FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 5 Issue 10, 11 & 12 November 29th, 2019
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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. Well, it’s been rather longer than expected It is about this timeThe of year I meet since our last newsletter. onlythat reason for with each Head of Department to review the this has been a change to our online provider’s summer’s exam results. This involves platform. If nothing else the results is at least a bumperplenty editionofofuseful newsand andthought-provoking pictures and plenty discussion, but it to celebrate in school. is usually talking about numbers and letters. Behind this data are stories: howweeks pupils we did,have how seen they felt, Over the last three Yearwhat they liked and what they achieved. 11 complete their mocks and their mock We always interviews (howfocus goodon didhow theythings look!);can a be improved as well as celebrating multitude of trips and visits; a number ofwhat went As a Catholic school, in exam results sportingwell. successes, most recently Futsal; a are just one way of expressing the unique, Godvisit to the school by pop sensation (yes, I given talents and skills of each pupil. It really did use that phrase) Roadtrip; a visit to is important to look the data I am the Coronation Street setbeyond that nearly brokesothe delighted that much more of my job involves internet; and a stack of other great things besides.being in classes, walking around the school and talking to pupils, students and staff. For me two of the highlights have been If ever at all despondent assemblies ledyou by are stafffeeling and pupils. Mrs Tulloch or fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school took the helm for a week of assemblies on the would quickly raise your spirits. Let theme of ‘eloquent and truthful’ which took me you what I Week. mean. The Today (Thursday, place inshow Remembrance following September 29th) for instance, I dropped into week saw forms explore creativity in many Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was ways with our Mission statement theme of delighted to listen to performances of ‘creativity everywhere.’ Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back River and When the Saints Go Marching In both the cases staff and pupils were treated to In. I also got to sit with Daniel and thoughtful and challenging insights. Mrs. Chester they demonstrated their prodigious DJing Tulloch as reminded us of the dangers of eloquent talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised speech that does not tell the truth and in doing the canteen andtomade a point of watching the so made reference the rise of fascism in interactions that take place daily. Pupils and Germany and the outbreak of the Second staff holding doors open for one another, World War. Last week, Mrs. Chalk’s form led offering thanks, little moments of personal an entertaining and interactive assembly that appreciation and gratitude. Of course, brought to life the creativity of pupils and things always well in their a school, challenged thedon’t audience togo consider own but it is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from skills in this regard. a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or help another who We aresee nowone intopupil the eighth week of ouris unsure where to go for class. exploration of The Ambrose Way. The theme this week has been ‘faith-filled and hopeful’, Sixth Form,and I enjoyed a lengthy chat with certainlyInchallenging sometimes remote Aidan who explained both the theory of sentiments in these times. We are surrounded differentiation and its potential commercial by multiple reasons to give up hope in others, application. Insome English they were to abandon faith, and of these are studying the play Blood Brothers and talking with persuasive and even seductive. humour and excitement about superstitions; in Year 7 RE were(or dissecting new However, working in they a school indeed inour any mission statement and exploring the setting with young people) challenges that personal meanings within it. hope School is a viewpoint strongly. It is hard not to when 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 to stay and a go myself. the young are around; it is have a bit easier to Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen tie? embrace faith and shed doubt when my there are Can you open my bottle? What did you youthful voices and the clamour of vivid debate of last in night’s game? What time is it, and think discussion our school. Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my days!” It can be noisy times and It fascinates me that youngatpeople can in beaso community this size we can’t expect demonised, so readily mocked (parents and everyone to get on withJayne each other all the carers I recommend Sarah Blakemore’s time. But it is our community, and a lively, talk on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch? lovely, positive one at that. v=yQXhFa8dRCI) and yet unavoidably carry the hopes of future with them. Can we afford Perhaps theyoung singleinhighlight of my to address our such ways andweek, still if I had to pick, would be the conversation I had expect them to feel responsible for our futures with Mrs. Fay who is leading the as well as theirs? development of our new library. I am a 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 I was blessed witness of our pupils one the ability to roam thefour world’ observes speak to governors about their work as pupiliron user, whilst another quotes the wrought leaders in of ourStalybridge school thelibrary, other day. The event gates ‘Read, Mark, wasLearn all theand more significant for taking place Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk on of International Children’s Day. represented Hearing those the escape that a library or of pupils with itgenuine and without thetalk refuge offered eloquence from an unkind world. inhibition about the leadership work that motivates them andlast theirSaturday experience of our Mrs. Fay spent peacefully school was thoroughly uplifting. stacking the shelves and we are inching closer to opening. What thrilled me was her Nextcomment week is International Human Rights Week that several boys, some of whom and affect our assemblies led by were the Pupil a dislike ofare reading, electrified by Council who are our school: development presence of afocusing library inontheir ‘You as amean rightsI respecting I have everyit, can borrowschool. this and, like, read faithMiss?’ that they with eloquence, that waswill thespeak breathless utterance of one theypupil. will articulate truths and they Our library is at thethat heart of will the be beacons of hope. school: a space for being open to and sharing ideas and experiences. It is openGodplan Bless,
and its shelves serve as a reminder that there should be no barrier to anyone Benusing Davisits volumes or seeking knowledge, Headteacher solace, entertainment or information. I can’t Twitter: wait@BenDavis1972 to see it come to life in the weeks ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of Front cover image: helpers.
