St. Boniface's Catholic College Headteachers Christmas Blog 2013

The last Headteachers Blog of 2013!

That’s a bit scary. Well what a year – certainly had ups and downs as does every year. My overriding thoughts will be the power and determination of our community to ensure that St. Boniface’s College becomes the College we all want it to be – and I thank each and every one of you for that, particularly pupils, parents and staff.

You should by now have received an envelope home containing much information from the College – a Christmas Newsletter, a new Spring Diary, a letter from the diocese regarding academisation in 2014 and information regarding a parenting course. Year 11 parents should have also received a recent Pupil Progress report.

Thanks to all involved in the Christmas Concert and Panto – lovely evenings even if somewhat nerve racking for a Headteacher!

It has been a great year of challenge and I am confident that, whilst challenges still undoubtedly remain, next year will be even better.

I wish you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas,

Mr Davies

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

 

Year 7

Well we have finally made it to our Christmas break and what a busy term it has been in Year 7!

Our final assembly was the much anticipated “Celebration Assembly” with many students receiving awards and certificates for their hard work and effort this term. There were 28 students who received the “Academic Achievement Award” and “Star Student” pen, for at least 5 or more merits and a further 46 students were awarded for their efforts with a certificate and bookmark! I was so incredibly proud of the achievements and hope to repeat this experience at the end of every term!  I gave some special “Good Samaritan and Kindness Awards” to four students who publically congratulated Daryl R for his literacy award last week. What a kind thing to do boys, well done. Those students were Lance K, Lebusa M, Liam H and Thomas W. The Tutor Group Awards this term were, for 7B – Joseph J, 7E – Lorenzo S, 7G – Felix P, 7K – Jack S and 7V – Declan T. Finally, the Head of Year award was given to Taylor K in 7E. He has gone above and beyond for students and teachers this term and I have been so impressed with his attitude to his learning. Well done Taylor. To finish the assembly, students were treated to a “music video” of “All I Want for Christmas” sung by the tutors (much to the amusement of year 7) and a karaoke sing along of “Merry Christmas Everyone”, a lovely way to end the year.

I hope you have all had a chance to see this year’s pantomime, a big well done to all Year 7’s who either performed or helped backstage, I had a great time and I’m sure you all did too!

On a final note, please see below the picture of our “HMS Heroes” students who were awarded their certificates this week by Mr McKenna, who organises the HMS Heroes Club.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and if I don’t get the opportunity to speak to you all before, I wish you all a very peaceful and happy Christmas.

Miss Beales – Head of Year 7

 

Year 8

Congratulations to the Year group on a fantastic effort over the last two terms since September. All of us involved with the boys have been really impressed with the attitude and approach displayed throughout terms two and three. The vast majority of the cohort have established an excellent platform upon which to build further. With this sensible and mature approach, 2014 should be a very exciting one for all of us!

Congratulations to the large number of boys who have gained success across a wide range of fields, whether it be sporting, academic, social, personal or spiritual. Long may this success continue!

Well done to Jonathan for achieving his grade 5 clarinet success and to all the Year 8s who have this week taken part in a very successful school pantomime.

Thanks to Mr Ramage for presenting a very thought-provoking assembly last week on ‘Making Links’. We look forward to hearing what Mrs Davidson has to say when she presents our final assembly of 2013 on Friday.

To you as parents and carers, I thank you for your support this year and I wish you all a very peaceful and refreshing Christmas period.

Mr Tucker

Year 9

As this is the final blog this year can I take this opportunity of wishing all the lads, and their families, a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are travelling further field have a safe journey.

We return on Monday 6^th January, and two key dates for your new diaries are Tuesday 14^th January Year 9 Options evening (6:00) and Tuesday 21^st January Year 9 parents evening (3:40 – 6:30), where I look forward to meeting you all again as these are important dates which will impact on your sons future GCSE courses.

Once again, have a peaceful Christmas and may you get all you wish for!!

Mrs L. Mcloughlin

Year 11

Blue card reports for the end of term will be sent home with your son this week.  The report should be very interesting reading as the data has been taken from the mock examination assessments and will be an excellent indication of your son’s current progress in all his subjects.  As usual, if you have any concerns over your son’s progress please contact either his mentor, his tutor, his individual teacher or me.   

