Oct 2022 Newsletter

October 2022

The Heart of It

A Letter from Ms Qurrey This term has been one of
reflection on the death of Her
Dear Parents/Carers Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.
Pupils were so respectful in the
It has been wonderful to have a periods of liturgy and silence in
‘normal’ half-term with events, trips memorial of the Queen.
and activities back in full swing.
We have also been celebrating
There have been trips to galleries, to
the Relics of St Bernadette, a the 2022 Black History Month
geography trip to Barcelona, an
Italian trip to Lampedusa and a with the theme of ‘Action and
history trip to Poland, to name a few.
Pupils have continued to be really Not Words’. Details of the
successful in their sporting activities,
including the Under 16 Netball Team events are in abundance in the
coming second in the Regional
National Schools Competition. Newsletter. We were delighted to

We have been able to invite parents have raised £790 on the Show
into school for a myriad of Welcome
Evenings, as well as the lovely Year 7 Racism the Red Card Day. We
Mass where we were able to formally
welcome our Year 7 pupils and are also raising money for
parents to the school community. It
has been fantastic to also welcome research into Sickle Cell. Once
Year 12 pupils to our school
community. again, your wonderful

daughters have been engaged

with a range of Leadership

Activities, including the CAFOD

Young Leaders and the New

School Council Members. We

were also very much looking

forward to today (Friday, 21

October) and the celebration of

the first House Drama

extravaganza in four years -

more in the next newsletter!

During this half-term, we have been Working together with you is the
focusing on the new School Code of best way we will get the best
Conduct: outcomes for our wonderful pupils.
• We respect others
• We are ready to learn We trust in God to continue to
• We take pride in our school enable this wonderful school to
thrive .

As a staff, we have been focusing on “For I know the plans I have for you,
continuing to develop our mission plans to prosper you, plans to give
and purpose as a Catholic School – you hope and a future.”
we were very fortunate to have the
renowned speaker, David Wells, with Have a fantastic half-term with your
us on our Inset Day. daughter.

One thing I do want to raise with you God Bless
is the concern of how prolific vaping
is in the local community. We are Ms V Qurrey
aware that there are pupils who Headteacher
vape. To this end, there is a Parental
Workshop by ‘Wize Up’ on
Wednesday, 16 November at 6.00 p.m.
It will be an important one for
parents if you want to gain further
information as vaping is becoming
prolific and we do not know the full
effects of vaping.

As a Head, I am always so grateful of
the support we receive from you as
parents. If you have you have any
concerns, please raise with the
Teacher/Subject Leader/Tutor/Head
of Year, as appropriate, and we will
do all we can to resolve the issue.

Year 7

Settling in to School

Year 7 have made an excellent start to their time at Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School: they
have had the opportunity to participate in a rich and broad curriculum, including lessons
such as Food and Nutrition and Design and Technology. In Food lessons, they have made a
fruit salad and a pasta salad and, in DT, they have designed, and made, a key ring. Many girls
have been participating in rehearsals for House Drama and we are all looking forward to the
performance at the end of this half term. Moreover, the girls have been making new friends
and have enjoyed socialising with people from other primary schools at break and lunch time.

A Word from Ms
Presland

Head of Year 7
I asked Year 7 what they have particularly
enjoyed so far and they mentioned:

★ new lessons, including DT, Art, PE,

Music, Italian and French (to name a
few);

★ making new friendships and

improving on previous ones;

★ getting to know different teachers

and staff, who have helped them
settle in;

★ gaining independence and freedom;

★ rehearsing for House Drama;
★ eating the lovely canteen food!

Year 13 Saatchi ART
Gallery Trip
Year 10 Tate Modern
Gallery Trip

On Thursday, 22nd September, On the 27th and 28th September,
the Year 13 artists enjoyed a visit Year 10 artists went to visit the
to the Saatchi Gallery to see the general collections at the Tate
new ‘Forms’ exhibition. Students Modern to gather artist research
were given a talk to gain insight and observational work.
into some of the conceptual
aspects of the work. They were able to see lots of
exciting installation work currently
on at the gallery.

COMPUTING

Astro Pi Event

On Monday, 17th October, 2022, KS3 pupils attended the Astro PI Event. This
is where they created a computer program that will run in space on the
‘Astro Pi’ computer, which is on the International Space Station (ISS).

Pupils were able to program messages and images that will be seen by
astronauts. These messages will start to appear in space from May 2023.
Pupils who participated will be issued with official ‘Mission Zero’ certificates,
showing them exactly where the ISS was when their program runs next year.

DESIGN AND
TECHNOLOGY

Open Evening

Our wonderful Design & Technology Department put on an exciting array
of displays and activities for our visitors. Year 11s were on hand to help
our prospective students make bee saving kits to take home with them .

