pleasant break.
It has once again been a summer of school improvements and school successes, both giving us cause to celebrate. Let us start with our wonderful students - and didn’t they do well?
GCSE Results
This was the first summer where students sat the majority of their GCSE and A levels as the new style, more rigorous examinations. The new awards contain far more content at a higher level. In addition, they are 100% examination based with no practical or course work elements. Despite these changes, once again students at Alexandra Park School have achieved excellent exam results at GCSE and A level. These results are a testament to our staff, the determination and hard work of our
students and the support of their families.
It was an impressive performance from our Year 11 students this summer, some 80% of our students achieved more than five good GCSEs including English and maths.
Year 11 Students at APS can choose to study from a range of 30 different subject qualifications, highlighting our focus on a broad and balanced curriculum. Of these 30 areas, 26 had an above 80% pass rate and 13 achieved more than 90% including: art, astronomy, biology, chemistry, classics, computer science, further maths, English literature, Mandarin, music, physics and Turkish.
That we have achieved such high levels of success is a reflection of the school’s continuing commitment to quality and excellence for all students.
There were some brilliant individual results with 73 of our students (more than a third of the year group) achieving 5 or more of the very top grades.
These are exceptional results which are celebrated but they are just one part of APS. We have a comprehensive intake and celebrate achievements at all levels. Our Attainment 8 score has risen to 57.3 and our Progress 8 score which measures the progress of all students through their 5 years with us is once again exceptional, at more than +0.50. These place APS in the top group of schools for attainment and adding value to every child. Our students enjoy school, learn well and are involved in a wealth of activities which help them to develop into the well-rounded individuals we can all be proud of.
A Level Results
As expected, our sixth form enrolment saw a record number of students sign up, with more than 300 joining Year 12, taking the sixth form to 500 students.
The reason it is so popular is because of the excellent results we achieve. I mentioned last year that I drove to work behind a bus advert declaring “For the best results in North London come to Alexandra Park Sixth Form’. I’m still not sure if being on the back of the 184 is a good thing! The message, though, is correct. We welcome a full range of students at various starting points in their academic school career.
In all cases, our A level results match and surpass selective institutions in the area. At APS 63% of the grades awarded were top grades A*-B and 88% gained A-C grades.
GCSE Results
Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
5 + good grades incl. English & Maths
72 78 79 80 80
Normally, I would give a special mention to our
GCSE top achievers in this space but this year, there are too many to fit on the page so they are listed on
Page 3.
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Many schools judge their success by the proportion of students accepted into top universities. 57% of our students went to the top 30 UK universities. They were well advised and appreciated that choosing the correct course should be the first factor in applications for under-graduate study. More than 8 out of 10 of our students got their first choice university and their first choice of course.
A special mention to the 10% of students who achieved straight A*/As. There are too many to mention individually but they will be reading subjects as varied as classics, medicine, English, history, maths, architecture, physics, economics, politics and
chemistry at universities across the country including Oxford, Birmingham, Warwick, LSE, Kings, St Georges, Manchester, UCL, Nottingham, Bristol and Cambridge.
We wish the whole year group the very best. They have been wonderful throughout their time at APS.
A2 Results
A level Percentage
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
A*-B grades 60 63 70 65 63
A*-C grades 86 89 91 87 88
A*-E grades 100 100 100 100 100
Year 13 (sixth form of 2018)
Congratulations from Mr Hill:
It has been another incredibly successful year for APS sixth form students and I am so impressed by and proud of the achievements of every student in Year 13. University places have been gained by more than 175 students, a record number for the school, with a healthy number of these being Russell Group Universities.
Students are off to read a range of subjects, from anthropology to zoology, Chinese to law, a reflection of the diversity of talent amongst our students. Some of the headline stories:
• 36% of grades were A*-A
• 63% were A*-B
• Three students have been accepted to Oxbridge. Raphaella Ridley, medicine (Oxford), Ava Mitchell, human sciences (Oxford) and Sharon Owusu-Kyereh, classics (Cam). Well done for an exceptional result and good luck at the Dreaming Spires!
• Economics, engineering, law, history and business are our most popular subject choices this year reflecting our excellent maths, physics and humanities results.
• After achieving an impressive A*A*AAA, Jeremy Atkinson has chosen to read physics at the top University of Birmingham.
• George Burgess achieved an equally impressive A*A*AAA and is off to read mathematics at the prestigious University of Warwick.
