Posted on: 4/07/2019Razor Wire and Olive Branches WorkshopMonday the 24 June was marked by a Citizenship and RE workshop day on Human Rights Issues. This unique workshop was delivered by the Quaker Peace and Social Witness organisation and the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI- a project of the World Council of Churches and Christian Aid.), was entitled Razor Wire & Olive Branches. The workshop explored conflict and human rights issues in Palestine and Israel. Students participated in a number of workshops that provided them with a historical and socio-political landscape of the region. Students also took part in activities that involved work around conflict resolution, role-plays and mimes, all of which focused on developing empathy, allowing students to understand how complex this conflict is. The highlight of this day was the graffiti session, where students stencilled logos and symbols of ‘peace and hope’ to spray on canvases and boards. Finally, the first-hand experience of the people from the EAPPI who lived on the grounds with Israelis and Palestinians, supporting peace in the region gave life to how the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians are experienced every day. The Razor Wire and Olive Branch workshop really widened my knowledge on the current issues taking place in Israel and Palestine. We are extremely lucky to be able to take part in such an educating workshop and hope lots of other students are able to do it too. Abigail Long Year 9 I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. It was interactive and very informative. I felt quite inspired to make change. The situation is Israel is very dangerous and segregated but we do not hear enough about it in the news and what people are doing to make change so it was interesting to learn more about it. Sadie Boyce Year 9 The workshop was eye-opening to the reality of the lives of civilians in Gaza and Palestine. It was also interesting to learn about the conscientious objectors and what influence the international community has on Israel. Laura Wakeford-Hale Year 9 This workshop really impacted us as it was different from all the other workshops we have had in the past. We were learning about conflict and how you can stop it and learn from it, we also learnt about empathy and how things can develop. Mayim Holder Year 9 For the full photo album, click here.
Posted on: 20/06/2019Parent Seminar - Hate Crime, IslamophobiaOn Thursday 20, EGA held its first Parents Seminar on Hate Crime – Islamophobia. It was a very successful event delivered by representatives of the community. Dr Mahera Ruby – who is an author, lecturer at UCL University and a family coach, spoke on the role of community leaders and educators to create meaningful spaces for young people, giving them direction, and to allow them to connect to the wider community, where they feel they belong. She said “we all seek three things - belonging, direction and connection - when any of these are missing, it creates anxiety". Zohra Khaku – Director of MYHelpline, provided information on a range of services and support they offer to young people, from mental health to victims of hate crime. She also said it’s “really important to keep channels of communication open between parents and children”. Finally PC Gavin Pascall from the London Metropolitan Police, emphasised the importance of reporting crimes and urged people to "save any physical evidence and stay in the place where it happened and call the police". Finally, I would like to all our parents and students who attended this seminar and engaged in discussions with our key speakers.
Posted on: 19/06/2019Katie Piper's Visit to EGA It was a privilege last week to welcome Katie Piper to EGA where she spoke to a group of year 7/8s in the library. Katie is an internationally bestselling author, founder of the Katie Piper Foundation charity and a motivational speaker. Katie was here to talk about her latest book ‘Things I’d Tell My Child’. Katie spoke briefly before leading a lively question and answer session with the students. Katie tweeted after the event: ‘Today I went to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, London. We spent the afternoon in the library, we discussed goal setting, barriers and aspirations. The students also hit me with their questions around self esteem, confidence and aspiring to write.’ - @katiepiper_ Katie donated several copies of her books to the library which she signed and posed for photographs with the students. It was a privilege to welcome Katie to EGA and a highly rewarding experience for the students.
Posted on: 18/06/2019Islington Carnegie Shadowing EventThis week the library reading group took part in the Carnegie Shadowing event at AMSI School, compered by author Faye Bird who was talking about her new book My Secret Lies With You. The group had all read the shortlisted books and put on a (very) short play based on their chosen favourite book, The Land of Neverendings by Kate Saunders. Other schools contributed poems and other interpretations of their favourite books. The Islington winner was Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds and the winner of the actual prize was Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Particular praise must be made of Jade and Jasmine Reed who made some awesome props including a life size nun and penguin! Congratulations also to Annachiara, Nishath Nawa and Tensae who put on a great performance.
