

FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 3 Issue 24 April 20th, 2018
getting it right ready respectful safe
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ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM
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Head’s start .
Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. week. It is about this time of year that I meet with Welcome had a fantastic firstthe week eachback. HeadWe’ve of Department to review of the summer’s new term, exam helpedresults. no doubt by a burst This involvesof sunshine. Our first five days have seen a very plenty of useful and thought-provoking successful RE trip to Castlerigg, two big about wins for discussion, but it is usually talking our football teams, record exam results (yes, numbers and letters. Behind this data are already!) for our DEC candidates, stories: how pupils did, how the theyAmbrose felt, what Got Talent competition and a huge numberWe of they liked and what they achieved. achievement points awarded across the school. always focus on how things can be improved as well as celebrating what went Inevitably been thinking next are well.we Ashave a Catholic school, about exam results academic year and the developments and just one way of expressing the unique, Godimprovements that we likeeach to have in It is given talents andwould skills of pupil. place important by September I wrote to parents about to look beyond the data so I am some delighted of these just finished thatbefore much we more of my for jobEaster. involves I was lucky enough to enjoy a few days in school being in classes, walking around the Cornwall theto break and, during and that staff. time, andover talking pupils, students had a fascinating conversation with the manager of a FatFace store (other outdoor clothing If ever you are feeling at all despondent or purveyors are available). The company fatigued I reckon a quick tour of thehas school been working with primary schools across the would quickly raise your spirits. Let me southwest of England to introduce thousands of show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, children to sailing, a pursuit I have enjoyed both September 29th) for instance, I dropped into for leisure competition, years.I was This Yearand 10 GCSE Music.for There, made delighted me reflecttoonlisten how to often I view our performances school of as being like a boat, and education like Back an Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony,asHold oceanthe voyage. I wasn’t really conscious of the River and When the Saints Go Marching fact that I think this way about my work until I In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester stopped to consider it. as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the Otherscanteen compare schooling climbing a and made a to point of watching the mountain. It’s an obvious and sensible interactions that take place daily. Pupils and metaphor. You start at the bottom as aanother, staff holding doors open for one youngster and gradually ascend to offering thanks, little momentsthe of summit personal at 16 or 18, perhaps later in life. I prefer the appreciation and gratitude. Of course, comparison to a sea journey for a number of but it things don’t always go well in a school, reasons. is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or Firstly,see if feels Yes,isthere are one more pupil collaborative. help another who unsure plentywhere of solotovoyagers, but most ships stay go for class. afloat and reach their destination because of teamwork. Secondly, if we compare beginning In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with schoolAidan with starting out on an ocean, with of who explained both the theory disembarking from port, it speaks of infinite differentiation and then its potential commercial possibilities: a blank horizon at which to aim, application. In English they were studying placesthe to visit as yet unknown, the challenges play Blood Brothers and talking with of the open sea, the risks and rewards pure humour and excitement about of superstitions; adventure. In other words, unlike a mountain, at in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new the point of departure the end is not in sight; in mission statement and exploring the fact the end is not the point, it is it. theSchool journeyisthat personal meanings within a matters. busy, bustling, humming place.
Thirdly, much like a mountain, the individual who journeys upon the sea enters an environment
I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled in a task that is so challenging and exciting that I want to stay and have a go myself. Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? that is uncertain, where things will happen that Can you open my bottle? What did you are beyond their control. I have first-hand think of last night’s game? What time is it, experience of being humbled by running Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my aground or being overwhelmed by wind and days!” It can be noisy at times and in a waves. Such moments are unforgettable not community this size we can’t expect least because they you a lotother aboutallyourself everyone to get ontell with each the and about the limitations of your learning and time. But it is our community, and a lively, skills. At times like that you fall back on more lovely, positive one at that. fundamental things than formal learning: your instinct, values and character come to the fore, Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I for good or ill. had to pick, would be the conversation I had
with Mrs. Fay who is leading the development of our new library. I am a library enthusiast and have been ever since I was little. The furthest reach of my memory is back to moments spent in our local library entranced by its colour and bright possibilities. On Twitter #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold that such an institution has: ‘A library card was a free pass to wonderment, words and the ability to roam the world’ observesposter one FatFace used to display a motivational user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron that exclaimed, “It’s never too late to be the gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, person you always knew you could be.” Great Learn and Digest.’ Others like talk of journeys andInwardly challenging adventures the escape that a library represented of crossing seas, climbing mountains and or going the refuge it offered from an unkind world. through several years of school confront you with the possibility of who you are. They ask Mrs. Fay spent Saturday to peacefully you whether you last are prepared take the risk to stacking the shelves and we are inching be that person, to have the courage to be who closer to opening. What thrilled me was her God wishes you to be. comment that several boys, some of whom affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by That starts with the act of acceptance, of love presence of a library in their school: ‘You for oneself in all our imperfections. Coming to mean who I canwe borrow this celebrating and, like, read accept are, and that,it,is an Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one important part of the journey up a mountain, pupil. Our library is at the heart of the across an ocean and through a school. Those school: began a spaceagain for being openin toour andschool journeys this week sharing ideas and experiences. It is openand it was wonderful to see them commence. plan and its shelves serve as a reminder Here’s to another great term at St. Ambrose that there should be no barrier to anyone Barlow. using its volumes or seeking knowledge, solace, entertainment or information. I can’t God bless, wait to see it come to life in the weeks ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of Ben Davis, Headteacher helpers.
it’s never too late to be the person you always knew you could be…your instinct, values and character matter
Twitter: @BenDavis1972
Ben Davis, Headteacher Twitter: @BenDavis1972 2
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calendar what’s on
Achievement Points this week: St. Benedict St. Francis St. Margaret Clitherow St. Teresa of Calcutta
 
