FAITH IN YOU
LOVE IN LEARNING
HOPE IN BETTER
this week in our school . . .
Volume 5 Issue 3 September 20th, 2019
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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 week. Mr. Davis, Headteacher, reflects on the week. This week, instead of the usual comments from is about(much this time of year that I meet Heads ofIt House as we love them) somewith each Head of Department to review the of the House reports are written by form tutors summer’s exam results. This involves or members of forms. It is delightful to read of useful and thought-provoking through plenty them and to hear about the perspective discussion, but it is usually about of these key individuals on our first talking few weeks numbers and letters. Behind this data of term. My thanks to the staff and pupils whoare stories: how to pupils did,these how they felt, what have taken the time scribe they liked and what they contributions. As we develop theachieved. newsletterWe always focus on how things canto besee and the magazine this year I would like improved as well as celebrating what went the views and ideas of young people, staff and well. As a Catholic school, exam results are families taking centre stage.
just one way of expressing the unique, Godgiven talents skills of been each great pupil. toIt is At the end of the this and week it has important to look beyond the data look back on the many things that have so I am delighted that much more of my job involves happened. Year 11 received another being in classes, walking around inspirational and uplifting assembly from the Mrs.school and talking to pupils, students and Lillie as she encouraged them to reach everstaff.
I get to Maths to find all of Year 9 embroiled in a task that is so challenging and exciting that Ithrough want to astay and a have myself. journey lesson, day,aago term or a year Outside it’s: “Sir, have you seen my tie? is one founded on faith, experienced through Can you my to bottle? did youeach learning andopen brought life byWhat the actions think of last night’s game? What time is it, of us takes to put our learning to good use. Sir?” and, at least once a day, “Oh my Just as last week I ended the assembly with a It cannotice be noisy at times and in aI said.
littledays!” challenge: what’s going well, community this size we can’t expect getdoonthis. with Indeed each other all the Noteveryone enough oftous we seem time. But it is our community, and a lively, hardwired to do exactly the opposite, looking lovely, positive one at that. for what’s not working whilst simultaneously trying to effect huge changes in our lives. Much Perhaps the single highlight of my week, ifand I better, and kinder, to look for small changes had to pick, would be the conversation I had successes that build up into more substantial with Mrs. FayNext whoweek’s is leading the improvements. assembly is led by development of our new library. Mr. Carroll on the theme of GratitudeI am anda library enthusiast and have been ever since Generosity.
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’ observes one user, whilst another quotes the wrought iron gates of Stalybridge library, ‘Read, Mark, Learn and Inwardly Digest.’ Others talk of On the thatescape subject,that myalast observation is that the library represented or of weeks since we returned to school have been the refuge it offered from an unkind world. marked by numerous examples of pupils being both of these things and doing so in small acts: Mrs. Fay spent last Saturday peacefully handing in lost property, helping a soul, stacking the shelves and we arelost inching holding open a door, making a special effort in closer to opening. What thrilled me was her the comment queue forthat lunch or taking the time to pass several boys, some of whom a fewaffect moments with brighten their by a dislike ofsomeone reading, to were electrified day.presence Let’s all of make an effort to notice (and a library in their school: ‘You celebrate) goingthis well.
mean I what’s can borrow and, like, read it,
Notice what’s going well - it’s much better and kinder to look for small changes that lead to substantial improvements
higher. At the same event they also heard from If ever youthe arehuge feeling at allofdespondent LLS Sports about range sporting or fatigued I reckon a quick tour of the school courses the company offers post-16 students. would quickly raise your spirits. Let me It was so heartening to see many of the pupils show you what I mean. Today (Thursday, stay behind and sign up to show their interest.
September 29th) for instance, I dropped into Year 10 GCSE Music. There, I wasof One of the strangest things about the start delighted to listen to performances of the year is how far away the end seems, but Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Hold Back how near it is in reality: before long these young the River and When the Saints Go Marching people will be heading off to new courses and In. I also gotever to sitmore with competitive Daniel and Chester opportunities. In an as they demonstrated their prodigious DJing environment it is vital that young people develop talents. Next, during lunch, I supervised the skills and motivation to sit alongside their canteen and made a point of watching the qualification. This week’s assembly is one of a that take place daily.will Pupils number interactions of opportunities that the pupils have and staff holding doors open for one another, to learn about post-16th opportunities.
