St. Boniface's College Head Teachers Blog

June 3^rd    Week A

 Where has that half term gone?

Hi everyone and welcome to this rather truncated blog with next week being half term. Can I also remind everyone that we have a staff training day on Monday June 2^nd , the College will be closed for pupils other than those taking examinations.

I was very pleased on Thursday that we were able to take a group of Year 10 students up to Oxford University for the day. I know that they had a fantastic experience and trust that the visit will spur them on to gain a place at the University, Cambridge is a nice place as well lads!

Today was our formal Y13 Celebration as these valued members of our community look towards their next steps on leaving the St Boniface’s family. A thank you to Father John and the post 16 team. I would like to thank each one of the students for their contributions to our community over many years, they will all be missed and we wish each of them good health, happiness and success into the future. The door will always be open to come back and visit and share with us your experiences.

A reminder that we have a 150^th Celebration Evening taking place at Plymouth Albion RFC on Friday 27^th all welcome – please contact Mrs Hudson at the College for tickets and further details 01752 779051.

 Year 9 to 10 Transition Evening June 17^th 6pm

Congratulations to Matthew P from St Boniface’s who completed the 35 mile Ten Tor route last weekend. The weather on Saturday was particularly poor meaning the team barely covered half distance on the first day but the team's effort, determination and commitment meant they pressed hard on day 2 finishing with 5 minutes to spare!

Congratulations also to Daniel K in his first year playing in the Plymouth and District Table Tennis League. His team won the divisional cup and he also won the award for the most promising new young player. He won 43 out of his 45 games.

 

A message from Dr Summers regarding an important date for our KS3 pupils and parents

Key Stage 3 Awards’ Evening.

Wednesday 25^th June 2014 6pm

Parents to be notified via email if their son has received an award detailing how to apply for tickets and tutors will inform their tutees.

The evening will celebrate the achievements of the students in their Key Stage 3 years.  The evening will also showcase the musical and dramatic talents of some of our students and there will be refreshments in the catering block before, from 5pm to which you are warmly invited.

 

If you would like to attend, please email Mrs Hudson - rhudson@stbonifaces.com  indicating how many tickets you would like by Monday  9^th June.  Tickets are initially limited to 2 per student, but please indicate if you would like more if there is availability.  Tickets will be given to students through their form tutor.  Parking will be in the church car park and students are to attend in school uniform.

Half Term Idea’s

For All Armed Forces Children

Manager Name: Laura Collicott

email: laura@jumpplymouth.co.uk

Phone: 01752: 782415

 

Jump has offered just £3 for each Armed Forces child, instead of £7 and adults goes free.

The offer is open to all Armed Forces children, which includes the weekends and holidays.

 

Plymouth Life Centre

Sales Manager: Julian Egan

Sales Manager-01752: 606900

Email: julianegan@slm-ltd.co.uk

 Daytime and Sunday evenings are their quietest. They are willing to offer a families’ night, once a week. This will include the sports hall and Swimming and diving lessons, combined, for only £1:50.

 

 

Year 7

A lovely way to end the week, in the glorious sunshine!

This week’s assembly was the eagerly anticipated Celebratory Assembly for this term! I was extremely proud to be giving out such a huge number of certificates to students to celebrate their academic successes! Well done boys! Each tutor gave out an award for the term, well done to George A in 7B, Owen B in 7E, Tyler G in 7G, Jack S in 7K and Cameron H in 7V. I was also able to give out my Head of Year award for this term to Felix P, who has been extremely hardworking and kind to other students. Well done Felix and all who received an award.

I am concerned with the amount of Year 7 students who are starting to try and bend the rules on uniform. It is expected that all students have the correct uniform and look smart at all times. I know there are occasions where some of the older boys may be seen not sticking to this rule, but I know that their Head of Year is just as strict and on to them, as much as I am! My year group is something I am so proud of and hope, that with your parental support, we can nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand. One of the main issues I have, is appropriate footwear. Students should have leather school shoes and not black trainers. Thank you for your continued support.

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

·         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 lovely, relaxing half term.

Miss Beales

 Year 8

Another successful term completed! Many congratulations to the boys for all their hard work and commitment during this penultimate term. One more term to go and then it’s into Year 9!

