Horizons
The Quarterly Journal of St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School & Sixth Form College
ISSUE ONE - CHRISTMAS 2017
ONE AMBROSE: HEAD HAND AND HEART
THE
EDUCATING IS ABOUT INSPIRING US
HOPE EDITION FAITH IN YOU | LOVE IN LEARNING | HOPE IN BETTER
OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AS ONE BIG FAMILY HOPE IS BELIEVING IN YOURSELF AND OTHERS REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL 1 OUR 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
ITS CHRISTMAS Melissa Booth Christmas is a time for happiness and joy, Adults receive stress and kids receive toys. Christmas is a time for the big turkey/chicken If you’ve got the pigs in blankets then you’re winning. Christmas time full of different bright lights, Lighting up the streets and awakening the winter nights. Frost and snow covers the floor with ice, Mist and fog covers the winter skies. Some Christmas trees stand bright and tall, Some Christmas trees stand bright and small. Christmas is near, A time for joy and cheer. So everybody have a great Christmas and don’t forget your Christmas hat, Everybody have a great Christmas I hope you all get fat.
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Cover Artwork - Hannah Hewitt 11J
CONTENT Introduction
Welcome
04
Our Autumn Term in Pictures
08
Year 7
“Hope is believing in yourself and others”
14
Year 8
“Manchester came together as a community to support each other”
23
Year 9
“Help us to always help others in need”
33
Year 10
“Our 2017 highlights are...”
40
Year 11
“Hope is what drives you through life in the toughest of time”
45
Tribute
A tribute in hope to the victims of the Jackson Street Fire
53
September - December 2017
54
Newsletter September - December 2017
58
That’s Christmas to me...
62
Sixth Form PE: Autumn Blog
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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BEN DAVIS Headteacher I am delighted that this first edition of Horizons is finally with us. For some time we have wanted to put together a school magazine that showcases pupils’ contributions. It is intended as an alternative to the newsletter at this time of year. We will be retaining the weekly newsletter as we go into 2018, but through the magazine and other projects we are aiming to put greater emphasis on sharing the talents and output of the talented young people we teach. This magazine is also an expression of the diversity of our community. In one place you can read about all that we have done and achieved, but you can also read about our young people’s thoughts, concerns and perspectives. As I have often said, ours is a diverse school, representing all of Salford, including, welcoming and nurturing everyone. Our mission statement doesn’t say ‘Everybody Matters’ simply for the sake of it; that commitment to welcome and tolerance is key to our development as a school. I believe it is fundamental to improving exam results and outcomes for our pupils - it is hard to see how someone who does not feel part of a community can thrive within it. For those reasons, in putting together this magazine, we challenged every form to contribute and most have done that resulting in a publication that represents us all. Within these pages you can read pieces from pupils of all ages, from parents and carers, from governors and from the clergy, including Bishop Arnold. Assembling such a range of voices allows to reflect on the building blocks of our community, apt when such bonds are challenged by terrible events (such as the recent fire on Jackson Street) or by the many stresses of modern life. Mindful of this we have themed the magazine around the idea of ‘hope’, something we are often told is in short supply. Our mission statement is made up of three clauses, the third of which is ‘Hope In Better’. It is an attempt to reflect the three graces
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spoken of in the well-known Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians;
can achieve. If you wish to offer an alternative name we are keen to
three concepts that are vital for life to flourish and grow: faith, love
hear from you. Similarly, if for subsequent issues you would like to
and hope. A Catholic school must be founded on hope: learning has
write something, whatever your connection, then please email the
at its heart the idea of progress, of the hope that development and
address at the foot of this page.
growth brings. Young people, also, are the most clear representation of hope I think of. With them reside all the possibilities of the
Finally, some ‘thank yous’. Firstly, to the form tutors who cajoled
future, the solutions to problems, the inventions yet to be realised,
and chivvied the pupils to offer their work; to the contributors
the innovations yet to be discovered, the families and relationships
themselves, especially Bishop John Arnold; and to Michael Connor
still to come. That is why educating young people is such a serious
for his fabulous design. Secondly, to you, the parents, carers and
business and why, in our school, addressing the issues that place
community of our school who throughout 2017 and a time of
barriers in the way of learning is such an urgent enterprise. It also
evident change in the school, have been supportive, have offered
reminds me of the Christmas carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and
advice, challenge and constructive criticism. Thirdly, to our staff
its line, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
who remain deeply committed to serving this community and who
Within each child is all of human nature, the blessing of new life.
work so hard to provide an excellent standard of care and education.
This magazine is a unique window into the hopes of our pupils.
I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and
Throughout the many articles, this hope is most commonly and
hope that the Christmas season for you and yours is enjoyable. I
powerfully communicated through reflections on the Manchester
very much look forward to seeing you in 2018 and continuing the
Arena bombing. It is both moving and impressive that our pupils
journey of our school.
are able to find hope in such a dark event. Others explore some of the global challenges of our time such as gun control in the USA,
God Bless
tensions around North Korea, while one contributor writes of the hope he feels in the presidency of Donald Trump and Brexit. Many pupils have chosen to write prayers, often profound and simple; others have contributed poems or raps that demonstrate a gift for wordplay and humour. In all cases the pieces we have
Ben Davis
published, whether written individually or collaboratively, are
Headteacher
honest, a reminder of the importance of being given a voice in a
ben.davis@salford.gov.uk
school of nearly 1200 people.
Twitter: @BenDavis1972
I hope that you enjoy this magazine and find it as uplifting to read as
Contributions for future newsletters and editions of Horizons
we have to create. We chose the name ‘Horizons’ as an expression of
magazine can be emailed to:
our mission statement, but also to hint at the idea that through this
newsletter@stambrosebarlowswinton.org
publication we can always look forward to what our young people
(Please send images as JPEG attachments)
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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BISHOP JOHN ARNOLD
FR. GAVIN LANDERS
Hope always has a place in our lives. If things are going well and we
Christmas to me is all about wonder and amazement. The
feel that we are achieving good results, building strong friendships
traditional Midnight Mass, preceded by the singing of Carols, is
and achieving all that we set out to do, then Hope has a place in
the best way I can enter into the mystery of Christmas. From being
helping us to set our goals for the future. Hope helps us to see where
a small child I was always brought to Midnight Mass (which was
we want to go, what we want to do and to be and how we may take
actually at Midnight), by my Mum and Dad, and, although I could
the next step and to build on our achievements.
barely keep my eyes open, the night always seemed so full of hope and excitement. As a child, and even to today, I try each year to
But Hope is also very important when things are not going so well.
pretend, just for a moment, that Jesus has not yet been born, so
For everyone there will be times when we feel frustrated that we
that when the bells start ringing at the ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’, my
do not easily understand the things we need to be learning, when
heart once again begins to gain pace and I feel so excited that this
friendships seem broken or lost, when we find ourselves in new and
night is a new night; a night just like like 2000 years ago when the
strange surroundings and do not know what direction to take, when
shepherds heard the angels singing the Gloria on the very first
the future looks very uncertain. These times occur in everyone’s
Christmas.
lives because life is always about change and finding ourselves in new circumstances, in unfamiliar territory. Then Hope is essential
What is Christmas if not that ‘a child has been born, a son has been
because it tells us that there is always a way out, a way ahead, and a
given and his name is Emmanuel - God with us!’ This is the radical
way to progress. And it shows us the way to go.
‘craziness’ of God; He humbles Himself and is born into this world. God is with us! This is the experience of the magi or ‘wise men’, who
Hope is very important for us Christians. We call it a virtue and it
were so struck by the appearing of the star, that they were impelled
tells us that, no matter how alone we may feel at times, in fact we are
by wonder to see what the star shone upon. Just as the magi had
never alone. When Jesus was finishing his ministry among us, he
renewal in their lives by seeing Jesus and offering Him gifts, so too
said to his disciples “I am with you always, until the end of time”. If
I desire this renewal, and wish, once again, to offer myself as gift to
we believe that and trust in it then we will always have Hope. When
Him who gave me life.
we celebrate Christmas we celebrate God’s love for us in sending His Son to live among us and to show us the way. We celebrate Hope.
This year I will celebrate Midnight Mass as a Priest for the first time, and God’s craziness is shown again; God will use me, as His
Let us be sure to recognise Hope every day. Whether things are good
priest, to make Himself present during the Mass in the Eucharist.
or perhaps feeling difficult or uncertain there is never a reason to be
Speechless.
without Hope for the future. This year I will once again pretend, just for a moment, that Jesus has not yet been born into the world, and at that moment, for me, this world is covered in darkness and sin, but, at the ringing of the bells, I will be ready to welcome Him into my life; welcome the light into the world; welcome the prince of peace; welcome the Saviour of the World! Jesus makes sense of my life, and that’s Christmas to me.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
KAREN WHITEHEAD
SARAH BELL
Chair of Governors
Chair Parent Council
Hope is the engine which drives the human condition. Even in the
Christmas is the time of year when we are all focused on the plans
Bible, we see stories of hope, such as that of a blind man who was
we are making for the coming festivities, which usually means
begging for charity when he heard Jesus and his followers passing.
doing everything at twice the speed we normally do in order to get
Though he had been told he would never see again, he shouted to
ourselves and our families ready for it.
Jesus for help. Though Jesus’ acolytes dismissed him and told him to be quiet, he kept shouting for the recognition he hoped for.
So I hope that at some point in the next few days you manage to find some time to stop, sit down and take a few minutes to take a rest
In the end, his hope paid off: Jesus went to the man personally and
from all the madness and have a read of this magazine instead ! The
cured him of his blindness. Though everything and everyone had
theme for this one is ‘hope’, something very relevant at Christmas
suggested his cause was hopeless, the blind man believed just the
time, when we are looking back on the events of the year we’re
same.
leaving behind, and hoping for joy and happiness in the one to come.
Our Ambrose is ambitious and inclusive, with a vision and values that embodies that hope for all. At this time of year, a time of quiet
They say a person needs just three things to be happy in this world;
endings and fresh starts, it always pays to look back and reflect on
someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.
what we hope for and what we have achieved. We hope you find all three this Christmas time and in the coming We have many things, as a school, to be hopeful for. We hope for all
year. On behalf of the Parent Council I would like to wish you all
our students to work hard and achieve everything they deserve in
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - thank you for your
the days ahead. We hope that our teachings will develop them into
support throughout 2017.
rational and compassionate adults. We hope that our teaching staff remain dedicated and inclusive in all they do, and all they seek to achieve. I would like to personally acknowledge the parent council and the governing body for their on-going support and dedication. I wish you all a restful and holy Christmas, and I am hopeful that 2018 builds on the successes already so prominent in our community and school. This is our Ambrose. We are one Ambrose. With best wishes.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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Our first CPDL evening for staff using oracy to
Well done to the year 10 rugby team. Undefeated
Shervin and Alice enjoyed their radio debut
discuss school culture and community
in the Salford 9’s rugby league competition.
talking UCAS. BBC5 Live.
The brand new pupil leadership team in all its glory. Inspiring pupils ‘getting it right’
Science club with some of the i Y7 retreats at Wardley Hall.
harvest this year
SEPTEMBER
The first ‘Hot Chocolate Friday’ five.
Y11 enjoyed an afternoon listening to the testimony of 8 John Pridmore.
Yr12 Fashion students working on their styling.
The Chaplaincy Team joined St Edmund’s.
Shervin graduated from the EY Foundation ’s fantastic Smart
Pupil Leade
Futures programme
mark campa
Art & Design trip to London
An amazing Open Evening
Sixth Form Chaplaincy meeting with Fr.Gavin
Depts working
incredible edible
together to illustrate Talking DEC! With Lauren, Brad, Dan
The fantastic Food Tech team. Open Evening.
their vision
OCTOBER
Art students at the Balenciaga show
Sixth Form Open Morning.
ership Team leading the make your
GCSE Art and Photography are out and about around Salford
aign
Quays
Assembly on fair trade at St. Charles’ PS.
The Lowry.
9
Phoebe won an iPad at the
The St Ambrose Barlow School Council have had
Our October Rosary group walked to St Charles’
National Apprenticeship Show
another creative meeting!
Church.
Look at the gang celebrating their Monologue and Duologue
Students are already back on location
Careers Convention meeting p
evening. An excellent event.
photographing Salford Quays.
through career paths
OCTOBER
Lunch at the markets... Munich.
Well done Charlotte scoring a try in your
Crafting sentences for the written exam section
debut for Cheshire u18s.
on Live Theatre Review
Saturday morning adventures in Munich. Walking tour in the 10 glorious sunshine!
Year 7 celebrating their Welcome Mass at St. Edmund’s in Little
Look who so
Hulton. Fantastic evening.
recently.
Busy sowing garlic, beans and radish
Y9 Geographers
On our way to Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Octagon Theatre,
pupils and talking Our annual Celebration Evening at Maxwell Hall
Year 11 Mock Interviews.
Bolton
NOVEMBER
Chris Lubbe. Life-changing talks on forgiveness.
ome of our culinary superstars met
The newYear 7 Parents’ and Carers’ Evening.
Now that’s real work.The hard graft behind the incredible art on display at our GCSE exhibition.
Sixth Form Open Morning
STEM: Networking with their new 11 business mentors
Christmas Fair 2017.
Advent Liturgy and Music & Drama Performance Evening
Working with Francine for our final week, model gardens almost finished ready for RHS competition
A great privilege to be involved Advent liturgies going swimmingly - such talent!
rary production of the Modern
DECEMBER
Christmas Fair 2017.
Sixth Formers supporting a good cause in their
Year 11 in their outfits. Loads of money raised
festive jumpers today
for charity and food collected for the homeless.
Christmas Fair! Year 7 should be proud of themselves. Their stalls 12 were fantastic!
What a success! Thank you to all who came along to the Christmas
Our sixth fo
Fair and Fun Run.
with acts of
Christmas Service
Christmas Service
Christmas Service
d with a comtempo-
n Day Holy Family.
Y9 making latkes to mark the end of Hanukkah
Christmas service this morning.
ormers in the community spreading the real message of Christmas kindness.
Film Studies - IMAX
Film Studies - Star Wars
Art & Design Students in Blackpool
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YEAR 7
Artwork - Alex Horan 7M 14
7A “HOPE IS BELIEVING IN YOURSELF AND OTHERS”
A POEM ABOUT HOPE Georgia Birchall Hope in believing in yourself and others. Others believe that sometimes it is hard to do things you are not used to. People don’t always think everyone has it in them. Energy helps in hope because if you have a lot of energy you have more chance of believing in yourself.
PRAYER FOR HOPE James Edwards Hoping for a life worth living Owing everything to the Father, always Praying for the people around me Every person to get a chance in life Amen
UK TERROR ATTACK - MANCHESTER ARENA Elizabeth Grundy On the 22nd May 2016 at an Ariana Grande concert, something very unfortunate happened. A bomb went off at the Manchester arena, killing 22 people and injuring over 59. These people were so innocent. Why? Would you do anything like this? I didn’t think so. So many innocent children, parents and families died. These children experienced something terrible at their young age. They are scared for life and will never get over this hurdle if they don’t have the love and support they need. To help these people Ariana Grande did a concert for everyone who survived the attack to see a good concert and enjoy it. She brought hope to these people. Everyone around the community helped to comfort and help the people. I hope you can do the same.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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7B “OUR TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS THIS TERM ARE...”
7B’S TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS
nuclear war and both armies boasting a lot of soldiers which could make for a terrifying WW3.
1.
Starting the New Year and getting to know new people.
2.
The first time it has snowed in ages.
3.
When we went to Wardley Hall together.
UK TERROR ATTACK - MANCHESTER ARENA
4.
Doing our advent assembly.
Ruby, Millie, Isobel, Georgina and Shani
5.
Doing secret Santa.
6.
Dragons Den.
On the 22nd of May 2017, something terrible happened at
7.
Christmas time in form.
Manchester Arena. When Arianna Grande finished her last song,
8.
