DOUBLE JUNIOR NBA CHAMPS DOUBLE WOW!

29th April 2019Publicity Manager
Last week will go down in history in school as our fabulous young basketballers in Year 7 and Year 8 won the Junior NBA category.
Coach Onierti went on to explain:  “It was a journey that started back in September where the Year 7 and 8 basketball teams played their first Jr NBA games of the season. Both teams won their respective leagues, they then went on a successful playoff run seeing off the likes of Bishop Challoner, Oaks Park School and Chadwell Heath Academy to advance to the the final 4. 
St Bons had made it to the year 7 Jr NBA finals in 4 consecutive years, managing to win 2 and come third twice. This year makes it 5 in a row and looking for our 3rd title. The first game was against St. Thomas Moore who played under the NBA franchise (Toronto Raptors), a thrilling game that was mostly dominated by St Bon’s playing as
( Indiana Pacers). St Bon’s finished the game 41-18 victory and advanced to play against Holy Trinity (Dallas Mavericks). 
The final was a one sided affair with St Bon’s out classing Holy Trinity in every aspect of the game. The boys were superior in every position and went on to win 62-4. A well deserved win with a third title secured. 
This year will see the Jr NBA run a year 8 competition for the first time. St Bon’s were playing under the franchise (Milwaukee Bucks)  and were looking to defend their title. The first game was against Wimbledon College (Atlanta Hawks) who entered the competition for the first time and had an impressive run to the finals. A nervy start from both teams made it a close encounter early on but the cool and calm St Bon’s team slowly crept ahead and never looked back. They defended amazingly well and sailed to victory with a 54 – 18 win. They went on to face Kingsdale School (San Antonio Spurs) who were last years semi finalists.
The final game started well for St Bon’s taking a early lead 11-6, things slowed down mid way through the first half as Kingsdale went on a 6-0 run. St Bon’s would eventually gather their strength and eventually sail to victory with yet another impressive win 45-23. 
Winning one Jr NBA title was nice but winning two in a space of two days was special. Not only that, defending last year’s title is more rewarding. It has been a successful campaign, one that will go down in St Bon’s sporting history.”
We can’t argue with that.
Marc and Noah were Junior NBA Ambassadors for the games too.

STUDENT SIGNS FOR PREMIER FOOTBALL CLUB

By Publicity Manager24th April 2019

Huddersfield Town Football Club known as ‘The Terriers’  welcomed nine new Academy scholars to the club during Easter in preparation to start the new 2019/2010 season and one of those signings is  our very own student, 11 Bell’s Ernaldo Krasniqui who’s 16.

He will officially begin with the other Terriers next season on July 1 after he has finished his GCSE exams.

Ernaldo and the other new signings were welcomed  for their first official induction by Academy manager, Leigh Bromby and his staff and Ernaldo is very shy and modest but says he is very pleased and thrilled to have signed for a club with such a proud history. It is one of the most successful English clubs of all time.

Ernaldo will play as a Central Defender for the Premier League Club.

Today, April 24, the Headteacher, Mr Halliwell, called Ernaldo into his office to congratulate him and find out more details. He added; “He is an excellent, caring student and comes from a lovely family and I know he has a strong work ethic and will put his heart and soul into the club. He will do really well.”

Thanks to Father Stewart for sharing this wonderful news with us.

 

 

 

 

BRITISH BIOLOGY OLYMPIAN COMMENDATION

By Publicity Manager10th April 2019

Year 13 A Level student, Dalton Bally, looks pleased with himself holding his certificate from the British Biology Olympiad after completing a challenge earlier in the year and gaining a commendation.

The competition consisted of two 24 minute multiple choice online tests and it is organised by the UK Biology Competitions committee that’s administered by the Royal Society of Biology.

Well done Dalton!

 

 

 

EARLY FINISH FOR EASTER TOMORROW

By Publicity Manager9th April 2019

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10, is an early closure for all students who will be dismissed slightly later than the usual end of term time at 1pm after our liturgy and assembly in St Antony’s church.

All students will bring home a copy of the latest school magazine packed full of stories and photos showcasing some of the amazing things that have made up this hectic term since Christmas. A list of Important Dates taking us to July 12 features on the back page too that parents might want to refer to this forthcoming term.

We want to wish all staff, governors, students and their families and our community here in Forest Gate  a joyous Holy Week and Easter.

Don’t forget we all return on Tuesday, April 23 at 8.45am.

 

ST BON’S FAB FOUR HAVE THE WINNING FORMULA

By Publicity Manager8th April 2019
Four young 13 year old Year 8 boys from St Bonaventure’s are celebrating today after coming away with the top prize as they were named the  winners out of  thirteen Grammar, Independent and Comprehensive schools across London and beyond that took part in the Festival of Chemistry at UCL’s Department of Chemistry.
 
The competition took place on Friday, April 5 and the objective was to help promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young.
 
Certainly, Hassan Ramzan, Awais Ramzan, Saad Rana and Tushar Patel had their appetites for the subject whetted as they came away with winning first place certificates and a Molymod and huge beaming smiles according to Science teacher, Ms Sandra Godwin-Martin who went with the students.
 
She went on to explain: “They had been preparing for the competition for weeks, coming to me in lunchtime sessions and gaining confidence and experience. They all worked incredibly hard and so when they had to complete their practical experiment to investigate the factors affecting the rates of reactions in only a minute, they were really confident and I was so proud. They obviously impressed the judges too and we were overjoyed when our name was called out as coming first.”
 
The students loved carrying out the investigations “like a real Chemist” and it encouraged them to work in teams and independently to solve problems as well as meeting and interacting with like minded Chemistry enthusiasts. Working with University students to gain an understanding of University life was intriguing and new for the students too.
 