Mr Ramage and Miss Heduvan led the assembly last week on the theme of imagining how things could be. We were asked to consider if we saw the glass as half empty or half full and how that impacted on our approach to life. Mr Ramage related the story of two famous motor cycle racers, Valentino Rosse and Casey Stoner. When Rosse was beaten by Stoner, Valentino’s response was visualising what he had to do to win the next time. Mr Ramage then put this into our everyday experiences and asked us to consider this approach so that we did not waste opportunities to progress. Thank you to both Mr Ramage and Miss Heduvan for a very interesting assembly!

Well done to the cricket team who beat Coombe Dean ‘B’ on Tuesday evening. In their second game, however, they came unstuck against a strong Ivybridge side. Boys, remember that the club operates on a Thursday evening after school and all are welcome.

I wish you all a good week next week and here’s to a very successful final term in Year 8 when we return on Tuesday 3^rd June.

Mr. Tucker

 

Year 9

This week I have been involved in planning for the Year 9 into Year 10 Transition Evening to be held on Tuesday June 17th 6-7pm in the school hall.

The purpose of the evening is to offer parents the opportunity to hear from me as Head of Year about the plans and expectations for the next two years and the outstanding academic and pastoral support we put in place to help each and every student reach their potential.

The structure of the evening will be as follows:

§ 1800 – Introduction to the evening in the main hall – followed by presentations by the Heads of RE, English and Maths.

§ 1815 – Meet your son’s KS4 teachers and Heads of Department in the dining hall – find out about courses, revision guides, equipment needed, home learning arrangements (i.e. weekly homework for all courses) etc.

§ Refreshments will be available from the PTFA.

We are recommending all parents and pupils attend to make the most of the guidance and advice on the evening. As this is a formal school event, pupils are expected to attend in full school uniform.

I look forward to seeing as many of you and your sons as possible.

This week it gave me pleasure to receive an e-mail from one of our parents telling me how her son had been doing this season in his mountain biking, she was obviously very proud and her son too modest to tell me so it has been left to me to share the news: Last weekend Gabriel, came 2nd in the third and final round of the South West XC Series. This result gave him 3rd overall in the Series for his age group. Sunday's race also included the South West Championships where he was 2nd .After these results he is now ranked 18th in the UK for his age group. He still has three more rounds of the National MTB XC Series to race and hopes to improve his current ranking. Congratulations Gabriel and good luck for the next round.

As always at the end of term the lads start to lapse into holiday mode a little too early, many are turning up in incorrect footwear – (Black canvas shoes or trainers) and trousers – (Black Jeans), surprising how many have apparently ripped their shoes etc.!!!!!, the school has a strict dress code and as such any student turning up in incorrect uniform after the half-term break runs the risk of being sent home to change and will be expected to make up the lost time in after school detentions.

Can I also remind you that Monday June 2^nd is a Non pupil day – so students should return appropriately dressed and with the correct equipment on the Tuesday.

Hope you have a good break, stay safe,

Mrs. Mcloughlin

 YEAR 10

I was proud to accompany a trip to Oxford University today with a group of ten Year 10 students hoping to consider a future at the prestigious university.  The trip was organised by Miss Redfern – the G&T Coordinator – who facilitated a fantastic day for the students that included a tour of Exeter College, a presentation about life at Oxford, an around Oxford trail and a mini lecture about lasers by a PhD physicist.  The day was interesting, exciting and raised aspirations for all.  Many thanks to Mr Tew for taking us there and Mrs Hudson for supervising the boys.

The paintball trips have been a huge success this week too – with teachers reporting a range of leadership skills being shown by students across the board.  Thank you to all those taking part – especially Mr Claricoates for facilitating the trip through the week.  Over 60 Year 10 students took part in the opportunity.

I wish the boys well for Work Experience week June 2^nd – 6^th. The aim of the week is to allow students to apply the wide variety of transferable skills they possess from school into the workforce. I look forward to hearing about the visits from the staff.  Thank you to Mrs Hudson for her unending efforts to offer each student a unique opportunity.

Mr Scott

 

Have a lovely week all.

Mr Davies

 

Prayer for Students

Father of Light and Wisdom,
thank you for giving me
a mind that can know
and a heart that can love.

Help me to keep learning every day of my life--
no matter what the subject may be.
Let me be convinced that all knowledge leads to you
and let me know how to find you and love you
in all the things you have made.

Encourage me when the studies are difficult
and when I am tempted to give up
Enlighten me when my brain is slow
and help me to grasp the truth held out to me.