Someone new joining our form.
a bomb went off. Sadly 23 people died and 500 people got injured
9.
Christmas Jumper Day.
including children. People from Saint Ambrose Barlow went to this
10. Sorting Hat Ceremony.
concert. This occasion happened at 10:31pm. This left people going home and to school with a tragic memory.
A POEM OF HOPE Hope is the faith that something good will come along, that when you think everything is bad you will be proved wrong, in the end is always hope, even when you think that you cannot cope, hope has the power to set us all free, you just have to believe that is the key.
TENSIONS IN NORTH KOREA Noth Korea is a awfully uncivilized dictatorship and it is probably going to sink. This unlawful land is run by Kim Jong-un, a dictator who treats his people with no respect and starves them. He openly approves of public execution and death camps. Many have even compared him to Adolf Hitler. He tries to hide the fact that his country is falling apart by pretending to hold elections every year however he is the only candidate running for power. In the news it is widely known he heavily dislikes America as they are the most wealthy capitalist country in the world. As well as already being a bit mad he is severely delusional. He loves to make up lies about him, his family, and his dad. Supposedly his father scored a hole in one the first ever time he played golf. Overall the feud between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un does not seem to be settling down any time soon with them both threatening
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
7C “...WE SHOULDN’T GIVE UP IN GOD BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF HIS PLAN”
HOPE
2017 TERRORIST ATTACKS
Gloria Shitta, Phoebe Smout and Hannah O’Malley
Myles Thompson and Brayden Bates
I hope for many things this year,
The terror attacks this year have been heartbreaking. The
For everyone to have a Christmas cheer.
Westminster Bridge incident, but especially the Manchester Arena
For more joy and happiness,
attack. Think of all the lives lost to a tragic event. Imagine the
And not too much craziness.
families who lost someone to this horrible event. All the money that was raised was unbelievable to help the families who lost someone.
I hope for lots of family fun,
There was a One Love concert shortly after this event to help
And to play out in the warm sun.
Manchester stay strong and stay together as a community.
Please don’t give us a rainy day, So we can go out and play.
22 people died in this bombing-a number of children have died. Around 120 people were badly injured at the pop up concert in May.
I hope that everyone is safe and warm, And there are no thunderstorms. I wish that everyone is kind and caring, So that everyone around us is sharing. I hope to read, I hope to learn, We hope to make a good return. We all love God, we all have grew, We wish our hopes will come true.
HOPE IN GOD Livia Kelly and Lena Kondracka During World War II Adolf Hitler was in control of the German army. He wanted to take over the world and he wanted to get rid of all the Jews. In May 1940 all the people that the Nazis had found were sent to a concentration camps in. They were separated into groups away from their family and friends. They probably were going to die and never see their family again (which is true for many, sadly) but they still had hope because they had faith in God
Artwork - Livia Kelly 7C
and prayed to him everyday knowing that he would do what is right. In January 1945 the prisoners were freed with some survivors. This shows that there was hope because they never lost faith. Today even when things are really bad we shouldn’t give up in God because we are part of his plan.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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7J “PLEASE HELP THE WORLD SO THAT WE CAN BRING HOPE TO PEOPLE...”
NELSON MANDELA – A SYMBOL OF HOPE
the streets and remembered the children who sadly lost their lives
Abigail Dawson
due to the terrorist attack. People put together a remembrance concert and many famous artists came and supported Arianna in
Nelson Mandela was an African black man who fought for equality
the traumatic event. It shows hope because they stuck together
and against racism. He protested many times he even went to prison
and made an effort. It shows how hope can make an effect; many
as he would never give up trying. After serving 26 years in prison
lives lost and Arianna stood up and made herself proud in the One
Nelson was freed and as an election was coming up the African
Love concert. She showed emotion whilst crying in her last song:
public voted for Nelson Mandela to be the new African president,
One Last Time. She tried to make the world a better place in those
and guess what – he won! Nelson Mandela was elected as president
difficult times, being kind and generous. These qualities can get
of Africa. Since this amazing event the world is still affected by
you far in life. Manchester people also represented hope by putting
racism but not as racist as it was before the outstanding Nelson
Manchester bees around and many shops had “I Love MCR” stuck
Mandela.
on the windows.
MANCHESTER ATTACK, HOPE
MANCHESTER ATTACK, HOPE
Ashton Hughes
Emmanuel Adekunle
The Manchester terrorist attack was an event of hope to me because
As the Manchester attack happened, taxi drivers and many people
everyone came together and helped the injured and the rest who
from Liverpool and other parts of Britain had come down just to
were in the arena at the time the bomb went off. People helped and
save people’s lives and get them away from the Arena. This made the
cared for each other which inspired and made hope possible. They
job for Police and Ambulance easier for them. Bravely, they carried
were brave to go in and help.
on with their lives as If nothing had happened. They put flowers in St Ann’s Square to show respect and pray for the people that had
This showed hope to me because, what I saw was a horrible
died. They had the Manchester Bee as well. Everyone moved on, and
experience for the people inside when the bomb went off. Everyone
some acted like it never happened. Hope!
would have been frightened, which made me scared but the aftermath is what really surprised me. The amount of people who ran in to help the injured and get them to safety and to a secure
NICHOLAS WINTON
environment and a few days later another concert was held for the people who didn’t make I and for everyone just in general. We have
Nicholas Winton is a heroic and inspirational man. A symbol of
made a massive impact on our own country with this unity. We were
hope. He saved 669 children from the holocaust. He risked his life
strong together and we made a difference and that’s what showed
to save others. He was on a holiday when his friend alerted him
hope to me.
about what was going on in Germany. That is when he had the life changing idea of The Kinder Transport. Despite doing one of the most incredible things a human can do, no one knew he was the
MANCHESTER ATTACK, HOPE
person who organised it. It was only when his wife went into the loft
Daizie Mae Hughes
one day and she found the old files in a briefcase over 50 year later that we found out. Unfortunately, the biggest train he organised was
I think the Manchester attack created hope because of the way the
stopped. It was the day war broke out. All 250 children on the train
whole of Manchester came together. People laid flowers down in
were sent to concentration camps and there is only record of 1 or 2
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
of those children making it out of the concentration camps. In my
the most important thing about Christmas and that is family and the
opinion, even if Nicholas had only saved one child he would still
birth of baby Jesus.
have been a hero. Amen. MANCHESTER ATTACK, HOPE HOPE
Fionn Devlin
Mya-Jade Casey Manchester was affected by terrorism, and our city came together and this represents hope to me. The hundreds of flowers laid down
Dear Lord,
in St Ann’s Square represented a light in our dark world. Homeless people probably have more disrespect than you can imagine, but
Please help the people who are suffering and dying. Lord, give us
they were the first to risk their lives and offer help. Even though
hope that there is light in the world and that there are good people.
terrorists try and destroy our light, it only ends up shining brighter.
St Ambrose Barlow pray for us. Amen
MANCHESTER ATTACK, HOPE Chloe Lea HOPE We’re running, rapidly sprinting out of the house
Bethany McClafferty
We’ve been getting ready for this all evening We get there dead on time and rush in
H appiness
The performance is beautiful, even enjoyable
O pportunity
Everyone throws their hands up and sings along
P eace
It finishes
E verlasting Love
We had a great time We took so many photos
Hope
And the times we didn’t take any, we did take memories
Obviously the right choice
Every person starts to decide whether to wait or go
Peace throughout the world
We make our way to the middle of the seats
Everlasting Justice
One last photo, a selfie A phenomenal night turned into the worst ever BANG!
HOPE
A nail flew into my shoulder
Sharon Okwu
My best friend on the floor, her leg traumatically bloody I shout and scream for help. Every body rushing towards us
Long ago, my great, great grandfather sat in this chair, under this
Other people are bleeding as well
same roof, telling this same story to his young daughter. He spoke
Everybody came together that night at the Manchester Arena.
about myths, dreams, emotions and great desires. She was so excited
HOPE!
to hear what he had planned for her today because he was such a
But we should come together every time of year, not just when
great storyteller. She sat waiting impatiently while her father settled
tragedies happen.
down into his chair. She went up to bed feeling sad that night as he had told her about many tales with not such a good ending. She lay wondering in her bed that night.
HOPE Finley Foley 7J
It was dawn, she could smell her breakfast from her room, buttered toast, pancakes soaked in maple syrup and a healthy fresh tropical
Our Father,
drink spread out on the table. While they were eating she asked
Please help the world so that we can bring hope to people. Not
“Father, how is it that while all these horrible things happen around
allowing violence and helping the world once again. Please help this
us nobody does anything about it? Her father took a strong sip of his
world so there is not terrorism attacks and help the world so there is
tea and answered “All those things I spoke to you about last night,
no more violence. At this time of year, please help us to remember
they aren’t happening now, they were all in the past….”
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
19
“But…….” She exclaimed. “They don’t happen now because someone gave hose people hope, to help them fight for their future, some people are even fighting now” her father went on. “Father, what is hope?” She asked. “It is something that helps people stay strong and keep fighting, even in the worst of times”. He explained. Lord, grant us peace, grant us hope for a better future. Bless us with great grace to help us have faith in the darkest of moments. Be our light in the depths of darkness. Give those who are cursed by the chains of torture and suffering a happy life, a life they deserve. Lord grant us hope and be our light, our example. Amen Artwork - Alex Horan 7M
HOPE Joseph Grundy There once was a quiet town. It was wealthy and rich in foods. And at the crack of dawn one morning, the clouds split open, to make way for an unmentionable beast-A DRAGON! With no army to defend them, the villagers were vulnerable. In its fearsome flames , it stood upon a young boy. The Dragon let out it’s worst fearsome roar: but he did not hesitate. Another fearsome howl from the dragon: he did not flinch. An old man joined the boy, the others followed. The whole village came and said, “We will fall together”. The dragon was confused by this and knew he could not conquer the whole village. At once he flew to the skies, never to return again. Dear God, Thank you for giving us hope in the darkest of times. We pray for those affected and harmed by something they did not deserve. Please give us your strength in the darkest of moments so that we may hope. St Ambrose Barlow, pray for us. Amen
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
7L “...LIVE IN PEACE AND ACCEPT EVERYONE’S SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES’
PRAYER FOR HOPE
And to heal the sick
Francisca Bojuwoye
We hope for all this for everyone.
I pray that all the great things that we accomplished in St Ambrose
Amen
this year will not end when it becomes the 1st of January 2017, but that we will fulfil bigger and greater things. PRAYER FOR HOPE I pray for a school which is a family and community, where no-one
Nicola Misiarz
is left out or shunned upon, but a school that embraces diversity. It is important to have hope somewhere in you, I hope that every student can be resilient and never give up, but
Hope is important.
challenge ourselves to be better.
Hope isn’t something you should be afraid of telling. So I hope to have a great family and also friends.
I pray that even all the monstrosities that happened this year will not
With no bad illnesses that can cause bad things,
make us stop hoping for a greater world.
And for there to be luck and kindness in the world.
I pray that when we are alone and depressed, that just a little piece of
Amen
hope that someone or something will comfort us, and let us believe again. PRAYER FOR HOPE I hope that one day everyone can live in peace and accepts
Benjy Knight
everyone’s similarities and differences in this world. Dear God I pray for a world with happiness and love, but not one filled with hatred and bitterness.
Very often we have a dilemma and our first reaction is either “I can’t do it”, or “that’s nothing I can do to change it”.
Amen
But, that’s the problem, we need to think “I can do this”. Every problem has an answer. Like rope, you can tie any knot, but it can always be taken apart.
PRAYER FOR HOPE
Don’t give up, try!
Jessica Eckersley
As we go through advent, help us to achieve the goal of having selfconfidence and hope.
Dear Jesus
Please guide us through the correct path and make choices in thought of others.
We hope for equality We hope for wars to stop
Amen
We hope to put an end to sexism And to stop racism We hope to stop poverty We hope to feed the hungry
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
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7M “EQUALITY MATTERS IN MANCHESTER”
I LOVE MANCHESTER
HOPE FOR US ALL Ellie
Manchester is strong whatever happens Ariana Grande bombing
I hope for the best in the New Year 7, where everyone gets along and
No one can stop Manchester
no scraps in the playground trying to act all hard. I hope every one
Can’t is not a word in Manchester
will go home to a wonderful, loving family who will look after the
Hope no more terror attacks happen
and cook their tea. I hate anyone on their own with no friends to
Equality matters in Manchester
talk to or anyone to turn ro. I wish all the poor and rich had some
Stay strong no matter what happens in Manchester
money to at least share a council house. I don’t think it’s nice to be a
The community of Manchester is so amazing
bully or person who doesn’t care about anyone. I hope that everyone
Remember the victims of all terrorist attacks in Manchester
is treated the same no matter if they’re black, white, blonde, no hair, hair everyone should be treated the same. I hope all terrorists stop what they are doing and think what they have done wrong and what
UK TERROR ATTACKS
they should be doing right. I hope for good in everyone.
Lauren Gatley Peace and love were brought together after the Manchester Arena bombing attack happened even though it was such a tragic time for everyone. People were killed, injured and some even went missing. Everyone’s hearts broke when they found out that the youngest victim was just 8 years old. After that day the whole nation came together to do the ‘One Love’ concert. Manchester has now become a much stronger nation and now uses the bee to be a symbol of Manchester. We are very lucky to have such a supportive country – we live in a great country.
THE MANCHESTER ARENA BOMBING Halle On the 22nd of May a tragic event occurred at Manchester Arena. People had gone to the arena on that night to see the popular music artist Arianna Grande. A terrorist planned to bomb outside the arena while fans were leaving. The bomb contained nuts and bolts. 22 people lost their lives in this terrible attack. It was chaos; people screaming, pushing and trying to get out.
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YEAR 8
Artwork - Hannah Carr238M
8A “... MANCHESTER CAME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER”
8A’S TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
Abramson, Jack Niles and Gerald A.Lawson. They are only 3 people but there are many more who helped in the creation of something as good as technology and who advanced it further.
1.
Mase Smith’s new haircut
2.
Leo Turner dancing with Mrs Dwyer-Moores
3.
Lucas Loriente and Leo Turner falling in the 3 legged race on
Technology us probably the world most wanted resource, however
Sports Day
many people don’t have it so be glad that you have hope that you
New members of the form – Mase Smith, Ruby Ward and
will be able to see the world of technology and even be a part of it.
Charlie Andrew
Be happy you are someone and that this thing gives us hope.
4. 5.
Own Clothes Day
6.
Conwy
7.
Sports Presentation Evening
8.
Success of the Rugby and Football teams
9.
Raising money for charity – St Joseph’s Penny, Family Fast Day,
On the 22nd May 2017, a night what was supposed to be filled with
Christmas Jumper Day etc.
fun and laughter, turned into a night of tragedy. A bomb was set
MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK
off in the arena at around 22:31. 22 people died during the attack,
10. Oracy speeches
including a number of children. Around 120 people got caught up in the blast, many were seriously injured. Terrorist Salman Abedi was TECHNOLOGY
named as the suicide bomber who carried out the attack.
Technology has given the world many things such as ways to
Singer, Arianna Grande tweeted a couple of hours after the accident
call someone on the other side of the world, watch videos from
occurred, ‘”Broken. From the bottom of my heart. I am so so sorry. I
anywhere in the world and it gave some people HOPE.
have no words.’’ Many other celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Austin Corini, Harry Styles and Ellie Goulding also tweeted about the
For instance Alan Turing. He broke Nazi codes in WW2 and saved
incident.
millions of lives. Through the power of technology, through the power of technology we can travel overseas in little to no time. It has
On the 4th June 2017, Arianna Grande hosted one of the biggest
saved countless lives through medical practicals and also made our
concerts in the world. One love Manchester. Many artists such as
lives easier than ever.
Niall Horan, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Robbie Williams attended the show.
Many people say that we could not live without technology, and some have said that we would go back to the prehistoric times
Girl band little mix turned down an award show just to perform at
without it! This proves that we inevitably need technology.
the concert.
