Year 10 work experience

Our year 10 students are out on work experience placements this week, we wish them all well and hope they enjoy the work they're carrying out!

Sixth form photos 2019

The photos taken last Friday before the Sixth Form Leaver's Assembly are now uploaded and available to order!  

MAKE SURE YOU ORDER BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE OF 24th MAY!!!!

To view the images, visit the link below, following instructions of how to submit your orders via email:

http://doubleexposed.co.uk/townsendsixthform2018.html

Thank you! Mrs Rice

How to get on the career ladder with no industry experience

How to get on the career ladder with no industry experience

Kick starting your career and jumping on the ladder can be an exciting time. You’ve finished your time in education and you’re ready to make your mark on the working world. Not to mention the prospect of earning your own money. But where do you begin? And what do you do if you have no industry experience?
Below, we’ll talk you through some helpful advice on how you can get on the career ladder with no industry experience.

Show your passion
Some employers are more than willing to give new workers a chance, regardless of whether you have relevant experience or not. If you show that you have a great attitude and a passion for your chosen line of work, you’ll easily make a great impression and prove that you’re worth investing in. This should come across in your CV, cover letter, online profiles and in your mannerisms when you speak with or meet potential employers.

Tailor your CV
In order to showcase your passion and abilities, you’ll need to have a winning CV up your sleeve. If you are lacking in relevant industry experience, your CV should focus on your key transferable skills. For example, most companies want employees that are great communicators, are highly organised and that can use their initiative. Therefore, focus on explaining how you’re proficient in these key areas as well as any others that they’ve outlined in the job description.

Build up, or tap into, your network
Once you’ve finalised your CV, or perhaps before you even start it, consider the line of work you’re hoping to get into and whether you have any contacts that could help
you out. After all, it’s not always what you know, but who you know too. Having a strong network ensures that you’re quickly able to identify opportunities to gain relevant work experience.
For example, does one of your mum’s friends work in the industry you’d like to get into? Could your cousin get you work experience in their office? Consider what’s going to help you out and be proactive. It might seem nerve-wracking but it will look great on your CV and will be a good talking point during interviews.

Do an internship or gain work experience
Gaining work experience or taking part in an internship can help to bulk out the experience section of your CV. Especially if it’s seriously lacking. Keep an eye out for relevant opportunities and look to find short gigs for yourself. This could be as simple as emailing local companies and asking if you can shadow a member of the team for a few days.
The more relevant the experience, the better. For example, if you’re looking to work in communications or PR, why not write guest articles for free on a certain blog, or even set-up your own one. If you want to become a teaching assistant, gain experience in child mining or supporting young people attending youth clubs.

Volunteer
As well as work experience, volunteering can help you to get on the career ladder. Whether that’s in a charity shop dealing with transactions and customers, or helping out with an after-school sports club, employers will recognise your commitment to building upon your skillset.
Many charities and other organisations are regularly looking for volunteers to support them on a day-to-day basis and in most cases, you can fit this around your existing schedule. It may even be one night a week, but it all helps towards building upon your experience.

Attend a careers fair
Careers fairs offer a great opportunity for you to meet and talk to, potential employers. There are plenty of events across the country so have a look to see what’s happening near you. You can also make a list of the employers that will be exhibiting and note down the ones that you’d like to talk to. Don’t forget to dress smart and take along a copy of your CV – you never know what opportunities may arise!

Final thoughts
There are plenty of ways to get on the career ladder with no experience, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re worried that you don’t have what it takes. Take our advice on board and you’ll soon be able to build upon your skillset and find a suitable job in no time.

Term ends this Thursday

A reminder that we finish the Spring Term on Thursday March 29^th at 12.30pm.The dedicated school buses will be here for 1230 but if your child catches a public bus he/she will need to check the departure times for their own buses.

