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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.
We have sent an email, message on School Gateway, posted on Facebook and Twitter to let our parents know that school is open.
We have a delayed start to allow staff to arrive, so make sure students are in for a 9:45am start.
For Year 11, school will finish at 12:25pm as we do not expect them to do PE on Wanstead Flats.
For everyone else, school finishes at 3:25pm. We will not have any Detentions or Boosters.
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.
We were blessed this morning, February 22, to welcome our friends, Margaret and Barry Mizen in to school to chat to two groups of students, from Year 11 and Year 12.
Their son, Jimmy, was attacked and murdered on May 10 2008 in a Baker’s shop in Lee Green in South London after a glass dish was thrown at him during an altercation.
The Mizens are very supportive of our school and work tirelessly travelling the length and breadth of the country sharing their message of love, peace, forgiveness and hope to young people with their ‘For Jimmy’ charity.
Their visit today comes as the 10th anniversary of Jimmy’s death approaches and they spoke from the heart, candidly about the impact his murder has had on their family.
They stressed the importance of forgiveness and the need for young people to be kind to each other.
Director of Religious Studies, Andy Lewis, invited them in and said: “They met with our senior 6th Form TELCO representatives as well afterwards and urged them to help them get involved with community issues telling them their input was vital to bring about change.”
Rabbi David Hulbert from the Bet Tikvah Synagogue in Barkingside paid us a special visit today, February 21, and came in to speak to two groups of Year 11 boys who are preparing for their RE GCSE exams this summer.
He spoke to the students in Cardinal Manning Hall and was happy to answer their questions about Judaism and his faith in a bid to bring to life, so to speak, what they had learned in class.
He spoke about the history of the Jewish community in the East End and what it means to be a Jew today. He also focused on Jewish festivals and life after death. All topics they students have been studying.
“When they are sitting their exam and a question on Judaism comes up, I hope the boys remember this session and it helps them with their understanding” explained Director of Religious studies and Assistant Headteacher, Andy Lewis, who arranged the visit. He added: “The sessions were really helpful and they were able to ask the Rabbi anything. He said he was impressed with the students and said he was very pleased to help us out.”
Rabbi Hulbert is the longest serving congregational Rabbi within Liberal Judaism with 27 years in the pulpit.
Our basketballers faced a strong team of Under 17s from Fishponds in Bristol’s Bristol Metropolitan Academy this afternoon at home in our sports hall.
The team travelled up this morning and played really well but the final score was a fantastic 92 – 53 win for our team.
Well done lads.
