a year of commitment…

Quality & Excellence

I have been at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic school for over five years and I can honestly say that each year the school continues to develop and strengthen and at the heart of it all are our students. Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School is a very special community and I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of this wonderful school.

This newsletter highlights some of the hard work and passion from all of our stakeholders. As we come to the end of this academic year, a year where we were encouraged to become even more ‘Committed’ to NBS, I would like to thank the students, staff, parents and governors who indeed fulfilled this promise. This commitment is in tune with our vision and this year NBS has been a place where faith, ambition and love combine to create a unique environment for development and learning.

One of the special highlights of the year is to see the increasing numbers of families who wish to join the NBS community. Following a successful Open Evening last October, one of the special highlights of the year is to see the increasing number of families who wish to join the NBS community and we are looking forward to welcoming 180 pupils into our new Year 7 this September.

This term we say goodbye to several

members of staff and governors who have been instrumental in creating a firm foundation on which NBS is now being built. They have made a significant contribution to the culture and ethos of this school, but more importantly they have helped create better opportunities for our students and their families. This natural movement of staff and governors will also allow opportunities and growth and I am excited to welcome the new colleagues who will be joining NBS. They are keen to be part of this community and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our school.

As we prepare for the next academic year, the foundation and theme for 2019-2020 will be a year of ‘Trust’. This will give the NBS community the opportunity to reflect on our Vision and to ensure the school continues to strengthen their relationships in all aspect of our lives – studies, work, family and the NBS community. Ultimately by reflecting on the importance of trusting each other as a community, this will no doubt help NBS on our journey to ‘Outstanding’.

As we draw near to the conclusion of this school year. I would like to thank the student body for their commitment to NBS in all aspects of school life: from their appearance; their attitude to studies, both at school and at home; their random acts of

kindness; their respect for each other; and their contribution to sport, music, drama and other enrichment opportunities. The students at NBS are certainly proud of their school and make a real difference to this community.

Finally, please keep the community in your thoughts and prayers especially those students who will be anxiously awaiting their public examination results during the summer holiday. Although these results do not fully define the individuals, I know the students, parents and teachers have worked hard in preparing for these examinations. It is hoped that both Year 11 and 13 will fulfil their potential and be proud of their achievements this summer. I would like to especially thank those teachers who gave up their own time, to plan and deliver the many intervention classes, revision lessons, both after school and during the holidays, to help prepare our students during this important time.

On behalf of all staff and students at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, I would like to wish you a peaceful and restful summer break.God Bless.

Declan Linnane, Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

NBS Prom 2019

This academic year’s Open Evening

A Year of Commitment…

Summer Newsletter 2019

Student Leadership Team

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School - Summer Newsletter 20192


Catholic Life | RetreatsIt has been a busy term for the school’s retreat programme with three year groups taking part in their day retreat programme. The day retreats focus on a particular theme and the activities pupils participate in are designed to enable them to reflect on the theme of the day in different ways. The themes for the day retreats were:

Year 8 IdentityYear 9 JusticeYear 10 Relationships

Reflection from Year 9 Retreat

On the Year 9 Retreat students played games, created sculptures, learnt how to manage stress and anxiety and interacted with twelve ideas on a resource called The Justice Mat.One student reflected on The Justice Mat activity saying,

“it was really relaxing and it gave me time to think about those in need. Journeying through the mat and listening to the audio was touching”. Students had the opportunity to make a wooden cross out of lolly pop sticks whilst reflecting on how unjust it was that Jesus, who had committed no sin, had died for our sin.Another student reflected during the session, “It’s good that Jesus died. I mean it’s not good that he died, but it’s GOOD.” Other students expressed gratitude for all they had and prayed for those who had less. The day concluded with a brief reflection on God’s justice and how different it is to ours.

