As we come to the end of this academic year, I am mindful that I am also coming to the end of my first year as Acting Head of Fawcett. Prior to January, I had - since LAB’s opening - been affiliated with Sancho, so initially had some reservations about moving colleges. However, it has been a joy interacting daily with 240 students whom I would not have otherwise come to know.

The students in Fawcett deserve much credit; situated in the heart of the academy, they routinely reflect our values. They are courteous to staff and to each other. Hardworking and keen to learn, they have contributed significantly to a culture of scholarship where ambitions can be realised.

It is of little surprise, therefore, that at the time of writing, Fawcett college has the highest number of conduct points (merits minus demerits) since the beginning of the academic year, as well as the highest attendance. We also have the fewest persistently late students and the smartest uniform.

Throughout my time in Fawcett, staff have worked hard to foster the conditions where students’ best selves could manifest. So many have sacrificed what few periods they have to be highly visible on the college corridors or plaza, to call the parents and carers of their tutees, or to support students pastorally. I would like to personally thank Ms Young and Ms Gilmore; Mr Hughes and Ms Endersby; Ms Clark and Mr Pinches; Ms Moran and Ms Cameron-Smith for their considerable efforts in this regard. Along with our SSMs, Ms Crowley and Ms Lawrence, our superb team of tutors have held students to the highest of standards in terms of conduct, uniform and equipment; and they have sustained a calm and warm environment where students are happy and can learn uninterrupted.

With the long summer break looming, it is important to be mindful of the ‘summer slide’: meaning the potential for academic decline that can occur when students break for the holiday period.

Research suggests that one of the best ways to interrupt this is to sustain habits of daily reading throughout the summer break. I would, therefore, like to set your child a challenge - to read 30 pages each day, every day over the course of the holiday. If they were to be successful in this regard, by September 2nd, when we return, they will have read 1230 pages: the equivalent of, on average, 3-4 classic novels.

In order to assist with this, not only can your child continue to access ‘myON’, our school’s e-library containing more than 5,000 books, but I have also included below recommendations for a summer reading list, made up of suggestions from our students of the books they enjoyed most this year:

KS3:

Rebound by Kwame Alexander

First Class Murder by Robin Stevens

It ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Murder most Unladylike by Robin Stevens

Demon Apocalypse by Darren Shan

Shoe Dog by P Knight

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Burning Maze by Cassandra Clare

Concrete Rose By Angie Thomas

The Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman

Matilda by Roald Dahl

KS4:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Noughts & Crosses series by Malorie Blackman

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Girl In Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

The Cousins By Karen McManus

Dune by Frank Herbert

If you would like to further support your child’s reading development at home, please see below for some tips from the Book Trust: the UK's largest children's reading charity, dedicated to getting children reading:

• Ensure that your children see you reading. It doesn't matter if it's the newspaper, a cookery book, romantic novel, detective mystery, short stories, computer manual, magazine - anything!

• Encourage children to join in - ask a child to read out a recipe for you as you cook, or the TV listings when you are watching TV.

• Give books or book tokens as presents (and encourage others to do so!);

• Encourage children to carry a book at all times so they can read on journeys or in spare moments – you can do this, too!

• Encourage your children and their friends to recommend books to each other. This will encourage them to talk and think about the books they are reading.

It has been an extremely busy fourth year at LAB, and (thankfully) the first uninterrupted academic year since our very first. I have thus asked two students - one of our year 7’s and one of our (year 10) founding students - to reflect on the past 11 months. Please see below for more information. A huge thank you to Megan and Rihanna in this regard.

I would like to close, briefly, by communicating a heartfelt thank you to Fawcett’s parents and carers, for making me feel so welcome. I have no doubt that the college is in good hands with Mr Cowie and Ms Parker leading from September, and I wish you and your family a restful, safe and happy summer.

Looking back at my time so far at Leigh Academy Blackheath, it is fair to say that I have experienced a positive, supportive and nurturing environment. Before joining the school, I was quite apprehensive as I was the only person out of my friends to be going to LAB. However, during my first week there was a settling in period where we experienced our new school and its welcoming community, giving me time to become familiar with my new surroundings. As soon as I arrived, I knew that I had someone to talk to if I was worried, whether it was the teachers who were personable and friendly or the SSMS who gave amazing advice which was one of my favourite things about being part of my college Fawcett . All the lessons that I have had have been engaging, informative and stretching which has led me to be even more curious about the subjects we have studied so far. Along with this I got to explore the large variety of clubs and activities. From sports to music to learning new languages or debating clubs, there is lots to satisfy individual preferences and talents. - Florence, Year 7

Since joining LAB in January, I have felt very welcome and well supported. All the staff and students are friendly and made the process of settling in to a new school much easier. As year 10 is the main part of the GCSE curriculum, it has been packed with learning. At LAB, we started doing mocks and practise assessments quite early in the year. Although at first they were stressful, I feel like they have made the actual exams seem less daunting and allowed students to better prepare. The year has also included a mixture of work experiences and university talks. These have been very helpful as they have helped guide us into paths that suit each individual. My favourite thing about Fawcett is the friendly atmosphere that is always present. The college team is always available when support is needed and all the students are very polite.

- Rihanna , Year 10

New Staff - Pen Portraits

"I arrived in the area as an NQT and have spent the past 5 years at a local comprehensive school. Although relatively new to teaching I have spent many years as a youth worker; specifically supporting young people with more challenging home circumstances. It was this work that led me to teaching a subject rooted in society and focussed my passion on generating educational equity for all. In the short time at my previous school I have been both, deputy in my subject area as well as creating several equalities platforms and strategies to empower young people to use their voices and to support my fellow teachers as we moved towards a fairer community. Joining LAB is a fantastic opportunity to build on those experiences with a community that is passionate about investing in the whole child. I look forward to getting to know the hopes and ambitions of the students and helping them to know, show and grow their individuality. I'm so grateful for the warm welcome I have received and can't wait to get started on the wonderful experiences we shall create."

Charmaine Jean-Paul