Headteacher's Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to the Summer Term – I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break. As we begin this half term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the many achievements of last term. It was a busy and successful period, and I am incredibly proud of the commitment, energy and accomplishments shown by our students and staff. Many of these highlights are showcased throughout this newsletter, and I hope you enjoy reading about all that we have achieved together.

I am delighted to introduce our new Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Natalie Steadman. Mrs Steadman joined West Hatch in 2022 and has led our Sixth Form with great skill and dedication. This term, she begins her new role as Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Pupil Behaviour and Values, Welfare, and Character Development – areas that are at the very heart of our vision for the school over the coming years. We are excited about the impact she will have in shaping a culture where every student can thrive both academically and personally.

We also welcome Mr Robert Tester to his new role as Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for the Sixth Form. With more students than ever choosing to stay with us for their post-16 education, this is an exciting time for Key Stage 5, and we are confident that under Mr Tester’s leadership, our Sixth Form will continue to go from strength to strength.

We now look ahead to another important and exciting half term, particularly for our examination groups. Year 10 students began their PPEs (mock exams) this week, and we are confident they will approach them with maturity and determination. Year 11 will begin study leave on Thursday 8th May, followed by Year 13 on Friday 9th May. We send our very best wishes to all students sitting exams this summer – we know how hard they’ve worked and are behind them every step of the way.

We recognise that there are times when absence from school is unavoidable. However, we also know that regular attendance has a powerful impact on a young person’s academic progress and future opportunities.

Recent national research highlights the strong link between attendance and exam success. For example, students with 95–100% attendance in Year 11 are nearly twice as likely to achieve a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths compared to those with 90–95%. Missing just 10 days in Year 11 can reduce the chance of securing a Grade 5 by 50%.

We share this not to cause concern, but to empower. Every day in school counts and your support in promoting regular attendance plays a vital role in helping your child succeed. Together, we can give all our students the best chance to thrive – now and in the future.

Students from Years 7, 8, and 9 participating in the Achievement Plus Programme recently showcased their remarkable creativity and independent learning skills at a Creative Showcase. The event provided a platform for students to exhibit projects they had developed based on self-selected topics, demonstrating a wide range of interests and talents.

The Achievement Plus Programme encourages our more able students to delve into complex and relevant topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them and preparing them for life after West Hatch. This year, students were challenged to select a theme from a diverse range of subjects, including: Culture, Media and Sport, Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs, Economy, Education,

Environment, Health and Social Care, Law, Policing and Justice, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Students were tasked with developing a project that explored their chosen topic, requiring them to explain their inspiration and the processes involved in their work. The showcase featured a variety of presentations, from websites and poems to games and artwork, each reflecting the students’ unique perspectives and talents.

Family members and school staff were invited to attend the event, providing an opportunity to engage with the students, learn about their projects, and ask questions. The atmosphere was vibrant and engaging, with students passionately discussing their work and insights. It was fantastic to hear from the students and see their projects first-hand. There was such an impressive range of work on display. A sample of some of the work can be seen below.

West Hatch High School resonated with the sound of youthful talent on Friday, March 14th, as the Roding Rotary Club presented its annual “Youth Makes Music” concert. The evening was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse array of musical performances and raising vital funds for local charities.

Hosted at West Hatch High School, the event showcased the remarkable talent of students from five local schools and a performing arts academy: Avon House School, Chigwell School, Davenant Foundation School, West Hatch High School, Woodford Green Preparatory School and Stagecoach Chigwell. The audience was treated to an incredible variety of musical styles, demonstrating the exceptional skill and passion of the young performers. The event was compered by Howard Ebden, Director of Music at Chigwell School, and it was an honour for West Hatch High School to host this vibrant community event, which fostered a sense of unity and shared appreciation for the arts.

