Text Box: On Tuesday 14th March all Year 7 students were taken off time-table for the morning to meet representatives from different charities ( voluntary organisations ) as part of the school’s citizenship education provision. The event was organised by Mr Roberts and his Year 7 tutor team with the help of Mr Sullivan and the borough citizenship advisor, Mr Erik Stein. The event started with an extended Year 7 assembly led by Ms Woods and Mr Sullivan which built upon earlier Year 7 tutorials which had explored the work of charities in the UK. All of Year 7 then got the chance to meet three different charities during form group meetings held in different classrooms throughout the school. Upper Band forms got the chance to meet and question visitors from Victim Support, The Disablement Association and Christian Aid. Fast Track forms met speakers from : RSPCA, CSV, Seedtime and the YWCA. Middle Band forms experienced visitors from Studio 3 Arts, International Christian Care Foundation and Thames Chase Partnerships. During the 45 minute sessions the students found out about the work the charities do in our area and took part in various activities designed to make them think about the people or issues they help. Mr Sullivan declared the day ,”A terrific success”. Mr Roberts agreed and explained that he felt such events were ,”Invaluable in helping Year 7 pupils discover the ways charities help different groups in society” He added ,”This gives my year an opportunity to think about the reasons they donate to or help charities. They will be doing some follow-up work during form-time for their Progress Files.” Sydney Russell School has staged events for Year 8 and 9 students in the past and plans to do so again later in the academic year. It was one of the first in the

These pages represent only a small number of the many trips and activities and events that take place each year.

Learning to give!

Sydney Russell School

and Year 7 Citizenship Day

Young Enterprise Winners

In late March, two student-run companies from SRS entered the area finals of the Young Enterprise scheme.

6^th form students can take the opportunity to set-up and run their own business with the help and guidance of the Young Enterprise organisation. This organisation has been encouraging young people to explore the world of private enterprise and entrepreneurship for the past 30 years. Students can create a business with its own executives and directors and can make money by selling or trading in and around the school. Any profits made can be kept by the students themselves at the end of the school year.

Our school companies are: “ Da Business”, a car-cleaning and services company and “Success Inc.” a clothing company.

For the competition, both companies had to write a report explaining their business, set up a trade stand selling their wares or services and give a 5-minute presentation about their experiences.

The competition was held in the boardroom at the top of the HSBC building in Canary Wharf. Our school represented the borough of Barking and Dagenham. After a long and tiring day prizes were won, including those for best presentation , trade stand and company report.

Students from both companies will now go on to represent the school in the London East finals which will be held in May. Staff and company members are now preparing for an even bigger challenge which will involve our school against winners from other boroughs in East London. We wish our budding company directors well. Could an Alan Sugar of the future be found at Sydney Russell School?