The school year progresses at such a pace that I have had to remind myself of just how much has taken place in the last month and in the run-up to the end of our first half-term. Looking through the pages of our October newsletter, I am so proud of everything that has happened this month to enrich our school community and the lives of our young people.

What stands out for me, is the breadth of what our pupils experience here at St James’. It is not just the academic excellence they strive for, for example their participation in the UK Maths Challenge, but their engagement in all of the amazing work undertaken to enhance their cultural awareness. The poetry competition that forms part of a wide exploration of how black history shapes our community, is an example of this wider development. And across all of this is our faith journey, not just in the obvious experiences, such as the Year 13 mMass at St Margaret Clitherow, but equally in the work of our Gardening Club whose endeavours led to ‘Soup Friday’ with all the proceeds of this event going towards our House charities.

There is so much more to see in our October newsletter; do take the time to look through it.

Anthony Ellul

Headteacher

Hello everyone, I’m Peter, the Head Boy, and I’m excited to share some House Council updates. Together with our Head Girl, Deborah, we’ve launched student-led groups focused on diversity, mental well being, and fundraising, giving students a stronger voice in shaping our school.

Congratulations to our sports teams for their achievements, as you have made us proud! And a special congratulations to our high achievers this term as well; your hard work inspires us all. And to our Year 11s and 13s preparing for mocks, stay focused—your efforts now build your future. As we observe Remembrance Day this month, let’s honor the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the greater good of our country. Here’s to a positive and successful term ahead!

Peter Bwala

Head Boy

Year 13 attended Mass at St Margaret Clitherow church, a chance to pray for this final year to come. Fr Brian reminded them that it will fly by and to soak up every moment.

Fr Brian joined us to celebrate a "First Friday" Mass in the Chapel. It was wonderful for staff and students to be able to pause, reflect, and share in a lunchtime service together.

Each Head of Year has nominated one student from each house to receive a Pastoral Award for fulfilling the VERITAS values on a consistent basis. Well done to all the students who have achieved this award!

Over 100 pupils from Years 11-13 took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. A 90 minute, 25 multiple choice question first round Challenge aimed at pupils. The questions on the Senior Maths Challenge are designed to make students think hard through stimulating problems, for both beginners and more experienced problem-solvers.

Pupils in house Aspiration receiving their UKMT Senior Maths challenge certificates. Well done to everyone involved!

“The origins of St. James’ can be traced back to 1896 and the South African Congregation of Sisters who originated in the city of Newcastle , Natal, now known as KwaZulu-Natal Province. But again later, more of those origins …...”

Allow me to take up the thread from my previous article and recount , albeit briefly and much redacted, he origins of the Religious Order that founded St. James’ in 1934. The origins begin with a young South African woman named Agnes Niland. Agnes was born on Saturday 21st. July 1860 and was the seventh of eight children born to Thomas and Mary Niland.

Mother Rose’s Birthplace: Hollywood Farm(Back Entrance), Beaufort District, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The two formative ,main , influences in Agnes’ upbringing were her close, staunchly catholic family and the Irish Dominican Sisters who educated Agnes up to the age of eighteen years . The maxim ,“ Give me the child and I will give you the wo(man),” comes to mind. Agnes’ long association with the Dominican Sisters nourished in her the desire to become a Dominican Sister herself, and this cherished desire was realised on Wednesday 25th. January 1882 when Agnes dedicated her life to God at the Final Profession of her Religious Vows. Agnes’ new name, as a Religious, was Sister Mary Rose O.P and Sister Rose , as she would be known ,was but twenty-one years of age.

The picture, the description , that we have of Sister Rose Niland comes from her encounter with others and from her own activities and achievements . In appearance she was small of stature , swift in movement and light on her feet. She spoke clearly with a soft South African accent. Sister Rose, we are told, was a woman of exceptional ability . Not only was she very able and a very good teacher but also an exceptional organiser and administrator. Her qualities of leadership were recognised and acknowledged from very early on in her life as a Dominican Sister. Her character was suffused with the steel of her pioneer ancestors who despite much suffering manifested their courage , endurance, fortitude, strength in adversity to overcome great, great odds. One description referred to Sister Rose as an Atlas, the titan of Greek mythology.

Mother Rose Niland age 20

Omitting an enormous amount of the detail, The Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena of Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, was founded by Sister Rose in 1896 in the city of Newcastle in South Africa.

