Monday, 29 April 2013

St. Boniface's College Blog for week beginning 29.4.13


As our year 11 students approach their GCSE examinations we try to provide extra support, an example of this is the Year 11 retreat that took place last week. Here we try to re-assure students and suggest various ways that they can remain in control of the forthcoming situations that they may find themselves in. Part of this exercise involves a reflection upon their years here at the college.

 

These reflections can be very moving and I wanted to share a few of them with you, anonymised of course.

 

“From day one to now the time has just flown by. It felt like yesterday I just walked in through the school gates. I have enjoyed every day of it.”

 

“I still remember the first day I stepped into this school like it was yesterday. When I left primary school I felt like I was already a man but I had a reality check coming to this school. I have developed at this school into a man learning from good and bad lessons.”

 

“Getting moved down wasn’t a fall it was a step to get back up!”

 

“I would like to thank some really good teachers who have inspired me with a lifelong passion for their subject.”

 

“Good friends and teachers.”

 

There is a year 11 leavers mass at St. Peter’s Church on Wednesday 1st May at 2.30pm, all are welcome.

 

SBCC Old Boys Vs Devonport Services 7pm Kick-Off Wednesday 1st May
The SBCC Old Boys Association have organised a charity match to mark the
one-year anniversary of losing our dear colleague Mr. Nick Maloney. There are no tickets needed - but there will be donation buckets on the entrance. It will be a great opportunity for staff and Old Boys to come together to mark such an important event. The money raised will fund a memorial table/bench in school and the remainder will go to the British Heart Foundation.
Bring your friends and family - the more the merrier!
 
 
Please note we are having a Mufti non-uniform day in the College on May1st to help raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
 
 
Our new St. Boniface;s College website is now very close to completion. On the site parents will be able to find various college policies and information as well as a direct link to homework and support for parents to help improve the homework for all pupils.

 

 

Year 7

Year 7 have continued their hard work and effort this week with more awards handed out in assembly for excellent effort. A special mention to 7D and 7L who have been working on a collaborative Hinduism project in RE. I was lucky enough to observe these groups in action and was so impressed with the fantastic work produced, well done boys!

 

Students from 7B have also been representing the school this week. Tom took part in the St George’s Day parade in Tavistock on Sunday and Toby played for West Devon under 16’s cricket team at the weekend, taking 3 wickets and helping his team win! Well done Toby! On that note, a message from Mr Tucker that the Year 7 cricket club is taking place on Thursdays after school, a great opportunity for the boys.

 

This week it was 7K’s turn to present the assembly and wow, what an inspiration it was! The boys introduced various people who inspire them and then we watched a small video clip about Nick Vujicic, http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/worldoutreach/brightlightforjesus/ . Nick is a Serbian Australian Evangelist and motivational speaker born with Tetra-Amelia Syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs. As a child, he struggled mentally and emotionally as well as physically, but eventually came to terms with his disability and, at the age of seventeen, started his own organisation, Life Without Limbs. Vujicic presents motivational speeches worldwide, on life with a disability, hope and finding meaning in life. He also speaks about his belief that God can use any willing heart to do his work and that God is big enough to overcome any and all disabilities. It was such an emotional and thought provoking assembly that certainly encouraged students to reflect on their own lives. Thank you to 7K and Miss Gosling for organising this. Next week our assembly is being presented by Mr Ramage and a Year 11 student. We are very much looking forward to this!

 

During next week’s assembly, we will also have a short announcement from Mr. Weaver regarding an exciting charity event that he is organising in May. I know from experience of last year’s event that we will all look forward to this….more details to follow!

 

Curriculum Enrichment week is getting nearer and there is now a final push to complete payments and various paperwork for the trips. Please prompt your son to find out any last minute information from the group leaders.

 

A quick reminder again please, that all students should be adhering to the hair and uniform requirements. I appreciate your cooperation with this.

 

A final note to say that we have some very important dates coming up in the Liturgical Calendar; Pentecost (19th May) and the Feast of St Boniface (5th June). Students will be engaging in various activities across the college, in preparation for the celebration of these feasts.

I wish you all a lovely weekend – Miss Beales, Head of Year 7.

 

Year 8

A number of our year 8’s have been involved in Charitable events, raising money for their Churches, handicapped students, RSPCA by completing sponsored events. 

Tom won South West Dancing Championships, 

Liam selected for South West Rugby Team
 

After the success of last year’s event, all students will be participating again in a sponsored water aid challenge later this term, last year they raised several hundreds of pounds.

 
Year 9

There is a buzz of excitement in the year group as we approach Curriculum Enrichment Week and our year group trip to Flambards on May 15th

Mr MacCormick led a wonderful assembly for Year 9 – encouraging them to believe in themselves and strive to be the greatest.
 

Mrs Venn, Dr Summers and I will be confirming the Year 10 class placements in the coming weeks.  Watch this space! 

