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Your December 2024 Round-Up of Other News...
In this edition...
- International Award Progress Italy Trip
- Governors Day
- 'Speak Out' Challenge
- Barnet Football News
- Houses of Parliament Trip
- Christmas Jumper Day
- Student Issues Assemblies
- Celebration Assemblies
- Student hosted Christmas Cream Tea
International Award Progress
Dec 5th
Languages Teacher and International Coordinator Ms D Matomby, held a special assembly for our KS4 students on the next stages of our British Council 'International School Award' Exchange programme.
Back in March of 2024, we spent a great week with a large group of visiting Italian students from Liceo Statali 'Giovanni Pascoli' in Firenze (Florence).
Before they went home they said how successful their visit had been and that they hoped to be able to see us again soon.
That wish has been worked on and it is now pretty secure that a return visit by a group of our students to visit our friends in Italy will take place in 2025! Eccelente!
Watch this space.
The students were very interested in our international relationships.
Our Italian friends back in the spring when we took them to see 'Romeo and Juliet' at the amazing Globe Theatre.
Governors' Day
Dec 6th
At the beginning of December we had an incredibly positive
Governor Day.
Our visiting School Governors commented on the fantastic atmosphere around the school. They joined a Learning Walk during the morning and chatted with staff and students along the way, including several Year 11 Prefects and those who they met in our Staff Room during break.
They saw a number of presentations regarding Spotlight, Personal Development, data and Inclusion. Lunch was taken in the canteen and being a Friday, Fish and Chips were enjoyed by most.
Thanks for all those involved in planning the day and everyone who made them so welcome.
Our Governors commented on the positive behaviour of the students and the the high visibility of staff on duty.
Jack Petchey's
'SPEAK OUT CHALLENGE'
Dec 7th
As well as operating the Jack Petchey 'Achievement' award scheme here at Canons High, we also take part in the 'Speak Out Challenge'.
It all starts with an expert led, interactive workshop. By the end of the workshop every student will have delivered a speech they have created from scratch to their classmates and a small panel of judges, usually a couple of teachers, who select top-quality speeches.
The next stage will be our chosen entrants taking part in a school assembly final.
The winners from this will go through to our Regional Final, and then hopefully on to the semi-final and ultimately, the grand final.
We will follow their progress closely, but for all our students who took part in the initial workshops, it was interesting, thought provoking and gave them an understanding and confidence in expressing themselves.
TOP TIPS
Be yourself.
make good eye contact.
Structure your thoughts.
Keep it simple.
Project your voice.
Speak from the heart.
Pitch, pace, power.... pause.
Be animated.
Keep to time.
Practise, practise, practise.
DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE...
IMPROVE YOUR ARGUMENT!
Barnet FC News
Dec 7th
We were extremely pleased and proud to see several of our Canons Bees Academy Students listed in the Barnet FC (1st Team) squad for their FA Trophy third round game against Aveley.
We normally only see our Canons/Barnet students playing matches for the Barnet FC Academy team in under 21 games, so to see several chosen for the first team squad is extremely encouraging.
Parliament Visits
Sixth form Students get the inside tour and story.
Dec 11th
We had two different trips travel into London and the Houses of Parliament during the second week of December.
The Elizabeth Tower, better known around the world as 'Big Ben' and the most recognisable feature of the Westminster Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
Firstly, our A Level History and Politics students visit the site of so much British history and the seat of British government.
Thank you Mr M Whelan and Ms R Howard for accompanying them.
A few days later our Year 12 Law students also visited Westminster Palace.
In this case, they were welcomed by our local MP, Bob Blackman CBE, Member of Parliament for Harrow East.
He allowed our students to visit chambers and areas of this landmark not accessible by the general public. He was also keen to explain some of the inner workings of government and the mysteries of the houses of Commons and Lords.
Special thanks to Bob Blackman MP and to Canons staff Ms S Waseem and Ms D Blake for accompanying our students.