Posted on: 12/06/2019Parent Seminar on Thursday 20th June 2pm-3pmOn Thursday 20th June, we are holding the first of a series of seminars for parents. A particular focus will be on keeping your daughter safe in the wider community. Given the increase in the number of hate crimes being reported in recent years, we feel a duty to equip and empower our families with knowledge about where to access support. The first seminar will have a particular focus on tackling the Islamophobia that is often experienced in the wake of terror attacks, but will have advice relevant to all communities. It will include speakers from different organisations, community leaders, and a representative from the Metropolitan Police, who will address this issue and provide practical steps on how to stay safe and who you can turn to in order to get support. There will also be an opportunity in the end to ask questions to the panel. If you are planning to attend this seminar, please could you RSVP by asking your daughter to return to the reply slip to the office, or by calling reception. We need to have an idea of numbers so we can organise refreshments and an appropriate sized room. We are also exploring panels to provide advice and support for other groups: those that experience discrimination or hate crime because of their race, gender, sexuality or disability. Suggestions from families on other topics that it would be helpful for us to arrange parent seminars on are very welcome. Please email them to admin@egas.org.uk or call reception.
Posted on: 12/06/2019"The course of true love never did run smooth..."Year 7 students and their teachers are hard at work putting the finishing touches on EGA's annual promenade performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - Shakespeare's popular comedy about mistakes, marriage and magic! Everyone has been working so hard and it's sure to be a wonderful event. It looks like we're going to be lucky with the weather too! Everyone is warmly invited to come along to Reception at 4pm on Friday 14th June to begin the magical walking tour. Best of luck Year 7!
Posted on: 3/06/2019Music Technology WorkshopLast term, our Year 8 students enjoyed a workshop afternoon with our fantastic new music technician Mr Falla. Earlier in the year, we applied to Ableton for free launchpad hardware and Ableton Live Software to get more girls involved in music technology. During the session our students worked on creating a remix of a famous Franki Valli song which will be performed at the end of year concert on 9 July. It was wonderful to see our students working together and engaging so enthusiastically with music technology! Move over Calvin Harris!
Posted on: 21/05/2019Dragon's Den Workshop from PWCAs part of EGA's commitment to supporting young adults with careers, students in Year 8 were given the opportunity to work with trained and skilled staff from Price Water Coopers, in a Dragon’s Den style workshop The aim of the workshop was for students to develop: • A basic understanding of business challenges • Group work skills • Presentation and pitching skills • Self-reflection skills The students had the chance to participate in a business challenge that helped them better understand factors affecting their daily lives and gain basic transferable skills for their future. Student testimonies: Sadie Boyce - Year 8 It was very interesting to learn about the world of work first hand from a well-known business and it was really fun working in a group and coming up with business ideas and practicing our pitching skills. My team won with an idea for a healthy credit card to keep a check on young people's spending on junk food - and to reward them with gym credits when they didn't!!! Taaibah Akhtar - Year 8 On Friday, I had the chance to take part in a Dragon's Den style workshop alongside some of my peers and pupils from Holloway school. This developed our skills of systematic and smart thinking. After this, we were able to work in a way where we were encouraged to consider sustainability before making business decisions. We then had to pitch ideas about how to reduce obesity and other obesity related health conditions such as diabetes. I found the day really enjoyable and it was interesting to collaborate with others in this way. Many thanks to Ms Siddique (EGA and Holloway careers lead) for organising the day! Ms Henry
Posted on: 22/03/2019MiSST Together DayOn Friday 22 March, EGA Music welcomed sixty students from Central Foundation Boys’ School for an exciting orchestral workshop day! Our first workshop day was back in November and it was wonderful to hear the fantastic progress students have made on their new instruments. We have moved from September when students were learning to setup the instruments and how to produce a basic sound to performing two full orchestral pieces - Ode to Joy by Beethoven and the famous traditional Russian folk piece Korobeiniki. Our MiSST Together Day finished with a rousing concert performance of both pieces for staff and parents from both schools. We are very proud of the progress all students have made and look forward to working with them during the next stages of this exciting musical journey.
Posted on: 4/07/2019
Posted on: 4/07/2019
Posted on: 4/07/2019