ENGLISH

Open Evening Reading Challenge

During our Year 6 Open Evening, Many congratulations to our
pupils were given the opportunity Summer Reading Challenge
to write a short poem about a champions, Isabel (Year 10) and
sherbert lemon sweet. The Gabriela (Year 7), who both won a
visiting Year 6 pupils were given a £10 Amazon voucher in our prize
sweet to eat while they described draw after taking part in our
it in a poem. Reading Challenge during the
summer holidays.
This is the winning poem from
the evening and its author will Congratulations, also, to the
receive a certificate and a small other girls who took part: they
prize sent to her primary school. received a certificate, a small
prize, achievement points and
points for their house.

Our Christmas Reading

Challenge is due on Thursday,

5th January and, if your

daughter would like to take part,

they can download a copy here:

Winning Poem The winners of the Autumn
It is like a sugar explosion. Reading Challenge will be
It tastes tangy and delicious announced in the next
with a newsletter.
Smell like a morning dewdrop.
It is a sunbeam, shining through
my window
And makes me feel like I’m on
top of the world.

GEOGRAPHY
Barcelona Field Trip 2022

On Friday 7th October, the Year 13 preparation for Saturday
geographers - accompanied by Mrs morning, where we would travel to
Treacy and Mr Cooper - flew to the area known as Las Ramblas
not-so-sunny Spain. As we exited (the tourist heartland of
the airport, droplets - the size of Barcelona), set on an old river
Skittles - proceeded to volley the
ground all morning. Fortunately, this bed, making its way down to the
was short-lived and, as we
embarked on our bus ride to Sitges, old port. The intricate
the sun shone through, burning passageways (like arteries feeding
away any residue and evidence of the main boulevard) teemed with
the downpour. pedestrians, local and foreign
alike. The girls racked up data
We got settled in the quaint Hotel galore on our journey through the
Piccadilly and then met with one of district. And, as soon as we were
our guides. He wasted no time in back in Sitges, we were straight
addressing the huge reality: this was back to the grindstone,
not a holiday, but an intense discussing possible research
marathon, discovering our subject questions and areas that they
area and ethically collecting data. wished to study.
We reviewed some recent literature
on Barcelona, our human site, in Saturday evening was like scenes
from a horror movie as the town
of Sitges hosted its 55th annual
film festival; it was as though

GEOGRAPHY
Barcelona Field Trip 2022 Cont’d)

George A. Romero was filming his
latest zombie movie. The whole town
was dressed in zombie attire, from 8
year olds to 80 year olds, to take part
in this festival, but, more importantly,
it represented a community coming
together in a time when, most
recently, they would have been apart.

Sunday came and so did the sun, for our physical day, observing the
vanquishing all clouds and shadows. powerful rip currents and how the
It was as if the summer had come coastal resort had literally
back out to play… and what a day it changed the landscape to allow its
was! We began the day with a trip to thousands of residents to soak up
the iconic church, Sant Bartomeu. the sun, like solar sponges. Fifty
Even though the service was in thousand steps later and we had
Spanish, the girls were on top form. measured the height at four
We then descended upon the beach groynes and the depth of the
beaches. For a cohort that had
limited field study experience, they
worked hard and pushed
themselves to collect their data.
Now comes the ‘easy’ part of
writing up their 4000 word
investigations, which cover 20% of
their final grade. We wish them
good luck for their Easter deadline.

HISTORY

Open Evening: Travelling Back In Time

For Open Evening, the History Department travelled back in time
and revived famous historical characters from the past to tell the
prospective Year 6s a bit about themselves. We had Hippocrates
and Galen, famous ancient doctors, a plague victim and her
physician, and a range of Kings and Queens from the Tudor and
Stuart period.
From modern times, we had Queen Victoria, a suffragette, a World
War I soldier (traumatised by shellshock), an evacuee, Rosa Parks
and Margaret Thatcher herself!
The girls were brilliant at learning about their historical figure and
really got into character when they presented their information.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

ITALIAN
Trip to Lampedusa

From the 30th September until the
4th of October, our Italian A level
students, Amy and Cara, travelled
to Lampedusa, an island South of
Sicily, where they partook in
workshops about immigration and
commemorated the loss of 368
migrants in the shipwreck that
occurred on the 3rd October 2013.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

ITALIAN
Trip to Lampedusa (Cont’d)

Cara said, “It was interesting to learn about migration in greater detail
and to speak to students from across Europe. We listened to stories
from survivors of the shipwreck, and to a speech from Roberto Fico. The
trip allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons people
choose to immigrate and the risks they encounter while doing so, and it
also reminded us of our shared humanity and need for empathy when
we consider topics like immigration.”

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Mancala Tournament

The event was so popular that the girls
have asked to play it every lunchtime
throughout the month.

