Dec 2021 Newsletter

December 2021

The Heart of It

A Letter from Ms Qurrey

Dear Parents/Carers/ Pupils, Ms V. Qurrey, Beyond the classroom, so much has
Headteacher of been taking place - much of which
Sacred Heart of you will be able to read more about in
Mary Girls’ School this newsletter: from Duke of
Edinburgh expeditions to art gallery
It has been a really wonderful half-term. trips; Achievement Assemblies to our
Although there have been some ongoing special playing of the Last Post by
restrictions, it has felt a little more ‘normal’ Tanisha in Year 13 on Remembrance
this term. The excitement of being all Day; from the ‘Speak Out’ Challenge
together again has not abated. There to the Debating Club and the many,
have been so many activities going on and many, sporting fixtures which have,
so many examples of our wonderful pupils once again, been able to take place.
excelling and showing exactly how they are We have also supported Anti-Bullying
able to ‘Live Life to the Full’ and enable Week, focusing on the importance of
“Others to have life” - therefore following in showing care to all in our community.
the footsteps of our founder, Fr Jean
Gailhac, and the Sacred Heart of Mary I was also delighted by my first
Sisters. I was so delighted that Sr Sacred Heart of Mary Carol Service.
Rosemary could join us for the Prize The choir and band were wonderful;
Afternoon so she could see, first hand, just it is so good to hear them, once
how the legacy, ethos and mission of the again, at such important events. I am
Sisters lives on each day in the corridors of so grateful to Mrs McCoy, Mr
our school community. Hitchman and Mrs Treacy for their
work in making the Service so
We have got back to the day-to-day wonderful.
business of learning in specialist rooms -
much to the delight of the Design & I have been overwhelmed at the
Technology, Music, Art and Science generosity of parents, pupils and the
Departments, to name but a few. local community in supporting the
plethora of fundraising activities
which have taken place this half-term:
£20,000 was raised to buy our
wonderful new minibus; £8500 was
raised at the Christmas Market

due to the fantastic Mrs Jones and her 12.30 p.m. Year 10 only
tenacious group of co-planners; £1,100 was
raised for ‘Show Racism the Red Card’; 600 (Go to period 5 after testing)
shoe boxes went to Operation Christmas
Child, and the Canning Town Food Bank 12:30 p.m. Any Year 13s sitting an
will be in receipt of hundreds of items to afternoon exam.
help support families over Christmas, as
well as over £400 from the Carol Service 1.30 p.m. Year 12 for testing only. They
and Carol singing. will begin lessons on Wednesday, 5th
January, 2022.
The pupils have, once again been amazing
in adapting to going COVID restrictions Original consents are still in place.
and were so sensible in their approach to Please inform the form if there are any
the vaccinations. changes to this consent.

You may be aware that all pupils have to https://forms.gle/nZQe25JF8hHoF8fM7
be tested on the first day back in school:
Tuesday, 4th January, 2022. Obviously, we do not know yet if there will
be any amendments to the start of the
PUPILS SHOULD NOT ATTEND BEFORE school term decided by the government
THEIR TESTING TIME. over the Christmas break.

The timings for these tests will be as If there are, I will ensure that you are
follows: contacted on the 3rd January 2022 with
any changes. Let us pray that the testing
From 8.00 a.m. Year 13 who are sitting is the only disruption to the start of term.
Mock Exams. (They will also need to report
at 12:30 p.m. for a test before an afternoon I wish you all a really wonderful, peaceful
exam if they have not had one in the and healthy Christmas.
morning).
“For God so loved the world that he gave
8.30 a.m. Year 7 only his only Son, so that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish, but have
(Go to period 1 after testing) eternal life.”

9.30 a.m. Year 11 only God bless.

(Go to period 2 after testing) Ms V Qurrey

10.30 a.m. Year 8 only Headteacher

(Go to period 3 after testing)

11.30 a.m. Year 9 only

(Go to period 4 after testing)

Year 7

Christmas Card Competition

Year 7 were invited to take part in a competition to produce the artwork
for the school Christmas card this year. There were some fantastic pieces
of art produced and judging proved to be a tough decision but, after
much deliberation, the winning entry was chosen - a beautiful design by
Jessica, which was the ‘School Christmas Card’. Jessica and the six
runners up received a prize and Headteacher Certificate and their cards
were available for sale at the Christmas Market. Well done, girls.