WI-FI is also a gigantic part of technology, without it we couldn’t
Throughout the show, many people got a bee tattoo to show respect
have the things like playing online games and such. Even extremely
to the people who died in the tragedy.
large organisations such as NASA and army all across the world need WI-FI and technology to operate properly. Without it we
Ariana Grande paid for every funeral, and all the money raised was
would have a gigantic step back in history and the human evolution.
going to the ‘we love Manchester emergency fund.’
The creator of the Internet isn’t specified, since it wasn’t one group
The last song was the most emotional. Ariana invited all the artists
of people or just one person. Some of them include Norman
who showed up, to go onstage with her. During one last time,
24
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
Ariana’s boyfriend, Mac miller, was stood behind her, holding her hand. It was an emotional 3 hour show, but it shows how Manchester came together as a community to support each other. In total, they raised around 10 million pounds. At the arena, there is a lot more security. Police are surrounding the outside of the arena and the inside. Police vans/cars are on standby. You have to show your tickets to the staff before you enter. Once you enter, you have to walk through a metal detector. If it beeps, you get searched. Because of this tragedy, many concerts had to be cancelled. It was closed throughout the whole summer so the government can repair any damages and upgrade the speakers and lighting. Since the arena re-opened, many concerts have taken place such as Little Mix, Key 103 and many more. People are scared to go to the arena, but they shouldn’t be. We go to this place to have fun and
Artwork - Hannah Carr 8M
enjoy seeing the people we love perform live. We can’t let fear get the best of us. We have to be strong and confident. Even though this has affected all of us, we have to live life normally and go into that arena and forget about everything that has happened in the past.
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25
8B “GIVE THEM HOPE AND PEACE SO THEY CAN SURVIVE THIS WINTER”
PRAYER OF HOPE Dear Lord, Thank you for everything we have ate and drank, but there are still some people are around the world who don’t have food and shelter. Please help those who don’t have food or shelter this winter, help them to afford food and a place to stay in. Give them hope and peace so they can survive this winter. Help our form so they can be quiet when the teacher says so, so the teacher won’t get annoyed. Amen
PRAYER OF HOPE Mackenzie Brooks and Taylor Smith Dear Lord, Bring us Hope for 2018 and help us to forgive many tragic events that have happened this past year and help us to pray for those who were affected by these events, and let us hope these events will stop. Lord give us hope, so we can hope some of the people in these events can go back to their normal lives. In the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK Grace and Rose On May 22nd 2017 a suicide bomber set off a bomb which killed 22 people and left 50 injured. People thought it was a balloon popping and the stewards said it was fine and told everyone to sit down. After they found out it was a bomb everyone started running away and people got minor injuries from getting crushed by people running out of the exits.
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8F “OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER AS ONE BIG FAMILY.”
MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
Collaboratively written by members of 8F
Collaboratively written by members of 8F
Many terrorist attacks have reached the news headlines recently
Dear Lord,
with many tragic injuries and fatalities and because of these attacks many families were affected. One of the attacks that happened to
We pray for Hope.
our community was the one which happened at the Arianna Grande
Hope is:
concert in Manchester. This happened late in the night on the 22nd
Happiness in our holy soul.
May, 2017 at the Manchester Arena. An Islamic terrorist set off a
Our community coming together as one big family.
nail bomb at the end of Arianna Grande concert. ‘You are not alone’
People caring for each other and being there when we need it.
by Michael Jackson was playing in the background while a massive
Everyone having the strength to do the right thing and show
bang from the bomb went off. Everyone started running away in
kindness towards each other.
panic. Amen Before the concert, the man named Salman Ramadan Abedi who was aged 22 was spotted before he did the horrific thing of bombing the innocent people. He had said he was there picking someone up. Terrorism is a dreadful, devastating thing and it is hard to understand how some extremists believe that this is the right thing to do to please their God. How can taking innocent lives ever be right? As the people were running out of the arena, it was announced that there were 512 non-fatal injuries and that young innocent children who should safely be able to enjoy a concert within our community were now injured, some having nails sticking inside their arms and legs. Many ambulances arrived to help the injured and people had to help each other out. This event will never be forgotten. In total 22 people were killed in the attack and their families lives will be changed forever because of this one man. However, there was a story of hope that came out of this horrific event, our community came together to support those who were affected and to show that we are strong and have hope for the future if we stick together. Arianna Grande stopped her tour straight away after the attack and created a concert called ‘One Love.’ This was supported by celebrities and people from around the world showing that we are not alone and that we need to come together as one huge community in these times. As a community we will overcome anything with hope and faith.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
27
8C “...IT BROUGHT POSITIVITY – IT BROUGHT US TOGETHER...”
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF 8C LAST YEAR
them as it grew nearer to Christmas. It would seem like they were all alone at this point but you see you are quite wrong. They had each
1. 2. 3.
This summer we were the winners of Year 7 sports day. 7C won
other. It only takes one bit of kindness to change someone’s day. This
most of the races!
was the thought path of one little girl.
Jayden Taylor’s smile! He is always smiling, he just walks into our form room grinning every morning.
Even though she was quite poor she still had enough to share, so
Dragons Den – Mrs Cheshire helped us with a business
she set off bulbuls and tinsel outside. Of course, they need fixing out
enterprise session. We got to miss lessons to work in groups
she had all she needed all except a tree. It was now Christmas Eve
to design products and then sell things after school to family,
and still no tree.
friends and our teachers. 4.
St Ambrose Barlow had its first own clothes day in years!
She looked and looked but everywhere was plenty sold out. All
5.
Anthony Gangoue joined our school and our form near the
until a salesman offered to help her out. He knew of a tree that was
end of last year. We love him!
different to the rest and it could be painful but was pretty to the eye.
At the beginning of year 7 we all went to Wardley Hall. We had
He was, of course, talking about a Holly bush.
6.
a look around and got a tour round the entire building. We saw 7. 8.
St Ambrose’s skull.
She had no other chose so she had the tree moved to the middle
In December last year our form did Secret Santa and everybody
of town and with everyone’s help it was decorated. So now that
got a gift.
Christmas was a magical for all as they celebrated together around
To raise money for St Joseph’s Penny we did the beanboozled
the Christmas Holly.
challenge in form. 9.
On the last day before the holiday everyone in our form did the MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK
Mannequin Challenge. 10. Last year we all had to evacuate school due to the chemical spillage. The fire brigade attended. We all had to stand in the
On Monday 22nd May, 2017, a tragic event happened that shook the
freezing cold outside for the whole afternoon. Our school was
world, and in particular, Manchester.at an innocent, fun Arianna
on the news!!
Grande concert, a suicide bomb took the lives of 22 angels, the youngest being seven years old. For days, worried friends and family were anxiously waiting to hear the news to see is their loved ones
A HOLLY BUSH
had made it out or not. Memorials were held to remember the ones who had sadly passed away. Millions of flowers and posters were laid
Once upon a winter night, there was a terrible fright. The winds
down at Saint Ann’s square.
blew as snow fell, while people slipped and slid on the frozen road. Families were happy and warm inside while sitting beside a newly
Even though the attack was negative, it brought positivity – it
lit fireplace with hot chocolate and blankets. The tables were set
brought us together and gave us something that we didn’t have
with plenty of food and everyone was dressed ready to eat but not
before: hope. Hope that everything will get better and hope that
everyone was this lucky.
something like this will never happen again.
There were orphans and homeless and many more. All shivering in
A charity concert was held at old Trafford cricket grounds to raise
the cold. Some only had rags to keep them warm. The winds and
money for those injured in the attack and for the families that were
snow hit hard as they blew. The food supplies were growing how for
affected. Many famous singers participated, such as Arianna Grande,
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
who hosted it, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and many more. 10 million pounds were raised – a staggering amount. This concert proved that the most terrible thing cannot split us apart; they bring us closer and give us hope. Artwork - Lucy Roberts 8C
Artwork - Tara Peers 8C
Artwork - Minh Hao Le 8C
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
29
8J “WE HAVE OVER 500 POSITIVE SIMS COMMENTS ALREADY THIS YEAR”
8L “HOPE BRINGS US PEACE, HOPE BRINGS US JOY”
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS FOR 8J
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS FOR 8L
Collaboratively written by members of 8J
McKenzie Figueiredo, Liam Berry, Harrison Birkett & Victor Iyumva
1.
We did our Oracy Speech in front of parents and our year
1.
Year 7 football team won the Salford Cup
2.
Most took part in form fasting
2.
Year 7 rugby team won the Salford Cup
3.
Made loads of money selling things at last year’s Christmas fair
3.
7L won the basketball tournament
4.
We have over 500 positive SIMS comments already this year
4.
7L won the volleyball tournament
5.
We made really cool stuff in Dragons Dens
5.
7L won the dodge ball tournament
6.
Secret Santa!
6.
We organised the charity football tournament
7.
Some of our form were in the Rugby team, best in Salford!
7.
The Christmas Dragon’s Den Advent event
8.
Some of our form were in the Football team, best in Salford!
8.
Oracy speeches in which everyone gave a speech to an
9.
Going to Conway
audience
10. The Art Trip
9.
The party on the last day of summer term
10. Mr Lawford’s festive Challenge (knowing in advance that we will win) PRAYER OF HOPE POEM OF HOPE
Dear God,
Emra Sagalam Let there be respect for the Earth Because life moves in the blink of an eye
Hope brings us peace,
But you are forever
Hope brings us joy,
Remind us that you do not send bad things to hurt us
Just two of the reasons it thrives
But to awaken us to you
Throughout us all.
Help us to be true to you
A life without hope is no life
Not by our bad, but by our good
At all so help us spread the message
Not by the pen, but by our actions
Of hope to those
Whatever religion our brothers believe
Who are feeling small.
It is always for love and joy To help and feed our friends and enemies alike For you god Amen
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
8M “YOU KNOW MY DREAMS, LORD... HEAR MY PRAYER OF HOPE’
A PRAYER OF HOPE
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
Erin
Harvey
Dear God,
Lord, thank you so much for all the blessings you have provided in my life. I have so much, and I know it is all because of you. I ask you
I hope you are still helping anyone who was affected and anyone
today to continue to provide me with these blessings and to provide
who is still recovering from the Grenfell Tower fire. I hope you
me with the opportunities I need to continue to do your work here.
are helping all the recovering families from the Manchester bomb
You always stand beside me. You provide me with a future full of
on the 22nd of May 2017 and the 22 who died in the bombing are
your love, blessings, and guidance. I know that, no matter how bad
happy in heaven with you. I hope the children who died in the
things get, you will always be by my side. I know I may not see you.
Walkden house fire are happy in heaven and anyone who did live
I know I may not feel you, but I thank You for giving us Your Word
through that fire will have a good and happy life.
that tells us you are here.
Amen
You know my dreams, Lord, and I know it is a lot to ask to realize those dreams, but I ask that you hear my prayer of hope. I would like to think that my hopes and dreams are all part of your plans for
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
me, but I trust that you always know better. I put my dreams in your
Ashlena Kochera
hands to mould and fit to your will. I surrender my hopes to you. In your holy name, Amen.
Help us, Lord Jesus, to hold steadfast to prayer, relying on the word of God, in all despair, that’s our hopes in you will ever increase and our doubts and fears will slowly decrease. Hope. Let us Lord, to be
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
a light of hope to those who are in need. To be an example of your
Faith Yardley
love and mercy, and to tell others of your great grace and glory. Dear lord, Amen I hope that our form gets more good referrals than bad. I hope as well that our form will listen more in form and other lessons. Also A PRAYER FOR HOPE
I would like a chance to do more charity work within our form so
Grace Warke
I hope that carries on. Lastly I hope our form continues to support each other throughout the year.
Dear Lord, Amen I hope that people will one day realise that violence isn’t the answer, so that we can have world peace. I hope that world hunger and poverty will stop. I hope that everyone will be treated equally one day. I hope that homeless people will have a home this Christmas. Amen
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
31
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
Naimh
Libby Muryn.
Dear God,
Dear God,
I hope that in 2018 our form will be the best, everyone will be happy
Give everyone the hope of winning, let everyone be happy. For
and cheerful every day. I don’t want anyone to be in a mood and
Christmas let everyone have presents and all the supplies they
everyone will get along but also that even if you don’t like someone
need and let all the families be together and enjoy their day in the
just don’t speak to them, don’t start anything with them. But most
winter and when it’s cold let them be all nice and warm under their
importantly there will be more love than hate in the world.
blankets next to the fireplace with their hot chocolates. But wishing a merry Christmas, let this Christmas be a miracle.
Amen
Amen.
A PRAYER FOR HOPE GUN CONTROL IN THE US
Hannah Carr.
Charlie and Luke Having faith in believing in the optimistic side of never giving up on the unknown future and Providing a way to open a window when
Gun control in the US is a big part of the media especially since
the door is shut, out of Every problem, with a bit of hope.
the terror attacks in 2017 in Las Vegas and Orlando. The second
amendment to the US Constitution protects the right of people to
Amen
keep bear arms and was adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the first ten amendments contained in the Bill of Rights. Americans defend this law by saying they feel safe and protected from terrorists
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
with a gun, although statistics show an American person is more
Amyleigh
likely to die from a toddler than said terrorists.
Dear Lord,
These terror attacks in the US were both caused by guns and the one in Las Vegas was the worst mass shooting in US history. If all
I pray that one day there will be world peace, no poverty, no
these terror attacks are happening why not illegalise guns, because
homeless people and there’s happiness. I also pray that no-one will
‘the constitution cant be changed.’ In its 200 year history it has been
be alone this Christmas.
changed 27 times.
Amen
Trump will blame anything but guns , he blamed mentally ill people for gun crime, yet last year he signed a bill allowing mentally ill people to have guns. I feel like the gun law in the US is totally stupid
A PRAYER FOR HOPE
and the constitution should be changed right away, but will that
Liam B
happen?
Dear lord, Thank you for helping us stay strong in even the darkest of times like the Manchester arena attack, but instead of us building up hatred it brought us closer together. Please help us stay strong like this and never give up hope for it’s the key to strength and love. Please help the people to have had to leave their homes and flee to another country which has a more peaceful community. Thank you God for the strength you have gave us through history.
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YEAR 9
Artwork - Pebbles Whailing Mills339C
9B “HELP US TO ALWAYS HELP OTHERS IN NEED”
HOPE
DONALD TRUMP AND BREXIT INCORPORATING
Libby
Harry Dwyer
Dear God,
In the year 2017 an inspirational hero was revealed to us all during the American election. This hero’s name was Donald J Trump. He
We hope that terrorism stops, and we hope that people will heal
started his career as an aspiring businessman with a loan from his
from the sickening events that have occurred over the year. As we
father. By the time of his resignation, he had multiplied the result by
are near the end of 2017 we reflect and remember the injured and
3000 in profits. Why such a prosperous businessman had sacrificed
the unfortunate people who sadly lost their lives. We hope to stop
his luxury to partake in the political game? Money was not the aim
the cowardly attacks and the behaviour for all our safety and for
of Mr Trump but to help his country. As an average day working
other people’s lives. We will always remember the innocent lives
man part of the working class, he had promised himself that he
that were lost. Help us to always help others in need and take in the
would step in to help his country if any more ruin occurred to it.
injured and unsafe families. Through the corrupted eight years of the Obama administration, he St Ambrose Barlow Pray for us,
had decided that enough was enough and campaigned. He spoke
Amen
out vastly during the run for presidency and for this the media twisted his words in pursuit of staying anonymous to the people for the lies they had committed. Mass campaigns arose with violence
TENSIONS OVER NORTH KOREA
and death threats to Mr Trump. His crime? Speaking the truth. His
Sam, Fernley and Kane
efforts were not in vain however because on the awaited for Election Day, it was proclaimed that Mr Trump had run victorious, despite
In 2017, North Korea carried out a series of nuclear tests that
the hatred forced upon him.
showed the country’s ability to launch missiles beyond the region and suggested that North Korea’s nuclear weapons capability
The event of the 2016 election proved a hopeful time for the many
was developing at a faster rate than had been assessed by the
who could realise it. It proved that the people of America have
U.S. intelligence community. This, coupled with the regular joint
finally managed to break free of a forcing oppression and the
U.S- South Korea military exercises in August 2017; as well as U.S.
brainwashing of the common media and its bias. The bias of which
threats, raise tensions in the region and beyond.
is formed only for the benefit and profit of the news sources. It also proved American people had a better understanding of the
Since North Korea’s first nuclear test and missile launches in
reliability of the specific sources and have been able to determine
2006, The UN Security Council has passed a number of sanctions,
an opinion on facts rather than being based on lies or bias. Despite
including restrictions on economic activity. Nevertheless, the
the conflict that arose deriving from the result of the media, a sense
economy has grown by an estimated 3.9 percent in 2016, to about
of hope is shared in the fact that American people now have a voice
28.5 billion dollars, the fastest pace in 17 years. The progress was
that can be heard and can hopefully encourage other nations to do
largely attributed to the continued trade with China, which accounts
the same.
for more than 90 percent of North Korea’s trade. Brexit Kin Jong Un is their dictator and he provides all the rules by which the country is run. These can sometimes be very unfair.
