DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

26th January 2014 4.30pm

Charity Scratch Orchestra, Colston Hall

30th January 2014 Year 11 Kintbury Retreat Leave 4.30pm

2nd February 2014 Year 11 Kintbury Retreat return

3rd February 2014 INSET DAY

6th February 2014 4.30pm 7.30pm

Year 11 Parents Evening

EX PUPIL JOE JOYCE Congratulations to ex pupil Joe Joyce who scored his first try for the senior Bristol Rugby team against Aberavon last Sunday. In addition to this Joe has now been selected to play for the Ireland under 20 squad. We look forward to following Joes progress. YEAR 9 UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM EVENING Our Year 9 Upper School Curriculum evening was held on Wednesday and attracted large numbers of pupils and parents. Year 9 Parents Evening is on 11th March 2014. Option forms must be returned by 14th March 2014. Ms Hughes shared with parents information about the planned national changes in Assessment at both GCSE and A Level. The Year 8 event is on Thursday 13th February and parents will be informed then about how these will effect their children. COMMUNITY SPIRIT We were delighted last week to receive a letter from parishioners at St Teresas Catholic Church, Filton who wrote to express their gratitude and thanks to four of our Year 10 and 11 pupils. Joseph Gilbert, Edward Nicholls, David Tunks and Tom Wilson have been personal tutors at the St Teresas Computer Club for the last two years. The club offers assistance to parishioners, particularly the elderly, with all types of technology including email, internet shopping, iPlayer and Skype. This has been valuable to many parishioners, a fine example of community spirit. Well done.

CHRISTMAS CHEMISTRY LECTURES This week St Bedes hosted the University of Bristol Christmas Lectures provided by ChemLabs. These lectures are modelled on the Christmas lectures annually held by the Royal Institution in London which are televised during the Christmas period. Over the two days six lectures were presented by Tim Harrison of the University of Bristols outreach programme ChemLabs. These lectures focussed on the topics of Gases in the Atmosphere and their interactions. The lectures also included an interactive element and many of the pupils were able to initiate the experiments causing loud explosions. Pupils can find science academically challenging but these lectures together with their lessons help to remind them that it is a very practical subject that incorporates many skills. I have no doubt that for some of these children; ensuring engagement in the subject now will change their view of science, their study options and influence chosen career paths. A Year 9 pupil said It was fantastic! Comments made by the primary school children were ones of awe ranging from that was epic to I want to do loads of science! These events have an inspirational effect on the children involved and allow them to see what kind of science they could be involved in at a university level. EMAIL ADDRESSES We frequently use email to provide parents/carers with important information. If you have not provided the College with an email address or you have recently changed your address could you please email the college your details: contact@stbedescc.org. Thank you.

St Bedes Catholic College Long Cross, Bristol BS11 OSU

Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117) 3772201

E-mail: contact@stbedescc.org Visit our Website: www.stbedescc.org

NEWSLETTER 171 17th January 2014 2010

http://www.chemlabs.bris.ac.uk/bios/Tim_Harrison.html

YEAR 11 EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS RETREAT Last Friday, our Year 11 Eucharistic Ministers participated in a Retreat day led by Father Tom Finnegan to reflect upon the importance of the Eucharist in their life. The group went to St Vincent De Paul in Southmead.

FEBRUARY HALF-TERM SPORTS CAMPS The St Bede's Community Sports team will once again be running their holiday sports camps this February half-term from Monday 17th Friday 21st. The week will consist of 5 days of multi-sports activities where the children will get to try a wide range of sports such as tennis, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball and much more. The camp is for boys and girls aged 7-14 and cost 10 per day or 40 for the full week with discounts offered for siblings. If your child is on free school meals, the school will be willing to pay the fee if you wish for him/her to participate. For more information or to book onto the course please contact Rob Allan, Community Sports Development Officer, on 07825 767582 or email r.allan@stbcc.org NOTICE OF CLOSURE OF ST BEDES CATHOLIC COLLEGE 200 CLUB A letter has been sent home to many of our parents who have loyally supported our St Bedes 200 Club for many years. With the help of those parents involved, we have managed to fund many school projects including most recently, the installation of a tennis court and a mini bus purchase. Sadly, over the year, the numbers in the 200 club have reduced and many parents have now joined our Gift Aid Scheme. Therefore we will be closing our 200 Club at the end of January 2014. If any parents wish to continue supporting St Bedes which would be really appreciated, you could join our Gift Aid fund. If you are a UK tax payer, we are able to reclaim tax on your donations so a donation of 5 per month, 60 per year, means a minimum of 75 to the school fund. A Gift Aid form is available from Reception.

SPORTS NEWS YEAR 9 RUGBY In the Super 8 County level Rugby match on Wednesday, our Year 9 team fought a hard game against Beechen Cliff. A great effort was displayed by all, even though we had good possession throughout the game, we lost 38-0.

SESSION 6 HOME LEARNING @ SCHOOL The facility to stay in school to study until 4.30pm is open to all pupils in Year 10, 11, 12 and 13. Some youngsters, for a variety of reasons find studying at home to be difficult. They can now stay in school, in the library for a supervised study period until 4.30pm. This is a real opportunity for a new year, a new start, better home learning, better grades. Parents who are concerned about their childrens progress or home learning should contact the Head of House or Head of Year to discuss any worries they may have. JAZZ CONCERT

Past pupils Sinead McCabe and Sam Pembery are

performing together in their first concert at Newman

Hall, Westbury on Trym on Friday 21st February at 8pm.

Both Sinead and Sam are hoping to become

professional and the evening is sure to be a delight for

all. Tickets are available in advance tel: 0117 9717852

or on the door.

PAST PUPIL SUCCESS Congratulations to ex-pupil Deborah McCahon who graduated at Liverpool University with a degree in Biochemistry and most recently received a Masters and a Phd at Birmingham University. We always look forward to receiving news from our past pupils so please do keep in touch. E SAFETY We need to be aware of how long children spend online and be prepared to intervene if we think it may be too long. It is recommended that children do not have more than 2 hours a day screen time.

WISE WORDS Like the eagle, we have to move our wings to soar.

Byrd Baggett

BRAINTEASER If you see me, I do not see you.

I am blind. If you speak to me, I will speak to you without a voice.

Who am I? LAST BRAINTEASER ANSWER

3 people

tel:07825%20767582mailto:r.allan@stbcc.org