WILLIAM Edwards School was lucky enough to have a visit last Friday from local Torch Bearer, Steve Winn – who was fortunate enough to carry the torch through his home town of Southend before the recent 2012 games. Steve visited the school and gave an inspirational assembly about his rollercoaster ride of first being nominated and then be chosen to carry the flame.
IT WAS a two day celebration of all that they have achieved and all that they can do at Gable Hall school, when they opened their doors to prospective parents over two nights this week. Headteacher, Sophina Asong made an impassioned speech when she made her presentation.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF the Studio Schools Trust, David Nicholl visited the Ockendon Academy Studio School recently and was deeply impressed with the 'focus, commitment and professionalism" of the students and staff. Mr Nicholl joined the principal of Ockendon Academy, Mrs Barbara King, the director of the Studio School, Mr Christian Berry as well as senior managers from the Port of Tilbury and Thurrock Council.
THERE WAS a real spring in their step at the Hassenbrook Academy Open Evening as staff and students opened their doors to prospective students and their parents. There was so much going on from drama to science, english and history and much much more.
INTREPID students from three Ormiston Academies joined forces to sail from Poole to Plymouth.
The ten students from Ormiston Park Academy in Thurrock, Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham on Crouch and Ormiston Maritime Academy in Grimsby lived on board the Ocean Youth Trust‘s 72-foot yacht John Laing for a week.
AN INTERVIEW with the headmistress of Grays Convent, Miss Brister where she explains the philosophy of the school, its charitable works both at home and abroad and where the school sits in 2012.
THE NATIONAL Skills Academy’s Backstage Centre at High House Production Park, Thurrock is a new world-class production training venue for theatre, music and live events. It provides a state-of-the-art, purpose-built technical centre that provides full offstage and backstage technical and rehearsal facilities for large-scale live theatre and music events, including arena tours, operas and commercial musicals.
ONE TENDS to forget that the college is the smallest senior school in the borough but that is just one of its virtues as underlined by headteacher, Miss Brister in her address on Wednesday night at the College Road school. In her address that you can see from the film below, Miss Brister accentuates many of the virtues of a Grays School Convent education. The word "compassion" is heard on a number of occasions and that is underpinned by the amount of money raised for charities both at home and abroad.
THIS IS THE fifth year we have filmed the Gable Hall languages day. Our first year, famously, has over 40,000 views as a young Perri Kiely (Diversity) appeared at the back of the hall. This year, once again, languages teacher Elizabeth Amey, created a great atmosphere as her dept. combined fun with learning.
AT EACH open evening, there seems to be a unique selling point that each school possesses. It doesn't happen overnight and although it seems to be part of the schools DNA, it is nurtured and developed over many years. Last year, as a parent was leaving St Clere's Open Evening, they told YT that it was the personal touch from the staff, the interaction with prospective parents, which was going to persuade them to put the Butts Lane school at the top of their form. (Yes, their daughter is now in year seven).
In a slightly different format from previous years and one that would be more inclusive, encouraging more students to participate, Blackshots pool was buzzing as the Thurrock Schools such as St. Clere’s, Hassenbrook, William Edwards and The Grays Convent took the plunge.
THE LAST TIME WE were at the Ockendon Academy, principal Barbara King was putting the first spike in the ground for the new classrooms. A few months later, prospective parents (from all across the borough) marvelled at the classrooms. Their open spaces and Scandanavian feel have a fantastic ambience and really enhance learning in the school.
On hearing the news that Ormiston Park Academy had received the Award, Collette Hunnisett, Assistant Principal said: “This is fantastic news for our Academy. The students have been so engaged in the projects and live styles of our friends and colleagues in India.
A SELECTION of Thurrock’s “High Achievers” officially recognised by the Mayor of Thurrock and other dignitaries. The event was part of the Full Council meeting which took place in the council chamber, Civic Offices.
THE CAR PARK was awash with high-vis staff and students at the cars streamed down Mayflower Road in Chafford as prospective parents flocked to the school to see what type of education, their child could receive. Even though sixth form would be some time away, many of the parents cast an eye on the fabulous new sixth form centre.