The event of the 2016 election was a second example of a nation finally breaking free from the media, the first: Brexit. Earlier in
34
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
the year of 2016, Mr Prime Minister David Cameron allowed us a choice through a long while of protest, to finally have a choice whether or not our nation should be part of the European Union. As a result a heavy mass of propaganda was implemented to direct our decisions toward the desired result of the media. On Election Day, it was found that the British people had the desire to remove our nation from the union. So far this has showed an opportunity for our nation to prosper already as the pound’s value has increased and has allowed us to become an independent nation again. Both events of the US presidential election and the EU referendum have helped the countries break free from the tyranny of globalism and have allowed our independent nations to prosper once again.
Artwork - Pebbles Whailing Mills 9C
Artwork - Stephanie Onyemaechi 9B
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
35
9A “EDUCATING IS ABOUT INSPIRING US”
ST AMBROSE BARLOW: FAITH IN YOU/ LOVE IN LEARNING/ HOPE IN BETTER
As we pupils are learning and carry on learning for the rest of
Poppy Mills
our lives as we “treat one another as how we wish to be treated.” And “everyone is equal but unique in their own individual way. We maybe the next Steve jobs, Steven king, Nelson Mandela or
The start of this year is something.
something better as we are making progress every minute of our I have been a witness of defiance and I have been defiant. I have
new inventions, brands ad facts of the new world but we must
disrespected with the most minority of little regret Unaware of their
remember those who died too tragically. I hope this can motivate
pain and effort that is suffocated from the bottom of their ambition.
throughout your hard struggles as they will not get the chance and
After little empathy. After a restart. After a new beginning, after
the opportunities you do to experience this world. Do it for them!
being forgiven with these unsymbolic words ”sorry Miss” or “sorry
As they are no longer able to do so but I hope we can keep them
sir” I know that I can do better.
alive as a memory of that ephemeral night.
Educating is about inspiring us not filling your heads with statistics.
Thank you
But we take it as a renewable energy that is available everywhere, it’s not. Redefine how you view education, understand its true meanings. Ambrose unites as a community to help us be benevolent, to inspire us to become leaders. Make the world a better one. Over this past term I have become closer with these teachers, understanding my mistakes and improving my behaviour and I hope this has also dilated other peoples perceptive and made them look at themselves. But no matter how accidental and minor my actions maybe, I have realised my mistakes which will help me improve in the future. Friends have helped support throughout the hard times; teachers give every inch of oxygen (inhaled and exhaled) to make sure us pupils don’t just get good grades and behaviour but come out as motivated, decent human beings ready to take on any obstacle course that will pressure and intimidate, to face this wrapped, curious world. One of the things that shocked me the most was the Manchester terror attack. These actions were unspeakable, which had no influence for others to do such a thing again nobody deserves to lose a child, parent, aunt, grandmother or nephew; these callous acts are by sick minded people who may not have been educated with what we are learning today: right from wrong or wrong from right. St Ambrose will stay strong.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
9C “HOPE IS MORE THAN JUST 4 LETTERS HOPE IS PART OF ALL OF US“
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
country were affected. As a community Manchester joined together to show we were stronger. Support from places across the world like
1.
Doing form reading in the afternoon together.
Dubai, America and Italy came in. Not only our community, but
2.
Reaching the Irish Dancing World Championships in
the world showed kindness, Hope, Support and Care. Flowers were
Barcelona
placed around Manchester in memory, Other countries contacted
3.
Being part of the colour run
our Emergency services to ask if they needed support, Even
4.
Getting gold in a swimming competition
companies like Tesco went around offering food and drinks to those
5.
Climbing a mountain
injured and the people working so hard to help save as many lives
6.
Getting above my target in maths and science tests
as possible as they worked through the night. Hotels opened their
7.
Getting Mrs Robb as our form tutor
doors to let in people who had got split up from their families as
8.
Becoming an English Ambassador
parents and loved ones rushed into the centre of Manchester hoping
9.
Being a part of the schools monologue evening
their families and friends were safe.
10. Getting lots of achievement points One day during June all the greater Manchester pipe bands went into Manchester and Amazing grace was played by over 100 people POEM ABOUT HOPE
on their own instruments to help us remember to stick together, to love and to car for others. It was not only the physical injuries that
Hope, a four letter word
people received but some were mentally hurt by either losing friends
H, O, P and E
or family or perhaps just being scared that something like this
But what is hope, really?
happened so close to them. Centres were set up with people to talk
What can it truly be?
to if you needed support, school did the same meaning we could
Is it hoping your favourite sports team wins?
talk to anyone to help with how we felt. This is showing our true
As you sit in front of the TV
British values coming together no matter what your difference are to
Or is it hoping your new glasses
care for each other.
Actually help you see Is it hoping Santa brings you a bike? Or even a new trampoline Or playing hide and seek and not being seen. Perhaps hope is inside us And is willing us to do good We have hope in our soul It’s running in our blood Hope is more than just 4 letters Hope is part of all of us.
MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK On the 22nd May 2017, Manchester was hit by a terrible attack. Families, friends, our community and many people across the
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37
9F “THE WHOLE TRIP WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT AND I WOULD LOVE TO GO AGAIN”
9F: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
For example, one of the first attacks in the UK was where there was a bomb planted inside a van but luckily people found out about it and
Adam – Got full marks in an RE test
stopped it. A massive incident that happened over 7 months ago
Kevin – Winning a big football match
on 22nd May 2017 was the Manchester Arena attack at the Arianna
Nathan – Going to Australia to visit family
Grande concert. Over 22 people died during the attack and many
Mark – Got black belt in karate
more suffered after.
Kate – Becoming a teenager Fern – Going to Munich
13 days after the attack Arianna held a benefit concert in memory of
Ricki-Lea – Going to Australia
all those who suffered. Many other artists supported her and helped
Cael – Brother passing his driving test
her to stay strong. This shows that love can conquer hate over
Finn – Becoming a teenager
anything and we should all love each other because no-one deserves
Philip – Going to Disneyland
to suffer.
Mia – Becoming an Aunty to James Lillie – Getting a new cousin Yna – Coming 1st in the karate World Championships in Madrid
TERROR ATTACKS IN THE UK
Lucas – Brothers wife getting pregnant and due next year
Kade Dardis
Amanda – Meeting new people Finlay – Met his 2 year old brother for the first time as he lives in the
When the terror attack happened in Manchester I was really
Czech Republic
shocked because I didn’t expect it to happen here. It hurt loads of people and it was so close to home. When it was on the news I was really sad because people that I knew were there and all the
REPORT OF SCHOOL TRIP TO MUNICH
homeless people went to help everyone and all the taxis were free to
Finlay Taun
get all of the people away from the arena. All of Manchester united together after the event.
It was a fantastic trip. To relax after a long day of walking and learning about Munich we went to the Olympic stadium which was amazing. We also went to the concentration camp which was
THE PARTITION OF INDIA
emotional to see how people had been held. I really enjoyed going
Kate and Amanda
to the food market and the beer festival. We went to the original Disney castle and we also had a tour around Hitler’s base. The
The partition of India was a horrific event that sparked a war that
whole trip was absolutely brilliant and I would love to go again.
happened over religion, Muslims and Hindus fought over land. People who once played together became enemies: throats slit, blood spilled, friendships ended all over land. Were all the deaths worth
TERROR ATTACKS IN THE UK
it? No is the answer.
Yna Montarde NORTH KOREA This year has become a roller-coaster for all of us, especially the
Mark Lobete
people who have witnessed a tragedy in front of their eyes and now have to cope with it.
North Korea is the most isolated country in the world. People of authority restrict as much information as they can by not
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
9J “OUR 2017 HIGHLIGHTS ARE...”
letting their people leave the country. Tourists are not allowed to
9J: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
roam freely, they are only allowed strict tours from government appointed tour guides. Violence and force is often used to control
1.
Winning sports day every year since we started.
their citizens. North Korean citizens are often brainwashed by
2.
History lessons with Mr Stephenson
propaganda that is used. There are only 3 channels on the television
3.
Winning form football
and only 26 haircuts allowed, 13 for each gender.
4.
Top of the league for rugby
5.
Getting captain and vice-captain of the rugby team
6.
Jack Thompson (Tommo) got on the school council….again
7.
Getting Ms Morris for a form tutor.
8.
Christmas Jumper Day
9.
Bringing in so much for the Happy Hampers
10. Reward Trips and residential trips
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39
YEAR 10
Artwork - 10A 40
10A “OUR 2017 HIGHLIGHTS ARE...”
9J: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017
10B “HOPE IS THE REASSURANCE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK IN THE END” HOPE Collaboratively written by members of 10B
1.
The Ski Trip to Val Di Fiemme
2.
Breaking the Salford girls Javelin record for KS3
Hope is striving to get your goals and be the best version of yourself
3.
Learning a new language
Hope is love
4.
Representing school for the football team
Hope is life
5.
Visiting the Manchester Velodrome and the Etihad Stadium for
Hope is the spur of life
‘School Report’
I hope that the poor become rich and the homeless become homed
6.
Speaking to Professionals in DEC, gaining an insight into their careers
Hope is learning how to find stars in the darkness
7.
Playing in the Salford Rugby League final
Hope is a dream
8.
Going to the Clothes Show, purchasing lots of gifts
Hope that all wars stop
9.
Form trip to laser quest
Hope is having a belief Hope is something with us every day, it is creating dreams & ambitions and making them come true
ASPIRATIONS FOR 2018 Everything that is done in the world is done with hope, no matter 10. Going on the Ski trip
how dark it is, hope is possible
11. Watching Man City winning the premier league
Hope for no world hunger
12. Taking part in museum takeover day
Hope for world peace
13. Going to Plas Menai with PE
Hope means anything is possible
14. Going on the school trip to Beijing
Ensure hope for the future is high, as we don’t want to say goodbye
15. Getting the school rugby team to the final again Hope is the reassurance that everything is going to be ok in the end Hope for it and anything is possible Hope is ambition and desire Hope is having a dream Hope is a wish and dream your heart makes I hope and aspire to be like my mum I hope I am rich and I am really cool with a fast car and a beautiful girlfriend Remember: Hope is dope Being unfaithful is a joke C’mon man can’t you see that hope is the only thing people need to cope Hope is what keeps you going and keeps you focused on the future.
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10C “ WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND GUIDANCE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES IN LIFE”
INTERNATION INDOOR ROWING COMPETITION.
80 deaths and about 78 people treated in hospital with 228 people
Hollie Mellor
escaping the fire.
On the 12th December 13 pupils from St Ambrose Barlow took
50 artists come together and created a cover for the victims of
part in and indoor rowing competition. With schools from all over
Grenfell. With all the proceeds going to the victims of Grenfell.
Salford competing with each other. Everybody who competed in
Simon Cowell got the artist together to create this song. With artist
team Ambrose came 1st or 2nd. Overall, we won the competition
such as Stormzy, Robbie Williams, Craig David, James Blunt and
with Ambrose scoring 185 points, and got awarded a trophy. Two
many more. Simon Cowell said he doesn’t care what the song Bridge
people broke the indoor rowing record which will then get put in a
over Troubled waters sounds like as long as it raises money for the
book so next year somebody else has to try and beat the record to
victims and their families of Grenfell.
make a new one To this day some of the victims of Grenfell have still not been rehomed and they are homeless. The victims are worrying because #HOPE IN BETTER
Christmas is only a couple of weeks around the corner and they
Hollie Mellor
might not have a home for Christmas.
Dear God
It has been a challenging year this year with Grenfell not being there
We pray for hope each day
anymore for people to live happily, in their homes, but this when we
We live in this universe.
put our values to the test. What does British values mean. It basically
We hope that each day
means true values, democracy, laws and respect. We have been
Is going to get better and better
challenged because we have helped the victims bit by bit but there
With accepting every opportunity
isn’t enough help for the victims though. This is why a small amount
In life.
if the victims haven’t been rehomed for Christmas and New Year.
We also hope and pray for That we will always have love, joy, peace and guidance To make the right choices in life And to create a path for us To walk down St Ambrose Barlow Pray For Us Amen
THE GRENFELL TOWER FIRE Hollie Mellor and Holly Traynor On the 24th June 2017 a 24-story building broke into flames. Leaving the people of London waking up the next morning heartbroken with this devastating news. Grenfell tower had about
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
10F “TO SHINE LIGHT ON THE PLACES IN OUR WORLD”
10M “WE PRAY TODAY THAT YOU SPREAD YOUR LOVE TO THE PEOPLE IN NEED”
PRAYER OF HOPE
PENICILLIN
Dear God,
Penicillin has saved many lives over the years and continues to do so today and hopefully for many years to come.
We pray for the people who are suffering, and those who are innocent and are the victims of unnecessary violence.
How many times have you been ill, trying to fight off an infection
We pray that people can forgive and forget and we pray for the
and struggled to get better? A trip to the doctors may result in a
world which needs hope.
course of antibiotics. But where did this wonder drug all start?
We pray that you will be able to shine light on the places in our
In 1928 the first true antibiotic was discovered accidently by
world which seem at their darkest point, and we pray that you will
Alexander Fleming. After returning from holiday he started to clear
rekindle the hope in those who have lost it
up some of the mess he had left behind and in the petri dishes of bacteria there were clear areas surrounding a patch of mould. It
Amen
was as if the mould had secreted something that inhibited bacterial growth. Fleming found that his “mould juice” was capable of killing a wide range of harmful bacteria, such as streptococcus and meningococcus. It is impossible to know how many lives have been saved by penicillin but it is estimated that penicillin saved 80,000,000 to 200,000,000 lives. Penicillin has saved, and is still saving, millions of people around the world. Fleming was knighted in 1944 and in 1945 he shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
HOPE, FAITH, LOVE Father, please give hope to people suffering in the world. Give hope to all those in war zones, starving, struggling to survive. Please give light to those who need it. Please help all the homeless and give them shelter from the cold. We pray today that you spread your love to the people in need. Bring them your hope and kindness. Bring them your love and safety. Bring them the support and happiness they need. We hope that the year ahead is peaceful. Keep us in your thoughts. Amen
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10J “REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL! OUR HIGHLIGHTS 2017”
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL! OUR HIGHLIGHTS 2017
competitions and showing their talent. They are proud of the school rugby team winning the Salford Schools’ Tournament. Cole, who
In 2017, many of us went to Ullswater and really enjoyed the
is training to be a professional rugby player says his highlight was
climbing, swimming, walking and canoeing (even the falling in!).
beating Woolston the in the Rugby finals.