Term begins again on Monday April 16^th

As well as having a deserved break - there will be an expectation that year 11 and 13 students will be completing practice papers and revision tasks over the Easter holidays. Other year groups may be set holiday tasks by teachers and this will be on Show My Homework

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS DISPLAY 2018

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS DISPLAY 2018

Congratulations to all those students who took part last Thursday. It was a fabulous evening, showcasing a diverse range of talent, skill, expertise, flair and team work. To see so many students from so many year groups all working together and sharing the stage for many items was a privilege. Well done to everyone! A special thank you too for all the staff who masterminded the event- thank you. A very proud evening for Townsend! 

CAREERS

On Wednesday last week 48 students went to a careers event run by the NHS. The students found it to be informative, interesting and valuable in helping them find out more information about careers and career pathways in the area of health. We will now continue to support students with follow up sessions at school.

If your child is interested in any particular career (not just the NHS) and would like more information, please ask them to see Mrs Maguire or their form tutor.

There are a number of displays around the school to give your child a visual representation of the link between studying particular subjects and jobs. These are displayed in the Foyer, the Discovery Centre, in pupils Record of Achievement Books and in most of the classrooms for a particular subject. Please encourage your child to study these displays and discuss possible career/ jobs that they find interesting. It’s never too early!

Mrs Maguire

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS DISPLAY AT ALBAN ARENA

22^nd March 2018 start time 7.00pm

All students involved have taken home letters which they need to return the permission slip from the bottom.  Tickets are being sold every break time outside the large canteen. Adults £6 Children £4.  Previous shows have been extremely popular and the students work really hard to perfect their performances. Do come along and support all their hard work.

Commonwealth Service

Commonwealth Service

The students of Townsend have been invited to take part in the Commonwealth Service on Sunday 18th March 2018 starting at 11:15. This service will be taking place at the Abbey and Cathedral Church of St Alban and we invite all of you our parents and careers to attend to support your children.

This is an exciting opportunity for the school and the students to participate in great reflection for the community.

We would like your assistance with encouraging your child/children to see Ms Sheppard if they would like to participate and remind all those with consent forms to return them on Monday.

Ms Sheppard

World Book day activities and winners part 2!

Congratulations to the winners of the character competition for World Book day, there were some fabulous entries for the competition!

 

World Book Day activities and winners!

 The World Book Day quiz took place this lunchtime, with prizes for first second and third places!  Well done to all three winners, who received a huge pile of World Book day books each, and thank you to all who took part in the quiz, we hope you had fun!

World Book Day

Today we celebrate World Book Day, with a number of activities happening in school.  

Students have all been given their £1 WBD voucher, to spend in any high street store and supermarket selling the special World Book Day book titles.

The English department are joining in with the WBD competition of producing a representation of students' favourite characters from their favourite books.  Judging of this will take place tomorrow in school.

The Discovery Centre are also hosting an interactive World Book Day quiz at lunchtime, where prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places!

Make sure you join in with these great activities to celebrate!

LENT SERVICE AT ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY AT 2PM

As Ash Wednesday falls through half term our service (Lent Service) this year is on Friday February 9^th at 2pm. Students will be transported to the Cathedral from school but will need to make alternative travel arrangements home from the Cathedral at approximately 3.00pm.  We do ask that you are clear with your child about a meeting point after the service (the West Gate is where students leave the Cathedral at the end of the service). Parents/carers are most welcome to join us for this service.

SAFER INTERNET DAY

As a school we are both mindful and proactive in ensuring all our students remain safe on-line. Clearly at school IT use is filtered and monitored but we recognise and are aware that the increased use of mobile phones and the out of school use of technology can lead to unsafe situations and temptations for young people to make risky decisions.

We revisit ‘internet safety’ again and again in all year groups. We remind students about dangers in the virtual world and the need to be safe and responsible on-line. We return regularly to remind students to think about their digital footprints, the sending of communications that are inappropriate or that could be misinterpreted. We talk to young people about the pressures of society and friends that can easily influence what is posted or sent on-line and then bitterly regretted the next day. We warn our students about creating virtual relationships that are not real and that can lead to distress, alarm and danger. We remain concerned that so many young people feel the need to close their doors at home and play games in front of a screen and in some cases play games against strangers who can become so easily their ‘good friends’. We know that cyberbullying remains the most common and harmful form of unkindness and hurt to children.

