

FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 2 Issue 5 October 21st, 2016
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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, week.Headteacher, reflects on the week. Let meIt begin with antime apology. We tryI to ensure is about this of year that meet with that our newsletter, packed as it is with each Head of Department to review the information, is a exam weeklyresults. publication. However, summer’s This involves last week it was not possible for us to issue an plenty of useful and thought-provoking edition. The reason? Ofsted. As most you discussion, but it is usually talkingof about will know by know the inspectors joined us numbers and letters. Behind this dataforare two days to take closer did, lookhow at the school. We stories: howa pupils they felt, what have not been inspected since 2008 and, while they liked and what they achieved. We many always things have in education focuschanged on how things can besince then, one aspect remains the same: improved as well as celebratingour what went fantastic pupils. well. As a Catholic school, exam results are
just one way of expressing the unique, GodLike all inspection ours confidential given talentsreports and skills of is each pupil. It for is a number of weeks while it goes through the important to look beyond the data so I am usual checks prior to publication. Nevertheless, delighted that much more of my job involves the inspection team were keen that I shared with being in classes, walking around the school the whole school community how impressed and talking to pupils, students and staff. they were with our young people. They commented positively on their behaviour, their If ever you are feeling at all despondent or courtesy and on how helpful they were. Several fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school of them noted how keen pupils and students would quickly raise your spirits. Let me were to assist the inspectors in navigating our show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, building or with carrying items. They also noted September 29th) for instance, I dropped into their good behaviour moving around the school Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was and in the streets around our campus. For delighted to listen to performances of many of us that was no great surprise, but is is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back always important to celebrate the things we take the River andas When the Saints Go Marching for granted as well the exceptional moments. In. I also got to sit with Daniel and Chester as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing Just before the lead inspector phoned to inform talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised me that she would be joining us the following the and made awith pointa of watching the day, I canteen was in conversation Year 10 pupil interactions that take place daily. Pupils who was proudly wearing a blazer badge of a and staff Bomber. holding doors open for one Lancaster He was telling me another, with great offering thanks, little moments personal enthusiasm of his great-grandfather’sofwar appreciation and gratitude. Of course, record and of his own involvement in the air things go well in a school, cadets. We don’t have always something in common then,but I it is lovely to witness a voluntary apology from pointed out, as my grandfather had flown a a Year to oneHe of was the lunch staff, or Swordfish in 9 WW2. keen,time he told me, see one pupil help another who is unsure for all pupils and students who are cadets to where to go foronclass. wear their uniforms Remembrance Day. This came, he explained, from a desire to link young Sixth Form, I enjoyed lengthy with peopleInwith their past. Later inathe week,chat after Aidan who explained both the theory of the inspectors had gone, I was enjoying lunch differentiation andwho its potential commercial with the Year 10 pupils had led assembly all application. In English they were studying the play Blood Brothers and talking with humour and excitement about superstitions; in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new mission statement and exploring the personal meanings within it. School is a busy, bustling, humming place.
I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled week. As we at one boyexciting who, it in a task thatall is marvelled so challenging and seemed, could make a slice of cake disappear that I want to stay and have a go myself. inOutside a singleit’s: mouthful, we you talked about “Sir, have seen my families, tie? about the little idiosyncracies and anecdotes Can you open my bottle? What did you that make up night’s a familygame? history.What time is it, think of last Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my As I saidItincan mybe previous Startincolumn, days!” noisy atHead’s times and a schools are comprised of stories like this. You community this size we can’t expect notice it very in any school, think it everyone toquickly get on with each otherbut allIthe istime. reinforced when you speak to former pupils. But it is our community, and a lively, Yesterday, I was one luckyatenough lovely, positive that. to be talking to a pupil who had left in the summer and is now at college. a wish to week, come back PerhapsShe theexpressed single highlight ofamy if I and join our Sixth Form, but also told meI had had to