We had to work together to battle against the strong wind it was something they had never done before. The hiking was hard work
One of our form is publishing her first novel “The Curse of
but it shows that if you challenge yourself you can get over your
Mortality”
fears. We made stronger friendships because of the amount of trust we had to place in each other.
One of our form is proud of her dancing skills.
The ski trips are expensive but they are worth every penny. It was an
The last, but perhaps the best reason to be thankful, is from me.
enduring test of fitness as it was 5 days of constant skiing on rough
What an amazing set of young people with so many gifts and talents,
terrain. The mountains were bitterly cold. We took the gondola up
experiences and challenges to celebrate. I feel very proud of them
to the black slope overlooking the depths below. Alex says his legs
(says Mrs. Chalk).
felt like jelly, it seemed so far. It was a perfect trip but the week went too quickly and before they knew it they were departing for home. AN ORIGINAL STORY The Duke of Edinburgh’s ward involved us doing charity / volunteer
Molly Doyle
work, and walks as long as 12 hours on our own. We had to set up I was abandoned. I have no ability to see so I was too much of a
tents and cook – it was amazing!
burden on my mother. Her scent, lost. The only thing I remember Bletchley Park was a memorable trip. We got to see the Enigma
is hearing my brothers and sisters cry to the snapping of sticks. I
machine, bomb machine and WW2 offices. The history of this place
was left; I was cold. Scared, I cried for my mother; the last sign of
is amazing and interesting.
affection she gave me was her rough tongue go over my body. Then, she was gone.
Our form was selected to go on an art trip and work with clay at the Manchester Metropolitan University. It was a project to create our
The warmth had gone so I presumed it was night. My cries echoed
own clay pots to put on show. We enjoyed seeing the work of other
in the surroundings for a while until I gave up. She wasn’t coming
students and ours on display.
back. I was prepared to leave this world. My life would not be the same blind anyway. I believe this until something soft and warm
Josh recalls “I remember turning up to the venue, Manchester City
wraps around me.
campus running track. Thousands of empty seats soon to be filled by screaming kids and mayors from various towns. I was shown to
Mum!
the VIP area. Then the stands filled up until 2,000 people were in their seats. I performed “One Last Time” with pop artist Tasia Sky
But it wasn’t her. It was my human, Amanda. That was the day
as it was in aid of the Manchester Bomb victims.” He has grown to
she rescued me. Even though, I will never see her face, her scent is
internet stardom – 7 ½ thousand views on Facebook. A true guitar
beautiful. Lilac and roses. She remade my life. At three weeks old,
hero.
I was willing to die, now at thirteen years I realise how foolish I was. Amanda gave me hope when her hands wrapped around me and
Some of our form have been sporting heroes – winning
44
lifted me to hope.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
YEAR 11
Artwork - Hannah Hewitt4511J
11J “HOPE IS WHAT DRIVES YOU THROUGH LIFE IN THE TOUGHEST OF TIME”
OUR TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS
POEM OF HOPE Malachy
1.
New comers to the form – Joe and Ethan.
2.
12 form students being made prefects. Brilliant news and there
2017 wow what’s happened,
are hopefully more to come.
Manchester Arena blackened,
Numerous stars awarded for EXCELLENT interviews on mock
One man, one weapon,
3.
interview day.
All them man are sweating,
4.
Whole form participation in delivering year group assembly.
Kids coming to see Ariana,
5.
We all became a family
Thinking they are lucky ‘cos they ain’t starving in Ghana, Over 20 lives lost, You know the line they crossed,
POEM OF HOPE
Some of them kids are as precious as a feather,
Jack
But Manchester we stick together, Man remember when I was slanging dope,
Year of 17, you can say it was alright,
All I had was a hope,
But what about Manchester’s sorrowful night,
Zannotis, yeezys, loubs don’t buy you happiness,
So many attacks, so much fright,
Nah that just fills me with angriness.
We’re surrounded by darkness, trying to find some light.
Bape, moncler it makes you look good on the outside,
Grenfell tower, it did burn,
But on the inside I have died,
All these deaths, yet we don’t learn,
So many man died in that fire,
You think a stronger community is what we earn,
Sort the flats out Theresa u liar.
But to the vulnerable our backs we turn.
Pray for Manchester Pray for Barca man when we gonna stop
The rich sit in their penthouses and look upon the ones who
praying,
struggle,
I’m sick of this government we still underpaying.
They’ll walk all over you like a puddle.
Man the bad people are the minority it’s our earth,
A materialistic world, people selling drugs,
We need to slap these silly guys of our turf,
Trying to get a pearl for their girl.
So to end it lets give a thought to those who aren’t with us today,
Raising prices trying to cut people out,
Lets make the most of this life before we fly away.
flexin dey roleys to get some clout, There’s no hope for the poor, ain’t got a voice to shout, No money or help, it’s a drought.
2017 RAP
And no we didn’t help the immigrants,
Daniel Platt
Parliament trying to protest their innocence, Money on warfare, should’ve gone to healthcare,
2017 what a year,
Playing with peoples wages like a fair.
Yeezys always very dear, (Shoes by Adidas.)
2017, wasn’t exactly clean,
But when the site dont load it brings me a tear,
Just looking for a beam of light,
If one day I cop them, Ill scream out and cheer.
The fun and the laughter, what a sight, 2017, you can say it was alright.
Them Kors belts are very nice, Idubbz dropped a banger on rice, (Ricegum a Youtuber.)
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
11A “... HELP EACH OTHER, LEARN AND GROW AS ONE UNIT BUT STAY UNIQUE” Dem lads in manny always on spice, (The common drug in
PRAYER OF HOPE
Manchester at the moment.)
Thomas Bates
Dem really need to take the advice. Dear God, But please dont fret, there’s always hope,
Youse gotta evangelise just like the pope,
Please help us with our up and coming exams in 2018, help us stay
Don’t take the yeezy way out by rope,
wise, committed and humble. Let our form be a community where
Coz as long as we together, there always gonna be hope.
we can help each other, learn and grow as one unit but stay unique.
Always hope. Amen PRAYER FOR HOPE
A POEM FOR HOPE
Joe and Chris
Dylan McGee
Dear God,
Some days are grey, Some we say hooray,
I pray you would keep your hope in our world no matter all the pain
Others we play,
we have caused it.
And we live, laugh and love today, A loving world we pray,
May you trust in us to work everything out for good and may you
Hoping it is a bright benevolent day,
give us grace and peace for now and for all time.
All we have to say is, We are 11A.
Also may you help us to keep our faith in you and keep our relationship strong so we may pass the vision of the Holy Spirit for generations to come.
WHAT IS HOPE? Charlotte, Sophie, Imogen and Alvina Hope is seeing the future in a bright and beautiful place, Hope is what drives you through life in the toughest of time, Hope is what takes you to sleep and wakes you up in the morning, Hope is what keeps the soul going, Hope is what keeps you happiest in the midst of evil, Family is hope, Friends are hope, Love is hope Hope for a better future.
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47
11L “WE HOPE TO ALL STAY SAFE AND HAPPY, WE WANT TO REMAIN WELL MINDED AND OPTIMISTIC”
OUR FORMS HOPES FOR 2018
many religions such as Islam because of terrorist attacks that have happened as well as his abhorrent rules he wants to come into
In the upcoming months we all hope to pass our GCSE`s and excel
power, like the wall on the border between the USA and Mexico.
in them, achieving grades that are expected and beyond. To become
Our mutual respect as a country for Donald Trump has disappeared;
successful well rounded members of society who genuinely make
he doesn’t care for others way of life and wants everyone to bow
a difference. Use the skills we’ve learnt in our time at school to
down to his will. Why?
progress further. We all hope to become more independent getting onto the courses
WOMEN’S VOTES
that we need to further develop our education and get jobs that will help us advance and better our futures. We hope to leave as many
The Suffragettes, it’s a name we all know. It’s the name of the group
options open as we can so that if we don’t know what we want to do
that got us, as women, the vote, something everyone takes for
with our lives that we can decide later along the line when we have
granted. Just think before 1918 women weren’t allowed to vote on
more of an idea what we want to do with ourselves.
who would come into office and basically rule over their country. It took lots of hard work, protests and even some deaths to allow the
We all have individual hopes and aspirations which we will aim to
government let a few women vote in 1918. But that wasn’t enough,
achieve. Our form hopefully has a bright future ahead of us.
the Suffragettes wanted equal voting rights for all women, not just
We hope to all stay safe and happy, we want to remain well minded
a select few. Nancy Astor broke the stereotypes that women should
and optimistic. We hope that our home life and families are safe and
stay at home and look after the house and children and became the
that we don’t take advantage of our happiness and pray that it will
first female MP to sit in the House of Commons in 1919, this caused
only improve further.
a stir amongst England and in 1928 everyone over the age of 21 could vote.
We also hope to all stay in contact and know that even though we`re going out separate ways that will all still remain part of the form.
There were two types of women’s rights advocates, the Suffrages and the Suffragettes. The Suffrages were founded in 1897, by Millicent Fawcett, a woman who believed that women should be given equal
THE IMPACT OF DONALD TRUMP’S FIRST YEAR AS
rights. Fawcett fought relentlessly through peaceful protests and
PRESIDENT
organised marches. The suffragettes however, were more extreme and were, along with their founder Emmeline Pankhurst, part of
20th January 2017 saw Donald Trump inaugurated as the 45th
violent rebels and less feminine movements.
president of the United States. His presidency has brought lots of
There have been many controversies surrounding the suffragettes
controversy and tension within the States and overseas. Our nation
however you can’t deny, they did pave the way for future generations
was heavily dismayed at his election into presidency and his new-
of feminists to change the world for all women.
found importance in international relations; this first year has tested many fundamental values of Britain.
The Vote:
We hold at heart our strong value of mutual respect and tolerance
In 1918 the Representation of the People Act was passed which
for others. Though we always regarded all of the American
allowed women over the age of 30 who met a property qualification
Presidents in high favour, Donald Trump has received our blatant
to vote. Although 8.5 million women met this criteria, it only
disregard of his incompetent statements. He has disrespected
represented 40 per cent of the total population of women in the UK.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
The same act abolished property and other restrictions for men, and extended the vote to all men over the age of 21. Additionally, men in the armed forces could vote from the age of 19. The electorate increased from eight to 21 million, but there was still huge inequality between women and men. Votes for women has been a gradual improvement in women’s rights. The same movement has also been part of the education, right to divorce and to have careers such as professors and doctors. The Women’s Vote gives us hope that one day there will be total equality amongst all humans. It also give us hope because it shows determination and motivation can go a long way and to never stop achieving our beliefs. Artwork - Olivia Fair 11M
Artwork - Hannah Hewitt 11J
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49
11M “YOU HAVE TO LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF IF YOU WANT YOUR OWN TRUTH”
POEM OF HOPE
suffering, ensure that, even if they lose everything, they still retain
Marcus Belcher
hope.
What is Hope?
Fill the young people of our school community with hope: hope that they can succeed, enjoy a bright future, and hope that they
Many people are asking that question today,
can receive many opportunities in their lives which will leave them
Well the answer isn’t very simple, it’s hard to say,
fulfilled and, above all, content.
Hope can differ depending on me and you, Fill the adults in our school community with hope: hope that they
Hope is a matter opinion, that much is true.
can provide the academic and pastoral support that the pupils here Hope for me is the dreams I want to achieve,
are so reliant upon; take away all anxiety, doubt and stress, instead
Hope is the freedom to believe.
filling them with zeal, perseverance and hope.
I hope for a future where everyone is equal, I hope we can stop the hate and see that we’re all the same people.
Amen.
Many people say that hope is dangerous, They say too much hope can endanger us,
GUN CONTROL: A VIOLATION OR PROTECTION OF
But having hope in awful situations can save lives,
HUMAN RIGHTS?
Hope is the reason many of us survive.
Autumn coomber
So I’ll ask again: what is hope?
In 2016, 432 innocent bystanders were killed as a result of mass
You can ask your parents, your teachers or even the Pope,
shootings and 15000 of firearm-related crimes. Only 2000 of these
But they won’t be able to tell you what hope means to you,
deaths were consequences of defensive use to save an innocent life,
You have to look inside yourself if you want your own truth.
and still Republicans insist that to own a potentially fatal weapon is a basic right of all Americans. Surely the right to life is more important than the right to the possession of a gun and yet the US
PRAYER OF HOPE
government has failed to pass any major gun control legislation for
Ryan Roberts
over 20 years.
Lord,
Less than a month after the mass shooting in Texas, killing 26 church-goers, US Congress passed a Trump-endorsed bill to restrict the state’s power to regulate who is allowed to carry a loaded weapon
Please grant us hope in times of despair.
on the streets and who can obtain a gun license. Despite the clear disputes from many police representatives, the legislation will now
Grant hope to those who struggle to see the light.
be debated by the Senate, the only obstacle to the probable rise in Bring a bright future for those who cannot perceive one, for those
gun violence.
who are downtrodden, for those who live in darkness. Statistics show that countries with restrictive gun laws have lower Bring us the hope that will fuel us in everything we undertake.
homicide and suicide rates; Switzerland is ranked third in gun
For those who endure the endless misery of persecution and
ownership rates but only 277 people died in shootings, almost 100
50
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
times less than the US. These figures leave no room for dispute, it is clear that gun restriction dramatically reduces gun violence. From a Christian point of view, our point of view is that life is sacred, and guns are a threat to the general welfare to the people of the United States. As a matter of fact, shouldn’t it be everyone’s priority to protect human life and ensure everyone a right to exist safely?
Artwork - Olivia Fair 11M
Artwork - Olivia Fair 11M
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51
11F “INSPIRE US WITH THE EVERLASTING COURAGE, BY SHARING LOVE IN OUR HOPES FOR BETTER”
PUPIL LEADERSHIP TEAM
which only happened a couple of months ago on the 22nd of May
Danielle Rogers
at the Ariana Grande concert in the MEN Arena. Horrifically 22 people died and many more were injured by the dreadful bomb that
In the first term of year 11 I was invited to attend a Mass to celebrate
had exploded. Our friend Megan witnessed this happen and here
the pupil leadership team. It was organised by Mr Holden and
is what she experienced: “as the Arianna Grande concert ended,
the mass was led by Father Gavin, the mass was based on silent
everybody was leaving and in the foyer outside of stall 106 a big
reflection. However Mr Davies tried to break the silence through
bang went off. For a second people looked around confused, near
his unique playing of the piano! The Mass was a fantastic way to
the stage, but where I was 10 stairs down from 106, people starting
introduce and celebrate the new pupil leadership team ranging
charging down with horror on their faces. Straight to the fire exit
from year 7 to year 11. The pupil leadership team consists of school
where people were jumping from the high stalls, all I could hear
council members, chaplaincy team, prefects, senior prefects, house
was screaming. After the concert people were shaking, some were
captains, deputy head boy and girl and finally head boy and head
even sat down because they were so scared and wondering what had
girl.
happened.” Saffie Rose was the youngest victim of the terror attack. Saffie’s mum
PRAYER OF HOPE
Lisa, 48, was injured in the bomb blast and was taken to hospital
Liliana Abrahamyan
unconscious and gravely ill. Her older sister Ashlee Bromwich, 26, was also injured. It was so tragic for a girl as young as Saffie to have
Dear Lord,
her life taken fr0m her so quickly, and has caused many upsetting
Help us to share the Hope of our hearts with one another,
problems for the family left behind.
And to seek the truth amongst us. We ask you to forgive our
Terrorism doesn’t just affect the families of the victims or even the
Mistakes and sins,
people around. It affects everybody all over the world. It restricts
And enlighten the path for a new start.
people on the places they go due to them being frightened of the
We pray for those in need who
terrorists dominating us. We came together as a community to
Suffer from hunger and fear
overcome this tragedy, and may tribute in many different ways. For
And that we share the love and joy for them
example St Ann’s square was covered for acres with flowers, teddy
Our hope and trust are in you,
bears, balloons, people lighting candles, saying prayers. Which
To guide us through the toughest of times
shows how much respect we have got for our fellow humans.