• Catriona Lockhart will be joining the distinguished Guildhall Conservatoire this year where she will be continuing her study of the oboe. A great achievement!
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9 or more A*/A/9/8
Destiny Aluko Ella Gregory Akshay Patel
Sophia Amin Priscilla Harkavy Eva Pena-Filmer
Alexandros Androutsos Ky Hope Edward Pettifer
Alex Appelquist Luke Hopper Ted Proctor
Aysem Bal Vicky Katzarov Zuzanna Radlo
Angelina Bogdanova Cosmo Kemp Mya Rehman
Stanley Bonham-Carter Nicole Lalovic Ailsa Robb
Christopher Bryan Alfie Lucas Mario Robinson
Olivia Bucherer-Ezer Khadar Mahamed Lydia Sheppard
Stefan Cole Clem Marshall Edward Simon
Phoebe Crutchley Lola McAuley Ned Stickler
Gabriel Da Silva Eva McNeill Aan Tailor
Michael Deane Liliana Newsam-Smith Jamie Toeg
Ned Elser Sammy O'Neill Philipp Wiedemann
Clio Gartshore Goncalo Osorio Owen Williams
Grace Geller Cecilia Panteli Damian Zalabardo
Max Parker
Exceptional Performance
Anna Zanelli Eva Laverty Monika Alieva
Daniel Dobres Laithe Abdur-Rahman Roza Hassan
Elif Koyunlu Luke Hopper Sam Marsh
Ethan McNamara Max Fowler-Wright Samuel Harding
Congratulations from Mr Butler
A massive well-earned congratulations to our Year 11 class of 2018 for achieving such impressive GCSE grades this summer. The hard work, commitment and dedication really did pay dividends.
All of our students performed well above our expectations but a special mention must be extended to the students named below for their outstanding achievement:
• A special mention to Pavlina Zachariou and Mayan Vaithilingam who both achieved an excellent Distinction in their Applied Science National Diploma and are heading off to Hertfordshire to read paramedical science.
• Students have also gained places on an impressive range of creative courses including song writing and interior design. Several students are also off to complete their art foundation this year.
It has been such a pleasure to guide and support you through your A Level studies. I wish all of our 2018 leavers the best of luck in their future studies and beyond.
Another APS Champion!
Totally Stoked!
Congratulations to Rio O’Byrne who let his skating do the talking when he picked up a winner’s trophy at the National
Ramp Championships held in Margate this summer.
Certified Legend.
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WELCOME BACK
YEAR 7
Mr Butler writes:
I have been very impressed with how quickly our new Year 7 students have all settled into life at APS. It has been a pleasure to walk into their tutor rooms, classrooms and around school and see them all demonstrating a good attitude to their own learning.
I have been particularly impressed with how each student has been eager to get involved with clubs and extra curricular activities.
So far, Year 7 have collected the most commendations for APS Values – Independence.
I look forward to watching the students progress and I thank you all for your support so far.
YEAR 8
Mr Richardson writes:
It has been great to see how much our students have grown over the six week holiday.
Your roles as parents and carers continue to be vital in supporting your child’s progress. Please continue to encourage your children to attend school each day and be punctual, fully equipped and ready to learn. Students should also be checking Show My Homework regularly, which you are also able to do using your parent logins. Please get in touch with your child’s form tutor if you have any issues logging into Show My Homework.
Our focus this year will be developing useful study skills and maintaining high participation in extracurricular activities.
I would finally like to introduce Debbie Wright, who will be our Pastoral Support Officer for Year 8 and Year 9. Please also feel free to contact Debbie with anything regarding your child, her contact details are below:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8826 4880 (Ext. 4901)
I am confident our year group can enjoy another successful academic year at APS. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday 9th October for your child’s tutor meeting and Wednesday 1st May 2019 to review your child’s progress across all subjects.
YEAR 9
Ms Simon writes:
Welcome back to APS and to Year 9! Your final year of Key Stage 3 will be a busy one but hopefully the best yet. I have already been approached by lots of students to ask about the GCSE options process and about the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. Both of these are exciting opportunities to broaden horizons and to develop new skills; please rest assured that there will be plenty of support and guidance over the next term and a half to support students in making suitable and positive choices.
This term, we are looking into running some additional extra curricular activities for Year 9 students. Following last term’s successful taster session, we will be running weekly after-school yoga sessions. We are also lucky enough to have a Year 9 parent who has volunteered to teach a course of beginners’ Kung Fu sessions. Please email me ([email protected]) should you require further information or would like your child to take part.