Year 11 was very well represented in the concert and pantomime in all the areas of the production.  Congratulations, from everyone at the College, to the following boys for an amazing effort and performance.   Well done to Jordan, the Technical Director and his assistant Ciaran, the two back room boys for helping out with the lighting, music and set production:  Josh; Andrew; Charlie; Joel; Alexander; and James as the actors in the pantomime and Dominick; Hagen; Sam and Joel for their role as part of the comedy sketch show.  Finally, a big thank you goes to our musicians Ben; James; Matthew and Max for providing the music for the show. 

Again, the year 11’s have been celebrating great achievements outside of school as part of their extra- curricular activities which we always like to acknowledge and applaud.  Sam, Rhys and Lewis have demonstrated great commitment, resilience and perseverance as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award, by recently achieving the silver award. Ben, James and Christopher have been selected to represent West Devon in the cross country event and Max won the Lamb Trophy, water polo tournament playing for Devonport and competing against the Royal Navy, Barnstaple and Paignton.  Recognising  the above achievements and endeavours is a great way to round off 2013 and to wish all the boys every success next year,  their most significant and important year to date.

Happy Christmas and New Year from the year 11 team.  

Mr Redfern

Post 16

To Parents/Students of Year 12/13

A few points to note please:

Mock Examinations start on 6 Jan at SBC and Notre Dame. Your son has been given a timetable for both schools. If they have lost them then please contact myself at the College. The mock examinations are a very important stage in the achievement process. Examination technique and the application of knowledge are essential and we need to know where you can improve to be successful. I expect formal examinations and a grade given at the end which should reflect where your son is now.

Punctuality and lateness is becoming an issue. Students MUST be on time for your lessons and use your card to register.

UCAS applications should now be complete. If you have not seen me and submitted then you have a week left after we return. A lot of courses are filling up and you may not get your best choices.

A lot of positives this term. Plans have been submitted for the sixth form refurbishment. The OAPs party was a roaring success, Mufti days, University trips, Learn2live, Parent/Teachers evening.

I would like to thank all students and parents for the continued effort. It is the partnership between teachers, students and parents that enables success.

Mr Tew

 

St. Boniface’s Catholic College

Christmas Newsletter

December 2013

 

Welcome to this newsletter and thank you for taking a few moments to read it.

As I am sure you would expect me to say this has been quite some year! Rather than looking back at the year I would like to look forward to highlight some of the forthcoming opportunities that lie ahead for St. Boniface’s and students. I do hope that you have noticed the return to a more traditional St. Boniface’s College, there will have been a St. Boniface’s College in Plymouth for 150 years this academic year and we are very proud of our history and heritage. We will of course soon be losing Bishop Christopher from the diocese and whilst very sorry to see him finally retire, we are all looking forward to Bishop elect Mark arriving. We all wish Bishop Christopher a long and peaceful retirement and more thanks than mere words can express.

All at the College continue to work very hard to ensure that when we are next visited by Ofsted we are able to clearly demonstrate significant improvements. I would like to thank you for your continued patience and do hope that you are seeing a difference at home. Pupils and students are commenting in a positive way, which is always nice, but we do understand that we are not yet operating at the high levels we have set for ourselves. The community of St Boniface’s is rebuilding itself and, like a phoenix from the ashes, we are confident that we shall soon once again be soaring.

After Christmas we will be saying goodbye to Mr Smart in Maths who has gained promotion to another local school. Although obviously sorry to see him go we are delighted that we could help him along his career path. I am sure he will remain in touch. Of course as one door closes another opens and I am very pleased to be able to introduce you to three new staff members – Mr Chambers joins us in Design and Technology, Mr Polson comes into Science and Miss Masuzzo also comes into Design. I am confident that staff of such quality will greatly help the pupils and students at the College.