As you are our strength and wisdom And inspire us with the everlasting courage,
To conclude, terrorism is affecting the lives of each individual all
By sharing love in our hopes for better,
around the world, and it is hard to understand what mental state
Amen
these horrific people are going through to ruin so many innocent lives. We should carry on together like we have done in our actions and work together as a community to overcome the evil that has
MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK
confronted us.
Teresa Grennan, Holly Williams Gardner and Megan Wade There have sadly been many terrorist attacks in the UK. However the main one that stands out due to it being Manchester is one of
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
A TRIBUTE IN HOPE TO THE VICTIMS OF THE JACKSON STREET FIRE TEGAN SMITH, YEAR 10 A GOODBYE ISN’T PAINFUL UNLESS YOU’RE NEVER
By Hasmukh Patel: ‘I am lost for words. My condolences to the
GOING TO SAY HELLO AGAIN - TO A VERY OLD FRIEND
family and friends. I pray that mother and little child recovers.’
DEM
By Lesa Craig: ‘Absolute hell for all their families that have the heartache of burying these angels. God knows what hell they’re
Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before we
going through, my thoughts are with them’
can meet again and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is We are never going to forget you and your little brother and sister.
certain for those who are friends.
We all miss you so much. We are all heart-broken ...... We love you Our friendship is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
so much xx
Talking to you made me smile and meeting you set me free. I can’t believe that fate has taken you away and ripped us apart. I just want to say that I will miss you from the bottom of my heart. Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime. We’ll take the best, forget the rest, and someday, will find that these are the best of times. We will never forget the loss of Demi and her mum and siblings. There will always be people you love and miss, and you will always be that person for someone else. You’ll want to hold on forever and never let go. But the thing is, you can’t say hello again if you haven’t said goodbye. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH – YOU’RE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW The Headteacher of her school Drew Povey: ”We are devastated at the tragic loss of life today in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family involved.” By Karen Gill: ‘Sincere condolences to all their family and friends at this difficult time. Absolutely heart-breaking, rest peacefully together hand in hand.’ By Wendy J Jones: ‘Heart breaking. My thoughts are with the immediate family and friends... sweet dreams little ones.’ By Paula Beven: ‘This is heart breaking. I feel such sadness for the whole family. Just hope and pray that Mum and her 3 year old daughter pull through.’
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
53
SIXTH FORM
Artwork - Ellie Stephens - Sixth Form 54
SIXTH FORM SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
SHERVIN IS SMART FUTURES STUDENT OF THE
Assistant Head of Sixth Form in charge of work experience, Sally
PROGRAMME
Cheshire, said: ““Shervin is an excellent pupil and I am so proud of his achievements on the programme this summer. The programme
Congratulations to St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form Student, Shervin,
is an excellent insight into working for a multinational organisation
who has graduated from the EY Foundation’s Smart Futures
and covers many aspects of working life. Having a mentor
programme as Student of the Programme!
throughout year 13 will allow Shervin to carry on learning about the corporate world alongside his studies. The EY programme is a
Smart Futures is a 10 month scheme that includes paid work
fantastic opportunity for Year 12 students and I would encourage all
experience for Year 12 students, geared towards strengthening their
who can to apply.”
chances when going for a job or on to higher education. As part of the scheme, Shervin undertook three weeks work experience at the
Applications for next year will open in late October. Visit the EY
state of the art EY Head Offices in St Peter’s Square, Manchester.
Foundation’s Smart Futures website to find out more.
EY is a multinational professional services firm and Shervin was able to gain first-hand experience of the aspects of Law, Marketing and Finance that go on within the business. Along with other
STUDENTS GO LIVE ON BBC 5LIVE
students he took part in team communication and team leadership exercises and participated in a Dragon’s Den project. The experience
Sixth Form students Shervin and Alice enjoyed their debut on
culminated with a graduation ceremony for the participants.
BBC 5Live talking all things personal statements! The BBC invited them along to take part in a discussion on UCAS and university
Shervin was one of 27 students from across the North West that
applications. The pair shared their experiences on making
made it on to the 2017 programme. After learning about the
applications and writing personal statements.
programme from the sixth form he had to apply online and get through a rigorous telephone and face to face interview process.
At St Ambrose Barlow sixth form all students who wish to apply to
As well as the North West, Smart Futures ran 2017 programmes
university are given support and guidence throughout the process
in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Reading,
including tutor sessions on writing personal statements, to ensure
Yorkshire, Luton, Newcastle and Southampton. Being voted Student
they have the best possible chance of getting to their top choice
of the Programme means that Shervin will now attend a national
University.
award event for all the areas in October. He has also been assigned a mentor from EY who will work with him during his final year of A-Level studies, meeting in person and keeping in touch through
STUDENTS VISIT TO LONDON
email. Art, Fashion and Photography students at St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Shervin said: “It was really good to understand how a professional
Form visited London to gather ideas and inspiration as part of their
environment works and to get that real world experience. I got to
course.
meet a lot of people who will be able to help me in the future as contacts or for references and I connected with them on LinkedIn so
Students visited the Turbine Hall and permanent exhibition spaces
we can keep in touch. I met lots of new friends, learned new skills,
at the TATE Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum. They
and expanded ones I already had, in communication, presenting and
also had the chance to do see the sights of London and of course
team leading.”
squeeze a little shopping in.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
55
JESS OBSERVES BRAIN SURGERY ON WORK
The course offers all students the opportunity to undertake a work
EXPERIENCE
placement module in your second year, with past students doing placements at brands such as Alexander McQueen, American
St Ambrose Barlow Student Jess was extremely lucky to have the
Apparel, Christopher Kane, Henri Lloyd, Jonathan Saunders, Karl
opportunity to take part in a work experience placement on the
Lagerfeld, Markus Lupfer, Selfridges & Co, Anna Sui, Vera Wang
Neurosurgery ward at Salford Royal, where she was even able to
and Viktor & Rolf.
observe brain surgery. Our students came away with ideas and unlimited ambitions for The work experience, organised by the college, saw Jessica Spending
their future careers.
four days with the department. Jess got to spend time in CT/MRI scanning, in Physio, on the wards, and in surgery where she was able to scrub up and observe the brain surgery.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS AT PRESENTATION EVENING
Jess, who is studying BTEC Health and Social Care, alongside
It was fantastic to see our Year 13 leavers at their Presentation
Biology and Psychology A Levels at St Ambrose Sixth Form,
Evening as we celebrated their fantastic achievements.
undertook the experience to help her decide which area of medicine/nursing she would like to pursue in the future. This was
It was great to see them successfully moving on to their destinations
an amazing opportunity as it is rare for sixth form students to get a
of choice and continuing to be happy and successful. The great
placement in a hospital, never mind to get so close up.
results are down to their hard work and dedication, as well as the continued effort and support from staff.
A CREATIVE DAY IN BLACKPOOL
Well done - you deserve all your success!
Art and Design and Photography students at St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form enjoyed a visit to windy Blackpool to collect
SHANNON AWARDED FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP IN
photographic evidence for their current and upcoming projects.
AMERICA
They visited all the local attractions including the piers and the
St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form student Shannon has been awarded
promenade, the arcades, gift shops and of course the famous tower,
a prestigious GSR football scholarship which will allow her to study
to capture scenes, memories, collections, objects, food, memorabilia,
and train in America next year.
people, and urban landscape inspiration. Shannon, who plays for Curzon Ashton Ladies first team, took part They ended the day in traditional Blackpool style with fish and chips
in mixed trials at Platt Lane Sports Complex in Manchester and was
and the illuminations and returned to college full of ideas for new
one of four selected from over one hundred candidates.
creative projects. Global Sports Recruitment (GSR) provides talented amateur sportsmen and women from the UK and around the world with FASHION FUTURES ADVICE FROM SALFORD
an exclusive opportunity to pursue simultaneously an academic
UNIVERSITY
and athletic career. After completing her BTEC Sport course at St Ambrose Barlow Shannon will move over to California to attend
Fashion students at St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form went along
a selected university in California. She will combine a university
to Salford University to get top tips from current students and
degree with a highly competitive full-time sport schedule.
department staff on how to get into the industry. Shannon has been playing football since the age of six, previously The department at Salford is a high achieving fashion department,
for Manchester City and FC United. She was inspired by her Auntie,
consistently winning awards and competitions, including the
Amanda Barr who used to play for England Ladies, and who
British Fashion Council Best Portfolio Award and Digital Award.
Shannon even had the opportunity to travel on tour with when she
Student winners have included the Best Childrenswear GFW award
was young.
for George at Asda in 2015 and Mothercare in 2016; and the 2016 Sophie Hallette Lace competition.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
MEGAN IS NATIONWIDE FREESTYLE DANCE CHAMPION
FESTIVE TRIP TO THE XMAS MARKETS
St Ambrose Sixth Form student Megan has been crowned
Sixth form students enjoyed a festive trip to the Manchester Xmas
Nationwide Medallist of the Year in Freestyle Disco!
markets and a meal at the Chinese Buffet to celebrate nearing the end of term.
Megan competed at the Blackpool Winter Gardens at the weekend and triumphed over 80 others in her age category to be crowned
It was a chance for students and staff to all get together and get
Champion. Over 500 dancers competed in the event. Megan has
into the festive spirit! They enjoyed an all you can eat buffet before
been dancing since she was two years old and attends classes at
heading to the markets to soak up the atmosphere, browse the stalls
Swinton Palais.
and sample even more food.
STUDENTS SPREAD FESTIVE CHEER TO THE COMMUNITY
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH OUR FILM STUDENTS
Staff and pupils at St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form helped to spread
Film studies students at St Ambrose Barlow Sixth Form College
a little festive cheer to the community as they welcomed local
enjoyed a trip to the IMAX Cinema at the Trafford Centre to see
residents for a Senior Citizens Christmas concert.
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ last week.
Guests were treated to an advent liturgy with a range of musical
The visit wasn’t just for fun though – it also allowed them to study
performances and readings by the students from the sixth form and
micro elements in film as part of their course.
the high school, from traditional Christmas carols to contemporary songs, drama and musical instrument solos. The audience were able to join in and sing along during some of the carols and by the end nearly everyone was up dancing! The annual event is a chance for the school and college to give something back to the community. This year, sixth form students were given the responsibility of organising the event, which was held in the Sixth Form Centre café area. Guests were invited to sit down for a buffet before the show began, and also enjoyed sherry and homemade mince pies. Donations from students enabled each guest to leave with a hamper full of festive goodies including Christmas cake and mince pies made by Food Technology students. As well as receiving their hamper, each guest left with a wrapped gift handed out by our very own student ‘Santa’ and helpers! The event allows young and old alike to celebrate and enjoy festivities together. One guest said: “I would like to say a massive thank you for the wonderful Senior Citizens party given by your staff and students. It was a truly uplifting afternoon with beautiful readings, drama, music, singing and a lovely buffet lunch served with smiles by the students who seemed to be enjoying themselves almost as much as their older guests. It was a joy to have Father Gavin present, he got the balance just right in impressing on everyone the true meaning of Christmas and then getting the party started by getting those who wanted, up to dance. It was fantastic to see the different generations enjoying themselves as one, just as the students’ dramatisation of ‘One Child’.”
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
57
PE NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM
Artwork - Ellie Stephens - Sixth Form 58
PE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2017
ST AMBROSE BARLOW INCLUSIVE SPORTS:
games in the Greater Manchester Cup. After a defeat from Wade Deacon High School, the lads, captained by Finley Irwin, bounced
St Ambrose Barlow are Indoor Rowing Champions 2017! Well done
back to beat St. John Fisher 30 -20. The most recent win came at
to all those who took part. Special mention to Danny & Emily who
Cowley International College (St. Helens) where St. Ambrose won
set new competition records!
30 - 12 with a Man of the Match performance from Will Bradley. They now have the opportunity to showcase their ability and
Triple success with the Ambrose Triplets! 1st Pebbles, 2nd Poppy,
teamwork in the next round of the cup and could possibly earn a
3rd Peaches in the indoor rowing competition 2017.
place in the final at Wembley Stadium.
Emily does one better than last year and wins the year 8 girls indoor
The Year 9 Rugby team have had their best season so far, playing
rowing competition! Cogratulations to Emily on this and bring on
4 games, winning 3 of them and narrowly losing 1 game to Buile
next year.
Hill. Within the Year 9 victories, they have beaten the 2 schools that made it to the final last year - Moorside and Wright Robinson High School. We are awaiting other results to see if we have done
YEAR 8 PE REWARD TRIP
enough to progress through to the final of the Salford Schools Rugby Championships.
The brave year 8 girls getting ready to face the tropical waters of Salford! The trip has provided girls with an exciting taster session of
On Thursday 12th October the year 11 Rugby team tasted success
what takes place as part of GCSE PE in the future.
in their first game of the season away at local rivals Swinton High School. Managed by Mr. Lomax, the team put in a valiant effort
The girls took part in Canoeing with two fantastic instructors. The
from the off which saw the first try scored within a minute. The
girls had the opportunity to work in pairs to successfully make their
scoring continued with Lewis Turner, Peter Nzeye, Aaron Gill,
way around the Quays using various techniques.
Daniel Murphy (4) and Will Timmins adding the extras with a number of successful conversions. Final score 38 - 6.
Although it was a cold December day the girls had a fantastic time The year 10 Rugby team have remained undefeated in the Salford
on the trip enjoying every minute of this.
Schools League. The girls also had the opportunity to take part in Rock Climbing. The girls learnt new skills throughout this experience and some of
They are looking forward to playing in the final later in the year.
them even made it to the top with great confidence. Overall, it was a They have also reached the final of the Salford Rugby 9’s competition
fantastic day and a brilliant experience for the girls.
which will played in March 2018. The girls will have the opportunity in the New Year to take part in two more trips that will be running to give them even more of a
They have not been as successful in the North West county
taste of what GCSE PE will be like in the future.
competition but have put up a good fight against tough opposition.
RUGBY LEAGUE Well done to the Year 8 Rugby team who have won 2 out of 3 of their
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
59
FOOTBALL
Year 7 and was wonderful at left back. The Year 8 boys have also progressed to the Knock-out stages of the Salford Schools
Year 7 Football Team
Championships. Well done to all the boys for showing a great attitude at training and matches.
The impressive Year 7 Football team have confirmed their place in the next round of the cup with impressive 5-1 and 13-0 wins against
Girls Football
Swinton and Moorside respectively, to top the league table. Man of the Match performances from James Westwood and Louis Hallows,
Both the junior and senior teams have had a good start in the
combined with goals from the majority of the team and brilliant
Salford league and cup.
man management by Mr. Riley and Mr. Walker has seen this Year 7 Well done Girls!
team become a force to be reckoned with. The year 7 Football team are now through to the Semi Finals of the Salford Schools Cup after an emphatic 6-2 win versus Buile Hill.
NETBALL
Goals and a man of the match performance from Fenton Davies ensured that the year 7 team are now booked in for the Semi Final
Two fantastic performances from the year 7 and year 8 netball
which is to be played after Christmas against either Bridgewater or
teams, both achieving wins in their first matches of the year against
St. Patricks who are yet to play their Quarter Final.
