FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 5 Issue 17 & 18 January 24th, 2020
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ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM
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Head’s start .
Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. I had written the speech, conscious of keeping is about thisever timeofofthe year thatreactions I meet with to time Itand wary as usual each Head of Department to review to headteacher’s reports and addresses thethe summer’s world over. Even exam so as results. soon as This took involves to the plenty of useful and thought-provoking stage I went off script. I had to. My opening discussion, but are it is fantastic.’ usually talking about words were: ‘Our kids Churchill numbers and letters. Behind this data are it wasn’t. But it was heartfelt and true.
stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what they and what they achieved. We I had just satliked through 35 minutes of speeches always focus on how things can be and performances by young people from Years improved as as celebrating what went 7 -11, compered by well our very articulate and well. As a Catholic school, exam able Head Boy and Head Girl, Blaise andresults Joe. I are just one way of expressing the unique, Godwent on to observe that if the evening had given talents and skills of each pupil. It ended at that point it would have been good is to look beyond the data so I am enough.important
delighted that much more of my job involves being classes, walking aroundwas the school The quality ofinwhat we saw and heard and talking to pupils, students and phenomenal and entirely un-accidental. Itstaff. is a testament to the talent, effort and commitment If ever you are feeling at support all despondent or of teachers and pupils with the of fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school families.
would quickly raise your spirits. Let me what I to mean. Today (Thursday, Lookingshow backyou it occurs me that what we are September 29th) for instance, I dropped into really celebrating at out Presentation evening Year 10 the GCSE Music. achievements There, I was as is not so much individual delighted to listen to performances of the collective success and ethos: it is a truly Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold communal event. No one person’s successBack is the Riveranother, and When the Saints Go Marching elevated above although some In. I aspects also got of to sit with Daniel exceptional character and and skill Chester are as they demonstrated their prodigious recognised. It is an event at which the pupils DJing talents. Next,toduring who have left return showlunch, us thatI supervised they are the canteen and made a point of watching still, and will always be, a part of our school the interactions that take place daily. Pupils and staff doubt holdingthe doors open of forthis oneweek another, So, without highlight offering thanks, little moments of personal was Presentation Evening on Wednesday appreciation and gratitude. Of course, evening at Maxwell Hall, Salford University.
things don’t always go well in a school, but it lovely to witness a voluntary It takesisconsiderable organisation andapology logisticsfrom a Year 9 to one of the lunch time or for 200 young people to be in one place staff, at one see one pupil help another who is unsure time with their families to collect their awards where to go for class. the team behind and certificates. Nevertheless the ceremony achieved this with grace and Sixth I enjoyed a lengthy chat with finesse.InWe areForm, grateful to the team at Salford Aidan who explained both the theory University for their support and for affording of us differentiation and its success potential at commercial the opportunity to celebrate our application. In English they were studying local university.
the play Blood Brothers and talking with humour andofexcitement superstitions; As the front cover this week’sabout newsletter in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new attests we had a special guest speak at the mission statement and exploring the Presentation Evening who had a very personal meanings it. School meaningful connection withwithin our school.
is a busy, bustling, humming place.
I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled in a task that is so challenging and exciting that I want stay andAaron have aDuggan go myself. Detective ChieftoInspector left Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen myfor tie? St. Ambrose Barlow in 1987, returning the open bottle? What did first Can timeyou in over 30my years to present ouryou thinkthis of last time is he it, awards year.night’s At thegame? end of What the evening Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my delivered a short speech that captured the days!” canschool be noisy times and thread in a essence ofItour andatthe golden community this size we can’t expect of history that runs through our community.
everyone to get on with each other all the time. But it is our and lively, Whilst recognising thatcommunity, much about thea school lovely, positive one at that. had changed and that times had moved on, Aaron also discerned from his attendance at Perhaps of ethos my week, the event thatthe thesingle core highlight values and wasif I had to pick, would be the conversation I had unaltered. He even betrayed a little emotion as with Mrs. Fay who is leading the he concluded; his deep connection with the development ofevident.
our new library. I am a old place was very library enthusiast and have been ever since I was little. The furthest reach of my memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and bright possibilities. On Twitter #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold that such an institution has: ‘A library card was a free pass to wonderment, words and the ability to roam the world’ observes one user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron It is gates obviously wonderful library, for us to have Mark, the of Stalybridge ‘Read, chance to and invite a distinguished Learn Inwardly Digest.’ former Others pupil talk of backthe to escape the school, to celebrateorwith that especially a library represented of us atthe such an event. It taps our desire to refuge it offered frominto an unkind world. be aspirational, to connect to our community and Mrs. to find meaning in the historypeacefully of our Fay spent last Saturday school at a time when soand much us can stacking the shelves wearound are inching change so to fast.