Without wishing to dwell on the past I would like to point out a few changes that you as parents highlighted you would like to see occur at St. Boniface’s when we met in October:

1. A rigorous and challenging look at the various methods employed by teachers in ensuring quality teaching and learning takes place,
2. A return to parent teacher evenings – now actioned and in place for all years
3. Improved communications –

My weekly Blogs can be found on the College website, www.stbonifaces.com,

the College texting service is now up and operational, ParentMail, please contact S. Purdy at the College if you wish to avail yourself of this service and have yet to do so,

The Sims Learning Gateway, SLG, allows you direct and live access into the College management system for up to date information regarding your son,

A termly pocket Diary so that you can keep track of what is going on in the College,

A Parental Leadership Group and a Parental Inclusion Group for parental viewpoints on aspects of the College,

Direct e-mail contact details for all staff.

4. A return to the use of the Pupil Planner for recording all homework, (please note that we are finding that boys are not recording homework they have been set, whilst we are addressing this issue in school could you please check at home)
5. Improved discipline, unfortunately some of our students have not been able to respond in a positive manner and have had to leave the College. Our new discipline policy is to be rolled out in January, much hard work has taken place consulting all interested parties – particularly students - in the formation of the policy.

Teachers have been asked to give a far greater emphasis upon new learning expected for each and every lesson. Lesson dips by senior leaders and visits by local authority consultants indicate an improvement and we are all eager to maintain the momentum created.

A pleasing innovation at the College this last term has been the emergence under Mr McKenna, of our Help the Heroes pupil group. Supporting each other through troubled times when a parent is away on duty with our Armed Forces has been a real strength in the group and I would like to formally thank Mr McKenna for all that he has done in leading the way on this – I believe others in the City are looking at his best practice! On another great note St Boniface’s College is now a licensed centre for the delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at all levels. This is a fantastic step in the right direction for students at the College and I am very pleased.

As I have said earlier, this year sees the 150^th anniversary of St Boniface’s College – I am in the process of trying to arrange a celebration dinner for past pupils and at the moment am looking at Friday March 28^th. If you are a past pupil, or know of one who would be interested then please do ask them to keep the evening free. It would be great to meet up with some of the living history at the College.

I fully expect that St Boniface’s College will be part of a larger Catholic Academy by this time next year. These are obviously very exciting times for all involved with us all coming “into the fold” as it were as a large family of primary and secondary schools. Working in closer harmony can only be of benefit for our pupils and staff. There will of course be more information closer to the time of academisation and Mr Mannix, the director of Education for Catholic schools in the diocese, has a letter enclosed with this newsletter. We have been some time in ensuring that this route is the best way forward for all and Mr Mannix and the diocesan team have done some excellent work on our behalf and for the other Catholic schools in the diocese. I am confident that this is now a very good opportunity for St. Boniface’s. The only changes that we will notice will be of benefit to the College – an ability to bid for grants from the DfE available only to academies, greater financial stability,etc..as I say more news to follow in 2014. Below is an extract from a letter from the diocese:

“Dear Parents,

We have put together the following list to show what, if anything, will change as a result of the conversion from Voluntary Aided to Academy Status

(Please note, this doesn’t mean that, for example, the school tie could never change because schools are free to do things like that whether they become academies or not.)

Name of the school.	Same
School uniform.	Same
School start, finish and break times.	Same
Term dates and holidays coordinated with other Plymouth schools.	Same
All arrangements for school buses.	Same
Before- and after-school clubs	Same
Parents evenings	Same
School following the national curriculum.	Same
Raising concerns about children’s progress or pastoral issues.	Same
Raising concerns about any aspects of the school’s provision.	Same
Ofsted Inspections.	Same
Pay, terms & conditions of staff.	Same
Governing Body structure, responsibilities and decision-making.	Same
Determining own admission arrangements.	Same

 

We know that some parents will have more detailed questions but, as you can see from the examples in the table, in most cases the answer will be that there will be no change or very small procedural changes. However, the school is anxious to make sure that any questions or concerns are raised and addressed, so please do watch out for an Academy meeting in the New Year at St. Boniface’s.”

 I would also like to bring to your attention a free course running at St. Boniface’s College in January aimed at helping parents with teenage children, please see the enclosed.

Finally, may I once again thank you for your support of the College and wish you a peaceful and joyous Christmas. I am very proud of all our students, each day brings new tales of success. I do hope that you will have an opportunity to use the prayer below.

