IT’S not everyday that you get to meet the future King and Queen but that’s exactly what 7 Gregory’s Shinobi Irons did yesterday, January 11, when he was invited to the Royal Visit to The Child Bereavement UK Centre in Stratford.

Shinobi, who’s 12, was asked to present a bouquet of flowers to the Duchess of Cambridge as his mum, Lorna, and himself regularly attend the centre after they lost a much loved family member.

The centre provides support for children and families who have faced personal loss and it is a charity close the Prince William’s heart as he lost his mum, Princess Diana, at a very young age. The charity also provides training for thousands of professionals a year whose work brings them into contact with bereaved families.

Prince Williiam, who has the title of the Duke of Cambridge, took time out to chat to Shinobi and his mum which was very special.

It was very exciting for the youngster but he took it all in his stride. It was back to normality and school lessons today but he had plenty to tell his friends about his date with Royalty.

Shinobi joined St Bonaventure’s in September from St Winefride’s in Manor Park.

He is seen pictured presenting the bouquet to Kate. Photo courtesy of The Daily Mail.

Promising young players will get to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to catch their heroes in the flesh during the Denver Nuggets vs Indiana Pacers, NBA Global Games 2017 at the O2 Arena this Thursday night (January 12th).

Sixty current Year Seven pupils from the four winning schools in last year’s Basketball England Jr NBA campaign (St Bede’s Catholic Middle School, St Bonaventure’s, St Peter’s High School and Harris Academy – South Norwood) shall enjoy a two-day extravaganza in the national capital, including the chance to meet an NBA legend and take part in a clinic on the very same court a mere matter of hours before the tip off.

Those impressionable schoolchildren in attendance will also relish a series of fun-packed basketball activities in the build-up to that gargantuan game between the Nuggets and the Pacers – a highly memorable evening they are unlikely to forget anytime soon.

“The chance for our winning schools from the previous Basketball England Jr NBA term to sample all of the razzmatazz associated with a live NBA game is sure to have the desired effect and leave a lasting impression on them,” said Basketball England’s CEO Stewart Kellett.

“I feel certain they will greatly benefit from witnessing such iconic figures in the global game first hand at the O2 Arena and come away with fond memories they will cherish for many years to come.

“With such a tantalising series of activities and events in store, it is sure to provide sufficient motivation of course for all of the players and schools that are competing in this year’s tournament as well.”

“The NBA is excited to further enhance our partnership with Basketball England to host our first ever Jr NBA Basketball England League Day event in London,” NBA EMEA’s Associate Vice President – Basketball Operations, Neal Meyer, said.

“This event will further enhance the Jr NBA Basketball England League experience for children participating in the England leagues by giving them an unforgettable NBA Global Games experience.”

The Jr NBA League was created for 11-12 year old boys and girls in secondary schools to participate in basketball.

The league, which is organised and operated by Basketball England in partnership with the NBA, features 30 Jr NBA Basketball League school teams that will represent one of the 30 NBA franchises throughout the entire season.

Local Newham based charity, Community Links, which runs a wide range of community projects supporting children, young people, adults and families was presented with a cheque for £300 just before Christmas from school.

The generous donation came about as once again this year staff decided that instead of spending money sending cards to each other they would make a donation to the East London charity.

For the last four years CAFOD has benefited but it was decided as we were helping Community Links with their Toy Appeal  this year we would also support them with the Cash Instead of Cards initiative.

Deputy Headteacher, Vivienne Qurrey, went on to say: “This proved a popular way for staff to help our local community during the festive period and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed.”

This festive period whilst we are all busy unwrapping presents and eating merrily, don’t forget to make a note of our 6th Form Open Evening in our brand new purpose-built building on Lancaster Road, Forest Gate.

We know how important the next step is in your son or daughter’s education and the mock exams that students have just taken will have given them plenty of food for thought and a flavour of what’s to come in the summer.

Concentrating on exams is vital but planning the next stage is just as important. Both parents and students want a 6th Form where students feel valued, safe, with access to the best tutors and enrichment opportunities: a 6th Form that will help them get to where they want to be. St Bonaventure’s 6th Form is their gateway to university and success.

Appointment slots are not needed for our Open Evening on February 2, 2017, just come along to see what courses are on offer, chat to teachers and other students and see how we can help.

Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you and helping you make the right choice in the new year.

As always, we finished our term in St Antony’s Church as a full school community. We celebrated Advent and the achievements of the school and the students.

On Tuesday 20 December 2016 we were joined by CAFOD and Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society, who came to collect our charity donations.

Mr Chris Driscoll of CAFOD collected a cheque for £6,000 from Head Boy Jamie

Mr Steven Webb of BCCS collects £5,200 from Deputy Head Boy Kharma

We also distributed £210 to Community Links and over £400 to Shelter

All parents, friends, staff and students are invited along to our beautiful Christmas Carol Service tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 15,  at 7pm in St Antony’s Church adjacent to the school.

For weeks now students have been busy rehearsing and we want as many staff and parents to come along and watch them perform a variety of musical pieces, carols and festive songs to warm the cockles of your heart. Your support is really appreciated.

It’s free for everyone and mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards.

This is one of the highlights of our school year so please come along and support this magical event.

This Thursday, December 15, the students will be having their Christmas Dinner in school which sounds delicious and very traditional and is a great way to celebrate the season with all their friends.

Our cook, Jane, wants to wish all our students a very Merry Christmas and says she is looking forward to the special meal.

This was certainly true for our 6th Form Gospel Choir  who were invited along to East ham Care Centre to sing for the elderly patients on the dementia and rehabilitation wards last week.

This festive act of goodwill is a now a tradition at St Bonaventure’s and has been happening for several years so it was fantastic to take along a fresh group of students to help cheer up the residents.

The Gospel Choir was led by Ms Brockett and Ms Salau and Mr Murray drove the group of 6th Formers in the school minibus and joined in with a selection of well-known Christmas carols.

It was truly magical and it was lovely to see the patients and staff joining in  and it is indeed “beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

The 6th Form Senior Student Leadership Team is hosting a magnificent display of talent from all Year Groups tomorrow evening, Thursday 8 December, in St Francis’ Hall to raise funds for CAFOD.

Deputy Headboy, Trey Kyeremeh, went on to explain: “It will be a fantastic way to kick off the festive period and we have 8 acts that include a dance group, band, singer and gospel choir to entertain the audience. Tickets are just £1 for students and their siblings and £2 for parents and adults and we’d love it if as many people as possible could come along to support us.”

This is the first time our SSLT has organised anything like this and they will be calling in to classrooms to sell tickets tomorrow.

Juice and cupcakes will be on sale also.

What better way to celebrate this special time of year with talent, tinsel and teenagers!