Alumni Visit from Tanisha Anand, Class of 2021,14 November 2024

It was a truly rewarding experience to return to Heston Community School and deliver a talk to students. From discussing Russell Group university options and career paths with Year 7s to providing in-depth career advice and degree breakdowns to Sixth Formers, it felt amazing to share the knowledge and insights that this school helped me to obtain. Now working as a Marketing Executive in Mayfair, London, it’s easy to get caught up in busy daily life, but coming back to the School that shaped me into who I am today was a powerful reminder of my journey.

I was inspired by students’ ambitions; one student, aged 11, even shared their worries about university, only for a peer to reassure them, saying they looked up to older siblings who had been to university and found success. Sixth Formers also shared their thoughts about moving away from the comfort of Hounslow, something I experienced when I went to the University of Warwick – some of the best years of my life. I felt proud to share my story and talk about how those experiences helped shape my career today. Tanisha Anand [Class of 2021]

On the 14 November, I had the opportunity to attend an alumni meeting where I was given useful information and advice about potential universities and the various opportunities available within the Russell Group. Tanisha, an English graduate who studied at Warwick University, shared valuable insights regarding the prestigious nature of Russell Group universities, emphasising their academic excellence and the benefits of studying in a rural area rather than city-based universities! As she studied at Heston Community School, she also stated how teachers in our school gave her informative advice and encouraged her to take part in important roles to enhance her CV. Overall, this event was incredibly informative as she also explained her struggles and ways to overcome them, which has given me a better understanding of my options for my future path. Liya Ludhra [12A]

My experience of the visit to the British History Museum was amazing. There were many different statues that depicted different countries and their customs, along with clothes, belongings and, at one point, projections on the walls telling a story. The thing I really liked about this experience was learning about so many different religious pieces, such as a turban from early Sikhism.

Sanvi Dhal [9P]

On this trip to the British Museum I saw many things, but the one that really interested me was the mummies and the fact that they were the actual bodies of the Kings. It interested me because it was amazing to see how they were wrapped up and in their original coffins from Ancient Egyptian times.

Brandon Amblavaney [9P] 

“Participating in the Sky trip was an incredibly enjoyable and educational experience. I had the opportunity to act as a director, honing my skills in green screen editing and filming. The advanced equipment we used was impressive and added to the overall excitement of the experience. Watching the process unfold in real-time was fascinating, especially when I observed a professional news reporter at work. Additionally, meeting the Head of Sky Sports and having the chance to ask him questions was a highlight, providing valuable insights into the industry.” 

Noor Waris [12C]

Upon arrival at Sky, we were first introduced to staff members who helped us find our way around, as well as assist us with certain tasks we had to do. We had to sit in our arranged groups and then assigned specific roles to do once we reached the Studio. We made our way to the Studio where we were greeted by a member of staff who played us a short introduction video and answered any questions we had. We were introduced to Sky's history and its role in the media industry. We then saw the rooms in which the intricate process of live news, which required a lot of precision and coordination. As we headed back into the Studios, we chose our topics of interest to speak about, we prepared our speeches and then recorded our video. When that was done, we edited the video to our liking, which we then watched as we came back to the Centre. As a whole, I would agree that the Sky trip was an enriching opportunity to enhance our communication skills, as well as our vocational and confidence skills. It enhanced our knowledge in this particular sector of the world and allowed us to have a deeper understanding of the media industry.

Natalia Baranowska [12D]

The recent trip to Sky proved to be a memorable and fun experience. The opportunity to explore surroundings I was unfamiliar with, which allowed for broadened perspectives. I would argue the trip helped me come out of my comfort zone, as I was confidently speaking on camera as a news reporter. The trip also provided valuable time for relaxation away from my daily routines. I'm thankful I was offered a place on this trip, because I personally feel like I've picked up a lot from it, such as the ability to work in a team under pressure and being able to improve my time management skills.

Sarah Khadar [12C]

  

 

On Sunday, 10 November at 09:30, we started our half-marathon and 10K races in Victoria Park. Dino and I had encouraged the rest of our friends to take up running for its many benefits. About a month before our race, we convinced Arun to sign up for the 10K. Arun later encouraged Prabhdeep and Jeevan to join as well.

The inspiration for this half-marathon came from our Head of Year, Miss Forrest, who shared her experience running a half-marathon during an assembly. Her story of grit and discipline motivated us, and right after the assembly, we decided to start preparing for the challenge.

Since the race was on the other side of London, we woke up around 05:30 and travelled by tube to get there. The race was a huge success, with months of training paying off as each of us reached our personal goals. Dino finished the half-marathon in under 2 hours, while I completed it in 1 hour and 48 minutes. Prabhdeep, Jeevan, and Arun also successfully completed their first 10K races.

We believe running is valuable for everyone — students and teachers alike. Just like exams, running requires consistent effort and genuine dedication to achieve great results. We hope our experience inspires others to take up running and maybe even try a half-marathon or do their first 5 or 10K race, just as Miss Forrest’s story inspired us.

Five year 10s and Five Year 12s were invited to take part in a week of work experience at the London Borough of Hounslow Council offices. Students took part in employability workshops and were placed into different departments throughout the week. Departments included were, Finance, Legal and Lifelong Skills, Learning and Employment. Students worked towards a presentation throughout the week and then presented their work in front of senior managers at the Council and to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat. The opportunity was invaluable and will contribute towards their life-long journey.

During my time working at the council, I truly enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the community and contribute to various projects. The experience allowed me to develop valuable skills in communication and teamwork while working alongside dedicated professionals. I appreciated the chance to learn about local governance and how decisions are made that impact residents' lives. Each day brought new challenges, and I found it rewarding to see the positive effects of our work on the community. Overall, it was a fulfilling experience that deepened my understanding of public service.

Annabella Haji [10R]

The work experience with the Local Authority was an exciting and eye-opening experience. It showed just how vast and varied the careers within the Local Authority are. A highlight for me was the morning at BYD hearing about the apprenticeship opportunities soon to be available to the young people within the Borough. I was on placement with the 14-19 service, which is a career-focused area. I was given tasks throughout the week relating to statistics in the Borough and also the YSEG bulletin which is sent to young people, careers advisors, teachers and businesses throughout the Borough. One of the articles I wrote was published recently for Green Careers Week and was in relation to my trip to BYD and another relating to my experiences while on placement in the Council is soon to be published.

Ben Rixon [12A]

My work experience with the legal team at Hounslow House was invaluable. There I learnt important soft skills, including presentation skills, during my conclusive group project we were assigned during the week. Additionally, I was also able to visit the Hounslow Registry Office and learn about the laws and legislation involved in simple marriage, birth, and death registrations. In conclusion, I gained life experience and had an amazing time!

Malishqa Kapoor [12A]

I recently took part in the London Borough of Hounslow Work Experience programme. This was an extremely insightful experience for me as I was able to apply my skills in the workplace and adjust to a new environment. I had the opportunity to work in the Communications department, which is mainly focused on developing and executing marketing approaches to effectively distribute information to residents of our borough. During the week, I wrote a piece that described Hounslow’s upcoming Halloween events to encourage residents to attend during the half-term break. I also managed to go off-site during my placement to visit West Thames College and help vocalise the importance of young people’s involvement in improving our Borough and way of living. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and now have a much more accurate idea of what skills are needed to excel in the workplace. Thank you to Mr. Naqvi and Mrs Laing for making this opportunity possible.

Alexinho Rosario [12C]