St. Boniface's College Head teachers Blog wb 16.9.13

Week A 16^th September.

Could I take this opportunity to thank all the parents who were able to attend the Ofsted report meetings last week.  I have been extremely heartened by your support and fully appreciate your full and frank appraisals of how you would like to see St. Boniface’s develop. It is obvious to us all that of paramount importance is the quality of education your sons receive in the classroom. Consistency in approach by staff in dealing with disruption to learning, homework issues and communication with you and students, have all come across strongly as well. This helps give the College a clear direction on what it needs to improve very quickly, as of course does the Ofsted inspection itself. At the time of writing this Blog the College Action Plan should be in transit to the DfE for approval. Once we have had our visit from Her Majesty’s Inspector I am proposing to hold further meetings with you not only to keep you informed of progress but also for you to be able to comment to upon whether you have seen any progress from a parental standpoint.  I hope that this will be sometime in October or early November.

 

I am expecting to send home the College Parental Diaries to you next week and hope that you will find them of use. The diary covers the Autumn term activities, a new version being provided for each term. I have copied the homework timetable in operation this year into this Blog and will do so for each blog into the future.

Now that the weather appears to have turned could I please remind all parents that “hoodies” are not allowed to be worn in school. The PE based sports clubs start up on Monday and I do hope that pupils will avail themselves once again of the many other varied activities that occur each week as well as those offered by the PE department.

Year 7

Year 7 have had a lovely first week at St Boniface's. They have continued to settle in well, although a couple of students are still struggling with the large campus and finding classrooms! The boys continue to look extremely smart and I have been so pleased that they are adhering to the hair and uniform requirements. 

This weeks assembly focussed on the 12th anniversary of The 9/11 terrorist attacks. I led students in a prayer service for the families of the victims and all who were affected by that fateful day.

I have been popping into various lessons across the campus this week to check the year 7's are settling well into their learning and have been so impressed! Particular mention to the boys in a music lesson who were making their own music! Not only fascinating to watch but excellent! Keep up the great start boys!  

We were delighted to attend the Welcome Mass on Thursday in St Peter's Church. I was incredibly proud of the Year 7’s in the respectful way they behaved during the lovely service. A special well done to the wonderful readings by Toby, Joe and Owen. It's often very nerve wracking to stand in front of your peers, so well done for reading so eloquently! Thank you also to Father John Webb from all of the year 7 team.

 

An important date for the Year 7 diary;

 

 September 17th -  We have our Year 4/5/6 Open Evening.

 6pm – 7.30pm. If you have younger children currently at primary school in years 4/5/6 then please come along to find out more about the college. There will be tours of the classrooms and opportunities to meet staff and students.

 

 

Finally, a reminder that we have a fantastic transition tutor team here at St Boniface’s, who are specialised in dealing with any issues the Year 7’s present. Please contact either your son’s tutor or me directly, should you have concerns or questions.

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

Year 8

Please congratulate the way the Year 8’s have settled in. I’m very happy. I found out that Toby and his parents climbed Ben Nevis during the holidays-the photos were excellent.

Also, please congratulate those boys who attended the university with Mr. Smart.

Mr. Tucker

Year 9

Welcome back to all year 9’s and a special welcome to the 7 new lads who have joined us this year from various parts of the UK.

It was a real pleasure to stand up in assembly this week and to greet all the smiling faces and to see them all smartly attired, thank you to all the parents for supporting the school on the matter of uniform it is these little things that can have a big impact on standards.

To further help and improve literacy standards the school has introduced a reading scheme were all students will undertake 30 mins silent reading each day, could I please ask that you ensure your son has some suitable reading material in his school bag each day.

The lads have settled well and there is calm around the college and a lot of good learning is taking place, many of the lads have matured over the summer beyond all recognition.

Congratulations this week goes to Matthew (9K) recently passed his Grade 3 piano exam with merit.

Mrs Mcloughlin

Head of Year 9

 

Year 10

MR SCOTT

Year 10 have come back to school ready to work and focus on their GCSE courses.  The tutor team were particularly touched by the thank you cards and messages from students and parents at the end of the summer term, and asked that I pass on their collective thanks.

We welcome Juan to our year group - who has recently arrived in Plymouth from Spain.  He has had a fantastic first week - and made lots of new friends.  He has quickly become a fan of the Westcountry's best - the pasty - in the school canteen!

It was pleasing to see the number of Year 10 volunteers at the Open Evening for potential new students. From PE to Catering, the boys showcased all our school has to offer - and were complimented by parents and staff alike.  Well done to you all!  Special mention to Dean, Louis and Joe!

Next week's singing assembly will be Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" and "Bohemian Rhapsody"... air guitars at the ready!

