ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Weekly Newsletter
Ben Davis, Acting Headteacher Grassyards Rd Kilmarnock KA3 7SL 01563 526144
ISSUE 15.3
www.saintjosephsacademy.co.uk Twitter: @StJoAcad
INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM: NURTURING FAITH-FILLED WORLD CLASS LEARNING
The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Nolan February 14th, 2015
FEBRUARY 16TH 2015 FOR PARENTS, CARERS, FAMILIES & PARISHES
Bishop Nolan’s Ordination St. Joseph’s was very proud to play a part in the Ordination of Bishop Nolan that took place at the Grand Hall on Saturday. The school, in partnership with Mitie, Onsite Catering and East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, hosted over 800 guests for lunch. Pupils provided entertainment and welcomed guests to the school. Several pupils also participated in the Mass itself, Ambitious
including Sarah Iles who read and Kieran Preston who was one
Learning
of the altar servers. It was a wonderful day for Kilmarnock and a real privilege to be part of. The day was suitably rounded-off when the newly ordained Bishop visited the school and spoke with the pupils. Thanks must go to all pupils who participated and also to Mr. Cowan for overseeing the musical entertainment and to Miss Woodward for the displays of art in the street.
Engaged Learners
From top left: S6 pupil Sarah Iles reads her explanation of the history and meaning of the Bishop’s Pectoral Cross; Matthew Dougan entertains guests; Robbie, James and Keira welcome guests to the event; Matthew Cowan performs for guests in the Street.
On this page: Pupils perform for the guests; artworks on display in the street; guests enjoying refreshments in the Games Hall; and, above, the Street before they all arrived on Saturday morning.
EAST AYRSHIRE ART EXHIBITION Four of our S6 pupils had their work displayed in the Easy Ayrshire Schools Art and Design Exhibition at the Dick Institute. Schools from all over East Ayrshire are represented and the standard of work is very high. At the top of this page you can see the four artists: Tatenda, Declan, Jennifer and Nadia with their teacher Miss Woodward. All are currently doing Advanced Higher Art. Pictured to the left are Jennifer with her piece, a self-portrait with her grandmother and below that is Tatenda pictured with both her father and his portrait. The exhibition is open until March 28th and is well worth a visit.
Examples of great learning from S1 Social Subjects. Pupils were challenged to demonstrate their learning and understanding of medieval history through comic-book style illustrations.
This week we were delighted to welcome to the school Sylvian Diez. Sylvain, originally from Brassac in France, is an assistant development officer at Ayr RFC, as well as being a first and second XV player. He previously played for Dumfries Saints and Castres Olympique and was part of the team that won the French Under-21 National Championship. He presented to the whole of S2 before leading 50 pupils in a challenging rugby workshop.
General News and Information
charged with developing our school’s interpretation of East
Ash Wednesday
Ayrshire’s new Respectful Relationships policy which,
All pupils attended Mass or Services to mark Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. Pupils were encouraged to prepare for Lent and to view it as a time in which they should seek to find the ‘best of themselves.’ At St. Matthew’s Church the parishioners and Fr. Martin made the S5/6 pupils very welcome and Fr. Martin also
amongst other things, sets out ways of tacking bullying. The second is working on developing our whole strategy on mental health and wellbeing and will shortly be planning events for parents and carers and speaking with the Parent Council. Advent Prayers
commissioned our first pupil Eucharistic Ministers. The
As is the case every Lent, Advent prayers take place each
pupils, who are all undertaking the Caritas Award, then
morning in the Oratory, led by a member of staff or a pupil.
went on to distribute Ashes and Communion at the Mass
Parents and carers are very welcome to join us and we
and at subsequent services in school.
also ask you to encourage your son or daughter to attend.
Senior Phase and S2 Parents Information Evening
S1 and S2 Character and Values Reflections
On Tuesday night we welcomed over 100 parents and
In Home Room all pupils in S1 and S2 are completing
carers to the school to begin the first stage of
working reflection on the development of character traits,
personalisation and choice (or options) as their children
their understanding of the school’s values, their general
move into S3 or into Senior Phase. As well as
progress and their health and wellbeing. These will be
presentations from staff they also learnt more from Jane
completed by March 4th and will then be sent home for
Henderson of Ayrshire College and our Careers Adviser
parents and carers to sign.
from Skills Development Scotland, Kate Faulds. Parents and carers who were unable to attend will shortly be able
Trips and Visits
to access the materials they missed online.
There are still places on the S1 - S3 trip next week to the comic book workshop, tickets are priced at £4. The S6
Pupils lead school’s anti-bullying and mental health
Personal Development class are organising an S6 Leavers
Two pupil committees are hard at work developing new
Dinner, priced at £6 and those pupils in S1 who are going
materials and approaches for their peers. The first is
on the Titanic trip must get their money in as quickly as possible.
Character Education In our newsletters we normally feature pupils’ work. Here you can see some of the thinking done by staff on the in-service day last week looking at character traits and how these can be developed in young people. What were the top three most important traits amongst the staff? Honesty, respect and care.
IMPORTANT DATES................................................................... February 24th 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm S5/6 Parents’ Evening March 2nd Parent Council 7 pm
Week beginning February 23rd: Year group SCIAF assemblies Week beginning March 2nd: Year Group assemblies March 19th Feast of St. Joseph
WEEKLY HOME ROOM REFLECTION: Gentle Servant Leadership At the weekend a number of staff and pupils were lucky enough to attend the Ordination of Bishop Nolan at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock. As the new Bishop of Galloway, Fr. Nolan will be expected to be lead the parishes of the Diocese and provide guidance to priests and parishioners. It is a position that demands great skills and carries enormous responsibility. The Ordination Mass was said by Archbishop Cushley and in his homily the Archbishop reflected on the theme of leadership describing Bishop Nolan as a ‘servant leader’. He also talked about the importance of gentleness and humility, characteristics that, he asserted, are vital for effective leadership. At the end of the Mass the newly ordained Bishop began his speech of thanks with a light-hearted, but well meant, apology to all those who had suffered as a result of his mistakes and decisions over the years. In a society where the image of leadership is often hard, cold-blooded and tough we would do well to listen to the words of these two men and consider how much better our lives might be if we all embraced gentleness and sought leaders who have the courage to be servants. In the media and in public life we are often overwhelmed by voices shouting in outrage for people to be punished and treated harshly – these reactions are often understandable. However, acting with gentleness and understanding requires much more courage and seeks to create better situations and find solutions even when there is conflict and division. Likewise servant leaders are focused on doing their best for others and getting the best out of people, rather than imposing their will and making demands. Let us pray: We pray for Bishop Nolan as he takes up his new post that he can act with courage and gentleness in the knowledge that he has the support of the people of Galloway. We pray too for all people in positions of responsibility that they are mindful of their role as servants of others and that they set a good example in all their interactions and relationships. Amen. PARISH MASS TIMES St. Matthew’s: 9.30 am, Fr. Chambers St. Joseph’s: 6.00 pm (vigil), 11.00 am Fr. Latham St. Francis Xavier, Patna: 5.00 pm (vigil) St. John the Evangelist: 10.45 am, Fr. McGrattan Our Lady of Mount Carmel: 9.30 am, Fr. McGhee St. Michael’s: 4.30 pm (vigil) St. Paul’s: 11.30 am, Fr. Chambers Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Patrick: 6.00 pm (vigil), Fr. McGrattan St. Sophia’s: 6.00 pm (vigil) Fr. Chambers St. Thomas the Apostle: 9.00 am, Fr. McGrattan