FBA Update

Last week, saw the start of the formal examination for Year 11 and this week will be the turn for Year 13. We are very proud of how calmly and responsibly our students are approaching this important time. Your support makes a big difference!

Here are a few simple tips to help your daughter stay calm and focused:

• Encourage regular breaks and healthy snacks.

• Make sure they get plenty of sleep.

• Keep mornings stress-free with a good routine.

• Offer reassurance rather than pressure.

• Remind them: effort matters more than perfection.

Thank you for being such a steady support at home.

On Thursday last week, the school fell silent at 12:00 as we shared a moment of reflection with the National 2 minutes silence for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. We want to thank the students for their mature and thoughtful approach to this. In addition to this, during History lessons, the teachers spoke about WW2 and the significance of VE Day.

Tuesday 6th May - External Examination period starts

Monday 12th May - Year 8 assessment fortnight starts

Friday 23rd May - Year 11 Leavers' Day and last day of the Half term

Monday 2nd June - Start of Summer term 2

Thursday 12th June - Year 10 Parents' Evening

Wednesday 18th June - Year 6 Parents' Welcome Evening

The Year 12 mock exams will start the week beginning the 16th June 2025

The following examinations will be taking place this week in the Sports Hall (unless stated). Good luck to all the students.

Year 11

• Mon 12th May = AM English Literature 1hr 45 and PM Computer Science 1hr 30
• Tues 13th May = AM RS 1hr 45 and PM Biology Combined. 1hr 15 Triple 1hr 45
• Wed 14th May = AM Geography 1hr 30 and PM Media Studies 1hr 30
• Thurs 15th May = AM Maths Non-Calculator 1hr 30
• Fri 16th May = AM History 1hr and PM Business Studies 1hr 30

Thank you to everyone who has completed the survey so far. It is still live and will close on Friday 16th May 2025. It can be accessed via https://edurio.com/teacher/poll/7e6NPZ

Your opinion about our school really matters to us and your feedback is a vital part of helping us to make this school the best it can be. It only takes around 5-10 minutes to complete.

We look forward to hearing your views about all aspects of school life.

Many thanks for your participation

We are excited to be introducing our newly appointed Sixth Form Student Leadership Team in assemblies over the next two weeks. These students have successfully completed a rigorous application process; demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities and genuine enthusiasm for their roles. They have already begun planning a range of exciting ideas and events that will involve and benefit the entire school community.

Hello, my name is Diya and I’m honoured to be your new Head Girl. I am currently studying Biology, Chemistry, and Maths, and I hope to pursue a degree in Dentistry at university. As Head Girl, I aim to strengthen the connection between Sixth Form and the main school, encouraging greater collaboration and interaction. By promoting kindness, inclusivity, and empowerment, I believe we can all contribute to a stronger, more united school community where everyone can thrive.

Time for a Quick Home Workout! 🏃

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Did you know? Only 33% of our school community report getting 30 minutes of physical activity a day, at least 5 times a week.

In comparison, recent data shows that 52% of children and young people in Havering meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of an hour or more of exercise a day, which is higher than the national average of 47%.

To help boost our fitness levels, the Year 9 Sports Captains are encouraging everyone to try daily home workouts — quick, easy, and no equipment needed. Remember, even just 10 minutes a day can make a real difference to your energy, mood, and overall health.

10-Minute No-Equipment Workout Challenge: Try this 10-minute, no-equipment routine that targets your entire body and gets your heart pumping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx1x018zRtc

Do you have a go-to workout that you love? Share it with us! Email your school-appropriate suggestions to: info@fbaok.co.uk and it might be featured in next week’s bulletin.

Our inspirational woman of the week is Isabella Shaker as nominated by Daisy l in 9O.

Isabella Shaker is an American ballet dancer who joined The Royal Ballet as an Aud Jebsen Young Dancer in the 2023/24 season and was promoted to Artist in 2024. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she trained at institutions including the Joffrey Academy of Dance and the Royal Ballet School, where she was an International Scholar and recipient of the Ballet Association Award in 2022.

Her journey from a young student to professional dancer exemplifies dedication and resilience, serving as an inspiration to young women pursuing ballet. Isabella Shaker's achievements and perseverance in the demanding world of ballet make her a role model for aspiring dancers. She has travelled the world pursuing her career in ballet.

Year 10 students should now be actively looking for work experience for their week of work experience in June (23rd – 27th). They need to see Miss Woods in the Careers Office in Sixth Form if they need any help – especially if they are unsure about logging your placement on Unifrog, by the 23rd May. A list of contact details for previous placements has been shared on Show My Homework.

It has been a busy and productive week on the farm, with lots of sessions for students and our birds and animals enjoying being out in the spring sunshine! Spring is also breeding season, with bird and animals reproducing, and there is currently a family of robins nesting in the pony stable, with two fledgings in the nest being fed by their parents.

Soon they will leave, as fledglings leave the nest when it becomes too tight a space for the collective size of the family, and it is time for them to learn to fly and survive by themselves.

For many species of birds, fledglings can spend as long as two weeks on the ground as they learn to fly. This is a risky time in a bird’s life, however they are supported by their parents, who remain nearby to feed, guard and guide them.

If you see a fledging hopping about, it can be tempting to 'rescue' them, however the ethical action is to leave them be, as the only way they can live successfully in the wild is if they learn the necessary skills to survive.

As of 2025, demographers estimate that over 117 billion people have ever lived on Earth. To calculate this number, they used population modelling, which factors in archaeological, anthropological, and demographic data. Most of these people lived in the last 12,000 years, after the advent of agriculture and organised societies. Of those 117 billion people, it can easily be argued our quality of life will be in the top 0.05% of people that have ever lived. For example, if we take a few things such as a TV, an inside toilet and access to a hot shower - these were not universal 75 years ago and are still not in many places around the world.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. It is so easy for us to get caught up in life and not stop to be mindful and focus on the positives of the things we have rather than craving the things we don't. Over the next few weeks, we will be encouraging our students to be mindful and thankful for all the positive things and wonderful people they have in their lives.

If anyone does needs support, there are many organisations and charities to support with mental health:

https://mentalhealth-uk.org/

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/