On Wednesdays throughout October,
pupils and staff from across the school
were invited to take part in a Mancala
tournament at lunchtimes. Mancala is a
popular board game, originating from
Africa, whose objective is to capture all of
the opponent’s pieces.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Ludo Tournament

On Thursdays throughout October,
pupils and staff from across the
school were invited to take part in a
Ludo tournament at lunchtimes.
Ludo originates from the Indian
game, Pachisi, and it has proved
popular across the world, spawning
many different versions - like
‘Frustration’. The objective of the
game is to be the first player to
bring all four of your tokens home,
whilst avoiding ‘prison’!

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Time For Change

To celebrate Black History Month throughout October, the girls looked at
inspirational people who have made ‘Time For Change’ throughout
history and reflected upon what we can learn from them.

They also had the opportunity to share, with others, stories of people who
have personally influenced them and inspired them in a myriad of ways.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Show Racism The Red Card

As a school, on Thursday, 20th October,
2022, we celebrated ‘Show Racism the Red
Card’ Day. Thank you for all of your support
with regard to this activity as we raised
much needed funds for this worthwhile
cause, which promotes equality and
anti-racism.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Years 7 and 8 Drama and Poetry Workshop

On Thursday, 20th October, Years 7 and 8 participated in a ‘Drama and
Poetry’ workshop, hosted by Eastside Workshops. The first part of the
workshop gave pupils the chance to try African dance, helping them to
build an appreciation of African cultural traditions, whilst also developing
their rhythm and movement skills!

The second part of the workshop allowed the girls to explore the recent
history and development of Black British music, using Spoken Word Poetry
to open up a world of lyrical expression, whilst celebrating the
achievements of Black British artists and, hopefully, inspiring them to follow
in their footsteps as poets!

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Gardening Club: Film Club Celebrates
Autumn Harvest Black History Month

We have had to bid farewell to This term, Film Club members
summer - and our beautiful viewed Belle (2013), a historical
sunflowers - and say ‘hello’ to drama which centres around the
autumn. Students from across the mixed-race daughter of a British
school collected a magnificent Admiral, who played an
crop of apples from the school important role in the campaign
orchard this year, as well as many to abolish slavery.
potatoes.
Anyone interested in attending
Gardening Club is every Monday future Film Club screenings can
after school at the vegetable patch join the Google Classroom:
and orchard. 2wswztk

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

School Council Representatives

A huge congratulations to the School Council candidates who stood for
election this academic year. In each year group, two representatives have
been elected, whilst Year 13 are represented by the Head Girl team.

Outgoing School Council Representatives (2021-2022)

We would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to our outgoing School Council
Representatives for all of their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm -
and congratulations to our newly elected members.

Year 7 Year 9 Year 11
Amelie (7T) Zuriel (9W) Jodie (11T)
Luna (7T) Mary (9R) Kiki (11W)

Year 8 Year 10 Year 12
Olivia (8T) Precious (10W) Hilary (12E)
Alero (10T)

Incoming School Council Representatives (2022-2023)

The elected pupils, who are our new School Council Representatives for
2022-2023 are:

Year 7 Year 7 Year 8

Isabella (7R) Henrietta (7R)) Luna (8T)

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

School Council Representatives (Cont’d)

Year 8 Year 9 Year 9

Isla (8R) Lucy (9R) Holly (9T)

Year 10 Year 10 Year 11

Arianna (10T) Eadaoin (10W) Eleanor (11W)

Year 11 Year 12 Year 12

Ivy (11T) Drew (12E) Bianca (12A)

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

SHOUT OUTS (PART I)
Cafod Young Leadership Programme

We are delighted to announce that the following pupils were successful
in their application for the Young Cafod Leadership Programme
2022-2023, which campaigns to walk against hunger in the world. Six
pupils in Year 12 are about to embark upon an exciting journey of
exploring our understanding of the work of Cafod around the world and,
as young Catholics, what they can do to alleviate poverty. The pupils
are: Madeline; Ayla; Bianca; Ella; Oyinkansola and Kiki. Congratulations
to you all.

Catholic Young Writers’ Award

Well done to Tara, Ava and Ruby (Year 9)

who were winners of a nationally

recognised essay writing competition -

the Catholic Young Writers’ Award 2022.

They were invited to write an essay on

‘The Eucharist’ and why it is so

important. What an amazing

achievement!

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

SHOUT OUTS (Part II)

‘Life To The Full’ Awards

Congratulations to our Year 13 students who have achieved the
following ‘Life to the Full’ awards this term:

Platinum Award Platinum Award Gold Award

Neve Aoife Isabella
Bronze Award
Gold Award

Hilary Sally

We are also thrilled to have 52 Year 12 students who have already
signed up to take part in the award. Good luck to you all!

Roaring Success!

