St. Boniface's College Headteachers Blog for wb 25.11.13

Week B starts Monday 25^th November 2013

Welcome everyone to another Blog.

The weeks are certainly flying now, only 4 school weeks left until Christmas!

I am extremely interested in finding out your thoughts about how we as a College are doing since September 2013. As such could I ask you to please take 2 minutes to complete the survey that can be found at the address below, 12 questions only based on the Ofsted parent view approach:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SBCNov13

If you could do so before December 1^st that would be a great help.

Thanks

 

A reminder that we will be closing at 1.30pm on Friday December 20^th and returning on Monday January 6^th 2014. The College Christmas Carol service is at 4pm on Sunday 8^th December in St Peter’s Church – please come along to support and sing your hearts out.

Last Friday 15^th November saw the College, parents and pupils all come together to support the Children in Need programme. We raised over £1100 to a very needy cause and my thanks to all those who contributed time, effort and finances. Mr Scott accompanied by students and staff – as well as Father John- took a trip down to Falmouth to present the cheque, St. Boniface’s Catholic College appeared on National television!

I am very pleased to be able to report that the recent monitoring visit from Ofsted was extremely successful with a member of the Office of School s Commission commenting on how pleased they were with the letter. The letter itself has now been released on the Ofsted website and I have included a copy below:

 

7 November 2013

Mr A Davies

Acting Headteacher

St Boniface's RC College

21 Boniface Lane

Manadon Park

Plymouth

Devon

PL5 3AG

 

Dear Mr Davies

 

Serious weaknesses first monitoring inspection of St Boniface's RC College

Following my visit to your school on 6 November 2013, I write on behalf of Her

Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to confirm the

outcome and inspection findings. Thank you for the help you gave during the

inspection and for the time you made available to discuss the actions which have

been taken since the school’s most recent section 5 inspection.

The inspection was the first monitoring inspection since the school was judged to

have serious weaknesses in June 2013. It was carried out under section 8 of the

Education Act 2005.

 

Evidence

During this inspection, meetings were held with the acting headteacher and acting

deputy headteacher, the Chair and two other members of the Governing Body, with

a representative from the local authority. The local authority’s statement of action

and the college’s action plans and improvement plan were evaluated. The

documentation relating to the college’s first major monitoring point of progress

against the action plans was also evaluated.

 

Context

Since the inspection in June, there have been a number of staffing changes. Four

teachers have left the school. New curriculum leaders for English and science have

been appointed. An assistant headteacher with responsibility for special educational

needs and an acting deputy headteacher are also newly in post. The tenure of the

acting headteacher has been extended to September 2014.The school has started the

process to become a sponsored academy in January 2014.

 

The quality of leadership and management at the school

The acting headteacher and the senior leadership team are very clear where

improvement is needed. The acting headteacher and deputy headteacher are also

very determined to ensure that progress will be rapid against the areas for

improvement from the inspection. The post-inspection action plans are extremely

detailed and are as a result of considerable work and collaboration between all

partners. The plans relate to each of the areas for improvement identified in the

inspection and have specific milestones, or targets, against which progress on

actions can be measured. The detail and specificity of these action plans support the

rapid pace of improvement. However, some of the milestones need to be more

precise, measurable and, wherever possible, relate directly to student outcomes.

This would ensure that at termly monitoring checks, it is easier to focus on the

impact on students’ achievement and keep an eye on the bigger picture. Although

the plans are extensive, they are manageable because the lead responsibilities are

well distributed among the leadership team. The monitoring and evaluation systems

are rigorous and extensive. The weekly monitoring meetings held by the acting

deputy headteacher with each of the leads ensures that both senior leaders, and the

middle leaders working with them, are being held regularly to account for the

progress on ‘their’ action plan. Documentation from the first major monitoring point

suggests a rigorous process during which members of the college post-Ofsted action

plan monitoring group ask challenging questions.

The rationale behind the detailed plan is to address immediate weaknesses as

identified in the inspection and to create urgency. In this, it is effective. Senior

leaders and governors have also continued to look more broadly at how the college

should improve in the longer term. To support this, they have created an

appropriate school improvement plan. There are already some signs of

improvement, as can be seen in the better examination results at GCSE in 2013,

particularly in English.

There has been strong focus on improving teaching and learning. All teachers have

been observed for an extended period and have received detailed feedback.

