Twenty six students from Years 7 – 10 took part in a workshop this week so they could deliver assemblies to their Year groups that will enable everyone to vote in a mock EU referendum in school on Thursday, June 23. 

Ms Rahman who teaches History and Politics organised for a University of Central London student, Akif, to come in to deliver training and help them to become political campaigners. He explained the arguments for and against remaining in Europe and then each campaigner was assigned as a Leave or Remain candidate and told to go out and canvass.

On Thursday students will then cast their vote into ballot boxes in St Francis’ Hall and Ms Rahman and her team will count the votes. She went on to explain: “This is teaching the boys fundamental British Values and shows democracy in action. Although it is done in a fun way, it carries a very important message and engages them in politics at an early age. They see their parents voting and can feel involved too.”

Since January a group of our boys from Years 7 to 10  were involved in the Commonwealth Children’s Choir with students from several primary schools across Newham.

Ms Brockett and Jess accompanied the boys to many appointments and many rehearsals to perfect their performances at unsociable hours to events at RAF Northolt, Horseguards Parade, The Household Guard and Beating the Retreat.

They recorded a song entitled ‘A Worldwide Family – A Song For The Commonwealth’ at Northolt to commemorate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

The boys really enjoyed the experience with all its pomp and ceremony with the Beating of the Retreat  and its fantastic firework display at the conclusion a favourite and memorable night for all those who went.

Everyone involved said their involvement is something they will remember all their lives and they felt privileged to have taken part.

Mr Thompson from our Music Department is holding a ‘Battle of the Bands’ challenge at the end of the month for our talented musicians to take part in.

Auditions are being held on June 27 but interested students need to go and see Mr Thompson to get a time-slot.

The requirements ask for a minimum of two band members with one song of your choice plus one song from any of the bands performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, on any of the stages.

Mr Thompson has a list of those bands performing displayed in the Music Department to inspire you.

So if you fancy getting involved and covering a song by Billy Bragg, The Bootleg Beatles, New Order, The 1975, Adele, Coldplay, Madness or maybe even ZZ Top, get rehearsing and go and see Mr Thompson….groovy baby!

Staff and students at school today held a mufti day to help former student Arran Draper’s family at this tragic time.

Uniforms and smart working clothes were swapped for casual attire for a £1 or other fee that was to be donated to the fund started earlier this week.

18 year old avid West Ham supporter Arran from Plaistow was killed last week in Poplar in a road traffic collision and his family are inconsolable. Arran left St Bonaventure’s last summer and his death has affected many people who remember him with fondness.

Staff, students and parents have been very generous and today’s non uniform day raised a staggering £2,108. Thanks to everyone for their generosity.

Sweepstakes for Euro 2016 have been organised too by Mr Robinson and money from that so far total £280.

Our thoughts remain with Arran’s family during this difficult time.

Anyone who wants to still donate can do so via the Just Giving page Arran’s good friend, Charlie Fink, who’s in Year 13 has set up to help pay for the cost of a funeral.

Thirteen-year-old Rosen Bello from 8 Heath was today awarded the latest Jack Petchey prize for his selfless nature.

Rosen single-handedly organised a Fun Day in Dagenham recently in aid of the charity CAFOD. All proceeds went to the worthy cause.

His generous nature and heart of gold makes him a popular choice for the May award.

Rosen is deciding what to do with his £250 award money.

After a day and a half of intense interviews by Mr Robinson, Ms Qurrey, Mrs Burke and Mr Hayes, the new student leadership teams have announced.

Jamie Halliwell, 15, from 10 Colman was named as the new Headboy with the accolade of Deputy Headboys going to Kharma Kamwegie, Klaudio Prela, Henry Ogoli, Matthew Brako, Alan Kakassary, Dean Francis, Lawrence Ssonko and Jaiden Ettiene-Simmonds.

The Senior Prefects were chosen also.

Students are urged to get to know the new  team and they will be wearing their distinctive badges making them easily distinguishable.

Well done to the new student leaders.

Headboy

The Deputies

The Senior Prefects

Ravenscroft  Primary School Year 5 students spent the last two days with our Science Department learning new and exciting scientific concepts.

They learned about physics and engineering and how to build cranes, bridges and towers. West Ham Park  provided an ideal venue to study ecology and a bug hunt hunt through mown and long grass to look for different species of insects was very interesting.

On the second day, Chemistry was on the curriculum and the youngsters had a difficult task of a survival in the desert scenario where they had to work against the clock to salvage water or risk dying of dehydration. They could only use debris and wreckage from a notional plane crash to help them and they had to use all their knowledge they had gleaned to complete the complicated scheme.

The children really enjoyed this new way of working and were engrossed in the lessons.

At the end of the two days certificates were given out and one of their teachers, Dipo Oni, who is an alumnus of St Bonaventure’s having left in 2004, delighted his class by volunteering for a fireball gas experiment. 

Our 6th Form Year 12 students led some of the teaching and themselves received Gopher Training Awards.

This is the second year Ravenscroft has visited St Bonaventure’s for Science workshops.

Rosen Bello in 8 Heath decided he wasn’t going to wait until he was in Year 10 until he could join the CAFOD group in school, he wanted to do something positive to raise funds for the charity now.

With his mum’s help, Rosen decided to organise a Family Fun Day in Dagenham this weekend, May 28, with him running a sweet stall and his mum a make-up stall.

This is the first time Rosen has attempted anything like this and he says he is looking forward to it and raising lots of money. 

Headteacher Mr Halliwell said: “To organise something on this scale is fantastic for a 13 year old boy. I love the fact that he didn’t want to wait another two years to start helping the charity. “ Rosen’s Head of Year, Mr Senior added: “He has impressed me with his determination and drive.”

Parents and students are encouraged to go along and support the Fun Day at Woodward Hall on Saturday.

Our Brilliant Club students from Years 8 and 10 visited Oxford University’s Somerville College  recently for their graduation ceremony .

The boys spent the day being shown around the campus and attended study skills and academic taster sessions. They met with student ambassadors and thoroughly loved their day.

Here are some photos from the day.