Don’t forget we have an early finish tomorrow, Thursday October 13, in preparation for our annual Open Evening.

School finishes for all students at 12.30pm. All students will be dismissed then.

On Friday, October 14, there is a slightly later start to the day with students coming in at 9.45am.

In St Bonaventure’s we have many talented students but one Year 10 dancer, Khalif Edwards, will soon be busy rehearsing for ‘Motown – The Musical’ in readiness for its move to The Hackney Empire.

Currently enjoying a year long run at The Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End, the popular musical features a section on The Jackson 5 and the part Motown played in launching their successful, long career.

Khalif, who is 14 and in 10 Heath, has secured the role as the understudy of Tito Jackson.

Khalif  from Leyton will learn three numbers, ‘ABC’, ‘Rockin’ Robin’ and ‘I Want You Back’ and will have to know his role inside out exactly as the main actor will.  He originally went to audition for a part in ‘The Lion King’ but was very happy when he got the part in ‘Motown’ as he loves the music from that era.

He went on to explain: “My dance school, X7even Academy,  have always been very supportive and when the opportunity arose for me to audition I felt very confident and gave it my best shot. I know it might seem a long way off but these huge productions need to forward plan months in advance. I start rehearsals in February in readiness for the move from the West End to the East End. The Hackney Empire is a magnificent venue and I will feel proud to perform there so close to home.”

Khalif hopes to pursue a career in the theatre and dance after his GCSEs.

After a long week stuck in classrooms having intense lessons why not let off steam and join our Street Dance Club on Fridays after school.

It’s absolutely free and all Year Groups and ages are welcome.

The club takes place in the Drama Studio from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Experienced dancer, entertainer and actor, Benji Shogbolu, takes the class and is brilliant. His CV is impressive as he has worked with some of the best dancers in the business. Benji has been coming to St Bon’s for years and our students have blossomed under his guidance.

Why not go along and give it a go, learn a new skill, make new friends, get fit and have fun.

Another nail-biting game is scheduled for this Wednesday, October 12, at St Bonaventure’s Sports Hall as our team faces Haringey 6th Form.

Tip off is at 4pm and staff and students are encouraged to go along and support the team.

St Bon’s won the first match of the season last week against Havering 6th which was a confidence boost.

Support is always needed and a fantastic opportunity to see our brilliant basketballers in action.

We have a new-look prospectus ready to give out to prospective Year 7 parents at our Open Evening this week.

Copies will be available from reception also.

St Bonaventure’s won Wednesday’s first game of the season with a fantastic final score of 99 to 36.

The game was played at home and Coach Onireti said the lads played really well.

Here’s a match report from Mr Senior.

St Bonaventure’s recorded their first ever win in the ABL competition this week, October 5, against Havering 6th Form College.

It was the first time the two sides have met in any competition and both were determined to get off to a good start.

Havering won the tip off and straight away took the lead with swift passing to Shekhem Vige for an uncontested lay-up, however that would be their only basket for 6 min as St Bon’s went rampant, forcing early turnovers and going on a 14-0 run lead by Jonathan Ragasa who top scored with 24 points. Havering struggled to break down St Bon’s defence resulting in multiple turnovers and conversion at the other end and taking the quarter, 27 – 6.                                                                                                                                                   

More of the same in the second quarter with St. Bon’s looking very impressive on the defensive end. Captain Joel Osei lead the defensive charge showing leadership quality. Havering’s talisman Darren Henry who finished with 7pts tried to lift the team with back to back baskets midway through the quarter. St Bon’s would answer back with great defensive effort leading to 8 straight points by Denzel Kazembe. Kazembe finished with 23 pts on the night and looked like a player on a mission. More to come from Kazembe in the third as he dazzled the crowd with  steals and  acrobatic finish. The visitors had their best spell in the third lead by Johnson and showed their quality but it was to be St Bon’s day as every player got on the score sheet and were cruising to victory.

The Final Score  was 99 – 36

St Bonaventure’s Coach, Stephen Onireti, said: “It was a positive result for us, getting off to a good start was what we needed. There is still room for improvement and I’m sure the competition will get tougher as time goes on but overall I am really pleased with our performance and the way we handled the game.”

All staff and teachers were treated to muffins in the staff-room at break-time today, October 5, as a way of saying thank you for all the wonderful things they do every single day to inspire and help children in St Bonaventure’s.

They went down a treat and English teacher Ms Corriette is see pictured here enjoying a cuppa and a cake.

Happy World Teachers’ Day everyone!

The new basketball season begins in earnest today with the first game being held at the Boleyn Road school. Tip off is at 4pm.

St Bonaventure’s face Havering Sixth Form College and it’s the first since St Bon’s have played in the ABL.

Coach Onireti is confident St Bon’s will do well. Students can go along to watch and  show their support. 

Tomorrow is World Teachers’ Day.

This has been celebrated on 5 October every year since 1994.

Now in its 22nd year, the day has an important purpose; to raise awareness of the work done by teachers and to support them to help the learning of future generations. 

The day was established by UNESCO the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, a branch of the UN which is dedicated to promoting peace through education, science and culture. 

The special day is being observed on October 5 in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Republic of Moldova, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Serbia and UK, among others.

The day celebrates all the wonderful things teachers do, the lives they change and the children they inspire every single day. 

Every adult remembers their own education and remembers their favourite teacher, not their individual lessons nor the content nor the buildings but the way the teacher made them feel. It is said that a good teacher knows how to bring out the best in their students and here at St Bon’s we have many, many excellent teachers who dedicate their lives to teaching. For them teaching is a vocation not just a job.

We look forward to saying thank you to all our wonderful teachers and showing them how special they are to us.