Teachers have also worked together to improve their own and their peers’ practice.

The documentation from the first major monitoring point shows that there is now a

better understanding by teachers of the need to focus on students making progress

in ‘new learning’ in lessons.

Students have been involved well in the creation of the new behaviour policy.

The governors are increasingly well informed through their involvement as link

governors in the monitoring process of the action plans. Like the senior leadership

team, governors have taken the outcome of the inspection as a challenge to bring

about rapid improvement. The support by governors for the senior leaders is

appropriate, but is balanced well by challenge when they consider progress has not

been good enough. There is a very good level of awareness in all stakeholders of

where improvement is at its strongest and where intervention and/or support are

needed.

The statement of action prepared by the local authority states clearly the actions as

they relate to the areas for improvement from the inspection. It complies with the

need to arrange for parents and carers to be informed and their views to be

gathered within a clear timescale. The development of the subsequent action plans

was highly collaborative. The local authority representative assisted the college by

selecting the most appropriate format for their action plans and held the school to

account once the plans were written. The local authority has brokered a high level of

support to ensure that the implementation of the plans is effective. The acting

headteacher has also availed himself of many opportunities to use networks to

support him on this journey of improvement.

 

The single central record is well organised and maintained.

 

Following the monitoring inspection these judgements were made:

The school’s action plans are fit for purpose.

The local authority’s statement of action is fit for purpose.

 

I am copying this letter to the Secretary of State, the Chair of the Governing Body,

the Education Funding Agency, the Director of Children’s Services for Plymouth, and

the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth. This letter will be published on the Ofsted

website.

 

Yours sincerely

Anne Looney

Additional Inspector

We all understand at the College that this is a good start and that we still have a lot of hard work to do to ensure that we get to where we want to be as quickly as possible. Thank you for your trust and support. I would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss this letter and the progress that the College has made since September as well as to hear concerns you may have. The meeting will take place in the College hall at 6.00pm on Thursday 5^th December. I do not envisage it lasting more than an hour or so and would love to see you there if you are able. Please note that if you have a concern then please e-mail the College via the form tutor, Head of Year, Head of Key Stage or myself at adavies@stbonifaces.com in the first case at any time. We would much rather hear of a potential issue prior to it becoming a problem.

The post 16 information evening was a great success with us packed to the rafters – it really was fantastic to see so many young people wanting to come and find out what we have to offer. A huge thanks to the staff and students involved in the night as well as to all those who helped in getting such good A level results last year – 74% A*-C and 50% A*-B, really does show that with hard work top results can be obtained at the highest levels here at the College. I have no doubt that this had an effect in the large turn- out, success breeds success!

A.   Davies

 

 

Please see below an article regarding our new Chair of Governors, Mr Graham Johnson.

                                                  Graham R Johnson

Graham was elected as Chair of Governors at St Boniface’s College on 11 November

Background

Graham is an ecumenical Christian, born of Methodist parents, baptized and confirmed in the Anglican church, married to a cradle Catholic and has been a regular mass goer for over 30 years.  He was accepted into the Roman Catholic church in 1998 following an RCIA course, led by The Catholic University, in Washington DC whilst serving at the British Embassy there.  He is a firm supporter of state education, of faith education and particularly of Catholic education.  Graham believes that Catholic schools are not there just to provide education for Catholic children but rather to provide a Christian education in the Catholic tradition to students of all faiths and to those of no faith.  This is most apposite in an area of the country with relatively few Catholics but with many non-Catholics wanting a faith-based education for their children. His involvement with Catholic education enables him to combine his faith with his passion for getting young people the best start in life the state can provide.

Graham has been a member of the Catenian Association, a faith and family based Catholic men’s organisation, since 2004 and is currently the South West Provincial President for Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset.  He is also Chair of St Peters parish pastoral council and is involved in a number of ministries in the parish which brings him into frequent contact with parents of pupils in our Catholic Schools in Plymouth.

 Business Experience.

