DEAR PARENTS

 

A PRAYER FOR THE NEEDY OF THE WORLD

As we begin this day help us to become Christ to our neighbours; Help us to become generous in spirit.  Give us an active concern for the poor, the sick, the lonely and the enslaved.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

OUR NEXT PARISH MASS IS AT ST EDWARD'S TOMORROW EVENING

Everyone is most welcome to join us for our next Parish Mass which takes place at 6.00 pm tomorrow, Saturday 19 November at St Edward's Selly Park.  As always, we are sure of a warm welcome from Fr McGillicuddy and his parishioners for what is always a special celebration.  They are invariably positive occasions so we are hoping for a very good turnout from our former St Edward's students and their friends tomorrow.  Full report next week.

 

EXCELLENT MARTIN HOUSE MASS YESTERDAY

Mrs Foley was not convinced about the turquoise tie but I was proud to wear it yesterday as an honorary member of Martin House for their special Mass.  It was a lovely occasion on the theme of The Good Samaritan and a great deal of work had gone into preparing it.  Thanks to everyone involved and, of course, special thanks to an outstanding head of house in Miss Jordan.  I was delighted at the end to be able to pay particular tribute to a very special member of Martin House - Billie Jayne who was able to join us.  She continues to be an inspiration to us all.

 

AND WELL DONE TO JOHN PAUL HOUSE TOO

I couldn't be there last Thursday morning but I heard absolutely glowing tributes about the special celebration that took place as John Paul House celebrated their Mass too. Congratulations to everyone involved and a particular thank you to Ms Lockyear who worked tirelessly to make it such a success.

 

WELL DONE FISHER HOUSE AT THE VOLUNTARY MASS ON TUESDAY MORNING

We had a fantastic turnout of students from Fisher 5C and 6C at the voluntary Mass on Tuesday morning.  It was very moving as in the month of November we remembered all those who have gone before us.  And in particular we prayed for Aleena and Mrs Taylor who were undoubtedly with us in spirit.  A huge thank you to Miss Moran and Miss Samuel for all their work.  The students did them proud.  Well done everyone.

 

CAROLS AND READINGS - PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE

This year we will be holding our traditional evening of Carols and Readings one day earlier than published in the calendar. It will take place at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 14 December and, as ever, I am sure it will be a truly spiritual and fitting occasion.  Do try to come along and join us for refreshments afterwards as well.

 

TARGET SETTING DAY LAST FRIDAY

A big thank you to all the parents who joined us last Friday.  We had an excellent turnout of students and 68% of them had parents with them too which, on an ordinary working day, is quite fantastic.  The evaluations were overwhelmingly positive and we are in the process of considering some of the suggestions made for further improvement.  The key thing is that students (and parents) are very clear about the appropriate targets that they need to achieve over the rest of this school year.  In July we shall meet again with a view to seeing what progress has been made.  Thank you for your support.

 

A REMINDER ABOUT OUR PARENTS' FORUM "SAFETY" EVENING NEXT MONDAY

Last Thursday all parents should have received a flyer on the back of the Thursday Letter drawing your attention to a very important evening which takes place next Monday, 21 November at 7.00 pm.  Everyone is most welcome to join us (with your son or daughter) to find out about cyber bullying, support from the police, safer travel and much, much more.  Please join us if you can.

NON UNIFORM DAY TODAY

Hopefully, we will have raised a substantial amount of money today to support research into Motor Neurone Disease.  It's very important cause and I am sure our students and staff will have given generously.

 

YEAR 9 EDUCATION EVENING - THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER

This is an absolute must for every student in Year 9 and their parents.  As you know, they have now started on their GCSE courses and we have high hopes that by the time they come to the end of Year 11 in 2014 they will have stunning GCSE results.  Mrs Kelly, Deputy Headteacher, will tell us how we are going to get there! Watch this space.

 

YEAR 7 BCP MATHS CHALLENGE - A REPORT FROM MRS HENVEY

On Wednesday 9 November 2011, six of our most able Year 7 Mathematicians, attended the annual Birmingham Catholic Partnership Maths Challenge hosted in our very own school hall.  The students were Daisy Carter Bosco 2A; Justin Granada Martin 3B; Judyth Last Fisher 5C; Jared Mangco Romero 7D; Greg Tibbits Teresa 3B and Alinkia Torlinska Newman 6C.  The challenge was based around four well known gameshows and saw our students using their problem solving skills and logical thinking skills in addition to their Maths knowledge to work through a series of problems., The students were fully engaged in the activities and worked really effectively as a team, combining all of their individual skills to solve the problems that had been set.  I was very proud of their performance and of the way they rose to the challenge with such enthusiasm.  Thank you to all of the Maths Faculty for their help and support and particularly to Mr Hindley for the imaginative and exciting activities he created.  We are already looking forward to next year's event.

 

WORLD CHALLENGE UPDATE - A REPORT FROM MR ROBINSON

A huge well done to all the World Challengers on completing a very successful and enjoyable training expedition in Cannock Chase on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November. The expedition was designed to prepare the team for what life will be like in the jungles of Laos and Thailand next summer; from cooking and trekking to setting up hammocks and dealing with the torrential downpours!  While the weather wasn't quite tropical, everyone rose to the challenge superbly and the staff at Cannock were full of praise for the team.  Although still over eight months away the trip suddenly feels very real now.  The team was bag packing again at Sainsbury's, Selly Oak last weekend and organising a quiz night in the new year.  Watch this space.

 

IMPORTANT CHANGE OF DATE - THURSDAY 8 MARCH

I ask parents to note an important change of date in your diaries.  Our next Staff INSET Day was due to take place on Friday 9 March 2012.  In order to avoid hitting the Friday timetable unduly that day will now take place the day before on Thursday 8 March.

 

LAST WEEK'S QUIZ QUESTION

Lots of people were able to tell me that it was Joe Frazier, the iconic heavyweight boxer who fought Muhammad Ali three times, who sadly died recently.  Unfortunately, due to our ICT problems I am not able to tell you the name of the lucky £10 winner.  I'll publish the name next week.

 

THIS WEEK'S QUIZ QUESTION

The manager of the England Rugby Union team resigned this week.  Who is he?

 

AND FINALLY

Apologies for the ICT gremlins that have struck this week.  In nearly 700 issues this has been the most challenging to publish.  Well done Doris!

 

Yours sincerely

 

JIM FOLEY