VILLIERS HIGH SCHOOL


Newsletter magazine for parents and the whole school community Autumn 2011 Edition Issue 1 www.villiers.ealing.sch.uk


Dear Parents We are all inventors! I AM very proud writing to you in


our new look newsletter magazine which you will also find on the school’s website. Why? Because I have taught at Villiers for 23 years and know what a great school this is. This newsletter is all about the teachers and students, showing you just how good we are.


In August we had some fantastic examination results and on 24th November we had our 1st graduation ceremony. It was an exciting evening when last year’s Year 11 students returned to collect their certificates. Famous inventor Trevor Baylis (inventor of the clockwork radio) conducted an inspirational speech and presented the graduation certificates. It felt wonderful to see smiling cheerful faces sitting once again in our school hall.


This confirmed Villiers is a happy school


in which to work and learn. I firmly believe when staff and students are happy, they will want to come to school to teach and to learn.


School student/teacher survey speaks volumes


• 95% report good behaviour and a positive attitude and atmosphere for learning • 90% feel positive about the current year and want to contribute • 96% say they enjoy learning in interesting and exciting lessons • 98% want to come to school saying the atmosphere is conducive to learning


Respect is the key


Students at Villiers feel a genuine sense of belonging to their school, and such positive feelings don’t happen by accident. We have found ways to encourage this atmosphere. And I don’t mean just giving the students sweets every day!


• We are building a fair community • We listen to what the students say • We have a safe, welcoming and friendly en- vironment


Above all.....We respect each other.


May I personally wish every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year and also on behalf of the Senior Leadership Team and the staff. Have a restful break and see you in the New Year.


Dave Curran – Interim Head Teacher


Tara Mirchandani receiving her certificate from Trevor Baylis with Dave Curran


From stuntman to global brand


Trevor was invited to the school’s first formal graduation ceremony to present for- mer Year 11 students with their GCSE cer- tificates, and to talk to them about his life journey from professional swimmer and part time student, to stuntman and inventor of countless products and the brains behind his global brands.


Don’t be so dependent


The charismatic engineer told the students how he spotted opportunities to invent, patent and bring to market products based on personal experiences and of those in Third World countries saying ‘Don’t be so dependent on your computers and technology; what would you do without them, if they just stop working?’ and went on to say ‘Learn how to do things and make things, but do it without the tech!’


A career that gives you a buzz


This inspirational septuagenarian closed his speech with ‘Get a career that gives you a real buzz and put your knowledge into prac- tise straightaway!’...


Autumn 2011 Edition Issue 1


Proud Bronze Award achievers with the mayor of Ealing at the Duke of Edinburgh award ceremony


Staff pride in achievement


The students were, as always, immaculately turned out and were a credit to the school. There was a significant staff presence at the event in comparison with other Ealing schools, which is heartening in the fact that our staff feels genuine pride in our students’ achievements. Photographs will be uploaded onto the school’s website very soon, so keep a look out for this. Please take the opportunity to congratulate not only your own child but any other who you know has qualified for this prestigious award.


Recruiting for next round soon Can parents of any Year 9 students who are interested in taking part in the next round of Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards, please look out for more information on the school website in the new year, and also from Mr Gondal and his coordinating team. Duke of Edinburgh Team


THIS message to former year 11 stu- dents at Villiers High School came across loud and clear from world re- nowned inventor and motivational speaker


Trevor Baylis OBE; who,


raised in Southall went on to invent the first wind up radio and hundreds of products for the handicapped.


Villiers students continue to outshine the competition


ON November 28th the annual Lon-


don Borough of Ealing Duke of Edin- burgh presentation ceremony took place at Ealing Town Hall hosted by the Mayor of Ealing.


This year Villiers High School won the distinction of having the one of the highest


number of pupils qualifying for the Bronze Award, with 26 students out of total 140 en- trants, and who have already started work- ing on their Silver Awards.


greenleafphoto.co.uk


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