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  • Sports Day

    Published 10/07/23

    The 2023 Sports Day provided an opportunity for Y7-10 students to showcase their abilities to perform in a highly competitive setting while also having fun. The harsh sun beating down on the field initially caused some to look irritated, however, this was shortly remedied when ice pops were distributed to compensate for the hot day. By sporting the colour of their form group, everyone in their team felt as though they were all working together to achieve one common goal: to beat the other forms in every competition! Despite being on opposing teams, they demonstrated refreshing sportsmanship as the racers were overheard complimenting each other on their accomplishments. A few aspiring athletes even left with as many as three medals around their necks. Sam and Mr Fakouri, who were in charge of making the announcements, advocated for a lot of encouragement from the spectators. The morale maintained high throughout as the students who were watching collectively cheered when their form came around the corner of the track. "Come on Raheem, that's what I mean!" was one of the many rhyming chants they began. Water bottles were handed to all runners as they sat in their ranked seats so that they could catch their breath before the victors walked to the podium to snap a picture of their unforgettable achievements. 

    The Yr10s, in particular, gave it their all in the relay, as evidenced by the way they slumped onto the chairs afterward, sighing in relief at their efforts. Considering today is possibly their last ever sports day, the competition in the air most likely brought drove them to work as hard as they could. Even when they weren't racing, the Yr10s could be seen having a push-up competition among themselves; while they didn't get any points for this, their dedication still shone through. 

    Something that is not really done at our sports day very often is the sac race which today brought out the most laughs. Teachers and participants joined in the light-hearted atmosphere as some pupils would often lose their balance and fall whilst jumping in the sac. 

    Since the school does not have a starting pistol, a wood clapper that could mimic the desired sound was used for "firing" that alerted participants to start the track races. Undoubtedly, the competition that required the most encouragement from the rest of the school was the 800-meter race. All of the runners performed incredibly well for one of the most challenging runs. Some of them slowed down near the middle, indicating that it was clearly quite exhausting for them, but Ms. Jennings admiringly ran alongside them for support. Since there was not a staff race this year, she was unfortunately the only teacher to run on the track. Whilst this may have been disappointing to some, students in the older years have learnt from experience that the P.E. department always wins anyway - for obvious reasons. 

    At the end of the event, Orange house was announced as the overall winner. However, we saw a great effort from every single form class representative that competed. 

    Roving Reporters

    Malaika Abbas [12A] and Abdisalam Abdulkadir [12E]

     

    “We are really strong; we can beat every team!” – 7Y [tug of war] 

    “There was not that many people going for the race, so I thought, why not try.” – Taranveer 10R [sac race] 

    “It felt good to win. I didn’t expect to since I have a lot of pain in my leg, but it still worked out.” – Rawda 7W [sac race] 

    “It’s not something you can practice for.” – Angeli 9O [sac race] 

    “I fell over but still won.” – Kabir 7B 

    “I was not expecting to win since I have never done a sac race before.” Alexandru 10W [sac race] 

    “I like P.E, it is different to other subjects where you have to think logically. I think that we need more female sports personalities as role models.” – Heer 9R [40m sprint]

    “I enjoyed the race, but I was panicking because my form tutor told me to have an ice lolly before I started. I thought it was going to slow me down, but I still won. I still have to do the relay and tug of war next” – Arvind 8B [40m sprint]

    “I ran for my life.” – Najma 10R [40m sprint]

    “I didn’t prepare for the race but was still able to apply technique to win. I just ignored the crowd and ran. My sports inspiration is Christiano Ronaldo.” – Y10 1st place [obstacle course] 

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  • 'Moral Maze' Debates for Year 12

    Published 10/07/23

    The idea of listening to podcasts to gain information, was unfamiliar to me until we took part in the Year 12 'Moral Maze' discussions. Radio 4's 'Moral Maze' was particularly interesting as it presented multiple viewpoints on a heated topic, such as 'Cancel Culture' and the 'Nature of God', with passionate speakers.

