We return to school brimming with confidence and optimism for the new academic year. In August Year 11, as predicted, achieved the best examination results in the history of the school. 56% of our Year 11's achieved five or more A to C grades. A massive improvement on previous years,but more importantly continuing our upward trend of success. We welcomed the new pupils in to Year 7 and I am delighted to inform you that they have settled quickly into our routines. Many thanks to our new families for ensuring that the Year 7 pupils are smart, hard working and extremely well mannered. We look forward to working with the families for years to come. As the plan for our £10.7 million refurbishment and partial rebuild continue, we are well on the way with the thinking toward the sort of facilities we wish to have for forthcoming generations of pupils. School Council (pupils) continue to be creative in their thinking about learning styles and designs of learning and social spaces. Last week a team of people from the Sorrell Foundation were in school creating a follow up DVD production on the growth of the BSF project started two years ago. The DVD will be distributed to local Authorities and other schools across the country. The team were particularly interested in how the BSF projects have been guided by the “voice of the pupils” in design. We have already refurbished areas of the school to ‘pupil’ led specification. Mr Carpel Teacher of Science, Mr Rusano MFL Assistant, Miss Gaubert MFL Assistant, Mrs Iguisi Teacher of MFL, Mr Jacobson Cover Supervisor, Mrs Wang MFL Assistant Mr O’Brien School Chaplain, Mrs O’Brien Teaching Practioner, Miss Prizeman Comunity Cohesion Coordinator, Miss Slaughter Teaching Practioner, Mrs Utton Teacher of MFL. Miss Murphy Teacher of Art, Miss McGann Teacher of Science, Mr Wade Teacher of I.C.T. Welcome to Year 7 Prayer Corner Year 7 have settled very well in to our LaSallian community. Their approach to learning has been excellent and mature. I am delighted with their progress so far and I am confident that this positive start will continue and we will see Year 7’s grow and flourish over the coming weeks. Father, as we begin this new school year, we ask for your blessings on all who are involved with our school. May your spirit inspire us to follow your way together, and to grow in the fullness of life offered in Jesus your son. Mr Wright Head of Year 7 Amen. Charity News ‘Friends of De La Salle’ Recently we submitted some of our pupils’ work for ‘Young Writers’ Mini Sagas 2009 creative writing book series. In this exciting competition, children were asked to write an imaginative mini saga on a theme that inspired them, with the added challenge of using 50 words or less. Mini Sagas is a Young writers’ nineteenth annual creative writing competition. Some of our pupils’ stories have been chosen for publication in one of the regional books representing the best of the children’s work. Friends of De La Salle are pleased to report that their fund raising has made £650, which is to be donated to the P.E. department, to enable them to purchase waterproof tops for sports teams representing the school. We would also like to raise funds to support our students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme recently introduced to our school. To this end we will be holding a Quiz Night on Friday 2nd October at 7pm. Tickets are £5 each or a family ticket £15 (2 adults and two children up to age 16). You are welcome to bring your own refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there and thank you in anticipation for your continuing support! The successful students’ whose work was selected are listed below: Melissa Foakes Abigail Salleh Ryan Ingram Dannie Slade Marie Andrerson Anthony O’Shea Charlie Denholm Beth Bailey Ricky Bowers Simon Crouch Alex Hartnett Michael Olorunsuyi Jayni-Leanne Rowe Michael Allen Ripley Chandler Mizona Xavierra Greig O’Hiaeri Liam Wild Verity Page Michael Osinaike Alex Dunne Charlie Nicholls Troy Mundy Connor Quincey Billy Pope Owen Foran Mr Norris Mythology Thursday lunchtimes at 1.30pm in Room 11 All years welcome! We will be looking at myth and legends from every corner of the globe (e.g. Greece, China, Egypt, America) and from every time period (ancient, medieval and modern). A typical session includes video, Internet research and we are looking at incorporating video games as well. Our current topic is the Trojan War – myth or history? Suggestions for future sessions are welcome – see you there! Mr Powney and Grant Showell Arnie Higgs was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer last August. Since then being a supporter of Arsenal he has been involved with the Arsenal Football club. He has become a friend of many of the players and with the manager Arsene Wenger Recently prior to one of Arsenal’s matches starting, Arnie was invited to join Arsene Wenger and Roger Daltrey (The Who) on the pitch to show how much the club raised last season for Teenage Cancer Trust. Fortunately Arnie is responding well to treatment and is making great progress. On the 17th October there is a ‘Charity Night’ to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. At Playfootball.net, Prittlewell Chase, Southend at 