Mr Davies

 

Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance.

Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wisemen. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.

 "We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice. "

Pope Paul VI, 1963-1978

 

 

9^th  December 2013

Dear Parents and Carers,

Conversion to Academy Status

 

You may well be aware that the Government is encouraging all schools to consider converting to academy status and the Diocese of Plymouth, guided by Bishop Christopher, has decided that this will be the best option for our Catholic schools.

 

As Director of Schools, I have been working with school representatives (head teachers, governors and other key staff) from across the Diocese to explore the route to academy status and develop a model which is well suited to our network. The government has applauded our proposal and says that it is the largest and most exciting academy project in the whole country. We had to submit very detailed plans to the DFE for their consideration. In response, their senior officers have judged that it will have a significant impact on standards across all our schools. The new Academy company is called ‘Plymouth CAST’ (Catholic & Anglican Schools Trust) and it is anticipated that all our Catholic schools from Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset will move into the Trust towards April next year.

 

The fundamental purpose of converting to academy status is to further develop our schools’ ethos and values and our effectiveness in all aspects of school provision. Among other advantages, it will help protect our smaller schools and give parents more security about future provision. At present, all the Catholic schools within Cornwall and Plymouth already collaborate on a wide range of activities; the move to a Multi-Academy Trust will secure more opportunities and better funding for all our staff and pupils.  At the same time, all the schools will remain an active part of collaborations with other local schools in their area. These give additional curriculum opportunities for the children and development opportunities for the staff. The new Academy is committed to supporting local initiatives with schools of all types, as well as benefitting from the closer networking that already exists with other Catholic schools.

 

You will see on the reverse of this letter a few frequently asked questions about academy conversion. If you have other questions or views do not hesitate to speak to the head teacher of your school.

 

Yours sincerely, 

John Mannix

Director of Education, Diocese of Plymouth

 

What is an Academy?

Academies are publicly funded state schools that are independent of the Local Authority and receive funding directly from Central Government.

Why is this being considered?

As a successful Voluntary Aided School gaining Academy status would give us the autonomy to continue to develop our School and to continue to achieve high standards.

Why consider conversion?

The Government is clear that the greater freedoms enjoyed by Academies are designed to allow schools to develop and to build on individual strengths in response to the needs of the community. We feel that the additional freedoms and flexibilities would enable the Governors to secure the long term future of our School. In the model being proposed, we would be working in partnership with our fellow Catholic schools to enhance our corporate mission and to raise academic standards.

Will any changes to the School be made as a result of conversion?

We would no longer be directly responsible to the Local Authority for standards but to the Trust sponsored by the Diocese of Plymouth. However, we can still ‘buy in’ many of the services offered by the Local Authority. Terms and conditions for staff would continue. The Governing Body would remain, but the composition may change slightly. The Governing Body would be responsible for all staff appointments. The daily operational running of the school by the Headteacher and Senior Management Team would be unchanged, as would the uniform and the school name. Please be assured that the character, ethos and values of the School would remain unchanged.

 

 

St. Boniface's College Headteachers Blog for wb 16.12.13

I believe Christmas is in the air! There certainly is a fair bit of excitement in the College. The St Boniface’s Carol service and the Science Christmas Show last week along with 2 evenings of Panto and Concerts this week, Wednesday and Thursday, all add to the festive feel. Nonetheless school work will continue right up to 1.35 on Friday 20^th December when we break up. Being somewhat of a scrooge character until the holidays actually begin I feel that each and every lesson is important and school life will continue as normally as we possibly can, homework will be set for completion over the Christmas break.

 On the subject of homework staff at the College are encouraging/making boys use their planners to write their homework in. I have had several contacts from parents commenting that when they look at the planners there are no entries for subjects. When I then challenge staff it more often than not transpires that homework has been set but that it has not been put into the planner. Could I ask you to please check planners on a weekly basis – please do get in contact if there are gaps – I would much rather there be a case of pupils not entering the homework into planners than find none being set.