This is a shout out to Hope (Year 10), who
has been selected for the Youth Lionesses
training camp over half term, playing
Wales at St George's Park.

Hope has also been called as a stand-by
for the U16 Lionesses Squad. Many
congratulations!

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Headteacher’s Award

The following pupils have been awarded the prestigious
Headteacher’s Award and are to be commended for their
exceptional achievements this term:

Tara Elena Hazel
(Year 9) (Year 12) (Year 11)
Winner of Catholic Presentations for the Presentations for the
Young Writers’ Award Year 11 Parental Year 10 Parents’
Evening Welcome Meeting

Ava Alyssa Amelia
(Year 9) (Year 12) (Year 11)
Winner of Catholic Presentations for the Presentations for the
Young Writers’ Award Year 11 Parental Year 10 Parents’
Evening Welcome Meeting
Ruby
(Year 9) Elisabeta Belinda
Winner of Catholic (Year 12) (Year 11)
Young Writers’ Award Presentations for the Presentations for the
Year 11 Parental Year 10 Parents’
Toma Evening Welcome Meeting
(Year 8)
Fifth place in Lauren Rowan
backstroke in (Year 12) (Year 12)
swimming for the GB Presentations for the A bright and active
at the Lithuanian Year 11 Parental learner in lessons -
Games Evening demonstrating a ‘Life
to the Full’ attitude
Nancy
(Year 8)
Presentation at Open
Evening

Able, Maddie, Ayla, Bianca, Elena, Oyin and Kiki
(Year 12)

CAFOD Young Leaders 2022-2023

TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS
Zanzibar 2022 (Part 1)

Over the summer, we were lucky enough
to visit Zanzibar, an island off the coast
of Tanzania, to learn about
sustainability in action through the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
which aim to transform our world. They
are a call to action to end poverty and
inequality, protect the planet, and
ensure that all people enjoy health,
justice and prosperity. We visited many
different organisations, implementing
different SDGs in the work they do.
Recycled Art Centre
One of our first visits was to the
Recycled Art Centre where we were able
to meet the local women who worked for
the centre. They taught us to make
recycled paper, which they use to wrap
their soaps, and to make notebooks and
other gifts.

TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

Zanzibar 2022 (Part II)

Upcycling Centre Additionally, it became apparent that,
We also visited Chako - an upcycling whilst local men were often
centre that converted used glass complimentary about women’s
bottles into new designs, including abilities, they were often shocked
glasses, lamps and even floors for about how well they were doing in
hotels. We were given a tour of the site school and higher education.
and had the opportunity to make our
own glasses and jars. It was all going
well until the power went out for the
rest of the day, a timely reminder of
how SDG 7 - ‘Affordable And Clean
Energy For All’ - is still to be met.

Women: Work and Education First Female President of Tanzania
In both places, we noticed that,
despite the organisation’s claim that Despite this, we learnt how the current
they empower women, often, it was the
women doing the manual work whilst President of Tanzania is a Zanzibari
the men lead tours and were in
managerial roles. We dug a little woman, Samia Suluhu Hassan -
deeper into this and learnt that, until
recently, women’s main roles were to Tanzania’s first female president and,
stay at home to prepare food, clean
and look after children. Many were currently, the only female head of
not allowed to work and had limited
education. Only in more recent years government in Africa. Since ascending
has there been wider access to higher
education for women and girls. to power in March 2021, Ms. Hassan has

positioned herself as a unifying

national figure, willing to challenge the

establishment and bent on

reestablishing international

relationships after her predecessor

isolated the country by avoiding

travelling abroad.

TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS
Zanzibar 2022 (Part III)

Seaweed Farm pearl farms, sponge farms can be
We learnt about female empowerment set up with little financial resources
elsewhere at the seaweed and sea and technical effort. Moreover, the
sponge farms. At the seaweed farm, we demand for natural sponges is high
learnt how women were able to set up and good prices can be achieved.
their own farms for very little cost, and
sell their produce to the factory to be Zanzibar’s Colonial History
made into environmentally friendly Whilst in Stone Town, we took part in
cosmetics, including soaps, body a historical tour of the town where we
scrubs and perfumes. In the factory, we learnt about Zanzibar’s colonial
saw women in managerial and history. We were shown how the
supervisory roles; despite, often, a lack different architecture relates to
of education, the factory input time and different colonial periods. Originally,
money to train their employees for Zanzibar was colonised by the
these roles. Portuguese before being colonised by
Oman. During this time, Zanzibar
Sponge Farm became the capital of the Omani
We also visited a sponge farm which Empire and was the hub for the East
works, primarily, with single women - African Slave Trade.
training them in maintenance, care,
quality management and sale of
sponges. After one year of training, the
women take over their own small farm
which enables them to secure an
income for their family. Unlike fish or

TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

Zanzibar 2022 (Part IV)

