FBA Update
23th June 2025
Congratulations to the Year 13 students who have now all completed their formal examinations and well done to Year 12 students who have completed their first set of A-level/ BTEC mock examinations. The formal examination season is now complete for another year. We want to thank our Examinations Officer Miss Woodward and her team of invigilators for ensuring the examinations ran smoothly.
Over the last couple of months, there have been:
· 147 different exams sat
· 6473 individual exam scripts completed, checked, bagged up and sent off for marking
· 882 non examination assessment marks submitted for moderation/marking
· 1048 hours of Invigilation completed
Year 6 Transition
We were delighted to see so many new parents and carers on Wednesday evening for the Year 6 Transition Evening. They were able to meet their daughter's new form tutor and find out more information about the school. We are also very excited to have all of the new starters in this week for their Induction Day.
Year 10 Work Experience
We would like to wish the Year 10 students the best of luck as they go out for a weeks work experience in a wide variety of work places.
Monday 23rd June- Personal Development Day
Monday 23rd - Fri 27th June - Year 10 Work Experience Week
Tues 24th - Fri 27th June - 18+ week for Year 12
Wednesday 25th June - Year 6 Induction Day
Thursday 26th June - Year 10 Introduction to GCSEs Evening (6:00)
Thursday 26th June - Year 12 Parents' Information Evening
Wednesday 2nd July - Year 13 Leavers' Day
Thursday 3rd July - Year 11 Prom
Friday 4th July - Culture Day
Monday 7th July - Year 9 & Year 10 Celebration Evening 6 pm
Tuesday 8th July- Year 7 & Year 8 Celebration Evening 6 pm
Wednesday 9th July - Asian Heritage Month Showcase
Friday 11th July - Sports Day
Monday 14thJuly - Year 12 Work Experience begins
Friday 18th July - Last Day of Term
Gallows Corner Roadworks
As you are no doubt aware, from 21:00 on Monday 23rd June, Gallows Corner junction, both roundabout and flyover, will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles, black cabs and TfL buses. We understand that this closure may cause significant disruption to travel routes and morning routines for many of our families and staff.
As a result, and in recognition of the potential delays this may cause, we will temporarily pause after-school detentions for lateness to school from Monday 23rd June. This measure will remain in place until the Gallows Corner junction has reopened and normal travel patterns resume.
While detentions will be paused, we kindly ask for your support in ensuring that your daughter makes every reasonable effort to arrive at school on time. Please also ensure she is fully aware of the Gallows Corner closure and plans her journey accordingly, leaving additional time where possible.
We appreciate your continued cooperation and understanding during this period. Should you have any concerns or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
If you wish to find out more information about the planned roadworks including diversion routes, please visit https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/gallows-corner-flyover-works?intcmp=55244
Hot Weather
We wrote last week that owing to the ongoing hot weather, we have decided to offer students an alternative to their traditional school uniform to help ensure their comfort and wellbeing.
For the rest of the summer term, students may wear either their full, correct traditional school uniform or their school PE kit.
The second reason for this is to support families who may be facing the need to replace uniform or shoes before the end of the academic year.
Please note:
- Cycling shorts are not permitted. If a student arrives wearing cycling shorts, they will be asked to change into a suitable uniform provided by the school.
- We expect all students to maintain high standards of appearance. If students do not meet these expectations, we may need to return to the traditional uniform policy for all students.
We will revert to our full traditional uniform for all students from September.
Year 10 into 11 GCSE Support and Guidance Evening (Online Meeting)
On Thursday 26th June 2025 at 6:00pm, we will be holding an online meeting for parents/carers of Year 10 students. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and share information about the academic year ahead for our Year 11 students and to share how we can work together to best support them through their GCSE examinations.
There will be a letter sent home which includes more detailed information about the evening.
The meeting will be held online via Zoom and a link to join the meeting will be sent to your registered email address on the day of the event.