    Our groups then engaged in our own discussions, where each of us formulated our own opinions on the topic and debated. An example of one of our discussion points was 'It is good to be lazy in the work place'. Through our discussions we realised that innovation and new ideas are often driven by the human desire to do less work.

    These sessions focused on key transferable skills, such as evaluation, critical thinking, and most importantly, expressing a point of view. It provided valuable insight into how debating will be used throughout our lifetimes.

    Overall, the experience of listening to the podcasts and engaging in the subsequent group discussion were enlightening and highlighted the benefits of developing these skills for university and beyond.

    Arjun Sidhu [Year 12]

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  • HAY Creative Writing Workshop -Black Chiswick through History

    Published 07/07/23

    My sister and I joined the Creative Writing Club being run by Mrs Kyriacou and Hounslow Action for Youth [HAY] Charity. Through this we were given the opportunity to join Chiswick House's 'Black Chiswick through History' project. We were invited to write poems about the culturally diverse styles of the house and interpret its features through our creative writing. Out of 17 young people who participated in the project, our poems were selected to be displayed within Chiswick House. Furthermore, on August 24th, my sister and I will be performing our work at Chiswick House and it will be published in an anthology.

    We found the experience really insightful and enjoyable. We are so grateful for the opportunity and we would love to do it again.

    Hanaya and Renaya Singh [Year 10]

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  • Culture Day

    Published 07/07/23

    The Culture Day on the 23 June 2023 was a very successful event because as a school, we managed to raise over £679 for the charity WaterAid. The majority of our students took part in the day dressing in their cultural/traditional clothing representing their heritage. Many students had also chosen to wear a flag of their country, which was a relatively unique way to represent themselves. Teachers also embraced the day by either participating or contributing towards the charity.

    In addition to raising money, the high engagement of students and teachers coming together in a celebration of the different backgrounds made the event extremely successful. Students and teachers had the option of having photographs taken to commemorate the event either alone or with their friends, depending on a students’ parents’ consent. The photo shoot event was an excellent way to increase the student enjoyment through their participation, and personal choice to capture school memories. The photographs were sold for £4 to raise additional money for the charity WaterAid. Overall, this event was an opportunity for everyone to come together and learn about the diversity of cultures that exist within Heston. It was a great success.

    Tanshi Ratala [12H]

            

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  • UWL Outreach Programme

    Published 04/07/23

    As part of our partnership work with external agencies, our Post 16 students had the opportunity to work with UWL, and present on topics salient to them. I am very proud of the myriad of skills our students developed through this three-month process. Students developed their ability to work in teams and use their resilience to reflectively edit their speeches. Some of our students went through their personal journeys of overcoming stage fright and presenting to over seventy of their peers and teachers. The end outcome was carefully constructed sentences and polished speeches, which allowed us all to reflect on such important issues such as the impact of social media on mental health and the importance of mindfulness. 

    Mrs R Kyriacou [Literacy Coordinator]

    The University of West London [UWL] gave us the brilliant opportunity to speak about issues we believed to be very important. My topic was mental health and well-being and others chose topics such as knife crime and the perils of vaping. UWL helped us throughout the process with weekly workshops giving us advice on creating effective speeches, rhetoric and our public speaking skills. One example was when practising my speech, they had told me to speak slower to be able to extend the speech and for clarity. This experience has really helped bolster my confidence in writing and public speaking. 

    Iman Zain Rusly [12G]

    Thanks to Ms Kyriacou for this opportunity and I’m so glad that I stayed with it.  It shows you how important it is to stick with it even when it feels hard.

    Sukhdeep Sidana [12A]

    Attending the UWL event yesterday was incredibly informative regarding not only advice about future career paths, but key skills needed for public speaking. The students' speech topics ranged from important topical matters such as: mental health, the cost of living crisis and the negative impacts of social media on the youth. The speeches were very well delivered with confidence and raised the audience's awareness of the issues society is currently facing. The event was particularly engaging as it had encouraged students to participate in discussing important questions such as whether struggling with mental health is an individual issue or whether it is improved my reaching out. Members from UWL had also detailed important information we needed to know when moving on to university. This information had included tips on writing competitive personal statements, and the different options regarding the next steps after sixth form. Overall, the UWL event was inspiring for us as students to the wide variety of options we have available to us after Sixth Form.

