Since I started doing Yoga at school, with our professional Yoga instructor, I have found myself sleeping better, and I have been a lot less stressed. Brooke Clements [11P]

In my opinion it has been a big gift for me to join this class. If has been really helpful during my mock exams. It has kept my mind fresh and relaxed. Clint Carvahlo [11R]

All of Year 10 were invited to The Globe theatre on Tuesday 22^nd March to watch a live performance of Macbeth. It was an incredible opportunity for students to experience one of their GCSE texts prior to studying it. The performance, sponsored by Deutsche Bank, was a gripping 90-minute production created specifically for young people. It was an incredible introduction to Shakespeare.

Ensuring all students feel comfortable and part of our school community are the key aims of Heston Student Council.

Student opinions and voices are fed back in meetings with Senior Leaders so that everyone shares a vision of what we want our school to be. 

When Head Students and Student Reps were first recruited, we decided to conduct a survey with students about what changes they would like to see.

This led us to create a more positive environment by celebrating students who show the Hestonian Values of Respect, Ambition, Resilience, Honesty and Equality. Every two weeks, a student from each tutor group in Years 7-10 is nominated by their peers and staff as a Stand-out Student. Once the votes are collected, all of these nominees are celebrated by being entered into a draw for an Amazon gift card! Additionally, a handwritten certificate is also sent out to all nominees by myself and Maryam Hussian, our other Head Student. 

Student Reps now attend weekly meetings to discuss important issues and communicate directly with Learning Co-ordinators. This allows us to contribute ideas of how to continue to improve our School.  We plan to organise a massive Heston Friendship Survey in the Summer Term to gauge student expectations of friendship as Kindness is a value that we and Mr Berdesha intend to add to the School's Hestonian Values next year.

Lastly, to support student mental well-being, Sixth Form Senior Students have started the Confidentiality Clinic: this is a safe space where students can come to talk to other older students (members of the Senior Students Team) about academic or social concerns. We all know how much it helps for some people to just talk and get things of your chest to someone who understands – we’ve all been there. Behind the scenes, much more is being discussed and we will bring out more news to you soon.

Gurpreet Arora - Head Student [12G]

The Year 12 students were given the opportunity to work with Dale from My Great First Job for Super Learning Day.  This was a great opportunity as we talked about the skills needed to when applying for a job, apprenticeships and even universities.

We went through a range of activities where we were taught how to sell our skills and what employers are looking for us in order to hire us. We learnt that the work experience we are all trying to access now is practical to the career we want to pursue in the future, for example as I am a sales advisor, I was able to learn that the skills such as communication, honesty, organisation and listening has developed me as a person.  He also showed me how to sell my skills in my interviews and be seen as more employable.  It was interesting as he helped me to see how the skills I am currently developing links to my future career of pursuing law where I will have to be able to communicate with clients, remain positive and be a good listener.

In addition, we went over the types of questions that could be asked during interviews and questions to ask the interviewer. This has helped me to understand the way to present myself and enhancing my position as a candidate to be considered.

Anisha Nareydoo 

Year 12

World Book Day was on Thursday 3rd March. Heston celebrated this through several fun events taking place throughout the day.

Firstly, there was the staff costume competition. This was won by Ms Macdonald and Mr Salcedo who dressed up as Lady Macbeth and Sherlock Holmes. Personally, I really liked Miss Dinkha’s Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter. Inside her room, she had several books laid out on top of red cloth, as well as four massive, remarkable swords from various fantasy novels.

For the students, a scavenger hunt was organised, with the goal of finding and writing down a teacher with a sticker, corresponding to a classic novel. Once all ten novels had been noted down, it could be handed into the library where they received a sweet treat, alongside an entry to a raffle. To accommodate this, the LRC was opened at break and lunch, and open to all year groups. This passion for reading, extended to lessons too with all teachers sharing their favourite childhood books.

Overall, this was a spectacular day, and will stand out in my memories, even well after I graduate.

Navvya Makwana [9O]