The Slave Trade Exploring the Coral Reefs
Before leaving Stone Town, we had the
opportunity to visit the East African A big part of our trip was coral reef
Slave Trade Exhibit, built on the site of ecology, which we explored by
East Africa’s most prolific slave snorkelling on reefs near Stone Town
market. This was a harrowing and in, and around, Paje - a less
experience as we were taken into the developed area. We were able to
small cells, where up to 75 slaves were compare the reefs we saw in each
kept before being sold. We also were place and, unsurprisingly, we noticed
able to pay our respects at the more litter amongst the reefs nearer
memorial statue, which included an Stone Town, particularly near
original chain used at the slave sandbanks that were part of tourist
market. In the exhibit, we learnt how boat tours. We saw the effect of
the majority of slaves were sold into overfishing on the reefs: a key
the clove plantations in Zanzibar, with indicator of this was a high population
the remaining being sold to the of sea urchins, which feed off algae;
middle east; an estimated 50,000 when fish populations are low, the
slaves were bought and sold in algae begins to thrive which, in turn,
Zanzibar every year. In addition to increases the sea urchin population.
the spice trade, ivory was another key Overfishing not only decreases the
trade; the value of tusks was greater biodiversity of the ecosystem but also
than that of the lives of the slaves causes physical damage to the coral
that carried them. Shockingly, it is when boats lay anchor and bump into
estimated that, for every tusk that the reefs.
made it to the coast, five Africans had
been enslaved or died.

TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS

Zanzibar 2022 (Part V)

Swimming with Dolphins
We encountered so many different
species on the reefs - from lionfish, to
lobsters, to dolphins.

Amelie said: “Swimming with the wild Lasting Memories
dolphins was an incredible experience Holly’s favourite memory took place on
and, by far, my favourite memory. We the beach after snorkelling in the coral
were quite far out to sea, on three reefs: “As a group, we decided to play a
small boats; I jumped into the dark game of beach benchball; despite
water, not knowing what to expect, having no bench and no ball, we drew a
and opened my eyes to see that I was court in the sand and used an empty
surrounded by dolphins. I even got coconut as our ball. I will never forget
close enough to touch them and the time that we spent bringing a piece
swam along next to them for a bit. of SHOM with us to Zanzibar.”
This is definitely a memory that I will
never forget.”

Jazani Forest National Park
Over the course of the two weeks, we
also visited Jozani Forest National
Park to look for the endangered red
colobus monkeys, which are endemic
to Zanzibar. In addition, we visited the
butterfly centre, tasted fresh fruit and
spices on a local spice tour and swam
in a mangrove lagoon. We learnt how
mangroves are key warriors in the
fight against global climate change,
acting as carbon sinks as well as
protecting coastlines from erosion.

LITURGICAL LIFE

Liturgical Reps’ Trip November: The Month of
the Holy Souls

A group of Liturgical Reps We will be holding our annual Mass
represented the school on the 17th of Remembrance for deceased
October. They visited the Cathedral relatives and friends on the 2nd
to pray in front of the relics of St November at 7pm in the New Hall.
Bernadette. It was an awe-inspiring This is a special occasion in the
experience and made us all feel school year where you are invited to
closer to St Bernadette and Our attend a beautiful and moving mass,
Lady. with music led by the school
Chamber Choir.

If you wish us to pray for a recently
deceased friend or member of your
family, please click on the link
https://forms.gle/d9jpbKhpVanZ63o
G6

The deceased will be prayed for in

this liturgy.

Year 7 Welcome Mass

We were delighted to welcome our new Year 7 pupils and their parents to our
annual Mass of Welcome on Wednesday, 12th October. This is always a joyful
occasion where our Year 7 pupils lead the liturgy and singing. They worked
really hard in Music lessons to prepare for the mass and their singing gave
everybody in attendance a real lift. We were pleased to welcome Fr Matthew
Bemand-Qureshi who is the new Parish priest at St. Joseph’s parish,
Upminster, who kindly came and celebrated the mass for us. Many thanks to
all those who attended, with a special thanks to Mrs Presland and the Year 7
form tutors, who have supported Year 7 in settling into the school community
since starting in September.

SPORTS NEWS

Netball

The ‘Under 16’ squad started off their netball season with three impressive
wins in the borough round of the ‘National Schools Netball Competition’.
They beat Redden Court, Emerson Park and Coopers. They progressed
through to the county round, which was held on Sunday, 16th October, at
Redbridge Sports Centre. At this rally, they played teams from Redbridge,
Barking and Dagenham and Waltham Forest. The team played some
amazing netball and won seven games. They lost one game by only three
goals and finished runners-up, so will now progress through to the
Regional Round of the competition. This will take place on Sunday, 29th
October, in Surrey, where we will play schools from Surrey, Middlesex and
Kent.