Graham holds an honours degree in pharmacy from The School of Pharmacy, University College London where he was President of the students union during his second year.  He entered the Royal Navy in 1972 and held a number of responsible posts throughout his 31 years of service both ashore and afloat.  Seven of those years were spent living and working in the United States.  Most recently, as Director of Service Operations at the Defence Communication Services Agency, he led a team of some 220 service and civilian contract personnel in managing and assuring day to day communications and information services to all MoD and UK Defence Forces within the UK and deployed worldwide.  He also delivered a pan-Agency Business Continuity policy and master plan for 12+ business units (6000+ employees) directing conduct of business impact analysis, risk management planning, disaster recovery and business restoration plan formulation, approved at Board level.  He reported on the performance of the Agency’s output weekly to the Board and to operational commanders and was responsible for an annual operating budget of £8M.

On leaving the Royal Navy in the rank of Captain in 2003 Graham joined a Guernsey based international consultancy company specialising is business continuity.  The company’s clients included the Ministry of Defence, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Audit Commission.  They also had a strong client list of banks, insurance companies, law firms and utility companies including TNT, Linklaters, Northern Foods and Euler Hermes.  As a Principal Consultant Graham worked with the board members of these companies and organisations, at up to ministerial and Permanent Secretary level, to develop plans for managing crises, trained the senior management teams in how to use the plans and ran major exercises to test the validity of the plans and the capability of board members to execute the plans against near realistic scenarios.

Graham is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management through the roles and responsibilities that he undertook during his Naval career.  He is used to working with senior executives of big organisations, managing large-scale budgets and projects but also dealing with big and small mixed level workforces to achieve results. 

 Educational Experience

Graham has been a foundation governor at Notre Dame school since 2001, Vice-Chair of Governors from 2007 to 2010 and Chair of Governors since 2010.  He has also been Chair of Personnel since 2005.  In that time he has recruited and appointed two headteachers and led in the recruitment of many other teachers and support staff

He was appointed a foundation governor at St Boniface College in October 2012 and is currently link governor monitoring progress against a main subject area post-Ofsted action plan. His daughter is a teacher in a Catholic primary school in the Diocese and, as an active foster carer, he is trained and experienced in supporting the education of looked after children, service children and those with disabilities and special educational needs.

Graham is chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on training and a member of the Command Board of the Defence Maritime Logistics School based at HMS RALEIGH in Cornwall, which is part of the Defence Logistics and Personnel Administration College, and is responsible for training logistics (cooks, stewards, caterers, stores accountants and personnel administrators) officers and ratings for the Royal Navy. He has been involved in the education and training of young people all his working life and continues to enjoy the challenge of supporting their education through his involvement as a secondary school governor, with the MAT Project Board and as a foster carer for young children and their parents.  Graham believes he can, with God’s grace, bring his own particular experiences to the role of Chair of Governors at St Boniface’s College.

Graham has been married to Moira since 1975, they have three grown up daughters and live in Derriford with their two Labradors, chickens and hives of bees.

 

I feel we are very fortunate to have Mr Johnson as Chair and I am greatly looking forward to working with him on our rapid journey to outstanding.

 

The College is looking to appoint two new parent Governors. If you feel you have the time and skills to act in such a capacity to help the College in this way then please see below, (letters should have been given out last week so please ask him/her – if you would like a paper copy then please contact reception at the College).

 Dear Parent

 Re:  St Boniface’s Catholic College

 

I am writing to advise you that there is a vacancy for two parent governors on the

school’s Governing Body and to invite parents who are interested in taking up this role

to put their names forward, or to nominate another parent.  If you nominate a fellow

parent please ensure the parent countersigns the attached nomination paper.

 

We would draw your attention to the reverse of the nomination form –

Declaration of Eligibility which lists the criteria for qualifications and disqualifications.

 Please ensure the declaration is signed by the nominee.

 

The timescale for electing the new governors are as follows:- Nominations to the Headteacher by Friday 29 November 2013 If more nominations are received than there are vacancies:- ·         The election will be held on Wednesday 18 December 2013 at 12:00noon

 

If the number of nominations received are equal to or less than the number of

vacancies there will be no need to hold a ballot.  If a ballot is necessary one voting paper

 per parent will be sent to you via your child.  Should you mislay this nomination paper,

 a further copy may be obtained from the school.

 

This letter and the attached forms are also available in other formats, for example,

 large print, audiocassette, Cantonese, Greek and Bengali.  Braille and other

languages may be arranged by request.

 

For further information please contact Mandy Burnett on direct dial: 01752 753976

 or via email at mburnett@stbonifaces.com.

 

Yours faithfully

Graham Johnson

Chair of Governors

 

 

What is the role of school governors and governing bodies?