offering thanks, little moments of personal gratitude. course, Our Yearappreciation 7s continueand to settle in veryOfwell. It is things don’t always go well in a but it one of the highlights of the day to speakschool, to is lovely to witness a voluntary apology was the breathless utterance of one them at lunch or catch-up with them on their from GodMiss?’ Bless,
a Year 9 to one of the lunch time staff, or pupil. Our library is at the heart of the way out of school each day and hear about the see one pupil help another who is unsure school: a space for being open to and exciting things they have been doing. Their Bensharing Davis ideas and experiences. It is openwhere to go for class. cheerful demeanour and general sense of Headteacher plan and its shelves serve as a reminder positivity about the school are signs of great Twitter: @BenDavis1972 In Sixth Form, I enjoyed a lengthy chat with that there should be no barrier to anyone things to come as well as being further proof of Aidan who explained both the theory of using its volumes or seeking knowledge, the excellent experience they enjoyed at primary Front coverentertainment image: The Chaplaincy Team Iwriting differentiation and its potential commercial solace, or information. can’t school.
a Laudato Si’ prayer application. In English they were studying wait to see it come to life in the weeks the my playsecond Blood Brothers talking with ahead thanks to Mrs. Fay and her band of It has been week on and the assembly humour and excitement about superstitions; helpers. rota. Each morning we have gone a little deeper in Year 7 RE they were dissecting our new into the idea of The Ambrose Way, looking in mission andeach exploring Ben Davis, Headteacher particular at the statement way in which pupil’sthe
personal meanings within it. School is a Twitter: @BenDavis1972 busy, bustling, humming place.
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HOUSe News St. Bernadette of Lourdes st. benedict of nursia
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st. oscar romero
st. michael the archangel
St. Bernadette of Lourdes
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st. oscar romero st. michael the archangel st. francis of assisi St. teresa of calcutta House points and house news pages
st. assisi St francis Francisofof Assisi House Once again St Francis remain in the lead for achievement points, but only just. The House trophy is currently on display in Miss Frost’s form room. A number of students in our House have been recognised for making an excellent start to the new academic year. We have 19 students who have already received 15 achievement points so far this year. In the lead with 21 is Baraka Kulewa. Following closely behind with 19 are Faridah Seriki, Ellie McLean, Caden Farrell, and Will Bradley. Again these students are excellent examples to us all of how our ethos works each day for the growth of each individual in our school community – faith in you, love in learning and hope in better. Obviously there are many others in our House being recognised by form teachers and class teachers across the whole school, and I look forward to celebrating more in our assembly this week. In last week’s assembly I was so proud that St Francis of Assisi were judged to be maintaining extremely high standards with regard to uniform by the Head teacher. This is what we do in our house. Mr Stephenson
St. of Lourdes St.Bernadette Bernadette of Lourdes Mr. Lewis, Form Tutor of 1BL writes: 1BL has made an excellent start to the new school year. All pupils have bonded and gel well together. They are all very supportive and respectful of one another. There have been many positives this term so far. Lee Coffey has been receiving a steady stream of achievement points whilst Niamh Mulhall is our current form leader with 17 points!
st. benedict of nursia
St. teresa of calcutta
st. francis of assisi
Everyone has set themselves targets for this year and are determined to meet them. The 5 newest members in Y7 are happy and are settling in well. All members of 1BL feel energised this year and are striving to succeed - encouraged by chocolate! Each form session provides a calm and reassuring start to the day. Every morning begins with a prayer, where pupils can reflect. Pupils are kept up-to-date with all of the latest notices and take part in all of the form activities. As a group we enjoy discussing the latest news stories, especially those which the pupils can really relate to. 1BL is a competitive group and plans to achieve great things this year! Mrs Sidebottom St Teresaofofcalcutta Calcutta St. teresa 1T have had a positive start to the year with the form based on the top floor in the Re department there has been a calm and reflect start to the day. The new members of the form in year 7 have settled in well and are embracing the Ambrose way of life. As a form we are always ready to learn in every lesson. We have been looking at working as a community together and treating each other how we like to be treated. In our house Teresa we are very fortunate to have a large number of senior prefects deputy head boy and prefects who have been wonderful role models to us all. Many of our year 7 pupils have already voiced their ambition to be student leaders in the school. The student leaders show us how to conduct ourselves around school and are available if we need to talk to them. 3
On our second day of school this year it was our houses feast day and as a house we look to some of the qualities of St Teresa such as how she devoted her life to caring for others. A quote to help us each day this term from St Teresa is: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless” Mrs. Robb St. Benedict of Nursia st. benedict of nursia 1BN have made a good start to the school year. Our year 11’s have been thinking about colleges and post 16 education, whilst getting “stuck” into GCSE studies. We have been looking at how we can contribute to the life of our community, especially with CAFOD’s family fast day coming up on the 4th October. This week we have also been looking at the International day of peace which is on the 21st September. Our students with the highest achievement points so far this year are: Matilda Knight, Yaw Asamoah, Lily Berry, James Edwarda and Reah Betti. I’m looking forward to seeing more names from 1BN rising up the Achievement point table.