611 626 624 621
Governors School Improvement Committee
A Level Art & Photography exams (all week) GCSE MfL Speaking Tests (all week)
WED 25
TUE 24
THU 26
FRI 27 SAT 28
MON 23
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 23.04.18 week b
attendance We aim for 100% attendance for all of our students and have set 96% as satisfactory attendance for this year. Attendance is monitored period-by-period and statistics are published each week. Excellent attendance guarantees excellent learning. Attendance by year (w/e March 30th)
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
95.6% 94.7% 95.3% 93.2% 93.5% 94.4%
Attendance and its impact on learning 10 days absence means 95% attendance 19 days absence means 90% attendance 29 days absence means 85% attendance 38 days absence means 80% attendance 47 days absence means 75% attendance Please note: If your child is off school you need to contact student services the same day on
Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster Challenge; Below: 6th formers at the Teenage Cancer3 Trust fundraiser
 
Top: The finalists in this week’s Ambrose Got Talent competition. Below: The judges in the same competition. They make Cowell and co look like pussy cats.
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This page: Success all round in for the PE department . Year 10 (top) and Year 7 are both crowned Salford champions.
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Top: Molly Doyle in Year 10 publishes her first novel - yes you read that right. And Mr. Harrison raises over £500 for charity simply by shaving his hair. That’s one proud form in the background. Below: The ski trip all ready to hit the slopes in Italy.
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Just some of the many pictures of an unforgettable trip to China this Easter. Look on our Twitter and Facebook pages for more.
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Year 9 headed to Keswick and Castlerigg for a retreat this week. It was an incredible experience. Here are just two of many pictures that give a sense of it inside and out.
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TWEET OF THE WEek More
Mr McDonagh @daniel_mcdonagh
Well done to our Year 11 and Year 13 students who have had fantastic results in their @DECinSchools Level 2 and Level 3 exams this week. Talent + Hard work + Opportunity = Success. @SABSalford @Ambrose6form 9
FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM www.stambrosebarlowswinton.org 37 Ash Drive Swinton Salford M27 9QP 0161 921 1570 @SABSalford Headteacher: Ben Davis 10