Updates about Year 10 are also available via Twitter - follow @SBCC_MrScott

Mr Griffin - tutor for 10E will be leaving the College to take up a new post at Plymouth University - so we've welcome a new tutor - Mr James to the team.  For parents of boys in 10E, Mr James' email address is rjames@stbonifaces.com

A gentle reminder that students need to wear their blazer/tie at all times, and black, leather lace-up school shoes (not trainers/boots/plimsolls).  With the current wet weather, a waterproof outdoor coat is recommended (hoodies are neither suitable nor allowed in school).

 

 

Year 11

Group photographs have been taken of each tutor group along with their respective tutors this week.  Mr Matson's tutor group 10V, led the assembly this week on Nelson Mandela.    The timely assembly informed the boys of Mr Mandela's colourful history and his outstanding achievements in defeating apartheid in South Africa and how consequently, he has become a global icon and inspiration to others struggling against oppression.   

Mr. Redfern

 

Post 16

The sixth form lessons are back in full swing, both vocational and academic. All students are looking very impressive in their new suits. All students are in school periods up to lunch, except for Wednesday where a full program of enrichment is in place for all students.

The new Business Management course in partnership with GHQ is looking to be successful.

The Big Brothers are starting up fully next week, where younger students can be helped by a sixth former.

UCAS applications are starting, if any parent wants advice on funding or courses then they can contact stew@stbonifaces.com to talk or make an appointment. It is very important that the students take the opportunities to show that they can get some experience in their chosen area. E.g Brian has been volunteering at Derriford talking to patients, Dan had Summer work experience with a Law firm, both have glowing references. This makes them stand out from the rest.

It's been a very hectic start back with all students trying to find the right courses. If you are finding the course is not for you don't leave it to late to change. Every Department has been asked to be honest with you about your capability to achieve a grade at A Level so that decisions are made early.

Special thanks to Miss Blackshaw for her efforts to make sure everything runs smoothly and her determination to get things right and to Mrs Cox for her pastoral efforts with all the students. Next week we will focus on the vocational courses.

Last year Year 13s will be heading off or starting university this weekend. This can be a painful time for the parents both emotionally and financially. The students will be in a new environment with in many cases totally new people to meet. A daunting yet exciting time….It is what we aim to prepare them for ..

I wish them well and every success…..

Mr. Tew

 

Homework Timetable 2013-14

		7	8	9	10	11
Mon	D	Science, Art	DT, ICT	Art, ICT, Geography	English Option A	MFL Biology
	L	Science, History	DT, Geography	Drama, Geography
	O	Art, English, Drama	Music	Art, English	English Option A	MFL Biology
	P	History, English		Music, English
	T		Music	English		Science
Tue	D	ICT, History, MFL	History, Music	Science, History	Humanities MFL	RE Option B
	L	Art, MFL, Geography	ICT, Music	Science, ICT
	O	MFL, DT	MFL, RE	DT, History	Chemistry Biology
	P	DT	MFL, Music	DT, Drama
	T		ICT, DT	Music, History
Wed	D	RE, Geography	Science, Art	RE, MFL, Music	Biology Chemistry	English Chemistry
	L		Science, History	RE, MFL, Art
	O	Maths, History	ICT, English	MFL, Music, Science	Physics RE	English Maths
	P	Maths, Art	English	MFL, Science
	T		English	Science, RE
Thu	D	English, Maths	Maths, English	English	Maths RE	Option A Humanities
	L			English, History
	O	Music, ICT	DT Maths	Maths, RE	Maths ICT
	P	Music, MFL		Maths, RE, ICT
	T		Maths, Art	Maths, ICT
Fri	D	Music	MFL	Maths, DT	Option B	Maths Physics
	L	Music, RE	MFL, RE	Maths, DT
	O		Geography, Science	ICT, Geography	Option B Media
	P		ICT	History, Geography, Art
	T		Humanities	Art, Geography

 

 

 

 

Week A	Clubs/activities
Monday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 7 rugby (after school) School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer STEM (after school) Mr Smart Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Tuesday	KS3 basketball (lunch) Drama club (lunch) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Wednesday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 8 rugby (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
Thursday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 9 rugby (after school) Art club (after school) Miss Gosling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Friday	KS4 basketball (lunch) Android club (lunch years 9-11) Mr Neethling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Week B
Monday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 7 rugby (after school) School Play – Lord of the Flies (after school) Mr Trimmer STEM (after school) Mr Smart Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Tuesday	KS3 basketball (lunch) Drama club (lunch) Mr Trimmer Workshop sessions catch up (lunch) Mr Griffin Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Wednesday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 8 rugby (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
Thursday	Fitness club (lunch) Year 9 rugby (after school) Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales
Friday	KS4 basketball (lunch) Android club (lunch years 9-11) Mr Neethling Geography clinic (lunch) Miss Beales

 

 

     The Prayer of St Boniface

Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children,
we praise you for all you have given us,
for all you have done for us,
for all that you are to us.

In our weakness, you are strength;
in our darkness you are light;
in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace.

We cannot number your blessings;
we cannot declare your love:
For all your blessings we praise you.

May we live in your presence,
and love the things that you love,
and serve you in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen