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