Grant me the grace to put my knowledge to use
in building the kingdom of God on earth
so that I may enter the kingdom of God in heaven.
Amen.

St. Boniface's Colelge Headteachers Blog for wb 19.5.14

 Week B               19.5.14

Hello everybody and welcome to my Blog for this week.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all our students both GCSE and A level who are sitting exams. The Year 11 boys tell me that things are going well to date so we are all encouraged. Speaking of Year 11, there appears to be a drop off in lesson attendance now that the exams have actually begun. Whilst I can understand this could I please remind everyone that teachers are available as normal for all year 11 lessons – I would hate for any students to miss out on the few extra marks that could make the difference of a grade because they missed a lesson. As long as parents are happy that hard work is taking place at home and that this is the best way forward then I am happy – these young men should now be mature enough to make such decisions and live with the potential consequences, we are here to help!

Could I please remind parents once again of the two forthcoming school training days on June 2^nd and June 20^th. School will be closed for all except those taking examinations on both days.

The College had a regular pupil progress check meeting last week and I am very pleased to be able to report that there is significant academic improvement in all year groups compared to last year. This is a great reflection on all the hard work the students and staff have been putting in over the year to date. Well done to all.

Could I also thank Daniel H. and the post 16 leadership team for all they have done for not only the present post 16 pupils and the College but also for all their hard work over the post 16 study area and common room. Many students into the forthcoming years will benefit. I am very pleased to announce that Tim H, Dan’s deputy last year, has been appointed as Head Boy for this forthcoming year. He has a good team around him, also recently appointed, and I am looking forward to working with them in the future. How about a sports hall lads?

Please do not forget our 150^th Celebration Dinner at Plymouth Albion on June 27^th. Tickets are available from R. Hudson at the College,

 

rhudson@stbonifaces.com

Plymouth school’s athletic 'super 8' competition

Venue - Brickfields

Year 8/9 boys and girls.

Team of 16 (8 girls from ND and 8 boys from SBC)

We came 2nd out of 5 schools and this now qualifies us for the county championships which is to be held on the 25th June.

 “Awesome day” 

John B - 2nd Long Jump/2nd 100m

Rusiate T - 2nd in shot putt

Kobie C - 2nd high jump /2nd 300m

Ali R - 3rd high jump / 2nd hurdles

Lewis G - 2nd 300m

 Team of 8 girls and boys - won the medley race. (4x100 into 2x200 into 2x400)

Well Done to all – team photo below!

Mr Weaver.

 

 

HMS Heroes photo

 

Year 7

Finally a nice bit of sunshine to head into the weekend.

This week’s assembly was delivered by from Mr Ramage and Miss Heduvan. We got to see some very exciting video footage of Casey Stoner and how passionate he was at always trying to be the best that he could be as a MotoGP rider. We discussed imagining how things could be and how he used this passion and drive to focus on each race. Thank you for the lovely assembly Mr Ramage and Miss Heduvan, I think many of the Year 7’s walked away, in awe of such a great sport.

Next week we have our very exciting Celebration assembly where we have the opportunity to reward the Year 7 students for their achievements. I very much look forward to giving out lots of certificates and prizes.

As a year group we were very excited to hear that Miss Heduvan got engaged last weekend! Congratulations from all of Year 7!

I am concerned with the amount of Year 7 students who are starting to try and bend the rules on uniform. It is expected that all students have the correct uniform and look smart at all times. I know there are occasions where some of the older boys may be seen not sticking to this rule, but I know that their Head of Year is just as strict and on to them, as much as I am! My year group is something I am so proud of and hope, that with your parental support, we can nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand. One of the main issues I have, is appropriate footwear. Students should have leather school shoes and not black trainers. Thank you for your continued support.

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

·         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 lovely, sunshine-filled weekend!

Miss Beales

 

Year 8

Thanks to 8G who led our assembly so well last week on the theme of inspirational people. We heard about a wide range of people from the very humble to the very famous. It was particularly interesting to hear about those people who are closest to us in our daily life who provide a fantastic example to us and who encourage us towards living better and using our talents. Thanks to Mr Lord for organising things so well. Ali R. was presented with a certificate for being the top student in a young officials’ course where he was learning to be a football referee. Ali gained the ‘top whistle’ award!

