Hello
once again,
I
hope that you have all had a good week. I also hope that your son has brought
home the St. Boniface’s College Autumn diary for you. Please ask him to give
you the red diary he was given to take home today. The diary contains lots of information about
the College and what is happening up to Christmas – if you can think of
anything you would like in such a termly diary then please drop me an e-mail,
a new diary will be released for the Spring term.
The
diary contains a homework timetable for the academic year and pupils have
been asked to use their planners to put the set homework in. Could I ask you
to please check and sign the planners weekly – tutors have also been asked to
sign planners on a weekly cycle. If you would like to make any notes in the
planners for the tutor then please do so, please remember that every teacher
can be contacted via their e-mail address as well.
The
College is also returning to Parent /Teacher evenings along with mentor days,
the first year 11 evening, I am proposing to have two such evenings for year
11, is on Tuesday 10th December – just after the Y11 mock exams.
Again the dates can all be found in the Autumn Diary. The mentor day of
Friday 22nd remains.
The
College is also on schedule to initiate a parent texting service, letters
will be coming home hopefully within a fortnight for you to join the service.
I am also about to write to all parents with updates in case they have not
got access to this blog – Mrs Venn, our Assistant Head teacher for Inclusion has
asked for information regarding free school meals, service family children
along with other information so please do keep an eye out – I shall of course
post the letter with the appropriate blog.
The
College has yet to hear back from Ofsted regarding the suitability of the proposed
action plan put in place with the College and the local authority. As soon as
it is agreed with Ofsted that the plan is appropriate I intend to publish it
to parents and staff.
I
would like to thank the pupils for all the hard work they have put in again
this week – there appears to be an ordered approach around the College
however certain boys continue to test the dress code of the College by having
their shirts un-tucked. Could you please talk with your son if you suspect he
may be one such pupil, patience will run out and detentions will be given
which would be a great shame over such an issue but standards will not be compromised.
Unfortunately two pupils were sent home this week, with parental follow up, for
trying to disrupt the learning in classes – standards will not be compromised.
I was
fortunate enough on Monday to spend time at an Ofsted rated “outstanding”
school in Cornwall and the Head teacher there has kindly agreed to work
closely with St. Boniface’s. Work continues quietly behind the scene in
preparing St. Boniface’s to become an academy. We are awaiting Ministerial
approval and I would like to thank those in the Diocese who are working
tirelessly in this venture. My understanding is that this could take a number
of weeks.
On a
final note from me a huge thank you for all those who continue to offer
support to the College and myself, I firmly believe we are well underway and
I do hope that you are noticing a difference at home.
God
Bless,
A.
Davies
A
note from Mr. MacCormick:
There
will be two events happening on Friday 18th October to support the PTFA's efforts
to refurbish our College's Fitness Suite through 'Project Motiv-8':
1.
That day will be a Mufti day with students asked to bring a contribution, £2
if possible, to raise money for this cause.
2.
That evening, there will be a College disco, also to support this
project. Further details on this evening will follow shortly.
A
note from Mrs. Polson
The
first GCSE students took part in St Boniface Open Evenings with great
success. They made, presented and served all refreshments to prospective
parents with confidence and pride.
I
am very proud of them all.
From Mr. Smart
Last
Tuesday a group of Year 7, 8 and 9 lads went to the Plymouth University
Science and Technology showcase at the Graduation Marquee. The lads spent the
morning looking at the University’s educational workshops and its excellent
facilities. The lads also got lots of free stuff! The lads really seemed to
enjoy the day, and a big thanks to Mrs Parsons, Mr Tew and Miss Redfern for
their help in organising the event.
STEM
club is back! And every fortnight on Thursday week B lunchtimes. I will be
running STEM workshops, but also providing more opportunities for lads to
enhance their STEM experience. Watch this space for details.
A
notice to all year 12s, particularly those taking Science, Maths or
Engineering. I have various contacts within the Engineering sector, through
the Education Business Partnership South West. I would like to run trips out
to various companies in all branches of the sector, such as Chemical,
Electrical, Mechanical and Automotive. If this is of interest to parents or
year 12s, then please email me at jsmart@stbonifaces.com.
Year 7
Year
7 are continuing into the term in a hardworking fashion! Home learning is now
a firm part of their timetable, with a range of weekly and monthly projects
in place. Please remember if your son is struggling to adapt to this more
structured homework system, we have a number of homework clubs available for
him to attend, both in the Library or the Learning for Life Centre after
school.
I
have been popping into various lessons across the campus again this week to
check the year 7's learning and have been so impressed! Particular mention to
the boys in 7P during an RE lesson, who are currently working independently
on a St Boniface project. Miss Heduvan has commented on how impressed she has
been with the mature attitude and approach to their learning. Keep up the
great work boys!
To further help and improve literacy
standards, the school has introduced a reading scheme were all students will
undertake 30 minutes of silent reading each day. Could I therefore please
ask, that you ensure your son has some suitable reading material in his
school bag each day. I have asked tutors to check this is in place and thank
you for your support with this.