In the Essex Cup, the squad took
on Shenfield. After the first
quarter, we were 5-4 up; then, at
half time, we extended the lead
by 3. The second half saw
everyone step up a gear and we
stormed ahead. The final score
ended 33-14. We are through to
the next round and have a home
fixture against Swayne.

CAREERS CORNER

Queen’s Theatre Work Experience

By Grace (Year 13) This week of work experience
really opened my eyes; I met
My week long work experience at the some amazing people and was
Queen’s Theatre was very insightful able to appreciate everything
and enjoyable. We attended multiple that goes into a performance,
seminars and workshops on which also helped me to make a
different aspects of the industry, decision as to what I want to
including seminars on careers, stage study at university. It also
management and arts management, allowed me to experience what it
and workshops in the following fields: would really be like to work in a
the creative industries; devising and theatre and I would definitely
producing; technical theatre; recommend it to future artistic
costume and makeup, directing; students.
acting and scenic art; set design;
puppetry; marketing theatre; stage
combat. In most of the workshops,
we were thrown into the deep end,
exploring new texts and creating our
own puppets or costumes. I even got
to try my hand at directing and
making blood bags! We were taught
by some of the professionals at the
theatre and were allowed access to
off limit parts of the theatre, such as
the flight grid, to see what it would
be like to work there.

SHOM Careers Google Classroom

Over 400 students now follow the SHOM Careers Google Classroom
page. Students and Google Guardians can see work experience,
online learning and apprenticeship opportunities. The class code
needed to join is: zaybsw6

MUSIC

Instrumental Lessons

I am delighted to inform you Why should my daughter learn
that we offer instrumental
music lessons for your to play an instrument?
daughter, on site, with
Instrumental teachers from There are huge benefits to learning
Havering Music School and
Singing Lessons with Rachele a musical instrument. It is well
Russell. The Music Department
is able to host lessons in the documented that pupils who learn
practice rooms, during the
school day, for your daughter. musical instruments thrive

academically. Participation in

music broadens pupils’ range of

desirable, transferable skills in the

workplace, and music plays a

critical role in maintaining good

mental health.

For instrumental tuition packages with Havering Music School click here.
For singing tuition packages with Rachele Russell, click here.

Black History Month is a recognition of the heritage, culture, and achievements of Black people. This
year’s theme, ‘Proud to Be’, is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and celebrates the personal
stories and diverse legacies of black and brown people in the UK. Here are some inspiring books to
read - all of which are available to borrow from the school library - from the best Black authors and
commentators:

Years 7 and 8 Book List Year 9 and Beyond Book List

Passing For White (Tanya Landman) Americanah (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
Unheard Voices (Malorie Blackman) The Colour Purple (Alice Walker)
Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Mildred D To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
Taylor) Lies We Tell Ourselves (Robin Talley)
How High The Moon (Karyn Parsons) I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (Maya
My Story: Slave Girl (Patricia C Angelou)
McKissack) I Will Not Be Erased (Gal-dem)
Yankee Girl (Mary Ann Rodman) Noughts and Crosses (Malorie Blackman)
A Medal For Leroy (Michael Morpurgo) The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)
Pigeon English (Stephen Kelman) Concrete Rose (Angie Thomas)
Clean Getaway (Nic Stone) The Secret Life Of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
Now Is The Time For Running (Michael Long Way Down (Jason Reynolds)
Williams) The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
Ghost Boys (Jewell Parker Rhodes) Crongton Knights (Alex Wheatle)
The Poet X (Elizabeth Acevedo) The Sun Is Also A Star (Nicola Yoon)
Refugee Boy (Benjamin Zephaniah) The Autobiography of Martin Luther King,
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Jr (Clayborne Carson)
Boycott (Connie Colwell Miller) Women, Race & Class (Angela Y Davis)
Black History: Civil Rights and Equality Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People
(Dan Lyndon) About Race (Renni Eddo-Lodge)
Martin Luther King Jr (Gary Jeffrey) Ace of Spades (Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé)

Online Games Instagram

Is your child playing, or watching others play, Instagram is used to post photos and videos. Users
games online? Your child could be using can also DM (direct message), send disappearing
Twitch, Steam, Roblox, Youtube etc to access messages, add to their stores (these disappear
games or watch others play. We need to make after 24 hours) and broadcast live. You should be
sure that what they are viewing is appropriate 13 years old to set up an account. To create an
for them. It is important to talk to your child account, you must enter a DOB (but this is not
to see what they are interested in so you can verified).
have a look first to see if it is appropriate.
For example, there are games that may Account Privacy
appear to be appropriate but are actually When you set up an account, it is automatically set
horror/survival games and characters can as public. We recommend changing this to private
turn more sinister as the game progresses. so only those your child approaches to follow them
More information can see their content.
How to Ensure Your Children Stay Safe While
Playing Online Games | NSPCC Your child's bio can still be seen by everyone.
Check that they have not included any personal
BeReal information in their photo and bio info.