Celebrating ConfirmationsDuring the season of Easter

and Pentecost Mr Linanne

and Miss Westbury had

the privilege of attending

the Confirmation Masses

of students from the NBS

community who were

receiving the Sacrament of

Confirmation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the final

sacrament of initiation in the Catholic Church

and through receiving this sacrament individuals

have shown a commitment to their faith and the

desire to continue their journey with God.

We continue as a community to pray for the

following students who received the sacrament

that they would be strengthened by the

Spirit of God:

Catholic LifeNBS Head Of RE, Miss Westbury, writes

Jason Anokwa | 9K

Evie Cody | 9K

Clare Feeney | 9B

Ana Goncalves | 9S

Tilly Golding | 9S

Mae Heavey | 9S

Hannah Hunda | 9B

Hollie Keating | 9S

Thomas Madzimure | 10K

Cody Maguire | 9L

Lanyes Mazon | 9K

Lumba Mfula | 9K

Raphael Monteiro | 9B

Jamal Nyamangunda | 9S

Jayden Orah | 10L

Ciara Riddell | 10

Malachi Roberts | 9B

Aisaac Sabangan | 9S

Molly Shaloe | 9L

Ruby Taylor | 9K

Hannah Thompson | 9K

Freddie Marlborough | 9B

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School - Summer Newsletter 2019 3


Catholic LifeNBS Head Of RE, Miss Westbury, writes On Tuesday the 18th June, six students from Year 7

attended a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral. The mass, celebrated by Cardinal Nicholls, is a very important one in the Catholic calendar because it marks the culmination of ‘Our Eucharistic Journey’ over the past years. It was very engaging and religious and helped strengthen our relationship with God.

‘I really enjoyed this opportunity and I really liked looking around at the Cathedral as it had facts and sculptures. I had lots of fun with my friends and really liked having lunch in front of The London Eye and making dance videos!’ Maisy Theodossiou 7L

‘The experience was really good and it was a great opportunity to see all of the different schools in the Diocese. I enjoyed all of the trip and eating lunch with my friends by the River Thames!’ Natalia Marmolejo-Wall 7J

‘This was an amazing experience where I could spend time with the people in my year and strengthen my bond with God ‘India Berry 7M

‘It was a really good experience spending time with my friends in London and going to the catherdral!’ Neiv Rodrigues 7K

‘I enjoyed the cathedral because it was well-decorated and I enjoyed the mass. As well as this, walking around London was fun too’ Luke McSweeney 7S

‘Having the opportunity to go to the cathedral with people from my year group was great. I got to make more friends and we even got a photo with banners at the start of a march!’Christian Simpson Flowerday 7B

Catholic Life | Westminster Mass

House Points (Average points per student)

DonBosco

MaximillianKolbe

Therese ofLisieux

ThomasMore

BernadetteSoubirous

JosephineBakhita

159 136 148 250 188 244



This Easter I was privileged to lead a

group of students to Lourdes to be

part of pilgrimage with HCPT.

This has been the third trip to

Lourdes in recent years and it

has allowed over 70 students

the opportunity to help give

children who are disabled or

disadvantaged, the opportunity

to have a holiday of a lifetime.

Lourdes is an international shrine

– The Sanctuary of Our Lady, after

the several apparitions from Our Lady to

St. Bernadette. The sanctuary is reputed to have

nearly 70 miracles associated with this special area.

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School has their own

group known as Group 763. This is to tell us

apart from other groups in the trust.

Throughout the week the students

were kept very busy as they helped

with family groups, welcoming

the thousands of pilgrims either

at the torch light procession,

the main Trust Mass or leading

prayers and hymns at the baths.

The week itself enabled our very

own pilgrims to reflect and experience

this special place. It allowed our students

to experience an abundance of human kindness.

The trip gave our students the opportunity to

GRO

UP 763 • EASTER 2019

• N

ICHOLAS BREAKSPEA

R •

LourdeswithGroup763

Headteacher Declan Linnane writes



connect with others; people who were like -minded

in serving the needs of others to ensure

children with a variety of needs have

the best experience possible. The

pilgrimage is very significant as it

allowed us to connect with others

to witness remarkable acts of

kindness throughout the week.

