St Bonaventure's

This Lent we have had several events to remind us of our 3 Easter objectives - Fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

The CAFOD Team organised a Family Fast Day, where students and staff were encouraged to donate the cost of the school lunch and join the community in a simple meal of soup. As well as, being a charity fundraiser, events like this help us to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world, to better understand their struggles. We also held a non-uniform Culture Book Day, to celebrate our love for literacy, as well as embrace the diversity of our school community.

We also had the opportunity for reflection and prayer. On top of our weekly Decade of the Rosary and Praise and Worship, we organised a Journey of Love with St Bonaventure. This allowed us to look at the life of St Bonaventure, his inspiration, how he grew in his faith, and his impact on the modern world. This was a great way of connecting with our Patron Saint, as well as having a moment of peace and reflection.

Our students also participated in The Stations of The Cross, at our parish - St Antony’s. This gave them a chance to understand the suffering of Christ and the importance of this season. As always, our students found the Stations very impactful.

In this edition, we're thrilled to present a quick Q&A session with Mr. L Chester, our Assistant Curriculum Leader for Maths here at St Bonaventure's

What inspired you to become a teacher?

As a child, I was fortunate to have been taught by many amazing teachers, who helped to instil in me a love of learning and an appreciation for the value of academia. The experiences and support I received at school opened many doors for me. I wanted to become a teacher so that I could help provide young people with the same great support, experiences and opportunities that I was lucky enough to have.

In addition, I have always felt that serving young people is one of the most impactful things a person can do, as any positive influence one might have on a young person could have implications for the rest of their lives. I believe that as a teacher, I can help young people build a foundation that will support them to reach their full potential and to live successful, healthy and happy lives.

Describe your teaching style in one sentence.

In terms of pedagogy, my approach to teaching is knowledge-based, utilising direct instruction and modelled examples followed by independent student practice and one-to-one support for students who need it.

In terms of classroom environment, my approach is firm but caring: I aim for my classroom to be calm, consistent and productive, where all students feel happy and safe, and where they feel confident to make mistakes and ask for any support they might need.

If you could invite any historical figure to be a guest lecturer in your class, who would it be and why?

After much consideration, I decided I would invite Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor, and more importantly in my view, a great philosopher. He believed that we fulfil our purpose in life by living a life of virtue and serving others. He also advocated for a rational and clear-minded approach to facing life’s challenges, arguing that we should aim to control what we can while accepting what we cannot. Marcus Aurelius’ principles of virtue, rationality and public service are ones that I would love my students to learn from, as I believe these are values that help us to live better, more fulfilling lives.

What would be your one piece of advice to parents of your students?

If possible, give your child the space, time and support to study at home. The key to success is regular retrieval and practice of their learning outside of class!

The science behind how our children learn best can often be a little overwhelming, but sometimes the simplest ways are the best. In the below video produced by "From The Sidelines" we take a look at one of the best and easiest ways for your child to quiz themselves on something they have already learned.

• 15th April - Year 11 Speaking Exams begin

• 17th April - Heath Feast Day

• 22nd April - TFL Pioneers Day Year 8

• 29th April - Year 10 PPE starts
• 9th May - First GCSE exam
• 14th May - First A-level exam

At St Bonaventure's, every member of staff is valued highly and allowed to develop and grow. At the heart of our ethos lies a commitment to fostering a genuinely supportive and empowering environment for all, regardless of background or faith.

Current Vacancies:

• Learning Support Assistant – closing date 11th April 2024
• Classroom Practitioner / Higher Learning Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – closing date 11th April 2024
• Cover Supervisor – closing date 11th April 2024

We adore you, O Lord Jesus Christ, in this church and all the churches of the world, and we bless you because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. Amen

This little prayer was used by Franciscans for many centuries and over time it was adapted to become a “standard” prayer in the popular devotion known as the Stations of the Cross.

Typically the prayer is shortened to say, “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because, by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”

It is said at the beginning of each Station and is usually prayed while genuflecting. The prayers written by St Francis of Assis are used when praying the Stations of the Cross.

Email: info@stbons.org
Website: https://www.stbons.org/
Location: Boleyn Rd, London E7 9QD, UK
Phone: 020 8472 3844