Since January some of our Year 10s have been involved in the Carnegie Book Shadowing Award and this is what they had to say…

First we all read last year’s winners book, ‘Run Rebel’ by Manjeet Man and each of us completed a review on that. We then followed that book by more books that were on the Carnegie shortlist and each began reading a different book. The week after we would review the book and share our thoughts with each other. We also watched the authors of the books share their intentions and story behind the making of the book. In this final week of the club we watch the live ceremony which revealed the winner for 2022. The book that won was ‘October, October’ which I was disappointed with. I think that ‘Tsuanmi girl’ should have won as it was a really well written book which took a lot of time to make and a lot of research about the events that happened in the story.

Karishma S 10 White

At first thought, I imagined a book club as a typical club where you just read books in silence. Obviously, I was wrong. In the Shadowing Book Club we received lots of different books to read which we then later made a vote for which one we thought was the best. I found books that I had never read before. For example, ‘Run Rebel’ and ‘The Crossing’ which were written in verse. I found that my favourite book was ‘Tsunami Girl’ [I have never read a book that good!]. ‘Tsunami Girl’ by Julian Sedgwick exceeded my expectations, it was a mix of all my favourite things that I would want to find in a book. Sadly, I did not win the award, ‘October, October’.

 Izabela J 10 White

        

 

The Junior Maths Challenge encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. 

I was nervous at first, as I had never done anything like it before. However, Miss Sundram helped us prepare for it and answered any questions that we had.

When the day of the challenge came, I was so excited! It took about 60 minutes, and there were 25 questions. The first few questions were relatively easy, but they got harder as we went through the paper.

Two weeks later, we got our certificates – I got a bronze award! We had a pizza party to celebrate our success. Thank you to all the teachers that helped us take part!

Jassia Kwokova 8Y

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Junior Maths Challenge this year. A special mention to Zayd De Silva in Year 7 for the Gold award/Best in Year and Avneet Virdee in Year 8 for the Gold award/Best in school.

I have been attending a young woman’s writing programme, run by Hounslow Action Youth charity [HAY]. I feel that we have accomplished a lot in the poetry workshops. Poetry enables us to express our feelings and say things that we may struggle to talk about. This also gives us a chance to have our voices heard as women, empowering us to fight against the present patriarchal society.

Leila Gantan [9B]

Visiting poets so far:

Rakaya Fetuga: London Poet of Ghanaian and Nigerian heritage who writes about overlapping identities faith and culture as self-affirmation.  She won the Word Poetry Prize 2017, Roundhouse Poetry Slam 2018 and was shortlisted for the Out-Spoken Poetry Prize in 2018 and 2019.

Theresa Lola: Young People's Laureate for London 2020. A 24-year-old from Bromley who helps young people to use poetry to celebrate themselves. 

 

 

Along with the new Sixth Form area, came its fascination, with its grey tiles bringing about an air of professionalism while also a natural look with its plants. As well as this, its large open space, protected by stylish covers, allows for many Post 16 students to enjoy their break and lunch here, as they are shielded from both the sun and the rain. A particular favourite feature of mine is the large row seating area, especially in sunny weather as I am able to relax under the warmth of the sun. Sitting here fills me with ease. I strongly encourage those who have not yet been to Sixth Form area to do so, so that they may get to experience this too.

 

    

Athletics Achievements 

Heston athletes recently attended Hounslow’s Borough Athletics Competition. We took part in many events against other schools in the borough.  I represented the school in the Year 9 Boys’ Triple Jump. 

After my second jump, I was in 3^rd place. I needed around 9.75 m to beat my opponents. I was nervous at first, but I was determined and gave my all for the last jump. 

Unexpectedly, I jumped exactly 10m and won the Silver medal. It was a great feeling! 

Abdurahman Vohra, 9 Orange 

Rounders Victory! 

This month, our team had to show a lot of determination and resilience when we played Rounders against Brentford School for Girls. 

In the first half, we were down by two points. But we didn’t give up. We persevered and worked on our weaknesses. Eventually, we won with three more points. Our team had a score of 22 and a half, whereas Brentford scored 19. 

We all felt extremely proud of ourselves, and we are optimistic about what the future holds for our team! 

Rihanna Angus, 9W 

Football Success At Heston! 

Heston’s Year 9 Football Team recently attended a football tournament at Springwest Academy where we faced Springwest’s own team in the semi-final. 

Throughout the game, our team displayed resilience and a desire to win. We conceded a goal early on, but it was a back and forth game where we never gave up. We soon equalised and by the end we had won 3-2. 

It was a hard-fought victory but also an amazing experience! Winning that game meant we made it to the final against The Green School. We ended up losing that final but we showed heart and never gave up. We were all very proud to represent the school! 

Sahib Bains, 9 Blue 

 

On Monday 23 May, Heston’s Year 7 Football Team attended the borough semi-final. We had a very tough opponent: Isleworth & Syon. 

During the first half, there were no goals but moments into the second half Isleworth & Syon scored due to a terrific loss of the ball from a throw in. The game ended 1-nil. 

This meant we then had a match that would establish 3^rd and 4^th place in the borough for the year. We were up against heathlands. The first half saw us losing 1-nil. However, motivated as ever, Kamil scored from the halfway line. It went under the goalkeeper. 

Next, due to a penalty, Heathlands were in the lead again. But, quicker than ever, Fahim went on a one-one-one with the keeper, and he scored! We were now equal with five minutes to go! 

It ended. So we went to five minutes of “golden goal” in which the first team to score wins. However, no one scored, so it went on to penalties. 

Our first penalty taker, Aadi, missed but luckily so did the first Heathlands’ player too. Next it was my turn and I managed to calmly score! Even better, our goalkeeper, Daksh, made a brilliant save to put us ahead. Then Maison scored! Daksha saved. Sabri tried but missed. Heathlands scored. Now it was up to Fahim, he had our victory in his hands. He stepped up and scored!! We took third place! 

Michal Oterski, 7G 

 

It is a little known fact that Heston's much-loved Assistant SENDCo, Leslie Cripps, was a famous and highly respected figure in the Rugby Union world before she became a teacher.

According to her Wikipedia page, Leslie is considered "one of the top ten North American women rugby players." In 2019, Leslie was inducted into the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the Sports as a player and a leader. Due to Covid, she did not manage to attend the ceremony in Vancouver until Easter 2022.

Leslie played nationally for various, popular teams such as the UVic Vikes in Victoria, and made 47 international appearances representing her country. She also served as Captain on twenty occasions between 2007 and 2010.

Her international honours include playing two test matches against the World Champions, New Zealand, in 2003 and taking part in a 2008 fixture with South Africa that was a celebration of Nelson Mandela's birthday.

In 2001, Leslie joined Saracens in London where she received the "New Player of the Year" award, eventually becoming Captain and leading the club to five league title victories.

Leslie credits her incredible career to the two local coaches who started a club in her childhood home of Williams Lake. She says, "I wouldn't have even thought of rugby. I'd never even seen a game before...the opportunity that was provided in Williams Lake planted the seed."

Massive congratulations to Leslie on this richly deserved recognition.