Newsletter 19 July 2019
St Bede's Catholic Middle School (Academy)
Part of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Company
Part of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Company
19 Jul 2019
Dear Parents and Carers I hope this letters finds you well. It’s been a while since my last newsletter and I did point out that I felt that a weekly letter wasn’t a good use of my time given the feedback I have received from you. Believe me, I have not been inundated with requests to start writing again! Having said all that, I thought it would be timely to update you on a few significant changes for next year and a recap on the current position of the school. We continue to evidence outstanding achievement and progress for all groups of pupils, especially from entry in year 5 to exit in year 8. 99% of pupils make expected progress, with a large proportion making better than expected progress. Individuals that haven’t made that progress have had significant issues with health and/or attendance. In terms of attainment on exit, the picture is similarly very strong. Using nationally benchmarked tests pupils show that they perform well above the national mean in both English and Maths. 88% of our pupils leave at National Expectation or above in English, while 84% leave at National Expectation or above in maths. In science, pupils this year have performed roughly in line with national standards. Our pupils still have a broad and rich curriculum, supplemented by a wide range of extra-curricular activities – too numerous to mention. In RE, 91% of pupils are at National Expectation on exit from St Bede’s. The end of key stage 2 ( SATs) test that happens in the middle of our school years (year 6) shows that we continue to improve rapidly. Over the last 4 years, we have gone from being well below National Standard to consistently at and above. This year, 85% of our pupils achieved the Expected…
18 Jul 2019
18 July 2019 Welcome to this 24th update for the St Bede’s Mini Vinnies group. It has been a full and active year for the Mini Vinnies her in St Bede’s. As well as the joys of helping to make the sandwiches for the soup kitchen, the group have been united in their friendship and service as they have come together and have willingly given so much of their time in support of others. They have been true to the Mini Vinnies motto, which is “Turning Concern into action.” As a school community, we have been most generous during the Summer Term in providing many donations of toiletries and practical items for those brothers and sisters in need on the street. These items were collected and gratefully received last week, by two members from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish SVP Group. Here have been some of the highlights of this year’s Mini Vinnie Group 2018-2019. During this Academic Year the group made approximately over 4,000 sandwiches for the SVP soup kitchen in Birmingham City Centre. Meeting Bishop Robert Byrne in the Spring Term as he came in to visit the group as he had heard about their amazing work and sterling efforts. The Group showed him just how brilliantly they got on with the task in hand to create over 200 sandwiches that would be used later on for the Soup Kitchen and outreach. We enjoyed a special Mini Vinnies Thanksgiving Mass in the Summer Term. It was lovely to come together as a Group and give thanks to God for each other and for our Membership of the wider Society of St Vincent de Paul in the United Kingdom. Some of our Mini Vinnies in Year 7 received the Sacrament of Confirmation and continued to put the Gifts and…
18 Jul 2019
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Jesus said to the disciples, “You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31 This week, as we break up from school and as we begin our summer holidays these words from Jesus in the Gospel reading above are timely. For many of us the past school year has been pressured with the frenetic hustle and bustle of daily life. The juggling of work, family and other concerns can take its toll on us and we seek rest and refreshment for our bodies and souls. In order to go forward into whatever the future brings, the need to have time to pause and renew ourselves must become a priority. The gift of the summer holidays can be a source of great grace and help to us. We can use this time to see friends and family, to enjoy nature and spend time reflecting upon our lives. To consider not only where we have been, what we have achieved over the past year but also where we are going. This is something to reflect on not only in our working lives but our family life and spiritual life as well. Our holiday and rest times can also help us make the most of each day and enjoy all the blessings and benefits which the Lord in His generosity and love lavishes upon us. So, how will you decide to spend the holiday time which now stretches out before us? There are some ways we can renew ourselves spiritually as well as physically. We may choose to take up a new hobby or a sport. We may consider developing our skills and talents by enrolling in a course at college or university or volunteering with a charitable organisation. …