Well done to Lewis E., who reports that his football team beat AFC Plympton 4-2 in a recent cup final. Ben B. tells me that he is playing cricket for the Luckett 2^nd team, an adult team, as well as playing for Cornwood U13. Excellent work!

Jack B. reports that his scout group have just completed an adventure training competition across the moors in which they finished 8^th out of 19. They got lost apparently but were organised enough to get back on track pretty quickly. Well done to him!

Mr Weaver took a group of students to Brickfields during the week which included Ali R. and John B. from our Year group. They were taking part in a ‘Super 8’ athletics competition in which they finished runners-up. This means that they have qualified for the County finals on the 25^th June. John was 2^nd in both the long jump and the 100m while Ali finished 2^nd in the hurdles and 3^rd in the high jump. Well done to both of them!

In counting up all the achievement points on the system this week, the Year group have amassed 3,227 points which is fantastic! Well done to all!

Mr. Tucker

 Year 9

Right on cue, as the exam season starts the sun makes an appearance, let’s hope it stays.

This week saw students from Mr Scott’s computer science class attend a workshop at the Apple store in the mall working on various multimedia projects; by all accounts they had a good time, Alusché was quoted as saying “it was amazing”, they were all happy to come away with a free tee shirt and USB wrist band.

Another group, travelled to Pennycross School to work with their students and a few from Shakespeare Primary together with Wren music on the Sing Music Project, this is building towards a performance at Plymouth Pavilion’s later in the summer – date to follow.

Congratulations to Marcelo who was the proud winner of a Kindle Fire for all his hard work in amassing over 100 merits last term, who will be this terms luck winner.

Again, just a reminder, that all students should be wearing their blazers at all times unless, given permission by the Head to remove it – Non Blazer Day, we need to keep up standards.

On that note, I am off to enjoy the good weather and I hope you will to, until next week, stay safe.

Mrs. Mcloughlin

 YEAR 10

The Year 11 students have now started their GCSEs, meaning the one-year countdown has now begun.  Year 10 students need to remain dedicated and focussed on their studies, revise their work regularly and prepare for the upcoming mock examinations in June.  This week will give students the chance to experience the GCSE atmosphere first-hand. They will sit their exams in the gym and be expected to bring suitable equipment.

I was very proud of the Year 10 students receiving awards at last week’s KS4 Awards Evening. It is always a special moment to reflect on the hard work the boys put in and recognise how far they have come over their time at St Boniface’s so far.

With paintball next week, half term the week after and work experience the week following it, the coming weeks are busy for Year 10 and the pastoral team.

Please ensure your son is signed up for an activity for Celebration Day – this is a whole school event that requires each student to take part in a group.

Mr Scott

Year 11

Good luck to all and remember – the harder you work the easier things become!

 I am concerned that a very few of the Year 11 pupils are unable to control themselves on their way home from exams and are causing disruption in Crownhill and in the local area of the College. Could you please talk to your son to ensure he is not part of this – once individuals have been identified I will ensure those causing the good name of the College to be damaged will stay in school full time until July 18^th. I will not allow the actions of a very few to tarnish the reputation we are building together.

Mr Davies

Post 16

Good luck to all taking their AS and A2 examinations!

 Please remember all post 16 lessons revert to normal operation after half term, the A2 courses begin

There is a St. Boniface’s College Celebration day for students on 14th July.

We are very pleased to have been asked to attend the Edmund Rice conference in Manchester on 20th June. 6 members of the post 16 leadership team along with Mr Tew will be present on our behalf. Further details to follow.

Sports day takes place on 4^th  July and the support of the Sports Leaders and post 16 students will be needed please.

Mr Tew

 

 

Lord, we pray

For justice and peace in our world.

We pray, too, that those

who use violence as a weapon

may be touched

by the reaction of people

who have been hurt by violence.

Influence each of us, Lord,

to bring justice and peace

to our own part of the world this day.

Amen

 

St. Boniface's Catholic College Headteachers Blog for wb 12.5.14

12.5.14 Week A

 

Hello once again!

