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Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

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Academy Life

6 December 2024Newsletter 06.12.24At HAWI, we firmly believe that recognising effort and progress is just as important as celebrating achievements. One of the ways we do this is through our Effort Stamps—which students can earn during lessons. These stamps lead to students collecting stickers and badges as a tangible reward for their hard work. We are thrilled to see so many of our students proudly earning their bronze, silver, and gold badges. In fact, this week, we had some outstanding achievers who earned the platinum badge for collecting over one hundred stickers! This is a remarkable accomplishment, and we couldn’t be more proud of their dedication and effort. We encourage you to support your children in collecting their stickers and badges and to wear them with pride. Not only do these rewards symbolise their hard work, but they also contribute significantly to their house points, bringing them closer to winning the coveted House Cup at the end of the year. Thank you for encouraging and celebrating your child’s progress alongside us. Together, we can continue to motivate them to reach new heights! Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-06.12.24_v1.pdf  
29 November 2024Newsletter 29.11.24Teamwork is a key value that shapes every aspect of school life. From collaborating in lessons to competing in sports events, and even rehearsing for the school production, it’s essential in fostering a sense of community. This spirit of teamwork will also be crucial in some of our cherished traditions that we celebrate at the end of each Autumn Term. Here are a few highlights: • Decorate The Door Competition: Year 7 and 8 Houses will compete to create the best festive door decoration. • Festive Jumper and Lunch Day: Join us on Wednesday 18th December, for a festive jumper day, where lunch will be provided free of charge for all students. We’ll also be raising money for Save the Children—please consider making a donation. • Secret Santa for Each House: Students will be assigned a House member’s name and are invited to bring in a small gift (worth up to £2) to exchange during the House’s festive party on Friday 20th December. Additionally, we want to extend our thanks to Ms. Angely, our school librarian, for organising the annual book fair, which was a great success. A special mention goes to Year 11, who are currently in the middle of their assessments—we’re incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. I hope you all enjoy the weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-29.11.24.pub.pdf
22 November 2024Newsletter 22.11.24Thank you to everyone who attended the Cultural Evening last night, and a special thanks to the WPA for their outstanding efforts! It’s been a vibrant week filled with exciting events, including Year 11 students taking part in the Young Citizens Mock Trial competition and some fantastic house trips. Looking ahead, we have our Curiosity Day on December 11th, offering even more opportunities for our students. Please check the Newsletter for further details. We are also incredibly proud of our Year 11 students, who are working hard in preparation for their assessments starting next week. At this stage, please encourage them to make the most of the revision materials provided by their teachers. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend, Mrs. Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-22.11.24.pdf
15 November 2024Newsletter 15.11.24The House System plays a vital role in fostering a strong sense of belonging, collaboration, and healthy competition among our students. This week, we held our first House Huddles, providing a chance for students to come together as a house, strengthening their connections and spirit. Looking ahead, next week we will embark on our first house trips of the year, an exciting opportunity for all students to participate, led by the Heads of House. Student voice is at the heart of everything we do. This week, we began receiving applications for the new Head Students who will take over from our current Year 13 leaders in January. The shortlisted candidates will present their ideas to the school, and then all students will have the opportunity to vote for the individuals they feel best represent them on the Student Council and at key school events. We are also excited to invite all parents to our Cultural Evening on Thursday. Tickets are still available, and all event details can be found in the newsletter below. Wishing you all an enjoyable week ahead. Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-15.11.24_v1.pdf
8 November 2024Newsletter 08.11.24I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the fantastic adventures our students have experienced over half term. 1. Choir Tour to Disneyland Paris – Our talented choir had the opportunity to perform in the magical surroundings of Disneyland Paris. Not only did they showcase their musical talents, but they also experienced the joy of being part of a global community, connecting with fellow musicians and exploring the park’s many wonders. 2. Ypres, Belgium – A moving and educational visit to the historic town of Ypres, where students learned about the impact of World War I. The trip included visits to memorials, providing our students with a deep understanding of history and the importance of remembrance. 3. ‘Generation Green’ Project – A thrilling experience, where students stepped out of their comfort zones to engage in teambuilding activities, outdoor challenges, and leadership exercises. It was a true test of their independence, integrity and resilience. As we look forward to this half term, we are excited to build our brilliant first half term, continuing to foster a sense of curiosity, collaboration, and academic growth. Alongside assessments for Years 8, 10, 11 and 13, there are many exciting opportunities on the horizon such as house trips and curiosity days. Thank you once again for your continued support. Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-08.11.24_v1.pdf  
18 October 2024Newsletter 18.10.24Celebrating Black History Month: A day of reflection, education, and unity as we honour the contributions and achievements of individuals throughout history. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this celebration memorable! The Curiosity Days have been brilliant. We have been incredibly impressed with how the students have been curious about learning new things and have demonstrated our values of independence, integrity and resilience. I would like to thank the staff for planning these outstanding opportunities. We have received our first university offers for Year 13 students. We could not be prouder of seeing our first cohort of students grow and develop from Year 7 to Year 13 and now receive offers from prestigious Russell Group universities such as University of Manchester, University of Warwick and University of Exeter. We look forward to celebrating more success in the coming months. We have three residential visits during half term – Disneyland Paris, Belgium and the South Coast. We hope everyone has a great time. Thank you for all your support this half term. Best wishes, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-18.10.24_v1.pdf