Please also be aware that our uniform policy is available on the school website. Please do check it before purchasing new items.
YEAR 10
Mr Hudson writes:
Welcome back to all Year 10 students and their families.
Year 10 have made an excellent start to Key Stage 4. They have returned to school well presented, punctual and have approached their new classes with a positive mind set and lots of enthusiasm. A testament to this is the large number of students have already accrued the required amount of commendations to leave the site at lunch.
I have every faith that the students will be hugely successful in their GCSE’s. A few guidance points to help them suceed:
· Sensible and safe social interactions
· A healthy lifestyle – sensible bed times, good breakfasts and regular physical activities
· Clear homework routines and an organised bag and work space
· A robust attitude to attendance. If in doubt – come to school
· A positive attitude towards leaning
YEAR 11
Mr Bonham-Carter writes:
Congratulations to the 63 Year 11 students who sat various public exams at the end of Year 10. As well as an amazing crop of A*s and As in further maths, we had students achieving highly in various language GCSEs. Well done especially to Josh, Megan, Jenny and Matthew for doing so well in their NVQ awards. It’s great to have so many exam experts in the year group.
I have stressed to Year 11 students that they must focus on getting the small details right this year.
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Organisation – they need a tidy work space, well organised and equipped bags, a calendar on the wall and should start creating
revision timetables.
Independence – they must take responsibility for their learning - identify where they need to improve, know the exams they are
sitting (exam boards, key topics and dates)
Resilience – This will be a tough year and there will be set-backs along the way. Students need to look after themselves and each
other. They must eat healthily, take exercise and, crucially, get enough sleep!
Subject teachers and tutors are very keen to help all our students. Please do ask if you are ever in doubt about anything. There is a wealth of information on the Key Stage 4 blog as well as under subject areas on the school website. There will also be an excellent opportunity to discuss any issues with tutors on the first student progress day, Tuesday 9th October.
Head students and Prefects:
Congratulations to Harry Showell and Bernice Ukunzwe for becoming our Head Students and to the students listed below on being selected as School Prefects. We will also shortly be asking some Year 11 students to take roles as mentors for Year 7.
Francesca Borzini-Castor, 10A Ben Dawson 10P
Milly Claridge 10A Kim Peci 10P
Andreas Cambanis 10A Bernice Ukunzwe 10R
Josh Jennings 10A Solomon Bird 10R
Phoebe Alemayehu 10E Toby Overfield 10R
Suhanah Hussain 10E Sasha Brealey 10S
Anna Lawrence-Wasserberg 10E Grace Luwawu 10S
Zara Brown-Guhli 10K Sara Qassam 10S
Bailey Betteridge 10K Kane Daniel 10S
Aimee Croxall 10L Harry Showell 10S
Israa Tifas 10L Uma Dell 10X
Keshav Jagjivan 10L Daniel Burgess 10X
Molly Sheldon 10P Christopher Zangala 10X
Arya Vahidi 10P
*** Special Year 11 Parents Evening: GCSE Study Skills Session, Thursday 4th October from 6 pm ***
Year 11 parents are warmly invited to an evening at APS to discuss the run-up to GCSEs in May. During the evening heads of department from English, Maths and Science will explain the various interventions and revision sessions on offer. We will also discuss
revision techniques and hear from parents and students who have been through the process.
YEAR 13 (former Year 12)
Ms Julian writes:
Congratulations to all of the current Year 13 students who performed so well in the Summer examinations. The results were outstanding, our best ever, with an impressive increase in students achieving the top grades and also now the biggest cohort to move forward into Year 13. Notable successes include Ella Arends Page (AAAA), Idil Balci (AAA), Sylvia Barillaro (AAA), Alex Bramley (AAAA), Ariadne Cambanis (AAAA), Lucy Corry (AAA), Amelia Ferrari (AAA), Juliet Firth (AAAA), Max Fuller (AAAA), Archie Herod-Robinson (AAAB), Jim Jolley (AAAB), Sam Levitas (AAAB), Myesha Munro (A*AA), Temmuz Ozcagatay (AAAC), Max Rooney (AAAA), Maisy Syratt (AAAA), Aishwarya Taylor (AAAA).
I would of course also like to congratulate all of those students who achieved or even exceeded their target grades – we are very proud of your success and know how hard you worked to achieve these incredible results.
I am delighted to see the Year 13 students settling into the term and working hard in subject areas as well as on the completion of their UCAS applications. This term is a busy and crucial time for the Year 13 and hopefully we can provide them with the support and
motivation to ensure their success.
