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Newsletter
Archive
The academic year has several endings as different year
groups complete their education. Year 11 completed their rite of passage
into Educational Adulthood on 28th June as they are no longer forced by
law to be educated. In the Leavers Service in church we heard how future
education is something they must choose and it is pleasing that over 150
out of 200 students have chosen to stay on in our sixth form. Year 13
have now finished their A2 examinations and anxiously await the publication
of results on Thursday 15th August. Students should come into school from
9.30am. One week later Year 11 receive their GCSE results from 10.00 am
on Thursday 22nd August and we will have staff on hand to help students
with any decision making they face.
For all those who leave us we thank them for their hard work and service
to the school, we have every confidence they will fulfil their potential
and go on to success in life to develop into thoroughly worthwhile citizens.
With news that Bishop Barry is to retire it is fitting
we pay tribute to his excellent service to the Diocese over the years.
He is an outstanding preacher and has supported Redcliffe very fully.
In one of his last staffing decisions he has arranged for us to have 2
days per week of ordained Chaplaincy from September and we are grateful
for this and for the other support he has given us.
Staff also are moving on to different opportunities in
the coming year:
Mrs Anne Begg who is moving to France for the next phase of her life.
She has given 25 years of dedicated and loyal service to the school as
a teacher of Economics, as Head of House and more recently as Assistant
Headteacher.
Mr Andrew Evans is to be Head of Physics in a school in Wales and leaves
us after 5 years of science teaching and a memorable trip to Tanzania
with the Sixth form.
Ms Jo Walsh who was on a short term contract pending the appointment of
a new Head of English leaves to teach English in a school in Birmingham.
Mrs Viv Sherman is to retire after many years devoted service in August.
Many generations of students will remember with affection her passion
for English, her strength of faith that she shared with others and the
many dramatic productions she produced for the Sixth Form.
Mr Andrew Stuart who was on a short term contract is to return to his
beloved London area.
Mr Jon Lampard leaves to run a business in Somerset. He has been a good
teacher of Design Technology and has supported many sporting events as
well as teaching his subject.
Mrs Gill Newton leaves to join her husband who has been made Bishop serving
the London area. Gill has been with us as a teacher of children with special
needs and many know that the sensitivity and care she offered were outstanding.
Mrs Gill Cherns and Mr Martin Spiller are changing roles and are picking
up smaller contracts supporting special needs children and two staff,
Mrs Sarah Richards and Mr
Steve Evans are having a year out of school, one for family reasons and
the other for an exchange with America.
All these staff have given passion, energy and expertise to the Children
of Redcliffe and we thank them all.
These staff, like the students in Years 11 and 13, are at critical stages
on their life journey, they have made decisions about their future and
will use the knowledge and skills gained here to further their lives.
Monday July 1st will be Sports Day if the weather allows. Parents are
reminded that children should attend school with a waterproof and a packed
lunch as well as sports kit if they are a competitor. We will travel to
Whitchurch Sports Centre for a start soon after 9.00am. If things run
to schedule we will finish at 1.30pm and students will be dismissed from
school at approximately 2.00pm
Friday 12th July will be our 'false' end of term. We will hold our End
of Term Service in St Mary Redcliffe Church and in the afternoon dismiss
pupils at 2.30 pm as usual. The final newsletter of term will be issued
at the end of this week.
The next week 15-19 July is Activities Week when Year 10 will be on Work
Experience while years 12,9,8,7 are engaged on a wide range of activity
from Circus Skills, to a Mendip walk to Abseiling in Edale and canoeing
in Wales. We hope the weather is kind and all the children and staff have
a marvellous time.
The in-service day of 22 July will focus on Health and safety training
for those who have not already undertaken this work.
This took place in April. A record 166 pupils from Years 7 and 8 took
part. There 9 Gold, 38 Silver and 335 Bronz4 Certificates awarded. The
Gold awards went to: Philip Hazelden, Tom Wright, Amy Parsons, Joshua
Turnbull, Christopher Evans, Ellen Perry (all Year 7); James Diwell, Katrina
Hart, Rebecca Derham (Year 8). James and Philip were jointly best in school.
Congratulations to all who took part. Mr Netto
In his typical self-effacing way, David McGregor failed to announce that
he has been appointed as one of the irst ever lay Canons of Bristol Cathedral.
This is in recognition of his contribution to the life of the wider church
and particularly of the Christian Leadership he has brought to this school
over the past six years. We offer him congratulations on behalf of the
whole school community. Two of the other new lay Canons are also closely
connected to the School: Caro Barker Bennett is the Diocesan Director
of Education and Simon Awdry is a key member of the Temple Ecclesiastical
Charity which has provided financial backing for the School over many
years.
The Redcliffe Community Fete was again a great success, despite the threat
of rain and a World Cup match bang in the middle!
We don't have the final result yet but it looks as though the total will
be around £3,500, shared between the Church, the Primary School
and us. It's good to have this money to support teachers in their work
by providing some extras and we're also delighted with the many comments
that the atmosphere was so relaxed and pleasant, a really enjoyable community
day. Several Church members made a point of commenting on how well our
children behaved while watching the match on the wide screen in the Church,
gladdening the heart of parent and teacher alike. Having sold the most
programmes, Laura and Olly have each won a balloon flight during the Bristol
Balloon Fiesta - the raffle prizewinners are similarly delighted with
their balloon flights - congratulations!
We felt very supported by the many staff who helped before and on the
day and those who attended the Fete. Thanks also to the many parents who
offered assistance and worked so hard, donated goods to sell and dragged
offspring along to support the day. Special thanks to Brian Benjamin who
has contributed both considerable energy and material benefits, including
the balloon flight prizes, throughout his time on the PTA committee, and
who is now taking a sabbatical due to work commitments. Finally, Sarah
Spottiswoode bravely became our Fete Co-ordinator, liaising with the Church
and Primary School since planning began early this year. The last minute
news of the England/Denmark match timed for the middle of the Fete caused
the only slight wobble to her admirable composure throughout - thanks,
Sara!
Our next, and last, meeting this year will be held on Thursday, 4th July
at 7.30 in the School Library. We will be planning our activities and
focus for next year and would welcome your suggestions, either in person
on the night, or by telephone or a note through the School Office.Alison
Murphy - Publicity
(Tel: 0117 9292342)
A short plea from the School Librarian!
Unfortunately, the Library has a number of books missing from its shelves
at the present time. If you find any at home, please could you return
them to the school as soon as possible. If any are late returns, there
will be no fines charged this time.
Mrs Anna Mealing
On one of the first really sunny days of the year so far, two coaches
left Bristol early in the morning on Thursday 7th March bound for Southwark
Cathedral in London. The occasion was the making of a new bishop, and
that new bishop was Canon Keith Newton, the Vicar of Holy Nativity Church
in Knowle, the husband of Mrs Gill Newton who teaches in our Special Needs
Department.
The Archbishop of Canterbury took the service in a packed Cathedral, and
it was good to see pupils from the school - past and present - who had
come to lend their support. I am sure we would all want to wish Bishop
Keith and Mrs Newton every happiness as they prepare to move house to
take up their new duties near London.
Mrs. Gill Peregrine (Maths Department).
Reality Strikes Twice
I hope that you've all seen the publicity about July 5th. Tickets are
on sale via the School Office and can be reserved by phone to be collected
on the door. Don't miss the opportunity to see (and to bring others to
see) good Christian drama.
"Young Christians in Bristol"
Anyone interested in attending the Bristol Inter-Faith Group's Meeting
on the theme of "Young Christians Growing Up In Bristol" is
welcome to come to the Sixth form Common Room (Temple Colston Building)
on Monday July 8th at 7.30pm.
Africa Day
We're really looking forward to this day. Year 7 will be off timetable
all day; Year 8 will be having Africa - themed lessons; the library will
have special displays and there will be a Fair Trade stalls upstairs and
themed food from Scolarest! We'll be welcoming poets, artists, musicians,
dancers, charity - workers and clergy into the School. Thank you, in advance,
to everyone who is contributing.
Diana Award
You may remember that we asked for nominations for the Diana Award for
Young People. We received 5, all of whom will receive School Council Awards
and we're delighted that the national panel has agreed that Matthew de
Beger (Y11) deserves the Diana Award. They agree with us in the inspirational
nature of the way Matthew conducts himself round the School. Congratulations!
News of Former Students
Ex-pupil Richard Allen who has been a Vicar in Exmouth for a long time
has now been appointed as Chaplain and Head of RE at Millfield Prep/Junior
School. Congratulations Richard. We are always interested in news of former
pupils, so please let the School know if you have any news.
July 1st Sports Day
July 2nd 10.00am Conference for
Christian Youth Workers
July 3rd - 4th Sixth Form Induction Days (Yr 11s)
July 3rd 7.30pm Summer Serenade
July 4th pm Roughshod Theatre-> Yr10 classes
July 4th 7.30pm PTA Meeting
July 5th Yr 6 -> 7 Induction Day 2
July 5th 7.30pm Roughshod 'Reality Strikes Twice'
July 8th 12.15pm 12:27 Charity Stall in Foyer
July 8th 7.30pm "Young Christians in Bristol" BiFG
July 9th Africa Day
July 10th 12.15pm 12:27 Charity Stall in Foyer
July 11th am Roughshod -> Yr10 Classes
July 11th 12.30pm "The Event" (Christian Worship in
Hall)
July 12th Newsletter Issued
Y9,10 Reports Issued
Full School Service
July 15th - 19th Activities Week Yr7,8,9,12
Work Experience Yr10
July 22nd INSET (School closed to pupils)
September 6th Autumn Term Starts for Pupils
Individual Tennis News from Avon Schools Singles Championships
David Wilford lost to Tim Dutch in the Semi-Final.
Tim Dutch won the final and is now Avon Schools (U14) Singles Champion
(B league). Jonny Freeman lost in the quarter finals of the U16's.
Tim Freeman lost in the Final of the U16's. Anna Wilford lost in the Semi-Final
of the girls U14 competition.
Stop Press
Tim and Jonny Freeman represented Avon in the South West U16 Schools'
Champions. They competed very well against four other County teams and
came a respectable joint 3rd. They are now U16 Avon Champions for one
year. This is the first time in over 20 years that SMRT has been represented
at this level.
Team News
U13 & U16 Tennis - Boys Vs King Edwards School(Bath)
U13 Won 6 Sets - 0
U15 Won 5 Sets - 1
U13 & U15 Tennis - Girls Vs Castle School
U13 Won 1 Lost 4
U15 Won 3 Lost 0
Athletics
The Senior Athletics Squad (Mini Bus) has progressed to the finals at
Whitchurch on Wednesday 3rd July. Jakob Filer is County Champion for Javelin
- other results are pending.
Rounders
Results so far in the league:
Yr7 - Won 3 Lost 1
Yr8 - Won 1 Lost 2
Yr9 - Won 2 Lost 0
Yr10 - Won 3 Lost 0
And Finally…… we 'hit the headlines' again this week.
Excerpt from 'Evening Post' Friday June 21st 2002.
'Pupils from St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School have won the regional
finals of the Rotary's Young Innovator of the Year 2002 competition. Rachael
Berry (16) and Jake Applebee (17) impressed judges with their designs
and creation of their products. Rachael made a brightly coloured quilt
with moveable pieces and Jakes designed a table for the foyer of and advertising
company. Head of technology, Steve Williams, said: "These are two
highly creative ideas. Jake has combined natural materials to make a modern
looking piece, and the quality of manufacture in Rachael's design is superb."
Jake and Rachael will compete in the national finals in the Midlands on
July 7th for the first prize of £2,000'. Well done you two and best
of luck for the next stage of the competition.
SMRT School presents the story of Faith, a young girl who
dreams of being a star. Find outwhat happens, when her dreams start to
become real and when reality becomes illusion.
Will Faith win T.V. talent show 'Starmaker'? Will Pip ever
see her sister Roz again?What are Super Girl Group 'Effigy' really like?
How does pop sensation Todd Johnson attract all those girls? When will
Faith "stop behaving like a character in a musical" and who
or what are the enigmatic backing singers that keep appearing?
Angelus is a new musical written by music teacher Edward
Davies and past and present pupils of the school. It was first performed
in December 2000 and is now presented in a revised version featuring four
new songs as well as all your favourites from last time!
Do take this opportunity to see talented members of the
school for the last time before they leave for College or University and
catch your first glimpse of new talent in drama, dance and music from
Year 7 & 8!
There will be five performances:
Wednesday 17th - Saturday 20th July (7 - 10 p.m.)
and a matinee on Saturday 20th (2 -5 p.m.)
This production of Angelus is presented at the Winston
Theatre, which is part of the University of Bristol Students Union in
Queens Road, Clifton. Tickets cost £5 (£3 concession, £12
Family Ticket - 2 Adults + 2 Children) and are available every lunchtime
in the school foyer. The previous performances were a sell out so please
book early!
For further information please phone the Angelus Hotline
on 0776 108 8529
or check out our Website at http://angelus-smrt.tripod.com
'ANGELUS' - Do You Believe In Angels?
Top of Page
Welcome back to our new school year. For the teaching
staff the year began with a Eucharist and a sermon preached by Revd.
Catherine Coster, Diocesan Schools’ Adviser. Staff were reminded
of the importance of positive relationships with each other to further
children’s learning and, due to the even more important relationship
with God, to encourage the spiritual development of all members
of the school community. We have taken two days of our 5 in-service
days at the start of year to allow us to integrate the new staff
into teams and to develop our training in better teaching and learning
styles. We are all using a more structured classroom behaviour programme
where the expected behaviour will be explained, the effects behaviours
have are explained and Consequences of misbehaviour spelled out.
We are sure this will allow all students to focus more clearly on
their learning in the classroom.
At the end of last term I thanked those staff who
were leaving. We have appointed the following staff to continue
the excellent tradition of teaching at Redcliffe this September:
We have three new scientists: Dr Alison Camacho is a Physics specialist,
Mr Patrick Youmans a Chemist and Ms Jessica Lunt a Biologist.
English : has a new Head of Faculty in
Mr Trevor Crocker and he has Ms Katie Mansfield, Ms Claire Horsburgh,
Mr Shaun Champion joining his team.
ICT: is strengthened by Ms Rachel James and Mr Richard Wheeler who
is Assistant Head in charge of assessment.
Psychology: Ms Grace Pittman
Physical Education: Mr Andrew Hall and
Ms Kelly Pearce.
Maths: Mr Peter Kelley has joined us from the USA as an exchange
Maths teachers and Mr Ray
Douglas to teach Maths and work with children with learning difficulties.
Design Technology: we are fortunate to have the extra skills of
Ms Georgina Hatton.
Languages: we welcome back Ms Esther Wrixon as a part-time teacher.
The Support Staff are strengthened by three appointments: Mr Simon
Parsons has been appointed to be ICT network manager while Mrs Georgina
Botting is providing extra secretarial support to the office.
The Revd. Robin Dodge will share roles as a Chaplain at the School
and Associate Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe Church. I am sure parents
will welcome these new staff when you meet later in the year.
Does anyone know a person with handyman skills that would be interested
as a post as assistant caretaker? We need to strengthen our team
and John Shackell (Premises Manager) would love to hear from you
if you know someone who would be interested.
Is available to any parent who wants to make an application for
support for school visits, for school equipment if there is financial
hardship in the family. Simply write a note to the Head of House
or visit organizer explaining the circumstances and asking for support
– it will be willingly given in confidence. We do need an AUDITOR
for the fund. We would be willing to pay and need someone with audit
or banking experience – can you help us? Please telephone Mrs
Jackie Doherty at school to offer your help.
GCSEs were again remarkable and 79% of the year achieved 5 or more
A* to C grades and the average points scored was 53 being our best
ever. While Jenny Norman got 8A* and was awarded one of the country’s
best marks in Geography, the whole year group achieved a magnificent
standard and deserve our praise. The most rewarding performances
were often achieved by students who got C grades as these students
often exceeded their predicted grade by 2 or more points. As a result
we have a record number of 150 students returning to the Sixth Form.
At A2 and AVCE Level in Year 13 the school’s
results were excellent and the Times League table placed us in the
top 200 schools in the country. The national picture is of increased
% pass at 94% and our pass rate an excellent 96%. Of the 100 candidates
for A Level 32 got 24 points or higher (compared with 22 last year)
and the average points per student is above the national position.
Congratulations to all Sixth Form students on the quality of their
performance.
AS and AVCE Level in Year 12
This new examination has a national pass rate of 88% compared to
our 92%. We had 130 candidates and there have been some remarkable
performances with a high number of A and B grades. Of particular
note is Paul Wilkinson’s ‘best in the exam board’
mark in Sociology. We look forward to excellent A Level results
in 2003.
News of Past Students
News is slowly reaching us and we congratulate Anna Jones on her
first class honours degree from Liverpool in Mathematics. You must
know of others who graduated this year - do let us know.
The Prayer Support Group meets in the evening once
every half-term to pray for the school. We are mostly parents, plus
a few staff, and the occasional governor. It is a very informal
group – we share news and topics to pray for, and then have
a time of open prayer, when we can pray out loud or silently. Although
sometimes our prayers can seem like a shopping list for God, we
do try to say “thank you” for all the good things as well!
Anyone is welcome to come to the group, even if you can only come
once, we would be pleased to see you. The dates for this term are:
Monday 16th September and Monday 18th November (7.45-9.00pm) in
the school Library. For more details phone Dave/Sarah Mitchell (0117
926 5401).
Some of us may know a bit about Care for the Family. Based in Cardiff,
it is a Christian Charity which, in various ways, gives support
to families and those suffering from family break-up. One of its
leaders, Dianne Parsons, is coming to Bristol on the 30th September,
speaking on ‘Motherhood – a roller coaster ride’.
She will deal with issues of adequacy /inadequacy, guilt, coping
and business, valuing motherhood, step-parenting and letting go.
I know Dianne personally and find her refreshingly honest and real.
She has been through a lot and has powerful insight. She is well
worth a hearing! The times are:
Motherhood – a roller coaster ride 7.30 – 10.00p
Monday 30th September 2002
Colston Hall, Bristol Tkts. £5
Booking Hotline: 029 2081 0800
www.care.for.the.family.org.uk
or phone me: 3772100 Lisa Nolland(Chaplain)
16th 7.45pm Prayer Support Gp.
In Library – all welcome
21st 3.30pm Licensing of D.McGregor as lay canon of Bristol Cathedral
22nd-23rd Careers & Jobs Live
Temple Meads
23rd-27th Harvest Week
24th School Photos
25th 7.00pm Beg. Of Term Service for Parents (SMRChurch) all welcome
7.30pm Y7(Church) Y10(Main Hall) Information Evenings
30th 6.30pm Open Evening for Y7 Intake September 2003
School closes at 12.30pm for all students.
Please support our
Harvest Appeal by
bringing tins of
food to the Hall
during the week
beginning
September 23rd.
The collection
will be given to
the work of the
Community of the Sisters of the Church with some of the most needy
people of Bristol. Please make sure that your tins are within their
‘use-by’ date. Tins of corned beef, custard and rice pudding
would be especially welcome. Thank you.
“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians)
Newsletter Information
Apart from this one and any special editions, Newsletters are published
on the last Friday of each month. If you wish to contribute news
or a notice and you are welcome to do so, please let Mr Stevens
have it on disc (Word) or on paper one week in advance of publication.
The Newsletter can also be found on www.redcliffe-school.co.uk
Recycling
We have links with a Company which recycles laser and inkjet cartridges
and mobile phones (with or without chargers). Please bring any donations
to the office. Funds raised go to The Rainbow Centre For Children
in Bristol.
Mr Stevens
Lots and lots of bargains will be going under the hammer at the
Bids and Bites Auction of Promises in the School Hall on Saturday
12th October at 7.45pm. Food is included in £2.50 entry charge
for this evening of fun and fund-raising. If you would like to support
this fund-raising event which is in aid of St Mary Redcliffe Church,
by offering a promise of your time, talents or a gift, then please
telephone Sue Pickard on 0117 9681375 or hand your name in at the
School Office.
Promises already received include an illustrated talk on the Traditions
and Music of St Mary Redcliffe Church that could be used as a fund-raising
event for any organization and a robust football table (worth £350)
suitable either for a family or a youth group. This could go for
a real bargain! Sealed bids are being accepted in the case of absence
at the auction. Ring the above number for further details.
Most of all we would like your presence at this event.
In remembrance of what happened one year ago on September
11th in New York ……..