pick, would be the conversation animatedly about theiscourse with Mrs. Fay who leadingshe theis now pursuing. But I still miss school, said. development of our new library.she I am a It is interesting to consider what it is she misses. library enthusiast and have been ever since I was little. The furthest reach of my All of us who left school long ago will be able to memory is back to moments spent in our list the unpalatable things we don’t miss, but local library entranced by its colour and very quickly we turn to the people, experiences bright possibilities. On Twitter and places that we wish we hadn’t said goodbye #RememberingMyLibrary reveals the hold to. In school this week we have been lucky that such an institution has: ‘A library card enough to watch storytelling in action as pupils was a free pass to wonderment, words and from Years 10, 11 and 12 have performed their the ability to roam the world’ observes one monologues and duologues to various user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron audiences. We should remember too that much gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, more subtle stories are played out each day as Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of young people take steps towards greater the escapeand thatlearning: a libraryas represented or ofand confidence they progress the refuge it offered from an unkind world. write the story of their development. Mrs. Fayinspent last Saturday peacefully The staff this school are privileged to be part stacking the shelves and we are inching of shaping and participating in those stories. closer opening. What mecarers, was her We loveto sharing them withthrilled parents, the comment that community, evenseveral Ofsted.boys, some of whom affect a dislike of reading, were electrified by presenceyou of aare library in this theirhalf-term, school: ‘You Whatever doing I hope mean I can borrow this and, like, read it, that your time together as a family is enjoyable Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of and you get the chance to create some ofone your pupil. Our and library is at the heart of the own stories memories. school: God blessa space for being open to and sharing ideas and experiences. It is openplanDavis and its shelves serve as a reminder Ben that there should be no barrier to anyone Headteacher using its volumes or seeking knowledge, solace,@BenDavis1972 entertainment or information. I can’t Twitter: wait to see it come to life in the weeks ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of helpers.
Ben Davis, Headteacher
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Twitter: @BenDavis1972 2
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Head’s start . Battlefields trip to the Somme
Danielle Aje, Year 10, writes about her recent we saw different types of trenches such as one for Mr.visit Davis, Headteacher, on the I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled to Flanders with reflects the school. firing bombs, one that was for shelter and one that week. in a task that is so challenging and exciting was to engage in enemy fire. These were the that th I want to stay and have a go myself. From Sunday 25th September to Wednesday 28 exact which It is about this time of year that I meet with Outside it’s: “Sir,trenches have you seenhad my been tie? restored with the September, Eden Fox and I went with Miss exactmy materials 1916. each Head of Department to review the Can you open bottle? used Whatindid youWe also visited Chesterexam on a trip to France and Belgium to summer’s results. This involves think of last night’s game? such Whatas time it, many memorials theisThiepval memorial, commemorate thethought-provoking centenary of the Battle of the plenty of useful and Sir?” and,Flanders at least once a day, “Oh my memorial and a few more. Here we saw Somme. but Thisitwas part oftalking a government discussion, is usually about days!” It can noisyofatmany timessoldiers and in awho are the be names numbers and letters. Behind this data are community this size we can’t expect programme which is giving two pupils from every commemorated but do notall have stories: pupils did, howthe they felt, what to go on everyone to get on with each other the graves. This state how school in England opportunity a showed just how much death the war brought, they liked and what they achieved. We time. But it is our community, and a lively, Battlefields tour. We felt very lucky to be the two thousands thousands of deaths for one war always focus on how things can be lovely, positive one atand that. chosenas from and this left me wondering, was it really worth it? improved wellour asschool! celebrating what went
