Friday, 5 July 2013

St. Boniface's Catholic College Blog for week beginning 8th July 2013




It was lovely to welcome new pupils and parents into the College family last week. Could I thank all those involved in making a lovely evening and what looked like a fun first day for the present Year 6 pupils. From saying goodbye to them from the gate at the end of the day they certainly enjoyed themselves.
 

Things here in the College have returned to normal after the Ofsted inspection last week. I do not yet have the formal feedback from the inspection team but will of course share any news with you as soon as I get it. We were very open with the Inspectors about the recent challenges we have faced and all the actions we have already taken to address them.  I am sure Ofsted will reflect this in their report and will make some more suggestions for how we can improve further. No matter what judgement the final report indicates, I am confident that with the support of staff, and parents and the continued hard work of our students, we are now well placed to take St Boniface’s College on to the next successful chapter of its history.
 

A polite reminder that school will be closing at 12.30 on 19th July. The final day will be a MUFTI day with donations towards the PTFA Motiv-8 fund and the Hugs for Henry appeal please.

 

 

Old Year 7 

Here is my final entry for year 7 this year;


A week full of mixed emotions for us in year 7 last week. We have been celebrating with the year 7 Celebration Assembly and all of the fantastic achievements our boys have received, and commiserating with the movement of the year 7 students into year 8 and my last week as their Head of Year. It’s been a very busy year for us all, but I truly speak from the heart when I say I am so proud of the boys for their achievements both personal and academic this year. They are maturing into a lovely set of young men and Mr Tucker is lucky to continue with them into year 8.

I was really touched to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the Year 7 students and a card signed by each of them saying how much they will miss me (!) It was so thoughtful. I managed to embarrass them suitably with a video I had made of the photos from throughout the year! I was extremely proud to give out so many certificates during the assembly. I think it made us all appreciate what a lovely pastoral team we have here at the school and the successes that it can bring out in our young men of the future.

 A special mention goes to David in 7K who beautifully read out a prayer he had written following the assembly last week on being thankful. In the prayer, David talked of the thanks he feels for the wonderful friends he has made here in his first year at St Boniface’s. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room! Well done David!


A final note to say “Thank You” to the parents for your continued support throughout the year. This will be my final blog entry for this year’s Year 7, as I pass the year group onto Mr Tucker. I have enjoyed seeing the students develop throughout the year and very much look forward to hearing about their continued success into Year 8.

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

 
Year 8  Mr. Tucker

Mr. Tucker has picked up this year group after having had last year’s Year 11 group. After just 4 days he comments that he has been impressed with them.

 
Year 9

Recent converts from Year 8 has seen many of the lads mature from the somewhat shy year 7’s into more independent confident young men, many of them will not have a clue what they want to do when they leave school yet, - university, apprenticeship, job  etc..  Today the average worker stays at each of his or her jobs for 4.4 years, so it is possible they will make many life changing decisions before settling into a career path that they enjoy.

 Year 9 is the time when important choices are made, what subjects to follow for GCSE and for some continue into AS and A levels. For some it is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings for others building on and consolidating the good work they have started at the college. Whatever, category they fall into, let’s all look forward to a good year that serves as a healthy foundation for many years to come.

 Year 10

 The boys have started Year 10 with a positive mindset, and are adjusting to their new timetables.  Lots of excitement around Public Services, Computer Science and Engineering.  The new break time is working well, and students will be able to work with Mr Tucker’s Year 8 pupils over the coming year as Peer Mentors.  We also have an additional assembly on a Thursday – which will be dedicated to singing.  At the students’ request - Mr Ousey will lead us next week with the finale from the movie Pitch Perfect.


Following a rigorous selection process, ten students have been selected to take part in a two day residential course at Plymouth University focussed on computer science.  More to come next week!

  
Year 11
 
The majority of the year 11 boys enjoyed a days paintballing at Sparkwell, near Ivybridge, as a reward for good attendance and behaviour over the previous academic year.  The boys were extremely grateful to Mr Ramage, our Key stage four leader, for organising the event.   Everyone had a great time even though the paintballs did sting a lot  more than some of us expected them to!


Congratulations to James for being picked to represent England in the next  European Cross Triathlon Championships.  What an amazing achievement. Well done James, we're all proud of you.   

 

Post 16

Delayed congratulations to Fraser, now in year 13, Student of the Year from his Group. Well Done!


Year 12 - You're Hired.