Library Reading data 5 -12 July 2019
15 Jul 2019
Please can school Library book/s be returned tomorrow. If a book is lost/missing, please replace with a good quality Quiz-able book of any title. If the book has already been returned, please ask the pupil to visit me in the Library so I can amend this on the computer. Kind regards, Mrs Keggans, Librarian
Clubs for the week ahead 15 – 19 July 2019
Arrangements for Year 8 Trip to Drayton Manor General – Register as normal with form teacher. Leave at 9.30am from school, arrival back at school 5.45-6pm. Bring packed lunch or money for lunch. Free school meals-let Mr Dickinson know by Monday morning if you want a lunch. Wear your own clothes but make sure they are sensible and appropriate. Sensible shoes, as will be doing a lot of walking. Medical – sun cream, inhalers, hay fever tablets, please remember to bring inhalers with you. Ensure you take hay fever tablets before you come. Bring any other medications, which you may need, i.e Epi pens. The weather is expected to be sunny and warm so do not forget your sun cream and hat. Safety – bring Mobile phones and input the school phone number on Tuesday morning, those without phones will have number written on sticker. You will be asked to give us your mobile phone number on Tuesday so that we can contact you in an emergency. Those without phones will be asked who they are spending the day with. You must stay in groups of 4 at all times and you are expected to check in with staff at the base between 1-2pm and have your name ticked off on the register. Obey the signs, some water rides are closed, be respectful of other park users – it will be busy with lots of other schools. If there is a problem, you can call the school mobile number and a teacher will come and find you, or you can come back to the base where there will be at least 4 members of staff at all times. Behaviour – You must behave in the way that we expect at St. Bede’s. If you have friends from other schools who…
Congratulations to our two winners, William Hall and Ian Hatton, who have scooped awards at this prestigious Awards ceremony, which featured Britain’s Got Talent winner ‘Lost Voice Guy.’ The awards are to honour inspiring winners and their stories: stories of incredible overcoming and remarkable resilience. People who go above and beyond to help or to progress – always in the face of challenge. William picked up the ‘Sensation Award’ for working incredibly hard to successfully increase his independence and mobility. Ian picked up the ‘Wonder Award’ for providing a level of support and care that is second to none, changing many pupils’ lives for the better. We are so proud of both our winners who were able to enjoy and celebrate the evening with their families. William’s philosophy on life despite his difficulties with cerebral palsy is particularly inspiring – ‘I have conquered the anxieties that I have had in the past and do not let my mind get carried away about the future, the future is what I make of it.’
11 Jul 2019
Due to unforeseen circumstances Fr Damian has given his apologies that he is unable to come into school tomorrow afternoon and celebrate Mass with the the Polish Community. Therefore the Polish Mass is cancelled.
11 Jul 2019
A huge congratulations to our Year 5 Rounders Team who put in a sterling performance last night at Ridgeway. The girls were in high spirits and really pulled together as a team. In the final game against local rivals, Woodfield, we seemed to lose our heads, and let a substantial lead go. Nevertheless, the decision was put down to rounders for and against, resulting in a tie with Birchensale. Looking forward to seeing what this team does in the future!
11 Jul 2019
12 July 2019 Welcome to this 23rd update for the St Bede’s Mini Vinnies group. Grateful thanks to all who have begun to bring in toiletries and bottled water for our brothers and sisters in need. We are still hoping for donations, however small and in particular men’s toiletries including shaving foam and shower gels. Here is a reminder of the items, which will be gratefully received and much appreciated by the SVP. Any donations of the following items: Small Bottled water or 500/600ml sized bottles Male and female deodorants – sprays and roll-ons Male shower gel and shaving foam Sunscreen/lotion/sunblock/ – cream or sprays Wetwipes/Baby wipes/moist tissues Donated water, sunscreen/lotion and deodorants can be brought into school and handed in either to Reception and placed in the red collection box or passed on directly to Miss Downes. The closing date this term for items to be received here in school next week will be Wednesday, 17 July 2019. May the Lord bless you for your kindness and generosity to those in most need in our locality. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” Jesus. Matthew 25:40 Today has been the final time this academic Year that the Mini Vinnies made the sandwiches at lunchtime for the homeless before we break up for the Summer. We look forward to next Academic Year when we shall be recruiting new Mini Vinnies from Year 7. We also look forward to continuing our much needed outreach work to help the Soup Kitchen run in Birmingham City Centre providing nutritious food for those in most need on the 2nd Friday and 4th Tuesday of each month. Thanks so much for all the practical and spiritual support that you provide for the Mini Vinnies…