 Well the day has finally arrived where we have wished our Year 11 students the best of good fortune in their forthcoming examinations which start with RE on Monday morning at 9.00am. They are a fine bunch of young men now and it is hard to forget that not so long ago they came as bright eyed year 7s into the big secondary school called St. Boniface’s – bags bigger than they were! How time flies…I am confident that as a year group they will do well and hope to see all of them back into their new refurbished common room and study room. A slight bump in the road before then called exams. I always try to calm nerves by reminding the pupils that exams are merely an opportunity for them to demonstrate exactly how good they are to others – once viewed in this way a lot of the associated stress can be reduced. We are all proud of them and each has a very special place to take up in our society, all we do is help them find it.

 

If parents of Year 11 pupils could please note that lessons will continue as normal until the boys have completed all exams associated with that particular subject. The exam timetable can be found on the College website:

 

www.stbonifaces.com

 Thank you to all who came to our Key Stage 4 Celebration evening last Tuesday – I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it was lovely to be able to share in the success of so many – well done to all. I hope the evening acts as an inspiration.

Could I bring to the attention of parents two forthcoming College training days on Monday June 2^nd and Friday June 20^th. On both of these days the College will be closed for all except those sitting examinations. Please make a note in your diaries.

Reminder of the Nick Maloney memorial rugby match at Devonport Services on Friday 9th May Kick Off 7pm. See you there!

Have a good weekend all,

 Mr Davies

 

PE

We had 16 students from year 8 and 9 out on a young officials award last week. They all passed and now hold officiating qualifications in either football, rugby or basketball. Ali R. was awarded with the young whistlers award for the best student on the course!

 The other students where: Jack C, James W, Lewis G, Harry S, Ben B, Liam J, Callum E, Dayne P, Josh R, Oliver H, Win M, Harry R, Luke F, Joe V and Marcin K.

 The year 8 cricket team played their first games of the cricket season on Tuesday evening beating Combe Dean and losing narrowly to Torbridge. Debuts for Mahdi and Jordan. All players played fantasticaly when fielding but some work is still needed with the bat!

We also have 15 students out soon on a Cricket coaching qualification!!

 The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses − behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights Muhammad Ali

 Mr. Greenway

 

Year 7

 A very, very rainy week to start May sadly! It’s pretty miserable for year 7 not to be able to play on the yard during break and lunch! Thank you to all of the year group for behaving appropriately during these adverse weather conditions!

Fantastic news from the PTFA that we have raised £894.94 for last week’s mufti day in aid of the Project MOTIV-8 which will see our gym refurbished for all students to enjoy. Well done everyone! A lovely array of “Onesies” from the Year 7’s!

 This week’s assembly was an informative assembly from Miss Heduvan and 7E. We were reminded about how dangerous energy drinks can be on our bodies and the harms involved. I think many of the Year 7’s walked away from the assembly, learning new information about the risks involved and how they should “think before they sip!”  The reading was loud and clear so everyone could hear! Thank you to 7E for putting in so much hard work to make this such a lovely assembly. We are very much looking forward to Mr Ramage, our Deputy Head’s assembly next Tuesday.

I am getting increasingly concerned with the amount of Year 7 students who are starting to try and bend the rules on uniform. It is expected that all students have the correct uniform and look smart at all times. I know there are occasions where some of the older boys may be seen not sticking to this rule, but I know that their Head of Year is just as strict and on to them, as much as I am! My year group is something I am so proud of and hope, that with your parental support, we can nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand. One of the main issues I have is appropriate footwear. Students should have leather school shoes and not black trainers. Thank you for your continued support.

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

·         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 lovely, peaceful weekend,

 Miss Beales

 

Year 8

 

Well done to the boys in 8E who made a splendid effort to put forward a very important message during last week’s assembly. The theme was on taking drugs and the peer-pressure that they can sometimes come under to do the wrong thing. Congratulations to those boys who were presented with their 100 merit vouchers by Mr MacCormick. This will allow them to opt into trading them for some very interesting treats in the near future!

Well done to the cricket team who played at Eggbuckland on Tuesday. They didn’t perform very well at all with the bat in their first game and were convincingly beaten by Tor Bridge but they responded very well against Coombe Dean in their second game which they won.

 Jay H. tells me that his football team have now won three trophies this season; the League Cup, the Devon Cup and the League! You would think that they would share it around a bit, wouldn’t you!

