St. Boniface's Catholic College Blog for wb 24.2.14 Week B

 

Head teachers Blog for Week Commencing 24^th February 2014        Week B

 Well, I am pleased to report that we are still afloat!

It seems like the end of a long, dark and wet term where an awful lot of graft from students and staff has taken place. A big thank you to all for their continued hard work, I am confident that the Sun will soon shine, flowers will open and trees will blossom.

A reminder please for all parents other than post 16 that Mentor Day is February 28^th.

Could I bring your attention to our 150th Celebratory Dinner on March 28^th at Plymouth Albion, details and tickets can now be bought via Mrs Hudson at the College reception. We are all looking forward to meeting up with old colleagues and students to share fond memories of the past. I am hoping that many will be able to enjoy the local derby match between Albion and the Cornish Pirates the following day as well.

 

It was lovely to meet so many “new” parents at the Year 7 Parent/Teacher evening, please do remember that you are able to contact any teacher at any time, not just these evenings, if you have any concerns via their e-mail address.

Have a lovely week everybody!

Mr Davies

 

A message from our attendance clerk:

“Would it be ok to have mention and just remind parents about calling in or emailing me about their children’s absence.  Also if they have any concerns about their son’s attendance to give me a call. 

Many thanks

C. Hodges”

 

From Miss Redfern our Gifted and Talented Co-Ordinator:

5 Year 12 students are going to be involved in a G&T day at Notre Dame on 27^th February about prejudice and discrimination. The focus will be on RE and English subject skills, stretching and challenging the students’ thinking. They will be joined by students from Notre Dame, Devonport High School for Boys, Devonport High School for Boys and Eggbuckland College.

 An update from Mr Trimmer in Drama, Friday 14^th Feb.

“The workshop this morning led by Alex and Marillo from Matthew Bourne's Re-Born, was an outstanding opportunity for the boys at St Boniface's College.  Marillo's and Alex's commitment and energy was very infectious and their enthusiasm to drive the boys to new levels was impressive. The majority of the boys have never experienced this type of dance before, so this was a whole level of new learning.  I look forward to the possibility of some of the boys taking the chance and auditioning for the Show at the Theatre Royal this April.”

  

Year 7 – Miss Beales

Well we’re at the end of a very busy and hardworking half term and I’m sure we are all looking forward to a relaxing break, I know I certainly am!

We celebrated our fantastic achievements this term, with a celebratory assembly on Tuesday. This was an opportunity to hand out so many awards for students who have been hard working over the last term and received so many merits! Well done to all those who have received awards. I was also able to hand out the tutor group awards to one student from each tutor group, nominated by their tutor for being an ambassador for the group. Again, well done to the five boys selected by tutors. Finally I ended the assembly with the Head of Year award, given to Lorenzo S, who has gone above and beyond at St Boniface’s this term, both academically and socially, well done Lorenzo! I have been incredibly proud of all students receiving awards. Well done.

It was so nice to see so many of you attending the Year 7 parents Evening on Tuesday night. I hope you were able to see all of your sons teachers and celebrate their academic successes.

A very important date for your diary;

Friday 28^th February 2014 – Mentoring Day Similar to the mentoring day in November, please can you contact your son’s mentor to arrange an appointment to meet with them.

7B’s mentor is Mrs Polson epolson@stbonifaces.com

7E’s mentor in Miss Heduvan eheduvan@stbonifaces.com

7G’s mentor is Mrs Printy gprinty@stbonifaces.com

7K’s mentor is Miss Gosling kgosling@stbonifaces.com

7V’s mentor is me, Miss Beales kbeales@stbonifaces.com

 

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

 If I don’t speak to you all before, have a lovely half term.

 

Year 8

What a week weather wise! Poor weather always affects us in school as we cannot use the outdoor spaces during lunchtime and break-time. Thanks to the Year group for acting responsibly during their free time when things can get a little fraught with access outside restricted.

Mr Ramage and Dr Summers presented the assembly last week on the theme of how we view challenges and hurdles in our daily lives. It made us all, adults and students alike, reflect upon how we overcome frustration and difficulties. Henry Ford’s quote, ‘Whether you think you can, think you can’t – you’re right’, stood out for me as a way of perceiving difficult issues.

When I put out a request for nominations for certificates for last week’s assembly I was overwhelmed with the response! 58 students were put forward which demonstrates the outstanding effort and achievement of the Year group. The response completely exhausted my stock of certificates so we will catch up next term. Don’t worry boys, you will not be forgotten!

Mentoring Day will soon be upon us (28^th February) so please return the reply slip at the bottom of the letter that all students were given last Friday, as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.

As well as the congratulations that are due to the 58 students who were nominated for an award last week, very well done to Aidan N. who won a UK wide writing competition recently. His work is to be published in April and he won the school £1,000! Brilliant!

