Friday, 25 April 2014

ST. Boniface's College Headteachers Blog for wb 28.4.14



WEEK A


Hello once again!

 Well, what a lovely Easter with all that wonderful sunshine – it can only mean the examination season is almost upon us but we still have time. I hope you all had a good Easter and that those who needed to work put in the necessary effort -= it all pays off in the end!

Could I remind all parents of post 16 students that we have our post 16 Parent/Teacher evening again in the College hall from 3.40 till about 6. I know Mr Tew is urging all parents to come at this vital time for our post 16 students and their success in their forthcoming exams. With excellence in mind I am very pleased to say that our new refurbished study facility for post 16 students is almost completed – already some 45 students can work in a modern, comfortable and learning friendly environment designed by themselves for themselves. Huge thanks must go to the Head boy, Dan, and his team for this venture – it will be a lasting legacy.

I was lucky enough to be able to lead the Year 11 assembly this week with a focus on being the best you can be. I am aware each year of the significant pressures that many students can feel under to do their best for their family and themselves and wanted to urge them that we are all here to help. We believe of course, that examinations are not the be all and end all in life but that as unique human beings made in the likeness of God they are all very special, exam results are simply a single means of demonstrating this.

It was lovely to see the College in the press over Easter celebrating our 150 years. We are in the process of organising a Celebration evening – more to follow as arrangements are firmed up.

Running for CAFOD!

 Mr MacCormick and Notre Dame's Mr Smart have been busy running over the Easter holidays to raise money for CAFOD.  They ran the Taunton Half Marathon on Sunday 6th April in perfect running conditions.  Although they both found it really difficult, the crowds and the motivation provided by all the people their sponsorship would help spurred them on to the finish.  They completed the 13.1 mile course in 1:49:37 and 2:04:50, respectively. 

 


 
They are also both running the Plymouth Half Marathon this Sunday (27th April) for the same cause and hope to add to the total of over £400 already raised!  Please come out and cheer them on this Sunday!  If you wish to sponsor them, please send your contribution in an envelope to the College Reception or log on to their JustGiving page:


 
Oh what it is to be young! Have a good week all and let’s hope the Sun remains.

Mr. Davies

 

Year 7

What a busy week to start our new term! Our fantastic year group have already earned themselves 173 merits in just 3 days! What an incredible achievement. Well done boys! I’ll be looking forward to this term’s kindle draw with so many names being added!

This week’s assembly was a recap on the true meaning of Easter, encouraging the students to reflect on their very busy weekend. We are looking forward to 7B and Miss Polson’s assembly on Tuesday.

Well done to George B in 7E who completed a run for Cafod over the Easter holidays and raised a wonderful amount! Well done George, what a lovely and thoughtful thing to do!

To continue the extremely high standards that Year 7 demonstrate, please can I ask parents to make a note of the following;

·         Students should adhere to the hair and uniform requirements at all times. Please ensure that the correct outer wear garments are being used (particularly with the adverse weather conditions currently). Students should only be wearing black or navy blue coats, thank you.

·         Mobile phones should not be on during the school day. They should be switched off and in bags so that learning is not disturbed.

·         Home learning should be completed for all subjects in a timely manner. Please can parents insist on checking planners and guiding the students with organisation.

·         Please can parents ensure their son has a reading book in his bag every day to support our reading scheme. This is to further help and improve literacy standards whereby all students will undertake 30 minutes of silent reading each day.

I hope you all have a relaxing weekend, hopefully in the sunshine!

Miss Beales

 

Year 8

The boys seem to have enjoyed their Easter break! Here’s to a successful term ahead.

Our last assembly unfortunately hit a technical hitch but we look forward to Mr Romaine and his tutor group presenting their assembly next week. We did, however, have our first ‘100 merit draw’ winner in Harry C. who certainly looked very surprised and happy when he was presented with a Kindle from Mr MacCormick. Well done also to Dan C. who leads the merit mark totals at the moment and to Jordan W. who has achieved over 200 conduct points this year. Both were awarded certificates to mark their achievements.

Well done to Dan C., Zak G., John-Joe K., and Josh R. who all represented the West Devon ‘A’ team in the recent Devon Championships held at Tavistock. We wish them all the best in the selection process for the full Devon team.

Congratulations to Toby H. who walked from Tavistock to Oakhampton with the Air Cadets as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and then had to set up camp for an over-night stay. Anyone who gets involved with the D. of E. Award deserves great credit. Toby also tells me that himself and a Year 8 friend, Jay H., play in opposite teams in the final of the U13 Plymouth league cup in early May. Jay’s team have already won the league and the Devon Cup so maybe it’s time to share things around a bit! Both boys tell me that whatever happens they’ll still be good friends! Good luck to them both!

Finally, well done to Denver B. who competed in his first competitive swimming competition at the Life Centre recently. In all his races he set personal best times. Brilliant!

Mr. Tucker

Year 9

Welcome back. I hope you had a peaceful and relaxing Easter, the weather was certainly kind to us, the grass even got its first cut of the year, however, I am sure I will regret that very soon - any volunteers to keep it cut….