Key dates to be aware of are:
9th October – Student Progress Day
15th October – early applicants’ deadline
15th November – internal deadline for UCAS applications
On every Wednesday afternoon, staffed enrichment sessions provide all students with support with their UCAS applications or with any alternative plans that they have for finishing school. All students are expected to attend on alternate weeks and spend time completing their online application, finalising university choices or investigating alternative routes eg apprenticeships, ga p year projects and art and design routes.
Tutors of Year 13 students will be e-mailing parents on a regular basis this term, to keep them updated on students’ progress and are looking forward to meeting parents and students on the first School Progress Day.
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MFL
Mandarin Excellence Program - trip to Shanghai
McKenzie Munn Year 9 writes:
I never anticipated what excellence meant, within ‘The Mandarin Excellence Program’ I always felt it special but the journey was always ordinary as it would begin with a walk, bus ride or a tube to our classroom.
On 30th June, this all changed as our classroom grew a whole lot bigger and the journey far extended normal means of transportation. We had gone from local to international travel by swapping the bus stop for airport terminals. Alexandra Park School was where my Mandarin journey began but Shanghai is where my Mandarin journey has extended.
Learning Mandarin was no longer just about language, but it was about the opportunity to embrace a new culture, history, future technology and immersing all of your five senses into a completely new experience. From the smells, tastes, sights, sounds and touch
ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXTILES
Ms Dyas writes:
Many congratulations to all exam students on their fantastic 2018 results.
Please could all GCSE, AS/A’ Level students come and collect their work from the department between 3.15-4pm, Monday to Friday, when Ms Winstone will be able to find your work for you.
As we are unable to store work in the department, please could you ensure that you collect your work by Monday 1st October. Any work still remaining in the department after this date will be disposed of.
SCHOOL FACILITIES
P.E.
Ms Hall Writes:
On their first week back to school, Year 11 PE GCSE students headed off on their rock climbing trip down in sunny Sussex. This trip would count towards 10% of the students
overall final PE GCSE grade for the practical element. Students climbed both indoors and outdoors and the students learnt how to use different knots/ harnesses for climbing with, as well as the climbing skills required to climb steep rock fronts without slipping. All APS students had a super time and Will Norfolk even beat Mr Amooty in a climbing race!
All staff were very impressed with both the APS students ability and their good manners throughout this trip.
Well Done to all students who took part and big thank you to all staff who
gave up their weekend to support this trip.
Once again, the APS Premises Team have been busy throughout the summer improving our school. It is a huge task to maintain and improve the school and to ensure everything runs smoothly. Alongside the usual repairs and deep cleaning there have been addition projects including:
All Eight sets of student toilets have been completely refurbished.
The entire maths department has had a make-over with al l c lassrooms dec luttered and redecorated.
The Hudson Library study area has been remodelled and now hosts 40 computers for use by students.
DT have a new Sixth Form Design Suite
Government & politics finally have their own classroom
The premises team are amazing at making the best use of our school
site.
SUBJECT NEWS
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we were able to appreciate totally new sensations. Daily interaction with fellow Chinese students, both inside and outside the classroom, gave me a respect for their work ethic, philosophy, and attitude on how I might model some of these behaviours.
To top it off we were able to see the delights of Shanghai and its beautiful architecture. We visited the Shanghai Tower which was extraordinary as it is one of the tallest buildings in the world. We also visited local parks where we were able to have discussions with Chinese residents and we were also able to take part in fashion shows and drama productions.
My only question is where do we go from here? I can’t wait!
MUSIC
Ms Stephens writes:
Individual instrumental music lessons are now underway with over 200 lessons taking place each week. If your child is learning a musical instrument, you can help them to make excellent progress by doing the following: · Make sure that they check the time of their lesson each week as lessons rotate throughout the day (all the timetables are
available on the school website under SCHOOL INFORMATION) · Help them to remember to bring their instrument, books and yellow practise book to their lesson each week · Encourage them to practise regularly at home, and to play to family and friends as often as possible · Encourage them to join one of the many music clubs at school and/or at your local music centre e.g. Haringey Music Centre
If you have any queries about music lessons, please do not hesitate to contact the music department.
