Tomorrow, March 14, will see our school overflowing with a rosy glow as students and staff come in dressed in red for Red Wednesday for the charity Aid To The Church In Need (ACIN).

This charity does wonderful things to help and support those who are persecuted for their Christian faith.

Last year was the first time St Bonaventure’s got involved with this organisation and held a red mufti day which was a huge success and we raised £1, 278. We hope to match that amount this year.

It doesn’t matter how much red is worn and last year some children came in from head to tow in red clothes whilst other wore just a touch of red wearing red socks or a red belt. As long as a donation of £1 minimum is made it really is up to the individual how to style it out.

We look forward to seeing everyone in varying shades be it crimson, flame, scarlet, wine, cherry, rose, ruby, berry…you get the picture!

6th Form A Level Politics students spent the morning, March 9, with the Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Timothy Clement-Jones after he came in to school as part of the Peers in Schools programme.

Lord Clement Jones, 68, met with Year 12 and Year 13 pupils and spoke about the House of Lords and answered questions from the students.

Mrs Rahman arranged the visit and added: “He gave the students an insight into the House and was very relaxed and natural with them. I’m sure his visit will really help them have a better understanding how the House of Lords operates.”

Remember back to last week,Tuesday in fact, February 27, when the really bad weather and blizzards descended, it came as a bit of a shock when the weather took a sudden turn for the worse and visibility was poor with people scurrying about trying to get out of the icy snow as quickly as possible.

For one Year 13 6th Form St Bonaventure’s student, 18 year old Urfan Alam, it was business as usual as he was going offsite and was in Boleyn Road when he noticed a wallet on the snow-covered pavement. He immediately picked it up and walked back to school to hand it in to Mrs Norman in Reception.

Mrs Norman then set about trying to find out whose wallet it was and found an I.D. pass inside with the man’s photo and work number. After contacting his place of work, they told him his wallet had been found  and a local resident came in to collect his wallet really happy and relieved to get his credit cards and personal items back.

The man was so happy he came back in with £20 reward money for the student.

Today we finally managed to track down the kind pupil and Mr Halliwell thanked him for his public spirited action and handed over the reward.

Mrs Norman added: “I really should have made a note of the student’s name but it was really hectic  with the wintry weather and all week I have been looking for him and today I manged to find him. He was really shy and shocked that the man wanted to thank him this way as he felt he was just doing the right thing. I’m really glad we could reunite the wallet with its owner and I’m glad too  that Urfan’s good deed didn’t go unnoticed.”

March 1 was World Book Day but because of the snow last week it was cancelled as students needed to wrap up and dress warmly and some costumes might have been flimsy and not weatherproof or appropriate for the freezing conditions.

Tomorrow, March 8, has been declared St Bonaventure’s World Book Day, when students and staff can dress up a their favourite character from a book.

It’s traditionally a delightful day and we’d like to encourage as many students as possible to participate.

School is open again today, March 2, albeit with a slightly later start at 9,45am  to allow some staff and students extra time for their journey.

Can you please ensure that your child has a decent coat on today. A black or dark coloured coat preferably but no light colours or green parkas.

Many students had really inappropriate coats yesterday.If he hasn’t got one, you need to think about a school coat.They are warm, waterproof and relatively cheap.

Some boys had only a hoodie or tracksuit jacket – not warm, not waterproof and no good. These are not outerwear and do not keep out the damp weather.

Likewise they should wear gloves and a hat in this weather.

As you know, we are strict and have high standards but we will not confiscate unauthorised hats and coats at the moment. But you really should have the school uniform.

It is never a surprise that the weather gets cold in winter.It happens every year.

School hats are £3.50 from Reception.

Not even the ‘Beast from the East’ could stop our fantastic motivational global speaker and author, Jonathan Doyle, coming in to St Bonaventure’s today, March 1, and braving the weather to deliver his session on Catholic Purpose, Mission and Leadership.

Jonathan has spoken to more than 300,000 people all over the world on topics such as peak performance, relationships, leadership and Catholic identity.

Earlier this year he gave a keynote address to 10,000 Catholic teachers at the US National Catholic Educational Association Convention in St Louis, Missouri. He also launched his new book for Catholic teachers called ‘Tools and Fuels:How Catholic Tachers Can Become Saints, Beat Burnout and Save the World.’ He has a deep passion for inspiring, encouraging and supporting Catholic educators around the world.

More than 20 Headteachers and Leaders from schools across the Agnus Dei Teaching School Alliance came in today to hear Jonathan speak and to take part in a variety of important discussions.

Arriving  in London this week from his home in Australia, we’d like to thank Jonathan for coming to St Bonaventure’s today and delivering his session despite the inclement snowy weather. 

School is open today, March 1.

We are having a late start at 9.45am and all students are staying warm indoors and not in the playground.

If there are any changes we will let parents know via School Gateway and email.

School is closed today, February 28, 2018, due to the adverse weather.

Lots of staff live outside London and are already contacting school to say they are unable to get in due to disrupted rail and dangerous road conditions.

You will have been sent a message already but any students who have already left home and arrive at school will be sent home.

Stay safe and stay warm.

Updates later.