The students were the perfect

role models in how they treated

others. They were kind, caring and

allowed themselves to be ‘themselves’.

We live in a society where we can take

things for granted. However, this pilgrimage

with HCPT Group 763 gave our students the

opportunity to give back. To give their

time, to give their laughter and their

love towards others for a week.

It was a holiday that they will

never forget and a pilgrimage

that no doubt gave them every

chance to get closer to God.

As Headteacher you see

random acts of kindness daily

at NBS but this continued in

abundance and I was incredibly

proud of our students in Lourdes who

were truly inspirational throughout the week.



On 10th May Margaret Amman visited our

school as part of the ‘Speakers for School’

Programme, addressing year 12 and year 10 business studies students. Margaret has over twenty years’

experience in the finance and management sectors and

passed on many valuable tips to our students who listened

intently and then asked some intriguing questions.

We were delighted to welcome Margaret to our school and we

look forward to seeing more external speakers being invited

in to meet our students.

Throughout June, a number of our year 12

students have taken up the opportunity to

visit Hertfordshire university and participate in

their subject open days. Students experienced

university style seminars and lectures delivered

by the subject experts in law and business as

well as a campus tour and some general talks

regarding the application process and student

finance.

On 15th July, Year 12 will be visiting

Hertfordshire university. We look forward

to a tour of the campus followed by a

number of subject lectures and general

talks on the university application process.

On 21st June, year 12 enjoyed a very productive day at the UCAS convention at Bedford university. Over 150 further education providers were available to speak to as well as apprenticeship and careers advice. A number of students attended seminars covering topics such as ‘Applying for Oxbridge and Medicine’ and other subject disciplines.

As well as the excellent advice on offer,

students also relaxed on the campus listening to the student bands on a very enjoyable day for all.

LifeSixthForm

Margaret Amman Talk

Hertfordshire

University

Open Days

Hertfordshire

University Visit

BedfordConvention



NBS Pupils from Year 7 and 8 have been successful in winning all three prizes in The St Albans and District Council National Easter Season painting Competition 2019. All winners were from the 12 to 14 years of age category.The challenge was to depict a scene of the entrant’s choice of an incident recalled during the period from the start of the Easter Triduum (Feast of the Lord’s Supper) to the Feast of Pentecost, using any media, style or technique with the only condition that it had to be the student’s original work, not a tracing or a montage. This was an optional task which was set for a homework for all year 7 and 8 art students.The first prize was awarded to Levi Donyina from 8B for her emotional portrayal of Jesus with a crown of thorns, beautifully shaded with a range of pencils. The second prize was awarded to Jesica Pupaza from 8L for imaginative mixed media / Cubist piece of Jesus on the cross. The third prize was awarded to Caitlin Pope from 7B for another imaginative interpretation of Jesus on the cross.Mr. Patrick Kennedy from the Knights of St Columba visited the school to give the winners their certificates and prizes during a morning assembly. We are very proud of the creativity and initiative a number of our students have shown in entering this completion which we hope to make a regular feature in the school calendar. Well done to all!

Four boys from Year 7 to 10 competed in the final of the Spelling Bee yesterday, representing their Houses and Year groups. All of them showed great bravery in doing this in front of 400 students and their teachers. With over 100 difficult words learnt just for this final, they demonstrated a real sense of calm, confidence and most of all, the willingness to take part. For getting to the final, they all won achievement points.After a really intense final and a close buzz in round at the end, Cian Stuckey from Year 7M was crowned champion! Cian came runner up against Chelsey in the last Spelling Bee; clearly keen to win the title, he came back fighting with the power of his memory! Cian has won 250 achievement points along with a £30 Amazon voucher.Emmanuel Yeboah in Year 10K, with his calm and collected manner, came in with 2nd place, achieving high scores not just in this round but in the Year 10 final too. Emmanuel has won 150 achievement points and a £15 Amazon voucher.Cian Stuckey (7) Winner Emmanuel Yeboah (10) Runner up Oliver Zieba (9) Finalist

