BEDEALl about IT St. Bede's Catholic Comprehensive School, Peterlee Oh, What a night! Autumn 2014 Kevin Ball the former Black Cats player was on hand to present awards to students who have achieved their; academic, pastoral, vocational and sporting goals. Ex-Sunderland AFC player and the club’s former caretaker manager, Kevin Ball handed out the accolades at our annual awards evening. More than 160 students from the school were honoured with awards, including Platinum Awards, Year 7 to 13 Awards, Tutor Awards, Subject Awards, & Specialist Awards. The final award was the Kevin Ball Award for Sporting Excellence in the Community which Kevin was delighted himself to hand over. hello mission farewell mr mckenna Once again, I’m delighted to present you with a packed edition of ‘Bede All About It’. I am sure you will find something of interest in it and be amazed at the wealth of talent to be found amongst our students. Both the school and college were delighted with our exam results this summer, once again achieving the best ever results after eight years of continuous improvement. We aim for the highest of standards for every one of our students and we are never disappointed. Our success comes from the hard A host of parents & carers filled the main hall to witness an entertaining evening of presentations, speeches & trophygiving. Mr McKenna said it was an emotional night in which young people were recognised for not only their hard work but also for overcoming personal difficulties. One of the best nights of the year! work of both students and staff and of course, the ever present support of all parents and carers. As a Headteacher, it is a real joy to see students enter the school in Year 7 and then go on to the full range of universities, including the prestigious Russell Group, to study courses including Medicine, Law, Languages, History, Geography, English, Economics, the Sciences, Psychology, Sociology and many more. Equally, we have been very proud of the impressive apprenticeships that students have gained; I’m not sure Caterpillar could survive without our continued supply of Engineers and we are extremely thankful for all of the support that Caterpillar has given us over the years. A highlight for us this term is the YMT Mission which takes place in the school from Thursday 6th – 13th November. The theme of the Mission is ‘Step up to life’ and of particular note is the ‘family night’ continued on page 2 INSIDE: BYRON TASTER DAYS • NEW TEACHERS • SPORTS ACCOLADES • SUMMER SCHOOL continued from front page which takes place in the school on Thursday 13th beginning at 7.00pm. All students and parents/ carers as well as parishioners and friends are very welcome to attend this event. Whilst on a religious note, I should add that we are delighted to welcome Fr Neylan to the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in Peterlee; we wish him well and look forward to working with him. Alas, it comes to us all and I am no exception – the hair turns grey and falls out, the wrinkles appear and so my final task in this article is to inform you that I will be retiring as Headteacher of St Bede’s and Byron College at Christmas. May I take this opportunity to thank you all, parents/carers, governors, priests, the Diocese, our Feeder Primaries, the LA, staff and students for all of the support you have given me and I am sure that the school and college will continue to go from strength to strength in the future. I will always remember the wonderful people I have met and worked with, both young and old, and will spend many relaxing hours reminiscing the fantastic times I have had as a teacher and Headteacher. I will very much miss the constant buzz of young people; they are truly amazing individuals and I feel confident that our future is safe in their hands! With every best wish Paul McKenna Transition to Summer’s Here Byron Taster and the Time is Days Right… Once again, this summer saw a large number of Year 10 students from our surrounding schools and of course our very own current Year 10 experience Byron College and what it has to offer for their future. Students were treated to a tour of the facilities, information about college life & pathways, as well as mini-tutorials from specialist staff in the subjects they may wish to study in Post-16 education. Students also had the opportunity to enjoy some of the recreational activities available on-site. Any student or parent/carer wishing to find out more about Byron College & Post-16 options can contact the Byron Staff at any time on 0191 5876221. Our Summer School is now into its third year and the fortnight of learning through activity just keeps getting better. One of this year’s highlights was the creation of our 6ft tall mosaic image of St Bede, which is to be given permanent residence in the Heartspace. With the help of a specialist artist, students and staff contributed to the intricate placing of tiles to achieve the