

FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 3 Issue 33 June 29th, 2018
getting it right ready respectful safe
1
ST AMBROSE BARLOW RC HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM
“
Head’s start .
Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. week.
This was amazing week ourthat school. That It isan about this time of in year I meet with adjective is often over-used, but I think it is more each Head of Department to review the than apt. Let’s start at results. the end.This involves summer’s exam
plenty of useful and thought-provoking In yet discussion, another daybut of blazing sunshine held it is usually talkingwe about Mass numbers for the Feast Day of Saints Peter and and letters. Behind this data are Paul. stories: Given the weather Mass was said, bywhat how pupils did, how they felt, Fatherthey Lander, outside on the grass at the front liked and what they achieved. We of the always school. focus Earlier in the week the on how things can be Chaplaincy teamashad this area for theirwent improved wellused as celebrating what weeklywell. meeting, so perhaps we need to employare As a Catholic school, exam results the space more often. The attendance at Mass just one way of expressing the unique, Godwas good and pupils participated well. It is given talents and skills of each pupil. such It is a strong indicator thebeyond bonds in important toof look theour data so I am community, seeing young people at delighted that much more ofand my staff job involves Mass being together. They more than deserved the in classes, walking around the school ice-cream that was delivered to and them. and talking to then pupils, students staff.
We took the decision earlier at in the week, having If ever you are feeling all despondent or consulted with pupils, that the ongoing hotschool fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the weather meant a rethink uniform. would quickly raiseon your spirits. Pupils Let meduly turnedshow up foryou school in their PE kits (or an what I mean. Today (Thursday, acceptable combination of uniform and their into September 29th) for instance, I dropped kits) and looked very much the part. There Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was was no sense of anyone taking advantage of the delighted to listen to performances of relaxation of the rules. As one member of Back staff Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold commented, ‘It’s like working in an Australian the River and When the Saints Go Marching school.’ farwith wrong. Well done to In. They I alsoweren’t got to sit Daniel and Chester pupils as forthey continuing to attend school demonstrated their prodigious DJing appropriately I willlunch, be discussing a the talents. dressed. Next, during I supervised future canteen summer and uniform strategy with the Parent made a point of watching the Council. interactions that take place daily. Pupils and staff holding doors open for one another, It was offering wonderful to welcome so manyofparents thanks, little moments personal and carers into school to hear about appreciation and gratitude. Of Ambrose course, Anywhere, project to ensure have thingsour don’t always go wellall in pupils a school, but it a Chromebook and that our ICT provision is is lovely to witness a voluntary apologythe from best itacan be,9 reflecting the lunch realities of staff, the or Year to one of the time workplace and pupil life outside school.who Both see one help another is unsure evenings were well attended and the questions where to go for class. and discussions were very informative for the staff leading development. hopechat to have In Sixththe Form, I enjoyed aWe lengthy with more concrete information soon. Aidan who explained both the theory of differentiation and its potential commercial Sportsapplication. Presentation coincided InEvening English they were with studying England’s match against Belgium, appropriate the play Blood Brothers and talking with that our pupil’sand sporting achievements should be humour excitement about superstitions; celebrated alongside thewere greatest footballing in Year 7 RE they dissecting our new tournament in the world. The PE department mission statement and exploring the did anpersonal excellentmeanings job organising withinthe it. event Schoolfrom is a the awarding of the prizes, to the food busy, bustling, humming place. to the dancing led by Mr. Morrison the night was a success all round. Look out for our pupils
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. representing their country in various sports in Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? years to come. Can you open my bottle? What did you think of last night’s game? What time is it, Despite all these wonderful moments, my Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my highlight was our Embrace Week. This saw 205 days!” It can be noisy at times and in a speeches presented by Year 7 pupils. They had community this size we can’t expect been working on them foreach months in their Oracy everyone to get on with other all the class, but this week the preparation became time. But it is our community, and a lively, a reality voice one wasat given lovely,and positive that.to feelings, experiences, hopes, fears and ideas and much more. 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 that such an institution has: ‘A library card was a free pass to wonderment, words and the is ability to roamyear the world’ observes This the second we have run thisone festival user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron of speech and it was even better second time gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, around. As with last year I was moved by the Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ reaction of parents and carersOthers seeing talk theirof the escape that a library represented or of children do something that they as adults found the refuge it offered from an unkind world. frightening. The pupils more than met the challenge, with all speaking with authenticity Mrs. Fay spent Saturday and honesty and last many showingpeacefully great skill and stacking the shelves and we are maturity in the choice of topics andinching the language closer to opening. What thrilled mebeside was her they used. I was honoured to stand comment that several boys, some of them in front of parents and carers andwhom deliver affect dislike of reading, were electrified by my ownaspeech. presence of a library in their school: ‘You mean can borrow this like, read Like theI best of school lifeand, Embrace wasit,a Miss?’ was the breathless utterance one chance for our pupils to surprise us, forofus to be pupil. Our library is at the heart of the humbled by their achievements and by their school: a space beinga open to and need to be heard. for It was vital celebration of sharing ideas and experiences. is openwhat makes us human, what in theIt words of plan Benedict and its shelves as aTulloch reminder Pope (quotedserve by Mrs. each that there should be no barrier to anyone day) reminds us that ‘each one of us is willed, is usingand its volumes or seeking knowledge, loved is necessary.’ That is surely a recipe solace, entertainment or information. for an inclusive and successful CatholicI can’t wait to see it come to life in the weeks education. ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of helpers. God bless,
embrace was a chance for our pupils to surprise us, a celebration of what makes us human and a reminder that we are all willed, loved and necessary
BenDavis Davis, Headteacher Ben Headteacher Twitter: @BenDavis1972 Twitter: @BenDavis1972
2
2
calendar what’s on
Achievement Points this week: St. Benedict St. Francis St. Margaret Clitherow St. Teresa of Calcutta
 