NBS Success in National Easter Season Painting Competition

SPELLING BEE FINAL



June’s Artists of the Month are as follows.Top Row from left to right: Hannah Surridge 8M, Zuzanna Janczuk 8M, Matthew Allen 8K.Bottom Row from left to right, Andrew Gullick 8M, Mateusz Piatek 8M and Corey Flemons 8KThese students have created self-portraits after studying the work of the contemporary artist Julian Opie. Opie simplifies the features of his portraits and has a very distinctive ‘Pop Art’ style which was inspired by the Tintin cartoons. He initially used one tone for the face but has recently developed his style to add more complex shadows on the facial area. Students had the choice of which of his styles they wanted to base their own self-portraits on.

A R T W O R K

o f t h e m o n t h

On July 1st, 2019, we had the opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament for the day. Anne Maine’s assistant, Mr Robinson gave us a detailed tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. We had the privilege of seeing where the Queen prepares for her speeches, as well as where she and many other world leaders give empowering speeches. We saw where bills become laws, and learnt how MPs and Lords Vote, as well as several statues of important people who helped grow and develop our country’s government, such as Winston Churchill and Queen Victoria. Their many sacrifices allowed our Government to flourish into what it

is today. There were also many paintings and beautiful pieces of artwork. For example, there was a magnificent mosaic which has been created to change colour and pattern according to the ebb and flow of the River Thames. We are incredibly grateful for this experience and and we learnt a great deal about the history of our country’s government.

NBS students as follows; Megan Honney, Andrew Mfula, Macey Breaks, Caitlin Robbins, George Burns, Maia Cammisa, Alexia Kyriacou, Lola Harvey, Maja Sinko and Reece Marshall.

HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT VISIT



COMING OF AGE

YEAR 11 • JUNE 2019

On Thursday 27th June, the Class of 2019 attended their Prom at Mill Green Golf Club. This marked the celebration of five years at NBS as Year 11 arrived in true style to mark this special occasion. It is these events that allow our students to make memories which they will cherish for the rest of their lives. Thank you to the staff led by Head of Year, Mr Green, who organised the event in order for our students and staff to enjoy this special evening.

The Class of 2019 Celebrate…



On Tuesday 9th July Year 7, Year 8 & Year 9 students competed in “It’s a Knockout” competition. Trinity field became the arena with different game stations and inflatables, music filled the air, staff became scorers and students

divided into House teams. The scene was set for fierce competition, House pride was at stake and House points were available for the top three teams. Throughout the day students showed resilience as faced new games and challenges.

Students quickly realised that in order to succeed they need to listen to the members of their team and plan their way through each game so that they could win the points they would need

to claim the trophy. The competitive edge was apparent as the cheers rose when teams succeeded and gasps when things didn’t quite go to plan. The day finished with a grand unveiling and handing out of cups. Well done to 9K who came first, 9S who came second and 8M who came third.

x

LIBRARY CORNER- N E W S -

Book REVIEWCongratulations to Thomas N. Monnich for submitting this excellent book review – for which he has been awarded 10 Achievement Points.

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

Our Public Libraries will be running the Summer Reading Challenge during July and August. Any student taking part in the challenge or volunteering will be awarded 50 AP’s on presentation of their certificate in September.

For further information visit hertfordshire.gov.uk



NBSfest RETURNS!Saturday 4th July 2020

Bigger and better than ever!! Watch this space!

KiSS WEEK 14th – 18th October 2019

NBS GOTTALENT

Saturday 16th November 2019

IRISH NIGHTFriday 13th March 2020

GYM&DANCE DISPLAY

26th & 27th March 2020

FUNDRAISING EVENTS DIARY

FRIENDS UPDATEIrish Night update – this event raised £2,000!

