AES Community News

The sun has come out, the clocks have gone forward, the daffodils are blooming and the Japanese Cherry tree in our courtyard is in full bloom - Spring has arrived and this week the term concludes with our International Eisteddfod. It is one of my favourite nights of the year when our students demonstrate what is exceptional about this school; their intercultural understanding and appreciation and enjoyment of the Arts. The diversity of cultures, traditions, languages, dance, drama, music and poetry all culminate in a night of exceptional quality. It is a wonderful way to end our term and we wish you all a very happy, sunny and relaxing Easter break.

Mrs Gee, Headteacher

We are in full swing with our visits and exchanges programme and have welcomed many students already to the Anglo. Participation in a school exchange provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, develop global perspectives, and enhance their social and communication skills. By living and learning in another country, students gain first hand experience of diverse traditions, languages, and educational systems, broadening their worldview and fostering a deeper understanding of international issues. All the visits and exchanges that we offer also help the students to build their resilience, adaptability, and independence as they navigate unfamiliar environments.

This term we have hosted students from our exchange school partners in Frankfurt, Cadiz, Avignon, Dinan, Wiesbaden and Girona. We have also welcomed students from Chuo University in Japan for their cultural home stay visit.

International Day is our annual tradition which allows students to celebrate and share their culture and traditions with the rest of the school community. The school was awash with vibrant costumes and flags of all nations. The International Day is a celebration of heritage. It is also a celebration of those friendships that allow us to see that someone's different background or perspective is as valid as our own; developing our empathy, our respect for others and the way we make sense of the world.

Year 9 students took part in a recent Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition organised by Young Citizens. This was held in the prestigious court chambers of Basildon Crown Court. Each student did the Anglo proud by holding their own in a formal and tense atmosphere delivering speeches of a high standard. Our lawyers carried themselves with professionalism and assertiveness, and our witnesses withstood tough lines of questioning. The legal advisor and usher also played their roles perfectly. Well done team Anglo!

Our Year 8 students worked on their enterprising skills during Charities Week by planning, organising and running charity stalls with the aim of raising as much money for the 3 school charities as possible. This fantastic effort brought the total raised to nearly £1,400, which will be split between Farleigh Hospice, Child Poverty Action Group, and Action against Hunger.

The annual History essay awards evening organised through the Ingatestone and Fryerning Historical and Archaeological Society as a fantastic evening of historical discourse. The three winners, who were presented their prizes by Lord Petre, were: Summer in first place with an essay on Medieval queens; Ohemaa in second place with an essay on the Flora Hastings scandal, and Mary in third place with an essay on the rise of Stalin. Each student gave a presentation on their essay explaining their motivations, the parameters of the work, their sources of evidence and the historical context associated with the topic. They then fielded some very interesting questions from the supportive audience. We look forward to continuing this long-standing association next year.

We are exceptionally proud of Year 10 student, Harriette, who has recently been elected to one of 4 Youth Essex Assembly member seats. This is an amazing achievement and we know that Harriette will do a phenomenal job on behalf of the young people of Brentwood. Harriette feels passionate about young people having a political influence and a voice in the matters that directly affect their lives.

Previously, Harriette has been instrumental in running a Youth Awareness Campaign around the dangers of spiking. In a recent evaluation, it was clear that further education was needed to prevent the spiking of drinks in social areas. Tangible outcomes were the distribution of sealed lids for dinks and a programme of education to raise awareness. In addition to her role here, Harriette is also an active member of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Student Committee. We have a leader in the making here! Well done Harriette!

We have enjoyed working with our local primary schools this term helping to foster a strong educational community by improving teaching practices across all levels. It is key for primary school students to gain insight into the secondary school environment and help to ease their transition and build confidence. Our Year 10 Drama Club had a successful visit to Year 5 students of Ingatestone and Fryerning Church Of England Voluntary Aided Junior School. They performed a play they created themselves based on Ayckbourne's popular script 'Ernie's Incredible Illucinations' and then supported with a drama workshop.