Congratulations to Daniel who was the outright winner of the prestigious 'You're Hired' business competition, beating 35 other finalists from across the whole of Plymouth. The BBC's 'Apprentice' style competition is sponsored by some of the countries most notable companies such the accountancy firm KPMG, Bailey Partnership Construction and Balfour Beaty, to name just a few. The gruelling two day competition was held at Plymouth University which was also the venue where James Brent the Chairman of Plymouth Argyle and guest speaker, presented Daniel with the winners trophy which said that he was 'Plymouth's most employable 17 year old.' Sean also picked up a prestigious award from Bailey Partnership Construction, as their choice of being the most likely person to be successful in the construction industry. Well done to all the boys competing in this tough challenge. It bodes well with regards to them having a successful career.

 Mr. Redfern

 
 
150th Anniversary Ties – Now Available

You can order your son a Limited Edition 150th Anniversary tie for £9.  Simply send in payment with your son’s details to main reception.  Alternatively, you can pop in an buy one at Trutex Schoolwear, Unit 3/4 Sugarmill Retail Park, Plymouth.

 

A report from Mrs Duggan on recent sporting excellence:

Just to let you know what a brilliant day it was at Exeter today. The 8 boys who took part were a credit to the school. They showed enthusiasm and good sportsmanship.

 

In the Orienteering: 

Martin, Harry and Morgan all won bronze medals. Joe and Lewis both won silver. 

Morgan won an additional Gold medal for his sportsman like conduct in the spirit of the Games.

 In the Indoor rowing: 

Ben won gold and Chris won silver, although John did not win a medal he gave his very best.

We will hopefully present these medals and certificates to the boys in their assemblies next week. Thank you for allowing them to go. It did their self esteem no end of good and they participated in activities that they would not ordinarily have taken part in. They also spent valuable social time together and worked collaboratively with each other which was a pleasure to witness.

 I was so proud of them all!

 Mrs Duggan

 

St. Boniface’s at a National level:

 

I qualified to represent Great Britain in the Junior Age Category by entering my best cross triathlon experience which was a race in Ampleforth, Yorkshire on April 6th 2013. The results can be found here: http://www.ukmtbtri.co.uk/results.html


I came 15th out of a total of 78 competitors and I was 2nd in the under 20's category. It consisted of a 500m swim, which I completed in just under 6 minutes, then a 14Km mountain bike and a 5Km x-country run. My total finishing time was 1 hour 19 mins 26 secs.

This race time enabled me to apply for the 2013 Strobl am Wolfgangsee ETU Cross Triathlon European Championships. found here:
http://www.britishtriathlon.org/ge-gb-teams/age-group/detail/2013-Strobl-am-Wolfgangsee-ETU-Cross-Triathlon-European-Championships_2463

I then found out on Monday the 20th of May that I qualified for the event on the 7th September in Austria.

More information can be found at the event website: http://www.wolfgangseechallenge.at/portfolio/em-crosstriathlon


I am competing in the Junior category for ages 16-19 which involves a 500m lake swim followed by a 11Km mountain bike and 3Km run. I will be competing as part of the Great Britain cross triathlon age group team for this race at European level as it is a European championship.

 James  – Year 11

 

MFL News:

Mr Neethling attended a very exciting and productive meeting for languages teachers across Devon and Cornwall – students should watch out for exciting new developments in classrooms! In the meantime, start following @SBCCMFL on twitter and download the following GREAT free app on your Apple of Android smart phone or tablet

 



 

Danke … au revoir!

 

 Careers Information:

 

Tuesday 16th July 2013 we will be hosting a National Careers Service day.  Guidance and advice will be given to Parents who are thinking of going into further education, higher education or wanting to learn in the work place.  Information will be available about course costs, child care costs, support with living costs, Parent’s learning Allowance and Tax Credits.  Any parents that are interested please contact me here at the College.

 Mrs Hudson

 

 
 
 
Please see link below for the PE clubs for this term:-
 


Monday 8th July 2013
 
08:10 – 08:45 Table Tennis Breakfast Club
13:35 – 2:20 Film Club (F136)
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 – Fitness Suite
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:30 – Year 10 Baseball
 

Tuesday 9th July 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
 

Wednesday 10th July 2013
 Year 4/5 Taster 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 – Various Clubs in the Learning for Life Centre
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:20 – 16:20 Gardening Club (LfLC)
15:30 – Athletics
15:30 – Cricket
15:30 – Mountain Biking
 

Thursday 11th 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)
15:20 – 16:20 Extended Learning Club – Library
15:30 – 16:30 Stem Club (Mr Smart’s room) 
 

 

 

 

 







































Lord, show us how to learn from others ,

how to be patient,

and how to persevere.

Amen









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