10 October 2024Newsletter 10.10.24This Tuesday, we had the pleasure of welcoming many prospective Year 11 students and their families to our Sixth Form Open Evening. It was wonderful to meet so many enthusiastic students and hear about their aspirations for A level study. Our departments were on hand to showcase their subjects and provide valuable insights into studying at A level. Further information about HAWI6 can be found on our website. Next week is busy with our Curiosity Days, Parents’ Pastoral Evening, the Wimbledon Parents’ Association Annual General Meeting, an author visit and our Black History Month Celebration Day! Further information about all the events can be found in the newsletter. Have a great weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-10.10.24.pdf
4 October 2024Newsletter 04.10.2024We are really looking forward to our 6th form open evening on Tuesday at 5.30pm. If you would like to attend, all the information is on the website. We offer 21 different A levels and work in partnership with King’s College School, Wimbledon, to deliver an outstanding curriculum with enrichment and support for university applications. Thank you for supporting the WPA (our parents’ association) events last year. I am really pleased to let you know that through all your contribu-tions they have donated £2000 to the academy for additional play-ground equipment. They are holding their AGM on Thursday 17th October at 7:30pm and we would be delighted for some more members. It is a great way to get to know more about the school and help with different fundraising events. Thank you for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-04.10.24.pdf
27 September 2024Newsletter 27.09.24We are halfway through the first half term and the next three weeks have many different opportunities for the students. On Tuesday, we launch our Black History Month events which will culminate in a celebration day on the 18th October. The full list of events are on the front of the newsletter but they include lectures, visits and assemblies. There is information in the newsletter about our first Curiosity Days – these are days where students have a different curriculum for the day. Over the two days, we want the students to be curious about what they are learning, to ask lots of questions and explore connections between what they are doing on the curiosity days to what they are doing in their lessons. Please ask your children what they are doing for their curiosity days and if they are not sure, direct them to ask their tutor next week. There was a great buzz in the hall today as the Houses competed to bake and sell the most cakes for Macmillan Coffee Morning. I am so proud of the school community for ‘making a difference’ to the lives of people around us, by giving up their time and making contributions to a very important charity. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-27.09.24.pdf
20 September 2024Newsletter 20.09.2024It has been a pleasure to open our doors this week to prospective students and their parents. They were incredibly impressed with your children and commented on how polite and knowledgeable they were. Thank you for encouraging them to get involved in these events. We have had a brilliant start to the term; the students have settled back into the routines of school life and are meeting our challenge of finding their passion by joining many different extracurricular activities. We have our annual Macmillan Coffee Morning this week; please encourage your children to either bake a cake or bring in a donation to buy some. It is an event very close to our hearts as the MacMillan Nurses helped a member of staff, Geri Hall, who very sadly passed away just over a year ago. I know her family would be honoured if we could donate to the charity. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh Principal https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-20.09.24.pdf
13 September 2024Newsletter 13.09.2024During assemblies this week, Mr Maurice shared his love of reading with reference to Lord of the Flies by William Golding. After the assembly, a year 9 student said to me ‘I’m going to get that book and read it, it sounds amazing’ which was excellent to hear. We have introduced ‘Drop Everything and Read’ (DEAR) time every Monday morning where we want students to read a novel of their choice. If they are struggling to find something they enjoy, then they should have a chat with Ms Angely, our school librarian, who is a fountain of knowledge on young people’s literature. We would really appreciate it if you could encourage your children to read as it will help them broaden their horizons. It has been great to see extracurricular clubs get underway this week and hear so many students enjoying themselves after school, as they try out a new club or return to one they have loved before. We have tasked all students to find their passion this year by trying out different clubs until they find one they really love. All the clubs are available on the website so please encourage your child to try some out. I’d like to thank all the staff who give up their time to lead such a range of clubs and societies. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh Principal https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-13.09.24_v2.pdf  
6 September 2024Newsletter 06.09.2024I hope you have all had a wonderful summer and your children are looking forward to the new school year. We have had another set of excellent GCSE results which is testament to the hard work of all the students. We are incredibly proud of them all. The results are above the National Average and over 20% of results were grade 7 or higher including Wiktoria who achieved ten Grade 9s and Asiyah who achieved five Grade 9s and five Grade 8s. A special mention should go to Liliia, who joined the academy half-way through her GCSEs from Ukraine (and spoke very limited English) and achieved seven Grade 7s or higher, including 9s in Maths and Geography, and an 8 in both English Literature and English Language. Please find a link here to an article that was in the Evening Standard . ‘Congratulations to all our students!’. They have all worked with such diligence over the past two years and fully deserve these strong results. I have no doubt they will continue to excel as they embark on the next chapter of their education. There are some stand-out performances by students who have faced some significant obstacles over the past few years. They have shown that, through hard work and perseverance, anything is possible and will act as inspiration to our younger students. A huge thank you as ever to our wonderful staff for their ongoing encouragement and support and unwavering dedication to our students. We are now a full school with all year groups from Years 7 to 13; I cannot believe how quickly the last seven years have gone by. There are some changes to the leadership team. Mr Maurice is now Senior Vice Principal and Mr Arnold has been appointed as Vice Principal. Mr Arnold is responsible for behaviour and the overall pastoral support of the students. You will get to meet him at our pastoral and parents’ evenings. The Heads of Year will be writing to you early next week to clarify our communication procedures for each year group. I am very excited about the year ahead and I hope your children embrace everything we have to offer, and have a successful year. Best wishes, Mrs Larizadeh Principal https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-06.09.24.pdf
