St. Bedes Award For Excellent GCSE Results We are delighted to announce that we have received national recognition for the exceptional attainment our pupils gained in the 2014 GCSE examinations. SSAT, the Schools, Students and Teachers Network, recently undertook its annual in-depth analysis of official Department for Education data on all state-funded schools in England and identified St Bede's Catholic Colleges success. The school has qualified for an SSAT Educational Outcomes Award by being in the top 10% of non-selective schools nationally for high average grades achieved by students. Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said: St Bede's Catholic College should be congratulated for their exceptional achievement. They have proved themselves to be leading the field in improving GCSE outcomes for their students. These results are testament to the commitment and hard work of the students, teachers and leadership team at St Bede's Catholic College, and show what can be achieved when skilled teachers have high expectations and ambition for every young person. CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL Nearly 300 primary children and their families gathered at the college last Thursday evening for the annual Catholic Schools Primary Music Festival. Pupils from Corpus Christi, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Bernards, St Bonaventures, St Francis, St Marys, St Nicholas of Tolentine, St Josephs, SS Peter and Paul and St Teresas Catholic primary schools performed a wonderful selection of traditional and contemporary songs in unison. The theme of the evening was a Working together for a better world and it was a truly uplifting celebration during this time of Lent.

BBC SCHOOL REPORT Hold the front page! St Bedes was, once again, involved with BBC School Report this year. Pupils were encouraged to make their own news on Thursday of this week and the results can be found on our website at www.stbedescc.org/bbc_news.html. Every year the BBC throw open their news rooms to young journalists and give them the opportunity to have their voices heard. We are enthusiastic supporters of the day and this year had more budding writers than ever before. The stories that made it through the rigorous editing process included a preview of the Scout Jamboree in Japan, an interview with playwright Simon Stevens, a meditation on what it means to be a girl in 2015 and several fantastic book reviews. Read all of these, and more, on the website. POEM SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION Congratulations to Isoken Omoruyi, Year 7 who recently entered a poetry competition run by the Young Writers. We were delighted last week to hear that Isokens poem The Power Of The Pen has been selected to be published in an anthology called Poetopia. A wonderful achievement, well done!

The Power Of The Pen You ask me, What is your greatest weapon? It is my pen. You ask me, What use is a pen? My pen is my freedom. Je suis Charlie. You ask, What is your most powerful strength? They are my words. You ask me Who tells you what words to use? My words are my choice. I am Charlie. You ask me, What is your supreme strategy? It is my art. You ask me, What drawings are important? My art is my choice. Je suis un stylo.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

23rd

March Week of Year 10 and 11 End of Term Exams

24th

March Deadline for Year 9 Option Forms

25th

March Key Stage 4 Music and Art Showcase

27th

March END OF TERM 4

26th

March Year 12 Iceland Trip departs

29th

March Year 11 Berlin Trip departs

31st

March Year 12 Iceland Trip returns

1st

April Year 11 Berlin Trip returns

13th

April START OF TERM 5 WEEK A

Week of Year 8 Written Exams

24th

April Year 7 Reports Home

St. Bede's Catholic College Specialist Science and Sports College

T: 0117 377 2200 E: contact@stbedescc.org W: www.stbedescc.org

Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117) 3772201 E-mail: st_bedes_s@bristol-city.gov.uk

Tel: (0117) 3772200 Fax: (0117) 3772201 E-mail: st_bedes_s@bristol-city.gov.uk

Newsletter 194 20th March 2015

2010

POETRY SUCCESS In the last issue of our newsletter we told you that past pupil Riley Dolan has been selected as one of 12 finalists with her poem The Reckless Youth in a competition run by The Young Writers. Rileys poem can be viewed on the following website: www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/poetry-games-winners.php If you enjoy the poem, please vote. Voting will take place from 1st April. PUPILS FLYING HIGH Congratulations to Year 10 pupil Declan Harvey-Kelly and Owen Price-Lewis who have both been successful in securing a cadet scholarship at Bristol and Gloucester Gliding Club. Declan and Owen both gave a presentation before being interviewed and were delighted to be selected. The scholarship Flying bursaries are given to those who can demonstrate a strong interest in gliding, aviation and learning to fly. A fantastic achievement.

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK This week, St Bedes celebrated British Science week which encompassed the International year of Light as its predominant theme.

Year 7 stepped up to the task of the 'Spaghetti Tower Challenge' whereby pupils had to build a tower of spaghetti using 6 marshmallows

Year 8 were challenged to make rockets that were judged according to the best design and longest flight time.