Music Clubs 2018 open to all, students just need to turn up (with their instrument)
Training Orchestra
A band for all instrumentalists in Years 7-8, beginner to grade 3. It performs a range of popular/jazz music
Mondays 1.30pm in P3
Concert Choir
Everyone in Year 8 and above welcome—performs a wide range of music in different styles
Going on tour July 2019
Wednesdays 1.30pm in P3
Axeheads 3 groups for year 7, 8 and 9 electric guitarists, bass players,
keyboardists, drummers and vocalists—performing a range of rock/pop music in bands
Year 7 Axeheads Fridays 1.30pm in P3 Year 8 Axeheads Thursdays 1.30pm in P3 Year 9 Axeheads Thursdays 3.15pm in P4
Jazz Band A band for wind/brass/rhythm instruments Grade 4+
Going on tour July 2019
Thursdays 3.15-4.15pm in P3
Year 7 African Drumming Club Learn to play Djembe in this fun and lively club open to
year 7 students only. Starts 12 September!
Wednesdays 1.30pm in P2
Chamber Choir
An advanced SATB choir for older students
Thursdays 1.30pm in P2
Music Tech Club (year 7-9)
Create your own music on our MACs
Use Garage Band or Logic X
Wednesdays 1.30pm in P12
Music Theory Club Everything you need to know to pass Grade V theory. Please be prompt!
Tuesdays 1.30pm in P12 Year 7 Choir
Sings a wide range of songs in different styles including pop songs and will perform in the Young Voices concert at the O2
Arena in January
Tuesdays 1.30pm in P3
Band Rehearsal Slots Got your own band? Come to the music office to book your weekly rehearsal slot at lunchtimes or after school
– first-come-first-served!
Concert Orchestra A full orchestra for brass, woodwind, percussion and string
players grade 3+
Going on tour July 2019
Mondays 3.15-4.15pm in P3
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Early dismissal and late opening on Thursday 27th September and Friday 28th September 2018
On Thursday, 27th September 2018, Alexandra Park School will dismiss students early to enable staff and students to prepare for our annual open evening. This evening is an opportunity for prospective families to visit the school. It is always very busy with well in excess of 1200 visitors expected.
Students will be dismissed at 1:20pm. There will be an opportunity for them to buy a light lunch or receive their free school meal between 1:20 and 1:30pm. They are expected to be off site by 1:30pm and to go straight home.
On Friday 28th September, school will start at 9.55 am. The later opening time affords staff the opportunity to rearrange rooms and prepare for the day. Students should arrive in good time for a prompt start to lessons. They should go straight to their period 2 lesson where they will be registered. Thank you for your understanding.
Autumn Term 2018
Starts Ends
Autumn 1 Tuesday 04 September Friday 19 October
Holiday Monday 22 October Friday 26 October
Autumn 2 Monday 29 October Friday 21 December
Holiday Monday 24 December Friday 04 January 2019
Spring Term 2019
Starts Ends
Spring 1 Monday 07 January Friday 15 February
Holiday Monday 18 February Friday 22 February
Spring 2 Monday 25 February Friday 05 April
Holiday Monday 08 April Monday 22 April
Summer Term 2019
Starts Ends
Summer 1 Tuesday 23 April Friday 24 May
Holiday Monday 27 May Friday 31 May
Summer 2 Monday 03 June Friday 19 July
Holiday Monday 22 July TBC
KEY DATES 2018/19
INSET Days 2018/19 Friday 30 November 2018 Monday 25 March 2019
Bank Holidays Monday 06 May 2019
Changes to the school day
Please make a note of changes to the normal school day in order to accommodate alternative activities at school for academic year 2018/19:
EVENT STUDENTS DISMISSED
Open Evening
Thursday 27th September 1.20 pm
Late start to school for students
Friday 28th September 9.55 am
School Progress Days
9th October - Tutor Day - all year groups, appointments throughout the day, no formal lessons
Thursday 22 November- Yr 10 12.20 pm Tuesday 4 December—Yr 9 12.20 pm Thursday 24 January—Yr 11 12.20 pm
Wednesday 6 February—Yr 13 12.20 pm Thursday 7th March—Y12 12.20 pm Tuesday 19th March—Yr 8 12.20 pm Wednesday 1st May — Yr 7 12.20 pm
End of Term Friday 21 December 12.30 pm Friday 5th April 12.30 pm
Friday 19 July 12.30 pm Staff Conference Friday 12 July 12.20 pm
The next APS production is Little
Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman.
Prepare yourselves for streetwise
urchins, romance against the odds and
a talking plant.
The show is already cast with many
students from all year groups
participating.
We hope to provide you with green
fingered entertainment in November!
