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  • Natwest Diversitek – Young Women in Technology

    Published 25/03/24

    The NatWest trip was such a great experience and I enjoyed it a lot. Starting the day, we arrived by coach and were greeted warmly by the employees at NatWest. We were given these funny red hats which made the experience feel much more unique. After some refreshments, we played some icebreakers in which we had to draw our partner and pass around that paper which resulted in goofy pictures of us. We hung those drawings on a board. Then we proceeded to go to a different room where we heard the stories of many influential, inspiring women. The stories were all about hard work and how it is working in a male-dominated sector/workplace and doing the course. They also told us how they ended up in their positions of power, such as being the leads of many teams. It was an enjoyable time and we also had time to ask many questions.

    After a break, in the afternoon, we were talked to about projects and managers and what it means to do this type of job. After that, we had a lot of Lego which we had to use to make as many projects as we could in short amounts of time, within groups, that would suit an area for athletes. At the end, awards were given to different challenges each group accomplished, while making the projects of Lego infrastructure. Our Year 10 group won the award for our problem-solving skills, which was quite fun. Overall, this trip was such an informative, yet really fun and enjoyable experience that helped me gain insight into different careers. 

    Aparna Bisht [10G]

    I enjoyed my trip to NatWest as the workers were very welcoming and friendly. I think it was really helpful to me career wise, to help get a look at what life is really like after secondary school; it was really informative for me and hearing the female workers' stories inspired me and helped me understand what it’s like for women in a male-dominated workplace. I had a lot of fun, especially when we were making Lego and had to build a city. Overall, I had a really great time and made some nice memories and also got to know a lot of people better. Hopefully, other people in different schools will also get the same opportunity I did as it really helps build confidence, work on communication skills and become closer with others.  

    Nusayba Kasmi [10O]

    I found this trip very fascinating; I believe it was a great experience for me and the younger students. It allowed me to hear the stories of different women in tech and their journeys and how they got to where they are. I now understand sectors and areas in tech. This trip also allowed me to interact and communicate with younger students by playing different games, which also helped with my teamwork and leadership skills. Overall, this trip gave me the opportunity to discover more about women in tech and broadened my career options.  

    Salma Mohamud [12D]

    The trip was very informative and a useful experience as it allowed me to explore my interest in technology in further detail. As well as that, I was influenced by the speakers who shared that their journey to tech was not easy and the hurdles they had to face as women in that industry. This experience was a fun, bonding experience with my friends as well as an educational one, as I learnt that there are many different fields within the tech space, meaning you do not need just be good at IT, but also other skills. 

    Hafsa Moalim [12H]

      

      

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  • Year 7 Girls' Football Rally

    Published 22/03/24

    Well done to our Year 7 Girls’ Football Team who competed in the Annual Football Rally in Springwest Academy on Thursday. The girls played 4 games - drew two games, lost one and won one. Player of the tournament goes to Aariya Sharma for her excellent team work, communication and work rate both during the tournament and throughout the football season.

    Team: Ikram Abdullahi, Ayushi Chacraborthy, Einya Fernandes, Aariya Sharma, Zarah Merchant, Mariam Khan, Sonia Arora, Chahat Jagmama, Avneet Wraich.

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  • Brentford Football Club Workshop

    Published 22/03/24

    On 15 March, Romario and Mannie from the Brentford Football Club held a workshop with 20 students from Year 8. The aim of the workshop was to develop positive relationships and was targeted towards students who could benefit from improving their behaviour in and out of school.

    The workshop started with an icebreaker where we had to say our names with an action, and repeated everyone else’s name with their action. I realised it was a task to get to know each other in a fun way.

    Another fun activity was the truth and lies, a game of saying two truths about ourselves and one lie and the others had to guess the lie. It was a good way of observing ways in which people talk when they are telling the truth or lying. It was also a good activity in developing our communication skills.