well. As a Catholic school, exam results are Perhaps the single highlight of my week, if I Sunday, first wentthe down to Kent. The trip to to pick, justOn one way of we expressing unique, Godhad would the conversation I had Finally onbe Wednesday, we went back to West Kent took aand very longoftime we were given talents skills eachsopupil. It is glad to with Mrs. Fay who is leading the Flanders to go back to look at a German important look beyondfor thethe data so IWhile am we were development of our new library. I am a arrive attoour lodgings night. graveyard; was much then the previous delighted more oftomy involves library enthusiast andit have been smaller ever since here wethat gotmuch the chance do job a range of activities ones we had visited. The guide explained to us being in classes, walking around the school I was little. The furthest reach of my which included looking at different items that were because Germany lost and talking to pupils, students and staff. memory isthat back to moments spent in the our war, they were used and found on the Battlefields. We got to hold local library entranced its colour and only allocatedby a small piece of land to bury their gunsyou andare gun casings and pieces of shrapnel. It If ever feeling at all despondent or bright possibilities. On Twitter men which was heart-breaking for me to hear, was allI reckon very interesting andofenjoyable. fatigued a quick tour the schoolWe also#RememberingMyLibrary reveals hold and just had their some soldiers were massthe buried would quickly raise spirits. me who had that such an institution has: ‘A library card researched local your soldiers fromLet Swinton name put onto a piece of stone. Then we went to show you whatthe I mean. was a free pass to wonderment, words and died during Battle Today of the (Thursday, Somme. Tyne the Cottworld’ cemetery, it wasone really large September 29th) for instance, I dropped into the abilitythe to roam observes compared to all the other cemetery Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I was user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron because it was On Monday, we then departed to France and we a British burial ground. Again this made me think delighted to listen to performances of gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, took the Eurotunnel. Once inHold France we visitedLearn the andabout Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Back Inwardly Others talk affected of howDigest.’ many people were by the War. museum reconstruction theZonnebeke River and When the which Saintshad Go a Marching theofescape that a library represented or of Also what if Germany had won? Wouldn’t things This helpedand meChester to imagine what In. aI dug-out. also got to sit really with Daniel theitrefugebeit very offered from an unkind different than they world. are today? These all as must they demonstrated prodigious have been liketheir in the trenches.DJing We also to reality thinking about how many talents. during lunch, I supervised themany Mrs. Fay bring spent me lastback Saturday peacefully visitedNext, Flanders memorial. Here we saw wouldn’t be here if Germany had won the war. canteen madesome a point of watching the the agestacking the shelves and we are inching youngand soldiers, were even below of interactions that take place daily. Pupils and closer to opening. What thrilled me was her 18.holding Also there is open one woman and visiting Tynesome Cott,of wewhom created a clay figure staff doors for one buried another, comment Before that several boys, remembered for her servicesoftopersonal nursing on the affect a dislike offering thanks, little moments reading, were electrified bya each of which will be used as part of Frontline. Then in the evening, we went to the presence commemoration appreciation and gratitude. Of course, of a library in their school: ‘You installation art project. The clay ‘Lastdon’t Post’always memorial in Ypres to commemorate all I can borrow this and, like, read it, things go well in a school, but it mean soldiers had their spines protruding, the protruding is lovely to witness voluntary fromwere two Miss?’ was the breathless utterance of one the dead soldiersaof the war.apology Here there was of showing a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Ourspine library is a atway the heart of the how even with all the signs that I noticed on the Menin gate. These were struggles, if you have a see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open tostrong and spine then we will ‘Pro Patria’ and ‘Pro Rege’, these meant ‘For King’ be fine. clay activityIt was kind of like a break where to go for class. sharing ideas andThe experiences. is openand ‘For Country’ showing how these people died plan and its shelves a reminder from seeingserve a lot as of death and was a great activity for a cause must a belengthy remembered. It was time In Sixth Form, and I enjoyed chat with that theretoshould be no to anyone do, have funbarrier and just get messy. It will also be for silence and remembrance that will me its volumes Aidan who explained both the theory of stay withusing or seeking knowledge, something which we could contribute to the differentiation its made potential solace, entertainment or information. I can’t forever as itand really mecommercial think just how many commemoration also. application. English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks people weInlost to war. the play Blood Brothers and talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. When we finally got home, to be honest, all I could On Tuesday, we went to visit some trenches in think about was how tired I was and how mentally in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new Belgium. When we there, to mission statement andarrived exploring thewe first went Ben exhausting the trip was but then the next day, I Davis, Headteacher the sitemeanings where thewithin Battleit.ofSchool the Somme personal is a happened understood how much of a meaningful trip it was Twitter: @BenDavis1972 andbustling, we had humming a guide who told us about the busy, place. and how much of an eye-opener it was 2 about how trenches and the frontline. Here we could really war can affect so many people. start to picture where the soldiers had fought and 3 try to imagine how horrific it must have been. Here
