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International Women¡¯s week at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ 2026, Organised by the Zonta club

Last week, the Zonta Club organised a door decorating competition as part of International Women’s Week, which invited mentor classes across secondary and primary to decorate their classroom doors with women in science, female activists, inspiring figures, and powerful quotes. Each door told a different story about women who shaped the world in ways big and small.

The range of women chosen was impressive as some groups went for well-known names while others spotlighted women most people haven’t heard of but who contributed enormously to women’s rights and to where we are today. One student said: “They inspired me to become a different person, now I want to be someone like them and be remembered on a door.” Whereas, another reflected that seeing every door together “showed how much we’ve come, so far,” which felt like exactly the kind of moment the competition was meant to create.

Among the figures that appeared, Hedy Lamarr stood out as a favourite as she was the actress and inventor whose work laid the groundwork for modern Wi-Fi technology, inspiring one student who said she wanted “to do something that could change the world.” Catherine O’Hara was another name that came up, praised as an award winning actress and an inspiring figure for anyone with a passion for drama and emotional expression.

Across year groups, students described the competition as inclusive, creative and enjoyable. Alongside the competition, a group of Zonta members also planned and delivered PSHE sessions focused on International Women’s Week, covering the issues women face today, the history and purpose behind the week, and including activities that encouraged real discussion rather than just listening. Students who attended found it both enjoyable and informative. Sessions were planned and delivered by Yukta, Anaya, Sriguni, Siddhant, Suyagya, Araddhya, Sanna, Shreya, Rumani, Pema and Pranita, all from Year 10 and 11. Special thanks to everyone who helped make the week what it was and to the teachers who supported it throughout.

Article by Saugat Basnet and Pierre Heckmann????????

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Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026

This week, pupils and staff celebrated the many different ways our minds work and learn as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026, focusing on the theme ¡®Awareness into Action¡¯. Students used their incredible creativity to design banners and posters reflecting on what helps them learn, enjoyed a fun photoshoot at the celebration photobooth, and shared their unique talents and strengths during primary and secondary assemblies led by students.

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On Thursday, parents were invited to a well-attended, hands-on session exploring the many ways the Additional Learning Needs Department supports pupils across the school. This included the ways we celebrate and include neurodiverse pupils at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and the systems the school has in place to ensure every individual has the chance to succeed. The week concluded with the return of ¡®Odd Socks Day¡¯ on Friday, celebrating individuality, uniqueness, and diversity.

Spring Showcase: – the Creative & Performing Arts faculty brings you¡­

Arabian Nights

Please put Thursday 2nd April in your diaries and help fill the school hall when we perform our 2026 spring concert. As well as the usual individual ?and ensemble performances, we are looking forward to our KS3 PAWS musical theatre performance of Arabian nights – as you can see from the rehearsal photos, the KS3 drama club are promising some great performances which will be linked by songs from the popular musical Aladdin performed by the KS3 PAWS choir. Sign up today using this??

Tickets will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Please only sign up if you are sure you will use the ticket.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ celebrates Neurodiversity

By: Aarambha (Year 10) and Aarush (Year 10)

This week, our school is celebrating Neurodiversity Week through spreading awareness by an assembly on Tuesday where we spoke about its importance, key facts and a fun quiz in the end and celebrating each and every one in our Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ community. Firstly, we gave an introduction about why it is important to mark it and how to highlight its significance as we discussed the challenges neurodivergent people face and the talents they have despite their struggles. We spoke about how everyone¡¯s brain works differently, and that there is no single ¡°normal¡± way of thinking, learning or experiencing the world.

We also explained that neurodiversity is about recognising and respecting these differences, just like we respect differences in culture, gender or background. By doing this, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Additionally, we highlighted that many neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, often have unique strengths like creativity, problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.

We showcased these unique strengths and talents through performances of our students where Arka in Year 11 displayed a great confidence with his ramp walk in a fashion show style manner. Saishree (Year 10) presented exceptional talent through her singing and Neeharika (Year 12) was wonderful in a cultural dance.