 

Governing bodies are responsible for a wide range of matters which include ensuring

 that pupils receive high quality education and planning for the future

development and improvement of the school / college.  Parent governors play an

important role as members of the governing body and are welcomed as valued

members of the team.  The governing body works together – governors do not

make decisions individually.

 

Governors will support and, at the same time, challenge Heads by gathering

 news, asking questions and deciding what is best for the school.  Governors

 make important decisions on how a school will be run and have to stand by

 their collective decision.  The governing body is answerable to parents, learners

and the wider community.

 

Governing bodies comprise of various types of governor. 

The governing body will include:-

 

·         Parents elected by other parents at the school

·         Staff governors elected by their colleagues

·         Local Authority appointed governors

·         Community governors appointed by the governing body

·         In some schools there are Foundation governors appointed by the body

    which established the school, usually the church (VA and VC schools).

 

Commitment

 

All our meetings are normally held after school hours and each committee usually has

 four meetings each through the academic year.  Full Governing Body also has around

 the same number of meetings.  Governors usually also sit on one, or sometimes more,

committees.  Meetings should last no longer than two hours.  Governors are encouraged

 to visit school to learn more about the way the school works.

 

What will you gain as a school governor?

 

• The opportunity to make a real difference and the chance to contribute to the
•  good of the community, leading to real satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
•  You will gain an understanding of the decision making process of the school
•  governing bodies and an awareness of the education system as a whole; 

• Working as a school governor will give the opportunity to work with a wide 

 variety of people and pupils from a variety of social, cultural and religious backgrounds.

 

• You will develop new skills and strengthen existing ones.  You will be offered

 training provided by the Local Authority on various aspects of the governor role.

 

 

Appointment of School Governors – Nomination and Declaration of Eligibility

 

I wish to stand for election as a parent governor of St Boniface’s Catholic College:-

 

Title: Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr etc ………….. Surname ……………………………………….. First names ………………………………………………………………………………. Date of birth ………………………… Home address and postcode:     Telephone numbers:  Home: …………………  Work: ……………….. Mobile: …………………………………………. Email: ……………………………………………

 

If you are nominating another parent please sign here and ensure that
the nominee signs the declaration on the reverse.

 

Signature:  ……………………………………………………

 

Name: …………………………………  Date: ……………..

 

Declaration of Eligibility

 

I declare that I am not disqualified from serving as a school governor and that:-

 

• I am aged 18 or over at the date of this election or appointment;
• I do not already hold a governorship of the same school;
• I am not subject to a bankruptcy restriction order, an interim bankruptcy restriction
•  order, a debt relief order or an interim debt relief order;
• I have not had my estate sequestrated and the sequestration has not been
• discharged, annulled or reduced;
• I have not been removed from the office of a charity trustee or trustee for a
•  charity by an order made by the Charity Commissioners or the High Court on the
• grounds of any misconduct or mismanagement or, under section 7 of the
• Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, from being concerned
•  in the management or control of any body;
• I am not included in the list (List 99) of teachers and workers with children or
• young persons whose employment is prohibited or restricted;
• I am not disqualified from being the proprietor of any independent school or
•  for being a teacher or other employee in any school;

 

 

• I am not disqualified from working with children;
• I have not,  in the five years prior to becoming a governor, received
•  a sentence of imprisonment, suspended or otherwise, for a period of not
•  less than three months without the option of a fine;
• I have not, in the twenty years prior to becoming a governor, been convicted as
• aforesaid of any offence and had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment
• for a period of not less than two and a half years;
• I have not, at any time, had passed on me a sentence of imprisonment for a
• period of not less than five years;
• I have not been fined, in the five years prior to becoming a governor, for causing
•  a nuisance of disturbance on education premises;
• I am not subject to a disqualification order under the Criminal Justice and Court
• Services Act 2000.

 

I am willing to serve as a parent governor should I be elected.  I am not disqualified from

serving as a school governor and agree that the information I give on this form can be

recorded and used by the Governor Development Team.  I give permission for an

application to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service for a DBS certificate.

 If I become disqualified I will notify the College immediately.

 

 

Signature ………………………………………   Please print name: …………………………………..

 

Date ……………………………………………

 

In the event of an election details supporting candidature are invited.