Meet our Head of Advocacy and Student Body President Jenika M
“As Head of Advocacy and Student Body President, my mission is to build strong lasting bridges between all student leadership groups, from the Sixth form student leadership team to the School Council, Prefects and Student Voice, so that we can collaborate with a common goal. I am committed to strengthening communication, encouraging collaboration and making sure every student’s voice is heard and respected.”
As previous Head Prefect, Jenika has been working closely with Miss Siddique on student voice and the Year 10 prefect application process.
"Don’t over-exhaust yourself – know your limits."
Staying active is important, but so is listening to your body. Whether you're exercising, revising, or just managing a busy day, pushing yourself too hard can lead to burnout, injury or stress.
Take breaks when needed, stay hydrated, and aim for balance. Pacing yourself is a key part of long-term health and success, it’s not about doing the most, but doing what’s right for you.
Practical tip: Try using the “20-5 rule” – after every 20 minutes of focused work or activity, take a 5-minute break to reset your energy and prevent mental or physical fatigue.
Take care of your body and it will take care of you!
Inspirational Woman of the Week
Our inspirational woman of the week is Kat Graham as nominated by Jolin A in 9R. Graham is a Swiss-born American actress and humanitarian, best known for her role in The Vampire Diaries. Since 2013, she has been actively involved with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), serving as a Goodwill Ambassador since 2020. Her advocacy focuses on empowering displaced women and girls, and she has visited refugee communities in Jordan, Ethiopia, and Central America. In August 2024, Graham visited Ukrainian refugee children in Budapest, engaging with them through dance and expressing solidarity with their plight. Her efforts highlight the resilience of young refugees and inspire young women worldwide to use their voices and platforms for meaningful change.
Year 10 Tower of London Trip
Two great days last week , at the Tower of London for the Year 10 History GCSE students, who were amazing with their effort, especially with the warm weather!
A special shout out to Miss Townsend's Year 10 class, who did the 2 hour walking tour Thursday afternoon and did all tasks with great effort, in the 32 degrees.
We spoke to a Yeoman Warder and asked him questions, and he commented on how polite the students were - the students were a great credit to FBA across the 2 days.
A huge thank you to Miss Williams, Miss Moore, Miss Belcher and Mr Lynagh for coming on the trip and supporting the History Department.
It has been another productive week at the farm; thank you to all the students who have been coming every day to help look after our animals and birds in the hot weather.
Armed Forced Day will be marked this weekend on the 28th June across the UK, which is an opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate our armed forces community. Historically, animals and birds have been utilised in warfare in many ways across different eras; from helping transport combatants and supplies, to communication, combat and rescue. Some units in the Army even adopt military mascots for ceremonial purposes. The UK Army keeps various mascots including a Ram called Private Derby, a Shetland Pony called Pegasus and Bobby an antelope.
These are different to working animals, which serve in combat or transport roles. The British Army has both official and unofficial mascots. Official mascots are entitled to the services of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and looked after with public (taxpayers) money. Official mascots also have a regimental number and rank. As with regular soldiers, they can be promoted and demoted, depending on their behaviour; if our FBA Shetland pony Nugget served, he might struggle not to get demoted!
If you haven't visited the farm for a while, you are welcome to come; the farm is open from Monday to Thursday every week, at first break, lunch break and after school until 4pm, and Fridays before school from 7.50-8.25am.
On the 24th June in 1509, Henry VIII was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey in London and for most people in the country, he is the most famous historical monarch. Similarly, if you ask people for the famous historical date most will say 1066 and the Norman Conquest (we hope the Year 10 historians know this after their visit😀).
It goes without saying that there is far more to learn about history than Kings and dates and we thought we would share a few brilliant podcasts from BBC Sounds that will educate, inform and entertain.
- Witness History https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p004t1hd
- The Rest is History https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0d0mj5v
- Bitesize GCSE History https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0kh2vtr
- Short History of... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0g76gfv
- The Great Dictators https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0g76685