Furthermore, we shared real-life examples and messages from students about how support from teachers and friends helps them learn better and feel more confident. This helped show the importance of kindness, understanding and acceptance in schools. We shared a range of student responses from the presentation, where some students said that teachers at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ have a strong understanding of students with conditions like dyslexia and try to support them. Others mentioned that teachers explain things in simpler and more engaging ways, which makes learning easier and more enjoyable. Some students also highlighted how having kind friends and supportive teachers helps build their confidence and allows them to learn better.

Finally, we ended the assembly with a fun and interactive quiz to engage the audience and reinforce what they had learned. Overall, the assembly aimed to spread awareness, break stereotypes and remind everyone to celebrate differences and support one another.

However, that was just a part of it. What makes our community and compassion at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is how we learn and accept one another. Whether it be by talking to each other, playing fun games together, or even just having lunch together. As we celebrate the Neurodivergent society in our school, we let the children, teachers, parents, carers, staff and all of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ feel special, because every one of us is their own unique special individual.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ celebrates International Women¡¯s Day

By Saanvi

Last week, our school doors were transformed into displays of inspiration as students took part in a unique door decorating competition to celebrate International Women¡¯s Day. Every class was given the opportunity to decorate their classroom doors and what followed was an incredible display of creativity and effort. From powerful historical figures to modern-day icons, the doors reflected a wide range of women who have made significant contributions to society, as well as those who inspire change in their own everyday ways.

Some classes focused on scientists and leaders, while others highlighted artists, activists, and everyday women who inspire change from different cultures and backgrounds. Many displays included messages about equality, resilience, and empowerment. Some classes even added interactive elements such as sticky notes where students could write names of women who inspire them, or short reflections on why representation matters.

Throughout this competition, it was inspiring to see students working together, sharing ideas, and dividing tasks while supporting each other. Whether it was staying back during break times to finish decorations or helping refine each other¡¯s designs, the teamwork was seen and It wasn’t just about competition, it was about learning, appreciating, and celebrating.

Lastly, on Friday, PSHE lessons were also dedicated to International Women¡¯s Day. It was a great opportunity to learn about new inspiring women and gain a deeper understanding of their contributions and impact. Overall, the competition was a huge success. It turned an ordinary week into something memorable and impactful, leaving a lasting impression.

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Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Girls win NISSA football for the third consecutive year.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Captain Reha (Y13) is tournament MVP!

Bibhushan & Ryona

On Sunday 16th March, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ ended their NISSA journey this year at Premier School for the finals. The players have improved so much ever since the start of this season, going through good times and bad and getting to the finals.

For football, the girls dominated all over the pitch, getting touch after touch, pass after pass, goal after goal. Their skills on the pitch was unmatched and because of that they secured their 3rd championship in a row, winning against Ullens 1-0. It is amazing to see our footballers come this far, considering for some of them?it¡¯s their third year in the team. Congratulations to the girls football team and the football coaches for securing an amazing finish for the season.

On the other hand, the boys basketball was filled with excitement and passion, but their first match was briefly postponed due to weather conditions that occurred on the day. Despite this setback the boys pushed towards their potential, hitting bucket after bucket each game. They tried their best but came fourth overall in the league. In the end, they walked out with their heads high out of the court, ready for the next season ahead. Congratulations to the future boys basketball players and the coaches who guided them in this journey.

Overall, both teams have played to their potential every game and despite every setback, they always manage to overcome it and push harder. Thank you to everyone on the NISSA Boys basketball and Girls football teams and all the coaches that help make this possible

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball season came to a close last Sunday. Finishing second in the league reflected the level we were able to reach as a group, especially considering the injuries that affected our squad throughout the season.

There were some standout moments that really defined our season. The double overtime win against KISC was a clear highlight, showing our resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Shoutout to Pratham and Tashi for stepping up in that game, and to Pranav for his performance against Ullens, which was another key moment for the team.

That said, the finals tournament was disappointing. Finishing 4th didn¡¯t reflect the standard we set during the regular season, and as a group, we know we were capable of more. However, the experiences from this season can be used as a foundation for the coming years to achieve the level of success we expect.

