This year’s Safer Internet Day theme focused on empowering young people to stay secure, respectful, and confident online. Whether you're in Year 7 exploring the digital world more independently, or in Sixth Form preparing for future studies and careers, staying safe online is essential.

Just like Easter eggs, the internet is full of surprises—some brilliant, some not so great. Here’s how you can make sure what you find is safe, positive, and good for your wellbeing.

From getting into the right headspace to effectively reviewing their work – these are skills that will improve their academic work, as well as powerful soft skills that employers look for.

Prepare for Learning

Students will get the most out of their class when they arrive ready to learn. This means being on time, having all the right equipment and doing any home learning and prior-reading. Being practically and mentally prepared is key to learning and achieving their best.

Pride in Presentation

There is power in good presentation. A neat and tidy workbook helps students to read back their notes, so we expect students to use good handwriting and stick in any loose sheets. Marking work in a green pen helps identify corrections and turns mistakes into learning opportunities.

Proactive in Lessons

Learning should never be passive. Our school value of Curiosity challenges us all to “be eager to know or to learn something new.” So, we encourage students to engage in discussions, use key subject vocabulary and to answer difficult questions. Most importantly, we want all learners to push themselves – if they find a subject too easy, then we work together to find new and interesting challenges.

Persist after Lessons

Learning is not limited to the classroom, so we ask our students to use their home learning as a way to expand their understanding and note down any questions they still have. Many of our students enjoy creating flashcards as a great way to review key points, test their understanding and further develop their learning.

Put together, the 4 Ps of Learning create an environment where students are encouraged to take initiative over their own work, become curious, build new skills and invest in themselves to achieve their very best.

The week began with the always popular Mentos and Coke demonstration at break, followed by methane fireballs at lunchtime. On Tuesday, students created rainbow oobleck during break before launching bottle rockets in the playground in the afternoon. Wednesday featured carbon dioxide testing at break, then a session on balloons and convection currents at lunch. On Thursday, students explored the blue bottle reaction along with the pin bed and balloons activity.

The week ended with a large Science Fair held in the main hall on Friday. More than 330 students from local primary schools visited Park High to experience hands on workshops led by our sixth form science students. Year 5 students from Aylward Primary School, Kenmore Park Junior School, St John's CofE School and Stanburn Primary School took part in the sessions which included experiments with a Van de Graaff generator, slime making and demonstrations involving hydrogen filled balloons, which gave younger learners a memorable introduction to scientific ideas.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why things are the way they are? In ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ the title character is constantly surrounded by strange and fascinating situations. As she explores this unusual world, she describes many of the things she sees as ‘curious.’ Alice stays open to new experiences and is always eager to understand more about the world around her.

Curiosity is the character value we are focusing on this half term. It is the ability to be eager to know or learn something new – something Alice demonstrates throughout her adventures, and something you can show both in and out of school to help you achieve your very best. In other words, it is about having an enquiring mind and a willingness to keep learning.

At Park High, we prepare you for life beyond school – whether that is work, higher education, or another path. We want every student to leave with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue their chosen future. However, this only works if you also bring a genuine desire to keep learning every day and develop a habit of asking questions.

There are always new things for you to discover. You can show a willingness to learn by spending your own time exploring a topic you studied in class in more depth, or by trying a subject for the first time when choosing your GCSE or A Level options. You can also demonstrate this by using the library, reading widely, or finding educational content online about something that interests you.

This enquiring approach can change the world. New discoveries in science, medicine and technology happen because people ask questions with a real desire to find answers. Asking ‘Why?’ or ‘How?’ can lead you to some of the most fascinating and important information. Throughout history, progress has been driven by people who were willing to challenge ideas and look for better solutions.

The pace of technological change also means that ways of working are constantly evolving. In a world that is changing quickly, curiosity helps you adapt and stay ahead. For example, in just a few years, artificial intelligence has become a mainstream tool. The most inquisitive people were early adopters because they took the time to learn how to use new technologies, develop new skills and find ways to use these tools to improve their work and learning.

Employers increasingly want to hire people who show genuine curiosity and a willingness to keep learning, because this helps businesses stay competitive. An enquiring mindset also encourages creative thinking, unique ideas and strong problem-solving skills – qualities that employers highly value.

Being curious also means becoming comfortable with not knowing everything. The most successful learners are often those who recognise what they do not yet understand, so they can continue developing their knowledge and skills over time.

This mindset also allows you to enjoy new experiences. Joining a new club, visiting new places and making new friends are all ways to explore the world and the people around you. You may be surprised by what you discover when you are open to new opportunities. As Albert Einstein once said, ‘I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious.’

Keep asking questions, keep exploring and keep learning.

Henry and Ingrid Wuga were part of the Kindertransport, an initiative set up by the British Government in 1938 to help young Jewish children escape Nazi persecution in Germany and Austria. Hilary shared the story of how her parents grew up in Germany, faced increasing persecution and then left Germany at the age of 15. This session linked with what Year 9 have been studying in their history lessons.

Hilary delivered a powerful testimony of the resilience her parents showed and the life that they made in Scotland. She reminded us of the strength of being kind to each other and showing compassion for others, one of our key virtues here at Park High. Hilary was very impressed with Year 9 students and was happy to answer questions at the end. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to be involved in.

Nelson Mandela spent his life fighting against oppression and apartheid in South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for standing up for his beliefs, refusing to ever back down. Soon after his release, he became the first black president of his country. Throughout his life, Mandela displayed huge amounts of resilience. He was able to hold fast to his beliefs and ideals, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, which ultimately made him successful in his mission.

Resilience is one of Park High’s Character Values – and the one we are focusing on this half term. It’s the ability to recover from struggles and setbacks, and means that you do not give up even when things get tough. It does not mean never experiencing challenges or feeling overwhelmed, instead it is knowing how to respond positively when you do.