 Please complete the personal statement below in support of your nomination –

 no more than 60 words please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This nomination paper should be returned to the Headteacher no later than

 noon on Wednesday 18 December 2013

 

Please do think seriously about this opportunity, Governors play a vital role in the development and nature of our College. Thanks.

 

Well done to the Year 10 Student Council who made Armistice Day buns with Tony
and the kitchen staff on the 11^th November. Thanks also to the rest of the school
who came, with their usual cheerfulness and generosity, and bought them in the
canteen at break time. This has become an annual event. Altogether we were
 able to send £53.00 to the Royal British Legion poppy Day Appeal.

Mr.Edwards

 

On Thursday November 7th  I took my GCSE Drama class to see
 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Theatre Royal and the next day worked
 with the assistant director and a memeber of the cast in a workshop, physically
exploring Shakespeare's text.  I was very impressed with the boys, their mature,
vibrant, and collaborative attitude made the two days an outstanding experience. 
It was a pleasure to see the boys working with 'A' Level students from Torpoint
Community College and the professionals from the Theatre Company, Propller.
  During the workshop we learned about the dynamic ways the company
use physicality to explore Shakespeare's intentions for characterisation.  Both days
 were a great experience for the boys on a number of levels. 

In  complete contrast last week on Thursday 14th I took the same class to see
 Alan Bennet's People, a domestic comedy/farse, in typical Bennet style. 
This was a National Theatre production from London and with front row seats
we were able to enjoy the  raucous comedy.  The boys were a pleasure to
be with and represented our school impeccably.   

Mr Trimmer

Head of Drama.

 

On Wednesday, a group of students went to Eggbuckland College to compete
in the annual Devon Table Tennis Championships. The competition was fantastic
 with some phenomenal table tennis on show. 

Our U16's (year 9); Dan K, Aiking S, Kaone S and Ben C played fantastically well. In the first round they beat Teign School 8-0, lost in the second round 6-2 to Okehampton - who are 4th
 in the Country - and drew 4-4 with a talented Stoke Dameral team. The lads
 displayed great skill, teamwork and courage but just lost out to Okehampton
 who went on to win. 

Our U13's (year 8); Hayden D-J and Sam V (year 7); Jack R, Cameron L and
Mason W also played very well. In their first table tennis competition they
 performed admirably however lost out again to a strong Okehampton team
(who again went on to win that age group). 

The lads were fantastic all day. They showed great sportsmanship and
teamwork and were a credit to the school. 

Looking forward to next year! 

Mr R. James

 

A note from Mr Baines our assistant head teacher with a focus upon,
assessment, reporting and recording regarding our SLG, Sims Learning Gateway.

Some parents, and staff, have reported problems when accessing the SIMS
 Learning Gateway (SLG).  This issue is caused by a cookie privacy setting
within the web browser on the local machine. To correct the problem within
 Internet Explorer please follow these steps:

 

1) Open Internet Explorer

2) Select Tools > Internet Options

3) Select Privacy

4) Select Sites

5) In the Address of website add capita-cso.co.uk in the address of website and
click Allow

6) Click OK and restart Internet Explorer and try changing the password again

  

Year 7 – Miss Beales

With only 20 school days left, we are thoroughly on the countdown to Christmas!

Again, another extremely rewarding week for Year 7. I was lucky enough to attend
 a meeting with the Senior Leadership Team to discuss Year 7’s progress to date
at St Boniface’s. I was so proud to talk of the achievements, with so many
students already on or above track in nearly all of the subjects, including the
core subjects, English, Maths, Science and RE. I was also able to talk of the
pastoral interventions and the exemplary entries onto SIMS for achievements; which include merits, achievement awards, home-learning and effort in learning. These are continuing
to rise. It is so pleasing to log onto my computer and see such an increase daily
 and its down to the hard work and effort of the boys. Well done Year 7!

We had the Mentoring Day on Friday. It was a very successful day and an
 opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of your son’s hard
 work so far. If your son has been given an intervention card during your
appointment, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the
understanding and support shown to the mentors. I feel that by supporting
your son’s learning with a mutually agreed target, we can raise that
achievement in Maths and English dramatically. I look forward to seeing
 the next set of data results in December!

