

FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 3 Issue 18 February 2nd, 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 Not a each day goes a reminder of the Headbyofwithout Department to review the globalsummer’s need for more tolerance and respect. exam results. This involves
plenty of useful and thought-provoking The last week hasbut seen commemorate discussion, it isus usually talking about Holocaust Memorial Day, Racial Justice Sunday numbers and letters. Behind this data are and mark the 70th anniversary of HMS stories: how pupils did, how they felt, what Windrush in what the UK with immigrants theyarriving liked and they achieved. We from the West Indies. In addition always focus on how things February can be is LGBTQ History as month this year it what is 100went improved welland as celebrating years well. since As theavote began to be extended to are Catholic school, exam results women. just one way of expressing the unique, Godgiven talents and skills of each pupil. It is Each of these events in some waysohuge important to lookmarks beyond the data I am historical changes that either saw human delighted that much more of my job beings involves fail in their to respect one another beingduty in classes, walking around or thethat school demonstrate the capacity of societies to and talking to pupils, students and become staff. more accepting of difference. And, of course, we areIf not everthere you yet. are feeling at all despondent or fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school As thewould news quickly shows us every intolerance raise yourday, spirits. Let me and disrespect is all around in the form of show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, sexism, racism, homophobia, suspicion, bigotryinto September 29th) for instance, I dropped and hatred. Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was delighted to listen to performances of We reinforced this week and respect Beethoven’s Ninth tolerance Symphony, Hold Back are core values of our school. There is place the River and When the Saints Gono Marching in St. Ambrose Barlow for bigotry, prejudice and In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester intolerance. Celebrating our developing school as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing culturetalents. and ethos thisduring weeklunch, has been a joy. In the Next, I supervised reflecting on the week I do not wish to share the canteen and made a point of watching what we did, so much as how it made us feel. and interactions that take place daily. Pupils staff holding doors open for one another, Throughout the five days was struckofby the offering thanks, littleI moments personal way inappreciation which an enthusiasm for learning and gratitude. Of course, emerged in new unexpected ways. Pupils things don’tand always go well in a school, but it walkedisthe corridors proudly carrying and lovely to witness a voluntary apology from showing off the sketchbooks a Year 9 toblack one spiral-bound of the lunch time staff, or in which they recorded their work. I spoke with see one pupil help another who is unsure parents who were amazed that their children where to go for class. came home from school buzzing with the work they had done,Form, desperate to tell families In Sixth I enjoyed a their lengthy chat with about Aidan Alan Turing or Linda Brown or the who explained both the theory of extraordinary umbrellas made incommercial English. differentiation and they its potential application. In English they were studying There the were little nuggets of gold treasure play Blood Brothers andand talking with in classrooms across the school, moments where humour and excitement about superstitions; staff and pupils surprised one dissecting another, and in in Year 7 RE they were ourall new the name of greater tolerance and respect. mission statement and exploring the personal meanings within it. School is a The final celebration on Friday place. created a busy, bustling, humming momentum throughout the week, even for those of us who were organising it and did not quite know how it would go. As the week wore on the
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? Year 7 dancers came together more, led by Mia Can you open my bottle? What did you and Blessing in Year 10; there was a sketchy think of last night’s game? What time is it, rehearsal of the staff and pupil band; the Year Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my 13 performers grew in confidence; Father days!” It can be noisy at times and in a Gavin’s unflagging enthusiasm bound community this size we can’t expect everything a vaguely coherent everyone into to get on with each otherwhole. all theIt was wonderful to see parents, carers, staff and time. But it is our community, and a lively, young people coalesce into a joyous group on lovely, positive one at that. Friday. Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I 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 the The energy of the services was impressive, that such an institution has: ‘A library card behaviour and commitment of the pupils was was a free pass to wonderment, words palpable and the message was clear. Weand the ability roam the world’ shouted withtoone voice: ours isobserves a schoolone where user, whilst another quotes the iron we believe everyone has a place,wrought is welcome gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, and accepted. Mr. Carroll caught this idea Learn and Inwardly Others talkevent of brilliantly in the poem Digest.’ he penned for the the escape that a library represented or of and I tried to do the same with the concept of the refuge it offered from an unkind world. saying simply, ‘I am Ambrose.’
it was a week that ended with one pupil saying, ‘If school was like that every day I’d come in at the weekend.’
Mrs. Faywith spent Saturday peacefully We sang onelast voice too, belting out ‘Don’t stacking the shelves and we are Look Back in Anger’ in imitation of inching the crowd at closer opening. What thrilled was her the One to Love Manchester concert.meMusic is a comment that several boys, some of great way of bringing people together. whom And affectwe a dislike reading,led were by finally prayedoftogether, by electrified Father Gavin. presence of a library in their school: ‘You I can borrow like, Ofmean course, it was justthis oneand, week, butread oneit,that Miss?’ was the breathless utterance ofschool one ended with a pupil overheard saying, ‘If pupil. Our library is at the heart of the was like that every day I’d come in at the school: a space for being open to and weekend.’ sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplan and its shelves serve as aour reminder Our commitment to developing school that there should be no barrier to anyone culture is clear and lays week we saw just how usingour its pupils volumes or seeking knowledge, much support this. Thanks to all who solace, entertainment or information. I can’t made such a fabulous experience possible. wait to see it come to life in the weeks ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of God Bless. helpers. Ben Davis, Headteacher
Ben Davis, Headteacher
Twitter:@BenDavis1972 @BenDavis1972 Twitter: 2
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#ONEBODY HEAD HAND HEART WEEK EXPLORING & CELEBRATING OUR SCHOOL
This was one of the best days of my life not just because of the brilliance of work what was produced but the memories we have made together as being part of ambrose family. #myambrose #onebody @SABSalford
Today taught me to trust our young people more, to take reasonable risks and to smile wider. An amazing day! #myambrose @SABSalford Mr. Davies
Hollie, Year 10
An amazing day: loved seeing a ex-student who is beginning his engineering apprenticeship, loved seeing yr13’s doubts turn to conviction, loved singing, loved dancing and in love with believing. We cultivated faith today in ourselves, in our peers & in our school. #MyAmbrose
So many creative anti-bullying posters have been produced at @SABSalford this week by Year 7/8/9!! #iamambrose #onebody The Art Department
Mrs. Tulloch
Well what can i say but WOW @SABSalford @SABschoolreport you have some truly wonderful and very talented students, teachers and the wonderful Father Gavin. The cultural assembly was amazing. A parent
What an outstanding Cultural Assembly @SABSalford today. Every word from pupils and staff alike were heartfelt, the message really seemed to resonate with all there. The performers were brilliant, they’d put so much work in and really owned the pieces they
what they said A selection of opinions on our #onebody week from twitter 3
calendar what’s on
Achievement Points this week St. Benedict St. Francis St. Margaret Clitherow St. Teresa of Calcutta
 