Perhaps you read the email that made the rounds the week of September
11th. It was called:
“What a Difference a Day Makes”.
On Monday, we e-mailed jokes.
On Tuesday, we did not.
On Monday, we were fussing about praying in school.
On Tuesday, we would have been hard pressed
to find a school where someone was not
praying.
On Monday, our heroes were athletes.
On Tuesday, we relearned who heroes are.
On Monday, there were people trying to separate us by race, sex,
color, and creed.
On Tuesday, we were all holding hands.
On Monday, we were irritated that our rebate checks had not arrived.
On Tuesday, we gave money away gladly to
people we had never met.
On Monday, we were upset that we had to wait 5 minutes in a fast
food line.
On Tuesday, we stood in line for 3 to 5 hours to
give blood for the dying.
On Monday, we argued with our kids to clean up their rooms.
On Tuesday, we couldn’t get home fast enough
to hug our kids.
On Monday, we went to work as usual.
On Tuesday, we went to work, but some of us
didn’t come home.
On Monday, we had families.
On Tuesday, we had orphans.
On Monday, September 10th, life felt routine.
On Tuesday, September 11th, it did not.
What a difference a day makes.
May we all pray for a better world.
Enterprising Mathematics in the UK
The National Final to this competition took place on July 29th.
The team comprised of Katrina Hart, James Diwell (Y8)
Seth Mitchell and Isaac Kim (Y9)
Altogether 72 schools took part across the UK.
The team came 20th, which was an excellent performance
Considering the number of Independent Schools present.
All the pupils, Mrs Hart and myself
Enjoyed the experience.
The final presentations were made by Princess Anne.
Mr. Netto
We have an annual Open Evening and Open Days
to allow parents to see the School in action and to allow the right
choice to be made for entry next September. Do encourage your friends
with Year 6 children to visit us on:
Monday 30th September from 6.30-9.45pm
Or on our Open Mornings:
Wed 2nd/Thurs 3rd at 9.30am
Friday 4th at 9.15am
We need a range of helpers on the evening and many of your children
will bring home request slips to help us from 6.00 – 9.15pm
on the Monday.
To allow the staff to prepare for the evening we will be closing
early on Monday 30th September at 12.30pm. Please take note of this.
School Shop Opening Times (Clothing/Uniform)
During term time the shop will be open:
EVERY TUESDAY FROM 3.15 – 5.00PM
Alternatively, contact Rod Lowe 07767 797 719
Should you wish to visit after 5.00pm on a Tuesday.
For stationery and other items including ties, swimming
caps, calculators, pens etc.,
The shop will be open Tues/Wed/Thurs lunchtimes from 12.45 –
1.00pm
Top of Page
Is it only 3 weeks since the beginning of term?
We already seem to have accomplished so much with exciting programmes
of work being taught by teachers. Student behaviour is excellent
and the good weather has meant lunchtimes are less crowded and more
peaceful than can sometimes be the case. On the political front
we are in the process of applying to the Learning and Skills Council
for the right to develop our plans for an off site Sixth Form Centre.
This new body controls all education at 16+ and they are trying
to get a more coherent and accessible provision of 16+ places across
the city. In parallel with that we are bidding for recognition as
a training school and for the money for the building of a Sixth
Form Centre. These tasks have taken a lot of governor and Leadership
time and effort but have hopefully not distracted from the main
tasks of teaching and learning.
Bristol City Council has a challenge to 'transform
secondary education' this includes us ensuring Bristol is a city
where learning comes first. It also means there will be a full evaluation
of the services offered to and by schools to ensure they are as
of high a quality as possible.
On Saturday 5th October Mrs Lyn Horscroft is to be
Licensed as Reader in the Cathedral at a service at 5.30pm. Knowing
how highly Lyn is respected by staff and parents it would be good
if some can attend while others pray for her ministry on that Saturday.
Having praised the general behaviour of students
it is important our usually excellent standards are not let down
by a minority. There have been two problems mentioned by members
of the public: first that travellers on the 20 bus north at 3.30pm
are very loud and prone to shouting and running about. This is particularly
the case with some Year 7 and 8 pupils. If we find culprits it may
be necessary to hold them in school to catch a later bus. Even more
serious is a report by 2 parents of children crossing the road by
Temple Meads without using the pedestrian crossing. We have had
accidents there in the past and it is vital all students uses the
proper crossings.
Charging policy. Attached to the Newsletter you will
find the latest update of the policy. Please note the section on
insurance and seek advice from Mrs Jackie Doherty if in doubt about
levels of cover provided. David McGregor.
Thank you to all those parents who have sent me letters,
cards or their prayers for my installation as Lay Canon at the Cathedral.
The service on 21st September was very moving and the Bishop spoke
warmly about the school.
Don't let this be you missing the best bargains of the year! And
bargains there certainly will be at the Auction of Promises on Saturday,
12th October in St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School Hall, at 7.00pm
with the Auction starting at 7.45pm.
Tickets costing £2.50 include food, in addition to entry to
an entertaining evening of fun and bargains designed to raise funds
for SMR Church.
Any student of Drama may like to bid for the tour of the Theatre
Royal, Bath, or tickets for Prime Minister's Question Time! There
is use of a flat in London for any weekend, a week in a villa in
Southern France or in a cottage on Dartmoor. If sport is more your
interest, there are tickets to Bristol City, Bristol Shoguns, Gloucester
County Cricket, Avon Ski Centre or a flight in a light aircraft!
There are many promises covering a wide range of prizes, including
a husband & wife Butler & Waitress service for any function
that you have coming up! If you would like to see the full catalogue
(it's free!), please leave your name at the School Office or ring
0117 9681375. Sealed bids are accepted if you really can't attend
this exciting event and don't want to miss an unusual Christmas
present. Please ring the above number for further details.
Hello from the staff of Scolarest. We hope you are all ready for
the new and exciting term in your Dining areas! This term we are
organising a Theme Day to wet your appetites. This term it's Brazil
Day and is on 21/11/02
Weekly Menus for each week are displayed on your house notice boards.
Watch out for special meal deals. The points system is still in
operation and all of Year 7 pupils can ask the
cashiers how many points they have. For example, if you have 250
points you can get a free Capri Sun; if you have 500 points you
can get a free meal worth £1.56 and if you have 750 points
you can get a £2 gift voucher for W H Smiths.
We have had a good week, with a pleasing number of donations for
the work of the Community of the Sisters of the Church in St Pauls's.
It's not too late - if you want to send in a tin of food or soup,
then do so as soon as possible.
The Worship Committee welcome bids from all students
for up to £30 to support a registered charity. There is a
special form available from Heads of House or Mr Stevens. Recent
donations have gone to the BCF Zambian Orphanage appeal;
art materials for a school in Papua New Guinea and Crisis Centre
Ministries.
Congratulations to our Headteacher on becoming one of the first
ever Lay-Canons of Bristol Cathedral. We are delighted in that both
his Christian leadership of the School and his wider contributions
to the Diocese of Bristol are valued and recognised. . The four
new Canons have all been given a special seat in the Quire (sic).
Mr McGregor's is the stall of St Jerome - an instructor and interpreter,
best know for translating the Bible into the common language (latin)
of the day. A very fitting stall for a teacher and a leader. We
wish him all the best.
There is a swimming club starting on Mondays after school for all
pupils who are strong swimmers and who would like to be in the School
Team. The sessions will be taken by coaches from the Seals Swimming
Club at a cost of £1 per session. If you would be interested
in joining this club see Mr Boddy for a letter as soon as possible.
Mr Boddy
September 30th Open Evening
School Closes at 12.30pm
Tours and talks from 6.30pm
October 2nd /3rd 9.45am Open Mornings
October 4th 9.15am Open Morning
October 7th 8R Geography Fieldwork
October 8th ViP Morning/Day
Cartwright/Francombe Eucharists
Y7 Mendips Walk
Y12 Study Skills Day
Y9R Geography Fieldwork
October 9th ViP Morning. Canynges, Colston,
Sixth Form Eucharists
Y9T Geography Fieldwork
October 10th 7.30pm Govs. Report to Parents/
PTA AGM (SMRTSchool)
October 12th 7.30pm Bids & Bites
(SMRChurch Auction) in School
October 14th 8T Geography Fieldwork
October 15th Y12 Geography Fieldwork
October 18th 7.30pm PTA Quiz Night
October 23rd 7.30pm PTA Committee Mtg
October 25th Newsletter Issued
October 28th - 1st HALF TERM (School Closed)
November 4th School Commences
November 15th INSET DAY
(School Closed to students)
- September 2002
It really feels almost like New Year when the new term starts -
all new starts and clean sheets (quite literally, in school!) Our
first PTA meeting was spent finalising our plans for this year based
on our two main objectives, to support school both by fund raising
and by fostering fellowship within our community of parents. Combining
both, we have agreed to provide drinks and snacks for all evening
events which parents attend, intending to develop our service as
we learn what is most welcome. To this end, we will need many hands
(light work and all that) and hope you will volunteer to help out
for one event each year. Offers to Lynn or myself, or any PTA Committee
member.
We have set ourselves a target of raising £5000 by the end
of this school year towards replacing the awful Redgra surface -
one of the governing body's priorities - and will launch the Redgra
Appeal at the Governors' Annual Report to Parents which will be
held in conjunction with the PTA AGM on Thursday, 10th October at
7.30 in the School Hall. The rallying cry of 'Ra Ra Redgra' has
been suggested by a member of Senior Management who may wish to
remain anonymous and 'Save our Children's Soles' is also in the
running. Suggestions, please,
from all you clever parents, teachers, students for our slogan,
sent to me or to the office marked PTA.
The first PTA event will be the Quiz on Friday, 18th October for
which you will have a personal invitation, either with this newsletter
or shortly. To make as much as possible for school, we will be holding
a raffle and if the raffle prizes are donated, we make even more
lovely extras for school. If there is anything you feel you could
donate, please do - just send into the office marked PTA Raffle.
(Don't forget that even old uniform, particularly blazers, is a
good money raiser and very gratefully received by new parents to
the school.) I promise we won't use blazers as raffle prizes! (Probably...)
Thanks once again for the terrific support from both teachers and
parents for the Redcliffe Community Fete, as a result of which our
share of the profits amounted to £1223.01. This has been offered
to School and David McGregor will now invite bids from teachers.
These will be presented at the AGM on 10th October and we will all
have the enviable task of allocating this sum to fulfil as many
requests as possible. Hope to see you there!!
Alison Murphy PTA Publicity Tel: 9292342
The aim of this initiative, which is part of the Excellence in Cities
programme, is to encourage all our students to continue their studies
into further/higher education. Already many of our students do this,
but we want all to aim high.
In order to help us identify those students in need of most support
and guidance, over the next few weeks all our students in Years
7,8 and 9 will be completing a questionnaire which asks them questions
about their education futures. Years 10 -13 completed this questionnaire
last academic year. The information gathered from these surveys
will be used to compile the Excellence Challenge programme for this
coming year. Andrew Arbuckle, Widening Participation Co-ordinator
David Taylor graduated from University of Bath this year with a
1st Class Honours Degree in Natural Sciences. He was also awarded
the Accenture prize for the best final year student and has now
returned there to begin a PhD in Physics. Well done David! Please
keep the news rolling in
: the
best French lesson ever!
Information evenings:
Monday 14th October - 7.30 - 9.00pm
Bristol Education Centre, Sheridan Road, Horfield
Wednesday 23rd October - 7.30 - 9.00pm
Council House, College Green
Dates:
Easter Leg: Wed. 9th April 2003-Wed. 23rd April 2003
Summer Leg: Fri.18th July 2003-Fri. 1st Aug. 2003
Cost: £220
Deadline for Applications : Fri. 29th November
For a full information pack, see your French teacher.
Mr Barker
2002-09-25
Sarah Macfarlane from last year's Y13, sent a report on her summer
adventure (some of the costs were met by the School - the Adrian
Samphire Fund).
Here are some extracts from that report:
"A group of ten venture Scouts and three Leaders
visited 'the Pearl of Africa', Uganda, between July 26th and August
18th 2002... Once we had recovered from our journey and had become
more accustomed to the Ugandan way of life, we moved to the site
of Buwenda where we were to be working for the first week of our
stay. Buwenda is the Scout camping and training ground which has
been built over the last eight years by groups of Avon and Jinja
Scouts working together. The site is extremely beautiful - photographs
really do not do justice to the stunning views of the Nile. There
are many impressive developments at Buwenda, including a huge hall,
which is used as a school during the week, toilets, a shower block,
two kitchens and a guesthouse.
During our week at Buwenda, we worked alongside the Jinja Scouts,
starting and completing many jobs. For example, we repainted the
gateway and the entrance sign for the site, we built a concrete
campfire base, we built four sturdy picnic benches and also vital
maintenance work and cleaning. During this first week of interaction,
close and lasting friendships were formed between the British and
the Ugandan Scouts. In our first week, we all took it in turns to
visit Jinja market with an Ugandan Scout to buy food. The market
was so vibrant and busy, and bartering was a must, especially as
white people were charged a higher price than the locals were! We
were able to visit several official buildings such as Jinja Town
Hall and Government Offices and Baden-Powell House in the Capital
Kampala, where we received warm welcomes. In addition, we visited
several Scout units attached to local schools with whom we interacted
and sang many many songs!!
The second week consisted of staying at two schools
in the more rural areas of Jinja, and training the Scouts there.
We taught the children the history of Scouting, the Scout Law and
Promise, First Aid and Knots. Here, we worked closely alongside
the Jinja Scouts, as some of the younger children at the schools
could not understand English very well. We were based at the Secondary
School of Lubani for the first visit, yet we also had the chance
to visit the adjoining primary school. This was an amazing experience.
The children followed us wherever we went, and some even ran up
to us and touched our skin and hair to check that we were real!
They had not seen Muzungu (white) people before! At both schools,
we were given the opportunity to visit the home of a Scout. This
really brought home the poverty of the country. The house consisted
of one small empty room, to house a family of fifteen. There was
a large area of land attached to it, but the family did not have
any money to do anything with it. At both of the schools we visited,
we took part in community work. At the first school we planted many
fruit bearing trees and cleared the access route to the local well.
At the second school, we planted more trees and also walked through
the village clearing the roads of litter. We were accompanied by
many of the Scouts from the School, singing as they worked.
In the final week, we went on tour, taking seven of the Ugandans
with whom we had been working. We visited Lake Nabugabo, Lake Mburo
and the Queen Elizabeth National Park and saw many animals on the
way. We took part in game drives and went on a boat... our time
in Uganda was unexplicably wonderful".
:
What a worthwhile experience. Our school is currently developing
links with LordsMead School on the outskirts of Jinja. There will
be opportunities for 6 months placements there and the Wheels Project
(Y11 students) is refurbishing a minibus to donate to the school.
Top of Page
From David McGregor, Headteacher.
Half term is upon us, we have had the first storms
of winter and yet the lasting memory is of a happy community enjoying
the school experience. 200 members of James house have settled in
very quickly and the walk over the Mendips as part of the Values
in Practice (ViP) day was memorable for staff and children and the
relationships between teacher and students that is so important
for effective learning were developed. There is a massive tension
between the two sub agendas of government that is beneath “Education,
Education, Education”. On the one hand we are exhorted to raise
standards through the use of league tables and on the other to increase
inclusion, not excluding pupils and maximising inclusion of children
with special needs. As the league table system now works inclusion
can lower overall results and the temptation in schools must be
to exclude the less able rather than include them. Only when a school
has sorted out what it aims to be can this tension be resolved.
In our case we have agreed that our Values teaching programme which
incorporates Citizenship is at the heart of what we do. We expect
exam results to be good but they are not our raison d’etre.
This year’s introduction of the ViP programme is our most visible
witness of practical citizenship. While Year 7 were on Mendip the
main school Houses were holding a Eucharist, Year 11 had a life
choices exercise called ‘The Real Game’ and Year 9 looked
at the importance of continuing education in their lives though
the Excellence Challenge programme. In the year we will have 6 of
these ‘different days’ and combined with the PSHE taught
lessons it will help students engage with the Values agenda. We
hope parents will support this work through encouraging their children
to engage with practical service to others. Loving our neighbour
can be visiting granny, can be helping with the washing up, could
be having a conversation with the elderly neighbour three doors
up, whatever it is we remember Jesus exhorts us to ‘freely
give’.
Governors are anxious to minimise the risk of accidents and injury
and are carrying out a range of risk assessments. They ask all parents
to talk with their children about the risks of getting to and from
school and, in particular, to discuss:
1. Anyone cycling to school using cycle paths, wearing a helmet
and dismounting when on the school premises.
2. Those who walk to school never having valuable items such as
a walkman or mobile phone as these can attract violence.
3. When walking to or from school at times when others are not about,
ensuring subways are not used, and knowing what to do if approached
by a stranger. Some may feel it worth carrying a panic alarm and
the Evening Post supplies these at a reasonable cost.
Year 11 should be using the half term break to plan an effective
revision programme. They should not wait for the issue of their
exam timetable to begin revision as the mock exams are only three
weeks after return next half term.
Thanks to Mr Eve and the actors who entertained us so well with
Chekov’s Jubilee and Wesker’s Shoeshine. The performances
were excellent and revealed marvellous talent.
On Friday 18th October the music staff with 60 of our musicians
led a service of celebration in the Cathedral supported by primary
school performances. This was an opportunity to serve the wider
Bristol community and we thank all involved.
is Monday
4th November when we have a service in church with over 100 students
to remember Edward Colston one of the founding fathers of our school
and to celebrate the support the present Colston Society gives us.
Friday
15Th November. This day will be used by staff to train in performance
management and to identify the training needs we all have to continue
and develop the excellence of our teaching and planning. We now
have three Advanced Skills Teachers ( Miss Beskeen, Mr Moir, Ms
Nelson) and their skills are in constant demand for support both
in our own school and other schools. David McGregor.
Correction to Dates for 2003-4
Last month we published the dates of next year’s terms and
holidays. We were correct in stating that the end of the Winter
Term is December 22nd 2003, but it’s a Monday rather than a
Friday.
The new council has been elected and we’re looking forward
to it making a difference to the school. The officers are Isaac
Kim (Chair), James Oborne (Vice-Chair) and Clare Nicol, (Secretary
/ Treasurer). Adults who support the council include Mrs O’Shea
from Bristol Diocese, the PTA, the Pupils Committee of the Governors,
Bristol University Citizenship PGCE and Mr Stevens.
Thank you to all who contributed to the excellent total of 700 tins.
Below there is a letter of thanks from the Sisters of the Church.
The Sisters distribute about 1800 tins a week to some very needy
people so every donation has really counted.
“We are deeply touched to receive your delivery of generous
Harvest Gifts. Gifts come from people in many different walks of
life – and from the very young to those with lots of life experience!
We are enormously grateful to each person who has given sacrificially
again this year. Without your gifts of food, we could not meet the
needs of the hundreds of callers who come to our doors each week.
We are entirely dependent upon regular donations of food and money
to enable us to respond, in love, through our ‘Five Loaves
and Two Fishes’ ministry to people who are hungry and often
destitute.
Thank you, once again, for helping us to reach out to the poor and
needy through your faithful giving.
With our love, and every blessing,
Sisters Annaliese, Rosina and Sue, CSC
P.S. If you are 18+ years old and able to volunteer on a Sunday
afternoon (say once a month) or are able to help in any other way,
please ring us Monday-Thursday between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm (0117
941 3268).”
Nov. 4th 2.30pm Colston Day Service (including bun!)
Nov. 11th 7.30pm PTA (Library)
Nov. 13th 6.30 onwards Sixth Form Open Evening
Nov. 14th 7.30pm Full Govs. Meeting
Nov.18th INSET DAY (School closed to pupils)
Nov.18th 7.45pm Prayer Support Group (Library)
Nov.19th 4.15pm Y7 Parents Evening (Subjects)
Nov.21st ViP Morning/Day
Y7 – Eucharist + Techniquest (Maths Dept)
Y8 – Brazil Day (Geography)
Y9 – Business Morning (Business Studies)
Y10-Science Morning (Science)
Y11-Citizenship Challenge (Houses)
Y12/13 Study Time/Tutor Interviews
Nov.22nd 8.45am – School Council
Newsletter Copy Date
Nov.25th Y11 Study Day
Y8 Shakespeare Play pm
Nov.26th –6th Y11 Mock GCSEs
Nov.28th am Y10 Science Modular Exam
It was good to see some new faces at the PTA AGM, held in conjunction
with the Governors presentation of their Annual Report to Parents.
