Mrs Gee met Year 10 student, Harriette this week to congratulate her on her leadership role in the Youth Essex Assembly. Harriet was selected to participate in leading a Youth conference called “Beyond the Ballot” which is an event involving 200 young people, decision makers and leaders from across the public and voluntary sectors. The purpose of the conference was to consult young people on their views and concerns on key issues including Crime and Safety, Health and Well-being, Jobs and the Economy and Culture and the Arts.

Harriette acted as a host and participant in the event, facilitating table discussions, engaging with local leaders and fostering her own leadership skills in the process. Harriette canvassed the young people’s views by posing key questions. She then focused on one area and her group was asked to consider one possible solution to the issue which was accessible, resourced, sustainable and low cost. She managed to develop some really pragmatic, exciting and innovative solutions to key concerns affecting young people at the moment. It will be interesting to see how local leaders take these ideas and resource their development so that these young leaders can sense the great fulfilment that comes from making their world a better place.

At AES, Harriette takes a leadership role in the EDI Committee, who are currently working on the Silver Equalities Award. One of her key foci this year is developing education for young people surrounding the use of derogatory or defensive language. She is a truly inspiring Anglo student and future leader. Many congratulations on this achievement!

The Riot Act performers visited our Year 7 students this week to perform their road safety play "What went down?". We are grateful to SaferEssexRoads for providing us with this opportunity. The powerful and engaging drama demonstrates safe behaviour around roads to students at this critical age, highlighting the importance of recognising and understanding how peer influence affects our choices and behaviour and how to deal with it.

30 Sixth Form students, studying A Level or IB English, attended an interactive talk on "The Handmaid’s Tale" with Dr Clare Connors from University of East Anglia. It gave the students a different opportunity to experience academic thought and expression, as well as providing an insight into the text. Many IB students know the novel as a core examined text, while A Level students may use the ideas in the text as part of their own wider reading.

The talk was facilitated by Channel Talent, which offers a range of subject and skill specific online events, which students can access as individuals, as well as through the school: https://www.channeltalent.co.uk/

Year 8 visited Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire this week. Formerly Pigott's Manor, the estate was bought by George Harrison in 1973 and donated to ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Today, as well as being a thriving place of worship for Hindus, it is home to Europe's first cow protection scheme. Students were given a tour of the grounds, visited the main shrine and learned about Hindu beliefs. Students then enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal.

There was a huge response to the Halloween Short Story Competition run by the Library. Students were asked to write an original short story with the theme of Hallowe'en using only three sentences. The Librarians took a while pouring over the gory, scary and funny entries, six winners were chosen and several runners-up from over one hundred stories submitted. Congratulations to L6 students Mollie and Hannah, Year 8 students Tobie and Grace and Year 7 students Nanami and Zeynep.

We asked Mrs Jamison to choose her favourite to be published in the Bulletin. Here is Tobie's story "The After-Treater".

The After-Treater

When all the kids go back home, the doors closed and pumpkins brought back in, the After-Treater still lurks, looking for stragglers to frighten. He's creepy and mysterious and spooky, he looks all disgusting and is never seen. He stalks the stragglers, trying to scare them with sounds and noises that nobody expected, he can only be seen by those who don't wish to see him, and those who wish to see him, never do.

With the rise in student interest regarding Apprenticeships, the Sixth Form Citizenship curriculum has been adjusted in recent years to provide additional information to students, allowing them to make informed decisions. This includes a workshop from "Ask Apprenticeships", time to research apprenticeships on the Unifrog careers platform and by taking all Lower Sixth students to the UCAS fair, which hosts apprenticeship providers.

In the summer term of Lower Sixth, students are allocated a destinations mentor. We share the following guidance with students, which can also be encouraged at home:

• Create an account with the Government apprenticeship website and set filters to show companies of interest https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

• Review the "Amazing Apprenticeships" listings of live vacancies https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2024/10/Higher-and-Degree-Vacancy-Listing-for-October-2024.pdf

• Delve into the Unifrog resources regarding CV writing, interview preparation and Myers Briggs personality test to consider suitable industries https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in

• Keep a list of companies you would like to work for and review their website weekly. Lots of companies ask candidates to apply directly only

• Build a professional network via LinkedIn. Students recently shared best practice of this in AM REG.

