“Samkad lives in a tribe deep in the Philippine jungle at the end of the nineteenth century, and has never encountered anyone from outside his own tribe before. He’s about to become a man, and while he’s desperate to grow up, he’s worried that this will take him away from his best friend, Little Luki. However, Samkad’s world is about to change utterly. A strange man with white skin arrives in his village, and Samkad discovers the

brother he never knew he had. A brother who tells him of people called ‘Americans’. Americans who are bringing war, and burning, to Samkad’s home.”

A gripping and powerful historical novel.

Short-Listed for The Carnegie Medal

2019

Will it win?

17th May 2019 853

Duty Pupils

Thank you for all your help

Jessica, Olivia, Keira, Harry,

Darcey, Thomas, Krishan,

Tegan (7JKn)

Nicholas, Evie, Leila, Mia, Ella,

Lyndon (7DGo)

Pupil Services

Revision School

With the external examination schedule now

moving into full swing, Revision School will start on Monday 20th May for Year 11 and

will continue for Year 13 throughout this

important time. Pupils have been issued

with a timetable of these sessions, which have been planned around the exams to

provide additional practice, support and

guidance. Copies of these can be found on the website for your information.

Whilst I know that many pupils will be

tempted to delete the Show My Homework app at the earliest opportunity, please

discourage them from doing so until after

the final examination has taken place.

Teachers will obviously not be setting homework but will use the system to upload

additional practice questions and exam tips.

This was particularly effective last year in between papers as teachers were able to

predict what might be coming next!

Deputy Headship

As I mentioned at the start of term, to

increase capacity, we have been planning on

recruiting a new Deputy Headteacher for some time. On advertising, we received an

overwhelming number of applications for

this position and the field was incredibly strong. After a rigorous 2 day interview

process, I am delighted to say that we have

made a strong appointment. The successful

candidate has gained extensive experience in a range of leadership roles and will start

here in September. We are delighted with

the appointment and I will provide further information, in a later edition of the Sweyne

Park Times, once the news is fully public at

his current school.

Headlines by Katharine Dines

Amy Climpson reporting…

Once more this year, a

number of our Year 10

students have participated in the Jack Petchey “Speak

Out Challenge” workshops.

As in previous years, our

students met the challenge of creating and delivering a

speech on a topic of their choice with dedication and enthusiasm. The winner would

then have the exciting opportunity of representing our school in the regional finals. We are delighted to announce that Jack Richards’ speech on “The Power of Dementia”, not

only won the hearts of the regional audience, but wowed the judges with his articulate

and moving delivery. As a result, he was runner-up in this closely contested final! Well done Jack! This is a fantastic accolade and very much deserved!

A member of the Leadership Team will be available to see parents without appointment, 9:00am-9:45am Monday - Friday & Thursday, after school, by appointment

Please remember to top-up your child’s account on ParentPay at least a couple of hours before lunchtime. If possible, please top-up the day before.

Bone Talk By Candy Gourlay

The Think Tank

Table Tennis Club

Every Thursday, 3-4pm

Jack Petchey - Speak Out

School Uniform

Please remember to

clearly label school

uniform with your child’s

name. If it is lost we can

then return the items.

We will be disposing of

lost property before half-

term.

Thank you.

Pupil Services

Thomas at Adams Joinery

Paula Steadman, Work Experience Co-ordinator reporting:

On Tuesday 23rd April the whole of Year 10 started their two-week period of work

experience placements. Pupils undertook a wide range of placements such as animal care,

hairdressing, sport, childcare, IT and retail to name just a few. Several pupils chose to make

the daily commute to London, making their day even longer and more tiring, although Zarah

takes the title of “furthest travelled” this year as she travelled eleven and a half thousand

miles to New Zealand to work with her Aunt in her dog grooming business! What an

opportunity!

It is a testament to this year group that 96% of pupils arranged their own placements. It has

been proven year upon year that the most rewarding work placements have been secured by

the pupils themselves, rather than by searching the BEP Group database. Year 9 should now

be starting to think about what they would like to do for their work experience next year, as

the process will start all over again in July. A letter will be going out in July with all the

relevant information. Any local business can be considered by the BEP Group, as long as they

have the compulsory Employers’ Liability Insurance, so feel free to think “outside the box”.

Can 96% be beaten next year? Can we make it the magical 100%? This is the challenge.

I would like to thank all the employers who gave our pupils this opportunity. The feedback I

have received from them so far has been an absolute joy to read. The most prevalent

expression is “hard working and conscientious”, a term not always associated with teenagers,

so well done Year 10! The pupils also appear to have found the experience very worthwhile,

with quite a few pupils being offered Saturday jobs or the promise of an apprenticeship!

Here are just some of the comments and photos ...

Salon 52 : “Ellen has been a great addition to the team this week. She carried out every task with a smile!”

Opus 2: “Freddie showed a massive interest in technology. He was a great help to us during a very busy period. We would offer him a job!”

Carmel Jane Photography: “Hannah has been eager and hard working. It has been a pleasure to have her working here, and we would gladly have her back.”

Pocknells LLP: “Reece was very keen and willing to

work. Completed all his work efficiently and to a

high standard. He is always welcome back!”

Victoria at Southend Dance Centre

Hannah at Docklands Light Railway Josh at Daniel James

Performance Cars Alexis at

Pathology First Sam at Coolpoint Comfort Taylor at Headlines Kyan at Luma Engineering

Zarah at Short Bark & Sides in New Zealand

Sam at Alan Simpson & Co