ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IS A HUGE TRIUMPH

18th July 2017Publicity Manager

Our 140th anniversary celebratory mass was a fantastic occasion yesterday, July 17,  with 13 priests and The Bishop of Brentwood con-celebrating in St Antony’s Church.

A host of alumni, former teachers, governors and headteachers and friends of St Bonaventure’s from far and wide travelled to join us at the mass.  A buffet and reception followed on the Friary lawn.

Students were treated to a free breakfast in the morning and had various sessions learning outside the classroom before mass started.

Here are some photos of the day.

HAPPY FEAST DAY ST BONAVENTURE

By Publicity Manager13th July 2017

This Saturday, July 15, is the Feast Day St Bonaventure, our Patron saint.

St Bonaventure, was born at Bagnoregio, in the Lazio region of central Italy, in 1221. His name was John but he received the name Bonaventure after St Francis of Assisi prayed for John’s recovery from a dangerous illness when he was a child and cried out: “O Buona Ventura” which means good fortune.

At the age of 22, John (now known as Bonaventure) entered the Franciscan Order. In Paris he became the close friend of St Thomas Aquinas.

At the age of 35 he was chosen General of his Order. He did much for his Order and composed ‘The Life of St. Francis’ . He also assisted at the translation of the relics of St Antony of Padua.

He was nominated Archbishop of York by Pope Clement IV, but he begged not to be forced to accept that dignity. Pope Gregory X obliged him to take upon himself a greater one, that of Cardinal and Bishop of Albano, one of the six suffragan Sees of Rome.

He died while he was assisting at the Second Council of Lyons, on July 15, 1274.

He is known as the Doctor of the Church.

St Bonaventure continue to pray for all students, staff, governors, parents and friends of our great school.

OUR PLEDGE TO HELP REFUGEE CHILDREN

1st February 2017Publicity Manager

Today, February 1, saw the launch of the St Bonaventure’s “Refugees Welcome” campaign raising awareness of the issues refugee families arriving in Newham face.

Year 8 students Ethan Suppaya, Dellon Velichore, Chinedu Uzoalor, Jesse Okoro and Tyler Cullen prepared and lead the assembly on TELCO and the Refugees Welcome campaign.

Assistant Headteacher and Director of RE at the school, Andy Lewis, said: “I am incredibly proud of these young men who are showing exactly what it means to be a student of the school. They are standing up and bearing witness, while helping those in need. Already they have lots of exciting plans to help raise funds towards the TELCO refugee housing appeal and this campaign is needed now more than ever before. The World seems to have lost some of its compassion and these are uncertain times. I am proud that our students want to help.”

The boys have lots of suggestions and ideas to raise money kicking off with a basketball tournament. After half term they plan to put up a huge display in the main school corridor highlighting the plight of the refugees to raise awareness.

Emmanuel Gotora, Lead Organiser for TELCO added: “At a time when the global political climate seeks to use fear of refugees to divide communities, St Bonaventure’s students are taking initiative to bring hope in recognition of our shared humanity at a very local level here in Newham.”

TELCO has committed £6,000 to help house a refugee family in private rented accommodation in Newham. They are asking if a local business or entrepreneur would be willing to contribute to fundraising or help in any way to please get in touch with Emmanuel Gotora on emmanuel.Gotora@citizensuk.org. It really could make a huge difference.

NORWEGIAN HEADS JOIN US

24th January 2017Publicity Manager

TODAY, January 24,  22 Headteachers from Norway visited our school and the contingent met with various groups of students and teachers to look at how our students meet their full potential.

They were particularly interested in our teaching methods and were impressed with our students’ behaviour and attitude to learning.

Thanks to everyone who met the visitors and helped out.

 

DOUBLE JOY AS Year 11 NAMED CHAMPS

6th May 2016Publicity Manager

Our cup runneth over this evening as our Year 11s were victorious against Stockport’s Reddish Vale High School at Belle Vue in Manhester.

The final score was a fantastic 98 – 78 and we were named Under 16  Premier Team Dynamik National Schools Competition Champions.

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That’s  both our matches won tonight and makes us  the Under 15 and Under 16 Champions- a phenomenal achievement by any stretch of the imagination.

Mr Halliwell commented: “ I am blown away by this double achievement tonight. We are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on the basketball scene and I am left in no dount that this is down  to the committment of everyone iinvloved in the process. This day will be talked about for years to come as a great day in our 139 year history at St Bonaventure’s.” 

 

AWARD FOR OUR EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS

By Publicity Manager8th April 2016

 

St Bonaventure’s has been nationally recognised for its exceptional 2015 performance by the Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT).

Educational outcomes data analysis from SSAT has shown that the school is in the top 20% of schools nationally for high average grades achieved by students.

The school’s SSAT Educational Outcomes award will be presented at a regional celebration event held to draw attention to the work of high-achieving, improving and innovating schools and teachers.

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said: “It’s my great pleasure to commend St Bonaventure’s on their excellent 2015 performance and to have the opportunity to highlight and share their great work at the SSAT Educational Outcomes celebration evening. I have the privilege of visiting a lot of schools and I am always impressed by the creativity of teachers in engaging and inspiring their students. I hope that SSAT’s Educational Outcomes award will highlight the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the Leaders, Teachers and Students at St Bonaventure’s. Recognising and sharing successes like this is at the heart of SSAT’s mission. So I am delighted to congratulate St Bonaventure’s on their achievement.”

Paul Halliwell, Headteacher of St Bonaventure’s added: “Once again I feel very proud of all that we do at this great school and to be recognised by the SSAT is a great honour. The staff in St Bonaventure’s work hard for the students and they take their mission seriously. We love our young people and we will do anything possible to give them the best opportunities and best future life choices. Our students respond by always doing the very best that they can. Words can not describe how thankful we are with the support that parents give us. This award is for everyone in the community of St Bonaventure’s”.

Additional Informationashandpaul2015ssat

SSAT, the Schools, Students and Teachers Network is the name of the company founded from the former Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in May 2012. They believe that teachers make students’ lives better. As the hub of the largest and longest-standing network of School Leaders and forward-looking teachers in the country, the SSAT network helps teachers and leaders to collaborate meaningfully with other schools – learning from peers, benchmarking improvement and celebrating each other’s achievements.

 

DONTE DONATES AWARD MONEY TO DT DEPARTMENT

By Publicity Manager21st March 2016

DONTE

Donte Costales who is in 7 Kolbe has been given a prestigious award from the Jack Petchey Foundation.

11-year-old Donte joined st Bonaventure’s in September from St Edwards Catholic Primary School and straight away immersed himself into secondary school life.

He volunteers for everything and is a kind and considerate student.

Donte receives the February award for his positive attitude, his flexibility in adapting to school and being an excellent role model for others.

The DT Department will benefit from his £250 award money.

Well done Donte, you are a star.