closer opening. What thrilled me was her comment that several boys, some of whom It also reinforces of our affect a dislikethe of importance reading, were electrified by mission, particular the idea of serving others, presence of a library in their school: ‘You something has embodied throughout mean I Aaron can borrow this and, like, read it, his career. It iswas not the for breathless nothing thatutterance we talk about Miss?’ of one Changemakers in our is mission statement: pupil. Our library at the heart of the we sawschool: both a former and our current a spacepupil for being open to andcohort demonstrating thisand clearly this week. It is opensharing ideas experiences. plan and its shelves serve as a reminder there should be no barrier to anyone Godthat Bless,
using its volumes or seeking knowledge, Bensolace, Davis entertainment or information. I can’t wait to see it come to life in the weeks Headteacher ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of Twitter: @BenDavis1972 helpers. Front cover image: Head Girl Blaise, Aaron Duggan Head Boy Joe Davies at Ben and Davis, Headteacher Presentation Evening. Twitter: @BenDavis1972
Presentation evening is as much about collective success and our ethos as it is about individual achievements
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HOUSe News St. Bernadette of Lourdes st. benedict of nursia
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st. oscar romero
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st. oscar romero st. michael the archangel st. francis of assisi St. teresa of calcutta House points and house news pages
st. assisi St francis Francisofof Assisi House
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St. teresa of calcutta
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St. teresa St Teresaofofcalcutta Calcutta Form Tutor of 4T writes:
Mr Stephenson St.Bernadette Bernadette of Lourdes St. of Lourdes This week it was a pleasure to see the familiar faces of past pupils at the annual presentation evening for our year 11 leavers. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the successes of both past and present pupils. There were a large number of students from St Bernadette house present who achieved awards for merit and progress. Well done to all! We shared our assembly this week with pupils and staff from St Francis house. The theme of the assembly was anti-prejudice and was linked to Holocaust Memorial day on Monday 27th January. Pupils were also told about the Alton Towers trip which is taking place before the Easter Holidays. I would be delighted to join many pupils from St Bernadette House on the trip. So far this year pupils in our house have accrued 5811 achievement points which is fantastic! Well done to all and keep up with your wonderful efforts! Form 3BL are currently in the lead with 978 achievement points. Mrs Robinson is delighted! The top 5 achievers in our house so far this year are Emily Hesketh, Justine Akenuwa, Kieran Anderson, Sofia Eyres and Niamh Mulhall. Form tutors and I are delighted with your hard work and being a role model to others. Mrs Sidebottom
Form 4T continue to make progress both inside and outside of school. All 5 year 11 pupils did well in their mock exams and have their applications in for college. They all know what they want to do next year and what they need to do in terms of GCSE grades to get onto their first choice courses. Congratulations to Kiera Lindsay and Jack Pickup who both won prizes at the recent presentation evening. Martin McDonough continues to make great progress with his dance activities outside of school in the areas of street, ballet and tap. He recently won an award gaining 94% in an IDTA examination which is an outstanding achievement. Erin Wilson continues with her flying lessons at Barton but has been scuppered recently by a large amount of poor non- flyable weather. Her flying instructor has told me that she is making very good progress. Ellis Shaw and Louis Allen are working hard in a morning to improve their maths and English grades further. Finally Darcie- Lea Cassidy continues to enjoy playing Rugby for her local team. Mrs. Robb St. Benedict of Nursia st. benedict of nursia It’s been a fantastic start of the year for the St Benedict of Nursia house! There are so many examples of our students who are living the St. Ambrose Way. They exceed expectations each and every day. It’s their impact that helps to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for both staff and students. That is what makes St Ambrose Barlow such a special place to work.
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Below are just some of those pupils:
St news st.Michaels michael theHouse archangel
Rumena   Govedarova 3BN Edwin Vivish 1BN Bobbie Smith 6BN Matilda Knight 1BN Mia Oakes 2BN Lucy Boyle 3BN Ruby Edwards 5BN Georgi Georgiev 4BN Ole Kerwin 3BN Sam Tomson 6BN
Form time has been busy with a focus an aspirations and achievements. The Year 11s have been going through their reports and this has inspired many of the pupils into thinking about their wishes and hopes for the future. It was one of the highlights of the school year on Wednesday night when the former Year 11 pupils and pupil’s achievements were celebrated. The two special mentions this week go to Oliver Starling 1M and Grace Clarke 6M who received the St Michaels awards for overall excellence.