Overall, this was a season of growth, resilience, and strong team spirit. While the ending wasn¡¯t what we aimed for, the experience and progress we¡¯ve made are valuable memories for all of us.

Captain Abdul

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ mathletes conquer the formidable Mathcounts and retain their winners trophy!

By Avigya

Following the great victory and success from last year, on Saturday 14 March, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ accompanied by Mr Delaney and Mr Campbell proudly and bravely took on the Lincoln vs KISC vs Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Mathcounts maths competition hosted by Lincoln school.

The competition started around 10:30am and ended around 12:30pm and consisted of three tough rounds, the sprint round where you had 40 minutes to answer 30 questions. The target round where students used calculators to solve eight multi-step questions in total but in two question intervals with six minutes to solve them. This round also generally required more problem solving and reasoning compared to the sprint round. Finally there was the team round where teams worked together and used calculators to solve 10 multi-step problems which was a bit harder than the target round questions in 20 minutes. ?Alongside that, this was the only round where you could win medals. Isadora quoted that ¡° It was an amazing learning experience for everybody!¡± Like last year, this year two Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ teams won third and first! The year nine team including Luveena, Nijal, Adeline and Arushi won third place. And the team including Jordhan from year 9, Neil from year 9 and Aviral from year 8 won first place. Besides maths, the competition was also a really good opportunity to visit a new school and socialize with students from other schools with the same love for maths as us. ¡° I really enjoyed meeting new people from Lincoln and KISC! ¡±- Aarushi and Adeline. On top of that great food was also served at lunch time. ¡° Really proud of our students who represented our school both academically and in conduct.¡±- Mr Delaney.

A massive congratulations to every student who participated in the competition and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Extra congratulations to Jordan for winning first last year and this year too. We hope to achieve the same if not better and carry on our greatness next year too. Go Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ mathletes!

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ exam season official kicks off with languages speaking examinations

By: Upasana and Abhiroop

Throughout this week, the Y11 iGCSE students had their World Language speaking exams for the languages French, Spanish and Chinese. These speaking exams mark the start of the Y11 students¡¯ official iGCSE exams and serve as an important milestone in their academic journeys. For many, it was their first time experiencing a formal external exam (though the mock examinations also provided a preview of what to expect.)

The examinations happened over a period of three days, with the exams for each language taking one whole day in order to record every student. The exam consisted of two main sections ¨C a role play and two topic conversations. The role plays were relatively short, requiring answers consisting of only a few words, while the topic conversations were longer, testing students¡¯ abilities to expand on ideas and use fancier vocabulary.

We asked a few iGCSE linguists for a reflection on their exams –

¡°Les examens oraux ¨¦taient difficiles, mais j’essaye de faire de mon mieux.¡±

(The speaking exams were hard, but I tried to do my best.)

Abhiroop l (Y11 French Student)

¡°J’¨¦tais stress¨¦e, mais ce n’¨¦tait pas trop difficile. Je suis contente que ce soit fini.¡±

(I was stressed, but it wasn¡¯t too hard. I am happy that it is over.)

Upasana (Y11 French Student)

¡°J’ai trouv¨¦ l’oral de fran?ais un peu stressant et intimidant au d¨¦but, mais j’ai pris confiance en moi au fur et ¨¤ mesure que je parlais. Mon sujet ¨¦tait la nourriture ¡ª ce qui ¨¦tait ironique car j’adore manger, ce qui a finalement rendu la discussion plus facile et plus agr¨¦able.¡±

(I found the French speaking exam a little stressful and intimidating at first, but I got more confident as I spoke. My topic was food ¨C which is ironic because I love to eat, which made the discussion more fun and enjoyable.)

Ashish (Y11 French Student)

¡°Creo que los ex¨¢menes fueron dif¨ªciles y estresantes. Al mismo tiempo, me sent¨ª emocionado y feliz de haberlos terminado.¡±

(I think the exams were difficult and stressful. At the same time, I felt excited and happy to have finished them.)

Manashi (Y11 Spanish Student)

¡°Un desaf¨ªo agradable¡±

(Pleasantly challenging.)