We have been pleased to submit many UCAS applications already, as the application window is now open! Upper Sixth students should be submitting their applications shortly after half term, with the final AES deadline being Friday 20th December.

Oxbridge, medicine, and veterinary medicine applications were submitted first, due to the earlier UCAS deadline. 17 students in the Upper Sixth cohort submitted their applications and will soon be supported with their interview preparations. With other competitive Russell Group institutions preferring early applications, we are pleased to see that a growing number of students are also applying early. Offers have been received for students wishing to study at the University of Leeds, the University of Essex and the University of Stirling already - with this list growing by the day! Students will now be meeting their destinations mentor for the final time and we look forward to submitting all applications before the December deadline.

The Sixth Form Charities CAS group will be organising the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal after half term. Commemorative merchandise will be on sale to purchase. Please bring in some cash so that you can purchase any of these items if you wish. We will be holding our Remembrance Service in school on Monday 11th November.

As part of her role as one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, Miss Whitlock attended a Gangs and County Lines course last week. This course was led by Jennie Read, who is the leading Gangs and County Lines Officer for Essex. The information shared by Jennie about the horrific acts of violence, manipulation, and control that criminal gangs are inflicting on young people in Essex and nationwide, as well as developing their methods that they are using to recruit young people into gangs, were both eye opening and extremely concerning.

Jennie shared the type of children gangs are looking to target when recruiting young people, as well as the possible signs that may indicate that a child has or is being exploited by a gang. It is widely known that gangs prey on vulnerable children. Some of these vulnerabilities include children with special educational needs, students who come from a low socio-economic background and children who are in, or who have previously been in care, as well as many others.

Worryingly, Jennie shared that gangs are now starting to recruit children who do not have such 'vulnerabilities', and who are not known to agencies such as Police, Social Care or Local authorities, as they have had less attention from these agencies, and so are more attractive to recruiters. Gangs are still recruiting and exploiting children in person, but this is now happening more frequently online through social media and gaming apps.

Jennie reiterated that preventing young people from being exploited and recruited into gangs through education both at home and in school, is vital in stopping these criminal gangs. Jennie provided two useful leaflets that outline the concerns around county lines and knife crime, the signs that may indicate that your child is being groomed by a gang or is involved in knife crime, and what to do if you think your child is a victim of either, these are attached. We would encourage all of our parents to read and discuss these leaflets with your child, as well as continuing to monitor your child's phone and social media accounts regularly.

The final message Jennie wants all children in Essex to get is, 'If it seems too good to be true, then it most likely is!'.

See the link to the events page for social and educational/support events, which may be of interest to our SEND parents. There are other parts of the website that are also useful and informative. They offer extra curricular activities and clubs including in school holidays and after school. For example Monday evenings is a girls only club for autism, diagnosed or not.

Spend some time over half term thinking about engaging in one of the school's extra-curricular clubs. Be courageous, take the leap and step out of your comfort zone - which activity will you try next half term? GET INVOLVED!

The AESA would like to run their popular Christmas present stall so that students can purchase small gifts for their families. If you have anything that you think might make a good present please bring these to Student Services who will ensure these are passed to the AESA.

We welcome the return of the very popular AESA Quiz. Please secure this date in your diary:

Friday 22nd November at 7pm - to book your place use this link https://forms.office.com/e/E9BkFQGTZy

The Year 7 girls' football team won 2-0! The girls played excellently as a team, working hard across all areas of the pitch. Player of the match was Lucia.

A busy week for our Year 8 girls' football team! They won their first football league game 7-3 demonstrating a great display of passing, keeping possession and shooting. Then later on this week they participated in their second game claiming their second win with a 4-0 score line. Mrs Coldham said "The girls are so impressive and exciting to watch. Well done to them all." Keep up the hard work girls!

Year 9 ran out 34-5 winners in their first home game of the season. Stand out performances from Oscar B, Freddie and Samuel at fly half.