Sam Thompson is part of a pilot group for the Bishop's Confirmation Award (Bronze, Silver, Gold). It's a bit like the Catholic "Duke of Edinburgh" scheme and leads to the Sacrament of Confirmation. Sam received his Bronze award from Bishop John at Wardley Hall on Saturday alongside 22 other children from schools across the Diocese of Salford. It was a really lovely event alongside 22 other children from schools across the Diocese of Salford. Keep up the good work Sam!
They are both truly inspirational member of the school community and we are delighted they are members of our house. They are polite and courteous to all members of the community. They strive to always do the best they can in every situation and grasp every opportunity Mrs. McGowan
Mr. Merriman St oscar Oscarromero Romero st. Olivia Brown of Form 1R writes: The highlight of this week was the 2019/2020 Annual Presentation Evening, which was held at Salford University. A great night where pupils, teachers and parents celebrated their successes. Pupils showcased their many talents with some great performances including Oracy/Embrace speeches, piano playing and singing. Many pupils throughout the school received Subject prize awards, as as Year 11s who received their GCSE awards. The Guest of Honour and presenter of the awards was Detective Superintendent Aaron Duggan who was also a pupil of St. Ambrose Barlow back in the 80s. Towards, the end of the evening, we had House awards, Memorial awards, Scholar's awards and many more. It was so fantastic to see someone from Oscar Romero house in every category. Well done to everyone! Miss Jackson
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Around the school This week
Beth opens Presentation Evening with a fantastic keyboard recital.
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Around the school This week
Ryan talks with wit and passion about happiness at Presentation Evening
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Around the school This week
Thirteen pupils for Hot Chocolate Friday talking pizza, Burns Night and much more.
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Around the school This week
Year 7 exploring Chromatography; Year 9 starting their I Am projects in Art; St. Charles’ Mini-Vinnies join us to sell their wares for Lourdes.
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calendar what’s on
Advance Notice
Governors’ Meeting, 5:00pm
TUE 28 Headteacher’s Surgery, 5:00pm
WED 29
THU 30
FRI 31 SAT 01
MON 27
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 27.01.20 week A
attendance We aim for 100% attendance for all of our students and have set 96% as satisfactory attendance for this year. Attendance is monitored period-by-period and statistics are published each week. Excellent attendance guarantees excellent learning. Attendance by year (w/b January 13th). Congratulations to form 1BN who achieved 100% attendance.
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
93.5% 94.2% 92.9% 94.3% 93.8% 93.9%
Attendance and its impact on learning 10 days absence means 95% attendance 19 days absence means 90% attendance 29 days absence means 85% attendance 38 days absence means 80% attendance 47 days absence means 75% attendance Please note: If your child is off school you need to contact student services the same day on 0161 921 1589/1551. If the school has not been contacted within five days, the absences will automatically be unauthorised. Ten unauthorised marks may lead to a fixed penalty notice being served. 9
TWEET OF THE WEek Amanda Swindells @buttonmoon1215
Amazing night@SABSalford presentation evening seeing my daughter and all leavers receiving their certificates etc. music department well standard has gone through the roof and oracy full marks @Bectully and @misshcjackson
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Parishes in our Catchment Area Holy Trinity, Worsley (formerly Christ the King; St. Edmund’s) Sunday Mass Times • 9:00am at Christ the King • 11:00am at St. Edmund’s Our Lady of Hope, Salford (formerly St. Luke’s; SS. Peter & Paul, Pendleton) Sunday Mass Times • 6:30pm (Sat vigil) at St. Luke’s • 9:30am at St. Luke’s • 8:00am at SS. Peter & Paul • 11:00am at SS. Peter & Paul St. Ambrose Barlow, Swinton & Pendlebury (formerly St. Mark’s, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, St. Charles Borromeo) Sunday Mass Times • 9:30am at St. Mark’s • 11:15am at St. Charles • 4:00pm at St. Mark’s
FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org 37 Ash Drive Swinton Salford M27 9QP 0161 921 1570 @SABSalford Headteacher: Ben Davis 11
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