Working in a school it is hard not to have hope when there are youthful voices and ideas around you all day
Ben Davis, Headteacher Twitter: @BenDavis1972 2
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The Ambrose Way This Week
Each week, through form and assemblies, and using prayer and reflection, we focus on a pair of virtues from The Ambrose Way as well as a skill. The details can be found in your child’s booklet. Over the last few weeks we have focused first on being Grateful and Generous, Compassionate and Loving, Attentive and Discerning, Learned and Wise & Eloquent and Truthful.
the ambrose
The focus this week was on the virtues of being faith-filled and hopeful. Please take some time to read though the Ambrose Way booklet with your child and discuss these virtues. A St. Ambrose Barlow pupil is growing to Name: be faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future. Aspiration/ Personal Goal or Ambition:
I am Ambrose when, recognising I am part of God’s plan, I am outward looking and have a sense of purpose about my learning instead of avoiding opportunities to challenge myself or stretch my learning. This covers the following habits for learning and life: exploring, showing ambition, commitment We have faith in those who are closest to us – our family and friends. This faith grows and deepens over time and as our relationships are tested, sometimes knocked and rebuilt with forgiveness, so they become stronger and more resilient. We need to have faith in ourselves – that appropriate self- confidence and modest self-esteem which reflect a realistic self-knowledge of the good and not-so-good in us. Faith in ourselves is about integrity. We should also have faith in the communities to which we belong – our neighbourhood, parish, school, wider society, our country and the international family of all humanity. This faith grows only to the extent to which we engage in and contribute to the common good. It is about having a wider perspective than the just the narrow concerns of our daily lives. God invites us to have faith in him and in his son, Jesus Christ. This faith grows if we work at a relationship with God in prayer, by trying to live out the gospel values, and by being part of a community of faith. Teachers in a Catholic school have the responsibility of passing on the living faith story of Christianity handed down in the collective memory of God’s people. To be faith-filled is crucial to human wellbeing – faith in myself, my emotions and judgements; faith in others and their faith in me; faith in my family and the communities to which I belong; and, ultimately, faith in God. Faith cannot be taken for granted; it has to be revisited constantly and built up day by day. Hope is perhaps the most elusive of virtues. It grows out of faith and love – the stronger faith and love are, the stronger our hope will be. When we have strong faith and love today, we have hope for tomorrow. Hope enables us to trust ourselves and those around us with the decisions that will shape our future. Without hope we become insular, lacking in love, and ultimately despairing. Christianity teaches that God is a God of hope: his Christ walks before us, giving us the gifts (the graces) and courage we need to follow. Children learn to hope by seeing and hearing hope-filled adults. They learn not to be frightened to step out3 into the darkness of the unknown but to draw on their own character strengths, and of those around them, to face challenges with courage and resolve.