overall effect; a very therapeutic task. Over the two-week period, literacy, numeracy and PE form the basis of the timetable, supported by a wide range e of activities to enhancee social, moral, spiritual mo ritua itu and cultural development. evelopm evelop nt. t. Student Students en commemorated the centenary cen cent nary ce aryy off WW1 WW W with readings from Wi Wil Wilfred llfred fre red ed Owen, O whilstt lighting candless in o our chapel chapel. hapel p . One of this year’s favourite ear ar’ ar’s r’ss particular p part a ffa avo ourite ouritee activities professional es wass a vis visit v t ffrom rom a pro profes profe rof sssio o ona nal nal street dancer who people ancer ncer wh who taught aught ug ght thee young yyoun yo oun u pe p eople to slide, glidee and aan nd add add swagger swagge er to their th the their hip-hop. Other included: er activities activities act ties in i ded: storys ory telling and drama ram ma wit with h local ocal author Adam Bushnell, climbing g wall, w laser-quest, la er-quest, q T-shirt making, circuss skills cake skillls and a ca ake ke decorating. decor corating. The fortnight cconcluded conclud onclude nc ud ded ed w with h a presentatio presentation presenta by the students their ents nt to the irr pare parents par pa arents where they they demonstrated the skills acquired over llss ac uired ired irre ed o err the th th two weeks. New Staff - who’s who MICHELLE MOORE admin assistant KAYLEIGH TOBBELL ENGLISH TEACHER STACEY PARKIN DATA/EXAMS OFFICER Andrew Robinson Head of Music DAVID MCGUINNESS Head of MATHS REBECCA JUKES ENGLISH TEACHER KATHLEEN RICE admin assistant Since 1990, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God’s love through the power of simple shoe box gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes are given to children based on need, regardless of their background or religious beliefs. It’s an unconditional gift of love. Last year we filled nearly 80 shoe boxes and this year we are appealing for even more. The shoe boxes will be collected between the end of September until the beginning of November. Students will be given a leaflet explaining the appeal. Let’s see if we can do even better than last year! For further information please contact Miss Allison. RICHENDA BLAKELOCK LEARNING ASSISTANT Hall of Fame Best Attendance for 2013-2014 7PDO = 96.8% 8JGH = 96.2% 9EAL = 96.8% 10LRI = 96.0% Best Conduct Points for 2013-2014 7CCA 8TRO 9DSC 10CSI ne! Well Do growing confidence Throughout the year, some of our Y10 students have been undertaking some new and challenging tasks to improve their personal and social development. Firstly, the group have tackled local environmental issues including regular litter picks around the school grounds. To raise awareness of this and other local environmental problems, one of the group bravely presented the issue to Year 7 during morning assembly. Furthermore, the group have been exercising their green fingers in a successful attempt to grow a range of vegetables and flowers in the raised beds in the school grounds. The once unused area is now abundant with hues of green and orange. One of the highlights of the ASDAN qualification was a visit to the Durham Climbing Centre, where the group raised their confidence and skills levels by tackling difficult climbs with overhangs and caves to negotiate! Congratulations to Mr Bradford and his students. Maths Challenge Students at St. Bede’s achieved 1 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze awards in this year’s UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) Junior Maths Challenge. Over 240,000 pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Maths Challenge with roughly the top 6% receiving a gold certificate, the next 13% silver and the next 21% bronze. Well done Calling all Parents/ Carers and Staff Parents & Teachers Association (PTA) Mr & Mrs Jenkin are busy resurrecting the PTA for the school & college during this term. They are looking for volunteers to assist with various projects (both educational & social) to benefit our community both inside and outside the school/college. If you are able to offer any support in this venture, or just want to find out more, don’t hesitate to contact either Mr or Mrs Jenkin on the normal school numbers. Two Year 7 and six Year 8 students achieved the awards, to all the with Owen Atkinson (Y7) gaining a gold award and Best in winners! School certificate. Those attaining a silver award are Vicky Johnson (Y8), Matthew Robinson (Y8) and Ellie Stannard (Y8), and the bronze award winners are Abbie Robinson (Y7), Anna Nicholson (Y8), Ellis O’Donnell (Y8) and Millie Batty (Y8). School Organiser Mr Richardson said, “The Junior Maths Challenge is an excellent way for the students to extend their mathematics ability and push themselves to become better mathematicians.” Girls reach National Finals of two competitions Read On From September, our Year 7 students will