11 Jul 2019
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time This coming Sunday will be the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and it is also known as ‘Sea Sunday’. Each year, the Church dedicates a special day of prayer and the work of the Apostleship of the Sea. The Apostleship of the Sea supports financially and pastorally seafarers and their families and on this Sunday, their work and ministry around the world is celebrated. We are an island nation and the bulk of all our imports tends to be brought to us by the sea and our exports also go out of our country the same way. This weekend, you might like to reflect on how many of the things you own in your home come from overseas and may well have been brought to you by those who work at sea. Look in your fridge and cupboard for instance and see how many ‘exotic’ foods you eat each day and each week that has come far and wide and has been brought to the UK from overseas. Behind every item there is an unknown and unseen face; the person who has provided those resources to you through the sea trade routes from across the globe. This week, let us pray for all those who work at sea, either through fishing and transporting cargo all around the world. Let us remember all those who work in dangerous situations at sea with stormy weather and threatening conditions isolated in the middle of the oceans and are away from the families for months at a time. Let us pray for those who minister to them and their families as Priest and Lay Chaplains. The work of the Apostleship of the Sea is important as they provide seafarers and their families with the much needed support they require…
11 Jul 2019
Music Tuition Please clear any arrears before end of school tomorrow.
11 Jul 2019
Panto Trip 2019
8 Jul 2019
May I all remind pupils that they need to hand in any athletics vests they have at home back to Mr Stenning personally ASAP! Any not brought back by the end of term will be charged for.
Clubs for the week ahead 08 – 12 July 2019
4 Jul 2019
Recent Ordinations of Deacons in Birmingham. Since the beginning of the Year of prayer and reflection for the Renewal of Priestly Life within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, at the beginning of June 2018, we have been regularly updating you about this special year with its focus on all Vocations and States of Life but particularly to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Last Saturday, 29 June, was a very special occasion with those who are Candidates to the Priesthood and the Diaconate being ordained as Deacons as part of the next step on their Priestly Formation by His Grace Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham. Amongst the Candidates who were being Ordained as Deacon as part of the final stages of their formation last weekend as they prepare to be Ordained as Priests next year were Sean, Dan and Benedict. These Seminarians have visited us here in St Bede’s School over the past couple of years and they had spent some time with our Year 6, 7 and 8 pupils during RE Lessons. When they visited us, they willingly shared their time and spoke about their own journeys of faith and they encouraged pupils and Staff to ask the Lord to show them their own Vocation and path on life’s journey. We wish Sean, Dan and Benedict well in their Ministry, and may our prayers go with them. May the Holy Spirit bless and guide them now and in the years to come as He inspires them in His work and service for the Kingdom of God. Ad multos annos. May we as a school community continue to keep all our Archdiocese of Birmingham Seminarians in our prayers and remember them as they continue with their studies and their ongoing formation. St Bede, pray for them. Glory be to the Father,…
4 Jul 2019
14th Week in Ordinary Time 2019 Jesus began to send them out. The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of Him, in pairs, to all the towns and places He Himself was to visit. He said to them, “Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals.” Luke 10:1.3 The verses from this Sunday’s Gospel makes hard reading. It’s a seemingly impossible task that Jesus sets before the Disciples who are commissioned to go out and proclaim the good news of the kingdom. How are they to live? They have the task but apparently not the resources. Or so it seems… What Jesus is trying to tell them and us, who are His modern-day Disciples, is that the work we undertake is the Lord’s and He will provide for us so that our needs will be met – in full. To anyone who chooses and does God’s work, diligently seeking to follow the Lord in everything, Jesus promises they will have enough food, shelter and money to support them as they go. Not taking what they think they might need for the journey allows them to cultivate an attitude of detachment so that the focus will be upon the task in hand and they aren’t worried about anything else. They are to trust Jesus for everything which will ensure the success of the mission. As the Lord calls us, He also makes sure we are equipped to go – that we have everything that we need. Whatever work we are called to do, we are empowered to do this if we constantly seek God’s Face and ask for His help day by day. Our trusting fully in the Lord brings glory to His Name and…