around the school this week It has been another exciting week in school sport. The Year 9 rugby team demolished Walkden High at home 26 - 6. The team now remain unbeaten in the Salford League for the last 3 years. Meanwhile our Year 9 football team drew 5-5 with The Albion Academy. We entered two teams for the basketball tournament held at Manor High School in Trafford. Both teams did fantastically well. Team 1 won all but one of their 6 fixtures; Team 2, won four and drew 2. All pupils represented the school fantastically well and had a great morning out of school Congratulations go to the Year 7 netball team who won their first game against our tough rivals St Patrick's. The girls won by 6 goals to 1 and the woman of the match was Darcy Cavanagh. Well done also to the Year 8 netball team who played against St Patrick's yesterday. They narrowly lost 5-6 when they were pipped to the post with a last second goal from St Pat’s. Finally, congratulations must go to the badminton stars who have secured a position a Salford Key Stage 4 Champions. This Thursday saw our annual Open Evening for the 11 - 16 school. Well over 700 people attended and toured the school looking at our wonderful facilities and speaking to staff. They were led around the school by a crack team of Year 7 pupils who seemed like professional tour guides. There are too many highlights of the night to list here, but parents were treated to performances of Music and Drama, demonstrations in PE, experiments in Science, dream jars in English and much more besides. A particularly nice touch were the short presentations given by three Year 7 (Findlay, Goda and Min Lee) pupils to parents and carers where they spoke of their experience of moving to secondary school. Thank you to all who came and to all who helped to make the evening a success. Assistant Headteacher Miss Furey was published in this week’s edition of SecEd, a
newspaper about schools and teaching. She writes about our work on Digital Advantage, an innovative approach encouraging pupils and students to consider a career in the creative and digital industries. You can read the full article here:http://www.sec-ed.co.uk/best-practice/ careers-guidance-talking-digital-careers/ Years 10 and 12 headed to Bets-y-Coed in Wales for a joint GCSE and A level field trip river walking and gathering data - you can see the pictures elsewhere in this newsletter. A further joint GCSE and 6th form event took place this week with our Monologue and Duologue Evening at which drama students from years 10 - 12 showed off their latest work from self-penned scripts to extracts of established plays. The same pupils led assemblies throughout this week on the theme of letting your light shine, making reference to the words of Matthew’s Gospel. It was wonderful to see the cabinet of our Student Council getting together to plan their campaign for Syrian refugees this week. They have been inspired by one of their members who attended a rally recently and are putting together a campaign to raise awareness and support amongst the our school community. The Council has also created a short film to introduce its members. It was great to hear that our new house points system is working well. This week we summarised the data and celebrated the successes of five forms and held our first prize draw for Year 11. Prizes included an iPad Mini, a Kindle Fire and an Amazon Voucher. Our highly successful programme of Sixth Form enrichment completed its first half term with an early Halloween party at which pupils and staff enjoyed inflatable table football, toasting marshmallows, Sumo wrestling, giant Jenga and much more besides.
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Pupils from Years 10 - 12 performing their monologues and duologues at the Drama evening, during assembly and at Open Evening.
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Mr. Gregson taking the Poppadom Challenge in assembly; James and Lucas in sumo gear; pictures of Open Evening 6
 
Madeline showing off her medal and sash having qualified for the World Irish Dancing championships 7
 
Toasting marshmallows during 6th form 8 enrichment
 
Year 10 & 12 pupils and students on the Geography field trip in Wales 9
ORACY OVERVIEW DEVELOPING oracy reflections our 1new AUTUMNonTERM
Our whole school Oracy strategy is a key part of the development of the school th Autumn LESSON Main Oracy Protocols covered Lovely Moments the Oracy Team isTerm Year work to help would like tohere share with you… paren 1 7 and each week we will provide an update on our understand the learning better. Please do not hesitate Mrs to get in touch and/ or follo Lesson Our Stimulus was… Talk detectives Tulloch said… 5 and 6
