It was a real privilege for our Year 9 football team to participate in the Lycamobile at the famous Boleyn Ground this weekend as the stadium has been an integral part of East End life since 1904.

Generations of St Bonaventure’s students have supported and still support West Ham United and our Year 9 pupils were excited to be able to play on the same ground as Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking and local boy Mark Noble.

We didn’t come away with any trophies on this occasion but the emotion of the day was very apparent and might have affected their play. They were all very pleased to be given the opportunity to play on the Boleyn turf before it is demolished and the club moves to the Olympic Park.

Well done to Darnell, Peter, Kasim, Ebube, Jeffrey, Jamal, Daniel, Anthony, Jerry and Prince for giving it their all on the day and are seen here pictured with old Bonaventurian George Chukwuma before the competition.

Our Year 9 football team are playing at the Boleyn Ground this Sunday in the Lycamobile Cup.

It’s thought to be pone of the last ever tournaments to be played at the historic ground as West Ham United will next season play at The Olympic Stadium in Stratford. It will be exciting and sad at the same time but everyone is feeling nostalgic playing on the famous turf.

We have high hopes for this competition as last year our Year 7 team were crowned the winners after playing Emmerson Park Academy from Hornchurch.

Play is between 11.00am and 4.00pm on Sunday, May 15.

 We will keep you posted how we did via our social media on Sunday.

Some of our Year 7 students took part in The Faraday Challenge sponsored by The Jack Petchey Foundation earlier this week at Stepney Green College and won a BBC micro:bit competition.

The win means they are now through to the final on July 18, 2016.

The Faraday Challenge by The Institute of Engineering and Technology hold STEM activity events aimed at Year 7 students to encourage creativity, team working, problem solving and the application of technology to real life situations. 

The BBC micro:bit is a small programmable device, a pocket-sized computer that can be coded, customised and controlled to bring digital ideas games and apps to life. Measuring 4cm by 5cm it is designed to be fun and easy to use. Its applications are endless and all that is needed is a student’s imagination and creativity.

Nineteen of our computer geeks went along and came up with two prototypes – a tilt monitor that elderly members of the community can use as an alert and a counting device to use on public transport  such as buses and trains to restrict access and avoid overcrowding and enhance public safety. Both unique and innovative ideas.

Computer Science teacher Ms Sumayyah Malek took the boys and commented: “Everyone was impressed with our designs and the quality of the boys’ supporting paperwork which I think clinched it for them.”

She added: “They are really excited and looking forward to the final in July.”

Tomas Augustauskas has been named as the latest Jack Petchey Awards winner at St Bonaventure’s School.

13 year old Tomas is in 8 Atkinson and was nominated for the April award by Head of PE at the school, Chris Topping, who went on to explain: ” Tomas has been one of the hardest working and most passionate basketball players all season. In the build up to the national finals Tomas suffered an injury but continued to support both Year 9 and Year 8 teams. He wanted so desperately to represent his school but his fitness wasn’t up to scratch. However he still travelled up to Manchester to support his team and was determined to participate. He was able to go on briefly and even managed to score against St Martin’s School from Brentwood which really spurred on his team. His team won by a massive 44 points and made them the Premier National Schools England Basketball Champions.

” Tomas’ support  and belief in his team never wavered. He epitomises the core values a team player needs to succeed in professional  sport.”

Tomas went to St Joachim’s Catholic Primary School previously and lives in Canning Town.

His £250 award money will goes towards a new away kit for the basketball team.

We have had it confirmed today by the Great Man himself, legendary basketball coach, Humphrey Long, our achievement has never been done before, 4 English Schools National titles in National Schools History.

Here is what he sent us: 

“This is a quick update on he ESBBA Roll of Honour. As of May note that St Bon’s has moved up the ‘league table’. Four wins is a record. Ellesmere Port Catholic High School previously had 3 wins in 2005. A unique achievement. Well done! “

Record breakers!

History was made this weekend as our Year 8s won their match against St Martin’s School from Brentwood in Belle Vue making it a clean sweep with us incredibly winning all four matches – a once in a lifetime feat.

The good news doesn’t stop there either.

With Year 7s already being named as Champions earlier in the year that makes us National England Basketball Champions in EVERY year – 5 titles now to our name.

Coach Senior explained: “This is massive for us. The boys come in early every morning for practice ready to work and improve and they really deserve this recognition. The buzz this weekend was amazing with everyone talking about one East London school dominating the national stage. Our support was phenomenal too and everyone was transfixed, keen to stay in the loop on our progress but we just kept winning. It was nice to have some parents travel up to Manchester too to support their sons. It was a truly memorable weekend.”

Head of PE, Chris Topping said: “I couldn’t be more proud. The boys worked so hard for this and wanted to win so much.”

Headteacher Mr Halliwell added: “This is not a fluke. This is the result of the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of our staff and students. This has never happened in any school before. St Bon’s has made history this weekend.”

We were truly honoured to be be asked to perform at the swearing in ceremony for the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday morning, May 7, 2016.

St Bonaventure’s was the only school to be chosen in the whole of London – a huge privilege. No other schoolchildren were invited. 

Miss Brocket hastily assembled the choir and held secret rehearsals on Friday afternoon. Even the boys didnt know what they were practising for. They only knew it was a top secret, high profile event.

After gathering at Stratford station early on Saturday morning, the 19 students ranging from Year 7s to Year 13s were told of their mission. The excited group were quizzed by Borough Market shoppers as they gathered outside Southwark Cathedral,  keen to find out what was going on inside the historic church. They deflected their questioning like true professionals and apologised and said they were not allowed to say. 

One inside the beautiful building and after a quick rehearsal,  the formal proceedings began. The atmosphere was one of excitement, joy and celebration as the students watched as Ed Miliband, Sir Ian McKellen, Owen Jones, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and the Met Police Commissioner all took their seats. Television cameras and photographers were in abundance,  all waiting to capture the historic moment.  

Once the new Mayor addressed the audience and signed the official declaration our students went up onto the altar to sing ‘Fight Song’ and ‘Hold Back the River’. The audience loved their song choices. 

Straight afterwards ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor Sir Ian made a beeline over to our students after Mr Halliwell had earlier asked him to meet the excited lads. He happily posed for selfies and photos and chatted.

Afterwards on the lawn,  the VIPs including our new Mayor himself were happy to pose for photos and selfies with our boys. 

It was a memorable morning indeed and the students were a credit to the school, their parents, Forest Gate, Newham and the whole of London.

The eyes of the world were on them and they behaved impeccably. 

Oh my days. Our Year 9 have won the England Basketball Premier Under 14 Schools Championship  after beating St Matthew’s RC High School from Moston in Manchester with a score of 72 – 59.

It is remarkable and Mr Ancora, Mr Robinson, Mr Bowers, Mr Onireti  and Mr Senior  were there to see them clinch the title.

That means we have won every title we have entered so far this weekend.

Mr Halliwell added: “This weekend has been amazing and I can’t wait to see all the medals and trophies back in school on Monday.”

One game remains to be played tomorrow, May 8, when our Year 8s play St Martin’s School from Brentwood.

Fingers crossed for a clean sweep.