I have also needed to take a firm line on boys who persistently amble into College after the 8.50 start. Not only do these pupils miss out on their education but they also disrupt the learning of others by arriving late – this cannot be tolerated. As such starting on Monday I have asked that pupils who continue to be persistently late receive a full 1 hour detention with me after school. I am fully aware that buses can run late, morning traffic problems occur and just the general hurly burly of getting out of the house sometimes can cause problems – these actions are not targeted at the odd case but far more at regular and persistent offenders. We cannot allow educational standards to drop. Time management is an important part of growing up.

Anyway onto happier notes – I was very proud and pleased to be able to attend the commissioning of 5 of our students to be Eucharistic ministers at St Peter’s last Sunday. I am positive that the pupils will serve in a way that reflects the importance of the position and wish them all well on their individual journeys. As a staff we were also fortunate enough last week to have a staff liturgy arranged by year 11 pupils in our chapel  - again huge thanks to those pupils who not only arranged the liturgy for staff but also act as the bedrock for our student Christian Union group. It really is much appreciated.

It was a real pleasure to see so many pupils and parents at the Year 11 parent teacher evening last week. I hope that as parents you were able to get answers to any questions you had and received encouraging news regarding academic  progress along with areas to develop.

Next week I shall be sending home the Christmas newsletter so please do ask your son for it. I do hope you can make it to the College Panto and Concert, starts at 7, and would love to see you there.
 

It’s that time of the year again…oh yes it is!!....

Mr Trimmer and Mr Ousey would like to invite you to this year's festive Christmas Musical Concert and Pantomime, to be held in the College's Main Hall on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th of December 2013, starting at 7pm.

 'Come all ye faithful' and begin your Christmas with good cheer from the talented young men of St Boniface's Catholic College. Enjoy classic musical highlights during the first half and in the second half an explosion of Dickensian cheer, the Pantomime ‘What The Dickens’, written by one of our past pupils, Peter Simpson.  

Tea and seasonal food will be sold by Mrs Polson’s GCSE Catering Class and the PTFA, during a short interval.

 We do hope you can attend this wonderful occasion. Tickets are available from the College office for a voluntary donation. 

Mr Trimmer, Head of Drama

 The College is looking to run a course to help those parents who are struggling with the teenage years. Please see details in the forthcoming newsletter.

I am very pleased to report that St. Boniface’s College is now accredited to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Thanks to the hard work of Mr Claricoates we will soon have our own DofE group running!

A.   Davies

 

All Years –

 We've had an excellent term for extra-curricular fixtures and the Bonnies lads have impressed the PE Department immensely. The year 8 rugby team won 6 games out of 7 before half term and followed that up by winning 8 games out of 10 in basketball - a great achievement from that year! The year 7's came third in their basketball tournament and excelled in rugby losing only one fixture out of 8! In cross-country, Sam Y (year 7), Lewis E (year 8), James A, Ben G and Chris H (year 11) all finished very high in their respective age groups. The annual team table tennis championships gave our year 9's a chance to show off their skills, narrowly losing out on the semi finals by a single point! Massive congratulations from the PE Department for all the effort and success in the various fixtures and competitions furthermore, the commitment and enthusiasm in all of our clubs - especially the fitness suite at lunch time - has been fantastic. After a well earned Christmas break we return to football season, the year 9 basketball fixtures, among others. Thank you also to the sports leaders who have helped coach and umpire training and fixtures over this term including Harry R (year 9) and John B (year 10), the PE department appreciate the help.

 PE Dept

 

A few photos from the Panda knitting club can be found below – a diverse education!

 

 

 

Year 7 – Miss Beales

One week left of school and you can cut the tension with a knife as students are kept in suspense of who will receive the achievement awards in this term’s “Achievement Assembly” on Tuesday. As a year group, I have been so incredibly proud of your achievements boys and I very much look forward to celebrating your successes on Tuesday! (There is also a very special treat for the students from our Pastoral Team!)

I would like to take this opportunity to say a real heart felt “Thank You” to all who supported and attended our Carol Service on Sunday. It was a really lovely service and gave us all a chance to reflect on the important message of advent. Special thanks particularly to our readers, Tom, Joe and Jamie who read so eloquently, well done boys.