Diwali, also referred to as the Festival of Lights is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, each with their own unique significance.

For Hindus, Diwali symbolises the victory of good over evil. Homes are illuminated with oil lamps (diyas), and people decorate their houses with rangolis to welcome prosperity. In some communities, Diwali also represents the start of a new year, and new beginnings.

Sikhs celebrate Diwali, also known as Bandi Chhor Divas and symbolises the triumph of freedom over oppression. Diwali for Sikhs is not just a festival of lights; it represents hope, resilience, and the importance of standing up for justice.

For Jains, Diwali is a time to celebrate spiritual growth and commit to living a life of virtue. It is a time for reflection, forgiveness and renewal. Jains celebrate by performing prayers, lighting lamps and engaging in charity, emphasizing the principles of non-violence and truth.

Overall, Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness. It is a time of reflection and highlighting shared values of hope, peace and joy. The festival typically falls between October and November, making it a vibrant and significant occasion in the cultural calendars of India and around the world. Festivities include family gatherings, exchanging gifts and enjoying savoury and sweet delicacies.

Happy Diwali to all who are celebrating.

(Allergens – dairy, nuts)

Pumpkins are high in fibre, reduces the risk of heart disease, and can help strengthen the immune system. They are in season and are at the peak of ripeness making them more flavoursome. If you're looking for a different way to cook pumpkin, try this recipe. This salad brings the sweet, savoury and tangy together bringing a burst of flavour in one mouthful. You can substitute pumpkin with butternut squash if you prefer.

Ingredients for roasting

· 300g pumpkin of your choice, diced into 1-inch pieces

· 1 red pepper – diced in 1-inch pieces

· 1 tsp paprika powder

· 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional but adds a kick)

· 1 tbsp of lemon juice

· 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

Put all the ingredients in a baking tray, mix together and bake in a preheated oven at 200degrees for 25 – 30 mins.

To serve

· Baby leaf and rocket salad

· Soft goats cheese

· Orange segments – halved (I used clementines/sweet easy peelers)

On a plate, create a bed using the baby leaf salad then arrange the cooked pumpkin, red pepper, goats' cheese, and oranges on top.

To garnish

· 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

· 1 tsp honey

· 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

· Crushed walnuts

Whisk the olive oil, honey and balsamic vinegar together and drizzle over the salad. Sprinkle over crushed walnuts and enjoy. Serve warm or cold.

Happy Cooking & have a wonderful half term break.

Mrs Prema–Gadhia

Bookings are now open for a host of free, fun and educational events at the 2024 Chelmsford Science Festival, organised by ARU in partnership with Chelmsford City Council and Chelmsford For You. The festival will take on the theme of Our World – Planetary Health, and feature a range of events, activities, and engaging talks from experts.There are also free family Science Days on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October featuring a jam-packed day of hands-on, interactive science activities for the whole family.

22nd September to 16th November - Year 10 Long Term Exchange to Frankfurt

Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November - HALF TERM

Monday 4th November - Year 10 individual photographs

Thursday 7th November - U6 National Theatre Workshop and Performance

Thursday 7th November - Year 11 Parents' Evening

Monday 11th November - Remembrance Service

Monday 11th November - Brentwood Boys' Swimming Gala

Monday 11th November - Year 9 Girls' Brentwood Futsal

Tuesday 12th November - Confucius Classroom Hub Enrichment Day

Tuesday 12th November - MESSSA Cross Country Championships - Hylands Park

Tuesday 12th November at 6pm - Year 8 Information Evening for Parents

Wednesday 13th November - Year 9 Enterprise Day

Thursday 14th November - L6 Tycoon Award and PJEA Event

Thursday 14th November - Year 8 Girls' Brentwood Futsal

Key Dates for each Year Group can be found https://www.aesessex.co.uk/home/parents/key-dates-and-term-dates/

Term Dates 2024-2026 - https://www.aesessex.co.uk/assets/Documents/Attachments/Term-dates-2024-2026-1.pdf

Finance - finance@aesessex.co.uk

Admissions - admissions@aesessex.co.uk

Visits - visits@aesessex.co.uk

Attendance - use Edulink

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