Although it sounds like a heavy evening, having various Governors
available to chat informally with parents about their role and activities
over the last year, meant the evening felt truly informative. One
member of the PTA committee is already co-opted onto the Pupils
sub-committee (Associate Governor) and the Chair of Governors welcomed
further links with parents in this way, in addition to full Parent
Governors.
The PTA donated £1,900 raised last year to School and this
will be used to purchase lights and equipment for the new drama
studio - South Pacific will now be all the more stunning! Our new
Catering Co-Ordinator (will she live to regret it?) is Sarah Honeywell
who laid on the splendid red refreshments to launch the Red-Gra
Appeal - or No-Red-Gra Appeal - with a target for the year of £5,000.
If you are a new parent at SMRT - or an old one! - remember that
you automatically hold PTA membership and could join us at our monthly
meetings whenever you like. The meetings are useful, but informal,
and we should be delighted to welcome you. The organisation of secondary
school is very different from primary school. Children and teachers
can seem very remote but being part of the PTA can help us all to
feel more connected again. Our next meeting will be on Monday, 11th
November at 7.30 p.m. in the School Library - see you there??
Alison Murphy (PTA Publicity) Tel: 9292342
Reminder about School Absence Line(3772102)
The Absence line is available from 4.00pm in the afternoon until
9.00am the following morning.
You will hear a recorded message asking you to leave details i.e.
Name, Year, Tutor Group and reason for absence. It would be helpful
if you could telephone during these hours as after 9.00am this line
reverts to a normal line and you will need to call the main number
which is 0117 3772100. Also, please remember to send in a letter
explaining absence for the register record on 1st day back for Tutor.
A message from First Travel (Bristol) regarding
travel to school from
Westbury to Redcliffe Hill on the No. 21 bus.
‘ Due to our vehicle being full and lateness experienced by
your pupils, I have today spoken with our schedules officer and
we have decided to alter the timings and route of a Double Deck
vehicle, so that it will leave Westbury at 0738 hours and arrive
at Redcliffe Hill at 0823 hours on Service 21.’
Our thanks to First Bus Travel for their co-operation in this matter.
Can all parents be aware that their child’s name must be on
the back of their SMART Cards. It has come to my attention that
the students are loading cheques onto other students cards. To ensure
this does not occur I would be very grateful if the person signing
the cheque also signs the back of the card. If the signature is
not on the back of the SMART Card when we return after half-term
on Monday 4th November 2002 cheques will be unable to be loaded.
I hope I can be assured of your co-operation on this matter.
Paula Williams (Catering Manager)
From David McGregor, Headteacher.
Advent is here and our time of preparation and waiting to receive
Jesus Christ afresh into our hearts on Christmas Day allows us to
take time to reflect and act on what is of ultimate value. St Matthew’s
Gospel reminds us of the story of the sheep and goats and the importance
of loving behaviours towards each other. In showing care and compassion
to each other we also do this for Christ. The Values in Practice
days give opportunities for this practical expression of our faith
and the 21st November day saw Year 9 working in business teams to
design and make items which they later sold. The harder they worked
the more ‘SMARTS’ (the business currency) they earned
and were therefore able to buy more in the market. What all businesses
soon came to realise was the importance of the whole team pulling
together and the valuing and caring shown to each team member increase
effectiveness and motivation was raised. At the same time Year 11
were raising money for charity, Year 10 had an exciting Science
morning, Yr 8 came closer to understanding some of the cultural
issues faced in Brazil and Year 7 had a marvellous day at Technoquest
after their uplifting early morning Eucharist.
Advent has special significance for those who are applying to join
Year 7 in September 2003. For the incoming Year 7 Governors are
working hard on the admissions and are making decisions with great
care. We recognise how vital school choice is and pray for understanding
and Christian peace for the successful and unsuccessful. At a time
of league tables it is pleasing to see we were rated very highly
in the Sunday Times top 500 state schools both at GCSE and A level.
The challenge is to maintain the standards of excellence.
Our celebrations before Christmas include an exciting Year 7 R&B
concert in the Church at 7.30 on 10th December when most of Year
7 will be taking part.
A Year 11 Ball takes place on Friday 13th December and a Year 12/13
Ball on 18th December while the whole school and all parents are
warmly invited to join our CAROL SERVICE at 7.30pm on Tuesday 17th
December in St Mary Redcliffe Church.
We will complete the term with an End of Term Service on Friday
21st December and then after tutor group social events, dismiss
the children at 2.00pm.
The parents Open Evening on 13th November was so well attended that
we had to run two sessions in the hall. The interest in the new
range of AS, A2 and GNVQ courses is very high and we fully expect
to have over 300 in the Sixth Form next year. We hope applications
are now in and will be interviewing all applicants before offering
places in the New Year. Any parents who know of students in Year
11 in other schools who might like to know of our courses should
encourage then to contact the school office for a prospectus or
a visit. We are in the middle of negotiating with the DfES over
provision of the new Sixth Form Centre and hope that the new year
brings good news. While we await this news we can celebrate the
local decision to support the replacement of the Redgra surface
with a modern all-weather surface. Thanks to a generous LEA/ Diocesan
grant we expect to be able to begin work on this project over Easter.
The PTA’s continued support for this venture is much appreciated.
Esther Wrixon leaves us at Christmas to take up a
permanent post. She has been filling in while we appointed Ms Catherine
Giles (yes that will be confusing there are now two of them) to
teach a part time languages contract. Ms Jo O’Mahoney has been
granted a year’s leave of absence to visit Australia and we
are appointing her replacement this week. I am sure most parents
know Mrs Dickinson has been ill since half term and I know your
prayers for her recovery will be of real worth. Ms Hubble has returned
after a period of absence to support the terminal illness of her
mother and we are glad to see her back. We have appointed Mr David
Shillingford as Assistant Caretaker and Mr Ian MacDonald as Science
technician, both of these staff will enhance the work of the school.
David McGregor.
This took place on 12th November. 41 students from Yr 11-13 took
part. There were 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 11 Bronze. The Gold awards
went to Sam Lings and David Hopkins and Rob Peck
(Yr 12) and Samantha James Year 11) – an outstanding performance
for a Year 11. Sam Lings and David Hopkins do the British Maths
Olympiad on December 11th. Well done to all who took part in a difficult
challenge. Mr. Netto
There are now 2 places on the School Skiing trip in February Half-Term.
Cost £566. Apply to Mr. Penrose, Head of Cartwright House
as soon as possible.
Yr 11 Mock exams only give students study leave on Friday 29th November
(for Non-Art students) Otherwise Yr 11 should be in school as usual.
2nd December Yr 11 Mock exams continue
9th December Y10 Textiles Trip to NEC
10th December Non-Uniform Day in Aid of
School Christmas Charity (£1)
10th December PTA (7.30pm)
10th December Y7 Concert in SMR Church
12th December 4.15pm – 7.00pm Y13
Parents Evening
12th December Newsletter Copy Date
12th December Year 10 Reports Home
13th December 7.30 – Y11 Ball
17th December 7.30pm Community Carol
Service SMRC (+ refreshments)
18th December 6th Form Ball in School
19th December Newsletter Issued
Friday 20th December - last day of Autumn Term Term.
End of term service
Normal lessons periods 1,2,3,4 and normal lunch
Tutor period from 1.30 to 2.00 and pupils dismissed at 2.00.pm
6th January 2003 INSET DAY (School Closed to Pupils)
7th January 8.30am School restarts
for Pupils.
Top of Page
From David McGregor, Headteacher.
Putting the start of term service on the second day
back allowed the musicians to practise and James House led a massed
choir and sang in a production of Crikey Moses. Reverend Robin Dodge,
assistant Vicar at Redcliffe, led the service and we are now beginning
to feel the enormous benefit of his joint role as school Chaplain
and assistant Vicar. With Lisa Nolland, our lay chaplain, the Worship
Team is thinking hard as to how to extend and develop opportunities
for worship. We hope that as parents you will pray for the spiritual
life of the school, join us in our Parents Prayer Support evenings
(next one is March 24th at 7.45pm), encourage your children to take
their prayer life seriously and join us at the school services such
as the House Eucharists planned for 6th (Cartwright and Francombe
) and 11th February (Colston and Canynges) from 8.50am to 10.00approx.
It would also be good to see parents at the school’s annual
Education Sunday services in St Mary Redcliffe Church
(9.30am Eucharist and 6.30pm Evening prayer).
We started the term with an in-service day where
we heard of new techniques for assessing children’s work.
It may seem self evident but assessment for learning is far more
effective than assessment of learning. Researchers at London University
have convincingly demonstrated that putting grades on pupils’
work is far less effective than writing constructive comments as
to how to improve, and the hours teachers spend marking can often
be far more profitably spent on developing more appropriate questioning
techniques. We are continuing our planning in this area.
The next in-service day is Monday 27th January when the school will
be closed to students. Teachers will first be working on school
development planning and then work on to learn
further strategies for behaviour management. The plans for priority
areas to work on next year include teaching strategies to improve
learning: a focus on what we teach in the Sixth Form; continuing
our Values teaching and the continuation of our work on assessment.
If parents have alternative proposals they would like us to work
on do telephone Richard Badley as Deputy Head to discuss your ideas
with him
Sadly, Mr Stevens has been ill from two weeks before Christmas and
we hope you will include him on your prayer list. Please also include
the family of ex-student Leah Robbins in your prayers. Leah died
tragically early in the New Year.
On a more positive note we congratulate Helen Condon
of Y13 who has been selected to represent England in an international
synchronised swimming competition in Italy next April. We wish her
and the rest of the team every success.
David McGregor.
With extra flashiness and cross curricular linkage we now give to
you:
Redcliffe Sport version 0.2
For (just about) up-to-date information about all sports, clubs
and activities run by the PE department ~ check out:
www.redcliffepe.ik.org
where you will find details of match dates, training
times and fixture results (no more need to forget your kit for training!!)
As well as all curriculum details – PLUS A Level Sports notes
and past papers coming soon.
P.S. If you have any photos of pupils playing sport for/in the school,
we’d love to borrow them to put on there. Mr. Johnston.
Plans are now well underway for this year’s Spring Concert.
The School Chamber Choir, Senior Choir, Orchestra and soloists will
present a performance of Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’
in St Mary Redcliffe Church on Tuesday, 8th April, at 7.30pm. If
you would like to take part, either as a singer or player, please
let me know either by contacting the School Office to leave a message,
or by sending in a brief note to me via your son/daughter. This
promises to be a large and exciting production and a wonderful opportunity
for people to be involved in a major Choral event. We have invited
several outside players to contribute their skills, not only in
the extensive percussion section but also to the string and woodwind
sections of the orchestra. If you would like to come to hear our
performance tickets priced at £4.00 each (£3.00 concession)
are now available from me at school. By way of advance notice, there
will be an adults-only Choir practice on Tuesday 1st April, and
orchestra rehearsal on Wednesday 2nd April, both in school, and
both starting at 7.30pm, and a full rehearsal in the church on Monday
7th April. I have still to arrange for a solo Tenor and Baritone.
If you are able to offer your services, please let me know.
Sadly, we have had to put our performance of on hold for this term, and ‘Carmina
Burana’ will be performed in its place.
For pupils who are not involved in this production, we are planning
a Spring Serenade for later
this half term to enable String Group and Rhythm And Blues Orchestra
to have a performance
opportunity.
The Sixth Form ‘A’ Level students will
be presenting their Recitals on Monday 24th March at 7.30pm
in the School Hall. Tickets will be available shortly.
Arrangements for the Choir Tour to Holland, during
Activities Week, are now well advanced. Forty-three pupils will
be taking part, together with six members of staff.
Currently, two hundred and twenty pupils receive
instrumental tuition weekly. If your son/daughter attends instrumental
lessons this term and you have not yet paid, please make sure that
we receive your cheque as soon as possible.
Finally, a big ‘well done’ to all of
Year 7 pupils and the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra who took part in
the splendid performances of ‘Crikey Moses’ last term,
and at the Beginning of Term Service. It really was a wonderful
effort on the part of all those involved and a credit to the School.
Edward Barnett (Director of Music)
We, the Set I groups of Years 8 and 9, had a fabulous time on the
11th December Periods 4 and 5. A Maths professor, Chris Budd, who
had visited us from the university of Bath, taught us how to draw
Celtic knots and the various different types of typing knots. In
the end we had a small competition for the best designs of Celtic
knots. Four winners were selected, and each was awarded a five-pound
book certificate. Simi Ninan CA/TB
We went to Kilve Court Residential Centre during
the last week of term for an intensive grammar course. It was a
course open to Years 8 – 11 for students in their 2nd year
of learning German.
We attended a series of sessions, all to do with various aspects
of German
grammar, covering
subjects from modal verbs to past participles, word order and adjective
endings.
On the second day we went on a walk to the beach at Kilve. Unfortunately
it was a pebble beach, and there was no sand. Kilve is famous for
its fossils.
All of the sessions concentrated on the grammar and vocabulary that
we needed to perform a presentation to the other people there and
to parents, at the end of the course. I was the seal, it was fun
to do, and it was quite entertaining. We watched a video and retold
the video in German.
It was a good thing to do because we learnt so much German that
we find useful in class, and it was great fun. Chris Mining, Pippa
Morton, Danni Glazzard, Amy Franklin.
Wessex Trains run a Concessionary Travel Scheme between
Clifton Down and Temple Meads. The Scheme offers unlimited travel
for just £35 (under 16’s) and £70 (over 16’s),
covering the period up to 31.8.03. Please contact Mrs Horscroft
in the School Office if you wish to purchase a ticket.
6th Form student doing an A level project on “Reduce, re-use,
re-cycle” and old denim items are needed such as Jeans and
Jackets etc… anything you have would be much appreciated,
please give to Mrs. Cain in the DT Department, thanks.
Also
Year 11 pupil seeking any red fabric/clothing which can be recycled
into another item.
The DT department are trying to collect together some exemplary
‘design’ items to analyse -
We are looking for old/unusual/unwanted kettles/bottle openers/corkscrews
either to keep or photograph. Please see Mrs. Cain.
Monday January 27th is our LAST In-service Day of
the year and school will be closed to students EXCEPT the Year 10
and 11 students who have a modular Maths examination on that day.
Wednesday 29th Year 11 parents meet subject staff from 4.15 to 7.00pm
Friday 31st School Day of Prayer.
Wednesday 5th February Year 9 parents evening to explain the Year
10 Curriculum Choices.
Thursday 6th February Cartwright and Francombe Eucharists period
1 and Year 7 Geography Field Trip
Tuesday 11th February Colston and Canynges House Eucharists period
1 and James House Geography Field Trip. Periods 2 and 3 will be
a Values in Practice session for the Main School.
Wednesday 13th February PTA meets at 7.30pm in the Library.
Sunday 16th February. School’s Sunday with services at 9.30
and 6.30pm in SMR church
Tuesday 18th February Year 8 Parents meet subject teachers from
4.15 – 7.00pm
Friday 21st February next newsletter issued.
February 24th to 28th Half Term
TERM ENDS…
FRIDAY 11TH APRIL.
’
A group booking has been arranged for ‘Miss Saigon’
at the Bristol Hippodrome on Thursday 3rd April 2003. Tickets are
toward the centre front of the Upper Circle and cost £17.00.
There are some tickets left so if you are interested in coming to
this performance please contact Chris Rowley in the Main School
Office (Tel: 0117 3772102).
The payment has to be made in full by Friday February 14th at the
latest.
New Year always reminds me, more than birthdays, of how time is
passing and how our children are growing up. With each year, they
face more opportunities and temptations, and continuously learn
how to distinguish one from the other, sometimes painfully. As PTA
representative, I now attend the Pupils sub-committee of SMRT’s
Governing Body and feel very relieved to see how the staff are fully
aware of the gritty real life facing many of their students, in
a variety of ways. The practical approach of the staff and their
humanity and care are evident and they strive to enable as many
students as possible to avail themselves of educational and other
opportunities available.
As a PTA, we are delighted to have the opportunity to support the
teachers in some small measure by attending parents evenings with
drinks and snacks - after a working day beginning at eight or earlier,
the odd cuppa is as welcome to teachers as parents. On the parental
front, we hope also to offer moral support to fellow parents as
we cope with the mixed delight and dismay experienced when told
of our children’s progress. It doesn’t always seem to
be exactly the same as we hear at home, does it? So, when you attend
your next Parents’ Evening, come and have a chat and a reviving
brew - you should be able to recognise us by our Stunning New Badges.
(Upcoming dates: Year 7/8 Disco Friday, 7th February and next PTA
Meeting Thursday, 13th February.)
Alison Murphy - PTA Publicity (Tel: 9292342)
Once every two months, we meet to support the School with prayer
on a Monday evening between 7.45 and 9.00pm. Our next meeting is
on 24th March and you would be very welcome. (If you need to leave
earlier than 9, that is fine). If you have anything which you would
like us to pray about, please could you email me before 20th March
at prhodesfamily@btopenworld.com and I will try to include it on
our prayer sheet.
If you would like to receive a copy of our prayer sheet by email,
please let me have your email number and I will try to contact you
shortly after the prayer meeting. Thanks. Paul Rhodes
In Lent we all try to create sufficient space in our lives to be
more reflective and to engage with personal prayer.
There has not been a time in the last few years where the prayers
for world peace have been so necessary and we have been encouraging
all students to use the power of prayer to help their understanding
of the Iraq crisis. We would also like them to think of how they
may try to influence our political leaders to ensure a speedy resolution
to the conflict.
God of the desert, as we follow Jesus into the unknown,
May we recognise the tempter when he comes;
Let it be your bread we eat
Your world we serve, and you alone we worship.
New Zealand Prayer Book.
It was good to be in the Cathedral to hear the official
proclamation of Bishop Mike’s acceptance in the Diocese and
we look forward to having him at one of our services in the new
academic year. We must also congratulate Bishop Michael of Swindon
for holding the fort so well in the time of inter regnum and for
his award of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Bath University for
his work in the Diocese.
There have been several significant enriching activities over the
last month and KES deserves special mention as the cast produced
a marvellous play under the direction of Mr Eve. We were particularly
impressed by the commitment shown by Ben Carruthers as the leading
character even though he is preparing for his GCSE exams.
On 12th March we had the good fortune to have a internationally
renowned American poet- Clayton Scott with us. He led assemblies
and workshops and ran an informal lunchtime reading. It was quite
remarkable to see over 150 students voluntarily crowding into the
hall to hear his inspiring performance poetry.
Later you will hear of sporting excellence but special mention must
be made of the swimming team. The girls swept all before them in
the Bristol Gala and the boys also did well. We are considering
an extension to the trophy cabinet to house the cups they won!
You will remember we congratulated students who participated in
the British Mathematics Olympiad and have now heard that Sam Lings
of Year 12 has won through to be one of the top 20 mathematicians
in the country and he has been invited to a Cambridge summer school
as a reward. To be one of the best mathematicians in your age range
is an outstanding accomplishment and we must also thank Mr Netto
and the maths staff as they support Sam (and on occasions struggle
to keep up with him!) David McGregor.
Each year we review the school charging policy and take into account
any comments parents have made over the year. The policy is published
in the Parents Handbook of which you have a copy but Governors felt
it useful to include further explanation under item 12 covering
payments for school visits. Their further words of explanations
are:
The total cost of the school visit will include any necessary additional
costs to hire supply staff to cover the teaching of the teachers
who are on the visit.
When there is a surplus in the accounts of any school visit this
will be repaid pro rata to the parents of those on the visit in
full unless the surplus sum is under £5 per head when the
administrative costs of writing parental letters and individual
cheques would be greater than the value of the refund. Any surplus
in these circumstances would accrue to the ‘school fund’
which is reserved for expenditure on student activity.
Year 9 National Tests are in week of 5th to 9th May Revision should
happen over Easter.
Year 11 GCSE study leave begins after a leaving assembly on Monday
12th May.
NOTE we now we have only 4 school weeks until GCSEs start. Year
11 should PANIC NOW! We will hold a leavers service for students
and parents to present Records of Achievement on June 23rd in SMR
Church.
Year 12 AS and Part 1 AVCE exams mainly happen in the week 19- 23
May and 2-6 June and study leave will apply then.
Year 13 A2 exams start soon after half term and we will hold the
Year 13 leavers Eucharist (and invite year 12) on Friday 23rd May.
