News

Loxford in the month of February

Within the month of February, our students took part in the following activities:-

• We held an E-Safety Workshop for parents to attend, as there is an increasing need to ensure children’s safety online.  Recent research shows that every time a child is online they are just three clicks away from danger and as a result, this free training helped parents to be aware of the risks and what they can do to develop a culture of E-safety in their homes
• All Year 7 attended a Road Safety Workshop
• Our Year 11 Parents’ Evening had a fantastic 96% attendance and they were assisted by 23 “Helpers” across Year 9, 10 & 12
• On Wednesday 22nd February, Suzanna Polka from the British Red Cross visited the school and spent time with thirty Year 7 students.  They took part in a Mini First Aid Course in school and obtained a badge to show they completed the course.  They learnt how to carry out CPR, deal with choking, head injuries, burns, breaks, bleeding, asthma attacks and allergic reactions.  The workshop was practical, lots of fun and involved many activities for the students to enjoy but also they developed a long life skill and maybe save lives. 
• A workshop for Year 11 was held to help the students with their Options Post 16
• Youth Centre Workshops were held on the themes of “Being unkind and violent to others”, “Verbal/physical altercation”, “Anti-social behaviour” and “Vaping”
• During National Apprenticeship week, internal workshops were held each day on the subjects of Post16-18 Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Experiences and NHS Apprenticeships
• Safer Internet Day was on Tuesday 7th February and here at Loxford School, it is an official date on the calendar.  Every year the Computing Department staff prepare activities for Computing and PSCHE lessons.  This is to raise an awareness into the importance of staying safe online, while thriving to ensure that Online Safety is promoted in a safe and responsible method 
• Our two Child Friendly Redbridge Ambassadors, Anusha Hossain and Mudassar Nadeem, have been attending various meetings with the Councillors at the Town Hall.  They presented the report of the Youth Council and Members of the Youth Parliament projects, the update on the Preparation for Adulthood project and the overview of the Youth Democracy Project.  As part of these meetings, the Ambassadors answered a number of questions directed to them by the Councillors about the issues and topics they had presented on
• CareerSense is NatWest’s employability education programme and one of their Ambassadors led an Exploration Workshop
• We have raised over £1,000 so far for the Turkey/Syria Earthquake Appeal
• Thank you to everyone who attended the Year 13 Parents’ Evening
• Our Year 11s took part in the National Reference Test which is a centre for testing Standards in English & Maths for students age 16 and organised by the Government.  The representative said “the students focus and commitment participating was exemplary.  The warm welcome and supreme organisation was most welcome”.  Finally she complimented the students by saying she was “blown away” by the way they conducted themselves
• A group of KS5 students have been accepted on the Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme from Lloyds Bank Group.  The scheme is poised to provide young people in education with the opportunity to be mentored by Lloyds Banking Group staff towards charting a better career and life
• On Wednesday 22nd February fifty-five girls from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in a Girls Empowerment session led by Lifeline Projects who have 15 years experience of working with young people through award-winning mentoring schemes.  The session was led by SW!TCH ambassadors, which is a new youth programme working with young people to improve self-image and mental health.  During the session, students were encouraged to reflect, share feelings and identify the importance of having confidence and belief in themselves, alongside strategies to develop better self-esteem in a safe and supported environment.  The aim was to encourage the power in girls by teaching them the skills to thrive, and believe in their ability to be unstoppable. Students were engaged throughout and thoroughly enjoyed the interactive tasks, the inspirational empowerment videos and discussions about how to be assured, independent women with strong self-esteem. 
• The school is glad to secure more mentoring sessions with “Support You and Me Counselling”.  This involves six free sessions of counselling support for students who are at risk of exclusion or becoming involved in criminal activity, or who have behavioural or psychological issues or witnessed domestic violence.  All referrals need to be made to Mr Curcio
• On Wednesday 8th February, the Key Stage 4 and 5 Eco Ambassadors took part in a virtual workshop about Threats to Wildlife, presented by Eve from Born Free.  Born Free is an animal charity whose main is to help with the protection, conservation and welfare of wild animals. Alongside this, they run workshops to help educate others by creating resources to help teach children about how precious wildlife is.  The presentation highlighted four main drivers of biodiversity loss: Habitat Loss, Human Wildlife Conflict, Illegal Wildlife Trade and Trophy/Canned Hunting
• Year 10 took part in a Jack Petchey Workshop

We visited the following places:-

• Year 11 PE students arranged a trip to Ilford Athletics for the practical portfolio for their GCSE and they completed various techniques and activity drills in 100m sprint
• Year 11 English Literature students went on a walking tour of London to visit the locations in the novella.  This was in connection with their GCSE studies of “Jekyll & Hyde”
• 45 Loxford students were able to attend and watch elite level netball at the Copper Box arena in Stratford, the home of London Pulse.  It was a thrilling encounter against Severn Stars where London Pulse were victorious, winning by a margin of 13 points.  The students all enjoyed the atmosphere and were keen to discuss sporting role models performing at close range
• On Friday 24th January, a group of Year 9 students travelled to Battersea Park on a Thames Clipper Boat.  The journey on the River Thames from Barking Riverside to Battersea Park allowed the students to observe the rich culture, physical geography, old and modern architecture and the industrial past of London.  The perspective of our nation’s great capital from the River was marvelled by all.  At Battersea, the students discussed the changes to the UK economy as we stared up at the newly transformed Battersea Power Station Shopping centre
• Our Year 9 & 10 Prefects went on a LGBTQ & Diversity trip to Woodbridge High School

Loxford took part in many sporting fixtures:-

• A big thank you to our PE department for hosting the Sixth Form football match.  Year 13 won 4-3 on penalties.  The atmosphere amongst staff and students was warm and great despite the chilly weather.  Money raised was £207.51.  Proceeds will go to Crisis UK, Shelter UK, Action Aid (for Turkey/Syria earthquake) and Disasters Emergency Committee (for Pakistan floods)
• Year 9 won their football match against Isaac Newton 2-1
• Year 10 lost their football against Ilford Country 0-2