    We discussed our role models and who we would like to be like and hopefully, that would help create a positive atmosphere in school. My favourite task was the START and STOP activity. We each had to reflect and say what negative we would like to stop and what positive difference we would want to start.    

    Overall, I enjoyed the workshop and have learnt a few things as to how I can make a positive contribution in and out of school.

    Haseena Sekandary [8B]

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  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language

    Published 22/03/24

    I have always admired the role of the teachers around me: helping students to achieve their full potential, directly building a foundation for the future generation, and playing a crucial role in the development of future society. Consequently, this admiration of the teachers around me ignited a passion to pursue a career in the educational sector.

    I was delighted to be offered a fully funded TEFL course: Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The course consists of 10 modules, each providing an insightful taste into a specific element of the essential attributes and knowledge for a TEFL teacher to possess. For instance, the titles of some of the modules include: the IPA and pronunciation, grammar, EFL exams and many more. The course entails a multitude of videos that explain techniques to engage students in the classroom to maximise their learning [such as the use of realia, ice-breaker activities], interviews from teachers in the profession [providing a first-hand experience], key terminology for the career [EAL, ESOL, EFL] and many more.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed starting the TEFL course as I believe it has provided me with an invaluable perspective on what teaching really entails. It has provided me with different ideas to enhance my teaching in, hopefully, a classroom of my own in the future. Furthermore, I believe that once completed, it will have instilled valuable cultural skills within me, effectively helping me to become an open-minded citizen of the world. It also allows me to complete the course flexibly, with a deadline of August, enabling me to efficiently manage my time with my A-levels. Upon completion, we are also be awarded a certificate, a physical manifestation of the dedication shown. I am inextricably grateful for this opportunity.

    Aisha Hajiadam [12A]

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  • Heston Takes Delivery of its Brand New Minibus

    Published 22/03/24

    We have waited patiently for the delivery of our new minibus for 974 days! A record setting amount of time in anyone’s books.  There have been three Prime Ministers, three Foreign Secretaries, four Home Secretaries and three Chancellors have been appointed during this time, not forgetting a new monarch.

    The minibus will mean that students can get to their sports fixtures and trips easily and its inaugural outing on Saturday to the Wimbledon Magistrates Court resulted in our Year 9 students winning the regional trophy.  Long may it continue! 

    Congratulations to our Premises and Facilities Manager for the procurement of this jewel in our crown.

      

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  • Post 16 First Aid Training

    Published 20/03/24

    Post 16 students benefit from First aid training

    I am so glad I recently completed a first aid training course which was delivered to me by a firefighter who has 10 years of experience in teaching young adults how to perform first aid. The course covered everything from how to perform CPR on children and adults to how to use a defibrillator to restart someone's heart. This training was effective due to its practical elements; it wasn't solely theory-based. I was able to practice how to carry out CPR on dummies and on my peers, who were also taking part in the training. I can definitely say that this training has made me more prepared to handle any emergencies and made me more prepared in all aspects of life. 

    Prabseemran Kaur [12A]

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  • Romeo and Juliet

    Published 18/03/24

    Going to Shakespeare’s Globe to watch the modern adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was extremely interesting. Watching the play in the way they would have done in the Shakespearean era, with some schools standing up, others sitting in the dome and the absence of the roof really contributed to the otherworldly environment. It was interesting to see the Capulet and Montague families armed with knives, rather than swords, travelling across the stage on bicycles and electric scooters. The play overall was thrilling and the little present-day tweaks made it unique and intriguing.

    Anneka Chumber [9G]

    I really enjoyed watching ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in the theatre because, whilst I was reading the play, I was imagining it in my head and it was completely different to watching it in the theatre. Even though it was different, it was amazing. I had no idea what was coming next, which is ironic because I’ve read the full play. All the actors seemed very in sync and connected. Every time there was a tense moment, I could feel it. Even though the play was modernised, it still presented patriarchy and old-fashioned attitudes towards love and women extremely well. For example, when Juliet refused to marry Paris. There were also instances when the actors interacted with the audience, which was funny, but it also intrigued me as it allowed me to see the characters as actual people in a sad predicament and to put myself in their shoes.