Alma – An illustrated During a group discussion, some students ‘The year 7’s and their families book by Teren Brandy are given the task of being ‘talk detectives’ to should feel justly proud of On Monday ofLarge this week pupils led an ofassembly on the themselves power of oracy that finish find good examples talk amongst their and their young peers. They move between groups listening people. What beautiful, prayerful reflection from Marianne Williamson that is often attributed to Nelson M ‘When Alma gets nervous and observing and then report back after the empathetic and kind talk! It’s this towards thequiet... back newsletter. she gets andof the conclusion of the discussion as to the quality such a joy to be working with quieter... and quieter... of the talk in the room and examples of good you in this way.’ until eventually Alma is talk i.e. “Group 3 took turns really well and silent.’ of lessons everyone contributed.” In the first two weeks our stimulus for talk was… Mrs Chalk offered her found poem for Alma, our selectively Found poetry Exploring the issues mute protagonist from this A small number of students tasked involved in losing your story. Theare Dot bywith Peterweek’s H Reynolds listening into the discussions of a wider group voice and speakers. They need to identify ‘found poetry’ – words andmake phrasesathat standand out for We considered how… “Just mark see where it takes you.” them. They then come together to combine Vashti says draw. their Her‘found teachers think She knows that there’s a creative sp poetry’ into oneshe piececan. which is Alma she nevercan’t lost the then said back to the wider group as a ability to speak, there’s a dot, there’s a way… summary of their discussion. What did happen? Group poetry We considered how… Students work alone to free right their Why does Paolo make • The golden frame of the first and dotfeelings and the of Vasti’s work was similar to o thoughts on agallery topic in a sharing stream the difference? of consciousness. Students then come Speech day – we are raising the profile of talk to make sure everyone uses their talk fo together in a group to share their free writing What would have and identify common ideas and ‘beautiful happened if another • If quiet phrases’. areto cuttell out and the teacher had in shouted at These Vashti herthen off,stuck set a detention and phoned her mum girl had moved together in an order agreed by the group to next door? create a group poem which can then be • The performed. golden it as a metaphor for our speech day What can we frame/signing do for ourselves if we feel Speaking Positions small and quiet? A guide for students to understand how their The 3 Ms of Listening What the Teache body language and how they arrange their POSITIVE BODY 1. ME listening audience are important factors to consider LANGUAGE – stand when speaking publically. • Attention is focused entirely on themselves confident for long Mrs Norris: enough and you’ll feel • You think about a solution before they have finished talking confident
• •
Lesson 7
2.
You may judge someone/or analyse what they have You are me listening when you are bored, distracted
Overlapping The last word of the sentence starts the new MICRO-listening What have we learned? sentence to encourage students to craft the output of the lesson by • Focus entirely on whatcollectively the person says verbally (100% How has our talking (& reacting to what has just been spoken. focused) listening) developed?
•
REVIEW SESSION –
You should be able to remember everything the person has Why has this changed our said learning in this and in other lessons?
3. MACRO –listening • A large net absorbing everything • Consider their tone, energy, facial expression, silence, emotion • You notice what they are and are not expressing (mood)
Great enthusiasm the new ideas & p practice. Discuss be a macro listen revert to 'me' liste regulate. Student ideas of resilience also had great fun groupings & are d formation next we 10 Miss Chalk:
I found that my c
ORACY DEVELOPING oracy reflections FOUND POEMS on our new
Our whole school Oracy strategy is a key part of the development of the school th Macro is what I want to be. is Year 7 and each week we will provide an update on our work here to help paren We’re growing more confident, can’t you see. understand the learning better. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and/ or follo Alma An Oracy Poem from 7L
Thanks to a little thing called Or-a-cy.
Nervous
On Monday of this week pupils led an assembly on the power of oracy that finish Lonely prayerful reflection from Marianne Williamson that often attributed So we know the is appropriate times to talk, to Nelson M Her words were keptthe inside this towards back of the newsletter. Thanks to our wonderful Miss Chalk. (AND MRS NORRIS AND MRS TULLOCH!)
In the first two weeks of lessons our stimulus for talk was… Scared Lonely
AlmaDot Found The byPoetry Peter7CH Reynolds
Too shy to speak
An atmosphere of fear in a garden all on her own, “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” Alma was trapped in aknows bubble that hoping it wouldapop, Vashti says she can’t draw. Her teachers think she can. She there’s creative sp The more nervous she got dot, there’s way… Athere’s circle ofablankness in the a middle of her night, Sadness filled within
She’s in a hole of loneliness, in a bubble of darkness
She never actually lost her voice We considered how… and despair • The golden frame of the first dot and the gallery sharing of Vasti’s work was similar to o She just stopped talking A lonely and dark hole. Speech day – we are raising the profile of talk to make sure everyone uses their talk fo All her emotions isolated inside her. People • stopped If thespeaking teacher
had shouted at Vashti to tell her off, set a caged detention and phoned No spark inside her, in her worst nightmare,her mum tragically invisible.
•
The golden frame/signing it as a metaphor for ourbyspeech day Surrounded her own (unheard) words.