 Mr. B. Tucker

 Year 9

Well I thought I had returned to school a week early when I walked into my local supermarket last weekend every aisle I seemed to walk down I was greeted with “Right Miss”, “Miss Mcloughlin”, Morrisons was full of smartly dressed Army cadets helping shoppers with their bag packing, I’m told there were approx. 18 lads from the college giving up their Saturday, I was really proud to see them busily working away and chatting to customers as they worked, well done lads! What was interesting was how smartly dressed in their uniform they were, shirts tucked in, shoes clean etc. umm… maybe we could follow through with school uniform lads.

While on the subject of uniform, I notice a lot of trainers starting to creep in, can I reiterate that these are not schools shoes and are not permitted and pupils will be asked to get school shoes. Black Nike Air Trainers are NOT acceptable.

Back to a more positive subject, congratulations to the pupils who went to Exeter last Friday to play football, considering they have not been playing football together as team long they came a creditable 7^th out 15 teams.

Events coming up - This Friday we have 30 students combining with a number from year 10 working with a Royal Marine Visiting Team on team building skills, fitness, leadership skills and a Presentation, should be interesting, and on Monday, 12 students will be attending City College for an engineering taster day, reports to follow.

Monday 14th July, the college will be collapsing its timetable for students and staff to attend a trip of their choice for the day as part of the colleges 150^th Anniversary celebrations. Letters have been sent out, but can we be sure that all students have secured their place on the trip of their choice as soon as possible please.

Something nice to look forward to,  so again until next week…..have a good one.

Mrs. Mcloughlin

 

Year 10

 I was very proud of our students in Year 10 and 11 this week as they received their awards and certificates at the annual KS4 Awards Evening. Such a wonderful event, allowing their hard work to be recognised. Many thanks to Dr Summers and her team for enabling this opportunity for our students.  It was great to see so many Year 10 parents attending to support the year group too!

 Mr Claricoates coordinated a parent presentation from Camps International regarding the 2016 Cambodia trip for boys in Year 10-12. Many thanks to those who attended the meeting – it is sure to be an exciting year ahead fundraising for these willing volunteers.

We have a group of students taking part in a Royal Marines event this week and several events at Plymouth University and beyond in the coming weeks.  Plus paintballing, work experience and Celebration Day!  A busy term ahead.

Keep up the good work Year 10!

 Mr Scott

Year 11

This is it, the final year 11 blog entry.  Five years have flown by and your son is now ready to take on his next challenge. The celebration evening last Tuesday went smoothly and was an overall success. It was great to see the boys pick up their awards which they genuinely deserved. Thank you to Dr Summers for organising the evening for us, along with Mr Ramage. The boys will all have a leavers assembly on Friday the 9^th May and will be free to leave at 12.35 pm.  However, your son will still be expected to attend lessons until the examination in that particular subject has been taken.  The first examination, RE, will start in earnest on Monday the 12^th May, so the time for your son to knuckle down has arrived. 

Just a reminder that the examination results will be available from 10.00 am on the 21^st August 2014, in the school hall.   If you want your son’s results posted to you please leave a stamped addressed envelope with the school reception for Mrs Gimblett, our examinations officer, so she can send them to you.  You as a parent / carer, or a friend can pick up your son’s examination results on his behalf , if you wish, but your son must write a letter himself giving his permission for this to go ahead.  Without this letter of permission you will not be able to pick up your son’s examination results. 

Please find below some timely advice for your son has he prepares for his examinations, from John, one of our year 11 boys:

Some 'last minute tips'

1. Focus first on the areas you are weakest at

2. Attempt past paper questions on these areas

3. Attempt some mind maps

4. Balance revision with chill. Too much revising will make you tired.

5. Revise with your friends and family

6. Good luck in the exams

 

Thanks John, for your kind contribution to the blog.   I’m sure the other boys will appreciate your caring comments.   

 

Even though this will be the final entry of the blog please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time if you are unsure of anything regarding your son’s preparation for his examinations or his general well-being.  You can always contact me via e-mail.

It’s been a privilege being the Head of Year for your son over the last five years.  I wish him all the very best and a prosperous future.   My job is now more or less done, so this is Mr C Redfern signing off. 

 

Post 16

Another successful week with the Sixth Form. Thanks must go to all members of the sixth form who helped collect last weeks Mufti money. A great job of collecting and counting.