    Chloe Achkar [12E] and Priyal Bharatkumar [12E] 

                

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  • Year 13 BBQ 2023

    Published 04/07/23

    The Year 13 BBQ provided a final opportunity for students, who are moving on to the next phase of their lives, to gather together as a cohort one last time. After finishing their exams, it was evident that a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Students were able to freely laugh and interact with one another, as well as have light-hearted conversations with the teachers who had helped them get through such challenging times. Although the students' friend groups may now be disrupted by the fact that they will not see each other every day at school, taking group selfies was their way of keeping the connection alive as they documented these lovely memories.  

    Teachers' speeches both amused and moved the students, and it was evident how proud they were of the year group as a whole. Almost all of them said that they expected big things from the pupils in the future. It was a powerful statement, given how they had seen each student grow as academics and individuals since Year 7.  

    They were then shown a visual representation of how much they have changed since Year 7. One of the day's highlights was the slide show that had been prepared, in which old photos from previous picture days were projected on the screen. Laughter filled the Sixth Form Centre as everyone recalled the embarrassing and wonderful aspects of their school days. The 'before and now' photos of friend groups touched the students showing how their social circles stood the test of time.  

    To commemorate the completion of their secondary school journey, a miniature golden tree was in the Sixth Form Centre. Students were able to write a message about their experience and hang it on the branches for a small sample of them to be read aloud in their final assembly as Year 13 students: some were funny references to specific moments in class, while others were heart-warming passages that clearly showed their gratitude to the School and their teachers.  

    Of course, the celebration concluded with a barbecue. There was a lovely atmosphere filled with good food and smiling faces. Since COVID had impacted their school experience, it was likely the first time in a while that they had spent time on the school field. The ability to sit on those picnic tables or even on the grass itself was undoubtedly a sentimental period where they could reminisce about the days when they would have PE lessons or spend break time there - concluding the day on the pitch was an excellent tribute to the time they spent in their younger years.  

    The day marked the end of their journey at Heston Community School and the beginning of their careers as contributing members of society.  

    Malaika Abbas [12A] Roving Reporter and Photographer 

    Nikhel Chumber [12C] Reporter 

    Abdisalam Abdulkadir [12E] Reporter

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  • Care Home Visit

    Published 30/06/23

    On Wednesday, 21 June a group of Y12 students visited a local care home to host a social event.  The aim of the event was to give the residents of a care home a chance to interact with students, and us an opportunity to organise an event for our BTEC coursework.  When planning our event giving back to the local community was key for us.  We played games with the residents, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  The managers were grateful for our time and thanked us for organising the visit.  Sometimes, we often forget to give our time to those that need it; this was a good opportunity to remind us of the importance of doing so.

    Bethany Fernandes [12C]

     

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  • Heston Careers Hub

    Published 23/06/23

    Heston’s Careers Hub is a remarkable space that stands out for its accessibility and support. With its open doors to all individuals, it fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment. The Hub is a large, spacious area that accommodates numerous resources and opportunities for career development. It ensures that everyone can freely navigate through the space, explore various career paths, and connect with professionals from different industries. The Hub's visibility is another key aspect, its location makes it easily noticeable to all, attracting students, who seek guidance and support. The dedicated Careers Advisor and the resources available at the Heston Careers Hub are incredibly helpful, providing valuable insights and guidance to individuals, to support their journey to a successful career. 

    Anisha Nareydoo [13F]

    The new Careers Hub is just one example of how our school has a strong commitment to careers education and the personal development of all our students. The Hub is accessible and prominent in the Hogarth Building, with opportunities for all year groups. The new space has a comfortable seating area for individual and group interviews. There are daily drop-in sessions available every break and lunchtime, for students to ask questions or to access careers education, information, advice and guidance.