be taking part in ‘Accelerated Reader’. The programme encourages students to read widely and regularly and also promotes reading for pleasure. Every Year 7 class has one of their weekly English lessons allocated to reading. After taking a reading test, students choose a book at their level. When they have finished reading it, they access an online quiz to see how well ‘I constantly tell they have understood the book. All students students that scoring 100% on the book quizzes can enter reading is like the monthly prize draw. The beauty of it, said Jamie McCoy (Y8 pupil) “is that you a work-out get to read at your own level, without struggling”. Logan O’Hara comments, for your “I think the prize draw is a wonderful brain.” idea.” Parents and carers, you can support your child’s reading by questioning them about the books they read and encouraging him or her to read at home. “Improving reading raises standards across all areas of the curriculum”, said Headteacher, Mr McKenna. Mrs Tait, who organises Accelerated Reader, told us, ‘I constantly tell students that reading is like a work-out for your brain. Last year’s Accelerated Reader was hugely successful. It was fantastic to see young people choosing books they’re interested in and reading at a level that’s right for them. The monthly prize draw creates a bit of friendly competition amongst the students. I’m looking forward to working with our new Y7 and introducing more ways to encourage and nurture enthusiasm for reading’. Saintly Stories Just before the end of the summer term we hosted a visit from local children’s author and storyteller, Adam Bushnell. Along with representatives from Durham University, Adam spent the day inspiring and encouraging our Y7 students to write creatively. While Adam wowed the audience with his stories, Viking costumes and weapons, the university students showed copies of the Lindisfarne Gospels to our young people and asked them to re-enact (using props) images of the Northern Saints. The Catholic Partnership event concluded with a creative writing competition, inspired by the day’s activities. Winners are to be announced later. A group of Year 9 girls proved they had what it takes to reach the national finals of two competitions held in Birmingham at the NEC back in March. They had competed in several regional finals for STEM based competitions and won through in both the National Science and Engineering competition and the International Formula 1 in Schools challenge. Their NSEC place was based on protecting the environment by designing and making a solar-powered, automated vehicle that helped reduce CO2 emissions. The F1 in schools is a worldwide competition sponsored by Formula 1 management. The team had to design, manufacture and race miniature F1 cars. They won their place at the regional final held in Newcastle back in January, impressing the judges and being interviewed by both ITV and BBC news channels. The national finals are extremely competitive with schools from all over the UK and Ireland attending. The girls did fantastically well with several top judges coming to let the school know how well they had done. Against fierce competition, they achieved 6th place in the UK in their age category. Francesa Hall Y11 (left) & Jessica Huntingdon Y11 (right) Students go the extra mile for their community Francesca has achieved over 200 voluntary hours in Y10 coaching in St Bede’s P.E. department, her local dance and drama club and with the Brownies. Jessica achieved 160 voluntary hours in Y10 also coaching in St Bede’s PE. department and her local dance school. Both girls devoted their time to choreograph dances to be performed at the Catholic Partnership Dance Festival held at the Gala Theatre. They are amazing role models and are very dedicated to their roles as sports leaders. GOODBYE AND THANK YOU! This summer the school bade a sad farewell to Mr Joe Raine, our Chair of Governors. After 18 years of voluntary service to St Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School and Byron Sixth Form College, he felt that the time had come to retire and spend more time with his wife, Pat. Joe first became a Governor in 1996 and, four years later was elected Chair of Governors. During his time at the school, he has played a key role in the appointment of our current Headteacher, Paul McKenna, and in the construction of our new school as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme. Even as he approaches his 80th birthday, his enthusiasm and support for the broad education of all pupils within the Catholic ethos of the school has never diminished. His expertise and sound advice will be sorely missed by the Governing Body. Everyone – fellow governors, staff and pupils – all wish him well and hope that he enjoys a long, happy and thoroughly well-deserved retirement. Vacancy for a Parent Governor WE NEED YOU! There is currently one vacancy on our Governing Body for a Parent