“Youth Makes Music” was not only a celebration of talent but also a powerful fundraising initiative. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, the event raised over £1000 which will be donated to the following charities. The Lily Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mitochondrial disease. The Limes Farm Community Pantry which provides crucial support to the local community and the Selective Mutism Information & Research Association which supports individuals and families dealing with selective mutism.

By organising a number of events throughout the year, Roding Rotary Club continues to raise much needed funds for local charities. The Club also provides support to the local community. Its next major annual event for all the family is the May Fayre which will take place on Sunday 18th May on Chigwell Green. The Roding Rotary Club and West Hatch High School extend their sincere gratitude to all the participating schools, performers and audience members who contributed to the success of “Youth Makes Music.”

The West Hatch Computer Science Society hosted a Scratchathon Competition for KS3 students, where participants created video games using the programme Scratch. Congratulations to Adriana Akramova in Year 8 who won the competition with her innovative game, winning a £10 Amazon Gift Card. For more details on the group and the work they are doing then please visit the West Hatch Computer Science Society Website: https://westhatchcss.tech/

Essex Boccia County Finals in January 2025

Congratulations to our Year 7 students who made it through to the finals of the Essex County Boccia Competition. They had really worked on their communication and target skills since their last competition and this seemed to pay off as our two teams bought home the gold and silver medals!

Kurling County Finals Competition February 2025

A group of our students had the opportunity to compete at the Essex County Kurling finals. With a mixture of our Year 7 to 9 students, it was fantastic to see a true sense of teamwork with the more experienced Kurlers offering some top tips to our Year 7s.

Panathlon Bowling County Finals March 2025

Some of our target team students were invited to compete in a Panathlon 10 pin bowling competition, because we had finished first in the District. This was a great opportunity for the team to try and beat their previous scores against other elite teams from the District! The students had a great day and really cheered on their team mates, they tried their best to beat their previous scores and we even had two students that achieved over a 100 in a game and were awarded their 100 certificates!

Congratulations to the u16 girls football team who have made it through to the Essex County Cup Final having beaten Notley 1-0 in the semi-final last term. We wish the team the best of luck for the final that takes place on the 30th April.

Congratulations also to the Year 7 netball team who won the District Netball Final against Fredrick Gibbard.

Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson visited the school last term, meeting with myself and our Year 12 School Ambassadors. During the visit several local issues were addressed, including the significant challenge of parking congestion around the school during peak hours. Dr Hudson is taking forward these traffic and parking concerns with the relevant authorities. Plans to expand the school's facilities, starting with an extension of the sixth form block to accommodate the growing demand for places was also discussed.

During a wide-ranging discussion with the Year 12 School Ambassadors, topics ranged from environmental policies to International Women's Day initiatives. Students shared their fundraising efforts and expressed concerns about local littering, equality of opportunity, and the lack of cycle lanes. Dr Hudson also provided insights into his background as a veterinary surgeon and the details of his role as local MP for Epping Forest and Shadow DEFRA Minister.

Reflecting on the visit, Dr Neil Hudson said:

"I was incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement of the students at West Hatch High School. Their interest in both local, national and global issues was great to hear and I am so pleased I was able to hear more about the issues which matter most to our young folk. I look forward to supporting their initiatives and watching the school continue to thrive under Mrs Schaefer's leadership."

Picture below of Dr Neil Hudson , the Headteacher and some of our Year 12 Ambassadors.

On Thursday 20th March Year 12 English literature students travelled to Hampstead Heath to visit the house where John Keats lived and worked. Here students were able to see first hand important items of historical significance, such as his medical equipment, his copy of Paradise Lost and the Garden in which he wrote Ode to a Nightingale. During this trip our students were given a tour of the property and attended a workshop where they learnt about the poem Ode to a Nightingale, a fantastic opportunity to experience the poem in the place it was written.

Two West Hatch teams competed in the Thames Gateway and East London regional heats of the National Reading Champions quiz. The quiz consisted of 75 questions from 8 different categories, all from the wonderful world of literature. 22 teams battled it out for a place in the finals. It was a challenging but exciting event for our students, an opportunity to use their wider reading knowledge in competition against other schools.