    Luna Augusto Velasco [9W]

       

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  • World Book Week Celebrated

    Published 15/03/24

    We started the week with a visit from an Author, Manjit Mann, who told us all about a day in the life of an Author.

    I really enjoyed making bookmarks and the World Book Day Scavenger Hunt. We explored the heart of our library as the hunt unfolded — a labyrinth of riddles concealed in books we never heard of before. We, the seekers, deciphered in total 12 clues. 

    Lastly, I also took part in a storytelling workshop with Jordan Campbell, which was exciting as we explored a narrative of a person stuck in a tower. I think World Book Week was magical. 

    Ashford Falcao

    Heston Community School - Storytelling Workshop with Jordan Campbell

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  • Congratulations on a well-earned place at AIRBUS!

    Published 12/03/24

    Airbus Degree Apprenticeship Success

    Thanks to the unwavering support from my teachers and friends, I was able to receive an offer for the Level 6 Digital Technology and Solutions Degree Apprenticeships at Airbus at Filton.

    When applying for university, I decided to review all the alternative options I had post-18 and opted for a degree apprenticeship. This decision was driven by the prospect of having a full-time job to kickstart my career as a software engineer without incurring debt.

    After applying for over 25 degree apprenticeships, I finally "landed" a face-to-face interview with the Airbus recruitment team. Throughout this process, I received significant support from my excellent teachers and friends, such as Mr. Naqvi and Iman, who helped me prepare with mock interviews. Mr. Naqvi even went as far as inviting alumni who had also pursued degree apprenticeships to provide assistance and share their personal experiences. 

    Zaccheus Soares [13E]

     

    India offers the right opportunities & we are tapping it: Airbus India head - Industry News | The Financial Express

     

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  • Mental Health Awareness Talk

    Published 11/03/24

    The assembly was powerful. I appreciate Sergeant Patel sharing his journey with his battle with cancer and the impact this had on his mental health.  It brought home how important it is for us to talk about how we are feeling and to check up on each other as well.  His advice on focusing on your goals no matter what challenges you face is key with our exams around the corner.     

    Ezzeldine Darwish [13C]

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  • Year 13 Art Trip

    Published 11/03/24

     

    The trip was a fun and immersive event, walking through the exhibitions helped me to come up with new creative and innovative projects for my theme. I am sure it would have done the same for the rest of my class. It was also captivating to see that art has many forms, for example, shown on a hologram or displayed on a projector. I personally enjoyed the Serpentine Exhibition because it was a 3D motion of nature and all the motions overlaying. It was really calming to watch. 

    Riya Chana [13F]

       

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  • AWS GetIT Program

    Published 08/03/24

    Year 8 and 9 students are participating in My Journey in Tech Competition where we will design an app. At the end, our work will submit our app ideas, receive a certificate of completion and participate in the optional country-wide AWS GetIT competition. The presenter was excellent and got us all excited about the benefits of participating.

    Cyber Protectors!

    What is my app?

    • My app is called TechXplore. It is about exploring the internet and finding out ways to stay safe and protected online.
    • The app is directed towards children and will hopefully be able to help them with cybersecurity.

    Why am I making this app?

    • Many children nowadays usually use the internet every day. Unfortunately, using the internet comes with risks and the children may not know enough about how to protect themselves

    How will I educate children about using the internet safely?

    • With my app, users will explore a "tech world", hence the name "TechXplore". In this world, there will be strangers that will tell you suspicious stuff, such as "you need to change your password" or "click for free money".
    • With this main idea of the game, users will slowly begin to develop an idea of what is and is not safe. Additionally, if they get something wrong, there will be information to assist them.

    By Emil Ajroski [9P] and Team

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