Mr Tucker

Most of 8L produced outstanding home learning projects at the end of this term for their Judaism project on Synagogues.

In particular Jack L. went above and beyond expectations with lots of other boys choosing different approaches such as minecraft, powerpoint and creative designs.

 Miss Sandford

 

Year 9

Well yet again the end of another term 6 weeks absolutely whizzed by, dare I say it, it will be summer before we know it and boy we could certainly do with some warm, dry weather.

 By now you should have received an email from your son’s mentor to fix up an appointment for Mentoring day on Friday 28^th May, if you could reply as soon as possible it would be very helpful.  Apologies to the mentees of Mrs Boaden, unfortunately, Mrs Boaden has been unwell this term and has been off for the last few weeks so you may not have heard from her. If she has not returned after half-term I will contact you so you can make alternative arrangements.

Congratulations this week to Elliott on an exceptional piece of Geography home learning, the geography department couldn’t wait to tell me all about it.

Many thanks to 9K for their assembly which they put together and delivered in Mrs Boaden’s absence, it showed a great deal of maturity and was greatly appreciated by me.

Well done to all the lads on their achievements this term the merits are all mounting up and I hope to have a few lads with over a 100 in the draw for an electronic prize, Kindle.

Can I take the opportunity of wishing you all a safe and hopefully dry half term, I can wish but unfortunately I can’t perform miracles, so I think safe will be as far as it goes.

Take care and see you next term.

Mrs Mcloughlin

Year 10

Year 10 students enjoyed a trip to VUE cinema this week. The boys watched the new Robocop film and looked at the theme of heroes for their upcoming English project, as well as the moral and ethical implications of cybernetics for those taking ICT and Computer Science. The majority of students behaved and enjoyed the day. Well done lads!

Parents - please contact your son's mentor to make an appointment for Friday February 28th. Letters have been sent via email.

Letters for the Year 10 paint balling reward trip will go out after half term. 

Mr Scott

 

Year 11

I’m sure your son is looking forward to having a short break from preparing for his examinations next week. Hopefully, he will come back re-energised and raring to go next term to make sure his performance peaks at just the right time. If you could please monitor his attendance of the various intervention sessions that are on offer all through the week at the college, I’d be grateful. We are doing our best here to cajole and encourage your son to attend as often as he possibly can. Just a small percentage change in your son’s progress, as a result   of attending the intervention classes available, could make all the difference.  Don’t forget to make an appointment with his mentor on the 28^th February 2014 to get a full picture of how he is currently performing.  Now the examination time table is out it really brings it home to everyone just how close the examinations are! 

 

Just a gentle reminder from Mr Tew that all the sixth form return slips must be returned as soon as possible and if your son wants to go on the UCAS trip to Exeter he must speak to Mr Tew to arrange it.  Also, if he did not get a letter offering him a place at the college, subject to his behaviour, he should see Mr Tew, as soon as possible.   Mr Tew is usually found in the SSS room during lunch time on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays   and he’s always available to talk with your son about his future plans if he’s still unsure about what to do next year. 

 

Have a relaxing and enjoyable time next week.

 

Mr Redfern

 

Year 11 Intervention timetable both week A and B

	Lunch time	After school 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Monday	Maths (all teachers to provide an intervention group) Geography DT	French English ( Mr Trimmer ) English (Mrs Davison) 11O English (Mr Evans) drop in for all
Tuesday	Geography DT
Wednesday	Maths Geography PE DT	Science Drama French Art ICT English ( Mrs Davison) 11O English (Mr Evans) drop in for all
Thursday	Science Geography DT RE (11O only drop in)	Geography History French German English (Mrs Davison) 11O English (Mr Evans) drop in for all
Friday	Maths (drop in only) Mr Allerton Geography DT	RE English (Mrs Davison) 11O English (Mr Evans) drop in for all
Interventions happening during timetabled lessons	English –  ‘Master classes’ students withdrawn during timetabled lessons for targeted interventions every Thursday 8.50 am – 4.30 pm with Ms Lowman. English -Plymouth University P2 only Wednesday groups of six students.   Maths – Miss J Gimblett  students extracted from lessons to attend intervention lessons every Monday.

 

Post 16

Another week closer to Examinations.

Your son should have a timetable of Examinations, given out on Friday. Please check the times and dates, if a clash exists contact myself or Mrs Gimblett immediately. One copy needs to be signed and returned to Mrs Cox.

Mentoring Day on 28 February will be a Sixth Form revision day instead. You are most welcome to email teachers, myself, Miss Blackshaw  or tutors. A parents Evening is also approaching. With the Mock results I feel that there is a need for the sixth form to discuss crucial areas based on Examination technique, welfare etc.

The day will be COMPULSORY for all sixth formers.