The Languages department have been visiting our local Primary schools in Ingatestone, Mountnessing and Margaretting this year as part of our primary liaison, work as the Beeleigh NCLE Language Hub and Chinese CLEC outreach programme. Mrs Porsz, Mrs Latimer and Ms Zi have been leading a range of workshops with the students. Highlights have included a Spanish Christmas scavenger hunt, designing their own German Lebkuchen and celebrating Chinese New Year. It is always exciting to open these young minds to cultures and traditions from around the world and share our international ethos and love of languages with prospective Anglo students.

We were very grateful to all our "interviewers" who attended our Year 11 World of Work day supporting students by encouraging them to think and talk about their options after GCSEs and their future career pathway. One student commented: "The interviews were really useful as I have never had that experience before." Another said "Having multiple interviews with real employers has given me confidence. The first interview I had I was really nervous, but I was much more confident for the second one."

One professional said: "I have done some mock interviews at other schools too and wanted to say how well prepared the young people at Anglo were with their answers, and how further ahead they are with their thinking for the future than I have experienced with other Year 11’s - well done!" Another professional commented, "The calibre of the students was extremely high. They were polite, and very switched on, a real credit to the school."

If you would like to be involved in any of our career events please email enterprise@aesessex.co.uk

Thank you to all our "friends of the school" for your continued support of the school. Here is a reminder of ways that you can get involved:

1. Volunteering: The school welcomes volunteers, as we believe they have an important role to play in supporting our professional colleagues and enriching the education of our students with their time and expertise as well as acting as excellent role models. If you are interested in volunteering at the school please contact the school office.

2. Donations: If you would like to make a donation to the school and are not part of the school community please click here or contact the Finance office on 01277 354018. (Please DO NOT use this link to pay for anything other than a donation). Donations will be used to support financial hardship and ensure that opportunities such as our visits programme are accessed by all students and not just those who can afford it.

3. Resources: You could donate resources such as books, art materials, or even furniture for classrooms and common areas. If you are thinking of donations of this kind please contact the school first.

4. Work Experience/Career Support: We are continually looking for work experience placements for students, please let us know if you think you could accommodate a student for 2 weeks. We have many career related events, such as World of Work Day, Careers Convention etc that we could use professional support. Please email enterprise@aesessex.co.uk if you think you could help with any or all of these events.

5. Hosting Exchange Visitors: As in the past, we are reaching out to our wider Anglo Family for support in hosting teachers from our partner schools. When hosting, you would be required to offer a visiting teacher a bedroom with access to a lockable bathroom and provide them with meals including a packed lunch for the days that they are out on excursions with their students. We are able to pay £25 per teacher per night for the hosting services provided. Please could you email enquiries@aesessex.co.uk if you are able to accommodate one of our visitors for more information.

6. Vacancies: Consider becoming a member of staff, there are often a variety of options available within our staff community. If you have just a few hours in the day, you might considering becoming one of our middays, or exam invigilator. See https://www.aesessex.co.uk/home/about-us/vacancies/ for more details.

Our Digital Champions' workshops have been incredibly popular with our local community with numbers increasing with each session. Not only does this venture benefit the community by sharing technical knowledge but has also allowed the students to develop crucial communication and interpersonal skills.

Below is some feedback from local residents about the help they received from AES students;

• One lady said she now better understood loading photos on Instagram
• Another received help organising photos into albums and sending email to family in America. She said she plans to come back next time with her iPhone!
• One gentleman managed to delete a ‘mystery icon’ that appeared on Excel, without losing any data from his spreadsheet
• Another was provided with a replacement for his ailing laptop and got it set up

A representative from the Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Association said that “The Community Association is very pleased to host these sessions. They provide great opportunities for local residents to get more from their IT and social media as well forging welcome links between the community and the students from the Anglo European School.”

Mrs Nichols, who runs these sessions has been delighted with the difference that this has made to the community, "Some residents come with their technical query and then stay for the tea and cake just to have a chat! It is great to see the students interacting with the older generation."

The last session is scheduled for 20th May, but there are plans to return more frequently from September.

Email: enquiries@aesessex.co.uk
Website: aesessex.co.uk
Location: Anglo European School, CM4 0DJ, Willow Green, Ingatestone, UK
Phone: 01277 354018