BEN DAVIS
Headteacher
For one reason and another we have not been able to publish a newsletter for the pas three weeks, making this one a bumper edition, hence the slightly different layout. That said, plenty has gone on and there has been so much to celebrate in our school that it is hard to know where to start. Firstly, our Section 48 inspection report was published (we have shared this by email). The report graded us as Good with some elements of ‘outstanding’ and ‘exemplary’ practice relating to leadership, teaching and pastoral care. We are, of course delighted with it, and especially delighted by, what the inspectors said about our pupils. They were full of praise for the young people: their openness, honesty, courtesy and ability to express themselves. It is particularly pleasing to read that they witnessed the high quality of relationships between pupils and with staff. This is a feature of our any given day in our school. It doesn’t mean that no-one gets angry, or that people never fallout or that sometimes things don’t go wrong. What it means is that we are a healthy, welcoming Catholic community, compromising people who do their best to get along and sometimes make mistakes. That’s life, but it should be celebrated more. You can read our Section 48 report here: dioceseofsalford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/01.03.19.pdf
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St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
Last week saw 150 pupils, including pupils from St. Charles’ Primary School, come together in memory of those killed in the terrorist atrocity in Christchurch, New Zealand. In PSHE and through our British Values programme we often talk about tolerance, we give the message (quite rightly) that racism, extremism and intolerance have no place in school. But I think we need to go further – and we do. I’ve always thought that I’d rather be ‘loved’ than ‘tolerated’, which sounds like quite a mean spirited thing to do. Tolerance sounds like it’s grudged, like it has limits. At St. Ambrose Barlow our message is one of love, it’s there in our mission statement. And it’s a challenge. So, 150 voices, co-ordinated by Miss Jackson in the hall, accompanied by Josh Hart and Ricki-Lee O’Sullivan, swelled together to belt out ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ by Crowded House, a New Zealand band. The lyrics articulate perfectly the sentiments of so many across the world when they hear of a terrorist atrocity: ‘they come to build a wall between us, you know they won’t win.’ Not only did they sing, film and record the song, but we held a short prayer service, including the performance of a short extract of poetry by Louise Wallwein (who was there in person) and prayers led by Tahir Mahmood and Lamaan Ball from Eccles Mosque. The service concluded with pupils presenting Tahir and Lamaan with flowers, a gesture of love, peace and solidarity that echoed that of New Zealanders who had
been laying flowers at mosques. Whenever I witness
the BBC Philharmonic in school working with pupils, up
events such as this in our school I always reflect on
and coming singer Keelie Walker performing and doing
the extraordinary capacity that young people have to
a Q&A with pupils, and so much more besides.
flood any given situation or event with enthusiasm and passion. They did exactly that on Friday and by doing
Love in learning –absolutely.
so were an antidote to the darkness and evil that can blight our world.
God Bless,
You can view the video here: https://www. manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greatermanchester-news/amazing-gesture-salford-childrenafter-16022612 We were also delighted recently to welcome the Shadow Secretary of State for Business to our school. Rebecca Long-Bailey, despite the incredible pressures of Brexit-obsessed Westminister, took the time to come
Ben Davis
Headteacher ben.davis@salford.gov.uk Twitter: @BenDavis1972
and meet our Year 11 pupils to talk about Design, Engineer, Construct and learn more about this fantastic qualification. She spoke with pupils and staff about their work and the challenges of maintaining this course in the face of a sometimes narrowing curriculum. As ever our pupils were excited and acquitted themselves brilliantly. In a similar vein, we welcomed Institute of Civil Engineers President Paul Sheffield to school to meet former and current DEC students and to celebrate once again Mr. McDonagh’s award from that august institution. While all of this was going on we have also had the Castlerigg Year 9 retreat, Year 10 work experience day,
St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
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St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
OUR TERM HIGHLIGHTS... “A great day at St Ambrose Barlow Catholic High working with staff, Solutions Focused Coaching with students. Children’s resources and strengths when times are hard are amazing. Action against exclusion in action.” Dr Geoffrey James
“My son has ust been sharing that he joined Mr Davis for Hot Chocolate Friday today. I’m sure that he has grown a foot in the last few hours. Thank you.” Janine Appleton
“It’s reassuring knowing that my son’s teachers care about his well being as much as I do. After a meeting this morning with two amazing members of staff a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. Thank you.” @SABSalford #MyAmbrose
St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
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Another hot chocolate friday celebrating all sorts of achievements with pupils: Jemson, Blaise, Shawni, Rebecca, Kian and Olivia. Well done everyone.
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Just some of the 40 pupils who completed their John Muir Trust award this week. Spring is springing!
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Our brilliant prefects leading the Y11 Parents’ Evening.
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Pupils leading this week’s Random Acts of Kindness assemblies. Well done.
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This week Year 9 pupils worked with Odd Arts UK exploring mental health issues.
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Messages of hope, love and peace from our afternoon service in memory of Christchurch today when we performed Don’t Dream It’s Over with Eccles Mosque and Louise Wallwein.
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Our super talented year 9 pupils creating their POP art stencils today! Some fabulous work
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Our pupils at the airport all set for their LA trip.
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Early start this morning for our year 11 pupils! All set for our trip to London
10. Finally some sun for our year 11 pupils at Tower Bridge. 11. Our year nine pupils had a great day working on the CCDIR project at the Manchester Art Gallery and around Manchester. 12. We welcomed the ICE Engineer president Paul Sheffield into school with past students (young professionals) to meet with our current pupils. 17
13. Students attending the Digital Divas Conference. 14. Teamwork, communication, creativity and so much more. You smashed it at the Manchester Museum. 15. Mrs Chalk delivering a comprehensive guide to Section B success in the lecture after school. 16. Learning about women in Science
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17. Those ‘Lightbulb’ monents... these amazing pupils have had so many during Brilliant Club programme. 18. Well done to Emily who raised £24 for Read for GoodUK during our Readathon. Pupils in Year 7 and 8 raised £200 in total.
St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
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19. So privileged to have spent the evening with these lovely ladies at the spectacular Gorton Monastery.
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20. We were delighted to welcome young shake co this week who led a series of performances and workshops on Macbeth. The pupils were fantastic audiences and the performers asked if they could stay forever. 21. Congratulations to our students that received their Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. 22. Here are the students that have completed the John Muir Discovery Award. Congratulations everyone.
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23. Ash Wednesday liturgies filled with music, art, drama and prayer. 24. So proud of year 12 today. Business presentations on innovation and enterprise. 25. International Womens Day 2019 - We have been discussing and challenging sexual harassment and exploring inspirational women. 26. Year 12 DEC students as they are given a tour of Middlewood locks development/ regeneration as part of the Regen Brainery
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week. 27. Resilience training with CD Associates in the fantastic Barclays offices. 28. Inspiring day at The Sharp Project. 29. An amazing day at the Univeristy of Oxford. 30. Year 9 photographers really enjoyed their lino printing workshop today with artist and former student Caitlin Dowd!
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31. Feeling super proud of these young people throwing themselves into the final rehearsals of devised pieces. 32. An evening of enrichment at The Lourdes Fundraising Gala dinner for some of our sixth formers.
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We stood with our Muslim brothers and sisters in prayers for peace, in memory and sang together to show that there are no walls between us. See the video online at: www.youtube.com/UEUjsfEsVfM
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St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
OUR OUTSTANDING ARTIST THIS TERM... Our artists of the term board has been updated! What amazing work from outstanding pupils! A big well done to all featured!
@SABartdesign #MyAmbrose
St Ambrose Barlow | This Term in Our School | 2019
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#MyAmbrose
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School & Sixth Form College A National School of Creativity