Out of school activities and well done mentions this week go to Luke R in 7B, who is playing for Torquay Elite Football Team and Tom Mitch for making the West Devon Cricket Team! Also, well done to Joe L-G (7K) who has been working on a community event at Devils Point, Josh B (7K) for his excellent diving at the Life Centre and George W (7K) for his effort in winning for Plympton AFC last Saturday. Also regarding football, Mason W (7G) scored two cracking goals for his team on Saturday! Keeping to the theme of being a Good Samaritan this week, well done to Leon S (7E) for his 5K Charity run and well done to a very modest Taylor K (7E) who qualified for the Devon Football Team, such a great achievement! Finally, Kallum B (7V) received a Bronze Medal for a diving competition at the Life Centre, well done Kallum and Bill D (7V), had a great result in his fencing competition coming 9^th out of 20! Well done to all who were mentioned this week!

This week our assembly was such a thought provoking theme based on community and the Good Samaritan. Presented by Mr Ramage and Miss Heduvan, we watched the video footage from the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Derek Redmond tore his hamstring in the 400 metres semi-final but continued the race limping and, with assistance from his father, managed to complete a full lap of the track as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. The incident has become a well-remembered moment in Olympic history, having been the subject of one of the International Olympic Committee’s 'Celebrate Humanity' videos. This gave the students the opportunity to reflect on their learning and being a Good Samaritan in lessons and in their personal lives. It was such a lovely assembly, thank you to all of those involved. I was also able to give the students some well-deserved recognition for just that, including our three students who read in the Carol Service and also to Daryl R (7B) who has been improving dramatically with his phonics during intervention with Mrs. Hill in the Library. Well done boys.

We had the OAP Christmas Party on Thursday 12th December. This was run and organised by the Sixth Form team and students, and this year we had some of our Year 7’s helping distribute gifts and mince pies to our guests. (See attached photographs!) Well done to Lorenzo, Leon, George and Kiegan for being such great sports and dressing up as Santa’s little helper elves! Also, a big thank you to all who kindly donated gifts, the OAP’s were so thrilled with such an array of gifts and mince pies!

Some final reminders please for the last week of term;

 

·         Don’t forget this year’s Christmas Concert and Pantomime, “What the Dickens!” (An exceptionally loose adaptation of Charles Dickens’, “A Christmas Carol”!). This year’s pantomime is written by an exceptional former student, Peter Simpson, so is one not to be missed! (Oh no, it’s not!). The pantomime will be on the 18^th and 19^th of December and you should’ve received a letter home with have full details of how you can snap up your tickets before they sell out! There are a number of Year 7 students involved this year, both on stage and behind the scenes, so please come along and show your support. There will also be a raffle and refreshments to raise money for our fantastic on-going PTFA “Project Motiv-8” and any donations towards the raffle will be gratefully received.

 I hope you all have a lovely weekend and if I don’t get the opportunity to speak to you all before, I wish you all a very peaceful and happy Christmas.

Miss Beales – Head of Year 7/ Christmas Quiz Winner 2013!

Year 7 -

A team of 8 students from year 7 travelled to the Life Centre on Wednesday to take part in the annual Plymouth schools basketball tournament. The lads played exceptionally well considering it was the first time the team had been together, coming third overall. Two impressive wins against All Saints and Stoke Damerel, two closely fought draws against Plymstock and Coombe Dean and a narrow loss to a very good (and tall) Ivybridge team. Many congratulations to Marcin K, Sam Y, Taylor K, Freddie D, James H, Tom M, JJ and Luke R. Thank you to Mr Claricoates for driving the minibus and to all the parents who came to support. The lads conducted themselves in an excellent manner and were a credit to St Boniface!
 
Mr James

 Year 9

Where has the time gone! I don’t know about you but I still have cards to write, presents to buy, carol services to perform, awards evenings and pantomimes to attend aarrggh, but by hook or by crook I’m sure I will get there. “Oh no you won’t”, “Oh yes I will”.

As you may have gathered it is pantomime season, and next Wednesday and Thursday evening is the school concert and pantomime, tickets available from reception, come and support your sons or their friends who may be performing.