4 Jul 2019
5 July 2019 Welcome to this 22nd update for the St Bede’s Mini Vinnies group. Grateful thanks to all who have begun to bring in toiletries and bottled water for our brothers and sisters in need. We are still hoping for donations, however small and in particular men’s toiletries including shaving foam and shower gels. Here is a reminder of the items, which will be gratefully received and much appreciated by the SVP. Any donations of the following items: Small Bottled water or 500/600ml sized bottles Male and female deodorants – sprays and roll-ons Male shower gel and shaving foam Sunscreen/lotion/sunblock/ – cream or sprays Wetwipes/Baby wipes/moist tissues Donated water, sunscreen/lotion and deodorants can be brought, either to Reception and placed in the red collection box or passed on directly to Miss Downes here in school by Wednesday, 17 July 2019. May the Lord bless you for your kindness and generosity to those in most need in our locality. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” Jesus. Matthew 25:40 Next Friday, 12 July, will be the final time this academic Year that the Mini Vinnies will be making the sandwiches at lunchtime for the homeless before we break up for the Summer. Since September 2018, right up to this current month, it is estimated that we have successfully made over 4.000 sandwiches which have gone directly to those in most need in our locality. Thanks so much for all the practical and spiritual support that you provide for the Mini Vinnies to continue their sterling work and service in our local community. Please continue to pray for the group as we keep going in the Lord’s service supporting our brothers and sisters in need. Please pray for all who faithfully…
3 Jul 2019
Our next Parent Support Group will be on Thursday 4 July, 6pm at Saint Augustine’s High School. The focus will be on E-Safety – Keeping our Children Safe Online. We will be covering online safety for all age ranges. If you would like to find out more about the Parent Support Group, please visit the website below: www.psglourdesmac.co.uk All parents/carers are welcome to attend.
Due to unforeseen circumstances Fr Damian has given his apologies that he is unable to come into school tomorrow afternoon and celebrate Mass with the the Polish Community. Therefore the Polish Mass is cancelled. A special Mass has been arranged in St Bede’s School for all pupils and their families who are Polish or who have Polish ancestry on Friday 12th July beginning at 2.15pm in the Chapel/School Hall. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be available after Mass. A donation to the Great Orchestra Christmas Charity will be made from any gratuities received in appreciation of the refreshments. Specjalna Msza Święta zostanie odprawiona przez Księdza Damiana dla uczniów ich rodzin w piątek 12 lipca o godzinie 14:15 w kaplicy katolickiej szkoły St Bede’s. Po Mszy Świętej będą serwowane drobne przekąski. Dobrowolna ofiara będzie zbierana na Wielką Orkiestrę Świątecznej Pomocy po zakończeniu Mszy Świętej jako wyraz podziękowania za przekąski. Wszystkich serdecznie zapraszamy.
3 Jul 2019
On Tuesday, St Bede’s took 40 pupils to represent Redditch in the Worcestershire School Games, competing in Boccia, Swimming, and Athletics. These 3 teams had already won the District Round, which meant the standard would be high! The swimmers did really well, especially with us having Year 5’s competing against Year 6’s! The KS2 team finished 4th overal,l but only missed out on 3rd place by a couple of points! Well done to Owen, Oliver, Mikey, George, Liam, Hayden, Ellie, Grace, Frankie, Niamh, Victoria, Amelie and Ruby for all their hard work and to Mr Roberts for coaching them! The KS3 Boccia team, led by Miss Stewart, were really up for the competition. Narrowly losing their first game, they then fought bravely, winning all their remaining games. This meant that they won the event and claimed the Gold medal! A huge congratulations to Nathan, Mason, Tayibah and Sam for their achievement! We also then had Year 7 and Year 8 Super 6 athletic teams competing at the Ryland centre. Led by Mr Stenning, pupils were eager to show what they were made of against the best teams in the county. The Year 7’s did really well and managed to finish 2nd overall!! Well done to James, Rio, Lewis, Riley, George, Preston, Hallie, Danni, Olivia, Julia, Eden and Poppy for all their efforts, they deserved the Silver and hopefully next year they can improve. The Year 8 Super 6 team, again, did their absolute best and manged to win the competition! Picking up the Gold medal is a real credit to their hard work and commitment to athletics this year and really does prove that practice makes perfect! Well done to Santos, Tom, Stan, Reuben, Fin, Tom, Lucy, Aoibhe, Carmena, Mia, Evah and Eleanor for all their hard work!
