St Bonaventure's

December Newsletter

HEADTEACHER MESSAGE

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the joyous celebration of Christmas, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful first term of the school year. We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by our students, who have excelled both academically and in their behaviour for learning and their contribution to the school community. It is truly a testament to the support, guidance, and values that you, as parents, instil in them at home.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous participation in our Advent charity initiatives. Your kindness and willingness to help others reflect the true spirit of the season and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may your Christmas be filled with peace, joy, and blessings. We pray that this festive season brings happiness to you and your family, and that the new year will continue to be filled with grace and growth.

Wishing you all a very Merry and Holy Christmas!

With gratitude and blessings,

Mr McCormack, Headteacher

NEWS AND EVENTS

Bons Hats for Sale!

St Bon’s beanie hats are now on sale. Our school-branded beanies are the only ones permitted in school. Buy now for £3.50 from Reception or on the ParentPay Shop.

Reward Trip to Flip Out

These enthusiastic students showed excellent endeavour last term and gained the highest number of merit awards in their year groups. To celebrate their achievements, we took them on a trip to Flip Out Trampoline Park.

Remembrance Day Events

Members of our community joined fellow Newham Catholic Deanery Schools, Royal British Legion, other Newham Schools, Newham’s Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz and other dignitaries at the solemn 106th Anniversary of the Armistice at The Cenotaph, Central Park on 11th November.

School Council Meeting

Our newly elected School Councillors joined the Year 11 Leadership Team and Mr McCormack for their inaugural meeting.

Students read and signed the 2024/25 School Council Constitution, considered ways to better look after the fabric of the school and thought about their direction for the year. Head Boy Reuben poignantly quoted St Francis of Assisi "Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Visit to Westminster for UK Parliament Week

Coinciding with UK Parliament Week, members of the School Council enjoyed an insightful and engaging tour of the Palace of Westminster, including the House of Commons and the House Lords chambers, and learned much about the history and intrigue of the Parliamentary estate in the process. Rounding off the day, students took part in the ‘Power of Petitions’ Workshop and gained an excellent understanding of how to get involved in the work of the Parliament by creating their own petitions.

6th Former Earl Runner up in Oxford Scientist Competition

After being shortlisted as a finalist nationally, 6th Form student, Earl's essay submission to The Oxford Scientist (Oxford University's independent science magazine) won the runner up prize. His essay will also be published in an exclusive collection of essays.

Earl expressed his gratitude - "Thank you again to Mrs. Ogunjobi for helping me submit this essay towards the start of summer."

Advent & Christmas

This Advent season, our school community came together in celebration, reflection, and service as we prepared for Christmas. The beautifully arranged Nativity scene, set up by the Chaplaincy Team reminded us of the true meaning of this season of hope.

Our Christmas celebration with words and music showcased the talents of our students through readings, carols, and performances that captured the joy of the season. The school choir also brought festive cheer beyond our gates, visiting Newham Hospital to sing carols and brighten the day for patients and staff.

Our students embraced the spirit of giving by participating in charity events, including a non-uniform day, a sponsored walk and a generous food bank collection, amongst others, to support those in need. Thanks those efforts, we raised over £4000 for our chosen charities.

Weekly Advent videos recorded by students reflected on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love- these are available on our social media pages. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offered a chance for spiritual renewal.

Thank you for your support in making this season so meaningful, and we wish all our families a blessed and joyful Christmas!

Sixth Form

Our Open Evening is on 23rd January 2025 and we have already had over 300 sign ups from our QR code and this link 6th Form Open Evening Please remember that we will only be admitting students who are with a parent or responsible adult on the night. Choosing a 6th Form is a very important decision and we want you to take it very seriously. We cannot wait to welcome everyone on the night.

Year 13 have almost completed all of their UCAS applications and it has been a bumper year for early entry applicants, with record numbers of Cambridge interviews, dentistry and medicine applications. It has been a busy and productive time and we look forward to supporting all of our students through the next phases of their future plans. We also have a number of students who are getting through to the final stages of degree apprenticeship processes with companies such as Amazon, Zurich and Shawbrook Bank.

CATHOLIC LIFE

During the month of November, as per Catholic tradition, we prayed for those that have passed away.

We collected names from staff members and families of students, and placed them on the altar, so they could be prayed over during Mass.

Watch one of our video series on Advent, presented by Students and supported by our chaplaincy team. Watch them all over on our You Tube channel.

You can also watch footage from our 'Advent and Christmas Celebration' here.

Q&A: Mrs Ogunjobi

What inspired you to become a teacher?

In all honesty, I wasn’t the best behaved in school, however, when I was in year 10 I received a new set of teachers for my GCSE subjects. I noticed how different they were towards me, they cared about me and my outcomes, showing me options beyond my classrooms. My teachers highlighted the importance of hard work and achievement. I felt I could do well and I did. I stopped messing around in lessons and became focused. I remember thinking of the impact a good teacher can have on so many students. My personal experiences of strong and caring teachers have been inspiring to me. I was lucky enough to be taught by Mr Odle when I was in 6th Form and even now I catch myself thinking what would Mr Odle do? A Good teacher will always leave a lasting impression and I hope to be that for someone.

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

It's a job where at times you act cross or overjoyed but the care must always be real. Look at students as your own family and it makes it easy.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

Make time for myself and my family. Regular date nights even on a weekday! Doing things for myself e.g. leaving work on time on Tuesdays and Fridays, getting my nails done and regular check-ins on my Friends.

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

Computers! COVID was so hard when we didn't have them. They are essential to my learning environment.

WORK WITH US

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:

Cover Supervisor

6th Form Study Supervisor

Curriculum Leader for Art

Current Vacancies

Important Reminders

21/01/2025 - KS3 Parent Connect Evening

23/01/2025 - 6th Form Open Evening

10/02/2025 - Year 11 Parents Evening

16/02 - 20/02/2025 - HALF TERM

02/03/2025 - Year 12 Parents Evening

18/03/2025 - Year 9 Options Evening

03/04/2025 - Year 8 Parents Evening

07/04 - 21/04/2025 - EASTER HOLIDAY

View Our School Calendar

PRAYER

The heavens can no longer hold your abundant love,
So you pour out the gift of your embodied self
Relinquishing the beauty of your majesty,
To adorn the pale colours of our humanity.
Choosing to enter into this world in a place of scarcity and need.

Reveal to us this hidden world
of poverty,
of refugees,
of suffering.
As you choose this as the place of your birth
Let us choose this to be the place of our rebirth.

Rebuild us,
Transform us,
Make us anew.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Kieran O'Brien/CAFOD

Winter Activities for Students

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, is running at The Mix this December. This initiative is designed to provide much-needed support to children and families during the winter break, ensuring access to enriching activities and nutritious meals.