Harrop Fold. The Year 7 team led by Captain Fionn Devlin took the lead early on in the game and with the successful shots from Ellie
Year 7 Football B Team
Dunning and Lily Gabrielides the team went on to win 9-3. There were star performances from the whole team with Annabel Pattison
After huge participation rates at year 7 Football training held by
standing out in the GD position. The Player of the game as selected
Mr. Riley and Mr. Lomax every Monday after school, both teachers
by the opposing team was Fionn Devlin.
decided that it was time to start another year 7 Football team. Whilst Mr. Lomax decided which players were going to be selected
Team: Zara Burns, Ruby Godsell, Ellie Dunning, Dawn Hosey,
and make the team, Mr. Riley was working on getting the boys some
Faridah Seriki, Sophie Godsell, Lily Gabrielides, Annabel Pattison.
fixtures to play. The Year 8 team led by Captain Darcy Cavanagh won convincingly Within two weeks the B team had two fixtures. The first fixture
with a 10-0 victory over Harrop Fold. Star performances came from
was against Salford City Academy (SCA) A team and the boys
Eva Shea who communicated well with the team from the Centre
performed superb for their first game against strong opposition with
position and performed some excellent passes. Excellent shooting
only 9 men (no subs)! At half time, it was 2-2 but in the second half
skills came from Darcy Cavanagh and Jess Lancashire to secure the
SCA had too much for us and ended the game 6-2 winners. The
teams win. The Woman of the match as selected by the opposing
result flattered SCA as St. Ambrose missed several opportunities but
team was Darcy Cavanagh.
there was an outstanding man of the match performance from Joe Team: Leanna Grundy, Libby Muryn, Jess Lancashire, Darcy
Dunne in central midfield.
Cavanagh, Eva Shea, Jessica Clarke, Eleanor Hignett, Esme Stead. The B team’s second fixture was against Irlam High School B team. St. Ambrose were able to field a fully strength side for the first time (5 subs) and ran out 5-2 winners! A brace and last minute
OUTDOOR ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
winner from Brayden Bates off the bench on his debut made all the difference after the visitors made it back to 3-3 from 3-0 down at
As part of the GCSE course the PE department are organising a
half time! The B team’s next fixture is against Walkden B team after
residential trip to Plas Menai National Water Sports Centre in North
Christmas!
Wales in July 2018.
Year 8 football Team
The main aim of the trip is for our GCSE students to experience and develop skills and understanding in two outdoor adventurous
Still undefeated this year. They have progressed to the Greater
activities. The practical assessment marks the students achieve can
Manchester Cup Quarter Final, by beating a very tough Audenshaw
then be used as part of the practical coursework for the overall
team 2-0 AWAY. Man of the Match Sol Momoh stepped up from
GCSE PE mark.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
Ski Trip Ambrose pupils were very excited about the Ski trip taking place over the Easter break. 30 pupils will attend the six day trip to Italy. The pupils experienced fantastic weather with perfect skiing conditions set in the scenic dolomite Mountains. It will be a fun packed six days with skiing and activities throughout the week. Activities included, fun quiz, ice skating, pizza night and karaoke. The pupils had a fantastic time but were exhausted by the end of the week.
ST AMBROSE BARLOW SUPERSTARS YEAR 7 Leon Ismail, Louis Hallows, Fionn Devlin & Isabelle Bryan! Well done! YEAR 8 McKenzie Healey and Kiera Batty. Well Done! YEAR 8 George Jamieson & Luke Hogan Dewar! Well done! (George your medal is at PE!) YEAR 9 Poppy Wailing MIlls, Ines Tetero, James O’Donnell and Jack Broadie! Well done! (Girls to shy for a picture). YEAR 10 GCSE PE Erin Horsefieldand Evie Denton, Well Done! YEAR 10 GCSE PE Josh Dawes Grady & Kade Paton! Well done!
TWITTER The PE department are now on twitter!! Follow us at: @StAmbroseBarlow for all of our latest fixtures, results and clubs.
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
61
THAT’S CHRISTMAS TO ME...
BEN DAVIS, HEADTEACHER Christmas turns in a moment from anticipation of the day to the sadness of presents opened and feasts consumed. The smallest details are of great significance at this time of year. I remember the worn, years-old and faded tissue paper that crinkled off the ancient German tree decorations with which my mother would dress the tree on Christmas Eve. As a child I used to snip the top four inches off the tree in January as it was being taken down and disposed of, in desperate attempt to create a secret little relic of Christmas that would keep the celebration alive for the rest of the year. Beyond the twigs and twinkling glass there is the build-up to the day, a process that is both frenetic and slow. When will it come? Why isn’t there enough time to prepare? Most of us operate between these two poles in December; the chilly contradictions of Advent. Another of these is the clash between the huge spending and the evident need of those on the margins of society, those who cannot afford the Christmas idealised in magazines, those whose struggles obliterate any impulse to celebrate, to come together. It seems Christmas challenges us to reconcile many things that feel incompatible: our enjoyment of the season with perhaps our guilt at having what others cannot or our good fortune to be able to spend while others go without. That makes Christmas all the more important as a time to reflect on our good fortune, to consider the possibilities of the event we are celebrate and look for this spirit in the details as well as big events.
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St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
to live a life of peace and hope, not fear and anger. Before Jesus was I have always loved a houseful at Christmas, a proper gathering, all
even born, he had something in store for us whether it’s big or small.
messy and unpredictable, the kind of get together you do not want
The majority of people at Christmas time enjoy giving gifts to one
to end. But I also appreciate the quiet of early Christmas morning,
another! This was derived from the three wise men giving gifts to
the late night stillness of waiting, empty stocking on the bed, the
Jesus following his birth. Family and friends take great pleasure in
moment when everyone is gone. Christmas is a time to focus on
exchanging beautifully wrapped gifts and love gathering together to
appreciation, savouring that which is important to us. Christmas
share a large festive dinner.
is memory and legacy. It is expectation. It is the well-worn and the surprise; consumption and want side-by-side.
Matthew 2:11 tells us about the wise men at Jesus’ birth: ‘On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,
That’s Christmas to me.
and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and
ELLIE DUNNING, PUPIL
myrrh.’
Christmas to me has a variety of meanings! As a Cristian, Christmas
At Christmas, you get to eat a ton of food! Houses have a big
is one of the most important times in my year! It’s a time to stop and
banquet of various dishes. A lovely Christmas dinner just tops off
reflect on what God did for me and the rest of His children. God
the day and Christmas pudding is a great way to end the meal.
loves us so much that He sent His only Son - Jesus down to earth so
Spending time with family and friends, giving and receiving
that we could be saved.
presents, eating too much food but most of all celebrating the birth of Our Saviour Jesus Christ… and that’s Christmas to me!
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was asked to give birth to The Son of God. This was a huge thing for a normal, town girl. Mary agreed to
MGR. PAUL SMITH
do what God had asked of her this means that I can do whatever God asks me to do and trust Him and His plan for me.
Christmas to me is….prompted by my first memory of Christmas - sitting in front of a big blazing coal fire in our very modest two-up-
Christmas is all about GODS AWESOME RESCUE PLAN! God has
twodown terraced house. A big Christmas tree was in the corner of
a plan for each and every one of us. Do you think He would have
the room with some modest gifts underneath it (and no television in
sent his Son to save us so that we could go to heaven with God if he
those days!).
didn’t care about us? God loves us unconditionally and He wants us
St Ambrose Barlow - Horizons - Issue 1 2017
63
But it was the fire that lives in my memory – don’t forget in
It means all the friends and colleagues you make that extra effort
“those days” there was no central heating. The warmth and lovely
to make sure you see. It’s the school family; singing along at carol
way it lit the room along with the Christmas tree lights gave a great
concerts, helping out at Christmas Fairs, making Christmas hats and
sense of being safe from the severe winter outside.
watching school plays. It’s the Church family; the excitement and joy that surround Mass, celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
It made me feel very loved – my sister and two brothers had not
How the church community come together, greet each other, hug
yet come into the world so I was still the full focus of my parents’
and send Christmas wishes and messages of love.
love and I certainly was aware of that. It’s the local community; friendly greetings become more frequent, That is a very blessed experience and I know that so many children
there is a push to help those who are less fortunate with Christmas
and families are not so blessed. Being without a home, knowing
present appeals, collections of drawstring bags full of food and
divided families, chronic sickness, being in prison are just some of
toiletries for the homeless and collection tins jingling with coins.
so many peoples lives in our times.
There is an increase in the general willingness to help those less fortunate. It is the time of year, despite the frenzy of activity, you
Thank God Christmas brings out so much goodness and generosity
stop and be thankful for what you have, for the family and friends
in so many individuals and communities. I would hope that those in
that you love.
need feel something of the warm glow of God’s love given through others. Jesus continues to take on flesh through you and I. Even the
That’s Christmas to me.
smallest outreach to someone in need can be felt like the warm glow of a fire and a source of hope to someone this Christmas.
MR RILEY
That’s Christmas to me.
Nowadays, Christmas is so much different to when I was a child. Special people are missing from around the table and the mad rush
KATE PARKS, PARENT
to open your presents just isn’t the same, however, Christmas Day still remains really special in the Riley household.
Christmas to me is Family. That’s the first thing I think of when someone mentions Christmas. Of course being Mum to two young
The Christmas Day wake up is usually around 10/11am, rather than
daughters I suppose that is to be expected. But it’s not just about
6am when I was a kid - and breakfast is my main priority (in the
them, it’s the time of year my parents and sister stay over so we can
past it was straight to opening my presents!). My Mum STILL gets
all wake up together on Christmas morning. It’s the traditions
me and my brother a Christmas stocking which is usually full of
that you set as a family.
everyday items such as deodorant, hair wax, hairspray etc. and the amount of presents has sadly fallen dramatically compared to when
The ‘jingle bell of the reindeers’ on Christmas Eve dropping off
I was little. However, now I usually get one big present which I really
new pyjamas and a little early Christmas present to the girls for
want whereas before I used to get loads of little presents which I
being good.Getting dressed up and stepping out into the crisp
would play with for around 5 minutes.
cold winter air to go to Church on Christmas Eve. Waking at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day, following the chocolate coin trail
Now that I am an adult, Christmas is now about buying presents
Father Christmas has left. Then of course, the excitement of present
as well. I think I am buying my dad a new iPad and I can’t tell
unwrapping on Christmas morning; the joy I take from watching
you what I’m buying my mum because I can bet she will read this
my daughters’ faces as they open their presents is something
blog! (Nothing better to do at work). Christmas dinner is usually
unrivalled.
at around 6pm and it is usually beef or lamb as I find turkey bland and boring! This year there will be my mum, dad, brother, gran
The whole family squeezing around the dining table for Christmas
and granddad as well as myself sat around the table and my dog
dinner, cutlery clattering, laughing, chatting, Christmas crackers
Zip usually gets a seat after a few too many beers! After the food
and eating too much turkey. Followed by the inevitable comatose
we usually listen to music and play some kind of family game and
state on the sofa around the television, yet still finding the room for
the night usually ends listening to my mum and dad’s embarrassing
one more chocolate.
story’s from when me and my brother were little kids.
I suppose now I’m thinking about it, when I say family, that expands
The next day, Boxing Day, is the real day of Christmas (for the
at Christmas.
lads)! A full day of football and this year I will be at Man Utd away
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watching an easy 3 points for the Clarets followed by a night out
I love Christmas. Christmas trees, the roast dinner, pulling crackers,
with the boys.
staying in your pyjamas until late afternoon…oh, and don’t even get me started on the presents; that’s the best bit! Inside we all know that
That’s Christmas to me!
the presents are the best bit, well, that’s what I think.
MARIA BUCALO
I really like putting up the Christmas tree and all the decorations with my brother and sister, it gets me even more into the festive
During Advent I prepare my Nativity: I stick on the wall my starry
mood, though I am told off for singing Christmas songs in the
sky, make the mountains with empty boxes and old newspapers, a
middle of July so it good when I’m finally allowed to sing them!
small river, the grotto, few lights, then I start filling the scene with my little statues: shepherds, sheep, donkey and ox, the Angel, Mary
On Christmas’ eve we go to Mass which is special because it’s
and Joseph. I prepare the crib with straw, and at last I place baby
normally by candelight. The Church is always full of all the Mums
Jesus. Everything is just perfect, and I find myself looking often at
and Dads, little children and Grandparents, excited for the day
this scene, in silence and wonder.
ahead. Being with my family is another reason why I love Christmas SOOO much even though I’m forced to listen to my Dad’s (mostly)
Everything goes so fast these days, and Christmas has become a
unfunny jokes! What is great about my family Christmas, is
peak of this stressful time, where we all run like headless chickens
that we get to have two Christmases; one with my Dad’s parents
shopping, decorating, buying useless presents; what a contrast with
and brothers because they live so far away and one with my Mum’s
baby Jesus laying in the crib, his arms open to embrace the whole
side, but all in all both are as good as the other.
world… Though I like opening my own presents I also enjoy watching my When I was little, on Christmas day at my parent’s table there was
younger siblings open theirs’. Seeing their surprised and excited
always an outsider, the neighbour who had lost her husband a few
faces and their eyes filled with glee and sometimes confusion trying
weeks earlier, a distant relative popped out from nowhere, a poor
to work out what the present actually is.
man met in church; that’s how I learnt how lucky I was and how important it was to share our wealth.
Obviously eating Christmas dinners are a great part of the day. At my Dad’s parents we listen to Christmas music whist eating dinner,
‘Enough with these immigrants, they should stay in their countries,
at my mum’s family dinner, (which my Grandmother cooks every
they come and steal our jobs’, we come first! We close our doors;
year because my Mum is rubbish at cooking roast dinners!) we tell
we build walls around us. My little baby Jesus lies there, in the
jokes, talk about our presents, all whilst tucking into our amazing
cold under the starry sky; he knows about rejection and poverty…
feast that was prepared for this special day.
I look at my child with Down Syndrome, with a contagious
After dinner when we have eaten much more than we would ever
happiness, spreading joy around him. What a shame! I overhear a
need, we go and play board games together and try on the clothes
lady saying in church. The real shame is that we will soon eradicate
that we have been given. Often we’ll go to the park together and end
Down Syndrome – how good we are with words – as effectively we
the day with a film, which my mum never gets to watch because she
will just kill them all, like Herod killed all the babies in Bethlehem.
always falls asleep!
Mary and Joseph flew to Egypt to protect Jesus, and I wonder how am I going to protect my son from all the Herods he will meet
I love Christmas time, it’s a time when we all get together and take a
along his life. We are in this world to learn to love, and my child is
break from our busy lives, from work and school, to be together as a
so much ahead than me in this journey, he is often leading the way,
family. Really, I guess that’s Christmas to me.
and I follow and learn. “A child is born, to us a son is given”. MGR. DALE A brand-new baby to start afresh, to make everything new. Christmas means hope for the future, it’s God telling us: it’s going to
My dad was a great man – as tough and strong as they come (a
be ok, and that’s Christmas to me…
former paratrooper) but as soft as can be. He had inherited from his mum the notion that children can do no wrong – except when
OSCAR
they did! Nothing was too much trouble for him on our account – that was his love. For him, Christmas was all about children,
Christmas to me is …
and so he made sure that every Christmas was special. He
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created the best celebration that he could; even when money was
magical. Truly magical. But I’m not here to romanticise Christmas.
tight, he ensured that our stockings were filled and there were
No. I’m here instead to tell you about my Christmas. A Christmas
always wonderful presents under the tree – the best ones were
the exact same as anybody else’s. Only with a bit more spirit.
those he made himself. In doing so, he built for all his children and grandchildren a huge stock of memories which will give us joy
You see, it’s not the amount of money a person can spend that
and laughter for years to come.
interests me; it’s the amount of time. The precious hours we unconsciously throw away, those few moments in which at
In my later years, however, I realise that what he was really doing
Christmas time we cherish and just for those few frosty weeks
was enabling his children to see the great wonder which is at he
society becomes a family of God again. A neighbourhood of friendly
heart of the feast – the birth of the one child that makes the whole
faces not distant arrogance, a community of care not rejection
world of difference to each of us. The sense of wonder when we open
and a church of brothers and sisters not complete strangers. My
presents is simply a foretaste of that which we experience when we
Christmas is a time I take to notice God in every one of us, to notice
ponder the love that God the Father shares when he gives us the
how everyone has this same smitten smile, the warm comfort of
greatest present of all – Jesus, his son. In doing so, he has created the
utter kindness, and that kindness, that is our piece of God within us.
best of all possible memories for all his children. But it’s a memory which never fades - it grows and grows the more we try to celebrate
My advice is, if you don’t notice this like I do then open your eyes.
it. It’s a present which takes a lifetime and more to properly unwrap
Stop spending money and spend your time instead. Invest in this
..... and that’s Christmas for me.