Instrumental Fees were due in by Friday 28th March.
Please let Mr Barnett have any outstanding cheques as soon as possible.
Tuesday April 1st Non-uniform
day. For those students who wish to give a donation to their house
charity they can attend school in non-uniform. For those who are
not willing to pay they must attend school in uniform.
Tuesday 8th April Production of Carmina Burana in SMR church by
the school musicians.
Thursday 10th April Geography Field Trip for Year 10.
Term Ends Friday 11th April. Normal day with no early release.
Easter Break Monday 14th April to Friday 25th April.
First Day of term Monday 28th April which will be
a normal WEEK ONE Monday
Friday 2nd May we will hold our SUMMER SERVICE as a Eucharist for
all as our usual service for Ascension Day falls in the Half Term
break.
Please feel free to join either of our special Lent Eucharists,
especially as we focus on the world situation! They are at 7.30am
on Wednesdays in St Mary Redcliffe Church (enter by the Priest’s
door) and at 12.40pm on Fridays in B4 in the School. There will
be a special voluntary service on the last day of term.
Intermediate Maths Challenge
(from Yrs 9-11)This took place
on February 6th. 144 pupils took part. There were 13 Gold, 18 Silver
and 38 Bronze certificates awarded.
The Golds went to: Alan Hazelden
(best in school) James Marshall, Samantha James, Zadie Stock, Hannah
Fox, Tiff John, Andrew Buck, Vicky Williams (Year 11), Isaac Kim,
Seth Mitchell, Mark Walter, Will Morris, Kate Marshall (year 10).
Both Alan Hazelden and Isaac Kim got high enough scores to be entered
for a follow-up round on March 20th. Congratulations to all who
took part.
41 pupils from Years 10 and 11 took part in the AMC10 contest, and
5 from Year 12 took part in AMC12. Andrew Buck (Year 11) got the
top score in AMC10 (98 out of 150). Sam Lings (129) and David Hopkins
(102) both got high enough scores in AMC12 to be entered for a follow-up
round (American Invitational Mathematics Examinations) on March
25th.
We took part in this competition as Mr Evans School (St Alban’s
School, Washington DC) takes part in that every year, and this was
one way that we could improve co-operation between our exchange
school. Sam Lings managed to outscore all over U.S. counter parts(much
to their annoyance). Congratulations to all who took part. G.Netto
Olympiad Training
Sam Lings took part in the British Mathematics Olympiad Round 2
on Monday 3rd March. As a result of an excellent performance here
and in previous rounds, Sam has been invited to take part in a residential
training session in Cambridge in April. Only 20 students in the
country are invited for this, so the represents an outstanding achievement.
8 of these will eventually be chosen to represent to U.K. team in
the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in July. Over 90 countries
take part in this prestigious event. G.Netto
Are you claiming what you are entitled to? We have been informed
that as from 6th April 2003 there will be an additional criterion
that will entitle children to receive free school meals where their
parent(s) receive Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit,
and where their annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue)
does not exceed £13,230.
There are many students who do outstanding service to the community.
Last year we were delighted that national recognition was given
to Matthew de Beger as he received a Diana Award. Do you know an
individual or small group whom we should consider this year? They
should “improve the life of others” and/or “enhance
the school or community” and/or “show outstanding qualities
in overcoming adverse circumstances’” (with an element
of helping/inspiring others). Please don’t assume someone
else will do the nomination – let Mr Stevens know, as he is
working with a small group from the School Council to put together
the school’s nomination. Please nominate by the end of term
at the latest.
This year’s House Charities are:
6th Form - Red Nose Day
James House – Send a Cow
Colston House – Cancer Research
Francombe House – Mercy Ships
Cartwright House – Tree Aid
Canynges House – Send a Cow
Remember – Non – uniform day is in aid of House Charities
so try to participate in this and send in your £1’s.
A quick reminder for all who like to do practical things - we collect
inkjet and laser cartridges and mobile phones for recycling. Please
bring them to the School Office. All funds go to the Rainbow Centre,
a charity that helps children with cancer.
A group of Russian pupils from Alatyr would love to correspond in
English with Bristol pupils by email. This is a great opportunity
to get to know young people who are growing up in very different
circumstances from our own. If you are interested, write an email
to their English teacher. Give a description of yourself and say
whether you’d like to correspond with a boy or a girl.
email address: ig_basile@cbx.ru
World vision, a Christian charity, was thrilled to receive our cheque
for £1,091.88p for their work in Africa with orphaned children.
Thanks to all who contributed.
….and speaking of money. The Worship Committee has recently
approved a £30 contribution to Emma Rowley Ruas (working with
Habitat International); The Bible Network which gives Bibles to
those who want them in the Third World and a Christian orphanage
in the former U.S.S.R. which set up an auto mechanic shop to teach
kids skills and be able to support itself.
People running around before 8.30 on Friday morning, muttering under
their breath about CD players, candles, and bibles (among other
things). What could it be for? Prayer Day! Of course! On Friday
31st January Broughton House was the home to one of the biggest
worship events in the school year. After weeks of planning , the
big day arrived, as is usual, with last minute problems arising,
but these were settled quickly, and at 8.55am the doors were flung
open, to allow the first 30 students in to pray.
Praying continued steadily throughout the morning in the first room,
while in the second a live worship band provided the perfect way
to worship out loud. Sweets were spread around the room, a great
asset to concentration, and there were several activities to help
prayers. There was one ‘booth’ which focussed specially
on ‘you, your body, and all the great parts about you’,
which allowed people to write prayers thanking God for things they
liked about themselves. Another stall was definitely a ‘craft’
stall, as it were, with paint provided, to allow people to make
a handprint onto a piece of paper, and write a prayer by it, offering
the hands for the use of God, and the chance to make collages of
anything they felt moved to make. Another booth contained a prayer
washing line, where those who wanted anything to be prayed for could
peg up anonymous prayers for others to pray over. A couple of other
booths offered quiet, very comfy places to meditate, and one played
the CD from the ’labyrinth’, a meditation using mirrors,
a globe and several other objects to encourage ‘different’
meditation.
With so many people praying, both beforehand, and during the event,
is it any wonder it turned out so well? It ws a welcome break, and
wonderful to be able to take one lesson in a hectic week to come
quietly and be able to pray. Nor were students the only ones to
take advantage of this ‘haven’; staff too came to pray
and worship with the students (mainly during lunchtime, when the
entire area was filled with people). Overall, I think it can be
said that Prayer Day was a great success, and is likely to be repeated
next year… I hope so, anyway! Olivia Davies Year 11
We were thrilled to have Clayton Scott, American writer and educator,
with us recently. Clayton is a leading light in the world of ‘slam
poetry’ (and for the non-initiated, it is spoken verse performed
without props and within a strict time limit) and was a hit with
both kids and adults. To say he was good is putting it mildly, but
you really have to hear and see --- experience --- him to know just
how good he was. He is also a committed Christian who integrates
faith into his poetry and communicates it easily and effectively.
Several of the kids told me how much they liked Clayton and hope
to have a go at writing their own poetry. He gave out his email
address and encouraged them to correspond. So watch this space,
I guess. We are hoping to have Clayton back next year for both daytime
and evening events, and if you are at all into words, literature
or performance, his is an act not to be missed! Lisa (Chaplain)
Over a period of time pupils have been ‘borrowing’ equipment
from the D T department This is usually because they have forgotten
to bring their own plate or tin in which to take their food products
home. The item of equipment is not always returned and our stock
is much depleted. So we are declaring an AMNESTY. Please could you
send back any items that belong to school that might have been sitting
in your kitchen or hidden at the back of a cupboard.
For many years the surface of the playing fields at the school has
caused grief to pupils and parents alike through damage to clothes
and injuries to pupils who took a tumble on it. The PTA have for
years said it was urgent that a new surface was put down and the
Governors have agreed. The problem was that no money was being made
available to do it and the Governors could not afford to pay for
the whole job. Finally this year the Governors have been given a
grant towards the cost of upgrading the redgra but, like all building
projects at the school, the Governors have to find 15% of the cost.
Having championed this project for many years clearly the PTA wants
to give strong financial support to this project. It has been agreed
that the PTA, on your behalf, will contribute £5,000. We would
expect to raise about £1,500 from our range of fund raising
events this year but that still leaves us to find a further £3,500.
We would therefore like to give you an opportunity to contribute
towards the cost of a project that will be of benefit to both your
child and children that will follow them through this school. If
£5 were given for each pupil at the school we would easily
reach our target. It would be even better if we were able to claim
back tax on each gift and this can be done by signing the Gift Aid
Declaration below.Please complete the form below and place it, together
with your cheque which should be made payable to St Mary Redcliffe
& Temple School PTA , in an envelope marked clearly PTA REDGRA
APPEAL and send it in to the school office. We thank you for your
support.St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School PTA Committee 10 March
2003
Over the coming term, which inevitably focuses on
public examination and the mixed emotions of students completing
courses and leaving us, we are refreshed by the joyous news of Easter.
We were reminded of God’s infinite love for us in Easter Day
church services across the city. I have shared with students in
recent assemblies my reading of Revd Neville Boundy’s play-
Father and Son, Son and Father and how Jesus’ struggle to
come to terms with his divinity was only solved after his death.
In this post - Easter time we can all challenge our own doubts,
like the disciple Thomas, and as we approach Ascension Day celebrate
the return of Jesus to God’s Kingdom. Ascension Day is traditionally
a major celebration in school with a whole school Eucharist but,
as it falls during half Term, we will be combining our start of
term service with a whole school Eucharist on Friday 2nd May. Unfortunately
we will not be able to invite parents as the church will be full
with the school but I hope parents will be able to pray for us and
with us at the start of term by coming to the next Prayer Support
Group Meeting in the library at 7.45 on Monday 12th May.
There have been several significant enriching activities just before
Easter and the production of Carmina Burana deserves special mention.
Some 130 performers produced a musical event which was of the highest
class and would not have been out of place in the Albert Hall! Particularly
notable was how some 8 staff, 10 parents, 5 friends of the school
(including former students) and over 100 current students came together
under Mr Edward Barnett’s direction to produce such a complex
work so well. Do look out for the Summer Serenade as it will be
well worth an evening out.
We said farewell to Mr Neil Dennison at the end of
term as he left us to join the City Learning Centre @ Monks Park.
He has made a marvellous contribution to the school in his maths
teaching, leadership of ICT., as a tutor in Year 7 and in his leadership
of Christian Union groups. His successor Mr Piers Jackaman has high
standards to match.
Mr Dennison’s maths teaching will be done by Mr Peter Sherman
for the summer term and we have appointed two new maths staff from
September. Mrs Sarah Cain has left us for maternity leave and she
is replaced by Ms Naomi Briffin for the next year. Our support staff
team is strengthened by the appointments of Robin Baker to be pool
lifeguard, by Angel Anton as Science Technician and David Lloyd
as assistant caretaker. In September we will be making appointments
of some three extra staff to allow us to expand the sixth form even
further!
The Redgra was ‘demolished’ over Easter
and contractors are now reinstating an all weather surface and we
hope this will be complete in June. Thanks to all of you who have
generously contributed to the PTA appeal for funds to pay for this
development (further contributions are welcomed).
The Art and Drama extension is over half complete and we expect
to be able to move in before the end of term. These development
inevitably mean we will have very constricted play space for the
first half of this term and we ask for patience by all. When the
new all weather surface is opened it will only be able to be used
by students in trainers (as is the case on the Redgra) and we trust
all students will respect this.
Traditionally move into ‘summer dress code’
after half term but ask that all parents ensure their children are
in full uniform as they leave home. Students who do not have a note
of explanation from parents about breaches of uniform risk working
alone in the foyer until they are back in full uniform. Of particular
concern is the trend
amongst girls to wear wide flaired trouser that are perched on the
hips and which drag the ground. Our uniform rules for girls’
trousers have not changed and we ask all parents to ensure girls
attend in appropriate trousers. Governors would like to review the
school’s uniform policy to see what parents, students and
staff feel is the best compromise in our post modern society. It
is inevitable there will be strong views expressed for every conceivable
solution. I have no doubt that our dress code should allow full
respect of the identity of different communities, faiths and cultures
and yet have clothes which are as common as possible to all. The
arguments for uniform are strong: students are ambassadors for the
school, all identify with the school through wearing uniform and
it is an aid to security and safety. Students should feel proud
of belonging to their school and being recognised for it. To review
what our uniform should be is complex and we will be designing a
questionnaire during this half term. If parents have views on what
questions should be asked it would be good to hear them either direct
to Mrs Vickers or via the PTA who meet on 20th May at 7.30pm in
the Library. David McGregor.
Year 9 National Tests are in week of 5th to 9th May:
Year 11 GCSE study leave begins after a leaving assembly on Monday
12th May. We will hold a leavers service for students and parents
to present Records of Achievement on June 23rd in SMR Church.
Year 12 AS and part 1 AVCE exams mainly happen in the week 19- 23
May and 2-6 June and study leave will apply then.
Year 13 A2 exams start soon after half term and we will hold the
Year 13 leavers’ service on Friday 23rd May.
The Sixth Form Induction Days for the incoming year 12 are 2nd and
3rd July. Full details of Year 11 arrangements will be given to
students in a Year 11 Exams booklet which will be issued in the
next week and which parents are asked to read.
Monday May 5th Bank Holiday.
Tuesday May 6th Year 9 National Examinations for the whole week.
Friday May 9th PTA Quiz night.
Monday May 12th
11.00am Year 11 leavers assembly in hall and study leave starts
at 12.00pm. 7.45 Prayer Support Group in Library.
Tuesday 13th May Year 10 Geography field trip.
Wednesday 14th May 7.30pm New Intake
Evening for next year’s Year 7 parents.
Friday 23rd May Year 13 Leavers Service in SMR Church.
Half Term Monday 26th May to Friday 30th May inclusive.
Activities/WorkExperience Week 14-18 July
Wednesday 23rd July is the last day of term.
‘Thanks to pupils of Francombe House who raised
£193.57p during Lent last year. The money recently received
by Tim Paton in Cambodia was divided equally between the Samaritan
Orphanage in Phnom Penh, and the distribution of clothes, food and
Bible Story books to the Street children who pick through the rubbish
by the roadside’. Tim will make a visit to the school later
in the year and will bring us up to date.
Update on changes to Free School Meals. As there
was some confusion concerning our statement in the last newsletter
our Finance Department have been able to clarify the current situation.
‘Children are eligible for free school meals where parents
are in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance –
Income Based, and Child Tax Credit where Income is below £13,230
and providing they don’t receive any element of the working
tax credit’.
Also note that from 6/4/03, no free school meal refunds will be
made. This means that parents must apply for free school meals and
eligibility will commence from the start of the application date
only. Any queries regarding free school meals are to be directed
to Richard Herbert’s team based at the Council House.
Tel.No. 0117 9037812
The PTA will be selling second-hand uniform
at the new Year 7 Evening on May 14th. Please send any suitable
donations into school before the evening. This service is
much appreciated. Thank you in advance. PTA
Alan Hazelden (Year 11) and Isaac Kim (Year 10) took
part in the IMOK ‘Kangaroo’, an Olympiad paper following
on from the Intermediate Maths Challenge. Alan scored 100 and Isaac
62 (out of 135). The mean mark in the country was 67. Alan’s
score placed him in the top 25%, an outstanding achievement. Well
done to both students for a very creditable performance. (Mr Netto)
Small Piece Trust - Easter Challenge
This Easter, five students from Year 9 took part in the ‘Design
Technology Easter Challenge’ based in Sheffield. The five
students – Rebecca Chapman, Nick Blackmore, Laura Nicol, Chris
Bawn and Sam Joannu - stayed on the University campus and completed
various design challenges.
They were among one hundred students from around the country who
had successfully got onto the course which aimed to stretch their
problem – solving capabilities. They said that they ‘loved
it and highly recommend it to others to take part in the future.
We have made some good friends who we are planning to visit in the
summer’.
The Diocesan Synod of Bristol which met on 17th May considered
the Anglican- Methodist Covenant and agreed to affirm a position
where the two churches recognised each other as ‘true’
churches of Jesus Christ. The Covenant confirmed agreement on matters
of liturgy and ministry and commits the two churches to work together
to overcome any remaining obstacles to unity of the two churches.
I thank God that this long overdue movement is underway again and
look forward to the day when all churches in Jesus are more closely
related. When I teach at Sunday School or meet with Year 7 and talk
with them about their faith, I am always refreshed by their positive
openness towards people of other denominations. This valuing each
other, respecting our differences and caring for other people is
at the heart of the Christian values we try to foster at school.
When I consider how difficult relations are between nations and
how faith is often used as a reason for maintaining separation and
conflict we must thank God that at least young people can see a
way forward in this troubled world.
The start of term has gone well with the Year 9 SATS over and Years
11 and 12 well into GCSE exams; Year 13 are about to start their
exams and Year 12 are reminded their study leave finishes on 6th
June. For Year 11 they will return for a leavers service to collect
their Records of Achievement on Monday 23rd June at 11.30 am in
Church and this will be followed by a buffet in the hall. Year 11
are welcomed back on 2nd and 3rd July for their Sixth Form Induction.
As we have significant over-subscription for the Sixth Form, it
is vital that students who should be there let us know if they cannot,
as their places may be taken up by students from other schools who
are queuing to get in.
Staff News: Congratulations to Mrs Sara Cain and her husband on
being proud parents of Edward a 10lb bouncing baby.
Some of the teaching and support staff have been struck down by
protracted illness and we ask parents to pray for Mrs Lyn Horscroft
who has been in hospital for the last 2 weeks, for Mr Dick Pope
who will be away until September next and Mrs Shepherd and Mrs Morris
both of whom had had extended illness recently. We have confirmed
Mrs Catherine Giles
(Languages) as a permanent teacher for next September and have appointed
an extra teacher of Psychology and Sociology in Mr Rob Endley. Unless
we get any surprise resignations we now look as though we are fully
staffed for September expect for the appointment of additional support
staff who will be appointed in the next half term.
Premises. The contractors are now reinstating an all weather surface
and we hope this will be complete in mid June. The PTA appeal has
raised over £2000 towards this work and if any parent wishes
to make a gift aid donation towards the £15 000 Governors
have to find it is not too late. We have had two meetings with Government
and LEA to enquire of progress towards the Sixth form Centre. It
seems that we may get permission to build the new block in the next
financial year.
Uniform. We traditionally move into ‘summer dress code’
after half term. Boys may leave their Blazers at home and must wear
their ties to school on hot days. What we cannot accept is the wearing
of alternative tops around school. If it is cold enough for an alternative
top the Blazer should be worn. Girls similarly need not bring their
jumpers/sweatshirts to school but if the weather is cool, then alternative
tops must not be worn.
Royal Occasion. Mr Leaming and 6 of our students who went on an
Outward Bound course were selected to meet the Duke of York on Wednesday
21st May. The Duke talked with our team about their leadership exercise
that they completed earlier this term.
The Event. Thanks to the energy of our Lay Chaplain and her musical
team we had a marvellous lunchtime of prayer and Christian music
in the hall on Thursday 15th May. While I was interviewing for the
post of a Languages teacher, it was good to have to explain to candidates
how central the faith is to the life of our school.
David McGregor.
to Ben Street
and Andrew Flook for successfully being selected to complete in
the Audi Design Foundation being held in Swindon on 15th July. Ben,
who designed the Canoe trailer for towing behind a bike, and Andy
who designed cordless headphones, as part of their Year 13 Design
Technology projects will travel to Swindon to exhibit their designs.
National winners can expect trips abroad and bursaries at University.
The competition will be tough and we wish them well.
The date has been changed from Friday 27th June to Tuesday 1st July
– due to factors outside our control! Competitors will come
to school in track suits and non-competitors in uniform. We will
have coaches to Whitchurch Sports Centre from 9.00am and parents
are welcome to join us there. Students must bring waterproofs. Thank
you.
–
Thanks to all who sent in stamps etc. Please keep them coming in.
We also want old postcards/phone cards/coins/old medals. The Leprosy
Mission can sell on all of these things to increase their funds.
Thanks. Lisa Nolland
Friday 23rd May Leavers Service for Year 13 and last day of half
term.
Half Term Monday 26th May to
Friday 30th May inclusive.
Monday 2nd June AS Study Leave continues for 1 week.
Sunday 8th June SMR Church Rush Sunday.
Thursday 12th June PTA meets at 7.30pm.
