It’s that time of year again when we showcase all the inspiring, beautiful work our Music, Art, Drama and DT Departments and their talented students have been working on all year.

The Summer Arts Festival takes place on July 5 with special performances and monolgues  from our  Drama  budding actors and the harmonious choir plus exhibitions from Art and Design Technology students.

A BBQ and refreshments on the Friary Lawn in the glorious sunshine is on the menu too.

Running from 4pm until 6.30pm, tickets are going fast and cost £5 for adults with free entry for Under 5s. Older children and students’ ticket are priced at £2. This ticket  will need to be shown at the BBQ.

The infamous Art auction will showcase some exquisite pieces with the chance to purchase and own a unique piece of artwork.

Proceeds from the event will go to ‘Creative Futures’ – a registered charity dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and young people through the arts.

Entrance on Thursday will be via the playground on St Antony’s Road. Cars will be allowed to park on this playground too as it’s permit holders only in virtually the whole of Newham now. So no excuse not to come and support this wonderful event!

The weather forecast looks good so what better way to spend a summer’s evening, with culture, music, art, beauty and nibbles and nosh….perfect!

Our Year 12 and Year 10 students sat intently listening to massively successful Irish businessman and bullionaire, Paul Coulson, who came in to speak today, July 3, about himself and his business.

Paul is the largest stakeholder and Chairman of  the Ardagh Group that produces bottles, cans and packaging and is hugely popular globally.

Paul, 66, spoke about his early life and growing up in Ireland and how he was educated by the Jesuits. His faith remains really strong and he maintains connections with brilliant Boston College – the Jesuit Catholic university in Massachusetts.

He chatted about the mistakes he has made and how he has learned from those mistakes. He added it was vitally important to always care for your employees and remain humble. He gave some excellent advice to our pupils and was very relaxed.

His savvy business eye has made him a multi millionaire  and he was happy to share his experiences with St Bonaventure’s today.

Students got involved and lots asked of questions after the session too.

Paul’s visit was part of the Speakers For Schools Programme.

Mr Halliwell commented: “The students really appreciated the visit and I know it has inspired a lot of them to follow their dreams, do well and make a difference in the world.”

Year 6 students from St Edward’s Primary School in Upton Park came in to school today, June 29, for an exciting science lesson with our Agnus Dei Year 2 university STEM undergraduate Interns.

The ten and eleven year olds really enjoyed their lesson and made ice cream and carried out various tasks and experiments whilst having a lot of fun.

Certificates were given out at the end of the morning session and one of the Interns, former St Bon’s student, Anthony Onwuli  remarked: “They were all really keen and loved getting involved. Hopefully today’s lesson will encourage them to begin to love science and whet their appetite.”  He added. “They had three challenges and had to construct three structures, a high tower, a ledge and a bridge with prizes given out to the best pupils. Myself and my colleagues were really impressed with them and hope they loved their lesson.”

The Interns looked very comfortable teaching and took to their new roles wonderfully.

Meet the new House Captains representing Atkinson, Bell, Colman, Forest, Gregory, Heath, Wall and Kolbe.

Today we welcomed eighteen new members of staff in to school for an induction day.

Some of the staff have already started and some will be joining St Bon’s in September but today was a chance to all meet each other, meet other members of staff and have a tour of the school with students.

Fifteen came together for a group photo on the Friary lawn this morning, June 25, and we look forward to them joining us in September.

The staff are; Ms Ahmad, Science, Ms Ahsan, English, Mr Czernuszka, Science, Mr Duphey, Geography, Mr Fitzgerald, Science, Mr Higgs, Science, Mr Imrith, Maths, Mr Leith, Site Supervisor, Ms Logier, Science, Mr Maduabueke, Maths, Ms Mehegan, Social Sciences, Mr Morrice, Geography, Ms O’Neill, MFL, Mr Pigott, Maths, Ms Purdue, Geography, Ms Warren, Music, Ms Wolton MFL and Mr Brobbey, Science.

What a year this is turning out to be.

Another tournament, another trophy for our remarkable Year 8 sportsmen.

This time the trophy was golden and glitzy and resembled the famous World Cup.

Our Year 8 futsal team won the Genesis Futsal tournament, winning their three group games against Little Ilford School, East London Science School and Brampton Manor Academy before beating Oasis Academy 5-3 in the semi finals.

The final was a great game which ended 4-1 to St Bonaventure’s, Divin Mubama with 2 goals, Joel Mputu with 1 and Mekhi Charles-Armstrong finished off an incredible passage of play for the goal of the day.

Enos Duah received the keeper of the day award and Divin Mubama was named player of the tournament.

What an achievement and what a year Mr Firth is having!

Today, June 21, we gave out the remaining two Jack Petchey awards to students.

June’s award went to 13 year old Noah Myers for his excellence both academically and athletically. He is a real team player who helped secure the win for St Bon’s at the Worcester final of the National handball Championships recently against Pate’s Grammar School. He has also just been selected to represent London in Manchester for his basketball skills playing for the London Lions.

The final 6th Form award of the school year was presented to former St Angel’s student, 17 year old Elizabeth Oluga who joined our Year 12 in September.

Elizabeth picked up her certificate for the work she has done with TELCO this year and she has impressed staff with her caring, gentle nature. She was also praised for the way she supported a student through a really traumatic time earlier this year, visiting him in hospital and was a good friend to him too. “A Bon’s girl, through and through” added Mr Halliwell.

Well done and we look forward to seeing them along with ten other worthy winners receive their gongs at the glittering awards ceremony at the O2 on September 25.

INTERVIEWS for the new 2018 -2019 Head Boy and Deputy Head Boys took place on Friday, June 15, with Mr Halliwell, Ms Qurrey and Mr Hayes on the panel.

The quality of candidates was really impressive Mr Halliwell reported, but after much cogitation and deliberation this morning he announced the new Head Boy to be former St Winefride’s pupil, 10 Forest’s Chibuike Agu.

Chibuike was thrilled to receive the title and says he’s really looking forward to helping make a difference in school in the forthcoming year.

10 Heath’s Kelvin Paul and 10 Gregory’s Adrian Osuoha were named as Deputy Head Boys too.

Many congratulations from everyone in school.

Head Boy, Chibuike

Deputy Head Boy, Kelvin

Deputy Head Boy, Adrian