Year 9 explored different displacement reactions and what colours they revealed whilst mapping the chemical products to a colour by numbers.

Year 10 produced 'Dancing Flames' based around the Will-o-the-wisp that glowed an eerily beautiful green-blue

Year 11 investigated chemical equilibrium using the Indigo Carmine traffic light reaction.

Pupils were also invited to take part in a series of lunchtime activities including the 'Flaming Bridge of Death', Methane Bubbles and the Reuben's Tube! Fun and learning was had by all - in the name of science!

URGENT REMINDER WORK EXPERIENCE All Year 10 work experience placement details must be submitted to Dr OHagan by Monday 13th April at the very latest. VISIT TO SHAKESPEARES GLOBE On Friday 13th March, all of our 6th Form English Literature students visited Shakespeares Globe Theatre in London to see a production of Othello. This is a key coursework text so it was brilliant to see the play brought to life. Exploring themes of ambition, trust, prejudice, betrayal and jealousy, this show definitely left us all buzzing with the thrill of live theatre. The students have said what a wonderful experience this was and were particularly impressed by the Globe building and the quality of the performance. Afterwards students were able to meet some of the actors and get their autographs, and whilst it might not be true for Othello, in the case of our day out Alls Well that Ends Well!

SWAZILAND 2016 On the 7th of March, eight Year 12 students completed a 15k run at Blaise Castle Estate, to raise money for their expedition to Swaziland in 2016, with an organisation called World Challenge. In Swaziland the students will be based at a neighbourhood care point and school. They will be working on a project to aid abandoned and orphaned children. The opportunity will enable the students to experience different cultures, whilst developing valuable life skills. In total the challengers raised 1310.50 towards their expedition!

BERLIN 31 Year 11 pupils will be visiting Berlin over the holidays. We look forward to reporting on the trip in the next newsletter.

PLAYWRIGHT VISIT On Thursday 19th March, playwright Simon Stevens who has had massive success with his adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon, visited St Bede's. He gave an inspirational talk to all Year 9 Drama pupils, worked with Year 10 GCSE Drama pupils on the Curious Incident and with BTEC Performing Arts Sixth Formers on a unit of work they are currently preparing. Stevens was impressed with the college and our pupils' questions, ideas and creativity. LIBRARY EVENT This year we are again participating in the Carnegie Shadowing Scheme. All Year 8 and 9 are welcome to come and join the debate on Wednesdays in the library at 1.30pm. YEAR 7 FUNDRAISING Year 7 have been busy fundraising for the charity Lepra which helps people affected by the disease Leprosy, around the world. Just 25 will buy a cure for leprosy and prevents the terrible disfigurement and social stigma that goes with it. Some of the fundraising events that Year 7 ran included an extremely successful cake sale, a sponsored silence and selling homemade cards. The overall total was a staggering 2007.00! This almost doubles last years fundraising attempts. As a reward, Year 7 were treated to a Zumba session last Friday. It was quite the spectacle to witness nearly 180 pupils following the instructor move for move. It was amazing. A huge thank you to all the pupils and families that supported this cause, it has been a highly successful and enjoyable event and we have helped 75 people get the cure they need.

CLASS OF 84 REUNION Did you attend St. Bedes between 1979 and 1984? If so, you are invited to the Class of 84 Reunion at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, Bristol on Saturday, 20th June 2015 from 7.00pm. For further details please contact carol.mccarthy@blueyonder.co.uk