6pm. There will be a buffett, D.J, auction, raffle and bouncy castle. There is no admittance fee but donations are welcome. We raised £110.00 by recycling mobile phones! This money is to be donated to the P.E. department, to enable them to purchase waterproof tops for sports teams representing the school. Thank you! Our School Chaplian B.S.F. Update my name is Adam O’Brien and I’m the new School Chaplain here at De La Salle. My mission within the school is to allow our students to develop a deeper understanding of their relationship with Jesus. Whilst discussions continue at County level to appoint the preferred architect, we have been thinking about how we would like our school to look in the future and some staff and governors have carried out research visits to other schools / education establishments. Hi, To do this I will encourage the gifts of our young people by offering welcoming, spirit-filled activities such as retreat experiences, worship and charity fund-raising. Another role I fulfil is Parish Youth Co-ordinator and I will be working to foster stronger links between the school and the three parishes of Basildon as well as the B.C.Y.S. (Brentwood Catholic Youth Service) who provide a wealth of activities and opportunities for young people to explore their faith alongside other like minded young people. I’m committed to providing every student here at De La Salle with the opportunity to develop their faith through vibrant liturgy, meaningful prayer and fun-filled activities. We have walked around building sites looking at works in progress and also viewed some completed schools. Schools who have already gone through the B.S.F. process have given us lots of advice and have been very proud to show us their new and improved schools. With more research visits planned for this term, we already have lots of ideas of best (and worst!) practice and are looking forward to passing our opinions on to the architects when they are eventually appointed. Mrs Knight B.S.F. Project Coordinator Mr A. O’Brien Extra Clubs/Activities: Mythology: Thursday lunchtimes at 1.30pm in Room 11 All years welcome! I.C.T: The I.C.T. rooms will be open for coursework and homework on Tuesday and Wednesday Lunchtimes week A and Tuesday and Thursday week B. Every Friday is Year 11 lunchtime to use the computers for any subject. Music: Monday lunchtime – Orchestra / Wednesday lunchtime – Choir Thursday 3.15pm - 4.15pm – G.C.S.E. / Gifted and Talented music group please see Mrs Liddell if interested. Congratulations Form 7N (now 8N) won the attendance cup for last year. They were rewarded with a huge cup filled with chocolates. Well done to Mrs Claxton and her form! De La Salle welcomes a famous Poet Leo Aylen Leo will be performing to Year 7, 8 and 9 He will be reciting some of his famous poems and you will have the chance to ask questions All takes place on the 9th October 2009. If you have any questions please see Mr Wright Leo Aylen has published 8 poetry collections; he has also published in over 100 anthologies and has been the sole subject of 3 American nationwide TV programs (CBS). He has been an Arvon, Peterloo, & Bridport prizewinner and broadcasts regularly on BBC R3 & R4. More than 100 of his poems and translations have been broadcast on radio and television in Britain, Europe, America, and Africa. Leo travels nationally and internationally, writing and performing his poetry, and, in particular, commuting between London and the English West Country. He has co-written Gods and Generals a screenplay for Ted Turner Pictures about the American Civil War, produced and directed by Ron Maxwell, executive producer Ted Turner, starring Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, and Mira Sorvino (Warner Bros 2003). Bowling is my hobby I first started bowling in June 07 when I started going to Madison Height’s Y.B.C. In Maldon. Y.B.C. (Youth Bowling Club) Last year after I had reached a reasonable standard I was invited to try out for the Essex County under 14s team. I went to the trials and made the squad but unfortunately I didn’t make the final team. This year I should be in the team and playing for Essex which I will be very proud of. This year I started doing the B.T.B.A. Tour which is a series of tournaments which means there is certain etiquette and rules that have to be followed, these include dress code and behaviour. My first ever tournament was at Newbury where I had an exceptional day and managed my personal best score which was a 258. This game started off with seven strikes in a row! I was lucky enough to win my division at this tournament and fourth overall on the day with an average of 201. For winning my division at this tournament I won a brand new bowling ball! So far this year I have done six tournaments and come home with six trophies. It has been a good year for me and hopefully it will continue! Andrew Clark 8L The friends of De La Salle invite you to a Quiz Night To support the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Friday 2nd October 2009 At De LA Salle School Adult ticket: £5.00 Family ticket: £15 (2 adults & 2 children up to the age of 16) Teams of 6/8 There will be a raffle and donated prizes will be most welcome T Looking forward to seeing you there!