BeReal is a social media app that gives users New supervision features
2 minutes to upload real content of You can now supervise your child's instagram
themselves (without filters or editing). account. This gives you the ability to see who they
Things to remember: follow - and who follows them - and how much
time they spend on instragram. Learn more here:
● Photos are unmoderated. If your child https://familycenter.instagram.com/our-products/
sees something, they must report it. family-center/

● The photos use front and back cameras Ensure your child knows how to report posts and
so beware of your surroundings to unfollow. View here:
avoid posting anything you don't want https://help.instagram.com/269765046710559
online. /?helpref=hc_fnav

● Your child may receive friend requests
from strangers. It is important that
your child’s friend list only contains
people they actually know.

Online Challenges/Hoaxes Whatsapp

The internet and social media provide a perfect You must be at least 16 years old to register
platform for hoaxes, especially hoaxes about for, and use, WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a free
challenges or trends that are said to be harmful messaging app that allows you to send
to young people. These seem to spread quickly. messages and videos.
Generally speaking, naming an online hoax and Group chats: One of the key features is that
providing warning is not helpful. Concerns are WhatsApp has a group chat function that is set
often fuelled by unhelpful publicity, usually up by one person. Everyone in the group, even
generated on social media and may not be based if they are not one of your child’s phone
on confirmed, or factual, occurrences or any real contacts, will be able to see all messages
risk to young people. within the group. In settings, you can change
who can add your child to groups. You can
Reassure your child that challenges that suggest change it to ‘my contacts’ only. You can leave
that bad stuff will happen if they do not a group at any point so talk to, and encourage,
complete the tasks are not real. them to leave any chat that makes them feel
uncomfortable.
Some challenges are fun and provide no risk; Location Sharing: If switched on, then, when
however, there will be challenges that are you share images/videos, it will show the
risky/dangerous. Your child may see others location of where they were taken. This can be
complete certain challenges online without being switched off in your phone settings.
harmed and therefore may want to repeat them Blocking/Reporting: Show your child how to
and not weigh up the potential risks to block and report.
themselves. Make sure they know that they Online Bullying: WhatsApp has been used in
should talk to you about what they see online, instances of online bullying, e.g. to send
particularly if they plan to try a challenge or if messages, or share images, of other children
something scares or upsets them. without permission. It is important to have
regular chats with your child about their online
The following links will provide you with further life and understand that they must talk to you,
information. or another trusted adult, if they are being
There’s a viral scare online. What should I do? bullied.
(thinkuknow.co.uk) Further information
https://www.whatsapp.com/safety/

PTFA The School Fund

As you are aware, school finances are

in crisis and we, like other schools,

rely on our School Fund, other

fundraising and personal

contributions to survive.

You could be the next winner! School Fund 2022-2023 is £100 per
family per year and is available to pay
Pay £10 per month to enter the monthly draw on Scopay, now, as either a one-off
The winner takes 25% of the total membership fee taken that month payment, or in instalments to suit
your personal circumstances.
The remaining 75% goes to the school
If all 500 memberships were taken, the winning ticket would https://www.scopay.com

Win up to £1250 each month

March 2022 Recent Winning Numbers £330.00 Join The Team
April 2022 Winning Number 118 £332.50
May 2022 Winning Number 228 £325.50 Are You Looking For A New
Winning Number 165 Adventure?

Cost Free Ways To Support Part time, rewarding job with
The PTFA Fundraising Efforts flexible hours. Excellent
opportunity to meet new
You could raise Many companies offer
employees the chance to friends, be part of a great
free donations boost their fundraising team and have a giggle. No
efforts by 'matching' the
whenever you shop money they raise. It really is experience required.
money for nothing, and we
online: all you need could double the amount of If you are interested in
cash we raise with very little becoming part of our friendly
to do is register at effort. If your company offers
this scheme, would you PTFA team, contact
https://www.easyfu please contact the PTFA [email protected].
Chairperson, Kerry Jones:
ndraising.org.uk/in [email protected]

vite/XCV46; the

shop then turns a

percentage of what

you spend into a

donation for the

PTFA.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Important Notice

Please note that the School Uniform Shop will not be open from 17th to the 28th
October. The shop will reopen on Wednesday, 2nd November.

Opening Times

Wednesdays and Fridays - lunchtime and after school.

Second Hand Uniform

If you have second hand uniform in good condition - including school coats - please
donate to the school shop via the office.