Thanks to the lads who helped to arrange our annual OAP party – mainly 6^th form and to some of our lads who helped make it an enjoyable occasion, thanks also to those who attended our annual college carol service held at St Peter Church last Sunday which always helps us to focus our thoughts on the real meaning of Christmas.

This week is our last school week of the year with lots still going on both during and after the school day so no time to relax yet - all systems go until we reach the finishing post – 1-35 Next Friday (20^th Dec). Until then good luck with all the pre-Christmas preparations I am sure I will bump into many of you in town as we scurry around looking for those last minute presents.

Mrs Mcloughlin

Year 10

Our College Chaplain – Ms Chapman – emailed me this week to let me know a ‘thank you’ certificate from CAFOD for the £180.99 raised. Ms Chapman commented “I know this was a school effort but it was your year group that initiated this - so thank you to you and your year group.”

David K received his music result on Friday - 75% for ABRSM Grade 3 - a super achievement!

George B managed to raise a staggering £453.10 for Shelterbox by performing a sponsored swim – well done!

We’re really excited about Christmas concert and pantomime this week!  There are a number of Year 10 students involved in the pantomime “What The Dickens?” – so a big well done and good luck to: Noah B, Owen B, Tavien P, Scott C!

Also in the festive spirit are the Year 10 GCSE Catering students – who have been busy preparing a meal for 60 guests at this year’s OAPs Christmas Party!  The event was a great success!  Well done again boys!

Mr Scott

 

Year 11

It was great to see so many year 11 parents attend the parents evening on Tuesday.   The evening went well and I for one enjoyed the opportunity to meet and chat with some parents that I hadn’t seen for quite a while.  A number of the boys in year 11 are involved in the preparation of the Christmas pantomime and concert.   Tickets are still available for the two performances on the Wednesday and Thursday of the last week of term.  Carrying on with the thespian theme, it is so pleasing to see Andrew not only finding the time to take a significant part in this year’s pantomime production  but to also  play  the role of Thenadier in  Les Miserables at the Lipson Muse Theatre with the Wranglers Theatre Company from 18^th-22^{nd of} February 2014.  ‘Break a leg’ Andrew! The lead presenter in last Friday’s assembly was Debbie from the Apprenticeship Skills Council.   Debbie gave the boys invaluable advice on how to go about getting an apprenticeship and what to be aware of, as well as how to  avoid all the various pitfalls that may exist in trying to secure a good training contract with a reputable firm.  

Mr Redfern

 Post 16

This week has been a busy week for the sixth form culminating in the fantastic Old Peoples Party on Thursday. Meetings have taken place with year 11s about places in the sixth form next year. Many have had a very mature approach to their studies and are gathering all the information required, others have not started looking at their future. If your son has missed his appointment or you require further information then please do contact Mr Tew at the College.

On Friday we have a talk from Babcock about apprenticeships in the sixth form. It is important that as a sixth former all the options available are explored. University is not the only option. Many firms are looking to recruit higher apprentices before they go to University. This is worth exploring along with the Year in Industry scheme.

UCAS deadline is the end of term, a few students are left to apply. If you require further information on the application process or funding then contact me at the College.

The Old Peoples party is an annual event hosted by the sixth form. Too many individual names helped out to mention. Special mention must go to Colin and Steve for the jokes and pulling it all together. The music was outstanding along with the exceptional food prepared by Mrs Polson and her class. The elves from year 7 danced and looked cute. It was great to see Mr Davies at the party. Special mention to Dan for organising it with Mrs Cox who always puts in hours of work. The Santas, Macauley and Mr Budge handed out presents both exceptionally good Santas but lacking beards..This is a very special event and the care and warmth shown by the students was exceptional. They listened, helped, talked, and played Bingo. Each and every student represented the College and themselves with pride. They gave back to the community in a time when young people are often much criticised, such people should come and see what these young students do without the need for praise.

Mr Tew

 

Lord Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is to come, we pray for the virtue of hope, that amidst the trials and difficulties of this world, we may keep our hearts fixed upon you,  who reigns over the cosmos. May your grace enliven us, strengthen us, and defend us,  as we await your coming in glory. Amen