Safer Internet Day 2018 will be recognised and celebrated here and globally on Tuesday 6th February 2018 with the slogan “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better internet starts with you”.

For resources for parents/carers to join in use with your children

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2018/sid2018-education-packs/education-pack-parents-and-carers

Have a lovely Christmas break

We would like to wish all of our students, staff and parents/carers a restful and safe holidays, and look forward to seeing you all back in January.  Merry Christmas!

Investor in Careers

We are delighted to inform you that we are applying for the Investor in Careers awards!  Over the coming months I will keep you informed of our progress.

Mrs Maguire

New Books in the Discovery Centre!

These new books have just arrived into the Discovery Centre, including the brand new David Walliams "Bad Dad" and Dork Diaries "Crush Catastrophe", as well as Tom Gates and Barry Loser!

Netball

Netball

Year 8 girls netball vs Beaumont – the girls had their best performance of the year so far against Beaumont. They are now working well as a team and taking into the games what has been learnt in practice, although they didn’t win, they matched Beaumont player for player down the court unfortunately injuries and missing players had an effect on the overall score. POM - Chiara

FRIENDS OF TOWNSEND

FRIENDS OF TOWNSEND

We are fast approaching ‘BLACK FRIDAY’ so do start thinking about how this big event could benefit the school! It really is easy to support the school just by doing your Christmas shopping.

Log into https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/fotownsend and start shopping! The school gets a percentage of everything you spend but it does not cost you any more. This year the school has already raised £1,500 but we could do so much more over the festive period if we all just Think Black Friday- Think Friends Of Townsend!’ Please consider using the easy fundraising page (Friends of Townsend) and start raising funds for your child now!

Rugby

Rugby

On Wednesday 16th November the year ten boys played against Bushey Academy at home. Starting of the game with a great kick from Luca the Townsend boys quickly felt comfortable playing against the well matched opposition. Tackles in the game resulting in lots of turnovers for Townsend resulted in the first try from Emmanuel who out paced all the Bushey team with ease, Oliver 'the kicker' went on to take the conversion but unfortunately missed his first kick, the Bushey boys then realised they had underestimated the Townsend Team and came back with a try, they too missed the conversion, Townsend played the ball to Nayeem and he ran past the whole team again...with ease it seemed the 'Bushey boys' could not cope with Townsends pace on the wings. Oliver scored the conversion leaving us seven points ahead. We gained possession again and with a long pass from Morgan (c) the ball once again was with Emmanuel who ran passed the whole team and scored. However the try was scored along the side line leaving a very 'tough kick' unfortunately we did not score.

Bushey Academy came back with a try and a conversion...

The score was tied at 17-17

Ref-Mr Still decided with not long to go we would kick to win, three kickers approached with Oliver first, the ball was sure to go through the H, it did indeed, the Bushey boys also scored. Luca and Morgan (C) also scored the 'kick to win' conversions.

It came to quick fire rounds Nayeem stepped up to take the kick and got it straight through. The Bushey boys scored also.

It came to our final player Gabor who unfortunately missed the kick which the Bushey Academy boys scored.

Well played to all the team and many thanks to the Bushey boys and a large thanks to Mr Still for setting up the match for us to play

Written by Captain - Morgan

ANTI - BULLYING WEEK 2017

ANTI - BULLYING WEEK 2017

Pupils from all years have taken part in a successful anti- bullying week where the theme of All Different All Equal has been addressed through various talks, activities and curriculum work.   Please do encourage your child to tell you about the activities they took part in.  We are also launching RAISE Ambassadors this year.  RAISE stands for respect, achieve, inspire, support and encourage. RAISE Ambassadors will continue to promote the wellbeing and equality of our pupils at Townsend. We have already had over 70 applications! Please do encourage your child to talk to Miss Scott to find out more.