LIVING YOUR FAITH SUMMER CAMPS The Living Your Faith Summer Camps, run by the Clifton Diocese, will be held during August and are intended to encourage children and young people to engage in their faith through fun, games and Spiritual input. They take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Marist Convent in Nympsfield. Week one 3rd -7th August (age7-11 years) Week two 10th-14th August (age12-15) For more details contact Stephen Spurrell on 07860 849460 or livingyourfaith@hotmail.co.uk or look on the website www.livingyourfaith.co.uk APP OF THE WEEK Show My Homework available to download from itunes and Google Play. Remember to search for St Bedes Catholic College to make sure you find the correct school. LIBRARY OPEN HOURS An extra study period is again available in the library from Monday to Thursday until 4.30pm. This is a perfect opportunity for pupils and sixth form students to work independently in a quiet environment particularly with the examination period approaching. FOOTBALL SESSIONS St. Bedes Community Sports are running Girls FA Football sessions every Monday during term time from 3.30pm - 4.30pm. The sessions, which will take place on the 3G pitch are for girls between 13 and 17 years. Open to all abilities the sessions will be led by Miss Chennells and Miss Hooper. BRISTOL HAWKS COMMUNITY BASKETBALL CLUB Bristol Hawks are offering basketball sessions for girls and women aged 12+ at St. Bedes on Wednesdays from 5.55pm to 6.55pm. Sessions are 2.00 for under 18s and 4.00 for adults. For further information contact Danny James on 0791 3326190 or email dannybjames72@gmail.com EASTER HOLIDAY SPORTS CAMPS The St. Bede's Community Sports team will be running two 4 day multi-sports camps during the Easter school holidays. The sports camps are for boys and girls aged 7-14 years of age and will run from 9am-3pm from Monday 30th March to Thursday 2nd April and Tuesday 7th April to Friday 10th April. The cost is 10 per day or 35 for 4 days. Sports will include basketball, cricket, tennis, football and much more. For further information and to book your child a place please contact Rob Allan, Sports Development Officer, on 07825 767582 or email r.allan@stbcc.org

REVISION SESSIONS OVER EASTER We are offering numerous revision sessions for Year 11 and Sixth form pupils over the Easter Holidays. These are listed below:

Group

Subject Time

Monday 30th March

A Level Biology - Mrs Carmichael 10:00 14:00

A Level Psychology - Ms Lobbett 10:00 14:00

Tuesday 31st March

GCSE Spanish - Ms Sanders 10:30 13:30

GCSE Music - Ms Lobbett 10:00 14:00

Wednesday 1st April

A Level Chemistry - Mrs Redfearn 09:00 13:00

GCSE French - Ms Sanders 10:30 13:30

GCSE Psychology - Ms Lobbett 10:00 14:00

GCSE Religious Formation 11/7 - Mr Toffolo 10:00 13:00

Thursday 2nd April

A Level Biology - Mrs Carmichael 10:00 14:00

A Level Chemistry - Mrs Redfearn 09:00 13:00

GCSE Maths Mr Colebourne and Mrs Turri 10:00 14:00

Tuesday 7th April

A Level Religious Education - Mr McCarthy 10:00 14:00

A Level French -Mrs Owen 10:00 14:00

GCSE French/Spanish - Mrs Owen 10:00 14:00

GCSE Art - Mrs Cannon 10:00 14:00

GCSE Technology - Miss Scadding 09:00 13:00

Wednesday 8th April

A Level Economics - Mr King 10:00 14:00

A Level Religious Education - Mr McCarthy 10:00 14:00

A Level Philosophy - Mr Toffolo 13:00 15:00

A Level Law - Miss Smith 10:00 14:00

A Level Spanish - Mrs Owen 10:00 14:00

GCSE French/Spanish - Mrs Owen 10:00 14:00

GCSE Religious Formation 11/3 - Mr Toffolo 10:00 13:00

GCSE Religious Formation - Mr McCarthy 10:00 14:00

GCSE Art - Mrs Cannon 10:00 14:00

Thursday 9th April

A Level Psychology - Ms Lobbett 10:00 14:00

A Level Biology - Mrs Carmichael 09:00 13:00

A Level Religious Education - Mr McCarthy 10:00 14:00

GCSE English - Mr McNamara 10:00 14:00

Friday 10th April

GCSE Music and Psychology - Ms Lobbett 10:00 14:00

GCSE Religious Formation - Mr McCarthy 10:00 14:00

GCSE Spanish - Ms Sanders 10:30 13:30

NUMERACY CHALLENGE Four Ships left Avonmouth at noon on 2nd January 1953. The first ship returns to port every 4 weeks, the second every 8, the third every 12 and the fourth every 16. When will the four ships all be in Avonmouth again?

Email your answers to newsletterquiz@stbedescc.org. Vivos for the 1st correct answers.

Congratulations to Joseph Whitfield Year 7 who is the winner of the last Numeracy challenge with the correct answer of 200 miles.

LITERACY CHALLENGE How many words consisting of 2 or more letters can you create from the letters shown? You MUST include the central letter in all of your words. Can you spot the 9 letter word?

Good = 10 Excellent = 20 Outstanding = 25

Congratulations to Emma Lawton Year 7 who is the winner of the last Literacy challenge with 22 words including the 9 letter word: Christmas