In early February, 24 Mandarin students from Year 7 celebrated Chinese New Year with a day out in London.

In September, Central Foundation joined the Department for Education’s nationwide Mandarin Excellence Programme. Now in its third year, the intensive language programme is supported by the UCL Institute of Education and aims to see at least 5,000 pupils in England on track to fluency in Mandarin by 2020. The language is taught as part of the curriculum and in a series of after school sessions, open to advanced speakers and to newcomers in Years 7-9.

The new year tour began with a visit to the British Museum. At the museum, the group of 24 were split into smaller groups and given research projects designed to make them explore Chinese history and culture through the artefacts in the building.

Upon leaving the British Museum, the pupils travelled to Chinatown for lunch. Throughout the afternoon, pupils were encouraged to speak Mandarin while ordering food to develop confidence in speaking the language, as well as reading it. After lunch they were set a treasure hunt activity in the area to encourage them to discover information about Chinese New Year.

 

Autumn term 2019

Monday 2 September 2019 – Thursday 19 December 2019

Arrangements for the start of the academic year

Monday 2 September – INSET day (staff only)

Tuesday 3 September – Year 7s only

Wednesday 4 September – Whole school back; normal school hours 8.55am – 3.15pm

Half-term holiday

Monday 21 October 2019 – Friday 25 October 2019

Public Holidays

Christmas day: Wednesday 25 December 2019

Boxing Day: Thursday 26 December 2019

New Year’s day: Wednesday 1 January 2020

 

Spring term 2020

Monday 6 January 2020 – Friday 3 April 2020

Half-term holiday

Monday 17 February 2020 – Friday 21 February 2020

Public Holidays

Good Friday: Friday 10 April

Easter Monday: Monday 13 April 2020

 

Summer term 2020

Monday 20 April 2020 – Friday 17 July 2020

Half-term holiday

Monday 25 May 2020 – Friday 29 May 2020

Public Holidays

May Day Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2020

Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2020

 

Dates for the current academic year, 2018-2019, can be found by clicking here.

 

Year 9 historians observed Holocaust Memorial Day in the last week of January with two events in the local community.

The Emirates Stadium invited schools from across Islington to attend a morning of lectures and workshops where they heard in-depth accounts of life under the rule of Nazi Germany and how the Holocaust happened. They also learned about more recent genocides such as those that took place in Rwanda and Cambodia.

After this the schools separated into groups so they could discuss with each other what those experiences may have been like for school children of their own age.
The discussion at the Emirates Stadium was in preparation for the official Memorial Day service at Islington Assembly Hall. At this event the boys heard from Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn, Emily Thornberry MP, the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor and the World Harmony Orchestra, which is comprised of refugees from around the world.

Alongside the keynote speakers, Shane from Year 9 was asked to join in reading a pledge to fight discrimination in whatever form it takes.

Dear Parents/Carers,

There have been five nominations for the Parent Governor post. Personal statements of the candidates, ballot papers and a cover letter have been emailed to the parents and carers. A ballot paper can be downloaded by clicking here. A hard copy of the ballot paper, candidates’ statements and envelopes are also available from the School reception.

To vote, please print off the ballot paper, vote for your chosen candidate and seal it inside an unmarked envelope. Place this envelope in a second outer envelope clearly marked with your name. You will then need to return the double envelope to the School office or by post to the Clerk to the Governing Body, Central Foundation Boys’ School, Cowper Street, London EC2A 4SH by 3.00pm on Friday 15th February 2019.

To read more about the role and its responsibilities, click here.