Monday 16th June Year 10 Examinations begin and are spread out over
a fortnight. Year 10 students should be using half term to revise.
Friday 20th June First Induction day for new Year 7.
Saturday 21st June SMR Church Fair and Enthronement of Bishop Mike
– New Bishop of Bristol at 2.30pm in the Cathedral.
Monday 23rd June Year 11 Leavers Service in SMR Church at 11.30pm
followed by buffet lunch.
Tuesday 24th June Year 10 modular Science exams.
Wednesday 25th June Non-Uniform Day.
Tuesday 1st July SPORTS DAY (new date) weather permitting. (Please
see notice)
Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July Sixth Form Induction at 9.00am
in Sixth Form Common Room.
Friday 4th July Second induction day for new Year 7.
Activities And Work Experience Week 14th -18th July
Wednesday 23rd July is the last day of term.
I have not written anything for a newsletter for quite some time
so please bear with me and I will explain the reason for this. Most
people will know that Alison Murphy usually writes this column.
However, Alison is concentrating on building the links between parents
(new and old) and the PTA. I am sure that everyone will miss her
subtle witty contributions, I know that I will and I thank her for
setting a high standard. I just hope that I can maintain that standard
so that everyone continues to read the PTA bit. It is intended to
maybe make them smile, or even to inspire them to become more actively
involved with the PTA. I would settle however for knowing that they
have enjoyed reading the piece and that I have not offended anyone!
If there are any complaints about this column, please feel free
to respond – we do welcome constructive criticism. Please
send any comments, via the school, for the attention of Mrs A Murphy
– only joking; I think!
The REDGRA Appeal letter has got off to a tremendous start. On
behalf of the PTA I would like to say thank you for your generosity.
However, at the time of writing I do not have a specific total raised
so far; I do know that it is significant. Additionally, the number
of parents that have been able to “Gift Aid” their contribution
is marvellous. As each day goes by more and more parents are adding
their contribution to the list. As the appeal letter quite eloquently
put it, if every parent were able to give just £5, with over
1200 pupils we should reach our goal quickly. We do recognize that
£5 can be a significant contribution for some people, so anything
that people can afford would go a long way. If you have already
responded to the appeal then please ignore the next paragraph.
So you haven’t responded yet! I know you just put the letter
behind the clock on the shelf intending to deal with it later, well
this is just the reminder that you have been looking for! The preparation
work has already started but if the PTA is to meet its committed
target we still need your support. If you can help, please give
as much as you can afford. Thank you for reading and
supporting the PTA.
Fred Simpson
Programmes will be available from half term from the School Office.
(Yr 8 Parents)
Thursday 5th June at 7.00pm
If your son/daughter is participating in the visits to France during
Activities Week this year, don’t forget the above date!
We are pleased that our final non-uniform day this year will focus
on two very real areas for us. Firstly, as part of our concern for
just and peaceful outcomes for Iraq and the surrounding area, half
the money will go via Christian Aid to groups providing emergency
health and food relief. Secondly, our Year 11 ‘Wheels’
group have finished refurbishing a minibus for Lordsmeade School,
one of our link Ugandan Schools. Now we must fund its transportation.
£1 for each student sounds very little in the context of world
problems, so we would be delighted to receive more than £1
from those who really care!.
Mr Stevens.
We shall again be collecting shoeboxes for Eastern
Europe as our Harvest offering this year. It will be early for most
of us to have Christmas Cards, wrapping paper etc. but you might
like to get early stock ready for the week beginning September 22nd.
June 1st 7.00pmMix Café (7.30pm,start)Woodlands Christian
CentreBelgrave RoadCliftonAdmission Free
Saturday 21st June will remain an important day in
many people’s memory, not only because it was the day of the
Redcliffe Community Fete when our PTA supported the church in fundraising
for the local community, but because it was the day of the Inauguration
of the Episcopal Ministry of Bishop Michael Hill (as Bishop of Bristol).
The happy and historic occasion was supported by Bishops of the
South West, Clergy from many Christian Denominations and representatives
of every parish in the diocese. After arriving at Temple Meads the
Bishop came to the Cathedral by boat and was welcomed by a crowd
of a thousand. Bishop Mike spoke of the importance of having the
confidence to be provocative, to show commitment and work with other
Christians to declare Gods purpose. He feared like the people of
Judah in exile that we were faced with ‘ singing to the Lord
in a strange land (in the words of Psalm 137) and encouraged us
all to go out and sing our song. Let us hope we have the confidence
to work with Bishop Mike, to sing our song despite the commercialism
and distractions of the modern world.
Staff News:
As is usual at the end of the summer term we say farewell to several
staff and our thanks go to the following for the dedication and
loyalty they have shown to our students: Mrs Gill Peregrine who
is retiring to live in Scotland after magnificent service to our
school. Asking past generations which teacher they remember most
Mrs Peregrine’s name is the most remembered; for her skills
in Maths, her dedicated work as a tutor and her unshakeable faith
which has helped so many trying to seek out where they are in relation
to God. Also leaving from the Maths team is Mr John Marshall who
is taking up a leadership post in St Bedes School in Bristol. After
7 years devoted service to Redcliffe we will miss his leadership
of James House, his excellent Maths teaching and his spiritual leadership.
Mr Andy Arbuckle also leaves for promotion to become Head of History
in a school in Yate after 4 years with us when he has not only taught
History well but been a most effective Deputy in the Sixth Form
leading our preparation for University entrance with real skill.
Mrs Katie Mansfield also leaves us after one year to go to Warminster
to teach where she will have a far shorter journey to work! Three
teachers come to the end of short term contracts- Mr Ray Douglas,
Mr John Titmus and Mr Nigel Currie and we wish all the staff who
leave us every success in their future lives.
Please continue to keep Mr Dick Pope and Mrs Helene Shepherd in
your prayers as they are still unwell and sadly we have learned
that Mr Barnett has a serious illness that will keep him out of
school for some time. On the good news Lyn Horscroft is making a
recovery from her injuries and it is good to feel the office team
now has its leader back at the helm.
There has been a slight delay in the laying of the
green polymeric all weather surface but we expect that to be finished
this week and the new Art and Drama extension should similarly be
completed very soon. . The PTA appeal has raised over £2000
towards this work and if any parent wishes to make a gift aid donation
to the £15 000 Governors have to find it is not too late.
The summer holiday will see a complex piece of work for the premises
team to manage as there is to be a rewire of the lower two floors
of the school at a cost of some £300 000. We hope to come
back to renewed and safer wiring in September at the same time
as we are introduced to over £75 000 of new computer software
and hardware.
The Government is encouraging all Secondary Schools
to take up specialist status as they believe it raises standards.
The ‘carrot’ to encourage us to take this seriously
is a payment of some £100 000 in capital development and £150
000 per year to enhance the staffing and resources of the school
over the next 4 years.
THE PROPOSAL Members of the Humanities teams have
proposed we apply for Specialist Status in the Humanities to start
in September 2004. This proposal has been explored by the school
leadership team, Governors and Heads of History, RE and Geography
and all believe it will enhance the schools mission and improve
the quality of educational experience of our students. We believe
a Humanities focus will be most in keeping with the school’s
Christian ethos and see the work focussing on two main areas of
development and can express this in a revisited mission for the
school:
MISSION.
1. ‘Steadfast in Faith’ we aim to rise above the ordinary
by developing education which can transform lives and communities.
Together with our parents, churches and communities we aim for every
student to reach their full potential in body, mind, heart and spirit.
Every one in our community will be cared for unconditionally and
valued equally as a unique creation made in the image of God. Our
students will develop critical minds to be able to apply the values
of justice, mutual respect, stewardship and truth in their lives.
Students will understand how human values and attitudes, past and
present, influence a society’s development.
2. Within the context of a broad, balanced and
relevant curriculum we will develop a major focus on the Humanities
subjects where History will lead the development of thinking and
study skill teaching and through Geography and RE our Values in
Practice teaching will put the application of Citizenship education
in practice. We will have very strong groups of students at 16+
in the humanities subjects.
3. We will continue the exciting collaborative
work we have started with the local community, local primary and
secondary schools, with Bristol University and the City of Bristol
College to develop a local learning network that extends the dissemination
of our expertise to other local institutions and benefits local
people. The innovative teaching and learning practices we develop
will be shared with our partners to enhance learning across the
city.
How can parents help?First can you write in after
consideration of the points above and give your views on this proposal,
particularly welcome would be comments on the mission statement-
is this what you want of your school?
Secondly to qualify for Specialist Status we have to raise over
£50 000 in sponsorship and this triggers the release of approximately
£700 000 from Government over the next 4 years. For a change
we are not asking you for direct financial help but rather for CONTACTS
who can help us raise the money. In your place of work, who is the
contact for the Social responsibility Fund or Community Projects,
could you approach them to see if they could support us, can you
pass on a name for us to contact? If everyone takes this seriously
we could find the sponsorship far less daunting than if first appears-
do telephone the office with your proposals in the next 2 weeks.
After 4 years service Governor and parent Geoff Molyneux is standing
down for reasons of personal health. We wish Geoff improved health
in the future and thank him for the loyal and dedicated work he
has done for the governors in leading our Curriculum group and for
the work he continues to do as visiting artist in the art department.
Geoff’s leaving provides a vacancy in the Diocesan Representatives
and if there are any parents who would lie to consider the role
of Governor they should write to Ms Caro Barker Bennett, Diocesan
Director of Education at All Saints Centre, 1 All Saints Court,
BS1 1JN. David McGregor.
Tuesday 1st July is Sports day weather permitting.
Student competitors should come to school in track suits and all
non competitors should be in Sports Kit NOT uniform. We will have
coaches to Whit church sports centre from 9.00 am and parents are
welcome to join us there. Students must bring waterproofs. We will
bring students back to school unless they have parents permission
to be dismissed from Whitchurch and if the performances go to plan
we may be able to dismiss form school early on the Tuesday.
Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July Sixth Form Induction at 9.00am
in Sixth form Common Room
Friday 4th July Second induction day for new year 7.
Monday 7th July last PTA meeting of the year. Come to support the
continuation of the PTA next year and consider the form of the AGM.
Tuesday 8th July Summer Serenade Music Concert in School at 7.30pm.
Do come along and enjoy some strawberries as well as some marvellous
summer music.
ACTIVITIES & WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK 14-18 JULY
Wednesday 23rd July is the last day of term. We will
teach periods 1 & 2 as normal and have an end of term service
in the morning followed by the usual arrangements for lunch. We
will then hold a tutor period from 1.20 to 2.15pm and dismiss students
at 2.20 for their summer break.
Remember next term begins on WEDNESDAY 3RD September as we have
a double in-service day for staff on 1st and 2nd September.
‘A’ Level results are in school from
9.30 on Thursday 14th August and GCSE on Thursday 21st August from
9.30am.
Another reminder that we’ll
be collecting shoeboxes of goods
for Eastern Europe during our Harvest Week (September 22nd –26th
). You’ll need Christmas wrapping-paper and maybe some holiday
knick-knacks!
A Community Garden for Redcliffe
St. Mary Redcliffe Temple School pupils have been
invited to have a say over plans for a new community garden planned
for Somerset Square in Redcliffe. As the Square falls directly outside
the school gates pupils, especially at lunchtimes, have quite an
impact on the space, and it is important their views are taken into
consideration in plans for improvements.
A session with some Year 9 & 10 pupils was held on Wednesday
24th June to walk around Somerset Square to find out what they would
like to see on the square and how they use it at present. Ideas
so far include better seating areas and paths, railings, colourful
planting, impressive entrances and sculpture. The City Council are
keen for students from the school to work alongside the local community
to implement some of the ideas and have ownership of the Square.
You are all vital componants impacting on the finished area! The
project will be funded through the Countryside Agency and European
Objective 2 funding. Any students interested in getting more involved
in the project should contact Mr. Stevens
September 2003
1st INSET DAY
2nd INSET DAY
3rd FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
29th Open Evening
The REDGRA Appeal has had a splendid response from parents and families
and the PTA would like to thank everyone that has helped, it really
has been tremendous. There is still the opportunity to make a contribution
towards the appeal if you have not been able to do so as yet, it
is not too late. The work has already started to replace the dreaded
Redgra and most parents will be looking forward to “cleaner
(?)” sports kit in future, well apart from the blood, sweat
and tears and a famous brand of washing powder will take good care
of that!
The Redcliffe Summer Fete was held on Saturday 21st
and the PTA provided refreshments, with sumptuous hot dogs and succulent
burgers – for a modest sum of course! Thank you to all who
helped and all who came to the fete.
School Uniform Parents will shortly be asked to complete
a questionnaire about the school uniform, at the moment the content
of the questionnaire is being discussed with various parties, teachers,
pupils and the PTA. School uniform can be a contentious issue, the
look, the style, the cost and the quality all play a part in the
debate. The PTA has made it quite clear that it supports, for many
practical reasons, the School and its School Uniform policy. Fred
Simpson
This took place on 29th April. 154 pupils from Years
7 and 8 took part. There were 18 Gold, 29 Silver and 39 Bronze certificates
awarded. This represents 56% of the entry Compared to 40% nationally.
It was the highest number of certificates achieved in this school
ever. Golds went to: Christina Evans, Philip Hazelden, Samuel Gilmour,
Jonathan Lee, Rachel evans, Thomas Wright, Hannah Simpson, Samuel
Burgess, Ian Shortman, Stephen Powell, James Oborne, Richard Green
(Year 8); Robert Barwell (best in School), Chris Watteau, Matthew
Dellar, Joseph Lucas, Kyana Gitahi, Katherine Mining (Year 7). Well
done to Robert Barwell whose score was high enough for him to be
entered for the Junior Mathematical Olympiad on June 10th. Congratultions
to all who took part. Mr Netto
to Hannah Bullen and Tom Evans (Yr 13) for getting through to the
district final of the Young Persons Award for Innovation to be held
on July 13th. Hannah, who designed a futuristic costume for a film
character, and Tom who designed a rocking chair using a recycled
cable drum, have both won places on a week’s residential course
at Pershore Business School. This will teach them how to take an
innovative idea and make it into a commercial success.
Top prize in the competition nationally is £2000. Last year
the school won the Wedgwood Design Award, which is also part of
the competition, so we wish them every success.
We are again living in times of turmoil with wars & rumours
of wars on every side and mistrust and confusion even within our
own country. Many of us have everything we need and more, yet 2/3rds
of our world have nothing. Despite all our sophistication there
still exists oppression, torture and prejudice. We call evil good
and good evil. Our leaders lead us by their own understanding rather
than by the ways of God and we are tempted to despair. Listen to
the words of the Psalmist
‘Be Still, and know that I AM God.
I WILL be exalted among the nations
and I WILL be exalted in the earth’.
Psalm 46v10
We wish every school family a joyful and restful
break after a very successful and very full school year.
Next year we will welcome back Mr Steve Evans from his years secondment
in America. He will doubtless bring a depth of experience to add
to his high quality teaching at Redcliffe. Mr Peter Kelley, who
has been with us from America for the year will return to St Albans
School near Washington and we thank him for the excellence mathematical
skills he has shared with our students, for his contributions to
school worship and to the music making of the school.We wish him
and his family a safe journey home.
Staff appointments: We start the
new year with new appointments of Mr Robert Endley as teacher of
Psychology from Sir Bernard Lovell School, Ms Anna Mearns and Ms
Isabelle Ardizzone joining the English Department , Mrs Sarah Edwards,
Mrs Hilary Deering and Ms Suzanne Duffett joining the Maths team,
Mr Rick Hatton joining the DT team part time and Ms Rebecca Shelton
joining the History team.
Sadly the news of Mr Barnett is not good. He has recently had a
major operation for cancer and I am sure all parents will keep him
and his family in our prayers. Fortunately we have been able to
appoint an experienced temporary teacher in Mrs Jo Pugh for next
term and we can look forward to the maintenance of high standards
of music teaching.
Over the summer break three of our staff are getting married and
we offer congratulations to Ms Catherine Giles who is to become
Mrs Roberts, Ms Sarah Davies and Mr Ben Eve who will (separately
and not to each other!) be getting married in the next few weeks.
Ready for the new year a green polymeric, all weather
surface has been laid in the place of the Redgra and we cannot wait
to use it. Parents are asked to remind their children that no-one
can play on the surface without trainers as the surface will become
damaged if marking soles are used.
The new Art and Drama extension was transferred to us last week
and the new Drama studio will be the envy of most schools in the
city. As for Art they will finally move out of the dungeons below
Broughton house with the luxury of running water and natural daylight
for a change.
The holidays will see chaos for the premises team as we face a rewire
of the lower two floors of the school at a cost of some £300.000.
and are introduced to over £75.000 of new computer software
and hardware. We hope all this will be complete for our return in
September.
Tuesday 22 June lunch time Fun Concert in the hall
arranged by the musicians
Wednesday 23rd June normal pattern for registration and period 1
and 2
11.10am Move to Church for end of Year Service at 11.30am
12.15pm Lunch as usual
13.30pm Tutor session and clearing up.
14.15pm Dismissal by Heads of House.
Monday 1st September In-set Day
The day begins with a staff Eucharist then staff will focus on improvements
to teaching and learning styles and what assessment for learning
means in practice
Tuesday 2nd September Second
In-set Day
Staff will revisit the school’s mission in the light of our
proposed bid for Humanities Status and then Departments will explore
the development plans they are implementing this year.
Wednesday 3rd September First day of term for Students, Week 1 Day
3.
8.00 am School is open for all students though breakfast
will not be available until later in the term.
8.30 Tutor period begins YEAR 7 TO THE HALL, YEARS 8,9 TO THEIR
TUTOR ROOMS AND SIXTH FORM TO THE Sixth Form Centre.
10.00 YEARS 10 AND 11 TO ARRIVE AT 10.00AM TO ALLOW TUTORS TO INDUCT
YEARS 8 AND 9 INTO THEIR NEW TIMETABLES
10.35 Bell rings for morning break
10.55 Tutor period resumes and staff and students move to church
11.15 Beginning of year service with Bristol’s New Diocesan
Bishop, Bishop Mike Hill.
11.55 move back to school
12.00 Year 7 taken to main hall where lunch arrangements are explained
by Scolarest.
12.15 Lunch for main school
1.15 pm Induction programme continues for all tutor groups
3.20pm End of school day.
Thursday 4th September all students in normal lessons
and as they have their timetables they will be expected to bring
books, and equipment relevant to their timetables. Parents are asked
to check timetables on the Wednesday evening to help students identify
what equipment they need.
Following a very successful year for our school teams we are looking
to build upon this success next year with some mini-tours. We are
also going to give the football squads the opportunity to buy their
own shirt with their name and squad number. To reduce the cost to
pupils we are looking for some sponsorship from local companies.
If you work for a company who might be able to offer us sponsorship
for a tour, or some money towards the cost of a team’s shirt
then please contact Mr Boddy at school to discuss this further.
We would be keen to put the sponsor’s logo on a set of shirts.
DATES FOR THE TERM We will issue a newsletter at the start of term
but for those who like to set up their diary in advance some key
dates are given here:
A Level results are in school from 9.30 on Thursday
14th August and GCSE on Thursday 21st August from 9.30am.
Wednesday 3rd September ALIS assessment for Year
12.
Friday 5th Newsletter issued.
Tuesday 9th Year 7 have national predictive ability test ( CATS)
Wednesday 10th Year 10 have national predictive ability test ( YELLIS)
Friday 12th Year 12 induction programme all day.
Monday 15th September 7.45pm Parent Prayer Support Group meets in
the library. New parents will be very welcome to join the group
who meet for approximately an hour to pray for the school community.
September 22nd HARVEST WEEK WHEN WE ENCOURAGE ALL TO FILL A SHOEBOX
Wednesday 24th YEAR 10 AND NEW YEAR 7 Parents’ Information
Evenings and parents’ beginning of year service with a collection
for the shoebox appeal.
Monday 29th September OPEN EVENING FROM 6.30PM Students
will be released at 12.30pm to allow them to come back to help in
the evening and potential parents will visit the school all evening.
Wednesday 1st at 9.45am, Thursday 2nd at 9.45am and Friday 3rd at
9.15 am Open Mornings when new parents can see the school in action.
October 9th PTA annual general meeting and Governors Annual Report
meeting
27TH – 31ST OCTOBER HALF TERM
November 3rd In-service day
Thursday 6th November Colston day
December 19th Last day of term and end of term service.