Year 8 Curriculum Evening 7:00pm - 9:00pm Year 11 interviews for Sixth Form
TUE 06
Year 9 retreats begin
WED 07
670 645 643 650
Governors Welfare Committee
THU 08
FRI 09 SAT 10
MON 05
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 05.02.18 week b
SAVE THE DATE! Special Awards Ceremony for Years 8 - 11, February 15th
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 (January 26th)
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
96.2% 94.7% 95.3% 93.3% 93.9% 94.7%
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 Cancer4 Trust fundraiser
 
Around the School This Week Before and after: a day of absolute joy and celebration as our celebrations of tolerance and respect took place in the main atrium. The ended up with the 350 people dancing to Arianna Grande.
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Top: the Year 7 dance team who performed to This is Me Left: a selection from one of the 600 black books that pupils created during the week Right: Pupils with Judith Hayman at the Holocaust Memorial Assembly
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Around the School This Week Left: former pupil Lauren Cunningham with her Highly Commended award from the Made in Manchester Awards. Lauren’s achievements in construction and engineering are truly amazing there’s more to come on this story. Below left: the gardening club is still hard at work even in the freezing cold - surely they can rustle up some soup! Below right: Marcus Belcher (Y11) and Jess Allen (Y7) representing the school at the Holocaust Memorial Evening in Salford.
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TWEET OF THE WEek More
Alison Watson MBE @ClassofYourOwn
Fantastic @SABSalford @wsp #DEC student Lauren Cunningham wins ‘Highly Commended’ in tonight’s @MIMAwards - this is what a great #Apprentice looks like! (This one’s for you Mr McDonagh!) @educationgovuk @SalfordCouncil @NorthernPOW
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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 9