On Saturday 22nd June, we were delighted to host

the Rock Choir (Hertford, St Albans and Watford

group) at their workshop, rehearsing and performing

songs from The Greatest Showman. It was a fantastic

morning with over 250 participants in attendance

and a pure joy to hear the uplifting sounds coming

from the school hall. The Friends of NBS came along

to support and provided wonderful refreshments,

raising £144 in total and they couldn’t resist joining

in with the singing!

The Friends of NBS also supported our Year 7 Transition Evening on 2nd July 2019 raising £132 and signed up lots of new members too!

If you would like to get involved in these fun events and activities next year, please let us know by emailing [email protected].


Quality & ExcellenceQuality & Excellence

As we are sure you are aware given recent press and

news coverage, all schools nationally are facing a

funding crisis. Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School

is no exception and we have been making efficiencies

for some time now. As always, we would like to thank

all our families who make a voluntary donation to the

School Fund.

If you would like more information on how to donate

to the school fund, please email

[email protected]

If you would prefer to make a voluntary contribution

by standing order, our bank details are below:

Bank Lloyds

Account Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School

– Donations

Sort Code 30-97-25

Account No 01911864

Thank you for your continued support.

WIN CASH PRIZESIGN UP TODAY!!

1st Prize 25%2nd Prize 15%3rd Prize 10%

ONLY £5 PER MONTH 50% of all profits go directly towards our fundraising aims and 50% in prizes.

The Friends of NBS promise to donate one

new Posture Support Chair for every new

50/50 Club membership, join NOW!

THESCHOOLFUND



Help us raise £21,000 to buy 1000 Posture Chairs, one for every pupil

These chairs & stools promote good posture and provide exceptional comfort for students.

They will brighten and refresh our school environment.

Three Ways You Can HelpContribute to the School Fund

We pledge to buy one new chair from every annual contribution received

which will go directly to your child’s form.

Join the ‘NBS Friends Association’s 50/50 Club’ One Posture Chair will be donated for each membership.

Form Group FundraisingGet involved and raise funds as a form – all ideas welcome!

Just £21 buys one new chair - who will be the first form to complete a full set?

CHAIR CHALLENGE

NICHOLAS BREAKSPEARCATHOLIC SCHOOL

Club



Mrs Halai was proud of the Year 7 pupils she took to the Salters’ Chemistry Festival on Tuesday 18th May. Out of eleven schools (eight of which are private/grammar schools) the team came 2nd in the Salter’s Chemistry Competition. The team were judged on their ability to complete the practical tasks safely, ensuring their work areas were clean and tidy at all times, the questions and how they interacted and their general team working skills. Mrs Halai commented

“We all had a fantastic day and were buzzing at the end of it!”

Saoirse Cullen In Year 7 represented London in the Coolest Projects competition in Dublin over the May Bank Holiday weekend. This is a coding competition with competitors from all around the world. She developed her own website on Irish Wolfhounds using Html, CSS and Java Coding and competed against several countries. Although unsuccessful this time round, she is a previous winner for England, having previously developed a game using Kodo.

NBS|MUSIC REVIEWWe are delighted to confirm that our application for a grant from Universal Music UK Sound Foundation has been successful and we will now receive £750 towards MAC software. Alison Kirk, Head of Music, commented “This is incredible news. The new music processing software will enable students to produce, update and print scores of their compositions. This will have a dramatic impact, not only on their GCSE attainment, but also on their general musical understanding, theory knowledge, musicianship and ability to access a range of musical styles”.

Instrumental TuitionIf you would like to learn to play an instrument you can do so via Herts Music service. Details are available from the Music department or follow the link to the Herts Music Service Website http://www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk/music-lessons and enquire about direct billing. We currently have teachers visiting for Guitar, Drum Kit, Piano and Voice. Other instruments will be offered if there is sufficient demand. A list of fees is also available via the Herts Music website.

