ST SIMON STOCK CATHOLIC SCHOOL May 2015 Newsletter

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1 JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER ST SIMON STOCK CATHOLIC SCHOOL May 2015 Newsletter Dear Parents and Carers This month commemorates the 750 th anniversary of the death of our founder, St Simon Stock, at Aylesford. On Saturday 16 th May 2015, Carmelites and local clergy joined the congregation in celebrating his life. Fr. Damian, Prior of Aylesford, who is a former student of St Simon Stock, was the chief celebrant of ten priests. I represented the school community at this historic event. Aylesford Priory has kindly allowed the relics of St Simon Stock to visit the school in June The start of the examination season commences this month. We wish students and their families every success for the hard work and commitment to the GCSE, AS and A levels. May I thank all staff who have spent hours/days supporting our young people in learning for the exams. Good luck to all. Brendan J. Wall Headteacher

2 CONGRATULATIONS TO.. the Stocky students who represent Aylesford Bulls Rugby Football Club. Jasper, Charlie, Alex, and Oliver were all voted winners and runners up at the end of season awards. Well done boys!. the Year 11 Football team who have reached the District Football final. The final will take place on Monday 1 st June at the Gallagher Stadium, the home of Maidstone United F.C. Kick off is at 6.00 pm. We would be very grateful for your support as this will be their final game together. Good luck to them all!. Eloise Collings, Year 10 who, as a member of the Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club (MIRC), has recently been selected to represent them and participate in the National Schools Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham. This is a great achievement well done Eloise! ART DEPARTMENT All the Art examinations have now taken place and there will be an opportunity to see some of the work before the summer break Look out for an invitation to a very unusual evening exhibition showcasing the work of Year 7 and Year 8 with guest appearances by Year 9 GCSE. The Music department is collaborating with us to produce an event which will also be open to the public for a week at the beginning of July. Mrs Farrell, Art Department CATERLINK British Sandwich Week In celebration of British Sandwich Week - 10 th to 16 th May - Caterlink added some new lines of sandwiches and baguettes to its menu for a limited period and at special discounted prices. Tasty varieties included: Brie and grape Pepperoni and cheese Humous and salad Chicken and avocado National BBQ Week On Thursday 11 th June, Caterlink will be holding its own indoor barbecue in celebration of National BBQ Week. Customary barbecue fayre will be served, including burgers, hot dogs and onions, spicy wedges, mixed salad and coleslaw, followed by banana split sundae. ENGLISH/LITERACY DEPARTMENT The Terrifying Tiger by Chloe Jones (Year 9) I await the arrival of my prey; I hide between the grass, Hoping he doesn t get away. I lay still and low; Waiting for the Wind to blow. It s time. I m going to eat well tonight! I m in my prime! I make my move; Running faster and faster, Because I have something to prove. I grab him with great power; He is losing the fight, Sinking lower and lower. He s done, Dead. And now you can see, Just how deadly I can be. HOUSE NEWS Cardinal Hume Many congratulations to students in Cardinal Hume House for their fantastic efforts, raising over 1207 during Lent. A cheque has been sent to the Cardinal Hume Centre for the Homeless in London. We wish all students in Cardinal Hume House Good Luck as they continue to sit public examinations. Miss S M Worron, House

3 St Bernadette of Lourdes On Monday 18 th May, St Bernadette House hosted their annual Year 6 transition event. Over 40 students from numerous schools within the district attended and were able to experience some excellent activities, including Art, Science and English. All the students had an enjoyable evening. Here is an example students work with clay based on the House colour green - more work will be on display at the Art Exhibition. I would like to thank the Year 7 helpers who guided Year 6 children around and answered a range of questions during the evening. Mr J Richardson, House MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT Year 7 day trip to France In early June, students who have paid for this day trip will receive notification of which day they will be going and also a letter which explains all the required information such as timings, what to wear and what to bring. Parents: please ensure that all students have their own upto-date passport and EHIC card which will be required in advance. Everyone in the Modern Languages Department is really looking forward to this exciting trip. Mrs E McParland, Subject PDW During PDW lessons the week of 11 th May, Years 7 to 10 took part in their own general elections. The lessons attempted to recreate the real election process. Students registered to vote, selected candidates and were able to vote in one of four polling stations around the school. Four imaginary parties competed against each other with the Vision Party winning an overall majority on the day. All candidates from the winning party will be invited to stand in our school council elections later in the year. Mrs Broadhurst, PDW Coordinator PEER MENTOR AND YOUNG INTERPRETER ROLES We are looking for approximately 20 pupils from the current years 8-10 to work as Peer Mentors and Young Interpreters in the school. Peer Mentors will be trained to use their skills and experience of school to support other students within the school, by being a helping hand and a sounding board to them. The work of Peer Mentors is also to provide support and encouragement and information to students. Young Interpreters provide a similar form of support to students with English as an Additional Language and therefore having English as an Additional Language is necessary for this position. Peer Mentors and Young Interpreters work under the direction of the Pastoral Team led by Mrs Denny, Director of Welfare. Applications must be submitted on line by Friday 22nd May. PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT Dance Enrichment Day The next Enrichment Day will be July 1 st. Once again, Year 8 students will have a day of Dance, which I know they will