Runners up (from left to right): Luna;
Sienna; Leeanne

The Winning Design

By Jessica (Year 7) First Prize: Jessica

On Thursday, 4th November, Mr and
Mrs Mizen were welcomed to the Sacred
Heart of Mary Girls’ School. They came
to speak to Years 10 and 12 about their
son, Jimmy, who was sadly killed.

Jimmy Mizen Mrs Margaret Mizen and Lilly
When speaking to the students, Mr and
Mrs Mizen showed great strength and,
even though it was really sad to learn
about what had happened to Jimmy,
the main message they wanted us to
remember was Forgiveness, Peace and
Hope. They found strength in their
Faith and in knowing that Jimmy was
now safe in Heaven.

Mr and Mrs Mizen wanted to talk to the We look forward to welcoming them
girls about the Mizen Foundation, which back to our school again in the future.
was set up “to help young people across
the UK become those changemakers for Lilly (Year 10)
peace we know they can be and, in the
process, go on to help to make our
streets and our communities so much
safer for everyone.”

Ms Qurrey asked me to meet and greet Mrs Margaret Mizen with the Head Girl team:
Mr and Mrs Mizen and to welcome them Naomi, Amelia and Lilly
into the school. I got the opportunity
to speak with them - during which they
made me feel really comfortable - and
to ask them questions about their
family and life, before making them a
cup of tea and coffee.

A New Addition Christmas Dinner

Meet The Latest Member of the
Sacred Heart Family

We are so grateful to so many of Thank you to the wonderful
you who have supported the catering team at SHOM who,
fundraising for our new minibus: once again, made the Christmas
£20,000 was raised in only three dinner days such fun for all with
months. amazing food, a fun raffle and
some festive music.
The bus has had her logo added
so is now fully part of the Sacred
Heart of Mary family!

t ‘Jumpers For Jimmy’ Day

‘Jumpers for Jimmy’ Day took
place on the 17th December,
during which we remembered
Jimmy and his family at
Christmas time. Jimmy had a
remembrance bauble placed on
the Remembrance feature by
Kasey in Year 10.

Scholarships Awarded

Congratulations to five Financial Studies students who were
awarded scholarships of £500 and £750 each

On Friday 12th November, Freddie McCann - from the London Institute of Banking and
Finance - presented scholarships to four of our students to support further study in
the subject.

Pictured with
Freddie (from left
to right) are:

Mia (Grade A);

Noor (Grade A*);

Mrs Meehan;

Freddie McCann;

Sophie (Grade A);

Mollie (Grade A).

Freddie McCann also spoke to the Year 13 LIBF students about the possibilities of
pursuing a degree and/or career in banking with an informative and engaging
presentation.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2021

For the seventeenth consecutive year,
the pupils and staff of Sacred Heart of
Mary have taken part in the Christmas
Shoebox Appeal. Operation Christmas
Child, which is organised by the charity
‘Samaritan’s Purse’, aims to bring joy to
thousands of children around the world
who would not normally receive gifts.

Over 600 boxes were filled and packed
with much love for our brothers and
sisters around the world. What a
fantastic example of faith in action.

National Tree Week Poppy Appeal

To celebrate ‘National Tree Week’, Year
8 have planted a plethora of trees at
the back of the school field.

They are continuing the tradition of 7T spent the first two weeks of
previous years before them and have November selling poppies:
now added to Sacred Heart’s veritable they created a rota and gave
‘orchard’ with an assortment of hazel, up their lunchtimes to sell
crabapple, hawthorn and dogwood them. In addition, on the 11th
trees. November, they sold cakes
which had been donated by
the form. The money from the
cake sale went towards the
British Legion and Cancer
Research; both charities
received £45 each.

Once again, many thanks to you, the
parents, as the planting of these trees
has been achieved as a result of your
generous donations.