ABRSM Music Theory ExamMusic students in Years 9 and 10 gave up their Saturday morning on 15th June to come into school and sit an extra exam. The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music offer theory qualifications up to Grade 8 in conjunction with their instrumental exams. They have worked hard to improve their understanding of music theory and we wish them luck for their results at the end of term.

BBC Prom ConcertsOn Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd July the choir will be joining other Herts schools to perform at the CBeebies Prom in the Royal Albert Hall. This prestigious series of concerts takes place every year and we are delighted that we have been selected to take part. We will be performing “The Humming Chorus” from Madam Butterfly by Puccini and a brand new work called “Earth” by film composer Hans Zimmer (known especially for his scores for Gladiator, Prince of Egypt and Pirates of the Caribbean). The concerts are at 11am and are open to the public. Thanks to those staff who have offered to accompany the trip on the first few days of the holiday. The concert will also be televised and more information will be given when scheduling is confirmed.

Keep in touch! – Find out more about what is going on in the music department and what you can be involved with through our Twitter and Instagram accounts: @nbsmusicdept

‘Coolest Projects’ in DublinNBS Student at Global Coding Competition

Salter Science Competition



Drama NewsStudents in Year 10 performed their original exam pieces in June to an audience of parents,

friends and teachers. During the evening the audience were treated to three thought provoking

performances based on poems, stories and pictures which the students had created themselves

from scratch. A great evening showcasing the creative skills of our GCSE Drama students.

NBS School Production 2020Auditions coming in September!

Production 23-25 January 2020 - Don’t miss out!

Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School – Spring Newsletter 201915


Spring Term RoundupSenior Athletics ChampionshipsThere were some good performances from all involved, especially where Finlay took part in his first ever steeplechase (he wasn’t expecting a bath on the water jump!) and Will Palacio managed to get through to the hurdles finals.

However, the star of the show and MVP yesterday was Rosie Day who won her high jump competition with a season best of 1.50m, beating someone who has previously beaten her in seasons past. She became the Senior District Athletics Champion! Well done Rosie!

Sponsored RaceOn Sunday 5th May 2019, Maia Jacobs had her first competitive race in her role as sponsored athlete. She took third place and qualified for the Spartan World Championships to be held this September at Lake Tahoe.

Mr Tominey, Head of PE

NBS Sporting Review

Sports Performer of the Month Award

Sports Performer of the Month Award

Has performed to a high standard in athletics and skiing in recent months. Ellie pushes herself during training and competes with commitment and determination at athletics events.

SPOTM Reward:

Sports Performer of the Month Trophy, Fifteen Achievement Points, Phone call/Merit Card sent home and a piece of sporting equipment of her choice.

May 2019 NomineesEllie Edwards, Year 7

Has performed to a high standard in athletics and skiing in recent months. Ellie pushes herself during training and competes with commitment and determination at athletics events.

Jude Smith Year 7

Has shown great enthusiasm and dedication to improving at athletics and skiing.

Joe Dimmock Year 7

Has shown great dedication in improving his javelin throw, every lunch time on the field.

Rosie Day Year 12

Won Senior Champs for the first time, she beat a long standing opponent to win in high jump. Has given up her time to help coach younger years in high jump.

David Omeregbee Year 10

Has shown commitment and dedication to improving his athletics.

Enoch Ayuba Year 10


Emmanuel Yeboah Year 10


May 2019 Ellie Edwards, Year 7

The award goes to the person, across all years, who displays one or more of the following criteria:

Excellence within extra-curricular training.Excellence within competitive school matches.Outstanding progress in lessons.Outstanding attitude to the high standards set in PE.Representation at a high level outside of school.

Rosie Day, High Jump Winner



We are pleased to invite our current and prospective families to our Whole School Open Evening

Headteacher’s Address 5.45pm | 6.30pm | 7.30pm

Thursday 3rd October 20195.30pm - 8.30pm

OPEN EVENING INVITATION

NICHOLAS BREAKSPEARCATHOLIC SCHOOL

a year of commitment…

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