Monday 22nd In-service day.
Congratulations – to Gemma Buck who gained
a 2 1 in Molecular Biology this last year.
We are delighted to announce that, for the second year running,
the trustees of the Diana Award have accepted our nomination. Stuart
Dawe of Year 11 was nominated due to his outstanding attitude and
participation in the refurbishment of a minibus for our link school
in Uganda. We also thank the ‘Wheels’ project for their
expert advice and resources. Stuart will receive his certificate
at our End of Year service when the other five nominees, all of
whom could have been put forward for the Award if we were allowed
more than one nomination, will receive a School Council Award.
Just a reminder that we shall be collecting shoeboxes for Eastern
Europe during the week beginning September 22nd. The gifts need
to be age-related. Each year, boys aged 13-14 receive the fewest
shoeboxes, so you might like to collect anything to do with football,
card-games or baseball caps over the summer as these constitute
an ‘international language’! Full details will be given
in September of all the collection.
Dates for 2003/4
Monday 15th September 2003
Monday 17th November
Monday 19th January 2004
Monday 1st March
Monday 10th May
Monday 21st June
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the
peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ, Jesus. Phil. 4. 6-7
Welcome back to our new school year. For the teaching staff the
year began with a Eucharist and a sermon preached by Bishop Roger
Sainsbury. Staff were reminded of the need for all of us to grow
in God’s wisdom in order for us to develop as individuals
and as a community. In the following two in-service days we looked
again at the way in which we use computers and how they have been
enhanced over the summer break with the installation of some 80
new machines and an upgraded software platform. Particularly exciting
are the specialised computers in Art and Music that will allow considerable
creativity. Staff also considered the application for Humanities
Status and how that would have implications for all students. We
particularly looked at how the status would complement the school’s
mission and how through the humanities students can explore in depth
how justice, respect and search for truth and trust are important
in all human communities across space, time and culture. We will
share more if this in the next newsletter once Governors have considered
the implications of the work.
At the end of last term I thanked those staff who were leaving.
We have appointed the following staff to continue the excellent
tradition of teaching at Redcliffe this September:
Hilary Deering, Suzanne Duffett and Sarah Edwards join the Maths
Department
Isabelle Ardzonne and Anna Mearns join the English team
Robert Endley becomes our second Psychology teacher
Asma Rageb joins Science
Rick Hatton joins DT
Rebecca Shelton is in the History team
Josephine Pugh covers Edward Barnett’s absence
Nicola Dyer covers Dick Pope’s absence.
We have increased the Support Staff by the appointment of an extra
Clerical Assistant, Lynne Bullock
Bishop Mike Hill led our start of term service on Wednesday and
preached on the importance of having the firm foundations of Jesus
and of the Bible for our lives and of trusting in these foundations
when the going gets tough. He also blessed the new PA system which
will be used in worship. It has been generously paid for by the
Enabling Fund (to which many of you contribute) and we are grateful
for the technical assistance of Sound Control and its manager.
Caroline Cunningham is Head of James House from September, Kate
Allen joins Georgina Hatton as Deputy Director 16+ and in charge
of Excellence Challenge,
Shaun Champion becomes Deputy Head of Colston House.
I am sure parents will get to know these staff and help them in
their new roles.
Does anyone know of a person who would make an ideal office manager
for the school? The person appointed would supervise the reception
and administrative parts of the school office and work on a term
time only basis. We also need a full time Receptionist for the School
Office. Lyn Horscroft would love to hear from you if you know of
anyone who might be interested.
This is available to any parent who wants to make an application
for support for school visits, for school equipment if there is
financial hardship in the family. Simply write a note to the Head
of House or visit organiser explaining the circumstances and asking
for support-it will be willingly be given, in confidence.
News of Past students slowly reaches us and we congratulate Paul
Horscroft on his degree from Southampton in Surf Studies, Jonathan
Dawson gained a First Class Honours degree in Biological Sciences
from Plymouth, Nathan Slee gained a 2.1 B.Science degree in Maritime
Business with Logistics from Plymouth, Nick Jones gained a First
in English at the University of East Anglia and Beth Rowley gained
a Higher Diploma in Modern Music from the Brighton Institute of
Modern Music. You must know of others who graduated this year -
do let us know.
At last the Redgra has been replaced thanks to the fund raising
of the PTA and a government grant. Students will already know and
parents should be aware the surface has multiple uses as a play
area and sports surface and as such has to be relatively rough to
prevent slipping in the wet. This means that students MUST wear
trainers on the surface and should not try slide tackles as they
will get scrapes and burns if they try a slide ( unlike the old
Redgra).
Over the holidays the premises team worked doubly hard to not only
do all the essential maintenance of equipment (fire extinguishers,
heating system, window cleaning etc) but also refurbished the food
technology room, saw a massive rewire of the lower floor and repainted
the Art department. Thanks to John Shackell’s team the work
was completed on time and we can all work in a better environment.
The GCSE examinations were again very good and 75% of the year achieved
5 or more A* to C grades and you will have seen the school’s
high position in league tables. While Elizabeth Bennett and Alex
Corcoran got 9A* and Elizabeth achieved one of the top marks in
the country in Textiles, the whole year group achieved a magnificent
standard and deserve our praise. The most rewarding performances
were often achieved by students who got C grades as these students
often exceeded their predicted grade by 2 or more points. As a result
we have another record number of over 150 students returning to
the Sixth Form.
At A2 and AVCE level in Year 13 the school’s results were
excellent and the best measure is the high rate of success in achieving
university places.
We had an increase in numbers of students from 109 to 144 and yet
the pass rate stayed high at 95%. Congratulations to all Sixth Form
students on the quality of their performance.
Tuesday September 9th 7.30pm in school library. First PTA meeting
of the year. All parents are welcome, but the PTA would really like
you to make the AGM in October a priority. This will be shared with
the Governors Report evening, will be an active evening focussing
on improving learning and when the new committee will be elected.
All members of the present Committee are strongly urged to attend
on Tuesday 9th.
Monday 15th September 7.45pm in School Library. Parents Prayer Support
Group. Parents are invited to come in for approximately 1 hour to
pray for the school community.
22-26th September HARVEST---
(see separate entry)
Tuesday 23rd September Year 9R Geography Field trip.
Wednesday 24th September 9T Geography field trip.
Wednesday 24th September 7.00pm. Beginning of Term Service for Parents
in St Mary Redcliffe Church followed by:
Year 7 parents induction meeting in the Church and
Year 10 Parents information evening on GCSE expectations.
For our Harvest appeal this year, we are once again supporting Operation
Christmas Child by filling shoeboxes with gifts for overseas children
who would otherwise receive very little. The Christian organisation
running this is called Samaritan’s Purse. Your child will
bring home a leaflet in the near future and each family is invited
to send in a box and/or a donation during our Harvest Week
(September 22nd – 26th ). This is an excellent scheme by which
we thank God for his generosity to us by sharing with those who
do not have as much as us. Thank you in advance. Mr Stevens
We have an annual open evening and open days to allow parents to
see the school in action and to allow the right choice to be made
for entry next September. Do encourage your friends with Year 6
children to visit us on
MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER from 6.30pm for the open evening and
On Wednesday 1st, Thursday 2nd (9.30 am)
or Friday 3rd October (.45am) on our open mornings.
We need a range of helpers on the evening and many of your children
will bring home request slips to help us from 6.00 to 9.15pm on
the Monday.
To allow the staff to prepare for the evening we close early at
12.30pm on Monday 29th September and all students will be sent home
at that time. David McGregor.
If you have ever wanted to try this, the first school events of
the new season are on 14th September (Purdown), 5th October (Blaise
Castle). Parents can run as well! For further details phone Henry
White on
9248235.
We hope you all have a very profitable and happy new school year
The first 3 weeks of term seem to have flown by and new staff and
students have settled in very quickly. The good weather has helped
with lunchtimes being a hive of activity especially on the new green
‘Arena’ which is being heavily used.
Over the weekend of 12/13 September I attended the conference of
Anglican Secondary Headteachers in Exeter and the programme included
an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury when he reminded Heads
of the special nature of Church Schools and how the Anglican Church
has seen the schools as central to the Church’s mission. He
put an awesome challenge on our shoulders reminding us how we are
‘reservoirs of hope’ and talked of the importance of
encouraging every young person to engage more fully with exploration
of their faith. The Archbishop was scathing in his attack on those
who taught ‘tolerance’ which led to ‘an incurious
co-existence, even a bland acceptance of mutual ignorance and non
understanding in the name of not passing judgement.’ This
resonates with me as I hope teachers at Recliffe ask all to engage
with mutual respect of each other as human beings but that we should
have our own views of ‘right and wrong’. We should also
all be able to express our views on others’ actions both coherently
and lovingly.
We have annually an open evening and open days to allow parents
to see the school in action and to allow the right choice to be
made for entry next September. Do encourage your friends with Year
6 children to visit us on MONDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER from 6.30pm for
the open evening and at 9.45 am on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd
or 9.15 on Friday 3rd October on our open mornings.
We need a range of helpers on the evening and many of your children
will bring home request slips to help us from 6.00 to 9.15pm on
the Monday.
To allow the staff to prepare for the evening we close early at
12.30pm on Monday 29th September and all students will be sent home
at that time.
Now we have the new All weather surface parking on site is far more
restricted and parking for parents for open evening and on ordinary
parents evenings will be restricted to 50 cars on site. There is
good parking on Portwall Lane and parents are reminded not to park
in residents parking bays in Somerset Square. David McGregor.
The annual meeting of Parents and Governors fast approaches when
the annual report will be discussed and Governors will listen to
any comments parents have on the running of the school. The evening
will also have a business section with the PTA AGM and in the hope
of encouraging all parents to get a greater understanding of what
goes on in lessons we are planning to give you the opportunity to
attend a lesson. Put a note in your diary now for Thursday 9th October
as the lesson seats are likely to be snapped up quickly.
The warm weather has allowed us to relax the wearing of blazers
and sweatshirts around school last week but as the weather becomes
colder parents are asked to ensure every child attend school in
full uniform to avoid unnecessary confrontations with tutors. It
would also be good if parents would stress the importance of good
behaviour on public transport as if we find students are running
about or abusing members of public it may be
necessary to hold offending students in school to catch a later
bus.
Do you want to improve your language skills?
Are you keen to experience life in another country? Do you enjoy
meeting new people?
Then the Bristol-Bordeaux Schools’ Exchange is for you! Organised
by Bristol LEA, you will spend 2 weeks in France living with your
partner’s family, and welcome your partner into your home
for a different 2 weeks. Students are supported by accompanying
teachers.
· The dates for 2004 are:
Easter leg – Wed. 7th April – Wed 21st April
Summer leg – Wed 14th July – Wed 28th July
Students may choose whether to go to France first or receive first.
· The cost is £225 with a £10 reduction
for early applications. The travel is by plane from Bristol. The
deadline for application is 28th November.
· Information evenings are to be held on
Tues 21st October and Thurs 23rd October from 7.30pm at the Education
Centre in Sheridan Road, Horfield. No need to book – just
turn up.
· Further information and application
forms are available from Miss Gist or Mr Barker.
A reminder that the School Shop (Uniforms) is still going to be
open on Tuesdays from 3.15pm – 5.00pm. You can order by mail
if preferred – your child can collect an order form from the
School Office.
Congratulations are in order to Dan Smith who gained a BSc in Earth
Science and Paul Horscroft who gained a BSc (2.1) in Surf Science
Technology from Plymouth. Amy Kington gained a BSc.(2.1) in Sports
Science from Cheltenham. Well done all of you!
Thanks to all who have helped in collecting stamps and postcards
for the Leprosy Mission. Please remember that the stamps need to
be whole and entire, with the edges intact. Ones cut too closely
can’t be used, sadly. And may I remind you again of the whole
range of ‘collectibles’ – Postcards (used and
unused); used phone cards, tea packet cards, coins, cigarette cards,
old matchboxes and medals. Thanks.
Lisa Nolland (Chaplain)
September, a new term, new beginnings, new challenges. A return
to school for some, but starting afresh at senior school in brand
new school uniforms for year seven pupils. Do you remember that
first heady day at senior school when you were younger? That mixture
of nervousness, tension, excitement and trepidation all rolled into
one, and then you eventually got out of bed! Then do you remember
standing at the school gate clutching your school bag, (we called
them satchels then!), with knees knocking, unsure where to go, or
what to do!
You knew that you were a “first year” and you became
aware of the size of the other children, of how confident and cocky
and grown up they appeared. And you didn’t know whether to
run or stay, but decided to stay because running was somewhat childish,
and you were a senior now and anyway seniors don’t run! So
you braved that walk through the gate, up the steps and into the
reception hall and stood wondering at how big and hectic it is and
felt lost. You heard that scared little voice inside your head saying,
“So this is it! But where are you? What are you doing here?”
and you then realise that the voice is not in your head but someone
taller looking down at you and asking your name and your tutor group?
You answer and they say “Well what are you doing here, you
should be over there with so & so…….”
Well that’s how I remember my first day at senior school
in Birmingham, too many years ago than I would care to mention.
We tend to forget how different it all is for new pupils, and that
the learning curve is steep.
Things have changed for the better these days and people are now
more supportive of new pupils and help them through those first
agonising days, whilst they are getting used to a totally different
regime from the one that they left behind in July.
We also have to remember that with these new pupils, there are new
parents and this very short piece is also a welcome to you all and
to advertise the Parent Teacher Association at St Mary Redcliffe
& Temple School. We have an active, vibrant and enthusiastic
PTA and of course you are all invited to join us and bring with
you the knowledge and experience that you have developed during
your child’s Primary School days.
It is also notification of the Annual General Meeting of the PTA;
which is scheduled for 9th October 2003 and will be held in the
Main Hall. The AGM will hear the annual reports from the PTA Officers
including the Financial Report. It will also elect the PTA Officers
and Committee for the forthcoming year. The Officerships due for
election are as follows: - Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice
Chairperson and Assistant Secretary. Please find the attached nomination
form and send it back as quickly as possible.
In closing I look forward to seeing you on Thursday 9th October.
Fred Simpson
Those of you who devotedly check through your sons and daughters
books might notice a slight change in the way they are marked over
the coming weeks. The school has been sharing and discussing a large
body of research on “Assessment for Learning” which
has lead to a significant shift in our practice. We will not be
putting marks and grades on students work, except where it is appropriate
to use national curriculum levels or GCSE/A level grades. Instead,
teachers will focus on making constructive written comments, which
help the child understand how they can improve next time. These
are obviously time-consuming to do and so you should not expect
to see them on every piece of work, some will be simply acknowledged
or briefly commented on, often because the discussion and reflection
has taken place in class. The research on which this is based, led
in this country by professors Black and Wiliam at Kings College
London, has been championed by the DfeS in their Key Stage 3 strategy
and taken up by most of the more forward thinking schools in the
country. It shows that placing marks and grades on students work,
or even combining these with comments, has no positive effect on
achievement because the students concern is only with the grade
and whether it makes them feel good or bad, and not on what they
can learn from the feedback. Other strategies have been shown to
be far more effective, including class questioning about work, student
self-assessment and peer-assessment. The key to all of this is the
teacher sharing clearly with the students what it is they are looking
for and what qualities would make for a successful piece of work.
As always, we value your comments on the effectiveness of this strategy
and whether you think we have carried it through consistently. Those
of you wishing to read more might try the following websites for
further info. :
www.qca.org.uk/ca/5-14/afl
(government info on “Assessment for Learning”)
www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kbla9810.htm
(American article by Black and Wiliam)
Unauthorised absence last year for Yr 10, now Yr 11 was unacceptably
high. Over half this figure was accounted for by students arriving
very late, after 8.55am. We appreciate that traffic in Bristol is
horrendous, we all travel to work but ALL students need to make
allowances for this and if necessary leave home at an earlier time.
Please help, by encouraging your son or daughter to adopt a leaving
time that CONSISTENTLY get them to school by 8.25am. If the bus
is late then they are still going to arrive before the 8.55am deadline
and avoid being placed in detention!
Thank you for all those that have been received. If you’re
still collecting items for yours, don’t worry. We can receive
your box up to half-term.
Monday 29th September School closes at 12.30pm for Open Evening
Open Mornings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.
Monday 6th October 8T Geography field trip
Y11 p5 ViP Activity with Army
Thursday 9th October Annual Parents Report evening, PTA AGM and
Parents lessons.
Monday 13th October 8R Geography Field trip
Tuesday 14th – Friday 17th Year 12 Geography Field Trip
Wednesday 15th 8.45am Francombe and Cartwright House Eucharists.
Parents are encouraged to attend.
Friday 17th Values in Practice morning for Year 9 – Bristol
Bus Boycott
Monday 20th October. School Photographs. Enabling Fund Trustees
meet 5.00pm
Wednesday 22nd October First Meeting of new PTA committee.
Thursday 23rd 8.45am Colston and Canynges House Eucharists at 9.00am.
Parents are encouraged to attend
Friday 24th October. Last day of half term.
Half term break
Monday 27th to Friday 31st October
MONDAY 3rd November INSERVICE day when school is closed to students.
Thursday 6th November COLSTON DAY when we celebrate the school’s
foundation.
David McGregor.
As half term approaches there is a very real sense of achievement
in the school. The Geography Department has been particularly busy
with field trips for years 8 and 9 as well as a week for AS level
students. Biology has not been far behind with an exciting week
of field studies for A2 level groups in Slapton and the Classical
Civilisation group will be spending half term in Greece. The potentially
intrusive Open Day and mornings have been opportunities for over
100 students to show their interpersonal skills as guides to visiting
parents and we are assured of a high number of applicants for next
year’s Year 7 on the basis of attendance at these events.
The first House Eucharists of the year were held
last week and I had the pleasure of attending the Francombe Eucharist.
Anthony Miles, Youth Worker from Stoke Gifford gave the sermon and
he ‘grabbed’ our attention with his story of the balloon
man, graphically illustrated with four balloons. The main story
line is the Balloon Man was so devoted to his job he went everywhere
with 4 inflated balloons. He turned down many opportunities for
advancement because it would have meant parting with his balloons.
Eventually, invited to the captain’s table on a cruise ship,
he decided to part with the balloons and his life moved forwards
very positively from that moment. We were all encouraged to think
of the ‘balloons’ we carry round with us and which we
could discard to allow us to demonstrate more of Christian Love
in our relationships. Could this be a discussion point at home?
The school leadership team has been focusing their energy on two
major developmental programmes for the future; the NEW REDCLIFFE
SIXTH FORM CENTRE, and HUMANITIES SPECIALIST COLLEGE bid.
The Sixth Form Centre is an exciting venture and we hope to have
a new building to open in September 2004, thus welcoming a wider
range of students and reducing the crowding on the main site.
For parents of Year 11 students we hope you are now thinking carefully
with your children about the next stage of education. To make the
choice more straightforward we have a Sixth form Open Evening on
WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER at 6.30pm. After an introduction to the
range of choices available at 16+, parents and students will be
invited to talk with teachers about A level, AVCE and one year options
and to receive a prospectus and application form. While students
from outside our school will be invited, our own students will have
first choice of places in the new centre and students are advised
to make early application. Later in the year we will have a second
event aimed at students from other schools and with the new centre
and a range of new courses we expect demand for places to be very
high.
The work on the bid to be a specialist Humanities College has been
completed thanks to the hard work of Deputy Head Richard Badley
and the Humanities staff. Our bid centres on developing an even
more effective range of teaching and learning skills for Humanities
teaching and the embedding
of the school’s values in the teaching. Once established this
work is then shared with other departments and partner Primary and
Secondary schools. We will not know the outcome of the bid until
the New Year.
The Governors Annual Meeting with parents and the PTA AGM were very
well attended and this may have something to do with the exciting
‘taster lessons’ in History, ICT, Science and English
that parents attended before the event. The evaluation of these
lessons showed how much parents appreciated the chance to understand
some of the new teaching techniques used in school. We hope to be
able to repeat the event next year on the basis of the popularity
of the lessons with parents.
Individual students continue to excel and we do hope
parents will share their children’s successes with us. Robbie
White (Year 8 Co/EB) came to the fore recently as he competed in
the National Orienteering Championships in Yorkshire and came second
in his event. He later goes forward into the British Schools Event
and we wish him every success.
We have successfully appointed to three vacant posts in the administrative
team and parents who come into school will be welcomed at reception
by Ms Claire Silk. As you look into the office you will be aware
Mrs Sandra Nicholas is organising the team of administrative staff
supporting the teachers and that team is strengthened by the appointment
of Mrs Lyn Bullock.