Home Alone

In RE lessons, 9R designed and wrote Christmas cards for elderly people and
adults with learning disabilities who live alone. These cards will be distributed by
the ECL services in Essex. Each card will be delivered with mince pies from the
money raised by the form.

Chamber Choir Charity Singing
At Roomes

Mrs McCoy and the Chamber Choir were delighted to resume their annual
tradition of carol singing for charity outside Roomes on Friday 10th December.
On a dry, albeit windy, afternoon, the girls sung favourites - such as Gaudete
and Carol of the Bells - as well as traditional carols and Christmas songs.
Passers by donated generously, and one person stopped to tell Ms Qurrey that
the singing made her feel emotional. The carol singing raised £167 which will be
going to Canning Town Food Bank - one of the charities being supported by
the school Chaplaincy Team this year.

Food Bank Collection

Canning Town Food Bank aims to end
poverty and hunger - especially during
this festive season. Our school strives to
help anyone in need so we took it upon
ourselves to donate food to be sent off
to the food bank to make Christmas
special for the less fortunate. Each year
group has been asked to bring in a
variety of different food items to donate
and house points are up for grabs for the
most generous year groups.

We have collected over 650 items this
term. Thank you for all of your donations.

Show Racism The Red Card

As a school, on Friday 22nd October 2021,
we celebrated Show Racism the Red Card
Day. We raised over £1000 for this cause
which promotes equality and being
anti-racist. Pupils wore red to school and
took part in other activities during the day,
including the BHM fashion show.

Advent Outing ‘Women In STEM’
Award
KS3 forms, in RE, visited St.
Joseph’s Church during the Congratulations to Boglarka, in Year 13,
season of Advent for some on receiving her Gold Crest Award.
quiet reflection and prayer - Boglarka participated in the residential
a really lovely way to start 'Women in STEM' course run by Trinity
the preparations for College, Cambridge, in the summer.
Christmas as a form. Here she undertook a research project
which she had to write up and
reference.

Boglarka’s project investigated whether

prenatal exercise could reduce the risk

of congenital heart defects in children.

Her report was really well written and

very interesting to read. Many

congratulations on a superb piece of

work.

Cafod Christmas Gifts

The Young Cafod Leadership Group
invited staff to purchase a Cafod Ethical
Gift this Christmas rather than sending
Christmas cards, thereby helping to
protect our common home and
transforming the lives of people living in
poverty across the world. Some of the
gifts purchased were the gift of books so
a child could learn to read.

YEAR 8 SCIENCE
The Solar System

As part of the Year 8 Science curriculum,
during which the girls are currently
studying 'Earth and Space', Year 8
students were tasked with creating a mini
model of the solar system, which was to
include models of the planets and sun,
and facts relating to the planets.

They were allowed to use any type of
media to create their models and, we're
sure you'll agree, all were very inventive.
Well done for all of your creative efforts,
girls.

Christmas Night Market Remembrance
Day
Our first ever Night Market proved a great success.
We had over 40 stalls with local crafts people selling On Remembrance Day, 11th
their wares. The total profit for the Night Market is November, the school fell
just over £8,000. silent so that we could all
We are very grateful that our festive BBQ was pay our respects to the
sponsored by Hawkins, the butcher, in Dagenham. many who have died in
We are also delighted to have been sponsored by conflicts.
the Cazenove Group who donated £1,000.
Some pupils and staff stood
on the Sixth Form lawn,
listening to Tanisha in Year
13 play the Last Post. She did
an amazing job, helping us
all reflect on this special
day.

Jack Petchey

‘Speak Out’ Challenge!

Twenty-five Year 11 students took part in the Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out’
Challenge - the largest speaking competition for young people in the world.
The girls all did a fantastic job with their speeches, and a huge
congratulations to Elisabeta, Dara, Bianca, Elena, Clara and Molly for
progressing onto the next round of the competition!