HOUSe News St. Bernadette of Lourdes st. benedict of nursia
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st. assisi St francis Francisofof Assisi House Miss McClave (form tutor) writes: I would like to congratulate Molly, Lucy and Olivia for their commitment and conduct during the past two weeks during the mock exams, all 3 girls demonstrated a brilliant attitude, they were busy making the most of form times to do some final revision preparation and supported each other through what could’ve been a stressful 2 weeks. I look forward to celebrating your successes with you when you get your results back. The girls in Year 11 have got their CVs to write and mock interview to prepare for this week, good luck! Year 7s in 3F have come back after half term and continued their excellent start, between the 5 of them (Hannah, Georgia, Nathan, Sean and Louis) they have received 0 behaviour points and 142 achievement points this year, an incredible accomplishment. They are exhibiting the values and attitudes we expect to see of all pupils and putting the Ambrose Way into practice. Jaylan McCaffery continues to play a key role in the Year 9 football and rugby team, and Sean and Louis (Year 7) are playing for the football and rugby team. It is great to see them getting involved and representing the school! Mr. Cassidy (form tutor) writes: It is an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be the form tutor for 4 Francis. Our 20 minutes of formtime in the morning is barely enough time for all the praise and celebration these outstanding students deserve. In school, we have one of the best forms of the school in terms of attendance. Seventeen of the students in this form still have 100% attendance, which is testament to their commitment to learning. We also have some extraordinary individual
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achievements to celebrate. Phoebe Hutchinson has accrued 45 achievement points already this year, in barely half a term. If Phoebe can keep up that ratio she’ll end up with nearly 300 for the year! She has many other students in this wonderful form not far behind though – Kai Vevers and Hannah Carr currently at the front of the chasing pack, well into the 30-somethings in achievement points. The excellence of my form continues outside of school hours too. There are some future sporting greats – Louis McLoughlin has been on the books of Manchester United, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Rochdale, Perry Ayisi is currently representing Salford at football, and our form knows how to look after itself as well with boxers Liam Peers and Evie Quinn! There is a great deal of musical and dancing talent too. It is an honour to call myself the form teacher for 4 Francis, and they put me in the right frame of mind every morning with their outstanding attitude to school! Mr Stephenson St. Bernadette of Lourdes St. Bernadette of Lourdes Miss Fishwick, form tutor, writes: With Remembrance Day at the forefront of our minds this week it has been a time of reflection for St Ambrose Barlow. It was amazing to see so many students wearing poppies with pride. During form time we have reflected through prayers, the gospel and assemblies. 7BL have also taken time to think about what they are grateful for in their lives, something I think we should all make a conscious effort to do more often. It was wonderful to see the students engage with this activity and a pleasure to read what they had to say. Here are a few of their reflections: “I am grateful for all the soldiers who have risked their lives to protect us. Also I am thankful for all of 4
the everyday things I take for granted like my house, heating, food and my family and friends.” – Madison Egerton, Year 11
our form members. It is a real celebration in form when we go through the weekly achievement points and hold a raffle with a chocolatey prize.
“I am grateful for my dad.” – Flynn O’Brien, Year 7
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“I am grateful for my family and my friends. I am also grateful for the privilege to come to school every day.” – Fohunayo Adeyinka, Year 9
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“I am grateful for all the technology that we have.” – Ethan Watkin, Year 8 “I am grateful for clean food and water that is easily accessible.” – Christian Oparaocha, Year 7. To finish we would like to wish a very happy birthday to one of our year 7s, Emily Morrison, who turned 12 on Wednesday. Happy birthday, Emily! Mrs Sidebottom
St. calcutta St teresa Teresaofof Calcutta Mrs. Martindale, form tutor, writes: To begin, as a new member of staff to the school this academic year, I would like to thank 7T on giving me a really warm welcome to the school. I could not have asked for a more pleasant group to begin each day with. I would like to welcome Thomas, Joshua, Ryan, Brooke and Mia to the School as our new year 7 students. They have settled in at St Ambrose Barlow fantastically well and are a credit to the school. Having moved into year 11, I would like to wish Yna, Fern, Mark and Kevin the best of luck with their GCSE examinations this year. They have all demonstrated a real focus and determination this year, and have prepared well for their mock interviews this week. Fern also recently competed in a badminton tournament representing St Ambrose, as part of a team of four, and the team came out on top! I would also like to wish Viktoria the best of luck with her Piano practice, as she is looking at completing her grade 3 Piano exam in 2020. I am very much looking forward to taking 7T through the academic year, seeing them progress and develop as individuals. This week 1T have also been thinking about the upcoming season of Advent as the start of the Church year. We have discussed the true meaning of Christmas and thought about what we can do to bring the joy of Christmas to those less fortunate. We have discussed how hard this time of year may be for some people and pupils have been encouraged to bring in donations for the charities we support as a school. We have also been celebrating our achievements as a form, we have the second highest achievement points in St Teresa house, closely behind 2T. It is lovely to see achievement points being awarded recognising the amazing qualities of