The next challenge is to cover two staff who are to take maternity
leave from 1st January. We need a Languages specialist who can ideally
teach German and French to GCSE standard and a Maths teacher who
can teach to A level standard. If you know anyone who fits the bill,
do encourage him or her to write in to let us know of their interest.
We have some slightly better news of our Head of Music Mr Ed Barnett
who is nearing the end of his Chemotherapy and we hope to soon hear
good news of his recovery rate. A viral illness has struck down
4 members of the English team and this has made setting homework
difficult. Whenever staff are ill and homework cannot be set we
encourage parents to ‘set homework’ themselves. This
could be a chapter of reading from a novel, watching a TV documentary
and making notes to present at the next family meal, devising a
prayer for use in the tutor group or other creative use of skills.
Half Term is from Monday 27th to Friday 31st October and the school
is closed to Students on Monday 3rd November for our third staff
in-service day.
Thursday 6th November is Colston Day when we have
a commemorative service in the Church during the afternoon and 100
students attend to enjoy the worship and receive a '‘bun and
shilling'’ from members of the society. Parents of the students
involved will receive a letter to explain the event.
Monday 10th November is the next PTA meeting and parents are warmly
invited to attend at 7.30 pm in the library.
Wednesday 12th November is the Sixth form Open Evening at 6.30pm
in the hall.
Thursday 20th November is Year 7 parents evening. Parents will receive
a letter and appointments from inviting them to make appointments
with subject teachers between 4.00 and 6.45pm. It is also the date
of a consultation between the National Youth Agency and some of
our Yr 10 students.
Monday 24th November sees the start of Year 11 Mock GCSE exams and
parents should encourage their children to revise thoroughly over
held term and up to the exams.
Also Yr 9 ViP DT/Business Day.
Tuesday 25th November is our James House Eucharist from 8.30 to
10.00 and parents are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday 26th November is a parents meeting evening for the Upper
School Ski Trip
Thursday November 27th we run Year 10 GCSE exams in Science. Parents
of Year 10 students are asked to ensure an effective time is spent
on revision.
End of Autumn term is Friday 19th December
Start of spring term is Monday 5th January.
Already we are celebrating sporting success with every year group
achieving winning performances in Rugby, Netball and Cross-Country.
We are looking to build upon the success of last year when St Mary
Redcliffe & Temple School won the overall league champions award
from SWEB Junior Sports in Bristol.
To date we have played 18 rugby matches this term winning 12 and
drawing 1 – a great improvement from last year. There have
been 15 netball matches with 10 wins. The cross-country teams have
performed well and after two races we are in a strong position to
go on to contest the finals later this term. Well done to all students
who have represented the School and thanks to all the staff involved.
D Boddy.
Congratulations. We have now passed the 300 mark. Thank you to all
who have contributed, including those who gave to the collection
of over £250 at the Beginning of Term Service.
Lisa, the Chaplain is collecting stamps and postcards for the Leprosy
Mission. Please send in any contributions via the Office.
We recycle printer cartridges (both inkjet and laser) and mobile
phones for the Rainbow Centre. Please send in any contributions
via the Office.
During this month, we have had two special ViP activities. Year
11 heard a presentation on the role of the Army today. There were
some very ‘human’ questions from our students after
the presentation and the impression given was of the Army as both
a service to society and an organisation trying hard to reflect
the changing nature of our society.
Year 9 also had a presentation and workshop. This was on the theme
of the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott and led to some interesting views
on racism today.
The Annual General Meeting of the PTA was held on Thursday 9 October,
and the meeting ratified the election of the Officers for the coming
year. David Chalmers was returned as Treasurer, Alison Murphy was
ratified as the Vice-Chairperson and I was ratified as Chair of
the PTA. Unfortunately we did not have a Minute Secretary elected:
we shall have to resolve that situation at the first Committee meeting.
In completing the “statutory” business, it was also
a time to thank everyone for their help during that previous year
and to say goodbye to others. This year we reluctantly said goodbye
to Lynn May, who has been Chair of the PTA for the past three years;
Lynn’s daughter left St Mary Redcliffe at the summer break
and started University this term. I am sure that everyone will wish
them both well for the future.
The PTA supplied tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks at the open
evening and at the three open day events. All of these events are
extremely important to everyone concerned; for the parents in deciding
the best school to send their children to; for the school to explain
its ethos, its values, its record and the intricacies of the selection
process; finally, it gives the PTA the opportunity to speak to and
engage with prospective parents to underline the unique relationship
between this school and the PTA. It is a partnership that we are
proud of. As the incoming Chair of the PTA, I want that partnership
to flourish and will work hard to achieve that. With your help it
can be done.
Preceding the PTA Annual General Meeting attending parents, new
and old went back to school, for two half-hour lessons. They were
certainly an eye opener for me; turning up late I expected to get
at least fifty lines “I must not be late for lessons”
or at least a half-hour detention. Wrong, I was very surprised and
relieved to escape being punished! So, I started the English lesson
thinking that I would be able to cope with this. After all I could
string a few sentences together – hence me writing these pieces
in this newsletter, but apart from the speeling, which might be
qwestionabel, I think that the tense is usually okay. Whether the
content is relevant, that’s for you to judge. But within minutes
of starting the lesson I quickly realised what major changes there
have been and such a marked difference between how teachers teach
today compared with those from my own school years. When I compared
what I learned and what children are taught today, I was astonished
at how advanced these lessons are and how much more fun they are
for the students.
To reinforce this theory, the same was true of the
“boring old History” lesson. Of course I remember 1066
and all that, (and before you say it, no, I was not around in 1066!),
but in my day modern history was denied us. This is not true today
and those that attended this lesson will, I’m sure concur
with this statement. It was challenging, enthralling and yes damn
it, it was exciting! There’s another historical myth left
in tatters, blown away on the breeze of misty nostalgia.
It was an extremely enriching experience all round and one that
the parent “students” agreed should be repeated at next
years AGM. If you missed the experience this time round, keep it
in mind for next year, book early and enjoy the experience of modern
teaching methods, you won’t forget it and it will surprise
you.
The next PTA meeting is scheduled for 10th November
and we shall start planning future events that the PTA will be involved
with during the coming academic year. Come along and help us to
do that, it’s much less challenging that the English and History
lessons believe me! But just as enjoyable. Fred Simpson (PTA CHAIR)
The next payment of £90 needs to be made by 7th November 2003.
Thank you.
If you’re looking for a book to give you a bit of a boost,
make you think about the Christian life and give you a giggle, this
is for you! Lucas’ chatty style and honest view of life made
this book a real pleasure to read and will make you laugh out loud.
Annie Jenkins, the School Health Nurse is now available for health
needs and advice and offers a drop in session for the pupils on
Monday lunchtimes.
2003 (approx 1 week before issue date)
October 17th
November 21st
December 12th
2004
January 23rd May 21st
February 23rd June 18th
March 19th June 30th
April 23rd
Remember, if you have anything of interest for the Newsletter this
year, please let Chris Rowley (School Office) or Mr Stevens have
it in time for the above dates.
Please note the new school email address:
enquiries@smrt.bristol.sch.uk Thank you.
This is 16th November and is an opportunity to worship God, showcase
the talents of St Mary Redcliffe & Temple pupils, and celebrate
the links between the school and St Mary Redcliffe Church! To observe
Schools Sunday, there will be an evening service in the church beginning
at 6.30pm. All pupils and parents are encouraged to attend.
Our Music Department is busy preparing some of the pieces that will
be offered that evening by the Year 7 Choir, the Gospel Choir, the
Chamber Choir, and others. Readers and intercessors will represent
the school. The preacher will be the Revd Catherine Grylls. This
year’s Schools Sunday service replaced the usual Education
Sunday service in February. Because the Schools Sunday service will
be held at a time different from many churches’ observance
of Education Sunday, it is hoped that more SMRT families will be
able to attend and support the School.
For all those who paid for this access from home
the service should now be available. From your internet browser
go to the school’s website:
www.smrt.bristol.sch.uk\learning\wsexplorer.htm
Follow the instructions given on that page. By entering your usual
network username and password you will be able to access the files
in your school userspace.
Schools Sunday, the annual celebration of the links
between the Parish of Redcliffe and its schools, was held on 16th
November. The experimental change of date away from Education Sunday
was a resounding success with over 200 people attending the Sung
Evensong in SMR Church. After a marvellously varied pattern of music
and worship including an introit of ‘The Secrets of Christ’,
Philip Moore’s Magnificat and some wonderful Gospel Choir
songs, we had the pleasure of listening to Reverend Catherine Grylls’
sermon on jam! Catherine used the model of home-made jam to introduce
the importance of Christian Hospitality. After explaining that simple
home made gifts often say more than expensive presents, she went
on to explain her vision of Christian hospitality being strangers
opening their hearts to one another. We Christians could learn from
the Benedictines who regarded every visitor as gift from God. She
finished by recalling her days as a Maths teacher and sometimes
feeling challenged to think of every student in class 10X on Friday
afternoon as one of these gifts from God!
The Sixth Form Open Evening of 12th November was
very well attended with over 500 present on the evening! The evening
got off to an exciting start as the architects for our new centre
brought in the draft plans and we were able to share them with visiting
potential sixth formers. While the final deal has not yet been done
I shared with the potential Sixth Form that central Government has
provided for us up to £4M to purchase and refurbish a building
for the Sixth Form. The main complaint from existing Sixth Form
is the lack of space and a new building should overcome these issues
very quickly. If your family knows of anyone wanting a place in
THE REDCLIFFE SIXTH FORM CENTRE from next September, do encourage
them to ask the school for a copy of the prospectus and to get applications
in as soon as possible. We fully expect the centre to be oversubscribed
and those applications received before 1st December will get preferential
treatment for places on oversubscribed courses.
Year 11 face Mock Exams at present and have a programme
of revision and support to ensure they get the most from the exams.
They have been taught how to revise in the Values in Practice lessons
and guided where to get further help. The BBC Bitesize programmes
and various revision guides are of real use and while these may
not seem to be the most inspiring Christmas presents they can make
a difference. Whilst many of Year 11 are challenged by the very
real demands of coursework completion, mock exams and planning for
next September and beyond, it is the experience of previous years
that good habits in revision techniques and organisation pay dividends
later. Short, active sessions of revision followed by a reward are
definitely the order of the day. Year 11 students should not be
afraid to seek help from their subject teachers, tutors, other guidance
staff (including Connexions) and, of course, parents.
Year 9 had a brilliant experience last Monday. Thanks to the hard
work of Mrs Shepherd, Mr Cutter and the rest of the DT Faculty,
students had the chance to learn very practically about business
and enterprise in 10 member companies.
(Target setting and Target getting)
Each year the Government asks us to set targets for achievement
and for Governors to agree those targets. We share the targets with
parents in the hope you will encourage your child to play their
part in achieving the targets.
Whole school targets for 2004 are:
·KS3 Level 5+ English 88%, Maths 86%, Science 90% and ICT
88%.( National targets in 2004 are English, Maths and ICT at 75%
level 5+, Science 75%).
·At GCSE our targets are 80% of students achieving 5+ A*-C
grades and average points score of 44 points for the ‘best
8 GCSEs’ for each child.
For Bristol the target is 42% of 5+ A*-C for all students in the
LEA.
Every child should by now have in their planner their
targets for achievement in this academic year. Teachers have been
asked to get students to write down their KS3 Challenge Target level
in their planners and for Years 10 and 11 their challenge GCSE grade
in each subject. It would be good for parents to check this has
been done and then to make a regular discussion point what the child
is doing differently to ensure the challenge targets are met.
Please help to avoid chaos! We are swapping over the afternoons
of next Monday and Tuesday to help even up some Year 12 teaching.
All students should pack Day 1 morning and Day 2 afternoon equipment
etc. for Monday 1st December and Day 2 morning and Day 1 afternoon
equipment etc. for Tuesday 2nd December.
Year 12 are having a ViP Forum on Bristol issues with three local
political representatives and a speaker from the Diocese of Bristol
at 1.30pm on Monday.
Thursday 4th December – twilight INSET for
staff
Tuesday 9th December - 4.15pm Year 8 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday 10th December - Brazil Day for Year 8 & Crikey Moses
in the evening by Year 7
Thursday 11th December - Non Uniform Day (minimum donation £1)
in aid of the Community of the Sisters of the Church in St Paul’s.
PTA Committee. Full Governing Body
Friday 12th December -Year 11 Ball (evening)
Saturday 13thDecember – Day One event at the Colston Hall
Tuesday 16th December 7.30pm Community Carol Service in St Mary
Redcliffe Church. All students, parents and friends of the school
are welcome
Wednesday 17th December Sixth Form Ball
The last day of term is Friday 19th December when we will hold an
end of term service in the Church and finish at 2.00pm.
The new term starts at 8.30am on Monday 5th January for both students
and staff.
Congratulations to Samantha Hinchcliffe who has just graduated from
St Mary’s College, Twickenham with a 2:1 in Media, Arts and
Drama.
We were delighted that 340 shoeboxes were loaded up for Operation
Christmas Child. Please pray for safe journeys and happy recipients.
The Enabling Fund Trustees manage two bursaries of £300 each
to support students who wish to travel to offer service to others.
The bids should be in by 23rd January to Mrs Doherty in school.
Trustees support students who are currently on roll and who may
wish to take Gap year travel, to educate or work with disadvantaged
groups over the summer break or other service.
Christian, Muslim and Hindu students were involved recently in a
consultation with a Bishop and three leading members of the national
Youth Agency. The visitors wanted ideas on how faith and on how
faith-based youth work can help teenagers in school, in cities like
Bristol and beyond. Our students were excellent and were challenged
to put on one or two events themselves to increase religious and
racial harmony. If you would like to help them, contact Mr Stevens.
It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes since the Summer holidays!
The Autumn term has flown by in the Geography Department because
we’ve had a busy year so far.
In September, Year 9 visited Cardiff Bay to study
the re-generation of the area. This year, we also managed to fit
in a boat trip that allowed us to view the developments from offshore.
Our special thanks go out to Carol of the Cardiff Bay Tours Company
for her guided tours throughout the two days.
During October, Year 8 enjoyed a day out in the Forest
of Dean with the University of Bristol. Together, we looked at rocks
and landscape processes and got some hands-on experience with compasses
and maps.
‘I really enjoyed the day’ said Dominee Easy in Yr8
FR/LU, ‘it was really interesting and I learnt a lot about
the different sorts of rocks and how they are made’.
Just before half term, the Year 12 Geographers went
to Swanage Bay. It was a tiring, but rewarding week for all. This
year the weather stayed fine and by the end of the week all students
were able to undertake an individual study that will count towards
their AS grade.
On the 11th November a team of Year 11 students,
accompanied by Miss Beskeen and Ms Young, competed against 10 other
schools in Bristol for the ‘Geographical Association World
Wise Quiz’ trophy at Badminton School. The first heat was
a tough draw, competing against Clifton College, King Edwards and
Badminton School (the 2002 title holders). We didn’t make
it through to the final, but it was a good effort from our team!
Thanks to Sam Honeywill, Will Morris and Mark Walter
for taking part and also to the ‘Excellence in Cities Gifted
and Talented Programme’ for funding the event.
Looking forward, our annual Year 8 Brazil Day is
due to take place on 10th December. We have many guests visiting
the school to run workshops, including Bristol Zoo. The money raised
from the day is going to help Street Children in Brazil. Also, we
have a Year 7 Bristol Docks trip coming up early next year. Watch
this space…
Ms H Young.
The new PTA Committee has met twice since the AGM, and by the time
that this little piece is published the Quiz Night will have been
either a roaring success or a spectacular failure; is there any
other way to fail but spectacularly? From the foregoing you will
have probably gathered that I was unable to attend the Quiz Night
and therefore I don’t know the name of the winning team. And
due to deadline for getting “my copy in” (yes I know
the terminology!), I am unable to let anyone know the results. I
promise that all will revealed in the next issue.
“The time has come”, the Walrus said “To talk
of many things: Of shoes – and ships – and sealing wax
– of cabbages – and Treasurers for next years PTA Committee.
At the end of this PTA term (October 2004) we will lose three PTA
members that hold key posts within the Committee. The PTA needs
to have a smooth transfer of responsibility from the outgoing Treasurer
to a new Treasurer for next year.
So this is an opportunity for any parent that knows
how many beans make five to volunteer to join the PTA Committee
(NOW) in order to shadow the current Treasurers role. So if there
are any budding book keepers about out there that would like to
take this responsibility, you are cordially invited to the next
Committee meeting on 11th December 2003 to put your name forward
for the role that will be vacant by October 2004. Alternatively
you can telephone me on 0117 929-0283 (work number), during working
hours, or at home on 01454-315661 (during the evenings) to get more
details of the role.
And it does not end there either; we are also losing
our Gift-Aid Co-ordinator at the same time; so we need someone to
shadow that role and ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities.
If you are interested in taking this responsibility on, you are
also invited to attend the next Committee meeting on 11th December
2003 to put your name forward for that role too!
Neither role needs a degree in applied mathematics,
but certainly a degree of commitment. Come on, show that you have
the commitment to meet this challenge also.
Fred Simpson
PTA Chair
Parentline Plus is a national charity that provides a range of services
to support parents and carers, as well as those working with them.
You can visit their interactive website:
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
or for further information about the services available, contact
them at the local office on 0117 971 4831.
Mrs A Vickers
A
Very Happy Christmas to you all!
We are obviously in the run-up (or run-down?) to
the end of term. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your
families a very happy Christmas, a refreshing holiday and a blessed
2004.
I have been aware of the enormous range of activities
and, hence, the enormous commitment undertaken by our students and
staff recently. In addition to the continuing stimulating teaching
and learning in lessons, I would like to mention the visits to the
Clothes Show, the National Gallery and the Varsity Match at Twickenham.
A rich variety of experiences which has led to much follow-up back
in school. Year 8 enjoyed practical and active ways to understand
Brazil and related issues and the Music Department has not had time
to catch a breath due to Crikey Moses, a lunchtime recital in the
church and, of course, the Carol Service. I apologise to those who
I have inevitably missed off the list.
Staffwise, we are celebrating with Messrs.
Moir and Johnstone as they have become proud fathers of Rory and
Toby respectively.
We send our good wishes to Mesdames Giles(MFL) and Edwards(Maths)
as they start their maternity leave. We welcome Miss Pascoe and
Mr Slattery as their replacements. We welcome back Mr Badley after
his half-term working with Portway School on improving learning
and teaching. We remember in our prayers Mr Barnett who has recently
had an operation and Mr Pope who is still not well enough to return.
Studentwise, wasn’t it encouraging to hear of Charlotte
Greenslade’s progress after her heart transplant and to read
on the front page of the Bristol Evening Post such a testimony to
the power of prayer?
The Plans for the Redcliffe Sixth Form Centre
are becoming firmer by the day. As part of the process we must formally
consult our parents over our proposal that we become a 450 student
centre. If any parent disagrees with this, they must write to me
by return of post. The knock-on effect of the Centre will be to
free up a small amount of space on the main site. The LEA is proposing
that our Year 7 becomes 216 at some unspecified date in the future.
We welcome this proposal as it will mean smaller teaching-groups
in Years 7 – 9 eventually. Again, if you disagree with the
proposal, please write to me by return of post.
We have had a very encouraging set of applications from both our
Year 11 and from other students for September’s intake. We
will be interviewing all applicants in January. We are also holding
another Open Event for the Sixth Form on Thursday January 15th from
2.30pm – 5pm. If you know of any Year 11 student from another
school who would benefit from knowing more about our Sixth Form,
then do give them the date and encourage them to come.
Uniform. The questionnaire replies are being
processed at the moment and the results reported to the Governors’
Students Committee. Consultations with the staff and students will
follow.
47 Students from Years 11-13 took part in this competition on 11th
November. There were 3 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze Certificates
awarded. The Golds went to Sam Lings, David Hopkins (Year 13), and
Alan Hazeldene (Year 12). Sam produced another notable performance,
getting 23 of the 24 questions correct. He participated in the British
Maths Olympiad Round One on December 3rd. Congratulations to all
who took part.
Mr Netto
We need to increase the size of our pool of invigilators to help
cover External Examinations. At present we have a number of parents
who are on our list. If any parents feel that they are able to and
would like to join the list of invigilators, please can you contact
Cath Hawkins, Administrator. Currently, the school is able to offer
a payment of £8 per hour. We need to be able to cover the
examinations in January, May and June.
