Bishop Challoner Newsletter
December 19th, 2024
At the end of a busy and hugely productive first term at Bishop Challoner, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude to be part of such a vibrant, diverse, and inspiring school community. From the moment I joined the school, it has been evident that our community is an incredibly special place where the commitment to excellence in education shines through in every aspect of school life.
Our rich curriculum, coupled with outstanding extra-curricular opportunities, provides our students with a foundation to flourish both academically and personally. It is this holistic approach to education that makes our school a beacon of aspiration and achievement.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our incredible staff for their unwavering dedication and hard work this term. Your passion and commitment to our students' success do not go unnoticed, and it is what drives the many achievements we celebrate. To our students, thank you for your positive attitudes, your eagerness to learn, and your ambition to grow into the best versions of yourselves. And to our parents and governors, your unwavering support has been invaluable in fostering a united and thriving school community.
This term has been filled with many memorable highlights. We celebrated an award-filled evening at the Tower Hamlets Education Awards, where the talents and achievements of our students and staff were rightfully recognised. Black History Month and Culture Day provided unforgettable learning experiences that enriched our understanding and appreciation of our communityâs heritage. Furthermore, our charitable efforts to support the wider community showcased the compassion and generosity that lies at the heart of our school.
It is an honour and privilege to lead such a warm, inspiring, and ambitious school body. Together, we are building a legacy of success that I am confident will only grow stronger in the months and years ahead. As we look forward to 2025, I am excited about the opportunities and achievements that await us.
Thank you all for your support, enthusiasm, and belief in the work we do here. I wish you all a restful and joyful holiday season and look forward to welcoming you back for another year of excellence and achievement.
Yours in Service,
Adam Hall
Executive Headteacher
đRaolat, Ronaldo, and Chidubem (Y13) helped decorate the nursery room at St Francis Family Centre, putting up artwork created by the children and adding festive decorations. The children were surrounded by their creations, stepping into Christmas with a festive atmosphere!
As part of our Advent support for St Francisâ a tradition at Bishop Challoner led by our sixth formâwe have been fundraising, visiting the children, and inviting them to school.
On the last school day of black history month, all students were invited to come to school wearing clothing reflecting their cultural heritage! đ
Itâs a highlight of the calendar and amazing to have such a visual representation of the cultural diversity of our school.
đź"Year 9âs had an amazing time creating their own game and the music soundtrack in a workshop led by Conductive Music. Some budding sound designers in the making!" ~ Miss Donaldson
We had an inspiring evening at the Tower Hamlets Education Awards, celebrating our young people, including award winners and the Young Mayor Committee. đ It was wonderful catching up with alumni, like Jodi, taking a gap year before studying Law, and Kevin, now at Bristol University pursuing Economics! đ
đ We welcomed a fantastic company called Kindness: Voices of the Holocaust, which performed for all year 9 and 10 students, along with selected year 11 drama GCSE students and year 12 RE students.
Our school community celebrates Bishop Challoner Day on 29th September annually. With the date of celebration occurring over the weekend, we observed Bishop Challoner Day on Friday 27th September 2024 this year. Students, teachers and members of our staff body enjoy a day of prayer, celebration and thanksgiving.
Carefully crafted lessons and themed activities are designed for our students where we celebrate and acknowledge the life and work of Bishop Richard Challoner.
A wonderful thanksgiving mass service was held in Saint Mary and St Michaelâs Church. Fr. Keith delivered the homily and expanded on the many ways we can take inspiration from Richard
Challoner e.g. his dedication, unwavering faith and perseverance.
Our thanks to our readers and altar servers who participated in the service.
Bishop Challoner embraced Black History Month celebrations this term with a series of inspiring events and activities to honour the significant contributions of Black individuals throughout history.
The month-long celebration aimed to educate, inspire, and promote inclusivity and understanding within our school community.
Accent Catering Service Ltd our school caterers offered a special menu each week that highlighted traditional dishes from African, Caribbean, and African American cuisines. These meals not only offered student and staff a delicious taste of culture but also provided an opportunity to learn more about the rich culinary traditions that have shaped Black communities around the world.
We welcomed a steel pan player to the school to perform for the students during lunchtime. The performance featured a vibrant mix of classic and modern tunes, proving to be highly enjoyable for the students as many listened and danced along, creating a lively and positive atmosphere in the school.
An evening of cultural performances that showcased Black Culture in the theatre was also organised. The evening featured musical performances, captivating spoken word, readings and dance performances celebrating the cultural heritage of our students.
To close out Black History Month, students and staff at Bishop Challoner are invited to come to school wearing clothing that reflects their cultural heritage on Thursday 24rd October 2024.
This annual event is a highlight in the school calendar.
The day provides a vibrant and colourful visual representation of the cultural diversity within our school community.
The range of outfits on display were impressive and both staff and students took great pride in representing their heritage.
This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, acknowledge and learn about the rich variety of backgrounds and traditions that make up our student body.
We recently hosted a heart-warming Advent celebration with two very special guestsâRocky and Taffy, the donkeys. Organised by Sixth Form students with support from the chaplaincy team, the event brought together pupils, local schools, and the wider community to share in the joy and hope of the season.
Children from the St Francis Family Centre and students from St Mary and St Michaelâs Primary School delighted in meeting the donkeys while enjoying hot chocolate and mince pies. Christmas music filled the air, with the parish church serving as a beautiful backdrop symbolising the unity of this East London community.
The Advent season at Bishop Challoner has also been marked by meaningful acts of service. Staff have continued their tradition of donating Christmas presents for children at the St Francis Family Centre, a local charity supporting families in need. These gifts ensure no child goes without on Christmas Day. The Centre works tirelessly to provide outstanding early years education for disadvantaged children, and many of its long-serving staff are proud alumni of Bishop Challoner.
In addition, the school has partnered with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Wapping, collecting essential items such as clothing, food, and toiletries for refugees without access to asylum support. Students have also been writing Christmas cards with messages of hope for individuals in detention centres, underscoring the schoolâs commitment to compassion and inclusion.
Advent is about joy, generosity, and hope,â said School Chaplain James Johnston. âBishop Challoner has been a proud part of the East End for almost a century. This event, and our wider advent appeals each year give our young people the chance to demonstrate the power of community during this special season - just as the Sisters of Mercy, who founded our school did for so many years."
Saint Josephine Bakhita (c.1869â1947) was born in Sudan and endured unimaginable hardship, being enslaved as a child and sold multiple times. Despite years of physical and emotional suffering, she emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience.
After gaining freedom in Italy, she joined the Canossian Sisters, dedicating her life to service, humility, and faith. Known for her gentle smile, kindness, and unwavering trust in God, she inspired all who met her.
Her story teaches students today the power of forgiveness, perseverance, and gratitude. Rather than harbor bitterness, she chose to see her suffering as a path to discovering God.
Saint Josephine reminds us that faith, compassion, and a positive outlook can transform even the darkest experiences into light. Her legacy encourages us to face challenges with courage and to treat others with dignity and love.
