Our second Super Learning Day for this academic year was held on 12 March.  It provided a range of activities for students in different year groups to participate in.  Inclement weather and train disruptions impacted negatively on planned trips but students and teachers demonstrated Resilience, one of six Hestonian Values and approached this setback with enthusiasm and can overcome spirit.  Well done to all.

Year 13 - BTEC Business

The sessions allowed us to practise our presentations for unit 1. We gained valuable tips and advice around body language and overcoming stage fright.  I am more confident now to attend any will help apprenticeship assessment centres.  

Xavier Cabral [13A]

Year 13 - Maths

During Super Learning Day, we did three intense lessons with our subject teachers, which allowed us to pack a lot of revision into a short period of time. Super Learning Day was really helpful in the lead up to the exam season as it allowed us to get an extra day of focused revision with our teachers.

Kiran Barrass [13A]

Year 13 - Biology

I found Biology very useful in terms of understanding how to structure a 25-mark essay. The day allowed me to focus on the exam structures and helped me write a concise essay.

Sukhpreet Chahal [13D]

Year 12

On 12 March, students from Year 12 started to think about their Post 18 pathways. They were introduced to UCAS and Personal Statement, which they will have to write about whether to apply to university or to degree apprenticeships. The More Able students also got the opportunity to work with Peter Rawling, an expert consultant who helps high-achieving students to access top universities such as OxBridge, Russel Group Universities and Medicine courses. Taran Bansal, Head Girl, described the workshop as "extremely useful" and enthusiastically explained she felt reassured as she now had a very good understanding of how to prepare for her university application.

In addition, students continued to explore online resources to develop their Super Curricular portfolio. These range from in-person work experience to online university courses and allow students to make their university or job applications stand out. 

Students have now been able to apply to workshops during the Easter holidays, which will help them develop not only develop their expertise in their chosen field, but also their soft transferable skills. 

The day focused on preparing us to apply to university and apprenticeships next year. Ms Forrest, our Learning Co-Ordinator, held sessions on how to structure and enrich our personal statements and I also had the privilege to attend a workshop with Peter Rawling, a consultant from PiXL, the largest education leadership network and CEO of Uni-que Higher Education Service. He provided us with bespoke advice on how to best prepare for our university applications, including courses we could complete and books we could read. This day helped me feel much more confident about my university application as I now have a clear plan of the steps I need to take to ensure my profile is highly interesting to admissions officers.

Aisha Hajiadam, 12A

Year 11

This Super Learning Day was a valuable experience and provided a lot of helpful opportunities, giving us an insight into the exams we will be sitting in May. It was a very stressful but productive day.

In the morning, we sat an English Literature [paper 2] mock, which was immensely stressful but extremely crucial as it will be externally marked and we will get the most accurate feedback possible before the real exams. We will also know that the results will not be bias, so we can see where we need to improve, to get the best possible grades in August.  But our teachers supported us through all of this, which made it less stressful and a positive experience.

In the afternoon, we also sat a Maths Non-calculator paper which was immensely tense for all but some in particular as it will judge whether students do higher or foundation paper for Maths.

Avneet Bansal [11Y]

Year 10

On Tuesday, 12 March, Year 10 was involved with Super Learning Day. There were a range of trips happening across the year group. Food Technology students were going to a local restaurant with their teacher, Mr Compton. Graphics students were going to Tate Britain with Mr Richardson and Ms Waheed. Design and Technology students were going to a London-based design museum with Ms Dhothar. Finally, all the other students were going to be exploring the National Science Museum. 

As per every day, we cannot always predict the weather and that brought a morning of organising coats, hoods and umbrellas as we realised the rain did not intend to let up any time soon. The Arts trips left the School first, making their way to Osterley train station with the Food Technology trip beginning their walk. Unfortunately for some of us, after the Graphics trip to Tate Britain, we managed to board the last working train from Osterley that morning. We were informed that there had been a signal failure and there would be no more trains able to take us into London. Although disappointed, the students were in good spirits as we walked back towards the School in the rain.

The afternoon for students who did not make it to their trip was spent working in our groups to explore ideas around coding as it was British Science Week and the theme was time and technology. Students were able to discuss with their teachers ideas relating to coding and also experienced the story of Alan Turing who is known as the father of modern computer science.

Year 9

Super Learning Day was an interesting opportunity to learn more about racism and its implications in our society.  It was interesting to learn so much about the different types of racist behaviour, both intentional and covert.  We also learnt about the effects racism has had on so many generations and why we all have a responsibility to work really hard to ensure that it stops with us.  It was made very clear that we should not tolerate racist jokes and should not remain silent when this happens and that we all have a responsibility to report it and to speak up as well.

The afternoon sessions where we were able to use our creative ideas to design a range of anti-racist t-shirts was the icing on the cake.  Some of the designs were fabulous and I’m convinced we could use them as a platform to raise funds for those who have suffered from racist attacks.  Some of the conversations were very hard to hear, but the more we engaged, the easier it becomes to discuss this very important topic.

It was a short day outside of our usual day and was quite a tranquil and irreplaceable day and I hope there are more days like this. This effectively communicates life skills to students through a diverse methods to ensure accuracy. This was a wonderful day and I can’t wait until the next.

Kaia Hall [9Y]

Year 8

On this Super Learning Day, a day in Heston Community School which enhances the knowledge of students and broadens their spectrum outside the curriculum, we were learning about Drugs and Anti-Vaping strategies. Drugs are a very vital part of our society in a wonderful way, as they cure illness, but in a malicious path, as well, because they cause tremendous loss to the community. They are a cause of many diseases and cause a burden on society as they lure people. Anti-vaping strategies were introduced as well due to many students in secondary schools using vapes and cigarettes, which has led to this workshop. We learnt many knowledgeable things. This has meant that we will not be drug addicts as we have gained knowledge of the hazards, strategies to cope and the misconceptions about them. This personally has introduced me to a world which I haven’t experienced. This is quite vital for all young adults, as many young people have been using these things and to help choose their decisions wisely.

We then had an informative lecture with aa former Police Officer who removed our misconceptions and the truth. We learnt this in a fun way, as we had some demonstrations in a simulation which isn’t possible outside school, with cocaine glasses. This showed us the adverse reality.

We concluded our day with a poster, which was a tool used to summarise, and a competition was organised to celebrate the effort put in and also to simulate workplace conditions.

Shanmitha Yeruva 8Y

Year 7 - Geography Trip Update: Adaptable Animals & Hinduism Exploration!

While our planned trip to Hounslow High Street wasn't able to go ahead, Year 7 Geographers didn't miss a beat! They rose to the challenge by flexing their creative muscles, designing their own unique animals adapted to survive in a specific ecosystem.

The afternoon saw them delve into the fascinating world of Hinduism, exploring its rich traditions and practices.

We were incredibly impressed by the Year 7s' adaptability and enthusiasm for learning!