The Year 9 students opting for GCSE Computer Science have a chance to attend a free residential event at Plymouth University. Letters have been issued.

Early in Year Mrs Hudson will begin the process of assigning students to Work Experience placements.

 This weekend, four Year 9s will be Confirmed at St Peter’s Catholic Church.  We’re so pleased to celebrate this joyous occasion in their lives.

I hope the last few weeks of Key Stage 3 are successful, exciting and memorable.

 

Year 10

The boys in tear 10 have settled back into the school routine after the long Easter break and most of them have received  the good news that they have passed their science module examinations taken in chemistry and physics.  Most of the boys have returned with the correct uniform but there are still a few boys wearing inappropriate footwear to school in particular.  I'd be grateful if parents could ensure as best as they can that their son wears the correct uniform at all times so we can continue to keep the standards high. Thank you, Mr. Redfern
 

Year 11

The Year 11 Leavers’ mass is on Wednesday 1st May at St Peter’s Church at 2.30pm. We would very much like to see any parents there who can make it at that time.

 

Post 16

Year 11 are presently applying for places in the sixth form. We had an interesting talk today about students wanting to combine Law and Accountancy with their A levels from Cornwall College. A great new scheme where they go to the Business centre in town every Wednesday. Examinations are now upon us. Coursework deadlines for all subjects are also here and the pressure is building. Students need to know how to handle the pressure and need all the support from every source. Students applying to go to University have completed their choices and student finance( if any assistance is needed then please can students and/ or parents email meat stew@stbonifaces.com).

We wish them all our students the greatest of success but, if things do not work out as planned then the sixth form team are always on hand for advice and guidance.

 

 

STEM Club – Science Technology Engineering and Maths.

A big thank you to all those that are promoting STEM across the college. In STEM club the lads have looked at the Science behind making helicopters; Mr Matson’s wind turbine project will be continuing, with the chance of earning a qualification through the British Science Association’s ‘CREST Awards’, at Bronze level; and a group of year 8s will be embarking on a project to design and build a model of an ‘Eco-Classroom’. Their design, report and sales pitch will not only earn a Silver CREST award, but the lads will be pitching their ideas at the ‘Big Bang’ Science fair in Exeter on June 27th.

 

 

Please see link below for the PE clubs for this term:-
 
 
 
 
 
Monday 29 April 2013
St Catherine of Siena – Patron Saint to nurses and firefighters
08:10 – 08:45 Table Tennis Breakfast Club
13:35 – 2:20 Film Club (F136)
13:35 – Christian Union (Chapel)
13:35 – Geography Club (A9 or A6)
13:35 – Quiz in the Library
13:35 – Various Clubs in the Learning for Life Centre
13:35 – Table Tennis Club for Years 7 and 8 (Hall)
13:35 – Badminton (Gym)
13:35 – Fitness Suite
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:30 – 16:30 Table Tennis After School Club
15:30 – 16:30 Year 7 Football Training (School Field)
15:30 – Flag Football (American Football)
 
 
Tuesday 30 April 2013
13:35 – 14:20 Film Club (F136)
13:35 – Card Games in the Library
13:35 – Various Clubs in the Learning for Life Centre
13:35 – KS3 Basketball Club (Gym)
13:35 – Fitness Suite
 
 
 
 
Wednesday 1 May 2013
MUFTI DAY
13:35 – 14:15 Careers Club in the Library
13:35 – 14:10 Board Games Club BWF (Art Room E123)
13:35 – Knitting Club (Miss Gosling’s room)
13:35 – 2:20 Film Club (F136)
13:35 – Geography Club (A9 or A6)
13:35 – Fitness Suite
13:35 – Various Clubs in the Learning for Life Centre
14:30 – Year 11 Leavers Mass – St Peter’s Church
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:20 – 16:20 Gardening Club (LfLC)
15:30 - Athletics
15:30 – Mountain Biking
15:30 – Softball
19:00 – SBCC Old Boys Vs Devonport Services
 

 

Thursday 2 May 2013
13:35 – 14:20 Film Club (F136)
13:35 – Various Clubs in the Learning for Life Centre
13:35 – Geography Club (A9 or A6)
13:35 – Prayer and Rosary Group (Chapel)
13:35 – Fitness Suite
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:30 - Athletics
15:30 – Years 7 and 8 Cricket
15:30 – 16:30 Year 9 Rugby Training and Fixtures
15:30 – 16:30 Stem Club (Mr Smart’s room)
 
Friday 3 May 2013
13:35 – Baseball ‘Pick Up’ Games
13:35 – Fitness Suite


 

A prayer for our students:

Lord Jesus,

As I now prepare for my exams, I ask you to grant me strength of mind and constant hope. Banish from my mind all fear, anxiety, regret and nervous distraction. May your gift of the Holy Spirit guide and enlighten my fragile mind. At this difficult time, give me the gift of self-confidence and an assurance that you will hear my prayer, answer my need and continue to guide me as I pursue life’s journey.

I ask this prayer through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

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