    We have computers available for students to complete applications to Post 16 providers and access for students completing university and apprenticeship applications. Group sessions take place in our meeting area with a large screen to support workshop delivery. The space is modern and inviting, with an increased number of students dropping by.

    I look forward to continually inviting students to this space and to support them with their journey after Heston.

    Ms A Laing {Careers Advisor]

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  • T Level placements

    Published 23/06/23

    Week beginning 19 June saw the start of our T Level industry placements for Management and Administration students.  Students need to complete 45 days’ [315 hours] worth of industry experience as part of their course.  The School has been working with numerous organisations including: 

    • IBM based in Waterloo 
    • Russell Finex based in Feltham
    • Four Communications based in Whitechapel 
    • Stellar Fusion based in Victoria
    • Century 21 Estate Agent based in Heston
    • DBK Estate Agents based in Heston.

    So far, the experience has been invaluable for students.  Most are being inducted and are learning about how their organisations work and office procedures.  In coming weeks, may will be involved in group tasks and individual projects.  Students have liked the fact they are getting the opportunity to learn more about themselves and are learning about different career paths at work.  The chance to network and build communication skills has been a key highlight so far. 

    Harleen Raj is working at Russel Finex and has thoroughly enjoyed his experience so far.  He said, ”I’m learning about the place of work, whilst getting to discover my strengths, values, motivations and interests.”

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  • Engineering Society Prepares Students for Junior Physics Challenge

    Published 13/06/23

    The Junior Physics Challenge was definitely an experience to be thankful for. The Sixth Formers: Biansha Kapoor, Kiran Barrass and Aisha Ali were dedicated to helping me do my best and take on this challenge. Throughout the process I have gained much more knowledge which I have been able to incorporate into my lessons, I feel as though I have developed a greater understanding of physics and useful skills I can use later in life. Whilst Biansha was teaching me, I enjoyed learning Newton’s Laws the most. The manner in which she taught was very interactive, using whiteboards and discussing a lot of the questions, which made the lessons more enjoyable.  

    Having these sessions twice a week really allowed me to learn more about one of my favourite sciences it made it easier to understand topics I was interested in.  The Sixth Formers were able to break down the topic and explain it to me in a way I could understand. If this club was to run next year I would more than likely join, and again as a year 11, hopefully learning harder topics. 

    Results from Year 9: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

    Results from Year 10: 1 Gold, 14 Silver, 26 Bronze, 4 Commendations 

    Ayurdha Mannyamgari Year 9 [Silver Award Winner]

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  • Peel Hunt Investment Bank Visit

    Published 08/06/23

    Four of us were lucky enough to be selected for the Peel Hunt Careers Conference hosted by The Brokerage and Peel Hunt Investment Bank.  It was an amazing experience with all of us getting the opportunity to meet senior staff from the bank and to discuss our career goals and CVs.  We learnt about the different programmes they offer such as internships as well as their graduate training.  We all left buzzing as the day was so informative and it was very interesting to better understand an area quite a few of us would like to pursue when we finish school.

    Priyal, Sukhdeep, Shameer and Iman

    Year 12

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  • Pantene - Power of Hair

    Published 07/06/23

    Heston hosts a celebrity!

    We were so happy to welcome Radio 1 DJ, Clara Amfo to our school.  She was working partnership with Pantene to promote their ‘Power of Hair’ campaign that works with schools across the country to promote the acceptance of different types of hair. The workshop saw us discussing hair and identity as well as the discrimination suffered by some people because of their hair type or style.

    I would like to work in the beauty and fashion industry and this provided lots of opportunities for us to discuss really pertinent issues regarding our hair and how we are perceived.  There was also an opportunity to put our own thoughts and ideas as well as what we learnt into poetry.  We were very well supported by two excellent poets who gave us great insight into producing meaningful poetry.

    This was definitely one of the best events I have ever participated in and I loved meeting Clara.  She was amazing.

    Madline Acheaw [12D]

    You can view the video via this link:

    https://app.frame.io/reviews/3d14d3b4-d24d-424b-80d0-e990d919b6ac/d79d4570-2926-40f7-ad34-8623803d9c8f

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