Christmas, it’s a chance for you to show the holiness inside, this celebration is a gift from God, so appreciate it. Well all that and I get
MR CAMERON
loads of free stuff... so yeah... that’s good... So yes; that’s Christmas to me.
Christmas to me is all about Christ – it’s in the name. What God has done in sending his son Jesus to live on this earth has changed
CANON MCBRIDE
everything, for now the one who made us has become one of us. This means he now knows us in a new way – from the inside. So,
Christmas to me spurs me on to think about how Christmas is cold
your deepest fears – he understands; your strongest challenge – he’s
on the outside and warm on the inside!
already met it; your greatest joys – he shares. But there’s something else as well – your darkest secrets he also knows, from the inside.
A mid-winter celebration which began as a purely human response
This could cause us to run from him, until we realise that this is why
to the coldness and hardness of winter and a celebration of light in
he came – to give his life and die for our worst secrets, the sin that
darkness lit by the burning of a live tree in the forest accompanied
separates us from God, so that we can know God for ourselves; his
by singing and dancing as a show of human bravado against the
love and forgiveness.
cold elements of this world, has been taken, by the God who created us, loves us and sustains us, and made into something even more
Sometimes Christmas ends all too quickly, getting packed away with
spectacular: the celebration of the birth in earthly time of the Son of
everything else on boxing day – but what Jesus has done can never
God through whom all things were created; Jesus Christ, true Light
be shut away in a box, for he broke through the barrier of death,
of the World.
rising from the dead on the third day to open for us a life without limits. For the worst darkness can never put out the Light of the
Christmastime, when we now celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ,
World, and that’s Christmas to me.
is the warmth of God’s love penetrating the coldness of our world which, without God, is simply a piece of cold rock swirling around
MATTHEW HAND
in a universe of darkness and gloom. The birth of Jesus Christ is a gift to us all; the greatest gift we could ever have because it tells us
Christmas to me is the time of year for giving, for creating
where we came from, shows us where we are now and gives us hope
memories, the time of family gatherings with old women you have
for a better future.
never seen in your life, claiming that you have grown since ‘last time’. The time for silly arguments about which bauble goes where
One of my favourite Christmas poems is simply called ‘Christmas’
and ‘who ate my advent chocolate’. We love it all, the built up to
by the poet John Betjeman. The last verse sums it all up for me
Christmas Eve in our cosy pyjamas, the excitement of snow falling
because it makes a link with the gift of the Eucharist through
on the first day even the goose bumps which appear when Santa
which every day can be Christmas Day for those who have the
comes down your street on his slay for all the kids to see. It’s
eyes to see and the ears to hear: “No love that in a family dwells, no
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carolling in frosty air, nor all the steeple-shaking bells can with this
people of this world, but I also see it as a holiday where I can bask in
single Truth compare; that God was man in Palestine and lives today
the joy of presents, food and family… And that’s Christmas to me.
in Bread and Wine.” (Christmas by John Betjeman)
MISS CRADDEN
At Christmas the Son of God became the Son of Mary so that all of
Christmas to me is taking any opportunity to eat and drink with
us might become the adopted children of God and with Jesus have the right to call God our Father. That is pure gift and it is the reason we give and receive gifts from one another at Christmas. May you experience the warmth, generosity and love of Christmas this year and every year. Warmth, generosity and love from God to everyone and from each of us to one other… and that’s Christmas to me. O God, who have made this most sacred night radiant with the splendour of the true light, grant, we pray, that we, who have known the mysteries of his light on earth, may also delight in his gladness in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
friends just because, “it’s Christmas!” Putting cinnamon on top of everything to make it festive and not being allowed to eat any food at home because apparently it is all for Christmas day. Sharing food with all your favourite people and getting a bit merry is my favourite kind of Christmas activity. Everybody makes even more of an effort to make plans and gets into the Christmas spirit. Christmas Eve is one of my favourite days as me and my older brother get to relive our childhood through our younger brother. Only food containing sugar is consumed and new pyjamas are put on before we’ve even had tea. We watch the Grinch and do a treasure hunt to stop him painstakingly counting down the minutes until Christmas day.
(The Opening Prayer of Christmas Midnight Mass)
In the morning we always have to check if he’s been, just in case we
Canon Tony McBride
haven’t made it on to the nice list this year. After we have exchanged gifts I always need to have a nap as the excitement is already too
INES TETERO
much. As I’ve grown older it is a privilege to be able to treat my family and buy them something really special and wrap it up with as
Christmas to me…
many bows and ribbons I can get my hands on.
Christmas is usually seen as a time when colds plague us, yet we’re still as jolly and merry as we can be. Fairy lights are strung above a cosy fireplace and wrapped around a pine tree interlocking with tinsel and vibrant bubbles. Wrapping paper gets turned into confetti as smile stretch from cheek to cheek as presents are opened and stomachs grow full of turkey and Christmas puddings. On the other hand, like everything, Christmas has many sides… If you are religious, you’ll know that Christmas isn’t just about having fun and eating food. For example, if you are a Christian you would know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Nativity shows every year re-enact the birth of Christ and show Mary receiving gifts of Myrrh, Gold and Frankincense from the three wise men. At Christmas, Christians reflect on what Jesus has done for them.
I wake up just in time to set the table, a job I take very seriously before my Granddad arrives for Christmas lunch. Taking a moment to notice the empty place where my nana should be sitting, we put on Frank Sinatra’s Christmas album and dig in. Next stop on our very busy Christmas day is my other grandparents’ house where the main battle is to find somewhere to sit due to our extremely large family. Chairs are reserved for elders only and once you find a place on the floor there’s no way you can leave it for the rest of the night. This year myself and my cousins have chosen a charity each for our families to donate to rather than buying gifts, a new tradition which I am very happy about. We are a very noisy bunch and the whole street can probably hear us laughing and playing silly games. The adults test out the little kids toys and enjoy playing with them a bit too much. Every minute of the day is spent
Another example is if you are Hindu, Sikh are Jain, Christmas isn’t seen as a religious time but as a holiday. Many Hindus, Sikhs and Jains do you celebrate Christmas but they don’t see it as as
surrounded by people but growing up in such a large family with lots of cousins to run riot with I wouldn’t have it any way…. And that’s Christmas to me.
important as Diwali which is the festival of lights.
LIZ VERGHESE
However, Christmas to me is not just one of these things, it’s a mix
What is Christmas for you?
of everything. I reflected on what the Lord has done for me and the
After all the rushing around shopping and preparing the house,
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Christmas for me starts with the children’s mass at St. Charles.
the table with my heavily pregnant sister due to give birth on New
It really feels like Christmas when the primary children dressed
Year’s Eve, making our family bigger once again. It will be my first
in nativity costumes, and the occasional superhero, are gathered
niece or nephew, the first baby in our family for 27 years, and I
around the altar.
could not be more excited! Time for family and magic and those childhood rituals again …. That’s Christmas to me.
Whether I have the right presents under the tree or the cake is as good as last year doesn’t seem important any more. I have my
MR L LUKASIEWICZ
family around me and I feel part of a community that believes the same as me. Seeing good friends, some familiar faces and relative
Christmas to me…
strangers all celebrating Mass together is a very special time. Being brought up in Poland, Christmas has always been the most Over the years we have developed family traditions which make
‘family’ event in the whole year. As a kid I used to stare at the sky to
Christmas more than just presents and good food, which has helped
catch a glimpse of the first star which was ultimately a sign to begin
us grow as a family. Even arguing over when the Christmas tree
our ‘Wigilia’ (Christmas supper) - on 24th December around 5pm.
should go up makes me smile, as we do this every year. Once the
Wigilia is just packed with so many beautiful traditions which my
tree is in place unwrapping of the decorations we have collected
family cherish and cultivate here in England.
over the years always sparks memories and discussions of previous Christmases. And it is these small moments, often with cheesy
On our Christmas table there are always 12 vegetarian dishes in
Christmas music in the background that I cherish.
memory of the 12 Apostles. We place bits of hay under the table cloth, which is a must, to remind us about the crib. Several types
To me, Christmas is more than a day, it is a time to make a bit more
of dumplings and smaller tortellini-like dumplings endlessly take
effort to spent time with family and friends. It is a time to reflect and
my fancy. The latter is eaten only at Christmas, so each year I have
think about others and contemplate why we celebrate Christmas
to wait for a long time for this very special delicatessen. Last but not
at all. It is impossible not to get caught up in the commercial
least, there is an empty space at the table for a traveller (I have
whirlwind and I can’t deny that I enjoy giving and receiving
wondered so many times how I would react if one really knocks at
presents. I love good food but it’s who I share it with that makes
our door).
Christmas such a special time and “that’s Christmas to me”. One of the earliest memories related to Christmas for me is a picture MISS MOORE
of my father polishing his shoes and putting on his ‘Sunday best’ to go to a Church at midnight. Before the mass the Church would
Christmas to me …
always immersed in darkness, then the orchestra or a choir would
Growing up Christmas was about magic. I remember sleepless
joy. Emmanuel is with us! The Good News! The light defeats the
start singing Christmas carols – the church is fulfilled with light and
Christmas Eve nights, barely able to contain my excitement, me and my sister hatching a plan to catch Santa in the act of eating his mice pies and drinking sherry. The ritual of Christmas Eve as a child, new pyjamas, grandparents sleeping over, a Chinese takeaway (tradition in our house!) and a surprise early present from Santa. Every year without fail a mysterious gift would appear; under our pillows, dropped at the front door, delivered with the Chinese – I still to this day don’t know who did it and how, and I don’t want to know….it
nightfall. Later on I learnt that the Romans before Jesus’ birth had their celebration on 24th December called Solus Invictus. From around that time of the year days become longer and nights get shorter. For me 24th December is the day when God reminds us that He is with us. He had chosen us before we made up our minds to choose Him. He keeps his promises despite our fallings. Always. Joy! That is
was magic.
Christmas for me.
As we grew older Christmas became less about Santa and more
CLARE CLARKE, PARENT
about the magic of family. Our family growing in size each year as partners came to celebrate with us, bringing parents
Christmas to me is…….a reminder of a childhood filled with
and grandparents along too. Last Christmas we were an 18 strong
happiness and joy...of open fires, woolly jumpers, hats and
group, all squashed around one table eating together. It was
gloves, warm drinks and hot food, warmth against the harsh
complete chaos! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. And this year
winter months....being tucked up in bed on Christmas eve full of
is set to be the most chaotic of all. It literally will be a squash around
anticipation,... of decorations and lights that sparkle and shine,....
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watching Laurel and Hardy each morning on TV, having an
takes place on this day, celebrates the arrival of the wise man (magi)
abundance of food & treats……my sister always up first, shouting,
who visit Jesus soon after his birth.
“its Christmas”…..opening stocking’s with whoop’s of joy at the amounts of chocolates and little surprises.
In terms of how Christmas is conducted, many of our customers such as gift-giving, being charitable, Yule logs and various
As a family attending midnight mass…..it was magical coming
foods, coupled with the origins of the Christmas Day to self, are
home in the early hours to a warm home full of Christmas
purportedly based on paganism. Some people actually claim
excitement and sharing family gifts before going to bed…..not for
that Christian beliefs are tantamount to paganism anyway as
long…..we’d be downstairs on Christmas morning to check if Santa
they perceive beliefs such as the Trinity to be incompatible with
had been…….no matter how old we were!
claiming to follow a monotheistic religion; it is fascinating how we see the 25th at such a special day without there being much
My Christmas memories as a child are filled with time spent with
foundation for this as the date of Jesus’s birth, or even without
family, happiness, sharing the joy of giving and receiving……….
knowing whether celebrating Jesus’s birth is the right thing to do
as an adult I recall these easily to prepare for Christmas and
– this certainly was in the opinion of many early Christian leaders.
hopefully contribute in creating equally as happy times & memories for my family now.
On me, however, the most important aspect of Christmas is spending plenty of time relaxing with the family and enjoying one
To be nurtured, valued, shown respect & be free from worry should
another’s company. Christmas provides a wonderful opportunity
be every child’s right growing up. Christmas time is a poignant
for some respite and joyful celebrations with those who are
reminder that not all children are so fortunate and makes me
most important to us. I Joe watching films on TV, in addition to
appreciate that I am blessed to have had the opportunity to enjoy
celebrating my dogs birthday on Christmas Eve and, of course
and experience a childhood full of love & support within my
indulging in sumptuous feasts such as Christmas dinner or even the
family........ and that’s Christmas to me.
annual buffet at my grandma’s house in the evening with my closest and extended family alike.
RYAN ROBERTS, HEAD BOY For many people, Christmas is undoubtedly the best occasion of Christmas to me…
the year because of the festivities and customs: the exchanges of presents, the singing, the eating, the dancing (possibly), or even just
Why is the 25th of December considered to be the most important
having a laugh. Although countries such as Britain are becoming
day of the year? It seems obvious, yet it is a question few of us
increasingly secular, thankfully the emphasis on celebrating
actually answer.
Christmas has not been relaxed in the slightest.
For Christians of most denominations, Christmas Day is certainly
I love Christmas because the occasion unites families to enjoy
the most important day of the year. It is a celebration of Jesus’s
festivities together and simply have fun. Christmas provides a
arrival into the world – God coming in flesh – yet there is a
reminder of the significance of the simple pleasures in our lives, and
little substantive evidence to even suggest such Jesus was born
so this makes Christmas a special day of the year, and invariably
on 25 December. In fact, the first ever recorded celebration of
the most memorable. Families often cherish memories of nativity
Jesus’s birthday on this day was in 336AD during the time of the
plays and carol singing, and all the quirky traditions associated with
Roman Emperor Constantine, several centuries after Jesus’s birth.
Christmas-time - it is wonderful… and that’s Christmas to me
Furthermore, there is not a single mention of 25th December in the Bible. And so, for the first three centuries of the churches
BISHOP JOHN ARNOLD
existence, Christmas was never celebrated in December nor on the calendar at all – it didn’t exist. Some of the original church leaders
Christmas to me is …
actually oppose the notion of celebrating a birth, even of the son of God, rejecting birthday celebrations as ‘Pagan’ practices.
I am certainly glad that in the dark and cold days of winter, which can be gloomy and often depressing, that there is a focal point for
Some Christians of traditions such as Armenian Churches view
some fun and celebration. Christmas provides us with a time of
6th January is the most sacred and significant day. Again, there is
holiday and relaxation. I hope that, when it comes, your Christmas
no mention of 6th January in the Bible; this date was instituted by
celebration with be happy and full of enjoyment. For many people
Saint Agustine in the UK. Epiphany, the Christian festival which
Christmas is a time when families are able to spend time together. It
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can be a great opportunity for members of the family who may have moved away for studies or jobs to come home and be with family members and close friends. It is important that we plan and prepare well and that we are generous in giving cards and presents. They are signs of our love and friendship. But in amongst all the noise and the celebration it is even more important that we remember the whole reason for celebrating at all. It’s a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I need to remember the reason for my celebration. It is remembering that Jesus’ birth is the most wonderful proof of God’s love for us – that he actually sent His Son to be with us and live among us. So my Christmas will be busy and I hope to visit lots of people but I also need to include quiet moments when I remind myself what I am celebrating and why. That’s Christmas to me. Lord Jesus, in a time of fun and celebration, may we not forget what Christmas is all about: Your love for us today, and every day. Amen
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Heavenly Father, You sent your son Jesus to reveal your love for us, help each one of us during this season of Christmas to have greater faith in you, hope in a better world of your making, and love in learning how to foster family life like that of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Amen Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. From Ben Davis, Governors, Staff and Pupils of St Ambrose Barlow RC High School and Sixth Form College
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