

FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 4 Issue 25 May 10th, 2019
getting it right ready respectful safe
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ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM
“
Head’s start .
Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. Sometimes it is the smallest of things that makes
an impression on your day. On duty this week I It isentertained about this time year of that I meet but with have been by aofgroup earnest, each Head of Department to review the enthusiastic Year 11 boys who have spent their summer’s exam to results. This involves lunch times attempting throw an American plenty of useful and thought-provoking football through a mis-shaped basketball hoop. discussion, it is of usually talking about It was Mr. Lavin, thebut Head Maths, who spotted numbers and letters. Behind this data are this first.
stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what they liked and what they achieved. We It is surprisingly difficult to achieve the aim that always focus on how things can be boys had in mind, but this did not seem to deter improved as well as celebrating what went them. For this group, who seem to spend most well. As a Catholic school, exam results are of their time focusing on the impending exams, a just one way of expressing the unique, Godfew minutes of this single activity was a release, a given talents and skills of each pupil. It is bit of a laugh before getting back to lessons. I important to look beyond the data so I am should add that on Thursday one of them nearly delighted that much more of my job involves achieved their aim.
being in classes, walking around the school and talking to pupils, students and staff. Then there are the little celebrations that make moments in the week glow with a little extra If ever you are feeling at all despondent or warmth. One such moment was being presented fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school with a laptop and asked to listen to a musical would quickly raise your spirits. Let me composition from a Year 11 GCSE Music pupil. show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, The piece of music that I then heard was of September 29th) for instance, I dropped into extraordinary quality: every line, every instrument Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was played a recorded by the young person and then delighted to listen to performances of mixed using special software.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back the River and When the Saints Go Marching I could also Year Englishand work that In. I mention also got the to sit with7 Daniel Chester was leftas onthey my desk to admire. The pupils had demonstrated their prodigious DJing createdtalents. sophisticated diary entries that Next, during lunch, imagining I supervised the they lived in Victorian Britain, full of detailed and canteen and made a point of watching the powerfulinteractions vocabulary: young showing thatand that takepeople place daily. Pupils they have great skill in crafting artistry with staff holding doors open for one another, words. offering
thanks, little moments of personal appreciation and gratitude. Of course, Later this weekdon’t sawalways anothergofootballing victory but for it things well in a school, the school, this time from Year 8. What was is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from lovely was watching theofteam members next a Year 9 to one the lunch time the staff, or day walking that little bit, celebrating their see one pupil help another who is unsure achievement moved whereas to they go for class.around the school. And then sometimes what makes your day is a silly, amusing little vignette.
a lengthy chat with In Sixth Form, I enjoyed Aidan who explained both the theory of Walkingdifferentiation down the corridor after break commercial I’m still and its potential wearingapplication. my (tasteful)Inorange hi-vis. Two in English they were girls studying Year 9 are returning from running an errand for the play Blood Brothers and talking witha teacher humour when one to ask, about with genuine andstops excitement superstitions; puzzlement, “Sir, why are you always wearing in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new that orange thingy inside? and Is itexploring so that you mission statement thedon’t get run personal over?” Cue giggleswithin at myit.expense. meanings School is a busy, bustling, humming place. Sometimes the little moments are powerful and moving, such as the email received from a carer
thanking the staff for yet again going above and I get toto Maths to find all of Yearchild 9 embroiled beyond support a vulnerable or in a task that is so challenging and witnessing the tears of remorse fromexciting a youngster thatknows I want they’ve to stay and have a go myself. who made a mistake, yearns to Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? put it right and does so with the care and support you open my bottle? What did you ofCan an adult.
think of last night’s game? What time is it, Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my days!” It can be noisy at times and in a community this size we can’t expect everyone to get on with each other all the time. But it is our community, and a lively, lovely, positive one at that.
these are the little celebrations that make moments in the week glow with a little extra warmth. they are the daily practice ofhighlight hope of my week, if I Perhaps the single
had to pick, would be the conversation I had with Mrs. Fay who is leading the Alldevelopment of these moments (andlibrary. all haveI happened, of our new am a and more, in this one short working library enthusiast and haveweek) beenmake ever since inI this school such a privilege and such a joy.
was little. The furthest reach of my memory is back to moments spent in our Consider this:entranced those Yearby11 with the funnylocal library itsboys colour and shaped ball and the basketball hoop are facing bright possibilities. On Twitter 30#RememberingMyLibrary exam papers in the nextreveals six weeks, more the hold than their parents sat. They know the importance that such an institution has: ‘A library card of the exams aretonearly upon them, they also was a freethat pass wonderment, words and know its about more than exams, but they still the ability to roam the world’ observes one take thewhilst time another to enjoyquotes their friendship withiron one user, the wrought another, a little moment of light relief. This gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, is the daily practice of hope.Digest.’ As Jean Vanier (who Learn and Inwardly Others talk of died this week) said, “a community is created when its the escape that a library represented or of members live each day with new hope, like the refuge it offered from an unkind world. children, in wonderment.”
Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully Our schoolthe community, likewe soare many others, is a stacking shelves and inching place of learning, but more importantly a place closer to opening. What thrilled me was her where relationships (more than rules, routines, comment that several boys, some of whom the traditional stuff of takeelectrified pride of place. affect a dislike ofschooling) reading, were by These moments, which we celebrate presence of a library in their school: each ‘You week inmean this newsletter arethis a vital glue, hope, I can borrow and, like,the read it, that holds the community together and they a Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of provide one rich seam of learning and growth for our young pupil. Our library is at the heart of the people. the adults, should school: We, a space for being openbe to open and to learning just as much ourselves. Now where’s sharing ideas and experiences. It is openthat hi-vis...
plan and its shelves serve as a reminder that there should be no barrier to anyone God bless, using its volumes or seeking knowledge, solace, entertainment or information. I can’t Ben waitDavis to see it come to life in the weeks Headteacher ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of Twitter: @BenDavis1972 helpers.
Front image: Year 13s after their Leavers’ Bencover Davis, Headteacher Assembly with their National Baccalaureate Twitter: @BenDavis1972 certificates 2
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calendar what’s on
HOUSE POINTS
Advance Notice Leavers’ Mass for Year 11, Thursday, May 23rd, St. Luke’s Church
Year 10 Parents’ Evening, 5:00pm
Parent Council Meeting, 6:15pm
TUE 14
WED 15
THU 16
This Week
This Year
St Benedict of Nursia
115
8554
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
107
8181
St. Francis of Assisi
194
8817
St. Michael the Archangel
132
8614
Saint Oscar Romero
116
8703
St. Teresa of Calcutta
83
8322
FRI 17 SAT 18
MON 13
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 13.05.19 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 May 6th)
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
95.6% 94.9% 94.6% 94.7% 92.5% 94.5%
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
Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster Challenge; Below: 6th formers at the Teenage Cancer3 Trust fundraiser
AROUND THE SCHOOL THIS WEEK 

Saying goodbye to Year 13 as they go off on study leave. Good luck everyone.
4 Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster Challenge;
AROUND THE SCHOOL THIS WEEK  
Top: The Year 8 football team celebrating another success as Salford Champions. Bottom: participating at the Inclusive Cricket Festival
Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster Challenge; Below: 6th formers at the Teenage Cancer5 Trust fundraiser
AROUND THE SCHOOL THIS WEEK  
Meghan Top: atHamer the Siemens at the Rollercoaster Do The RightChallenge; Thing Awards Below:on 6th Thursday formers at evening the Teenage celebrating Cancer6 herTrust achievements fundraiser with the Mayor.
AROUND THE SCHOOL THIS WEEK
Below are the Parent Survey comments from the recent Year 9 Parents’ Evening. We received 36 surveys, a completion rate of 17%, much higher than the national rate of 4.5%. The numbers below in brackets are the latest national data for comparison. We are delighted to have received such positive feedback.
Agree %
Disagree
1 My child is happy at this school.
97 (91)
3 (9)
2 My child feels safe at this school.
97 (93)
3 (7)
3 My child makes good progress at this school.
100 (88)
0 (12)
4 My child is well looked after at this school.
100 (90)
0 (10)
5 My child is taught well at this school.
100 (88)
0 (12)
6 My child receives appropriate homework for their age.
86 (83)
14 (17)
7 This school makes sure 86 (85) its pupils are well behaved.
14 (15)
8 This school deals effectively with bullying.
78 (66)
8 (12)
9 This school is well led and managed
97 (83)
3 (17)
10 This school responds well to any concerns I raise.
92 (80)
8 (20)
11 I receive valuable information from the school about my child’s progress.
92 (84)
8 (16)
12 Would you recommend this school to another parents?
83 (86)
(3) 14
Don’t know / Not applicable.
14 (22)
14 (-)
Free Text Comments received on the night: • Thank you for the support and care for my daughter and the progress she has made.
• My daughter has learning difficulties and this school is exceptional at communicating and dealing with her
• difficulties
• Very happy with the school, progress made and information given.
• This school is a very good school.
• Thank you to all the staff and senior leaders for all your hard work. God bless.
• Cannot fault anything. Support received has been amazing – thank you.
• This is an excellent school.
• Great organisation tonight, all done within the hour and hardly any queues. Thanks to all the staff and the pupils who greeted us.
• With the school being larger, I don’t think it is as strict. There is not as much control over pupils.
• Too many naughty pupils. My daughter talks about disruptive pupils in her classes which needs tackling 7
TWEET OF THE WEek More
Janine and Gemma Inspire 4 SAB @SABAltProv
Good luck in your exams year 11, we love you and believe in you G&J
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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 9