‘The Speak Out’ challenge was Our day consisted of several
definitely a nerve-wracking
experience, but one which I think activities, including games to
has benefitted me. At the end of
the day, I walked out of school start with, short introductory
truly proud of myself for being
able to stand up in front of my exercises, and also speeches,
peers and successfully deliver a
speech which I had prepared in a which we all said without
very short time. Also, I learnt about
many of my classmates' views and notes. Our final speech was a
opinions which I probably would
never have known about if I hadn't mix of all of the skills we
participated in the workshop. This
experience gives students a boost learnt that day, such as
in confidence in not only their
public speaking skills but also in effective body language,
themselves.
projecting your voice, and
Elena (11R)
concise content. Overall, it

was a really unique

experience and, while

challenging at times, it was

really rewarding!

Elisabeta (11W)

Food Technology

Years 8 and 9: Creamy Cider Mussels

Two classes were lucky enough to be given the opportunity by the @fish.heros
Scheme and the @foodTcenter to work with live rope grown mussels. We
learnt about how they are sustainably produced and farmed and then we
cooked ‘creamy cider mussels’.

Food Technology

Out With The Old; In With The New

The Food and Nutrition Department have been undergoing an exciting building
project this term: the old kitchen - located at the rear of the old hall - is being
refitted. The facilities dated back to the 1960s so it was due for some modernisation!
Keep your eyes peeled in the next newsletter for the finished room!

Food Technology

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit

Key Stages 3 and 4 have been celebrating Christmas by cooking a variety of
different Christmas dishes: Years 7 and 8 have produced mince pies; Year 9 has
made Christmas cake; Year 10 has whipped up chocolate orange cake.

Years 7 and 8 Year 9

Year 9 Year 10

Computer Science

Astro Pi Event

On Thursday 14th October, Year 8 and 9 students 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).

Students were able to program messages and images that will be seen by
astronauts. These messages will start to appear in space from May 2022.
Students who participated will be issued with official Mission Zero certificates,
showing them exactly where the ISS was when their program runs next year.

Computer Science

Hour of Code Event

During Computer Science Education week (6th-12th December 2021), Years 7, 8 and 9
students were invited to attend the Hour of Code event. This is where students
completed a one hour introduction to programming. During this event, students
created the code for a dance party program, coded a self portrait of themselves
and created a game. At the end of the event, all students received a certificate.

Film Studies

Festive Film Club screening: Home Alone

After a very close vote, Film Club Screenings will take place after
members in Years 7-9 picked school each half term, followed
Home Alone for their festive by discussions, activities and the
screening on Monday. As you chance to enter a range of film
can see, the girls enjoyed the full competitions. It would be great
cinematic experience! to welcome some new film fans!

Anyone in Years 7-9 who is Miss Rawlings
interested in joining Film Club
and voting for our next film
should use the classroom code
2wswztk.

Rewards Trip

The top achievers in each form in Years 7-11 enjoyed a trip to Cafe Gelato in Upminster
on Thursday 9th December. They had a panini, drink and enjoyed a scoop of delicious
ice cream! Cookie dough was the most popular flavour! We would like to thank the
PTFA who generously paid for the treat and we would also like to thank Cafe Gelato
for making it such a fun afternoon.

Mrs Presland

Achievement Assemblies

Achievement Assemblies took place for each year group, awarding many pupils for
their effort and achievement in each subject over the past term. Well done to all of
those pupils for their hard work and commitment this term. Below are photographs
of the award winners in each year group.

Year 7 Year 8

Year 9 Year 10
Year 11 Year 12

Year 13

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:

Jessica Luna Leeanna
(Year 7) (Year 7) (Year 7)
Winner of Christmas card Runner up of Christmas Runner up of Christmas
competition card competition card competition

Sienna Abigail Sara
(Year 7) (Year 12) (Year 10)
Runner up of Christmas For completing a lovely Kindness to others
card competition and thoughtful Liturgical
Board Niamh
Cara (Year 8)
(Year 12) Holly Beautiful year assembly
For completing a lovely (Year 12)
and thoughtful Liturgical For completing a lovely Ruby
Board and thoughtful Liturgical (Year 8)
Board Beautiful year assembly
Holly
(Year 8) Sarah Blythe
Beautiful year assembly (Year 8) (Year 8)
Beautiful year assembly Beautiful year assembly
Ruby
(Year 8) Sofia Ava
Running for Havering in (Year 12) (Year 8)
London Youth Games For completing a lovely Beautiful year assembly
and thoughtful Liturgical
Cara Board Sophie
(Year 12) (Year 13)
Charity work and service Tanisha For ‘Service’
to others (Year 13)
Playing the Last Post Nancy
Hope (Year 7)
(Year 10) Roisin Coolness Under Pressure
FA Women’s England (Year 13)
Talent Pathway - Player For ‘Service’
Recommendation