12 July 2024Newsletter 12/07/2024I am delighted to share all the photographs from Outdoor Activity Week and Aim High Week. It has been a fantastic week and everyone has really shown their resilience. We are looking forward to celebrating the last week of term next week. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh   https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-12.07.24.pdf
5 July 2024Newsletter 05/07/2024This week has been a week of celebration, greetings and delight! We greeted our new Year 7 and 12 students for their induction and celebrated with Year 11 at their prom. You can get a taster of the events from the photographs in the newsletter. What a great week it has been! We are now in the final stretch with an abundance of activities next week. Please see the information in the newsletter and refer to previous letters for the logistical arrangements. We really appreciate your support in ensuring your child is in the right place each day. All of these opportunities help students develop their independence, integrity and resilience which in turn helps them to ‘make a difference’ to themselves and the lives of everyone else around them. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-05.07.24_v1.pdf  
28 June 2024Newsletter 28/06/2024The week has been overflowing with creativity and talent! Congratulations to all the students involved in the dance and drama showcase, Music concert, art exhibition and the heats for Federation Sports day. Thank you to everyone who came and watched the spectacular performances; we really appreciate your support. If you didn’t manage to come, you will find plenty of pictures in the newsletter. Heritage day was a huge success today and we really enjoyed celebrating the diversity of our community. The events continue next week and the week after. We are looking forward to our annual outdoor activity week: a week of trips and different experiences. Please double check that your child knows exactly what they are doing each day. If they are not sure, please direct them to their house tutor. Next week, we have students participating the in Federation Geography Quiz, the Year 11 Prom, HAWI6 Induction and we welcome our new Year 7 students. Thanks you for your continued support of the academy. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh   https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-28.06.24.pdf
21 June 2024Newsletter 21/06/2024I think at this point in the term, it is important to pause and reflect on how HAWI staff ‘make a difference’ to the students. Many of them are spending time with the students both at the weekend and in the evenings to provide them with so many opportunities. Between now and the end of term we have Duke of Edinburgh residentials, a Year 7/8 residential, Drama production, Music concert, Art Exhibition and much more. The staff at HAWI are brilliant and always volunteer to provide as many opportunities as possible – thank you! The students are showing their leadership qualities. It was a privilege to watch the four parties launch their manifestos for the HAWI election which is taking place on Tuesday 2nd July. They have all come up with some creative ideas for how they will run the school if they are elected as Principal for the day. I am very much looking forward to having the day off and leaving them to run the school! Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-21.06.24.pdf
14 June 2024Newsletter 14/06/2024There is a buzz of energy around the academy as everyone prepares for different activities.  This week it was a pleasure to welcome the author Cliff McNish who inspired Year 7s and I really enjoyed judging our first HAWI Vision.  We have over 180 students practising for either their Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and many students rehearsing for the Arts Festival.  Alongside this, our sports stars are preparing for sports day and Federation competitions. Over the next few weeks, we are looking forward to welcoming our new Year 7s and their families to the HAWI community.  We have over 50 siblings joining this year so I’m sure they will be able to support all the other new students. This is a very important week for both Year 10 and 12.  Year 10 have their final parents’ evening before their Year 11 mock exams.  It is important that everyone attends so they understand what they did well  in their recent Year 10 exams and what they need to focus on going forward.  We wish Year 12 the best of luck in their end of year exams this week.   Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend,   Mrs Larizadeh   https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-14.06.24.pdf
7 June 2024Newsletter 07/06/2024This half term is full of opportunities for the students as they look to uphold our values of independence, integrity and resilience and make a difference to themselves and everyone else around them. We will be holding our own Mock General Election with voting happening on the 2nd July. Students will form their own parties, create a manifesto and try and persuade the student body to vote for them. The leader of the winning party will become Principal for the Day. Next week is Wow Week where students will earn double points for each reward point and for 100% attendance. This could have a significant impact on the House League so please encourage your child to earn as many points as possible by attending school every day and by earning reward stamps for their effort in lessons. Next week, we also have an Author visit for Year 7, HAWI Vision for every house, a Year 12 visit to the Houses of Parliament, a university evening for Year 12 students and both the Years 7 boys’ and the Year 8 girls’ football teams are in the Federation football cup finals. Please look at the Dates for your Diary section to see all the other opportunities for this half term. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend, Mrs Larizadeh   https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/harris_secondary_wimbledon/uploads/document/Newsletter-07.06.24.pdf