St Michaels House news
st. michael the archangel
1M is the focus of our section this week.This is Mr Burns’ form and the pupils see him as their St Michael the guardian angel. Mr Burns greets the pupils everyday and all are well prepared for school and the day ahead. The form is filled with superstars inside school achievements and outside achievements equally matched. We have pupils who were in the school top 10 Achievement points last year - Well done Mollie. Dancing Champions with Phoebe and excellent role models in the form of Oliver, Joe and Zac in year 11. We have talented footballers in the form, and the form show a sense of community in encouraging each others talents. The forms success are always celebrate once a week with positive attitude and behaviour rewarded. Form time is filled with activities and events in the news always looked at and discussed. It is the perfect place to start the day with calm thoughts and reflection. Mrs. McGowan
Mr. Merriman St Oscarromero Romero st. oscar So far in Year 11, I have found it to be challenging but enjoyable as revision for English and Maths has already started. However, I know this will be beneficial as we need all the time we can get to achieve our full potential and the very best of grades. This year, I have also joined the Student Council at Ambrose Barlow and have really enjoyed mixing with other year groups. Personally, I think it's an efficient way to achieve a consensus of opinion throughout the school years and we are currently preparing for an election in the next few weeks for each house. - Rebecca Walsh On the first day of Year 11, I brought the Year 7 pupils to our form and this made me feel like a role model to the lower years. It was good to have some new faces in Oscar 1 and to get to know them and show them around our school. - Jenny Smith I feel really happy to be a St. Ambrose Barlow pupil and I feel grateful for having supportive friends in my form and around school and having helpful teachers who push me to always try my hardest. I know Year 11 will be difficult, but I already feel ready for the challenges ahead of me - Mia Buckley-Ambler 4
Miss Jackson
Around the school This week 

Year 11 welcome Jay from LLS to their special assembly 5
Around the school This week
Above: Year 7 hard at work in the workshops for DT Below: The Year 9 rugby team - so far undefeated this year
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calendar what’s on
Advance Notice
OPEN EVENING for all prospective pupils, particularly this year’s Y6, September 26th at 6pm
Governors meeting, 5:00pm
Parent Council, 6:15pm
School Photographs
TUE 24
WED 25
School Photograph Day, September 23rd - make sure you’re lookin’ gooood!
Open Evening 6:00pm - 8:00pm
THU 26
FRI 27
Bushcraft trip leaves
SAT 28
MON 23
COMING UP THIS WEEK week beginning 23.09.19 week bA
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/b September 16th). Attendance last week was 95.1% with three forms (5M, 3BL & 7BL) achieving 100% attendance. Attendance and its impact on learning
Year 7 Year 8 year 9 year 10 year 11 School
98.8% 95.3% 94.7% 93.8% 95.2% 95.6%
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. Top: at the Siemens Rollercoaster Challenge;
Below: 6th formers at the Teenage Cancer7 Trust fundraiser
TWEET OF THE WEek More
Janine Appleton @Appleton1Janine Sept 19
Huge congratulations to you all - the arts are the route to experiences that show how amazing our world is. Well done everyone, what lucky young people!
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Parishes in our Catchment Area Holy Trinity, Worsley (formerly Christ the King; St. Edmund’s) Sunday Mass Times • 9:00am at Christ the King • 11:00am at St. Edmund’s Our Lady of Hope, Salford (formerly St. Luke’s; SS. Peter & Paul, Pendleton) Sunday Mass Times • 6:30pm (Sat vigil) at St. Luke’s • 9:30am at St. Luke’s • 8:00am at SS. Peter & Paul • 11:00am at SS. Peter & Paul St. Ambrose Barlow, Swinton & Pendlebury (formerly St. Mark’s, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, St. Charles Borromeo) Sunday Mass Times • 9:30am at St. Mark’s • 11:15am at St. Charles • 4:00pm at St. Mark’s
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
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