Mrs Paula Shrosbree (School Shop Manager)

Uniform Reminders

★ PE: pupils should continue to wear full PE kit for lessons - they are to
change in school

★ Jewellery: a watch and cross and chain are allowed but no excess jewellery,
such as bracelets and ankle bracelets, or inappropriate earrings, such as
nose or upper ear studs. Pupils will be asked to remove any excess
jewellery, which will then be stored in a jewellery box in school, and these
will be returned at the end of term. So, the message is do not wear
‘sentimental’ pieces to school or any inappropriate jewellery. No Smart
watches

★ Hair should be a natural colour and any hair accessories need to be
black, white or navy but no beading. We have adopted The Halo Code.

★ Anyone experimenting with unnatural colours over the holiday will need to
have a natural colour of hair restored by the beginning of term.

★ Make-up is not allowed - mascara, tinted eyebrows, false eyelashes, fake
tan, foundation, fake nails or nail polish, including clear polish.

USEFUL INFORMATION
Google Classroom

Do you want to support your daughter with Google Classroom but don’t
know where to start?

Click here to access the parent help booklet that will help you navigate
your way around Google.

Is your daughter struggling to upload work or not sure how to use the
Google Suite?

Click here to find the students’ guide to Google Classroom.

Scopay Schoolcomms

The Cashless Payment System The School-Home
which provides a faster, more Communication System
efficient and convenient way to
pay for school meals, school trips, which provides a faster, more
efficient and convenient way to
printing etc.
receive messages from the
Please ensure that you regularly school.
update your child’s account
If you would like to receive
so there is sufficient money messages electronically, and are
available to pay for school meals not yet doing so, please contact

and other payments. Mrs Lefevre:

Any queries, please phone Mrs [email protected]
Austin in the Finance Office on

01708 222660.
https://www.scopay.com

PTFA Saturday, 19th November

Christmas Market 2022 Christmas Market

To celebrate and encourage local 4pm until 8pm
independent crafts, we are holding a
traditional Christmas Market, complete
with craft stalls, carol singers, fairy
lights, BBQ and mulled wine.

Are you a skilled crafts person or food
seller?

Would you like to display, and sell, your
products?

If so, please email Kerry Jones at [email protected]
or Linda Austin at [email protected] to book.

Stalls cost just £20 for the duration of the evening.



Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School Holiday
Dates 2022-2023

Some events may be subject to change, so please continue to
check the online school calendar.

Day Date and Month Description
Monday -
Friday 24th Oct 2022 - Half term
Tuesday 28th Oct 2022

Monday - 20th Dec 2022 Break up for Christmas at
Friday 12.45pm
Friday Return to school on Thursday,
5th Jan 2023
Monday -
Friday 13th Feb 2023 - Half term
Wednesday 17th Feb 2023

31st March 2023 Break up for Easter
Return to school on Monday,
17th April 2023

29th May - Half term
2nd June 2023

19th July 2023 Break up for summer

Key Dates for Next Half Term

Some events may be subject to change, so please continue to check
the online school calendar.

Day Date and Month Description

Monday 31st October Return to school

Wednesday 2nd November Mass of Remembrance (7pm)

Thursday 3rd November Careers Update Meeting (6-7pm)

Tuesday 8th November Year 11 Art trip to the V & A Museum
(12-5pm)

Wednesday 9th November Year 9L Retreat Day

Wednesday 9th November PTFA meeting

Thursday 10th November Sixth Form Open Evening (6-8pm)

Monday - 14th November - Anti-Bullying Week
Friday 18th November

Tuesday 15th November Costa Rica parental meeting via Zoom
(6pm)

Wednesday 16th November Year 12 Geography field trip to Stratford

Wednesday 16th November Year 9R Retreat Day

Wednesday 16th November ‘Wize Up’ parental session 6pm

Thursday 17th November Whitby Feast Day

Thursday 17th November Year 9T Retreat Day

Friday 18th November Year 9W Retreat Day

Saturday 19th November Christmas Night Market (4-8pm)

Monday - 21st November - Year 11 mock exams
Friday 2nd December

Key Dates for Next Half Term (Cont’d)

Day Date and Month Description
Senior Prize Giving (7-9pm)
Friday 25th November Year 13 Parents’ Evening (5-7:30pm)
Head Girl Team Quiz (6pm-9pm)
Thursday 1st December Christmas lunch

Friday 2nd December Christmas Carol Service (7pm)
Sixth Form social event
Thursday - 8th December - KS3/4 Rewards Trip
Friday 9th December KS5 Art and French trip to Paris

Tuesday 13th December ‘Jumpers for Jimmy’ Day
(Wear a Christmas jumper to school)
Thursday 15th December End of term (12:45pm dismissal)
Christmas holidays
Thursday 15th December
Return to school
Monday - 19th December - Spring term begins
Wednesday 21st December

Tuesday 20th December

Tuesday 20th December

Wednesday - 21st December -
Wednesday 4th January

Thursday 5th January