Order of Preachers (O.P.). The followers of St. Dominic are known as the Order of Preachers – hence the reason why a Dominican Sister, Brother or Priest has the letters or post nominals (to use a grander term) O.P. after their name . However, more familiarly , the followers of St. Dominic are known as Dominicans . The familiar colours of the Dominican habit - black and white – are reflected in the uniform of St James’, as is the logo – a black and white cross – and the Dominican Latin motto “Veritas” (Truth).

St. Dominic’s Convent, Sutherland Street, Newcastle South Africa,the Cradle of the Dominican Congregation of Newcastle.

Sister Rose or Mother Rose, as she later became known , was elected as the Superior General and remained as such until January 1947 when Mother Bruno O’Grady was elected as Superior General in her place. Mother Rose celebrated the Diamond Jubilee (sixty years) of her profession as a Religious on the 25th. January 1942, when she was eighty-two years of age. Mother Rose died at Rosary priory , Bushey, on Saturday(the same day on which she was born) March 8th. 1947 and is buried in a specially designed chapel within the Priory.

“Saturday’s child works hard for a living”.

To be continued in the next newsletter…

Kevin McSharry

Headteacher Emeritus

Promoting mental health and wellbeing is everyone's responsibility. From student well-being ambassadors who help support younger students, to pupil voice that allows students to voice any concerns to staff who train to be Mental Health First Aiders and support pupils who may need someone to talk to.

This year to celebrate mental health day, the mental health team organised many initiatives throughout the day

• The Mental Health Team ran a ‘Tea and Talk’ morning, with refreshments available for free for all staff. This was a chance to socialise away from meetings and share good habits for positive mental health for staff in an educational setting.

• A mental health Loom assembly by Ms Terblanche (Mental health coordinator) for all year groups were shown in form time.

• Mindfulness activities in the masterclass at lunchtime run by staff for all pupils - there were stations for card games, origami, colouring of bible verses and making loom bands - around 50 pupils attended.

At St James', we are so excited that 2024 represents our 90th anniversary. Naturally, at such a milestone, we reflect on the school's history and the students and staff that have been part of that legacy.

On Sunday, October 13, we hosted a celebration event. We invited former members of our school community to join us for a celebration Mass, which was followed by a social where old photographs were on display.

Throughout the month's history, students have been learning about aspects of Black history and culture that go beyond the national curriculum. In these ‘mini histories’ students have learnt about key events in Black British history, the origins of different food as well as the historical and cultural significance of braids etc.

Black History Month Competition

Early entries to our Black History Month Competition. Students have to produce a poster that highlights the achievements and contributions of Black British individuals that inspire you, or who you believe are overlooked.

Angelina in Year 7 made a amazing poster for Black History Month

Jessie in Year 7 has written an amazing poem - I am not a stereotype for black History month

Year 12 A-level PE students on a trip to Middlesex University Real Tennis court to learn about the history of the sport. Everyone had a 'smash'ing time!

Year 10 students have been visiting the offices of Lionsgate, the film company for one to one mentoring sessions through our partnership with Future Frontiers. Students have received support on how to prepare for the world of work and a future career and will continue to receive this for the next two years

Future Frontiers partner up with leading businesses with local schools to deliver a programme of careers coaching, that changes lives and develops volunteers.

We took the year 12's to the University Fair at Tottenham Stadium this week. Pupils said that they now have a better idea of what courses and universities they will choose after Sixth Form.

St James' beat Channing School 1-0 to progress into the next round - Player Of The Match: Millie Jump - Well done Girls!

Y󠀠ear 11 Boys beat Hendon 3-1 - Goal scorers - Kingsley 2 and Fela - 1

Year 9 Boys beat London Academy 1-0 - Goal scorer - Sergiu -1

Year 8 Boys beat Archer Academy 9-2 - Goal scorers - Kacper -1 Robert A -5 Robert U -1 and Kennedy - 2

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"Year 13 mathematicians explored reciprocal trigonometric functions today with Miss King. Pupils displayed great resilience when proving identities and justified each step of their working to their peers." - Ms King

"A great inquiry lesson with Year 7 investigating the product of factors. Gabriel spotted the link between pairs of factors and powers. I was incredibly impressed with the curiosity shown by 7X3" - Ms King

"Year 12 Health and Social Care have been exploring the topic of discrimination: who gets discriminated against and how, as well as the impacts of discrimination" - Ms Amado

Year 7 Drama students exploring space during their opening assessments before half term. Fantastic start to their St James' journey! - Mr Edmondson

Theatre and Prop Club

Art Enrichment

Gardening Club

"Gardening Club’s produce was used to create soup Friday! All proceeds to our House Charities" - Mrs Marsh