This week’s assembly focussed on the very important
message of “Respect”. I led the assembly with a blast of Aretha Franklin’s
famous song “Respect!”. Sadly, this only managed to make me feel extremely
old when not many of the Year 7’s knew the song, or had ever heard of the
singer! We then discussed famous characters throughout history who have
gained respect for a number of reasons. Some of the people discussed
included, Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa and my favourite, Lewis Hamilton! We
then came up with a list of how to be respectful every day, not only in
school but at home. Ending in a prayer, students were thankful for the
respect they receive from each other and those who they love. We are very
much looking forward to Mrs Polson and 7B’s assembly on Tuesday 24th
September.
Some of our Year 7 “HMS Heroes” students are fortunate
to be attending a “Royal Navy March Past” on Friday at the Citadel, with Mr
McKenna. This is as part of the HMS Heroes scheme we have at St Boniface’s to
support those students with one or more parent in the Armed Forces. It will
hopefully be a lovely occasion to show our continued support to the Armed
Forces.
An
important date for the Year 7 diary;
·
October
10th – We are having a whole school photograph at 11.30am to
celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the school! Please ensure that
your son is looking especially smart that day!
·
October
18th – Welcome Disco at St Boniface’s for Key Stage 3 students. To
welcome the New Year 7’s, we hold a disco here at St Boniface’s where
students from Notre Dame are invited also. Tickets will be available
soon!
The boys continue to look extremely smart and I have
been so pleased that they are adhering to the hair and uniform requirements.
Please ensure that the correct outer wear garments are being used as the
weather starts to turn towards winter. Students should only be wearing black
or navy blue coats, thank you.
Finally, I am very proud that we have an extremely
skilled transition tutor team here at St Boniface’s, who are specialised in
dealing with a range of Year 7 pastoral issues. Please do not hesitate in
contacting either your son’s tutor via email, or me directly, should you have
concerns or questions. Our email addresses are available on the school
website www.stbonifaces.com
I wish you all a lovely weekend!
Miss Beales, Head of Year 7
HMS Heroes in Operation.
Year 8
5 year
8 boys will be out on Monday visiting the Aquarium – city wide G&T day.
Mr. Tucker
Year 9
“Have
you done your homework:?
“I
haven’t got any”
A
conversation which goes on most homes, but I can assure you homework is being
set, please can I ask that you regularly check your child’s planner, the
planner is an excellent home school link and it is the responsibility of your
son to get it signed by his parent/guardian each week.
To
further help with communication, your son will be given a small red diary for
parents listing key dates of terms, events and meetings etc. keeping you up
to date of forth coming activities and….it has a homework diary.
With
the onset of Autumn this week and with the colder wet weather one or
two hoodies started to emerge, can I reiterate the school uniform of NO
hoodies, the uniform is school blazer, black or dark blue coats –no logos,
and an optional grey V necked jumper, hoodies will be confiscated.
Congratulations
this week go to…
A
talented young man Ben who will be attending the Southern Championships in
Tae kwondo and following his runners up spot in a recent U18 table tennis
competition held at the life centre has been selected for the Plymouth City
Development Squad. Well done a great achievement.
What
else has you been up to, come on lads share your successes with us, or if
there are any proud parents who would like to share their sons successes with
me I would be pleased to hear them, I can be contacted on: lmcloughlin@stbonifaces.com
Until
next Friday, have a good week
Mrs L.
Mcloughlin
Head of Year 9
Year
10 – Mr Scott
Year
10 students had a great time in assembly this week singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”
and “Don’t Stop Me Now” – few will forget Frankin’s amazing air guitar skills
and stage sliding! A great time was had by all!
Well
done to Luke who has been working with the PE Department to help train Year 7
students after school this week. It’s always nice to see senior
students modelling learning to our newest students.
Mrs
Hudson introduced Work Experience this week. The chance to work in
industry will take place next May. More details to follow.
Year 11
Congratulations
to James for representing Team GB in the Cross Triathlon trials. He came sixth in a recent trial in Switzerland. He has two other races, representing GB, in
Germany and Canada next year to look forward to.
He is
a credit to his school and we are all proud of him.
Wednesday
13th November
– mock GCSE exams start – 6 school weeks away!
Mr. Redfern
Post 16
The
vocational students have now fully started their courses. We have a number
going out to deepest Cornwall to do Animal Care and the others are following
their vocational courses in Plymouth. These are varied and provide a hands-
on route to employment in the future. In addition theses students do English
and Maths in College and are aiming at Functional Skills Level 2 and GCSE. For
many students this is an important transition from School to the world of
work with a supported environment. Many go on to achieve great things and
have finally found out what they want to do. The vast majority achieve in the
year and are ready to move on.
Mr
Claricoates is our Head of Vocational Studies and is doing an excellent job
expanding the opportunities to the sixth form, including offering the Duke of
Edinburgh Award.
Vocational
courses are also offered alongside A levels in the form of Teaching
Assistant, Business Management, Sports Coaching and theses provide a real
difference to any student entering theses professions as it gives them an
edge over the other students.
This
is a massive growth area within the College and one that will continue with
the Raising of the Participation age to 18 next year.
If
you require any further info then please contact me at the College.
PE
Extra-curricular Clubs Timetable
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Friday 20 September 2013
St. Boniface's Catholic College Headteachers Blog 23.9.13
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