Christmas Jumper Day
Dec 12th
This established, national charity event took place on Thursday 12th December this year.
Students and staff could wear their own clothes, including Christmas jumpers and other festive clothing, for a £1 donation to the 'Save the Children' charity.
Collection buckets were positioned just inside our main gate to collect any donations as our students arrived in the morning.
Altogether we raised a respectable
£525
for Save the Children.
Well done everyone.
Student Led 'Issues' Assemblies
Dec 15th
Our students researched and led several interesting and informative presentations to their fellow students during year group assemblies.
Their focus was on issues which they felt strongly about or they felt greatly affected them.
Topics ranged from National Parks and Civil Rights, through to Online Safety and the Importance of Diversity.
It was great to see our students taking the lead and showing such concern about important issues.
Celebration Assemblies
Autumn Term 2024
Dec 15th
As the end of term and the Christmas break approaches, it was time to celebrate the achievements of our students in a series of special year group assemblies.
There were the usual well earnt certificates for 100% Attendance, which came with a special enameled badge, plus recognition for those only missing the magic 100% mark through missing just a single day of school.
For our new Year 7s, just coming to the end of their very first term at Canons High, it must have been particularly exciting, especially if they received an award.
'Keys For Success' metal key badges and certificates were also awarded to those who'd reached the first points threshold.
Special Awards
Just a single student in each year group found themselves the proud recipient of this term's Principal's Award, along with a rare Gold Canons badge.
One other student similarly found themselves receiving the Head of Year award, also accompanied by a gold badge.
A small number of other special certificates for other events and achievements were also handed out, including several maths competitions our students had represented Canons at.
Special Thanks
Very special thanks must go to everyone who helped at the celebration assemblies, particularly to Mr A Litchfield who led them each day, but also especially to Ms S Varsani and Ms P Pandya, our KS3 and KS4 Student Support champions, along with Ms N Raja and Ms M Lidington, their Student Services colleagues, who laid out and prepared everything in the Hall ready for the assemblies early each morning. Certificates, badges, lists, timetables and the all important chocolate bars!
But extra special thanks must be given to Mrs S Rawlings from our Media Resources Team.
She coordinated the materials needed for the assemblies, gathering data, overseeing the printing of hundreds of certificates, checking names and figures, counting out badges as well as creating the massive PowerPoint slide presentations which ran on the big screens during the assemblies. She double checked everything before each assembly to ensure they all went smoothly, which they did. Good job.
Christmas Cream Tea
Dec 19th
A homemade and beautifully presented 'Christmas Cream Tea' event was laid on for staff and special visitors at the very end of this Autumn Term, all baked and prepared by our Year 9 Food & Nutrition students.
This term's Afternoon Tea was their biggest and best ever, requiring the use of our hall to accommodate all the staff who had bought tickets.
The tables were carefully laid out and proper tea was served in proper teacups, and accompanied by a wonderful selection of fine sandwiches, scones, pastries and other tasty cakes; and ALL of this had been freshly and carefully prepared by our Year 9 Food students.
There was also a raffle with the top prize being another afternoon tea for two, but this one would be at the Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair.
The money raised is being donated to The Felix Project, London's largest food redistribution charity.
We are extremely proud of our Year 9 'Cream Tea Crew', seen here along with Miss Campbell and Ms Yip, their Food & Nutrition teachers, and our very special visiting experts from the Athenaeum Hotel, Mayfair.
A wonderful selection of fine food, all freshly prepared.
Thank you to all our wonderful Year 9 Food students for what was an exceptional event.
Also thanks to our wonderful Food & Nutrition staff, and to everyone who came along and took part.
Very special thanks to our new friends from the Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair, Andi Fletcher, Director of People & Culture, and Nikhil Vyas, Head Pastry Chef. Their experience, expertise and friendly enthusiasm went a very long way to allowing this event to happen and be such the impressive success it was.
I'm sure we'll be seeing other events similar to this one next year.