Tarush (Y11 Spanish Student)

¡°ÕâÕæµÄºÜÄÑ£¬µ«¸´Ï°Êdzɹ¦µÄ¹Ø¼ü¡£¡±

(It was really difficult, but revision is the key to success.)

Victoria Karki (Y11 Chinese Student)

Many students shared similar feelings, in this experience instilling them with both anxiety and relief. Each student got a different topic, varying from general everyday themes like food to themes such as protecting the environment. Some students felt well prepared for their topics, while others found them more challenging to discuss. However, by the end of the exams, many said they felt proud to have completed their first major IGCSE assessment. Their responses showed that although the experience was challenging, it also gave them a valuable introduction to the exam period ahead.

Overall the speaking assessments were a valuable experience to all of the Y11 students who had their exams and marked the start of the much dreaded IGCSE exam season. It served as a good opportunity to gain confidence and get into the right mindset in order to do well in the upcoming exams. Well done Year 11 Students and good luck for the rest of your exams!

Year 13 Final Drama Exam

Our talented Year 13 cohort gave their final exam performance on Tuesday – each student had to perform three linked monologues which allowed them to showcase their amazing versatility.

KS3 Textiles club

KS3 Textiles club?have been making bucket hats this term. They have been advancing their skills by learning about fabric patterns, accurately cutting out, pinning and how to stitch on a curve. The students were able to select from a wide range of patterns and textures and I think we can all agree they look amazing!

Little Yetis?

This week at Little Yetis, we celebrated the wonderful diversity of languages and cultures within our community.

One of the highlights of the session was our exciting?Fizzing Earth?activity, where the children explored simple scientific reactions in a fun and hands-on way,there was lots of excitement as the colours bubbled and fizzed!

It was wonderful to see children, parents and staff learning from one another, building connections and celebrating what makes us all unique. Thank you for being part of such a special session.

Primary Sports Days?

This week has been an even more active week in Primary than normal as students in Years 1 to Year 6 took part in their sports days in sensational sunshine.

We are incredibly proud of our primary students who over the course of the week took part in sports days which showcased their athletic abilities, teamwork, sportspersonship and house spirit whilst competing in a variety of running, throwing, and jumping events. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved, execute the skills they have been developing in their PE lessons, and represent their house teams with pride.

On Monday students in Years 5 & 6, and on Wednesday, students in Years 3 & 4 afternoon demonstrated a willingness to challenge themselves, step outside of their comfort zones and take part in a range of activities attempting to achieve their personal best performances. Whether it was sprinting down the track, aiming for distance in the throwing events, or pushing for height and length in the jumps, their steely determination was clear to see.

Equally impressive was the way students showed the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ community spirit whilst working together and supporting and encouraging one another. From cheering on teammates to congratulating friends’ efforts and acknowledging others achievements, community and teamwork made the day even more special.

We were especially pleased to see so many examples of students being ¡°resilient street dogs¡±. Taking part in competition doesn¡¯t come without challenges, setbacks and sometimes disappointment. Not every attempt goes as planned in athletics, but our students showed great perseverance¡ªpicking themselves up, trying again, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout the afternoons events.

On Tuesday, our students in Year 1 and Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon of activities that included some tests of strength and power in the javelin and standing long jump, a calm and balanced approach to the egg & spoon and bean bag balance, and also speed, agility and coordination during the obstacle, hurdles and sprint races.

It was a fantastic opportunity for parents to see the growing confidence of their children in a range of fundamental movement skills that will serve them well as they move through primary school and start to engage in more complex movement skills and activities.

I would like to thank our incredibly hard working PE Department and the wider Primary staff team for assisting with all these events and making sure the students were able to enjoy such a great afternoon of sporting fun. I would also like to thank the many many parents who came down to support and especially the enthusiasm for those who took part in the tug-of-war challenges – it was great to see you enjoy the days along with your children.

A big congratulations to all primary students for their effort, sportspersonship, and enthusiasm. You should be very proud of your performances! We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow in confidence, skill, and teamwork in future sporting events.

Next Tuesday afternoon we will hold our final Sports Day of the year with our youngest learners in Early Years tackling some nasty pirates to find their stolen treasure! See you there!