Salters’ Festivals are a series of one-day fun events help at universities up and down the UK and Ireland. Started in 1991, it’ds thought that more than 50,000 students have experienced the fun of practical chemistry. The Royal Society of Chemistry have been in partnership with Salter’s Festivals of Chemistry since 2005.
 
Headteacher and former Science teacher, Mr Paul Halliwell, called the four into his office today to congratulate them adding: “As a Chemistry lover myself I was thrilled that St Bonaventure’s students came away with first prize. They should feel really proud of their achievement as am I.”

A LITTLE BIRDS TELLS ME MR BASTIAN IS RAISING MONEY

By Publicity Manager8th April 2019

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? no, it’s our very own Superman dressed as a big bright yellow bird, Mr Bastian, who is courageously going to run The London Marathon in his Ostrich costume.

Mr Bastian’s chosen charity is called ‘Get Kids Going’ and to date he has managed to raise £340 but he needs to raise £2000. He went on to explain: “As a PE teacher I am, of course, a big advocate of the importance that sport and activity can play in someone’s life and I would like to be part of a cause that promotes the chances of disabled children being able to access any sort of physical activity.”

He is currently busy training for the April 28 event and says the costume is heavy but he is determined to wear it to attract lots of attention and make the day colourful and fun for the crowd.

A collection box can be found in Reception at school if anyone wants to donate or the link to his fundraising page for donations online is below.

Please support him if you can and help him fly around the course.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidBastian/1

THE PATHFINDERS

8th April 2019Publicity Manager
This morning, April 8, Year 9 boys who who are participating in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in school have been volunteering to help create the beautiful new wildlife garden in West Ham Park that’s on our doorstep.
Despite the rain, the boys worked really hard throughout. Mrs Racon went on to explain: ” I was incredibly impressed with what they achieved, as was the Learning Officer from The City of London Parks, Kate. They wheelbarrowed mulch piles and took them to create paths from scratch with wood chip and nearly completed the whole thing which was incredible.” She added: “The boys were so desperate to stay and finish the job that I am arranging for them to do a second session so they can finish it off.
“I am so proud of them, they have really enhanced and added value to the garden and the local community and shown how young men can give 100%  in a selfless act of very hard work that will benefit others.”
She finished off by saying: ” I bet they will be achy tomorrow after all their physical hard work.”
This activity will go towards their award.

KARATE LEGEND SPEAKS TO STUDENTS

By Publicity Manager3rd April 2019
We were honoured to welcome into St Bon’s today, April 3,  one of the  greatest martial arts competition fighters of his generation, Geoff Thompson MBE.
Geoff visited Year 12 and spoke about his own life and struggling with his identity as he grew up before becoming a world heavyweight champion in karate and his dedication to helping young people.
He explained that as Chair of Governors at UEL, he wants the Stratford campus to be a safe, community space for everyone. He also explained about the Youth Charter programme that he wants students and staff from St Bonaventure’s to get involved in. 
Many students took the time to come and personally thank Geoff for his inspiring words. He left them with a clear message that they as young people will change the world if they work hard and believe in themselves – they need to use their head, their heart and the feeling in their belly to make a difference. What wise words.
The students are wearing elements of red today as we are raising  money for Red Wednesday for the charity Aid to the Church in Need.

NEW SENIOR STUDENT LEADERS ANNOUNCED

By Publicity Manager25th March 2019

Say congratulations to the new 6th Form  Head boy, James Appiah and Headgirl Manisha Shajan who were interviewed last week and chosen to be the new senior student leaders.

 

As exam season is almost upon us and revision becomes more intense, the students are all geared up to take over from the 2018/2019 SSLT team and current Headboy Jamie and Headgirl Asanaye. 

The team includes:

Deputy Head Boy

Verny Sutherland

 Deputy Head Girl

Imaan Sheikh
Deputy Head Boy

Neeraj Patel

 

 Deputy Head Girl

Aysha Jolly

 
Senior Prefect – Dawid Bakula Senior Prefect – Dana Levsa
Senior Prefect – Lionel Jorge Senior Prefect – Priyanka Rana
Senior Prefect – Anthony Nkpa Senior Prefect – Mahia Rahman
Well done all!

 

ARE YOU REDDY?

By Publicity Manager25th March 2019

Red Wednesday is a day of action organised by Aid To The Church In Need. 

Their aim is to assist everyone that is persecuted because of faith.This was set up by the Catholic Church to ensure religious freedom and to fight for peace in the places in the world where it is dangerous to publicly discuss your beliefs.
In solidarity with those that live in fear, our staff and students are being urged to wear something red to school.
On Wednesday April 3 we will be supporting this with a Mufti Day and students are being asked to donate  between £2 – £5, preferably on Parent Pay. Anyone not paying on Parent Pay will be expected to pay the cash if they come in to school not wearing their uniform.

Mr Halliwell went on to explain: “As a community founded on peace and love, we would hope that all humans would live in harmony, not built on tolerance but on acceptance of each and appreciating and enjoying the difference in each of us.

“Unfortunately, the recent incidents in New Zealand show that there is far too much anger and hatred in the world and most of this is directed at minorities because of their faith. We are reeling from the shooting of Muslims whilst at prayer by someone claiming to be defending Christianity.
“Since the start of March this year, over 120 Christians in Michika, Nigeria have been killed by Boko Haram in the name of Islam, including a group of women and children who were praying in Church.
“This must stop.”
Red Wednesday has taken place in St Bonaventure’s for the past 3 years and has always been really well supported and we feel sure this year will be no different.