Just a reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday November 20, school is open as usual for all staff and students.

The only change is that Reception will close at 4pm and there will be no after school clubs, detentions or sporting activities so staff can leave to attend the planned demonstration outside the Catholic Cathedral in Westminster.

The protest is to secure funding for education and to protest against cuts to school funding.

No student should be in school after 4pm.

A group of our scientists have made it through to the next stage of the RSC Chemistry  Mastermind Competition’s Essex heat.

This is brilliant news especially as it’s the first time the school has taken part.

Kairon Conception from 11 Bell, Shams Ullah from 10 Heath and William Mena and Selorm Amenu from 9 Gregory had to complete a gruelling test that was marked externally.

Mr Adenekan was thrilled when he heard St Bonaventure’s had been placed in the top 7 out of 41 schools that participated,  most of them fee paying and grammar schools  from across Essex.

The lads prepared by having additional booster classes and tests to decide who would go on to represent the school.

Mr Halliwell wishes them all the luck in the world at the semi finals next month.

This lunchtime Cardinal Manning Hall was alive with the sound  of music as our talented performers and musicians put on a concert for staff and students.

Head of Music, Ms Warren  and Mr Reece should feel very proud as it was spectacular and a great way to spend lunchtime.

Here are some of the performers in action.

We open our doors this Thursday, October 11, to Year 6 boys and their families for our Open Evening.

Tours of the classrooms, chats with students and teachers and the Headteacher’s address will all be on the curriculum.

Mr Halliwell will speak to parents at 6pm before students take parents on a tour. The evening runs from 6pm until 8pm.

We are looking forward to welcoming prospective students.

CURRENT STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT WE ARE HAVING AN EARLY CLOSE ON THURSDAY TO ACCOMMODATE THE OPEN EVENING.

STUDENTS WILL BE DISMISSED AT 12.30PM  AND THE FOLLOWING DAY SCHOOL STARTS AN HOUR LATER AT 9.45AM (OCTOBER 12.)

St Bonaventure’s has been awarded The Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI) Schools Programme Mark for outstanding teaching in  the English Department.

The PTI launched the Schools Programme in 2007 to recognise and reward school departments that develop inspirational ideas and activities which enhance the teaching of Art, English, Geography, History, Latin, Maths, MFL, Music and Science, regardless of their pupils’ backgrounds or abilities.

The programme is run as a membership group for school departments that choose to commit to increasing the challenge of their subject provision.

Our English department received the Mark in recognition of the hard work, dedication and innovative work staff do every day to get the best outcomes for their students. 

Curriculum Leader for English, Ms Adedoyin-Salau, added: “We are delighted to have been awarded the PTI Mark and we will be proud to carry the Mark on all our marketing materials in school as evidence of our commitment to inspirational teaching.”

Mr Halliwell commented: “The English Department should feel very proud.” 

Year 8 boys  took part in a very active workshop this morning, Thursday October 4, when staff from Eastside Community Heritage came into interact with them for Black History Month.

Hannah Forsythe and Francis Ball helped the students in Ms Patel’s and Mr Flynn’s class celebrate and learn about the contribution the black community has made to the UK.

The lads acted out scenarios and filmed and recorded their minidramas in class which was a lot of fun and very informative. 

Thanks to Eastside for coming in today and making the lesson so enjoyable.

Yesterday, October 3, the Agnus Dei Teaching School Alliance welcomed eight PGCE students into school to start their induction and training.

They met with various departments and received training in readiness for their start into the world of lessons, lesson plans, marking, mentoring, pupils and pastoral care.

Ms Puy is a Spanish and French student from Goldmiths,  Ms Tzaferai is a Maths student from Goldsmiths, Ms Miah, an English student from Goldsmiths, Ms Kaya an Art student from Goldsmiths and the Institute of Education’s Ms Habib who is an English student, Ms Landolt – a German student, Ms Owoseje, a Social Science student and Ms Ballantyne-Brown a Maths student.

It was lovely to meet them all and welcome them into St Bonaventure’s.

18 year old Israel Owolabi from Custom House has today been named as our 6th Form September Jack Petchey award winner.

Israel is in Year 13 and is studying for his A Levels in Economics, Psychology and Computer Science.

He is a member of the Senior Student Leadership Team and is the Deputy Head Boy. He is an excellent role model for his fellow students and mentors Year 12s.

He is always polite and is an excellent student who has impressed staff since he joined St Bonaventure’s 6th Form from Kingsford Community School.

Mr Halliwell presented him with his certificate today and said: “I only wish Israel had been with us for his whole secondary school education as he is a gentleman and it’s an honour to know him.”

Israel plans to go paint-balling with his award money.

Last week, Ms Roddy, the Assistant Director of the 6th Form, was delighted to welcome Steve Oakes, the co-author of ‘The A Level Mindset’ and ‘The GCSE Mindset’ into school where he delivered VESPA training to the Year 12 Tutor Team.

With the increasing attention being paid to non-cognitive attributes in education, based on the accumulating evidence of their importance as predictors of educational achievement outcomes, St Bon’s 6th Form are excited to be partaking in this important research project which is being run in collaboration with the Psychology Department at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Ms Roddy commented: “Year 12 students will have weekly VESPA sessions as part of their tutorial programme and we look forward to the journey ahead.”