Governor. If you have a child, who is currently a pupil at the school or college, you are eligible to put your name forward for the position. Three new Governors have recently been appointed to the school’s Governing Body: Mr Scott Pearson, our Head of Art and Design, has been elected to serve as a Staff Governor. He has been appointed following the retirement of Mr Dennis Noble from his post as a teacher of Health and Social Care at the school. St Bede’s would like to thank Mr Noble for his commitment and contribution to the work of the Governing Body and wish him a long and happy retirement. Mr Michael Carling, a former pupil, who currently teaches in a Catholic Academy in the Diocese, has been appointed as a Foundation Governor. If you would like to serve as a Governor or would like more information about what is involved, please contact Mrs Sharman, Headteacher’s PA, on 0191 587 6220. The closing date for nominations is Thursday 23rd October 2014. Should more than one parent apply for the position, an election will be held. We look forward to hearing from you soon! St Bede’s would like to also thank Mr Paul Irwin for his service to the school and his contribution to its governance. St Bede’s welcomes all of the new Governors to the Governing Body and looks forward to a long and beneficial association. Mrs Lynn Carter, who retired this summer from her position as Assistant Headteacher at St Bede’s, is maintaining her links with the school and will serve as a Foundation Governor. She steps in to replace Mr Paul Irwin, who recently resigned from the Governing Body. BEDE sport Jonah and the Wolf Perhaps you are a fan of the CBBC show Wolf Blood. Well, the third series features one of our students Jonah Rice who plays a relative of the main character. The show follows Maddy and Rydian, two teenagers belonging to the Wolf Blood race. Superhuman strength, speed and agility are amongst their special powers that must be kept secret in order to protect their race. Jonah developed his love of drama at a local Theatre School. He also belongs to the Peanuts agency. The fourteen year old, who has also played Dodger in Oliver, was encouraged to act by his mum. He says “It’s great because you get to interpret a character the best way you see fit”. We wish Jonah good luck in his acting career and look forward to seeing him on TV in the Autumn. England triumph for former St. Bede’s student Former Year 11 student Callum Cooke is seen here with his proud father in Malta Airport returning with the European Under17 Championship Cup won by England recently. Callum scored one of the winning penalties to lift the trophy and has represented his country all season. He also plays for Middlesbrough F.C. as a free scoring midfield player. His brother, Liam, in Year 10, is also following in his footsteps at Middlesbrough’s football academy. Callum donated one of his England International shirts to the school. It is framed and hanging in the school’s Heartspace. Congratulations to Callum. We eagerly await his debut in the Middlesbrough first team! Golf Champions Jamie Threlkeld (Y9) Callum Bowman & Rhys Smith (Both Y11) represented the school in the District of Easington Schools Golf Championship recently at Seaham Golf Club. Following an excellent effort from the team St Bede’s won the school team event (first time since 2008) and Jamie also won the individual competition. The photograph shows the magnificent Golf trophy that is currently on display in our school trophy cabinet. A great effort! Green with Envy! BEDE sport Outstanding Durham County Success in Mountain Biking 40 year old athletics records shattered at St Bede’s P.E. staff were amazed this summer as the school athletics records were broken time and again in four different disciplines. To mark this tremendous achievement the students were awarded special commemorative medals during assembly by Mr J Graham on behalf of the school. Well done to all! Record Breakers Yr 7 (current Yr8) Jonathan Keenan 200m 28.2s Yr 8 (current Yr9) Joe Purvis 100m 11.4s Joe Jackson (Yr8 current Yr9) Shot Put 11.89m Jack Howe (Yr8 current Yr9) Joe Purvis (Yr8 current Yr9) Joe Jackson (Yr8 current Yr9) Jay Moorhead (Yr8 current Yr9) 4x100m Relay 52.4s After both the girls and boys teams won the East Durham Area Mountain Biking Competitions securing them a place in the County Durham Sainsbury School Games in July at Maiden Castle, even more success followed. The boys, due to an outstanding ride by all the team, were crowned Durham County Champions whilst an impressive ride by the girls landed them the runners-up title. A brilliant effort from all concerned and thanks to Miss Brown as team coach. Elle McCoy Molly Orchard Bailey Wanless Anna Nicholson Joe Purvis Joe Jackson Jack Howe Alex Langley Westway, Peterlee, Co. Durham SR8 1DE T: 0191 587 6220 F: 0191 518 0597 E: [email protected] W: www.st-bedes.durham.sch.uk
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