Sports News

Under 14 Interhouse Sports Hall
Football Team News Athletics Results

Sacred Heart of Mary’s Year 9 girls’ Years 7 and 8 took port in sports
football team has won three games out hall athletics sessions during their
of three in the George Cash U14 Girls’ PE lesson this term. Pupils
Trophy, to date. performed a standing long jump,
Their first match was against Grays vertical jump, triple jump, speed
Convent High School, whom they beat bounce, shot put and relay
5-2 and, in the next round, they challenge.
triumphed against Beauchamps High
School, beating them 11-0. The top scoring results were
In the third round, they had a slow start collated and points awarded for
and, although trailing by two goals 1st - 4th in each event.
after the first ten minutes, they rallied
together to finish 6-3 up by half time, The results were: Year 8
before winning the match with a Year 7
triumphant 9-5 victory.
In the next round, they placed 1st Rievaulx Thanet
Eastwood - against whom they won on Thanet
penalties.
We would like to wish them good fortune 2nd Whitby Rievaulx
and luck in the next round.
3rd Lindisfarne Whitby

4th Lindisfarne

The overall results are:

1st place Thanet
2nd place Rievaulx
3rd place Whitby
4th place Lindisfarne

Sports News

Netball News

The Under 14 and Under 16 netball
teams both made it through to the
county round of the National
Schools Netball Competition. The
county round was held at
Redbridge Sports Centre where the
teams had to play against schools
from Barking and Dagenham,
Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
The Under 14s came 5th; the Under
16s came 3rd, losing only to the
teams in 1st and 2nd place.

The Under 16 squad played Shenfield
in the first round of the Essex Cup.
They started the game slowly and
were down by eight goals at the end of
the first quarter. However, the girls
pulled it back and played much better
for the remaining three quarters of
the match. Unfortunately, they were
unable to make up the starting deficit
and lost the game by five goals.
Nevertheless, teams which lose in the
first round go through to the Plate
Competition, where, in the first round,
they played against Grays Convent,
winning 32-21.

We wish them luck for the next round,
which they will play after Christmas, as
they will face either Burnt Mill or Oaks
Park.

Sports News

London Youth Games

Cross Country

Ruby, in Year 8, recently took part in She first took part in the London Youth
Games in 2019, when Havering girls came
the London Youth Games Cross first and achieved gold! Last year was
very different as the games took place
Country, where she ran outdoors virtually!

across natural terrain - including dirt, Well done, Ruby, on your fantastic
achievement.
mud, grass and gravel. She

commented, “It was an amazing event,

taking place in London at Parliament

Hill which is a wonderful setting for

the race, with a vibrant atmosphere

and I felt a fantastic sense of

achievement taking part.”

Every runner tries to win points for
their team’s overall score and
Havering girls came an impressive
5th out of 33 London Boroughs.
Ruby finished 65 out of 205 in a 2K,
which was a superb result for her
team.

PTFA

The School Fund

As you are aware, school finances are

You could be the next winner! in crisis and we, like other schools,

rely on our School Fund, other

Pay £10 per month to enter the monthly draw fundraising and personal
The winner takes 25% of the total membership fee taken that month
contributions to survive.
The remaining 75% goes to the school
If all 500 memberships were taken, the winning ticket would School Fund 2021-2022 is £100 per
family per year and is available to pay
Win up to £1250 each month on Scopay, now, as either a one-off
payment, or in instalments to suit
Recent Winning Numbers your personal circumstances.
Winning Number 58
March 2021 Winning Number 241 £380.00 https://www.scopay.com
April 2021 Winning Number 192 £377.50
May 2021 Winning Number 156 £380.00 Join The Team
June 2021 £380.00
Are You Looking For A New
Because of your support of the 500 Club, we are in the process of Adventure?
purchasing 10 Smart MX275 Touchscreen interactive whiteboards;
Part time, rewarding job with
without your support, this would not have been possible flexible hours. Excellent
- so, thank you! opportunity to meet new

