St Bonaventure's

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a joy to welcome our students back after the Christmas break. They have returned with enthusiasm, ready to embrace new challenges and continue their journey of academic and personal growth. Their dedication to learning, alongside their involvement in extracurricular activities, is truly inspiring.

At St Bonaventure’s, we are privileged to be part of a community where faith, respect, and ambition go hand in hand. As we continue into the spring term, I look forward to seeing our students continue to flourish—achieving their potential in the classroom, in their wider pursuits, and in their commitment to living out our shared values.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school a place where every student can thrive.

Mr McCormack,

Headteacher

If you want to make an application for a place in Year 12 next September, please click the link below. The deadline is 4th April 2025.

On 6th January 2025, a Feast of Epiphany video, presented by pupils, was published on our social media platforms. This engaging video was created as a reflective and educational resource for use in assemblies and form classes, allowing students to deepen their understanding of the significance of the Epiphany within the Christian tradition.

On 15th January 2025, the TELCO team held its initial meeting of the year, welcoming C. Joseph, the newly appointed community organiser for Newham. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss and plan the focus of new campaigns for the year, ensuring that students remain actively engaged in community organising and social justice initiatives.

On 16th January 2025, the Spring Term Mass for Years 7, 8, and 9 took place at St Antony’s Parish, celebrated by Fr John Armitage. This special Mass brought together the school community in prayer and reflection at the start of the new term. The Bons Choir and school musicians played a key role in enhancing the liturgical celebration, delivering the first ‘sung Mass’, featuring music specially composed by N. Chan. This significant musical contribution enriched the experience of worship for all in attendance.

On 20th January 2025, a Sixth Form promotional video, produced and presented by Sixth Form pupil leaders, was officially published on our social media channels. The video provided prospective students with an insight into Sixth Form life, highlighting academic opportunities, enrichment activities, and the leadership roles available within the school community.

On 23rd January 2025, a group of Year 12 pupils attended the CAFOD Young Leaders Conference at the London Jesuit Centre. These students, who have played an active role in fundraising and social action within the school, presented the range of initiatives they have implemented to support charitable causes. As part of the conference, they also participated in a specialised training session designed to further develop their campaigning skills. This training focused on deepening their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and equipping them with practical tools to continue advocating for justice and sustainability within their communities.

On 24th January 2025, S. Ali and N. Chan represented the school at the Brentwood Diocesan Jubilee Launch Training, held at St John Payne School. This training session was aimed at preparing schools for the upcoming Jubilee Year celebrations, providing guidance on how to engage students with the themes of renewal, faith, and community action. Following this training, they will be leading Jubilee launch assemblies and activities, ensuring that the school community is actively involved in this significant diocesan initiative.

I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was little. I tried out other jobs but they did not feel right. I have also been trying to get into teaching since I was a GCSE student; I used to volunteer in KS4 classrooms when I was doing my A-levels, taught Spanish at university to my peers and taught abroad in Austria and Spain. I couldn't imagine a job where I was not working with young people and in an environment that required lots of organisation!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about teaching?

The most valuable thing I was told on my teacher training was to always be reflective, and to never take anything personally. In a work environment that is so people-focused, it is important to remember it is always about the children.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

To ensure I can do my job as best as I can, I go to the gym and love yoga. I practise mindfulness by going on long walks and reading every day. I also love Duolingo as a way to switch off from anything work-related and focus on improving my own skills.

What’s your all-time favourite book?

It is quite difficult to choose a favourite book, but the one I continue to come back to is The Handmaid's Tale, a very engaging dystopic novel that also has a TV series. The book I am currently reading is The Island by Victoria Hislop, which is a sad tale of the history of leprosy on the island of Spinalonga, Crete. I love dystopic fiction, or fiction rooted in reality (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is another fantastic recommendation).

What’s one item you can’t live without in your classroom?

I am always carrying my huge pencil-case with all of my stationery: pens to lend students, a stapler and a huge pack of staples, whiteboard pens and glues. I can never go to a lesson without it.

I am inspired by Che Guevara to get myself a motorcycle and do a tour of South America. I am encapsulated by the history, beautiful language and rich culture of the Hispanic world.

One piece of advice I would give parents is that we get the best from students when school and home are a united front. I would also suggest you consider how you can embed some effective school practices at home: prioritising a growth mindset and encouraging them to strive for challenge, promote a positive relationship to studying by being a good role model (reading at home or having discussions together as a family to develop critical thinking skills) and to let them take responsibility for their actions.

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.

Teacher of Art

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

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