The competition is led by the National Literacy Trust and funded by the Author’s Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS). It celebrates keen, young readers and champions the important role of teachers and school librarians in promoting reading for pleasure.

Mrs Sheikh, school librarian, said “As part of our World Book Day celebrations we entered this competition. The students were so excited to be taking part in a national competition, and it was great to see how both teams worked together. Sadly, we didn’t make the finals, but both teams should be extremely proud of their achievements.”

Picture below:

Team A: Daliya Naydenova, Olivia Louth, Abigail Oyelakin and Myla Young

Team B: Adriana Akramova, Poppy Carter, Raahil Mustafa and Deshaun Cooke

Over the Easter holidays Year 9 and 10 history students attended a school trip to Berlin. They were able to immerse themselves in the reality of some of the key topics they study at GCSE. Students attended a former concentration camp, saw the remains of the Berlin Wall, visited the Olympic Stadium built by the Nazis and had a guided tour of a former Stasi Prison.

This was a fantastic opportunity to speak to people who lived through some of the horrific experiences of both Nazi and Soviet Germany and enrich their GCSE history study. The students were respectful and engaged throughout and were continuously praised for their excellent questions and outstanding behaviour. This was an excellent experience for both students and staff.

Thank you to all the students that took part in the competition to design a logo for the Friends of West Hatch Parents Association. Congratulations to Freya Barbieri in Year 10 who has won and her design is below. Freya has won a free lunch pass for a week and 25 House Points!

Not only do we like to celebrate our current students' achievements but we also like to showcase students accomplishments after they have left. Kody Clamp left West Hatch in 2023 and in December 2024 he attended an Inclusive Youth Leadership event at Debden Park High School. He was invited to the event as a young role model, sharing his sports journey alongside the Youth Sport Trust athlete mentor, to inspire other students.

Kody was part of the Target Team during his time at West Hatch which is led by one of our LSAs, Miss Pearce, and when talking about his time in Target Team at the event Kody said: “I really enjoyed it because I got to try new sports like archery and New Age Kurling. My favourite sport was Boccia. I liked it because it helped me focus. Playing sports also helped me communicate with others and I learnt how to communicate if I was getting angry and needed to step back.” He went on to say that “Miss Pearce helped me to be patient so that is what I tried to teach people when I helped out in lessons. My motto is if you help someone, you help everyone. I just try to do my little bit to have a wider impact.” If you would like to read the full article please click on this link. - Youth Sport Trust

A reminder to parents and carers to ensure that your child's parentpay account is topped up with sufficient funds to allow them to purchase food and drink at break and lunch. If your child's account is in deficit it puts our catering team in a difficult position of having to turn them away from purchasing anything. In order to help manage your account you can set up an automatic top-up facility within parentpay, which is triggered when the account balance reduces to a certain level. There is also the function to set up a spending cap. Please email our Catering Manager, Leanne Smith at LSmith@westhatch.net if you would like further information on how to set these up.

Parent Evenings (online and by appointment)

Thursday 1st May - Yr.9

Thursday 5th June - Yr.10

Thursday 12th June - Yr.12

Thursday 26th June - Yr.7

Closures and Half Term

Monday 5th May - Bank Holiday

Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May - May Half Term

Monday 2nd June - Inset Day - school closed to students

A sincere thank you to everyone who took part in our recent mobile phone policy consultation. Your feedback has been invaluable in helping shape our approach. The updated policy is now in its final stages and will come into effect after half term, on Tuesday 3rd June. In the meantime, we will be speaking to students about the changes and our expectations, and we will be writing to families in the coming weeks with full details.

There is so much to look forward to this term, from academic milestones to enrichment opportunities and celebrations of success. As always, our students continue to embody the ambition, resilience and character that make West Hatch such a special community.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Warm regards,
Mrs. Victoria Schaefer
Headteacher