She needed oracy lessons
To participate The 3 Ms of Listening What the Teache Paolo was a ray of sunshine, To gain confidence 1. ME listening Her words showed her the way out of her everlasting • Attention is focused entirely on themselves Mrs Norris: fear. When• I made mistake Youa think about a solution before they have finished talking • You mayscared. It was likehave a spark had risen inside her,Great enthusiasm judge someone/or analyse what they I felt embarrassed, • You are me listening when you are bored, the new ideas & p Thedistracted light within her glowed. I was shy at first. practice. Discuss He was the key to her heart. 2. MICRO-listening be a macro listen was no(100% longer enclosed in a flamerevert of fear,to 'me' liste Focus entirely on what the person saysShe verbally Build•up your confidence. Her despair was stolen by the power ofregulate. inspiration.Student Don’t keepfocused) your feelings inside. • You should be able to remember everything the person has ideas of resilience She has been at the bottom of the ocean but she said also had great fun swam back up. Macro, micro and not to mention me, groupings & are d 3. MACRO –listening formation next we • A large net absorbing everything 11 • Consider their tone, energy, facial expression, silence, Miss Chalk: emotion • You notice what they are and are not expressing (mood) I found that my c
ORACY DEVELOPING oracy reflections FOUND POEMS on our new
Our whole school Oracy strategy is a key part of the development of the school th Her heart broke the glass around it, is Year 7 and each week we will provide an update on our work here to help paren Eve, Emma, Minh Hao and Niamh That flame of confidence that had to burn at some understand the learning better. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and/ or follo point Groups own versions:
Trapped in a bubble of darkness and despair
Was like an explosion of happiness pupils led an assembly on the power of oracy that finish A blast of that joy erupting from her! prayerful Marianne Williamson is often attributed to Nelson M All her emotionreflection isolated insidefrom her this towards the back of the newsletter. As the moon faded, her voice rose like the sun, Tragically invisible
On Monday this week Surrounded by herof own words
In the first two weeks of lessons our
She’s found the end of her rainbow, now she is FREE! stimulus for talk was…
The light within her glowed Paolo was her ray of sunshine
The Dot by Peter H Reynolds 7A
Her despair was stolen away
Found Poetry for Alma and ouritown Oracy “Just make a mark and see where takes you.” HeVashti had thesays key toshe her heart. can’t draw. Her teachers think she can. She knows that there’s a creative sp there’s a dot, there’s All you hear is a little voice.a way… An Oracy Poem for Alma from 7J
My life is full of darkness,
We considered how… She’s•fallen down ten times, I’mgallery sat alonesharing in this dark The golden frame of the first dot and the of silence Vasti’s work was similar to o Trapped inSpeech a cage ofday negativity her voice is lost, – we are raising the profile Where of talkthetohappiness make sure everyone has faded away. uses their talk fo A pit of loneliness, she’s trapped herself inside.
•
If the teacher had shouted at Vashti to tell her off, set a detention and phoned her mum I’m stuck in a bubble, lost in emotions,
Imagine • that.
Where words are stuck inside me. The golden frame/signing it as a metaphor formyour speech day
Darkness.
They’re trapped and they can’t get out.
The 3 Ms of Listening What the Teache Loneliness. Like me. 1. ME listening • Attention is focused entirely on themselves Mrs Norris: Obstructed by an endless tornado • You think about a solution before they have finished talking But slowly my soul begins to grow, • inYou may judge someone/or analyse what they have Isolated her ice cube Great enthusiasm My words come out of my speaking coma. • distracted the new ideas & p Sinking. You are me listening when you are bored, A burst of happiness encourages me, practice. Discuss Endlessly. As my bubble explodes, my voice is found. 2. MICRO-listening be a macro listen • Focus entirely on what the person says verbally (100% revert to 'me' liste focused) regulate. Student Lost and lonely. No light at the end. Like fireworks my words fly from my mouth, • You should be able to remember everything the person has ideas of resilience I blossom like a tree, my words like petal explosions! said also had great fun BUT she got up twelve times, My voice is growing till I can roar like agroupings lion. & are d When all hope –listening was lost a spark of light appeared, 3. MACRO next we I am consumed by confidence as I talkformation aloud. • A large netfear, absorbing Collaborating with her she shed aeverything tear, 12 • Consider their tone, energy, facial expression, silence, Miss Chalk: emotion • You notice what they are and are not expressing (mood) I found that my c
ORACY oracy DEVELOPING reflections on our new app FOUND POEMS
Our whole school Oracy strategy is a key part of the development of the school this year. It is Year 7 and each week we will provide an update on our work here to help parents and car Alma’s self-confidence drained away, she got to up twelve understand the learning better. Please do notBUT hesitate get intimes, touch and/ or follow-up the An Oracy Poem from 7F
She’s in a bubble of trouble,
When all hope was lost a spark of light appeared,
On Monday of this week Hiding all her colours away.
