Christmas is a busy time for both families and schools, the diary packed with activities. Events at Thames include a Christmas Concert organised by our Music department, a pantomime written by Mrs Pitt and presented by the Drama Club, a debating competition, a football competition, a Careers Fair, a ceramics workshop, Year 10 work experience and a leadership seminar. Challenging our young people about the world they want to live in is an important aspect of education. After all, they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Stephen Holsgrove
Executive Head

Thames Pupils - Future Leaders

Last year we were asked by an international training organisation if we would host a leadership seminar. Their aim was to inspire their delegates with our story - how Thames began and how it is possible to create change. Our response was "Yes" but only if we could make it a learning experience for our older students.

The seminar was so successful that this term we were asked to repeat the event. A group of senior leaders from different sectors were inspired not just by the story of Thames, but by our Year 11 leadership group who took part in the workshop sessions. Small groups debated the new child protection rules and delegates were amazed by our pupils' insights. Feedback from the delegates included the comment that discussions were completely on a level playing field, such was the maturity shown by our students. Our pupils then reported back to the whole group, handling questions and feedback in an extraordinarily confident and professional manner. One by-product of the event was a job offer for one of our students from a delegate in the IT industry.

These experiences challenge our students to step out of their comfort zone, think through and debate their ideas with adults. "I was introduced to points of view I'd never thought about before," said Natalie, who is passionate about debate and wants to become a barrister. The event was so successful that we were asked to repeat it for a further group of their senior leaders. 

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier ...

"When I grow up I want to be ..." is heard in children's playgrounds everywhere. To help our pupils decide what they want to be, we host a Careers Fair each year to which we invite an array of professionals. Pupils choose in advance which professionals to whom they would like to chat. They discovered what it's like to be in the army, or a journalist, artist, osteopath, city trader or youth worker, for instance. We include careers that are less well-known to open pupils' eyes to possibilities not previously considered. One of the most interesting people who spoke was a production designer, who turns a written script into the visual end-product of a film or TV programme, working with the director, producer and director of photography. Essential for a production designer is good drawing skills. Keep studying hard, Thames pupils, and there's no reason why you shouldn't achieve what you decide you would like to be.

He's Behind You!

Mrs Pitt's Drama Club has been rehearsing hard throughout this term, perfecting their presentation of a modern-day pantomime, written especially for them, entitled Happily Ever After, complete with ugly sisters, pirates and fairies! The crocodile and Red Riding Hood's wolf were, thankfully, left to the imagination. Full audience participation in traditional style was enjoyed by all; at one show, local children from Falconbrook School formed part of the audience.

Somehow the characters from various stories got mixed up, and in the end Smee married Cinderella, Captain Silver married the Wicked Stepmother, Captain Hook married Snow White, Sleeping Beauty married Peter Pan, miraculously transformed into a prince, Belle and Red Riding Hood opened an animal sanctuary, the ugly sisters opened an interior design business, Wendy looked after the Seven Dwarves, Dibbles went to live in Neverland and, of course, everyone lived happily ever after! Hilarious!

XC Victory for Thames          

A group of very excited Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils returned to school jubilant recently, eagerly showing off their medals won in an inter-school Cross Country competition. Runners from Thames beat four other schools to take first place overall in the junior competition which took place in 'hilly' Richmond Park. Seven of our pupils crossed the finishing line in the first 20, with Phillip taking second place, Israel fifth, George sixth and Ned coming seventh. Earlier in the week, our senior team of runners from Years 10 and 11 were successful also, coming in overall second place. Well done Thames pupils, this is agreat achievement for the school.

Real World Experience

This week saw the start of varied work experience placements for our Year 10 pupils. Inspired by our Careers Fair, they will spend five days getting a practical insight into the type of job they might one day pursue. One pupil is spending his week in West End's New Bond Street store Swapit Shop. He is being given experience in all aspects of the business, from the shop floor to packing gadgets for mail order. One of our top Business Studies GCSE students, he is particularly looking forward to assisting edit the company's website! Another pupil is joining a local law firm where he will help in the office, attend court and, if permitted, accompany one of the lawyers on a prison visit. The pupils keep a diary of their experience to discuss with teachers on their return.