This week we an assembly based on the theme of friendship. As a pastoral
 leader for Year 7, I regularly have to speak to students who have fallen out
over the most simplest of things. I used this time to allow students to reflect
on the importance of our friendships and the vital characteristics we look
 for in good friends; including kindness, honesty, listening, forgiveness and
respect. We explored together, good friendships in The Bible; including those
of David (Son of Jesse) and Jonathan (Son of Saul) and of Jesus and his
 followers, in John - chapter 15. I hope that this gave the students a good
 opportunity to go from the assembly and reflect on this important message.
We very much look forward to 7V’s assembly next week.

If you haven’t heard already, 7G are currently holding a dog beauty competition,
 titled “Dazzling Dogs!”, where students have been bringing in photographs of
their pets to compete for the title of most beautiful dog! Well done to the students
 of 7G and Mrs Printy for organising this!

To ensure the extremely high standards that Year 7 continue to demonstrate,
please can I ask parents to make a note of the following;

·          Students should adhere to the hair and uniform requirements at all times.
 I hope that the boys have managed to have suitable haircuts over half term!
Please also 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.

·          Mobile phones should not be on during the school day. They should be
 switched off and in bags so that learning is not disturbed.

·          Home learning should be completed for all subjects in a timely manner.
Please can parents insist on checking planners and guiding the students with
 organisation.

·          Please can parents ensure their son has a reading book in his bag every
 day to support our reading scheme. This is to further help and improve
literacy standards whereby all students will undertake 30 minutes of silent
reading each day.

As mentioned in last week’s blog, we have the Carol Service for the Community
 of St Boniface’s College and the Year 7 students and parents. This is held
annually at St Peter’s Church and this year, will be on Sunday 8^th December.
Year 7 students will be singing in the service, therefore attendance by all students
 in Year 7 is imperative please. We also welcome you along to the service and
to enjoy some mulled wine and mince pies after in our new catering facility.
More information about the service will be available via a letter home to parents
soon!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend – wrap up warm as we are due a flurry of snow!

Miss Beales – Head of Year 7

 

Year 8

Another very busy week! Congratulations to the boys for all their effort, both in
the classroom and outside.

As the days get colder the lunchtime room gets more busy! It’s great to see the
boys engaged in purposeful activities or simply chilling out and relaxing.

No sporting success to report on this week as the basketball at All Saints was
 postponed on Thursday. We look forward to the games resuming next
week. Confirmed results are expected soon from last week’s cross-country
championships so more about this in next week’s blog.

Mr B.Tucker

 Year 9

Wow! 3 weeks completed already where has the time gone.  This has been a
 rather quiet week, a chance to draw breath and monitor student performance.
Today many of you will have had the opportunity to meet with your sons mentor
and discuss their attainment and behaviour across the whole curriculum, a
chance for the vast majority of lads to receive praise and affirmation of their
hard work and effort, however, for a few it may have been a bit of a reality check. 
On the 21^st January there will also be the opportunity, to meet with subject
teachers to discuss any issues you may have in any particular curriculum area.

Thanks this week go to all the lads for supporting Children in Need and in particular
 those who took the long ride down to Falmouth after school to support the and
 promote the efforts of the college in raising in excess of £1000. Well Done.

Mrs McLoughlin

 

Year 10

Well done to Jake and Bradley for representing the College at the Children in
 Need event last Friday. They presented the cheque live on BBC Spotlight – the sum
 of £1103.16!  The boys were fantastic role models to the younger students, and
 perfect ambassadors for the College as always.

Next week the year group is off to VUE Cinema to take part in an emergency
 evacuation and watch Thor 2.  Our friends at the cinema were grateful for the
Year 10 volunteers…!

The year group have also adopted “St Luke’s Hospice” as the official year group
charity.  More to follow as the year progresses.

As part of our intervention programme, the boys can come along to my
computer lab most mornings and after school.

Breakfast Club – Tuesday-Friday 7.30-8.30am

After School Workshop – Monday, Wednesday-Friday 3.30-5.00pm

Finally – a big congratulations to George in 10B – who did a sponsored swim
on Sunday, raising a whopping £380 for the Filipino typhoon victims. 
Well done George!

Mr Scott

 

Year 11

This week has been a very busy week for year 11.  The boys have conducted
 themselves impeccably in their mock examinations.  Mrs Gimblett was very
 impressed with how they have behaved under examination pressure.  
The importance of the mock examinations cannot be over stated and the marks
your son will receive for these examinations will provide an excellent benchmark
 from which he can move forward successfully.

