The Lister Weekly Update #23

World Book Day at Lister Community School was a vibrant and memorable occasion, where the love of reading took centre stage. Lister was transformed into a realm of literary characters as teachers enthusiastically donned creative costumes, sparking joy and excitement throughout the hallways. The energy reached a peak during a combined assembly for Year 7 and 8 students, where students were wowed by Ms Akuji's explanation of the difference that reading makes in students' lives and the sudden entrance of Ebenezer Scrooge who tried to convince students to give up reading and work for a pittance in his horrible factories. Putting aside the celebrations for a moment, at the Lister news desk, we know that reading is the main habit that students can benefit from throughout their lives. If you are ever unsure about how to help your children do well at school, then please encourage them to read!

Adding to the excitement on the day were various competitions that ignited a friendly competitive spirit among the students, while dedicated Sparx readers from KS3 immersed themselves in a readathon, showcasing and celebrating their passion for books. The atmosphere was truly wonderful, a testament to our commitment to fostering a love of literature and creating a day of pure enjoyment for everyone involved.

On a day distinctly lacking any thunder, lightning or rain, a group of our year elevens went to watch Macbeth (sorry, the Scottish play) Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, immersing themselves in a live performance. This trip served as a powerful complement to their classroom studies, bringing the classic tragedy to life in its original theatrical context. The students were impeccably behaved throughout the experience, demonstrating respect for the performance and the venue. This allowed them to fully engage with the play's themes of ambition, power, and fate, and to appreciate the unique atmosphere of the Globe. The experience undoubtedly provided a memorable and enriching educational opportunity, enhancing their understanding of Shakespeare's work. Overall, the production was just enthralling and we had a tremendous time!

As previously reported, a number of our Muslim pupils are currently observing the Ramadan fast. This year, Ramadan and Lent run at similar times. The timing of both Eid and Easter depend on the moon. Christians believe Jesus was crucified on the Jewish festival of Passover, which is determined by the lunar calendar. Easter is always on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, and falls after Lent, which Christian pupils and staff at Lister are currently observing. It falls this year on Sunday April 20th, which is why we will not return until Tuesday for the new term - Monday is a Bank Holiday.

Lent is a Christian tradition believed to have been modelled after the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert. During this time he is supposed to have resisted various temptations. To follow this example, historically Christians gave up meat, milk, cheese, butter, and eggs, giving rise to 'Shrove Tuesday' (aka 'Pancake Day'), the day before the start of Lent. On this day Christians confess their sins (and use up the ingredients that they will then abstain from!). The first day of Lent (March 5th) is called 'Ash Wednesday', when Christians have crosses in ash marked on their foreheads During Lent, Christians observe a 40-day period of prayer and fasting. These days, this usually takes the form of giving up something you like for the whole forty days. Good luck to the Lister pupils who have given up chocolate, sweets or crisps!

As part of Lister's continued development, we look to build close relations with the community, business and education centres in Plaistow and Stratford. As part of this outward looking development, a group of Key Stage 3 students recently visited the Sadler’s Wells East theatre to explore the world of professional dance and the performing arts.

The day began with a contemporary dance workshop, where students tried new movement styles and developed their performance skills. They then took part in a careers panel, asking industry professionals about different roles in the performing arts.

Students also had a tour of the new theatre, learning about its design and creative spaces. To finish the day, they watched a performance by a professional company, gaining a first-hand look at high-quality dance and theatre.

This experience gave students valuable insight into the performing arts industry and possible future careers.

Last week, students across Years 7, 8, 9, and 10 had the opportunity to take part in an exciting range of visits as part of National Careers Week 2025. These experiences provided invaluable insights into different industries, helping students broaden their career aspirations and understand the skills required in the modern workplace.

Some of the incredible visits included:
A trip to Herbert Smith Freehills, a world-renowned law firm, where students explored legal careers firsthand.
A careers panel at BAFTA, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the film and television industry with a BAFTA award winning actor.
A visit to the Financial Conduct Authority, where students learned about careers in finance and regulation.
An exploration of the ABBA Arena, where students discovered the technology and creative expertise behind the ABBA Voyage experience.
A visit to The Financial Times, where students developed their understanding of journalism in the digital age. They even created their own podcast and explored the FT TV studio!

National Careers Week was an inspiring experience for our students, and we look forward to continuing to provide meaningful career opportunities throughout the year.

Here we highlight year groups' success and the particular form groups and individuals in year groups who are earning the most praises. Keep an eye out for your child's name here and see whether their form group have had particular success through the week!

The Thought for the Week next week is focused on music. Please discuss the thought with your child who will be looking at the thought in assembly and discussing the idea with peers and the year team.