1BN have been working on this excerpt from our mission statement by looking at our vocabulary skills. We were surprised at what words we knew and are looking at how we can improve this. Learning new vocabulary is an excellent way to enhance our eloquence! We have also been looking at Remembrance Day and how it is important in the life of our country. Some of 1BN helped in selling poppies to help the work of the British Legion. We will soon be looking forward to Advent. There are several events that we want to prepare for. We will be collecting food items for Salford Loaves and Fishes who help the disadvantaged in our area. We will also be looking at World Gifts again. We managed to collect enough money for 20 goats at the end of last year. 1BN will be looking at what they would like to raise money for during Advent. Well done to Matilda Knight for 56 achievement points! Congratulations also to Goergie MurphyHolmes for achieving 47 points and Edwin Visish with 45 points. Well done also to the following pupils for 100% attendance Yaw Asamoah James Edwards Matilda Knight Kian McCarthy Igor Osarinmwian Sophie Rollinson Isabelle Saunders Oliver Williams
Mr. Merriman St Romero st.Oscar oscar romero There have been lots of exciting things happening in Oscar Romero House this week. Everyone is working on raising as much money for charity as possible: 7R have already nearly tripled their £10! Well done 7R. Keep up the hard work everyone thinking of innovative ways to raise money and support people who are in need. The Year 11 students have had their Mock interviews. Well done to everyone. Seeing you looking so smart made us so proud of you and we are excited for the fantastic futures ahead of you. I would just like to say a big thank you to all the form teachers in Oscar Romero. As always, they continue to work incredibly hard to support each and every person in their form. Each and every form teacher goes above and beyond. Treat them kindly, as they do you. We are all human, and we make the most progress when we all work together Miss Jackson St news st.Michaels michael theHouse archangel 5 The first half term has flown by with many highlights in St Michaels house. The 171 pupils in the house
have allowed the community feel of the house to continue to blossom as are the pupils. We have had some amazing individual and form successes. Examples of this can be seen with 2M receiving an early breakfast treat last term for all pupils having 100% attendance for a week. Year 11 pupils receiving excellent praise for their attitude, hard work and performance in the mock interviews this week. Some of our Year 7 pupils took part in an activity where they were asked about their first term at school and how they feel they have settled in. Many pupils have said that they enjoy a range of subjects. They feel challenged and like how the days are creative and different . They are enjoying the celebrations in form time of the successes of individuals in form. Star performers of the year so far in terms of receiving achievement points are : Mollie Stewart, Liam Figuarasin, Dawn Semukanya, Evan Hilton, Lindsey Morquem, Harvey Grant, Emily Warrington, Job Dengoue, Zoe Goba and Edward Lucas. Well done everyone. Mrs. McGowan Accelerated Reader Success This year we introduced a reading scheme across the school called Accelerated Reader. The scheme is overseen by Mr. Judge who reports that Isabel Enebli in Miss Cheadle’s Y8 class has become the first pupil to read a million words using Accelerated Reader. This is a pretty amazing achievement so early in the year. English Trip to Coronation Street The English department came pretty close to breaking our Twitter feed recently when they took a group of pupils to study scriptwriting at the Coronation Street set. Here they are (below) at the Rovers’ Return. Please note, no pints were pulled or consumed in the making of this picture,
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Around the school This week
Year 11 completed their Mock Interviews really well recently. Don’t they look smart!
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Around the school This week
Year 10 enjoyed a careers trip to the BBC focused on presentation skills.
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Around the school This week
Out and about in Manchester taking pictures for the GCSE course.
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Around the school This week Above: Celebrating success in the KS4 Badminton championships. Poppy, Leah, Jenny and Fern were crowned Salford champions. Below: The team at the Inclusive Sports Festival. Great morning playing:
Boccia Cricket Curling Basketball Volleyball Goalball
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Around the school This week
Top: we were delighted to welcome Roadtrip to perform at the school recently. Below: Mrs Chalk’s form presenting at the Creativity Assembly
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Around the school This week
Top: a great picture of our team at the Inclusive Sports Festival, well done to Amelia who won the Respect Award. Below: we are crowned Year 7 Salford Futsal Champions and will represent Salford at the Greater Manchester
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calendar what’s on
Advance Notice Christmas Fair, Sunday, December 8th, noon
Year 13 Parents’ & Carers’ Evening, 4:30 - 6 pm
TUE 03 School Holiday
WED 04
THU 05
FRI 06 SAT 07
MON 02
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 02.12.19 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 November 18th). Congratulations to form 1BN who achieved 100% attendance.
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
95.8% 94.9% 93.3% 92.8% 93.8% 94.2%
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. 13
TWEET OF THE WEek School Liaison TMC @SchoolsTeamTMC Nov 12th
A Brilliant day doing #mockinterviews with Year 11s at @SABSalford today. The students were well prepared and a credit to their school! Well done everybody #BeAmazingTMC
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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 15
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