£21,138.00, and counting, raised for Challenge 271

Physical Education teacher Mr Froy completed an epic challenge over half-term raising thousands of pounds for Kidney Research UK in the process.

Mr Froy launched Challenge 271 on the 3rd December 2014: a year after the loss of his father, Colin Froy, Police Constable 271, Hertfordshire Police.

Challenge 271 saw Mr Froy run 42km from East Runton to Norwich City Football club on day one; cycle 73km from Norwich to Barton Mills on day two; run 42km from Barton Mills to Granta Park, Cambridge on day three; cycle 73km from Granta Park to Hitchin on day four and finally run 42km from Hitchin to Watford High Street on day five.

Mr Froy received a hero’s welcome as he crossed the finish line in Watford on Saturday 30th May. Family, friends, colleagues, students and the local community were there to cheer him on and greet him at the end of his long journey.

Over the past six months and during the challenge, with the support of friends, family, the local community and the Kingsbury High School community, Mr Froy has raised more than £21,000.

Mr Froy said “colleagues and close friends have been amazingly supportive at barn dancing, sponge throwing, football tournaments, ice cream sales, non-uniform days and staff raffles. I can’t thank you all enough for your time, money and support.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/challenge271 to find out more or to make a donation.

Thanks to Bruce Viveash for the photography.

Kingsbury High School Newsletter Issue 9 – May 2015

Intermediate Maths Challenge

On Friday 30th April, approximately 80 students from Year 11 and 10 took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge (IMC) which is run by the UK Mathematics Trust. The IMC encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. Many congratulations to Dhruv Sharan, Sonal Mistry and Dhruvi Kerai on receiving Gold certificates. All three went into the regional final, called the Kangaroo, receiving a certificate for participation.

Year 11 Final Assembly

The Big Dance Pledge

On Friday 15th May Year 7 and 9 Dance and Music ambassadors from Kingsbury High lead 60 students from Oliver Goldsmith Primary School in the Big Dance Pledge. The Big Dance Pledge happens all over the world to get everyone involved in dance and exercise. The Kingsbury High ambassadors did an excellent job in learning and then teaching the primary school students dance routines and musicality. To end the day, students performed the choreography in front of 80 Year 9 students.

Year 9 student, Jumana Elsheikh Ali, said “I really enjoyed passing on my passion for dance to the primary students.”

Year 10 Motivational Workshops

During March and April, a group of Year 10 students participated in three motivational workshops to raise their confidence; provide them with a connection between their studies and the world of work; and to get them to think about their future career paths.

At each of the workshops, organised by Future First, four former Kingsbury High School students were invited back to school as role models.

The first session aimed to increase students’ knowledge about the various jobs that exist; expose them to different career pathways; and motivate them to think about the right career for them.

Working in small groups, students rotated round a bank of tables where alumni volunteers were stationed. Students were able to find out information about their working lives and how they got there.

Louis Cheshire left Kingsbury High School in 2007 and currently works as a Support Worker and a Freelance Photographer. Louis attended the first session and said “When I was that age I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after education. When I thought about getting a good job, I always imagined that it came down to getting high grades in school and moving forward in a very rigid, linear fashion. I found that a very daunting prospect. What I wanted to convey to the students is that there isn’t one universally ‘right’ way to do things – that there are countless ways of getting to the place in life you want to be. Sometimes you have to take a chance and try something new – it doesn’t always work out the way you imagined it would – but as long as you learn from the experience and better yourself for it, it should never be considered a mistake. The students seemed pretty perceptive of that. I saw some keen minds in that workshop and with the support and guidance of the school and Future First I’m sure they will achieve great things.”

Following on from Louis’ thoughts, in the second session, students heard from alumni volunteers about how both good and bad grades can impact on future education and employment opportunities. They also found out which skills, gained from subjects studied at school, the volunteers use most in their jobs. Volunteers then helped students identify how their subject and extra-curricular interests can be applied to different jobs.

The third session saw alumni volunteers act as coaches and helped students to create their own ‘Picture of Me’ guiding them into thinking more laterally about their talents and achievements. The activity culminated in a conversation about future career options based on the students’ strengths and skills.

Shazma Roshan also left Kingsbury High School in 2007 and now works at KPMG as Audit Assistant Manager. Shazma attended the final session and said “I thought the session was really well done and interesting for the students because it was so interactive. Students responded well, some were initially slightly less communicative, but by the end of a conversation, they really got talking and it was very interesting to hear about their worries, their hopes and their dreams. It was very enjoyable and I really hope they’ve taken something from it!”

On behalf of Kingsbury High School and Future First, we would like to thank the alumni volunteers for giving up their time to assist in these workshops.

Brave New Voices

Brave New Voices is a collection of poems and short stories created by the Year 9 Accelerated Learning Group. Students in the group have studied, performed and adapted a wide range of poetry and prose over the year as well as creating their own writing, both in class and independently outside of lessons.

Kingsbury High School teacher, Chris Beschi, mentored them on the project and said “The group have excelled in this area of study and have been prolific in their production. They have grown in confidence and ability and have achieved some outstanding results; a selection of which is included in this anthology.

“Tackling diverse issues and subjects the writing in Brave New Voices reflects the diversity of experiences, beliefs, interests and cultures that define this group of students.

“Brave New Voices is a vibrant, honest and thoughtful collection of work and a testament to the endeavour and potential of this very special group of students.”