This stems from self-belief and having clear goals to guide your path forwards, regardless of the hurdles in your way. 

In school, you may not get the grade you hoped for in an exam, you might find a particular subject harder than others, or maybe you had a falling out with a friend. You may also experience hardships in your home life. These are all moments where you can display resilience – accept mistakes and difficulties as moments to grow, learn and bounce back stronger.

A low grade should spark your determination. Instead of accepting the result, you can create a revision plan around that subject, write flashcards and ask your teachers for advice. You can turn your weakest subjects into your strongest.

It also does not mean never asking for help, or denying that you find things hard. The most resilient people tend to be those with a support network to rely on. Family, friends and teachers can all be there to share guidance or step in to take something off your plate. Similarly, you should think about how you can help the people in your life with the things they find harder.

Beyond school, resilience is an important life skill that employers look for.

There will be plenty of setbacks in the world of work: you will face rejections, you will make mistakes, there will be disagreements with a colleague, to name just a few. How you act in those moments is much more significant than avoiding them in the first place. Employers know the best results come from people who do not give up.

Helen Keller showed great resilience in overcoming the challenges of being both blind and deaf to become a renowned author, lecturer and advocate. She believed success could only come from showing resilience, saying: “You will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles.”

We should all aim to have the same strength of character as visionaries like Mandela and Keller. We should believe in ourselves, keep pushing ourselves forward and know that we can achieve great things.

We were honoured that Father Christmas managed to take time out of his busy schedule to bring some Christmas joy to the school. Santa could be heard "Ho Ho Ho"-ing through the corridors, ringing his bell and surprising students in their classrooms.

We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Last week, we asked two of our Sixth Form students to decode the Chancellor’s Budget and share how it connects to what they’re learning in Economics and Politics. Their reflections reveal just how classroom theory comes alive when applied to real-world decisions.

At Park High, we prepare all our students to be engaged citizens and thrive in the world beyond school. Urissa and Khushi show how we bridge the gap between the classroom and current events.

We often talk about the importance of working hard, getting good grades and being successful, but it’s equally important to think about how you interact with other people. It might sound simple, but learning to care about how others think and feel can completely shows maturity and can change your experience in and out of school.

Compassion starts with empathy – understanding what someone else might be going through. Maybe a friend is stressed about their exams or someone new feels left out. It also means thinking about how your actions will make others feel. By recognising this, you can build new and deeper relationships with the people around you.

In school, compassion makes a real difference. It helps prevent bullying, builds stronger friendships and creates a more positive atmosphere where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Beyond the classroom, compassion is one of the most valuable traits you can develop. Jobs where you have to work and rely on others are built on trust, respect and understanding. More and more employers are looking for people with strong emotional intelligence, as well as people with top academic qualifications.

Another area you can show Compassion is in charity and volunteering. Thinking about ways you can help worthy causes and people less fortunate than yourself is a great way to make a positive impact on your community and the wider world.

Compassion isn’t just about helping others – it’s thinking about the sort of person you want to be, treating others in the way that you would want to be treated and knowing that what you do really does make a difference to the people around you.

To learn more about our Character Values, click here.

We are proud to be part of the Healthy Schools London programme and to receive this acknowledgement for our efforts

To enter the challenge, you need to take a photo of yourself being caught reading somewhere unusual, inspiring, or surprising! Remember to be safe.

Departing on 21st May, students arrived in New York City and immediately immersed themselves in its vibrant culture and history. Highlights included visits to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. A tour of the United Nations Headquarters and a visit to the Bronx High School of Science added a global and academic dimension to the experience, while the panoramic views from the Top of the Rock provided a memorable perspective of the city skyline.

To view the full proposal and to submit your response, please download the form below. The consultation is open until noon on 23rd June 2025.

Please note, any views should be sent to the links identified in the document. Park High School is unable to accept or forward any responses to the consultation.

As one of only ten UK schools invited to take part in this exciting STEM competition, our students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm, creativity, and exceptional teamwork. The event formed part of the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, a global STEM initiative designed for students aged 9–16. The programme encourages young people to tackle real-world problems through coding, engineering, and innovation. 

The day was filled with activities designed to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served during the war, and to help students connect with this significant chapter in history. 

The excitement kicked off on Monday 17th March, with an engaging Physical Theatre workshop led by Ms. Daler. Year 7 and 9 students explored gravity-defying lifts and contact work, pushing the boundaries of movement.  

A Scholastic Book Fair is a pop-up celebration of reading that puts the very best books directly into our pupils’ hands, all while raising rewards to spend on free books and essential resources for your school.

As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we have organised a range of exciting events and activities to encourage reading for pleasure. 

Over the course of the week, we will be: 

• Distributing Book Tokens (KS3 only) 
• Running the National Book Token Competition (Open to all year groups from the w/c 24th Feb – Available in the library) 
• Organising a Scavenger Hunt at lunchtime (Open to all year groups – Forms can be found in the library)
• Dressing up as our favourite book character on 6th March ~ for Year 7 and Year 8 ONLY and staff. 
• Literary Fair at lunchtime on 6th March. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate reading for pleasure with us in the hall. 

For further information please contact:
Tel: 020 8868 5224
Email: youngcarers@harrowcarers.org

Website:https://harrowcarers.org/young-carers/

Throughout the week, each year group held its own assembly, featuring awards that recognised excellence in various categories, including tutor awards, subject awards, attendance awards, and the prestigious Headteacher and Head of Year awards.

To support you in navigating the digital landscape with your children, we’ve prepared this guide covering essential topics such as online safety, monitoring and limiting screen time, and understanding age restrictions for online content.