Mrs Hudson organised a careers fair on Wednesday night which showcased all
 the main employers within Plymouth and its environs and the various
employment opportunities they can offer your son.  The sixth form open
 evening was on Thursday and provided your son with a chance to see what
the college offers post 16 with regards to what specific subject and combination
 of subjects he can study both here and at our partner schools.  Also your
 son was able to find out what particular pathways would be the most suitable
for him to take, whether it is vocational or academic or a combination of both of
 them.

Once again, the year 11’s have demonstrated sporting excellence.  This
 time it was in cross country running.  The success has been rewarded
with two of our boys, Chris and James representing west Devon in cross
country running competitions for their age group.  Well done to all the other
 boys as well, who represented St Boniface’s so admirably. 

Post 16

This week has been a good week in the Sixth Form.  Much enjoyment and
money was raised last Friday with our Upper Sixth versus Lower sixth football
match for Children in Need. This is very much becoming a tradition. The contest
 was fiercely fought, tackles were flying in, in a friendly manner of course. The
result went right to the wire, extra time, still 0:0, penalty shoot- out which was
finally won by the Lower Sixth 1:0. The Upper Sixth Team Coach in his padded
 jacket could not stand the tension and likened it to watching Argyle. Much talent
 exists in the sixth form and to have this channelled in an enjoyable game leads
 to great community spirit. Thanks to Mr MacCormick for his unbiased refereeing
and his enthusiasm to work with a group of students who just want to enjoy
 their sport. Wednesdays afternoon football is a real spectacle where the
new learning objective and outcome is enjoyment.

The sixth form also went around to all the classes collecting monies for poppies.
The reception they got from classes was astounding. The respect for the
services by the students is exceptional. The monies have gone off to the Poppy
 appeal.

A special mention this week to William who has secured a major part in
 the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Everyone who knows Will knows
that Drama is his passion. I expected him to be the Lion as he seems to have
 the character. We will post the dates of his performance when known. This is
 building on the success of the vocational area of the sixth form, following on
from last years Trainee of the year.

Thursday evening was Sixth Form open evening. A large turnout of students
and parents who listened first to some speeches from myself, Mr Claricoates
and the Headmaster. Then Dan and Tim had to speak to the gathering. A highly
 entertaining and amusing speech, if at times not politically correct. One part of
his speech is very important, the “warmth” that is in the College. The sense of
community and looking out for each other. A very successful evening with
our partners also present in the form of GHQ, Plymouth University, Cornwall
College. The sixth form at St Boniface’s is unique and special and extends to
 all concerned with the College.

A few other notes. UCAS entries for the Upper sixth are nearing the deadlines.

On Monday a small group of sixth formers are going down to “The Hive”
Plymouth Universities common room and study area to develop a template
to bring back here. Our facilities need modernising and updating.

Many other things are normally going ahead, Big Brother, sixth formers helping
in lessons, etc. They are all worthy of a mention and are special events but
occur all the time so often get overlooked.

Thanks to all.

Mr S. Tew

 

Monday 25 November 2013   13:35 – 14:20 - Geography Clinic - (Miss Beales) 13:35 – 14:20 – Film Club with Mr Redfern (Room 136) 13:35 – 14:20 – Christian Union – (Chapel) 13:35 – 14:20 – Quiz in the Library – Years 7, 8 and 9 13:35 – 14:20 – Card Club – (LfLC)                                                       15:00 – Maths Drop in Session Room A37 – (Nigel Allerton) 15:00 - Year 11 Higher GCSE Homework , Catch up and Revision - (A29) 15:00 - STEM -  (Mr Smart)

Tuesday 26 November 2013   13:35 – 14:20 – Film Club with Mr Redfern (Room 136) 13:35 – 14:20 – Card Club – (LfLC) 13:35 – 14:20 - Drama Club – (Mr Trimmer) 13:35 – 14:20 - Workshop Sessions Catch up – (Mr Griffin) 13:35 – 14:20 - Geography Clinic – (Miss Beales) 13:50 – 14:20 – Year 8 Inter-house Football Kiely v Vaughan (Year 8 Yard) 15:40 – 18:30 – Post 16 Parents and Teachers Evening