pupils led an assembly on the power oracy that finished with a s Collaborating with her of fear, she shed a tear, prayerful reflection from Marianne Williamson that is often attributed to Nelson Mandela. Yo She’s a world ofthe trouble andof despair. Her heart broke the glass around it, this in towards back the newsletter. Trapped in a dark and silent bubble,
That flame of confidence that had to burn at some
point In the first weeks lessons A bubble thattwo engulfed her of voice away, our stimulus for talk was… A bubble of regret.
Was like an explosion of happiness
The Dot by Peter H Reynolds
A blast of joy erupting from her!
“Just make a mark seefaded, where takesrose you.” As theand moon herit voice like the sun, There’s so many gradients and colours, Vashti says she can’t draw. Her teachers think she can. She knows that there’s a creative spirit in every She’s found the end of her rainbow, now she is there’s a dot, there’s a way… Colours, they’ve lit up her world, FREE! Her vibrant voice burst out,
We considered how… • The Exploding out golden of her bubble frameinofcolourful the firsttalk. dot and the gallery 7A sharing of Vasti’s work was similar to our Oracy le Speech day – we are raising the profile of talk to make sure everyone uses their talk for their learni An explosion of colour which popped the bubble. Found Poetry for Alma and our own Oracy
Paolo her colourful self, • unleashed If the teacher had shouted at Vashti to tell herAlloff, a detention and phoned her mum... youset hear is a little voice. A whirlwind of joyfulness, My life is full of darkness,
•
The golden frame/signing it as a metaphor for our speech day
A rainbow of delight.
I’m sat alone in this dark silence
The 3 Ms of Listening What the Teachers Said: Where the happiness has faded away. 1. ME listening An Oracy Poem for Alma from 7J • Attention is focused entirely on themselves Mrs Norris: She’s times,a solution before they have finished • fallen Youdown thinkten about I’m stucktalking in a bubble, lost in emotions, • You may judge someone/or analyse what they have Great enthusiasm & willingne Trapped in a cage of negativity her voice is lost, Where my words are stuck inside me. • You are me listening when you are bored, distracted the new ideas & put them int A pit of loneliness, she’s trapped herself inside. practice. They’re trapped and they can’t get out. Discussed how it w 2. MICRO-listening be a macro listener all the tim Like me. • Focus entirely on what the person says verbally (100% revert to 'me' listening, we sh Imagine that. focused) regulate. Students loved the • You should be able to remember everything the person has Darkness. But slowly my soul begins toideas grow,of resilience & confiden said also had great fun trying the Loneliness. My words come out of my speaking coma. groupings & are determined t 3. MACRO –listening formation A burst of happiness encourages me, next week! • A large net absorbing everything Obstructed by an endless tornado my bubble explodes, myMiss voice Chalk: is found. • Consider their tone, energy, facial expression,Assilence, Isolated in her ice cube emotion • You notice what they are and are not expressing (mood) I found that my class were su Sinking. Like fireworks my words fly from my mouth, to each other in a wide range Endlessly. I blossom like a tree, my words petal explosions! The 3 Magic Keys to Good Listening Asklike them what “the onion” lo 1. Focusing were also very impressive at My voice is growing till I can roar like a lion. 13 • Give the person who is speaking the centre of attention. of the magic keys to good lis Lost and lonely. No light at the end. I am consumed by confidence as I talk aloud. • Maintain eye contact with the speaker. • Do not interrupt, tell your own story or give opinions without Mrs Tulloch:
calendar what’s on
Open Events
nov 26
WED 02
TUE 01
THU 03
MON 31
SAT 04 SAT 05
COMING UP THIS WEEK
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. Best Attendance by form (October 14th):
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11
7C & 7L 8L 9A 10C 11B
99.3% 99.0% 98.7% 99.6% 96.7%
24 have pupils improved their attendance from below 90% this term. Well done to them all. Mrs. Darby has prizes for them all.
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 unauthorised marks may lead to a fixed penalty notice being served. 14
TWEET OF THE WEEK ‘Thank you! Really impressed with the setup but more importantly the ethos.’ @ChrisSayburn writing about our Open Evening 15
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 16