Mr Cutter, Examinations Officer
– In order to allow the ski trips to make an early getaway,
the timetable for this day will be altered.
Period 5 will follow directly after period 4, from 12.35pm until
1.25pm. Lunch will follow, from 1.25pm until 2.20pm. Afternoon registration
will take place from 2.20pm until 2.30pm.
Dec 19th 2003 - Term finishes for students at 2.00pm after a tutorial
session. Normal lessons periods 1 + 2 are followed by a service
in church.
Jan 5th 2004 – Term begins for all at 8.30am. This will be
WEEK TWO DAY 6.
Jan 6th - Beginning of Term Service, p1.
Jan 8th - AS/A2 modular exams start (and last till end of January)
Yrs 11 + 12 grade sheets home.
Jan 12th – 4.15 – 6.45pm Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Jan 14th – 7.30pm PTA Committee Meeting
Jan 15th – 2.30 – 5.00pm Sixth Form Open Afternoon (new
applicants)
Jan 19th – 7.45pm Prayer Support Group
(all welcome)
Jan 21st – 4.15 – 6.45pm Year 12 Parents’ Evening
Jan 29th Year 9 Reports Home
Newsletter Issued
Jan 30th – INSET DAY 5 School closed to students
February 8th – Education Sunday
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE YEAR 9 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING (Jan 29th
on the Calendar) HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FEBRURY 4TH.
– Congratulations to all the sports teams this term. The P.E.
Department wants to thank all the players who have given up their
time to represent the school. We have been really successful so
far in many sports.
In Netball, the Year 7A team narrowly missed out on getting
through to the semi-finals of the league winning six of their matches.
However, in the recent Bristol Schools tournament they were runners
up to Ashton Park. The 7B team have won all of their games and went
through to the final where they played St. Bedes. They not only
won this match 8 – 0, therefore winning the league but they
also recently won the Bristol Schools Tournament.
The Year 8 Team did really well, progressing to the semi-finals
of the league. It was a real nail biter but they lost 17-16 to Cotham
School.The Year 10 team have had an outstanding season and were
unbeaten. They won the semi-final against City Academy 13-8 and
played Ashton Park in the final. Unfortunately, they lost this game
21-11. The Year 9 and 11 teams deserve a mention for their excellent
commitment and enthusiasm this term.
Swimming: Well done to all those who turned up for the time-trials
at lunchtimes. The results are on the P.E. Notice Board. Dates for
your diary: February 12th, March 3rd and March 23rd.
Girls’ Football: has also been very successful already
this term. The Year 7 team competed in a 5-a-side competition recently
and won. They went through to the regional final but unfortunately
didn’t progress any further. An extra bonus this term has
been the Bristol Rovers Football development officer coaching groups
of girls in Years 7, 8 and 9. We also introduce girls’ football
onto the timetable in the New Year.
Rugby: Again it has been a successful year for the Redcliffe
boys! A selection of players were asked to go to the Varsity match
where they got up close to the William Webb Ellis World Cup Trophy.
On the trip, the Year 7 team won their match against Bisham Wand
School. Two of the rugby teams went through to the finals of the
league at Coombe Dingle. The Year 8 team beat Fairfield in the Semi-finals
in order to play Whitefield in the final. Although Whitefield have
a strong team, they won convincingly
13-0 and so are now Bristol Schools champions. A special thank you
to Mr. B. Eve who has coached the team this term. The other team
through to the final was the Year 10 team. They overcame Cotham
School in the semi-finals and took on St. Bedes in the final where
they narrowly lost 13-7.
Basketball: It’s been a bit of a mixed up term so far.
The Senior Girls squad have really been training hard and playing
well within the National League against teams from Somerset and
Wiltshire, despite losing both games. The U15 Girls and the U15Boys
have still got games to play straight after Christmas. In addition
to playing at School, a number of players have been training with
Bristol Bombers…. Keep up the hard work! Lunchtime clubs,
Mega Killer Challenge and House Basketball will all be happening
in the New Year.
Non Participants in PE – Following a
number of queries from parents I would like to clarify the PE department’s
procedures for those pupils who are unable to be normally involved
in PE lessons due to illness or injury. We still expect these pupils
to take an active role in the lesson, maybe coaching other pupils
or officiating in games. As such we require them to be in their
normal PE kit. If the lesson is outdoors they should also bring
tracksuits/waterproofs to ensure they keep warm and dry. The only
exception to this is for their swimming lesson where they will not
be required to change. Mr Boddy.
Other Sports News:
· Don’t forget, all the news and details of sport at
School can be found at www.redcliffepe.ik.org. You can also email
us at redcliffepe@hotmail.com
· Congratulations to P.E. teacher Mr E. Johnston
on the birth of his baby boy Toby.
· Sports colours will be awarded at the end
of term service. A special congratulations to all pupils who receive
half or full colours in their sports.
· Next term: we begin a new timetable of extra-curricular
activities including girls and boys basketball, girls and boys football,
hockey and swimming. A new club timetable will be running so be
sure to check with your tutor or P.E. teacher for more information
at the start of next term.
This term has been as busy as ever with the Music Department providing
music for nine internal school services as well as the Church Schools
Service at the Cathedral, Colston Day & Schools Sunday, all
of which now seem a very long time ago.
The last fortnight has been one of our busiest times.
The Christmas Concert on Wednesday 10th is our less formal event
and was packed with talent (so much so that it ran longer than anticipated
for which our apologies!) including our Flute & Clarinet Groups
directed by Mr Warbutton & Ms McLean, a Guitar Trio, the Year
10 GCSE Group directed by Mrs Pugh performing a Salsa, Year 11 &
6th Form boys singing ‘Uptown Girl’, our fantastic new
Gospel Choir directed by Mrs Morris and the whole of Year 7 who
performed the musical ‘Crikey Moses’. Drama was provided
by Rosa Carter, Lucas Inglis, Emily Thompson & Hannah West.
The whole event was hosted by the school R&B Orchestra who were
joined by vocal soloists Pippa Morton, Emily Sellick & Louise
Talbot amongst others and there was a beatbox/breakdancing interlude
courtesy of Matt Gordon & Jake Filer. Special thanks go to our
technical team: James Chorlton, Lewis Brennen & Tony Hillier
who set up and operated the PA.
The following day Amy Finch, Simon Hogan, Rob Peck,
Tom Rugg, Emma Thackery and Emma Walton performed music ranging
from Purcell to Poulenc in an outstanding public recital as part
of the Church’s Lunchtime series.
On Tuesday 16th the Chamber, Junior & Gospel
Choirs together with Simon Hogan (organ), a String Quartet &
the Brass Ensemble (coached by Mr Ford) were joined by parents and
friends to lead the music for the school Carol Service. Highlights
included music by Renaissance master William Byrd and contempory
pieces by Gardiner & Mathias.
On Thursday 18th selected students sang carols for
elderly patients at a local Hospital as part of our commitment to
social outreach and the musical year 2003 ended with a Carol Service
for students on Friday 19th.
Within the department there have been major changes
in layout in an attempt to make better use of the limited space
available. Resources have also improved with the provision of IT
equipment in two dedicated rooms and a major chunk of Music funding
being diverted to provide equipment for Guitarists.
Highlights of Next Term include a Charity Rock Concert,
R&B Orchestra Concert in North Somerset and our flagship Easter
Concert which will be the St John Passion by Bach.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all
the students, staff and parents who have been so generous in their
support for Music in the school. A particular mention must go to
Mrs Pugh who is covering Mr Barnett’s continued absence and
who has contributed fresh and lively ideas and resources to the
classroom as well as founding and directing our excellent ‘Junior
Choir’.
Finally many thanks to Pippa Morton and the team
of Music Monitors who do such a good job every single day looking
after the Music Rooms and acting as choir/orchestra librarians/managers/PA’s
etc. Joy Ashford, Elizabeth Birkbeck, Kelly Davies, Emma Loader
& Laura Nicholl have given up hours of their own time to provide
the administrative and organisational back up that enables our massive
extra curricular programme to run so smoothly.
Edward Davies
This is a very busy time of the year for everyone, and the PTA is
no different. Buying the presents, the tree, checking the lights
(that were working when you put them away last year, but damn it
they don’t work now!), putting up the decorations, writing
the cards, inviting family and friends to share the celebration
with you, buying the food and (one or two?) bottles of strong drink,
and wondering if there is enough to eat and drink so that everyone
enjoys the hospitality.
But it means much more than this. As Christmas brings hope and joy
to all Christians and a true celebration for the wonderful gift
of God’s Son. The magical story of the birth, the deprived
birthplace, the shepherds, the Wise men, the flight into Egypt all
bring with it the hope for the peace of the world. At this time
of the year, however whilst preparing for the magical celebration,
it is all too easy to forget the message of hope and the symbolism
of faith that the birth of Jesus really means. In remembering the
birth of Jesus it also marks the beginning of our faith! This fact
alone places an enormous responsibility on us all. But we can easily
forget that responsibility because of its sheer enormity.
I hope that this year each of us will use Christmas to re-examine
and renew our Christian values. As we go through Christmas and move
towards the New Year full of hope, let us not forget the original
message! I hope that all of us will aim to reinforce the message
of tolerance, respect, love, peace and goodwill to all throughout
the year and not just during the Christmas period.
May I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a very Peaceful New
Year. Fred Simpson PTA CHAIR
– Many thanks to everyone who has sent in 100s of Postcards,
stamps, phonecards, collectables etc. Keep them coming in please.
Christian Solidarity at work – Fact: an estimated 200
million Christians in 50 countries are suffering for their faith
in Jesus TODAY!!! (Source ‘Open Doors 2003, Brother Andrew).
Remember them in your prayers.
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord”
Luke 1:46
How wonderful it would be this Christmastime if we stopped magnifying
the church, creeds and the credentials of man, and simply magnified
Jesus Christ.
|
| On Thursday 29th January we were informed we
have been awarded Specialist Humanities College Status from
September 2004. Clearly, we are delighted and congratulations
are due to Mr Badley and his planning team ~ More next Newsletter. |
We learned of our forthcoming OFSTED inspection in
the last week of last term and inevitably that took some of the
peaceful relaxation from the Christmas Break for some senior staff
as multiple forms had to be completed before the start of this term.
Wherever educationalists gather there is extended debate on the
virtues or disadvantages of the inspection system. Certainly it
puts enormous pressures on school staff and governors. While, in
theory, we are not supposed to make any special efforts for the
inspection, in practice human nature is such that we wish to be
measured as being as successful as we can be. The dangers in this
preparation are that we spend our energy and time on one week of
the term and take our focus away from the vital examination preparation
that goes on all term for GCSE, AS, A2 and KS3 examinations that
over half the school face in May and June.
In practice we know there will be some 20 extra adults
joining us for the week immediately after half term and that they
will visit up to 200 lessons during the week. Some 20 inspector
days will focus on sixth form lessons to ensure all are learning
effectively and that progress is as good as might be expected. The
other 46 days will be directed to main school lessons and will include
conversations with many students, Governors and staff as well as
inspection of exercise books and other students’ work.
Parents are an important part of the process and
I am grateful for those of you who have completed the questionnaires
for the inspector Mrs Wheatley and for those of you who attended
the parents meeting with inspectors on 29th January. Parents can
help further by looking at the quality of written work in students’
books and planners and ‘encouraging’ your sons and daughters
to remove any graffiti, ensure spelling and other grammatical errors
are corrected and that homeworks are recorded in planners.
Before we knew of inspection we had commissioned
an organisation to do a survey of parental opinion of a range of
issues in more depth that that carried out by OFSTED and we will
delay this until the next newsletter. As well as the main inspection
we have a Section 23 inspection which examines the teaching of RE
and the impact of worship in the school as well as our general ethos.
The registered inspector for this work is Revd Harold Stephens and
we have enclosed with this newsletter a questionnaire from him.
Please return completed copies to school.
Our last in-service day of the year is devoted to reviewing the
school’s strategic development plan and discussing the immediate
priorities for the coming year. While these will inevitably be influenced
by the Inspection report we must set our own priorities as well
as those driven by the external standards agenda.
if they are not brought home today, they will be on Monday.
We have had a flood of applications for the sixth form and are interviewing
all candidates in the next few weeks. We are already making firm
offers of places and pray the new Sixth form Centre negotiations
allow us to purchase the building so that we can open in September.
We welcome John Weaving as our new assistant caretaker. He will
be on duty in the afternoons and evenings and will therefore become
a familiar face to parents as you visit us for parents evenings.
We await news from Mrs Edwards and Mrs Giles on the expected birth
of their children and I must apologise for not announcing in the
last newsletter, the marriage of our Senior Finance Officer. Jackie
Doherty is now Mrs Jackie Saw and we wish her and her family every
happiness in their married life.
The Governors have considered the responses from parents from which
a majority favour keeping the uniform as it is. As the response
rate is low (some 130 responses) we cannot be sure this represents
a majority view of parents and governors are considering ways of
getting a more representative view from students and parents before
making any decisions.
Monday 2nd February, Enabling Fund Trustees met at 5.00pm.
Wed 4th February Year 9 parents come to school to discuss Curriculum
Choices in Year 10 (7.30pm).
Thursday 5th February. PTA meeting at 7.30pm in U1.
7.30pm Governors co-ordinating committee meets.
Tuesday 10th February. Year 13 parents evening 4.00pm in Temple
Colston Building.
HALF TERM is from Monday 16th February to Friday
20th February inclusive.
Monday 23rd February. OFSTED and Section 23 Inspection
Week.
Thursday 26th February 4.00pm Year 10 parents meet subject teachers.
Monday 1st March 7.45 prayer support group meets in the library.
Wednesday 3rd March PTA committee meeting at 7.30pm.
Year 10 take GCSE science modular exam.
Thursday 4th March Full Governing Body meets.
……
If you can, please set aside some time on Friday February 6th to
pray for the School. We are hoping to have continuous prayer from
8.00am to 3.00pm, so it would be good to feel connected with others
as we pray. Our two main topics are the forthcoming inspections
(the week after half-term) and our Mission Week (the following week),
during which there will be special events and encouragement to all
Christians associated with the school to promote their faith. Let
Mr Stevens or the Chaplains know if you would like more details.
You can always tell when you are adjusted to the New Year because
when you write the date down anywhere, you automatically write 2004.
This is less embarrassing and causes fewer and fewer problems when
signing cheques for example.
The PTA immediately swung into action by attending the Year 11 parents
evening serving teas, coffees and soft drinks to both parents and
teachers alike. The teachers really appreciated the opportunity
to rest their burning tonsils and lubricate their larynx with a
well-earned cuppa. We had an enjoyable, if hectic evening and we
were extremely grateful for the help of two students through the
evening. They rushed about all over the place, and it brought a
lump to eye and a tear to the throat watching such committed endeavour.
At our first meeting of the New Year we set about planning the next
Quiz Night. This will be held on Friday 19 March starting at 7:30pm.
Tickets will be £3.50p per person to include some food. Further
food will be available to purchase on the night. A letter advertising
the event, with a registration slip for completion by team organisers
or captains, will be sent to all parents shortly.
Later in the summer, as we did last year, the PTA shall be providing
Burgers, Hot Dogs and Rolls all at very reasonable prices, during
the Redcliffe Summer Fete. At the time of writing we are not yet
clear on the exact date and will publish this when known. As with
any event we are always grateful for any help that parents can give
us and if you have an hour or so spare and would like to help please
let either me (01454 315661) or Alison Murphy (0117 929 2342) know
and we will give you further details.
Fred Simpson
We are
still re-cycling printer cartridges, and mobile phones for the Rainbow
Centre so please keep them coming. We are sending off at least one
big box a month now.
We are shortly presenting a cheque for £1200 to Sister Annaliese
as the product of our Christmas giving (this includes just under
£200 at the Carol Service collection). This will help the
Sister in providing storage for their feeding programme. Thank you
to everyone who contributed.
There was a letter in the Times last September criticising Gap Years.
Laura Maltby, who
left our Year 13 in the summer of 2002 replied.
Here is some of what she wrote..
‘I have just returned from volunteering for four months in
Mexico living and working on the outskirts of Mexico City. I got
involved with this through a Christian development charity called
Tearfund who offer a transform programme for students wishing to
take a year out. The experience of living alongside Mexicans and
teaching local children from the poor suburbs of the city has had
a life-changing impact on me . . . . . I arrived in Mexico with
a team of five others barely speaking much Spanish . . . through
meetings with the staff at the centre we were working, we were able
to see what their greatest needs were and help serve them. I taught
art as many local children aren’t encouraged to be creative
as they have very little resources so seeing them have the freedom
to express themselves in this way was amazing. I built up many good
relationships with people in the community as the trust between
us grew . . . . . I learnt so much from the Mexicans I was working
with; it altered my perspectives on what I viewed as being important
in life and opened my eyes to see the honesty and openness that
these people cherish. I am a changed person because I have had the
privilege of being absorbed in the Mexican culture and being able
to step out of the western bubble and see how people from the other
side of the world are tackling the greatest needs in their community
to try and make a difference. I don’t think anyone could come
back from this unchanged . . . Next week I’m starting Cardiff
University to study Spanish and Education and hope that long term
I can use this to serve the community whether it be here in England
or further afield such as Mexico. I remain encouraged that this
gap year experience has allowed me the freedom to see the world
and another country from a new perspective.’ Laura Maltby.
. . . Visit
www.armycadets.com and find out about the Open Day for potential
Cadets (13-17) on Saturday 28th February?
Anyone who would like to pray for the work of the school is welcome
to join us on 1st March in the school library from 7.45 –
8.45pm. Further details from: prhodesfamily@btopenworld.com.
– We need temporary cover for our Librarian, Mrs Mealing,
for a period around Easter time. Would any parent who would be interested
in covering her role please write to Mrs Horscroft explaining your
availability as soon as possible? Thank you.
Just a reminder that the 2nd payment of £90 was due at the
end of January. Thank you to all those who were able to meet this
deadline. The final payment is due by the 12th March. Vielen Dank!
D Barker
–
Reward Points System
The rewards points system for cashless cards is under review and
the present system will be withdrawn from the 2nd February 2004.
All points already on the cards will still be valid when the new
system comes into force and will retain their present value. We
are looking into the new system not being food related, with larger
prizes on offer. If you have any questions about this please contact
the catering manager Glenda Chapman.
Thanks to
all those parents who completed a questionnaire on uniform. The
Governors have considered the responses which were vary varied and
there was no obvious strong parental preference for a particular
variety of uniform though almost all favoured uniform of some type.
Governors are now visiting other schools to study their policies
and will then put forward consultative proposals for staff and students
to comment on.
In the last week of term, Chris Mining,
Mark Walter, Victoria Williams and Isaac Kim completed in an inter-schools
chemical engineering competition. We participated in a number of
challenges, that included making lipstick, snapping steel and plumbing.
At the presentation ceremony, the tension was mounting. As the winners
were announced in reverse order, Mr Youmans informed us that he
was hoping to improve on last years second place. As second place
was announced, we were all told that there was only one quarter
of a point between them and first. Fortunately, this was enough
for us to secure a slight, but well-earned victory. We had won!
It was a great end to a fun day.
Chris Mining and Mark Walter
Revive Charity Shop (557 Filton Avenue, Filton) This shop welcomes
your
donations of good quality clothing, books, videos, cds, bric-a-brac
etc. Since opening in May 2003 it has given away all profits (several
thousand £s) to Christian groups working locally (e.g. Crisis
Centre, The Well) as well as internationally (e.g. Blythswood Care,
which targets need in Eastern Europe). I will deliver donations
if they can be brought to school. Any queries call me on 0117 9684053)
Stamps, Postcards, Phone Cards etc. Than you for
continuing to send in these items. Don’t forget we can re-cycle
old Christmas Cards too!
- ‘Bringing Home the Prodigals’ Sat. 13th March 2004
(7.30 – 10.00pm) Colston Hall. Order your tkts now –
call (029) 2081 0800 or book online at www.prodigals.org.uk ‘…..I
am convinced that the time to start praying for our children is
when they are young……This evening will pave the way
to help every parent who worries about their children. Mine are
in their 20s and I still worry!’ Come along with your friends
– there will be worship, Rob Parsons will speak and we will
cry out together to God for the children of our nation – for
your children and mine. Di Parsano
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