Cost Free Ways To Support friends, be part of a great
The PTFA Fundraising Efforts team and have a giggle. No

You could raise free experience required.

donations whenever Many companies offer If you are interested in
becoming part of our friendly
you shop online: all employees the chance to boost
PTFA team, contact
you need to do is their fundraising efforts by [email protected].

register at 'matching' the money they

https://www.easyfun raise. It really is money for

draising.org.uk/invit nothing, and we could double

e/XCV46; the shop the amount of cash we raise

then turns a with very little effort. If your

percentage of what company offers this scheme,

you spend into a would you please contact the

donation for the PTFA Chairperson, Kerry Jones:

PTFA. [email protected]

Useful Information

Google Classroom School Uniform

Do you want to support your daughter Ordering Uniform
with Google Classroom but don’t know
The school shop is fully stocked with
where to start? uniform. Please order your uniform by
paying via your Scopay account. Your
Click here to access the parent help daughter can then collect her uniform
booklet that will help you navigate your from the Uniform Shop during
lunchtime (Mon - Fri). If you wish to visit
way around Google. the Uniform Shop, you may do so on
Wednesdays and Fridays after school
Is your daughter struggling to upload (3:15-3:45pm).
work or not sure how to use the Google
Second Hand Uniform Sale
Suite?
If you have second hand,
Click here to find the students’ guide to unembroidered uniform in good
Google Classroom. condition, please donate to the school
shop via the office. On the last
Scopay Saturday of every month, there will be
a second hand uniform sale at the
The Cashless Payment System which provides uniform shop from 12-2pm (unless
a faster, more efficient and convenient way to otherwise notified).
pay for school meals, school trips, printing etc.
Schoolcomms
Please ensure that you regularly update your
child’s account The School-Home
Communication System
so there is sufficient money available to pay
for school meals and other payments. which provides a faster, more efficient and
convenient way to receive messages from
Any queries, please phone Mrs Austin in the
Finance Office on 01708 222660. the school.
https://www.scopay.com
If you would like to receive messages
electronically, and are not yet doing so,

please contact Mrs Lefevre:

[email protected]

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 - 20th December - Christmas Holiday
Monday 3rd January

Tuesday 4th January Return to school
Staggered times of return:

Yr 13 From 8:00am for those
sitting exams
Yr 7
Yr 11 8:30am (go to P1 →)
Yr 8
Yr 9 9:30am (go to P2 →)
Yr 10
Yr 13 10:30am (go to P3→)

Yr 12 11:30am (go to P4→)

12:30pm (go to P5 →)

12:30pm - Yr 13 with an
afternoon exam

1:30pm-2:30pm - for tests
only. Start lessons on
the 5th January 2022.

Thursday 6th January Feast of the Epiphany
Year 11 Parents’ Evening (5-7pm)
Thursday 13th January
Wednesday 19th January Year 9 Parents’ Evening (5-7pm)

Early Closure: 12:45pm for all pupils

Key Dates Continued

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

Day Date and Description
Month

Wednesday 19th January Meeting for Year 11 students and
parents re Sixth Form courses (6-8pm)

Thursday 20th January Rievaulx Feast Day

Thursday 27th January Yr 10 Parents’ Evening (5-7pm)

Monday - 31st January - Wellbeing Week
Friday 4th February

Thursday 3rd February Year 13 Information Evening re Next
Steps (6-7pm)

Monday 7th February Race Equality Week
Week of Prayer
Years 7 and 8 Retreat Week

Tuesday 8th February International Women’s Day

Friday 11th February INSET Day - non pupil day

Friday - 11th February - Half Term holiday
Sunday 20th February

Monday 21st February Return to school





Join The Fun This Christmas!

Loads on offer - from fun sports, physical activity, arts and days out (to a trampoline park,
bowling, the theatre, etc.). Running from two locations in the borough: myplace, Harold Hill;

ROYALS Youth Centre, Rainham.
Spaces are limited so get in quick...

www.haveringactive.co.uk