April 2009 Archives

THE president of teaching in America visited Uxbridge High School to get a feel for English schools.

Matthew Kramer is responsible for Teach for America's overall performance and along with his colleague Amanda Timberg, who runs the UK version, Teach First, they toured the school and met students.

Teach First recruits exceptional calibre graduates who might otherwise not have considered going into teaching.

Mr Kramer wanted to see an English school where the programme was being operated effectively and Uxbridge High, in The Greenway, Uxbridge, was recommended.

He told the students and staff the school was fantastic and they should be very proud of it.

Mr Lang, Head Teacher of Uxbridge High School, said: "Matthew Kramer, President of Teach for America, and Amanda Timberg, Director of Teach First, were very impressed with their visit to Uxbridge High School and praised the school for its ongoing achievements.

We were honoured and delighted to host them and we were able to show them the innovative ways in which we are working at Uxbridge High School to make success happen."

Chris Spencer, director of education and children's services said: "It is fantastic that such a prestigious visitor has come to Hillingdon to experience one of our schools.

"The staff and students at Uxbridge High have been working hard to deliver excellent results and fully deserve this recognition for their good work."

STUDENTS at ACS Hillingdon are taking part in a fun-filled Poetry Week which includes a visit from a renowned children's poet.

The school in Vine Lane, Hillingdon, was visited by James Carter who took the student for two sessions.

One involved a lively show with guitar music, a Goldilocks rap, and poems about the dark, a garden shed and electric guitars.

Older students took part in a highly interactive presentation featuring rhymes about bugs, dinosaurs, pirates, and travelling around the world.

Throughout the week students brought a poem to school which they share with their classmates and different year groups.

Peggy Travers, lower school librarian, said: "Poetry is a great way to play with language because, for children of this age, it is so open-ended and has so few strict rules. We are glad that Poetry Week created an environment for the students to enjoy language and learn to play and experiment with it."

The week culminated with 'pyjama time' where students brought pyjamas, a pillow, a flashlight and a cuddly toy to school for a poetry-reading session.

The library was transformed into a poetry wonderland with fairy lights and cushions to create a cosy atmosphere for the students to read their favourite poems.

A SCHOOL has applied for planning permission to build an extra classroom block.

Hillingdon Manor School, in Harlington Road, Hillingdon, is requesting to permission to build the block which will allow for six extra classrooms.

The new block will be built in the same style as the existing buildings and pupils will benefit from a purpose built play area if permission is granted.

A CHANCE to escape the stresses of work and motherhood will take place at a special pampering event.

The evening will be held by Hillingdon Manor School PTA on Friday May 15 with doors opening at 7.15pm with treatments beginning at 7.30pm.

Various therapies will be available including hot stone treatment, massages, manicures, facials, Indian head massages and more.

It will be held at the school in Harlington Road, Hillingdon, and is the third year it has been held.

There will also be beauty products and pampering treats available to buy from the various stallholders and refreshments will also be on hand.

Entrance in £2 and therapists will charge for their full or taster sessions of their therapy.
Tickets are available on the door or by contacting Anne Coakley on 01895 813679.

GARDENERS hoping to grow their own strawberries can go along to a free refresher weekend dedicated to the fruit.

The tips and planting demonstrations will be offered at Wyevale Garden Centre on Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, on Saturday May 9 and Sunday 10.

A free leaflet will be available on how to grow the fruit in gardens, hanging baskets, in pots or even patios or balconies.

Bharat Dhiman, said: "Strawberries are the perfect plant for novice gardeners who are hoping to grow their own fruit and vegetables for the first time this year."