FORMER student and now qualified Doctor, Mohammed Iqbal, came into school yesterday, May 23, to speak to a group of students who are interested in a career in medicine.

Mohammed joined our 6th Form from Forest Gate School in 2009 and studied Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics A Levels before going to Queen Mary’s University where he studied medicine.

Whilst at university, Mohammed returned each year to mentor 6th Form students who were interested in dentistry and medicine. He says he really loved volunteering and helping Year 12 students.

Qualifying in 2017, Mohammed is now working at Bart’s Hospital and has said without St Bonaventure’s he would not be a doctor. A very gracious and kind comment to make.

Yesterday Mohammed spoke to wannabe medics and dentists and discussed the path he chose and what he needed to do to realise his dream. 

The students found his talk very fruitful and interesting and it made them even more determined to do well in their studies and follow suit.

Thanks to Mohammed for his inspirational visit. It  was really appreciated. We look forward to seeing him again next year.

APRIL’S Jack Petchey award has just been presented to Year 10 pupil, Julius Musgni.

Mr Halliwell called Julius into his office yesterday, May 22, and broke the good news to him and presented him with his certificate, badge and paperwork.

Miss Hillan recommended Julius for the award adding: “Julius is a quiet boy but he is excellent at organising his peers. He is involved in the sign language club, gets involved in bake sales and the chess club and CAFOD. He’s brilliant at getting others to get involved too and is always polite, cheerful and hardworking and I think he is a deserving winner.”

Well done Juilius!

Two former students, Sai Wentum and Yinka Enirayetan, visited school last Friday, May 18, and spoke to Year 10 students.

They spoke about the career they have chosen, Architecture, and gave the boys an excellent insight into their profession.

Ms Roddy said it was a really worthwhile chat and afterwards students said they had discovered elements of their chosen career they had not really though of before. Some added that it had strengthened their determination to follow suit and others requested more similar careers talks in a bid to help them make their minds up on the careers choices available.

Sounds like it was a fantastic opportunity.

Thanks to Sai and Yinka for giving up their time and for coming in. Our students really appreciated it.

Sky One arts and culture show, ‘What’s Up TV’  came in to film on Friday afternoon. May 18, and chatted to former Headboy, Chris Achiampong, for an item on apprenticeships.

The researcher of the programme, Sammy Njuguna, contacted school to arrange the interview and we were happy to accommodate as Sammy too is a former pupil, leaving in 2011.

Chris, who now works for giants, IMB,  spoke about why he chose an apprenticeship over going to university and why gaining experience, earning a salary as well as IBM paying for him to study for a degree at university one day a week is the best option for him. Sounds ideal!

The show is due to be broadcast at the end of the summer and we will post details when we get a date.

YOUR number could well and truly be up this Wednesday, May 16, as students participate in the UK’s first ever National Numeracy Day.

It will become an annual celebration of the importance of numbers in everyday life and will bring together individuals, employers, teachers and influencers to improve numeracy.

Poor numeracy can affect people’s lives and the wider economy and that needs to change.

In a bid to increase confidence in students, they will be given challenges in class with prizes given out. Every teacher in school will be participating and promoting numeracy in lessons with short activities, discussions or videos.

Curriculum Leader of Numeracy at St Bonaventure’s, Miss Murphy, went on to explain: “I want maths to become fun and part of our everyday life. Parents can get involved too by looking at supermarket deals and showing their children the savings to be made.

“I have lots of fun activities planned and I hope that our students benefit from knowing how to use numbers well. It will be a chance for them to improve their skills, learn new ways to work with numbers, be challenged, ask questions and above all not be scared of maths and have fun. Wednesday should be fantastic.”

Parents can follow this link to find out more https://www.numeracyday.com/whats-issue

Whilst we were all off enjoying the glorious sunshine of the Bank Holiday yesterday, May 7, fifteen of our Year  8 football players took part in the Jermaine Defoe Foundation tournament in Romford.

We had two teams competing St Bon’s 1 and St Bon’s 2 and the charity matches raised £225 for homeless people and vulnerable children.

For St Bon’s 1 Nana Akyaew and Tashawn Adams were the goal scorers and Stefan Aiwone made some excellent saves in goal.

St Bon’s 2 were undefeated all day which meant that Mekhi Charles-Armstrong got to lift the huge JDF trophy and bring it home to Boleyn Road and our glittering display cabinet in Reception. 

Zinnell Royes was in top goal scoring form and Joel Mputu won ‘The Player of the  Tournament’ accolade and received a personal award and trophy from Jermaine himself.

After the event, PE teacher, Mr Firth presented former Bonaventurian Jermaine with a gold coloured 140th anniversary commemorative tie.

What a fantastic result!

Thanks to Mr Firth for giving up bis Bank Holiday for his students too.

Three of our students, Dillon Linford, Jamie Halliwell and Amal Shabu, went to Brentwood Cathedral on Friday, May 4,to collect their Citizenship Awards after being nominated by staff in school.

It was a lovely occasion with Miss McNulty present as our guest of honour to see the lads picking up their trophies from Bishop Alan.

This annual event involved all the Catholic schools in the diocese and our recipientslooked really smart when they went up to collect their awards.

Mr Halliwell was there acting as Master of Ceremonies and added: “This is one of the highlights of the school year for me, hearing all the wonderful stories of courage, kindness and determination. Our students fundraising efforts  for CAFOD and ACIN and raising awareness for TELCO was particularly heartwarming and made me very proud.”

Year 10’s Kelvin Paul gave a very entertaining, eloquent speech on the Art of Procrastination at the Newham Final of The Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge at Sarah Bonnell School last night, May 2, and came away with third  prize.

He spoke clearly and concisely and the crowd seemed to really like his delivery. 

His trainee and mentor, Ms Corriette was there along with Mr Halliwell to support Kelvin as was Kelvin’s mum.

West Ham MP, Lynn Brown distributed prizes.

Mr Halliwell added: ” I can’t ever remember one of our students being placed in a Speak Out Challenge before so Kelvin has done remarkably well. I was really proud of him as he spoke beautifully and was oozing confidence. Obviously the judges thought so too.”

Kelvin is 15 and in 10 Heath.