I was very proud to be invited to the first presentation of our Level 3 Business management students: Callum, Majiec, Stanislav, Tino, Munashe, Matthew, Callum, Ryan,and Tom for all their hard work and dedication. This is the first time that we have tried to combine vocational and academic. A great deal of thanks to their tutor Linda and Helen at GHQ for making the project worthwhile. The pictures should be in the Herald soon. This is a very worthwhile qualification and makes St Boniface’s students unique in the City. Congratulations to Ryan who has now gained his apprenticeship with British Aerospace doing Business Administration. This management course is a great combination with many subjects.

The NVQ Sports Coaches are also nearing completion. They do a lot of work with the Primary schools and get St Boniface’s noticed in a positive way. The Level 2 and Level3 courses are well subscribed and special thanks must go to Sarah for her organisational skills and the way she motivates the students.

Our other unique NVQs are coming to a close with the Teaching Assistant course and accountancy on for 100% achievement. Both these courses put a lot of effort into practical applications and make our curriculum unique.

Applications are open to year 11 to do these courses. A great way into apprenticeships and to make your UNi application stand out.

We appointed a new Head boy and team and special thanks must go to the old team who can now focus on their examinations and future. I thank them and wish them all the best of luck.

 Mr Tew

 

Prayer for Students

Father of Light and Wisdom,
thank you for giving me
a mind that can know
and a heart that can love.

Help me to keep learning every day of my life--
no matter what the subject may be.
Let me be convinced that all knowledge leads to you
and let me know how to find you and love you
in all the things you have made.

Encourage me when the studies are difficult
and when I am tempted to give up
Enlighten me when my brain is slow
and help me to grasp the truth held out to me.

Grant me the grace to put my knowledge to use
in building the kingdom of God on earth
so that I may enter the kingdom of God in heaven.
Amen.

 

 

 

Become a Bikeability Instructor this September

When: 8th/9th/10th/11th September (All four dates must be attended)

Time: 0900 to 1700

Where: Sir John Hunt CSC, Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh, Plymouth, PL5 4AA

Cost: FREE!!!*T&Cs

For more information or an application form contact:

Fiona Haley

E: psspadmin@sirjohnhunt.plymouth.sch.uk

T: 01752 515 385

Plymouth Bike It Plus May Newsletter

Here  is my latest newsletter with updates on what I've been up to promoting active travel in schools, plus news on new walking and cycling routes, Plymotion, Bikespace, Plymouth Sky Ride and Sustrans nationally and locally.

If you'd like any more information about anything in the newsletter, or would like to contribute to the next one, please get in touch.

Ryan Evans

Sustrans Bike It Plus Officer

T +441752307758

E ryan.evans@plymouth.gov.uk

SEND Climbing Club

When: Fridays Weekly @ 5-6pm

Where: Climbing Wall, Plymouth Life Centre

Who: SEND children aged 7-16yrs old

Cost: £3 per session or £15 for 6 sessions

To book your places please contact:

Sports Development Unit

T: 01752 307 008

E: sportsdev@plymouth.gov.uk

FA Regional Coaching Conference – Developing Creativity

When: Saturday 31st May

Where: Callington CC

Who:  All coaches and teachers with an interest in football in the region

Cost: £55 for licensed coaches and £85 for non-licensed coaches

The day has the theme of ‘developing creativity’ and will include sessions and workshops led by FA coaches and a guest from the League Manager’s Association (LMA). Refreshments and lunch will be provided and all participants will also receive FREE access to the Future Game App which is worth up to £35.

Find further details here

To save £30 become a licensed coach now for FREE here

 

  

FA Skills Coach Job

The FA are excited to announce a new vacancy that is now available in Devon to work as an FA Skills Coach, working in Primary schools, FA Skills Centres and with grassroots clubs. The applicant will need to have a minimum of a FA Level 2 football coaching qualification and have completed the FA Youth Award Module One.

To apply or for more details click here

 

 

Learn 2Row 5 Day Course

When: Weekly for 5 weeks Mon+ Tue 16.30 – 18.30. Weds 18.00 -20.00

Where: Reception of Mount Batten Water Sports centre

Who: Year 7 to Adults

Cost: £35 for the course

These courses are designed for beginners to learn the basics of rowing and sculling.

