08/05/15
INSIDE THE ISSUE:
Quotation of the week
“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms
that have been tried from time to time," Winston Churchill.
-2– Mock Election Winners
The Holy Family Mock Election
As Winston Churchill’s quote reminds us, our democracy may not be perfect,
but it is certainly preferable to the alternatives. We held our mock election last
week and it was great to see so many students (and staff) voting. Mr Lodziak
and his team of sixth form students did a great job in explaining the policies of
the different parties and the political process to the students and the mock
election produced a resounding win for the Labour Party with 60% of all votes
cast. I’m not sure we will wake up on Friday morning to find that result mirrored in the rest of the UK!
-3- Poetry & Music Night
Non-uniform day
Thank you for your support of the non-uniform day –this added another useful
sum of money (over £1500) to our fundraising efforts. We will continue with
regular monthly non-uniform days. The new building is looking really good and
I know our sixth form students will be delighted to have use of it. Our next major PTA fundraiser will be the Summer Fair on Saturday 20th June.
Yr 11 arrangements
A separate letter has gone out from Mr Murphy and Ms Dixon detailing arrangements for Yr 11 students as they take and complete their examination
programmes. If you have any questions about the programme for Yr 11 please
contact Mr Murphy or Ms Dixon.
Behaviour outside school
I’m concerned that a small number of students do not behave as they should
on the way home from school. We patrol the local streets and bus-stops after
school but a) we can’t be everywhere and b) we shouldn’t need to be. It is
very disappointing when students behave in an anti-social way and it reflects
badly on the school. We will contact parents where we have concerns about
behaviour outside school and we have the right to apply sanctions to students
who mis-behave at this time. I have to say I think some parents would be very
unhappy at how their sons/daughters behave on the way home and it is for
parents and families to take responsibility for student behaviour as well as the
school.
Parents’ Surgery
Parents’ surgery is every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm on the Walthamstow site.
If ever I am unavailable then a member of my senior team substitutes for me.
Please continue to remember us in your prayers.
Dr Andy Stone
Headteacher
-2– Letter from the English
Department
-4— Chaplain’s Corner
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Congratulations to Florence Ayoade,
Evie Baxter and Kimberly Rodriguez who
won the Holy Family Catholic School Mock
Election last week .
Labour won in each constituency, winning all
7 seats. What a landslide.
Labour would have wiped out all parties in a
Holy Family parliament in a FPTP system.
Their biggest share of the vote was with Year
8 (76%), lowest with year 11 (43%)
The Green Party came a respectable second
place, securing between 16%-20% of the
vote with Year 10, Sixth Form and Staff.
Monster Raving Loony Party had the most
diverse in popularity: 30% of vote amongst
Year 11s, 1% amongst staff.
Well done to Year 11
Well done to our Year 11s who sat their first GCSE examination on Tuesday. It was a big one to
start with: English Language.
The English Department report that all the students were well prepared for their exam and that
their attitude to learning and the knowledge that they are ultimately responsible for their own
achievement has been extremely high all year.
The day started with a final reminder about the exam and a chance for the English teachers to
boost their confidence and settle their nerves. At 1:45pm every Year 11 student was ready and
outside the exam hall eager to get started. The exam started at 2pm and at 4pm happy smiling
faces emerged.
The Year 11s have been an absolute delight to work with this year in English and are a credit to
their families who are going through this difficult time with them. All that’s left to say from the
English Department is well done and we wish you every success with all your other exams.
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Chaplain’s corner – 8th May 2015
In school we have already started public examinations - English and Drama have already taken place for year 11 students and others are soon following. Our Sixth form
are also in the midst of exams and I encourage all of us to pray for their success.
I am also mindful that for some in year 11 and for all in year 13 their time in our school
community is finishing.
The following are some thoughts and words of encouragement:
Dear students,
I wish you every success in future endeavours. As you embark on life’s great adventure
here are some thoughts:
Allow yourself to dream, to hold on to the vision of your childhood, and, as you get older try and follow that vision. There will be times when you lose or forget that vision, try
and begin again to make that dream come true.
Give yourself permission to make mistakes. There is no other way to grow. Forgive
yourself every day because there are people who will often condemn you. If you do this
you will begin to accept and even love your own weakness and vulnerability. Without
this growth you will never really know the meaning of God’s power and strength.
Allow yourself to have joy. This world can be a demanding place with relentless expectations. Some people feel guilty about loving themselves, about enjoying the pleasures
of life. They grow up very serious.
Believe in your own ability, in your beauty, in the shining light of God that you
carry.
Do not forget to be delighted with yourself, to be proud of who you are, to want to be
nobody else. You are the glory of God, full of divine energy and healing.
In the work you choose, do what you love – the money will follow
Learn to accept the darkness and disappointments of your life. This is a slow and painful lesson. Without some form of suffering, you will never become compassionate.
Above all believe in God’s immense love for you. You will never walk alone. There is
nothing to fear. Always remember that.
My prayers to you all
Michael Georgiou -School Chaplain
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