They can wear Mufti for £1 donation to CAFOD but this is optional.

The sixth formers will be split into groups linked to subject areas, so that specific skills can be discussed and honed. They will be expected to make notes and produce revision materials

A, Revision session on How to revise, the importance of Key Terminology.

B, For the Mathematicians a Key maths revision session on formulae and interpretation, led by Mr Budge

C, For the Scientists, specific techniques to answer science based questions, use of examples. Mr Ramage

D, For all literary subjects, the structuring of an essay and exam techniques for longer questions, the use of quotes, and evaluative techniques, led by Mrs Venn

E, Organisation of Revision and timetables

F, Use of ICT and past papers, creation of dropbox or similar and putting together exemplars

G, Mindfullness

H, Diet and exercise and the role they place in exam success

I, Mental Welfare

 

There will also be a gathering in the church with Fr John

The afternoon will consist of

A, Plymouth University and Student Finance: What you are entitled to ?

B, Plymouth University: Year 12 Uni experiences

Time ending :2:30approx

 

Any Questions email Stew@stbonifaces.com or RBlackshaw@stbonifaces.com

 

Other dates

20 March - UCAS Trip

2 April - Student patient experience at Derriford with Plymouth University for Biologists.

Mr Tew

January – April Clubs and Activities

 

Week B
Monday	Library lunch time – quiz for years 7, 8, 9 Christian Union – lunchtime – C Rogers – Chapel Geography clinic – lunch – K Beales Fitness club – lunch Year 7 & 8 basketball (after school) School play - Lord of the Flies – after school - P Trimmer Learning for life centre – lunch time – card club – D Grieve Library after school – extended learning – 15:20 – 16:20 Film club – lunchtime – C Redfern REwind – lunchtime – E Heduvan French revision – after school – J McFarland Art homework catch-up – lunchtime – J Wills Year 7 music club – D Ousey Maths drop in sessions – After School – N Allerton
Tuesday	Learning for life centre – lunch time – card club – D Grieve Film club – lunchtime – C Redfern KS3 badminton – lunch Drama club – lunch – P Trimmer Instrumental opportunity – D Ousey, C Crossman Geography clinic – lunch – K Beales REwind – lunchtime – E Heduvan Art homework catch-up – lunchtime – J Wills
Wednesday	Library lunch time – careers club for all years Learning for life centre – lunch time – card club – D Grieve REwind – lunchtime – E Heduvan Geography clinic – lunch – K Beales Library after school – extended learning – 15:20 – 16:20 Film club – lunchtime – C Redfern Fitness club – lunch Years 9 and 10 basketball (after school) School play - Lord of the Flies – after school - P Trimmer Guitar club – D Ousey German revision/intervention – after school – W Neethling Art homework catch-up – lunchtime – J Wills Philosophy club – after school – C Sandford Games club – lunchtime – K Gosling’s room – Mrs Williamson-Firth Maths drop in sessions – After School – N Allerton
Thursday	Library after school – extended learning – 15:20 – 16:20 REwind – lunchtime – E Heduvan Fitness club – lunch KS3 table tennis – after school Wind band – D Ousey Geography clinic – lunch – K Beales Learning for life centre – lunch time – card club – D Grieve Art club after school – K Gosling Careers club – lunchtime – room 109 – R Hudson – CV writing, interview techniques Film club – lunchtime – C Redfern Art homework catch-up – lunchtime – J Wills
Friday	Library after school – extended learning – 15:20 – 16:20 Film club – lunchtime – C Redfern KS4 badminton – lunch GCSE music – D Ousey Android club – lunch – years 9-11 – W Neethling Geography clinic – lunch – K Beales Maths drop in sessions – lunch – N Allerton REwind – lunchtime – E Heduvan Art homework catch-up – lunchtime – J Wills RE revision after school – 15:20 – 16:20 – E Heduvan

 

Extra-Curricular Clubs 2013-2014

JANUARY- APRIL

	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
BEFORE SCHOOL	Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball All Years	Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball All Years	Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball All Years	Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball All Years	Breakfast Club Fitness Basketball All Years
LUNCH TIME	Fitness Suite + Basketball   Year 9 Basketball	Fitness Suite + Basketball	Fitness Suite + Basketball   GCSE Revision (A18)	Fitness Suite + Basketball	Fitness Suite + Basketball
AFTER SCHOOL	Year 9+10 Football PG All Years, Boxing AW	All Years, Badminton Marjon Students	Year 7+8 Football RJ AS Revision 3.40-5pm (A18) DM	All Years, Table Tennis External coach Year 10, 11, 12, 13 and staff. Hash (Cross-Country/Orienteering) DC	A2 Revision 3.40-5pm (A18) DM

 

 

 

A prayer for peace in our world

Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of all nations,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace
and let your glory be over all the earth.

 Amen