Conwy trip changeover
WED 04
TUE 03
Conwy trip departs
684 645 695 636
New Year 7 Information Evening 7:00pm
THU 05
Conwy trip returns
FRI 06 SAT 07
MON 02
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 02.07.18 week A
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 June 22nd) Our attendance continues to improve and persistent absenteeism is decreasing.
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
95.7% 94.9% 95.1% 93.1% 93.1% 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 0161 921 1589/1551. If the school has not been contacted within five days, the absences will automatically be unauthorised. Ten Challenge; Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster unauthorised marks may lead to a fixed penalty Below: 6th formers at the Teenage Cancer3 notice being served.
Trust fundraiser
Our New Pastoral System: Vertical Tutoring On May 25th we held a special Parents Information Evening on our new pastoral system. We presented the plan we have to move to what is called a vertical tutoring system. This means that for form time only (20 minutes each day) pupils will be taught in forms of 25 pupils made up of 5 pupils from each year (Years 7-11). Pupils will be in year group classes for all other lessons and PSHE and sex and relationships education will take place in year groups. We have also divided pupils up in to six houses, each with a member of staff in charge who is the designated Head of House.
Some of the benefits of this are as follows:
Each Head of House has a smaller pupil caseload than the current Heads of Year: 175 pupils rather than 210. This means pupils receive better personal support and develop a relationship with their Head of House more rapidly.
The new forms will be smaller: 25 pupils rather than 30. Form tutors will remain with the same group as they progress through school.
The mix of years means that relationships will be established across year groups. This prepares pupils better for the future, reflects their life outside school and strengthens the school community.
Older pupils will have more opportunities to lead and mentor younger pupils; younger pupils will benefit from developing relationships with older pupils and seeing them grow-up through school.
At key times of year, such as Year 8 options, form tutors and Heads of House will only be focussing on a small group of pupils, rather than at present where the tutor/ Head of Year has to work with a much larger group. Pupils will therefore receive more personalised support when making important decisions or when preparing for exams, for example.
Vertical tutoring is based on the principle of the form being an extended family. It is widely used in successful schools where staff and pupils often report the following benefits:
• More friends in other year groups
A reduction in bullying A greater sense of form and house identity The opportunity for younger students to be helped by older students (for example, when choosing options) Improved transition for Year 6 into Year 7 • Improvements in behaviour and reductions in exclusions as well as far fewer minor incidents or disagreements at break and lunch time between pupils.
• • • •
At present we are working with pupils to allay their fears and concerns and to put them into new forms. We understand that this is big change and that some pupils struggle with that, as will parents and staff. However, we believe (based on the experience of some staff who have worked in such systems and the evidence of other schools) that vertical tutoring will be a very significant and positive change to our school.
We are committed to ensuring an excellent Catholic ethos in our school where relationships are deep, strong and founded on trust and respect; where wellbeing is central to our work; and where young people experience consistently high quality love and care.
Vertical tutoring affords the opportunity to achieve this. It is the pastoral system that our pupils deserve.
The new houses will be formally launched at celebration events on July 16th - 18th. A further letter will be issued to parents and carers about this.
The six heads of House were recently appointed by a panel of staff, governors, a member of the Parent Council and a representative group of pupils. They are: Mrs. McGowan, Mr. Stephenson, Mrs. Robb, Mr. Merriman, Mrs. Toon and Miss Prady. They are led by Mr. Carroll (DHT Community) working closely with Mr. Hulton (SENDCO) and Miss Wright (Designated Safeguarding Lead) and Mrs. Leather and Mrs. Riley in Student Services. Collectively this group of staff is the Pupil Support Team.
4
 
Above: visiting Morsons as part of our careers and enterprise education programme Below left: The art trip to London Below: the Anti-bullying ambassadors celebrate being change makers with a special trip.
5
 
Ambrose Got Talent, clockwise from top left: Emily, Isabelle and Kiera, Lily and Yna 6
 
Ambrose Got Talent, clockwise from top left: Josh, Martin, Kirsty, Sol and Baracka
7
 
Embrace in action: an amazing week!
8


Cooling off with an ice-cream after the Mass for 9 the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul.
5 Days. 205 Speeches. 205 triumphs of courage over fear, 205 students being comfortable with the uncomfortable, 205 acts of grit & determination, 205 stronger students, 205 acts of inspiration & motivation. Lots more very, very proud teachers and parents! Read Mrs. Tulloch’s blog reflecting on the week here: http:// rebeccatulloch.blogspot.com/ 2018/07/embracing-studentengagement.html Kathleen McBride @kathleenvoice21 Replying to @Bectully
The kids are an inspiration, I had a lump in my throat the whole way through; some of what they spoke of was so personal - they showed real courage. I loved your speech too!
Mrs Robb @AJR_1984 I am one very proud head of year today after watching the afternoon oracy performances from year 7. Well done to all of you who took part this week and a big thanks to Mrs Tulloch, the Oracy sta, the year 8 helpers and parents who made this possible. @SABSalford @Bectully
10
TWEET OF THE WEek More
Mary Myatt @MaryMyatt This is an amazing read. Oracy, properly embedded, spine tingling. Led by @Bectully
11
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 12