ST BON’S FAB FOUR HAVE THE WINNING FORMULA

By Publicity Manager8th April 2019
Four young 13 year old Year 8 boys from St Bonaventure’s are celebrating today after coming away with the top prize as they were named the  winners out of  thirteen Grammar, Independent and Comprehensive schools across London and beyond that took part in the Festival of Chemistry at UCL’s Department of Chemistry.
 
The competition took place on Friday, April 5 and the objective was to help promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young.
 
Certainly, Hassan Ramzan, Awais Ramzan, Saad Rana and Tushar Patel had their appetites for the subject whetted as they came away with winning first place certificates and a Molymod and huge beaming smiles according to Science teacher, Ms Sandra Godwin-Martin who went with the students.
 
She went on to explain: “They had been preparing for the competition for weeks, coming to me in lunchtime sessions and gaining confidence and experience. They all worked incredibly hard and so when they had to complete their practical experiment to investigate the factors affecting the rates of reactions in only a minute, they were really confident and I was so proud. They obviously impressed the judges too and we were overjoyed when our name was called out as coming first.”
 
The students loved carrying out the investigations “like a real Chemist” and it encouraged them to work in teams and independently to solve problems as well as meeting and interacting with like minded Chemistry enthusiasts. Working with University students to gain an understanding of University life was intriguing and new for the students too.
 
Salters’ Festivals are a series of one-day fun events help at universities up and down the UK and Ireland. Started in 1991, it’ds thought that more than 50,000 students have experienced the fun of practical chemistry. The Royal Society of Chemistry have been in partnership with Salter’s Festivals of Chemistry since 2005.
 
Headteacher and former Science teacher, Mr Paul Halliwell, called the four into his office today to congratulate them adding: “As a Chemistry lover myself I was thrilled that St Bonaventure’s students came away with first prize. They should feel really proud of their achievement as am I.”

A LITTLE BIRDS TELLS ME MR BASTIAN IS RAISING MONEY

By Publicity Manager8th April 2019

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? no, it’s our very own Superman dressed as a big bright yellow bird, Mr Bastian, who is courageously going to run The London Marathon in his Ostrich costume.

Mr Bastian’s chosen charity is called ‘Get Kids Going’ and to date he has managed to raise £340 but he needs to raise £2000. He went on to explain: “As a PE teacher I am, of course, a big advocate of the importance that sport and activity can play in someone’s life and I would like to be part of a cause that promotes the chances of disabled children being able to access any sort of physical activity.”

He is currently busy training for the April 28 event and says the costume is heavy but he is determined to wear it to attract lots of attention and make the day colourful and fun for the crowd.

A collection box can be found in Reception at school if anyone wants to donate or the link to his fundraising page for donations online is below.

Please support him if you can and help him fly around the course.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidBastian/1

THE PATHFINDERS

8th April 2019Publicity Manager
This morning, April 8, Year 9 boys who who are participating in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in school have been volunteering to help create the beautiful new wildlife garden in West Ham Park that’s on our doorstep.
Despite the rain, the boys worked really hard throughout. Mrs Racon went on to explain: ” I was incredibly impressed with what they achieved, as was the Learning Officer from The City of London Parks, Kate. They wheelbarrowed mulch piles and took them to create paths from scratch with wood chip and nearly completed the whole thing which was incredible.” She added: “The boys were so desperate to stay and finish the job that I am arranging for them to do a second session so they can finish it off.
“I am so proud of them, they have really enhanced and added value to the garden and the local community and shown how young men can give 100%  in a selfless act of very hard work that will benefit others.”
She finished off by saying: ” I bet they will be achy tomorrow after all their physical hard work.”
This activity will go towards their award.

KARATE LEGEND SPEAKS TO STUDENTS

By Publicity Manager3rd April 2019
We were honoured to welcome into St Bon’s today, April 3,  one of the  greatest martial arts competition fighters of his generation, Geoff Thompson MBE.
Geoff visited Year 12 and spoke about his own life and struggling with his identity as he grew up before becoming a world heavyweight champion in karate and his dedication to helping young people.
He explained that as Chair of Governors at UEL, he wants the Stratford campus to be a safe, community space for everyone. He also explained about the Youth Charter programme that he wants students and staff from St Bonaventure’s to get involved in. 
Many students took the time to come and personally thank Geoff for his inspiring words. He left them with a clear message that they as young people will change the world if they work hard and believe in themselves – they need to use their head, their heart and the feeling in their belly to make a difference. What wise words.
The students are wearing elements of red today as we are raising  money for Red Wednesday for the charity Aid to the Church in Need.

NEW SENIOR STUDENT LEADERS ANNOUNCED

By Publicity Manager25th March 2019

Say congratulations to the new 6th Form  Head boy, James Appiah and Headgirl Manisha Shajan who were interviewed last week and chosen to be the new senior student leaders.