2 Jul 2019
The Engineering Development Trust (who run Go4SET) have shared the news that St Bede’s boys’ team came 2nd out of 80 teams in the Innovative Design section of the competition, which is great in itself, but more so because they were at least a year younger than the other teams in the competition. Congratulations to: Sion, Colin, Ronan, David, Finley and Oscar who worked incredibly hard over 35 hours.
2 Jul 2019
This morning, 60 pupils were chosen to take part in a live Q&A,, hosted by Shell and Rachel Riley, about careers in STEM. Three of our pupils had questions read out and answered by the panel. An exciting opportunity for the pupil’s to explore how they could enter a career in STEM, as well as the opportunities that are out there for them.
2 Jul 2019
Pupils are to bring their own reading books from home into school from Monday 1 July until the end of term. All Library books are to be handed in from today please.
1 Jul 2019
We need to confirm numbers with PGL for the trip to France 2020. If you wish your child to go on this trip, please sign up and pay your deposit by tomorrow (Tuesday 2 July 2019). Any issues, please email finance@st-bedes.worcs.sch.uk
1 Jul 2019
On Friday, our Year 5 boys entered the District Cricket Competition. The lads were very excited on the way and had to work hard to control their emotions and to focus during the games when in the field. The boys played some really good stuff and managed to win 3 out of 5 matches. The final game, against Walkwood, was very close and decided whether it came down to a three way tie or not. Unfortunately, St Bede’s lost a close game by 3 runs to finish 3rd overall, which they were disappointed about. There was some really good batting and bowling shown from the lads and we look forward to their potential moving forward into Year 6. Well done to Billy, Adeeb, Arsalan, Abdul, David, Ayomide, Warren and Fin for all their efforts on the field!
Clubs for the week ahead 01 – 05 July 2019
Library data Friday 21st – Thursday 27th June 2019
28 Jun 2019
If parents of any Year 8 leavers would like to donate blazers or ties once their children have left St Bede’s, please hand them in at Reception. Thanks very much.
27 Jun 2019
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose of earth shall be considered loosed in heaven. ” Matthew 16:18-19 JB “Paul a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle and specially chosen to preach the good news.” Romans 1:1 JB On Sunday, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. They are known as the ‘Princes of the Apostles’ from whom we have received our Christian faith. Peter for his profession of faith in acknowledging Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Messiah and Paul following his dramatic Damascene conversion became the greatest missionary of the Church as he went all over the then known world as a passionate and loving preacher and teacher. He spoke powerfully from first hand experience of how he had met Jesus and how Jesus had changed him. Paul encouraged everyone he met with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Both apostles underwent a dramatic life change and with this came a change of name as well. Simon was known later as Peter after having denied that the ever knew Jesus three times during the passion. However, after the Resurrection of Jesus, Peter was given the chance to repent and begin again by saying three times that he loved Jesus. Saul became Paul and went from being a staunch Jew who sought nothing other than to search out and put to death anyone who professed the new faith of being a believer in Jesus to being himself imprisoned, flogged, beaten, shipwrecked and finally martyred for his…
27 Jun 2019
! would like to thank to all the Year 6 and 7 pupilswho have already applied to be a Language Ambassador for next September. Due to the Liddington trip, I have decided to extend the application for all Year 6 and 7 students to Friday 5 July. The letter of application needs to be handed in to Mrs Bourne (Room 11) by this date. Bonne Chance!
26 Jun 2019
Due to the unprecedented uptake on the school residential trips for next year, we are pleased to advise that we have managed to secure further places for all of the trips. Anybody who had requested to be put on the waiting list has already been notified and the places are now available for general booking on ParentPay. Please be advised that all residential trips are operated on a first come, first served basis. If the places fill up again, we will return to holding a waiting list.