During the course you will learn;

Boat House safety/Carrying Lifting a boatRowing forward/backwards /Turning your boat left/rightStopping the boatIndividual skills against the clockCrew work six in a boat.Hypothermia and cold water emersionCapsize drill ( completed in a swimming pool date TBC)Rowing terminology

Find out more or access the booking form here

Kev Seller

T: 07722569557

E: ksellar@plymstockschool.org.uk

 

 

Britain Goes Blue! Schools Event

When: Friday 6th June

Where: Mount Batten Centre

Who: Year6-13

We’re totally chuffed that Go Blue! has reached all four corners of Britain; from Cornwall to Essex; Pembrokeshire to Norfolk; Kintyre to Inverness, and dozens of places in between we’ve got most bases covered.

Thank YOU for making this happen!

 It’s not too late to jump on board with us on 6-8 June. If you want to organise a watery event and do something amazing for our seas, shores and wildlife, you can register on our website. 

The Blue Mile Team is also busy planning a schools event at Mount Batten Watersports Centre on Friday 6thJune for children and young people from Yr6 to Yr13.

 

 

National Mini Tennis Month 2014

When: Saturday 17th May @ 13:00-14:00

Where: South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, PL21 9ES

Who: Tots 3-5years, Red 5-8years, Orange 8-9years, Green 10years

Cost: FREE

Come and try our FREE parent and child mini tennis sessions with tennisMAD. Mini Tennis is the perfect introduction to tennis, using smaller courts and lower bouncing balls.

For more information or to book please contact:

TennisMAD

Flyer

T: 01752 426322

E: admin@tennis-mad.co.uk

 

 

Great British Tennis FREE Weekends

When: May 17th-18th, June 22nd-29th, July 19-20th

Where: South Devon Tennis Centre, Ivybridge, PL21 9ES

Who: Everyone

Cost: FREE

Play tennis for free including free coaching from TennisMAD!

For more information or to book please contact:

www.greatbritishtennisweekend.com

 

 

Sky Ride: Let’s Ride Plymouth

When: Sunday 25th May @ 11am-3pm

Where: The Hoe

Cost: FREE

Join us on a fantastic traffic free ride through the city. Be one of the first 1,000 to sign up and receive a special reward on the day. Everyone who signs up for Sky Ride Plymouth is entitled to a FREE expert bike check (worth £14.99) at Halfords.

Sign up at http://www.goskyride.com/PlymouthSkyRide

 

 

Plymouth Para-Badminton

When: Weekly Sundays @ 10-11am

Where: Life Centre

Who: All abilities aged +14 years

Cost: FREE throughout May (normally £3 per session)

The Plymouth CBN have been successful in applying for Badminton England’s Inclusive Fund to run regular para-badminton sessions. We have Harry Mo leading the sessions.

For further details please contact:

PCC Sports Development Unit

01752 307008

 

 

Premier League Players’ Kit Scheme

New funding has just opened from the Football Foundation and Premier League. 

The latest window of the Premier League Players’ Kit Scheme officially opened for applications last week, open to all schools, FE Institutions and District Representative Sides.

All 20 Premier League clubs will also provide new kits for 200 schools involved in their Premier League Schools Sport programme. Schools, further education institutions and district representative sides can all apply online for their kits.

For more information please visit: Devon FA

 Christopher French

County Development Manager        

T: 01626 325918

M: 07816 787194

E: chris.french@devonfa.com

 

 

Plymouth Marjon Lacrosse Club

When: Sunday weekly

Where: Marjon Sports Centre, PL6 8BH

Who: Anyone aged 10+

This sport is fun for all sessions will cater for all levels

First two sessions are FREE!!!

To book please contact: 

Sophie Eaton

Head Coach

E: 20045016@marjon.ac.uk            

M: 07837779155

 

 

Devon Games to Inspire Trials May 2014

The Devon Games to Inspire is an Olympic style event featuring a range of sporting competitions for 8 to 16 year olds. All 10 local authorities within Devon take part with individuals being selected to represent the city of Plymouth through trials.

The Games aim to celebrate youth sport, provide a new level of competition for young people with sporting potential under county level, encourage and promote links between schools, national governing bodies, leisure departments and voluntary sports clubs and create a spirit of friendly co-operation between authorities in Devon.

The trials taking place are as follows:

Mixed Tennis 10-12years old – Wednesday 14th May

Mixed Hockey Yr 6/7/8 - Friday 16th May

 Mixed Table Tennis Yr 9 & 10 - Wednesday 21st May

 Girls Badminton 11-13years old - Friday 23rd May

 Girls Rugby Yr 7/8/9 - Friday 23rd May

 To access the posters for more details on the trials click here