Mr Bennett today, April 24,  nominated 14 year old Year 9 student, Geo Charles, for a Jack Petchey award for being an excellent, keen scientist who has shown an interest in the fish and bearded dragons in the science department.

Geo has devoted a lot of time to caring for the fish and aquarium in school and similarly the vivarium, always finding new ways to improve their living conditions and questioning their habitat.

Mr Bennett was impressed with Geo’s knowledge of Biology and is really pleased to see his love of science.

Headteacher Mr Halliwell this afternoon presented Geo with March’s Petchey award.

Geo  plans to buy a larger vivarium and equipment for the dragons to improve their habitat with his award money.

17 YEAR OLD 6th Form student, Klaudio Prela, has been successful in gaining a place on the coveted Aspiring Professionals Programme.

The programme is carefully designed to open up professions for those with the ability to join them in the future by offering support, mentoring, workshops and internships.

Klaudio wants to pursue a career in Engineering and getting involved with APP is a fantastic opportunity for him.

A reminder that our students finish today, Thursday March 29, at 12.30pm after  the end of term liturgy in St Antony’s Church.

Students will bring home a copy of the latest Spring magazine that’s full of news that’s happened this term in school. It also includes important dates for the summer term that  parents will need to know.

We wish you all a very happy and holy Easter. 

See you all on April 12.

Councillor Terry Paul who was a St Bonaventure’s pupil from September 1979 came back into school today, March 28, to speak to our Year 9 TELCO group about the important issue of housing in Newham.

The group wanted to know what they could do to help improve the problem of homelessness and the increasing number of people being evicted in our borough. TELCO member, Ethan Suppaya spoke about how students need to feel secure  and safe and settled especially during exam times.

Being evicted plays havoc with the mental health of youngsters and Ethan and the team wanted to know what the current housing situation and  is like and other housing issues and they appreciated Cllr Paul’s frank and helpful dialogue at the meeting.

The TELCO team learned a lot and will now complete a report on their findings with the help of Alistair from TELCO.

After the meeting Cllr Paul had a look through old record books with Mr Halliwell and reminisced about his schooldays growing up in Canning Town. He found his admission information and said he loved his time at St Bon’s.

17 year old 6th Form student, Brendan Smith, was called into the Head’s office today, March 26, and given a Jack Petchey award.

Brendan gives up his free time to help run a night shelter at nearby St Antony’s Church during the weekend and is selfless and mature.

His kindness has been noted by many who are full of admiration for what Brendan does. It’s not always easy, but Brendan loves his role and is a real asset to Father John Jesus and his team of weekend carers.

Mr Halliwell explained: “If only there were more people in this world like Brendan. He is non judgemental and compassionate and deserves to be recognised for what he does. For someone so young, he really is unique.”

Brendan is deciding how to spend his award money.

We are the National Champions again after travelling to the National Performance Centre in Manchester on Friday, March 23.

Our under 16 team faced Barking Abbey and played exceptionally well.

Special mention goes to players Franklin Agu who was voted MVP scoring 30 points, Teon Edwards as captain and Dylan Alexander who scored three back to back three point shots.

Th end score was 80 points to 77.

Paolo Ancora and Stephen Onireti said they were immensely proud of the team and congratulated them for their excellent playing and dedication training leading up to the match.

Headteacher, Mr Halliwell, added that the whole team and teachers are a credit to the school.

A 14 year old Year 9 student from St Bonaventure’s In Boleyn Road, Forest Gate, has been praised for his actions by his Headteacher after helping a collapsed school chum in Capel Road on Tuesday night, March 20.

The drama unfolded after school when Dre Emmanuel was on his way home from a football match on Wanstead Flats where he had been playing in the quarter final of the London Cup against Thomas Tallis School from Blackheath.

After going to a penalty shoot out the team lost and the players began to make their way home. Dre noticed that one of the players, Matthew Lopez looked unwell and was walking on ahead. Matthew then collapsed on the ground with chest pains and that’s when Dre rushed to a nearby house and asked the resident to call an ambulance.

Quite some time passed and help still hadn’t arrived but Dre insisted on waiting with him despite being told it could take another two hours for an ambulance to attend. When it did arrive, Dre was adamant that he should go with him to hospital and wouldn’t leave his side until Matthew’s mum came. He underwent tests for shortness of breath and had an ECG but was released later that night.

Headteacher, Paul Halliwell, was told what had happened by Sam Bartlett who is the Curriculum Leader for PE at the school and he called Dre into his office and presented him with a Headteacher’s Commendation for his good deed.

Today, March 22, it was decided that Dre should receive the February Jack Petchey Award for putting others needs before his own and being a loyal and thoughtful friend during a lengthy time when others might have withdrawn their support.

Mr Halliwell concluded: “I am really proud of Dre for what he did and I know Matthew was grateful too. Not many teenagers would have stayed so long waiting but Dre was determined he wouldn’t leave his teammate and I think that is wonderful.”

Dre is deciding how to spend his award money.