The Bushcraft trip is due to return to school between 4.30pm and 5pm today, June 14, depending on the volume of traffic on the roads.
We like to think that when in school all our students are in safe hands but the tables were turned this evening when our very own Headmaster, Mr Halliwell, found himself in the safe hands of a former student.
To explain; at the end of a flight from Southend Airport to Milan when Mr Halliwell was travelling with other Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood headteachers to a conference in Italy, the flight attendant announced that the “Pilot, Aaron Black, would like to thank you for flying with Flybe this evening.”
That announcement immediately made Mr Halliwell do a double take as he recognised Aaron as being a St Bon’s former student and knew he has qualified as a pilot as he stays in regular contact with the school.
Mr Halliwell made his way to the cockpit and surprised Aaron who yelled: “Hello Sir!’ and was thrilled to see he had safely transported Mr Halliwell and his colleagues to Italy where they are having dinner with the bishop this evening.
Aaron was happy to pose for photos with his former Headmaster and Mr Halliwell added: ” God works in mysterious ways and He made sure we were all arrived safely in Italy tonight with Bonaventura on our side.”
This Friday, June 16, three 6th Form students from St Bonaventure’s, will abseil down the iconic Orbit structure and observation tower in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, for CAFOD.
The 114.5 metre tall building is the UK’s highest free fall abseil and only the brave attempt such a feat but that is exactly what John Dawes and Gabriel Vieira, both 17 and Amal Shabu who’s 16, will be attempting to do to raise funds for the charity.
They have set up a JustGiving page as they want to raise £300.
In the build up to the descent, the boys have been selling ice creams and lolly ices in the playground at the school in Boleyn Road every lunch time and break time to help boost funds. With the warm weather, these have been very popular with the ices selling out each day.
The abseil is set for 3pm.
The Director of RE at St Bonaventure’s, Andy Lewis, who will be going with them on Friday added: “They said they wanted to do something big for CAFOD and you can’t get much bigger than this. I know they are really looking forward to it and we’re hoping for good weather to make the descent smoother.“
Our 6th Form abseilers and CAFOD team fundraisers, John Dawes, Amal Shabu and Gabriel Viera will be selling ice creams and lolly ices at break time and lunchtime this week in the senior playground outside the cage.
The brave CAFOD lads abseil down the iconic orbit at Queen Elizabeth Park in Stratford this Friday, June 16, to raise money for the charity.
Things are going really well too and at break-time today they sold 70 cold treats for 50p each and raised an amazing £35.
Let’s hope this lunchtime is just as successful.
The ice cream parlour will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
They have set up a JustGiving page as they need to raise £300 so the icy treats are helping them reach their target.
Amal ensures an orderly queue forms at his Ice Cream Stall
The mock election results are in at St Bonaventure’s and it was a Labour landslide.
549 boys voted with the breakdown as follows:
Labour 426 votes
Conservatives 39 votes
Green 30 votes
UKIP 24 votes
Lib Dems 6 votes
Independent 5 votes
Spoilt votes 19
Thanks to everyone who took part and to Ms McNullty for arranging proceedings.
This morning, June 8, we held a mock General Election in school organised by Ms McNulty.
Years 7, 8 and 9 queued to vote in St Francis’ Hall. Year 10 and Year 11 students didn’t participate due to work experience and the maths exam.
At a special assembly, our chaplain Mr Connolly stressed the importance of democracy and voting and added that Pope Francis has said everyone must use their vote wisely when they reach the age of 18.
Today was a chance for our young students to get involved and to start to realise the importance of the vote.
Results will be announced later today.
It will be interesting to see if our students’ choice tallies with the Country’s choice.
Yesterday’s inclement weather did not spoil the enjoyment of a hardworking group of 24 Year 10 students who journeyed by coach to Royal Holloway University in Surrey for their Scholars Programme (Brilliant Club) Graduation.
For the past term, they have the unique opportunity to experience university-style tutorials with PhD students to help them make an informed decision as to whether attending a top University is for them.
Studying either the STEM course that focussed on Biology entitled ‘Eye Spy’ or the Humanities Social Psychology Course that was called ‘Us v Them’, the students had to dedicate a lot of their time to homework tasks and a final assignment marked to University standard to a set deadline.
All 24 students wholeheartedly and successfully embraced the challenge and 25% of the cohort obtained the equivalent of a First Class Degree.
Their dedication was rewarded with a fitting occasion of the Graduation in an inspiring location.
Well done students!
The newest student at St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate is settling in well and is proving to be popular with staff and students alike but this is no ordinary pupil but a nine week old Australian Labradoodle pup called Ziggy.
Ziggy joined the school in Boleyn Road yesterday, June 5, and is training to be a school therapy pet with funding secured with a Jack Petchey Foundation small grant.
He will live at home with Geography teacher and Head of Year 8, Mr James Volket-Igoe, who went on to explain: “New research supports existing evidence that school assistance dogs can bring tremendous benefits to a school community. Therapy dogs can help teachers build positive relationships to remove specific barriers to learning for some students and physical interaction has been known to reduce blood pressure, assist with pain management and stimulate the senses. We’re hoping Ziggy will provide a positive mutual topic for discussions, promote greater self esteem and help focus social interaction with our students.”
Therapy dogs help to stimulate the memory of some students and help with problem solving and emotional issues in school. They decrease anxiety and help students work with anger management issues and provide comfort for some students. The Learning Support and SENDCO Department are hoping to work with Ziggy too over the coming months.
Mr V.I added: “His first day went really well, he made lots of new friends and loved being the centre of attention. He sleeps a lot of the time as he’s only a puppy but already lots of boys have shown an interest in him. I’ve had a special St Bon’s jacket made for him so he will fit in but it’s huge on him at the moment.”
Already one student has sent an email to Mr Volket-Igoe expressing his delight at having Ziggy in school and explaining he had lost his pet recently and asking if he could become his friend and help with his care.
Curriculum Leader for PE, Mr Bartlett, is delighted to announce that our brilliant Year 7 athletes are the Simmond’s Cup Year 7 victors.
This is an invitational competition for the best athletic schools and many Independent and Grammar schools take part that have state-of-the-art facilities.
Whilst we have none of those benefits, merely the senior playground where our training takes place, what we do have is passion and determination and tonnes of spirit.
We pipped Whitgift Independent School in South Croydon to the title and were excellent in both track and field and were a credit to our school.
Mr Bartlett is rightly proud of his athletes and thinks their success will spur them on to do well in other competitions.
We shall observe a minute’s silence at 11am today, May 25, along with the rest of the country and say prayers for those killed or hurt in the recent Manchester Arena terrorist attack.
Students, staff and visitors will stop what they are doing pay their respects and pray for the families involved in the bombing.
May God bless them all and give them comfort at this stressful time.