 

As exam season is almost upon us and revision becomes more intense, the students are all geared up to take over from the 2018/2019 SSLT team and current Headboy Jamie and Headgirl Asanaye. 

The team includes:

Deputy Head Boy

Verny Sutherland

 Deputy Head Girl

Imaan Sheikh
Deputy Head Boy

Neeraj Patel

 

 Deputy Head Girl

Aysha Jolly

 
Senior Prefect – Dawid Bakula Senior Prefect – Dana Levsa
Senior Prefect – Lionel Jorge Senior Prefect – Priyanka Rana
Senior Prefect – Anthony Nkpa Senior Prefect – Mahia Rahman
Well done all!

 

ARE YOU REDDY?

By Publicity Manager25th March 2019

Red Wednesday is a day of action organised by Aid To The Church In Need. 

Their aim is to assist everyone that is persecuted because of faith.This was set up by the Catholic Church to ensure religious freedom and to fight for peace in the places in the world where it is dangerous to publicly discuss your beliefs.
In solidarity with those that live in fear, our staff and students are being urged to wear something red to school.
On Wednesday April 3 we will be supporting this with a Mufti Day and students are being asked to donate  between £2 – £5, preferably on Parent Pay. Anyone not paying on Parent Pay will be expected to pay the cash if they come in to school not wearing their uniform.

Mr Halliwell went on to explain: “As a community founded on peace and love, we would hope that all humans would live in harmony, not built on tolerance but on acceptance of each and appreciating and enjoying the difference in each of us.

“Unfortunately, the recent incidents in New Zealand show that there is far too much anger and hatred in the world and most of this is directed at minorities because of their faith. We are reeling from the shooting of Muslims whilst at prayer by someone claiming to be defending Christianity.
“Since the start of March this year, over 120 Christians in Michika, Nigeria have been killed by Boko Haram in the name of Islam, including a group of women and children who were praying in Church.
“This must stop.”
Red Wednesday has taken place in St Bonaventure’s for the past 3 years and has always been really well supported and we feel sure this year will be no different.

FARADAY CHALLENGE FUN

By Publicity Manager14th March 2019

Year 8s took part in the  IET Faraday Challenge Day sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation in school today and after working in groups, Team 4 were declared the overall winners.

Today’s challenge is in association with the James Webb Space telescope.

Teams raced against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem to test their skills and knowledge.

The winning team collected a crystal trophy.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT SHELLERBRATE NEW ADDITION

By Publicity Manager14th March 2019

Our new science student is a real hard case but he’s coming out of his shell and settling in well however he’s not your regular boy, he’s a 10 year old Horsefield tortoise called Bert.

Ms Tidd said Bert was lonely at home so she decided to bring him in to school to live in room 25 and be looked after by Mr Bennett, Mrs Racon and Petchey award winner, Joseph Chakko, who’s in 9 Kolbe.

Bert is a bit of a fussy eater and Joseph is trying to encourage him to widen his diet and introduce new tasty delights to his menu.

Apparently he is very stubborn and loves to dig and he is living in a huge, deep table carpeted with soil and sand. The plan is, however, to allow Bert more freedom and for him to roam room 25 when the older 6th form classes have lessons. He’s a fast mover too according to Mrs Racon.

There are plans for him to enjoy the great outdoors this summer and Mr Young will make him an outside run.

Welcome to the science department family Bert!

 

SPREADING LOVE NOT HATE

By Publicity Manager11th March 2019

Year 9 and 11 students listened to Margaret Mizen and her son Danny today speak about the death of 16 year old Jimmy today, March 11, in two special assemblies in school when the theme of the talks was forgiveness and love.

Margaret is a regular visitor to school but this is the first time Danny has visited.

He spoke openly about the day he discovered his younger brother had died at the hands of bully Jake Fahri and the aftermath of the tragedy as well as his coming to terms with what happened.

The students were reminded that violence and knives only bring misery and destruction to people’s lives. Violence, intimidation and bullying can never be seen as acceptable and Margaret spoke about how  her deep faith ultimately helped her to forgive Jimmy’s murderer.

Students went away feeling hopeful and with plenty to think about.

 

NOAH’S KNOCKOUT NEWS

By Publicity Manager11th March 2019
One of our brilliant basketball boys, Noah Myers, who’s 14 and in 9 Forest,  has been selected for England Boys under 14/15 team, which is a phenomenal effort on his part.
It was announced at 10am on Friday, March 8, and when Mr Ancora told him he was overjoyed to be selected.
Noah has also been selected for the initial Junior NBA team, along with another of our students, Marc Mendoza last year.
Noah will represent England in that too so it’s a very busy period for him in the next few weeks. 
Nice one Noah!