Wednesday 27 November 2013   13:35 – 14:20 – Film Club with Mr Redfern (Room 136) 13:35 – 14:20 – Card Club – (LfLC) 13:35 – 14:20 – Panda Knitting Club – (Miss Gosling’s Room) 13:35 – 14:20 - Board Games (Mrs Williamson-Firth – Miss Gosling’s Room) 13:35 – 14:20 – Geography Clinic – (Miss Beales) 13:35 – 14:20 – Careers Club – Miss Fran Easterbrook - Vet / Animal Care (Library) 13:45 – Funeral at St Peter’s Church 15:20 – 16:20 – Philosophy Club with Miss Sandford – (Room 150) – Week B only 15:30 – 15:45 - Time for Prayer for Staff and Students – (Chapel) – Week A only

Thursday 28 November 2013   Aquarium trip for Art Students Royal Marines Visiting Team 09:00 – 12:00hrs AS Photography Taster Day at University 09:30 – Funeral at St Peter’s Church 09:50 – 10:50 - Challenge Team UK giving a presentation to Year 9 pupils (Hall) 13:35 – 14:20 – Film Club with Mr Redfern (Room 136) 13:35 – 14:20 – Card Club – (Back room in LfLC) 13:35 – 14:20- Geography Clinic – (Miss Beales) 13:35 – 14:20 – ICT Careers Club – (Room 108) 13:50 – 14:20 – Year 8 Inter-house Football Barrett v Grimshaw (Year 8 Yard) 15:20 – 16:30 - Miss Gosling’s Art Club - (Week A only) 15:30 – 15:45 – Time for Prayer for Staff and Students – (Chapel) – Week B only Parental Leadership Team meeting

Friday 29 November 2013   No lower sixth form in today – they are attending the Pavilions doing Learn 2 Live 13:35 – 14:20 – Film Club with Mr Redfern (Room 136) 13:35 – 14:20 – Years 9 – 11 Android Club - (Mr Neethling) 13:35 – 14:20 - Geography Clinic – (Miss Beales)

PE Extra-curricular Clubs Timetable                                                                    BEFORE SCHOOL Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball / Badminton All Years Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball / Badminton All Years Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball / Badminton All Years Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball / Badminton All Years Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball / Badminton All Years LUNCH TIME Fitness Suite + Basketball All Years Fitness Suite + Basketball All Years Fitness Suite + Basketball All Years Fitness Suite + Basketball All Years Fitness Suite + Basketball All Years AFTER SCHOOL Year 8 Basketball All Years Boxing Sixth Form Rugby All Years Volleyball Year 9 Basketball Year 12+13 A Level Revision 3.30-5pm (A18) All Years Table Tennis       November - December Clubs and Activities Week A Clubs/activities Monday Fitness club (lunch) Year 7 & 8 basketball (after school) School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Year 7 Music club Mr Ousey Tuesday KS3 badminton (lunch) Drama club (lunch) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Instrumental opportunities Mr Ousey and Mr Crossman Wednesday Fitness club (lunch) Year 9 & 10 basketball (after school) Knitting club (lunch) Mrs Parsons E123 Board games (lunch) Mrs Williamson-Firth E123 School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Guitar club Mr Ousey Thursday Fitness club (lunch) KS3 table tennis (after school) Art club (after school) Miss Gosling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Wind band – Mr Ousey Friday KS4 badminton (lunch) Android club (lunch years 9-11) Mr Neethling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales GCSE music Mr Ousey Week B   Monday Fitness club (lunch) Year 7 & 8 basketball (after school) School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Year 7 Music club Mr Ousey Tuesday KS3 badminton (lunch) Drama club (lunch) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Instrumental opportunities Mr Ousey and Mr Crossman Wednesday Fitness club (lunch) Year 9 & 10 basketball (after school) Knitting club (lunch) Mrs Parsons E123 Board games (lunch) Mrs Williamson-Firth E123 School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Guitar club Mr Ousey Thursday Fitness club (lunch) STEM (lunch) Mr Smart KS3 table tennis (after school) Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales Wind band – Mr Ousey Friday KS4 badminton (lunch) Android club (lunch years 9-11) Mr Neethling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales GCSE music Mr Ousey

 

 

Lord God, save me from a hard and doubting heart.

May I be trustful and come to thee in faith.

All the days of my life may my lips sing thy praise as

 I unfold thy love and purposes.

Amen