A short term this time, no sooner do we seem to be getting started then we are off again, however, there will lots to pack in as always,

Next Tuesday, I am off to St Boniface House with a group of year 9 lads on a Cafod Young Leaders Conference, Participants are helped to understand that across the world young people are acting as leadersand through experiencing a global context they may also be inspired to lead.

Another group will also be going on an ICT trip with Mr Scott to experience Apple technology,  and a further group are off on an trip in connection with English

And finally…Good luck to Nathan, Morgan, Hayden and George who will be representing the College next Friday in an Ability Football tournament at Exeter City Football ground. Teams will be from across Plymouth and Devon mainstream and Special Schools.

Congratulations to 9E on winning the year group tutor football tournament and raising £45 at the same time, I'm assured by Miss McFarland that it was nothing to do with the fact they were organising it, congratulations.

And while I am congratulating people, congrats to Mr Weaver who got married, and Miss McFarland who got engaged during the Easter break, and welcome back Mrs Boaden glad to have you back on board.

Until next week.
 

Mrs Mcloughlin

 


Year 10

 
Welcome back Year 10!  Thank you to Mr Tew for leading the group in assembly Thursday to announce the “Sixth Form Experience Week” in July this year.  The event aims to allow each student the chance to attend at least one lesson from each of the Post-16 courses.

 I’m looking forward to the KS4 Celebration Evening on May 6th; being held at St Peter’s Catholic Church at 6pm, we’ll be recognising the hard work by all our students, and awarding those who have shown specific

 Congratulations to Mr Ousey – 10G tutor, who has been given the post of Post-16 Pastoral Leader for the sixth form.  He will still be 10G’s tutor, but we’re very happy for him and wish him well in his new position.


Paintballing opportunities have been emailed to parents – outlining the event for the week of May 19.  Year 10 students can participate for £25, and have a go at the team-building activity at Delta Force in Sparkwell.

 
This Monday, Mr Claricoates has arranged for Camp International to tell the students about the opportunity to work abroad in 2016 – be sure to pay attention as competition is high.

 
Have a great week!

 Mr Scott

  Year 11

Three dates for your diary, if you haven’t already put them in, are

·          6th May which is the key stage 4 leavers celebration and awards evening   held at St Peters Church starting at 6.30 pm.  Refreshments will be available in the catering block after the event.   

·          9th May which will be your son’s official leaving day.  All boys will be expected to attend lessons however, in full uniform, right up to the time they sit their examinations.  He will be more than welcome to study in the classroom of a subject that he has already taken an examination in and seek help from any teacher.  All teachers will be available in their rooms to provide help and guidance for the entire duration of the examination period.  

·         Friday the 2nd May which will be a mufti day.  A voluntary donation of £2 will be collected to go towards the schools PTFA funds.

 

On another note the Headmaster gave a much needed and timely presentation on revision technique, exam preparation and motivation to the boys during this week’s assembly.  Hopefully, your son is heeding all the advice he has been given and he is currently spending at least a couple of hours a night revising for his examinations.   

Finally, after a long and protracted debate about where to go to celebrate their time at Bonnies, the year 11 boys have decided on what trip they want to go on. A visit to Woodlands  Adventure Park will go ahead on June 24th 2014 at a cost of just £20.00.  Cheques should be made payable to St Bonifaces’s Catholic College, but cash will be accepted.  Your son can pick up a consent form from his tutor or Mr Redfern, if he hasn’t already got one.  The deadline for returning the signed form is Friday 2nd May 2014.  The coach will depart at 0830 outside the College and arrive back to Boniface Lane at 1730.

Mr Redfern

Post 16

                We have Sixth Form Parents Evening on Tuesday 29 April from 3:30 until 6:00. It is a vitally important evening as it is the last one before the examinations. It is essential that you attend to find out first-hand the progress your son is making and the expected grade that we expect them to achieve. Also, to get the advice to further improve in the last few weeks.

A number of dates and timings:

·         The Sixth form student does not receive study leave in the conventional manner. I would expect the student to turn up to every subject lesson until the date of their final examination in that subject. This will continue until half term.

·         Year 13 students will then carry on this pattern until they finally leave. Year 13 students leaving celebration is on Friday 23 May, starting at 11:00. They have also arranged a trip to Alton Towers on June 24. Slips and monies must be returned to Mrs Cox as soon as possible in order to secure the coach and entrance places.

·         Year 12 students will return on 2 June after half term and start their A2 courses in all of the four subjects. The timetables of lessons will remain the same. Year 12 also have a St Boniface’s Celebration event marking 150 years on Monday 14 July where they can take part in numerous activities. Please refer to the letter issued by their tutor.

 

Other TLP schools will have slightly differing arrangements.

This is an important time for students and teachers and parents. It is a very stressful time because of what is resting on the outcome. If you need to contact the sixth form team about any matter then email me on stew@stbonifaces.com.

Mr Tew

 

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.
 
 

 
Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
 plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
 
Amen



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