4 thoroughly enjoy. This will be a great opportunity to develop the skills students gained during their last day of Dance. Ballet Trip During the next academic year, I will be taking another trip to see some dance at the Marlow Theatre, so please keep your eye on your s as I will be reserving these seats before the summer holiday. Examination Success Please let us know if your son/daughter has success in their Dance examinations outside school we like to hear how well they are doing! We have a number of students who dance in their own time and we would like to share any success or event they have taken part in. Drama The Drama department has been very busy recently with the performances for AS and GCSE. The AS monologues and The Real Inspector Hound were much enjoyed by the audience and we hope for similar success from our 5 GCSE plays. We then turn our attention to next year s Christmas production. After the unusual Frankenstein - The Panto, we shall present something a little more traditional, possibly Babes In The Wood. Please watch out for further details of times and ticket sales. All support is gratefully received and much appreciated. Mr J McCarthy, Drama Dept. Music Good luck to Liam Boyd in Year 12, who has an audition with the National Youth Brass Band on June 21 st. This will be a fantastic opportunity for Liam. Year 10 GCSE Music There will an evening for parents of Year 10 GCSE students on Tuesday 30 th June in the school hall. This is an opportunity for parents to learn more about the performance examination and to hear what students are playing in their own exam the following week. Strawberries and Pimms Every year, the Music department provides entertainment for the PTA event which is held in the school hall. It s a lovely evening and conclusion to the year. If any student would like to take part, please let me know as soon as possible. PiXL event I recently ed everyone about an exciting event later this year, where students can audition for the event in London. Please let me know if you would like to take part. Instrumental Music The number of students receiving instrumental or singing lessons has really blossomed, which is great to see. If you would like your son/daughter to have lessons, please contact me directly. Examination Success Please continue to let me know if students have taken any exams. We like to share and celebrate the good news! Miss J Kingdom, Subject PTA Many thanks to Mrs Share for organising such a fantastic theatre visit to see Matilda on 6 th May. Everyone had an enjoyable evening. The PTA are busy planning several events throughout the year, including the Summer Concert with strawberries and Pimms on 3 rd July. Further details will follow nearer the event, so please check your s for more information. Quality Secondhand Uniform During the last year, the sale of secondhand uniform has again raised money for PTA funds which ultimately goes back into the school. Donations of secondhand uniform can be left at the school reception. Anyone wishing to purchase items of uniform can do so by contacting Mrs Pengelly on or Mrs Share on Alternatively, secondhand uniform is always on sale at Parents evenings. All Parents/Carers are invited to PTA meetings which always take place at the school on a

5 Monday evening starting at 6.30 pm. PTA Meetings for the next year: 18 th May nd June th September th October 2015 AGM 7 th December 2015 Please come and join us! Miss S Worron, PTA Secretary SAINSBURY S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS Thank you to everyone who collected Sainsbury s Active Kids vouchers. The resources that will be acquired as a result of your donations will be divided between Food Technology and P.E. The June Newsletter will have details of the total amount of vouchers collected and the equipment the school has ordered. A special thank you must go to Mrs Pilcher and Mrs Durling at Reception who have been busy counting the vouchers. Mrs M Tilby SIXTH FORM NEWS On May 7 th, we celebrated with the Year 13 students as they came tantalisingly close to completing their Sixth Form education. Father Bart spoke eloquently about how each of us is a blank sheet of paper and all the things we can make of our lives, and Mr Wall and I bid an emotional farewell to an outstanding year group. The afternoon was topped off with a celebration of the students success with an informal buffet. I would take this opportunity to remind parents of Year 12 students that the Work Experience week is the week beginning June 8 th and that students need to return on June 15 th for the start of their A2 courses. AS and A2 results day is on August 13 th. Mrs J Rodell-Jones, of Sixth Form HEADTEACHER S AWARDS 1 st May Alvin, Y7 for good behaviour and for gaining lots of merits for outstanding work and attitude, Ellie, Y7 for being helpful polite and having a positive attitude and Jade, Y7 a lovely, quiet student who volunteered to read in assembly. 8 th May Alex, Y7 for working extremely hard and for being a caring and respectful student, Skye, Y7 for working quietly and doing anything to help, Stephanie, Y7 - for gaining in confidence, sharing opinions in PDW and making suggestions for fundraising and Archie, Y8 for being a lovely, polite, sensible student and a great example to others about how to behave and focus on learning. 15 th May Fleur, Y7 for her fundraising recently and the work she does for St Bernadette House and Lauren, Y7 - for being a lovely student, nominated by her Form Tutor. MASS OF THANKSGIVING 750 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF ST SIMON STOCK 16 th May 2015

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